The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1913-06-10
Signs Of Pastirrle IN
Times that are Past

| To the Editor: Short items in var
ious Redwood county newspapers OF
last week concerning the demise of S.
S. Gale, at Tracy, few days before,
has again placed me in that peculiarly
reminiscent mood which comes over
me every time learn or read of the
death of the men who made the early
history of Redwood county, agricul-
turally, commercially and politically,
and it is when l see these short para
graphs written by writer's who were
not with them during. those early and
trying days, and who now have but
circumscribed details on which to pre-
pare articles, that I feel that every
county should have it's biographer and
the deeds of these grand old men
stored up in the archives of their
home county, where they could be
reached by latter day writer's, so that
when they pass away newspapers
might give them full credit and full
eulogy, as they are laid to their final
rest.
Sol. S. Gale! Who is there among
the early settlers of the southwest
corner of Redwood county that can
not recall some pleasing trait in his
life? Who is there among the early
farming community of Redwood coun-
ty, when it meant something to farm
against adversely, that cannot recall
words of encouragement from him
while he himself was struggling for
existence-and success? Who is there
among the old line members of the
Republican party of Redwood county
who will not call up his name as being
that of an answering party man,
magnificent in defeat, grandly merci-
full in victory. can see him now as
saw him when l was an apprentice in
The Gazette office, and when he drove
miles to attend court, to attend con-
ventions, or to visit in the county seat.
Always bright and CHEEKY, yet posi-
tive in his stand, and careful in his
deliberations. l can recall at one
memorable Republican county conven-
ton when Sol. Gale wanted to be
elected delegate to the Republican
state convention for the purpose of
casting a vote for Capt. VanSant.
Proudly he faced the politicians who
had the machine in control that day.
He told them what he wanted. He
told them that he had never before
asked for such an honor, and that af-
ter long years in the service he felt
that it was but fair to grant his re-
quest. The machinery willed other
wise, but told them that if he would
vote for Eustis he could go. Mr.. Gale
declined Eustis was beaten for cleo
ton. Two years later Sol. Gale at
tended the Republican state conven-
ton as a delegate from Redwood
county and he cast his vote for Capt.
S. R. VanSant at the convention, and
later for him as the successful candi-
date at the election. Those two poll
teal events are pleasing to the writ
er, because he fought with Mr.. Gale
for that delegateship at both conven-
tions.
Forty-one years is not long time
in the moving around of this old
world, but it is more than one-half of
the time usually allotted to man. 1t
was just Al years ago last month that
Sol. Gale and his brother, Augustus L.
Gale, came to Redwood county, set
thing in the then unorganized town.
ship which afterwards became known
as Gales. At that time, if my recol-
lection serves me right, there were
only three or four other settlers in
that township, and when the popula-
ton increased sufficiently to warrant
the settlers to ask for township or
ganization, in the year 1876, the board
of county commissioners considered
that the two brothers were among its
first settlers, and by unanimous vote
and consent of the residents the town
was named after the two-the letter
) SIS" following the family name. S. S.
Gale was the first assessor of the
township, and his brother, Augustus
L. Gale, was one of the first justices
of the peace. Uncle Harvey Wingett,
who afterwards left the drug business
at Redwood Falls, for farm in Vesta
township, took great pleasure in re-
ferring to A. L., as he passed through
Vesta township as esquire Gale" and
later when Augustus L. was made
sheriff of Redwood county / often
thought he enjoyed Uncle Harvey's
term of esquire" much more than
that of sheriff, which the people con-
lferred upon him. Augustus L. Gale
passed away in Redwood short time
ago, and his remains are at rest under
the flag which he fought to keep wav-