New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-08-29

State = Asked for Justice. ~ !
May we hope that our state will
! continue to do tardy justice by throw
| ing its protecting arms around this
neglected historic spot by identifying
and improving, thereby making it q
means Of instilling patriotism in the
future generations. This seems worth
striving for and is the object Of the as
sociation.
The association, before Wednesdays
gathering, had 143 members, but on
that day a large number of names were
added to the list, giving the organization
a membership Of nearly 200. The off
GERS do not expect dollar of pecuniary
benefit, either directly or indirectly and
are giving freely their time and best
efforts to make the park a popg lar resort.
81 he assembly grounds are on an in
cline under the shady trees Of a 4beauti-
full grove, just east Of the old fort, and
form one Of the most beautiful natural
amphitheaters to be found anywhere in
the country. u
The program was to have started at
/ o'clock p. M, but by II a. M, the.
crowd was so great the officers decided
to put on a few nmpromptu numbers,
as good measure, for the entertainment
|of the visitors. Among these was a.
poem, read by ]. D.. Price of Cambria,
himself a New Ulm defender, who had
written it only the day before The
existence Of the poem was not known
to the officers Of the association until
Mr.. Price appeared with it on the plat
form. It was an appreciated addition
to the program, and is printed in this
weeks issue of the Review.
Enjoy Picnic Dinner.
At noon Wednesday the great crowd
which had already gathered for the
afternoon exercises found shady spots
in which to partake OF their picnic din
ners. Following the dinner, the Fair.
fax and Redwood Falls Bands gathered
on either side of the speakers platform
and gave band concert which continued
for a half hour or more, after which the
regular program was begun.
Colonel Hopkins presided at the open
ing of the proceedings, the first number
being selection by the Redwood Falls
band.
The invocation was said by the Rev.
Mr.. Ferris Of Morton.
Colonel Hopkins announced that
Richard Pfeferle had purchased hand
some wreath for the grave Of Mrs.
Mueller, wife of the former post surgeon
at the fort, who was loved by all the
soldiers and all Others stationed there in
the early days, and at the suggestion of
President Hall, it was felt fitting that
the wreath be placed by. Miss Catherine
Randall, granddaughter of the late
Major B. F. Randall. Miss Randall
came forward and carried out her part,
which was an addition to the program.
This was perhaps 'the most impressive
feature Of the program.
The untiring efforts of Mrs. Mueller,
during the siege of the fort and in the
battles, in relieving the sick, wounded
and refugees in the fort, and her motherly
care of the troops during the many years
of her life at the fort had endeared her
to every one. Her fame had spread
thruout the entire country and in her
honor the state erected monument to
her memory over her last resting place
in the post cemetery.
President Hall was then introduced,
and after bidding the visitors hearty
welcome, in a witty speech, presided
during the balance of the exercises.
Miss Costers of Morton sang patriotic
song.
History of Fort Ridgely.
Thomas Hughes of Mankato gave a
rather lengthy history Of Fort Ridgely,
from the time of its inception in 1852,
until it's completion a few years later.
The address by MIR. Hughes was extreme
ly interesting from a historical stand
point and will be published in the official
proceedings of the association. Three
steamers, West Newton, Clarion and
Tiger, each towing scows, brought the
first supplies and contingent Of officers
and soldiers to the fort. The fort was
named Ridgely, in honor of General
Ridgely, in 1853. by Jefferson Davis,
who was then secretary Of state Of the
United States. Following the construc-
ton and occupation Of the fort the
government appropriated a tract of land