davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

our farms. Ten acres of prairie
was broken at cost of six dollars
per acre, fenced after many hard
days labor splitting rails, and was
planted in good season for corn.
We had not yet become produc-
ing community, consequently had
nothing to sell to the newcomers.
There was no business or employ
ment for laborers OF mechanics.
Two years drainage on our limited
resources brought US to the ttbot-
tom DOLLAR Such was the state
of things with nine-tenths Of the
people of the state. The struggle
now was for existence. After passing
through this severe lesson of econo-
my, the harvest time came and re-
turned US a good reward for our
labors.
The settlement of Harrison had
increased in numbers this season.
Joseph Harris located there and
sold the first dress goods in the
county, consisting of few pieces
of prints at twenty five cents a
yard. l became a patron Of the
establishment to the extent of one
pink dress pattern, which was the
very best goods.
In the month of September a
steam saw mill was brought to
Eagle lake. The manufacture of
lumber was commenced and it be-
came great source Of convenience
to US to get few feet of lumber
to make our dwellings comfortable
for the winter. During this season
l built on my claim a small frame
house 14x24 feet with a wing 12x16
feet and finished the outside. 1t
was the first frame house in the
county and made quite a respect
able appearance.
After the usual preparations we
found winter again upon US. Dur.
ing the winter months Fen B.
Woodcock and myself made a trip
/ to a mill a few miles below Forest
City where we got ous first crop
of corn ground into meal for our
bread. This trip took two days
down and two days back. with oxen
and sleds. We were forced to
camp out and sleep in our sleds dur
ing the cold nights Of Christmas
time. We returned with good
supply of corn meal for the winter.
Our monotonous life had some
bright spots. We mingled together
socially with people who were miles
away. We all seemed to be friends,
no matter what nationality. So
ciatly this colony was a success.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
Incidents of Pioneer
Life in County

The following are some extracts
from the story of Mr.. Woodcock' s
pioneer life in Kandiyohi county as
published in the Kandiyohi county
History:
By Elijah 7. Woodcock.
In the month of April, 1855, |
journeyed from my native state of
New York for the then far west.
Ga|ena terminated my journey by
rail. Taking a steam boat to Me-
Gregor, Iowa, I began from this my
slow and charming journey by land
in conveyance styled the "prairie
schooner | travelled over the
beautiful prairie Of southern Min
nesota at that time an unbroken
sketch, many miles without signs
of habitation. After duly inspect
ing such embryo towns as Roches-
ter, Mantorville and Faribault
took a quarter section Of beautiful
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

heen located where the origin
al townsite of Columbia was laid
out. This arrangement would have
given Willmar a most lovely loca-
tion on which to build up large,
thriving town on the shores of one
Of the most beautiful lakes in the
state. The line of railroad would
have been many miles shorter to
the Red river. Then the dream of
my pioneer life would have been
realized, and the satisfaction of a
thriving city building up on the
ideal location which nature had
provided would have repaid for all
my trials.
The spring of 1858 came with its
usual charm and we resumed new
courage in spite of our dreary sur
roundings. We changed our base
Of operation to the cultivation OF
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
country. We passed by way of
Owatonna, Wilton and through the

country. We passed by way of
Owatonna, Wilton and through the
Winnebago reservation to Mankato,
continuing our journey through
Henderson, Glencoe, Hutchinson
and Cedar City. which then were on
the outskirts of white habitation.
At the latter point we found a rude
log cabin with no roof, occupied by
two young men known as "townsite
holders.'' While we camped at
Cedar City two men arrived with
a camp equipment drawn by two
yokes of oxen. The owner was
Jesse M. Ayers; the other gentle
mans name I have forgotten. Mr..
Ayers informed me that he was on
the way to Green Lake, about
thirty miles distant, and invited us
to join him in townsite enterprise
there.
We listened to the description of
the Lake and surroundings. With
the flattering prospect that we
could take the first choice in the
beautiful lands of prairie and tim
Der we accepted the invitation.
The inspiration caused by the
first sight Of the beautiful lake
seemed to bring out all the admir-
ing qualities which we possessed
and we were captivated by this
beautiful spot of natures produc-
ton.
Near the lake shore where now
stands the modest little village of
Spicer we struck our tent and pro-
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

day, April 6. 1t is claimed that
the chorus is positively the
youngest, prettiest and cleverest
now before the patrons Of high class
amusement, and a particular fea-
ture of this part Of the company is
the pony ballet, consisting of twelve
young girls, whose aggregate
weight is not above one thousand
pounds. Harry B. Watson and
Harry B. Williams are the leading
comedians of the organization.
which includes Herbert Carter,
Stanley Felch, Alva E. Laing, Mar
garet Fetch, Matte Martz, Cleo
PERI, Florence Ray, Rita Willard
and others.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
An Appreciation
By Mrs. E. T. Wo0dcock

