Jackson County, Minnesota - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 24 of those read), 1910

Muskkats, Politics And Beuoion

YOU know in those early days almost everybody caught muskrats - ministers, lawyers, and if we had happened to have had doctors they would have been compelled to catch muskrats in order to have made a living. Eev. Peter Baker may or may not have caught muskrats, but if he did it would have been regarded as honorable, legitimate, if not absolutely necessary.

It is said that on a certain Sunday an appointment had been given out for a meeting at his house, and the settlers had gathered from far and near until the little house was completely filled. He was about to open the exercises when some of his family stepped up and quietly informed him that there was a mink in his trap. Now, mink skins were worth three or four dollars at that time, and for once the good elder halted between two opinions - whether to immediately supply spiritual food to that audience, or bread and butter to his family. He concluded he could supply both, asked to be excused for twenty minutes, and proceeded to his trap, not far away, dispatched the mink, reset the trap, and returned to his waiting audience. When he left he was about to give out the familiar hymn:

Yes, nearly all caught muskrats in those days. County officers caught muskrats, and it was almost necessary that they smell of muskrat in order to be elected. Why, I happened to be elected to the 1^- islature one year, and when I got down to St. Paul they doubted whether I ought to be sworn in because my certificate of election didn^t smell of muskrat; and do you believe it, when the session was about half elapsed, Clark Thompson, who then owned the Southern Minnesota railroad and about half the land in southern Minnesota and wanted to scoop in what there was left for the railroads, brought down a trapper from liie southern part of Martin county, whose credentials were perfectly saturated with muskrat, and they actually unseated me, sent me home, and gave him my seat. Of course he was placed upon committees where I had served; consequently the trapper was chairman of the committee on printing for the re-

An Eaely Marriage

I want to relate one little incident to show how prompt our officers were in performing their official duties. At the first town meeting held in Des Moines, April 2, 1866, there was one Simon, whose surname was Olson, who was elected a justice of the peace. Upon the same evening of the election he took the oath of office and filed his official bond, and, being furnished with a copy of the statutes of Minnesota, he went home a fullfledged squire. Whether he slept any that night or whether he sat up all night to study law we are not informed; but the next Monday he ate his breakfast as usual, donned his best suit of store clothes, and, after looking in the glass to make sure that he was the right man, took the statute under his arm and started to find a job.

He had not far to go before he foimd a woman who seemed perfectly willing to sacrifice herself upon the hymeneal altar, providing a suitable man could be secured. After some difficulty, he found a man that, to all appearances, was eligible to fill the responsible position of husband, and, after using some very persuasive arguments, the man came to the conclusion that it was not best for man to live alone, and, accordingly, accompanied the squire to the residence of the lady aforesaid. Whether the squire read the constitution of the United States or the declaration of independence, or what the ceremony was, we are not informed, but it concluded by his pronouncing them husband and wife according to the form of the statute in such cases made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the state of Minnesota.

Troubles Of A Justice

Many ludicrous, as well as distressing, events occurred in Jackson county during the hard times that occurred soon after the county was organized.

When the first town meeting was held in Petersburg, in April, 1866, two justices of the peace were elected, one living in Petersburg township proper, the other living near Loon lake in what is now Minneota township. As everybody was peaceably inclined, there was not much for a justice to do that year. But about Christmas time the Loon lake justice was overwhelmed with work. Six people came to him desiring to be made into three, and such a wholesale order was not to be cast aside. He proceeded to perform the marriage ceremonies in his best style, and the newly married went away happy.

Three or four weeks later some one informed the justice that he had made himself criminally liable for marrying people who had not first secured a license. He became alarmed and sought advise as to the best way out of the scrape. Some one advised him that the best way would be for the parties to procure licenses and be married over and thus legalize the affair. This struck the justice as the proper way out of the dilema, and he proceeded to notify the parties accordingly. The first couple thought so, too, and wanted the job done up strong. The second couple were satisfied and said they would risk the former marriage. The third couple lived just over the line in lowa^ and when the justice broke the situation to them, the man said: "Good; I am glad of it; Fve had enough of married life; 1^11 quit and don't want to be married again." The woman chimed in: "All right; if you're sick of it, I am, and if you want to leave, leave, so now/' And they separated. This is the only instance on record where a justice of the peace granted a divorce.

Early Justice Courts

The duties of early day justices of the peace were not entirely taken up with performing marriage ceremonies, and sometimes the courts were attended with ludicrous scenes and results. George C. Chamberlin, in the Jackson Republic of January 27, 1888, tells of his recoUectioui? of some of these events:

^T recall the first justice court held in Jackson, or on the original townsite. It was early in the spring of 1867, and was held in T. A. White's store. A Mr. Blackmer was buidling a mill up the river and refused to pay the farmers in the vicinity who had labored in the construction of the mill and dam, and naturally they commenced an action to recover. Mr. Blackmer brought M. E. L. Shanks from Fairmont to attend to his interests, and the boys here secured one of our citizens to prosecute the case, there not being at that time a lawyer in the county. Major Bailey was the justice, and he and the unlearned and unlicensed home attorney beat Blackmer and Shanks, but Blackmer beat on execution.

"That little building on the corner of Second and Ashley streets is replete with scenes and incidents of early days in Jackson. It was the first building lathed and plastered in the county. Commissioners held sessions there; Rev. Peter Baker held services there, and during the winter of 1867-68 school was taught in the building. Major Bailey was holding court there on one occasion when Evan Herbrandson led up a smiling damsel, and, looking square in at the door, announced matrimonial intentions; whereupon the Major suspended proceedings, and right then and there made two hearts beat as one inside of five minutes, and then went on with hifi court.

^There were occasionally assault and battery cases in those days that never came to trial. I recall one case where the doctor who was called to attend one of the parties to a scrimmage reported hardly a strong enough case to warrant an arrest. A slight wound was inflicted by one of the assaulters and a physician was called to dress it. The doctor was reputed to be not particularly skillful in surgery, but he had stowed away in his memory a few medical and anatomical phrases, to be used as occasion might arise. He returned from the scene of the fracas, and of course there was a rush to the buggy to learn the result. He made the afifair out not a serious matter and remarked that there were 1)ut a few scratches by a knife about the diaphram and the epiglottis.' A bystander turned to go, and answered further inquiries by stating that the doctor said there was no trouble, only that the ^diafrown was up and the epaminondous was down.' The diagnosis was accepted, and that was the last of the

A Wife As A Jailor

The primitive condition of Jackson county under its first organization led to many a queer official proceeding, viewed in the light of present conditions. The story is told that in 1861 Joseph Muck, who with his large family had come to Jackson county and settled near the present site of Jackson in 1858, had a row with a traveling minister and struck him with a club. Muck was promptly arrested and taken before Judge Simon Olson, then a justice of the peace, who fined the prisoner ten dollars or ten days in jail.

Muck chose the latter. It is stated that at the time the nearest jail was at St Paul^ and that Israel F. Eddy^ who was the county sheriff^ was too busy catching muskrats to think of making such a trip; so he appointed Mrs. Muck deputy sheriff and made heir her husband's jailor. Mrs. Muck, so the story runs, worked her prisoner in the garden ten days and then put in a bill for ten days' board, which was allowed by the county commissioners. A partial verification of this story is found among the few county records of the first organization which have been preserved. In a little book containing a record of county warrants issued, I find that warrants numbered 58 to 62, inclusive, were drawn in favor of Joseph Muck, all under date of October 4, 1861. These were for a total of $14 - the first four for three dollars each, the last one for two dollars. The form of the entries is as follows:

Muck had had the satisfaction of beating the minister, had settled his ten dollar fine, had received fourteen dollars from the coimty and had got his garden hoed; and the court was ready for the next case.

We still have a vague recollection of our first commimication for the Republic over the non de plume of "A Clodhopper,*^ protesting against accepting aid from the state and advertising to the world ourselves as "grasshopper sufferers." The very first article stirred up a veritable homet^s nest, and a shower of indignation from half a score of correspondents, among whom were John Davies, Jareb Palmer and '^luejoinf^ [John A. Spafthe Republic with a vindictiveness that required lively imagination on the part of "A Clodhopper*^ to prepare the next week^s article of defense.

We were down on father's old homestead in Petersburg in those days, a barefooted boy who prided himself on being an expert driver of the meanest yoke of oxen that ever heard "Gee, Buck.'* The only time we could devote to the newspaper controversy was out in the field, and we penciled our notes on the plow beam a few minutes at a time while Buck and Bright panted at the end of the furrow. Of course it was impossible to keep the manuscript clean, but good-natured Editor Chamberlin said, "no matter so long as my devil can read it.**

Arthur Dunn was the "devil** alluded to. He had been an apprentice in the Bepublic office for about six months and was then able to put on the customary village boy airs, wear cowhide shoes, "store-made** overalls, a calico shirt, a pair of suspenders made of blue denim and a ten cent chip hat that certainly looked more swell, if not as durable, than the ones mother used to braid from wheat straw. His sun-burned countenance was bleaching out, several of the largest of his numerous freckles had disappeared, and he was quite a stylish looking fellow and the envy of us neighbor boys. Arthur had not forgotten how a few months before he, too, was out on a farm pimching his father's steers around a forty acre field like every other farmer boy in those days, working from daylight to dark, shoeless, and with feet so calloused as to be impervious to thorns and thistles. He encouraged us by saying, 'TTour article was all right, Tom; hit *em again,** and we did.

A Political Deal

I cannot refrain from commencing by supplying a sort of addenda to Mr. Strong's mention of early county oflficers, alluded to in his last letter. It was the first time he (Mr. Strong) was elected county auditor and in the campaign of 1869. The county convention was held comparatively early and a full ticket was placed in nomination, which apparently gave satisfaction. No one seemed particularly displeased, and no grumblings of cliques were apparent on the comers. Certainly, for once, the campaign indicated a monotonous and one-sided aflfair. Election day came, and in this town [Dcs Moines] polls were opened at the old school house, then standing near the bayou, at the southern terminus of Fourth street. Regular tickets were supplied, and not a single opposition ticket was visible to the naked eye. I remember meeting Mr. Joseph Thomas returning from the polls, who took occasion to speak of the quiet and peaceful election, saying: ^T. tell you, George, they have got to put you and me on the ticket in order to have any fun - fhey have, sure's you^m here.'*

The hour of five o'clock was announced. The box was turned and canvassing commenced, when utter astonishment was depicted on numerous countenances as the canvassers were confronted with neatly printed opposition ballots, following the regulars in nearly equal proportion. The result was announced, and I remember that indignation and joy were both choked down on that occasion.

tor, J. W. Hunter for treasurer, Anders Eoe for sherifif, and other names I do not recall. There were then but five organized townships in the county, and no opposition tickets were distributed in either Wisconsin or Minneota. Belmont at that time included the entire north half of the county, and early the day after election Ole E. Olson brought the result to Jackson, announcing the vote of that town solidly for the opposition, which demonstrated a majority in the county of about thirty for Hunter and Eoe, but Strong lacked two of being elected. Soon George Stone appeared on the scene with the vote of Petersburg, which also developed a majority for the dark lanterns, thus electing Strong by a majority of two or three.

