Goodhue County, Minnesota - Chapter 27: Calamities, 1909

Chapter 27: Calamities

Terrible Cyclone - Vasa the Greatest Sufferer - "Sea Wing" Disaster - List of Those Who Perished - The Survivors - Terrible Blow to the Whole County - "Galena" Burned at the Levee in Red Wing" - Shooting of Chief Daily and Officer Peterson - Red Wing Fires in By-Gone Days.

Goodhue county has been singularly free from calamities. There have been some, however, which can never be forgotten. The niosi terrible of these was the "Sea Wing" disaster, which, while more particularly affecting Red Wing, was profoundly felt throughoul the length and breadth of the whole county. The "Galena" bore no local people, but its burning was one of the important events of the early days. The cyclone at Vasa also caused sorrow throughout the entire neighborhood, and the shooting of Chief Daily and Officer IVtersou struck horror to the hearts of the tanners as well as to the residents of the city. Red AVing fires have also had their influence on county life, as business for many miles is largely affected by any disaster which strikes a blow at the industrial activity of the county seat.

Cyclone At Vasa

A terrible cyclone visited this locality July 2, 1879. and spread death and desolation in its path. In Burnside several buildings were demolished, in Belle Creek buildings suffered greatly, and in Wanamingo three lives were lost. Vasa was the center of the storm. The following account of the disastrous events appeared in the Red Wing Republican :

About 12 o'clock, between July 2 and 3, 1870. a furious hurricane commenced its destructive course near the center of the south line of section 16, in Vasa. going in a northeasterly direction, and hitting Peatherstone near its northwest corner, beating down almost everything in its track, varying from 40 to 80 rods wide, and marking its course with terrible destruction of life and property. Commencing by tearing down trees in the school section, it crossed the Red Wing and Cannon Falls road at the house of Charles Roos, where it lipped over a granary. Gathering force ami volume it next struck the house of M. Turnquist, cleaning the place entirely. This performance it duplicated at the house of Mr. Lindstedt. A young son of Mr. Lindstedl was killed and the rest of the family, four in number, injured severely. Then an unfinished building belonging to P. Jonson was strewn around and the house of X. Anderson was cast into a wheat field, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson being slightly injured. The Orphans' Home was scattered in all directions with frightful results. Three children was found dead, one died later, and fifteen were severely injured. Mr. and Mrs. Stranberg and Mr. Wigman were injured. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Holm was carried past the Orphans' Home, and Mr. and Mrs. Holm killed, a son of the family found near by, dying later. The hurricane just passed the Lutheran church hut lifted the roof off the parsonage. The next victims were E. Swenson and a four-year-old daughter, who were hilled during the destruction of their house. Mr. Swenson died the next morning, Mrs. Swenson was badly injured. and the daughter escaped injury. Frank Hallberg lost a child eight months old and all his property. Thence in* due course Ola Anderson. August Peterson, Peter Larson. Mr. (Julbranson and Peter Johnson lost their houses, barns and other property. Other buildings and property were also destroyed."

