Bunyan Benevolence

Town meeting in progress, Brainerd, MN, 1941.

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"But Mr. Andersen, er, Mr. Mayor, Brainerd is the best Paul Bunyan town. If we just..."

"Order, Sven. Wait yer turn. Mr. Johnson has the floor."

"Well, I was aboot to say, I think we should make a big point o' that Paul Bunyan carved out Birch Lake."

"Oh, sit down, Johnson. We all know that."

"Sven, one more outburst and I'll have you removed...and quite yer grumblin'. Next to speak is young Erik. Then Bjorn. Sven, yer after, if'n ya last that long. Go on, Erik."

"Yes, sir, Mayor, sir. I..."

"Well, spit it out, lad."

"I plum fergot...Oh, yeah. Reckon there'll be a dance this Bunyan Day? I's gonna ask..."

"Son, I'm sure there will be, but this here meetin's aboot makin' the biggest Paul Bunyan claim. Bjorn, any ideas?"

"Never mind. I was gonna ask if'n my band can play fer the dance. I bin practicin' my accordian sumpin' fierce an' all."

"Yes, fine... Sven, yer turn."

"Mine's a doosey and a hoot to boot. It'll really set us apart as the best dad-gum lumberjackin' town. I say we writ in law what men has ta grow a beard. That ways, we all's looks the part!"

"I'll be danged if that ain't the best idea yet. I'll bet them folks over in Bemidji wished they thought of it when they sees us. All in favor?"

"Aye!"

"Opposed?... Motion carried. Men, grow 'em out!"

"I haven't had my say, gentlemen... and I use that term loosely."

"Widow Sorensen, this is highly unusual."

"Women are perfectly capable of public speaking, Mayor Andersen. You'll find my name as LS, next on the list. My husband, as you know, ran the mill here for 20 years. I intend to run it until our sons return from fighting in the war."

"Order! You all, quiet down. Mrs, er, Ms. Sorensen, do you have anything relatin' to the present conversation?"

"I was getting to that, if you men would stop interrupting. One thing Bemidji and Akeley don't have is a statue of Paul Bunyan's ox, Babe. I'm willing to furnish wood if someone will build it and paint it."

"I can build it, Mayor."

"Thank you, Bjorn. I reckon the town can git blue paint. All in favor of a giant Babe statue?"

"Aye!"

"Opposed? Motion carried.

"Do we still git to grow beards?"

"Yes, Sven, if'n yer capable."

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This fictional story is designed to explain why it was is (?) a law that men have to grow beards in Brainerd, MN.

Paul Bunyan, a mythical giant man, was reported to have made some of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes with his footprints. Others, he carved out with single shovel strokes. According to legend, he could clear a forest with a single whack of his humungous axe. His sidekick, Babe, the giant, blue ox, helped him in his lumberjacking endeavors.

Many towns in Minnesota and some surrounding states make claims on the big man.

Brainerd has a museum, "Paul Bunyan Land." Visitors can talk with Paul Bunyan, even be mentioned by name.

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Akeley, MN calls itself "The Birthplace of Paul Bunyan." This is also the largest of the statues.

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Bemidji actually had the first statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe, made in 1937.

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This amusing set is in Ely, MN.

Having grown up 43 miles from Brainerd and 50 miles from Bemidji, we also had Logging Days every summer in my hometown of Park Rapids, MN.

Also, in Park Rapids, it is against the law to drive a herd of pigs down Main Street.

I hope you enjoyed this silly walk down memory lane.

Here's the link for the challenge: