USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > A history of the city of Saint Paul, and of the county of Ramsey, Minnesota > Part 26
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* This may be considered merely the poetical view of the subject. Sometimes, when we have an unusually hard winter, our citizens scout the idea that the Indians were cheated in the sale, and wish they hadn't sold their lands at all !
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The History of the City of Saint Paul. [1851
The news of the treaty was received in Saint Paul, with . demonstrations of joy. GOODHUE, with his strong gift of prophesy, broke forth in a strain as exultant as the song of Miriam and the Jewish maidens on the shore of the Red Sea. It thrilled through his pen as follows :
" The news of the treaty exhilarates our town, and it looks fresh, and lively and blooming! It is the greatest event, by far, in the his- tory of the Territory, since it was organized. It is the pillar of fire that lights us into a broad Canaan of fertile lands. We behold now, clearly, in no remote perspective, like an exhibition of dissolving views, the red savages, with their teepees, their horses, and their fam- ished dogs, fading, vanishing, dissolving away; and in their places a thousand farms, with their fences and white cottages, and waving wheat fields, and vast jungles of rustling maize, and villages and cities crowned with spires, and railroads with trains of cars rumbling afar off-and now nearer and nearer, the train comes thundering across the bridge into Saint Paul, fifteen hours from Saint Louis, on the way to Lake Superior. Is this a dream? What but a dream, then, is the his- tory of the Northwest for the last twenty years ?" -- [Pioneer, July 31.]
IMMEDIATE RESULTS.
More immediate gain resulted from the treaty, viz. : the circulation of many thousand dollars into the pockets of Saint Paul. The Pioneer, of August 14, says :
" Last Thursday was a lively day in Saint Paul. Indians all over town with double-eagles, and Third street, especially, was converted into a temporary horse bazaar. Dogs are also in demand. On Friday every Indian who had a horse was anxious to try his speed. Various contests were witnessed between old wheezing cart-horses, running quarter-races at the north end of Jackson street, in sand ankle-deep. A large multitude turned out to see the races."
GROWTH OF CHURCHES.
Nearly all denominations and sects represented in the town. made rapid advancement this year.
The Wisconsin Methodist Conference of that season, which adjourned on July 3, made the following appointments for Minnesota : CHAUNCY HOBART, P. E. ; Saint Paul District, T. M. FULLERTON ; Saint Anthony Falls, C. A. NEWCOMB ; Point Douglas. to be supplied ; Stillwater, G. W. RICHARDSON.
3II
1851] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
This spring, Christ's church, (Episcopal,) on Cedar street. was completed, and was dedicated by Bishop JACKSON KEMP- ER, on April 12. Rev. J. LLOYD BRECK was first rector. followed by the Rev. T. WILCOXSON and Rev. J. V. VAN INGEN, &c.
CREATION OF BISHOPRIC-CONSECRATION OF RT. REV. JOSEPH CRETIN.
The year 1851 was also a season of great encouragement to
RIGHT REV. JOSEPH CRETIN, D. D.
the Catholics, owing to the creation of a bishopric here, and the arrival of Right Rev. JOSEPH . CRETIN. Since the with- drawal of Father GALTIER, in 1844, as before mentioned, Rev. AUGUSTIN RAVOUX had been in charge of the mission at this place and Mendota. In 1848 or 1849, the congregation here increased very rapidly. The little chapel had been enlarged in 1847, and was still too small. Members came from Saint An-
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. The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1851
thony, Little Canada, Pig's Eye, and other places, to attend services, which were now held every other Sabbath, in French and English, and finally, Father RAVOUx spent two Sundays here consecutively, going to Mendota on the third. It now became evident that more clerical help must be secured. He urged Bishop HENNI, of Milwaukee, to send this, but that ecclesiastic was unable to do so. It led, however, to the erection here of a bishopric, and the appointment of Rev. JOSEPH CRETIN to the charge. The latter was then in Du- buque, and left at once for Europe, to be consecrated.