The burning of the "Galena," a large Mississippi river steam er, July 3, 1858, was a red-letter event in the early days of the city of Red Wing. The fire broke out a little past midnight, just before the boat reached the landing, and the glare of the burning boat furnished light enough for a large part of the passengers and crew to seek safety in the water, and eventually to reach the land, drenched and suffering from the nervous shock, but otherwise unharmed. A passenger describes the disaster as follows: "The boat's freight had all been discharged at the foot of Lake Pepin. An attempt was made to gain time by increasing the speed. Before I retired the chimneys appeared like volcanoes emitting showers of sparks, and the upper deck and mid air presented a scene worthy of a pyrotechnic of the first water. But this, you know, is not uncommon. No danger was anticipated from this source, and it is not known, and probably never will he, whether the disaster originated from that source. My impression is that the fire was communicated from the lower portion of the chimney to the surrounding woodwork. About 1 o'clock, to give my own experience, some one caught my foot and shouted. 'The boat is on fire.' My state room door was left partly open for ventilation. Fortunately I had not doffed my trousers and vest. Leaping from the upper berth, I told my wife, who was also aroused, to be calm, undoubtedly with some tremor in my voice. I seized my boots, put them on, also my coat, and looked out. The alarm had not yet become general, and I hoped that the fire might not prove disastrous. The first look I gave to the bow of the boat was sufficient. The red flame, made lurid by the accompanying smoke, pierced through the cabin like a devouring tongue of an insatiate demon at the very instant. One look ! You may have read descriptions of burning ships ; you may have become in imagination, a participant in the sublime horror of the scene, which human pen can never portray; but to stand as I stood there, a living present witness, and a part of the scene itself, is fearfully and wonderfully different. One look, as I said, at that mad, wonderfully, hellish looking fiend tongue, lapping with hot greed, the ceiling, doors, curtains, glass, and stabbing through into the opposite apartments, produced a strange reaction in my soul, aweing me. as it were, into coolness and deliberation. It was but for an instant. Hurrying up and down the long saloon were crazed women, and men almost frantic. ' Where shall I go ? Save me! Save me!' 'Oh, my child, my child!' 'Fire! Fire!' ' We're all lost !' 'This way, I will save von all!' mingled in one confused uproar, with piercing shrieks and lacerating cries high over all. If I spoke then, I cannot now recall more words than these: 'Quick, Mary, give me my boy.' and those little boy hands are still dinging around my neck and the quick beat of that baby heart still meets the louder pulses of my own. as 1 live again in memory that thrilling night. Just at this moment, when a master was so much needed, no one knowing just what to do. Captain Laughton, of heroic memory, appeared like an apparition in the midst of us and said firmly, 'This way and yon will all be saved. Steady, this way.' The tide exceptions, followed without crowding, through the side entrance next the shore, which was somewhat obstructed by trunks, which eager men were anxious to get ashore, or off the boat at least, and to our joy we found the boat's how near the shore and a plank launched. A group of ladies were in advance of me. and I set up a six-foot Hoosier barrier against the crowd behind, holding hack with all my ability. In the confusion I missed my wife, hut thought her in advance, and was satisfied, so walked the plank teetering with its excited burden, and struck foot on shore with my boy in my arms. A moment more and Mary was at my side, and all our friends were saved. We turned to look at the scene before us. Already had the flames reached to the extreme ends of the long ship extending high above the pilot house, still occupied by the brave man al the wheel, holding his charge hard on the shore, and the whole heavens seemed lighted by the conflagration. Still amid the flames could be seen a flitting form and heard a wild shriek of agony; and now a boy leaps from the cabin deck and swims with vigorous stroke down the stream until the yawl reaches him. The cry of powder on board' startles with a new fear, and the crowd recedes far up the bluff and down the shore. Down falls the deck, up shoot the flames, renewed with strength, vaulting high above the tall black chimneys; crash came the huge black monsters themselves over the deck. The river seethes and hisses, as if wounded and mad with pain; the high wheel-house blazes and tumbles into the water, the cylinder head explodes and the liberated steam outrushes. The boilers fall, the flames begin to droop, the hull is burning low; the water's edge is reached, in flows the adverse element ; the boat fills and sinks, and with one loud hiss the flames expire and all is silent and dark. Among the nore notable incidents of the scene is the pilot standing bravely, coolly, at the wheel, enveloped by the flame until the boat was safe aground. He made his escape over the decks and down the rigging. Captain Laughton was twice knocked down by trunks thrown from the decks in his passage up and down to save the passengers. He had several children on board, all of whom were saved. A poor Norwegian woman, who had a cow tied on the lower deck, in attempting to liberate the poor dumb animal, lost her own child. There were several oxen and cows on board. Most of them, after being badly burned, broke overboard and swam ashore. The greatest distress and sympathy was felt for a poor girl of fourteen years, whose mother, with two younger sisters and a brother, were all lost. They were a plain, honest, earnest looking family on their way from Michigan to meet the husband and father at Mankato, Minn. This poor girl went alone to convey the sad intelligence to her father. Perhaps no one saved suffered more than William Bradley, of Keokuk, la. He was too late for the gang-way, and after spending his best exertions to save some children who clung to his limbs, and some women who persistently refused to jump into the water, although small boats were waiting as near as the flames would permit, he let himself down from the guard, and fell exhausted into a skiff then half full of water. He reached the shore and was saved, but that was all. The boy who leaped from the wreck and swam so finely said he never swam before in his life, but preferred drowning to burning and so sprang overboard. Instinct taught him how to swim. A bridegroom and bride, young and joyful, from Orin, N. Y., got ashore, he dressed in the unique costume of a hat and shirt and she ditto minus a hat. Scarcely any bag- gage was saved. I have ten checks in my pocket, but not a trunk or carpet bag. Aly little boy had on a night gown, and his mother was costumed after the manner of the bride above mentioned! Unfortunately for me, I had deposited my money in the safe, and the safe proving to be an iron box only, everything within it was utterly destroyed. The citizens of Red Wing were a humanehearted people. All our immediate wants were relieved and clothing supplied in abundant, if not always in perfectly fitting measure. ' '

