The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-05-31

THE Minneapolis Tribune had long
article Friday calling attention to the fact
that the burning of the Norwegian Luth-
eran College at DEBORAH, Iowa, raises
the question of the possible removal of
that institution to Minnesota, a change
which has long been wished for by the
leading Norweglans of the Northwestern
states. The great obstacle in the way OF
such a removal was the existence of vel
liable property interests at DEBORAH
which could not be transferred. The
largest portion of the property was rep
resented by the building which has just
been destroyed by fire. All that re-
mains is several small buildin GO of small
value and the grounds, about 40 acres,
worth in the neighborhood of $3.50 per
acre.
The Tribune is very anxious that a
move should be made to secure the To-
cation of the college at Minneapolis in
case change ID made. Among other
reasons for the probability of the insti-
tuition coming to Minnesota it is stated:
The college was originally located at
DEBORAH shortly alter the war, about 80
years ago, when that place was situated
at about the center of the Scandinavian
settlements, and before the future de-
yelopment of the territory farther west
could be anticipated. Ever since the
establishment of the Institution at De-
corah, the Scandinavian settlements
have been receding to points further
west in Minnesota and Dakota. AS q
matter of fact the Scandinavian ele-
ment has decreased, if anything, in
Iowa, and made very little change IN
Wisconsin, while the increase in Mime
sofa and Dakota has been several hun
dred per cent.
The location and government of the
! school are under the control of the Nor
wegian Lutheran synod of the North
west. This general synod is divided in
to three districts, known as the Mime
sofa, Wisconsin and Iowa districts. 1he
general synod meets once in three
years, while the district synods meet an
nually. The Iowa and Wisconsin syn
| dds are now in session, and the Mime
sofa synod will convene at Fergus Fall
next Thursday, May 30, while the gen
eral synod does not meet until mex
year. The question of the rebuilding
and the removal of the college will be
among the most important matters t.
come before the district meetings, Blu
it is not certain that they can arrive a
any conclusion, in which case it will b'
necessary TO call a meeting of the gener
al synod. 1t is not believed that the &C
ton of synods could be binding unles
it was unanimous in all of the districts
In case there was a division Of sent
ment the general body would have t
decide bv majority vote.
There is no doubt that Minneapolis a
we'll as other points will make a stron
effort to secure the college. 1t is un
necessary to state that here is an oppol
tunity which Mankato should not let &
unheeded. This city has every alvar
tage in its favor that can be urged 70
} any other point. The institution WI
be a most valuable one for the city thf
secures it and Mankato should be this
place. 1t will doubtless take prong
measures and generous action. and th
city has chance to show whether il
claims to energy and enterprise are we
founded. No multitude of words al
needed to convince our business me
s and citizens that the addition ofthis CO
lege to the city's institutions would be
= great source of profit and give an imp'
= tus to Mankato which would easily pl
her at her rightful place as the large
!, city in the south half of the state.
VI Let it be speedily known what move
are needed and then let the work
done quickly.