Pipestone County, Minnesota - Chapter 25: Pipestone's Institutions, 1911

Chapter 25: Pipestone's Institutions

PIPESTONE occupied a very incon- board of directors. The most simply arspicuoiis place on the map prior to ranged fir.st temple of learning accommo- money was raised by subscription.' The the following gentlemen were chosen niempioni'pi- liuilding was located on the site of bers of the school board: C. C. Goodnow, spring of 1879, shortly after tiie organi- French, treasurer. School was begun unzation of the county, with John Stuart, der the new organization September 18.

When tlie school house was erected in 1881 it was expected to answer the |iurpose for several years to come, luit there was a wonderful development in the village during the early eighties, and witliin a year it became a])parent tliatadded school room must t)e sn|iplied. On ()ctiil)('r (i, 188',!, the electors of the district authorized a liiind issue of -i^l 1,500 for the construction of a new building,'' and it was constriU'ted in 1883. The funds originally voted were found insufficient to complete tjie structure, and in Oclolicr. ISS:?, additional bonds to the aniiumt of .i^.'iOOO

'.\t the election forty-five votes were polled, of which thirt.v-nine were in favor of bonds, five opposed, and one not bearing on tlie issue. The forty-fi\e voters were Robert Scarf. J. C. Goodnow. \V. J. Tavlor. S. U. Bailey. George Walku|i. E. \V. Davies. G. W. Huntlev. H. W. George,

1901 - Mvrtle E. Akers. Garfield W. Brown. Gertrude E. C^arey. S. Edwin Clement. Clieminnis R. Conanl. Tria I. Conant, Laura F. Danwere voted. The new school house was a two-story, five-room building, brick veneered, and was located in the center of the .school lilock. Further growth made it necessary in 188!) to utilize the old frame building, and even tlieii all tlie rooms were ( rowdcd to their utmost capacity.

.\ high school department was added to the graded schools in 1890, from which the first class was graduated .lune 11, 1801. An excellent high school has been iiiiiint:iinp(l since that date, from which ^14 ]nij)ils have received di|)lomas.'' .\n alumni association was f(U'med in .lime. LSIIT', and is still an active organization.

ing housed the public schools of Pipestoiip and then fell a victim to the fire fiend. It was destroyed early in the morning of ^lanli 29, 1893, bringing a loss of $19,100. Of this loss less than $9000 was recovered in insurance. Immediately ste]]S were taken to relniild. At a schixd meeting on April 23, 189;5, bonds to the anidiint of $40,000 were authorized fur the erc( tjiin of a new Imilding and the payment of bonds about to fall due. Plans crvation, overlooking the famous quai'ries,

United States Indian Industrial School

Pipestone is the home of an institidion that has fame far reaching, one of the few of its kind in the middle west - a government Indian training school. The plant is no small alFair, Ijut comprises nearly a dozen substantial buildings, all constructed of the Pipestone quartzite. It is situated near the center of the Pipestone reswere prepared by C. P. Brown, of Sioux City, and on duly 7 the board of education awarded the contract for the construction of a new building and the installation of a heating plant to ,1. I). Cainill. of St. Paul Park, on a bid of $.S0,- 000. liming the pi'ocess of const rucf ion file schools were conducted in halls and rooms in difTerent ))arts of the city. The liaiuNiimi', tliri'e-stnry. native stone Ijuilding was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1894, being dedicated on tlie evening of October 4.

A final inipiiiM'iiicnt. increasing Pipestone's educational facilities, is an event of recent occurreiue. A Ixuid issue of $20,000 was authniizcd by a vote of 9,3 to 19 on Noveud)er 10, i;ioii. aiid the proceeds were used in the construction of an addition eipia! in size to the nnrin building. 'Jdie cost of the impri)\ement, which was made in liHO, considerably exceeded tile ixind issue and was paid from an accumulated fund in the treasuiT. The tnl:d cost of the impi-()\emeiit was about $10.- 000. Ill the matter id' e(piipment and idficiency Pipestone has a sdiool system to inspire justifiable pride.

distant aliout one mile from the business center of the city. The school has a large enrollment of Uncle Sam's wards and draws its patronage from many parts of ^linnesota, the Dakotas and Wisconsin.

The establishment of an Indian training school on the red man's sacred land was conceived many years before its founding became a reality. A serious obslaele to the early settlement of Pipestone county came from a mistaken idea that the region wa.s infested with savages attracted by the wealth of pipestone. As a means to overcome this impression, D. C. Whitehead, one of thr jiromoters of tlie Pipestone colony, so early as 1875, suggested that congress be asked for a $,50,000 a|ipro|)riation for the establishment of a school on the lines of the famiiiis Carlisle institution, where young Indians fnuu the northwest could be brought in contact with civilization. It was lielie\ed that such an enterprise would jirove attractive to prospective settlers.

The measure was impractical)le at the time, but the idea was from that time never allowed to remain dormant, and finally the pioneer's suggestion bore fruit. This was not accomplished without many discoiiragemouts. Man}- approved the plan and a few kept agitating the matter, but some laughed and a great many toolv no interest whatever in it. The plans to bring about the establishment of the school were seriously hampered during the eiglities by the attempts to secure homesteads on the reservation and the attempts of the government to eject the claimants. After that matter was disposed of a bill passed congress for the a];)praisement and sale of all except a quaiter section of tlie reservation, Ijut the appraisement being unsatisfactoiT to the Indians, the plan fell through.

