USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96
Nothing can be more detrimental to the devel- opment of a new State than a system which creates and fosters monopolies. It erushes out the enter- prises of individuals having but limited capital; it prevents that healthy growth of competition which builds up our towns and cities, as well as our agri- eultural interests, and which constitutes the only safe basis for a rapid and permanent development, and all past experience bas taught us that as fast as monopolies are established and individual enter- prise is repressed, our farmers, merchants, manu- facturers, and citizens generally are too often forced to sell their produce for less than its actual value, and as often compelled to pay more for the necessaries of life than would be the case if freights and facilities for transportation were furnished to all upon equal terms, and a healthy competition thereby established.
The recent heavy losses entailed upon the farm- ers by the sudden and arbitrary ebange in the established grades of wheat by a few capitaists art- ing in the interest, or ostensibly, of the millers of the central portion of the State, is but another evidence of the necessity of compelling, by legal enactment, where sneh can be safely devised, the adoption of a policy less grasping in its selfishness, and more in accord with the spirit of justice. It is an insult to your intelligence to assert that the grade of wheat cannot be safely and justly estab- by legal enactment, while whisky is, and has been so graded for years. Had the grain producers of the State combined to establish the grade of wheat for their own profit and without regard to the rights or interests of the millers, we may safely conclude that the Millers' Association would not have hesitated long in applying to the law making power for relief and protection from unjust dis- crimination. The Millers' Association has assumed. arbitrarily, to establish the grade to suit them- selves, by combining with foreign buyers; and
325
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
with the railway companies they have been ena- bled to enforce their grade upon the farmers. They could not be expected to exercise such a power impartially, representing as they do only one of the parties in interest. They have assumed to exercise it, nevertheless, and the results have been felt by our farmers most oppressively. Having done this once they may be relied upon to do it as often as may suit their convenience, and with the same slight regard for justice or the interests of others, unless checked by the law-making power. We must firmly, thoughi temperately, demand of our law-makers that they exercise their un- doubted authority to settle by legal enactment. and in a spirit of equity and justice to all parties in interest, this question which one party without legal authority lias assumed to settle with such gross and selfish injustice, and if it should prove necessary to curb the powers of our railway cor- porations in order to prevent them from aiding and abetting this or similar arbitrary and unjust schemes, then this also must be required.
In bringing your case before the people your committee would most earnestly press upon you the importance of couching your demands in tem- perate and moderate language. In appealing to the people for justice, see that you are guilty of no injustice. In securing protection, see to it that you do not become oppressors. In placing your own wrongs before the public, endeavor most sed- ulously to avoid wronging others. Under all circumstances let your conduct and language be such as will convince your opponents that, while you fully appreciate your position as the repre- sentatives of the leading industry and interest of Minnesota, you recognize the railroad, milling, and manufacturing interests of the State as only subordinate to the agricultural interests in a pecuniary sense; that your several interests are so inextricably interwoven that one cannot be injured without ultimately reflecting injury upon all, and that your sole purpose is to procure such legislation as will secure to each and every citizen protection against the oppressions that inevitably result from the unjust discriminations of which you complain.
The constitutions of the State and of the United States guarantee to every citizen equal rights before the law. The policy and the management of our corporations, whose chartered existence is by the power of the law, must be made to conform
to the principles of the constitution. These prin- ciples must be enforced against all who would oppress. The hardships and injustice of the past, forecasting as they do an ominous future, if these abuses are allowed to grow, seem imperatively to demand prompt aud determined action in securing our inalienable rights of equality and justice before the law, and from all the creatures of the law.
The combined interests of every right minded citizen demand with a force equally imperative that the forms we would inaugutate should not be dwarfed or restricted by the narrowed inter- este, or weakened by the advocacy of a single class or calling. "Equal Rights" for the few, too often degenerate into oppression for the many. Demands for "equal rights and exact justice to all," have never yet in this land been successfully resisted, nor will they ever be opposed, save by those whose selfishness or avarice is greater than their patriotism.
The wide-spread corruption and extravagance, and the too common incompetence of public officials, are also common evils which call for immediate remedy, and here also your interests as a class and as individuals are identical with those of every citizen who does not live by dis- honest means.
