USA > Minnesota > Hennepin County > Minneapolis > Personal recollections of Minnesota and its people : and early history of Minneapolis > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
The next evening the dusky runners begin to arrive at Lake Calhoun from the battle-ground at Rum river, where Redbird is killed, his son is killed, a dozen other Dakotas are killed, and the Chippewas are nearly all killed ! Seventy scalps dangle from the poles in the center of the village, close by the tepee of the father-in-law of Philander Prescott. The scalp-dance lasted for a month. It seemed as if hell had emptied itself here.
" Glorious contrast! Cities now stand thick along your rivers, Civilized man everywhere. Schools, academies, col- leges, and churches fill the land. Grace, mercy and peace !"
400
PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
LETTER OF DR. CHAS. L. ANDERSON, WRITTEN ON SOLICITATION.
Old Settlers : Dear Friends : Almost half a century ago I began pioneering, and I have been a settler from the Alleghany moun- tains to the Pacific Ocean, taking a swath of latitude nearly ten degrees wide. After helping you, in my humble way, to plant the Garden of Eden, I have left you in the midst thereof and gone out of Paradise on the west side, following the river " that went out of Eden," up the branch Pison, "which com- passeth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold." I have followed the evening star to the orchards of the Hesperi- des, in search of golden apples, and have found none ! Whilst you who have remained to dress the garden have eaten the fruit and become wise. May the curse that followed Adam and Eve never be pronounced against you. And may you be the recipients of that promise made to Abraham and the faith- ful when your days of pioneering are over, "a city which hath foundations whose maker and builder is God."
But you do not all remain. Now and then I hear of some of your pioneer bands crossing a dark valley, leaving tears and sorrowings behind. We do not hear from them again, but we have the assurance that we shall see them when we reach the beautiful gate that bounds the Elysian shore.
Happy Old Settlers ! it would delight me to take you each one by the hand and look into your faces. I think that not- withstanding the few wrinkles and gray hairs gained I should be able to read a bright page of happiness set in bold type and ornamented by these blessed signs of age. So long as our bodies are free from disease we should be thankful and happy, and as we grow old strive to grow better. Should affliction be ours there is a consolation that trial only can purify and make our souls beautiful. Although literally speaking I have found no "golden apples" on this shore, yet I feel tolerably well contented, and that is worth something, however difficult it may be to estimate its value in gold or greenbacks.
Some of my friends have found golden bonanzas. We ought not to think less of them for their good luck, and I hope we do not ; but bonanzas are not the best things to be found, especially when they are alloyed with much base metal, which often has a contaminating effect upon the finder. Your Friend,
Santa Cruz, Cal., Jan. 22, 1876. C. L. ANDERSON.
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA-WITH LETTERS TO COLONEL JOHN H. STEVENS.
SELECTED BY MARSHALL ROBINSON.
The author of the foregoing "Personal Recollections of Min- nesota and its People" would seem to merit a more extended personal notice than appears therein. He has so kindly writ- ten of many persons that it seems appropriate here to embody their views in relation to him as expressed during an intimate exchange of correspondence from fifty years ago to the present. A few preliminary facts only will be given.
John Harrington Stevens was born in Lower Canada June 13th, 1820. He is the second son of Gardner and Deborah Stevens. His parents were natives and citizens of Vermont, and their ancestors were also New England people, many of whom occupied positions in the councils of the national and state governments. The mother of Mr. Stevens was the only daughter of Dr. John Harrington, a surgeon in the war for Independence, who died in Brookfield, Vermont, in 1804. His grandfather also served throughout the Revolutionary war. Gardner Stevens, his father, was a man of wealth and influence.
In very early manhood Mr. Stevens went to Galena, Illinois, where he lived for several years. He then entered the United States military service in the war with Mexico, serving in the Quartermaster's department. Leaving Mineral Point, October 1846, for New Orleans, he sailed thence, November 1st, for Brazos Santiago, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, and pro- ceeded thence to Matamoras, Mexico. On Christmas morn- ing of that year he left Matamoras, with General Pillow's command, for Victoria via San Fernando in the State of Tam-
402
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
aulipas. At Victoria he met General Zachary Taylor's com- mand, and was sent to Tampico, and from there to Lobos Island, Vera Cruz, Puebla, and the City of Mexico. He was present at the battles of Contreras, San Antonia, Churubusco, Molino del Rey and Chepultepec. After the occupation of the City of Mexico he was sent to. the National Bridge, in the state of Vera Cruz, where he remained during the winter. His retirement from the army is indicated by the following official correspondence :
RESIGNATION TENDERED. Ass't Q. M. Office, National Bridge, Mexico, May 13, 1848.
