davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-06-22
McPhal Indian War Hero,
Once Attempted Duel

Confederate lines, and he visited all
command of General Cheatam at CO.
lumbus, also Hollands Ram, the
Turtle" and other points. When he
returned to Cairo he delivered valua-
BILE information to General Prentiss.
. In 1862, he returned to Minnesota,
was commissioned colonel by Cover
nor Ramsey, and was given command
of all the mounted forces of the state.
Most noteworthy in his Indian war
service were his relief of Fort Ridge
ly, at the head of force of citizen
soldiers, who left St. Peter%at sun
down and marched all night to reach
the harassed haven of the whites in
the Sioux massacre, and his sally to
relieve the imperiled force at Birch
Coulie. In the latter expedition, his
prudence, it is believed, saved his
command from humiliation such as
came to Clusters force at the hands
of the hordes of Sitting Bull.
In 1863, Colonel McPhail command
ed the cavalry in the Indian ex-
petition under General Sibley, and
engaged in three pitched battles at
Black Mound, Dead Buffalo lake and
Stony lake. So incensed were his
troopers in the first of these encoun-
tiers, over the cruel treatment of the
white settlers, that they took VEN
geance by themselves scalping 81 of
the Redmen.
When the cavaly was mustered
out, he joined the Army of the Poto-
mac and remained with it until the
spring of 1864. That year he went to
the site of Redwood Falls, helped
build the stockade and first log hous-
es, and remained there until 1875,
serving as county attorney for sew
eral years. He had been admitted to
the bar at St. Louis and also in
Houston county. In the seventies"
he also was admitted to practice be-
fore the United States Supreme
court
In those early days, the population
of Redwood Falls changed rapidly
and Colonel McPhail decided to join
the exodus of those seeking other
fields of adventure. Julius Schmahl
and his boy friends saw the colonel
depart. He had built house on
wheels, resembling the cook house of
threshing crew, and he drove off
westward, bound for Alta Vista, Lin
coin county, where he settled on a
tree claim.
He explained that the government
had asked him to carry on tree ex-
periments. At any, rate he had sue
cess with trees which he planted to
determine their adaptability to the
Minnesota climate. He even grew
oranges and a real coffee tree, but
these did not survive.
When he was practicing law, he
was recognized wit. Even before
that, while in military service, some
of his reports contained choice lines.
He is credited with an old and fam
Gus witticism which is said to have
been a report that he submitted after
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-06-22
SCHMAHL, STATE TREASURER,
SAW COLONEL WITH SWORD
PURSUING GUN-ARMED FOE
AFTER QUARREL.

When former residents of Redwood
Falls and some VINO still are residents
get together at their picnic on the
Lake Harriet picnic ground, Satur-
day, June 20, they will pay special
honor to the late Colonel Samuel Nc
Phail, founder of the 'old town" and
veteran of Mexican, Civil and Indian
wars.
They will hear the story of his ca
reer recounted, and it is expected
they will meet Mrs. Eta McPhail
Anderson, daughter of the colonel,
who has been invited to attend and
share in the honors. Her recollec-
lions of the Redwood Falls stockade
were published in these columns re-
Gently.
Colonel McPhail was born in Ken
t7ucky, lived in Texas, went to a
Southern military school, and did not
see the North until after the Mexi-
can war. In temperament, he re-
manned Southern to the end When
his assertions Were questioned, he
was quick in resentment if he felt an
insult was implied.
Julius Schmahl, state treasurer,
once editor Of the Gazette, was a
boy when the colonel was leading
citizen of the village, and he revered
MIN for his military record and his
ability as a lawyer He tells of the
time he saw him holly pursuing a Mr..
Gates, with whom the colonel had
quarreled in town.
Gates came hurriedly along the
road where it crosses the ravine, car
xying a large revolver in his hand
and turning frequently to brandish
st rearward. A hundred yards to the
rear came Colonel McPhail, sword
slnsheathed and scintillating in the
sunshine. He waved the sword and
hurled threats in his high peculiar
voice at the retreating Gates. But he
did not attempt to close the distance
between them while julius and his
brother Otto were watching.
The angry pair disappeared over
the brow of the hill, and the boys fled.
AS no casualties were reported, it
was supposed that the colonel's hon
or was satisfied without bloodshed.
Colonel McPhaiPs career was filled
with adventure which began when,
as boy, he assisted his father in the
surveying of state lines and in topog-
raphy mapping, which took them over
a large part of the South. He was
born in Russelville, KY, May 2. 1926,
but his parents moved to Louisiana
while he was an infant.
AT Is he was sent to the state mill
tary academy at Baton Rouge for
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-06-22

