History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Part 87

Author: Warner, George E., 1826?-1917; Foote, C. M. (Charles M.), 1849-1899; Neill, Edward D. (Edward Duffield), 1823-1893. Explorers and pioneers of Minnesota; Williams, J. Fletcher (John Fletcher), 1834-1895. Outlines of the history of Minnesota from 1858 to 1881
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Minneapolis : North Star Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 662

USA > Minnesota > Washington County > History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota > Part 87

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All agreed that the outlook was favorable; that Brown's creek could be turned into the lake above, and a canal constructed at a comparatively small expense, which would conduct the water to the desired place for a saw-mill project.

Then and there plans for a mill company were formed, to be carried into effect as soon as arrange- ments could be made and means secured. A few days after this Messrs. Mckean, Leach and Fisher went down to the lake and staked out a claim, beginning at the south boundary of J. R. Brown's claim, and running south about, one hundred rods along the shore, so as to cover all that would be included in a mill site. They never thought of staking out a western boundary line, not dream- ing that anyone would ever attempt to farm the country back from the lake. They simply blazed the trees, and on a prominent one, making a flat surface with an axe, marked with red chalk the date of taking this claim in the name of Jacob Fisher.

Messrs. Mckean and Leach proceeded to St. Louis with their lumber. Mr. Fisher wrote to John McKusick, who was at this time at Burlington, Iowa, soliciting his co-operation in the enterprise. The next we know of Mckean and Leach they are at St. Louis in consultation with John Mc- Kusick about the proposed mill speculation. John McKusick left Cornish, Maine, and spent the winter of 1839-'40 in Illinois. Then desiring to see more of the lumber districts in the North- west, he proceeded up the Mississippi, spent the summer of 1840 in various pursuits; then in the fall commenced to work for the St. Croix Lumber Company. After working some time, and then running the mill one season, at settle- ment he was compelled to take as part payment a quantity of logs lying some miles above Marine. As there was no market for logs, and no logs had been rafted down the river prior to this date, McKusick thought of building a mill to manu- facture the logs spoken of into lumber. Mr. Greeley worked for the company during the same time, and at settlement was compelled to take a quantity of logs in the same boom, on the same conditions as John McKusick had done. This added another factor for a mill enterprise. Messrs. Greeley and McKusick were planning for some feasible way of converting their logs into lumber, when they learned of Jacob Fisher's

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movement, in which McKean and Leach had some interest.

Mr. McKusick went to St. Mary's to see Fisher and in the conversation Fisher stated that he had heard of a mill project by Greeley and McKusick. Mr. McKusick said: "We will build a mill, if we can find a location of fair prospect, and can effect suitable arrangements." Then Mr. Fisher gave a delineation of his discovery, the steps that had been taken to secure it, etc .; and added that the company, Fisher, Leach and Mckean, were not able to proceed with the enterprise. McKusick then said if they could take the claim on favora- ble terms they would do so, and pay Fisher some- thing for his claim when they got able. This proposal met with Mr. Fisher's approval. In a few days after this interview, Mr. McKusick went to St. Louis, where he met Mckean and Leach. After some deliberation, these parties agreed to secure the necessary outfit for a saw-mill, which was obtained in a few days and on board a steam- boat going up the Misissippi, and landed at the site of Stillwater, October 11th, 1843. Then an agreement was effected with Mr. Fisher, by which the company promised to pay him $300 for his claim, which in due time was done, and employ him as mill-wright. These arrangements being understood, all parties concurring, the following agreement was made and entered into on the 26th day of October, 1843. We offer no apology for the insertion of a copy of the first articles of agree- ment made on what is now included in the cor- porate limits of Stillwater. There was no lawyer or person who was in the habit of drawing legal documents among the company, and hence the parties to the contract dictated and one of the employes committed the agreement to paper, whichi was afterwards copied.

Then came the question of a name; "What shall we call the place?" All proposed a name, but the name of Stillwater, proposed by John McKusick, was adopted. This name was sug- gested by the stillness of the water in the lake, the anomaly of building a mill beside still water, and by fond recollections of Stillwater, Maine. At this date no one thought of a town here, only a saw-mill site was anticipated.

