davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
Discussion Continues.

Aid. Zimmerman said that he had
no objection to Aid. Andrews motion
in case the words, subject to the ap-
prevail of the council" are added.
Mr.. Wise said that this would take
a long time, and he preferred to let
it rest where it is.
Aid. Himmelman said that much OF
the property ought to be raised, and
it would not be just to put it
clear back to the old figures. The
change of the Omaha track enhances
the value of some property.
Aid. Andrews suggested that a
committee meet with the county
board in this matter.
Aid. Peterson opposed the blanket
act. The council had done much
good where it was just to make raises.
1t would be more of an injustice to go
back to the old figures than to leave
them where they are. A committee
could go into the matter and hear
complaints.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
BOARD OF TRADE.
Beet Sugar Factory and Dairy Ex-
change Talked Of

The board of trade held it's regular
meeting Monday morning.
A letter was received calling atten-
tion to the second national conven-
tion of credit men, to be held at Kan
sas City June 9, 10 and III.
A letter from r. l.. @. Holbek, Of
Lacrosse, to III. P. Christensen was
read and referred to rthe committee
on manufacturing. 1t stated that
there was chance for Mankato to Sc
cure piano factory by taking half Of
the $780, 600 stock necessary to put in
the plant. The factory would en-
ploy twenty men, half of whom would
be skilled.
Jno. G. Noe made a report Of the
meeting held Saturday to organize a
dairy board of trade.
f. M. Currier said that a call
signed by creamery men had been
made, to be sent to IT'S creameries
within the Mankato territory, calling
a subsequent meeting for April End,
which he thought would be largely
attended if the roads would permit.
The creamery men present Saturday
and others heard from were heartily
in favor of the proposed organization.
M. B. Haynes stated that when in
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
The Ball Opens.

J. G. Wise, chairman Of the COM
mittee appointed at the Friday night
citizens meeting, appeared with the
other members of the committee, K.
D. Hubbard aud G. H. Higgs, and made
a statement. He said that the ad-
vancement of the assessment was un-
justifiable at this time because of the
actual shrinkage in the market value
of city property, which has been fully
one-fourth. Some of the little homes,
lots 4Ox14O feet, are assessed as high
as some farms. 1t was not asked that
the reductions be changed or the as
sessment Of personal property. 1t was
asked that the unjust advances be re-
stored to the former figures, and that
the council take the steps necessary
to bring this about. 1t was not de-
sired to 20 to the courts to get relief,
unless it should be found necessary.
Mr.. Hubbard said that Mr.. Wise
had gone over the ground fully, and
asked that the council grant the re-
quest which he had made.
Mr.. Higgs said that if the aldermen
could have been present at the Friday
night meeting they would have re-
ceived inspiration, as from 100 to 200
were present and very earnest in their
desires.
Aid. Lille said that if any wrong
had been done, he would help remedy
it. But what was to be done for the
property owners who had paid too
much taxes for a dozen years past?
He had received no notice Of assess.
ments in years past.
Aid. Zimmerman said that as chair
man of the board of equalization, he
knew that the work had been done
fairly. No doubt those whose pocket
books have been touched feel ag-
grieved. The land was considered
according to location, and the lots not
picked out separately. A lot that
sold for So, 900 in the south end of the
city was assessed at 81, 200 or 81, 300,
and lots in the north end were assess
ed to their full value. There are lots
in the north part of the city assessed
at more than they will bring, and no
doubt the same is true of the south
part. Property in the north part of
the city is assessed at it's full value,
lots worth $500 or 81 1000 paying taxes
ON that amount. There is no reason
why the south end of the city feels as
it does. The people of the north half
have always paid their taxes and have
never raised hue and cry through
the papers. The board worked every
night and asked the auditor for more
time.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
INJUNCTION DENIED.
Judge Severance Decides i'm Fa-
NOr of the City i'm the Electric
Light Matter
Two Other Decisions Rendered.
One Being Against the
Village of Madison LAX.

