History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 61

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264

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1905-06-A. P. Pierce was elected mayor; A. J. Frenn. treas- urer; G. H. Diepenbrock and J. HI. Boustead, justices; Hiram Howe. Otto Remmler, J. C. Johnson, F. W. Reichert and F. J. Crandall, aldermen. At the organization of the couneil. M. Kap- pel was made president ; II. Howe, vice-president, and. C. E. Har- rison, clerk F. M. Wilson was appointed city attorney. James Daily was named chief of police and the force consisted of C. P. Belin, John Jansen, John Peterson and Nels Severson. C. II. Meyer was named deputy eity clerk. Albert E. Rhame was ap-

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pointed city engineer and Theodore Carlson, street commissioner. An ordinance in regard to the terminal of the Chicago Great Western railroad was passed July 25, 1905. This was followed by the building of the new Chicago Great Western station and terminal offices, completed December 27, 1906. October 23, 1906. the city purchased .two more blocks on the river front where Levee park is now located. Bids were received for the new city hall. June 17. 1905. October 6, 1905. it was voted to sell Hose Houses 2 and 3 and the old Engine House No. 1. W. A. Giffin was named as city assessor. April 16, 1906. a resolution was passed by which the city hospital passed into the possession of the city. the management being left with the Red Wing Hospital Association.

1906-07-The officers elected this year were: C. W. Ives and J. W. Nelson, constables: N. K. Simmons. Oscar Seeback. C. H. Tiedeman and William J. Back, aldermen. At the organization of the city council, W. J. Baek was appointed president and F. W. Reichert vice-president. October 8, 1906, Mrs. Margaret Betcher's offer to the city to ereet a memorial chapel at Oakwood cemetery was accepted. January 16. 1907. resolutions were passed on the murder of Chief of Police Daily and Officer John Peterson. N. Severson was placed in temporary charge of the police force. and was then appointed chief for the remainder of the term. A. L. Smith and J. II. Vanderhoof were added to the force.

1907-08-A. P. Pierce was elected mayor. The new aldermen were: W. J. Longeor. H. C. Kohn, G. F. Enz. G. S. Fisk, W. M. Sweney. At the organization of the city council. C. II. Tiedeman was named for president and W. J. Longeor vice-president. The officers appointed were C. II. Meyer, city clerk; C. P. Diepen- broek, city attorney; George F. Gross, city treasurer; Dr. G. C. Wellner. health officer. Nels Severson was appointed chief of police. and the force consisted of John Jansen. George Tebbe. A. Jackson and John Loken. The justices were G. H. Diepenbrock and J. II. Boustead. C. W. Ives and C. P. Schilling were con- stables. ITart N. Cook was chief of the fire department. and August Olson. assistant. The principal events of this year was the offer of John II. Rich to beautify Broadway. The offer was accepted and the beautiful little park which now ornaments that portion of the city was the result.

1908-09-The new aldermen elected were: T. Heiserman, Oscar Seebach, C. H. Tiedeman and William J. Back. At the or- ganization of the council. C. H. Tiedeman was named president and W. J. Longeor vice-president. This year was characterized by an agitation for better water, which resulted in a determina-

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tion to siuk an artesian well. The officers appointed were: C. 11. Meyer, city clerk; C. P. Diepenbrock, city attorney; George F. Gross, city treasurer; Dr. G. C. Wellner, health officer. Nels Severson was appointed chief of police and the force consisted of John Jansen, George Tebbe, A. Jackson and John Loken. The justices were G. 11. Diepenbrock and J. H. Boustead. C. W. Ives and C. P. Shilling were constables. Hart N. Cook was chief of the fire department and Angust Olson, assistant : Theo. Carlson, street commissioner; W. A. Giffin, assessor, and Albert E. Rhame, city engineer. One of the features of this administration was the home-coming celebrated August 22, 23 and 24, 1908.

