through town. The Fort Atkinson Harrison and Morton club was there in full force and the marchers were at a loss to know whither they were wending when they marched pass Hampson's Hall and out into the country; but soon another torchlight procession was seen on the distant hills. "There’s the enemy," shouted the old soldiers. But it proved to be the Galmar club, led by the Calmar band. Later the Gastalia club put in an appearance. This aggregation made a larger crowd and more brilliant demonstration in bands, banners, torches and numbers than was ever seen in the Village of Ossian. The residents were out enmasse to see it.

The Democrats knew not what to make of it. Bro. Garter had left his microscope at home, and his usually rubicund face was pale once more with envy.

The crowd was thrice too large for any hall, and a stand was hastily improvised on the old Baker store corner, and there from a "love feast," was held with Judge Willett, ex-Gov. Bulls, Rev. Dr. Mabry, Editor Bailey, County Attorney Kaye and Secretary Goffeen as "exhorters."

At 10:20 P. M., the meeting adjourned with three rousing cheers for Harrison, Morton and Protection, and the participants returned to their homes, glad to have participated in such a jubilant and enthusiastic rally. It was the precursor of not a few similar ones.

Following this rally, a Harrison for president club was organized with E. J. Harron as president; Frank Limbeck, Vice Pres.; G. J. Mills, Sec'y; and Ole Thompson, treasurer.

The vote in Military twp. this year was Democrat—206; Republican--120. The following men were elected to township offices; Justice of Peace--James Malloy and H. B. Gorlett; constable--D. D. Rosa and E. H. Limbeck; assessor—John Webster; trustee--Torre O. Bakken; and clerk--James Malloy.

1888

THE DEMOCRAT RALLY

The Democrats staged a torchlight parade early in the year. There were said to be at least 9^ torches in the procession. It was led by the Ossian band.

The youngsters, not to be outdone by their elders, held their own rally. Thirty four boys, aged 5 to 12 years, donned Cleveland and Thurman hats, carried torches, and marched down Main street. Father Tierney treated the group to sweets at the confectionery.

The Bee reported its bulletin board was right up-to-the-minute during the Democratic convention in Chicago. One bulletin was received just four minutes after it left convention hall. Judge DeCou was in attendance at this convention.

He was reported to be "all rigged out" in a brand new suit, standing collar and silk hat.

Many of the township's earliest settlers passed away during the 1880s: G. A. Sawyer, 1885; Wm. Doer,1886; Nathan Cornell, 1887; Knut Larson, 1888; William Birdsel, 1889; R. N. Sawyer, 1889; and Wm. Cremer, 1889• One of the earliest, Nicholas Limbeck died in 1889, and was borne to his grave by six other pioneers: John Collins, James Daniels, John Webster, H. Steffins, John DeCou and A. P. Cornell.

The Ossian city‘limits were extended by a vote of the citizens, to both east and west, taking in the properties of E. Schoonmaker, Frank Dessel and John Fisher. Editor Carter refers to this extension as correcting a mistake by the incorporators in 1876.

L. A. Meyer, A. T. Gunderson, Ed Harron, R. A. Ferris, Ed Williams, G. Tinling, L. Fertig, W. H. Baker, John Bpyle, Frank Sobolik and T. Olson pumped to Calmar on a handcar. They dined on cheese and crackers with plenty of "ginger ale" to wash them down and report an excellent time.

N. Frudden and Company purchased the stock, sheds, grounds and good will of P. Axen & Co. at the site of Fleming's old lumberyard. This makes Frudden the largest lumber dealer in Winneshiek county.