The history of Redwood County, Minnesota, Volume I, Part 1

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. 4n
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, jr.
Number of Pages: 658


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Go 977.601 R24c v.1 1198433


M. L.


GENEALOGY COLLECTION


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01080 7474


THE HISTORY


OF


REDWOOD COUNTY, MINNESOTA


COMPILED BY FRANKLYN CURTISS-WEDGE


Member of the Minnesota Historical Society, Member of the National Historical Society, Member of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society; Editor of the Histories of Goodhue, Dakato, Rice, Steele, Mower, Freeborn, Fillmore, Winona, Wright and Renville Counties, Minnesota.


REVIEWED BY JULIUS A. SCHMAHL Secretary of State


ILLUSTRATED


VOLUME I


CHICAGO H. C. COOPER JR. & CO. 1916


1198433


PREFACE


The aim of this work is to present in an available form, the facts which the average citizen should know about those events of the past which have been important in making the county what it is today. To the recital of these events have been added the biographies of present and former residents, that the reader may judge of the kind of men who have had their part in the life of the county, where they came from, under what conditions their youth was spent, what preparation they had for existence in this county, at what period of the county's progress they arrived here, and what they did toward its future progress. For the sake of future generations, these biographical sketches have also been made to include genealogical and family records.


The patrons of this history are almost exclusively the people of the county itself. It has, therefore, seemed wise to gather from various printed sources the story of the county before the arrival of the first settlers. In this way the reader will find in these two volumes, in accessible form, the material which other- wise could be made available in the average home only by the possesion of a large library.


The census reports of the United States government are ac- cessible to all, and it has not therefore seemed best to reprint from those reports extensive statistics regarding nationality and agriculture. The subjects, have, however, been treated in a general way, without reprinting the routine figures from the cen- sus reports.


County, village and township records, as well as various re- ports of state offiicals bearing on Redwood county have been searched with care. The Northwestern Gazetteer, published every two years, beginning with 1876, lias also proven a valuable source of information. The newspaper files have also been closely ex- amined. The source of the information contained in each chap- ter is given at the close of the chapters.


The records in Redwood county have been unusually well kept. But a handicap in the preparation of the history has been the neglect of many of the people of the county to respond to re- quests for information. In reply to more than 500 letters sent out requesting reminiscences from people who have lived in the county for more than thirty-five years, less than ten replies have been received. Hundreds of letters asking for information re- garding churches, postoffices, early settlers, and official events have likewise remained unanswered.


iii


midland 25,00 (2 vole.)


iv


PREFACE


Our representatives have, however, met with unfailing courtesy in their personal interviews with the people, and many thanks are due to all citizens of the county who, by their assistance, have helpod to make the publication what it is.


The proof sheets of the historical part of the work have been read with care by Hon. Julius A. Schmahl, Secretary of State. Mr. Schmahl has also been frequently consulted during the prog- ress of the work, and has made many valuable suggestions.


Our association with the people of the county has been a pleasant one. We have conscientiously performed our task, and in placing the history in the hands of those whom it most con- cerns, our hope is that it will increase the interest that all should feel in the history of the state and county.


H. C. COOPER, JR., & CO.


TABLE OF CONTENTS


CHAPTER I


GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS


PAGE


Location-Natural Drainage-Lakes-Surface-Soil-Natu- ral Resources-Railroads-Trading Centers-Occupations -Population-Nationality-Townships-Original Surveys -Original Timber-Education. 1


CHAPTER II ERAS AND PERIODS


Geologic Era-Prehistoric Era-Period of Exploration- Agency Period-Massacre Period-Mission Period-Agri- cultural Era-Pioneer Period-Grasshopper Period- Period of Rapid Growth-Modern Period. 7


CHAPTER III PHYSICAL FEATURES


Topography-Soil-Timber - Geological Structure - Gneiss and Granite-Decomposed Gneiss and Granite-Cretacious Beds-Lignite-Glacial and Modified Drift-Terminal Mo- raines-Modified Drift of the Last Glacial Epoch ...... 10


CHAPTER IV


PREHISTORIC INHABITANTS


The First Men-Mound Builders-Purpose of the Mounds- Life and Habits of the Mound Builders-Location of the Mounds. 26


CHAPTER V


INDIAN OCCUPANCY AND TREATIES


The Dakota Indians-Wapeton Dakotas-Indian Treaties- Visit to Washington-Prairie du Chien Treaty of 1825- Second Treaty of Prairie du Chien-The Doty Treaty- Preliminaries to the Final Session-Treaty of Traverse des Sioux-The Ramsey Investigation of 1853-Treaty of 1858-Agencies and Forts.


