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 9
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The following clever lines are from the pen of a good deacon, a good jurist and evidently a good poet:
There is a problem to the schools unknown, Whereby two added gives the product one;
Whereby the more their sorrows they divide,
So much the more their joys are multiplied,
And love subtracted from the willing soul, Gains while it gives, and thus augments the whole,
Nor stop we here, for when these lovers marry,
Soon off it happens that there's one to carry!
Yea two, three, four, to fill the house with joy,
And down the stream of time to bear the name of- Roy.
In an old paper printed a century ago, we find the following on matrimony :
Oh. matrimony, thou art like To Jeremiah's figs; The good is very good-the bad Too sour to give the pigs. I never dreamed of such a fate,
When I a-lass was courted-
Wife, mother, nurse, seamstress, cook, housekeeper, chambermaid. laundress, dairy-woman, and scrub generally, doing the work of six. For the sake of being supported!
THE LONG PARLIAMENT.
The first State Legislature, though the State had not yet been admitted to the Union, assembled at the Capital, December 2d, 1857. and continued in session until March 25th, 1858, when a recess was taken until June 2d. when it again met and continued in session until Aug. 12th, when it finally adjourned. The State had in the meantime been admitted. The transition from a Territorial to a State government and many great public interests. demanding attention, created the necessity for much legislation. The acts passed at the session having special reference to this county are named in the history of the next year.
The representatives of this district, appearing at the opening of the "long parliament," were Geo. Watson in the Senate and J. B. Wakefield, A. H. Bartlett and W. N. Dunham in the House. Andrew C. Dunn, of this county, was secretary of the senate. Mr. Geo B. Kingsley, however, claimed the seat occupied by Mr. Dunham and proceeded to contest the same. The facts in relation to the matter were as follows. By the official canvass of the votes cast for
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representatives, Mr. Dunham, it appeared, had four hundred and nineteen votes, and Mr. Kingsley four hundred and thirteen votes in the entire district and Mr. Dunham received the certificate of election. But it appeared from the testimony taken on the in- vestigation, that the entire vote of Bear Lake Precinct No. 5, in Freeborn county, in which Mr. Kingsley had received thirty-eight votes and Mr. Dunham seventeen votes, had been rejected by the canvassing board of Freeborn county, on the ground that nine illegal votes had been cast and other irregularities had occurred in the election. The legislature decided that the returns from this precinct were improperly rejected by the canvassing board, and now deducting the nine illegal votes from the thirty-eight received by Mr. Kingsley left him twenty-nine votes, which added to the four hundred and thirteen votes cast for him elsewhere in the dis- trict, and adding the seventeen votes for Mr. Dunham to the four hundred and nineteen votes received by him elsewhere in the dis- trict, and the result was for Kingsley four hundred and forty-two, for Dunham four hundred thirty-six, leaving Kingsley a clear majority of six votes all of which appearing satisfactorily to the House, Kingsley was admitted to the seat.
At this Session, Henry M. Rice and James Shields were elected United States Senators, the former for six and the latter for two (2) years.
IMMIGRATION.
Notwithstanding the Indian excitement, the great financial re- vulsion and some other unfavorable circumstances, the immigration during the summer and fall was large and the population of this county was greatly increased and the building and other improve- ments were extensive and permanent. It was really the first year of substantial and encouraging progress. It was indeed a year among the most eventful in the history of the State and the county, but the events of the time are already fast growing dim in the memories of the people, while many of the principal actors in the events of both the State and the county are now sleeping in their graves.
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CHAPTER IV.
A. D. 1858.
THE WORK OF THE SOLONS.
The laws passed by the first State Legislature referred to in the preceding chapter, specially relating to this county, were the following :
An act to locate a State road from Chatfield, Fillmore County, to Winnebago City in this county.
An act to locate a State road from Brownsville, Houston County, to Winnebago City.
An act to establish a State road from Blue Earth City to Shell Rock City in Freeborn County .
In those days, before the existence of railroads, state roads were deemed of great importance, being usually established between important points and across two or more counties. The fact that a village was a crossing point, or the terminus of a number of state roads, was held to be a matter of great consequence, and the legis - lature was often asked to authorize the establishment of these high- ways. Some of these roads, attracting and directing the course of travel and traffic, in natural and convenient channels, served to create the necessity for, and prove the practicability of certain great lines of railway, subsequently built, of which they were the forerunners. State roads are seldom ever heard of now.
THE COUNTY BOARD.
The commissioners met at Blue Earth City on the 9th day of January. At this session the first lists of grand and petit jurors were selected. The lists consisted of fifty grand and seventy-two petit jurors. The task of selecting these numbers of suitable per- sons for jurymen, at that time, was rather a difficult one, and the lists embraced about all the talented, ablebodied and respectable settlers in the county, not in the legal and ministerial professions. None of these jurors were, however, called upon to serve, as no term of court was held this year.
