USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 56
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The first election was held September 28th. 1840. Joseph R. Brown, clerk of the board of county commissioners, register of deeds and treasurer ; Phineas Lawrence, collector ; James S. Norris, coroner ; Philander Prescott, road supervisor ; John Bush, Orange Walker and Joseph W. Furber, assessors; Joseph R. Brown, Hazen Mooers and Samuel Burkleo, county com- missioners.
1841. Joseph R. Brown, clerk of board, register of deeds and treasurer; John Bush, constable ; Phineas Lawrence, Jr., collector; Joshua L. Tay- lor, James R. Clewet and James S. Norris, road supervisors ; Joseph W. Furber, John Busb and Samuel F. Brown, assessors ; Hazen Mooers,
Samuel Burkleo, and J. R. Brown, county com- missioners.
1842. Joseph R. Brown, clerk of board, and register of deeds; D. Hopkins, treasurer ; John Bush, constable ; Samuel F. Brown, collector ; Joseph 1Iaskell, surveyor; David Hone, coroner; T. F. Randolph and N. H. Crosby, road super- visors ; S. F. Brown, W. R. Brown and T. S. Davis, assessors; Philander Prescott, Joseph Haskell and Philip Aldrich, county commis- sioners.
1843. William Holcombe, clerk of board, and. register of deeds; James S. Norris, treasurer; constables were elected, one for each precinct; Philip Aldrich, collector; Christopher Carli, sur- veyor; Elijah A. Bissell, coroner; James S. Davis, and Henry Jackson, road supervisors; David Hone, Elijah A. Bissell, N. H. Crosby and John E. Mower, assessors; Philip Aldrich, James W. Furber and William R. Brown, county commis- sioners.
1844. William Holcombe, clerk of the board, and register of deeds; James S. Norris, treasurer; James S. Davis, constable; Philip Aldrich, col- lector; David Hone and Elijah A. Bissel, assess- ors; Joseph W. Furber, chairman William R. Brown and Philip Aldrich, county commis- sioners.
1845. The records for this year are not to be found, hence no list of officers can be produced.
1846. William Holcombe, clerk of board and register of deeds; Socrates Nelson, treasurer; James Fisher, sheriff; David Hone, collector; Joseph W. Furber, surveyor; Robert Kenedy, coroner; Benjamin F. Otis, David Hone and Wm- H. Nobles, assessors; Orange Walker, Socrates Nelson and H. E. White, county commissioners.
1847. William E. Watson, clerk of board and register of deeds; Socrates Nelson, treasurer; John Morgan, sheriff; David Hone, collector; Harvey Wilson, surveyor; Philip Aldrich, coro- ner; James Hale, fence viewer; William O. Ma- honey, Anson Northrup and William B. Dibble, road supervisors; Socrates Nelson, Harman Cran- dall and J. R. Irvin, county commissioners.
At a special meeting of the board of commis- sioners the office of prosecuting attorney was created, and Mortimer S. Wilkinson was elected to the office.
1848. No records to be found at Stillwater.
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OFFICIAL ROSTER.
Officers of Washington county, territory of Minnesota, for 1849: John S. Proctor, clerk and register of deeds; Socrates Nelson, treasurer; Jesse Taylor, sheriff; Harvey Wilson, surveyor, clerk of district court and judge of probate; William Willim, coroner; Mortimer S. Wilkinson, prose- cuting attorney; William H. Johnson, Mahlon Black and Benjamin F. Otis, road supervisors; Asa Parker, Calvin Leach and Harvey D. White, assessors; John McKusick, Hiram Berkey, and Joseph Haskell, county commissioners.
1850. John S. Proctor, clerk and register of deeds; Augustus S. Parker, treasurer; Jesse Tay- lor, sheriff; Harvey Wilson, surveyor, clerk of district court and judge of probate; William Willim, coroner; John Truax, Mathew Taisey and Asa S. Parker, road supervisors; James Moorl, John Atkinson and Mahlon Black, assessors; Jo- seph W. Furber, John McKusick and Hiram ·Berkey, county commissioners.
