Faribault County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 19 of those read), 1896

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 19 of those read)

At the beginning of every year we are called upon to note the action of certain public bodies, as the same may relate to our county. And, as tirst in dignity and number of members and the general importance of their action, we may refer to the legislature of the State, which assembled January 4th and adjourned March 3d. The acts passed by this body having any special reference to this county, were the following:

To amend the act of incorporation of Winnebago City. To amend the act in relation to the voting of bonds in aid of railroads. To provide for the election of county superintendent. To authorize the auditor to extend certain taxes on the books. To incorporate the village of Minnesota Lake. To change the boundaries of certain school districts.

The county was represented at this session by J. P. West, of Wells, in the Senate, and in the House by A. R. More, Sr., of Pilot Grove, and Chas. S. Dunbar, of Poster. James B. Wakefield, lieutenant governor, president of the Senate, Geo. W. Buswell, chief clerk of the House, and Chas. A. Rose, assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, were also residents of this county. Faribault county much apprciated the honor of these high positions conferred upon its citizens.

Our attention may next be called to the annual .January term of the district court, which commenced its session on the fourth day of the month. Hon. D. A. Dickinson, judge, presiding. There were four criminal and thirty-seven civil cases on the calendar, many of which were disposed of. The term lasted fifteen days, being the longest term of court which had yet been held in the county. It was the desire of the judge to clear up the calendar as far as possible. It may also be stated that the grand jury sat longer at this term than ever before. At the June term of this court there were four criminal and twenty-five civil cases on the calendar, and the term lasted ten days. As a good many jokes are told by the lawyers, and sometimes even by the judges, during term time, we here append one

The next important local event was the assembling of the Board of County Commissioners, which occurred also on the fourth day of January. Frank W. Temple was elected chairman for the year. They held a session of six days, being as long a sitting as had ever occurred in this county. Much public business was transacted. A part of the duties to be attended to at this meeting of the board, was the appointment of a superintendent of schools, but, after many ballotings, which reached no result, they adjourned the matter over to the March session.

This board met again in March, but no business was done of interest at this time. As to the superintendency, the matter was disposed of by act of legislature, above referred to, which made the office elective at the next general election, and continued the present incumbents in ofBce until that time. Other meetings of the board were held during the year, the action at which is noted elsewhere.

The summary of events of this part of the year may now be completed by the statement that the annual meeting of the Faribault County Agricultural Society was held at Blue Earth City, on Tuesday, the 4th inst., and was called to order by the president, M. B. Pratt. The report of the officers was read and adopted. The following is the treasui'er's report of the receipts and disbursements for the year ending December 31st, 1875.

Receipts Weather

The winter of 1875-76, at least after January 1st, was a remarkably fine one. The weather during January and up to the last day of February, was very pleasant, there being no snow and no storms.

On the twenty- ninth of February a snow storm occurred of severaldays. During March the ground was covered with snow, which went ofE at the close of the month with high waters, and March proved to be the real winter month of the whole winter.

It may appear to be an infringement upon the time of the reader to quote the following item, in relation to weather remarks, but it hits an almost universal and very useless custom:

"To go into statistics, it is estimated that during; the year the averaKO man has said: 'How are yer?' 3,743 times: 'is this hot enough for you?" and 'is this cold enough for you?' each 471 limes; 'pleasan t day,' 10,718 times; 'looks like rain,' 12,325} times; other meteorological remarks, not classified, 786,421,- 107,365,792,001 times."

State Forestry Association

During the winter the State Forestry Association was organized at St. Paul, to encourage the planting of forest trees on the prairies of the State - a most valuable project. The Association appointed the first Tuesday of May as Arborday and recommended that on that day, trees and cuttings should be set out, throughout the whole State. Handsome premiums were offered by the Society to such as should, on that day. set out the most trees or cuttings, or both, and it was determined that the county which could show the greatest number set out, should be known as the banner county.

It is pleasant to record the fact that this county proved and was declared to be the banner county of Ihe State, and that George D. Moore, of Pilot Grove, received the largest premiums awarded to any person in the county. He set 11.210 trees and cuttings. The number of trees and cuttings planted in this county on Arbor-day, was one hundred, ninety-five thousand, two hundred and ninetyeight, and the whole number during the year was 1,803,776.

For some years a bounty had been given by the several counties and also by the State, to such as should set out trees and cuttings and continue for some years, to protect and cultivate them, which greatly encouraged the enterprise, but this Association was designed to be more comprehensive in its influence and encourage this industry in a more systematic manner. Many valuable pamphlets on the subject of forestry were published for gratuituous distribution, by the Society. The objects of the Association must be considered of the most commendable character.

Pew natural objects are of more real use and beauty than trees, whether they be fruit, shade, ornamental, or forest trees. The great forests of hard woods, or of soft woods' such as the several varieties of pine, are of great utility and immense value in many respects, besides that of furnishing lumber.

A country without natural timber, is wanting in one of the most essential requisites of comfortable and profitable occupancy. Such a country is apt to be sterile - a desert, and unproductive, because of drouths, and is swept by terrible storms, and subject to greatextremes of temperature. Vast regions of the old world, which were once timbered and fertile, but have been denuded of their trees, are now almost barren wastes, and their inhabitants have gone back to semi-barbarism.

