USA > Minnesota > Martin County > History of Martin County, Minnesota > Part 9
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of the district giving a supper which raised the money to pay for them. The first term of school in it was taught by Geo. W. Tanner. There got here this year a number of settiers in the west part of the county. J. A. and C. E. Everett, Perry Munger and three sous; J. A. Archer and two sons; Mr. Harden, C. Welcome, A. Decker and others whose names we do not remem- ber. Mr. Archer built a sod hotel about midway between here and Jack- son. A number of new settlers came about this time and settled in Rutland, of whom C. H. Bullard, J. E. Canright and Mr. Spencer are about the only ones now living here. The east part of the county had a good number of settlers but as there were no induce- ments for them to come here and there was plenty of timber on the Blue Earth river, and they were near Blue Earth City and Winnebago City, they did most of their trading there, and we are unable to give their names. Manley Payne and R. E. Hill and his two sons came here this year. Dr. Chubb and Col. Lounsberry, in their efforts to help the town, arrang- ed to have brick burnt here, and con- tracted with Mr. Chenny who owned the land on the west side of Buffalo lake, and Jas. Swearingen and myself made some brick moulds. The brick kiln was located on ground as high as any around Fairmont, and was made of surface soil and was of good quality. The brick from same was used by Dr. Chubb in building his residence. be- ing where G. S. Livermore now lives, and that the brick was of good quality and durable any one can ascertain for themselves. The brick was also used for the school house and the basement of the house built by Col. Lounsberry,
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Colton directly east of the Ward Machine Company's building. Since that time there has been no brick burned with the exception of a few samples by B. Richarson. Prof- fessional brick makers claim that there is too much lime in our soil to make good brick.
Heury Johnson, a party who lived and held a claim where Ward's addi. tion and the depots and grain ware- houses are now, sold out to Giles Bar- tholomew. a brother-in-law of W. W. Carrington, who got here in 1865 and in 1863 built a r. sidence. Mr. John- son went to Fox Luke and bought a claim on the north side in the timber, where he died this winter. His first wife was an Indian woman who died while Mr. Johnson was a resident of Fairmous, and was buried in what is now Taylor & Johnson's addition, and on the death of Mr. Johnson he was brought from Fox Lake and buried beside her. I think this gives rise to some of the reports about the ghost of au Indian woman being seeu at cer- taiu times at that place.
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A. D. Cadwe. i came here this fall and lived a part of me winter in the uonse built by Mr. Bartholome v. and also in the fall ci 1865 he built on the corner of Main street and Blue Earth avenue a blacksmith alu wagon shop; q.ite a large building for those times.
Creek on the east line of Pleasant Prairie township. Some settlers had come in earlier, of whom the Dalys, who now live there, are about all that remain.
J. W. Burdick and James Bird this year built a store building on North Avenue near where Pfeiffer's saloon now is. This building was later pur- chased by G. S. Livermore and moved to Main street, where it now is, it be- ing the east part of the building used b.y Wm. Brockman as a harness shop. Thomas Goff also came this .year from Chatfield, Minn., with a large amount of stock and quite a herd of sheep and farm machinery and teams. He built on the lots where the Masonic temple now is, a store in which he put a stock of goods and drugs; he lived overhead during this winter. Mr. Goff brought a large amount of capital with him to this county. This year Thomas Nichols was appointed judge of probate; L. F. Brainerd. surveyor; L. F. Patchen, superintendent; David Bates, sheriff; and C. A. Lounsbury, county auditor. The north half of Center Creek was attached to commissioner district No. 2 for election purposes.
