History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 46

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

USA > Minnesota > Dakota County > History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 46

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"In the winter of 1852, I occupied a claim, afterwards called Barker's addition, which was in controversy between Dr. Foster and Alexis Bailly. My shanty in the woods, down by the slough was noted for its beautiful interior and real comforts. The house was 12x14 feet, eight feet high, chinked with moss, and with a quarter pitch roof. The bed chamber was the attic, neatly decorated as a gorgeous tent, and as tasty as a refined and delicate lady could make it; and after once reaching it, in its seclusion, with a

beautiful and honorable wife. the wealth of In- dia could have added nothing to make the bower more happy, or of more contentment. After de- scending from the attic in the morning, the lad- der ascending thereto, was taken out of doors, and we stood in the little parlor. Soon a curtain was withdrawn from a corner of the room, where, for a brief period, half of the room was converted into a kitchen, which soon disappeared, so that a stranger coming in could never dream that we ever ate or slept in that sweet shanty home."

THE FIRST JUSTICE, FIRST MARRIAGE AND' FIRST BIRTH.

"In the year 1852," Parker continues: "I was appointed justice of the peace, with a jurisdiction extending in Wabasha county, from Pine Bend, fifteen miles below St. Paul, on the Miss- issippi river to the Iowa line, and westward to the Missouri, and as a justice, I married Stephen Graham, to Jeanette Felton (in 1854), the first white couple, who were joined in union in that vicinity. April 17th, 1853, Cora E. Parker, my daughter was born in the Dr. Foster house, she being the first white child that saw the light at Olive Grove. I may add, that in the year 1870, she was the first white lady who got married at Duluth, Minnesota."

Parker, with those already named, complete the list of the settlers of 1852.

They were few in number, but happy and con- tented. There was very little society to be sure, but when mankind got "near to natures heart," as they must do, when living in cabins and in the wilderness, it is remarkable, with what a little of any further companionship, they are satisfied. Still it is under those very circumstances, that they are the most free hearted, most generous and hospitable to the stranger.

AN INTERESTING AGREEMENT.

Up to September, 1852, the Baillys were in- terested alone in the town site of Olive Grove. At least, that was the case to all outward appear- ance. September 25th, 1852, an "agreement was made and recorded at Mendota, to the following effect, between Alexis Bailly, H. G. Bailly, H. H. Sibley and Alexander Faribault. The first two persons sold to the last two, for one hundred dol- lars, one half interest in the two claims, "each of hundred and sixty acres," and "one fronting on

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the Mississippi river," which the Baillys "had made at Olive Grove, and known respectively as the Olive Grove and Farm claims." The agree- ment recognizes the contemplation of laying out a town plat on the aforesaid claims, and provides that any deeds of lots thereafter given, shall be signed by all the parties to the agreement or by their duly authorized agents; also for the erection "of a dwelling and outbuildings, suitable for a public house or tavern," in the future town, "should it be deemed best for the interest of those concerned, by general consent."

"It is further agreed upon and understood that when surveyed by the government, and exposed to public sale, according to law and usage, the land comprised within the said claims shall be pur- chased and paid for by the parties hereto, in equal proportion, and the certificate and patent there- for shall be taken out in the name of the said parties hereto, or that of their legal heirs or as- signs."

The above document was witnessed by Martin McLeod and W. G. R. Paulet, and the acknow- ledgement taken by Hypolite Dupuis, justice of the peace, at Mendota. That agreement affected the settlers of Olive Grove very little, in the win- ter of 1852-53. An Indian squaw pitched her lodge near the Feltons, and with her little Indian girls was Mrs. Felton's most frequent caller, and principal lady visitant. Whether the calls were as brief as those of to-day, or not, they were cer- tainly far more taciturn.

THE YEAR 1853.

This year brought many newcomers, and really marks the first effective breaking of the seals, set by primitive and untamed nature upon Olive Grove. In February, Bruno Paul, a Frenchman, came from Point Douglas, and lived in a log house put up adjoining Dr. Fosters, and belong- ing to Alexis P. Bailly. Paul soon removed to what was afterwards Barker's addition, and E. F. Parker occupied the Bailly house. A.P. Bailly afterwards came himself and resided here for some years. He is at present a resident of Wa- basha.

