An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota, Part 20

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Worthington, Minn. : Northern History
Number of Pages: 738

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We therefore petition your honorable hoard that they reseind the vote of the former board of commisisoners so far as it affects the said town of Worthington, and that your honorable board refuse to grant licenses for the sale as a beverage of any kind of in- toxieating liquors within the limits of our said town of Worthington until after the next general election.

Dated this 30th day of August, A. D., 187223

Attached to the petition was a memo- randum as follows : "Will Mr. Miller [county commissioner ] please present this petition ? Many more names could have been secured if there had been time to circulate it throughout the township. The wish is almost universal that no li- cense should be granted. I have asked but five to sign it who have refused .- R. F. H."

At the same time the ladies of the vil- lage presented a petition of similar im- port2* with the following attached mem- orandum, evidently made by Prof. Hum- iston : "These are all from the village of Worthington, and there are other la- dies who would have signed the petition.

Moore, C. L. Chandler, F. C. Ecker. A. J. Manley, E. B. Hull, J. E. Riley, Wm. M. Bear.

24Signed by Mrs. M. B. Soule, Mrs. Mary Ilerzig. Mrs. Harriett A. Lyon. Mrs. R. F. JIumiston, Mrs. E. R. Humiston, Mrs. C. Davis, Mary H. Crever. Mrs. S. C. Crever, Mrs. L. J. Foster, Clara F. Moore, Sarah Humiston. Mrs. M Stone, Mrs. A. Taylor. Mrs. Daniel Shell, Mrs. H. M. Farnam, Miss Celia E. Farnam, Mrs. B. Morsdem. Almira Weaver. Jane Moore. Ann Miller, Mrs. Mary Chandler. Mrs. A. C. Rohinson. Mrs. A. J. Manley. Mrs. A. S. Huff. Mrs. N. S. Roberts, Mrs. E. B. Akins, Mrs. A. Shuck, Mrs. M. D. Barber. Mrs L. H. McKirahan, Mrs. M. E. Bear. Emma Bear. Mrs. R. L. Langdon, Mrs. B. E. Parks, Mrs. Mary Shaw, Mrs. D. S. Law. Mrs. M. Stewart. Miss Mary Tangleson. Miss Susan B. Langdon, Mrs. Mahala Lang- don, Mrs. Olive Clark, Mrs. C. Stougle, Mrs. C. B. Loveless, Mrs. Mattie Johnson, Mrs. Mary E. Gould, Mrs. C. E. Davis, Mrs. Hattie H. Bigelow.

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HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

but they were absent from home. Only malt liquors be granted to any person in two have declined to sign and they on account of their husbands .- R. F. H."

This overwhelming sentiment on the part of the people of the village and township was not disregarded by the commissioners, and at a meeting held September 3 they resolved "that no li- cense for the sale of spiritons, vinus or

the township of Worthington before the next general election." At the election in November only four votes were cast in favor of the licensing of saloons. The promises of the colony managers to pro- vide a temperance town had been ful- filled.

CHAPTER XIII.

WORTHINGTON-1873-1889.

Worthington had come into existence under unique conditions. At the time of its founding the surrounding country had not been settled, nor was there any settlement until several months after the village made its appearance. Such con- ditions were unusual, even in the early days, when town founding was an art. Other towns in southwestern Minnesota were built contemporary with the settle- ment of the country surrounding; Worth- ington was builded on the promises of the National colony. That organization, which played such an important part in the early history of Nobles county and the town of Worthington, promised to bring large numbers of immigrants to its recently purchased lands, and the promises were amply fulfilled. During the year 1872 large numbers of home- seekers had arrived at Worthington and taken claims in all parts of the county. There was also a rapid settlement in Rock' county and farther out on the frontier, in the Sioux Falls country. All that country was then tributary to Worthington. Owing to the favorable location of the village, from a railroad standpoint, Worthington was the supply point and grain shipping point for a vast stretch of country.1

