The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-08-12
ADDRESS BY BENSON
ST. Peter Man Paid Tribute
To Old Timers
MEMORIUM BY HUGHES
Former Days Were Recalled When
Gray Haired Men Spoke;
Dinner Served
POEM FOR OLD SETTLERS

/ POEM FOR OLD SETTLERS
i REV. J. M. Balm
My dear Old Settlers, Just give way.
That on the onset I may say:
By duties called ! am detained,
So kindly let me not be blamed.
know that you will met today,
At Sibley Park, you know the way,
For you have gathered oft before:
May God grant years, yet many
more.
No gathering of greater worth,
Could grace this scenic park on
earth:
Heroes and heroines we say,
Whose valiant deeds will not decay.
Greater in many years add glory
more:
A goodly number past four score:
Take you first line in parade,
Leaders are you, no nobler made.
This age class only I name here,
Although all others are as dear:
Leaving with you to make complete,
Their names all. whom we love to
| greet.
Fletcher,
Keyser, Gordon, Shoemaker, Pitcher,
| With Fuller, Beatty, ladies all,
Who have answered promptly duties
| call:
Likewise Messers Jefferson, Coy,
| Hodapp and Pay,
Also Andrews, Harmony, Barney and
Now those above ten and three
FAN into line, you number more,
We need all making complete rank
| and file,
For all possess lives well worth while
We prize our city, county. state.
Astounding with blessings truly great,
With favored conditions wone in
By thrifty valor of you Pioneers.
we do not forget your hardships
and toll,
Battleing with forests and with vir-
gin soil,
With iisid primitive man and beast 0f the
comp'sslling all for our welfare to
God grant you yet years of splendid
Possessing those things of genuine
wealth, -
That nat I add to tS your comfort and hap
When each have responded to
Heavens home call.
j Members of the Territorial Old
4 Eettlsrs society held their annual
picnic and dinner at Sibley Park pic
mic grounds today. Every one went
to the grounds with we'll filed bas-
lkets, and bounteous picnic dinner
was partaken of beneath the shade. of
the large trees. During the serving
Of the dinner and at intervals
Band rendered selections. At 1880
this afternoon the exercises were
opened with prayer. and following
this the meeting was formally opened
by President Lorin Cray who made a
few remarks fitting the occasion. This
was followed by community singing
led by Miss Cornelia Mansfield. Mrs.
J. o. Wilson favored the gathering
with a reading, rendered in her usual
settlers were called upon for short
talks, and told Of their experiences
In an early day in this immediate re-
gion.
Address BY Henry N. Benson ;
Senator Henry N. Benson of St.
Peter delivered the principal address
of the day.
}
spoke of the appropriateness of hav-
ing meetings of the old settlers and
passing down by tradition the won
derful experiences Of the early pio-
neers. That those who blazed the
trail in the early days have much
to tell which this generation should
know. and might we'll put into prac..
women are very rapidly passing and
comparatively speaking, but, few
remain. Many Of them performed
deeds of heroism and lived exem-
plory lives, the record Of which
ought to be recorded in history as
an inspiration and a lesson to fu
ture generations.
That though these nation builders
contributed SO much to real up
building of our country, their lives
and deeds will pass out with their
generation and we, the beneficiaries
Of their sacrifices, should esteem 1t
a real pleasure and distinct advan-
tage to sit In council with them on
4 these anniversary occasions.
the outstanding men and deeds of
the early days Of Minnesota and Sc
lected Alexander Ramsey as q splen.
did example of those sturdy and
manly pioneers. He resumed his
services in Pennsylvania, his services
as Territorial and State governor,
United States senator. cabinet officer,
citizen and man. That service has
lived on. That his life has been and
still is an example which We might
| we'll emulate.
Noting some of the many accom-
plishments and ! characteristics Of
Governor Ramsey. Mr.. Benson said
we might well apply them In this
day and generation. Frugality,
honesty, industry and loyalty were
the cardinal lines in his life. That
i If these were more closely applied In
our day they would afford 2 sure
cure for most of the present day all
ment and the recasting social condi-
tions are not the outstanding needs
in our country, but rather the regen-
Grafton of the individual. The In
dividual has departed from the sim
/ pie and fundamental virtues and this
i departure becomes reflected In gov
ternment and society. Back to the
j principles OF the pioneers and the
practice of economy in private and
Il y,,rhlfxe 1ffo io the raaofn law r4aA