USA > Minnesota > Freeborn County > History of Freeborn County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 63
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ing drowned in ten inches of water, leaving a note that she intended to take an aqueous route for that "other side."
In 1877, the tramps were so numerous that a military company was organized to look after them. The officers were: Captain, Theodore Tyrer; First Lieutenant, H. D. Brown; Second Lieutenant, Charles Kittleson.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern rail- road reached Shell Rock on the 15th of August, and created the usual rejoicing.
At Nunda on the 30th of August, the eldest son of Mr. Bessenger was killed by a runaway accident.
The county Bar Association met on the 4th of September at the office of Stacy & Tyrer, to take action on the accusations that had been so point- edly made in the "Pioneer Press" against Sher- man Page, the judge of the district court. The feeling was that if true they should be known, and it not true the judge was certainly entitled to a vindication. The following committee was appointed to confer with other members of the bar in the district, and to have the charges inves- tigated: E. C. Stacy, J. A. Lovely, and D. R. P. Hibbs. At a subsequent meeting a district com- mittee which had been appointed reported that the charges were groundless.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis railway reached this point on the 11th of November, and there was a regular opening excursion. The Mayor and counci of Minneapolis, with railroad magnates, in- vited guests, and citizens, came on a special train, ran down to the State line and returned to partake of a dinner at the Hall House. The welcome speech was made by Judge Stacy, who, it is needless to remark, did ample justice to the occasion, to which Mayor De Laittre responded. Hon. W. D. Washburn, in the course of his remarks, said that this was the happiest day of his life, that this was
"The day he long had sought," And mourned because he found it not,"
or words to that effect. It was a day of general rejoicing, beccuse the city of Albert Lea and neighboring towns now had direct communication in the direction of the four cardinal points of the compass.
THE YEAR 1878.
In Bancroft on Sunday, the 24th of February, the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Prescott met at the house of Henry Loomis to celebrate the
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
semi-centennial of their wedding day. Mr. Pres- cott appeared to be a well kept gentleman of the old school, still active and full of vivacity. Mrs. Prescott was a lady of rare culture and refinement, and at the age of four score was remarkable for her mental vigor and sprightliness. There were present three children, twenty-three grand-chil. dren, and five great grand-children. The presents covered a large center table with beautiful tokens of love and respect for the venerable pair. Two long tables were spread and charmingly orna- mented with fruits, flowers, and dainties. and loaded with tempting viands, reflecting great eredit upon those who prepared it with such taste.
Daniel Prescott and Miss Elizabeth Masservey were married on the 24th of February, 1828, at Appleton, Waldo county, Maine, from where they removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1831, and from thenee eame to Bancroft in 1857. They raised seven children, three of whom were at this time living near their aged parents.
The golden ceremony on this occasion was per- formed by E. K. Pickett, Esq. The groomsman and bridesmaid being Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Ward. The following ritual for this rare event had been prepared by the magistrate:
"With this ring, Betsey, I thee wed, So fifty years ago I said While standing at the holy shrine. I took your troth and plighted mine. Our love was like a laughing stream. Or as the morning's gentle beam. No clouds or shadows hid from view, The bliss in store for me and you.
The rivolet soon became a river, Deeper and broader, ever, ever; No looger skipping like a fawo, But deep and wide it rolled along, And so with you and I, dear wife. These fifty years of wedded life llave added depth, and strength, and truth, And replaced joys for fleeting youth.
Faithful we've kept the marriage vow, Honest and true, and even now, Though fifty years we've walked together, We'll now renew our truth forever. I take thee, Betsey, for my wife, Another fifty years of life, Renew the bliss for you and me, And Betsey says, so mote it be.
Angels attend and witness bear, I here rejoin this happy pair, The band now bound shall ever hold With chains of love and links of gold. Eternity can never sever These cords of love thus bound forever; A husband and a wife again, And angels say Amen! Amen!"'
The company separated after a most joyous time, interspersed with reminiscences and good wishes expressed for the continued health and prosperity of the aged couple. This, the first golden wedding in Bancroft, which was such a suecess, it is hoped was but the beginning of a long list to follow as time rolls on.
The Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Bath was organized on the Ist of January, and commenced business on the Ist of February. HI. P. Jensen was president, and Nels P. Peterson. secretary.
