Rice County, Minnesota - Chapter 60: Descriptive Early Settlement Early Events, 1882 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 60: Descriptive Early Settlement Early Events

Warsaw towuship lies along the soutlieru boundary of Rice county, beiug separated from the western boundary by one town. Its ooutiguous surroundings are Wells, Walcott, and Morristown, wntli Kteele county on the south. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad passes through two sections in the northeastern part, making it one. of the railroad towns of the county.

In the northeastern part the city limits of Faribault embrace the north half of section one, leaving" 22,720 acres to comprise the area of the town. Of this about 2,000 acres are covered with water. The Cannon river winds its powerful course diagonally through the northwestern part of the town, entering from Morristown through section eighteen, and ik'>wing northeasterly forms Cannon Lake, and leaves the town by way of section four and enters Wells. BIcKenzie's creek, named in honor of Alex. Mc- Kenzie, an early settler, a stream of considerable importance, finds its source south of the town line and winds its tortuous way northward through the center of the town, until its waters mingle with those of Cannon Lake. A small stream with the non-aesthetic appellation of Mud Creek, infringes on the southeast corner, and hastening its course through sections thirty-five, thirty-six and twentyfive, empties into Straight River iu Walcot towuship. Dry Creek rises in Shieldsville and flows through the northwest corner on its way to Cannon Lake. The name this stream bears was evidently not given to characterize it, as the creek is scarcely ever dry. this, howev^i-, to a speculative mind.

Cannon Lake is the largest and most beautiful lake in Rice county, and covers about 1,451 acres. It extends almost across the northwest quarter of the town, embracing portions of sections thirtyfour, seven, eight, nine, and ten. It is about four miles long and from one-half to one mile in width, being about 25 feet deep at the utmost The lake abounds with all local species of fish, and ia early days this was made regular and oft-freijuented hunting and fishing grounds by the Aboriginies, if such Indians may be termed. Many of the old settlers can call to mind occasions when there were as many as two hundred tee-pees on the shores of the lake, while the dusky skinned hunters were laying in winter supplies. The lake was originally named by the Indians, "Te-ton-ka To-nah," or the Lake of the Village, and it bore this name for a number of j'ears. The story is told, and we give it as a legend, that after the name above given had been bestowed upon the lake by the Indians, a small colony of Frenchmen were driven by the red skins to the river, and they took to canoes. The colonists had been prepared for an emergency of this kind, and were supplied with fire arms, besides having a small cannon in one of the canoes. They were not, however, able to cope with their pursuers, and in attempting to pass the Cannon Falls, the canoe containing the cannon became capsized and went to the bottom. Search was made, and tlie Indians became superstitous in regard to it, as thev were unable to find theslisrhtest trace of the lost gun. Since that time the river has always been known as Cannon River, and the lake being formed by it took the same name.

The soil of the township is mostly a dark loam, of about two feet deep, and a yellow clay subsoil, of about four feet, beneath which is a clay of a bluish color. This partains particularly to the timbered portions of the town. The prairie laud is made up of a dark loam from eight inches to a foot in tliickuess, with a yellow clay subsoil, underneath which is a bed of gravel or sand.

Aliout one-fourth of the township is made up of timber lan<l, and the balance prairie, which is now the richest farniiug laud iu the State. The heavy timber consists of the well-known and common varieties, as red, black, and burr oak, rock elm. maple, basswood, and willow.

The Cannon Valley railway line was surveyed through the town of Warsaw in the year 1872, and f )llows the bank of the lake, but for some reason tlie matter remained at this point until 1882, when work commenced on the line in earnest. This road is treated more fully on another page.

A report from this township published in 1868, says: '-The larger portion of Warsaw is prairie, with occasional groves iu the southern and middle portion, and a heavy body of timber belonging to and a part of tlie Big Woods, on the Cannon Eiver, iu the uortheru part. It has within its limits 21,000 acres of taxable lands, exclusive of town lots. The Canuon Lake occupies about 1,- 400 aci'es of the northern portion of its area. It has also 320 acres of school lands unsold, and one forty of railroad land. There is a considerable portion of the land of this towu owned by nonresidents til at can be Vjought for from S5 to $25 per acre. Its inhabitants are chiefly American, Irish and German, with a majority of the first named over all others."

