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 36
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Prior to the death of the two sisters and since, scarcely any one was ever admitted inside the miserable log cabin in which they lived. They seemed suspicious of every one, apparently afraid of being robbed.
It is stated that when the sisters died, Samuel procured the coffins, per-
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formed the duties of undertaker himself, and buried them without any public ceremony whatever.
Since their death he had lived entirely alone, accompanied only by three dogs that kept watch over the premises. For some weeks he had been in the habit of making occasionai visits to his neighbor, John Sell, and exchanging newspapers with him.
As Kirste had not been around for several days, Mr. Sell went to his cabin Sunday afternoon, April 14, and rapped on the door. The only re- sponse was a moan. He looked in at the window and saw Kirste, on the floor between the stove and bed, evidently in a dying condition. He became alarmed and went immediately for Mr. Menke, half a mile away. When Menke and Sell returned, they raised a window, reached inside, turned the door key and went in. A sorry sight met their view. The poor man, sadly emaciated, lay upon the floor, gasping for breath and unable to speak. They laid him upon the bed where he breathed his last within a few minutes.
Soon after Kirste's death, Sell and Menke concluded to lock the house leaving everything as they found it, notify some of the other neighbors and get some one to go to Waseca to notify the coroner. They locked the house and went to Mr. Menke's farm. Shortly afterward, Menke heard a terrible outcry among the dogs at the Kirste place and, thinking it singular, went back to see what the trouble was. When he reached the house he found the window open and, upon looking in, saw Dan Naughton, about twenty-four years of age, ransacking every- thing in the house. Menke unlocked the door and ask- ed Naughton what he was doing there?
Dan, at first tried to escape, but Menke prevented him, and after some dispute about the mon- ey Naughton had taken, it was agreed that they should go together to the house of James Naughton, Dan's father, and there count the money. They did so, and Dan had $908.30. Menke noted down the kinds and amount of money as it was counted over. Soon after this, the same day, Menke, Sell, and others went to Kirste's place and made further search, finding another pocket hook, or purse, containing over $240.
Coroner Young, as soon as he received notice, went out to the piace and examined the body and premises. Mr. Menke turned over the money he found and the keys of the house to the coroner. Dr. Young then proceeded to James Naughton's, and, as coroner, called for the money that young Naughton had carried there. The Naughton family seemed unwilling for some time to turn over the money, and only conciud- ed to do so after the coroner threatened to arrest one of them.
Coroner Young brought the money to town, deposited it in a bank, and engaged A. Grapp, undertaker, to-proceed to the farm and bury the body.
Mr. Grapp said the cabin and the man presented a sickening and dis- gusting sight. The man was emaclated as though he had died of star- vation. He was covered with fiith and his garments were stiff with dirt. The floor was dirty and covered with boxes, pails, trunks and oid truck of one kind and another. Mr. Grapp and his assistants washed and
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dressed the body, put it Into a decent casket, depositing beside him his musket, sword and ammunition, and consigned the whole to mother earth in the St. Mary burying ground.
So far as known none of the three had relatives in this country. Sam- uel Kirste, somewhat over a year before, had made his will wherein he devised all his property to two grandchildren, sons of his deceased son, supposed to be somewhere from ten to fourteen years of age, and re- siding in Germany.
Very little was known of the history of the deceased, but there were many indications that he was well educated and had moved in refined society. The closing scenes of his life can only be accounted for upon the theory that his mind had become unbalanced."
Maj. Wm. C. Young, then judge of probate of this county, fell dead of heart disease on the sidewalk, near the corner of Elm and Second street in Waseca on the 9th day of May, 1889. Maj. Young and family came to Waseca county in 1866 and opened up a farm in Woodville. Soon after the founding of Waseca, he moved with his family to that city. He was born in Madison county, N. Y., August 10, 1826. He married, July 12, 1846, Miss Caroline Kingsley, a native of Chautauqua county, N. Y., and a sister of Bishop Kingsley of the M. E. church. In 1854, they came West, residing first in Fitchburg and afterwards in Madison, Wis. At the breaking out of the Rebellion, Mr. Young raised a com- pany and was chosen captain. It was designated Company E, Eighth Wisconsin infantry. In 1864, he was promoted to major of his regiment and served in that capacity until the close of the war. Soon after his settlement in this county he became promi- nent in politics. He was elected to the house of representatives of 1870, and to the senate of 1871. In 1876, he was appointed postmaster of Waseca and held the position until about 1885, when he was elected judge of probate. He was re-elected in 1888, having no opponent, and received 1,653 votes. He was the father of four children: William H., Eugene W., and Mabel A. living; and Luna E., deceased. His widow and Mrs. Mabel Bensel are residents of Waseca.
