Freeborn County, Minnesota - Chapter 49: Judiciaii - County Ooveknment Fiounty Seat, 1882

Chapter 49: Judiciaii - County Ooveknment Fiounty Seat

Freeborn county was in the fifth judicial district of Minnesota under the first organization. In 1857, the Clerk of the Court having been appointed, business was commenced by him, attending to the regular routine work. The first case recorded was that of J. S. Corning against James M. Young, for the recovery of one hundred and thirty one dollars due on a note. An attachment was made, no answer filed; so judgement was entered. The date of this case was the 27th of November. Up to the time when the first circuit court was opened there were twenty-seven cases.

This court was held on the 27th of September, 1858, and at this session Alfred P. Swinetord was admitted to practice at the bar. J. W. Perry was also admitted as an attorney. A oommitte was also appointed to examine W. D. Chilson and John W. Heath with a view to their admission as attorneys. A. B. Webber, Augustus Armstrong, and J. W. Perry were the committee, who reported favorably, and the candidates were admitted.

The grand jury was called and eighteen answered to their names. Two indictments were found against William L. Gray for "unlawful trafficking in spirituous liquors, and for keeping a gambling house." He was brought in on a bench warrant and pleaded not guilty, and was put under bonds in the sum of one hundred dollars for his appearance.

The calendar being called, the following cases appeared ready for trial: Asa BuUard irmus John T. Asher; Hagan Mathews vergm Hans Johnson: Ola Gruberson versus Lara Evenson, which were duly disposed of.

The names of the judges who have set on this bench, and that of the clerks, will be found in the Centennial History by Mr. Parker, which has been brought down to 1882.

It seems that no record of the earliest marriages was preserved, until the county was organized. The first mentioned was that of Mr. Henry Snyder and Miss Mary Fink, on the 25th of June, 1857, by William Anderson, Justice of the Peace. The next is that of William Andrews himself to Miss Mary Leonard, by tlie redoubtable J. Clark, Justice of the Peace. The third and last one this year was Mr. Oscar Miller and Miss Betsey M. BuUock; the magistrate was George Watson, and the witnesses were H. B. Earle and Daniel Gates. These were all those reported in 1857.

At this session the case of Henry Kreigler, accused of wilful-murder, and which is mentioned elsewliere, was brought up. J. M. Perry was appointed to assist the prosecuting attorney. The case was transferred to Steele county, as it was declared impossible to secure an impartial trial here, on aecouut of prejudice,

E. C. Stacy was admitted to practice in the courts of the State at this term. There were some cases of absorbing interest at the time, in a local way, but none of general importance.

The first deed spiead on the records was that of William ,Rice and wife to Uriah Grover. The second to be recorded was that of Uriah Grover and wife to Elihu C. and Anthony C. Trow, a piece of land in consideration of .f 100 in township 102, range 20. John S. Corning was the magistrate. The next was William Rice and wife to Uriah Grover, September 1st, 1856. Charles T. Knapp and wife to E. C. and A. C. Trow on the 22d of October, of the same year. This year there were but three recorded, but several came in later which had been executed during the year.

November, 1856, and (he first one that appears was Welcome S. Bacon, to Elbridge G. Potter, to secure the payment of 13000, a tract of land; and this seems to have been the only one this year. The next year a mortgage was executed and recorded on the 3d of March, by L. T. Carlson to C. A. Luudrone, and was the only one recorded that year.

Since that time the deeds and mortgages have accumulated- to till thirty-two volumns of deeds and twenty -six of mortgages. The books are 640 pages, and average a little less than one deed for a page; so it can be seen that the transfer of real property has been lively in the county since its organization.

. The Board of County Commissioners met on the 3d of March, 1857, for the purpose of organization. It consisted of William Andrews, E. C. Stacy, and S. N. Frisbie. William Andrews was chosen Chairman. On motion of Mr. Frisbie, E. C. Stacy was chosen Judge of Probate.

At an adjourned meeting on the 4th, the County Officers were appointed as follows: Sheriff, George S. Kuble, of Albert Lea; Surveyor, Edward P. Skinner, of Shell Rock City; Conmer, A. H. Bartlett.of Shell Rook City; District Attorney, John W. Heath, of Geneva. The county was divided into three assessor's districts, and the following assessors appointed: James M. Drake, John Duncing, and Walter Scott; Justices of the Peace, Isaac P. Lynde and Joseph Watson; Constables, George Deermau, William A. Hoag, and Walter Stoll. At this meeting a county seal was adopted, and the time for entering upon the duties by the several officers appointed was placed on the 20th inst.

The location of the county seat came up for careful consideration. Mr. Frisbie moved that the temporary county seat be Bancroft; Mr. Stacy moved to strike out Bancroft and insert Saint Nicholas, which motion was lost. Mr. Stacy moved to strike out the word Bancroft and insert Geneva, which was not agreed to. Mr. Andrews moved to strike out the word Bancn)ft and insert Albert Lea, which was carried by a unanimous vote.

A resolution was adopted instructing the Constables, Justices, and School Trustees, to be vigilant in protecting the school lauds from trespass.

County Government

The next meeting of the Board was on the 6th of April, 1857, and then the interminable road business began. The first road laid out as a county road was described as follows : "Commencing on the section line between thirty-two and thirty-three in town 101, range 20, running north as near said section line as the surface of the the ground will admit, through towns 101, 102, and 103, thence in a northerly direction to the town of Geneva, thence north to the county line."

The next road was in response to a petition, and commenced at St. Nicholas, crossing the Shell Eock Kiver in section thirty and running southeast to the south line of town 102, about 120 rods west of Oliver Andrew's house, then east on said town line about two miles, thence southeasterly to the vicinity of John T. Asher's place, thence down the west bank of Woodbury Creek to the county line. Oliver Andrews, of Shell Rock, and John T. Asher, of Burr Oaks, were viewers of this road. At this meeting the appointments of L. T. Carlson as Justice of the Peace, and Elias Stanton as Constable, was rescinded for non-compliance with the statute; and Elias Stanton was appointed Justice, and Charles Giddings, Constable. Election precincts were arranged, several other roads projected, and school districts were established. About fifteen road districts were disignated. These matters consumed much time but the management of the interests of the county seem to have been judicious. This session of the board continued until the 10th, and among other things done, the surveyor was authorized to procure from the United States Surveyors the field notes relating to the county.

The third session of the board was on the 18th of May, 1857, and continued three days. Welcome S. Bacon was appointed Assessor of the first precinct, vice Erastus D. Porter - not qualified. C. S. Tarbel was appointed Coroner in place ef George Watson, who declined to qualify. Lafayette Scott was appointed Justice and Daniel Davis, Constable. At this session the table was loaded with road petitions, which were given respectful consideration.

of July, and they proceeded to wrestle with the large number of yeomanry of the county of Freeborn, who considered that the welfare of the country and the perpetuity of republican institutions depended upon their having a road right by their doors.

A tax of three mills on the dollar was assessed for road purposes, and two and one half mills for school jjurposes. At this meeting the county orders appear for the first time and they aggregated $549.19. The total county tax for all purposes footed up twenty and one half mills on a dollar, making the sum of .S4,347.80, to which ten per cent was added, making $444.65 to be collected.

