USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue county, including a sketch of the territory and state of Minnesota > Part 42
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This company was organized May, 1873, with John Kuhn, foreman ; Geo. Deipenbrock, sec., and L. Hoffman, treas.
Under the management of the foreman, who has held the position from the first up to the present time, the company is in a prosperous condition, and is now one of the very efficient fire companies of the city.
RED WING CORNET BAND.
This enterprise was organized in June, 1876, and is composed of the following members, who began as a class without an instructor: F. Jellineck, George Diepenbrock, F. J. Bauman, John Altmeyer, F. Hick- man, W. Steffen and Charles Boeckman.
The band at the present time is a permanent organization, with presi- dent, secretary and treasurer elected annually. Present officers : William Steffen, president; George Diepenbrock, secretary and trea - surer, August Oppleger, leader; F. Jellineck, F. Hickman, Abram Oppleger, F. J. Bauman, John Altmeyer, John Webster and Charles Boeckman.
The members meet once a month for business, and semi-weekly for practice ; and under their present leadership they are making rapid progress, and bid fair to become one among the best bands in the State.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
POST OFFICE.
The opening of the post office in Red Wing, dates back to 1853, with Calvin Potter first postmaster. November 23, 1853, Mr. Sweney was appointed but did not accept. His commission was signed by R. C. Hobbs. The next postmaster was Rev. J. W. Hancock, and after that in the following order : H. L. Bevans, H. C. Hoffman, M. Soren, E. P. Lowater, W. W. Dekay, A. Wright, C. C. Webster and A. F. Graves.
The office is located on the corner of Third and Bush streets, in a substantial three-story brick building, 36x120 feet. In the centre of the building on the first floor, is the post office vault, a fire-proof struct- ure, for the books and other valuables of the department. There are 1,280 boxes in the office, and three clerks do the work. The money order department was established Nov. 1, 1864, and the total number of orders issued up to Oct. 1, 1878, amounted to 27,870.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.
ORGANIZATION AND FIRST EXHIBITION.
In the early summer of 1878, the following subscription paper was circulated among the business men of Red Wing and vicinity :
We, the undersigned, hereby severally subscribe and agree, each for himself, to pay the sums placed opposite our respective names to the capital stock of a corporation to be located at Red Wing, Goodhue county, Minnesota, of the nature and for the objects hereinafter named, for which we agree to receive certificates of stock in said corporation, at the rate of fifty dollars a share.
The object of said corporation shall be the acquiring grounds, by lease or purchase, and to improve the same by necessary buildings, enclosures, tracks, &c., for the following purposes :
First, for the holding agricultural and mechanical fairs. Second, for the training, trial of speed and exhibiting of horses. Third, for out- door concerts and other entertainments. Fourth, for the holding of monthly or semi-monthly cattle and horse markets or fairs, at which time cattle and horses may be exhibited for sale.
The design is to make the grounds and buildings attractive so that it will serve as a park and place of resort for the inhabitants of Goodhue county, Minn., and Pierce county, Wis., and keep it in such a manner as to give pleasure to all.
The capital of this association shall be $10,000, to be divided into
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
200 shares of $50 each, and operations are to be commenced when 100 shares are subscribed.
In testimony whereof, we have hereunto severally set our hands and seals, this 15th day of June, A. D. 1878.
Up to Saturday the 13th day of July, 1878, the required amount of stock had been subscribed, when a meeting of the subscribers was held at the city council rooms for the purpose of completing the organization. E. J. Blood was chosen chairman, and B. B. Herbert, secretary.
Articles of incorporation were presented by Mr. Herbert, which were adopted. The name quoted at the head of this sketch was adopted by the meeting as the name of the association. The following gentlemen were named as incorporators :
Chas. Betcher, Anarand Seeback, H. E. Perkins, O. Eames, W. L. Webster, S. H. Purdy, E. J. Blood, B. B. Herbert, W. F. Cross, Charles Himmelman, P. Nelson, T. B. Sheldon, J. M. Hodgman, and M. Kappel.
