davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08

and babies, but the rest of the family
walked. Mr. Powell;s mother walked the
entire distance, nearly half way across
the continent. That was the sturdy an
cestry of which he came
Rev. Powell arrived in Mankato on the
tenth of October and the presiding elder
of the St. Paul district, Rev. John Kerns,
at once placed him in charge OF the Man
kato mission
In April, 1856, he and several others
laid out the town of Shelbyville, and
there he lived for three years. In the
fall of 1856 Blue Earth was added to
his work That same fall he preached his
first sermon in Blue Earth, in the rude
hotel kept by I'll. p. Constans. The first
quarterly conference was also held in this
log structure. Rev. Powell served the
charge at Blue Earth until 1860. For
twelve years he served other charges in
the state, being finally returned to Blue
Earth.
At this time he served the church for
two years During this time lie succeed
ed in building chapel, the building
which is now the G. A. r. hall. 1t stood
on the lots now owned by the society,
just west of the present church building.
At this time he preached at the following
points besides being at Blue Earth every
other Sunday morning: The Dobson
schoolhouse in Gilmore, the Yetter school
house in Gilmore, the Yetter schoolhouse
in IN DayiesS and AFT q schoolhOuSa i'm
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08

His first residence in this county was
in corncrib somewhere between Blue
Earth and Winnebago City. The corn
, crib was hung inside with bed quilts.
During this same summer season his
study was a boat of his own making,
moored in the Blue Earth river near his
crib residence. Later he moved into a
log house around by Mr.. Kingsley's near
where is now S. p. Child's residence, north
west of town.
He had quite an experience during
first year of his pastorate here. The
only house in the county, pony named
Dobbin, was the ministers means
of travelling over his large circuit, which
extended to jackson at the west One
time he rode Dobbin to jackson and on
arriving there he removed saddle, bride
and the regulation Methodist circuit
riders saddlebags from the pony and
turned him loose to Craze on the prairie.
Next morning he preached to the people
of Jackson and then looked for Dobbin.
But patient Dobbin was not to be found.
So the pioneer preacher, whose mother
had walked from North Carolina to
Indiana, shouldered his saddle and saddle
bags and started for Chain Lakes, where
he was to preach at the home of a DR..
Shaefer. Trudging along on foot with his
load he kept sharp lookout for Dobbin,
but that discreet animal was not to be
seen.
Arriving at the Lake, Rev. Powell
stopped long enough to battle and then
went on to the home of DR.. Shaefer.
Here he found the people gathered to-
gether to hear him. After the service he
asked about Dobbin, but no one had seen
the animal. After good nights rest he
started out on foot and made the trip
home to Blue Earth. Reaching home he
asked about Dobbin, but found no trace
of him. Next morning he forded the
river and started west across the prairie
to look for the stray animal. Before he
had gone far he saw the pony grazing
walked right up to him, and as he came
nearer Dobbin looked up in mild surprise
as though to say: well, declare, ell
der, l thought | left you at Jackson.
How came You here?" The preacher and
Dobbin went socially home together.
During the second passionate in Blue
Earth, Rev. Powell preached a sermon
that will never be forgotten by those who
heard it. 1t was notable effort. The
preacher was at his best, his theme was
the power of the name of Jesus, and the
place was a campmeeting between Blue
Earth and Winnebago City. Many will
remember the words of the earnest
preacher, and many were helped and
benefited by this sermon. The audience
was still as death. In illustration he
spoke of the power of the name of Alex.
+ander and Napoleon, on other men; then
of Grant and then of Lincoln. Here,
pausing, he stepped to the edge of the
platform and in voice as though think
ing aloud he said: "You can't accuse
me of preaching politics now for he has
been dead these many years. But his
memory will be revered long after the
politicians are dead and in hell.''
1t was dramatic scene and the minds
of those who knew him and his life in the
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08

One thousand more subscribers wanted
to read The Free Press.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08
CITY'S FINANCES.
Recorder Hodapp Presents Partial Re
port Receipts and Expenditures.