"After his departure for France, [says Father RAVOUx, in a sketch in the Northwestern Chronicle, ] aware of the necessity of securing some lots for the cathedral and other purposes, I bought of Mr. VETAL GUERIN twenty-one (21) lots for $800, and for $100 the lot on which now stands the cathedral. This last I bought of another person, who had already some lumber on the ground for a building. He had bought the same on credit of Mr. VETAL GUERIN for $60. He deeded me that lot for forty dollars ($40) profit. I considered the purchase of the twenty- two lots a very good bargain for the church, as also a good one for Mr. VETAL GUERIN, because it was understood that the cathedral and other buildings would be erected on block seven, and such improvements would increase the value of Mr. VETAL GUERIN's property. The event proved that I was not deceived in my expectation. The Right Rev. Bishop after his return from France, paid the money for the 22 lots and received the deed ; I had but a bond for the security of our bargain."
Speaking of Rev. J. CRETIN's struggle to make up his mind whether to accept the bishopric, or not, Father RAVOUX further writes that he did so at the advice of the Bishop of Belley :
"He then gave his consent and was consecrated on the 26th of January, 1851. 'Omnia omnibus factus sum,' was the motto engraved on his seal, and in fact the first Bishop of Saint Paul, like the Apostle of nations, was 'all to all.' All those who have been well acquainted with him are convinced that he constantly walked in the footsteps of Saint PAUL, by zeal, piety, charity, humility, incessant labor and patience in sufferings ; not only after his consecration, but also when a priest, when in the seminaire, and in the colleges.
"The Right Rev. Bishop spent yet three or four months in Europe after his consecration, in order to procure some laborers for the exten- sive vineyard intrusted to his care, and many things necessary for the establishment of a new diocese. On the day of the feast of the Visita-
1851] and of the County of Ramsey. Minnesota. 313
tion of the Blessed Virgin MARY, the 2d of July, 1851, I had the so long expected and desired visit of the Right Rev. Bishop, who arrived at Saint Paul, accompanied by two priests* and three seminarians. To describe the pleasure I felt attheir arrival would be a difficult task.
" The Rt. Rev. Bishop was not much surprised at the poverty of the Catholic church in Saint Paul, for he had been informed of everything. From the first, he saw hard labor before him, and, full of confidence in GOD, was not discouraged.
"He put immediately his hand to the plow, and, faithful to the advice of our SAVIOUR, did not look behind. He knew for whom he worked, . and, however difficult the task might be, supported by Divine grace, he was always cheerful. Before the lapse of five months after his arrival in Saint Paul, he had erected on block 7, in Saint Paul Proper, a brick building, 84 feet long by 44 wide, three stories and a half high, includ- ing the basement. That building became immediately the second cathedral of Saint Paul, and also the second residence of the Rt. Rev. Bishop, of his priests and seminarians ; and, in a few months after, some apartments of the basement were used as school-rooms for boys. The young girls were also to be provided with Catholic schools, and, in 1852, the Sisters of Saint Joseph devoted themselves in Saint Paul to the holy work of their institute, and they opened their schools on the property of the church, on Third street. * *
"The Rt. Rev. Bishop died on the 22d of February, 1857. His ill- ness had been very long and painful, but he always continued to be the good and faithful servant of GOD, bearing with the greatest patience all his sufferings. When no more able to leave his room, he almost constantly had his mind occupied about the flock intrusted to his care : he would often speak to me on that subject, and write letters to his friends in order to provide for the diverse wants of his diocese. The last of these letters, which was addressed to a French Bishop, and left unfinished, was dated February the. 21st, 1857. More than once, when his sufferings were most intense, I heard him exclaim, 'It is good for me to suffer for my sins ! * * As I cannot work, I, at least, ought to offer my pains to GoD for the faithful and for all !'
" Were I asked what epitaph ought to be written on his tomb, my answer would be, let these words be engraved upon it: O Gon! 'the zeal of Thy house hath eaten me up!'"