The board met again on the fifth day of April. More business was transacted at this session than at any preceding one, and it was much the most important session yet held. A new election precinct
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was formed and named Walnut Lake precinct, and E. M. Ellis, P. C. Seely and L. J. Whitney were appointed judges of election.
An act having been passed by the legislature establishing in each county a board of road commissioners, to which everything pertaining to public roads should be referred, the county board appointed W. J. C. Robertson and J. L. McCrery road commission- ers and they, with the county surveyor, then J. A. Kiester, who was by law ex-officio a member of the board, constituted the board of road commissioners. A number of the principal county roads still existing, were established by this board.
The county commissioners at this session, after a great deal of discussion and profound meditation, decided to have a general assessment made of all the taxable property of the county and levy a tax for public purposes. It had become impossible to conduct the affairs of the county longer, without paying the expenses.
Accordingly for the purpose of making assessments, Winnebago City precinct No. one was assigned to H. T. Stoddard, assessor. Blue Earth City precinct No. two was assigned to Albin Johnson, assessor, and Walnut Lake precinct No. three was assigned to John Haggin, assessor. Mr. Stoddard appointed Grover C. Burt, deputy, who made the assessment of district No. one and Mr. Haggin ap- pointed Albert Tower, deputy, who made the assessment of district No. three and Mr. Johnson made the assessment of his district, No. two, personally, and these three gentlemen were the first assessors in this county.
At this session also the first batch of bills against the county was audited and amounted in all to $174.40. There have been few, if any, sessions of the board since that day, at which the auditing of bills was not the chief business. The other action of the Board at this session is noted elsewhere.
SPRING RAINS AND FLOODS.
The spring was late and stormy and the rains were so incessant that the farmers could scarcely get in their crops, though some little wheat was sown early in April. Only the highest grounds could be cultivated and much seed rotted in the ground. This year will ever be memorable with the old settlers as the wettest in the history of the county. All low lands were overflowed. Creeks became rivers and the rivers widened out over the bottom lands into seemingly perma- nent lakes, but still it continued to rain. The roads became impas- sable and overflowed in every direction. Some prophesied another deluge. Everything was wet and dripping and on every hand were fathomless mud and seas of water. Occasionally for a day the sky would clear up and the blessed sun would shine, but it afforded no hope and it had become a truthful, as well as a standing remark, "Well it has cleared up for another shower."
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The following lines from the Dublin Mail are quite appropriate here:
Dirty days has September. April, June, and November, From January up to May, The rain it raineth every day. All the rest have thirty-one, Without one blessed gleam of sun,
And If any of them had-two and-thirty. They'd be as wet and twice as dirty.
However, about the last of July it began to dry up and the re- mainder of the year was not so bad.
MOSQUITOES.
To add to the discomfort of the times, great clouds of mosqui- toes filled the air, as evening approached and annoyed the people beyond endurance. Sultry heat, constant rains, deep inud and swarms of mosquitoes, were the characteristics of the spring and summer. And the reader should know that the mosquitoes of the early years of this county were not the puny little husks which a breath would demolish, such as we see occasionally now-a-days. They were large, bony fellows, with long nibs, ferocious songs, a diabolical aspect and blood thirsty instincts, and possessed of a courage that baffled the most heroic defence. Great smudges of chips, dry grass and green weeds, making a smoke strong enough to tan a hide, had to be built in the summer evenings to protect the devoted settlers from the attacks of these cannibals.
"Of all the plagues hot summer brings, Whether they move on legs or wings, The little wretch that closest clings. The thing that most onr patience wrings," Is the nasty little mosquito.
The writer should probably apologize for an occasional frivo- lous remark or amusing incident in this work. yet while it is well to keep in mind the dignity and gravity of history, we may also re- member that
"A little nonsense now and then Is relished by the best of men."
And. also, by a great many good women.
THE FIVE MILLION LOAN.
The legislature having proposed an amendment to the Constitu- tion of the State authorizing the loan of the credit of the State, to the amount of five million of dollars, to aid the land graut railroad companies, in the construction of their roads, the amendment was voted upon by the people on the 15th day of April. The amend- ment was adopted by a large majority. The vote of this county was
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favorable to the amendment but the returns of the vote cast here did not reach the State Canvassing Board and were not counted. There were many at the time who doubted the expediency of the measure. The debt was a very large one to be incurred by so young a State. People were not then as familiar with enormous public debts as they afterwards became during the war. Some doubted the good faith of the transaction and so expressed themselves. . But the hard times, the great importance of railroads to the development of the country and the hope that their construction would give labor and greatly increase the amount of money in circulation-in short make good times, superceded every other consideration. The bonds of the State known as the "Minnesota State Railroad Bonds" were sub- sequently issued to the amount of two million two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, bearing interest, payable semi-an- nually, at the rate of seven per cent. per annum. Only a certain amount of grading was done to procure these bonds. The roads were not built and the whole project fell through. For more than twenty years the payment or even any adjustment looking to the payment of the principal or interest of these bonds was resisted by the people. An adjustment of the whole matter was reached finally in 1881.