The following is the recapltulation of
the receipts and expenditures of the city
for the year commencing April lst, 1902,
and ending April lst, 1908, as present
ed to the council last night by City Re-
corder Hodapp:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08

The street railway committee of the
board of trade is at work, but is wisely
engaged on still hunt. 1t hopes to have
something tangible to report before long.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08
GOV. RAMSEY'S WILL.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
The will of Gov. Ramsey was filed for
probate yesterday afternoon. The per-
sonal property is given at $4,000 The
real estate is valued at 100000 W. b.
Dean is named as executor of the estate.
Deceased leaves to his daughter, Mrs Mar
ion r. Furness, one-half of the estate.
His grandchildren are given the re-
naming half of the estate, to be divided
into equal shares. These grandchildren
are: Anna e. Furness, Alexander Ram
sey Furness and Laura Furness. De
ceased also gives a bequest Of $1,000 to
the state historical society and 81 900 to
st. Paul Relief society.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08

Minnesota's strike record in the past
twenty years has been something like
this: Number of strikes, 1913, involving
1858 establishments and 69,llO en-
ployes. The aggregate number of days
lost on account of strikes was 1852.
The total loss in wages amounted to ST.
532,2SO, an average to each person in
volved of $22O2. The loss to employers
was $l,693,S75. Twenty-one per cent
of the strikers We're replaced by new
employees.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08

state reverted to his pastorate at Mantor-
vile. The sentiment there was "seces-
sion Democrat" while Mr.. Powell was in
tensely loyal, making his pulpit re-
cruiting station. In their disloyalty his
people nearly stoned him and drove him
from the town.
The first sewing society in Blue Earth
was organized in 1858. 1t met in the old
log Constans Hotel and was made up OF
the following ladies among others: Mrs.
w. j. Neal, Mrs. H. Kingsley, Mrs.
Wayne Stillman, Mrs. H. p. Constans and
Mrs. Capt. Davy. Now, it happened that
Rev. Powell wished to go to conference
but he had no clothes that We're present
able Then the ladies rose to the oc-
casion. By hard work and saving, enough
money was raised to buy the cloth and
the tailor, Mr.. Reems, cut out the suit.
The ladies had little experience in such
work, but they We're determined that
their preacher should be presentable
when he went to conference so this
pioneer sewing society made up the suit
of clothes, coat, vest and pants. The
work was nicely done and the suit duly
given to the pastor. But when he came
to put it on, it was found that the sleeves
were sewn in wrong side up, so that the
coat called for position with raised
arms as though in continual prayer. The
good ladies were puzzled but after study
ing on it for some time, took the coat to
the tailor who showed them what was
the trouble and the remedy
One time when campmeeting was to
be held at Shellbysille, Rev Powell was
DESTROYS of attending but times were
hard, crops had been drowned out and
he had 10 meat to take with him, no
provisions but bread. Then came Capt.
Davy and H. p Constans and invited him
to 90 hunting. Game was plentiful and
soon the preacher was able to start for
campmeeting with twenty fine prairie
chickens as part of his provisions. There
is no other Methodist preacher can live
better than I can now"
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08
CHEAPER GAS.
Move on Foot to Supply Mankato PEG
pie at a Dollar a Thousand.
From Saturdays Daily,


An officer of the Cold Gas Manufac-
turing company of Chicago was in the
city day or so ago, consulting with
some of the business men in regard to
putting in a plant in Mankato this year
The company proposes to furnish all of
the money, and will furnish gas at one
dollar thousand feet in case 400 or 500
subscribers can be obtained, and at
ninety cents thousand feet in case
another hundred subscribers is obtained,
or whenever they are obtained. This is
the same company that opened some
negotiations in Mankato last fall, but it
was then too late to do anything.
The Business Mems association will
probably take the matter up. A COM
mittee may be sent to Deadwood, S. d.,
where the company has plant.
T. w. Hart recently received letter
from A. II. Savage, representing the
Fort Wayne Electrical Works, which put
in the New Ulm plant last year, and
which bid ON the proposed city plant this
spring, saying:
''In case the city should lose on the
injunction suit, l will be very glad in
deed to 60 down to Mankato and spend
some time in trying to organize a COM
pany among the Mankato people to in
stall commercial lighting plant with
the view of selling it out to the city
when the city is in shape to buy. 1t
seems to me that this proposition would
be more to the interest of the town than
it would to grant franchise for a street
railway and lighting plant combined and
tie the city up for long term street
lighting contract. That railway PROPOSE
ton ought to 90 through without the in
ducement of a street lighting contract
and | think there is no doubt but what it
can be handled in that way and still give
the city the benefit of municipal owner
ship of an electric light plant
The street railway committee of the
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08

