USA > Minnesota > Goodhue County > History of Goodhue county, including a sketch of the territory and state of Minnesota > Part 43
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
bard & Davis, proprietors," the senior partner remaining the responsi- ble editor. The war of the rebellion, that disturbed almost everything, caused changes in the newspaper management. Mr. Hubbard having enlisted in the Fifth Minnesota Infantry regiment towards the close of 1861, the firm of Hubbard & Davis was dissolved, and the "Rebublican " of January 3, 1862, showed once more the names of Hubbard & Mere- dith-the former as proprietor, and the latter as editor and manager during Mr. Hubbard's absence. This arrangement was only temporary, however, for on the 28th day of March, 1862, it was announced that the ownership, and therewith the editorial management of the "Rebublican," had passed into the control of Mr. C. L. Davis, whose name duly appeared in his new relation from the next issue. But the government needed more troops; and Mr. Davis having enlisted in the Tenth Min- nesota infantry regiment, placed E. A. Littlefield in charge of the paper on the 19th of September, 1862. On the 27th day of May, 1864, Mr. Littlefield published that he had turned over the management of the " Republican " to Wm. Colvill, jr., as agent of Chas. L. Davis, and with the next issue Mr. Colvill formally assumed charge. James H. Parker was in fact editor, though not publicly announced, from April 3d, 1865, for one year. H. K. Parker, jr., became editor and co-proprietor March 30, 1866 ; but the fact was not made public until the 25th day of May following, and the connection continued only till November 16th of the same year.
Mr. Davis associated W. R. Snider in the proprietorship, August 2, 1867, and the firm, Davis & Snider, continued to publish the paper until December 18, 1868, when Mr. Snider became sole proprietor. In the issue of June 10, 1869, the new firm name, "Snider & Perkins," appeared at the head of the paper, T. H. Perkins being the new part- ner. The last change in ownership of the "Republican" occurred September 20, 1869, when the present proprietors, S. P. Jennison and T. H. Perkins, began their associate management.
The name of the journal was at first the "Red Wing Republican," but it was changed to " Goodhue County Republican" at the beginning of the third volume. It has been from the beginning republican in politics, and almost without exception the official paper of Goodhue county and of the city of Red Wing.
Like most papers, circumstances have compelled or permitted changes of its size. At the outset it was a seven-column sheet, folio. This form it has always maintained, but the size was reduced to six columns with the 17th number of vol. VI, enlarged to seven columns again at the beginning of the eighth volume, and two years after enlarged further
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
to eight columns. With vol. XIV the capacity of the paper was increased by lengthening the columns, and again subsequently by use of smaller type without increasing the paper sheet.
The " Republican " was published Fridays from the first issue, until January 14th, 1869, since which date the publication day has been Thursday.
The subscription price of the "Republican " was $2.00 per year from the beginning, to May 10, 1861; then $1.50 a year to June 3, 1864, and $2.00 a year thenceforward.
Connected with the newspaper publication, there has always been a job office equipped for the execution of any kind of work, except the more elaborate blanks and books.
" GRANGE ADVANCE."
The " Advance " was established in October, 1873, with E. J. Hodgson and B. B. Herbert as editors, under the name of the "Grange Advance," and was in its original design devoted to the promotion of home manufactures and the advancement of agricultural and industrial interests, and the up building of the order of the Patrons of Husbandry as a social and educational institution among the farmers. At the end of the first six months, owing to the pressure of other business, Mr. Hodgson retired, and Mr. Herbert continued the publication alone, and during the summer of 1874 associated with him Dr. T. T. Mann, of St. Paul, in the editorial work. During the fall of 1874 the nature of the paper was changed to a strictly local paper, and Mr. Mann retired. August 25, 1875, Mr. Herbert sold the paper to H. H. Young, and May 29, 1878, Mr. Young sold the paper to the present proprietors, under the firm name of " Advance " Publishing Company.
The paper attained a large local and general circulation during the first year of its publication, which it still retains.
The "Advance " is independent republican. It is a good adver- tising medium for the counties of Goodhue, Minnesota, and Pierce, Wisconsin.
" RED WING ARGUS."
