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ngweofX)1to£ABLY DAYS IN MINNESOTA.ST. ANTHONY IN 1801.Soiue Aniuilug Incidents.“LETTER FROM OLI} 8ETTLBR.”Editor Journal.—To chronicle theriso and progre** of a great 8uto, the hie-torian would search the public nrchivesand collect information from all reliable sources, but these sketches are only intended to describe events which came under the writer’s observation, and such as the historian would overlook or consider irrelevant. I have referred to the military reservation belonging to Fort Sneiling, extending from the Minnesota River to Bassett’s Creek, above Nicollet Island. The early settlers, at the Falls were endowed with prophetic vision and saw in the near future the Queen City (Minneapolis), its hum of industry, its palatial buildings, its railroads and its destiny to become the great manufacturing and, possibly, commercial center of the Northwest. In anticipation of the reserve being restricted to the immediate vicinity of the Fort, they would erect claim shanties, covering the present site of Minneapolis, west of the river, only to have them burned or demolished by a squad of soldiers from the Fort. Again and again the squatter’s evidence of title was erected to be as often destroyed, until a compromise was effected with the officers of the Fort, in which waa embraced the rule known in mathematics os Division, after which the war ceased, and the lucky parties were permitted to remain in possession. The writer would here state that he erected the first building in Minneapolis after the survey as a town site. The store building is yet standing, opposite the Falls, consequently is the oldest one in the city.St. Anthony (now East Minneapolis) in all of its early stages of development had many obstacles to contend with, that retarded its progress. Arnold W. Taylor, an old bachelor, of Boston, was the owner of a half interest in the town property, also in the mills and water power, and being dissatisfied with the administration of Mr. Frank Steele, his partner, took forcible possession of the mills and erected one or two more on credit. These proceedings culminated in numerous law suits, in which the gentlemen referred to were the principal parties, and finally nearly all the inhabitants became involved as parties to this controversy, or as creditors of Taylor’s. It became my disagreeable duty often to incarcerate, Mr. Taylor in the block house jail in St. Paul, on warrants obtained by his creditors. The last night he spent in jail, a prisoner hung himself in the adjoining cell, and hia death struggles so disturbed Mr. Taylor’s sensitive nature that ' 5 preferred to settle to being a martyr. These suits resulted in the sale of Mr. Taylor’s interest in all the property before referred to. Finally a compromise waa effected between Steele and Taylor, the celebration of which caused some misunderstanding between myself and the Temperance Society to which I belonged. All these legal proceedings, involving the title of real estate, for many years prevented the growth of the town. Emigration and capital sought some other locality. The only one that seemed to flourish amid the general disaster was the writer, who was then officiating as Sheriff. Mr. Henry T. Welles was elected first Mayor of St. Anthony. His inaugural was marked by the ability and foresight that have attended his subsequent career, and for which he has become distinguished throughout the State. The next Mayor who presided over the destinies of the new-fledged city waa Mr. Alvaren Allen, now the popular landlord of the Merchant’s Hotel, St. Paul. His election was then considered the salvation of the city from everlasting disgrace. His opponent waa an emigrant from Africa. At the time referred to, a colored barber, surnamed Banks, was officiating in a little shop on Main street. He wore a standing collar, and possessed some of the dignity and style of his great namesake. It waa his forteto discuss the great questions that agitatedthe country ; so it occurred to me, while listening to one of his dissertations, to suggest to him that he was born for a higher sphere of usefulness, and that he ought to submit his name for Mayor, to which suggestion Banks took very readily. It was arranged that he should post hand bills an* nouncing himself as candidate, in which he would give notice that he would deliver from the steps of the Jarrett House an address foreshadowing the policy of his administration. My part of the programme was to write the