Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1913-04-02

- Oh the aUl
ears Ago.
from taxation until sold and paid for,
and 9 period Of ten years was allow
ed for compl letting payment. Settlers
now, were coming il: large numbers y.
Iclearly something must be done to-
ward stable county government. It
had been noticed that both Monon-
gala and Kandiyohi counties were 81
the smaller class. It was also OBJ
served that the line Of the railroad
mainly held to the line dividing the
two counties. The leading spirits Of
Willmar were not long in deciding to
make an effort to consolidate the two,
deeming it wise to have one county
government instead Of two. It was
to- be expected that New London
would protest strongly to this pro-
position. However it was suggested
that a. the State Legislature would
meet in the following winter, those Of
Us who had cast our lot at Willmar,
or q portion Of them, should 60 be-
fore that body and ask for q law
authorizing a vote to be taken on the
proposition to consolidate. The small
ness Of the two counties, the limited
taxable property, and the added fact
that. the railroad would trace the
northern part Of the one and the
southern part Of the other, combined
to make a strong case. I think it
was George = Becker, who introduc-
ed the bill. He was at the time Sem
ator from Ramsey county, and was
talso president Of the Railroad Com
pany. His aid was given the measure
without stint. So was that Of Henry
L.. Waite Of Stearns County, and
Henry Poehlsr Of Mcleod County.
These two latters were also members
Of the State Senate. Mr.. Jared Ben
son Of Anoka County, vast think,
member Of the: House. His aid was
Of great value, whether he was a
member Of the house or lobby. Suf-
fee to say, the bill was enacted, the
same provided for the day. Of cleo
ton. The election was held, the pro-
position carried. The bill named Will
mar as the County Seat. The major
| itys was ample to demonstrate the
popularity of the measure. It is
probably safe to say that no county
in Minnesota, settled so rapidly from
now on, whether with or without the
stimulus of a settled county seat
question. Willmar had now become
a town Of no mean proportions, and
is the point from which a branch line
Of the Great Northern reaches Sioux
Falls, S. OAK; is also an important
Division point, being about 100 miles
from Minneapolis. &. ..s ES..: ...5.s.
By some sort Of authority Kandi-
yohi Station was temporarily the
county seat of Kandiyohi county, and
was stubbornly 10th to give up the
Irecords, ETC., when demanded, but
with some 6rmness and spice Of di-
plomacy the professionals yielded, and
thereupon the county seat was NOV
ed, amid rejoicing on the one side and
chagrin on the other. It was a mer-
~ ride, that bright moonlight night,
that saw so important an event con-
summated. - - $50. = 49,
There may be inaccuracies in this
rehearsal, but I am sure they will ap-
pear trivial should anyone see fit to
scrutinize them. .s..-.s .s... .s. ia
j After lapse Of nearly forty years
and at the age Of eighty, the mantle
Of charity should not be too closely
j fitted. If have been able to add
somewhat to the history Of those ear
lily days in the bowling wilderness, as
the region was derisively called,
/ shall rest content, and further let me
assure you how pleased / am to sec
the early settlers OF Willmar so am.
d. ply rewarded for their carly strug.
4 giles. *..s.: 81.
I am Sir, with due regard,
) Your obedient servant,
]. A. SMITH LEIB. a