The Mankato free press., 1923-02-16

:wo years, preserving his faculties
in a most wonderful manner and
his mental vigor was undated to
The last. He was an authority on
all matters pertaining TO the early
history of this section. He remem
bered dates, names and historical
events with remarkable accuracy.
He had an interesting life history,
Tor he lived in turbulent times
which tried mems souls. Ninety
one years! AS time is measured by
the lives of men, it Is long while.
Measured by the standard OF NOV
ing events it is b6 a brief period.
Most OF the men who came TO Man
kato when Mr.. Pay did have passed
on, but life seemed short TO him,
he told a reporter for The Free
was just game to play and he
played it manfully day by day and
never whined when the play was
spilled. He was one OF those stur-
DIV pioneers, who with their strug-
giles, hardships and ideals gave
their energies to laying the super.
stuctus OF the city of ,Mankato they
loved so well. We cannot honor
them too highly. we should not for
get their words, not pass over too
lightly their services to their coun-
try.
Was Picturesque Character
Mr.. Pay was a picturesque char,
acter and a refined gentleman or
the old school. He was beloved by
both the old and young alike. He
was public spirited and few men
were as well and favorably known
throughout the country and had as
wide an acquaintance as he. While
Of a quiet nature, yet he made
friends rapidly and kept them. His
years were filed with useful acts,
good deeds, was always pleasant
and agreeable and his friends regret
his sudden taking away, although
in the ripeness of his years.
Mankato was dear to him, he had
often said. He had watched its
growth from its infancy. to a beau
tiful city. and the country from a
wilderness grow into a hourishing
condition. There was scarcely a
time during his earlier life that he
did not hold an official position Of
come kind for the city or county He
was alderman during the time when
the city's purse was small, the
banks would not loan money tcr the
citys Improvements first without
the aldermen giving their personal
notes. He helped TO organize the
FIRST hook and ladder fire company
and was among its first chiefs. Be-
cause Of this, the fremen honored
him at their ball few weeks ago
by having him and his daughter,
Miss Nellie, lead the grand march
around the hall. He was charter
member of the Mankato Historical
socdety and furnished much history
and data for that organisation. He
vns active in church work and q
vestryman In the Episcopal church
at the time 1t was organized IN this
community.
Brave and Courageous
Mr.. Pay was a brave, courageous
man, and performed many daring
acts OF bravery during the wars and
Indian troubles which no other man
had the courage to do. For this he
received a pension from the, state
as q Teward. sr n
Mr.. Pay assisted in building the
gallows on which thirty eight Indi-
ans were executed in Mankato in
1852. When the half breed, John
Campbell, was arrested for the mur-
der OF the Jswett family in Rapidan
township In 1865, Mr.. Pay was main :
1y instrumental in, discovering the
evidence upon which he was convict
ed and hanged. Mr. Pay was in the
iiiyery business with Sheriff D. n.
iTyner and their barn was destroyed
nv fire. In 1864, Mr.. Fay engaged
alone In the livery business and CON
tinued until 1902, having the finest
and most extensive establishment in
the city. He then Interested himself
in the hotel business and built what
4s known as the Ben Pay hotel, and
which is now operated by his son,
william II. Pay.
During the, time of the Indian scare
vber, the people had congregated
here. for refuge, some Of the cattle
which had to be killed to provide
meat for them, ran away on the 9th :
u or side of the river. Fearing Indians
no one dared to cross the stream.
Mr.. Pay seeing the urgent need start