The survivors, after being properly provided for, were embarked on the next boat up the river, going to their several destinations. The charred remains of the five persons who perished were tenderly and carefully deposited in coffins and buried with the usual Christian burial service in Oakwood cemetery. The wrecked hull was drawn up on the sand with considerable difficulty, but was not removed until some time later. On October 31, 1859. the prominenl citizens of Red Wing, realizing thai the wreckage was bt)th unsightly and ;i menace to traffic, petitioned that the mayor of common council appropriate $300 to be used in connection with what would be contributed by the packel company, to have the obstruction removed, hater tin- removal was accomplished. The petition is still in existence, and the list of signatures is herewith published, as it shows the names of the principal men and business companies living in the city at that time. The signers were: K. X. McLaren, Peter Meresole, Andrew A. Teele, <;. I. Cooper, s. B. Foot. Edward L. Teele. Orton P. Ward, A. Daniels, jr.. II. A. Park, Towne & Pierce, Clinton G. Reynolds, C. 11. and K. L. Baker. P. Sandford, IT. C. Hoffman, I. S. Kellogg, S. YV. Chaffee. T. Le Adams, das. ('. Hawes, J. E. Simmons, Mc- [ntire and Sheldon. W. L. Webster, T. B. Mc< lord, J. M. Hodgman, W. C. Williston, AY. I). Bevans, Thomas I. Smith. Albert Hall, S. A. Bevans, < '. E. Bolander, John M. Ives, 0. B. Rosco, P. Brundage, Alan Comstock, W. W. DeKay, William Freeborn, Fric Peterson, William Burrill. J. C. Weatherby. J. W. Brown, E. M. Borsil, Seth T. Norton. AY. W. Sweney, J. M. Friedrich, Charles Kemp. R. B. Smither. S. A. Hart. AL Hickman and Bro.. F. P. Downing. Jared Sexton. AYilliam Sexton, W. L. Grow, F. AY. Little, Smith Aleigs & Co., Brown and Betcher, Orin Densmore, Hubhard and Davis. AL L. Chamberlin, F. C. Howard. Geo. AY. Park, A. W. Esping. E. P. Lowater, Q. Bunch & Co., John Carroll, George AYilkinson, AY. Bristol, A. B. Hawley, W. W. Phelps, J. Going, Fred Joss, Francis Ives, T. I. Little, A. G. Littlefield, William Lauver, G. W. Woodley, H. Pettibone, James G. Stoddard. Andrew Cook, J. H. Brand. Phallappe Hoffman, E. J. Wilder. ('. McClure, A. B. Miller and Watts Sherman.

Aboul 8 o'clock on the morning of the thirteenth day of July, L890, the steamer "Sea Wing," 110 tons. Captain D. N. Wethern, with a crew of ten men, of Diamond Blurt'. Wis., left that place, towing a barge, and carrying eleven passengers, bound on an excursion to the encampment of the First Regiment, M. X. C, at Camp Lakeview, about two miles below Lake City on Lake Pepin. At Trenton twenty-two prisons went on board, and at Red Wing about 165 others, for the same destination.

The day was intensely 1ml. with low barometric pressure. From about 5 o'clock p. m., for over two hours, storm indications were visible to the northwest and north, a tornado having in fact, in that time, destroyed several houses and killed five or six of their occupants, near St. Paul. Captain Wethern, although the skies were threatening, believed it safe to venture out, and the boat with all tin- excursionists and some others, on board, set out for Lake City on the return, a little past 8 o'clock. The storm gathered very rapidly, and the wind was blowing, by signal service measurement, sixty miles an hour.

