USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > A history of the city of Saint Paul, and of the county of Ramsey, Minnesota > Part 30
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Building was very brisk this year. The mechanics could not turn out the buildings fast enough for people to get shelter in. Street improvements, to a considerable extent, were made, also. Third, Fourth, Jackson, and other prominent streets were graded.
This season the post-office was moved to the old brick build- ing, near the bridge, which, after passing through many changes, is now a saloon.
The election this year was somewhat triangular. There were three candidates for Delegate in the field-H. M. RICE, WM. R. MARSHALL, and DAVID OLMSTED-and three county tickets to match. The election, (October 9,) resulted in the . choice of the following officers : Councillor, JOHN B. BRIS- BIN ; Representatives, WM. H. NOBLES, F. KNAUFT, R. HAUS, ROSS WILKINSON and B. W. LOTT; Sheriff, A. W. TULLIS ; Register, LOUIS M. OLIVIER ; Treasurer, CHARLES F. STIMSON, (Saint Anthony ;) Attorney, I. V. D. HEARD ; Surveyor, JAMES A. CASE ; Probate Judge, A. C. JONES.
LOCAL TOPICS.
On October 4, the Daily Free Press, an evening paper, made its appearance as the organ of the Gorman Democracy, or "Nebraska wing" of that party. It was edited by Hon. A. C. SMITH, now of Litchfield, and published by SAMUEL J. ALBRIGHT & Co. Saint Paul now boasted of five daily
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The History of the City of Saint Paul. [1855
papers-three morning and two evening. Not long, however, was such an abundance of journals to shed intelligence on this saintly city. On October 31, the Democrat was discon- tinued and merged with the Daily Pioneer, under the name of Pioneer and Democrat, which it bore for six years, and the following spring the Free Press was discontinued.
A man named E. HOWITZ, a book-dealer, committed a forgery on MARSHALL & Co., this fall, and escaped with sev- eral hundred dollars of ill-gotten booty.
On the night of November 9, the grocery store of H. C. SANFORD. corner of Third and Wabasha streets, on the site of the present Warner Block, was burned down. SANFORD had a quantity of powder in store. When it went off, it shook things up lively in the vicinity. Dr. J. H. STEWART* was lying sick of typhoid fever in the building that stood where McQuillan's. Block now does. The shock threw him out of bed on the floor, and cured his fever ! He never recommended the remedy in his subsequent practice, however.
In the fall of 1855, Rev. E. D. NEILL organized a Presbyte- rian society known as the " House of Hope," now one of the most flourishing churches in the city. It used to worship that fall in the Walnut street school house.
On November 19, navigation closed. The total number of arrivals this year were 553.
As an evidence of the amount of travel and business on the river during the season of 1855, it was stated that the packet company declared dividends (net profits) of $100,000 on that season's business. The "War Eagle," which cost $20,000, cleared $44,000 alone ; and the " City Belle," costing $11,000. cleared $30,000 profits.
* Dr. J. H. STEWART was born in Columbia county, New York, January 15, 1829. He graduated at the University of New York, in 1851, and practiced medicine at Peeks- kill, on the Hudson River, from 1851 to 1855. In May, of the latter year, he came to Saint Paul and established himself here-soon becoming one of the most popular and successful practitioners in the city. In 1859, he was elected State Senator, and served on important railroad committees. He was commissioned Surgeon of the First Min- nesota Regiment in 1861, and was captured at Bull Run, July 21, being held as prisoner at Richmond some time, but finally exchanged. In 1864, he was elected Mayor of Saint Paul, and the following year appointed Postmaster, which position he held' five years. In 1869, he was again elected Mayor, and re-elected in 1871, and again in 1873. But few gentlemen in our city have been so popular as Dr. STEWART, a fact owing to his fine abilities professionally, and his bonhomie socially.
1855] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 361
NECROLOGY OF THE YEAR.
Died in January, at Providence, Rhode Island, (his former home.) JOSEPH WAKEFIELD, a talented lawyer. May 9,
AZ
PHOTO- FNG. COM
DR. J. H. STEWART.
