USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 1 > Part 27
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THE YEAR 1865
opened with more encouraging prospects. The large forces of the Union army were gaining sub -. stantial victories. The successes of Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, Sherman in his historie march to the sea, " crushing the confederacy like an eggshell," and Grant, doggedly consuming the enemy at Petersburg, were fast shattering the rebellion. In the siege of Spanish Fort, at Mobile, in April, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Minnesota Volunteers bore an active and honorable part.
Not unmingled with tears were the rejoicings over these victories. Every battle bulletin brought sorrow and mourning to many homes in our state .
On April 3d came the great news of the fall of Richmond, and on April 8th, while the people celebrating this event, the dispatch of General Grant annoneing the unconditional surrender of Lee and his army was received, setting nearly everybody crazy with joy. On April 13th the provost marshals received an order to cease draft- ing and recruiting, and the war was practically over. One of its saddest results was yet to come -the death of President Lincoln, on April 15th. This calamity was duly observed in all the towns of the State, on April 19th, by suspension of business, and religious services. These gloomy feelings were soon dispelled, however, by the
RETURN OF OUR BEGIMENTS,
early in the summer, and their muster out at Fort Snelling. As each of these bodies of brave men returned, they were received with such ovations and demonstrations of joy as a grateful people could devise. Quietly our soldiers "Inmg up their bruised arms," and were soon again ab- sorbed into the body of the people. In all, Min- nesota had furnished to the armies of the repub-
lie 25,052 men, or about one-seventh of its entire population at the beginning of the war. Of these, it is estimated from the best data obtaina- ble, that 2500 were killed in battle and died of disease during the war, while probably twice as many more received wounds from which they will suffer through life. Many died shortly after the war, from the effects of disease or imprison- ment incurred in service. In her devotion to the cause of the Union, our State has a bright record.
The state was almost free from Indian raids during all this year. Only one of any moment occurred. On May 2d a family of five persons named Jewett, were murdered near Garden City. A half breed named Campbell, who aided in the raid, was arrested at Mankato several days afterward, and hung by a mob.
The census of 1865, showed a population of 250,099-a gratifying increase, considering the war of secession and the Indian war as draw- backs.
With the close of the war a new era of pros- perity seemed to have begun in the state. Money was abundant, immigration brisk, labor in de- mand, and real estate advancing. Our railroads were in rapid progress in all directions, and vil- lages and towns springing up everywhere.
On Nov. 11th, at Fort Snelling, Shakopee and Medicine Bottle, two Sioux convicted of taking part in the massacre of 1862, were hung. They had fled to Manitoba, and were not eanght until 1864.
This fall much excitement was occasioned by the reported discovery of gold quartz at Lake Vermillion. Several mining companies were formed, and veins opened and worked, but the yield did not pay, and the mines were soon aban- doned.
The state election this year was very feebly contested. Two well-known old settlers were nominated for governor, but the vote was light. Win. R. Marshall received 17,318 and Henry M. Rice 13,842. At the same election an amend- ment to the constitution was voted on, proposing to confer the elective franchise on negroes, but was defeated.
157
PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.
CHAPTER XXIX.
PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.
A Period of Inflation. --- Rapid Railroad Construction .... Proposed Removal of the Capital .... Attempted Adjustment of the Railroad Bonds. --- Legislative Control of Freight Taritfs .... Prairie Fires in 1871 .--- An Aretie Cyclone. --- Impeachment of State Treasurer .--- The Jay Cooko Panic .--- Regulating Railroad Tariffs. ... Grasshopper Ravages .--- Suffering on the Frontier .--- Relief Measures Adopted by the Legislature .--- Murderous Raid by Missouri Outlaws. --- Further Attempts to Adjust the Railroad Loan Debt ...- End of the Grasshopper Scourge, -.- Return of " Good Times," and Rapid Growth in Prosperity.
The year 1866 was one of great financial ease. The large expenditure of money by the govern- ment, in the pay of discharged troops, bounties, and various war claims, made money unusually plenty.
The railroads of the State were pushed this year with great vigor. By winter, 315 miles were in operation. There was a continuons line from St. Cloud, via Owatonna, to Winona, a distance of 245 miles. These roads were an important element in aiding the settlement and business of the State. Formerly the sole dependence for travel and freight had been on the river, and the winter was a season of dulless and depression. This was now largely changed.