The existence of large bodies of timber, or even the presence of many trees and detached groves, distributed over the land, have a marked influence on the humidity of the atmosphere and the rainfall, the evenness of the temperature, and the productiveness of the soil. The influence of trees on the climate is very great. The streams of water grow smaller as the timber is cut away. Many European nations now recognizing these facts, have made provisions by law for the protection of their remaining native forests, and in both Europe and America, the subject, not only of protecting their forests, but also that of growing forests, has attracted the public attention.

Minnesota wisely attended to the encouragement of the growth of forest trees at an early day. But the State has done little yet for the protection of our native timber, and its destruction goes on from year to year. Certain detached portions of all forests should

To cut down a tree, of even a centurj-, or two, in age, is something that almost anyone - any fool, can do, but to plant a young tree as it should be planted, and have it grow, requires some sense and skill. It appears to be always easier, to destroy, than create.

In some regions the forest must be felled, of course, to get arable lauds for cultivation, but the wholesale destruction of forest trees, where such a necessity does not exi.«t, is quite another thing. But long before the State paid any attention to these subjects, the people in the prairie districts of the State commenced the planting of trees and gi'oves, of various varieties of indigenous trees, about their homes. This county, which in this respect, is but a sample of many others, is now dotted all over with groves of from two to tenor more acres of rapidly growing forest ti'ees, and while at a little distance from a grove on the prairie.you see no habitation near, nothing but a grove, yet in the heart of that grove you will find, perhaps, a dwelling, well, barns, cribs, cattle yai'ds and other out buildings, all protected by the shade of the trees from the heat of summer, and from the storms of summer and winter.

Our better sentiments and natural impulses and instincts incline us very strongly to the admiration and love of ti'ees and the green, sheltering and homelike groves and wild forests. There is a mysterious tie between them and us, as though mankind and the trees are in some way a kin. There is a sort of companionship between us.

We all have or have had associations with trees, they are our friends. Perhaps we played in childhood's years under their pleasant shade and often in maturer years, we have sought rest and peace, on summer days, under their strong, protecting limbs and thick foliage. But there is still another companionship, for where there are trees, there the birds are apt to visit and congregate. But, no trees, no birds. And trees have a voice of their own. That of the pine differs from that of the oak, and that of the oak from the elm, and that of the elm from others. Listen, reader, when the breezes blow and you will hear those low, soft voices. They are whispering, rustling, sometimes sighing and moaning sounds.

A person residing far out on the treeless prairies, however comfortable a dwelling he may have, feels that he is, somehow, away from home. A dwelling without, at least, a few trees about it, is lacking something to its comfort as a home. And no other proof of this is necessary, than the fact of the pleasure we all enjoy in the shade of our trees in summer. Trees, and especially a well kept grove, makes a locality homelike. And no man is so poor-, that he cannot have a few trees, at least, about his house, either in town or country. It is not remarkable that a lone tree on the prairies, is always a landmark or guide, but it is a little curious to know that people in its vicinity, are very apt, sooner or later, to visit it and look it carefully over, and that without any very definite motive. The groves, so often called natures' temples of the ever living God, and the great forests, how wonderful they are, how attractive, grand, mysterious, the fresh, pleasant odors, the long aisles, the lofty arches, the world of living beings, whose homes are there, the realm of strange sounds, weird music and dreamy solitude.

But we need not go to the great forests. What more beautiful thing is there in nature, than a well grown, thrifty tree, with its strong body, shapely limbs and green, rustling foliage; and the mysterious life that is in it, and, if a fruit tree, its fragrant blossoms, and then its fruit? Look with an eye of intelligence at such a tree, thinli how it grows, its uses, its beauty; what can supply its place, what could man do towards making it, with all his skill. All the science and art of the world cannot make a live tree. Only Almighty God can do that.

Yet some men can see nothing in a tree but the lumber, or firewood that is in it, or the value of the fruit it can bear, and will think all our remarks but sentimental nonsense.

But, reader, when you find a man that admires trees and loves to look at them and work among them, do not say that he is an old crank, or has a soft spot in his head, for that is probably not true, but what is true is this, that you have found one who has intelligence enough to appreciate the useful and beautiful, and that has, at least, one good spot in his heart. Let us always remember Arbor day, and plant a tree.

Three Items

The spring was backward and but little seeding was done until about the nineteenth of April, and corn planting was not begun until the middle of May.

Wheat was very low in the spring, and during May and June money was exceedingly scarce, in fact during spring and summer hard times prevailed, and as indicating the financial situation, it may be stated that but little of the public taxes was paid until .June 1st, and there was greater delay in paying taxes than had been known for years.

A great hailstorm occurred on Saturday, May 20th, and prevailed over a large part of the county. A large amount of hail fell. At Blue Earth City the storm was severe, and the windows on the west side of the houses were badly damaged, but no injury, beyond the breaking of glass, was done. The hailstones were larger than had ever been seen before in this county.