In March the question as to eity or no city, charter or no eharter, was the all absorbing one in Albert Lea. Petitions pro and ron went to the Legislature; the number signing for were 132 tax payers; those against. 77 tax payers. The argu- ments were mostly in relation to the relative eost and to the intluenee of a eity charter upon the prospective growth of the city.
It passed the Legislature and was submitted to the people on the 1st of April. and carried by 75 majority.
Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Smith had a surprise Crystal wedding on the 23rd of April. The bride appeared in her original dress, worn fifteen years before. Rev. R. B. Abbott and Rev. J. T. Todd otliciated to readjust the marital tie. The occasion was an enjoyable one, the presents being mimer- ons and appropriate.
The first city election was held on the 12th of May. The whole number of votes cast was 380, of which Frank Hall had 369.
Ole Oleson fossom, who came to Manchester in 1856, and opened a farm which he cultivated till his death, passed on with the great majority on the 9th of June. He was a fine old gentleman.
In the fall W. C. Lincoln, County Auditor. plead guilty to a charge of embezzlement of school funds belonging to District No. 38, and was sent lo State Prison for one year and fined $1.273, or double the amount of the misappropriation. It seems that the amount had been returned, and it is regarded by many as a deplorable mistake of Mr. Lincoln to plead guilty under the circum- stances.
THE YEAR 1879.
In Hartland, on the 31st of January, Mr. Mads Madson, landlord of the Madson House, hung himself in Ins barn. The cause assigned for this 1 act was temporary embarrassment.
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EVENTS OF INTEREST.
THE YEAR 1880.
A terrible tragedy occurred on Sunday, October 2d. Ray McMillen, with Heury Johnson and his brother, started on a hunt, going out to White's Lake, where they expected to find sport through the day. They had shot one duck when the trio separated, McMillen being at the foot of the lake and the Johnsons to the north, where a unmber of ducks were seen. The two were away an hour or so; on returning they found McMillen sitting on a rail, a little benumbed with the cold, and on rising he stumbled and fell over the rail, discharg- ing his gun, which took effect in the right side of the mouth, and entering the brain produced instant death. He was thirty years of age, a native of New York State, and had lived in Albert Lea two and one-half years. He left a wife and many friends.
THE YEAR 1881.
On the 28th of January a Post of the Grand Army was instituted in the city.
A Board of Trade in the city of Albert Lea was organized on the 10th day of February, and the following offleers were elected: President, H. D. Brown; Vice President. W. P. Sergeant; Treasurer, C. M. Hewett; Secretary, C. W. Ballard; Execu- tive Committee, D. E. Dwyer, W. W. Johnson, William Morin, D. G. Parker, G. Gulbrandson, and G. A. Patrick.
In June some children in the town of Moscow, who were playing in some clay that had been thrown from a well at a depth of thirty feet, found several copper coins with square holes through the center of them, not unlike the copper coins of
the Chinese. If these coins actually came from that depth of undisturbed deposite it is one of the most remarkable discoveries in this line ever made.
THE YEAR 1882.
In January there was some sporadic smallpox in the city, but it was so carefully looked after by the proper authorities that it did not become epidemic.
On the 13th of January, 1882, Mr. and Mrs. David Hurd had their Silver wedding, which was the most noticeable event of the kind yet taking place in the county, because this couple, with Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Colby, were the first couples mar- ried in the town of Albert Lea, according to the report. On this occasion the weather was cold, but there was a house full, and a bountiful repast with warmth and geniality. The center table was strewn with silver tokens of love and esteem, and really a day to be long remembered by those who were present.
In June there was a gang of robbers in town who went through the railway station and several residences, getting considerable booty; but they soon left for a healthier climate.
On the 11th of April one of the most extensive conflagrations that ever afflicted Albert Lea occur- red. Several buildings were consumed, and among the losses sustained were those of the "Standard" office, to the extent of about $3,000. Mr. L. Lace lost in personal property about $300. Other suf- ferers were W. Buel, Strauss & Schlesinger, Knat- vold Brothers, D. E. Dwyer, Judge Town, Mrs. Pratton, J. P. Colby, W. M. Butler, C. F. Davis, T. J. Wanek and others.
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HISTORY OF FREEBORN COUNTY.
CITY OF ALBERT LEA.
CHAPTER LII.
