USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 55
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In 1805 the government purchased a tract of land for military purposes at the mouth of the St. Croix, and another at the mouth of the St. Peter's, now Minnesota, including the Falls of St. An- thony. By this grant the Sioux transferred to the United States nine miles square at the mouth of the St. Croix, which, however, was never occu- pied as a military post, and the extensive tract afterward well known as the Fort Snelling reser- vation.
About this time, the long supposed insurmount-
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ORGANIZATION.
able barrier, the rapids at Rock Island, were found to be navigable by steamboats. On the 2d of May, 1823. the Virginia, a steamer one hun- dred and eighteen feet in length and twenty-two in width, drawing six feet of water, left her moorings at the St. Louis levee, destined for Fort St. Anthony, now Fort Snelling. Soon after this advance into the Indian territory, measures were taken by the government to obtain a title from the Indians to the land east of the Mississippi.
In 1819 Colonel Henry Leavenworth went to Prairie du Chien to organize Crawford county, which had been created by the territorial legisla- ture of Michigan, October 16th, 1818. Its bound- aries were as follows: "On the east by a line running north and south from the portage of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending to Lake Superior, thence westward to the Mississippi river." This indefinite boundary was supposed to include all the territory east of the Mississippi and north of the Wisconsin rivers within these prescribed limits.
Prairie du Chien was chosen as the county seat. It is said that Col. Leavenworth found great diffl- culty in securing a sufficient number of men to fill the county offices. Wilfred Owens was ap- pointed judge of probate; John S. Finley, clerk of court ; and Thomas McNair, sheriff. Col. Leav- enworth having attended to the organization of Crawford county, at Prairie du Chien, proceeded up the Mississippi with his soldiers in keel boats to "St. Peters," now Mendota, where he spent the winter.
They built log cabins plastering them with clay, and found them a comfortable protection from the cold winds of this latitude. The winter proved to be extremely severe, but the gar- rison remained cheerful in these rudely con- structed quarters, and the officers maintained pleasant, social intercourse.
In 1836, the establishing of a separate and dis- tinct territory west of Lake Michigan, was the re- sult of the prospective admission of Michigan into the Union as a state ; hence on the 20th of April, 1836, by an act of congress to take effect from and after the 3d of July following, the territory of Wisconsin came into existence with the follow- ing boundary lines: The territory contained all that is now embraced in the state of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a part of the territory of
Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries, commencing at the northeast corner of the state of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a point opposite the main channel of Green Bay ; thence through that channel and the bay to the mouth of the Me- nomonee river; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the Lake of the Desert; thence to the middle of that lake; thence down the Mon- treal river to its mouth; thence with a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches the lake north- west; thence on the north with the territorial line to the White Earth river; on the west by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri river, and down the middle of the main channel of the last men- tioned stream to the northwest corner of the state of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the states of Missouri and Illinois, as already fixed by act of congress, to the place of beginning. Its counties were Brown, Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michilimackinac left unorgan- ized.
The territorial legislature of Wisconsin in ses- sion at Madison, passed an act January 9th, 1840, to take effect August of the same year, creating the county of St. Croix, with the following boun- dary line. Commencing at the mouth of the Porcu- pine river, on Lake Pepin; thence up said river to its first forks; thence on a direct line to the Meadow fork of Red Cedar river; thence up said river to Long Lake; thence along the canoe route to Lac Courte Orielle; thence to the nearest point on the Montreal river; thence down said river to Lake Superior; thence north to the United States boundary line. The county seat was fixed by vote of the people at Brown's Ware- house; Hazen Mooers, Samuel Burkleo and Cal- vin A. Tuttle were elected commissioners. St. Croix county was reduced in size in 1845, by set- ting off the county of La Pointe. After this the boundary of St. Croix was described as follows by a line: Commencing at the mouth of Porcu- pine river, passing up that river to its first forks; thence to Meadow fork of Red Cedar river; thence up that river to Lac Courte Orielle; thence to Yellow Lake; thence to the mouth of Muddy river; thence down the Mississippi to the place of
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
beginning, including an area of about 11,000 square miles, with a population of about 1,500, St. Croix Falls being the principal town.