The S. S. Association

The action, progress and success of great moral and religious societies, no more than those of political parties and commercial corporations, can be overlooked in history. They are the conserving, elevating, purifying influences of society, without which, every human interest would hasten to destruction.

Strange as the statement may appear, at first sight, it is true, that the natural tendency, the bent, so to speak, of every individual, community and state, is to retrograde, to revert to the original condition of barbarism and savagery. There is an element of the barbarous still in the heart of the most civilized races.

An individual, a dozen, or twenty men, isolated from civilized society and free from any external, restraining influences, whatever their other conditions and surroundings may be. would soon grow reckless, negligent, indifferent, uncouth and depraved, and in less than twenty years, would reach a condition, but little, if any, better than that of a barbarian.

The most cultured state of to-day. if left free from the educational and restraining influences of the teachings of the church and of other religious and moral societies, and the laws of the land, made in pursuance of justice, and morality, or if the influence of these saving agencies became greatly inactive, would, in less than the period of two generations, revert to the conditions of the savage tribes, which so lately roamed over our hills and valleys.

And it is a sad truth that, even with all the conserving, redeeming and elevating influences that have been at work in the world, the whole earth, since the day when Cain killed his brother Abel, has been a human slaughter house, too terrible to picture. Perpetual wars have deluged the earth in human blood. Even to day, the mightiest energies of great nations are not enlisted for the improvement and the happiness of their people, but to secure the most efficient means of destroying property and human life. What infernal spirit has animated the human race, to make men and nations each others' worst enemy':'

And the so-called "laws of the land," on which so many would depend, who would abolish religious influences, those laws, hovcever wise they might be, would, themselves, be worthless, whatever power should be provided to enforce obedience to them, unless backed by the moral sentiment and the religious conscience of the people, for without these they would be "but ropes of sand." They, whose duty it would be to enforce the laws, would, themselves, become corrupt and inefficient. In fact, wise laws would not exist, to begin with, but because of an awakened sense of justice and religious conscience.

And no government worth living under, can long exist without the constant cultivation of the sense of justice and of moral obligation and duty.

To progress, in the path of civilization, onward and upward, even to retain what the world has already secured, requires great, liositive, aggressive and perpetual effort and the use of not one, but many moral and religious instrumentalities. To go backward, downward, to degenerate, requires no labor.

The work of the churches and other religious and moral societies, even though they may not, at some particular time, or locality, appear to be making much progress, are still, and after all the objections that may be alleged against them, the real conservators today of our civilization, and constantly exercise a mighty influence in behalf of the welfare of humanity. And when these influences are active, progressive and all-pervading, we may look for the happiest conditions of mankind. The contest with the powers of darkness, degradation and destruction, is indeed a mighty one. Among the greatest foes of the human race to day, are intemperance, or in other words, drunkenness, lust, and impurity of thought and conduct, fraud in its hundred garbs, unholy ambitions, lying, the love of money, the worship of wealth, and the studied perversion of truth, even of the Scriptures, to justify evil. And these are some of the ministers jjlenipoteutiary of satan on earth. While in every community there are, happily, some people who labor and give of their time and means to elevate the community, there are also others, whose principles, conduct and work, tend to mislead, demoralize and degrade it. It certainly seems that every one who loves his country and claims to be a free and an honest man and a

We note with pleasure, the sixth annual meeting of the County Sunday School Association, which was held at Wells, on the 30th and 31st days of May. The attendance was quite large, there being delegates present from all parts of the county. The association was in a very prosperous condition, and doing much good work.

Andrew C. Dunn was elected president for the ensuing year, Chas H. Deaborn, secretary, and J. Chestnut, treasurer, and one vice president was chosen from each town in the county. A resolution was adopted instructing the vice presidents to assist in the organization of schools in their respective townships, and to see that proper reports and returns be made, punctually, each year. The reports had always been defective. The session was a remarkably lively and profitable one.

Paragraphic Pencilings

March 1st. - A bill passed by congress recommends all counties and towns in the United States to have historical sketches written, for July 4th, of this year, and file a copy with the county clerks, and one with the librarian of congress. This was an excellent suggestion, but was not, generally, acted upon. Had it been, much valuable local history would have been saved to the world.

June 25th. - The Custer Massacre occurred, in which Gen. Custer, one of the bravest of the brave, and his whole command of three hundred, were killed by the Indians. Not one person escaped to tell the story.

October 17th. - President Grant issued a proclamation commanding certain rifle companies, in South Carolina, to disband in three days. They disbanded.

The Centennial Fourth Of July

The Fourth of July is the great secular holiday of our people, as it is of the whole nation, and in our local, social life, is a day of great importance. And it is because of this fact the annual celebrations of the day have been noted through the course of this history. The day was appropriately commemorated, this year, at Blue Earth City. S. J. Abbott, of Winnebago City, read the Declaration, and S. W. Graham, of Blue Earth City, delivered the oration. The day was also celebrated at Delavan, where a large company had assembled, to do honor to the occasion. Here Andrew Carson read the Declaration, and D. F. Goodrich, of Blue Earth City, was the orator. At these two places were the only formal celebrations in the county.