On the 20th of September there was a heavy frost which killed corn and sorghum, and as the se were the principal crops for It stood there and was used natil the new settlers. it was a great injury to Ward Machine Company tore it down them as will be seen later. In this for the use of their present business. , year Philo More was arrested and held J. D. Crowther, the Lasby boys and to the grand jury for arson for the W. H. Freeman settled in the east burning of a building of L. F. True purt of town, H. R. Rouse having made a claim the year before Fletcher Hill cumue at this time, aud located near where his family now resides. Also a great many home stead claims were taken in Pleasant Prairie and Center
on Elm Creek, and in default of bail was sent to the jail at Mankato. There was a term of court held in October of this year. Horace Austin, afterwards governor of this state, was the presid- ing judge. The case of the claim
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jumping, heretofore spoken of and the case of Morse being the only mat- ters before the court, change of venue was taken to Blue Earsh county. This year the first member of the legislature from this county was elect- ed, being Aaron Andrews. There was quite a contest, as the question then came up as to what was then known as points or no points in relation to the railway land grants. One side claimed the state legislature had authority to designate the places to which the road should run before the state legislature could be called upon to confirm the grant of congress to the Southern Minnesota Railway Company. The points in this district which com- prised the counties of Faribault. Mur- tin, Jackson, Roak and Nobles, to which it was proposea to make the road run were Blue Earth City. Fair- mont, Jackson and Graham Lakes. The people living farther north op- posed this and insisted that the com- pany build where they wanted to. There were two tickets in the field. and the "pointers" as they were then called were successful. We shall have occassion to refer to this again later on. At the December meeting of the commissioners a petition to set off the town of Rutland was granted, and the first meeting was held at the house of I. G. Swearingen. Among the bills allowed was one of $995.95 to Blue Earth county for boarding prisoners and county expenses. At the January 1867 meeting of the commissioners there were present I.F. Bickford, H. S. Wood and W. H. Budd. The usual routine of county business was tran- sacted. Dr. O. P. Chubb was appoint- ed county physician; Richard James, coronor; A. J. Patchen, treasurer; R. B. Simmons, judge of Probate; C. A. 'slonghs and creeks being full to over-
Lonnsbury, auditor; A. L. Ward, coun- ty attorney; I. F. Bickford, chairman of the board.
There was a large amount of snow fell this winter but no bad storms. At the March meeting of the com- missioners the inhabitants of the towns of 102, 103 and 104 of ranges 32 and 33 petitioned for a town to be called Melrose, which petition was granted but later was changed to Elm Creek on account of there being an- other town of the same name in the state. The inhabitants of 101 ranges 32 and 33 also petitioned to be set off as an election township, which peti- tion was granted and the town was Called Lake Belt, and the first election was held at the house of George John- son on April 7th, 1867. The winter of 1866-7 had a great deal of snow; the cold weather set in early and lasted late in the spring, there being good sleighing the middle of April. The Michigan Company's sheep, in charge of Colonel Lounsberry, who had also taken those brought in by Mr. Goff, run short of fodder and their bodies could be found all over the prairies later in the spring. That venture was a failure. over : 00 sheep dying. Many cattle also died this spring on account of the scarcity of feed. It was late in May before any substance could be got from the prairies for cattle. Strange as it may seem in this country where at that time millions of tons of hay was burned every year by prairie fires before it was cut, there was a price demanded for hay that has never since been asked, and probably never will again. The deep snow caused a great deal of water, which was followed by spring rains, and made travel almost impossible. The
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by the frost in Septemcer, and they had no resources to back them. Those who could get away, went into the woods to work, but many could not go, and those who did, on account
flowing, teams had to be swam across, and the wagons towed over with ropes, and a party hauling a load had to take a boat with him to ferry the articles across the streams. There was but one bridge between here and of the low wages paid and the large Mankato, and parties sent out for sup- amount of laborers wanting employ- plies went together with three or four ment, were unable to bring back yoke of oxen to a wagon, three barrels ; much money. This, following the long severe winter, was the condition the people of this large district were called on to meet in the spring of 1867. The deep snow and high water made it almost impossible to catch fur, and before the opening of the lakes it was hard to catch fish. There was con- siderable complaint made by settlers as to being unable to procure provi- sions on account of the scarcity, and they having no money to purchase any. There were established in differ- eut places what were called bread committees; it being the design to try and get along without outside aid by each helping the other. Those that were able contributed so much a month for that purpose. This county was not in any worse condition than other counties around us. The com- plaint became general, and the cry for bread and seed grain attracted the older counties, and state officials, who took the matter in hand and sent com- mittees out to these counties to in- vestigate. It is probably true that aid was furnished to those who were not deserving, and that there were cases where it ought to have been