Your committee, while convinced of the necessity of your united action in support of these reforms, is deeply impressed with the importance of your moving in the matter, controlled only by the broadest and most liberal views. In seeking public reform neither class associations nor secret societies can ever hope successfully to lead ; it matters not what the class may be, whether tar- mers, artisans, mechanics, manufacturers, or atı aristocracy either of descent or wealth, the legis- lation moulded by a class will surely end in arrogating to the class in power, privileges or immunities that will be but public robberies or public oppressions.
Bear also in mind that however pure and noble may be the object sought to be attained by a secret association, those who are not admitted to its conclaves are necessarily ignorant of their motives, and ignorance begets distrust and sus- picion. The American people are wisely jealous of secret associations when they discover them endeavoring to secure political power or special legislation. A natural good sense, love of liberty
326
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY
and justice, a desire to do what is right and fair for all, characterizes our citizens, both native and foreign, and constitutes them a safe tribunal for appeal where public benefits or reforms are desired. If these premises are correct, it follows that political success through the Patrons of Hus- bandry cannot be expected, and onght not to be desired. Neither would it be wise to act solely as farmers. These questions appeal to your citizen- ship for solution, and you can never hope success- fully to accomplish their settelment, except by your joint action as citizens, with citizens of all classes and nationalities, using the organizing and harmonizing powers of the order to aid the cit- izens' organizations in working for the public good.
The members of the Grange should never lose sight of the great fact that the prosperity of a nation must be dependent upon, and indeed con- sists in the prosperity of her citizens as a whole, and not in the prosperity of a single class, not even when that class constitutes a majority of the people. As a rule, the greater the variety of industries, the greater and more enduring the prosperity. Above all things you especially should bear in mind that the sucesss of the pro- ducer is proportioned to the number of consum- ers, and the nearer the consumers are to the pro- ducers the greater the profit. Your financial interests are enhanced by the building up of home . markets and local interest, mechanical, manufac- turing, and commercial, should be encouraged by yon, for these increase the consumption and price of your products, and decrease the cost of your supplies. The ignoring of a wise and generous policy in this direction at a time when the inex- perience of the Grange led to its capture by dem- agogues, arrayed against you all other classes of your fellow-citizens. For the future we must ad- vise with them, act with, and, more important still, for them and their interests, conjointly with our own, ever exercising the greatest prudence and caution in the establishment of our own rights, that we do not trespass upon the rights of others, and trusting implicitly, as we assuredly may, that in working for the general good, we cannot fail to reap our share of the general prosperity. It would be unpatriotic to work for less, it would be extremely selfish to strive for more.
CHAS. W. BALLARD, W. G. BARNES, GEO. H. PRESCOTT, B. W. PRITCHARD,
. Com.
The following song, by Mrs. Mary F. Tucker, of Omro, Wis., received the prize from thn Na- tional Grange of Patrons of Husbandry, as being the best song for the order. Mrs. Tucker had many able competitors. and the decision in her favor was made by Mr. Alden, of Harper's Maga- zine. We give the song for the benefit of our many Grange readers:
" "Tis ours to guard a sacred trust, We shape a heaven-born plan;
The noble purpose, wise and just, To aid our fellow man.
From Maine to California's slope, Resounds the reaper's song ;
" We come to build the nation's hope, To slay the giant Wrong."
Too long have Avarice and Greed, With eoffers running o'er,
Brought sorrow, and distress and need To Labor's humble door.
From Maine to California's slope, Resounds the reaper's song;
" We come to build the nation's hope, To slay the giant Wrong."
A royal road to place and power Have rank and title been;
We herald the auspicious hour, Wheu honest Worth may win.
From Maine to California's slope, Resounds the reaper's song;
" We come to build the nation's hope, To slay the giant Wrong."
Let every heart and hand unite In the benignant plan;
The noble purpose just and right,
To aid our fellow man.
From Maine to California's slope, Resounds the reaper's song;
" We come to build the nation's hope, To slay the giant Wrong." "
Accounts of township Granges appear in their proper places.
