USA > Minnesota > Wabasha County > History of Wabasha County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. : gathered from matter furnished by interviews with old settlers, county, township, and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
The house he occupied was one built by E. H. Johnson, which stood on lot 4, block 10, fronting on the levee. It was a small one-story building about 16×24, with a lean-to on the back part of the east side about 10×12. This was the third house with plastered rooms. The roof was shingled. There were seven buildings with shingled roofs at the close of this year.
Mr. Cole had his office in his residence. He occupied this place for three or four years, when he built a house on the corner of Fifth and Harriet streets, opposite the First Ward Park, where he lived during the remaining time of his residence in Winona. In about 1858 he went east and located himself in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he yet resides.
When Fillmore county was created Mr. Cole was appointed judge of probate by Gov. Ramsey. He was the first official in that position in this part of the territory along the Mississippi.
During the first three or four months after the settlement at Minnesota City was commenced, commendable zeal was exhibited by the members of the association at their meetings in providing for the general interest and future development of the colony. Matters of town organization, providing for public improvements-public buildings, roads, bridges, etc.,-were earnestly discussed and under- taken with a spirit of enterprise that was worthy of success.
They were ambitious and desirous of having a newspaper pub- lished in the colony. A subscription was circulated, and quite a sum promised as a bonus and for its support, provided a paper was started and a printing-office established at Minnesota City. Mr. Haddock was a practical printer, and from the encouragement offered decided to make the attempt and bring on material for starting a
291
LOOKING AROUND.
small weekly newspaper, to be called the "Minnesota City Standard." While east after his family, then living in the city of New York, he procured a press and material for a printing:office, which he brought along as far as Dubuque, where he was compelled to leave it in store for want of funds to pay freight. He never brought his press up the river.
They decided to build a town hall : the lumber and material was purchased and brought on the grounds, but owing to sickness and its attendant misfortunes the project was abandoned and the mate- rial used for other purposes. The public spirit of the settlers of this colony would have made the association a success if the location had been a proper one.
CHAPTER XXIX.
LOOKING AROUND.
EARLY in the season prominent individuals from St. Paul visited the colony and made considerable effort to induce the members of the association to abandon Rolling Stone and locate themselves on the Minnesota river above St. Paul. It was said that Gov. Ramsey himself visited the colony for that purpose. Mr. Haddock was opposed to any movement of this kind, and his influence was such that no propositions for a change of locality were for a moment entertained.
Mr. Haddock and the members of the association were under the impression that Minnesota City was on a navigable portion of the Mississippi, although the officers of the steamboats refused to go up through Straight slough and establish a landing place for the colony. They early took into consideration the advantages that would arise . from making Minnesota City the terminus of a wagon-road into the interior, between the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers.
A committee was appointed to explore the interior of the territory and "find the most feasible route for a wagon-road from Minnesota City to the Great Bend of the St. Peters river at the mouth of the Blue Earth," with instructions to note the quality of the land, water and timber observed on the route over which they might pass. The committee were each allowed a dollar a day to defray their expenses while on the survey.
292
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
The committee consisted of Robert Pike, jr., Isaac M. Noracong and William Stevens. They left the colony on the 26th of June and reached Traverse des Sioux on the 3d of July, where Mr. Pike was compelled to lay up from disability to travel. Mr. Noracong and Mr. Stevens completed the survey to the mouth of the Blue Eartlı river. Mr. Noracong stopped for a few days at Mankato to consult with the proprietors of the new town then but just starting at that place, and returned by another route across the country, accompanied by D. A. Robertson, one of the proprietors of Mankato. Mr. Pike and Mr. Stevens took passage on the Black Hawk down the Minnesota river to St. Paul, and from there to Wabasha prairie, and thence by land to Minnesota City.
Mr. Pike drew up a report of the expedition, which was indorsed by Mr. Stevens, and presented it to the association as the report of the committee. It was formally accepted. Neither this report made by Mr. Pike nor a copy of it can now be found. It is said to have been a fair description of the country over which they passed, and recommended the route by way of Faribault to Traverse des Sioux as practicable for either a wagon-road or for a railroad at a com- paratively moderate expense.
