Faribault County, Minnesota - Chapter 12, 1896

Chapter 12

""Tis done: again the conquering Chief appears, In the dread vision of dissolving years; His vesture dipped in blood, His eyes of (lame. The word of God His everlastinj; name: Throned in mid-heaven, with clouds of glory spread. He sits judgment on the quick and dead." - Jfonfffomeri/.

The j'ear 1866 was one of the j'ears, which by religious enthusiasts and would-be jirophets. as well as by some careful investigators, have from time to time been foretold, as the last of the earth's history, the year, which should close the great drama of time, and be the final consummation of all sublunary things.

Some of these predictions were based upon the supposed effects of the near approach to, or collision with, the earth in its passage, of that anomalous body, known as Biela's Comet, due in 1866. But the comet, though due, did not appear during this year. There has been for many years some forebodings as to the influence of this comet upon the earth.

We proceed to relate briefly what events transpired in this county during this year, and it is necessary, in the order of time, to refer first to the new board of

County Commissioners

The Board, now consisting of five members, met on the 2d day of January and organized for business, by electing Allen Shultis, of Elmore, chairman for the year. A session of three days was held, during which much important business was done. Prior to this time the supervison of the public schools of the county was in the hands of five persons, known as school examiners. But a system existed by law at the time, which provided for a single superintendent of schools for the whole county, and who should receive such salary as the Board might deem proper. This system of school supervision could be adopted by any of the counties of the State, whenever the commissioners thereof deemed it advisable. At this session of the Board, the system was adopted for this countj\ and A. H. Pelsey was appointed superintendent, at an annual salary of 1^175 00. The examiner system then ceased to exist. The commissioners met again on March 19th. June 28th, and Sept. 4th, but their action of historic interest is referred to elsewhere.

Our Statesmen

The eighth State Legislature met January 2d and adjourned March 2d. The district was represented in the legislature of 1866, by D. G. Shillock, of Brown county, in the Senate, and James B Wakefield, of Fairbault county, in the House. Mr. Wakefield was elected speaker of the House, being the first representative of the district who held that very important and honorable ofBce. Andrew C. Dunn, of this county, was again elected chief clerk of the House of Representatives.

The legislature of this year re-districted the State for legislative purposes. It was enacted that "The twentieth district shall be composed of the counties of Faribault, Martin, Jackson, Cottonwood, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock, and shall be entitled to elect one senator and one representative."'

"An act authorizing the president of the town couacil of the town of Wlnnobaiio City to execute certain conveyances, and to amend an act entitled 'An act to incorporate the town of Winnebago City, approved Feb. 19, 1857.'"

"An act to authorize the trustees of School District No. 7 in the county of Faribault to issue bonds for the purpose of building a school house in said district.''

"An act to legalize the action of the trustees of School District No. 14, in Faribault county, in issuing the bonds of said district to build a school house therein."'

In January, the legislature being in session, a railroad project was inaugurated by certain of the members, in which this county was interested. The following notice of the matter taken from the St. Paul Pioneer indicates the object and scope of the project.

"Articles of incorporation of a new railroad company were yesterday filed with the Secretary of State. The object as the name indicates, is to construct a railroad from the Mississippi river through the southern tier of counties of this State to the Missouri river. The route of the road is described through Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Faribault, Martin, Jackson, Nobles and Rock bounties, and the main line is designed to run through the flourishing young cities of La Crescent, Chatfleld, High Forest, Austin, Albert Lea, Blue Earth City, thence to Yankton on the Missouri, with a branch line from High Forest to Rochester. The capital of the company is to be $10,000,000."

The Southern Minnesota Railroad Company had already been organized, and designed building a road through the counties abovenamed and had already made a ])artial survey of a route. But this route ignoring many of the villages above named, gave much dissatisfaction to the people of those places. It was at the time expected that congress would soon make a grant of public lands to the State, to aid in the building of a road through the counties named above, and which grant was made on the 6th day of July following. This new company was therefore organized to compete with the S. M. R. R. Co. for the grant, if satisfactory terms could not be made with that company as to the points or localities through which the road should run.

