Goodhue County, Minnesota - Chapter 10: Rolitical History, 1893

The first Territorial legislature of Minnesota met in St. Paul on the third day of September, 184U. During the session they passed an act relating to the "division of the Territory into counties and their boundaries." The following named counties were designated: Washington, Eamsey, Benton, Itaska, Wabasha, Dakota, Cass and Pembina. The first three comprised all that part of the territory which had been ceded to the United States by the Indians up to that time. Consequently the act declared that the other named counties were organized only for the purpose of the appointment of justices of the peace, constables, and such other judicial officers as might be specially provided for.

Wabasha county, by that legislature, was declared to include all that part of the territory lying east of a line running due south from Pine Bend, on the Mississippi river, to the Iowa line, which tract has since been divided into eight counties, namely: Wabasha, Winona, Olmsted, Filhnore, Houston, Mower, Dodge, and Goodhue. When the present counties of Dakota and Goodhue were set off in 1853, the boundary lines were vaguely and indefinitely defined on account of the absence of United States siirveys. Goodhue county was then bounded as follows, to-wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of Dakota county, thence due south- east on a line twenty-iive miles, thence on a due line to Lake Pepin at a point on said lake seven miles below 8and Point, thence up the middle of said lake and the Mississippi river to the boundary line of Dakota county, thence along the line of said county to the place of beginning.

These boundaries were modified by subsequent legislation in February, 1854, and made to conform to the United States survey. The county of Wabasha was at that time attached to Goodhue for judicial purposes. It was further enacted that at any general election after March, 1853, the county of Goodhue might be deemed organized for all county purposes; Provided, That at said election there shall not be less than fifty legal votes cast. The law under which the county was thus organized authorized the Governor to appoint all county officers until the next general election thereafter.

The second Tuesday in October of each year was at that time the day of general election. The people could only vote for a representative to the Territorial legislature and for the location of the county seat. Party spirit did not run very high at that time, but there was a necessity for calling out every legal voter in order to have at least fifty votes cast. And at the same time Red Wing and Wacouta were rivals for the temporary county seat honors. Wacouta was at that period the headquarters of the lumbermen, and the enterprising proprietors of that townsite Avere not slow to take advantage of the fact, and to concentrate as many of those hardy sons of toil against the day of election as possible. The proprietors of Red Wing were no less earnest in their efforts to secure a majority of votes in favor of their future city. In a sudden fit of enterprise and industry they hired, it is reported, twenty unmarried young men from St. Paul and set them at work in various capacities. The law required six months' residence in the Territory; but ten daj's in the precinct gave to a citizen of the Territory the right of suffrage. Great care was taken to have the young men here in time, quite a number of whom remained as permanent residents. At last the second Tuesday of October arrived. Great preparations had been made for the election. There was no one in Red Wing at that time authorized to administer the oath of office to the judges of election. Among those who had been selected for judges was Benjamin Young, a French half-blood, who had been educated so as to read and write the English language tolerably well. He visited Point Douglass, where he found a justice of the peace who administered to him the legally required oath and returned fully prepared to act and to qualify the others to act. As the day drew near it was found that no ballot-box had been provided for this voting precinct. Young was equal to the emergency. He found an empty tea-chest on which, among other devices was tiie figure of a dove with red wings, a very appropriate emblem for the place. Had that ballot-box been preserved till the present day it would be a valuable relic.

The statutes of Wisconsin in relation to the manner of conducting elections was used as a guide on this occasion, and Judge Young was exceeding jealous of the purity of the ballot-box. He guarded its sanctity with great caution. It is proper to explain here that at the time this first election was held a number of men were employed in cutting wood for steamboats at different points up and down the river. They lived in log- cabins at their respective wood-yards, and as the line between the State of Wisconsin and the Territory of Minnesota was not clearly understood by the judges, it seemed necessary for them to cliallenge every woodchopper and oblige him to swear in his vote in order to prevent illegal voting.

