February 24, 2023
Cast Lots
By: N.L. Skjonsby
The Larson brothers were a reclusive group of four brothers from Norway. They settled in Northern Minnesota in the 1930’s as very young men. Alfred the oldest got a job as a hired hand on a local farm and quickly proved his worth. He was strong, hard working and honest. With this reputation it made it quite easy for each of his brothers to find similar jobs.
The four of them saved their money and bought a small farm of their own. They continued to work for other farmers in the area and tended to their own farm either before or after working all day. After several years they were finally able to be self-supporting by the income generated from their own farm. They sold eggs, milk, and grains for income and they had a large garden that they shared with neighbors.
Before they could afford modern farming equipment they utilized horses for plowing, cultivating, hauling, and transportation. Belgian horses were the breed they preferred and raising and breeding them became one of their largest sources for income. After a showing at the Minnesota state fair, their horses became locally famous.
As the Larsons grew older their neighbors took on some of the tasks around their farm to help. None of the brothers ever married or had any heirs so as they grew older they decided they would split their property and belongings with the children of their closest neighbor. Since there were three kids and there had been four brothers, not everything could be split evenly.
One evening when they were all in there 80’s they stayed late trying to decide how to split everything in the most fair way possible. They stayed up late and made lists and even argued on what was the most fair. When they went to bed that night they were still at odds on a couple of items.
During the night they each had the same dream. In the kitchen the next morning they sat around the table and shared their dreams. Alfred, the oldest went first.
He said, “Last night I had a dream and I know how we can settle this.”
The others spoke at the same time, “Me too!”, “Me too!,” and “I also had a dream with the answer”.
At precisely the same time, they all said, “Let them cast lots.” And it was decided.
-N. L. Skjonsby
— N. L. Skjonsby
Cast Lots
By: N.L. Skjonsby
The Larson brothers were a reclusive group of four brothers from Norway. They settled in Northern Minnesota in the 1930’s as very young men. Alfred the oldest got a job as a hired hand on a local farm and quickly proved his worth. He was strong, hard working and honest. With this reputation it made it quite easy for each of his brothers to find similar jobs.
The four of them saved their money and bought a small farm of their own. They continued to work for other farmers in the area and tended to their own farm either before or after working all day. After several years they were finally able to be self-supporting by the income generated from their own farm. They sold eggs, milk, and grains for income and they had a large garden that they shared with neighbors.
Before they could afford modern farming equipment they utilized horses for plowing, cultivating, hauling, and transportation. Belgian horses were the breed they preferred and raising and breeding them became one of their largest sources for income. After a showing at the Minnesota state fair, their horses became locally famous.
As the Larsons grew older their neighbors took on some of the tasks around their farm to help. None of the brothers ever married or had any heirs so as they grew older they decided they would split their property and belongings with the children of their closest neighbor. Since there were three kids and there had been four brothers, not everything could be split evenly.
One evening when they were all in there 80’s they stayed late trying to decide how to split everything in the most fair way possible. They stayed up late and made lists and even argued on what was the most fair. When they went to bed that night they were still at odds on a couple of items.
During the night they each had the same dream. In the kitchen the next morning they sat around the table and shared their dreams. Alfred, the oldest went first.
He said, “Last night I had a dream and I know how we can settle this.”
The others spoke at the same time, “Me too!”, “Me too!,” and “I also had a dream with the answer”.
At precisely the same time, they all said, “Let them cast lots.” And it was decided.
-N. L. Skjonsby
— N. L. Skjonsby
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