Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 1

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190

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COMPENDIUM

History and Biography

MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

MAJ. R. I. HOLCOMBE, Historical Editor WILLIAM H. BINGHAM, General Editor

WITH SPECIAL ARTICLES BY CHAS. M. LORING, THOMAS B. WALKER, GEORGE H. CHRISTIAN, GEORGE H. WARREN, AND OTHERS

ILLUSTRATED

CHICAGO HENRY TAYLOR & CO. Publishers, Engravers and Book Manufacturers 1914

1142748 FOREWORD

This compendium of history and biography aims to present to the residents of Minneapolis and the gen- eral publie a elear, suceinct and comprehensive ae- count of this region from the earliest prehistoric period of whcih any authentie information, written, arehæological or traditional, is attainable.

The publishers believe that in the treatment of aboriginal doings and developments they have ex- plored a hitherto largely untrodden field and given an aecount of it far more complete, aeeurate and satisfac- tory than any that has ever before appeared in any publication. They feel confident, too, that in tracing the course of early explorations in this part of the country and following the footsteps of the heroie ad- ventures who made those explorations they have won a degree of success never before attained. They have used every precaution to verify all the faets and de- ductions given, and are therefore convinced that every statement made in this volume ean be fully and safely relied on.

In dealing with the period from the foundation of the eity to the present time the publishers have found an inexhaustible fund of information and suggestion. The invasion and conquest of a wilderness; the wrest- ing of a vast domain of hill and valley, forest and prairie, from its nomadie and savage denizens; its transformation into an empire rich in all the elements of modern civilization-basking in the smiles of pas- toral abundanee, resounding with the din of fruitful industry, busy with the mighty volume of a multiform and far-reaching commeree and bright with the luster of high mental, moral and spiritual life-the home of an enterprising, progressive, all-daring people, as they founded and have built it, is always and every- where an inspiring theme, and nowhere is it richer in elements of true heroism, brighter with the radiance of genuine manhood and womanhood or more signally blessed with the results of endurance bravely borne and industry well applied than here in Minneapolis, which was born and has grown to its present magni- tude and importanee within the memory of persons who are still living.

The book teems with biographies of the progressive men of Minneapolis-those who laid the foundations of its greatness and those who have built and are build- ing on the superstructure-and is adorned with por- traits of a large number of them. It also gives a eom- prehensive survey of the numerous lines of produetive energy which distinguish the people of the city at the present time and those in which its residents have been engaged at all periods in the past sinee the settle- ment of the region began. And so far as past history and present conditions disclose them, the work indi-

cates the trend of the eity's activities and the goal which they aim to reach.

No attempt has been made to give undue tone or a spectacular appearanee to the course of events re- corded in this volume. Essential history insists on writing itself, and refuses to be anticipated, controlled or turned from its destined way. What the men and women of Minneapolis have done and are doing for its advaneement and improvement embodies the real essence of the city's growth and progress, and points out, with unmistakable significance, the sterling char- acteristies of the people who have wrought the great wonder-work of its ereation and development.

In their arduous task of preparing this compendium of history and biography its publishers and promoters have had most valuable assistance from Mr. Warren Upham, the accomplished and accommodating secre- tary of the Minnesota Historical Society. He has freely, cheerfully and at all times placed at their dis- posal, not only all the publications in the State His- torical Library, but also all the stores of his own ex- tensive knowledge and teeming memory of persons and events connected with the swift mareh of Minnesota from the far frontier to the heart of eivilization.

The special thanks of the publishers are due also and are warmly tendered to Mr. C. M. Loring for his splendid and sparkling chapter entitled "Looking Through a Vista of Fifty Years;" to Mr. Thomas B. Walker for his highly entertaining and valuable "Early History of the Lumber Industry;" to Mr. George H. Christian for his graphic and interesting account of the founding of the milling industry and fast-fading stories of its early days; to Mr. George H. Warren for showing in an impressive way the relation- ship of the woodsmen to the lumber industry, the vital necessity for their service and its inestimable value ; to Major R. I. Holeombe for his masterful work in preparing the general history of the eity which en- riches the volume, and to many other persons whose aid is highly appreciated but who are too numerous to be mentioned specifically by name. Without the valuable and judicious aid of all these persons, those who are named and those who are not, it would have been impossible to compile a history of the complete- ness and high eharaeter this one is believed to have. Finally, to the residents of Minneapolis and Henne- pin County, to whose patronage the book is indebted for its publication, and whose life stories constitute a large part of its contents, the publishers freely tender their grateful thanks, with the hope that the volume will be an ample and satisfactory recompense. It is submitted to the judgment of the public with no other voiee to proclaim its worth than that of its own in- herent merits, whatever they may be.

