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 8
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73
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Spirit Lake and Springfield, all the settlers there, but four women, who were taken prisoners. All the other women were outraged and killed. Messrs. Grangers say that the Indians are prowling all along the frontier, in small bands, and that we must keep the closest watch. These men reside in Red Wing, and being interested in the Spirit Lake settlement, when they heard of the massacre went there at once. After a brief rest they proceeded on their way to Red Wing. This news being reliable, the people are much alarmed and it seems reasonably so. The officers say that there will be two guards on each beat placed out to-night. Why have there been no troops sent on to the frontier?
April 17th, 9 A. M. Last night we had the windows strongly barricaded and guns loaded and placed around the walls, ready for instant use. I was on guard but once last night. I tried during the night to get some sleep on the floor by the stove, and some others tried the same experiment. It was chiefly a failure. There was an incessant howling of dogs all night, crying of childen up stairs, ceaseless jabbering and punching of the fires. Was there ever such a bedlam outside of a mad house ? But I cannot blame the people much; I am beginning to feel a little ugly myself.
3 P. M. Dow has just returned from Mankato. IIe says many of the set- tlers are leaving the country. Some few have decided to stay and are forting up at various places along the river. Quite a number are forted up at Winne- bago City and at Stoddard's. He says that at Mankato and other places many say they believe there will be a general attack by the Indians all along the frontier and they are preparing for it. Two persons just arrived from Walnut Lake. They say that they saw a number of Winnebagoes near the lake, who were returning to their reservation and who informed them that the Sioux were coming in four days. Tomorrow will be the fourth day.
7 P. M. This evening a few of those who had fled to Iowa returned having found secure places for their families there and they have come back to render what assistance they can and to look after their effects. They report a terrible time of suffering-frozen hands and feet, starvation and fright.
Capt. Gillit announces that the provisions are about out. I thought they were about out for some time past. Kingsley thinks "Hank" ought to give us some deduction on the price of board, as he and I are the only regular cash boarders and the others all get their frozen potatoes, barley coffe and johnny cake for nothing.
April 18th, 7 P. M. This was a cold stormy day. Scott to-day brought in a sack of white flour, some good potatoes and some other articles of food, which he has kept hid somewhere until to-day. Hank told us privately, that we should have a good dinner and we had. To-day the case of Adams vs. Ahrens was tried before Geo. B. Kingsley, justice of the peace. J. A. Kiester appeared for the plaintiff and one Haggin for the defendent. Judgment was rendered for the plaintiff. Wakefield, Amicus Curiae, assisted the court in settling points of law. It was a queer time and place for a law suit. Quite a large number of spectators were present and considerable interest was mani- fested in the matter. I am informed that this is the first law suit which has ever occurred in the county. If the savages desolate the country, it may also be the last for some years at least.
April 19th, Sunday evening 6 P. M. I was on guard twice last night, but got some sleep near morning. The people here are wearied out and they rested quietly all day until evening, when now the excitement is as great as ever. Several persons who have to-day been out in the country, have returned and report having seen, about eight miles out, six Indians, who fired upon them, but fortunately they had not been hit. They made all haste to get in and be- lieve the red devils are coming. The people are gathering in and are much
74
HISTORY OF
alarmed. I must say it looks much as though the hour had come. Must these fair and fertile lands and new homes be given up to savage occupancy?
April 20th, A. M. Noguards were placed out last night. as it was thought too risky. I have thought all along that the guards were of little use In case of an attack. Soon after dark last evening, a meeting was called for consulta- tion and after an immense amount of jangling, it was concluded to send the women and childen away in the morning. under a strong guard, unless indeed we should be attacked during the night. But no Indians have appeared yet.
12 M. Great division and dissatisfaction exists among the people. Some talk of risking the possible danger and leave the country. Others want to remain. What is best to be done is' the question. We cannot forever remain here forted up. It will wholly ruin three fourths of our people to remove. Many are very poor and have large families and all have spent their ready means in living during the winter and in getting ready to do something this spring and summer. Where shall they go to, and exposed as they shall be on the roads may they not be attacked and killed. It was concluded impracticable to send the women and children away, as talked last night.