It is proper here to give a synopsis of the act of Congress making the grant of lands, as it was through this grant our county se cured its first railroad, and further, because out of these railroad matters grew, subse(iuently, a great deal of political strife, in this as well as in some other counties.

The grant was made by Congress to the State of Minnesota "for the purpose of aiding in the construction of a railroad from Houston in the county of Houston, through the counties of Fillmore. Mower, Freeborn and Faribault to the western boundary of the State" and gave "every alternate section designated by odd numbers to the amount of five altei'nate sections per mile on each side of said road." But in case it should appear that any of the lands granted as aforesaid, should have been already claimed by settlers or otherwise disposed of, then other lands nearest to the lands granted, designated by odd numbers and within twenty miles of the line of road, might be selected to supply the deficiency. The public lands remaining to the general government, within ten miles of the line of road were raised in price to §2.50 per acre.

And it was further enacted, "that the land hereby granted shall be disposed of by said State for the purposes aforesaid only, and in manner following: Namely: When the Governer of said State shall certify to the Secretary of the Interior that any section of ten consecutive miles of said road is completed * * then the Secretary of the Interior shall issue to the State patents for all the lands in alternate sections, designated by odd numbers, situated within twenty miles of the road so completed, and lying co-terminous to said completed section of ten miles, and not exceeding one hundred sections, for the benefit of the road having completed the ten consecutive miles as aforsaid."

road company to make up deficiencies. Provided that no land to make up deficiencies shall be taken at any point within ten miles of each side of the line of said road."

The proceeding was the same for each ten miles of the road completed. The road was to be completed within ten years from the acceptance of the grant, or the lands not already patented reverted to the United States.

This magnificent grant of lands was to be disposed of by the next succeeding legislature to such company and upon such terms and conditions as might be thought expedient.

Out of these facts and circumstances arose the great "points" and "no points" contest in this and several other counties, which existed for several years and caused much turmoil, expense, bad blood and aspersion of character. It is interesting, even somewhat amusing at this distant day, to look back upon these events, which once so engaged the attention of our people, but are now almost forgotten. The events of those times also illustrate through what great tribulations, grand and beneficent enterprises have often to pass before completion.

Meteorological

The weather during the latter part of December, 1865, and January of this year, was very cold and stormy, and several persons in this county who were exposed, were frozen to death - one at Pilot Grove.two reported at Rice Lake and two at Minnesota Lake. About the 13th of February a terrific snow storm prevailed over the whole country, lasting some twenty- four hours, and will long be sadly remembered for its fury and intense cold. A number of persons were frozen to death and others badly injured during this storm in this, and in Martin county.

Much snow covered the ground during the winter and the spring was late and cold. But little seeding was done until the latter part of April. The spring of this year is well described in the following ironical words, lately penned by some cynical individual, who evidently does not "take much stock" in the usual platitudes written in relation to spring.

-'Gentle spring, wrapped in flannel and furs: wheezing, coughing, sneezing and running up a doctor's bill; airy, draughty, rheumatic spring, lotions, mixtures, cough drops and chest protectors - Hail, gentle spring."

Washington'S Birthday

February twenty-second of this year was the 134th anniversary of Washington's birthday, and it was observed with more than the usual formalities in the large cities, and expecially at the Federal capitol. The day is one of our national legal holidays. It has not.

during the past years, been observed to anj- great extent in this county, nor is it generally observed to the extent it should be in the rural districts. In the larger cities it is, however, usually celebrated by extensive military parades, the closing up of business houses, the dismissal of the public schools for the day, the adjournment of public bodii\s and other appropriate ceremonies and demonstrations..

George Washington was born on the 22d day of February, 1732. and died December 14th, 1799. During the time intervening between these dates some of the most important political events in their particular character and far-reaching influences upon the political destinies of mankind known to history, transpired on this continent, at the head of which, as chief actor, was Washington.