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.

MINNEAPOLIS IN PRE-HISTORY AND IN THE EARLIEST RECORD.

THE MOUND BUILDERS' OCCUPATION-THE COMING OF THE FIRST CAUCASIANS-THE DISCOVERY OF THE GREAT FALLS BY THE HUMBLE PRIEST THAT MADE THEM FAMOUS 1

CHAPTER II.

FURTHER INCIDENTS OF THE ERA OF DISCOVERY AND EXPLORATION.

FATHER HENNEPIN'S WORK OF TOIL, SUFFERING, AND GLORY-DULUTH'S ATTEMPT TO ROB THE GOOD PRIEST OF CER- TAIN HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS-GROSEILLIERS AND RADISSON'S DOUBTFUL EXPLORATIONS-PERROT'S AND LE SUEUR'S EXPLORATIONS AND OPERATIONS-CERTAIN ALLEGED VOYAGES ABOVE ST. ANTHONY NOT AUTIIENTI- CATED-VERENDRYE AND SONS' EXPEDITION TIIROUGH NORTIIERN MINNESOTA-FROM 1727 TO 1767. .10

CHAPTER III. THE FIRST AMERICAN VISITS AND EXPLORATIONS.

VISIT OF CAPTAIN JONATHAN CARVER IN 1766- THE FIRST NATIVE-BORN CAUCASIAN-AMERICAN TO SEE AND WRITE ABOUT ST. ANTHONY'S FALLS-HIS DESCRIPTION OF THEM AND THE SURROUNDING COUNTRY-GOES UP TO RUM RIVER AND ASCENDS THE MINNESOTA-CLAIMS THAT HE SPENT SEVERAL MONTHS WITH THE SIOUX-HIS ENTIRE ACCOUNT A MIXTURE OF TRUTH AND FALSITY-BUT ALTOGETHER HE DID MORE GOOD THAN HARM TO THE MINNE- SOTA COUNTRY-LIEUT. Z. M. PIKE'S EXPEDITION AND INVESTIGATIONS-HE PROCLAIMS THE AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES, TREATS WITH THE INDIANS FOR THE SITE OF FORT SNELLING AND MINNEAPOLIS, ETC .. .19

CHAPTER IV. THE ADVENT OF CIVILIZATION.

TRESPASSES OF BRITISH TRADERS HASTEN THE COMING OF THE AMERICANS-THE BUILDING OF FORT ST. ANTHONY OR FORT SNELLING-THE OLD MILLS AT ST. ANTHONY'S FALLS-THEIR ERECTION THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE OF MINNEAPOLIS-MAJOR LONG'S EXPEDITIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS-DISCOVERY OF LAKE MINNETONKA BY "JOEY" BROWN, THE DRUMMER BOY-NAMING OF LAKES HARRIET, AMELIA, AND OTHERS-FIRST ATTEMPTS AT 28 GRAIN GROWING IN MINNESOTA, ETC.

CHAPTER V. FIRST OCCUPANTS OF THE CITY'S SITE.

THE SIOUX INDIANS HAD THE FIRST HABITATIONS-CLOUD MAN'S BAND AT LAKE CALHOUN-OTHER SIOUX BANDS IN THE VICINITY-THE "FIRSTS"-NAME OF FORT ST. ANTHONY CHANGED TO FORT SNELLING-THE TREATY OF PRAIRIE DU CHIEN-EARLY INCIDENTS OF FORT SNELLING HISTORY-THE FIRST WHITE IMMIGRANTS COME FROM RED RIVER-THE POND BROTHERS COME AS INDIAN MISSIONARIES AND BUILD THE FIRST HOUSE ON THE CITY'S PRESENT SITE-H. H. SIBLEY COMES TO MENDOTA-ZACHARY TAYLOR COMMANDS AT FORT SNELLING AND LIVES TO APPOINT THE FIRST TERRITORIAL OFFICERS FOR MINNESOTA-OLD INDIAN FIGHTS AND TRAGEDIES NEAR THE SITE OF MINNEAPOLIS-THE FIRST SHOT OF THE GREAT INDIAN BATTLES BETWEEN THE SIOUX AND CHIPPEWAS AT RUM RIVER AND STILLWATER, IN JULY, 1839, IS FIRED AT LAKE HARRIET. 39