1851. John S. Proctor, county clerk and reg- ister of deeds; John Morgan, treasurer; William C. Penney, sheriff; Aquilla D. Greeley, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; Jonathan E. McKusick, Judge of probate; Theodore Par- ker, prosecuting attorney; Harley Curtis, coroner; Horace K. Mckinstry, M. Welshous and James S. Davis, road supervisors; John E. Mower, Jo- seph W. Furber, county commissioners.
1852. John S. Proctor, clerk and register of deeds; William Willim, treasurer; William C. Penney, sheriff; Aquilla D. Greeley, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court and judge of probate; Theodore Parker, prosecuting at- torney; Harley Curtis, coroner; James Jackson, road supervisor; Henry A. Jackson, Jacob Mosher and Harvey Walker, assessors; Socrates Nelson, James S. Norris and John E. Mower, county commissioners.
1853. Harley Curtis, clerk, register of deeds and coroner; William Willim, treasurer; Asa B. Green, sheriff; Mahlon Black, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court and judge of pro- bate; Gold F. Curtis, prosecuting attorney; Ben- jamin F. Otis, Samuel Middleton and George Renn, road supervisors; A. D. Greeley, W. D. Johnson and Jacob Mosher, assessors; James Shearer, county commissioner.
1854. Harley Curtis, clerk, register of deeds and coroner; W. H. Mower, treasurer; Asa B.
Green, sheriff; Mahlon Black, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; William Lowell, B. F. Otis and Samuel Middleton road super- visors; Mahlon Black, James B. Green and William H. Johnson, assessors; John E. Mower, county commissioner.
1855. John J. Robertson, clerk and register ; Mahlon Black, treasurer ; W. J. Johnson, sheriff ; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; Gold F. Curtis, judge of probate: J. A. Van Vorhes, prosecuting attorney; Harley Curtis, coroner; W. H. Johnson, M. Y. Jackson, J. C. Masou, asses- sors ; Socrates Nelson, John E. Mower, county commissioners.
1856. John J. Robertson, clerk and register of deeds; II. Kattenburg, treasurer; W. J. John- son, sheriff ; Mahlon Black, surveyor ; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; A. B. Green, judge of probate ; J. A. Van Vorhes, prosecuting at- torney; Harley Curtis, coroner ; J. S. Davis, F. C. and Joseph Tyler, supervisors ; M. Y. Jack- son, M. Leavitt and J. J. Robertson, assessors ; Francis Oldham, Socrates Nelson, and John E. Mower, county commissioners.
The files of the Gazette, from which these record's are taken, contain no report for 1857 and that for 1858 is quite incomplete.
1858. Hollis R. Murdock, judge of probate ; Jacob Marty and D. T. Watson, road supervisors; William Allibone, M. Y. Jackson, and P. E. Walker, assessors; Louis Hospes and Francis Oldham, county commissioners.
From this date officers act under sta e au- thority.
1859. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; F. A. Has- kell, treasurer; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds ; L. R. Cornman, county attorney; M. T. Thomas, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of dis- trict court ; Hollis P. Murdock, judge of probate; William Cove, coroner; J. W. Furber, M. Y. Jackson, Asa S. Parker, Louis Hospes and John Mc Kusick, county commissioners.
1860. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; F. A. Has- kell, treasurer; G. M. Stickney, sheriff ; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds; L. R. Cornman, at- torney; Mahlon Black, surveyor ; Harvy Wilson, clerk of the district court; Hollis R. Murdock, judge of probate; W. H. Burt, court commis- sioner; Edward Fields, coroner; Orange Walker,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
H. A. Jackman, Jolın McKusick M. Y. Jackson and J. M. Furber, county commissioners.
1861. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; A. H. Lull, treasurer ; George Davis, sheriff; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds ; L. R. Cornman, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor ; Harvey Wil- son, clerk of district court; H. R. Murdock, judge of probate; Robert Watson, court commissioner ; Edward Field, coroner; Orange Walker, D. W. Armstrong, Robert Watson, John H. Mitchell and Henry A. Jackman, county commissioners.
