USA > Minnesota > Cottonwood County > History of Cottonwood and Watonwan counties, Minnesota : their people, industries, and institutions, Volume I > Part 52
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The cold was intense and continued, resulting in great loss of live stock. All the stock that happened to be away from shelter when the storm came on perishetl as well as many that were under shelter.
HAIL STORM.
A terrific hail storm occurred throughout Watonwan county in July. 1879. Everything was felled in its path, all vegetables were ground into the earth and grass was cut off as though mown with a machine. Branches
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of trees, one to two inches in diameter, were broken off like pipe stems; window glass broken in nearly every home and in places the sash broken. Poultry in the open were all killed, live stock bruised and in several cases badly injured. A brick house belonging to Nat Stevens near Willow Creek was blown down, killing a woman and injuring several others.
BLIZZARD BOUND.
The following is an account of an experience in a blizzard as told by one of the participants, and retold by Albert Uhlhorn :
One day in the early seventies F. H. Uhlhorn and John A. Miller com- ing with an ox team from the woods at the Big Cottonwood, were caught in a blizzard and when stalled in the snow hitched both yokes before one load and continued on their way. After several hours, Miller, by cold and fatigue was benumbed and nearly fell asleep. Having vainly tried to urge him along, Uhlhorn seeing no other way of arousing his friend, struck him a right smart crack over the back with the whip. This awakened Miller and looking up he exclaimed, "Sell war grad recht Fritz, grad jetzt kan ich sehne wo wer sind." ( Penn. Dutch ). and with that he fell into that firm and elastic step so characteristic of a veteran of the Potomac army. Soon they reached a farm house and were sheltered.
ADVANTAGES OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
This county is blessed with a splendid soil and plenty of good well water at a depth of from twenty to fifty feet ; numerous lakes and streams with plenty of fish; a county with numerous railroads, thriving cities and villages, dotted with school houses, churches and creameries. And a county with a law-abiding, industrious population, a healthy climate and absolutely free from poisonous reptiles and insects.
The needs of the county are not many. but a few should be mentioned : First, more capital at a lower interest and longer time: second. a drainage system within the reach of all who need it.
CORNER-STONE LAYING.
Upon the final completion of the new courthouse basement, and on August 15. 1895, there was a corner-stone laying ceremony performed under the management of the Masonic fraternity. There were four hun-
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dred Masons present, many coming from distant parts of the state. In the stone was affixed a metal box in which was enclosed many articles, including a copy of the Plaindealer, Journal, Madelia Times and Messenger, local papers of this county; Masonic papers, sealed envelope from Post- master J. J. Thornton, daily papers of the state and those from Windom.
The oration of the day was delivered by Hon. W. S. Hammond, grand orator, a portion of which read as follows, and is here given place from the fact that the address was able, eloquent, and somewhat prophetic in its character :
"When the future history of Watonwan county is written, the historian will designate the year 1895 as a memorable one. The writer will say that in that year the harvests were greater than they had ever been before in the history of this county; he will say the shocks of grain were so thick in some fields that a wagon could not be driven across them. A year of great promise and a year of mighty realization. In that year he will also say there was completed a court house, built not for a single day, and not for a single generation, but constructed of such materials and erected with such care and skill that it was destined by its builders to be used for county purposes for many more years.
"Man is a builder. In his primitive state he builds to protect himself from the summer's heat and winter's cold. from the snow and the pelting rain. His retreat may be a cave in the ledge sufficient to satisfy his wants, with little labor bestowed upon it by him, or it may be a shelter fashioned from the boughs of the forest. But when communities are formed and attachments made, as wealth accumulates and civilization spreads, a demand arises for buikdlings of a different character. Strength, convenience and beauty are then sought. Nearly all the great nations of the world have left great buildings and monuments, or the record of such buildings or monu- ments for their descendants to admire and study. Ages ago men were carry- ing stones from Arabia and Ethiopia and building vast monuments near that city of famous temples, the capital of Middle Egypt. Today those inspiring pyramids attract pilgrims from all parts of the world. who gaze with awe and wonder at their majestic proportions.