CONTENTS

CHAPTER VI.

PREPARING FOR THE WHITE MAN'S COMING.

THIE CHIPPEWA AND SIOUX TREATIES OF 1837-THE INDIAN TITLE TO THE EAST BANK OF THE MISSISSIPPI PURCHASED. MAKING POSSIBLE SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AT ST. ANTHONY FALLS-OPERATIONS BEGUN HERE AND ON THE ST. CROIX-FRANKLIN STEELE LAYS THE FIRST FOUNDATIONS OF MINNEAPOLIS AT ST. ANTHONY-LATER VISITORS AND EXPLORERS EXAMINE THE COUNTRY-FEATHERSTONHAUGH, CATLIN, AND NICOLLET-MINNEAPOLIS CAME NEAR BEING IN PERMANENT INDIAN TERRITORY-CERTAIN DANGEROUS CRISES IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTRY NARROWLY PASSED-A MIGHTY METROPOLIS ON THE FORT SNELLING SITE PREVENTED BY THE ILL CON. DUCT OF A MILITARY BOSS-THE BANISHMENT OF WORTHY SETTLERS LEADS TO THE BUILDING OF ST. PAUL. . 50

CHAPTER VII. PRELIMINARIES OF THE CITY'S FOUNDING.

CLAIM-MAKING FOLLOWS TREATY RATIFICATION-FRANKLIN STEELE MAKES THE FIRST LEGAL LAND CLAIMS AT ST. ANTIIONY'S FALLS-WIIO IIIS ASSOCIATES WERE-BUILDING THE FIRST MILL ON THE EAST SIDE-THE WORK OF DEVELOPMENT PROCEEDS SLOWLY FOR WANT OF A LITTLE MONEY-FIRST HOMES AND OCCUPANTS AT ST. ANTHONY-THE COUNTRY AND THE GENERAL SITUATION IN 1847, ETC., ETC. .59

CHAPTER VIII. THE FOUNDING AND EARLY HISTORY OF ST. ANTHONY.

MINNESOTA OPENED TO WHITE SETTLEMENT-FRANK STEELE'S MILL AT ST. ANTHONY IS COMPLETED AND A BUSINESS BOOM RESULTS-FIRST BUSINESS HOUSES OPENED-ADVERSITIES FOLLOW AND FALL UPON THE FOUNDER OF THE PLACE-FIRST TIMBER-CUTTING ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI-STEELE'S MILL-WHEELS TURN AND THE VILLAGE GROWS-CREATION OF MINNESOTA TERRITORY-WM. R. MARSHALL SURVEYS THE TOWN SITE IN 1849 AND ANOTHER BOOM FOLLOWS-THE FIRST FERRY-ADVENTURE OF MISS SALLIE BEAN-MINNESOTA'S GOVERN- MENTAL MACHINERY SET IN MOTION-WHAT THE FIRST CENSUS DECLARED, ETC .. .66

CHAPTER IX. PRIMITIVE SCENES AND CONDITIONS.

ST. ANTHONY IN ITS FIRST DAYS AS DESCRIBED BY WRITERS AND ACTUAL RESIDENTS-E. S. SEYMOUR, THE NOTED NORTHWESTERN TRAVELER AND DESCRIPTIVE WRITER, PRESENTS WORD PAINTINGS OF TIIE LITTLE FRONTIER VIL- LAGE IN 1849-EDITOR GOODHUE, OF THE FIRST MINNESOTA NEWSPAPER, MAKES THE FIRST PRINTED MENTION OF THE TOWN-ONE OF THE FIRST LADY RESIDENTS GIVES REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER DAYS AND DOINGS. . . ... ..

