History of Ramsey County and the city of St. Paul, including the Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota, Part 54

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 54

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

missioners were elected to supervise its construc- tion. They were, D. F. Brawley, Louis Roberts, E. A. C. Hatch and J. McKusick. Charles F. Tracy was elected clerk, and the board was or- ganized May 19th. Charles Bazille offered block six of Bazille and Guerin's addition which the commissioners accepted, whereupon a contract for the building was made for $33,000. The to- tal cost however was $40,000. At this time the growth of the town was very rapid, and prices were steadily rising, and much speculation in rea estate was indulged in.

The most noteworthy event of this year was

314

HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

the completion of the treaty of Traverse de Sionx, concluded July 23d, with the Dacotahs by which · all the territory west of the Mississippi was thrown open to settlers. This nation surrendered to the United States an area of land of over 21,- 000,000 acres. Governor Ramsey and IIon. Luke Lea, the Indian commissioner, represented the United States. The concluson of this treaty re- resulted in other gain to St. Paul, besides what necessarily obtained through the opening of such a country to settlement. All the Indians had money, and they soon began to make it circulate pretty freely in St. Paul. Like genuine children of nature, everything they took a fancy to they obtained if possible. The possession of horses was their chief delight, and these they had fur- n'shed them for payment. It was a motley sight, the appearance they presented racing through the streets of the town having trials of speed and otherwise venting their high spirits.

Many improvements were now being made in the town. The culvert over Jackson street was finished and several buildings were put up. An agitation was raised too for the purpose of devis- ing some kind of a fire department. The town was gathering itself together for a long spurt of pros- perity. J. C. Burbank at this time also started his express business between St. Paul and Galena, and out of this enterprise eventually grew a great business.

The first dramatic performance in town was now to be given, which took place at Mazurka hall, the representations being by a part of Placides troupe from the varieties of New Orleans. George Holland was the manager of the company, which had come up here mostly on pleasure bent.

The first map of the town of St. Paul with its fifteen additions, was made this year by George C. Nichols. An attempt was made by a Mr. Clute, to obtain subscriptions towards the erec- tion of a telegraphic line from St. Paul to Galena. He was not successful, however, as the sum of $27,000 was required, too large an amount for the young town to procure for that purpose.

Church building was quite active; Christ's church was completed and dedicated by Bishop Kemper, on April 12th. The Right Rev. Joseph Cretin, recently consecrated as Bishop of St. Paul, arrived July 2d. Shortly after his arrival he had erected a brick building three stories and a half

in height, 84x44 feet in measurement, which be- came the second Cathedral of St. Paul.

An Indian incident occurred during the first days of April of a rather unique character. The body of a dead Winnebago was found, near the rear of the brick-yard, once referred to; examina- tion revealed the fact that he had died from a knife wound. A party of soldiers that were sent out to a Winnebago camp near the town. interro- gated Standing Lodge, as to whether he knew the canse of his death. He replied that he did, that he had killed him for some infraction of the In- dian code. He was told he must go with the sol- diers, which he did, making no objection. At the preliminary examination he again confessed to having done the deed. It was not well known what it was best to do with the case, but it was decided to let it go over until the grand jury met. IIe was let off, from motives of economy, and he was told to be on hand when court met. Find- ing how far off it was, he cut notches on some sticks to remind him of the flight of time. No one expected to see him again, but he turned up at the appointed hour, and was found sitting on the steps of the court house waiting for it to open. The grand jury not being able to get to business for some time, he slept every night on the shav- ings in Lull's shop. He made no effort to get away, although he well knew the trial was to be one that had his life at stake. The grand jury brought in an indictment against him, but the case was not tried, it being put over to next term. It was explained to him and so, improvis- ing his calendar in his original way, he started off, as he was told he might do. He turned up promptly as before, but Judge Goodrich finally dismissed the case, as no one showed any inten- tion of commencing the prosecution. He re- ceived the good news without any emotion, shook hands with those that he had come in daily con- tact with and went his way, upheld no doubt, by conscious innocence of wrong according to his ideas.

1852.