The fifth session of the county board was on the 9th of September of the same year. The clerk of the district coart was instructed to inform Judge Flandreau that it is not the wish of the County Commissioners that a court should be held here in October of this year. Routine business claimed especial attention.

The election as to the location of the county seat was held on the 13th of October, 1857. The result of the balloting, as returned by the board of canvassers, William Andrews, George Watson, and William Morin, was as follows :

1858. Tbe new board convened on the 4th of January, and consisted of S. N. Frisbie, Joseph Reikhard. and Peter Clausen. S. N. Frisbie was elected ohairman. Auiliting bills was the great business of the board during the first day's session. The next day, among other things. Swineford & (iray were made ooiiuty printers. J. M. Palmer and Thomas W. Pnrdie were appointed road commissioners. Grand and pettit jurors were drawn. The report from the schools revealed 222 scholars in the county, in nine districts, but there must have been sixteen at least at that time, as that was the number of one of the districts. The amount of school tax was $5,322, which gave to $2.38 to each scholar. The Territorial tax assessed was S212.08.

At a meeting held on the 1st of February, 18.58, the resolution giving the county printing to Swineford .t Gray was rescinded, and it was given to David Blakely of the Bancroft Pioneer. The next day an offer was made, by the deposed firm to do all the county jirinting for six months free; but it was not agreed to. At the meeting in April, the board proceeded to organize the coimty into towns, iu accordance with an act of the Legislature, and the following names were proposed; Asher, Oakland, (ruildford, Seward,Geneva,Beardsley, Hayward, Shell Rock, Freeman, Albert Lea Bancroft, Porter, Hartland,Buckeye,Pickerel Lake, Nunda, Mansfield, Alden, Stanton, and Freeborn. A vote of the town on the 11th of May changed Buckeye to Liberty. Most of the towns were coupled together in pairs for township purposes.

The town meetings for organization and election of officers was held on the 11th of May, and some of the election officers presented their bills to the county, but they were promptly rejected.

In September a communication was received fr im the State Auditor requiring the name of the tiwn of Liberty to be changed, as there was a to.vnship with a prior claim to this cognomen.

In accordance with the provisions of the State law, after the organization of the State, the board of County Commissioners was superseded by a board of Supervisors, and in this county the first board consisted of: Theop. Lowry, William Andrews, A. C. Wedge, D. Blakely, B. S. Boardman, Mathias Anderson, A. W. White, Patrick

1859. - The board met in annual session on the 13th of September. The members were as follows: William H. Goslee, Asa Bullock. Theop. Lowry, Michael Brennan, Edwin C. Stacy, Isaac Baker, I. W. Devereux, A. C. Wedge, N. H. EUickson, Horace Greene, Mathias Anderson, Patrick Fitzsimons, and E. D. Roger.s. Edwin C. Stacy was elected temporary chairman, and Theop. Lowry, permanent chairman.

1860. The bond of the Treasurer was fixed at -S13,000. The compensation of the clerks and judges of elections was fixed at S2 a day, and ten cents a mile one way, making returns.

At a meeting in January it was moved that a jail to hold six persons be built, not to exceed a cost of S500, which motion was not agreed to.

On the 5th of September, 1860, the Treasurer had on hand funds to the amount of $4,115.26. The whole amount of county orders issued up to that date was .'i!8,364.18.

At a meeting on the 18th of September a petition was presented to allow the people of the county to vote on the question of removing the county seat to Itaska. But, as a question as to the legality of the election already held on that subject was already in the courts for adjudication, it was laid on the table. Several propositions were received making generous offers to the county in consideration of having the county seat iu some specified locality, and the one of Albert Lea was entertained. A more full account is given of this business in the article on the contest for the county seat.

County Govbrnmbnt

On the 20th of October the petition in relation to the vote on county seat, in obedience to the order of Judge Atwater, was favorably considered and the order issued. At the same meeting the town of Pickerel Lake was attached to Manchester for election purposes, and Alden to Carlston. A petition of citizens of the town of Freeman asking to hav'e township 101, range 21, organized for town purjjoses under the name of Green, was granted and the 5th of January fixed as the day of holding the first town meeting.

1861. - Tlie Board got together on the 1st of January. James E. Smith was elected chaiaman. At the meeting the next day the bills of D. G. Parker as Attorney for the State in the Kreigler murder case, and of Augustus Armstrong the prisoner's counsel, were allowed at S120 each. Numerous other bills for witness fees in the same ease were presented, and the District Attorney was requested to furnish his opinion as to the liability of the county. The bill of James A. Robson, the Sheriff in this case, footed up to $207.50. On the 9th of April the bill of expense in this expensive trial, presented by Steele county was #1,125.09.

In April the salary of the Auditor was fixed at -1800 per annum, and that of the County Attorney at SI 50. Up to this time the expense of the Kreigler trial, exclusive of the Steele county bills, was $888.17.

At the September meeting the bill of F. O. Perkins for professional services in defending Henry Kreigler, to the amount of .$200, was laid over for further consideration, and at a regular meeting in October the account was allowed at $75.00. Up to the first of January, 1862, the bills audited in the Kreigler case amounted to .fl,579.29-

1863. - Asa Bullock was chairman this year. At a meeting in July it was resolved that the law licensing dogs and for the protection of sheep be complied with in thi.s county.

The State law requiring the militia to be organized by districts was complied with as far as possible, and elections ordered for the 18th of July. This movement was not a phenomenal success, although it may have served to keep up an interest in military affairs.

1864. - C. H. Mclntyre was chairman. In March a committee consisting of William Morin, Frank Hall, and Augustus Armstrong submitted plans and estimates for the construction of a fireproof building for offices and court room, as follows:

Various petitions were presented against the issue of bonds for county buildings. A resolution, however, was adopted to issue and appropriate bonds to the amount of two thousand dollars toward erecting fire-proof buildings for the county offices, with the understanding that Albert Lea shall apj^ropriate one thousand dollars to add a suitable hall for court purposes. Messrs. Hall, Morin, and Armstrong were appointed commissioners to sell the bonds and to erect the building.

Two parties who were reported as selling spirituous liquors without a license, it was ordered should be prosecuted. In July George S. Ruble was appointed Overseer of the poor.

The first bond of $1,500, was issued, and cashed by Joseph Hall. It bore 10 per cent, interest and -was dated the 16th of March, 1864. The location of the Court House was agreed upon, provided a strip six rods wide and exti nding to the next street south could be secured free of cost. On the 6th of September Mr. Asa Bullock, a member of the board, having ilied, suitable resolutions were engrossed, presented to his family, and spread upon the records.

1865. - The first record with any reference to the war was on the 6th of September, when assistance was voted to several families of soldiers at the front, which will be mentioned more fully in the war history of the county. On the 8th of September the tax on the property of the county was ordered assessed as follows:

Tlie cost of printing the delinquent tax list audited and allowed at the April meeting was $323.85. In June action was taken in regard to vacating the town site of Bancroft. The lots in the village of Itaska, delinquent since 1863, were ordered sold. On the 22d of June James F. Jones, Asa Walker, and E. P. Skinner were added to the building committee. The Court House was going up, and provisions were made to pay the bills as they occurred.