James Wells, who lived down on the border of Lake Pepin was the candidate for the legislature. Previous to the day of election he visited Red Wing and made a speech. He was not an educated man in the usual sense of the term and his speech was said to be rare and racy. Said he was willing to serve the people rather than the interest of any party. Being the only candidate he was elected. We heard that he was made chairman of the committee, in the legislature, on military affairs, but did not learn of his making any report.

A majority of votes were cast in favor of Red Wing for the county seat and Wacouta retired from the contest without murmur. The fifty voters required by the act by which the county was to be organized, had been obtained and the people were happy in the anticipation of a large immigration and a complete organization the next year, which proved to be actually the case.

In the spring of the following year Governor Ramsey appointed county officers. The records of the proceedings of this first county board are of interest, showing, as they do, how great a portion of the county was then an unexplored region. The first boundaries of assessors' and road supervisors' districts are especially amusing.

The first county officers were appointed by the Governor of the Territory, and were as follows: Sheriff, P. S. Fish; Treasurer, Calvin Potter; Register of Deeds,

J. W. Hancock; District Attorney, Charles Gardner; Clerk of District Court, P. Sandford; Justice of the Peace, James Akers; County Commissioners, William Lauver, H. L. Bevans, Eezin Spates.

The first meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held on the 16th of June, 1854. The members were seated upon a pile of lumber near what is now the intersection of Main and Bush streets, Red AVing. H. L. Bevans was chosen chairman, and J. AV. Hancock, register of deeds, was ex-officio clerk. The office of county auditor had not been created at that time. But little business was transacted at this meeting. The following named assessors were appointed and districts assigned them: L. Bates, John Day, M. Soriu. The northern district, including that portion of the county between the northern boundary and Hay creek, was assigned as Mr. Bates' district. The middle district, including that portion of the county between Hay creek and Bullard's creek, was assigned as Mr. Day's district. The southern district, including that portion of the county not included in the other two districts, and the whole of AVabasha county, Avas assigned as Sorin's district.

The next meeting was held June 28, when the following bills against the county were presented, the first evidences of county indebtedness: AV. S. Combs, blank books, !§23.85; Leman Bates, assessor, $6.C0; John Day, assessor, $10.00; total, $45.85.

Charles Spates was appointed road supervisor of road district No. 1, which extended east to the west side of Hay creek, and embraced all the northwestern portion of the county from that line. T. J. Smith was appointed supervisor of road district No. 2, which extended from the west side of Hay creek to Bullard's creek, embracing the middle portion of the county. Charles Leed was appointed supervisor of road district No. H, embracing all the southern portion of the county from the line of Bullard's creek.

Wm. Freeborn, P. Sandford and Leman Bates were appointed judges of elections in tlie Bed Wing precinct. Alexis Bailey, Chas. Heed and F. S. Eichardson were appointed judges of elections in Wabasha precinct. Wabasha had been attached to this county for judicial purposes.

Rcsoh'cd, To raise six hundred dollars toward the erection of county buildings next year; Provided, that the legal voters of the county, by a majority of votes, consent to the same.

Resolved, That the court house for Goodhue county be located on the block marked and known as "Court House Block," on the town plat of Red Wing, according to the survey of the same made by J. Kuauer, June 23, 1853.

The next meeting was held oil the 18th of November. The ccnsideration of bills against the county was taken up, and bills allowed to the amount of $84 60; also for sheriff and justice fees, $115.45.

At the closing session in December the following additional amount was allowed, $61.00, making the total expenses of the county for the year $336.1^)0.

On the second Tuesday in October, 1854, the people elected a full board of county officers: Commissioners, Kezin Spates, A. W. Post, P. S. Fish; Sheriff, Harry C. Hoffman; Treasurer, M. Sorin; District Attorney, P. Sandford; Judge of Probate, A. D. Shaw; County Surveyor, S. A. Hart; Clerk of the Court, P. Sandford; llegister of Deeds, J. AV. Hancock.