Stone rather let the cat out of the bag when he remarked in the presence of two or three of the regular candidates: ^^y Jock, we shouldn't have known anything about it if Tom White hadn't brought down those^ tickets just before the polls were opened.*'

The regular ticket may have been a good one, but opposition seemed the life of elections in those days.. At the same time I must say with all due deference to the good officers we had before and have had since, none has been truer or more faithful and honest than those elected on the occasion mentioned.

John Da Vies And The Crane

Being ignorant at first as to the contingencies and casualties attendant upon pioneer life, of the very many ludicrous scrapes I encountered I will relate just two. - Observing a large crane with a broken wing lingering on the west side of my farm one day and having never seen one at close quarters, I proposed to capture him alive to serve as a pet for diversion around my cot on the prairie lea. I started in the chase afoot in great glee; but when about half way to Muir's, imagine my horror at the hideous picture, taller than myself, with eyes like two red buttons, and a beak like a pointed millpick, wheel around and lunge at me with the vigor of a fiend. Horrified at the idea of being murdered right there in cold blood, I instinctively grabbed its long neck with a death grip, and, happily, when I recovered consciousness, I found that I was the victor, but I carried a big bunch on the top of my head from the ruthless swing of its titanic beak for weeks after.

At another time, while mowing hay with a scythe near the upper end of Stony brook, a litter of polecats, a little bigger than full grown mice, came scattering around my feet. From a sense of pity fop the poor creatures in so desolate a country, and thinking them too young to make a disturbance, I tenderly picked one up by the tail to show it to my son, who stood in the distance, when "Hwcheo!" the little villain let me have one smack in the face, and while I was hopping up and down like a scalded fiend, yelling for a pitchfork, Ed lay limp and helpless on the ground from laughter.

All mail to Jackson county in the early days was carried by pony express and by stages. Not until 1872 did a railroad penetrate the county, and it was not until 1878 that the people of the county seat village had their mail brought to them by railway. As the county had received considerable settlement prior to these dates, the stage and mail lines became important institutions. The Jackson Republic of April 29, 1871, told of the mail facilities of that time and compared them with those in days gone by : almost daily come and go to and from the postofTiee in Jackson have led us to retrospect of late. Less than four years ago all the mail that reached us was that by the way of Emmet, Iowa, carried once a week by Frank Bailey on horseback. Each recurring Thursday did a large community assemble at Joseph Thomas' old log hotel for a week's supply of letters and papers, St. Paul papers being nearly two weeks old when they reached us. The dozen or two letters were poured out of the little canvass sack upon the counter, and nearly the entire number passed out to the several owners, while a few were laid quietly back on a small shelf to be called for by their owners. The salary of the postmaster then aggregated the enormous sum of $36 annually. .

"Things are somewhat changed now. At the present time Postmaster Strong makes up and distributes twenty-two mails per week, and instead of one circuitous route, six different mail routes center here. The little canvass horseback sack has given place to a dozen or so mammoth leather ones, and instead of Prank coming in on his galloping horse, we see, on the five new routes that have been established since that time, hacks loaded down with passengers and express matter.'^

Although during the early seventies mail routes were in operation from several different points, during the winter and spring months mail facilities were not always the best, being often put out of commission because of storms and poor roads. Said the Eepublic of February 1, 1873:

"Although most of our stages on the different routes have made frequent, and, in many instances, regular trips, yet their mail sacks are brought in devoid of any mail matter, and the once welcome stages now lose their attraction. St. Paul pa- pers have not reached us since those of two weeks ago, and all other mail is delinquent accordingly. Of the stage routes, the Spencer stage has been most regular of any of the tri-weekly routes, and has lost but few trips. The Blue Earth City stage comes next in order, and has made nearly the required number of trips. The Windom stage makes frequent trips, but seldom brings us even a stray letter. The Winnebago stage occasionally comes in with a few papers that have been from two to three weeks on their way from the offices of publication to their destination; that route which we once felt safe to bet on has now become the most provoking and dilatory, though perhaps the maneuvers of the Southern Minnesota railroad are mainly to blame for this imposition on our community. The St. James stage makes a trip semi-occasionally, and sometimes brings in a copy of the Madelia Times. _ The Estherville stage makes its regular weekly trips, but of course has no mail to carry.

"We have exhausted our last year's stock of almanacs in getting copy for our compositors, and, unless we get a mail, shall make a raid on our scrap book and dictionary next week. We shoidd feel disconsolate did we not have evidence that other places were less favored than ourselves.^'

For some time after the editor thus bewailed the fate of the mail-deprived community conditions did not improve. But on February 15, the newspaper reported the end of the blockade:

"The Winnebago City stage came in Monday evening and brought a regular old-fashioned mail. Pour large sacks were filled, the whole weighing 156 pounds. We [the Eepublic] received just 153 packages by actual count. We were, of course, glad to get it, but would prefer to take it more frequently and in smaller doses.''

Indian Scares

From the time of the Belmont massacre in 1862 down to 1876 there was an occasional Indian scare in Jackson county, although none of them originated with Indians. But the settlers, living in a sparsely settled country and having the details of the two terrible attacks that had been made, were apprehensive when the occasional rumors of Indian outbreak were circulated. One such scare, of a local nature, came in August, 1866. The story is told by F. E. Marshall, an early settler, who wrote on December 29, 1894:

"We saw the Des Moines river for the first time about the middle of May, 1866, and camped in the grove a few rods southwest of Mr. Thomas' house. There we remained a couple of weeks, until a bark and puncheon shanty could be erected on the southeast quarter of section 12. We enjoyed life as only new settlers can, until about the middle of August, when an incident occurred, which I shall try to relate.

