Goodhue County, Minnesota - Red Wing Industries, 1909 (part 1 of 2)

Red Wing Industries

Busy Manufacturing Plants that Furnish the Foundation for Red Wing's Prosperity - Pottery and Sewer Pipe Making - Malting Houses - Shoes and Shoe Pacs - Hats - Furniture - Iron Works - Advertising Novelties - Lighting Facilities - Milling Concerns - Lime Burning - Linseed Products - Sand - Telephones - Job Printing - Utilizing the Forests - Brick Making - Other Concerns - Edited by Jens K. Grondahl.

In the course of a generation the city of Red Wing has changed from the Largest primary wheal markel of the world to the mosl important manufacturing city of its size in the Union. The transition has come about through changing conditions, which have gradually closed the old avenues of prosperity and opened new ones. In the early history of Red Wing wheat often came a three days' journey to find a market, the nearest competing point, to the south, being McGregor, Iowa. The wealth of golden grain which for years poured into the city made Red Wing the busiest place in the Northwest, and laid the foundation for many modest fortunes. But any community which depends upon resources which can be diverted or exhausted must in time face the serious problem of maintaining its position, not to mention further progress. Railroads have constantly reduced the natural territory of the agricultural town and the depletion of forests the lumber towns. Red Wing, partaking of the characteristics of both, has not been the exception. Time came when the tremendous wheat area tributary to Red AVing had been reduced to its own immediate surroundings, and when the traffic in wood and lumber diminished to small proportions. The city stopped in its growth, even went backward a few steps for three or four years, and the future looked dubious, indeed. Many buildings were vacant, public improvements lagged, and people were moving to other towns. Fortunately for Red Wing, there were forces at work, and had been for some years, modestly and hopefully, in spite of many discouragements, shaping for her a destiny of which the most sanguine had never dreamed. Men of brains and energy look hold of the clay deposits within easy reach of the city, to which earlier experiments had pointed the way, and turned them into products of incomparable excellence. Uultimate success, the cost of which has scarcely been reckoned by later beneficiaries who were not with the pioneers in their first efforts, not only made Red Wing famous but served as a stimulant to investments in kindred and other lines of manufacturing. The tide had turned. Red Wing was not only regaining her former position, but going beyond it. Prosperity brought more optimism, and more men invested more money and expended more energy in projects regarding whose outcome they never entertained a doubt. Failures came at times but, nothing daunted, the Red Wing spirit struck out along new lines. Fires devastated . the milling district and laid clay working establishments in ashes, but bigger plants with brighter prospects rose, phoenixlike, from the ruins.

The Red Wing spirit conquered over innumerable difficulties which would have overwhelmed men of less ability and weaker determination. As a monument to what Red Wing had accomplished up to that time and as an advertisement to the world of what the city had to offer, stood the remarkable exhibits at the Minnesota State Fair in September, 1907. The entire building, which had previously been devoted to Minnesota and the Northwest, and then hardly ever half filled with real manufacturing exhibits, was used to the last square foot of its vast floor space by live exhibits of Red Wing manufacturing industries exclusively. It was the feature of the big fair, the pride of the state and the wonderment of the people of Red Wing themselves, who had not fully realized the extent and variety of the local industries. Clay was turned into pottery, useful and ornamental, before the eyes of the interested multitudes; shoes and other footwear was made by deft hands and modern machinery; men's hats, stiff and soft, of highest quality and nobbiest patterns, enlisted great interest ; pleasure launches and marine engines grew before the gaze of the on-lookers ; picture calendars as handsome as those ''made in Germany" issued from the latest triumphs in printing machinery; furniture fit for a king projected its beautiful designs and polished surfaces into the favor of critical admirers; sand lime brick of great strength and remarkable beauty received merited attention; patent wheat flour, long recognized as the highest perfection of the miller's art the world over, manifested its quality in appetizing loaves of snow white bread. Soft drinks and malt beverages, malted barley from the large local establishments, barrels and vats for milling and malting, printing and publishing in its varied departments, tobacco and cigars from the leaf to the finished article - these and other fea- tures, backed by a publicity department which distributed tons of literature and souvenirs, served to open the eyes of our own people and the world at large to the magnitude and importance of our own institutions. Since the days of that triumph important industries have been added, and Red Wing 's future never looked brighter than today. Prospective additions to railway facilities, already quite ample, the improvement of the Mississippi river which is sure to come, with resultant reduction in freight charges, the bringing into the city of thousands of horsepower of electrical energy from Wisconsin waterfalls before this book is off the press, are among the signs of future progress.

Lit us not forget in passing that the prosperity brought about by successful industries has to a great extent fostered that spirit of civic pride which has made Red Wing as desirable for homes as for factories* The schools, churches and parks, the sanitary conditions, the marked municipal improvements of whatever nature, the protection and preservation of beautiful nature, the cleanliness and tidiness of the city as a whole - all this has been largely prompted by the same motives and the same men and the money of the men who made Red Wing an industrial center. And as belonging In those men must be included those ostensibly in other lines dl' endeavor who have invested their earnings in Red Wing industrial stocks - jobbers, merchants, professional men, the wage earners everybody has caughl the contagion of public spirit made possible by prosperous enterprises.

The following sketches give some facts and figures with regard to tin' individual establishments, past and present. They constitute simply a terse record without attempt at embellishment. They will be of interest, perhaps more to the coming generation than the present, particularly the future historian, although by no means without value to those who are now active in these enterprises, and to all who would read a story of industrial endeavor. Already there is an element of history in these sketches, because in some instances the founders of these enterprises have passed away, and in nearly all important changes in ownership and management have taken place. If, in the haste of compiling the facts, omissions have been made and errors have crept in it would not be surprising, and least of all to the writer of these introductory remarks, who has simply edited the sketches as written up from information submitted with more or less care by a large number of men to the publishers of this work. It is safe to say. however, that as a whole, this is by far the most correel and withal the most comprehensive account of Red Wing's industries that has appeared up to the present time. In some instances biographical matter, when closely interwoven with the history of the industries, has been given space in this chapter and in other cases references to industrial developmenl lias been treated in the departments devoted to biographies, the histories of the nationalities, etc., in which instances the editors may have found it expedient to omit the same from tins chapter. - Jens K. Grondahl.

Since the early eighties the manufacture of stoneware has been the most important of Red Wing's industries, and bids fair to soon place the city far ahead of its rivals in the race for the distinction of being the principal stoneware producing point in the country. Clay has been used in this county since the earliest known times by the Indians, in the manufacture of rough pottery, but the modern growth of the industry dates from the rude and crude efforts of one J? Pohl. Pohl. who before coming to this county had seen the results obtained from subjecting clay to a high degree of heat, owned a small farm in the northern part of Goodhue township on the ground now occupied by the clay excavations. To while away the dreary months of the pioneer winters. Fold determined to experiment with the clay underlying his farm. Consequently be dug some of the earth which he deemed best suited to his purpose, and with a turf-covered kiln, baked some crudely fashioned pots which he sold to the women of the neighborhood for flower pots. For some reason, Pohl did not continue the industry, and so far as is known, no specimens of his work are at the present time in existence. During the seventies, clay from the Goodhue beds was used in connection with material from Hay Creek, for the manufacture of terracotta and ornamental work by William Philleo, Philander Sprague. David Hallem and Lyman J. Boynton. The business did not prove profitable, owing doubtless to the small scale upon which it was conducted. Mr. Hallem began making pottery and was on the fair road to success when the manufacturers of Akron, Ohio, seeing a rival and desiring to crush opposition, cut the price of their own wares in two, in order to induce the Red Wing merchants to continue handling the Ohio product instead of taking up the local article. The Red Wing merchants, evidently not understanding the importance of the industry they were retarding, consulted their pocketbooks rather than local progress, and contracted for the Ohio product. This left Mr. Hallem without business, and he was forced to discontinue his enterprise. In 1877, however, with the starting of the present pottery business, he sold out to the new concern, and made for them their first set of moulds and their first kilns. Thus the clay working industries were first placed on a really substantial footing, but there were many difficulties, mechanical, chemical

The Red Wing Union Stoneware Company has an invested capital of $500,000, employs about 250 people, and makes an annual shipment of something like 45,000 tons. It is a consolidation of the Red Wing Stoneware and the Minnesota Stoneware companies, and operates the plants erected by those two companies before consolidation, on West Main street, situated near the Mississippi river and on the lines of the C. M. & St. Paul and the Great Western. The officers of the company are: President,

The Red Wing Stoneware Company had its real beginning on February 8, 1877, when a meeting of citizens was held in the city council rooms to consider1 the subject of the organization of a company for the manufacture of stoneware in the city of Red Wing. A decision favorable to such an enterprise having been reached, a committee consisting of B. B. Herbert, F. AY. Hoyt and E. AY. Brooks was appointed to prepare articles of incorporation; and C. ('. Webster and B. B. Herbert were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions to stock. On February !>. articles of incorporation were signed, fixing the capital stock of the new company at $10,000, divided into share of $50 each. A meeting of subscribers to the capital stock was called on February 10, and Peter Daniels. E. AY. Brooks, C. C. Webster,

F. AY. Hoyt, Charles Brink, B. B. Herbert and D. C. Hill were chosen the firsl board of directors. <>n February 21 the board met and perfected an organization by the election of the following officers: President. P. Daniels; treasurer, ('. ('. AYebster; se( retary, l>. B. Herbert. On September ">1 Air. AYebster resigned his office as treasurer and A. -I. .Meachani was elected in Ins place. The first six months after the organization of the company was devoted to experimenting upon the manufacture of stoneware with a small kiln and works purchased from D. Hallem. Early in August, of the same year, the board commenced grading for the foundation of the present works of the company, and on January 1, 1878. the buildings, kilns and machinery were ready for the manufacture of stoneware on an extensive scale.

