History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 33

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198

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Judge Williams of the Fort Randall district was next to Bliss in age, and was a learned man, a good lawyer, and a conscientious official. He was a Tennesseean, accustomed to something more than the ordinary or necessary comforts of life. and found pioneering in Dakota difficult to assimilate. He was greatly bereaved during his term by the death of his son, who was his companion and just growing into promising manhood. Judge Williams was inclined to reticence and solitude. He was of medium height and form, wore a full beard and carried a cane more as a convenience than a necessity.

Judge Williston of the Vermillion district was younger than his brothers of the bench, and much the largest. fle was an able lawyer and an excellent judge. He was a portly man, somewhat florid, and the prey of Dakota fleas and mos- quitoes. These pests at time so wrought upon his temper that he was led to speak disparagingly of the country in language terse and emphatic. Judge Wil- liston was about forty years of age and nearly six feet tall.

Judge Bliss resigned in 1864 and settled at St. Joseph, Missouri, where he engaged in journalism; Judge Williston was transferred to the bench of Mon- tana in 1863 and was succeeded by Ira Bartlett, of Kankakee, Ilinois ; and Judge Williams returned to Tennessee at the expiration of his term.

Gov. William Jayne was about thirty-six years of age at the time he was appointed. He was a physician and had enjoyed an extensive practice in Sanga- mon County, Illinois, his home being at Springfield. He was an active man, in vigorous health, wore a beard which was of a dark brown color. His height was about five feet ten inches. Ile was a man of liberal education and of practical ability. His first message was an able paper containing much information. abounding in remarkable and unerring predictions regarding Dakota's future. Ile was the candidate of the republican and union party for delegate to Congress against General Todd in 1862, and was awarded the certificate of elec- tion by the territorial board of canvassers. General Todd contested his right to the seat. Jayne was given the seat in January. 1864, but lost it upon the final hearing a few months later, Congress allowing the Red River vote, which was in Todd's favor. He then returned to his former home in Springfield, Illinois, where he still resides. He has been several times elected mayor of the city, and now, though over eighty-six years of age, is a member of the State Board of Charities and Corrections.

John Hutchinson. the territorial secretary, was a western man. He had been through the border troubles of Kansas, but was appointed from Minnesota. lle

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was a lawyer of good ability, and owed his appointment to the personal friendship of Hon. William H. Seward, the secretary of state of President Lincoln's cabinet. Hutchinson was about thirty-two years of age, about five feet eight inches in height and slightly round shouldered, was married, and in 1862 brought his wife to Yankton and became a bona fide citizen of the territory. He was the only one of the commissioned federal officers to do this and it made him quite popular. Mr. Hutchinson was a black haired man, very full beard, dark complexion, nerv- ous temperament. He was devoted to his family, attentive to his official duties, and quite socially disposed. Ile was reappointed at the expiration of his term in 1865, but resigned within a month to accept the consulship to Leghorn, Italy, desiring to give his daughter the advantage of a foreign residence and study. He returned in 1869 or 1870 and entered upon the practice of law in Chicago, which he continued until his death some twenty years later.