But of all men living or dead it is the least necessary to write a eulogy on Washington, and the writer does not propose to attempt it, for the life, character and deeds of this man who was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," are known to all people of intelligence everywhere. Even little children can talk to us about Wasliington. Yet a few words may be written here as the authors humble tribute to this great man. His. indeed, is the most illustrious name in history, unapproashed and unapproachable. And the justice of his exalted position is such that this place is accorded to him by the universal judgment of mankind.

As commander-in-chief of the patriot armies in the long war of independence he proved himself to be one of the greatest military commanders of any age or nation. He was not only successful, but he accomplished success in the face of the most persistent opposition of the best drilled soldiers of the age, and these results he achieved, not with ample means, but with less means to accomplish a purjwse than those possessed by any commander of ancient or modern times. Then having won the independence of his country and a position in which he could have assumed and retained absolute power, he crowned his military career and honors by as sublime an act as is anywhere recorded - he voluntarily surrendered his position and authority to those who r/ave it. Then placed at the head, as chief magistrate of a new nation, surrounded by greai and difficult problems and untried ways and methods on every hand, he proved himself as em iiimt n stati'sma)! and patriot as any age can name. Confidence in Washington was that of all things which made ))ossible the organization of our government, and no man, in any age, stood for so much to his country and uHink-ind as he. His ability, sagacitj'. firmness, foresight and moderation, provided not only for the exigency of the time, but marked out and plainly designated the way of the future, and then, this great work done, he again roluutarily lnidd<urn all state authority and power and retired to private life. Other men have founded great empires and established governments, but Washington surpassed all other founders of empire in that, while they based theirs upon monarchical principles, arbitrary rule and selfaggrandizement, and depended for the support of their governments upon military power, he founded his upon the highest known principle of civil government - that of self-government, the equality of all citizens, from the highest to the lowest, in political right, and dependent primarily, for its support and perpetuity, not on the power of arms, but on the virtue and intelligence of the people governed themselves.

Of the many illustrious men who surrounded Washington and assisted in the grand work of founding a great nation, many were great orators; he was not an orator. Some were great lawyers; he was not a professional lawyer, and many of them possessed greater learning than he, but after all is said and admitted, he after all was the center of all, the chief, his the guiding hand, and his the final directing wisdom. He seems to have been always not only master of himself but the final master of every emergency, and he was the central figure and the most revered of every assembly in which he ever appeared.

Ambition, fame, glory, power, riches, honors, make up the sum total of the motives of the vast majority of great men, but Washington seems to have been above all these things.

Neither any, nor all of these motives combined furnished the motive of his actions, and so spotless was his personal character, both in public and private life, and such the unassumed natural majesty of his presence and bearing, that agents of venality, intrigue, dishonor or disrespect, never thought of approaching him. He was a good man as well as great, a quality much lacked by most great men, if indeed true greatness can exist without goodness. Justice, truth, honor, unselfishness and a conscientious performance of duty, were his characteristics. His fame, too, differs fi-om that of most other eminent men in the fact that while their names and deeds are becoming forgotten in the lapse of time, his but becomes better known and more honored.

The great Napoleon once said, "the name of Washington will be remembered and honored among men long after mine has been lost in the vortex of revolutions. "

Yet Washington was not a God, nor a Demi-God. It was his great glory that he was a man, a man of like passions and temptations as other men, yet so wise, so pure, so unselfish, so great.

Finally, if any man's personal character and deeds are worthy of respect, if any man's example is worthy of imitation, if any man's birthday is worthy of perpetual remembrance, then may all generations revere the name, imitate the example and celebrate the birthday of George Washington.

Exit Advocate

The Bhtc Karth City Advocate, on the third day of April, came out under the new and very appropriate heading. Minnesota Southwest. Of the change the editor says: "We propose to do our share in aiding southwest Minnesota to strike a gait that shall build up her railroads and place her on a footing equal at least to the rest of mankind in the race of progress. It was with a design to call attention more particularly to this, the best portion of the State, that we have changed the title of the paper, and we hope its readers will be satisfied and pleased with the change."