Judge Severance filed three district
court decisionsTuesday. The most i'm
portant was that in the Injunction
proceedings brought recently by L. G..
M. Fletcher against the city to re-
strain it from issuing the $4,000 of
electric light bonds. Judge Severance
refuses to grant temporary iniunc-
tion and discharges the order to show
cause, and disallows the restraining
order.
A decision was rendered in the
suit brought by the village of Madison
Lake against the Minneapolis g. st.
Louis road to require it to make
crossing at "a new street which the
village desires to open. An order for
Judgment for the defendant was made.
In the case of VIM. Smith VS.. Pat
rick Smith ct. al, an order was made
denying a new trial.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
Basis of Assessments,

Aid. Zimmerman, in reply to a
question by Mr.. Higgs, said that the
basis of assessment ran along from
one third to sixty per cent. People
differ on valuations.
Mr.. Higgs said that in the country
farms are assessed at about one-fourth
their cash value.
Aid. Bradley said that the assess
ment was illegal, and that as the
taxes could not be collected, the
matter ought to be taken up and act.
ed upon.
Aid. Zimmerman said that it was
by no means certain that the equali-
cation was illegal. There was good
legal authority on the councils side.
Aid. Adams said that every man is
likely to make a mistake. He had
been paying taxes on three houses fol
years where there were but two. Ii
any wrong has been done, he was will
ing to help rectify it.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
HOw's This!

We offer One Hundred Dollars Re-
ward for any case of Catarrh that can
not be cured by Halls Catarrh Cure.
u. CHENEY & Co., Props, Toledo, O.
We, the undersigned, have known
F. J. Cheney for the last Is years, and
believe him perfectly honorable in all
business transactions and financially
able to carry out any obligations
made by their firm.
WEST & TRTAx, Wholesale Druggists,
Toledo, 0.
WALDING. kINNAN & MARVIN,
Wholesale Druggists. Toledo, o.
Halls Crtarrh Cure is taken intern
ally, acting directly upon the blood
and mucous surfaces of the system.
Price TIC per bottle. Sold by all
Druggists. Testimonials free.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
Hanson, an Aged
Book Binder, Drowned
Last Tuesday---A Sleigh
Load of Men Swept Away
OH Belgrade Avenue,
North MankatO--One Is
capes by Clinging to d
Tree and is Rescued
Possibly Two Fatalities.

The first fatal accident in connec-
tion with the high water occurred at
shortly before two o'clock Tuesday
noon, in North Mankato. The water
runs in dangerous torrent over the
main street of North MankatO, about
two blocks from the west end of the
bridge. This water, which was not
over two inches deep this morning,
was over two feet deep at the hour
stated, and the street was very dan
gerous for travel.
A man IN a bobsleigh started to
drive across this torrent, and a num-
Der of North Mankato residents got
into the sleigh to go across. About
eight men were standing up and hold
ing on to each other. When the
sleigh reached point nearly in front
of the Swedish Lutheran church,
where the water runs the deepest and
swiftest, the sleigh was swept down
the embankment and overturned.
Some of the men chung to the sleigh
andwere saved in this way. One caught
tree as he was being swept by and
managed to climb up to limb, where
he stood, drenched through, in the
wind, calling loudly for help. This
finally came to him after an hours
waiting and several unsuccessful at
tempts to rescue him. The current
was so strong that no boat could be
rowed to him, and finally boat was
let down to him from the church by
means of a long rope, and he was
saved.
One unfortunate man, Andrew
Hanson, was carried away by the cur
rent and drowned. His body had not
been recovered late this afternoon.
He was over sixty years of age, and
was book binder by trade. He came
to this city from Winona few years
ago, to accept the position of book
binder for the FREE PRESS, and prov
ed to be faithful and hardworkine
employe. Later he worked TO.
the Revaew as binderyman. He
has of late been living in
North Mankato, conducting
hennery and doing little book bind
ing when possible. He leaves widow
and several children. His sudden
death causes genuine sorrow.
A large number of people witnessed
the accident firm the shore.
Owing to the danger of travel tc
North Mankato, the bridge was roped
off at both ends and no teams allowed
on it. Many farmers who had driven
to the city to trade were caught and
had to remain.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26