FIRST THEATRE IN SAINT PAUL.
During the month of August the drama was inaugurated in Saint Paul. A portion of the troupe of " Placide's Varieties,"
* I think one of them was the Rev. JAMES MORAN, who officiated here for a year or more about that time.
21
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1851
of New Orleans, then closed as usual during the summer, wan- dered to Saint Paul, partly for pleasure, partly for gain, and opened a theatre in Mazurka Hall. GEORGE HOLLAND Was manager. One of the papers of the day says : " They per- formed to full houses for two weeks." Among the plays ad- vertised were, " The Day after the Fair," "Swiss Cottage," " Betsey Baker," "Slasher & Crasher," &c. No very "heavy" pieces seem to have been put on the boards.
AN ENGINEERING BLUNDER.
GOODHUE frequently, in those days, urged measures of local importance, that, with criminal indifference, the public and some of its components, disregarded. Had his advice been followed, we would have had a boulevard along the river bluff, for one thing. The streets of additions would have corres- ponded with those of Saint Paul Proper, instead of presenting the confused maze of angles and crooks our city map now shows-a perpetual misery inflicted on posterity. Speaking of a quagmire on Third street, between Wabasha and Cedar. he advocated cutting the soil off of all the streets running over the limestone rock, thus making a hard, smooth, dry pave- ment, unequalled in every desirable quality. Strange to say. this simple proposition, for a cheap improvement, was not acted on. The grade was raised so that the streets had to be filled in, at great expense, and thus we have quagmires instead of smooth, rock pavements. At this day, it is hard to say what engineer is responsible for this fossilized stupidity ; but, as capital punishment has been practically abolished, even if con- vićted, no adequate punishment exists.
POLITICS.
Political excitement ran pretty high in the fall of 1851, though perhaps a shade less bitter than the year previous. The Pioneer launched its thunderbolts at H. M. RICE and his friends, and C. K. SMITH, Secretary of State. The Dem- ocrat inveighed bitterly against the Whig office-holders. The Minnesotian ( just established) fired double-shotted guns at Democratic nominees. Both parties, it seems, were split up
1851] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 315
into factions, warring against each other. The Federal office- holders were at swords'-points, and undermining each other. The war soon terminated in a batch of resignations and removals. Judge JEROME FULLER, of New York, succeeded Chief Justice AARON GOODRICH. Capt. ALEX. WILKIN* was appointed Secretary of State, decapitating C. K. SMITH. Jo-
PHOTO-ENG.
ALEXANDER WILKIN.
SEPH W. FURBER received a commission as Marshal, vice TILDEN, &c.
* ALEXANDER WILKIN was born in Orange county, New York, December, IS20. He was the eldest son of Judge SAMUEL J. WILKIN, who had been a member of Congress, and was otherwise prominent in his State. ALEXANDER studied law with his father, and practiced for a while at Goshen. In February, 1847, he enlisted in the Tenth New York Regiment for the Mexican War, and was commissioned as Captain. He served under ZACH. TAYLOR during a part of the war, when ill-health compelled him to return home, and, meantime, peace was declared, and the army disbanded. In the spring of 1849, he removed to Saint Paul, arriving here on June 20, and practiced his profession for some months. On October 23, 1851, he was appointed United States Marshal, and
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1851
WAIFS.
The Weekly Minnesotian appeared on September 17, as a Whig organ. JOHN P. OWENS' name appeared as editor, and that of JOHN C. TERRY, as publisher. Its very first number created a sensation. Some severe strictures on Capt. WM. B. DODD, provoked the ire of that gentleman, and a rencontre between him and Col. OWENS on the street, was the result. The Minnesotian flourished for nearly 10 years, as a leading and influential journal. It gave up the ghost in 1861.
" We need a jail far more than we do a court-house. The criminal law is almost a dead letter for want of a jail to lock up rogues in."- [Pioneer.]
