History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 27

Author: Warner, George E; Foote, Charles M., joint author; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota. 1n; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis, North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Minnesota > Ramsey County > St Paul > History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota > Part 27

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opened with more encouraging prospects. The large forces of the Union army were gaining sub- stantial victories. The successes of Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Sherman in his historic march to the sea, " crushing the confederacy like an eggshell," and Grant, doggedly consuming the enemy at Petersburg, were fast shattering the rebellion. In the siege of Spanish Fort, at Mobile, in April, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Minnesota Volunteers bore an active and honorable part.

Not unmingled with tears were the rejoicings over these victories. Every battle bulletin brought sorrow and mourning to many homes in our state On April 3d came the great news of the fall of Richmond, and on April 8th, while the people celebrating this event, the dispatch of General Grant announcing the unconditional surrender of Lee and his army was received, setting nearly everybody crazy with joy: On April 13th the provost marshals received an order to cease draft- ing and recruiting, and the war was practically over. One of its saddest results was yet to come -the death of President Lincoln, on April 15th. This calamity was duly observed in all the towns of the State, on April 19th, by suspension of business, and religious services. These gloomy feelings were soon dispelled, however, by the

RETURN OF OUR REGIMENTS,

early in the summer, and their muster out at Fort Snelling. As each of these bodies of brave men returned, they were received with such ovations and demonstrations of joy as a grateful people could devise. Quietly our soldiers "hung up their bruised arms," and were soon again ab- sorbed into the body of the people. In all, Min- nesota had furnished to the armies of the repub-

lic 25,052 men, or about one-seventh of its entire population at the beginning of the war. Of these, it is estimated from the best data obtaina- ble, that 2500 were killed in battle and died of disease during the war, while probably twice as many more received wounds from which they will suffer through life. Many died shortly after the war, from the effects of disease or imprison- ment incurred in service. In her devotion to the cause of the Union, our State has a bright record.

The state was almost free from Indian raids during all this year. Only one of any moment occurred. On May 2d a family of five persons named Jewett, were murdered near Garden City. A half breed named Campbell, who aidcd in the raid, was arrested at Mankato several days afterward, and hung by a mob.

The census of 1865, showed a population of 250,099-a gratifying increase, considering the war of secession and the Indian war as draw- backs.

With the close of the war a new era of pros- perity seemed to have begun in the state. Money was abundant, immigration brisk, labor in de- mand, and real estate advancing. Our railroads were in rapid progress in all directions, and vil- lages and towns springing up everywhere.

On Nov. 11th, at Fort 'Snelling, Shakopee and Medicine Bottle, two Sioux convicted of taking part in the massacre of 1862, were hung. They had fled to Manitoba, and were not caught until 1864.

This fall much excitement was occasioned by the reported discovery of gold quartz at Lake Vermillion. Several mining companies were formed, and veins opened and worked, but the yield did not pay, and the mines were soon aban- doned.

The state election this year was very feebly contested. Two well-known old settlers were nominated for governor, but the vote was light. Wm. R. Marshall received 17,318 and Henry M. Rice 13,842. At the same election an amend- ment to the constitution was voted on, proposing to confer the elective franchise on negroes, but was defeated.

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PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.

CHAPTER XXIX.

PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.

A Period of Inflation .... Rapid Railroad Construction. ... Proposed Removal of the Capital .... Attempted Adjustment of the Railroad Bonds .--- Legislative Control of Freight Tariffs. ... Prairie Fires in 1871 .--- An Arctic Cyclone. --- Impeachment of State Treasurer .--- The Jay Cooke Panic .... Regulating Railroad Tariffs .... Grasshopper Ravages .--- Suffering on the Frontier .--- Relief Measures Adopted by the Legislature. ..- Murderous Raid by Missouri Outlaws ..-- Further Attempts to Adjust the Railroad Loan Debt .... End of the Grasshopper Scourge .... Return of " Good Times," and Rapid Growth in Prosperity.

The year 1866 was one of great financial ease. The large expenditure of money by the govern- ment, in the pay of discharged troops, bounties, and various war claims, made money unusually plenty.

The railroads of the State were pushed this year with great vigor. By winter, 315 miles were in operation. There was a continuous line from St. Cloud, via Owatonna, to Winona, a distance of 245 miles. These roads were an important element in aiding the settlement and business of the State. Formerly the sole dependence for travel and freight had been on the river, and the winter was a season of dullness and depression. This was now largely changed.

