Goodhue County, Minnesota - Chapter 11: Dr. Sweney's Narrative, 1909 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 11: Dr. Sweney's Narrative

Denton and Gavin - Aiton and Hancock - Bush, Bullard, Post, Snow and Gould - Potter, Young and Day - Sweney, Freeborn and McGinnis - Friendliness of the Indians - First Winter - Arrival of the Scandinavians - Digging1 Potatoes - Fishing in Stream and River - A Sporting Clergyman - Some of the Indian Braves - Farming in the Old Indian Cornfield - Squaws as Farmhands.

The modern settlemenl of Goodhue county dates from LS37, when Samuel Denton and Daniel Gavin located in Red Wing's village and commenced their missionary efforts among the Sioux

In 1848, the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions, more commonly known as the American board, appointed Revs. J. W. Hancock and John Aiton to continue the work started by Messrs. Denton and Gavin. Mv. Aiton came to what is now Red Wing in 1848, and moved into the mission houses previously erected. He and his wife at once set to work teaching the Indians, hut found the place so lonely that they spent a part of the winter at Kaposia, fifty miles to the north. Mr. Hancock arrived June 13, 1849.

In the meantime, the exact date of which it is impossible to obtain, James Wells had settled at Frontenac and John Bush in Red Wing. At the time when Mr. Hancock came, Wells was living at Frontenae, in two unfinished stone buildings, with his wife, a half-breed daughter of Duncan Graham, the old-time trader. Grouped about these houses were the skin lodges of the Indians. John Bush was also married to a half-breed. He lived in Red Wing's village when Mr. Hancock first landed here, hut whether he antedated Aiton is not known. Mr. Aiton had some disagreement with Mr. Hancock on matters of method, and moved away in 1850. Bush went with the Indians in 1853. AYells moved away in 1854. and was killed by the Indians. Mr. Haneock remained.

family and an Indian trader named Abner AY. Post. In the same year an Indian trader named Snow came to Red Wing. In 1851, Calvin Potter became associated with Snow in the trading post, and after the death of Snow continued the business until the removal of the Indians. At about this time, possibly earlier, ( 'harles Gould settled near the mouth'of Wells creek. The arrival of Benjamin Young, a French half-breed, in Red Wing's village probably bears about the same date. In April, 1852, John Day came over from Diamond Bluff, Wis., and selected a claim in what is now the southeast corner of Section 25, Township 113, Range 15. He had considerable difficulty with the Indians, and also with Young. His cabin was repeatedly torn. down, but after the treaty he firmly established himself. Then came that sturdy old pioneer physician, Dr. AY. AY. Sweney, whose name will ever be revered in this county. With him the history of the county really begins.

It will therefore be seen that previous to his coming the actual white settlers were as follows: Samuel Denton and wife, Red AYing, 1837 ; Daniel Gavin and wife. Red AYing, 1837 ; James Wells and half-breed wife, Prontenac, 1817 (?) ; Rev. John Aiton and wife, Red AYing. 1818; John Bush and half-breed wife, Red Wing, 1848 ( ?) ; Rev. J. AY. Hancock and wife. Red AYing, 1849; George Bullard and family, AYacoota, 1850; Abner W. Post, Wacoota, 1850; Snow. Red AYing, 1851 (?) ; Charles Gould and family, near mouth of AYells creek, 1851 (?) ; Calvin Potter, Red AYing, 1851; Benjamin Young ( half-breed), Red Wing, 1851 (?); John Day and family. Red AYing. 1852. Of his early experiences, Dr. Sweney once wrote :

'In the spring of 1852. Calvin Potter, with whom I had previously been acquainted, called at my office in St. Paul, and in the course of our conversation informed me that he has bought out Mr. Snow, the licensed Indian trader at Red Wing ; and in view of the treaty then in process of consummation, he thought that point a good location for a town site ; also, that he would like to interest someone with him in a claim he had there. AVilliam Freeborn, being one of the old residents of St. Paul, and having a large acquaintance, Mr. Potter thought he would be a desirable man. From my opinion of the country, acquired in various conversations with an old French voyager, and also from an Englishman by birth - but in language and habits a compound of English, French and Indian - who had been in the country for thirty years. I was more than anxious to take part in the enterprise, and brought about a speedy meeting between Mr. Potter and Air. Freeborn.

"In our council, Air. Freeborn demurred at first, urging his inability to remove to the new Eldorado immediately. I proposed to remove that objection by coming myself, to which he acceded.

The result was that we three took the return boat, and landed in Red "Wing in the early part of May. "While there I purchased a claimright from a half-breed named Benjamin Young, of that part of the city known as 'Sweney's Addition;' also that old weatherbeaten, two-story log house, Avell known to old settlers.

"This done, I returned to St. Paul, put my business in proper shape, and came back to Red AVing with James McGinnis, who concluded to try his fortune in this then unexplored country. We made our headquarters in the venerable tenement before mentioned, and kept our own house, or, as some graphically describe it. "kept bach." This was in the latter part of May or beginning of June.

"As it was not deemed advisable to go into farming or building operations until the treaty was ratified, we had plenty of idle time (in our hands, and the grand difficulty was to know how to dispose of it. The families here then were the Rev. J. W. Hancock, of the Presbyterian mission, and John Bush, Indian farmer. John Day was not far off. however. The old 'Excelsior' never made a trip up from below that John did not board her, to hear 'about the treaty.' There were several transient persons here, but their later whereabouts is not known. The only actual residents of the county, previous to my coming, besides those above mentioned, were George Bullard and family, at Wacoota ; .James Wells, who was later killed by the Indians in the southwestern part of the state, who then had a trading post at what is now the village of Frontenac. and I 'hnrles Gould and family, who resided near the mouth of Wells creek. This comprised the white population of the county.

"Of the country back of us, even for four miles, I could learn nothing. Mr. Knauer, the engineer of the old military road up the river, said he has rode out to the source of Hay creek, and that it originated in a fine tamarack marsh. It occurred to McGinnis and myself that a good tamarack swamp, in a prairie country, would be a fine thing to possess, and. being like the caged starling, anxious to 'get out." we 'just went' for Hay creek, and to our intense disgust, didn't find any tamarack. In an after conversation with Mr. Knauer. I am persuaded that, not following the creek valley all the way, he mistook the poplar grove, known in early times as 'Albert's grove,' for the swamp aforesaid.

"After our little disappointment about the source of Hay creek, our trips were mainly confined to the river side of the county, between the divide of the waters of the Zumbro and the Mississippi - even Belle creek was not known - its locality and course, however, was traced for us by Hapah. the old chief's son- in-law. It was not deemed advisable to go far from the river, as many of the Indians were decidedly hostile to ceding their lands, and the Zumbro country was the common hunting ground for several bands of the M'dewakantonwan Dakotahs, besides being in the route of the traveling Indians from the upper Minnesota, to Wabasha, the residence of the acknowledged head chief of the seven bands.

"Having become acquainted with the principal men among the Indians, I thought it safe to bring my family from St. Paul, which I did in July, 1852, as did also Mr. McGinnis. I have a very lively recollection of getting our household stock from the landing to our residence. A winding, rugged path up the bank was the course by which we conveyed it, and 'Mc' and I transformed ourselves into pack-mules, until stoves, bureaus, provisions, and various etceteras, of the two households were placed .under shelter, and we were at home. Within the next twenty-four hours, ninetynine hundredths of the Indian population had called in through curiosity, and their various comments would doubtless have been edifying had we been able to understand them. Friendly relations were established, however, and we never could complain of lack of company, so long as they remained in the village. I must also say in justice to the memory of those original settlers and occupants of the soil, that 1 was never more kindly treated by any people, nor did I ever enjoy myself better. To be sure, they were importunate beggars, as a community, and the women, as a rule, were chronic thieves. In fact they were kleptomaniacs, i. e., they could not help their stealing proclivities. But, making all allowances for these little peculiarities of their manners and morals, which were a part of their natures, they were not a bad people to live among. By a little liberality, when their begging seemed justifiable, and by firmly refusing when necessary, the beggars were disposed of and kept in good humor. And by watchfulness and the aid of bolts and bars, their thieving propensities were held in cheek and rendered measurably harmless.

"The treaty being ratified by the senate of the United States, with some alterations from the original, as framed by the Dakotahs and the commissioners, it became necessary to convene the different bands interested therein to get their consent. Notice was accordingly given to them to meet at Fort Snelling early in the fall, in consequence of which a perfect exodus of the aborigines took place, and nothing more was seen of them here until late in November, after the close of navigation. When they did return a more squalid, wretched looking set I never saw. Bitter were the complaints against the government officials. Their annuities were spent in waiting at the fort, the best of the hunting season had passed, their canoes were frozen in the ice away from home, and would be mainly lost. I remember well when the first installment that came home - three families - pitched their tents in the evening near the mission house. They were worn out, cold and hungry. The children were emaciated, and sick from want and exposure. They were supplied by the whites with food until the men could obtain game for their sustenance. In the morning two of the men went out hunting, and as I came home in the evening, unsuccessful from a similar expedition on Hay creek, I struck their trail, and in a short time overtook them near what is now the corner of Main and Minnesota streets, each of them slowly toiling through the deep snow, under the burden of a deer. The men seemed exhausted, and requested me to stop at their tepees and tell the women where they were - that they had' got tado - and wanted them to come to their assistance. I hurried home to communicate this joyful intelligence to the inmates of the three lodges. Upon reaching them I told one of the women the good news. She immediately shouted forth a peculiar cry, which was echoed by all in the tent, down to a three-year-old boy dressed in purus naturalibis. This brought out the inhabitants of the other lodges. Upon being told the cause of the commotion, the same shout went up from all present. Women and children acted as if demented. The women rushed about for straps, knives and blankets, and the children jumped up and down for joy. After giving them the proper directions where to go, three women started ou1 on a dog trot, and were soon lost toview; Init some time after dark I called at the lodges and found them busily engaged in masticating large mouthfuls of venison. In three days those little, half-starved, copper-colored specimens of the genus homo had acquired a very perceptible rotundity, and were as sleek and frisky as a litter of young pups. The cry, or shout, mentioned I have heard frequently, and is made on the occasion of the intelligence of a successful hunt ; not always the same, different intonations indicating the kind of game killed, as deer, bear, elk, etc.

