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 23
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one year three years
Weger, John
HI, 2nd Regiment Cavalry,
..
BRUSH CREEK TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.
Emerson, John
Company L, Mounted Rangers,
one year
Fletcher, Chas.
L,
66
Peterson, Regnald
L,
66
66
Walter, Wm.
L,
Seaton, Leon C.
66
H, 2d
Regiment Cavalry,
three years
Bartheaume, Rock
66
H, 2d
66
66
Ackerman, D. J.
HI, 2d
..
66
66
F,
1st
66
6.
F,
1st
.6
66
Getchell, Theo. W
66
F,
1st
Gardner, O. N
F,
1st
66
Ingalls, Ed. C ..
F, 1st
66
66
Jones, Chauncy W
66
F,
1st
16
66
Katzung, Vallon
66
F,
1st
Moore, Robert .
. .
F,
1st
Mead, Orrin F
6
F,
Ist
66
Ogilvie. James
F,
1st
=
66
Pugsley, Gardner O.
11
F,
Ist
66
Sauvain, Just.
66
F,
Ist
66
Truesdell, Hill.
F,
1st
Billings, Levi.
Infantry, three years
Dullard, Michael
66
G, Ist
Elivess, Fran
66
G,
Ist
Ordway, Isaac F.
G, 1st
66
Whitney, John.
G, 1st
66
White, John J.
G, 1st
٤٠
Seely, Philander C
H, 1st
66
.6
66
Kennedy, Chas
66
H, 2nd
Conklin, Wm. H
66
H, 2nd
66
Bartholemew, R. R
H, 2nd
66
Bartholemew, Arthur.
66
H, 2nd
.6
Coutier, Leon L.
Caddy, Geo. Jr
16
H, 2nd
16
66
Dagner, Geo
H, 2nd
66
Ellor, Joseph.
66
H, 2nd
66
1
Kortt, Chas.
11, 2nd
66
66
Mathews, Geo
66
H, 2nd
1 )
=
66
Rude, Geo.
H, 2nd
$6
Tallow, Stephen
66
H, 2nd
66
66
Wheeler, Wm. G
H, 2nd
:
66
Recruit
66
Wirt, George
66
Gulickson, Evan
C,
B, Bracket's Battalion, 11th Regiment Infantry,
one year
Dalziel, James
66
F, 1st
Artillery
Ellis, John E
66
Franklin, German
Getchell, Chas. O
F,
1st
Orr, Richard
H, 2nd
Hunter, Otis M
H, 2nd
66
Labatt, Geo
11, 2nd
2nd
66
Bakeman, Girard.
2nd
66
. 6
Caddy, Geo.
H, 2nd
Williams, Wm
HI, 2nd
G,
Ist
66
66
6%
66
66
220
HISTORY OF
Chupan, Bapt.
Company 11, 2d Regiment
Cavalry, three years
Foley, Will ..
11, 2d
66
66
Johnson, Herman B.
06
II, 2d
Martin, Joseph
HI, 2d
Dunbar, Chas. S.
II,
II,
2d
Dinsmore, Win
I),
Ist
Artillery,
one year
Nelson, Elling
D,
1.st
Nelson, Peter
-
Ist
Shirk, Jacob E ..
66
1st
Livingston, Duncan
G, 1st
Wood, Mason 1I
G,
Ist
Whitney. Lorin J
drafted 2d
Infantry, three years
Ilunt, Nathan
drafted 5th
11
..
66
ELMORE TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.
Boon, Daniel
Company D), 9th Regiment
Infantry, three years
Cummings. W. P. F.
F, 5th
Chute, Levi.
66
C,
5th
..
66
Dobson, Jas.
66
F,
5th
Edes, Ed.
F, 5th
Greer, Mark M
,
C, 5th
Howland, Fred L
B, Bracket's Battalion,
..
Hale, John E.
C, 5th
Regiment
Infantry,
Preston, Sheridan
66
F, 5th
Schneider, Simon
I, 2d
Schneider, Freeman
=
2d
..
60
Way, E. M.
66
1, 5th
Dane, Hartwell.
66
L. Mounted Rangers,
one year ..
