The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-05-06
THE OLD AND THE NEW.
Scenes at the First Term of the U. s.
Court Held in Mankato Recalled.
The Grand Jury was Never Discharged
Maj. NewsOn Lectures and is
Supported for Congress.

The present session of the United
States court recalls to the minds Of
the early settlers the first and only
term ever held by that court until
the recent law was enacted 1t was
in. the summer of 1859 that the
steamer then plying regularly be-
tween st. Paul and Mankato brought
the officers Of the court from the CAPT.
tai. Judge Nelson, who is now occu-
plying the same position in our beauti-
full new court house, then presided,
and the court was convened in Kitch-
ems hall, where Akers s. Rooney now
carry their machinery. This hall is
now used as a ware house near the
Milwaukee freight depot. Marshall
Brackett was then the deputy Mar
shall, and the q. S. attorney was a
Mr.. Nourse. Among the attorneys
present were Judge Flandreau, J. A.
Willard. Daniel Buck and S. f. Barney.
James Shoemaker was a member of
the grand jury. Few cases presented
themselves, and the spare time was
devoted to amusement. The old Man
katO House was the favorite gather
ing place, and the east wing was
used by the st. Paul delegation.
Maj. Newson, well known st. Paul
newspaper man, who is now consul
in Spain, was present, and the late
Mr.. Fisher represented the Press, now
the Pioneer Press. The Major was
known to have an itching for a seat
in congress, but the other candidates
were more favored. However, the ST.
Paul delegation, republicans and
democrats, resolved to show their ap.
probation of the Major, and a paper
was hastily circulated and generally
signed, asking him to give his lecture
upon the subject of Hurry Up" The
hall was packed that night, and the
lecturer was highly encouraged. The
first part of his address eXhorted the
young men to get a hustle on them
selves Or they would fail to make their
mark. In the latter part he took up
a good deal of time in stating how he
would reform the government, had
he the power. The applause was
deafening and often repeated, but al
ways occurred at the wrong time, by
Encouragement.
When the lecture was concluded, an
adjournment was taken to the Man
kato House, and various speakers
arose and lauded the virtues of Mai.
Newson and urged his fitness for the
nomination to congress, and the Maj.
responded to call for a speech.
Healths and tOasts were frequently
drunk and the greatest good nature
prevailed, while the Major considered
that his stock was rapidly rising.
When the steam boat returned to
st. Paul the court hastily adjourned,
without waiting to discharge the
grand jury, not wishing to remain un-
til the next boat, which would not
leave for several days. 1t was faceti-
ously reported that the quality of the
liquid refreshments was not such as
to offer an inducement for long
term of court. Mr.. Shoemaker is still
waiting to be discharged.
In those early days Mankato was a
small town and st. Paul was no larger
than Mankato now is. One of the
early residents says that at that time
when the steamers unloaded their
freight it was found that there were
four barrels of whiskey to one of pork,
but the pork market was glutted and
scarcity of whisky occurred. One
winter, when the whisky gave out,
painkiller mixed with water was sub
stituted.
But leaving Joking aside, the early
settlers had much to contend with,
were staunch, Industrious set of
people, and above all they showed
deep wisdom in locating upon this
spot, in the richest section of the
state, and surrounded by every nat
ural ADVANTAGE.