Faribault County, Minnesota - Chapter 15, 1896

A Chronicle

In those days it was so ordered by the mighty rulers of the State that in each division thereof, known by the name of county, there should exist a body of five wise men who should have the supervision of certain public affairs. And these men of experience in business matters, were chosen by districts composed of certain subdivisions named towns or townships, which small divisions were so made for the better government of the tribes and peoples thereof. Now it came to pass that on the fourth day of the first month of this year, these five prudent men met in council at the City of Blue Earth, the ancient capital of the county.

Now their names were Andrew, surnamed More, a patriarch of the land of Pilot Grove, and one Henry, surnamed Neal, a man of much wordly wisdom from the section of country known as Blue Earth, and Jacob, better known by the name of Alec, surnamed Latimer, who came from the division known as "Winnebago City, and there was one named William, surnamed Robinson, whose people lived near the great water, called in the language of the English, Walnut lake, but in the language of the tribes which had been driven out, Tazu-ka, and there was the patriarch Joseph, surnamed Claggett, the man of ready tongue, who came from the regions known as Lura, to speak for the people thereof. And now it came to pass that as they were met together in council, the venerable man, Andrew, was chosen as chief for the year, and they then proceeded to consult together in regard to certain public affairs, and they made certain orders and directions, which seemed unto them necessary for the public good. Now they had a scribe, one named William, surnamed White, a learned man who could write, and who was also of the tribes about Walnut lake, who made a record of all that these wise men did, in a great book which has come down even unto our day. But there was nothing done at this council which would be of interest to the people of this generation. Now, after they had conferred together for two days, they returned to their own people. And it came to pass that these wise men afterwards, in this year, in the third and sixth and ninth months thereof met in council again, and somewhat of that which they then did, is it not written in the book of the chronicles of the county?

Agricultural Society

An important meeting of the Agricultural Society was held at Blue Earth City on the tifth day of January. At this meeting the annual election of officers occurred, and L. W. Brown was re-elected president; Geo. W. Buswell was chosen secretary and Alex. Latimert reasurer. A full board of vice presidents, that is one vice president in each township, was selected, and a committee of members was appointed to attend a meeting of the State Agricultural Society, to be held in February. New life and energy seems to have been, from some cause, infused into the sluggish blood of the society, about this time, and was certainly much needed. Another meeting was held at Blue Earth City, July 17th, at which time a committee of one for each town in the county was appointed to prepare a premium list and appoint judges for the next fair, and this committee met on the 31st day of July and performed the duties assigned them. It was at this time also determined that the next fair should be held at Blue Earth City on the 16th and i7th days of September.

Thermometrical

The matter of leading public interest in the county during January, was the voting of "bonuses" by a number of towns, on the proposition of C. W. Thompson, referred to at the close of the preceding year, to aid in the construction of the Southern Minnesota Railroad, the route of which had been surveyed into the county and through the towns of Cobb, Walnut Lake, Lura, Guthrie and Winnebago City. Town meetings were held in these and some other towns, for the purpose of voting the bonds, called "bonuses," of the several towns, in various amounts, to aid in the building of the road. The proposition called forth a great deal of discussion. Many different views were entertained as to the necessity and expediency of the proceeding. The proposition failed in most of the towns, and in one of those voting favorably, Verona, the issue of the bonds was subsequently stopped by injunction, and another, Guthrie (Delavan) made haste to rescind the vote.

About this time petitions were again in circulation through the county praying the legislature, then in session, to pass Mr. Wakefield's bill in relation to taxation of homesteads, and this time they were of some avail.

The Parliament

The legislature assembled January 5th, and adjourned March 5th. The only acts passed at this session of the legislature in which this county had any special interest were the following:

"An act to amend an act to authorize the towns ot Fillmore, Mower, Freeborn, Faribault, Martin and Jackson counties to issue bonds to aid in the construction of any railroads running into or through said counties."

"An act to compel count}' auditors of the several counties of the State to strike from their several tax duplicates, certain taxes therein named."

James B. Wakefield, as intimated above, in the Senate, and James W. Hunter, of Jackson County, in the House, wex-e our members of the legislature for this year.

Homestead Exemption

The adoption of an important amendment to the homestead exemption law of the State, during the session of the legislature of this year, may warrant a few remarks here in relation to this important subject.

The homestead exemption law to which reference is here made, has no relation to the question of homestead taxation in regard to which much has been said heretofore in this history. This is a different subject.

The wisdom of the policy of exempting by law, a portion of land, together with the dwelling house thereon and appurtenances, either according to the quantity of land, or the value of the premises, from foi-ced sale in payment of all ordinary debts or liabilities of the owner and his family, and the extension of such exemption to the widow and children of a deceased person, is coming to be recognized by most civilized nations.

We need not hesitate in saying at once, that such exemption is a most benificent act, both for the individual and the State. And the courts of justice, in modern times, taking this view of the subject, are extremely liberal in their construction of the law, in favor of the beneficiary, and in protection of the right.