Mr. Nathan Wood, although not an old settler, came to Wase- ca county with his family in 1871, and settled on a farm in Wood- ville. He was a native of Winchendon, Mass., but emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he carried on a farm until he came to this county. He enlisted as a private in Company A, 211 Pennsylva- nia volunteers, in September, 1864, and was honorably discharg-
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ed by general order of the war department June 2, 1865. He was mustered into McKune Post G. A. R., May 17, 1884. He lost his health in the army and never fully recovered, although he was somewhat better after coming to Minnesota. The last time he was out, he attended Maj. Young's funeral, May 11. He soon af- ter had an attack of pneumonia which culminated in what is termed quick consumption. His death occurred June 16, 1889, in his sixty-seventh year. His end was peaceful and his mind un- clouded to the last. He left a widow and seven children, the youngest nine years of age, the eldest being Frank A. Wood, cashier at the C. & N .- W. depot.
Mrs. Rose McDonough, daughter of Andrew Lynch, of St. Mary, and one of the earliest settlers in the county, died June 22, 1889, of typhoid fever, aged thirty-two years and six months. She left a husband and five small children, the youngest about six weeks old.
William Bevans was one of the very early settlers in Byron. He died at his residence July 11, 1889, very suddenly of heart dis- ease. He was a native of New York, enlisted in the Tenth Minne- sota in 1862, and was discharged in 1864 for disability. He left a large family, having been married twice. His widow survived with two of her children.
Waseca Herald, Sept. 13, 1889: Just as we were abont to close our forms we learn that Sam Manthey, of this city, son of Joe Manthey, of St. Mary, was instantly killed yesterday afternoon, Sept. 12. at the M. & St. L. gravel pit, in the town of Otisco. He was at the time on top of a loaded car of gravel, leveling it off, when some other cars were let loose and came down against the car he was on with great force. The shock threw him off. He fell upon the track and two trucks passed over him, breaking his neck,and one arm, and otherwise bruising him. He died almost instantly. His remains were brought to the city by Mr. Her- man Rieck. He leaves a wife and three or four children in rather poor circumstances. He was born in this county and was about thirty-two years old.
Nothing of importance occurred during the closing months of the year except the warm, rainy weather of the closing week, which gave the country a very muddy Christmas.
CHAPTER LIX, 1890.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT-COUNTY POLITICS-DEATHS OF JOHN COLLINS, F. L. GOETZENBERGER, HON. WM. BRISBANE, ASA ROBBINS, OLE K. KINN.
The county commissioners met this year Jan. 7. Mr. Oliver Peterson was elected chairman, the other members being Messrs. Sunde, Buck, Conway, Purcell and Deyling.
The county printing was divided among the three leading pa- pers of the county, at legal rates. The Herald took the tax list; the Radical, the financial statement; and the Argus, the pro- ceedings of the board.
Upon the petition of McKenna's bondsmen and many others asking the board to settle with said bondsmen at fifty cents on the dollar,-
It was ordered that the county attorney be instructed to receive the sum of $6,500 as payment in full and in settlement of all liability of the sureties in such case, including costs, inter- est, etc., provided said settlement be made on or before March 1, 1890. Commissioner Sunde was authorized to expend $25 on slough in Richland township; Commissioner Buck to expend $25 on highway in Wilton township; and Commissioner Peterson, $100 on Johnson hill, Otisco.
There was nothing of an exciting character in the summer ex- cept the Chautauqua Assembly at Maplewood Park, in July. This was well attended and very interesting. One of the noted speak- ers was Rev. Talmage, of New York.
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POLITICAL PARTIES.
The Republican county convention this year was held Sept. 20. The principal contest in the nominating convention was on senator; Hon. Chris. Wagner won by a vote of 36 to 13 for Hon. I. C. Trowbridge. Hon. Otto Hanson was nominated for represen- tative by a vote of 34 to 16. The following were the other can- didates named: W. D. Abbott for county attorney; Emil Dieu- donne, for treasurer; S. Swenson, for auditor; A. F. Kruger, for register of deeds; E. B. Collester, for judge of probate; O. L. Smith, for surveyor; Dr. H. J. Young, for coroner; and G. R. Buckman, for court commissioner.