This being the one hundredth, or the Centennial celebration of American independence, the day was commemorated much more generally throughout the United States than usual, and in many places with extraordinary display. To appropriately signalize the great event, preparations had been made during several preceding years, for a World's Exposition, at Philadelphia, Penn., which opened on the tenth day of May, and closed on the tenth of November, and on the fourth of July there was had, in that city, the most costly and magnificent celebration ever seen in America. The Centennial Exposition was gotten up on the most extensive scale, and far surpassed all the world's fairs which had yet been held. It was in truth an exhibition of the natural and manufactured productions, the industries, the works of art of all nations, and there was gathered there people from all parts of the globe.

The history of the exposition reads like a splendid romance, and it was in all respects, a fitting, a most magnificent celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the nation's birth.

Should you ask, what meant the midnight clamor and the sun- , rise salute of thundering cannon and ringing bells, and all the display and demonstration to-day? The answer is, that this is the Fourth of July - the anniversary of the birthday of the nation - an event which is not a hazy myth, but a fact, and that the people all over this great nation, celebrate this, the most memorable event, of a political character, in its influences upon the destinies of mankind, that can be found in the records of this world's history. Yea, verily, it looms up like a mountain, above all others.

And we should have clear ideas of the nature, the character of this sublime event, for it was the occasion of a vast stride in human progress made across the line which divides the ages of political and religious darkness, superstition, bigotry, despotism - the alleged divine and hereditary rights of rules and the slavery of the masses from the age of national freedom, freedom of opinion, of the press, of speech, of conscience, of education, of personal action, the age of the acknowledged equality of men in the eye of the law, in short, the age of civil and religious liberty and self government. For, it must be said, that the fourth day of July, 1776, was not only the birthday of a gi-eat nation, which then stepped forth on the world's great stage, to demand recognition, but it was also the occasion of the declaration of certain political principles, which form a new departure in governmental science, and which constitute, as all true Americans believe, the only true basis upon which to establish civil government - principles which through all the long, dreary ages of despotism, men never dared to proclaim before, and which shall forever hereafter inure to the blessing of our people, and after a while, to that of all mankind.

Read that declaration made on the fourth day of July, 1776, thoughtfully, and then tell us, student of history, at what other time and by what other body of men, or nation, or on what pages of the writers on political science, were the great truths announced, or more than vaguely suggested to the world, that are contained in that papery - The truth that all men are created equal, politically - that by their Creator they are endowed with certain inalienable rights, among which are, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - that to secure these rights, governments are established - that government derives its just powers from the consent of the governed - that when any government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the governed to alter or abolish it, and institute such government as will secure these rights, and the safety and happiness of the governed. No such declaration was ever made before. Never before did men dare to make it. For ages men had been struggling with an uncertain and ever failing eifort to give some expression to their longing for civil and religious liberty and secure the just recognition of their rights, and here at last, in this new world and in this declaration, made on that day, were these new principles formulated and proclaimed to the world.

But those other princii^les of civil government which are obnoxious to reason and to natural justice, and which have cursed the earth for ages, the Shibboleths of which are, the divine right of kings, of hereditary rulei's - of the unequal division of men into classes as to rights and privileges, some of whom, the very few, are to govern, and the others to serve and suffer - of jiractically unrestrained power on the one hand and implicit obedience and submission on the other - the system of perpetual serveillance and espionage on the part of the government and citizen, slavery and political degradation - the government everything, the people nothing - these, through all the past centuries have been the dogmas of civil government.

And it is fortunate, beyond estimate, that the American revolution produced a change in these, among the most important of all the affairs and interests of man. As a result of that great event, light broke in upon and hope dawned for the downtrodden and oppressed millions of the earth, for those new and better principles of civil government, announced in the declaration and maintained by the revolution, recognizes man, as a being of certain rights and of equal political rights, in the eye of the law - that government is of right made by the people and for the people - not the people for the government. Here is the grand idea of law regulated liberty and citizen sovereignty, and in these few words is contained the whole philosophy of the science of civil government. And these great principles are not for us alone, for therein is that great thought and from thence is evoked that great force, which shall yet overcome all others and lead all nations at last to freedom.

Victor Hugo says, of the great contest on the field of Waterloo, upon the result of which hung the destinies of Europe, that "it was not a battle merely, it was more, it was the change of front of the universe." So we say of the American revolution, with much more propriety, it was not a mere war - a mere revolution, it was more, it was the change of front of the universe, for in maintaining the truths of the declaration, it inaugurated an entirely new system of civil government.

And these better principles are becoming recognized everywhere, notwithstanding the strong bulwarks despotism has been everywhere raising against them. It is indeed but a narrow view that limits the beneficent influence of the great truths of the declaration and the results of the war of independence, to our own time and country. From the very day of the declaration, its great announcements have helped to ameliorate the political condition of men in all lands - they have given hope to the oppressed in all countries - the shackles of the old iron-bound despotic systems of government are loosening, arbitrary power has heard the knell of doom, and the world now is moving forward, though slowly, yet, to tlie goal of political regeneration. Yes, the truths of that declaration will go forth to "all the world, have already gone forth, and will nerve the arm in the battle for liberty and right through all time to come, and while the thrones of tyrants and their kingdoms are crumbling to dust, they will live, the guiding light of mankind, in their struggles from wrong and despotism, to right and freedom.