32


vi


CONTENTS


CHAPTER VI


CLAIM OF TITLE


PAGE


Redwood County Under the Domain of Spain, France and England-Redwood County as a Part of Louisiana Dis- trict, Louisiana Territory, Missouri Territory, Michigan Territory, Iowa Territory and Wisconsin Territory-Min- nesota Territory Created-Minnesota State. 58


CHAPTER VII EXPLORERS, TRADERS, MISSIONARIES


Grosseiliers and Radisson-Hennepin and DuLuth-Le Sueur -Lahontan-Carver-Fort Snelling Established-Long, Keating, Beltrami-The Pembina Refugees-Featherstone and Mather-Catlin-Nicollet and Fremont-Allen-Fur Traders-The Missionaries-Chronology 70


CHAPTER VIII


THE LOWER SIOUX AGENCY


The Agency Established-Efforts at Civilization-Adminis- tration of Affairs-Agriculture-Houses Erected for the Indians-Conditions Before the Outbreak. 88


CHAPTER IX


CAUSES OF THE OUTBREAK


Indians Defrauded by the Treaty-Stupidity and Injustice of the Officials-Dishonesty of the Traders-Indians in Piti- ful Condition-Indians Demand their Rightful Annuities -Refused-Soldiers Enforce Stipulations of Officials. . ..


94


CHAPTER X


THE SIOUX OUTBREAK


Murders at Acton-Aid of Little Crow Enlisted-Massacre Begins-Ruin Spreads on Both Sides of the Minnesota- Fort Ridgely-New Ulm-Pursuit and Punishment. 118


CHAPTER XI


THE MASSACRE IN REDWOOD COUNTY


Agency Officials Alarmed at Manifestations of Trouble- First Shot Fired-Many Whites Murdered-Stories of Narrow Escapes-Events in the Southern Part of the County 135


vii


CONTENTS


CHAPTER XII


REDWOOD FERRY AMBUSCADE


PAGE


News of Massacre Reaches Fort Ridgely-Captain Marsh Starts With His Men to Punish the Indians-Parley at the Ferry-Indians Open Fire-Many Soldiers Killed-Cap- tain Marsh Drowned-Thrilling Escapes. 142


CHAPTER XIII


MASSACRE EXPERIENCES


Experiences of Mrs. Mary E. Schwandt Schmidt-Experiences of George H. Spencer, Jr .- Experiences of John Ames Humphrey-Hinman's Flight-Experiences of Miss West -Fenske's Escape-Mrs. De Camp's Experience-Escape of the Reynolds Family. . 149


CHAPTER XIV


MONUMENTS AND MARKERS


Colonel Henry H. Sibley Establishes His Rendezvous Near Present Site of North Redwood, and Starts on His Expedi- tion Against the Indians-Historic Sites in Redwood County Marked by Permanent Memorials-Work of the Minnesota Valley Historical Society 164


CHAPTER XV


COUNTY ORGANIZATION


Original Counties-Wabashaw-Dakotah-Blue Earth-Ren- ville-Redwood-McPhail-Lyon, Lincoln, Yellow Medi- cine and Lac qui Parle Cut Off. 168


CHAPTER XVI


COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THEIR MEETINGS


Work of the County Board Since 1865-Affairs of the County Admirably Managed Through Many Trying Periods- Financial Matters-Salaries of Officials-Roads, Bridges and Ditches. .