In the summer of 1882, a pic-nic was held at Itasca of which here is the newspaper account: . "THE COUNTY GRANGE FEAST .- A very pleasant and enjoyable time was spent at Mr. and Mrs. Dominick's residence-on Dr. Burnham's farm - last Tuesday by the Grangers of the county. Nearly every Grange in the county was represen- ted, even though the weather was thratening and farmers generally busy haying. The session of the county grange was held in the forenoon when the - business thereof was transacted. At one o'clock those present sat down to a sumptuous feast, the long table under a lot of magnificent trees, so in- vitingly spread with good things of this world, which had been prepared by the thrifty wives and daughters of the members of the grange, was greatly relished and enjoyed by the participators.
327
RAILROADS.
The merry laugh and cheery conversation of the Patrons as they feasted on the bounties of Provi- dence, was refreshing and did one's soul good to behold.
After dinner speech making was in order. Various subjects having been assigned to a num- ber of enterprising Patrons for discussion. First on the list being "Onion Culture," which was well handled by Mr. Daniel Prescott, of Oak Hill Grange, who has had long experience in raising onions, and the many valuable suggestions of the aged gentleman will no doubt be of profit to his listeners.
"Potatoe Culture," by W. G. Barnes of Shell Rock, was the next subject, which proved an in- teresting theme for discussion. Mr. Barnes has ten acres of potatoes and related his mode of planting, cultivating, and care of the same. Senator Johnson, G. H. Prescott, and others also spoke on this subject, giving valuable hints.
J. C. Frost, of Oak Hill Grange, handled the subject of "Market Gardening and Strawberry Culture" in a manner that elicited much interest that will be valuable to all his hearers. Mr. Frost has been remarkably successful in both the above branches of agriculture, and spoke from actual experience.
E. K. Pickett, of Itasca, handled the subject of the "Grange on Politics," without gloves, giving his views straight from the shoulder. Above all things, said Mr. Pickett, we should not be bound to any party with such strong ties that should prevent us from voting for the best men-regard- less of party Mr. Pickett is an independent thinker and holds radical views on most all sub- jects, and is disposed to look upon the present management of governmental affairs with dis- trust. Although we differ with Mr. Pickett in many of his views, yet we give him credit for be- ing honest, admiring his frankness and out- spoken sentiments. Dr. Ballard gave a very in- teresting account of the condition of the agricul- tural classes in England, and observations of his trip through that country. Judge Bartlett, Rev. Mr. Gowdy, Dr. Burnham, and others made short speeches and everything passed off very pleasantly, the meeting closing with singing, after which the Patrons dispersed and started for their various homes, feeling that it had been good to be there. The next general meeting of the Grange will be held the fore part of October, due notice of which will be given hereafter."
RAILROADS.
The county may be said to be well supplied with railroads, as there is an east and west line, a north and south line, and a line running from Albert Lea in a southwest direction. The South- ern Minnesota road, which is so intimately con- nected with this region in its earlier history, and which was the first to open up the county to steam transportation, will be more fully sketched than the others, which have been constructed since railroad building was much easier than for- merly.
THE SOUTHERN MINNESOTA RAILROAD .- This trunk line started as the Root River Valley road, finally assumed its present name, and is now a division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company's system of roads, which is said to have the largest number of miles of any road in America under one management.
It has its eastern terminus at La Crosse, and entering Fillmore county at Rushford, follows the Root River as far as Lanesboro. Here it extends toward the west with a southern deflection, and leaves the county near the center of the western boundary. It has stations at convenient distances along the route. The early history of this enter- prise is one crowded with vicissitudes.
Soon after Brownsville, in Houston county, was settled, a charter was obtained with the mouth- filling title of " Mississippi & Missouri Railroad Company." That road was to start up the Wild- cat Valley, and it proved to be a "wild cat" scheme, coming into the world in a still-born con- dition.
The Root River Valley Railroad Company was organized under territorial auspices. Clark W. Thompson, of Hokah, T. B. Twiford, of Chat- field, and T. B. Stoddard, of La Crosse, and their associates, whoever they were, kept the breath of life in this corporation for several years.
On the 3rd of November, 1856, it having got to be the "Root River and Southern Minnesota Com- pany," the officers met at their usual headquarters in Chatfield, and the places of directors whose terms of office had expired were filled; the board then stood as follows: Clark W. Thompson, Presi- dent; C A Stevens, Vice-President ; H. L. Edwards, Secretary ; T. B. Twiford, Treasurer, H. W. Hol- ley, Chief Engineer. The Executive Committee were T. B. Twiford, Edward Thompson, T. B. Stoddard, William B. Gere, and T. J. Stafford.