At the State election in the fall of 1867, Wm. R. Marshall had 34,874 votes, and Charles E. Flandrau 29,502. This would indicate a popula- tion of about 320,000, showing a heavy immigra- tion during the years 1866 and 1867. At this election, a negro suffrage amendment was again voted on and defeated. The following year [1868] the amendment was a third time voted on, and adopted; ayes, 39,493; noes, 30,121.

PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL.

At the session of the legislature in 1869, a bill was introduced to remove the seat of government to a spot near Big Kandiyohi Lake. The bill was at first regarded as a joke, and it met with small opposition, passing both houses with little delay. Gov. Marshall vetoed the measure, and an at- tempt to pass the act over his veto, failed.

At this session, the legislature celebrated the completion of an all-rail route to the east by a l

visit to Milwaukee, and to the Wisconsin legisla- ture at Madison.

At the state election in the fall of 1869, Horace Austin (rep.) was elected governor, by a vote of 27,348, over George L. Otis (dem.), who had 25,401.

By the census of 1870, Minnesota was found to have 439,706 population.

PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT OF THE RAILROAD BONDS.

At the session of the Legislature in 1870, an . act was passed submitting to the people an amendment to the constitution, providing for the sale of the five hundred thousand acres of what was known as the "Internal Improvement Lands," and the use of the proceeds in extin- guishing the state railroad loan bonds, in the fol- lowing manner: Two thousand of the bonds were to be deposited with the State Land Commis- sioner on or before the day of sale, by the hold- ers, they agreeing to purchase with them the lands at $8.70 per acre, etc. The amendment was adopted by a popular vote, but as only 1,032 bonds were deposited by the owners, the measure failed.

The unusual low water of 1863, '64 and '65 had now given way to a series of years of the oppo- site extreme. In 1870 occurred great freshets, doing much damage, and the water was reported " higher than for twenty years."

Railroad construction had been pushed with great vigor for the last year or two. At the close of 1870, there were 1,096 miles in operation, 329 of which were built that year. A road had been completed to Lake Superior during the season, thus connecting the river and lake systems, while the Northern Pacific Railroad was under full headway.

During 1869 and '70, much complaint was made by shippers, of unjust charges by the railroads of

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OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.

the State. Governor Austin, in his message, January, 1871, called attention to the subject very pointedly. An investigation was made by a legislative committee, which resulted in the en- actment of a freight and passenger tariff, and the creation of the office of Railroad Commissioner. The tariff so fixed was disregarded by the rail- roads, and in 1871, an action, as a sort of test case under the statute, was commenced by John D. Blake, of Rochester, against the Winona and St. Peter Railroad, for unjust freight charges. The presiding judge decided the act unconstitu- tional, but the Supreme Court of the State re- versed this decision, when the railroad company appealed the case to the Supreme Court of the United States. It was not until 1876 that a de- cision was rendered, sustaining the right of legis- lative control over railroad tariffs.

An act was passed by the legislature of 1871 to "Test the validity and provide for the equitable adjustment" of the State railroad bonds, by the creation of a commission, to ascertain and award the amount due on each. The act was voted on in May following, and rejected by the people. Another important measure passed at the same session, was an act dividing up the 500,000 acres of Internal Improvement Land, among various railroad companies. This was vetoed by Gov. Austin. Two years later the constitution was amended so that no act disposing of these lands should be valid, unless approved by a vote of the people.

In the fall of 1871, destructive fires, driven by high winds, swept over a number of frontier counties, lasting several days, and inflicting great damage on the settlers. Hundreds lost their houses, crops, hay, fences, etc., and several per- sons were burned to death. During the summer, many had also lost their crops by destructive hail- storms. Gov. Austin appealed to the people of the state, by proclamation, for aid for the suffer- ers. He received in response $14,000 in money, and clothing, provisions, etc., worth $11,000 more, while the next legislature appropriated $20,000 for the purpose of purchasing seed wheat for those who had lost their crops.

In November, 1871, Horace Austin was re- elected governor, by a vote of 45,833, over W. Young, who had 30,092.

