History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 32

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222

USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County, Minnesota > Part 32

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).

192

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

ing in cream, while a few deliver milk. The concern has had a phenomenal growth and is contributing largely to the comfort and needs of the people of this section and a large part of Goodhue County. The first year it did a busi- ness of $96,000, which had increased in 1919 to $154,000, and it is still grow- ing. At present it occupies the building of the former concern, but a new building has been planned for next year on lots purchased on South Wash- ington street, near the Dwelle Telephone Co.'s building. The officers of the Creamery company are: Charles B. Harrison, president; William Peters, vice- president; Paul Sandberg, secretary; H. C. Bremer, treasurer, and A. G. Schandel, manager and butter-maker. The directors are Fred Schuman, Fred Miller and H. C. Holst.

Rest Island Fox Farm .- This important enterprise, now one of the promi- nent attractions, perhaps the most novel and interesting in the vicinity of Lake City, was originated by one of the present residents of the city, Arthur Schleicher, formerly of Millville, who is now secretary and manager of the company. One day, in June, 1911, Evan O'Hara, a farmer boy, came into Mill- ville with a number of red fox pups, which he offered for sale. Arthur Schleicher, then a youth of twenty, engaged with his father in the lumber and agricultural implement business, bought three of the pups, for which he paid $2.50. Becoming much interested in the little animals, he read all the litera- ture he could get hold of bearing on their care and breeding. Though such literature was then scanty, he soon discovered some interesting facts; among others, that fox breeding was carried on to some extent in Canada, especially on Prince Edward Island, the methods in use being carefully kept secret, and that the silver foxes were valuable, a pair having been sold for as much as $30,000. Seeing a large profit in the industry, he considered the possibility of establishing a fox farm in Minnesota, and resolved to make the experiment. Having sold his red foxes at from $12 to $40 each, he invested in a few silver foxes, for which he paid from $500 to $1,200, and began his experiments. By 1915 he was ready to go deeply into the business, and accordingly bought six pairs of registered standard-bred silver foxes on Prince Edward Island. There is a regular system of registry and pedigrees for silver foxes as well as for Percheron horses or Shorthorn cattle, and good breeders sell today at from $800 to $2,000 a pair. Foxes to be eligible in the books of the Prince Edward Island Breeders' Association must be almost black, with silver markings over the eyes and over the hips. The silver markings are in the long hairs in the fur. These hairs are black on the ends and of a silver color in the middle, black or mouse colored below near the hide.

Mr. Schleicher had to find out many things through experience. One of his early mistakes was in permitting strangers to visit the fox dens during the season between January and July 1. This lost him a large number of fine pups, as the foxes notice the slightest change, and if a mother fox becomes frightened she will carry her pups around the pen all day long, holding them in her mouth by the nape of the neck as does a cat. Too much of this carrying around is not good for them, and for this reason the keeper avoids anything that might make the mother fox nervous. Between January and June no one ever goes inside the guard fence except the regular keeper, who takes care always to wear the same clothes. To help shut off distraction from the outside, to make it more comfortable for the foxes, and to keep the fur dark, wild cucum- bers are planted around the fences. These soon form a mat of vines, so that little sun gets into the pens. The foxes like the shade, and the sun would fade the furs. The lack of sunlight does not affect the foxes' health, as the adult foxes are very hardy animals. They are fed largely on horse meat and dog biscuit, with some rice meal and corn meal, but no fresh vegetables. For feeding purposes a horse is killed every five or six days, old horses being bought at from $10 to $18. The foxes mate for life in pairs, one male and one female. It is very seldom that the male fox will mate with more than one female. The

