Grand Army of the Republic
Watonwan County, Minnesota
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After the close of the Civil War, in almost every town and city in the Northern states, there were posts of the Grand Army of the Republic organized by the veterans of that never-to-be-forgotten struggle. This county had one at Madelia and at St. James.
At St. James this order is represented by John A. Logan Post No. 64. The first commander was J. P. Schultz, and the first adjutant was M. E. Mullen. E. Z. Rasey, still serving, has been commander of this post for twenty-four years. The charter members were as follow: M. E.. Mullen, J. P. Schutz, R. W. Holland, G: H. Herrick, J. L. Jones, A. K. Peck, H. H. Higgins, John Delaughter, E. H. Heller, W. J. Kelly, William S. Adsmond, John E. Lyons, Robert Wowland, U. H. Palmer, Frank Queen, Rasmus Danielson, Knud Knudson, W. R. Koenig. In June, 1916, only two of the original post membership were surviving—Knud Knudson and U. H. Palmer. Of the seven left in this post, which has had fifty-seven soldiers enrolled at one time or another, the last one enrolled was Walter J. Mallet, who was a witness in Washington, D. C, at the military trial and execution of this despicable character, the keeper of Andersonville prison, Wirz, who was found guilty and hung in the city prison at Washington. Comrade Mallet, of the St. James Post, relates how he was ordered to Washington as a witness and was asked to pick out the right man among dozens in the jail at the national capital city prison at that time. He went along through the passage ways of the dingy prison until finally he saw the man Wirz. He called him by name and was asked by Wirz what he was there for. He replied, "To swear against you." Then said Wirz, "I will go to hell sure," and Mallet replied, "I think you will." Mallet was of the Seventh Illinois Regiment. On the same gallows that Wirz was justly hung, also was executed the.assassin of President James A. Garfield, in 1882.
The present officers of John A. Lagan Post at St. James are: E. Z. Rasey, commander; John Coleman, senior vice-commander; Clinton Ellsworth, adjutant; U. H. Palmer, quartermaster and surgeon; Ed. Hewitt, officer of the day and officer of guard; Knud Knudson, chaplain.
In connection with this post is the Woman's Relief Corps, which now has a membership of sixteen, but has been for many years the life of the post. Its president is now Mrs. Ella Palmer, and the worthy secretary is Mrs. Helen A. Rasey.