The number of directors was fixed at nine, and the following named persons were chosen as the first board of directors, to be named as such in the articles of incorporation :
Chas. Betcher, A. Seeback, H. E. Perkins, B. B. Herbert, E. J. Blood, W. F. Cross, H. S. Purdy, P. Nelson, T. B. Sheldon.
The board of directors further perfected the organization by the election of the following named officers :
S. H. Purdy, president; Charles Betcher, vice-president; B. B. Herbert, secretary ; A. Seeback, treasurer ; F. W. Cross, superintendent. ยท The highest amount of indebtedness for which the association shall be liable at any one time was fixed at $3,000.
At that meeting it was resolved that the board of directors take immediate steps for the erection of buildings and holding a fair early in September, and the secretary was directed to take all necessary steps for perfecting the organization.
The grounds selected for the use of the association are located on the farm occupied by Mr. E. P. Watson, and owned by Charles Betcher, adjoining Red Wing on the west. As soon as the organization was per- fected, a large force of men were set to work enclosing the grounds with a substantial board fence, erecting the necessary buildings, grad- ing the track, etc., and although a large force of mechanics and laborers were employed, the work was not completed until Monday evening, the 9th of September, the workmen putting in all of Sunday, the 8th, as industriously as if it was the last day of the week instead of the first and a day set apart and commanded as a day of rest.
The exhibition commenced on Tuesday, the 10th of September, and
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closed on Saturday, the 14th. It was largely attended, and the exposi- tion of farm, garden and orchard products ; of the mechanic arts; of woman's handiwork ; of the shops, mills, stores, etc., far surpassed the most enthusiastic auticipations of the association's warmest friends. The show of stock was not as large as shown at many of the older fairs of the State, but very satisfactory as to grades. The horsemen showed some good trotters and rapid runners.
The receipts from all sources amounted to about $4,000 ; expenses about $3,000.
BANKING HOUSES.
The first banker in Red Wing, or in fact Goodhue county, was Pascal Smith. Soon after, the firm was announced as Smith, Meigs & Co., consisting of Messrs. Smith, Meigs, Fergurson & Knapp; this was in 1857. In 1859, Mr. Taylor, of Dubuque, Iowa, organized under State law, the Bank of Red Wing, and issued currency. 1860 the firm of Smith, Meigs & Co. was changed to Smith & Dickinson. Soon after the Bank of Red Wing started it was bought out by Pascal Smith, and from 1862 to 1865 it was run by Dickinson & Smith; W. S. Dickinson, presi- dent; Pascal Smith, cashier; at the end of which time it was sold out to the gentlemen who organized it.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF RED WING.
This bank was chartered in September, 1865, with a capital of $50,000, which has since been increased to $100,000, with a surplus net earnings of $25,000 above capital. The bank has been principally under the management of Mr. Jesse McIntire, and an efficient board of five direct- ors. The officers are T. B. Sheldon, president ; Jesse McIntire, cashier. Undivided profits amount to $20,000. It is classed among the safe, well managed and prosperous banking houses of the country.
PIERCE, SIMMONS & CO., BANKERS.
This firm is composed of those well-known gentlemen, J. C. Pierce, T. K. Simmons, and N. W. Pratt. The house was established in October, 1868, with a capital of $50,000, which has since been increased to $60,000. The bank is located in the Keystone stone block, having large and well-arranged offices, and an excellent fire proof vault and burglar- proof safe, with all the latest improvements. The members of the firm are men of capital and business ability. They do a general banking business, attend to collections, receive deposits, and deal in foreign and
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
domestic exchange. Messrs. Pierce, Simmons & Pratt, all three of them, came to Red Wing among the very early pioneers-1855-1856. They have grown with the growth of the country, watched its progress, and'rejoiced in its prosperity.