"In modern days, buiklings have not ceased to be built, and the public buildings of many national and municipal governments are memorials of the work and labor of illustrious architects and skillful and cunning artisans. Unlike the buiklings of old. they will not be destroyed by the savage bar- barian, but will remain until another people, in another age, will remove them to build again where they stood.
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GROWTH OF WATONWAN COUNTY.
"This county, today, is only thirty-four years old; has a valuation of five million dollars and personal property valued at a million and a half dollars. The population of the county in 1865 was only two hundred and forty-eight; in 1890 it was seven thousand eleven hundred; today its almost ten thousand, which gives every individual therein about six hun- dred and fifty dollars. When we consider that forty years ago there was no one living here save the wandering bands of savages who roamed at will over these rolling prairies, caring little for this rich soil under foot- this rich loam-which was capable of producing wheat, corn, rye, oats, flax, barley and vegetables in great quantities, but seeking out the game of the prairies or the fish from the innumerable lakes, and when one considers that the early settlers of this county like the pioneers of New England, came here without abundant resources, but dependent upon the value of their crops in distant markets ; obliged to carry their household supplies and their necessary farming machinery over rough and untraveled roads many long miles and undergoing nearly as great an amount of hardship and labor in taking their products to market as in harvesting it; and when we consider ravages of the Indians in their uprising in 1862, and the terror inspired in the minds of the old settlers by the tales of Indian barbarities and the tortures inflicted upon those who were unfortunate enough to fall into hands of the blood-thirsty, marauding Indians, caused many to leave their homes and seek places where they might at least live in peace.
"When one considers the grasshoppers of the seventies, which like the Egyptian locust, so covered the face of the earth that the land was dark- ened, and they ate the herbs of the land until there was no more green things, sweeping out of existence the hard-earned savings of the husbandman who year after year. purchased seed wheat and oats for his crop, which in the end he was not able to harvest, but was driven into debt in order to supply themselves with the bare necessities of life; and when one considers the great storms of hail that followed, and that, unlike the hail storm Pharoah knew. did not only take the barley in the car and the flax in the boil, but took the wheat and the rye: when one considers all those drawbacks in the development of this county, and considers its present prosperity, we cannot wonder at the energy and perseverance and the strength of char- acter of the men and women who have cultivated these fields, year after year, and who have made this county what it is today.
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Well fares the land, from threatening ills secure, Where wealth accumulates and men endure.
"The hardships attending the early settlement of this county have all been safely passed through. The public records wherein the owners of all this property are shown have become themselves records of great value. Their loss would be an incalcuable damage to the property owners of this county. After they have been placed in this new building there need be little fear that fire will destroy them. The business of the county is grow- ing and as year by year the volume of business increases, the county should have it transacted in proper offices and buildings, where the accounts and reports may be preserved from loss.
"May this building be successfully completed, as it has been begun. May it remain for years a monument of the thrift, the foresight and pros- perity of the people. May it remind future generations now unborn, of the progressive type of their fathers, and how they established a county on the vacant prairies and founding it with a suitable structure for its needs and demands. May those who look upon this building be inspired themselves still further to improve and beautify their surroundings."
It will be remembered that the foregoing was an oration delivered by a young lawyer who rose to hold the positions of governor, congressman and who died at St. James before the court house was scarcely a score of years old.
GRASSHOPPERS.
In the spring of 1875 the people of Watonwan county were rejoicing because they thought they were going to be missed by the grasshoppers. But early in July came news from the north and east that the pests were on their way. One morning about ten o'clock, a few days after the report, the air was seen to be full of them. Borne along by northeast winds, they passed over in clouds almost darkening the sun. In the afternoon they commenced lighting and before night the ground was covered with them. At once they began gnawing at the crops with ravenous appetites. The 'next day there was a little wind from the same direction, but they did not move. On the Monday following the wind had shifted in the northwest. They attempted to rise and fly southwest, but made little headway. This same program continued during the summer.