Today interesting, and yet with
out doubt increasingly interesting
to those of tomorrow, who recall
and read, such lives as that of Mr..
+. I. Woodcock who passed away
at his home in Urbana, Ohio, on
the 2lst of March, 1910. For the
process Of modern life involves in
cessant flux. Today nothing is per-
manent excepting change. we
speak of young America. We
boast land rightly SOY that we live
in an era of the inception of new
ideas which shall amplify and
adorne during the ages yet unborn.
True, but so often we forget the an
tipatory stages of this modern met
amorphosis. The older life out of
which the twentieth century is aris-
ing, and for lack of which today
with its multiplicity of possibilities
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

interest would come from a. the
expiration of the year. | consult
ed my wife and we concluded to
sell the swine, cribs of corn, a COW
and calf and other effects and so
commanded money enough to pay
our expenses back to New York.
We left Green Lake on the 18th
day of October, 1859. which gave
US full three years residence. We
left our pioneer home in care of
Mr.. Thomas and wife, who had re-
Gently settled near us. Mr.. Thorn
as remained in possession of my
homestead until the Indian mas
sacre Of 1862. We left Green Lake
with the int ntion of returning at
the end of three years, for which
period we leased our little farm
to Mr.. Thomas.
The events transporting during
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
MUSICAL TREAT
Al Opera House Tonight With
isle of Spice as Star
Attraction.

Beautiful girls, exquisite scenic
environment, clever comedians,
startling electrical surprises, all
sweet singing, graceful dancing,
picturesque groupings, witty dia-
logue, brilliant lyrics, catchy songs
and tuneful music, are said to be
the chief ingredients which have
been responsible for the universal
praise with which that piquant
musical mixture, the elsie of Spice
has been accorded in every large
city in which it has been presented.
The entire production as shown
during it's New York, Chicago and
Boston runs, will be presented at
the Willmar Opera House, Wednes-
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

on and improved and which had ex-
hausted their resources during the
period Of settlement.
Finding myself short Of the 5000
to make good the presumption, l
made trip to the land office at
Forest City. The receiver, Mr..
Smith, came to my relief and
offered me land warrant for $160
to cover my 100 acres homestead.
For the money he would take a
first mortgage bearing SO per cent
annual interest. / accepted the
offer, proving up at once, and came
home somewhat relieved, but Won
dering where the $3.50 with $3.50
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
First Settler in kandiyohi County

ELIJAH T. WOODCOCK-Born Jan. 49, 1888, Allegheny
County, N Y; arrived to Minnesota 1856; located at
Green lake. which he named Aug. TO- 1885, lived there
three years. then returning East became grain
at Urbana, Ohio and DIED MARCH Fl, 1910; buried at
Welsvile, N Y.
W1FE-Loretta Curtis Woodcoc, born at Franlnvile N
w. Oct Is, 1887; first white woman county, lives
above.
Dele born Green April 49, 1857 first
white child born in county; Mrs. Frank N1acken at
Welsville, N Y
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