18G6. - The new board organized on the 2d of January. Clark Andrews was chairman. On the 3d of January the town of !Mansfield was organized. In March tlie town of Alden was organized. On the 6th of Se]jtember the county board appointed Samuel Batchelder as Superintendent of Schools at a compensation of $2.50 per day.

1867. - The annual meeting of the board this year was on the 1st of January. William White was made chairman. The salary of the County Superintendent was adjusted at S300 per year.

On the 14th of March the following appears on the records: Whereas, the two churches holding divine service in Albert Lea have got at loggerheads in relation to occupying the Court House for meetings, and submitted the matter to the board, both churches being ably represented by Capt. Hagaman on the one side and Colonel Eaton on the other, therefore,

Re.iohiil, That the Congregationalists be allowed to use the Court rot)m in the forenoon of the next Sunday, and the Baptists the Sunday following, and so on alternately, reserving the use of the room for other denominations in the afternoon.

In September, 1867, Sheriff St. John having removed from the county, -Tohn Brownsill was appointed to fill the vacancy. The county at this time was divided into five commissioner districts.

1868. - The board of County Commissioners met on the lt\^ of January and consisted of Mons Grinager of the first district; Stephen N. Frisbie, of the second district; Henry N. Ostrander of the third; Jedediah W. Devereux of the fourth, and William H. Moore of the fifth.

On the 8th of January a committee was appointed to attend to the planting of trees in the Court House grounds, and otherwise improving the appearance of the location.

The town site of Bancroft village was on the floor this year, and the County Attorney was instructed to perfect the title of the county in the property.

This year was uneventful as regards the county government. There were various road matters to receive attention, Sunday School districts to be rearranged, certain railroad lands to be assessed, taxable property to be equalized, bills to be audited, and all the routine work of such a board to receive careful supervision. In the winter of this year the law in relation to agricultural statistics had to be enforced.

On the (ith of January the board considered the advisability of constructing a fireproof vault in tilt Court House, and in March Mons Grinager and J. W. Devereux were appointed a committee on the subject.

The Court House was repaired, including lightning rods, to the extent of §3,140.84. Kegular business requiring the consideration of the board took up the time at the various sessions.

1874. - The board met at the regular session in January. The members were: H. G. Emmons, chairman, H. Christopherson, W. C. Lincoln, Halver Thompson, and .James Thoreson.

An abstract of the business for the year woTild read: Bills, school district changed, road petition rejected, poor fund expenditures, change of county road, bills. Sheriff's fees, petition for new district, equalization, taxes abated, bills, &c., &c.

1875. - The board has been of rather a conservative tendency, and have as a rule been continued in oiBce for long terms, and the character of the functions have been more of an executive than of a legislative kind, so it seems unnecessary to go over the ground to furnish a detailed sketch of the transactions from year to year. Items relating to the early period of course have been given in detail.

1877. - Two new members appeared this year, the jjersonnel of the board being, William N. Goslee, James Thoreson, John M. Geisler, Ole Hanson, and W. W. Johnson.

In relation to taxation, its collection and disbursement, which embraces the great bulk of county business, it would make this work objectionably statistical to particularize from year to year, but to furnish an insight into the question, which is so interesting, as to "how the money goes," an extract from the minutes of the board will be made.

There was some action taken resulting from the fact that Mr. Batohelder, who had been County Auditor, had drawn his salary from a computation made by the valuation of the property of the county for the current year, instead of the year previous as the law j^rovided. This made a difference of .f777.08 in the compensation for three years in which it was so calculated, and he was required to return that amount. It is known that Mr. Batchelder worked night and day, almost, in his office, doing what may be called extra work, and was allowed $1,000 a year for clerk hire, having a clerk at a low price, and a part of this was also demanded, but a decision of Judge Berry was in his interest and the claim was not pushed. The overdraft was, as believed by his friends, the result of an inadvertence, as no one could suppose anything but honesty and integrity would actuate the Auditor.

1879. - This was another uneventful year with the county board, which consisted of John M. Geisler, chairman; W. W. Johnson, W. N. Goslee, R. Fitzgerald, I. A. Rodsater.

A few itams in this sketch are duplicate statements made by Mr. Parker in his Centennial History, while some things that are omitted here will be found tliere.

The county seat was fixed by the County Commissioners appointed by the Governor, and in accordance with what has been done all over the State, those interested in keeping the county seat procured the passage of a general act, prohibiting any action looking to a change of location within three years after its establishment. In 1860, the contest here was re-opened, but the County Commissioners declined to order an election. The Itasca people procured a mandamus through Mr. Everett, a lawyer in Austin, requiring an election to be ordered.

Itasca was at this time a flourishing place, with its hotel, blacksmith shop, shoemaker's shop, and twelve or fifteen houses all told, and a newspaper, printed in the octagon house which still stands. Its location was on a beautiful prairie which had been named by the first explorers, "Paradise Prairie," which is on a plateau overlooking the surroimding country, affording a view of Albert Lea City and of the lake beyond.

The adherents to the claims of Itasca declare that they went into the fight on its merits and on the 8(]uare, but that they were counted out; that a .precinct was established with headquarters on a stump in the township of Pickerel Lake, that John Ruble and Charley Norton were judges of the election, and. they returned 240 votes, solid for Itasca. It is claimed that compliance with a demand to produce the voting list would have been impo.saibIe.

was told in all its details, would reveal a species of which, while having analagons counterjiarts in other more important contests, was nevertheless an indigenous production of Freeborn county soil, and displayed some peculiarities of political guerrilla warfare which might might have been disagreeable to the jiarticipant*;, if published and believed at the time. But now, such a length of time having elapsed, and most of the participants having interests in the successful towns in this eventful struggle, they freely talk it over and relate to each other the various methods which were resorted to iu securing the several advantages which finally settled the contest. It is not possible, even if it were desirable, to give a detailed account of all the incidents connected with this conflict, but enough will be presented to give a good idea of some of the courses pursued by the contending parties.

In those times the community was manouvering as to whether law and order predominated, or mere force, with a predomination in favor of the latter. The men at Albert Lea had made up their minds to retain the county seat at all hazards, and to-day they claim that whatever might have happened at the polls would not have changed the result. To show the methods eml)loyed to des^foy Itasca, and blot it out of existence, a single instance will be mentioned. A Presbyterian clergyman, by the name of Mercer, came here and was enthusiastic in his ideas as to building up iiistitutiims iu his denominational interest in this new country, and so advantage was taken of his propagating spirit, and it was suggested that Itasca would be a tine suburban locality for such a school as he jjroposed to establish, and he went up and purchased the hotel of Dr. Burnham, who was delighted with the idea and anxious to do what he could to aid in the work. So the transfer was made, the Albert Lea proprietors paying for it. and it was then torn down and removed to the county seat; the scheme having served its purpose, no more money was advanced in the interest of the school, and the poor man who had been used by the ring, was frozen out, and sadly wended his way to some more promising locality.