The citizens of Antrim township took the situation in earnest and called a meeting at the home of J. B. Firmenich for the purpose of concerted action. A brief record of the meeting is given. "Resolved, that the farm- ers take the first week in October to secure their places from fire; Resolved,
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that no person shall start a fire for the purpose of securing their places with less than three men: Resolved, that each person present be a committee of one to detect and prosecute any person setting fire carelessly or with inten- tion of doing damage: Resolved, that all present shall go and subdue any fire that shall get from any party. The request of this meeting is that every farmer in the township will act in accordance and also save straw."
GRASSHOPPER CATCHER.
Mr. C. C. Sylvester, of Watonwan county, devised a machine for catch- ing grasshoppers. It was practical in character, being adjustable in its sev- eral parts, to work with either one or two horses. It could be raised and lowered according to the wishes of the operator. The canvas upon which the hoppers fell was easily removed from the machine and in its removal was brought into a sack, so that none of the captured could escape. In front of the canvas was a reel which drove the pests into the trap. The cost of the machine was about ten dollars.
A Mr. Leonard and a Mr. Munson also built a machine for the same purpose. It differed considerably from Mr. Sylvester's, except that the power was applied in the same way. It had no reel, but instead two flags extended out at the sides to scare the insects toward the center. On top were bows to support a canvas covering and on the bottom was a revolving apron which ran fast and carried the hoppers into the rear sack, which could be detached and emptied.
The ravages of the grasshoppers upon the meager crops of the pioneers caused many of them to become almost destitute. This circumstance called for help which resulted in private, state and national assistance.
In July, 1874. the state furnished ninety sacks and ten barrels of flour to the county commissioners to be distributed in the several districts to those who were in absolute need. The same year twenty-five business men of Minneapolis gave a substantial sum to the frontier relief fund. Con- gress came to the rescue about the same time and passed the bill submitted by Representative Dunnell. enabling the settlers who had pre-empted land in ten or more counties in southwestern Minnesota to maintain titles to their farms while they were compelled to be away on account of the grasshopper plague. The limit fixed by the bill was July 1. 1875.
In January, 1875, Congress passed a bill providing for an appropriation of twenty thousand dollars for the relief of the grasshopper sufferers in southwestern Minnesota. In 1878 they passed a similar bill providing for an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
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In 1877 the state Legislature passed the "Grasshopper" bill, a part of which is herein given: Section 1-Money shall be paid by the state not otherwise appropriated to persons living within the counties affected with grasshoppers for destruction of the insects and their eggs. Section 2- Grants-One dollar per bushel before June Ist; fifty cents between that time and June 10th ; twenty cents until October Ist. Section 3-Grants-Fifty cents per gallon for all grasshopper eggs taken and destroyed. Section 4- Authorizes the county commissioners to appoint suitable person in each township to receive, measure and destroy all insects and eggs and he shall be under oath to faithfully discharge his duties and shall be paid out of the county fund such sum as the county shall fix upon. The state appro- priated one hundred thousand dollars in carrying out this act.
BIRDS AND WILD ANIMALS.
When the pioneers first came to this part of Minnesota they found many birds and animals common that are not now known at all. Yet, they still found more of such birds and animals that one would naturally look for after the hand of civilized life has so materially changed the condition of things.
Of the species of birds that inhabited both timber, valley and prairie plains, these were quite common in the fifties and sixties and many are still with us to charm and cheer the lover of real true nature: Turkey buzzard, hawks (several species ). eagles, owls (three species), woodpeckers (two species ), humming-bird, swallows (three species), whippoorwill, nighthawk. kingfisher, fly-catcher, thrush, robin-red-breast, blue birds, wren, scarlet tanger, cedar bird, shreke, cat bird. American creeper, nuthatch, titmouse, goldfinch, snow bunting, sparrow. eow-bird, blackbirds ( three species). mea- dow-lark, oriole, erow, blue jay, wild pigeon, turtle dove, prairie chicken, partridge, quail, sandhill erane, blue heron, bittern or stake-driver, night heron, kill-deer, woodcock, snipe, rail, snow goose, Canada goose, brant, mallard, teal, spoonbill, wood duck, canvas back, butter ball, gull, tern, loon, grebe or mud-hen.
