USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice County, including explorers and pioneers of Minnesota and outline history of the state of Minnesota > Part 79
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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
fined $50 and costs, and in default of payment committed to jail.
POLITICAL ..
The first town meeting of Bridgewater, for the purpose of organizing the township, was held on the 11th of May, 1858, at the house of Fernando Thompson in the village of Dundas. The meeting was called to order and C. C. Stetson was chosen chairman, pro tem,, and Benjamin Lockerby, mod- erator. They next proceeded to ballot for officers, which resulted as follows: Supervisors, Benjamin Lockerby, Chairman, Jacob Emery, and J. A. Up- ham; Clerk, C. C. Stetson; Assessor, Royal Ester- brook; Collector, Fernando Thompson; Overseer of the Poor, James Gates; Justices of the Peace, Geo. Barton, David Hatfield, and W. B. Taylor receiv- ing the same number of votes, neither were de- clared elected; Constable, Charles B. Drake and Fernando Thompson were a tie. The whole num- ber of votes cast at this election was fifty-nine.
During the war this township did its part, furnishing men as fast almost as they were called for, and at the time of the organization of the First Minnesota Regiment three men went into it from Archibald brother's store. A special town meeting was held in 1864, at which the sum of $1,500 was voted to pay a bounty to volunteers, and bonds were issued at 7 per cent. to pay the same. The sum of $25 was paid to each man. The judges appointed were J. R. Drake, H. Drought, and D. Hatfield. At a session some time afterward an additional appropriation of $900 was made, there being at that time four volunteers needed.
The management of the town has been efficient and able, and no events have transpired to inter- rupt the usual tranquility of town government; the management of the finances of the town have also heea commendable.
The officers elected for 1882 are as follows: Su- pervisors, J. W. Huckins, Chairman, J. W. Ross, and A. Wescott; Clerk, J. M. Oliver: Treasurer, H. M. Babcock; Justices of the Peace, William Tew and J. W. Eunis; Assessor, W. B. Henderson.
EDUCATIONAL.
The general history of the rise, progress, and present condition of the schools in the town of Bridgewater is almost, in its salient points, a du- plicate of that of almost every other township in the county we might mention; it will, however, be of interest to the residents of the various districts.
The educational interests of the township are di- vided into six district schools and one graded. The districts are all in good financial condition, and the schools well attended. The total amount of school property in town is about $10,000.
DISTRICT No. 2 .- This should probably have heen district No. 1, as the schoolhouse was the first put up in the county. In the spring of 1856, it was decided to build a schoolhouse, and Charles Wheeler and others, during the night, quietly ap- propriated timber from section sixteen. In the daytime they hauled it away, and put up their - schoolhouse, the size of which was about 20x30 feet, upon the southeast corner of section twelve.
The first school was called to order soon after by Miss Martha Kelley, now Mrs. A. Dodge, of Northfield. School was continued in this building two terms each year until 1880, when the old house was burned, and then the present building was erected at a cost of $1,700. This is the best district schoolhouse in the township, being heated with furnace and furnished with the latest im- provements.
DISTRICT No. 11 .- The first school held was in a log honse, the organization being effected in the latter part of the fifties. The stone schoolhouse now in use by the district for school purposes is one of the best in the township; it is located in the southern part of section thirty-five. The present school board consists of Messrs. John Cheney, J. J. Chester, and E. McKibbie. The school has about twenty-four pupils.
DISTRICT No. 13 .- The first school was taught in the latter part of 1856, or early in 1857, by Miss Lockerby, in McKinley's house, when the ยท district may be said to have been organized. The first winter school was taught by James Ecles, with about twenty scholars. The preseut site of the schoolhouse is in the southwestern part of sec- tion twenty-four.
DISTRICT No. 15 .- The first school in the dis- trict was taught in 1857, when the district was organized, in a log building owned by Smith Alexander, and the following year a log school- house was put up on the same site. This build- ing served the purpose until 1865, when it was destroyed by fire, but the following year it was replaced by the building now in use. The loca- tion of the school is the northwestern corner of section twenty-eight.
DISTRICT No. 31 .-- The first school was called
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to order in 1857, by Peter Scurington in a house a house on section eight. . The history of the early organization and growth of this district seems to be almost forgotten, as those who live in the same who have been interviewed, are very conflicting in their statements. The location of the present schoolhouse is the northern part of section six.