9 P. M. This afternoon about a dozen of the farmers concluded to return to their lands with their families, take the risk of whatever danger there may be and go to work. They decided that this is the best of the only two practic- able ways, either all leave the country, or all remain and put in their erops and raise something to live on. But they returned to their homes very reluctantly and with many fears. They are not to be blamed. There are many difficult questions connected with the situation just now, which no one can solve. The Indians may, or may not be, very near us. We have no definite knowledge on any point upon which we can act. In an hour from now the demoniac war-hoop of the savages may be heard. There is nothing to prevent their coming. There are still some fifteen men here in the fort and we could show a pretty strong resistance to an attack, but how would it be with those who have gone to their homes?
April 21st, 6 P. M. All retired to rest last night at a late hour and put out no watch. All claim that they slept soundly and perhaps safely and to-day was spent lounging about in the easiest places we could find. Oh the wearing suspense. If we could only learn something definite.
April 22d, 10 A. M. Slept well last night. Quite a number of people leav- ing this morning and others are talking of going. There are many contrary opinions. Some say there are no assurances of any degree of safety here. The people are all scattered now, and we have no protection and the very silence and comparative quiet which now exists, may be like the calm before a storm. One man with a very large family of children, all small, begs with tears that the younger men will not go away. He says he cannot go-has no money, no conveyance and no place to go to. There are many others in equally poor cir- cumstances. These people cannot be deserted and most of those who talked of going, say they will stay. Is the government doing nothing? It has always been too slow in protecting the western frontiers.
4 P. M. Just received news from the north of a reliable character that the Indians are now not near us and that the United States troops are on the way to the west and northwest of us to be there stationed for the protection of the country. This is indeed good news Several persons start out into the country to carry the glad tidings to the people. Some of those who left this morning. having heard the good news on the way, returned this evening. The confidence of the people much restored and a quiet joy beams from every face. God bless the good old government, after all. Thus ends, for the present at least, this mean, fearful, bloodless, dirty, hungry, cold and wretched Indian excitement, the first in the history of the county and I hope the last.
75
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
Alas ! how futile this hope. Had the writer of the Journal possessed the power of the seer, to know the future, he might have seen in his visions, the red specter of an infuriated demon, brand- ishing a tomahawk dripping in blood, prophetic of a coming day, not long delayed, of death and desolation. But it should not be thought that the people felt entirely secure-far from it. Nothing but stern necessity drove them to their homes and kept them there. Much the same dread and fearful apprehensions were upon all for many months, notwithstanding the troops were now in the country. The barking of a dog in the silent hours of the night, unusual noises borne upon the winds, the light of fires reflected in the midnight sky, unusual delay in the return of the absent, the reports of gun firing in the distance, unusual stillness, even the peculiar whistling of the wind around the log cabin, the calling of birds, or the dismal howl of the wolf, created uneasiness with the nervous, lonely settler on the frontier, and not without reason, for often in the traditions of the border, these things proved to be the omens of death, for the Indian is a silent, sudden, crafty and cruel foe, whose artifices and cunning few can match. Much the same experiences were had, during the Indian excitement at Winnebago City and one or two other places, as those detailed at Blue Earth City.
STEAM SAW MILLS.
During the spring of this year, a steam saw mill was erected at Winnebago City, being the first one in the county, and about the middle of June another was erected and put in operation at Blue Earth City. The starting of these mills was an important event in the business affairs and prosperity of the county. Prior to the erection of these mills building was almost impossible, as lumber could only be had at great expense. Only log houses had been built before, but now frame dwellings could be erected. Each of these mills could turn out lumber at the rate of about 2,500 to 3,000 feet per day. An average of about forty dollars per thousand feet was charged. The effects were soon apparent, especially in the villages. New houses were built, log houses repaired, fences put up, and these signs of improvement greatly encouraged the people. These mills were the first manufacturing establishments in the county. The proprietor of a saw mill in those days, was deemed a "great man" and a power in the land. But we have long since ceased to use native lumber. As railroads were built it became convenient to get pine. The old mills long ago disappeared and so also have the original mill proprietors.