"The additions to our population, besides those mentioned, were John Day and family. E. C. Stevens, David Pucket, Jack Sanders and Ben Hill, in the summer, and Charles Parks, in November. 1852. v

'The proprietors of the town site had procured lumber late in the fall for the erection of a hotel early in the spring, and it was necessary to engage carpenters to prepare such of the material in winter as could be done within the shop. H. B. and Joseph Middaugh were obtained, and became residents of the town in December, 1852. About this time, also, the first of our Scandinavian population arrived here - Mathias Peterson, a Nonvegian by birth. Soon after came Nels Nelson, a SAvede. who for a Long time lived with me. These two men were the pioneers of that nationality in Goodhue county, where the descendants of that race have since occupied so important a place. Both of these men formerly resided in St. Paul. In the spring following, Albert, a Norwegian, an acquaintance of Mr. Peterson, settled here and made a claim at Poplar grove, or Albert's grove, in what is now Featherstone township.

"The winter of 1852-53 was passed very pleasantly by our little isolated community. The natives soon left on their winter's hunt after their return from the treaty ratification at the fort, and Ave saw but little of them until some time in January; in fact we saw nobody but our own residents. Communication between us and the civilized world was only resumed when the post had rendered traveling safe on the Mississippi river. The mail was carried from Prairie du Chien, through Wisconsin, crossing the ChippewTa near the Menominee river, thence through a wooded wilderness to the very source of Rush river at Baker's station, thence to Stillwater and St. Paul. A trip from Prairie du Chien in the winter required nerve, endurance, and a willingness to perform any amount of manual labor that the emergency the case might require. We here got our mail from St. Paul, when we had a chance to send for it. When the ice was safe, trains arrived frequently from below, principally laden with pork and flour. Our isolation was from about the midde of November to some time in January. Such supplies as ran short were obtained of Mr. Potter, whose establishment contained those articles more especially demanded by the Indian trade, and from George W. Bullard. at Wacoota. whose situation at the head of the lake rendered it necessary for him to keep a more extensive assortment of goods, to supply the wants of the lumbering interests; or if these stores were deficient in articles, then St. Paul was the last resort for the winter.

"As it is impossible to relate all that I wish to say in chronological order, I may as well give a few of the incidents connected with our county history, even though out of their proper era.

"On the Wisconsin side of the river, previous to the settlement here, in 1852, the land was ceded, surveyed and opened to settlement. At Diamond Bluff lived John Day, Allen Wilson, Jack Payne and George Day. At the mouth of the Trim Belle, 'Old Hawley' and Jake Meade. At Thing's Landing, now Trenton, lived Wilson Thing, E. C. Stevens and Dexter, all more or less engaged in getting out wood for the use of steamboats

" 'Old Hawley' was rather a hard case. By his sale of whisky our community was frequently disturbed by the whooping and yelling of drunken Indians. About all the population of natives not engaged in the spree would flee to the houses of the whites for protection, and there remain until the 'Minne Wakan' gave out, and the legitimate results of a 'high old time' had overtaken the carousers. Nothing is known of Hawley's fate, but from a knowledge of his character I would infer that he is at some 'side station' or "switch-off' in that 'undiscovered country from whence no traveler returns. "

"In justice to truth and history, I must say something of Wilson Thing, a very eccentric man. a strict vegetarian, a man of strong prejudices, but moral and upright - a good neighbor and an honest man. He was the only justice of the peace for many miles around, and eonsecpiently had a little legal business to perform. Previous to my coming here, as related by an old settler, a fair widow of this place had entered into a marriage contract with a gentleman of St. Paul, and the time was fixed for the consummation of the happy event. AVhen the time arrived, and the parties to the contract were present, a grand difficulty arose. Rev. Mr. Hancock, the only one authorized to solemnize marriages, was absent. The bridegroom was impatient and the bride annoyed. Friends suggested a canoe ride to Trenton and the services of 'Squire Thing' as the only solution of the evils complained of. Of course, under the circumstances, both bride and bridegroom eagerly acceded to the proposition, and in a short time the bridal party was under way for the residence of the justice. They found that worthy representative of the law, as enacted and promulgated by the great and sovereign state of Wisconsin, busily engaged in the rather feminine occupation of washing a two months' accumulation of soiled shirts, he being at that time a bachelor, and he was somewhat embarrassed at the sudden eruption into his sanctum. The bride, however, was plucky, and to relieve the justice, and to give him time to make himself presentable and con over the marriage ceremony, she proposed that herself and mother would finish the laundry operations, while he got ready for his part of the proceedings. This proposition was accepted, and in clue time both the shirt washing and the marriage ceremony were completed, to the satisfaction of all concerned.

"As winter approached it became necessary for us to look about for a supply of vegetables for winter use, as there wTere none to be had on this side of the river. L^pon inquiry, I found that Mr. Thing had planted four or five acres of potatoes, besides some beets and cabbages, which latter we were able to purchase. The potatoes, however, were not to be obtained by the regular business transaction of cash down. In the first place, they were 'planted on the sod;' that is, two rounds were plowed, the potatoes dropped in the last furrow, and covered by the sod of the next round, and so on. The 'Squire's' field was in the prairie.

between Trenton and the bluffs. The season was not favorable for rotting the sod. and the tubers were hard to excavate. He wanted help, which was hard to get. We wanted potatoes, and money wouldn't buy them. Consequently it was 'root, hog 0r die-' with us. and we went to rooting. A hard day's work unearthed ten bushels to the man, for which one bushel was given as wages. 1 have to this day a very acute appreciation of the pleasant occupation I Mas then engaged in. Just fancy my getting up at ± o'clock in the morning, breaking my fast as soon as possible, getting into a canoe, with hoe, basket and sack, and paddling up to Trenton, thence to the field. Now commences the dissection of that gutta percha sod, with a plantation hoe. A little experience in another line of business enabled me to get the hang of the thing. In getting honey out of a hollow tree, the best way is to cut two carfs into the cavity, then split off the block of timber between. The same rule held good in the present instance, but I must say I never saw sod so tough, potatoes so hard to get at, and so small when I got them. But as an offset, I have never eaten potatoes of an equal excellence. And I was prouder of the ten bushel I thus acquired than the biggest buck I ever arrested in his wild career through the woods, or the largest trout I ever landed from the clear, rushing waters of his native brook. Just think of it, ten bushels all my own ; no gift ; not begged, but earned. One hundred bushels torn from the rugged earth, ninety given as a peace offering, but ten my own, for use and dissipation. I think I didn't dissipate. On my back I nightly bore my wages down to my gondola, and sailed away for home. But I have dwelt too long on this subject, time has mellowed down all of pain that was associated with the circumstance, and the recollection is now pleasurable, and full of interest to me in my musings and speculations.

"Leaving this portion of my subject, I must now refer to one full of interest to me, but probably not so acceptable to the majority of my audience. Among the first items of information I obtained from the Indians was that the small spring brooks contained an abundance of trout, and the equally gratifying intelligence that they never used them as an article of food; in fact their religious notions tabooed their use. From the name they gave the speckled beauties, I would infer they considered them too bad to eat. Hogal-wichasta-sni, literally wicked man fish, is not suggestive of high appreciation among the Indian community. They believed some malign influence resided in the fish, and that to eat them would be to invite disease, and the anger of the gods. This feeling was very prevalent among them. and Wacoota, the chief, being invited to take dinner with me, at which meal I informed him there would be a dish of trout, lie consented to be present, provided we would lock the doors, eat dinner upstairs, hang a curtain before the windows, and say nothing of what he had eaten. This was done, and old 'Shooter' made a very hearty meal, as Indians are likely to do, but I thought, during the trout course, that he acted as though the morsels were hard to swallow, like a boy bolting his first oyster, and that qualms of conscience interfered with deglutitation. He ate frequently with me afterwards, but I cannot say that trout ever appeared to be a favorite dish with him.

"All the streams within the limits of our county abounded with trout, with the exception of Prairie creek, the Pine Island branch of the Zumbro, and the Little Cannon. The latter stream has since been stocked, and now affords very fair sport, the run of trout being large. I only fished in four of these streams the first two years of my residence here, to-wit : Trout brook, the little stream emptying into Hay creek ; Spring creek and Bullard's creek. The first of these, however, being adjacent to town, was where I got my supply for home use. An hour or two in the evening would net me eight or ten pounds of fish.

