New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-08-29
GREAT THRONG IS
At FORT RlDGELY

FIFTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF
INDIAN UPRISING ATTRACTS
BIG CROWD.
INTERESTING PROGRAM UNDER
TREES ON SCENE OF OLD
BATTLE.
More than 5000 people were at Fort
Ridgely Wednesday to celebrate the
ffty-ffth anniversary Of the Sioux
Indian uprising, and the attack on the
fort in August, 1862. The day was
warm and fine, and citizens, old and.
young from all over Southern Minnesota,
and many from far-away points were on.
the grounds early to enjoy the program.
It's long way from the old fort to any
habitation, But each year the histori-
cal story told by the silent walls of the.
last remaining building, by the granite
shaft erected by the state, the old Gene
terry in nearby field, is an inspiring
one, and the crowd is little larger at
each succeeding celebration,
.F ~
Ridgeiy Native Present.
Wednesdays crowd contained many
who still we'll remember the eventful
and trying times Of more than half
century ago. Among the visitors
Wednesday, there was at least one who
first saw the light Of day within the walls
of the old fort. He was Frank L. Ran
dali, whose father was Major B. FL.
Randall stationed at Ridgely during the
entire time of its occupation by the
federal troops. Others present, who
were once stationed at the fort, were
Harrison Simmons Of Minnespolia and
Richard Pfeferle. Another New Ulm
man, whose name figures prominently
in the history of the Indian outbreak,
and present at the celebration was Ben.
Juni, who, only a boy at the time, was
captured by the Indians and held for
several days in captivity. The Fort
Ridgely celebration is also made a
general gala day. It is one grand pic
mic, Families and even whole neigh
borhoods may be seen at the noon hour
with their picnic lunches spreed on the
ground or convenient benches enjoying
the day to the fullest extent.
Several years ago, thru the efforts of
Senator H. N. Benson, of st. Peter and
Representative Frank II. Hopkins of
Fairfax, the state made an appropria-
ton to purchase the site of the old fort,
making it state park. Two years ago
an additional appropriation was made
and an additional eighty acres was
purchased for the park.
The Park Association.
The management and improvement
of the park property is vested in the
Fort Ridgely State Park and Historical
association, of which Col. Chas. H.
Hopkins of Fairfax is the father and,
one of its most ardent workers. The
following are the officers of the organiza-
ton: President, D. S. Hall, Olivia;
vice president, G. H. Nixon, Hector;
secretary and treasurer, Colonel Hop
kins; directors, William Pfaender, Jr.,
Richard Pfeferle, J. A. Ochs, New Ulm;
A. F. Rieke, Fairfax; Alex. Russell, West
Newton; William Wichman, Olivia
The aim of the association is to make
the park more and more attractive, and
to BRING more people there every year to
enjoy its beauties. OF Fort Ridgely
and the park, the officers of the associ-
alton say:
High Tide Of Uprising.
''The history of the great northwest
furnishes no chapter more pathetic in
it's horrible details than that relating to
the great Sioux uprising and massacre of
1862 and no portion Of that chapter is
of SO much historic interest and i'm
portance as the nine days siege and two
days battle of Fort Ridgely. AS
Gettysbarg was the high tide Of the
Rebellion, SO too was Fort Ridgely the
high tide of the Sioux uprising. Had
the fort surrendered to that horde Of
painted savages, already crazed by the
blood Of scores Of victims all along the
valley, the whole Southwestern Mime
sofa would have been overrun and de-
populated.
"The State of Minnesota commemo-
rated these events by the purchase of the
quarter section of land that includes the
site of Old Fort Ridgely, and other
historic points Of interest, and also has
erected a modest monument with the
names of the defenders inscribed thereon.