From 1870 to 1873, was a period of great infla- tion and speculation. The money market was unprecedentedly easy, and real estate partook of the same excitement as characterized the flush times of 1856 and 1857. Railroad building was carried on to a remarkable extent, and the entire State was enjoying an unusual period of material progress and development.

The winter of 1872-3 was an unusually early and severe one. On January 7th, 8th and 9th, 1873, occurred an " Arctic Cyclone ", or " Polar Wave ", of a violence and intensity never before experienced in this State. The worst effects were felt in the prairie region. Gov. Austin, in a spe- cial message to the legislature, reported that sev- enty lives were lost, thirty-one persons suffered loss of limbs, and about three hundred cattle and horses perished. The legislature voted $5,000 as a relief fund to aid sufferers.

During the session of 1873, charges of corrupt conduct and misdemeanors in office, were made against Wm. Seeger, State Treasurer. On March 5th, the House of Representatives impeached him, and the Senate, on being presented with the arti- cles, appointed May 20th as the date to sit as a Court of Impeachment. Prior to that date, Mr. Seeger resigned his office, and Gov. Austin ac- cepted the resignation. When the Senate met on May 20th, this fact left that body uncertain whether to proceed with the trial or not. On May 22d, Mr. Seeger sent in a written plea of "guilty" to all the charges. A resolution was then adopted by the Senate, declaring that the judgment of the court was, that he be removed from office, and disqualified to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit in this State.

On September 19th, 1873, the news was circu- lated in this State, of the failure of Jay Cooke's banking house in Philadelphia, occasioning a financial panic. Its effects here were far dif- ferent from those of the panic of 1857. There was some stringency in the money market, rail- road building ceased, and real estate was very dull for several years, but not a bank in the State closed its doors, and but few mercantile houses failed, Immigration was large, good harvests added annually to the wealth of the State, and it advanced steadily in prosperity.

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PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.

THE GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE.

During the summer of 1873, a species of grass- hopper, called the "Rocky Mountain Locust," made its appearance in myriads, in some of the south-western counties, almost totally destroying the crops. Hundreds of families were left in great destitution. These facts being reported by the press, an energetic movement was made in the towns and cities in the eastern portion of the state, to send relief to the sufferers, and large quantities of clothing, provisions, medical sup- plies, etc., were collected and distributed to them, beside quite an amount of money.

At the state election this year, Cushman K. Davis was elected governor, by a vote of 40,741, over Ara Barton, who had 35,245.

When the Legislature of 1874 assembled, it promptly voted $5,000 for the temporary relief of the frontier settlers, and on March 2nd, a further sum of $25,000 for the purchase of seed grain. With the aid thus furnished, the settlers planted their crops again, but soon the ground was fairly alive with young grasshoppers, hatched from eggs deposited the year previous. As soon as these were large enough, they laid bare the region about them, then fell on other localities near by, and thus destroyed the crops in a number of coun- ties again. The people were once more in a state of great destitution.

Gov. Davis addressed a circular to the com- missioners of the counties not ravaged by the lo- custs, asking them to advance money propor- tioned to their property, for a relief fund. Con- tributions were also solicited from the people of the state. By the latter, $18,959 was raised, to- gether with very large quantities of clothing and provisions, and forwarded to the sufferers. Even with this aid, there was much suffering the next winter.

The legislature of 1875, immediately on as- sembling, appropriated $20,000 for immediate relief, and later in the session, $75,000 for the purchase of seed grain. Only $49,000 of this was used. The farmers again planted their crops, in hope, but early in the summer they were, for a third time, destroyed. The situation now became serious. All the state was beginning to feel the effects of this calamity, though the portions yet unharmed kept up an active collection and for-

warding of supplies for the destitute. Without this benevolent work, the suffering would have been severe.

By the state census this year, the population of Minnesota was found to be 597,407. At the state election, Jolin S. Pillsbury was elected Gov- ernor, by a vote of 47,073, over D. L. Buell, who had 35,275.

The season of 1876 saw the grasshopper devas- tatious repeated, and over a larger area than be- fore. The crops were more or less a failure, and again an appeal was made to the benevolent people of the rest of the State for aid, which was liberally and cheerfully responded to.

