The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-07-07

The Minnesota Valley pioneers
were not out in force last Friday,
for various reasons, the tropical
temperature and conflicting Fourth
of July celebrations doubtless hav-
ing considerable influence in keep
ing away those from outside towns.
Nevertheless there were number
from abroad and a considerable at
tendance from nearby points. The
picnic feature as planned was con-
sequently disappointing, but the
pioneers present appeared to be
glad they came and the day passed
pleasantly.
The program for the first session
in the tent was fully up to expecta-
tons. Secretary Warren Upham
read an interesting paper on the
early Explorers, giving extracts
from the accounts of the venture
some Frenchmen, Raddison and 9TH
ers, who first discovered the "St.
Peter" river as the Minnesota was
first designated, and of the various
government explorers and adventur-
ers who followed. The first ac-
counts dated back about $50 years,
but the account that definitely de-
scribed the valley at the point where
the Redwood enters the larger river
was the most interesting locally.
This was a government expedition
sent out to explore parts Of the
Louisiana purchase in 1923. and Mr..
Upham read a very interesting &C.
count of the impressions of the mar
rator in coming up from the mouth
of the river of the "tree that is
painted red," and of the delight he
experienced after wearisome jour-
ney over the prairie. in the beauti-
full scenery along the lower stretch
es of the Redwood Here the party
also found the first signs of buffalo,
with it's promise of a much-desired
change of diet, The description of
the cliffs of white sand" along the
banks and the falls, definitely fixes
the first written account of this
river. The Gazette will be able to
print extracts from Mr.. Upham' S
paper at a future time.
Following Mr.. Upham, Chairman
Howard introduced Hon. Lyndon A.
Smith of Montevideo, who came to
Minnesota in 1869, and who told
how near she came to locating in
Marshall, on the Redwood, instead
of at Montevideo. Mr.. Smith mod
estly disclaims distinction as valley
pioneer, but paid his tribute of
praise to the pioneer spirit and to
the people whose hardships and sac
rifces had made the rapid settle
ment of the North Star state posi-
BILE. Without dipping into history
profoundly Mr.. Smith made brief
but pleasant little talk.
Hon. J. F. Jacobson's talk was
probably as we'll received as any of
the afternoon. Mr.. Jacobson may
not be eloquent in his diction or
polished in manner. but he gave his
fellow pioneers and their descend
ants something to think of, and his
address was featured by frequent
hearty applause and laughter. His
account of coming through Redwood
Falls with a party of emigrants
drawn in forty OK wagons, forty
years ago. of thesspirit of hospitality
that was the rule in those days.
when the representative pioneer was
ready to divide and again divide his
last sack of flour or meal with his
neighbor, was accompanied with
the moral that this spirit was not
50 much in evidence in these later
days and that as the people acquired
greater wealth and larger houses.
here was less room for real hospi-
atty than in the simple period OF
;fe in covered wagons and dugouts.