1909-10-A. P. Pierce was elected mayor; George F. Gross, treasurer; C. P. Diepenbrock, city attorney; h. C. Meyer, city clerk; S. T. Irvine, deputy city clerk; Albert E. Rhame, city engineer; G. H. Diepenbrock and J. H. Boustead, justices, and K. R. Seiler, street commissioner. Nels Severson was named chief of police, and the force consisted of John Jansen, George Tebbe, A. Jackson and William Anderson. C. P. Shilling and W. A. Scott were constables. Ilart N. Cook was the chief of the fire department and August Olson his assistant. At the organization of the council. C. II. Tiedeman was named president and W. J. Longeor, vice-president. At the spring election school bonds were voted to the amount of $50,000 and water bonds to the amount of $35,000. The voters refused to sanction the issuing of bonds for an extension of the sewer system. July 2, 1909, a flow of water was obtained from the artesian well sunk seventy-five feet east of the pumping station, and in the fall a contract was let for a reservoir eighty feet in diameter, twenty-three feet high, with a capacity of three-quarter of a million gallons. The city now has over twenty-five miles of cement sidewalk, more than seven miles of cement curb, over five miles of gutters and thir- teen miles of water mains. An expenditure of over $108,800 has been made for sewers, and work has been commenced on an ex- tensive addition to the sewer system, which will furnish sanita- tion for the residents of the west end of the city.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

Following is a recapitulation of the more important municipal undertaking as contained in the report on audit, April 30, 1909 :

The City Hall was built during 1905-06, and includes the fire station, jail and city offices. It is situated on the northerly half of block 22. The ground is valued at $12,000 and the building at $35,000.

Parks-The City park is valued at $10,000, and the Levee park, beautifully laid out with retaining walls, walks and drives,

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

lawns and shrubbery, is valued at $25,000. The C., M., & St. Paul station, completed in 1905, gives additional beanty to the levee locality.

The High Bridge was built between 1894 and 1896, and to meet the cost of construction, bonds were issued to the amount of $60,000, dated June 1, 1894.

The Carnegie-Lawther Library really originated in 1893, but . the present building was erected in 1902-03, the site, then valued at $4,000, being donated by James Lawther, the cost of the build- ing being met by a gift of $17,000 from Andrew Carnegie.

The T. B. Sheldon Memorial Auditorium was built by the trustees of the late T. B. Sheldon, and was transferred to the city October 10, 1904. The amount contributed by the trustees was $77,641.67, the balance being acquired from the revenue.

Bonds-The water works bonds were issued October 1, 1883, the original issue being $85,000. In 1877, after long litigation, bonds were issued to the amount of $45,000 for the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul railroad. The bridge bonds were issued June 1. 1894, to the amount of $60.000. April 20. 1878, stock in Red Wing and Trenton Transit Company, $25,000. April 26, 1909, bonds for improvements and extend water works, $35,000. The Minnesota railroad bonds were issued September 1, 1882, to the amount of $50,000. The Red Wing and Iowa bonds were issued January 1, 1889, to the amount of $25,000.

The Charles Betcher Memorial Chapel was built by Mrs. Betcher in memory of, her husband. It was commenced in May, 1907, and completed in July 1908. The dedication services were held on August 9, 1908. The cost was about $15,000.

The E. H. Blodgett Memorial Entrance was erected by E. II. Blodgett in memory of his deceased wife, Sarah Blodgett. It was erected at the same time as the Betcher Memorial Chapel, at a cost of about $5,000.

Oakwood Cemetery is located on the summit of one of the nu- merons bluffs that encircle the city, about one and a half miles south of Main street. It belongs to the city and was selected by Stephen A. Hart and David Hancock, who were appointed for that purpose by the early settlers in September, 1854. The first burial in Oakwood Cemetery was a child named Charles, son of William Freeborn and wife. It is now beautifully laid out, with drives and lawns, as beautiful a repose for the departed as could well be imagined. At the entrance stand the Blodgett Memorial Arch and the Betcher Memorial Chapel. Thus, amid the beauties of nature, the loved ones who have been laid away are awaiting the resurrection time, "when the morning breaks and the shadows flee away." Near Oakwood cemetery the Catholic peo-

HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

ple have a piece of consecrated ground, where the departed of that faith are laid to their last earthly rest, and on the Burnside road repose in silent sleep the German Lutherans who have finished their earthly course.

RED WING TOWNSHIP.

Red Wing township was in existence from the time of the regular township organization throughout the county in 1858 up to March 31, 1864, when the final board of supervisors adjourned for the last time.

The first annual meeting was held in the district school house July 5, 1858, with J. C. Pierce in the chair. Harmon Pettibone was named as moderator and JJames H. Parker as clerk. The election resulted as follows: Supervisors, O. Densmore .(chair- man), T. J. Cooper and Hans Mattson ; clerk, T. B. McCord (for some reason not explained James H. Parker served, although no record is made of a resignation) ; assessor. II. Pettibone; col- lector, W. W. DeKay; overseer of the poor, J. Simmons; justices, A. J. Littlefield and William Brown; constables, J. C. Hawes and J. N. Pettibone.