Ingalls. A. C.
L,
H, 2d Regiment
Cavalry, three years
Barker, Walter.
H, 2d
:
16
6.
Cook, Chas. E.
66
II, 2d
Woolery, Reuben
11
C,
11th
Infantry.
one year
Eberline, Edward
F,
Ist
$6
Artillery,
..
Gano. Marian E
66
F,
Ist
Morehouse, Rich. T.
66
F,
1st
Strong, Moses A.
F.
1st
Winn, Wm. B ..
60
G,
Jst
..
Infantry,
three years
Baldwin, Wm.
G,
Ist
Comstock, Wmn. H
68
G, Ist
Pugsley, Wyman.
16
G, Ist
6.
$4
GUTHRIE, (NOW DELAVAN) TOWNSHIP.
Alvey, Wm. T
Company II, 3d Regiment Infantry, three years
Burke, John F.
D,
9th
Beatty, J. R
66
11, 20
Gray, Donald
66
11, 3d
66
66
Mckinney, John
16
D, 9th
Marsh, Enoch
C,
5th
66
..
66
66
6.
Tankard, Robt.
=
Little, Robt. W
HI, 2d
F,
1st
F.
1st
..
..
Morehonre, Francis
Allen, Horace B.
66
16
HI, 2d
..
..
Pine, John.
..
66
66
..
Chute, Zach
66
$6
221
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Propper, Chas.
Company D, 9th Regiment Infantry,
three years
Terry, Geo. R. A, 7th
Johnson, Eleff.
66 H, Mounted Rangers,
one year
Miller, Saml. B
H, 2d
Regiment Cavalry,
three years 66
Snell, Isaiah II
Boyer, John H.
Fessenden, Ed. D.
66
K, 2d
MeColley, Alonze.
K, 2d
Reichart, Henry
Bemis, Lucius.
D, 1st
Artillery,
Johnson, Ellip.
16
D,
1st
Donaldson, Cramers.
F,
1st
Fuller, Myron L
F,
1st
66
Falsett, John ..
F;
1st
Johnson, Bennett.
F.
1st
Henson, Halver.
F,
1st
MeGuiggan, John
F,
Ist
Mandigo, Danl. L.
F,
F,
1st
66
Ayers, Moses.
H,
1st
Gordon, Samuel.
HI,
Ist
Nickerson, F. L.
H,
1st
66
Thorp, Henry C.
K,
1st
Sharp, Henry.
Substitute.
Sycks, F. Lewis.
Substitute.
MARPLES, (NOW MINNESOTA LAKE,) TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.
Brown, Henry
Company H, 3d
Regiment Infantry, three years
Beebe, R. W.
F. 4th
Myrick, Tellef A.
11,
3d
Taylor, Alfred L.
F,
4th
١٩
Heisey, Wm ..
66
L.
Mounted Rangers,
Taylor, E. H.
H,
..
Taylor, Phineas B
F, 4th
Regiment Infantry,
three years
Fish, Sam. Jr
66
D,
1st
Artillery,
one year
Bandt, Fred.
drafted
5th
66
Infantry, 66
three years 66
Miller, Christian.
drafted
5th
Urban, Wilhelm
drafted
5th
Stephens. Fred.
darfted
5th
60
Marples, Charles
drafted
3dl
66
Smith, Geo. A.
drafted
3d
PILOT GROVE TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.
Albee, Albert C. . Company D, 9th Regiment Infantry, three years
Blochner, John.
66
.. 1st Sharpshooters,
Gardnier. Joseph.
B, Bracket's Battalion,
McCrery, R. R
B,
McCrery, Jas. P.
F, 5th Regiment Infantry,
Mount, Humphrey.
D, 9th
. .
66
Waite, Reuben
66
D, 9th
Wallace, Horace
66
D, 9th
1'
Chestnut, John.
H,
2d
HI,
2d
K, 2d
66
66
Fessenden, Chas. M.
K, 2d
C, 11th Regiment Infantry,
one year
66
66
Ist
Ryan, Joseph.
66
Graves, Geo. M.
F, 10th
66
one year .6
..
6 6
66
HISTORY OF
Ybright, Jas. M.
