The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-02-17
EARLY SETTLERS.
Large Gathering at Union Hall
Thursday Night.
Interesting Papers and Letters Read, an
Elaborate Banquet Served, and
Dancing INDUCED In.

Territorial Old Settlers association,
held at Union hall Thursday, drew to
. gether a large and interesting assembly.
The extreme cold weather prevented a
great many from coming, especially
those from outside of the city, and 1T is
said to be the plan hereafter to hold
these gatherings at time of the year
when the weather is more propltlous.
If the meetings could be held during
the summer o. early fall, practically all
of the early settlers living in the coun-
try could be present. The weather was
very cold year ago, when the meeting
was held. But if many of the territorial
settlers were kept away by the weather,
it did not prevent their children
and other young people from attending,
and it is estimated that the number In
the hall was fully $50.
President Shoemaker called the meet
ing to order at about eight o'clock, and
an hour was spent in listening to
speeches, letters and papers that were
interesting to all. ConcOrdia orchestra
was present and furnished music at in
tervals.
County Attorney Hughes gave an in
teresting talk, during which he re-
counted numerous interesting occur
rences of the early day. Miss Flossie
Macbeth recited the New Country
in charming manner. Letters of re
greet were read from Judge Ihas. E.
Flandreau, ex-Gov. Alexander Ramsey,
Gen J II. Baker and J. l.. Washburn.
These were brief, and were listened to
with interest, as was also paper by P.
K. johnson, of Brainerd ,on experiences
in the early day.
The last paper read was one by
Columbus Ballard, of Decoria. We re
.gret that we are unable to reproduce
each of the papers and letters, but as
we cannot, we have selected Mr. Bal
lard's paper.
After the program had been carried
out, splendid supper, prepared by
Mrs Zimmerman ST., was served in
the basement, about hundred being
seated at time A number of young
ladies served the tables, and the spread
received compliments from all The
attendance was greater than had been
expected, and the provisions came near
running short.
While the supper was in progress be-
low, dancing was begun in the hall, in
which young and old INDUCED with
equal pleasure. Everyone went away
feeling that the evening had been
a delightful one
The following is Mr.. Billiards. paper:
Having promised to write some,
thing for the Territori Il Historical So.
.ciety of Mankato, will offer this lit
tie sketch of my experiences, impress
sions and thoughts in coming to this
~Undine region and after / came here.
''On the first day of April, 1854, left
my parental home in my native state,
Kentucky, with the intention of seek
ing home for myself in the then ter
ritory of Minnesota. I went first to
Louisville, there took passage on river
steamer for st. Louis, Missouri, at ST..
Louis took passage on another steamer
for st. Paul, Minnesota. At Galena.
Illinois, this boat stopped and went
back to st. Louis and took passage on
another boat for st. Paul. After look
ing around in the vicinity of st. Paul
for several weeks without being suited,
1 again became passenger on steam
boat on a trip up the Minnesota river,
my objective point being Mankato, hav-
ing been attracted by its geographical
location.
81 had travelled by steamer consider
ably on the Ohio, Mississippi and Mis-
souri, rivers, but had never before been
so captivated. Oh, what continued
seen of loneliness presented itself to
view, on this short run up the beautiful
Minnesota A good Depth of water, a
narrow canal like stream. 1t seemed
sometimes, on looking ahead, like one
would almost be alb 9 to touch the tim
Der from either side of the deck The
sto-es on both sides were lined fol-
most of the way with thick growing
thrifty looking timber of many kinds,
Eastwood, elm, oak, willow, butternut,
maple, cottonwood and many other
varieties, with here and there strip OF
open prairie running down to the water
on one side or the other to add beauty
and variety to the scene. And every.
where manifestly wonderfully fertile
soil The weather was delightful, vege
tation had awakened from it's winter
sleep and was dressed up in a brand
new suit of green, each variety of tree
and shrub in different stage of sd.