USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > A history of the city of Saint Paul, and of the county of Ramsey, Minnesota > Part 21
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189
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.J. R. Irvine.
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60
93
Ed. Brissett.
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2
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Treasurer.
. F. W. Simpson.
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240
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Commissioners
L. Robert.
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202
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John Banfil.
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R. P. Russell.
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Judge of Probate
. H. A. Lambert
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B. W. Lott
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93
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B. Gervais.
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A. Godfrey
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Those in italics elected.
ORGANIZATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
An adjourned school meeting of the citizens took place at " the school house," on December 1. Hon. C. K. SMITH, from the committee previously appointed, after reviewing the pro- visions of the Minnesota Statute on public schools, and that of Wisconsin, still in force, reported, recommending : "That two persons be appointed by this meeting to call on the County Commissioners, and request them to divide the town into a suitable number of school districts, after which an organization of the districts shall be brought about, agreeably to the requirements of the law.". Also, that a committee be appointed to procure from JNO. R. IRVINE, a deed to the lot on which the school house then stood, provided the amount still.
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and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
1849]
due for its erection ($80) was paid ; and to secure from Mr. RANDALL a deed for the lot which he had proposed to donate for school purposes on Jackson street. Three schools were recommended to be opened ;* one on the RANDALL lot, to be put up immediately ; one in the basement of the Methodist church, and one in "Mr. NEILL's lecture room." As teachers Miss H. E. BISHOP, Miss SCOFIELD, and Rev. C. HOBART, were recommended; the committees (of two each ) who were to be appointed as above, to be the school trustees until the town shall be districted, and others elected.
The report was adopted, and the following gentlemen appointed as the trustees : WM. H. FORBES, JOHN SNOW, EDMUND RICE, Rev. E. D. NEILL, Rev. B. F. HOYT, J. PARSONS, and B. W. BRUNSON.
REVIEW OF THE TRADE OF 1849.
The river remained open and navigable this year 242 days, during which there were 95 arrivals.
The whole mercantile business of Saint Paul for the year 1849, was ascertained at the close of the season to be $131,000. Of this, $60,000 was computed to be groceries alone. There , were scarcely any stores devoted exclusively to one branch of business. Each had " a little of everything"-groceries, hard- ware, dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, &c. In a short time, however, this changed, and nearly every merchant de- voted himself to one line of merchandize. The McCLOUD BROS. established the first exclusively hardware store in Min- nesota, during this year.
FIRST BUSINESS DIRECTORY, JANUARY 1, 1850.
In the New Year's Address of the Pioneer, mentioned more fully hereafter, the following business directory is given :
Clergymen .- Rev. Messrs. Ravoux, Neill, Hobart, Hoyt, Parsons. Lawyers .- Ed. Rice, H. A. Lambert, W. D. Phillips, P. P. Bishop,
.* The Chronicle and Register of January 6, 1850, says that, "our three schools recently established, are now in full blast, affording by their capacity and location, ample means for the education of all the children in town." One of these was the old frame build- ing situated on the west side of Jackson street, below Sixth. It is now used as a second-hand store.
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1849
Geo. L. Becker, H. F. Masterson, O. Simons, J. A. Wakefield, S. H. Dent, W. B. White, B. W. Lott, James M. Goodhue, L. A. Babcock, C. K. Smith.
Land Agents .- A. V. Fryer, Isaac N. Goodhue.
Physicians .- J. J. Dewey, David Day, Thos. R. Potts, N. Barbour.
Merchants .- Elfelt & Bro., Fuller & Bro., L. Sloan, Fullerton & Cur- tis, W. H. Forbes, Douglas & Slosson, John Randall & Co., Louis Ro- bert, H. W. Tracy & Co., Daniel Hopkins, Sergeant & Bowen, J. W. Simpson, Bart. Presley & Co., Dewey & Cavileer, N. Barbour, J. C. Ramsey.
Tailors .- Johnson & Brown, W. H. Tinker, J. N. Slosson.