Colonel George R. McClellan, Commanding
Department, Point National, Mexico :
Sir-In consequence of being afflicted with sore eyes, I am reluctantly obliged to resign my office in the Quartermaster Department of the United States Army ; which berth it will be impossible for me to fill in consequence of the above- stated reason.
I hope you will be so kind as to accept the resignation, which I now tender, and I can assure you that it is done with much regret on my part. With great respect, I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant, JOHN H. STEVENS.
RESIGNATION ACCEPTED. Headquarters Department of National Bridge, Mexico, May 14th, 1848.
Your resignation is accepted on the grounds given by you. The probability is that peace will soon be made and the troops moved out of Mexico.
In accepting your resignation I know that the government is about to lose the services of one who has faithfully discharged the arduous duties of his stations with credit to himself and the entire satisfaction of that portion of the army that it has been his fortune to serve with in the tented field.
GEO. R. MCCLELLAN, Colonel Com'g Post. Captain John H. Stevens.
National Bridge, Mexico, May 30th, 1848.
The above are recorded in the Colonel's Register.
COUNT DE LARN, Acting Secretary.
403
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
Quartermaster's Department, Assistant Office,
Puenta National, Mexico, May 30th, 1848.
My Dear Sir : You will leave this evening in charge of the train for Vera Cruz, and will be constantly on the alert, being sure to enforce good order with the escort and guard against any attack that may be made by the enemy.
On your arrival at Vera Cruz you will immediately embark on a government transport vessel for New Orleans, at which place, by your own request, you will be mustered out of service.
The department cannot allow you to retire to private life without expressing deep and sincere thanks for the valuable services you have rendered to it for the last two years. You justly merit the approbation of your brother officers and of every soldier in the American army, and it affords me much satisfaction to say that the whole command sees you retire with sorrow and regret, all hoping that you will have a happy and prosperous journey home, and that you may hereafter enjoy the society of your friends in that degree of happiness which exalted worth always surrounds the honest and noble of mankind. SAM'L G. MCCLELLAN, A. Q. M. and A. A. C. S. To. John H. Stevens, U. S. C. Q. M. and P. Master.
On the 1th day of May, 1850, Colonel Stevens was married at Rockford, Illinois, to Miss Frances Helen Miller, daughter of Abner Miller, of Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York. Mrs. Stevens' parents were from New England, of Puritan ancestors. Her mother, before marriage, was Sallie Lyman, of the Lyman Beecher branch. Her grandfather and the grandmother of Henry Ward Beecher were brother and sister. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have had six children. Mary Elizabeth, the first white child born in Minneapolis, died in her seven- teenth year. Catharine Duane, their second child, is the wife of Philip B. Winston, a native of Virginia, now a wealthy and prominent citizen of Minneapolis. Sarah, the third child, died when a young lady. Gardner, their only son and fourth child, is a citizen of Minneapolis. Orma, the fifth child, is the wife of W. L. Peck of Minneapolis, a railroad contractor with Winston Brothers. Frances Helen, the youngest daughter, is at home in Minneapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have numerous relatives in Minnesota, and relations in other states occupying positions of prominence.
404
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
Colonel Stevens was a member of the first Minnesota house of representatives, of the second state senate, of the fourth legislature, and of the legislature of 1876. He has been brig- adier-general of the state militia, and held many other civil and military offices, as will appear by extracts given from let- ters of his correspondents. Letters received by him for nearly half a century have been preserved almost entire, and number thousands. Many of them are of the most confidential char- acter. Extracts from such only as might seem to be given with propriety are here presented as interesting reminiscences of the times in which they were written, and as illustrative of the estimation in which Colonel Stevens was held :
LETTER FROM HORACE GREELEY.
Office of the Tribune, New York, August 16, 1863.
