USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > A history of the city of Saint Paul, and of the county of Ramsey, Minnesota > Part 13
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
PARRANT was so worked up by this misadventure, that he soon after sold his claim and left the neighborhood. He started for Lake Superior, designing to return to Sault Ste. Marie, but died on the journey, of a disease resulting from his own vices.
148
The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1844
MARRYING "BY BOND."
During this year, or possibly the year previous, HENRY JACK- SON was appointed, by the Governor of Wisconsin Territory, a Justice of the Peace. There was some delay in getting the commission, &c., after his bonds had been sent to Madison, as the mails in winter were very slow. One day, a couple came to his house, very anxious to be married. JACKSON informed them that he was not yet authorized to perform that ceremony legally, and they would have to defer their marriage a few days. This was a great disappointment to the loving hearts that were so anxious to "beat as one," but they could not think of postponing the happy hour. JACKSON was equal to the dilemma. He proposed to marry them by bond-i. e., that they should give a bond that, when his commission arrived, they would appear and be legally married by him, and in the meantime they could live together. They gladly consented to this. The bond was made out and signed, and the happy couple went on their way rejoicing, &c.
Any public officer who could bridge over little difficulties like this, was a handy man to have around. JACKSON was justice, postmaster, hotel-keeper, legislator, clerk of court, and several other functionaries combined in one. Hè even used to naturalize foreigners, "by bond," probably. But then, like vaccination, if it didn't take the first time, it could be renewed.
CHURCH ITEMS.
In May of this year, Father GALTIER left his mission field here, and was transferred to another field of labor. Father RAVOUX then officiated at Saint Paul and Mendota alternately, for some five or six years longer, until the parish was divided into two.
In the fall of this year, the first Protestant service was held by Rev. Mr. HURLBUT, a missionary of the Methodist church, who remained in this region about a year. The service was held at the house of HENRY JACKSON.
149
and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
1845]
CHAPTER XII.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1845.
PROBABLE POPULATION AT THIS DATE-A POLYGLOT VILLAGE-SETTLERS OF THIS YEAR-LEONARD H. LAROCHE-THE FUTURE MERCHANTS' HOTEL-FRANCIS ROBERT-THE FREEMAN BROTHERS-W. G. CARTER-CHARLES CAVILEER-A MRS. RUMSEY STARTS THE FIRST SCHOOL-S. COWDEN, JR., ALSO TRIES IT.
A T the beginning of the year 1845, there were probably about thirty families living in and around what, by that date, was pretty well known in this region as "Saint Paul." There were also a few persons-single men-laborers, me- chanics, voyageurs, trappers, &c., who composed a sort of floating population ; so that the village, or settlement, (for it was so scattered about, from the seven-corners to Phelan's Lake, that it was hardly even a village,) had begun to be a point of some considerable promise. LOUIS ROBERT, HENRY JACKSON, JOHN R. IRVINE, WM. HARTSHORN, J. W. SIMPSON, and others, were now engaged in trade, and were bending all their influence and energies to benefit the infant metropolis, and draw population and traffic hither.
At this time, by far the largest proportion of the inhabitants were Canadian French, and Red River refugees, and their descendants. There were only three or four purely American (white) families in the settlement, while most of the French were intermarried with the native race, so that not more than one-half the families in the place, if that many, were white: In the families of the mixed bloods, the Sioux, Chippewa, Menominee, Cree, Kootenais, Winnebago, and perhaps other tongues, were spoken. English was probably not spoken in more than three or four families.
.SETTLERS OF 1845.
Among the new comers this year, were FRANCIS CHENE-
150
The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1845
VERT, DAVID BENOIT, LEONARD H. LAROCHE, FRANCIS ROBERT, AUGUSTUS and DAVID B. FREEMAN, W. G. CARTER, CHARLES CAVILEER, and others.
