The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-02-18
room of their offices and play euchre,

room of their offices and play euchre,
etc.
The General read letter from P.
X. johnson, who is now at Brainerd,
who said that nothing would give
him greater pleasure than to be pres
emit with the old settlers. He expects
to visit Mankato in the spring.
He also read a short paper by Mr..
Joseph Schlingerman in which he re-
lated some of his early experiences in
the west, and particularly in Man
katO.
In closing, Gen. Baker spoke of the
growth of Mankato and expressed the
belief that it was destined to be a
large city.
Mr.. Clement Schroeder rendered a
solo in a very fine manner to the
pleasure of all present.
Judge Severance was then intro
duced and made a few remarks. Said
that if he clearly understood the
gathering. it was purely social &C.
casion and he could not understand it
should be interrupted with addresses.
Thought it would be more appropriate
for the old settlers to gather in
groups and swap lies.
There were many things that hap.
pened in early days that would be
amusing, but he could not tell them,
as he did not remember what he told
last year, and might get things badly
mixed. He then proceeded cautiously
to relate many "reminiscences CT early
times.
Said all the early settlers were not
rough nor uncouth, but there were
among them men who, though unedu-
Gated, were among the noblest, truest
and refined of men. Said he did not
settle in Mankato but at Henderson,
so did not personally know as to many
things here of early date. He related
that in 1856 the sheriff at Henderson
died, and there being no one else to
perform the ceremony, he delivered
the first funeral sermon in that Sec
tion. He supposed that accounted for
his clerical appearance.
He also said that the river used to
overflow frequently in those days and
this gave the early settlers dislike for
water, so they used whisky. He related
many amusing stories of those times,
and said the early settlers were
joyous class of people. New countries
are founded in rollicking fun. Itwas
the same with this region.
J. L. Washburn, of Duluth, was
next introduced. He said that while
he belonged to the old times he also
belonged to the new. 1t was a
pleasure for him. he said, to meet old
friends. No land was so dear as the
land of the lakes-the old North
Star state, and of this Blue Earth
county was the dearest spot in the
state to him. He had travelled it
over almost from farm to farm and
unlike some old settlers who were
present, had not run for Office either
Would long remember many Of the
old settlers some of whom were
present and who yet reside on the
farms they had obtained from Uncle
Sam. He had travelled far and wide
but there was no spot in the world so
dear as Mankato. Here was the scene
of his early struggle.in life. In the fields
of the county and in its school houses
he had earned his first money, Here
in the city was spent the first ten
years of his professional life. He
said that in peace there were as great
victories as in war, and that among
the early settlers of a country were
some of the worlds greatest heroes.
The early struggles and hardsbips
were those of heroes. He reminded
some of the gray heads that while
they had seen more years than he, he
was as old a settler here as they. He
then addressed the younger portion
of his audience and urged them to
stay where their fathers had settled,
to build their homes here. No
grander nor better state would be
found than ours.
The program closed with piano
solo by Miss Cora Carney and clar-
ionet solo by Mr.. Jache.
Supper was served in the basement
OF the hall, and was most bounteous
enc, prepared by Mrs. Zimmerman,
and fully sustained her reputation in
this line. After supper, the floor was
cleared and the young people sindulg-
ed in dancing, while the. older ones
recalled Incidents of by-gone days.
?: The occasion was a most enjoyable
one to all, and none enjoyed it better
than those who have witnessed the
change from the wilderness to the
forefront of civilization.
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