When near the middle of the lake, and five miles above Lake City, the "Sea AVing" was suddenly completely capsized by the wind. A cry was heard, "Cut the barge loose," and an employe of the boat cut the ropes which bound boat and barge together; they soon drifted apart and were separately driven ashore. The people who were upon the barge were all saved. Life preservers had been pointed out to passengers and many had put them on, before tin- boat capsized, but some had not done so. Many were imprisoned in the cabin, and some were otherwise so caught, or injured, that they were unable to escape. Planks, boards, life preservers, chairs, etc., were floating about, and many saved their lives by securing some of them. The thick clouds made the night so dark that only by the lightning flashes could one see to gain help, or to render any. Many deeds of heroism were done among these people suddenly hurled into the waves. Men able to swim supported others, until they could be drawn upon the wreck, or could pick up some plank or life preserver, or even swam with them until picked up by rescuing skiffs. The efforts of swimmers, and the winds and waves landed them at widely separate points, two boys even getting to shore on the Wisconsin side.

When the barge grounded, men jumped out and hurried through the surf to the shore and then ran to Lake City and to tin1 camp for help. Skiffs and men were obtained from Lake City and scores of young men from Lakeview. The skiffs were vigorously employed in picking up the survivors and bringing off those who were still alive on the wreck. The night was spent in the rescue of the living and the recovering of the dead. A dispatch was sent to Red Wing and on the request of the chief of police a special train was sent by Division Superintendent Underwood, of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, about midnight.

The steamer Ethel Howard. Captain J. G. Howard, arrived at Red AVing about 6 o'clock. Monday morning, with forty-two bodies of the dead. 3*nd the steamer Nettie Durant with eight others about noon.

Later on Monday the steamer Luella, Captain Antoine Rocque, of Wabasha, a powerful raft-boat, on her way down, came opposite the scene of disaster. Captain Rocque made his raft fast to the "Wisconsin shore, steamed across the lake, and placed himself. boat and crew, under the direction of those in charge of the search for the Lost. 11 was through his labor, continued all day and until nothing more remained to do, that the wreck was pulled aear to shore, and under the force of the Ethel Howard also, so pulled to pieces thai the cabin could be opened and the whole wreck thoroughly searched, in the course of which fifteen other bodies were found and forwarded to friends at Red AVing. Adjutant-General J. 11. Mullen was very helpful in inspiring and directing the work on Monday and Tuesday.

The hike ^vas vigilantly patrolled on Tuesday, and dynamite was employed in the hope of raising the bodies, the operations being conducted from Captain Berkey's steam launch by Lieutenan1 E. P. Glenn, I'. S. A. Only one body was recovered, however. On Wednesday the same watch for Moating corpses was maintained by skill's and by the steamer Wanderer. The passing of the steamer Menomonee over the place of the disaster caused one of the bodies to appear, and the services of the boat were bespoken to endeavor to raise the others. She continued her movements with such success thai thirty-one more, making all of the victims but one, were recovered and sent to Red Wing. The last, the ninety-eighth body, was found Thursday morning, and with its recovery the work at the lake was finished.

Through Monday the work upon shore, at the scene of the disaster, was mainly in the hands of the officers and men of Company G, First Regiment, M. N. G., Captain C. A. Betcher, the citizens of Lake City, and other members of the soldiery from the camp. During subsequent days the people of Lake City were led by Mayor Stout, and the soldiers assisted, operations being then in charge of a force sent by the Red Wing City Council, nineteen men under the charge of Street Commissioner William Llewellyn. The force was kept constantly at work by proper reliefs. A representative of the city council was present nearly

In Red Wing business was practically suspended for four days. Upon the arrival of the remains of victims they were taken in charge by the coroner until properly identified, and then delivered to the relatives, friends, or associations claiming them for burial. Funerals began on Monday evening and continued through thai and three following days. The* tolling of bells was almost incessant, and some funeral procession was traversing the s1 reets every hour.

The deceased who had lived in Diamond Bluff, ten in number, and those who had resided at or near Trenton, numbering ten, were taken for their last rites to their former homes.