Not until the winter of 1889-90 were conditions propitious for beginning an active campaign. Tlien, tiiere being no impediment so far as title to the reservation vesting in the United States was concerned, aild there having developed a strong sentiment throughout the United States in favor of educating the Indians, active measures were taken in Pipestone to bring alxiut (lie establishment of the industrial school. In February, 1890, C. IF. Bennett and L. H. Moore prepared and Jiad printed hundreds of copies of a petition to congress, asking for the establishment of the school and the creation of a national park on the reservation. The petition was signed by practically every resilient of Pipestone county. Copies were sent to all ])arts of the United States, and friends of the measure had no difficulty in securing large numbers of signers. The measure was indorsed by the boards of trade and chambers of commerce of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Winona and some of the smaller cities; many hundreds of Indians on the Yankton and Rrule reservations gave their aid to the enterprise and signed the petition.

The entire Minnesota delegation in congress approved the plan, and about March 1, 1890. Congressman .Inhii Lind introduced the Ijill, with the national park feature eliminated. He secured its passage in the house, but action in the senate was deferred. Mr. lind took the matter up again the next year, and on February 5, 1801, upon the motion of Senator Stockbridge, the bill passed the senate, under suspension of the rules, by a unanimous vote. I'resident Harrison signed the bill a few days later. The act provided for the erection of a IjuiWing at a cost of not nioi'e than $30,000 and the maintenance of the school and npju-opriatcd for immediate use $25,000.

The contract for the erection of the first building was let in October, 1891, to J. M. Poorbaugh. It was built of native stone and was accepted by the government October 1, 189-2. C. J. "Crandall was appointed superintendent of the Indian industrial sch.ool, and he opened the school February 2, 1893. The first class consisted of only six pupils, who were transferred from the Keshena, Wisconsin, boarding school, but within a short time there was an enrollment of fifty - the ca- ])a(ity of the institution at that time. For some years difl'iculty was encountered in securing approjiriations from congTcss for additions, but later they were fortluoining, and nearly a quarter of a million dollars have lieen ex|icndcd for improvements. Superintcudiiit Ci'anilall was succeeded in November, 1894, by DeWitt S. Harris, and he in August, 1904, by W. S. Canipbell.

The institution developed into one of the most ])0]udai' schools of the kind in (he United States. :iiul Immlrcds of Indian cliililicn have ri'ccived their training in it. A government farm i> maintained in ciiiiiu'iiidn.

Of late there has been agitation in favor (if discontinuing the Indian school and fdunding in its stead a state agricultural school, or a branch of Ihe United

The Churches

Ten cbui'ch societies maintain organizations in ripestone, as follows: Methodist Episcopal, Pi-esbyterian, Baptist, German Evangelical, Catholic, Episcopal, German Lutheran, Norwegian Lutheran, First Church of Christ, Scientist; and Seventh Day Adventist. With the exception of the Scientists, all these organizations have church edifices.

The religious history of Pipestone began almost simultaneous with the settlement of Pipestone county, for it is recorded that on June 2.5, 1876, when there was only a handful of men claiming Pipestone county as their home, Rev. E. H. Bronson conducted religious services in C. H. Bennett's little office building on the Pipestone townsite. During the following year Rev. Bronson and J. M. Bull, wbo was converted to the Christian religion at the meeting of 1876, held occasional services at Pipestone, but there were not regularly assigned pastors or church organizations until 1878. The first denominations to enter the field were the Presbyterians and Methodists, who liegan their labors at about the same time. The former were the first to have regular preaching services, but the Methodist society was organized a few weeks before that of the Presbyterian.

The pioneer of ilethodism in Pipestone was Rev. J. T. Siitfron, who arrived with his household goods from Luverne on September IS, 1878. On the first Sabbath after getting settled in his new home hi' conducted services in the school house. At the Minnesota conference, wliicli convened in ^Minneapolis October 5 of the same ye:ii', L'cv. SiifiVdn was regularly ajipointed to the charge, his territory embracing Pipestone county and Flaudreau, Dakota territory. At the first quarterly conference, lield in Reuben Clark's store l)uilding Saturday evening, October 29, a church organization wa.s brought about." Of the first IMethodist service and his experiences dui'ing the first two years of liis service in Pipestone county. Rev. Sutfron, in an article prepared for the press in February, 1901, said :

Of the pleasurable reminiscenses that come to mind is our first public church service, on the first Sunday morning after getting on our homestead. Then, as the first appointed pastor of the couuty, I gave my first discourse - possibly by some called a sermon. The talk was based on "Pure Religion and Undefiled," etc. House of worship, a little frame, boarded-up school house, some 12x14 feet, standing not far from the present stand pipe. Having no floor, the pulpit was the virgin prairie soil. Congregation, 14. Instead of oil finished oak pews, we had nail kegs with pine boards, one side of which was planed. We had "all things common" - very common. As winter came on I had as an associate pastor the venerable "Father Thayer," of the Presbyterian church, he preaching in the store room of Stuart Bros, and I in the store of Reuben Clark. There, among cottons and calicos, shoes and soap, were delivered sermons, thought, no doubt, by some more or less masterly (more likely, less). Looking back at the material honoring us by their attendance during those early years, pleasant thoughts come up.

