The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-12-31
From Fridays Laliy.

The Eagle Lake Gun club held its
annual rabbit hunt December 81.
Sides were chosen by the captains,
August Swenson and b. y. Robertson
Those OH b. Z. Robertson's side were
c. ID. Pickle, Ed Stems, Richard Eng
lerth, George Westfall, Guy Compton
Emmett Tanner, Paul Cords, X. l..
erase, Fred Englerth. l.. J. Compton.
Those on the opposing side with Aug
ust Swenson as captain were Clark
Pickle. A. G. Neal, John Kackson, Burt
Anderson, Lester Ewing. J. Compton.
Garry S. Haigh, Rev. !. X. Stephen,
George Neal and Fred 4. Day. b. p.
Robertson side won gaining 5000
points over the other side.
The day was an ideal one for hunt
ing and some oil the hunters brought
in a nice number of points TO be cred
tied to their respective sides. So he
went in autos, others in wagons. 9TH
ers on "shanks horses" All returned
tired out completely. II was especial
~ difficult for John n. Compton and
Fred +. Day TO get through the ba-b@d
wire fences on account of their size
and avoirdupois they were carrying.
Their fatigue could not be credited TO
the game they brought in as John
Compton brought in one rabbit and
two squirrels. Fred r. Day did not
bring i'm anything. He was the low
man on points. l.. ]. Compton WAS
the high man on points, bagging
twelve rabbits. II was said that he
scared them so they gave up the
ghost.
The losing side gave an oyster sup
pei 10 the .Tinncrs December q in
the !. o. o. F. hall. There were Gov
ers laid for twenty-five. At the con-
clugion II the supper there wa 2
kaIEGrJC court he'd TO decIl, au. g
q; the questions and charges bra, Il
against the winners. lev. |. r. StspI-
ell was elected judge and Mr.. bred
r. Day clerk. L. n. Pickle at this
time asked TO be heard. The court
granted the request. He then read a
communication from his friend. the
kaiser. at Berlin. and presented The
medals consisting Of the Iron Cross.
The letter read as follows:
Berlin. December 81, 1915-To the
boys who worked so hard hunting
rabbits and who so bravely defended
themselves from the attacks by the
ever rushing tide of wild game
roaming the forests of Minnesota and
especially that section of the coun-
try near Eagle Lake, do send you this
token CT bravery. This medal, the
Iron Cross, which few like you have
had the honor to receive, and who
through the declining years will look
on this as a remembrance of your
work and that you receive this en-
blem and in future years re-
ceiye that which goes with 1t. A final
word for your bravery and courage, ]
especially congratulate John N.
Compton for his courage to go alone
to the far west seeking the ferocious
game there and as | understand II
where the rabbits are a pest. He did
we'll TO get one OF these monsters of
cottontails; also +. l.. Day, who
walked all day carrying his gun. and
although he got no game, IL showed
his earnestness to get rid OF the ami
mails i'm question. One large rabbit is
enough to discourage a man of his
size to tackle. Special mention Is
made of his work. Preserve this
medal as a token of your bravery.
Yours. the kaiser"
c. ID. Pickle was accused of a very
grave charge. His attorney, Ed
Storms, moved TO have his case
brought before juvenile court. The
motion was overruled. He was con-
victed and sentenced to pay fine
OF five baked beans to each man in
the court room. Guy Compton was
convicted of not knowing the differ
ence between an owl and an eagle.
The court adjourned until 1916.
when the annual hunt will take place.
Eagle Lake has one OF these hunts
every year and thinks that II is the
easiest way 10 shorten long winter.
II brings the men together for good
time and also gets the surrounding
country to join In and share the sport
with them