At the State election in the fall of 1867, Wm. R. Marshall had 34,874 votes, and Charles E. Flandrau 29,502. This would indicate a popula- tion of about 320,000, showing a heavy immigra- tion during the years 1866 and 1867. At this election, a negro suffrage amendment was again voted on und defeated. "The following year [ 1868] the amendment was a third time voted on, and adopted; ayes, 39,493; noes, 30,121.
PROPOSED REMOVAL OF THE CAPITAL.
At the session of the legislature in 1869, a bill was introduced to remove the seat of government to a spot near Big Kandiyohi Lake. The bill was at first regarded as a joke, and it met with small opposition, passing both houses with little delay. Gov. Marshall vetoed the measure, and an at- tempt to pass the act over his veto, failed.
At this session, the legislature celebrated the completion of an all-rail route to the east by a
visit to Milwaukee, and to the Wisconsin legisla- ture at Madison.
At the state election in the fall of 1869, Horace Austin (rep.) was elected governor, by a vote of 27,348, over George L. Otis (dem.), who had 25,401.
By the census of 1870, Minnesota was found to have 439,706 population.
PROPOSED ADJUSTMENT OF THE RAILROAD BONDS.
At the session of the Legislature in 1870, an act was passed submitting to the people an amendment to the constitution, providing for the sale of the five hundred thousand acres of what was known as the "Internal Improvement Lands," and the use of the proceeds in extin- guishing the state railroad loan bonds, in the fol- lowing manner: Two thousand of the bonds were to be deposited with the State Land Commis- sioner on or before the day of sale, by the hold- ers, they agreeing to purchase with them the lands at $8.70 per acre, etc. The amendment was adopted by a popular vote, but as only 1,032 bonds were deposited by the owners, the measure failed.
The mmsnal low water of 1863, '64 and '65 had now given way to a series of years of the oppo- site extreme. In 187. occurred great freshets, doing much damage, and the water was reported " higher than for twenty years."
Railroad construction had been pushed with great vigor for the last year or two. At the close of 1870, there were 1,096 miles in operation, 329 of which were built that year. A road had been completed to Lake Superior during the season, tms connecting the river and lake systems, while the Northern Pacific Railroad was under full headway.
During 1869 and '70, much complaint was made by shippers, of mjust charges by the railroads of
158
OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
the State. Governor Austin, in his message, January, 1871, called attention to the subject very pointedly. An investigation was made by a legislative committee, which resulted in the en- actment of a freight and passenger tariff, and tho creation of tho office of Railroad Commissioner. The tariff so fixed was disregarded by the rail- roads, and in 1871, au action, as a sort of test case under the statute, was commenced by John D. Blake, of Rochester, against the Winona and St. Peter Railroad, for unjust freight charges. The presiding judge decided the act imconstitu- tional, but the Supreme Court of the State re- versed this decision, when the railroad company appealed the case to the Supreme Court of the United States. It was not until 1876 that a de- cision was rendered, sustaining the right of legis- lative control over railroad tariffs.
An act was passed by the legislature of 1871 to "Test the validity and provide for the equitable adjustment" of the State railroad. bonds, by the creation of a commission, to ascertain and award the amount due on each. The act was voted on in May following, and rejected by the people. Another important measure passed at the same session, was an act dividing up the 500,000 acres of Internal Improvement Land, among varions railroad companies. This was vetoed by Gov .. Austin. Two years later the constitution was amended so that no act disposing of these lands should be valid, unless approved by a vote of the people.
In the fall of 1871, destructive tires, driven by high winds, swept over a number of frontier counties, lasting several days, and inflicting great damage on the settlers. Hundreds lost their honses, erops, hay, fences, etc., and several per- sons were burned to death. During the summer, many had also lost their erops by destructive hail- storms. Gov. Austin appealed to the people of the state, by proclamation, for aid for the suffer- ers. lle received in response $14,000 in money, and clothing, provisions, etc., worth $11,000 more, while the next legislature appropriated $20,000 for the purpose of purchasing seed wheat for those who had lost their crops.
In November, 1871, Horace Austin was re- elected governor, by a vote of 45,833, over W. Young, who had 30,092.
From 1870 to 1873, was a period of great infla- tion and speculation. The money market was imprecedentedly casy, and real estate partook of the same excitement as characterized the flush times of 1856 and 1857. Railroad building was carried on to a remarkable extent, and the entire State was enjoying an unusual period of material progress and development.