Gen. George D. Hill of Ann Arbor, Michigan, the first surveyor general, was a man of distinguished appearance, fine intellect and fair education. He was well versed in the theory and practice of agriculture, and had been prominently before the people of his state as a speaker and writer on agricultural topics for years. He was over six feet tall, quite corpulent, always carefully dressed, auburn hair and full whiskers tinged with gray, but no mustache. Qnite a pompous sort of man, fond of good living. but seriously lacking the element of popularity, due largely to his custom of giving surveying contracts to his Michigan friends who were non-residents, and to an unfortunate parsimoniousness that he made unnecessarily conspicuous, and an unpardonable habit of forgetfulness that gave rise to reports that injured his standing among the people. But he was one of the most useful of Dakota's first officials, nevertheless, because of his well grounded faith in the natural resources of the territory. He was the first to take hold of the practical work of inducing immigration to the territory, and his knowledge of the merits of our soil and climate and his study of the vegetation in the valleys and on the plains enabled him to talk convincingly on that subject. He labored in this field in Michigan and was mainly instrumental in inducing the New York colony of nearly one hundred families to settle in Dakota in 1864. Mr. ITill was a candidate for reappointment but failed to get it. He returned to Ann Arbor, where he resided until his death, which occurred about 1890. He made. but one visit to Dakota after his retirement from office-this was in 1888. He came with Judge James Tufts and went on to Niobrara, presumably on some busi- ness connected with early days, but the mission, whatever it was, proved unsuc- cessful. It was observable at this time that Mr. Hill's faculties had been seriously impaired and his robust vigor had declined. His life had not been a success, and after his return to Michigan from this visit the decline was more rapid, termi- nating within a year or two in his death. He should be kindly remembered for his valuable labors in behalf of the infant territory and his unfaltering and rock- rooted faith in the capabilities of Dakota's soil and climate. He was ever con- stant in sounding their merits, and this too in the face of many discouraging cir- cumstances.

William E. Gleason, of Maryland, was the first United States attorney. He was quite a young man, highly gifted and well educated. He was a southern re- publican and had been appointed through the influence of his friend, Henry Win- ter Davis, of Maryland, who at that time was the national leader of the radical wing of the republican party. Mr. Gleason was a sparely built, willowy man about five feet eleven inches tall, long dark hair, black eyes, beard and mustache, and not to exceed thirty years of age. In habit he was quite fastidious, and while his speech betrayed his southern origin it also disclosed the best and the highest sounding phrases the language afforded. He had a fine legal education and was ardently devoted to his profession. His extreme sensitiveness was re- sponsible for many of the difficulties he encountered, leading him at times to sus- pect when there were no grounds for suspicion. It would seem that there are some unfortunate persons who are so morbidly sensitive that they imagine every-

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thing they say and every act they commit is being overheard or watched, com- mented upon and criticized ; and yet the weakness of undue vanity should not be ascribed to them. It is an inborn trait that only time and experience and rough knocks can only partially blunt of its torturing propensity. Mr. Gleason's official duties, like those of all the other officials, were not onerous but he gave conscien- tious attention to them and his career as the legal representative of the Govern- ment was marked by fidelity, integrity and ability. He was extremely courteous, accommodating and generous, though his salary and emoluments were not suf- ficient to defray his necessary expenses, being but $250 a year and certain fees. The law governing his office and that of the marshal presupposed that the fees would be sufficient to make the office desirable and the income princely, whereas the fees amounted to less than the salary during Mr. Gleason's term and there was no private practice. Mr. Gleason, like Judge Bliss, did not unite with the gov- ernor and some of the other federal officials in territorial political matters, but became the chief counselor and advisor of General Todd and his friends. This created a serious estrangement which continued throughout his term as attorney for the Government. His political alliance with the Todd interest did not seem to affect his standing at Washington and when his term expired in 1865 he was appointed to succeed Joseph L. Williams as associate justice of Dakota. He served a few months of this term, was then appointed consul to Bordeaux, France, and with the expiration of that term returned to Baltimore, where he died some years later.

William F. Shaeffer, who was appointed United States marshal and was the first incumbent of that office in Dakota, was a Missourian, and when appointed was out at Pike's Peak in what had been Arrapahoe County, Kansas, though soon after organized as the Territory of Colorado. He was a young man, not over thirty years of age, of prepossessing appearance, good address, and well qualified for his office. He remained in the territory about a year attending court in Ver- million, Yankton and Fort Randall. He was not satisfied with his position, and furthermore was an ardent Union man and desired to enter the Government military service. He resigned in 1862 and went back to Missouri and was no more heard from by his limited acquaintances here.

None of the first officers were widowers. All were married except Gleason and Shaeffer, who were bachelors.

