McLeod County, Minnesota - Chapter 15: Creation, Organization and Government, 1917 (part 1 of 2)

The political character of McLeod county, as to the county's organizations and official existence, may be briefly noted. Upon the organization of Minnesota Territory what is now McLeod was a small portion of Dahkotah county, which was a vast tract about fifty miles wide from north to south and extending westward from the Mississippi to the Missouri river. But, as has been stated, this section was at that time Indian country and no government of the white man could be set up therein; and therefore, the organization of Dahkotah county was practically meaningless. But in 1852, nearly a year before the final ratification of the treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota, the county of Hennepin was organized, upon a bill introduced into the Territorial Council by Martin McLeod, then the councilman from Dahkotah county. No objection was ever raised to the "previousness" of the action.

In February, 1855, Carver county was established, including all of the present limits of that county and all of what is now McLeod county except the two southwest townships, Round Grove and Penn; these two were left in what is now Sibley county. While McLeod was a portion of Carver there was not much of historic importance in the affairs of the people of the former county. Only one election was held in the county, in November, 1855, and at that there was but one polling place, which was in what is now Chanhassen township, in the northeastern portion of Carver; of course, no Mc- Leod men voted.

But in the fall of 1855 the population of the western portion of Carver had increased to such an extent, and the designs of certain public men had taken on such a character, that the people of that portion demanded that their territory be formed into a new and independent county. This sentiment grew during the following winter, and not long after the legislature of 1856 met a bill was introduced in the House for that purpose. The journals show that the bill passed the Territorial House of Representatives February 19, the Council February

Top Row - G ROWN, Probate Judge; FRANK KLAUS. Sheriff; JACOB STOCKING, Auditor; ED. CHURCHILL, Register of Deeds. MUNIER, Supt of Schools; JOHN LUITEN, Clerk of Court.

27, and was approved by Gov. Willis A. Gorman March 1, 1856. The bill (H. of R. No. 99) was introduced by Hon. Thomas B. Hunt, of Chaska, Carver county, of which county McLeod was then a portion (House Jour. Leg. of 1856, p. 96).

According to this act the boundaries of the new county of McLeod were established as they are at present. Somehow, and for some reason, the two southwestern townships of Round Grove and Penn were plucked from Sibley and attached to the new county; it is practically impossible at this time to detail the reasons for this disposition of a portion of the neighboring county. The bill passed both houses without opposition, and so some amicable arrangement must have been made with the representatives of the district of which Sibley was a part. Mr. Hunt, who introduced it, had charge of it in its progress through the House, and Hon. D. M. Hanson, of Minneapolis, promoted its passage in the Council. The real author of the bill was John H. Stevens, but Martin Mc- Leod and others were consulted as to its terms and phraseology. The act establishing the county is Chapter 26 of the Session Laws of 1856 and is entitled, "An Act to Establish the County of McLeod and for Other Purposes." It reads:

"Beit enacted by the Legislature Assembly of the Territory of Minnesota: Section 1. That so much of said Territory as is contained within the following boundaries, to-wit:

"Beginning at the southeast corner of township 115, range 27 west of the 5th meridian; thence north to the northeast corner of township 117, range 27; thence west to the northwest corner of township 117, range 30; thence south to the southwest corner of township 114, range 30; thence east to the southeast corner of township 114, range 29; thence north to the northeast corner of township 114, range 29; and thence due east to the place of beginning,

"Be, and the same is, erected into a separate county and established as the county of McLeod. Section 2. The said eounty is hereby declared to be organized, and the Governor is hereby empowered to appoint all the county officers required to perform the duties of an organized county, which officers shall duly qualify and enter upon the performance of their duties, as provided by law, and shall hold their offices until their successors are elected and qualified, Section 3. The county seat of said county shall be and is hereby e8- tablished at the town of Glencoe, and the name of the place now so known and designated is hereby confirmed and established as 'Glencoe,' and the county commissioners first elected in said county of McLeod may locate a block in said town of Glencoe whereon to erect the county buildings, with the consent of the owner or owners thereof."

For election purposes the county was attached to the Eleventh Territorial Council District, which had theretofore been composed of Carver county and the Southern Representative District of Hennepin, and which was entitled to vote for two representatives and one councilor. For judicial purposes it was attached to the Third Judicial District (then comprising about 15 counties), and the first courts were to be held in August and February of each year.

The first board of county commissioners was appointed by Governor Willis A. Gorman and consisted of John McLeod, James Phillips, and W. B. Wilson. The same day (March 1, 1856) that Gov. Gorman signed the act creating the county its organization was effected. Two of the county commissioners, McLeod and Phillips, officiated; Wilson had removed from the county. The meeting of the commissioners was held in the office of Bell & Chapman, in Glencoe, and the first business was the appointment of B. E. Messer as commissioner in the place of Wilson. A. J. Bell acted as temporary clerk, but at the next meeting A. J. Snyder was made the regular clerk until his successor should be elected by the people.

Other temporary officers appointed were Luman G. Simons, judge of probate; A. J. Bell, district attorney; and J. V. Mc- Kean, coroner. At that meeting the board could not find persons willing to fill the other offices; but at the next, or a subsequent meeting, C. L. Snyder was appointed sheriff, A. J. Snyder, clerk, and W. S. Chapman, register of deeds. The Andreas historical sketch claims that R. J. Clyde was the first sheriff.

At the first board meeting the county was divided into three election precincts, Glencoe, Hutchinson, and Lake Addie. Officers for the respective precincts were duly appointed. For Glencoe precinct the judges of election were F. W. Hanscom, John H. Smith, and John Hubbard; road overseer, B. F. Buck; assessor, Henry Elliott; constable, John H. Smith. For Hutchinson the election judges were John Hutchinson, Judson Hutchinson and Morrison; justice of the peace, J. Nuttle; assessor E. E. Johnson; constables, John Henry and Charles Chesley. For Lake Addie, A. 8, Nobles, R. E, Grimshaw, and John McLeod were the judges, Joseph Lewis the assessor and C. D. Craig was the constable.

Also at this meeting the first school district) was laid out and designated Glencoe No. 1. The first road was established to run from the northwest corner of Franklin townsite a distance of five miles "in the direction of Hutchinson"; the exact terminus of this road was not fixed.

It was also decided at this meeting that the clerk of the board of county commissioners be authorized to furnish the assessors with maps of their several precincts and charge the same to the county of McLeod.

A list of grand jurors for the August term was selected as follows: Judson Hutchinson, R. E, Grimshaw, J. Nobles, C. Chesley, John Henry, A. H. Rouse, John Hutchinson, William I, White, S. Jacks, B. E. Messer, I. W. Cummings, Willet Lepley and F, B. Lane,

The list of petit jurors for the August term contains the following names: Asa Hutchinson, A. S. Smith, C. D. Craig, R. Pendergast, William Mitchell, John Hubbard, James Mills, John McLeod, J. Durfee, John McCurdy, B. F. Buck, L. G. Simons. I. V. McKean, F. W. Hanscom, E. I. Clark, Lawrence Gillick, John Gaston, A. J. Bell, Joseph Lewis, E. E, Johnson, Lorenzo Tabor, A. 8, Nobles, James Chandler, L, C. Snyder, William Buck, George Doty, D. W. Fields, J. A. MeClary, James Phillips, W. 8. Chapman and John Folsom.

From this point there has been selected from the five large volumes of the commissioners' records such extracts as may appear to be of special interest to the general reader. This interest naturally pertains in a larger degree to the earlier years of the county's history, and hence quotations, or summarized extracts, will be made more copiously from the first volume, which deals with that period, than from the others, Even with respect to this first volume, the copyist soon abandoned the attempt to record the laying out of all the school districts and roads, as these records are almost innumerable, and the school districts, in particular, were so frequently readjusted, on account of conflicting boundaries, or for other causes, that scarcely a reader of this volume would care to follow their kaleidoscopic changes. Many roads. also were petitioned for, and the proposed routes ordered to be examined and reported on, that were rejected, so that an attempt to report all such proceedings would be equally futile, To follow and copy from the records the history of each road that was actually constructed in the county would alone require weeks of labor, out of all proportion to the interest likely to be taken in the subject, and would, moreover, take up a large amount of space that can be better devoted to topics of more general interest. Hence, it has not been attempted, such improvements having been mentioned in a general way only. Where full quotations have seemed desirable, they have been given. To the inhabitant of the county who desires detailed information upon some particular subject, the actual books are readily accessible. It remains to add that some difficulty was experienced by the transcriber with respect to personal names containing the initial letters "I" and "J," as in the first volume of records these are frequently written so much alike as to be indistinguishable. Such names have been verified as far as possible.

At a meeting of the commissioners Monday, July 7, 1856, James Phillips and John McLeod, present, and B. E. Messer, absent, the assessment roll was received of H. Elliott and certain bills presented and allowed. A group of eight items, the sum of which amounted to $49.50, was designated as "Cost of locating the Hutchinson road." John McLeod was appointed road supervisor in place of B. F, Buck, removed. Several roads were ordered to be located and a tax of 34, per cent. was ordered to be levied on the sum of $31,449, "being the amount of taxable property in McLeod county."

John MeLeod, James Phillips and A. J. Bell received 75 cents each for services, one-half day, the "expenses of court' thus amounting to $2.25.

At the extra session held July 12, 1856, J. V. McKean, W. S. Chapman and C. Chandler were appointed as examiners for locating certain roads; a tax of one-third per cent. was levied on all the real estate in road district No. 1 in Glencoe. Mr. Hart was appointed constable in Lake Addie precinct, and William J. White, John Pollock, and David Craig as judges of election in the same precinct.

