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 43
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Indian titles to the lands were settled. In 1851, just before the treaty was ratified which extinguished their title, some of the mixed bloods tried to get Mr. Read removed from the place, but, struggling on to overcome the boisterous discord, he remained, and soon other members of the white race clustered around the fold. In the fall of 1851 Mr. F. S. Richards bought in and became a partner with Mr. Read in business. They established a trading house, and shipped goods and did commission business for the Chippewa lumber trade. The first steamboat that navigated the waters of the Chippewa was the Roller-Smitlı Harris, master-in 1852. Gov. William R. Marshall came here in the fall of 1852, and purchased an interest in the claim of and also an adjoining claim of John Campbell, upon which he erected a steam sawmill. This claim and the one oceu- pied by Messrs. Read and Richards, is the present village site of Read's, which was laid out by the proprietors in 1856. Mr. T. B. Wilson, one of the present firm of Knapp, Stout & Co., came to the place about this time, and he and Mr. Richards built a block large enough for two stores, which were occupied by themselves for that purpose. Mr. F. A. Seavy put up a blacksmith-shop in 1854, and also a hotel, called the American House. A postoffice was estab- lished as early as 1850, Mr. Read being the first postmaster.
The village in earlier days was the scene of many battles between the Sioux and Chippewas, and bones and implements of war, and domestie utensils have been often found while plowing gardens and grading the streets. The location is a pleasant one, extending along under the bluffs for some distance, giving it the appearance of a village of one street. The road to Lake City winds up the bluff, just above the village, and, as the summit is reached, the gaze turns upon one of the finest landscapes of the Mississippi, and admiration is lost in wonder at the magnificent seene. The village of Read's is situated in the eastern part of the town. In 1856 it was recorded as the village of Pepin, being just at the foot of Lake Pepin, but it is known all over the state as Read's Landing. A charter was framed during the winter of 1867-8, and approved by the legislature March 5, when the site was detached from the town of Pepin and set off as the village of Read's. The first election was held April 2, 1868.
In 1856 the county began to fill up rapidly with farmers from all parts east of the Mississippi ; and when we look at the location of Wabasha county and its beautiful situation for scenery, and adapta-
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
tion to agricultural pursuits, it is not hard to comprehend why this was one of the first settled counties of the state. Lying on the western shore of Lake Pepin, with bold bluffs rising in majestic grandeur over its waters, with moderate climate, exhilarating atmosphere, and a soil whose productions are almost boundless, with its natural beauty of scenery, it is certainly one of the most favored localities in the state. The county was named in honor of the celebrated chief by that name, of the Dakotah nation.
The town of Greenfield remained an unbroken wild until the spring of 1854, when Messrs. Aaron and Levi Cook, Henry Amerl- land, Isaac Cole, Madison Wilds, J. W. Murphy, C. C. Stauff and others took claims along the valley of the Zumbro. This valley extends from the Mississippi river, up the south side of the Zumbro about twelve miles, and is of fertile soil. It is commonly known as Cook's Valley, taking that name from the brothers Cook, who were among its first settlers. Cook's Valley postoffice was established in 1858, a schoolhouse built in 1857, and Miss Aurora Albertson taught the first four months' school during the winter of 1857-8. A church was built in 1861 by the Methodist society ; this church is in the upper part of the valley. During the fall of 1856 Hon. Thomas H. Ford, ex-governor of Ohio, and Judge Casey, of Penn- sylvania, visited this valley, and, being charmed by the prepossessing features of a claim owned by Timothy Enright, they purchased it at once, and laid out upon it a village-site, believing that it would develop itself in the building of a commercial city. This quarter section was situated upon the Mississippi, four miles below Waba- shaw. The location was indeed beautiful, it being an island in the delta of the Zumbro. The bluffs of the Mississippi are about four miles back of this point, and the surrounding country was level. This island for many years had been the general encampment of Wapashaw's band, and the proprietors of the village determined to name their city Tepeeotah, from the Indian tongue "teepee," mean- ing house, and "otah," many. They fully expected to see their city possess far greater dimensions than Wabashaw, which was then improving rapidly. A steam-sawmill was erected, in 1857, by D. Sinclaire & Co., and operations began in the spring of 1858. Mr. Theodore Adams became a joint proprietor of the town in 1857, and the company was known as Ford, Casey & Adams. Hancock Brothers built a store, and a goodly number of dwellings were erected, together with a hotel. But these business transactions came to a
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DESCRIPTION.
