Rice County, Minnesota - Yiii, 1882 (part 1 of 3)

Yiii

Looking at Rico county to-day wo can hardly realize that when the war broke upon the country, in April, 1861, it had not been settled ten years, and that Minnesota as a. State of the American Union was hardly three years old, but, notwithstanding its own soil bad not been fully sulijugated toman's use, very material aiil was promptly furnished to assist in subjugating the rebellious States. The feeling here prevailed among the majority of the people that the Union must be preserved.

The sights and the sounds that were visible and audible iu every city, village, and hamlet north of Mason's and Dixon's lino, were dui)licated here. The celerity with which men abandoned the pursuits of peace to take up those of war, was most marvelous, and in this sketch, in addition to the names of the soldiers who were credited to this county, various incidents will be alhuled to, that the methods, and the character of the patriotism which was so well nigh universal, may be remembered by coming generations whose gratitude was tluis merited.

Ou the 17th of October, when the idea of the magnitude ot the struggle began to dawn upon the average northern mind, and the notion that the rebellion could be put down in three months was thoroughly dissipated, the patriotic ladies of Faribault met at Metropolitan Hall, and organized a society to assist in supplying the sick and wounded soldiers with necessary articles for their comfort. The membership was quite large, and embraced the leading women ot the place, whose services in the double cause of humanity and patriotism were a new thing in warfare, and revealed the true position to be occupied by the gentler sex, while their husbands, sons, and fathers were at the front forming walls of steel as a protection to the present and future firesides of this great Republic.

The contrast between the wars of ages past, before there was any military surgery even, and this with its medical corps, supplemented liy the coUossal Sanitary and Christian commissions that were kept supplied with material by just such societies as this, was indeed most striking and remarkable, revealing, in a clear light, the progressive age of the world in which wo live, where the actual brotherhood of man is practically exemplified by such benefactions.

The first officers of this association woie : President, Mrs. Bemis; Vice-President, Mrs. S. B. Rockaway; Secretary, Mrs. E. .7. Crump; Treasurer, Mrs. May Fisk; Committee, Mrs. J. H. Winter, Mrs. A. J. Tanner, Mrs. W. fl. Stevens, Mrs. S. P. Van Brunt, and Mrs. A. P. Tula.

To show the character of the contributions sent to the sick and wounded soldiers, as well as to those in camp, a list of articles furnished from Northfield as their second installment, and which was forwarded on the 2d of June, 18(52, ia subjoined. The invoice c<msisted of: Eight quilts, seventeen pillows, two dozen woolen socks, six coarse combs, ten fine combs, nine dressing gowns, one pair slippers, nine new shirts, seven old shirts, eight pair ot drawers, one dozen brown towels, nine cotton sheets, ime linen sheet, twenty-one pillowcases, twenty-seven linen towels, forty cotton naj)- kins, five dozen compresses - one of lint, four linen handkerchiefs, fifty-four roUs of bandages, one package of linen and cotton rags, eighteen palmleaf fans, one pair of shoes, throe hair brushes, five quires of paper, twelve packages ot envelopes, twelve drinking cups, nine cakes of toilet soap, one package ot tea, one package of cloves, one package of corn starch, one package of linen thread, five papers of needles, three and one-half dozen buttons, three and one-half dozen shirt buttons, one cake of beeswax, one package ot hooks and eyes, steel pens, sponges, one pau- scissors, two pounds of castUe soaj), five books, and two Bibles.

Collections of a like character were made all over the county, especially during the last three years of the war, and it can readily be seen what an enormous amount of sanitary stores were sent.

In July, 1802, G. F. Batcheldor otlered a private bounty of .510 to any man who would enlist. At this time the government was paying $25 in advance, S3 extra, and one month in advance to all who enlisted.

cruiting. Later in the history of the war more substantial iuducements were offered in the shape of large bounties, if money is really more substantial than patriotism.

In the summer of 1862, Hon. Mr. Magoon was in Faribault recruiting for the Sixth Regiment. Captain Parker was home in the summer on sick and recruiting leave.

Up to August, 1862, under the calls the State had to raise, 5,360 men, and the proportion for Kice county was 336. Some of the residents went to Canada to avoid the draft, as did men from every State in the north. Levi Nutting was appointed Provost Marshal for the State. He is still an honored resident of Faribault. The Cannon River Guards, Capt. Pettit, recruited here, marched on the 20th of August, 1862, with ninetyfour officers and men. Lieut. Cannough was commissioned to recruit for the Eighth Minnesota Regiment.

The board of County Commissioners, on the 8th of August, 1862, took up war matters, and appropriated money from the county fund, and provided that the sum of !$20 be paid to every volunteer, the number not to exceed 200, who should on or before the 15th of August, enlist in the Rice County Guards, the Emmet Guards, or any other company organizing in Rice county. On the 2d of September another bounty of .#20 was ippropriated to all who would volunteer to fill the quota. After voting these bounties it was declared as follows, by the board :

"To be the intent and meaning of this resolution, together with the appropriation, jjassed August 8th, 1862, to provide for the payment herein-above speciiied, to each and every person who shall have voluntarily enlisted in the service of the United States, as above mentioned. Providing, the number does not exceed tilling Rice county's <juota."

On the 8th of January, 1863, the county board Hesoln'.d - "That each town in the county constitute a military district." This was done in accordance with a law which had been passed by the Legislature of the State to organize all the available men, as to age and physical qualifications, into militia companies. In accordance with the above law, whicli was jjassed on the 29th of September, ] 862, the election in the various districts for commissioned officers was held on the 7th of .Xjiril, 1863. Homo of the districts having failed to elect, the officers were subsebuently appointed by the board. The names of the officers of these companies are not here given because many of them never went to the front, and the names of tho.se who actually served will appear in the subjoined list.

In January, 1864, a resolution was adopted to equalize the bounty by the payment of $20 to certain soldiers who had enlisted previous to August 21st, 1862.

In 1864, the question of voting relief by the county to the families of soldiers widows and families was discussed, and resolutions were offered in the board, but opponents of the measure succeeded in defeating it, which may not, perhaps, be an evidence of want of patriotism, but the entertainment of a doubt as to whether this was the proper method to extend relief to this most deserving class, so many natural protectors of whom had sacrificed their lives for the safety of our common home.

Up to August, 1862, Morristowu, with less than 100 legal voters, sent sixty men into the ranks. At the time of the Sioux Massacre, in August, 1862, Rice county promptly sent a force of cavalry to the front. Mr. Faribault had ninety men in the saddle very promptly. The Rice County Rangers was the first company to report at St. Peter's. Maj. Dike was also authorized to raise a company to operate on the frontier. Lieut. West was likewise engaged in recruiting a cavalry company from the coimty. In October, 1862, the recruiting was twenty-two ahead of the quota in Rice county.

The Mounted Rangers, raised to operate against the Sioux, and commanded by Col. Samuel Mc- Phail, was partly recruited here by Lieut. O. D. Brown. During that terrible time (juite large numbers from Rice county had their first experience in camp life in that campaign. While the troops were engaged with the Sioux the draft was impending with its al;irming vmcertainty, and its distressingly few blanks, which, unlike usual rattles, all were anxious to draw, and so the Governor sent a telegram to the President asking that the draft be postponed and the time for paying bounties for enlistments extended, and here is a copy of his cliaracteiistic reply:

Wah Record

To Governor Rfimsei/ - Yours received. Attend to the Indians! If the draft oinnnt proceed of course it trill not proceed. Necessity knows no law. The government cannot extend the time.

Several clergymen from Bice county were in the ranks, among them Rev. D. B. Anderson, a Baptist; Kev. L. Pease, a Methodist; Rev. Lauren Anushy, pastor of the Congregational church in Faribault, was the chaplain of the Eighth Minnesota; Rev. E. R. Lathrop, of the Tenth; Rev. C. G. Bowdish also enlisted. Rev. L. Webb was in an Illinois regiment.

Charles E. Davidson was the interesting army correspondent of the Republican at Farilianlt. He was a member of Company O, First Regiment Minnesota Volunteers. He died in November, 1802, at Bledsoes Island, New York harbor, where he was carried after the "seven days tight." He left a wife and many friends in Faribault.

The Ladies' Aid Society in Fariliault gave a grand entertainment in the winter of 18(53, Mrs. H. Wilson was President of the society at that time.

In June, 1863, there were several Indians at Mr. Alexander Faribault's, and a rumor was circulated to the effect that some of them had been connected with the New Ulm massacre, but Mr. Faribault promptly set the matter right. Those who were with him were Wacon, or Le Clan^ and family, who came here when Faribault did, and have been here ever since; Papa and family and a widow and two children, the wife and mother of Good Thunder, who assisted in saving captives who were sent here for their safety. They were all "good Injuns."

Company G, of the First Regiment, had a like home run, and a reception. The co.nmittee of reception on the part of the citizens consisted of Maj. William H. Dike, H. Wilson, E. N. Leavens, G. F. Batchelder, R. A. Mott, and a suitidjle lionor was accorded them.

Some of Conij)any I, of the Fourth Itegiment, re-enhsted and visited home. Dr. Jewett had three sons in the army; one of them, John, was killed in battle.

Major Michael Cook, of the Tenth Regiment, was killed at the battle of Nashville; his friends and neighbors paid due respect to his memory on the 27th of December, 1864.

