Fillmore County, Minnesota - Chapter 48: Vabiou8 Events of Interest Chronologically Arranged, 1882 (part 2 of 2)

death he was fifty-one years of age. He commenced his editorial career on the "Prairie Beacon/' of Paris, Illinois, and was in succession special correspondent of the "Cincinnati Commercial," editor of the "True Delta," New Orleans; editor of the "Telegraph," Houston, Texas, where he was at the commencement of the war. He was editor of the * 'Coles County, Illinois, Lodger," and either editor or proprietor of the "Evening Journal," "Mirror," "Herald," and the "Review," of Indianapolis. He purchased the "Lanesboro Journal" in March, 1880, and went there in the hope of finding rest. But his active brain required more scope, and after a few months sojourn in Lanesboro, he returned to Indianapolis, and invested in a new publication," the "Saturday Review," which, under his guidance, was rapidly attaining a front rank with the oldest publications in the State, when he was called to pay the debt of mortality.

A Tebrible Fall. - On the 17th of September, as Mrs. Edward Lynch, her son Edward, and Mrs. Rotchford, who reside about two miles northwest of Lanesboro, were coming down the road leading around the side of the blufi*, one of the horses - a young colt - became frightened at some object in the roiid, and commenced backing. Edward, perceiving the danger of being cast over the side of the road, jumped from the buggy and endeavored to get the team by the bridles, but before accomplishing his object the horses sprang to one side, and together with the vehicle and two ladies, went rolling pell-mell down the steep declivity.

About two thirds of the way to the bottom of the hill the horses and front portion of the buggy came in contact with a tree, which brought them to a halt, the hind wheels dashing over stones and shrubs, finally bringing up in the river. In the meantime the two women had been tossed, bruised and torn in a terrible tnanner, and were found at the bottom of the cliflf bleeding but not insensible, They were immediately conveyed to Mr. David McGannon's house, where medical aid was summoned, the wounds dressed, and the unfortunates made as comfortable as possible.

How they escaped instant death is a miracle. It is at least twenty-five feet down, perpendicular, at the point where the accident occurred, and from there to the bottom of the bluflf the decline is fully an angle of forty-five degrees. It would seem an impossibility for one to roll a distance of over a hundred feet, colliding ever and anon with stones, without being killed outright, but it was done and that, too, by a lady over 55 years of age.

Golden Wedding. - On the 16th of September, 1881, at Spring Valley, the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Orpheus and Fannie Wallace was held. The celebration was a complete surprise to the old folks, and only the most intimate friends were allowed the pleasure of participating in the event. The affair was arranged by Mrs. W. H. Strong, Mrs. W. A. Potter, Mrs. E. H. Adams, and Mrs. F. V. Edwards. After an evening's enjoyment and rehearsal of events long forgotten by most of those present, the party gathered at the bountiful repast that had been prepared, and indulged in the time honored custom of "toasting." One curious fact connected with the banquet is worthy of more than mere mention. It is that none were seated at the table but could look back upon at least fifty years* existence upon this terrestial sphere, most of them being able to count back and review the incidents of sixty- five and seventy years ago. Below is given the names and ages of the guests:

The party presented Mr. Orpheus Wallace with an overcoat, a rocking chair, a cane, two pairs of socks, a fine handkerchief, and $4.65. They presented Mrs. Fannie Wallace with a cloak, a handkerchief, and a $5 gold piece.

Wolves - According to Auditor Hard^s books there were lOi wolves captured in Fillmore county during the month of April, in the year 1881, for which a sum total of $728 was paid as bounty* Bounty being $7 for every wolf.