"in my various tramps through the country, when I struck a stream at a ford or ripple it was no uncommon thing to see dozens 'of trout rushing and tumbling over each other in their haste to reach their hiding places in deep water. On Hay creek I have thus frightened from a shallow ripple more than fifty pounds of fish at one time, and though I always carry an ample supply of fishing tackle with me, I never wet a line in that stream until 1854. This, I consider, the greatest instance of self-denial and resistance to temptation on record. I could cite many instances where better men probably have signally failed, and where the restraining influence would have been much stronger. The reason why I did not gratify my natural instincts was the opposing one - and true sportsman maxim - never to kill what you cannot make use of; and also, I am too great a lover of the gentle art to hasten the extinction, through a mere wantonness, of a creature that has so largely contributed to my pleasure and happiness.

"With your permission. I will relate one of these instances, although properly not occurring in the early settlement of the county, premising my recital with the explanation that the cause of the temptation was a large, beautifully colored specimen of the gamest of all game fish - the trout.

"A party from below, accredited to our fishing club as being 'all right.' arrived here and requested information as to where they could enjoy a couple of weeks' good sporting during the hot month of July. The very paradise of fishing grounds was selected for them, and the next day their camp was pitched on a beautiful spot ou Rush river in the state of Wisconsin. A few rods of open priarie stretched down to the river from the camp, and the small, orchard-like trees surrounding offered an inviting shade. In front loomed up big bluffs, covered with tall timber; back of the camp the ground rose in a succession of plateaus, until the general level of the country was attained. Taking it all in all, it was one of the loveliest situations for the purposes of a sportsman's camp that I ever beheld. An invitation to call and break bread with them was accepted, and in a few days John Webster, Billy B., Sam Stevens and myself, were on the 'old battle ground' with rod, reel, line and various other appliances deemed necessary on such occasions. "We found our friends enjoying themselves admirably. They had established friendly relations with the neighboring settlers and could not be better situated. One of the party was a minister of the gospel of the Methodist denomination, a Pennsylvanian by birth, brought up among the mountains of Sinnemahoning, as pure and unsophisticated as regards evil, as the mountain brooks of his native home. From his surroundings in childhood he could not have been less than a keen sportsman and be a man.

''The country in the locality had been sparsely inhabited for a number of years. Young men with young families had settled there, and fer a time had not felt the necessity of education or religious instruction. As their families grew up, however, several had expressed a determination to leave on account of their families growing up ignorant in these particulars and devoid of a knowledge of the amenities and conventionalities of social life. A slight impetus of immigration has raised their drooping spirits, and by an effort they had just completed a school house, which, on the Sabbath, they used as a church when a wandering minister traveled that way. This being the situation, word was given out that our reverend sportsman, Brother Shaffer, would, with divine permission, give them a discourse on the ensuing Sabbath, at such an hour as might suit their convenience. Nature had been lavish of gifts to our friend of herculean proportions. He was deep chested, strong limbed, and with a voice as clear as the clarion's notes, combined with the resonance of distant artillery, yet he could modulate it to the murmur of a mountain rill, under the controllings of genial influences. His invariable practice, after the evening meal, as the shades of night drew on, was to retire a short distance from the camp, and I presume offer up his devotions, and then break forth in evening hymn, which caused all camp avocations to be suspended. The very birds ceased their songs; the gambolings of the little denizens of the forest and the busy hum of insect life seemed hushed. Naught of earth was heard but the voice of praise and the gentle murmur of the passing stream, in fitting unison. We were not the only auditors. The powerful voice of the singer had penetrated far into the surrounding woods. Hearers had learned when to enjoy the pleasure and would silently approach the camp without their presence being known, that they might more clearly appreciate the beauty of the song. A religious feeling was aroused, and the hearts of the community were in sympathy with Brother Shaffer. On Sunday morning all the inmates of the camp were on their way to the place of meeting, and it appeared that the entire population was in motion. By the roads, footpaths, and through the woods they came, until the house was full and groups standing on the outside. The speaker gave them a discourse suited to their wants. The grand old woods and the crystal Avaters came in as blessings which should be thankfully acknowledged in their devotions to God, together with the sustenance and pleasure derived therefrom. The remarks were appreciated, and I will venture that seed Avas sown there that time will not smother, nor the germinal principal decay, without bringing forth much fruit.

"After the sermon all the fishing party returned to camp, with the exception of our clerical friend, who was requested to stay and conduct the exercises of the class and Sunday school. In course of the afternoon. Webster and myself took a stroll on the hillside back of our camp, where the river, running a few yards from the path, at the base of the hill, was plainly visible in the interval between the trees. The pools of water were as calm as the sleep of an infant. The quieting influence of the day appeared to have affected the inmates of the waters, and their usual lively demonstrations were sobered down to a gentle motion of their fins to keep them in suspension in their liquid element. A cosy shelf on the hillside invited a rest and we sat down to enjoy the scene. Anon a ripple in the stream attracted attention. 'Twas not larger than that caused by a drop of rain. Nothing was said, but my eyes were riveted on the spot. 'Twas repeated and in the same place. I saw that I should fall into temptation, to avoid which I ingloriously fled. AVhat Webster saw, I know not, but when he returned to camp his eyes had a prominence and convexity that indicated haying 'seen sights,' and his manner that of a high state of nervous excitement. I said he returned. He did, but he disappeared again, in a state of mind that caused serious apprehension on the part of his friends. In a short time Shaffer arrived, and selecting a tufty, shady spot, threw himself prone on the ground, discoursing pleasantly of the happiness he felt in having been allowed to minister to the wants of a people so much in need of gospel teaching and so willing to receive it. I heard him, and cordially was with him in spirit, but my eyes

Mere on the path, over the shingle and up the river, where our absent friend evidently had gone. After a time my apprehensions were almost quieted in regard to "Webster, and I was watching the countenance of the speaker as it swayed under the various emotions called up by the incidents of the day, when a noise startled me. Turning around I saw Webster approaching a few yards away, evidently in a more easy state of mind. On he came, and 1 was hopeful that none of the proprieties of the day or occasion had been violated, but when within ten feet of me he suddenly extended his right arm, softly exclaiming 'Look there.' I sprang to my feet and beheld the very incarnation of piscatorial beauty, his colors unladed and the light of life still in his eye. My exclamation brought Brother Shaffer to a sitting position. His eyes had an imperfect vision, and he sternly exclaimed, 'Oh,, you wicked, wicked man.' Webster skilfully displayed the fulllength broadside to view. Brother Shaffer was on his feet in a twinkling, fondling the fish, and the words, 'Oh, isn't he a beauty!' burst involuntarily from his lips, his admiration obliterating all thought of the crime. A rebuke was now powerless, as he himself, by his involuntary exclamation and action, was not above the temptation^ but in fact participated in the fault.

"The human countenance, as a reflex mirror of impressions on the mental organization, is a pleasing and instructive study, from, the very inception of the stimuli on the infant brain up to its maximum in mature manhood, thence following on the wTaning side of life to those changes which shadow forth the coming of second childhood. Friend Shaffer's physiognomy for a brief season well repaid study and analyzation. First were traces of sorrow and rebuke, then surprise and wonder, followed quickly by signs of extravagant admiration, thence down the grade to shame and humiliation. The thought waves were electrical in velocity - each ripple expressing a sentiment or emotion which the most rapid symbolism could not trace on paper. A single character would have to represent the emotional name ; to elucidate it would require pages, yet it was plainly written, and in as legible characters as though carved in 'monumental marble.' With a sigh he subsided into his former position, realizing, doubtless, the weakness and imperfection of human nature, and that even the best of men are as 'prone to do evil as the sparks are to fly upwTard.'

"I think all those who saw that little episode will never forget it. It Avas one of the incidents that language cannot communicate or the artist's pencil portray; the finer features of the picture would be inevitably lost. My thoughts called up Uncle Toby's violation of the third commandment, in his anxiety to relieve the poor lieutenant, and I would adopt the author's views as to the criminality in the case, with a very slight alteration : That the accusing spirit which flew up to Heaven's chancery with the fault blushed as he gave it in; and the recording angel, as he wrote it down, dropped a tear upon the word, blotting it out forever.

"In the fall of 1852, having a fishing-seine in our possession, we organized a fishing party, and built the necessary craft for running a fishery. "We began the enterprise for the purpose of supplying our own wants. Meeting with great success, and having nothing else to do, salt and barrels were procured, and in a short time we supplied St. Paul with forty barrels of good fish, at the remarkably low price of $6 per barrel. Our fishing ground was the 'Bay.' on the Wisconsin side, about a mile above Bay City. Large quantities were caught, of all the kinds inhabiting the river, but we only preserved the best fish, rejecting pike, pickerel, bass, sturgeon, dog-fish, sheep-head and gars, while the rich, fat and luscious cat, buffalo and carp were carefully cleaned and salted, well repaying us for our labor. At one haul of our seine, in the lake referred to, we took out over eight barrels of fish, when cleaned and packed, besides an innumerable quantity of the 'baser sort' as before indicated.

'These remarks may provoke satirical comments from the members of that class of fisherman who think that the mantle of old Izaak Walton has fallen on them individually, and that their palates and peculiar notions should form the standard of true sport and gustatory excellence. But to these I would say, we only wanted such fish as would repay us in nutriment and feed for the animal economy, when the mercury ranged from zero to forty below. This was supplied by our selection, some of the fish yielding over a pint of good oil. Pike, pickerel, bass and trout, as salted fish, are about as nutrient as floating islands, puffs, pastry and gimeracks. and all are measurably worthless as food to strong, hearty working men.

"A short description of three or four of the Indian celebrities of the village may not be out of place. I will commence with 'Waeoota' - literally the 'Shooter.' chief of the band.