During the year of 1852, St. Paul sustained a severe loss by the death, on August 5th, of James M. Goodhue. His influence was always vigor- ously thrown on the side of all that would enhance the material and moral prosperity of the town ; and his pungent editorials in the columns of the

315

SAINT PAUL-EVENTS OF 1852.

Pioneer, had done much toward bringing to the notice of the outer world, the merits and claims of Minnesota.

The waves of the temperance agitation by this time had reached Minnesota,and efforts were being made looking toward the securing of prohibitory legislation. Conventions were held and speeches made, and after much pressure, the legislature was induced to pass a stringent prohibitory law. As usual, such severely repressive measures failed to secure the results hoped for. The provisions of the act passed made it a penal offence to man- ufacture, sell or have in possession, any descrip- tion of alcoholic liquor, and all liquor found in the territory, was to be confiscated and destroyed. Liquor dealers, also, were prohibited from sitting as jurymen. The law, however, was not made operative until voted on by the people; and on April 5th, the date of election, the law was rati- fied by vote of 853 to 662. Ramsey county gave 528 for and 496 against the act. The commis- sioners of Ramsey county ignored the law, and issued licenses as before. In other places it was enforced. The opponents of the measure being of opinion that the law could be successfully con- tested, took an early opportunity of bringing the matter into the courts. The decision of the supreme court, delivered by Judge H. Z Hayner, on a test case, was that the act was void. This declaration was based on the ground that the or- ganic act vested legislative powers solely in the governor and assembly ; that they had no power to delegate their authority to the people ; that the act in question was an attempt at such transfer of power, and was consequently null and void.

Thus, to the deep regret of very many, the sale of liquors went on as usual. Incidental to this matter, it might be well to mention that under the provisions of this act, the confiscation and destruction of all liquors found in the possession of any one in the territory, was ordered, and an attempt on the part of the sheriff to enforce this with regard to some liquors in the possession of William Constans, a commission merchant, nearly resulted in a riot. The liquors in question were ou storage, and Constans refused to deliver them to the sheriff without a bond (which was refused) to indemnify him. The matter, however, was finally compromised.

On July 26th the United States senate ratified the

treaties of 1851 with the Sioux, By some means this ratification had been delayed, and the news, when it reached St. Paul, was the cause of great demonstrations of rejoicing. The senatorial formalities, however, had not been waited for entirely before occupation was made of these lands ; many of the most eligible portions had been settled on.

Affairs must have been in a flourishing state at this period, as a theatrical tronpe, Langrishe and Atwater's, played at Mazurka hall, a most suc- cessful season of two weeks. Indeed, perhaps there was a little too much prosperity, more arti- ficial and feverish than real, as speculation was beginning to be rife, the real estate mania was rapidly developing, and values were taking a somewhat too sudden upward tendency. The price of real estate especially began to attain to figures beyond what it was really worth.

The legislature during this session granted the right to J. M. and I. N. Goodhue to maintain a ferry across the river. As previously noted the county commissioners had already given permis- sion for this. Daniel F. Brawley also obtained a charter for a ferry to run from the upper levee. The Ramsey County Agricultural society was also incorporated, which were all the acts passed at this session relating particularly to St. Paul.

1853. The legislature, yet without a meeting place of its own, assembled, on January 5th, in a two-story brick building, on the corner of Third and Minnesota street. An interesting time was had balloting for a speaker of the house, and it was not until the sixty-fourth ballot was made that an election was had, the majority being, then, only one vote. Messrs. Kittson, Gingras and Rolette must have almost regretted the hard work they experienced in getting to their seats, they having walked 500 miles on snow shoes, in order to accomplish that end.

The legislature launched into existence several corporations, when real business was finally reached,viz: the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insur- ance Company; the St. Paul and St. An- thony Railroad Company; the Baldwin School, of St. Paul; the Mississippi and Lake Superior Railroad Company. The town charter was also amended in such a manner that power was given to assess property pro rata for the purpose of grading and paving the streets.

