USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > History of Hennepin county and the city of Minneapolis, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 85
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In 1850, three more attorneys. E. Whitall. W. 11. Hubbard and I. Atwater settled in St. An- thony. in 1851, we find in addition D. Secombe, E. L. Hall, James I. Truder, Warren Bristoll, now associate justice of Arizona territory. L. Bostwick arrived in the territory in 1850, and was admitted to the bar of Hennepin county in 1856. Then at various dates from 1851. to 1856, we find in the list of attorneys, the names of W. Dodge. I. 1. Monell. H. B. Hancock, R. Nicholas, Il. A. Partridge. Geo. A. Nourse. W. W. Win- throp, W. H. Robinson. Geo. E. Day, W. W. Rowley, Geo. W. Prescott. W. D. Washburn, II. L. Mon, C. E. Vanderburgh, F. R. E. Cornell. 1. Beebe. W. L. Parsons, D. Morgan, A. M. Blair, Jared Demmon. Dan. M. Demmon, II. Hill. Wm. Lochren, H. D. Beman. J. B. Giltillan,
H. W. Cowles, R. L. Joyce, James W. Lawrence, R. J. Baldwin, J. S. Johnson. Geo. W. Woods, Cushman, David Heaton, S. R. M. Math- ews, W. W. MeNair, E. M. Wilson, and L. M. Stewart. Doubtless there were some others whose names, the writer cannot now recall. Hon. J. B. Gilfillan, settled here in 1855, but was not admitted as an attorney until 1860. The limits of this article, only permit a reference to such attorneys as were here previous to 1857, when the state constitution was adopted.
In looking over the above list, one is surprised to see how few are still practitioners at the bar. Many have died, some removed, and some have retired from active practice. A very few are still in practice, and recognized as the " nestor's" of the bar of Hennepin county in 1881.
In this brief review. we think it will be found that the courts and bar of Hennepin county, will compare most favorably, not only with the courts and bar of any other county in the territory of Minnesota, but with that of any county in any western state, while it was a territory. From the ranks of the members of the bar of Hennepin county in territorial times. have been drawn judges of the supreme court of the state. one jus- tice of the supreme court of Arizona. two repre- sentatives in congress. a large number of state senators and representatives. and members of the constitutional convention, and many who have filled honorable positions as city officials and on the boards of education. If any one objects that none have obtained a national reputation as law- yers, it must be remembered that no man of ability could come to Minnesota at an early day and con- fine himself exclusively to the practice of law. For in territorial days the pressure was so great to obtain competent men to fill legislative and other politieal offices, and for which lawyers were considered most eligible and best fitted. that it was almost impossible for a lawyer, withoul giv- ing grave offense to his friends and clients, to re- fuse a nomination. In addition to this is to be considered that legal services were then of small pecuniary value, and the same talent employed in polities or in real estate operations, ordinarily re- ceived a much larger remuneration. And hence, while we may reasonably conclude that the terri- torial bar of this county embraced fully as much talent and legal ability as the average of frontier
HISTORY OF HENNEPIN COUNTY.
counties in the west. the reason it has not pro- Queed as many distinguished lawyers propor- tioned to its muubers as some counties in eastern states. is easily accounted for. And. considering the history of the territory and state in its politi- cal. educational, religions and material aspects, the carly bar of Hennepin county has no occasion to be ashamed of its record in regard thereto, and with the increase of population and lawyers. thus enabling. and indeed compelling attorneys to devote themselves more exclusively to their profession, we may expect from present indica- tions. to find lawyers within the next quarter of a century at the bar of Hennepin county, who will have attained a national reputation.
CHAPTER LAXIN.
CITY WATER WORKS FIRE DEPARTMENT -- PO- LICE FORCE-CITY MARKET - POST OFFICE.
The city of Minneapolis was incorporated in the spring of 1-07. and the next fall the Holly system of water works was introduced. and com- pleted in the spring of Ises. Two Holly pumps were put in, and about a mile of cement pipe was laid. at a cost of about $60,000. The cement pipe was a failure. and in 1870 was replaced by cast-iron pipe. During the latter year. the city purchased of l. B. Bassett the stone saw-mill at the head of the canal. and paid for it $18,000. James Waters, then in charge, erected new pump- ing machinery with daily pumping capacity of two million gallons, and the Holly pumps were moved into the new quarters. Mr. Stewart was superintendent of the water works under the Holly system until 1570, since when the office has been filled as follows: 1570 71. James Waters; 1571 77. 5. Albert; 1577. James Chalmers: 1877 a. J. W. Pomeroy. In 1879, the present super- intendent. W. H. Johnson, was elected with .J. S. Pone soy as assistant.