"Wacoota stood about six feet in his moccasins, was well proportioned, and, I judge, about sixty-five years of age when I knew him. He was the most intelligent man in the band, with the exception of Wa-kon-toppy. He was friendly to the whites, and much disposed to adopt the habits and customs of civilized life, and consequently without much authority among the reckless young men of the village. His schemes for promoting the wellbeing of his people were thwarted by Mahpiya-maza, or Iron Cloud, second in rank, but first in real power.

all the raiding propensities of the young men, stimulating opposition to any advancement in civilization; begging when it would accomplish his object; threatening when he thought he had the power to do injury - a base, bad man, and a thorough savage, whom no kindness could bind in the bonds of friendship, nor reason influence to adopt views salutatory to the welfare of his band. His only redeeming trait of character was his advocacy of the cause of temperance. His death, in the latter part of the summer of 1852, freed the whites of the annoyance of his presence and counsels. Being indisposed with symptoms of biliousness indicating cholera, which was then prevalent along the river, he called at Mr. Potter's trading house, and espying a demijohn, he asked if it contained minne-wakon (whiskey). Mr. Potter told him it did not, that it was cha-han-ti-cha (molasses or tree sap). The old fellow immediately asked for a donation, but was informed that it belonged to Paska, as E. C. Stevens was called by the Sioux. Iron Cloud then left on a hunt for Mr. Stevens, first stopping at his own tepee and getting a good-sized coffee pot, as though sure of his object. After finding Mr. Stevens he succeeded in getting the molasses. In a day or two this medicine was disposed of, but the patient was not much benefited by its use, and importunate for more. Mr. Stevens came to me and inquired what would be the result if old Mahpiya repeated the dose. My reply was that it would kill him as dead as Julius Caesar. But importunity finally obtained the coveted sweets, and in a few hours a messenger arrived from a lodge in the Indian corn-field, who told me that Iron Cloud was very sick and wanted to see me. I accompanied the messenger and on entering the tent found it occupied by the sick man stretched on a robe. His wife had ranged in a semi-circle six of the most popular medicine-men, dressed in very unprofessional costume, or rather in undress, for the united apparel of the whole conclave would not have afforded material enough for a pair of leggins. The doctors looked very sullen at my intrusion, but the patient told me that they had done him no good, and wanted me to do what I could for him. Upon examination I found him past all remedies, so I left. In an hour a Avail told me of the departure of Maphiya-maza to the happy hunting ground of the Indian spirit world.

"T'maza-washta, or Good Iron, was the next man of importance in the village. Taller than Wacoota, always smiling, a rebuff never ruffled his equanimity. A friend of both the Wacoota and Iron Cloud factions, he successfully performed the difficull feat of carrying water on both shoulders, as the phrase is. On the death of the second chief. Good Iron was excessively amiable, making feasts and otherwise doing those things which we in civilized life see so frequently performed by aspiring men thirsting for political distinction. The old fellow being so goodnatured, I frequently gave more heed to his requests than was proper or necessary, and he had reached the conclusion that he had only to ask and he would receive the favor. He wanted to be the second chief. A delegation of Indians from Wabasha stopped at our village, and Good Iron concluded a big feast would bring him the desired elevation. I had a fat cow and a good one, and an equally fat clog, but in no other particular did the dog resemble the cow. Now these two animals, in old T'maza's estimation, would just about furnish the necessary amount of influence to place him in possession of the object of his aspirations. Accordingly, all smiles, lie preferred his request, and, of course was refused. He was a little crestfallen at first, but he soon laughed and said : 'My friend, you always gave me what I asked for. Now. when 1 have friends come to see me and I want to feast them yon refuse me your cow and your dog. It is not good.' I couldn't see the logic. The old beggar got to be second chief, however.

"Maca-tiniza, meaning Standing Earth, more generally known among the whiles as 'Old Scolder,' was a regular old masculine termagant. Nothing suited him. His only luxury was gambling, and he enjoyed thai to an unlimited extent. He was, however, a stricl Good Templar, and not a bad Indian; hut his unfortunate peculiarity remhred him anything but a favorite among his people, lie attended church frequently and behaved very well, excepl on one occasion. 1 had made Wacoota a one-horse train, or sled, the first winter of my residence here. The 'Scolder' knew of this, and one Sabbath when we were all at church and Mr. Hancock was in the midst of his discourse; the old man and his wife entered. Giving a succession of grunts, he said: 'I have come to church to learn to ho good, and maybe the Good Spirit will smile on me. so that Pezutawichasta (my Indian name) will make me a sled.' The old fellow grinned at his interruption of the service, ami I concluded that his religion was not of a serious nature, or likely to become chronic. I never saw him sleighriding, hut I am informed that he was one of those unfortunates who perished on the scaffold at Mankato at the- close of the Indian war in our state.

" Wakon-toppy Esteemed Sacred) was my friend, and with him I will conclude my list. He was honest, honorable and intelligent, a true man whether judged by the savage or civilized standard. This man was the only Indian I ever knew whose word and character were above reproach. The traders gave him credit whenever he desired, sure that they would receive prompt pay- merit. Whatever he slated to be a fact could be relied on. He frequently camped with me, and it was my especial delight to fill our camp-kettle with eatables enough for a dozen men, and in addition thereto make a corresponding amount of pezuta-saps (black medicine or coffee) and then drawl over the meal, eating slowly, constantly replenishing Wakon-toppy 's plate and cup, which he made a point of honor to empty as soon as possible, until the old fellow would heave a deep sigh and cry out 'Ozhuta!' (full). Whenever this was accomplished, look out for yarns. I have lain in the tent and listened for five long hours at a stretch to the tales, traditions, history of the feats in war and hunting. He had never gone on a raid against the Chippewas, but he had followed the warpath south and west against the Saukies and Omahas. His father was adopted into a Dakota family, having been taken prisoner when he was very young in one of the Dakota forays against the Sauks and Foxes, and finally married a sister of Ti-tan-ka Monia, or Walking Buffalo, a very influential chief, and father of Wacoota. Wakon-toppy was very anxious to adopt civilized habits, and I wrote several letters, at his dictation, to the Indian Agent, in which he desired the government to give him eighty acres of land, and he would release all claims to annuities. He even went so far as to stake out his claim, which was where the village of Mazeppa now is. and was where he made his winter hunting ground for a long period of years, and where he wished his bones to rest when the Master of Life should summon him hence to a residence in the spirit world. His letters were. unanswered and he was not allowed to hold his claim when the whites came, but was driven off with threats of violence. He stayed around here until after the Spirit Lake massacre. Finally, concluding to go up to Red Wood, the then place of residence of our old band, he gave me a history of Ink-pa-duta and his followers, and told me if he could get permission he would lead his party against them. In the fall an Indian messenger on his way to Wabasha stopped at my house, at the old man's request, and gave me an account of the expedition. Wakon-toppy had kept his word. Nearly all the inmates of the three lodges perished by the hands of their own kindred. This man, so prompt to avenge the wrongs of the whites, perished miserably in confinement at Davenport, for no other crime than that of not being able to control the young men of his family in the Indian difficulties on the frontier. From his imprisonment at Mankato he sent me word, by Lieutenant Comstock, that his fault was in letting his son have a horse, not knowing the purpose for which it was to be used. If previous good character in any man is to be relied on, then was Wakon-toppy an innocent victim.

"In the spring of 1853 I farmed the old Indian cornfield. The crop was oats, corn, seven acres of potatoes, six of rutabagas, turnips, pumpkins, cabbages, beans, etc., all of which yielded largely. In the fall I needed help to secure the corn and potatoes, and there was no other resource than to hire native laborers, the white population of the county not exceeding one hundred souls. The Indian camp was situated on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the Cannon river. I dug a few rows across the potato patch in order to ascertain what a day's work might be, and found that six rows were a moderate day's labor, but knowing the Indians pretty well I decided to make four the standard. This done, I sent word to the camp that twenty women were wanted to help me, who should receive a barrel of potatoes for every four times they dug across the field. The next morning found me at the patch, but 9 o'clock arrived before they came. At last thirteen women hove in sight, accompanied by about two dozen dogs, a like number of children, several camp kettles, sack straps and hoes. In a short time the business preliminaries were adjusted by the high contracting parties. Among the operatives were the Princess Royal Lucy and her niece, Weenona.

"About 11 o'clock, after working about an hour and a half, the workers stopped work and held a short council, and I was soon informed of the result of their deliberations, which was nothing less than that I should get dinner for them. I refused to cook for such a crowd, but we finally compromised by my furnishing pork and bread. Vegetables were close at hand. A note was written to my wife on a white basswood chip, desiring her to let the bearer have eight pounds of pork and all the bread she could spare. The messenger ran off on the errand like a deer, while an old squaw rigged three tripods for camp kettles, washed potatoes and turnips, and cut up cabbages and pumpkins ; then when the pork arrived it was all dumped into the kettles together. When it was cooked it was sufficient for a company of infantry who had been on a short allowance of hard tack, but it all disappeared under the united efforts of women, children and dogs. At the close of the day all received their wages - two women having accomplished eight rows each, each of them receiving two barrels, which they all took home with them, promising to return the next day.