GOODHUE COUNTY BANK AND GOODHUE COUNTY SAVINGS BANK.
These two organizations properly come under one head, as they are conducted by the same board of management, and the offices are together in the same building, although they are distinct banking enterprises. The latter banking firm was organized in September, 1874, and the former not until January, 1878. Officers of the Goodhue County Bank are : T. B. Sheldon, president ; C. Clauson, vice president ; J. S. Hoard, cashier. President of the "Goodhue County Savings Bank," E. W. Brooks ; vice president, Wm. Featherstone; cashier, J. S. Hoard. The directors are : T. B. Sheldon, C. Clauson, E. W. Brooks, J. S. Hoard, F. W. Hoyt, Wm. Featherstone and H. E. Perkins. The savings bank was organized under the State law, without capital, by giving bonds for security. Paid in capital of the Goodhue County Bank is $40,000. The bank is located in a handsome brick block, Third street, and the offices are provided with all the modern improvements and appliances necessary to a first-class banking house. They do a general banking business, make collections, and deal in foreign and domestic exchange.
WHOLESALE HOUSES.
H. A. PARK, WHOLESALE GROCER.
February 16, 1866, Mr. Park began a retail business on a small scale, in a little frame building located in rear of Sterling & Co.'s store. Subsequently he opened out in the back part of the building now occupied by that company. In 1870 he removed across the street into the brick building now the property of James Lowther, and used by Mr. Park for a store house. The fall of that year he changed again into the spacious three-story brick, on the corner of Main and Plum streets, where he now does business. Thus step by step with the growth of the country, Mr. Park has advanced from the dingy apartment with its insignificant retail stock to the great brick block filled to repletion, and a trade extending over Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and other States, involving a capital of more than $50,000.
W. L. LUCE,
Dealer in wholesale and retail groceries; began business Sept. 1, 1877,
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
corner of Main street and Broadway. His building is a three-story brick, where he carries a large stock in his line suited to the trade of Minnesota, Wisconsin and other States, the field of his rapidly increasing patronage.
HOTELS.
The old, first hotels, the most of which have been mentioned in the course of these pages, long since gave way before the growth and pros- perity of the city, or were consumed by the devouring fire fiend. Their places and accommodations are filled by a larger and better class of buildings, and the hotel accommodations of Red Wing are far superior to most of the cities and towns of the State.
1
EXCHANGE HOTEL.
The erection of this hotel was commenced by Joseph Rice, in 1867. Mr, Rice died before the hotel was finished, and its completion was left to other hands, and in its earliest days was regarded as one of the best hotels in the Red Wing country. After it was completed and furnished, it was kept by different parties until July, 1878, when it was refitted and refurnished by Mrs. Christina Rice, relict of Joseph Rice, the pro- jector of the hotel, by whom it is now successfully managed. The lower part of the Exchange is finished in butternut or white walnut wood, and several of the upper rooms are finished in black walnut.
THE NATIONAL.
A part of the building now known as the National House was first built in the summer of 1855, by Messrs. Sherman and Richter, and was occupied by them as " The Crystal Palace " store. In the summer of 1857 additions were built to it by William C. Chilson, who opened it as the " Chilson House " in the fall of that year, and for a period of one year was the leading hotel of the county. At the end of one year it was closed, and was not again occupied as a hotel until 1865, when it was thoroughly refitted by Messrs. Kelly & Sheldon, and opened by them as the National. Mr. Sheldon died soon after, and Mr. Kelly became sole proprietor and manager. In 1868 it was purchased by Freeman Parker for the sum of $9,000. He continued the management until 1873, when it was leased to Field & Royce. At the end of two years Mr. Royce retired, and left Mr. F. S. Field as sole lessee and manager, by whom it is still conducted. It is in good repair and well managed.
27
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
HOTEL DE'BATLO.