October 27, 1856. C. L. Snyder, sheriff, in attendance; commissioners present, James Phillips and John McLeod. Fees allowed as follows: To commissioners, per day, $2.00; surveyor, $2.50; chain and ax men, $1.50. It was ordered by the board that C, L, Snyder take the tax list and collect same. Allen B. White was appointed constable,

December 9, 1856. C. L. Snyder, sheriff, and James Phil lips and John McLeod, commissioners, present. There being no petitions or reports before the board, certain bills were examined after which the board adjourned.

shaw, B. E. Messer; W. S. Chapman, clerk. Various bills were examined and allowed, and oaths of office administered to officials. The board then examined an account of expenses of the commissioners on the territorial road from Minneapolis to Fort Ridgely, via north shore of Lake Minnetonka, the total of "expenses due for locating said road in McLeod county" being $560.48. The report was signed by John H. Stevens and Lewis Harrington. The list of grand and petit jurors was then presented and record made after which the court adjourned.

February 2, 1857. O. L. Snyder, sheriff, in attendance ; commissioners present, James Phillips and B. EK. Messer; absent, R. E. Grimshaw. Bills were presented and allowed ; R. E. Grimshaw was appointed justice of the peace and William J. White supervisor on roads in Lake Addie precinct, and David Pollack constable in said precinct. William R. Pendergast was appointed judge of probate in the Hutchinson precinct, and George Chesley assessor in the same precinct.

At the meeting of the commissioners held July 25, 1857, at which were present Sheriff Snyder and Commissioners Phillips, Grimshaw and Messer, several petitions were presented and considered. One signed by V. P. Kennedy, Joshua C. Isaacs and 14 others, was for the location of a county road "on the nearest and best ground from Cedar City to Hutchinson, and also from Cedar City in the direction of Rapid Water to the county line." Another, which had 14 signers, asked for the establishment of a separate precinct and election district to be bounded on the north, east and west by the county line and on the south by the center of township 117, across the county. Signed by Samuel Parkes, J. C. Isaacs, M. Rudisall, T. Kennedy, A. E. Beneker, John Grover, V- P. Kennedy and seven others. A third petition asked for the establishment of an election precinct at Koniska and "that the election at the approaching autumn may be held at the house of Chas, A. Jenkinson in the town of Koniska." This was signed by M. H. Wood, H. Bond, W. B. Scott, Jeremiah Cox, Richard Calm, J. S. Neal, S. Dearborn, Jackson Whitney, John Huse, Geo. S. Nealy, F. E. Ford, Reuben Lamphear, and several others.

kinson bridge, signed by John H. Stevens, W. S. Chapman, D. 8. Wilkinson, John H. Wilkinson, S. P. Litchfield, James H. Magall, John Pefley, William Hall, C. L. Snyder, Henry Elliott, John Hubbard, William Armes and P, C. Cummings; one for the establishment of a school district, signed by eighteen citizens of Hutchinson, including W. W. Pendergast, Lewis Harrington, Solomon Pendergast and others. The district was to be bounded as follows: Commencing at the southeast corner of section 16, township 116, north, range 29 W; thence running north on the section line six miles; thence west six miles; thence south six miles; thence east six miles to the point of beginning. For the Cedar City precinct J. (or I.) R. Bradwell was appointed justice of the peace; V. P. Kennedy, M. B. Rudisall and T. Kennedy, judges of election; and W. J. Merriam, constable, Two examiners, S. B. Litchfield and C. L. Snyder, were appointed on the road to the county line between McLeod and Sibley counties; two others, Lewis Harrington and N. E. Banker, on the Hutchinson and Cedar City road. An assessment of 114 per cent. was ordered by the board on the whole amount of property assessed. A school district at Lake Addie was established, and bounded "on the south and west by the county line; on the north by a line between townships 115 and 116, and on the east by the center of township 114 and 115, range 29." Some bills were examined and allowed. We also find the following entry: "Glencoe, July 6, 1857. C. L, Snyder to McLeod Co., Dr. To taxes due as per last year, $130.28. Henry Elliott, Treasurer."

In the Koniska precinct M. H. Wood and H. H. Hand were appointed justices of the peace; P. Bond and Jeremiah Cox, constables; Charles E. Jenkinson, Daniel J. Pettijohn, James B. Hunt, Hiram Pettijohn, John Hughs and Charles B. Nealy, judges of election; and Bond, road supervisor. Assessors' reports were accepted and J. R. Armstrong was appointed viewer on the Glencoe and Hutchinson road. The school district at Hutchinson was approved of, a special session was arranged to be held the last Saturday in July for the purpose of fixing the rate per cent. of tax on the amount of property assessed. Officers were then appointed in Cedar City precinct and the meeting adjourned.

September 14, 1857, C. L. Snyder, sheriff, in attendance; commissioners present, James Phillips and R. E. Grimshaw; absent, B. E. Messer, resigned. F. E. Ford's petition for a road to Crow river, which had eleven signers, was presented and allowed, the road to be "laid out from Glencoe to intersect the road from Koniska to Camden at or near the claim of Fayette E. Ford in section 18, township 116, range 27."

A petition signed by sixty citizens, including some of the most prominent, asked for the opening of a road "commencing at or near the new Bates house, thence near the northeast corner of Glencoe, thence to the northeast corner of C, Chandler's claim, thence on the section line to the northeast corner of the school section, thence a straight course east 20 degrees north to the bridge on Buffalo creek, from thence to the Carver county line." These petitions were granted and another road petition considered. John Barker was appointed road supervisor in the Hutchinson precinct. The survey of the Glencoe and Wilkinson road was ordered. Lewis Harrington's bill for surveying the Glencoe and Hutchinson road was allowed. This bill was as follows:

"T hereby certify that the above is a correct account of expense due for labor in surveying the county road from Glencoe to Hutchinson. Lewis Harrington, County Surveyor."

Among expense accounts under this date we find $25.00 due Richmond Armstrong for "5 days' work with team at $5.00": to James Phillips, "to 5 days' work at $2.50, $12.50"; and to Harrington, "to 4 meals and lodging, $1.40."

September 21, 1857. Present, Sheriff Snyder and Commissioners James Phillips and R. E. Grimshaw. Judges of election were appointed for the different precincts, and county orders issued, John McLeod being the chief beneficiary.

October 5, 1857, with the sheriff and the same commis~ Sioners present. Reports of road commissioners were accepted and surveys ordered for the roads to Carver county line, to Buffalo creek bridge and to Crow river. A petition was read asking for a road "from Hutchinson to Cedar City"; also one for a road "commencing near Getchell's on the new Hutchinson road, running on the south of Crow river, to run on or near the center of sections 21, 22, 23, and 24, from thence to the county line"; also another for a road from Hutchinson to the county line in the direction of Henderson.

November 16, 1857. Present, C. L. Snyder, sheriff; James Phillips (chairman) and R. E, Grimshaw, commissioners ; absent, Lewis Harrington. A petition was allowed asking for a road to be laid out "commencing at the office of the register of deeds, Glencoe, running from thence on the most direct and practicable route to James Chandler's grove, then intersecting the road leading from Hutchinson to the county line in the direction of Henderson."

January 4, 1858. Present, C. L. Snyder with Commissioners R. BE. Grimshaw, Lewis Harrington and J. V. McKean. A road petition was presented asking for a road to commence at the town site of Hutchinson near Messrs. Chesleys, and running along the north side of Hassan river, crossing said river at the east end of Nuttle & Wilson's grove, thence to connect with the county road between Glencoe and Hutchinson, A petition for a school district was presented "to be laid out and established, commencing at the northeast corner of section 8, running two miles west, thence north one-half mile, thence west two miles, south four miles and a half to the place of beginning.

Another school district was petitioned for, the signers being: Marshall Getchell, E. C. Smith, Elisha Nash, William Getchell, James Nuttle, William Wilson, James Marvin, Thomas James, John Walker, P, H. Gitchell, H. A. Hopper, W. B. Wilson, and several others. This called for a district to be laid out commencing at the southeast corner of section 5, running north two and one-half miles, west two miles, then north one-half mile, then west three miles, south three miles and one-half, east three miles, south half a mile, east two miles. Petition for Glencoe and Hutchinson road granted, with the understanding that the county be at no expense. Road viewers appointed, School fund apportioned by the board to the several districts in the county. V. P. Kennedy and Bradbury Richardson appointed assessors.

No. 2 district, Hutchinson assessor, specified as follows: townships 116 and 117 of ranges 29 and 30; No. 3 district, Lake Addie assessor, specified as townships 114 and 115 of ranges 29 and 30, Henry Little, John H. Barker and William J. White were appointed supervisors of roads. A resolution was passed to the effect that all persons cutting timber on school sections from this time shall be dealt with according to law. D, H. Pollock was appointed judge of probate court.

March 1, 1858. C. L. Snyder, sheriff, being in attendance. Commissioners present, R. E. Grimshaw, Lewis Harrington and J. V. McKean. J. H. McClelland was appointed clerk pro tem. The commissioners proceeded to declare the office of register of deeds vacant on account of some doubts having been expressed with regard to the validity of said office. These doubts seem to have been promptly settled, however, as it is immediately thereafter recorded that "William 5, Chapman was appointed register of deeds,"

The commissioners authorized the clerk of board to send a petition to the representative to have a bill passed "legalizing all official acts of the officers of this county." appointed in the several precincts were: Winsted, Lorenzo Coleman, Leonard W. Love and Baptist Connoyer; Glencoe, John McLeod, G. K. Gilbert and A. M. Close; Lake Addie, John Pollock, William White and David Pollock; Hutchinson, J. H. Chubb, Thomas Chesley and E. W. Stocking; Cedar City, Isaac W. Hook, J. R. Broadwell and W. 8. Sherman; Koniska, James B. Hunt, A. S. Nobles and C. E. Jenkinson. The clerk was instructed to procure a list of taxable lands from Forest. City land office as soon as practicable.

In 1858, Minnesota being provided with a state constitution, there began an era which in this state continued but a short time, that of county government by a board of supervisors consisting of the chairman of the different townships and a representative from each ward of the incorporated settlements. This system lasted only until 1860, when the state returned to the commission system.