address. The Indian policy, the public funds and the tariff were discussed, but not a word on municipal affairs. At the appointed time, Banks began reading his address to a large audience, mostly composed of lumbermen just from the “drive.” While in the midst of his eloquent effort, Al. Stone, (the embodiment of innocent deviltry,) from the second story bed room window, played the part of Zentippe and so dampened our Socrates that he fled to the shelter designated by the striped pole. He was soon surrounded by a hundred and fifty lumbermen in their red shirt uniforms, who arranged some “skids” under our candidate and conveyed him, building and all, several squares and back, singing and shouting, “Banks for Mayor I” It was soon discovered that the lumbermen would turn our joke into a reality if some one could not be found to turn the tide ; Mr. Allen was the only one who could “save the city;” he announced himself as a candidate, in large posters, in which he stated, “In the language of Old Hickory, I am down on all Banks.” Hia election was by a close xute, and the inhabitants breathed free again. My readers will observe that all this occurred before the late amendments to the National Constitution were made. We now can “render unto Caesar etc,” without regard to “race, color or previous condition.” Southern Minnesota, including the valley of the Minnesota nver, waa open to settlement several years before that portion of the State west of the Mississippi and north of the Minnesota. I believe it was in the autumn of 1851 that all the tribes of 8ioux Indians within the limits of the Territory were assembled at Mendota to make a treaty, the result of which was the cession to the United States of all that rich country west of the Mississippi. At the time referred to, there was not a settler between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The buflalo and the elk roamed in the Sauk Valley undisturbed by white men. Gov. Ramsey and Commsssioner Lee represented the Government at this treaty. I can remember the impressive harangus of Little Crow and other distinguished oratory. The harangues were impressive so tar as gestures, and loud, sonorous voices could make them. Some time afterwards Gov. Ram-aey and the Commissioner were arraigned by the St. Paul Democrat and charged, (ingreat head lines,) with swindling, stealing and other sins which are now used to designate the qualities of a carpet bagger. The investigation showed “no cause of action,” and that the editor, Col. D. A. Robertson, was the innocent victim of an Indian trader, who had not been provided for in the treaty. This treaty opened up for settlement all that rich country heretofore referred to. Embryo cities were started founded in all directions. It would be safe calculation to state that two cities one farm were the first products of that eminent domain. Long before the Indians left their poetic villages, (that is, village* only celebrated in poetry or trageoratody), the citiss of Winona, LaCrosse, Wabasha, Red Wing and Hastings on the Mississippi, and Shakopee, Carver, Chaska, I Henderson, LeSuer, St. Peter and Mankato ■ on the Minnesota river, were founded. Each of these places would furnish materials for a book that would interest the general reader, and some would bo like thehistory of the Wyoming Valley. I recall to mind one incident connected with the building of Mankato, worthy of being recorded. While in persuit of Haduta,Sioux Indian for whom I held a warrant,I took passage on the steamer Time aw I Tide for the upper Sioux villages and the mouth of the Blue Earth. Henry McKenty was on board found for Mankato. Who of the early settlers does not remember McKenty, whose hospitality and princely style left him no rival T He was the pioneer in real estate speculation. McKenty owned a claim embracing a portion of Mankato, and a man by the name of Howe had, in the claasic language of the day, “jumped” his claim. Me. had on board the Time and Tide a nicely trimmed coffin, which on the landing of the steamer at Mankato, he had carried by four deck hands, acting as pall bearers, to the cabin door of Howe, who was somewhat nonplussed at the thought of a corpse being brought to his door. McKenty handed his antagonist a pistol and told him that he must choose then and there to vacate the claim or be put in that coffin. Howe took a look at the coffin and concluded to move. G. F. B.POLITICAL NOTICE.Zion, Oct. 26th, 1874.Editor Journal.