committee consisting of as many mem
berS of the council as he may deem
wise to sit in session one or more days
as may be necessary for the purpose of
Investigating the assessments OF real
property as equalized by the board of
equalization of the city, with a view
to readjusting the same where proper,
and take such measures on behalf of
the council as may be necessary in the
premises.
Mr.. Wise thought that general &C.
tion should be taken.
Mr.. Pau said that description Of
each piece of property would have to
be sent to the state auditor if the
taxes were to be abated.
Aid. Bradley said that he felt that
some of the property is assessed for
all that it will sell for. He believed
that some valuations that were made
were wrong, and believed that the
council should rectify it's mistake.
He moved as an amendment that the
council ask the county commissioners
to petition the state auditor to reim-
burse the excess of valuations above
the assessors report.
Aid. Andrews said that the council
should 60 at it in a legal way.
Mr.. Higgs said that County Com
missioner Roberts had consulted with
the other commissioners and favors
something in the line of Aid. Bradley's
motion. The county auditor would
make out the separate lists. This
would be the easiest way, though per-
haps not legal.
Mr.. Pau, in reply to question, said
that it was too late for the council to
again do the work Of the board of
equalization.
Aid. Andrews withdrew his motion,
and Aid. Bradley's motion was lost,
voting aye, Aids. Andrews and Bradley;
voting no, Aids. Adams, Himmelman,
Lille and Peterson.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
TERnS OF COURT.
The Attorneys Agree Upon, the Dates
at a Meeting Today.

The bar Of the city held meeting
at the municipal court room Tuesday
noon, Mr.. Pau presiding. He stated
that it was called for the purpose of
considering the time for holding
terms of the district court.
Mr.. Plymat said that he had pre-
pared bill fixing the dates and for
warded it to Senator Barr. There
was objection in Watonwan county to
the holding of court here in May. The
attorneys there desire to have terms
of court in that county commencing
on the first Tuesday in May and
October, and desire a three weeks.
term in May. Mr. Plymat proposed
bill which. would fix the terms in
Blue Earth County for the first Tues
day in February and June and the
second Wednesday in November.
Mr.. Young said that this bill would
be satisfactory. The other attorneys
felt the same way.
On motion of Mr.. Plymat, these
dates were endorsed, and bill will
be prepared and forwarded at once.
The court calendar was called and
the following cases disposed Of:
S. OleSon vs. Nels Sorenson and 81.
Wickman, dismissed.
Mankato Lumber Go. vs. sMartin
Magin, settled and dismissed.
Geo. M. Palmer VS. James Mullen,
continued for settlement.
j. ]. Hubbard vs. E. Ellefson, judg-
ment for S1OS84.
Clark and Phillips VS. E. Austin,
trial set for March 30th at 1000 a. m.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
Done In.SeCret.

Mr.. Wise said that Larry Griffin's
lot is assessed at $500 and cannot be
sold at that figure. County Treasurer
Ewing bought lot for $3.50 last sum-
mer, and it is assessed at $500. There
are hundreds of such instances. Other
cities have reduced their valuations
millions of dollars. The council
would have been justified in reducing
all valuations. No notices of adj
vances were given. and the matter
was not made public until eight
months after it was done, when it was
too late to go before the county board
for relief. The general community
believes that the assessments are un-
just and burdensome. The total in
come of our citizens, above their liv-
ing expenses, will not more than pay
the taxes. Our real property is worth
less than three years ago.
Aid. Zimmerman said that Man.
kato property has not been doomed to
death like Duluth and twin city
property, and it is unfair to compare
this city with those.
Aid. Andrews said that no one re-
gretted the situation more than he.
When we come to individual cases,
there appeared to be many cases OF
injustice. He was willing to do his
part to adjust the wrong.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26

The council chamber was filled with
citizens interested in one part OF
another of the proceedings, Saturday
night. The citizens committee pre-
sented the matter of the unjust work
Of the board of equalization, AND
almost the entire time of the council
was taken up in considering the
matter.
Mayor Weaver presided and all Of
the aldermen answered to their names
The petition for the opening of Wal
nut street to the Omaha right of way
was taken from the table and refer
red to the street committee.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26