HENRY P. PRATT, one of the publishers of the Minnesotian. July 4, by drowning, LUKE MARVIN, Jr., a promising young business man. November 22, Rev. JOSHUA BRADLEY, pastor of the First Baptist church. December 3, by an accident, CHARLES Ross.
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1856
CHAPTER XXVI.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1856.
CHANGE IN THE COUNTY LINES-CREATION OF OUR BOARD OF EDUCATION-WIN- TER TRAVELING AND BUSINESS-THE PIONEER GUARD-A POLICE FORCE CREATED - CORNER-STONE LAYING -THE CITY HALL BUILT - BARON VON GLAHN-THE REAL ESTATE MANIA-CRIME AND DISORDER-A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE-THE FULLER HOUSE BUILT, &C.
On March II, CHARLES S. CAVE was appointed postmas- ter, vice Major FORBES. Mr. CAVE held the office four years, but left it poorer than he entered it. He now resides in Missouri.
The Legislature adjourned on March I. No bills were passed materially affecting Saint Paul, unless we except the act detaching Saint Anthony from Ramsey county, and adding it to Hennepin county, with which its interests were more nearly allied, though many now believe that in a few years we will all be in the same corporation again.
This change left two officers of Ramsey county residing be- yond the new limits, viz. : CHAS. F. STIMSON, Treasurer, and , J. P. WILSON, Commissioner. The Board of Commissioners, on March 23, elected ROBERT A. SMITH, as County Treas- urer, and, at a special election, EDMUND RICE was chosen as County Commissioner.
A " Board of Education" was also created, for the city of Saint Paul, to consist of six members, two from each ward.
The "Pioneer Guard," the finest volunteer military com- pany which ever flourished in our State, was organized this spring. It existed until 1861, when most of its members went to the war, and it ceased to maintain an organization.
BRIEF NOTES.
On May 23, McClung and Stewart's Blocks, a row of frame
1856] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 363
buildings where the present stone blocks of the same owners stand, were burned.
On May 30, the City Council authorized the appointment of four policemen. Hitherto, the City Marshal, " BILL MILLER." had been the only officer in the city, with powers equivalent to a policeman. The first appointees were JOHN GABEL, NICH- OLAS MILLER, M. C. HARDWIG and EDWARD MAHER.
On June 24, the corner-stones of the proposed hall for the Historical Society, and of a projected Masonic Hall, were laid with great ceremony. A large procession of civic socie- ties, military, &c., paraded through the city. Mayor BECKER delivered the oration over the corner-stone of the former insti- tution, and "Rev." JOHN PENMAN, Grand Chaplain of the Masons, did the trowel work. Neither of these buildings, commenced with such prodigious flourish, were ever built, or progressed beyond a partial foundation.
About the same date, the corner-stone of the cathedral, corner of Saint Peter and Sixth streets, was laid, with impos- ing ceremonies, by Bishop TIMON, of Buffalo. The excava- tion for this large edifice had been commenced in the fall of 1854, but the work progressed slowly, for want of funds. It was completed for use in 1857. During this spring, the corner- stone of (old) "Assumption church," on Exchange street, was laid, and the church itself completed and occupied the same season. Rev. DEMETRIUS MAROGNA, since deceased, was first priest, followed by Rev. CLEMENT STAUB. In 1872-3, the new " Assumption church," on Eighth street, was erect- ed-the largest and most expensive church in our city.
. Among other structures built in 1856, was the Jackson Street Methodist Episcopal church.
This season the City Hall was erected. The money for its erection was borrowed from "BARON VON GLAHN," a capi- talist who used to flourish around here in those days, and after- wards moved to Chicago.
The real estate mania this year assumed alarming propor- tions. Speculation was red hot, and the inflation continued for some months, when the panic of 1857 caused the memor- able collapse in values.
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364
The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1856
THE CITY ELECTION
this spring resulted as follows :
Democratic. Republican.
