The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-06-26

III tho movement tffctc 10 uc-
pafture from the community feel
ing and the community interest.
while the panic and the war
were indeed discouraging to the pio-
neer. there were still other events
that cast shadow which fingered
for many year. But why re-
count the awful days of the Indian
massacre OF 1862 II Is a tale OF
tutchery and burning that brings
to the memory OF, those who sur
viye, thoughts and scenes that win
never be 'eradleated this side OF
the grave
The plague Of erosshoppers.
I'm 1879, a plague arrived in the
invasion OF the grasshoppers which
continued for several years playing
havoc with the crops. especially in
the countries to the south and west
of us. At times, when flying through
the air. they were SO thick as to
almost obliterate the view OF the
sun, as would a cloud. Well do
/ remember the visits Of these To-
Gusts. but perhaps, not with the
same aversions OF some others, as
II proved a mighty good thing ilnan-
cially TO a number of US boys.
Every device was used In the effort
to wipe them out. In some instances
! sheets OF tin or iron covered with
tar were laid out to entrap the
pests. These would rapidly be Gov
cred over and then the hoppers
would have to be scrapped of. A
bounty was offered for the hoppers
and everybody and hk ma got busy.
Nets of all kinds were used ana
thousands OF bushels were delivered
to the county and buried in great
trenches near the city hall. II was
certainly the means of putting a
lot of money into circulation. Blue
Earth county, for instance, paying
, out over $4,000 for the dead hop
pers. The county, II we remember
rightly being ten cents per quart
or $500 per bushel. The hoppers
were so thick II was soon apparent
that prices would have to be cut
or the county would 60 bankrupt,
accordingly there was a decided drop
not only I'm receipts but I'm the
allowance for the dead bugs. AS
think back over the years II seems
to me that for O few days I made
more money and made IL easier
than any other coin OF the realm
that has ever come my way since.
, We know several days were spent
or the Judson prairies very profit
ably working with a gentleman who
had a horse rig for catching grass
hoppers. For a number Of years
after this invasion The farmers were
in Strengthened circumstances and II
was even found necessary for the
legislature TO appropriate funds for
the relief of the distressed. The
disappearance of the hoppers Is con-
siderable OF mystery. There are
those who believe that the day of
prayer. set aside by Governor Pills
bury and obeyed by all creeds, Cath
Ollie and Protestants, brought about |
the relief asked OF divine ProvidencelI
This Is disputed by no less an
authority thar that old timer. b.
F. Steadman, and he, is generally |
able and willing 10 defend any posi-
tion he may take on matter of
other days II is known that they |
left and disappeared for good within
comparatively few days.
Knew Many Early Settlers.
cit has been my fortune to have
known personally many Of the early
settlers OF this vicinity and nearly |
all of the first ones. Well do
remember Wallace w. Paddock. who |
lived within block of my birth |
place: Evan Goodrich. father of Frank
Goodrich OF Mapleton: and ?. K.
johnson. The latter often visited |
the printing Office In which was
employed as printers devil and |
entertained the force with song and |
story. Another dear old visitor who |
endeared himself to the boys was |
James Shoemaker. and still another |
was Major George A. Clark.
"The city was old enough to vote
by the time I reached the age OF
understanding, yet well do I remem.
Der at least two OF the pioneer |
preachers of this section. Our home |
was sort OF rendezvous for the |
Methodist circuit riders ard Rev. |
Chauncey Robart. who Is credited |
by some as having preached the /
first sermon in Mankato often placed |
his feet under mothers table. as
did also j. w. Powell. B. Y. Coffin. |
Thomas McClary and Elder Perkins. |
Messrs. Powell and Perkins, as
picture them &c Jay, were the true
circuit riders. veteran apostles OF |
the Lord. satisfied to share the mush |
and milk OF the pioneer. A straw
tick bed was luxury and like the |
sclioolmaster they were perfectly con.
tent to board around: and Father
Powell not SO many years ago. pers-
onally informed me that in 1857 his |
salary all told amounted TO but $500. !
Yet with this Insignificant sum he |
was satisfied for all we're poor con-
tent to live on Johnny cake.
"B. Y. Coffin and father were en-.
gagged In business together and were
just a little ahead Of the Con-