On September 6th, a daring crime was perpe- trated at Northfield. A band of eight outlaws from Missouri, attacked the National Bank in that town, with the intention of robbing it. The cashier and another citizen were shot dead, and two of the robbers killed by persons who hastily armed themselves. The rest of the desperadoes fled, and, after a chase of several days, four of them were surrounded in a thicket in Watonwan county, where one was killed, and three taken prisoners. The latter, who were brothers named Younger, plead guilty of murder, and were sent to the State's Prison for life.

The legislature of 1877 prepared an amend- ment to the constitution, providing for biennial sessions of that body, aud the amendment was adopted by the people at the fall election.

Five acts were passed at the same session, re- lating to the grasshopper scourge. One of these appropriated $100,000 for bonnties to pay for the destruction of grasshoppers and their eggs. [This was never put into effect.] A State loau, to raise the money therefor, was also authorized. In ad- dition, townships or villages were authorized to levy a tax to pay similar bounties. The sum of $75,000 was also appropriated to purchase seed grain for those who had lost their crops, and $5,000 was voted for a special relief fund.

At the same session was passed an act provid- ing for the redemption of the State railroad bonds, by giving for each outstanding bond sur- rendered, a new bond for $1,750, at 6 per cent. interest. The amendment was defeated at an election held on June 12th.

Early in the summer [1877] the grasshoppers appeared in myriads again, and began devouring

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the crops. The farmers endeavored to destroy them bý fires, ditching, and catching them in pans smeared with tar.' A day of fasting and prayer for riddance from the calamity, was ap- pointed by the Governor, and generally observed throughout the State. Soon after this, the grass- hoppers disappeared, and a partial harvest was secured in the region formerly afflicted by them. For five successive seasons, the farmers in that district had lost their crops, more or less entirely.

In the fall of 1877, Gov. Pillsbury was re- elected Governor, receiving 57,071 votes, over Wm. L. Banning, who received 39,147.

The legislature of 1878, appropriated $150,000 to purchase seed grain for destitute settlers, the amounts issued, to such, to be repaid by them. Over six thousand persons, in thirty-four counties, received loans under this act, enough to plant 223,727 acres. Most of these loans were repaid.

At the same session an act was passed, propo- sing a constitutional amendment, offering to the holders of State railroad bonds, Internal Improve- ment Lands, in exchange for such bonds. The

amendment was rejected by the people at the next election.

During the year 1878, railroad extension, which 'had been almost suspended for four years, was renewed again with much vigor, and the mate- rial progress of the State was very marked, tlie western counties, especially, developing rapidly.

At the election in 1879, John S. Pillsbury was re-elected Governor for a third term, by a vote of 57,471, over Edmund Rice, who had 42,444, and other candidates, who received 6,401.

On November 15th, 1880, the Hospital for the Insane, at St. Peter, was partially destroyed by fire, and twenty-seven of the patients lost their lives, by burning, or in consequence of exposure and fright.

The census of 1880, showed a population in Minnesota, of 780,082. The assessors' returns give a valuation of real and personal property, of $268,277,874. These figures show a proud and gratifying condition of growth and prosperity in the short space of thirty-one years, since Minne- sota began its political existence.

FORT SNELLING.

CHAPTER XXX.

A PLAIN POST-SITUATION-RECENT IMPROVE- MENTS-DEPARTMENT OF DAKOTA-DEPART- MENT HEADQUARTERS-LIEUTENANT DOUG- LAS' REPORT-HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION- MISSIONARY LABORS -- S. W. AND GIDEON II. POND -MISSION OF A. B. C. F. M .- FIRST CHURCHI-OLD GOVERNMENT MILL.

If a visitor expects to see a stone fortification, bristling with cannon and prepared for defense against intruders by land or water, he will be dis- appointed in Fort Snelling. If, on the other land, lie anticipates a pile of ruins overgrown with ivy, the remains of former greatness and strength, he will find himself as much deceived in that direction. No mark of cannon-ball or even musket shot exists. The fort has never sustained an attack. Some old buildings, it is true, are dis- used and look sadly forsaken, their places being supplied by new and more modern structures, still it would require some stretch of the imagina- tion to construe them into ruins. One of the officers, however, jokingly suggested that ivy be planted around the tower that in old time guarded the main entrance, pierced for two tiers of mus- ketry, and a ruin be made of it. This was a valuable suggestion, as in its present condition it performs no useful purpose, and is an eye-sore to the visitor. Thus we see that the fort fails to at- tract, either by its military freshmess or by a ruin- ous condition. It is simply a plain military post without display. It has, however, served a pur- pose, and it is now the historical landmark for the state and the north-west. Here was the first settlement, the first birth, first marriage and first death. Here was organized the first church, here was the first farming, first milling and first enter- prise of every kind. Around Fort Snelling clus- ter all the early associations of the state. What 11