My Dear Sir : It is now some two years and a half since I accepted an invitation to visit Minnesota and speak to her farmers at her State Agricultural Fair-an invitation which gave me pleasure in the reception, and still more in the antic- ipation of its fulfillment. I am still anxious that my life and the patience of my friends in Minnesota may both hold out until I can be permitted to fulfill that engagement.
But those I (with all respect to others ) most wish to meet when I shall visit your state are to-day in the National armies, braving exposure, fatigue, privation and death for the life of their country. I begin to grow old. I shall probably never traverse your state but this once : and I want to be at leisure to do it with some deliberation. But still more do I wish to meet and thank the noble Minnesotians-no matter where they were born or what have been their affinities or antipa- thies to me-who have consecrated their lives to their coun- try's salvation. You probably have noted that I have not always felt so sanguine of a happy issue from our present troubles as many if not most other loyal Americans have done. I have too often feared that disloyalty at the North would complete the ruin plotted and inaugurated by open treason at the South. It is possible, therefore, that I enjoy the brighter prospects that have recently opened before us more keenly than those who receive them as a matter of course. I now feel more than hopeful that the Rebellion will be put down and the Union preserved. But the struggle is not yet over,
405
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
nor is the result absolutely sure. And, so long as there is anything to be done or to be feared on the side of the Union, it seems to me that my post, whether of duty or danger, is here, more especially while the greatest remaining and now most imminent peril of the National cause is that of Northern defection and hostility rather than of Southern treason. Let me once more, then, beg the Farmers of Minnesota to have patience with me and to excuse my absence from their Fair this Autumn, in the sanguine hope that the next Summer's sun will smile upon our country reunited, peaceful and secure, and that I may visit you next Autumn in the hope of meeting many of the heroes of our great struggle, safely returned from the bivouac and the battle-field, rejoicing in the grateful appreciation of their countrymen and in the proud endear- ments of their happy wives and children.
Yours truly, HORACE GREELEY. John H. Stevens, Esq., Sec. State Ag. Soc., Minneapolis, Minn. State of Minnesota, Executive Department, St. Paul, September 21st, 1863.
To Whom it may Concern : This is to certify that pursuant to the provisions of the law of this State to enable citizens engaged in the military and naval service of the United States to vote in their several election districts, John H. Stevens, the bearer hereof, has been duly appointed and qualified as one of the Commissioners duly appointed to visit and receive the votes of such of the soldiers of Minnesota as are in the South- ern and Western states lying west of the western line of the States of Virginia and North and South Carolina.
It is earnestly desired that the military authorities will respect Mr. Stevens as such Commissioner, and allow him free access to the soldiers of this state for the purpose desig- nated. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State to be affixed the day and year aforesaid.
HENRY A. SWIFT. [Seal. ] By the Governor : D. Blakely, Sec. of State. IN RELATION TO THE INDIAN WAR.
Governor Alex. Ramsey writes, Sept. 2, 1862 : " My dear " Col .- I am pleased to learn that by your energetic measures "quiet has been restored to the country about Glencoe. I
" wish Captain Strout to remain in the eastern counties where
406
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
" he now is until further orders. Our forces have relieved " Ridgley, and on Sunday Col. Sibley with a portion of his " command, moved towards the Lower Agency. The Chip- " pewas are quiet, and we are sending relief to Abercrombie, " so I hope in a short time we will return to a quiet condition. " But the Sioux must leave the state."
Senator Henry M. Rice writes Oct. 12, 1862 : "Dear Col .: What's in the wind ? Are the Indians again to be placed upon their reservations, and their crimes go unavenged ? God forbid. Who can care for Minnesota, or who can sym- pathize with those who have suffered worse than death, and the relations of the dead, that will for a moment think of keeping those fiends within our state ? The people of your county have all at stake. You can help them, and I know will. My all, life itself, will be given to save Minnesota."
Governor Stephen Miller writes, June 16, 1863 : " My dear Sir-I have strong hopes that the days of panic have compar- atively passed, and that the good citizens upon the frontier will, like our old ancestors in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and other states, pitch in on their own hook, and scalp every hostile Sioux that by any possibility passes the military line. So far as I can learn only about eighteen hostile Sioux, all told, have visited the state this spring, and yet we learn that grown up men talk of leaving the state. Let us, my good friend, stand our ground at all hazards, and infuse such a spirit of gallantry in our good citizens as will make our soil the tomb of every redskinned demon that dares to approach it. The military will be urged by every possible considera- tion to perform their whole duty."