"All being tranquil, about the middle of August the men went back to the eastern part of the state to work through harvest and bring back the winter's supplies, leaving their families in quiet possession of their bark shanties. The weather was fine, and all went well until that day in the middle of August. On the afternoon of that day a family who had a claim in section 8, Wisconsin township, made a visit at the bark shanty, stayed to tea, and about sundown started for their home. The favorite driving team of this man from section 8 was a yoke of three-yearold stags, which he was wont to call his T}ull-pouts' ; the carriage was the running gear of a lumber wagon, with a board from one bolster to the other for a seat. The man had a defect of eyesight that made it impossible for him to distinguish objects after sundown.

^T?he visitors had been gone half an hour or so when an unusual racket, coming from the east, brought the occupants of the shanty to the outside. The first glance showed our lately departed visitors returning in great haste. The tongues of the 1)ull-pouts' nearly reached the ground, and the man from section 8 was applying the ^persuader* as only a frightened man could. At the sight a panic struck those at the shanty, and, thinking their late visitors had met with some terrible accident, rushed to meet them, all asking at once, 'What has happened? It was several seconds before they could get breath suflficient to gasp out.

'^TTes, six of them. They are hiding in the grass by the slough on section 7.* ^Are you sure ? It can^t be possible I* ^Oh, I saw them as plain as day. They have on gray blankets, and all have guns.'

'This was the blood-curdling story of the lady from section 8. A council was hurriedly held, and it was decided that we could not defend the shanty. Flight was our only hope. But where to go? Some one suggested Mr. Baldwin's; he had a log house. The suggestion was instantly adopted. Should we take a team? No: it would make too much noise. Hastily gathering up the firearms that were left in the defense of the shanty, consisting of an old rifle that couldn't be fired and a Colt's revolver that had a disagreeable habit - if you fired one chamber the rest would follow suit - ^we stole out into the now dark night. Your correspondent, leading and carrying the weapons, and Mr. Man from section 8, carrying their little kid, and carefully led by Mr?. Lady from section 8, bringing up the rear, swiftiy and silently took the track across the peaceful prairie to Mr, Baldwin's. Arriving there, we knocked at the door, at first gently, then louder; but there was no response. They were gone. I'hey had been warned and had fled. What should we do next? Try Monson's? They, too, had a log house.

"Again we were tramping through the dew-wet grass, this time in the direction of Monson's. We were soon there, and found them peacefully sleeping the sleep of the tired. Arousing them, we quickly tell the story of our danger. The boys, who are sleeping in out-buildings, are hastily summoned, the log shanty quickly put in condition for defense, the old rusty guns and revolvers loaded in a way that means trouble for the man who shall fire them off. An hour or so passes, and, no Indians showing up, our fright subsides; we camp down on the floor to try to get a little sleep, while one of the Monson boys stands guard.

"The night passed at last, and, although we were not attacked by Indians, we had to fight an army of little red bugs. At the first break of day one of the Monson boys went out on a scout, and meeting no Indians, went over to Mr. Thomas' place and gave the alarm. Five or six men quickly mounted horses and armed themselves, and, led by Jim Palmer, rode out to the slough oh section 7.

"A careful search revealed not the least trace of an Indian. But they did find six gray sand-hill cranes. So ended our first and last Indian scare."

In August, 1872, there was another scare which had less excuse for its origin than even a flock of cranes. The scare is said to have originated with three Windom men, who on the night of August 10 went from Jackson to their homes, ecattering the news along the way that half the people of the community had been killed by Indians, They reported having seen one or two of the bodies of the' murdered men a few miles north of Jackson. To add to the alarm and give more show of fact, the men frequently fired their gnns along the road as they proceeded. Some of the settlers of Belmont, through which township the men took their way, had gone through the Indian attack of ten years before, and they were quick to take fright.

Messengers were hastily started out to notify the settlers, and in consequence there was a general stampede from some sections for safety. Quite a number from the northern part of the county went to Windom ; others congregated at Independence lake to make preparations for defense. As a result of the false alarm many people were badly frightened. As an instance of the result of the scare the following letter, written by one of the settlers to George C. Chamberlin, is given:

Editor Jackson Republic: Tuesday night, between twelve and one o'clock, I was awakened by some one calling me to the door. I arose and looked out and saw four men on horses, each having a gun. I asked them what they wanted and they told me they wanted to see me. I know it did not look very pleasant to see those men there at that time of night; I did not know but that they were Ku-klux or Greeley men; but I knew there were but few Greeley men around. I went to the door, and they asked if I were not excited. I informed them I was not. They said the Indians were coming; that they had ^ killed three or four families east of Jackson, and that the people there were all packing up and leaving for Windom; that you (George C. Chamberlin) had telegraphed to St. Paul for troops. They got the report about sundown Tuesday and were very much excited; the women and children were so frightened that they would not go to the door, and they were waiting for their men to return, to leave or try to defend themselves. As I had been in Jackson all the afternoon, I told them it could not be so, and after a long time they returned to Heron Lake, but they were very much excited. Please say through your paper that there has been no one killed by Indians, that the people are all quiet on that score, and oblige your friend, and affected the northwestern part of the county only. It was during the month of July, when the country was full of the news of the terrible Custer massacre on the Little Big Horn in Montana, that the news was spread that the Sioux were again on the warpath, determined to wipe out the settlements in southwestern Minnesota. Needless to say, there were no Indians within a long distance of Jackson county and no hostiles within several hundred miles.