In estimating the extent and value of this exemption, it must be remembered that it is granted, not only for the benefit of the individual owner - a favor personal to him alone - who, often, indeed, may not, as a matter of justice, be entitled, because of his dishon- esty, to such protection, but it is designed for the protection, also, of the wife and children of the ownei* - a right of theirs as well - who might otherwise be deprived of a home, for no fault of theirs. To the procuring of such homestead, their care and labor may, and generally does, largely contribute.

The ownership of the home secures the family from many ills, however poor the family may be, in other respects, and saves the public charities fi-om many a burden they would otherwise have to bear.

The stale suggestion, hoard sometimes, where the credit system prevails, that everything a man has should be holden for his debts, is sufficiently answered by the statement, that as the law exists, and is well-known to evei'yone, credit need not be granted to the owner of only a homestead, any more than it need be to one who has nothing.

The fault in such case, if any fault there be, is largely with the creditor, in his not exercising proper discretion. The suggestion is one prompted by that seltishness and averice, which reduces everything to a sordid "business basis," gain, profit, per cent., and is without any conception of a correct public policy, or the higher, wider and more humane views of the subject.

The fact is that the home of a man, and his family, is somewhat different in a number of respects, from ordinary propertj', and is entitled to special protection.

By this law there is granted to every man and his family, one spot of earth with its sheltering tenements, which they may call their own. A man's dwelling here is "his castle," which no one may enter without his leave, except when he is armed with the strongest writs of the law. And this spot of earth he and his family may make as comfortable and as beautiful as they can afford - a spot which, whatever misfortunes, or mischances of life or business, may befall the owner, cannot be wrenched from him, and they be turned out homeless upon the world, except indeed, as the result of their own deliberate act of mortgaging the premises. Even in this solemn act of mortgaging the homestead, the law manifests a strong leaning towards its protection, and contains the wise provision that where the mortgagor is a married man. any mortgage given, except to secure the payment of the purchase money, shall be void, unless signed by the wife of the mortgagor. Thus are the strong, sheltering arms of the law thrown about this right.

And no mortgage should ever be placed on the homestead, except, possible, for the purchase money. If stress of circumstances compel the mortgaging of property, certainly prudence says, with a loud voice, let the homestead be the last thing to be thus encumbered.

It is unquestionable that having such homestead exemption for himself and family, the owner lias not only the advantage of a secure basis from which to work, to repair his fallen fortunes, if such be the fact, or on which to build up prosperity and success, but he retains that manly courage, that hopefulness, and has that encouragement, all so necessary to success in the affairs and business of life. Secure here he goes forth bravely and manfully to fight the battles of life, to earn a subsistence and place in the world. This fact becomes evident when we consider the effects of a reverse condition. Divest a man and his family of tbeir all; turn them out empty-handed, upon the charities of the wox'ld, poor and homeless, and it is not hopefulness and renewed effort that are likely to result, but despair, even recklessness and utter destruction are more likely to follow, conditions upon which, in many instances, degredation and crime follow fast. It is such conditions that, all over the world, are breeding communism and anarchism.

It may confidently be asserted that the possession of such exempt homestead has the tendency to make an independent, manly and interested citizen; independent, because he may live within himself, in a great measure, and is not dependent for his very shelter from the weather upon some master; manly, because independent, at least to this extent, and interested in the welfare and prosperity of the land, because he owns a part of it, instead of being a mere sojourner, a mere tenant. There is a pardonable pride, a satisfaction, a spring of hopefulness in the heart of every man who owns his home. How much stronger, in any view, is a land of well protected homesteads, than one of great land owners, and poor dependent tenants"? There are principles involved here, that reach evea to the liberties of a people.

What is the "fatherland" or any other land worth to a man in which he can have no personal interest, no certain foothold, no political rights worth fighting for? The Hebrew lawgiver realized the good policy of giving and securing to every head of a family a piece of ground with certain ownership thereof.

The same policy was recognized among the jDeople of that wisest of the ancient nations, the Egyptians. To broaden a little more what has already been said, it may be added that ownership in the soil, especially if it is a protected homestead, is not only a question of public safety, but of good citizenship. Men who own property must support the laws and maintain good order, that their property may be protected and the enjoyment thereof made safe and agreeable, and this leads to interest in public affairs and promotes selfrespect and patriotism.

family, dependent alone upon his health and the labors of his nands, can appreciate the value of a protected homestead, and is incompetent to sit in judgment on the subject.

While proi)erty exempt from sale on execution for debt, should, of course, be always limited to a reasonable amount, the people should see to it that there is such exemption and that it is well guarded.

Another Consideration Pertinent

One of the greatest evils which oppress the nations of Europe to-day, arises from the fact that the ownership of the lands has passed into a few hands. Great landlords hold vast tracts of the country, while the people have no interests in the soil, and are simply tenants. This same evil existed in many of the ancient nations and was one of the principal causes of their downfall. This condition of affairs was especially intrenched in Europe through the operation of the old Feudal laws, but after their influence and operation began to wane, other causes arose to continue or produce the same conditions. The privileged, or aristocratic and titled classes, who had the wealth and opportunities which they made for themselves, began to acquire the lands, and continually added to their domains, until but few of the people - the masses of the citizens, who really constitute the nation, who are its strength, do its business, create its real wealth and fill its armies, have any interest in the soil they stand upon.

