History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 36

Author: J. Fletcher Williams
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

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The stone hotel built by Alexander Faribault in 1837, was exceedingly early in the list of hos- telries, and ready for the comers of the following year, who settled east of the great river.

The earliest religious services, held by devoted missionaries, have already been alluded to. These naturally, were conducted by those missionaries, as the early schools were also taught by them or their assistants. In 1839, Rev. E. G. Gear, ar- rived as chaplain for Fort Snelling, and doubtless held Episcopal services at Mendota, while Gen. Sibley built at the latter place the first Protestant church in the state. It was built of stone, at much cost to the builder, and still en- dures. During and before the war, many soldiers from the fort visited the village, and being fre- quently troublesome, caused the removal of many families. There being then little or no use for this undenominational building, as a church,

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INDIAN TREATIES.

General Sibley sold it to the trustees of the school district, and it has since been used for school purposes.

The first structure built in the county for ex- clusively religious purposes was blessed by Father Lucian Galtier at Mendota, October 2d, 1842, as the "Church of St. Peter." The lumber for this little building was obtained at Chippewa Falls. It was situated at the base of the hill now crested by the stone Catholic church, and was torn down to make way for the St. Paul and Sioux City railway. Father Galtier mentions as having un- der his charge on the St. Peter's side of the river the families Faribault, Martin, Lord and two Turpins.

Thus settlement, trade and religion progressed, The full day was just at its dawning; at least, some first, faint beams of light began to gleam. The curtain of the past has descended on the old days at Mendota. On the grand feasts of the braves, who were furnished with an ox to roast before accompanying the traders on an autumal hunt; on the early tribulations of the settlers, as well as on the origin or later whereabouts of many of them.

The Red river carts and the Red river boats, which transported the gains of the traders, have disappeared. Charles St. Antoine, Jack Frazer the half-breed, and Milor the guide, whose strange adventures would fill volumes, are simply remembered names.

The " gallant chiding " of the pack of hounds, kept by General Sibley and Captain Martin Scott, of the Fort, woke such echoes among the bluffs of the two rivers as will scarcely be heard again, while the buffalo and antelope have been driven westward before the approach of civilized hunt- ers. Before advancing further to the period of actual, permanent possession of the whole do- main of this county by the settler some mention must be made of the

INDIAN TREATIES.

The treaty made by Lieut. Pike in 1805, and previously described, included, in the lands ob- tained by it, a part of the territory now em- braced in this county. This land, as previously stated, was ceded for the purposes of a military reservation.

After the building of Fort Snelling in 1826,

when there was an exodus from Lord Selkirks colony, and at other dates, squatters settled upon this reservation. Trouble ensued, and at various times settlers were ejected. An account of the final reduction and sale of the reservation, as well as other pertinent facts, will be found in the article on Fort Snelling. The troubles extended very little into this county, though there were in- terested parties bere.

The treaty of 1887, concluded by Governor Dodge, of Wisconsin, by which the Chippewas ceded the pine valley of the St. Croix and its tributaries, opened the way for new progress everywhere, and filled the hearts of the settlers with hope. The following year all the country east of the Mississippi was open for settlement, and settlers increased. An eager eye was already cast on the lands west of the Mississippi. Ac- cordingly, Governor Doty, of Wisconsin, negoti- ated treaties for the cession of those lands in 1841. The treaty with the lower bands of Sioux was concluded at Mendota. Twenty-five mil- lion acres of land were embraced in these trea- ties, which for some reason failed of confirma- tion by the United States senate.

Any further development of Dakota county was thereby delayed until

THE TREATY OF 1851.

July 29, 1851, the chiefs and principal head men of the Med-e-wa-kan-ton-wan and Wah-pe- kute bands of Sioux met the commissioners of the United States in grand council. The place of meeting was the upper room of the large warehouse at Mendota. The pipe was passed and smoked, and Governor Ramsey made a sensible speech, which was interpreted by Rev. G. H. Pond. + He said that the lands were becoming destitute of game and of little value to the In- dians, owing to that and to the fact that they would soon be surrounded by the whites, the up- per bands having already sold their possessions. He had left his home many times and been a greater distance from it than they were asked to go. They would be paid money, furnished sup- plies to a certain amount, and still live on their own lands, if they acceded to the requests of the government.