As a rule, these first officials were a very temperate class of men. The gov- ernor, chief justice and attorney neither drank intoxicants nor used tobacco. Judge Williams smoked but if he drank anything it was very sparingly. Judge Williston was likewise an abstainer. Secretary Hutchinson had been a Kansas pioneer long enough to become an occasional moderate drinker, but seldom smoked. General Hill was quite fond of the "bubbles that swim on the beaker's brim," and enjoyed a good story even if he had to tell it himself. Take the first officials as a body, and without disparagement to their successors to the present day, they were their equals if not superiors in point of intellectual attain- ments.

Looking upon these first officials from the present day point of view we are led to believe that all of them were disappointed when they came face to face with Dakota and into actual possession of their offices. They had expected more than they found. Even the simplest of ordinary physical comforts were largely wanting ; there was neither school nor church, a small number of log huts and but a moderate prospect of more improvement. They had all literally got in on the "ground floor." and were in time to assist in laying the first foundation of the social as well as political structure. The governor, chief justice and secretary were accompanied by their wives as far as Sioux City. At that point they were apprised of the prevailing newness of civilization west of the "Jim," and the ladies were left at Hagy's one-story hotel fronting the river, where the host would take you out of doors and along a good piece of sidewalk when he came to "show you up" to your lodging place.

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FIRST POLITICAL MOVEMENTS

In its earliest days Dakota attained a reputation because of the interest mani- fested by its settlers in political matters. It was said that Dakota contained more politicians in proportion to the whole population than any other section of the Union. The first political convention was held at Vermillion on June 1, 1861. The following were the proceedings :

In response to a call, the people of Dakota Territory met in mass convention at Ver- million, on Saturday, June 1, 1861, at 2 o'clock P. M., and organized a national union party. George M. Pinney, of Bon Homme, was elected chairman, and A. W. Puett, of Vermillion, secretary. The following platform was adopted :

Resolved, That we, as citizens of Dakota Territory, are unanimously in favor of main- taining inviolate the Constitution of the United States and the enforcement of all the laws of Congress and the perpetuity of the Union.

Resolved, That we pledge our cordial support to the governor and secretary of this territory in maintaining the Organic Act and especially the sacred right of elective franchise.

Resolved, That we are in favor of a liberal homestead law, giving 160 acres of our public domain to all native and naturalized citizens who will make homes thereon, and that we will only support such a man for Congress, who is not only in favor of such a measure, but whose antecedents warrant us in believing him to be unwavering in his position.

Resolved, That we fully and frankly endorse the policy of the present administration in relation to our national difficulties, believing that it is both patriotic and just.

Resolved, That monopolies of all kinds are dangerous to the interests of the masses, and often disastrous, and especially the holding for speculative purposes of large tracts of the best portion of a new country, and we earnestly call upon all citizens of Dakota Terri- tory to aid us in preventing the extension of present land monopolies in this territory or the inauguration of new ones.

Resolved, That this convention nominate A. J. Bell as our candidate for delegate to Congress.

Resolved, That we pledge our individual support to the nominee of this convention, Hon. A. J. Bell.

After the passage of the resolutions, Mr. Bell was introduced and made an excellent speech, receiving the applause of the convention, after which the convention adjourned with nine hearty cheers for A. J. Bell.

A. W. PUETT, Secretary.

GEORGE MI. PINNEY, Chairman.

'This was considered the first territorial party convention held in Dakota. The proceedings furnish no names except those of Pinney and Puett, and Bell, all republicans, and while the proceedings designated it as a national union conven- tion, it was popularly called a republican convention. Except Mr. Pinney, it was claimed that those who participated in the convention were all from Ver- million. Mr. Bell, the nominee, was not a voter under the organic aet. He had come in from Minnesota in May. He was a man of good ability. At the time the convention was held neither the governor nor any of the federal officers had reached the territory. There had been no election called, and no doubt a preju- dicial impression got abroad among the voters because of the apparent haste to hold the convention, possibly, for the purpose of forestalling political action in which all the settlements might participate. It was suggested that Mr. Pinney was disappointed that the nomination for delegate did not fall to him, and it was remarked after the election was held, that the Bon Homme precinct, which Mr. Pinney represented, and the Yankton precinct, gave no vote for Mr. Bell.