The tendency is now in the same direction in this country. Men of great wealth and rich corporations have begun buying up vast tracts of the best farming lands and holding them for speculative purposes, or by some, for the purpose of creating great estates.

Already more than one half of the farmers of the eastern and middle states are but tenants, and pay rent in money or share of crops for the use of the land they till. Many of them once owned the land.

And what ad'ds to this menace to our institutions is the fact that foreigners, aliens, individually, and in the form of great companies, are becoming the owners of millions of acres of American soil. And it is possible that this absorption of our lands may go on until alien owners may control the destiny of a state or states, where they have secured such a foothold. And judging from the fact of the great quantities of wild lands still existing here, and the silent and insidious approach of this evil, it will go on, largely unnoticed, for j'ears hence.

But a day will come, and it cannot be far distant, when the people of this country, state legislatures and congress will become aroused to the fact, that our vast domain of valuable public lands, has about passed away, and that some limit must be placed on cor- porate, and especially on alien, ownership of lands in this country , The lands of this nation should be held only by American citizens, who are actual settlers upon them, or directly interested in their cultivation and improvement.

America for Americans, native born or naturalized, must be our watchwords. Shall we allow it to be the fact that an American citizen cannot enter upon, or use, or buy, except at extortionate prices, any part of certain vast tracts of American soil, because that soil is owned by an alien and non-resident?

This country has no use for European landed estates, nor for any European landlord and tenantry systems. Why cannot the intelligent people of this nation - a people's nation - protect themselves from the well-known evils of which this is one, which have wrought the ruin of all the nations, whose wrecks blacken the highways of time through thirty centuries, or is there a predestined course, which all nations must run, from birth to final destruction ?

The Home

Intimately connected with the subject of homestead exemption, is that of the home itself, in reference to which the expression of a few thoughts here seem appropriate:

"Better than gold is a peaceful home, Where all the fireside charities come. The shrine of love and the heaven of life. Hallowed by mother, or sister or wife. However humble the home may be. Or tried with sorrow, by heaven's decree. The blessing's that never were bought or sold, And center there, are better than gold."

It is a true and beautiful thought. They are, indeed, a noble trinity, and they are intimately related, for with almost every home there is the mother, the most important and most loved one of the homefold, and we all hope that when done with time, heaven may be our final home. And it should not be forgotten how near we can make the home to heaven. It can, indeed, be made the doorway, at least, to that eternal home.

The poet and the orator have ever vied with each other in describing the home, its memories, associations and influences, and volumes have been filled with the subject. It may be stated here as a passing remark, that our own - the saxon race - as a general rule, have the best homes, and realize what real home life is to a greater extent than any other race of people on earth.

A man's home, the home of his childhood, or the home of his mature years, constitutes for him the center of the world from which all Hues radiate - the point where all lines converge. Home to all is the basic point - the jwint from which all start on the voyage of life and the chief object of interest in the return from all wanderings. Here are our dearest treasures and nearest and truest friends, and with it are entwined our purest hopes, most unselfish labors and tenderest affections. It is our place of refuge and rest. And it is true that by far the greater sum of human happiness on earth is to be found in the (luiet, contented and unambitious life of home.

Such being the importance of home with every human creature, the corresponding importance of making the home what it should be. ought to be recognized by everyone. And how great and generous the law is in protecting and making the home secure, we have seen above and it should be an incentive to all in their labors to secure comfortable and happy homes.

Every man in beginning life, if settled permanentlj', and, especially if married or if expecting to marry, should secure a homestead - a home of his own. Such a determination would, to begin with, be a method by which many a young man could save his earnings.

A man may have little influence or power in the great world around him. but here at least, in now his little empire, where he may exhibit his heart, his taste and his intelligence and be appreciated according to his real worth.

Homes are of many grades, from those of ease, culture and beauty, to those of ragged poverty, squalor, ignorance and vice, but in every land there are more real homes among those who are classed as the poor, or people in ordinary circumstances, than among those whom the world calls rich. Fortunately riches are not necessary to make a home, but good sense, kindly hearts and generous sympathies are, and these may be among the possessions of the poor as well as of the rich.

Safe and comfortable protection from the weather, health fulness and as much convenience of arrangement as can be afforded, are a primary consideration in every home, and when all cannot be reached at once, all know how much can be done even by the poorest, in doing little by little, year by year, to reach the desired end.

Shade trees, neatly kept walks, quiet little arbors, evergreens and trailing vines, flowers, shrubbery and a green lawn, even if small, and neatness and cleanliness in all the surroundings are things which all enjoy and which all can have with little labor or cost, however poor, while the more wealthy can have these things and others on a larger scale and in greater abundance, in proportion to their means.