Tlie statement as to naticmality of the inhabitants is applical)le to the present time, the Americans having increased more rapidly than the other classes. The unsold lands mentioned have now all been transfoi'med into fertile and productive farms, while the price of land varies from .'i?25 per acre upwartis.

The earliest infringement by settlers in this town took place in 1853, and when started its .settlement was rapid and constant until all the goverument land within its borders was taken. When the first exploration by white men took place, it is impossible to state, as this had been the pathway and trading land of the Faribaults for years before the advent of actual settlers. The town being resplendent with natural advantages and beautifying works of nature, when once starteil the settlement became irrepressble.

It is said that in the fall of 1826, Mr. Alexander Faribault established a trading post at the foot of the lake now known as Cannon Lake, but then called, in the language of the Dacotahs' Touah," or Lake of the Village. Nearly ten years afterwards, this trading post was removed three miles eastward and established at the present site of the town of Faribault. After this, from the date of the removal, 1836, until early in the fifties, this neighborhood was without a settler.

In 1852, Alexander Faribault was in St. Paul on a trip for business purposes and met Mr. Peter Bush, a blacksmith, and hired him to go to Faribault and work. Mr. Bush was a Canadian Frenchman, and after considering the matter, decided to accept, and at once came to Faribault and became a resident of Eice county. He remained in Fariijault the following winter, at work for Mr. Faribault. In the spring of the year following (1853), he decided to secure a claim and finally made his way into Warsaw and selected one of the finest farms in the county, on section three, at the foot of Tetonka Tonah, or Cannon Lake. Here he remained for a number of years, and became prominent in the early settlement of the county. A few years ago he began to show symptoms of a deranged mind, and he was finally, in July, 1881, placed in the State asylum.

The same year as the above arrival, N. N. Graves made his appearance and secured a habitation one mile and a half west of Bush, where he yet remains. This was the extent to which the town was settled this year, and the winter jjassed with but two settlers there.

The next year, however, the beautiefKand advantages of the Cannon Kiver country began to be hei-alded abroad, and the prospective settlers began to file in slowly, it is true, at first, but still civilation took a perceptible stride, and this year

(1854,) olironieloil tho arrivals of Edward Hollister aud Henry Dawa who came and located near the lake. The former was a native of New York and still resides in the village of Warsaw where he is Postmaster; the latter was an Englishman, and remained until 1880, when the grim cluti^hes of death seized him aud he was called hence.

Thomas Blaekborn was another who availed himself of the opportunity and secured himself a habitation. He, however, only remained a few years, when he pulled up stakes and replanted them in the town of Morristown, where he has since been buried. His family still live in Morristown.

Dr. Charles Jewett made his appearance and selected a claim on section twelve, where he remained a few years, and returned to New England, from whence he came.

Thomas Sjjrague arrived in the town iu 1851, and almost immediately retraced his steps to St. Paul for provisions, but taking sick on the road, he died sh irtly after his re-arrival in the town. This occurred in the spring of 1855, and was the first death iu Warsaw.

The first birth in Warsaw took place on the '24th of November, 1854, being a son of Thomas aud Desire Blaekborn, and the child was named William H.

The first marriage solemnized was on the 2f)th of August, 1855; the high contracting parties were Sarah Ann, eldest daiighter of Mr. and Mrs. Elias Gilhou.seu, to Alexander McKenzie. T'.o affair took place at the residence of the bride's parents on section seven, the knot being tied by Charles Crump, Esq. Another early marriage was that of Peter Dalcour to Miss Lucia Wtiolett, on the 7th of December, 1857.