Dr. Luke Miller. - On the 12th of July, 1881, he was called to another sphere of action, beyond the clouds that obscure our vision into that world that can only be viewed by the eye of faith. Being a member of the fraternity he was buried with Masonic honors, and in answer to the question, "If a man dies shall he live again ?" The hope was expressed that he had been transplanted from an earthly tabernacle **to the Grand Lodge above where the Supreme architect of the universe presides.** His final earthly home was in Lanesboro, but he belonged quite as much perhaps in Chatfield, or in New Humpshire, the scene of his early triumphs and in the county and Slate which he loved and served so well. Dr. Miller was bom in Peterboro, New Hampshire, on the 18th of August, 1815, graduated in the Norwich University in 1841, and took his degree in medicine at Woodstock, Vermont. In 1845 and 1846, he was in the Legislature of New Hampshire, and was a successful practitioner in his own State. In 1857, he came west, located in Ghatfield and began to practice his profession. He took a leading part in public affairs and in building up his adopted town and county. He was a public spirited citizen and did a large amount of work in building the railroad and other enterprises. In 1862, he was elected to the State Senate, and filled the place for eight years. During the war he was State agent to care for Minnesota sick and wounded soldiers, a duty which he skillfully and kindly performed. He was a member of the first board of trustees of the State Insane Asylum. He was one of the founders of Lanesboro, removing to the place in 1869, and was the eafter identified with its growth and prosperity. He was an upright man, an officer above corruption, and of good business qualities, and as a skillful surgeon and physician he had a wide reputation.

In September Miss Anna Martin was summoned in a sudden and tragic manner to the other side, in Bushford, where she lived. With her two sisters she was returning from a visit to a neighbor's, and coming up from a ravine, a boy rushed out of the brush near them and fired his gun; the shot severed the femoral artery, and she fell between her sisters, but was helped up and asked if she was killed. She replied, not yet, and instantly sunk down and expired. -The miserable lad was sent to the reform school.

was born at Buxton, York coimty, Maine, on the 6th of January, 1801. He was married at Buxton to Jane F. Harmon, July 3d, 1825. He removed to Eitland, Lake county, Ohio, in the spring of 1837, and was made a master mason on the 7th of September, 1843. He came to Minnesota and settled at Lenorii April 8th, 1859, at which place he resided at his death. He celebrated his golden wedding on the 3d of July, 1875, on which occasion, there were present five of his children and seventeen grand-children, his oldest son, living in Washington Territory, not being present. He died at Lenora on the 15th of December, 1881, aged 80 years, 11 months and 9 days.

At the funeral, which occurred at Lenora on the 18th of December, 1881, there were present over 500 people, who had come from -their homes to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased, whom they held in life in high esteem as a just and upright man. The deceased was buried under the auspices of the masons - a large number of the order from Preston and the surrounding country participating. The Grand Master of the State, H. R. Wells, officiated. A few remarks at the close of the exercises were made by Hon- J. M. Wheat, in eulogy of the deceased.

"The deceased has always walked as a just and upright mason. In his death the fraternity lose one of its strongest pillars, one who was always ready to advocate its principles. His neighbors have lost a friend just and upright in his dealings with man. "Grandfather Bryant," as he was familiarly known, was respected, beloved, and honored by all who knew him. He goes down to the grave at a ripe old age, kindly remembered. As the candle burns low in its socket, flickers for a moment and then goes painlessly out, so went out his life on that December mom. The wife, sharer of his labors, his cares, and his happiness for fifty -six summers now mourns her great loss. Although nothing can fill the void occasioned by his death, yet there is one great consolation for Grandmother Bryant, she is surrounded by her children and grand- children, who will, in her declining years, lovingly care and provide for her every wish."

halls of death. Thon go not as the galley slave, scourged to his dungeon. But with unfaltering trust approach the grave. Like him who wraps the drapery of his couch about him.

Mrs. Reuben Well.s. - Mary A. Sleeth was born on the 28th of June, 1818, in Western Virginia. In 1826, she removed to Indiana with her parents, and from thence to Burlington, Iowa, in 1836, where she was married to John H. McKenny on the 3d of January, 1839. With her husband she removed to Fort Atkinson, and in 1848, to Fort Ripley, Minnesota, and in 1856, to Chatfield, Fillmore county, where she lived until November, 1879, when, having lost her husband by death, she married Reuben Wells. All who knew her speak in the warmest terms of her excellent qualities, her devotion to her family being a lovely characteristic. She was the centre of attraction to her children. She died on Tuesday morning, February 14th, 1882, in the village of Preston, and her remains were taken to Chatfield for interment.

Jemima Stkeator. - This lady came to America in 1854, with her family, and coming to Minnesota, cast their fortunes among the people of Canton township. She was a consistent member the Methodist Church. Her death was on the 26th of February, 1882, at the age of seventy-three years.

