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 44
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 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Well, indeed, may we celebrate this day with music, festivities and rejoicing, in the grove and in the temple, on the land and on the sea. And the voices of the long past come to us and admonish us not to forget it. Do you hear them? Hark! Floating on the mists of the long gone years there comes to us, the tones of a far off bell. Listen! It is the bell on old Independence Hall, on the Fourth of July, 1776, proclaiming liberty to all the land and all the inhabitants thereof. Then ring, ring the bells on this day, over all the nation, long and loud. Fire your cannons from every hill top, they are but the echoes of the storm and thunder of battles, in which, long years ago, our forefathers shed there blood like water, that they and we might be free, and have a home and country. Yes, unfurl on this day the brave old flag-wreathe it about your door-posts, let it wave
.
428
HISTORY OF
from every housetop, let it head every procession, for in hundreds of battles, ou land and sea, the soldiers of the Republic have followed it to victory.
"Flag of the brave thy folds shall fly, The sign of hope and triumph high!"
And we shall not forget it. So long as our people celebrate this day in spirit and in truth, so long our people shall be free, and he wears the visage of a traitor to his country and mankind, or wags the tongue of an idiot, who seeks to belittle the day, or mali- ciously ridicules its commemoration. As every passing year brings round the day, let it be remembered. It is the patriots' day, the children's day, observe it somehow, in the picnic, the excursion. the quiet walk in the fields, even in the retreat to the shady grove. Had it no other significance, it is the peoples great secular holiday. when neighbors and friends from far and near meet for a good time-for recreation-to renew old friendships, to make new ones, and to cultivate sociability. But best of all is the old fashioned Fourth of July celebration. Let the procession be formed and the marshals ride to and fro, let the bands crash and the drums beat. Let the old Declaration be read, that the young be instructed in its truths, and the old forget them not. Let the orator raise his voice and soar aloft, if he chooses, on the wings of the eagle, full of glorification over the past and proud prophecies of the future. What if his rhetoric is a little florid and his eloquence turgid. Who has a bet- ter right to boast than we? And the old songs must be sung, "Yankeedoodle," "Hail Columbia Happy Land." and the "Star Spangled Banner." And let us have the sky rockets and the fire crackers, the lemonade and the ice cream and peanuts. Ring the bells, fire the guns, wave the flags! What matters the noise and bustle, the heat and dust on such a day as this. This is the age of steam and electricity, of iron, of great projects, of giant pow- der and grand achievements, and these loud demonstrations ex- press the genius of the nation and the spirit of the age. Under all these noisey manifestations lies the broad, deep meaning -- the rejoicing of the freest, most generous and most progressive people on earth, in the deeds of their forefathers and their own success, in popular government.
Let us turn from the past to the future. The first century of our national existence is now complete. Whatever the century was, the record is made up, and must remain forever, and. while there are a few, a very few, shadows resting upon the fair pages, yet, as we have seen, no other nation of the past, or present, can boast of such a century of existence. What of the future? We now enter upon the second century of our national life, and the only assurance of the future lies in avoiding the rocks on which other nations have
429
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
split and gone down. A word will be pardoned here, as to the fu- ture of our beloved country, and we may speak not simply as a moralist, but as a citizen. As we read the history of the nations that have arisen and reigned and fell; as we scan the conditions of nations existing to day, we learn first of all the two great causes of human misery, and national misfortune-ignorance and wickedness. This is the plain truth of all history, all observation. Remember- ing the thought and some of the language of one long since dead, we may bid you, if an inquirer for the proof of this assertion .- Com- mence your travel at the beginning of the highway of the ages, ascend to the summit of the last mountain that looms above the deluge, and looking down upon the lost nations of a drowned world, inquire the cause of the universal desolation, and the voice of the mighty waters will answer-ignorance and wickedness. Descend the stream of time, through all the generations that have lived and died, and as you pass the wrecks of a thousand empires, with the relics of their altars and dead gods around them, ask the cause of their ruin, and their mournful requiem answers-ignorance and wickedness.