sudden close. It was found that boats could not land there except in high water, in consequence of the bar in the river, called Beef Slough bar, and which they thought would prove beneficial to them, to the detriment of Wabashaw, it being difficult for boats to pass it in low water. Then the hard times of 1857-8 came on, the pro- prietors became deeply involved, and the business of Tepecotah, laboring under these combined disadvantages, sank to nothing, and in March, 1859, a fire occurred which obliterated the young city and not a remnant of its greatness can now be traced. As the town site was laid out, the lands adjacent to it were considered very valuable, which excited envy in the minds of many. A person owning a claim at the north of the town died in the fall of 1856, and many endeavored to possess themselves of the claim. This led to much disturbance, a quarrel ensued which was called the "Tepee- otalı war." Parties in Wabashaw claiming to be creditors of the deceased tried to hold the claim, and, of course, met with strong opposition from the residents of Tepeeotalı. A general combat ensued which resulted in hostilities that lasted for a year. In those early days law was of little avail, and several shots were fired, a man by the name of Polehemis being killed. The incendiarism before mentioned probably arose from this trouble. The fine site still remains, but the soil is sandy, and is not sufficiently fertile to be of value for farms. The business transactions of Greenfield at the present time are carried on at Kellog. A village called Pawse- lin was laid out in 1863 by Messrs. Johnson & Morgan, who thought they had discovered a clay from which the pottery by that name was manufactured. Like many other discoveries, it proved to be a myth, and their town did not increase in population until 1871, when the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Chicago road was built through here, and just at its junction with the Zumbro the village of Kellog was laid out adjoining, which entirely suspended Pawselin, and business centered there. A large grain elevator was erected, which added to its importance ; the postoffice was removed to Kellog, a Methodist church built, and two hotels.
Many difficulties attended the early settlement of Greenfield, owing to a band of outlaws settling there. The leader of this band was one Dresser, Rufus Dresser. He settled upon a claim now owned by Mr. James Orr, and endeavored, by aid of his crew, to keep possession of the entire valley. Other parties taking claims, Dresser, or some one of his band, would declare ownership at once, a dispute would commence, and crime be the result.
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
A man by the name of George Hayes purchased a claim, and Alexander Beard, one of Dresser's men, claimed ownership. Mr. Hayes, not willing to give up possession, employed a Mr. Wilds and others to remove Beard, who was building a log house. Dresser was then assisting him. Mr. Wilds, upon his arrival, ordered them both off the place. A quarrel arose upon this, which came to blows, and finally Dresser ordered Beard to shoot, which he did, shooting and mortally wounding Mr. Wilds, who died the same day. A warrant was issued, by a justice from Wabashaw, for their arrest, and sheriff Hurd attempted to arrest them, but failed. A party from Wabasha met them at Tepeeotah that same night, among whom was A. A. Weston. They arrested and conveyed them to Wabashaw, where they were examined, and afterward conveyed to Stillwater, but, soon making their escape from there, they returned and boldly made their appearance at Wabasha. Beard was again arrested and confined, but escaped again and left the country. Mr. J. J. Stone was deputy sheriff at this time, and in attempting to arrest Dresser was shot at by Dresser's wife through the door. On the 15th of February Mr. Weston was shot through the window of his house and died from the effect of the wound about three years after. Dresser was again arrested, but finally made his escape and left the country. It is supposed that this same band were instru- mental in the destruction of Tepeeotah by fire.
Greenfield is well watered and has a fair amount of timber. The Zumbro flows through the town from west to east, and discharges its waters into the Mississippi through three different mouths. The extent of the farming lands are fifteen thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven acres.
Wabasha county possesses as good facilities for manufacturing pursuits as any county in Minnesota. The immense power at Minneapolis, of course, more than equals any other single power ; but the powers of the Zumbro and its tributaries are being rapidly developed, and they are equal to propel as much machinery as any in Minnesota. The united forces of the four principal forks of this stream traverse the county through its entire length, a distance of about fifty miles.