The Court

Hon. Horace Austin. Judge presiding. John K. Pratt, Clerk. Charles Chaple, Sheriff. The term lasted four days, and much important business was done.

As Blackstone long ago intimated, in that admirable poem, "The Lawyer's Farewell to his Muse," there is in court proceedings but little of poetry, and less of romance. And there is also but little of historic interest, usually.

Rarely, in this county at least, have furnished any incidents worthy of historic record; and hence some few amusing and other incidents which have occurred in courts other than our own, and illustrative of the proceedings of the courts and the practice of the law, for they are much the same everywhere, are incorporated here occasionally.

A famous writer has embalmed in a book, and we may do the same, the Irish Court Criers. Call, who desired to break the tedious monotony of the form of opening court, by adding to the usual dull sing-song words, "Hear Ye, Hear Ye. Hear Ye, the court is now open," the following expressive command, "And all ye blaggards that are not lawyers lave the building."

The Homesteaders

On the 19th day of June, a Homestead Convention was held in Prescott township, of which J. C. Woodruff was president, and James Beard, secretary.

By the act of congress approved May 20th, 1862, and subsequent acts amendatory thereof, known as the Homestead Laws, it was enacted that any person who is the head of a family, or who has arrived at the age of twenty one years and is a citi-zen of the United States, or who shall have filed his intention to become such, shall be entitled to enter one quarter section, or less, of any public lands, not appropriated, on the payment of ten dollars and one-half the fees of the local land office. No patent for the land entered was allowed to issue, until the expiration of five years, when proof had to be made of actual settlement and cultivation of the land, when the party was entitled to a patent, which vested in him, his heirs and assigns forever, a fee simple estate. The passage of this act gave a wonderful impetus to immigration. "Lands for the landless," "Homes for the Homeless," became the popular cry of the times, and under this act many thousands of acres of land in this county were settled upon. Subsequently by order of the State Auditor dated June 16th, 1863, to the several County Auditors, these lands were entered on the assessment books, and were assessed and taxed as land to which the title had been perfected. This proceeding was sustained in several elaborate opinions by the Attorney General of the State. The homestead settlers, however, took another view of the matter, and claimed that these lands were not taxable. Their opinion is set forth fully in a number of resolutions passed at the convention above referred to, several of which we quote.

"Resolved, That it never was the intention of congress that we should pay taxes on these lands until after the issuing of our patents, as can be fully maintained by the decision of the Secretary of the Interior, the Homestead Law and various other acts of government."

"Resolved, That we respectfully refuse to support for office any man who has been, or is likely to be, instrumental in taxing our homestead claims as deeded property until we receive our patents."

It is not within our province here to discuss the merits of the question raised, but to state events as they transpired. The homestead settlers throughout the State held about the same views on this subject of taxation, but no specific action or organization was effected except in a few of the southwestern counties, of which this was the principal one. Another new issue had now entered into our local politics for the homestead men, as they avow in one of the foregoing resolutions, determined to and did carry the matter into politics. There proceedings shall be noted as we proceed.

Higher Prices

About the first of July there was a remarkable advance in the price of grain and provisions. Wheat went up to $1.70 per bushel; flour to '111. 00 per barrel; grocex'ies advanced 25 per cent. Th

The National Anniversarv

The Fourth of July was approjjrlately celebrated at Blue Earth City. A. H. Pelsey read the Declaration and the Rev. Mr. Cooper, of the Presbyterian church at thai city, delivered the oration.

The day was also celebrated in Prescott township by homestead settlers and others. In fact, the meeting was called the "Homestead Celebration." By a resolution passed with great unanimity, those who favored homestead principles were designated formally the homestead party. The party was thus christened on the great day of Independence. It does not appear that the day was celebrated formally at any other places, but an unusual number of picnics were had throughout the county.

And now another word in refex'ence to homestead matters, which at the time created much interest with a large class of our citizens. Another homestead convention was held on the 14th of July in the town of Barber, at which a number of resolutions declaratory of homestead principles were adopted. These township meetings and organizations were prepai-atory to a county organization which occurred subsequently.

