New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1916-08-30
HONOR Is PAID TO
BRAVE DEFENDERS
FORT RIDGELY CELEBRATION
BRINGS TOGETHER FEW
SURVIVORS.
BUT FEW REMAIN TO RECALL
JOYS AND SORROWS OF
EARLY DAYS.

TUESDAY, august ZZnQ, 1910, marked
the 54th Anniversary of the Sioux Indian
Massacre and attack on Fort Ridgely,
and also the 9th Anniversary of the
Fort Ridgely State Park Association,
an organization that has and will do
much toward keeping this spot, and the
event which transpired there, ever before
future generations.
More than $500 people autoed to this
historic spot, to attend the ceremonies
and to mingle with acquaintance and
enjoy picnic dinner last Tuesday. After
several selections by the Citizens Band
of Fairfax, who were seated near the new
cement platform in the amphitheatre,
the program was commenced.
The president of the association, Hon.
D. S. Hall of Olivia, gave an address of
welcome which was fittingly responded
to by Hon. M. J. Bowling of Olivia.
Mr.. Bowling fully realizes the suffering
and hardships the defenders were obliged
to 60 through in their battles with the
Indians in 1862, especially at Fort Ridge
ly, and he urged that movement be
made whereby children of school age,
from all over this part of the state could
visit Fort Ridgely and learn of the
sacrifices made in their behalf. Also
that the Minnesota valley be made a
historic tourist spot.
Charles M. Andrist, Secretary to
Governor Burnquist, was introduced as
the main speaker. He delivered brief
but very interesting address and paid a
glowing tribute to the defenders present
and to custodian C. H. Hopkins. 1t
seemed to give him great satisfaction
te, have been given the opportunity of
being distinguished guest on this
occasion and to be on the platform with
the defenders of Fort Ridgely and Civil
War veterans and widows. It is his
belief that where one person from afar
visits this historic spot now, ten would
do so if railroad connections were such
as to permit people to come to Fairfax,
make visit to Fort RidgeIy and return
home the same day.
Other speakers at the afternoons
program were: Senator Potter of Spring
field; Senator Holmberg, of Renville;
Representative Swanson of Nicollet;
c. H. Hopkins: Chas. Vancampen, De-
partment Commander of the G. A. R..
and Defenders George and Adam Rieke,
of Cairo, who manned the guns at Fort
Ridgely in the defense of the Fort
Garrison against the Sioux Indians
They gave interesting and actual ac-
counts of the stirring events, relating
many Incidents that happened before
and after the massacre.
Practically all of the speakers empha-
sized the fact that no spot in Minnesota
is of such historical Importance as Fort
Ridgely and that Col. c.. H. Hopkins,
of Fairfax, who had worked hard to
perpetuate the spot should have the
support in the future of every patriotic
citizen in this section so that the coming
generations shall fully realize and ap-
preciate what the defenders of 1862
did in defeating the murderous Sioux.
The program was interspersed by music
by the Citizens Band and selections by
Fort Ridgely Drum Corps of four pieces.
The day was ideal and though the
crowd was not as large as on former
anniversary celebrations held at Fort
Ridgely, all mingled together and had
most enjoyable time. No accidents oc-
CURED to dampen the spirit of the day.
Custodian Hopkins is to be congratulated
upon the fine appearance of the State
Park at Ridgely; it is his desire to have
the State make an appropriation for the
building of an artificial lake on the Park
grounds and in this movement every
citizen of the great state of Minnesota
should lend a helping hand.
The officers of the Fort Ridgely State
Park Associa ton were elected to serve