September 14, 1858, accordingly, we find the members of the county board are denominated as supervisors, and four members, in addition to the sheriff, are recorded as having been present namely: Geo. W. Taylor, L. Gillick, L. Harrington and Benjamin G. Lee. The board proceeded to examine and equalize the taxation of the county. It was voted that the towns named Winsted, Fremont and Acoma (being unorganized) be attached to Hutchinson; also that Bergen (being unorganized) be attached to Rich Valley and that the assessors of Hutchinson and Rich Valley proceed to assess the townships so attached. Some minor business was then transacted after which the court adjourned.

November 10, 1858. The supervisors met pursuant to adjournment. Present C. L. Snyder, sheriff; Supervisors Geo. W. Taylor, J. B. Mills and L. Gillick. Little was done at this meeting but as there was considerable business on hand requiring a full board, they adjourned to meet November 16, 1858.

November 16, 1858. The supervisors present were Geo. W. Taylor, J. B. Mills, B. G. Lee and L. Gillick. Jeremiah Nobles also presented credentials from the town of Penn, having been appointed to fill a vacancy caused by removal. A B, White qualified before the board as county auditor-elect and gave the requisite bond. A delinquent tax report was presented and laid over until the January meeting.

Some accounts were examined and audited. In accordance with a communication from the state auditor requiring that the names of the towns of "Hassan" and "Fremont" be

January 3, 1859. The supervisors present were: G. W. Taylor, Lewis Harrington, Jeremiah Nobles and B. G, Lee. A. B. White was sworn into office, W. W. Rossman took the oath of office as sheriff elect for McLeod county, and after gome minor business the board adjourned.

January 4, 1859. The same supervisors present as at previous meeting. Some new school districts were established on petition. Grand and petit jurors were selected and sheriff's and treasurer's accounts examined and approved. The balance in the hands of the treasurer was $63.77. The treasurer's office was declared vacant, Thomas B. Chesley was appointed and gave bend. After two adjournments this day, the same commissioners met again in the evening with the addition of Lawrence Gillick, of Helen town. The office of judge of probate was declared vacant and B. G. Lee was appointed. The board instructed the clerk to notify the clerk of the district court that there was no necessity of holding a term of court in this county in February, 1859.

The board then passed the following resolution, which they will hereafter strictly observe: "Resolved, that all bills presented to the board shall be certified to as being correct, and that they have received no part of them, before a justice of the peace."

February 21, 1859. Present: G. W. Taylor (chairman), Glencoe; Lewis Harrington, Hutchinson; B. G. Lee, Lee; Lawrence Gillick, Helen; H. H. Hand, Rich Valley; Jeremiah Nobles, Penn, Mr. Taylor being called away, B. G. Lee was chosen chairman pro tem. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and adopted, with the exception of the last resolution, which was changed to read as follows: "Resolved; that all persons presenting bills to the board should make oath to the following: (ist) that the work had been performed ; (2d) that no part of the pay for the same had been received."

School district No. 5 was established on petition. John Lester of the town of Bergen made oath that the said town was not organized and the following officers were appointed: John Lester, chairman board of supervisors; F. E. Ford and Stephen Pool, supervisors; Norman Fowler, town clerk; Lewis Lester and John Draper, justices of the peace. Mr. Lester qualified as chairman and took his seat on the county board.

ment of accumulated school money was then made - to Hutchinson district, No. 2, $78.30; to Glencoe district, No. 1, $107.66. Mr. Appleton presented a bill of damages for running a county road through his farm. The board decided they had no jurisdiction. Moved and carried that all state road bills for locating said (road) from Glencoe to the county line be rejected. Clerk ordered to write to the commissioners giving an explanation why said bills were not allowed. The clerk was ordered to write to the state auditor for seals for county officers. Also to write to the attorney general inquiring whether the "Register" should deliver delinquent tax list of 1857 to the treasurer. It was resolved that 'the different officers of the county who require seals, if they will advance the money for the said seals, they shall be allowed 15 per cent. per annum on the same and that they shall be paid out of the first money that comes into the hands of the county treasurer belonging after paying Wm. 3. Chapman $150.00."

After two meetings in May, 1859, at which no business was transacted on account of lack of quorum, the board met June 3, 1859. Present: Claybourn Chandler, of Helen; F. B. Dean, Glencoe; John Lester, Bergen; A. S. Nobles, Rich Valley; Jer. Nobles, Penn; B. G. Lee, Lee; L, Coleman, of Winsted. It was moved and carried that an apportionment be made to build a bridge across Buffalo creek on the county road, six miles below Glencoe, $130.00 to be appropriated for this purpose, and the bridge to be built according to a plan proposed by John Lester, the contract to be let to the lowest responsible bidder. Messrs. Chandler, Lester and Jeremiah Nobles were chosen as a committee on this matter. A motion that there be an appropriation made to build a bridge across Crow river at Koniska was lost. On motion of John Lester a new school district was formed and the board adjourned.

September 13, 1859. At this meeting the supervisors examined the assessment rolls and equalized the valuation of all unimproved lands. The Glencoe and Helen lists remained unaltered. Rich Valley land was valued per acre at $2.30; the game valuation was made for Lee, Penn, Hutchinson and Bergen, and Winsted at $2.00. A school district was formed in the town of Rich Valley. The clerk was instructed to issue orders to pay the constuctors of Buffalo creek bridge. A petition from the landlord of the Pioneer House to sell wines and liquors for medicinal purposes was then put to a vote and Jost, the vote being a tie.

school and county tax in the assessments made this year should be one per cent. on all personal and real property in the county. The school fund in the hands of the treasurer was then apportioned; district No. 1 receiving $88.79; No. 2, $65.70; No. 4, $26.63; and No. 6, $23.08. Districts Nos. 3 and 5 had presented no enumeration of scholars and therefore received no apportionment. Certain amounts were attached to the tax rolls of the several towns to pay town charges. An appropriation was granted to aid in the construction of a bridge over Crow river at Koniska, certain illegal taxes were cancelled, and just and legal claims allowed.

January 2, 1860. Present: C. Chandler, J. Lester, L. Harrington, B. G. Lee, F. B. Dean, J. Nobles; Geo. Harris, clerk pro tem, A petition and affidavit from the citizens of the town of Hale was presented requesting the board to organize the said town by appointing officers, and the following were appointed: W. Clyde, William Hall and John Connelly, supervisors; David Young and John Connelly, justices of the peace; David Young, overseer of the poor; William Clark, overseer of highways; 8. Denise and A. Laughlin, M. Reveau and Marion Laughlin, pound masters. It was moved by Mr, Harrington and carried, that the clerk ascertain immediately the amount due from the county to the school fund and issue seript to the several districts according to the apportionment of the same. An addition was made to school district No. 1. F. B. Dean was appointed a committee to find a suitable office for the register of deeds "at a less rent than has been paid." Board adjourned.

January 3, 1860. Mr, Lee moved that an appropriation be made for road improvements, including $50.00 for "building a good substantial bridge across Crow river at Hutchinson," and $120.00 to be applied in building a bridge across Beaver dam and in bridging a slough near the house of Adolph Creyier in the town of Winsted. Mr, Dean reported that an office for the register of deeds, with a safe for county purposes, could be rented of Mr. Graham for $30.00 cash or $40,00 in county orders, for one year, whereby it would seem that county orders were at a discount of 25 per cent. On motion of Mr, Harrington a remonstrance was addressed to the legislature against "the formation of any new county which shall include any portion of McLeod county, and we would respectfully petition your honorable body that towns 114, 115, 116 and 117 of range 31 be attached to McLeod county" (passed), F. B. Dean presented the following resolution: "Resolved; that we desire the legislature to attach to this county towns 114 of ranges 27 and 28, now included in Sibley county. Resolved; that we desire the legislature to attach to this county one tier of towns on the east line of this county belonging now in Carver county." Some bills were allowed and a grant of $100.00 made to the town of Bergen to be laid out on roads. The board authorized Geo. Harris to compute the amount due the school fund from the bonds bid in by the county for taxes, and said computation given to the auditor, an order to be issued by him to the several school districts according to their apportionment.

February 1, 1860. P. W. Savage (treasurer elect) presented his bond of $6,000, which was accepted, and took his oath of office. February 2d, among other business it was resolved that F'. B. Dean be allowed $2 per month for rent of the lower room of his store to be used as a jail; also that C. Chandler and F. B. Dean be a committee to procure board for M. Coombs, {a prisoner now in the sheriff's hands), at as low a rate as possible. J, Lester, A. S. Nobles and L. Coleman were chosen a committee to examine and accept Koniska bridge.

June 4, 1860, The county board met pursuant to law. Present: A. J. Snyder, B, G. Lee and Amaziah Langley, also, A. B, White, county auditor. The board organized by choosing B. G. Lee, chairman, and proceeded to divide the county into three cormmissioners' districts, as follows: The towns of Helen, Bergen and Winsted to constitute district No. 1. The towns of Glencoe, Rich Valley and Hale to constitute district No. 2. The towns of Penn, Lee, Hutchinson and Acoma to constitute district No. 3, After allowing a few bills the board adjourned, September 4, 1860, the board decided to levy a tax for county expenses the current year of three mills on the dollar valuation; also a tax to apply on the floating debt of the county of two mills on the dollar valuation. September 5, school fund apportioned according to the number of scholars in each district. District No. 1 showed 74 scholars; district No. 2, 42; district No. 3, 16; district No. 4, 16; district No. 6, 11. No returns from districts 5, 7 and 8. The amounts due were: district No. 1, $97.32; No. 2, $55.23; No. 3 and No. 4, $21.04 each; and No. 6, $14.46. Total $209.09.