The reader will observe, that there were many picnics on this Fourth of July day. Many of us know what this means, in the way of recreation. For those who do not care for the more elaborate and formal celebrations of the day, the pic-nic party, made up of a number of neighbors, held in some convenient grove, and having some appropriate speaking, readings and especially singing, is a luxury indeed. And this is not only a good way of observing the Fourth of July, but is a pleasure which should be enjoyed at other times. No one of right constitution can fail to approve the frequent out doors pic-nic for the old folks as well as for the young folks, for the day school and the Sunday school.

The ride, the scenery, the shady grove, the freedom from restraint, the balmy air, the dinner, the invigorating exercise, are pleasures not soon forgotten.

We all greatly overlook, or make too little of the many ways of social and individual enjoyment ready at hand and all about us. For many persons one of the best means of relief and recreation for the over-taxed brain and body of the toiler in life's busy work, is a quiet leisurely walk in the green fields and along country roads and by-ways, away from the great world, divesting the mind as much as possible of care and anxiety and the evei-y-day subjects of interest. In the contemplation of the beautiful natural scenery which surrounds us in the summer days, the broad, free open prairies, with their green, luxuriant grasses and wild flowers, the groves and forests, the silent river and the silvery babbling brooks, the cool, glimmering lakes, the waving grain promising a golden harvest, the singing birds, the grazing herds and flocks, the free, pure breezes, the quiet, the i^eace and above all the glorious sunshine, we are lifted out of the dull, plodding, weary work of ordinary life, to a higher plain of existence. The exercise tills the lungs with new air, increases the action of the blood, stimulates the appetite, helps digestion and drives away nervousness.

The mind and body are thus rejuvenated, the thoughts elevated, the heart and the life purified, and we have a foretaste of that golden age foretold by the seer and sung by the poet - the millennium - when war and strife shall be over, and pain and toil be forgotten and wrong and fraud and oppression forever ended, when the promise "on earth peace, good will toward men" shall be realized. Bless you I workman in the shop, the office, the mart, there is a better life, a better world, than that of toil and strife and bickerings and ambition and the lust for gold, and the cheatings and frauds and lies, and conventionalities and tyrannies of fashion, the jealousies and envyings and hates which so darken the life, wither the soul and curse the world.

While we cannot ignore that which is necessary and proper on the practical side of life, yet every man, whatever his business, will be the better if he shuts up his shop, his office, his store, or at least retires from it occasionally, and goes out into the green fields and breathes the free, pure air, relaxes his mind and muscles and banishes for a while corroding care. And if he has a wife and children he should take them with him Let the aged go out and renew their youth, and the young grow wise and strong, in communion with nature and its blessed works.

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods, There is a rapture on the lonely shore. There is a society where none intrudes, By the deep sea, and music In its roar; I love not man the less, but nature more From these our interviews." - J5)-!/o?i.

The Atlantic Cable

We must here turn aside for a moment from the relation of common-place local events, to state that in this year success crowned the oft- repeated but heretofore unsuccessful efforts to lay a telegraphic cable across the Atlantic ocean. The work was completed in the month of July. Telegraphic communication was at last successfully established between the old world and the new. and the work was pronounced, and very justly so. one of the grandest achievements of science and human enterprise, a pei'manent and almost inestimable blessing to all nations, and crowning with immortal honor, the men whose genius, money, energy ami perseverance, accomplished the great work.

The Harvest, Etc

The harvest was interfered with somewhat, as the first week in August was charact«"rized by the most intense heat, accompanied with storms and terrific thunder and lightning.

The crops were a failure in a great measure - except perhaps wheat in a few localities, and in consequence, business and improvements were much affected. The year was more than ordinarly wet, and the quite unusual circumstance occurred of high waters in August. But the year in these respects was not to be compared with the next. Several things, however, conspired to counterbalance the evils of the time, one of which was the large immigration and the other was the disbursement by the general government of immense sums of money in paying claims growing out of the war, as a result of which, the year in many localities, was deemed one of ease, financially.

