Faribault County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 20 of those read), 1896

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 20 of those read)

The first leading event of this year, and one which called together a large number of the people, was the winter term of the district court. It was appropriate enough that the year should begin with the work of our highest local judicial tribunal, in the application of the principles of justice, to the settlement of the disputes and difficulties of the people. The court began its session January 2d - Hon. D. A. Dickinson, presiding. There was but one criminal case on the calendar. The civil cases numbered thirty-three. The term lasted but three days. There were no cases of special public interest. It may as well be added here, that the June term of the court commenced its session on the fifth day of the month - Hon. D. A. Dickinson, presiding, and the term lasted six days. The civil calendar noted thirty-five cases, the criminal calendar not one, and no grand jury was called to sit on the grand inquest, at this term, a very unusual circumstance. The absence, too, of criminal business, was an encouraging sign of the times. But it was not so everywhere.

In many localities great destitution and suffering existed, and strikes, riots, mobs, bloodshed, and the perpetration of many crimes prevailed to a large extent.

During this year the commissioners held seven meetings. They assembled January 2d, March 6th, March 15th, April 23d, July 16th, October 2d, and November 8th. At the January meeting, the board organized by electing P. W. Temple, chairman for the year. There was no business transacted during the year, out of the ordinary course, except the action taken at the April meeting, which is noted hereafter. It may be named, however, that a large amount of money was again appropriated, during the year, for the building of bridges.

The Lawgivers

The nineteenth state legislature assembled at St. Paul, January 2d, and adjourned March 2d. This county was well represented in that august body, at this session.

James B. Wakefield, Lieut. Governor, presided over the deliberations of the Senate, and in the House we had Geo. W. Buswell, as Chief Clerk. Charles A. Kose was Serfjeant-atarms of the Senate, and James M. Robertson, a Senate Messenger, while Thos. H. Webb held the position of Restaurantuer in the rotunda of the Capitol. Our county could not well complain of not being "recognized" at this session.

The people of this county, especially the older and more permanent residents, have, from the first, manifested a strong attachment for, and loyalty to the county, audits fair fame, and have taken a well grounded pride in its character, standing and progress. Its people have never deemed it necessary to take a back seat, anywhere, further than a due regard for the proprieties seemed to require. And this is in some degree warranted by the facts that our county has, in a number of instances, proved to be the banner county of the State - our rapid progress in population, productions and wealth - the number of our citizens who have held high official positions in the State, and in the governing bodies of great social and fraternal organizations, and in the sessions of our State legislature. And here the words of the poet Halleck are not far from appropriate.

"They love their land because it is their own, And scorn to give aught other reason why; Would shake hands with a King upon his throne, And think it kindness to his majesty: A stubborn race, fearing and flattering none, Such are they nurtured, and such they live and die."

The Farmers And Stockmen

The Agricultural Society held its regular annual meeting January 2d. The officers elected for the year were L. W. Brown, of Prescott. president; Wm. M. Scott, secretary, and D. B. Thurston, treasurer, and this was the only business of importance transacted. In this connection, the fact may now be noted, that the Second An- nual Fair of the Blooded Stock Association, was appointed to be held at Winnebago City, on the 20th, 21st and 22d days of September and a tine premium list was published. The exhibition of stock at the fair was very good, and the fair was a moderate success. The annual fair of the agricultural society, was held at Blue Earth City, on the 11th, 12th and 13th days of October. But owing to the late date in the year of holding this fair, and because of some other matters, the fair, of this year, was not a great success, though far from a failure.

The Weather

During the latter half of January and through the greater portion of February, the weather was very fine. The following item is clipped from the Post of February 24th.

"For thirty days past we have enjoyed delightful weather. The sun has shone every day. The thermometer has ranged up among the sixties and seventies, and only nights has it been cold enough to freeze. Such a long spell of delightful weather has never been witnessed at this season of the year, as at the present. The roads have been dry and dusty, and the wheeling excellent. Farmers are getting ready to sow grain; some have already done so. The frost is out of the ground for a depth of six inclies. Laboring men traverse the streets in their shirt sleeves in search of linen pants, and 'kerchiefs' to wipe the prespiration from their 'noble brows.' Beautiful ladies,, elegantly attired in summer costume, having thrown aside their furs, promenade the walks, and their bewitching smiles tell us that we 'don't got some more winter for a little vile.' Oh, ye eastern croackers who think that Minnesota can't grow 'cawn,' and are wallowing through forty-four feet of snow, come up here where you can take off your winter clothes and cool yourselves in the summer sun."

"We have heard of several farmers who put in wheat last week, in this vicinity. In our exchanges, also, we see similar notices to this. We believe this is the earliest wheat sowing in the history of the State, though, on one or two previous occasions, it has been put in during the latter part of February."'

Who Is President And Why

Intense excitement and anxiety existed during January, February and a part of March, throughout the whole country, in reference to the result of the presidential election. The whole matter was now in congress, and owing to the condition of the electoral vote, it was found to be impossible to settle the matter, as to which of the candidates had been elected, president and vice president, by the ordinary method, and hence, after much contention, and the making of many grave threats, congress, by agreement, established what was known as the electoral commission, consisting of five judges of the supreme court of the United States, five senators and five representatives, to whom all contested points were submitted. Their decision was to be final. The commission reported on all disputed questions, and the result was that Hayes and Wheeler had a majority of the electoral vote.s, and were accordingly declared elected president and vice president. Politically, this commission stood seven democrats to eight republicans. The report gave the disputed states to the republicans by eight votes for, to seven against. This event was a dangerous crisis in the history of the nation, and came near resulting in troublous times.

And indeed the outlook for the new president was ominous, and if there ever was a time when the following beautiful prayer for the president, uttered occasionally by millions of our citizens, was especially appropriate, this was the occasion.

"O God of might, wisdom and justice! through whom authority is rightly administered, laws enacted and judgment decreed, assist our president, we beseech Thee, with Thy holy spirit of counsel and fortitude, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides, hy encouraging due respect for virtue and religion, by a faithful execution of the laws of justice andMuercy, and by restraining vice and immorality. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

The (razetfe ceased to be published with the issue of March 22d, or about that time, but on the 19th of April thei-e arose from the ashes of the Gazette, The Wcllx Advocate, a seven column paper - foreign internals, domestic externals.

The Work Of The Sowers

With the exception of the small percentage of seeding done in P'ebruary. sowing generally commenced in this county, about the ninth day of April - the higher grounds, being in excellent condition and the work was done up rapidly and well. Yet the fear of grasshopper depredations was distressing. There appeared to be nothing left, but to take the risk. In view of this danger, however, the farmers ordered a large quantity of field peas for seed, a plant but little molested by grasshoppers. There were about one thousand bushels of peas brought into the county, for this purpose. Another plant known by the name of Pampas, and said to be. in the current language of the time, "hopper proof," was planted, to some extent.

