The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-11-10
Governor J. A. Johnson Was
Among Those Who Spoke
Judge NJ. J. Severance Also
Delivered an Address.
Some Interesting History OF
the Past Recalled.

Window, Nov. 3.-Cottonwood's court
house was formally dedicated to Justice
the ceremonies. Addresses were deliv.
cred by Governor John A. johnson,
Judge Severance and others. The Jour
nal Newsboy Band furnished the music.
The court house was built at a cost
of 100000 and is located on block
of ground in the center of the business
section, much after the manner of coun-
ty buildings in southern states. This
weeks Window Reporter refers to the
new court house and goes into the past
as follows:
''We believe the first term of court
in Cottonwood county was held in No
vember, 1873, in the old school house,
when Judge Waite, long since dead,
presided. The two cases of Importance
were one criminal, against Bill Gary,
for keeping gambling resort, and, one
between the st. Paul Lumber company
and j. HI. Wood, in which Judge Sever
ance appeared for the plaintiff and Uri
Lamphrey for the defendant. The case
was on trial for several days, result
ing in verdict for The plaintiff. Judge
Waite remained on the berch until the
next election, when A. G. Dunn and d.
~ Dickinson were candidates for nomi.
nation by the republicans, the conven-
ton being held at MadeIia, and Judge
Dickinson nominated. Daniel Buck was
a candidate against him, and was de-
feated at the polls. He has since been
a Justice of the supreme court, and is
now dead.
Judge Dickinson held the office for a
number of years until he was appoint
ed on the supreme court by Governor
Pillsbury, when Judge Severance was
appointed to succeed him. For, good
many years Judge Severance held court
in Window, sometimes in the old school
house, sometimes in the old Klocll
building where George Miller's new and
handsome brick block and hardware
store is. In fact, the court went tramp
ing around the prairie for a number of
years until the old court house was
built, in which Judge Severance held
the first term of court, at which the
first conviction was had for felonious
offense-Ole Frengen, accused of muir
der in the first degree, for having kill
ed a servant girl at work for Mr.. Hut
ton. If we remember right, he used
strychnine, but as strychnine could be
shown to be used for other purposes
which we need not name here, no in
tention to murder could be shown, and
the young fellow plead guilty to a
minor offense and went to Saltwater
for ten years.
The county board has bought new
Underwood typewriter for the auditors
office, and it arrived today. The coun-
ty superintendent office gets the one
heretofore in use in the auditors Of
fee
Judge Severance is the only living
eX- judge-Waite, Dickinson, Perkins,
all having passed over the river
Judge Brown was appointed to sue
coed Judge Perkins, and has since held
the judgeship in the thirteenth. He will
open the first term of court in the new
building week after next.
Judge Cray was invited to be pres
ent, but could not attend owing to pre-
vious engagement. He wrote the com
mittee as follows: II sincerely regret
that previous engagements prevent me
from being present at the dedication of
your new court house. 1 want to 90.
As you know, for many years | had
much practice in Cottonwood county,
and | have always had the most kindly
feeling toward the people of that coun-
ty, and claim to have many friends
there. | well remember the very un-
satisfactory county building which you
occupied for so many years, and | be-
lieve that you will all thoroughly APP
preciate the new one, which | have not
seen, but which / know to be one of the
prettiest court house blocks anywhere
to be found Your people deserve this
new building: thew have earned If and
l hope that it will be fully enjoyed by
everyone.
Sound Republican Doctrine.