1862. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor ; A. C. Lull, treasurer ; George Davis, sheriff; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds ; L. R. Cornman, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wil- son, clerk of district court : Hollis R. Murdock, judge of probate; Robert Watson, court commis- sioner; R. R. Henry, coroner; Orange Walker, Henry A. Jackman, D. W. Armstrong, Joseph Haskell and J. H. Mitchell, county commis- sioners.
1863. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; A. C. Lull, treasurer; George Davis, sheriff; J. H. Sawyer, register of deeds; L. R. Cornman, county attor- ney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor and court com- missioner; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; H. R. Murdock, judge of probate; P. E. Walker, coroner; Orange Walker, H. A. Jackman, Joseph Schupp, L. A. Hunton and Joseph Haskell, coun- ty commissioners.
1864. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; A. C. Lull, treasurer; George Davis, sheriff; J. H. Sawyer, register of deeds; L. R. Cornman, county attor- ney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor and court com- missioner; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; P. E. Walker, coroner; Beckman Winart, Wil- liam Willim, Arthur Stephens, H. A. Jackman and Orange Walker, county commissioners.
1865. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol- som, treasurer; G. M. Seymour, sheriff; J. H. Sawyer, register of deeds; J. N. Castle, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor and court commissioner; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; H. R. Murdock, judge of probate; Ariel Eldridge, coroner; Orange Walker, Arthur Ste- phens, Beckman Winart, II. A. Jackman, Wil- liam Willim, county commissioners.
1866. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol- som, treasurer; G. M. Seymour, sheriff; M. Y. Jackson, register of deeds; J. N. Castle, county
attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wil- son, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; Ariel Eldridge, coroner; Orange Walker, Arthur Stephens, Beckman Winart, William Willim and John Parker, county commissioners.
1867. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol- som, treasurer; George Davis, sheriff; M. Y. Jack- son, register of deeds; William M. McClure, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts; judge of probate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; Patrick Keefe, coroner; William Willm, Orange Walker, Ambrose Secrest, George Woodward and E. A. Rutherford, county com- missioners; James D. McComb, surveyor general of logs and lumber.
1868. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol- som, treasurer; George Davis, sheriff; M. Y. Jackson, register of deeds; William McClure, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Har- vey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Cornman, court commis- sioner; Patrick Keefe, coroner; William Willim, Ambrose Secrest, E. A. Rutherford, George Woodward and Asa S. Parker, county commis- sioners; June 1st, 1869, Elias Mckean, commis- sioner, vice Rutherford resigned; September 4th, John Anderson, vice Mckean declined.
1869. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol- som, treasurer; Joseph R. Carli, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Isaac Van Vleck, coun- ty attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; Harlow McIntire, coroner; William McKusick, George Woodward, Asa S. Parker, Stephen L. Cowen, Isaac L. Carpenter, county commission- ers; James D. McComb, surveyor general of logs and lumber.
1870. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol- som, treasurer; Joseph R. Carli, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Isaac Van Vleck, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of court; E. G. Butts, judge of pro- bate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; Rob- ert Langley, coroner; William McKusick, James S. Norris, James Middleton, Stephen Cowen and Asa S. Parker, county commissioners.
1871. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; Myron
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OFFICIAL ROSTER.
Shepard, treasurer; J. R. Carli, sheriff, A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wil- son, clerk of court; E. G. Butts, judge of pro- bate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; Rob- ert Langley, coroner; William McKusick, Jesse H. Soule, Stephen L. Cowen, James Middleton and J. S. Norris, county commissioners; February 29th, 1872, Isaac Van Vleck, appointed coroner; Ivory E. McKusick, surveyor general of logs and lumber of the 1st lumber district of Minnesota.
