Trailblazing Julia Nelson: The Victorian Woman Ahead of Her Time

In 1905, a resolution by the Minnesota Woman's Christian Temperance Union's District 26 sparked a heated debate over its controversial reference to "city Darkys." This district, encompassing Goodhue-Dakota-Rice counties, held their convention in Pine Island, where members expressed concern over the perceived influence of black children on their white counterparts.

The national WCTU, a formidable entity at the dawn of the new century, championed the cause against alcohol. However, its horizons broadened, tackling a myriad of societal concerns. From denouncing crude language and immodest attire to condemning trashy novels, the WCTU became a moral compass of its time. Notably, a speaker once emphasized the value of time, suggesting that life was too short to waste on inferior literature.

An intriguing story that caught the town's attention was the last will and testament of Julia Nelson. Gossips in Red Wing were set abuzz when they found out that a significant portion of her wealth was left to Will D.F. Richards, a black man. The rampant speculation ranged from them having an illicit affair to Richards being her illegitimate son. However, Nelson's niece, Lorena Bullard Wiech, who inherited $9,000, stood by her aunt's decision, believing that it was indeed her genuine wish.

A vocal advocate for both the WCTU and suffrage in Red Wing, Susie Stageberg, was familiar with Nelson and Richards. She insisted that their bond was merely platonic. Nelson herself clarified her relationship with Richards in her will, likening his companionship to the affection a son would provide to his mother.

Julia Nelson's progressive views and unconventional lifestyle often made her the subject of town gossip. Her endeavors, like teaching former slaves in the South and advocating for suffrage and prohibition, set her apart from her contemporaries. Her audacious choice to slightly shorten her skirts so they wouldn't drag on the dirty streets further distanced her from the conventional Victorian woman ideal.

However, Jens Grondahl, the esteemed editor of the Red Wing Daily Republican, lauded Nelson in a tribute in 1934. Grondahl heralded her as an avant-garde figure, unfairly ridiculed by her critics. He highlighted her innovative initiative of employing some of her students from the South at the Equal Rights Meat Market.

Through all the criticism and challenges, Julia Nelson stood out as a beacon of progress and innovation, rightfully earning her place as a woman truly ahead of her times.