Company C, 5th Regiment Infantry,
three years
Davis, Orin G ..
66
L. Mounted Rangers,
one year
Hazelton, Daniel.
Manthie, Fred. W.
L.
66
..
..
Petit, Thos. W.
L,
Smith, Josiah.
4 6
HI, 2d Regiment
Cavalry, Infantry,
one year
Couthardt, Wi
C,
11th
11th
11th
66
64
66
4 .
Cummings, Wm
C,
11th
Dean, John A.
66
B,
5th
=
three years
Teeter, Reuben.
C, 5th
66
..
Hunter, Wm., drafted.
66
..
2d
64
77
66
PRESCOTT TOWNSHIP.
Brown, Jas. M
. Company C. 5th Regiment
Infantry, three years
Crandall, Leroy M
D, 9th
Eberline, Fred E
C, 5th
Morehouse, James
6
D, 9th
Young, Lewis.
D, 9th
..
..
Carver, Samuel
١١
L. Mounted Rangers,
one year
Me Dowell, David II.
B,
Razey, Norman B.
B,
Spencer, F. L.
Crandall, Minor M
Crippin, Sam. S.
Miles, Geo. S ..
66
H, 2d
McDowell, Jonathan
H, 2d
..
..
Straight, Merrit.
II, 2d
Straight, Oriville.
H, 2d
Straight, Forester
Straight, Jas. M.
II, 20
McColley, Nathaniel
K, 2d
Anderson, Geo. R.
$ 1
K, 2d
..
Brelsford, Daniel S
K, 2d
66
64
..
Fuller, Albert L
Gibbs, Geo. E
K, 2d
Razay, Silas.
=
K, 2d
Brelsford, Isaac W
=
C, 2d
Huntington, Loyal.
II, Ist
Artillery,
one year
Hodgman, A. J.
HI, Ist
Rose, Chris ..
II, Ist
Woodruff, Wallace A.
II, Ist
SEELY TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.
Bontrager, John. Company C, 11th Regiment, Infantry, one year.
Wiekwire, Michael S.
C, 11th
Kellogg, Judson.
G, 1st
three years.
Otten, Mathew, drafted.
2nd
66
C,
C,
C.
11th
White, John D.
C,
11th
16
Fetterly, Jas. S.
Foss, J. B. .
Stoddard, Nathan
Woolery, Robt .. ،٠
66
2d
L,
Olds, John.
three years
Cook, Amasa.
C, 11th
66
..
B,
11, 2d
Regiment
Cavalry, three years
H, 2d
..
..
..
6 6
١١
66
II, 2d
..
..
66
16
K. 2d
More, Andrew R., Jr
L,
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
VERONA TOWNSHIP.
Burgess, Harvey Company D, 9th Regiment Infantry, three years.
Carlton, E.
66
B, Bracket's Battalion.
Carlton, Wm. H.
66
D, 9th Regiment, Infantry,
DuCate, Moses M
D, 9th
Darlin, E. J
D, 9th
Dunham, John II
D, 9th
66
Forbes, Benj. F. jr.
66
D, 9th
66
66
Geiser, Fred.
A. 1st
D, 6th
66
Kent, Philo.
16
D, 9th
Mayson, Wm. P.
66
D, 9th
66
Nightengale, John
D, 9th
6.
66
Robertson, Jas. M
66
D, 9th
66
66
Towndro Win. N
16
D, 9th
66
$6
66
Walker, Henry R
D, 9th
66
Bursall, Mitchell.
L, Mounted Rangers,
one year.
Cooper, Barney.
L,
L,
66
66
Pomeroy, Simeon.
L,
L,
6.
Wakefield, Edward.
L,
H, 2nd Regiment Cavalry,
three years.
DuCate. Mitchell.
H, 2nd
66
66
66
Nelson, Albert C
H, 2nd
66
Nelson, Alex G
HI, 2nd
Shufelt. Sheldon.
H, 2nd
..
66
.6
Carlton, Nelson W.
65
K, 2nd
66
6.
Carlton, Jas. S.
66
K, 2nd
66
6.
Brayton, D. L.
C, 11th
66
Infantry,
one year.
