The Sauk Centre herald., 1929-12-12
SENIOR HIGH
Lecture on Minnesota Histol

son, jess SlOuSn.
SENIOR HIGH
Lecture on Minnesota History
Mr.. Odland, a noted Minnesota
historian, favored the Senior as
;sembly last Tuesday with an inter-
esting account of the early history
of Minnesota. He started out by
naming a few of the early French
explorers such as Radison, Father
Hennepin, and Marquette. The fas-
cinating life of the French "Cour de
Bois" and Indians was also briefly
outlined. Fort Smelling, post in
.stituted by the United States gov
'ernment to show the simple fur
trader that Britain was no longer
their country, was the first really
white settlement. It was named
after Colonel Smelling, the head of
the post. The little settlement was
of all frontier forts,
and even had Sunday School class
conducted by Mrs. Smelling.
About this time Joseph R. Brown,
a truant boy from the east, came to
Fort Smelling as it's first drummer
boy. This lad was destined to play
a great part in the history of Min
nesota. He finally left the fort and
joined in the universal occupation
of fur-trading during which time
he married a beautiful Indian prin-
cess. This served as great hand
leap in his political life because the
people disliked having man with
an Indian wife as leader. Though
he never became governor, he did
fill some important offices and was
one of the greatest men of that
day in Minnesota. He also was a
pioneer, in two of Minnesota's great
industries, numbering and farming.
Sibley was the next man Mr.. Od-
land pictured to us. He was man
of stately physique, and high stand
ards; was at the head of the reg
iments at Fort Smelling to put down
Indian Instructions. Gradually he
became a very important man in
the affairs of the territory which
was left when Wisconsin and Iowa
became states. It was he that car
ried the request to Congress to
have Minnesota territory, but we
owe Joseph r. Brown for the name
of our state. Minnesota, the In
dian name Tor smoky waters, was
given this territory in honor of the
Minnesota River.
Sibley built the first store dwell
ing in our state about this time in
the village of Mendoza. At present
the "Sibley House" is preserved
as a museum by the Daughters Of
the American Revolution. At this
house Sibley entertained such dis
tinguished guests as Stephen A.
Douglas. Fremont, and Gov. Ram
say. {"
Mr.. sOdlund gave an interesting
account Of Mr.. Ramsey, Minneso-
ta's great governor. Ramsey, a
Pennsylvania Dutchman came to
Minnesota as it's first territorial
governor. Due to the poor condi-
ton of dwellings in st. Paul, the
Ramseys staid as the guests of the
Sibleys until suitable quarters could
be erected. Ramsay served well in
office and was nominated by the
Republican party for governor
again. Sibley ran on the Democrat
ic ticket. After lot of confusion.
and disputes as to political corrup-
ton, Ramsay received the COVER
norship. It was then that he sent
the first offer of troops that Lin
coin had for the Civil War. 1t was
wonderful thing in that day of
slow travel that a remote territory
should be the first to answer the
call and Lincoln never forgot it.
The soldiers who were sent COM
posed the famous First Minnesota
Regiment, whose valor at Gettys
burg and ther battlefields is known
to all of us.
Mr.. Odland, who has distinguish
ed himself in the fields of journal
ism, politics, public speaking and
teaching, is on a lecture tour in
Minnesota for the purpose of bet
ter acquainting the people with the
history of their own state. He is
sent out by the General Extension
Division of the University of Min
nesota and we can assure anyone
who has chance to hear him, that
twill be well worth their time.
GirPs Basket Ball is Progressing
There have, been only few prac-
tices of the, girl scouts, but al
ready Miss Bright announces that
she is sure of much good material.
The girl Scouts are having suits
of Maroon made, and hope to wear
them for the first time Friday.
According to Mr.. Nicholson. the
Senior High girls team also has a
lot of splendid material. They
hope to have many stiff games to-
gether sometime soon.
Basket Ball Ticket Sale
Season tickets for the basketball
games are out and Mr.. Nicholson
has chosen nine high school stu
dents to sell them. Elsie Henry,