The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-04-23
EARLY RECOLLECTIONS.
Sam. Sickle Recalls Some Inter-
esting Data.

For several years all the goods sold
in Redwood Falls we're hauled in wag-
ons from St. Peter, although when the
river was high the boats would get up
as far as Redwood Falls and occa-
sionally run up to Yellow Medicine.
Notwithstanding our isolation we
gained in numbers and enjoyed life as
we'll, if not better, than some older
communities. Sometimes, in the win
ter season, if we got our mail once in
two weeks we thought ourselves fortu-
nate. 1t was a common remark, es-
pecially to the tenderfoot, that our
mail was never less than tri weekly.
That was to say that it went east one
week and tried to get back the next.
l was much pleased to read Col.
McPhail's articles on those times. l
will add one or two stories that will
recall to all the old citizens some of
the side-splitting jokes that we're com
mon in those times. Topass away the
tediousness of the long and cherries
winters, about the year 1871, the So
ciety called the Knights of the Scar
let Plume was organized. Jokes we're
always fuel with them. They took
and gave with an unstinted hand.
Any one joining their society not un
Outstanding their system of initiation
usually came out sadder, if not a
wiser man. He, at least, had learned
enough to not "peach" on the organ
ization. A practical joke on one of
their own members, if the opportunity
offered, was never allowed to pass un-
injured. The Methodist minister
there about that time, became i'm
pressed with the idea that he should
be member, and while they all liked
to work joke they thought it best to
not interfere with the ministry. But
he insisted on becoming member and
to satisfy him they told him that
if he would hide himself be-
meath a certain window on the night
of their meeting he would overhear
what was being done. He was on
hand as instructed. The Moguls of that
institution had procured a couple pals
of water for the occasion, and they re-
quested one of their members, not on
to the secret, to throw them out of the
window. Out they went and the
preacher went home thoroughly con.
vinced that it was not always neces-
sary ''to see to believe"
One more and I am done. There
was blind musician in town about
this time and on one occasion he ad-
vertised a concert to be given in
Schmahls hall in the afternoon. The
Knights We're all present. After q
very select and appropriate piece Of
music had been rendered the Knights
called out their orator, an attorney
then in the city, who was one of the
most honored members, for speech
He arose to his feet and began his
grafton. Two of the Knights, one on
either side, waved banner over his
head, while another Knight very in
dustriously busted himself attaching
strips of rags to the lower extremities
of the orators coat. The peals Of
mirth only helped the orator to soal
higher and higher, as he fully be-
lieved he was carrying his audience
with him. Finally, he looked dowr
towards his feet and noticed the fringe
of rags dangling about his heels. He
cut short his speech and contemplat
ing the rags he said; "What ell does
this mean?" The concert was ended
, but not the fun. There was more fur
to be worked out of the business anc
the unterrifed jokers worked it for al
there was in it. In the quarrel tina
followed, challenge to fight due
was sent to the attorney, claiming tt
have come from the man that hae
fringed his coat.
1t took great deal of finesse to &c
the affair stopped. The attorne,
managed to get warrant on com
plant before Justice Byington, ant
the culprit was duly arrested and hae
his examination. The trial was hell
in the old schoolhouse. Two justice
tried the case, viz: w. W. Byingtol
and your humble servant, S. S. Sickle
Billy MCGOWAN wrote up that tria
and l will quote him as near as ca
remember: