Faribault County, Minnesota - Chapter 7, 1896

The Great Rebellion

"Dissolve the Union! No, forbear, The Sword of Democles is there; Cut but a hair and earth shall know A darker, deadlier tale of woe Than history's crimson page has told, Since Nero's car in blood was rolled."

This year saw the beginning, but alas, notwithstanding all the hopes and pi'omises at the time, not the end, of the great rebellion. The dark clouds of civil war - a war more gigantic and terrible than any yet known among men, were fast gathering, when the year opened, and cast their somber and ominous shadows over the whole land.

The mutterings of the gathering storm, now grown loud and fierce, were heard by the people of this county, as by all other loyal citizens of the land, with grief and indignation. But they, like the great majority of the people of the United States, both North and South, but little apprehended the tremendous carnival of blood and desolation, u^Don which the Nation was about to enter.

Though this county lay far out, at the time, on the frontiers and away from the great centers of activity, wealth and influence, the patriotic spirit of the peoiDle,was soon awakened. Recruiting for the army began very early, and every encouragement was given by the county and its people to the cause of the Union, from the very beginning until the close of the war, and we are proud to record the fact here, that the patriotism, courage and fortitude of no people ever surpassed that of the residents of this county, during the troublous times of the great rebellion and the terrible Sioux massacre, all of which will become evident as we px'oceed with this history. Of the causes which led to the great civil war and the events which characterized it, belonging more properly to the domain of national history, but little need be said in this work.

It is sufticient to say here, briefly, in explanation, that from Colonial times, there had been gradually growing up in the Nation, between the North and the South, an apparent antagonism of interests, political sentiments and social structure, which originated in and was fostered by the institution of slavery in the Southern States of the Union. Human slavery was an anomaly in a free government like ours. The system was not only a violation of the ))recepts of natural and revealed law. but was directly at variance with all the fundamental principles of our political institutions. The system of free government and equality of political privileges for all, and respected free labor in the North, could not peaceably exist by the side of the system of slavery, with its aristocracy of masters and degraded slave labor and other inherent evils.

Hence constant contention on the subject of slavery, its rights to protection and its right, under the constitution, to go into the free territories sprang up and constantly grew more and more bitter. The statesmen of the South soon conceived the idea that the union of the States was of little binding force or obligation, and they early taught the doctrine of absolute "State sovereignty" and the right of any State to secede from the Union when it chose. This pernicious doctrine of State rights was, in debate, overthrown by the statesmen of the North. Yet while the South was mainly united in its views and demands, the North was somewhat divided. In all the preliminary stages of the contest and during the rebellioQ the South had many sympathizers in the North. Numerous compromises on the subject were made but all was of no avail. Slavery was a sin against God, a crime against man and embodied within itself a host of intolerable evils, the result of the relation existing between the absolute master and the absolute slave. It was repugnant to the progress and enlightenment and sense of justice and right of the age. It was well-named a "relic of barbarism" and was overliving its time in the world's history. Therefore compromises, admitting its existence, settled nothing. No question is ever settled until it is settled right, and the only right settlement of the slavery question was its total abolition. All great evils, perhaps all evils are aggressive. Slavery was aggressive. It constantly demanded more and more. Southern leaders sought to make slavery national, while in fact it was never anything but a sectional institution. They became very arrogant, insolent and domineering everywhere, but especiallv in the national councils. The North could not agree to the extension of the evil, nor accede to the many other demands of the South. Southern statesmen determined to maintain their peculiar institution and its right to extension, its nationalization, and to dominate the politics and control the highest offices of the nation. If they could not do this in the Union, then they would dissolve the Union. They finally by falsohood.s, specious arguments, the spread of a false public sentiment and a great clamor, led the whole people of the South to believe that it was right and necessary for the slave States to secede. And this they attempted. They organized a new government in February for the seceded States, and named it "The Confederate States of America," and they proposed to maintain themselves by force of arms, and proceeded to organize their armies, and early in the year they seized the forts, arsenals and navy yards situated in their States.

Another cause which led to and precipitated such action, was the lust for power of evil, ambitious and reckless, men, who led in the movement. They thought to obtain wealth, power and position by this act of dissolving the old Union and the establishment of a new government of which they should have control - a government built upon the basis of the slavery of a large part of its people. The attempt was rebellion against the supremacy and lawful authority of the nation, and the act was treason.

That the reader of the future, may, without consulting the more extensive authorities, have some idea of the views of the people of the Northern States, on the subjects of secession and disunion, the writer has thought proper to note here, vei'y briefly indeed, some of the propositions maintained by them, on these, the most solemn and portentious questions which have ever agitated the American people.

The secession of the States of the South from the Union, was impolitic, impracticable and grossly unjust, to say nothing of the higher and constitutional objections. We may briefly refer to some of these considerations.

1. It sought to dissever a united, homogeneous, free and prosperous people - a people who, though originally constituted of several different nationalities and assimilating the people of the many nationalities, subsequently flowing to it, had created a new nationality - the American - having a national language, one religion, a common literature, education and traditions, the same social and domestic characteristics, habits and customs, a common inheritance of political rights and substantially common interests, except as some of these conditions were modified by the existence of chattel slavery in the States of the South. And the people of this new nationality is destined, if earth and time shall endure but a little longer, to become the greatest race in intellectual, intuitive and physical power, which has yet appeared in the world.

