Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-12-09
VISIT EXPECTED
NEXT SUMMER
First Merchant of E|illuldr Plans
to Visit Old Scenes
in 1909.

California, the first merchant and
postmaster at Willmar, may visit
US and renew old acquaintance
next summer. Our old friends, the
Neers, of New London, have a let
ter from him, in which he makes
this promise The letter in ques-
ton was produced in the New Lon
don Times last week, and its his
torical interest is so great that we
take pleasure in reproducing it
herewith for the benefit of Tribune
readers:
San Diego, Cal, Nov. Ia.
Mr.. and Mrs. J. H. Neer,
New London, MINI.
Dear Friends Of other days:-In
a letter written some weeks ago by
my daughter, Mrs. Carter, | was
Informed of a brief visit, just con-
Guided, at your home, which she
and the little orphan with her en-
joyed so highly. | was not so slow
to recall the many wllole-souIed
hospitalities | have enjoyed around
your hearth and only wish it. was
possible to have call from you to
our California home ] also wish
| may be axle to visit New London
once more and shake hands ard look
into the faces Of the old settlers
who preceded me and those who
came soon after. Of these | recall
John and Marcus Johnson, Mons o.
son, John Lungstrom, Frederick
SmithSon, Louis and Peter Larson.
John Stauffer, John, Eber and VIM.
Wright, the Andrews, the Sperrys,
the Wards, etc. The building of
the dam, then the mill; the build
ing Of our store, then the arrival
of our goods from Minneapolis and
St. Paul the opening of the same.
the exchanging of same for the
lawful commodity, to-wit, mink,
rat, coon and deer skins; the build
ing of the flour m. II and the cakes,
pies and bread baked from -four
made at the new mills; the first
Christmas tree in the rear of our
store room, etc. No period in my
life brings me so many pleasing
memories and none that would
please me more to live over again.
| shall never forget the "Coming'
across the dam, where the bridge
is now, in the rain, on the 18th day
of October, 1868. Can you doubt
me when l say l would be delighted
to see the development you have
made.
| Two years later, 1870, l decided
to divide our merchandise and leav-
ing my partner, Samuel Adams, TO
continue the business in New Lon
don, turned my face towards Foot
| Lake, where, or near where, | was
informed by Herman Foot the land
commissioner of the St. Paul & Pa
cific R. R. Co., principal station
: would be built, and later on would
be the end of the first division.
My simple store room was soon
built and in the latter days of Au-
gust was selling goods pretty live
ly. Just about one month later,
Paulson and Rice also put in stock
Of merchandise. Before this, how
ever, some friends Of mine circu-
lated petition, directed to the
: Postmaster General, asking for the
establishment Of a post office anc
naming myself as postmaster. Our
petition was not long in being
granted. The graders on the rail.
road, under Col. DeGraff, were ap
' preaching, but the construction
n train did not arrive until late il
: the fall. With the post office ;
: fixed fact and the railroad arriv
b. ing, the new town of Wilimar be-
S gan its career, which I have beer
:. informed, has never been great!
IS checked. From what | can learn
) New London has also made merite(
q progress. l am rapidly passing OF
y to my 80th year, yet ! wish mos
n sincerely to visit Minnesota tn
e coming summer Of 1909. i assur
IS you the visit would be shorn of it
IS chiefest pleasure if | could no
(. spend some time in New Londo
IS and Willmar, in which now pros
IS porous towns it was my fortune t
bear some humble part, in thei
earliest struggles. | am with du
d regard, Yours Very Truly.