A brief item here as to prices, may not be uninteresting. Wheat at the railroad markets brought, in April !?1.1j to fl.25. oats 30 cents, corn 50 cents, potatoes 50 cents, beans it'1.00. peas !?2.00 per bushel and ttour ii>3.50 per hundred.

The Last Of The Locusts

The vast deposit of grasshopper eggs throughout a large portion of the State, the preceding year, was a matter of such grave public importance, that the legislature of this year, in its efforts to do something for the relief of the public, passed a very curious and impracticable act.

The act was entitled "An act to provide for the destruction of grasshoppers and their eggs," and provided for the payment of certain bounties for destroying the same, as follows:

The sum of one dollar, per bushel, for grasshoppers caught previous to the twenty fifth day of May. The sum of fifty cents, per bushel, from May 25th to the tenth day of June. The sum of twenty-five cents, per bushel, fi-om the tenth day of June to the first day of July and twenty cents per bushel, from said first day of July, to the first day of October. There was also to be paid the sum of fifty cents per gallon, for all grasshopper eggs taken and destroyed. The act appropriated one hundred thousand dollars, to pay these bounties. It also required that all persons liable to work on roads, in each township, should be assessed a number of days labor, not to exceed five, to be employed, under the direction of the overseers of highways, in destroying eggs and locusts. A measurer was to be appointed in each township, by the Governor of the State, who was to be paid by the several counties. It was made his duty to receive and measure tlie grasshoppers and their eggs, brought to him, keep an account of the same and by whom delivered, and to give a certificate to the person delivering the same, of the amount thereof. All this looked very fair on its face, but a close inspection of the facts and circumstances involved, revealed a very different aspect and results.

At the April session of the county board, after a careful examination of the matter, the board concluded that if this law should go into effect, and the measurers be appointed by the governor, as contemplated in the act the cost to this county alone could not be less than one hundred thousand dollars should the locusts apjjear as apprehended, and that of the one hundred thousand dollars, appropriated by the State, this county would not get to exceed four or five thousaud dollars as its projiortional share. They, therefore, requested the governor not to make the appointment of measurers, in this county. They were not made, nor were the labor assessments made, and the act, in nowise, went into effect in this county, and such was the fact not only in this county but throughout the State. The law was a dead letter. Had it gone into effect in most of the counties affected by grasshoppers, it would have entailed a burden of indebtedness upon them, which would have far exceeded in damage, all the depredations of the pests.

And now in pursuance of this same subject, that of the locust scourge, it may be stated, that the twenty-sixth day of April was appointed by proclamation of the governor, and was observed in this county, as throughout the State, as a daj' of fasting and of prayer to Almighty God, that in mercy. He would relieve the people of the State from this threatened calamity.

".Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord." Joel, i:14.

"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" Isaiah, lviii:6.

Millions of the eggs hatched out, throughout the infested portions of the State, yet, owing to some inscrutable causes, the peculiar character of the weather, the frosts, rains, freezing of the ground, the hatching was very irregular, and at intervals, and, doubtless, myriads of eggs rotted in the ground, and the young, at various stages of development., perished by millions, and with the exception of certain small districts of the State, no very material injury was done to the crops. Those locusts which attained full size, and there were some such over all the infested districts, appeared to be feeble and degenerate, and they, about the twentieth day of July, arose and left this portion of the State. The following item from a newspaper, well describes this last great exodus.

"Last Friday was a day of great suspense to the people of this section of country. About half-past nine in the morning the 'hoppers commenced flying with a good breeze carrying them a little east of south. Never before in the memory of man were so many 'hoppers seen in the air at one time. It was one dense mass of locusts as far as the eye could see upward, and it took them until three o'clock in the afternoon to pass over. These were hours of deep suspense to the people. All business was abandoned and the flight of the destroying hosts watched with bated breath and weary eye. Hy two o'clock we all began to breathe easier, as it was noticed that none had cume down, but that nearly everyone of the resident'hoppers had risen and joined the marchingcolumn.and when night came it was safe to conclude that the 'hopper raid in Minnesota was at an end. It was a glorious feeling of relief, and thousands of prayers of thanksgiving were olTered up that night. They are gone, where, at this writing, we know not. and our people are embued with new life. The crops will be carefully taken care of, and every acre of ground possible will be put in good condision to receive the seed next year. Real estate will advance in value, business will revive, and with the stock now in the country, we can see the brilliant future just ahead of us.''

And considering the myriad millions of the locusts that passed over at this time, in high, and steady flight, and with army like regularity, one might well surmise that the hosts were led that day by old Apollyon, the king of the locusts, himself. For some reason, the impression prevailed, generally, among the people, that this was the last we should see of the grasshoppers, and that we should not again be troubled with them, during this generation, if ever. It remains but to add, on the subject, that it was in this year, that that simple, but most effective instrument for the destruction of grasshoppers, "the hopper-dozer," was invented, and used, and for a full account of which, the reader is referred to the history of the year 1874, "We are now done with the locust invasion, one of the greatest calamities which has yet befallen the State.

The Sunday Schools

The County Sunday School Association held its annual meeting at Winnebago City this year, on the twenty-ninth and thirtieth days of May. The attendance was quite large, and the interest manifested in the business and in the discussion of the questions proposed, was very considerable. At no former meeting were more questions proposed for consideration and discussed than at this. The report of the proceedings at this meeting occupy nearly two and a half columns of the newspapers of the county.

The People Speak Again

An election was held throughout the state on the twelfth day of June, on the question of the adoption of a proposed amendment to the coQstitution, providing for the application, of certain five hundred thousand acres of improvement lands belonging to the State, in payment of the old Minnesota state railroad bonds. The vote in this county stood two hundred and sixty-nine in favor and one thousand and twenty-nine against the proposition. There was a majority of forty-one thousand eight hundred and fifty- two agaiast the amendment, in the State.

Several railroad companies were organized in the county during the early part of this year, one at Blue Earth City, named "the Blue Earth Valley Railroad Company, "organized in February and March, and one at Winnebago City, named "the Winnebago City and St. Paul Railroad Company," oi-ganized in May and June. "Bonuses" to aid in the building of roads, were again voted in several towns, and late in the year votes were taken in a number of towns, to extend the time given in former resolutions, jjranling bonuses. In June, the county was visited by an individual in the Interests of a narrow guage road, to be constructed forthwith. Starting at Des Moines, the capital of Iowa and running thence northward through this county, to Hutchinson, in McLeod county, in this State. While this project was deemed a favorable one, no action was taken in reference to it, and nothing further was ever heard of it.

Attention may also be called to the fact, that the time limited to the Southern Minnesota Railroad Company - ten years - to construct their road to the western boundary of the State, had expired, the road having been completed only as far west as Winnebago City, in this county.

