History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 30

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738

USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 30

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THE RESERVATION.

It must be borne in mind. that. at this time. a reservation of land for military purposes. made by à treaty of the I'nited States government with the Indians. in 1805. through Gen. Pike. existed. covering all the territory. from the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, the site of Fort Snelling. up to and including the Falls of St. Anthony, extending nine miles each side of the river. This extensive reservation included many thousand acres, much more land than was neces- sary for military purposes. It was seen. In ex- ploters, to be very valuable, and covetous eyes were fixed upon it. Squatters took possession, as they have often done of land unsurveyed by gov- ernment, trusting that when it came into market. their rights, as on lands not military, would be respected. In this, however, they were destined to meet disappointment. The government had thrown every possible obstacle in the way of their obtaining a foothold, from the first. and now pro- corded with the usual formalities of sale. The plats were to be forwarded. on a certain day. from Washington, when the sales, of land therein de- scribed. would take place. at public auction. to the highest bidder.

Such sales. however, would have been ruinons to those who had occupied claims, and made in- provements, in full expectation of the final right of pre-emption, and entry at the usual govern- ment price. Thereexisted. too, a tarit agreement between the squatters and the officers of the fort. that. on the one side. there should be no interfer- ener with their occupation. and. on the other.

there should be a division of spoils. in case the final decision should be in their favor.

Speenlators were on the alert. They assembled in considerable numbers at St. Paul. intending to hid on the clans. This led to the following or- ganization among the settlers for mutual protec- Tion :

THE EQUAL RIGHT AND IMPARTIAL PROTECTION (1. VIM ASSOCIATION OF HENNEPIN CO .. M. T.

The settlers on the reservation had no inten- tion of sitting idly by and seeing their homes sold to intruders: neither did they purpose to bid on them. themselves, above the usual pre-emption price. one dollar and twenty - five cents per acre. In this dilemma they called a meeting and estab- lished this Land League. This was an associa- tion of claimants on the reservation, organized to protect their interests by force. if need be. In a word. they proposed to do all the bidding, on the lands put up at auction. themselves, and to make it impossible for any venturesome speculator to put in a counter hid. The association numbered one hundred and twenty-five members. They appointed Thomas W. Peirce as bidder for all members of the league. The remainder were to stand around, to intimidate. If a spernlator should not be intimidated. but force himself in as a bidder, the members were to surround him, and hustle him out of range of the sales. This plan was fully matured. and would doubtless. have been carried out to the letter : for the speculators found the squat- ters resolute, and sustained by public opinion. and it was more than intimated. that the militia. if called on, would. likewise. side with the set- tlers. The speculators appealed to Governor Willis A. Gorman, for support at the coming sale, and asked if the troops could be called out. The Governor promised the troops, but intimated that he should instruct them how to load. " How shall you instruct them to load. Governor?" asked a speculator. " Blank. by " replied the Gov- ernor. The speculators took the hint and the first opportunity to leave. It is probable, that this plan of bulldozing would have succeeded. had not another escape offered.

Fortunately. a better method occurred. The plats did not arrive from Washington. in time for the advertised sale, and it was, necessarily. post-

175

REDUCTION OF THE RESERVATION.

poned. Seizing the opportunity. afforded by this ; delay, a delegation of citizens was sent to Wash- ington, to protest against the measure. Dr. A. E. Ames. Frayklin Steele. Judge Meeker. II. T. Welles, and others, were delegates. They left home on the 9th of October. 1854. The commis- sioner of the general land office informed them. on application at his office, in Washington. that the lands must be sold to the highest bidder. ar- vording to the previous notice, to comply with the law. On appealing, however. to the Secretary of the Interior, a stay of proceedings was ob- tained, until the assembling of Congress.

Dr. Ames spent most of the winter in Wash- ington, and on the 8th of March, 1855, started for home. He was successful in his undertaking. A bill passed Congress, in consequence of his en- deavors, reducing the reservation, and allowing settlers the usual privileges of government land entries. Commissioner Wilson made Dr. Ames the messenger, to convey to the land office in Minnesota, the laws and regulations. under which the subsequent entries were made. The general government had learned. by a painful experience, and under similar cir- cumstances, in New York State, where the set- tiers on the Holland purchase combined, and in Wisconsin, where the Fox River settlers com- bined. and in other states, that men mited for mutual protection, must be respected.

The poor doctor came near paying dearly for his success. An Aretie storm caught him, just on the threshold of his home, in southern Minne- apolis, and he nearly perished with cold.