LEONARD H. LAROCHE was a Canadian by birth, and, by occupation, a carpenter. He was engaged in trade for awhile with DAVID FARIBAULT, in a little store which stood on what was afterwards called Bench street. On August 13, 1846, LA- ROCHE purchased from HENRY BELLAND a small tract of ground, described in the deed as "bounded on the front and back by HENRY JACKSON'S land, and on the sides by McLEOD and DESMARAIS." The consideration was $165. This is prob- ably the land on which the Merchants' Hotel of to-day stands, as, during that year (1846) LAROCHE built a cabin of tamarack logs, which, with some additions, afterwards became the " Saint Paul House," of which the Merchants of to-day is the outgrowth. LAROCHE sold this property to SIMEON P. FOL- SOM, in 1847, and went to Crow Wing, where he died about 1859 or 1860.
W. G. CARTER, or "GIB." CARTER, as the old settlers better knew him, was a cousin of HENRY JACKSON. He was a native of Virginia. When he came here, he lived for two or three years on the claim which PHELAN sold JACKSON, called then "Prospect hill." CARTER was, in 1848, a member of the Stillwater Convention of that year. He subsequently made a claim, or, at least, owned a piece on the Fort road, and died there about 1852. His widow still resides in this city.
FRANCIS ROBERT was a younger brother of Capt. Louis ROBERT, and a native of Missouri. After his arrival here, he was engaged in the fur trade for Louis. In 1848, while descending the rapids of the Saint Croix in a birch-bark canoe, he was thrown out and badly injured on the rocks, by a blow on the chest. From this injury he never recovered, and, after months of suffering, died on September 27, 1849, aged 30 years. Out of respect, the Legislature, which was then in session, adjourned for one day, to attend his funeral.
FRANCIS CHENEVERT Was a clerk of LOUIS ROBERT. Hewas born at Prairie du Chien, of Canadian parents. He appears, from the Register of Deeds' records, to have purchased (in
151
1845] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
connection with DAVID BENOIT) the claim of PIERRE BOTTI- NEAU, on June 16, 1846. CHENEVERT was unmarried, and lived here until 1865, when he died at the residence of a friend on Robert street.
Of DAVID BENOIT I can get little or no information that is reliable. He probably resided here but a very short time.
AUGUSTUS and DAVID B. FREEMAN had been residents of Saint Louis .. The latter had been employed by WM. HARTS- HORN, while in business there, and was engaged by him to come to Saint Paul, when he established his own store here, in 1845. AUGUSTUS FREEMAN Was also employed by Mr. HARTS- ·HORN. The FREEMANS, in connection with A. L. LARPEN- TEUR, and possibly with WM. H. RANDALL, continued the business of HARTSHORN, when he retired from it, a couple of years later. DAVID B. FREEMAN died in January, 1850, under the following circumstances : He was going over to Stillwater in a sleigh, which was overturned, and the horses got away. FREEMAN pursued them a couple of miles, becoming over- heated, and then sat down on the snow to rest. In consequence of this, he caught a violent cold, inflammation of the lungs set in, and he died after a very short illness. FREEMAN Was an Odd Fellow, and, although the Odd Fellows' Lodge had not been instituted then, the members buried him with the honors of the order. He was interred on what was afterwards Pearl street, in the First Ward. The remains were dug up in 1863, while some improvements were going on there, and recognized by the "three links" on the coffin. This was the first Odd Fel- lows' funeral in Minnesota. AUGUSTUS FREEMAN subsequently went to New York and died there.
CHARLES CAVILEER came to Minnesota in 1841, in company with the missionary, Rev. B. F. KAVENAUGH, and WM. R. BROWN, and settled at Red Rock. He was a saddler by trade, and, in 1845, located in Saint Paul, which was then becoming enough of " a place" to carry on that business. He occupied, for some time, a building on the levee, and in 1847, perhaps, moved up to what was once called Saint Charles street. In 1848, he and Dr. DEWEY engaged in the drug business. Mr. CAVILEER was Territorial Librarian for a few months, and, in
152 The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1845 1851, removed to Pembina, where he has been postmaster al- most ever since that year.