The newspaper was fitted out by Dr. Burnham and D. F. Blackmer, Dr. Burnham having bought material, including press and fifty-two fonts of type, at Zumbrota. When the county seat busi- ness had collapsed, so far as Itasca was concerned, Mr. Botsford and young Blaekmer took the material to Blue Earth City, established a paper there, and run it until during the war, when one night Dr. Burnham was called up by a man who had some business with him. It proved to be Botsford, who had come to pay the S600 for the press and type, for which no security had been taken. This act should be particularly emphasized in the history of those times, where even legal obligations were not always observed.

They all worked together in Albert Lea, it only required a suggestion of some plan which would redound to their benefit to have it instantly acted upon. The proprietors of Itasca were ecpially on the elert in relation to Bancroft, and the Doctor bought up the buildings in that town and removed them to Itasca. The printing office is now a part of the house of E. K. Pickett, which is located on the site of that embryotic city.

While the county seat question was being agitated, in 1860, the leading citizens of Itasca, to secure if possible the county seat there, executed a bond in the penal sum of S6,00(>, pledging themselves to build a Court House according to certain plans and specifications, within two years, and also to furnish suitable offices for county purposes, including the building then there, 24 X 50 feet,*and two stories high. The building was to be of brick, two stories high, in the octagon form, forty-eight feet or more in diameter.

The plan was a good one, giving good, large sized offices, jail room, and a court room twentyfour by twenty-eight feet, with suitable jury rooms. The parties who executed this bond were : A. M. Burnham, C. C. Colby, J. G. Sanborn, E. J. Franklin, E. D. Hopkins, Samuel Batchelder, Charles Dunbar, J. Dunbar, J. Colby, J. D. Adams, and J. S. Longworth.

This was signed in the presence of Isaac Botsford and Hannibal Bickford, and certified to by Ole J. Ellingson, clerk, per Samuel Eaton, deputy.

The citizens of Alliert Lea, not to be outdone by the liberality of other aspiring places, agreed to furnish offices for the county officers and a jail for three years, free of cost to the county, and the following named gentlemen executed a bond in the penal sum of five thousand dollars for the faithful execution of this promise : A. B. Webber, George S. Ruble, William Morin, A. C. Wedge,

A brief recapitulation of all the stories told in relation to that contest, which, after considerable legal quibbling, was set for the 6th of November, the day on which Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States, and Albert Lea carried off the prize, and to-day there are really few, if any, who regret the result of the struggle. The several horse races which are briefly alluded to in the "events," are connected in the old settlers' mind with this contest, and at the old settlers' reunion in September, 1882, Dr. Ballard, the Mayor of the City, read a humorous poem largely devoted to the details of that memorable race, just a sample of which is spread on these pages.

"So, conning o'er the aspects of the case. They came unanimously to this conclusion: That public morals reguired another race; Advantage should be taken of the delusion That Sheriff Heath's Red Tom could always win. By beating him they'd bring to dire confusion The fcjlks in Albert Lea; 'twould be no sin. They said, to cheat those sinners, Especially if Itasca's men were winners. They'd buy Old Fly, a mare of reputation. Whose four white feet for years had earned the fame Of being the fleetest feet in all creation. They'd paint those feet, and then they'd change her name. And shave her tail, and otherwise adorn her Until she looked like misery's last mourner. And then they'd challenge Heath's Red Tom to run, And banter .\lbert Lea to betting high ; They'd let the country people in the fun. And take with them all bets against Old Fly. They'd win that race in just ii half mile h -at - They'd bankrupt Albert Lea, and with the money Buy votes enough to win the county seat. ********* "To make a long story short, and the list quite complete, People bet all they had on this half-mile heat. People in town and out, and all over the c< unty; Old soldiers put up the last cent of their bounty, Boys, women, and girls, they all took a hand. And tremendous excitement reigned over the land. The day was appointed, the place had been named. The hour was set - through the county it flamed In staring great hand-bills of all colors and sizes, Inviting the people to come and win prizes."

According to the legend the Albert Lea horse, which had been secretly tested one night with the- Itasca animal, won the race and threw confusion into the Itasca camp, won all their money and most of their valuables, and effectually destroyed their ability to carry on the contest for the county seat, because they were thus deprived of the means to buy xotes. Of course this is what the exultant ones told, and perhaps believed. But

The school district system of the county, like all other valuable institutions, has been a matter of growth from the smallest beginnings: and while it is jjroposed to give a local sketch of each school in the county in connection with the town where it is situated, yet, the difficulties, in the absence of record knowledge, in obtaining the dates of the organization and of other events ,are much greater than would be supj)0sed, when we remember that mo.st of the men who helped create and sustain these schools are still alive.

District No. 1 was organized on the (5th of April, 1857, on tlie petition of R. K. Cream and others, and embraced thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five, twenty-eight, and the southwest quarter of section twenty-seven in township 103, range 19, which is the present town of Moscow. This was in Mr. Prisbie'.s district, on whose motion the praver of the petitioners was granted. Tliis was the initial district.

District No. 2. The second district to see itself in form, was organized on the 8th of April, the same year, and was in answer to a petition of George Watson and others, and comprised sections nineteen, twenty, twenty-nine, thirty, thirtyone, and thirty-two in the same townshijj.

Distri^'t No. 3. The boundaries of this district are elaborately described iu the records, but the township is omitted, so that if anyone knows where it is it is all right, and to those who don't know, it does not perliaps matter where it was. This was on the same date as t!ie last one. The petitioner was Daviil M. Farr.

District No. 4 was on the petition of Watson H. Brown, and was constitiited a district at that first sessicm of the board. It was at Shell Kock. It is evident that a reiteration of the sectional boundaries of all the districts would be burdensome, as well in the preparation as in the reading so it will lie sufficient that the date and the township be indicated.

District No. 7. A. P. Swineford petitioned for a school district in Bancroft, which was favorably acted upon. These embraced the school districts projected at the first meeting of the county board.

District No. 8. The petition of Isaac Vandermaker and others was favorably considered on the 6th of July. It was located in Newry and Moscow.

District No. 1.5. This is the next on the list; what became of the missing numbers is among the problems, such as the lost tribes of Israel, but it is quite certain that enough others will turn up before we get through with them, to com]>ensate for their absence. O. C. Colby was tlie petitioner in this case, with others, and included Albert Lea, Bancroft, and Manchester, each in part. This was on the 9th of September, 1857.

District No. 16 was also brought into existence on the 9th of September. E. O. Dunn headed the petition, and it took in sections of Carlston and Freeborn.

District No. 10. On the 5th of October this district comes in view like a lost child, and was located in Moscow. J. M. Stage was the applicant, with others.

District No. 14. Daniel Ingraham respectfully requested the honorable body to organize a new district in Oakland, and it was done on the 16tli of November, 1S57.

District No. 17. Having gathered up the straggling districts the regular sequence will be taken up. David Blakely and others wanted a district in Bancroft, embracing nearly two thirds of tlie township, aud tlie Ji(U thus went forth on the Ist of February, 1858.