Bible. The assessor is to blame.
When it comes to personal matter,
it is going too far for the papers to
make the statements which they
have. We are too we'll known and
good citizens to be so attacked. I
hope the newspapers will do the right
thing and give our statement of the
case.
Mr.. Wise said that the records show
that the reduction was made by the
board of equalization. This shows
that the records are not reliable. He
believed the alderman's statement.
The newspapers are only doing their
duty to make these things public.
Mr.. Peterson again denied any
knowledge of the matter and called
on Recorder Brown to set him right
before the public.
Mr.. Brown explained that the re-
turns to the county auditor made by
him contained clerical error, for the
board did not change the assessment,
and no record of it appears on the
minutes of the board of equalization.
Aid. Lille said that there had been
great injustice as long as the people
had lived here until now. Corrections
would be made hereafter, and there
would be justice.
Mr.. Wise said that the work of the
present council as board of equali-
cation had never been equalled before.
A recess was taken to prepare a
motion to cover the ground.
Aid. Bradley offered the following !;
Moved that the mayor appoint a
committee consisting OF three men,
bers Of the council to meet with the
aggrieved tax payers for the purpose
of Investigating the matters of diff
Guilty arising from the raising of the
value of real estate in said city by the
board of equalization thereof; such
committee to recommend some action
to this council, such report to be then
acted upon by this council, and this
council thereupon to make such re-
commentator to the board Of county
commissioners as they may deem
proper.
This was unanimously carried after
an Intellectual effort by Aid. Andrews
to give the committee power to act.
Mayor Weaver appointed Aids.
Bradley, Andrews and Zimmerman.
The committee will be notified of the
action of the citizens meeting Wed
nesday night, and will then appoint a
time of meeting.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26

If, assthe Democratic papers de-
clare, the new tariff bill, if passed,
will infiame the country against the
Republicans and work to the restor-
ing of their party to power in 1898 and
1900, what are they feeling so badly
about. The fact is they have little
hopes that such will be the case. The
feeling Of the country as expressed at
the last three general elections has
not been favorable to steps toward
free trade. and the people are not
likely to whip around in '9S and 1900
and knock out what they have been
wanting and waiting for for the past
three years.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
NOTHING DONE YET.

Mr.. GregOrson, representing @. p.
Jones, the successful bidder on the
Minnesota river bridge footways, was
in the city Tuesday, taking measure
ments on the bridge. He states that
nothing has yet been done in the
company's shops toward making the
castings, etc., as it did not have the
measurements He said that the
company is getting ready to put on
the walks and would do so very soon.
The high water will not interfere
with the work.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
HARMONY PREVAILS.

The meeting OF RepuDllcans nelu dt
SUhmitt & Wilson's office last week
resulted in the absolute withdrawal
from the mayOralty contest OF both
Weaver and Andrews. Each pledged
himself that under no circumstance
would he accept the nomination, and
both pledged themselves to the sup
port of the nominee of the conven-
tion. This action may be considered
as fortunate and happy ending of
what at one time gave promise Of
party division and inharmony that
would have resulted disastrously had
the differences been carried to the
polls.
With the party united and harmo-
NOUS it would seem that success is as
sured. The only contingency to such
a result is the action of the conven-
tion in placing ticket in the field. II
care and discretion is exercised in the
selection of only first-class men-men
of business training and economical
habits-there can be no question of
the result. Without such men, how
ever, the party will not, and ought
not, succeed. The time has come
when the people of Mankato, regard
less of mere party ties, demand some
thing Of it's officers besides being
merely good fellows" The financial
affairs of the city are in such condi-
tion as to require the most rigid
economy, and this can be brought
about only through the selection of
officials who will inject business
methods into.municipal matters and
rise above mere party subserviency
and clique domination. Business men,
in the transaction of their private az
fairs, have for the past three years
been obliged to cut every corner and
cut down expenses in every possible
way to keep above water. The same
rule should and must apply to city
government. Instead of raising taxes
already too high and burdensome to
degree never before experienced, they
should be lowered to correspond with
the shrinkage In values. Common
sense should teach those in authority
that there is limit to endurance on
the part OF people who are struggling
to keep out of bankruptcy, and when
they see extravaganza rule in the con.
duct of public affairs, while they-the
taxpayers-are forced to scrimp on
every hand to meet legitimate eX-
penses, vigorous protest against the
needless use of public funds must
result.
The FREE PRESS has no candidate
for mayor or aldermen. In common
with every taxpayer it wants good,
cautious business men selected by
both parties, and then, whoever is
elected, the people can rest assured
that municipal affairs will be judi.
ciously and economically administered
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26