Thomas Howes, the first blacksmith, a native of England, came to the Vermillion river in the spring of 1853, and took a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in section 33. Here he built the

first blacksmith shop in this vicinity. He first introduced generally the arts of Tubal Cain, and was much resorted to by the early settlers, for the sharpening of their plows.

THE FIRST DEATH

Was that of a little child. in the Howes family, the year of their arrival. The Feltons attended the funeral, with an ox team, and the little one was buried on the Vermillion.

O. T. Hayes, genial and long to be remembered, located a claim in section 32, and extending to the river. Here he bought out the interests of the Feltons, who had previously marked out their boundaries. Mr. Hayes brought his family the following year.

In 1858, the Allison family came. William S., the father, made a claim extending in both sec- tions 28 and 29. William E., his son, and Re- becca, his daughter, made claims in section 28. Robert Allison, another son, now in Arkansas, settled in sections 32 and 33, and his claim em- braced the Ennis mill site. Morrison, his brother, now in Chicago, settled on section 20. James Main took Van Rensalaer's place in hold- ing the claim at the upper falls of the Vermillion, for Justus C. Ramsey, while Elbert H. Halstead and brother, carpenters, bought out the Osborne interest at the lower falls.

In 1853, also, came a young man, Gibson, from Baltimore, described as a "gentleman" and son of slaveholding parents. He boarded at the Buck- horn, where he was much liked, but he never in- tended to make settlement here.

James C. Dow, Hastings' first editor, came from Concord, N. H., this year as a lawyer. M. O. W. Truax, first deputy sheriff in the county, was another comer, while P. T. Chamberlain, a son-in-law of the Feltons, came from Pennsyl- vania, and Elijah Wilson, a pilot on the Missis- sippi, and afterwards son-in-law of the Feltons, came about the same time. The latter settlers made claims in Nininger, but for a time boarded at the Buckhorn, which had become a general resort.

Although these settlers had come in, it must be remembered, that no houses were built this year, except shanties on claims, mostly outside of the town. The site of Hastings was covered with burr oaks, and in the low places, hazel,

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CITY OF HASTINGS-EARLY EVENTS.

alder and Kinnikinick bushes. There were no streets, and everything centered about the Buck- horn, which, with its live stock, presented much the appearance of a primitive New England farm, except that such a farm would be adorned with better buildings.

THE FIRST FRAME BUILDING

Was erected this year, and is known as the Bailly warehouse. It still stands, fronting the alley in block 3, and with its rear to the levee. It is two stories high and about thirty-five feet by eighty feet on the ground. It has a basement opening on the river, and solidly laid up with limestone. It was built by the town proprietors, as indicated by the agreement above, and completed in the fall. One Knox, a contractor from St. Paul, was the builder, and the Halsteads assisted in the carpenter work.

The Baillys put in a stock of goods and con- tinued as merchants until 1856. At that date Levi Hertzell, a heavy dealer of Point Douglas, took the " warehouse." It was necessary in these days to stock up in the fall sufficiently to last until the opening of navigation in the spring.

Mr. Hertzell left Hastings in 1857 to buy his stock, having, on his person, some $40,000. He was never seen or heard from after that date, and undoubtedly was the victim of some dark crime, actuated by a lust for spoils. In 1857 Smith and Monser were established in Mr. Hertzell's quarters.

Henry G. Bailly was manager of the "ware- house." His Indian life had made him indolent. A customer asking for an article was directed to "look for it," and on finding it made his own change and did up his own bundles.

Life in those old days was very "easy," not- withstanding its sometime hardships.

THE TOWN IS SURVEYED AND NAMED.

In 1853 John Blakely, surveyor, and assisted by young Gibson, both previously and hereafter mentioned, "platted" the town. Mr. Blakely drew the plat roughly, from his field notes, and it was redrawn by Charles L. Emerson and sent to New York, to the lithographer. The survey was made under direction of Alexis Bailly, "agent for the Olive Grove claim." The plat was received from New York early in 1854.

After the survey the question of a name arose.

Mr. Bailly, Sr., wished to call it Sibley, after one of the honored proprietors. General Sibley would not consent. Olive Grove was suggested, but Dr. Foster scouted the idea of an olive grove in this rigorous climate. Finally, the four pro- pretors each put a name into a hat, on a slip of paper, and Hastings, the middle name of General Henry Hastings Sibley, was drawn and adopted by universal consent. From this time on, there- fore, we bid adieu to "Olive Grove," and its use as a name for the still undeveloped "paper" town.