It appears that during the year 1857 there were sixteen districts formed iu the county, some of the townshijjs having several, and others none. But in almost every settlement there were schools sustained in a private way. In April, 1858, school districts from No. 18 to 25 inclusive, were authorized, and they were located as follows: No. 18 iu Manchester and Carlston; No. 19 iu Pickerel Lake and Nunda; No. 20 in Nunda and Freeman; No. 21 in Nunda. No. 22 in Bancroft; No. 23 in south half of Shell Rock : No. 24 in Rioeland and Bancroft; No. 25 in Pickerel Lake.

District No. 26. This was set apart in September, 1858, in the town of Hartland, and included the whole township. Additions were made to district No. 3 in the same month.

District No. 33 was organized with others up to and including No. 37, on the 5th of January, 1859, and their locations were in Freeman, Manchester, Carlston, Bancroft ,and Geneva. In September the districts were organized up to 45, which includes the whole number at that time in the county.

An act of the legislature about this time undertook to revolutionize the county school system by making each town a school district to be subdivided according to the requirements of each case. So then each town would begin No. 1, No. 2, and so on. But this was soon repealed and the county schools placed under a superintendent, and the system as it is now firmly established. A new numbering also took place, so that the districts

To furnish a complete idea of the schools in this county at this time, it has been concluded that a full copy of the admirable report of Superintendent Levens should be transcribed. That this includes various suggestions as to what ought to be done does not mitigate against its value in a historical work, and it gives the pevsoaiiel of the teacher-s of the last session of each school, as well as the names of the clerks of the school districts.

Eeport of the Schools or Freeborn County, FOR THE Winter Term of 1881-82. - The following facts, relating chiefly to the important matter of attendance, are compiled from teachers' reports of the winter schools.

Fourteen schools made no report as to tardiness - whether, because, they thought it of no importance, or too much trouble, or because they had too many cases, or had none, is not certain. It is a fact, however, that should be recognized by teachers, that punctuality and regular attendance go together, and that the hahit of promptness and punctuality acquired and practiced in school is an important element of future success in life.

The average number of visitors to each school - 26 - so far as it has any significance, would seem to indicate a fair amount of interest on the part of parents, though two schools report only one visitor.

The actual attendance is shown to be only 62 per cent, of the total enrollment. This means that all the scholars enrolled were absent on an average, over one day out of every three, during the term. The figures show a direct loss of 38 per cent, of school. But the real loss was much greater. No scholar absent one day and present two, can get any thing like the full value of these two. Irregular attendance retards the whole work of the school. Hence this 38 per cent of absence greatly lessons the value of the remaining 62 per cent, of attoudance. If we also consider the number not enrolled at all, but who might and should have been, there was an actual loss, at the lowest estimate, of more than one-half of the cost of the schools in the matter of attendance alone, to say nothing of the (piality of teachers' work or of any other deficiencies. Good attendance is absolutely essential to a good school. Many parents do not appreciate this fact. Teachers who do, and are thoroughly in earnest about it, can make their influence felt among parents as well as scholars. Last week I visited two schools, in each of which only three scholars were present. The most ot the absent ones were probably plantinp; com. Though often convenient, it is not profitable in the end, to interrupt a child's attendance at school for a little work at home, if it can possibly be avoided.

I respectfully submit to your consideration the following simple outline of a " Course of Study," and " Program of Recitations," in the hope that they may aid in securing more systematic and efficient work in our schools.

Any course of study for country schools must, of necessity, ignore the element of time; hence, only the studies themselves and the proper order in which they should be taken up by the different grades are here given.

For convenience and simplicity the grades are made and named to correspond to the different numbers of the series of readers: 1st Reader, or 1st Grade; 2d Reader or 2d Grade, up to and including the 5th Reader, making five grades.

(6.) "Oral Number Lessons" includes the development of the idea of numbers and their combinations by the use of objects, counting and such simple exercises in notation, numeratioi', and such

(c) "Oral Arithmetic" means such oral instruction and practice in slate work as will enable pupils of the 2d Grade completing the 2d Reader, to perform promptly and correctly, simple examples in Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division, and the knowledge of the tables requisite therefor.

(rf. ) Much extra slate work should be given the 3rd Grade, in connection with the Primary Arithmetic, to prepare them to take the Practical Arithmetic when they take the 4th Reader.

(e.) "Language Lessons" for the 4th Grade, means the State text book, so named. But the greatest attention should be given from the first, through all grades, and in connection with all school exercises, to give practical instruction and drill in language. To teach correctly the elements of redding, talking, and writing the English language, is the most important business of a school.

While it is desirable that all the pupils of each grade be together iu all the studies ot that grade, yet, owing to irregularity of classification in the past, and to various other causes, this will not in all cases be possible. A 5th Grade pupil in other branches, but who has never studied Geography, will have to be in the 3rd Grade in that branch. Similar cases will occur in other branches, But no effort should be spared to secure regular grading when possible, always using common sense and judgment in regard to exceptional cases.

The following "Program of Daily Exercises" is presented, not as the best that can be made for all schools, but as one which, with slight changes, can be used to advantage in all schools, and especially in those attempting to conform to this plan of grading:

Recess Afternoon

This program is intended to be the best possible arrangement of the greatest possible number of daily exercises - 22. The number s/ioukl not and am not be increased. If it is absolutely necoessary to introduce additional recitations in other branches, they must take the place of some of these, on alternate days, as Algel)ra one day and A Arithmetic the nest; or the 5th Reader alternate with the 4th Reader; or Physiology with History or A Geography. lu many schools, especially during the summer term, all the classes found on this program will not be formed. The time thus gained can be divided among the other classes most needing it.

Thy 3rd grade and the pnon'sl in the 4tL can form the "B" spelling class; the 5th grade and the liesi in the 4th, the "A" spelling class. In some cases doubtless the 4th and 5th grades can belong to the same class, as in Physiology - a study that should be introduced whenever possible - a^i«flys in preference to Algebra or the 5th Reader. If history is substituted for the 5th Reader, as a reading exercise, it should be studied as well as ivad.

In changing this program to adopt it to the circumstances of yonr school, remember that the objects to be secured are :(1.) The distribution of the recitations of each pupil throughout the entire day, with time for study between - thus making it also a studi/ program. (2.) A proper amount of time to each recitation, taking into account the subject, the number in the class, and their age. (3.) Plenty of time for the Ultle ones the oldest ones can learn without any teacher. (4. ) A just division of the time among the different hninches - Reading, 95 minutes; Writ ing, 20; Arithmetic, 85; Grammar, 40; Geogra phy, 40; History, 20; Spelling, 25. (5.) As few as 18 daily recitations, it possible.

If, by the approval of school officers and parents and the co-operation of teachers, this attempt at partial grading proves reasonably successful, blanks will be jjrovided in which to record the classification of the school at the clo.se of the term, and showing the progress of each class and pupil. Such a record, left with the register in the care of the clerk of the district, will be of great use to the next teacher in organizing the next term of school.

School District Clebks

Below is a list of the names of the school district clerks c>f the 110 districts of Freeborn county, together with the Post-office address of each clerk,

Husbandry

"To-day he puts forth the tender leaves of hope, to-morrow bears his blushing honors thick upon him, the next day comes a frost, and when he thinks his greatness still aspiring, lie falls like autumn leaves to enrich our mother earth."