And now on this fourth of July, 1876, the first century of our national life has rolled away, and we stand to-day at the beginning of our second century, and the question is appropriate at this time, what haiS been the outgrowth and development of the great principles of the Declaration and the fruits of the Revolution, as manifested in the history of the nation, born one hundred years ago to-day? To answer this question it is not necessary to trace the history of the nation from the day of the Declaration to the present time. We need not recount the long years of suffering, the immensity of blood and treasure it cost to sustain the Declaration, nor need we speak of the constant success of the nation in war and the military glory and renown which render our annals glorious, for our greatest and best achievements, have been in the arts of peace. Let us summarize briefly - unlike any other nation, this republic came into existence an enlightened. Christian people; no long line of barbarous ancestry.

no ages of growth and development, shrouded in the gloom of heathenish despotism, superstition and blood. But at the moment the United Colonies were declared free and independent, they were behind none of the nations in the arts and blessings of civilization. The fathers and founders of the republic were a body of men, than whom, for great experience in the waysof life, in intellectual culture and sterling virtues, no superiors have ever appeared. This people, who at the time of the Declaration, consisted of thirteen small colon ies and three millions of souls, without commerce, without a name or a place among the nations of the earth, has grown to be a mighty nation, indeed. Thirty-eight great free states, eight or ten organized territories, and nearly fifty millions of population. We have taken the place now of a tirst-class power of the earth. Our empire is almost a continent. We have a country possessing every variety of soil, every character of climate and all kinds of productions. We have thousands of miles of sea coast, great harbors, the longest rivers, railroads and canals in the world. Our commerce spreads its sails on every sea We have brought our manufactures to compete with the world, and we carry our goods and inventions and machinery to every country on the globe. Our people are industrious, intelligent, brave, progressive, and in their personal demeanor they are also frank, courteous, dignified and self-contained, orderly, yet fearless in any presence where they have the right to be. But this is not all. The extent of territory and the vastness of the population of a nation and its progress in material things, is not all that is wanted to make the nation great. We have something more to boast of. In the higher blessings, those of free government, the universal diffusion of knowledge, progress in the arts and sciences and literature, which find their best encouragement and development here, the freedom of conscience, of opinion, of speech, of the press, and of personal action, we have no equal among the nations of the earth, and here withal, and as important as any of our blessings, labor is free and honored, and the ways of promotion are open to all alike, and the culmination of all these blessings is summed up in the announce ment, which we make to all the world, that we live to day in the light of the fullest, freest and most progressive and best civilization of all the ages.

The answer may be that we have passed safely' through all the chances and changes of a hundred years of experiment. We have, too, been tried in the fires of rebellion, we have withstood the flood of opposition and unfavorable criticism and braved the fury of political cyclones, such as have wrecked many of the nations of the past. Yet we still live, and are stronger to-day than ever before.

We may, too, rise to a hig:her view of this subject, and claim that by the decrees of the councils of heaven, there has been given to this nation a position, a work, a mission, the grandest that has ever been accorded to any nation of the earth, if we but remember that it is righteousness that exalts a nation^that of being the instrument of high heaven, in the final political redemption and regeneration of the nations of the earth, in these, the last centuries of the world's history.

Such was the great event of the day - the fourth of July, 1776 - the anniversary of which we annually observe, and the outgrowth and results in the life of the nation, of the great principles of civil government proclaimed on that day. And it is not only the native born American who does honor to the day, for there assembles on these occasions the people of many nationalities, who have made this land their adopted home. The Scotchman, the Englishman, the Irishman, the Frenchman, the Scandinavian, the German, yea, representatives of the people of almost every land under the sun.

Millions from all lands have come to America, and we bid them welcome. Let other millions of the intelligent, industrious, lawabiding and liberty-loving come. America wants them all.

And herein lies one of the best assurances of the continued strength, prosperity and perpetuity of American institutions - in the infusion of the best blood of Europe, in American veins. In the union, assimilation and Americanization of the best brain and brawn of all nations making a wise, strong, free people, who shall never know mental or physical degeneracy. A people, who are at work, concentrating here, developing and making homogeneous, what is best in all the forms, phases, experiences, of the old world civilizations, in combination with the newer and better principles of government here. To these we can but say, ye are countrymen now, ever most welcome, in the scenes and festivities of this great anniversary.

Well, indeed, may we celebrate this day with music, festivities and rejoicing, in the grove and in the temple, on the land and on the sea. And the voices of the long past come to us and admonish us not to forget it. Do you hear them? Hark! Floating on the mists of the long gone years there comes to us, the tones of a far off bell. Listen! It is the bell on old Independence Hall, pn the Fourth of July, 1776, proclaiming liberty to all the land and all the inhabitants thereof. Then ring, ring the bells on this day, over all the nation, long and loud. Fire your cannons from every hill top, they are but the echoes of the storm and thunder of battles, in which, long years ago, our forefathers shed 'there blood like water, that they and we might be free, and have a home and country. Yes, unfurl on this day the brave old flag - wreathe it about your doorposts, let it wave from every housetop, let it head every procession, for in hundreds of battles, on land and sea, the soldiers of the Republic have followed it to victory.