On the 25th of the same month, Governor Miller writes : "I know that in everything that tends to the promotion of the great object in view I may rely upon the cooperation of your- self and a number of other worthies upon the frontier. In- cluding Abercrombie, I have but two thousand troops, all told, with which to protect four hundred miles of frontier. But with the aid of yourself, and with other good citizens, who greet me with kindly words, though they do not in all things agree with me, I trust that reason will yet prevail. Help me, I beg of you, to get our good citizens inspired with the hero- ism which distinguished the early pioneers of the Northwest.
407
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
As a general rule they did their own fighting ; assistance by government troops was the exception. I would not, if I could, place so heavy a burthen upon our frontier now ; but is it too much to ask them to let us throw our strength upon the fron- tier line ; while they keep themselves ready to act as a reserve in case of an emergency ? It other words, while they trust in God and the soldiers, can we not persuade them to keep their arms convenient, and 'their powder dry' ? But let the red demons once know that soldiers and citizens alike have scouted panics, and sworn death to every savage invader, and my life for it, they will very soon let us alone. I am using every effort to establish the line and to make it efficient. I am terribly in earnest. I am applied to for hundreds of troops daily, from St. Croix via Lake Superior, Crow Wing, Otter Tail, &c., clear to the Iowa line-and must needs reply to all, but certainly to none more cheerfully than yourself."
On the 22d of July, 1863, Governor Miller writes, dating from "Headquarters of the Forces in Garrison, District of Minnesota, Department of the Northwest. St. Paul, Minn. My Dear Col .: Your kind communication of a few days since found me greatly afflicted by the intelligence that my eldest son, a first lieutenant in the Seventh U. S. Infantry, had fallen at the battle of Gettysburg. It is a sad, sad blow ; but he died at his post ; and I bless his memory. Better that my entire family should perish than one star be erased from the old Flag.
"I am gratified to learn that you are likely to remain in the infected district for a time. I always feel much easier when you are there. Your paper too, I am happy to see, is distrib- uting the best possible counsel to our panic-stricken citizens ; and will, I hope, bring them to see that a dozen or twenty Indians are not likely to depopulate a half-dozen counties if we do our duty.
"If the Democratic organization know their duty and con- sult their interests, and can elect any candidate, they will give you the gubernatorial nomination whether you want it or not. I am sorry to say that your party, as well as another I could name, too often reserves its nominations for 'pigmies,' instead of conferring them upon its best men. Ever your friend,
S. MILLER.
408
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Washington, May 17th, 1864.
My dear Col .: Whenever a vacancy in any place at Natchez occurs, and for which you desire to be a candidate, send me an application for the place and I will at once present it.
As Mr. Chase has a general agent for the business of his department in the southwest, it would be well to have his endorsement of the application. Very truly yours, &c.,
ALEX. RAMSEY.
Col. J. H. Stevens, Natchez, Miss.
From the Room of Claims Commission, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, La., May 15, 1865, Brigadier-General M. Brayman reports : "Hon. John H. Stevens of Minnesota was, for several months during my command at Natchez, Miss., an officer of the Treasury Department at that place.
" He came, a stranger, highly recommended by men dis- tinguished in civil and military life. I found him an upright, honorable and true man, and worthy my highest respect and confidence.
"So far as I know, (and I had good means of knowing,) his official duties were performed intelligently, honestly, and for the good of the service, and when he took responsibilities or used discretionary powers, it was done wisely, and with few mistakes.
"In my efforts to correct the gross iniquities which disgraced the public service at Natchez, and in the laborious investiga- tions made under my direction, I profited much by the wise counsel and ready assistance afforded by Mr. Stevens."
LETTERS FROM GOVERNOR SIBLEY.