This hotel, a three-story brick structure, was erected by Joseph Batlo, 1 in the summer of 1874, at a cost of $22,500. It contains forty-eight rooms, and until the opening of the St. James, was regarded as the leading and popular hotel of Red Wing. The Batlo is still well patron- ized and doing a prosperous and renumerative business. Its manage- ment requires the services of twelve employes.
CENTRAL HOTEL.
The house now known as the Central Hotel was built in 1855, by David Kelly, who opened it as a hotel. He did not retain the manage- ment of the hotel very long until he disposed of the establishment. to Webster and Clark, who conducted it until about 1859. After that date, until September 26, 1878, it was conducted by different parties. At the date last mentioned it passed into the hands of Messrs. Happ and Reitz.
GOODHUE HOUSE.
A part of this building was first erected in 1861, for saloon purposes, by a Mr. Henricks. He sold the place to Joseph Batlo in 1863, who made some additions to it, refitted and furnished it throughout, and opened it as a hotel. The present manager is Mrs. Sarah Culbertson.
HICKMAN HOUSE.
This brick hostelry, on Bush street, between Main and Third streets, was commenced in April, 1872, by Henry Hickman. It was completed at a cost of $15,000, and opened as a hotel by Mr. Hickman, in Septem- ber, 1872.
ST. JAMES.
The erection and completion of the large and excellently conducted St. James Hotel was an enterprise undertaken by a joint-stock company of business men and capitalists friendly to the growth and prosperity of the city.
For a long while previous to the time of the organization of this company, the want of a hotel that would be in keeping with the importance of Red Wing as one of the leading trade centers of the State and of the Northwest, had been sensibly experienced by leading citizens, the undertaking received universal encouragement from the people of Red Wing and the surrounding country.
When the plans of the company were fully matured, the lot of ground at the corner of Main and Bush streets was selected and purchased, as
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
the most suitable site for the contemplated structure, because of its close proximity to the business center of Red Wing, the railroad depot and steamboat landing.
In the spring of 1874 the work was commenced. The contract for making the necessary excavations was let to Andrew Danielson. The building of the basement walls (solid limestone) was awarded to G. A. Carlson. The brick work was let to Messrs. Brink, Williams & Co., as also the plastering of the entire building. The main building is 60x130 feet, with a wing 32x43 feet, four stories high.
The carpenter work, including floors, partitions and outside work, was completed under the supervision of Samuel Chaffee, and the finishing work by D. C. Hill. The gas fixtures were supplied and put in place by Thomas Wilkson. The steam apparatus, by which the entire building is heated, including the steam engine, was obtained from Hoffman, Bil- lings & Co., of Milwaukee.
Two large iron reservoirs are located in the third story, which supply . the entire building with hot and cold water. These reservoirs hold seventy-five barrels each, and are supplied by force pumps connected with the engine. A large cistern, holding 1,111 barrels of water, is located in the rear of the building.
That part of the building facing on Main street is divided into three storerooms. The entrance to the hotel office is from Bush street. A stairway leads from the office to the first floor above, on which are located the ladies' and other parlors. From this floor a stairway descends to the dining room. This apartment is 36x40 feet, with ample seating capacity for one hundred guests. The office counter is made from black walnut, and was designed and executed by D. C. Hill. There are seventy sleeping rooms in the house, from which communication is had with the office by means of an electric hotel enunciator.
The St. James was completed October 1, 1875, and cost $60,000, including the cost of the lot of ground on which it was erected. About the time of its completion it was leased to E. J. and F. H. Blood, formerly of the Beckwith House, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, who immediately furnished it from basement to topmost story with the latest styles of hotel furniture. It was first opened for the reception of guests on the 17th of November, 1875, but the
GRAND OPENING
Was deferred until the 25th of November. Of this opening the " Argus" of the 2d of December, the next week, gave the following account:
At eight o'clock the building was a blaze of light from basement
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
to turret, at which time the carriages began to arrive with the guests, which continued in an uninterrupted flow until eleven o'clock, filling the building like a swarm of bees in a hive. The reception committees, decorated with ribbon badges, received the guests, and gave necessary directions relative to the disposition of outside wraps, explained the latitude and longitude of the building, and supplied all necessary information. The company settled down to solid enjoyment as soon as they had finished a preliminary survey of the building and of-each other. Knots gathered in the parlors and discussed questions of interest ; the balls swarmed with gaily dressed promenaders, while the dancing hall presented one continuous picture of flitting forms and revolving faces, moving in harmony with soul-stirring music, from an early hour until dawn.