two years, and then was assigned to
General Zachary Taylor's command
at Point Isabel terrace. He marched
with Taylor's troops to Palo Alto,
and only six days after his assign
ment to military duty, he was in the
thick of the severe battling at that
point.
The morning after that engagement
he went into the battle of Resaca de
la Palma, and 40 days later he was
IN the Mexican campaign which had
Monterey as its objective After the
Monterey siege, from September to
the following May, when the Mexican
capitulated, he marched across Mex
leo to Topeca, sailed for Vera Cruz
and there joined the command of
General Winfield Scott Vera Cruz
fell and the march on Mexico City
was begun. In four hard battles, the
Mexicans met defeat; peace was de-
clared, and the regiment was ordered
home by way of Vera Cruz.
After he had visited the Pacific
coast in 1S49, McPhail entered claim
In Wild Cat valley, two miles from
Brownsville, Mimi. but soon removed
to the land on which he founded Gale
donia, where he built a small store
and log house.
Southern though he was, by birth
and rearing, and notwithstanding that
his parents still were in Louisiana, he
reported to General Lyons when the
Civil war began, volunteering to fight
for the preservation of the Union. He
was sent to Cairo, ILL.,, where he was
given extraordinary duty. This took
him to the command of General Pill
lows at Memphis. Having been with
Pillows in the Mexican wss~he was
permitted, as friend, toy pass all
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-06-22

he had investigated the theft of a
grist mill that had been owned by
the government and run for the bene-
fit of the Sioux Indian reservation.
The message read: 81 found a dam
by a mill site, but no mill by a dam
SITE"
While he was colonel of volunteer
force, most of which consisted of
beardless youths, and which he was
to lead on an expedition against the
Sioux, he was asked by the commits
sary department for information re-
garding the sort of ration that should
be provided. He replied: 81 am at a
loss to know what to say as the
boys are little too young for whis-
ky and little too old for milk"
Colonel McPhail was married twice,
first to Martha Kingston, a Southern
belle, daughter of John and Mary
Kingston, at ST. Louis, May 2,1850.
Of this union, Mrs. Eta Anderson,
daughter, survives and is a resident
of Minneapolis. Some years after his
first wife died, the colonel took as
his helpmate, Miss Minnie Baker of
Grant county, South Dakota.
The death of Colonel McPhail oc-
Cured March 6, 1902, and his burial
took place near Taunton in Vesta
township, Lincoln county.-St. Paul
Dispatch.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-06-22

tsche remaining for a longer visit at
the home of her daughter Mrs. Zum-
Wrinkle. She expects to return to her
home at Rice Lake, Wisconsin, next
Sunday taking her grandson Law
renee with her for a visit. Sleepy
Eye Herald ispatch.
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-06-22

Mrs. Frank Goettsche who was q
guest last week at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. John MacMaster, ac-
companied Mr.. and Mrs. MacMaster
and son to Redwood Falls Sunday
where they made short visit at the
Bert Zumwinkle home. Mrs. Goet-
The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1927-06-22

Mrs. Harold Aune of Colorado
Springs, is expected to arrive here on
the Goth of June for an extended visit
with friends and relatives. Mrs. Aune
will be remembered as Miss Olive
Grimm. Northern Light.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Nests in Safe Place

The wood duck is wise in choice of
nest sites. She lays her eggs in holes
In trees from four to forty feet above
the ground, says Nature Magazine.
How are the ducklings going to get
out of the nest cavity, which is some
times three or four feet deep? Hav-
ing escaped from the hole, how are
they to get safely down to the ground
without falling and breaking their
necks? And finally, having reached
the ground intact, how are they to
reach the nearest stream or pond?
Some say that the mother duck
flies and carries the ducklings on her
back. Others state that the young are
carried one at time in her bill, just
as a mother cat carries her kittens.
others claim the ducklings scramble
out of the nest and fall to the ground
or into the water as the case may be.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Not His House