Balance in treasury March 81, 1902. 49, 1853 SO
Balance in treasury March 81, 1903. ST. 1874 50
The above figures are exclusive OF the
waterworks, sprinkling local improve
ment, sinking and bills payable funds,
which would bring the total figures up to
about 800, 900 in each column.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-05-08
Verona. He usually made the rounds

Verona. He usually made the rounds
on foot.
In 1873 he was removed to st. Peter
and after serving other churches for
twelve years, he was, in 1885, returned
to Blue Earth for his third pastorate, a
period of three years. During this time
he built the present church. As one
who knew him well says: at was be-
cause of his unqualified faith and indom-
liable will that it was built. l know that
he had very little encouragement until he
demonstrated that it must and would be
built. Then he enthused the church and
town and built and dedicated it free of
debt Both the church buildings are to
be credited to him.
After leaving Blue Earth this time,
Rev. Powell continued in the active
work of the ministry for SIX years, max
ing total of fifty years of continuous
service in the pastorate. He was then
placed in the superannuate relation with
the conference. He then moved to his
little farm at Spring Island, Blue Earth
county, where he still lives, happy
veteran who has borne the heat and bur
den of the day and in all things proven
himself faithful, ready soldier.
On August ID, 1902, the eightieth ami
versary of his birth, Rev. Powell was
rendered reception by his neighbors
and his friends from Mankato. The
party was happy one, and left with
Mr.. Powell substantial token of their
regard for him in the form of purse of
SlO2.
Rev. Powell has said that the only
time he was ever ashamed of his dress
was once in the old log hotel kept by
II. p Constans as he was going to what
answered for the pulpit to address con-
gregation. His noiseless tread caused him
to look down at his feet, which were
covered with good Indian moccasins. At
the same time his eyes fell upon a new
silk hat, tall and shiny, recent purchase
from some one travelling through. The
ridiculous contract between the tile i'll his
hand and the moccasins made him feel
ashamed
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12

THIS is the season of the year when
the home merchants come into direct
competition with the goods offered at
retail by the statesmen of the houses
which make a speciality of soliciting
orders for future delivery. In many
cases the goods when delivered are
found to be not as good as the sample
shown when the order was placed, but
the buyer has no redress. Other things
being equal it is always better and
safer to patronize home merchants
and some way ought to be found to
COMPEL this class of peddlers-for
they are nothing else-to take out a
license, and so contribute their share
to the support of local institutions.
They make money in the town and
there is no good reason why they
should not pay their share of the taxes.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12

THE railroads are unquestionably
correct in their contention that the es-
innate of the wealth of Wisconsin
made by the tax commissioners is far
too low. Take our own county. The
assessment of property in Kenosha
county isas nearly correct as the as
SCISSORS could make it in the linn
tied time allowed them, and we be-
lieve that it is nearer the actual value
of the property assessed than any
county in the State, but no man with
any knowledge of the subject will con-
tend that all or nearly all of the tax
able property in the county is on the
assessment rolls at its full market
value, The railroads may or may
not be paying their share of the taxes,
but to base any demands for an in
crease in their taxes on the assess
ment rolls of the various counties
of the State as they now stand
is manifestly unfair. Great prog.
ress has been made in assess.
ing property at its actual value
but hundreds Of millions of dollars
will have to be added to the rolls be
fore the.amount is even approximately
correct.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12