2. Disunion would divide great religious organizations, moral and charitable associations, scientific societies, greatly impair many splendid educational institutions, and break up many social and family relations, creating bitter antagonisms among them all.

highways of a vast commerce crossed many States, the free navigation of which was an indisputable right and which should never become subject in whole, or in part, to control and tolls imposed by rival, perhaps hostile nations. And the natural and manufactured products of this great territory were necessary to the comfort and welfare of the whole, and to be free from any interstate duties and restrictions, such as would exist and would be necessary for local protection, if this territory should be divided into two or more separate and independent nations.

4. Disunion sought to sunder territory already long bound together in commercial and pecuniary unity, by the iron bands of railroads, built through and interlaced over many States of the Union, thus disrupting and injuring them, without regard to the rights of the relative parts, or the public or private interests involved.

5. Disunion would ignore and make no provision for the vast interstate moneyed interests and corporation rights (in addition to those of railroads), and would render worthless and subject to repudiation, State and other public bonded indebtedness, involving hundreds of millions of dollars, in value, and the property rights of hundreds of thousands of innocent people.

Brielly stated, the right, so called, of secession was based upon the assumption that the union of the States was but a league or confederation of sovereign and independent States, or natioas, and that any one of such States could dissolve the Union, that is, secede therefrom at will. This doctrine had long been taught by a few of the statesmen of the South, but it is certainly a delusion. The impolicy of disunion is referred to above and now a word may be added as to the historical and legal, or constitutional phases of this so-called right.

There never was a time from the earliest colonial times to the day of the Declaration of Independence, when any colony was a sovereign and independent State, or nation, but while, for a time, the colonies were independent of each other, they were all the subjects of one nation - Great Britain.

And the colonies were united, when framing and promulgating the Declaration of Independence and long prior thereto, and were known by the name of the "United Colonies," then named States. And it was the rei)resentatives of the united not the separate. States of America, in general congress assembled. Congress representing the people, being the sovereign power which proclaimed, not by the authority of the sepai-ate States, but "in the name and by the authority of the people of the colonies," or States, the Declaration of Independence; independence not of each colony of the others, but

It was not the independence of the separate States which was acknowledged by Great Britian by the treaty of 1783, or that which was recognized by the other States of the world, but it was the independence of the nation, the United (not the separate or sovereign) States of America.

The Constitution of the United States was proposed by the separate States through their representatives in congress, but received its adoption, sanction and authority, by the whole people, for the purpose of forming "a more perfect union" "and legislating" "for the general welfare." "The people of the United States" did this sovereign act, in conventions of the people, not separate and independent States, by their legislatures, claiming sovereign powers. And the Union is one and indivisible, except by the whole people themselves. For back of all States or other political subdivisions, back even of the organization known as the United States, is the people, one entire people, the source under God, of all authority and. power, the real sovereignty of the nation, and the Union is indissoluble, except by the consent of the whole people.

The vast subsequent acquisition of territory, the Louisiana purchase, Florida, etc., purchased from other nations and from the Indians, were not acquired by any one State, then existing, or subsequently organized, but by the Nation - the United States - from the common funds of the Nation, and belongs to the whole people, the Nation, and such territories are used and occupied by the people therein for the purposes of the Nation, under the constitution, and cannot be diverted to the use of a separate sovereignty, without the consent of the whole people. And if any State or States, or territories of the United States became vacant, every part thereof, and everything therein would be immediately subject to the control and disposal of the people of the United States.

The forts, arsenals, navy yards, custom houses, mints, coast defences, national hospitals and all other national property in the States or territories are the property of the Nation, and the State or territory wherein such property is situated, can acquire no property rights therein without the consent of the Nation. States in the Union are separate and independent only so far as indicated in and by the constitution of tlie United States. They are sovereign, separate from and independent of each other and of the United States, in relation to their local, domestic or municipal affairs, but are not sovereign in a national capacity, and cannot, in these respects, or in any respects, pass any law, or do any act, in conflict with the National Constitution and the laws of the United States, made in pursuance thereof. States have their rights, which should be carelaO HI STORY OF fully maintained, under the constitution and federal laws, but among these rights the so called right of secession is not one, and no provision has ever been anywhere made whereby a State may secede, or the Union be dissolved, for the Union was to be perpetual.

The general government had done no wrong to the States of the South ; had not even interfered with their peculiar institution of slavery. Tliese facts were admitted by some of the southern leaders. As can easily be proved, the southern States had no excuse for their action, which an enlightened humanity or wise statesmanship can ever approve. It was simply wild, willful and wicked.

There is such a right as the right of revolution, but there is no such right as that of rebellion. Rebellion is resistance to the exercise of lawful authority (and success does not sanctify it) and rebellion, sustained by arms is treason, pure treason, and such was the action of the seceding States.

Revolution is resistance to the exercise of unlawful, or usurped authority, authority exercised against protest and in defiance of constitutional and natural rights and legal limitations, and is a right inherent in all peoples, and such was the American revolution which secured the existence of this independent nation. And the real character, the distinctions between rebellion and revolution should never be confounded.

But we have not yet reached the highth of the argument against secession and disunion. Disunion was death to this the greatest, freest, happiest, most prosperous nation the world or time had ever seen. United we could stand against all the world, in all that will ever be of real value to man, as an individual, or of true gloi'y as a nation. Divided, we should be broken into two, but more probably, eventually into four, or six, different inimical nations, lying contiguous, between which continual and innumerable jealousies and contentions would exist.

For among these there would be one, or more, aristocracies built upon the slavery of the masses of the people, where labor would be degraded, where the public life, sentiments and action would be arrogant, and exist upon a low plain of civilization. Such unfavorable conditions existing all about us, would create harassing apprehensions necessitating strong military equipments maintained by oppressive taxation. There would be alliances and intrigues with foreign powers whose interests it would be to foster and imbitter our contentions, until wars should result, constant changes occur, peace and prosperity desert us, and finally, perhaps, when broken and weakened by our misfortunes, our liberties would be swept away, and either anarchy or despotism would rule the land. Judging by the past of nations, through all history, such a destiny was to be apprehended. The establishment of the Confederacy,

Tvould, indeed, endanger the peace and safety of the other States and nation, and this fact alone, was a sufficient warrant, by the laws of nations for the action of the general government, in putting down the rebellion.

Wise indeed were the words of the immortal Washington, when in his farewell address he spoke of the value of the Union and the necessity for its preservation.

He says: " It is the main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad, of your safety, of your prosperity, of that very liberty which you so highly prize, and you should discountenance whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be dissolved."

In the slow passage of the centuries in the world's history, men had struggled with but an uncertain hope, yet slowly moving upward and onward from political oppression and despotic rule, until out of the storms and blood and sufferings of the American revolution, arose the great republic, in which was embodied and illustrated the best forms of self government, citizen sovereignty, civil and religious liberty and material national prosperity, the world had yet known. And it was soon conceived at home, and realized everywhere abroad, that, bound up with the success, or failure, of disunion, were the fate of free government and popular institutions, and that the results wei"e not a matter of awful interest to this country alone, or to this generation alone, but to all mankind and to all the generations to come.

To say nothing of the motives and objects of the southern leaders, the rebellion itself was the most enormous political crime of all the ages.

And no grander, or holier cause - the maintenance of the Union, with all that it implied, ever sanctioned a resort to arms, or warranted men in laying down their lives in its defense, than this. In the emergency, there was nothing left but to maintain the Union, the constitution and the laws, and this and this only, was the primary object of the government and loyal people. The abolition of slavery, was but an incident of the war, yet one of the grandest achievements of any age or country.

Such being the situation and such the necessity, the general government and the loyal people of the North, believing in the justice of their cause, and invoking the favor of Almighty God, entered with an enthusiasm never before witnessed among the nations of the earth, upon the gigantic task of crushing the rebellion. And they crushed it.

The County Commissioners assembled on New Year's day and elected J. H. Dunham, chairman, when after a few hour's work, they adjourned, in view of the fact, it is to be presumed, that it was a holiday. They had sessions again on the 20th day of February, March 20th, June 24th and September 3d. The action of the board, during the whole year, was singularly devoid of historic interest.

The Law Makers

The third State Legislature assembled at the Capital, January 8th, and held a session of sixty days. Only two acts were passed at this session of special interest to the people of this county. One of which was an act fixing the time of holding the term of the District Court, setting the same for "the first Wednesday after the first Tuesday of April in each year." The other and much more important one, was an act relating to the county seat of this county, approved March first, which enacted "That the county seat of the county of Fairbault be and the same is hereby removed from the town of Blue Earth City, its present location, to the incorporated town of Winnebago City, in said county" and that "This act shall not take effect until the same has been adopted by the electors of said county." It is hardly necessary to say that this latter act created quite a commotion in the south half of the county, the results of which we shall see hereafter. Our members' of the legislature at this session, were Guy K. Clevelaad, in the Senate, and A. Strecker, in the House.

The Land Office

About the first of February great expectations existed that the United States Land Office, then located at Chatfield, Fillmore county, would soon be removed further west, and that Blue Earth City would be the lucky point of location. In fact all arrangements had been definitely made, and nothing remained to do, but to wait the event, now supposed to be near at hand. But alas!

The project failed to the great disappointment of the people of Blue Earth City. Yet the county secured the office. In October of this year, it was removed to Winnebago City, and was opened for business about the 4th day of November. For a number of years previous, it was currently understood that the office should soon have to be brought further west, and both of the villages in this county made great exertions to secure it, with finally the above re- suit. It was in those days a boon worth contending for. It was a gi'eat accession to the business of the town where located, as persons taking up lands over a very large territory, attended at the office, to enter or prove up their lands, who expended more or less money, during their stay. It stimulated enterprise and improvement at home, and gave the town where located, a name and prestige, which attracted immigration and capital from abroad.

It was an auspicious event for Winnebago City and a great convenience and advantage to the people of the whole county. One of the citizens of the county, Mr. J. H. Welch, of Verona, was appointed register and Mr. H. W. HoUey, who thereafter became a permanent resident of the county, was appointed receiver.

The Agricultural Society

The meeting of the Agricultural Society was held at Blue Earth City, April 3d. As an indication of the scarcity of money at the time, it may be stated that at this meeting a motion was made, that county orders be received and paid by the society, as money, but the motion was lost. At this time the officers of the society were J. A. Latimar, president; J. H. Welch, secretary and H. T. Stoddard, treasurer. The fair was appointed to be held at Blue Earth City on the 2d and 3d of October, but was adjourned to the 9th. It was a failure. Rain fell most of the day. There were but ninety-eight entries.

The Court

The District Court held its regular annual session April 3d. Hon. Lewis Branson presiding. The term lasted but one day. There was no business for the grand jury, and but one case for the petit jury. This speaks well for the people.

The First Newspaper

One of the most important events which had yet occurred in the county, happened on the 6th day of April of this year. This was the appearance of the first newspaper published in the county. On that day the first number of the Blue Earth City Neivs was issued. It was a small, six column, four page sheet and bore the motto, "Devoted to the interests of the people of Faribault County." It was to be issued on Saturday of each week. The typographical and general appeax'ance of the paper was very good and gave general satisfaction. Isaac Botsford was the editor and proprietor as appears from the first numbers of the paper, but Frank A. Blackmer was also interested in the paper and assisted in the publication. The price was one dollar and fifty cents per annum, jiayable in advance. The editor states that he will receive in payment lor subscriptions anything that grows that he can use, or anything that is made except counterfeit money. The first number was well filled with advertisements of merchants, hotels, professional cards and notices. The subscription list was not a very long one. To encourage the project quite a number of the leading men of Blue Earth City took as many as fifteen copies each and paid for them. The editors salutatory was very lengthy and probably the most comprehensive and exhaustive one ever written. It set forth in fair and frank language the editor's understanding of his duties and the difficulties of publishing a newspaper in the "back counties." The salutatory was entitled"Our Bow." We make the following extracts:

"A time honored custom compels us in this, the initial number of the lilue Earth City News, to give the pablic an inkling of our principles and purposes. It is natural and right that a community should know something of the character of a paper just springing into life in their midst. Wlien money is scarce as it is at the present time, every prudent man will look twice at his money before parting with it, and more especially will he do so if he knows nothing of the character or quality of the article he is purchasing and, therefore, it is but just to ourselves and the public from whom we expect to receive our support, that we should state distinctly at the outset what we Intend to uphold and what we intend to condemn."

"But we do not propose to publish a neutral paper by any means, neither on this subject, nor any other. We shall feel at liberty to speak, write and publish jyst what we please on all subjects."

"Our sympathies are with the republican party. » * - « Consequently none will be surprised to learn that we intend to publish a republican paper." ,

"An experience in newspaper publishing of two years has taught us the lesson that no man without the fortune of a Rothschild, can afford to publish a paper in any other manner than by requiring pay in advance."

Mr. Botsford did not fail in his aim of publishing "a good county paper." The News was always a clean, truthful and reliable sheet. Many larger and more pretentious papers have been published since, but there has never been, to this day, a better local paper published in this county than the Bine Earth City News. A copy of the first volume of the Neios is in the hands of the writer, and is the only one known to be now in existence in this county. It -was kindly presented to the writer by John A. Dean, Esq., on condition that it should be bound and preserved, which has been done.

The spring of this year was rather late. Heavy rains and high waters prevailed. Spring plowing, of which there was more in those days, in proportion to the acreage than there is now, commenced about the 13th of April, and most of the seeding was done after the LlOth of the month.

Trapping

During the early years of the county a considei'able trade was carried on ia furs and peltries, which proved a great benefit to the people, in view of the low price of farm products and the great distance of markets. Furs always brought cash, at some price, and were always ready sale. In the News we find a statement that during the winter and spring of 1860-61, "one merchant had purchased 5,000 muskrats, 300 minks, 100 foxes, 40 coons, 14 otters, 11 wolves, 5 badgers and 4 beavers at a cost of about ^1,200. Other merchants also dealt in furs to a considerable extent, and there were many traveling buyers in the county. The News further says that "competent judges assure us that not less than sSS.SOO has been paid to citizens of this county during the past winter for this one commodity."

For some years quite a number of our citizens would engage every fall and winter in the business of trapping for furs. Usually two persons would go into partnership and fit out with numerous traps, several guns, ammunition, a small sheet iron stove, a few tin dishes, blankets for bedding, flour or meal, salt pork, tobacco, pipes and some other useful articles, and having sought out some suitable place on the prairies, on the margin of a slough, or on the borders of a lake, sometimes on the banks of a stream, or in the timber, they would erect a small shanty, eight or ten feet square and about six feet high, as their dwelling; these hovels were sometimes built of boards, but more frequently they were "dug-outs," that is, holes dug into the sides of a bank, and covered over with poles, grass and sods. Here some months would be spent in the interesting business of trapping, varied occasionally by a visit to the settlements for supplies. It was rather a hard, greasy and somewhat odoriferous life, but it had its attractions; it possessed a dash of romance and adventure, and usually paid well. The earnings averaged all the way from one hundred dollars to six hundred dollars a season, and the business covered a part of the year when little else could be done.

Many a slough with its village of muskrat houses, in the years past, yielded a more valuable crop and a good deal more amusement than some of the grain fields.

Hunting

In the first years of the county large game such as elk, deer, bears, wolves, foxes, coon and the smaller kinds also, were quite plenty. The buffalo had ceased to roam over these prairies, but a short time previous to the first settlement one of their herding or stamping grounds was yet, at the time of the first settlement, to be seen near the head waters of the west branch of the Blue Earth

River. One of the first settlers of the county, soon after his arrival here, discovered a buffalo following up his cattle when they came home one evening - a lone fellow that had strayed from his native herd.

The deer, elk and bear disappeared soon after the first settlement, but occasionally for some years after, they would be seen. Wolves and foxes, however, continued quite numerous down to the time of the close of this volume, and the former have been very destructive to the sheep. A bounty of three dollars by the State, and three dollars by the county, was given for wolf scalps, in the later years, and many a man made good wages in catching them at odd times. One person received as much as fifty-six dollars for a day's work of this kind. Rabbits and feathered game have been plenty at all times, and hunting in the proper seasons is indulged in by many. We have always had sportsmen of considerable skill, who look upon hunting with gun and dog and the other accoutrements of the chase, as the best of recreations and who take a special pride in their achievements and boast of their deeds, as b.11 hunters have done, from Nimrod to this day. Not only our own sportsmen engage in hunting, but of late years persons from the large cities and even from distant States come into the county during August and September, sometimes bringing their families with them, and spend a couple of months in hunting, especially during the "chicken season" and find a period of enjoyment and recuperation better than the limited. expensive and formal watering places where fashion, frivolity and display hold their revels. These visitors usually hire their board and lodging at some comfortable farm house for a few weeks of quiet country life amid the pure airs of heaven, and luxuriate in the fresh rural scenes and glories of nature, or sometimes they take up their abode in the villages and spend the long summer days on the wide prairies with dog and gun. Frequently a company is formed, who take with them several tents, cooking utensils, and some bedding with all the necessary hunting equipments, and camp out, on the borders of some lake or stream for two or three weeks, during the "chicken season." There are State laws regulating the taking of the various kinds of game, but while they are well known, they are, unfortunately, not closely observed.

A year's round of hunting sports may be said to begin in the winter, with wolves, foxes, rabbits, etc. Then early in the spring come swarms of wild geese, ducks and brants about the streams and lakes, and cranes in great flocks in the fields everywhere. After a month or two, these take their leave, then through June and Julj' we have the plovers, snipe, curlews, woodcock and wild j^igeons. In August, begins the prairie chicken shooting, lasting over a month.

Then in September and October again come the brants, ducks, geese and cranes, and quail, ruffled grouse or pheasants, and partridges. Where can a pleasanter or more heathful sport be found than in hunting over the fields and about the lakes and streams, in the hazy, balmy, Indian summer days ? As the winter closes in, soon after the first of November, and our cranes, ducks and geese leave again, the deer hunting iDractically begins. In the counties in Iowa, adjoining this on the south, numerous deer are taken every winter, and it is about the beginning of winter that our hunters fit out for these expeditions to the deer grounds, in the more northern and less settled portions of the State, where several months are spent profitably, as well as pleasantly.

But we should not foi'get the dogs, which do much of the hard work of all this sport, and manifest such an intelligent appreciation of it too. The hunter and his dog are inseparable companions. The trained dogs used in this country are pointers and setters, not those which are facetiously said to point for a bone and then "set" behind the stove and gnaw it, but dogs which possess a faculty for hunting and are specially trained for the business. The setters are trained as retrievers and will readily enter the water and bring out the dead game. Pointers will also retrieve, but are not so well adapted to this work. The intelligence sometimes exhibited by these dogs, in the execution of this work, is astonishing, and this fact, with the great use they are in the field, accounts for the great prices often paid for them. They are usually valued at from ten dollars to twenty-five dollars, but often sell for fifty to seventy-five dollars, and there is one instance in which the price paid for an extra dog was the sum of five hundred dollars !

But the great hunting season of this section of country, is the chicken season, when the game sought is jDrairie chickens, grouse and smaller bii'ds. This season commences about the middle of August. The young chickens are then well grown and excellent eating. The hunters go out some times alone, but oftener in pairs, with their dogs. Frequently three or four men, with as many ladies, for they often take part in the sport, start out in an easy riding conveyance, in the bright summer morning, supplied with guns and' ammunition, a couple of dogs and a well filled basket of provisions, for a day's hunt on the prairies. The excitement of the hunt is agreeable. The keen scent and intelligent working of the dogs, the starting of the covies, the skillful shooting of the game and the gathering up of the spoils of the chase, the counting and bragging and bluster, are all interesting.

But there is something more - that which gives tone and zest to all this - the bright skies, the fragrance laden breezes, the far reaching undulating prairies, carpeted with green grasses and innumerable wild flowers of every hue, the landscape dotted over with verdant groves, where nestle the quiet farm houses, the exhilirating air, filling the soul with the beauty, variety and enchantment of the scene, the hearty dinner in the edge of some shady grove, during a couple of hour's nooning, the joke and song, the hap and mishap, the return to the field until nightfall, and then the brisk ride home, all unite to make up a day of pure enjoyment, long to be remembered.

"Let others kneel at Pleasure's shrine, And lioast the raptures of a 'spree'; Hut, ah: a hunter's joy be mine, - A hunter's merry life for xae.'' - Uolley.

Fishing

But say the Izaak Waltons, what about fishing? It is not everyone who cares to travel the prairies for game. Some of us like better the pleasure of practicing the angler's art. All of the streams and lakes, of which there are many in the county, are stocked with fish. The pike, pickerel, red horse, bass, sunfish, bullheads, perch, muskalonge, catfish, chubbs, suckers, and some other varieties, in all sizes, from twenty-five pounds weight to the tiny minnow, are found in our waters. The State fish commissioner has also placed in some of our lakes the salmon, white fish and some other varieties.

Seining is not permitted by law, but the hook andlin^, the spear and trolling hook are. The spring fishing is best about the time when the high waters of the spring freshet begin to go down, the high waters having enabled the larger fish to come up the streams. It is then the fisherman with the hook and line, or spear, can get his string of fish in a very short time, and in this sport men and women, boys and girls, in small parties and large parties, with jolly laugh and joke, engage with great pleasure, ignoring all the old rules of fishing, about noise and telling fibs.

Boat fishing either in the day time or at night with torches, is often embarked io and is an agreeable recreation. But it is not only in the spring and summer that fish are caught. They may be taken at all times, but certain seasons are better for this sport than others and the sport is more followed during these times. Probably the larger quantities of fish are taken in the winter. It has long been a custom with many to visit the lakes in the winter, when they are frozen over, when large quantities are caught, cleaned and salted down in barrels for the year's use. In such cases one method is to cut a hole in the ice, build a small house over it. so that it shall be dark inside, and then by various methods entice the fish to the hole, when they are taken with spear and hook. In the spring, also, when the ice on the waters begins to melt around the edges, the fish collect in great numbers about the outlets and inlets of the lakes and are easily taken in great quantities.

In all this, is briefly indicated how many a pleasant day or expedition of a week, is enjoyed and made profitable in fishing. But this does not suffice. The true angler does not want wagon loads of fish, he despises the spear, he hates noise and bustle. These things are too coarse for his placid philosophic mind. The true disciple of old Izaak Walton, pensive, kindly old Izaak, with his"placid and benevolent countenance, joined to gentle and unaffected manners," loves the poetry of fishing best. Pull of quiet geneality and all the humanities, he is a lover of the pastoral life. He seeks the shady nooks along the still waters where he enjoys his quiet fancies, or serenely philosophises, while he watches his "sink and bobber," patiently waiting for a "bite." There is a fascination in the practice of the piscatorial art, which cultured men of all professions acknowledge and love to enjoy. Yes, for the race of true anglers, which we are happy to say is not yet extinct, we have many a secluded crystal stream and silvery lakelet, along whose quiet shady banks the angler may wander through the long summer day and fish and dream his fancies to his heart's content. And now, not to discourage, but to amuse, this article is closed with the following valuable table prepared by the Detroit Free Press, showing what chance a professional man has of catching anything, when he "goes a angling."

We have now reached in the order of time, the great event of 1861, in fact one of the most stupendous events in the history of the nation - the beginning of the Great Rebellion. The long contest of words, the threats, the excited passions now broke forth in an overt act of treason on the part of the southern people.

On the 12th day of April, Fort Sumpter was attacked by the confederates and taken. The first blow was struck, and each side - the government and the rebels - both before hesitating to begin, now hastened preparations for the conflict. The States of the South one after another were seceding from the Union, and the rebels were continuing their work of taking possession of the forts, arsenals and navy yards in those States. The President issued a proclamation, calling for seventy-five thousand volunteers to defend the Capital.

The Governor of the State, Hon. Alex. Ramsey, issued a proclamation to the people of the State to organize volunteer military companies, arm and drill, so as to be prepared for any emergency. Great excitement]existed throughout the State and the whole North. The gallant Minnesota First was soon organized and ready to go to the front. Everywhere throughout the State, war meetings were held and companies formed. Our county was not asleep or behind while these great events were taking place.

On the evening of the 30th of April a large and enthusiastic meeting was held at Winnebago City. Eloquent and patriotic speeches were made by Geo. H. Goodnow, A. C. Dunn, G. K. Cleveland and others. The Governor's proclamation was read and avolunteer company organized. A number of resolutions were adopted with great enthusiasm the first and second of which read as follows:

'^ Resolved, That in this hour of peril to our glorious government, wetender to Abraham Lincoln, President of these United States, "Our lives, fortunes and sacred honor," to aid him in punishing rebels and traitors for assaulting the flag of our fathers."

Almost every man in the village and vicinity joined the company, and we are sorry to say we have not the names that we may record them here in a Roll of Honor. «

On the evening of May second a large war meeting of the citizens of Blue Earth City and vicinity was held. Great enthusiasm prevailed. A series of resolutions was adopted amid great cheering, condemning the rebellion in the strongest language. We quote several of them.

Resolved. That we, citizens of Faribault county, without reference to those party names that have hitherto distinguished us and having unshaken faith in the power of right, are unalterably attached to the union of these States and the perpetuity of popular government.

Resolved. That in order that we may render efficient aid to the government, should our services be required, we will immediately organize a company of our citizens and take such steps as may be necessary to perfect ourselves in military drill and discipline.

A. Bonwell, A. Pratt, O. Saunders, F. L. Howland, E. C. Youug, A. McElroy, L. Billings, Jr., H. Mount, F. A. Blackmer, Martin Sailor, J. C. Pratt, A. Johnson, John Beidle, J. K. Pratt, E. C. Ingals, L.

Many of those who enrolled their names in the various companies formed at the time, subsequently in more permanent organizations proved their patriotism and sincerity on many a hard fought field beneath the southern sun, and some of them to-day, having given their lives for their country, sleep the last great sleep, in soldier's graves.

The Comet Of '61

While the inhabitants of this small planet called the earth, were busy with their cares and labors and ambitions, their joys and sorrows, far away in the heavens in the wide fields of space, there suddenly appeared a great comet on the 30th day of June, and created a great sensation. To the naked eye the head of the comet appeared brighter than a star of the first magnitude. "It was estimated that on the second day of July the breadth of the head of the nucleous was about one hundred and fifty-six thousand miles, and its train of light fifteen millions of miles in length." It was thought by one astronomer, that the earth passed through the tail of this comet. But it sped onward upon its trackless way and soon disappeared to the dwellers of this planet. In accordance with the old notions - perhaps superstitions - many looked upon this comet as the harbinger of a dreadful war and other great calamities.

Independence Day

The fourth of July was celebrated at Blue Earth City. The largest assembly of the people that had ever occurred in the county was seen at that time. The Sunday schools, the Good Templars and a large company of soldiers were in attendance in their separate organizations.

The exercises were held in the grove on the Court House Square, where a stand, seats and long tables were erected. The people assembled in the village and forming a procession marched to the grove to the strains of martial music. The Declaration was read by Geo. Patten, of Verona, and the address was delivered by J. A. Kiester, of Blue Earth City, after which a public, free and very bounteous dinner was placed upon the long tables and everybody partook heartily.

Good order prevailed throughout the day and the company enjoyed the festivities of the occasion with much satisfaction. Many things tended to make this celebration one of more than ordinary interest. The rebellion had just broken out. The people were intensely aroused and indignant, and anxiously watching events. There was no other formal celebration in the county, and every jierson in the county had been invited to attend. The prepai'ations were ample, and the day in the main favorable, and people were in attendance from all parts of the county.

Men And Money

About the iith of July, President Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for 400,000 men and §400,000,000, to put down the Rebellion, and the call was responded to in a spirit and with an alacrity which made the hearts of loyal men swell with pride and the hope of early success. On the second day of August, Congress, then in extra session, authorized the raising of 500,000 men and §500,000,000.

Had Money

During the summer many local banks in the western States failed. Many of what were known as the free banks of Wisconsin, held up, among the last, but there was great uncertainty as to the value of their j^aper. All of it was at a greater or less discount and kept getting worse until worthless. Of course the psople. the holders of this wretched stuff called "money," were the losers. It is still remembered that a citizen of this county who had some eight hundred dollars of this money, suddenly learned one daj' that the whole sura was not worth a copper. During these times there was one column of every newspaper which was read with great interest. It was the column which contained a list of banks of issue, with the ever changing value of their currency. The currency is the lifeblood of the business of the nation, the soul of all enterprise, the incentive to labor, and the people should ever watch its character with the greatest scrutiny, for they are the ones who must suffer by depreciation or failui'e. If some financial genius shall arise, who shall give us banks of deposit of absolute security, and money which cannot fail, can never fluctuate in value, or even if liable to failure or fluctuation, the loss shall fall, not upon the innocent holders, but upon the authority issuing it, he will be entitled to be numbered among the world's benefactors.

The harvest commenced about the 24Lh day of July, and the husbandman reaped an abundant reward for his toil, in the quantity and quality of the grain, but the prices were low, as appears from the statement following of the prices of farm products and other commodities current at the time:

The immigration to this county during this year much exceeded that of the last year and was very encouraging. Much imjarovement in the breaking up of new lands and building was made throughout the county. Toward the close of the year money became easier. Near the end of December a grist mill, the flrst one in the county, was put in operation by Geo. H. Goodnow, at Winnebago City. This mill was attached to a saw mill and was run by the engine of the saw mill. It was a great convenience and did a good business. Prior to the starting of this mill the people had to haul their grists from thirty to sixty miles to mill. Many a bushel of corn, in the early days of this county, was ground in coffee mills, small hand-mills and horse-power mills, and the savory remembrance of the Johnny cakes made from the meal ground in this way remains with the old settlers to this day.

The Republican County Convention was held at Blue Earth City on the 21st day of September, and made the following nominations: For Sheriff, P. C. Seely. For Treasurer, Wm. Dustin. For County Attorney, N. B. Hyatt. For Surveyor, Geo. Patten. For Coroner, L. C. Taylor. For Commissioners, E. M. Ellis, H. Dunham and Thomas Blair.

The Republican District Convention met at Madelia, Sept. 28th. and nominated for Representative, B. O. Kempfer, of Watonwan county. The democratic party made no nominations for legislative or county officers, but a greater local issue was before the people than that of politics - the question of the removal of the county seat was to be decided.

As the election drew near, the excitement and interest in the results f^reatly increased, but all other considerations were sunk for the time in the important question of the county seat. Blue Earth City could not possibly afford to lose it. Winnebago City would gain very much to get it.

Canvassing and electioneering on this subject was the order of the day, and for two weeks before election day, little else was done in either of the villages. The county was canvassed from Dan to Bersheba by both parlies and every voter visited and enlightened upon the subject. Blue Earth City had a little the advantage in several things, but especially in having a newspaper, while Winnebago City had none.

About the last of September there appeared on the first page of the Blue Earth Citij JNVir.s an outline map of the counlj', on which each township was represented and the exact location of each village - the two contestants, and a line drawn equi-distant at all points thereof from Winnebago City and Blue Earth City. This line proved the great and unanswerable argument it was held, in favor of Blue Earth City, for by it, it was clearly demonstrated on the map and everyone could test its accuracy for himself, that about three- fourths of the territory of the county, was nearer Biue Earth City than to Winnebago City An elaborate article in the interests of Blue Earth City also appeared in the same number of the paper, setting forth, in the strongest possible light, the reasons against removal. Winnebago Citj' not to be outdone in spreading information on the subject, had a vast number of circulars printed at Mankato, answering the article in the Neivs and giving cogent reasons as was thought, why the county seat should be removed to Winnebago City, and sent them out by messengers into all parts of the countj'. Every influence, public and private, and every argument that interest and ingenuity could suggest, were used to secure the objects of the respective parties, but these arguments were too numerous and many of them entirely too elaborate and abtruse to be mentioned here, or even comprehended, if mentioned, by the people of this day.

