USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 66
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First regular election, April 7th, 1868. 11. G. Harrison, Mayor; Aldermen-tirst ward, Frank L. Morse; second. John Il. Thompson; third, George A. Brackett; fourth. Isaac Alwater. Ap- pointed officers- Thomas Hale Williams, City Clerk; O. M. Laraway, Treasurer: John Vander Horek, Comptroller; W. D. Webb, Attorney: S. II. King, Street Commissioner; Daniel L. Day, Chief of Police; D. R. Barber, Assessor. vice King, resigned.
Second election, April 6th, 1869. D. Morrison, Mayor; Aldermen-F. Beede, first ward; C. B.
Heffelfinger, second: G. M. Stickney, third: Charles Clark, fourth. Appointed officers- Thomas Hale Williams. City Clerk: O. M. Lara- way. Treasurer: J. Vander Horek, Comptroller: J. M. Shaw, Attorney: D. Morgan and II. A. Partridge, City Justices; O. L. Dudley, Consta- ble; J. B. Clough, Street Commissioner: H. 11. Brackett, Chief of Police.
Third election, April 5th, 1870. E. B. Ames, Mayor: Aldermen- Henry Oswald, first ward; S. II. Maltison, second; C. M. Loring, third; G. E. Huy, fourth. Appointed officers -- Thomas Hale Williams. Clerk; O. M. Laraway, Treasurer; J. Vander Horek. Comptroller; R. D. Rich. Con- stable: J. M. Shaw, Attorney: J. B. Clough, Surveyor and Street Commissioner, succeeded by M. Van Duzee. May 6th. February 27th. 1871, D). R. Barber was appointed Assessor to till va- caney.
Fourth election, April 4th, 1871. E. B. Ames, Mayor; Aldermen, F. L. Morse, first ward; A. M. Reid, second; O. A. Pray, third; F. R. E. Cornell, fourth. Appointed officers, Thomas Hale Wil- liams, City Clerk ; Charles Darrow, Treasurer : John Vander Horek. Comptroller; D. R. Barber, Assessor : J. M. Shaw. Attorney : J. L. Himes and H. G. Hicks. Justices: J. D. Rich, Constable: Cortez L. Peek. Chief of Police. July 5th, A. II. Young, Attorney, vice Shaw resigned, William F. Cahill Alderman first ward to fill vacancy : September 6th, O. M. Laraway, Treasurer, vice Darrow.
Previous to the next annual election the cities of Minneapolis and St. Anthony were united by an aet of the State Legislature approved Feb- ruary 28th, 1872. April 9th, 1872, the new coun- cil was organized. The officers present were Aldermen Richard Fewer, M. W. Glenn, Bald- win Brown, G. T. Townsend, T. 1. Tuttle, John Vander Ilorek, W. P. Ankeny. Peter Ranen. A. M. Reid, C. M. Hardenbergh, S. C. Gale, O. 1. Pray. Leonard Day, N. B. Hill, Edward Murphy, Isaac Atwater, Joel B. Bassett and John Orth. The oath of office was taken, Alderman Atwater elected temporary chairman and the council pro- ceeded to the permanent organization of the city government of Minneapolis. A. M. Reid was chosen President, E. W. Cutler, Vice Presi- dent and Thomas Hale Williams, Clerk. The standing rules of the former city government
3.8.1
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
of Minneapolis were adopted. a few subordinate officers were appointed and the first session of the consolidated city government closed.
April 12th the council convened for the tran- saction of necessary Imsiness. The newly elected Mayor. E. M. Wilson. delivered his inangnral address. after which the usual committees were appointed. 11. 11. Corson was appointed Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and D. R. Barber. Assessor of the West Division. April 17th. the police force was reorganized, with a Chief. Captain, Sergeant and ien patrolmen. May sth. Dr. Charles Simpson was appointed Health Officer: June 5th. A. M. Merrick, City AAttorney.
