>From the book, "Sawdust City," by Lois Barland: In May or June 1874 Mr. McNair was a visitor in Eau Claire and on his return to is home favored the "Free Press" with a letter, in which he mentions the little village as he first saw it. Cedarville, New Jersey June 20, 1874 Editor Free Press Dear Sir: It was not able, because of having to prepare for so many farewell calls and visits, to avail myself before I started for my home, of your kind offer of the columns of the "Free Press" for the purpose of expressing to the many dear old friends of Eau Claire, my heartfelt appreciation of the cordial welcome, and most delightful fellowship which were afforded me during my visit among them, after an absence of nine and a half years. The ties of friendship which bind together companions in early labors for the building up of new communities are secondary in strength, only to those which bind together those who have had close Christian fellowship, in suffering, and in work for Jesus. I was made to rejoice in view of the fact that with such few exceptions and earliest settlers of Eau Claire had held to the ground, and that they had been so generally and greatly blessed by the good providence of God in connection with their industry and faith. I had heard of your wonderful growth as a city, but it required all my visit to realized how great and healthy had been your advancement during the period of my absence, and what mighty changes had taken place since I first settled at Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, as a missionary, in 1856, and preached in the Eau Claire House, my first sermon in the Chippewa Valley. I moved my family to Eau Claire in November of the years, and on the first Sabbath of 1859, the Presbyterian House of Worship was dedicated. I have just been hunting up and establishing those dates, and, I can scarcely comprehend that during what appears such a short time, Eau Claire has become a city of nearly 10,000 inhabitants, with its eight or ten churches, its costly and commodious school houses, its other numerous substantial expensive public buildings, its immense lumber establishments, and its very many splendid and delightful private residences. I rejoice especially that to such a large extent the wealth and enterprise of the place are in the hands and under the control of those who are disposed to use these agencies for the advancement of all those intellectual, social, moral and spiritual interests which are inseparably connected with the providence and power of a living and pure Christianity. I confidently trust that those priceless interests will be faithfully guarded and promoted by the people of Eau Claire. I will not cease to pray that the blessing of our common and glorious Christianity, shall with constantly increasing abundance and power be ever conferred upon the inhabitants of your city. Again, I express my most sincere appreciation of the many varied proofs of the friendship and affection of the people of Eau Claire during my visit; and also for the most unsuspected and generous present of one hundred dollars given me upon the evening of my departure. With more love to all my friends, and with sincere desire for the welfare of all the people of Eau Claire, I am, very truly yours, William W. McNair The building operations progressed rapidly during the summer, and by November the subject of furnishings for the edifice were under consideration. The cost of the building, it was seen, would be about $4,000 and a portion of this amount remained to be raised. Citizens had already contributed liberally -- the ugly snarl of the "Argus and Democrat," of Madison, suggests one gentleman alone had given $500. It was now the ladies took hold of the matter, and arranged for a ladies festival. The Eau Claire "Telegraph" of November 2, 1857 contained the following announcement; "Ladies Festival -- A Festival, the proceeds of which will be used in furnishing the Presbyterian church, will be given by the ladies, next Thursday evening, November 5th at Reed's Hall. Tickets of admission, including supper, may be had at the stores of Messrs. Peter Wyckoff, Chapman and Thorp, and William Mosier on the East side of the river; and at Messrs. Blashfield and Giddings and Mr. Marston on the West side. Price of tickets $1.00, children 25¢. Mr. Nichols has kindly offered to run a free ferry during the evening for the accommodation of the people on the West side of the river. The doors will open at 6½ o'clock, and supper will be served at 9 o'clock. Addresses may be expected during the evening." +++++++++++++++++++++ We will read what the "Times" had to say about this evening the next time we get together. -- Nance mailto:nsampson@spacestar.net