GEO. C. NICHOLS, surveyor, has made a splendid and accurate map of the city of Saint Paul, with its additions, which are 15 in num- ber."-[ Democrat, Sept. 30. ]
[This map was the first map of Saint Paul published. Mr. NICHOLS died April 8, 1853, at Madison, Wisconsin, aged 26 years. ]
" Never was a city laid out so badly as Saint Paul. The plat looks as if some accident had knocked all the streets into pi. Measures should be taken immediately to straighten them."-[Ib.]
"Last week there were 400 Indians out at Rice Lake, gathering cran- berries. They gathered about 250 barrels."-[Ib. ]
" The country is full of bears. A band of Sioux Indians killed, in two days, in the neighborhood of Rice Lake, 25 bears. Two were seen within a mile of our office, on Saturday."-[Ib.]
served until the PIERCE administration commenced, in 1853. He was an unsuccessful candidate for Delegate that fall, and, in 1860, espoused the cause of STEPHEN A. DOUG- LAS. During the Crimean War, Capt. WILKIN visited the allied armies, and studied the art of war before Sebastopol. The experience that he then gained was destined soon to be of great value to him. When the rebellion broke out, he recruited the first company of the First Regiment. He acted with conspicuous bravery at Bull Run, and soon after was commissioned in the regular army. On September 10, he was commis. sioned as Major of the Second Minnesota, and, on March 21, 1862, its Lieut. Colonel. On August 24, 1862, he was commissioned Colonel of the Ninth Minnesota. After serving on our frontier several months, the Ninth was sent to Tennessee, where it took part in the expedition against FORREST. In the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, on July 14, 1864, Col. WILKIN was shot through the heart, and died instantly. He was a suc- cessful and skillful officer, and one of the most fearless and courageous men that ever lived, although of small and slight physique. The Legislature, in 1868, bestowed his name on one of our western counties.
-Judge WESTCOTT WILKIN, brother of Col. W., is one of the oldest and most es teemed members of the Ramsey county bar. He was elected Judge of the District Court in 1864, and re-elected, in 1871, for seven years.
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1851] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
THE ELECTION
was held on October 14. The result in Ramsey county, (which then included Saint Anthony, ) was as follows :
Old Line.
People's Ticket.
Wm. H. Forbes .... 270 G. W. Farrington. . . 293
W. P. Murray 272
Representatives
Hugh McCann
259
Egidus Keller
. 224
f. E. Fullerton 306 Louis Bartlett. .220
Sam. f. Findley 279
Sheriff. Geo. F. Brott. 312
Anson Northrup . . . . 271
C. P. V. Lull, (Ind.,) 207.
Register of Deeds. L. B. Wait. 376
M. S. Wilkinson . . . . 427
Treasurer . Lot Moffet. 362
Attorney .. . John W. North. .371
County Surveyor. Geo. C. Nichols 380
Fudge of Probate .. H. Fletcher 361
Ira B. Kingsley 424
Fo. La Bonne 419
T. P. Reed 429
Jacob f. Noah 236
John P. Owens.
234
Those in italics elected.
TOWN GOSSIP.
The Pioneer, of October 30, announces the removal of Sec- retary C. K. SMITH, and the issue of November 20, records his departure from the Territory, in a terribly denunciatory article. When GOODHUE wanted to "go for" any one, he never beat around the bush, but spoke right out.
"There is a large new bell, a very fine one, just received and hung up in the rear of the Catholic seminary, a present from LOUIS ROBERT. There are now four good bells in Saint Paul, and another coming, for the Baptist church."-[Pioneer, November 6.]