193

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

father is an ideal husband and parent. As soon as the young are born he carries all the food put into the pen to the mother, and as soon as the cubs are ready to eat meat, which is when they are about three weeks old, he exhibits great solicitude to see that they get all they want. The fox nature appears to be almost untamable. Even after long generations of captivity the wild nature predominates, though finally some of the foxes get so they will take meat from the hands of the keeper. But even he has to be careful that they don't bite his hand. Another early mistake made by Mr. Schleicher was in the building of the pens. His first pens were separated by only one fence of woven wire. Put a dozen foxes into the same pen and they will get along beautifully, but separate two pairs with a single woven wire, and you will lose a lot of fox legs. They will fight through the fence. Now two fences are built, eight feet apart, and only one pair of foxes are put in a pen. Sometimes later in the season a num- ber are put into the same pen, but in such case the inclosures are always separated by two fences at least two feet apart. The furs are sold in December, being shipped to reliable firms who pay the full worth of the goods. Until recently the best market has usually been in the United States or in Paris, but it is probable that the furs produced this year will go to London. For some years the St. Louis market has been the best in the world, but the recent change of conditions may temporarily divert the trade. The company has sold quite a number of pairs of foxes to breeders in Minnesota, and are aiming to make this the greatest fox breeding state in the Union, for which the conditions and prospects are very favorable. Visitors are invited to visit the farm at any time from June to January, but from January to June, for the reasons already men- tioned, they are asked not to call. The officers of the company are: John Schmauss, president; Arthur Schleicher, secretary and manager; and R. A. Hoyt, treasurer.

The Dwelle Telephone Company of Lake City was established in March, 1897, by G. M. Dwelle, and lines were installed covering Lake City. On April 1, 1905, the company was incorporated with G. M. Dwelle, Sr., as president; G. W. Patton, vice-president; and G. M. Dwelle, Jr., secretary and treasurer. G. M. Dwelle, Sr., died April 15, 1915, and was succeeded as president by Peter Beck. On the death of Mr. Beck in November, 1919, W. G. Ball became president and is now serving. These have been the only changes on the official board. In the fall of 1897 the company extended its wires and installed toll lines in all the villages in the northern half of the county. In 1898 the company bought the interests of the Plainview Telephone Company, and operated that line with exchanges at Plainview and Wabasha. During the winter of 1903-04 the com- pany sold the Plainview exchange and the lines south of the Zumbro river, and since then there have been few further changes, except that the lines have been extended so as to cover the territory south of the Zumbro river and the ter- ritory in the southeastern part of Goodhue County. On January 1, 1920, the Lake City exchange had 1,181 phones, and the Wabasha exchange, 467 phones. The Wabasha exchange was sold April 1, 1920, the company's total investment, before the sale, amounting to $91,500. The company now has 254 miles of pole lines, covering Lake City and its environs and into Goodhue County.

The Clamming Industry .- Some thirty years ago it became generally known that river or fresh water clams occasionally contained valuable pearls. A host of clam fishers at once sprang into activity, operating on almost every river and body of fresh water where pearl-bearing clams could be found. Lake Pepin proved one of the most valuable fisheries, and within a short time the business here had developed into large proportions. At first the shells were regarded as worthless and were thrown away, but experiments proved that they could be utilized profitably in the manufacture of buttons, sleeve links, barrettes, and other fancy articles, and whereas, 22 years ago there was not a button factory in the United States, there are now hundreds of them operating the year around. The Wisconsin Pearl Button Company, of La Crosse, a large concern employing

194

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

some 300 hands, in 1911 started a branch factory in Lake City, which has since continued in operation, employing usually some 50 or more cutters. The Lake Pepin Pearl Button Company was started in Lake City four years ago, but has recently closed, owing chiefly to the difficulty in securing help. One year, about. 1913, 2,400 tons of clams were taken from Lake Pepin, about 90 per cent of the shells being available for manufacturing purposes.