Some accounts were then audited and allowed, but no orders granted, the treasurer stating that no funds were then in the treasury. The salary of county auditor for 1860 was fixed at $350. It was voted on motion of A. J. Snyder "that on all taxes for 1857 and 1858 now belonging to McLeod county shall be paid prior to January 1, 1861, no interest shall be charged.

January 3, 1861, The board met and authorized the register of deeds, treasurer and clerk of the district court to purchase all books necessary in their respective offices, using county orders at 50 cents on a dollar, by which it would seem the county's credit had still further deteriorated. The board then rented a room of J. W. Bates for the register of deeds and other county officers. The county officers that qualified while board was in session were: Eli W. Stocking, register of deeds; J. R. Armstrong, sheriff; Henry Elliott, county attorney.

September 2, 1861. Board called to order by the chairman, B. G. Lee, Present: B. G. Lee, F. W. Getchell and L, Coleman. The board proceeded to equalize the assessment rolls. The town of Glencoe was assessed at $2.50 per acre for unimproved lands ; Bergen, $1.88; Penn, $2.00; Rich Valley, $2.00; Helen, $2.00; Winsted, $1.50; Hutchinson, $2.00; Hale, $1.50; Lee, $2.00, Among the bills allowed at this session we find one of $180.00 of the Glencoe Register, for printing tax advertisements for 1860. Lorenzo Coleman was appointed committee to request the treasurer to meet the board and settle, which the latter declined to do. A resolution in favor of issuing county bonds was passed; a county tax voted of three mills on the dollar, also two mills for the purpose of paying interest on county bonds.

September 3, 1861. Resolved that the county auditor be instructed to procure blanks for bonds for the redemption of county orders according to the law passed at the last session of the legislature. The said bonds to draw interest at the rate of seven per cent. per annum, to be paid semi-annually.

The treasurer settled with the board September 26, and the next meeting recorded is on January 7, 1862. Commissioners present: B, F. Buck, Lorenzo Coleman and Benjamin G. Lee, Mr. Lee being elected chairman for the next year. Jurors selected and a number of bills presented and allowed in part. Below we find the entry "whole amount of orders issued since March 4, 1861, to January 8, 1862, $869.60."

March 3, 1862. There seems at this time to have been some misunderstanding between the board and the county treasurer in regard to his accounts, the details of which are obscure and unnecessary to go into. We find from bills presented and allowed March 4, 1862, that the auditor's salary for four months (November 4, 1861 to March 4, 1862) was $116.67.

June 27, 1862. Present: B. G. Lee, B. F. Buck and L. Coleman. A petition for a school district in the town of Hale was accepted, also one for the town of Glendale and the bounds

August 4, 1862. The commissioners were called together by petition "for the purpose of granting a bounty to those that volunteered for the United States service.' The board voted to defer the matter till the regular meeting. On a petition presented by A. Giltner town 114, range 29 was made a school district (Dist. No. 7), and a new school district was formed from the Hutchinson district, also on petition.

October 16, 1862. Ed White was duly appointed and qualified to his seat on the board, which consisted of B. G. Lee, L. Coleman and E. White. Motion was made and carried that unimproved lands shall be assessed at $2.50 for 160 acres, and improved in proportion. Voted to levy a tax of 5 mills on the dollar for county tax. School examiners were appointed as follows: district No. 1, Henry Hill; district No. 2, F, B. Dean; district No. 3, Lewis Harrington. A school district in Bergen was established comprising sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 18, 14, and 15. This district conflicting in part with another, a subsequent readjustment was made.

The militia districts were then established as follows; towns of Winsted, Hale, Hutchinson, Acoma, Glendale and the north half of Rich Valley to constitute district No. 1, and district No. 2 to contain the towns of Bergen, Helen, Glencoe, the south half of Rich Valley and the town of Penn. Henry Hill not being a resident of the first commissioner's district, L. Coleman was appointed school examiner. On motion by Mr. White a special tax of one-half mill on the dollar was levied for the purchase of blanks.

January 1, 1863. The county commissioners met and held meeting. Edward White of district No. 2 and David Little, of district No. 1, being duly elected and qualified, took their seats. A proposition from F. B: Dean "to furnish his office for the county with wood fitted for the stove for one year for fifty dollars in county orders" was accepted. January 6 Ed White was elected chairman for the term. A number of bills were then presented from which we learn that the commis- sioners at this period received $1.50 per day for attendance on the board, L. Coleman presenting a bill of $12.00 for eight days attendance. He also presented a bill of $9.60 for "160 miles travel going to and returning from the county board," which was at the rate of six cents a mile. Henry Elliott presented bill of $4.25, his yearly salary as county attorney being $50.00. A desk for the judge of probate cost $10.50. The clerk of court's desk seems to have been subject to hard usage as it cost $5.00 for repairs.

April 5, 1863. Present, E. White and L. G. Simons. The office of sheriff was declared vacant. J. W Bates, of Glencoe, was duly appointed to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term.

Resolved that the county auditor put up notices in the military districts notifying the yesidents to hold an election for the purpose of electing company officers on Wednesday, July 8, in Hutchinson, Glencoe and Bergen in said districts. The county is hereby divided into military districts as follows: District No. 1 to contain the towns of Acoma, Hutchinson, Glendale and Hale. District No. 2 shall contain the towns of Winsted and Bergen. District No. 3 to contain the towns of Penn, Glencoe, Rich Valley and Helen. J uly 13, 1863, Mathew Lynch was appointed assessor for the town of Rich Valley; Thomas Hart for the town of Hale.

September 1, 1863, Present, Edward White and L. G. Simons. Voted to raise a tax for county purposes the ensuing year of five mills on the dollar valuation; and one-half mill special tax for books, blanks, and incidentals. Resolved that in the opinion of the county commissioners it is necessary for the county to build county buildings, and that the same be submitted to the people at the coming election. The sum of money coming from the state treasurer to this county was appropriated towards building a bridge across Buffalo creek; $28.46 was reported to be the sum accredited to the county and that was to be added to the sum in the hands of the supervisors of the town of Glencoe for the above purpose. F. B. Dean and A. J. Snyder were appointed a committee to contract for and superintend the building of the same. Among the bills allowed we find several, totaling $240.60, allowed the Glencoe Register for publication of tax sales of land, land sales and descriptions; and a bill of $15 from Henry Hill for three months salary as county attorney.

January 20, 1864. The bonds of J. W. Bates as sheriff, and G. K. Gilbert as treasurer, were presented and approved. Resolved that F. B. Dean notify all those selling liquor of any kind, or ale or beer, to appear before the county commissioners the first Monday in March, 1864, at the county auditor's office and take out a license for selling the same. Voted assistance to the towns of Hale and Winsted for building and repairing the Hutchinson and Minneapolis road, the sum of $150.00, provided the towns each raise and expend the sum of $50.00 on said road, the whole to be laid out and extended in the towns of Hale and Winsted. B. G. Lee was appointed as committee to lay out and superintend the work.

March 7, 1864. After the usual examination of bills Amazjah Langley was appointed committee to sell the grass on the school lands in the town of Rich Valley, and Newton Little in the town of Helen. March 8, appropriations for road repairing.

September 6, 1864. Present, E. White (chairman) and B. G. Lee. The auditor was ordered to assess all the unimproved lands in the county at $1.8714 per acre, with no allowance for short claims or fractions when they come near the amount of a government division. On a petition from Rich Valley school district No. 6 was established, viz: taking the southwest quarter of township 116, range 28; petition signed by A. Langley, W. B. Gipson, J. Short, S. Gipson, R. Vannert, John Abbott, J. Thompson, Mathew Lynch, School district No. 8 was also formed, to contain sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17 and 18. Signers: E. Nash, J. H. Getchell, Wm. Getchell, C. Zierkee, T. Beihofer. School district No. 4, on a petition from Penn township, was adopted - to contain the east half of township 115, range 29. Signed by John Walker, Henry Sankin and P. M. Weaver, and Samuel Nobles.

September 7, 1864. The rate of taxation adopted for 1864 was as follows: For county revenue, five mills; for poor, two mills in cash; for incidental stationery, etc., one mill in cash; for interest on county orders, one mill in cash.

January 3, 1865. Present: Commissioners B. G. Lee and F. E. Ford, and county auditor. F. EB. Ford, was elected chairman for the ensuing year, Bills were allowed and paid a number of citizens as petit jurors and mileage. Oliver Pierce, constable, collected $2.50 "for arresting Edward Setz on a charge of stealing lambs." A number of other bills were examined and allowed and the constantly increasing amount of such business before the board shows that the county was growing rapidly in population and general development. Jan- uary 4, 1865, we find the name of Timothy Hinman as that of one of the commissioners in addition to F. BE. Ford and B. G. Lee. A. J. Snyder gave bond as register of deeds, Sylvanus Dunean as sheriff, A. Langley as coroner, and L. Harrington as county surveyor. On petition several new school districts were formed, and district No. 1, Glencoe, enlarged. The signers to this last were F. B. Dean, G. K. Gilbert, Nicholas Clinton, Henry Anderson, Newton C. Little and A. J. Snyder, A petition for a road from Glencoe to Winsted signed by 24 citizens, was adopted and Christian Johnson, Ole Delvin and Henry Otto appointed commissioners to locate the road.