THE STATE ADMITTED.
There was great rejoicing and some demonstrations made throughout the country, when it was announced that Congress had on the eleventh day of May, admitted Minnesota into the Union. The State Officers were sworn in on May 24th. The first State Officers were H. H. Sibley, Governor; Wm. Holcomb, Lieutenant Governor; Francis Baasen, Secretary of State; G. W. Armstrong, Treasurer; W. F. Dunbar, Auditor and C. H. Berry, Attorney General. The leading strings and subordinate condition incident to the territorial organization were now dropped and Minnesota stood forth clothed in all the power and dignity of an equal state, with the motto emblaz- ened on her forehead . "L'Etoile du Nord"-the Star of the North.
THE COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
The following pronouncement is found in the confession of faith of one of the greatest of American religious bodies, and is, there- fore entitled to the highest respect:
"Although the light of nature and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave man inexcus- able; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation; therefore, it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal Himself and declare that His will unto His church, and afterwards for the better preserving and propagation of the truth and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the cor- ruption of the flesh and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the
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same wholly unto writing." * "And the heavenliness of the matter, the effleacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full dis- covery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other Incompara- ble excellences and the entire perfection thereof are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the word of God."
Salth the Psalmist-"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."
Saith Paul the Apostle .- "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous- ness." Second Timothy, 3:16.
On the 23d day of May of this year, the Faribault County Bible Society was organized at Blue Earth City. As the records of the first six years of the society appear to have been lost, the names of the first officers cannot here be given. This society, it should be observed, was one of the first of the permanent institutions of the county. Until about the year 1866, the society was a branch of the Minnesota Stale Bible Society. but the State society becoming dissol- ved at that time, our society was transferred to and became an auxil- liary of the American Bible Society, one of the greatest and most beneficent institutions of modern times. There are other Bible soci- eties in America doing a great work, but our society has no con- nection with them.
The American Bible Society was instituted in May, 1816, in the city of New York. Briefly stated, the object of the society is to pro- mote the circulation throughout the world, of the Holy Scriptures, without note or comment. The King James translation, known as the authorized version, is the text used. What the course of the society may be, as to the "revision" of our day, will probably take a number of years to decide. The society is wholly unsectarian and people of almost all shades of religious belief, are interested in the society. From gifts and bequests and other sources, the society has become very rich, its property amounting to millions. There may be dangers lying in the path of this great institution. It may become too rich; the conduct of its affairs too expensive; indolence in its great work may come with age and wealth and its methods be- come inadequate and behind the wants of the age. Rings may usurp its management and dissensions rend it asunder. Where such great interests are involved, prudence, suggesting possible misfortunes may aid in avoiding them. But hoping and believing that this noble institution is in God's care and keeping, let us have no fears of the future.
In each county, or district, where the society has an auxilliary, or branch, it has a number of depositories, where its various styles of publications are kept. They can be had very cheaply. A good copy of the Bible can be had for twenty-five cents and of the New Testament alone for five cents, and when the person who wants
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FARIBAULT COUNTY, MINNESOTA.
them is too poor to pay these prices, he can have them for nothing. Agents are also employed to canvass the county and visit every family and supply the destitute with the Scriptures.
An auxilliary society was organized at Winnebago in July, 1866, and one was established at Wells in December, 1871.
Our local society has kept up its organization from its first institution and has carried out the purposes of its establishment with commendable success. To have in our midst an auxilliary of so ben- eficent a society, established so early in our history, and doing its work faithfully, is an honor to the county which should be duly appreciated.
Among the ancient collects we find the following very appro- priate one.
"Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may in such manner hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of Thy Holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life."
The Bible is certainly the greatest, most unique and the most valuable book which has ever appeared on earth. It is prevaded and illumined by wisdom and knowledge which are above and beyond man.
There are those who are apprehensive of the alleged growing infidelity of the age and the results of what is known as the "higher criticism" of the Scriptures, now dawning upon the world, and which latter is undoubtedly destined to still "higher" altitudes. Centuries have swept over the world, filled with doubt, perversion and infidelity, during which God and the Scriptures have been at- tacked from every side. Yet there are more intelligent believers in God and His Word to-day than ever before in the world's history. God and his word will take care of themselves.
There can be but little danger to them, from the wisdom of their assailants, or from any man, however learned, or intellectual, whose knowledge at best is so shallow and limited, that but for God's reve- lation found in the Scriptures, he cannot even tell from whence he came, or whither he is going, or for what possible purpose he has appeared in this world. There are no grounds for fear, dear reader.