Of the original grant of lands to the old company, there yet remained many thousands of fertilejacres, unearned by the company, and which reverted to the State. And now, with an eye to securing these lands, there came to the front the great railroad project of the year, which was the organization of the St. James and Fort Dodge Railroad Company and the Martin County Railroad Company, which were essentially one. The purpose of the one was to build a road from Winnebago City westward, into Martin county, and of the other, to build a road from St. James, in Watonwan county, via Blue Earth City to Fort Dodge in Iowa. Grading was done from Winnebago City westward and from Blue Earth City in a northwest direction (towards St James), some seven or eight miles during the summer. The parties who had the matter in hand, were probably acting in good faith, but the whole project failed, because, as it was alleged, certain persons who had agreed to assist in putting down the ties and iron, when the grading should be done, proved treacherous and failed to do as they agreed Several of our citizens lost considerable sums in consequence of the abandonment of the project.

Next followed a new company, which was organized at "Winnebrgo City, October 27th, of this year, named "the South-Western Railroad Company." with the purpose of securing the forfeited lands and building the road westward from Winnebago City to the west line of the State, and a collateral line or two north and south. To this company some reference will be made in the history of the next year.

And we may now close this brief and imperfect sketch of the railroad affairs of that year, by the I'eraark. that of the worlc done that year, there remains only some miles of dilapidated grading, dimly stretching across the prairies, and the companies organized that year have all passed into oblivion.

The "Fourth of July" was celebrated in old fashioned stj'le at Wells, where J. M. Nye read the Declaration and M. W. Green delivered the oration. Winnebago City, also had a celebration, and here S. J. Abbott was the reader of the Declaration, and M. S. Wilkinson was the orator.

The people of Blue Earth City were equally patriotic, and celebrated the day in the usual manner. C. H. Slocum was the reader and Daniel F. Goodrich delivered the addi-ess. Lastly, at Bass Lake, in the town of Delavan, in the beautiful grove of ancient oaks, overlooking the crystal waters of the placid lake, the good people for many miles around, assembled to commemorate the day, and here Andrew Carson was the reader of the immortal charter of human rights, and J. A. Kiester, of Blue Earth City, addressed the people.

The celebration of the day in so many prominent localities, ab all of which were large assemblages of our citizens, made the day a conspicuous one in the events of the year.

On July 16- 19, a memorable strike of railroad employes occurred, which extended to nearly all the roads of the northern states. They greatly interfered with railroad traffic. Great" riots took place at Baltimore and Pittsburg, and much property was destroyed and some blood shed. Troops were called out to suppress the rioters.

Hon. Oliver P. Morton, ex-governor of Indiana and United States senator from that state, and one of the most distinguished of our latter day statesmen, died on the first day of November.

The Husbandman'S Reward

The harvest of this year was a successful one. The wheat crop was the largest ever raised in the State, and all of the wheat was No. 1. The yield in this county, both as to quality and quantity, was extraordinary, and if as great breadth had been sown as usual, we should have had the largest crop, in the aggregate, ever raised in this county. The acreage was less than usual, somewhat, because of the fear of destruction by the locusts.

This was Minnesota's great wheat year, not .soon to be forgotten, and the news went out over all the nation and into foreign lands that "Minnesota has raised 40,000,000 bushels No. 1 wheat, 36,000,000 bushels of which she can spare for export," all of which was true and had a great influence on immigration, counteracting, in a great measure, the evil effects of the locust visitation.

The corn crop was also very heavy, and oats, barley, potatoes, and other products were satisfactory, as were also the prices. Saith the Psalmist cvii:14. "He maketh peace in thy borders, and fiUeth thee with the finest of wheat," and saith Joel, the prophet, in the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth verses of the second chapter of his book, "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm and the caterpillar and the palmerworm, my great army, which I sent among you." "And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord, your God, that hath dealt wonderously with you."

The Ballot Box

At the election occurring this fall, a number of State as well as county officers were to be chosen, and six amendments to the constitution, proposed, were to be voted upon.

John S. Pillsbury, for Governor, and James B. Wakefield, for Lieutenant Governor, the latter a resident of this county, were the republican nominees for those offices, and W. L Banning, for Governor, and A. A. Ames, for Lieutenant Governor, were the democratic candidates.

First in order of time was the Republican County Convention, which was held at Blue Earth City on the twenty-second day of September. Andrew C. Dunn, of "Winnebago City, was chosen chairman, and A. A. Williams, of Verona, secretary. The following nominations were made:

Next came the Democratic Convention, also held at Blue Earth City, which met September 27th. W. W. Stowe, of Delavan, was elected chairman, and Q. Adams, of Wells, secretary, when the following nominations were made.

The principal contest in this campaign, was on the offices of sheriff, treasurer, county attorney and re]3resentatives, and the electioneering, during the two weeks prior to the election, was quite earnest, and most of the candidates visited, as usual, all the towns in the county. There were, however, but two or three public meetings held, and they were in the eastern portion of the county. There were two republican candidates for treasurer, and two, also, for sheriff, inconsequence of which the vote of that party was so divided that it resulted in the election of the democratic candidates for those offices.

One printer reports that at his office, there were printed, 38,- 500 tickets, and of these, three forms or styles, were "straight," and ninety-two forms, of combinations, or "split" tickets.

The election was held on the sixth day of November. The following table copied from the official canvass of the votes, indicates the result, as to local offices. The Republican State ticket was elected.

Hallow Eve., Octohek 31St

Hallow Eve., known also as Halloween and Hallowmas Eve., is the vigil and eve., before, or of All Hallows, or All Saints' day, Nov. 1st. ofeach j-ear. It is best known in this county by the name of Hallow Eve., and has been observed in some localities in this county, for a number of years, notably at various places, this year. It is annually observed in many countries. It is signilicant now among us, only because of the curious customs incident to its observance, but the day which it precedes, and of, or for, which it was formerly, and in some places still is, a preparation, is one of mucli significance, with many Christian people, and this being the fact, and to show the origin and purpo.se of Hallow Eve., it is proper to say a word first, of All Saints' day. All Saints' day is a church festival, ob.servcd in honor and rememberance of all the Angels and Saints of Heaven, and it is now annually commemorated on Nov. 1st (but formerly in May) by the Roman Catholic church, the Greek Catholic church, the Anglican Catholic church, in England and America and elsewhere, known as the Church of England, in England, and the Protestant Episcopal church in American, and by the Lutheran church, thus embracing more than three-fourths of all Christendom. It has been observed ever since the fourth century, in the Eastern church and in the Western, or Latin church and the Engli.sh church, since the early part of the seventh century, when its observance was enjoined by the Bishop of Rome - Bonifaae, the Fourth. The thought, the sentiment implied, and the purpose intended in the observance of this day, are beautiful and devout.

"O Almighty God, who has knit togetherThineelect inonecorumuoion and fellowship in I he mystical bddy of Thy Son Christ, our Lord: prant us grace so to follow Thy blessed saints, in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those unspeal<able joys which Thou hast prepared for those who unfeignpilly lovi' Th('i\ through .lesus Christ our Lord."