The T )WN' Name. - Iu 1858, at the organization,considerable difliculty was encountered in naming the town. Dr. (!harles Jewett, a prominent citizen, was i)res(Mit and insisted, and took the stumj) to declare, that he had a wealthy friend in Massachusetts by the name of Sargent, and if the citizens would name the town Sargent, he ( Sargent ) would move to tbe town and make it his future home, besides building a town hall and donating S5(tO to the public fund. As there was already a Post-office in the town named Warsaw, in honor of a town in N(^w York, from whence a number of the early settlers had come, it was but natural that a great many favored that name, but after listening to the appeals of Dr. .Jewett, the feeling changed pereej)tibly, and upon the matter being put to a vote, five ballots were found in favor of Warsaw aud five timers that numlier favoring the name of Sargent. It was accordingly declared to be Sargent township. This was the caption until 18()4', when as nothing had been seen or heard of the rich man Sargent, the citizens of tiie town decided to re-name it, and accordingly had a bill passed by the Legislature iu 1864, changing the name from Sargent to AVarsaw.

Bully Wells. - This peculiar and eccentric character, although living just over the town line in Wells township, was more or less connected with the growth and development of Warsaw. He was a very peculiar and rough sjjoken man, and was always ready for a trade, although if his best friend asked to buy an article of hiju, he always replied that "he did not keep such things to sell," and made a present of it. He lived a short distance north of Peter Bush's residence in Lake City, and for a year or more they were the only neighbois in the township. Wells, being a man of considerable means, would have his joke at any price. On one occasion, Peter Bush, being a blacksmith, had run up quite a bill for iron in St. Paul, and Wells, without saying a word to Bush, stepped into the place where the latter dealt and paid the iron bill. When Bush got his pay from the Indians he was doing work for, he went to St. Paid, and on telling them he was ready to pay hia bill, received the reply that he had no bill to pay, and an explanation of the matter. Bush at once returned, and going to Wells told him he wanted to settle with him; Wells obstinately refused to have anything to do with him, aud informed him that if he "hung around any longer spouting such nonsense he would lead him home."

Upon another occasion Bully was over at Bush's house, and Mis. Bush told him that she had been offered SGO for a batch of honey by Faribault. Wells said it must be a pretty nice lot, and asked to see it. Upon being shown the lump, he remarked that he guessed he could make good us of it himself, and thereupon loaded it np and took it home without saying a word in regard to pay. Things ran along for several days, nothing being said in regard to it. Finally he went over to Bush's and inquired if they did not need a cow; on being answered in the affirmative, he immediately went home and sent his hired man back with a cow, a load of hay, and $%i) in cash, with the remark that he guessed that would balance the honey.

He was also bound to be called Bully Wells, and on one occasion ordered a man off from his place for calling him "Mr." Wells, saying he was "Bully" or nothing.

Peter Dalcour and the Indian Ponies. - Peter Dalcour, of whom mention has already been made, was not accustomed to frontier life, and could not get to understand the Indians. On one bright spring morning he discovered a number of the Indian ponies in the meadow destroying the hay and grass. He went down and tried to keep them off, but could not succeed, and getting excited he went to the house, got his rifle, and coming back commenced blazing away at them. It was whiz, bang, and when he quit firing he had killed fifteen pimies and twenty-five dogs. The Indians did ilot resent this fearful slaughter, but the following spring one of them presented Dalcour with a huge butcher k;iife, and he said he supposed it was to pay tor the destroyed hay, and as a token of future friendship and regard. This occurred on the farm of Peter Bush while Dalcour was working for him.

Mdrdeb. - In the spring of 1874. Jacob Steokner, while out hunting ducks, found the body of his father, John Steckner, at the foot of Cannon Lake, in a condition that proved undoubtedly that he had been murdered. The deceased was a Pennsylvauia German, aged about fifty-five years, and it was proven that he had left the Lake Hotel and driven across the ice in company with another party, having about S30 in his pockets. This was the last seen of him until he was found silent in the arms of grim deatli. The bead was battered in a horrible manner, and a club lying near by covered with the gcre of the victim, proving, beyond a doubt, that there had been foul play, but as no testimony could be brought forward sufficient to convict, the matter still remains a mystery - and will until the old prophesy of "murder will out" proves itself true.