As the different comprmies came home at the expiratifm of their term of service, or at the close of the war, they were handsomely received. On the most important occasion of the kind General Nutting made the welcome address, which was responded to by Rev. Mr. Lathrop. Of course there was the dinner and the usual concomitants. The following is a list of soldiers from Rice county, as prepared from the Adjutant General's report. Great care has been taken to make this list as nearly complete as possible, but it is not unlikely that some defenders of their country, who had a greater regard for their duty than for preserving a record of their deeds, have been omitted :

Ohapteb Xlix

Faribault Bepublioan. - The first number of tliis uewsiKipei was issued in Faribault on the 22d of (October, 185G, under the caption of "The Rice County Herald," as a neutral paper, by F. W. Friuk, who threw off six numbers, and then it was sold to I. L. Pond & Co., and the services of E. A. Mott were secured as editor. No. 7 was printed aa the first number under the new order, which continued ten weeks, when Mr. Mott bought out the whole establishment, from the shooting stick to the Franklin press, and his first paper was introduced on the 17th of December, 1856. The name was changed to "The Faribault Herald," which at once took a position on the questions of the hour, holding that slavery was sectional and local, and that it should not be extended into the territories, and assuming a strong opposition to the slave power. It was edited with great ability while in Mr. Mott's hands. On the 2d of June' 1858, it was sold to Holley & Brown, who had been publishing a paper in Chatfield, in Fillmore county. Mr. C). Srown was the editor. In September, 1858, the paper, which up to this time had been a six column folio, was changed to a seven column paper. The name was also changed to "Central l-lepublic.iu," and was conducted with energy and spirit through the stormy period of the war by Mr. Brown, who was always found on the side of the Union, although at times he severely criticised the methods of carrying on the war, and the conduct of the campaign against the- Sioux. In December, 1865, the paper passed into the hands of A. W. McKinstry, who has managed it for seventeen years with good judgment, securing the confidence and respect of the community. On the 25th of May, 1870, the name was changed to "Faribault itepublican." It is on a most substantial basis, and is issued from a first class office, with steam power and facilities for promptly turning off good work.

NoKTHFiELD JouuN.\L. - -In April, 1858, a jjaper was started by Capt. Hoag and Brother. The press and material were moved to the place from Cannon Falls, Wisconsin, and it was regularly published for about three years. The establishment was then h^ased to otiier jjarties, and several had a hand in its publication, until early in the sixties, when it was moved to Kochester, and there it was published for a time by the original pro- ]jrietors. During this time, before the "Northfield Standard" was commenced by Mr. Kimball, there was no paper in Northfield.

The Siderial Messenoer is published m(mthly by Professor William W. Payne, the Director of the Observatory at Carleton College, Northfield. It is the only periodical in the United States, devoted exclusively to popular astronomy, and it is gratifying to. be able to state that students and observers in this fascinating branch of study are giving it a cheering support. It was started in the winter of 1882, and is a thirty-two page magazine, neatly printed and well edited; the price is 452 a year.

Northern Statesman and Western Farmer. - A paper with the above appellation, to designate its ambitious sphere, was established in 1861, at Faribault, the first number bearing date of the 12th of November. The inaugural in the initial number was an able, well written article, in which the announcement is made that the good old priiicij)le8 of democracy that had carried the country through so many storms, would control its utti'rances, saying that; "In politics, the Northern Statesman will be democaatic, as expounded and illustrated by Jefferson and Jackson."

The editor of the paper was Alexander Johnsou, who continued it until 1864, when its publication was suspended, and Mr. Johnson went to St. Paul, where it is understood he is still connected with the press of that city. While here it justly earned the reputation of being one of the best edited papers in the State. The material subse- (jueutly went into the office of the Democrat.

The Faribault Leader. - This paper was started in July, 1870, by S. H. Kelley and sons, who issued it as a weekly until September, 1871, when it was sold to A. E. Haven, and became "The Faribault Democrat," which was first issued on the 8th of September, 1871. It is an eight column folio, published weekly, at $2 a year, and is a neatly printed and well edited paper. Each of the offices in the county has a job office attached, and do good work.

The Minnesota Missionary. - This is a denominational monthly, originating in 1877, in Faribault, and edited by Rev. George B. Whipple and Rev. Edward C. Bill. A. E. Haven is the printer. It is in the interest of the Episcopal Church, particularly in its missionary interests.

Ru'E County Joi'Unal. - This is a leading newspaper in the county, published in Ntnthfield. It was first established iu 1872, by C. A. Wheaton. It was at first independent, and claimed to be the organ of no individual, clique, or riug, and was a neatly printed eight column folio, ably edited and well managed. Mr. Wheaton died in 1882. It is now published by Wheaton k Pierce, Mr. Pierce, being the editor-in-chief. The paper is now a well ])rinted nine column folio.

DcNDAS News. - This was started on the -Ith of November, 1876, by Henry E. Lawrence, the former puljlisher of the "Monday Morning News" in Minneapolis. This was published for three years, when it was removed and became "The Northfield News," the first number of which was issued on the 1st of November, 187il; Henry E. Lawrence, editor and proprietor. It is an eight column folio, Well printed and well edited.

MoBRisTowN Entekpuisb. - (Ju the 27th of July, 1307, the Morristown Enterprise Company printed the first number of this paper. The gentlemen interested in the publication were .1. N. Powers, C. W. Howe, and H. L. Howe. J. N. Powers was editor and publisher. It was issued on Thursday of each week at $1.51) per- annum, lu size it Was lO.xlS inches, with ten three-column pages, and was stitched by a New American machine. The company published but three papers, when it was bought by J. N. Powers, and he continued it until the winter of 1877, when he went to Waterville.

Morristown Messenger. - In 1878, H. S. Barlow published a five column paper, 14x24 inches, on a wooden press made by himself. This was issued on Tuesdays. In a few months S. B. Co3 bought an interest in the establishment and Barlow left. In 1879, Mr. Coe sold to A. E. Verity, having changed the name to the "Cann'On Valley Mes.senger," which was published several months, when it fell a victim to one of the fatal diseases which afflict newspap.rdom.

concerning the oHici' and ))roprietor cjI' the .Messenger, published at that place, and we I'hallcnge the (entire State to produce another sncli instance of grit, genius, and native abilty : which has a good circulation, and is certainly an illustration of success under dilliculties. F sjient tills forenoon in tlie printing ollice, and the sight of it is worth a visit to Minnesota, for it has no eipial in the world. There is not more than fifty dollars worth of material in the olfice, and its two presses were made by its proprietor, Mr. J. L. Barlow, whose only tools consisted of a hatchet, hand-saw, and jack-plane. They are built entirely of wood, with the exception of the levers and two iron rods, and their apiJearanco is indiscribable, yet they do good work. The mantle of Faust must certainly have fallen on Barlow. He is not only a printer and mechanic, but a photographic artist as well, and Morristown may well boast of a sort of universal genius."

A little book entitled "A brief circular relating to Kice county, Minnesota, showing its resource.s, advantages, and the inducements it offers to those seeking homes in the West," was published in 1800 by Holley & Brown, and edited by C. Williams. It was a neat little pamphlet and well calculated to serve the purpose for which it was intended.

In 1878, a large wall map, representing each farm with the ownership, and being complete in all respects, was iiublished by Warner & Foote, of Red Wing.

In 1868, Mr. F. W. Frink published "A Record of Bice county, Jlinnesota, being a review of the settlement, growth and prosperity of the county, and a brief descri|)tion of its towns and villages." It was neatly printed at the "Central Republican" office, and was a book of thirty-two pages. In 1871, an ap])endix was added and a new edition published. It was a valuable little work, Mr. Frink being one of the earliest settlers, and most of the time in ])ublic life, intimately associated with county afi'airs, was admirably (|ualitleil to prep.U'e such a book.

MiNNE.M'oLis & Cedab Valley Railroad. - The seventh Territorial Legislature of Minnesota granted a charter, which was approved on the tirst of March, ISOO, for a railroad from the Iowa State line, near where the Red Cedar crosses it, and thence up the Cedar valley, along the Straight River valley, and through the "big woods" to Minneapolis, a distance of 100 miles. Gcu. H. H. Sibley, of Mendota. Gen. James Shields, of Faribault, Franklin Steele, of Port Snelling, F. Pettitt, and Judge Alanson B. Vaughau were named as commissioners to open subscrii5tion books and to make arrangements for the perma neut orgauizatiou of the company at Faribault, This, according to the act, must be done previous to the first of March, 1857. These gentlemen succeeded in securing stock STibscriptions to the amount of $200,000, and a preliminary meeting was held at the office of Shields & McCutchen on Wednesday evening, the 28th of January, 1856 and a resolution was entertained to call a meeting of citizens to see how materially they were inter, ested in the project. In response to the invitation the meeting took place in Crump's Hall, which was crowded. Dr. Charles Jewett, who had been a great apostle of temperance in New England for years, but who now resided here, was called to preside, and K. A. Mott was appointed seci'etary. Stirring speeches were made by the President of the meeting, by Hon. M. L. Noble, by Messrs. Peat and Conover, from Iowa, agents of the Cedar Valley Railroad, and others. A letter was read from Gen. Shields, who was in Washington, with gratifying assurances that a wealthy c. -mpany stooil ready to to build the road, and that it would Vie promptly built no one in town allowed himself to doubt.

In 1862, an act of Congress was .'secnred to facilitate the construction of the Minnesota & Cedar Valley Railroad. In 18G4, the nearest place to the cars was at Rochester, and a stage route was arranged to connect there.

TIk^ railroad jiassed through various vicissitudes which it seems uimccessary to recapitulate, aud it finally he('amo the Minnesota Railway Company, aud uiKler this namc^ reached Northfield in Septenib(M-, 18()5, and finally, Faribault, and so on to its southern connections, and at last became absorbed in the great Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company.

It is now a part of that great railway system, with its more than four thousand miles of track. The service is regular, with morning, evening, and mid-day trains in both directions, and ample freight accommodations.