Mayor. . Geo. L. Becker. 723 A. G. Fuller. 524
Treasurer . . . Lewis Demeules .505
Dan. Rohrer .620
Justice. . Joseph Lemay. .480 O. Simons
717
Marshal. ... Wm. R. Miller, (no opposition,) 1224.
Those in italics elected.
.
Aldermen elected .- First Ward-Three years, Wm. Branch; two years, C. H. Schurmeier.
Second Ward-Three years, Wm. B. McGrorty ; two years, Charles Rauch.
Third Ward-Three years, Chas. L. Emerson; two years, Patrick Ryan.
The City Council shortly afterwards met and organized by electing the following :
City Clerk, L. P. Cotter ; City Attorney, J. B. Brisbin ; Comptroller, Geo. W. Armstrong; Surveyor, James A. Case; Physician, Dr. Sam- uel Willey.
A REIGN OF CRIME AND DISORDER.
The rush of immigration, and the fast habits induced by the speculative era, brought to our city numbers of thieves. gamblers and other abandoned characters. For several weeks during the summer, crime was rampant. On July 9, the dead body of GEO. R. MCKENZIE, proprietor of the Mansion House, was found in the river, having been robbed of money known to be in his possession previously, and a young man named ROBERT JOHNSON, was assaulted, robbed, and thrown over the bluff, one night, by highwaymen, dying of his injuries. Some; · times eight or ten boats would be in port at once, each with large crews of low ruffians, who would roam about the city maddened with liquor, and committing excesses, and the small police force, (four men,) were able to do but little. A public meeting was held, at which a secret police, or sort of vigilance committee, was appointed to aid the authorities. Our streets were carefully patroled at night for some time, a number of suspicious characters arrested and sent out of town, others tried for offenses committed, and punished, and security
I856] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 365
and order established in a short time. Meantime, the police force was increased to twelve men. HENRY GALVIN, our veteran patrolman, was one of those appointed.
On September 25, the "Fuller House," just completed and furnished, was opened with a grand ball. The cost of the building was $110,000. ALPHEUS G. FULLER was the builder
FULLER HOUSE -- (AFTERWARDS INTERNATIONAL.)
and owner. A bonus of $12,000 was raised for him at the outset. J. W. BASS and WM. H. RANDALL contributed the land as a bonus. STEPHEN and ED. LONG were the lessees. The hotel commenced doing a splendid business at once. The next week. it was stated that, between Saturday evening and Monday morning, there were 100 arrivals. That fall all the hotels did a large business. The same paper states the arri- vals at the four principal houses, (Fuller, Merchants, Ameri- can and Winslow,) in one week, amounted to over 1,000, and it was stated at the close of the season that the number of vis- itors registered at all the hotels was 28,000.
·
.
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The History of the City of Saint Paul. [1856
THE ELECTION
this fall, (October 14,) was with the following result :
Republican.
Democrat. A. T. Chamblin 324
House, 1st District - William Branch . . 246
J B. W. Brunson . . . 187
Isaac Rose .. 215
f. C. Ramsey. 607 Wm. P. Murray, 696
House, 2d District. C. Bergfeld. 408 Wm. Costello. 664 J. G. McBean 436
Dr. C. Goring .198
Treasurer P. P. Furber · 493 W. B. McGrorty .. 659
R. A. Smith, (Ind.,) 671 E. Rice. . 1232
Co. Commissioner .. . Parker Paine. 560 Coroner. . . W. H. Shelly . .... 502 Dr. f. D. Goodrich . 1174
.
Those in italics elected.
Ramsey county extended northward at that time as far as Crow Wing, and R. A. SMITH was elected by the votes at that place, the vote here being almost a tie.
The season of 1856 was very prosperous in many ways. The city grew wonderfully, almost doubled, indeed. Many fine buildings, especially residences, were erected, streets graded, churches built, and other improvements made, that changed the appearance of Saint Paul from a rough frontier town to a bustling and thriving city.
BRIEF ITEMS.
On October 15, the papers announce the arrival of Rev. JOHN MATTOCKS,* from Keeseville, New York, to become pastor of the First Presbyterian church.