The Minnesota Stoneware Company, organized in 1883. erected buildings in the immediate neighborhood of the older concern, and at the time of the consolidation was enjoying a prosperous business.

The product of the stoneware works consists of all varieties of ware, from tiny brown jugs to milk pans and great butter jars and water refrigerators. The clay, which is brought from

Goodhue township, where it is found a Jew feet under the surface, underlying a rougher clay, is brought by ears over the Line of the Great Western, and emptied into the clay pit. It is then ground and mixed with water to a proper consistency. The milk pans are made in moulds, while the majority of other articles are turned on wheels and lathes and shaped by the hands and lingers of the workmen. The ware is then dried, and afterward dipped in a solution of glazing chemically prepared, thus giving to the product a smooth, hard glaze, impervious to acids. The process is completed by the burning in the kilns. During the period of the greatest heat, rock salt is thrown onto the fire, glazing the outside of the ware. It is then ready for shipment. The ware has been widely introduced and has a reputation for sterling merit which speaks well for the honesty of its manufacture.

The North Star Stoneware Company was organized in the early nineties and continued in operation several years. It was then absorbed by the Minnesota and Red Wing Stoneware Companies and the machinery removed to the older plants. After lying idle for some time, the plant was purchased by Henry W. Woolner, of Peoria, who started to remodel it for a malting plant. In 1900 the plant w7as purchased by the Minnesota Malting Company, who completed the alterations.

Red Wing Sewer Pipe Company. With the increase of the pottery business in Red Wing, the question of the disposal of the coarse clay overlying the finer potters' clay became a most important one. This coarse clay is of practically the same geologic formation as the potters' clay, but somewhat stained with iron rust and other foreign material, thus unfitting it for the finer ware. Originally this clay was cleared off, thrown to one side, and then shoveled back into the excavation after the finer clay was removed. This involved wTaste, expense and inconvenience. As this problem increased, it occurred to several prudent minds that the coarser clay might be made into sewer pipe. To this end various experiments were made, and in 1890 the first sewer pipe in Red Wing being turned out by George Cook at the potteries, and placed on exhibition in the wdndow of the Pierce, Simmons & Co. Bank, with the inscription, originated in the mind of John H. Rich, one of the officials at the potteries, "Red Wing Sewer Pipe, Why Not?" From this piece of pipe, three feet long, the present large industry has grown.

In October, 1891, the Red Wing Sewer Pipe Company was incorporated, with E. H. Blodgett, president; F. W. Hoyt, secretary; Frederick Busch, treasurer; C. E. Sheldon, superintendent. Mr. Sheldon was the moving spirit in this organization of the company and became manager of the new concern. The factory of the Red Wing Wagon Company was purchased, machinery was installed and work at turning out sewer pipe was at once commenced, a ready market being found from the start.

( hir year later. John H. Rich, to whom belongs the credit of originating the sewer pipe idea in this city, formed the John H. Rich Sewer Pipe Company, a close corporation, of which John H. Rich was president; W. II. Putnam, secretary, and Horace S. Rich, treasurer. This company, with a capital stock of $200,000, purchased a tract of land near the old fair grounds on the line of the Duluth. Red Wing & Southern, later bought by the Great Western railroad, and erected a spacious and substantial factory of cream colored brick. The opening of this factory was a gala day in the life of Red Wing. Invitations wire sent to the leading citizens of the city and stale, as well ;is to many prominent workers of clay products throughout the United States. In response to this invitation, the multitudes gathered from near and far. February 13, 1893, and Judge W. ('. AVilliston, in a ucjii speech, dedicated the factory i<> the cause of labor. Mrs. II. A. Willard pressed the button to tie' accompaniment of the martial strains of the Ft. Snelling First Regiment Band: and as; in response, the wheels began to move, there began a new era of prosperity for the city an. I people of Red Wing.

The relations of the two companies from the first was of the friendliesl nature, and there was an amicable understanding which prevented unfriendly competition. Toward the latter part of the existence of the two companies, the officials occupied offices together. This friendly agreement resulted, in November, L901, in a consolidation of the two companies, the older company bringing into the new corporation its longer-established market, while the newer company contributed its larger factory and greater room for expansion. The consolidation was one of the business moves that has had the greatest influence upon the commercial activity of the city. The capital of the new company, which took the name of one of the consolidating companies, the Red W7ing Sewer Pipe Company, was placed at $500,000. with the following officers: President, John H. Rich; vice president, E. H. Blodgett : treasurer. Horace S. Rich; secretary. C. E. Sheldon; counsel, 6. M. Hall; directors, John H. Rich. E. H. Blodgett, H. S. Rich, E. S. Hoyt, W. C. Williston. C. E. Sheldon. W. H. Putnam and Fred Busch.

I >n February 7. 1902. Factory B. the original factory, whose building was purchased from the Red W^ing Wagon Works, was destrbyed by fire. In remarkably short time it was rebuilt, and was in operation May 12 of the same year, less than ninety days from the time of the disaster.

throughoul the United States, and even in foreign countries, the annual output being aboul 3,500 carloads. While a specialty is made of sewer pipe from four to twenty-four inches in diameter, and even Larger, there are also made culverl pipe, drain til wed curbing, water pipe, gas pipe, chimney hoods, well coping and other clay products in the pipe line. Tests have proven the advantages of the pipe shipped from Red Wing. Being a vitrified, salt glazed pipe, it is weather proof, rust proof, frost proof, and. so far as chemical tests can determine, time proof. It is not affected by electric currents, and having no purrs can be made absolutely germ proof.

The process of making the pipe is most interesting. The clay is brought in train loads from the day beds in Goodhue, and conveyed in buckets from the cars to the grinder. This grinder is a bowl about ten feet across, with a pair of circular knives that work back and forth and revolve at the same time, the bowl itself having a rapid rotation. To the ground clay is added a bit of ground potsherd, and enough water to reduce it to a consistency suited to the next process. This pasty or doughlike mass is then emptied with a scoop into buckets, which are carried to the head of the press, where the clay is forced through the casting by seventy tons steam pressure from a forty-fourinch cylinder that squeezes out every air bubble. The collar at the socket end is moulded at the same time. As the pipe comes from the press it is taken on hand trucks to the drying room, where a sponger trims off the rough edge, after which it is set on a board to set for twenty-four hours. The next day the other end is trimmed to exact length and true shape. It then stands in the drying room a week or ten days, the temperature being increased from 110 to 125 during this drying process. The pipe is then ready for the kiln. Within the kiln, the pipes are arranged with the greatest skill, the object being to get in as many as possible without crowding, and yet to have them stand true so that they will not warp. After this is arranged satisfactorily, the openings in the dome are sealed up, the door is walled up with brick and clay. Fires are then started in a series of grates around the kilns, and gradually increased until a temperature of high degree is reached, an ingenious system being arranged to distribute the heat evenly among the pipe in the kiln. At the period of the most intense heat, salt is thrown in, giving the pipe the smooth glazed finish so much admired and desired.. After four days of this baking, the kiln is gradually allowed to cool for four days, the heat being released gradually to avoid combustion of nearby woodwork. The pipe is then tested with a hammer, and as a final process is sorted and piled up in rows in the yards ready for shipping.

The process is largely one of temperature, and consequently economy consists in properly utilizing every ounce of fuel possible. To this end, Mr. Rich has perfected a system which draws heat from the kilns for drying purposes. This drying is done by exhaust steam during the day time, and at night heat is drawn from the kilns after the burning or baking is finished, through hot-air tunnels by means of a sturtevant fan which distributes the air under the lower floor.

In recent years the output of sewer pipe has been so great that the coarse clay from the Goodhue beds has been used up faster than the finer clay underneath. If this were continued, the finer clay, thus uncovered, would deteriorate through action of the elements, and the supply of raw material for the pipe has thus been limited. Consequently it was necessary to seek other clay beds and suitable ones were located in Iowa. As Red Wing was off the direct shipping line from these beds, a new branch factory has been erected at Hopkins, near Minneapolis. The new factory there is built of brick, 80x300 feet, four stories with basement. It is equipped with twelve kilns, and aside- from the main factory has a large building used as a boiler house, also drying sheds, coal sheds and shipping sheds.

