USA > Minnesota > Faribault County > The history of Faribault County, Minnesota : from its first settlement to the close of the year 1879 : the story of the pioneers > Part 11
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"Oh yes, he did! He said he was drunk! He acknowledged the corn!"
"You don't understand me at all. I want the words as he nttered theni. Did he say, 'I was drunk?' "
"Oh no, your Honor, he didn't say you was drunk. I wouldn't allow any man to charge that upon you in my presence!"'
"A fledgling lawyer, occupying a seat in court, here desired to air his powers, and said, "Pshaw! you don't comprehend at all. His Honor means, did the prisoner say to you, 'I was drunk?' "
"Waal, he might have said you was drunk, but I didn't hear hin."
"What the court desires," said another lawyer, "is to have you state the prisoner's own words, preserving the precise form of the pronoun he made use of in the reply. Was it in the first person I; second person thou or you; or in the third person he, she or it? Now then, sir, did not the prisoner say, 'I was drunk?' "
"No, he didn't say you was drunk, neither. D'yer supposes the poor fellow charged the whole court with being drunk?"
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HISTORY OF
THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
On the 9th day of April of this year an important event occurred at Winnebago City. This was nothing less than the organ- ization of the Faribault County Agricultural Society. The minutes of the proceedings are given entire, as taken from the Secretary's book that they may be preserved for future use. This book was once lost for a period of about seven years, and was at last found among a lot of rubbish in the County Auditor's office. It is well to transcribe into this history, what is of interest in the book, as its next disappearance may be final. Besides the organization of the society and its subsequent proceedings are items of importance, in the history of the county. In the long future when the members of the society shall assemble around the banqueting board, spread in the spacious and decorated halls situated in the beautiful grounds of the society, to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the or- ganization, every scrap of the carly history of the society will be prized as of a value we little comprehend now, and to the brave spirits of that distant time, none of the exercise of the occasion will possess more interest than the reading of the following minutes:
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
WINNEBAGO CITY, April 9, A. D. 1859.
In accordance with previous notice the inhabitants of Faribault County assembled at Winnebago City to form a County Agricultural Society.
On motion, G. H. Goodnow was called to the chair and D. II. Morse was chosen secretary.
On motion a committee of three was appointed to draft a constitution. G. K. Cleveland, .H. H. Bigelow and A. B. Balcom were appointed said com- mittec. The following officers were then elected by acclamation to act until the next meeting, when permanent officers shall be elected.
J. A. Latimer was duly elected president.
W. J. C. Robertson and Amos Preston, vice-presidents.
G. K. Cleveland, corresponding secretary.
D. H. Morse, recording secretary.
J. S. Latimer, auditor.
A. B. Balcom, treasurer.
On motion. the election of other officers was deferred until the next quarterly meeting.
G. K. Cleveland, II. H. Bigelow and A. B. Balcom were appointed a com- mittee to report, at the next meeting, by-laws for the society.
On motion the secretary was instructed to notify Messrs. Latimer and Preston of their election, and to cause the proceedings of this meeting to be published in the Mankato "Independent."
G. K. Cleveland offered the following resolution which was adopted.
"Whereas it is of the first importance to the farmers of Faribault County to raise superior stock, and to obtain seeds and grain of the best quality (in order) to encourage immigration, and to make this beautiful county what less fertile states of the east already are -- "a land flowing with milk and honey."
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
"Therefore, Resolved, That we will encourage the importation of blooded stock and the introduction of choice seeds, grain and fruit trees, by buying of the farmer or merchant who will keep the same for sale.
"2nd. That every member of this society should at once go to work to make or raise something rare to compete for a premium at our county fair next fall.
"3rd. That county agricultural fairs stimulate enterprise and awaken emulation among farmers, and that as farmers, we are proud of our county, and proclaim it second to none in the State in the fertility and breadth and beauty of its farming lands, and that we cordially invite all who are seeking locations to make a home with us."
On motion the society adjourned until the second Wednesday of June, A. D. 1859.
