What would you do if you were searching for a lost calf… and instead stumbled into a hidden world 375 million years in the making?

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, Preston and Lenora take you just north of Spring Valley, where farmer John Latcham made an unexpected discovery on his own land—a sinkhole that led to one of southeastern Minnesota’s most fascinating underground wonders.

From the first cautious steps into the darkness to the excitement of early explorers mapping half a mile of passageways, this story has it all: mystery, science, and a touch of small-town ambition. Within months, what began as a chance discovery transformed into the Spring Valley Caverns—complete with guided tours, electric lights, and curious visitors from across the region.

But what lies beneath the surface? How did these caves form—and what might still remain undiscovered 100 feet below?

Join us as we uncover the story of the man, the moment, and the marvel hidden beneath Fillmore County.

For generations, people living along the Root River have whispered about something moving beneath its quiet waters.

Early settlers described a long, dark shape slipping silently below the surface. Fishermen claimed their boats were struck from beneath. Teenagers standing on bridges reported strange shadows gliding upstream at dusk.

Could Fillmore County have its own river monster?

In this episode of Roots & Piddles, Preston and Lenora investigate the strange sightings, old newspaper reports, and local folklore surrounding the mysterious creature said to inhabit the Root River.

But as with many legends, the truth may be stranger — or simpler — than the stories.

Happy April Fool’s Day!

On a fall evening in 1961, Fillmore County Deputy Sheriff Walter Kruegel set out to do something routine — transport a man under arrest back to Preston. But what should have been a simple drive to the county jail would become one of the most shocking tragedies in local history.

Just outside the city limits of Preston, gunshots rang out from inside the deputy’s car. Kruegel, a well-known and respected law officer, had been shot by the very man he was taking into custody.

Though wounded, the deputy managed to stop the car and stagger into a nearby grocery store for help. The suspect fled into the countryside, launching a massive manhunt across Fillmore County.

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we explore the tragic shooting of Deputy Walter Kruegel — the investigation, the arrest, the court proceedings that followed, and the lasting impact the event had on the community of Preston.

It’s a story of duty, tragedy, and a moment that forever changed Fillmore County law enforcement history.

Sources:
Post-Bulletin (Rochester, MN) newspaper reports, court proceedings, and Fillmore County records.

In June of 1874, a strange box was discovered in a quiet stream in Sumner Township, Fillmore County. Heavy. Waterlogged. Bored through with auger holes.

Inside were human bones.

Word spread quickly. Was it murder? A hidden crime? A body concealed in plain sight? Neighbors were horrified to learn the creek water had been used for cooking and household purposes for weeks.

An inquest was called. Newspapers fueled the speculation. Accusations flew. Letters were printed. And what began as a shocking discovery turned into a full-blown community scandal.

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we walk through the original 1874 newspaper accounts, the coroner’s investigation, and the heated public responses that followed. Was this truly a crime… or a medical student’s ill-conceived decision that spiraled into frontier fear?

Sometimes the mystery isn’t what was found — but how a community reacts.

Sources:
Western Progress (June 10, 17, 24, and July 15, 1874)
Chatfield Democrat (June 13 and June 20, 1874)

In the winter of 1854, the settlers of a small frontier community gathered for a Christmas supper at the home of E.K. Dyer. The food was hearty. The mood was festive. And before the night was over… they would choose the name of their town.

Pomfret was suggested — but deemed too “Vermontish.”
Rushville was proposed — then amended.
A vote was called.

And according to an 1882 county history, “the elective franchise [was] freely accorded to the women.”

Every lady in town voted.

But did they?

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we explore the charming — and curious — origin story of Rushford, Minnesota. Was this truly an early act of frontier equality? A symbolic Christmas tradition? Or a later embellishment meant to celebrate the town’s progressive spirit?

We’ll examine the historical record, the cultural context of Norwegian and Yankee settlers in southeastern Minnesota, and the way communities shape their own founding myths.

Sometimes history is written in ink.
Sometimes it’s written by candlelight.

Source: History of Fillmore County, Minnesota (Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1882), Rushford township section.

Before there were towns. Before there were roads. Before Fillmore County even had a name — there was a military expedition moving through this rugged southeastern Minnesota landscape.

For Fillmore County’s 173rd birthday, we’re traveling back to the earliest documented exploration of this region. Who were the men sent to survey the land? Why were they here? And what did they encounter as they passed through the valleys, rivers, and bluffs that would one day become home to thousands?

This episode explores the military presence that helped shape early mapping, settlement patterns, and the eventual formation of Fillmore County itself. It’s a story of frontier strategy, federal oversight, and the beginning of organized governance in what would become southeastern Minnesota.

Sometimes the first footprints leave the deepest marks.

Join us as we uncover the origin story behind Fillmore County — long before the courthouse, the railroads, or the town lines were drawn.

Source:

- History of Fillmore County, 1882

- US Census

In the early days of aviation, long before flight kits and factory-built planes, one man in rural southeastern Minnesota believed that flying should be simple, affordable, and accessible to anyone willing to try.

Bernard Pietenpol, a mechanic and inventor from Cherry Grove, built his own airplanes using everyday materials and automobile engines—often testing them from open fields and country roads. What began as backyard experimentation helped shape the world of homebuilt aviation and inspired generations of pilots and builders around the globe.

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we explore Pietenpol’s life, his groundbreaking designs, and how a small Fillmore County town became an unlikely hub of aviation innovation. It’s a story of curiosity, persistence, and the belief that even in the most rural places, big ideas can take flight.

In the summer of 1912, teenager Victor Patterson disappeared after a night out with friends. Days later, his body was discovered in a pasture near Canton, Minnesota, dead from a gunshot wound. A revolver lay nearby, and the initial conclusion leaned toward suicide—but the details left many uneasy.

Newspaper accounts from the time reveal conflicting interpretations: questions about the weapon, the timeline, and the language used by investigators and the coroner’s jury. Rather than providing clarity, the official verdict introduced ambiguity—suggesting uncertainty about who held the gun and how Victor truly met his end.

In this episode of Roots & Riddles, we examine contemporary reporting, coroner testimony, and period attitudes toward youth, alcohol, and accountability. More than a single tragic death, Victor Patterson’s story offers a glimpse into how early-20th-century communities understood—and sometimes struggled to explain—sudden loss.

Sources:
– Harmony News, July 4, 1912
– Preston Times, July 3, 1912

- Fillmore County District Court, Coroner's Inquest Record, Case 62, MNHS Archives