March 7, 1865. Board called to order by auditor. Present: F. BE. Ford, Benj. G. Lee and Timothy Hinman. It was resolved "that the chairman of the board (Mr. Ford) notify Mr. Marcley, C. Wiedewitsch and Charles Durfee that they appear before him and pay the sum of $50.00 each as a license to sell strong and spirituous liquors in the county for the term of one year; also to give bond with two or more sureties * * * % in the penal sum of $500, conditioned in all cases that the person or persons so licensed will not sell or otherwise dispose of spirituous intoxicating liquors, or malt liquors, at any place other than the building or town for which said person or persons may have been licensed, nor on the Sabbath; and that he or they will keep a quiet and orderly house and not permit gambling with cards or any other device for money, or the representation of money, in the house or place of business of such person or persons." A list of grand and petit jurors was then selected for the ensuing year. March 8, 1865. Peter W. Savage was appointed judge of probate in place of Daniel Pettijohn (gone to the war). To give the readers of this volume some idea of the prices of various commodities at the close of the war period (1865) we copy from the commissioners' records the following bills, which were allowed:

Among the bills presented September 5 we find several for the relief of poor families. The county auditor's salary for the year commencing March 1, 1865, was fixed at $600 per year. It was resolved that the county treasurer convert the poor fund collected and on hand at the October settlement into seven and three-tenths interest bearing treasury notes of the United States and hold them subject to the order of the board of county commissioners. School district (No. 14) petition presented and adopted as follows: Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, township 117, range 29, School district (No. 15) petition presented and adopted as follows: Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, township 117, range 30. School district (No, 18) petition presented and adopted. (Subsequently reorganized.)

January 2, 1866. Meeting called to order by county auditor. Present: Wilbur T. Higgins, A. M. Young and Timothy Hinman. Voted that Timothy Hinman should be chairman for the ensuing year. G. K. Gilbert's bond for treasurer and Henry Hill's bond for county attorney were presented and approved. Among the bills presented and allowed were several for carrying election returns, from different townships based on a rate of 10 cents a mile. A school district, denominated No. 19, was formed of sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34, township 116, range 27.

Petition was presented from the inhabitants of township 117, range 30, for a township organization, which was granted and the township designated by the name of Acoma. Several school districts were formed about this time, which, owing to subsequent readjustments, are marked "Void" on the records. Rented the offices of F. B. Dean and G. K. Gilbert for one year from the first of January, 1866, they to be furnished with wood fitted for the stove, at $60 per year.

January 3, 1866. Full board present. Appropriated $50 to be laid out in cutting out the road leading from Bergen to Glencoe; A. M. Young, committee to accept the work; $80 on the road leading from Faxon to Glencoe, A. H. Reed, committee; $50 to be laid out on the Hutchinson and Watertown yoad, W. T. Higgins, committee, From a bill presented to the board March 24 by W. F. Higgins and charged to the poor funds, it appears that flour at this time was worth 214 cents per pound and pork 1214 cents.

March 24, 1866. Petition for the organization of township 117, range 30, was presented again for the approval of the board for the reason that the notice of election was not posted in season the first time it was presented. March 26, Solomon Pendergast, of Hutchinson, and L. G. Simons, of Helen, were appointed appraisers of school lands. L. G. Simons was appointed county surveyor to fill vacancy. Some new school districts were organized on petition, one or two of which were afterwards reorganized, and an addition was made to school district No. 1. A committee was appointed to investigate the robbery of the county safe and report on the facts. G. K, Gilbert was instructed to repair the safe by putting on a new lock with such other repairs as he might think necessary. There seems to have been much confusion at times in the formation of school districts, as we frequently find records of such districts being laid out on petition and subsequently endorsed "Void," or "Reorganized," or "Conflicts with No. Keg May 31, 1866, Present: Timothy Hinman, and A. M. Young. Sylvanus Duncan, sheriff elect, handed in his resignation and Charles W. Applin was duly appointed to fill the vacancy, September 4, 1866. Present: T, Hinman, T. Higgins and A. M. Young. Voted that the unimproved land throughout the county should be assessed at $2.00 an acre, or $320.00 per claim (of 160 acres) and no deduction shall be made unless it runs 20 acres over or under the designated area. The above is only intended to apply to prairie land. Voted a tax of seven mills on the dollar for county revenue for the year 1866; one mill in cash for the payment of the county bonds; one mill in cash for a poor tax. A petition was presented and adopted for the organization of township 116, range 30, which was named "Lynn." A petition for the organization of township 115, range 30, was presented and adopted and the township named "Collins." From certain bills presented about this time we derive the following information as to prices: Flour (per pound) 214 cents; salt, 3 cents; pork, 1214 cents; one-half ton of hay, $2.50; three yards of sheeting, $1.20; Soap 10 cents a pound; matches 10 to 15 cents a box. January 1, 1867. Commissioners present: W. T. Higgins, A. M. Young; absent, L. G. Simons. L. G. Simons elected chairman of the board for the coming year. The cost of a liquor license was placed at $100. Lewis King presented bill for locating state road from Hutchinson to Kingston, and David Alway for locating state road from Watertown to Preston, $3.00 a day being charged for services as road commissioners. Lewis Harrington presented a bill of $50.00 for 10 days surveying and mapping. The salary of F, B. Dean as county auditor was $800 per year. F. H. Wightman presented bond as sheriff. A. J. Snyder's bond for register of deeds and clerk of district court was presented and approved, as was also Henry Hill's bond for county attorney.

January 29, 1867. Remonstrance on organization of school district comprising the whole of township 115, range 30, and numbered 31. Approved as follows: We, the undersigned, legal voters, residing in said district, do hereby remonstrate against the organization of the district embracing township 115, range 30. Dated at Collins, November 6, 1866. E. D. Hewitt, Thomas Harkness, Benson Griswold, Joseph Farrar, John E. Cimi, J. S. McCarty, Ransom T. Young, Mahlon Eckert, John B. Grover, A. J. Jones, Josiah Hatten, William N. McCarty, G. C. Canfield, L. F. Canfield, John Dunn, Simon Padden, Byron T. Champlin.

School district No. 32 was organized on petition dated at Penn, January 2, 1867; also school district No. 33 on petition of certain voters in Collins township, this district being somewhat differently bounded than that which was the subject of the remonstrance above referred to. District No. 34 was organized on petition from citizens of Winsted. Signers: Liby May, John H. Griswold, John A. Griswold, O. D. Soers, Barker Greenwood, Greenwood Nuttall, Ernest Miller, William Blackketter, Isaac May, James Rand, F. L. H. Gilman and others. District No. 35 was organized on petition from voters of Bergen, viz: John Sommerville, Harold Oleson, Simeon Buck, John N. Kelley, Will Forsberg, Levi Lamphear, Michael Holway, William Buck, Reuben Lamphear and John Bourke.

School district No. 36 was also organized at this meeting, the petition, dated at Collins, being signed by S. Padden, Mahlon Eckert, Joseph I. Farrar, John B. Grover, Benj. R. Baker, A. J. Jones, John BE. Kuni. Ordered to relocate the road from Glencoe to the county line on the Glencoe and Faxon road; L. G. Simons, A. H. Reed and Newton Little were appointed commissioners for same. A petition was adopted to lay out a road from near the middle of the west line of section 24, township 117, range 27, to the town site of Winsted, on said Winsted lake in section 2 in said township, as near direct as practicable, it being a continuation of the Glencoe and Winsted county road. Among the bills presented was one "for use of school house for holding court five days, $7.50"; also one from Mt. Hope Lodge No. 42 for use of lodge room for grand jury five days, $7.50.

they were requested to write and circulate documents describing McLeod county and its advantages to immigrants and to charge the expense of the same to the county.

March 4, 1867. J. H. McClelland's bond as county auditor approved and salary fixed at $800 for the current year, payable monthly. From bills presented at this date we find that sugar was high-priced, 314 pounds costing 50 cents; coffee (supplied to the poor) was 35 cents a pound and butter 25 cents; "one pair of boy's shoes" is charged at $2.25; one pair of Misses', $1.75; sheeting 28 cents per yard; ginghams, 35 cents.

"To the Hon. Board of County Commissioners of McLeod County. Your committee appointed to procure and distribute immigration documents have the honor to report, viz: that at a meeting of the committee held at Hutchinson it was decided upon to procure herewith pamphlets and insert the supplement marked 'A' in pamphlet herewith submitted. Five hundred of herewith pamphlets have been procured and in addition we have obtained from the secretary of the state one hundred of the 'Emigration Prize Essays,' all of which have been sent to the address of persons residing in different states, but mostly to New York and the New England states. It has been necessary to advance money in procuring pamphlets, printing, postage stamps, etc., and we respectfully ask that you make the necessary appropriation to meet the bill of expense herewith presented marked 'B.' This bill amounted to $71.95, Glencoe, April 5, 1867. Respectfully submitted, A. H. Reid, for committee."

On this date (April 5, 1867) a resolution was adopted appropriating $200 for the purpose of building a county jail. F. B. Dean was appointed a committee to advertise and receive proposals for the same, the jail to be completed by September, 1867,

At a special meeting held May 24, 1867, a petition was pre- Sented by the town board of Hale for relief, and it was voted to "appropriate $100 of the county revenue fund and $100 of the county poor fund for the relief of those that are destitute of provision in the county." A committee was appointed to distribute the funds and it was ordered that they take the note of those who receive aid payable in six months with interest at seven per cent. per annum and 12 per cent. after maturity.

September 4, 1867. Present L. G. Simons, A.M. Young and W. T. Higgins. It was resolved that the commissioners appropriate the sum of $450 out of the bridge tax of 1867 for the purpose of helping the town of Helen build a bridge across Buffalo creek on the Glencoe and Carver road, the town of Helen to raise and appropriate the sum of $150 for the bridge. The following taxes were levied for the year 1867: For bridge tax, two mills on the dollar valuation; for interest on county orders, one mill on the dollar valuation; for county revenue 1867, seven mills on the dollar valuation; for payment of old outstanding orders, three mills on the dollar valuation; for poor tax, three mills on the dollar valuation.