The first meeting of the regularly elected board of county commissioners was held on the first day of January, 1855. No business Avas transacted at this meeting. The members simply subscribed to the oath of office and elected P. S. Fish as chairman.

At their second meeting, January 8, the following bills were presented and allowed: Chajles Spates, for services as road supervisor, $5.00 ; H. S. Simmons, burial expenses of a German pauper, $6.00.

At this session the first list of grand and petit jurors was selected. A re-adjustment of assessment districts was agreed upon. Wacouta precinct was set off' from Red Wing precinct and boundaries given. J. C. Wetherby was appointed justice of the peace; W. R. Cnlbertson and Joseph Middaugh, constables.

The clerk of the court and register of deeds were diiected to procure a case for each of their offices suitable for filing papers. The register was also directed to procure blank books for the use of the county.

Provisions were mfule f<;tr offioes for the coiiDty officinls. Philauder Sandford had erected a small buildiug on Main street, Ked Wing, for a law office. This building was used by the clerk of the court, the register of deeds, for the meeting of the board of commissioners, court room, and U. S. land oifice.

It appears that the people did not vote in favor of raising money for county buildings and nothing further was done by the board of commissioners towards that object till 1857, except discussing the matter.

A number of new school districts were set oflF, making the whole number in the county at the end of the year nine. Several new road districts were established and road supervisors appointed.

At a session of the board in April, 185G, the following named citizens were appointed judges of elections in the several election precincts into which the county had been divided : Red Wing, Seth Washburn, R. C. Todd, T. J. Smith; Wacouta, H. F. Simmons, George Post, Abner W. Post ; Belle Creek, Hans Mattson, AValter Doyle, S. P. Chandler; Florence, Samuel Cory, Henry Phillips, J. L. Dixon; Sackton, Simon Sackett, D. F. Stevens, P. G. Wilson; Cannon Falls, Andrus Durand, E. N. Sumner, Alonzo Dibble; Dunkirk, Oie Oleson, Samuel Knutson, Gunder Oleson.

The business transacted by the board this year was similar to that of 1855. As the county was constantly filling up by immigration, new school and road districts were necessarily formed. The total valuation, as returned by the assessors, was §630,227. This Avas the first year that lands had become taxable.

The county board cousisteJ of S. P. Chaudler, S. J. Hasler, A. W. Post. S. J. Hasler was elected chairman. At a meeting held on the 10th of April the following action was taken:

Whereas, It is the duty of the board of county commissioners to provide for the erecting aud repairing of court house, jails, and other necessary public buildings for the use of the county; and,

Several resolutions followed in regard to the issue of bonds, their negotiation, etc. Then they resolved to receive plans aud specifications for a court house, to be furnished on or before the first Monday in May, at the register of deeds' office, and directed the clerk to have these resolutions printed three successive weeks in the Red Winy Gazette.

It was the opinion of this board that the court house block was too far from the river, aud they resolved that the block now occupied by tlie Episcopal church should be the site for county buildings, provided a good title could be obtained. But nothing came from the above resolves of the commissioners, probably on account of the great stringency in money matters which prevailed throughout the country that year.

The next reference to building a court house is found under date of February 2, 1858, when it was voted to erect county buildings according to plans and specifications presented by Messrs. Ciialfee, provided that sufficient county bonds can be negotiated at a sum not less than ninety cents on the dt)llar, the cost of said building not to exceed thirty thousand dollars.

It will be remembered by many of the older citizens that our county orders at that time were worth from sixty to seventy-five cents on the dollar.

On the third Monday in May the bids were opened and the contract awai'ded to Hill, Simmons & Stevens for completing the building of a court house and jail under one roof. Voted to notify the contractors that the same be erected on the "Court House Block," as designated on the town plat of Red Wing.

Tuesday, June H, the board voted to accept the sureties given by Daniel C. Hill and others for the completion of the contract for building court house and jail; and ordered the same to be placed on file. Voted also that the contract entered into by the county commissioners, parties of the first part, and Daniel C. Hill and others, parties of the second part, be placed on file.

