New Ulm review., 1914-09-09
Monument For
Historic |: i; t: Place
MILFORD TOWNSHIP ACCEPTS
/ MARKER ERECTED TO PIo-
NEERS.
SPEAKERS RECALL HARDSHIPS
/ ENDURED BY THE EARLY
SETTLERS.

Ideal weather prevailed Sunday after
noon for the formal dedication of the
monument erected in the Town of
Milford II in commemoration of those who
were massacred by the Indians on August
18th, 1862, the first day of the Indian
Outbreak. The monument was erected
by the Junior Pioneers of New Ulm and
vicinity almost two years ago, and
attempts were made then and later to
dedicate it formally but no convenient
day presented itself for this occasion
until last Sunday. The committee in
charge, Athanas Henle, Henry ]. Meyer
and William Pfaender, Jr., had devoted
considerable time to preparing suitable
program and are entitled to credit for
the satisfactory manner in which the
celebration was handled.
Contrary to all expectations, nearly
500 people were present when the hour
arrived for the opening of the program.
Most OF them had come by auto. There
was a large contingent from New Ulm,
Milford furnished the largest number, of
course, and there were parties from
West Newton and different sections of
Brown County. Among the old settlers
and defenders present were Peter Mack,
William Skinner, Luther Ives, Richard
Pfeferle and Jacob Klossner, Jr.
4 The monument was appropriately
decorated and garlands of flowers were
placed along its base. The musical
numbers were rendered by quintette
consisting of Ed. Stoll, Adolph A. Alvin,
William Pfaender, Jr., w. G. Alvin and
Charles Marti. For the first number
they }sang "Das ist der Tag des Herrn"
and later they gave "Die Nacht." Both
songs were very appropriate for the
occasion and were exceptionally we'll
sung.
| Athanas Henle acted as master of
ceremonies. The dedicatory speech was
delivered in German by Albert Stein
hatser. In his remarks the speaker
TOOK occasion to refer to the unhappy
CONF aitions that exist at the present time
in Europe and deplored the fact that the
pool people are called upon to bear the
bruat of the war, that they are not
responsible for it's existence and have
done nothing to bring it about and
expressed the hope shared by all human
beings alike that the war would
be & short duration and that it would
bring in it's wake disarmament and
world peace. Referring to the con-
diti6ns here fifty two years ago and the
events that transpired the speaker told
pf the peaceful relations that existed
between the German settlement and the
iborigines of this country, that no
trouble would have arisen # the Indian
AGENTS had treated the Indians fairly
and honestly. The settlers, he stated,
we're simply the victims of conditions
tver which they had no control and were
made to suffer for the faults and short
comings of others.
In conclusion Mr.. Steinhauser spoke
ss follows: GAS President of the Junior
Pioneers of New Ulm and vicinity, it
BECOMES my pleasurable duty to turn
ever to the proper officers of the Town
of Milford this monument for the purpose
for which it is intended. We demand
no promises from you; we know that you
will cherish and honor it, that you will ]
keep the grounds about the monument
at all times in good, clean, presentable |
condition and that you will always hold |
the fallen in honorable memory. MAY |
this monument, plain tho it may be, |
arouse within all of us the conviction |
that war and murder are monstrosities
and do not fit into our Goth century
civilization, that we may make special |
effort to cast out from our hearts all |
jealousy and kindred feelings and permit |
Love to enter which alone is able to |
insure peace and let Love show us the |
way to higher and more ideal life"
In accepting the monument from the
Junior Pioneers, Louis Spelbrink, the
chairman Of the Town Board responded
IS follows:
"This monument we are about to
dedicate here today was as you know
erected by the Junior Pioneers in memory
of those who lost their lives in this
vicinity at the hands of the
Sioux Indians on the 18th day of August,
1862. The Junior Pioneers at this time
intend to turn over or donate this monu-
nent and grounds to the town of Milford
With the request that the town may
maintain the same in the future.
It seems to me this proposition should
be accepted in view of the fact that the
,own is in a better position to look after
the needs of the monument and grounds
Jhan any one else might be. Now as
! member of the town board and in
behalf of the people. of the town of
Milford / will say that we cheerfully|
grant the request Of the Junior Pioneers
and accept this monument and grounds
and will keep the same in proper con-
lition. sincerely hope that the people
of the town of Milford and especially
those who will be called upon to serve
n the town board in the future will take
pride in this historic spot Of
ground and see that it is given the
attention. r. NAV ren,liro an that this 1
monument may stand here many years
and serve as q means of information in
regard to the unfortunate happenings
IN this immediate vicinity on that /
memorable 18th day Of August, 1862"
4 Major Albert Pfaender who. delivered
,he address in English, referred to the
sarly history .of the Town Of Milford !