1"Worthington is the center of a large trade, and is destined to become a place of consider- ahle importance as an interior trading point. Trade is now drawn from nine or ton of the surrounding counties, and settlers come a dis-

Being the most convenient shipping point for this big country, Worthington advanced faster than its neighboring towns and faster than the needs of the immediate surrounding country demand- ed. In the summer of 1842, before the grain began pouring in from the out- laying districts, the advantages of the town, due to its location, were apparent. A writer in the first issue of the West- ern Advance, August 31, 1872, sized up the situation as follows :

"Several warehouses, we learn, will soon be erected to accommodate the grain which is seeking this point for ship- ment. Worthington is the natural ship- ping port, if the term may be used, for Rock county, the Spirit Lake region and a portion of Jackson county. The Sioux Falls region, also, which now draws lum- ber and other supplies from here, should bring its grain here for shipment. By another year, therefore, we may expect to do a lieavy grain business. If the neighboring town of Windom shipped 20,000 bushels last year, and will ship 75,000 this year, which is the estimate of Windom merchants, we ought to do a large grain business next year. If the amount for one town reaches nearly 100,000 bushels the first two years, what

tance of seventy or eighty miles from the west to market their grain, and to obtain lumber and other supplies. Worthington he- ing their most convenient railroad point."- Minnesota Historical Atlas, 1874.

165

166

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

may we not expect when all these lands are under cultivation, as they will be in from live to ten years! We have the assurances of good judges of soil that ours is, of all soils, the soil for wheat. We anticipate, therefore, that in a few years the railroad will scarcely be able to transport the millions of bushels of grain which must flow into the ware- houses along the line of this road from Sioux City to St. Paul."

The year 18:3 opened auspiciously, and the prospects of the little village by lake Okabena were bright. The colony company erected the Okabena flouring mill, at a cost of over $10,000, which had a capacity of manufacturing over 100 barrels of flour a day. Its construc- tion proved to be one of the most in- portant events in the history of the town. It was the only flouring mill within a radius of many miles, and it did an im- mense business. It brought trade to Worthington that otherwise would not have come. From the Spirit Lake coun- try on the south, from Jackson county on the east, from Murray county on the north, and from Rock county and the Sioux Falls country on the west, came the golden grain to mill;2 returning, the farmers would take with them lumber and supplies to their homes on the bleak prairies to the west.

The year 1873 was an important one in the history of Worthington be- cause of two events that took place. One was the incorporation of the village; the other the naming of the town as the county seat.

A charter was granted the village by the legislature, the bill being approved

by the governor March 8. All of sections 23, 21, 25 and 26, of Worthington town- ship, were included in the limits of the town. It provided for the government of the city by a president of the council, a recorder (both of whom should be ex- officio trustees) and three trustees. Other elective officers provided for were a treasurer, an assessor, a justice of the peace and a constable. All offices were to be one year terms, except justice of the peace and marshal, who were to serve two year terms. The charter named the third Tuesday in March of each year as the date for holding elections. The first election was to be held at Miller's hall on Tuesday, March 18, 1873, where at one o'clock the voters present should choose, viva voce, two judges of clection and one clerk, who should conduet the election. Provision was made for voting at that election on the question of the acceptance or rejection of the charter. It forbade the granting of license for the sale of intoxicating liquors,3 and provided that the act should go into effect im- mediately upon its adoption by the voters.

The first election was held at Miller hall, in accordance with the provisions of the charter, on March 18, and the charter was adopted by a vote of 14 to 2. Daniel Shell and S. D. Sprague were chosen to act as judges of the elec- tion. and C. (. Goodnow as clerk. Only sixteen votes were cast, the voters being M. H. Stevens, R. F. Humiston, S. D. Sprague. C. C. Goodnow, Daniel Shell, M. E. Distad. S. E. Chandler, C. B. Loveless. L. F. MeLaurin, HI. Davis, 1. N. Sater. J. A. Town, John Humiston.