In 1859 the following officers were elected : Supervisors, W. P. Brown (chairman), T. J. Cooper, O. B. Paseo; clerk, W. P. Brown; assessor, II. Pettibone; collector, Thomas J. Clark ; over- seer of the poor, C. F. Gaylord. The 1860 official board consisted of: Supervisors, Seth Washburn (chairman), Christopher Cogel and Ira Kellogg; clerk, Benjamin Densmore; treasurer, T. J. Clark; assessor, H. Pettibone; superintendent of schools, S. P. Snow; justices, P. B. Smithers and P. M. Wright; constables, M. Comstock and J. N. Pettibone; overseer of the poor, Seth Wash- burn. During this year the records contain the first official re- turns of a vote for state officers in this county. The election was held in the fall with Seth Washburn, Ira S. Kellogg and William P. Brown as judges and B. Densmore and C. J. F. Smith as clerks.

In 1861, officers were elected as follows: Supervisors, T. B. Sheldon (chairman), J. W. Hancock and Charles Betcher; clerk, C. E. Bolander; assessor, A. B. Miller; treasurer, J. C. Pierce. Miss Howell, Miss Stearn and Miss Washburn were appointed as teachers for the fall term. For the winter term the board ap- pointed as teachers, Mrs. Chamberlain for the eenter school at $24 a month, Miss Stearns for the west sehool at $16.66 per month, and Miss Bennett for the west school at $16.66 per month. Miss Bennett not accepting, Sarah Pettibone was appointed in her place, and a fourth distriet being apportioned, J. W. Haneoek was named as a teacher at $16.66 per month. It was estimated

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that the total expense of the town for the coming year would be $700.

In 1862, the officers were : Supervisors, T. B. Sheldon (chair- man), G. C. Dickinson and William Howe; treasurer, J. W. Han- cock; assessor, O. F. Smith; clerk, T. B. McCord; justices, Francis Ives and W. H. Welch; constables, F. F. Philleo and M. Hersch- ler. J. H. Parker was appointed clerk and justice in place of T. B. McCord and W. II. Welch. It was estimated that the ex- penses of the town for the coming year would be $1.000.

In 1863 the last board of officers the township ever had was elected and consisted of: Supervisors, T. B. Sheldon (chair- man), Christopher Cogel and Orrin Densmore; treasurer, J. W. Ilancock; assessoi, J. C. Pierce; clerk, Dwight M. Baldwin; jus- tice, James II. Parker. On March 31, 1864, the board met for the last time, and the township of Red Wing became a thing of the past. By a revision of the charter of the city of Red Wing, which had been in existence since 1857, the western half of township 113. range 14, lying in this county, and sections 24, 25 and 36, township 113, range 15, were included in the city, and sections 13 and 14, township 113, were set off as a part of Burnside.

The soldiers who enlisted in the Civil War from Red Wing were : Gustus Anderson, Capt. William Arkins, John Arkins, James Ardens. William G. Allen, Edward Aman, William Aber- deen. Julius Anloff. Lieut. Henry T. Bevans, Milton L. Bevans, John Barrow, Peter Berg. John II. Brown, HI. N. Barber, James 1. Batchelor, Capt. E. L. Baker, C. D. Bevans, Samuel Beekman, A. Barr, Solon A. Bevans, Grant B. Baker, B. N. Bunch, George Boothroyd, C. R. Brink, Frank Broberg, James Barnes, Nelson Berg, Frank Bergman, Surgeon William Brown, H. W. Barber, Byson Batchelor, Lyman J. Barris, Capt. Herman Betcher, Ole P. Berg, Col. William Colvill, William F. Cross, W. W. Clark, George D. Ilartman, Corbin C. Hill, M. A. Hoyt, John II. Jones, Frank Johnson, Samuel Jones, R. E. Jacobs, Gustav Johnson, J. W. Jefferson, Andrew Johnson, Peter Johnson. John A. Johnson, Peter Johnson, Jr., George W. Knight, Henry Kulker, John Lind- quist. Lewis B. Littlefield. Isaac Lauver, Charles L. Littlefield, Frank W. Little. Albert Little, Joseph Lockey, Thomas J. Little, Jr., Eric Lynloff. Oliver Larson, Frank Lewis, Maj. Martin Ma- ginnis, Maj. Fred E. Miller. Tra MeLeatham. James D. Merrill, Harvey Miller, Col. Ilans Mattson, II. P. McIntyre, Lieut. Henry A. McConnell, Feron B. MeCord, Charles P. Miller, John II. Miller, William R. Thompson. George A. Todd, John A. Trewer. Lieut. John Vanstrom, John T. Veeder. Maj. A. E. Welch, John

