Remembering Stanton's version of 'Tom Sawyer'

Viking Lake has never looked better, or had more to offer, than it does this year. The water sparkles, trees are lush, recent building and campground expansion has settled into place, and I’m told the fishing is fine.

All this reminds the Time Capsule of an article from 52 years ago, when our paper carried a story that tied Tom Sawyer to the lake and a local boy’s boat-building project. Under the headline “Stanton Version of Tom Sawyer,” the following appeared in The Express on August 12, 1957:

Michael Lindgren of Stanton, 14, was recently cast as Tom Sawyer in a grade school operetta presentation of Mark Twain’s novel of the same name. And as Tom in the school play it was simple for Michael to convince supporting cast members that painting a fence was fun, not work.

But as a modern-day Tom Sawyer, Michael flopped recently in a similar paint-pawning scene. And like Tom’s outfoxed friends, Michael discovered fence painting is work, not fun.

“It may have worked in the play,” said Michael. “But kids are too smart for that act today. I couldn’t interest anyone unless I offered to pay.”

The discovery of how outdated is Mark Twain’s ruse came when Michael started painting a metal rod fence which surrounds a cemetery in Stanton. Michael agreed to paint the fence provided his father, a member of the Mamrelund Lutheran Church cemetery board, would help purchase a boat kit.

“I tried to interest several pals, but they just laughed,” Michael said. “They probably saw the play or read the book.”

One pal, Junior Shield, also 14, agreed to help. But both he and Michael strayed from Twain’s script. They were paid for their painting.

Three weeks and several gallons of aluminum paint later the boys, paint smeared and tired, finished their task. As agreed, Mr. Lindgren helped Michael purchase a boat kit. But fate loomed once again to haunt Stanton’s modern-day Tom Sawyer.

“The boat leaks,” Michael declared.

A good many people were building boats when this article appeared. Viking Lake was about to be dedicated and the idea of getting on the water in something that floated appealed to most everyone.

The so-called “Swedish Armada” was soon to set sail. We hope young Mr. Lindgren got his leak fixed in time for the launch.

Roy Marshall is a local historian. E-mail him at news@redoakexpress.com.