Dr. Charles Jewett, who is prominently mentioned in connection with the pioneer life in this county, fulfilled his mission on earth on the third day of April, 1879, at Norwich, Connecticut, of chronic enlargement of the heart, at the ripe age of three score years and twelve. His nativity was in Lisbon, Connecticut, on the 5th of Sejjtember, 1807. He was educated at Plainfleld, studied medicine and graduated, and began the practice of his profession in East Greenwich at the age of twenty-two. In 1830. he was married to Miss Lucy A. Tracy, who survived him. He early went into the temperance work and was the agent of the Massachusetts Temperance Union, and was the best known total abstinence advocate in New England. He afterwards located in MilllMiry, Massachusetts, on a farm paid for by his temperance friends. Here he resided for five years, doing temperance work when wanted. In 1853, he went to Batavia, Illinois, where, in connection with other work he lectured on physiology in a school, which did riot prove to be a success, and, as himself and family suffered from chills and fever, he removed til Minnesota in the spring of 1855, locating in Warsaw, on section twelve, and remained for three years, when he returned to Massachusetts, at the urgent invitation of the temperance people. A part of the time during the war he was a resident of Menasha, Wisconsin, at work in the temjierance cause. In 1873, he removed to Norwich, Connecticut. He left a widow, four sons, and two daughters. He was an earnest, amiable, talented, and true-hearted man, resjjected and beloved by all.

Town Government

Pursuant to a notice issued by the Register of Deeds of Rice county, a town meeting was held at the Turner House in the village of Warsaw, on the 11th of May, 185S, for the purpose of organizing the township and electing officers to guard public matters. There were in all eighty-two votes cast and the following were the officers elected : Supervisors, Miles Hollister, Chairman; Augustus Johnson and D. W. Wood worth ;Clerk,Jolia McDonald; Assessor, John Goldthwait; Collector, George W. Friuk; Overseer of the Poor, Philander Griffith; Justices of the Peace, J. F. Weatherhead and

Cliarles Jewett, Jr. ; CoDstables, James O. Lamb aud J. H. Maiue. The temporary officers of this preliminary meeting were: J. F. Weatherhead, Chairman; D. W. Woodworth, Moderator; aud Miles Hollister, Clerls.

Town matters in Warsaw have run along smoothly, the business of the public being in capal)le hands. At the last town meeting held at the Lake House Iti section three, on the lith of March, 1S82, the following officers were elected: Supervisors, J. H. Austin, Chairman; G. W. Barton, and Ct. W. Aargetsinger; Clerk, Frank Evans; Treasurer, 0. H. Nichols; Assessor, W. H. Cheney; Justices of the Peace, Geo. W. Durham and P. Griffith; Constaliles, W. P. Griffith and Beruard Durham, Sr.

Waks.iw During the War. - It is a matter of pride to the inhabitants of AVarsaw, and justly, tliat during the war of the rebellion tlieir quota was always filled without tlie necessity of force; true, one draft was made out, but the volunteers were furnished before it was enforced, and the town in one instance raised .fSOO to pay Charles Hagstrom to voluntarily enlist. There were, in all, forty-one volunteers, of whom four never rtturned, but found graves in confederate soil, as follows: S. G. Randall, Edward Rible, Clark Turner, and Charles P. Hagstrom. Five of the volunteers are drawing pensions.

Ageioultueal Statistics Foe The Xear 1881

Tub Old Original Saw Mill. - This was the first saw-mill, or in fact any kiml of a mill, that was ever erected in the town. It was started in 1855, by Chris Hershey in section eighteen, on Cannon River, near where the village of Warsaw now is. It was a good and substantial mill, its size being about 30x40 feet, aud the machinery cost about $3,000. It was equipped with an upright saw, and the power was derived from the Caimou River through the medium of a flutter water wheel, having a capacity of about 3,000 feet per day. In 1857, stones and Hour making machiuery were added, and it was remodeled and a grist mill was run in connection with it until 1862, when the dam was carried away by a flood aud the saw-mill portion was never rebuilt, the timbers being used for various purposes.

