The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-09-02
VISIT OF HISTORICAL
SOCIETY TO NEW ULM
Attack Indians On That Settlement Years
Ago Recalled By Speakers; Mankato
People Nicely Entertained.


short talk giving the society's pur-
pose. and their object In choosing
New Ulm for one Of their visits.
Mr.. Hughes said that no place in
the state had been the scene OF SO
much important history in the max
ing of Minnesota. Mr.. Hughes In
troduced Major Pfaender who was
instrumental in making the society's
trip such success.
Major, Pfaender gave stirring ad :
dress on the life or the pioneer, and
OF the danger in which their lives
were constantly while the indians
were secretly planning the siege
which nearly became fatal.
He told or how grateful New Ulm
was and Is today to the little settle :.
ment OF Milford situated a few miles
from New Ulm. This was the set
Element first attacked by the Indians
and some Of its occupants reached
New Ulm in time to warn that city.
II It had not been for this warning,
New Ulm would have had no time to
prepare for the attack. Major Pfaen-
der told OF the handful of brave men
who withstood the onslaught OF the
redskins, and of the women who
waited breathlessly for news OF VIC
tory and who thought fearfully OF the
defeat which seemed almost certain.
End Of the Struggle
Finally reenforcements from st
Peter and Mankato came to the aid
Of the almost exhausted fighters, and
the Indians were driven off. They
tackled that place. bur meeting de-
feat they returned to New Ulm again,
but with the added troops the saw
ages were forced to leave. They
were later captured and taken to
Mankato where they were hanged.
Major Pfaender paid tribute to the
members of the Pioneer society, who
have built the cabin in Turner park
as a memorial to those who helped to
make Minnesota. He told of wrongs
which pioneers had received, and OF
the memorial which the society had
given them. Though it is too late to
can be given them, and that is one OF
the purposes of the society.
Following Major Pfaender's fine
address, Mr.. Hughes introduced
Benedict Juni who is survivor OF
the Indian siege. Mr.. Juni thrilled
his audience with excitement as he
told of how word had come to his
little home of the coming Of the red
skins. He was sent to warn other
settlers, while his family left fol
New Ulm. He was stopped by three
Indians. and after giving them his
horse he was allowed to go his way
place he saw dogs lying dead with
arrows through their bodies. and
knew that the savages would not
hesitate to stop him in the same way
IL they wished. He was captured by
three Indians and taken to cabin
where he found his mother with two
other ladies. His father and broth
ers together with the other men had
been killed. He was not allowed tc
remain with his mother though, but
was taken to an Indian village where
he lived the life of an Indian and suf-
fered from stones and sticks which
the boys of the village threw at him
However, as long as he remained
with the boy of the family that
adopted him he was not molested
After some time with the Indians, Mr.
Juni returned to civilization.
Following the interesting history
which Mr.. Juni told, Mayor Fritsche
spoke a few appropriate words Of
farewell.
Thanks are given to Chief of Police
Harmengin and his men for marking
the places visited.
Colonel R. Pfefferle, a veteran OF
pioneer days was one of the guests
of honor.
The Only Survivor
Peter Mack, ninety one years oil
age is the only survivor of the first
group of settlers who came to New
Ulm in 1851 1t was planned that
the society were to go to this farm
and take the old gentleman with
them, but there was not time enough
50 1t Is planned to get him next Sat
urday and take him on, the trip to
the lower Agency.
Each family had brought their sup
per, and tables were spread on the
grass and the park tables, and the
next hour was spent in one of the
most pleasing occupations Of the af-
ternoon. ~. y
! Some plans were made for going tt
the Lower agency, about thirty miles
| from New Ulm next Saturday. The
members intend to leave Mankato al
nine thirty o'clock and meeting the
members of the New Ulm society a
| that city. will go to the Lower
] Agency where they will have a pro
gram and a picnic
| After farewells had been said the
cars from Mankato began to leave
! the park and wend their way Manka
towards, thanking the New Ulm citi.
zens and their Representatives fo
the splendid time, and the royal enter
! .ainment which had been provided
for them. When it comes to treat
Ing visitors in a brotherly and court
| eous fashion, Mankato will vote fo
New Ulm every time.