The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-12-06

1t would be indeed pleasing to The
Free Press if it's columns would per-
NIT of an extended synopsis of the re-
marks made by each of those respond
ing to toasts, but this cannot be done
with Justice to other matters neces-
sarily demanding a division of space.
DR.. Neil of Sibley, Iowa, was down
for a response on doctors Mistakes, !"
but he wrote a letter to Dr. James
that it would be impossible for him
to be present. His absence, however,
was in part compensated for by the
transmittal of his written sentiments
which were read by DR.. James. In
his letter DIR. Neil expressed much re-
greet at not being able to be present,
as he is and for years has been a
warm personal friend of DIR. Harring-
ton, and was one of the early prac-
titioners of Minnesota. In speaking
of the honored guest of the evening,
DR.. Neil, among other good things,
said: Surrounded by the love and
respect of good men, his life, like
the sun, is more glorious than ever at
its setting"
kilograms of regret were received
from DR.. c. L. Green of st. Paul, and
DR.. A. G. Stoddard of Fairfax, who
were unavoidably denied the pleasure
of being present.
Spoke on "reminiscences.
DIR. E. j. Davis, one of the old-time
and highly respected residents of
Mankato, now surgeon at the Soldiers
Home, was very appropriately deputed
to speak on "reminiscences" DR..
Davis was a charter member of the
Minnesota Valley Medical association
now in session in Mankato, and served
as its president one. year. He began
the practice of medicine in this city
in 1869 and for over thirty years con-
tinued in active practice here. To say,
therefore, that he was especially
equipped to review the early pioneer
life is putting it mildly, and to add
that he did Justice to his topic only
accords with his interesting remarks.
He reviewed briefly, the great hard
ships endured in the practice of med
icine in those early days and paid
a deserving and deserved tribute to
his lifelong friend and fellow prac-
titioner, DIR. Harrington.
Threw Off Judicial Robe.
For the nonceH Judge Cray, usually
grave--judicially gftve-Heast off his
robe-judicial robe-4-and entered into
the spirit of ''Our Neighbor" with as
much good humor, jollity and joking
as a kings jester. After speaking
most eloquently of Dr. Harrington's
straightforward and upright living,
and briefly dwelling upon the impair
tial and just evidence he has so often
given in expert testimony before
juries, citing him as one whose testi-
mony was always received with salts
faction and enlightenment by both
judge and jury, and paying high
tribute to the doctor as man and
neighbor, the judge related couple
of anecdotes which involved the good
doctor that elected prolonged applause
by all present. Certainly Judge Cray
struck a happy vein and at once popu
larized himself as a. post prandial
speaker.
DR.. A. c. Wedge of Albert Lea,
one of the Oldest members of the
medical fraternity in the. state, and
one of the best known men in Min
nesota, gave a talk ON FIFTY Years
a Doctor" He gave sort of retro
spective view of what it meant to
practice medicine away back in the
early days of pioneer life, and re-
hearsed some personal experiences that
certainly made the younger members
of the profession present feel rather
pleased than otherwise that they were
not on earth so early in the last
century.
Words From Mrs. James.
Mrs. DIR. j. H. James, most tai
ented lady, who, by the very ma
ture of her close alliance with one
of the most proficient members of
the medical profession in the north
west, was especially qualified to speak
on some of the ethics entering into
the practice of medicine, said some
very pertinent truths. Perhaps"
said the lady, mo other class of pro-
fessional men come into so close con-
tact with their fellows as the family
physician, or are so frequently called
upon for service, needed or imaginary,
as they. They enter into family and
personal joys and sorrows as no one
else can possibly do, and they are re-
garded as positively safe depository
for every sort of secret. No class
of men is so often the trusted friend,
the wise counsellor, as he, and from
the time of Luke, the beloved physi-
cian,' to this day, no one can take
his place."
Chapman wrote:
"Worthiest poets
shun common and plebian forms of
speech .'ha9 sboS -
Every liberal and affected phrase,
To clothe their matter; and together
tie So
Matter and form with art and de-
cency."
With such a beautiful sentiment as