* Rev. JNO. MATTOCKS was born in Peacham, Vermont, July 14, 1814. . He was the son of Hon. JNO. MATTOCKS, of that State, once Governor, and Member of Congress two terms. He graduated at Middlebury College in 1832, and commenced the study of law, but, embracing religion soon after, resolved to become a clergyman, and graduated in the theological department of Yale College. He settled in 1838, over a congregation at Keeseville, New York, where he remained eighteen years, when he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian church of Saint Paul. He came here in August, 1856, and at his death was the senior pastor in our city. In March, 1860, he was elected Secretary of the School Board, and Superintendent of Schools-a post he filled until July, 1872. He was also a leading member of the Historical Society, &c. Mr. MATTOCKS was a scholar of fine ability. He was quite an antiquarian by taste, and very fond of the natural sciences. His information on these points was full and accurate, and he frequently lectured on geology, &c., with much success. He died suddenly on November 13, 1875, to the great sorrow of the community, and of his congregation, for whom he had labored so long and faithfully.
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367
1856] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
On November 16, the building on the northwest corner of Saint Anthony and Washington streets, known as the " Rice House," (on the site of the Third street front of the present Metropolitan Hotel,) was burned. It was a three-story brick, and in the upper story, the Legislature of 1851 held its session. SANBORN & FRENCH, attorneys, had rooms above; KING &
PHOTO- ENG. CO.N.Y.
REV. JOHN MATTOCKS.
RICH, upholsterers, and D. L. FULLER & COMPANY, mer- chants, occupied the lower story at the time of the fire.
The papers speak of the large increase of business this year. The number of business firms, they report, doubled this season. Several new banking houses were established- that of WM. L. BANNING* is specially referred to.
* WILLIAM L. BANNING is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. In early life he adopted the profession of law, and removed to Philadelphia, where he was associated in that profession with the late WILLIAM HOLLINSHEAD. During his residence in Phil-
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1856
Work was commenced on the Saint Paul bridge this winter. Piles for the piers were driven into the river bed. SANFORD A. HOOPER and J. &. J. NAPIER were the original contractors.
NECROLOGY OF THE YEAR.
Died, on January 27, J. S. BROWN, a prominent banker. February 14, CHAS. J. HENNISS, a journalist. December I, at Scotland, Connecticut, (his former home,) DAVID L. FUL- LER, an early merchant of Saint Paul.
adelphia, (1845,) he was elected a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature. In 1855, he removed to Saint Paul, and soon after engaged in the banking business, which he con- tinued with success until 1861, when he retired from it. In the fall of 1860, he was elected a member of the House of Representatives, and took a prominent part in finan- cial and railroad questions. In 1861, Mr. BANNING was appointed a Commissary in the army, and served under General FREMONT, in Missouri, for about two years. In 1864, he engaged in the enterprise of building the Superior Railroad, and to his energy and ability, and influence in enlisting capital, the people of Saint Paul are indebted for that valuable highway. He was President of the road for seven years, and retired from it owing to his impaired health. Captain BANNING is a valuable member of the Chamber of Commerce, where his views on political economy and public matters have always had great influence.
1857] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 369
CHAPTER XXVII.
EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1857.
AN ATROCIOUS MURDER-DEATH OF BISHOP CRETIN-ATTEMPTED REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL-JO. ROLETTE MAKES OFF WITH THE BILL-THE INK-PA-DOO-TAH MASSACRE-ANOTHER MURDER-INCENDIARISM-SUNRISE EXPEDITION, &C.
T HE year 1857 was marked by a number of important events, and was one of the most exciting and memora- ble of any in our career.
" We learn that a new parish has been organized in the eastern part of the city, by the Episcopalians. A handsome stone edifice will be erected during the coming season, on the corner of Ninth and Olive streets. Rev. ANDREW BELL PATERSON, of Salem, New Jersey, has been called to the rectorship .- [Minnesotian, January I.]
Services were held for several months in the Washington school house.