Then besides the articles of household use and eomfort, those of the adornipaent of the home must not be forgotten. Pictures and other articles of taste and beauty should be, and happily can be, had in every home, hoAvever humble, and these things are a perpetual pleasure, and are of utility as educators of the mind and tastes and heart.

When man fell from his high estate of purity, and the angels who once had companionship with him went back to heaven, they forgot to take back with them a few things, among which music was one, and in every home on earth there should some sort of music be known and often heard. Let it be vocal, if nothing more can be had, but both vocal and instrumental, of some kind, if possible; yes, let music be cultivated in evex-y home - it purifies the soul, rests the weary heart, elevates the thoughts, awakens our purest emotions and smooths the furrowed brow of care and toil.

Here, too, should be good books, the best the world affords, for in this day the best are as cheap as the poorest, and at the head of all should stand the old family bible. By them we are brought into intimate relations with the greatest and best of our race. And we should have pure newspapers for instruction, and to give us the news of the great outside world; ^,nd here the companionship of parent and child must not be forgotten, for it is the purest source of pleasure, the strongest bond of influence over the heart and life of both. The club for the mac of family to join, is not the club on the street, or the one that meets in some secluded room, but is the home circle, the home club. Let the home be beautified and made attractive, if for no other reason, at least, for the good one of making the children happy, and when they go forth from it in after years to fight the battles of life, they may ever bear with them the hallowed influences and pleasant memories of childhood's years. The home and its influences will thus hold them in its grasp, however far they may stray away. It will not be long in any case when they must go forth from the home, when the storms of life, its cares, responsibilities and disappointments, will sweep around them. Life's duties of labor, good citizenship, of high and honorable purposes, will rest upon them. Oh I fathers and mothers, make your children, while yet in the home, strong in integrity, patriotism, industry, honor, intelligence; strong iu true manhood and true womanhood. Certain erroneous views seem to be entertained hy some people as to the home. It is not a place to go to only to eat and sleep and get shelter from the inclemency of the weather, but it is the abiding place. The home and not the public school is the primary place of education. The home and not the Sunday school, nor even the church, should be the primary school of religious instruction. The home and not the great world, or society, should be the primary school of man- ners and of social life. The home and not the caucus, or the convention. Of the public meeting, or the polling place, is. the i>roper primary school in which to learn the duties of good citizenship and the lessons of patriotism. Some one has wisely said that "the real strength of a nation is in the homes of its people." And surely that is the most prosperous country which has the greatest number of happy homes. Home teaching, more than ministers and schools, or politics, is deciding to-day what the men and women of the future, and the destinies of our country will be. And now it may be remarked that no home, however large the tenement, however beautiful the surroundings and tasteful its adornments may be, can ever be a true and happy home, unless constant courtesy, good manners, mutual aid and sympathy, ready forbearance with each other's faults and foibles, respect for and obedience to parents and purity of life are found in it.

Every home should be a Christian home, where Christian love and peace and cheerfulness shall reign. There is no development of civilized life so high, and so happy, as that of an intelligent. Christian home. Here the family altar is erected, and the living and known God is recognized in daily praise and prayer, and those many graces abound which spring up in the hearts and live in the lives of the true followers of Christ.

The influence of daily home worship, sensibly, not censoriously and exactingly conducted, is ever beneficent. "It makes men to be of one mind in a house." Though silent, it is irresistible and lasting. It tends much toward allaying selfishness, quieting jealousies and irritability. It subdues the passions, it softens the heart, elevates the sentiments and produces union, harmony and kindly consideration. Where the home is ruled by God's word, angels might tarry there a day, or a night, and not be out of their element. In such homes they have been seen and known in the long ago. May they not visit such homes now, though unseen by mortal ej'es'? But this is not all that may be said. The children who are brought up around the family altar, seldom, ever wholly, forget or lose the benefit of their teachings there. Among the social forces, none is stronger than the Christian teachings of the home of childhood.

A word more and these observations may be closed. The greatest special enemies of the home and the happiness which should be enjoyed there, are the rum seller, the infidel and the scandal monger, all representatives of satan, and active about his business, and of all the works of satan, the desecration of the home is the vilest and furthest reaching.

And now it may be stated that all these remarks are but preliminary to the statement of the fact, which the writer is proud to record here as an item of this history, that our county has hundreds of real homes within its borders, happy homes, homes of comfort, taste, culture and refinement, and as the years roll on they increase in number, ever thus attesting to the advancement and elevation of our people.

The Spring

The snows of the winter were carried off, early in April, with considerable rain, causing very high waters. The spring was quite unfavorable, and seeding was delayed until the middle of April and later in some localities.

It was encouraging to the people of the county, under the general conditions of the weather and the money market, that immigration commenced in April, to a considerable extent, which is much earlier then usual. The immigration continued during the spring and summer, but going mainly into the counties west of this, and the tide which was then setting strongly to those new counties, was great indeed. Money about this time was scarce, and the times grew pretty "hard," for all of which there was abundant reason.