About the Ist of September. Charles P. Booge, who held the position of trader at the Yankton Indian agency, was nominated by a convention held at Bon Homme.

There was no convention held to nominate General Todd. He was in the field and his friends and supporters were very active and comparatively numerous. Although himself a democrat, he did not want to go to Congress at that time representing any party, and he was aware that a large proportion of the repub- lican voters were supporting him, believing that he could accomplish more for the territory under existing conditions than any other citizen of the territory,

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having borne the leading part in all public affairs from the beginning of the negotiations for the treaty of cession, and from his connection with Mr. Lincoln, being a cousin of Mrs. Lincoln's, and wide acquaintance with public men and general knowledge of public business, would be able to secure for the young terri- tory many favors from the departments which a stranger in the territory and at Washington would fail in procuring.

The time for the first election under the organic act called by the governor's proclamation to be held on the 16th of September was rapidly approaching and the settlers were largely occupied with state affairs and in considering who should be their first law makers. Three candidates for delegate to Congress had been placed in the field. Capt. J. B. S. Todd, himself an old line democrat, whose serv- ices in bringing about the organization of the territory had made him by far the most prominent and influential man in Dakota was being supported by the sub- stantial element of citizens without regard to their party affiliations and without a convention.

Mass conventions were held in the different settlements for the nomination of candidates for the Legislature. While the sentiment in most districts was prac- tically unanimous for Todd for Congress there was considerable strife over the selection of candidates for the Legislature. Non-partisanship was the popular cry, and nearly all advocated the abolition of party lines for this election, at the same time it was apparent that the views of the voter as to non-partisanship were very largely influenced by his political antecedents, and the majority of the voting population in the legislative districts as well as a majority of the leaders were democrats. At this time, and for a long number of years prior, the democratic party was in the lead in the nation and in a majority of the states, in fact the United States since the formation of the Constitution had been, a large portion of time, under democratic control, though not always under the democratic title.

The first formal political movement in Yankton was made on the 17th day of Angust, 1861, when the following non-partisan call was issued.

The voters of the Sixth Representative District of Dakota Territory are requested to assemble in mass convention at Yankton, in said district, at I o'clock P. M., on the 24th day of August, A. D. 1861, for the purpose of nominating two councilmen and two representatives for the Territorial Legislature to be voted for on the 16th day of September, 1861.

Signed : John Stanage, J. M. Stone, M. K. Armstrong, D). T. Bramble, William Miner, William Thompson, Lytle M. Griffith, F. Chapel, E. Stutsinan, D. Fisher, J. D. Morse.

In accordance with this call which is signed by six democrats and five republi- cans the convention was held and the proceedings are here given in full :

Pursuant to notice the people of the Sixth Representative District assembled in mass convention at Yankton on the 24th day of August, 1861. On motion of A. M. English. Dr. J. Townsend was called to the chair, and on motion of T. A. MeLeese. J. D. Morse was appointed secretary. Upon taking the chair Doctor Townsend made a few remarks, stating that the object of the meeting was for the purpose of nominating two councilmen and two representatives, and closing with an urgent appeal that harmony might prevail.

Enos Stutsman moved that the convention proceed to vote for one representative to the Legislature, which was carried. T. A. McLeese nominated M. K. Armstrong. There being no opposing candidate. on motion of Obed Foote. Mr. Armstrong was nominated by acclamation. W. P. Lyman nominated John Stanage. No other name being proposed. Mr. Stanage was nominated by acclamation.

Frank Chapel nominated Enos Stutsman for the council. There being no opposition. Mr. Stutsman was nominated by acclamation. W. P. Lyman nominated D. T. Bramble for the council. Being the only person proposed. Mr. Bramble was nominated by acclamation.