John Harrison Rich was born December 30, 1856, at Lake Geneva, Wis.. to which place his father, Harrison Rich, and his mother, Martha Rich, had emigrated from Jamestown, N. V. John was educated at the Geneva schools and later worked on his father's farm until 1876, when he came to Red Wing and obtained a position as bookkeeper in the hardware store of Baker & Rich. He remained in Red Wing about three years and later devoted himself to the banking business at St. Vincent, Minn., and Pembina, N. D. He returned to Red Wing in 1882 and interested himself in the clay establishments with the determination to bring them to the front. After many years of hard work and wise financiering, his efforts wrere rewarded by more than usual success. Since then he has become associated with a great number of Red Wing's large successful enterprises, and some in other places. At the present time he is president of the Red Wing Sewer Pipe Company, the Red Wing Malting Company, the Goodhue County National Bank and the Forest Products Company. These institutions are considered separately, elsewhere in this volume. He is also largely interested in, and one of the directors of the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery Company and the Minneapolis Electric Elevator Company. In a number of other industries in Red Wing and elsewhere he has smaller interests where his business counsel is freely soughl and generously given. In politics Mr. Rich has been a Cleveland Democrat, and since the free silver campaign of 1895 he lias been an independent voter, supporting the Republican national ticket. In religious matters he affiliates with the Episcopal Church, and the Sha thick School, at Faribault, which is controlled by that denomination, finds in Mr. Rich one of its most able and interested directors. Mr. Rich is a member of the Masonic order, the Red Wing Commercial ( Ink the Minneapolis Club and other organizations. Notwithstanding his exceedingly busy life, Mr. Rich has found time to devote much of his energy to the public welfare. In 1899 he was elected mayor of the city, and he made one of the best executives that any city ever had. His fairness, his absolute fearlessness and his insight into the future needs of the city was in many cases fully demonstrated. He declined a reelection which would have been unanimously given him. He has also served as a member of the city council and on various boards in the city government. But whether in or out of office he has taken the same deep interest in the welfare of the community and can always be counted upon to give his time and means to the Desirable City. Broadway Park, with its landscape beauties, is an example of his generosity and love of civic improvement along artistic lines. In his exceedingly active life there is nothing to which he looks back with more satisfaction and pleasure than the organization of the Red Wing Civic League, which has done so much to make Red AVing beautiful, and which has set an example for civic work and civic pride even in the great cities throughout the United States. Though very successful in his enterprises, he is unassuming, democratic and easily approachable by any one who may need his assistance or advice. Mr. Rich was married May. 26, 1880, to Julia Wilder Williston, daughter of the late Judge AV. C. AVilliston. Three children have been born to them, AVilliston Canfield, Harrison Pierce and Alary Dorothea.

The malting business, comparatively a new industry in Red Wing, has outstripped in its amount of business its older companions, the lumber and milling enterprises, and stands second, in tonnage shipped, to the clay products factories.

The Red Wing Malting Company, situated in a conspicuous position overlooking the Mississippi river and the Milwaukee railroad, at the end of the Great Western line, is a landmark for all travelers who in recent years have passed through the city. The company was organized July 5, 1901, with the follow- mg officers: President, John Rich; vice president, Tarns Bixby ; treasurer, C. A. Betcher; secretary, AV. ('. Krise. These gentlemen, with L. S. Gillette, R Jameson and AY. C. AVilliston, constituted the board of directors. The first building was erected in 1901. In April, 1902, additions were made, and in 1904 the capacity and capital stock were doubled, the latter now being placed at $300,000. The plant has eight big tanks and three smaller ones, having a capacity of 1,000,000 bushels. The company employs about twenty-five men, and does an annual business of about $80,000. The officers and directors- remain the same as at the organization with the exception that B. Gerlach has taken the place of B. Jameson on the board of directors, and the vacancy caused by the death of AY. C. AYilliston has not yet been filled.

The Minnesota Malting Company was organized in 1900 and purchased from Henry AV. Woolner, of Peoria, 111., the old plant of the North Star Stoneware Company, which has been partially remodeled into a malting plant, The Minnesota company completed the alterations and started business at once, the present capacity being about 500,000 bushels annually. The original capital stock of $125,000 has been increased to $150,000. The original officers, president, F. F. Bullen; vice president, A. R. Mensing; secretary and treasurer. A. K. Bullen, have been successively re-elected to the present date. The plant employs about ten men and is situated on the line of the Great AVestern railroad.

S. B. Foot & Co. is the oldest manufacturing institution of its kind in the entire northwest, having been in business here since the early fifties. The company operates a large shoe factory and a tannery, employing about seventy-five people. The factory is located on Plumb street in a three-story brick building, where is manufactured a complete line of shoe pacs, canvas leggings and sheepskin foot apparel. The tannery is a large new brick building at Trout Brook. The present officers of the concern are: President, Edwin H. Foot; vice president and treasurer, Peter A. Nelson; secretary, James E. Teele. The history of this company is embodied in the biography of its founder.

Silas Buck Foot, now deceased, was one of those sturdy pioneers of business who helped to lay the foundation for the present commercial and industrial solidity of the state of Minnesota. He was widely known and universally esteemed. AVhile Red Wing is honored by having him as a resident since the early days, his record is nevertheless one that belongs to the whole state, and in the leather and shoe trade he was known and respected from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He was born in New Milford, Pa.. November 1, 1834, the son of a native Vermonter, who in Pennsylvania cultivated his farm and also engaged in the shoe- education in a log cabin school. After a short experience as clerk in a retail general store at Prompton, Pa., he went, in L853, with a brother, to engage in a similar business a1 San Antonio, Texas. After a year or so there, his brother falling victim to a southern fever, he returned to Pennsylvania, but soon determined to become a pioneer and seek his fortune westward, where the opportunities for pioneer endeavor were larger and broader than in his native state.

Traveling through the middle west in the primitive fashion of those days, and at the same time paying his way by the sale of patent rights, he finally, in the summer of 1857, reached Red AVing by steamboat on the .Mississippi, and, believing that here were the opportunities for advancing his fortune and establishing his home, he remained and opened a small store. He later traded this for real estate, which, in turn, was exchanged for a shoe store, with which he entered into the shoe business, taking Dr. W. W. Sweney as partner, under the firm name of Foot & Sweney. In 1858 he returned t.o Pennsylvania, to be married, and there was espoused to Lyclia Lorana Park, of Montrose, Pa., July 6, 1858. He at once returned with his wife to his western home. In 1860 ill-health and the advice of physicians forced him to take a trip westward, during which he traveled over the plains and mountains as far as Walla Walla, Wash. He returned to Red Wing eighteen months later, restored to good health. After his return, he purchased the Sweney interests and the firm of Foot & Sterling was organized. In 1872 this firm started a tannery in the outskirts of the city. They soon added to their retail business, manufacturing and jobbing of shoes and shoe pacs. In 1881 it was found advisable to move the shoe factory to St. Paul, and there this business grew and developed into the large and prosperous industry now carried on under the corporate name of Foot, Schulze & Co. Mr. Foot continued at the head of the business until the time of his death, May 22, 1908. While he retained his residence in Red Wing, he traveled almost daily to and from St. Paul, to attend to his business there. The shoe pac business and tannery were continued at Red AVing under his direction and control, arid have grown to large proportions. A large, new7, modern tannery was in course of erection when he was called from earth's activities. Of his marriage were born five sons and two daughters, the survivors of whom are Ezra P., Frederick W., Edwin H., and Bessie Park Foot. He lost -his wife January 30, 1903, after a long and happy married and family life. AVhile it was to business affairs, in which his indefatigable industry and sagacity made him pre- eminent among the manufacturers of the country, that he most largely applied his energies, he always took an active interest in public affairs, national, state and local. In 1882-83 he was mayor of Red Wing, and his term was marked by strict enforcement of the liquor laws, and the installation of a municipal water plant, in place of giving a franchise to private enterprise. He was a thirty-second degree Mason, a Knight Templar and a Shriner. He was directly interested in the business development of Red Wing and was one of the chief promoters of the Red Wing, Duluth and Southern Railway, an undertaking that made possible the success of the clay industries and which was afterward sold to the Chicago, Great Western Railway Company. For many years he was a director in the First National Bank of Red Wing. He was a member of the St. Paul Jobbers' Association, the National Shoe and Leather Association, and of other important commercial bodies. He took a deep interest in the Foot Family Association of America, and attended the first annual meeting at Wetherfield, Conn., June 5, 1907, where over one hundred descendants of Nathaniel Foot, the first settler, gathered in the first Connecticut town, where he lived in 1637. For many years Mr. Foot was a useful and earnest member of and generous contributor to Christ Episcopal church, in which he long served as vestryman, and of which he was, at the time of his death, junior warden. In 1903 he erected, as an addition to Christ church, a beautiful and costly chapel, in memory of his deceased wife.

The Forest Products Company, still in its infancy, promises to be one of the most important of Red Wing's industries. An evolution from the originally simple proposition of utilizing the timber on the overflow bottom lands up and down the Mississippi, it now represents an industry absolutely unique and constitutes an experiment which will be watched with interest not only because it represents what is likely to be a financial success, but because it also has a sentimental side - that of preserving the rapidly diminishing forest areas of this state and vicinity. The "bottoms," a maze of winding sloughs, swamp and tangled woods, frequented only by hunters, wood choppers and campers, are the wide bed of the swollen river when melting snows or heavy rains crowd it over its low banks. Receiving the flood deposits of finest silt from upland farms, these lands are both the richest and least valuable in the county. Here and there are found the rotting houses of settlers who have wasted their best years in striving with ax and fire to clear meadows and tillable fields and who have at length given up the struggle against flood and vigorous timber growth and have left the land stripped of its big timber, the only value it can ever possess.

Through the bottoms passed the procession of rafts which rendered possible the conversion of the vast forests of the North into cheap lumber for the incredibly swift up-building of the Northwestern states. The lumbermen who swarmed upon the river merely considered the bottom lands a difficult place in which to seek the 8 to 20 per cent of their sunken, strayed and stolen logs, and a source of fuel supply for the steamboats which consumed all the most valuable and accessible timber. With the gradual depletion of the pine supply and dismantling of the river mills the timbermen moved on to devastate more distant virgin forests.