3"No Heense for the sale of any wine, beer. or elder, or spiritous, intoxicating, alcoholic. vinous, fermented, malt or mixed intoxicating liquors. Hquids or drinks as a beverage shall be granted lo any person within the corporate limits of said village."

2Poncer settlers of Worthington tell me they have seen the roads to the west lined for inlles with teams hauling grain to this mar- ket.

167

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

C. P. Hewitt, J. C. Craft and W. II. meeting of April 26, and the next meet- Wilmarth.

There was only one ticket in the field, and only two scattering votes were cast. Those who were elected and served the city during its first year of official ex- istence, with the votes cast, are as fol- lows:

President-1. N. Sater, 13; H. C. Shepard, 1.

Trustees-J. C. Craft, 16; B. S. Lang- don, 14; Pegg, 1; M. H. Stevens, 16.

Recorder-C. C. Goodnow, 16. Treasurer-Peter Thompson, 16. Assessor-Daniel Shell, 16. Justice-C. B. Loveless.+

Marshal-Daniel Stone, 16.5

Much difficulty was encountered in securing men to serve in the positions of the two appointive offices-street com- missioner and fire warden. A. S. lns- selton was appointed street commissioner May 6; he did not qualify, and on May 13 the office was declared vacant and L. F. MeLaurin appointed. May 20 the appointment was reconsidered, and W. S. Stockdale was named. He resigned Sept. 2, when C. B. Langdon received the ap- pointment and served the remainder of the termn. Jonathan Ames was ap- pointed fire warden May 13, but a week later the action of the couneil was re- considered, and A. P. Chamberlain was named. The office was declared vacant Nov. 21, and C. B. Langdon, who had received the appointment of street com- missioner, was made fire warden, as well.

The village council met for the first time on Aprit 23, 1873, at the office of 1. N. Sater. The charter was read, and then an adjournment was taken until April 26. There was no quorum at the

4The office of justice was declared vacant Aug. 15, and B. N. Carrier was appointed to the office. lle resigned Jan. 6, 1874, and L. B. Bennett received the appointment.

ing was not held until Monday, the 28th. The first official act of the council was to pass an ordinance ordering a side- walk laid on the east side of Third ave- nue from Ninth street to Tenth street. The second ordinance of the village was passed at the same meeting. It pro- hibited "the use of firearms within the limits of the corporation in any manner whatever on Sunday." At a subsequent Ineeting (May 13) the ordinance was amended by adding "that the use of fire- arms upon the town plat is strictly pro- hibited." Thus the village of Worthing- ton began its official existence.

The county seat of Nobles county was temporarily located at Worthington by an act which passed the legislature and was approved March 6, 1873, which pro- vided for the removal from Graham Lakes township within sixty days. The change was made in May, and Worthing- ton was made happy over the event. By the action of the voters at the Novem- ber election the village was declared the permanent county seat.

The boom times of the first two years of Worthington's history were not des- tined to continue. With the terrible grasshopper scourge, which devastated the country during the middle seventies, came a period of depression for Worth- ington. Business became dull, and the growth of the town was checked. Sev- eral business firms failed, and there was a general feeling of dejection. low- ever. Worthington suffered less severely than most of its neighbors. Being in a highly prosperous condition when the grasshoppers swooped down upon the country, and drawing its trade from a

"The office of marshal was declared vacant Aug. 15, to which Julius C. Goodnow was then appointed.

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HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

larger area than the other towns of the vicinity, it withstood the awful calamity better than those less fortunately sitn- ated. For the story of the grasshopper times the reader is referred to chapters five and six.

A writer has described the town as it appeared to him in 1874:

"It contains four hotels, a large pub- lie hall building, a large flouring mill, several grain warehouses, over twenty stores, two church buildings, and a num- ber of comfortable private dwellings. The principal buildings are the Okabena flouring mills, the Worthington hotel, Miller hall, the Union Congregational church, and the Presbyterian church. Some of the lots are neatly fenced. and the principal streets are lined with young trees. The town has adopted the inde- pendent distriet plan, and has a good graded school. A seminary of learning. auxiliary to llamline university, is lo- cated at Worthington. which is now. owing to the grasshopper visitation, tem- porarily suspended. The town contains three church organizations, viz .: Metho-

"An overestimate.