The scare originated with a boy named Hemphill, in the southern part of Murray county. He had been sent out to rake hay, but, not being of a very enterprising nature, he conceived a plan to escape the work. He rushed to the house, crying that the Indians had attacked him. A man named Hampton, who was preparing to leave the country, spread the alarm, and within a very short time a full fledged Indian scare was under way. In southern Murray county and northern Nobles county whole townships were deserted, the people fleeing to the railroad towns for protection. Worthington was full of refugees, and a few deserted their farms and hastened to Heron Lake for protection.

Scouting parties were sent out from Worthington and from Heron Lake. No Indians were found, but the scouts soon located the origin of the scare. - When it was learned that there were no Indians in the country, the refugees returned to their homes.

A Joke On Kimball

During the summer of 1867 bands of horses and cattle had gathered around my place nights, until it had the appearance of being headquarters for all the loose stock in the county. These animals brought swarms of mosquitoes with them; in fact that was our mosquito yard, and we were sure to have it full every night. The animals would stamp, hook, paw and fight mosquitoes all night long; they fairly made the night hideous, and sleep was almost out of the question. We had thought that when Kimball's building was up that he would at least divide the stock with us, but nary a hoof would leave. At first we could not understand why all stayed and Kimball had none.

One day Mr. Chamberlin came in and said he had solved the mystery. "It is vour infernal salt barrels vou are throwing out that holds the stock here. Kimball has none and, of course, no stock.'' A dav or two later I came out of the eellar with two pails of brine, which I intended to throw out. Mr. Chamberlin's quick eye caught sight of the brine, and, learning my intentions, asked me to set it aside until night, saying he had use for it. That night, after KimbalPs folks w^ere all snug in bed, he carried the brine over and poured it out around Kimball's place, where it would do the most good. It had the desired effect, and Kimball took care of the stock after that.

One day Kimball came in after his mail, looking care-worn and disgusted. He spoke of the stock and said : "I have taken my cow thirty rods away to salt her and have been particularly careful that there should be no salt scattered about my place, and yet the cattle are eating the ground to a depth of four inches." Of course I could offer no explanation, other than that the stock had undoubtedly become tired of my place and had decided to try him for a while.

the attempt on the part of Jacksonites to capture the Northfield bank robbers. Everybody in the west is familiar with the dashing raid made by the Fords and Youngers on the bank at Northfield in the fall of 1876, when they shot the cashier and several citizens, who made it exceedingly hot for them, dropping two of the robbers and following the others until the trail was lost in the woods. The bandits' course was southwest, and it was believed they crossed the Des Moines river in the vicinity of Jackson. The Ford brothers, the only two robbers escaping capture, forded the river a few miles above town. The other desperadoes were shot or captured within thirty miles of Jackson.

To say that the citizens of the village slept on their arms doesn't half express it. They didn't sleep at all from the first intimation of the outlaws' approach until they were captured, but guarded every ford, bridge and cross-road in the locality.

Toward midnight, one night during this exciting period, as I mounted my horse to ride to mv home down in Petersburg, the boys jokingly remarked, ^T^ook out for the robbers, Tom." I galloped up ]\Iain street to the bridge, and there my horse suddenly halted as several dark figures retreated beneath the bridge, over which passage was impossible, owing to the numerous ropes and wires strung across the same. I had heard nothing of there being a guard stationed anywhere to prevent the passage of the robbers, and 1 supposed some of the boys were putting up a job on me. I remarked: "I am onto you kids, hiding under the bridge." All was still as death for a moment, then a trembling voice demanded: "Who ifi it?" "It's me," I replied, boy fashion. "Who in h - 's ^me'? Give the countersign." I did not know it; but I gave my name, after which about twenty of the most disappointed men you ever saw ?howed up. Menzo Ashley was captain of the squad. "You blamed little fool/' he said, "don't vou know any better than to be galloping around the country these nights, when the robbers are expected everv moment?^' His old shot gun was loaded to the muzzle with buckshot, and he declared he had a **bead'' on me, though I never could figure it out, judging from his position under the bridge. The crowd advised me to ford the river below the mill, but to be cautions, as another party guarded that point.

Jim Palmer, the veteran surveyor, who had fought Indians in the war of Independence, was in command. Al Strong, Bromaghim, Hunter, Chamberlin, Major Bailey and perhaps a dozen others, whose names I have forgotten, were members of this company. I gave them my name^ and they allowed me to cross. I supposed 1 had passed all the guards and now breathed easier. When I reached the hilltop I chirped to 'TBilly," whose mettle I had often tested in moonlight horse races with Marshall Dunn and the Logue boys, and he was speeding along at a brisk canter at the crossroads on the Thomas fann, when a sharp "Halt ! Halt ^P greeted my ears.

I stopped very suddenly, half frightened out of my wits, believing I must have encountered the robbers. I was much relieved when the unmistakable voice of Auditor King demanded my name. When I recovered my breath I told them. Then yon should have heard them laugh, as several tried to explain why they had retreated to the com field when they suspected the approach of a lone bandit. I believe King, Cowing, Ben Ashley and Sandon were about the only ones to stand their ground and level their guns, awaiting the order of their commander to shoot.