70
HISTORY OF
WEATHER AND CROPS.
The spring of this year was late and cold. Cold weather and high winds continuing until about the middle of May. It was the latest and coldest spring which has yet been known here. The ground did not become fit for seeding until near the last of May. A little seeding, however, was done on the higher grounds as early as April 27th. Some remnants of the deep snow drifts of the winter. were seen as late as the fourth day of July, on the north side of the river bluffs, in the timber, near Blue Earth City. Yet vegetation never obtained a ranker, or more rapid growth, than it did in that year, and the crops in Minnesota were very abundant for the area cultivated. As there was yet but little land under cultivation, the erops in this county were merely nominal.
PRICES.
It may be of interest to some to know the prices current of staple articles at this time. Flour was $4.50 and corn meal $3.00 per hun dred; corn $1.00 and potatoes 75 cents per bushel; butter 30 cents, salt pork 25 cents, tea $1.00, sugar 18 cents, coffee 25 cents. chewing tobacco $1.00. smoking tobacco 60 cents each per pound: sheeting 18 cents per yard: whisky 30 cents and brandy 75 cents per pint and pint flasks 15 cents each.
For prices current in the earlier years of the county, the writer is indebted to the account books of Mr. Isreal S. Mead, who was engaged in mercantile pursuits during a number of those years.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Under the Enabling Act above referred to. a Constitutional Con- vention to consist of one hundred and eight members (each Council district to elect two for each Councilman and Representative. to which it was entitled). was authorized to meet at the Capital on the second Monday of July. to frame a State Constitution and submit the same to the people of the Territory. The election for members was held on the first Monday of June.
On the 13th day of July. the delegates met, but owing to a dis- agreement as to the hour of meeting, the Republican members met and organized one body and the Democratic members also organ- ized separately. Each of these bodies claiming to be the legal Con- stitutional Convention, proceeded with the work of forming an in- strument to be submitted to the people. After some days an under- standing was effected between them and by means of committes of conference the same Constitution was framed and adopted by both bodies. On being submitted to the people at the general election October 13th, it was ratified.
77
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
NEW APPORTIONMENT.
The Constitutional Convention redistricted the Territory for Legislative purposes, by which action the counties of Faribault and Freeborn were constituted the Fourteenth Senatorial district and was entitled to one senator and three representatives.
INDIANS AGAIN.
About the middle of July, the frontier settlements were again agitated and put in great fear by rumors afloat on the borders, that the Indians were preparing for another attack on the white settlers. Government had failed as yet to punish the Spirit Lake murderers and the Indians generally of the north-west had grown insolent and made many threats. On the 20th, a meeting was called of the peo- ple of Blue Earth City and vicinity, to effect some sort of military organization. A company was formed, of which James Decker was elected captain, J. A. Kiester, first lieutenant and H. P. Constans, second lieutenant, and it was determined to build a large block house, for a fort. . The company roll and subscription list of work and money for the block house, are still in the hands of the writer. Arms and ammunition were to be procured from the Governor, but the arms never came and the fort was not built, and in a few days the excitement died out, to be renewed again about the 9th of Aug- ust. On that day several settlers who resided at Chain Lakes, ar- rived at Blue Earth City and reported that the Indians were about the Lakes and that one Indian and one white man-a Mr. Britt-had been shot and the people there wanted assistance. The people at the lakes had built a fort of logs and named it Fort Britt. It was a building of six sides, each side being twenty feet long. It was one story high and had a battlement around the top six feet high, which projected over the lower story all around, some six feet. It had re- quired a great deal of labor and has quite a strong and commodious fortification. As requested, a small company on horseback went from Blue Earth City to the Fort where they found most of the people gathered and much . alarmed. It appeared that Mr. Britt, who had been down in the timber several days previous. had been shot at by one of a company of Indians and slightly wounded, and hè returned the fire and probably killed the Indian, as he was seen to fall when the others fled, and Mr. Britt hurried home. The company scoured the woods and the country about the lakes, but found no Indians and they returned home next day just as well satis- fied as though they had got into a fight and been scalped. These rumors and excitements occurred at intervals during the whole year and kept the people in a state of constant anxiety and dread.
