Curt Brown

A self-described loner, Jack Kodell bounced around southern Minnesota as a kid before — presto! — blossoming into a world-renowned magician.

A new book by a retired Winona music teacher tells the tale of four musicians whose lives became intertwined in surprising ways.

Walter Ball, the son of a St. Paul barber, was listed as a railroad porter in the 1900 federal census.

He was good enough to play in the majors, historians say, if there hadn't been a color line.

Dr. Earl Wood led a brilliant career at Mayo, stretching from World War II into the 1980s.

“Biggest thing we ever did before he went in was a trip to Chicago in 1937 to see our first baseball game and ride on the El,” Bernie said.

Jacob Castor's tombstone was accidentally shot by fellow settlers who “mistook him for an Indian.”

Kathleen Jordan battled tuberculosis in Minnesota children with energy and guile.

Said Griffin, namesake of Central High's stadium and the St. Paul police headquarters: “I had to fight for everything I got.”

Still largely unknown 66 years after his death, William Laughead helped popularize perhaps the biggest name in American folklore.