The Red Wing " Sentinel " was started in July, 1855. Dan S. Merritt and James C. Hutchins, publishers ; Wm. Colvill, editor ; politics, demo- cratic. The press and materials were brought by Merritt and Hutchins, from Pontiac, Michigan, where it had been used in publishing a demo- cratic paper by Merritt, edited by W. W. Phelps. The "Sentinel " was continued under Merritt & Hutchins, Colvill, editor-in-charge, until fall of 1856, when Merritt & Hutchins, sold it out to Alexis Bailey, who
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
removed it to Hastings. Bennett Bro's, brought a new office there in the fall of 1856, and established the Red Wing " Gazette," N. V. Bennett, editor. In 1857, Merritt bought it back, sold a half interest to Colvill, and they continued it under its old name, " Sentinel," until fall of 1859, when it was sold to W. W .. Phelps, who continued it-same name-with Mart. Magines, as printer and chief editor, until the war broke out, when it was sold to James Parker, who continued it as the Goodhue County " Volunteer." Magines-now delegate from Montana in Con- gress-was with the paper from the time it was established, beginning " devil," until the war broke out, when he enlisted with Colvill in the first company raised.
In October, 1864, a company was formed, consisting of leading dem- ocrats, who bought the Goodhue County " Volunteer," changed its name, and issued the first number of the Red Wing " Argus," with Edmund R. Otis as agent and editor. Mr. Otis retired in October, 1868, and was succeeded by Mr. C. F. George as editor and publisher, but who was only connected with the paper until the first of the next June, when the office was sold to Capt. Charles L Davis, who employed Mr. E. R. Otis as editor. Mr. Otis continued with the paper until 1872, when he left, and has been employed on the St. Paul " Dispatch " ever since. In the spring of 1872 the paper was enlarged from a seven to an eight column sheet.
" MINNESOTAPOSTEN."
This is a Scandinavian paper, published by Wesenberg & Henning. Its first issue was Sept. 25, 1878. The paper is an eight column week- ly four-page sheet, and it starts ont fresh and full of bright prospects.
PUBLIC HALLS.
TURNERS' OPERA HALL.
This building was erected by the Turners' Society in 1873. It is a brick structure resting on a stone basement; dimensions 50x110 feet, and cost $23,000. The hall is conveniently arranged, properly fur- nished, stage scenery and all the necessary paraphernalia. It has seat- ing capacity for 900 people.
The Turners' Society was organized December 3, 1867, with thirty members.
The officers were: William Eisenbrand, president; J. Kuhn, vice- president; F. Bush, secretary ; L. Hoffman, assistant secretary ; and H. Wolf, treasurer.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
Trustees : J. Winter, F. Hartman and M. Kappel.
The society now has a membership of fifty.
Present officers : John Frederick, president ; R. Landaner, secretary ; A. Oswald, assistant secretary, and John Bombach, treasurer.
Trustees : Wm. Eisenbrand, A. Remmler and L. Hoffman.
CENTENNIAL HALL.
This work was put up in 1876, by Messrs. Hoard, Hoyt, Williams and Jennison, at a cost of $16,000, including the entire building, which is 42x62. The first or ground floor is occupied by the Goodhue County Bank, and the Goodhue County Savings Bank, and other branches of business. The hall will seat from 600 to 700 people, building of brick, and one among the fine blocks of the city.
MUSIC HALL.
This building is located on the corner of Main and Plum streets. It was erected in 1867, by a company consisting of T. B. Sheldon, J. M. Hodgman and the First National Banking Association, at a cost of $35,000. The building is 40x60, three stories in height, and is occupied below by the First National Bank, and two stores. The second floor is fitted up for offices. The hall, on the third floor, is capable of seating between 600 and 700 people. This structure is of brick, built in a sub- stantial manner, and is one of the best in the city.
RED WING BUILDING ASSOCIATION.
This organization went into effect April 7, 1877, to continue eighteen years. The amount of capital stock of the corporation was fixed at $200,000, divided into four thousand shares of $50 each, to be paid in monthly installments of twenty cents per share. Such corporation to go into operation and transact business whenever $25,000 of said stock shall have been subscribed. The highest amount of indebtedness the corporation may at any time incur shall not exceed $1,000.
The following are the names of the members forming the corporation -all of Red Wing: J. M. Hodgman, William Home, B. B. Herbert, A. W. Pratt, J. McIntire, T. K. Simmons, S. J. Willard, John Friedrich, C. R. Brink, F. Joss, L. A. Hancock, D. C. Hill, N. O. Werner, E. L. Baker, Hans Johnson, W. Eisenbrand, M. Kappel, F. A. Poole, O. M. Hall and O. H. Boxrud. The officers are, J. M. Hodgman, president ; S. J. Willard, I vice president ; B. B. Herbert, secretary ; A. W. Pratt, treasurer ; O. M. Hall, attorney. Articles of incorporation were dated and signed at Red
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
Wing, March 6, 1877, in presence of Charles E. Hinds and W. H. Putnam. First regular election of directors was held on the first Saturday of April, 1878, at seven and a half o'clock P. M.
