The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-08-09
FRATERNAl UNION HELD
PICNIC; LAKE CRYSTAL
From Mondays Daily

able Fraternal Union, of this city, at
Lake Crystal yesterday. Nearly two
hundred people from this city at
tended, while a number from Lake
Crystal and the surrounding farms
and stations, such as Judson, ETC.,
We're there to help out in the ~festivi-
ties of the day. Several of the state
officers of this lodge were scheduled
to speak, and this proved a drawing
card to many. The day was ideal
for a picnic, and nothing further
could be desired from the weather
man.
A special train or the Omaha road
left Mankato about nine o'clock yes
terday morning. carrying over $50 pas
senSerS, who went to the picnic.
The E. F. U. drill team proved one
of the features of their trip, being
dressed in their natty uniforms. The
train pulled into Lake Crystal half
an hour later, and then all lined
UP in front of the train neal the sta
ton, and were photographed by
John r. Snow.
-AISi 1hoI IN pSopiS "dihSu III
groups to the picnic grounds where
the chautauqua was held, while a
large dray wagon carried the many
baskets of lunch and eatables. A
special baggage car On the train in
charge of Mr.. Bates, had been used
for the lunch baskets. and now it
required a large dray to haul them
to the picnic grounds.
When the people arrived on the
grounds, they started their day of
fun and enjoyment. Many chartered
boats and went out on the beautiful
lake, while others took trips in a
gasoline launch and still others en-
joyed the shade and cool breeze on
the sloping hill, until noon, when
several members of the Lake Crystal
lodge helped prepare coffee, and the
many who formed the party brought
out their lunch baskets and sat down
to tables. That lunch will not be
forgotten oon The tables fairly
groaned with the finest and best of
homemade victuals.
State Officers Spoke.
After the dinner, three of the state
officers were listened to for perhaps
half an hour. II. w. Peterson, state
deputy, of Minneapolis, spoke first
He gave his reasons why people
should not have religious objections
to a picnic on Sunday. The man
who works six days out of the week
desires n day of recreation, and
this does not necessarily mean, a
day spent in sitting in a chair or
reading or doing absolutely nothing;
going to a picnic certainly is rest
in A way and should be enjoyed, not
with the idea of breaking the Sab
bath, but with resting.
He then traced the phenomenal de-
Tslopment of the Equitable Fraternal
Union lodge, from it's small begin
ning about fifteen years ago to the
present, when no lodge can boast of
a bigger increase. 1t was by it's
most excellent management that it
was able to accrue 81, 800, 900 in this
time and still pay death claims, and
provide for a bigger future. Even
the old line insurance companies have
wondered how this lodge could make
a record of this kind. Mr.. Peterson
is one of the best insurance men in
the state, and he spoke mostly along
this line at the picnic yesterday.
Gibbons Spoke Briefly.
c. Fl. Gibbons. district deputy, OF
Austin, then spoke briefly, in which
he told several amusing stories and
stated that he was proud of the fact
that his lodge was always ahead.
Mr.. Gibbons, and Mrs. Miller will con-
duct a membership campaign in
Mankato from now until September
], on a competitive basis, in which
Mr.. Gibbons will try to get more
members than Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. NJ. NJ. Miller, special deputy.
of Chatfield, was the third and last
speaker and she recited an original
poem about the lodge that took very
well. She gave several words of ell
couragement to the lodge members.
All speakers were loudly applauded
at the close of their addresses.
Following the speeches, the races
"CiC hclu. III Tie lUU-NdTu women S
race, Miss Celia Thilgen won first
prize, a handsome mirror, and Miss
Ollie Owens came second. Miss Tbil-
gen now holds the record for three
successive years. In the mems 100
yard dash, A. F.. Meyer of Lake Crys-
tai won first prize, a cigar holder.
and John Hendley came second, the
time being 11k seconds, while the
women consumed one more second
In the married mems race, NJ. J..
Nerbovig won first prize, a shoe shin
ing outfit, and j. E. Bates came sec
ond. Miss Alvina Hanson of this CITY
won first prize, a dictionary, for the
little girls race, and Miss Stella
Bates came second, time Is seconds.
Marshal Noble of North Mankato won
first prize, a stick pin for the boys
race, and Rodge Fitch of Lake Crys-
tai was second.
Lemon Race Was Run.
John Hendley won the lemon race
prize, a match stand, and Joseph
Groh of Mankato was second. Miss
Elvina Hanson won first prize in he
potato race, John Hendley first in
the free for all mems race, and Miss