Alone among all the men who had operated mills along 1^ie river. C. A. Betcher conceived the idea of utilizing the remnants of this despised bottom timber. Proposing the scheme to J. H. Rich (interested in finding a healthful out-of-door enterprise of some promise for his son. H. P. Rich) and W. T. Parrell, experienced in all practical lumber operations, he met with incredulity and suppressed derision. However, upon cruising the bottom lands all were surprised at the extent of land and timber and decided to saw all the valuable timber in the vicinity Avith a portable mill. Not content with the contemplated devastation of the banks of one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, and impressed with the wonderful productive capacity of this land, adapted to no purpose but raising timber, the plan was evolved of purchasing the land instead of the stumpage. Pro'f. Detweiler of the Minnesota Forestry School was consulted and upon investigation showed his confidence in the ultimate success of the venture by identifying his future with that of the company and undertaking the enormous task of re-stocking (re-foresting) these abused lands and bringing them up to their normal yield. As soon as sufficient acreage was acquired to insure, when brought into a proper state of cultivation, a continuous cut for the. mill, the company was incorporated in October. 1908, with the following officers: President. John H. Rich; vice president, ('. A. Betcher: treasurer, Nels Tufvesson : secretary. S. B. Detweiler. The directors were: S. H. Rich. C. A. Betcher, S. B. Detweiler. W. T. Parrell and H. P. Rich. The officers remain the same at the present time, with the exception that H. P. Rich is now secretary and general manager. On Carlson's channel, at the eastern end of Barn Bluff, was begun the construction of a modern sawmill fitted to turn out high grade lumber and with a reserve of power and space to install machinery to work all the waste from logs and tree tops into the most economical by-products, which may suggest themselves as the business develops. In August the mill started on its first short season's run and is expected to produce from five to ten million feet of lumber in every succeeding year.

Ideas and equipments have developed so largely along all lines that the company now operates one of the finest tow boats in the river, and is constantly adding to its fleet of barges, quarter boats, launches and other craft necessary to transporting material from woods to mill and taking care of the men. The forest work has been largely tentative. A quarter of a million trees of many varieties and sizes have been planted under various conditions of soil, moisture and exposure and their growth will be watched with great interest. The native young timber is thinned and culled to increase its growth and the mature timber removed as fast as it can be handled. All this work is experimental for. so far as can be learned, cultivation of trees of these varieties and on this kind of land is entirely untried, both in this country and abroad. The success of the venture will be watched with keen interest by all interested in the future of the country and by all friends of the present much-agitated subject <»f the conservation of natural resources.

Red Wing Brick Company. Brick making is another industry that has for many years been importanl in Red Wing. The old state capitol ai St. Paul was made of red pressed brick from Red Winu. Among the early brick makers of the city were Brink. Williams & Co. and Ole Simmons. The industry is at present represented by the Red Wing Brick Company. This company was organized in L905, incorporated in February of the same yeai' by Charles A. Betcher, -I. -I. Bovy, B. Gerlach, J. A. Schouweiler and Oust Lillyblad. The firsl officers were: President, ('. A. Betcher; vice president. B. Gerlach; secretary and genera] manager, -I. -I. Bovy; treasurer, < '. K. Hjermstad. The first building was erected in March. 1.905, and began operation in July of the same year. The plant then had a capacity of aboul 15,000 pei- day of a first class Pacing brick or about 18.000 common brick. The buildings now cover about two acres of ground, the main factory being three stories high. The presenl capacity of the plant is about 10,000,000 brick per annum, the product consisting of pressed brick in all shades and a fine line of ornamental stone, this output being' sold in Minnesota. Wisconsin, Iowa. North Dakota. South Dakota and Manitoba. The company employs at the present time aboul eighteen men. the plant being located in the western part of the city on the C. G. W. Ry. and the office is in the Goodhue National Bank building. The present officers of the company are: President, B. Gerlach; vice president. .1. A. Schouweiler; treasurer, C. F. Hjermstad; secretary and general manager. J. J. Bovy. These gentlemen, with F. AY. Foot, constitute the board of directors. In regard to industries of this nature the "Roek Products" for August, 1909. says: "The industry of sand lime brick manufacture is still in its in- fancy in this country, and unless all presenl and past indications fail, marvelous developments may be looked for in the uear future. This building material has already taken its place among the other t ime-honore<l building materials and lias gained a most enviable reputation. The iargesl municipalities in the East, prominent architects and building inspectors and even the United states governmenl engineers' have recognized the great merits of sand lime products. When properly manufactured they are proof against all action of the elements, including i'rost and tire. This has been conclusively demonstrated by practical observations and extensive laboratory tests. Recent statistics published by the United States Geological Survey show that there is a rapidly increasing demand Tor good common brick, which fact largely accounts Tor the rapid growth of the sand lime brick industry. Most factories confine their efforts to the production of this grade, which is invariably far superior to the low grades of common clay brick, which have gone from bad to worse in the last few years until now they really contain no structural values, either for compression, tensile strength, tire resistance or density."

John J. Bovy. secretary and general manager of the lied Wing Brick Company, has made a success of life as an educator, from which profession he is now retired, and as a business man. in which he is still actively 'engaged. lie was born in Carver county, .Minn., in the town of Norwood. December 1, 1872. His parents. John and Lucy (Schafer) Bovy. were natives of Cologne, Germany. They came to America in 1852 and settled in Kenosha county, where the father followed his trade as a blacksmith. In 1858 they removed to Norwood, Carver county, this state, and there remained until the death of the father in January. 187o. The mother died in January, 1896. John J. received his early educational training in the public and parochial schools of his neighborhood and graduated from the commercial department of St. Joseph's College. Teutopolis, 111., and the Normal School at Milwaukee, thoroughly fitting himself for the profession of a Catholic teacher. He also made a special study of music, particularly that of a devotional character, from the old masters, and became a proficient performer on the pipe organ. Thus equipped for his chosen life work, he started teaching at the age of twenty-two years. He taught at Fort Jennings, Ohio. and Mankato, Minn., with marked success, being admired by the citizens of the locality and loved and respected by the children placed in his care. In 1895 he accepted his present position in Red "Wing, where he has since become one of the leading citizens of the city. In recognition of Ids educational qualifications he has been placed on the board of the Carnegie-Lawther library.

but aside from this has not eared to seek public office. He is also a member of the Commercial Club of this city. He is a prominent member of the Roman Catholic Church, and in the Knights of Columbus holds the office of chancellor. In politics he is a Democrat, but of late years an independent voter. Mr. Bovy was married in August, 1900. to Anna M. Bush, of Red Wing, daughter of William Bush, a Red Wing citizen who is still living. To Mr. and Mrs. Bovy was born at Mankato, this state, in June 1903. one child, who died in infancy.

The Red Wing Milling Company was started in 1901 and was then known as the Simmons Milling Company. The new concern at once built a mill and elevator on the site of the old Diamond Mill and was soon in operation, manufacturing the Bixota and other brands of flour. Tarns Bixby was the first president and John Diefenbach the first secretary. N. K. Simmons was the manager. In 1907 the name was changed to the Red Wing Milling Company. In 1909 the concern was sold to a new company and the present officers arc: President and treasurer, H. C. Stebbins; vice president, J. G. Lawrence; secretary. R. L. Thompson; directors. II. C. Stebbins. John 11. Rich, J. G. Lawrence,

The Red Wing Hat Manufacturing Company was incorporated July 31, 1902, and at once started operations in a three-story brick building at 116-118 Plum street. The first officers were : President. John If. Rich; vice president; I*'. Busch; treasurer, C. P. Ejermstad; secretary, L. II. Stiles. These gentlemen, with J. R. McLain. G. Gerlach and L. S. Gillette, constituted the first ird of directors. The company manufactured stiff and soft fur felt hats, and had an annual outpul estimated at about $60,000. The employes numbered about thirty men. The last board of officers consisted of president, John H. Rich: vice president. C. A. Botcher: treasurer, Hiram Howe; secretary. AY. E. (less. These gentlemen, with Henry Willard, L. S. Gillette and

E. S. Hoyt. constituted the last board of directors. The original capital stock of $50,000 was increased to $75,000 in March, 1906. During the existence of the company the Red Wing hat had a wide sale in all the northwestern states. The company dissolved partnership August 4. 1909. and was absorbed by the McKibbon, Driscoll & Dorsey Company, of St. Paul, which will quadruple the capacity and output of the plant.

The Red Wing Iron Works produce an annual value of about $30,000. The establishment has had a longer existence under the same name and in the same location than any other concern of a manufacturing nature in Red Wing. The plant is located at the corner of Bush and Levee streets, and is owned and managed by the-Densmore Brothers, who completed the buildings in lStiii at a cost of $12,000. In 1874 the shops were destroyed by fire, but were at oner rebuilt within a period of sixty days A large amount of general repairing is done at the foundry and the output includes high grade machinery for the making of t lie lighter varieties of stoneware, capstans for boats and barges and many other metal castings. The brothers have maintained a reputation for sterling honor, and are proud of the fact that in the more than forty years in which they have been in business they have never been sued for an unpaid bill.