In 1862, a grist-mill was put up on the old site, by Hollister, Frink & Co., the size of which was 40x60 feet. This was continued by a numljer of firms until 1872, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Thompson next owned the site, and he, in 1872, rebuilt the mill, putting in two run of stones, and en'Cting a building about 30x40 feet; he rau it for a time and turned it over to S. M. West, who in turn sold it to tbe Polar Star Mill Company, which firm operated it until it was burned iu 1880, and as yet it has not been rebuilt.

lu 1869, an incorporated company was formed by Messrs. Edward and Miles HoUister, and D. C. and Orin Coates, as the Warsaw Steam Mill Company, which erected a saw-mill on section seven, and put in a 56-inch circular saw; it was run by steam with a thirty-horse-power engine, and a capacity of about 7,000 feet per day. In 1876, the management changed to Coates it Snyder, under whose supervision the mill is still in operation. The saw has worn down fnur inches, beiug now a fifty -two inch saw.

Cheese Factoet. - In 1874, William Winter put up a two story 20x24 foot buildiug for a cheese factory on section twenty-four, and operated it until 1880, but as it did dot prove a sueces.s, it has been discontinued.

Sorghum Mill. - A mill of this description was erected in 1870, by Henry Bickel on section four, and was run by horse-power, having a capacity of 100 gallons per day. In 1878, the mill was remodeled and a sixteen-horse-power steam cngiuf

This institution is located in section two, Warsaw, and embraces the southwest quarter, containi:ig one hundred and sixty acres. This farm was prc-emjjfed in 1855 by Mr. A. Bebee, a native of the "Sucker State," who opened it as a farm and jjut Tip a slab house. Here he remained until 1850, when lie sold to Henry Grifford and removed to the township of Wells, where he still lives. In 1860, the farm again changed hands and became the property of Sumner Sheffield, who in 1865, sold it to Rice county for $4,000. The farm, under the government of the county, was first uniler the management of Charles S. Gidding, and iu 1866, a substantial house was erected, the size of which was 30x40, two stories high, with a wing 18x24 on the west; the north wing is made up of the original bouse, the size of which is 18x30, where the superintendent now lives. The appropriations for buildings and improvemtnts on this farm are found in the article on their proceedings in another chapter.

Cemetery Association

Tlie Warsaw Cemetery Association was organized in lS02,the first officers being Philander Griffith, Secretary and Treasurer; and Miles Hollister, President. The site was selected on J. F. Weatherbead's place, and laid into lots. The first burial was the wife of the president of the association. Miles Hollister, and now about 150 gleaming tombstones mark the last resting places of departed friends. The present officers of the association are. President, J. W. Outhouse; Treasurer, Philander Griffith; and Secretary, A. Evans.

Hershey Burial Ground

This graveyard is located in the northeastern quarter of section seven. The first burial here was Mary, daughter of Christian and Jane Hershey, who lUedon tlie 30th of August, 1856, in her .sixth year. One grave in the yard has two bodies, tliosc of the wife and child of E. B. Peterson. The ground has the remains of ten departed ones, and, sad iis it may seem, the ground is all a thicket of hazel and blackberry liushes, which grow thicker each year as the mortal remains underneath sleep on in quietude, nudistnrlied and unmolested.

Educational

In Warsaw w'e find more school districts than in any township in Rice county, and as many, undoubtedly, as any township in the State, the average being from five to eight, while this has eleven districts. This speaks well for the intelligence and enterprise of its citizens, and their spirit is commendable. The districts in Warsaw, if the town were divided equally, would each have an area of three and one-third sections, besides the territory embraced in other towns and counties- The districts are all in good financial standing, and have neat and commodious school liuildings.

