New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1879-08-13

short sketch to this class of literature
The city have chosen to write about
is one Of an unusually entertaining
history.
NEW uLM, &
q city of southern Minnesota, of Ger
man parentage and fostering, is built
upon the Minnesota River, near itt
junction with the Big Cottonwood
twenty .eight miles west OF st. Peter
Extending for miles around about IL
are the beautiful plains and lakes the
Indians delighted in for buffalo, elk,
deer and fish. For situation, the New
Ulm Of the new world, is very much
like the Ulm of the old world. There
are extremely delightful rides up and
down the rivers, and in and out among
the lakes, which one can enjoy fol
hours, day after day without weari.
ness. The views from the bluffs are
fine beyond description, and their his.
torical associations intensity ones in.
terest. All this was once Indian
country; on these bluffs and in the
valleys. but a few years ago hundreds
of the red men gathered in the mad.
ness Of battle and poured out their saw.
age fury upon the scattered and de.
fenceless settlers and the quiet, in.
dustrious city.
Much has been written of New Ulm
and it's people. Within few months
we have seen extracts from articles
published in eastern papers grossly
unjust. The impression left upon the
christian mind by the reports that have
gone out are not at all flattering. While
no one would deny that New Ulm is a
sinner, many would not accept that
she was the chief Of sinners; but more
of this hereafter.
The first pioneers of New Ulm date
back to 1855; under the fostering care
of q company formed in Chicago,
which purchased claim, the settle
ment grew until the land was pur.
chased by the Turner Association.
Two years later, in 1857, the Frank
Steel arrived from Cincinnati and
brought on her deck about two hun.
bred Germans. These were the actual
founders Of the present city. It seems
to have been the purpose of the found.
ers of the city to make it exclusively
German. All other nationalitles were
discouraged from locating in the town;
and there are a few now Of the older
residents who have the same mind
1t is generally believed also, the colony
first settling the town was positively
hostile to the christian religion; but
this may be questioned. There are,
no doubt, some who are hostile to
christianity, and her institutions; but
that the first settlers of New Ulm pos.
itively prohibited the location Of q
priest or minister inside her limits is
stoutly denied by those in whom
have confidence. Nor. 20 far as am
able to learn, has there ever been q
proscriptive ordinance passed aimed at
religion or its representatives. Re.
port has it that New Ulm has twice
burnt in effigy Jesus Christ; and some
there are who believe this; but she
denies it; and probably the only foun.
dalton for the scandal is the drunken
rowdy proceedings of some young men
on one occasion. No doubt our ten.
tonic friends have decided convictions,
and warm blood which can easily be
boiled, and has boiled on pr0vocati0n
more than once i'll the past. No ques-
ton but that among the good, lava.
biding, peaceful citizens Of New Ulm
there have been fellows of the baser
sort who have been full of riotous do.
ings. Hard stories are told of some of
these fellows, which are undoubtedly
true; but they are such as can be pick.
ed up in most any community where
there are fellows wild and reckless.
One thing is certain-the priest and
the minister are in New Ulm. The
Catholics are here in strong force, and
have been many years-fourteen at
least; the Lutherans have also a
church and building, with good fol.
lowing; the German Methodists have a
church and building, with q good 30.
ciety and residence minister. All
these religious bodies pursue their
work without molestation. They have
the same opportunity and the same en-.
couragement to extend their churches
as like communities offer. There is nc
established English preaching In the
community, because there are no En-.
glish residents to support it. Never
theless, the writer Of this article has
held numerousEnglish services with en-
couraging congregations the past nine
months; and the Geamans themselves
have shown as much interest as any
people. New Ulm is not hostile tt
christianity; and we believe she never
has been in a cooperate capacity. Hel
founders intended to make her an OK
elusive German town; but the Germans
might be Turner's, or Catholics,
or Lutherans or whatever else they
chose religiously. We have dwell
longer on this point than we other
wise would on account OF the impress
sions abroad respecting the religion!
attitude Of the place. No doubt bu
that the sentiment Of the people ha
changed q good deal since the city wa.
founded.
ALL NATIONALITIEs
are now cordially welcomed within
her borders. Germans, Danes, En-
glish, black or white, it matters not, al
who have enterprise, and would b
likely to build up any where else, New
Ulm extends the hand to, and will as
sure a cordial greeting. She will asl
no question as to religion or politics.
To the time Of the Indian outbreal
in 1852 New Ulm enjoyed prosperous
uneventful life. She drew her trad
from q wide region, and, as she had
all to herself, grew rich from her oW
prices. The Sioux war broke out
and her first calamity came down VI
on her in blood and destruction. Tn
surrounding settlements poured thei
scattered populations into her for pro
lection. The Indians rushed ate
them and laid siege to the town
The town was attacked sewers
times; but the people, though poorl
/ prepared to defend themselves, SO re.
olutely stood their ground that tn
savayes were finally forced to depar,
| Still many were either killed OF force
to leave the country. A good part {
the town was burnt. But after th