In Europe the match is getting
closer and closer to the powder maya.
zine, and an explosion is liable to &C.
cur at any moment. Yesterday an
Austrian gunboat fired into and sunk
a Greek vessel loaded with provisions
for the Cretan insurgents. A fear is
expressed that will precipitate the
crises the powers have been seeking to
avoid, but it must have been known
when the blockade was agreed upon
that something of this kind was likely
to occur.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
Central Block Assessment.

Aid. Peterson said that the valuation
of the Central block property was re-
duced by the present assessor $500. 1t
was done without the speakers
knowledge, whether through special
favor, malice or mistake Mr.. Lille
and / do not know. We have held
this back until now to shield people.
We knew nothing about the reduc-
tion. and l will swear to this on q
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
POSSIBLY ANOTHER.

The team was driven by MIR. Spears,
who, with M. A. Moore, returned to
this city. Mr.. Moore states that he
saw two men go down the current,
one being Hansen and the other I'M
known to him. He thinks both
drowned.
The man in the tree was Mr.. Abel,
the North Mankato carpenter. He
was badly chilled.
1t is reported that the second man
supposed to be drowned was one-arm-
ed, and it is thought that his name
was Peterson.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-03-26
Bicycle Ordinance.

Aid. Andrews offered an ordinance
limiting the riding Of bicycles upon
the sidewalks, so that riders. must dis
mount whenever they meet persons
on the walks, and shall not go faster
than eight miles an hour.
Aid. Andrews said that in all cities
bicyclists are permitted to ride on the
walks where there are no paved
streets, during muddy weather. No
harm can be done under the provi-
sions of the ordinance. He asked
favorable consideration, and would
like to have an Immediate report and
the rules suspended.
Attorney Plymat said that there
are thought to be about 800 wheelmen
in the city, and many of these work in
the opposite parts Of the city from
their homes. They would be greatly
helped if they could ride, and it would
be when few pedestrians are out.
The muddy season does not last
long. No pedestrian can be interfered
with sunder the provisions of the
or dinance. If nobody is discommo-
ded, why should there beIany delay in
granting it,
Aid. Zimmerman asked whether
there are 800 bicycles in the city.
Mr.. Plymat said that he had it from
two dealers.
Aid. Zimmerman observed that the
tax lists did not show this.
Mr.. Plymat said that the bicycllsts
are willing to bear their share Of the
burden of taxation.
Mr.. Pfau said that he was opposed
to suspending the rules to pass any
ordinance unless there was urgent
demand. He thought that good
bicycle ordinance would be good
thing, and was not opposed to it.
Aid. Lille thought that new Jail
had better be made first, to hold the
riders who would be arrested under
the ordinance. He was not opposed
to an ordinance in the interest of the
bicyclists.
On motion of Aid. Andrews, it was
agreed that the council should hold
an adjourned meeting next Saturday
night to complete it's work, and also
to consider this ordinance.
The bills were taken up and al
lowed.
Aid. Lille said that since the
Omaha track was changed, the water
outlet in West Mankato is cut off and
the water is leaving the people in bad
shape, flooding them out.
On motion of Aid. Bradley, the mat
ter was put in the hands of the city
engineer.
Aid. Peterson said that he had
seen in the papers that pump had
been purchased to pump sewage.
He wanted to know whether it was
so.
President Burgess said that the
pump had been purchased, and was
for the purpose of pumping out sew
age when the river is higher than the
mouth of the sewer and it is neces-
sary to cut off the end of the sewer.
1t cost Sl65, and pumps 5000 gallons
a minute.
Mayor Weaver said that at Winona
an expensive plant is maintained for
this purpose.
The council adjourned.