THE FIRST SCHOOL.
During this spring, or early in the summer, Mrs. MATILDA RUMSEY, who had come to Saint Paul a few months before, with Mr. BLANCHARD and his wife, (the latter her sister,) es- tablished a small school for children, in a log building on the bottom, near the upper levee. This was, beyond doubt, the first school in Saint Paul. There were only a handful of scholars, however, and the school was not kept up long. On June 23, Mrs. RUMSEY was married to ALEXANDER MEGE, and the school was abandoned.
A young man, named S. COWDEN, Jr., then attempted to re- establish the school. There is some disagreement among the old settlers, as to whether he did carry on one or not. Some think he did not succeed in opening one, but others are certain that he taught in the fall of that year. COWDEN was a young man, who had worked awhile for HENRY JACKSON. He came from Prairie du Chien, and was married to a Winnebago half- breed. COWDEN died some years ago, and his wife is living at the Winnebago Agency, in Blue Earth county.
153
1846] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. ·
CHAPTER XIII.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1846.
INCREASE OF TRADE AND TRAVELING-THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POST-OFFICE- MOVEMENT TO ORGANIZE MINNESOTA TERRITORY-SETTLERS OF 1846-WIL- LIAM H. RANDALL-JAMES "Mc" BOAL-THOMAS S. ODELL-HARLEY D. WHITE AND OTHERS-INDIAN TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT-REV. DR. WILLIAMSON SET- TLES AT KAPOSIA-AND WRITES EAST AFTER A SCHOOL MA'AM FOR SAINT PAUL, &C.
S® 'AINT PAUL had now become quite a "point" on the river. There were only three or four points on the Upper Mississippi, above Prairie du Chien, where boats ever touched, and only one where they landed with any regularity. Saint Paul might be classed in the latter list. Considerable goods were now received here by the five or six traders who car- ried on business in the village, and there was some passen- ger business to and fro. Strangers, travelers, and tourists, generally-sometimes an adventurous trader, from below, seeking for a location-would occasionally land, to "look around" a little. There was no tavern to go to, and HENRY JACKSON, whose hospitality was a distinguishing trait, usually invited them to his house, where they were entertained free of charge.
JACKSON was a Justice of the Peace, a merchant, and a sa- loon-keeper combined. To accommodate all these branches of business, he kept on enlarging his hostelrie, until it grew into quite a caravansary. JACKSON was a man of a great deal of force, originality and humor, and " the boys" usually liked to " loaf round" there, until it became a kind of headquarters for trade, news, gossip, politics and general exchange. It soon became a sort of post-office, too. Nearly every boat that landed would have a handful of letters or papers directed to persons in Saint Paul, and these, by a sort of established custom, were handed to JACKSON, because there was no one else to receive
II
.
I54
The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1846
them, probably. JACKSON used to keep them piled up on a shelf in his store. When any one asked for mail, the whole bundle was thrown down on a table or counter, and the party picked out what he wanted. That was before the days of cheap postage. A letter from the Eastern States those times, cost 25 cents. A letter from England was 50 cents. Now it is two cents, i. e., by postal card.
ESTABLISHMENT OF A POST-OFFICE.
It soon became evident that a post-office was a necessity here, and the proper petition was forwarded to the Post-office Department at Washington, and favorably considered. The records of that Department show that the office was estab- lished on April 7, 1846, and a commission to HENRY JACKSON, as postmaster, issued the same day. The business was so small, however, that it is scarcely probable that the emolu- ments were worth scrambling for. It is different now.