The winter of 1872-3 was an unusually early and severe one. On January 7th, 8th and 9th, 1873, occurred an " Arctic Cyelone ", or " Polar Wave ", of a violence and intensity never before experienced in this State. The worst effects were felt in the prairie region. Gov. Austin, in a spe- cial message to the legislature, reported that sev- enty lives were lost, thirty-one persons suffered loss of limbs, and about three hundred cattle and horses perished. The legislature voted $5,000 as a relief fund to aid sufferers.
During the session of 1873, charges of corrupt conduct and misdemeanors in office, were made against Wm. Seeger, State Treasurer. On March 5th, the House of Representatives impeached him, and the Senate, on being presented with the arti- cles, appointed May 20th as the date to sit as a Court of Impeachment. Prior to that date, Mr. Seeger resigned his office, and Gov. Austin ac- cepted the resignation. When the Senate met on May 20th, this fact left that body uncertain whether to proceed with the trial or not. On May 22d, Mr. Seeger sent in a written plea of " guilty" to all the charges. A resohilion was then adopted by the Senate, declaring that the judgment of the court was, that he be removed from office, and disqualified to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit in this State.
Ou September 19th, 1873, the news was ciren- lated in this State, of the failure of Jay Cooke's banking house in Philadelphia, occasioning a financial panic. Its effects here were far dif- ferent from those of the pauic of 1857. There was some stringency in the money market, rail- road building ceased, and real estate was very dull for several years, but not a bank in the State closed its doors, and but few mercantile houses failed, Immigration was large, good harvests added annually to the wealth of the State, and it advanced steadily in prosperity.
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159
PRINCIPAL EVENTS FROM 1866 TO 1881.
THE GRASSHOPPER SCOURGE.
During the summer of 1873, a species of grass- hopper, called the " Rocky Mountain Locust," made its appearance in myriads, in some of the south-western counties, almost totally destroying the erops. Hundreds of families were left in great destitution. These facts being reported by the press, an energetic movement was made in the towns and cities in the eastern portion of the state, to send relief to the sufferers, and large quantities of clothing, provisions, medical sup- plies, etc., were collected and distributed to them, beside quite an amount of money.
At the state eleetion this year, Cushman K. Davis was elected governor, by a vote of 40,741, over Ara Barton, who had 35,245.
When the Legislature of 1874 assembled, it promptly voted $5,000 for the temporary relief of the frontier settlers, and on March 2nd, a further sum of $25,000 for the purchase of seed grain. With the aid thus furnished, the settlers planted their crops again, but soon the ground was fairly alive with young grasshoppers, hatehed from eggs deposited the year previous. As soon as these were large enough, they laid bare the region about them, then fell on other localities near by, and thus destroyed the crops in a number of coun- ties again. The people were once more in a state of great destitution.
Gov. Davis addressed a cireular to the com- missioners of the counties not ravaged by the lo- custs, asking them to advance money propor- tioned to their property, for a relief fund. Con- tributions were also solicited from the people of the state. By the latter, $18,959 was raised, to- gether with very large quantities of clothing and provisions, and forwarded to the sufferers. Even with this aid, there was inneh suffering the next winter.
The legislature of 1875, immediately on as- sembling, appropriated $20,000 for immediate relief, and later in the session, $75,000 for the purchase of seed grain. Only $19,000 of this was used. The farmers again planted their crops, in hope, but early in the summer they were, for a third time, destroyed. The situation now became serions. All the state was beginning to feel the offeels of this calamity, though the portions yet unharmed kept np au active collection and for-
warding of supplies for the destitute. Without this benevolent work, the suffering would have been severe.
By the state census this year, the population of Minnesota was found to be 597,107. At the state election, John S. Pillsbury was elected Gov- ernor, by a vote of 47,073, over D. L. Buell, who had 35,275.
The season of 1876 saw the grasshopper devas- tations repeated, and over a larger area than be- fore. The crops were more or less a failure, and againi an appeal was made to the benevolent people of the rest of the State for aid, which was liberally and cheerfully responded to.
On September 6th, a daring crime was perpe- trated at Northfield. A band of eight outlaws from Missouri, attacked the Nauonal Bank in that town, with the intention of robbing it. The cashier and another citizen were shot dead, and two of the robbers killed by persons who hastily armed themselves. The rest of the desperadoes fled, and, after a chase of several days, four of them were surrounded in a thicket in Watonwan county, where one was killed, and three taken prisoners. The latter, who were brothers named Younger, plead guilty of murder, and were sent to the State's Prison for life.