A man who lives a tew brief years on this earth and then passes away, may be of tlie greatest use if all oi)portunities are improved, and the world iu each case should be the better for anyone's having lived in it. So with the Grange, for while no one could be made over by joining it, the teachings and tendency of the order was in the direction of an enlargement of ideas and an elevation of purposes among those who came under its benign indaence. The Cxrange will l)e remembered for the good it has done.

Fkeeborn County Gb.utge. - This institution was organized on the 1st of February, 1876. the Centennial year, with the following list of offic'ers :

As a matter of fact there are few counties where the grange has secured a more permanent foothold than in Freeborn county, for here it has not been permitted to lapse.

REOUG.vmzATroN Appointed by the Freebokn County Gh.ajnge. - In addition to those suggestions which relate solely to the reorganization of the Grange, your committee would recommend the establishment of local citizen's associations, whose members shall be pledged to vote only for men who can be relied upon to use the powers conferred upon them in procuring such legislation as will secure to individual shippers of produce, fuel, lumber, or merchandise, the same rates for freight and equal facilities for transportation from railroad companies with those accorded to associations, corporations, and rings, whose present exclusive privileges are detrimental to and often destructive of individual enterprise and healthy competition, and wherever these are destroyed the community is at the mercy of monopolists. This favoritism shown to these corporations and associations by some of the railway companies of the State, in granting them reduction on freights, or special facilities for ship])ing the commodities in which they deal, is too pernicious in its results to be permitted to go on unchecked; it is rapidly securing to capitalists and monopolists the business of the country, and enables them at their will to depress or inflate prices which should be left only to the natural gradations resulting from the laws of supply and demand.

Nothing can be more detrimental to the development of a new State than a system which creates and fosters monopolies. It crushes out the enterprises of indiviihials having but limited capital; it prevents that healthy growth of competition which builds up our towns and cities, as well as our agricultural interests, and which constitutes the only safe basis for a rajjid and permanent development, and all past experience has taught us that as fast as monopolies are established and individual enterprise is repressed, our farmers, merchants, manufacturers, and citizens generally are tiio often forced to sell their produce for less than its actual value, and as often compelled to pay more for the necessaries of life than would be the case if freights and facilities for transportation were furnished to all upon ecjual terms, and a healthy competition thereby established.

The recent heavy losses entailed upon the farmers by the sudden and arbitrary change in the established grades of wheat by a few capitaists acting* in the interest, or ostensibly, of the millers of the central portion of the State, is but another evidence of the necessity of compelling, by legal enactment, where such can be safely devised, the adoption of a policy less grasping in its selfishness, and more in accord with the spirit of justice. It is an insult to your intelligence to assert that the grade of wheat cannot be safely and justly estabby legal enactment, while whi.sky is, and has been so graded for years. Had the grain producers of the State ccmibined to establish the grade of wheat for their own jjrotit and without regard to the rights or interests of the millers, we may safely conclude that the Millers' Association would not have hesitated long in applying to the lawmaking power for relief and protection from unjust discrimination. The Millers' Association has assumed, arbitrarily, to establish the grade to suit themselves, by combining with foreign buyers; and with the railway companies they have been enabled to enforce their grade upon the farmers. They could not be expected to exercise such a power impartially, representing as they do only one of the parties in interest. They have assumed to exercise it, nevertheless, and the results have been felt by our farmers most oppx'essively. Having done this once they may be relied npon to do it as often as may suit their convenience, and with the same slight regard for justice or the interests of others, unless checked by the law-making power. We must firmly, though temperately, demand of our law-makers that they exercise their undoubted authority to settle by legal enactment, and in a spirit of equity and justice to all j^arties in interest, this question which one party without legal authority has assumed to settle with such gross and selfish injustice, and if it should pi-ove necessary to curb the powers of our railway corporations in order to prevent them from aiding and abetting this or similar arbitrary and unjust schemes, then this also must be required.

In bringing your case before the people your committee would most earnestly press upon you the importance of couching your demands in temperate and moderate language. In appealing to the people for justice, see that you are guilty of no injustice. In securing protection, see to it that you do not become ojjpressors. In placing your own wrongs before the public, endeavor most sedulously to avoid wronging others. Under all circumstances let your conduct and language be such as will convince your opponents that, wljile you fully appreciate your position as the representatives of the leading industry and interest of Minnesota, you recognize the railroad, milling, and manufacturing interests of the State as only subordinate to the agricultural interests in a pecuniary sense: that your several interests are so inextricably interwoven that one cannot be injured without ultimately reflecting injury upon all, and that your sole purpose is to procure such legislation as will secure to each and every citizen protection against the oppressions that inevitably result from the unjust discriminations of which you complain.

The constitutions of the State and of the United States guarantee to every citizen equal rights before the law. The policy and the management of our corporations, whose chartered existence is by the power of the law, must be made to conform to the principles of the constitution. These prin- I ciples must be enforced against all who would oppress. The hardships and injustice of the past, I forecasting as they do an ominous future, if these abuses are allowed to grow, seem imperatively to demand prompt aud determined action in securing our inalienable rights of equality and justice before the law, and from all the creatures of the law.

The combined interests of every right minded citizen demand with a force equally imperative that the forms we would inaugu.iate should not be dwarfed or restricted by the narrowed interests, or weakened by the advocacy of a single class or calling. "Equal Eights" for the few, too often degenerate into oppression for the many. Demands for "equal rights and exact justice to all," have never yet in this land been successfully resisted, nor will they ever be opposed, save by those whose selfishness or avarice is greater than their patriotism.

The wide-spread corruption and extravagance, and the too common incompetence of public officials, are also common evils which call for immediate remedy, and hei-e also your interests as a class and as individuals are identical with those of every citizen who does not live by dishonest means.

Your committee, while convinced of the necessity of your united action in support of these reforms, is deeply impressed with the importance of your moving in the matter, controlled only by the broadest and most liberal views. In seeking public reform neither class associations nor secret societies can ever hope succeasfully to lead ; it matters not what the class may be, whether farmers, artisans, mechanics, manufacturers, or an aristocracy either of descent or wealth, the legislation moulded by a class will surely end in arrogating to the class in power, privileges or immunities that will be but public robberies or public oppressions.

Bear also in mind that however pure and noble may be the object sought to be attained by a secret association, those who are not admitted to its conclaves are necessarily ignorant of their motives, and ignorance begets distrust and suspicion. The American peojjle are wisely jealous of secret associations when they discover them endeavoring to secure political power or special legislation. A natural good sense, love of liberty and justice, a desire to do what is right and fair for all, characterizes our citizens, both native and foreign, and constitutes them a safe tribunal for appeal where public benefits or reforms are desired. If these premises are correct, it follows that political success through the Patrons of Husbandry cannot be expected, and ought not to be desired. Neither would it bo wise to act solely as farmers. These (juestions appeal to your citizenship for solution, and you can never hope successfully to accomplish their settelment, except by your joint action as citizens, with citizens of all classes and nationalities, using the organizing and harmonizing powers of the order to aid the citizens' organizations in working for the public good.