DISTRICT No. 91 .- The organization of this district was effected in 1874, and it is, therefore, the youngest district in the township. The first school was held in the present schoolhouse in 1874, with forty-five scholars in attendance, Miss Lucy Cowan being the teacher. Their neat and sub- stantial schoolhouse was erected in 1874, at a cost of about $600; the school board at that time being composed of Messrs Tew, Gurrau, and Donaldson. The present members of the board are William Tew, Henry Platt, and W. S. Partlow. The school is located in the southwestern part of section nine.
DUNDAS.
This is the only village in the township of Bridgewater, and is the third in size and impor- tance in the county. It is situated on the Cannon River, near the center of the town, its village plat extending into sections ten, eleven, and fifteen. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad con- nects the village with the outside world, passing through it in a southwesterly direction.
The location of this thriving village is all that could be desired. As we contemplate the changes of a quarter of a century past we can scarcely com- prehend or realize that the results of time's won- der-working hand are the achievements of a period so brief as to be within the remembrance, almost, of the present generation.
Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves of time's great book to but a quarter of a century ago, and the stranger would have gazed upon a landscape of wondrous beauty; selected by Dakota as his camping ground, with that singular appreciation of the beautiful which nature made an instinct with the savage. These noble forests were as green then as now, the prairie flowers bloomed as thickly and diffused their fragrance as bountifully. We. are in the haunt of the red man, with scarcely a trace of civilization, and literally a wilderness. But what a contrast! Then all was as nature had formed it, with its variegated hues of vegetation; in winter a dreary barren waste, in summer a per- fect paradise of flowers. Now many traces of the
primitive are obliterated; in place of the tall prairie grass and tangled uuderbrush, we behold the rich waving fields of golden grain. In place of the dusky warriors' cabins are the elegant and sub- stantial dwellings, and the "iron horse," swifter than the nimble deer, treads the pathway so rec- ently the trail of the red man.
In point of location, Dundas is all that could be desired. The Cannon River at this point furnishes one of the most valuable water-powers in the State, and with the assistance of reliable railroad con- uection with eastern markets, its future is assured. The Minnesota Central railroad has already sur- veyed and graded a line through the place and by fall the lomotive will be pushing its way through the village on this line.
The immediate surroundings of the village are timber lands, but within a mile from the limits you emerge from the timber and before you lie the richest prairie and farming lands in the State; dotted with well built and costly farm houses, in- dicating the thrift and prosperity of the farmers from which the village receives its support. The main part of the village, and where most of the residences are, is upon the east side of the river, upon the level table land extending from the low hills to the river. A majority of the business houses and the Dundas mills are on the west side of the river, while the old stone mill and the cooper shops are on the island which separates the river at this point, and which is connected to the main land by substantial iron bridges spanning the divided river.
EARLY SETTLEMENT .- As stated in the article on the early settlement of the township, the land where the village now stands was pre-empted in 1852, by Irish; and he broke a few acres and then left, when H. M. Matteson came in the spring of 1855, and jumped the claim, paid Irish for his improvements, and commenced to get out timber for a mill. In June, 1857, J. S. and George N. Archibald arrived and purchased of Mr. Matteson the town site, and at once laid ont the town. They threw a stone dam across the river and commenced the erection of the old stone mill.
In the fall of 1856, a saw-mill was erected by a Mr. Veeley, about 80 rods above the Archibald mill site, on the river, and shortly after the com- pletion of it the firm became James Babb & Veeley. A small dam was thrown across the river, which secured a three foot head of water. The mill was
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HISTORY OF RICE COUNTY.
equipped with a circular saw, and was purchased by the Archibalds a short time after their arrival, and used to timber the new grist-mill. After this was set in motion the work on the stone mill pro- gressed rapidly, and in the same year it was com- pleted and iu motion. The mill contained four run of stones and was at that time considered the best mill in the State. It was two stories high with a stone basement, and still stands on the island opposite the present fine mills. Flour made by the old mill was taken to St Paul and Minne- apolis by team, and won the reputation of being the best made in the State.
The first store started in Dundas was built and stocked by J. S. & G. N. Archibald in 1858. The store stood one block south of the bridge, and was kuown far and near as the "Dundas Cash Store." The first frame residence in town was put up by the same gentlemen at the same time and is now occupied by the widow of J. S. Archi- bald.
