USA > Mississippi > History of the upper Mississippi Valley, pt 2 > Part 25
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ing like an Alpine torrent, on and still on, they scarce knew whither. At Monticello in the north, and Rockford in the south, strennons efforts were made to arrest this precipitate flight, and many were, at least temporarily detained. Stockades were hastily constructed, and in n short time, comparative quiet restored. Military organization was effected, guards and patrols maintained, and during the fall and winter, many settlers ventured to return to their claims in the timber. The State lent aid by furnishing ammunition, and a large number of those bungling, unwieldy blunderbusses, the spe- cial detestation of every soldier-Belgium mus- kets.
Other settlers eame in the following spring, and an occasional victim of the terror and flight of the former season returned. Confidence was again re- stored, the stockades abandoned, and the varied industries again elaimed the attention of the set- tlers. Peace and prosperity reigned, and the terror of the previous season had become a sub- ject for jest, and its memories were as of some mere incubus. But this was doomed to a sudden and cruel change, for on the last day- of June, when nature had donned her livery of green, and all things invited to happiness, there came a ery of terror that would not be silenced, and the events of the past season were repeated with tenfold in- tensity. If the fright of 1862 was a panic, that of 1863 was a reign of terror, and marks a melan- eholy era in the history of this and other coun- ties; in this, because within its borders a family classed among its earliest settlers and pioneers, were well nigh swept away before the pitiless rage of the murderous Sioux. The excitement following the news of this outrage caused another exodus. Many of the families never returned, while of those who, a few weeks later ventured back, many found only ruined crops and desolate homes.
THE DUSTIN MASSACRE .- The particulars of this pitiless slaughter, concerning which many erroneous statements have been published, are gathered with much care from surviving members of the family, and neighbors who assisted in the search for, and burial of the victims.
In the spring of 1857, Mrs. Jeannette Dustin and family came here from New York, and took a claim on section twenty-four, in the present town of Marysville, now known as the Bland farm. Abont two years later they sold this claim to Mr. Beatle, and located on what is known as the Quin
492
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
farm, not far from Montrose, and later, to a claim on Mooers Prairie, now Stockholm, four or five miles from the village of Cokato. Mrs. Dustin was the widow of Moses Dustin, who died abont three years before her coming to Minnesoln. The children were: Amos, Nathan, Timothy, Dallas, Arabella, and an elder daughter, the wife of A. D. Kingsley, an early settler at Waverly Mills, and now of French Lake.
In June, 1863, Mrs. Dustin visited her daughter, Mrs. Kingsley, then at Waverly Mills, and re- mained nursing her during an illness of two weeks or more. On the 29th of June, she started for home, with her son Amos, his wife and three children, who were about to settle near the others at Mooers Prairie. They went with an ox-team and common lumber wagon, and late in the after- noon, when near Smith Lake, were attacked by a party of Indians who killed Mrs. Jeannette Dus- tin, Amos, and his son Robert, in the wagon in which all were riding at time of the attack. Mrs. Amos Dustin, formerly Miss Kate Miller, was shot in the back with an arrow, which passed through her body, protruding from her breast. She fell forward and was left for dead. Alma, her dangh- ter, then a child of about seven years, was hidden in the wagon partially beneath the dend body of her father, and escaped notice. The youngest son, Albert, then a child some three years of age, was taken from the wagon and left upon the ground unharmed. Why he was thus lett is only accounted for by the settlers of that time, upon the hypothesis that the starvation or destrnetion by wild beasts to which he was thus exposed, offered the most ernel torture with which to close their work of blood. After mutilating the bodies of the murdered, and plundering the wagon, the Indians departed, leaving the dead and dying to their fate. Mrs. Dustin soon rallied, and summon- ing all her strength, started with her two terror- stricken children to seek the shelter of some friendly cabin. Poor, suffering mother! Wounded, bleeding, and faint-clinging to her orphaned babes, though racked with ernel pain, and with the fatal arrow yet piercing her flesh, what, save the intensity of a mother's love, eould sustain her in this terrible hour of fear, and pain, and horror! But even this fervor could not long withstand the futnl drain, and with failing sight and sense, she wandered from the pathway, and there, in the dim old forest, shronded by the murky shadows of night, the weary, suffering mother lay down to die.