On his return, Mr. Noracong presented his report recommending a more southern route to Mankato. He found that the report made by Mr. Pike had been adopted, the matter disposed of and the committee discharged. The report of Mr. Noracong was listened to, but no action was taken by the association.
The report, in the handwriting of Mr. Noracong, has been preserved by the Hon. O. M. Lord. The following was copied from it :
Started June 26, 1852, and went to Mr. Sweet's claim on Rolling Stone prairie, a distance of about twelve miles; course south of west.
June 27, 7 A.M. From Sweet's took a south course one and a-half miles, and then a west course across a fine prairie to a grove of burr-oak timber, where we found a fine spring of water discharging itself in a sink ; this place was claimed by Mr. Hollyer. From thence took a west course and at noon came to a spring brook, and thence, after going a short distance came to a branch of the White Water running to the north. Continued traveling over burr-oak openings until 3 P.M., when we came to the head branch of the White Water, a fine brook sixteen feet in width and an average depth of two inches, rock bottom, good cool water to drink ; saw some trout. Went on three miles and crossed a tributary of the same. Here is a prairie eight miles wide east and west, and extending Acth and south as far as the eye can see. Thie prairie is in the valley of the White Water ; the rise of land on either side is about thirty feet.
293
LOOKING AROUND.
We rose on the upland and continued west on burr-oak openings. The upland here is not as good as that back of the valley we crossed, being more gravelly. Traveled on through openings sometimes thickly set with hazel and tall grass. At sundown came to a small ravine, where we found good running water, bearing to the northeast, and well timbered with maple, ironwood, basswood, white and burr oak, and some willows.
Monday 28,6:15 A.M. Started, and at 7:20 A.M., after about three miles' travel, came to a small stream of pure water running to the north through a splendid burr-oak opening, good timber and land of good soil. To the view north, this brook seems to run through a splendid prairie valley of great extent. We here saw a wolf catching mice or frogs. At 8:10 A.M. the openings run as far north as the eye can see. At 8:40 A.M. we came on an elevated prairie of first-rate quality ; cannot see the extent to the southeast; six miles to the south there is timber; north the openings continue about ten miles. Soon after, we came to an elevated prairie where we could see a large valley to the south of us. This valley lies east and west. We continued west along the high lands of this valley, supposing it to be the head source of Root river; traveling bad ; the face of the country being much broken and thickly set with oak underbrush and hazel. The most of the ravines we crossed were dry, and we became very thirsty for water; after some trouble we found a spring. There are several high mounds or bluff's standing in the midst of the valleys that we crossed, surrounded by good grass lands ; they make a very imposing appearance and. look beautiful in the distance. We have crossed some red-top meadow lands that would cut from three to four tons of hay to the acre. At 4 P.M. came to a stream of water bearing northward, which I called at the first glance the Wassioshie ; overhead, where I am writing, is floodwood and grass in a tree eighteen feet above the water in the river. The bed of this stream is about sixty feet wide, and an average depth of water of about five inches. The majority of the company being in favor of following the stream down (not being satisfied that it is the Wassioshie), we went down on the east side some three or four miles, forded the river and pitched our tent, while Stevens and Pike went north to an elevated bluff to reconnoiter ; from their observations they were willing to proceed west and leave the river.
Tuesday, June 29. A very foggy morning. Through the heavy mist we could hear the distant roar of a cataract, to the northward. We went over the bluffs to the northwest, through the dew and hazel-brush, until we mounted an elevated place where we could see some distance. On the south there was a heavy and extensive grove of timber; also on the west-the greatest quantity we have yet seen. We here saw two deer feeding at a distance. From this point we diverged from our course to the north and east, in search of the cata- ract. We descended about two miles to the river, and found a heavy tributary coming in from the west, and at the immediate junction was the fall of water we had heard. The water here falls about eight or ten feet in thirty or forty. Here is quite a curiosity. The water at its highest pitch rises some sixteen feet above where it now is. Altogether, the scenery is romantic.
