USA > Minnesota > Waseca County > Child's history of Waseca County, Minnesota : from its first settlement in 1854 to the close of the year 1904, a record of fifty years : the story of the pioneers > Part 16
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CHAPTER XXXVI, 1868.
PERSONALS - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SOCIETY - COUNTY SEAT-WASECA INCORPORATED - COUNTY MATTERS -GOOD TEMPLARS ORGANIZE-BOILER EXPLOSION - BUSINESS RE- PORT OF WASECA-G. A. R. ORGANIZED-DEATH OF TAR- BELL-EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH ORGANIZATION-GRANT CLUB -SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL HOUSES IN WASECA-COUNTY SEAT REMOVAL TALK-FIRST BUSINESS FAILURE IN WASECA-AR- REST OF A FORGER-FIRST WORK OF WASECA CITY FATHERS -OTISCO SWEDE CHURCH-THE FIRST WASECA PICNIC- DEATH OF C. O. NORTON, OF THE FETTERLY CHILD-Mc- INTOSH ATTEMPTS SUICIDE-WASECA A YEAR OLD THE WHEAT YIELD-PRESBYTERIANS ORGANIZE-LESLIE AND JONES NARROWLY ESCAPE DEATH-FIRST BRASS BAND- RAILROAD DISCRIMINATIONS-FINANCIAL TROUBLES.
The new year 1868 opened auspiciously. The weather was fine and the "Happy New Year" was generally observed.
Wheat was quoted at $1.75 for No. 1, and $1.60 for No. 2; corn 80 cents, potatoes 75 cents and oats 55 cents.
January 7th the county commissioners, two of the three, met at Wilton, and James Isaac was elected chairman, R. F. Stevens being the other one present. Mr. John S. MeKune the other member was absent during the session. The saloon license fee for the year was fixed at $50. Everything else was pretty high, but the privilege of making drunkards was cheap enough. No other business of importance was transacted.
We copy the following personals from the "News" of the first week in January :
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
"Mr. E. P. Latham, the genial station agent at this place was married at Norfolk, Conn., the 1st inst ...... Messrs. Ward and Jenkins, with their fair partners, have returned from their wedding tour. They had a host of friends here glad to welcome them back to the head of navigation."
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SOCIETY.
On the 15th of Jan., 1868, the Congregational church society of Waseca was organized. We copy the following from the local paper :
"In response to the call of a number of Christian disciples, through their committee, Brothers Stevens, Hummiston and E. H. Wood, a council con- vened at the parlor of the Trowbridge hotel for the organization of a Congregational church. Churches from Faribault, Owatonna, Rochester and St. Paul were represented by clergy and lay delegates. R. Hall served as moderator and L. S. Greggs as scribe. The articles of faith were read, adopted and signed by the following persons: Frederick Stevens, Lyman Hummiston, Wm. H. Vinton, Gordon Henshaw, Mrs. Lucy P. Stevens, Mrs. Lydia H. Vinton, Mrs. Eliza Hummiston, Mrs. Anna M. Alden, Miss Julia Hummiston, Samuel Hawkes and wife, Wilfred Vinton Edward Bennett and wife, Ezra H. Wood and wife, Dr. H. J. Young and wife, Dana McGoun, Miss Matilda Bullis. On the 18th of January, 1868, officers were elected as follows: Rev. E. H. Alden, pastor; E. H. Wood and F. J. Stevens, deacons; Lyman Hummiston, clerk and treas- urer; and Ed Bennett, Stevens and Hummiston, trustees."
Jan. 21st, 1868, there was quite a large meeting of citizens at Wilton to consider the question of removal of the county seat. Mr. John C. Hunter called the meeting to order by the nomination of Hon. Win. Brisbane as chairman. The subject of the removal of the county scat was discussed by Messrs. Brisbane, J. A. Can- field, A. J. Woodbury, J. C. Hunter, Judge Baldwin and others, and, at the close, J. C. Hunter, Dr. M. S. Gove, and Judge J. A. Canfield were appointed a committee to draft and circulate re- monstrances against any legislation that might be asked for to authorize the removal of the county seat.