At the time of the attack, the team being fright- ened, had left the road, broken loose from the wagon, and started back, stopping at the residence of Mr. A. E. Cochran, whose suspicious were aroused, and who, not hearing from the family, proceeded next morning to the mills, summoned Mr. A. D. Kingsley, Henry Lammers, and others, and all returned to Mr. Cochran's, from whence they proceeded westward along the ronte taken by the family the day previous. A little to the west of Howard lake, and not far from the margin of its waters, a dog belonging to the family was diseov- ered, and soon after, the two children, who were wandering about in search of water. Near by, in a clump of willows, lay the suffering mother, still conseious, and in the full possession of her mental faculties. From her they learned the fate of the others, and messengers were dispatched to Water- town and Rockford to notify the settlers, and also claim their assistance.
The murdered victims were removed to the old Waverly mills and buried in a beautiful grove ou the right bank of the stream forming the outlet to Little Waverly lake, near the present residence of C. W. Bonniwell. Mrs. Dustin was taken to the rosi- dence of Mr. Cochran and given every possible attention, but to little purpose. The fatal arrow had done its work. She lived to tell the story of the bloody tragedy, but the day after being found, death, more mereiful than her murderers, kindly ended her sufferings. She was buried with the others, and with them lie also the remains of Mrs. Kingsley, her four children, and Nathan Dustin, who died from the effects of exposure while seout- ing for Indians after the murder of his friends.
Mrs. Dustin recognized Little Crow, his son, and three others in the attacking party. Timothy, Dallas, and Arabella, who were at the home on Mooers Prairie, were not disturbed, but after the murder, removed to the settlement east, as did others in the vicinity. Dallas Dustin is now in Nebraska, Timothy, and Arabella, (now Mrs. C. Meyers ) are living near Bouniwell's Mills, and the children of Amos, in Hennepin county, Alma in Minneapolis, and Albert in the town of Plymouth.
When Mr. C. W. Bonniwell purchased the mill property and farm at Waverly Mills, the plat where the Dustin family lie buried was reserved, and is still sacredly kept as a token of respect for the departed, and a sorrowful reminder of the ter- ror und tragedy of the year 1863. The spot where the murder occurred, and where the bodies
493
WRIGHT COUNTY.
were found, is on the eastern margin of Smith Lake, a little south of the steam mill; and the place where Mrs. Amos Dustin was found is jnst north of the railroad station at Howard Lake.
The excitement following the news of this mas- sacre was intense, and it was long before the set- tlements again enjoyed their former prosperity and sense of safety.
HARD TIMES .- The settlements were slow in re- covering the numerical loss sustained during the Indian troubles, and it was not until the dawn of our Nation's peace, and the return of her citizen soldiery, that material changes occurred. In the meantime most of the odd-numbered sections had fallen into the hands of the railroad company, through abandonment by former claimants. Af- ter the war, with the prospect of a railroad soon to be built through the county, these lands found ready sale to actnal settlers, and with the home- steads taken during 1865-66, the census of Wright county was materially increased. As most of the late comers of 1866 were men of limited means, it was not strange that the spring of 1867 found many in destitute circumstances. Added to this embarrassment was the farther evil of an unnsu- ally wet spring, rendering early seeding impos- sible, and the roads, as yet unworked, nearly, and in many instances quite impassable. Wright county seems always to have been specially doomed to exaggerated rumors, and this was no ex- ception. May was scarce ushered in before wild rnmors of destitution were afloat, and the press of the State informed the reading public that fantilies were starving; that many were subsisting upon elin bark. It was enough to have told the simple truth, for "hard times came knocking at the door" of many a cabin in that dreary season. The County Commissioners were appealed to for aid, and accordingly sent ont a committee of investi- gation, to ascertain and report the actnal condi- tion of the settlements where suffering was re- ported. The investigation disclosed the fact that in several of the western towns, great destitution prevailed, and that prompt measures were neces- sary to prevent actual want und starvation. .