The legislature of 1877 prepared an amend- ment to the constitution, providing for biennial sessions of that body, and the amendment was adopted by the people at the fall election.
Five acts were passed at the same session, re- lating to the grasshopper scourge. One of these appropriated $100,000 for bounties to pay for the destruction of grasshoppers and their eggs. [This was never put into effect.] \ State loan, to raise the money therefor, was also anthorized. In ad- dition, townships or villages were anthorized to levy a tax to pay similar bounties. The sum of $75,000 was also appropriated to purchase seed grain for those who had lost their crops, and $5,000 was voted for a special relief fund.
At the same session was passed an act provid- ing for the redemption of the Stato railroad bonds, by giving for each outstanding bond sur- rendered, a new bond for $1,750, at 6 per cent. interest. The amendment was defeated at an election held on June 12th.
Early in the summer [1877] the grasshoppers appeared in myriads again, and began devouring
160
OUTLINES OF THE HISTORY OF MINNESOTA.
the crops. The farmers endeavored to destroy them by fires, ditching, and catching them in pans smeared with tar. A day of fasting and prayer for riddance from the calamity, was ap- pointed by the Governor, and generally observed throughout the State. Soon after this, the grass- hoppers disappeared, and a partial harvest was secured in the region formerly afflicted by them. For five successive seasons, the farmers in that district had lost their crops, more or less entirely.
In the fall of 1877, Gov. Pillsbury was re- elected Governor, receiving 57,071 votes, over Wm. L. Banning, who received 39,147.
The legislature of 1878, appropriated $150,000 to purchase seed grain for destitute settlers, the amounts issued, to such, to be repaid by them. Over six thousand persons, in thirty-four counties, received loans under this act, enough to plant 223,727 aeres. Most of these loans were repaid.
At the same session an act was passed, propo- sing a constitutional amendment, offering to the holders of State railroad bonds, Internal Improve- mment Lands, in exchange for such bonds. The
amendment was rejected by the people at the next election.
During the year 1878, railroad extension, which had been almost suspended for four years, was renewed again with much vigor, and the mate- rial progress of the State was very marked, the western counties, especially, developing rapidly.
At the election in 1879, John S. Pillsbury was re-elected Governor for a third term, by a vote of 57,471, over Edmund Rice, who had 42,444, and other candidates, who received 6,401.
On November 15th, 1880, the Hospital for the Insane, at St. Peter, was partially destroyed by fire, and twenty-seven of the patients lost their lives, by burning, or in consequence of exposure and fright.
The census of 1880, showed a population in Minnesota, of 780,082. The assessors' returns give a valuation of real and personal property, of $268,277,874. These figures show a prond and gratifying condition of growth and prosperity in the short space of thirty-one years, since Minne- sota began its politieal existence.
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
161
EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENTS
ABOVE THE
FALLS OF ST. ANTHONY.
CHAPTER XXX.
MILLE LACS-THE EARLY HOME OF THE DANKOTAHIS.
PERROT DESCRIBES MILLE LACS REGION-ISANYATI OR ISSATI SOUX-FIRST FRENCHMEN AT MILLE LACS-DU LUTHI'S LETTER-ORIGIN OF THIE NAME OF RUM RIVER-MILLE LACS SIOUX VISIT FRENCH FORT ON BLUE EARTH RIVER -DU PRATZ DESCRIBES THE FALLS OF SAINT ANTHONY.
Between the head of Lake Superior and the Mississippi river, above the Falls of St. Anthony, is a region of many lakes. So numerons are they, and interlaced by clear and murmuring brooks, to one in a balloon, they would appear like a neck- lace of diamonds, on silver filaments, gracefully thrown upon the bosom of earth. Surrounded by forests of pine, birch and maple, the marshes lux- uriant with wild rice, the shores once frequented by the fox, the bear and the beaver, it was a region peenliarly adapted for a secure and happy home for a tribe of North American savages.
When the French traders first visited the conn- try, in view of its many lakes, they called it " Mille Laes," or the "Thousand Lakes," district; and the people who lived there "Gens dn Laes," or People of the Lakes. In later times the name applied to the many lakes has been given to the chief lake, which is marked on modern maps as "Mille Lacs."