175


CHAPTER XVII COUNTY OFFICERS AND BUILDINGS


Lists of County Officers-County Court House-Alms House and Poor Farm-County Jail 191


viii


CONTENTS


CHAPTER XVIII


LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATION


PAGE


Districts Established-List of the Men Who Have Represented Redwood County at St. Paul-Constitutional Convention -Dates of the Legislative Sessions-Congressional Repre- sentation 195


CHAPTER XIX


RIVER TRANSPORTATION


Story of the Minnesota River-Steamboat Traffic-River Shrinks and Traffic is Suspended. 208


CHAPTER XX


HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES


Government Roads-Early County Roads-Early Bridges- State Roads-Development of Present System. .. . 219


CHAPTER XXI


RAILROADS


Story of the Building of the Various Lines Which Now Cross Redwood County 232


CHAPTER XXII


EDUCATION


Growth of the System in Redwood County as Shown by the Official Reports-Story of the Individual Districts- Present Status-Future Prospects-Biographies of Super- intendents 235


CHAPTER XXIII


LIVE STOCK


Statistics of Live Stock in Redwood County at Various Periods as Shown by the Assessment Rolls. 265


ix


CONTENTS


CHAPTER XXIV


DITCHING


PAGE


Need of Artificial Drainage in Redwood County-Ditching Inaugurated-Location and Style of the Present Ditches- Plans for the Future. 274


CHAPTER XXV


PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS


Ideals of the Profession-Pioneer Physicians in Redwood County-Names of Redwood County Physicians from the Various Issues of the Gazetteer-Records of Physicians Registered at the Court House 283


CHAPTER XXVI


NEWSPAPERS OF REDWOOD COUNTY


The First Newspaper-Col. McPhail and the Patriot-Red- wood Falls Mail-Redwood Gazette-Lamberton Commer- cial-Lamberton Leader-Lamberton Star-Redwood Re- veille-Redwood Falls Sun-Morgan Messenger-Walnut Grove Tribune-Sanborn Sentinel-Belview Independent -Revere Record-Wabasso Standard-Vesta Bright Eyes-Vesta Censor-Milroy Echo-Wanda Pioneer Press -Seaforth Item-Other Papers 294


CHAPTER XXVII


REDWOOD COUNTY TOWNSHIPS


Growth in Population-Swedes Forest-Kintire-Delhi-Hon- ner-Underwood - Vesta - Sheridan - Redwood Falls- Paxton-Sherman-Westline-Granite Rock-Vail-New Avon-Three Lakes-Morgan-Gales-Johnsonville-Wa- terbury-Willow Lake-Sundown-Brookville-Spring- dale-North Hero-Lamberton-Charlestown. 315


CHAPTER XXVIII


REDWOOD COUNTY CHURCHES


Distribution of Nationalities and Its Effect on the Establish- ment of Churches-Influence of the Churches on the Set- tlement of the County-Lists of the Churches of the County-Story of a Few Typical Churches Briefly Told .. 365


CONTENTS


CHAPTER XXIX


BUTTER AND CHEESE MAKING


PAGE


Slow Growth of Dairying in Redwood County-Butter Made in the Homes-Statistics-Establishment of Creameries- Present Status 396


CHAPTER


AGRICULTURE OF TODAY


Agricultural Conditions-Soil Survey-Modern Methods- Climatic Conditions-Rotation of Crops-Alfalfa-Live- stock-Dairying-Work of the County Agent-Latest Developments-Wild and Tame Grasses-Farm Names- County Fairs 401


CHAPTER XXXI


THE BISHOP WHIPPLE MISSION


Mission Established at The Agency Before the Massacre- Work of Bishop Whipple-The Massacre-Indians Return -Modern Mission Established-Lace Making-Biog- raphies 421


CHAPTER XXXII


MATERIAL RESOURCES


Springs-Mineral Paint-Water Power-Clay Products- Gold-Gravel-Wells-Surface Wells-Cretaceous Wells- Archaen Wells-Public Water Supplies-Farm Water Supplies


432


CHAPTER XXXIII


PIONEER EXPERIENCES


McPhail, His Life, Times and Cabin-The Frederick Holt Family-Marion Johnson's Experiences-James Aitken's Reminiscences-John Mooer Killed-E. G. Pomroy's Reminiscences-J. S. Johnson's Experiences-Early Days Near Walnut Grove-Mrs. Roset A. Schmahl-The Days that Tried Men's Souls.