D. H. MORSE, Secretary ..
After the minutes there appeared the following list of the first members of the society:
Andrew C. Dunn, A. B. Balcom, W. W. Sleepier, J. S. Latimer, D. H. Morse, H. H. Bigelow, G. K. Cleveland, G. H. Goodnow, J. P. Humes, S. S. Wiltsey, Wm. Ladd, G. C. Burt, Jesse Dunham, Jas. Sherlock, Loyal Dudley, W. J. C. Robertson, J. A. Latimer, A. Preston, J. L. Weir, Geo. M. Patton, T. J. Maxson, W. W. Seely, R. P. Jenness, W. N. Towndrow, J. H. Welch, J. B. Chaple, L. W. Brown, A. D. Mason, A. D Griffie.
It may be observed that with one or two exceptions, all of the first members of the society were residents of the northern portion of the county. This was owing mainly to the fact of the meeting being called in that part of the county. Subsequently residents in all parts of the county became members, and took an active interest in the welfare of the society.
On the 8th of June, according to adjournment, the society held a meeting at Winnebago City, for permanent organization. A con- stitution and by-laws were then adopted, and permanent officers elected as follows: J. A. Latimer, president, and W. J. C. Robert- son and Amos Preston, vice-presidents; D. H. Morse, recording, and G. K. Cleveland, corresponding secretaries; J. L. Weir, auditor and R. P. Jenness, treasurer.
The following board of councilmen, being one from each town dis- trict, was then chosen: Allen Shultis, Charles Marples, H. T. Stod- dard, Thomas Blair, H. M. Huntington, Albin Johnson, P. C. Seely, S. L. Rugg, J. L. McCrery and Lorenzo Merry. A long list of additional members was reported at this meeting, and the society was now fully organized under very favorable auspices.
Agriculture and its kindred industries is and must ever of neces- sity continue to be the leading and most important pursuit of the people of this county. It is essentially an agricultural country. Our manufactures can never be very extensive, though they can be profitably extended beyond what they now are. But to compensate
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HISTORY OF
for the want of commercial and manufacturing facilities we have a most fertile soil, and plenty of it, and the future wealth of the county must come mainly from this source. The sooner, therefore, our people realize these facts and direct their energies to the fos- tering and development of our agricultural interests, the sooner will they be prosperous. And it is the duty of every resident of the county, whatever his occupation may be, to do what he can to encourage this industry. There are many ways of doing so, by word and deed.
Among other things, our agricultural society should be patron- ized and the annual fairs of the society should be looked forward to and prepared for as a matter of the first importance. Every one, whatever his business, should take an interest in it, contribute something, if only his presence, and assist in making a success of every fair
Other societies, farmers' clubs, stock associations and the like, designed to promote and protect this greatest of all interests should be favored. The establishment of convenient markets in the county, and facilities for the sale of all farm products, where some degree of fair dealing may be found, and where sharpers and plausable scoun- drels, who with impudent assurance and hands full of Chicago re- ports gamble with the fruits of the farmers' labors are not the chief figures, should have attention. The introduction of the best breeds of stock and the most successful varieties of seetl grain, ex- periments to test the character of our soils and the adaptation of various products to the soil and climate, the support of our agricul- tural schools, the circulation of newspapers, periodicals and books, devoted to agriculture and kindred subjects, should be encouraged.
It is a well-known fact that the system of farming pursued in one country is not always successful in another, even of the same latitude. Every considerable district of country has its own pecu- liar system of farming, which experience has proved to be the best for that locality. In one district it may be stock raising, horses, cattle, hogs; in another, wool growing: in another, dairying; in others, mainly grain raising and in some localities, all of these. The fact has been illustrated here that people going into a new country are apt to take with them and put in practice, the system of hus- bandry, in the main, which they learned in the place from which they came, and failure often resulted. It was hard to get out of the old ways. The first question should be, what is the system of farm- ing best adapted to this soil and climate? It has already been proved in the experience of many here, that exclusive grain raising is not profitable. There are, in fact, few countries in which it is safe to be dependent on one class of products. And it has been well established here, as it has been generally elsewhere, that diversified farming industries are usually the most successful.