District No. 4. - Tlie first instruction given in this district was in the year 1857, and the organization was efi'ected in March of that year in the residence of John Acti. The first teacher was Miss Pierce, and the school consisted of twelve pupils. The board at this time was composed of George D. Potter, Director; Williard Hnghson, Clerk; and P. Griffith, Treasurer. In 1857, a log house was rolled together by subscription, the size of which was 14x18 feet. This district was discontinued in 1868, and the territory merged into other districts.

District No. 14. - This is the educational subdivision embracing the village of Warsaw and surrounding territory. The district was organized in 1856, when a log schoolhouse was rolled together in Lamb's addition to Warsaw, by subsciiptiou, and the first school was held in this building the same summer by Edwin Darling, it is claimed with sixty scholars in attendance. This house lasted until it was burued, in 1863, the supposition at the time being that it was set on fire by infidels who objected to its use for church jjurposes. The district then purchased the store building of J. C. Turner, and this was converted into a schoolhouse which lasted them until 1873, when the present , neat building was put up. The house is a substantial lirick, two stories, and cost about $2,000, Hollister Bros, being the contractors. This is the best schoolhouse in the township, and the school is in a most (iouri.shing condition.

District No. .23. - A meeting was held iu September, 1866, in Nicholas Nusbaum's house, that effectually organized the district, and>eleoted the school officers as follows: Director, T. P. Town?; Clerk, William H. Cheney; Treasurer, Richard Oooley. The first teacher was Miss Martha Wood,

District No. 26.--On the 24th of April, 1864, all the records of this district were destroyed by fire iu the burning of the house of the Clerk, G. W. Glines, and the organization of the district cannot be ascertained with r.ny degree of certainty. Tlie date, however, was about 18G0, but who the officers were is not known. The district has a neat schoolhouse in the northern part of section twenty-five. The present school offioers are: Andrew Swanson, Director; G. R. Weatherston, Clerk; and G. T. Short, Treasurer.

District No. 37. - This was organized in 1864, and the following officers were elected: Director, A. Blodgett; Clerk, A. A. Sargent; and Treasurer, M. Burke. The first school was held the same year. Miss Hattie A. Wilson being the teacher, with ten scholars in attendance, The Cannon Valley road now runs through the old school groundt and the building has lately been moved to the shore of Cannon Lake, in section tour.

District No. 55. - Was organized in 1856, in a bouse owned I)y Dr. Charles Jewett on section twelve. The house was shortly afterward moved to its present location in the southwestern corner of section twelve. The first school was taught by Bliss Lee, and the school board at the time of her engagement was composed of Messrs. Geo. Scofield, Charles Lee, and N. N. Graves. The present board is: Director, A. Post; Clerk, Barnard Durham; Treasurer, N. N. Graves. The latter member of the board has held the otKce of school treasurer since the organization of the district.

District No. 82. - In the fall of 1870, a meeting was held at the house of William Allen, at which the organization of this district was effected, and the officers of the school elected as follows: Director. Robert Hedges; Clerk, M. S. Randall; Treasurer, Captain West. Their [U'esent excellent schoolhouse was erected in 1871, at a cost of |GL),', and the first school was held in this year by Miss Sarah Parker, with an attendance of eleven scholars. The present school officers are: Robert Hedges, Director; S. M. West, Clerk; J. J. Miller,

District No. 83. - Efl'ected its orgaiiization in the spring of 1867, in the iiouse of Henry Kannv, in 8;>ctiou five, and placeil the following otfieersat the head: Director, Jacob Rusler; Clerk, Harvey Sanborn, Sr. ; Treasurer, Henry Karow. .\ small house was erected the same summer at a cost of about $100, on section six, and tliis lasted until 1874, when the present neat and sub.stantial building . was ei-ected at a cost of about $500, size, 16x20 feet. The first teacher was Miss Jane Chapens. The present school officials are Messrs. John Hunt, .John Keske, and M. Bailey, respectively Director, Clerk and Treasurer.