THE dealers in the necessaries of
life in every community have their
own troubles to which the law should
add nothing. Competition is unre-
stricted and keen among them and
their margins of profit are small. AS
rule they make no more than de-
cent living, very few acquire even
modes, fortunes. When they give
credit to customer it is favor and
should be SO esteemed, as it is by the
worthy. In the collection of their just
debts from wage earners as well as all
others, the dealers in consum able COM
modities should be placed on the same
footing with the trafficers in other
goods. This is not the case now. But
bill so providing is now before the
Legislature which should certainly be-
come law. It was drawn and intro
duced at the instigation of the Retail
Grocers and General Merchants asso-
citation of the state, which class of
dealers are victimized to greater or
less extent in every community,
through the operations of the present
law. The pending bill is a most reason
able measure. Only dead-beats among
wage earners will oppose it. All
others of that class should, indeed,
warmly support it, as they can have no
interest in she1tering dishonesty in
their ranks or to indifference to both
moral and legal obligation. Under the
proposed law merchant or grocer
may institute garnishee proceedings
against married man to the extent of
one tenth of his earnings as a means
of recovering debts contracted for the
necessaries of life. The remaining
nine-tenths of his earnings would, of
course, still be beyond the reach of the
merchant or grocer creditor. Thereby,
if mans earnings be say $40 a
month, only $4 would be subject to
garnishee and the remaining $50 would
be as exempt as his entire earnings are
now. The retail merchants and gro
GERS have thus made most reasonable
request of the Legislature, and com
p1iance Herewith should be forthcom.
ing.-Appleton Post.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12

If the immigrants who are pouring
into the United States could be spread
out over the unoccupied lands of the
nation, instead of remaining, as most
of them do, in our great cities, to in
crease the competition in the labor
market and to multiply the calls upon
our charities and correctional institu-
tions, the Immigration problem"
would solve itself. Agriculture can
absorb, with profit to immigrant and
community, larger number of work
ers than all the rest of the industries
combined. It happens, too, that agri-
culture is calling of which a large
portion Of the immigrants have some
little knowledge. Yet, tempted by the
Ito them) high wages for unskilled
labor which in prosperous times pre-
vail in our cities, they remain there,
to their own ultimate loss and to the
decided detriment of the already con-
gested populations.-St. Paul Pioneer
Press.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12
LITTLE ICE IN LAKE.
Prediction Made That the Straits VIII Be
Open by April 1.

Open by April 1.
Navigation has been opened at Chi
cago by the arrival of the steamer Ed.
ward Buckley with salt from Manistee
Friday. The steamer Marion, now
owned by the salt trust, will begin
service today. The first passenger
steamer to reach Chicago from the east
shore will be Graham & Morton boat
from st. Joseph March 10. There is
less ice in Lake Michigan than for
many years.
At the straits of Mackinaw there is
smooth ice from fourteen to eighteen
inches thick, but heavy winrows cover
a great part of the straits. There is
little ice at the foot of Lake Michigan,
however, and on that account it seems
likely that the straits will open as
early as last year, which was on
April /.
Outside of the steel boats nothing is
being done to fit out steamers and
even with an early opening there will
not be many vessels in commission
until the middle of April. The first
feet up from Lake Erie will be rushed
through as soon as the way is clear
It will bring full supply of coal to
the upper lake regions.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12

THE State Journal has urged and
still does earnestly advocate a pains
taking and exhaustive discussion of
whatever primary election measures
the Legislature is called on to deal
with. Railing at the Senators, into
whose hands this important matter has
been shifted by the Assembly because
they propose to proceed deliberately,
should receive rebuke. Let the Sena-
tors give their undivided thought to
the matter at the proper time; let dis
cussion be untrammeled. Some Sena-
tors are being embarrassed by demands
that they must in order to redeem pre-
election promises, vote blindly for this
or that measure. There is no bill be-
fore them today that ought to be passed
without the most careful examination
of it's every section. There was no
primary election bill before the voters
prior to election; it was for principle
that the people voted, not for specific
decentralization State Journal.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12