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
A word should be said here in reference to that superficial and wholly erroneous idea entertained by certain classes, that agricul- ture is a simple and unimportant pursuit. A very silly practice has grown up among the newspapers, especially in the cities, of making derogatory, but supposed witty remarks about farming and in re- lation to farmers. The farmer is called "pumpkin eater," "old tur- nip," "old hayseed," etc., and caricatures are made of him repre- senting him in old fashioned clothes, outlandish hat, great cowhide boots, with his trowser legs, if not shown as too short, crowded into his boot tops, and having a great ox gad in his hands and his coun- tenance and general appearance those of a grotesque simpleton. Farmers, as a class, are no more amenable to such characterization than men of other occupations, and as there is neither wit nor wis- dom in the practice, it should be abandoned. Where the cultivation of the soil is looked upon with contempt, or as a calling bencath the attention of men of education and standing, it will soon drift into the hands of those who are without means and of small capacity, to the great public detriment. What are the facts?
The cultivation of the soil was man's original, first employment, and it is just as important and honorable now, as it was then. It is not only essential to the well-being of society in a rude state, but is equally necessary in every stage of progress and refinement.
All other occupations-life and prosperity rest upon this as their basis, and it gives life and energy to all other pursuits and in- dustries. Without it they could not exist. The farmer is the pri- mary producer-the creator of the real wealth of the world. It is he that supplies the civilized world with its food, and it is he that stands at the doors of the world's graneries with the keys in his hands.
His calling employs more workers than any other business, and the real and most permanent wealth of every civilized country, is in its farms and farming interests. All the nations of antiquity, which were celebrated for their progress in agriculture, were the most free and independent. Such is the fact to-day. No nation can afford to be so independent of the rest of the world, as a successful agricultural people.
Many of the illustrious men in all ages of the world have en- gaged in this calling, and have not deemed it derogatory to their dignity in the least. We may mention Gideon, the renowned champion and judge of Israel, who went from his threshing floor to preside in the assemblies of his people; Cincinnatus the great Ro- man, who left his plow to lead the armies to battle and victory, and then returned to his native fields. In later times this calling has been held in high esteem by the greatest and best. Washington, Jefferson, Madison. Monroe and Jackson, among the Presidents,
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HISTORY OF
and other illustrious citizens of our country, engaged directly in this pursuit. Many of the respectable and cultured men of Europe and America-men eminent in the walks of science and literature- take a most active interest in the progress of agriculture, attend the meetings of farmers, the public fairs, and assist in the promo- tion of agricultural interests.
It is an error, too, that education and culture are not necessary in this vocation. The truth is, that there is as much use for educa- tion, general intelligence and good judgment in this business, as in any other, and more of these qualifications are required in this, than in most merely mechanical occupations, and education and culture are as much entitled to honor, when brought to this pursuit, as to any other branch of human labor. There is indeed no more useful, or more honorable occupation known among men in any country than that of farming.
It is indeed true, that the active, successful farmer, is the re- presentative of continuous hard labor year in and year out. Almost everything about farming both indoors and out, smacks strong of work and much of it, hard work, requiring close personal attention. The old lines express a general truth in the statement that
"He that by the plow would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive."
And this vocation has its disappointments, trials, losses and perplexities, but so has every other business. No occupation, pro- fession or official station are without these labors, cares and haras- sing anxieties, and some of them have more of these, and coupled with greater temptations, dangers and risks than farming.
We look upon this occupation not only as equal in dignity and importance with any other, but as having some peculiar advantages.
The farmer has his rewards and successes, that often pay largely, and at all events, he rarely fails of a living at least.
The man of no other business, is so free and independent in his personal action, and no employment is more healthful, or more con- ducive to a vigorous, manly and ingenious character. His labors too are greatly diversified and free from the ceaseless treadmill grind of most vocations. He is too further removed from the corruptions and errors of society, the vices, the follies of the town than the men of other employments. He need not practice the petty frauds and cheats and shams too current in many other occupations, and in short there is no field of human employment in which a man can easier be "a good man and true, and strictly obey the moral law" and be a peaceable citizen "work diligently, live creditably and act hon- orably by all men."
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
In closing these observations, we cannot do better than quote the following admirable words, taken from a great speech once de- livered by Senator Pendleton, of Ohio.