District No. 92. -^Effected an organization in 1S6S, and met in the house of George Nichols to eleot officers. The result was as follows: Director, J. E. Langie; Clerk, George Nichols, and Treasurer, George W. Durham. The first school was held at the time of organization, iu C. H. Nichols" house in section fourteen, with fift'cn scholars iu attendance. The present school board is: Direct)r, Charles Nichols; Treasurer, (reorge Nichols; Clerk, L. Jackson. The school house is located iu the southwe^itern part of section fourteen.

District No. 93. - This educational sub-division commenced its existence in 1864, inaugurating its organization by electing George W. Glines, Clerk; George H. Davis, Director; and T. P. Towne, Treasurer. Shortly afterward they put up a temporary building at a cost of about $100. The present schoolhouse is located on the northern part of section thirty-four.

District No. 9-5. - Received its organization in 1868, the first meeting being held in the house of Christian Low, on section twenty-seven, and the following officers elected: Director, .James Murphy; Clerk, Thomas Clark; Treasurer, Henry Haine. The first school was called to order by Miss Katie Austin. In 1868, a neat, though small, house was erected in section twenty-seven at a cost of -i<20 1. The present school officers are: W. Ciiskelly, Director; J. J. Cart-oU, Clerk; James Murphy, Treasurer.

District No. 103. - This is the youngest district iu the township, not having dignified itself with an organization until 1877. .Vt this time it was set off from the adjoining districts, and the following officers were elected: Director, Francis J. Voegele; Clerk, William Berigan; Treasurer,

Michael Finnefi;ati. The first school in this district was taught by Miss Ella Brown, with twentytwo pupils on the benches. Their house was erected the same year, size 18x24 feet, at a cost of S400. The officers for 1882 are: Director, H. Daws. Jr.; Clerk, William Berigan; Treasurer, F. J. Voegele. The district embraces the territory south of Cannon Ijake.

This is the largest and most important Village in tliis township. It is located in the western part cif the town in sections seven and eighteen, on the banks of the Cannon River, just west of the head of Cannon Lake. The river here furnishes good and sufficient water power to propel twice tlie manufactories the village has. It is about seven and one-half miles south of Fariliault.

As to the earliest settlement of the village, not much can be said that would not apply, as to date, with the other village in this township. In 1854, J. Freeman Weatherhead, a native of New Hampshire, migrated to Minnesota, freezing both legs so severely that he was obliged to have them amputated, and made his way to Warsaw township, securing by pre-emption the northeast quarter of section eighteen. In 1855, he moved his family upon the farm, and commenced improvements. Following him in 1855, came Christian Hershey, a native of Canada, and took the quarter section adjoining Weatherhead's on the west, in section eighteen. The same year A. Lamb, a native of Wisconsin, pre-empted a claim in the southern part of section seven. This, it will be seen, made quite a settlement m this neighborhood, and in 1857, they conceived the plan of laying out lots and blocks for the village of Warsaw, which was accoinplished in this year. C. Hershey and J. F. Weatherhead |jlatted the main part of the village on their farms in section eighteen, and Mr. Lamb staked out Lamb's addition in the southern part of section seven. This was all recorded as Warsaw, and started as a village.

or the tliree original town proprietors, not one of them remain in the township. Mr. J. F. Weatherhead passed on to the unknown world on the 2d of September, 1863, leaving many warm friends and a family to mourn his departure. Christian Hershey lived in the township until 1859, when he nnnoved to Morristowu. Mr. A. Lamb, who was of the Mormon faith, decided that he was not the k'ud of a "sheep" to submit to the restriction of

The fir.st house erected on the towni^lat was put up in 1855, by Christian Hershey, on section seven. The same building is now used as a stable by Edward Hollister. In the spring of 1857, HoUister & Frink put up the first store building, .and placed a stock of goods upon the shelves worth about $2,000. Immediately following them the firm of Clement & Belote erected a substantial store building aud put in a small stock of general merchandise. This firm sold out in the fall to T. P. Towne who continued the business until 1859, and then turned it over to J. C. Turner, and the building was, in 1864, sold to district No. 14, and used for a school building.