THE VILLAGE OF WASECA.
On the 25th of January, 1868, a large meeting of citizens was held, and it was unanimously decided that a formal application be made to the legislature for an act of incorporation. Maj. W. T. Kittredge and Messrs. Tarbell and Sam Williams were appointed to draft and forward to our representative a bill to incorporate the village. The act finally passed the legislature and was ap- proved March 2, 1868. 9
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
For the purpose of the first eleetion, I. C. Trowbridge, H. P. Nor- ton and P. H. Swift were named in the act to serve as judges and inspectors of election.
The first election was held on Tuesday, May 5, 1868-the number of votes cast being 125. S. B. Williams, J. Shaw and W. G. Ward were the first trustees-Williams and Shaw being elected for two years and Ward for one year. P. H. Swift was elected the first justice. These officers were chosen without opposition, the vote being a light one.
On Monday, Jan. 27, 1868, the Clear Lake House, with most of its contents, was entirely destroyed by fire. The building took fire from a stove pipe, either in the upper ceiling or roof, and, be- fore it was discovered, the flames had so far advanced that the building could not be saved with the means at hand. The build- ing belonged to C. A. Barr & Co., and was situated on the south side of the C. & N .- W. R'y. tracks. There was no insurance. Preparations were immediately made to rebuild-the citizens aid- ing Mr. Barr in the matter. This was the first fire of any magni- tude in what now constitutes the city of Waseca.
At the annual March meeting of the county board, the school district organized of the territory included in the village of Wase- ca was made an independent district, and recognized as district number seventy-two.
The territory then embraced within the village limits was described as "all the north one-half of sections 17 and 18, and the south one-half of seetions 7 and 8, in the township of Wood- ville.
At the same meeting of the county board the financial statement was submitted by Auditor Comee, and the summary showed as follows, viz :
Total amount received $7,854.17
Amount of orders and certificates paid 6,987.76
Balance in treasury Feb. 29th 866.41
Outstanding indebtedness 1,596.80
Assets, taxes due and uncollected 8,366.58
April 22nd, the board re-districted and divided the county into five commissioner districts. District No. 1 included Blooming Grove and Woodville; No. 2, Ioseo and Janesville ; No. 3. Wilton and Otisco; No. 4, St. Mary and Alton; No. 5, Freedom, Vivian, Byron and New Richland. At the same meeting, Mr. Isaac re-
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
signed as chairman of the board, and R. F. Stevens was elected his successor. It would appear that shortly afterwards-al- though the records are silent on the subject-when Mr. Isaac re- signed his position upon his removal from this county to Oregon, S. S. Phelps was appointed to fill the vacancy; for on the 23d of June, 1868, we find Mr. Phelps acting as one of the board.
At a special meeting of the board held Dec. 18, 1868, the resig- nation of W. T. Kittredge, as county attorney, was accepted, and Lewis Brownell, Esq., was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Going back from the commissioners' proceedings and taking up matters in their order, we find that Mr. L. W. Wheeler, father of Whitney L. Wheeler, and one of the early settlers of St. Mary, died Feb. 2, 1868, at Wilton, after a short illness. He was well advanced in years, and highly respected. His descendants are residents of the county.
The first Good Templar lodge organized in Waseca, had its be- ginning Feb. 24, 1868, and was instituted by Capt. John. The following were its first officers: Rev. W. W. Satterlee, W. C. T .; Mrs. L. A. Hicks, W. V. T .; A. E. Dearborn, W. S .; Wmn. MeVeigh, W. F. S .; John F. Murphy, W. M .; Etta Taylor, D. M .; Mary R. Douglass, I. G .; Nathaniel W. Scott, O. G .; Mrs. Satterlee, R. H. S .; Mrs. E. G. Wood, L. H. S .; G. N. Taylor, Chap .; E. G, Wood, P. W. C. T. This organization, so long as Mr. Satterlee remained here, exercised a beneficial influence upon the citizens of the plaee.