Look over the earth. Why are prostrate millions worshiping stars and wood and worms? Why are despots crushing out the hearts of weeping millions? Why is war devouring whole king- doms at a meal, and illumining the world with lakes of blood, and cities on fire? Why does intemperance fill the world with widows and orphans, and stock the land with drunkards graves? Why do falsehood and fraud and theft and murder pour their poison streams throughout the earth? Because of ignorance and wickedness.
It was long ago said that the safety of Republics rests in the intel- ligence and virtue of the people, not, certainly, in their ignorance and wickedness. Herein there lies the best assurance of the future. Let us learn, and learn well, what we can of true knowledge our- selves, and especially let us educate our children. If we can give them no other inheritance, let us give them the best of all endow- ments-a liberal education, that education which unchains the fac- ulties, liberates, informs and strengthens the mind.
To this end let us ever guard well and constantly improve our free schools and public systems of education, and encourage the higher institutions of learning. And we must permit no sophistries. no craft, or threats to beguile us. We must cherish them as the apple of the eye. We must, too maintain a free press, and never allow any censorship to clog its utterance of truth. But this is not all, intellectual culture will not suffice. Intellectual power and im- morality are worse than ignorance and wickedness. We must have also, moral training, and this is the chiefest interest. We must lay broad and deep the principles of morality and religion. Let us impress it indelibly upon the minds of the young, and by our
430
HISTORY OF
personal example enforce the truth, that there is no safety, no as- surance of individual happiness, or of national stability and true glory, but in the maintenance of the laws of right, the practice of justice and the acknowledgment and recognition of God and His laws. A full and complete intellectual development, combined with sound moral principles and practices, constitutes the only true edu- cation. It is this that makes the man-the man that is made in the image of God-great, true, strong. of high and honorable mind, of noble impulses and generous heart. "the considerate husband, the indulgent, judicious parent, the true friend, the wise counsellor" and the lover and protector of his country, and the pure, patient, wise, tender, loving woman, fit to be the mother of freemen and the instructor of American youth.
Ever acknowledging God, in whose hands are the destinies of all people, and that it is righteousness that exalts a nation, let us cherish a deep and abiding love for our country, glorious in its his- tory and achievements, grander still in the destinies that await it. Let the children of the Republic be taught, that next to God and home and honor, and as inseparably entwined with them, to love their country, its laws and institutions, then in the days of its peril its defenders will be many and invincible, and we shall transmit our political blessings to the latest posterity, as we received them from our fathers, the noblest inheritance of man. And now with these assurances, what a destiny awaits thee, Oh! beloved land? We look through the veils that hide the future to the close of this second century.
"Behold the unsealed vision, To this glorious prospect rise."
Prond old Babylon-Medo-Persia-Grecia, Rome, What were your glories of universal empire here : Sesostris, Alexander, Cæsar, Constantine,
Charlemagne, Napoleon, how weak your wildest dreams of universal rule!
Behold here! an empire embracing a continent-more than two hundred millions of people, free, united, brave, generous and just, masters of all arts, learned in all sciences, practiced in all virtues- the arbiters of the world's destinies-the chosen people of God.
"Columbia ! Columbia ! to glory arise, The queen of the world, the child of the skies, Thy genius commands thee, with rapture behold, As ages on ages thy glories unfold."
SECURING THE CEREALS.
The harvest weather was very favorable and the crops were secured in good husbandlike manner. All the crops were fairly abundant, except that of wheat, which was hardly a two thirds yield. Throughout the State, the crop of wheat was called a failure. There
431
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
were three causes which led to the reduced aggregate production in the State, all three of which had their influences in this county -- heat, drouth and the locusts. These causes also effected other crops to a considerable extent.
The summer was very warm and in some localities quite dry. More people, especially in the cities, lost their lives by sun-stroke, than had ever before been known in a summer, and many children, in the large cities, died of the great heat. Haying, after harvest, was much interfered with by the rains, and much poor hay was put up.
FRUITS.
All kinds of tame and wild fruits were, as in the preceding year, very abundant. There were probably more apples raised in the county this year thau ever before. Thus it is that while condi- tions are favorable on one hand, they are deleterious on the other, and the general equilibrium of years is kept up. But what was there to make up for locust depredations?
THE SCOURGE.