Of the mammals found roaming at will over this portion of Minne- sota when white men first settled it, may be mentioned the following : Bats. schrews, mole, lynx, wild-cat. prairie wolf, fox. timber wolf, fischer, weasel. mink, otter, beaver. skunk, badger, raccoon, red squirrel, gray squirrel, fly- ing squirrel, chipmunk, striped gopher, pocket gopher, prairie squirrel, wood- chuck, mice ( several species), rat, muskrat, jack rabbit. rabbit, northern rabbit, elk, deer and buffalo.
CHAPTER XX.
REMINISCENCES.
The following reminiscences of early days in this county was written by Alexander Swanson, and published in the St. James Plaindealer a num- ber of years ago. Mr. Swanson still, resides at St. James, a well-preserved and well-posted gentleman.
It was in Adrian township, section 12. during the month of June, 1870, that Alexander Swanson broke the first land and brought the first load of lumber from Lake Crystal and erected the first so-called "homestead build- ing" in harmony with the style that was already in vogue, namely, to find an elevation of the land, sloping southward or eastward and there select a choice lot for digging a basement, making the room below the ground two or three feet deep. The dimensions of the building were ten by twelve by six. Common limber was used for the walls and the roof. then it was sided with genuine "homestead siding" or plowed sod. Shingles were not to be found, so the roof was covered with slough grass, which staple article then grew in abundance. Then the same material was used to top off the roof as had previously served as a covering for the walls. The only windows consisted of panes ten by twelve in size. The door faced either toward the south or the cast. The floor was composed of hard, shoveled clay; very few of the pioneers could afford to have a floor of wood material. This was the prevalent method employed by the Scandinavians in Watonwan county. The Americans were more satisfied with the common "claim shanty" and they boasted over the fact that their residences presented a more civilized aspect. In a good-natured way they spoke of the Scandinav- ian homes as "gopher huts." Yet it must be admitted that their claim shanties more easily became the prey of the fierce fires than what was cus- tomary with the sod huts.
THE FIRST HOUSE.
The first house erected in that vicinity that was covered with a shingle roof was built in the spring of 1872 in the south portion of section 12. Adrian township. But this magnificent building was not long privileged to
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tower above the sod huts, because already in the month of May, that year, it was laid waste by a hurricane. The owner, Ole Boman, was upstairs when the roof was lifted off and carried away. One portion of the build- ing, while performing the act of moving to new quarters, happened to meet Mr. Boman's sister, Lena, in its course and struck her so violently that her leg was crushed, splinters of the bone being visible through the skin.
The family was now placed in an unenviable condition. No doctor could be reached at a nearer distance than Mankato, and no team of horses was to be found in the settlement. But as Mr. Boman was daring and resolute he undertook to perform the surgical act. Using his razor as an instrument he opened up the wounded spot, placed the splinter of bone into its natural place and bandaged it. No chloroform was used. The only characteristic here made prominent was courage, mingled with a decided purpose to accomplish what was necessary. The operation was a success and after a long time of intense suffering Miss Boman completely recovered. She was afterwards united in marriage to Mr. C. W. Samuelson and became the mother of Alfred Samuelson and Mrs. Willis Nelson. This is men- tioned for the mere purpose of illustrating what privations and endurance the early pioneers had to experience. The theory was now established with an emphasis that it was not advisable to build any other dwelling than sod huts on the prairie. But times have changed and so have the methods of living. The sod houses have disappeared and replaced by buildings of a different frame and style and the pioneer lias become accustomed to homes just as modern as any American may care to live in.
TRANSPORTATION TROUBLES.
