Dedication Exercises Of Memorial Monument On Historical Site.

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Twenty thousand persons attended the dedication of a monument at Lake Shetek, north of Currie Sunday in memory of fourteen white settlers who were massacred by Indians on August 20, 1862. The ceremonies, at which Governor Christianson was principal speaker, were held at the farm of D. H. Evans who donated the land for the site of the monument.

A feature of the exercises was the presence of John Eastlick, survivor of the massacre. Mrs. Hotaling of Mankato, who is the only other known survivor was not present. At the time of the Indian raid on the Lake Shetek settlement, Eastlick was fifteen months old. He was saved by his thirteen-year-old brother, Merten, who carried the youngster at night to New Ulm, fifty miles away.

Governor Christianson reviewed the history of the Shetek country and paid tribute to the pioneers of this community. He also praised the members of the commission which had charge of the erection of the monument, for the economy in erecting the shaft. The commission was composed of Henry Paal and C. A. Portmann of Currie, and J. E. Baxter, of Walnut Grove chairman. Richard Pfefferle was the only defender and the only territorial pioneer seated on the platform.

Description of Monument.

The monument is made of Minnesota granite. It weights thirty-six tons, is thirty-feet, ten inches high and has a seven-ton base. It was erected at a cost of $1,700, of which the state gave $1,000. Everett Bros. of Waseca gave $500 and another party who did not wish his name revealed donated $100 to the fund. The land on which the shaft stands has the bodies of fourteen victims of the slaughter.

The ceremonies which were in charge of Chairman Baxter, were opened by Father William Colbert of Currie, Senator L. P. Johnson, of Ivanhoe, Congressman Frank Clague, Redwood Falls also spoke and Governor Christianson followed.

Richard Pfefferle, Aug. Hummel, J. A. Ochs, the Marti family and the F. H. Krook family were among those who attended from New Ulm.

New Ulm Review,

August 8, 1925

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