An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held on the first Sat- urday of each year, commencing in 1878, to elect a board of directors for the ensuing year, and to transact any other business of the associa- tion. There shall be no special meetings unless called by at least five directors, and notice thereof be previously given by the secretary, in such manner as the by-laws may direct.
At any and all regular meetings the stockholders shall have the power to pass by-laws defining the duties of the officers of the associa- tion, for the imposing of reasonable fines, assessments and dues upon its members, regulating the subscription upon the issue and transfer of stock, management and investment of its funds, loans to members, and the general regulation of the business of the corporation.
The by-laws are, in effect, the same as those governing other similar organizations.
This association is already in a flourishing condition, and it has become one of the very popular and well managed enterprises of the city. Its members are all men of standing in the business circles of Red Wing.
RED WING FERRY.
This enterprise is owned and operated by James W. Day, and it really is one of the most useful pieces of property in this part of the State. Early and late, spring, summer and autumn, it does duty between the two States, just kissing the borders of each and bearing back and forth the olive branch of peace. A large amount of business is carried on with the ferry for a medium between Minnesota and Wisconsin, and thousands of people pass to and fro across the great river on this peculiar craft. The channel where the boat plies is 820 feet across at low water mark, but about 1,000 feet of wire cable is used in operating the ferry. Beyond the island Mr. Day operates another ferry across the other channel, or slough, as it is commonly called. The latter is not as wide by about 200 feet.
In 1877-8 Mr. Day built the "Robert Harris," a small steamer of thirty-seven tons burden. She is a snug little coaster, costing $3,500, and is designed for excursions and a coasting trade on these upper waters. The Robert Harris is a busy little body, light draft, easily handled, and she is not only ornamental but a useful carrier between these river towns.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
RED WING AND TRENTON TRANSIT COMPANY.
This company was organized with a view of bridging the channel beyond the island, commonly called " the slough," on the Wisconsin side of the river. The association is composed of citizens of Red Wing, and their object is to make the industrial interests of the other side more accessible to the market and mercantile interests of their city. With the completion of the bridge it is designed to establish a free ferry across the main channel, next to Minnesota side, thus making it a free highway between the two States, and thereby establishing closer commercial relations.
At an election held last spring, the city of Red Wing voted bonds to the amount of $25,000, to aid in the work, and the enterprise is now virtually in the hands of the city. All the way across the island a heavy embankment is to be thrown up for the roadway, in order to bring it above high water mark. According to profile, the length of the road across the island is 8,700 feet, requiring 49,488 cubic yards of embankment in its construction. There are to be ten pile bridges along the road between the two channels, to allow the escape of the overflow ; four of 64 feet, three of 96 feet, two of 144 feet, and one of 480 feet ; an aggregate of 1,312 feet of dry land bridges.
The bridge across the back channel will be 496 feet in length, resting on nine bents of piles, consisting of two rows of five piles each. There is also to be an ice break above each pier of six piles, driven in a clus- ter and securely bolted.
The superstructure is to be a lattice bridge of eight spans, 62 feet to the span. It is designed to have the embankment and pile bridges completed by the 15th of December next, and the bridge across the channel by the 15th of March, 1879. An approximate estimate places the aggregate cost at less than $20,000 ; the contract has already been let and the work is in progress.
RAILROAD STATISTICS.
E. F. Dodge, Esq., agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- road, at Red Wing, furnishes us the following statistics of the shipments over that road from his station for 1876 :
Freights received, 12,532,603 pounds ; charges, $53,260.99. Freights forwarded, 46,432,596 pounds ; charges, $100,868.97. Number of local tickets sold, 12,328, amounting to $24,660.75. Coupon tickets sold, 396, -$8,729.25.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
Beginning with August 1, 1877, and ending with July 31, 1878 : Wheat, 35,606,210 pounds ; flour, 53,699,120 pounds; 268,495.6 barrels of 200 pounds each. Allowing five bushels of wheat to the barrel of flour, as computed by the millers, the wheat turned into flour amounts to 80,548,680 pounds, which added to the wheat shipments as given above, increases the grand aggregate to 116,154,890 pounds; counting the wheat and flour as all wheat, 300 pounds of wheat to a barrel of flour, we have in round numbers the same as nearly 2,000,000 bushels of wheat shipped by rail during the crop season of 1877, to say nothing of the large amount taken away by water.