Chapin, Morris P.
C, 11th
Cooper, Joseph
C, 11th
Middaugh, John A
C, 11th
66
66
Maiers, Jas. A
C, 11th
Park, Frank L.
C, 11th
66
Richardson, John L
C, 11th
Rice, Tobias L.
0, 11th
66
66
Robertson, Chas. D
0, 11th
66
Dayton, John D.
F, 1st
Artillery
٤٠
Netzel, John A.
66
H, Ist
66
. .
Champney, A. E.
H, 1st
Cripps, Wm
F, 1st
66
Infantry,
three years.
Allen, David F
66
G, Ist
66
..
Filbel, Henry
G, Ist
Nash, Elbert.
G, Ist
66
Wickwire, Philander
66
.
G, Jst
Stone, Lewis A.
H, 2nd
66
Cavalry,
17
Yetter, Samuel.
F, 1st
66
Artillery,
one year.
6 .
Stone, Lewis.
Sancomb, Henry
66
Harding, Hiram I.
5 .
Foss, Melvin
H, 2nd
66
61
Whiteman, Joseph.
H, 2nd
66
. .
66
F, 1st
Dibble, Jerome P
66
66
66
Franklin, Morrison
D, 9th
66
Huntington, Henry M.
66
Patton, George ..
D, 9th
Cooper, Sylvester
66
L,
223
201
HISTORY OF
WALNUT LAKE TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.
Duffy, James
. Company 1, 9th Regiment Infantry, three years.
Duffy, John.
1, 9th
Sauer, Chris
16
L, Mounted Rangers,
one year.
Post, Aaron S.
11, 2d Regiment, Cavalry,
three years.
Post, W. HI.
11, 2dl
Balmat, Jerome
H, 2d
Mattin, James
11. 2d
Merry, James E
44
H, 2₫
Rolph, Geo. W.
1I, 21
Trowbridge, David.
HI, 2d
Waterbury, Sam. B.
II, 2d
Ford, James E.
C, 21
Asehman, John.
C, 11th
..
Infantry,
one year.
Kaufman, Jacob.
C, 11th
Melady, Richard.
D, Ist
Artillery,
.4
MeGrady, Chas
D, Ist
Weston, Chas. B.
D,
Ist
..
6 6
16
Terhurner, John Il
D), Ist
Stewart, Wm. W.
drafted, 2d
Infantry,
three years
Trowbridge, Truman.
4th
WINNEBAGO CITY TOWNSHIP.
Baker, George.
Company B, Bracket's Battalion,
three years.
Brown, Frank M.
66
D, 9th Regiment Infantry,
Burk, C. F.
D, 9th
=
Badger, Jas. S.
I, 4th
Badger, Sam. M.
H, 4th
=
Cograve, John W
H,
C, 5th
Chapio, Henry
B, Bracket's Battalion,
Crosby, Reuben II.
Chapel, John B.
Clabangh, James
D, 9th
K, 9th
Ellis, Wmn. H.
D, 9th
.6
Fagin, Daniel.
HI, 2d
..
66
Goodfellow, Levi C.
D, 9th
Huntington, Jas.
D, 6th
Latimer, Wash. K.
D, 9th
Miller, John N
B, Bracket's Battalion,
.1
More, John.
B, D), 9th Regiment
Infantry,
Madison, Bailey
16
D,
6th
=
66
D,
9th
66
Terhune, Daniel F
11, 2d
. .
Taylor, Lyman.
C,
9th
66
Vannice, Robt. R
B, Bracket's Battalion,
Christie, J. Lute
Il, Mounted Rangers,
one year
Fossett, Isaac.
L,
.6
Lucas, Thomas ..
B,
.
Moar, Andrew
B,
Mason. Jas.
L.
.
..
Miller, Peter M
Sinclair, John.
D, 9th
Terhune, Maurice.
D, 9th 66
Chapel, Chas. E.
H, 2d Regiment Infantry,
Chesrowu, Ezra
..
.
225
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Snell, Jacob.
.Company B, Mounted Rangers,
one year
Washburn, Lewis.
66
B,
Warn, A.