It may now be repeated that Hallow Eve., is the evening preceding this day and was formerly, generally kept, as it is now, in some places, as the vigil, or watch, and preparation for All Saints' day.

In the course of centuries, many follies, superstitions and curious customs grew up in the various countries, in connection with this eve, among which we may name the performance of spells, by the young people, to discover their future life partners, charms and games, weird incantations, fireside revelries, cracking of nuts, from which it received the name of "nut crack night." It also came to be deemed the night when witches and devils went abroad and was hence called "witches' night." In fairy stories it was said that the faries held an anniversary on this night. In England and Scotland, many strange superstitions were current among the common people, as to this eve.

But it would be a long task to described the many and various performances indulged in on this evening in the past, and it will be sufficient to state how the Eve is observed in our day, and here, by many who never knew the origin of Hallow Eve., or what it means.

In our times, instead of being a solemn vigil, it has become an evening devoted generally, to social meetings. frolic andpranks, parties and other social gatherings, the meeting of various societies, the calling suddenly of small companies oa their friends, are frequent incidents of the evening. But this is not all. It is also a sort of boys' night. The wild boys of the community, "get in" a good deal of mischief, which is not commendable, as the taking of gates off their hinges, changing of sign-boards, building of bonfires, the collecting of old kettles and boots, large stones, discarded hats and old baskets and other rubbish, and depositing the same in vestibules and on porches, quietly, then ring the door bell, and run away; also the pulling up of cabbages and beets, and throwing them against the doors of shops and dwellings, and other pranks too numerous to mention, and such as can only be thought of by a live boy full of what he calls fun.

loaded with superstitions and follies, and finally, as a writer has said, "crossed the ocean, as a season for frolics, and ends with a street boy's jolte."

And now we must relate the occurrence of a very unusual event for this region of country. On the tifteentla day of November, a slight earthquake shock was felt in this county. The following excerpt, from the Winnebago City Press, gives a brief account of the shocli at that place.

"The shock of Thursday, the 15th inst.,was very distinctly felt by many of our citizens, and no doubt caused some of the more worldly minded to hastily ijlance at their balance sheets to see how they would stand when they would be called up for flnal settlement. It must have been a doleful outlook for those delinquents of ours. We have not seen any one that can give us the exact time of the occurrence, but all agree that it was only a few minutes before twelve o'clock, A. M. We were in our office in the second story of Union (brick) block, busy getting ready for press, and did not notice anything unusual. But many of our business men and other reliable citizens did observe it, who say the shock lasted from twenty to thirty seconds. S. . I. Abbott, Esq. , says the two stofy frame building, on the second Hour of which he has his otlice, swayed back and forth one or two inches, from north to south. Mr. J. F. Winship, who was alone writing at a desk in the post otlice, reports about the same duration of the shock, but affirms that his oscillating observations were from east to west. One gentleman, sitting in a buggy on the prairie, about seven miles west of this town, declares he heard the peculiar rumbling sound, and distinctly felt the trembling of the earth. However, no damage was done to buildings or crockery, that we have heard of, and we have probably experienced our first and last earthquake."

"Our newest sensation is an earthquake. It occurred yesterday, at six minutes of twelve a. m.; lasted about twenty seconds; oscillations very rapid: motion distinctly noticed to be from east to west; hanging-laiups. bird cages, water standing in vessels, all swung back and forth in the saiue direction. No damage done, no special alarm felt.'"

"1 kin hump my buck and take the rain. And I don't keer how she pours: I kin keep kindo' ca'm in a thunder storm, No matter how loud she roars;

A Brace Of Items

There were 37,529 forest trees planted on Arbor day, of this year, and there were planted during the whole year, 352,019. and the whole number of forest trees, including cuttings, set out in the county, up to this time, was 5,993,435, covering 4,734 acres, and that, of this number of trees, there were set out in rows along the highways, 8,430 rods.

At this time, the great question of interest in educational matters, was the State school text-book system, which was, simply stated, the system of supplying all our schools with books by the State, instead of making contracts with book publishers for the same. The objects to be gained were, better, more uniform, and cheaper school books. We clip the following item from the superintendent's report. The law relating to this subject was known as the "Merrill Text-Book law."

State Text-Books

On the second of September, I issued a circular in which the worliing machinery of the law was explained. I also appointed several meetings to discuss the subject. I have explained how, in case it was deemed best not to make any changes, books now in use could be secured at lower rates by districts purchasing direct from the publishers.

The text-book law was a topic of heated discussion in the newspapers of the time, and elsewhere, for some years, but became settled, finally, in favor of the law.

Fine Weather

"We need a good soaking rain very much. It is said that the streams and lakes were never so low before as they are now, and we know that, all the wells are drying up, so that a fellow can hardly get enough water to make his tea with."

The first snow fell on the fourth of November, and the ground froze up, for a few days, quite hard, but soon thawed out again, and we had a remarkably fine term of weather for December. For several weeks the weather was very mild, and some rain fell. The air was soft and balmy, like Indian summer, and vegetation started up again, to a considerable growth. The plows were put to work. Owing to several heavy rains about the seventeenth of the month, the mud became very deep, and the roads almost impassable. Plowing continued as late as the twenty- eighth of the month.

The opinion was current among the farmers that the grasshoppers would not return again, and they were much encouraged and put forth every effort to get all the land they possibly could prepare, ready for the crops in the spring. Every one was hopeful that a new and prosperous era had dawned for the State.

Our Statesmen

This was a very important session, in many respects. We may call attention first to the acts passed, having a direct relation to the county. They were fewer this year, than usual, and numbered but two. They were as follows:

Another act was passed, granting certain swamp lands, to aid in the construction of what may be named here sufficiently, as the St. Cloud and the Blue Earth Valley Railroads, which was introduced by one of our representatives, Mr. Gilman. The act was vetoed, however, by the governor.

Still another act was passed having considerable interest to the people of this county, but in order to understand the matter, it is necessary to say, that there was organized at Lanesboro. in this State, on the seventeenth day of .January, the Southern Minne.sota Railway Extension Company, the purpose of which was to build the Southern Minnesota Railroad from Winnebago City to the west line of the State, and to secure from the legislature the forfeited lands of the old railroad company referred to in the history of the last year.

The Southwestern Minnesota Railroad Company, organized at Winnebago City in October of last year, and this new Extension Company, became rival applicants, before the legislature, for the transfer of the rights of the old company, in the grant of lands. The contest was very earnest, in fact somewhat bitter, between the rival claimants, but finally, the act was passed, entitled:

"An act Krantinii to the Southern Minnesota Railway Extension Company, certain lands, m aid of the construction of the line of road of said company.'"