The books at the railroad office for the calendar year, beginning with January 1, 1877, and ending December 31, 1877, inclusive, show the total amount of freights shipped to be 56,002,088 pounds. Beginning with January 1, 1878, and concluding with July 31, 1878, inclusive, the shipments were 73,873,310 pounds, an average of over twenty cars daily of 20,000 pounds to the car for the entire seven months, allowing twenty-six working days to the month.
LAND SALES-CLAIM ASSOCIATION.
The first sale of government lands in Goodhue county occurred at the U. S. land office, at Red Wing, on the 29th of August, 1855. The sale was opened in a frame building that then stood on Main street, at the corner of what is now Potter street. William Le Duc, of Hastings, now U. S. Commissioner of Agriculture, was the auctioneer.
At that time there was a Claim Association, or combination of set- tlers, formed to protect each other from land sharks and speculators. David Hancock was president of the association ; P. Sandford was sec- retary, and Rezin Spates was assistant secretary. Royal Lovel was appointed by the settlers to represent them, stand close by the auction- eer and bid in the lands to which they respectively laid claim. Mr. Lovel had a written description of every tract of land claimed, and when the number and description of the land was called off by the rep- resentatives of the government, it was bid in for the claimant by Mr. Lovel, who stood close to the auctioneer, and the settlers stood pretty close to Mr. Lovel, ready to back him up, if occasion required. A large number of land speculators and capitalists were here to attend the sale, and take advantage of such opportunities as offered for " picking up " choice tracts of land, whether claimed or not. They found out, how- ever, that the settlers were not only on the alert, but banded together
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
for mutual protection and very determined. They finally concluded it would not be healthy to bid against the settlers, and abandoned the field.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
FIRST MAIL ROUTES-FIRST STAGES-MAIL CONTRACTS.
In 1857 the United States postoffice department awarded the following mail contracts, which were the first to be established from Red Wing, (the old route between Prairie du Chien and St. Paul, along the course of the Mississippi River, which made Red Wing a point, excepted :)
Red Wing to Austin, 84 miles and back, once a week, $400. Red Wing to St. Nicholas, 91 miles and back, once a week, $400. The supply of these routes was awarded to David Hancock.
Red Wing to Winnebago City, 110 miles and back, once a week. [ Figures not now to be had.] This route was let to Carter & Hall.
The first staging done in this part of Minnesota was along these routes, except along the old Fort Snelling route.
On the 18th of September, 1878, Sheriff H. H. Schell, of Cerro Gordo county, Iowa, arrived in Red Wing, in pursuit of a white man named Mueller, who it was alleged had committed a crime on a colored girl, in Floyd county, Iowa. The man was arrested in Wisconsin on a requi- sition from the Governor of that State, and brought into the city of Red Wing on his return to Iowa.
Zebulon Pike, who was a son-in-law of Gen. Harrison, visited Red Wing in 1806, and found the Indian chief Red Wing and his tribe, already here. In a report he gives a description of Barn Bluff. Red Wing died here about 1806. The Indian name of Red Wing was Proy- mueche, or Mountain-in-the-water.
A grave opened on Main street, near Chas. Betcher's lumber yard, disclosed a medal on which was the head of President Jefferson, which is now owned by Mrs. Frank Sterritt, of Red Wing, bearing date 1806. Col. Colvill believes this medal was given Red Wing by Capt. Pike, on the occasion of his visit here, as it is stated in his report that he promised the Indians medals.
Walking Buffalo was the son of Red Wing, and succeeded him as chief ; he married the daughter of an English trader ; he died about 1825. Wacoota, the son of Walking Buffalo, succeeded his father as chief; but as he was not pure Indian blood, his mother being an Eng- lish woman, many of his tribe became dissatisfied, hence the cause of his removal, with a portion of his tribe, to what is now Wacoota. He
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
died at the lower agency in 1858. His son, also named Wacoota, suc- ceeded him as chief, and is now with his band on the Nebraska River.
BURNSIDE.