We hear very much these later years of the little interest in attending church service by our business and professional men. Not so in our beginnings. Why, the very brain of our city and vicinity were usually in attendance. To begin with, our two sprightly young bachelors, now the Hon. J. H. Nichols and J. H. Parker, were commonly in attendance. . . . Then with them as business men were Robert Scarf, D. E. Sweet, Stuart brothers, Reuben Clark and others. Of the professions. Dr. E. M. Carr, Dr. W. J. Taylor, E. C. Dean, Esq., and others. Of representative farmers, Duncan Stuart, W. B. Brown, Henry Sanford and others. Our congregations were of the very culture of the city and surrounding country.

The writer's duties for those two years, 1878 and 1879, were countrywise as well as city. There being no defined township lines, our church services were defined as to locality by the names of leading farmers in the given neighborhoods. What is now Cazeuovia was the Gilson and Whigam neighborhood; village of Trosky was designated Fred Kurz; Jasper, as Carnegie: township of Grange, as Matt Easland; village of Edgerton, as E. W. Day. Many of those homes were yet In part or whole sod shanties, but in every case an open door was offered me.

Kev. Sutt'ron was pastor of the Pipestone Methodist clnircli until 1881. He was succeeded by Eev. I. Wliitcomtie, wlin was in cliarge until the fall of 1884. Under his pastorate the first church building in Pipestone and the third in Pipestone county was erected. At a trustees' meeting June 20, 1883, a building committee was appointed as follows: Eev. I. Whitcombe, Dr. W. J. Taylor, Robert Scarf and Dr. E. M. Carr. Work of laying the foundation was started October 1.5, and the building was ready for occupancy February 17, 1884. It was a neat little building. HOx.'jO feet, with sixteen foot posts, and had a seating capacity of ?,')() persons. The cost was $2400. -M the time the building was first n.<ed for worsliip, $828 had been collected on subscriptions and $500 had been received from the church extension society. In a collection at the first services $271. (i4 were raised. The services on the day of opening were conducted by Kev. J. M. Bull, assisted liy Rev. I. Whitcomlje and Rev. Cliarles Thayer, of the Presbyterian chnrdi. The indebtedness having been fully wiped out, the formal dedication took |)hice August 2, 188.5, the service being conducted by fiisliop Foss, assisted by Rev. E. R. Laihri)p and others.''

The pioneer clmrcli building was occupied seven years, and was destroyed by - fire January 25, 1891. Hardly had tlio smoke of the conflagration cleared away before Rev. 0. S. Perry, the pastor, was raising funds to replace it. He was suc-

""It was mentioned in our last issue tiiat the Methodist Episcopal church at this place would be dedicated last Sunday, providing money could be raised to pay the indebtedness, which was about $900. The pastor of the church and sevcessfnl, anil the new building was com- ])letiMl ilui'ing the summer at a cost of $oli(Ml. inchiding furnishings. It was dedicated November lo. ISid, by Rev. (ieorge R. Hair. AiiKnig the ]iastors of the ]\Ietliodist church in Pipestone, succeeding Rev. Wliitcombe. were F. Isl. Rule, 188.5-88; G. W. Jenkins. J. W. Powell, (;. S. Perry. L. I). King, D. C. McColm a-iil .1. F. YanCamp. During the pastorate of Rev. King a parsonage was erected at a cost of $2000.

The first religious service conducted in Pipestone by a Presbyterian minister was held June 2, 1878, liy Rev. Charles Thayer. That pioneer clergyman in recent years wrote as follows of his coming to Pipestone and the holding of the first services :

In May, 1878, I came to Luverne as the pioneer home missionary of the Presbyterian church, and later gathered and organized the churches of Luverne and Beaver Creek. Among the first to welcome me at Luverne was Dr. G. W. Morrill, who was about to move to his claim near Pipestone. He urged me to include Pipestone in my field. I visited the place June 1 and found a "city" of eight families, and very few settlers on the prairie. Next day - the Sabbath - I held two services at Stuart's store, with congregations of about twentyfive. I arranged for regular services once in four weeks. This arrangement continued through the year.

The ^lankato Probyteiy. in session at .lackson September 11. 1878. ajipointed a ciinimittee consisting of Revs. Joseph B. I.ilililt'. Edward Savage. D. (_!. Lyon, the svnodieal missionai-y : nnil Charles Thayer, to organize one or iikwc ilmrcbes in the field to wliiili ilcv. Tliayi^r had been ministering. .Vfter iKisnnal visitation ami eorrespondenee. the conunittee decided on Pipestone as one of the places in which a cbiucli sliould be oi'gauized. and Rev. Thaver was authorized to [jroceed with the work. On Octolier 27, in company oral of the trustees went to work with a will last week and by Sunday night, with subscription.s and cash paid in. they had raised $925. which covered all the indebtedness." - Pipestone County Star, .\ugust 4, 1885.

Some Pipestone Churches

with Kev. D. G. Lyon, he visited Pipestone and held the tirst communion services. These were lield in the store room of Stuart Bros., and sixteen persons, including the clergymen, communed. Eleven of those present made application for the organization of a Presbyterian church and the preliminary steps were taken at that time.