In Isso, the old rotary pumps were removed to make room for a new pump of four million gal- lons capacity daily. making the present total ca-
I parity nine and one-half million gallons per day. There are eighteen and two-thirds miles of main pipe laid.
The water works have proved an ever elli- cient protection against fire, the pressure being such that a powerful stream may be thrown di- rectly from the hydrants, thus rendering fire engines alnost unnecessary, excepting in cases where the fire is remote from hydrants. The quality of the water furnished, is the best and is taken from the bottom of the river. at the head of the canal. The total cost of the water works was, exclusive of interest on bonds, $396,598. The receipts from rents for 1850, exceeded the expenses for maintenance, about $6,000. The motive power for driving the immense pumps, is furnished by two turbine wheels, of forty-eight inches diameter, which. under a head of thirty feet. give one hundred and eighty horse-power each. The pumps in use were made in Minne- apolis, and show a high degree of mechanical skill. The water works of Minneapolis will, under the present able management, compare favorably with those of any city of her size in the Union. The business office is in the City Ilall: the present officers are : W. II. Johnson, superintendent: F. T. Moody, clerk and Andrew Bergstrom. engineer. January Ist. 1881. the office of assistant superintendent was abolished.
MINNEAPOLIS FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Of the many praiseworthy institutions with which Minneapolis is favored, there is nothing for which her citizens entertain a more profound re- spect - a respect amounting almost to veneration than her splendidly equipped and admirably managed fire department.
But a few years have passed since not even a " luicket brigade," stood sentinel between the unprotected city and the all devouring element. and it was not until 1857 that an organization of of any kind existed, whose object was protection against accidental tire, or the torch of the incen- diary. Even then. its meagre facilities and ill- stored equipage rendered it wholly inadequate to rope successfully with the pitiless dragonade of the fire fiend. To-day it stands without a rival in the great north-west. Thoroughly equipped, ably officered. and with an experienced force. it has become so strongly intrenched in the confidene :
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of the citizens, that the once dreaded fire-alarm now awakens little more than an evaneseent enri- osity, beyond its immediate location. Its perfect order and discipline, its excellent management, and its freedom from internal strife and jealous- ies, render it at once the pride and boast of the city. and an enduring monument of renown to its originators.
The first organization was in what is now known as the East Division, formerly St. Antho- ny. In July, 1857, a meeting of the citizens of St. Anthony was held in Wensinger's old block, corner of Main street and Fourth Avenne north. for the purpose of effecting an organization for protection against tires. Timothy Bohan pre- sided over the meeting, which resulted in the or- ganization of a hook and ladder company, of which Henry Carran was elected foreman. The truck was built in St. Anthony, and the company was ready for duty in October. In November, a fire oceurred, which is generally supposed to have been started by some mischievous party to test the utility of the new company. The fire was in an old house on the east side of Main street, used at the time as a stable. The experiment resulted in the destruction of the building, and the crema- tion of an unfortunate cow. the only occupant.
In 1859 a fire company was organized, with John Dunham as foreman. and an engine the Minnesota-was ordered from Button and Blake, of New York. The company was an independent one. and furnished its own building, as did also the hook and ladder company.
The same year. the city council purchased two engines, made at St. Anthony-the Cataract and Germania. Of the companies associated with these, James S. Lane was foreman of the Cataract, and Godfrey Boehme of the Germania. Six months after the arrival of the Minnesota, the city accepted the services of the company as a volunteer association. assimned the indebtedness incurred in the purchase of the engine, and pro- vided necessary buildings.
The first chief of the fire department was JJas. S. Lane. No changes of special note occurred until the consolidation with the West Side, as hereafter mentioned.
The first organization on the West Side was called the "Millers' Fire Association," in 1865, and owed its origin to W. M. Brackett, then
a young man employed as hook-keeper of East- man, Gibson and Company, proprietors of the Cataract and Union flouring mills, and the North Star woolen mills. It was upon his repeated. and earnest solicitation that the organization was effected. its equipment consisting of a rotary pump in the basement of the Cataract mill, five hundred feet of hose, a hose jumper, spanners. nozzles, etc. A hose company was organized among the mill owners, with Geo. A. Brackett, of the firm of Gibson, Eastman and Company, as foreman. Mr. Brackett was the first chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department.