DESCRIPTIVE-EARLY BEGINNINGS-NECROLOGY -INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES-CITY GOVERN- MENT- PERIODICALS - ASSOCIATIONS - EDUCA- TIONAL-RELIGIOUS-CEMETERIES-FRATERNAL ORDERS.
The city of Albert Lea is situated in the town- ship bearing the same name, a full description of which will be found in another chapter. The city is located in sections eight, nine, sixteen, and sev- enteen. It is laid out in the usnal form, in rec- tangular blocks, with alleys, some running north and south and others east and west. Broadway is a north and south street, one hundred feet wide, the others being eighty. Parallel with Broad- way, on the east, is Newton, Elizabeth, and Lake; on the west are the avenues, Washington, Jeffer- son, Madison, Monroe, Adams, Jackson, Taylor, and Lincoln, with Grove and Park as local streets. South of the railroad the streets are numbered, First, Second, etc. Madison and Court are diagonal streets, converging toward the Southern Minne- sota depot. Above the railroad are South, Pearl. and Cottage streets, the latter of which runs by the Court House; then Main, William, and Clark, where the first business place was located ; then comes Water and Fountain streets. These are .he the principal streets and avenues and give a gen- eral idea of the nomenclature associated with the highways.
Spring lake, which was at first not a repulsive body of water is within the city, but it is unter going the process of being filled up, and in due time will exist onty as a name and a recollection. Fountain Park, a comparatively late addition to the city, is a symetrical projection into Fountain Lake, at a good elevation, and is dotted with fine residences. The buildings in the city are of a good character, especially those lately constructed. Like all western cities, it began in a small way, 1
the business blocks and dwelling houses were mere makeshifts, improvised to supply an emergency, except in rare cases. Now there is the ability and taste to supplement the utilitarian aspect of buildings with elegance, which is shown in the improved architectural pretentions.
Albert Lea is a delightful city in which to live; the natural inducements to purchase suburban res . idences are here in all their pristine beauty,-a salubrious climate, good society, near schools and churches, and but a few minutes walk from the depot. The environments ond concomitants of the place, are such that we must be excused for dwelling upon them.
The surroundings of Albert Lea are fairer than dreamland. On the southeast is Lake Albert Lea with its waving lines of meadow and woodland ; and on the north is the charming Fountain Lake, with its graceful, wooded slopes, cheerful bead- lands, and peaceful hays, half encircling the town ; on the west and beyond these bright waters, other lakes lie in the quiet prairie, like islands on the bosom of the sea.
The Shell Rock River takes full volumes of lim pid water from these basins, and flows southward along one of the loveliest of valleys.
The city, particularly the residence portions, is embowered in a flowery forest, and the very atmosphere of poetry is upon lake and river, wood- land and prairie. Picturesque views are surrounded with overarching trees, embosomed cottages and villas. These placid and unruffled waters are rife with boating, fishing, and of course, love making in the hnmid summer afternoons and evenings, and no feet of Venetian gondolas ever bore fairer freightage of beauty, laughter and song, than the many hned pleasure craft of Fountain Lake. As a summer pleasure resort nothing could be more superb.
The lakes and rivers are alive with fish and fowl. People from all over the East and South come
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here to pass a week or a month; and the angling and shooting leave nothing to be desired. Some take quarters at the hotels, some live in eot- tages, and others eamp out, where the convention- alities of society may be measurably ignored, and communion with nature enjoyed without restraint. The people of Albert Lea should make a specialty of entertaining summer visitors, and transform the whole city into a rural boarding house com- munity, where homelike fare and favor could be obtained without the starched formalities of hotel life at the summer resorts.
Around the lake there is a drive, but if the pub- lie-spirited citizens would make a boulevard around the entire lake, elose to the shore, following the eontour of its winding banks, it would be the finest drive between Long Branch and the Golden Gate.
Poets have sung of many beautiful spots, and painters pietured eharming scenes, and here are scenes for both.