During the next visit of Rev. Thayer, on Xovember 24, 1878, in Pipestone's little frame school house, the organization was perfected with the following twelve members: Rev. Chai'les Thayer, the pastor ; Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Morrill and their daughter, Mary F. Morrill, who had for iiicrly been members of the Congregational church at Afton, Minnesota; C. H. Bennett and Adelaide G. Bennett, his wife, who had laeen members of the Congregational church at LeMars, Iowa ; Duncan Stuart and Jennie Stuart, his wife, and their four children, John, Jessie and Nancy Stuart and Maggie Hutton, all from the Presbyterian church of Richland. Minnesota. Upon the organization a committee composed of Dt. G. W. Morrill, John Stuart and C. H. Bennett was chosen to look after the affairs of the church in lieu of church officers. On September 20. 1879, Dr. iforrill was chosen church elder.

Until the spring of 1879 services were held every four weeks ; then Rev. Thayer began preaching every alternate Sunday morning, holding services the same afternoon at Flandreau, which had been united with Pipestone to form one pastoral charge. In June, 1879, Rev. H. V. Rice, a licentiate, took charge of the new field and was the pastor until August, 1880, during which time there were eight ad-

*During this tinio services were occasionally held, conducted by the following ministers: Rev. J. K. Alexander, of Jackson; Rev. John H. Monroe, of Luverne; Rev. Edwin L. Lord, a student who spent his 18S2 vacation in Pipestone; Rev. D. G. Lyon, Rev. A. K. Baird and Rev. Charles Thayer.

ditions to the membership. A long vacancy followed, there being no regular pastor until Rev. Thayer was again assigned to the charge November 1, 1883.* During his incumbency, which continued until November 1, 188.5, the liouse of worship was erected.

A legal organization was perfected when the society was incorporated January 8, 1884, with the following named trustees: C. H. Bennett, Jolni Stuart, C. C. Goodnow, T. A. Black and A. Hitchcox. A little later in the same year plans were laid for raising funds with which to erect the building. In the latter part of July Rev. John Irwin, acting as synodical missionary, and Rev. H. H. Wilson, Jr., acting for the board of church extension, visited Pipestone, and through their assurances of .support it was decided to undertake the work at once. The board of church extension donated $500, Rev. Wilson $200, and the Ladies' vVid society raised $300, with which they bought the site. The building committee consisted of Rev. Charles Thayer, chairman; A. Hitchcox and John Stuart. The structure, which cost, complete. $2700, was built during the fall and early winter. Init it was not furnished until the spring of 1885. It was dedicated tiy Rev. George F. McAfee April 5.' At the time of dedication, a Sabbath school was organized with a membership of over fifty.

The present home of the Presbyterians is a handsome red stone building erected in 1900 at a co.st of nearly $10,000. It is one of the finest church edifices in southwestern Minnesota, is greatly enjoyed by the society, and is the pride of every resident of the city. The new building was dedicated Sunday morning. No-

"C. H. Bennett has furnished a list of the buildings in which the Presbyterians worshipped before the erection of their house of worship, as follows: Stuart's store building, Reuben Clark's store building, the public school house, Opera hall, the Methodist church and Mr. Bennett's residence.

The third religious society organized in Pipestone was the First Baptist churcii, which dates its existence from May 16, 1883. During the year of organization the society liad onlj- fourteen members, as folldws: .lohn Pearson, C. W. Fenla- .sun and E. (_'. Dean, who were tlie trustees; Rev. H. B. Marshall, Mrs. G. D. (Ircen. Mrs. Emma Fenlason, 'Mrs. John IVarson, IMahala Willey. Sylvia Fenlascm. Horace (1. Willey, Mary J. Righy, A.lelia Scclder, Ijizzie Sechlcr and Adclhert liobcrts. The clmrch liad no regularly installed pastor until August, 1883, when Rev. 11. 1'.. Marshall was called \n the ))ulpit.'' l-i'or .several vears the Baptists held their services in the building occn|iicd as a court house. Rev. A. S. Orcutt, who was later to meet his deatli in the Calumet hotel fire, was assigned to the charge in .lulv. ISS.'i, and a short lime later he and the chui'ch members set lo work (o erect a house of worship. The building, wliicli at the tiuie was the largest cbureli edifice in ripesloiie, was erected during the summer and fall of lS8fi. It was dedicated, free nl' debt, XcMMnber VI, 18Si;. The cost, including the site, was $;i;!()0. A Sabbath school was organized in March. ISSC, with G. L. Morgan as su|)ciinb'mleid.

ZionV church of the German Evangeliial society was organized in 1889 with the following members : William Passer, Emma Pas.ser, J. J. Natzke, H. Thies, Caroline Thies, William Lange, Louise Lange, Anna Ganfield, Mary Klensing, Maria Lange, C. C. Schroeder and wife, ]\r. G. Schauer and wife. George Rickerman, Jane Rickcrman, Caroline Bates, Noah l>artimas and wife, Eli Bartimas, ^fargarcth:! r>nitiin;is. Tin' liisl pastur was S. P>. (Jdctz. w lin mini>teicd tn the congregation oiilv ;i sIkmI tiiiie.'-

For nine years the iiieiiibei> of the German Evangelical suciety weie witli- (Hit a house of worship. .\ Iniilding costing $-3."iO(i was erected in ISOS. It was deiliciileil N'ovember Hi nf that year by Bishop Bowman, of Chicago. A par.soniige was erected just south of the t^hnrch in I'.Mil at a cost of iflGOO.

nf.his people in Pipestone county until 1.S85, and he was succeeded liy Father F. P. Kervick, ot Avoea, who had charge nf the Pipet^toue church fifteen years. The piesent pastor, Father Joseph Mangan, took charge in March, 1900.

