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 26
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We state here some of the more common stamp duties and li- cense fees required by law, as a matter of interest to the generation which has come upon the stage of action since the war:
Agreement or contract, in writing, each sheet. $ .05
Bank check or draft. .02
Promissory note, per each $100 or fraction .05
Bond of indemnity, for each $1,000 or fraction. .50
Bond of executor, administrator or guardian, where the property exceeded $1,000 in value. 1.00
Official bonds. 1.00
Deeds, conveying lands, consideration under $500, 50 cts. Consideration $1,000, $1.00 and each $500 additional or fraction thereof. .50
Life insurance policy for less than $1,000. .25
Exceeding $1.000 and not execeeding $5,000. .50
Fire insurance policy, not exceeding $10.00 premium. .10
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Not exceeding $50 00. .25
Leases, rental $300 per annum or less. .50
Mortgages of real or personal estate, same as deeds.
Power of attorney to sell lands. 1.00
Probate of will, value of estate over $1,000 and not exceeding ยง2,000, $1.00 and every additional $1,000 or fraction thereof. .50
Receipt for money paid, over $20.00.
.02
Trust deed, as security, same as a mortgage.
License fees on occupations, etc.
Lawyers, $10.00; physicians $10.00; claim agents, $10.00; insurance agents,
$10.00, and many other occupations-like fees.
LOOKING HEAVENWARD.
On November 14th of this year, a remarkable meteoric shower was witnessed in the United States, of which Prof. Loomis, of New Haven, Conn., gives the following account:
"A display of shooting-stars occurred this morning, and attained its great- est magnificence about 4:30 o'clock. I counted 500 meteors alone in one hour, which would indicate about 2,000 per hour for the entire heavens, and that, too, in the presence of a full moon, which probably eclipsed two-thirds of the whole number. So far as the numbers are concerned, the exhibition was, therefore, more remarkable than that seen in Europe last November, and was but little inferior to that seen in the United States in 1833."
"What eye can pass Ilim over,
Spreading aloft in the clear night? Hin (God), first, Whoever scans the heavens is sure to trace."
Nothing further remains to be said of the history of this year. It was one of the least eventful, least interesting and least profit- able, in the history of the county. The times during the whole year were, taking all things together, very discouraging to all classes of people, especially the farmers. Many were gloomy, lost their en- ergies and felt as though their labors and efforts were in vain. Such seasons of despondeney and fear of difficulties ahead come to all sometimes, whatever their station in life may be. and is a very un- happy and unprofitable condition, from whatever cause discourage- ment may come. It is never best, in any of the proper ways of life, or business, to lose hope or abandon effort and it would be well if every one should know and oft repeat the following golden words of the poet, so apt, truthful, practical:
"The wise and active conquer difficulties By daring to attempt them; Sloth and folly Shiver and shrink at sight of toil and hazard, And make the impossibility they fear."'
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
CHAPTER XIV.
A. D. 1868
In this historic panorama of the year, as it passes in review before us, we at last behold, high up on the canvas, the emblazoned figures 1868. What of this almost forgotten year? How little any one remembers definitely of the events of any past year. Two or three personal incidents makes up the sum total. All other events are vague and uncertain and may belong to a year, two or three years before, or after. But for the historian's labor the events of the past, however important would soon, in the lapse of time. become mere traditions in which truth and fable are indistinguishable. and they constantly growing more uncertain, would at last pass forever from the memory of man.
In recounting the events of this year, a proper regard for our local legislative body and the order of incidents as to time, requires the statement that our county commissioners assembled on the 7th day of January and had a session of four days. All the further ac- tions of the board at this session, which it is needful to record here, is that Henry J. Neal was re-elected chairman, and it was decided to let the contract for building the county jail, a much-needed im- provement in the light of public economy.
The board met again on the 10th and 11th days of February, but did nothing of importance, but reject a number of exorbitant bids for building the jail. Other meetings of the board were held March 10th, June 12th and Sept. 1st, but the business done was of no special interest.
A CONVENTION.
