The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-12-07
Redwood Falls Hermit of Quarter
Century Ago Again Heard From

he would rusticate on rude wooden
bench in front Of his domicile, smok-
ing and whiting, and eyeing each
passer-by with a peculiarly gaze.
When he concluded that it was his
hour for stroll he invariably appear
ed in a well-worn civil war uniform,
but with trousers stuck into his boot
tops. Over his shoulder he insisted
on carrying an old army musket, to
which he likewise insisted on having
attached a bayonet, the edges of
which he kept sharpened to a razor
like point, and with which instru-
ment he would boast, as he insisted
that he was still defending his coun-
try, that he could cut a hair. In his
first years there he was looked upon
as harmlessly innocent if left alone.
In 1902 fear was expressed by many
people that he was irrational and that
something should be done for his safe
keeping.
SIN his claim that he was a soldier
of the Civil War, and that he was
still ready, with musket and bayonet,
to carry on the fight for the preserva-
ton of the Union, number of the old
veterans living in Redwood Falls, and
belonging to John S. Marsh Post,
then an active G. A. R. organization
of that city, made repeated attempts
to ascertain what company, what
regiment, and what division and in
which brigade he fought, if any, but
on each occasion as an attempt to
elicit information was made, Mr..
Beals replied that he had forgotten,
that he was in the general fight, and
that he still was in the service of
Uncle Sam. Unable to get founda-
ton on which to commence inquiries
for more information regarding him
all efforts ceased and he was permit
ted to continue his mode of living.
But early in 1903 he was regarded as
a dangerous menace to the commun-
ity and information was lodged with
the probate Judge on charge of in
sanity.
"The sheriff having the process for
service regarded him as a dangerous
character, accepting the theory that
if he approached Mr.. Beals from the
fore Mr.. Beals might make the at
tack with the bayonet. Consequent
ly the officer bided his time until he
could come up on him from the rear,
when he threw his arms around
Beals, disarmed him and brought him
before the probate court, where he
was examined and committed to the
st. Peter hospital. He has been an
inmate of that institution ever since,
although now nearly 83 years old.
ever since the commission Mr.. AL
len has been working on the case at
tempting to ascertain if he had rela-
tives living, if he had been in the SER
vice during the Civil War, and to Sc
cure such other information usually
called for by the board of control. At
one time he had H. A. Baldwin ap-
pointed as his guardian with the hope
that Mr.. Baldwin would be able to as
sist in securing information. Still
later, when Mr.. Baldwin, feeling that
he could do nothing, resigned, Charles
v. Everett was appointed, but Mr..
Everett was unable to be of any as
sistance. in the case, and resigning,
A. d. McRae was appointed much
against his own will. In the mean
time, however, Mr.. Allen kept his
work, and at one time was informed
that Mr.. Beals had really been
member of an Iowa regiment during
the great Civil War. The records of
every Iowa Company of that period
were searched, but without effect.
CONTINUED on page twelve)