An enabling act was passed by congress in 1846, looking to the admssion of Wisconsin, as a state subject to certain conditions. After two efforts o11 the part of its citizens to secure a constitution, one was ratified March 13th, 1848, and Wisconsin became a regularly organized state by act of con- gress, May 29th, following.
Three years elapsed between the date when the territory of Minnesota was proposed in congress, and the passage of the act of organization. In the consideration of the bill in congress, a sur- prising degree of ignorance was manifested by some members. Hon. Joseph Root, of Ohio, made a vehement speech against the measure, denouncing as "Farcical and absurd the forma- tion of a temporary government in a hyperborean region, where agricultural pursuits were impracti- cable, and where no white-man would go except. to cut pine logs." This illustrates the vague notion entertained of the north-west, even among intelligent people.
After Wisconsin became a state, with bounda- ries narrowed from those of the territory, a ques- tion arose as to the government of that portion of the territory not embraced within the new state boundaries, and the opinion prevailed among those best qualified to judge that the old territorial government survived in full force within such portion, although the opposite view was strongly maintained by others. The region in dispute ex- tended from the St. Croix to the Mississippi, em- bracing the present county of Washington. The agitation of this question led to prompt efforts to to gain recognition as a territory with a govern- ment and representation at Washington.
The first public political meeting in what is now Minnesota, was held August 4th, 1848, to,consider and take action on this subject. At this meeting Jonathan E. McKusick presided, William Hol- combe acted as secretary, M. S. Wilkinson, Dr. Christopher Carli, David Lambert, Jacob Fisher and others were present.
This meeting accomplished but little, except to issue a call for a general convention to take steps to secure an early territorial organization, to as- semble on the 26th of the month, at the same place.
The second convention convened at the court house in the town of Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, and territory of Wisconsin, on the 26th day of August, 1848, in accordance with a call duly made. M. S. Wilkinson of Stillwater, was chosen president, David S. Lambert of St. Paul, secretary. Joseph R. Brown offered the follow- ing resolution:
"Resolved, That a committee of five be ap- pointed to select a president, two vice-presidents, and two secretaries, as the permanent officers of this convention."
The officers were as follows: Samuel Burkleo, president ; Robert Kennedy, Joshua L. Taylor, vice-presidents ; William Holcombe and David Lambert, secretaries.
The following resolution was offered and adopted:
"Resolved, That a committee of seven members be appointed to draft a memorial to congress, for the early organization of the territory of Minne- sota, and to report such further proceedings as they may think proper for the action of this con- vention."
The commmittee consisted of Joseph R. Brown, Calvin Leach, H. H. Sibley, S. Nelson, M. S. Wil- kinson, Henry Jackson and H. L. Moss.
A letter from Hon. John Catlin, who had been secretary of the territory of Wisconsin, was read, as follows: Madison, August 22, 1848 .- Hon. Wm. Holcombe, dear sir :- I take the liberty to write you briefly for the purpose of ascertaining what the citizens of the present territory of Wis- consin, desire in relation to the organization of a territorial government. Congress adjourned on the 14th inst., without taking any steps to organize the territory of Minnesota or of amending the act of 1836, organizing Wisconsin, so that the present govenment could be successfully continued. It is my opinion that if your people were to elect a delegate to congress this fall, he would be allowed to take his seat in December, and then a govern- ment might be fully organized : and unles a dele- gate is elected and sent on, I do not believe a government will be organized for several years. You are aware of the difficulty which has pre- vented the organization of Oregon for two years past; and the same difficulty will prevent the or- ganization of Minnesota. If Mr. Tweedy were to resign, (and he would if requested,) I do not see
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anything to prevent my issuing a proclamation for an election to fill the vacancy, as the act- ing governor; but I should not like to do so unless the people would act under it and hold the election. If a delegate was elected by color of law, congress would never inquire into the legali- ty of the election. It is the opinion of almost all this way that the government of the territory of Wisconsin still continues, although it is nearly inoperative for want of a court and legislature.
"I write in haste, and have not time to state further the reasons which lead me to the con- clusion that the territorial government is still in being; but you can confer with Mr. Bowron, who, I believe, is in possession of the views and opin- ions entertained here on this subject. I shall be pleased to hear from you at your earliest con- venience. Yours very respectfully,
"JOHN CATLIN."