CHAPTER X. IN THE MORNING OF POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.

THE FIRST COURT CONVENES IN THE HOUSE OF THE GOVERNMENT MILLER-FIRST ELECTIONS-SPIRITED CANVASS IN 1848 BETWEEN HENRY H. SIBLEY AND HENRY M. RICE. THE CAPTAINS OF TIIE FUR INDUSTRY, AND WHO CONTEST FOR THE POSITION OF DELEGATE IN CONGRESS FROM "WISCONSIN TERRITORY, " AND SIBLEY WINS-ST. ANTIIONY THEN IN WISCONSIN-FIRST ELECTIONS IN MINNESOTA TERRITORY, 1849, AND SIBLEY AGAIN ELECTED DELEGATE -THE CLOSE ELECTION OF 1850-JOHN H. STEVENS APPEARS AND BECOMES PROMINENT IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS -- LIST OF VOTERS IN ST. ANTHONY IN 1849 AND 1850-THE FIRST SCHOOLS, STEAMBOATS, INDEPENDENCE D.1] CELEBRATIONS, BUSINESS HOUSES, ETC., ETC. . 84

CHAPTER XI.

THE AFFAIRS OF STEELE AND TAYLOR-ST. ANTHONY IN 1850 AND 1851-THE VILLAGE AS DESCRIBED BY PIONEER WRITERS-THE FIRST NEWSPAPER-FIRST SCHOOLS, CHURCHES. ADVERTISEMENTS, ETC .- PIONEER ENTERTAIN- MENTS-ST. ANTHONY MIGHT HAVE BECOME THE CAPITAL OF MINNESOTA-THE MOMENTOUS INDIAN TREATIES OF 1851. 94

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER XII.

THE CITY AND COUNTY ARE ESTABLISHED.

EFFECT OF THE INDIAN TREATIES OF 1851-THE WEST SIDE OF THE RIVER OPENED TO WHITE SETTLEMENT-SETTLERS FLOCK TO THE NEW HOME SITES-THE FIRST PERMANENT OCCUPANTS OF THE CITY'S WESTERN DIVISION-A NEW CITY IS FOUNDED AND A NEW COUNTY CREATED .. 105

CHAPTER XIII. LAYING THE CITY'S FOUNDATIONS.

REDUCING THE FORT SNELLING RESERVE-CHANGING THE NAME OF THE ST. PETER'S TO MINNESOTA-SETTLERS ON THE TOWN SITE IN 1851 AND 1852-FIRST CLAIMS ON THE INDIAN LANDS-MISCELLANEOUS CLAIMS AND CLAIMANTS-FIRST FAMILIES NEAR LAKES HARRIET AND CALHOUN-FIRST CLAIMS IN NORTH MINNEAPOLIS- EARLY SETTLERS IN SOUTH TOWN-ADDITIONAL PIONEERS OF 1851 AND 1852-FINAL RECORDS OF SOME FIRST CITIZENS-BEGINNINGS OF THE UNIVERSITY. 113

CHAPTER XIV. LEADING EVENTS OF THE EARLY HISTORY.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES AND COMMENTS-ORGANIZATION OF TIIE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE NATION AND STATE- POLITICS IN 1855 AND THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION AT MINNEAPOLIS-THE HENNEPIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY HOLDS THE FIRST AGRICULTURAL FAIR IN THE STATE-TIIE GOVERNOR PREVENTS THE ORGANIZATION OF ST. ANTHONY COUNTY AND IS SEVERELY DENOUNCED - ST. ANTHONY INCORPORATED AS A CITY - HENNEPIN COUNTY ABSORBS ST. ANTHONY-THE SENSATIONAL ELECTION FOR DELEGATES TO FORM THE FIRST STATE CON- STITUTION-THE FIRST GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION, IN 1857-TIIE FINANCIAL PANICS OF 1857 AND 1859. . .. 119

CHAPTER XV.

MISCELLANEOUS HISTORICAL INCIDENTS FROM 1861 TO THE CONSOLIDATION, IN 1872.