The Commissioners found it no easy matter to effect the necessary relief, with an empty treasury, and no time to arrange for the issue of bouds. Al- though the county was out of debt, its bonds, in the event of an issue, were not likely to be eagerly sought after by outside parties, and there was no surplus wealth within its borders. Something,
however, must be done, and that, too, without de- lay. The only avenne of relief offered was the im- mediate issue of county orders, which was adopted, and a committee sent to St. Paul and Minneapolis to convert these into cash for the relief of the suf- fering. The banks, however, turned a deaf ear to the appeal of the committee, and utter failure seemed imminent. Just then Mr. W. B. Litchfield, prominent in railroad circles, hearing by a mere chance, of the vain attempts on the part of the committee to obtain aid, volunteered the loan of the necessary amount, and thus secured to the committee the means of assistance. For this lin- mane aet Mr. Litchfield will ever be held in kindly remembrance. On the 18th of May, at a special meeting of the County Commissioners it was voted : "That a county bond be issued to W. B. Litchfield of St. Paul, to the amount of five hundred dollars payable one year after date, bearing interest at the rate of seveu per cent. per annum. The same be- ing for money to be applied towards relieving the destitute persons in Wright conuty."
Signed T. C. SUAPLEIGH, Chairman Board of Commissioners. Attest: HENRY KREIS, Auditor.
Pending the foregoing transaction, the Gover- nor had, upon appeal to him by some of the citi- zens, sent out eighteen sacks of flour, and other articles of food, to meet the immediate require- ments of the distressed. But the difficulties of the County Commissioners did not end with the advance of money by Mr. Litchfield. Flour in St. Paul, was held at twelve dollars per barrel, and it was with great difficulty that a team was at last proeured to take a load to Rockford, the charge for transportation being two dollars per barrel. This seemingly extravagant price, was, after all, a questionable speenlation on the part of the carrier. Roekford was made the distributing point, it being impossible to proceed farther by team, but the settlers were glad of the provisions furnished, even though forced to carry them in some cases from fifteen to twenty miles upon their shoulders -a method tacetionsly termed "sonl- carting." Provisions, seed, etc., were also distri- buted from Monticello, beside which a few visited the cities, aud seenred additional aid. Of the eu- tire amount thus distributed, the county sustained an expense of about one thousand dollars. That some of this, as well as the aid obtained from the cities, fell into nndeserved hauds is no matter of wonder, nor is it any exception to the general his-
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494
HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
tory of such cases. The object was attained, not- withstanding this, the immediate wants were inet, and the settlers enabled to push forward in devel- oping their farms and homes.
COUNTY SEAT REMOVED .-- With the now more general distribution of settlers throughout the county, the question of removing the county seat from Monticello to some more central point was vigorously agitated, and in the Legislature of 1867, a bill was passed submitting the matter to n vote of the people at the fall election of that year. As a result of this measure, the location was fixed nt Buffalo. In accordance with a previ- ous agreement, the citizens of Buffalo erected a building for court-room and offices, which was furnished the county free of rent for a term of five years. This building was 24x36 feet, and two stories high. It is now owned by C. E. Oak- ley, the upper room being known as Oakley's Hall, and used for society and public meetings. A brick vault was also built adjoining the old court-house on the east, during the construction of which, a partial collapse gave Mr. Gardner, the builder, a temporary burial, from which, however, he was resurrected with slight injuries.
Viewing the old court-house to-day, it seems but a meager provision for the then existing needs of the county, but it was a marked improvement upon the previous condition of affairs.
In Monticello no common building existed; a part of the officers were furnished with small de- tached quarters, while others were wholly without provision. The convenience, therefore, of even this small building was duly appreciated. In 1873, the five year's lease expired, and the build- ing was purchased by the county, for one thou- sand dollars. In the legislature of this year, an act was passed submitting to the people at the spring elections, the matter of voting bonds for the construction of a new county building. The measure was defeated, and the matter rested until the Legislature of 1875, when an act was passed authorizing the Board of County Commissioners to issue the necessary bonds without submitting the matter to a vote of the people. .