Copy of agreement:

"This agreement made and entered into this twenty-sixth day of October, Anno Domini eight-

een hundred and forty-three, by the following named individuals, viz: John McKnsick, Elias Mckean, Elam Greeley and Calvin F. Leach, for the purpose of building a saw-mill near the head of Lake St. Croix, Wisconsin territory, and for carrying on the lumbering business in all its vari- ons branches.

Article first. It is understood by this agree- ment, that the heretofore named individuals form themselves into a company to continue and exist by the name of the Stillwater Lumber Company.

Article second. It is agreed, too, by the here- tofore named individuals, that the whole amount of property owned and business done by the aforesaid company shall be included in fifteen shares, and to be divided and owned by each in- dividual of the aforesaid company as follows, viz: John McKusick, five-fifteenths; Elias Mckean, three-fifteenths; Elam Greeley, four-fifteenths; and Calvin F. Leach, three-fifteenths.

Article third. It is furthermore understood, that each proprietor of the aforesaid company, shall pay his proportion of all the expenses aris- ing from all the business done or transacted by the aforesaid company, and to continue the same ratio, so long a time as said company shall exist and continue to do business under the present form, and likewise any gain or loss, arising or ac- cruing, from any or all of the business done by the aforesaid company, shall be shared or sus- tained, by each proprietor of the aforesaid com- pany, in the same ratio as above named in propor- tion to each above named proprietor's share of stock owned in the aforesaid company.

Article fourth. It is furthermore agreed to, that the whole amount of money or property that each or either, of the proprietors of the aforesaid company shall invest, advance, or pay for the benefit or use, of the aforesaid company, the same amount shall be credited to the separate credit of the proprietor or either of the proprietors of the aforesaid company making such investments, on the books of accounts kept by the aforesaid com- pany.

Article fifth. It is furthermore understood, that for the amount of money or property that any one of the proprietors of the aforesaid com- pany, shall invest, advance or pay for the benefit or use, of the aforesaid company, more than his proportional share of the whole amount of money,

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or property invested, by the aforesaid company, the same amount of money, with interest, shall be paid, or refunded back to said proprietor, by the aforesaid company, out of the first proceeds, arising from the business done by the company aforesaid.

Article sixth. It is furthermore understood, that in case any one of the aforesaid proprietors, should at any time hereafter be disposed to sell, transfer or dispose of his share of stock owned in the aforesaid company, he shall first pay to said company, all the liabilities, or indebtedness, of said share of stock, and then give said company the preference of purchasing and owning said share of stock, at the same rates by which said proprietor may have an opportunity to sell said shares of stock.

Article seventh. It is furthermore understood, that the proprietors of the aforesaid company in- dividually shall have no right, or power, to sign any obligation or due-bill, make any contract, or transact any business of importance in the name of, or binding on the aforesaid company, except some one proprietor of the aforesaid company should hereafter be fully authorized, by the afore- said company, to act and transact business as agent, for the aforesaid company.

In testimony whereof we hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty-sixth day of October, Anno Domini eighteen hundred and forty-three. JOHN MCKUSICK. ELAM GREELEY. ELIAS MCKEAN. C. F. LEACH.

Attest: C. SIMONDS.

This agreement and dates are taken from the original book of records in the possession of John McKusick, and forever settles the question of the date of beginning work on the first mill at this point. The first week after landing was spent in constructing a boarding shed, shops and a place for the safe storing of machinery, sup- plies, etc. When these arrangements were per- fected, work on the mill proper began. Since no one had been chosen to act as agent for the com- pany, and transact its business, it became neces- sary, when any arrangements or any purchases were to be made, to call the company together to act in the premises. The business of the com- pany was conducted for some time on this plan.

The long hours of winter evenings were rendered cheerful by the association of the following per- sons, who spent the winter with this company: Nelson Goodenough, Joseph Brewster, Jesse Taylor, James Patten, Hugh McFadden, Wil- liam Middleton, Jack Drake, Edwin Phillips, machinist; Jacob Fisher, mill-wright; and Syl- vester Stateler, the blacksmith; in all fourteen persons. The work progressed rapidly, so that the basement story was raised on the first day of January, 1844, and was so far completed by the third day of April following, that two or three logs were sawed with one saw, when by a sudden rising of the lake all operations were stopped. Early in June, work was resumed, and the full capacity of the mill was utilized in reducing the logs on hand to lumber which was sent down the river to market. The description of this mill will appear in the description of mills further on.

CHAPTER LXVIII.