First election. April Ist. 1573. George .1. Brackett. Mayor; Aldermen. John Orth, first ward: Charles Thielen, second: Solon Armstrong. third: Simeon D. Rollins, fourth: Joel B. Bas- sett. fifth: R. E. Grimshaw. sixth: C. M. Harden- bergh, seventh: E. S. Jones, eighth: Leonard Day. ninth: William D. Johnson. tenth. Charles W. JJolmson. City Clerk: O. M. Laraway. Treas- urer: Ernest Ortman, Comptroller: A. M. Mer- rick. Attorney: 11. H. Corson, City Engineer : Dr. Charles Simpson, Health Officer.
second election April 7th. 1871. E. M. Wil- som. Mayor: Aldermen. Gottfried Boehme. first ward: G. B. Dake, second: O. C. Merriman. third: G. M. Townsend. fourth: JJohn Vander lorck. fifth: D. A. C. Thompson, sixth; A. M. Reid. seventh: N. R. Thompson. eighth: Wm. . Jones, ninth: A. Il. Edsten. tenth: Frank J. Meade, City Clerk; O. M. Laraway. Treasurer: Ernest Ortman. Comptroller. A. M. Merrick, Attorney: Grove B. Cooley, Municipal Judge; Ed. J. Davenport. Clerk Municipal Court: J. B. Clough. City Engineer: Dr. Charles Simpson. Health Officer.
Third election April 5th. 1875. O. C. Merri- man. Mayor: Aldermen. T. M. Bohan. first ward: M. W. Glenn, second; Salon Armstrong. third, resigned. succeeded by Baldwin Brown: T. F. Anderson, fourth: F. L. Morse, fifth; O. ... Evans.
Grove B. Cooley. Municipal Judge: Ed. J. Dav- enport. Clerk Municipal Court: John H. Noble, Chief of Police: W. M. Brackett. Chief of Fire Department. west division: M. B. Rollins. Chief of Fire Department. east division; Sweet W. Case, Assessor, west divison; C. F. Smith. As- sessor, east division.
Fourth election. April 1th. 1876. 1. 1. Ames, Mayor; Aldermen. Gottfried Boehme. first ward; Michael Lyon. second; Baldwin Brown. third; A. R. Camp. fourth: Daniel Waitt. fifth; Wil- liam Duncan, fifth, to fill vacancy: H. A. C. Thompson, sixth: N. F. Griswold. seventh: John HI. Stevens, eighth: J. HI. Conkey, ninth: II. Kruckeberg. tenth. April 10th, J. O. Pattee. ninth. vice Ames, elected Mayor: E. S. Corser. seventh. vice M. L. Wiggins, resigned. Frank J. Meade. City Clerk; O. M. Laraway, Treas- urer: Ernest Ortman. Comptroller: Eugene M. Wilson. Attorney: Thomas L. Rosser, Engi- neer: Dr. G. F. Townsend, Health Officer; Grove B. Cooley. Municipal Judge: Ed. J. Dav- enport. Clerk Municipal Court; Albert S. Mun- ger. Chief of Police: W. M. Brackett, Chief of Fire Department. west division: M. B. Rollins, Chief of Fire Department. east division.
Fifth election. April 3d, 1877. John De Laittre. Mayor; Aldermen. T. M. Bohan, first ward; M. W. Glenn. second; Solon Armstrong. third. P. D. McMillan. fourth: J. B. Bassett, fifth: J. G. Me- Farlane, sixth: E. S. Corser, seventh: C. L. Sny- der. eighth: 1. O. Pattee, ninth: A. F. Jackson. tenth. Frank J. Meade. t'ity Clerk; T. J. Bux- ton. Treasurer: William Lochren. Attorney: Andrew Rinker, Engineer: S. W. Case, Assessor. west division: G. B. Dake. Assessor. east divi- sion; Dr. A. A. Ames, Health Officer; G. B. Cooley. Municipal Judge; Reuben Reynolds, Special Municipal Judge: L. A. Dunn. Clerk Municipal Court. June 20th, W. B. Hall. Com- Mtroller. vier Ortman, resigned; November 7th. Mathias Kees. Alderman, sixth ward. vice Thompson, resigned.
