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 49
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"The year 1879 will pass into American history as a year of wonderful agri- cultural prosperity. The cotton crop is larger by half a million bales than ever before; the tobacco crop 12,000,000 pounds greater, and the sugar crop exceeds, by some 200,000 hogsheads, all previous yields. These are crops which belong, almost exclusively, to the southern half of the republic. In behalf of the northern states, the excess of products this year over the crops of any previous year is, according to the Chicago Journal of Commerce, 20,000,000 bushels of wheat and from 80,000,000 to 100,000,000 bushels of corn. The hog crop also is larger this year than for a number of years past-if it be not the largest ever raised."
During the period covered by this history, a great and happy change came over the conditions of farm life affecting the greater
476
HISTORY OF
portion of our people, by the introduction of improved farm machin- ery. Twenty-five years ago, the scythe and the grain cradle were still used, to some extent, and the reapers and mowers and plows and threshers, then used, were quite imperfect. When the harvest came, a horde of men had to be employed, at two dollars to three dollars a day, in cash, besides boarding and lodging. To harvest a field of seventy to one hundred acres of small grain was a great work of weeks, which wore out men in the field and tired out women in the house. To-day how different! The farmer gets up on the seat, on his splendid harvester, gathers up the reins, and drives into his field of one hundred acres, his harvester smoothly cutting and binding the grain, and in six or eight days, with the aid of one or two hired hands, the grain is all in the shock, and the usual quiet and comfort has reigned about the dwelling. No extra preparations or labor having been required. The farmer may now, too, use his sulky plow, either single or gang, and turn over more land, and do it better, in a day, than he formerly could in two or three weary days of incessant tramping. With his mower and horse-rake, he can put up more hay in a day, alone, than he could in the old times in two or three days, with the aid of two or three hands. And when the threshing comes, that great work so much dreaded, the great horse power, or the steam thresher, puts in its appearance and makes a holiday work, lasting a few days, of the largest job. The farmer has become master, instead of being, as formerly, the slave of his work.
HUNTLEY.
Sometime during the month of August, another village ap- peared on the map of the county, situated on section seven, in the town of Verona. It is a station on the Southern Minnesota Rail- road, and was named Huntley. This is our seventh village, and will be referred to more fully in another part of this work.
THE TWENTY-FIRST FAIR.
The annual fair of the Agricultural Society was held on the grounds of the society, near Blue Earth City, on the 18th, 19th and 20th days of September. The weather was very fine, the attendance large, the exhibition very creditable, and financially, the fair was a suc- cess. Twenty years previous to this, the first fair was held at Winne- bago City, being the first of the society, and the first in the county. The first and the last were both successes. The principal differ- ences between the two, existed in these facts-that the first was held in a hall and on grounds hired temporarily, the last on per- manently leased grounds, well enclosed, having a permanent race track and buildings belonging to the society. At the last, the at- tendance was much more numerous, and the receipts far greater-a
477
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
great variety of fruits were exhibited, considerable blooded stock and greatly improved machinery appeared.
Something of a new feature in premiums was introduced this year, that of giving as a premium in many cases, a year's subscrip- tion to some leading agricultural journal, as the Prairie Farmer, Rural New Yorker, American Agriculturist, Farmer's Union, and others. The person entitled to a premium could have his choice. This was an excellent idea and should be carried out more fully. Approved books on agricultural subjects, might be added. A premium of one to five dollars in money, soon disappears, while a good paper or book is something of lasting value.
THE BATTLE OF THE BALLOTS.
At the general election of this year, in addition to a number of county officers, a Governor and several other State officers, were to be elected. John S. Pillsbury, was the republican candidate for governor. Edmund Rice, was the democratic, and W. W. Satterlee, the temperance candidates for the same office.
The Republican County Convention was held at Blue Earth City, on the twenty-seventh of September. J. P. West, of Wells, was chairman, and D. F. Goodrich, of Blue Earth City, secretary. The following nominations were made:
Anthony Anderson, for Treasurer.
Allen Cummings, for Sheriff.
J. A. Kiester, for Judge of Probate and Court Commissioner.
B. G. Reynolds, for County Attorney.
J. H. Burmester, for County Commissioner, 3d District.
The Democratic County Convention assembled at Blue Earth City, October the 4th. Capt. P. B. Davy, of Blue Earth City, was elected chairman, and C. H. Radford, of Winnebago City, secretary. after which the following nominations were made:
For Treasurer-Otto Kaupp.