matters it, if it has been a means of fraud on the national resources and a continual charge to the government? Had the paltry dollars been kept back, much would have been lost and the country made poorer not richer. As the skilful general in the hour of battle wastes ammunition, pro- perty of all kinds and even lives of men that in a less critical hour he would cherish, to accom- plish a result superior in importance to money or lives, so the government is often compelled to submit to much waste to achieve great ends. The fort stands on the bluffs of the Mississippi, whose pure white sandstone affords a strong con- trast to the dark waters below, as well as to the green banks above. The wide gorge through which the Father of Waters brings down the floods of the north is here greatly increased in width, after receiving the waters of its confluent, the Minnesota. Geologists tell us that once the Minnesota was the larger river, and that the Mis- sissippi was its tributary. They tell us, too, that the Mississippi once traversed a different course, leaving its present channel at the month of Bas- sett's Creek, and, taking a route through the Lakes Harriet and Calhoun, flowed into the Min- nesota at some point between Shakopee and the fort. No historian, however, can confirm the testimony of the rocks, and the old fort cannot reach back far enough to aid in the research.

We are indebted to the politeness of Colonel John Gibbon, the officer in command, and to Adjutant Harding for the following history of the fort, prepared by S. R. Douglas, 2nd Lieut., Seventh Infantry. This will give the facts of the fort as it was, and as it is, except the improve- ments of the past year. The improvements con- sist of a bakery, a commissary store house and a stable, added at a cost of about $9,000. It will be necessary for us, however, to notice some im- provements lately made in the reservation, in consequence of the establishment of the lead- (161)

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FORT SNELLING.

quarters of the "Department of Dakota " at this point.

The "Department of Dakota" was created Ang. 11th, 1866, ont of the departments of the Missouri and Platte, and Brevet Major General Alfred H. Terry assigned to command. May 18th, 1869, General Terry was succeeded by Major General Winfield S. Hancock. December 3d, 1872, the latter was succeeded by Brevet Major General, now Brigadier General, Alfred H. Terry.

The Department of Dakota now includes the territories of Montana and Dakota and the state of Minnesota. The object of the department is to facilitate the movement of troops, the distribution of supplies, etc., etc. The troops in this depart- ment are the Second and Seventh cavalry. Third, Fifth, Seventh, Eleventh, Seventeenth, Eigh- teenth and Twenty-fifth infantry. The head- quarters have been located at St. Paul since the creation of the department, with the exception of a short time when they were located at Fort Snelling. During the past year, extensive build- ings have been erected on the Fort Snelling res- ervation with a view to the establishment of the headquarters of this department there, near the military post. These improvements are still in progress, and, when complete, will add greatly to the beauty and usefulness of the reservation, Fourteen buildings, built of cream-colored brick, are nearly complete, and present a fine appear- ance. They differ in architecture and are large and elaborate. The headquarters building is a handsome structure.

So much has been said, and is still to be said, in this history in reference to Fort Snelling, that it has been thought best to insert the following report of the fort:

FORT SNELLING, MINN., December 4th, 1879. 5 To the Post Adjutant. Fort Snelling, Minn .:

SIR: Pursuant to instructions from the com- manding officer, Fort Snelling, Minn., I have the honor to submit the following report, viz .: In 1805, Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, U. S. Army, was sent out to explore the upper Missis- sippi river, to expel British traders who might be found violating United States laws, and to make treaties with the Indians.

On the 21st of September, 1805, he encamped on what is now known as Pike Island, at the

junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota, then St. Peters, rivers. Two days after, he obtained by treaty with the Sioux nation, a tract of land for a military reservation, which was described as follows: "From below the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Peter, up the Mississippi to include the Falls of St. Anthony, extending nine miles on each side of the river." By this treaty, as ratified by the senate, the United States stipu- lated to pay two thousand dollars for the lands thus ceded.

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