Shoemaker .- Hugh McCann.
Hotels .- American House, by R. Parker ; Tremont House, by J. A. Wakefield; Central House, by R. Kennedy ; Saint Paul House, by J. W. Bass ; DeRocher's House, by DeRocher ; Miller's Boarding House, by B. Miller.
Painters .- J. M. Boal, Burrill & Inman.
Blacksmiths .- Wm. H. Nobles & Co., Leverich & Co.
Plasterers .- J. R. Irvine, D. DeWebber, -- Starkfielder, C. P. Scott, Masons .- - - Barnes, B. Bowles, Wm. Beaumette, - Hanley, J. Kirkpatrick.
Carpenters .- C. P. V. Lull, Wm. Bryant, A. Foster, W. Woodbury, W. C. Morrison, J. B. Coty, Chas. Bazille, T. Lareau, - Coit, H. Willey, Eaton & Bro., - Chase, B. F. Irvine, J. B. Lumbeek, Joseph Brinsmade, H. Glass, J. Frost.
Silversmith .- Nathan Spicer.
Gunsmith - - McGuire.
Bakers .- Berry & Bro., K. Stewart, Humphrey & Brinkman.
Wheelwrights .- Nobles & Morrison, Hiram Cawood.
Saddle and Harness Maker .- A. R. French.
Tinner .- C. D. Bevans.
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and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
1850]
CHAPTER XVIII.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1850.
CELEBRATION OF NEW YEAR'S DAY-CURIOUS NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS-BALLS- ROADS AND MAIL SERVICE-SKETCH OF "OLD BETS"-A HOMICIDE-SKETCH OF HON. E. RICE-FIRST TERM OF COURT-FIRST TOWN ELECTION-DARING INDIAN CONFLICT.
THE year 1850 opened auspiciously. The practice of " making calls" was then inaugurated by the gentlemen of the city. The day was clear and fine, and all enjoyed it greatly. The Pioneer says :
" The festivities and hilarity of our town on New Year's confirm the truth that cold weather can never freeze warm hearts. Saint Paul was, yesterday, swarming with animated fashion. The sideboards of many of our citizens were provided with free entertainments, which would do credit to the wealthy burghers of Gotham. At II o'clock a. m., our people assembled at the Methodist church, to attend the exercises of the Minnesota Historical Society. *
* * In the evening, there was a rush to the ball at the Central House, there being nearly or quite one hundred gentlemen, with their ladies, present."
THE "PIONEER'S" NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS.
The Pioneer issued, on January 1, a New Year's Address, which created considerable amusement. A few extracts will show its tone :
" The cities on this river must be three, Two that are built, and one that is to be. One is the mart of all the tropics yield ; The cane, the orange, and the cotton-field ; And sends her ships abroad and boasts Her trade extended to a thousand coasts ; The other, central for the temperate zone, Garners the stores that on the plains are grown ; A place where steamboats from all quarters range, To meet and speculate, as 'twere, on 'change.
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1850
The third will be, where rivers confluent flow From the wide-spreading north through plains of snow : The mart of all that boundless forests give To make mankind more comfortably live; The land of manufacturing industry, The workshop of the nation it shall be. Propelled by this wide stream, you'll see A thousand factories at Saint Anthony : And the Saint Croix a hundred mills shall drive, And all its smiling villages shall thrive; But then my town-remember that high bench With cabins scattered over it, of French ? A man named HENRY JACKSON'S living there, Also a man-why, every one knows L. ROBAIR ; Below Fort Snelling, seven miles or so, And three above the village of OLD CROW ?. Pig's Eye? Yes; Pig's Eye! That's the spot ! A very funny name; is't not? Pig's Eye's the spot, to plant my city on, To be remembered by, when I am gone ..