The following resolution was adopted: Whereas, the legislature of the state of Minnesota at their annual session for the year 1864, having in view the election and improvement of our common school system of local or county superintendency of schools, in accordance with such authority be it therefore ordered that the board of county commissioners for the county of McLeod do hereby adopt in lieu of section 28 of the common school law the act of the legislature of Minnesota entitled "An act supplementary to an act entitled an act to provide for a general system of common schools, 'the officers thereof and their respective duties and powers. Approved March 3, 1864. And in accordance with said act Liberty Hall, Glencoe, is hereby appointed a superintendent of schools for the county of McLeod, to hold his office until the fifst day of January, A. D. 1869, or until his successor is elected and qualified." Henry Hill handed in his resignation as county attorney and James C, Edson was appointed to fill the remainder of the term at a salary of $300 per year, It was ordered that all money collected for the payment of county bonds, except $298, be and is hereby appropriated to the county poor fund. Some new school districts were created and some changes in boundaries of one or two others. Two bridge appropriations of $50 and $40 were made to be used in the towns of Bergen and Collins respectively and it was "yesolved" to pay the town of Rich Valley $300 out of the bridge fund "when the town builds a good and substantial bridge across Crow river at Koniska." F, H. Wightman (sheriff) was granted an auctioneer's license on payment of $5.00 for same and presenting the proper papers.

November 20, 1867. On favorable report of committee the petition for laying out the state road from Glencoe to Hutchinson, by the prairie route, was granted and a survey ordered.

It was resolved that the chairman of the board and the county auditor issue license to all who pay the required amount and file the proper bond for selling liquor. It was "resolved" to issue $1000 in county bonds, payable in three years with interest at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum, "said bonds ta be sold by the chairman of the board at a sum not less than their face value and the money expended on the Faxon and Hutchinson road in MeLeod county." The chairman was also authorized to make a contract with I. F. Crosby to build a jail according to a plan and agreement submitted to the board by the said I. F. Crosby.

The following petition was presented to the board and ordered to be recorded: "The undersigned, legal voters of Me- Leod county, would respectfully represent to your honorable body the great and growing importance of a road from our county to the nearest station on the Minnesota Valley railroad. The experience of last spring in tramping from Carver through the big woods; the bad and almost impossible state of the roads resulting in turning almost the whole tide of immigration from us, we trust will impress you with the necessity of acting at once. We therefore petition your honorable body to appropriate $1000 to be expended in repairing that part of the Glencoe and Faxon road in MeLeod county. We offer the reasons for the appropriation. ist. This route will be 14 miles shorter to the railroad station. 2d. It will shorten the distance to the river 12 miles.. 3d. A tri-weekly mail route is expected to be established from Blakely station to Hutchinson, taking the mail through from St. Paul to Hutchinson in one day." This petition was signed by W. W. Getchell, W. T. Caldwell, Liberty Hall, A. H. Reed, Prentiss Chubb, A, MeWright and 45 other well known and prominent citizens,

January 7, 1868. Commissioners present: L. G. Simons, Slocum Wooley, and W. T. Higgins. Mr. Higgins was elected chairman for the ensuing year. A. Langley presented bond as judge of probate and Albert McWright as county treasurer; both examined and approved. Addition made to school district 28. Office of F. B. Dean rented for one year, from June 1, 1868, said office to be furnished with wood for the stove, at $60 per year. L. G. Simons presented a resolution "that the county commissioners of McLeod county fix the license for the sale of spirituous or fermented and malt liquors at $75 for the ensuing year." Motion being called, L. G, Simons and W. T. Higgins voted for it, Slocum Wooley voted against it. Resolution declared adopted.

On petition dated at Penn, January 17, 1868, and presented March 10, 1868, the township of Sumter was organized, its territory being described as township 115, range 29. The petition was signed by thirty legal voters of the territory affected.

The time of completing the jail was extended to May 1, 1868. It was "resolved" that F. B. Dean procure 100 bonds for the county. It was ordered that 10 cents be paid out of the county fund as damage to each land owner on the Glencoe and Hutchinson road; also the same amount to each land owner on the Hutchinson and Chaska road.

September 1, 1868, the average valuation on unimproved land made by the assessors was $2.66 1-7 per acre. School districts were now being constantly created, but on account of the numerous changes and readjustments subsequently made, will not be here recorded. A petition was presented for a highway "commencing at Silver Lake and continuing the Glencoe and Silver Lake county road in a northeasterly direction to the county line." * * * The names of the owners through whose property same might pass were given as: John Justice, F. Wagner, Henry Ulrich, George Stores, Sherman Williams, David Young, Robert Morrison, John Johnson, Felix Rivers. Slocum Wooley, Peter Bashaw, L. D. Halton, Gordon Legg, C. P. Troxel, Thomas H. Comer, the names of others not. being known. Notice of this petition was duly posted in the towns of Winsted and Hale. A petition for the alteration of the Auburn and Hutchinson road was also presented, and notice posted, the matter being placed in the hands of Messrs, Higgins and Simons. We find bills presented and allowed from A. G. Me- Bee, for services as justice of the peace; L. G. Simons, road viewing, etc.; F. Belfoy, publishing tax lists, ete.; Peter Comer, visits in different townships for poor; D. J. Pettijohn, as justice of the peace; Slocum Wooley, road viewing; F, B. Dean, stationery, etc.; G. K. Gilbert, justice of the peace; and others.

September 16, 1868. It was resolved to levy taxes as follows for the year 1868: For county revenue and outstanding orders, 7 mills; for county poor, one-half mill; for county special tax, one mill; bridge tax, one mill, The equalization board fixed the values of unimproved real estate in the towns oft Glencoe, Bergen, Winsted, Glendale, Hutchinson and Acoma at $3.00 per acre; Helen, Penn, Sumter, Rich Valley and Hale,

January 8, 1869. The county attorney's salary was fixed at $300 for the ensuing year. The liquor license was fixed at $25.00. Liberty Hall was appointed school superintendent. Favorable reports were made on the Glencoe and Hutchinson, Glencoe and Silver Lake, Silver Lake and Lake Howard, and Hutchinson and New Auburn roads, and the said roads declared located. The report of L. G. Simons, committee appointed to inspect and settle for the building of the bridge across Buffalo creek, was presented, adopted and placed on file. The salary of school superintendent was fixed at $200 per annum. Five hundred dollars was appropriated to be expended on the Glencoe and Lake Howard road.

The following resolution was presented by L. G, Simons: Resolved, that the county treasurer be and is hereby authorized to exchange an amount not to exceed $500 out of the county poor fund on hand for the same amount of Glencoe town bonds bearing interest at not less than 10 per cent. per annum, payable annually and payable within three years from their date. Provided that the trustees of the Stevens Seminary file a bond with the said treasurer, approved by him, that they will at any time after six months' notice given them in writing redeem said town bond in lawful money. Resolution adopted.

September 7, 1869. The board of equalization reduced the valuation of certain lots in Koniska to $1.00 each; other lots in that village were raised to $5.00 each and one to $100.00. September 8 it was voted that the value of homesteads as. returned by the assessors be stricken off excepting the value of the improvements actually put upon such homesteads by the occupants and owners. Liberty Hall was again appointed school superintendent.

September 10 it was voted that the county treasurer and auditor transfer upon the books in their respective offices the sum of $100 belonging to the county interest fund and $500 belonging to the county poor fund to the county revenue fund,

Wooley and Simons voting in favor and Graham against. Some illegally levied special taxes were stricken from the 1868 duplicate, and the money ordered refunded to those who had paid.

January 4, 1870. Meeting called to order by G. K. Gilbert, deputy auditor. Commissioners present: from district No. 1, Magnes Swanson; district No. 2, Slocum Wooley; district No, 8, Orlando Graham, Slocum Wooley elected chairman for ensuing year. Bond of C. R. Mims as county treasurer presented and approved; also bond of N. C. Little as coroner. Liberty Hall was appointed school superintendent for two years from April 1, 1870. The sum of $250 was appropriated upon a road from Hutchinshon to Dassel station on the St. Paul and Pacific R. R. The county attorney's salary for the ensuing year was fixed at $350. March 10, 1870, the salary of the superintendent of schools was fixed at $350 per annum to be paid quarterly. Resolution adopted appropriating the sum of 25 cents out of the county revenue fund to be paid each and every individual "owning land over which a state road has been laid (by virtue of an act of the legislature approved March 6, 1869) from a point on the St. Paul and Pacific railroad in Wright county to Glencoe in McLeod." - Resolution adopted. That everybody was not prosperous in McLeod county in the early seventies is shown by the frequent orders for the relief of the poor which are found on the records. Frequent alterations in school districts also occur, with petitions for new ones.

June 10th. It was resolved "that $200 be and hereby is appropriated for rebuilding the bridge near the Hutchinson mill," the supervisor of the town of Hutchinson to erect two new bents, one on each end of the bridge, with abutments, ete. One hundred dollars was also appropriated towards repairing the bridge across Crow river at Koniska.

June 11, 1870. Four liquor licenses were granted and $100 transferred from the county revenue fund to the county poor fund. <A petition was presented for the organization of town 114, range 30, the petition being dated March 5th, 1870. The boundaries were designated and the township named Ash Grove. The name was subsequently changed in September to Round Grove. The place of the first town meeting was designated as the residence of William Phillips.

September 10, 1870. Resolved by the board of commissioners of McLeod county that the county be and the same is hereby redistricted into five commissioners' districts as fol- lows: Winsted and Bergen to constitute district No. 1; Helen and Glencoe, district No. 2; Penn, Collins, Lynn and Sumter, district No. 3; Glendale and Rich Valley, district No. 4; Hale, Hutchinson and Acoma, district No. 5. An appropriation of $350 was made for building a bridge across Buffalo creek in the town of Penn, "where the state road running from Glencoe to Fort Ridgely crosses the same; provided the supervisor of the town of Penn shall cause to be built a good and sufficient bridge by piling or by abutment of stone with spans similar to the Glencoe bridge the stringers of said bridge, together with a grade from the abutments to the bank to be at least two feet above high water mark." This work was done, and paid for by two orders of $175 each issued June 9, 1871, and November 26, 1872, respectively. September 27. Petition presented from the citizens of Bergen, Winsted and Glencoe for an appropriation on the road running from Glencoe through Bergen to the town of Winsted Lake in Winsted. The sum of $250 was appropriated on the above roads; $150 to be applied on Piper's bridge in the town of Bergen.