442


x


CONTENTS


CHAPTER XXXIV


COURTS, CASES AND ATTORNEYS


PAGE


Territorial Courts-District Courts in Redwood County- Judges-First Cases-The Bar-Murders-Civil Cases- -Justice Courts-Municipal Court-Probate Courts- Appealed Cases 465


CHAPTER XXXV


REDWOOD COUNTY VILLAGES


Population-Redwood Falls-Belview - Clements - Dellii - Gilfillan-Lamberton-Lucan-Morgan-North Redwood -Revere-Rowena-Sanborn - Seaforth - Vesta - Wa- basso-Wayburne-Walnut Grove-Wanda-Abandoned Villages 489


CHAPTER XXXVI


OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION


Early Settlers of the Southeastern Part of the County Form Society-Interesting Meetings-List of Officers-Roll of Members, Giving Place of Birth and Date of Arrival in This County 560


CHAPTER XXXVII


THE REDWOOD HOLSTEIN FARM


Rise in Land Values and Change in Redwood County Agricul- ture Encouraged by the Sears-Gold Activities-The Fa- mous Holstein Herd Established-Methods and Results .. 563


CHAPTER XXXVIII


DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME


Large Tracts of Land Not Open to Settlement-Rush to the Dakotas-The Grasshopper Years-Blizzards and Storms -Prairie Fires 566


CHAPTER XXXIX


BANKS AND BANKING


Beginning of Banking in Redwood County-The Present Banks - Organization - Growth - Officials - Financial Statements 570


xii


CONTENTS


CHAPTER XL


POSTAL SERVICE


PAGE


Early Stage Routes-Early Postal Service-The Story of the Present Offices-Postmasters and Locations-Discontinued Offices 584


CHAPTER XLI


THE PIONEER PERIOD


McPhail Settles at Redwood Falls-Story of the Stockade- Names of First Land Owners-Names of Early Tax Payers-Type of Settlers-Early Homes-Nationality- Early Population-Land Office Opened-First Land Sale. 596


XLII


REDWOOD FALLS PARKS


Natural Conditions-Lake Redwood Park-Redwood Falls Park-Alexander Ramsey State Park-Easy Access to Parks-Indian Legend of the Origin of the Name ........ 608


CHAPTER XLIII MERCANTILE AND CIVIC IMPROVEMENT


Early Business Houses-Growth of the Mercantile Interests- Shifting of the Business Center-Redwood Falls in 1880- Redwood Falls Today 614


CHAPTER XLIV


REDWOOD FALLS CEMETERY


Early Burial Places-First Deaths-Present Cemetery Started -Ladies Take Charge-Splendid Work of the Redwood Falls Cemetery Association. 619


CHAPTER XLV


MILITARY COMPANY


Militia Organized-Armory Erected-Officers-Call to Mexi- can Service-Embark for the Border-Now in Texas- Roster of the Company. 622


SWEDES FOREST


MINNESOTA


RENVILLE


CELVIEW


DELHI


KINTIRE


DELHI


co.


NORTH REDWOOD


MONA


REDWOOD


FALLS


VESTAS


SHERIDAN


REDWOOD FALLS


PAXTON SHERMAN


SEAFORTH


GILFILLAN


MILROY


GRANITE ROCK


VAILA


NEWAVON


THREE LAKES


MORGAN


WESTLINE


WARASSO


CO.


CLEMENTS


WAYBURNE


BROWN


LYON


JOHNSONVILLE


WILLOW LAKE


GALES


WATERBURY


WINDA


SUNDOWN BROOKVILLE


BROWN


Co.


SPRINGDALE NORTH HERO LAMBERTON


CHARLESTOWN


LAMBE TON


RE VENE


JANEON


MURRAY CO. 39


COTTONWOOD


Co.


38


37


36


35


34


UNDERWOOD


VESTA


BERwage


CO


MORGAN


ROWENA


xiii


YELLOW MEDICINE CO.


CHAPTER I.


GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITIONS.


Redwood county is situated in the southwestern part of Min- nesota, within the basin of the Minnesota river which is its boundary on the northeast. Two tier of counties (forty-eight miles) intervene between it and the Iowa line, due south, and two tier of counties (forty-two miles) intervene between it and the South Dakota line, due west.


The lines of the Congressional survey which bound Redwood county are as follows: Beginning at a point on the Minnesota where that river is crossed by the range line between ranges 33 and 34, following that range line, to the township line between townships 109 and 110; thence running west on said township line to the range line between ranges 35 and 36; thence south on said range line to the township line between townships 108 and 109; thence west on said township line to the range line between sections 39 and 40; thence north on said range line to the town- ship line (the Third Standard Parallel) between townships 112 and 113; thence east on said township line to the range line between ranges 37 and 38; thence north on said range line to the Minnesota river. The boundary is completed by the diagonal course of the Minnesota river.