Colonel Luke Lea, Indian commissioner, also addressed the council, which was broken up, to

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submit the proposition of the government to the Indians. This was done by the interpreter.

The following day the chiefs objected to the ware house as being too warm, really, writes James M. Goodhue, they were afraid, and confessed it to their friends, that the building would break with their weight, but they were too proud to acknow- ledge this to the commissioners. An arbor was then prepared, under direction of Alexis Bailly, "on the high plain near Pilot Knob," and com- manding a beautiful view.

Little business was accomplished, the Indians hesitating over and over again to part with their lands. Wapasha said: "You gave us this paper (the proposition), and requested us to consider it. We have done so; and now return it. I have nothing more to say." Nor would any Indian say anything, and the council adjourned. Noth- ing was accomplished either the next day.

August 1st, the council again adjourned, the commissioners leaving the chiefs still sitting, in astonishment on the benches. The matter was then discussed and matured outside the council, which was not convened again until August 5th. On that day Wapasha said: "In the treaty I have heard read, you have mentioned farmers, and schools, physicians, traders and half-breeds. To all these I am opposed. When I went to Wash- ington to see the great father, be asked us for our land, and we gave it to him; and he agreed to furnish us with goods and provisions for twenty years. I wish to remain in this country until that time expires."

Col. Lea replied: "Say to the chiefs that I have heard of Wapasha, before I came here. I ex- pected to see a man who was chief and was the friend of this people. I expected to see a man who did not speak with a forked tongue. But we know that he has been talking in a way that shows neither the friend of the white man, nor of the red man. We are satisfied he has been at- tempting to deceive both the Indians and us. We know full well the treaty does not meet his views nor is it what he wants. That would be impossible, for he wants none."

Then some claims were brought forward to be inserted in the treaty. One of $10,000 for Mrs. Lucy, wife of Alexis Bailly. But, said the com- missioners, "You will have the money after the treaty, and can then do as you please with it."

Three sections of land on the site of Six's village, had been donated, in 1837, to Mrs. Bailly, and a manuscript deed executed at the time. This was produced, but the commissioners clung to their "instructions," from the Great Father. "not to write such things in their treaties."

The confirmation of the treaty hung long in doubt. It was solely the surpassing tact of Com- missioner Lea and Governor Ramsey that brought it to a successful close. The Indians spoke many wholesome truths, but they were no match for the shrewd, white diplomats. Finally, Little Crow, first turning to the Indian soldiers lodge, and say- ing "that he was not afraid of any one's killing him, though he should sign the treaty first: for a man had to die sometime, and could die but once." then took his seat and a pen and signed duplicate copies of the treaty. Wapasha next made his mark, and sixty-four chiefs, head-men and warriors, in all, signed the documents.

"By the conditions of this treaty the Med-e-wa- kan-ton-wan and Wah-pe-kute bands of Indians cede and relinquish all their lands in the territory of Minnesota and state of Iowa. In consider- ation whereof, the United States reserve for them a home, of the average width of ten miles, on either side of the Minnesota river, bounded on the west by the Tchay-Tam-bay and Yellow Medi- cing rivers, in the east by the Little Rock river and a line running due south from its mouth to the Little Waraja river, and agrees to pay them the following sums of money: For settling debts and to aid in removal, $220,000; for the erection of buildings, opening of farms, etc .. $30,000; civi- lization fund, annually. $12,000; educational fund, annually, $6,000; goods and provisions, an- nually, $10,000; cash. $30,000.

These annuities continue for fifty years. The introduction of spirituous liquors, within the bor- ders of the ceded territory, is prohibited, until otherwise ordered by the president.

This treaty was ratified by the United States senate in 1852, and the event was signalized by a rapid staking out of claims in many desirable lo- cations. The few first succeeding years saw Da- kota county entirely transformed. From 1853 to 1857-four brief years-the change was indeed remarkable. In that period, Hastings grew from the dimensions and appearance of a New Eng- land farm to those of a flourishing western town.

