The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-04-07
scene, and the story will be told by
a competent speaker
Founding of Mankato.

scene, and the story Will De Lofu Dy
a competent speaker.
Founding of Mankato.
Scene Ill Founding of Mankato
When the first five white settlers
came to Mankato on February 5
1852, they drove from st. Paul in a
sleigh. They were stopped near Ka-
sofa by Chief Sleepy Eye and his
band, and forbidden to proceed far
Their, as that was the entrance to
their hunting grounds. Bribery pre-
vailed however, and the white men
were permitted to proceed on their
way. Their meeting with old Chief
Mankato will form prominent part
in this scene, as will also the cere-
monies attendant upon the naming
of the. town Mankato the following
May.
Arrival of German Settlers.
Scene W. Arrival of the first Ger
man settlers, on May 80, 1852. This
scene will be very beautiful and pic
turesqne. The actors will wear old
fashioned German costumes, German
songs will be sung, and there will
be other interesting features.
Scene v. First school in Mankato.
1t is probable that an old log school
will be erected, and number of
children dressed in old time costume
will impersonate the pupils. The
first school was taught by Miss
Hanna, who later married J. @. A.
Marsh. The school was in operation
in 1853, and the costumes Of that
period will be followed out.
Scene VI. The old bell The scene
associated with the history of the
old bell which was used as a town
bell in pioneer days, and now lies in
the basement of the Presbyterian
church, will be faithfully reproduced.
and number of beautiful effects
will be given.
Scene VII Arrival of the first
Welsh settlers in 1856 The coming
of these sturdy pioneers will be
faithfully reproduced, and will in
clude the singing of Welsh songs.
Scene VIII Departure of the hun
dred volunteers for the Civil war in
April %, 1861. 1t is planned to have
the Grand Army of the Republic and
the Womens' Relief corps in charge
of this scene, which will be highly
dramatic. AS the company gathered
in those early days, and formed in
readiness to start for war the
women presented them with a flag,
and the school children gave them
flowers, marching with them as far
as the stone quarry where a group
of Sunday school children presented
each soldier with a Bible as they
marched away.
The indian Outbreak.
Scene TX. Sioux outbreak, August
%, 1862 This scene will show the
settlers fleeing into the, city in all
kinds of vehicles, followed by In
dams, while after them will come
the settlers trying to overtake them
before they kin anyone. The depart
ure of Captain Bierbauer's company
of seventy three men to the relief
of New Ulm, and the return of Gem
eral Sibley and his body of troops
with their Indian prisoners will be
shown
Scene x. Scandinavian pioneers.
This scene will show the life and
costumes of the Scandinavian peo-
pie upon first arriving in this far
western town.
Following the foregoing ten histori-
cal scenes a number of additional
scenes have been planned. The Spirit
of Mankato will be shown, Miss
Mankato being impersonated by
some Mankato born young woman to
be chosen later. A parade of decor
ated floats, headed by the Spirit of
Mankato will form a, very beautiful
feature of this scene There will also
be parade of Mankato organizations
in which the police department, the
city council, fire department, militia,
Campfire Girls and Boy Scouts will
take part. There will also be a
Made in Mankato' exhibition, in
which the products of the Mankato
industries will be the leading feat
ures. and the merchants ane bust
ness men Of the city will have floats
in the parade showing their individ-
ual business activities.
In the evening there will be a
community supper, everyone being
asked to bring a well filled picnic
basket to the park and eat their
supper there. The great day will
close with magnificent display Of
fireworks.
Sibley Park has been chosen as the
spot for this mammoth celebration,
as it has been closely connected with
the leading historical events of the
city. Here LIE Sueur landed in 100,
and here also the first white settlers
camped on the side of the mound in
1852. General Sibley and his Indian
prisoners camped here, and the park
has played an important part
through all the history of -Mankato.