On the 20th of March, there was enacted by the Territorial legislature a law providing for a system of township organizations, which was to go into effect the 12tli of July, 185S, which came near discontinuing the work of the contractors for a time. A new county board, consisting of the chairman of each l)oard of town supervisors, was elected to transact the business of the county.

Pursuant to the provisions of this act, William P. Tanner, Mai-tin S. Chandler, and Jesse Mclntire, proceeded to the discharge of the duty assigned them, defined the boundaries and named the several townships in Goodhue county to the number of twenty-one. So the new board consisted of twenty-one members.

in 'Tilly, 1858. That little ofliee occupied b}' the register of deeds before mentioned was to^ strait for so large a body, and a room was foand in Todd & Hasler's block on Main street.

The first day was spent in organizing and appointing committees. "Tuesday the committee on rules and regulations submitted their report which was adopted. These rules fill about eight pages of the journal and are about as volumuousi as the rules governing the congress of the United States."

It was further related of the proceedings of this new board that they were marked by motions and countermotions, speeches and counter-speeches, a few men doing the speaking, and a few others doing the work. In fact it was a kind of young congress in which some men made speeches of the buucome sort.

That this board held their next meeting in "Harmony Hall," a building which stood on West Main street, seemed a fitting appointment. Yet the good name of the hall was sadl^' misused by them. In fact, they had two presiding officers for a time.

"The facts, briefly, are these: At the first meeting of the county board in July referred to, S. P. Chandler was chosen chairman, and acted as such, without any sign of opposition from any one. The annual meeting of the board was fixed by hnv on the second Monday in September, and the board adjourned to meet at that time. The board so met, and it was the understanding of the entire board that at this annual meeting a new election of officers was to take place. Accordingly the board proceeded to the election of chairman, and I. C. Stearns was elected by nearly, if not quite, a two-thirds majority. He took the chair without any opposition and a large amount of business was transacted at that forenoon session. During the adjournment of two hours for the afternoon session, the matter was talked up in town, and it was the opinion of the lawyers that the new election of officers was illegal, and that the officers elected at the first meeting held over for the ensuing year. Mr. S. P. Chandler was therefore advised by them to again assume the chair and claim his right as chairman. So at the commencement of the afternoon session both officers called the meeting to order simultaneously, and both put motions as they were made and seconded. This, however, continued but a very short time, for as the voice of the new chairman was stronger, and the board paid attention to him rather than to the other, the old chairman subsided, and said he appointed the other to act for him until the matter was settled. The board then proceeded to discuss the question at length. The house was crowded with the talent of Eed Wing, and the excitement was at a high pitch; for it Was understood that the validity of the bonds issued for the building of the court house would be affected by this decision, as the chairman of the board must sign the bonds.

"Hon. W. W. Phelps was invited to address the board on the subject, and he made a lengthy argument in favor of the continuance of the old officers. This discission occupied nearly the entire afternoon. It was finally decided by the board that the old officers held over, and Mr. Chandler was allowed quietly to resume his seat as chairman."

considered by many of the people in the south part of the county too much in the interest of Red Wing. When this board of supervisors succeeded the county commissioners the country towns had much the larger representation, and the majority sought to avoid the responsibility of the contract made by the old board. Legal advice was secured which satisfied them that the contract was legal and binding, and rather than risk involving the county in heavy damages, the contractors were allowed to proceed and the court house was finished according to the time specified.

A feeling of dissatisfaction with the township system became general very soon throughout the State, and early in 1860 an act was passed by the legislature, providing that each and every county in the State should be deemed an organized county, and that in those counties in which at the last general election there were cast eight hundred votes or over, the board of commissioners should consist of five members and in all others three members, who should hold their offices one year, or until their successors should be elected and qualified.

The last board of supervisors adjourned sine die on the 10th of January, 1860. The new board of commissioners held their first session on the 4th of June following. This board was composed of J. A. Thacher, H, L. Bevans, J. A. Jackson, A. Hilton and E. A. Sargent. Since then there has been no change in the management of the affairs of the county.

