The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-08-25

Indian treachery. Here beside the
Marsh monument stands shaft
erected two years ago by the state to
an unknown Chippewa. Why this
monument should bear the name of
a Chippewa is a conundrum to any
one familiar with the history of the
Great Massacre. Had the name of
John Otherday, Little Paul or any OF
the Christian Indians, who rendered
such splendid service in rescuing the
whites, we could appreciate it's fit
ness. Here also are to be found the
graves of Hazen Mooers and Joseph
LaFramboise, two noted Indian trad
ers, who located in the Minnesota
valley in the thirties. In the pic
mic grounds, also, in natural am
phitheatre at the top edge of the
creek bluff has been erected of con-
crete fine speakers stand with
seats in front rising in tiers. MIR.
| Hopkins, the superintendent of the
park, is certainly the right man in
the right place. There never was
man more devoted to his work than
he He spent his money and years
of his life in getting Fort Ridgely
Park established and his enthusiasm
never abates, and every visitor is &C
corded a heartily courteous greeting
! from him. In anticipation of the CON-
ing of the Mankato party he had dec
Grated the entrance and stage with
flags and he has prepared an elabor-
ated program for the annual celebra-
ton which will be held at the park
! tomorrow.
| After viewing the sites the pariy
repaired to the Stadium and short
program was given. Attorney Thoma;
Hughes read paper giving the his
tory of the fort He was followed by
Judge Cray, who gave a most graphic
description of the two principal at
tacks upon the fort by Little Crow
and his warriors on the goth and
22nd of August, 1862. A song COM
posed impromptu by three of the la
dies on the way to the fort, was sung
, by Mrs. Evan Hughes and Miss Jes-
/ sic Irving, which made a great hit.
Miss Irving then read selection
| from an article published by DR.. DAN
iels of St. Peter in the Historical ~.
ciety collection giving thrilling &C
count of an ambush, which eight dar-
| ing Chippewas made within few rods
of the fort and in sight of the garrl-
son upon Little Crow and his band In
June 1854, when moving from near
ST. Paul to their reservation. After
making another inspection of the
park, and catching last glimpse OF
the magnificent views up and down
the valley from Ridgely's bluffs our
tourists started home by way of Fair
fax and the old st. Peter road north
of Swan Lake At Timber Lake
halt was made for picnic supper.
Some of the party took shorter routes
home, but the majority returned by
the way of st. Peter, reaching home
at dusk. Among those forming the
party were Judge Cray and wife, F.
M. Currier and wife, Professor e. j..
Miller and wife, Prof. M. A. Nichols
and wife, Mr.. and Mrs. Theodore
Williams and son Howard, w. H. Pay
and Earl Pay, P. w. Pitcher (Who
acted as pilot Ammon Smith, H. B.
Perrin and daughters, Mrs. Minnie
Perrin Langfitt and Alice, Miss Mar
garet Cooper, Judge Evan Hughes
and wife and son Ralph, Mr.. and Mrs.
Thomas Hughes, Miss Jessie Irving,
Mr.. and Mrs. John H. Macbeth, Mr..
and Mrs. d. G.. Willard and Miss
Mary Willard, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
E. Jefferson and party, and Messrs.
Hendley and party, and Mr.. McCar-
gar and party, making nine autos IN
all and about fifty persons.