"Mendota, Feb. 22, 1862 .-- Hon. John H. Stevens, H. of R., St. Paul : My dear Sir-There is a poor widow woman named Ellen Langford, for whose relief a bill was passed in '58 or '59, by the legislature, which gave her the preference in the purchase of the 160 acres on the school lands where she lived and still lives. A bill for the repeal of that act was intro- duced into the senate and passed while the woman was sick in bed, and she knew nothing of it, until within the last week. She is in great distress about it, and as the grant was made to her in good faith after the case had been thoroughly examined upon its merits, I trust the house will not concur in the repeal.
409
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
It is evident there has been some underhanded move against her, and I hope you will feel it to be your duty to defend her rights, with your vote and influence. I hope soon to see you and talk over matters in general."
St. Paul, Feb. 12, 1876.
My dear Colonel : Mr. Horace Thompson and myself were at the capitol yesterday, intending to call on you, but the house had adjourned before we could do so. Our object was to con- sult with you in relation to a joint resolution drawn by us, and now in the hands of Senator Wilkinson, providing for the formation of a commission of thirteen of the most prominent and reliable men in the state, geographically distributed, who shall have power to send for persons and papers, and examine witnesses under oath, and report to the next legislature their facts and conclusions as to the legal and equitable liabilities of the state in connection with the state railroad bonds. Every fair-minded man must feel the necessity in this centennial year of something being done to show to the outside world that Minnesota intends to ascertain what her status is, so far as those bonds are concerned, with a view to proper action in the premises. Minnesota is now suffering financially, as well as in character, and you will doubtless feel as we do, that the time has arrived for the state to take up this question and dispose of it upon equitable and honorable terms, and thus free herself of the stain which rests upon her. You can effect much in procuring the passage of the joint resolution through the house. You and I feel alike that the question should be adjusted on an honorable basis, and I hope that will be done during my lifetime. Your old friend. H. H. SIBLEY.
St. Paul, Nov. 10th, 1884.
My dear old friend : I feel deeply grateful to yourself, and the many friends I am fortunate enough to have among the old settlers of Hennepin county, for the kind and flattering greeting I have received from them, through you, on the fiftieth anniversary of my first advent to what is now a great and prosperous state.
The occasion was, nevertheless, somewhat tinged with mel- ancholy, when my mind reverted to the long list of those who with us had "borne the burden and heat of the day," but had been " gathered to their fathers," leaving but a remnant of
410
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
their co-laborers to survive them. God grant to you all a lengthened term of years, and a happy end.
Please give my warm regards to all the members of your honored Association, and believe me as ever, yours sincerely. H. H. SIBLEY.
LETTERS FROM H. M. RICE.
Senator H. M. Rice, under date of Washington, Feb. 4th, 1855, writes : "My Dear Sir : Ere this reaches you, you will have heard of the passage of the Reserve Bill through the House, and ere to-morrow night I hope it will pass the Senate. Don't Ames feel good ! I hope you will all feel relieved. You do not know how much I have to do. The only reward I hope for is that my work will produce a good yield of rich fruit. The doctor has worked well, and I like him much. Soon as the Reserve Bill becomes a law I will start for home."
" Washington, April 1st, 1858 .- Steele is here, but the death of one of his children, and the present illness of his entire family, has necessarily made him apparently neglectful of his friends. I intend to support the Administration, believing that in so doing I am protecting the best interests of our glo- riour state, upon which nature has lavished so much that is good. In regard to the loan bill : I am a warm advocate of its ratification by the people. Upon its adoption conse- quences of the highest moment to the state depend. We must keep pace with the progress of other portions of the country. That a network of railroads in our state is impera- tively demanded, no one can deny. And I believe the only feasible and sure method of accomplishing this result is the one adopted by the legislature. I trust the amendment will be adopted by an almost unanimous vote."
" Washington, April 16, 1858 .- Steele left here to-day for New York. He is right all the time. We do not admit a constitution -- we admit a state. The people can, after admis- sion, fix up their own matters, as they please. How ridiculous this eternal quarrel about a few negroes, and at the expense of twenty-five millions of white people."
" Washington, April 24th, 1860 .- The accounts from Pike's Peak are conflicting. Were you a single man, I might advise you to go there, but when I think of your wife and little ones that must be left behind, I cannot do it. You ought to have
411
MEMORANDA AND LETTERS.
an appointment in our state where you have done such good service. I hope the time may come when you will be re- warded for your labors, not only for the party and your friends, but for services rendered the new comers."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.