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SETTLEMENT OF COUNTY.

The lands on the western side of the Missis- sippi had long been coveted, and the town site of Hastings, or Olive Grove, had been held under a trader's license, even previous to the ratification of the treaty. The Baillys, Alexis and Henry G., together with William Felton and family, who came in 1852, were its first settlers.

Eagan and West St. Paul townships had been first settled on by the Indian farmers and mis- sionaries. John Holton was Indian farmer at Kaposia, appointed by Major Taliaferro, in 1887-'8. He was succeeded by David King and A. Robertson. After the treaty of 1851, Miss Jane Williamson laid claim to the old mission site, but failed to hold it, Mr. A. E. Messenger, in 1855, obtaining a part of it. Sylvester M. Cook, in 1851, and John John F. Aiton, in 1852, and others, permanently settled in the township of West St. Paul.

Louis Martin, a Frenchman, had been Indian farmer in Eagan township, soon after the treaty of 1837. Hazen Mooers succeeded him in 1840. Mr. J. W. Brown, Mooers' son-in-law, remained after the treaty of 1851, and was the first settler of Eagan township.

Inver Grove township was settled in 1852, and permanently in 1853, by William Finch and son, Harris Thompson, and others.

Lakeville was settled in 1853. Mr. J. J. Brack- ett was the first settler, but others followed rap- idly. The Sherry brothers, Hugh and Owen, set- tled in Ravenna, in 1852. In the fall of the same year, John Lamphere and others of a party settled in Waterford.

In fact settlements sprang up everywhere, after the ratification of the treaty in 1852. These were only nuclei, widely separated centers, about which gathered soon after a strong, hearty and successful population. The earlier inhabitants of the county, like their descendants, were of va- rious strains of blood.

Irish, English, German and Scandinavian, homes were scattered among those built by the strong-brained, strong-handed sons of New Eng- land. The settlers were all industrious, from necessity, if not from inclination. They were of unsually correct morals, doubtless owing to the fact that they were principally men with families, and came here to found homes. The adventurers, gold hunters, and in fact nearly all of that 14

rougher element usually found in first settle- ments, sought regions further west, usually the gold fields of California. This was particularly fortunate for the county, and is a noticeable feature in the history of the whole state.

The early settlers of the country were, more- over usually poor. It was only because the gov- ernment gave them such unexampled opportuni- ties for pre-empting the most fertile lands in the country, that they left the scenes of their early life, the home of their youth and their fondest traditions, to become pioneers in the wilderness.

It is a well known fact, the knowledge of which is improved by money lenders, that interest rates, in new countries, are invariably high. Most of the early settlers in Dakota county were compelled by stern necessity to become pioneers, and were consequently often victimized by these shrewd operators whose rates were often enorm- ous. The tender of money, at what were then considered low rates, was even looked upon with suspicion; it was considered as the first move- ment in some cunningly devised scheme, which should end disastrously to the borrower. In il- lustration of this, Gen. Sibley relates the follow- ing: "Starting out on a bunting tour from Men- dota one day, he was accosted by three men whose appearance pleased him. They inquired for Mr. Sibley, when it appeared that they wished to enter lands on the Vermillion. A meeting was appointed and the men appeared promptly. The negotiations progressed, but nothing was said as to the rate of interest, until one of the number remarked that fact, and con- tinued: "We have been paying five per cent. per month upon our loans, but that rate appears to us exorbitant: if three per cent. per month, upon the present loans meets with your approval, it will be entirely satisfactory to us."

Mr. Sibley thereupon informed them, laugh- ingly, that he would loan them the money at one and a half per cent. per month, and that he would be debarred from accepting a higher rate of interest, as a matter of principle.

But the settlers were suspicious, and retired to a corner for consultation, eyeing their amused benefactor, meantime, with the sharpness of de- tectives. Finally, however, satisfying themselves that all was well, they accepted the money, and gave in return but a simple receipt.

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One of these men was Alidon Amidon, the first settler of Empire township; and all of them promptly responded to their obligations when asked.

General Sibley furnished money to seventy-five or a hundred early settlers in this county, always on the easiest conditions, and with only one or two exceptions, was repaid promptly and in full. He will be long and justly remembered by them for his humanity and kindness.