DURING THE WAR FOR TIIE UNION-MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. ANTHONY DID THEIR FULL PART FROM FIRST TO LAST- THE VICTORIES OF THE TIME OF PEACE-THE FIRST RAILROADS ARE SECURED-THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS SECURELY FOUNDED-A MODEL PRIVATE SCHOOL, THIE BLAKE-THE REAL ESTABLISHING OF THE UNIVERSITY- THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDED-CREATION OF THE PARK SYSTEM 132

CHAPTER XVI. FROM THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE CITIES AT THE FALLS TO THE PRESENT.

MINNEAPOLIS AS A MUNICIPALITY-FIRST CITY GOVERNMENT-EXPANSION OF THE CITY AND ITS TRIBUTARY COUN- TRY-THE CITY GROWS CONSTANTLY STRONGER-EN COUNTERS AND PASSES PANICS AND OTHER OBSTACLES TO PROSPERITY-A STREET RAILWAY IS BUILT-OTHER FEATURES OF STRENGTH ARE SECURED-THE YEAR 1880 OPENS THE DOORS TO A GREAT BUSINESS BOOM LASTING SIX YEARS-A PARK SYSTEM INAUGURATED-PROGRESS ALONG ALL LINES-1 GAIN IN POPULATION OF 118,000 FROM 1880 TO 1890-MORE RAILROAD BUILDING-TIIE EXPOSITION IS CREATED-THE OLD "MOTOR LINE"-THE STREET RAILWAY ADOPTS ELECTRICITY AS A MOTIVE POWER-BIG PUBLIC BUILDINGS ARE ERECTED-THE CENSUS WAR WITH ST. PAUL IN 1890-THE GREAT BOOM BURSTS, BUT THE SHOCK IS SURVIVED-NEW INDUSTRIES FOUNDED AND OLD ONES STRENGTHENED-TRADE CON - DITIONS BECOME WORTHY OF PRIDE AND BOASTING-DURING THE WAR WITH SPAIN-EFFORTS AT CHARTER CHANGING-SOME CENSUS FIGURES OF 1900-PROGRESS IN CULTURE AND REFINEMENT-THE NEWSPAPERS- CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS-RECENT IMPORTANT IHISTORIC INCIDENTS, ETC .. 138

CHAPTER XVII. PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL REMINISCENCES BY PROMINENT CITIZENS.

R. P. UPTON'S NOTES ON EARLY DAYS IN ST. ANTHONY-CHAS. M. LORING'S "VISTA OF FIFTY YEARS"-THOS. B. WALKER'S REMINISCENCES, HISTORICAL SKETCHES, AND NOTES ON LUMBER MANUFACTURING AT ST. AN- THONY'S FALLS-GEO. H. CHRISTIAN'S NOTES ON EARLY ROLLER MILLING IN MINNEAPOLIS AND HOW CERTAIN

viii

CONTENTS

RAILROADS OPPRESSED THE MILLERS- GEORGE H. WARREN'S NOTES AN EXCERPT FROM "THE PIONEER WOODSMAN AS HE IS RELATED TO LUMBERING IN THE NORTHWEST."

150

CHAPTER XVIII.

THIE BANKING INTERESTS OF THE CITY.

SKETCHIES OF SOME OF THE IMPORTANT AND TYPICAL BANKS AND TRUST COMPANIES OF MINNEAPOLIS-THE FIRST NATIONAL-TIIE NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL-THE SECURITY NATIONAL-MINNEAPOLIS TRUST CO .- MINNESOTA LOAN AND TRUST CO .- THE STATE INSTITUTION FOR SAVINGS-FARMERS AND MECHANICS SAVINGS BANK- SCANDINAVIAN-AMERICAN NATIONAL-METROPOLITAN NATIONAL-ST. ANTHONY FALLS BANK-THE NATIONAL CITY BANK OF MINNEAPOLIS-THE GERMAN-AMERICAN NATIONAL-EAST SIDE STATE BANK. 169

ST. ANTHONY FALLS IN 1855 Showing the first suspension bridge built that year, and the first to span the river anywhere

COL. JOHN HARRINGTON STEVENS

First settler on the original site of Minneapolis. (From photo in 1880.)