The next store, and really the first substantial one, was opened in 1859 by E. G. & J. J. Ault, with about a $3,000 stock, in the building now occupied as the shoe shop of Mr. Richert. In 1861, George Kirkpatrick purchased the Archi- bald Brothers' store and stocked it up. This occu- pied the building now used as a residence by Ed. Coppin. The Ault brothers afterward put up a substantial stone building.
In 1858, the Post-office was established, and Herman Jenkins was first appointed to handle the mails. He was called the traveling Post-master, because he would go to Northfield, get the mail, and then deliver it to the few inhabitants in the place. In 1859, the people of Northfield raised a bonus and secured a daily stage mail on the line from Northfield to Faribault. This was continued until the railroad was constructed through the place in 1864. The Post-office has in the mean- time passed into numerous hands, and finally J. M. Oliver, the present accommodating and efficient Postmaster was appointed, and has since retained the office.
HOTELS .- In 1858, the first hotel was put up in Dundas by H. Jenkins. It stood where the Arch- ibald Company barn now is. It was not a very gorgeously furnished establishment, but it served the purpose until it was burned to the ground some years later.
The next hotel was put up by H. C. Komoll, and
is still run and known as the "Komoll House." Next was started the "Franklin Hotel," kept by that best of hosts, A. Frink.
A few years ago Mr. Cramer started "Mer- chants' Hotel," near the depot.
1n 1870, Dundas had a population of about 500. In the last ten years it has almost doubled, now having about 1,000.
EVENTS OF INTEREST.
The first house or building ever erected on the town site of Dundas was put up in the spring and summer of 1855, by the owner at that time, H. M. Matteson. It stood on the west side of the river near the Merchants' Hotel; built of logs, size 16x20 feet, and for those days a good and sub- stantial house. Mr. Matteson afterward told Mr. Archibald, the owner, that he would buy the old house and lot back, and board it up so as to "pre- serve it for future reference," but Mr. Archibald stated that the house was in the center of the street and had to be torn down.
Among the first, and we are inclined to believe the first death to occur in Dundas, was a daughter of Wm. and Mary B. Taylor, named Calista, aged twelve years, of diphtheria. This occurred in Oc- tober, 1856. A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor was born on the 4th of January, 1856, and was the first birth. The child was christened Clara E., and still lives with her mother in Dundas.
A short time after the occurrence above men- tioned, Jacob, a son of Ira Markell, was born. He also still lives in Dundas.
An early death was the child of Mr. H. C. Komoll, the hotel keeper.
William B. Taylor was drowned in April, 1866. The bridge over the Cannon River had been washed out, and he, as well as other employes in the mill, were obliged to go to and from their work in boats. One day, as he, in company with the miller, Thomas Handy, and two others were cross- ing, the boat was capsized, and they were left struggling in the water. Two of the occupants were saved, but Taylor and Handy were swallowed by the greedy torrent and both met watery graves. Wm. B. Taylor left a wife and six children, and Thomas Haudy a wife and three children.
VILLAGE ORGANIZATION.
In the spring of 1879, the residents of Dundas having come to the conclusion that an organiza-
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tion of the village was necessary, accordingly took steps and had the village chartered. The or- ganization was effected by the election of the fol- lowing officers: Council, E. T. Archibald, President, C. W. Brown, R. R. Hutchinson, J. T. Thielbar, and F. Shandorf; Recorder, D. W. Markell; Treas- wier, E. G. Ault; Justice of the Peace, J. R. De Cousins; Marshal, C. Runnels.
The business of the village has been transacted in a commendable and economical way.
The present officers are: Council, C. Runnels, President, P. K. Empey, Henry Carrol, A. Wool- ery, and Wm. B. Henderson; Recorder, A. Hed- reen; Treasurer, J. W. Huckins; Justice of the Peace, Edward Strange; Marshal, John C. King. The council rent a building east of the iron bridge for a Village Hall, and have made an addition to the same for a lock-up.
DUNDAS GRADED SCHOOLS.
This organization for educational purposes em- braces the village of Dundas and the immediately surrounding territory, and in its management, both financially and educationally, has been one of the most prudent and efficient institutions in the county.