FIRST AGRICULTURAL ATTEMPTS-"THE FARM CLAIM."

In the year 1853, Henry G. Bailly had built him a private residence, of logs, principally, now in use by J. A. Ennis, as a constituent part of the beautiful edifice which marks its place in ad- dition 13.

"The Farm Claim" was the east 160 acres of what is now that addition. Sixty-five acres were broken, in 1853, and Mr. William Felton attended to the land, raising from it, various of the ordi- nary crops. This was the first "farming." in the region, west of the river, except we consider an acre or more of potatoes and vegetables which had been cultured by the Baillys in 1852, as com- ing under that head.

The same year D. W. Truax and John Blakely, owning a breaking team, in company, broke land on Abraham Truax's claim, and enough to hold the claim where James Lyons now lives.

FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

These were held in 1853, first by Father Ravoux, Catholic priest, from St. Paul, who said mass at the "Buckhorn," and later in the same year, by Rev. T. R. Cressey, Baptist clergyman, who preached at the same place.

The Feltons knew no difference between "Tyrian and Trojan," and the walls of their cabin reflected alike the tones of the Protestant preacher, or re-echoed the holy mass.

SOME EVENTS AND SETTLERS OF 1854.

With the opening of navigation, settlers came in greater numbers than previously. The Buck- horn tavern refused to serve longer, as church, court of justice, hotel and private dwellings. It seems incredible that forty-three people could re- main of a night, in the pent-up compass of its

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walls. Nevertheless, such is the fact. Men slept under the table, on the floor, and on the table. Accordingly, in the spirit of the "agreement arti- cles," the town proprietors proceeded to erect the New England house. Mr. Knox was again the con- tractor and the first legitimate "tavern," was lo- cated at the corner of what are now Sibley and Second streets on the site of the post-office build- ing. It was a frame building of two stories and is at present occupied by John Van Slyke as a residence, it having been removed to Ninth street. It had no sign except the word, "Hotel,' but was called the Dakota House, but, soon after, the New England house; by which name it is universally known.

In June, 1854, David Barker and family came to Hastings from Prescott, Wisconsin, and took up quarters as the first exclusive hotel keepers. They occupied the Dakota House until the fol- lowing year, when M. O. W. Truax succeeded them. Hotels never lacked for custom, and dur- ing the years '54, '55 and '56 it was often an ex- ceedingly difficult matter to find lodgings, there was such an influx of all castes, conditions, and characters, in search of business, homes and land.

The first blacksmith shop in the " town " was built by Michael McAvoy in 1854. It was built of logs and occupied a place on Second street, in block 4. Its proprietor was chipper and cheery, a good workman, and when chal- lenged, did not hesitate to try conclusions with whoever should cast the gauntlet at his feet. An- other settler of 1854, was Jas. Lyons, a native of Redfield, Maine. He had come to St. Paul in 1851, and worked in a saw-mill at that place. But in the third year thereafter he floated a raft of lumber down the river to Hastings Landing. Embarked upon it, were his family, with their cooking stove, as well as his domestic animals, consisting of a cow and cat.

Mr. Lyons had the make-up of a genuine pio- neer, and, being unable to hire a team for the purpose, he carried the lumber with which to build his house on his back one mile and a quar- ter to his claim, on the Vermillion, in the south- west quarter of section 33. Here .he built the first house in that immediate neighborhood, where he still lives.

A. M. Hayes, brother of O. T., and like him, a

lawyer by profession, came to Hastings in 1854, and made a claim in section 32, border- ing the Vermillion river, and adjoining his brother's. He became quite a prominent man in the town, afterwards serving as a member of the second state legislature in 1859-'60. He died in 1868, and is well remembered.

William White, a carpenter, also came this year, and added his mechanical skill to the grow- ing town. Previous to his arrival, however, we must note that of William Lee, who figured as the first contractor and builder at Hastings, and the first carpenter after the Halsteads, who set- tled on the Vermillion. Mr. Lee settled on a strip of land, running just east of the center and entirely across section 29. Here he found trees, with the name cut upon them " Rebecca Allison." Miss Allison, not being the head of a family, had no pre-emption rights, however, and Mr. Lee en- tered into the undisturbed possession of his claim. The lady was well known to all the set- tlers of the early days, and appears to have been quite a favorite in the early society. She after- wards married a gentleman from Chicago, where she still resides. Lake Rebecca perpetuates, as it bears her name.