Sixth election. April 20, 1878. A. C. Rand, sixth: M. L. Higgins, seventh; 6. L. Snyder. | Mayor. The number of wards was reduced to righth: A. A. Ames, ninth: W. 11. Johnson, tenth. Frank J. Meade. City Clerk: O. M. Lar- away, Treasurer, Ernest Ortman. Comptroller; i Eugene M. Wilson. Attorney; J. B. Clough. En- gineer; Dr. Charles Simpson. Health Officer;
six and three members elected from each for terms of one, two and three years. Aldermen, first ward. P. J. Thielen one year, M. Lyons two years. B. F. Nelson three years: second ward, T. F. Andrews one year, W. M. Barrows two
385
MINNEAPOLIS AFTER THIRTY YEARS.
years, A. R. Camp three years; third ward, J. W. Anderson one year, Il. C. Morse two years, D. Waitt three years; fourth ward. E. S. Corser one year, F. S. Gilson two years, W. W. Woodward three years; fifth ward, A. Frank Gate one year, Fred L. Smith two years, C. L. Snyder three years; sixth ward, Karl Bendeke one year, Mat- hew Walsh two years, A. C. Haugan three years. Selah Mathews, City Clerk; Assessors, A. C. Anstin, G. B. Dake, William A. Barnes; W. B. Hill, Comptroller ; William Loch- ren, Attorney; A. Rinker, Engineer; Dr. O. J. Evans, Health Officer; Thomas C. Wilson, Clerk of Municipal Court; A. S. Munger, Chief of Po- lice, A. C. Berry, Captain, John West, Sergeant, Michael lloy, Detective; W. M. Brackett, Chief of Fire Department. W. C. Stetson and C. Fred- erichs, Assistants.
Seventh election, April 1st. 1879. A. C. Rand, Mayor; Aldermen: M. W. Glenn, first ward; J. II. Gilmore, second ward; J. W. Anderson, third ward; Frank Beebe, fourth ward; J. M. Parker, fifth ward; Joseph Holscher, sixth ward. R. (. Benton, Attorney; William B. Hill, Comptroller; T. J. Buxton, Treasurer; Dr. A. HI. Salisbury, Health Officer; Andrew Rinker, Engineer: Ed. MeDermott, Sealer of Weights and Measures; A. S. Munger, Chief of Police; W. M. Brackett, Chief of Fire Department.
Eighth election, April. 1880. As this year eloses the official record, the entire list is given, embracing both those officers elected in 1880 and those holding over from previous elections: A. C. Rand, Mayor. City Council, A. R. Camp, President; C. L. Snyder, Vice-President; Atder- men, first ward, B. F. Netson, M. Lyons, M. W. Glenn; second ward, A. R. Camp, W. M. Bar- rows, J. II. Gilmore; third ward, D. Waitt, II. (. Morse, J. W. Anderson: fourth ward, W. W. Woodward. F. S. Gilson, F. Beebe; fifth ward. F. L. Smith, C. L. Snyder, J. M. Parker; sixth ward, M. Walsh, A. C. Haugan, Joseph Holscher. Selah Mathews, City Clerk; T. J. Buxton, Treas- urer; W. B. ITill, Comptroller; R. C. Benton, City Attorney; W. M. Brackett, Chief Engineer Fire Department; W. H. Johnson, Superintendent of Water-works; Andrew Rinker, City Engineer; Grove B. Cooley, Judge of Municipal Court: 1. S. Munger Chief of Police; Dr. A. Il. Salisbury, Ilealth officer.
CHAPTER LAIT.
AFTER THIRTY YEARS-STREETS AND AVENUES - BUILDINGS -- STATISTICS - POPULATION - DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER POWER.
After following the settlement and growth of Minneapolis until its population became so numerous that it was possible to mention only the few who had become conspicuons, from large fortunes made by the rapid advance in prices and skillful business management, or from re- eeiving the honors of the people in consequence of enterprise, public spirit and high talent, it will be more interesting to leap over the inter- vening years and take a view of the city as it appears in 1881, with its population of fifty thousand, covering an area of nine square miles with houses, the largest eity north-west of Chicago and Milwaukee, and except St. Louis and Kan- sas City, the largest between the Mississippi river and the Rocky mountains.