But not only was the grip of the St. Paul and eastern money lender generally severe on the struggling settler; it is related that a certain good dominie of the county, himself also a settler, in- spired by the auri sacra fames, came near to the guilt of the children of Mammon.

He had three hundred dollars bequeathed to him by an eastern relative. He visited the money lenders, and learned that he should invest it at five per cent. a month. Also that it was custo- mary to deduct the interest in advance. One day an honest, round-faced German appeared at his door and wished to borrow the casb. Three hundred dollars was the amount he wanted. "For how long "? queried the dominie. "Two years, and am willing to pay the customary rates." "Well then," said the clergyman. " I will loan it to you, for two years, at five per cent. a month, deduct- ing the interest in advance, and you shall secure me by a mortgage on your land." The Teuton signified his assent and intimated that " that was the custom." The dominie figured quietly, and then said in astonishment, "well, you must carry away no money, give me a mortgage on your farm, and owe me sixty dollars."

It is unnecessary to state, that there was a change, in the terms. "How near," said the re- pentant clergyman, afterwards, to a friend, “ did I come to being a rascal."

This anecdote, which is strictly a fact, serves only to show the grasping spirit of the early moneyed men.

Thanks to native industry and courage, added 1

to the natural fertility of the soil, of the county, these scenes are no longer current.

Many of the pioneers came without money, and in order to prove up their pre-emptions, and secure titles to their lands, were forced to pay the high rates of interest demanded by the money- lender.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

RELIGION-EDUCATION-AGRICULTURAL AND FINANCIAL PROGRESS-ROADS-NAVIGATION -MILLS AND MANUFACTURES-RAILROADS- GENERAL DESCRIPTION-RIVERS AND LAKES -ZOOLOGY-CLIMATE.

Who the first settlers were that founded the earliest settlements in Dakota county has already been stated. They were followed by many others whose names will appear in connection with the history of many townships, which it is not in the province of this article to mention. Like their predecessors, they were mainly men and women of strong, sterling qualities, who brought with from their early homes, industrious habits, culti- vated minds, respect for law and veneration for religion. The history of the earliest churches and missionary operations in the county has also been sketched, and it will appear further on in these pages, that the building of churches pro- ceeded at a proportional pace with the building of homes. In the first days of new settlements, however, religious services were held through the devotion of clergymen from the older setlements, who often journeyed for miles to perform their sacred offices. Rev. Timothy Wilcoxson came into the county in 1855 and walked over its ex- tent, in all seasons, to any point where a congre- gation could be gathered. He visited Farming- ton, Rosemount, Lewiston, Lakeville, Nininger and other settlements, never failing to to meet his appointments. He was a remarkable pedestrian and accomplished long distances, even in the roughest winter weather, in an almost incredibly short space of time. On one occasion he was confronted by a huge, gaunt, timber wolf. The reverend gentleman had no weapons but an um- brella and a Testament. The two beings had con- fronted each other on the crest of a knoll, and several seconds of mutual glaring transpired. Then the brute nature began to quail under the subduing power of the human eye. As the ani- mal dropped his head the umbrella was raised with a shout, the Testament was delivered at him with a marked effect, and he retreated with all speed. What with the umbrella and all, doubt-

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less this assault seemed to the denizen of the timber, terrible as that of an army with banners. Traveling was difficult and dangerous in those days at the best. Some lives were lost at the fords in summer, and some in the snows in win- ter. Bishop Whipple, who held religious services in the county occasionally from 1862, was lost in a blizzard near nightfall, while on his way to meet an appointment at "Amidon's" and would have perished miserably, but for the sagacity of his famous horse, Bashaw. The clever animal, by biting and crowding, forced his mate into the right direction, and brought up safely at Ami- don's without the drawing of a rein.

The kindly disposition and generous hospitali- ties of the early settlers, however, made these hardships incident to all missionary efforts, more endurable.