The Red Wing Advertising Company, which ranks among the foremost advertising specialty concerns in the United States, had its origin in the fall of 1897, whim the partnership of Sultzer, Shedd & Livingston was formed. In 1902 the business was incorporated under the title of Red Wing Advertising Company, with the following board of directors: H. E. Shedd, president; 0. M. Hall, vice president; C. S. Sultzer. secretary; W. H. Putnam, treasurer; C. E. Friedrieh. The authorized capital stock was $100,000. Later Mr. Shedd retired. In 1904 the capital stock was increased to $250,000 and the present board of directors chosen: C. S. Sultzer. president; O. M. Hall, vice president; AY. H. Putnam, treasurer; Axel Haller, secretary; Tarns Bixby. So rapid has been the growth of the company that in the last ten years it has been compelled to change its quarters six times, each time securing a larger and more commodious building and each time finding itself forced to move to a still larger place in order to handle the increasing volume of business. In 1905 the large factory building of four stories and basement which the comp.any at present occupies was erected. To this a two-story wing was added in 1909 for office purposes. This company manufactures specialties of various kinds which are used for advertising purposes, including calendars, leather and cloth utilities, and also does a great amount of bank lithography. Its line of leather utilities such as check covers, purses, poeketbooks, money bags, card cases, policy cases, diaries, memorandum books and pass books, is large and varied and of the highest quality. The check cover idea has been particularly developed, and, holding patents as it does on several of the most popular styles of this article on the market, the Red Wing company is acknowledged to be the largest bank advertising house in existence. The Red Wing cloth line is noted for its quality. All these articles - caps, grocers' aprons, swnbonnets, school bags, carpenter aprons, clothespin aprons, horse en vers, etc. - are made with lockstitch machines exclusively. The first cushion visor cap ever sold for advertising purposes was made by this concern. In the line of art calendars the company is especially prominent, purchasing outright paintings of the best artists of both hemispheres and copyrighting them so as to assure exclusive designs for its patrons. Forty salesmen are kept constantly on the road carrying this line into every state in the union. In the factory two hundred hands are employed the year round, while an office force of sixteen people is required.

The Red Wing- Gas, Light & Power Company has sixteen miles of gas mains. It manufactures 35.000.000 feet of gas per year and 375.000 kilowatts of electricity; also 1,000 tons of coke and 900 barrels of gas-coal tar. The capital invested is $250,000. The company was organized in 1872 for the purpose of lighting the streets, public buildings and private residences, under the name of the Red Wing Gas Light Company. The company completed its preparations for furnishing gas. and the streets of the -ity of Red Wing were first lighted by that material on the evening of February 11. 1873, an important event duly celebrated by the citizens. Later an electric light plant was introduced, and the company was reorganized under the present name. At this writing arrangements are being made to bring power from waterfalls at Fan < Laire, Wis., and surrounding points, to Red Wing, which is likely to revolutionize manufacture and do much to build up the future and greater Red Wing.

The Ballord-Trimbell Lumber Company has had a branch here since 1906. I hiring that year the company purchased the retail department of the Betcher establishment, and placed John Compton in charge. The company deals in building material and also does mill work. The plant is well equipped and is located at 502 .Main street.

The Red Wing Wagon Company was established in 1882 and had a capital stock of $95,000. The plant, valued at $40,000. was purchased in 1891 by the Led Wing Sewer Pipe Company, and was destroyed by fire in 1902. At the time when the company (dosed its business and disposed of the plant the officers were: President. F. W. Brooks; secretary. L. A. Hancock; treasurer, F. Busch. During the days of its prosperity the firm was an important one. turning out about fifteen wagons a day.

Gust Lillyblad, who started business in 188S by purchasing the Berglund stone quarry and limekiln in South Red Wing, is now the sole representative of the lime burning industry which in former years has been most important. Mr. Lillyblad now operates one of the original Berglund kilns and also another at the foot of Sorin's Bluff, having a capacity of about 250 barrels per day.

Lime burning was firsi started in Red Wing about 1853 by Phineas Fish, who operated just east of the south approach to the high wagon bridge over the Mississippi. He used large fragments which had fallen from the face of Barn Bluff. For a time

G. A. Carlson established the Pioneer Lime and Stone works ill 1871. His quarries were located at the south end of Barn Bluff and also in Sorin's Bluff. He operated a number of kilns and at the time of his greatest prosperity had one of the most extensive lime burning plants in the state. His efforts at burning lime by using gas instead of wood caused him heavy financial loss, and his enterprise is now abandoned.

The Red "Wing-Sheboygan Lime Company, better known as Linne's enterprise and later called the Twin City Lime & Cement ( 'ompany, was established February 15, 1889, with a capital stock of $50,000. Those most heavily interested were F. J. Linne and H. L. Braesch. This company bought out the Red Wing Lime & Stone Company and for a time it looked as though the Twin City concern would become one of the most important in the state. The enterprise was abandoned about 1890.

Charles Olson, known as -Cattish" Charlie, was another early lime burner, and as has already been noted, Robert Berglund was the predecessor of G. Lillyblad and conducted a large business. Andrew Danielson was also an extensive lime burner for many years.

.Air. Danielson Avas at one time associated in the lime and cement business with Charles Betcher. In 1879 four companies were conducting extensive lime operations, the official state report of the matter being as follows : "R. L. Berglund, 250 barrels per week ; Danielson & Betcher, 75 barrels per day; G. A. Carlson, 90 barrels per day; Oleson & Co., 90 barrels per day.*'

Red Wing Linseed Mills. - The 250,000 bushels of flax annually raised in Goodhue county furnishes raw material for another of Red "Wing's important industries, the Red Wing Linseed Mills. The concern is situated near the south approach to the high wagon bridge across the Mississippi. The plant cost originally about $66,000. an elevator and late improvements bringing its value to about $100,000. The concern was started and the first buildings erected in 1901. At the reorganization in 1907 the officers elected were as follows: President. C. A. Betcher; vice president, N. H. Withel ; treasurer, C. F. Hjermstad ; secretary, ( '. E. Betcher. Since that time there has been no change.

The Red Wing Shoe Company employs 100 people and produces from 400 to 450 pairs of shoes daily. The original capital stock of $100,000 was enlarged to $200,000 in January. 1909. and the business is constantly increasing. The planl is an artistic three-story brick building at the corner of Main and Potter streets measuring 140x60 feet at the ends, with a jog reducing the width to 45 feet in the center. The company manufactures a general line of medium, heavy and fine men's and boys' shoes, ranging from oxfords to extreme high cut, and sold under the name "Red Wing Treaclstrate "Welts." The market for these shoes is in all the Northwestern states, and the territory covered by the salesman of the company is growing rapidly. The company was incorporated February 10, 1905. by Charles Beckman, O. M. Hall, C. H. Boxrud, C. E. Friedrich, H. A. Willard. C. E. Sheldon and E. S. Hoyt. The first officers were : President and manager, Charles Beckman ; vice president, C. H. Boxrud ; secretary, H. A. Willard ; treasurer. ( '. E. Friedrich. The building was erected at once, operations were started September 1, 1905. and the first finished shoes were ready to ship September 15. The present officers are: President and manager. Charles Beckman; vice president, C. H. Boxrud: secretary, II. A. Willard; treasurer and assistant manager, Hiram Howe. The directors are: Charles Beckman, C. H. Boxrud. ('. E. Friedrich, E. S. Hoyt. \Y. H. Putnam, O. M. Hall and 11. A. Willard. -I. A. Stierman is the superintendent of the factory.

The LaGrange Mills, with a capacity of 1,500 barrels per twenty-four hours, are located on the levee at the foot of Plumb street. ;n id consist of two elevators, a mill 50x80 feet, six stories, and <\ warehouse, 60x62, two stories. The property includes the old Sheldon elevator. The original LaGrange mills were erected in 1877 and the planl was practically rebuilt in 1888. New equipment is constantly being added from time to time, and no modern machinery of proven worth is missing from the present appliances. The LaGrange Mill Company was incorporated in 1877. The capital stock was fixed at $100,000, divided into 2,000 shares of $50 each. The incorporators were O. Eames, Hiram Walers, Anarand Seebach, A. J. Grover. John Miller, J. J. Starz, Charles Betcher, J. C. Bennewitz, John Dablow, Peter Stromberg, D. C. Hill, B. B. Herbert, John C. Diefenbach and F. W. Hoyt. February 3. 1877, at a meeting of the stockholders, E. W. Brooks, Anarand Seebach, J. S. Hoard. William Hayman. H. E. Perkins, Charles Betehor and O. Eames were elected directors, and at a meeting held two days later these directors elected the following officers: President, E. W. Brooks; vice president. Charles Beteher; treasurer. J. S. Hoard; secretary, A. J. Meacham; superintendent. A. Seebach. This company was succeeded in June, 1885, by The LaGrange Mills. The first board of directors consisted of F. Busch, F. W. Hoyt. T. B. Sheldon, E. W. Brooks. William Featherstone, H. E. Perkins and B. Gerlach. The officers were: President, F. Busch; vice president. T. B. Sheldon: secre- tary, B. Gerlach; treasurer, William Busch. The original stock of $85,000 was in 1894 increased to $200,000. The present officers are: President, B. Gcrlach ; vice president, William Buseh ; treasurer, J. C. Seebaeh ; secretary, YV. S. Weiss. These gentlemen, with E. D. Brooks and Gust Lillyblad, constitute the present board of directors. The brands manufactured are the "Gilt Edge'' and the "Corner Stone," and the plant employs about forty men.