Having now the rank and emoluments of a post-office, JACK- SON conceived that some effort should be made, for appearance sake, at least, to establish post-official regulations and conven- iences, and so set about making the first case of boxes, or pigeon-holes, that the Saint Paul post-office ever possessed or used. Out of some old packing cases, or odd boards, he con- structed a rude case, about two feet square, and containing 16 pigeon-holes. These were labeled with initial letters. The whole affair was awkwardly constructed, apparently with a wood-saw, axe and knife, for temporary use, and, after serving for two or three years, was laid aside. Fortunately, it was not lost or destroyed, and finally, after Saint Paul became a flourish- ing city, the widow of Mr. JACKSON, (Mrs. HINCKLEY, of Mankato,) gave it to the Historical Society, as a relic of early days. It now graces the cabinet of that institution, and is about the most decidedly "historical" relic of their whole col- lection, showing, as it does, at a glance, the whole story of the wonderful and rapid growth of our city. The Society value it above all their other relics, and will not part with it for any sum, no matter how fabulous, or we should advocate its purchase and enclosing of it in a glass case for an ornament
155
1846] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
to the present post-office, to show the contrast of thirty years- the first and the last, the alpha and omega of Saint Paul post- offices.
Saint Paul was not the first post-office established in this re- gion, as some have supposed. "Lake Saint Croix Post- office," afterwards called Point Douglas, was established on July 18, 1840, and Saint Croix Falls on July 18, 1840. Still- water was made a post-office January 14, 1846, about four months before Saint Paul.
Saint Anthony Falls, this year, gave promise of being a point . of importance. This is why PIERRE BOTTINEAU sold his claim on Baptist hill, on June 16, for $300, and removed to the Falls, where he bought, for $150, a considerable tract, which afterwards became Bottineau's Addition, and built the second house in the place. In his deed of the claim on Bap- tist hill, (to FRANCIS CHENEVERT and DAVID BENOIT, ) he describes it as " bounded east by KITTSON, north by CLEW- ETT, west by HARTSHORN and JACKSON, and south by LOUIS ROBERT," and "containing 100 acres." This was merely an estimate-there could not have been that much.
TERRITORIAL FORESHADOWINGS.
The people of Wisconsin Territory had, for some months, been making efforts to secure a State government. On August 6, 1846, the act of Congress, to enable Wisconsin Territory to frame a State Constitution, &c., was passed. The Conven- tion met on October 5, and adjourned on December 16. Hon. WILLIAM HOLCOMBE, of Stillwater, represented Saint Croix county. The Constitution, as framed, provided for the western boundary of Wisconsin down the valley of the Saint Croix, thence down the Mississippi, so that the region now known as Minnesota was thus "left out in the cold." A little out of its regular order, I might here say that this Constitution, which was voted on in April, 1847, was rejected by the people of Wisconsin.
On December 23, 1846, after the above Convention had ad- journed, and, probably on the presumption that its action would be ratified, Hon. MORGAN L. MARTIN, the Delegate from Wis-
156
The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1846
consin in Congress, introduced a bill to organize the Territory of Minnesota .* This bill fixed the western boundary of the Territory on the Red and Sioux Wood Rivers. The bill was bandied about for several months, and, on March 3, 1847, put to sleep "on the table."' Thus early was a Territorial gov- ernment for Minnesota foreshadowed.
Among those who settled in Saint Paul this year, were WM. H. RANDALL and WILLIAM RANDALL, Jr. ; JAMES M. BOAL, THOMAS S. ODELL, JOHN BANFIL, HARLEY D. WHITE, DAVID FARIBAULT, LOUIS DENOYER, JO. MONTEUR, CHARLES RO- LEAU, &c.