January 3, 1871. Present: Lawrence Gillick, from district No. 2; F. C. Arnold, from district No. 83; William Schultz, from district No. 4, and Charles Klatte, from district No. 5. Lawrence Gillick was elected chairman. On this and the next day bonds were presented and approved as follows: G. K. Gilbert, as county auditor; A. J. Snyder, clerk of district court; Daniel W. Johns, county surveyor; 8. W. Hatten, sheriff; and L. W. Lester, register of deeds. The liquor license was continued at $25. Upon motion A. J. Snyder was elected trustee of Stevens Seminary. The salary of county attorney was fixed at $450 a year; that of the county superintendent of schools at $350.

March 14, 1871, it was resolved that the treasurer of the board of trustees of the Stevens Seminary be and is hereby authorized to lease any swamp land in this county appertaining to the Stevens Seminary to any person paying the most for such lease; provided that no portion of said land shall be leased fox more than one year. Some bridge and road appropriations were made, one for a bridge across Crow river at St. George. Petitions received for the organization of new school districts and readjustment of old ones. From time to time we find changes made by the board of equalization in the valuation of personal property; also petitions for the change of road locations. January 2, 1872. Present: Ernst Miller (dist, No. 1), F. CG. Arnold, William Schultz, Charles R. Klatte. The following resolution was adopted: Resolved, that in pursuance of a notice transmitted to the county auditor by the state auditor * * * * stating that the name of the town of Glendale in this county conflicts with a town of same name in Scott county, it is ordered that the name of the town of Glendale in this county be and the same hereby is discontinued and the name of "Paris" be and hereby is adopted as the name of said town.

The sheriff about this time, or a little earlier, was empowered to collect liquor licenses and to retain 10 per cent. of the amount collected ($25 for each license) for his services, W. W. Pendergast was elected school superintendent. On motion of Commissioner Shultz the salary of school superintendent was fixed at $300 for the first year, G. K. Gilbert was elected a trustee of Stevens Seminary. C. R. Mims presented his bond as county treasurer. January 4. A. M. Knight presented his bond as court commissioner elect. March 26, 1872. The board proceeded to consider claims for aid from those who had suffered loss or damage of property by fire and storm during the summer and fall of 1871, in accordance with an act passed by legislature approved February 29, 1872. Some 23 persons made statements of losses, and a number of others on March 27-28. Upon evidence presented sums' amounting to from $10 to $50 were granted to various applicants. March 30th the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, that the proprietors of the townsite of St. George, McLeod county, be and are hereby required to cause a plat of said townsite to be acknowledged immediately in the registry of deeds in and for McLeod county and further steps will be taken to compel the same. And the auditor is hereby required to serve a copy of this resolution on said proprietors who are known.

Resolved: Whereas the town of Glencoe has pledged the right of way to the Hastings and Dakota Railway Company through the towns of Helen and Glencoe and as a further inducement the citizens of the village of Glencoe have donated a large number of lots in the Glencoe and Franklin townsites in consideration of said railway company building their road through said village.

Resolved: That all taxes, interest and penalty now due and unpaid upon all such lots given or donated to said railway company be abated. Resolved: That all interest and penalty now due and unpaid on lots owned by parties after donating to said railway company one-half of all such lots owned by them be abated.

Resolved: That a committee of three be appointed to take into consideration the subject of purchasing a tract of 160 or 820 acres of land for a "poor farm," and to inquire about the price at which said land can be purchased, and report at next session. (We find no minutes of this committee's report.)

January 7, 1873. Commissioners present: Ernst Miller, Fred Ruschmeyer (dist. No. 2), J. B. Newcomb (dist. No, 3), William Schultz and C, R. Klatte. January 8th the following persons were elected to county offices and presented their bonds: James C. Edson, county attorney; Mathias Thoeny, county auditor; L. Harrington, county surveyor; D. L. Sivright, sheriff; T. T. Sargent, judge of probate. On montion the salary of county attorney was fixed at $450, and that of school superintendent. at $400 per annum for the ensuing year,

January 6, 1874. Commissioners F. Ruschmeyer (dist. No, 2); J. B. Newcomb (dist. No. 3); D. W. Johns (dist. No. 4); William Schultz (dist. No. 5). C. R. Mims presented his bond as treasurer elect. W. W. Pendergast was appointed county superintendent "for two years from the first day of April next," January 8, the salary of the county superintendent of schools was fixed at $580 per annum, to commence in April; the salary of county attorney was fixed at $500 per annum for the ensuing year. March 18 it was resolved that all plats of county roads be platted in a book entitled "Plat Book" now in the auditor's office.

June 15, Liberty Hall, proprietor of the Glencoe Register, offered to publish the delinquent tax lists for McLeod county for 15 cents per description, which bid being the Jowest was accepted, and it was ordered that the delinquent tax lists of 1873 and previous years be published in the Register.

August 25. In answer to a communication from the executive of the state requesting aid for the relief of citizens whose crops had been destroyed by grasshoppers, the board "in view of the invasion of our county by the same and not knowing to what extent our own citizens will or may need our aid," respectfully decline to make any.

January 7, 1875. A. S. Nobles was elected to succeed G, K. Gilbert as trustee of Stevens Seminary, the latter's term of office having expired. The salary of county superintendent of schools was fixed at $600 per annum; the salary of county attorney at $500. March 19. There being persons in McLeod county entitled to share in the state appropriation for the relief of those that suffered by grasshoppers, and the commissioners appointed by the governor not having taken action with respect to McLeod county, the auditor of the county was instructed to notify said commissioners that there were persons in this county entitled to aid. About this time and for some time previously the commissioners had much business to attend to in deciding claims for damages by persons through whose land highways had been laid out. Many petitions for the change of roads and highways had also to be attended to; also some remonstrances. June 21. Harrison Wilson and 61 others presented the following petition: The undersigned residents and freeholders of the county of Mc- Leod respectfully petition your honorable body to offer a bounty for the destruction of grasshoppers. This plan of extermination has been demonstrated to be a suecess in adjoining counties and we believe McLeod county to be the only one infested by the hoppers which has not adopted it, It is confidently expected that the state will repay the amounts expended by the counties from the general fund and we respectfully ask you to offer such a bounty for the destruction of these pests as will induce all to use every effort to stop their ravages. Dated, Glencoe, June 19, 1875. On motion this petition was laid on the table. It was called up June 23, and a resolution in favor offered by Commissioner Newcomb, which, being put to vote, was lost. A committee which had been appointed to move and repair the jail reported that said work had been let to A, W. Barker for the sum of $51.90, the jail to be moved from where it had stood to the court house square.

July 29, 1875. The committee appointed to supervise the building of a bridge on the Hutchinson and Dassell road, across Crow river at Hutchinson, made a favorable report, finding reasonable and just the sum of $1020.00 expended for game, and recommended that an order be drawn on the county treasurer in favor of Louis Harrington, the chairman of the board of supervisors of the town of Hutchinson, in the sum of $300, the amount appropriated by the county board for aid in constructing said bridge, and also an order of $400.00 to be paid from the sum appropriated by the state to aid in the construction of said bridge in the hands of the county treasurer. Report accepted.

July 30. The commissioners estimated it would take $7,000 for county revenue and $1,000 for county road purposes, in addition to the amount on hand in the county treasurer's office and on motion it was voted that the foregoing amount should be levied on all taxable property for the year 1875.

January 4, 1876. Commissioners present were: M. Sevenson (dist. No. 1), A. H. Reed (dist. No. 2), Geo. Thom (dist. No. 3), D. W. Johns (dist. No. 4), William Schultz (dist. No. 5). Commissioner Johns was elected chairman for the ensuing year. W. W. Pendergast was elected county superintendent, salary at $600 per annum. A. H. Reed was elected trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years. January 7 the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved: That if the citizens of Glencoe will donate to the county of McLeod suitable grounds for the erection of county buildings and give in addition cash or material for building to make a total donation of a value of $2,500, we as commissioners will, so far as the law allows, proceed to erect suitable county offices and vaults for the safe keeping of the records.

It was resolved and adopted that "the compensation to physicians hereafter visiting the sick on account of the county shall not exceed $1.25 for each visit and medicines and ten cents per mile each way for traveling fees, and * * * * that no allowance be made for more than one visit made before the county is notified of the physician's intentions to hold them liable."

Commissioner Reed offered the resolution, which was adopted, that "our members in the legislature be and are hereby requested to use their influence in securing an act authorizing the commissioners of McLeod county to loan a portion ef the surplus revenue fund to parties living in said county who lost their crops by grasshoppers in the year 1875, said loan to be used in the purchase of seed wheat; also an act extending time for payment of interest on school land to December 1, 1876, without penalty to parties losing their crops by grasshoppers or otherwise."

February 25, 1876, it was resolved by the board that the Sum of $4,000.00, or so much as shall be necessary, be appropriated from the funds of the county revenue to furnish seed wheat to loan to those persons who had their crops destroyed by grasshoppers in the year 1875, and who shall furnish security therefore * * * * that the loan to any one person shall not exceed a quantity sufficient to seed 50 acres." Provision for the repayment of said loan by December 1, 1876, with interest, was also made. A number of applications were made for such loans, which on evidence of damage were approved and loans granted.

March 22, 1876. The following communication was received and read to the board: ''The village council of Glencoe having had your resolution of January 7, 1876, presented to them for consideration, and having taken action on the same, we are appointed as a committee by the village council to inform you that your resolution has been favorably considered, and to make the honorable board of commissioners of McLeod county a tender of a plot of ground, namely, lot 8, and the east: half of lot 7 in block 30 in the village of Glencoe as a site for a county building. We are also authorized to inform you that the village, besides the presentation of land valued at $430.00 will give you cash $2,070.00 making the total amount of $2,500 towards the erection of such building; the village reserving to itself the right to occupy the upper room, or hall, when it is not wanted for county purposes, free of rent, and if at any time the county vacate the premises, the property shall revert to the village of Glencoe." Signed, H. Wadsworth, C, R. Mims, Committee.