On the eighteenth day of August, that terrible scourge, the grasshoppers visited this county again, lighting down in myriads. They came ou a northwest wind, and spread over a large part of the county. They had already, immediately before reaching us, this year, invaded the whole west half of the State, and laid their eggs. They did but little damage to crops in this county during this year, but their presence here, the fact that they had laid their eggs here. and the doleful prospects for the next year, seriously affected busi- ness of all kinds, and much discouraged the people.
After depositing their eggs, vast numbers of the grasshoppers arose, and left about the twenty fifth day of the month.
In consequence of the presence of the grasshoppers and the vast deposit of eggs and the general wish of the people that some public action should be taken to protect the country, if possible, from their ravages, a number of public meetings were held in vari- ous localities. During the early part of September, a grasshopper convention (not a convention of grasshoppers for they had already met), assembled in the town of Verona, to consider the situation. Resolutions were adopted in relation to the best methods of fighting the "hoppers," and an organization affected. The farmers, also, of . the towns of Lura, Barber, Walnut Lake and Minnesota Lake, met at Easton, and formed a grasshopper club, and adopted certain reso- lutions, not exactly against the grasshoppers, but as to the most feasible methods of destroying them.
And on the nineteenth day of September, the board of county commissioners met in special session and took action in relation to
432
HISTORY OF
this subject. They offered a reward of fifty dollars for the arrest and conviction of any one who should fire the prairies, in violation of the statute laws. They also appropriated the sum of three hundred dollars to defray the expense of making fire-breaks around the couuty, on or near, the county lines, in order to prevent prairie fires in the adjoining territory, from running into the county. The man- ner of making these fire-breaks was that of plowing, or mowing, two strips of land, not less than six rods apart and burning the grass between. They also recommended that no fires be set out in the county, and that all the straw and waste hay be saved to be strewn on grounds where the locusts had deposited their eggs. Now what had all this to do with the grasshoppers? Well this, it was the de- sign that after the pests had hatched out in the spring and were young and still unable to fly, to burn over the prairies and other lands where the pests should appear, and thus destroy them.
THE NORTHFIELD TRAGEDY.
In the early part of September, great excitement existed throughout the State, in consequence of an attempt made by certain outlaws-the Younger brothers and others-to rob the bank in that place. Few crimes, probably, ever created more excitement than this, and there are but few instances of greater bravery known than that exhibited by the small company of men who secured the out- laws. A number of the citizens of this county went in pursuit of the robbers on the grand hunt, and for several nights guards were stationed at the bridges on the main stream of the Blue Earth river, and several other places, in the county, to intercept the fleeing murderers should they pass this way.
The Younger brothers-three of them-were finally caught, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the State prison for life.
NOW TAKE YOUR CHOICE OF TICKETS.
The political campaign of this year was a long and exciting one, both nationally aud locally.
Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, for President, and William A. Wheeler, of New York, for Vice President, were the Republican can- didates, and Samuel J. Tilden, of New York and Thomas A. Hend- ricks, of Indiana, were the Democratic candidates for President and Vice President.
Peter Cooper, of New York, for President, and Samuel F. Cary, of Ohio, for Vice President, were the candidates of the Greenback Party .
A congressman for this district was also to beelected, and Mark H. Dunnell, of Steel county was nominated by the Republicans, and E. C. Stacy, of Freeborn county. by the Democrats.
433
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Let us now turn to our county politics. The Republican County Convention was held at Blue Earth City, on the thirtieth day of September. Geo. W. Plumley, of Wells, was chosen chairman, and B. G. Reynolds, of Winnebago City, secretary. The following nomina- tions were made:
For Representatives-S. P. Childs, of Blue Earth City, and An- drew C. Dunn, of Winnebago City.
For Auditor -- W. W. White.
For Register of Deeds -- F. P. Brown.
For Clerk of Court -- H. J. Neal.
For Superintendent of Schools -J. A. Dean.
For Surveyor -- E. S. Leavitt.
For Coroner-A. B. Balcom.
For County Commissioner 3d District -- J. R. Sisson.
