The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-08-31
SPEAKERS AT RIDGELY
RECALLED ITS HISTORY
Celebration Was Held On Site
OF That Famous Fort
ATTACK BY THE INDIANS
How Men and Women Were
Sheltered There; the Actsof
Her0ism

Heroism
From Thursdays Daily.
Thousands of people thronged the
grounds at historic old Fort Ridgely
park yesterday, and. the annual cele-
bration proved one of the most pat
riotic events in the history of the
park. About five hundred cars were
nicely parked on the grounds by the
committee in charge, and the immense
audience was soon assembled in the
beautiful natural amphitheatre be-
tween the bluffs to listen to the splen-
did program.
! Company l. of Redwood Falls, a
company of $50 of the best drilled
soldiers in the state, arrived in au-
tomobiles, and music was furnished
by the bands from Redwood Falls
and Fairfax and the drum corps from
Olivia. People were present from
Morgan, Morton, Olivia, Fairfax,
Franklin, Gibbon, Winthrop, st. Pet
er. New Ulm, and many other cities
and towns, as well as the surround
ing country.
{ Recently the state had built an ar
tistic concrete platform, shaped like
a graceful arch of bridge, and placed
in the most appropriate part Of the
beautiful natural amphitheatre in Fort
Ridgely park. This arch was patri-
otically decorated with flags and
bunting, and in the background was
handsome historic painting of Fort
Ridgely in the early days, showing
the buildings of which but few ruins
now remain. Seated on the platform
were the speakers of the day, and
several survivors of the Indian and
Civil wars.
Colonel Hopkins Presided.
/ Colonel Hopkins of Fairfax presid-
ed over the forenoon program, which
commenced about eleven o'clock, and
was devoted to the old soldiers and
pioneers.
Secretary Asof State Julius A.
Schmahl was present and gave a
short talk during the morning pro-
gram. Mr. Schmahl formerly fesid-
ed at Redwood Falls, and his par
ents were refugees at the time Of the
Indian outbreak. A short. talk was
also given by Mr.. Clausner of, New
Ulm, who served as soldier during
the Civil war! 10 r.
Darr s.. Hall of Olivia, president, of
the Fort Ridgely Historical associa-
ton, spoke and Mr.. Price of Cambria
read an original poem. giving the his
tory of the Indian outbreak inqrhyme,
which proved d novel andd pleasing
feature Of the program.
Patriotism BY S. 3. Wilson.
Attorney S..lB. Wilson of Mankato,
president Of the Blue Earth County
Safety commission, gave a splendid,
forceful and patriotic address, which
was one of the best talks on patriot
ism ever given in this section, and
which was enthusiastically applauded
during it's delivery. Mr.. Wilson
showed the duty of every American
in this crisis, and appealed to them
to do their duty. The morning pro-
gram closed with selection by the
Olivia drum corps.
At noon everyone joined in pic
mic dinner, which was served on the
grounds, the picnickers forming fami-
ly and party groups, and the immense
concourse of people covering acres Of
ground. Shortly after one o'clock the
program was resumed.
President Darr S. Hall, presided as
chairman of the afternoon, and the
program opened with music by the
bands. Rev. Pace of Morton delivered
the invocation, and referred to the
patriotic duty which everyone in this
country owes the government at this
time. A granddaughter of the late
F. H. Randall, defender of the fort
in Indian times, was introduced, and
placed handsome floral wreath up
on the grave of her grandmother in
the cemetery nearby. The grand
mother, the late Mrs. Mueller, had
played noble part in the defense at
the fort, nursing the wounded, and
leading the women in the task of
supplying ammunition.
Address of Welcome.
| President Hall delivered an ad-
dress of welcome, his talk being de-
voted largely to patriotic appeal to
everyone to do their duty as Ameri-
cans in the present crisis, regardless
of political varties or nationality, and
stand by the government. He stated
that he had not voted for the presi-
dent, but that he now stood ready to
back him and every loyal citizen should
feel the same way. He hoped that the
United States would continue to be
a beacon light of liberty to the OPP
pressed of all nations, as it had been
in the past. Miss Caswell of Morton
sang a patriotic song, "Get Behind the
Man Behind the Cum" which made a
| decided hit.
Attorney Thomas Hughes of Man
kato delivered an excellent historical
paper on Fort Ridgely, which will ap-
pear in full elsewhere in this paper.
At the close of his address he was
unanimously elected historian of the
association, and his paper will be pub
lished and distributed.
Rev. A. B. Bell. pastor of the Con-
gregational church in Mankato, sang
a song which was composed by ladies
of his congregation. and was sung to
the tune of "aAuld Lang Syne," which
proved delightful number.
Address BY Benson.
Senator H. M. Benson of st. Peter
~ III ph no M