The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-06-14

is living on the same farm that he took
as homestead 45 years ago last No
vember. Mr.. Barney is SO years of
age, but is we'll preserved and feels
that he has many years before him.
He was the second settler in Vernon
township, John Darling having pre-
coded him. AS a compensation for
these many years of labor he has fine
farm, with good buildings, stock. etc.
The association is to be congratulated
on it's wise selection of Mr.. Barney as
president.
Mrs F. S. Mills.
Mrs. Mills was II years old last Fri
day, and although feeble she attended
the reunion Saturday. She bears the
distinction of being the first white
woman settler west of the Blue Earth
river in Blue Earth county. Mrs.
Mills with her husband came to this
county from Illinois and settled on
Mills Lake, two miles north of Garden
City, in June, 1854, and has lived on
the same farm ever since. Mr. Mills
died 90 years ago. Four children
have been born to Mrs. Mills, L. D.,
T. F., and Ed. P. Mills are now liv-
ing and the fourth son died during the
Indian massacre. L. D. Mills handles
nursery stock which is grown on the
old homestead, Ed. P. Mills is farm
ing in South Dakota, and the other
son, T. F. Mills still lives with his
mother on the farm.
Old Settlers Organization.
The old settlers organization was
formed at Oak Cliff farm, near Gar
den City on the 18th day of Septem-
Der, 1896. Oak Cliff was then owned
by Gen. J. H. Baker. To Mr.. and
Mrs. Baker and Mr.. and Mrs. E. V.
Parker is due the credit for the first
meeting. The old settlers came early
to this first meeting, bring along their
families. The day was a pleasant one.
In the afternoon an organization was
perfected and the following names
were enrolled as members
L. Cook, James Mountain, A. B.
Reed, A. A. Thompson, D. A. Thayer,
D. A. Willard, Woodbury. J. Little, J,
B. Swan, o. Fl. Brown, Geo. W. Lam
berton, F. S. Hemingway, Geo. N.
Parrett, FL. L. Brown, J. G. Wise ST.,
Geo. Slower, James Bryson, S. Mars
ton, D. Flemming, E. D. Cornish, J.
G. Thompson, D. G. Evans, A R.
Pau, W. NJ Mountain, G. 81. Whit
ing, A. M. Hannay, J. S. Root, L. S.
Foster, E. W. Parker. J. G. Wise Jr.,
VIM. R. Day, E. A. Cooper, T. B.
Church, Walter Cole, L. F. McKib-
bon, J. D. Blanchard, R. K. Wilson,
@. E. Marston, A. L. Crane, G. w.
Robinson, W. J. Chamberlain, L. D.
Mills, P. L. Mills, M. M. Kelley, P.
A. Larson, l., A, Pratt, Alfred Folsom,
G, J, Johnson, h. Humphrey, G. W.
Franchere, l.. L. Larkin, Geo. W.
Goodall, M. Scherer, J. A. Tidland,
Walter Mobiles, J. E. Brown, A. D.
Crane, John 81. Hussey, Fl. J. Knox,
L. o. Hunt, B. F. Furmott, D.
Wood, L. S. Terry.
The organization now has upwards
of four hundred members At each
annual meeting new members are
secured
Garden CITY
Is admirably located-nestled in a
valley fifty feet below the sourround-
ing country, and encircled by the
Watonwan river. The village was
settled in 1857. Gen. J. Fl. Baker, E.
P. Evans and Samuel Folsom being the
first residents. That year there were
no signs of civilization except saw
mill. Later two Or three log buildings
were erected, also log store stocked
| with general merchandise and owned
by Harrington & Cheney, the former a
brother of DR.. Harrington of Mankato
Settlers came from the east in 1867
and built homes along the Watonwan
and Blue Earth rivers and Willow
creek, The prairie lands were little
sought for and remained unsettled for
some time John r. Skinner and a
party from New York moved in, and
the town at once built up. The main
roads in this county at that time were
from Mankato to Garden City, thence
to Winnebago and Blue Earth city.
Fish were plenty in the Watonwan
river, and furnished not only amuse-
ment for the few settlers but also
food For several winters the evenings
of the few batchelor settlers were spent
in discussions, and many happy hours
were whiled away on the discussion of
, slavery. These discussions became
, quite heated and sham congress was
organized in 1862 Gen. Baker repre-
sented the state of South Carolina
and this was the beginning of his
, career as an orator. Other partici-
pants in the discussion were Messrs.
,, Daggett, Evans, Eaton, Snow and two
Thurston brothers.
Garden City today, while not having
a large population has several good
store buildings, residences and
churches. Now that Garden City is
incorporated we may look for rapid
advancement. The city officers are :
Mayor, Frank P. Fairchild; members
of council, A. 1. Shaver, G. ]. Boyn-
ton, F. R. Graham; recorder, S. B.
Thorarsnn The lea dino h11sinass man