FIRST HOTEL-HOUSES BUILT-FIRST LAW- SUITS-MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, DEATHS-EARLY MINISTERS-TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT-BUSI- NESS ENTERPRISES-LAND-SLIDE- PERILOUS POSITION.

In the spring of 1844 Anson Northrup makes his debut on the boards at Stillwater in his famous character as hotel builder, after which successful engagement he appears as an ubiqui- tous individual on the scene at various points in the North-west, wherever a few shanties had been erected and the ambitious settlers, looking for- ward to a city, demanded a hotel. He built the St. Charles hotel at St. Anthony, and laid the first brick in Minneapolis, in the erection of the famous Bushnell house. Hotels in those days were most important both as boarding houses and houses of entertainment, for families were scarce.

Anson Northrup first came into the country in 1839, bringing a drove of oxen for the mill

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company on the Chippewa river, and at the Falls of St. Croix. After two trips of this kind, in which he showed the metal of which he was made, his quick apprehension grasped this want and his indomitable energy made his success. The mill company, alive to the interest of their settlement, offered inducements for the enter- prise, and Mr. Northrup, taking advantage of suspension of work at the mills, on account of high water, obtained the services of Jacob Fisher and others; part of the lumber was brought from Marine. Thus the Northrup house was built, the first hotel in what is Washington county, and equally noteworthy, Anson North- rup's first hotel. In the fall of 1844, William Willim came to Stillwater and plastered the Northrup hotel, and this was the first plastering done in Stillwater. This hotel fulfilled its func- tions and proved a valuable acquisition until 1846, when it was destroyed by fire.

A stable for the hotel was the next building erected, but this was soon converted into a store occupied by Walter R. Vail first, and afterwards by others. Changed and enlarged, this building is now located on the corner of Main and Nelson streets, where it is occupied by John Kinney, confectioner.

Socrates Nelson built a store and dwelling un- der one roof, which was the next. Here he lived and conducted a general merchandise trade until May 6th, 1867, when his death occurred.

John McKusick's boarding house came next, built in 1845, on the site where his present house stands, between Main and Second street. This building was burned in the fall of 1845, or early spring of 1846.

The next was Elam Greeley's residence, built on Main street, near the corner of Chestnut, nearly in front of the site of the Minnesota house. This house was removed and became the residence of William Willim, where he lived for about twenty-five years.

In 1847, Frank Roberts, brother of Leonis Roberts, of St. Paul, built a saloon and bowling alley; this was the next building.

John McKusick's store comes next, built on the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. This build- ing has heen subject to a variety of vicissitudes, used first as store then school-house, law-office,

court-room, church, etc., and now is owned and occupied by Isaac Staples as meat-market.

Leaving the settlement to go on, let us return to the business enterprise, to which it owed its existence. Stillwater would forfeit its preroga- tive as a St. Croix town, had its origin been any other than the pineries and saw-mills. In early times water-power alone was used for mills, for reasons well understood, based on economy and lack of capital.

The little stream conducted over the bluff from McKusick's lake, did its duty in inaugurating business, but when population and wealth in- creased, and more power was demanded than could be obtained from the little stream, the canal was closed again and the pure water of the lake became the reservoir of the city as it still con- tinues.

While, however, it was pouring over the buck- ets of the great overshot wheel, it helped to build other towns. The first frame house in St. Paul, located at the upper end of Third street, was built from the lumber of this mill. The next lumber taken from Stillwater to St. Paul built the American house, just opposite.

Some of the plank used in the construction of the dam at the Falls of St. Anthony, in 1847, was also a product of this mill.

Our pioneer, Joseph R. Brown, is said to have been the first man to descend the St. Croix with with a raft of lumber.

The first work of the mill was in manufactur- ing the logs of McKusick and Greeley into lum- ber as previously stated. In the winter of 1844 and '45, logging on the river St. Croix, for furnish- ing future business began. This was carried on by John McKusick, Elam Greeley and Joseph R. Brown, at first, and was developed in proportion to the rapidly increasing demand by the forma- tion of numerous logging companies.

We have briefly traced the origin of the saw- mill enterprise which has made Stillwater the principal lumbering point on the St. Croix and developed one of the most enterprising cities of the North-west.

One industry cannot prosper without encour- aging many others, and we shall therefore, find contemporaneous with this mill other trades and industries represented.