^T)rigade,'^ and after finding that it was only a badly frightened farmer boy they had captured, he emerged from the depths of the com field, remarking, ^^ell, boys, all I told you about helping Grant lick the rebels at Gettysburg, and of pulling the throttle of the first gun fired on Sumpter was true, but when I heard this horse galloping down the road I made up my mind I owed a duty to my family and the creamery business, and that the safest place for me was in the middle of the com field .^^

Mose delivered himself of this explanation in his characteristic humor, and anyone who has ever heard him make a speech can appreciate his stymie of delivery and imagine how he tickled the crowd. Tuttle had actually gone so far into the com field, in his frantic efforts to conceal himself, as to get lost, and it took him some time to get his bearings. It appears C. B. had amused the watchers all evening by relating stories of his hairbreadth escapes and encounters in his four years of army service. When he found his way out of the com field, the boys naturally guyed him about brave guerilla hunting exploits in Texas. He said : "Oh, you fellows may laugh, but if you had been through my experience with sharpshooters in Missouri you wouldn't want to rub up against Cole Younger, either." Well, it cost Tuttle the cigars to suppress the story. The sheriff didn't find his wav out of the tall com until daylight.

However, I don't believe the bandits could ever have passed the guarded points alive, for the frontier Minnesotans were crack shots, and it only took the sniff of a little burned powder to nerve them to the greatest bravery, as was proven a few days later, when the most reckless desperadoes ever known were captured in an open fight.

Heavy rains in the spring of 1873 made the wagon roads of Jackson county almost impassable^ and^ as all good? had to be ^^freighted'^ into the village of Jackson, much annoyance and inconvenience was caused. Alexander Fiddes and Major H. S. Bailey had long been awaiting the arrival of lumber with which to erect their business houses, and they conceived tiie idea of rafting the lumber down the Des Moines river from the railroad at Windom. The river had risen to a great height in May, and during that month the first cargo ever landed at Jackson arrived. The contract for bringing the lumber down was let to J. Dupuis and James Hubbs, who went to Windom, made their raft and loaded the lumber, and arrived with' it in safety May 24.

Snow Boats

The diflficulties of travel on account of the deep snow during the never-to-be-forgotten winter of 1880-81 led to the invention of a unique craft to sail the snowcovered prairies, known as snow boats. A boat of this kind was built with three keels, each about the size of a Norwegian snow shoe - seven feet long and six inches wide. The middle keel was fastened in front, but was not made fast behind, and so served as a rude rudder. The passengers sat on a platform attached to the other keels. A sail about eight feet square was made fast to a mast, and this completed the details of the vessel.

Boats of this kind could attain a speed of eight or ten miles an hour imder favorable circumstances, one trip from Lakefield to Jackson having been made in one hour and ten minutes. As the steering apparatus was primitive, the boats were driven along in about the direction the wind decreed; the navigators could not **bout-ship'' or bear up against the wind to any considerable extent. When they had a definite course laid out they often had to ^land" and haul their vessel back to its proper course. Such craft sailed unimpeded over com fields, fences, hay racks and occasionally over houses and stables, so deep was the snow. The pioneers sometimes referred to their country as the "prairie ocean,^^ and after it had been navigated by sailing vessels the name was quite appropriate.

As the railroads were blockaded nearly all winter and the train crews tied up at different out-of-the-way stations, the railroad men took this means of conveyance to reach their homes. In* some parts of southwestern Minnesota they were put into service to bring in provisions and fuel to the snow-bound communities.

In Grasshopper Days

If one had the time and inclination to gather the data, a volume of this size could be filled from cover to cover with stories of the grasshopper days in Jackson county. The early seventies constituted a pathetic era in our county, the details of which will never be known to those who did not reside here during those perilous times. Some living outside the stricken area who were asked to aid those who were at the point of starvation pretended not to believe the stories of the suflEerings of the people of the grasshopper belt..

To enlighten himself as to the true conditions, Governor John S. PUlsbury, during the winter of 1876-77, personally and incognito visited many parts of southwestern Minnesota, and as a result of his investigations, provisions, fuel and clothing were shipped direct to many who otherwise would have suffered severely.

"Quite a large quantity of relief goods, mostly provisions, have been shipped to this station during the last week for parties near here who were in needy circumstances. Tliey were all from the governor, who has been around among the people looking after the needy ones. The distribution of this relief is conducted on a very different plan from that pursued in any previous year. There are no goods sent out promiscuously to be quarreled over or to encourage or assist any who are unworthy or can in any possible way help themselves. Our governor first goes over the ground himself and ascertains the true condition of those to whom this relief is sent. This week he got off the train here and went on one of his trips into the country, where he is passing around among the sufferers as any traveler unknown to them, searching out in his quiet way those reported to be in the most destitute circumstances, and where he finds such a family he books them for provisions enough to carry them through the winter. And all this is done in so quiet and unassuming a way that the recipient does not know whom to thank for his kind offices until he is gone.

"The poor farmer opens his door to the stranger and sets before him his scanty fare. He finds himself drawn out until he frankly tells this kind-hearted stranger his condition, and, with tears in his eyes, admits that he knows not from whence the next sack of flour is to come to keep starvation from his door, little dreaming that he is telling his sad tale to Governor PiUsbury. That poor widow, who one week ago with a sad heart broke sparingly, loaf by loaf, among her five hungry babes, looking ahead with a nameless fear as she prayed ^give us this day our daily bread,' now has l)read and to spare;' her prayer has been heard; that kindhearted stranger knocked at her door - and now, linked with her petition and thanksgiving, is a prayer for God's blessings upon him who sought out and fed the hungry. These kind deeds are simply the noble acts of a noble man who has the welfare of his fellowmen at heart. In all his intercourse with the people not one word is said to encourage the asking for assistance, not one word that might break down that independent, self-reliant spirit which is the prop and stay of all frontiersmen and without which we would be little (if any) better than the lazy ted

Swbarino Off

We append the following list of men, citizens of Jackson who are total abstainers from the "filthy weed." The list comprises thirty-two persons, nearly all of whom at some time in their lives have been addicted to the habit, and who are a good example to those who ''want to quit but can't."