Accordingly a committee was appointed, who, after examining several public buildings in differ- ent parts of the State, reported that a suitable and convenient building, with heavy brick walls and stone foundations, could be erected at a maximum cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. Plans and specifications were furnished by J. V. Daniels, and
bids solicited. The contract was awarded to Bis- bee & Bardwell, of Minneapolis, for $26,640. A portion of the stone used in the foundation was obtained near Buffalo Lake, the remainder being brought from Minneapolis; the brick were also obtained near by, thus lessening the otherwise heavy expense of building. The mason work was carried on under the supervision of "Unele Joe" Nelson, an old man now over eighty years of age, and a universal favorite in this and other localities.
On the 1st of January, 1878, the new and ele- gant court-house was occupied by the county ofli- cers. The additional expenditure of some three thousand dollars in fencing, ereeting out-buildings, and ornamenting the grounds, has added much to its original appearance. Viewed from the margin of the lake on the south, with its terraeed grounds, graveled walks, and greenwood background, its imposing structure affords a perspective such as artists admire, and of which the citizens of Wright county are justly proud. Some little disappoint- ment was experienced in the basement not being finished for jail purposes, but it was not stipulated in the contract, and has never been effected. It is divided, however, into suitable compartments, and only laeks the addition of patent cells to make it available and commodions. It has not yet been deemed advisable to assume the expense of its completion, and the further necessary expense of a turnkey. Prisoners are therefore taken either to St. Paul or Minneapolis for safe keeping during their terms of confinement.
SCHOOLS .- That the first settlers of Wright county were alive to the importance of fostering an educational interest, is evident from their carly efforts in that direction. The three voting Pre- cincis, first established were each made a school district, and the formation of other districts were among the first sub-divisions following. Rude, though comfortable buildings were erected, and schools maintained, usually without taxation, vol- untary contributions being the rule. The first notable impetus given, was the general act grant- ing two sections in each township for school pur- poses, though in most cases little immediate aid was realized from this sonrec. Yet, through all the varied fortunes of the pioneer and later settle- ments, this all-important element has been care- fully unrsed, until now, not a child within the borders of the county is without the means of a common school education. The village schools offer additional facilities, ns will appear in the town
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495
WRIGHIT COUNTY.
histories following. From 1860, nutil the office of County Superintendent was established, each Com- missioner district had its School Examiner; since then all have been under the supervision of the Superintendent, whose duties each year nre becom- ing more arduous.
RAILROADS .- The necessity of better facilities for travel and transportation were among the early wants experienced in this region, and the future possibility of a line of railroad traversing this county was anxiously considered by the rapidly increasing population. Accordingly, any meas- nre pointing to that end was joyfully received by the inhabitants, and when the " Five Million Loan Bill " was submitted to the people, in April, 1858, Wright county, in view of one or more antici- pated lines through her territory, voted almost unanimously in its favor. Some of its warmest advocates, at that date, have since been among those who opposed the payment of the bonds. Of the land grants provided for by act of Congress, March 3d, 1857, a large amount of the public domain was seenred by the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Northwestern Railroad Company, afterwards changed by reorganization, to the First Division of the St. Paul and Pacific, and later, by similar measures, to its present name-St. Paul, Minne- apolis and Manitoba Railway Company. By the line located through the southern part of this county, and the one just avoiding its northern border, a large acreage was secured within the county limits, the grant embracing the odd-num- bered sections within a limit of twelve miles on either side of the lines. This, with the large amount embraced in the lands afterward taken under the homestead law, reduced the taxable area to a mere fraction, and in 1867, through some strange misinterpretation of the terms of the land grant, an effort was made to tax the railroad lands within the connty limits, the same as ordinary non- resident lands. They were, therefore, placed on the assessment rolls, returned, and advertised for sale for non-payment of taxes; but the sale was prevented by an injunetion served by the railroad company upon the County Anditor and Treasurer. Litiga- tion followed, the case coming before the June term of the District Court, and resulting in a deei- sion in favor of the Company. In this contest, H. R. Bigelow appeared for the Railroad, and Hon. H. L. Gordon for the county. The case was carried to the Supreme Court, by appeal, and the netion of the lower tribunal confirmed JE3 T
It was, on the whole, a most unfortunate affair, the worst of which was not the immediate expense incurred in the snits. By returning a large assess- ment on real estate, a corresponding tax was re- mired by the State, which, as it was never col- lected in the county, was never paid into the State 'Treasury, and the State Anditor's books still show a nominal indebtedness from which Wright connty officials are not yet free from annoyance.