We have already seen that Jacob Fisher was

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the first mill-wright. He came to the site of Stillwater in 1842, and has remained in or near it ever since, and is probably the oldest of his trade in the valley.

Sylvester Stateler, the first blacksmith, has also appeared, coming to Joseph R. Brown's town of Dahkotah in 1842, working for the mill company in 1843 and '44. Stateler and Ramsden ironed . the first sleigh ever made in Stillwater, for Walter R. Vail. Milton Taisey opened a blacksmith shop here in 1848, and Z. H. Foss, J. C. York, M. Moffat and others followed.

General merchandise; John McKusick kept supplies for the men employed on the mill, while in process of erection, beginning in the fall of 1843 and enlarging his stock in the spring of 1844 so as to meet the wants of the families and board- ing houses that had gathered around the enter- prise of the mill.

In the fall of 1844, Socrates Nelson opened the first store for general merchandise, beginning in a small way in a board shanty belonging to An- son Northrup. During the summer of 1845, as before stated, he built his store and dwelling combined on what is the corner of Main and Nel- son alley.

John McKusick soon opened a store at what is the corner of Main and Myrtle streets.

J. R. Brewster landed in Stillwater in June, 1846, and opened a store with general merchan- dise, near where A. Buth's boot and shoe store now stands.

Hersey and Staples opened a store a few years later which has continued under various names to the present time.

Samuel Burkleo engaged in the mercantile business in company with W. H. Mower about 1850, but failed during the crash of 1857. The old stone building stood at the foot of Chestnut street, near the railroad crossing. At the spring flood of 1859, the building was floated off its foundation. Mr. Burkleo then moved to his farm in Baytown, where he resided until his death.

McComb, Simpson and Company engaged in the same business in 1851 and '52, continued only a year or two.

William E. Thorne began in 1855 with general merchandise, soon after adding clothing, hats, caps, boots and shoes. After a few years, he re-

duced his stock to dry-goods alone, and became the first dry-goods merchant of Stillwater. He still continues.

The next departure from a general stock was that of J. Schupp, who opened a grocery busi- ness in 1856, in what was known as Nelson's block, where N. F. Schwarz's boot and shoe store stands. He still continues located on Main street.

Christopher Carli was the first physician and is still a resident of Stillwater, the oldest physician in the St. Croix valley. The doctor came here when this was St. Croix county in 1841, and was for many years the only physician.

Others were Dr. J. B. Covey in 1845; Dr. E. G. Pugsly, in 1850; Dr. Joel K. Reiner and Dr. Noyes, in the summer of 1855; Dr. Muller, in 1856; Dr. J. C. Rhodes, who prospected in 1856 and moved here in May, 1857, and is the only one of those named who continues practice.

The first attorney was H. L. Moss, in the spring of 1846. M. S. Wilkinson opened a law office in the summer of 1848; followed during the same year by F. R. Bartlett and A. E. Arne. Theo- dore E. Parker came in 1850, and in 1853, Gold T. Curtis, McMillen and L. E. Thompson.

H. R. Murdock began law business and public life in Stillwater, in 1856, and about the same date William M. McCluer arrived .. These men represented the early legal fraternity of Still- water.

Dr. Morey was the first dentist, opening his office in 1850. After him came Dr. Newell and others. Dr. Merry came October 14th, 1868, and is the oldest now engaged in the profession.

A record of the first lawsuit would be interest- ing, and in the absence of such records we give the account received from early settlers. This was the trial of an Indian for killing a white man and is related by J. D. McComb, who acted as slieriff in the arrest and detention of a young In- dian as a witness in the case. Mr. McComb kept his prisoner for two weeks prior to the trial at his own . house, only using such vigilance as would prevent him from wandering off. During the day he was locked in a bed-room; during the morning and evening, while McComb was about the house, liberty of the premises was granted.

On a Sabbath, intervening between the arrest of the witness and the trial of the culprit, Mr.

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McComb and the Indian were sitting on the steps of the house, when suddenly a deer bounded past. The Indian, true to his instincts, started in pur- suit at full speed, but Mr. McComb called out: "Come back, you are a prisoner." He obeyed, saying, "I forgot."

The trial of the culprit took place before Judge Dunn, and he was acquitted.

The first suits on record occurred after the or- ganization of the territory of Minnesota.