From the Waseca News of Feb. 21, 1868, the following is taken: "The steam boiler in Mr. Austin's saw mill, situated some five miles north of Alma City, exploded last Friday, doing much damage to the mill, and seriously wounding Oscar Hadley, the fireman. He received a severe cut on the head, had the flesh of his face blown full of sand, his hands badly scalded, and was otherwise bruised and injured There being no insurance on the building, the loss falls heavily upon Mr. Austin, who will proba- bly not rebuild."
Mr. Hadley afterwards recovered his general health, but his mind was permanently injured.
FIRST BUSINESS REPORT OF WASECA.
On March 13, 1868, a report of the amount of business that
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
had been done during the fall and winter, by merchants, was published, and the summary is here reproduced :
Sales of-
Dry goods and groceries $66,000
Drugs and medicines 2,176
Seeders and drills
10,000
Lumber
30,000
Cattle and hogs, etc
3,750
Hardware (estimated)
5,000
Total sales
$116,926
Waseea was the market town for much of Freeborn county, all of Faribault county, and much of Blue Earth county. Over half a million bushels of wheat were marketed in Waseea the first winter of its existence.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
The first organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, in the county, was perfected March 16, 1868. The first officers were as follows: Maj. W. T. Kittredge, post commander ; P. H. Swift, senior vice ; H. A. Mosher, junior viee; Capt. A. H. Wellman, post quartermaster ; Dr. HI. J. Young, post surgeon.
The first death noted in the new village was that of Mr. Geo. L. Tarbell, who died of consumption, March 13, 1868. He was a prominent business man and held in high esteem.
EPISCOPALIANS ORGANIZE.
In the month of March, 1868, the first Episcopal society was organized here. Members of the Episcopal faith met at the resi- dence of Mrs. Teall, March 7, and proceeded to the organization of a society by adopting by-laws and eleeting officers. The officers elected were: Mrs. H. S. Teall, president ; Mrs. Knappen, vice- president; Mrs. E. P. Latham, secretary; Mrs. II. D. Baldwin, treasurer; Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Wadsworth, Mr. Tefft, Miss Hall, Mrs. P. C. Bailey, and Mr. P. P. Smith, committee on entertain- ment. The receipts of the first meeting amounted to $5.85.
GEN. GRANT CLUB.
On March 20, 1868, voters who favored the nomination and
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
election of Gen. Grant to the presidency, met and organized a Grant club. Its officers were as follows :
Judge H. D. Baldwin, president; Maj. Wm. C. Young, vice- president ; Capt. P. H. Swift, secretary; A. E. Dearborn, treas- urer; Wm. G. Ward, James E. Child, G. W. Comee, D. L. Whip- ple and Capt. P. H. Swift, executive committee.
PRICES OF GRAIN.
Inasmuch as the prices of grain-especially wheat-show the prosperity or adversity of the people of this section, the prices of wheat are given for the years 1867-8. December wheat, 1867, brought $1.52 for No. 1, and $1.42 for No. 2. January 17, 1868, No. 1 wheat in Waseca, brought $1.70. The 15th of the next month No. 1 wheat was $1.65 per bushel. In March it brought $1.55. In May wheat went to $1.85 per bushel; in June it fell to $1.65, and gradually fell during July and into August when the price reached $1.40. In September wheat tumbled to $1 and before the close of the year 1868 the price of wheat had fallen to 78 cents per bushel for No. 1. At the same time wheat was worth, in New York, $1.65 per bushel, showing that the railroad companies got more for transporting a bushel of grain to New York than the farmer received for producing it. Is it any won- der that farmers became dissatisfied with that state of affairs and soon after inaugurated what was known as the "Grange" movement ?
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL HOUSES.
March 28, 1868, a large school-meeting-the first in Waseca- was held, and Hon. P. C. Bailey was elected director; Hon. H. D. Baldwin, treasurer, and G. N. Taylor, Esq., clerk. No action was taken toward building a schoolhouse, although the subject was discussed to some extent.