Though somewhat out of the order of events, it may be noted here that on the 25th day of January, a convention of homestead men was held at Blue Earth City, of which John A. Dean was chair- man. In view of the demand of the "homesteaders," that further action be had by the legislature, then in session, in relation to tax- ation of homestead claims, the party at this convention was re- organized, a number of by-laws were adopted for the government of the society, and the name "The Free-Homestead Society of Faribault County," was adopted. This convention meant to accomplish some- thing for the relief of homestead men, as will be seen hereafter, they
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eventually succeeded. This convention much assisted in hastening certain legislation mentioned hereafter.
Let us now look towards the Capitol of the State where the legislature was in session and see what was being done for the good of the people by
THE LYCURGUSES.
The State Legislature of this year which assembled January 7th and adjourned March 6th, passed several acts having a dircet re- lation to this county. The titles of these acts were as follows:
An act to provide for the payment of certain taxes by the town of Grant (Rome). in Faribault county.
An act to locate, survey and establish a State road from Blue Earth City, in Faribault county, via Fairmont, in Martin county, to Jackson, in Jackson county This road was subsequently surveyed and established.
An act to authorize the towns in Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Faribault, Martin and Jackson counties, to issue bonds to aid in the construction of any railroads running into, or through said counties. Under the provisions of this act, most of the towns in this county, at one time or another, voted to issue bonds, in various amounts, to aid in the construction of railroads in the county, as may be seen more fully by reference to the history of the several townships.
An act to provide for the taxation of improvements on home- stead claims, made under the act of congress approved May 20th, 1862, entitled "An act to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain, and the interest of claimants in such claims."
By this law all improvements on homestead claims were re- quired to be assessed and taxed, but section 4 enacted that "no tax shall be assessed or levied on any lands, held or occupied by set- tlers under said act of congress, other than on improvements made on the same, and the interest of the claimant therein, so long as the fee of the same remains in the United States .. "
This act was passed to satisfy the demands of the homestead settlers of the State who objected, as we have already seen, to the taxation of their homestead claims.
In this connection it should be stated that on the first day of February, Mr Wakefield, senator from this district, introduced in the senate: "A bill for an act to compel the county auditors of the ser- cral counties of the State to strike from the several tax duplicates, certain taxes therein named." Section first enacted, that the county auditorsof the several counties of the State are hereby required to strike from the several tax duplicates for the year 1867, and the sev- eral delinquent tax lists for previous years, all taxes upon lands en- tered under the act of congress, entitled an act to secure homesteads to actual settlers, etc. approved May 20th. 1862, when such taxes
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have been levied upon such lands prior to the time the person or persons entering the same, were entitled to receive a patent or pat- ents therefor. Section second enacted, "such lands shall not be subject to taxation for any purpose prior to the time that the per- sons entering the same, may be entitled to patents therefor, from the United States."
During the first days of February many petitions were circulated through the county and were numeronsly signed, praying the State legislature to pass Mr. Wakefield's bill. The bill passed the Senate but failed in the House, and the act above referred to relating to the taxation of improvements on homesteads became the law of the State. That act at first sight, appeared in the main satisfactory but as con- strued for a time subsequently, proved a delusion as much as a re- lief measure. It was very much as though a stone had been given when bread had been asked. All improvements upon the home- stead "and the interest of the claimant therein, so long as the fee of the same remains in the United States," being assessed, taxed and held as personal property, the last cow of the homestead settler could be taken as in all other cases of personal property taxes for the payment of the tax. And the payment of the tax, too, being per- sonal, was imperative, and more immediate than if assessed as a land tax. But the act was the best and in fact all that could be obtained of the legislature at that time, and was construed differently from the intention of many of the makers of the law. It may also be stated here incidently, that an act was also passsed, approved March 4th, relieving the Southern Minnesota Railroad Company from building their road to two "points" "Preston" and "Austin," named in the bill granting them the lands, and although this action had no direct reference to this county, it was the first and most important step towards the removal of all the points.