The first settlers in this township were Andrew Catter, John Lesson, Mathew Streeter, James Shaw, John Bronson, a widow named Wright and her family, Leland Jones, Rev. Norris Hobart and three brothers, John Reson and Charles Spates, in the summer of 1854. Rev. R. Spates looked over the ground, however, the fall before, 1853, but the real settlers did not arrive until the following summer. In the spring of 1855, John E. Eggleston, Joseph Eggleston and family, Willard and Kingsley Wood, Marshall Cutter and several others, came in and took claims in various parts of the township.
In the spring of 1855, Mrs. John Bronson died, being the first white person deceased in the township.
In August of that year the first white child was born in the town- ship-Cora Cutler.
In the winter of 1856-7 the first school was taught by Mr. J. E. Eggleston.
There were no marriage relations entered into until October 30, 1855, when J. F. Enz and Miss Mary F. Wright were united.
At the time the town was organized, 1858, it was named Spring Creek, but in 1859 it was changed to Milton, owing to there being another place and post office of that name in the State. The same trouble existed in regard to this last name, and in 1862 it was again changed to the name it now bears, " Burnside." In 1864, the township was divided, and the western portion called Grant, thus honoring the two with appellations taken from those generals whose names at that time were high on the role of military achievements at the head of the federal armies.
At the first election held in 1858, there were fifteen voters.
The first sermon preached in the township was by the Rev. Reson Spates, at the house of John Leason, in 1854.
In 1856, Messrs. Sterns and Hobart built a flouring mill, on Spring Creek, about three and a half miles from Red Wing, in the southern por- tion of the township.
The first Methodist service held in the township was by Rev. G. W. T. Wright, at the house of his mother, Mrs. Amelia Wright, in May, 1855. The persons that formed the class at that time were the follow-
.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
ing: Reson Spates, Margaret Spates, Justin Chamberlain, Maria Cham- berlain, John Leason, Mary Leason, Amelia Wright, Mary F. Wright, James A. Wright, Wm. H. Wright, Beverly M. Wright, Samuel F. Hardy and Mary Hardy. Charley Spates, son of Reson Spates, was the first child born in the township.
SPRING CREEK MILL.
This flouring mill was built in 1856. It is a wood structure, main building two stories in height, 30x58 feet, with two wings, one 25x50, and the other 20x25.
It contains three run of stone, two for wheat and one for middlings. The mill is provided with the middlings purifier system, and the motor is water. Its capacity is 65,000 bushels annually. The building is a frame structure, four stories in height, and it enjoys a water power of great natural advantages with a fall of thirty feet, confined between high and narrow bluffs that renders the location a privilege of more than ordinary worth for milling purposes. The building was put up by W. W. Phelps, and owned and operated by him for a time, when it was sold to William Featherstone, who owned it up to the time the present proprietor, M. Herschler, came in possession, 1875.
COUNTY POOR FARM.
The farm for the support of the poor is located in this township, about three miles from the city of Red Wing, on the Hastings and St. Paul road. It contains 183 acres. The buildings were erected in 1867, at a cost of about $6,000. A furnace for warming the apartments was con- structed, costing nearly $1,000, and furniture costing not far from $3,000, was put into the house. It is now in charge of S. E. Eastlund. A large number of indigent persons, mostly aged people and children, are cared for annually.
WELCH.
This township, located in the extreme northern part of the county, was among the last to be secured by the early settlers. Although claims were made in 1855-6, they were soon abandoned for the deserted homesteads in the south part of the county. These opportunities were eagerly watched by the temporary pioneers of this township, and not until 1857 and '58 was a permanent settlement made. These changes were so common, that it is impossible to trace out the first claim that was secured. Many of them returned to their native State, while others
FEATHERSTONE. John of Partes
THENEW YORK 1 PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATION8.
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THE HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY.
sought new fields. Among those of the early pioneers' of this township and county is William Boothroyd, a native of England, who settled in Red Wing in 1851, where he resided until 1858; settled in this town- ship in 1866, and on his present estate, being the largest landholder in the town. Among those who have been most prominently identified with the interests of the town and county is Hon. N. C. Crandall, the only American resident of the township who settled in Dakota county in 1861. In the fall of 1869 he came to this county and settled on his present estate. Has been justice of the peace three years, and is town- ship clerk at the present time. He represented this district in the last legislature, and has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the town and county. Among others of the early settlers is E. W. Carver, Michael Henry, John Bloom, Gohcham Esta, D. O. Swanson and others, to whom much credit is due to their interest in the growth and devel- opment of the township.
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