And we shall not forget it. So long as our people celebrate this day in spirit and in truth, so long our people shall be free, and he wears the visage of a traitor to his country and mankind, or wags the tongue of an idiot, who seeks to belittle the day, or maliciously ridicules its commemoration. As every passing year brings round the day, let it be remembered. It is the patriots' day, the children's day, observe it somehow, in the picnic, the excursion, the quiet walk in the fields, even«n the retreat to the shady grove. Had it no other significance, it is the peoples great secular holiday, when neighbors and friends from far and near meet for a good time - for recreation - to renew old friendships, to make new ones, and to cultivate sociability. But best of all is the old fashioned Fourth of July celebration. Let the procession be formed and the marshals ride to and fro, let the bands crash and the drums beat. Let the old Declaration be read, that the young be instructed in its truths, and the old forget them not. Let the orator raise his voice and soar aloft, if he chooses, on the wings of the eagle, full of glorification over the past and proud prophecies of "the future. What if his rhetoric is a little florid and his eloquence turgid. Who has a better right to boast than we'? And the old songs must be sung, "Yankeedoodle," "Hail Columbia Happy Land." and the "Star Spangled Banner." And let us have the skyrockets and the fire crackers, the lemonade and the ice cream and peanuts. Ring the bells, fire the guns, wave the flags! What matters the noise and bustle, the heat and dust on such a day as this. This is the age of steam and electricity, of iron, of great projects, of giant powder and grand achievements, and these loud demonstrations express the genius of the nation and the spirit of the age. Under all these noisey manifestations lies the broad, deep meaning - the rejoicing of the freest, most generous and most progressive people on earth, in the deeds of their forefathers and their own success, in popular government.

Let us turn from the past to the future. The first century of our national existence is now complete. Whatever the century was, the record is made up, and must remain forever, and, while there are a few, a very few. shadows resting upon the fair pages, yet, as we have seen, no other nation of the past, or present, can boast of such a century of existence. What of the future? We now enter upon the second century of our national life, and the only assurance of the future lies in avoiding the rocks on which other nations have split and gone down. A word will be pardoned here, as to the future of our beloved country, and we may speak not simply as a moralist, but as a citizen. As we read the history of the nations that have arisen and reigned and fell; as we scan the conditions of nations existing today, we learn first of all the two great causes of human misery, and n?^i\oxiaXva.\sfovi\\ne - ignorance and roickedness. This is the plain truth of all history, all observation. Remembering the thought and some of the language of one long since dead, we may bid you, if an inquirer for the proof of this assertion. - Commence your travel at the beginning of the highway of the ages, ascend to the summit of the last mountain that looms above the deluge, and looking down upon the lost nations of a drowned world, inquire the cause of the universal desolation, and the voice of the mighty waters will answer-ignorance and wickedness. Descend the stream of time, through all the generations that have lived and died, and as you pass the wrecks of a thousand empires, with the relics of their altars and dead gods around them, ask the cause of their ruin, and their mournful requiem answers - ignorance and wickedness.

Look over the earth. Why are prostrate millions worshiping stars and wood and worms? Why are despots crushing out the hearts of weeping millions? Why is war devouring whole kingdoms at a meal, and illumining the world with lakes of blood, and cities on fire? Why does intemperance fill the world with widows and orphans, and stock the land with drunkards graves? Why do falsehood and fraud and theft and murder pour their poison streams throughout the earth? Because of ignorance and wickedness.

It was long ago said that the safety of Republics rests in the intelligence and virtue of the j)eople, not, certainly, in their ignorance and wickedness. Herein there lies the best assurance of the future. Let us learn, and learn well, what we can of true knowledge ourselves, and especially let us educate our children. If we can give them no other inheritance, let us give them the best of all endowments - a liberal education, that education which unchains the faculties, liberates, informs and strengthens the mind.

To this end let us ever guard well and constantly improve our free schools and public systems of education, and encourage the higher institutions of learning. And we must permit no sophistries, no craft, or threats to beguile us. We must cherish them as the apple of the eye. We must, too maintain a free press, and never allow any censorship to clog its utterance of truth. But this is not all, intellectual culture will not suffice. Intellectual power and immorality are worse than ignorance and wickedness. We must have also, moral training, and this is the chiefest interest. We must lay broad and deep the principles of morality and religion. Let us impress it indelibly upon the minds of the young, and by our personal example enforce the truth, that there is no safety, no assurance of individual happiness, or of national stability and true glory, but in the maintenance of the laws of right, the practice of justice and the acknowledgment and recognition of God and His lawg. A full and complete intellectual development, combined with sound moral principles and practices, constitutes the only true education. It is this that makes the man - the man that is made in the image of God - great, true, strong, of high and honorable mind, of noble impulses and generous heart, "the considerate husband, the indulgent, judicious parent, the true friend, the wise counsellor" and the lover and protector of his country, and the pure, patient, wise, tender, loving woman, fit to be the mother of freemen and the instructor of American youth.