On the 25th of April, a special school meeting was held to take measures to purchase grounds and raise funds for the building of a schoolhouse. The meeting was largely attended and quite exciting, as there was strong opposition to the building of a schoolhouse at that time. The majority decided to erect a build- ing, and Eri G. Wood, H. P. Norton, and James E. Child were chosen a committee to examine, select and report upon a site for a schoolhouse; D. L. Whipple, Sam B. Williams and J. Shaw
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
were chosen a committee to make drafts and estimates for cost of building, both committees to report at an adjourned meeting. This was the beginning of a long struggle which finally culminat- ed in the selection of the site where the present high school building now stands, and in the erection of a frame building, one part of which is now owned by the Trowbridge estate and the other by Hon. P. C. Bailey, both being situated on the corners of Wood and Sixth streets across from the High School building.
COUNTY SEAT TALK.
Of course, at the outset of the life of Waseca, the county seat question was uppermost in the minds of the people. The imme- diate residents of Wilton and Waseca were more deeply interest- ed than others, but all felt an interest. As early as the first of the year 1868, discussions were frequent and sometimes ani- mated. As showing the condition of matters at that time, the following is quoted from the "News" of April 17, 1868:
"We are informed that those who are opposed to the removal of the county seat to Waseca give as a reason that the people are not now able to build new county buildings. Upon this question of buildings there can be no issue, at present. The old jail at Wilton is now worth- less; and, in the opinion of most men, never was good for anything as a jail. The courthouse there, so-called, is a very shabby thing at best, and is entirely unfit and unsafe as a repository of the public rec- ords. Whether the county seat shall be removed or not, the county must, as soon as possible, erect new buildings. * * *
"But all this talk about the value of the county buildings at Wilton will only call attention to the worthlessness of those buildings for county purposes and show the fallacy of the Wilton argument. It is quite evident to an unbiased mind that the business of the county must center at Waseca, and the majority of the voters of the county, we think, desire a removal of the county seat. We call attention to the matter thus early so that it may be thoroughly discussed and fairly decided."
COUNTY SEAT FIGHT POSTPONED.
A republican county convention was held at Wilton May 2, 1868, to elect delegates to the state convention to be held at St. Paul on the 13th of the same month. At this county convention, the county seat question was treated as follows:
On motion of Maj. W. C. Young, of Waseca, the following were adopted :
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
"Whereas, The removal of the county seat, from Wilton to Waseca, has been agitated more or less, therefore,
"Resolved, That the republicans of this county disclaim all inten- tion of making that question a political or party issue this fall."
The delegates elected to attend the state convention were Hon. Warren Smith, Hon. W. G. Ward and Capt. C. C. Comee.
BEAUTIFUL TREES.
Among other improvements, many shade trees were planted in the spring of 1868, and to this activity on the part of our early settlers, very much of the beauty and present comfort of our city may be attributed. While there are some matters of a sanitary character that might be much improved, the numer- ous beautiful shade trees of the city are a credit to the town and are much admired by all people of good taste.
FIRST BUSINESS FAILURE.
The first business failure in Waseca, of much importance, was that of H. S. Swift & Co., who closed their store May 14. Their liabilities footed up to $5,000-assets $1,500. This was the skir- mish line of many failures to follow in many parts of the country - largely on account of the destruction of greenbacks and the issue of interest-bearing bonds in their stead, thus contracting the currency.
NEW BRICK YARD.
On May 15, the "News" announced that "Bricks will soon be in fashion in this town. M. S. Green, Esq., and others have dis- covered excellent clay northeast of Loon lake, adjoining the village, and have commenced to open a brick yard."
This discovery of clay was where Mr. Messerknecht now has his brick yard. Esquire Green burned one kiln of brick, but for want of capital to develop it and from other causes aban- coned the business.
THE COLORADO BEETLE.