The news of the reduction of the reservation had reached home before him, and a general rush for locations followed. In April and May. 1855, the settlers were able to " prove up " and obtain title to their lands. Thus ended, in a quiet and orderly way, what might have proved a danger- ous and even bloody disturbance. Now begins

THE GROWTH OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

The lands on the east side of the river, outside the reservation, had been taken, and the previ- ous settlement was on that side. The rapid im- migration, and the prospective value of lands on the west side, led to warm contests among the the conflicting claimants. Litigations followed in great numbers, furnishing to lawyers fat fees.

their first golden harvest. The rapid influx of 1855. was the natural consequence of the reduc- tion of the reservation. The attractive lands on the west side. had long tantalized the immigrants as well as the older settlers on the river.

Before our dates advance further, let us look back at a few of the

NAMES OF THE OLDER SETTLERS.

Lient. J. B. F. Russell, acting Q. M. of the regular army at Fort Snelling, who built the old government mill and the house near by, in 1822.

B. 1. Baker, long the principal fur trader, in what is now known as Hennepin county. ile was a famous man in trade and in the chase. Hle built the stone part of the St. Louis House, near Fort Snelling, which was burned several years since.

Peter Quinn located here in 1823, and had su- pervision of the Indian farms. He came from the fur company of Labrador to Pembina and finally, to this county.

Samuel J. Finley. son-in-law of Quinn, came with him. Claims at St. Anthony, occupied by Peter Quinn. Finley and one Joseph Reachi, a Canadian voyageur, were. subsequently. pur- chased by Franklin Steele.

Next comes an important person, whose name has figured in the public affairs of this county, I. R. Brown. He took a claim near the mouth of Minnebaha Creek. in 1826. llis was the first claim within the present limits of the county. Hle abandoned it. however. four years later. with- out much improvement.

Leaping over a few years, to 1837, we find two very important names, Franklin Steele and Mar- tin MeLeod. The former made a claim on what is now a part of the East Division of Minneapolis, and built a small log house near the corner of Second Avenue South and Main street. Two other log cabins were built the same year, one' above and one below.

Martin MeLeod eame by the northwest plains. from the Hudson Bay colonies of Selkirk. to Lac Traverse. In company with him, in this rash expedition, were Capt. . I. Pays, formerly of the Polish army, and Richard Hays, an Irishman. The party had, for a guide, Pierre Bottineau, whose name has become familiar, as a resident of St. Anthony. His two companions perished in

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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY,

the snow, near Cheyenne River, but he made his way. with the guide. to the house of 3. R. Brown, having been five days without food, and twenty- six days without seeing any one except his party. The hospitable reception of Mr. Brown was fully appreciated. we may suppose. after the hardships of the previous twenty-six days on snow-shoes.

R. P. Russell arrived at Fort Snelling, in 1839. He made the journey from Lake Pepin, on foot, suffering much from want of food. Alexander Graham acted as his guide. Mr. Russell is still living. Ilis present residence is on Hennepin Avenue. near Twenty-eighth street.

The development of Minnesota began in 1834. During this year. I. 11. Sibley, came out as part- Der of the American Fur Company. to superin- tend their interests. from Lake Pepin to the Can- ada line. II. M. Rice. N. W. Kittson. Edmund Rice, D. Olmstead. and others, came soon after Mr. Sibley, and became identified with the pro- gress and growth of the material interests of the state. Their names are found on the map of the state. attached to counties and townships, that have thus attempted to honor their memories.

The treaty with the Chippewas, which was ef- fected by Governor Dodge. of Wisconsin, in 1837. reding the pine valley of the St. Croix and its tributaries. to the United States, greatly accele- rated the development which began three years previous. During the same year, also. a deputa- tion of Dakotas, at Washington, coded all their lands lying east of the Mississippi. These things opened the way to

EXTENDING AND MULTIPLYING SETTLEMENTS.

Bloomington was first settled in 1851 2, by William Chambers, Joseph Dean and Reuben B. Gibson. They settled above Nine Mile Creek.

Eden Prairie was first settled in 1852, by Da- vid Livingston, Hiram Abbott, the Mitchells, and others.

Rich field was settled in 1852, by Mark Ballwin. Samuel Stough, and S. S. Crowell.

Excelsior was settled in 1853, by a colony of about forty families, under the guidance of George Bertram. Mr. Bertram selected the site. on the south side of Lake Minnetonka. in June of the previous year. After the planting of this large and prosperous colony. the settlement of the country surrounding went on rapidly.