Below weeopy an article published in the "Turf, Field and Farm" of New York, under date of May 22d, 1874:
"Albert Lea, a beautiful lake about thirteen miles in length and varying in width from a quarter of a mile to three miles, and situated in Freeborn county, Minnesota, is an attractive body of water to the sportsman. A gentleman, whose name is known to the whole country, and who is a thorough sportsman, writes us some interesting facts from that neighborhood. The elevation being great, the air is pure and the elimate healthy. People seldom die there. A few years ago the lake was stocked with fish, but we are told that the Vandals who follow murder for a living, having no perception or appreciation of sport, have nearly drained it.' In the winter a hole is ent in the ice, and the fish are speared with a pitchfork and hauled away by the wagon-load. From five to twenty-five tons of pickerel have been taken out of the lake eaeli winter for several years. It is gratifying to learn that the sports- men of the State have been sueoessfnl in the effort to have the Legislature pass a stringent law for the preservation of fish and game, and also that they are determined to see the law enforced. In the fall of the year dueks and geese visit Albert Lea in myriads, and it is said that no place on the continent affords better sport. Sandhill cranes cover the prairie and grain fields, and snipe, plo-
ver. and curlew are, to use an expressive phrase. 'as thick as flies in a country tavern,' and prairie chiekens are without number. All this will sound most eloquent to the ear of the sportsman, and doubtless he will dream fond dreams of Albert Lea when he reads this paragraph."
In driving about the various lakos and natural parks, constant surprises are in waiting for those who appreciate nature in her quiet moods. One of the highest authorities as to sporting grounds is the above mentioned journal, and in connection with other pleasant things said about Albert Lea a few years ago, we cull the following:
"Col. S. A. Hateh has returned to the city from his shooting-box on the romantie shores of the lake at Albert Lea, Minnesota. He reports that the duck and geese shooting was never better than this fall. Quite a party of gentlemen from New York gathered at Albert Lea in the last days of September, and remained until the lakes closed on the 29th of October. The majority of them were Wall street magnates, who had shot dueks in various parts of the country, not excepting Maryland and Virginia and the Carolina eoast. After a thorough experience they were unanimous in expressing the opinion that they never saw ducks in greater abundance, and of such delicate Havor, as in the bracing altitudes of Minnesota. They voted Albert Lea the center 'of the sports- man's paradise. It is just far enough removed from the great hatching distriet, to become the first feeding-ground of the full-grown birds. And the food is so abundant and of sneh fine quality, that the ducks fairly burst with fatness when stopped short in their flight by a charge of unm- ber sixes. Very large bags of canvas backs, mallards, red heads, and teal, were made every day by each member of the party. The goose shoot- ing was also superb in October. In a small body of water, which the gentlemen christened Lake Rosa, rude blinds were made, and one day a well- known shot of the party killed six geese, in addition to a large number of red heads and mallards. Any one who has had experience in wild goose shooting, knows how difficult it is to bring the cautious birds to bag, and therefore he will appreciate the skill of the sportsman who captured six in a hunt lasting but a few hours. The sandhill cranes swarmed the prairies, but no etfort was made to bring them to bag. We are surprised at this, for there is a charm in crane
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shooting, which is only heightened by the wari- ness of the huge birds. The pinnated grouse had packed early in October, and so not much time was wasted on them. When the "ehiekens" move in flocks, which number thousands, they will not lio to the dogs, and no pleasure is extracted from the pursuit of them, especially when water fowl swarm by the million right under your nose. The fishing was very fine this fall in the lakes about Albert Lea. One day shortly after the arrival of the party, Col. Hatch entered the house with a splendid string of pickerel in his hand. "What are those?" asked a well-known New Yorker, his eyes blazing with admiration. "Trout." was the laconic reply. "Good heavens! you don't tell me so. Why, they are the biggest trout I ever saw. Where did you catch them?" "They came from the lake which you see before you," said Col. Hatch, with a wave of the hand. "And are there any like these left in the lake?" queried the New Yorker, with the deepest interest in his tones. "Plenty of them," said the host. "Then, boys," almost slionted the enthusiastie disciple of Wal- ton, rising from his chair, "no duek shooting for me to-morrow. i shall try my hand at the trout." When the would be fisherman realized that a joke had been played on him, he put on a grave face, and swore that the pickerel bred in the cool and clear waters of Fountain Lake were equal to the best trout ever taken from a mountain brook in Virginia, or a limpid stream in the Adirondacks. This fish story beats all hollow the little mud-hen narrative which had circulation last year. There seems to be something deceptive in the air of Minnesota. Objects do not always look what
they really are. The Storm King swept down from the north earlier than usual this year. On the 29th of October, the ice was an inch and a half thick on the lakes, and the water fowl moved ir solid bodies for the South, bringing the shoot- ing to an abrupt elose at Albert Lea."