When the earliest settlers arrived here they were not to be accommo- dated with graded roads, or roads of any kind or description, but had to drive wherever it was possible to move forward. When rivers or creeks checked the way it was customary to fasten the wagon box to the running gears with a rope and urge the faithful steers to plunge in for a swim across the stream. In this way and mode of traveling a long time elapsed before any tracks of wagon wheels became visible, thus indicating a team road. The first wagon track that formed a line across the prairie in the Adrian and Sveadahl settlement was to be seen in 1871, when a government cara- van carrying provisions from some fort in South Dakota passed through. The caravan consisted of forty heavily loaded dray wagons, each headed
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by three teams of mules. The route was directed from Big Bend via Moun- tain Lake through Adrian northeasterly, passing west of Lake Hanska, heading for New Ulm. The settlers could henceforth pride themselves on having at least one road.
Speaking of bridges, the first one built in the Adrian vicinity was on the south line of section 12. near where the present steel bridge is located. The means to defray the building expenses were raised through voluntary subscription. The work was freely offered and performed by settlers. The wood material was brought from the forests near Ibera. But the bridge had one deplorable characteristic, and that was to betake itself to some knoll of high ground whenever high water occurred. Later, it was burned up in a prairie fire. This necessitated the building of a new one and now the settlers extended their subscriptions as far as St. James, where ten dollars was received. Soon the pioneers felt proud of their new and more substantial structure, which was at that time the only bridge, for many miles, across the north branch of the Watonwan river.
The settlers in this county were not troubled by Indian outbreaks as had happened in settlements farther east, but they had their enemies just the same. The small patches of land that were cultivated became the as- sembling places for all the birds under the heavens. Occasionally they became so aggressive that the farmer had to leave his dinner for the pur- pose of chasing them away. Gophers also carried on their destructive work. but the bitterest enemy was the annual prairie fire, which came during the fall months. The one that was perhaps the most severe came in the fall of 1871, shortly after the big Chicago fire. The whole prairie presented the appearance of a flaming sea. Many people lost their homes and nearly all their possessions, including their crops. But this was not all. Following came the boreal winds sweeping the snow along into drifts and blockading every house. Several families were closed in their primitive residences for days and were finally helped out by neighbors. The railroad companies also had to experience many hardships that winter. Several futile attempts were made to open the road, but not until March was traffic resumed. What hardships the settlers had to encounter can only be realized by those who partook in the work to prepare the way for civilization in those pioneer days. The elements were not always in quietness during the early days. Thus can be mentioned the big snow storm in January, 1872, when so many people perished ; some at the very threshold of their homes. Some of the men were away at the Ibera mill, where they had to remain for three days.
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PRIVATIONS OF PIONEERS.
The first ten years as settlers mark an epoch of privations and poverty alike to all. If it were these common experiences that account for it, or the spirit of the age, cannot be said, but anyway one cannot help but notice the commendable traits of the people, the friendships, the unanimity and help- fulness among them. Neighbors would willingly lend to each other not only agricultural implements and household goods, but articles of food as well. Thus, flour was such an article to be borrowed and loaned, giving occasion to the saying that each family has its own household, but the flour is common. The reason for this was that the mill at Ibera was often so overtaxed that one had to feel satisfied in getting ten bushels of wheat ground now and then. Arriving at home the settler would notify his neigh- bors that he 'had been to mill and they soon would arrive for their shares of the grist, which was divided into small quantities to each family. When the next neighbor would go to mill the conditions were similar.
Each one of the old settlers feels thankful at this time that he has been privileged to partake in the upbuilding of a community, of establishing schools, churches and other institutions of culture and civilization.
Back in 1872 and along to the early eighties the country comprising Watonwan county was a vast rolling prairie covered with an abundance of grasses and wild flowers, traversed by torrent streams and containing count- less sloughs, all filled with wild game, such as geese, cranes, ducks, prairie chickens, snipe, blackbirds, larks, bob-o-links and numerous other song birds; jack rabbits, gophers, mink, muskrats, etc.
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