The building of a church edifice was projected in 1887. The trustees at that time were Rt. Rev. John Ireland, D. D., fiiesident: Very Rev. Monseigneur A. I'avoux, vice president; Rev. F. P. Ker- \ick, pastor; James Magiiire, secretary; Anthony Minneghan, treasurer. The building committee consisted of T. Kennedy, li. V. Ackennan, Anton Webber, John Dannuth. John ]\Iur[>hy, R. O'Connell, James Maguire, Anthony Minneghan and Rev. F. P. Kervick. The contract was let September 28, 1887, and the corner stone was laid October 30. There was delay after this event, and the building was not completed until the summer of 1889. The dedication occurred September 22, witnessed by nearly 400 people. Catholics were present from Woodstock, Airlie, Jasper. Troskv, Lake Benton, Elkton, Edgertdii and FlandreaTi. The dedicatory services were conducted by ArchbLshop John Ireland, wliose suljject was "The Duty of the Creature to His Creator." The cost iif the building, 34x68 feet in size, was about -$4.'500. A pai'ochial residence, just Udi'tb of the churcli, was purchased in 1901) at a cost of $1400.

The first Ejiiscopal service in Pipestone was ]i(4d in .January, 1887. conducted by'Bisho|5 Gilbert and Rev. D. G. Gun;i in the Methodist churcli building. Thereafter at intervals there was preaching by Rev. Gunn and Rev.- C. T. Ware, and in 1890 a church was organized. Having gained considerable strength, the members of the church undertook anil ciirried out the enterprise of Iniilding a little stone church building. The corner stone was laid by .Archdeacon Appleby in 1892, but it was not until May 9, 1894, that the building was consecrated. This service was conducted by Bishop Gill.iert, assisted by Archdeacon Appleby. Tiie structure cost $3000.

The history of the ({erman Luibcran church of Pipestone extends back to the year 1893, when the organization was perfected. The first pastor was Rev. Betcher. The church building was erected in 1900 and cost $l."iOO. It was dedicated Octcl er 14, 1900.

The Norwegian Lutherans first held religious services in Pipestone in 1893, when Rev. G. 0. Skaret, of Flandrean, held meetings. Later a local church was organized, but its members were few, and for many years tliere was no resident p",-- tor. although there was preaching with considerable regidarity by pastors from nearby points. In the summer of 1904 a house of \vorshi|) was erected at a cost of al)out ^ISOn. the first service being held therein November 13. 1904. conducted by Rev. L. Y. Fossum. The church officers at that time were Ole Skailand, secretary ; J. J. Simenson, treasurer; Peter Westli. Pctci' Wiger, Christ Hansen and J. J. Simenson. trustees. Exercises incident to laving the corner stone and dedication of the cliurch home were held November 9, 190.5. Tlie address in connection with laving the corner stone was given by Rev. (!. 0. Skaret, and the dedication ceremonies were performed by Dr. Broeekinan. of St. Paul. The structure was dedicated free from debt.

The Christian Scientists have maintained an organization in Pi]iestone since lS9."i. In September. 1902. the society was incoriioratcd under the name First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Pipestone. Services ar<' held regularly.

of $706, and was dedicated February 23, 1902, by Elder Andrew Mead, of Brainerd, assisted by Elder M. B. VanKirk, of Eagle Lake, Minnesota. At the time of dedication there was a nieniljership of twenty-seven.

The Lodges

The first fraternal organization perfected in Pijjestone was the Ma.sonic. Earl) in the month of December, 1880, a number of Masons gathered in a small room on Olivo street and decided to ask for a dispensation from the grand lodge. The dispensation was granted January 13, 1881, and eleven days later the organization was brought about in the hall over Pease's dry goods store. The first officers and mendiers were as follows : Bile}- Frencli. W. M. ; J. C. Goodnow, S. W. ; W. J. Taylor, J. W. : I. L. Hart, secretary; A. L. Ely, treasurer; 8. H Smart, S. D.; H. D. Sanford, J. D. ; E. W. Davies, S. S.; AV. J. Pratt, J. S. ; M. Bromley, tyler; C. C. Goodnow, Wellington Sherwood and Samuel L. Bailey, Sr. The lodge was chartered January i;?, 1882, and named Quarry Lodge No. 148, A. F. & A. M. The organization under the charter was brought about March 11, 1883.

In the fall of 1887 signers of more than the constitutional number of Eoyal Arch Masons were secured to a petition to the grand chapter of Minnesota for the organization of a subordinate chapter at Pipestone. Favoralde ac^tion was taken and a dispensation granted November 28,

1887. C. C. Goodnow was designated to act as high priest, I. L. Hart, king, and \V. G. Martine, scribe, and on December () the lodge was duly organized. During the year that the lodge was under dispensation it prospered and many names were arlcled to tlie membership. At the October, 1888, session of the grand lodge a charter was granted to Triune Chapter and given the number 51.'^

A lodge of the Order Eastern Star - C^alumet Chapter No. 51 - came into existence in 1893. The meeting to bring about tlie organization was held January 5, and on February l.j the organization was perfected under the guidance of Mrs. Mary C. Taylor, of Minneapolis, assisted by Mesdames Pattee and Brierley.'* The lodge was constituted June 2, 1893.

i\rasonic teiuple, a three-story stone building in whicli the three Masonic orders have their homes, was dedicated on the evening of December 6, 1893.