The Democratic county convention was held Oct. 4. The fol- lowing candidates were nominated : For senator, Dr. R. O. Craig; representative, M. H. Helms; treasurer, A. C. Krassin; clerk of court, John M. Byron; register of deeds, John Wollschlaeger; sheriff, Nic. Jacobs; county attorney, F. B. Andrews; auditor, Henry Murphy; school superintendent, J. S. Abell; probate judge, Jerome Madden; and coroner, L. P. Leonard. Disgruntled republicans and railroad and saloon influences had much to do with polities that year, and in some respects the contest was a lively one. The following gentlemen were elected: Dr. R. O. Craig, senator; M. H. Helms, representative; A. C. Krassin, treasurer; S. Swenson, auditor; John Wollschlaeger, register of deeds; F. B. Andrews, county attorney: John M. Byron, clerk of court; Henry Reynolds, sheriff; E. B. Collester, judge of probate; J. S. Abell, superintendent of schools; Orson L. Smith, county surveyor; Dr. L. P. Leonard, coroner; G. R. Buckman, court commissioner ; Oliver Peterson and H. (. Chase, county commissioners.
THE WEATHER.
On the whole, the weather for the year 1890 was pleasant, and favorable to farming operations. The first installment of snow in the fall came Nov. 8. It snowed gently nearly all day, and covered the ground to the depth of about four inches. On Sunday many persons were out riding in cutters. The snow remained on the ground all the week, but the next week it disappeared and the weather remained mild the rest of the year.
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NOTED DEATHS OF 1890.
The following notices are clipped from the Waseca County Herald of the dates noted :
Jan. 2, 1890: We were surprised and pained to learn of the death of our esteemed friend Mr. John Collins, of Woodville. It occurred about 6 o'clock p. m., on New Year day. He had been ill of kidney complaint some four weeks, but had not been considered dangerously so to within a short time of his demise. Mr. Collins was one of our most industrious and successful farmers, having a well-improved farm of four hundred and forty acres. He came from Ireland to America when about five years of age. He has lived twenty-one years on the farm where he died. He has raised a family of five boys and four girls, who are prominent citi- zens of this vicinity. We are informed that he was seventy-four years of age last June.
Jan. 17, 1890: Mr. Franz L. Goetzenberger, of this city, died at Min- neapolis last Tuesday, Jan. 14, of pneumonia, in the seventy-fifth year of his age. A few days ago he went to Minneapolis on a visit, and was taken with the prevailing influenza, which terminated as above stated. The body was brought to Waseca, on Wednesday, accompanied by his family. Mr. Goetzenberger was a native of Wurttemberg, and came to this country early in life. He lived first in New York, then came west and settled in Otisco somewhat over thirty years ago, on a farm.
July 25, 1890: The not unexpected death of Hon. Wm. Brisbane, of Wilton, occurred Wednesday, July 23, 1890. He was born at Glas- gow, Scotland, Dec. 11, 1811, and was, consequently, aged seventy-eight years seven months and twelve days. He had been ill for many weeks, having had an attack of influenza shortly after town meeting, last spring. For a week prior to his death he refused food, and at times his mind wandered. He suffered much during his illness. His funeral, which took place yesterday, was very largely attended, and his remains rest in the Wilton cemetery beside his patient and loved Janet. Mr. Brisbane came from Hawick, Scotland, to America, in 1839, and settled in Delaware county, New York, where, owing to his natural sympathy for the poor and the unfortunate, he took an active and prominent part in the anti-rent troubles of that period and suffered in consequence. Ten years afterwards he bought a farm in Alto, Fond du Lac county, Wis- consin, near Waupun, where he became prominent in political circles, and also accumulated quite a property for a farmer.
In 1859 he came to Minnesota and purchased the farm where he ever afterwards resided. He was a careful manager and by the assistance of his very frugal and estimable wife and family he accumulated a hand- some farm property besides materially aiding his sons in various ways. In politics and religion he was, without acknowledging it, a liberal in thought and sentiment. He was a rough diamond-somewhat warped and illshaped by surrounding circumstances and early habits-but still a diamond of no mean value. His ambition was great. His mind never
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ceased to work upon the problems of life, and he loved to study and discuss the principles of the government of his adopted country. No American ever had a greater love for our American institutions than he. While some of his ideas were crude, owing to a want of early education- al advantages, he was nevertheless honest in entertaining them and fear- less in giving them expression. He was always public-spirited and pa- triotic. He was invariably honest and upright in his dealings. He was a good neighbor, and although a man of strong passions, he could easily forgive. He held many minor offices during his life, and twice repre- sented Waseca county in the State legislature-in 1867 and in 1871. He left a large number of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchil- dren to mourn his departure. He was a Master Mason and an active mem- ber of Wilton Lodge No. 24 while it remained at Wilton. He will he mourned as a brother by nearly all the early settlers of the county, and his memory will be treasured in many hearts long after his body shall have mouldered to dust. Old neighbor and friend, adieu! And may you forever progress and enjoy the spirit realms assigned to the departed.