316

HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

Governor Ramsey's annual message reviewed the events since his arrival, and pictured forth, in glowing colors, the future destiny of Minnesota He said, * * "It is now a little over three years and six months since it was my happiness to first land upon the soil of Minnesota. Not far from where we now are, a dozen frame houses. not all completed, and some eight or ten small log buildings, with bark roofs, constituted the capital of the new territory, over whose destiny I had been commissioned to preside. * * * * * Since that day how impetuously have events crowded time ! The fabled magic of the eastern tale that renewed a palace in a single night, only can parallel the reality of growth and progress. In forty-one months the few bark roofed huts have been transformed into a city of thousands, in which commerce rears its spacious warehouses, religion its spired temples, a broad capitol its swelling dome, and luxury and comfort, numer- ous ornamented and substantial abodes and where nearly every avocation of life presents its appro- priate follower and representative. In forty-one months have condensed a whole century of achievements, calculated by the old world's cal- endar of progress-a government proclaimed in the wilderness, a judiciary organized, a legisla- ture constituted, a comprehensive code of laws digested and adopted, our population quintupled cities and towns springing up on every hand and steam with its revolving wings, in its season, daily fretting the bosom of the Mississippi, in bearing fresh crowds of men and merchandise within our borders. * * * * But it is, however, in their initiatory stages only, we can consider the present growth and advancement of our territory in all the constituents of national and individual prosperity. Our brief, though en- ergetic past, foreshadows but faintly the more glorious and brilliant destiny in store for us in the future; nor is prophetic inspiration necessary to foretell it. It is written so plainly that he who runs may read it. It is written in the ad- vantages nature has so liberally bestowed upon us; by a b autiful country, unqualified by the draw- back of much waste land, with an universally fer- tile soil. * * It is written in our geographical position, in the center of the continent, at the head of the Mississippi Valley. *

* * It is written in our proximity to Superior's inland sea.

* And it is written likewise on a thou- sand features of interest and advantage incident to our territory. * * in the many op- * portunities for manufacturing establishments offered by our magnificent water powers, and the ease with which the Mississippi enables us to procure the material, and export the products of factory labor; in our salubrious climate, insuring a healthy, hardy and numerous population, and in the immediate advantage to our early growth and prosperity, which follow the expenditure of a quarter of a million of dollars annually by the national government, for the benefit of the Indian tribes in our midst.

"That which is written is written-the life of a short generation will realize it. In ten years a state-in ten years more half a million of peo- ple are not extravagant predictions. In our vi- sions of that coming time, rise up in magnificent proportions, one or more capitals of the north, Stockholms and St. Petersburgs, with many a. town besides, only secondary to these in their trade, wealth, and enterprise. Steam on the wa- ter and steam on the land, everywhere, fills the ear and the sight. Steamboats crowd our waters, and railroads intersecting in every direction, in- terlink remotest points within and without our territory. The blue waters of Lake Superior and the red tinged floods of the Mississippi are united by iron bands, and a south-eastern line connects St. Paul direct with Lake Michigan."

Extravagant as this address may have appeared to some at that time, yet fulfillment of the vision has been made. In less than the ten years Min- nesota was a state, and before the second decade had expired the half a million of people was within the limits of the state.

There were few events of any importance to chronicle during this year, beyond what have been given. The monotony of existence was some- what disturbed in the early spring by a lively scrimmage between a party of Sioux and a small body of Chippewas, which took place in the streets of the town. It was commenced by the Chippewas firing at a number of Sionx as they were entering the trading house of the American Fur Company, killing a sister of old Bets. Theo- dore Borup and George H. Oakes interfered and ordered them off. After their retreat, the troops

317

SAINT PAUL-EVENTS OF 1854.

from the fort were ordered in pursuit, which only resulted in the killing of one of the Chippewas.

This year saw a change in the administration of national affairs and the federal officers of course suffered changes. The new governor was Willis A. Gorman. He arrived at St. Paul, May 13th, and took his seat two days later. He occu- pied the executive chamber of the capital on July 21st, that being its date of completion. Until then the governor had his office with that of a law firm on Third street.

The conveniences of the town were added to by the opening of Oakland cemetery, for which forty acres of land had been obtained at a cost of $1,600.

Among the buildings erected this year were St. Joseph's hospital, the Market house, the Baldwin school-liouse; the capitol was also completed.

The first militia company organized under the laws of Minnesota had its birth during the sum- mer. This company was known as the City Guards and was commanded by J. W. Simpson.