The two middle forks unite in the township of Oronoco, in Ohm- sted county, forming one rapid stream, which winds its way for a distance of two miles and unites with the waters of the south branch, which it carries onward about two miles farther, and enters Wabasha
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county in the town of Mazeppa. The north branch also enters the county at this point, and flows a distance of about four miles, and discharges its waters in the main Zumbro very near the center of the town. From Mazeppa it finds its way eastward, forming the boundary line between Zumbro and Hyde Park, crossing the north- west corner of Oakwood and the southeast corner of West Albany, traversing the towns of Glasgow and Greenfield, and enters the Mississippi, receiving on its way tributary waters from smaller streams. The principal powers that are improved on this stream are at Mazeppa and Zumbro Falls. The French name of this river is Embarrass, so called from its many windings and turns, and diffi- culty in following it to its several months. The Indians call it Waziouja.
CHAPTER LVII.
WABASHA AND VICINITY.
A LARGE share of the early settlers of Wabasha were Canadian French, succeeded by a percentage of Irish and German Roman Catholics-good citizens and zealous Christians in their way, but not to be counted on when the claims of other sects are presented in the furtherance of religious enterprises, which, with the hardships at- tending new undertakings here, and the struggles of every one to provide for his own, made the prospect of establishing a Protestant church in Wabasha look rather discouraging.
CHURCHIES.
In 1842 Father Ravoux, now 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 build- ing 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 ; finally it succumbed to civilization, and today all traces of the "old church" are obliterated.
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
In 1849 a bill was passed organizing the territory of Minnesota, whose boundary on the west extended to the Missouri river, and at that time the whole region was little more than a vast wilderness. Mr. Alexis Bailly was at Wabasha and Messrs. Read and Rich- ards at Read's Landing, where they had a store. Mr. H. S. Allen, of Chippewa Falls, built a warehouse upon the levee during that year, and some years later added to it and opened a store therein in company with a Mr. Creamer. This was the first warehouse on the Mississippi from Prairie du Chien. The Indians were numer- ous, but very peaceable with the white people, but their enemies, the Chippewas, were often made to realize their hatred, and when some unfortunate Chippewa ventured so near as to lose his scalp, the Sioux would hold what they called a scalp dance. The last of these occurred in 1858, on the levee just below the American House, then kept by C. W. Wyman.
In 1850 Congress constructed a military road from Wabasha to Mendota, costing five thousand dollars. The length of this road was seventy-five miles.
The first recognized postmaster of Wabasha, was Mr. Alexis Bailly, and all mail matter, previous to his appointment iu 1853, went to Read's Landing, where Mr. F. Richards had been appointed postmaster in 1849 by the government. Previous to the establish- ment of the postoffice at Read's Landing the mail matter for this section of country was brought from La Crosse, sometimes by boat, more frequently, however, by voyageurs or persons detailed for that purpose.
The town of Wabasha was surveyed and laid out in 1855 by A. S. Hart, the proprietors being Messrs. Oliver Cratte, Joseph Buisson and Philo Stone. Mr. Shively, Mr. Amos Wheeler, Mr. Store and Mr. Murphy, agent for H. S. Allen & Co., Chippewa Falls, were the first American horn settlers. Mr. Stone was a native of Vermont, coming to this country in 1838. He engaged in hunting on the neutral grounds between the Sioux and Chippe- was, which being seldom visited by either tribe, made most excel- lent ground for hunting. He was very brave, of a wiry, quick, impulsive temperament, and passed through many skirmishes in earlier times, always coming off the best man. His first wife was the daughter of Campbell G. Scott, by whom he had several chil- dren. She was an excellent housekeeper, and took great pride in their children. Two of the daughters still reside here. His second
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wife was from Michigan, and they now reside on a farm in Polk county. He has a son and daughter by this second marriage. The location of Wabasha for beauty and scenery is unsurpassed by any on the Mississippi. The river at this point is broad and smooth, and forms north and eastern boundaries of the town, and also the dividing line between Wisconsin and Minnesota. It lies about two miles below the foot of Lake Pepin, and, until the lake opens in the spring, is the head of navigation.
