"A History of Western Murray County" by Robt. B. Forrest, Preface Page 3
Murray Co., MN 
Published 1947
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Early W. Murray Co. MN Hist., Preface (p. 3)PREFACE

          This little volume is neither a history nor a novel and has no 
  pretentions as to literary merit, as to style or language. It is a plainly 
  written story of the plain people who settled here in the seventies. What is 
  true about Leeds township is true of every prairie township in western 
  Minnesota. Leeds was chosen for the reason it was settled by nine Scandinavian 
  families, and they have descendants in the township of Leeds or in the 
  townships adjoining.

          Histories in years gone by referred to this section of the United 
  States as the "Great American Desert." Those early pioneers were pathfinders 
  and doers in the movement which transferred this part of Minnesota from a 
  "Desert" to one of the great agricultural sections of the world.

          This is the story of hardy men and brave women—this is the story of 
  men and women who battled against desperate odds to make the undeveloped 
  prairie into a fertile community and to leave a heritage for their sons and 
  daughters and it is to the memory of those pioneers of the '70's that this 
  little volume is sincerely dedicated.

          The writer is under obligation to Ed. L. Engebretson of Slayton, 
  through whose persistent insistence this volume came to be written. Also to 
  Jack Berry of Pipestone, whose clever pen and ink sketches of the early days 
  have proved so interesting. We are also under humble obligations to the many 
  friends in the western part of the county who have displayed kindly interest 
  and assistance in the making of this little story.
                                                          Sincerely,
  Robt. B. Forrest
  Lake Wilson, Minnesota