Several attorneys were seated In
District court recently when the
screeching Of FIRE department sirens
announced to the world that the serv-
Ices Of firemen were required some
where in the business district.
One member of the bar, waiting for
a case in which he appeared as coun-
sci. was called to the telephone a few
minutes later. SITS not your house
that's on fire." he was advised. The
person calling then hung up the re-
ceiver. The one called scratched his
head, then hurried back to his Office
and looked at his insurance policy to
make certain that it was still in force.
He does not yet understand the OBJ.
ject of a message advising him that
his house was not on flre.-Springfeld
Union. -.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Pioneers in Dental
Work Were Americans

The first dentist to fill the nerve
cavity with gold was Edward May
nard, who was born in Madison, N. j.,
112 years ago. Besides introducing
the gold filling Maynard was the in
ventor of many of the instruments
now used by dental surgeons.
Doctor Maynard had, indeed, va.
ried career, first setting out to be
soldier, but resigning from the mill
tary academy at West Point because
of i'll health. In 1885 he graduated in
dental surgery. settling in. Washington,
where he practiced for IS years.
While Doctor Maynard was expert
monting with improved appliances for
the profession. DR.. William T. G. Nor
ton. Boston dentist, relieved dental
work of much of it's horror by invent
ing ethereal anesthesia. This was in
1874 few years after the first dental
college in America was opened in Bal
ii ore.
Doctor Maynard also invented the
n ynard breech-loading rifle, patented
III 1881.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Beetles Long in Tree

That no appreciable changes have
occurred in a species Of wood-boring
beetle in the last 1900 years is indi-
Gated on comparison of live specimens
with dead ones which were recently
found Theoretically sealed in a giant
Sequoia tree. says Popular Mechanics
Magazine. The insects apparently
had entered the wood after it had been
struck by lightning. Some failed to
emerge and were imprisoned by the
new growth that formed: over the
lightning scar. The time they entered
the tree was computed by counting
the annual rings that had grown out
side of them. Naturalists are not
surprised that the specimens were
the same as those found alive today.
for beetles are regarded as q "con-
sentative lot" and 1900 years Is not
a long time, geologically speaking.
Species that were sacred to the Egyp-
tians have shown no signs of change
in thrice that time.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Life Study Basis of
Old Greek Philosophy

The old Greek philosophers spent all
their lives in the pursuit Of knowledge
concerning the riddle of life, discuss
ing all it's phases to the point Of re-
ductio ad absurdum. An example OF
the dilemma to which their reasoning
led them is displayed in the following
argument between Aristotle and Prota.
goras, says the Market for Exchange.
The latter claimed that all is Illusion
and that there is no such thing as
truth. Aristotle refuted him with the
following dilemma: "Your proposition
is true or false; if it is false, then you
are answered; If true, then there is
something true, and your proposition
fails"
Another famous problem Of the
Stoics ran thus: "When man says
4 lie,' does he lie or does he not? If
he lies he speaks the truth; If he
speaks the truth he lies" Exhaustive
works were written on this. Chrysip-
pus favoring the world with six tones
in an. attempt to solve it. Philetus
finally met an early death because Of
too long hours of study on various ex-
plantations.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Bank Vaults Flooded
to Outwif Burglars

Remarkable and elaborate defenses
are included in the rebuilding Of the
Bank of England. 1t is possible, in case
of invasion or other emergency, to flood
the vaults from three points-One in
the bank, one elsewhere in London,
and one ten miles out of London.
The walls are constructed of rein
forced concrete blocks, six feet long
by two feet wide by two feet thick.
The reinforcement is made, from old
steel-wire ships cables, which are sep
arated into single strands.
These steel wires are interlaced In
to panels six feet by two feet, and
placed in the mold, one on top Of the
other, until the mold is full Of steel,
wire mating. Liquid concrete is then
poured in the mold, and the whole Is
shaken to work the concrete into ev-
cry crack and corner.
All these concrete blocks have
keys" at each end to interlock them
when in position. There are also
semicircular grooves at the ends Of the
blocks. Two blocks together form a
circular groove up and down which
pass electric wires. Any attempt to
displace a block breaks these wires
and an alarm is Immediately sounded.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
COPPER OLDEST METAL