Numerous resolutions were offered and adopted touching the various acts of the past and the claims of the territory to be organized.
The chief act was to address a memorial to the senate and house of representatives in con- gress assembled, and also to His Excellency, the president of the United States, respectfully re- questing that he will invite the attention of that honorable body, in his annual message, to action in the premises.
The memorials, preambles and resolutions were severally read and unanimously adopted.
The convention then proceeded to elect a dele- gate to represent the interests of the territory at the next congress. Hon. Henry H. Sibley was unanimously elected by the convention.
These resolutions were offered and adopted:
"Resolved, That the president of this conven- tion be required to issue a certificate to H. H. Sibley, signed by himself, the vice-presidents and secretaries, certifying that he is a duly elected delegate under resolution and action of this con- vention.
"Resolved, That our delegate be requested to cause the orthography of Minnesota (when the organization of the territory shall be effected) to be according to that used in this resolution.
"Resolved, That the secretaries prepare copies of the memorials to the president of the United States and to congress, adopted by this conven- tion, with the signatures of the members at-
tached thereto, and furnish the same to H. H. Sibley, our delegate, before his departure for Washington."
The memorials were signed by all the delegates to the convention, amounting to sixty-one signa- tures.
Hon. John H. Tweedy resigned his office of delegate to congress on September 18th, 1848. Hon. John Catlin, claiming to be acting governor of Wisconsin territory, issued a proclmation dated at Stillwater, October 9th, 1848, having made Stillwater a temporary residence, ordering a special election at that place to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Hon. John H. Tweedy. The election was held on the 30th day of October, when Hon. Henry H. Sibley was elected a delegate for the remaining portion of Wisconsin territory. Mr. Sibley proceeded to
1 Washington, accompanied by Henry M. Rice .
and other gentlemen who used all their energies to secure the organization of a new territory.
On the 3d of March, 1849, a bill was passed organizing the territory of Minnesota, with boundary on the west extended to the Missouri .and White Earth rivers. On the 19th of March, 1849, President Taylor appointed the following named persons judges of the supreme court for this new territory: Aaron Goodrich, of Tennessee, chief justice; David Cooper, of Pennsylvania, and Bradley B. Meeker, of Kentucky, associate justicès.
On the 27th of May, 1849, Governor Alexander Ramsey landed at St. Paul, and on the 1st day of June proclaimed the organization of the territory, recognized its officers and required obedience to its laws. . The territory was divided into three judicial districts. The county of St. Croix con- stituted the first district, with the seat of justice at Stillwater.
In pursuance of a requirement in the organic act, the sheriff of St. Croix was ordered to take a census of all the inhabitants of the county. The result shows Stillwater to have had at that time 455 male and 154 female inhabitants; total, 609. Chief Justice Goodrich, in accordance with the governor's proclamation, held the first term of court, beginning on the 13th of August, 1849, at Stillwater, Judge Cooper, by courtesy, sitting on the bench. This was the first court held in the territory, after the organization, called a territo-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
rial court. It remained in session six days. Sixty cases were on the docket. The clerk of the dis- trict court was Harvey Wilson; S. M. Mitchell, was United States attorney; HI. L. Moss, district attorney; and John Morgan, sheriff.
On July 7th, 1849, Governor Ramsey, by proc- lamation, fixed the following council districts for the territory, which had not yet been divided into counties: First, the St. Croix precinct, of St. Croix county, and the settlements on the west bank of the Mississippi, south of the Crow village, to the Iowa line. Second, the Stillwater precinct of the county of St. Croix. Third, the St. Paul precinct, except Little Canada settlement. Fourth, Marine Mills, Falls of St. Croix, Rush Lake, Rice River and Snake River precincts of St. Croix county, and La Pointe county. Fifth, the Falls of St. Anthony precinct and the Little Canada settlement. Sixth, the Sauk Rapids and Crow Wing precincts of St. Croix county, and all settlements west of the Mississippi and north of the Osakis river, and a line thence west to the British line. Seventh, the country and settle- ments west of the Mississippi not included in dis- tricts number one and six.