"Attorney, David Lambert. February term. William Ryan and James M. Ryan vs. Michael Trumley: in attachment; debt $204. Affidavit filed and writ issned August 9th, 1849; returned second Monday in February, 1850. Sheriff re- turns Angust 12th, 1849, "No property fonnd." And now, February 15th, 1850, the parties not appearing, judgment of non-suit is entered. Fees paid."

The St. Croix Union was the first newspaper issned October 9th, 1854, under the management of Cable and Easton, and was democratic in poli- tics. The paper was suspended in November, 1857. The Messenger followed in 1866 and the Gazette in 1870.

The first marriages were: Jesse Taylor and Miss Abigail Edwards in the winter of 1844; William Cove and Miss Nancy Edwards. The wives were sisters of Mrs. Anson Northrup.

The first white child was Lisette Carli, danghter of Paul and Lydia A. Carli, born July 15th, 1843, in the old Tamarack house, in Joseph R. Brown's town, Dahkotah, now forming a part of Still- water. The first child born in Stillwater proper was William Taylor, a fruit of the first marriage mentioned above, in the early part of the winter of 1845.

The first deaths. Two men, who were en- gaged in rafting at the head of the lake during the summer of 1843, became sick from careless- ness of health during the hot weather. One of them. a Mr. Cole, was brought to the Tamarack house, where he died Jnly 14th. The other, name unknown, died in the basement of the old court-house two days later. These two deaths and that of a child of Joseph R. Brown, occurred in Schulenburg and Carli's addition to Stillwater, and the bodies were buried on the bluff just above where the Tamarack house stood. The exact spot is not known. In making an exca-

vation a few years ago, some bones were found, supposed to be the remains of one of the men buried there. The first death that ocenrred in Stillwater proper, was that of Oscar F. Strick- land, employed in the mill, who contracted dis- ease, and died abont the first of October, 1844. At this date no place had been chosen for a bury- ing-place. This death suggested the necessity of making some provision for the disposition of the dead. The bluff rising some forty feet above the street, as it now appears, at the corner of Myrtle and Third streets was chosen. Mr. Strickland was buried there. A gentleman, an eye-witness of the occasion, says: "The occasion was solemn. The duties of honor and respect were performed by his companions of the mill employes. This being the first death of our number caused a deep feeling on the part of all present." Mr. Strickland was held in high es- teem by his fellow-craftsmen.

Early ministers. Rev. Mr. Hurlhurt, a Metho- dist Episcopal missionary, conducted a funeral service at the "Tamarack honse," sometime during the summer of 1843, probably that of Mr. Cole, whose death has been mentioned. Revs. Hurl- burt and Brace visited this conntry on their mis- sionary tonrs, as occasion offered during the years of 1842 and '43. It is affirmed that one, and per- haps both of these missionaries, preached several times at the above named place prior to any move in the way of a settlement at the site of Still- water. After the opening of business operations at Stillwater, Rev. W. T. Bontwell at that time snperintending the mission at Leech Lake, passed through Stillwater and preached a sermon in the boarding-house of John McKnsick during the erection of the first mill. This service was in all probability in the early summer of 1844. Rev. Bontwell says speaking of the service: "It was the first Sabbath service ever held in what is now Stillwater." Time passed away; the pineries in npper portions of the St. Croix valley attracted the attention of lumbermen to Stillwater, which began to be regarded as the center of lumbering interests; new interests developed, and men be- gan to seek the town for a home. About this time Rev. Mr. Boutwell, feeling that he could do more good here than among the Ojibways, took up his residence in the summer of 1847, and im- mediately began to hold services in Stillwater.

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At first these services were held in the dining hall of the Northrup House. The pioneer preacher was in the habit of passing up and down the street, shaking the dinner bell to call his congregation together. In a few weeks the place of holding services was fixed at the room over John McKusick's store, on the corner of Main and Myrtle streets. After this change, the pioneer preacher procured a bell of his own, sending to St. Louis for it, which he used as be- fore in calling his people together. This bell is still in Rev. Mr. Boutwell's possession. Among the early men, who were willing to sacrifice for the gospel's sake, we find the names of Revs. E. A. Greenleaf, James Harrington, L. Nobles, Whitney, Brown, etc.

In connection with the early work of mission- aries an account is here given as furnished by Rev. W. T. Boutwell, expressly for this history, relating to the traffic in liquor by Indian traders.

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