would have been unthought of-the
older life is going-almost gone;
and along with the epic the men
who have made it are going
almost gone. To see the few re-
naming Of this life or yesterday is
to recall Wendall Holmes when he
wept amid his smiles:
"The massive marbles rest
On the lips that they have pressed
In their bloom.
And the names they loved to hear
Have been carved for many year
On the Tomb
Of such a type was Mr.. Wood
cock. He was born at lndepend-
ence, New York, en- the fifteenth of
January, 1888, and for seventy
seven years COPIED earnestly with
the practical affairs of life.
Youngest of large family he was
one of but four brothers still re-
naming. One sister who passed
away before he did was an Oberlin
graduate and devoted her life to
Missionary work on the island of
Jamaica. Recently Mrs. Woodcock
spent a winter in Jamaica and of
the greatest interest to her was to
visit the scenes of her husbands
sisters Missionary labors, and to
see the grateful natives whom her
satrifce had saved to life Of larg-
er social and spiritual endeavor.
Mr.. Woodcock' interests were not
many, but they were profound
focilized rather than diffused. And
no memory seemed to awaken more
earnest response or more genuine
enthusiasm than that Of the Mis-
sionary sister whose rest beneath
the marbles in Wellsville is marked
by tablet borne from grateful
hands two thousand miles across the
sea.
Those intimate with Mr.. Wood.
cock will recall also another subject
whose mention always brought q
sparkle to his eye and an added zest
to his conversation. Married in 1856
at the age of twenty-three, he anc
his young bride who was four years
his junior, started on honeymoon
of exploration through the primeva
wilds. 1t was the period before the
Indian was tanned. 1t was the
period of the covered wagon slowly
tracking overland. 1t was the
period of the log cabin and gun ant
game. The period in brief whe1
men survived by strength Of will
and nerve and muscle.
These were the days in which Mr.
Woodcock's personality was hewl
out. And if that personality Lacked
the veneer Of modern finish it wa
at least wrought from stock O
oak, and its every line was keenl.
cut. His admirations, his interest
his moral PRINCIPLES were few, the.
we're sound and they we're sincere
but he adhered to them as though
they were rivited into his heart
He was a man of few words. Ma
ture had taught him silence. Blu
his words were veritable actions
His every saying was performance
in the embryo. He seldom hurried
He simply accomplished. He j
was who solemn nature had marked
And before him, had she not sim
ilarly put her mark upon the fines
of this nation?
/ have often through the lon,
winter evening sat with him aroun'
the cheerful hearth enjoying tn
glow and comfort of a modern HON
Y ,,.>sg.a+h- ,. ,.-'- r.. X: 4..
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

ceeded to resolve ourselves into a
TOWNSHIP company to reclaim this
place Of solitude to civilization.
We selected 320 acres, including
prairie and timber lands, at this
spot for a TOWNSHIP and called it
Columbia. We also took a quarter
section joining the TOWNSHIP lands
as homestead under the presumption
law. The quarter section l select
ed was west Of the TOWNSHIP, prairie
and woodland, bordering on the
bank OF small lake known as
Woodcock lake.
Those were great anticipations.
We thought glorious future was
in store for the Green lake country
"a great city would grow up and
steamboats, would ply on the beauti-
full waters. Laboring under this
halucination l FASTENED to my ma
tive state and took to myself wife
to share the joys and griefs of a
western home.
On the 18th day Of October we
arrived at our destination, leaving
the last white family forty-fve
miles in the rear at Hutchinson.
J. M. Ayers had a very rude log
cabin erected near the shore of the
lake in the timber lands near the
prairie openings. In this cabin we
commenced our first housekeeping.
Not a chair or bedstead to COM
mence with.
| We found new arrivals since our
departure for the east Samuel
Holes, William and George Kouts
and Hiram Smith were there pre-
pairing for winter campaign. All
these people had taken claims for
future homes. A second log cabin
stood on the timber claim selected
by William Kouts.
| Preparations for the winter were
made and a full stock of flower,
pork, sugar, coffee. etc., was
wagoned from Henderson, ninety
miles distant. In December J. M.
Ayers arrived with a man by the
name of Zenas Wise, a civil engi-
neer, who surveyed and plated the
original TOWNSHIP of Columbia. The
plat l now keep as relic. This
survey was necessary to have the
TOWNSHIP Incorporated.
Three hundred and twenty acres
were embraced in the incorporation.
Broad streets were laid out, whole
blocks reserved for public buildings
all looked magnificent on paper.
Winter SHOWS commenced to fall
about the middle of December and
kept coming down till a depth OF
four feet was reached in the timber
lands. The winter of 1856 and 81
was one of the severest in the his
tory of Minnesota. The woods
were deserted by fowl and beast ex.
cept the partridge that burrowed in
the snow and came out to forage on
the buds. When by skillful man.
euvring one could be brought down
by the trusty gun it made a delici.
GUS meal. The snow was so light
that it was almost an impossibility
to 60 out in the woods, as one sank
waist deep at every step. This
= kept one close at ones own door.
preparing fuel to keep it warm in.
. side.
The severity Of the winter would
' not allow of any of our little colon,
= to 60 out to the river towns for any
. further supplies and when March
r came our stores of provisions were
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