1872. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; Myron Shep- ard, treasurer; J. R. Carli, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attor ney; A. Van Voorhes, surveyor: Harvey Wilson, clerk of court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; J. C. Rhodes, coroner; J. H. Soule, James Middleton, J. S. Norris, Henry Westing and S. L. Cowen, county commissioners. May 27th, 1873, Dr. J. C. Rhodes, commissioner, vice Henry Westing resigned.
1873. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; Myron Shep- ard, treasurer, J. A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Percy B. Smith, county attorney; Alexander Oldham, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; J. C. Rhodes, coroner; Jesse H. Soule, S. L. Cowen, J. C. Rhodes, James Middleton and F. S. Meilicke, county commissioners.
1874. George Davis, auditor; Myron Shepard, treasurer; Harvey Wilson, clerk of court; J. A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds ;. Percy B. Smith, county attorney; Alexander Old- ham, surveyor; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; A. H. Comfort, court commissioner; J. C. Rhodes, coroner; S. L. Cowen, James Middleton, F. S. Meilicke, J. C. Rhodes and J. H. Soule, county commissioners.
1875. George Davis, auditor; Myron Shepard, treasurer; John A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attor- ney; James Stewart, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of pro- bate; Charles E. Norgord, court commissioner; J. C. Rhodes, coroner; J. H. Soule, F. S. Meilicke, James Middleton, Samuel Mathews and David Cover, county commissioners; January 4th, 1876, L. A. Huntoon, commissioner, vice James Mid-
dleton; Z. W. Chase, surveyor-general of logs and lumber.
1876. George Davis, auditor; Myron Shepard, treasurer; John A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attorney; James Stewart, surveyor; J. J. Shotwell, clerk of court; Rudolph Lehmicke, judge of probate; Charles E. Norgord, court commissioner; W. II. Pratt, coroner; David Cover, Samuel Mathews, J. H. Soule, Andrew Peterson, F. S. Meilicke, county commissioners.
1877. George Davis, auditor; A. K. Doe, treas- urer; J. A. Johnson, sheriff; W. R. Lehmicke, register of deeds; L. E. Thompson, county at- torney; James Stewart, surveyor; C. A. Bennett, clerk of the court; Rudolph Lehmicke, judge of probate; Thomas Leckey, court commissioner; A. D. Roe, superintendent of public schools; W. H. Pratt, coroner; David Cover, Samuel Math- ews, F. S. Meilicke, Hugh Campbell and Andrew Peterson, county commissioners.
1878. George Davis, auditor; A. K. Doe, treas- urer; J. A. Johnson, sheriff; W. R. Lehmicke, register of deeds; L. E. Thompson, county at- torney; James Stewart, surveyor; C. A. Bennett, clerk of court; Rudolph Lehmicke, judge of pro- bate; Thomas Leckey, court commissioner; A. D. Roe, superintendent of public schools; W. H. Pratt, coroner; David Cover, Samuel Mathews, Hugh Campbell, F. S. Meilicke, Patrick Day, county commissioners.
1879. George Davis, auditor; A. K. Doe, treas- urer; C. P. Holcombe, sheriff; W. R. Lehmicke, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attor- ney; C. A. Bennett, clerk of district court; Ru- dolph Lehmicke, judge of probate; Thomas Leckey, court commissioner; A. D. Roe, superin- tendent of schools; W. H. Pratt, coroner; Daniel Cover, Hugh Campbell, Samuel Mathews, C. A. Parker, Frederick Dornfield, county commission- ers; Z. W. Chase, surveyor general of logs and lumber, first district.
1880. James G. Foley, auditor ; A. K. Doe, treasurer; C. P. Holcombe, sheriff; W. R. Lehm- icke, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attorney; C. A. Bennett, clerk of the district court; Rudolph Lehmicke, judge of probate ; Thomas Leckey, court commissioner; A. K. Do3, superintendent of schools; W. H. Pratt, coroner; Hugh Campbell, Samuel Matthews, E. A. Fol-
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
som, Frederick Dornfield, James Shearer, county commissioners ; Z. W. Chase, surveyor general of logs and lumber.
CHAPTER LI.