To add to the injury already suffered by the crops, a heavy and destructive frost followed by cold weather and cold rains occurred on the 20th of September by which the corn and vines were much damaged.

There was much "saft cawn the yeai'." This will be remembered as one of the very few years in the history of our county in which the corn crop was nearly a failure.

Harvesting Throughout The World

The reaping of the cereal and gathering of some other crops takes place in different periods throughout the world, because of the different latitudes and consequently different seasons. The folfowing statement sets forth the harvesting period in almost all countries of the woi-ld:

January - Harvest is ended in most districts of Australia, and shipments have been made of the new crop; Chili, New Zealand, Argentine Republic.

September - Scotland, England, hops and roots; America, maize; Athabasca, wheat, barley, corn; Sweden, North Russia, France, beet root, buckwheat.

The Fair

The Agricultural Society held a meeting at Winnebago City on the 14th day of September, at which time a list of premiums to be awarded at the annual fair, was made, and it was determined to hold the next fair at Winnebago City. The fair was held on the 2d and 3d days of October. The weather proved to be favorable, and the attendance was larger than was expected. On the premiums awarded, but sixty per cent only, was paid. Officers for the ensuing year were elected at this time, and they were L. W. Brown, president; J. H. Welch, secretary, and G. D. McArthur, treasurer.

The Annual Tussle

We now proceed to relate the political events of this year. Wm. Windom was again the republican candidate for congress, and R. A. Jones was the candidate of the democratic party for the same office. On the 2d day of October, the Republican District Convention held at Fairmont, Martin county, for the nomination of candidates for senator and representative of this district. The convention consisted of eight delegates apportioned as follows: Faribault county, five; Martin county, two, and Jackson county, one. The other counties in the district were not represented as they had but little or no resident population at that time. Allen Shultis, of Faribault county, was elected chairman of the convention, and A. C Dunn of the same county, secretary. These details are mentioned because this convention was the most remarkable in some respects ever held in the district, and constituted the initiation to the most stubborn, bitter and ]Dersonal political contest ever waged in this county until the year 1870, and was only surpassed by the contest of that year. In this convention the issue was "points" or "no iDoints." Blue Earth City having three Faribault county and one other delegate in the interest of points, and Winnebago City having two Faribault county delegates and two others, in the interest of no point«, the former interest wished to nominate candidates favorable to establishing by law the points or localities through which the railroad receiving the grant of lands heretofore mentioned, should be built. and the latter interest desired to nominate candidates opposed to confining the railroad to any definite points.

A. Bonwell. of Blue Earth City, was the "points" candidate for the nomination for senator, and A. C. Dunn, of Winnebago City, the "no points"' candidate.

The vote was a tie, standing four to four on senator for a number of ballots, when on motion the nomination of senator was dropped for a short time and the convention proceeded to nominate a candidate for representative. Mr. A. Andrews, of Martin county, a points man, was nominated, his opponent being H. S. Bailey, of Jackson county. The balloting was then resumed on senator, and after a number of ballots a motion was made to adjourn, but was voted down and the convention proceeded to ballot for senator, but always with the same result - a tie. Everything possible was said and done, and some things said were in hot blood, to bring about a favorable result for one party or the other, but to no consequence.

About 8 o'clock in the evening, after some forty-six ballots had been taken on the nomination of senator, an understanding was had with one of the delegates, who before had voted against adjournment, and the motion to adjourn without making the nomination of a candidate for senator was made and carried. This was the only thing that could be done, as on this question of senator each party was immovable, and if possible in the nature of things, would have been voting there probably to this day without a result on that issue rather than give in an inch. After the convention Mr. Bonwell withdrew from the field and Jas. B. Wakefield, at the request of the people of Blue Earth City and others favorable to points, came out as an independent points candidate for the senate. Andrew C. Dunn was announced as the no points independent candidate for the senate and H. S. Bailey, above-named, as the no points candidate for representative.