"The next morning thirty-two squaws appeared, with the usual accompaniment, and the same number continued until the field was finished. When the last round was dug we were all grouped together on a slope between Main and Third streets, and women talking and joking. Lucy stepped up to me and said r. 'Pezuta-wichasta. do you know the reason why you have not worked any in the field?' I thought I saw mischief in her eye, and looking around observed the same sign among the dusky crowd ; but not to be beat by squaws I replied : 'Yes, it is because there are so many women to work for me, there is no need of my working.' She said: 'No, no, that is not it; you are little and not strong, and cannot work,' tossing her blanket off as she made the remark. I saw the point at once, and felt relieved, as that was one of my best holds. I told her I was strong enough for any in that crowd. No sooner were the words out of my mouth than Lucy pitched in, and was thrown a double somersault the first time. Another essay was made, with like result. A little whispered parley took place, and a challenge for a third trial was given. We squared ourselves shoulder to shoulder, Lucy gripping like a vice. Just as the struggle commenced I felt myself grasped from behind, and knew I had got into difficulty. The outside pressure was heavy against me- - tripping, yelling and laughter. The best I could do was to make of it what in my youth was called a 'dog fall'; that is a tumble into a promiscuous heap, without anyone being uppermost enough to speak of, and this was accomplished. I extricated myself from the confused mass, and concluded not to engage any further in this undignified pastime, knowing very well that fair play couldn't be had in that crowd. Then they dispersed, having gathered for me over 1,000 bushels of potatoes, exclusive of their own wages. From this crop I never realized a dollar, as there was no market, but it answered very well for gratuitous distribution in the spring of 1854.

"Having such success in operating with native labor, I concluded to put up eight acres of corn, so as to secure the fodder for my stock, it being, as yet, but little injured by the frost. The services of a married woman and her sister were secured, beside two boys of ten or twelve years of age. The girl was sixteen or seventeen years old, and the most mischievous imp I ever saw. She appeared to have grown too fast for the apparel she had on, for I noticed that her upper garments refused to form a junction at the waist with that portion designed as a protection for the lower parts of the body. Myself and the women cut up the corn ; the duty of the boys was to place it in the shock. After working pretty hard, the day being warm, I called a rest and we all sat down, I fanning myself with a large straw hat. When it was time to resume labor the women were told to go to work. The girl laughingly refused, telling me to work myself. After a little parley she finally got up and advanced close to where I was sitting. Making a remark to attract my attention away from her, she dexterously seized my hat by the rim and sent it sailing over the cornfield, and then bounded like a deer to get out of my reach; but she was too late. Without rising, I threw myself forward in the direction she was going, grasping desperately at the same time. I caught the hem of her garment and something gave away. When I recovered an upright position and my equanimity, I saw a dark piece of feminine apparel lying on the ground, and what to my astonished gaze appeared to be a pair of preambulating tongs scudding through the corn. The girl hid herself behind a shock and commenced pleading for her clothes. After tormenting her enough, I exacted a promise that she would behave herself and go to work, and then, sent one of the boys with the desired garment. When she rejoined the company her countenance had a very 'decided vermilion tinge, and I thus discovered that a s<|iia\v could blush."

Joseph W. Hancock was born in Orford, N. H., April 4, 1816. He attended the public schools at that place and followed this by a course at the academy located in Bradford, Yt. As a young man he taught in various places in New England, and in 1841 started out for the West. He journeyed down the Ohio river to the Mississippi, and then came north as far as Quiney, 111. Here he taughl school for a while and soon afterward had a class among the Winnebago Indians in Iowa. Later he taught a private school in Prairie du Chien, Wis. He found, however, that although he had come west for the sake of his health, the change of climate had not worked the desired change and consequently he returned to the East and spent some time at Saratoga. N. Y., where he found the water from the springs to be of great benefit. In 1846 he was united in marriage with Martha Maria Houghton, a sister of H. 0. Houghton, the noted Boston publisher. In 1848 Mr. Hancock received ;i commission from the American Board of Foreign Missions to become a missionary to the Sioux Indians, west of the Mississippi, and was sent to the Indian village of Red Wing, in the Northwest territory, where a band of Indians had long been located, and where missionary efforts had previously been conducted. The first white person known to have been buried within the limits of Goodhue county was the wife of Mr. Hancock. After two years of service among the Sioux her health gave away and she died March 21, 1851. To this union were born two children. William died in infancy, the other is Mrs. William Holliday. In 1852 he was married to Sarah Rankin, who died in March, 1859, leaving two children, Stella and James Otis. In October, 1860, he was united in marriage with Juliet Thompson, who died in 1897. Mr. Hancock began preaching to the early settlers in 1852. and in January, 1855, organized the First Presbyterian Church of Red Wing, of which he was pastor for seven years. During the remainder of his life he was connected with that church. He helped to organize the AVinona presbytery in 1855, being one of the three clergymen who founded it. In addition to his religious work, Mr. Hancock was in various capacities connected with the civic life of the community. He was first postmaster in Red Wing, and was appointed by Governor Ramsey, territorial governor of Minnesota, as register of deeds in 1855. In the fall of that year he was elected to the office by the people. He was deeply interested in educational affairs and in the early history of the community had much to do in shaping the school interests. From 1862 to 1865 he was superintendent of schools in Goodhue county, and from 1870 to 1880 again served in the same capacity. His latter years were spent practically in retirement. He published a short history of the county in 1893, and to his writings the managers of the present publication are greatly indebted.

William B. Hancock, deceased, was one of those heroes who gave the best of the young manhood to the cause of their country, having come out of the nation's great civil struggle badly crippled, and doomed to suffer more or less pain for the remainder of his natural days. He was born at Orford, N. H., January 26. 1832. son of Joseph and Lydia (Peek) Hancock, both natives of New England. The father was a farmer and blacksmith all his life. He went to Vermont in early manhood, but in his declining years returned to New Hampshire, where he died in 1876. His wife died many years before, in 1832. William B. received his education in Vermont, and after leaving school farmed with his father. At the outbreak of the Civil War, when the Green Mountain boys were rallying to the support of the Union and the flag which the sons of that state love so well, he enlist.nl. in August, 1861. at Montpelier, Vt.. serving in Company H, 6th Vermont Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Lee's Mills, in April, 1862, in both limits, as the result of which he was left crippled for the rest of his life. In the early clays he came to Featherstone township, this county, bringing with him his family, ready to establish a home-tree in this new and rich country. He first bought eighty acres, to which he added from time to time until he owned 200 acres, on which he carried on general farming with much success, in 1899 he retired and moved to Red AVing. where he died, November 24. 1907. He was a Republican in politics, and a believer in the religious doctrines set forth by tie CJniversalist denomination. Mr. Hancock was married. December 13, 1855, at Berlin, Vt., to Laura B. Smith, a daughter of Abner and Rebecca (Carr) Smith, natives of the Green Mountain state Her father was a carpenter and joiner, a vocation he followed until the beginning of the war. He joined the Union army, serving in Company B, 1st Vermont Volunteer Infantry. Al the battle of Cold Harbor, June 1, 1864, when the New England regiments were being mowed down like grass, he gave up his life in defense of his country and the principles in which he so thoroughly believed. To Mr. and Mrs. Hancock were born four children. Eugene A. is the capable manager of the family estate at Featherstone, having taken charge of the home farm in 1899. He lives at 1208 Twelfth street, in Red Wing, with his mother, driving to and fro to attend to his duties on the farm. Fred L., the second son, died in infancy at Worcester, Vt. Arabella R. married Hiram Watson, of Red Wing. The youngest child, N. Maude, married Gustave Kunze, an insurance agent, of St. Paul. William W. Sweney, M. D., was the second physician who settled in Minnesota for the purpose of practicing his profession. He located in St. Paul in April, 1850. Dr. Murphy had settled there the year before Dr. Sweney was the son of Alexander M. and Mary M. Kehr Sweney. and was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1818. His father was of Scotch- Irish, and his mother of Piedmontese-Huguenot descent. When William was eighteen years old he moved to Fulton county, Illinois, having previously obtained an academic education in his native town. He read medicine with Dr. Abram Hull, of Marietta, 111., practiced in connection with him in 1848-9, and graduated a1 Rush Medical College, Chicago, after settling in Minnesota. In May, 1852, he came to Red Wing, which was at that time an Indian town, on the Mississippi, having an Indian farmer, John Bush, and an Indian missionary, Rev. Joseph W. Hancock. The doctor gave his services to the Indians, whenever called upon, freely, and w;is highly esteemed by them. After the Indians were removed, as settlers multiplied. Dr. Sweney's professional business increased, and for a quarter of a century he had as many and as long rides as any one man could reasonably desire. He always had the confidence of the people up to the time he was unable to practice longer. He was a member of the Goodhue County and of the State Medical Society; was president of the former in 1872, and of the latter in 1873. He wrote several essays on the "Climatology and Diseases of Minnesota," a prize essay on the "Epidemics and Endemics of Minnesota," a prize essay on "Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis"; also on a few other subjects. He was elected to the territorial legislature in 1857, serving in the last session before Minnesota became a state. He also held office several terms in the municipality of Red Wing. In politics he was a state's rights Democrat, but no disunionist; not an active politician in his latter years. Dr. Sweney was married in Fulton county, Illinois, in 1841, to Maria Freeborn, daughter of Richard Freeborn, of that place, who emigrated to Minnesota early in the fifties and died in Red Wing about 1870, in a good old age. Dr. Sweney's favorite pastime was trout fishing, though he often indulged in the pursuit of other game in the early days. He was a good physician, cautious of giving medicine when he was convinced that none was needed, ever ready to attend the calls of the suffering, whether poor or rich. He was a quiet and unassuming man, yet always consid- °red a prominent citizen in Red Wing. His death occurred in August, 1882. His funeral was attended, at the Episcopal church, by the largest number of all classes of citizens ever assembled on a like occasion in the previous history of the place. The church was crowded and its entrances thronged. The procession which followed his remains to their final rest in Oakwood consisted of the various orders of secret societies, the firemen and all the. various benevolent associations of the city.

