The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-04-29
A Highly-Honored Baby.


pie of weeks since an exceedingly American
occurrence was chroniced at Storm Lake, |
Ia, small city on the line of the Iowa |
Central railroad, some eighty or one hundred |
miles east of Sioux City. On Friday night
several western bound trains, with several
hundred passengers, were compelled to stop |
there till the relief trains could plough and
shovel way through the drifts extending
thence to Sioux City. The two hotels
were, of course, soon crowded. The resi-
dents then threw open their houses and
with American heartiness made all the
storm-stayed passengers their guests. On
one train was car Of Menonites from the
south Of Russia on their way to join the
colonies of their countrymen and co-relig-
ionists in Dakota Either too timid to ac-
cept, or unable to comprehend the invita-
tiOns of the people Of Storm Lake, the
Russians refused to leave their car, where
they passed the night. Next morning it
was ascertained that in a bed room improv-
ised by tacking some sheets across the
end Of the car where the stove was, one Of
the Mennonite women named Brolinska,
was about to be confined. The simple
Mennonites had apparently, no idea of
soliciting medical attendandce or more suit
able accommodation, but these, of course,
were soon supplied. Two doctors from
Storm Lake and two others who were storm
stayed prmptly volunteered their services,
and under their auspices a possible Presi-
dent Of the United States was successfully
ushered into life. The ladies of the city,
with the sympathy and curiosity of their
sex, were not long in making their way to
the car to inspect and aid, and thus in q
very short space Of time of inconsiderable
excitement was caused in the crowd whose
members were all in unusual good humor
and prepared to make the most of any sensa-
ton. The mayor summoned special meet
ing of the council, which declared the day
public holiday, voted the hospitalities Of
the city to the baby and its mother appoint
ing committee to present the resolution,
and invited the citizens to make a suitable
demonstration. These, nothing 10th, COM
piled. \ procession was organized, contain
ing every vehicle, public or private, in
the city, headed by the city marshal on
horseback and brass band drawn by six
gray horses. Following these came in
carriages the mayor and counil, the Odd
Fellows, the Free Masons, the Young Mems
Christian Association and the church soci-
ties then marched the fire department
the general public afoot or in carriages
came next. The mother and baby were
carried in triumph to the public hall, where
after prayer, speeches were made by the
mayor, Judge Jefferson p Kidder, delegate
to congress from Dakota, and several pro-
minent lawyers, merchants, ETC., the con-
Guiding oration being delivered by Eph.
Witcher, who brought back the first news
from the Black Hills miners. The an
nouncement was then made that five acre
plot of land adjoinining the city was to be
given to the baby the deed being already
prepared and only needing to be filled in
with his name. A poll was at once demand
ed, and some go of the $50 people present
voting for that name, the boy was christen-
ed by popular acclamation Storm Lake
Brolinska. The procession then reformed
and escourted Master Brolinska and parent
to the station where special engine and
car awaited them, and bore them away to
Sioux City amid cheering, ringing of bells,
screeching of whistles, etc. All the flags
and banners in the town were hoisted or
hung out, bells were rung, firearms discharg
ed, healths drank, the Storm Lake Pilot
got out an extra containing a full report of
the demonstration, and altogether the peo-
pie treated themselves to a sort of wintry
Fourth of July