Bernard Gerlach is president of the La Grange .Mills and an officer of other local concerns. His parents, George ami Anna M. (Fux) Gerlach, were natives of Germany, where the father was a carpenter, a trade which he followed all his life. He came to America in 1851, located in New York state until the spring of 1856, then settled in St. Paul, where he died September 1, 1888. His widow still survives, making her home in St. Paul. In that city, August 2. 1860, Bernard Gerlach was horn. He attended the parochial and public schools and started life for himself as clerk in the employ of Jacob Mainzer, who conducted a law and abstract office, in which latter department Mr. Gerlach worked until March, 1879. Coming to Eed Wing on the tenth of that month, he entered the employ of H. N. W'illson & Co., in the abstract business, continuing there until January, 1880, when he engaged with the Red Wing Mills as bookkeeper in their lumher department. September 1, 1882, he first entered the La Grange Mills as bookkeeper. In June, 1885, when the company was incorporated, Mr. Gerlach was elected secretary. After that his career was one of faithful service and steady advancement. In 1891 he was chosen manager and continued in that capacity. In September, 1908, he was elected president of the company. Mr. Gerlach is a Democrat in polities and, although interested in public matters, has always avoided the lime light of public office. He has been persuaded, however, to become a member of the T. B. Sheldon Memorial Auditorium Board, in which capacity he now serves. In fraternal affiliation he is a member of the Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph's Society and the D. R. K. U. G. of Minnesota. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Bernard Gerlach was married April 29, 1884, at Red AVing to Frances M. McCue, daughter of Timothy and Margaret MeCue. Her father died at St. Paul in 1898, and her mother makes her home in Red Wing. To Mr. and Mrs. Gerlach have been born, all in Red Wing, five bright children, Flelen, Anna. Laura, Gertrude and Frances, all of whom are at home.

The Red Wing Mill Company, which from 1873 to 1891 operated the Diamond mill, the Bluff mill and the Bluff sawmill, was the project of a large number of Red Wing men who planned to build up a tremendous flouring and woodworking industry. The

The Red Wing Manufacturing Company makes a fine line of furniture which lias a wide market., its familiar label, enclosing the bird with the red winy, being extensively known. The enterprise was first established by Daniel C. Hill in 1862 at the corner of Main and Bluff streets. A small two-story frame building. 30x60 feet, with a wing 16x30, served for the first few years, was operated by steam power ami devoted to the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds and moulding. The rapid growth of the business obliged the proprietor to enlarge his works, and in 1869 he erected a two-story brick block. 50x60 feet. This building is still standing and is easily distinguished from the rest of the plant by its style of windows. The company was incorporated March 13. 1882, by D. C. Hill. C. E. Erickson, Andrew Swanson and T. K. Simmons. The original capital stock of $30,000 has been increased at various times and is now placed at $72,000. At the first meeting of the company, held April 1, 1882, the following officers were elected: President. T. K. Simmons; vice president. D. C. Hill; secretary and treasurer. AY. H. Putnam. These gentlemen, with A. Swanson and C. Erickson. constituted the board of directors. The manufacture of furniture gradually replaced the sash, door and moulding output. About sixty persons are now7 employed in the establishment. The warehouses are of brick, four stories high, measuring 120x40 and 70x38, respectively. The main building is 60x120, of brick, three stories high. The office is in a separate building. The present officers of the concern are : President and treasurer. AY. H. Putnam ; vice president. A. P. Pierce; secre-

The Red Wing- Furniture Company was organized in 1880 and the following officers were elected: President, F. \V. Hoyt; secretary, A. H. Allen; treasurer, A. H. Boxrud; superintendent, \. .1. Holmberg. The linn purchased the factory of Erickson & Swanson (established in L874), on Dakota street, and remodeled tlir building, erected a warehouse and put in new machinery. The buildings were destroyed by fire December 9. 1904. hut were immediately rebuill and resinned operations in .lime. 1905. The capital stock is $50,000 and the product consists of a general line of fine furniture, including chamber suites, buffets, dressers, combination bookcases and ladies' desks. The amount of the output annually is about $75,000, and the goods have a market throughout the Northwestern states as far as the Coast. The present officers arc: President and manager, P, Jorgenson; vice president, T. R. Bjorngaard; treasurer. \Y. H. Putnam; secretary, Victor Swanson. The directors are Peter Nelson, J. F. Swanson, Peter Kempe. T. R. Bjorngaard, M. Kappel. W. H. Putnam, O. M, Hall. P. Jorgenson and Andrew Ellingson. The main factory building is 50x100 feet, three-story brick, with a warehouse 50x 100 feet.

The Charles Betcher Lumber Company produces high grade mill work of all kinds - sash, doors, moldings, interior finishings, commercial fixtures, hardwood flooring of oak, maple and birch, end matched and steel scraped. Its factory has all the appliances and woodworking machinery and tools necessary in an up-to-date shop, and it has constantly on hand a large stock of lumber in different varieties of wood in order that it may be well seasoned for working. The capital stock is $100,000 and the value of the product is over $150,000 per annum. The officers are : President and treasurer, Charles A. Betcher; secretary, Oscar Seebach.

The company has a most interesting history that is in fact a part of the history of the city. The real beginning was in June, 1856, when Cogel & Blakely began the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. In 1859 Charles Betcher, father of Charles A. Betcher, the present president, purchased the interest of Mr. Blakely. In 1861 they purchased the old Freeborn mill, upon which site the present factory is located. The Freeborn mill was the first mill in Red Wing. It was put up by the Messrs. Pettibone and Knapp and passed through several hands before it came into the possession of the Messrs. Cogel and Betcher. In 1867 the structure was rebuilt, enlarged and improved. In 1875 Mr. Cogel retired, and since then the concern has remained in the possession of the Betcher family. At one time the concern owned many branch yards, much standing timber in Minnesota and Wisconsin and several lumber camps, as well as a number of stores, including a hardware store in Red AVing and a heavy hardware and wagon stock store in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis store was sold in 1886, and the Red AVing and other stores were later disposed of. The sawmill was burned in October, 19C5, and the branch yards and logging interests were sold, but the sash and door factory is constantly developing. This plant was burned in September, 1893, but was immediately rebuilt on a larger scale, and again enlarged in 1906, at which time the retail lumber interests of the concern in Red AVing were sold to the Ballorcl-Trimbell Company. Charles Arthur Betcher, who, like his father before him, has been prominently identified with the business and civic development of Red Wing, is a native born son, having first seen the light of day August 25, 1862, son of Charles and Alargaret Betcher, of whom a sketch is found in this history. He attended the Red AVing public schools and the Red AVing Seminary, in which latter institution he was under the able tuition of Prof. Hood. At Shattuck School. Faribault, where he prepared for college, he graduated in 1880 as valedictorian of his class and with an average of high scholarship. After having passed his entrance examinations to Yale he was offered two opportunities, one of passing through that classic institution and the other of engaging at once in his father's business. He chose the latter course and in 1881, anxious to start business, he entered the hardware store of C. Betcher & Co. Two years later he entered his father's lumber office. Thus equipped with a knoAvledge of the details of the business, he was sent to Minneapolis in 1884 to take charge of the heavy hardware and wagon business which his father owned in that city. AVhen the Minneapolis branch was sold in January, 1888, Charles A. returned to this city as secretary and treasurer and manager of the Charles Betcher Lumber Company. In this position he remained until 1903, when, upon the death of his father, he became president of the company. The sawmill of the lumber company was burned in October, 1905, and the branch yards and logging interests were sold, but the sash and door factory was increased and a large business is developing. This latter plant was started originally in the early fifties, but burned in September, 1893, being immediately rebuilt on a larger scale and again enlarged in 1906, a fuller account of which is found in the history of the company, which appears elsewhere. Aside from his interests in his own concern, Mr. Betcher has been a director of the Goodhue County National Bank since 1902, treasurer and director of the Red AVing Malting Company since 1902, president and director of the Red AVing Linseed Company since 1905, treasurer and director of the Red AVing Sewer Pipe Company since 1909, and vice president and director of the Poresl Products Company since L908. J If was one of the originators and a charter member of the Red Wing Commercial Club, and its president, L901-02. He was also originator and charter member of the Red Wing Manufacturers' Association and its president Prom 1 ! K M to 1908. His military record includes service as first sergeanl of Company (i. Minnesota National Guards, from L883 to 1VM. and as captain of the same from 1>S^ to L892. Originally an old time Democrat, he became an independent voter on the issue of free silver and Bryanism. His public offices, however, have been held by merit and irrespective of party affiliations. Among the positions with which his fellow citizens have honored him are those of member of the city council, L892-93; member of the city cemetery hoard. 1889-90, also 1906 and at present, and member of the city auditorium board, 1904 and at present. In 1908 he became president of the latter hoard. In Christ Episcopal Church, of which he is a faithful attendant, he has been vestryman since 1906. Charles A. Betcher was united in marriage February 12. 1885, to Carrie B. Eddy, daughter of E. AY. Eddy, one of the early pioneers of Minnesota. To this union has been born 0m1 sou, ( Jharles E. Betcher. whose sketch follows. Mr. Betcher is an admirable citizens in every respect, and his record plainly set forth bespeaks his merit louder than would the most laudatory encomiums. Air. Betcher has recently erected a beautiful home on Fourth street, which is one of the residential ornaments of the city.

Charles Betcher. founder of the Red Wing family of that name and an active factor in the industrial growth of the city from its earlier days, was born in Greifswald, Prussia. Germany. January 31, 1830. He attended the common and academic schools of his native kingdom and there acquired the excellent education to which he afterward added a store of business sagacity and knowledge acquired through active contact with the world of affairs. In 1849 he came to America and located in Rochester. N. Y., later taking up his residence in "Wayne county, in the same state. In 1855 he moved to Winona. Minn., and opened a hardware store with a branch at Red AYing. It was in May, 1856, that he took up his residence permanently in this city. Three years later he embarked in the lumber business by purchasing the Blakely interest in the firm of Cogel & Blakely, the firm becoming Cogel & Betcher. Later Air. Betcher became the sole proprietor. In 1889 the firm of Charles Betcher Company was incorporated. Tie discontinued the hardware business about 1893, In his latter years Air. Betcher took a deep interest in the early history of the comity and city and was president of the Old Settlers' Association. During his forty-seven years' residence in Ked Wing he was identified -with almost every public measure pertaining to its growth and prosperity. He steadily pushed ahead and saw his efforts crowned with success. He was a cautious but energetic business man. of fine executive ability and thoroughly at home in the intricate details of the various branches of business that demanded his attention. In his death, July 6, 1903, Ked Wing lost one of her ablest and most prominent citizens. In 1856 Charles Betcher was married at Pultneyville. X. Y.. to Margaret Gothrup, a native of New York state. She came to Red Wing with her husband and now occupies the beautiful Betcher mansion at the head of Fourth street. In 1907 she erected at the entrance of Oakwood cemetery the Charles Betcher Memorial Chapel, a beautiful and enduring tribute to her husband's memory.