The counties surrounding Redwood do not differ materially from it in general physical conditions. Across the Minnesota to the northward is Renville county. To the east and south lies Brown county. Cottonwood county is to the south as is also a part of Murray county. Westward lies Lyon county. Yellow Medicine county lies to the north and west.


The area of Redwood county is about 893.83 square miles or 572,052.87 acres. Of this some 14,930.13 acres are covered with water.


Natural Drainage. The Minnesota river, at the north side, in this region, receives two large tributaries: the Redwood (called by the Sioux the Tchanshaypi) river, which flows east across the north part of Redwood county and enters the Minnesota about two miles northeast of Redwood Falls; and the Cotton- wood (called by the Sioux the Waraju) river, which also runs easterly, crossing southern Redwood county, and dividing Brown county into nearly equal parts on its north and south sides, unit- ing with the Minnesota about one and a half miles southeast of New Ulm. While commonly called the Cottonwood and thus


1


2


HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY


designated in this book, it is also sometimes called the Big Cot- tonwood, to distinguish it from the Little Cottonwood, which rises in Jackson county, flows through Brown county, and joins the Minnesota in the northwest corner of Blue Earth county.


The Minnesota river receives from Redwood county several small creeks, from one to five miles in length, the longest being Crow Creek, five miles east of Redwood Falls, and Wabashaw creek, in Sherman, the most northeast township of Redwood county.


The most important of the small creeks that empty into the Redwood river in the county of this name is Ramsey creek, five miles long, in the south part of Delhi, the outlet of Ramsey lake. Its junction with the Redwood is about a half mile north of Red- wood Falls.


Numerous creeks of considerable size join the Cottonwood river from the south in southern Redwood county, including Plum creek, which flows by Walnut Grove; Pell creek, in the west part of Lamberton; Dutch Charley's creek, which flows within a mile south of Lamberton, after receiving Highwater creek, a large tributary, unites with the Cottonwood about two miles east of this station; and Dry creek, which joins this river in the southeast corner of Charlestown. Through this distance of twenty-five miles, the Cottonwood river has no affluent from the north. Sleepy Eye creek, the largest branch of the Cotton- wood, joins it from the north, but not in this county. It flows through the south central part of Redwood county, and unites with the Cottonwood in the eastern part of Leavenworth town- ship in Brown county.


Lakes. Redwood county has frequent small bodies of water, and also sloughs, or marshy tracts, many of which are covered by water during the wet portions of the year. In Redwood county the most notable lakes are Ramsey lake, one mile long from east to west, in Delhi; Goose and Swan lakes, at the north- west side of Underwood township, each about a mile long; two lakes, three-quarters and a half a mile in length, in Kintire; Horseshoe lake, curved, more than a mile long, in Westline; Hall lake, a mile in length from northwest to southeast, in Gales; Willow and Rush lakes, each a half mile or more in length, in Willow Lake township; the Three Lakes, which give this name to the township in which they are situated; and Hackberry lake, three-fourths of a mile long, in the north part of Brookville. Lake Redwood at Redwood Falls is an artificial lake, the water being held back by a dam.


Surface. Most of Redwood county consists of a plain that rises imperceptibly southwestward. This plain is intermediate in altitude between the valley of the Minnesota river, on the northeast, and the Corteau des Prairies on the southwest. With


3


HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY


reference to the Minnesota valley, which is 150 to 200 feet deep, it constitutes a plateau, but in relation to the Corteau which lies 500 feet higher, it is a lowland tract. The ascent to the Corteau begins in the southwestern extremity of the county, where the upward grade is greatly augmented.


The county has almost universally a smooth, gently or moder- ately undulating surface of unmodified glacial drift or till. Some portions are nearly flat, and the whole county has this appearance when overlooked in any broad, far-reaching view; but mostly the contour is in broad swells of various extent, height and direction, generally without any uniformity in trend and some- times oval or nearly round. Between these swells and in many low places are swamps and set lands. This condition is however being eliminated by tiling and ditching.