The railroad, as it is laid through the county, is a north aud south line, having connections at Owatonna and Ramsey, with east and west lines, and also at Farmington, in Dakota county, and a road is building from the west to intersect at Faribault, and running near the present line to Northfield, and thence east to Red Wing by the way of Cannon Falls. From St. Paul and Minneapolis the road comes down to enter the county near the northwest corner of the town of Northfield, where it strikes near the Cannon River which it follows, not very faithfully however, as it i^ sometimes three miles away, until reaching Fai'ibault, it crosses this stream west of the center of the town, and then in a like manner takes ui> the companionship of the Straight River to leave the county east of the center of the southern boundary. In its course it passes througli or touches the towns of Bridgewater, Cannon City, Wells, Warsaw, and Walcott, as well as Northfield, already mentioned. The stations in the county are Northfield, Dundas, and Faribault.

In 1871, there was considerable talk and preliminary work on a railroad scheme called the Green Bay, Wabashaw & Faribault Railroad Company. The idea was to connect this part of the country with the Mississippi and great lakes direct. The roiid got so far as to appear on some of the maps, which is much further than many another railroad scheme has progressed, where there was quite as much noise.

Cannon V.UjLey Railroad Company. - This company is really one of the oldest in the State, as it in the same corporation that was chartered in May, 1857, under the name of the Minnesota Central Railroad. The route was to be from Red Wing to the Missouri River. Additional acts and amendments have been passed at various times almost every year since. lu 1867, it was arranged that the road should go from Red Wing oia Cannon Falls, Faribault, and Blue Earth, to the southern boundary of the State. The capital was at first fixed at $5,000,000. lu June, 1:872, Congress passed an act to permit a railroad bridge across the Mississippi at Red Wing, and the State of Wisconsin had the necessary legislatiou for a oonnection with roads in that State. This was a land grant road, and the chartered rights iuchided the improvement of the Cannon Biver. Various contending interests and arrangements by old established lines with each other conspired to prevent the ct)nstruction of the line, the name of which had been changed, as well as the plans, as to the location. But a complete hist(_)ry of this and other roads that have been projected would make a large book, and we can only allude to what has actually been done. At last the men who were interested in this line were no longer to be beguiled by promises and in the winter of 1881- "82, tlie company was reorganized under the name of the Cannon Valley Railroad. The capital was fixed at «800,000 in shares of .IfSO each. The incorporators were A. B. Stickney, William Eli Bramball. Conrad (rotzian, William B. Dean, R. G. Deathe, .Toel May, and J. C. Pierce. It was resolved to build the road, and the Legislature in a special act having authorized th_- tveral towns and cities along tlie route to furnish aid, the following in tliis county voted the sums severally set against their names: Morristown, $10,001); Faribault, $50,000; Northfield, .«10,000; Cannon Falls also voted .flO.OOO, and Red Wing iS50,00fl.

In May, 1882, grading was commenced at several points, and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company, seeing that a rival line was l)uildiug, backed up by a powerful rival com])any with Chicago and western connections, at once made a survey practically over the same route, and put on a large force of workmen to complete a line before this new company could possibly do it. The position occupied by this line is said to be a sort of neutral ground by a common understanding between the "Northwestern" and the Chicago. Milwaukee St. Paul companies. As this work goes to the printer, the following account from the "papers" will reveal the status of the case :

"Northfield, July 10. - The excitement over the railroad war in this city reached a climax yesterday, when the Chicago, Milwaukee it St. Paul road, in order to cross the Waterford wagon n>ad, worked their tracklayers all day. The officers of the company claim they did it because the travel is light on Sunday and the public would be less inconvenienced. The situation now is about as follows: Both companies have large criws of graders at work all along the line between this jjlace and Red Wing. Their lines cross each othci- in four dill'erent places. Work is being pushed and it looks very much as though both roads would be built, (ien. Supt. Clark, Asst. Gen. Supl. C. IT. Prior, Attorneys Flandrcau, Wegg, and A. I). La Due came to Northfield to-day for the j)ur[)ose of looking over the situation of affairs and to incpure into the legal asjieet of the case. They make the following statement: In no case has the Chicago, Milwaukee * St. Paul road located a mile of track on the located line of the Cannon Valley railroad. They say the Cannon Valley made the first \i\climinary survey, and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul the first permanent location. After the latter company located their line, the Cannon Valley changed their preliminary survey in several places and planted their stakes within a few feet of the located lino of the other road. The Milwaukee road claims that the law allows tlie riglit of way to the first [termaneutly located line. Friday, an injunction was served on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul by the Cannon Valley railroad, and it is understood from good authority that they will make a motion to have it removed to the United States court. It is reported that the Cannon Valley company have changed their line in the city limits and will run nearer the rivei than the new track laid by the other road.

A survey is being made by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road for a road between Farib;uilt and Waterville, which survey will be continued in the towns on the Minnesota River. This is to I'etaliate for the movements into their territory.

The Cannon Valley road have surveyed a line from Red Wing to Cannon Falls on the south side of the river, crossing the river half a mile below the town, and crossing the other road just east of the depot.

Milwaukee, July 10. - Engineer Slieldon, of the Chicago, Milwaukee .t St. Paul road, left for Cannon Falls, Minn., to-day, where he will take charge of the surveyors at work on the liranch. Reports from the latter place, as well as from different points along the projected line, are to the effect that l)oth the Canmra Valley and the Mil- waiikee i-oada ;ue making stremious eflorts to secure the right of way along their parallel routes. The Cannon Valley oflicials, at last report, had even gone so far as to institute an action against the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. Nevertheless the work near Northfield is being pushed rapidly forward by both com]iauies. The Chicago, Milwaukee * St. Paul has a large force of men laying rails as rapidly as the grading will permit. The Cannon Valley has already let contrac^ts tor the grading of its road from Northtield to Dundas. The Milwaukee otHcials here claim that the road to Red Wing will be in operation January 1, 1883.

Ediu'Ationai

The first school opened in the county, as far as we are able to learn, was kept by Edward J. Crump. Mr. A. Faribault and Luke Hulett furnished most if not all of the childi-en to attend. This was in the winter of 1853. Accounts of the early efforts to establish schools in several towns are given here as a sample <jf the early methods, anil how soon the teachers and scholars adapted themselves to tlwir surroundings, and how faithfully they pursued the jjaths leading to knowledge. No attempt is made to cover all that was done at that time.

lu th(^ spring and summer of 18.57, there wei'e three jirivate schools opened in Faribault, one kept liy Mrs. Dunning and daughter in a room west of the land office, one by Miss Tuttle in Cniiup's Hall, and the other by Miss Haskins in the house of Col. Stevens. This was just before t\u: public school building was completed, which tli(! citizens so commendably begau at such an early day.

Miss H. G. Fisk, of Warner, Now Hampshire, o]j('ued a select school in the room which had been occupied by Miss Dunn. Miss Mary .'V. Fisk tauGjht music in the summer of 1857.

District No. 7 was set oil' from No. 1 iu thi> fall of 1857. The scliool was kej)t in a house belonging to G. B Dntton, about a mile from Faribault. Miss Sarah Fisli was an earlv teacher.

About this time there was a log house iu district No. 12 on East Prairie; it was ceiled and battened overhead, and there were thirty-one scholars. E. Lyman Kendall was the teacher.

No. 1, Fakibadlt. - Seldom has our pen been exercised to make a more pleasant or satisfactory report than that which comes under the above head. The money panic pouncing upon us at a time when the district was considerably involved in conse(|uence of 'the purchase of a lot and the l>uilding of a first class schoolhouse, etc., has made the duties of the trustees arduous and thankless.

Some time in November last, three teachers were employed and a partial but imperfect system of grading effected. Miss Mary Fisk taking charge of the primary department in Crump's Hall, and Mr. Fish aud Miss Parish, each occujiying a room in the schoolhouse, superintending the higher departments. These schools closed last week. We ha^'e visited them from time to time, and now propi iss' to give others the benefit of our observation.

Miss Fisk has had under her tuition iu number from forty to fifty scholars, generally of the younger class. The feature in this school, most striking to the casual observer, has been the perfect system attending every exercise ; the best of order uniformly jorevailed, and so perfect was the teacher's self government that not a word or gesture seemed to escape her without b^ aring a significance which her pupils readily understand. In fact we have no hesistation iu jiionouncing it for system and good manners the imnlel si'hocd.

Many of the scholiirs were backward for their age; yet their reading, spelling, and mental aritlimetic recitations were full of interest, especially were we pleased with their j)rompt recitation of passages of scripture, common tables, and their vocal music.

Miss Parish came among us last fall a stranger, but her reputation as a teacher, which she hud established in Vermont, had jjreceded her. Of superior education, clear and pointed in her explanations, beloved of her school, were she but a little more thorough in her government we could find no point to criticise. Besides the tuition of about tlfty ])upiis, comprisiug her ilfpartmeut of this school, Miss Parish has supofintondod a chiss ill algebra and oue in astronomy from the otlier department, both of which have made excellent improvement, considering tlie number uf classes she has heard, and the double amount of labor performed, she has certainly achieved great success.

The de|jartraent over which Mr. Fish has presided has beeu the largest and most difficult to manage. He made a general examination of his classes last Saturday afternoon. The review was made with a design to ascertain the real improvement made and without any special preparation having been made for the occasion. The questions were proposed by the visitors as well as teacher. The perf(3rmance was really very creditable and far surpassed the general expectation. We think one geography class, a large class in Weld's grammar, the second class in spelling, and the entire performance in arithmetic to be worthy of particular notice, evincing such thorough mastery of elemental principles as is seldom attained.