The election of the 1st of August, 1849, passed off with little excitement. Hon. H. H. Sibley was elected delegate to congress; James S. Nor- ris, Samuel Burkleo, William H. Forbes, James McBoal, David B. Loomis, Captain John Rol- lins, David Olmsted, president, William Sturgis and Martin McLeod, councilmen; Joseph W. Furber, speaker, James Wells, M. S. Wilkinson, Sylvanus Trask, Mahlon Black, Benjamin W. Brunson, Henry Jackson, John J. Dewey, Par- sons K. Johnson, Henry F. Setzer, William R. Marshall, William Dugas, Jerremiah Russell, Al- lan Morrison, Lorenzo A. Babcock, Thomas A. Holmes, Alexis Bailey and Gideon H. Pond, members of the house.
The first territorial legislature assembled on the 3d of September, 1849, with James Norris, of Cottage Grove, for the first district, and Samuel Burkleo, of Stillwater, for the second district, councilmen; Joseph W. Furber, of Cottage Grove, and James Wells for the first district; M. S. Wil- kinson, Sylvanus Trask and Mahlon Black, of Stillwater, for the second district, representatives.
One of the first acts of this legislature was to create a number of new counties, and among
them the county of Washington with Stillwater as its county seat. The same legislature made Washington county the second judicial district, and the first term of district court in this new district was held in the town of Stillwater the same fall; Judge David Cooper, presiding; Henry S. Tilden, deputy United States marshal; Henry L. Moss, United States district attorney; Jesse Taylor, sheriff; Harvey Wilson, clerk. A young man known as Isaiah McMillan was tried under charge of murder, found guilty, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment at Fort Snelling.
The census of Washington county was taken that fall showing the following results: Males, 821; females, 291; total, 1,112; of this number, males, 455; females, 154; total, 609, were resid- ing in the town of Stillwater; and hence we have the small number of males, 366; females, 137; to- tal, 503; showing the population outside of Still- water, in the county. The original boundaries of the county were as follows: Beginning at a point on the Mississippi river where the town- ship line between towns 27 and 28 north, range 22, west of the fourth principal meridian inter- sects said river; thence east on said line to its in- tersection with the range line between ranges 21 and 22, west of the fourth principal meridian; thence due north on said line to its intersection with the third correction line; thence due west on said correction line to the intersection of the range line between ranges 21 and 22, west of the fourth principal meridian; thence due north on said range line to its intersection with the nortlı. boundary line of town 36 north; thence due north to its intersection with the southern boundary line of Itasca county; thence in a southeasterly direction along said county line to its intersection , with the eastern boundary line of the territory of Minnesota; thence down said boundary line to the Mississsppi river, and thence up that river to the place of beginning. By reference to the map, it will be seen that the place of beginning on the Mississippi, was two miles further south than the present boundary, also that the north boundary extended nortlı, including most of Chisago and l'ine, and a portion of Carlton counties.
In 1851, the boundary lines were changed by the legislature to their present location, taking from Ramsey county about one thousand seven hundred acres of land in the extreme south-west
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BOUNDARIES-FRIGHTENED LUMBERMEN.
corner of the county, now included in Newport township.
The county of Washington is bounded as fol- lows: Beginning in the middle of the main chan- nel of the Mississippi river, on a line between sections 23 and 26, of town 28 north, in range 22 west; thence east on said section line, to the line between ranges 21 and 22; thence north on said range line, to the line between townships 32 and 33; thence east on said township line, to the center of the main channel of the St. Croix river; thence down the middle of said channel and St. Croix lake to the Mississippi river; thence up the middle of said Mississippi river to the place of beginning.
In thus traversing the changes in boundaries and government of the region of which Washing- ton county forms an important part, many minutiæ of interest have been omitted. Review- ing these we insert some matters worthy of a place here, beginning with the treaties, and fol- lowing with political roster.