of flour was considered a good load, and it took a week or more to make the trip to Mankato and back. With goods of a heavy nature, such as flour and salt, anyone can imagine the ex- pense of getting them here. Flour retailed for $10 per hundred pounds, actual cost, salt ten cents per pound. In 1866 I believe this county had the largest number of new settlers that it ever had in one year. This was caused by a number of reasons, one of which was the location of the railway grant which would take all the odd num- ยท bered sections. Settlers coming here before that time could get their choice of any land not yet settled on. The close of the war had brought a great many settlers who were seeking out new locations, and this county had a great attraction for them, and not only this county, but all of the coun- ties in the west and southwest part of the state received a very heavy immi- gration. These settlers were mostly parties with limited means, and were barely able to get onto their claims and provide suitable shelter for their families, and what little stock they had. Some townships in this county rendered and it was not done. It then hast nearly as large a number of would be strange if that were not so, for the more modest would shrink from letting it be known that they were in destitute circumstances, and others with less modesty would parade and exaggerate their condition. settlers as they have now. They had not been here long enough to have raised a crop; they had done some breaking and got in some sod corn potatoes and such crops as could be raised on breaking, which was killed
The commissioners were called in
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special session on May 11.b. Present: structed to proceed at once to Man- kato for the purpose of purchasing supplies, and it was arranged that these supplies be subject to the order of the chairman of the township W. H. Budd. I. F. Bickford and H. S. Wood. This meeting was called to consider proposals from the governor that the townships should become responsible to the county. and the board, to be conutersigned by the county become responsible to the town clerk; each township to make a state and the state would then advance report of the amount of such articies money to procure provisions and seed | needed, and to issue their obligations grain for those in destitute circum- for the same, which was to be filed with the county auditor. It was esti- mated at this time that 30 tons of flour would be needed. At this meeting the chairmen of the different town- ships and the supervisors were in joint session. On account of the late- ness of the season, it was deemed best not to furnish seed wheat or seed oats. The following amounts of seed corn were allowed to the townships named: Nashville, 8 bushels; Waverly, 5} bushels; Elm Creek, 5 bushels; Center Creek, 5 bushels; Pleasant Prairie. 27 bushels; Silver Lake, 48% bushels; Tenhassen, 9 bushels; Lake Belt, 9 bushels; and Rutland, 5 bush- e.s. stances. The commission-rs, after discussing the matter, accepted the proposal of the governor aud made a report stating . the amount of different grain required. Dr. O. P. Chubb was appointed to receive and distribute the seed to the destitute parties. The commissioners also de- cided to call a meeting of all the township boards to be held in Fair- mont on May 25th for the purpose of taking this matter into consideration. This meeting was held, and each :own- ship had a representative. It was agreed that the county should i-su .. its obligation to the state and that the townships should issue their obli- gation to the county for such an The commissioners, called in special session. made the following report to the governor: amount as they received, payable ten days before the county's obligation to the state became due, for the purpose FAIRMONT, MARTIN COUNTY, MINN., of raising money to supply seed corn May 10th, 1867, To His Excellency, Gov. Wm. R. Marshall: and provisions to the destitute. There were present at this meeting: J. A. DEAR SIR :- The board of county com- missioners in session this day received your proposition for the supply of seed grains to this county, made through Capt. Kennedy, and accepted the same. It was the sense of the board, and in view of the lateness of the season, the supply of seed wheat is inexpedient. Armstrong, from Nashville; R. B. Simons and James Carlysle, from Waverly; J. P. Barnes, Center Creek: Thomas Nichols, Oliver W. Pitt and Moses Ayers, from Pleasant Prairie; E. W. Connelly, Rutland; Perry Mun- ger, Elm Creek; H. S. Wood, Silver Lake; William Bird and F. S. Liver- more, from Fairmont; and W. Wiltsie, from Lake Belt. At this meeting William H. Budd and I. F. Bickford were appointed a committee and iu-
It is estimated that 125 bushels of seed corn are needed to seed the ground not sown to wheat and Ones, and it was voted to secure that amount according to your proposition.