Oct. 31, 1890: Another old settler has gone to his long home. Sat- urday morning, Oct. 25th, at the home of G. H. Woodbury, near James- town, N. D., Mr. Asa Robbins, of Otisco, this county, died of typhoid pneu- monia, after an illness of one week. He was horn in Montgomery county, New York, in 1811 and came to Waseca county in 1861, settling on a farm in Otisco. Mr. Robbins was one of the hardy, energetic, honest pio- neers of America. He came of New England stock and inherited and practiced the virtues of the New England people. His remains lie bur- ied in Woodville cemetery.
Dec. 5, 1890: Mr. Ole. K. Kinn, of Blooming Grove, died Nov. 28, of old age, his funeral occurring Monday afternoon at the Norwegian Lutheran church, Rev. O. A. Mellby officiating. Mr. Kinn was born in Eidsvold, Norway, July 17, 1796, and settled in this county in 1857. He was buried in the Norwegian cemetery by the side of his wife, who died four years ago. He was in his ninety-fifth year, and up to within a short time of his death had enjoyed good health. He left surviving him several sons and a large number of grandchildren.
CAPTER LX, 1891.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-COUNTY BOARD-"EACO" MILL BURN- ED WASECA'S NEW CHARTER-WASECA HOUSE BURNED-BIG SALOON FIGHT-DEATH ROLL CONTAINING THE NAMES OF MATTHEW CONNOR, SILAS GROVER, A. C. KRASSIN, B. S. LEWIS ESQ., JUDGE HALLACK, JAS. A. ROOT, SIMON SMITH, AUSTIN VINTON.
The year opened with very fine weather-at least warm weather. The Waseca County Agricultural, Mechanical and Industrial So- ciety, at its annual meeting elected the following officers: Pres- ident, Joseph Dunn; first vice president, Isaac Vickere; second vice president, M. W. Ryan; secretary, John Moonan; treasurer, J. A. Krassin; board of directors: M. Sheeran, J. M. Dunn, A. Vinton, H. J. Young, S. Leslie, H. Wagoner, A Hawkes; delegates to annual meeting of the State Agricultural Society: Joseph Dunn, H J. Young, and S. Leslie. George Remund was elected general superintendent of the fair grounds for 1891. At that time the society was in a very prosperous condition.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
These gentlemen, constituting an important branch of our local government, met on the sixth day of January this year. The board consisted of Oliver Peterson, of Waseca; Jonas O. Sunde, of New Richland; Henry C. Chase, of Janesville; H. M. Buck, of Wilton, and Albert Remund of Blooming Grove. At this session of the board, the following entry was made :
"Bid of People's Bank to pay 2 per cent on monthly balances of county funds was accepted, and said bank was declared the depository for all public funds coming into the hands of the county treasurer, with bonds
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at $60,000, W. G. Ward, I. C. Trowbridge, D. E. Priest, Geo. Buckman, and Warren Smith, as sureties."
This was the result after an agitation of four years carried on by the Waseca Herald demanding that the county funds be depos- ited as the law directs. Prior to that time, the election of county treasurer depended upon the wishes and desires of the banks of Waseca; and bribery and corruption had marked each elcetion.
J. F. Murphy of the Herald, got off the following on county printing :
"The county printing and publishing, for the current year, has been let and all is quiet and serene, like a gently-flowing river. Graham and Murphy and Henry and Bronson came to an understanding and agreed to work for the county at the same rate they would charge private in- dividuals-the price fixed by law. Murphy publishes the tax list, Graham the financial statement and proceedings of board of equalization, and Henry and Bronson the proceedings of the board of county commission- ers. Psalm cxxxiii."