WILLIAM H. RANDALL
was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, May 8, 1806. He was in business in New York, in 1845, with his brother JOHN, when WM. HARTSHORN went there to purchase goods. Mr. RANDALL seemed to feel a great interest in Saint Paul, made many inquires regarding it, and, the following year, accompa- nied Mr. HARTSHORN out, and resolved to settle here. He seemed to have, from the first, a firm faith in the future great- ness and prosperity of the place. He soon after, with his brother, and, perhaps, the FREEMANS and A. L. LARPENTEUR, succeeded to Mr. HARTSHORN's business, and became owner of a large amount of valuable property, in the heart of the city. He was one of the proprietors of the Town of Saint Paul when it was laid out in 1847. This property became immensely valuable, and, just prior to the crash of 1857, " Father RAN- DALL," as he was called, was considered a millionaire. In the early days of Saint Paul, he was one of its most prominent and public-spirited citizens. In 1848, he built the stone ware- house now used by the Milwaukee Railroad. It was a great building for that day. He also graded the levee and improved streets at his own expense, and always subscribed liberally to every public enterprise. The panic of 1857 wrecked him, as it did every heavy owner of real estate, and his once ample
* Hon. H. M. RICE says that the late H. L. DOUSMAN, of Prairie du Chien, was the first to urge the adoption of the name, "Minnesota," on account of its geographical fitness, and the beauty of the name.
1846]
and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 157
fortune slipped away. In an obituary sketch, the editor of the Press said : "Generous to a fault, and singularly indis- criminate in his friendship, he made loans and endorsements to others, that completely wrecked his princely fortune. While he had property, it was freely used, entitling him to the appel- lation of a public benefactor. Mr. RANDALL was fitted for that era of our social development, when every man knew and trusted his neighbor as a brother-when legal forms and tech- nicalities were not needed or resorted to, to protect one's rights. Alas ! that a higher civilization and social advance should bring, with many blessings, so many wrongs and evils un- known to the simpler, ruder forms of society." The Pioneer, also, said : " We have never known a more kindly-hearted man. There are many who owe their start and success in life to his generosity. Very many others, strangers, stricken by sickness in a strange land, who owe life itself to his nursing ; and in our cemeteries, scores of mounds mark the graves of those who, having no relatives to minister to them in their fatal illness, were soothed and comforted by the tender hand, and open purse, and sympathizing voice of that kind old man, with whom suffering was always a bond of friendship." Even amid the disasters of 1857, he was cheerful and hopeful- and was always the welcome guest of the social circle. On July 30, 1861, he died of heart disease, aged 55 years, and was buried by the Masonic Fraternity and the Old Settlers of Saint Paul. JOHN H. RANDALL, Esq., of the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, and E. D. K. RANDALL, merchant, are sons of Mr. RANDALL.
WILLIAM RANDALL, Jr., was the oldest son of WM. H. RANDALL. He was born at Roxbury, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 19, 1829, and came to Saint Paul with his father. He was an artist of no common ability, and, as a caricaturist, was very skillful. Some political caricatures he made during the early days of the Territory, are spoken of as being brim full of sarcasm. He died in October, 1851, aged 22 years-an untimely end, cutting short, in the very flower of life, a career of promise and hope.
ED. WEST was also an employee of the firm of HARTSHORN,
-
158
The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1846
RANDALL & Co. He came from New York here, but did not reside in Saint Paul long, leaving, as I learn, for the Indian country, and probably is dead. .
JAMES M'CLELLAN BOAL,
usually termed "JIMMY Mc BOAL" by the old settlers, was one of the curious characters of early days. BOAL was a Penn- sylvanian by birth, and had served a term in the army. He was probably discharged at Fort Snelling, shortly prior to his coming to Saint Paul. He was a painter by occupation, and quite an artist also, and was the first who ever pursued that calling in Saint Paul. He was in partnership with MARSHALL SHERMAN, about 1849 or 1850. BOAL was renowned for his good-heartedness and improvidence. He would loan or give away anything he had. without any thought of the morrow. In 1849, BOAL was elected a member of the Territorial Coun- cil from Ramsey county, for two years. About 1851, he moved to West Saint Paul, and formed a partnership with THOMAS S. ODELL, in the trading business. While residing here, he was appointed by Gov. RAMSEY as Adjutant General of the Territory, and held that office until a change of adminis- tration occurred in 1853. He was also elected a member of the House of Representatives, in 1852, from Dakota county. He removed to Mendota about 1855, and died there, after a long illness, in the year 1862, leaving a family. There is a street in Saint Paul named for him, but is called by his sobriquet, " Mc BOAL," instead of by his correct name.