68
L,
66
H, 2d Regiment cavalry,
three years
Shufelt, Henry C.
66
H, 2d
66
Brown, Wm.
Clow, F. A.
66
H, 2d
:
66
66
Dunn, Geo. B.
Daby, Moses.
Daby, Samuel
H, 2d
$6
Hoekenhall, Joseph
H, 2d
66
Kimball, Chas. H.
H, 2d
Lamphear, Mason H.
H, 2d
Robinson, John.
H, 2d
Saunders, Geo. W
H, 2d
Thurston, Wm. L.
H, 2d
Walter, Edwin.
H, 2d
Webster, Sanford.
, 2d
Infantry,
66
Latimer, Pleasant.
66
C, 11th
one year
Goodnow, Julius C.
66
C, 11th
66
66
-
Leise, Benj. F.
6
C, 11th
Mason, Jas. K
C, 11th
66
66
68
Miller, Wm. C.
C,
11th
Hoffman, Leonard.
F,
Ist
66
Artillery,
66
Forsythe, Geo.
6%
G,
1st
66
H,
Ist
66
66
66
Dumpprope, David H.
H,
1st
Kiefer, Scott.
68
L,
1st
Borden, Lysander.
1st
Infantry, three years
Here the record of this tremendous year of triumphs, of great joys and profound sorrows, must close.
And now but a decade of years has passed since the first settler, with his family, took up his residence here, not another white man within the borders of the county and surrounded only by the silent, virgin prairies, marked alone by Indian trails. But the fine soil, the distribution of the timber, the beautiful landscape and the salu- brious climate gave him good reason to hope that in the not distant future he should be surrounded by a prosperous and happy people. He was not disappointed. But ten years had passed and the county had a population of nearly five thousand people, two thriving villa- ges, mills and workshops, many good farms, schools and churches, society established, the laws administered and all the blessings of civilized life, existing under favorable auspices.
HI,
1st
66
Snell, Jacob
66
60
, 2dl
H. 2d
H, 2d
66
66
66
66
66
66
Denton, Myron S.
C, 11th
66
Hardwig, W. H.
6
16
Carel, Patrick.
D, 9th
66
66
Hoover, Joseph.
H, 2d
Robbins, Henry C.
226
HISTORY OF
CHAPTER XII.
A. D. 1866.
"'Tis done: again the conquering Chief appears, In the dread vision of dissolving years; His vesture dipped in blood, His eyes of flame,
The word of God His everlasting name:
Throned in mid-heaven, with clouds of glory spread,
He sits judgment on the quick and dead."- Montgomery.
The year 1866 was one of the years, which by religious en thu- siasts and would-be prophets. as well as by some careful investiga- tors, have from time to time been foretold, as the last of the earth's history, the year, which should close the great drama of time, and be the final consummation of all sublunary things.
Some of these predictions were based upon the supposed effects of the near approach to, or collision with. the earth in its passage, of that anomalous body, known as Biela's Comet. due in 1866. But the comet, though due, did not appear during this year. There has been for many years some forebodings as to the influence of this comet upon the earth.
We proceed to relate briefly what events transpired in this county during this year, and it is necessary, in the order of time, to refer first to the new board of
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
The Board. now consisting of five members, met on the 2d day of January and organized for business, by electing Allen Shultis, of Elmore, chairman for the year. A session of three days was held, during which much important business was done. Prior to this time the supervison of the public schools of the county was in the hands of five persons, known as school examiners. But a system existed by law at the time, which provided for a single superintendent of schools for the whole county, and who should receive such salary as the Board might deem proper. This system of school supervision could be adopted by any of the counties of the State, whenever the commissioners thereof deemed it advisable. At this session of the Board, the system was adopted for this county. and A. H. Pelsey was appointed superintendent, at an annual salary of $175 00. The examiner system then ceased to exist. The com- missioners met again on March 19th. June 28th, and Sept. 4th, but their action of historic interest is referred to elsewhere.
227
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
OUR STATESMEN.
The eighth State Legislature met January 2d and adjourned March 2d. The district was represented in the legislature of 1866, by D. G. Shillock, of Brown county, in the Senate, and James B Wakefield, of Fairbault county. in the House. Mr. Wakefield was elected speaker of the House. being the first representative of the district who held that very important and honorable office. An- drew C. Dunn, of this county, was again elected chief clerk of the House of Representatives.
