Mickel Hendrickson, in 1872, started the construction of a building for a store, but he died just before it was completed. He was in partnership with John Rudberg owning a threshing machine driven by oxen. In threshing on his own farm, he accidentally stepped into the cylinder of the machine while it was in motion, which caused his death before a doctor could get to him. On June 12, 1873, a swarm of Rocky Mountain Locust, not grasshoppers as often mistakenly reported, invaded the central and southwestern parts of Minnesota. They came in swarms so huge that they blocked out the sun, sounding like a rainstorm. The “grasshoppers” became so thick on the railroad tracks that it took three hours to go just the five miles from Darwin to Dassel. On October 15, 1873, O. H. Sundahl, and Louis and Jonas J. Rudberg opened a general store in the Hendrickson building. On May 1, 1874, Charles. A. Morris bought O. H. Sundahl's share in the business and, on November 10, 1875, the firm purchased the Samuel A. Bunting store from his heirs and combined it with their business. William Wallace was an early photographer in Dassel with tin-types, which were the only pictures they had back then. His photo gallery was opened for business in 1873. After business hours, William would entertain his customers with his violin playing. Ray F. Case came in 1873 with his parents, but following their deaths, he moved to town in 1883 and worked in a drug store with Charles A. Morris, until Morris sold out to Dr. McCullom. Jonas Rudberg bought it from McCullom. Ray still worked there until Rudberg died. Then he and Jonas’ widow formed a co-partnership to carry on the business. In 1886, McCullom bought out Mrs. Rudberg.