On the morning of January 14, a German tailor, named HENRY WM. SCHROEDER, formerly of Louisville, Kentucky, who lived alone in a little shop on Third street, on the present site of "Maxfield's Block," was found dead in his shop, hav- ing been murdered by a blow on the head with an axe or hatchet. He was a single man, and was known to have had considerable money, which he was accustomed to keep about his person, or in his shop. No clue to the perpetrator of the atrocious act was ever discovered.
On February 22, Right Reverend Bishop CRETIN died, to the great sorrow of his large congregation in this region. His body lay in state at the old brick church on Wabasha street until the 24th, when the funeral took place. Fully 1,500 people were in the procession. A memoir of him is given on page 311.
The first City Directory of Saint Paul was issued in Febru- ary, by GOODRICH, SOMERS & Co. It contained about 1,700 .
*
$
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The History of the City of Saint Paul, [1857
names of citizens. Not one in five of these are now living in the city, nor of the 158 business houses advertised in it, are there over half a dozen in existence now, and these with more or less change of firm.
REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL.
During this session occurred a' somewhat exciting event. frequently referred to-the passage by the Legislature of an act removing the Capital to Saint Peter. The bill was intro- duced on February 6, by W. D. LOWRY, Councillor from Saint Cloud, and on the 12th passed the Council-ayes eight, nays seven. Among those who prominently opposed it were Hons. J. D. LUDDEN, H. N. SETZER, J. B. BRISBIN, and B. F. TILLOTSON. In the House it was opposed by J. R. BROWN, L. K. STANNARD, Dr. W. W. SWENEY, of Red Wing, ELAM GREELEY, JOHN M. BERRY, and " our own" W. P. MURRAY. The measure was also generally opposed by the press of the Territory. It, however, passed on the 18th, and the bill was sent back to the Senate to be enrolled.
About this time the odor of the mouse had so permeated the atmosphere, that one of the most obtuse olfactories could have perceived it. There were a few individuals hereabouts who came to the conclusion that, after some things had occurred which looked a little " heathen Chinee," almost any maneuver to defeat the bill would be legitimate. The member from Pembina," Jo." ROLETTE, as he was generally called, dearly loved a joke, no matter at whose expense. He was chairman of the Committee on Enrolled Bills ! A wink was as good to him as a nod. On the 27th, the original bill and enrolled copy was placed in Mr. ROLETTE's hand to compare.
Next day, February 28, Mr. ROLETTE was not in his seat ! The other side now saw the mouse "floating in the air," and concluded, as the Irish orator said, "to nip him in the bud." ST. A. D. BALCOMBE, of Winona, now editor of a journal at Omaha, moved resolutions calling on ROLETTE to report forthwith ; and if he failed to do so, that the next member of the committee, (Mr. WALES,) be ordered to procure another enrolled copy, and report the same, &c.
371
1857]
and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota.
Mr. BALCOMBE at once moved the previous question on the resolutions, but Mr. SETZER moved a call of the Council. which was ordered, and Mr. ROLETTE reported absent. BAL- COMBE moved that further proceedings under the call be dis- pensed with, on which there were yeas nine, nays five. Two- thirds not voting for the motion, the Chair, (Hon. J. B. BRIS- BIN,) declared it lost, notwithstanding BALCOMBE eloquently protested that nine was two-thirds of fourteen! The Ser- geant-at-Arms, JOHN M. LAMB, of White Bear Lake, was ordered to report Mr. ROLETTE in his seat, and started out to " find" him. He didn't find him that day. The Council. unable to adjourn, patiently (?) waited his return. The din- ner hour passed, and messengers were dispatched to the hotels for a supply of food. Bed-time arrived, still the Sergeant-at- Arms came not with the missing member. Beds and bedding were sent for, and the members camped on the floor of the Senate. Next day, no tidings of either ROLETTE or the Ser- geant-at-Arms. It was rumored that ROLETTE had been seen near Sauk Rapids, in his sledge drawn by dogs, flying swiftly homeward, with the enrolled bill sticking out of his pocket.