The legislature of this year re-districted the State for legisla- tive purposes. It was enacted that "The twentieth district shall be composed of the counties of Faribault, Martin, Jackson, Cotton- wood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock, and shall be entitled to elect one senator and one representative."
The other acts of this session, relating to this county were:
"An act authorizing the president of the town council of the town of Win- nebago City to execute certain conveyances, and to amend an act entitled 'An act to incorporate the town of Winnebago City, approved Feb. 19, 1857.'"
"An act to authorize the trustees of School District No. 7 in the county of Faribault to issue bonds for the purpose of building a school house in said district."
"An act to legalize the action of the trustees of School District No. 14, in Faribault county, in issuing the bonds of said district to build a school house therein."
"An act to provide for the payment of certain taxes by the town of Emerald in Faribault county."
"An act to provide for the location of a state road from Winnebago Agency in Blue Earth county to Walnut Lake in Faribault county.
"An act to locate and establish a state road from Wilton in Waseca county to Winnebago City in Faribault county,"
"An act to change the name of the town of Marples in Faribault county to that of Minnesota Lake." Approved Feb. 23, 1866.
RAILROADS.
In January, the legislature being in session, a railroad project was inaugurated by certain of the members, in which this county was interested. The following notice of the matter taken from the St. Paul Pioneer indicates the object and scope of the project.
"Articles of incorporation of a new railroad company were yesterday filed with the Secretary of State. The object as the name indicates, is to construct a railroad from the Mississippi river through the southern tier of counties of this State to the Missouri river. The route of the road is described through Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Faribault, Martin, Jackson, Nobles and Rock'counties, and the main line is designed to run through the flourishing young cities of La Crescent, Chatfield, High Forest, Austin, Albert Lea, Blue Earth City, thence to Yankton on the Missouri, with a branch line from High Forest to Rochester. The capital of the company is to be $10,000,000."
Among the incorporators were the names of J. B. Wakefield, Geo. D. McArthur and Wm. Dustin, residing in this county.
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The Southern Minnesota Railroad Company had already been organized, and designed building a road through the counties above- named and had already made a partial survey of a route. But this route ignoring many of the villages above named, gave much dis- satisfaction to the people of those places. It was at the time ex- pected that congress would soon make a grant of public lands to the State, to aid in the building of a road through the counties named above, and which grant was made on the 6th day of July following. This new company was therefore organized to compete with the S. M. R. R. Co. for the grant, if satisfactory terms could not be made with that company as to the points or localities through which the road should run.
The new company was named the La Crescent, Rochester and Yankton Railroad Company.
It is proper here to give a synopsis of the act of Congress mak- ing the grant of lands, as it was through this grant our county se cured its first railroad, and further, because out of these railroad matters grew, subsequently, a great deal of political strife, in this as well as in some other counties.
The grant was made by Congress to the State of Minnesota "for the purpose of aiding in the construction of a railroad from IIous- ton in the county of Houston, through the counties of Fillmore. Mower, Freeborn and Faribault to the western boundary of the State" and gave "every alternate section designated by odd numbers to the amount of five alternate sections per mile on each side of said road." But in case it should appear that any of the lands granted as aforesaid, should have been already claimed by settlers or other- wise disposed of, then other lands nearest to the lands granted, designated by odd numbers and within twenty miles of the line of road, might be selected to supply the deficiency. The public lands remaining to the general government, within ten miles of the line of road were raised in price to $2.50 per acre.
And it was further enacted, "that the land hereby granted shall be disposed of by said State for the purposes aforesaid only, and in manner following: Namely: When the Governer of said State shall certify to the Secretary of the Interior that any section of ten con- secutive miles of said road is completed * then the Secretary of the Interior shall issue to the State patents for all the lands in alternate sections, designated by odd numbers, situated within twenty miles of the road so completed, and lying co-terminous to said completed section of ten miles, and not exceeding one huu- dred sections, for the benefit of the road having completed the ten consecutive miles as aforsaid."