Early in 1852. Simon Stevens and Calvin 1. Tuttle visited Minnetonka. They are supposed to be its first white visitors since 1822. In that year. J. R. Brown, John Snelling, Samuel Wat- kins, and Mr. Stewart, discovered the lake while on an exploring tour through this part of the county. Mr. Stevens made a claim at this time, 1852. just below the ontlet of the lake. and built the first saw-mill in Hennepin county west. During the year. James Shaver settled on Second Lake, and in December following. A. E. Garri- son and a Mr. Robinson located a claim at the present site of Wayzata. These were the first settlers on its north shore.

In February, 1553, Stephen Hull built the first house at the Narrows. In April, 1853, William Lithgrow settled near the upper Lake. He was drow ned in the lake, in February. 1854.

Near the mouth of the Crow River. a settlement was begun in the fall of 1853, by E. II. Robinson and Mr. Baxter.

We have thus marked a few of the nuclei of settlement. Most of these settlers were from New England. Their early training and educa- tion had fitted them for what they were to en- counter. Around these centres gathered the rapidly increasing population. Their sterling qualities and patient courage attracted settlers. as iron filings are attracted to a magnet. Thus the county has continued to fill up. In 1853, an estimate, probably a generous one. put the popu- lation at 2,000. In 1880, the census shows it 66,590. It is admitted that the growth of the State of Minnesota has been more rapid than that of any other state. not only in population. but in wealth. education, and internal improvements. Hennepin county is so situated that it necessa- rily partook largely of this wonderful growth. Indeed, the enterprising character of the settlers of this county contributed largely to the mex- ampled growth on the part of the state.

Much is often said of the power of that genius in certain men, which enables them to foresee future cities on barren lands. immense possibili- ties in things not yet developed. This power. however, must be valueless without the magnetic power to attract men. combine forces, and thus produce, almost create the result sought. The wonderful growth of Minneapolis is proof enough of the character of the men who have settled

177

FINANCIAL PROGRESS-MILLS.

here, and the progress throughout the county has been largely due to the progress at Minneapolis.

The organization of the Hennepin county Ag- ricultural Society took place in 1853. Its pur- pose was to encourage improvements in agricul- ture and stock in the county. The first officers. appointed September 7th. 1853, were, J. W. Dow, President : J. II. Canney, Secretary : Col. John 11. Stevens, Chairman of the Executive Commit- tee. Seeonding these efforts for improvement, Col. Stevens imported some Devonshire cattle, at considerable expense, and little ultimate profit to himself. These efforts led to and initiated the improvements since made in methods of agrienl- ture and stock-raising in the county.

FINANCIAL PROGRESS.

The taxable property of Hennepin county, in 1862, according to Goveronor Ramsey's message. was $43,529. in 1880, only twenty-nine years later, the official records show the assessed valu- ation, $38.183,474. From the records of 1879, are taken the following statistics : Wild Hay. tons. 26,168 ; Timothy Seed, bushels, 109 ; Apple Trees, growing. 127,038: Apple Trees. bearing, 20.995; Apples, busbels, 7.714: Grape-vines, bearing. 6.585: Grapes, lbs .. 15,510: Strawberries, qts .. 29.586: Tobacco, Ibs., 913; Maple Sugar, lbs .. 19.723 : Maple Syrup. gals .. 1,306 : Sheep, mim- ber sheared, 7.326; Wool, Ibs., 196.272; Cheese, lbs .. 4,665 ; Bees, number of hives, 873 ; Honey. Ibs., 14.233 ; Milch Cows, 6,658; other Cattle. 2.155; Tlogs, 6,888 : Horses, 7,717 ; Mules, 211.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

MILLS, MANUFACTORIES AND SETTLERS-MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION - NAVIGATION-RAIL- ROADS GENERAL DESCRIPTION -- RIVERSAND LAKES-GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY -SOIL AND VEGETATION-ZOOLOGY-CLIMATE-ED- UCATION.

We have thus far named those settlers who came to make claims. and have thus become iden- tified, more or less, with the agrienltural progress 12

of the county. Other inducements brought here another class of settlers, to build mills and inau- gurate manufactories. The Falls of St. Anthony affords the greatest and most avaitable water power in the United States. Besides, there are other minor falls in the county. utilized to some extent.

The first improvement. of any kind, in Henne- pin county. consisted in the building of the old government mill and a house near it, in the spring of 1822. Lieut. J. B. F. Russell, built them, acting in his capacity of Q. M. in the reg- ular army. This was the first mill in Minnesota.