328
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
Soon after this a survey was made by the chief engineer, H. W. Holley, from the Mississippi River to llokah.
On the 8th of December, 1856, a public meet- ing of those favorable to the construction of the road was held in Chatfield. The meeting was called to order by Wm. B. Gere, who stated the objects of the meeting, and gave a brief history of the enterprise, stating that it was chartered in 1854, and that $50,000 had been subscribed to the stock. G. W. Willis was appointed chairman of the meeting, and Edward Dexter was selected for Secretary. Earnest speeches were made by several gentlemen. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions to defray the expenses of an agent to Washington, to secure, if possible, congressional aid in the form of a land grant. It was understood that this committee succeeded in raising about $1,300 in Chatfield, and James M. Cavanaugh, afterwards member of Congress, was appointed to proceed to Washington and look after a land grant. The thanks of the meeting were voted to Col. Thomas B. Stoddard of La Crosse, for his untiring energy in the service of the enterprise.
It will thus be seen what service was done by Chatfield during the struggling infancy and weakness of this corporation, and how remorse- lessly it was passed by when the company had secured strength and power. Ingratitude is the most despicable sin that exists. The land grant passed Congress, and became a law on the last day of President Pierce's administration, on the 4th of March, 1857, and was among the last bills signed by the New Hampshire President. As there were other similar land grants for roads in various parts of the territory, an extra session of the Legislature was called by Governor Gorman, to meet on the 10th of May, 1857, to pass the ap- propriate acts on the subject.
On the 3d of April the railroad company had a meeting at La Crescent, and a survey by the Chief Engineer, Mr. Holley, was ordered te be made at once, to begin at or near St. Peter, and to run thence east to LaCrosse. The party accor- dingly started to make this survey from Chatfield to St. Peter, on the 6th of April, 1857. At the meeting of the Legislature it granted to the Southern Minnesota Railroad Company the land pertaining to the line from LaCrescent to Roches-
ter, also from St. Paul up the Minnesota valley to the lowa State line.
The survey from St. Peter to LaCrescent was completed early in June, but in the meantime a transfer of the stock of the company had been made by the directors to a Wisconsin company, the Milwaukee and LaCrosse, which continued the survey, but did nothing whatever in the way of grading. And thus it remained, until in 1858. The five million loan bill became a law, and then the company graciously graded twenty miles, from La Crescent to Houston, and there it stop- ped.
In 1859, there was a kind of a supplementary collapse, and various roads went into bankruptcy, this among the others. About this time there was an atempt to float some railroad currency, but it was not a brilliant success.
In 1869, C. D. Sherwood, Clark W. Thompson, H. W. Holley, Dr. L. Miller, Hiram Walker, and their associates, reorganized the company and ob- tained from the Legislature of the State the fran- chises and lands of the old company, upon the condition that ten miles should be completed in one year. But the time elapsed and the ten miles did not materialize, and the next year the Legislatare kindly gave the company another year, and this time it succeeded in making the trip, and having the requisite ten miles in run- ning condition by the 25th of December, 1866. During the previous winter an effort had been made to secure an additional grant of land from Houston to the western boundary of the State, which was successful, and this aid was secured on the 4th of July, 1866.
From this time the progress of the road was rapid. As above stated, the road to Houston was opened and running in 1866; to Rushford and Lanesboro in 1868; from Ramsey to Wells in 1869; and from Lanesboro the road was pushed on to Ramsey in 1870, the total distance being 167 miles. It will thus be seen that the road was finally constructed and put in operation by prac- tically the same men who conceived the project in territorial days, and obtained, through their efforts, the donations that made its success possi- ble, and without which it might never have been built. As to the personnel of the early and the later management; Col. T. B. Stoddard, of La Crosse; C. W. Thompson, of Hokalı, and his brother, Edward Thompson, of the same place;
329
STATISTICS.
and Hon. H. W. Holley, the Chief Engineer, of Fillmore county, who were on the board of direc- tors in 1856, stuck to its varying fortunes and destinies through good and evil report till in 1870, the first division from La Crosse to Winnebago City was completed.