The second fraternal order in Pipestone was the Odd Fellows, which was organized a short time after the Masonic charter was granted. Hope Lodge No. 89, I. 0. 0. F.. was instituted June 29, 1882, by Grand Deputy Matthews, of Lake Benton. The following were the first officers and members: W. J. Taylor, N. G.; L L. Hart, V. G.; G. W. Huntley, P. G. ; J. H. Nichols, secretary; George D. Green, treasurer; Charles Smith and J. G. Bennett. Hope Lodge now has a membership of over 1(10,

The next order in Odd Fellowship instituted was Gitelie Manitoii Encampment No. 45, which was officially organized March 27, 1893, by G. W. Bertram, grand patriarch, assisted by A. L. Bolton, grand scribe, and Winn Powers. The encampment began life with a menibcrship of thirty, which was said to have been the largest number of charter members ever formed into a lodge of the order in the state.'"

The last Odd 'Fellows order. Canton Hiawatha No. 20, .Patriarchs Militant, was instituted February 85, 1910. with a membership of thirty-three.'"

The Grand Army of the Hcpul]lic has been rejjreseited by a post in Pipestone since 1884. Simon Mix Post No. 95'^ was named in honor of Colonel Simon Mix, of the Third New York cavalry,

'^The first officer.s and charter members of Winnewissa Lodge were Mrs. George D. Green, noble grand; Mrs. J. L. Grun. vice grand; Mrs. B. C. Smith, recording secretary; Mrs. S. W. Funii, financial secretary; Mrs. L. J. Reader, treasurer; Mrs. Gertie Hvmible. warden; J. H. Sanborn, Inside guard; G. E. Bushnell and C. J. C'randall. noble grand supporters; B. C. Smith and S. W. Fimk. vice grand supporters; P. P. Cady. J. L. Grun, A. H. -Adams. I^. J. Reader, B. M. Carr, George D. Green and C. C. Goodnow.

"Officers at the time of organization and charter members were G. S. Redmon. captain; P. P. Cady. lieutenant; W. E. ^Vakefleld. ensign; G. F. Argetsinger. clerk; F. M. Payne, accountant; A. E. Woodman, standard bearer; John Telford, sentinel; L. E. Krull. picket; J. W. Hunt. M. B. Boomer. G. R. Howes. R. P. Woodworth. B. Toresdahl, M. W. Missman. L. Hess. G. G. Stone. O. P. Nason, H. A. Gano. Frank Raymond. G. A. W^arner. W. F. C. Krohn. P. H. Smith, S. W. Funk. C. W. Denhart. H. M. Parker. Carl Anlauf. William Boyce. D. M. ,Iohnston. W. J. Dingier. George Piepgras. L. E. Hillier. A. E. Harris and B. A. Turnbull.

who was killed in action with his regiment at the battle of Petersburg. It was mustered in May 1, 1884, by E. E. Miller, of Worthington, department mustering officer. The post was organized with fortyfive members.'"

The first step toward the organization of a Woman's Relief Corps was taken November 2, 1885, when, a number of ladies entitled to membership met in Opera hall. About a dozen were present and the preliminaries were arranged. Simon Mix Corps No. 12 was organized two days later and the first officers were installed by Mrs. Mary Starkweather and Mrs. Norton. ="

On three separate occasions camps of the Sons of Veterans have been organized in Pipestone. The first of these was Elmer E. Ellsworth Camp No. 2, which was mustered in with eighteen charter members February 12, 1885.=' The second was Robert Scarf Camp No. 92, which

='.\mong the members of this first camp were D. E. Sweet, Frank J. Brown. C. D. Fisher. H. W. George, A. F. Henderson. U. S. Clark. Charles E Gillon. J. E. George. Frank Poorbaugh. Sheridan Gilman. E. J. Churchill. O. P. Nason and A. Rutter.

was mustered in November 17, 1891, by Lieutenant Charles A. Christy, of Winnebago City. The camp began life with thirteen members.^- The camp now maintaining an organization is Daniel E. Sweet Camp No. 14, named in honor of the first settler of Pipestone county, and mustered in September 1, 1908, by Junior Vice Commancier Frank Tolman, of Paynesville, Minnesota. The charter membership list was left open until December 1, at which time there were thirty-five members.^^

The first fraternal insurance society organized in Pipestone was Pipestone Lodge No. 123, Ancient Order United Workmen, wliich began life July 29, 1890.=* Five years later, on May 17, 1895, the au.xiliary lodge. Fidelity Ixidge No. 44, Degree of Honor, was instituted by Mrs. 'Mixry Daley, grand chief of honor, of Minneapolis. The order began life with thirty-seven members.-'

^'Among the charter members were W. S. Winiams. Frank Raymond. O. E. Hart. F. E. Bushnell. Charles Sizer. M. H. Stone. William Raymond, Richard Hadwick and Fred C. Smith.

^*The first officers of the Workmen lodge were M. W. Ware. P. M. T\^; AV. S. AYilliam.s. M.: W. S. McDonald. F.: Robert Scarf. O.; Geortre Loomis. G.: G. H. Gurley, recorder: C. W. Gilmore, financier: I. L. Hart, receiver: Charles Gebhardt, I. W.: J. E. Bennett, O. W.

first officer.s of Fidelity Lodge were Mary A. McDonald. P. C. of H.; Mary I, Gilson. C. of H.: Sarah O. Grun. L. of H.; Cora W. Hart, (T. of C; Amelia D. Gurlej-. recorder; Rosabella O. George, financier; Nellie C. Payne, receiver: Jennie Denhart. sister usher; Millie E. Armstrong, inside watch: W. B. Denhart. outside watch: W. S. McDonald. Adv. C. of H. ; Emma I^oomis. R. maid of honor; Nettie Stair. L. maid of honor.