those three years changed all the
plans Of life. The Civil war broke
out. The Indian massacre took
place. The Green lake country be-
came depopuIated. Buildings and
fences were all destroyed by fires.
To 60 through a second term of
pioneering my ambition failed me.
and l later sold the land to the late
j: w. Burdick for $500. Thus
endeo my career as pioneer.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

prairie land located near Faribault.
Remaining there one year and max.
ing some improvements l sold out
my interest quite advantageously.
Accompanied by V. L. Forsythe,
from my native state, with a pony
and light wagon and camping out.
tit, I left Faribault July 20, 1856.
Our destination was the Grow rive,
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06

Bargain in second hand doors and
windows. 20 cents and up for win
dows and Is cents and up for doors.
Call at the Willmar Sash and Door
Factory. So
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
BIDS WANTED.

For remodeling and full base
ment under same for Telephone CEN
trial. Bids will be received up to
l p. m. April 8, 1910. Plans and
specifications can be seen at Svea,
MINI.
IL J. Ed. Nelson, President.
Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-04-06
DR.. C.. w. Riches.
Medical and 0steopathjc)

OSC0OpdINJC
sos 18TH AVE., S. E., Minneapolis
Has made special preparation for the
successful treatment of all long standing,
difficult chronic diseases, such as sciatica,
liver troubles, ailments of women, cancerous
growths, etc., etc. A large, pleasant home
tor patients. All Como cars pass house.
Free consultation by mail invited. i'll can
not help you will tell you so.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
SUCC0TH, THE JEWISH HARVEST
FESTIVAL, RECALLS WANOER|NGS

The last Of the series of Jewish
fall holidays will begin on the even
ing of October IL and will continue
for a weke, closing October Is with
Simchath Torah, which means the
rejoicing over the law.
This holiday is known as Succoth
the Feast of Booths, or the Feast
of Tabernacles. 1t Is the anniver.
sary Of the ancient Hebrew harvest
festival and the booths commem-
crate the days when the Israelites
dwelt in booths during 40 years OF
their wanderings in the wilderness.
During the Succoth festival the
orthodox Jews have their meals in
temporarily constructed booths,
erected in the backwards of their
homes. These habitations for one
week only are decorated with fruits
of the season, garlands of leaves
and flowers suspended from the
corners of the ceiling. To give it a
homelike air, the walls bear family
and religious pictures. The ortho-
dox also say their morning prayers
with the esrog in one hand and the
lulav in the other. The esrog is the
finest specimen Of the lime, in
years past imported from Italy, but
more recently from Palestine,
where the new colonists grow them.
The lulav is a branch of the palm
and myrtle.
Simchath forth is a home and
synagog festival. On that day the
scrolls of the law, the old tesla
ment, written on parchment, are
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
RUSH THE HIGH
SCHOOL PLANS

Architect L. L. Rand is rushing to
completion number of sketches
for the new high school building
and when he has them perfected 1t
will give the school board an oppor-
tunity to select from several of the
latest and most approved designs.
Plans for both there story and a
two story building are being drawn,
although it is very likely that the
three story building will be chosen
because fthe constantly increas-
ing size of the classes. The Tudor
Gothic style Is being held to and
the plans are providing for an en-.
rollment of 1900 pupils. A feature
of the plans is the absorbing Of the
administration building into the
main high school structure.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
A Pair Of
A Pair of
R EGALS