This stream proved to be the Wassioshie river. In these waters I saw the largest brook-trout that I have ever seen in the Western waters, and also some fine black bass. The bluffs are about two-thirds as high as they are in the rear of Wabasha prairie. We here saw the tepees of the redmen for the first
294
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
time, but they were of ancient date. Returned to where we left our baggage, two miles to the southwest ; then took a west course, and traveled, over some rolling prairie and broken woodland, about six miles, when we came to a tribu- tary of the north branch of the Wassioshie running north. This is also a fine stream of water-sufficient to do a large business. Forded the stream and pitched tent. We left this place on our regular west course ; traveling bad, the lands being thickly set with different kinds of brush and tall grass found on prairies. Came into what we called second-growth timber, very thickly set with underbrush of the yellow oak, hazel, plum, crab-apple, whitethorn, blackberry, briers, etc. Not being of a disposition to bolt the course, we penetrated into them, and continued on for some time; but, finding such bad traveling, we made a halt and mounted a tree to reconnoiter. Nothing was to be seen south and west but the same that we had been in for two or three hours. On the north of the west branch of the Wassioshie saw a large prairie about two miles distant. We struck north for the prairie. In this valley is a fine steam of water sixty feet wide, with four to six inches depth. Camped for the night. Saw some large suckers and black bass.
Wednesday, June 30. Took our course northwest to a high mound and re- connoitered. Found that the stream we camped on came from the west of north, and that the south side was thickly set with second-growth timber. Having found, by experience the day before, that we had better keep clear of that kind of traveling, we continued on the north side. After following up this branch about ten miles we struck north about a mile and came on an elevated prairie, that we could not reach its eastern extent with the naked eye, and ap- peared to extend some distance north. On the west we could not see its limits ; it was dotted with groves of burr-oak and poplar. Starting west, we encoun- tered some large tracts of hazel-brush, but continued to travel on until sundown. We here found ourselves on a dividing ridge without water or wood, and could not pitch our tent. In the west we could see timber in the distance, about eight miles off; in the south the timber opened so that we could see through, and discovered that there was a large prairie in that direc- tion. We continued west through grass on the prairie often as high as the brim of my hat, and scarce any less than to my hips. The rain was falling and wind blowing strong from the northeast. Traveling on, by wind and compass, we came to a swamp, where we found some good swamp water. Taking a bucket- ful with us, we reached the timber, and penetrated an awful thicket, to get out of the wind. When we had pitched our tent and made a fire the watch said 11 o'clock, in a rainy night. We then had our suppers to cook, for we had eaten nothing from the time we took our breakfast except dry bread and raw pork.
Thursday, July 1. We made a start west. The water here evidently runs to the west and north. We found bad traveling through hazel-brush, swamps and wet meadows, with very high grass of bluejoint.
At 11 o'clock A.M. we came to a small stream of water running to the north and west, that proved to be a branch of the Cannon river. Continuing west through thickets thickly set with underbrush, consisting of prickly ash, black- berry-briers, greenbriers, grapevines and nettles, we struck a small stream of water, the bottoms of which were covered with heavy timber. Following this down, we came to a large stream, which proved to be the eastern branch of the Cannon river. On the west side was a large prairie. A majority of the company
295
LOOKING AROUND.
being in favor of following down this stream, we at once forded it, and after going about two miles struck an Indian trail, which we traveled on down to the valleys, where we found a Frenchman who could talk good English. From him we learned that we were forty miles from Traverse des Sioux, and from thence eighteen miles to the Blue Earth. We then set out on the Indian trail for Traverse des Sioux, the trail leading through a fine valley of bottom prairie, in which flows the north branch of the Cannon river. On the north of this branch the whole country is heavy timbered to its source; the east side of the south branch is also heavy timbered with elm, maple, black-walnut, butternut, ash, etc. Between these forks are extensive rolling prairies, frequently dotted with burr-oak groves.
Traveling until nearly sunset, we pitched our tent on the bank of a beautiful lake. There are three beautiful small lakes on this branch, with pretty generally bold gravelly shores and clear water. There were numerous dead fish lying on the beach,-suckers, mullet, bass, pant and pickerel. On the north of the lakes is heavy timber; some on the south.