The toilets, with scarcely an exception, were rich, varied and elegant. To particularize would be invidious, while the bare contemplation of a description of all is simply appalling. Let it suffice that the wealth and beauty of Red Wing, with all the appliances of art, were fairly represented, and in this regard our city asks no odds of any other place in the State.
Supper was served in the dining room from eleven until four o'clock, and comprised the following choice
MENU.
OYSTERS .- Fried, Escaloped Oysters, Stewed, Raw.
ORNAMENTAL MEATS .- Sliced Salmon a la Montpelier; Rhine's Sugar Cured Ham a la ditto; Buffalo Tongue en Espec Jelly; Lobster Salad a la American; Boned Turkey, with Mushroom; Chicken Salad a la Magnise.
ROAST .- Chicken, with Giblet Sauce; Tame Goose, Stuffed with Apples; Roast Saddle of Venison, with Cranberry Sauce; Premium Loin of Beef, with Brown Sauce; Young Turkey stuffed with Oysters; Mallard Duck, with Currant Jelly.
COLD MEATS .- Loin of Venison, Tongue, Roast Chicken, Teal Duck, Tur- key, Ham, Mutton.
PASTRY .- Gold Cake, Silver Cake, Boston Cream Puffs, Lady Finger, Cit- ron Drops, French Kisses, Cream Lady Fingers a la Almond; Plum Cake, Fruit Cake, Queen Cake, Pound Cake, Orange Cake, Rose Cake.
PYRAMID .- French Kiss Pyramid, Macaroni Pyramid, Assorted Fruit Pyra- mid, Macedonia Pyramid.
CONFECTIONERIES AND FRUIT .- Charlotte Russe a la Vanilla; Champagne Jelly, Jamaica Rum Jelly, Hennessy Brandy Jelly, Rose Cream, Macedonia Fruit, Pineapple Cheese a la Pure; Russian Cream, Filberts, Soft Shell Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Layer Raisins, Pecans.
DESSERT .- Apples, Pears, California Grapes, Vanilla Ice Cream, Strawberry Ice Cream, Peach Sherbet, Tea and Coffee.
It is estimated that nearly five hundred people were present during the evening. Two hundred and fifteen tickets were sold, each one rep-
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THE HISTORY OF GOODIIUE COUNTY.
resenting two persons, and in some instances three and four. Besides the large number of Red Wing people, there were the following named non-resident guests :
Minneapolis, Will J. Whitney, E. A. Henderson, J. Newton Nind, Miss Isabel Atwater.
St. Paul, F. B. Kenner, L. D. Wilkes, Arthur P. Wilkes, J. H. Han- son, Col. and Mrs. Allen, J. E. Allen, Charley Lee, Pascal Smith and wife, Charles H. Smith, Miss Holbrook.
Frontenac, Gen. I. Garrard.
Faribault, Mrs. Lou. Bevans.
Wabasha, George McDougall.
Stillwater, Albert Wilkinson, H. A. Estes.
Lake City, O. P. Francisco, Miss Slocum, Miss Dilley.
Hastings, C. O. Ball and wife.
Milwaukee, H. O. Wood, J. Owens, E. H. Cameron.
Chicago, G. W. Little, T. H. Watson.
Morris, T. M. Lowater.
Green Bay, C. Belanger.
Waterloo, Iowa, Mrs. Charles Haines.