In the fall of 1867, the Holly system of water- works was introduced. but not completed until the spring of 1868. The formal organization of the fire department was in January, 1868. em- bracing the following companies: Minneapolis Hose Company No. 1; Mutual Hose Company No. 2; and Minneapolis Ilook and Ladder Company No. 1. Its numerical strength was about one hundred and fifty volunteers, with the following official roster; Geo. 1. Brackett. chief; R. B. Langdon, first assistant: and Paris Gibson. see- ond assistant. The hose. jumper, etc. of the Millers' Fire Association, was purchased and placed with No. 1. Late in the fore-noon of Feb- ruary 6th, 1868, the efficiency of the new fire de- partment, and the water-works was submitted to trial, at a fire in a dwelling honse, corner of Iligh and Minnetonka streets. The department acquitted itself creditably, but the water-works proved inadequate to the occasion. and the fire was extinguished by the use of buckets. axes, etc. The first mains were of sheet iron and cement, and a break prevented the necessary pressure, while the water at best, was thick with dirt. Of course the " daw-pluckers" and wiseacres reiter- ated their previously expressed belief in the fail- ure of the Holly system. The defective pipe was replaced by iron pipes, the following fall, and were thereafter effective. February 8th, the city commeil authorized the purchase of six hundred feet of rubber hose, a four-wheeled hose carriage, a hook and ladder truck. four play pipes and twelve axes. Other purchases were made from time to time. though it was long before the de- partment was furnished with a full equipment, or provided with suitable buildings.
On the Joth of September, 1868. the Minne-
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apolis Fireman's Relief Association was organ- ized. the object of which needs no explanation. The association has done noble work. and is in a flourishing condition, "a monument to the sym- pathy and fraternal feeling. so characteristic of true firemen." The first parade occurred on the the 21th of September, when the Minneapolis department joined the St. Anthony department in their annual parade. A notable event in the history of the Minneapolis Fire Department was the Fireman's State Parade, held at this place in 1×69. at which time the " Minneapolis Boys" won a reputation for hospitality .for which they have ever leen held since in the most kindly remembrance. With the consolidation of the cities of St. An- thony and Minneapolis, in 1872. the new charter provided that the city be divided into two fire de- partments. each side retaining the equipage. buildings, etc .. then in their possession, practi- cally leaving them as separate and distinet as though separated by an ocean instead of the river. In September. 1871. the Gamewell fire aların system was introduced in the west division. and in October. the capacity of the water-works was increased to three and one-half million gallons of water per day.
Horses were purchased or hired. and drivers permanently employed in the several companies. in 1575: also an engineer and fireman of the Steamers and a tillerman for the look and Lad- der truck. The following year the Gamewell fire alarm system was extended to the east divis- jon. and the two divisjons were furnished tele- graphie communication. By a revision of the city charter in April. Ists. the two fire depart- ments were consolidated, and an election of offi- rers luld with the following result: Winn. M. Brackett, chief engineer: W. C. Stetson. for- merly chief of the east division. first assistant: and C. Friederichs. a charter member of Hook and Ladder company No. 1. and once its foreman. second assistant. The rapid growth of the city. and the corresponding increase in the duties of the fire department. soon became too great for a volunteer organization, and in 1879 they asked to be relieved, and that the city assine the sup- port and maintenance of the department. Which was done. The city cannot forget the gratitude dne the old volunteer department. nor will its many brave and noble deeds be lost to memory
in the no less faithful service of the present de- partment.
On the second day of May. 1878, the Minne- apolis fire department was subjected to one of the severest tests in the annals of modern conflagra- tions-a test far greater than that under which many truly great departments have sunk into ob- seurity and disgrace: but from which this noble volunteer department, under the able direction of its chief and assistants, emerged with a record of which monarchs might well be proud. A more concise account of this noted disaster will be found in the history of the milling interests in this volume.