Friday July 2. Took an early start expecting to get through today. We traveled over a very broken country; not so bad, however, as to be unfit for cultivation. The country over which we passed in the forenoon is better adapted for stock, there being extensive meadow lands on the shores of the lakes.
After dinner we came to the head of the lakes, where we were some troubled in finding the right trail; the trail diverging off in different direc- tions and very dim at this place. Soon after we succeeded in getting on the right trail we found ourselves in a different country altogether; it was up hill and down, through a. swamp, over a knoll, through the brush, into a swamp, and so on until 3 P.M., when we came to a lake on our left, or south side; following along this lake, winding our way through a swamp connected with it, then through an island of timber and another swamp, and so on until we camped for the night, on the bank of the lake, in an Indian tepee. The water of the lake was so full of particles of something, that we were obliged to strain it for drinking or cooking purposes.
The lake was on the south and a large watery marsh on the north, the outlet of which we forded a short distance from our camp. All the dry land, from the place where we struck the lake, is heavy timbered and of good soil. I think three-fourths of the face of the country here is taken up with lakes and swamps.
On the north side of this lake there were several swamps connecting with it, and there was a plain visible embankment of stone and earth thrown across them; the stone were granite boulders or hard head, of which there were an abundance of this section of country. These embankments could not be easily mistaken, for some parts of them were four or five feet high, where the rocks could be seen on both sides; they answered for a road to cross on. At one place, where it appeared the outlet of the lake was, there were two streams of water flowing out of the lake into the marsh ; here the boulders could be seen peering above the water in a direct line, from one point of high land to another, on the opposite side.
These stone have evidently been placed there by artificial means-of this there is no doubt, but by whom is not known and probably never will be.
296
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
This lake is very likely the head fountain of the Vermilion river, that empties into the Mississippi, some distance above the Cannon. On the shores of this lake there were dead fish of different kinds, showing that these waters were stocked with fish.
Saturday, July 3. Traveled over islands of timber, and through brush and morasses - the timber was of good quality - saw several small lakes and some sugar-houses. It was a rainy morning, and although it continued raining we kept on traveling, and came out of the timber into brush from two to eight feet high, overhanging the trail ; the only way to follow a trail in such a case is to go where the feet go the easiest. We crossed several morasses and at last reached a bank, and down a hill we soon came out into the valley of the Min- nesota, opposite Traverse des Sioux. We followed the trail down a short distance and then struck for the buildings on the other side of the river. We soon found ourselves in a morass, or quagmire, which had the appearance as if there was sulphur or salt water in it; did not admire the place and did not taste of the water. This continued from the bank nearly to the river.
At the river an Indian boy came to us with a canoe, but no paddles ; we managed to cross safely by using small round sticks for paddles. We proceeded direct to the house of the Rev. Mr. Huggins, at the Mission, and took dinner at a house for the first time in seven days. Mr. Huggins and lady appeared to be very accommodating and refined people ; they were good and kind to us, and will be remembered by me in time to come. This place has been long settled by civilized people.
Our provisions having run out, we here got a new supply. Stevens and myself started for the Blue Earth (Mr. Pike having a boil on his ankle, which affected the nerve to the knee and upward). We fell in with two young men that were going to where a Mr. Babcock was building a saw-mill, and reached the place about sundown. It was on the east side of the Minnesota, five miles ahove Traverse des Sionx. We were kindly received and put up for the night with them. Here fell in with a company of men that came the overland route from Jackson, Iowa, with two wagons and sixteen yoke of cattle, some cows, one horse, breaking plows, etc. They were twenty-one days coming through.
Sunday, July 4. We shouldered our packs and wended our way for the Blue Earth. The trail led through a fine prairie descending toward the river ; the high lands to the east are heavy timbered. We diverged from the trail to get a drink, and in the bed of the stream we found stone coal. A specimen I brought home and tested by the fire, and found that it burned well.