Chauncey Johnson and family are also found among the settlers of 1854. They came from Ohio, and took claims within the present limits of both Hastings and Marshan.

The same year, Pliny Stowell made a claim in section 33. He came in June, and in the au- tumn, returned to Massachusetts for his family. Dow, father of James C. Dow, accompanied by Emory Burgess, came from Concord, New Hamp- shire, in 1854, and built themselves frame resi- dences at Hastings. Silas Baldwin, who returned to Illinois, also came in 1854, and settled in the corner of Second and Ramsey streets.

John Van Hoesen completes the list and serves as authority for the census of that year. IIe is a native of New York state, and arrived at Hast- ings, November 9th. He lived on the levee from that time until February of the next year, when he made a claim in sections 32 and 33. On his ar- rival in 1854, Van Hoesen states that the popu- lation of Hastings, consisted of seventy-two whites, and that there were eight hundred Sioux Indians in the vicinity, three hundred above, and five hundred below the site of the present city

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CITY OF HASTINGS-EARLY BUILDINGS.

These seventy-two white people formed but a few families, and the frame dwellings could easily be counted on the fingers of one hand. New comers who did not sojourn at the hotel, erected tempo- rary and rudely constructed huts, which they soon abandoned. They then usually departed to claims made outside the present limits of the city. Thus for several years, there was some- thing of a floating population. But this was more noticeable in the years of 1855-'56, when immigration was at its height.

The condition of the streets and of the land now occupied by buildings, moreover, was dis- couraging in the extreme in 1854.

Hastings had then the reputation of an exceed- ingly muddy town. From the corner of Second street on the southern side, and extending to Vermillion street, there was a bog formidable enough to compel passers to seek the edge of the bench of land extending to Third street, rather than to traverse the bog. It was covered by a growth of alder, hazel and kinnikinick bushes, and presented a far different appearance after having been cleared of its rank growth and filled in and made substantial soil for the erec- tion of comely blocks. The burr oaks and un- derbrush as well as the swampy places were then in many localities regnant where the skill and toil of enterprising men have since wrought an almost incredible transformation.

EARLY BUILDINGS AND BUSINESS ENTER- PRISES.

In 1854, William Felton built the first wharf on the levee at Hastings, and the same year es- tablished a ferry across the Mississippi. He fixed the rate of crossing at ten cents, and at the com- mencement of his experiment earned nothing. But the tide of immigration setting in strongly, soon afterwards, he reports from eight to fifteen dollars as the receipts for a single day.

Hastings began to grow rapidly in 1854-'55, and business enterprises sought encouragement at this point.

The Bailly warehouse and "hotel" have already been described as having been built respectively in 1853 and '54. The third frame building erected and the first frame, private dwelling, was built . by William Lee, for O. T. Hayes, on the cor- ner of Second and Vermillion streets, in block

13. Messrs. Burgess and Dow, each built them- selves residences on Second street, block 12, but V they were set back near to the alley. Silas Baldwin, previously mentioned, was the next to build a private frame residence, which occupied the corner of block 18, and was the nucleus of the . present Tremont house. All these dwellings were erected in 1854, and in the order named.

No business houses were built this year, to rival the Bailly warehouse, but the year 1855 fol- lowing, saw Hastings developed into an important business center.

The first business house after that of the Baillys, was probably that of C. W. Smith, who opened a stock of " Yankee notions," and also did something of a millinery business, on Ramsey street, across the alley, in block 15.

About the same time, if not a very little before, Messrs. North and Claflin built the stone ware- house now occupied by the "Gazette" office. in the rear of bleek three. They were commission and general merchants.

Mr. Belden opened a stock of general merchan- dise soon after, in block four, on Second street, and occupying the present site of Mr. McHugh's building.

H. Butteroff, who still pursues his calling in Hastings, was the first furniture dealer of the town, and located across the alley, on Ramsey street, in block 14. Peter Smith, the pioneer jeweler of the county, also occupied a portion of the same building with Mr. Butteroff.