Pig's Eye, converted thou shalt be, like SAUL :
Thy name henceforth shall be Saint Paul. When the Wisconsin's wedded to the Fox By a canal and solid steamboat locks ; When freighted steamboats leave Saint Paul one day, And reach, the next but one, Green Bay ; When locomotives regularly draw,
Their freighted trains from distant Pembina, And o'er the bridge rush, thundering, at Saint Paul ; And, at Dubuque, to breathe, scarce make a call; But hurry onward to the hot Balize,
By flying farms, plantations, houses, trees,-
When from the Cave to Pig's Eye shall extend A levee lined with steamboats to each end ; When one great city covers all
The ground from Pig's Eye to the Falls,
I then will claim Saint Paul for mine, The child of 1849."
Some of these visions of the future, though then a mere freak of wild fancy, have been so closely fulfilled since, or are about to be, the doggerel will repay a careful perusal.
BALLS AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR.
A ball was held on January 17, at the Central House. The
1850] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 249
Pioneer criticises it in a humorous way, that would lead one to suppose that society was not as starchy and high-toned those days as we have it at our bon ton soirees now-a-days. It advises gentlemen to wear neither moccasins or heavy boots at balls ! The Pioneer also thought it "vulgar for a lady to make up a bundle of cake, nuts and candies at the table to carry home! She might as well pocket the sugar-bowl and teaspoons."
Balls and sociable dancing parties appear to have been about the only amusements in winter-time then, and, without them, the long winter months would have probably been intolerably tedious. The 22d of February this year was celebrated by a ball at the American House, 80 or more persons being present. The band of the Sixth Regiment generally furnished music for those soirees. Their leader, Mr. JACKSON, was a famous bugler, and many of our old citizens remember the soul-stirring notes of his favorite instrument.
Another famous ball musician of early days was a colored man, named WM. TAYLOR. He had a very musical voice, and has " called figures" for hundreds of balls and dances, almost. He was killed by the Indians at Yellow Medicine, in 1862.
ROADS AND MAIL SERVICE.
The Pioneer complains, and justly, too, that the mail ser- vice during the winter of 1849-50, was execrable. "It takes (groaned the editor) a month to get a letter from Washington." The proposals advertised for, a short time previous, called for a weekly eastern mail, during winter. The contract for this service was let to Hon. H. M. RICE, as will be further noted in a subsequent chapter. One reason for the poor service, probably, was the absence of good roads. Prior to this win- ter, the only road from Saint Paul to Prairie du Chien was on the ice of the river, after it froze-a route of much danger. In November and December, 1849, however, WIRAM KNOWL- TON, of Willow River, (Hudson) Wisconsin, laid out a road from Prairie du Chien to that place, via Black River Falls. It was "blazed and marked," he says, in a letter to the Pioneer, "the whole way,"-distance, 223 miles. Some
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1850
streams were bridged, " and a span of good horses can now haul 1,Soo or 2,000 pounds through the whole distance." Stopping places" could be found a part of the way, but the rest of the route, the traveler must " camp out" in the snow. This road was used as the winter route east by Saint Paul travelers, for several years. WILLOUGHBY and POWERS' stage line ran on it several seasons, and Mr. RICE's mail contract was served on it, at least a part of that time.
At this date, the only mail routes in Minnesota, besides the. one above referred to, were from Saint Paul to Fort Snelling and back, weekly ; from Saint Paul to Falls of Saint Croix, via Stillwater and Marine Mills, and back, weekly, with one additional trip per week to Stillwater and back. There were, in 1850, only sixteen post-offices in what is now Minnesota.
ORGANIZATION OF CHURCHES.
On December 29, 1849, a Baptist church had been organ- ized, with 12 members, and was "recognized" by a Council the day following. This was the first Baptist church in Min- nesota. The Pioneer, of January 9, 1850, has the following :
" The First Presbyterian church, of Saint Paul, was organized last Sunday, in the Rev. Mr. NEILL's chapel. Bros. SELBY and TINKER, who had been before chosen elders, were ordained by the laying on of hands, &c. Rev. Dr. WILLIAMSON, of the Little Crow Mission, was present, with several of the native Sioux."
Hon. GEO. L. BECKER* was one of the original members of this church, and is still a member of it.
* Ho1. GEORGE L. BECKER was born in Locke, Cayuga county, New York, Febru- ary 4, 1829. In 1841, his father removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he entered the Freshman class of the University of Michigan, in 1842, and graduated in 1846, his class being the second one graduated at that institution. Immediately after graduating he studied law with GEORGE SEDGWICK, Esq., of Ann Arbor, and remained with him until October, 1849, when he emigrated to Saint Paul, arriving here on the 29th of that month. He at once commenced the practice of law, and soon after formed a copartner- ship with EDMUND RICE and ELLIS G. WHITALL, under the firm name of "RICE, WHITALL & BECKER." About a year afterwards, Mr. WHITALL withdrew, and WM. HOLLINSHEAD, one of the best lawyers who ever lived in the State, joined the firm, which then became " RICE, HOLLINSHEAD & BECKER," one of the most successful and widely-known law firms in the Territorial days of Minnesota, continuing to transact a large and important business until its dissolution in 1856. Mr. RICE retired during that year, and Messrs. BECKER and HOLLINSHEAD continued the business for another year, when Mr. BECKER withdrew and soon after ceased the active practice of law.
During the last thirteen years, Mr. BECKER has been actively engaged in the important
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1850]
and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
work of forwarding the railroad interests of the State. In 1862, he was chosen Land Commissioner of the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad. Upon the organization of the First Division of the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad, (6th of February, 1864,) he was elected President of the same, which position he has held ever since. Under his able management, and, largely by his efforts and influence, 317 miles of road have been con-
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C:
Photo tanx. Ca. N. Y.
F
GEORGE L. BECKER.
structed. Foreign capital has been enlisted to the extent of millions, thus proving a source of wealth to our State, opening up a vast region hitherto a wilderness, now filled with prosperous towns and fertile farms. In the discharge of his duties, Mr. BECKER has performed an immense amount of physical and mental labor, making frequent journeys east and to Europe, besides carrying on his large office business at home, and filling responsible public offices at the same time.
Mr. BECKER has filled a number of important offices in our State. In 1854, at the
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1850
The Pioneer, of February 27th, says : "Our Baptist friends are making active preparations for erecting a house of public worship in Saint Paul."
"OLD BETS"
used to flourish about those days, as she did for many years subsequently. No history of Saint Paul can be complete which omits mention of this curious character, so well known to all the old residents. The papers about this date contain numer- ous references to her-some not very complimentary, perhaps, but they show that "Old BETS" was a sort of favorite, at least, which she certainly was.
Old BETS was a full-blood Sioux woman, of the M'dewakontonwan tribe. She came of a family which was somewhat distinguished in its way. Her Sioux name was Aza-ya-man-ka-wan, or BERRY-PICKER. She was born near Mendota, in 1788, and was at the time of her death only 75 years old, though she was generally supposed to be 100. She was "married," after the Indian fashion, to Ma-za-sa-gia, or " IRON SWORD," who died a few years subsequently at Mendota. She had several children. One daughter was living not long ago in Saint Paul. A son, named Ta-opi, or " WOUNDED MAN," born at Mendota, became somewhat noted as a convert to Christianity, and, after his death at Faribault, in 1869, Bishop WHIPPLE published a fine volume of his biography, with an engraved portrait. A town in southern Minnesota has been named for him. One of her brothers was He-in-da-koo, a famous warrior, prophet and medicine man, who was killed by the Chippewas, some years ago. 'ONE-LEGGED JIM' was another brother of Old BETS. He had lost a leg in some skirmish, and used to peg
first municipal election, under our city charter, he was elected an Alderman, and, in 1856, chosen Mayor of the city. In 1857, he was elected from Ramsey county one of the members of the Constitutional Convention, and soon after elected one of the three mein- bers of Congress to which it was supposed our State (when admitted) would be entitled. During the delay which attended its admission, it became certain that only two mem- bers could be received, and Mr. BECKER at once resigned. The following year (1859) he was unanimously nominated, at a Convention of his party, for Governor, but the opposite side gained the day. In 1867, he was elected a member of the State Senate from Ramsey county, and re-elected in 1869, serving four sessions in all. Such was the confi- dence reposed in him by both parties, that, at his last election, no nomination was made against him on the opposite ticket, and he was unanimously chosen. In 1872, Mr. BECKER was again nominated for Congress, but his party was not successful in the contest.
Mr. BECKER has generously aided all the benevolent, literary and educational insti- tutions of Saint Paul, and is known as one of our foremost citizens in every good enterprise.
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1850] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
around on a wooden stump. He was well known to most of the early settlers, and was never backward about begging.
Old BETS lived all her life in this locality. Miss BISHOP mentions her frequently in her work, " Floral Homes," and gives a good portrait of her.' She has been photographed many times, and her pictures, purchased by tourists, may be found in albums in all parts of the civil- ized world. Thousands of them have been sold. She was always very proud of this distinction, and of the notice paid her by travelers, . never failing to levy a small tax on them. MUNGER BROS. once pub-
"OLD BETS."
lished a piece of music (words by J. H. HANSON) based on the supposed fact that she was 100 years old, and some artist made a very good bust of her. So she had become quite an institution in our midst. She subsisted by begging for many years. She was always welcome at the kitchen doors of the old settlers, and never failed to bear off a wallet of food. She was a privileged character in many ways, and no old settler [she knew them all] would refuse her request for kosh-poppy (money.) She always greeted her acquaintances on the street with a broad grin of her huge mouth, and a cheerful " ho-ho." During the Sioux War, she was very kind to white prisoners, and possessed other good traits. She was converted to Christianity shortly before her death. by Father
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1850
RAVOUX. When her last illness was known, the Chamber of Commerce subscribed a sum of money for her comfort, and she had a Christian burial. She died about May 1, 1873, at Mendota. The portrait here- with is an excellent likeness.
MISCELLANEOUS.
"Some journeyman preacher would make a profitable trip up the · Mississippi River, with a supply of blank marriage licenses, there being no person north of Saint Paul, who is authorized, by law, to tie the nuptial knot. Many couples are represented to be in an awful state of suspense. The laws of Minnesota do not anywhere authorize Justices of the Peace to solemnize marriages."-[Pioneer, Jan. 30.]
"Many of the people go unshaved, although the village is supplied with three barbers-such is the scarcity of soap."-[Ib. ]
" Wood is selling in Saint Paul at about $1.50 per cord."-[Ib. ]
" The foundation of a brewery is laid at the upper end of Saint Paul."-[Ib.]
"'GREAT CRY AND LITTLE WOOL.'-Four of the lawyers of Saint Paul were engaged all day last Wednesday, in trying the right of prop- erty in a little, old sow."-[Ib., Feb. 27.]
" We would advise each immigrant to Saint Paul this season, as we did last season, to come prepared to build a cheap house immediately, without depending upon hiring a house."-[Ib.]
The Pioneer notices the market bare of cured meats ; "only fresh meats," it says, " and mallards 20c. a pair." It adds :
" One year ago there were three stores in Saint Paul, sold out at that, so that the place was absolutely bare of goods and provisions. There are now fifteen stores, in one or the other of which almost every article of necessity can be found."
ANOTHER HOMICIDE.
