Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1922-12-15
AN EARLY CHRISTMAS IN MIN
NESOTA WHDS

On December rs, 1906, not far from
the present site of Brainerd, Lieuten-
ant Zebulon Pike and his soldiers cele~
brated Christmas by advancing three
miles on their exploratory journey into
the wilderness of northern Minnesota.
In the journal of the expedition,
written by it's famous leader, there is
only a brief entry for December rs,
1905, but it calls up before the imagl-
nation an interesting picture OF
small band of American soldiers who
were penetrating into that lonely will
derness of Minnesota before its meta
morphosis into land reeming with
the white mans cities, farms, gar
dens and civilization. "Marched, and
encamped at IL o'clock" wrote Pike.
"Gave out two pounds extra of meat,
two pounds extra of -four, one gill of
whiskey, and some tobacco, to each
man, in order to distinguish Christmas
Day; distance advanced three miles,
The Pike, expedition, including its
commander and twenty soldiers, left
st. Louis on August 9, 1905, on trip
to the sources Of the Mississippi. Late
in September the party reached the site
| of the future city Of Minneapolis, and
on October 16, not far from the pres
| ent city of Little Falls, the building
| of a fort was begun. With sleds and
piroque "towed by three men,
Lieutenant Pike and his force set out
in December for the flr-trading posts
at Sandy Lake and Leech Lake, reach
ing the former on January 8. In Feb
ruary the explorer arrived at what he
believed was g the upper source of the
Mississippi Cass Lake. Not until
t>April 80, 1906, did. Pike return to St.
Louis, his starting point. The story Of
the expedition is told in an absorbing
chapter in DR.. William w. Folwell s
recently published History of Mime
sofa. a
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter L. Newman, ST.,
and children left Monday for Mime
apolis, where they will reside in the
future. This family has resided in
Little Falls many years and are we'll
known here. Their departure is regret
ted by their many friends.
ST. CLOUD MEN Organizing
COKE COMPANY
According to the St. Cloud Times a
score of St. Cloud men are forming a
holding company which will manufac-
ture coke fuel from peat. An unlimit-
ed supply of peat is to be found on
10000 acres Of bog in St. Louis county
and it is proposed to manufacture the
coke there. The peat proposition is
said to offer solution of the coal
supply problem and it is claimed that
coke thus produced would cost only
one-third the price of coal.
CROSBY FANS WANT BASEBALL
LEAGUE
| According to word received from
Crosby movement has been started
there for the organization of base
ball league of six or more teams for
| the coming season. Among the towns
suggested for the league are Crosby
IrOnton, Brainerd, Little Falls, Staples,
New York Mills, Wadena and possibly
Perham. r. ~. ...
FORMER LOCAL RESIDENT DIED
IN WEST - ~
! Word has been received here Of the
death Of. Mrs. Fred Hoffman Of Alham-
bra, Calf, former resident Of Little
Falls. Death occurred November %.
Surviving are the husband, one son
Fred of St. Paul and one daughter,
Mrs. @. 81. Schleusener Of *Alhambra.
An interesting feature Of the pro-
gram at the Columbia mothers club
meeting Friday was debate between
pupils Of the school on the subject
Resolved, that the horse is better
adapted than the tractor for farm work
il Minnesota Harriet Hall, Alva
IKalher and Armand Boulle had the af-
frmatiYe side and Harry Hail. Lowell
6moots and Jean Tanner the negative.
The ahiirmstifo won.