The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-09-13
String Talk Made Oh the
State Fair Grounds.
EULOGisEO SIBLEY AND RAMSEY
AssocIat Declares Itself in Favor Of
Big Semi Centennial CeIebra-
tlon Next Year.

l 81. Ctpt. O.-oCHSldI ooiC1
! H. Baker of Mankato carried the old
settlers back to the early days of Min
nesota in his speech which he delivered
at the state fair grounds yesterday.
1t was stirring address and well re-
ceived by the pioneers, and the young
err generation applauded its lofty SEN
timents and his references to the men
who came to this state years ago and
, laid the foundation for great COM
monwealth.
Old Settlers Day.
Old Settlers day at the state fair
brought together hundreds of men from
all over the state, who were instru-
mental in making the early history
of Minnesota The natural rendezvous
for the old timers was at the log
cabin of the Pioneers association. All
day long the interior, and the porch
and grounds surrounding the building
were thronged with elderly men and
| women, who gathered to recall old
times, renew acquaintance, and par
! ticipate in the exercises which were
held for their benefit and enjoyment
1t was inspiring to be among such
a crowd of men and women whose
early lives were so closely interviewer
/ with the early hardships of pioneer
life, and who by their powers of per-
! severance overcame obstacles and con-
ouered the natural forces as well as
/ their enemies. the Indians, succeed
ing finally in establishing common
! wealth which has grown to such
ma gnitude as our present state.
The old settlers, too, seemed to be
imbued with the spirit of the OCCASION
and white haired pioneers, dressed IN
their Sunday best, which in great
MANY instances included a SILK nat
and fancy headed walking cane, es-
fcorted their wives about the place In
! manner which would do credit to
gallant courtier of the south.
Program of Exercises.
| Over in the old institute building
! next, to the log cabin, now used as
an art gallery by the Pioneers as
sociation. a program of exercises was
held in the morning, which was at
tended bv crowd which filled the
seating capacity completely.
The exercises began with the UNI
: yelling of the handsome crayon por-
trait of George f. Seibert, st. Paul
pioneer musician. The secretary OF
the Territorial Pioneers association
George H. Hazard, made the unveiI-
mo speech. after an orchestra, COM
nosed of dozen of the former mem
hers of Mr.. Seibert's musical organi-
cations. rendered Goods Message, by
Canned The orchestra was led by D.
| Muhlebruch.
| The Main speaker at the morning
exercises, was General J. II. Baker OF
AIankato. He delivered an eloquent
/ address. which was frequently inter-
! rupted bv outbursts of applause by
the listeners.
General Bakers Address.
He stirred the hearts of the young
with the tales of valor of the pioneers
and brought tears to the eyes OF the
1old settlers as he recalled to their
| memory the many good times which
| thew had in spite of adverse circum-
stances. and depicted the lives OF those
who have since passed into the great
beyond.
"The greatest asset of the Terri
J torial Pioneers association" said Gen
eral Baker. sis their list of precious
members. While the state is famous
for its wonderful natural resources
thew are as nothing in comparison
with the strudy men WHO made the
state. Sturdy pioneers came into the
wilderness and transformed the coun-
try. They opened new book to hu-
manity. and their deeds of daring and
valor in conquering the wilderness
shall be the future theme Tor phe
novelist and historian. They opened
I'M a new empire, and did it little
dreaming of the extent of their work.
| Continuing, General Baker SAID
I"Our new Cdpiloi ~ CA"N o
lint the erection of great common
wealth is much grander achieve
ment. and made the former task pos
ks;ble. The influence and power OF the
state of Minnesota is now felt over
the entire continent. The pioneer days
have disappeared, but the men who
participated in them can never out
live the esteem in which they are
held"
! The speaker enumerated some Of
the more prominent men whose lives
were linked with the development OF
the state.
/ Praise for General Sibley.
General H. H. Sibley stands out
above them all as man of great
Influence. His personal battles with
the Indians proved his courage, and
he was ideally suited to become a
Header. He represented the best type
of the early pioneer. He was brave
kind, refined, a Christian, and always