James B. Wakefield, of this county, in the Senate, and A. B. Col- ton, of Martin county, in the House, represented this district in the legislature of 1868.
SOWING THE SEED.
The spring of this year opened about the 20th of March, and seeding was done as early as the 23d of March. All the seeding was done early, and the weather continued quite favorable until the 24th day of April, when quite a snow storm occurred.
In view of the short crops of the two preceding years, a greater breadth of land was seeded this year than ever before, every availa- ble acre being put under cultivation. The farmers were encour- aged to hope for good prices, as wheat, in May, brought two dollars per bushel, and the fact was that prices during the whole year ruled very favorably to the farmers.
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TOPICS OF THE TIME.
On the 24th day of February the House of Representatives of the United States adopted articles of impeachment of Andrew John son, President of the United States, which event created great com- motion in political circles, and much interest throughout the country. It is not proper here to discuss what. in that day, were known as "the reconstruction measures," the "my policy, " of the President, nor the President's conduct, in the exercise of the functions of his high office; they are simply alluded to here, as showing the subjects of public interest at the time, and in reference to the impeachment proceedings it is sufficient to say. that a trial before the Senate of the United States, sitting as a High Court of Impeachment was had, which terminated May 16th. The vote stood thirty five for im- peachment, and nineteen against. The law required a two-thirds vote to impeach, and the vote cast for impeachment lacked one of the requisite number.
Another subject of much public interest at the time, was the overland expedition to the Black Hills of Dakota, projected by Capt. P. B. Davy, a resident of this county, and which created con- siderable excitement through the county and State during the spring of this year. There was very good evidence that great mineral wealth existed in that wonderful tract of country, gold, silver, copper, iron, coal, besides immense forests of pine timber, and the object of the expedition was, as stated by the projector of the enterprise, "to open up that beautiful and fertile region to settle- ment and cultivation, and establish in her rich valleys a thriving and energetic people, who will bring to light the weight of her slumbering wealth and prospect her yet nndeveloped and compara- tively unknown mines."
Many agencies where established throughout the State for the purpose of affording information as to the objects of the enterprise, and facilities for joining the company. The expedition was gotten up on a large scale, and it was designed that the various detach- ments should leave the State about the 20th of May, and all gather at Yankton, D. T., the place of general rendezvous, from whence the line of march would be taken up early in June, for the Hills.
But when the expedition was about organized, it was counter- manded by the general government, on the ground that the terri- tory of country known as the Black Hills had been reserved for the occupancy of the Indians, and all others were forbidden to tres- pass upon it, and consequently this whole project had to be aban- doned.
It is hardly necessary to observe at this day, that the subse- quent opening and settlement of that region, which occurred in
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later years, have abundantly proved the correctness of the previous conjectures and statements as to the great mineral wealth of the country.
In connection with the Black Hills project, a pamphlet of twenty-eight pages was published at the South West office, in April of this year, under the supervision of Capt. Davy, containing an elaborate notice of the expedition and its objects, and containing, also, an article descriptive of Blue Earth City and Faribault county. Soon after harvest following, when the expedition had been aban- doned, another pamphlet of twenty eight pages, more fully descrip- tive of the county, gotten up by Capt. Davy, with the assistance of several other residents of Blue Earth City, was published at the South West printing office, for general distribution throughout the Eastern states and Canada. These publications constituted the first, and it may be said the last efforts, until late years, beyond a few newspaper articles, to afford information, to the world at large, of the character of this county, its natural advantages for settlement, and to induce immigration.
Another topic of much interest at this time, with the people generally, was the building of the Southern Minnesota Railroad. Its progress was closely watched. When it should reach this county, if ever, was a matter of considerable discussion. At this time, and for several years, Waseca, in Waseca county, on the line of the Winona and St. Peter Railroad, was the great grain and lumber market of this region of country. An immense traffic was done over the roads leading from this county to that place. Long trains of from ten to thirty or more teams-farmers' wagons and the carry- alls of the regular teamsters, were almost daily passing back and forth, hauling out grain and bringing back lumber, merchandise, etc. A number of stopping places on the line became quite famous hostelries for a number of years-Barber's and Schoffman's at Min- nesota Lake; Hill's, Caster's, Larrabee's, the taverns at Wilton, are still remembered. Many an adventure, incident and joke of the road, occurring in those days, are still told by those who journeyed to and fro.