A committee of the whole was then appointed to examine the said lands or tracts and report and take action on same, "at the present session of county commissioners."

The committee, H. Wadsworth and C, R. Mims, who presented the above proposition from the village of Glencoe, made an additional proposition as follows: "'In the foregoing proposition we hereby rescind that portion reading as follows: 'and if at any time the county vacate the premises the property shall revert to the village of Glencoe,' and substitute for same, 'provided if at any time the county shall dispose of said property, the village reserves to itself the right to have the proportional amount received from said sale returned to the village treasury, and it is further agreed that the village will repair all damages done by them to the hall.'"

The following resolution was adopted on vote: Whereas; the village authorities of Glencoe have tendered to the county, grounds and cash to the value of $2,500.00, to aid in constructing county buildings, and, whereas, the present expense to the county in furnishing county offices, and the unsafe condition of our county records, make it necessary to take immediate steps to better provide for the safe keeping of our records.

Be it resolved, the proposition made in writing and on file be accepted with the annexed amended proposition rescinding last clause of the original proposition, Vote in favor: A, H. Reed, M. Sevenson, G. Thom, D. W. Johns; against: William Schultz,

May 10. Full board present. The following resolution was adopted: "That the plans presented by Messrs, Bisbee and Bardwell of Minneapolis for a court house 48x70 feet, with six rooms below and two fire proof vaults 8x17 feet, court room above, with one jury room, be and is hereby adopted as the plans from which contract is to be let; that advertisements be inserted in the Glencoe Register and in the Pioneer Press and Tribune, in three issues, asking for sealed bids to be handed to the county auditor by June 1, 1876, for the furnishing and completing said building, both in wood and brick, according to plans and specifications on file with the county auditor." June Ist sealed bids were opened for building of court house, and the bid of Bisbee and Bardwell "for the building of the court house in brick for $8,000.00 and for vault for $1,275.00" was accepted. William Schultz, George Thom and A. H. Reed were appointed to act as a building committee.

October 11, 1876, the building committee having several times reported progress on the court house, some changes from the original specifications were recommended and adopted, involving an additional cost. The principal change was the substitution of "an iron roof in place of shingles.' The additional work done amounted to a total of $692.18. The total cost of court house as then completed was $9,967.18, of which the village of Glencoe paid $2,500.00 making the total cost to the county $7,897.18, The report of the completion of building was made December 7, 1876. On resolution by the board the court house was insured for $7,500.00 equally divided between three different companies.

January 3, 4, 5, 1877. The salary of county attorney was fixed at $600.00 for ensuing year; that of superintendent of schools at $610.00. The Glencoe Register was continued as the official newspaper, January 1, 1878, we find the commis- sioners present were: District No. 1, William E. Piper; (2), A. H. Reed; (3), Geo. Thom; (5), Peter Rusch. John Kaspar was commissioner from district No. 4. HE. W. Stocking presented bond as county treasurer; and W. C. Russell as court commissioner. Salary of school superintendent was raised to $620.00. The liquor license was continued at $25.00. The county attorney's salary was fixed at $850.00 for the ensuing year. A. H. Reed was appointed a committee to procure deeds of the swamp lands in McLeod county, M. Thoeny was appointed as one of the trustees of the Stevens Seminary to serve three years from January 1, 1878.

March 6, 1878. It was resolved that the county issue bonds to the amount of $10,000.00, "or so much thereof as may be necessary," for the purpose of supplying residents of McLeod county with seed grain, provision being made for repayment. The auditor was authorized to publish notices for bids by banks for receiving county funds. The two banks selected were the Bank of Glencoe, to an amount not exceeding $8,000, and the Merchants National Bank of St. Paul for all funds in excess of that sum, securities to be furnished and approved by the board. The county funds turned over by the retiring treasurer, Charles H. Sievers, to the new treasurer, E. W. Stocking, in March, 1878, were as follows: Certificate of deposit on Merchants National Bank, $7,796.52; cash, vouchers and seed wheat notes, $1,380.77; total, $9,177.29.

March 23, 1878. It was "resolved" that the money received from the bondsmen of C. R. Mims in settlement of their liability be apportioned by the county auditor to the different funds which were made deficient by the defalcation of the late treasurer in proportion to the amount deficient.

July 20, The First National Bank, of Minneapolis, presented a bond of $25,000 for deposits from McLeod county. The bond approved on motion. The estimate of taxes for 1878 was: County revenue, $8,000.00; for payment of bonds, $2,000.00; county roads, $2,000.00; county poor, $1,500.00.

January session, 1879. The board of county commissioners was composed of William E. Piper, lst dist.; Louis Ahlbrecht, 29d dist.; August Schlatz, 3d dist.; John Kaspar, 4th dist.; Peter Rosch, 5th dist. The following officers elected at the preceding general election presented bonds, which were approved as follows: M. Thoeny, county auditor; John Luiten, clerk of the district court; A. P. Fitch, county attorney; J.

V. V. Lewis, judge of probate; John Dean, county surveyor; S. P. Brown, register of deeds; Andrew Hopper, sheriff. The county superintendent's salary was fixed at $630.00 for the ensuing year, "the same being ten dollars for each organized district in McLeod county." The salary of county attorney was fixed at $850.00 for the ensuing year. A. H. Reed was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary.

January session, 1880. Lewis Harrington became a member of the board of commissioners, Peter Rosch retiring. M. O. Little was appointed a trustee of Stevens Seminary. January, 1881, John Mulvanny became commissioner trom first district, Mr, Piper retiring. The newly elected officers were: M. Wiehl, coroner; J. V. V. Lewis, judge of probate; M. Thoeny, county auditor; L. G, Simons, county surveyor; A. P. Fitch, county attorney; G. K. Gilbert, court commissioner; and A. Hopper, sheriff. The following resolution was offered by Mr. Harrington and adopted by the board: (1) Resolved that measures be taken to remodel and refit the court house hall with the view of making it more suitable and convenient for court purposes. (2) That the trustees of the village of Glencoe be invited to conter with the county commissioners at their rooms on the 6th day of January, 1881 * * * * in relation to changes and improvements in the court house hall.

M. Thoeny was appointed trustee of Stevens Seminary for three years. March 16, 1881. The committee to whom had been referred the proposed changes in the court house, made report recommending that "the platform in the hall be lowered to within eight inches of the floor and that the same be extended to a width of 20 feet, and that suitable seats be provided for the judge, jury, officers of the court and attorneys." The report was adopted and a committee of three chosen to take charge of the matter, namely: Lewis Harrington, Louis Ahlbrecht and August Schlatz. April 22 the work was reported as completed. July 27, 1881. The board appropriated $500 for the purpose of buying a site for a county jail, August Schlatz, John Kaspar and John Mulvanny being appointed a committee to purchase such site or lot, and "to take such further action as may be necessary" to the completion of such building. $4,000.00 was appropriated to this purpose. The tax estimate for 1881 was: county revenue, $8,000.00; county roads, $1,500.00; county poor, $1,500.00.

E. B. Huntington was appointed a committee to sell the Mc- Leod county jail. L. Hall was elected a trustee of Stevens Seminary. By resolution the auditing board was authorized to order all county funds to be deposited in banks located within the county when in their opinion it is for the interest of the county, March 23. E. F. Huntington, committee, reported that he had sold the county jail to Louis Mingo for $25.50 and turned the money into the county treasurer. The jail building committee made report that they had let the contract for building the jail and sheriff's residence to Frank Barnard, of Le Sueur county for the sum of $6,500.00, he being the lowest bidder,

January, 1883. Oliver Pierce from the 5th district, was the new member of the board. The Glencoe Register was continued as the official newspaper of the county, the Glencoe Enterprise being designated as the paper to print the commissioners' proceedings, F. A. Graves was elected trustee of Stevens Seminary. In January, 1884, Jule Vollmer, of dist. 1, took his chair on the board, which otherwise remained the same, A proposition came up for heating the court house and jail with steam which was laid aside for consideration. M. Thoeny was elected trustee of Stevens Seminary. G. K. Gilbert was again court commissioner; W. C. Russell, county treasurer elect. July 29, it was resolved by the board that "the practice of some of its members in absenting themselves from its sessions an unreasonable length of time is highly reprehensible, and strongly condemned, and hope we shall not be forced to refer to such practices hereafter."

January, 1885. Charles L. Ilett from dist, No. 3, was the new commissioner. County officers elect: L. W. Gazin, auditor; S. P. Brown, register of deeds; F, Kohler, sheriff; William F. Schoregge, judge of probate; Geo. W. Nelson, county attorney; John Dean, county surveyor; Daniel Nobles, county eoroner. The salary of county attorney was fixed at $850.00; that of school superintendent at $800.00 for the ensuing year, A. H. Reed resigned as trustee of Stevens Seminary and was succeeded by A. P. Fitch. August 1, the First National Bank, of Glencoe, gave bond of $60,000.00 to the board of commissioners, as depository of the funds of said county for the term of two years from August 1, 1885. The Bank of Glencoe gave bond in same amount for the same purpose. January session, 1886. Commissioners: Jule Vollmer, Louis Ahlbrecht, GC. L. Ilett, John Kaspar and Oliver Pierce. A letter was read from L. M. Gazin, who had been indicted by the grand jury at the previous November term, of certain violations of law while serving as county auditor, which he denied, asking for a rigid investigation. A communication was also read from Judge J. L. McDonald complaining on behalf of litigants and attorneys of the selection of incompetent jurors by the board of commissioners. F. A. Graves was re-elected trustee of Stevens Seminary.