The Democratic County Convention was held at Blue Earth City, October 7th, but adjourned sine die, without making any nomi- nations, but ou the fourteenth of the same month a People's Con- vention was held at Blue Earth City, for the purpose of placing candidates in the field. D. P. Wasgatt. of Winnebago City, was elected chairman, and H. E. Mayhew, of Delavan, secretary, of this meeting, whereupon the following nominations were made:
H. H. Gilman, of Winnebago City. and L. W. Brown, of Pres- cott. were named as candidates for Representatives.
Arthur Bonwell, for Auditor.
Frank Lent, for Register of Deeds.
Wesley Hill, for Clerk of Court.
Richard W. Richards, for Superintendent of Schools.
Geo. A. Weir, for Surveyor.
A. S. Mygatt, for Coroner.
Robert Andrews, for County Commissioner 3d District.
Several resolutions on reductions of official salaries and other subjects relating to retrenchment and reform, were adopted.
This presidential campaign and election was a peculiar and ex- asperating one, in many respects, and owing to the close, in fact, uncertain electoral vote, the excitement and bitterness was con- tinued into the next year, when the question as to who was elected, was finally determined in a novel manner.
In the local campaign, the canvassing of the county was quite lively, and public meetings were held in almost all the towns, by the republican legislative candidates.
The final results will be found in the following table of votes for the several candidates.
For Presidential Electors: Hayes, 1,591; Tilden, 605.
For Congressman: Dunnell, 1,532; Stacy, 727.
434
HISTORY OF
For Representatives: Child, 1,585; Dunn, 897; Gilman, 1,365 Brown, 583.
For Auditor: White, 1,432; Bonwell, 820.
For Commissioner 3d District, Sisson was elected.
For Superintendent of Schools: Dean, 792; Richards, 1.159. For Clerk of Court: Neal, 2,241.
For Register: Brown, 1,893; Lent, 353.
For Surveyor: Leavitt, 1,168; Weir, 1.062.
For Coroner: Balcom, 1,215; Robertson, 491; Mygatt, 521.
WELL SAID.
"An excellent as well as witty reproof, which might be applicable to some politicians even in these enlightened days, is accredited to the celebrated Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
"When his son, Thomas Sheridan, was a candidate for an office of a Cornish borough, he told his father that if he secured the office he had a mind to place a label on his forehead with the words 'To Let' printed on it, and side with the party which made the best offer.
" "Very well, Tom,' replied his father dryly, 'but if you do that, don't forget to add the word 'unfurnished.' "
AGRICULTURE AND FINANCES.
The annual fair of the agricultural society was held at Blue Earth City on the 12th and 13th days of October. For various rea- sons it proved almost a failure. The crops were short, money scarce. the outlook for the coming year, gloomy.
The fair of the Blue Earth Valley Blooded Stock Association, held at Winnebago City on the 18th, 19th and 20th of the same month, was also a failure, for the reasons given above, and the ad- ditional one of bad weather.
Toward the close of the year, the financial condition of the people began to improve, somewhat, in this county. There was not so much borrowing of money and mortgaging, as formerly, and farmers began to turn their attention, more, to stock raising.
The sales of cattle and hogs began to yield considerable returns, and wheat, late in the year, brought a dollar per bushel, and was still higher after New Years.
Thus the benefits of diversified farming became apparent, and the result was the inauguration of a new era too long delayed in this county.
A FOX HUNT.
On Saturday, November 11th, the first English fox hunt which probably had ever occurred in this State, took place in Martin county, adjoining this on the west, and attracted much attention. A number of the citizens of this county attended and took part in the hunt. It proved quite a success, and afforded a great deal of sport.
435
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
It was inaugurated by the English residents of that county who desired to see and enjoy one of the great recreations of "Merrie Old England," in this new land.
A NEW BOOK.
