BECAUSE I’M A WRITER, I notice misspelled words. When I traveled through Sleepy Eye a few months ago, I spotted the improper spelling of “mall” on a building along U.S. Highway 14, the main route through this southwestern Minnesota town. Instead of “mall,” the building was tagged ANTIQUE MAUL.
At first glimpse, I noticed only the misspelled "ANTIQUE MAUL."
So Saturday, when my family passed through this community of 3,644, I had my camera ready to snap a few images of the spelling error out the front passenger side window as we drove by.
Not until later, when I was back home viewing the uploaded photos on my computer, did I realize I had captured more than a misspelling. I’m not certain exactly what I photographed.
My attention was quickly diverted from “MAUL” to the block letter message splayed across the front windows of the padlocked store: “Y WOOD THE LORD TRUST ANY ONE IN SLEEPY EYE? AS U DID TO BABY FAITH: YOU DID TO BABY JESUS!”
What is the meaning behind the strange messages on the windows?
I was stunned. Who placed this message on these windows for all to see? Who is baby Faith and what happened to her? What does this bold, apparently angry, statement mean?
I have no clue.
I called my husband to the computer to study the photo. He noticed more, graffiti scrawled on the windows: “R U A SPOOK…R U A SPY”
We are baffled. What is going on here at the ANTIQUE MAUL in Sleepy Eye?
Further study of the photo reveals bumper stickers plastered onto the padlocked door. They read:
“fight Air Pollution!…Gag a politician!…”
“No Nuclear Dump…”
“MN FAIR SAYS STOP Radioactive Waste…It glows on & on”
The bumper stickers point to an opinionated person with viewpoints that may not exactly fit into this conservative, close-knit, mostly- Catholic, Minnesota farming community.
I lived in Sleepy Eye in the early 1980s when I worked as a local newspaper reporter. I got a good feel for the community then. Maybe it’s changed. But, I’ll be honest here and tell you that, as an outsider and a Protestant, I never felt at home in Sleepy Eye. That feeling of exclusion, but mostly a less-than-ideal work environment and a better job offer at a nearby daily prompted me to leave after only six months.
I don’t know the exact pulse of Sleepy Eye today. But you’ll still find a solid Catholic foundation here which includes a parochial school, a retreat center and a church. I expect the beliefs of that population base are reflected in the pro-life signs edging this town. I appreciate and admire the public stand residents in this area make for unborn babies and their right to life. I support them.
That focus on babies takes me back to that strange, strange message at the ANTIQUE MAUL: “Y WOOD THE LORD TRUST ANY ONE IN SLEEPY EYE? AS U DID TO BABY FAITH: YOU DID TO BABY JESUS!”
I can’t imagine anyone feeling such animosity toward the people of Sleepy Eye. These are, from what I remember, good, honest, hardworking folks. The statement is so condemning.
(Just as a side note, if you recall, Sleepy Eye was the focus of world-wide attention in 2009 when then 13-year-old Daniel Hauser fled Minnesota for California with his mother to avoid court-ordered chemotherapy treatments for his cancer. The family, members of a spiritual organization that promotes natural healing methods, later changed their minds and Daniel underwent chemotherapy.)
The Hauser story has nothing to do with the topic of this post. I mention it simply to point out that even in rural areas (and maybe more so there), individuals have strong opinions and they’re not afraid to voice them.
Does anyone out there know who’s voicing an opinion on the storefront windows of the ANTIQUE MAUL and what, exactly, those words mean?
I would really like this mystery solved and an explanation for the messages I find all too unsettling for a small town in southwestern Minnesota.
© Copyright 2011 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Call the paper you used to work for and ask them if they know what it means. Or perhaps the library?
With a name like Antique Maul, does it mean you get to be mauled for free?
Good suggestions. I thought I would just put the post out there before I start snooping around. I think the person who wrote “maul” is simply a bad speller as “would” is also spelled “wood” in the message.
Readers, I’ve gotten a tip from reader Jeremy on the identity of the Antique Maul owner. If I can confirm the information Jeremy gave me, I’ll publish his comment. In other words, I’ll try to reach the owner of the Sleepy Eye business for information on the mysterious window message.
I’d love to know, if you ever find out.
Yeah, I hope a reader out there can solve this mystery. It’s not like I can call the Sleepy Eye Chamber of Commerce and ask, “What’s with the message on the Antique Maul?” Or, maybe I could call them and ask, although I suspect they wouldn’t be too excited about addressing the topic.
The whole message is just so odd that I really wonder.