The following description of the fishing operations, written by Lawrence Lunde, was published in the Graphic-Republican of Lake City, February 14, 1913: "A clammer's outfit consists of a flat scow equipped with a windlass, rope, anchor, oars, and two bars holding the hooks. Clamming with hooks takes place usually in five to ten feet of water, but sometimes as deep as thirty feet. The windlass contains about 300 feet of rope, at the end of which is an anchor. The anchor is dropped into the water-say ten feet deep-and then you row until you reach the end, or until the 300 feet of rope is between the anchor and. your boat. Now the bars holding the hooks are lowered into the water, one in front of the other. The bars may be any length, but are usually about 16 feet long, and made from lead pipe. Each bar holds from 50 to 60 strings (or stays) and each string two or three hooks. The hooks are made of stiff wire with four barbs each. So with the bars down you have about 300 or more hooks dragging on the lake bottom. Now you begin pulling in on your rope by means of the windlass, and going in the direction of the anchor. The clam is generally open in the water, and when anything comes in contact with it, it closes up. To pull. in this 300 feet of rope takes about ten to fifteen minutes. When you reach the anchor you pull up the bar ahead, and then the other. The bars rest in stand- ards on the boat. A good lift is about 150 to 200 clams. So you proceed in. ·the same manner, rowing out the length of your rope, dropping in your bars and pulling in. The clams are pulled off from the hooks and thrown into the boat. The clammer works on the water eight or nine hours a day, and spends the rest of his time in "cooking out." In cooking, the clams are placed in a large tank under which is a fire. Only a little water is poured into the tank, because the clams hold a large quantity. The clams are taken out and placed on the sorting table soon after the boiling point is reached. They are cooked because then they become loosened from the shells. If there happened to be any pearls, they would be harmed if cooked too much. On the table the shells are thrown into a pile, and the meats sorted in search of the coveted prize. One meat at a time is squeezed once or twice in the right place and thrown aside. Pearls and slugs are found usually in the muscles and along the hinge side. Once in a while small pieces, called "chicken-feed" by the clammer, are found. in the mantle, and frequently pieces are found fast in the shell. Numerous pearl buyers visit the clammers daily. Pearls are sold by the grain, with due consideration to roundness and lustre. Several have been found which sold for $1,500, and others as high as $3,500. A pearl buyer always has ready cash. He buys his pearls here and then goes east or abroad and sells them at. enormous prices. Slugs and broken pearls are found daily and sell as "chicken- feed" from $1 and up. A clammer can make wages on shells alone. Some shells are no good, as the razorbacks, and are thrown out. With favorable weather and lifts, a clammer can get about one quarter of a ton a day. Many clammers get shells by the use of rakes, and others use gasoline launches.

The above article was written seven years ago, and is correctly descriptive of conditions at that time. The former custom of hauling the boats up to an anchor with a windlass has been abandoned, and now the hauling is done by gasoline launches, there being boats hitched to a launch. The bars now in use. are 20 feet long, to which are attached some 40 stays, or one every six inches, each stay being furnished with two or three hooks. The present law allows a boat to have three bars, but only two down at a time, and during the last three years it has been necessary for each boat to have a license, costing five dollars. At the time the Wisconsin Pearl Button Company started their branch factory

195

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

in Lake City, there were between 500 and 600 clammers on Lake Pepin, each having one or more boats, but the number has since dwindled to about one half that number, the rest having for the most part sought newer and richer fishing grounds.

The Lake City Shipping Association is an organization numbering over 310 members, with H. C. Holst, manager. During the year 1919 the association shipped 132 cars of stock, the receipts for the year being, in round numbers, $310,000. Paul Goihl is president of the Shipping Association, with William Peters, vice-president; L. H. Roschen, secretary, and H. C. Bremer, treasurer. The ice business has for years been a prominent industry of Lake City, and with a fine source of supply, admirable facilities and good management, con- tinues to flourish.

In the space allotted to this history, it has been possible merely to mention a few of the most prominent business enterprises, chiefly manufacturing or productive, now flourishing in Lake City, or which have formerly existed. Some others will be found mentioned in the biographical part of this volume. Con- siderable advancement has been made during the past year, and many firms are making expansions in the business. Mercantile enterprises are in general prosperous, the merchants carrying up-to-date stock, and building enterprises have been carried on to a large extent.

In common with patriotic men and women all over the country, the people of Lake City in general worked hard to aid Uncle Sam in the recent World War. Dr. George S. Todd was local chairman of all the five Liberty Loan committees, and the city exceeded its quota in each campaign. The Red Cross chairman was Mrs. D. O. Irwin, D. L. Mills acting as treasurer, and excellent results were obtained, the workers all showing zeal and activity. The interests of "the boys" were well looked after, and they were made to feel from the moment they en- tered the service that they were not forgotten by those at home. R. C. Tennant was county chairman for a part of the time on the Second Liberty Loan drive, while a large number of residents, both men and women volunteered or cheer- fully accorded their services as canvassers, or in other ways aided effectively the various branches of war work. Many of the older boys and girls also "did their bit." While among some citizens of foreign birth or antecedents there was indifference, if not secret hostility, no great amount of trouble was ex- perienced from this source. Such persons soon realized that the country was in earnest, and met the demands made upon them, if not from patriotism, be- cause they knew they must, or to save their popularity. Receptions and banquets were tendered to the boys entering the service, whether by draft or enlistment, and gave rise to some lively and affecting scenes not soon to be forgotten.