1854. The passage of this year was attended with great material prosperity. Progress and improvement were visible in all directions. Busi- ness was brisk, immigration heavy, preparations for railroad building were made and many long steps were taken towards that golden future, so eloquently delineated by Governor Ramsey in his last message. One of the most important of these steps was the act conferring the dignified title of city upon St. Paul, which was done March 4th. Its area then was about 2,400 acres; three wards were formed and the provisions made for city government were similar to existing ones. The capital was ready for occupation, and the legisla- ture could now meet in its own halls, where it was convened January 4th.

An event that had no doubt a great influence on the future growth of this region, inasmuch as it brought it into the personal notice of so many distinguished people, was the excursion celebrat- ing the opening of railroad connection with the Upper Mississippi. The Chicago and Rock Is- land railroad was the means of the event in ques- tion; its rails having reached Rock Island, a great number of invited guests passed over the road. Among these were, Hon. Preston King, Rev. Dr. Spring, John A. Dix, George Bancroft, the histo- rian, Prof. Silliman, Rev. Dr. Bacon, Francis P.

Blair, ex-president Millard Fillmore, Prof. Gibbs and many othors, the total number reaching one thousand persons, it is said. They came up the river from Rock Island on five large steamers, the War Eagle, Sparhawk, Golden Era, Lady Franklin, and the Galena, the latter having a band of music on board. They were received with salutes fired from cannon, the American flag was raised in front of the Central House, and all the population of the city turned out to greet them. Every available vehicle was pressed into service for their accommodation, and the guests were shown the city and neighboring ob jects of interest. At night a banquet was given in their honor at the capitol where speeches were make by Millard Fillmore, George Bancroft and others. The proceedings were enlivened with music and dancing, and the best of good feelings prevailed, the guests not taking their departure until nearly midnight.

In a letter written to Governor Gorman, under date of July 5th, 1854, Mr. Bancroft says : "The delight which attended my visit to St. Paul will never be effaced from my memory. All published accounts of the Upper Mississippi Valley do not half express its beanty and attractions. I have traveled a good deal in the world, and there are of our party many who have traveled much more than I; and there was but one opinion, that for the union of grandeur and loveliness, of magnificent scenery, amenity and fertility, the region has not its parallel as an object of admiration and inter- est to the tourist, and still more as an inviting place of residence. The manner in which the river sweeps past your city, reminds me of Cin- cinnati, and like that city, St. Paul owes its rapid advancement not to the accident of its selection as the seat of government, but its natural adap- tation to the purposes of inland commerce, which so exceeds in importance our foreign commerce. As to the future of this great central district of North America, no one who has not seen it, can form an adequate conception, while those who have examined and studied the subject, only be- come sensible how much further reason may sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow."

In accordance with the general prosperty then prevailing, the newspaper interest, always for- ward in enterprise, took a stride ahead. The

318

HISTORY OF RAMSEY COUNTY.

Pioneer, during February, passed into the owner- ship of Earle S. Goodrich, who determined to make it a daily, and in that shape it appeared on May 1st. Not to be outdone, the other papers, the Democrat and the Minnesotian, followed the lead of the Pioneer, and shortly after another journal, the Daily Times, was launched into be- ing. The publication of four daily papers nat- urally helped the city, and the knowledge of the resources of Minnesota began to get abroad in the land. Several new steamboats were added to the list of those regularly running to St. Paul during the season, their presence being necessary to accommodate the growing business in freights and the carrying of passengers. The number of steamboat arrivals up to the ending of naviga- tion was few short of three hundred. There is no means of verifying the figures as to the vol- ume of business transacted this year. Two ac- counts are to be had-one giving $4,779,500 as the amount, and $675,400 as the capital invested ; the other, and, if anything, the more reliable, fixes the amount of trade effected, in all lines, at $5,- 868,500.

The informal meetings of merchants for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to com- merce, resulted in the organization during the fall of the year of the Board of Trade

Among the acts . passed at the fifthi session of the Minnesota legislature. were : an " an act to incorporate the German Reading society "; an " act to incorporate a chapter of Royal Arch Masons in St. Paul," and an " act to incorporate the St. Paul Bridge company."