THE TRIBUNAL.
On the 2d day of June, the District Court commenced its annual term, Hon. Horace Austin, presiding. The term was a very import- ant one and lasted nine days. A large calendar was disposed of, but none of the cases were of public interest. Some of the cases, how- ever, involved the decision of a number of very difficult legal points. Owing to "the smooth tongues of the lawyers and the thick heads of the jurors," several suitors were greatly surprised at the
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outcome of what they thought just causes, and were led to solilo- quise with Shakespeare:
"In law, what piea so tainted and corrupt; But, being season'd with a gracious voice,
Obscures the show of evil?"
THE FIRST CIRCUS AND MENAGERIE.
Whatever may be thought or said of the moral aspects and in- fluences of the circus or menagerie, or both combined, it is a fact that at this day, these great travelling shows have become a great American institution and their annual visits, during the summer months, are as regular and as much expected by almost all classes of people in the cities and in the towns and villages of the country, as the Fourth of July, and they are generally well patronized.
The first of these great shows which appeared in this county was announced as "Orton Brothers Egyptian Caravan and Great South American Circus," and exhibited at Blue Earth City, on the 18th day of June of this year.
It proceeded thence to Winnebago City, where it entertained the people the next day. The attendance at both places was quite large.
The blazeing show bills of this institution, posted up for weeks before and studied and canvassed in all their attractions by the boys. employed the gorgeous rhetoric usual in such cases, and read in about the following glowing words:
The most gigantic and magnificent combination of equestrian and artistic talent, with the most interesting and prodigious collec- tion of wonderful animals ever seen on the face of the globe ! !
A colossal canvas confederation ! !
A dazzling and illimitable collection of art,
Animal and arenic splendors ! !
A whole world carnival of super best, free sensations, a mighty miracle of golden glory ! !
Many an aged reader of this brief sketch will call to remem- brance what happiness the coming of a great show gave him in his boyhood's years-how he would lie awake most of the night, pre- ceding the day of the circus, full of imaginations, conjectures and anticipations -- how early he would awake the morning of that great day, and, perhaps, with many others of his age, probably barefooted and without breakfast, as the writer himself did on more than one occasion during his hopeful youth, go out miles on the road to meet the coming show-how the elephants and camels were inspected, how the wagons were viewed and numbered, with what awe and envy the drivers were regarded, and everything noted, and how proudly he marched with the possession to town-then watching the putting
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up of the great tents, and the final culmination of it all, the great exhibition itself. Life as we all know in the country towns and vil- lages, brings but few such genuine, compact masses of real happi- ness to the stout, healthy and active boy, as the great tented show.
Perhaps but few of the readers of this article ever heard the showman's battle cry : "Hey Rube!" "Hey Rube!" "Hey Rube!"
It has been heard, occasionally, of late years, but not often, especially in the northern states. It is a cry of awful import, and 'is never uttered, except in the last extremity, aud then and always, it means, desperate fighting, blood and death. This is the rallying cry of the showmen when they are attacked by roughs and mobs, and there appears no other way than by fighting to protect them- selves and their property.
In the showmans' literature it appears that these desperate en- counters have occurred most frequently in the rough, border towns of the southern states, but they have been known, also, at various places in the North. It is, of course, the interest of showmen to avoid such collisions, and it is seldom, though sometimes, their fault that such fights arise. They are almost always made in self defense, and are often bloody contests.
Such a fight occurred at Jacksonville, Texas, years ago, when twenty-three of the mob were killed and over fifty wounded-at a town in Arkansas where three were killed, many wounded on both sides, and a tent cut to pieces-at Somersett, Ky., where twenty were killed and many injured-at Cartersville, Ga., three roughs were killed-at Plymouth, Ind., where many were wounded. These are but a few of the instances of this character which may be named. All of the old show companies have had some experiences of this kind-the elder Forepaugh, Robinsons, O'Brien, Dan Rice, Coup, Noyes, Barnum and others.