" NON-RESIDENT LANDHOLDERS .- Avarice and speculation can over- lay an infant town-nay, they oppress larger places, like a nightmare. A non-resident may buy up half-a-dozen lots on Third street, and keep them unimproved. The result is ruinous, perhaps, to the business of the whole street. We want to see these gentry used up in every pos- sible way. * * . We wish that no man out of Minnesota could own a foot of land in it."-[Ib. ]
Councillors. § R. R. Nelson 241
Wm. Freeborn 248
Robert Kennedy. 247
Geo. Burns. 217
G. W. Selby 293
C. S. Cave 273
Sam. H. Sergeant . . 401 Wm. D. Phillips .. . . 414 S. P. Folsom. 407
Co. Com'issioner. { J. Locke. 377
Warren Chapman .. 367
Justices of Peace ! Charles Creek . .2II
Orlando Simons . . .. 244
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1851
The Pioneer, of October 16, speaks of a contract for the erection of a four-story hotel on the site of Monk Hall. This was the Winslow House, a building which played an impor- tant part in our history, and was burned down in 1862.
" Rev. Mr. RIHELDAFFER, a missionary of the Old School General Assembly, has taken up his residence at Saint Paul, with a view of gath- ering a second Presbyterian congregation."-[ Democrat, November 4. ]
This was the origin of the Central Presbyterian church, which was organized by Mr. RIHELDAFFER, February 21, 1852, at his residence, eight persons participating-Mr. and Mrs. RIHELDAFFER, Mr. and Mrs. R. MARVIN, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. FARRINGTON, J. D. POLLOCK and JONAS GISE. The church was completed in the summer of 1854. Rev. Mr. RIHELDAFFER resigned in 1864, and was succeeded by Rev. F. T. BROWN, in 1867, and Rev. WM. MCKIBBIN, in June, 1874. * " Saint Paul is entirely destitute of means for extinguishing fire. Measures should be taken to form a hook and ladder company, imme- diately. Should a fire occur, let every citizen repair to it with a bucket of water."-[ Democrat, November 18.]
" Four Sisters of Charity have arrived from Saint Louis, and will shortly commence teaching a ladies' seminary, in the old chapel."-[Ib. ]
" The workmen are putting on the roof of the new court-house. It makes a fine appearance."-[Ib.]
Navigation closed this year on the 20th of November. The whole number of steamboat arrivals was 119.
Rev. J. P. PARSONS, pastor of the new Baptist church, died on November 13, while on his way up the river on a steamer, returning from a visit east, to raise means to finish his church. Mr. PARSONS was a native of Onondaga, New York. He came west about 1837, and settled in Saint Paul, May, 1849, as a missionary of the Baptist Home Mission Society. He was forty-nine years of age.
CHARLES SYMONDS, the first ice dealer in Saint Paul, com- menced cutting ice this month. He continued the ice business a number of years, and died in 1873.
" Rev. E. D. NEILL has been appointed by the Governor, Superin- tendent of common schools for the Territory. An excellent appoint- ment." -- [ Democrat, December 2.]
" Plenty of delightful weather, plenty to eat. plenty to drink, but not
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1851] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
a word of news from the States for two weeks past."-[Democrat, De- cember 24.]
" The grading of Fourth street and the building of the culvert across Jackson street are so far advanced, that the street will be ready for travel in three or four weeks."-[Ib. ]
" A friend informs us that there are about 299 applicants for the few offices in the gift of the Legislature."-[Ib.]
"There appears to be considerable activity in buying and selling town lots. Prices are gradually rising."-[Ib. ]
" We have a hard-working, judicious and able town council. They work for nothing, and find themselves."-[Ib.]
" A market house is very much needed in Saint Paul."-[Ib.]
MOVEMENT TOWARD A FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The need of some organized association for extinguishing fires, has several times been noticed. The Democrat, of December 24, says :
"Mr. R. C. KNOX is making efforts to get up a hook and ladder company. Let everybody help. * * A meeting will be held at the upper school house on Saturday evening next, for the purpose of forming a fire company."