Our reporter has discovered a couple of backsliders among those it published as non-tobacco users. They abandoned the weed for about three weeks, but the visions of fragrant cigars and sweet quids were too much for human nature. It is no "fool" trick to quit tobacco - don^t forget it.

Rage For A Farm

An amusing incident of pioneers days was an unseemly scramble for a fine quarter section of land in Wisconsin township, about two miles east of Jackson, which occurred in November, 1870. At the time there were whole townships open to settlement in the western and northern parts of the county, but the people of the southeastern portion would consider nothing so far from the center of population. The race for the farm in question was started from the report circulated in Jackson that the claim had been abandoned and consequently was open to preemption or homestead entry.

The report flew like wildfire, and in no time there was a general stampede for the coveted property. A foot race, horse back race, buggy race and stage coach race was held, resulting in a large diminution of the population of Jackson.

Stakes were driven; holes were dug; claim shanties were put under way; wives and children were hurried oflE to take possession ; parties of a speculative turn of mind were there in the dead hours of the night, hoping to turn an honest penny; lawyers, merchants, mechanics, all were there, and for a time were full-fledged citizens of the enchanting town of Wisconsin.

But the dreams of real estate possessions were doomed to be brief. All of a sudden it was discovered that the better half of the former claimant still tarried in the humble cabin, in actual possession of the premises. Being of Irish extraction and witty withal, the young deserted wife made considerable sport for the little throng of impromptu squatters. One of the prominent citizens of Jackson discovered a few bones partially buried, and fearing foul play, inquired how they happened to be there.

The gentleman from Jackson had no further "bones to pick'' after this reply. The holder of the claim appeared delighted to see the ladies who called to preempt, and of one she requested that she **be afther callin' again.'' There was less calling in the future, however, and the Irish lady continued in possession of the claim.

The Wrong Dose

Now we want to tell a story of Dr. Kel- 1am, of Heron Lake. The doctor is justice of the peace, and his income is about equally divided between physicist and marrying. So when he is sent for in a hurry, day or night, he grabs both valises, one loaded with medicines, the other with the

Last week about eight o'clock he received a message from Brewster to come at once, the location being given as four miles south from town. The doctor harnessed his flyers and lit out, and when he arrived at the house it was nearly twelve o'clock. A young lady was sitting there, and, the doctor having a political canvass on hand, was in a mighty hurry, for he was billed to speak at Brownsburg the next night and wanted to rest. So, rushing up to the young lady, he felt her puke. It was two hundred to the minute; her face was flushed and her eyes betrayed symptoms that were alarming. The genial doctor shook his head and said the case was serious. Then he asked her to run out her tongue. She thought it mighty strange but let a lot of it out.

She had been eating grapes, but she supposed Dr. Kellam knew his business and kept quiet. The doctor put his head down to listen to her heart beat, but the beats came so fast he could not count them. Then came the sentence:

Say, you could have knocked the doctor down with a straw. And the girl felt so relieved. She never had been married before and supposed the physical examination was a preliminary to the ceremony ; but you don't fool Kellam again on fever.

Game In Early Days

species of big game. The last to disappear were the deer, which remained in some number until twenty-five or thirty years ago. These were occasionally bagged by the early settlers and frequently seen. Concerning the deer in the county during the seventies and early eighties, I quote a few items from the files of the Jackson Republic:

Heron Lake Ck)rre8pondent, June 24, 1876: Several wild deer have been seen near here recently. Knud Thompfeon saw three about a mile east of town the other evening. They ran down toward the lake and are probably lurking around among the tall rushes and timber belts along the lake.

D. W. Edwards, Heron Lake Correspondent, May 5, 1877: Martin Johnson, a small boy living on the east side of the lake, was out with his dog one evening last week after the cows when they came upon those deer that have been around that locality for some time. The dog (a small shepherd dog) flew at them and injured the hind legs of one so badly that the boy succeeded in tying its fore legs with his whip lash, thus securing his game until he could go for help to dispatch it.

Heron Lake Correspondent, September 13, 1879: The people of this community express their indignation regarding the practice of chasing the few deer seen in the vicinity, and many express their determination to shoot the first dog seen in pursuit of a deer.

February 5, 1881 : Mr. T. E. Mather, of this place, while rusticating in the country about midway between Jackson and Spirit Lake, saw two of the finest deer ever seen in this section. Mr. Mather says they have been frequently seen near the same place and along the Des Moines timber. Here is a chance for some of our "crack shots" to display their skill.

February 19, 1881: Jackson county bids fair to become a hunters' paradise, in addition to the many other paradisaical features she already boasts of. Big game in the shape of numerous herds of deer are frequently seen roaming over our prairies, and every year seems to increase their number. It has been supposed that these handsome animals wandered during the fall down into the Des Moines valley from the big woods in the northern part of the state, but there are good reasons for believing that they are "old residents of the county," and that this is their breeding place. It is said that they have their summer haunts in the vast area of rushes and wild rice which surround Heron lake, in the north part of the county, and residents of that vicinity inform us that they are occasionally seen thereabouts, although the habits of the animal are usually to secrete itself and remain within its haunts during the summer or breeding season. During the winter they are driyen from the brakes about the lake by the drifting snow and are thus found wandering on the prairies. Nearly fifty have been killed about Heron lake this winter, and they were seen in large numbers after the October snow storm, which goes to prove the theory that their summer haunts are about Heron lake.

