sentative of the foreign races in this part of the county, is familiarly spoken of as "Oley." But this will all change with age, and Slater will be a robust young town with more than its present 400 people, and abundance of dignity when its trees grow up.
It has been said that in 1874 Mr. Nelson opposed the location of Sheldahl on account of its site and the inconvenience of the school district being in three counties. He, however, led off in Sheldahl, and for years the land to the north, and especially the present site of Slater, which was entered by Samuel Moffatt as early as August 10, 1855, remained idle lands until the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway put a depot at the crossing in the summer of 1884, as provided in the act of the previous Legislature ordering depots at all crossings. In the following winter, upon this, A. M. Jenks laid out a little plat in the southeast corner of the crossing, composed of five blocks, and bearing the name Sheldahl Crossing; the railway wanted to call it Pascal. Very soon Nels Norman moved a store over from Sheldahl, and a few others started over, and the exodus from Sheldahl was only a matter of time. Then Fred Miller built the elevator and gave the grain business a great boom here for the next two years. Meanwhile Sheldahl was in suspense as to what to do, when a post-office at Slater Junction was established March 25, 1887, with Lewis Askeland postmaster. Re put up a grocery store also on Lot 6, Block 1, and this led to a public meeting at Sheldahl to decide what to do; it was soon evident that the most of those present were for putting their stores and home on wheels and moving with all their chicken-coops and fences to the new post-office of Slater. Among those who voted to do this were Hon. Oley Nelson, M. P. Webb, Ben Owens, Ed. H. Miller, George Hellen, C. C. Holm, Mr. Ustling, A. A. Lande, O. B. Apland, W. B. Miller, Dr. E. A. Rawson, L. Gamrath, John Johnson, August Peterson, M. Clark, S. Vinset, K. P. Hanson, J. N. Scott, G. Reynius and others. Mr. Jenks at once laid out a strip of blocks east and south of the former plat under the title, Slater Junction, and offered twenty-five lots to as many people who would move over buildings or build from Sheldahl. During that summer, too, the entire name was changed to Slater. Twenty-five men, headed by Mr. Nelson, came over and examined the site to choose their lots. Mr. Nelson was given first choice and he took Lot 12 on First Avenue (Block 7). The rest all picked out on both sides of the avenue, between Story and Second Streets, and business was fastened as at present. Some speculators had quietly bought up Main Street, thinking that business would be there, but they have been disappointed. During the summer about fifty-five buildings were moved over to these and other sites and more were built until the town was much as it is now. This movement cost probably about $6,000, but it is more than made up in increased price of their Slater property.
With about 400 population, Slater's business has grown until the railway crossing, with its leading importance, has made grain, produce and poultry take the lead. Stock shipment would follow closely after this, and general merchandise next. There is no doubt that school facilities have been a leading factor not far beyond the above in drawing in and keeping a large share of the population. Banking and foreign exchange in the hands of Mr. Nelson is a very important feature, and implement sale, the importation and breeding of fine stock would follow next. Blacksmithing, the Slater Scoop & Dump Board Company, a wagon shop, and a very extensive clock and watch trade by George Hellen also are