The societies which attended to the obsequies of members, or families who had perished, were the Odd Fellows. Sons of Herman, Grand Army of the Republic, Women's Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans. Patriarchal Circle, Ancient Order of United Workmen. All the people of Red Wing were diligent and untiring in rendering assistance to their neighbors so suddenly overwhelmed with sorrow.

The services at the respective funerals wTere necessarily brief. There were sermons in most of the churches on the following Sunday, inspired by the sad experiences of the week. But the public demanded something more. Memorial services on a day set apart for the occasion was everyone's desire. The common council appointed a committee of arrangements for such a service on Monday evening, the committee consisting of Aldermen Friedrich, Hack and Oliva. The board of trade on Friday appointed a committee consisting of Charles Betcher, L. A. Hancock, Peter Nelson, M. S. Chandler and J. H. Rich, to eo-operate with the committee of arrangements of the council; and a committee on resolutions, consisting of F. M. Wilson, S. J. Willard, W. C. Williston, S. P. Jennison. E. T. Mallory.

The board indicated its wish that the services be held on Friday afternoon, July 25, and that Hon. E. T. Wilder be requested to deliver the oration, or, if he should decline, that he preside on the occasion. The committee of arrangements met together and chose Charles Betcher chairman of the joint committee.

Grand, yet simple, solemn, yet comforting, were the services commemorative of the great catastrophe. The day surpassed the promise of its predecessor. The sun shone from an almost cloudless sky, a haze intercepting the full force of the rays. A gentle breeze agitated the air, the sole remaining requisite for a perfect summer day. The majority of the business establishments were early appropriately draped with black and white, expressive of general sorrow. At noon the stores were closed, the factories shut down and tbe citizens as a whole prepared to join in the observance of the day.

Thanks to the generous co-operation of the ladies of the city, both those named on the committee and others, the floral decorations were abundant and the most beautiful ever seen in our city. From the north gate entrance of the City Park, where the observances were held, a picture was presented that brought tears to many eyes. Tributes from loving hands and loving hearts were visible everywhere. Above the gate itself was raised a high arch, draped in mourning. From the center was suspended a magnificent star. On the other three gates were raised dark pillars appropriately draped and hung with wreaths and garlands. In the avenue, leading up to the platform in the center of the park, garlands were festooned from the trees on both sides.

Midway between the speakers' stand and the main entrance to the park, stood an obelisk twenty feet high bearing the ninetyeight names of those in whose memory the services were held. A dark and beautiful ivy encircled the obelisk softening its marble hue and a tiny boucpiet of flowers had been placed by each inscription. The names were inscribed on one side of diamond shaped mourning cards, the other side bearing the date of the disaster. These were fastened to the obelisk, in such a manner that at the close of the services they could be removed by friends and relatives and taken home as souvenirs with the tiny bouquets and a small wreath.

Just beyond the obelisk, on a stand most ingeniously wrought of rustic birch, stood a magnificent floral tribute, still another proof of the kind and sympathetic hearts of the citizens of Lake City. It was a floral mound four feet square and about a foot high. Each of the four corners bore a different design. On the front side of the mound, looking toward the large gate, was the word ''Hope,'* most artistically fashioned of small white flowers and forget-me-nots, while on the side facing the obelisk, the word "Rest" lay imbedded in dark moss. In the center of the mound, resting on a snowy ground of white roses, stood a cross and anchor, each nearly two feet high. Tin- cross was of yellow roses and the anchor was of tuberoses with a top of smilax.

The speakers' stand was festooned with black and white draperies, garlands and wreaths. Over the top floated the flag ;ii half-mast. Across 1he canopy in front was an arch bearing the motto, "AVe weep together," made of flowers over a black background. A large platform on the right presented a white wall with the following:

"For youth is life's green spring, and he who goes In the full strength of years, matron and maid And the sweet b;ibe and the gray-headed man,

Along the whole front of the speakers' stand was a wide memorial bank of offerings. Those were tributes from individuals and societies comprising varied and numerous designs, of crosses, wreaths, anchors, and pillows, also a beautiful tribute representing "Gates Ajar." At the close of the exercises these, with a large number on several adjoining stands, were presented to the friends and relatives of the departed ones. Besides these, crosses, three and four feet high, were arranged around the park, while many beautiful emblems, presented by different societies, were suspended from the surrounding trees. Upon one of the stands were tablets with the following verses:

Via Crucis, Via Lucis

With the early trains there came people to the city from above and below, residents of neighboring cities, old citizens of Red "Wing and friends of the afflicted, all to join in the general expression of sorrow and sympathy.