The United States Land Office

In the month of April, James B. Wakefield, of this county, was appointed receiver, and E. P. Freeman, of Blue Earth county, register of the United States land office, at Winnebago City, in this county. On the twenty-first day of August, the office was removed from Winnebago City to Jackson, in Jackson county. A very earnest effort was made at the time, to secure the office at Blue Earth City, and it was thought, confidently, for a short time, that the effort would be successful. Some persons were so sanguine that Blue Earth City would succeed, that they had already selected the location of the office building. But Blue Earth City was again, as years befox-e, disappointed in its efforts. The public interests, it was said, required the location of the office further west, and westward with "the course of empire," the office took its way.

The Pacific Railroad

Owing to the rapid progress of settlement and improvement on the Pacific coast, and the requirements of a large part of the world's commerce, the necessity of a great trans-continental line, or lines, of railway, from the east to the west, was long apparent, and much discussed. But little, beyond enthusiastic talk, was done, however, until 1859, when congress authorized the great scheme. It was a project of great national importance, and worthy of, and of necessity had to be, taken under national patronage. Of the details of the act we cannot here treat, further than to say, the act comprised the building of three lines of roads, the Northern, the Southern and the Central. The Central or middle lino was the first to be completed. The construction of this, the greatest railroad in the world, in many respects, spanning the continent from the furtherest east to the Golden Gate, was the most stupendous work ever undertaken by man, in any age or country.

The road was built from the western end eastwardly, by the Central Pacific Company, and from the eastern end westward ly, commencing at Omaha, Neb., by the Union Pacific Company. And it was on the tenth day of May, of this year, at Promontory Point, in the Territory of Utah, the two ends were united and- this grand work completed.

It was to be expected that the completion of such a wonderful and valuable enterprise should be attended with great rejoicings throughout the whole country, and such was the fact. Spikes of pure gold and a hammer of pure silver were used in laying the last rail, and the blows of the sledge were telegraphed to all the great cities of the Nation, and then came the final telegram, "Tlie laf<t rail is laid ! The last spike driven .' The Pacific Railroad is completed .' !

And now let us look at home a little. We have also some railroad interests and many other matters of which to speak right here. It was in this month of May and in this year that the first railroad depot was located in this county. The location was on section 9, in the town of Cobb, town 103, range 24.

At this point it was designed by Col. C. W. Thompson, the proprietor, to lay off a town, which he soon proceeded to do, and the village of Wells loomed up on the prairies. A fuller account of the founding of Wells, will be found in the historical sketch of Clark township.

The Post

On the twenty ninth day of May the first number of The Blue Earth City PoM. was issued at Blue Earth City. It was a seven column sheet and one of the neatest papers, typographically, in the State. The editors and publishers were Messrs. W. W. Williams and M. H. Stevens. The following brief extract from the salutatory indicates the views and purposes of the publishers. "The publication of The Blue Earth Citij Post has been commenced to supply, what seems to be, a demand here for a good reliable local and county paper. We shall attempt to supply this demand in a satisfactory manner, striving, faithfully, to do our part and rely on the public to aid us by giving us such an amount of patronage as our enterprise deserves.

"Politically the Post will be liberally republican. * * * We shall aim to make the Post a local, rather than a political, paper. The Post being published at the county seat, will contain a full record of current events, relating to county matters." * * *

There were now three newspapers in the count3% the Post and South TFes^ at Blue Earth City, and r/ie i^^'ee i7o?HesfeafZ, at Winnebago City. On the twelfth day of June, the South West appeared as a nine column sheet, and with a new and very fine heading. It was now a very large paper, one of the largest in the northwest and the editor, still Mr. Huntington, proudly claimed it to be the best. In typography and otherwise, the paper was greatly improved over former years.

Justice

The annual term of the District Court commenced June 1st. The term lasted eight days. This was the last term of court held by Judge Austin, in this county, he having been, as will be seen hereafter, elected Governor of the State.

Miseries Of Jury Duty

"Well when we were impaneled, some young sprouts of the law, looked us over, as if we were a pen of sheep. I heard a lawyer whisper to another, 'well I guess we can handle that bunch of mullets,' the other replied, giggling, 'I guess tliey have not formed any opinions by reading the newspapers, from appearances,' and a newspaper next day, describing the jury, referred to me, as being, apparently, a beef-headed young man, with ears that could be pinned together above my head. 'I'll plug that editor, when I see him, you bet-yourllfe.' - From an Arkansaw Paper.

The Indian Exhibition

In the spring of this year Capt. P. B. Davy, whose name has been mentioned heretofore in connection with several important enterprises, with several other residents of this county, inaugurated, after considerable discussion, the organization of an Indian show or exhibition.