CHARLES HOAG

The prominent pioneer who gave the City of Minneapolis its name. ( From an old newspaper print.)

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

CHAPTER I.

MINNEAPOLIS IN PRE-HISTORY AND IN THE EARLIEST RECORD.

THE MOUND BUILDERS' OCCUPATION-THE COMING OF THE FIRST CAUCASIANS-THE DISCOVERY OF THE GREAT FALLS BY THE HUMBLE PRIEST THAT MADE THEM FAMOUS.

To the great cataract in the Mississippi River at its site, the city of Minneapolis owes its origin, its existence, and the principal elements which form its condition and character. The history of this cataract, or of the series of cataracts known as the Falls of St. Anthony, is practically, therefore, the history of Minneapolis. But for these falls there would have been no city here, and their development has kept progress with that of the city; and though the city could now live and prosper if the great water power were taken away, yet that mighty force is still one of the strongest elements and features of the munici- pality's well-being and prosperity.

And the history of the city is also a very impor- tant part of that of Minnesota. The two records are interwoven and so dependent as to be inseparable. Minneapolis could hardly exist without Minnesota, and Minnesota at large finds its great busy. bustling, and enterprising metropolis of immense advantage to the material welfare of the State and its people. No history of Minneapolis can be complete without a fair mention of that of Minnesota.

THE PRE-HISTORIC PEOPLE.

At a very early period in American history, per- haps before the Christian era, that mysterious race commonly called the Mound Builders occupied por- tions of what is now the State of Minnesota. From a fair consideration of the evidences of their occupa- tion, it is probable that the period of their stay here covered at least a hundred years; exactly when they came and when they left can never be known. All knowledge of them is incomplete, uncertain, indefi- nite, and largely speculative. It seems certain, how- ever, that at a very remote period a race of human beings, differing from the red or copper-colored Indians of historic times, were in Minnesota. They left undoubted cvidences of their occupation. They raised earthen mounds, fortifications, and effigies ; made and used stone axes, flint arrow-points, spear and lance heads, and other weapons and implements ; and manufactured pottery, beads, and other articles.

In time they made implements of copper. They left specimens of their work behind them, and very many of these specimens are in existence today.

It seems altogether probable that at one time there was a city of the Mound Builders in the castern part of St. Paul, on the crest of the great elevation known as Dayton's Bluff. Here, until in recent years, were a dozen huge conical mounds, some of which were 25 feet in height and the same dimension in diameter at the base. Two or three of these are supposed to have been temple mounds, from whose crests human sacrifices were offered to the great Sun God; for, many think the Mound Builders were akin to the Aztecs of Mexico, whom Cortez found worshiping the sun and offering to that great luminary, from stone altars upon lofty elevations, human sacrifices gashed and dismembered with flint knives. Near Little Falls are considerable deposits of white quartz; and, from certain chips and fragments found in the vicinity. it is conjectured that the Minnesota Mound Builders worked here and made certain weapons and imple- ments. The greater number of these articles found in Minnesota were not made here. The material of which they are formed came from other States, some of it from as far to the eastward as West Virginia.

Now, the Mound Builders-or at least some very ancient people-made all these stone and flint imple- ments; their successors, the red or copper-colored Indians, did not-could not. They picked them up and used them, but they could neither manufacture them or put them in repair. Evidently the most delicate arrow-points were made simply with other flint tools. In many Western States, from the Ohio to the upper Mississippi, numerous copper imple- ments are found in the Mounds and at the sites of pre-historic villages. It is conjectured that most of the mineral from which these articles were made came from the vast deposits in Michigan. Some of the ancient red Indians-notably the Sioux of the Mille Lacs-made a rude pottery, but it was not like that of the Mound Builders.

A proportion of the larger Mounds seem to have been used mainly as the sepulchers or last resting

HISTORY OF MINNEAPOLIS AND HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

. places of the kings, chiefs, and other of the illus- trious pre-historie dead. The practice of such interment may have been copied from the ancient Egyptians. The majority of the mounds are small. The smaller are ealled sepulchral mounds, because they seem to have been used solely as tombs and burial places. Some of the larger and higher mounds are thought to have been towers of observation from whose erests the approach of enemies might be dis- covered. In nearly every mound that has been opened, whether sepulchral, temple, or observation, human relies have been discovered. In most in- stanees, however, all that was found of the character of human remains comprised some fragments of bone, which crumbled on exposure to the light, and some whitish powder. apparently the last traces of a human skeleton which had "returned to its original dust." In every case of this kind it is fair to presume that the mound was not only intended as the tomb of a distinguished personage, but was meant to be a monu- ment to his memory. It was a Pyramid in honor of a Mound Builder Rameses.

