New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1893-08-30
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3nestles the pretty, old fashioned village
Of Windham. A century ago this was
one of the most important towns in the
state east Of the Connecticut river. Here
were located the county Jail, the county
courthouse and other public instiitt utti i ons,s
which, with It's prominent public men,;
raised the town to 8 position Of influence
and wide reputation.
During the last half century or q lit
tie over, these institutions ono by one.
have been removed to more thriving cen
tiers, bright and ambitious young men
have sought other and more promising
fields Of activity, and the town, once 30
important, has been shorn OF its old.
fame and power, until it has become.
simply relic Of the good old times
a typical New England village, the ev-
eryday existence OF which has become
dreamy and monotonous, and which
lives chiefly in its Evolutionary history.
a century and a half ago Squire Ell
derkin and Colonel Dyer were the two.
most prominent men of Windham and
were well known throughout the state.
Both were lawyers, both were promi-
nent in public affairs, both were wealthy
for the times in which they lived, both
had large. social followings, and both
were intensely jealous of.each other.
Squire Elderkin was a tall, lean, bill
ions looking man, with heavy, raven
black hair and piercing dark eyes. He.
was of aristocratic lineage, and in man
ner cold, selfish and ambitious. He was
a learned lawyer, an able advocate and
a merciless wit. Few could give more
rapierlke thrust than he-a thrust that
never failed to reach its mark and al
ways left arankGng wound and an ugly
scar.
Colonel Dyer was a different kind Of q
man in every respect. In person he was
short and stout. He had merry blue
eye, beaming countenance and good
word for every one. Few could tell a
better story or more surely make one
laugh without knowing the reason why.
Genial, happy, sociable, always bubbling
over with fun and good humor, he never.
was happier than when surrounded with
company, and his wide circle Of friends
always found him a royal entertainer.
As result he became one of the most
popular men in the state. His magnetic,
winning qualities were more than q
match for the squire's learning and
brilliancy. +
Colonel Dyer was prominent, too, in.
military as we'll as political matters.
Windham In those days was a frontier
town, and the red men caused q great
deal Of anxiety at times. Whenever the
situation became threatening Colonel
Dyer was called to lead, and he always
proved a willing soldier and a skillful
commander. s=ss
Squire Elderkin was very envious Of
the colonies popularity and made him
the butt of many a keen, piercing shaft
of wit. The colonel in time became very
sensitive to these wounds, and although
hatred was foreign to his nature he con-
ceived a thorough dislike for the squire
and frequently in defense made sharp,
singing retort The situation went on
from bad to worse until finally there
was many sharp encounter between
the friends of the contending parties.
The little town, which had hitherto been
blessed with happiness and contentment,
became a factious, quarrelsome commu-
nifty. 532
w here these divisions would have end
ed, if an event destined to make s.old
Windham" famous had not INTERVIEWED,
no one can tell.
y y
The spring. and early summer Of 1858
was season of intense anxiety for the
settlers of New England. The memo
rabla Erench and Indian VIZ 8 III, 10