As a condition of the grant, the Extension Company were required to complete the road from Winnebago City to Fairmont, in Martin county, by the first day of September, of this year, and to the west line of the State, before the end of the year 1880, ail of which was accomplished. And thus was completed one of the earliest projected and one of the greatest railroads of the Northwest. And we cannot but feel something of a local pride in the final accomplishment of this great project, when we consider that the road traverses our county from the east to the west line, and that two of the principal projectors and builders of the road have resided, for many years, in this county - Col. C. W. Thompson, who may justly be styled the father of the road, and for many years the president of the company, and general manager, and Hon. H. W. HoUey, for many years connected with the road as a member of the company, civil engineer and also general manager - men who stood by the project from the beginning, and by their indomitable energy and perseverance, surmounting almost impossible difficulties and many adverse circumstances, until the road was so far completed as to be already one of the great roads of the State, and its ultimate success assured.

During this session of the legislature, articles of impeachment were preferred by the House, impeaching Sherman Page, Judge of the tenth judicial district, of certain offenses.

On the sixth of March, the senate convened and organized as a high court of impeachment for the trial of Judge Page, and on the eighth of March adjourned to May 22d, when the court reconvened for the hearing. On June 28th the court voted on the several articles of impeachment, and the Judge was acquitted, though the majority was largely in favor of impeachment, but not the requisite two-thirds.

Our county was represented in the twentieth legislature by Daniel P. Goodrich, in the Senate, and J. P. West and H. H. Gilman in the House. James B. Wakefield, of this county. Lieutenant Governor, was President of the Senate and also of the High Court of Impeachment.

Weather Notes

Plowing was done in this county on January 1st. The winter was a very mild one, in fact a very remarkable one. There was but litttle snow, and no sleighing. For many weeks together, the ground was dry and dusty. Winter clothing was not in great demand. The fuel bill was much less than it usually is, and stock did not consume to exceed two-thirds of the usual amount of food, and outdoor work was not delayed on account of the weather.

Spring Seeding

The spring of this year opened quite early. The Mississippi river opened for navigation, from St. Paul, Minn., to New Orleans, La., March 8th, being the earliest opening for thirty- four years past.

The record has been kept since 1844. Some seeding was done the latter part of February, but this work generally, was commenced about the fifteenth of March. Il was reported that a farmer in Blue Earth county had completed the seeding of one hundred acres of wheat by the eighth day of March. Farmers, generally, this spring made an effoi't to seed in good and husbandlike mannei-, all the ground possible. There were good prospects, and many hopes of a golden reward.

Owing, perhaps to the mild weather and the exhilarating influence of forty million bushels of No. 1 wheat and good prices, it may be remarked that there was, during the winter and spring, more of gayety, life in social circles, and social enjoyments generally, than had been known for some years. The papers contained many notices and accounts of parties, concerts, lectures, dances, mum sociables, literary readings, debates, amateur theatricals, besides a host of religious, scientific and temperance meetings. And here the agreeable fact may be noted, that during the winter and spring of this year, the county was visited by a number of persons of national reputation, who delivered lectures at several places in the county. In the latter part of January, Miss Susan B. Anthony came and lectured at Blue Earth City and several other places in the county. In February, Dr. J. J. Villiars, the great humorist. In March we heard Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Will Carlton, and in April, Miss Phoeba Couzens, the famous female lawyer and lecturer of St. Louis, Mo.

The fact was, that at the close of the previous year, and in the early part of this year, an impression, a presentiment, existed among the people, generally, that the heavy burden of the unsettled and stringent times, financially and otherwise, was about to be removed and that an era of great prosperity was near at hand, and the influence of this hopefulness, was seen in many directions.

About the first of March, another railroad project started up and created much interest. This was a proposition on the part of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad Company to consti-uct and put in operation a line of road from their main line at Lake Crystal, in Blue Earth County, running southward to the Iowa State line, by way of Winnebago City and Blue Earth City. This was indeed but the revival of an old project, on which considerable effort had been expended a number of tipies before, but it was such an important project, from the fact that a north and south road, ultimately reaching the coal fields of Iowa, was the great consideration in our railroad system, that the people at once accepted the proposition, and went to work to comply with the requirements of the company. The company required the voting to them of certain amounts of bonds in the several towns through which the road would pass.

The bonds, or "bonuses" were voted in the months of June and July, executed and deposited in bank, as required by the proposition, and to make a long story short, for the writer, and certainly the reader is weary of these railroad affairs, the x'oad was graded from Blue Earth City northward some fifteen miles, by the first day of November. Our assurance was greater now than ever before, that we should get, at last, the much coveted north and south road, the next year.

Our Sunday School Association

The eighth annual meeting of the Sunday School Association, was held at Blue Earth City, on the 22d and 23d days of May. A very large number of delegates were present and many schools were represented. The exercises were of much interest, and the reports indicated much progress, as being made in the good work. The officers elected for the ensuing year were, Mrs. H. C. Cheadle, president, and Mrs. Henry McKinstry, vice president, A. C. Dunn, secretary and D. B. Thurston, treasurer.

The subject was introduced and discussed at this meeting, of instituting township Sunday School Conventions, and a resolution was adopted, calling such a convention in the town of Verona on the sixteenth day of June following, and delegates were elected to attend the same.

Of our courts this year, it may be said, that as usual there were two terms, at both of which Judge Dickinson, presided. The January term commenced on New Year's day. There were three criminal, and thirty-three civil cases, noted on the calendar. The June term commenced June 4th. At this term the calendar presented three criminal and twenty-four civil cases. Several criminal trials were had at this term, which created much public interest - those of the State vs. Fred J. Williams and the State vs. Henry Measor. The following is a statement of the facts out of which these trials originated.

Attempted Robbery And Murder

Eobert Mapson and wife, an elderly couple, live in Winnebago, and keep a restaurant. Their accumulated savings amount to $500. Some persons with murder in their hearts, learned of tliis fact, and determined to possess themselves of the money, even thougli the sacrifice of a life was necessary.

On Saturday night last, March 23d, they retired to rest as usual, he sleeping alone, and his wife with her sister. At a late hour she was awakened by a noise in the adjoining room, and heard the voice of her husband saying, "I have no inimi'y." Then she heard rapid blows. She at once rushed liilo the niiini, and cried murder, and ran to the front door and aroused near ncl^'hl>ors. Thi'se (Iciiionstrations frightened the villains away. Assistance was then rendered Mr. Mapson, who was found to be badly injured about the head and face, and one ami broken.

A' igorous measures were at once instituted, to hunt down the would-be murderers, and on Monday afternoon, a young man named Henry Measor, who had been living' near Winnebago for several years, was arrested nn suspicion, and failing to give bonds, is now in jail, awaiting an examination before Justice Mell, on Thur.-day next.