Arrived at the town of Mankato abont noon. Finding that the boys of this place were dressing a large turtle, we held on and took dinner with them. After dinner, started for the Blue Earth, a distance of two miles above the town, and soon reached the long looked-for locality. Traveled np some dis- tance and then returned to the junction and down the Minnesota to Mankato, where we put up for the night. Having accomplished our purpose, we resolved to make a canoe on the following day, and return home by descending the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.
Monday, July 5. Slept late; soon after getting up, news came that a steamboat was within hearing; soon after, the Black Hawk made her appear- ance. We at once resolved to return on the steamer. The Mankato company came on this boat. Learning where I was from and the business I was on,
297
LOOKING AROUND.
they wished me to stop a few days with them. I accordingly did so. Stevens left with the boat for home.
Mankato is pleasantly situated on the east side of the Minnesota, directly on the great bend of the river and two miles below the confluence of the Blue Earth, on an elevated rise of ground, sufficiently above high-water mark, but not so much so as to make it inconvenient of access at any place for some distance up and down the river. It is located on a prairie of good quality of soil, well watered and plenty of timber. It has been regularly laid out by a competent surveyor. This place, from the observations I could make, must eventually be the great western terminus of a railroad from Minnesota city on the Mississippi to the waters of the Minnesota river. Having traveled through the country on two different routes, mostly, I find no obstacles in the way of any kind of a road from the former to the latter place. My impression is, that Mankato is decidedly the place for the termination of roads of any kind. The face of the country farther north is so thickly set with lakes and swamps and marshes, that it will cost a vast amount of money to erect bridges and build roads. The route for a road from Mankato to the southeast waters of the Cannon river is mostly on a dividing ridge and principally on prairie of good soil, well adapted for farming purposes and the raising of stock.
From Mankato to the La Seur river, which empties into the Blue Earth about two miles from its junction with Minnesota, is about six miles. The land is good for a road and is well timbered. After crossing the La Seur there is timber for about three-fourths of a mile, then it is prairie and opening to the southeast waters of the Cannon, where there is a prairie extending east out of reach of the naked eye. I. M. NORACONG.
The country over which we have traveled in the direction of Minnesota City is well adapted for roads, and I have no doubt, from what I have seen, that a good wagon-road may be made at a small expense from Mankato to Minnesota City. I also believe that the Mankato company would unite with the Minnesota City company in making the roads, and make, as their proposi- tion, the western fifty miles. D. A. ROBERTSON.
Mr. Robertson was one of the "Mankato Company "- one of the original town proprietors and first settlers in Mankato. It was through his influence that Mr. Noracong remained at that place to discuss the feasibility of opening a road. Mr. Robertson accompanied Mr. Noracong on his return across the country, and appended the above proposition to the report of Mr. Noracong to the association.
This committee was sent out by the association to explore the country and ascertain the feasibility of opening a wagon-road from Minnesota City to the great bend of the Minnesota river, and not for the purpose of making a preliminary survey for a proposed rail- road route to St. Peters, as has been sometimes represented in newspaper articles. The real object was to establish a highway into the back country from the colony ; to secure the advantages of a
298
HISTORY OF WINONA COUNTY.
main traveled route, when the country should be settled, and to make the terminus of the road at Minnesota City. The recom- mendation of the route for the purposes of a railroad was but an incidental part of the report.
The first mail route ever established across the country in the southern part of the territory was between Minnesota City and Traverse des Sioux, over nearly the same route traveled by this com- mittee. The contractor was O. M. Lord, of Minnesota City.
CHAPTER XXX.
REFLECTIONS.
THERE is no doubt but what Haddock and Murphy were consci- entious in their acts when they located the colony at Rolling Stone. They reported to the association that their village site was on the Mississippi, and it was believed that such was the case. Mr. Had- dock was the leading spirit of the organization, and apparently controlled it by a sort of mesmeric influence. For the first three months the colonists had almost unbounded confidence in their leader. He made a mistake when he assumed it to be a fact that Straight slough was a navigable channel ; and, firm in his belief, he impressed the same idea on the settlers, and it was a year or two before they were fully convinced to the contrary.
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.