At 2 o'clock the bells of the city commenced tolling. It was the signal for assemblage. The mourners came, the societies formed at their headquarters and marched to the park, where all were received by the members of the park reception committee and conducted to seats. Along each side of the entrance were drawn up a line of members of the local militia company, while the members of the fire department patrolled the grounds.

Shortly after these had arrived came a special train from Lake City, and almost at the same time another arrived from Rochester. With the former came about 500 people from our neighboring city by the lake, and with the latter nearly 200 from Rochester and Zumbrota. A large delegation also came in from Cannon Falls. After the seating of the visitors, the park was thrown open for general admission. Seats had been provided for 2,500 people. These were all filled and as many more people were standing.

In the grand stand were seated the speakers, ministers, officers of the day, and members of the committees. Directly to the back, in the temporary stand, were the ladies of the decorating

The services were opened by Hon. E. T. Wilder, president, at 3 o'clock, and proceeded in the following order: Invocation, Rev. J. H. Hancock; reading of resolutions, Hon. F. M. Wilson; reading of messages, ex-Governor h. F. Hubbard; hymn, "Rock of Ages." chorus; oration. General S. P. Jennison ; selection, "The Chapel," Company G Glee Club; address. Hon. W. C. Williston; hymn. "Lead Kindly Light," Mrs. Crouse and choir; address. Hon. Wesley Kinney; hymn, "Latom oss for Herren Gladjas," Swedish Lutheran Choir; address, Hon. 0. M. Hall; hymn, "In the Hour of Trial," Company G Glee Club; address Rev. W. C. Rice; benediction. Rev. J. Wynne Jones; Doxology.

Thus ended the public observances, but to this day in the hearts of the hundreds is cherished the memory of those who left Red Wing on that fated day so cheery and full of life, only to be brought back as lifeless clay.

Police Officers Killed

Tlie shooting of Chief of Police James Daily and Police Officer John Peterson, on the evening of January 14, 1907, was probably one of the most terrible tragedies ever enacted within the limits of Red Wing. A man named August I 'doom, who had been a Red Wing barber, escaped from the insane asylum at Rochester, and appeared about his old haunts in Red Wing. The Rochester asylum authorities, though notified of his presence here, failed to take any measures to capture him. At first the local authorities allowed him his liberty, thinking him harmless, but when he began making threats it was decided to place him in confinement. At a little after fi o'clock on the afternoon of the day in question Bloom registered in the Sibley hotel, then took a walk, and at about 9 o'clock again entered the hotel, followed shortly after by Chief Daily and Officer Peterson. They had scarcely gotten into the office when Chief Daily asked Bloom how long he was going to stay in Red Wing and if he was going to St. Paul. To this Bloom answered no, and backed up toward the counter in the hotel office. Chief Daily, facing him, said: "I understand that you have been threatening people," and Bloom, still retreating, stepped into the doorway of the hall leading from the office room to the main stairway, and said in reply: "Go away or I will - The chief drew his club, but Bloom was quicker and in an instant drew a" revolver from his pocket and aimed point blank at the chief. The first shot missed fire, but he fired again and the second shot struck the chief in the left shoulder and Daily staggered back, and as he fell the third shot was fired by the insane man. taking effect in the abdomen. Bloom then fired again, striking

Officer Peterson, who was coming up the steps. Officer Peterson walked to the office of a physician nearby and notified dim 0f the tragedy. The men were taken to St. John's hospital, the best local medical and surgical talent was summoned and a specialist came on a special train from St. Paul. The efforts, however, were unaArailing, and the two officers died on the evening of January 15. The funerals were held at the Catholic and Presbyterian churches, and the city went into mourning. Bloom was captured in a house where he had sought shelter a few hours after the tragedy and was committed to the asylum at Rochester.

Red Wing Fires

Disastrous fires were frequent in Red Wing before the present system of water works was completed in 1885. The first fire was the burning of the Indian bark houses in the spring of 1853, an account of which has already been given. The first dwelling house among the whites which was burned to the ground was built, owned and occupied by Thomas M. Lowater. It stood on the corner of Third and Fulton streets. A defective flue was supposed to have been the cause. Loss, $2,500 ; insurance, $1,000.