The department has seven stations. located as follows: Station A. a double brick house. corner of Second street and Third Avenue north. in which is the office of the chief ; station B. corner of Sixth Avenue south and Third street; station (': corner of Second and Bank streets. East Di- vision : station D, corner of Main street and Thir- teenth Avenue north, East Division : station E. on Third street, between Nicollet and First Avenue south : station F. on Plymouth Avenue. between First and Second streets: and station G. corner of Washington and Fourteenth Avenues sonth. a double house-a consolidation of stations G and Il, and the finest building in the depart- ment. The several stations are furnished with all the necessary appliances for comfort, conven- ience and prompt. efficient service. a full descrip- tion of which is only omitted on account of space. The report of Chief Engineer W. M. Brackett for the year ending April Ist. Is81. contains some in- teresting items illustrative of the labors and eť- ticieney of the department. The report shows 171 fire alarms responded to from January Ist, Isso. to Jannary Ist, Iss1. The total losses are estimated at $170,000 ; total insurance paid, $110,- 000; total insurance involved. $683,000, The apparatus is two steam fire engines, live four- wheeled hose carriages and one two-wheeled hose cart, two hook and ladder trucks and one chemi- cal hook and ladder truck. The force consists of twenty-two regular and forty-seven call men. In addition to the home work, the steamer City of Minneapolis and hose company No. 1. went to Farmington in November, 1579, under charge of the chief engineer, in answer to a call for assist- ance. and though the delayed train prevented
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POLICE FORCE-CITY MARKET.
their reaching the place until the fire was under control, it rendered valuable aid in playing upon the ruins. The same steamer and hose company also rendered material service in St. Paut in March, 1880, under command of Foremen Tire- worgy and Henry, working ten hours. The offi- cers of the department are, W. M. Brackett, chief engineer ; (. Frederichs, first assistant : Frank C. Stetson, second assistant. Foremen: John Hin- ton. No. 1; Il. Williams, No. 2; C. Henry, No. 3; N. Steffes, No. 4; R. York, No. 5; E. Kings- ley, Cataract Engine Company ; G. Runge, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1; N. Theilen, Hook and Ladder No.2; P. Kinney, Hook and Lad- der No. 3.
THE POLICE FORCE.
Immediately following the organization of the city government of St. Anthony, in 1855, Benj. 1. Brown was elected marshal, and his official bond accepted at a meeting of the council, May 19th, 1855. Twelve years later, the city govern- ment of Minneapolis was organized, and Il. Il. Brackett unanimously elected chief of police, at a meeting of the city council, March 9th, 1867. It is hardly necessary to state that the police force in those days was light. nor were their sala- ries oppressively great. The marshal and such assistants as emergencies required, constituted the first force at St. Anthony, the chief and four po- licemen that of Minneapolis.
The organization at present consists of A. S. Munger, chief; A. C. Berry, captain; John West, sergeant; Michael Hloy, detective, and twenty- four patrolmen. The uniform is the regular metro- politan, distinguished by hat or cap, belt and elnb. The police headquarters consist of a small one- story building on an alley between Washington Avenue and Second street. and are unworthy of the city. The present force is far too light for the duties required. but it is composed of men well adapted to the work, and although numerically weak, is in point of fact one of the strongest. most efficient bodies in the west. Led by a vigi- lant chief, who is ably supported by an efficient staff and watchful body of patrolmen, the Min- neapolis police force has come to be regarded as something for the vicions to shun, and the worthy to rely on for aid and protection. The following from the last annual report of the chief will per- haps express the present character of the body,
and the nature and embarassing features of the work:
"It is very true that depredations and misde- meanors are committed, and the perpetrators too often escape arrest; but that is the fault of the limited force, and not of any officer of the de- partment. This city is widely scattered, con- taining more than two hundred miles of streets, and the entire police force numbers but twenty- four patrommen, besides detective, chief, captain and sergeant. Of this immense line of streets and alleys, about fifty miles are within the patrol limits, or less than one-fourth of the whole city, and during the past year there has not been a burglary or theft of any importance within such limits, with but a single exception, that the great- er part of the goods have not been secured and returned to the owner, and the thieves arrested. * * * During the past year the police force has succeeded in breaking up and routing out, one of the worst gangs of organized thieves that ever existed in any city, and the ringleaders are at present in Stillwater, with the balance of the gang scattered far and wide." In the same report the chief enters his protest against the toleration of tramps, and recommends the city council to provide work, as the best known reme- dly against this alt-prevailing nuisance.
CITY MARKET.