The old court house, with some necessary alterations and repairs, has served the purposes intended for more than thirty years. Another building upon the same block was erected in 1887 for sheriff's residence and jail. Few counties in the State have better public buildings.

A large farm was purcliased by the county commissioners in 1864 for the purpose of providing a home for the poor for the sum of $3000. Necessary buildings were erected thereon at a cost of $5,737.18. The buildings were completed and ready for occupancy in 1867, where many unfortunate and aged invalids have enjoyed a comfortable refuge during the last days of their earthly career. The main building was accidentally consumed by fire in October, 1881). The inmates, about thirtv in number, all escaped injury, and temporary accommodations were provided for them till a new house was erected.

The new building was completed during the following year at a cost of about $20,000. It is situated on -Spring creek in the town of Burnside, and presents a very fine appearance. There is an artesian well on the premises and the whole surroundings are such as make it a pleasant home. The farm is under as good cultivation as any in the neighborhood. The whole is managed by an overseer who is appointed by the board of county commissioners.

The first political movement having a tendency to shape the future complexion of the parties in Goodhue county was a meeting held October 8, 1856, on the corner of Main and Bush streets. Red Wing.

Franklin Pierce, a Democrat, was then President of the United States. As a matter of course, all appointive officers of the Territory were Democi-ats. A U. S. land office was located here. The Hon. C. Graham was receiver and Hon. W. W. Phelps was register. The chief justice of the Territory, Hon. W. H. Welch, also resided here. Henry C. Hotfman was post-master. Nehemiah Bennett, editor of the Sentinel (now Argus), was justice of the peace. The elective offices for the county were then filled with those who were adherents of the party dominant at that time.

While no vote for President could be taken here, the interests of the party must not be allowed to flag, and in consequence a grand demonstration rally was announced for above date. After a large pile of empty barrels, boxes, and other combustible materials, had been fired and allowed to burn some time for the amusement of the boys, and gather a crowd, an organization was effected by the selection of Dr. F. F. Hoyt chairman, and N. V. Bennett secretary. Hon. W. W. Phelps mounted a dry goods box directly in front of the Teepeetonka hotel, and for about an hour poured forth the Simon-pure Democracy on the compromise measures of 1850, and the Kansas and Nebraska bill of Stephen A. Douglas, commonly known as Popular or Squatter sovereignty. Mr. Graham followed in the same strain, except he interspersed his speech with many anecdotes which kept the boys in a very good humor. The meeting closed after Mr. Graham's speech, but the people did not seem disposed to leaA'e hastily. They gathered into small groups, discussing the matter for themselves. Many young men, and some older ones, had come into the Territory expecting to make their homes here. Among them was the Hon. Charles McClure, from Illinois, who had been trained in the anti-slavery army for some years and had been acquainted with such men as Abraham .Lincoln, Lyman Trumball, Owen Lovejoy, and others of like sentiment.

The result of the group conferences was the holding of a Republican meeting then and there. Dr. Hoyt was found and on being questioned said the Democrats were through, and had no objections whatever to the Republicans having a meeting. H. L. Bevans, John Going, and Manville Comstock, a self-constituted committee, called upon Mr. IMcClure, who had been sitting at his office window listening to the former speakers, and was waiting for just such an opportunity. He was soon mounted upon the same bos previously occupied by Phelj^s and Graham. McClure had not spoken ten minutes when it was apparent to all who claimed to be llepublicans that he was anniliilating the doctrine of popular sovereignty. He had not proceeded much longer when a whoop was heard from the front of Clark & Allen's hardware store, as if a company of Comanches had been let loose, and a moment later down the street came some men and some boys with a small wagon and some sheets of iron laid so as to flap together, and with blow-horns and cow-bells, attempting to drown the voice of the speaker. C. C. Vaudenberg, Louis Bennett and others came very near getting into trouble over the matter. They being the leaders, or able to control the leaders of the afiPair, quiet was restored and Mr. McClure was permitted to finish.