To be attacked and defeated by a civilized foe, is bad enough, but to be beaten by these Indian savages and suffer the horrible
HISTORY OF
atrocities of maiming and torturing, which they usually inflict upon their victims, is quite another thing, and it is not a matter of surprise that when apparently well founded rumors that the savages were coming, reached the people of the frontier, seattered and unpro- tected, that the cheeks of strong men turned pale, and women grew wild with terror. And he is much of a braggart and more of a cow- ard, who would affect to sneer at or ridicule the alarm of the people under such circumstances.
THE FINANCIAL PANIC.
Probably the most extraordinary, violent and destructive finan- cial panic ever known in America occurred in this year. The times for some years preceding the panic were characterized by the great amount of debts of individuals and corporations and almost incredible extravagance and wild speculations. Cities, corpora- tions, banks and individuals, were drained of money to construct unproductive railroads, or to invest in western land speculations. The whole western country, especially the territories, was swarm- ing with land speculators, dealing in wild lands, paper cities and great schemes of improvement. Lands and lots were sold often at fabulous prices. Great railroad lines were projected, companies formed and stock sold. These operations with others of a similar character, made money scarce everywhere where it was properly needed and diverted thousands of men and millions of capital from legitimate and productive business. The inevitable result came. the great bubble suddenly collapsed. The Ohio Life and Trust Company, an immense moneyed institution, led off sometime in August in the failures. Then followed the banks, companies, cor- porations and individuals, all going down in bankruptcy and ruin. In the graphic words of a writer on the subject "all over the land. east, west, north, south, the dark days of fear, alarm and ruin settled down upon the people and panic raged like a pestilence." The excitement became terrible. Crowds of depositors and others interested, rushed upon the banks and other institutions demanding their dues, and mobs gathered in the streets of the cities. Thous. ands of men accounted rich became beggars. Almost all the great industries ceased and tens of thousands of laboring men were turned out of employment. Bank paper became worthless and gold and silver exceedingly scaree. After raging some months the panic be- gan to subside and financial affairs to right themselves. But untold ruin had been wrought and the country did not recover from its effects, for years. Minnesota was of course in the maelstrom with the rest of the nation. In this county, then so sparcely settled and the money being mainly gold and silver, the great panic was not so suddenly and disastrously manifest, but it had its effects in a year
79
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
or two after, as will be presently seen. But the rumbling of the thunder in the distance was distinctly heard here.
THE FIRST CENSUS.
The Enabling Act authorized the taking of a census, or enum- eration of the inhabitants of the Territory for the purpose of deter- mining the number of members of Congress the proposed State would be entitled to on admission into the Union.
Andrew C. Dunn was appointed deputy marshal, to take the census of this county. The work was completed in September and the population of the county was at that time, as appears from the State files, six hundred and eighty nine, though it was otherwise reported to be over seven hundred.
It was merely au enumeration of the inhabitants. No other statistics were taken. The writer has made repeated but fruitless efforts to obtain a copy of this census. It would be of great inter- est as exhibiting the names of the residents of the county at that time.
THE "GREAT AWAKENING."
In this and the following year occurred one of the most won- derful and general religious revivals ever known in America. It has been well said that "It was in a word the American Pentacost, the great religious epoch of the national century, unequalled in ear- nestness, union and universality by any similar movement that had preceded it iu the history of the western world." It was not confined to auy particular class of people, or religious bodies. Even among religious denominations unaccustomed to what are termed "revival meetings," the movement exhibited itself very early in acts of co-operation with others, in earnest prayers and in great and daily labors for the promotion and success of the work. It surpassed in many of its aspects, the religious movement com- menced many years later (in 1875) under the auspices of Messrs. Moody and Sankey.
This great religious awakening, noth withstanding its wide extent and influence, did not reach this immediate region.
POLITICS-THE FIRST COUNTY CONVENTION.
We have now, in the course of events, reached the first polit- ical campaign known in the history of the county.