The warehouse erected by Mr. Allen at this place stood at the corner of Bridge and Levee streets, and remained a landmark until destroyed by fire in 1870.
Mr. B. F. Hurd is also one of the early settlers, coming to the place in 1855. He erected the hotel known as the Hurd House in 1856, and is still proprietor of the same. The American House, which stood on the corner of Pembroke and Levee streets, was erected also that year, and was the first hotel opened to the public. Destroyed by fire in 1868. Hancock brothers erected a grain ware- house in 1856, which was also destroyed by fire. In the summer of 1857 Mr. Hiram Rogers, of Zanesville, Ohio, came to the place, and erected the third warehouse of the place, together with several dwellings.
The county of Wabasha, as at present described on the state map, was organized in 1856, with Wabasha as the county seat. The history of Wabasha county is so closely connected with that of the city that it is given here under the same head. The first term of the district court was held by Judge Thomas Wilson in Septem- ber, 1857, and the building used for that purpose was the large warehouse crected that year across the sloughi by Mr. Lowrey, of New York city. John McKee and S. L. Campbell were the first lawyers who settled in the place. The first newspaper published in the county was the " Wabashaw Journal," conducted by Mr. H. J. Sanderson, making its first appearance on the 4th of July, 1856. It remained under his control some two years, when it passed into the hands of S. S. Burleson, Esq., of North Pepin, who changed its name to the "Minnesota Patriot "; its politics were democratic. After a few months Burleson sold out to H. C. Simpson, who changed the name to the "Journal " again. In 1860 Mr. Simpson took Mr. G. W. Marsh in connection with him, and the "Journal " became a republican paper under the campaign which elected Abraham Lincoln to the presidency.
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
The "Herald " was first issued at Read's Landing in May, 1857, by the brothers T. A. and W. C. McMaster, and was a neat seven- column paper, and republican in politics. After its first issue the two senior brothers were drowned by the upsetting of a sailboat, May 12, and the "Herald" did not appear again until September, when Mr. N. E. Stevens, of the Watertown (Wisconsin) "Chronicle" issued the paper as "The Wabashia County Herald, " and published it at that place until 1860, when the office was removed to Wabasha, displacing the "Journal," which was removed to Lake City by Mr. Simpson. Mr. Stevens continued the publication of the "Herald" until 1862, when U. B. Shaver purchased the subscription list, and on the 6th of July commenced its publication with entire new material, the old presses and types being witlidrawn by Mr. Stevens. In 1863 Mr. R. H. Copeland, of the "Alma Journal," purchased a half interest in the paper, which continued until January, 1864, when he severed the connection and enlisted in the United States army. In July, 1865, the "Herald" was published by E. W. Gurley, who associated with him Mr. Frank Daggett, Mr. Daggett finally purchasing his partner's interest. Soon after he associated with him Mr. H. W. Rose, and the new firm worked up the credit of the paper to a high degree of usefulness. Mr. Daggett withdrew in January, 1868, and Mr. Rose remained in charge until his death in April following. Mr. Daggett again purchased the "Herald " and published it until 1871, when it was purchased by Amasa Sharpe, who continued its publication until 1874, when it passed into the hands of W. S. Walton, who remained in charge until April, 1881, when Mr. O. S. Collier purchased all interests and continues in charge at the present time.
Read's Landing was for a time a place of some note, and a good healthy business was done there for several years, owing to its posi- tion at the foot of Lake Pepin, and confluence of the Chippewa river with the Mississippi; but the advent of railroads destroyed its importance, while Wabasha has gradually increased in population, manufactures and wealth. Being recognized as the county seat, a small jail was erected in the spring of 1858, and during the summer of that year a stone schoolhouse was erected. It proved to be too far away to accommodate the needs of the town, and in 1860 the county purchased it for court-house and county offices, a building of wood being put up in another part of the town for school purposes, which was occupied for the same until the fall of 1869, when the beautiful brick structure now occupied was completed.
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WABASHA AND VICINITY.
Wabasha was incorporated as a city in 1858, its first mayor being Capt. W. W. Wright; Carlos W. Lyon, recorder; Charles Webb, city justice; Lyman M. Gregg, marshal ; S. N. Wright, city treasurer ; D. W. Wellman, surveyor; John N. Murdock, city attorney ; and the official paper, the " Minnesota Patriot." Its first aldermen were John B. Downer, William B. Lutz and W. W. Prindle.