The following spring Charles McClure was a candidate for delegate to the Constitutional convention to form a State constitution, and after a very hard contest was elected by a majority of three over his competitor. Since that time the county has not failed to give a Republican majority for all National and nearly all State nominees for office when privileged to vote for such.

In the early years of the settlement of the county, but little interest was taken in politics. While a Territory we could not vote for President.

The first opportunity we had of voting for President was in the fall of 1860. Until 1857 party lines were not strictly drawn; candidates were voted for on grounds of popularity, or individual preference.

In September, 1857, a new paper made its appearance in Red Wing styled the Red Wing Republican. The first number was dated the 4th of the month and contained a full copy of the State Constitution which had been framed by a State Constitutional convention at St. Paul that year and was presented to the next meeting of Congress, asking for admission into the Union. The same number contained also a report of the proceedings of a political county convention which had been held a few days previously, to promote the interests of the Hepublican party. Lucius P. Hubbard, who had lately become a resident of the county, was the first editor of this paper. From this time, party lines were more distinctly drawn, the Red Wing Sentinel being the organ of the Democratic party, and the Republican the organ of the party of that name.

In the proceedings of the first convention of the Republican party, it is stated that William Stanton, of Cannon Falls, served as chairman, and Henry L. Bevans, of Red Wing, as secretary; that the convention was addressed by the Hon. Charles McClure in a spirited and practical speech, representing the position of the Republican party in the coming campaign. A full ticket for county officers was put in nomination and the nominees were triumphantly elected.

The political campaign of Goodhue county in the fall of 1860 was an exceedingly lively one, as well before as after the nominating conventions. This was especially the case with the Republicans.

The maiu contest in the Kepublican conveution was for the oiiice of register of deeds, aud the principal candidates for the office were: Matthew Sorin and T. B. McCord, of Eed Wing; Aaron G. Hudson, of Florence, and C C. Webster, of Zumbrota. The convention was held at the court house on the 11th day of October. The feeling among the friends of the different candidates was at fever heat, and at one time during the convention, a personal encounter took place. After several ballots had been taken Mr. Webster was nominated, a result brought about by a combination of the friends of the nominee and those of Hudson aud McCord. Mr. Sorin and his friends were terribly chagrined at the result, and in order to give public expression to their feelings, an "indignation meeting" was arranged for, to be held at the court house a few evenings latej', at which Mr. Sorin was to be the principal speaker. His well known eloquence and ability as an orator could not but attract a large crowd, and the court room was filled to its utmost capacity, to see and hear what might take place.

The speaker was at his best, and the audience, both friend and foe, were richly entertained. He took up the case of one of his rivals for the nomination, who had sold out his delegates to Mr. Webster, and who happened to be at that time a young man. In sarcastic language and manner he referred to him as a mere cipher in the community, and concluded by asking: "Who is he? and what has he ever done for Goodhue county? He has not done so much as build a hen-coop. A man without a home, without a wife, and perhaps without a child."

had been somewhat conspicuous in bringing about his defeat, as he expressed it. A young man called Capt. Smithers, then a well known resident of Red Wing, supposing himself to be the person alluded to, rose in his seat and asked, "Mr. Sorin, do you mean me?" The speaker stopped, straightened himself to his full height, and looking steadily at the captain, till every eye in the room was turned upon him and perfect silence prevailed, he answered: "You, sir; no! I am on the descending grade, hut haven't got down to you yet." Of course, every one shouted at the reply; but it is doubtful if the answer was nearly as mortifying to the captain as was the fact that the speaker did not reach him during the remainder of his speech.

It was admitted by all present that Mr. Sorin thoroughly vindicated himself and discomfited his enemies on the occasion. He was afterward appointed postmaster at Red Wing by the incoming administration. Some other defeated candidates have not fared as well.

This county has been fortunate enough to secure men of ability and honesty to conduct its affairs with prudence and economy, to whatever political party they may have been attached for the time being.