THOMAS S. ODELL
is a native of New York. He came to Fort Snelling in 1841, as a soldier in the First Infantry, and was mustered out of ser- vice in 1845. The following year he settled in Saint Paul. He was chainman to the surveyor who laid out the town plat in 1847. In 1850, he moved to West Saint Paul, and built a log house, for a trading post with the Indians, which is still standing on his property. He states that it was the first house built on that side of the river, which was still unceded by the
- Sioux.
¥
159
1846] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
HARLEY D. WHITE
is a native of Connecticut. He came west about 1841 or 1842. and, after DANIEL HOPKINS opened his store at Red Rock, in the latter year, Mr. WHITE was with him, either as a partner or an employee. He came to Saint Paul, in 1846, and was / employed by HENRY JACKSON, as a trader among the Sioux .. He went to Point Douglas not long after, where he married a Miss TAINTER, in 1849. He then removed to a farm near Red Wing, where he ran for the Legislature in the same fall, against JAMES WELLS, of Wabasha. WELLS got the certifi- cate, and WHITE contested his seat, but failed to oust him. Mrs. WHITE died a few months after this, leaving a daughter, now an estimable lady of this city. Mr. WHITE then returned to Connecticut, and, at last accounts, was living there.
JOEL D. CRUTTENDEN was a native of the District of Co- lumbia, and came to Saint Paul when he was quite a youth- not being of age. He subsequently went to Crow Wing, and was a member of the first State Legislature from that county.
LOUIS DENOYER
was born at Saint Louis, Missouri, and lived there until he became a resident of Saint Paul. He married a sister of LOUIS ROBERT. Mr. DENOYER resided, while in Saint Paul, on a claim on Phelan's Creek. About 1850, he removed to what is now Belle Plaine, then called "Robert's Creek," and has lived there since that date. J. W. SIMPSON married one of his daughters.
DAVID FARIBAULT
was a quarter-breed son of JEAN BAPTISTE FARIBAULT, one of the earliest traders in Minnesota. DAVID opened a trading house on what would now be described as Bench street, be- tween Jackson and Robert. He purchased considerable prop- erty here, as early as 1846, since we find on the Registry of Deeds, sales of property by him to HENRY H. SIBLEY, and others, early in 1847. FARIBAULT built, (in 1847,) the New England House, a frame building, which stood about where the gas company's office now is, and which was burned down
1 60
The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1846
in 1860. He now lives on the Sheyenne River, Dakota Territory.
JOHN BANFIL was a native of Vermont, and was born in the year 1810. He rented the McLeod House, after his arri- val in Saint Paul, with the intention, I believe, of opening a hotel, but it was never regularly kept by him as such. In the spring of 1849, he removed to Manomin, Minnesota, and en- gaged in the hotel business there, in which he still continues, and also erected a mill. In 1857, Mr. BANFIL was elected from his county a member of the first State Legislature, (Senate.)
CHARLES ROLEAU and JOSEPH MONTEUR were Canadian Frenchmen. . They are still residents of our city.
THE CART TRADE WITH RED RIVER.
There had grown up, during the last two or three years, quite a large and profitable trade with the Red River Settle- ment. The venture of N. W. KITTSON, trading between Mendota and Pembina, is fully given elsewhere. When the advantages and profits of that trade were demonstrated, Jo. ROLETTE, of Pembina, and his uncle, ALEX. FISHER, or- ganized a cart brigade, and made trading trips to Saint Paul. It succeeded very well, and, in 1847, as many as 125 carts came to Saint Paul, selling furs and bringing goods here. ROLETTE & FISHER came by the Sauk River route. Mr. KITTSON'S carts came via Traverse de Sioux. He ultimately adopted the other route, and it then became the main road to Pembina, and, in 1859, was improved for a post route by the Minnesota Stage Company-ultimately giving way to the "iron horse."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.