Books › Blue Book v085 n06 [1947-10], 1947 › scan 1
Scan 1
Blue Book v085 n06 [1947-10], 1947
22 lines. Read by computer on 18 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1These United States . . . X — Minnesota
3The Coming of the Norsemen — 1362
5It is known historically that King Magnus, the first joint ruler of Sweden and Norway, in 1355 sent one Paul Knutsson of his bodyguard with a stout expedition to find and assist the then lost colony in Greenland; and that in [address hidden] and the remnants of his force came home to Norway.
7Historians believe, from many inscriptions, graves, and Norse weapons and implements of the period found in Minnesota and Canada, that a portion at least of the expedition got into Hudson's Bay, and came south into the present Minnesota. Largely by the efforts of Mr. H. R. Holand, their actual route has been traced through western Minnesota, corroborative evidence has been secured in Norway and elsewhere, and a most impressive body of texts now points unescapably to the presence of the Norse here between 1355 and 1364, and their losses by massacre. A free translation of the message carved upon the famous Rune Stone found near Kensington, Minnesota, would read:
9"We have ten of our party by the sea to look after our ships fourteen days journey from this island in the year of our Lord, 1362. . . . We are eight Goths (Swedes) and twenty-two Norwegians on an exploration-journey from Vinland through the West. We had camp by two skerries one day's journey north from this stone. We were out and fished one day. After we came home we found ten of our men red with blood and dead. Ave Maria, save us from evil."
11And what of it, you ask; did they accomplish nothing? Let us imagine how valorous Paul Knutsson would answer for himself:
13"I cannot give any great report. We found in your land no trace of the lost colony; the colonists had mingled with the natives. We discovered an excellent country; those sent afar north and west made a great journey. Yet, even if those who went so far mostly died, I cannot call it wasted.
15"Regardless of results, no effort is a waste. This was a loss, but not waste. All men die; why not pass on in the search for what lies in the unknown? That is a worthy end for any man.
17"Our party left a few graves, a few stones—nothing else, you would say. Yet I say it was a noble thing, because a few ventured into wasteland and some returned. Thereby proving nothing, to your minds; but to us showing an element of faith and courage and the guiding hand of Providence.
19"I can affirm you only one thing: to die unsung and afar is no great sorrow. It matters little if one's heroism be known and praised; it matters much if one's heart be strong."
21Thank you, Paul Knutsson. Only a man's man could have voiced those last words.
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.