The members of the Grange should never lose sight of the great fact that the prosperity of a nation must be dependent upon, and indeed consists in the prosperity of her citizens as a whole, and not in the prosperity of a single class, not even when that class constitutes a majority of the people. As a rule, the greater the variety of industries, the greater and more enduring the prosperity. Above all things you especially should bear in mind that the sucesss of the producer is proportioned to the number of consumers, and the nearer the consumers are to the producers the greater the profit. Your financial interests are enhanced by the building up of home - markets and local interest, mechanical, manufacturing, and commercial, should be encouraged by you, for these increase the consumption and price of your products, and decrease the cost of your supplies. The ignoring of a wise and generous policy in this direction at a time when the inexperience of the Grange led to its capture by demagogues, arrayed against you all other classes of your fellow-citizens. For the future we must advise with them, act with, and, more important still, for them and their interests, conjointly with our own, ever exercising the greatest prudence and caution in the establisliraent of our own rights, that we do not trespass upon the rights of others, and trusting implicitly, as we assuredly may, that in working for tlie general good, we cannot fail to reap our share of the general prosperity. It would be unpatriotic to work for less, it \\ould be extremely selfish to strive for more.

The following song, by Mrs. Mary F. Tucker, of Omro, Wis., received the prize from thn National Grange of Patrons of Husbandry, as being the best song for the order. Mrs. Tucker liad many able competitors, and the decisicjn in her favor was made by Mr. Alden, of Harper's Magazine. We give the song for the benefit of our many Grange readers:

In the summer of 188'2, a pic-nic was held at Itasca of which here is the newspaper account: . "The Countv Grange Feast. - A very pleasant and enjoyable time was spent at Mr. and Mrs. Dominick's residence - on Dr. Burnham's farm - last Tuesday by the Grangers of the county. Nearly every Grange in the county was represented, even though the weather was thratening and farmers generally busy haying. The session of the county grange was held in the forenoon when the . business thereof was transacted. At one o'clock those present sat down to a sumptuous feast, the long table under a lot of magnificent trees, so invitingly spread with good things of this world, which had been prepared by the thrifty wives and daughters of the members of the grange, was greatly relished and enjoyed by the participators.

The merry laugh and cheery couversation of the PatroDS as they feasted on the bounties of Providence, was refreshing and did one's soul good to behold.

After dinner speech making was in order. Various subjects having been assigned to a number of enterprising Patrons for discussion. First on the list being "Onion Culture," which was well handled by Mr. Daniel Prescott, of Oak Hill Grange, who has had long experience in raising onions, and the many valuable suggestions of the aged gentleman will no doubt be of profit to his listeners.

"Potatoe Culture," by W. G. Barnes of Shell Rock, was the next subject, which proved an interesting theme for discussion. Mr. Barnes has ten acres of potatoes and related his mode of planting, cultivating, and care of the same. Senator Johnson, G. H. Prescott, and others also spoke on this subject, giving valuable hints.

J. C. Frost, of Oak Hill Grange, handled the subject of "Market Gardening and Strawberry Culture" in a manner that elicited much interest that will be valuable to all his hearers. Mr. Frost has been remarkably successful in both the above branches of agriculture, and spoke from actual experience.

E. K. Pickett, of Itasca, handled the subject of the "Grange on Politics," without gloves, giving his views straight from the shoulder. Above all things, said Mr. Pickett, we should notbe bound to any party with such strong ties that should prevent us from voting for the best men - regardless of party Mr. Pickett is an independent thinker and holds radical views on most all subjects, and is disposed to look upon the present management of governmental affairs with distrust. Although we differ with Mr. Pickett in many of his views, yet we give him credit for being honest, admiring his frankness and outspoken sentiments. Dr. Ballard gave a very interesting account of the condition of the agricultural classes in England, and observations of his trip through that country. Judge Bartlett, Rev. Mr. Gowdy, Dr. Burnham, and others made short speeches and everything passed off very pleasantly, the meeting closing with singing, after which the Patrons dispersed and started for their various homes, feeling that it had been good to be there. The next general meeting of the Grange will be held the fore part of October, due notice of which will be given hereafter."

TThe county may be said to be well supplied with railroads, as there is an east and west line, a north and south line, and a line running from Albert Lea in a southwest direction. The Southern Minnesota road, which is so intimately connected with this region in its earlier history, and which was the first to open up the county to steam transportation, will be more fully sketched than the others, which have been constructed since railroad building was much easier than formerly.

The Southern Minijesota Railroad. - This trunk line started as the Root River Valley road, finally assumed its present name, and is now a division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company's system of roads, which is said to have the largest number of miles of any road in America under one management.

It has its eastern terminus at La Crosse, and entering Fillmore county at Rushford, follows the Root River as far as Lanesboro. Here it extends toward the west with a southern deflection, and leaves the county near the center of the western boundary. It has stations at convenient distances along the route. The early history of this enterprise is one crowded with vicissitudes.

Soon after Brownsville, in Houston county, was settled, a charter was obtained with the mouthfilling title of " Mississippi k Missouri Railroad Company." That road was to start up the Wildcat Valley, and it proved to be a "wild cat" scheme, coming into the world in a still-born condition.

The Root River Valley Railroad Company was organized under territorial auspices, Clark W. Thompson, of Hokah, T. B. Twiford, of Chatfield, and T. B. Stoddard, of La Crosse, and tlieir associates, whoever they were, kept the breath of life in this corporation for several years.

On the 3rd of November, 1856, it having got to be the "Root River and Southern Minnesota Company," the officers met at their usual headquarters in Chatfield, and the places of directors whose terms of office had expired were filled; the board then stood as follows : Clark'W. Thompson, President; C A Stevens, Vice-President; H. L. Edwards, Secretary; T. B. Twiford, Treasurer, H. W. Holley. Chief Engineer. The Executive Committee were T. B. Twiford, Edward Thompson, T. B. Stoddard, William B. Gere, and T. J. Stafford.

On the 8th of December, 1856, a piiblic meeting of those favorable to the construction of the road was held in Chatfield. The meeting was called to order by Wm. B. Gere, who stated the objects of the meeting, and gave a brief history of the enterprise, stating that it was chartered in 1854, and that S50,000 had been subscribed to the stock. G. W. Willis was ajipointed chairman of the meeting, and Edward Dexter was selected for Secretary. Earnest speeches were made by several gentlemen. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions to defray the expenses of an agent to Washington, to secure, if possible, congressional aid in the form of a land grant. It was understood that this committee succeeded in raising about .$1,300 in Chatfield, and James M. Cavanaugh, afterwards member of Congress, was appointed to proceed to Washington and look after a land grant. The thanks of the meeting were voted to Col, Thomas B. Stoddard of La Crosse, for his untiring energy in the service of the enterprise.

It will thus be seen what service was done by Chatfield during the struggling infancy and weakness of this corporation, and how remorselessly it was passed by when the company had secured strength and power. Ingratitude is the most despicable sin that exists. The land grant passed Congress, and became a law on the last day of President Pierce's administration, on the 4th of March, 1857, and was among the last bills signed by the New Hampshire President. As there were other similar land grants for roads in various parts of the territory, an extra session of the Legislature was called by Governor Gorman, to meet on the 10th of May, 1857, to pass the appropriate acts on the subject.