The surface of the country, from its almost tevel character, admits of extension in every di- rection, and at the same time obviates the neees- sity of heavy and expensive grading. The same feature was favorable for regularity in the streets, and the beauty of the city would have been en- hanced, had the irregular course of the river been disregarded, and the streets laid ont north and south, instead of following its torturous course. At a distance from the river the north and south course is adopted and the streets are regularly taid ont, but at the intersection of streets run- ning by the first plan and the new one, many tri- angular pieces are formed which are a blemish to the appearance of the city. It must in justice be stated, however, that the regularity both in the course of the streets and avenues, and the numbering of houses is better than in most cities east or west. The streets and avenues are named numerically, except the four principal avenues, Washington, Hennepin, and Nicollet on the West and Central on the East Side, and a few formed by the irregularity of the city before mentioned. The streets run north and south, and the avenues east and west, except where varied by the original plats, which were made to con- form to the river. The streets and avenues are
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386
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
wide, averaging about one hundred feet. In the central portion of the city the old wooden build- ings have been largely replaced by substantial and elegant brick and stone structures, and the reconstruction is going rapidly forward, which gives the busmess portion of the city somewhat the appearance of solidity characteristic of the older cities in the cast.
Beyond the business centre are seen many beautiful private residences, giving evidence of wealth and refinement. differing. however. from the wealthy cities of the east by having larger lots and more extensive grounds laid out with taste. Indeed the resident portion of the city unites the comfort and freedom of large villages with the advantages of a city of considerable wealth.
The most valuable building material is the na- tive limestone, which underlies large areas in and near the city. in strata of uniform thickness, convenient for the erection of substantial and et- egant structures. This stone is largely utilized for both public and private building. Extensive deposits of brick clay also exist, from which build- ers are furnished with bricks in color and texture like those of Milwaukee. It must be added, though it may seem superfluous in a great lun- ber city like Minneapolis, that soft and hard timber, at low prices, furnishes material for the construction of the greatest number of buildings.
In addition to the materials mentioned. many building stones of greater beanty are brought from a distance. for ornamental finish or for the entire construction of buildings. Prominent among these foreign materials are the Ohio sand- stone, from which we have many buildings, and the Duluth brown-stone, used for the new West- minster Presbyterian church and other edifices.
The streets are well lighted with gas, except in parts remote from the centre where the mains have not yet been extended; here gasoline is used.
The system of sewerage is extending rapidly, and already forms a network draining a large portion of the city; this is an herculean task in a climate where pipes are laid nine feet below the surface to avoid the action of the frost. A general tax is levied for that portion of the sew- erage which benefits the city at large, and spe- cial taxes are assessed on the abutting property to provide for this expensive improvement.
At the session of the legislature of 1881, a bill was passed authorizing the city to issue bonds to the amount of $50,000 to carry out extensive plans for sewerage.
The amount invested in buildings in 1879, as shown by the annual report of the Board of Trade, to whom we are indebted for these and other facts in regard to the present status of Min- neapolis, was $2.713.600, an increase of $1,605,- 750 over the year 1876. An accurate measure- ment of the frontage of all buildings erected during the year 1879, gives a distance amounting to two and a half mites solid. with no allowance made for streets
During the year 1880, the report shows a front- age of business blocks greater by 329 feet than the previous year, and a gain of 177 in the num- ber of residences built, over the previous year. The total amount of building in 1880 was: twen- ty-six business blocks for forty-three stores, with a frontage of 1.187 feet. costing $257.000; eleven frame stores. 224 feet, $16,900: 1wo elevators, $70,- 000: expended on three fouring mills, $375,000; other improvements on mills, $60,000; mamfactur- ing buildings, $136,500; four school buildings, 838,- 000; expended on four churches, $62,000; county jail, $60,000; four railroad buildings, $26,000: street-car and other publie stables, $27,000; four hundred and seventy-three residences, costing over $1,000 each, total, $888,200; estimated eighty other residences at $800 cach, $61.000, making a grand total of $2,080,600. Total sales of real estate during the year. $5.103,017: the largest in- Inded was the sale to J. J. Hill by Water Power Company, $465.000. The increase in business blocks and private residences though large was not equal to the demand, and at present a searcity exists in both.