The Mifle Laes region, is where white men first visited the Dalkotahs, who were called by the Ojibways, Nadowaysionx, and abbreviated by the French to Sionx. Perrot, who built a fort on Take Pepin as early as 1683, has left an interest- ing description of the lake region. He wrote, speaking of the Sioux: "It is to be remarked
that the country where they are is nothing but lakes and marshes, filled with wild rice, separatod the one from the other by little tongues of land, which at the most, from one lake to the other, are but thirty to forty steps, and in most cases only five to six, or a little more. These lakes, or marshes, contain fifty or more leagues square, and are divided by no river but the Lonisanne [ Mis- sissippi ], into which a part of their waters is emptied. Others fall into the river Sainte Croix, which is situated in respect to them to the north- cast, and flows near them. * * * * This, the Sioux are inaccessible in that marshy country, and cannot be destroyed there but by enemies having canoes, like themselves, to follow them; for in these places there are only five or six fami- lies together, which form a hamlet or a kind of small village, and all the others are in the same way, at a certain distance, in order to be ready to help each other at the first alarm. If any one of these little villages is attacked, the enemy can injure but little, for all the neighbors assemble at once and give prompt assistance where it is needed. The way they have of navigating the lakes is to strike into their rice marshes with their canoes, and, carrying them from lake to lake, they force The enemy to retreat."
One of these many lakes was called by the Dahkohtahs I-san-ta-mday, or Knife Lake, Isan being the word for knife, and probably is the Knife Lake in Kanabce county, which is joined with Knife River, a Tributary of Snake River. It. in said that this river and lake were called fram
162
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
because stoue was found in the vicinity, From which they made knives. One day's journey from Isantaniday was M'de-wa-kan ( Med-day-wah- kalın ), or Spirit Lake, the Mille Imes of modern maps. Around the shores of This luke were sey eral villages, und thuis the castern division of the Daheotahs was called Mde-wa-ka-tonwan, dwel- lers abont Spirit Lake. Those at Knife Lake were called Isanyati, dwellers at Isan, and were culled by the carly explorers Issali or Izutys.
After the visit of Groselliers and Radisson, in A. D. 1659-60, to the Mille Lacs region, other Frenehmen penetrated the wilderness beyond Lake Superior. About the year 1666 the Sioux and Chippeways were on friendly terms, and the latter were allowed to fish and hunt in the Mille Lacs district. Perrot mentions that after the defeat of the Iroquois, the Sanlteurs (Chippeways) and their allies, returned to La Pointe, and there rested, until some Hurons came to hunt in the Sioux country. The nearest Sioux villages were in a direct line from La Pointe fifty or sixty leagues, and the Ottawas, as the Chippeways were often called were well received. Fonr Frenelnnen accompanied the Sinagos Ottawa Chief in his visit to the Sioux at this time. They appear to have reached Mille Lacs by what is now called the Saint Louis River. In the Jesuit Relations of 1670-71 it is mentioned that "eight days jour- uey towards the West is the first of the thirty vil- lages of the Nadonessi."
In a map of Lake Superior engraved A. D. 1672 two rivers are marked, one at the western extremity called " River to go to the Nadonessi sixty leagues to the West." The other, north- cast of this, the " River which goes to the Assen- iponalae, 122 leagues to the Northwest."
Upon an old manuscript map still preserved among the archives of the French Government appears the river Saint Louis, without name, and the note " By this river we can go to the nation of Nadonessiens, sixty leagues westward; they comprise fifteen villages and are very warlike and the terror of the region." The month of Pigeon River is shown, with the words " By this river one can go to the Assinepoualacs, 122 leagnes to the uorfliwest, where beavers are abundant."
While Randin and other Frenchmen had been on the borders of the Sioux country, the first per- son to make a I'nll exploration of Mille Lacs was Daniel Greysolon Du Luth, of whom, in chapter third, there is an extended notice. His letter, writ-
ten while on a visit to Paris in 1683, and addressed Lo Marquis de Soignetay, Minister for the Colonies, gives an account of his journey to the Sioux, and has been published, for The first time, recently, by Hurrisse. He writes : " After having made two voyages from here ( France ) Lo New France, where the people did not believe it possible to discover the country of the Nadouecionx, nor carry on trade with them, both on account of their distance, which is 800 leagues from our settlements, and because they were nenally at war.
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