Probably this movement of Mr. KNOX .and others was the little germ which afterwards gave birth to our Fire Depart- ment. Prior to this time, and for three or four years afterwards, indeed, the mode of extinguishing fires was somewhat primi- tive. Whenever an alarm was given, the whole able-bodied population would rush to the rescue, armed with pails, basins, dippers, tubs or any other utensil that came handy. Generally a raid was made on some grocery, and a few nests of pails confiscated. With these a line would be formed, between the fire and some pond, cistern or stream, and the pails then passed from hand to hand. The writer has seen a line two blocks long thus. The original subscription paper carried around by Mr. KNOX is still in existence. Enough was raised to pur- chase several ladders. They were somewhat heavy, and, as the "boys" had no ladder wagon, but carried them to fires on their shoulders, they could not have made very fast time, and probably had their patience and zeal thoroughly tried. An amusing incident would occur once in a while, however, that
C
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The History of the City of Saint Paul. [1851
lightened their burdens. On one occasion, the boys got their ladders out from an alley on Third street, near Wabasha, where they used to store them. and started on the run for a fire on Eagle street. After making good time for two or three squares. they concluded to seize on any team that happened along. Just then a countryman drove by with a lumber wagon. R. C. KNox rushed up to him, and. in tones that could have been heard at Pig's Eye. almost, ordered the man to get down and give up that team !" KNOX. we will state for those who don't know him. is about as large as two ordinary men. The countryman gazed at his huge figure a moment, and. either mistaking him for a ghost or a highwayman, actually leaped out of the wagon and ran for dear life ! Bursting with laugh- ter, the boys seized the team, threw off the wagon-box, and soon had their ladders at the fire.
As but little could be generally accomplished in this way, however, the ladders soon fell into disuse. They were stored away, and for a time served the free use of painters and car- penters. After the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company was organized in 1855, three of them were recovered and became the property of that'company, and were used for over 13 years.
In the absence of engines or other apparatus, every imagin- able means was resorted to to extinguish fires. A small house once caught fire about that time. when the ground was covered with damp snow. Some one gave the word, " snow-ball it out," and it was so deluged with snow-balls by the crowd in attendance, that the fire was put out and most of the house saved.
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1852] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
CHAPTER XXII.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1852.
THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT -- PASSAGE OF A PROHIBITORY LAW-TRAVELING ON DOG-SLEDGES-OUTCOME OF THE MAINE LIQUOR LAW-RATIFICATION OF THE SIOUX TREATY-BRUTAL WIFE MURDER-DEATH OF J. M. GOODHUE- MURDERS BY WHITES-MURDERS BY INDIANS, &C.
O N January I, a Temperance Convention was held, pursu- ant to a published call, which was largely attended by delegates. An earnest feeling prevailed. The newspapers con- tain no report of the proceedings, and only indirect allusions to it. Participants say, however, that strong ground was taken for a Maine prohibitory law, and threats to form a temper- ance party of the prohibitory element did not receive due consideration.
THIRD LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.
The third Legislature met on January 7, in "Goodrich's Block," on Third street, below the Merchants. The Ramsey county members this year were: Council .- Geo. W. FAR- RINGTON, L. A. BABCOCK, and WM. H. FORBES, the latter being President. House .- CHARLES S. CAVE, WM. P. MUR- RAY, SAM. D. FINDLEY, JEREMIAH W. SELBY, and J. E. FULLERTON. Four of our present citizens represented other localities that year-N. W. KITTSON, Pembina ; JNO. D. LUD- DEN, Marine ; Dr. J. H. MURPHY, Saint Anthony ; and Dr. DAVID DAY, Long Prairie.
On January 19, Hon. H. L. TILDEN, Secretary of the Coun- cil, died. Mr. TILDEN was a native of Ohio, and came to Minnesota in 1849. He was a member of the House in 1851, and had been appointed Marshal of the Territory that year. He was a lawyer by profession, and a gentleman of fine ability. He was buried by the Odd Fellows, of which he was a mem- ber, and the two houses attended his funeral in a body.
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Gov. RAMSEY read his annual message to the joint conven- tion of both houses, and the citizens, in the Baptist church, "on the hill," then recently finished.
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