We want to give no undue praise to these teachers, and if we could not truthfully have spoken well of them we should proliably have said nothing. But it is apparent to thos<> who have visited our schools that under many difficulties these teachers have done for us this winter a noble work, and we should not withold that reward so dear to every teacher's heart, and yet the last to be conferred, viz: uppreriiition.

Our schools should have continued at least another month, but circumstances forbade it. We hope (mr citizens will fill out by a select term the time which to their children is so precious.

At some future time we will call up tlie subject of books, the endless variety of whicli is the source of the first great evil with which the teacher is obliged to contend."

I will attempt to give you a list of books in use, which you will find rather of a mixed account, the result I suppose of gathering scholars from all parts of the Union. My reading classes mostly use Sanders' series, I have fifteen in Sanders' fifth, six in McGuffey's fourth, and five in Sanders' second. In Sanders' pictorial primer I have a class of eight little girls and the smartest class you ever saw, tf)o. Besides these classes there are several independent clas.ses of one reading in his own book. In spelling, Sanders' speller is used by five: the elementary by twenty. In arithmetic I havi; a class of four young men now working in proportion, another class is in fractions; Ray's work part third is studied by twelve, part second by five, Colburn's mental by eight. In grammer I have five classes as follows: two pupils in Browns' grammar, oue in Smith's, one in Welds', one in Wells', and one in Hazen's. In geography, I liave six in Mitchell's large edition, and two in the i)rimary.

"No. 3, Shiei.dsviTjI.e. - This district was organized just in time in the present winter to receive its share of the pulilie money; as a matter of course there was no schoolhouse till that time; a log house was fitted up for the purpose, with temporary seats and desks, size II feet by 20; although not very comely in apperrauce, yet it is quite comfortable.

The number of scholars in the district is eightyfour; twenty-seven is the number of attendants, the average about twenty-two. The books in use are as follows, introduced by myself the present winter: Thompson's arithmetic. Wells' grammar, Mitchell's geography, Colburn's mental arithmetic for small scholars, Sandeis' series of readers and speller. With a few exceptions, these are the books used.

"No. 4, Waksaw. - The whole uiiinher of scholars is seventy-three, average attendance about fifty. The text books in use are Sanders" series of readers and speller, Adams' and Thompson's arithmetics, Colburn's mental arithmetic, Mitchell's school and primary geography, and Wells' grammar.

Our school house, yon will remember, was destroyed l>y fire in November last. We have since occupied the building formerly used as a store by Hollister, Frink & Co., dimensions, 16x32 feet. It IS inconvenient, especially for so large a school, yet under the circumstances a better one could not be procured.

The scholars have been well disposed, and have made good progress in their .studies; and I believe the school, as a whole, will compare favorably with other schools in the county; at least I am willing it should stand upon its own merits alone. E. Darling, Teacher."

"No. 5, Cannon City. - I. N. Sater, teacher. This school, under its excellent superintendance, has made fine improvement this winter. The average attendance has been fifty-seven. -With the exception of an excellent class in natural philosophy, only the common branches have been taught.

To an advanced arithmetic class special notice is due; the largo number of adults, including eight over the age of twenty-one, has given this school a close resemblance to our higher institutions.

In size the schoolhou.se is 32x40 feet, with 14 feet posts. It occupies a picturesque site, and is a thoroughly finished, imposing structure, doing honer to the taste of its builders. It cost .'$1,400.

The state of Minnesota has a law in relation to text bofiks, which, under its provisions, are provided through the county officers, and, to reveal the sentiment which usually prevailed in school circles in relation to the law and its workings, an extract from the County Superintendent's report from Kice county for the year 1880, is here given:

"The school work of Rice county has not been as satisfactory for the year just closed as in the three jjrevious years, for two reasons. First, the change in text books which has taken jilaco has been slow and tedious. Hooks ordered early in the spring did not arrive until alter the summer schools liad been in session one and two months. The residt was a lack of books, as the impression prevailed that no other books could be used. Second, the so-called cheap text-book law has stimulated the idea that cheap teachers should also be procured, and the result has been the employment of a larger' proportion of low grade, cheap teachers, and many of the best teachers have abandoned the profe.ssicm.

The use of cheap text books naturally leads to the employment of cheap teachers, and the use of cheap apparatus, and results in lowering the standing and checking the progress of our schools.

The working of the textbook law is burdensome not only to district officers, but to teachers t'lnd superintendents, as it takes up much valuable time that should be devoted to other work.

If the law is to remain in force, the Legislature should modify it so that the contractor shall be obliged to place the books within reach of the pujiils without county or State assistance. If the books are the best and cheapest, they will be used. If they are not the best and cheapest, they should not be forced upon the schools through pains and penalties."'

Religious

Brief items in relation to the several district schools vv'ill be found in the sketches of the towns in which they are located. The statistics here given will be of value as a basis for comparison at any future jieriod, and they show at the present time that tlie school system of the State, in its application to Rice county, is an object of especial r('ga:d.

In regard to the churcli edifices and the denominational scliools, of which the people are ju.stly so proud, and which have been the objects of such self-saciificing devotion, it is Imt a simple act of justice to acknowledge the invaluable aid ftirnished by friends from tlie East. Large numbers who settled here were no sooner comfortably settled than they began to miss their accustomed religious privileges, and reflecting upon the admirable situation of those they left behind in this respect, wouhl lose no time in writing to those who would be likely to assist in a true missionary spirit, in building churches in tlie West, reciting the needs of the new commimity, with the imperative necessity (.)f prompt action to save the new and fast swelling community in the West from impending infidelity. And, to the infinite credit of the East, it should be recorded that the responses to these calls were efficient, and often sufficient to mi'ct the exigencies of the occasion.

As a sample of what was actually done in the direction just indicated, an extract from a letter written Vty Dr. Chail(>s Jewett to Kev. Dr. Jacob Ide, of West Medway, Massachusetts, will be reproduced here.

itnd Dear Sir: Worn and wearied by hard .service in the temperance cause, I thought to secure a little release from responsibilities and some i-elief from severe toil, by removing westward and devoting myself to the ([uiet labor of cultivating the soil. Well here 1 am, where the circumstances that surround me call for as severe and continuous labor as I liave ever been called upon to perform, though I think the character of the service more c<mducive to Ixxlilv health than that to which I have been accustomed. I .am as you see by the post-mark, in the territory of Minnesota, sixty miles south of St. Paul, forty west of the Mississi])pi, and in latitude forty-four, on the very outskirts of civilization, where the Indian chases the Jeer and the farmer follows the plow over the same acres, where heathenism and infidelity must be met on their own ground and conquered by Christian faith and Christian love. * * * Last summer, a few of us, feeling our responsibilities and spiritual needs, sustained at the village, two and one-half miles distant from my residence, religious worship through a large portion of the season, where only the summer previous had stood more than a hundred lodges of the Sioux Indians.

* * * There are about twenty male members of Congregational churche.s, and perhaps as many females, who will unite in the formation of a church; and the 7th of May is fixed upon as the time for organization. "We have as yet no place of worship, and hold our meetings in private houses. We want to build a church as early in the summer as possible, as there is no house in the village or on the prairies large enough to seat one- half the number who would attend on our worship, if we shall be able to secure, as we hope to, a faithful and able religious teacher. But how we are to accomplish what we so ardently desire puzzles our Ijump of calculation not a little, and draws pretty heavily (m our bank of faith. *

* * Our old friends in the East must help us a little until we can get fairly on our feet, and then, with the blessing of God, we hope to be able to stand and become in turn, helpers of others. Minnesota is to be, I believe, the New England of the West, and exert, when it shall take its place among tlie States of the Union, a decided influence on the right side of those great questions which are now agitating the country. -The followers of His Holiness the Pope, ever ready to seize on the best points, have contracted to have a church built here early ui the summer. Oh ! shall that be the fir,st church edifice in this lovely region ? God. and his faithful, forbid."

The communication of which this is an extract was publislioil l>y Dr. Ido in The Congregatiimalist, of Boston, on the 9th of May, 1856, with the following remarks by Dr. Ide:

" Tlie following letter from Dr. .Tewott is one of great interest. Though the churches, in the pres cut state of things, cannot respond to the call which every individual church in the West may be disjMsed to make, yet such are the circum- . stances of the community in which Dr. Jewett is located, and such are the feelings of the friends of temperance and religi(m in the commonwealth toward him for his long self denying and effective labors in the cause, that they will, it is believed, deem it a privilege to respond to the affecting appeal which he now makes for a little assistance at their hands. Medway will cheerfully pay the tax which is laid upon her."

It is not strange that this appeal met a hearty response among a people who had sent millions for the purpose of Christianizing heathen savages, where, in an economical view, the expense and the return were woefully out of proportion. Dr. Ide's church contributed -Si.S; Milbury, where the Doctor had lived, gave S3.5; the Elliot church in Newton, gave a Sunday-school library of two hundred volumes and more than one hundred dollars; the church in Whitinsville gave a bell, which was one of the first to ring out its peals in this region, awakening the prairie echoes before one-half of people had their houses properly covered and provided with comfoi-ts. It was such efforts as these, supplemented by labor at home that transformed "tlie wilderness and the solitary places to blossom as the rose."'

It is very pleasing to be able to say in this connection that while this work is writing, the implied promise of Dr. Jewett that these benefacticms should be repaid to other needy ones, when the ability should be acquired, is being fulfilled, as the Sunday-school is making arrangements to help pay for an org;m for a Sunday-school out in Dakota, one or more of the teachers in which having gone from here. Indeed it is certain that this obligation has been repaid in like manner ov(>r and over again. This subject is introduced to show the community of interest between the several sections of the country.

Faribault and Northfield are noted for the number of their churches, and in the other villages and throughiiut the county will be found a goodly number of the various denominations.