The next fire of any importance was the burning of a block of stores, corner of Main and Bush streets, together with the stable and barn of the Red Wing house, which stood near the block on Bush street. This fire broke out about noon, October 28, 1857. This block was at the time the finest business structure in the town. It was. built by James Lawther less than a year previous. The stores were occupied as follows : Peter Meserole, hardware ; S. B. Foot, ready-made clothing ; H. Lowater, books and stationery; J. M. Sylvester and W. L. Webster, jewelry. Offices in the second story were occupied by Charles McClure, a lawyer, and C. H. Connely, a physician. The greater part of the goods in the stores were saved, but the building was a total loss, estimated at $5,000.

A hook and ladder company had been organized at this time, which did effective work in preventing the flames from spreading. Water was brought from the river in buckets by hand to stop the flames from spreading. Not men only but women and children were employed in this bucket brigade.

The year following the Kelly house barn was totally consumed by fire. This house was afterward named Central house and situated on Plum street. The barn stood just in the rear of the house on the alley, and the contents, hay, grain, harness and carriages, were all consumed. Total loss, $2,500. The house was kept by W. L. Webster and was saved with great difficulty. The furniture was much damaged by hasty removal. This fire was the work of an incendiary, at leasl so reported.

In June, 1865, the hotel, which was the first frame building erected in Red Wing, was wholly consumed by fire. This hotel stood on the corner of Main and Bush streets and was called the "Teepetonka," owned and kept by Jacob Bennett. The fire broke out early in the morning. When first discovered the kitchen in the rear was all in flames. The furniture in the front part was nearly all saved, but the house, with several contiguous buildings, was reduced to ashes. It was through the utmost energy of our citizens that the whole row of wooden structures on the south side of Main, between Bush and Plum streets, was not consumed. The hook and ladder company did efficient work on the occasion, as also did the volunteer bucket brigade.

January 15, 1880, in the evening, a building on Bush street, which had been occupied by Melntire & Sheldon as a store, was burned. The building had been unoccupied for a long time and belonged to Charles Bryant. Before the fire could be put out there was nothing left but the bare walls. Insured for $1,000.

On the evening of April 9, 1882, a fire started between Main and Third streets, which, before it could be subdued, swept over and destroyed nearly half a block of buildings in the business part of Red Wing.

About 8 o"clock Faster Sunday evening fire was discovered in an unused shed standing in the rear of Henry Nelson's tailor shop and adjoining Webster & Perkins' livery stable. Mr. Nelson's foreman was in the shop and notified the men at the stable, who gave the first alarm. The shed was half filled with straw at the time, and the flames spread very rapidly. In less than fifty minutes the whole cluster of buildings was a seething mass of ruins, reaching from the Livery stable east on Third street to the blacksmith shop of Robertson & Mathews, west to Broadway, and north to Main street. Every building was destroyed with the exception of the brick block on the corner of Main and Broadway. The large opera house, on the corner of Broadway and Third street, was the most valuable building destroyed by this fire. The original cost of this, with the lot, was $24,000. Several costly improvements had been recently added. Nothing of importance was saved of its furniture and fixtures. Insurance, $6,000. A number of families were deprived. of a home for a time* by this fire. C. P. Belin and family occupied rooms in the upper story of Webster & Perkins' livery stable. Mrs. Belin had gone to church, leaving her infant child in care of an aged invalid mother. The two were saved with difficulty. G. Easterly and Tilda Carlson, sewing girls, occupying rooms adjoining, saved their lives but lost all their effects except one sewing machine. A Mr. Bragg and family, occupying rooms over one of the buildings on Main street, escaped with their lives, yet lost most of their furniture. J. Kulm. occupying the baseraenl < > t" the opera house as ;i residence and restaurant, saved bu1 ;i small portion of Ins goods. Dr. Gr. Allen lived in a brick house on Broadway, which was burned with the barn, and the contents of both were nearly all destroyed, the family barely escaping. Another brick house, occupied by A. Steinerson and family, was also destroyed, with most of the furniture; lives saved. Among the buildings eon sumed on Main si reet at this 1 hue were : An omnibus stable, Raymond & Wright; the express office of S. W. Roberts: 1 he secondhand store of J. J. Quale; and Mr. Bragg's meat market. On Third street, besides the opera house and livery block, the tailor shops of H. Nelson and .John Norquist and the hardware store of John Delano were consumed and the blacksmith shop next to the hardware store damaged materially. During the time of this fire the wind blew from the east a perfect gale. The air for a considerable distance was filled with Hying cinders. Watchers were apprehensive of a more extensive conflagration. There had been a heavy rainstorm the night before and the roofs of buildings were so thoroughly wet that the holocaust was prevented.