"This building is now used as the freight depot.

"This office had been opened at Brownsville. on the Mississippi river, in 1854, with Messrs. McKinna and Welsh in charge. In 1856 it was moved to Chatfield, and in 1861 to Win- nebago City. When the last named change was made Mr. Holley was receiver and Mr. Bullis register. In 1869 the office was moved to Jackson, and E. P. Freeman went in as register, and J. D. Wakefield as receiver. After the colony immigrants began to arrive, the bulk of the business was in the west end of the district and Nobles county settlers ex- perienced much Inconvenience in making thelr trips overland to transact their business he- fore the land office. It was not until the spring of 1874. however, that the government took action to have the office moved to Worthington.

Soon after the removal Mr. Freeman re- tired as register. He was succeeded by Dr. Leanard, of the Rochester Post, who took the affier and filled it for a time. The latter's appointment was not confirmed, and Captain Mons Grinager became register In August, 1871. Ho resigned June 1, 1886, having held the office nearly twelve years. In January, 1875. J. P. Moulton took the place of Mr. Wakefield as receiver, and held It until June. 1881. C. 11. Smith was the next recelver,

dist, Presbyterian and Union Congrega- tional; a Masonic lodge, a post of the Grand Army, a public library, and a good newspaper. The population of the town is between 600 and 800."8

The year 1874 passed without impor- tant events. A new depot was built by the railroad company in the summer, which was said to have been the finest and largest on the line between St. Paul and Sioux City." The land office was moved to Worthington from Jackson in the spring of the year, which event added somewhat to the importance of the town.8

There was only one contest for vil- lage office at the election in the spring of 1824. and the event was a quiet one. Thirty-three votes" were cast, with the following result, scattering votes not be- ing given :

President-J. C. Craft, 31.

Trustees-Horace L. Lackor, 33; Otis Bigelow, 33; Jonathan Ames, 29.

Recorder-Chas. C. Goodnow, 20; Bos- ton N. Carrier, 13.

Treasurer-Peter Thompson, 32.

occupying the office until Sept. 1. 1885, when August Peterson, of Albert Lea, took the office. lle held it until after the removal from Worthington. C. P. Shepard succeeded Captain Grinager as register in June, 1886, and held the position while the office was lo- cated in Worthington.

The land office at Worthington was closed Feb. 28, 1859, there having been a consoli- dation among the offices in Minnesota. Those at Benson. Worthington and Redwood Falls wore discontinued and the papers turned over to the office at Tracy. The Tracy of-

fice was then moved to Marshall. The land office was under democratic management from 1854 to 1SB1; the republicans were in charge from 1861 to 1885. Then each party had one official In the office until 1856, when Mr. Shepard took offfee; thereafter it was demo- cratic.

The voters were I. F. McLaurin, William HJ. Wilmarth, Peter Thompson, Henry Davis, J. D. Tarbut. C. B. Langdon. 11. J. Grant, Morgan M. JJenkins, David Bennett, Julius 1. Goodnew, Otis Bigelow. Julius A. Town, Akin Miner. S. D. Sprague, J. C. Craft, B. Bennett, Jonathan Ames, Datus Stevens, = J. Londy. Chas. C. Goodnow. L. B. Bennett, J. Moll, Liberty Bowen, Thos. Crever, W. R. Bennett. Peler Walpole, Horace L. Lackor, W'in. Carroll, Boston N. Carrler, R. Ander- son, D. R. Williams, P. Quinlin and John 11. Johnson.

PANORAMIC VIEW OF WORTHINGTON, 1875

Portions of Both East and West Okabena Lakes Are Here Shown. The Larger Buildings Seen Are the Congregational Church. Okabena Mills, Worthington Hotel, Thompson's Store Building, Ludlow's Residence, Presbyterian Church, Miller Hall.