In July. 1847, Win. A. Cheever bought of Mr. Steele, on the east side, nine-tenths of the water- power. He made the purchase for Eastern capi- talists, among whom were Robert Rantoul and Caleb Cushing.

Ard. Godfrey came from Maine, in the fall of 1847, to build Mr. Steele's mill. John MeDonald and Ira Burroughs came at the same time, and were engaged in the same enterprise. Robert W. Cummings, Henry Angell, Capt. John Tap- per, and William Dugas went up the Swan River to ent timber for the new mill. Daniel Staneh- field took another party and opened another lum- bering camp, on Rum River. In the spring of 1848, the mill was ready. and the sawing began. In September, two saws were running. The set- tlers now began building frame houses. The lumber. from the mills, helped on the settlement of the county.

An unusual freshet occurred in 1849, which swept about 6.000,000 feet of logs over the falls. Fortunately. Mr. Steele had about 2,000,000 feet on the upper streams. secure. These were brought down. and the mills continued running.

In 1852, Simon Stevens built the first saw-mill in Hennepin county, west. on the claim which he took at the outlet of Lake Minnetonka. The building of saw-mills was the initial step in the great milling interests of this county. In 1848, the enterprise of mill building took a start from the building of a dam from Hennepin Istand to the east shore, and locating four saw-mills on it. In 1856-7, however. the two great incorporated companies, that now control the power. took hold of its development. " The St. Inthony Water Power Company" took control of the water-power, from the centre of the channel, on the west side

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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.

of lennepin Island. to the past shore. " The Minneapolis Mill Company " took control of the remainder. viz., from the centre to the west shore. The lumbering establishments have done more for the growth of Minneapolis, and Hennepin county, than any other industry. The future development of the county may depend on other manufactories, but the past must give the credit to lumber.

In 1860, four years later, the report for the whole state gives 562 manufacturing establish- ments, with $2.388.310, capital invested. In 1×74, Minneapolis. alone. prodneed manufactured goods to the amount of $15.000.000. The last census, 1880. shows that Minneapolis had, in 1879. 406 manufacturing establishments. employ- ing $8,615.250 capital. 7.723 hands, paying. in wages. 83.651.668 annually, using 13,972 horse- power. water and steam combined. The value of manufactured goods prodneed in 1879, was $29.473.121.

The Falls of St. Anthony furnish a water- power with a fall of 82 feet and a width of 1200 feet. It is capable of driving twenty times the present establishments. The companies in con- trol. are ready to make liberal arrangements with parties bringing capital to develop further the capacity of the falls. Full statistics of the man- ufactures of Minneapolis will be found in an- other chapter.

MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION -NAVIGATION.

For several years after the rapid growth of Minneapolis began, the question of transportation was a vital one. Though St. Panl was as high a point as the large steamers of the Mississippi conld reach regularly, through the season, it was found that boats could reach Minneapolis or St. Anthony, as that part of the city was then called. during a part of the season, in high water. and that boats of light draft might be depended upon for regular transportation, during the boating season. It will not be possible. in this outline history, to enter into the details of the discussion which continued so long over the point. whether st. Paul or Minneapolis should be regarded as the head of navigation on the Mississippi. We can only mention the facts in regard to the at-

tempts to navigate the river to Minneapolis, and also, on the upper Mississippi. above the falls.

The first steamboat that came up as far as Fort Snelling. arrived at Mendota in 1823. Du- ring the same year. Major Stephen II. Long explored the Minnesota River, and the northern frontier. Beltrami, an Italian refugee. explored the sources of the Mississippi. and made a map of the country.

The first navigation of the river above Fort Snelling, must date from the arrival of the La- martine. Capt. Marsh, at noon. May 4th. 1850. The land was made at a point opposite what we call - Bridal Veil." The Captain attempted to force his boat further up the river. but was un- able to stem the current. May 7th. three days later, the " Anthony Wayne." Capt. Rogers, Sue- ceeded in forcing her way up. in spite of the rapid current. and landed at the old rafting place. near the present location of the lower or iron bridge. The arrival was justly regarded as a great event. as the question of transportation to these upper regions was beginning to assume a serious nature. Speeches were made, by Governor Ramsey and other leading citizens. The band played. and the occasion was duly honored. Later in the season. during the same year. the " Lady Franklin."" Capt. Smith Harris, came up within a few feet of Spirit Island. " Turned gracefully about and drop- ped down to the landing."