The following is the bill of fare that graced the elegant dining hall on the evening of September 9, 1878, when President Hayes and party sat down and partook of a collation that would adorn a regal board, and tempt the most fastidious epicure.
BILL OF FARE.
Saddle Rock Oysters.
Soup .- Oyster a la Creme; Chicken a la Royal.
FISH .- Black Bass a la Creole; Potato Croquettes; Boiled Lake Trout a la Richelieu.
REMOVES .- Roast Turkey, with Jelly; Roast Loin of Spring Lamb a la Espagnal; Roast Spring Chicken Stuffed aux Jus; Boiled Capon, with Salt Pork; Roast Ribs of Beef, with Yorkshire Pudding.
VEGETABLES .- Potatoes in the Jacket, Sugar Corn, Green Peas, Mashed Potatoes, Baked Sweet Potatoes.
ENTREES -Fillet of Beef aux Champignons; Escalloped Oysters a la Washington; Salmi of Wild Duck, with French Olives; Punch a la Roman. GAME .- Roast Mallard Duck, with Currant Jelly.
SAVORY DISHES ORNAMENTED .- Galantine of Turkey in Bellevue; Chicken Salad, Garnished; Jambon en Surprise a la Vanill.
PASTRY .- Fruit Pudding, Wine Sauce, Meringue Pie, Spanish Cake, Macaroons, Charlotte-Russe, Madeira Jelly, Fancy Cake, Confectionery.
DESSERT .- New York Ice Cream, Oranges, Figs, Peaches, Grapes, Raisins, Pears, Apples, Nuts, Wine Biscuits, Coffee.
On the 1st of March, 1878, F. H. Blood retired from the St. James, leaving its entire management with E. J. Blood, the present proprietor.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
Mr. Blood is a native of Mackinaw, Mich., born April 16th, 1847. In 1848, his parents removed to Green Bay, Wis., thence to Appleton, same State, in 1851. In 1869, he emigrated to Kansas, settling in Lawrence, where he carried on business until 1871, when he removed to Wichita, that State, and opened the first hotel there-the Harris House. In 1874, he returned to Wisconsin and became proprietor of the Beckwith House, Oshkosh, remained until 1875, then removed to Red Wing, and in com- pany with his brother, F. H. Blood, opened this already well-known public house.
When E. J. Blood leased the property, Mr. John E. Sutton, the present efficient and genial clerk, well-known and appreciated by every travel- ing man in the northwest, between Chicago and Bismarck-Duluth and Dubuque-Green Bay and Omaha-was employed by Mr. Blood as aid-de-camp in chief. And it was a good selection. Mr. Sutton is a natural as well as an educated hotel man. He commenced his hotel experience in Norwalk, Ohio, where they " know how to keep hotel."
From there he went to the well-known and popular Dousman House, at Prairie du Chien, where he remained six years and seven months. During the summer of 1875 he managed the Mansion House at the famous and popular summer resort at Waukesha, Wisconsin. At the close of that season he became chief clerk at the Cook House, Rochester, this State, and at the end of fifteen months resigned that situation to become assistant-manager of the St. James.
With his suavity of manner as a hotel caterer, and the assistance of such an efficient and competent aid-de-camp as John E. Sutton, Mr. Blood has made the St. James a deservedly popular hotel. It is, in point of fact, one of the best managed hotels on the Mississippi from New Orleans to Lake Itasca.
NEWSPAPER PUBLICATIONS.
THE GOODHUE COUNTY REPUBLICAN.
The first number of the journal which now bears the above name, was issued on the 4th day of September, 1857, by Lucius F. Hubbard, editor and proprietor.
F. A. Meredith was announced as an associate in the ownership and management November 20, 1857, and the publication was continued by Hubbard & Meredith until October 1. 1858, after which date it was again managed solely by Mr. Hubbard, until August 12, 1859. On that day the name of Chas. L. Davis appeared with Mr. Hubbard's-" Hub-
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