The Minnesota river flows through a valley from a few rods to a mile and a half in width, rising somewhat abruptly to the rich swelling country some 150 to 200 feet higher. In the valley are many farms admirably adapted to stock raising. The bluffs between the lowland and the general level of the county are for the most part heavily wooded.


Redwood and Cottonwood rivers, flowing eastward across the county, occupy rather shallow valleys until they approach the Minnesota, into which they discharge, they descend into deep and picturesque gorges. This is especially true of the Redwood river which cascades over granite ledges at Redwood Falls. Until the principal streams have cut their valleys down to accord with the Minnesota river, most of the county will have insufficient natural relief for an adequate drainage, though this deficiency as already noted is being supplied by an elaborate system of ditching and tiling. Near the southwestern part of the county, however, where the descent from the Corteau is relatively steep, many ravines have been cut, some of which extend down to the ground-water level and have permanent streams fed by springs. That is why so many of the affluents of the Cottonwood river come from the south.


Soil. The soil is a rich black loam, from two to four feet deep, with a clay subsoil. The only light soil is on the tops of the bluffs. The soil is most admirably adapted to the production of all the common cereals, garden vegetables and small fruits of this latitude.


Natural Resources. Redwood county being an agricultural county its greatest resources consist of its soil, climate and drain- age. It has some natural timber, but the timber for the most part has been planted and cultivated. There is a plentiful water supply in wells and springs, and many excellent waterpowers. The clay of the county in times past has been utilized for brick. The gravel of the county is used for roads and for cement tiles


4


HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY


and bricks. Mineral paint has also been produced, and quarry- ing is conducted to a minor extent. Boulders are used for foun- dations and fences. Coal explorations have produced little re- sults. The soil, location, climate, contour, drainage, water sup- ply, and waterpowers are the only natural features which have exerted any important economic influence on the development of the county. For a time a gold mine was exploited and an extensive plant erected but without producing gold in paying quantities. "Soapstone" has also been secured near Redwood Falls. 1


Railroads. Railroad service is provided Redwood by one division of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Co. and by four divisions of the Chicago & North Western Railway Co. The Watertown division of the Minneapolis & St. Louis was built across the northern part of the county in 1884. The Winona- Tracy branch of the Winona & St. Peter, now a part of the North Western system, was built through the southern part of the county in 1872. The Sleepy Eye-Redwood Falls division was built to Redwood Falls in 1878. The Sanborn-Vesta division was built between those points in 1899. The Evan-Marshall branch was built through the central part of the county in 1902.


Trading Centers. The majority of the people of Redwood county do their trading within the limits of the county. Spring- field, Tracy, Morton, Cottonwood, Echo, Marshall and possibly Wood Lake are trading points for people in this county. Lam- berton and Sanborn get quite a little trade from outside the county, and some from outside the county also comes to Walnut Grove, Revere, Morgan, Milroy, Vesta, Belview, Delhi and North Redwood. Redwood Falls also receives a considerable portion of its trade from the people of Renville county. The catalogue houses do a good business in this county, but somewhat less than is usual in the average Minnesota rural community. Especially in the Redwood Falls vicinity, the excellent service and numerous sales given by the stores keeps the business at home. The im- portant trading centers within the county are Redwood Falls, Lamberton, Morgan, Walnut Grove, Revere, Sanborn, Wanda, Wabasso, Lucan, Milroy, Seaforth, Vesta, Clements, Belview, Delhi and North Redwood. Shipping facilities are also provided at Rowena, Wayburne and Gilfillan.


Occupations. The county is entirely an agricultural one. Aside from a small quarry and a few marble dressing establish- ments, and a few cement block plants, the people are all en- gaged in tilling the land and raising stock, except in the vil- lages, and in the villages the people are dependent entirely on the rural population for support.


Population. The population of Redwood county in 1900, was 18,425. In 1870, it was 1,829, but this is not a basis of compari-


5


HISTORY OF REDWOOD COUNTY


son, as the county then extended to the state line. In 1875 the population was 2,982; in 1880 it was 5,375; in 1885 it was 6,488; in 1890 it was 9,386; in 1895 it was 13,533; in 1900 it was 17,261; in 1905 it was 19,034, and in 1910 it decreased to 18,425.




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