The increase in mercantile and manufacturing interests was greater during 1880, than any pre- ceding year, but the demands of the new country developing and looking to Minneapolis for sup- plies, have been in excess of the facilities furnished here. In short. the demands in all departments of enterprise in the city are greater than the supply. calling in imperative tones for more cap- ital in the various departments of the city trade to keep pace with the enlarged and growing de- mands of the surrounding country. More than 1,600 miles of railroad have been built during
387
INCREASE IN POPULATION.
the year, extending into country tributary to this city, and still greater plans are on foot for the ensuing year. A summary of business for live successive years is as follows: 1876. $21.017,819; 1877, $30,912,152; 1878, $47,149,875; 1879. $62,- 801,513; 1880, $88.298,820. The total bonded in- debtedness of the city in 1880, was $1, 101,000, and $395,162.42 was levied in taxes during the year.
The fact that the tendency of capital, in util- izing the water-power, is directed to the construc- tion of great flouring mills with such improved facilities as to manufacture large quantities of flour without the employment of many hands, is not conducive to the most rapid growth of the city, but it is also true that the mills now build- ing are of such mammoth proportions and em- ploy so large a capital in construction and opera- tion, that small concerns will eventually be unable to compete, and capital will be directed into other channels. The building of flouring mills has been stimulated by high prices, and doubtless the business will be enlarged to keep pace with the increasing acreage in the north- west. The undeveloped power of the falls, ad- mits of the introduction of all kinds of mechanical industries under most favorable conditions for success. In the chapter on mills and manufac. tories, will be seen the extent to which the power is already utilized and the amount still unused. In view of the fact that the growth of Minneap- olis, hitherto has been due to the development of the power of the falls, we may safely predict a very large city when this power is utilized to its full extent, especially if manufactories of furni- ture, woolen and cotton goods, and other indus- tries employing many laborers are multiplied.
It may be interesting and profitable to compare the growth of this city with that of others, partly by way of indication of what its future may be, and partly to satisfy the desire of every western citizen to know how his favorite city has held her own in the strife for supremacy. New York city in 1656 had a population of one thousand; in 1756, at the end of the first century of its exist- ence, a little over ten thousand; in 1800, over sixty thousand; in 1820, nearly one hundred and twenty-four thousand; in 1830, over two hundred thousand; in 1880, 1,206,590. Chicago came into existence in 1831, with about the same number of houses which Minneapolis had in the spring of
1854. In 1837 its population was 4,170; in 1840, 4,853; in 1850, 29,963; in 1860, twenty-nine years from its first life, 112,172; in 1870, 298,977; in 1880, 503,304. Minneapolis in 1870, fifteen years from the time when the land was opened for set- tlement, had a population of 18,079, and in 1876 was estimated at 32,000; in 1880, after twenty- five years, 48,053.
These figures are gratifying to the vanity of north-western enthusiasts and encouraging to property owners in the infant city, as they show a growth with which the older cities of the coun- try can afford no comparison, and a parallel to Chicago, the greatest prodigy on the continent. Chicago, at the sixth year of its existence. had 4,170; Minneapolis, at fifth, 5,809. Chicago at the ninth year, 4,853; Minneapolis at the fifteenth, 18,079. The percentage of growth from 1870 to 1880, 269 per cent., was not equaled by any city of equal size on the continent.
The population of Minneapolis by the census of 1880 was 48,053, but at the present time doubt- less exceeds 50,000.
The projected plans for machine-shops con- neeted with the great trunk lines extending west promise to add immediately, thousands to the per- manent population of the city, besides the mum- ber temorarily employed in the construction of new buildings and new roads. Minneapolis is emphatically a busy city, and visitors from the east are disposed to find fault with a town whose citizens cannot find time to waste in idle talk. The recent purchase of the east-side water-power by James J. Ilill, manager of the St. Paul, Min- neapolis and Manitoba railway, has given a new impetus to the manufacturing interests. The purchase was made March Ist, 1880, for a private company, consisting of James J. IFill and others interested in operating the railway, though a distinet company, and the price paid was to the St. Anthony Water Power Company, $425.000, and to Mr. Eastman for a few privileges not con- trolled by that company, an additional sum of $42,500, making a total investment of $467,500.