Sheriff Pratt was satisfied that this man Measor had an accomplice, and having secured additional evidence, proceeded on Thursday, about four miles northwest of Winnebago, and arretted a young man named F. J. Williams, and brought him to Hlue Earth City, where he is now under examination before Justice G. B. Kingsley. The sherilT found on Williams' premises a policeman's club, loaded, with which the murderous blows were inflicted on Mr. Mapson.

Both Measor and Williams were held for their appearance at the next (June) term of the district court. At the trial. Measor plead guilty, and was sentenced to seven years, at hard labor, in the State prison. Williams plead not guilty, Measor being the principal witness against him, and was acquitted by the jury. The current opinion was, however, that Williams was the principal in the crime. Measor was pardoned by the governor in 1882, and discharged from prison.

A Tender Hearted Judge

"The fact is, Jones, the jail is an old, rickety affair, as cold as an iron wedge. You applied to the court for a release on bail, giving it as your opinion that you would freeze to death there. That is my opinion also, and to keep you from such sutTering, I do now order and direct the sheritT to hang you at four o'clock this afternoon, and may God be as merciful to you as 1 am "

At the grove of Mr. Cahoon, in the town of Elmore, a very interesting observance of the day occurred. Here C. H. Slocum was the reader, and the orators were James Hardie and S. W. Graham.

At Shelbyville, just over the north county line, a reunion of old settlers was had, at which many residents of the county attended. The peculiar feature of this meeting was the number of short and interesting addresses, by old settlers of this county, in which their experiences in frontier life were related. The day was very tine, and the attendance, at all of the above points, was large, and the occasion afforded much pleasure to all.

The Refrain Of The Reapers

Never was there a better prospect for a bountiful crop, than there was in this county, a few weeks before the harvest of this year. A great breadth of small grain had been sown and the stand was all that could be desired. Everyone Avas confident of getting, at least, twenty bushels of No. 1 wheat per acre. But a sad disappointment awaited the people. Instead of getting the best, we had probably the poorest wheat crop ever gathered in this county. The causes of this great misfortune were, the intense heat and excessive rains. From the 10th to the 20th of July, especially the IFth and, also, for many days after, excessive heat prevailed. Many wei-e compelled to quit work. The average temperature, for many days, was 95° in the shade, but sometimes it ran as high as 103° The heat was of that oppressive, sultry character, which enervates the whole system. During this time and, also, through harvest, the rains, especially at night, were quite heavy and the streams rose higher than they had been known for years. Many small bridges were swept away. The I'oads became very bad. The bottom grass lands were overflowed, destroying much of the best grass. The wheat was blasted and shriveled, and the lands became so miry, that it was next to impossible to get on the fields to cut, or take care of the grain, making the harvest difficult and expensive. Much of the grain was cut late, and some was not cut at all.

This condition of things existed throughout the greater portion of what we call Southern Minnesota. In the northern portion of the State, however, the wheat crop, this year, was abundant, and the quality veiy good. To comprehend this calamity to the people of this county fully, it is necessary to state further, that owing to various causes, not necessary to name here, the general prices of wheat at best, had fallen very low, and when this inferior grain came to the market, the farmer realized the fact that the wheat crop of this year was a failure. The prices paid ranged from twenty to forty cents per bushel. Most of the wheat was below any grade which had yet been established. The average yield of wheat in this county was from five to eight bushels per acre. Oats and other small grain, also, shared somewhat in the blight. Much of the oats was as light as chaff, but there were some good fields. But to counterbalance the short crops of wheat and oats, the corn crop was abundant, potatoes and all other vegetables were good and plentiful, and fruits of all kinds were an average yield. The dairy products of the year were large, and also the amount of wool grown, and stock of all kinds were thrifty, and yielded a handsome income. We can live and prosper in this county without raising a bushel of wheat.

Forecasting The Weather

A passing remark may here be added in relation to foretelling the weather. While there is undoubtedly much uncertainty in weather prognostications, yet the time has arrived when science has become able to afford many valuable suggestions as to the probable future weather conditions that are worthy of attention. There are always many weather prophecies uttered by the old weather prophets of the neighborhood, as to the coming weather, especially as to hard or mild winters, and they are generally worthless. We have heard a hard winter prophesied, because the corn husks were thick, or because themuskratshad built large houses, or because the moss was very thick on the north side of the trees, or that the squirrels had stored up large stocks of nuts, or that the frogs had buried themselves for the winter in the muck of the ponds perpendicular, heads down and heels to the zenith.

Conjectures, based upon ascertained and uniform facts, observed during a long course of years and noted by scientific men, are getting to be worthy of some attention. As an illustration of some of the methods pursued in this direction, we append a brief article clipped from the St. Paul Press, of July 23d, 1878. "Old Prob." certainly hit the mark this year.

Mr. Wm. Cheney, our local "Probabilities," who has kept a complete and accurate weather record in ihis city for the past twelve years, is authority for the statement that we are liable to have a wet harvest. He Hnds that the average rainfall during the season, one year with another, is 23.631 inches, tlie variation is only about six inches - three inches either aliove or below the average. The rainfall this year during the month of April, May and .lune was 8.720 inches, considerably below the average. Add to this the average of three succeeding months, July, August and September, (which covers the period of harvesting) and we have but 19.972 inches, whereas the average for the corresponding six months of the past twelve years has been 2;i.681 inches. By close observation Mr. Cheney is satisfied that nature is accustomed to balance her books each season, and he is therefore of the opinion that we are liable to have more rain, between now and the tlrst of October, than the farmers will really want. All of which is worthy of iheir attention, in securing the standing crops.

Some Items Of General Interest

On February 28th, a bill, known as the "Bland Silver Bill," was passed by Congress, over the veto of the President. For some years prior to 1877 8, silver dollars had not been in use in the United States. Silver, as money, had. by the act of 1873. been practically degraded and demonetized, as has been alleged.

The Bland Bill ordered the coinage of large sums in silver dollars, of 412A^ grains weight, and provided that they might be used in the payment of debts by the government. Silver was thus remonetized. But this act provided that contracts might be made requiring that payments should be made in gold.

Early in August, that fatal disease, the yellow fever, made its appearance in the South. In one of our local papers we find the following very appro^sriate remarks:

"It is appalling to us, situated so far away, to read daily of the visitation of that dreadful scourage, yellow fever, that is raging to such an alarming exin the southern states and cities. We get only a superficial idea of its disastrous effects. Hundreds have died, and hundreds more are lying sick in all its stages. Thousands are flying northward to catch the healthy breezes of northern localities; towns with their two or three thousand population are almost deserted, and yet, while we look complacently on the destruction this disease is making 1,000 miles south of us, do we fully appreciate the healthfulness of our own climate? When one of those "gentle zephyrs" stirs up the sluggardness of our systems, we are apt to exclaim, "blast those winds." We do not stop to think that in them is the very elixir that blows away the malarious and pestilential fevers and other diseases that combine from various unforseeu circumstances to invade the household. Let us be thankful for the breezes that scimetimes fiercely blow, for in them we And health, comfort, and bodily vigor."