The idea of a general market for the city of Minneapolis was conceived and executed by Har- low A. Gale in 1876, the city granting him a franchise for fifteen years. The building is of stone and brick, with asbestine stone trimmings and iron roof. It is located corner of First street and Hennepin Avenne, occupies a space of SOx157 feet, is three-stories high above a base- ment twelve feet in height, and cost with land, $75,000. In the interior are sixty stalls, where may be found meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, but- ter, eggs, cheese, groceries, all kinds of farm products, and in fact everything in the line of provisions and supplies. On the walks surround- ing the market, which are under cover of an awn- ing projecting from the building, fully fifty gard- eners display their products during the vegetable and fruit season. In cold weather the same space is occupied by meats and poultry. The basement is occupied as an eating house, which
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has a seating capacity of two hundred. On the second floor is a hall which seats 1,500 people. The Woman's Christian Association have their parlor on this floor, and the Y. M. C. A. occupy adjoining rooms as gymnasium and reading room. Mr. Gale has his office at the ball entrance where he superintends this "bee hive" of indus- try. and condnets his real estate agency.
POST-OFFICES.
The first post-office established at the Falls of St. Anthony was located in a small building be- longing to Franklin Steele. in 1848. and Ard God- frey appointed postmaster. Previous to this the nearest post office were at Fort Snelling and St. Paul. Mails were irregularly received, as no carrier was employed during the first year. Captain John Rollins occasionally ran a passenger express wag- on to St. Paul. and brought mail to St. Anthony. In 1550. Powers and Willoughby opened regular stage communication between St. Anthony and St. Paul. and for a member of years the mail was carried by stage. until the building of the line of railroad connecting the two cities. in 1862. since when it has been carried by rail. The office was located in several different buildings on the cast side. being for a time in the Winslow House while that building was conducted as a hotel. A1 the Bezinning of the war. when the Winslow House was closed. the office was again removed. this time to a wooden structure next to the old stanchtield block. on Central Avenue between Main and second streets. The more prominent postmasters succeeding Ard Godfrey were Luther Patch. Mr. White. W. W. Wales, and General 11. P. Van Cleve, who for a number of years pre- vions, and at the time of the discontinuance of the office. held the position. Messrs. Godfrey. Wales. and Van Cleve are at present, promi- ment citizens of Minneapolis. Mr. Wales is a member of the firm of Kirkbride. Whitall and Wales, and General Van Cleve is adjutant gen- oral of Minnesota.
The post-office on the west side was established in 1-51, and located on the corner of First street and First Avenue south. in a small wooden build- ing used as the office of Dr. H. Fletcher, who was the first postmaster. The first quarterly report of the first postmaster is preserved in the vault of the present office and shows that the postage paid
on letters sent and received. amounted to $5.97. At that time payment of postage either in ad- vance or upon receipt was optional : at present it is required in advance and the receipts for the same length of time in Iss1. from the same sources, amounted to $26.666.48. The postmas- ters sterreding Dr. Fletcher were Dr. A. E. Ames. prominent in the masonic history of the state, C. Wilcox, S. Hidden, D. Morgan, D. Bas- sett, W. W. McNair, Cyrus Aldrich, and our pre- sent postmaster, Dr. George 11. Keith, who has held the office for a longer term than any of his predecessors. The business rapidly increasing the office was frequently removed to larger quarters. It was first moved during Dr. Ames's administration, to Washington Avenne between Fifth and Sixth Avenues south. The quarters soon proving in- adequate it was next located on Washington and First Avennes south; thence to Hennepin Avenue, between Washington and Second street.
During W. W. Me Nair's administration it was moved for the first time into a brick building, oc- eupying the eastern room on the first floor of the Athenaum building. Col. Cyrus Aldrich, promi- nent in the carly history of the state and repre- sentative to congress in 1860-61. succeeded Mr. McNair in 1869 and removed it to 210 Nicollet Avenue. When Col. Aldrich took charge of the office three assistants were required to perform the duties. In the spring of 1870 Dr. George Il. Keith. an old settler in Minneapolis, was ap- pointed to supersede Col. Aldrich. When he took charge of the office the working force con- sisted of only five clerks. The business of the office by this time had increased to such a degree that the room in Center block was found to be 100 small. and in December. 1873. the City Hall. be- ing just completed, the government leased its present quarters for twenty years and moved in- to them.
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