In 1882. June P>. a tire broke out about 1 o'clock a. m. in the drug store in the brick block on the same corner of Bush and Main streets, where the old Tepee-tonka had formerly stood. The drug store was kept by J. L. Kellogg. When first seen the fire was in the rear end of tin1 building, but in a few minutes the inside of the salesroom was a seething mass of flames, which soon burst out both in front and rear with great fury. In the second story, just over the drug store. Dr. W. W. Sweney had an office, which was considerably damaged. Adjoining the block was C. E. Sheldon's jewelry store, fronting Bush street, whose stock, consisting chiefly of fine crockery, was taken out with such haste as to be damaged to the amount of $800. On the Main street side, adjoining, was the large dry goods store of C. Belanger. His stock was also injured by removal and the water so as to occasion a loss of $500. Goods were removed from several other stores and offices before the progress of the fire was arrested, and the total loss by this fire was estimated at $12,000; mostly covered by insurance.

The same year a series of fires occurred on September 18. At about 7 p. m. a room in the second story of the Scandinavian hotel, on Potter street, was discovered on fire, which was soon extinguished by a few buckets of water. The fire was on a bed which stood near an open window. It was supposed that some one threw fiery missiles from the street in at the window. About an hour later another alarm was sounded, and the Lyon's house stable Avas found burning on the corner of Third and Plum streets. All efforts to save this building were unavailing, but while it was still burning another cry of fire was heard over on Broadway. This fire commenced in the rear of the barn belonging to the National hotel. Soon the barn was on fire, and the hotel, with a building adjoining, were all reduced to ashes. It seemed that all the firemen could do was to prevent the destruction of the furniture factory and the dwelling of Mr. Hastings. The National hotel was owned at the time by Charles Betcher. His loss was estimated at $5,000; insured for $1,000.

March 4, 1883. the Diamond and Bluff mills, with several adjoining buildings, were totally destroyed. These mills, together with the Bluff saw mill, were all owned by a joint stock company, which employed about one hundred men and turned out one thousand barrels of flour per day. The saw mill only was saved from the devouring element. These mills occupied the whole front of Levee streets from Barn Bluff to the foot of Potter street.

At about twenty minutes after midnight George King, engineer, and Charles Bailey, fireman on the yard engine of the Milwaukee railroad, noticed an unusual light through the windows of the fourth floor of the Diamond mill. They immediately started their engine down the track to get a clearer view and soon decided that the mill was on fire. They commenced giving the alarm by blowing the engine whistle. The mill whistle commenced sounding at almosl the same time, and very soon the bells of the city added to the dismal chorus. The fire had evidently been set by some person who was familiar with the const met ion of the mills during the change of the night watchmen. The early watchman had completed his rounds at 11:30, as shown by his time detector, an instrument which the watchmen were required to carry. He had turned over the watch to the other watchman and gone home. The later watchman had come, put on his detector, examined the water gauge, looked into the fire room, went to the engine door to lock it. and. looking out, discovered the fire and immediately gave the alarm. Engineer YY. A. Potter was the first at the mill and W. II. Norris was there soon after. Potter started the pump and Norris rushed to the fourth floor to turn on the water, but was driven back by the smoke. F. ( '. BoyntOD made a similar attempt, but failed in the same manner. The fire engine was soon on hand and throwing water, but the flames had obtained such a headway that the elevator and warehouses, with the Bluff mill, were soon destroyed with the contents. The firemen succeeded in saving the saw mill by wetting it down. The fire raged fully five hours before it was under control. The total loss was estimated at rflO.OOO. The total insurance was $173,000.