As to the last land grant from Congress in 1866, without which the road could not, or would not have been extended west of Houston, perhaps the most credit should be given to Charles D. Sherwood, Dr. Luke Miller, C. G. Wyckoff, and D. B. Sprague, who joined their fortunes with the enterprise at these organization in 1865.
In relation to the route of the road west of Lanesboro, where it leaves the Root River Valley, the inside history would be remarkably rich read- ing if faithfully portrayed. Chatfield being on the main stream, had no shadow of doubt as to its going there. Preston, the county seat, confi- dently expected the road. Either way would have avoided the terrible grade west of Lanes- boro, which will forever require a " Pusher" to overcome. Bnt in view of "other hearts that would bleed," the story perhaps better be left un- told in this volume. It is not unlikely, at some time not very distant, when this road shall become a part of the "Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul In- ternational line to the Pacific," that the bed of the road may bo changed to follow one of the branches of the Root River from Lanesboro.
STATISTICS.
CROP REPORTS .- The returns made by the Marshals who gathered the statistics from the farmers for the United States census bureau, do not in all respects coincide with those taken by the State. They are, however, as reliable as can be secured. The acreage and crop of the four leading cereals of the county for 1880 was as fol- lows:
Acreage.
Bushels.
Wheat.
103,783
1,143,879
Oats.
20,445
747,030
Corn
14,587
582,514
Barley
3,015
72,647
Freeborn county is one of the thirteen in Min- nesota that produces more than a million bushels of wheat annually, being the second on the list: Goodhue county raising 2,740,962 and Freeborn 1,444,527 bushels. As to the average yield in the several counties, Otter Tail takes the lead witli
17.68 bushels to the acre, then Polk with 16.40, Rice 15.25, Stearns 14.73, Waseca, 14.45, Goodhue 14.42, Blue Earth 13.43, and Freeborn 12.96. The lowest on the list being Fillmore county, which has run down to 7.76. In 1881, as com- pared with the previous year, there was a decrease in acreage of 5,637 acres.
Rye; only 117 acres was given to this crop, and 2,977 bushels produced.
Buckwheat; 32 acres and 372 bushels.
Potatoes; 1,047 acres and 111,111 bushels, or 93.83 buehels per acre.
Beans; 10 acres, 165 bushels.
Sugar cane; 102 acres; 9,874 gallons of syrup; an average of 96.80 per acre. Cultivated hay, 1,479 acres, 2,087 tons.
The above are the principal crops raised in the county.
Whole number of farms of the various sizes, 1,833.
Whole number of acres, 158,038.
Apple trees in Freeborn county. The number growing in 1881 was 28,983, with 6,117 bearing trees, producing about 2,298 bushels.
Grapes. The number of grape vines in bear- in the county was 442. Showing that little at- tention is paid to this fruit.
Tobacco. A small amount of this leaf is pro- duced each year, a few hundred pounds.
Honey. The reports give about 3,000 pounds a year.
Milch cows. The number of cows must be con- stantly increasing; at present there are upwards of 7,000, producing 545,116 pounds of butter and 16,450 pounds of cheese.
Sheep and wool. Number of sheep sheared, 4,652; pounds of wool produced, 17,308.
Horses. All ages, 7,633.
Cows. All ages, 8,100; all other cattle, 631; total cattle, all ages, 16,186,
Mules, 211.
Hogs, 6,896.
Total valuation of personal property in the county, $1,144,666.
County valuation :
1860.
$334,729
1861. 469,639
1862
423,904
1863.
483,781
1864.
711,310
1865.
780,640
1866.
973,831
330
HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
Productions of Freeborn county during the year 1869:
Wheat
334,049
Corn
160,698
Oats.
.200,000
Barley
2,124
Potatoes
72,621
Sorghum, gallons
10,890
Hay, tons.
25,859
Wool, pounds
12,140
Butter, pounds.
173,370
ASSESSORS' RETURNS FOR 1882 .- A glance over the assessors returns of Freeborn county, for the year 1882, gives some interesting figures in regard to the wealth in the different towns in the county, both personal and real. The total valua- tion for the year named, as returned by the assess- ors, is as follows:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.