On the I3th of October, the Republican County Convention was held at Blue Earth City for the nomination of candidates for certain county offices.

On the 20th of October, pursuant to call, a Homestead Conven - tion assembled at Blue Earth City. Regular delegates were present from seven towns and the number of others in attendance, interested in the homestead cause, was large. The convention was harmonious and somewhat enthusiastic, and with great unanimity made the following nominations: For Auditor. Rev. A. H. Brown; and for County Attorney, Jas. B. Wakefield. For the other county offices the nominations made by the Republican Convention were approved.

As no formal nomination had yet been made for senator by any party, this convention proceeded to nominate Mr. Wakefield and Mr. Andrews the republican candidate for representative was endorsed on motion. The convention then appointed a county central com mittee and the homestead party entered the campaign ready for the fight.

Wm. Windom was elected congressman, Wakefield and Andrews senator and representative in the District. A. R. Moore was elected county commissioner for District No. 1. and James Crays was elected to the same office in District No. 4.

The election over, the victors of course, rejoiced- the beaten were disgusted and silent. "Points" won and although Mr. Brown, the homestead candidate for auditor was defeated, yet as Mr. Wakefield was the senatorial nominee of the homestead party and was elected, the other issue "no taxation of homesteads" also triumphed.

The fight was made on the candidates for senator, representative and auditor. "No homestead taxation" and "points" were united against "no points." As to the newspapers the Free Homeutead at Winnebago City favored "no points," and the Southtuest at Blue Earth City, sustained the homstead and "points" cause.

The contest from the beginning, until the ballot box finally decided the issues, was very bitter and personal not only in this county, but throughout the legislative district. Both the county and the district were canvassed in their length and breadth, and every voter understood the issues. Party politics were entirely thrown aside, and democrat and republican, rallied shoulder to shoulder, on one side or the other of these local issues.

Here is a story for politicians, taken from the Scientific Ameri can. "A man wanted to learn in what profession he would have his son engage. He put the boy in a room, with an apple, a Bible and a silver dollar. He left the room and decided that if upon his return he found the boy reading the Bible, he would make a minister of him. If he was eating the apple he should be a farmer, and if he had put the dollar in his pocket he should be a banker. When he returned he found the boy sitting on the Bible eating the apple, and had put the dollar in his pocket. What did he make of the boy? Well he made him a politician."

The End

Notwithstanding the prophecies of "the end of the world," to occur this year, the earth regularly, as through countless years and centuries before, performed its diurnal revolutions, kept within its orbit and pursued its journey around the sun. The sun continued to shine, and the seasons to follow each other in their regular course and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. "For the prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."

Many years after writing the foregoing sketch of the year 1866. the writer deemed it proper to add the following section. During the last three-quarters of a century and at least for a period dating back as far as the time of the great Millerite excitement of 1843, there has been a widely-spread opinion existing, not only among persons given to alarms, wonders and sensationalism, but also among many thoughtful, intelligent and conservative investigators, that we are living in the "last tiioes," or as has been variously expressed or understood, that some great crisis in the affairs of mankind is near at hand - that we are near the close of the Christian dispensation - that the final judgment "the judgment of the great day" is imminent - that we are near "the end of the world." And the proi^hecies of the second advent of Christ being so frequently and explicitly declared in the Scriptures, it is not remarkable that there should be found one or more religious bodies making that important truth and the near approach of the final judgment - the destruction of all material things - the end of the world, as they believe, and the duties of Christians, growing out of these facts if such they be, primary points in their religion beliefs.

And considering these prophecies and the stupendious character of the events they foretold, and those which they purport to foretell as yet to occur, it is not strange that many persons through the past centuries and in the present times have sought to interpret these prophecies and determine the time of the second advent or "the end of the world," whatever that may signify.

The wonder is that if the prophecies relating to this matter, can be interpreted, the subject has not attracted universal attention, for it is certainly a subject of universal and overwhelming interest.