Ever acknowledging God, in whose hands are the destinies of all people, and that it is righteousness that exalts a nation, let us cherish a deep and abiding love for our country, glorious in its history and achievements, grander still in the destinies that await it. Let the children of the Republic be taught, that next to God and home and honor, and as inseparably entwined with them, to love their country, its laws and institutions, then in the days of its peril its defenders will be many and invincible, and we shall transmit our political blessings to the latest posterity, as we received them from our fathers, the noblest inheritance of man. And now with these assurances, what a destiny awaits thee. Oh! beloved land? We look through the veils that hide the future to the close of this second

Behold here! an empire embracing a continent - more than two hundred millions of people, free, united, brave, generous and just, masters of all arts, learned in all sciences, practiced in all virtues - the arbiters of the world's destinies - the chosen people of God.

"Columbia! Columbia! to glory arise, The queen of the work), the child of the skies. Thy genius commands thee, with rapture heboid. As ages on ages thy glories unfold."

The harvest weather was very favorable and the crops were secured in good husbandlike manner. All the crops were fairly abundant, except that of wheat, which was hardly a two thirds yield. Throughout the State, the crop of wheat was called a failure. There were three causes which led to the reduced aggregate production in the State, all three of which had their influences in this county - heat, drouth and the locusts. These causes also effected other crops to a considerable extent.

The summer was very warm and in some localities quite dry. More people, especially in the cities, lost their lives by sun-stroke, than had ever before been known in a summer, and many children, in the large cities, died of the great heat. Haying, after harvest, was much interfered with by the rains, and much poor hay was put up.

All kinds of tame and wild fruits were, as in the preceding year, very abundant. There were probably more apples raised in the county this year than ever before. Thus it is that while conditions are favorable on one hand, they are deleterious on the other, and the general equilibrium of years is kept up. But what was there to make up for locust depredations?

The Scourge

On the eighteenth day of August, that terrible scourge, the grasshoppers visited this county again, lighting down in myriads. ' They came on a northwest wind, and spread over a large part of the county. They had already, immediately before reaching us, this year, invaded the whole west half of the State, and laid their eggs. They did but little damage to crops in this county during this year, but their presence here, the fact that they had laid their eggs here, and the doleful prospects for the next year, seriously affected business of all kinds, and much discouraged the people.

In consequence of the presence of the grasshoppers and the vast deposit of eggs and the general wish of the people that some public action should be taken to protect the country, if possible, from their ravages, a number of public meetings were held in various localities. During the early part of September, a grasshopper convention (not a convention of grasshoppers for they had already met), assembled in the town of Verona, to consider the situation. Resolutions were adopted in relation to the best methods of fighting the "hoppers," and an organization aifected. The farmers, also, of the towns of Lura, Barber, Walnut Lake and Minnesota Lake, met at Easton, and formed a grasshopper club, and adopted certain resolutions, not exactly against the grasshoppers, but as to the most feasible methods of destroying them.

this subject. They offered a reward of fifty dollars for the arrest and conviction of any one who should fire the prairies, in violation of the statute laws. They also appropriated the sum of three hundred dollars to defray the expense of making fire-breaks around the county, on or near, the county lines, in order to prevent prairie fires in the adjoining territory, from running into the county. The manner of making these firebreaks was that of plowing, or mowing, two strips of land, not less than six rods apart and burning the grass between. They also recommended that no fires be set out in the county, and that all the straw and waste hay be saved to be strewn on grounds wiiere the locusts had deposited their eggs. Now what had all this to do with the grasshoppers V Well this, it was the design that after the pests had hatched out in the spring and were young and still unable to fly, to burn over the prairies and other lands where the pests should appear, and thus destroy them.

The Northfield Tragedy

In the early part of September, great excitement existed throughout the State, in consequence of an attempt made by certain outlaws - the Younger brothers and others - to rob the bank in that place. Pew crimes, probably, ever created more excitement than this, and there are but few instances of greater bravery known than that exhibited by the small company of men who secured the outlaws. A number of the citizens of this county went in pursuit of the robbers on the grand hunt, and for several nights guards were stationed at the bridges on the main stream of the Blue Earth river, and several other places, in the county, to intercept the fleeing murderers should they pass this way.

Now Take Your Choice Of Tickets

Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, for President, and William A. Wheeler, of New York, for Vice President, were the Republican candidates, and Samuel J. Tilden, of New Ycrk and Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana, were the Democi-atic candidates for President and Vice President.

A congressman for this district was also to be elected, and Mark H. Dunnell, of Steel county was nominated by the Rejjublicans, and E. C. Stacy, of Freeborn county, by the Democrats.

