The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-01-29
BURNS ANNIVERSARY

Editor Free Press:
The Blue Earth Valley Burns Club
met to celebrate the anniversary of the
birthday of the cherished bard Robbie
Burns" at the palatial residence of Mr..
James Ellis Jr. Sterling, on Monday,
Jan. 25th, 1886. Invitations were ex-
tended far and near to other brother
Scots" but owing to the blockade Of
the railroads and the exceedingly cold
weather of late, not many respon ded.
Although l must mention one brave
Scotclman, of st. Paul, coming, not ar
irving until midnight, but nevertheless,
in time to sing Bonnie Prince Charlie
and helping to carry on the festivities
till morning. The Maple River Curling
Club met on the ice (Lura Lake, and
enjoyed themselves at their favorite
game. Two Kinks were cleared and the
game commenced, but one rink only
will be mentioned. 1t was a match
game for the supremacy of the counties,
(Faribault and Blue Earth) which was
closely contested for four hours. When
time was called the game stood as fol.
lows:
Mapleton Rice Lake
A. Hollenbeck Chris Grey
q. Hollenbeck j. Robinson
ThOs. Taylor Geo. Mckay.
G.. Bissell-skip-11 j. Curry-skip-l7
Rice Lake came off victorious by
six shots. After adjourning to the house
officers were elected for the ensuing
year. A social time of visiting was had
(others having arrived in the meantime)
until supper was announced. 1t would
do hungry man good for just one look
at the tables, when spread. or all the
suppers ever your reporter helped to
partake of on these occasions, this one
indeed did surpass them all. Of cou rse
the time honored "Haggis" graced the
head of the table, in honor of which
Burns address "To a Haggis" was de-
livered by the chief. Three different
times the tables were spread until all
had partaken, after which visiting,
smoking and good fellowship lasted I'M
til the chiefannounced the programme
was in order, which IS one Of the most
CONSPICUOUS parts of these entertain
ments. 1t was opened by David Will in
singing "Rantin Rovin Robin" and fol-
lowed by Mrs. Robert Taylor in sing
ing THE Birks of Aberfeldy," ]. E.
Brown, of Napoleon delivered in a very
emphatic and impressive manner, a
piece of Burns, entitled "Unco Guid,"
or The Rigidly Righteous. could Robin
Gray" was sung by Miss Flora Hanna,
John Slater, the stimulus song, "Come
boat me Ger to Charlie"
Rev. ]. E. Conrad made very appro.
pirate remarks on the works of Robert
Burns. Mrs. HELEN Springer. the
very impressive song, ooh! sing to me
the auld Scotch songs" was we'll rem
dered. The chief sung very humor-
GUS piece. entitled "Lachie Wilson,"
Wondering Willie" was we'll executed
by Mrs. Jessie Bissell. But the most
important, and the one which took the
most effect, was an original song by Geo.
Clark, Sterling. could not get the title
Of it, and doubt if il ever had one.
Lamenting was heard of one of their
chiefsingers being absent, Jas. Morrow,
of Beauford, Andrew Hollenbeck en-
logized on Robert Burns, a great many
others took part IN the programme
which would be taking to much of your
valuable space, Mr.. Editor, to give i'm
full, but it was a splendid programme
and well carried out, lasting for two
hours. When your reporter left, the
young folks were enjoying themselves
in tripping the light fantastic toe, the
older ones off by themselves, still singing
casionaI Scotch i reel to the soul inspiring mi
music of the bag pipes by Chris Grey,
the miner