That would be really interesting if you found out! I hav a co-worker who is from sleepy eye. I will ask her if she knows or has heard anything about it!
I got some info from a reader about the owner of the Antique Maul in Sleepy Eye. I can’t publish everything he wrote to me, but I can summarize. Yes, if you can ask your co-worker about the “maul” and get that info to me, I would like to compare it with the info I already have. I have been unable to reach the supposed owner. Hopefully I can share some basic info with all of you at some point.
I shot some photos in Sleepy Eye this summer and noticed the same words on the window just tonight as I was looking at the photos. Pretty eerie. I searched online and that led me to your blog. Did you ever find out anymore?
I did learn more about these words, but the individual who informed me asked that I not share that information. I honored his request in respect of the man who penned those words. Let me just tell you that the story would hurt your heart.
I worked in the building next door (west) for 4 years in the 1960’s when I was in high school repairing radios and TV’s. I cannot remember what was in that “maul” building. Two buildings west, which is now a driveway (ref google maps), was Venero’s meat market. I can still smell the meat smoker. The building to the east was the gas company. I must have passed that “maul” building 1000 times and do not remember it. It may have been vacant for years. I know I was never inside. Sleepy Eye always had an under-culture, much of it secret. I now live on the east Coast and people here make no secret of their views good, bad or profane. Minnesota folks keep their thoughts to themselves and their families. They try to always be very pleasant and keep visits brief. I cannot remember any gossip. To counter your “not felt at home” views, the protestants in Sleepy Eye were very involved in their churches and very loyal. I went to both the catholic and public school and was shocked, at that time, how much more time the protestant students spent at evening church activities than the catholic students. I was invited to more protestant events in 4 years than catholic events 8 years at catholic school. I was never excluded but my parents were not too keen about it. Those were the days when the pastor, Father Adrian, made it clear that the Catholic Church was the only church. Dr. JS
Jerry, it’s interesting to hear your insights into Sleepy Eye from a “native son” perspective. You are correct about Minnesotans in general. We tend to keep our feelings close.
As for the writing on the windows of the “maul,” I noticed the words were gone the last time my family drove through Sleepy Eye.
I checking recent google photos since 2008 I noticed the building i worked in is now torn down and part of a driveway. That puts the “maul” open to the west. Still cannot find what business occupied that building in the 1960’s.
Next time I drive through Sleepy Eye, I will pay closer attention to the buildings. May be time for an update.
I found the “maul” building in the 1910 to 1920 era. Far right in the photo below. It was a barber shop. I now remember the the barber pole but the shop was closed during my time. I remember it being a creepy building but no one talked about it. There may be some stories attached to it. Other than some white paint on the window trim, the building has not changed since it was built. Everything to the west is now gone or replaced on that block. I am guessing that building holds some interesting tales. Where i live everybody talks about the history of all old buildings. There are so many stories that you realize how reality is twisted. Four blocks away is a 5 story 1740’s hotel that survived the revolution. It is now a museum but since it is a simple wood box with original peeling paint, a real eyesore. Hollywood must have made several movies about the horror stories told about that place. Minnesota people tend to keep these things quiet, but if there are many many stories here there must be some there.
Sleepy eye must have been a boomtown in the ‘teens and 20’s. The actual 3 block main downtown area has not grown since.
If only walls could speak, huh?
So many of the southwestern Minnesota prairie towns were boomtowns back in the day. Even my hometown had so much more than it does today, although a combo thrift store/grocery just opened. I’m excited to see that as having basic food supplies like bread and milk available in town again is a blessing to residents who otherwise must drive 20 miles for any foodstuff.
I will try to figure it out I live in Sleepy Eye I will do it in the spring.
Chantel, I wrote this post quite some time ago and I’m not sure the message is even there anymore.
Audry, even if the message is no longer there, my curiosity (and I’m sure that of many others) has been piqued and we still wonder about the story behind the message. Do you think the source who told you a bit about it all could believe that many of us readers are not car wreck gawkers but rather, seek to learn about stories like this one for another reason? We (I) continue to develop my sense of empathy and compassion when I learn about tough times for others, and better understand human nature – both the good parts and the bad. I wonder if your source would re-consider allowing you to print some parts of the story even if identifying characteristics of some who were part of it must be changed or omitted. Just a thought. Thanks for considering it,
Cheryl, I appreciate your thoughtful response which shows the kindness of your heart.
I wrote this post quite some time ago and no longer have contact info for the source. I also noted when driving through Sleepy Eye that the messages are gone. I, too, like to learn the stories behind some of these things I discover. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t.