For Sheriff-A. B. Davis.
For County Attorney -M. S. Wilkinson.
For Judge of Probate and Court Commissioner-J. A. Kiester, endorsed.
On the eleventh day of the same month the Greenbackers, more properly named the "Nationals," met at Blue Earth City, in mass convention. A. H. Bullis, of Verona, was made chairman, and C. S. Dunbar, of Foster, secretary. A central county committee was ap- pointed, but no nominations were made. The campaign of this year, in the matter of local offices, was a quiet one. The election was held November 4th. The following table exhibits the vote as officially canvassed.
CANDIDATES.
Kiester.
Seeley.
Rome.
Elmore.
Pilot Grove.
Foster.
Brush Creek.
| Emerald.
B. E. City.
Jo Daviess.
Clark.
Walnut Lake.
Barber.
Prescott.
Verona.
Dunbar.
Minn. Lake.
Lura.
Delavan.
Win'bagoCity
Total,
Majority,
Governor-
J. S. Pillsbury .. . Edmund Rice. .
1
1
6 24
6
1 2
43 4 10
120 92 83
14 36 13
110 61 17
4
10
11
16
126 97 62
1,035 615 300
W. W. Satterlee COUNTY TICKET.
Sheriff-
A. Cummings A. B. Davis.
Treasurer --
12
47
40
38
27
10
26
64
137
22
92
27
18
39
56
21
106
161
1,001
45
A. Anderson Otto Kaupp.
1
9
11
13
26
49
43
23
162
35
96
20
60
39
47
35
100
33
122
956
Attoracy-
6
27
50
17
33
22
60
74
101
18
25
14
50
37
35
39
6%
121
$90
. 79
M. S. Wilkinson.
24
1
28
11
35
8
4
161
30
157
31
26
61
25
26
56
154
968
Judge of Probate - .1. A. Kiester.
13
56
51
51
54
59
70
86
297
188
47
78
101
119
139
1,049
Court Commissioner - J. A. Kiester ...
13
55
51
51
59
70
296
57
188
47
78
101
119
139
263
1,047
Co. Com'r 3d District-
13
55
59
68
1711
15
412
J. 11. Burmaster.
1
49
4.3
45
42
60
79
210
66
29
18
29
51
6 26
24
72
142
1,096 836
260
-1
S
17
10
83
92
118
18
60
43
52
96
17
38
49
21
28 19
1ª
67
120
24
30 15
24 .14 19
39 44
18
5 23 6
1
HO AHOLSIH
B G. Reynolds.
.31
141
10
479
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
DIPHTHERIA.
A passing reference should be made here to the fact that diph- theria, one of the most terrible diseases, prevailed to an alarming extent iu some portions of the county, during this year, and as the statistics of the year will show, many, especially children, died. This disease is epidemic, contagious, and it would seem that it is in certain phases, wholly incurable. The plague which desolated Europe at various times during the past centuries, and known as the "black death," "black tongue," was doubtless, but a virulent or malignant type of this disease. This is not the place to discuss the pathology, or diagnosis, of this terrible disease, nor to mention the remedies used for its cure, but it is well to sound the alarm here- beware! on the breaking out of this pestilence as you would be of the cholera.
A SAD ITEM.
About the sixth of October a terrible prairie fire started up and raged through the county, doing much damage. It had long been very dry, and high winds prevailing from the south, the fires were very fierce, and swept over large areas in a very short time.
THE OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.
On the tenth day of October of this year, which completes the first quarter of a century of the history of our county, the old set- tlers' society of the county was formed. The time had come when this was proper. Some of the first settlers of the county had al- ready passed away and others were growing old. The general pur- poses of the society are expressed in the preamble to the articles of organization, as follows:
We, the old settlers of Faribault county, state of Minnesota, whose names are subscribed to these articles, desiring to form the old settlers of this county into an organized society, to renew and perpetuate old-time friendships; to cul- tivate sociability among us; to promote a friendly interest in each other's wel- fare, and to provide for the annual re-union of the members of the society, do hereby ordain and agree to the following articles of organization and govern- ment.