The first school in Dundas was tanght in 1858, in a building erected for a meat market, standing where Hoyuck's bakery now is, and had in atten- dance fifteen children. The teacher was Miss Mary Hutchison, now Mrs. Drought. It was at this time organized as district No. 4, and a house erected soon after. The records commence on the 30th of May, 1865, the first record being a letter from the Clerk of the district to County Superin- tendent Buckham, stating that "if a teacher is not secured for the summer term our 30 or 40 children must run wild until fall." In 1866, an appropria- tion of $600 was made to furnish an addition to the schoolhouse. On the 12th of May, 1868, the district was organized into a graded school and $4,000 in bonds voted to erect a school building, the site selected being Maple Grove. Accord- ingly, in 1869, W. C. Cleland took the contract and finished one half the present building at a cost, when furnished, of about $5,000. In 1881, the requirements of the school demanded an in- crease, and the same contractor finished the other half of the building at a cost of $2,000, making the total cost about $7,000. The schools are now in good condition, employing three teachers with an attendance of about 250 pupils.
SECRET SOCIETY.
A. O. U. W .- An Ancient Order of United Workmen was instituted in Dundas on the 27th of February, 1878, with twenty-four charter mem- bers. The prime movers in this, or those through whose instrumentality it was organized, were H. E. Lawrence, E. G. Ault, A. Hedreen, and C. W. Brown.
The first officers elected were: Master Workman, A. Hedreen; Recorder, H. E. Lawrence; Treas- urer, R. R. Hutchinson; Financier, J. M. Oliver. The present officers are as follows: Master Work- man, J. P. Hummel; Recorder, C. Ruunels; Treas- urer, A. F. Thielbar; Financier, J. M. Oliver. The order now has twenty-one members in good sland- ing, and is in the most prosperous and flourishing condition.
RELIGIOUS.
The religious and God-fearing people of Dun- das are divided into four denominations, and they have already erected three substantial and neat buildings, and another is now in process of erection. Speaking financially, the churches in this place are in as good condition as is usual in a town of this size, and one may get an inference from that as to their standing. Below we give a condensed notice of the organization and principal proceed- ings of each.
EPISCOPAL .- The first service was held in Archi- bald's hall in 1864, by Bishop Whipple. Their church was erected in 1868, by W. C. Cleland, contractor, at a cost of $7,000, and dedicated with Bishop Whipple officiating. Rev. W. J. Gould was the first regular pastor and remained for seven years, after which Rev. Humphrey presided for two years, and since that time they have had no regular preacher. As above stated their church was built in 1868 at a cost of $7,000, and in 1874, a neat parsonage was erected at a cost of about $3,300. This was all put up at the expense of, and donated to the society by, J. S. Archibald, with a very little aid from a few others. Mr. Archibald, at the time of his death, in 1875, bequeathed the sum of $15,000 to the church, making his total donations foot up to $25,000.
GERMAN LUTHERAN .- The first service held by this denomination was in the summer of 1866, in the old schoolhouse on the east side of the river, by Rev. Shultz. Shortly afterward the organiza- tion was effected, having at first about twelve
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members. Services were held at various places until 1881, when they commenced the erection of a church edifice on Second street, on the east side of the river. The building is not completed as yet. Among the pastors to officiate in this denomina- tion are Reverends Shultz and Sipler. The pulpit is now supplied by the Lutheran minister of Fari- bault.
PRESBYTERIAN .- This society formally organ- ized in the year 1865, with Rev. J. I. Smith officiating, and had about twenty members. In 1867, they commenced the erection of a church which was finished the following year at a cost of about $1,200, and this is the building now in use by the society. The pastors have been : Reverends Breck, J. H. Hunter, W. S. Wilson, James Mc- Lain, W. E. Donaldson, and J. C. Garver, the latter being the present pastor. The church was dedi- cated on the 17th of July, 1868.
METHODIST .- There was at one time a strong organization of this denomination here, but at present there is not much interest felt or shown in it. They erected a church and a parsonage. The former was finally sold and is now used by Mr. Phillip Empey as a livery stable; the parsonage was destroyed by fire the 2d of March, 1879.
INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES.