Signs Of. The Times

Illustrative of the times, there are found in the files of the Jackson Bepublic many interesting items. Under existing conditons the events recorded could not possibly have happened. In many respects the residents of Jackson county of thirty and forty years ago lived in a difEerent world; any pne of the little items quoted below was not considered extraordinary al the time, but they would be if published in the same paper today. "The world do

A Breech-Loading Gun (January 20, 1872) - We were recently shown a very fine doublebarreled, breech-loading shot gun recently purchased in Chicago by Mr. H. Anderson, of this place. The gun is loaded with a cartridge, and dispenses with the ordinary percussion cap, being discharged by a sort of needle acting upon a stationary cap in the cartridge. The gun can be loaded and discharged in a very short space of time and will make sad havoc among the chickens next summer.

Caught a Beaver (October 10, 1874) - I^ast Saturday Mr. Cady and his partner found in one of their traps on the river above Skinner's mill a large beaver which ^would weigh about seventy pounds. These animals are getting scarce in these parts, though indications prove that they were once more numerous. The tail and foot of this beaver can be seen at 'Squire Mason's office.

Tax-Paying Not the Fashion (January 16, 1875) - Treasurer Knudson and his deputy, Milton Mason, Esq., have been on their tramps to the different towns during the week, carrying around the tax duplicates and permitting people to see how much taxes are wanted. Of course no one is expected to pay any taxes when there isn't a cent of money in the county.

Geese Visit Heron Lake (June 26, 1875, Heron Lake Correspondent) - A flock of eight young wild geese, about half grown, marched into town Monday morning in single file and in as fine order as a body of regulars on dress parade. They were probably attracted here by the rustic appearance of our sidewalks (they are enough to make a goose laugh).

Attacked by a Panther (May 27, 1876) - One day last week a lad about thirteen or fourteen years old, a brother of Ghist Tbon^H son, of this town, was riding through the timber near Skinner^s mill. A ferocious animal, supposed to be a panther, spnmg from a tree to the horse he was riding, evidently intending to make the lad his prey. He missed his aim, however, and the boy having a shot gnn with him, shot the animal in the mouth. Thia checked him for a time and the boy made his escape. It then attacked a oolt belonging to Mr. Thompson, injuring it seriously, but not killing it. Tuesday night it made a raid on Menzo Ashley's setting turkey and destroyed it. The next day it (or what was supp(»ed to be it) was seen by Mr. Holmes and others a few miles this side of Windom. We und^- stand that a party are hunting the creature and it is hoped they will speedily capture it. How it found its way into these parts is a query.

Hay Twister (September 30, 1876, D. W. Edwards, of Heron Lake, correspondent) - ^Bfr. Albert D. Foster, of Yankton, D. T., was in town Tuesday with a sample machine for twisting hay and straw into compact rolls for fuel. The machine is a perfect success and is just what any farmer needs who finds it necessary to burn hay, as it makes the rolls in any length required and does it up neat and compact, making hay fuel as clean, as far as litter is concerned, as wood. The machine is durable and simple in its construction. Children can prepare the fuel as well as anyone, and it retails at the moderate price of $10. We are prepared to take orders for them and will give time for one-half if desired.

Wolves in Enterprise (December 8, 1877) - Out in the town of Enterprise prairie wolves are getting to be a source of annoyance. They have killed turkeys for Thomas Clipperton and sheep for Darwin Lester. One attacked Mr. Lester's boy recently and tore his clothing, but otherwise no serious damage was done. We notice wolf hunts are quite common in some localities, and if their incursions this way are becoming common it will be well to inaugurate the sport here.

Railway Reduces Fare (advertisement January 6, 1878) - Another Reduction in Fare! The St. Paul & Sioux City and the Sioux CSty & St. Paul railroads will celebrate the coming of the new year by a general reduction of local ticket fares from FIVE CENTS to FOUR CENTS per mile on all divisions of their roads, to take effect January 1, 1878.

First Telegram to Jackson (December 21, 1878) - ^The lightning machine is here, too, and in working order. The following was the first telegram to come over the wires:

A "Live" Wolf (March 29, 1870) - A live wolf followed Jareb Palmer and C. H. Greer a good portion of the way to their homes in Sioux Valley the other day. He trotted along by their wagon, under the wagon and beside the wagon, ate crackers and was apparently happy, and all because they didn't happen to have a gun along.

Don't Spit on the Floor (liiay 24, 18t9) - Good for the ladies who have scrubbed and cleaned and rendered the inside of the church more attractive and healthful. Woe be to- the vandal who now squirts tobacco juice on the clean floor.

Rumors of the Telephone (December 13, 1879) - Why doesn't some telephone company come out along the line and supply towns those convenient little machines? They would

Fight With a Wolf (January 3, 1880, Heron Lake correspondent) - Mr. Svennes, while walking to town one night last week, had his attention attracted by a sudden jerk at his clothing, and, turning quickly around, found himself confronted by a large timber wolf. Mr. Svennes, who was totally unarmed, attempted to frighten the brute off by striking at him with his scarf, but the wolf seized the scarf and tore it from his hand. Next he brought one of his No. twelves to bear with such force that the wolf became discouraged and gave up the attack. Our hero then backed into town and concluded to buy a doublebarreled shot gun, a revolver and two dozen steel traps before going home.