Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1912-10-11
PIE RI CELEBRATION
ELECTRIC LIGHTS TURNED ON
IN VILLAGE MONDAY EVE
NING-MANY ATTEND

Pierz celebrated the advent of
electricity on Monday evening in
grand style, Rev. J. g. Steigler turning
on the switch at 1926, which illuminate
ed the progressive little village. There
were hundreds Of people present from
the surrounding country and from Lit
tie Falls, our city having a represen-
tation Of about 200.
The celebration started a: 9 o'clock,
the torch light parade composed of
the fremen, citizens and automobiles
forming in Lower town and marched
to Upper town, returning to the water
and light station, where speeches and
the turning on Of the lights took
place.
Mayor Chas. E. Gravel was master
of ceremonies and introduced Rev.
Steigler, who after turning on the
electricity, made a happy address. To
show the great difference between
kerosene lamps and electric lights
Father Steigler told few humorous
stories, which well illustrated the
point. He said it was not hard to talk
on the subject as it was a eight"
subject. He said that it was truly a
red-letter day for Pierz. When he ar
rived at Pierz nine years ago, he did
not think that he had become resi-
dent Of such progressive village,
There was no railroad, no electric lights
no modern improvements that 60 to
make up town. He said that natural
ly he had grown to consider the COM
munity's interests his interests and its
woes, his woes, and that he gloried in
the progressive spirit Of Pierz. Thanks
were due to those who brought the
project to successful issue. It show
ed the common sense of our council
and other taxpayers and they would
not regret it.
Honor was due to the Little Falls
Water Power company for plant that
was to be proud OF, and he an
ticipated that the plant would in time
pay for itself and be source Of
revenue to the village. He said they
would not forget their friends from
Little Falls, who were there to cele-
brate the occasion, and that the feel
ing of good will between Pierz and
Little Falls would continue in the
future Pierz, he said, does not yield to
anv place in local pride and civic
patriotism.
Rev. steigler then introduced Con-
| gresham Lindbergh. The congressman
said that 26 years ago, he had come
from st. Cloud to Pierz by team and
that as it was late at night he was
| forced to go ahead and find the road
and locate the village, as there were
no lights-a very different scene than
was presented that evening, and he
conera tulated them on their improve
ments. He said he did not need to
talk to them Of the things that are
now. but of those that will come with
in the next 26 years; that the new
method Of application and new in
ventions which the people have not
felt the benefits Of would finally in
nure to their benefit. The energy spent
! in the cities on great structures and
improvements will drift to the towns
and villages, thus insuring these To-
calities a prosperous future; that
tpeople have lived more to do business
than they have done business to live;
that a part Of ones time should be
given the study Of economics to- the
end that we will have q better gov:
eminent in village, county, state and
nation; that it was, time for the people
to step in the higher places and that
the people were more progressive than
the government. People IN the country
were more prosperous than the average
citizen in the large cities, thus. in
suring these localities a prosperous
future. ~.
:. r. c.. Gordon, manager Of the Wa
ter Power company, made short
talk. He said that their part of the
Improvement would show for itself.
and that it would have been impossible
for village the size Of Pierz to in
stitute lighting system of such mag
nitude, if they had not been located SO
advantageous to the supply electrical
energy. He thought they must be many
live wires in the village, as there were
but eight who voted against the bonds
He also praised the system Of water:
works, saying that they were the equal
of many larger communities.
After the speaking many took in
the dance at Faust g hall, the place be-
! ;rr n,oked The mnsic bv Faust IS