Campbell and Van Duzee occupied the corner of Ramsey and Second streets, where the Centen- nial block of Frank Yanz now exposes its fine front. Bement and Riley were among the earliest firms, and located on lot 8, of block 14, on Ram- sey street.

The first hardware store was opened by Wal- wrath and Baker, on lot five, of block two. They sold out not long after to Messrs. Blodgett and Pringle.

. The first liverymen were the Childs Brothers, Clark and Henry, who began business on the present site of Strauss hall, on Second street.

Block twelve, corner of Second and Vermillion streets, was occupied by Lee and Day's carpenter shop.

J. J. McVey opened the first tailoring estab- lishment, on the east side of Ramsey street.

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The first drug-store was established by G. W. Edison, on Second street, and one side of the building was occupied by Mr. Tripp, the pioneer clothier. The site of the building was that now occupied by the Pierson millinery store.

All these were business enterprises of 1855, and marked the beginning of an era of business prosperity, which has already been long, and which has justified the expectations of the former days. This year, 1855, also marks the com- mencement of the milling interest, as respects both flour and lumber, at the falls and on the levee. But an account of this is reserved for its proper place.

Altogether the growth of Hastings was rapid, yet substantial, throughout 1855. The first of January, 1856, saw a population of quite seven hundred, most of whom had gathered at this point within one year.

Such was the change which had come over this favored spot on the western shore of the Miss- issippi.

The prairies, throughout the county, fairly laughed with fertility and paid their tribute to the husbandman, who in turn paid tribute to the town. Commerce climbed the river and wedded Minnesota to the gulf states and the east. Prosperity drew her scepter over all this youthful country, in which Labor was the sole potentate and the plow the one great instrument of conquest.

- But the year 1856, was the crowning one in the growth of Hastings. From the date of the opening of navigation, to the 1st of the month of July, there were seventy-three stone and frame houses built in the town, beside some one hun- dred of a temporary character, which gave way in the autumn to durable and tasty residences. New enterprises were established, Mr. Campbell . reported twelve hundred dollars as his trade for a single day. Mr. Hertzell reported twelve thous- and dollars as his trade in Hastings for the month of March. Everything was thriving, ac- tive and progressive. Money flowed from one hand to another, cheerfulness was everywhere prevalent and the citizens of Hastings, hopeful and sanguine for the future of their town.

A school census was taken toward the close of that year, and shows the population to have doubled, almost trebled in the number of the pop- ulation, in the year previous. The Hastings

Journal gives the result as follows: "The census of Hastings was taken during the last week in December, 1856, and the first week in January, 1857, including one school district, or the town proper. The actual residents only have been in- cluded. The several hotels have not been called upon to give the number of strangers, or travel- ers, the average to keep over night, as is usual in western census-taking. The families of many of the business men of the place have not yet arrived, but will be here in the early spring. None of those have been included in the count, neither have several of the most prominent business men, whose families reside on the other side of the river, been included. The result as compared with the two former years is as follows: Two years ago there were a trifle over one hundred persons in the place; one year ago less than six hundred and fifty.

"According to the census recently taken there are four hundred and twenty-five scholars, be- tween the ages of four and twenty-one years. There are seven hundred and ten minors. There are twelve hundred and eight persons of full age. There are seven hundred and eighty females, and eleven hundred and thirty-eight males. Whole number of inhabitants, nineteen hundred and eighteen. Of this number, twelve hundred and eighty came in since the opening of the river navigation, April 18th, 1856; more than two- thirds. More than three-fourths of all the buildings in this place have been erected since that time."

During the years 1857 and '58, there was an era of hard times. The financial crash that visited all parts of the country alike in the former year, and has passed into its general history, was especially severe in this new country, where rates of interest were high and money in great demand. Speculation had become almost a frenzy, previ- ously, and it was often a most melancholy truth that men were "land poor." Five per cent. per month was paid upon notes, after their maturity, and consequently debts would double themselves in twenty months. Twenty thousand dollars in gold was offered for a lot that was afterwards fore- closed for a $500 mortgage," and yet Hastings grew in many ways, notwithstanding all this. The Hastings Independent of July 25, 1857, notes the making of several improvements and the erec- tion of several buildings. It also speaks proudly

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History of Dakota County and the City of Hastings, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 46

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

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