Sitting as a spectator in the grand pavilions of the large com- bined circuses and menageries of these modern days, and contem- plating the scenes-the multitudes of interested people, the wonder- ful exhibitions presented by the trained knights of the sawdust arena, feats of strength, agility of trained muscles, the marvelous leaping, balancing, riding, the dangerous feats of the flying trapeze, all, apparently, setting the laws of nature at defiance, one is amazed at beholding what the trained human being and dumb animals are capable of.
Yet, in some things, improvements might well be made-the clown's jokes are growing old.
The camel stood quietly chewing and contemplating the scenes with lofty contempt, when he might have been heard to say, "The pyramids, the date palm, myself and the clown's jokes, are the only
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things remaining on earth that are really venerable and worthy of respect; all else is modern and worthless."
But, after all, many of the wonderful performances exhibited at these shows, and others far more startling, were performed in their day, by actors who have been dead for nearly two thousand years.
Witnessing these scenes, the mind involuntarily wanders back to the days of ancient Greece and the Olympic games, the jumping, running, boxing, javalin throwing and chariot races, and to the days of the great Roman circuses at Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria and other great towns of the Empire, but especially to the Circus Maximus and the colosseum of old pagan Rome, the capital of the world.
Here tens of thousands assembled on the great show days, to witness the scenes. Seated safely high up, but over or near the stone and iron dens of hundreds of ferocious wild beasts, the spec- tators viewed scenic exhibitions of unprecedented splendor in the vast arena before them; mighty contests of gladiators with each other, or with wild beasts, to the death; the frightful conflicts of great numbers of savage beasts turned into the arena; great feats of horsemanship, acrobatic performances and chariot races, arous- ing the enthusiasm of the multitudes to madness, and perhaps, last of all the exciting scenes of these great shows, came the infernal culminating act, before which the angels in heaven veiled their faces, the martyrdom of Christian men and women, who in those ages of terrible persecutions, would not deny their Lord, and were often driven naked, or rather clothed only in a halo of purity, inno- cence and devotion, or of sanctified manhood and womanhood, into the arena and there kneeling on the bloody sands awaited the death decreed for them. Death by what means, reader? Do you hear the grating and rumbling of the huge iron doors opening not far away, and the howling, roaring, shrieking and be'lowing of the half starved and ferocious wild beasts, as they bound into the arena and in savage eagerness and fury rush to the feast? Now hide your face and muffle your ears, for this scene is not to be witnessed by enlight- ened or Christian men, but only by devils and degraded pagan hu- manity. And when you recall these things do not forget to thank God that you live in an age when such scenes are impossible, an age whose beneficence has been achieved by the blood of the martyrs and the sufferings of the patriots of many centuries.
"THE GLORIOUS FOURTH."
This ever memorable day was celebrated at Blue Earth City. The day was fine and the attendance of the people commendable. Geo. B. Kingsley read the Declaration and Capt. P. B. Davy was the orator of the occasion.
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There was also a grand celebration of the day at Winnebago City. It was estimated that some 1,500 people were present. Here A. C. Dunn was the reader of the Declaration and Prof. E. P. Bart- lett delivered the oration, which was subsequently published in the Homestead.
At the grove of J. Chestnut, in the town of Guthrie, four Sun- day schools, and others numbering in all about four hundred peo- ple, assembled to do honor to the day, and here the Declaration was read by the Rev. Mr. Foss, and addresses were delivered by Jos. Claggett and J. Gleason. Altogether the demonstrations this year were a fitting recognition of the birthday of the best government the world has yet seen, as the orators of the day usually state, a government which has given the greatest amount of happiness and success to the masses of its people, which has given equal advan- tages to the rich and poor, exalted labor, made all proper stations in life honorable and the highest stations attainable to all.
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