New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-04-25

The Open Forum
Editor Open Forum:
When l told you of my recent visit to
my old home at Osceola, Wis, you asked
me to write an article for the Open Forum,
so here it is:
The three weeks which spent with
my aged parents at Osceola were most
enjoyable as we'll as interesting. When
I reached .Osceola / could hardly be
lieve that it was the same village that i
have known for nearly half century.
Such change! The first thing that
greeted my sight was the new 500 Line
depot, strictly modern in every respect.
Then1the immense grain elevator near
the tracks. When I reached the bust
ness section l noticed thrift and pros
perity on every hand. A new bank,
post Office, church and many modern
residences. A new hotel with fifty rooms
at a cost Of $4,000 is nearing compile
ton. For years there has been a demand
for this, as many rest seekers from the
large cities love to visit this romantic,
quiet little. town. O. C. Wyman and
DR.. Ohage have their country homes
near the village. Osceola is having
its awakening after fifty years Of sleep,
and they are going to make up for lost
time. The slogan is Boost for Osceola"
and truly every man, woman and child
seems to be caught by the spirit. The
women of Osceola take very live in
terest in the Future Osceola". Much
interest is centered on the boys and girls,
our future citizens in whose hands rests
the destiny of our great America. The
women of Osceola are determined to
keep the town morally 'clean." The
moving picture shows are under the
supervision of the Club Women, up
lifting and educational shows are given
for both young and old; unbounded
praise is due the women of Osceola for
this one thing.
One of the departed public spirited
grand old ladies willed her beautiful
home besides $4,000 to the Village of
sOsceola for the erection Ola public rest
and reading room. A new high school
building at cost of $50, 900 will be built
the coming season, This was surprising
news to me, for the town consists largely
of retired farmers, but the retired old
people, too, have been caught by the
spirit of the times and have learned that
it is their duty to look out for other
peoples children even though they have
none of their own of school age. What
surprised me still more, was to learn
that Osceola has an all women" school
board. The men have confidence in
them and give their hearty support.
There is spirit Of pulling together
and that is the thing that means success.
A large tract Of land was purchased a
year ago to be used as a public park and
play ground.
Surely you will pardon me I men
ton the liquor question. Osceola is the
only wet" place in Polk Co. They
have three saloons and each pays $500
license per year. They close at 1920
sharp every night and they are CLOSED"
without a question, for the shades are
up, sash curtains drawn aside and
bright light burns over the bar, so that
any apasser-by has a full view of the in
terror. l did not notice any distur-
bance. / could not help but think
that if the laws everywhere had at all
times been enforced and obeyed the
present dry wave would not be sweeping
the country. The day before election
/ had the pleasure of listening to very
able dry speaker. The village went
wet" by 81 votes.
Before leaving Osceola I cast last
look upon the spot where my husband
and l once upon a time conducted a
general merchandise business: my heart
was sad and my eyes dimmed with tears,
for the spot that was once home to us
is now heap of ruins, the building
having been destroyed by fire year ago.
I am now back in New Ulm, the dearest
spot on earth to me, hoping with all
who love their homes and country that
God may unite us in the great crisis
hanging over the nation, and let way
of peace be found ere the whirlwind
of war brings horror and desolation to
our land.
Mrs. C. G. Rein.