Potato bugs were then new to the people of this country. Very few people had ever seen one prior to 1865. This year, (1868) the Mankato Record (now Review) remarked that "those striped bugs which, for the past three years have so seriously damaged the crop west of us, have already made their appear-
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
ance in large numbers." Other papers noticed their appearance, and our paper remarked that "we have not heard of any of these pests in this immediate vicinity, but doubt not they will soon visit this section." We remarked that they should be "attacked at first sight and exterminated if possible." As we soon after learned, this was more easily said than done.
ARREST OF A FORGER.
Quite a sensation was created, May 22, 1868, both at Wasera and in Wilton, by the arrest of one "Prof. J. C. Lewis" who was quite generally known as a very polite and agreeable sing- ing master. He made his appearance in Waseca early in the spring and appeared to be a very Christian-like and honorable man. He had nearly finished a term of singing school in Wilton, and was soon to have commenced his labors in Waseca, when the arrest was made and the game was up. He was charge.l with having forged the name of Wm. E. Jones, of La Crosse. Wis .. to a receipt for $1,000.00 which he put in his own pocket. The money had been sent to him as agent of an insurance company to pay off Mr. Jones' claim for loss of property insured. The forgery occurred the previous December, at which time he was arrested, but made his escape during his examination. He was arrested in Steele county by A. H. Hawes, general agent of the insurance company, assisted by John Martin, then sheriff of Wi- nona county, and Seth W. Long, then sheriff of Waseca county. He was one of those sleek rascals that wear the livery of heaven the more effectually to serve the devil. Ile was afterwards con- vieted and served time at Waupun prison, Wis.
FIRST WORK OF CITY FATHERS.
The first proceedings of the then Waseca village board of trus- tees were published May 27. 1868. The following officers were appointed by the trustees: A. E. Dearborn, clerk; Maj. W. T. Kittredge, treasurer: HI. P. Norton. marshal: Charles Dunn, street commissioner; and F. Y. Iloffstott, fire warden.
Let it be remembered by future generations that Il .P. Norton. who is still with us, was the first city marshal to guard the lives and property of our citizens-and who could have done it het- ter ?
The first ordinance passed was signed by "W G. Ward, presi-
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
dent," and " A. E. Dearborn, clerk," and appeared in the Wa- seca News on the 27th day of May, 1868, and was entitled : "An Ordinance Regulating Shows, Theatricals, and Other Exhibi- tions." This ordinance prohibited all sorts of shows not prop- erly licensed, and fixed the license fee as follows: For a circus $25: for theatricals $5 each; for jugglers, sleight-of-hand per- formers, vocal or instrumental concerts, and all other shows or
entertainments charging an admission fee, $5. * * Six * ordinances in all were published on the same date.
Maj. Young and D. L. Whipple. then contractors and builders, built the Swede church in the Charles Johnson neighborhood, in Otisco, this season. It was a model church in a model farming community.
PIONEER CLERGYMEN.
Among the early workers in the moral vineyard of Waseca, was Rev. W. W. Satterlee. He was a thorough, fearless, Chris- tian worker, not only mentally but physically. He did not hesitate to work with his hands six days in the week and preach on the seventh. He was one of the ablest ministers of the gospel that ever preached in Waseca. During the winter of 1868, he was instrumental in the organization of a Good Templar lodge. He was untiring in all good work. Rev. G. C. Tanner, of the Episcopal church, was an earnest worker in the moral and reli- gious field. During the winter of 1867-8 and following, six dif- ferent denominations of Christians held regular services in Wa- seca. namely : Congregationalists, Rev. E. H. Alden, pastor; Presbyterians, Rev. J. G. Patterson, pastor; Methodist Episco- pal, Rev. W. W. Satterlee, pastor; German M. E. church, Rev. Uhl, pastor; Baptist church, Rev. S. T. Catlin, pastor; Episco- pal church, Rev. G. C. Tanner, pastor. These were the pioneer clergymen of the town and county.
HEAVY RAINS AND MUD.