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

William, Theodore A. Wood, Jesse A. Washburne, Beverly M. Wright, Capt. Abraham Wright, Jacob White, William Il. Wel- lington, Joseph A. Woodbury, Capt. H. B. Wilson, Capt. W. C. Williston, Joy E. Wright, John Winter, Gustav Witte, William R. Wray, Samuel Backman, Byron Bachelor, William HI. Wright, J. I. Tillotson, Steven G. Cady, Henry Curry, George W. Fletcher, David H. Griffin, John A. Graham, August G. Hillig, Lucius HI. Hancock, Orrin C. Leonard. 'Eric Oleson, Frank W. Robinson, E. B. Taylor, Harvey Miller, James D. Merrill, Alonzo W. Cobb, Manville Comstock, Jacob Christ, Hiram Cadwell, Tim R. Cressy, H. K. Carson, E. L. Davis, Jonas P. Davis, Soloman A. Davis, Capt. Willett W. DeKay, James W. Day, Capt. Benj. Densmore, Lieut. Col. Daniel Densmore, Capt. Charles L. Davis, Capt. Nor- ris H. Dorsey, George W. Davis, F. J. T. Day, William Esden, Charles Erickson, Tilden Ecker, John Foote, Thomas Fagen, James Falls, G. W. Flint, Jolm Farnhausen, Charles Falls, J. C. A. Golehman, George W. Grinnell, Amos F. Grow, William F. Grow, Capt. C. Gurney, Jr .. John A. Graham, John G. Gustav- son, P. M. Gustavson, Isaac Green, Francis Goodman, Frederick Gaskill. William D. Galloway, Aaron Glazier, C. F. C. Grau, Charles N. Harris, William M. Herbert, William Harrison, George Hudson, John Hartman, L. F. Hubbard, Abraham Howe, Jr., Daniel Heald, Jr., Frederick Holman, Arnold Holman, Harmon Hamplin, Ferdinand Hamplin, J. C. F. Hobard, Isaae Hilton, Chauncey Hobart, Clark V. Hubbard, John F. Hutchinson, Ole O. Huss, Nicholas J. Mageras, Col. R. N. MeLaren, Abraham Morell, Paul Nelson, John Nelson, Charles W. Newell, Gudmund Naslung, John Nichols, Nicholas Nelson, James W. Noble, Ole O. Oskey, E. P. Philleo. Lieut. George W. Parker, Lieut. J. F. Pingrey, Christian Peterson, Hans Peterson, August Peterson, John H. Pettibone, William M. Philleo, S. W. Park, Robert Per- cival, Capt. W. W. Phelps, Andrew Pohl, Thomas B. Peterson, John Pfeifer, George J. Pitts, Hiram J. Rush, William C. Riddle, Fred Remshardt, John Reinumd, Amos Swanson, John Storm, Joseph Shoemaker, N. B. Swartout, George Simmons, Charles Sundall, P. M. Stromberg, William S. Seaton, Ferdinand Shoe- maker, Allen Swain, O. M. Sprake, Ernest Sempf, John Sharer, George Shakespeare, Russell E. Snell, G. S. Sholes, Ellsworth Sut- ton, John Sundblad, Steven J. Smith, Otis Sandford. Andrew Stramberg, A. C. Tucker, Andrew A. Teele, Peter Tubbesing, Dwight Tillotson. Ludwig Turnquist, David E. Todd, Frederick Turquin, Ole J. Peterson, David Petty, Stephen T. Smith, Isaac Sawnet, James W. Day. S. S. Bliss, Corridon D. Bevan, Charles Truman, John Loy, Andrew Iranburg, Jolmn A. Treae, Charles A. Erickson, Frank Lewis, Peter Anderson, Lewis J. Bennett, Henry

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

Benton, Emerson Beers, Bennett Cortland, John J. Doyle, Spencer L. Davis, William W. Davis, John S. Dilley, Byron A. Eker, Reuben Eker, James C. Flynn, Francis Green, William Gates, Albert H. Hardy, George M. Jones, Thomas G. Little, Antoine Mullinger, Jeptan Miller, John L. Melvin, John B. Meacham, Fred Noble, Charles Ogburn, Evan E. Pugh, Eugene Philleo, Joseph Roserfield, John Richards. Egbert W. Reed, John D. Ross, William Rice, Edward Sharp.'John Turner. Melville Tucker, F. C. Williams, W. F. Ward, George W. Phinney, Oleson Bonde. Harvey Mills, Benjamin Chase, William Colvill.