—I read the controversy between John Ethen,andan unknown delegate in the St. Cloud Press and Times, relating to the late Democratic County Convention, and it seems to me that John Ethen stated truly and rightly by inserting said Convention was not conducted honestly. I have been honored from this town to be a delegate to said Convention and had a true credential signed by the Chairman, C. Bach, and the committee of caucus for our town. But there was another delegate, with a so-called “made up” credential, and •0 I came to St. Cloud Auditor Vossberg personally offered me $10.00, besides paying my expenses, if I would stand back in favor of Nic. Johannes, the afterwards “made up” delegate. As I refused to accept this offer, the committe reported yet in favor of Nic. Johannes. So much as confirmation to John Ethen’s first communication n St Cloud Press.• MARTIN HEISLER.LETTER LIST.Letters remaining unclaimed at the Post Office, in 8t. Cloud, Minnesota, on Wednesday the 29th day of Oct, 1874. To obtain any of these letters, the applicant must call for “Advertised Letters, and give thedate of this list. If not called for in one month, they will be sent to the Dead Letter office.ladies’ list.Boober Miss Lilly Jordan Marygentlemen’s list.Earie C N Gmattney Jno TGrubel G Odell Jaa TReese Tho» Schriner NicholasStrey MrJ. E. WEST, P. M.—Col. FarquhaFs engineers and workmen have tackled the boulders in Battle Rapids a mile below town, and will be engaged in their operations at that point during the remainder of the season. Theyhad intended to reach Bear Island, above town this fall, but owing to the late date at which the preparations for doing the work ▼ere completed, they will not be able to proceed farther than Battle Rapids before the river closes. The work has progressed satisfactorily thus far, and next year we may expect continuous communication with Minneapolis by river throughout the season of navigation.—Monlicello limes.CHEAP I CHEAP I CHEAP!A large stock of new goods of all kinds, including staple and fancy dry goods, woolens, notions, etc., has just been received atR. J. Mockenhaupt’s and will be sold cheap for cash. Farmers and all others should not fail to call and examine.TO RENT.A comfortable dwelling in upper town. Inqure ofL. W. COLLINS.WANTED IMMEDIATELY!Fifty men to pick cranberries, by Everest Bros., of St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids. Apply at Jos. Edelbrock’s store.HEADQUARTERS FOR BARLEY.J. W. Tenvoorde will pay the highest, market price for all the barley there is in the country. Farmers will do well to call on him before disposing of their barley. He is also paying the highest price for wheat, oats and farmers* produce of all kinds.NOTICE.Having disposed of our meat market business to Mr. Me Micken, of Canada, we would ask all persons indebted to us to call and make an early settlement.COATES FREEMAN.St. Cloud, Oct. 29, 1864.—The granary and stables of Jos. Smith, of the Town of Raymond, with a quantity of grain, farming tools, etc., were bumad on tha 21st inst Loss $500; insured in the Farmers’ Mutual.—Every Democrat should see to it that J. R. Boyd’s name is on his ticket for County Commissioner.—Go to Dennis’ tor your winter apples. As he has a small rent and no clerk hire to pay, he can, consequently, sell cheap.—A full and complete stock of hooks, stationery, notions, and in fact everything to be found in a first-class bookstore, can be obtained cheap at Rosenberger*8.. G. Huber pays the highest price fo butter and eggs.—J. Leisen’s is the place for boots shoes. He has the largest stockbest goods, and sells the cheapest.Be sure to go to Leisen’s.—No Democrat should cast a ballot without J. R. Boyd’s name for County Commissioner.Bixby’s Death to Pain.—No betrecommend could be given to any me cine than this, that he who uses it o: lives to use it again, and will use no oth For sale by Rhodes Spencer.—Russell v for your—For your millinery goods, go to Mrs. Thomas'.. G. Huber will pay the highest pric for cranberries.—Democrats, vote for J. R. Boyd f County Commissioner for the 1st Districi—Go to Russell's and get some of thr new cheese from Harvey Buck man factory.—West and Selby, in West’s B are selling damaged goods at any price good goods at cost.—Look carefully to your ballots, 1 crate. See that your vote is cast forBoyd fpr County Commissioner.
Newspaper Details
The Saint Cloud Journal
Saint Cloud, Minnesota, US
Thu, Oct 29, 1874
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
IA, USA 16 Mar 2023
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