IDLEWILD PAVILION

An Old Landmark That Formerly Stood at the Foot of Third Avenue, Worthington.

169

HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

Justice-L. B. Bennett, 33. Assessor-Akin Miner, 33.

Constable-Morgan M. Jenkins, 10 30.11

Worthington's first census was taken in 1815. The population, according to the figures of the assessor, was 419. Al- though then in the midst of the grass- hopper scourge and resulting hard times, from a business standpoint the town was fairly prosperous, due almost entirely to the fact that its trade territory was so large. Following is the wheat receipts for the year 1815:

Buyer Before Harvest After Harvest

Okabena Mills .. 12,479 bus. 114,000 bus.

Bennett & Stone ... 21,000 bus.

Peter Thompson 4,929 bus. 32,215 bus.

Henry Davis 3,200 bus. 15,705 bus.

Totals . 20,608 bus. 182,920 bus. Grand total, 203,528 bushels.

The lumber and fuel business was also large. Bennett & Stone received 122 cars of lumber after opening their yard in August, and I. N. Sater received a somewhat smaller amount. H. J. Grant shipped in and sold 288 cars of wood, I. N. Sater about the same amount, and E. S. Mills a small shipment. The two leading dealers each shipped in about 180 tons of coal.

There were no contests for any of the village offices in 1875, and only 30 votes were cast. A violent storm raged on election day, which accounted in a measure for the smallness of the number, it being alleged that there were 100 vot- ers in the village. The result :

President-Albert C. Robinson, 30.

Trustees-Isaac N. Sater. 29; Chas. B. Loveless, 28; Daniel Shell. 29.

10The office was declared vacant Oct. 27 1874, and J. C. Goodnow was appointed to complete the term.

11Appointive officers under this administra- tion were Akin Miner. street commissioner, and C. B. Langdon, fire warden, who were appointed April 9, 1874.

Recorder-C. C. Goodnow, 29.

Treasurer-Henry D. Humiston, 30. Assessor-Henry J. Grant, 30. Constable-J. C. Goodnow, 29.12

The year 1876 was another quiet one, because of apprehension of another grass- hopper visitation. However, there was some building done in the village, the principal items being the following :

W. R. Bennett, residence. .$4,000

II. J. Ludlow, residence. 2,000

R. R. Miller, residence. 1,000

H. E. Torrance, store building, two

stories, 32x40 1,200

Otis Bigelow, store building, 20x40. 1,000

The election that year was the most exciting one yet held, and 96 votes were polled. There was some dissatisfaction with the result of the Peoples' caucus, and opposition candidates for trustees were placed in nomination by another caucus. The contest was a spirited one, and was won by the regular Peoples' ticket. The result :

President-Peter Thompson, 96.

Trustees-Elihu Smith, 44; Daniel Shell, 90; C. Z. Sutton, 53; A. C. Robinson, 22; I. N. Sater, 18; C. B. Loveless, 23; J. Craft, 34.

Recorder-B. N. Carrier, 96.

Treasurer-H. D. Humiston, 92.

Assessor-W. S. Stockdale, 94.

Justice-L. B. Bennett, 96.

Constable-J. C. Goodnow, 82; W. M. ('arroll, 14.13

Probably every vote in the village was polled on March 20, 18:2, when 98 votes were brought out as a result of a contest between I. N. Sater and W. R. Bennett for trustee. Mr. Sater was the caucus

12Appointive officers who served during the term, and dates of appointments: March 31. 1875. S. E. Chandler, street commissioner and fire warden; Oct. 8, 1875. A. Miner. assistant street commissioner; Oct. 8, 1875. Frank H. Wells. city marshal.

"Appointive officers: April 6. C. P. Lang- don. street commissioner and fire warden; July 6. H. McMillen, night policeman.