"Farmer life! Freedom from the noise and turmoil and dust and smoke of the crowded city; freedom from the daily struggle and daily anxiety for bread; freedom from competition with the crowds which throng every avenue of com- mercial and mechanical industry ; freedom from the close and daily contact with vice and erime which the temptations and opportunities and sufferings of a city life develop; freedom from the small rooms, the crowded tenement houses, the tainted atmosphere, the contagious diseases, the unnatural hours, the un- due excitement, the exhausting pleasures, the glittering splendor, the abject squallor, the artificial life of the city-and in their stead the pure air, the abundant food, the deep sleep, the refreshing dews, the cool breezes, the peace- ful order, the ample homes, the healthful habits, the cleanliness, the content- ment of the country and that great exaltation of spirit which springs from the contemplation of the beauties of nature and the processes of its active benefi- cense-the absence of the shrewd cunning and the acute sense which the com- petition of trade engenders, and the presence of that large-hearted greatness with which our mother earth rewards those who call on her munificence for the returns of their labor."
"In ancient times the sacred plow employed The kings and awful fathers of mankind,
And some compared with whom your insect tribes Are but the beings of a summer day, Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm Of mighty war; then with unwearied hand Disdaining little delicacies, seized The plow, and greatly independent lived."
THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE.
The supervisors met on the second day of May. As a new board had been elected at the town meetings in April, the board was re-organized by the election of Geo. H. Goodnow, chairman, Mr. Bonwell continuing as clerk. They had a session of two days, but transacted no business of interest to us at this remote period. On the 30th of May, they re-convened. and among the business done was the appropriation of the sum of three hundred dollars for the erection of a jail. Here was another evidence of progress in the right direction, but the appropriation subsequently failed.
THE FOURTH.
There were no celebrations in this county on the 4th of July, 1859. The spirit of patriotism had frozen up. The day was stormy, rain with some sleet and hail falling most of the day, and it was so cold that fires were necessary to comfort. Heat and dust are just as necessary elements of a fourth of July celebration as lemonade and fire crakers, and they could not be had on that day in this county.
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HISTORY OF
PROGRESS-CROPS.
The immigration to this county during the spring and summer and the amount of subtstantial improvements, especially in the breaking up of new land, were considerable. The crops of the year were very fair and were harvested in good season. The interesting fact may be stated here that the State which in 1858 imported bread- stuffs, in this year, for the first time, exported considerable grain. But there was yet nothing for export in this county, and there was no market for anything. Money continued scarce and the scarcity to intensify. In fact the people were thrown back to the original system of traffic by barter, or exchange of one product for another. The condition of the country was, however, much better after harvest, than before, as there was then plenty to eat and there was some grain to exchange for necessaries, but at prices which did not pay for the raising. The average price of wheat after harvest and during the remainder of the year was thirty to forty cents, corn twenty-five cents, and oats fifteen cents per bushel.
THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY.
The supervisors met in annual session, Sept. 13th, and contin- ued two days. A considerable amount of business was done, but nothing of general interest except certain action relative to the removal of
THE COUNTY SEAT.
The first action taken in relation to a change of the county seat was some movement made during the preceding sessiou of the legislature, to secure the removal to Winnebago City, which. however, proved abortive. At this meeting of the county board, a petition was presented, asking the privilege of voting at the next election on the removal of the county seat, from Blue Earth City to Winnebago City. As the law then stood, it was the duty of the board, on the presentation of such a petition, if signed by a num- ber of legal voters of the county equal to one half the highest number of votes cast at the next preceding general election, to cause to be inserted in the notices for the next general election. an article requiring the voters to vote on the removal.
The majority of the board being opposed to the removal, and to any action on the subject as premature, and for the further reason, as alleged, that the petition was not signed by a sufficient number of legal voters, it was after some hot discussion tabled.