An Old Settlers' Association. - This was organized on the 4th of February, 1874, at Faribault, with Luke Hulett, as president, and F. W. Frink as secretary. A constitution was adopted and the above mentioned officers were made penuanent.

They had a grand reunion on the 23d of February, 1874, with speeches, songs, and a dance with a supper. The roads were badly blocked with snow, but about sixty turned out, and most of tliem although early settlers, were in the prime of life.

Luke Hulett called the meetimg to order and (piite a number of old settlers gave tlieir early experience, and from these speeches much of the earl history in tliis volume, relating to the early settlement of the county, was gathered, and so their stories will not be rejieated in tliis sketch of the association.

At one of these meetings Mr. F. W. Frink n'- marked that, "While the men were relating their exploits, too little was said of the noble women who had torn themselves away from the endearing ties of early association, and without whose aid and a.ssistanee all efforts ti> establish civilization here would have been futile," and he related incidents illustrating the heroic courage, fortitude, and hopefulness of the wives of the pioneers, who submitted to their hard surroundings in a manner beyond all praise.

On the 4th of March, 1875, the annual reunion took place in Faribault, and at this meeting Hon. O. F. Perkins made one of the speeches, an a!)- stract of which is given elsewhere.

Mr. Mott contrasted the generous hospitality of the early times with the present, apparent paucity in this respect. Then, if a claim shauty had two bea.5 there would be hardly a limit to the number that could be taken in. This occasion was an enjoyable one. with a supper, danc;', etc., at the Barron House.

present by invitation, and delivered a most interesting address, full of anecdote and liistorical reminisceucas, a good part of which will be woven into the early history of the county. Bishoj) Whipple and others addressed the As.sociation, and at their ccmclnsion the usual festivities were enjoyed.

The Old Settlers" reunion for 1877, was lioldcn on the 4tli of February. The address of the occasion was by Gen. H. H.Sibley, who paid a tribute to the character of Mr. Faribault, and ])resented, in a very pleasing way, various recollections of pioneer life, among other things that sometime in 18.57, Charles E. Flandreau came down from Yellow Medicine and removed quite a number of the Waupakuta band of Indians, who were living on Mr. Faribault. The Rev. Dr. Neill was present and related some good anecdotes.

On the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, in 1878, the Old Settlers' Association convened, and the exercises were of the usual interesting character.

At one of the meetings of the association. Captain E. H. L. Jewett moved that Blrs. Emma Hulett Miller, of Hartford, Connecticut, tlie first wliite child born in Faribault, be elected an honorary member.

Rice County AoRictTLTnn.vi, and MKi'nA>'H'AL AssocuTiON. - Pursuant to notice the citizens of Rice county met in Crump's Hall on Monday the 22d of February, 1858, and effected a temporary organization by the a])poiutment of H. Riedell, Chairman and E. Thayer, Secretary.

Meeting convened at 1:30 o'clock r. m.. pursuant to adjournment, and received the report of the committee on constitution, which was adopted.

The following officers were then duly elected for the ensuing year, being with few exceptions the names presenteij by the committee on permanent organization: President, .1. W. Nortli, Northfield: first vice-president, Levi Nutting, Faribault; second vice-president, T. H. Olin, Northfield; third vice-pr<'sident, T. N. Safer, Cannon City: rec'onl-

This association was i-esuscituted on the 25th of June, 1870, the last meeting having been held in May, 1863. The officers elected were: president, Charles Wood; vice-presidents, J. G. Scott, of Morriston, Benjamin Ogdin, of Northfield and T. C. Adam.s, of Wolcott; recording secretary, R. A. Mott; corresponding secretary, H. C. Whitney; lioard of directors, Levi Nutting, E. W. Dike, George F. Batchelder, D. Stevens, and Mr. Hudson, with a general poniniittee.

C.\NNoN Valley AciiucrLTUBAi, and Mechanical Association. - This institution which seems to have supplanted all previous societies of a like character in the county, except local town associations, wherever they exist, was organized in 1872, and the first fair held in 1873, wliich was the only one ever conducted by the association that was a financial success, although a number were afterwards held. The corporation was formed as a joint stock company ; $15,000 was subscribed and si^lO,- actually paid in, by about seventy members. The first officers of the association were: President, John Harding; treasurer, Z. S. Wilson: secretary, Hudson Wilson.

The fair grounds were purchased of Randall Fuller, and about .f.'jiOOO in improvements made. The grounds embrace a half-mile track, stand, covered seats, and conveniences for exhibitions. The property finally reverted to Mr. Fuller in satisfaction of a mortgage he held. The last fair was given hi 1870, and the year following the association formally disbanded.

Rice County Anti-House Thief Society. - An organization, tlie object of which is indicated by the name, was cli'ected on the 1st of August, 1867, which has been kejit in working order ever since, and it is gratifying to be able to state that, although horses have been stolen from various members of the association, tliey liavo in every instance been recovered, and tlie thief not unfrequently caught and punished. The permanent officers of the society were: President, William H. Dike; vice-president, Luther Dearborn ; secretary, Thomas Mee; treasurer, Hudson Wilson; executive committee and other officers, G. M. Gillmore, Tliomas Mee, D. M. West, Charles Shields, James G. Scott, R. M. Norton, W. S. Leonard, H. A. Swartliont, Thom-is Kirk, M. S. Seymour, Joseph Covert, O. B. Hawley, H. C. Adams, Lyman H. Henderson, H. E. Barron, P. E. Brown, Samuel Dunham, C. Decker, T. H. Loyhed, J. C. Turner^ S. P. Terryll, J. G. Clark, D. P. Smith, Samuel Barnard, S. M. West, J. A. Winter, F. M. West, C. A. Giddings. Charles Sweetzer, F. M. Baker, J. G. Scott, R. M. Nortcm, Henry Hall, Andrew Thompson, Oscar Decker. Over 100 memliers were at once enrolled. The organization is still kept up, and it is likely that the fact of such a well appointed society being in existence in the county has reduced the horse stealing business to a niiuiranm here. The present officers are: President, G. M. Gillmau; vice-president, H. M. Matteson; seci'etary, Thomas Mee; treasurer, Hudson Wilson; with an executive committee and several riders in each of the towns in the county.

In securing claims in this new county, as everywhere along the constantly moving frontier, there was, as there still is, opportunity for sharp practices which were often put in requisition. The land officers have simply to conform to the requirements of the law, and to accept the sworn statements of the jire-emptor, and when he conies to prove up his claim, sometimes swearing is required by the exigencies of the case which would receive the designation of "tall," in the local vernjicular. The improvements which were sometimes declareil to have lieen made were often in con.structive obedience to the law, not unlike that of a southwestern frontiersman who cut tlie dates of two dillerent years on a couple of trees, and planting a hill of corn between them swore that he had raised corn between those yeass on that ground. By placing a whisky bottle in an aperture in the side of a shanty, it was not considered to be a very severe stretch of the conscience to swear that there was erlass in the windows. It is

As au actual instance of honorabli- alertness, a case is stated where a man had <h'iven a stake with his name; and the law allowed thirty days in such a case for the man to occnpy it. As the thirty days drew to a close that claim was closely watched, and as the woiild-be proprietor failed to apjiear, at midnight the new elaimant drove his stake, and was at the laud office in Hastings when it was opened the next morning. The claim was secured, although, in the course of the lay, another man came to get hold of it, but too late.

Among others who came here ou the representations of Dr. Jewett, was a man whose wife bec.ime homesick and dissatisfied with the country. She was at the Doctor's house one Sunday morning when lie was preparing to officiate at religions seiwice iu some private house, and being pressed for timt^ he asked the lady to select an opening hymn which she did by placing a mark on the page. Ou opening it to give out the hymu he was taken aback to find this selection;

In those pioneer times Dr. .Tewett bad a hand mill in one corner of his house, to grind the meal used by his family, and some one told a man who lived miles away, that Dr. Jewett had a grist-mill, and so the man drove over with a wagon load of corn to be ground, rejoicing that civilization had reached Minnesota with one of its useful inventions. As he was introduced to the mill, his countenance would have furnished a good subject for an artist's pencil.

The Doctor spent the winter of IS.'il in New England, lecturing upon the agricultural resources of the West. He had maps of Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa, with rivers, blufls, and prairie land carefully prepared, and he also had bo^es three feet long to show by vertical sections actual specimens of the soil, so that people could see for themselves just what they would find on coming west.

2d. N(* State or Territory, at present inviting inimigration. is so well timbered, or comprises such an excellent v;iriety of woodland as Minnesota.

4th. The climatology and meteorology of Minuesota are the wonder of tlu^ world. The disagreement of the isothermal and geographical lines of latitude, brings the meau temperature of our seasons into correspondence with northern Ohio and southern New York, at the same time the dry, elastic, stimulating nature of our atmosphere differs so vitally from the dam]), eousuiiiption giving air of the Atlantic States, as to lead us with perfect confidence to enunciate proposition.

.^th. No State east or south of us can compare favorably with Minnesota in those causes which produce health and vigor, and upon which, in a great measure, the prosperity of a State deiiends. We have never seen, since we made this Territory our home, any person prepared to dispute this lu-o))08ition, or even throw against it the weight of his opinion, while hundreds giving their own experience in evidence will attest its truth.

fith. Its geographical position as such as ni.akes an carh/ and tlinronrjh development of our mighty resources probable; commanding as we do, the head waters of the largest lake and longest river in the world.

7th. So magnificent a system of trunk railroads, based upon munificent land grants, has never before fallen to the iulieritance of any Stat(>.