Copper might fifty be called the
first of metals, for it was the first to
be adapted by man to his ordinary
uses. Probably the men of the
bronze age found the metal in its ma
tive state, as it occasionally occurs;
perhaps some cave man built fire
over copper ore exposed on the sur
face, and unwittingly built the first
smelter. However it might have been
discovered, primitiv man after long
centuries was using copper to re-
place his crude stone and bone i'm
plements. Then again, by accident
perhaps, the alloy of copper with tin
or zinc, which makes brass and
bronze, was discovered, and this was
the great metal Of antiquity.
Mining and reduction of metals is
as safe and sound business as SELL
ing -four or running a bank. Min
ing develops every other industry
farming, railroading, merchandising;
it is the great builder for any nation.
Some of the capital that is going
into speculative adventures might
we'll go into metal mining in the
West.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29

Phrases Made Good
BY Continued Usage

| A good word for expressions which
are In popular usage but lack the sane
ton Of good grammar" is spoken by
an editorial in Liberty. "Just now,"
the editorial points out, "the gram
marians and dictionary-m will
tell you that 'aint L. he don't and
its me- are vulgar.
"But vulgarity in speech often spells
progress. Expressions become popu-
lar long before they become respect
able. If their popularity lasts long
enough, writer's, teachers and states.
men in good standing, whose business
it is to touch the thoughts and emo
tons of people with the magic of
words, begin to use the doubtful ex-
pressions to get their ideas across.
Right away the former hoboes of the
language turn gentlemen and get into
the social register.
"Of the three, 'ain't' has perhaps the
weakest case. IF our ear is not at
fault, the popularity of this word is
waning. That would be misfortune,
for it has twanging, emphatic eu-
phony not given to am not AREN'T
or isn't Must we always be saddled
with Am not when Amt + might
be available?
"'He don't Is already so widely
used that wise political speakers and
jury lawyers employ 1t constantly,
realizing that they would be suspected
of affectation If they said 'he doesn't
The most stubborn holdout for It's r
feels self-conscious when he uses 1t.
Among friends he will say It's me-
and save his bushes"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
LEAVE 1T TO HIM
BY John Moses Baker

The lilies grow and leave it to Him,
They never toll nor do they spin;
In all you say, in all you do,
Leave it to Him, He will carry. you
through.
Leave it to Him, the roses do,
In the early morn when the skies ~
are blue; 4
Scatter their fragrance on the air,
Leave it to Him, He is everywhere.
Leave it to Him when the shadows
fall,
Aad darkness hovers over all;
He is the Light, the Truth, the Way,
Leave it to Him till break of day.
Leave it to him when tempted and
tried,
Remember on Calvary's Cross He
died;
To save your soul and set you free,
Leave it to Him, He cares for thee.
Leave it to Him when the task is
done,
And the crown Of life at last is won;
He will be with you to comfort and
bless,
Leave it to Him, He will give you
rest.
Leave it, leave it to Him!
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Explorers ReUurd Small

Tie sum agreed upon that Henry
Hudson. the explorer, was to receive
III payment for his services, according
to the agreement entered into with
his employers, was small even for
those days-the equivalent of 1920 for
his personal outfit and for the support
of his wife and childrep-and pro-
v:ded he lost his life his widow
(known socially as Mrs. Henry Hud.
SOM was to receive $50 in addition to
this sum. Hudson was married and
had two children. The agreement pro-
vided for Hudson's being further re-
war,led, at the discretion Of the COM
p*ny. If he found the passage which
he was seeking.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Got His Big Ballroom.