More fully stated, the plan proposed was to collect together a number of native Red men, from the tribes of the northwest, with their lodges, ponies, carts, dogs, implements of war and the chase, and travel through the country exhibiting under a large canvas, pavillion and tents the Indians and their manners and customs, their

A larj^e company, consisting mainly of residents of this county, was formed. The necessary outfit of tents, teams, wagons and other requisites were procured. The Indians, with all their native accoutrements were obtained, and in short, the Great Indian E.xhibition was organized, and in June was announced in circulars and poster.s, of which the following were the head lines:

Consisting of One Hundred Native Indians, Including the Chiefs and Head Men of the Ancient Sisseton Tribe of Sioux, from the far-off plains of Dakota.

The arrangements moved along very successfully, and on the twenty-third day of June, the first public exhibition was given at Blue Earth City.

This first exhibition proved a great success, and demonstrated the fact, that under prudent management, sustained by sufiBcient capital until fairly started, and with favorable weather, the enterprise would certainly prove a profitable one.

But it must be added, that after a number of more or less successful exhibitions at various points in the State, the project had to be abandoned, and the company was broken up, mainly in conse quence of almost incessant rains and storms encountered by the exhibition and the excessively bad roads.

It was reported currently in the newspapers of the time, that during this year, an unusual number of circus and other exhibition companies, principally from the same cause, became bankrupt.

Captain Peter B. Davy was a native of Canada, where he was born October 7th, 1830. Ho obtained his education in the common schools and at the Normal Academy at Toronto, where he graduated. He commenced teaching school at the age of fifteen years, and continued in that employment until he became eighteen years old. He was married in 1851 to Miss Calista M. Rose. They had two children, one of whom died in infancj'. He came to the United States in 1852, and located in Chicago, Illinois, where he remained until 1851, when he removed to Waterloo, Iowa, where he continued to reside until July, 1857, when he came to this county. On his arrival here he purchased the steam saw mill at Blue Earth City, in which he was interested about two years. For several years he engaged in

In October 1862, he enlisted in the military service of the United States, and was chosen first lieutenant of Company "K," First Minnesota Cavalry, and the following year was promoted to the captaincy. While in the service he was with General Sibley in his expedition against the Indians.

The regiment was mustered out in December, 1863, and he immediately re-enlisted in the Second Regiment of Minnesota Cavalry, and was commissioned captain of Company H. He served until April 28th, 186(), when the company was mustered out of the service. He i-e turned to Blue Earth City, and in 1867 he organized the Montana expedition, as heretofore stated.

Having conducted the expedition to Helena, Montana, he returned to Blue Earth City and organized the famous Black Hills expedition, also heretofore spoken of, but this failing, his next enterprise was the organization of the Indian exhibition above recorded. After settling up his affairs in this venture he returned to Blue Earth City and led a retired life. He took much interest in local affairs and was at one time president of the city council of Blue Earth City, and held other offices. Captain Davy was a mason and was for five years master of Blue Earth City Lodge, No. 57, and was a member of Mt. Horeb Chapter, R. -. A.-. M. -. No. 21, and had attained the 32° A. -. A. -. Scottish Rite. He was afflicted for some years with a disease of the throat and lungs, and went to Denver, Col., in the autumn of 1888, but finding no relief, he concluded to return home, but died on the way, January 7th, 1889. His body was brought home, and was iaterred in the Blue Earth City cemetery.

Captain Davy was twice married. His first wife dying, he married Mrs. Alzina M. Fockler, a widow lady, who survives him. - His religious connection was from his youth with the Protestant Episcopal church, and in politics he usually acted with the democratic party, but he never was a partisan. His name frequently appears in this history.

The Great Anniversary

The fourth day of July of this year happened on Sunday, and was generally celebrated throughout the country on the third and fifth, thus affording, to enthusiastic young patriots the privilege, in some localities, of having two "fourths" in one year.

In this county, however, there was but little demonstration. At Bear's Grove, in Lura, at Minnesota Lake and at Banks, in Poster, the day was commemorated.

"Folks is ^,'t'ttin' kinder lazy, 'n tlicy celebrate the Fourth, .list ez if their blood wuz colder than the blizzards of the North. Winiern hate to hear a cannon, "n their narves is all upsot Ef a yoiinn 'un ut the woodshed with liis popj^un takes a shot, While the men have got so skittish that a cracker luakes 'em cuss,

The Eclipse

Undoubtedly a total eclipse of the sun is the grandest, most awe-inspiring natural phenomenon mortal eyes have ever beheld. The total eclipse of the sun, which occurred on the seventh day of August, of this year, was an exceedingly important one, in a scientific point of view, and it is written that "never were more extensive preparations made by governments, and men of science, to have thorough observations of a solar eclipse, than at this time."

It is hardly necessary to say that in all ages eclipses have been regarded by the ignorant "as alarming deviations from the established laws of nature" and indicative of the near approach of some great public calamity. Even so late as this year, there was a prophet of evil ia an adjoining state who announced that "the eclipse was a judgment upon the world for its abominations, and that the path of its shadow over the earth would be marked by utter blight."

Much interest was taken by the people of this section of country in this eclipse, as the obscuration would be almost total at Blue Earth City, and complete only nineteen miles south of that point.