ELECTION PRECINCTS-FIRST COURT -- LAND SALE --- ROADS --- DIVISION INTO TOWNS- BUILDING OF COURT. HOUSE -- EARLY INCI- DENTS-SCHOOLS-MISSIONS.
In accordance with the act creating St. Croix county in 1840, an election was held. At the first meeting of the board, October 5th, 1840, Joseph R. Brown was chosen clerk. Among the many acts of the board, was the granting of $30 each to Joseph R. Brown and William Dibble, for carrying the election returns to Prairie du Chien. They also deeded to Joseph R. Brown the tract of land described in his claim, in con- sideration of $800 paid into the county treasury; and also purchased from Mr. Brown one-half acre, for a site for county buildings, to be selected by the county commissioners in the central part of the town, when it shall have been laid out. The board also made a contract with Joseph R. Brown, to provide the necessary buildings for a court house, jail and county offices. The board also granted a license to Philander Prescott to establish a ferry across the St. Croix river, at or near its mouth. The ferry was established, and led to the beginning of the present town of Pres- cott, Wisconsin.
Mr. Prescott was the first assessor of St. Croix county, but resigned before the expiration of his term.
The county commissioners of St. Croix, located the following election precincts, July 5th, 1841, and appointed proper judges of election: No. 1, on Grey Cloud Island, at the house of IIazen Mooers; Joseph Haskell and David Hone, judges. No. 2, at the mouth of St. Croix river, at the house of Philander Prescott; Oscar Bur- ress and Mr. Brush, judges. No. 3, at Marine Mills, at the house of Samuel Burkleo; Asa Par- ker and T. Harrington, judges. No. 4, at the
Falls of St. Croix, at the house of Joshua L. Tay- lor; W. Furber and Jesse Taylor, judges. No. 5, at Pokeguma Lake, at the house of Jeremiah Russell; E. Myers and M. Ely, judges.
The county was divided into the following as- sessor's districts: First district, south of a line running from the lower part of Rush river, to the mouth of the Kinnickinnic, on St. Croix lake; thence on a direct line to the mouth of Pine river on Rum river; thence due west to the western line of the county. Second district, north of the above line, and south of a line drawn from the head of Rush river, to the mouth of Apple river; thence dne north to the county line. The third district comprised all of the county north of the above described line.
The Wisconsin legislature passed an act, Janu- ary, 1846, making Stillwater and St. Paul election precincts; and also designated Stillwater as the county seat of St. Croix county, which continued till the establishing of Washington county by the first Minnesota territorial legislature in 1849. In 1846, the election precincts were: St. Croix Falls, Marine Mills, Stillwater, St. Paul and Lake. In 1848, the election precincts were: St. Croix Falls, Marine Mills, Stillwater, Snake River, Rush Lake, Rice River, St. Paul, and St. Anthony. During this year the assessor's districts were changed, and thus described: First district in- cluded all of the county lying south of the town- ship line between townships twenty-eight and twenty-nine. The second district included all north of the above line, and south of the correc- tion line between townships thirty and thirty-one. The third district included all the county north of the above named correction line. These as- sessors districts were also constituted road dis- tricts in the spring of 1850.
FIRST COURT.
The first term of district court, in the county of St. Croix, was held at Stillwater, in June, 1847, Judge Charles Dunu presiding; Joseph R. Brown, clerk; Franklin Dunn, William Brace and Wiram Knowlton, attorneys.
This court is said to have been held in the upper story of John McKusick's store, on the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. A Chippewa Indian by name, Notinorodin, (the wind,) was tried for the murder of Jack Drake. Drake kept
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SALES OF LAND.
a trading post and sold liquor to the Indians which, on this occasion led to an altercation and the shooting of Mr. Drake. After hearing the evidence, finding that the Indian had been pro- voked, the judge concluded it was expedient to acquis him.
At a meeting held this fall for representative of the district composed of Crawford, St. Croix, Chippewa and La Pointe counties to the legisla- ture of Wisconsin, Henry Jackson was chosen.