Very little was done during the year, aside from routine busi- ness. The county road and bridge appropriations were made at the meeting of June 22, 1891. The following is a summary :
Ordered that $100 be appropriated for repairs on roads and bridges be- tween sections 17 and 20, 14 and 23, 13 and 24, and on section 15, all in the town of Byron; that $100 be appropriated for repairs on roads and bridges in the town of New Richland; that $75 be appropriated for re- pairs of roads and bridges in town of Iosco; that $100 he appropriated for repairs of roads and bridges in town of Janesville; that $50 be ap- propriated to the town of Wilton for replanking the Wilton bridge: that $100 he appropriated for repairs of roads and bridges in town of Bloom- ing Grove, between sections 4 and 9 and on section 23; that $100 be ap- propriated for repairs of roads and bridges between sections 6 and 7, 19 and 20, 28 and 23 and 1 and 2, in town of Alton; that $45 be appropriated to the town of Otisco for repairs on road, sections 8 and 20, said town, and $25 for repairs on the Burgoff Olson bridge.
The proposition to lay out and improve the road from Deer- field through Blooming Grove and Woodville, to Waseca. was discussed, and preliminary steps were taken which culminated in the establishing of the road the next year.
MILL BURNED.
On Sunday afternoon, Feb. 1, 1891, the city roller mill was wholly destroyed by fire. About 1 o'clock smoke was seen issuing from around the cornice at the top of the building. The alarm was sounded and the fire department soon had a stream of wa-
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ter on the burning building. For about an hour it was difficult to tell which would prove the victor-the fire fiend or the firemen. but when the flames burst out of the building all thought of sav- ing the mill was abandoned and every effort was made to save the flour and other movable property in and around the premises. The safe, office furniture and about four car loads of flour were saved. There were nearly 200 tons of coal, 150 barrels of flour and from 8,000 to 10,000 bushels of wheat destroyed, besides a large quantity of bran and shorts and several large bales of flour sacks. The firemen and citizens were untiring in their efforts to save the property and to prevent the fire from spread- ing. Had it not been feared that the fire would reach Breen & Sons' oat meal mill, the coal, large engine, and other valua- ble machinery might have been saved, but Messrs. Aughenbaugh and Everett did not wish to take any chances and the hose was moved further south and brought to bear on the bran house; the fire was stopped here before the building was consumed. The origin of the fire was a mystery. Messrs. Everett, Aughenbaugh & Co. estimated their loss as follows: On stock, $10,000; on building and machinery, $20,000 to $25,000. Loss over insurance : on stock $5,000; on building and machinery, $10,000 to $15,- 000. Mr. Ward, who owned part of the building and some ma- chinery stored therein placed his loss at $10,000. * * Before the embers were cold Everett, Aughenbaugh & Co., had plans pre- pared for a new structure more elaborate than the one burned. It was a severe loss to the proprietors, but with commendable courage, which admits of no failure, they soon replaced the mill and were ready to handle the fall crop of wheat.
NEW CHARTER.
A number of the citizens of Waseca, early in the year desiring some changes in the Waseca city charter, met together and chose Dr. Cummings, John Moonan, and James E. Child a commit- tee to revise the old charter. After much labor the revision was made, and a new charter passed by the legislature and ap- proved by the governor, April 6, 1891.
BURNING OF AN OLD LAND MARK.
The Waseca House, of Waseca, was burned to the ground on
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the morning of April 20, 1891, between 1 and 3 o'clock. The fire caught in the second story. In a few minutes after the alarm was given the firemen were on the ground with their apparatus. Water for the fire engine was obtained from the tank of the switch engine. The fire had gained such headway, however, that it could not be extinguished. Most of the furniture and goods on the lower floor were saved. The house was known to the old settlers of this city as the Waverly House and was completed and open- ed to the traveling public in December, 1867, by Mr. R. B. John- son. It then stood in the southwest part of Clear Lake City, near Mr. San Galli's home. It was built by a townsite syndicate, and was of large proportions, the main part being 26x50 feet, with an addition 26x40 feet and a second addition 16x40 feet, all two story. Mr. Coleman valued the house and contents at $5,000, there was an insurance of $2,800 on building and contents. The hotel occupied the site where the water and light plant now stands.
THE SALOON FIGHT.
At the spring election the people of Waseca elected aldermen that favored the enforcement of the liquor laws. They also elect- ed "Col." D. E. Priest mayor upon his pretensions that he would have the laws enforced, especially as to liquor-selling. As early as June 2, the council, by a majority vote passed ordinance No. 64. which required that each saloon should have and maintain a clean, clear glass-front, without screens or other means of obstructing a clear view of the whole of the inside of the saloon, in order that officers might the more easily know whether or not the laws were being violated. To the surprise of many, this ordinance created much feeling, and the following petition was extensively circulated and was signed by one hundred and twenty-eight citizens. The petitioners set forth that :
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