Others said, bosh, and declared ROLETTE was hid in an upper room of the Fuller House, playing poker and drinking punch. Anon it was reported that JOHN LAMB was "look- ing" for ROLETTE in every possible and impossible place in the city, armed with a rope, and threatening to bear ROLETTE to the Council, dead or alive. It was asserted by others, how- ever, that this was pure " blow"-that LAMB was not looking for him to any great extent-that he had one eye closed, (and some say both,) and couldn't have. " seen" ROLETTE if he had met him. Certain it is, that LAMB didn't find him, "either dead or alive," and ROLETTE continued his poker and punch, while the enrolled bill quietly reposed in the safe of TRUMAN M. SMITH, banker, on the first floor of the Fuller House.
The Council, meantime, continued in its dead-lock, with the call still pending. Another bill was procured and enrolled, but Mr. BRISBIN, President of the Council, and Mr. FURBER, Speaker of the House, refused to sign it in that shape, endors- ing on it their reasons therefor. The bill was, however, sent
372
The History of the City of Saint Paul. [1857 to the Governor, signed by him, and printed in the laws of that year, with the endorsements mentioned.
After a continuous session of five days and nights, (or 123 hours,) the Council adjourned, the call still pending. At midnight, on March 5, the last night of the session, the Pres- ident resumed the chair, and announced the Council adjourned sine die. The moment the doors were thrown open, in stalked Jo. ROLETTE, and commenced rallying his brother members, in his vivacious and pointed style, on the good joke he had played on them.
But little more remains to be recorded, to show the end of this singular chapter of Minnesota history, one which, now that 19 years have cooled the passions excited by the contest, is generally mentioned with a smile by both the former friends and opponents of the scheme. The first of these took the ground after the session was over, that the bill had become a law, a position scouted by the others. The Saint Peter Company, we believe, erected buildings to accommodate the Territorial officers and Legislature, and, on June 29, A. F. HOWES, Pres- ident of the company, applied before Judge R. R. NELSON, of the Supreme Court, for a writ of mandamus to compel the Territorial officers to remove to Saint Peter. Judge NELSON took the motion under advisement, and, on July 12, filed an opinion. After reviewing, at considerable length, the evidence concerning the passage of the act, he decides : "We are of the opinion, therefore, that there has been no law passed by the Legislative power of the Territory, removing the Capital from Saint Paul to Saint Peter. The application for a man- damus is therefore refused."
BRIEF ITEMS.
There was no legislation at the last session especially affect- ing St. Paul, except the incorporation of the "Saint Paul Li- brary Association." The incorporators were CHARLES E. MAYO, J. W. McCLUNG,* R. F. HOUSEWORTH, S. D. JACK-
* JOHN W. MCCLUNG was born near Maysville, Kentucky, November 21, IS26. He studied law at Transylvania University, and graduated in 1847. He practiced law at Maysville until 1855, when he came to St. Paul and engaged in law and the real estate
1857] and of the County of Ramsey, Minnesota. 373
SON, J. F. HOYT, E. INGALLS, A. R. CAPEHART, WM. A. CROFFUT, THOMPSON CONNOLLY and P. DEROCHEBRUNE.
On March 25, Messrs. DAY & GRACE, who had contracted to build the Ramsey county jail for $75,000, broke ground for the same. The building was finished that fall.
On April 13, news was received of the Ink-pa-doo-tah
PHOTO-ENG.CO. NY. .
JOHN W. McCLUNG.
massacre. Great excitement prevailed. The Pioneer Guard promptly volunteered to go to the protection of the frontier,
business. He was elected County Commissioner in 1860, and City Assessor in 1864, serv- ing five years. He was also Clerk of the Board of Public Works in 1872. He was elected County Assessor in March, 1875. We can hardly say of Mr. McCLUNG, as we have of others, that heis a popular man, for any one filling the difficult and unpleasant office he holds, must necessarily be the subject of much censure and fault-finding. But he bears it like a philosopher, and works for the interests of Saint Paul with an untiring zeal that is worthy of imitation. He has also published a work, " Minnesota as it is in 1870," that has done our State great benefit.
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