The society was organized by the election of officers and the adoption of articles of organization and government, as will appear by the copy of the minutes of organization, appended hereto. As the first settler of the county was still living, and in many of the towns, the first settler of the town, was still living, it was a very proper and graceful thing to do, to choose the first settler of the county, Moses Sailor, Esq., the first president and the first known resident settler, of the several towns, vice presidents of the society, at its organization, and to exempt, as was the fact, all of the first board of officers, forever, from the payment of any membership fees, or annual dues. All persons who resided in the State, on, or prior
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HISTORY OF
to the first day of June, 1860, and have lived in this county, at any time six months, are eligible to become members of the society. It was necessary that some year be designated, as the period which should divide the older from the later settlers of the county, for this purpose, otherwise, the society would be but a social club, without any distinctive character. And there is no year in our history, which could so properly be adopted, as 1860. That year was the beginning of a new decade, it was the first year of a national census. in this county, from which it may always be easily determined who were in the county prior to the census. It was a marked and mem- orable year in the history of the county, in that among other things, a great change came over the manners and customs of the times and in the public affairs of the county-a new order of things, so to speak, was instituted. That year was also sufficiently remote, so that the society would not have too numerous a membership, and yet there were enough old settlers who came in prior to June of that year, still residing in the county, to form a sufficiently large society for many years.
In fact many of the old settler's societies in the west, and else- where, are not designed to continue and embrace only a certain definite class, and are so organized that in course of time, they must necessarily, from the death of the particular class, become extinct. And such is a correct idea of an old settlers' society. While pro- vision has been made in the articles of organization of our society, for fixing a later date than June 1st, 1860, when the society chooses so to do, yet many years should pass before such change should be made, and it should never be brought to a later date than June Ist. 1865, which marks the final close of the civil war, and also the close of an important period in our local history. This would also make eligible to membership many resident veterans of the war who could not otherwise be included. We cannot forbear remarking the propriety of old settlers' societies. There are many of them through- out the west, and where instituted and properly conducted are highly appreciated. At these re-unions festivities and rejoicings are the order. Old memories are rehearsed, old social ties and interests re- newed and strengthened, kindly sympathies and feelings are awak- ened, and those who have stumbled or faltered in treading the path- way of life, receive new courage, new hope, to go forward. Those. too, are appropriately remembered, as the years go 'round, who have reached life's journey's end and gone to their final rest.
"Our early days! How often back
We turn-on life's bewildering track,
To where o'er hill and valley plays The sunlight of our early days."
The meetings of the society are to be held annually, in June of each year. Here is a copy of the record of organization.
481
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
"Pursuant to notice given in the several county papers, a number of the old settlers of Faribault county met at the court house, in Blue Earth City, at ten o'clock, a. m., on the twentieth day of October, A. D. 1879, for the purpose of organizing an old settlers' society.
On motion, Lieutenant Governor James B. Wakefield was chosen chair- man, and P. B. Davy, secretary of the meeting.
The chairman briefly stated the object of the meeting.
On motion the chair appointed a committee consisting of J. A. Kiester, Henry Schuler and Otto Kaupp to prepare and report articles of organization and government of the society.
The committee reported the preamble and articles hereto appended, and on motion the same was unanimously adopted.
On motion of Mr. Schuler the meeting proceeded to the election of officers, when the following named persons were unanimously elected vira voce, namely:
For president-Moses Sailor, Esq., of Blue Earth City, the first settler of the county.
For vice presidents-Ebenezer Crosby, of Winnebago City township; Thomas Blair, of Delavan township; Ozias C. Healey, of Lura township, Alvin Barber, of Minnesota Lake township; L. C. Taylor, of Dunbar township; C. R. Lord, of Clark township; Absalom Wilcox, of Walnut Lake township; Andrew Wæsner, of Barber township; George S. Miles, of Prescott township; Henry T. Stoddard, of Verona township; Burton Chute, of Jo Daviess township; Aaron Mudge, of Blue Earth City township; Henry Weber, of Emerald township; James Prior, of Brush Creek township; Abraham Ackerman, of Foster township; Joseph Wing, of Kiester township; Jacob E. Shirk, of Seely township; Ole Nelson, of Rome township; Allen Shultis, of Elmore township: Gilbert MeClure, of Pilot Grove township.
For Secretary-George B. Kingsley, of Blue Earth City.
For Treasurer-William M. Scott, of Blue Earth City.
For Chaplain-Rev. S. L. Rugg, of Seely.
Elective members of executive committee-J. H. Welch, of Winnebago City; P. B. Davy, of Blue Earth City.
Whereupon the chair declared "The Old Settlers' Society of Faribanlt County," duly organized.