Several scientific men from St. Paul came to Blue Earth City, and on the seventh, accompanied by several citizens of that village, proceeded into Iowa, to a point on the wide open prairies, about nineteen miles directly south of that village.

As the hour of the eclipse approached, manj'^ were ready with their smoked glasses. As the time drew nearer, and nearer, the query arose in many minds and the question was laughingly asked, will the calculations of these astronomers, made years and years ago, be verified? A few minutes will tell, let us watch. As the index on the dial reached forty- three minutes past three o'clock, p. m., lo, and behold, on time to the minute the eclipse commenced, the moon was seen to intrude upon the disc of the sun. Slowly, certainly, the darkness moved over the sun's face, the obscuration growing more and more, and then was seen the awful approach of the moon's shadow in the air. The heavens were darkened, stars and planets appeared, the air grew sensibly cooler. And now the crickets chirped, animals became strangely agitated, the birds bewildered, fluttered about the tree tops. A strange gloom overspread all nature, the trees, houses and other objects had a weird and unnatural appearance, and human faces assumed a pallid, ghastly look in the unnatural light, and when the eclipse had approached near totality all grew silent and grave, and a feeling of profound awe, even an indefinable dread took possession of the beholder, and the fearful thought came involuntarily to the mind, what if this eclipse should remain? At four o'clock and forty-eight minutes the obscurity began to pass off, and at five o'clock, forty-five minutes, p. m. the gloinous sun, more beneficent now than ever, shown forth again in his full splendor, and a feeling of great satisfaction came to all, however wise and fearless they pretended to be. Such was an interesting event but briefly and imperfectly described. And now as an interesting item we copy the following:

What An Eclipse Might Be

A correspondent of the Boston Post says: "Few people trouble themselves to think what the effect would be if the eclipse of Saturday were to last any length of time, and the sun were blotted from the heavens. Philosophy declares that not only would a horror of darkness cover the earth, but the moisture of the atmosphere would be precipitated in vast showers to the earth, and the temperature fall to a fearful point of cold, nothing less than 230 degrees below zero, Fahrenheit. The earth would be the seat of darkness, and more than arctic desolation. JJothing could survive such freezing cold a moment, more than one could breathe in scalding water. In three days after the cooling process began, nothing created would be alive but monsters that wallow in the deep ocean, and the eyeless reptiles that make their haunts in caves which penetrate far under ground."

"Apropos of the recent solar eclipse, a story worthy of Hacka^lnder has recently gone the round of the German papers. It appears that on the morning of the event alluded to, Capt von S , of the Fusilliers, issued the following verbal order to his company, through his sergeant major, to be communicated to the men after forenoon parade: 'This afternoon a solar eclipse will take place. At 3 o'clock the whole company will parade in the barrack-yard. Fatigue jackets and caps. I shall explain the eclipse to the men. Should it rain they will assemble in the drill-shed.' The sergeant major, having set down his commanding otHcer's instructions in writing as he had understood them, formed the company into hollow square at the conclusion of the morning drill, and read his version of the order to them thus: 'This afternoon a solar eclipse will take place in the barrack-yard, by order of the captain, and will be atU'iided by the whole company, in fatigue jackets and caps. The captain will conduct the solar eclipse in person. Should it rain, the eclipse will take place ill the drill-shed.'

The following item appeared in the Homestead of September 1st. "A Prolific County - Faribault. She has four newspapers and less than four thousand inhabitants. The Prairie Bugle is the style of the latest, and it is democratic. It hails from Wells, but one half of it is printed in Mower county and the other half in Milwaukee. It is a clever looking, seven column sheet, and reflects credit on the proprietors, Messrs. Wood and Cook, who are at present propelling the Austin Democrat. Democracy has now an organ through which to make itself heard at home, and we heartily wish the proprietors abundant success."

The Harvest

About harvest time the country was visited by heavy rains, accompanied by high winds. The result was a long and expensive harvest and great waste of grain in the handling. The summer was wet, short, and with the exception of a very few hot days, was quite cool. The wheat suffered somewhat, also, from blight and rust in this county, yet after all these unfavorable facts, the crop was large. The crop of oats was abundant, and notwithstanding the unfavorable season, corn yielded very well.

"A year of plenty is the cheering intelligence that comes to us from all points of the country. The wheat crop has yielded far above the average - cotton promises to furnish more bales than have been produced since the war. In the west, except in a portion of Illinois, the corn stands well and gives assurance of a large harvest - in the middle and northern states all kinds of grain have done well and potatoes, the farmers say, are "too plenty to pay." In this county, however, that pestilent, destructive, stinking little bug, the Colorado beetle,or potato-bug. which had greatly injured our potato crop for several years, did much damage this year again "

Barometrical

The early part of September was characterized by heavy rains, and about the middle of the month the waters became very high and the roads almost impassable. The first heavy frost of the season occurred on the night of September 26th.