"Provided. however, that the co-terminous principal hereby ap- plied, shall not extend to such lands as are taken by the said rail-
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
road company to make up deficiencies. Provided that no land to make up deficiencies shall be taken at any point within ten miles of each side of the line of said road."
The proceeding was the same for each ten miles of the road completed. The road was to be completed within ten years from the acceptance of the grant, or the lands not already patented reverted to the United States.
This magnificent grant of lands was to be disposed of by the next succeeding legislature to such company and upon such terms and conditions as might be thought expedient.
Out of these facts and circumstances arose the great "points" and "no points" contest in this and several other counties, which existed for several years and caused much turmoil, expense, bad blood and aspersion of character. It is interesting, even somewhat amusing at this distant day, to look back upon these events, which once so engaged the attention of our people, but are now almost for- gotten. The events of those times also illustrate through what great tribulations, grand and beneficent enterprises have often to pass before completion.
METEOROLOGICAL.
The weather during the latter part of December, 1865, and Jan- uary of this year, was very cold and stormy, and several persons in this county who were exposed, were frozen to death-one at Pilot Grove, two reported at Rice Lake and two at Minnesota Lake. About the 13th of February a terrific snow storm prevailed over the whole country, lasting some twenty-four hours, and will long be sadly re- membered for its fury and intense cold. A number of persons were frozen to death and others badly injured during this storm in this, and in Martin county.
Much snow covered the ground during the winter and the spring was late and cold. But little seeding was done until the latter part of April. The spring of this year is well described in the following ironical words, lately penned by some cynical individual, who evi- dently does not "take much stock" in the usual platitudes written in relation to spring.
"Gentle spring, wrapped in flannel and furs: wheezing, coughing, sneezing and running up a doctor's bill; airy, draughty, rheumatic spring, lotions, mix- tures, cough drops and chest protectors-Hail, gentle spring."
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
February twenty-second of this year was the 134th anniversary of Washington's birthday, and it was observed with more than the usual formalities in the large cities, and expecially at the Federal capitol. The day is one of our national legal holidays. It has not,
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during the past years, been observed to any great extent in this county, nor is it generally observed to the extent it should be in the rural districts. In the larger cities it is, however, usually celebra- ted by extensive military parades, the closing up of business houses, the dismissal of the public schools for the day, the adjournment of public bodies and other appropriate ceremonies and demonstra- tions ..
George Washington was born on the 22d day of February, 1732. and died December 14th, 1799. During the time intervening between these dates some of the most important political events in their par- ticular character and far-reaching influences upon the political des- tinies of mankind known to history, transpired on this continent, at the head of which, as chief actor, was Washington.
But of all men living or dead it is the least necessary to write a eulogy on Washington, and the writer does not propose to attempt it, for the life, character and deeds of this man who was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," are known to all people of intelligence everywhere. Even little children can talk to us about Washington. Yet a few words may be written here as the author's humble tribute to this great man. His, indeed, is the most illustrious name in history, unapproached and unapproachable. And the justice of his exalted position is such that this place is ac- corded to him by the universal judgment of mankind.
As commander-in-chief of the patriot armies in the long war of independence he proved himself to be one of the greatest military commanders of any age or nation. He was not only successful, but he accomplished success in the face of the most persistent opposi- tion of the best drilled soldiers of the age, and these results he achieved, not with ample means, but with less means to accomplish a purpose than those possessed by any commander of ancient or modern times. Then having won the independence of his country and a position in which he could have assumed and retained absolute power, he crowned his military career and honors by as sublime an act as is anywhere recorded-he roluntarily surrendered his position und authority to those who gave it. Then placed at the head. as chief magistrate of a new nation, surrounded by great and difficult prob- lems and untried ways and methods on every hand, he proved him- self as eminent a statesman and patriot as any age can name. Confi- dence in Washington was that of all things which made possible the organization of our government, and no man, in any age, stood for so much to his country and mankind as he. His ability, sagacity. firm- ness, foresight and moderation, provided not only for the exigency of the time, but marked out and plainly designated the way of the future, and then, this great work done, he again voluntarily laid down all state authority and power and retired to private life. Other men
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