The following resolution was then adopted:
Resolved, That the secretary cause to be printed, in convenient form, two hundred copies of the articles of organization and government, and present one copy to each member of the society, on application.
No further business appearing, the meeting adjourned sine die amid many congratulations and pleasant anticipations of happy re-unions hereafter, of the old settlers of Faribault county.
Attest:
J. B. WAKEFIELD, Chairman.
P. B. DAVY, Secretary.
It is the hope of the writer that the society may secure the pur- poses of its institution, be ever prosperous, and that the annual meetings of the society may ever be occasions of great pleasure and profit to all who participate. It will be the duty of the historian of the future to note the annual meetings of the society, and chronicle the events and incidents of its progress. The writer of these pages must be.content with having taken an active part
482
HISTORY OF
in the institution of the society, having called the meeting for organization, and written the rules or regulation for the govern- ment of the society, and having now the pleasure of making an historical record of the event of the organization.
RAILROAD OPENING AND EXCURSION.
The thirtieth day of October, of this year, was a memorable day in the history of this county. On that day occurred the formal open- ing of the new north and south railroad, now completed from Blue Earth City, northward, to a connection at Lake Crystal with the main line of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad. It was deter- mined by the people of Blue Earth City to make this a grand event, and they accomplished it. No locality ever needed a railroad more than Blue Earth City, considering it circumstances, at the time. The people of no locality ever worked longer, or more persistently, or against greater discouragements to secure a road, than did the people of that village, and no people, in view of these and other facts, ever deserved to succeed, more than they. It was but natural that they should rejoice when success crowned their efforts, and that they should desire to signalize the event by some memorable demonstration. We cannot enter into an account of all the details of this event, but may state the general features. A committee of citizens was appointed to take charge of the matter, in connection with the city council. Securing the co-operation of the railroad company, the day was set, and invitations sent out to prominent people all around the country and along the line of the road, to St. Paul, to attend the celebration of this great event. A great dinner was prepared and spread upon two long tables in the new depot build- ing, and was in readiness when the guests arrived. About one o'clock. p.m., amid the thundering of cannon and waving of flags, a long train, bearing hundreds of invited guests, steamed up to the depot. On alighting, the guests were received with a hearty welcome, and con- ducted to seats at the tables. An address of welcome was then given by Capt. P. B. Davy, president of the city council, in well chosen words, which was responded to by Ex. Senator Ramsey. Speeches were also made by Hon. Edmund Rice, Gen.' Sibley. Gen. Bishop, Ex-Senator Wilkinson and Lieut. Governor Wakefield. The day was fine, all the arrangements admirable, and the splendid . programme perfectly carried out.
It was a proud day for Blue Earth City, and the village appre- ciated it fully, and especially the fact of the attendance on the oc- casion, of the many distinguished men, some of national reputation, who came to participate in, and do honor, to the eveut. But it was also an auspicious event for the whole county, even the State, for this line of road, passing, as it does, through the whole length of
483
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
the Blue Earth and Minnesota river valleys, the best portion of Minnesota, to the very heart of the lumber manufacturing regions of the north, and southwest through a great portion of the great valley of the Des Moines, in Iowa, directly penetrating the great coal measures of that state-a line connecting the capitals of these two great states, must, at no distant day, become one of the great trunk lines of the northwest, and transact an immense business.
Finally, it may be justly said, that the completion of this road perfected the fundamental structure of our local railroad system- one road passing through the county from east to west, and one at almost right angles, from north to south, provided for all time to come, egress and ingress, by connecting roads, in every direction.
But the festivities, instituted to signalize the opening of this road, were not yet complete. The railroad company, and the good citizens of Mankato, appointed a free excursion, to take place on the twenty-fifth of November, for all the people of the Blue Earth val- ley, who choose to accept it, and on that day vast numbers of people, along the line of the road, took passage on the trains, and visited Mankato, where they were most hospitably and royally entertained, free of all cost. A great public dinner, given by the city to all vis- itors, was the great feature of the day ..
A REMARKABLE OCTOBER.
The weather of October, 1879, was remarkable. During twenty years, no such an October had been known. The thermometer often, during the month, indicated more than 80° in the shade. The ques- tion was often asked, "Well, is the summer going to last all winter?" The temperature, during the entire month, was much like that of July. In some portions of the country warm showers of rain fell, causing vegetation to take a new start, and wild prairie grass com- menced to grow again, and appeared quite green on sward that had been burned off early. At one place in the State, ripe raspberries were picked on the eighth of October. Even the mosquitoes which had retired for the year, put in an appearance again, and resumed business. One individual who had expended some $300 in advertis- ing a new heating stove, declared that the weather was all out of tune, and simply exasperating.