The act of incorporation consisted of seven chapters, the first relating to city boundaries, which were as follows : Sec. 2. Terri- tory within the following boundaries and limits shall constitute the city of Wabasha, namely, beginning at a point in the Mississippi river on the dividing line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, at the month of a small creek, called Smith's creek, between Wabasha and Reed's Landing ; thence up said creek to the west line of town- ship 111, range 10 ; thence along said township line to the south- west corner of section 6. in township 110, range 10; thence along the south line of sections 6, 5 and 4, of township 110, range 10, to the southeast corner of said section 4; thence north along the east line of said section 4, township 110, range 10, and section 33, town- ship 111, range 10, to the Wisconsin line ; thence along the Wis- consin line up to the place of beginning. The second chapter relates to the election of officers and vacancies ; the third, to the powers and duties of officers ; the fourth, to the city council, its powers and duties ; the fifth, to taxes, inanner of assessment, levy- ing and collecting ; the sixth, to the opening of streets, lanes, etc. ; the seventh, to miscellaneous provisions.
Nothing could argue so well for the character of our first settlers as the early erection of places of worship. Man is eminently a religious being, and, though often departing from the immutable principles of right, his loftiest aspirations, his finest feelings and sublimest conceptions have their foundation in, and are most inti- mately connected with, his religious nature ; for without religious cul- ture his whole life is a moral waste, a desert, unrelieved by a single green spot of virtue and high-toned thought or aspiration. In the autumn of 1858 two churches were erected in the place, the first completed being a Baptist church, the society having been organized the spring previous. The second was Congregational, which society was organized in February, 1856, the original members being deacon Oliver Pendleton, Mrs. W. W. Prindle, Mrs. W. Hancock, Mal- colm Kennedy, W. S. Jackson and Mrs. H. Wilson; Rev. S.
37
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HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY.
Morgan, missionary director. This was properly the first church society organized in the place. As before stated, Rev. Father Ravoux had built a log house, in which to hold religious services, but this was before Wabasha had been considered a town, and his principal members were of the French and mixed blood population.
The first settled pastor of the Congregational church was the Rev. S. L. Hillier, who commenced his ministry May 1, 1857. Mr. Hillier was succeeded by Rev. David Andrews, October 15, 1858, and he by Rev. J. Doane, August 27, 1860. Mr. Doane was succeeded by Rev. L. N. Woodruff, September 16, 1862, and he by Rev. Edward Hildreth, April 19, 1866; Mr. Hildreth by Rev. Henry Loomis, October 1, 1868. Rev. C. W. Honeyman succeeded Mr. Loomis in 1871, and Rev. O. Hobbs officiated from January 14, 1874. to April 2, 1874, when he was succeeded by E. W. Weeks. Mr. Weeks by Rev. J. T. Todd, November 3, 1875, and Mr. Todd by Rev. J. W. Ray, April 4, 1877, who continued his pastoral care until October 1, 1882, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. P. Watson, the present incumbent. This congregation erected a beautiful parsonage on the church grounds in 1872.
The first and only pastor of the Baptist society was the Rev. James Wharton, from Ohio. A bell was purchased by the citizens for this church during the winter of 1858, and hung in its belfry, being the first to ring out the glad tidings of salvation to willing ears in the place or county. As the old church had gone to decay, a new Catholic church was erected in the spring of 1858 by Rev. Father Tissott, which in 1874 was succeeded by a new and elegant brick under the direction of the Rev. Father Trobex. An Episcopal congregation was organized in 1859, and in 1865 they purchased the Baptist house, removing it to another block, under the pastoral care of Rev. H. G. Batterson, and have occupied the same until the present time, erecting a commodious rectory upon the same grounds in 1869.
A Methodist chapel was erected in 1860, and the four last-men- tioned churches have been sustained, the Roman Catholic element, however, being much the strongest, both in town and county.
The building given to the county for a court-house has been added to and improved greatly, and in 1872 a large and substantial brick building was erected just in the rear, for jail and residence of sheriff.
The city was first platted in 1854, south Wabasha being added
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