The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-10-31
Monday Evening,

Peter. His conduct was such, how
sance. At the request of the authori-
ties, DR.. A. w. Daniels, the leading
physician of the town, who had
f pysi sans spe the sm 1sm
ported that he was suffering from alec
holic dementia, and that he could not
recover unless removed from saloon in
fuences. There were no inebriate asy-
lums in those days, nor other places
for the Incarceration of alcoholic I'M
fortunates, and so the board of county
commissioners, on the recommendation
son to the poorfarm, which was eight
cen miles distant and remote from vii
lagos or towns. It was hoped that such
policy. would result in good to all
concerned The family, which he had
deserted, knew nothing Of this action
by the authorities until several weeks
afterwards.
Death Of the Father.
AS long as the unfortunate man re-
manned at the poorfarm he seemed to
Whenever he came to town, the old
appetite asserted itself in the old way
and he fell. Occasionally he would beg
liquor from travellers along the coun-
try roads near the poorfarm, and then
he became a disturbing element among
lie lived this life from the early sew
entities until 1889, a physical and men
tai wreck, ambition and pride all gone
and all the finer sensibilities of life
blunted, when he died, as stated in
the affidavit which stands at the be-
ginning of this article. AS soon as the
boy John learned of his fathers death
ha To lofr
the funeral expenses. = - o.,
In the meantime, John s income had
so increased that it was no longer neces-
sary for his mother to take in wash
ing Indeed, she did nothing of this
sort after her son had reached the age
self the entire support of the family.
He worked for one druggist in st: Peter
for about dozen years. Then he went
into Iowa and then to Mankato, where
he was employed by railroad contractors
and others, his wages at this period
averaging about SIS a month. With
paying the doctors bills and the funeral
expenses for three of his sisters, and
educating the remaining brother and
ter, who are still living.
Becomes Newspaper Man. )
He was in Mankato when the oppor-
tunity came for him to buy a half in
terest in the st. Peter Herald. He
said to the friends who told him, about
the opportunity that he was supporting
his mother and brothers and sisters, and
didn It have dollar for Investment. His
friends in St. Peter took up the case,
advanced the necessary sum, and started
him out as newspaper man, and 1T need
| not be said that this sum was repaid in
| due time.
M fo+l,,, I, 7 ,,o,,,o;+4ol +oxoc RI %.
cumulate on the home, until the amount
was finally 1926 and the property was
sold by the sheriff. John bought it in
with money saved out of his $75 a
month"; so that the mother and children
might not be disturbed.
Finally, he married; ., He brought his
time H he he had enlarged by the building OF
a comfortable addition, and the new
| daughter fitted into the little family
circle in a truly beautiful way. The
sister secured position as teacher in 9
country school and left home, returning
for the vacation seasons. 81
Mother Has Home of Her Own.
The mother, with the sturdy independ
enc ehee and strength Of character act Whef
which the family, during it's years Of
sore trial could not have been kept to
gether, made up her mind that she wanted
to have home which was her very own
a many other mothers have done anC
will continue to do. She conceived thu
scheme of keeping house for her daugh
ter, who was now. self,supporting, an(
accordingly she rented two or three
rooms, which her son furnished, and int,
these she moved. Her daughter, &C
cording to the arrangement which ha(
been, made, lived with her, and it wa
not long before that daughter secure.
a place in the St: Peter schools. whic]
she still holds. She and her mother ar
now living on one of the quiet residenc
streets Of the town, in a pleasant cot
tage, which is well furnished, and wher
they. are surrounded by all the ordinar.
comforts Of life. s--
The story was circulated that tn
son and his wife, and that that troubl
explained her: setting up separate es
tablishment, but this is not true. Sh
was very indignant when a Journa
man talked to her about this story, an
authorized the following statement:
What the Mother Says.
emo mother ever had more lovin
and more dutiful son than John has bee
to me 5cb PE armg the poverty and a sue
fort and our support. I do not kno7
what we could have done without hi
aid. He was always kind and tende
: with all of us, and in a very true sens
the main stay Of our little home. H
cheerfully turned over his money to m
5 on every pay day, and before he was
, years old he was making enough SO tia
r [ no longer was compelled to take
washing. / never have been proude
of him than I was the evening he cam
home and told me that his salary ha
, ;, been increased, and that he would n
longer permit me to do this kind c
.. work. I think, too, that this was one c
the proudest moments of his life. Fl
took care of us in times Of sickness an
> death, paying all the expenses, and d,
ing it with a spirit which has made hi
: doubly dear to all of us. After his ma
= riage voluntarily went to !: live wit
, my daughter. There was no reason VIII
to live in that way. His home has q
!, ways been open to me, and it is open t
l me today. His wife, as well as he, hs
. been goodness itself. Very few mott
: ers have been blessed with such sol
e and to all who have been SO blessed
l offer my sincerest congratulations. II
9 has been one son in 100000
Q The family is one of the most highl
/ respected in st. Peter, and the me
i and women Of that town, before whol
J. the several acts of this domestic dram
o have been played, honor John A. Joh1
e son as men honor only those who hay
e suffered adversely and trial Of the sal
e dest and severest kind and have TT
r umphed over them by the exercise {
e the simple manly virtues. He has bee
tried in their presence by every te
!. and he has responded in manner
= win their approval and esteem.