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From the date we are ut present able to obtain it appears that there is now sown in the township of Fairmout 450 acres of wheat against about 100 last year. About 50 acres more of wheat would have been sown had your pro- position been received in time, but as it is, the ground will be used for other crops.
In the town of Waverly, 266 acres of wheat are now sown, against 102 acres last year. About 20 acres might have been sown but the laud will uot lie idle.
In Silver Lake township there are 209 acres seeded to wheat this year against 34 last year.
Teuhassen and Lake Belt townships are estimated to 80 acres to wheat this year against 16 acres last year.
Pleasant Prairie has about 100 acres this season against 25 acres last year.
Nashville is thickly settled-bas ubout 800 inhabitants. and has about one-third more wheat sown this year than lust.
Center Creek has about 300 in- habitants, mainly well-to-do, and it is estimated that at least one-half more wheat has been put in the ground than was the case last year.
Rutland bas about 200 inhabitants, with but little breadth of wheat sown (none last year) but will plat a con- siderable amount of corn. Oats and corn will be seeded in about the same proportion this spring as was the case last year.
There are no cases of destitution re- ported in the towns of Nashville and Waverly, but few in Center Creek and none in Fairmont not supplied within the town; a few cases are reported in Pleasant Prairie and Elm Creek-none in Rn land.
There is undoubtedly destitution in
the southern part of the county, em- bracing the towns of Silver Lake, Ten- hassen and Lake Belt, but little wheat has heretofore been sown in this sec- tion ou account of the destruction of the seed by birds. The corn crop was . entirely destroyed by the early frost last season, and being the main depen- dence for bread. its loss fully explains the present destitution.
These towns contain an aggregate of about 600 inhabitants.
Very Respectfully, W. H. BUDD. I. T. BICKFORD, . H. S. WOOD.
The following taken from the Mankato Record of May 18, 1867, shows that the people of the eastern counties of the state were aware of the condi- tion and that the need of aid was general in all of the frontier counties:
SEED CORN FOR THE BORDER.
"Our fellow townsman, J. J. Thomp- son, Esq , returned on Monday from a visit to Winona. While there Le raised something over $500 for the benefit of the destitute settlers on the border, and sent it to Milwaukee to be invested in seed corn. Mr. Thompson thought the amount raised would purchase nearly 400 bushels. Mr. Thompson is quite confident that this corn will be passed over the Milwaukee & La Crosse, Winona & St. Peter and Minnesota Central Railroads free of cost, leaving the transportation from Mendota to Mankato to be paid for.
It is estimated that twenty-five bushels of seed corn will be required for Jackson and 125 bushels for Martin counties leaving sufficient at the dis- posal of the committee to supply Watonwan, Renville and other frontier counties. This corn is expected here
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the latter part of this or the first of next week."
we came back to Garden City and bought of Harrington & Company 7,000 pounds of flour; including 1.000 pounds which had previously been sent to the county. The price we were obliged to pay at Garden City was $5 per hundred. This flour was sent and divided among the different townships in the county according to their ap- plications received and passed upon by the relief committee, consisting of the several township boards and the county commissioners. While at Garden City we made arrangements for the purchase of such amounts of flour and corn meal as the county might need. Prices to be paid for flour was $5 for second grade and $6.50 for first grade per hundred; corn meal was $4 per hundred. Add to this the expense of getting it here, and our readers will redily see why flour was worth $10 per hundred.