Chaptee Xii

Goodhue county received its name in honor of James M. Goodhue, the pioneer editor and printer of the state, who at the time of his early death, in 1852, had already won for himself name and fame as well as influence in the new territory. It consists of twenty-three townships, all of which are practically the same in area and name as when first constituted in 1858. They are: Welch, Burnside. Wacoota, Stanton, Cannon Falls, Vasa, Featherstone, Bay Creek, Florence, Central Point, Warsaw, Leon, Belle Creek, Goodhue, Belvidere, Holden, Wanamingo, Minneola, Zumbrota, Kenyon, Cherry Grove, Eoscoe and Pine Island. Red Wing formerly had a township organization. Previous to 1858 precincts had been established, but townships were not laid out as regularly organized political divisions until that year, when, under a new ad passed by the legislature, Martin S. Chandler. William P. Tanner and Jesse Mclntire, the three gentlemen selected, defined and named the townships in Goodhue county as follow^. Where no note is made of subsequent changes, the township at present remains as at that time constituted.)

Red Wing (now city), the west half of township 113, range 14, fractional, and sections 13, 24, 25 and 36, township 113, range 15. Two of the sections originally placed in Red Wing were afterward set off and attached to Bivrnside.

Union, all of township 113, range 16, north of Cannon river. All of township 113, range 15, except sections 13, 24, 25 and 36, and all of township 114, ranges 15 and 16, fractional. This was afterward changed to Milton and then with some additions to Burnside.

York, all of township 111. ranges 14 and 15. This was changed first to Elmira. then to Belvidere, and a half of the latter was later set off as Lime, later known as Goodhue.

The board was notified that three of the names, those of Stanton, York and Union, would have to be changed. The board then changed Union to Milton. Stanton to Lillian, and York to Elmira. Stanton later assumed its original name. Later the committee was notified that the name of Elmira would have to be changed. A committee of three, Messrs. Stearns, AVhite and Stone, to whom this matter was referred, reported in favor of substituting Belvidere for Palmira, and the change was accordingly made.

Goodhue organized September 13, 1859, in answer to a petition, when township 111, range 15, was erected into a separate township called Lime, the latter name being changed to Goodhue in January, 1860. The township was originally a part of Belvidere.

Burnside was the name applied to Milton, at the request of the state auditor, March 25, 1862. In March, 1864, when the legislature amended the city charter of Red AVing, sections 13 and 24, township 113, range 15, were set off from Red AVing and attached to Burnside.

Welch was organized March 23, 1864. when the board of commissioners divided Burnside by setting off the easl fractional half of township 114. north, range 16, west, and all of township 113. north, range 16, west, lying north of Cannon river, into a separate township, and called it Grant, which on January 3,

Belle Creek township lies in practically the geographical center of the county, and constitutes one entire government township, its number being 111 north, range 16 west. Its area has remained unchanged since the township was first constituted in accordance with the township act of the legislature in 1858. Belle creek waters the western part of this township, and affords fair water power. It is bordered by fine stretches of hay meadows and an occasional ledge of limestone. Near the creek are also scattering groves of oaks, white birch and poplar. The surface, which is largely a rich, undulating, high prairie, except in the vicinity of the creek, is in general about 150 feet higher than its neighboring township of Yasa. Its other neighbors are Leon, on the west ; Minneola, on the south, and Goodhue, on the east.

The first influx of whites into this section was in 1853, when Charles Ross and A. G. Kempe went into the township and built a cabin on section 5, mar the creek. They spent the winter there, but soon after moved north into what is now Vasa. In the spring, or early summer, of 1851. Walter Doyle, with his five sturdy sons, Henry, Richard. Michael. Walter and John, settled on sections 2 and 4. Benoni Hill and his sons, John, Henry and Thomas, came in July and made their claims on sections 5 and 8. James O'Neill and family also came the same year; and in the fall the Rev. S. P. Chandler staked out a claim, but did not move on it until the following spring. In 1855 the influx was rapid, and the town Avas soon thickly settled. A large part of the ground was broken up, grain sowed, and cottages built in place of the original cabins.

It was not long before children came to bless the homes of the pioneers. Anna O'Neill was born in March, 1855, but did not long live to enjoy the distinction of being the first white child born in the township, having passed away when still a schoolgirl. Her father was James O'Neill. May Cook was born in August of the same year, daughter of Jacob Cook. John Cavanaugh, son of Patrick Cavanaugh. was born in November. The first two deaths were by accident. In the early part of the winter of 1855-56, Dennis Cavanaugh started to go on foot to his brother's, a distance of about two and a half miles. After he started, a terrible storm came up, and he was frozen to death near Hader. having lost his way. His body, which was not located until the snow had melted in the spring, was found three miles from his home, and in an opposite direction from the one lie should have kept to reach his brother's. His wanderings through the wilderness in the raging storm, until merciful death relieved him from his sufferings, can only be imagined. In May of the following spring. James Connel attempted to cross a slough with an axe on hi.s shoulder. In some manner he stumbled and fell, and the edge of the axe struck his head, causing a fracture of the skull which resulted in death. The first death due to natural causes was that of Mrs. S. P. Chandler, June 28, 1856.

Pioneer discomforts were no dampener to the ardor of Cupid, and in 1856, Lewis White and Emeline Hill took before the Rev. S. P. Chandler the vows which made them man and wife. Although no .school houses were erected until 1859, as early as the fall of 1858 Alvin Herbert taught school in the basement of a stone house owned by a Mr. Kirkpatrick, and the school was continued in session practically every season, in some of the settlers' houses.

The rich soil of tin' township showed its possibilities even in the earliest days, for in 1856 Walter Doyle and others obtained fair yields of wheat, threshed it by hand with flails and carried it to the Mazeppa mill to be ground.

In 1856 James Allen laid out a village plat and christened the place Troy City. With sanguine hopes of the future, Jesse Johnson built a store and stocked it with merchandise. No other building was ever erected on the village site. The financial crash of 1857 impaired trade to such an extent that Mr. Johnson closed his store ; and all further attempts to build a city there were abandoned. A postofnce, called Burr Oak, was established in 1854, and H. M. Doyle was appointed postmaster. This was on the line of the old stage route from St. Paul to Dubuque, and the following year, when the mail route was changed, the office was discontinued. During the existence of this office Mr. Doyle's house was the last one on the road before reaching Oronoco. twenty- five miles to the south, and consequently was an all-night stopping place for the stage, and Mr. Doyle entertained such prominent men of the early days as Governor Ramsey, General Sibley, J. C. Burbank and many others. He also entertained twenty-six of the principal men and chiefs of the Chippewa tribe, including "Hole in the Day," their head chief, when they were on their way to Washington.

In 1858 another postoffice was establisbed in the southwest part of the town and named Belle Creek. S. P. Chandler, the first postmaster, retained that position for many years. There was no hotel, and Mr. Chandler opened his bouse for the accommodation of travelers, especially the farmers of the western part of the county, who had no other place to stop on their way to Red Wing with their wheat. When the Minnesota Central rail-

At the first election, held at the residence of Walter Doyle, thirty votes were polled. Among the early supervisors were S. P. Chandler, H. M. Doyle (two terms). Michael Doyle, John Edwards, Francis Malloy, Walter Doyle and -lames Malloy. The early clerks were Patrick Drudy four terms), H. M. Doyle, Michael Doyle (two terms), P. J. Sheridan and Michael Doyle.

The township did its share in the Civil War in a noble way. The official list of those enlisting from the township is as follows : Freeman J. Beers, Truman E. Beers, George Cook, James McGrath, John Manning, David Petty, William Gardiner, John Hilger, Jacob Hilger, Jacob Cook. Jr., Timothy Cavanaugh, Walter W. Doyle, Patrick Drudy, Patrick Edwards, Martin Edwards, Timothy Foley, Patrick Foley. Henry L. Gilbert. Henry M. Craig, Patrick Malloy. Daniel AY. Malloy. Thomas Bolls. Cornelius K. Bylen, David Switzer, John B. Taylot, .lames Cassidy, George Cook, .binies Schweiger, Ruben Taylor. Horace Carpenter, Nelson Cannon. Elander W. Carpenter. Francis M. Irish. William J. More. Russell E. Snell, George Johnson, Amos Hanson, John Nels Johnson. Robert Smithson. Henry Kirkland, Isaac Bridell, Michael Cavanaugh, Xels Johnson.

The Catholic church was commence. 1 in 1865, and cost over $3,000. The present beautiful edifice was erected in 1893. It is the largest congregation in the town, and has been a potent influence in the upbuilding of the community.

The Episcopal church was built in 187.'! at a cost of $1,600, mainly through the exertions of the Rev. S. P. Chandler, who was pastor of the parish until his death, in 1888.

Belvidere was given the name of York by the committee which had charge of the organization of the Goodhue county townships in 1858. At the instance of the state authorities this was changed to Elmira, and after the same authorities had urged their objections to this name it was changed to Belvidere, which it has since remained. Belvidere originally included what is now Goodhue. The township comprises government township No. Ill north, range 14 west. Wells creek rises in the northwestern part of the town, running north and east. It is fed by Clear and Rock creeks, and then crosses the northern boundary into Hay Creek township. The northern pari of Belvidere is somewhat broken by these streams. ;ln<l lias a hilly contour. The southern half, though much higher, is simply undulating, or rolling. On the eastern border of the town is an isolated mound, reaching an elevation of something like twelve hundred feet above the sea. Tie- soil of the township is good, and the streams afford excellent facilities for raising stock. Belvidere is bounded on the north by Bay creek, on the east and south by Wabasha county, and on the west by Goodhue.