Charles E. Betcher is the third of his name to become identified with Ked AVing business interests, his father and grandfather both having occupied influential positions in the community, the former being deceased and the latter in the prime of his activities. Charles E. was born in Minneapolis, Minn.. March by ]ss»;. only son of Charles A. Betcher, whose sketch appears elsewhere in tins volume. He came to bed AVing with his parents ;il an early age and here received his common school education, later taking a course at Hie Shattuck School, Faribault, from which he graduated with high honors in 1905, In 1905 he entered the Sheffield Scientific School of Vale University. New Haven. Conn., and graduated in 1907. At once after graduation lie returned to Red Wing and became director, secretary and manager of the Ked Wing Linseed Company, a position he still retains. Mr. Betcher votes the Republican ticket and attends the Fpiseopal Church.

The Trout Brook Tannery was organized in 1872 and for a time was in a flourishing condition. In 3880 J. F. Porter, the proprietor, also erected a sorghum mill near the tannery. Recently Mr. Porter has sold out and removed. The old tannery and sorghum mill have been torn down, and the former is being replaced by a tannery nearer town erected by the S. B. Foot Company, which purchased Mr. Porter's interests.

Fishing Industry. - Since the earliest days the abundance of fish in the vicinity of Red AYing has provided a livelihood for a number of men, and in pioneer times often saved the settlers from the pangs of hunger. At present a number of families make their living by fishing in this vicinity, the catches being sold to the Bay City Fish Company, of Bay City, Wis.

The Red Wing Filter Sand Company was organized by Adolf Gallasch, Sr., who was the first to discover and use for the purpose of filtration the silica filter sand contained in the Twin

Bluffs. Its filtering and qualities are recognized all over the United States as an effective agency in the mechanical purifying of impure water. The sand taken from the bluffs is firsl screened to take out the gravel, then it is dried and again screened to produce- the three grades, the grades desired by the customers being regulated by the quality of the water to be filtered and the amount which it is desired shall pass through the sand in a given time. The sand has a wide market and has been widely used by municipal and private water works. It is highly praised by chemists and by users. The sand is used for sand blast as well as for nitration purposes. Adolf G. Gallasch is imw the active manager of the plant, which is located near the end of West avenue, in South Red Wing.

The Red Wing Telephone Company was incorporated December 15, 1904, with the following officers: President, A. P. Pierce; vice president, C. A. Rasmussen; secretary and treasurer, D. ML Neill. The directors were the above named gentlemen and W. C. Krise, E. H. Moulton, A. J. Scherf, H. E. Akenson and R. L. Grondahl. The officers and directors have been the same to the present time, with the addition of X. H. Featherstone to complete the board of directors. The authorized capital stock of the company is $150,000. The first operation of the system was started May 1, 1905. Since then the growth of the service in Red Wing and adjacent suburban territory has been remarkable. Under the management of Mr. Neill the number of instruments in use has increased to about 1,500 and the service given the patrons is most excellent. Since its first operation the switchboard and offices have been in the Goodhue County National Bank building. The enterprise is strictly local, and has had its share in the present prosperity of Red Wing and Goodhue county.

Lovgren, Peterson & Friestad were among the first manufacturers in Red Wing. They had a plant located on Fifth street, between Bush and Plum, and for many years made wagons, sleds, plows, safes and the like, on a scale that was truly magnificent compared with the size of the village at that time.

The Red Wing Compounding Company was organized January 1, 1909. with the following officers : President, Dr. W. M. Sweney; vice president, James H. Sweney; secretary, John Hempftling; treasurer, Lawrence Penfold. The company makes a general line of proprietary articles and has a rapidly growing business with great future possibilities.

The clam fishing industry is very important in the neighborhood of Red Wing. While the main channel of the Mississippi at this point is now about depleted as far as a clam shell crop is concerned, the fishing operations are still continued in the creeks and inlets, and valuable pearls are found from time to time, a

Red Wing cigars are in great favor with local smokers and also have an outside market. The principal cigar manufacturers m this city an-: (_'. J. Bohnibach. F. J. Ha.slcr. Gt. F. Eiehinger, AY. A. JeUineck, John Malloy, G. -J. Miller and the Red Wing Cigar Manufacturing Company.

Wagons. - The manufacture of wagons is an enterprise which has flourished here since the earliesl days, some dozen Tirms having been engaged in the business a1 various times. The largest manufacturers of this line at the present time are < '. A. Erickson, Michael Kappel and M. Remshart.

J. M. Hjermstad has a machine plant and does considerable work in his line, more especially in installing machinery for other concerns and keeping same in repair. Remshardl & Oliva also do

0. R. Wermuth is now the sole representative of the fur business. In former years E. T. Howard was an extensive dealer and manufacturer in this line. EL J. Lillyblad has a glove factory which at certain seasons of the year has a considerable output.

Chapteb Kxxiii Modern Red Wing

Its Advantages, Opportunities and Wealth - Some of the Things Which Have Made It Famous - History of the Various Newspapers Which Have Been Published Here - Associations and Societies - Miscellaneous.

Red Wing is "beautiful for situation." Recently one of its citizens journeying in the Easl me1 a cultured gentleman who has held importanl positions under the government and traveled extensively. When ii was announced to him where his friend hailed from, he quickly replied, "'Red Wing? Oh, yes - it's thai very beautiful little city nestled among the blurt's, lying along the Mississippi river below St. Paul. Twenty years ago I stopped off there and climbed the grand old bluff and go1 one of the must picturesque views of my life. How very fortunate you are to live in such a place !"

This expression from the man of affairs finds an echo in tin hearts and minds of all who, as residents or strangers, have had the opportunity of standing on Barn bluff, which, like a sentinel, rises three hundred feet above the city. From its heights there stretches out a panorama of surpassing loveliness. At its base lies the city, its homes clustered here and there amid lesser bluffs, covered during the summer months with greenest verdure, while along the river front are to be seen the manufacturing industries which are the backbone of the city's prosperity.

Red Wing is not merely picturesque. The beauty with which heaven so richly endowed it would always give it a unique favor among the peculiarly attractive places to be found on Mother Earth, but, happily, its natural charms have been supplemented and augmented by a progressive population, possessed of a rare sense of the value of civic improvement and keenly alive to all that enhances the moral, intellectual and artistic as well as the material growth of the city.

Among the smaller cities of the United States, it has attracted. by its splendid civic altitude and unusual natural beauty, wide attention and been the subject of numerous magazine articles and much newspaper comment, appreciative and admiring.

Better yet, its people do consider themselves fortunate, indeed, in being dwellers in so goodly a town. They believe with all their hearts that Red Wing is what it is widely called - "The Desirable City."

There is a reason for it. It is disclosed in the facts and figures which are herewith given. Even these are not prosaic and dull, but if you note them - and we will make them as concise as possible - you will sec that they fairly bristle with business energy and throb with a life characteristic of a people committed to a love of the beautiful and a desire for the true and an ambition to "get on in the world."'

Red Wing is the county scat of "old Goodhue" - one of the most fertile and thriving counties within the commonwealth of .Minnesota. It is situated on the west bank of the Mississippi river. In all its windings, from Itasca to the Gulf, through the heart of the ureal continent, nowhere is the old Father of Waters more majestic or picturesque than at this point. Broad stretches of islands and river channels are environed by banks on which are towering bluffs, like lofty citadels, commanding the situation and adding grandeur to the scene.

Red Wing lias a population of 1'2. <-(>() and is steadily growing. The territory from which trade is drawn is a wealthy agricultural district and in this area dwell one hundred thousand people. Goodhue county, Minnesota, if which Red Wing is the shire town, has a population approaching 40,000, while Pierce county. Wisconsin, directly across the .Mississippi river, numbers more than 30,000 son Is.

Red Wing has an excellent city government. The city owns its own waterworks and is now instituting a pure water supply from artesian wells; its paid fire department is one of the best equipped and mosl efficient in the Northwest; a gas and electric company, with 16 miles of mains; a handsome city hall. The city is divided into four wards, has a mayor, nine aldermen, a hoard of public works, under whose direction many public improvements are made, and other hoards care for the water, fire department, cemetery, auditorium and public library.

Red Wing is notable as a manufacturing center. Outside of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth, it is the largest manufacturing town in the Northwest. Its record as a shipping point is significant, both by railroad and waterway. Red Wing's railroad freightage amounts to 30,000 carloads a year, said to be the heaviest amount for a manufacturing city of its size in the United States. Over thirty manufacturing institutions are located here. employing a capital of $3,000,000. having 1.500 men on a payroll which annually amounts to $600,000. and the value <ft whose products exceed $7,500,000. Among the most important of these in- dustries are two potteries, two sewer pipe factories, two malting plants, two breweries, two flour mills, a Linseed mill, a large tanaery, a launch factory, marine engine works, brick factory, hat factory, two shoe factories, two furniture factories, a large advertising novelty concern, and with them other industries, each growing and successful. The newest of these numerous enterprises is the Forest Products Company. It has purchased large tracts of timber along the river, has a sawmill and plant in Eas1 Red Wing and contemplating the manufacture of many by-products of the foresl and the introduction of a system of practical forestry on its extensive timbered areas, promises to become one of the most important of the city's commercial assets within a very few years.