The visit of Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, to the Upper Mississippi in 1805-6, resulted in the government gaining from Dakota bands the first tract of land ceded by any Indian tribe within the present state of Minnesota. Lieuten- ant Pike, under the direction of President Jeffer- son, arrested hostile movements between the Dakota and Chippewa tribes, tore down the British flag, and elicited the respect and admira- tion of many Indians, who had been influenced by the British. In 1825, and again in 1830, treaties of pacification were made by the com- missioners of the United States, with the north- western tribes at Praire du Chien. The year of 1837, forms a new era in the history of Minnesota. From this date settlers were assured of protec- tion and began to make permanent improvements. In the same year, July 29th, 1837, Governor Dodge, of Wisconsin, concluded a treaty at St. Peters, now Mendota, with the Chippewas, which opened to the enterprise of the white-man, the pine forests of the St. Croix and its tributaries. The same year a deputation of Dakotas pro- ceeded to Washington, and in the month of Sep- tember, concluded a treaty by which they ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, including all of Washington county,as it now exists, to the United States.
In anticipation of the ratification of the treaty with the Ojibwas, a party of lumberman opened a camp at the mouth of Snake river and began cutting logs. The Indians considered their rights invaded by this premature possession on the part of the whites, and having further cause of griev- ance on account of the non-fulfillment of the terms of the previous treaty, payment not being made as stipulated, caused them great annoyance. They answered the demands of the Ojibwas for compensation as best they could, averting the violence threatened, for a time by contributions from their store. When such pacification would no longer avail and active hostilities were begun, the lumbermen took to their canoe with their stuff and fled down the St. Croix, pursued by the Indians on the bank, who supposed the party must land above the falls and fall into their hands, stuff and all. To their surprise, however, they saw their anticipated captives hold on their way and float over the falls. The boat was lost and some of their effects, but the men all reached the shore in safety. A short distance below the falls, they were met by a steamboat, the first that ever ascended the St. Croix, bringing the welcome news of the ratification of the treaty. The lum- bermen returned and took legal possession of their logs.
The second treaty of that same year was con- cluded at Washington, D. C., with the Dakotas, September 29th, 1837. By the terms of this treaty, all their lands lying east of the Mississippi river, including the islands in the river, were ceded to the United States. The ratification of these treaties was a very important event in the history of Minnesota, sounding the key-note for permanent settlements. From this time earnest men began to seek the flattering advantages of so promising a state.
For some years, the county was represented in the territorial legislature of Wisconsin by the fol- lowing named gentlemen: In 1836, convened at Belmont, Iowa county, October 25th; in council, no representation; in representative hall, James II. Lockwood and James P. Dallam; in 1837-8, convened at Burlington, Des Moines county, No- vember 6th; in council, no representation; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Jean Brunet; in special session of 1838; in council, no representa- tion; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Jean Brunet;
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
in 1838, convened at Madison, November 26th; in council, George Wilson; in house, Alexander McGregor; in 1839, beginning January 21st; in council, George Wilson; in house, Alexander Mc- Gregor and Ira B. Brunson; in 1839, beginning December 2d; in council, Joseph Brisbois; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Alexander McGregor; in 1840, beginning August 3d; in council, Charles J. Learned; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Alex- ander McGregor; in 1840, beginning December 7th; in council, Charles J. Learned; in house, Alfred Brunson and Joseph R. Brown; in 1841, beginning December 6th; in council, Charles J. Learned; in house, Joseph R. Brown and Alfred Brunson; in 1842, beginning December 5th; in council, Theopolis La Chappelle; in house, John H. Manahan; in 1843, beginning December 4th; in council, Theopolis La Chappelle; in house, John H. Manahan; in 1845, beginning January 6th; in council, Wiram Knowlton; in house, James Fisher; in 1846, beginning January 5th; in council, Wiram Knowlton; in house, James Fisher; in 1847, beginning January 4th; in coun- cil, Benjamin F. Manahan; in house, Joseph W. Furber; in 1847, October 18th; in council, Benja- min F. Manahan; in house, Henry Jackson; in 1848, beginning February 7th; in council, Benja- min F. Manahan; in house, Henry Jackson.
County officers beginning in St. Croix county in 1840, under the Wisconsin territorial legisla- tion, and continuing through the consecutive years up to 1880. The records being imperfect, and for some portion of the time lost, this roster must of necessity be wanting in some parts.
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