This is not the place for an essay upon the old Mound Builders. They have long been the subjects of investigation and discussion, and, in recent years, of controversy and dispute among American ethnol- ogists and archaeologists. One party contends that these pre-historic people were members of a distinct race of fairly civilized agriculturists, whose remote ancestors came from South America, by way of Central America and Mexico, into what is now the United States ; that they lived from remote antiquity in the regions where the mounds and the stone and fint implements were found, and that they were finally driven away or exterminated by the more savage nomadic hordes that came from the northward and whose descendants became the red Indians found in North America by the first whites. Another party believes that the Mound Builders were merely the progenitors and ancestors of the red or copper-colored Indians. No written record of the Mound Builders has ever been found, unless the alleged "golden plates" from which the Mormons claim their "Bible" was translated was such a record.

MOUND BUILDERS AT MINNEAPOLIS.

There never were but few evidences of the Mound Builders' occupation of the present site of Minne- apolis; perhaps there are none now. Out on the shores of Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriet, in carly times, there were a few tumuli or sepulchral mounds. The Pond brothers, early missionaries, noted one or two of these on Lake Calhoun. The late Gov. W. R. Marshall, who was one of the very first settlers on the east side of the Falls, had several small mounds on his claim and excavated one of them for a cellar, but nothing very remarkable was found. At Bloom- ington and Lake Minnetonka are abundant evidences of the Mound Builders' presenee at a remote time. The collection of mounds at Bloomington is large and important, but no remarkable "finds" have been developed.

It is probable that in the early periods of human

occupation the site of the great Falls here was regarded as supernatural, as holy ground. not to be trespassed upon with impunity, but only to be visited in reverence and a spirit of devotion. Any great natural feature, as a mountain, a large lake, a water- fall, was by the aborigines believed to be the abode of a deity and was regarded and respected accord- ingly. Even the huge granite boulders scattered over the surface of the country were believed to be the abiding places of supernatural beings. These simple people, in the natural disposition of mankind to believe in the mysterious and supernatural, filled, in their fancies, not only the earth but the air with deities and spirits, and of a truth saw God in the clouds and heard Him in the wind.

THE FALLS SITE HELD TO BE HOLY.

The aborigines, both Mound Builders and red Indians, did not make their homes immediately near the great river falls at the site of Minneapolis. There were beautiful locations all about the cataracts, but doubtless it was thought to be dangerous to oceupy them. The powerful spirits whose abodes were here would resent the intrusion and visit the intruders with awful penalties and punishments. The nearest the old-time villages eame to the Falls was out about Lake Calhoun.

When the first white man, Father Louis Hennepin, visited the Falls, in July, 1680, he saw a Sioux Indian offering sacrifices and addressing his prayers to the presiding local deity. Other early explorers noted that the Indians visited the mighty cataracts. not to fish or hunt, but to say their prayers and show all proper respect to their gods; no Indian offered to set his tepee or to build his lodge there. In fear and trembling they noted the intrusion and trespass of the white men upon the sacred precincts. They regarded the work of improvement here as sacrilege and desecration of the worst form. When in 1820 the garrison at Fort Snelling built a mili and a dwell- ing house here, they looked to see it overwhelmed by a flood or destroyed by thunderbolts. As time passed and other improvements were made, and especially when mills were built and the river current made to turn them, they were astounded. Finally they con- cluded that the old gods had abandoned the place, and then a few of them came and pitched their tepees upon ground which became the business center of the great city.

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Compendium of history and biography of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, Minnesota, Part 1

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co. Number of Pages: 1190

Author: Holcombe, R. I. (Return Ira), 1845-1916; Bingham, William H
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : H. Taylor & Co.
Number of Pages: 1190