The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-02-23

H. c. Kraus, who we believe to be
one of the very largest single stock
buyers in the county, has sold dur
ing the year This with the amount
shipped by the Equity people will
show that Vernon Center farmers
and those in the surrounding terri
tory are surely engaged in stock
raising and feeding, whereby the
farmers are enabled to drive rather
than carry this crop to market.
Rev. B. +. Koch is still holding
special meetings in Ceresco, these
meetings are very interesting and
well attended and are showing splen-
did results.
Mrs. Flora Gray and little son
Hugh and Grandma Errison, who
have for the past seven weeks been
visiting the formers brother-in -law,
A. G. Gray and family and her uncle
Gray left for their homes in Clay
| Center, Kansas, Alex Gray accom-
panied them as far as Mankato,
where he spent the day in business.
Clate Kelley received a letter yes
terday from his sister, Mrs. Ethel
Moore of Lewisville, saying that her
father, Mr. J. C. Kelley, a former
resident of Vernon Center, was very
poorly as a result of fall he re-
ceived last fall when he broke his
arm and fractured his hip. His arm
is all right now but it is thought
that his hip is permanently injured
and he is nearly helpless. He man.
ages to get around the house lit
Al OF Ds oh hut hoe
not been outside but a few times
since his accident. His many friends
will be very sorry to hear Of his
misfortune.
Wednesday was the day of the an
nual dinner given by the ladies of
the Methodist Aid, with their hus-
bands and several intimate friends
as guests, proved most enjoyable
social function. The day was ideal.
The start was made from the corner
store, where the crowd had assem-
bled, laden with baskets of substan
tails and trimmings for a most
splendid three course dinner. At
1870 eight large sleigh loads of
people were driven to the beautiful
country home of Mr.. and Mrs. Bob
Sewers, two and one half miles
south of town. Everyone enjoyed the
sleigh ride as there was just enough
danger connected with it to make It
thrilling, and our destination waS
reached without any serious mis-
haps although one heavily loaded
sleigh, having most of the weight on
one side, made sudden lunge and
gracefully landed the occupants into
the deep snow. Fortunately the team
did not run and with the help of
those in the rear they were soon
righted and on our way none the
worse for the accident. With much
laughter from the more fortunate
ones we proceeded on our way and
reached our destination at about
1915 where preparations were under
way for the bounteous dinner which |
was served at one o'clock. That ev-
erybody enjoyed the meal was evil
dent. The favors were small Amer /,
lean flags and the napkins were dec !
grated with flags also. The rooms :,
were decorated in the national col ,
ors. Red, white and blue streamers
across the four corners Of
the large living room, while large
and small flags trimmed windows
and large arch way leading into the
living room. This was decorated in
red and green crepe paper chains
from which hung cupids and hearts
as a reminder of good st. Valentine.
At 2:3O the president, Mrs. Nellie
Cox, called the assembly to order.
Following a short business session
the company enjoyed a splendid
Lincoln program. This opened by all
singing America" Rev. Koch spoke
of the religious side of Lincoln and
he never united with a
church, his whole life was deeply
religious. Sketches from different
periods of his life were given by
Mesdames Cox, Mead, Force, Wend-
landt, and Brown and other mem ,
bers responded to roll call with Lin
coin quotations. Mesdames Claude
Meixwell and Ed Johnson sang
Gust Before the Battle, Mother
Mrs. Blanche Meisterdorf read Lin !
coins Gettysburg address. Guests
were invited to pay tribute to the
noble man and several responded
most fittingly. Mrs. Kraus told of
his love for that beautiful old song.
loft in the Silly Night" and how
when his burdens and sorrows of ,
the long years Of war were weighing
most heavily upon him and after
working far into the night he would !
call his secretary, who possessed
beautiful tenor voice to sing this
song to him. During the song he
sat with his head bowed in his
hands, a picture OF deepest pathos
and suffering. She finished the mar !
rative by reciting the poem very /
feelingly. This was one of the best
of the many good numbers enjoyed.
Mr.. R. F. Lowell in behalf of the !
men present made a very pretty lit
tie speech thanking the ladies for
the hospitality and feed that they
had enjoyed hoping that they might !
enjoy many more such occasions. c.
Kraus who we all know as very
busy man took an hour off from his
pressing business to drive out to the !
Sewers home for dinner. To the
hostess he remarked that he was
sorry that lie had "to eat and run"
as the old saying is and not be able
to stay for the remainder of the
afternoon. The treasury funds were
substantially increased by the get
crosby of Mr.. Kraus. The program. !