Of course there is no place in the county, so interwoven with its history from the earliest per- iod up to the present time as the connty seat, and in respect to many points they are identical, and in giving something of the early settlement sev- eral items already alluded to, reappear here, in order not to destroy the connection. As to the town, the village or eity, little attempt will be made to separate them here, although the town and the city governments will receive individual mention.
Those who first came here resolved to build a town that should become a city, and although their determination was supplemented by the nat- ural advantages of the location, it is doing but simple justice to the pioneers to express the opin- ion that equal energy and determination, displayed almost anywhere else, would have accomplished a like result.
When Mr. Ruble made the proposition to Ly Brand and Thompson to pool their united ener- gies and means, and make St. Nicholas the metropolis of this region, they made a fatal mis- take in spurning the offer, for that city, which so filled their minds as almost to dethrone common sense, now has no shelter, even for the owls and the bats, which are supposed to linger around deserted habitations.
Albert Lea village was platted by Charles C. Colby. and recorded on the 29th of October 1856, in Dodge county, of which it then formed a part. On the 24th of February, 1859, it was duly recorded in the Register's office of this county, and numerons additions have been made since that time, the most important of which will be men- tioned.
The first plat recorded had the name of Charles C. Cobly as surveyor. Austin T. Clark, as administrator of Lneins P. Wedge, signed the document. A. Armstrong was the Notary Pub- lic. John Wood was Register of Deeds, and J. E. Bancroft, Deputy Register. William Morin and George S. Ruble were also proprietors.
E. C. Staey had a subdivision recorded on the 13th of October, 1877. H. C. Stacy, Surveyor.
Ballard's Addition was recorded on the 22d of March, 1880.
Ont-lots of Parker's Addition, surveyed by W. G. Kellar, went on the record on the 223 of June, 1880.
F. A. Blackmer's addition was on the records on the 25th of June, 1880.
Charles W. Ballard's Subdivision to Albert Lea was recorded on the 15th of November, 1880.
Among the earlier additions were Kittlesen & Jolinson's, recorded as a subdivision on the 16th of June, 1869.
FraneisHall's addition was recorded on the 12th of June, 1859.
D. G. Parker's addition was made on the 28th of November, 1869.
The Railroad Addition, south of the railroad,
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CITY OF ALBERT LE.1.
was made by William Morin, Francis Hali, H. W. Holley, and A. P. Man, at the time the railroad reached this point.
Augustus Armstrong had an addition recorded on the 31st of August, 1872.
North Point Subdivision was recorded on the Ist of February, 1871.
Francis Hall's Subdivisson was recorded on the 2nd of April, 1872.
It seems that a part of the sonth part of the city has never been platted, that between the Court House and railroad, but the residents there seem contented and happy.
EARLY EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT.
In the State history the reader will perceive the steps by which this quarter of the world was open- ed up to the Caucasian race, but here we have to record the visit of a single exploring party nearly twenty years before the country began to be actu- ally settled, and this will be done while furnishing a sketch of the life of the Commandant of the ex- pedition, which seems to naturally fit in at this point.
COL. ALBERT MILLER LEA Was born in Richland, Grainger County, Tennessee, on the 23rd of July, 1808. His parents were Major Luke Lea and Lavinia Jarnagin. At thirteen years of age he entered college at Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1827 he received an apppointment at West Point, and graduated the fifth in his class in 1831. He was appointed a Lieutenant in the 13th Artillery but shortly afterwards exchanged positions with the since noted John B. Magruder, of the Seventh In- fantry, and was stationed at Fort Gibson, then on the extreme frontier.
From thence he was ordered to Washington, there receiving instructions and orders to report to Knoxville, Tennessee, to survey and plan im- provements for the Tenessee River and its tribu- taries. From this time he passed through the usual variations in army life, being detailed for different duties in several parts of the country, and in 1835, was in Fort DesMoines, Iowa, and there received orders to undertake a summer cam- paign to the St. Peters, now the Minnesota River.
On the seventh of June, 1835, the march was commenced with three detachments of sixty men each, with Captain Nathan Boone, a son of the Daniel Boone, as guide. The route taken was up the divide between the DesMoines and Mississippi Rivers to Lake Pepin, then the column turned
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