Will Keep Your Feet Dry.
We have a shoe that is as
near waterproof as it is pos
sible to make leather.
In the first place, it is
made out Of a good heavy
quality of the very finest Of
calf leather-selected and
tanned according to the best
methods known to the shoe
making art.
Then each piece Of leather
that goes into this shoe is
carefully and thoroughly Wis
colized before it is used.
Then when the shoe is COM
pleted, tits again thoroughly
treated with the same com
position. Viscol is a scien-
tifie dressing for leather and
comes the nearest to making
leather impervious to water
|of anything so far discov-
cred.
But this waterproof shoe
of ours does not sacrifice
either comfort or appearance
to it's other qualities. 1t is.
just as good fitting a shoe as
any of our lighter models. It
has the handsome lines and
general classy" appearance
that characterize all Regal
Shoes.
1t is made in "a sizes, so
that you are assured of get
ting an absolutely perfect fit.
1t is the ideal shoe for winter
wear, in short. The price,
considering the quality, is
very moderate, only $5.O 90.
Come in and select a pair.
1t is hard for us to keep
enough Of them in stock to
supply the demand: SO you
had better come at once.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
5725 MILES OF RAIL WAY
IN WASHINGTON STATE

Of any other road in the state, with
the single exception of the Great
Northern.
Next to the Hill roads comes the
O. r. & NJ, that line having total
mileage of 654.55. The Spokane
Portland & Seattle, or North Bank
is found in fourth place with
488.86S miles of railway The Chi.
cago, Milwaukee G Puget Sound
railway is credited with 435.862
miles of track, but this does not
include the Tacoma & Eastern rail.
way, which has 110.01 miles OF
track.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
MONTREAL MINISTER
MAY SUCCEED HINDLEY

At a meeting in the Pilgrim Con.
gregational church yesterday morn
ing the members of the church ac-
cepted the resignation OF the Dew.
DR.. w. ]. Hindley with regrets. and
arrangements were made to have
the Rev. J. X. Unsworth of Mont
real occupy the pulpit on November
80 and December 6, with view to
receiving q call to the pastorate
provided 1t Is agreeable to him and
the congregation.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
PROSECUTION CAUSES DEAD
LOCK.
(By United Press Leased Wire)

(5y United Press Leased Wire)
SEATTLE, Wash, Oct. 1.-THE
prosecution of persons alleged to
be implicated in vast frauds in the
matter of government coal lands
In Alaska is causing a complete
deadlock in the matter of adjusting
claims and making final proofs on
such lands by other interests.
This is the claim made by c. A.
Mckenzie and Attorney John w.
Roberts, who have just returned
from Alaska after a fruitless at
tempt to pay $4,000 for final proof
and to rescue patents on two
groups Of coal claims, consiladted
by purchase, for cash from the
original locators under the law of
1905.
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
= = 80 . - . q . q ~,
= KEEP REGISTRATION
. BOOKS OPEN LATE i,

. An attempt will be made to
. keep the registration books
= open later than 6 o'clock today Z
. and tomorrow in order that the
. workingmen may get chance
= to register for the coming gen.
. eral election. The council will
= be petitioned, according to
= City Clerk Fleming, and the I
= books will be kept open until
. or o'clock if possible. Z
. - q . Q q q q Q Q Q Q . Z
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
(By United Press Leased Wire)

OLYMPIA, Wash, Oct. 17.-Fig-
ures compiled by the state tax
commission show that there are
5725.845 miles of railroad in Wash
ington at the present time and that
the Northern Pacific has more
than twice as much as any other
road. Its total mileage, including
tracks of all kinds is 2415.S58, while
the great Northern, the next larg-
est, has but 1145.414 miles. The
Northern Pacific has more main
line track than the total mileage
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
. = = = = 80 . 80 = 90
CHINESE SMUGGLED IN
AS WOMEN "JOY RIDERS"
Omitted Press Leased Wire.

. Omitted Press Leased Wire.
= OTTAWA, Ont. Oct. IL
= Not only have Chinese been I
. struggled over the Mexican
= border in automobiles dis
= guised as feminine joy riders,
= but the same trick has been
= played along the boundary
. line between the United
= States and Canada.
. 1t was learned today, that 4
. Canadian officials are on the
. lookout for large number of
. Chinese who were smuggled
. into Canada from the United
. States while disguised as 4
= women. Several government
= agents intimated that the
. same gang of smugglers is OPP 4
. Grating Oh both the Mexican
. and Canadian borders. 4
q = 80 q q q q . . q q = q q
The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-10-17
NEW METHODIST CHURCH.

A lot recently donated to the
Methodist Episcopal members oil
Orchard avenue will be the site oi
2 now M. II. church to be built In
the near future. Rev. w. e.
Thompson. the Sunday school mis-
siouary OF the conference. Is now
orgau.xilsg Tho congregation.