1891. Catlin Camp No. l.")4.'i wa.'; organized July 7, 1891, with twenty-two charter members. ^'^ Today the lodge has a membership of 234 in good standing, carrying insurance to the amount of .$43(),- .500. The auxiliary lodge, lone Camp No. IJ77, Eoyal Neighbors of America, was instituted May 4, 1897, with twenty-two charter members. ='

Pipestone Lodge No. 388, Modern Brotherhood of America, was instituted November 3. 1898, with forty-three charter nieml)ers, twelve of whom were ladies,^''

^'The first officers of lone Camp were I ibhie Cadwell. oracle; Lizzie Thiel. \"ice oracle; Frances Whitehead, recorder; Mrs. D. Hirschy. receiver: Mary F. Clayton, chancellor; Lulu Houston, marshal; Maggie Bliss, inner sentinel; Jennie AA'hitehead. outer sentinel; W. M. Taylor, physician: Minerva Shepherd and M. D. Cadwell, managers.

='The charter members were A. H. Brown. C. L. Miles. M. J. Becker, Anna Becker, Andy Dahlberg, Anna Dahlberg, Mary Lynns, Nellie Eppers. Emily Southall and Anna Hines.

Pipestone'S I'Liblic Buildings

In addition to the orders mentioned, there have been a number of lodges organized in Pipestone which flourished for a time and then went out of existence. Among these was Calumet Lodge No. 2S, Independent Order Good Templars, which was chartered and organized Febriiar\: 18, 1885, and which had an existence of several years.^^ Another organization that was popular in Pipestone for many years was Hiawatha Lodge No. 131, Knights of Pythias, which was instituted March 22, 1893. ^< Owing to heavy losses in membership, by rea.son of death and removal, the charter was surrendered in Dccembei'. 19nfi. Doon Castle of the Imporial Mystic l>c^inii was organized in IMarcli, 1807, with fifty-two charter members, but later .surrendered the chartci'."'' Wasta Trilie of the Improved Order of Redmen was organized October 2fi, lOOO."" Two years later the lodge wa? transferred to Woodstock. Another lodge that had a short life was Pipestone Aerie of the Fraternal

''The charter memtiers of the Good Templars lodge were Charles Thaver. J, L Pratt Mrs T J. Lynch Mrs. A, S, Dyer, Mrs. E, B. Nason' jMrs, r. f, Sampson, W, S, Hamlin, J. B Miller, Orvil Nason. Ross A. Nason, R W B Nason, Mrs. J. E, George, J, B. George. Bl'lene 1/yneh, Allene Lynch and C. B. Wells.

first officers of Doon Castle were W S JIcDonald, Mrs, M, I. Gilson, Mrs. A E Woodman, F, M. Bunn. A. E, Woodman, John Wickiund, M, W, Missman, Frank Clayton W P, Sanford. Mrs, W, S. McDonald, Mrs. B Shinlev' W, Missman, W, J, Taylor and Williani McGilhvray.

first officers of Wasta Tribe were W H Smith. C. Davis. Jens Sorenson G T Tancaster. ..\. H, Brown, S. F, Montville, John Vanli-aton. Norman Shannon and F. W. Norman

Fire Department

One of the institutions in which the people of Pipestone take pride and on which they place great dependence is the fire department, one of the best organized and most capable fire fighting organizations in south westei'n Minnesota. The Pipestone fire department has had an existence of nearlv a quarter of a century and was organized as a direct result of tlie Calumet hotol fire of December, 1886.

In the early days the entire water supply of the village came from shallow wells, and prior to the fire which destroyed the largest building of the town there was absolutely no protection. Immediately after the fire the village council purchased two chemical engines and a hook and ladder truck, and on January 6, 1887, a fire department was organized, with F. A. Walker as cliief.-''* The department was divided into three companies and the total member.ship was fojty.^"

/-The chiefs of the Pipestone fire department ^lJ""L'*'l'>'-S^niz»tion have been F. A WaTker ^ B'-"wn Clarence Walkup. Charles RhJ lev. Frank Hobaugh. Charles TifTlemire Oliver Sanborn. A. D. Brown, F. E Cogswell c b Dougherty, Harry A. Gano and A.^'u Brown

The matter of providing adequate protection from fire was not allowed to rest with the primitive measures adopted. It was soon decided to install a system of waterworks, largely because of the protection it would afford. Bonds for the purpose to the amount of $20,000 were voted in November, 1887, and the w-aterworks were installed the next year. The system was in working order in August, 1888, and at that time a hose cart and hose were purchased. Early in September the department was reorganized and a hose company added."*"

Public Library

Pipestone has one of the best public libraries in soiithwestem Minnesota - an institution which is the pride of the city. The building was erected with money donated by Andrew Carnegie, and the library is maintained by the city under direction of the city council. The home of the library is built of red stone from the Pipestone quarries, trimmed with jasjier, and its dimensions are 4().\.")1 feet.