The city has no marked characteristic except. the great river with its wonderful water-fall, and the industries which it supports. Of all the in- dustries, that of the flouring mills is the fore- most, and of such extent as not only to charac- terize Minneapolis as a milling city, but also to
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HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
entitle it to the position of the first in the world. The three great mills are the Wash- burn A. with capacity. when complete. es- timated at 1.200 barrels, the Pillsbury A. in process of building. estimated at 4.800, and the Crown Roller at 3,000, besides twenty-three more making a total daily capacity of 25.225 according to the estimate of the Board of Trade.
In giving a history of the milling interests of Minneapolis. it will be necessary to give a sketch of the changes the falls themselves have under- gone since their first discovery. but we shall not attempt to usurp the ground covered by the "Pioneers and Explorers." That the falls received their name " St. Anthony " from Father Hen- nepin has been already recorded, and the ever- lasting rocks, bear testimony to their " change of venne " by a gorge cut from the month of the Minnesota river to St. Anthony. The strata of rock forming the bed of the river was superim- posed upon white sandstone of a very friable nature. From this cause the recession proceeded rapidly by the combined action of frost and water. for the erosion destroyed the sandstone substratmin, and the action of the frost and water combined broke down the rock bed of the river. Still another destructive force was added, namely the hand of man in attempting to make the power more available. The value of a water- fall consists as much in its availability as in volume and height. and in these respects the Falls of St. Anthony excel, owing to the high bluffs on each side of the river above the falls, through which shiices can be ent, conducting the water to fumes or canals parallel with the main channel. Besides, the water-power companies, lyy dams built for the advantage of mills situated on each bank. forced the flood of the river to about one-third the natural width of the stream and thus hastened the disintegration. The work of destruction by these various causes continued silently but nevertheless with alarming rapidity. The attention of citizens was occasionally called to the danger when the undermining process caused an mosnal recession, as in 1851. When several rods, ninety feet by actual measurement, of the superstratum fell in one huge mass in the foaming water. It will be interesting to many to find here a record of the exact location of the rest of the fall in 1850. We, therefore. give
points from which any one may ascertain it. and note the recession.
A line running south 50 deg. west from the north-west corner of the " Pillsbury A" mill. would strike the bend in the rest of the falls. as it was in 1850. about 250 feet west of its eastern end at the old frame saw-mill, and would follow its erest to a point on the west side, nine feet above the lower corner of the Minneapolis Mill, of Crocker, Fisk and Company. The data are obtained from records made and preserved by C. W. Christmas. Persons interested. by standing at the corner of the Pillsbury A mill. can easily follow this line and mark the recession of the falls during the thirty years which have elapsed since the record was made.
Dr. S. I. (hmte, in 1864, excavated a tunnel eight feet in diameter, beginning just below the Chalybeate springs, through the soft sand rock about two hundred feet in a straight line. thence parallel with the river to the fall, for a tail-race. in order to secure greater head in utilizing the power. Into this subterranean channel. it was supposed, after encasing it with masonry or sheet iron. the waste water from many mills could be conducted. The work was never com- pleted, but the eroding tooth was by this means, admitted to ent more rapidly at the very vitals of the power. This excavation was called Chute's rave, and visitors at the falls were invited to ex- plore its dark regions in a boat kept there for the purpose by persons interested in a place of resort near the spring. The attractions here were the mineral water, which still continues to flow in great abundance from fissures in the rock, a fish pond and a few curiosities of the animal king- dom. The view of the falls with these extraor- dinary inducements, rewarded the tourist for the fatigue of descending the long stairway to the bed of the river, and the patronage of swing. boat and restaurant compensated the enterpris- ing owner. The springs continue to furnish medicinal water, but the remainder gave place during the winter of 1880-1, to the progressive enterprise of mill building. During the winter of 1880-1, occurred the breaking down of the limestone ledge above the tunnel. Into the hole, tmnbled a part of Main street. A tree was swallowed up to the limbs, and the corner of a mill standing near, settled to an alarming extent.
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