During the year 1866, the railroad now known as the Breckenridge Division of the St. Paul, Min- neapolis and Manitoba, was located through Wright county, and during the winter was cut out through the Big Woods. In October, 1868, the track was laid as far as Delano, and by July, the next year, was completed to Cokato, and soon after, beyond the county line west.
In the summer, or antumn of 1878, a survey was made through the northern part of the county by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, passing through the villages of Clearwater and Monticello. The people along the route were jubilant in antic- ipation of its early construction, but the project was abandoned, and their hopes unrealized. Thus matters remained until the winter of 1880-81, when another survey was undertaken in the interests of the Minneapolis and North Western Railway Com- pany, following the general course of the former, and commonly called, Rosser survey. Other routes were also surveyed, including one through Buffalo. Propositions were submitted, aid extended from the towns of Monticello and Clearwater, and during the summer of 1881, the road graded as far as the latter village. Track laying began, from Minne- apolis west, carly in the season, with the view of reaching the western extremity of Wright county during the fall, which at time of this writing, seems likely to be effected. The St. Paul, Minne- apolis and Manitoba Railway Company own the controlling interest in the line, and its construc- tion is wholly under their management.
As the past and future development of Wright county bears so intimate a relation to the achieve- ments of this company, it is deemed proper here to give a brief review of its inception and progress.
The land grant of Congress, approved March, 1857, for aid in the construction of railroads in Min- nesota, was based npon a series of contemplated lines, radinting from St. Paul, one of which should run to Winona, one to Stillwater, and another to Minne- apolis, branching at that point, with one line run- ning to Big Stone Lake, on the western line of
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HISTORY OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
the State; the other through Sank Rapids, to St. Vincent, with a branch line from Sauk Rapids to Lake Superior. Of the lands this granted, this company secured nboul 3, 180,000 neres, of which, nt the close of the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1881, there had been sold 1,185,837 aeres along their several lines, the sales for the last year alone amonnting to nearly 98,000 acres. The first ef- forts in construction, under the original eorpora- tion, were but feeble demonstrations. A partially completed grade marked a possible future line from St. Paul to St. Anthony, in 1857, and there the matter rested until 1862, when another effort resulted in trains running to St. Anthony. Ed- inund Rice was President of the first and sceond corporations, and in 1864, George L. Beeker be- came President of the First Division of the St. Paul and Pacific Railway Company, the new cor- poration securing the land grants and franchises of the construeted portion from St. Panl to St. Anthony, and the uncompleted portion to Sank Rapids; also from St. Anthony west to Big Stone Lake. The progress of the latter line has already been noted. The Sauk Rapids branch hardly kept pace with the other; reaching Anoka in January, 1864, Elk River, in October, the same year, Big Lake, April, 1866, East St. Cloud, September, 1866, and Sauk Rapids, September 30th, 1867. In June, 1879, through negotiations unnecessary here to name, the present organization was consummated, and has since enjoyed a marked degree of success. During the year ending June 30th, 1881, the com- pany have built 211 miles of road, and now own and operale 816 miles, mostly within this State, the remainder in Dakota. On these lines they pay into the State treasury, in taxes, $109,588.11.
The rolling stock in nse at time of the Jnne report of 1881, was : eighty-nine locomotives, seven sleeping cars, seventy-four passenger, mail, and baggage cars, fifty-two caboose and tool ears, and two thousand five hundred and fifty-six box, stoek, flat, and gravel cars.
The gross carnings for the last fiscal year were $3,652,851.91, to which is added rents of leased lines, interest and exchange, to the amount of $52,- 600.22, leaving a balance over operating and other expenses, of $732,466.10, exclusive of land sales. The same annual report shows the Company pos- sessed of assets to the amount of $37,536,583.95.
The general offices, shops, etc., are located at St. Panl, The former comprising elegant apartments at. the corner of Fourth and Wabasha streets. The
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