On Friday, February 22, 1850, another homicide occurred. Two men, named ALEX. R. McLEOD and WM. B. GORDON, got into an affray, where the Stillwater road forded Phelan's Creek, about a mile east of town, on or near McLEOD's claim, mentioned on page 136. GORDON was so severely injured that he died next day. McLEOD was arrested and examined be- fore Justice WAKEFIELD. The evidence showed that both men were in liquor, but that GORDON first assaulted McLEOD, striking him with a whip-stock, while McLEOD used nothing
1850] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 255
but his fist. He was held to bail in the sum of $200, but, on trial before the next term of court, was acquitted on grounds
PHOTO. ENG. CÔ NY
EDMUND RICE.
of self-defense. McLEOD was defended by Hon. EDMUND RICE .*
* Hon. EDMUND RICE was born in Waitsfield, Vermont, February 14, 1819. He re- moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, in 1838; studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1842; was Master in Chancery, Register of the Court of Chancery for the Third Cir- cuit, and Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State. He served in the Mexican War, in
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1850
GRAND COUNCIL WITH THE WINNEBAGOES.
On March 14, a deputation of the principal chiefs of the Winnebagoes, who were dissatisfied with their Reservation, waited on Gov. RAMSEY. A grand council was held in the trading house of OLMSTED & RHODES, on Third street, be- tween Jackson and Robert streets. Among the famous chiefs present were ONE-EYED DEKORA, (who took BLACK HAWK a prisoner in 1832, ). WINNESHIEK, BIG CANOE, GOOD THUN- DER, LITTLE DEKORA, CARIMONA, LITTLE HILL, and others, more or less prominently known in the history of the North- west, and a number of Sioux also attended. Gen. J. E. FLETCHER, Winnebago Agent, was present, and WM. H. FORBES and JOHN HANEY, Jr., acted as interpreters. They stated their grievances to Gov. RAMSEY, and had a long talk. They were finally persuaded to return to their Reservation and remain there peaceably.
It was at this council that Gov. RAMSEY made his famous temperance speech to the Indians. He admonished them of the dangers of intemperance, and urged them to quit drinking. " The white men," he said, " have quit drinking"-[the inter- preter translated this, but the Indians looked a little astonished and incredulous-so the Governor qualifiedly added,] " in a great measure !" The interpreter rendered this literally, to mean a large-sized vessel ! Old DEKORA, at this, exclaimed, "perhaps they had, but most of them still use a small measure !"
ROADS AND MAILS.
The continual complaint at poor mail facilities has been
I847 and 1848, with the commission of First Lieutenant of the First Michigan Volunteers. In July, 1849, he settled in Saint Paul, and soon became a member of the law firm of RICE, HOLLINSHEAD & BECKER, which, for several years, was a leading law firm in Minnesota. He practiced until 1855. In 1857, he became President of the Minnesota and Pacific Railroad Company, and also President of its successors, the Saint Paul and Pacific, and the Saint Paul and Chicago Railway Companies, till 1872, performing a large amount of service in the organization and starting of our railway system.
Mr. RICE was a member of the Territorial Legislature, in 1851, of the State Senate in 1864 and 1865, House in 1867, and the Senate again, in 1873 and 1874-an instance of popularity extending, in the same direction, over a longer period than any other we have chronicled. Mr. RICE's valuable services to his county and city, not only in the Legislature, but as a pioneer in works of internal improvement-the highways of com- merce-have won for him their lasting gratitude and regard.
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1850] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
before noted. The breaking up of the winter of 1849-50, rendered the ice on the river, which was at that time the public road, very insecure, and many accidents happened, several persons being drowned. On March 29, a mail was received, the first for 20 days, say's the Pioneer-a deprivation that must have been sorely felt, in the isolated condition of the community then. The Pioneer, of February 27, adds :
" The number of letters passing through the post-office at Saint Paul averages nearly 700 per week. The mail to Saint Anthony alone is larger than the whole mail of the Territory was one year ago."
THE MORALS OF SAINT PAUL.
The editor of the Pioneer denies reports that had been cir- culated abroad, that Saint Paul was a disorderly and immoral place. He said, despite the temporary character of many homes, and the floating population-men without families, &c .- and the fact that the town government had not yet organ- ized, the town was orderly and moral. Religious services held in five churches, and well attended-Sunday observed- drunkenness and gambling not openly carried on -good schools, and a good moral tone in community. No violent disorders or crimes.
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