THE "TIMES," AND OTHER COUNTY PAPERS.
On the eighteenth day of November, the Winnebago City Press, which had been published at that place for about six years, ceased; the office and material having been purchased by the proprietor of the Sun. A new paper named the Winnebago City Times, successor to the Press, appeared December 6th. It was a large, eight column folio; Messrs. Allen & Sherin, editors and proprietors. It was
-
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HISTORY OF
printed on the auxiliary plan. Subscription price $1.50 per annum. This being the closing year of this volume of this history, it may be stated that the newspapers published in the county, at the close of the year, were the Blue Earth City Post, and the Bee, at Blue Earth City, the Winnebago City Times, above named, at Winnebago City. and the Wells Advocate, at Wells.
THE LAST FIGURING UP'.
The statistics for the year are very full and complete, and being the last we shall present, are made up with care. And here, first, are our farm products for the year:
Wheat, 556,696 bushels; oats, 570,523 bushels; corn, 655,647 bushels: barley, 41,14I bushels; rye, 105 bushels; buckwheat, 412 bushels; potatoes, 67,765 bush- els; beans, 176 bushels; sorghum syrup, 19,096 gallons; cultivated hay, 4,066 tons; flax seed, 6,652 bushels; timothy seed, 426 bushels; tobacco, 507 lbs .; butter, pounds produced, 524,080; cheese, pounds produced, 14,250; wool, pounds grown, 56,467.
The writer has no hesitation in saying, that there should be added, as least, thirty per cent to all of the above amounts, to bring the several productions up to what they really were.
Live Stock-Horses, total of all ages, 5,942; cattle, total of all ages, 15,195: sheep, 13,294: hogs, 6,675; milch cows, 6,419.
There should be added, also, to each of these aggregates, twenty per ceut at least.
Miscellaneous-Land surface, acres, 454,723.59; taxable land, acres, 398,240; number of farms, 1,254; cultivated acres, 90,028; taxable valuation, real and personal property, $4,199,612: forest trees, planted this year, 3,029; forest trees planted along highways, rods, 48,365.
Public Schools-Number of school districts, 108; number of school houses, 77; number of scholars enrolled, 4,201.
VITAL.
During the year there were in the county 383 births and 191 deaths. Of the deaths reported, 68 were caused by diphtheria. There were nine deaths of persons between 60 and 70 years of age, seven between 70 and 80, and six between 80 and 90 years of age. There were 125 marriages and but two divorces.
Fruit- Apple trees growing, 38,880: trees bearing, 7,622: bushels pro- duced, 314.
Manufactures (Census of 1880)-Capital employed, $100,200 ; hands em- ployed, 73; Paid in wages, $31,072; value of products, $449,532.
Population (Census of 1880) -Males, 6,875; females, 6,140; total, 13,015. Native born, 9,874; foreign born, 3,141.
CHRISTMAS-DECEMBER 25TH.
The Christmas festival, December 25th, now a legal. holiday re- cognized in the laws of most of the states, was, in this year, 1879. more generally and elaborately observed throughout the whole
485
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
country than it had been for years. This great day of the Christian year is, everywhere, getting to receive its proper recognition. While the Christmas day of this year was, undoubtedly, the mer- riest Christmas ever known in this country, it was, also, in this county, the coldest. The thermometer marked from thirty to forty degrees below zero, and a strong wind blew, the whole day; but these facts did not interfere, materially, with the festivities of the occasion. Long ago, Sir Walter Scott sang:
"Heap on more wood-the wind is chill, But let it whistle as it will, We'll keep our Christmas merry, still."
But Christmas time is not limited to one day-it embraces a number of days, and the period is known as Christmas tide, or a series of holidays, often named the Christmas holidays, of which Christmas is the great day. This period, or Christmas tide, com- mences, in most countries. as in our own, on Christmas eve, or the evening of the day before Christmas day, and extended, in former times. to the Epiphany, January 6th, thus including New Year's day. This great day is usually preceded by a week, or two, of bright an- ticipations and busy preparations for the time. And we are happy to record the fact, that this sacred, festive day and period, has been observed every recurring year, in some manner, in this county from its first settlement.
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