CHAPTER XXXI.

"THE DESIRABLE CITY."

Its Many Advantages-Desirability as a Home City-The Car- negie-Lawther Library-T. B. Sheldon Memorial Auditorium -Red Wing Civic League-Fire Department-Water Works -Ferries-Wagon Bridge-Associations and Clubs-Banks and Banking-Business and Professional-Red Wing Fra- ternities.

In the early part of 1903 the Red Wing Public Library pro- ject burst forth from its chrysalis of hope and expectation and became a tangible reality. Early in 1892 the subject began to be agitated in earnest, but it was not until January 6, 1893, that the library board was created, and not until March of the same year that organization was effected, by the election of officers and the adoption of by-laws and the necessary rules of procedure. Al- though the projectors of this publie enterprise no doubt had faith that their efforts would result in an institution of. continual growth, had the gift of prophecy revealed to them that in one short decade Red Wing would be possessed of such a beautiful edifice as graces the corner of Third and West avenue, it would have sounded to them like a tale from the "Arabian Nights." As soon as the board organized, a special meeting of the business men was held on March 29, in the council chamber, to devise ways and means of raising the necessary funds for the support of the library. A resolution was passed that $2,500 be raised by sub- scription, that being the amount estimated by the board to be necessary to purchase books and maintain the library for one year, after which the council was to be asked to support the institution by a tax levy. A soliciting committee was appointed, but it was the panic year and after about $600 had been sub- scribed the plan was given up. Although the necessary funds could not be seenred by subscription the members of the board and others who were deeply interested in the work, kept a stout heart, and determined to overcome all obstacles. The members

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HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY

determined to open a reading room and plod along as best they could until they could see more light. At one of their meetings they taxed themselves up to 50 cents each to carry on current expenses. The citizens were invited to contribute old books, magazines and any old reading matter to start a nucleus for a library. Entertainments were given for the benefit of the library fund, and after some persuasion the council made a tax levy which yielded for the first year the sum of $100.

On New Year's day. 1894. at 2 p. m., the reading rooms in Gladstone block were opened to the publie for the first time, and about 300 visited the rooms during the afternoon. The rooms were airy, well lighted and heated, and furnished with chairs and tables, and supplied with the current magazines and other literature. The first president was D. M. Neill. who served two years, and was succeeded by W. II. Putnam, who has since served continuously in that capacity. W. E. Taylor served as vice-presi- dent for three years. F. M. Parker one year. O. M. Hall seven years, W. F. Kunze four years, and S. H. Locken, secretary. George H. Cook has been secretary since the beginning. except one year, when F. M. Parker held the office. The first members of the board were II. B. Lovgren, A. R. Brink, D. M. Neill. C. L. Opsal, George H. Cook, W. E. Taylor, R. L. Grondahl, C. E. Friedrich and Oscar Forssell. Mrs. N. J. Jones was chosen the first librarian, and served for several years. She was succeeded by Mrs. Lillian Tandy. In December, 1901, the city received an offer from Andrew Carnegie of $15,000, which was increased to $17,000, for a suitable public library building. on condition that a fund of $1.500 (afterward $1,700) per year be provided for maintenance and that a site be furnished. Both these conditions were easily met. James Lawther donated the lot on the corner of Third street and West avenue. as a suitable location for the new library. in memory of his son, which was gratefully accepted. Plans were submitted and the building was erected and dedicated October 23, 1903. It was called the Carnegie-Lawther library. It is built of brick and presents a very neat appearance. Upon the right of the main entrance is the cozy reception room. fitted up with exquisite taste and harmonious coloring. A wide border of thistle and shamrocks is a characteristic design in the fresco work, in honor of the nativity of Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Lawther. The reading room is a picture of light and cheerfulness and com- fort. In the rear of the building is the children's room, decorated with a handsome fire-place and mantel, and surmounted by a plastic frieze. The stock room and librarian's quarters corre- spond in comfort and elegance to their surroundings. The refer-