On the adjournment of the commis- sioners and town boards, Wm. H. Budd J. Bickford started at once for Markato to carry out the instructions received ana procure supplies for the needy settlers. From their report we find it took them three days to reach Mankato. The roads were very bad and almost impassible. The trip was made with a pair of mules and a light buggy, and with no load except themselves. They were frequently stalled and were obliged to stop and pull their buggy by hand out of the sloughs. On the third day we got to Mankato, and im- mediatly reported to J. C. Wise and Mr. Cleveland, the agents appointed by the governor to act for the frontier counties. We presented our instruc- tions and copy of the proceedings of the commissioners and the township boards, which authorized us to make The settlers with their teams went together, but could not make the trip under four to six days, and could then haul only a little. The most of them carried boats in their wagons, which they used to ferry their flour or meal across the streams; they then tied long ropes to their wagons, swam their teams across, and then towed the wagons across. The commissioners issued their obligation to the state for the amount of $3,500. The money was received from the state at different times, as needed, the last being received on the 6th of July. This when the supplies furnished by this last remittance was exhausted, the people had been able to raise and harvest a crop, so that it was not nec- essary to give further relief. A settle- ment was made with the relief com- mittees and a full report made from contracts and give the obligations of the county for the purposes stated. They stated that it would be unneces- sary for us to go to St. Pant, but that they would forward a copy of our pro- ceedings to the governor. This they did, and in a few days received in- struction from Governor Marshall with a remittance of some money to be ex- pended in our behalf. While waiting to hear from St. Paul, we looked around to ascertain what supplies could be had and what it would be best to get. We found at Mankato a large supply of flour which had been | money was used to advantage so that contracted for the Indians; the govern- ment having to support them on the reservation, This flour was so much damaged that the Indian agent hesi- tated to pass it, and we also refused to pass it. As soon as we heard from the governor and obtained some money,
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each township board to the county board, and by the county board for- ward to the governor. Aside from the amount expended by the county, there was quite an amount sent in by out- side parties to their friends, of which there is no record of the amount, We made no charges for our time; our expenses only being paid. Among some of the settlers who are here now and who assisted in making these trips or who had knowledge of them and of the condition of the streams, we refer to Capt. Bird, William and Richard McCadden, Jebu Hayworth and Richard Jones. The settlement with the different towns shows the amount of relief officially given as follows: Pleasant Prairie $710; Nash- ville $650; Center Creek $100; Lake Belt, which then included Lake Free- mont, $100; Silver Lake. which then in- claded East Chain, $500; Tenhassen $350; Elm Creek, which then included Jay and Cedar, $180; Waverly, which then included Westford, Galena und a part of Frasier $360; Fairmont, which then included Rolling Green, Manyaska and part of Frasier, $234; Rutland $82.75.
So that all may understand the con- dition of matters and the extent of destitution existiug at this time, we publish reports of parties seut out by the governor to examine into and make report to him we only mention that part affirming to the county.
It may be well for me to say that some concealed their condition not liking to have it known how destitute they were; others exaggerated it.
Poor people we have now. Yet to those who were not residents of the county then it would now seem im- possible, that so much destitution could exist but they must remember
that then this was a new country and the settlers had no resources to fall back on ..
The following is the report taken the Mankato Record of 1867;
On Sunday last Colonel Matteson, appointed by Gov. Marshall to visit Renville and adjacent counties, and relieve the reported destitution there, passed through our village. The Col- onel was also authorized to purchase ten thousand Government rations at Fort Ridgley, to be issued to the officers of the counties requiring the the same to relieve the needy and des- titute. These rations are purchased by the state, and the county commis- sioners of the several counties in turn indemnify the state for such a propor- tion as may be required and used by them.
On Tuesday evening Captain Ken- nedy returned to this place from Martin county. In conversation with him we learn that Le arrived at Fair- mont on the 9th. The next day & meeting of the county commissioners was held when he submitted the gov- ernor's proposition to extend aid to the needy by the state, through the county authorities. After mature consider- ation the board resolved to accept as much of the proposition as pertain to furnishing seed, and fixed upon 125 bushels of corn as sufficient to plant all the plowed land in the county not otherwise occupied. .
In view of the difficulties in procur- ing transportation for seed wheat from Mankato, and the lateness of the season the board declined to take any action relative to seed wheat. By a docu- ment elsewhere published, it will be observed, as pertinent to this matter that at least three or four times as many acres are now seeded to wheat as
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was the case last year, and the further fact appears that there are only about 70 acres in the entire county that might have been sown in wheat but was not for want of seed.
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