action by the city. yesterday. The
historyo of the suit ispeculiar and there
are those who do not hesitate tossay
that the interests Of the city In he
case were poorly taken care of. After
the judgment against the city was
rendered in the Circuit Court here the
case was called in the Supreme Court.
When the case was called in the SUI
preme Curt, however, nobody ap-
peared for the city, and as is the rule
in that court when the appellant fails
to appear the verdict of the lower court
was affirmed without argument. Ii
other words, a tier the city had gone to
the expense of taking the case to the
Supreme Court-and everybody knows
that costs considerable money-no-
body took the trouble to appear in be-
half of the city and endeavor to have
the verdict of the lower court set aside.
If the attorneys had no intention of
fighting the case in the Supreme
Court what was the use of going to the
additional expense of taking it there?
Possibly the lawyers may be satisfied
of the necessity of going to the ex-
pense of taking az appeal to the Su-
preme Court in this case and then not
appearing when the case came up for
trial, but to plain ordinary citizen it
looks like throwing good money after
bad. Not only can the city i'll afford to
lose this money paid out yesterday, but
a precedent has been esta b1ished which
will make trouble in the future.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12
FIREMEN BANQUET.
James S. Barr Hook and Ladder Co. Enjoy
Themselves at Harman's Restaurant.

James S. Barr Hook and Ladder CO. Enjoy
The annual banquet Of the James S..
Barr Hook and Ladder company was
held Friday night at the Hartman res
taurant. This annual gathering, of
the veterans of the Kenosha fire de-
partment is looked forward to by the
members of the department with a
great deal of interest, and is one of the
most enjoyable evenings in the social
life Of the fren1en. So popular lhave
they become with the members of the
company that the annual banquet has
been made fixture and one will he
held every year as long as the company
is in existence.
A we'll selected menu had been pre-
pared by the restaurant for the occa-
sion, and promptly anime O'Clock the
members of the company sat down to
one of the most Ella borate banquets
ever served in the city. After the din
ner had been disposed of the guests
pushed back their chairs, cigars were
lighted and symposium of story tell
ing, songs, and "reminiscences was com.
menced which lasted until the wee
small hours of the morning.
The James S. Barr Hook and Ladder
company was organized in 1891 at the
time of the disbanding of the old Balm
Hook and Ladder company and its
membership was made up largely of
men who had previously been connect
ed with the Older organization, so that
there were men at the table Friday
evening who were able to recall excit-
ing incidents connected with almost
every large FIRE that ever occurred in
the city. And the stories of hair
breadth escapes, and of the humorous
side of a fire fighters experience came
| thick and fast.
The pleasure of the evening was
somewhat marred by the fact that
owing to illness Chief Barr was unab
to be present. The Chief sent his best
wishes and congratulations to the com
pany which bears his name, however,
and promised to let nothing stand in
the way of his being with them next
year.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12

small quantities, and applique motifs
Of lace and velvet are much in favor.
The pointed train is no longer seen. but
skirts are long all around, and often
the entire back appears of one depth.
Evening wraps are extremely smart.
and the most elaborate are of satin or
brocade lavishly appliqued with lace
and trimmed with ruched plaitings OF
chiffon
Frills Of lace of the guipure type on
net are very effective on coats Of silk
or satin, and the loose sack paletot
form is much in demand
The waist III the illustration is OF ORR
entail satin trimmed with heavy gui-
pure lace. JUDO CHOLLET.
The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1903-03-12
FOR EVENING WEAR.

Fluffy and Elaborate Slxirts-Up to-
Date Trimmings.
Many elegant and costly ball gowns
are made Of fine silk net resembling
tulle, and there are many frills run
with drawn ribbon.
The frilly skirt is the chief favorite
for dance gowns, and motifs of lace
are also used to powder the skirt and
to head the Fittings. Stripes of lace
and ribbon alternate with grouped
tucks on some skirts and usually finish
with tassels or bows falling loose over
founces of the same description
Lace embroidery and ribbon, with
the inevitable flowers, are the chief
adornments of the evening toilet, but
Parisians are again using fringe in