A disgraceful scene occurred on one of the closing days of this eventful twelvemonth. Dur- ing the execution, on St. Anthony Hill, of Yu- ha-zee, the Indian condemned for the murder of Mrs. Keener, near Holmesville, in 1852, the crowd behaved in a manner that was distressing to any one of good feelings ; ribaldry and drunkenness were conspicuous features of the exhibition. This hanging was the first one in Ramsey county.

1855. The active state of business that pre- vailed last year was continued this, the wonder- ful immigration continuing, and the demand for land increasing. Naturally, therefore, prices steadily had an upward tendency, and a specula- tive era rapidly set in. Everybody possessed land and all equally had visions of great wealth.

An eminently unhealthy and artificial state of affairs was growing; the rate of interest was ex- tremely high, five per cent. per month being the usually accorded rate. More buildings were put up and many public improvements were effected. Speculators, and these were among all classes of the community, who had purchased wild lands at nominal figures were selling lots at almost fabu- lous advances on the original purchase price. Indeed it is impossible to adequately portray the state of things at this time.

All new communities have at some period of their existence passed through the same stages of excitement, it being a state incidental to the rapid opening up of a rich and fertile region to settlement and business enterprises.

Railroad projects were much discussed, espec- ially in view of the repeal by congress of the act recently passed by the same body granting a large portion of the public lands to aid railroad construction. The repeal being contested by the Northwestern Railroad Company in the courts. According to the census at this time St. Paul possessed a population of 4,716.

The steamboats were making money fast, as may be seen from the fact that the "War Eagle" and "City Belle," the former costing $20,000 and the latter $11,000, cleared this season nearly $75,- 000. The "War Eagle" was the first boat to open the navigation season, its complement of passengers being 814. The number of people ar- riving by boat averaged about 400, and in the early season record is made of seven boats com- ing in in one day, a statement which clearly por- trays the rapidity with which the recent silent wilds were being turned to civilized purposes. During the year the total number of boats arriv- ing was 560. It required the greatest of ingenuity and hard work to find accommodation for these daily augmenting numbers.

A regularly organized fire department was ef- fected this year, it consisting of twenty-eight members. The Pioneer Hook and Ladder Com- pany obtained a hook and ladder wagon, and a small fire engine was purchased. This was very much needed, for in the newspaper files of those days may be seen very frequent reference to the . occurrence of disastrous fires, which were many indeed. In the matter of hotels, St. Paul was

319

SAINT PAUL-EVENTS OF 1856. *

particularly unfortunate in the number totally or partially destroyed by fire.

1856. In all new communities, while affairs are in a transitive state, and everything is under high pressure, among the immigrants come many with disorderly and criminal propensities, and St. Paul was no exception to the rule. Crime and outrage flourished for a while, until the citizens adopted repressive measures, by the formation of vigilance committees to aid the four policemen in preserving order. Eight. men were soon after added to the police force, and before long, thanks to the energetic steps taken by the citizens them- selves, the reign of lawlessness was cut short. The streets were carefully patrolled at night, criminals were arrested and punished, and suspi- cious characters were driven out of the city. Du- ring this carnival of crime, George R. Mckenzie, the proprietor of the Mansion House, was mur- dered, and his body found in the river. He was known to have a large sum of money in his pos- session, and that, undoubtedly, led to his death, as his pockets had been rifled of their contents when the corpse was recovered. Among the events of the year were the organization of the militia company, the Pioneer Guard, and the laying of foundation stones, with much ceremony, of two new buildings, one intended for the use of the Historical Society, the other for a Masonic temple. Neither of these edifices ever progressed much beyond the foundation. Bishop Timon, of Buffalo, also laid the corner stone of the Catholic cathedral at the corner of St. Peter and Sixth streets, which was completed the fol- lowing year. The city hall was finished this year, and two church edifices were added to the city- the Jackson street Methodist Episcopal church, and the old Assumption church on Exchange street. Several extensive fires occurred this year, notably the burning of the McClung and Stewart's blocks, and the Rice House. The latter stood on the site of the present Metropoli- tan Hotel, fronting on Third street, and was the place where the legislature of 1851 held their sessions.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.