On motion the chair appointed the following committee of five on resolutions: Enos Stutsman. M. K. Armstrong, James M. Stone. J. R. llanson and James M. Allen. The committee reported the following :

Resolved. That the legal voters of the Sixth Representative District of Dakota Terri- tory, in mass convention assembled, do most cordially endorse the war policy of the present administration, in all endeavors to put down rebellion, and preserve the Constitution and union of states.

Resolved. That in the organization of this great territory we fully realize the confidence that Congress has reposed in our ability to govern ourselves, and therefore we pledge our

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earnest endeavors, with the aid of the officials of the territory, to preserve peace, enforce the laws, establish society and .build up a territorial government which will be an honor to ourselves and an ornament to the Union.

Resolved, That in view of the value of economy of time and money as one of the essential objects of legislation, we shall demand of the men this day put in nomination that they use diligent exertion to forward and close up the business of the Legislature in as short a term as may be consistent with the best interests of the people.

Resolved, That we advocate the policy of free ferry charters on James River, allowing to each man the right to run a ferry on his own premises so long as it does not conflict with claims of another.

Resolved, That we pledge our earnest and united support to the candidates this day put in nomination by this convention, and also to J. B. S. Todd for delegate to Congress.

W. Il. Allen moved that the resolutions be adopted in a body. An amendment was offered by James M. Stone that each resolution be adopted separately. Amendment lost. The resolutions were then adopted.

On motion the convention adjourned.

J. TOWNSEND, President.

J. D. MORSE, Secretary.

It might have been a mere accident but the result of the convention's labors was a ticket composed entirely of democrats and while there were a number of staunch republicans in the convention and in the town, they were not recognized on the ticket.

This omission was the cause of considerable feeling. At the same time it will be conceded that the gentlemen who were nominated were among the ablest and most enterprising citizens of the county, and in point of representative ability and length of residence could not have been improved upon materially. The reso- lutions, it will be observed, strongly endorse the war policy of President Lincoln and affirmed staunch loyalty to the Union.

The restoration and preservation of the Union was the only question of im- portance, and both political parties in the North adhered to the Union canse, though there were some minor differences that served to identify the two parties and create sufficient estrangement to keep them divided.

As a sequel to the convention above reported, two of the parties attending it. both life long and leading republican citizens took occasion a few days later to have printed and circulated the following: (The Yankton newspaper, The Weekly Dakotian, was started in June, 1861).

Editor Dakotian: In your last issue we notice our names given as two of the committee appointed to draft resolutions adopted at our late district convention. In reference to that we wish to say that it was without our consent or even knowledge that we were placed upon that committee and that we had no voice in drafting the resolutions and were opposed to their being adopted "in a body" and in favor of their being taken up "separately." Against a portion of them we had not one word to say, while against the balance we are most bitterly opposed.

The proceedings of that convention were not, in our opinion, conducted on those prin- ciples of fairness which should characterize an occasion fraught with so much importance to this place and territory, and we do not consider ourselves bound, in the slightest degree, by them.

The meanness to which some of the nominees of that convention stooped to gain their nomination, exhibits an imbecility of mind indicative of no future political good to them.

Our names being on that committee carries with it the inference that we helped make and endorse those resolutions, while our course and actions since that day have been in direct opposition. We wish that our records may stand unpolluted by any such foul blot.

We said on the day of that convention that we would use our utmost exertion to defeat the ticket then put in nomination, and we now know no good reason why we should change our course of action.

J. R. HANSON, J. M. STONE.

The outcome of this convention difficulty was another legislative ticket made up of J. B. Greenway and William Thompson for the councilmen and James M. Stone and Otis B. Wheeler for the House. They were placed in nomination with- out the formality of a convention.

While the territorial campaign was marked by a good share of excitement and feeling, mostly occasioned by the energetic and eloquent campaigners on their

DR. JUSTUS TOWNSEND First physician. 1861

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election tours from various points and by the resolute activity of the independent candidate for Congress, Mr. Booge, the affair passed off without serious disturb- ance. The election came off September 16th, and a statement is here given of all the votes polled at the various precincts in the territory for all candidates.

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History of Dakota Territory, volume I, Part 33

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920 Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1198

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1198