During these passing years, improvements had been made, as the number of inhabitants were con- stantly on the increase. Wisconsin was admitted as a state with St. Croix Lake and river as its west- ern boundary, leaving the territory west of that river without a government. Prior to this date, St. Croix county had been attached to Crawford county for judicial purposes, but during this year was detached and constituted the first district, with Stillwater as the county seat. In August, 1849, the first term of court in the judicial district was held by Aaron Goodrich, of the United States court. Harvey Wilson, of Stillwater, was appointed clerk of the court.
Parallel with some of the latter events, the government surveys of land in the St. Croix Val- ley, and in the vicinity of St. Paul and St. An- thony had been prosecuted, and on the 14th of August, 1848, the first sale of land in the valley was made in the land office at St. Croix Falls, by virtue of a proclamation of President Polk. At this sale, twenty-seven whole and fractional townships or 436,737 acres were offered for sale, part of which was in Wisconsin; only 3,326 acres were sold, at $1.25 per acre.
A gentleman present on that memorable occa- sion, gives the following account. "The land office for the Chippewa land district was opened by General Samuel Leech, receiver, and Colonel C. S. Whitney, register at the Falls of St. Croix, early in August, 1847. The first sale in the dis- trict commenced on, or about the 15th of August, 1848, and continued for two weeks. At this sale the first lands were sold, that are now comprised within the present limits of Minnesota, including the town sites of Stillwater, St. Paul and St. Anthony. At this period, there were few set- tlers within what is now the state of Minnesota, and they were principally located within and around the above named places. For the better
accommodation of the people, the convenience for travel and entertainment being very poor, those having charge of the land office gave timely notice of the exact day upon which certain town- ships, would be offered for sale; so that at no time were there more than forty or fifty persons pres- ent. No speculators were in attendance at this sale, which accounts for the fact that but one case of opposition in bidding occured during the whole sale, and that took place between two set- tlers, who resided somewhere in the neighborhood of what now is Cottage Grove, in Washington county. It seems that after having secured their respective claims, they' could not agree upon which should have a certain eighty acre tract of timber land lying adjacent to each. The success- ful bidder paid about ten cents above the min- nimum price per acre."
Hon. Henry H. Sibley gives the following note: "At the land sales of the Falls of the St. Croix, in 1848, when the site of the present city of St. Paul and the tracts adjacent thereto on the east side of the Mississippi were exposed to public sale, I was selected by the actual settlers to bid off portions of the land for them, and when the hour for business had arrived, my seat was in- variably surrounded by a number of men with huge bludgeons. What was meant by the pro- ceeding, I could of course only surmise, but I would not have envied the fate of the individual who would have ventured to bid against me." The removal of the land office to Stillwater, from the Falls of St. Croix, was effected after much delay and difficulty, as a remonstrance had been made by the members of the Wisconsin legisla- ture. The people held a meeting and authorized one of their number to write to Senator Isaac P. Walker, to use his influence against its removal from the state. The difficulty was surmounted by establishing an additional land district in Wis- consin, at Willow River; hence on the 1st of July, 1849, the land office was removed to Still- water, with A. Van Vorhes, register. It was subsequently removed to Cambridge, thence to Sunrise and then to Taylor's Falls, where it re- mains, with Colonel Owens as receiver. About this time, through the influence of Hon. H. H. Sibley, a mail was granted to the people of the county and valley, by the kindness of the post- master general.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
For some years the only roads were those af- forded by nature; but as men began to look out from a few saw-mill centers and pine forests, lying above on the head waters of the St. Croix river, to the hidden wealth of the soil, and began to cultivate the prairies and find use for the tim- ber sections, roads were demanded and finally constructed. The road from Stillwater to St. Paul doubtless was established by the people from these places passing back and forth, on as direct a route as possible, till in time it became an es- tablished road recognized by state authority. This road changed from time to time, taking a course both feasible and advantageons to the traveler. It appears that John Morgan built a house, known as the half-way house on this road, in the fall of 1849, showing that it was a traveled road before the building of any authorized roads on record.
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