The Lake City Fife and Drum Corps is a uniformed organization which, in a broad sense, may be termed a revival of a similar organization which existed a number of years ago, It was organized during the recent war and is still kept up. It is composed of sixteen pieces under the leadership of Capt. L. V. Hurd, and is a useful adjunct to military parades, Memorial Day exercises and similar functions.

A number of the more prominent fraternal orders are represented Lake City by lodges. A few have had an ephemeral existence and disbanded, but the orders now represented here have for the most part strong lodges, with a large, interested and active membership. Carnelian Lodge No. 40, A. F. A. M., was established under dispensation in January, 1863, its charter bearing the date of October 28, the same year. It has occupied various quarters and suffered severely in the great fire of 1882, but, like the fabled Phoenix, soon arose from its ashes. It has numbered among its members very many of the best business and professional men of the city, whose names are inseparately interwoven with the city's history and development. The Masonic bodies-the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Commandery and Eastern Star-now occupy a rented hall

196

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

in the Lyon block. Hope Chapter No. 12, R.A.M., was organized under dispensa- tion February 7, 1867, its charter being issued October 12, the same year. Lake City Commandery No. 6, was organized about three years after the institution of the Chapter, its first meeting being held April 21, 1870, and its formal organization occurring November 12 the same year. Lake City Chapter, O.E.S., was formed Friday, October 18, 1894, and now has a large membership, as also have the other branches of the Masons.

Like City Lodge No. 22, I.O.O.F., was instituted July 23, 1868, and now has between 90 and 100 members. The lodge occupies a rented hall in the Wise building. Mt. Zion Encampment No. 7, I.O.O.F., was organized February 20, 1871, and had a prosperous existence of about 37 years. About twelve years the Encampment made the mistake of merging with that at Red Wing, which two years later surrendered its charter, and that ended the history of the local organization.

In addition to those already mentioned, the principal fraternal orders which are or have been represented in Lake City by lodges, with the date of organization (where ascertained) may be enumerated as follows: Insurance Lodge; No. 38, A.O.U.W., January 19, 1878; Lake City Lodge No. 576, K. of H., April 4, 1877, now out of existence; S.S.H.F., the Scandinavian Relief Associa- tion, 1874; Major Doughty Post, No. 117, G.A.R .; Court Lake Pepin No. 1096, I.O.F .; Lake City Camp No. 2491, M.W.A .; Schiller Lodge No. 7, S. of H .; and the Equitable Fraternal Union, 1903. The last mentioned has a present mem- bership of 120. The Woodmen's lodge has 167 members. The Red Men have also a lodge with a membership of 88, and for a number of years have met in Woodmen's Hall. An important addition to the local societies is the Louis McCahill Post of the American Legion, an outgrowth of the late World War. The social, literary and civic interest of Lake City are also enhanced by the Women's clubs, which have been and are both active and highly useful.

CHAPTER XXIII.

WABASHA.

Wabasha Township, outside the corporation limits of Wabasha city, con- sists only of five sections and several fractional sections, and its history is so intimately bound up with that of the city that it will be included under the same head.

Wabasha, the county seat of Wabasha County, is one of the oldest towns on the Mississippi, having been occupied continuously since 1826. Situated on a beautiful terrace overlooking the Mississippi River, and almost surrounded by towering bluffs, its location is a most picturesque one, and possesses many commercial advantages. Like many other Mississippi River towns, the city is stretched along the banks of the river, its tendency to length being increased by the fact that the railroad station lies at the extreme east of the city, while the courthouse and the public school and the ferry are near the western edge. The principal business street lies parallel to the Mississippi River and only a block away.