8th. Such provisions for educational interests are without parallell in the history of the world. We have already four State Universities chartered. An immense University fund donated by the federal government, and for the maintenance of common schools, the magnificent be(piest of one sixteenth of the area of the State, or about three millions of acres, worth probably from twenty to thirty millions of dollars.

9th. The character of the population of Minnesota presents au anomaly iu the history of western settlements, and no more refined, intelligent, or moral peojile can be found in so large an aggregate than are to be fonud in this new sovereignty.

In May, 1871, the cjuestion as to the settlement of the old railroad bonds by arbitration, which was submitted to the people of the State, and defeated, received the following vote in Rice county : For the measure, 625; against it, .507, a majority of 118 in favor of the proposition.

Id 1878, there was a regularly organized wolf hunt, which shows how hard the old occupants of the country hokl on, and how difficult it is to completely dislodge them.

On Thursday, the 4th of April, 186.5, the region of Rice county was visited by a terrible blizzard, which did an immense amount of injury to the crops and buildings.

Gopher Hunt. - The amusements on the frontier are peculiar, and sometimes combine the most important utility with festive occasions. At this day it is hardly possible to realize the number of wild animals, including many whose habits were inimical to agricultural interests, and whose presenci! iu such infesting swarms it became necessary to abbn^viate with as little delay as possible. To illu.strate these several points, an account of a gopher hunt instituted by the young men of East Prairie, early in June, 1866, will be given.

The two towns, Walcott and Ricliland, entered into the contest with a view to ascertaining which could secure the largest amount of this precious game in a given time, tlie defeated party to pay for the suj)i)(n' ordcreil at the close of the hunt. At the appointed time the two parties took the I'lild under ('ii])tains W. Carter and Theodore

Close, respectively. On the 9th ot June the contestants and their friends met at a picnic, and among the other delicacies served up on the occasiou was a gopher pie, with a huge pocket gopher crouched in the center, and rats with gray and striped gophers around the margin, with their heads peeping through holes in the crust; but other viands prepared were so eagerly sought after that this rare and appetizing dish was totally neglected. The numlier of animals secured on both sides footed up as follows:

General Remarks

The pioneers of this whole region were particularly fortunate in their contact with the Indians; the scenes of massacre which began with the planting of the English colonies in Virginia and Massachusetts, and moved with the advancing civilization in a crimson line along the frontier, with the most heart rending atrocities, seem to have stopped at the Mississippi, leaving this section in peace and quietness, to reappear, however, in all its original fierceness to the west of us iu that terrible Sious itiassacre, so truthfully depicted in this work.

Although the tomahawk and scalping knife were not a constant menace to the early comers, it must not be imagined that there was not toil, privation, cold, and hunger to undergo, for there was nothing in these wilds of Minnesota, except the intrinsic merit of the location, to attract people from their more or less comfortable homes in the East, or(m the other continent, from whence so many of them came. Those who first came were inspired with hope, which indeed "Springs eternal in the human breast," but they were regarded by their friends who were left behind, as adventurers, soldiers of fortune, who, if they got through alive, would certainly never be able to return, unless they were jiarticularly fortunate. They were a sturdy race, who realized the inequality of the struggle in the old States or Countries, where humanity on the one hand, claiming a riglit to " life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," and the accumulations of labor in vast aggreg.ations in sordidly avaricious clutches ou the (itlier. hedgcnl in with traditional i)ie<^edents and biirriors, with every facility for receiving, but with few outlets for ilistribiition, and they resolved t<i establish tlicmsolves where merit would not be su))- planted by antiquated relics of feudalism, whii'h alllii't all the old communities.

The men who came here to establish homes hir themselves and their i)osterity. were, as a rule, enterprising, open-hearted, clear headed and symp;ithizing; they were good neighbors and so good neighborhoods were created, and they made a practical illustraticm of the great doctrine of the " brotherhood of man," by example rather than by ([noting creeds, or conforming to outward observances which may or may not spring from motives of purity, with a bravery that never blanched in the midst of misfortune or danger, however appalling, they were nevertheless tender, kind, and considerate in the presence of disaster and adversity, and their deticiences in the outward manifestations of piety, were more than compensated by their love and regard for the claims of humanitv.

We, who enjoy the blessings i-csnltiug from the efforts of these men, many of whom are still in active life, would be less than human if we were not filled with gratitude to these early settlers who paved the way and made the condition of things we now find a reality. The value of what they accomplished can not be overestimated, and it should be constantly remembered that whatever of romance adhered to the hardy colonists, was more than compensated for by hard work.

If this meed of praise is justly due to the men, as it certainly is, what shall be said in commendation of the heroic women who braved the vicissitudes of frontier life, endured the absence from home, frietds, and old associations, whose tender ties must have wrung all hearts as they were severed? The devotion which would lead to such a breaking away, to follow a father, a husband, or a s<m, into the trackless waste beyond the Mississippi, where gloomy apprehensions must have arisen in the mind, is above all praise. The value of the part taken by the noble women who first came to this uninhabited region cannot be overestimated. Although by nature liberal, they practiced the most rigid economy, and often at critical times preserved order, reclaiming the men from utter despair during gloomy periods; and their example of frugal industry and cheerfulness, constantly admonished him to renewed exertions, the instincts of womanhood, constantly encouraging integrity and manhood.

During the last generation a noted divine in the l'',ast, Uev. Dr. Bushnell, ])reached a seriiuiii on the barliaioiis tendencies of ('ivilization in tlie W(«t, and on this the Reverend gentleman predicated an urgent appeal to Christianity to put forth renewed and strenuous ellbrts to save this region from a relapse into barbarism. This tendency was supjjosed to result from the disruption of social and religious ties, the mingling of heterogeneous elements, and the removal of the external restraints so commcm, and supposed to be so ])otent in older communities. It is evident, however, that Dr. Bushnell did not have a sufficiently extended view of the suljject, for the arbitrament of time has shown that his apprehensions were groundless, for if he had carefully surveyed the history of the past, he would have found that in a niunadic condition there is never any real j)rogress in refinement. Institutions for the elevation of the race must be planted deep in the soil, before they can raise their heads in beauty and majesty toward heaven and bear fruit for the eniij;htenment of the nations. The evils that so alarmed Dr. Bushnell were merely temporary in their character, without a lasting impression. The planting of a new colony where everything has to be constructed, involves an obvious increase of human freedom, the conveutionalities of society are necessarily disregarded to a great extent, but the elements of sincere regard for the feelings and welfare of others, and of self government everywhere, largely predominates, and the fusion of the races modifies the asperities and the idiosyucracies of each, and certaiidy will in due time create a composite nationality in which it isho))ed, in conformity to the spirit of this remarkable age, will produce a nationality or a race as unlike, as it must be superior to those that have preceded it. Even now, before the first generation has passed away, society here has outgrown the irritation of the transplanting, and there are no more vicious elements in society, if as many, as there are in the old communities, as the criminal statistics abundantly show.

Besides the West is already pointing with pride," to her educational institutions, where the teaching is of an elevating and ennobling character.

Fkateisnal And Other Societies

This is an inJeiJenJent political subdivision of the county of Rice, with a city government, and embraces a fraction from Cannon City, from Wells, from Walcott, and ivu\n Warsaw, the proportionate quantity of territory being in the order named, and three miles scpiare, which gives, of course, nine square miles.

Its jjositiou brings the center of the city within three milej of the geographical center of the county of which it is the capital. It originally possessed advantages of a high order, which have been so well appreciated that it is one of the finest and most prosperous cities in Minnesota. It is situated with a prairie comiug uj) from tlic south and leaving it in the concave of a lunette of timber called the "Big Woods," extending north and west for a great distance.

It is on the Straight lliver, on the jieuiusula formed by its continence with Cannon River. The water-power is large and reliable, and its utilization has been one of the important elements contributing to its growth and prosperity. The extent of the timber above mentioned was at least 1,800 square miles, or 1,1.52,000 acres, consistiug of oak, maple, bass, elm, poplar, and in some places black walnut, butternut, cedar, and sycamore; and immediately around Faribault it would out a handsome amount of lumber to each acre, and leave good material for fences and fuel. The Straight River timber, which laid to the south and east, running into Steele county, comprised an area of from three to four thousand miles. The Cannon River belt came in at an acute angle, so that both bodies were ready to be drawn from, not with that extreme economy which is |)racticed in communities where, from its scarcity, timber is fully appreciated, nor has it been wasted, as in the localities where the getting rid of it is the problem that exercises every new comer. The Cannon and Straight Rivers run with strong currents, the Straight being the smaller of the two, and this, it is estimated, at the lowest stages passes 1,600 cubic feet in a minute.

Three lime stone ([uarries were opened at an early day, one by Mr. A. Faribault, operated by Mr. Whipple, one by Charles Wood, and one i>y M. N. Pond.

In 1856, two lime kilns were opened, Levi Nutting had one, and Mr. Woodman the other. Take these natural resources, associated with a county having a rich and valuable soil which was rapidl.y occupied with an industrious and intelligent population, and you have the elements tor the growth and prosperity of the city of Faribault. All this being supplemented by the advent in the city of an unusual pioportion of enterprising and puljlic spirited men and women, and there is no wonder at what has been accomplished toward bringing the shire town of Rice county so far along in the race for metropolitan distinction.