In the spring of 1855, N. B. Gaylord and his brother, George, located on Rock creek in the northern part of the township. In August of that year, Joseph S. Thompson settled on Wells creek, and a short time afterward he was joined by N. B. Gaylord, who settled near, preferring that location to the place where he took his original claim.

During the fall of 1855 occurred an event which was of importance to the future history of the county. Claus Hoist, and a number of other German families, took up their residence near the head waters of AY ells creek, and began opening up farms. The part wThich the German pioneers and their descendants have taken in the development of the county is related at some length in another chapter. In 1856 there came an influx of immigration to this township, and the farms were soon settled up.

Ida Thompson was the first child born in the township. June 13, 1856. The first marriage was that of George Steele and Junia Pingrey, a sister of Mrs. J. S. Thompson, at whose house the ceremony was performed. August 14. 1855. by J. B. Smith. Etta Gaylord, aged two years, died in 1858, the first death in the tOAvnship. Rev. John Watson held religious services in the house of Nelson B. Gaylord as early as the summer of 1856. Delia Eggleston taught a school in the room of her father's house in 1857, this being the first school in that section of the country.

N. B. Gaylord, in 1858, having a good water power, put in operation a large hand coffee mill, and ground for himself and neighbors flour, meal and other articles. Having used up two coffee mills, he next procured a small burr millstone, and kept gradually improving his primitive enterprise until he launched out into a full-growTn mill, with two run of stone, and a capacity of 120 bushels of wheat per day. The Belvidere mill finally took rank among the good mills of the county.

A cozy log church was built by the German .Methodists near Gaylord 's mill in 1862, at a cost of $300. This society now has a large frame church. In 1865 the Catholics erected a good frame church in the southern part of the town. The Norwegian Lutherans built a large church in the western part of the town in 1867.

The first town board appointed by the county board was as follows: Supervisors, Mason 0. Eggleston (chairman), William Thomas, G. D. Post ; town clerk. Hubert Eggleston ; assessor, B. F. Chase ; tax collector, J. S. Thompson ; justice of the peace, Marcus Eggleston ; constables, James Lane and George Gay.

At a meeting held July 5, 1858, in the town of York, composed of township No. Ill north, of range 11 and 15, including what are now Belvidere and Goodhue, at the house of Peter Easterly, the following officers were elected: Supervisors, Cyrus Couch (chairman), G. D. Post, Henry Danielson; town clerk. Oliver Knutson; assessor, B. F. Chase; justices, Peter Easterly, J. W. Finch; constables, James Lane, H. B. Patterson ; overseer of the poor, Nelson Gaylord ; collector, J. S. Thompson. January 21, 1859, the following named were appointed to fill vacancies: Supervisors, Sylvester Cranson (chairman), Charles M. Lee, Ezra Bennett, town clerk, John Stowe ; justices, Hans H. Olson, F. Cranson.

The first separate town meeting of the voters in township 11, range 14 (Belvidere), was held April 5, 1859, and the following officers elected: Supervisors, Horace AY. Twitchel (chairman), Marcus Eggleston, Mason 0. Eggleston; town clerk, Hubert Eggleston; assessor, G. D. Post; collector, J. S. Thompson; overseer of the poor, Nelson B. Gaylord ; constables, Jacob Church, George Gay; justices, Marcus Eggleston, B. R. Prince. In the following list, the first named under each year is the chairman. 1860 - Supervisors, Horace W. Twitchell, George Gaylord, Knut Knutson ; clerk, Hubert Eggleston ; assessor, Marcus Eggleston ; treasurer and overseer of the poor, N. B. Gaylord ; justices, Marcus Eggleston, B. R. Prince. 1861 - Supervisors, Horace "W. Twitchell, William Thomas, Mason Eggleston ; clerk, Reuben Ward ; assessor, Marcus Eggleston ; treasurer and overseer of the poor, Nelson B. Gaylord ; justices, Marcus Eggleston, Ben Prince. 1862 - Supervisors, J. S. Thompson, George Stace, William Perly ; clerk, Halvor Knutson ; treasurer, H. W. Twitchel ; assessor, B. F. Chase; justices, Peter J. Hilden, Marcus Eggleston ; constables, John C. Johnson, Frank Lane. 1863 - Supervisors, J. S. Thompson, William Perly, George Gay ; clerk, Oliver Knutson ; treasurer, H. W. Twitchel ; assessor, Marcus Eggleston ; overseer of the poor, J. S. Thompson ; justice, Peter J. Hilden. 1864 - Supervisors, J. S. Thompson, 0. C. Roberts, Halvor Knutson ; clerk, Ruben Ward ; treasurer, H. W. Twitchel ; assessor, Julius Munger; constables, Caleb Reynolds, William Thomas; justices, G. H. Gaylord, P. J. Hilden. 1865 - Supervisors, J. S. Thompson, William Thomas, Daniel Mallan; clerk, Oliver, or Halvor, Knutson ; assessor, George Stace ; treasurer, H. W. Twitchel ; justices, of $3,500 by private subscription, and a larger part of the adult male population enlisted. The following list of those who enlisted from this town during the war is larger than the official list, owing to the fact that some of them, though living in Belvidere, enlisted from other places. The list: Hubert Eggleston. AVilliam S. Kinney, John Arden, James Arden, Michael Corcoran, T. Eriekson, John E. Olin, James X. Wood, Peter J. Lotty, F. Snidert, R. J. Daniels, Bent E. Olin. Benjamin Chase, B. R. Prince, "Walter Brown, William Parsons, John Alley, Cyrus Klingenschmidt, Ole Syverson, Timothy 0 'Regan, Timothy Houson, John AVayze, W. S. Williams, Svenom Hendrickson, A. C. Amundson, John Amundson, John C. Johnson. Jacob Wohlers, Peter J. Hilden. John Bomback, Fred Bomback, Joachim Hoist. Jacob Hoist, Claus Hoist, William Buckholst. N. B. Gaylord, George Gaylord, John Arden, Thomas Booth, Peter Swetchser, AVilliam Suchhaa,, Frederick Luchan. James T. Bowker, AVilliam Berley, Ole Nelson, John Nelson. AVatson Devore. Frank Lane, Peter AVagoner, Nicolaus Lippert, R. Kolby, Andrew Baker, Ammond Larson and Samuel Church. Some of these died in the army, and others returned, to become prominent citizens of the township.

Burnside lies along the Mississippi river, with Red Wing on the east. Featherstone on the south and AVeleh on the west. It has undergone several changes of area since its organization; all of its territory in range 16 having been set off as Grant 'later Welch in L864. During the same year it was increased by the addition of sections 13 and 14. in township 113. range 15, previously a part of Red Wine'. The surface is much broken by hill and valley, and there is a wide belt of bottomland and terraced flats along the Cannon river and the Mississippi, some of which is timbered. One of the most beautiful landscapes in the county is visable from the high point in sections 16. 17 and 18. The timbered region in sections 7, 8, 17 and 18 is one uniform flat surface of loam-covered drift. Burnside includes a large portion of an island, known as Prairie Island, on its "northern border. The soil of the township, notwithstanding the irregular surface, is for the most part", rich, deep and fertile. Cannon river Aoavs from west to east, and Spring creek through the southeastern part, both emptying into the Mississippi. Numerous spring's of clear water gush forth from the base of the bluffs, affording abundant water for stock and dairy purposes.

charge of designating the townships. This, at the request of the state authorities, was changed to Milton, by reason of the fact that there was another Union in the state. The same objection was urged against the name of Milton, and in 1862 the name became Burnside. the name of the general who at that time was winning fame in the early campaigns of the Civil War.

In the fall of 1853 there came to this township a clergyman,. who looked over the land and decided upon a suitable location for a claim. Authorities differ as to whether this clergyman was the Rev. David Wright or the Rev. Resin Spates. At any rate, the three brothers, John. Resin and Charles Spates, settled here the following summer, and during the same year Andrew Cottar, John Leason, Matthew Streetor, James Shaw, John Bronson, and with the widow of the Rev. David Wright and her family. In 1855 came John E. Eggleston, Joseph Eggleston, Willard Wood, Kingsley Wood, Rev. J. C. Johnson, Marshall Cutter, and probably Leland Jones, Rev. Norris Hobart and several others. These settlers were scattered over the township, but in those early days were considered near neighbors.

The wife of David Bronson died in the spring of 1855. In July of the same year Flora Cutter (or Cora Cutler) was born, also John H. Spates. The first marriage ceremony performed was that of J. P. Enz to Mary F. "Wright, in October, 1855. Another early marriage was that of William H. Wright and Mary Chamberlain, in 1859. the ceremony being performed by Justin Chamberlain, a justice of Hie peace. The first school in the town was taught by J. E. Eggleston. during the winter of 1756-57. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Resin Spates at the house of John Leason, in 1854.