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HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

nominee, and Mr. Beunett, who ran in- dependent, was elected. For the other offices there were no contests. Follow- ing is the vote of that year:

President-Peter Thompson, 98.

Trustees-(. B. Loveless, 94; Daniel Shell, 91; W. R. Bennett, 62; I. N. Sater, 38.

Recorder-C. C. Lucky,11 96.

Treasurer-II. E. Torrance, 97.

Assessor-A. C. Robinson, 96. Justice-Leroy Cole,15 92.

Constable-Win. M. Carroll,16 96.17

L'Itimately, the building of the branch railroad westward from Worthington re- sulted in the cutting off of a large ter- ritory which had formerly relied upon Worthington for its market. But at the time it added much to the town's prosperity. Worthington was the gate- way through which all the settlement of the western country must come, and it was the chief supply point of the new settlers. The saving of the crop in 1872 brought large numbers to the country in 1828, and this immigration passing through Worthington made the little town lively.18 Considerable building was done during the year, including the first brick block. This was located at the corner of Tenth street and Second ave- nue (now known as Masonic block), and was put up during the summer by Ben- nett & Grissell. Times became dull again during the fall because of the failure of crops from another grasshopper visita-

HItesigned April 28, 1877. Gro. J. Day ap- pointed May 4, 1877.

BResigned March 18, IST8, when he became a candidate for the office of recorder. Jus- tices of the peace were elected for two years. B. N. Carrier was appointed Nov. 1, 1878, to complete the term.

"Resigned Aug. 21. 1877. Chas. Chase was then appointed.

"Appointive officers: March 28, 1877, A. MImer, street commissioner and fire warden; July 2, 1877. 11. McMillan, night policeman.

tion, and there were a number of busi- ness failures during the winter.

Worthington's first fire came on Tues- day morning, Aug. 6, 1878, when Miller hall, one of the first buildings erected in Worthington, was burned to the ground, causing a loss of between $8,000 and $10,000. The fire was undoubtedly of incendiary origin, but the perpetrators were never discovered. The fire started at about six o'clock. Not a breath of air was stirring, but neither was there any fire protection to speak of. Al- though the whole village turned out and fought the flames, within three-quarters of an hour after the blaze was discovered, the hall was a heap of blazing and smok- ing ruins.

Owing to the fact there was no wind the flames were confined to the hall. and nearby buildings were saved. For a time it looked as though the town was doom- ed,19 but when the last wall fell it fell inward. thus assuring the safety of the town. When the last wall fell the crowd sent up a ringing cheer. The building was the property of J. T. Hite and John P. Henry at the time of the fire. It had cost about $7,000. and was covered by only $1,000 insurance. Other losses were the Worthington Journal plant, $3,- 000 or $1,000, covered by $2,500 insur- ance; and the library of Rev. J. C. Ogle, . valued at $800 to $1,000.

One hundred one votes were east at the election in the spring of 1878. There

1x''The rush for "the soil of the river bot- lums" continues. The trains are loaded every night, and our hotels are unable to furnish accommodations for the people. The hotel offices and partors are called into service, and the depot affords shelter to numbers nearly every night. Send them along. All the region to the west of us lies out of doors, and Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a home."- Worthington Advance. March 7. 1878.

w"hlad thore bren anything like a stiff prairie breeze blowing, no human effort could have prevented Worthington from being laid in ashes."- Worthington Advance, Aug. 8 1878.

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HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY.

was no party contest, but several inde- pendent candidates appeared in the field. With the exception of the nomince for constable all the caucus nominees were elected. The vote:

President-A. C. Robinson, 30; C. B. Loveless, 44.

Trustees-M. B. Soule, 80; J. Craft, 94; L. E. Kimball, 82.

Recorder-Leroy Cole, 53; R. F. Baker, 41.

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An illustrated history of Nobles County, Minnesota, Part 20

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Worthington, Minn. : Northern History Number of Pages: 738

Author: Rose, Arthur P., 1875-1970
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Worthington, Minn. : Northern History
Number of Pages: 738