In preparing the history of a county in which the city plays such a prominent part as does Faribault in that of Rice county, the difficulty of drawing lines of demarcation between what should apjiertain to the one or the other, excepting in mere political or governmental atfairs, can be readily appreciated after a moment's thought, and in this work it will be seen that a sketch of the early settlei'S of the city would be a simple recapitulation of the coanty article, which is so 'full iu this regard. An attempt is made, howi^ver, to group the items clearly belonging to the city in this part of the book.

came the names of J. W. North, Porter Nutting, J. H. Mills, R. Sherwood, Sen., Samuel W;ileott; and in the fall of 1855, (Sen. James Shields, of Mexican war fame, who had been a United States Si.'uator from Illinois, and was afterwards Senator from Minnesota for the first short term after the St.ite was admitted into the Union. He was subse(inently a Senator from Missouri, the only iustauoe in this country where a man has represente 1 three diilerent States in the American Senate. He purchased an interest in the town site, and became the agent and attorney for tlie company, receiving his deed from Judge Chatfield, who formally entered the town according to the act making j)rovisions tlierefore, on the 'i'Jth of May, 18.55, and for several years General Shields issued titles to all the lots sold.

In the winter of 1857, the lots were selling at from .ftSOO to $3,000, which ought to have biien a satisfactory advance on thirty-one and one-quarter cents, paid the government a year or two before.

The tidal wave, or avalanche, whichever is most ai)propriate to designate an oncoming of humanity and wealth, was in the s])ring and summer of 1850, for at the beginning of that period there was not a score of buildings in town, while in the fall there were more than 250, and the population had swelled up to lie 1,500 or more. There were in the town early in 1857, twentythree stores, fimr good hotels, live wagon shop.s, with blacksmith and shoemaker shops, two livt^rv stables, two meat markets, and three steam mills, and surrounded by a rich country, fast tilling n\\ its growth and prosperity was an assurance which has been well realized.

Goods at first hail to be hauled from Hastings, making ;i round trip of about 110 miles, although in somi seasons of the year su])plies wen? landed on the Mississippi at Iveed's landing, at the foot of Lake Pepin.

The first frame buihlnig |mt up here was by Mr. Faribault, cpiite a good one and in striking contrast with the log cabin.s, hovels, and shanties which wore extempoi'ized by the pioneers on thi'ir first arrival, to meet the imperative demands for shelter. The cost of this first building was SI, 000. The lumber for its construction was brouglit from St. Paul; a ])art of it was left on the road, as the team was unable to get through with such a load, and this was burned by a prairie tire. The next frame was erected by the Messrs. Barnard, at a cost of SI, 000, which was afterwards occupied by J. H. Mills. This was in August, 1855, and during that season (prite a number of others went up. Faribault's house still stands, not far from the Barron house. The Post-office, which was ke[)t. by Mr. E. J. Crump, the deputy, was o])posite where the Arlington House stands.

At first there w,as a struggle between the two ends of the village, the south and the north. Mr. Faribault lived at the south, and the French (!anadian settlement was at the north end, and in any contest where there was a vote on the ipiestiou, the countrymen of Mr. Faribault would go with him, apparently against their own interest.

Mr. Crump had a pre-emption claim which lie was induced to waive in consideration of the company's giving him the eutiie block upon which the Arlington hou.se stands.

General Shields had several thousand dollars, and procuring a pair of hor.ses and a carriagiN he traveled all over this country finally bringing up in Shieldsville, where lii^ was getting quite a settlement wIk'm Mr. Faribault oll'ere<l him such liberable induei'nieuts to act for the town site company, that he at once came here. The trouble as to the ownership, and the adjustment of the rival pre-emption claims, was considerable, but the General went to Washington where his experience in tlie lantl olliee enabled him to .secure a clear title. It is supposed that the diaappoiutraeut attcuding his political aspirations led to the sudden abandonment of his property here to his nephew.

One of the first meetings for religiotis instruction was in A])ril, 1854, in the grove near Luke Hulett's, north of the bridge, on the Solomon Atliertou place, by an itinerant evangelist. The audience was made up mostly of the Wau-pa-kuta-Dakotas who were here in considerable numbers. The first denominational service was by Jonathan Morris, a follower of Alexander Campbell.

The village lots were surveyed in April, 1854, and there were five claims covering the town at that time. Mr. A. Faribault had the upper claim; J. B. Faribault, the father of Alexander, had another; Mr. N. Paquin had the lower part of the town; while H. H. Sibley held the central part, which, at that early day, Mr. Faribault informed his particular friends sub roxtt, was to linally make a city with that as a center.

It was found that under the pre emjjtion law, town sites could be laid out in advance of the land sale, and so it was arranged to lay out the town at once, and the west, or prairie half, was surveyed and platted, and filed in the recorder's office at Mendota, in the name of A. Faribault, H. H. Sibley, Walter Morris, and Luke Hulett. This survey was subsequently cancelled, and, under the auspices of J. B. North, a re-.survey was made in the spring of 1855. This became permanent. In the fullness of time. Judge Chatfield was induced to become the trustee; the land of Gen. Sibley was pre-empited, and through the paramount iufiuence of Geu. James Shields, who, as mentioned elsewhere, had dawned upon the scene, the title was finally vtstedsoasto be lasting.

The city of Faribault proper is mostly in the ciil lie .vac, formed by the coming together of the Straight and the Cannon Rivers on the northern boundary. A part of the platted city lays east of the Straight River including the Shattuck School, the Deaf and Dumb Asylum, St. Mary's New Hall, the Divinity School, the Asylum for the Blind, and the Institute for the Idiotic and Feeble Minded, and <juite a number of residences. These two parts of the city are connected by tour bridges. The cast side is ou a bluff which rises abruj)tly from the river and overlooks- the rest of the city and country beyond, affording a fine view from the jmblic institutions located there. The direction of the streets are coincident with the cardinal points of the comijass. The east and west street crossing the river at the uppermost jioint is Front street, and soiith of this, iu the same direction are Hickory, Pine, and South streets. North of Front, the streets are numbered consecutively. First, Second, and so ou up to Fifteenth, which is at the confluence of the two rivers. The north and south streets are, Main, the principal business street, which, commencing at the south end, goes north to near the junction of the two rivers. Willow is east of this, and next to the river; next is Water, which, on account of a curve in the river is on both sides of it, then comes Oak, Walnnt, Vine, and Ash. On this side the Hastings' road is a continuation of Second street which deflects to the left. West of Main street, and parallel with it, the streets are Elm, Chestnut, Maple, Cherry, Cedar, Plum, Sycamore and Buckeye, which is next east of the railroad. West of the railroad are Ir\dug, Cross, and Lincoln streets. This rejjresents the street system of Faribault, and there are several other short diagonal streets particularly at the south end of the city. The streets are of good width and have sidewalks, some of the outlying ones, however, only on one side. They are usually of plank. All the resident streets have shade trees which are young and thrifty, and the common mistake is made of allowing them to limb out too low down, so that they obstruct the light and the passage way, as in many streets an average man cannot walk without getting his hat brushed, which is anything but agreeable, especially in a wet time, but this is evidently a result of a facetious conspiracy against the glossy integrity of the few remaining sill: /mis, or it may bo from simple thoughtlessness, which attention to the subject will correct without the interposition of a city ordinance. The blocks are laid out without alleys which will be missed more and more as the city gets solidly built up. A few, however, have been opened up. The city is admirably situated, with good drainage facilities, and high and dry above possible inundation by river floods. As to healthfulness, there are seldom any prevailing diseases.

In addition to the regular residents of the city; there is a ti'ansitory population, brought hither by the schools which have such a wide reputation' and who remain for longer or shorter periods, pending the education of their children. While the city is metro]jolitan as far as churches, schools, public halls, mercantile establishments, and the various coucomitants of an advanced civilization are concerned, it ia nevertheless a rural city, where the advantages of urban and suburban lite can be enjoyed together, without the annoyances incident to conditions where they have to bo sought separately.

The business houses and manufacturing establishments are commodious and well adapted for their several purposes. The residences are in accordance witli prevailing ideas as to what constitutes a home, and there is a gratifying absence of those extremes met with in older communities, where the palaces with their columns, pilasters, caryatides, entablatures, cornices, towers, and minarets, in the midst of ornamented grounds, with trees, flowers, fountains, and statuary enclosed by lofty walls, and gates guarded by porter's lodges, which suggest and point with unerring certainty to miserable hovels and abodes of squalor and wretchedness, which are the counterpart, or the other picture, upon which it is not so pleasant to look. The luxuriance and ease on the one hand being procured by the labor and deprivation on the other. These extremes are not met with here, the pei)j)le are all well housed and comfortable, showing that our republican institutions are not a failure, but that they have realized the idea that all men are created free and equal, and also established the possibility of their remaining so after they are born.

A ladies' benevolent association was formed in 1855, and the first annual meeting held on the 14th of January, 1856. Mrs. Charles Jewett was the president, and the other oaioers were, Blrs. Armsby, Mrs. Rising West, Mrs. Tower, Mrs. Stevens, and Mrs. Edwin Armstrong. This sliows that the noble women who first came here brouglit with them a regard for humanity in its dependent moods.

The Yeab 1857

On the 7th of January the Congregational church was dedicated, and Rev. Lauren Armstrong was installed as pastor of the church. Those assisting were. Rev. Mr. Cressey, of Cannon City; Rev. Mr. Barnes, of Cannon Falls ; and Rev. Mr. Secombe. The people adhering to this faith exhibited great energy in thus providing, at such an early day, for their spiritual wants.

The laid office was removed here from Winona some time toward tlio last of January. The teams were eight days on the road with the documents.

On the 24th of February three young men started to drive to the lake, and on tlieir way were liailed by a young Indian with a gun, who asked for a ride, and without slacking up they beckoned him to " come on," which he did. As he reached the carriage, and was about clambering in, his musket was discharged, and the ball penetrated tlie arm of one of the young men, Godfrey Xavier, breaking the bone above the elbow, and severing an artery. The Indian was arrested, but on an examination the accidental character of the shooting was shown, and he was discharged.