The day - the great day of election came at last. It was the ninth day of October. The polls throughout the county were opened early. To prevent fraud and illegal voting, Winnebago City had a delegation of at least one, generally two, at each of the voting places in the south half of the county, and Blue Earth City had a like delegation at all the voting places in the north half of the county. The vote polled was the largest which had yet been cast in the count}', and surprised everyone. But there was not over half a dozen illegal votes cast that day in the whole county, if so many. An incident occurred at the polls at Blub Earth City during the day which will bear repeating: A German of a burly and unkempt appearance came up to vote, when his vote was challenged by one of the Winnebago City delegation on the grounds, that he had not been long enough a resident of the county to vote. He was asked the question how long he had been in the county, when after looking at the challenger quietly a few minutes he said in a peculiarly sarcastic manner: "Ish been here so long ash ter raise von stack buckveets vot you steels ven you comes inter der country - vat you talks you tief ?"

E. M. Ellis, J. H. Dunham and Thomas Blair were almost unanimously elected commissioners. But the result on the question of the removal of the county seat was the matter of the most isrofound interest and overshadowed all others. The vote stood:

Blue Earth City won the battle, but it was no childs" play, as it "had a foeman worthy of its steel," a foeman though beaten, was not conquered, but still held his banners to the breeze and fought many a hai-d fight afterwards.

Near the first of November, Mr. Botsford sold out his interest in the Blue Earth City Neivs to Messrs. Blackmer & Hyatt. Here is Mr. Botsford's "good bye:"

" Yes, kind friends, good bye. Ere this number of the Blue Earth Oily News shall reach you, I will belong wholly and entirely to our venerable "Uncle Samuel.'' My sojourn in this county has been pleasant. I have received at least double the support I anticipated. Each and every citizen, old and young, male and female, have treated rue kindly. I have no fault to find whatever, with the people here, and I hope, trust and believe, that they all entertain the same feelings toward me. After a deliberate study of the matter, I have come to the conclusion that my country needs my services to aid in putting down the thousands of armed traitors with which these United States are infested,

Isaac Botsford was born in the State of New York in 1830. He obtained his education at Lowville (N. Y.) Academy and Whitestown (N. Y.) Seminary. He early learned the business of printer and publisher. He left his home in the east and came to Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minn., in 1857. and removed to Blue Earth City, this county, early in the year 1861. where he remained until his enlistment in the military service of the United States, which occurred on the tirst day of November, 1861. He became a member of the Second Company Minn. Light Cavalry, afterwards known as Co. B. Bracketfs Battalion. He states above, that he enlisted for three years or during the war. It proved to be "during the war." He remained continuallj^ in the service until .Tune 1st, 1866, a period of four years and seven months. His service was in the South until January 1st. 18()4, fighting rebels, and thereafter, until the close of his- time, in the Northwest fighting Indians, his company being among the very last to be mustered out.

In 1864, while still in the service, he came home on a short furiow and was married to Miss Maggie E. Colby, of Freeborn County, Minn., and after his final discharge from the service, he took up his residence in that county where he still resides. Mr. Botsford is a member of the Presbyterian Church and in politics a pro hibition republican. During his career as a printer anS publisher, he was connected with the Freeborn County Eagle, the Blue F.arth City Neivs, as we have seen above, and later with the Albert Lea Standard. In 1878 he quit business on account of ill health and lived a very quiet and retired life. He died at Albert Lea in 18'J2.

Mr. Hyatt, who assumed chai-ge of the Keios as editor, at the date of purchase, in his salutatory, among other things, says: "We shall publish a republican paper, but we are not so strongly attached to party as to be blind to its faults, or those of its leaders." "We hold the primai-y object of a county paper to be the interests of the county - it is from the citizens thereof we expect our support and in turn we expect to devote our columns to the promotion of their best interests. Wherever our paper is read we intend that the beautiful prairies and fine streams, the abundance of timber and the fertility of the soil in the already far famed valley of the Blue Earth shall be known."

Proc.Ress Of The War

As the great civil war, of which this was the first year, was the leading subject of interest and gave character to the times for the next four years in this section of countrj' as well as throughout the nation, and as many of the citizens of this county took an active part in the events of the time, both political and military, it is deemed

In January, as we have already seen, many forts and arsenals in the southern States wei'e seized by the rebels. Feburary^9th, Jeff Davis and A. H. Stephens were chosen the first, president, and the latter, vice-president of the Confederate States for one year. April 12 14th, Fort Sumpter, S. C, was bombarded and taken. April 20th, U. S. Mint at Charlotte, N. C, .seized by the rebels. June 10th, battle of Big Bethel, Va. June 18th, battle of Boonville, Mo. July 2d, battle near Martinsburg, Va. July 5th, battle at Carthage, Mo. July 12th. battle of Rich Mountain, Va. July 13th, battle of Carnickford, Va. July 21st, first battle of Bull Run. Aug. 10th, battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo. Aug. 28th, capture of Forts Hatteras and Clark. Sept. 12th, battle of Cheat Mountain, Va. Oct. 3d, battle of Greenbrier, Va. Oct. 16th, battle of Pilot Knob, Mo. Oct. 21, battle of Balls Bluff. Nov. 7th, great naval battle at Hilton's Head, S. C. Nov. 8th, battle of Belmont, Mo. In addition to the above list there were almost innumerable smaller fights and skirmishes both on land and sea.

The great matter of absorbing interest was the progress of the war. Recruiting and enlisting, organizing and drilling were the chief business of the times. The war had already developed into gigantic proportions. At the close of the year there were already two hundred and forty-six vessels, carrying two thousand guns, in the navy, and nearly seven hundred thousand men in the armies of the United States.