Business men now determined to seenre regular communication. They were liberal in furnishing means to forward the plan. and the result of their labors was the establishment of a line of steamers. On the ISth of July. 1853, the " Hindoo," a fine steamer from below. landed at Cheever's Flat, and afterwards made regular trips to this point.

The Minnesota River was also navigated by smaller craft. Insufficient as this means of com- munication would be in the present advanced stage of our growth. it performed an important part in assisting that growth.

NAVIGATION ABOVE THE FALLS.

steamer bearing the distinguished name. " Governor Ramsey," was Gifted up by Captain John Rollins, in 1850. to navigate the upper Mississippi. The trial trip seems to have been an eventful day in the colony. It took place May 25th. 1850, She ran up to Banfield Island,

179

RAILROADS-GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

about eight miles, then returned. and freighted for Sauk Rapids. Just at dark, she left the land- ing for her first trip. She ran about a mile, and tied up for the night. The next day, Sunday, she ran up to Sauk Rapids, discharged her cargo, and returned to St. Anthony on Monday. She made the return trip in exactly seven hours. After this, Capt. Rollins made regular trips. touching at intervening points.

RAILROADS.

The year 1862 was the era of railroads. The building and management of the railroads of a new country, is a very important matter, and one fraught with great danger to the interests of the country. The method used in constructing roads, is by furnishing private citizens or corporate bodies, capital obtained by bonding towns: or some method by which the country through which the road passes, is put under contribution to de- fray the expense. This puts the capital of many into the hands of a few. In case the trustees prove reckless or unprincipled. the country at large must become the sufferer. Minnesota has suffered greatly through railroad mismanage- ment. This has been true, not simply in build- ing and equipping the roads, but in exorbitant tariffs. She has been loaded with debt, and her attempts at adjustment have loaded her with odium. This county has suffered greatly from this cause. Such evils are, however. self-correct- ing and Time. the great healer. will remedy all evils of the past, when such prosperity follows as has followed their construction here.

In 1862, the railroad from St. Paul to St. An- thony opened the county to railroad communiea- tion. To the making of railroads there is no end. We shall not attempt to enumerate, in this brief article, all the roads and the history of their con- struction. A simple statement of the receipts and shipments of the principal commodities. by the various railroads to and from Minneapolis, during the year ending May 31st. 1880, will show the importance of the roads to this county, and will further indicate the extent of the business of the county.

RAILROAD SHIPMENTS.

Lumber. 1,467.700,000 feet: Flour. 1.650,630 bbls .: Mill Stuffs. 55,746 tons ; Wheat. 76,000 bul .; Corn, 113,850 bu .: Merchandise, 10,166 cars;

Oats, 57,200 bu .; Machinery. 743 cars; Live Stock, 774 cars ; other articles, 1,623 cars. Total shipments of all kinds. 48,447 cars.

RAILROAD RECEIPTS OF LEADING ARTICLES.

Wheat, 8.103.708 bu .; Corn, 392.200 bu .; Oats. 262,100 bu .; Barley. 70,700 bu .; Flaxseed, 124,900 bu .: Mill Feed. 9.176 tons ; Lumber. 22.770.000 ft .: Flour, 110.700 bbis .; Merchandise. 12,643 cars: Live Stock, 929 cars : Machinery. 730 cars ; Bar- rel Stock, 1,229 cars; Coal, 2,713 ears; all other articles. 4.265 cars. Total of all kinds of freight. 47,307 vars.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION. BOUNDARIES, ETC.

Hennepin county, as originally organized. had for its eastern boundary. the Mississippi River. and was held in the embrace of three rivers. the Mississippi, Minnesota, and Crow. These rivers formed almost the entire boundary. Carver and Wright counties. on the west. completed its boundaries. By a subsequent act of legislature. St. Anthony was attached. The length of the county, north and south. is about thirty - two miles. Its greatest breadth is abont twenty-eight miles. Its area is 354,904.96 acres. The forty- fifth parallel of latitude passes through the mid- dle. The summers are very warm, and hasten vegetation to maturity. The winters are very cold. It may serve to assist the mind. to com- pare it with other localities of the country, in re- ferener to latitude and temperature. The forty- tifth parallel. which passes through the middle of this county. passes through Green Bay. Wiscon- sin, touches the extreme northern limit of New York, and forms the northern boundary of Ver- mont. The winter isothermal line. however. strikes considerably north of New York and Ver- mont. The snow-fall is light. but as thaws are infrequent, enough usually accumulates to insure sleighing through the winter. The same is true of this as of all northern climates: the winter is made jolly by extra sociability.

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History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 30

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 738

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 738