The stimulus of the great wheat crop of the preceding year, the universal belief that the locusts had left us, finally, and the prospects in the spring, induced the farmers to break up much additional land, and an immense quantity of land was turned over, not only in this county, but throughout the State.

During this year the board of county commissioners had five meetings of several days' each, but no business of historical interest was transacted, except that the board entered into contract with a purchaser, to sell to him one hundred and sixty acres, or one half of what was known as the "Poor Farm." At the January meeting, A. H. Bullis was elected chairman for the year.

Agricultural Matters

The Agricultural Society held its annual meeting January 3d. The treasurer reported the receipts of the year to be $172.45 and the disbursements $161.34, leaving in the treasury §11.11. The officers elected for the year were A. R. More, Sr., of Pilot Grove, president; C. H. Slocum, secretary, and Henry Sellen, treasurer, and one vice president was chosen for each township Mr. Sellen de- clinod to serve, and Henry M. Temple was subsequently elected treasurer. During the year, a high board fence was built on the north and west sides of the fair grounds, and the buildings were removed to better situations and repaired, and a number of covered stalls, stables and pens, were erected, all adding much to the convenience and value of the grounds. The annual fair was held at the grounds, near Blue Earth City, on the 19th, 20th and 21st days of September. The following article gives a very correct account of

The Fair

"The c'ouuty fair of last week is prondunced by all to he a .success, flnancially, and in attendance. More people were present than at any previous fair, and the ^ate money received was nearly doubled. The storm on Thursday eveninj,' made a difTerence in the first day's receipts, and interfered very much with the exhibit of stock. There were 429 articles entered for exhibition. What stock, horses, cattle, sheep and swine, there were, were all Urst-class, and very creditable to Faribault county.

The exhibits in floral hall were very fine, especially in the fruit department. L. C. Seaton had on exhibition thirty-ei^ht varieties, all of them very choice, and of course took first premiums. J. D. Stanton, Capt. Davy and Frank Cole, also exhibited some choice varieties of apples.

Taken altogether, the fair was the best ever held in the county, and the society has, in a great degree, so regained public confidence that we can safely guarantee future fairs to be successful, and improvements on the one just closed."

The Fall Elections

At the election held this fall, an associate justice of the supreme court, several state officers and a member of congress, in addition to our local officers were to be elected.

The Republican County Convention was held at Blue Earth City, on the fifth day of October. After choosing .J. H. Welch, of Winnebago City, chairman, and Geo. W. Buswell, of Blue Earth City, secretary, the convention made the following nominations: bago City, was elected chairman, aud C. W. Apley, of Minnesota Lake, secretary. The convention adjourned over to the nineteenth of the month, when the following nominations were made:

Next came the County Convention of the Nationals (Greenbackers), which was held at Blue Earth City, on the nineteenth of October. A. H. Bullis, of Verona, was chosen chairman, and C. W. Apley, of Minnesota Lake, secretary, when the following nominations were made:

A very strong effort was made to form a coalition between the two conventions assembled at this time, and unite upon one ticket, but it was not successful, and each party made its own nominations. About this time Daniel F. Goodrich was announced as an independent candidate for Representative, and R. W. Richards as an independent candidate for Superintendent of Schools.

The political issues were mainly on the financial question, "hard money, "and resumption of specie payments on the one hand and "soft money," "fiat money," or more properly speaking the "greenback theory," on the other. In the local campaign, though quite a number of meetings were held about the county by several of the candidates, the canvass was not as active a one as many that preceded it. The election was held November 5th.

Some of the candidates, at this election, jrot themselves into strange conditions, politically, and for some time after election hardly knew where they stood, reminding us of two certain Irishmen who had just landed in America. They took a room in the second story of a small hotel for the night. During the night the house took fire and the guests were awakened suddenly. Pat arose in great haste, and in the confusion got his trowseis on "hind side" to the front, and dropped himself out of the window to the ground. Moike, greatly frightened, hurried to the window and called out, "Pat mo bye, aint ye kilt intoirly?" "No, I aint hurted" said Pat. looking down at his trowsers, "but Moike," said he, mournfully, "I guess I am fatally twisted, sure."

The first killing frost occurred on the night of September lOlh. The fall weather was very pleasant for threshing and plowing, up to the twenty-fourth of November, when the first snow fell, but both threshing and plowing were continued far into December.

Thanksgiving Day

The WM'iter has gathered, from many sources, some facts and thoughts to express here, with his own views, of this well known day in our American calendar. And it is well, first of all. to quote a few sentences from the Great Book, and several others of like character. This is a religious subject.

"Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Thy glorious name, evermore praising Thee, and saying: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of Thy glory; glory be to Thee, O Lord Most High."

Thanksgiving day is one of the two great American holidays, the other being the Fourth of July, and it is peculiarly American in its origin and characteristics. Among the ancient Hebrew people there existed an annual feast, known as the Feast of Tabernacles, or Feast of Ingathering, at the end of the year. "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord" (Lev. xxiii: 39), was the command. This feast, probably, suggested the annual thanksgiving day of later times. More nearly allied to it, however, is the Harvest Home Festival, of our day, a most beautiful and appropriate observance. This festival is usually held in September. When held at the churches, and attended with religious services, the interior of the church is usually tastefully decorated with fine fruits, vegetables, cereals and flowers, attractively arranged, and the services are conducted with special reference to the occasion.

"And now, once more, the time of harvest past, God's children come to offer praise, Not only for the yield and increase vast. But all the blessings of their day."

"For the return of seed time and harvest, and for crowning the year with Thy goodness in the increase of the ground and gathering in of the fruits thereof, and for all the other blessings of Thy merciful providence bestowed upon this nation and people."

But, generally, though erroneously. Thanksgiving day and the Harvest Home Festival are deemed, practically, the same, and Thanksgiving day is the only day of general observance.

Centuries ago, the civil authorities of various countries in Europe, occasionally appointed a day of public thanksgiving for such blessings as great victories, deliverance from famines, plagues and pestilences, and the like, and it is one of the peculiar features of the day we are writing about, that though it is a religious festival, yet it is always appointed by the civil powers.

But this festival, as we know and observe it in America, originated with the Puritans. The first public thanksgiving day appointed in America, occurred in old Plymouth Colony, in 1621. After the gathering of the first harvest by the colonists. Gov. Bradford appointed a thanksgiving day, and it is recorded that he sent four men out "fowling" (for wild turkeys probably) that they "might, after a more special manner, rejoice together." In 1623, another day of thanksgiving was appointed for an abundant, refreshing and much needed rain, and in various subsequent years, such days were appointed in this colony.

In the colony of Massachusetts Bay, thanksgiving days were appointed in 1631. and for a number of years, annually, thereafter. Such days were also appointed in other portions of the country, outside of New England, during the colonial times.