From a business standpoint. Red Wing's busy factories are the mainstay of its prosperity, combined with the wealth which flows in on all sides from the fertile acres of an exceptionally splendid agricultural region, on which dwell a thrifty, industrious and intelligent people. Red Wing is the trading center forHhousands of sturdy farmers, who raise things worth raising and readily sold at high prices; Ked Wing is the home of twelve thousand people who are intensely busy making things worth making, which command attention for their excellence and are eagerly sought for in the world's markets. Under these conditions its workingmen, retail and wholesale business men. as well as those in professional lines, are thriving.

The city is making rapid progress along the avenues of community life which uplift, beautify and ennoble. A strong organization is its civic league, whose purpose is to stimulate and further the beautification and tidiness of the town. Its effective work has been shown in a crusade which ridded the city of many old signs, in the placing of waste paper cans at the corners of many streets, the care of --Webster's Way.'' which leads up Barn Bluff, and prizes offered to the children of the "Junior Civic League" for best kept flower gardens, vegetable gardens, neatest front yards and neatest back yards. A ride through the city with its boulevarded streets, lined with shade trees of many kinds, its well kept lawns and tidy yards, will reveal how thoroughly the people have caught the contagion for the city beautiful. The city itself is emulating the spirit of its citizens. Its park system is both expanding and improving. It includes two miles of river frontage. Already a portion of it. called Levee Park, is completed and, with its concrete river wall, beautiful drives and shaded walks and steamboat landing, it has become a favorite resort of the people during the summer season. Leading up from the park is Broadway, the gateway of the city. This has been beautifully boulevarded and parked through the generosity of

John H. Rich, who is a leader in the pervasive passion for civic improvement. Further extension of this parkway is planned. The Colvill park, the old homestead and residence of Col. Wm. Colvill, the hero of Gettysburg, on the river front in East Red Wing, has been purchased and made a very popular picnic ground by the untiring efforts of the Colvill Park Association, an organization of ladies of the city who are actively interested in the general welfare. Mrs. D. M. Xeill is president of this association.

Notable as Red Wing is for its business enterprise and love of the beautiful, its people recognize that there must be symmetry in community proportions as well as in all other growth if substantial Miid worthy progress is to be attained. They have nol forgotten the intellectual and spiritual forces, which are more subtle lint, nevertheless, more potenl in permanent upbuilding than the things which appeal to eye and ear. Here sight and insight, "the seen and the unseen," are rounding into form the plastic forces a1 their command, and both are emphasized.

Educationally, in facilities and in progressiveness as well, Ke<l Winy siands foremost among the cities of the state. Its public schools are noted for their excellence and the advanced position they have taken. Its high school building cost $40,000 and its curriculum includes not only the usual literary, classical and scientific courses, hut also normal, commercial, manual training, domestic science and agricultural courses. It was one of the first ten towns of the state to inaugurate a complete agricultural course. The school property already includes a school farm of seven acres where several hundred hoys and girls during the past summer planted, cultivated and raised school gardens successfully.

A new building to he devoted to manual training and domestic science, with a large gymnasium, is now being erected adjacent to the high school at a cost, when equipped, of not less than $50,- 000. With a corps of a dozen teachers in the high school and thirty-four more in the grades, under the progressive leadership of Superintendent J. L. Siloconale, the 1,500 school children are having rare advantages in the acquirement of knowledge which shall fit hand, head and heart to do their full share of the world's work.

Here are situated two schools of higher education, each excellent in its way, each sustaining a growing reputation and a widening influence. The Red AVing Seminary, for young men. carried on by the Norwegian Lutheran Synod, has academic, collegiate and theological departments, and its graduates each year go out to honor and make better the world by useful lives of service. The Lutheran Ladies' Seminary is an institution for girls and its' success is attested in the constant expansion of a very fine plant.

including dormitories, class rooms and lasl year a beautiful music hall was built. The whole output in buildings and equipment already represents an investment of thousands of dollars. The school is thriving and it offers exceptional opportunities for young ladies in its literary art, music and domestic courses.

Supplementing these schools, public and private, are the Carnegie, Lawther public library, with its reference department, growing year by year increasingly valuable; an historical society and flourishing ladies' art club.

Red Wing is a city of churches. They represent many denominations, but all are in accord in their attitude of worship and reverence for all that is good and worthy. There are many beautiful church structures and. under able pastors, the work of the different societies is flourishing. The Swedish Lutheran Church has over one thousand communicants, while other Lutheran churches. St. Paul's Norwegian, Trinity Evangelical, St. John's German. SI. Pa id's English, have strong parishes. The First Methodist Church is now building a very beautiful edifice to cost $35,000, and the Swedish and German Methodists have distinel organizations. The Presbyterians - the first religious organization in the city - are prosperous, and Christ Episcopal Church, with its graceful gothic structure occupying one of the beauty spots of the city, is thriving. Several other smaller but no less earnest parishes are doing excellent work, among them the Swedish mission Society, with its tasteful new church and parsonage.

Red Wing was one of the earliest settlements in Minnesota. Swiss missionaries came among the Sioux Indians in 18.'/S7. The first man to permanently settle here was Rev. J. W. Hancock, first a preacher to the Indians, then first pastor of the Presbyterian Church. He exerted a benignant influence over the city, Living until 1907, when he passed away like a ripened shock of wheat, beloved by little children, revered by all. Red Wing was the first home of Ha inline College, and here for long years it flourished. The city owes much to the honored men who founded and those who afterwards maintained its business and social life. Among those of recent years who have done much to stimulate civic pride and give character to the beauty and tone of life here by their gifts are Theodore B. Sheldon, who bequeathed over $80,000 to build the auditorium - the finest municipal auditorium in the United States; Mrs. Margaret Betcher, $20,000 for a memorial chapel to her husband. Charles Betcher. at Oakwood cemetery; E. II. Blodgett, a gateway to Oakwood cemetery costing several thousands; a site for the public library and more re- cently the gift of $50,000 for a Y. M. C. A. building, now being constructed, by James Lawther, one of the pioneers of Red Wing. These generous donations furthering the upbuilding of the town are but an index of the spirit of citizenship here. That spirit pervades the hearts of all - tin- well-to-do and. as well, those in more moderate circumstances, and is bound to make itself felt in the future years more and more potentially.

Red Wings past is secure. The pages of the nation's history are adorned by the illustrious deeds of its heroes, who, under Colvill, made the charge at Gettysburg one of its imperishable assets: Minnesota is indebted to it for one of its best governors, Hon. Lucius F. Hubbard, distinguished as soldier and civilian, while it has given to the world, at home and elsewhere, an unusual number of honored and useful lives. Red AVing's present is prosperous and happy. Twelve thousand thrifty people, living contentedly among its bluffs and along the Mississippi, consider it an inestimable privilege to dwell in one of the most favored beauty spots of picturesque America.

Red Wing's future looms up Large, safe ami enjoyable to those who know it best. They are confident that, with the growth of Greater America, which shall utilize the Mississippi as an inland canal for freight ami passenger service, that shall see further railroad and trolley service, that shall press into practical use in larger measure the auto and the air ship - thai in an era like this. Red Wing, with its expanding business, its widening area of teeming factories, its splendid educational system keeping pace, in public schools ami seminaries, with the besl the country affords, with its magnificenl civic spirit alive to all that beautifies and ennobles - with all these. Red Wing will continue to be for those who prize honest industry, happy homes, high civic ideals, '"The Desirable < 'it; y. ' 'Henry R. Cobb.

The Red Wing "Sentinel" was the seventeenth newspaper established in Minnesota. At the beginning it was a four-page, sixcolumn, independent sheet. The firsl issue was dated about July 20, 1855. Its editor was William Colvill. Jr., and its publishers Dan S. Merritt and -lames ( '. Hutchins. Colvill having been elected secretary of the Territorial Council of 1856. AY. AV. Phelps, then register of the United States Land Office at Red Wing, volunteered to help him out as temporary editor. It seems that neither could give the paper the time it needed, and on May 15, 1856, the "Pioneer and Democrat" announced that the editor of the "Sentinel" and its proprietors had that week printed their valedictory. The press and material were then sold to Alexis Bailly, one of the proprietors of the town of Hastings. Dakota comity, and were used to start the Dakota Weekly

published in Minnesota. No files are in existence thai --an be found. The origin of this paper was as follows: The press and material of the Ked Wing -'Sentinel" having been sold to Alexis Kailly on .May 15, 1856, and moved from Ked Wing to Hastings to start the Dakota Weekly "Journal," Red Wing was left without a newspaper. Nehemiah V. and Cornelius Bennett then stepped in with a new plant and started the Minnesota "Gazette." As the "Pioneer and Democrat, " of St. Paul, on July 3, 1856, and the Northwestern "Democrat" of Minneapolis, on July 5th, announced the receipt of the first number of the "Gazette," it is safe to assume that it was started about July 1. N. V. Bennett was the editor and Cornelius Bennett the publisher. June ti. 1857, the Red Wing "Gazette" changed owners, Mr. Bennett having sold to Dan S. Merritt. Mr. Merritt published the paper under the name of the "Gazette," according to statistics as late as July 25, 1857. and then changed the name back to the Red Wing "Sentinel." picking up the old volume and number of the '-Sentinel" and going on as though the "Gazette" had never existed.