For a few years prior to the building of the Carnegie library a public one was maintained by the city. The first steps tiiwiird securing an institution of the kind were taken in 1899, when tlie question of founding a city library was submitted to a vote at the annual village election. that time 22.5 votes were cast in favor of the proposition and 49 against, but no action followed. Again at the election in the spring of 1900 the proposition carried by a vote of 4.31 to .38, and the village council at once took measures to establish the library. The library was opened September 1, 1900, in the city hall with only

The matter of securing a donation from Mr. Carnegie was taken up in the spring of 1901, but the philanthropist replied that he had so many applications from larger towns, where he considered libraries of so much more far-reaching benefit, that he was unable to take up the cases of ]the smaller towns at that time. Application was again made eai-Iy in 1903, the matter being taken up by the Pipestone Commercial club. Within a short time came Mr. Carnegie's usual proposition: that he would (lonote $10,000 for a library building, providing the city would furnish a site and pledge the expenditure of $1000 annually for maintenance. The city council passed the required resolution ilav 2, 1903. The site was selected in August and was purchased for $800, the money being raised by subscription. The plans for the building were drawn by .Joseph Schwartz, of Sioux Falls, and the contract for the construction was let February 12, 1904, to George S. Eedmon on a bid of $8100. The building was completed during the following summer and was opened for inspection November 11, 1904. y\r<. O. T. Gilson is the present librarian.

The Banks

The oldest banking institution of Pipestone county is the Pipestone State Bank, which during the greater part of its history was known as the Pipestone County Bank. It was founded as a private institution by C. C. Goodnow and J. E. Craig, and opened its doors in November, 1879.

One year later the firm of Goodnow & Craig- was dissolved, and Mr. Craig, who lirtd been the casliier, retired, being succeeded as cashier by Eiley Frencli. A. H. Merwin became associated with Mr. Goodnow in the management of the ban]\: in 1882.

The Pipestone County Bank was organized as a state banii April 28, 1883, under a twenty-five year charter and with a capital stock of ,$25,000. The officers and directors wore as follows: T. A. Black, president;" O. P. Miller, vice president; A. K. iFerwin. cashier; William Larrabee, J. K. P. Thompson, Frank Larrabee, C. C. Goodnow. In July, 1884, the capital stock was increased to $50,000. The institution was housed in a little one-stnry frame building in the early days, but later erected one of the finest stone blocks in the city. The bank at once became a popular institution and soon took rank among the leading financial institutions of southwestern Minnesota. During the mi'moralile panic of 1893, when nearly all the banks of the country felt the effects of tlie financial storm, the Pipestone County Bank had a larger capital and surplus tlian any otlicr bank in the old .<econd congressional district.

Upon the expiration of the charter of the Pipestone County Bank, on April 28, 1908, the institution was reorganized under the name of the Pipestone State Bank, with a capital of $50,000 and a surplus of $15,000. The incorporators were E. W. Davies, F. Jj. Janes. F. E. Pearson, T. E. Nash, David Patten, Max Menzel and George E. Sellers, of Pipestone; 0. P. Miller, of Pock Rapids, Iowa; Charles Larrabee, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Tlie present officers are E. W. Davies, president: F. L. Janes and F. E.

The second banking institution founded^ in Pipestone was the Bank of Southwestern Minnesota, which opened its doors July 21, 1885. It was a private institution and^ its proprietors were two Englishmen, Charles Mylius and W. G. Stoner. In order to comply with a new law, which prohibited carrying on a private banking business under a corporate name, on July 1, 1887, the bank's name was changed to Stoner & Mylius, Bankers. The firm was dissolved October 35, 1888, and thereafter for a few months the business was conducted under the name of Charles Mylius & Co. The early home of the bank was Commerce block, but in 1888 tlic bank took up its quarters in the Calumet hotel block. Ten years later a home of its own was built on Olive street.

The institution was reorganized as the First National Bank of Pipestone on March 1. 1889. with the following officers and directors: Cliarles Mylius. president; C. J. Cawley. vice president ; H. E. Briggs, cashier ; W. G. Martine, A. S. Dyer. IT. E. French and P. W. Ashton. "Mr. "M^-lius retired friun the presidency in March, 1893, and was succeeded by C. J. Cawley. W. C. Briggs became president in 1898. Tlie bank has a capital stock of $50,000.

The Farmers and Merchants Bank was the third banking institution founded in tlic village. Its doors were opened December 15, 1897. The officers of the bank, all of whom were from Brooklyn, Iowa, were as follows: 0. F. Dorrance, president; W. W. Eeed, vice president; W. J. Smith, cashier. A few years later H. H. Eeed became president ; J. T. Scott, vice president; and W. J. Smith, cashier. The bank five years of life under the old charter. There have been five cashiers during the entire history of the state bank, namely. A. H. Merwin. E. W. Davies. F. L, Janes. F. B. Pearson arid T, E. Nash.

The Security Bank was established as a private business enterprise in March, 1000, by R. W. Ashton and G. H. Gurley with a capital stock of $25,000. It was conducted as a private bank nntil 1909, when it was incorjioratcd. The directors are G. H. Gurley, A. D. Gurley and E. W. Ashton. The bank has cjuarters in the Calumet hotel Iniildinff.

.Vnolhcr institution (hat has developed considerable proportions is the Sweet Township' Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance company, which was organized in the spring of ISft.S, the first policy being issued June 13 of that year. There were twenty-five members at the time of fiiiindiiiii', wdio caj'ricd only $25,000 insurance. The first officers were Duncan Stuart, president; F. M. Payne, secretary; E. A. Eice, treasurer.