Let us now turn to our county politics. The Republican County- Convention was held at Blue Earth City, on the thirtieth day of September. Geo. W. Plumley, of Wells, was chosen chairman, and B. G. Reynolds, of Winnebago City, secretary. The following nominations were made:

The Democratic County Convention was held at Blue Earth City. October 7lh, but adjourned sine die, without making any nominations, but on the fourteenth of the same month a People's Convention was held at Blue Earth City, for the purpose of placing candidates in the field. D. P. Wasgatt. of Winnebago City, was elected chairman, and H. E. Mayhew, of Delavan, secretary,- of this meeting, whereupon tlie following nominations were made:

This presidential campaign and election was a peculiar and exasperating one, in many respects, and owing to the close, in fact, uncertain electoral vote, the excitement and bitterness was continued into the next year, when the question as to who was elected, was finally determined in a novel manner.

In the local campaign, the canvassing of the county was quite lively, and public meetings were held in almost all the towns, by the republican legislative candidates.

Well Said

"An excellent as well as witty reproof, which might be applicable to some politician.s even in these enlightened days, is accredited to the celebrated Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

"When his son, Thomas Sheridan, was a candidate for an ortice of a Cornish borough, he told his father that if he secured the otBce he had a mind to place a label on his forehead with the words 'To Let' printed on it, and side with the party which made the test offer.

Agriculture And Finances

The annual fair of the agricultural society was held at Blue Earth City on the 12th and 13th days of October. For various reasons it proved almost a failure. The crops were short, money scarce, the outlook for the coming year, gloomy.

The fair of the Blue Earth Valley Blooded Stock Association, held at Winnebago City on the 18th. lyth and 20th of the same month, was also a failure, for the reasons given above, and the additional one of bad weather.

Toward the close of the year, the financial condition of the people began to improve, somewhat, in this county. There was not so much borrowing of money and mortgaging, as formerly, and farmers began to turn their attention, more, to stock raising.

The sales of cattle and hogs began to yield considerable returns, and wheat, late in the year. brought a dollar per bushel, and was still higher after New Years.

A Fox Hunt

On Saturday, November 11th, the first English fox hunt which probably had ever occurred in this State, took place in Martin county, adjoining this on the west, and attracted much attention. A number of the citizens of this county attended and took part in the hunt. It proved quite a success, and afforded a great deal of sport.

Faiubaclt Coi'Nty, Minnesota

It was inaugurated by the English residents of that county who desired to see and enjoy one of the great recreations of "Merrie Old England," in this new land.

A New Book

In December of this year a small book appeared, bearing the title "Politicians and other poems/' by H. W. H., of which the Pioneer Press says :

"These iaitals in the title stand for Hon. Henry W. Holley, of Winnebago City, in this State, who is better l<nown to the public as an editor, legislator, civil engineer and railroad superintendent, than as a poet, though his productions have frequently appeared in the local press of the State, and have found many admirers. 'Politicians and other Poems,' is an elegant voluran of 126 pages, dedicated 'to Hon. William Windom, United States (Senator from Minnesota, v?hose public life stands in marked contrast to all that is satarized in these pages.' The title poem is now printed for the first time, and we are sure that all who know the author will be impatient to read this splendid satire on the political tricksters of the day. It is full of vivacity, wit, humor and sarcasm, and yet not palpably personal - that is, not intended to strike a blow at any particular individual. The minor poems, seventeen in number, are equally meritorious, and the volume as a whole, will not only enhance the author's reputation at home, but should give him rank among the poets of the nation, not below that enjoyed by Saxe, whose style is not dissimilar to Mr. Holley's.

He was the author also of another small volume of poems, entitled "Moods and Emotions,'' published in 1855, and also a small pamphlet entitled "Wliat 1 Think" - .1 Satire, published is 1859.

Henry Whitcomb Holley, was born at Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson county. New York on the fifth of May, 1828. He received his education at Union Academy, Belleville, in his native county and at Norwich University, Vermont, a college for engineers, from which latter institution he graduated in 1849. He spent seven years as a civil engineer on railroads, soon after his graduation. He was married to Miss Eliza J. Christie, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, November 5th, 1855. They have had six children, all of whom are living, but one.

In 1856 Mr. Holley settled in Minnesota, locating at Chatfield, Fillmore county. For several years he edited the Chatfield ''Republican," quite an influential paper in the politics of the State at the time.

He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1857, and represented the ninth district, in the senate in the second, and the fourteenth district in the third legislature of the State. In 1861 he was appointed receiver at the United States Land Office, and came to this county, locating at Winnebago City, the seat of the land office, where he has ever since resided. He held this office eight years. He was one of the incorporators of the Southern Minnesota Railroad

Company, and in 18(55 became the chief engineer of the road. He was connected with the road until 1874. being, during the last four years, general manager and superintendent.

He became a republican at the formation of the party and still adheres to it. For a time since his residence in this county, he was the editor of the ''Free Homestead." published at Winnebago City.

He is- one of the largest farmers in the county, and one of the most successful. Though taking a great interest in politics in early life, he has of late years paid but little attention to the subject, except to keep well informed as to the political events of the time, and to vote.

For manyyears Mr. Holley has devoted much of his spare time to literary pursuits. We have taken the liberty, during the course of this history, to quote frequently from his writings, and always with advantage to our work.