Melbourne, Australia, has one I'm.
usual distinction because one of its
ministers of public works wanted a
spacious ballroom, according to a
story told many years ago by George
Bowen, formerly governor Of Victoria.
Bowen related that when the Victoria
government house was built at Mel
bourne the then minister of public
works inquired of the architect what
was the largest regal or vice-resal
ballroom in the British empire. The
architect replied that Buckingham
palace held that distinction.
"Then make ours one-third larger"
said the minister grandly. His orders
were carried out.-Sydney Bulletin.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Old Pals

"Yassum," said Callie, the colOred
cook, 81 been engaged now for goin'
on ten days."
"Who is the bridegroom"
"Wellum, he's a mighty nice man."
slave you known him long?"
eyes, indeedy. Don't you member,
Miz Harrison, dat about two weeks
ago you femme off one day right at
ter dinpeptime SOS could get to the
fun'el of lady friend of mine?"
Eyes, do"
"Wellum, de one I'm fixed to marry
is de corpse's husband"
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Ancient Hebrew Custom

"Pidyon Haben" is Hebrew phrase
meaning the redemption of the first
born" This custom is in fulfillment
of the biblical command which pro-
yides that every first-born male crea.
ture belongs to the religious organiza.
ton through the fact that 1t is the
possession of God and not its par
ents. A first-born male child Is,
therefore, "redeemed" on the thir-
tieth day, according to the biblical
command. The price of redemption
is 20 shekels, based on the price Of
Joseph's redemption.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Ambiguous Sign

While in store with her mother,
q four-year-old girl became attracted
I" a cardboard sign and demanded
t, know its meaning.
1T says, Thank you, call again. ="
b, mother informed her.
When the child returned home she
was telling her brothers and sisters
of all she had seen.
And don't YOU know" she said,
"there was sign that said, Thanks,
boiler again."
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Coinage

When speaking of coin, the side
bearing the head is called the diverse
side, and the other the reverse side.
Alexander the Great Of Macedonia,
conqueror of the Middle East. who
lived from 1855 to 1923 B. c., substi-
tuted his own portrait on the coins of
his dominions for the figure of a
pagan god. Since that time the oh
verse side has been occupied by the
portrait of the ruler Of the country
issuing the coin.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Rice in America

In 1893 ship from Madagascar ac-
cidentally stopped at Charleston, S. c.,
and left at that port a small bag of
rice. From this rice which was plant
ed 1t was learned that rice would
grow successfully in that region. 1t
was not long before rice became the
staple of the colony.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
First Street Railways

ROstOn's first street railway was
opened in 1850. and Philadelphia In.
augurated similar service the follow
ing year. The first street railway in
England was at Birkenhead in 1860.
In the same year a line was laid in
Liverpool. and London's FIRST "trains
dates from 1869. The first street rain.
way in France was from st. Cloud to
Paris and was constructed in 1850
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29

Chat Moss is morass In Lanca-
shire, England, seven miles west OF
Manchester, the largest piece Of bog
land in England. 1t is widely kAown
as the scene of one Of the triumphs
of George Stephenson, inventor of the
steam locomotive. After all engi.
peers had declared 1t impossible, he
built the Manchester and Liverpool
railway across 1t.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Fatal Strain

A visitor being shown through an
English insane asylum noticed one of
the inmates an American who was
jabbering senselessly and covering
his cell with diagrams.
"What a pathetic case,' he re-
marked.
"Yes," replied the superintendent.
HHe tried to explain to some English
man what waffies were.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Wise Learn From, Error.

The man or woman who never
made mistake in their lives" never
lived. Humans will never reach Der.
lection, strive as hard as they may.
Those who come nearest will be men
and women who learn from errors
how to avoid mistakes in the future
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
Food Value of Apples

Apples are rather high in mineral
content and are an alkali-producing
food. The winter diet tends toward
acid production with such foods as
meat. eggs, bread and cereals. Apples
act as balance for these: they are
laxative and have considerable bulk.
They supply about as much anti-scor-
butte vitimine as the average winter
diet really requires.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1927-07-29
BoD to British Mace

The reason why members of the
Tritish house Of commons literally
b"N to the mace is because parliament
o one time assembled In st. Stephens
chapel. London. The members used to
bow to the cross on the altar. Here
also the mace was kept and when mar
lament moved to its own quarters
members still bowed to the mace as
symbolic of the cross.