On the 19th day of September the first political convention ever assembled in this county met at Blue Earth City. It was a repub- lican mass convention and was called for the purpose of nominating candidates for legislative and county offices. Prior to this time no political questions had been raised.
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HISTORY OF
It was claimed that the democrats were in the majority in the county, and it could not be disputed, as the party lines had never been drawn and the test made.
Two republicans at Blue Earth City concluded to test the mat- ter and called this convention. It was well attended and harmo- nious. A declaration of principles was adopted, nominations made. a county central committee elected and the party organized, which organization continues to this day.
By a previous arrangement between the leading republicans of the two counties, it was agreed not to hold a joint convention for the nomination of legislative candidates, but that Faribault county should nominate two candidates for representatives and Freeborn county should nominate the candidate for senator and one repre- sentative. The following nominations were made by this con- vention :
For Representatives-J. B. Wakefield, of Blue Earth City ; W. N. Dunham, of Winnebago City.
For County Treasurer-Albin Johnson.
For County Surveyor-J. A. Kiester.
For Sheriff-Thos. R. Foley.
For Judge of Probate-J. B. Wakefield.
For Coroner-J. B. Gillit.
For County Commissioners-M. Sailor and E. Crosby.
No nomination was made for the office of Clerk of Court.
The Republican convention of Freeborn County, nominated Dr. George Watson for Senator and A. H. Bartlett for one of the Rep- resentatives, both of Freeborn County.
The Democrats in a few days after, also placed candidates in the field for the several offices, as follows:
For Senator-E. C. Stacy. of Freeborn county.
For Representatives-A. P. Swenford, of Freeborn county, Andrew C. Dunn, of Faribault county, Geo. B. Kingsley, of Fari- bault county.
For Treasurer-C. W. Wilson.
For Surveyor-H. L. Young.
For Sherid-Perry Lamphere.
For Judge of Probate-H. P. Constans.
For Clerk of Court-Jno. M. Jackson, jr.
For County Commissioner-E. M. Ellis.
One Leander Lee was an independent candidate for sheriff and O. G. Hill for treasurer.
81
FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
The election was held on the 13th day of October, and resulted in this county as follows:
For Senator-Geo. Watson.
128
E. C. Stacy .
91
For Representative-A. P. Swinford
77
A. H. Bartlett.
122
W. N. Dunham
66
J. B. Wakefield.
169
Geo. B. Kingsley 146
124
E. Crosby . 102
94
For Treasurer-Albin Johnson
C. W. Wilson
4
O. G. Hill
39
62
54
P. Lamphere
L. Lee. 46
For Surveyor-J. A. Kiester
121
H. L. Young 33
123
No opposition.
For Judge of Probate-H. P. Constans 87
J. B. Wakefield 116
For Clerk of Court-Jno. M. Johnson, jr. 46
James L. McCrery. Allen Shultis and Geo. K. Moulton were elected Justices of the Peace. Theo. Bowen, G. S. Converse, Henry R. Walker and B. Madison were elected Constables and Geo. D. McArthur, D. J. Sparks and Ed. Sumner, Road Supervisors, and Albin Johnson, John Haggin and H. T. Stoddard, Assessors.
The Republican Legislative candidates except one, had a ma- jority in the district.
This election showed that the whole vote of the county was about two hundred and twenty in this year and that both the legis- lative district and the county were Republican in politics.
W. W. Phelps and James M. Cavanaugh were elected Repre- sentatives in Congress.
THE FIRST WEDDINGS.
On the 6th day of November two weddings occurred at Blue Earth City, which were doubtless the first in the county and as such are entitled to a place in this history. The parties were Fred. Mittlesdorf and Miss Dora Miller, and Henry Miller and Miss Mary Drager. The marriages were solemnized by James L. McCrery, Esq., Justice of the Peace. It is written "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh."
A. C. Dunn. 51
For County Commissioner-M. Sailor.
E, M. Ellis.
118
For Sheriff-Thos. R. Foley.
For Coroner-J. B. Gillit.
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HISTORY OF
"As Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these per- sons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace to. gether."
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