The last week in May and the first ten days of June, 1868, brought very heavy rains. The streets were then ungraded and without drainage, and were so many lines of almost bottomless mud. That was true not only of the village streets, but it was very nearly true of all the highways leading into the city. The poll tax, which was all that was available that season, amounted
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
to four days' work or $6 for each man-the whole amounting to about $600.00. It was determined by the village board to ex- pend $200 on the roads leading north and northwest, $200 on the St. Mary and Wilton roads, and $200 in the village. The town of Woodville, was liberal, and expended considerable money on the roads from the east. Mr. Trowbridge was especially liberal in helping to grade Second street. Charles Dunn was street eom- missioner that year, and put in a good deal of hard work, mak- ing the streets quite passable. Under date of June 17, we find this record: "Road Commissioner Dunn has been doing good service on the roads during the past week. He has not only put the main street in good condition, but has made North street passable for the heaviest loads from the village to Clear Lake. Wood street has been materially improved and other streets made passable."
FOURTH OF JULY 1868.
Although there was no formal celebration of the Fourth the first year of our village life, the records show that a large num- ber of people eolleeted in the place from the surrounding coun- try and held a sort of impromptu celebration. It appears that the great day was ushered in by the firing of a brass pieee, brought over from Berlin, Steele county. Quite an excitement was ereated early in the day by two young Americans that cel- ebrated by engaging in a knoek-down scrap in settlement of some old grudge. Then Marshal Norton put in a hot job and broke up that part of the celebration. Then came a horse raee between O'Neil's sorrel, and Smith's brown-the brown ap- pearing to be the better trotter. And next came the most ex- citing of all-a foot race between Geo. Dreever and "Dad" Sweet-the latter winning the race and the money by a close rub. Waseca then had a character known as "Uncle Tom." He was engaged that day in selling drinks of various kinds, and having an eye single to profits he hastily built a platform in front of his business place and secured two or three local speakers to make the eagle scream. Among the speakers that day we call to mind our departed friends, M. S. Green, Esq., and IIon. Wm. Brisbane. Then followed numerous wrestling matches, and the day closed with the firing of the brass piece and a fire-eracker fusilade which lasted long into the night.
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CHILD'S HISTORY OF WASECA COUNTY.
THE VILLAGE COW AND PIG.
The running at large of cafile in Waseca village was the sub- jeet of early and much debate among the people and with our rity lathers. On the 22d of July, 1868, the trustees passed an or- dimance that cattle, horses, mules, or sheep found running at, large within the village between the time of one hour after sun- set and before sunrise should be taken up and impounded; and the poundmaster, marshal, street commissioner, and constable were especially enjoined to enforce the law. This was better than no law, but it was poor protection for gardens and Jawns.
THE FIRST WASECA PICNIC.
The first Waseca pienie was a pienie, and no mistake. It came off July 21, 1868. It was a glorious harvest day, with golden sunshine and a cool, refreshing breeze from the northwest. All nature was entrancing in its sunshine and shadow as it smiled upon our beautiful Clear lake, with its surrounding timbered slopes and wooded hills. It was a gathering of all the first fami- lies of the town-which included almost everybody- and the vil- tage was almost entirely deserted for the time being, Some of the pienie party went around on the west side of the lake by car- ringe, as far as Mr. Coon's place, and walked the remainder of the way, while a large number gathered at what was then known as the Kittredge boat-landing and took rowboats for what was then called Maple bill on the north shore of Clear lake. No one then lived on the north shore of the lake, the locality being then clothed with the majestic forest frees planted by Nature's own hand. The boat ride across the lake occupied nearly three-quar- ters of an hour, and furnished the highest enjoyment for all the company. A few steps up the slope brought us to the pienie grounds. The large, primitive maples and elms, with their great, spreading tops formed a perfect shade. The land sloped each way, so that the grounds selected were dry and in fine condition. There was very little underbrush, while the lake with its sur- roundings furnished a picture of natural beauty unsurpassed any- where. Here, amid the monarchs of the primeval forest, the pio- neers walked and talked, swung, gathered flowers, chatted, drank lemonade, played "Miss Johnnycake" and other games, and enjoyed a royal good time generally. Every one belonged to
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