New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-01-24
PIONEER DAYS OF
NEW ULM RELATED
CONTINUED from first page.l

(OOnClnueU IrOm WISt apAkS.J
the way they fell in with the family of
George Gilley and Alfred Van Patten,
who was single man. They induced
my parents to go with them to Mime
sofa, and they continued their journey
until they arrived where few settlers
had built their cabins on and near the
site where Mankato is now located and
where stop was made for a few days to
rest their teams: My father was offered
the quarter section where Mankato now
stands, in exchange for one yoke OF his
oxen, and not beng able to see into the
future, he refused.
.'.After securing all the information
they could about the country they
started west and continued along the
Minnesota river until they arrived on
the tract Of land that is known as the
Peyton Nichols Estate. This took place
on July End 1854. The Gilley family
settled on piece Of land just east on the
county line, while Mr.. Van. Patten oc-
cupied the quarter section joining. They
immediately began the erection OF sub
stantial log houses, and stables for their
stock. At that time the town site of
New Ulm had not been surveyed and no
settlers were to be found or heard OF
further to the west. Later on man by
the name of Armstrong made tour on
horseback, going west to point where
Iberia now stands, then north to the
Minnesota river, then east until he ar
rived at my fathers home, he found no
sign of any white settlers on the whole of
his trip except Frenchamn and a
halfbreed who were running ferry at
Redstone, and who lived on the N;collet
county side of the river. s''Ss.
Helped Organize Brown County !
my father was on the first board of
county commissioners, and who organic
ed Brown county. He also served on
the board of supervisors that, organized
the township Of Cottonwood. This
board was composed of Nick Gulden,
Jacob Brust and Peyton Nichols. When
the first election was held and having
had no experience in conducting
an election, they were at a loss in
knowing how to proceed. Finally after
a great deal of discussion, father suggest
ed that the name of each voter be written
onhis ticket, which was approved by the
rest and the election was held without
further trouble. At this time he was
elected the first Justice OF the Peace in
the township and during the term he
presided at several lawsuits
"Up to 1862 number of Indians
lived in the neighborhood who were
friendly and came to the house quite
often. Among them can remember
Muzzebub, Winka and Chaska. and at
one time Chief Good Thunder paid us
a visit and staid for dinner. Muzzebub
was frequent visitor. I remember
during one of his calls he asked for to-
bacco and plug was handed him.
Picking up knife that was lying on the
table he gave it VIGOROUS stroke on
the stove which left prominent mark
that remained for sometime afterward.
It was called Muzzebub's mark. Some
Of these Indians were near starvation
during the winter and would come to
our house and beg for something to
eat for their squaWs and papooses which
was always given them.
Indians Frequent Visitors
For some time before the outbreak
large numbers passed by our place going
up to the agency, where they were to
receive thier annuities from the govern
ment: They travelled mostly with ponies
with poles slung on their necks, one end
dragging on the ground on which was
piled their camp outfit. Generally the
bucks rode their ponies while their squaws
tru5ged patiently along on foot.
GA fews days before the outbreak a
lone Indian came to our house and asked
tor something to eat. While mother
was getting it for him he took down the
rifle from the wall and looked it over
carefully, and estimated how much
ammunition was on hand. After hid
hunger was satisfied he went out in the
yard and stood there for some time. He
seemed to be undecided what to. do
Mother asked him what the trouble was
Returned around and pointing to the east
said "Pachachee Nepo'' then ran for the
timber as fast as he could This Indian
called at every house in the neighbor-
hood and examined all the guns. !
Heard OF Outbreak
''The first warning we had of the out
= break was brought to us by William
Williams, a neighbor, who lived south