In December of this year a small book appeared, bearing the title "Politicians and other poems." by H. W. H., of which the Pion. eer Press says:
"These initals in the title stand for Hon. Henry W. Holley, of Winnebago City, in this State, who is better known to the public as an editor, legislator, civil engineer and railroad superintendent, than as a poet, though his produc- tions have frequently appeared in the local press of the State, and have found many admirers. 'Politicians and other Poems,' is an elegant volumn of 126 pages, dedicated 'to Hon. William Windom, United States Senator from Min- nesota, whose public life stands in marked contrast to all that is satarized in these pages.' The title poem is now printed for the first time, and we are sure that all who know the author will be impatient to read this splendid satire on the political tricksters of the day. It is full of vivacity, wit, humor and sar- casm, and yet not palpably personal-that is, not intended to strike a blow at any particular individual. The minor poems, seventeen in number, are equally meritorious, and the volume as a whole, will not only enhance the author's rep- utation at home, but should give him rank among the poets of the nation, not below that enjoyed by Saxe, whose style is not dissimilar to Mr. Holley's.
Mr. Holley has the honor of being the first resident of this county, who had written and published a book.
He was the author also of another small volume of poems, en- titled " Moods and Emotions," published in 1855, and also a small pamphlet entitled "What I Think"-A Satire, published is 1859.
Henry Whitcomb Holley, was born at Pierrepont Manor, Jeffer- son county, New York on the fifth of May, 1828. He received his education at Union Academy, Belleville, in his native county and at Norwich University. Vermont, a college for engineers, from which latter institution he graduated in 1849. He spent seven years as a civil engineer on railroads, soon after his graduation. He was mar- ried to Miss Eliza J. Christie, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, November 5th, 1855. They have had six children, all of whom are living, but one.
In 1856 Mr. Holley settled in Minnesota, locating at Chatfield, Fillmore county. For several years he edited the Chatfield "Repub- lican," quite an influential paper in the politics of the State at the time.
He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1857, and represented the ninth district, in the senate in the second, and the fourteenth district in the third legislature of the State. In 1861 he was appointed receiver at the United States Land Office, and came to this county, locating at Winnebago City, the seat of the land office, where he has ever since resided. He held this office eight years. He was one of the incorporators of the Southern Minnesota Railroad
.
436
HISTORY OF
Company, and in 1865 became the chief engineer of the road. He was connected with the road until 1874, being, during the last four years, general manager and superintendent.
Ifc became a republican at the formation of the party and still adheres to it. For a time since his residence in this county, he was the editor of the "Free Homestead," published at Winnebago City.
He is. one of the largest farmers in the county, and one of the most successful. Though taking a great interest in politics in early life, he has of late years paid but little attention to the subject, ex- cept to keep well informed as to the political events of the time, and to vote.
For manyyears Mr. Holley has devoted much of his spare time to literary pursuits. We have taken the liberty, during the course of this history, to quote frequently from his writings, and always with advantage to our work.
Since the above brief sketch was written, Mr. Holley removed to the state of Washington.
437
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
CHAPTER XXIII.
A. D. 1877.
The first leading event of this year, and one which called to- gether a large number of the people, was the winter term of the district court. It was appropriate enough that the year should be- giu with the work of our highest local judicial tribunal, in the appli- cation of the principles of justice, to the settlement of the disputes and difficulties of the people. The court began its session January 2d-Hon. D. A. Dickinson, presiding. There was but one criminal case on the calendar. The civil cases numbered thirty-three. The term lasted but three days. There were no cases of special public interest. It may as well be added here, that the June term of the court commenced its session on the fifth day of the month-Hon. D. A. Dickinson, presiding, and the term lasted six days. The civil calendar noted thirty five cases, the criminal calendar not one, and no grand jury was called to sit on the grand inquest, at this term, a very unusual circumstance. The absence, too, of criminal business, was an encouraging sign of the times. But it was not so everywhere.
In many localities great destitution and suffering existed, and strikes, riots, mobs, bloodshed, and the perpetration of many crimes prevailed to a large extent.
THE COUNTY'S GUARDIANS.
During this year the commissioners held seven meetings. They assembled January 2d, March 6th, March 15th, April 23d, July 16th, October 2d, and November 8th. At the January meeting, the board organized by electing F. W. Temple, chairman for the year. There was no business transacted during the year, out of the ordinary course, except the action taken at the April meeting, which is noted hereafter. It may be named, however, that a large amount of money was again appropriated, during the year, for the building of bridges.
THE LAWGIVERS.
The nineteenth state legislature assembled at St. Paul, January 2d, and adjourned March 2d. This county was well represented in that august body, at this session.
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.