On the 17th of February two children of Mr. Frederick Faribault, residing in an addition to the city, while he was away from home, were burned to death in the house, which was consumed, it having caught or been set on fire, the other membtrs of the family escaping with great difficulty, one or two of them being seriously burned.

Business at the land office for a single month, ending on the 19th of June, 1857, was as follows: Acres located, 118,178; with land warrants, 106,- 380; with cash, 11,798.

Mail matter received and sent at the Faribault Post-office in 1857 averaged from 1,800 to 2,000 pieces a week, which was (|uite a jump from two pieces, in 1853.

The first Saturday iu August the bell of the Congregational church was hung in Faribault. It weighed 1,000 pounds, and was claimed to be the first bell, of which there is a large family, west of the Mississippi.

The first movement to establish an institution of learning in Faribault was in September, by a committee consisting of Rev. Solon 'W. Mauuey, Rev. E. .Steele Peake, Messrs. Lloyd and Breck_ At this meeting Messrs. Dike, Mott, Faribault, Paquin, and Boardman were designated to receive subscriptions of land or money.

There was a robbery of the land office in September of warrants to the amount of .'i!40,000. They -Here, however, recovered, except four from the abstractor. Mason B. Clark, a Postmaster, who lived at Sacramento, a place sixty miles west of Red Wing.

In the fall of 1H57, at the time of that financial depression, Faribault had arrived at a condition of prosperity which was most remarkable, and it is certain that all who were here at that time should be designated as old settlers, and so a sketch of the city, written by Mr. Mott for his paper, is rejjroduoed.

"But one church now stands in this place, viz., the Congregational. A fine church, built by the Catholics, was liurned last fall. In addition, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, and Lutheran organizations exist, stated preaching having been secured to each.

One schoolliouse has been erected at a cost of $2,000. It is now occupied by two teachers. Another school is sustained in a commodious hall. These teachershave now under their tuition, about 125 pu])ils.

We have been unable to obtain the last census re])ort, but tlie enumeration made by the assessor last June gave this town a population of 1683. It is now reported at over 2,000. By actual count there were, some time since, over 250 buildings in the place. Faribault has become the center of trade for a large section of country, of the extension of which some idea can be formed from a list of business establishments which we now proceed to give:

There are eight establishments in the general variety line, comprising dry goods, groceries' hardware, farming tools, Arc. - The amount of business transacted bj' these houses now during these hard times would give them an annual trade of over 8200,000.

Attorneys and Cottnsellors at Law - Batchelder k Buckham, Cole & Raymond, Davis & Tanner, Berry A- Perkins, H. W. Lamberton, O. A. Dalrymple, C. Williams, G. E. Skinner.

Our merchants are all well stocked, and tlioy are generally as fine dealers as ever stood l)el)iiid the counter. Our landlords are all gentlemen, and spare no pains to make travelers at home. Our mechanics have increaK(Hl, greatly, their facilities for doing good work. Our places of amusement would lose their objectionable features if intoxicating drinks could be banished from their jirecincts.

We would urge eastern mechanics and capitalists, who feel like hrcitking out into the frea Northwest, to grow up with it, to jiay us a visit next spring. We want men with bronzed faces and horney hands; men and women who can cheerfully lock arms with toil. We promise you that toil will here be richly remunerated. We are, now especially, in need of plough, reaper, and mower factories, and a pair of jolly coopers."

Those who are acquainted here now, will not fail to notice the names of many Inisiness men who are still here, some of them in the same business, and some of them engaged in other occupations, although in any case twenty -five years makes sad havoc with mercantile firms and street signs.

Early in the winter a literary association was organized, Charles Williams was the president and the other oflicers were, H. E. Barron, G. W. Jacobs, G. E. Cole, H. Chaffer, T. S. Buckham. The meetings served to make the residents acquainted with each other, and, to a certain extent, to reveal the mental calibre of those who participated in the exercises.

The estimated improvements of the city of Faribault in 1857, amounted to .¥100,000. The following from the "Herald" will give an idea of the improvements of this year :

It is truly gratifying to take a view of the improvements which have been effected in our place during the past year. In nothing is this advance more apparent than in the erection of new buildings.

The building of the past year has been altogether of a dillerent and superior character from that which preceded it. In place of pre-emption shanties which constituted many of those before numbered, we have now the stately edifice from two to four stories in height. The buildings erected within the last year would probably reach in nnmber one hiindrecl and fiffv, the most noticeable of these are as follows: Residence of A. Faribault on a sightly bluff over the river, costing about .f4,000; the beautiful residence of James Tower at a cost of $2,500; the residences of Gen. Shields, J. Cooper, N. Paciuin, H. McClelland, F. Faribault, Rev. L. Armshy, S. Barnard, Mr. Humphrey, H. Riedell, J. Gibson, Messrs. Decker, Alby, Lines, Whipple, Arc, at an average of about $2,000 each. The followingare among the most important business erections: Store by M. Cook, 24x40; Cottrell k Co., 24x50; A. Blodgett, hall and billiard saloon at an average of $2,500; store and hall by Faribault & Co. ; restaurant by Millspaugh; bank by J. A. Moore; store by J. H. Mills; drug store by Stevens & Thayer; Receiver's office by J. B. Cooper; store by Mr. Merrill; allot these new buildings are two stories and cost about -12,000 each. A number of creditable one-story buildings for oflices, banks, stores &c., have been erected. A number of fine buildings show themselves on Paquin"s addition, among which we uotice one by I. H. Craig, 22x45, three stories high, for store or hotel ; F.Craig has built two, one lGs36, the other 19x36, both two stories; two stores, one by Predette and one by Langeuin, both 20x40, two stories.

In addition our commissioners have erected an office and jail at an expense of about S5,000. The school trustees have built a schoolhouse costing about .$2,000. The Congregational church has been enlarged and a bell procured. Three bridges have been built across Straight River, and one across the Cannon. A pleasant and commodious cemetery has been laid out, and many other improvements which give great satisfaction to the citizens of Faribault who love their homes."

Tue Yeae 1858

The leading men early saw the necessity of encouraging the cultivation of the best in all de partments of agriculture, and as early as the 22d. of January, 1858, met for the purpose of organizing; and about the same time the young men organized a students' literary association, which served its purjjosc iu an admirable way.

Graham's mill was burned on the 22d of February, aud also another on East Prairie, which was a serious loss to the whole community, as well as to the owners.

Dr. Charles Jewett, of Faribault really, although his farm was in Warsaw, in the winter of 1858 went east and gave lyceum lectures on the west, and Miimcsota in particular, and also wrote numerous articles showing the especial advantages of this location, which, without doubt, was the direct means of keeping the stream of emigration flowing in this direction, with a good class of citizens.

A Ladies' Literary Association was organized on the 7th of February. The officers were: President, Mrs. H. A. Pratt; vice-president, Mrs. T. S. Buckham; Recording Secretary, Miss Ada E. Hiller ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Nellie Mott; Treasurer, Mrs. Hudson Wilson; Executive Committee, Miss E. Whitney, Mrs. George B. Whipple, Mrs. A. E. Haven, and Mrs. J. H. Winter.

The Teak 1862

Leander Gague, while at work on the roof of a church at Faribault, on the 18th of June, fell a distance of thirty feet, and was instantly killed.

The saw and grist mill of Morris & ItTelhom, on the Cannon River, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday morning, November 26th. This was the second mill burned there.

The Year 1863 The Year 1864

Early in the sixties, ginseng, an aromatic tonic root, exported to China, and used by the Orientals as a remedial or luxury preparation, began to be extensively gathered, as it is found indigenous in certain localities here. Ten dollars a day, or more, was often made by a single individual.

On the 23d of February a terrible and fatal accident happened to Charles Babcock, who was caught in the mill of Dike & Co., and mangled in such a fearful manner that he died a few days afterwards.

When the cars began running, in 1864, a new stage route to connect with the trains was started by Burbank & Co., which reduced the staging considerably.

The census of Faribault was 2,339. Of these 1,216 were males, and 1,123 females. There were si.xty-nine soldiers in the service at that time. In 1860 the population was 1,520.

There was a Legislative excursion to Faribault in the fall. Governor Marshall and other State officers were present. It was in the interest of the educational institutions established here.

In April a meeting was held which was very important in negative results. The subject was to see about the establishment of a Congregational college, which was subsequently located in Northfield.

There were thirty-eight Sioux remaining in Faribault in July, when they were removed tu their reservation in Nebraska by Kev. S. D. Henderson, the agent for the purpose.

The citizens had a meeting on the 24th of January to see about having a city charter. The Chairman of the meeting was L. Dearborn; the Secretary, K. H. L. Jewett. A committee consisting of T. S. Buckham, Luke Nutting, George W. Butchelder, Ciiarles "Wood, and T. B. Clement, was appointed to report at a sul)sequeut meeting.

A Board of Trade was organized in August, with the following olficers: President, T. B. Clement; Vice-President, W.W. Knapp; Treasurer, Hudson Wilson; Secretary, Thomas Mee; Corresponding Secretary, G. F. Batchelder; Directors, D. O'Brien, W. H. Dike, Moses Cole, and others.

The old schoolhouse in Faribault was sold this year for S356, as there was no further public use for the building. The new schoolhouse was completed in September, at a cost of S23,190.

Lieut. .John C. Whipple received his final "marching orders" on the 5th of February, 1869. He was at Fort Ridgely at the time of the Indian massacre. Lieut. Whipple was bom on the 12th of September, 1823, near the corners of New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont. When quite young he wont on a whaling voyage, and was treated with such cruelty by his brutal captain that he ran away, and among savages had many thrilling adventures. He was a First Lietenant in the Thirtieth Minnesota Regiment, was a brave officer, and was buried with Masonic honors.