AN INDIAN FLEET.
In the early part of June, a fleet of Indian canoes passed down the east branch of the Blue Earth river, from Walnut Lake, on their way to their reservation iu Blue Earth county. The red skins passed Blue Earth City and also Winnebago City, without deigning to call. Owing to the state of feeling existing against the Indians. in conse- quence of the Spirit Lake massacre, they were somewhat guarded in their movements for a year or two after. They were at least as
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much afraid of the Whites as the Whites were of them, and both sides acted a good deal in the spirit of the fellow, who, having got into a fight with the wrong man, said to the by standers, "Two of you hold the other fellow-one can hold mne."
THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY.
It is pleasant to record the fact in this history, that the people of this county, though situated upon the borders of civilization, and a little short of many things that go to make up an old fashioned Fourth of July celebration, still possessed the spirit of patriotism unimpaired. On the third day of July, the Fourth being Sunday, occurred the first celebration of Independence Day in this county. The day was very fine, being an exception to the weather of that summer. The people in Blue Earth City, and vicinity, assembled about ten o'clock in the forenoon, at Young's Hall. W. W. Knapp read the Declaration and J. A. Kiester delivered an address, after which there was some patriotic singing. Then a splendid free din- ner was served in the hall and the program was closed for the day. but the festivities of the occasion were completed by two separate dances on Monday night, which lasted all night, and which, as re- lated by those present, for real enjoyment, free and easy manners. good will and flow of spirits, have never been surpassed to this day.
At Winnebago City also they had a celebration. It was held in a large rustic booth erected for the occasion. Guy K. Cleveland delivered the oration. A great dinner was prepared by the ladies- "a dinner that was in everybody's mouth for years afterwards." Here too a great ball closed the holiday proceedings.
DANCING.
Without intending to discuss this subject, or express any opin- ion upon it, being beyond the purview of this work, it is necessary that something be said in relation to it here, as connected with our history as a people. It may be remarked that dancing appears to be an amusement known among all peoples and to have been prac- ticed in all ages of the world. The grossest and most ignorant, as well as many of the most refined and intellectual people everywhere appear to find a pleasure in dancing. The truth of this statement. is evident from the fact, that the chief amusement of the American Indian and of the howling Cannibals of the South Sea Islands, con- sists in their dances, and so also, we find that in the palaces of the cuitured capitals of Europe and America, this is with many the most fashionable and most fascinating entertainment.
Dancing among the ancient Hebrews formed a part of their re- ligious ceremonies, and even in the Christian church, at an early period, "the dance was united with the hymn in Christian festivi-
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ties." But it must be remembered that these religious dances were very different in their character, their forms, postures and purposes from the dances for amusement of these days. The religious dances were modest. solemn, reverent, and having the intent of divine worship, while the modern, fashionable dance is but a social amuse- ment and without a religious sentiment or purpose, and too often borders on the indelicate, the voluptious and sensual, and too often brings into close, personal contact and association, the pure minded with the immoral, in such manner as would not be allowed for an instant anywhere but in a ball room. But the views of people differ on these subjects and we shall not discuss them here.
Dancing is one of the chief social pastimes, or amusements, of most frontier or sparcely settled countries. In the early days of this county, that is, during the first five or six years, this was the principal amusement of the people. The excuse is found, if any is necessary, in the fact that there were no other social recreations or entertainments to be had. There was no established society. No libraries or reading rooms. No lectures and no concerts. No societies or other literary or social institutions to afford entertain- ment or instruction. During much of the time, even public religious services were infrequent.
People will have social gatherings and they will have recrea- tions and entertainments of some kind.
Hence it was that all assemblages of the people, for any except religious purposes, were signalized by a dance as the proper clos- ing exercises, if it did not constitute the principal business itself. The music in those days was made by one or more violinists and the dances were the cotillion, waltz, polka, schottish, French four and some few others now forgotten.
In the villages of Blue Earth City and Winnebago City, during the winter evenings, there would be at least one dance a week, and often two or three, which would be frequently attended by some of the people of both places, interchanging courtesies and by the folks from the country. The middle aged as well as the young, the sober as well as the gay, would participate. They continued gen- erally not only to the "wee sma hours ayant the twal" but often all night "till broad day light in the morning." Many persons took part in these dances, with great ease and grace and exactness of time, who today would not be suspicioned of ever having seen a ball room. All seemed to enjoy themselves and everything was conducted with decency and politeness. There were no stately formalities. No uncomfortable restraints, no division into classes of upper ten and lower million. Fine dress, or calico gown, broad cloth coat, or "baggin" trousers created no distinctions, but all joined with hearty cheerfulness, for what was called "a good social
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