Mrs. Ellen A. Mann was relieved from her earthly career on the 4th of February, 1882. Bom in Ireland on the 19th of July, 1838, she came to America when sixteen years of age, stopping awhile in New York, and afterwards in Boston, and then coming west to Winona, and finally to Preston. In November, 1857, she was married to Mr. Mann. She was a true and faithful wife, and a devoted friend; was reared a Catholic, but became a Methodist, and afterwards joined the Presbyterian Church.

China Wedding. - Mr. and Mrs. Levi Wright, on the 16th of March, 1882, celebrated their China wedding, two decades having passed since their union was first consummated. In response to the forty invitations that went out, a large number gathered at their residence in Lanesboro, and the tokens of esteem presented overwhelmed them with gratitude.

Among other valuable presents should be noticed a fine bedroom set of nine pieces, a tea set of fifty- six pieces, and a fniit set of twenty pieces. This being the last of the commemorative weddings to be recorded, a list of the names of these various reunions is here presented, for the especial benefit of those who may heretifter start on their

One year - Cotton. Two years - ^Paper. Three years - Leather. Five years - Wooden. Seven years - Woolen. Ten years - Tin. Twelve years - Linen. Fifteen years - Crystal. Eighteen years - Silk. Twenty years - China. Twenty-five years - Silver. Thirty years - ^Pearl. Forty years - Ruby. Fifty years - Golden. Sixty years- ^pal. . Seventy -five years - Diamond.

General Bbmabks

When the process of settling the West first began, serious apprehensions were felt by the thoughtful men in religious circles in the eiistem States, as to the results of the heterogeneoos transplanting from the restraints of social, traditional and denominational influences, which were regarded as so valuable in forming and retaining moral character. Indeed there were serious and outspoken fears that the West would relapse into barbarism, and urgent appeals were made to put forth strenuous exertions to prevent this unfortunate condition of affairs.

That these apprehensions were groundless, has been abundantly shown by the state of society that now exists. The absence of established cburches and other civilizing influences did not operate to destroy the elements of self-restraint and of self-government which largely predominates among all classes of settlers, and which has preserved order, notwithstanding the striking enlargement of human freedom inseparable from frontier life.

When we come to downright crime the criminal statistics reveal that the comparison with older communities is decidedly in our favor. As a nile the men and women coming here had at first to struggle to meet the physical wants of themselves and families, and they had no time, and perhaps little inclination to make protestations involving faith in particular doctrines, but the results of whatever teaching they had received, was manifested in honest labor for the good of the whole community, and in acts of beneficence whenever occasion presented.

As to the condition of society, it is no exaggeration to say that here, west of the Mississippi, nearly as much has been accomplished in thirty years, as has been realized in New England in two hundred and fifty years.

To one who has not actually been involved in reclaiming a farm from a state of nature, and bringing it to a condition that will yield a comfortable support for a family, it is difficult to conceive the amount of toil required, and which is often not represented by the difference between the government price of the land, and its market value to-day. As time goes on the estimation in which the settlers who formed the van- guard of this northwestern civilization, will be held, will be higher and higher; and the generation now so rapidly taking their places, should appreciate the presence of those who remain, and endeavor to strew with flowers the pathways that must all terminate at no distant day. Let kindness and consideration wait upon them, while they are stiJI with us, and not postpone our substantial appreciation of their merits until they are gone, and then erect cold and passionless monuments to their memory.

Special mention should be made of the noble, loving, and true women, who were such an indispensable component in the settlement of the country, and who, with such devotion, severed the ties of childhood and youth, to foUow a husband, a son, a father, or brother, into an unknown region. And once here her presence and example of fortitude, of industry, and economy was a perpetual support to the men, and often restrained them from acts of violence where unusual provocations were incentives that might not otherwise have been disregarded. To the wives and mothers who endured the privations and hardships of pioneer life the highest award of praise should be accorded, and as their ranks are decimated by the grim archer, those who remain will be tenderly cared for by the oncoming generation, who appreciate what they have done to create the homes and the institutions that now make life enjoyable.