Teachers' Institute

H. Bunnell, state superintendent, Sanford Niles, county superintendent Olmstead county, and Prof. Carson, of Mankato. The institute was an entire success, but owing to the impassable condition of the roads and streams, the attendance of teachers was not as full as it should have been. A great local interest was taken by the people of Blue Earth City in this institute, who by their hospitality and efforts to encourage all its meetings by their attendance and interest in the proceedings, and in furnishing good vocal and instrumental music, at the evening meeting, did much toward rendering the institute a success.

The Fair

The time of holding the fair having been changed, in was held at Blue Earth City, on the 6th and 7th days of October. The exhibition of grain, vegetables and fruits was very good, but other departments were very poor, and the attendance not large.

But little interest was manifested in the matter, which was owing to the fact that the farmers, generally, were at the time very busy in doing fall work, already long deferred on account of long continued rains.

The Fall Conventions And Elections

The patriotic portion of the community, being those who were willing to accept office for the public good, concluded much earlier in the year than usual that the time had come to get the candidates in the field. Owing to various causes the "points" issue was now dead and the question of homestead taxation had been settled. But there was a governor and several state oflScers, a judge of the District Court, for this judicial district, a senator and representative and a number of county officers to be elected, and several amendments of the constitution of the State to be adopted or rejected.

In pursuance of a call the Republican County Convention was held at Blue Earth City on the twenty-eighth day of August, when the following nominations were made:

For Court Commissioner - J. A. Kiester. The convention was quite harmonious, and all the nominations were made by acclamation, except that of sheriff, over which there was some squabbling.

Mr. Wakefield, elected senator the preceding year, having been appointed receiver at the local land office, as stated above, resigned the office of senator, which rendered the election of another person to that office necessary to fill out the unexpired term.

J. A. Latimer, of Painbault county was nominated as the republican candidate for senator, and M. E. L. Shanks, of Martin county, for repi'esentative.

The democratic party held a convention at Fairmont also, on the twenty-fifth day of September, and nominated for senator Moses King, and for representative Phillii) Huber.

On the seventh day of October the Democratic County Convention was held at Blue Earth City, and made the following nominations for county officers:

For Treasurer - Thos. S. Fellows. For Sheriff - P. B. Fezler. For Judge of Probate - D. H. Morse. For County Attorney - Richard Field. For Court Commissioner^T. C. Smith. For Coroner - Loyal Dudley.

Owing to the fact that Hon. Horace Austin, judge of the sixth judicial district, to which this county belonged, was the republican candidate for governor and had resigned the office of judge, the election of a district judge became necessary. A judicial district convention was therefore held at Mankato, October 19th, when Andrew C Dunn, of this county, was nominated as the republican candidate for that important office.

Notwithstanding, there was now a straight republican and a straight democratic county ticket in the field, there was some dissatisfaction in certain quarters, and so, to remedy the mistakes of the two parties in their nominations, a "People's Mass Convention" was called to assemble at Walnut Lake, October 23d, but the place of meeting was subsequently changed to Winnebago City. A convention was held at the time specified, but was not numerously attended. The result of the proceedings was the nomination of Hon. Patrick Kelley, of this county, for senator, and A. L. Patchin, of Martin county, for representative, and P. C. Seely was nominated for the office of sheriff. The nominees on the republican ticket for the other county offices were endorsed by this convention.

Otis, of Ramsey county, was the democratic candidate for the same office. With this expose of the political field, we now proceed to announce the result of the battle.

The decisive day, Nov. 2d, arrived, and when the shades of evening closed the day, there were, in the ballot boxes, of this county, seven hundred and thirty-eight votes for Horace Austin, for governor, and for Geo. L. Otis, democratic candidate for governor, three hundred and seventy-five votes. For judge of the district court, Franklin H. Waite had seven hundred and seventy-six votes, and Andrew C Dunn had three hundred and thirty- three. For Senator:

The varieties of tickets used at this election were prodigious, and each candidate for a county or legislative office, wanted his name on each style of ticket. There was the "Regular Republican" ticket. "Regular Democratic," "Workingman," "Farmers," "People's," "Split," "Bogus," and "Bummers," and other varieties too numerous to mention.

Prices during the fall ranged as follows, wheat 70c, oats 35c, corn 40c, potatoes 25c per bushel, flour *2.50 to ^3.00 per hundred. Wheat stood at an average of 60 to 70 cents most of the summer and fall, but at one time (in December) became as low as 53 cents, at Waseca, our railroad market at the time.

"This year closes a most iruportant era in the history of the United States, and of the world. The account with the civil war was definitely closed, and the llnal seal set on the policy of reconstruction by the inauguration of Gen. Grant, president, and the continuance of the republican party in power by the people together with the re-adniission of most of the southern states and the possibility of the reversal of the decision in regard to slavery done away by the adoption of the amendment to the constitution, giving the elective franchise to the colored population. Much emphasis was given to all these things by the prosperity of the country and the rapid reduction of the debt, by the generally wise conduct of the southern people and the slowly increasing prosperity of that section. These results reacted in other countries to strengthen the tendency to freer and more popular governments, and seem, in some respects, to have introduced the era of republicanism."