Railroads having their terminals here tap the rich valleys of the Chippewa and Zumbro, and a ferry terminating at a road which leads across the bottoms to Nelson, Wisconsin, lays tribute on the wheat lands of southwestern Buffalo County. Good roads leading in all directions also make it the natural center of the surrounding fertile lands in Wabasha County. Passenger, freight and lumber traffic on the Mississippi River, once so important, is now at a minimum, but the river still has its part in the prosperity of the town. Two boat building concerns construct excellent craft, rough fishing and searching for clam shells are both important, and as the result of the latter industry, a button factory is maintained.

The most important industry, and one that dates since the early days, is that of milling. A large line elevator concern also has its headquarters here. In addition to boats, already mentioned, sash and doors are produced in con- siderable quantities. Live stock, barley and produce also shipped.

The city possesses many advantages in the way of religion, education and philanthropy. There are Catholic, Congregational, Episcopal and German Reformed churches, and in addition to the large public school, the Catholic people maintain an important parochial school. The Catholic people also have here an orphanage and hospital. There is likewise an excellent sanitarium.

The municipal improvements include waterworks, an electric light plant, a sewer system and fire protection. The city hall is adequate and sightly.

There are three newspapers, the Wabasha County Herald, the Wabasha Standard, and the Wabasha County Leader. The two banks, the First National Bank and the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, maintain the financial integrity of the city. The Commercil Club is a live organization, looks after the city interests and maintains club rooms. The public library has a wide scope and is well patronized. The two elevators, the live stock shipping association and the creamery furnish a market for farm products.

The courthouse and jail are commanding architectural features, and with the near-by magnificent high school building, add much to the beauty and importance of the city.

Augustin Rocque settled in Wabasha in 1826. About the same time came Duncan Campbell. Both settled in the extreme western part of the present city, across the slough. In 1838, Oliver Cratte built a house on the levee. Joseph Buisson settled nearby the same year. Francois La Bathe established a post

197

198

HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY

here sometime after the Black Hawk War. His date is usually given as 1841. He sold out to Alexis Bailly, who spent the remainder of his life here. Among these early traders gathered a little settlement of people, mostly mixed blood relatives.

In 1842 Father Augustin Ravoux, of St. Paul, sent a log building from Mendota to this place to be used as a chapel. The building was placed upon a raft and floated down the river, and set up on the point where Main street now terminates. This was the first building for religious purposes ever erected in Wabasha. It was used for the purpose designed several years, but went finally into disuse as a church edifice in consequence of the irregularity of services, and was afterward used for secular purposes. The first paper printed in Wabasha was printed there, and a school was taught in it.

The city of Wabasha was named in 1843 after the great Dakota chief. An interesting ceremony accompanied the christening. A hole was dug in the ground on the levee, and a bottle containing a paper giving an account of the event was placed in the hole; then a post was set up over it with a board nailed thereon, upon which was printed or written the name "Wabashaw" in large letters. A bottle of whisky was broken to celebrate the christening. In 1853, ten years later, the old sign-post was still standing. It is difficult now to locate just the place where the post stood; but it was on the levee between Alleghany and Pembroke streets. Francis Talbot saw it when he landed here in 1853 from the steamer Nominee. At the time of this christening, Wabasha was nothing more than a trading-post and stopping place for traders and voyageurs. It had been a stopping place for the traders for a long time as they passed up and down the river, trafficking with the different bands of Indians on both sides of the river and around the lakes, their headquarters being at Prairie du Chien, so that "the Prairie" seemed like home to them, particularly so to the pioneer Frenchman. After the territory was organized Alexis Bailly was appointed justice of the peace by the governor, and was thereby made the first civil officer of the county. Before that time the manner of living had been quite patriarchal in its way, and no better illustration can be given of it than to quote Mr. Rocque's advice to his sons, which gives his opinion of the law. It says: "Mes fils, ce faut que vous engardez bien a ce moment parceque la loi c'est venue en ville. La loi c'est le diable, et Monsieur Bailly il est la loi." Interpreted : "My sons, it is necessary that you be very careful now, because the law has come to town. The law is the devil, and Mr. Bailly is the law."

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.

History of Wabasha County, Minnesota, Part 32

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1222

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Winona, Minn. : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1222