The Rev. Hancock relates an interesting incident of the early days: "The widow of Rev. David Wright, with six children, had removed from Illinois and settled on the place that, previous to his death, her husband had selected on Spring creek, near where John Leason ^located his claim. They occupied a log house which was divided into suitable rooms for sleeping and family use; the four boys sleeping in the two rooms of the upper floor, while the two girls and the mother occupied the lower floor. They were comfortably arranged for the night of June 11. L855, when a storm of lightning and rain came on with such terrific peals of thunder as to awaken the family. One of the older boys was so much frightened that he left the bed and went downstairs. While he was being told that there was no more danger in one place than another by his sisler. Susan, a sudden crash came, which frightened everyone in the house. Mrs. Wright, the mother, was the first to regain consciousness. She saw the flames devouring the bed where lay her two daughters, still unconscious. Pres- ently the water came down through the floor above in such profusion as to quench the fire. Soon one of the boys came downstairs drenched with rain, bringing in his arms the youngest boy, Wilson, dead. The same stroke of lightning had killed one of the girls, who were in the bed on the lower floor, immediately under that of the boys' in the chamber. The boys in time had become conscious, and these three - William, Beverly and James - with their mother, laid the boy, Wilson, by the side of his two sisters, Mary and Susan, and began chafing them, in order to restore them, if possible, to consciousness-. After some time, Mary, who later became Mrs. Enz, of Red Wing, was restored to health, but AVilson, aged six years, and Susan, a young lady of twenty-one years, had been instantly summoned to the world above during that terrible storm."

In the month of June, 1856, a terrific storm of wind passed over the town, doing great damage to the growing crops and destroying buildings. One or two lives were lost. Matthew Streetor was at Justin Chamberlain-'s when the storm came up. Mrs. Chamberlain, seeing the storm approaching, ran to the cellar, and called to Streetor to follow her, but being old and feeble, he failed to reach safety, and was taken up with the house, being so badly injured that he died a day or two after. The same storm overtook Sheriff Chandler, who was on his way home with his horse and carriage, but seeing its approach, he sprang from the carriage and threw himself flat on the ground, and the storm passed over without doing him injury. After the tornado had passed Mr. Chandler looked for his horse, but could not find him. However, after diligent search in the direction the storm had taken, the horse and carriage was found about a mile from where he left them, lodged among the tops of some small trees.

A flouring mill was built in the south part of the town, on Spring creek, by Stearns & Ilobart. in the year 1856. This mill was carried away by a freshet in June, the following year. It was rebuilt soon after by the Hon. W. W. Phelps, with three run of stone and a capacity for grinding 65,000 bushels annually. Mr. Phelps operated this mill with success for a time, and afterward sold it to William Featherstone, who in turn sold it to M. Herschler.

An early history says: "The first Methodist service held in the township was by the Rev. G. W. T. Wright, at the house of his mother, Mrs. Amelia Wright, in May, 1855. The persons that formed the class at that time were Resin Spates, Margaret Spates, Justin Chamberlain, Maria Chamberlain, John Leason, Mary Leason, Amelia Wright, Mary F. Wright, James A. Wright, William H. Wright, Beverly M. Wright. Samuel F. Hardy and Mary Hardy."

At the first election, held in 1858, there were fifteen voters: John Thomas, Justin Chamberlain, J. G. Johnson, John Leason, B. H. Munroe, ' S. B. Harding, W. S. Grow, John Sterns, M. Streetor, Charles Spates, A. 0. Moore, J. Eggleston, Thomas Leason, William Thompson, Seth Barber and John Quinnell'. Among the early supervisors were W. S. Grow, Timothy Jewett, Leland Jones (four terms), J. G. Johnson, A. Coons, R. H. Knox, Q. Bunch (two terms), L. Jones. Among the early town clerks were J. G. Johnson, Leland Jones, Norris Hobart, S. Barber, T. J. Leason (two terms), Leland Jones (two terms), William H. Bennett, Leland Jones, John Leason, J. G. Johnson.

The contribution of Burnside, including what is now Welch, to the Civil War was as follows : Joseph S. Abels, William Brown, Lewis Cannon, Harlan P. Eggleston, Ira Eggleston, John S. Hobart, Robert W. Leason, James A. Leason, Thomas J. Leason, John P. Leason, Charles B. Noble, Lewis Quinnell, Thomas Quinnell, John .Richards, James Shaw, Ira Tillotson, James A. Wright, William H. Wright, John Williams, Edward Coller, Nathaniel Brown, Augustus C. Baker, Dennis O'Loughlin and Orrin A. Phelps.

To Rev. J. C. Johnson is accredited the following narrative : "I built a claim house, 16 x 20, in the town now called Burnside, commencing it in January, 1855, and moving into it in the following August. I found out that naked nature needed more clothing than a newborn child - first a hen-roost, then a pigsty, a stable, stock-yard, corn-yard, a forty-acre pasture, one hundred acres encircled with a wooden fence, breaking costing five dollars per acre ; school houses to be built, cemeteries laid out and enclosed, bridges everywhere to be built, highways surveyed and worked. The winter of 1855-56 was a rough one. As a member of the Minnesota Methodist Episcopal conference, I was trying to supply the work of preaching at a point five miles above Hastings in the forenoon, at Hastings at 2 P. M., and at Ravenna, seven miles below, at 'candle light.' Late in the fall, one of the darkest and most stormy nights known to men, overtook me on the open prairie below Hastings. The only way to find the path and keep it was to feel it out with the feet. After a while a distant light appeared in view, and, thoroughly drenched, I soon found shelter in a small house occupied by two families. But the poor pony had no shelter and scant food.

"One Monday morning of that winter, in trying to get home from my appointment, a blizzard commenced raging. Scarcely any travel on the road except one stage through. About forty degrees below zero of cold came on. The wife and two little children at home alone, neighbors few and far between, stem Necessity says, 'You must get home,' but that open, bleak prairie in the town of Welch, then unoccupied, was a precarious place for night to close in upon a wayfaring man with a dubious traek to follow. Yet, at about 9 o'clock in the evening, we were all made unusually glad that the storm had been weathered and the harbor safely reached.

''In the summer of 1856 I raised two acres of wheat. Thirty miles away, at Northfield, there was a mill. With a one-horse load I reached it at sundown, to find the mill full of grists and the water too low to run on full time. The only chance was to exchange a few bushels of my wheat for flour, receiving thirty pounds for each bushel. The rest of my grist I brought back as far as Cannon Falls and left to be ground without bolting. Winter soon came on. and no roads opened on my route hither. I found my wheat, which was Lef1 there, the next spring, musty. My next milling was done at Kinnickinnic, eight miles beyond Prescott. Wis., a four days' journey, going around through Cannon Falls and Hastings.

"The early settlers wanted church privileges. A meeting was held at the house of Mr. Moore, near Cannon river bridge, at Burnside. Moore had an awful poor house. He had also the inflammatory rheumatism. He lay flat on his back on the loose hoards of the only floor except bare ground. The people had broughl all I heir youny d<><rs to the meeting. In the midst of the services the dogs became unseemly unceremonious. Moore evidently fell his responsibility for better order, and, rising with difficulty, in apparenl wrath, he took his own dog by the neck, dragged him to the door. and. with a loss and a kick, sent him yelping out. At thai all the dogs rushed ou1 in sympathy, and the man took his lowly place again. All reverence and devotion fled, and appointment was not renewed at that place.

animals were shot by an Indian without moving from his secluded position. This occurred near where T. J. Bryan's house now stands. Our women, although alone generally through the day, were not disturbed in those early days by the visits of the redmen."

The poorfarm, an institution of which the county has reason to be proud, is located in this township, under the charge of a superintendent appointed by the county commissioners. The farm is about three miles from Red Wing on the road to Hastings, and contains 183 acres of land. The buildings were erected in 1867 at a cost of about $6,000. The furnace, heating system and furniture cost about $1,000. The main building was accidentally destroyed by fire in the fall of 1889, and soon after rebuilt. At this farm the worthy poor of the county, mostly the very aged

On Prairie Island there are located a number of Indians. They have a small church of the Episcopal denomination, and have, in a measure, learned the arts of civilization.

Cherry Grove

Cherry Grove is one of the southern tier of townships in the county. It is bounded on the north by Wanamingo, on the west by Kenyon, on the south by Dodge county, and on the east by Roscoe. One complete government township, No. 109, range 17, constitutes its area, which has remained unchanged since the township act of 1858. Its surface is that of a high prairie, with low, broad, undulations of surface. The drainage is toward the north and south, from the elevated central portion. A branch of the Zumbro winds through the southern portion of the township, and along its valley are some wooded portions, although for the most part the township is under cultivation. The soil is excellent for agricultural purposes, and a specialty is made of dairy farming in that vicinity, the residents being a progressive set of people, who have adopted all the latest methods in agricultural operations.

The territory comprised in the township remained practically an unbroken wilderness until 1854, when, in the spring of that year. Madison Brown located a claim on section 31. In the fall of the following year, however, he sold his claim to Silas Merrinian. and went to Iowa. Of his subsequent career nothing is to be learned, although it is supposed that he was hilled in the Civil War. In the fall of 1851. Reading and Benjamin AYoodward selected claims adjoining that of Brown. Benjamin soon after went to Iowa, where he died, while Reading remained as a permanent settler. In the following year came Silas Merriman, already mentioned, Samuel and William Shields, Joseph Seymour, Wilson Kelsey, Thomas Haggard, and John and Charles Lent. In the spring following came E. 0. Comstock, Israel T. and Taft Cornstock. Samuel Winston, John Nichols, J. A. Ray and others. It will be noted that the majority of the settlers were eastern people, and a number of their descendants still maintain the New England and New York traditions of their ancestors. These settlers, in the earliest days, were made the subject of considerable annoyance. Marauding bands of ruffians created acute apprehension, and the choicest claims were constantly being jumped. In the winter of 1855-56 a claim meeting was called and an organization effected for the protection of the settlers.