As all the industries of this nature in the town- ship are centered at Dundas, they will all be treated under one head, and a review of the various manufacturing establishments of the village and township will be appropos to this occason, as they are the nucleus to the now prosperous village. The first we will allude to will be the manufactur- ing enterprise known as the
DUNDAS FLOURING MILLS, which have ever been the magnet around which have clustered the vari- ous business interests of which the town is pos- sessed. These mills, in their past years of useful- ness, have achieved a reputation perhaps second to none other similar institution in the State. Ac- cumulation of business and an increased demand for the productions of the establishment from time to time, rendering an increase of capacity necessary, have been the means of forcing alterations which have made its capacity without equal in this part of the State.
The mills are located on the west bank of the Cannon River, within the limits of the village, and consist of the main building, the old stone mill, and several warehouses.
In 1857, J. S. and G. N. Archibald, natives of Canada, came to Dundas and put up the old stone mill upon the island, building a stone dam across the river and securing a good water-power. Four run of stones were placed in the mill and opera- tions commenced the same year. The crops fail- ing that year and the following one the mill was not operated to its full capacity until 1859, when a small merchant bolt was put in, and in this con- dition the mill was run until 1870. Shortly after building and commencing operations, the firm was dissolved; G. N. going out and J. S. continuing until 1870, when it became J. S. & E. T. Archibald; and at that time the frame portion of the present main building was erected, size 35x70 feet, five stories high, with a basement, and to this has been added a stone wing 36x80 feet, joining the frame on the north.
In 1866, the original dam, built in 1857, was washed away, and the year following rebuilt. In 1871, the mill was enlarged to an eight run mill, and iu 1879, it was entirely remodeled and con- verted into a roller mill. Thirty-five sets of rollers were put in, and two burrs, making a capacity of 500 barrels per day.
The power by which the mill is run is both steam and water; having nine feet of water fall, and a 150 horse-power steam engine-making the propelling force of the mill efficient and perma- nent. The steam power was added at the recon- struction of the mill in 1879, a substantial stone engine house being erected at that time. About same time a side track was laid from the main line of the railroad to the mill door.
The present firm is E. T. Archibald & Co., en personnel E. T. and Cyril Archibald. The origin- ator and starter of the enterprise, J. S. Archibald, died in 1875, leaving many earnest and warm friends to mourn his loss. His widow, Mrs. C. C. Archibald, still lives in Dundas, much esteemed by all.
COOPERAGE .- In connection with the mill is the cooper business. The shops are located on the island, one on each side of the street. Their ca- pacity is only limited by the number of barrels in demand per day, and this branch of industry is certainly as important a factor and as beneficial to Dundas as any it contains. It employs as a rule about thirty men. When started they were operated in connection with and under the man- agement of the Dundas mills, but of late years it
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has been managed by a co-operative Cooper's Association.
STAR FLOURING MILLS .- To get at the founda- tion of this mill's establishment, one must go back in date to 1869, when the firm of Drought & Hutch- insou purchased the ground north of the bridge, on the west side of the river, for a saw-mill. They at once put up a steam saw-mill with a perpen- dicular, and a circular saw. This was run by them four years and then sold to Jacobs & Dittis, who run it until it was burned, two years later. In 1877, the site was purchased by James Peppin, who commenced the erection of the mill which is both a flour and saw-mill. Three run of stones were put in and an 80 horse-power steam engine. In 1880, the firm became Newell & Peppin, and the mill was remodeled and rollers put in in ad- dition to the burrs, making the capacity about 150 barrels. The saw-mill in connection is equipped with a circular saw, and has been piling up saw-dust to the present time. The flouring mill was only operated for about one year, the proprie- tors having become involved in debt. The mill is a large three story and a basement building, and the entire outfit is estimated at having cost about $30,000.
COCHRAN MILL .- A small custom mill was erected in 1878 by Robert Cochran, on section twenty-two, and was run by steam. For a short time it did a good business, but was finally, in the fall of 1880, destroyed by fire.
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HOOVER SAW-MILL .- This enterprise was orig- inally established in Cannon City by J. M. Hoover, but after running there a short time was moved to bis farm on section thirty-two. It is run by steam, and does good work. Mr. Hoover is still proprietor of it.
THE FIRST SAW-MILL .- In the fall of 1856, a saw-mill was erected by a Mr. Veeley, a short dis- tance from the present location of the Dundas mills. It was run a short time by Babb & Veeley, and finally, in 1857, was purchased by J. S. snd G. N. Archibald. It was run by water-power, a dam having been built which gave them three feet fall of water. This was the first institution of a man- facturing nature started in this entire section of country. A description of the mill is given else- where.
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