The friends of the removal then applied to the judge of the district court for a writ of mandamus, requiring the board to meet and take such action as the law required. or show cause, which writ was granted and duly served on all the members of the board. They
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
all attended at Blue Earth City, on a certain day, but only such as favored the removal-not enough for a quorum-met at the usual place of meeting. If a quorum had at any one time gotten together, they could have directed the insertion of the necessary clause in the election notices, but the opposing members were careful to appear at the place of meeting one at a time, and pass out. Thus no quorum being present, no action was taken by the board, nor was cause ever shown why action was not taken. The friends of removal then procured a peremptory writ requiring the clerk of the board to insert the necessary clause in the election notices, which under the circumstances he peremptorily refused to do, claiming that the pro- ceeding was without authority of law, and here the whole matter fell to the ground. It is hardly worth the while at this late day to comment upon these matters.
THE ELECTIONS.
Although the times were hard and money scarce, the political interests of the county were not neglected. The fall elections were approaching and there were various legislative and county offices to be filled, and divers individuals were ready to fill them.
A republican county convention met at Blue Earth City and made the following nominations for county offices:
For Auditor-Arthur Bonwell.
For Treasurer-Albin Johnson.
For Sheriff-Geo. H. Goodnow.
For Coroner-Wm. A. Way.
For County Surveyor-S. A. Safford.
And G. K. Cleveland and Allen Shultis were nominated for rep- resentatives, and in pursuance of the arrangement heretofore re- ferred to, the convention of Freeborn county nominated T. W. Purdie for representative and Geo. Watson for senator, both of that county.
The democracy nominated H. C. Lacy for senator and Isaac Vanderwalker for representative, both of Freeborn county, and for the other representatives David H. Morse and Geo. B. Kingsley, of of this county. The county ticket was :
For Sheriff-H. P. Constans.
For Treasurer-Jas. L. McCrery.
For County Surveyor-Geo. A. Weir.
For Auditor-Wm. N. Towndrow.
For Coroner-A. B. Balcom.
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HISTORY OF
The election was held on the 11th day of October. and resulted as follows:
Votes.
For Senator-Geo. Watson 203
11. C. Lacy ..
109
For Representatives-G. K. Cleveland.
175
A. Shultis.
167
T. W. Purdie
203
I. Vanderwalker
108
D. H. Morse.
122
G. B. Kingsley
143
For Sheriff-G. 11. Goodnow.
II. P. Constans. 97
For Treasurer-A. Johnson
195
J. L. McCrery 113
For Surveyor-S. A. Safford.
G. A. Weir 223
94
For Auditor-A. Bonwell.
178
W. N. Towndrow 145
For Coroner-W. A. Way
188
A. B. Balcom 83
The republican candidates for senator and representatives, re- ceiving a majority also in Freeborn county were consequently elec- ted. State officers were elected this fall and the republican candidates, with Alex. Ramsey for governor, at the head, were, after a hard struggle, elected.
Mr. Windom was the republican and C. Graham the democratic candidate for congress. Windom was elected.
THE FIRST FAIR.
The first fair of our newly organized agricultural society, was held at Winnebago City on the 5th day of October. The attendance was large and great interest was manifested in the occasion and the display of productions surpassed all expectation. This fair demon- strated the fact that this county, yet in its infancy, could produce as excellent grains, vegetables, stock, dairy products and articles of domestic mannfacture, as any county in the northwest. In short, the fair was a great success, and a great credit to the people of the county. The writer, a few days since, observed a large and gor- geous "poster" tacked up in a conspicuous place giving the world notice of the twenty-first annual fair of the Faribault County Agri- cultural Society.
AUTUMN.
The fall of the year was a gloomy one, both in the weather and the conditions of business. Owing to the stringent times, low prices, two years of rather unfavorable weather, but little of that spirit of cheerfulness, activity and confidence in the future, so necessary to progress and success, were manifested. The weather seemed to be in harmony, too, with the other discouraging features of the times. It was dismal, the atmosphere was hazy, the smoke of prairie fires
220
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
hung over the land for weeks, and the sun appeared red and dim. These weather conditions, though really nothing very unusual, had their depressing effect on the spirits of the people.
The prices of various products, reported as current in the fall, were the following :- Flour $4.50 and corn meal $2.00 per hundred; wheat 30 to 40 cents, oats 123 cents, dull, potatoes 123 cents per bushel; butter 14 cents and tobacco 60 cents per pound; billiards 10 cents per string.
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