On the 3d of April the railroad company had a meeting at La Crescent, and a survey by the Chief Engineer, Mr. Holley, was ordered to be made at once, to begin at or near St. Peter, and to run thence east to LaCrosse. The party accordingly started to make this survey from Chatfield to St. Peter, on the 6th of April, 1857. At the meeting of the Legislature it granted to the Southern Minnesota Railroad Company the land pertaining to the line from LaCrescent to Rochetf- I

The survey from St. Peter to LaCrescent was completed early in June, but in the meantime a transfer of the stock of the company had been made by the directors to a Wisconsin company, the Milwaukee and LaCrosse, which continued the survey, but did nothing whatever in the way of grading. And thus it remained, until in 1858. The five million loan bill became a law, and then the company graciously graded twenty miles, from La Crescent to Houston, and there it stopped.

In 1859, there was a kind of a supplementary collapse, and various roads went into bankruptcy, this among the others. About this time there was an atempt to float some railroad currency, but it was not a brilliant success.

In 1869, C. D. Sherwood, Clark W. Thompson, H . W. Holley, Dr. L. Miller, Hiram Walker, and their associates, reorganized the company and obtained from the Legislature of the State the franchises and lands of the old company, upon the condition that ten miles should be completed in one year. But the time elapsed and the ten miles did not materialize, and the next year the Legislatare kindly gave the company another year, and this time it succeeded in making the trip, and having the requisite ten miles in running condition by the 25th of December, 1866. During the previous winter an effort had been made to secure an additional grant of land from Houston to the western boundary of the State, which was successful, and this aid was secured on the 4th of July, 1866.

From this time the progress of the road was rapid. As alwve stated, the road to Houston was opened and running in 1866; to Rushford and Lanesboro in 1868; from Ramsey to Wells in 1869; and from Lanesboro the road was pushed on to Ramsey in 1870, the total distance being 167 miles. It wiU thus be seen that the road was finally constructed and put in operation by practically the same men who conceived the project in territorial days, and obtained, through their ell'orta, the donations that made its success possible, and without which it might never have been built. As to the personnel of the early and the later management; Col. T. B. Stoddard, of La Crosse; C. W. Thompson, of Hokah, and his brother, Edward Thompson, of tlie same place; and Hon. H. W. HoUey, the Chief Engineer, of Fillmore county, who were on the board of directors in 1856, stuck to its varying fortunes and destinies through good and evil report till in 1870, the first division from La Crosse to Winnebago City was completed.

As to the last land grant from Congress in 1866, without which the road could not, or would not have been extended west of Houston, perhaps the most credit should be given to Charles D. Sherwood, Dr. Luke Miller, C. G. Wyckoff, and D. B. Sprague, who joined their fortunes with the enterprise at these organization in 1865.

In relation to the route of the road west of Lancsboro, where it leaves the Koot River Valley, the inside history would be remarkably rich reading if faithfully portrayed. Chatfield being on the main stream, had no shadow of doubt as to its going there. Preston, the county seat, confidently expected the road. Either way would have avoided the terrible grade west of Lauesboro, which will forever require a " Pusher " to overcome. But in view of " other hearts that would bleed," the story perhaps better be left untold in this volume. It is not unlikely, at some time not very distant, when this road shall become a part of the "Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul International line to the Pacific," that the bed of the road may be changed to follow one of the branches of the Root River from Lanesboro.

Statistics

Chop Reports. - The returns made by the Marshals who gathered the statistics from the farmers for the United States census bureau, do not in all respects coincide with those taken by the State. They are, however, as reliable as can be secured. The acreage and crop of the four leading cereals of the county for 188(1 was as follows:

Freeborn county is one of the thirteen in Minnesota that produces more than a million bushels of wheat annually, being the second on the list; Goodhue county raising 2,740,962 and Freeborn 1,444,527 bushels. As to the average yield in the several counties. Otter Tail takes the lead with

17.68 bushels to the acre, then Polk with 16.40, Rice 15.25, Stearns 14.73, Waseca, 14.45, Goodhue 14.42, Blue Earth 13.43, and Freeborn 12.96. The lowest on the list being Fillmore county, which has run down to 7.76. In 1881, as compared with the previous year, there was a decrease in acreage of 5,637 acres.

Milch cows. The number of cows must be constantly increasing; at present there are upwards of 7,000, producing 545,116 pounds of butter and 16,450 pounds of cheese.

Assessors' RETriiNS for 1882. - A glance over the assessors returns of Freeborn county, for the year 1882, gives some interesting figures in regard to the wealth in the ditferent towns iu the county, both personal and real. The total valuation for the year named, as returned by the assessors, is as follows:

It will be seen that the town of Shell Rock leads in personal property, while Bancroft surpasses all others iu real estate. Freeborn has the lowest valuation on real property, and Geneva would go to the bottom of the column in the worth of its pergonal property.

Returns For 1881-82

It will be seen from the above that there is a marked increase in the acreage of all products except wheat, which shows a great falling olV.

Population In 1880

The greatest increase in any semi-decade was between the close of the war and 1870. As to the growth of the capital of the county, this is the record:

Albert Lea is the twenty-first city in the State, in point of population. But it may be a consolation to know that there are twenty cities yet smaller, that have a population of not less than 1,000.

The Internal Revenue, collected in the first district, in which Freeborn county is situated. The office is at Albert Lea, and Dr. A. C. Wedge is the collector. The report is for the year 1881 :

This is an increase over the collections for the year ended June 30. 1881, of about .$9,000. Of the tax-payers of the district tliere are; Brewers 29; cigar manufacturers 23, tobacco manufacturers 21, rectifiers 1, wholesale liquor dealers 3, wholesale dealers in malt liquor 3, retail hquor dealers 86, dealers? in macufactured toliacco 2,088.

Meteorological.. - It is difficult to convey an idea of the character of the average weather of any locality without burdening pages with barometrical and theometrical statistics, But a few general points which may serve to give an imperfect impression of what one has to encounter in this section will be presented. The highest range of the thermometer and the lowest in each month for the year 1881 was as follows;

Highest Lowest

This gives an annual mean temperature of 4&.08, which, if correct, for a series of years, gives an idea of the temperature of water from tlie earth a a depth of forty feet, where it is not affected by atmospherical influences. The amount of rainfall for the year was 39.16 inches. The number of days on which rain or snow fell was 167, which was above the average.

" when the golden grain is gathered by the farmer, when his hay in the stack has been heaped high in the sweet scented fields, and the hornyhanded granger has nothing to do but sit on the fence in the shade and shake hands with the political candidates as they pass along in a soothingly sweet scented smiling procession."

The annual meeting of the Society was held according to appointment, at the M. E. Church, on the 28th day of May. 1882, at which time the foliowiug officers were elected: President, Isaac Botsford; Vice-President, Rev. N. F. Hoyt; Secretary, W. C. MoAdams; Treasurer, D. K. P. Hibbs; Executive Committee, B. F. Sulzer, Kev. R. B. Abbott, and Rev. N. F. Hoyt.

A collection of $22.75 was taken during the day for the benefit of the society, of which .?15,- 60 was given in the Presbyterian church in the forenoon, ' and Si7.15 at the meeting in the evening.