During the Revolution, the day became a national institution, being annually i-ecommended by congi-ess, but subsequently it was observed, nationally, at irregular intervals, and only on special occasions.

In 1789 and in 1795, President Washington issued proclama tions, recommending a day of thanksgiving for the whole nation. But in many of the states, especially in those of New England, it continued to be observed annually, and in the latter states, it has been, through all the years, the principal home festival, always most highly prized by the people.

The president of the United States, annually, issues a proclamation, specifying the day, and is followed by the governors of the several states, who usually recommend the same day.

These official proclamations are usually carefully written papers and vary a good deal in length and style. Some have been written in verse, and occasionally one is humorous, but generally they are in substance uniform. It has been said that in the old days in Massachusetts, and probably in some other states, the governors' proclamations, on these occasions, were about a yard long, and when the pastor read the document in church, which has been the custom for many years, one end would hang down to the floor, in the aisle, before he had finished it. It told the people in great detail, what they should be thankful for - crops, health, peace, etc. - and admonished them to go to church, to say their prayers, to eat a good dinner and generally, on that day, to unite piety with jollity.

We cannot now state the first observance of the day in this county, but it has been ob.served, annually, for many years, with all the old time customs, by the people generally.

The customs incident to the day vary somewhat in different localities, but the leading features, everywhere, are, first, the gathering at the churches, or other places of holding religious meetings.

for religious services; and second, the thanksgiving dinner, partaken of by the family and invited guests. Stores and other business houses are usually closed up for a part of the day. There was, it is said, in the old puritan times, a touch of asceticism in its observance, and it is also said that the puritan forefathers, when their peculiar religious opinions were more strongly maintained than they now are, sought to substitute Thanksgiving day for Christmas, as the great religious festival of the year, and even went so far as to punish some persons for keeping Christmas. But they only succeeded partially, for a short time, and the day now partakes much of the jollity of Christmas, and the people of this age observe both days. .

Nor must it be forgotten here to state, that many who have no special regard for the religious character of the day, observe it in ways not always indicative of special thankfulness, Balls, routs, parties, dancing, shooting matches, games of various kinds, are often incidents of the day. The turkey, well roasted and stuiied, and flanked with many a dish of good things, is the great bird of America, on Thanksgiving Day, and the proud eagle must, for this day, at least, abdicate his supremacy.

The turkey, pumpkin pie, brown bread, and baked beans, are ' the great, leading, and "regulation" dishes of the thanksgiving dinner, and it was with these dishes that the pilgrim fathers vainly thought to shove out Christmas, with its geese, and puddings, and mince pies. But we of this age, have compromised the old quarrel by taking them all, in their due season.

"The average turkey, all over the land, has read, with mingled feelings of indignation and dismay, that the governor has recommended another Thanksgiving day."

Thanksgiving day is peculiarly the day of family reunions - the day when all the younger branches of the family, to the third and fourth generation, are, when convenient, assembled again, under the old homestead roof, and around the festal board. And it is well thus, on this day, to gather home the scattered childi-en, in that most sacred of all temples - home - and give thanks and enjoy a happy reunion, about the old hearth-stone. The summer work is done. The kindly fruits of the earth have been safely gathered and stored. All have many blessing.s for which to be thankful. Not only have we a free government, civil and religious liberty, free education, peace, and national prosperity secured to us, for we are a favored people. "God hath not dealt so with any nation," but every one of the more than a million families, and every individual that sits down on this day, to a bounteous table, have each their own peculiar blessings to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving day I What memories of the long gone childhood's years cluster about the day! Joyful memories of the great fires on the old homestead hearth - the groaning table - grandparents, fathers and mothers, kindred and children, gathered home again, all Joyful and happy in reunion, the old halls resounding again with the voices of other years. Sad memories, too, come to some, of the old home, now far away, perhaps beyond the sea, perhaps the old hearth desolate, the family circle broken, never to be united again, until all shall be gathered on the other shore.

Be it ours, good reader, to plant in this new. western land, this custom of the fathers, that we and our children and kindred, may, in spirit and true thankfulness, enjoy this holiday.

The Winter

The fields are desolate and vegetation dead. The trees stand up naked and brown. The lakes and streams are frozen over. The earth is wrapped in its winding sheet of snow and ice, and the cold winds sweep far and wide o'er field and forest. The sun is far down the southern sky, and dim and cold, while the heavens are dark and gloomy, with heavy, hurrying clouds, and the day is soon done, and the nights are long. The flowers are withered and scattered. The birds have flown to more genial climes. The insect world is heard and seen no more. Old King Boreas now rules the land with storm and tempest. In the home, closed doors and windows and warm fires ai*e the necessity. But it is not thus all the time in winter. The severity of Minnesota winters has often been grossly exaggerated. Many days the sun shines all day long and the atmosphere is mild and the storms are hushed. In this vast Northwest, as the years roll on, and the country becomes settled and improved, the winters have become milder and shorter.

atmosphere is changed and charged with new elements, necessary to healthful living, foul gasses and odors and malaria are destroyed. And "the snow, the beautiful snow." Job (xxxviii: 2ti), neaiiy entered four thousand years ago, asked the question, "Has't thou into the treasures of the snow?" It has long been known that the snow is the poor man's fertilizer of the soil. It brings down to the earth, from the upper air, and deposits many elements, that enrich the fields. The snow mantle protects the plant life and roots, in the soil, from the effects of extreme changes. It gives moisture and helps dissolve and refine and enrich the soil. Yes, the snow has its treasures. A good, heavy coat of snow, in its proper season, is one of the farmer's best friends.

But the winter, with all its cold and storms, is not here a dread and dreary season. It is here a period of great business activity, of much profitable work and of social neighborhood and domestic enjoyments. This is the season which embraces Christmas and New Year's, as happy a period of geneality, generosity and jollity as the year affords. It is the season of lectures and the drama, of indoor festivals, of parties and balls, of sleighriding and skating, of good church and school work, the season of nervous energy and activity, of clear brain and the ruddy cheek. The winter is necessary and enjoyable and all right, in its proper time, but he who allows his heart and sympathies to be frozen, and makes a gloomy, unhappy winter within himself, is what is wrong.

Let the snows fall and the drifts pile up, and tempests howl, but be ready for them, in the home, in the barns, in the places of business, and help those to be ready, also, with shelter and food and raiment, who cannot help themselves, and all will be well.

But it is time to close the record of this year. It is already long, and, indeed, there is nothing more to add, except this little story, and then it is certainly finished. Not another line shall be added.

"A certain well-known bishop was in the habit of pausing frequently in his sermon, poising his linger on the desk before hitu, and drawing a long breath before recommencing. A little boy in the congregation became very impatient of the long service, and was often admonished by his mother. At length, seeing that the child's impatience was increasing, she whispered, during one of the pauses, 'Be quiet, he is almost through.' 'No he isn't,' said the little fellow, 'he is swelling up again.' "