A clergyman, belated on an occasion, remained with a settler for the night. In the morning, on being tendered payment, his host looked really grieved as he replied, "I'm poor, very poor, your reverence, but I hope you don't think I've got to do that!" To suggest payment for the accommo- dation of man and beast, seems to have been re- ceived in a similar spirit generally. It mattered little indeed, who the stranger was, whether clergyman or laymen, he was cordially welcomed and kindly cared for.

The result of the labors of the earlier clergy- men in the county was by no means im- material. Those labors helped to shape the char- acter of the population, and bore fruit in the steady increase of church organizations and church membership. In 1870, the aggregate of the church sittings in the county was 7,200, or about one-half of the entire population; the church organizations numbered thirty, and these were supplied with twenty-three edifices. There were four Baptist churches, one Congregational, one Episcopal, one Evangelical, two Lutheran, eight Methodist, four Presbyterian, and nine Roman Catholic church organizations, owning, in the aggregate, church property to the value of $113,500.

EDUCATION.

The early settlers brought with them not only a veneration for religion, which led them to build churches, but they were also characterized by an earnest sentiment in favor of popular education.

In their minds, as instruments of the general good, religion and education, the Bible and the school, were inseparably connected. The de- grees of religious, educational and social culture, to be found in the new communities of the West, like those in Dakota county, is far in advance of what has often been stated. It is not neces- sary to refer to an unexampled progress for vin- dication in this respect, but it is sufficient to ap- peal to the present status of general refinement, which is, at least, abreast of that to be found in the older East.

The first schools in the county were those taught by the missionaries as early as 1887. These, however, were of little value to the set- tlers. A Canadian by the name of Lejendre is accorded the honor of teaching the first school at Mendota, while early in 1854, in a rude claim shanty, a Mr. Gibson taught the first school at Hastings. School houses were built while as yet there were no more pretentious materials for the purpose than logs, and one of the first acts of the county commissioners, in 1853, was the division of the county into three school districts. These were afterwards multiplied from time to time, and the educational interests of the county en- grossed their full share of public and official at- tention.

In 1874, the statistics of public schools showed a great advance in the educational system of twenty years before. The number of school dis- tricts in the county at this date was ninety-one; there were ninety school houses, of which three were built of brick, two of stone, and eighty-tive of wood, including two log buildings. The ag- gregate value of the school houses in the county was $15,200. The whole number of pupils in the schools was 8,977. The amount paid for teachers' wages $25,240; for fuel and other current school expenses, $4,184; for lots, building, and furnish- ing, $6,084; total, $35,408. Again, in 1880, there was a still further increase in the number of at- tendants, and of school districts, as well as in all the general items mentioned above. The num- ber of school districts was then 100, the number of school houses ninety-two, and the number of scholars enrolled 4,872. There are five graded schools in the county, four at Hastings and one at Farmington. The county contains, also, sev-

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eral parochial schools, in some of which instruc- tion is given in German.

AGRICULTURAL AND FINANCIAL PROGRESS.

Out of the bosom of the earth comes primally, not only the sustenance of the race, but also all the material of wealth. The calling of the farmer, most ancient and most honorable, is, moreover, most important. The prosperity of Dakota county is mainly due to its exceptional adaptation to agricu""re, and the steady im- provement of its fertile lands. The Sioux, who formerly inhabited it, cultivated corn, cucumbers and pumpkins in a small way, and in 1834 Rev. G. H. Pond endeavored to teach them to plow. Jean Baptiste Faribault cultivated a few acres at Mendota in 1826, or shortly afterward, and after the treaty of 1837, Indian farmers were appointed for Black Dog's village and Kaposia. Their names have already been given.

The first attempts at agriculture by the later settlers were not made with the homely imple- ments of the earlier eastern husbandmen, but were inaugurated, much to their advantage, with most of the modern and improved implements at hand. Neither were they required in many in- stances to clear away heavy growths of primeval forest, before their seed-time and their harvest could begin. The virgin soil was ready for the plow and waited only for an overturning into the genial sunlight, and for the scattering of seed, to bring food, if not plenty to the pioneer.

Many of the settlers, who came in the spring, made it their first duty to plow and to sow, post- poning the building of what were called their houses, until the late summer season or the early fall.

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History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 36

Author: J. Fletcher Williams Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: J. Fletcher Williams
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: