Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-08-28

The CONTEMPLATION At
NESS CHURGHYARD
A Report of the Observation of the
Fiftieth Anniversary of the Ac-
ton Massacre. Auu. II. 1862.


ton Massacre, Aug. II, 1862.
The most terrible war within the
boundaries of Minnesota was the In
dian War of 1862. This war began
with the massacre Of five Americans
at Acton, Meeker county, Aug. H.,
1862, by a small band Of Indians.
Here was shed the first blood of that
war. The bodies Of the victims were
buried in one grave in Ness ceme-
terry, about five miles due east of the
scene of the massacre. The state Of
Minnesota erected in 1878 monu-
ment over their grave and in 1909 a
monument over the spot where they
fell. On Aug. Is, 1912, Ness congre-
cation was gathered together with
old and young from far and near to
commemorate this important event
as settlement and as a congrega-
ton.
Some Norwegians, chiefly from
Ness, Ha]lingdal, Norway, had come
to these parts already in 1856, and
were therefore almost the first white
settlers in the county. Ole H. Hal
vorson, treasurer of Ness and candi-
date for treasurer Of Meeker county
this fall, is the first white male child
born in the county. These Norweg-
ians, through the aid Of Rev. B. J.
Mus Of Goodhue county, had had
Ness congregation organized in 1861.
Then in 1862 came this Indian war
through no fault Of the Ness people,
but they had to bear their share of
all the terrors and hardships Of war.
Now, so years later, in peace and
prosperity, they have reviewed the
half century that has passed, and
say with Jacob, when returning from
Haran: II am not worthy Of the least
Of all the mercies. and of all the
truth, which Thou hast showed unto
Thy servants; for with my staff I
passed over this Jordan, and now I
am become two companies"
The exercises began with English
services at the church by Rev. T. O.
Tolo Of the Norwegian Synod church
at Belgrade. Rev. Norlie gave the
welcome address. A mixed choir
sang two numbers and an offering
was taken. After dinner served by
the Ness Y. P. L. the program was
continued on a platform near the
"First Blood" monument. It consist
ed Of the following numbers:
l. Greenleaf band. 2. Choir.
3. Prayer by Prof. Chas. Nelson of
Arndahl. 4. Account Of the Sioux
Massacre, partly from Kinks "Minne-
sota," by ex-Supt. Winnings Of Litch-
field. S. Duet, Mrs. Crosby and Olga
Halvorson. 6. Address on "Follow-
ing Christ" by Rev. Nils Kleven,
Prof. Of Religion at St. Olaf College.
7. Duet, Mrs. Crosby and Chas.
Sundahl. 8. Address in Norwegian
on Clearing a Yoke" by Mr.. F. l..
Tlonsdal, Of Eau Claire, Wis. 10.
Speech by County Attorney Sexton,
Of Litchfeld. IL. Short addresses
on "Recollections," by Messrs. j. P.
johnson, Eastman, Coombs, old In
dams fighters. IL. Remarks by Mr..
Andrew Evenson, chairman. 13.
Benediction. IA. Selections by
Greenleaf band.
The day opened with rain and
clouds, muddy roads and bad pros
poets. Nevertheless the attendance
reached about the thousand mark in
the afternoon. The speakers were
excellent. Rev. Tolo's sermon on Gen.
80 10 was mastery. Prof. Kleven's
excellent speech was doubly valuable
because it comes from a man who
was born a few rods from the "First
Blood" monument, and who has since
leaving Ness become a man Of infu-
ence both good and great. Mr.. Trons-