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ence books fill a room on the left of the entrance, leading into the main stock room, and corresponds in size and general features to the reception parlor. The interior finish is of highly polished golden oak, with a delicate color scheme of pale cream and olive green combined with simple Grecian decorations, form a picture pleasant to the eye, and in harmony with the highest artistic in- stinet. Mrs. Tandy resigned from the position of librarian in September, 1904, and was succeeded by Lucia Danforth, who in turn was succeeded by Arabella Martin, who remained two years and resigned April 28, 1909, and Effie Sands, of Lincoln, Neb., was chosen to fill the vacancy, and entered upon her duties in May. November 2, 1906, a branch and reading room was opened in the western part of the city, in a building on Main street, next to Akenson's grocery. This reading room is open every day from four in the afternoon to ten in the evening. Books are issued once a week. The public library is open every day from two until six and from seven until half past nine in the evening, and books are issued daily except Sunday.

T. B. SHELDON MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM.

The T. B. Sheldon Memorial Auditorium is said to be the only municipal theater in the United States. It is the gift of the late T. B. Sheldon, who in his will provided that a certain part of his estate should be used in erecting a memorial to be used by the city of Red Wing. The trustees were Annie L. Sheldon, Elijah II. Blodgett and F. Busch. After consulting with the leading citi- zens of Red Wing. the trustees decided that the wishes of the doner and the desires of the people were best satisfied by the erection of a theater. The building, a magnificent structure of gray brick, was turned over to the city authorities October 7, 1904, and formally opened May 11. A tablet in the entrance bears a suitable inscription, and the interior is beautifully decor- ated in appropriate designs. The architect was Lowell A. Lamor- eaux, and the builders, J. and W. A. Elliott. The Charles Betcher Lumber Company furnished the lumber, mill work and wood- carvings and the scenery was supplied by the Twin City Scenic Company. None of the trustees are now living. The present board consists of B. Gerlach, O. M. Hall, A. P. Pierce, C. A. Betcher and C. E. Sheldon. W. A. Scott is the manager. suc- ceeding Ralph G. Taber, the first manager. The aim of the board is to supply the city of Red Wing with the best of theatrical at- traetions. The amount received from the estate for the building of the auditorium was $77,641.67. The remainder was derived from the income accruing from this sum.

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RED WING CIVIC LEAGUE.

The Civic League of Red Wing has a reputation that is more than nation wide, its distinguishing characteristics having been copied by many of the largest cities in the United States, includ- ing Chicago. The league was organized November 15; 1903. John H. Rich, who was one of the prime movers in the organiza- tion, being its first president. At that time Red Wing was like many other cities of the same size-trees disfigured with posters and signs, empty lots and yards grown to weeds, sidewalks and streets littered with filth and rubbish, and its one park in a state of sad neglect. The league wrought a great change in all this. Mr. Rich inaugurated a crusade against the signs and posters, and prizes were offered to the boys and girls who on a certain day would bring the most torn-down signs to the basement of the library. Lemonade was given to all and the prizes duly awarded. In the meantime George II. Cook was stirring the people to civic pride through the newspapers. By means of little paragraphs calling attention to such yards as presented a good appearance, and also to neglected spots, he caused people to keep their lawns in good condition and to keep down the weeds in vacant lots as well as to otherwise beautify their property. The placing of rubbish caus at various intervals along the streets and the encouragement of the children in keeping the papers and rubbish picked up, soon cleaned the streets and sidewalks. Prizes were offered for the best gardens and the best flower gar- dens maintained by the children and this also resulted in the brightening up of the city, even in the outskirts. The children planted trees with appropriate exercises on Levee park, which was completed during the height of the Civic League crusade, and John H. Rich, one of the leading members, gave an object lesson in civic beauty by parking the waste space between East and West avenues. now known as Broadway. In 1909, A. W. Pratt had organized a "bee" of business men and on a day now historie, the stores all closed, a band discoursed music. while the business and professional men of Red Wing donned overalls and built a path along the face of Barn Bluff ascending to the very top. The path has since been called "Webster's Way" from C. C. Webster, who during his life often expressed a hope that such a path might be built. For several years past. the path has been kept up by the successive senior classes of the High school under the leadership of George H. Cook. Twee a year the students spend a half holiday in working on the path under Mr. Cook's leadership. after which they enjoy a picnic at the top of the bluff. As a part of the work of the league, Mr. Cook has in

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History of Goodhue County, Minnesota, Part 61

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1264

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago, H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1264