In 1858, Nye & McDonald put up a building aud went into partnership in the mercantile business. They continued for about two years and dissolved, to disappear. A boot and shoe manufacturing establishment was started in 1857, by E. B. Peterson, and during the war he resigned in favor of Moses Sear.=, who continued it until 1872, since which time Warsaw has been without an establishment of this kind.

The first blacksmith shop was opened in 1856, by Henry Piatt, who is still hammering away. At more recent dates two more shops have been opened. Dan Harper came in 1872, and Mr. Dargavel in 1880.

The first and only hotel ever put up in the village was erected in 1856, by James Polar. It was run by him until 1859, when it was sold to Robert Starb.acks, and after passing through a number of uands finally, in 1882, was sold by Alfred Daws to N. Bemis, the present host.

A rcHume of what the village now contains would read something like this: Two general merchandise stores, two churches, three blacksmith shops, three wagon repair shops, one steam sawmill, and thirty-two dwellings. The village lies on both sides of the river, the southern portion being the principal part, and the river is spanned by a substantial bi idge.

The first religious services ever held in Warsaw was in 1856, by Kev. A. S. Ketchum, Of the Baptist faith, in the old log schoolhouse to a small audience. The year following the Baptist denomina- (ioii was dulv organized by the above minister in

Methodist Episcop.\l. - Tliis denomiuatiim was organized in 18.57, iu the schoolhonse iu Warsaw, by the Rsv. Mr. Smith, with a f^ood attendance. A substantial brick church was put up iu 1872, which they now use.

EnsooPAii - Bishop Whipple, of Faribault, organized this denomination in 18(!(), in the schoolhouse, and in 1865, a neat frame church was erected, and the society is iu good financial and numerical condition.

As early as 1857, Rev. Walter Morris, a Canipbellite minister, preached in the schoolhonse to a few believers in this faith, but there has never been an organization.

MoRMON'isji. - In 1857, Milon Fillmore arrived in Warsaw and commenced the organization of a Mormon society. He remained for one year trying to work up excitement enough to organize, but it seems the excitement worked the wrong way as he was driven out of the town.

Warsaw Post-Office

This office was originally established in 185C, and J. D. Polar was first appointed to handle the mail; it was on the old Faribault and St. Peter road, the mail being carried by C. E. Hess. At first the mail carrier went on foot, but Mr. Hess soon after procured an old mule that lie took turns in ridnig with, sometimes going on foot and sometimes on mule-back, thus accelerating his speed. At times the various inhabitants of tlie postal district would go to Faribault and bring the mail to the offic6 in a grain sack. On one occasion Henry Piatt, in company with several others, started for the mail, and upon arriving at Faribault they found there was to be a dance that night and they determined to stay and "shake the light fantastic toe" with friends in Fariliault, so tViey got the mail sack, and whgn they got to the hall they "fired" it under the benches and went on with the dance. They remained until daylight and then took the mail to the anxious waiters at War.'^aw.

Until 1860, the mail was weekly, and after this date, until 1868, it was made daily, and afterwards daily from east and west. The Postmasters in order have been as follows : J. D. Polar, M. Nye, ,T. C. Turner, W. F. Sloan, C. D. Hastings, Walter Clayson, J. B. Goweu, J. W. Outhouse, J. B.

Gowen again and Edward HoUister, the latter being the present incumbent. The office is kept at his general merchandise store iu the northern part of Warsaw.

The little hamlet bearing this metropolitan uame was the scene of the first settlement in the town, and played quite au important part iu the early history of the county. It was the first village platted iu the township. It had a beautiful location on section three, at the foot of (3aunoii Lake, in the northern part of the town.

In 1853, early in the spring, Peter Bush came to the shores of Cannon Lake and pre-empted 160 acres in section three. He at once put up a log habitation, 18x20 feet, and commenced making it his actual home. He shortly after put up a small shop, 18x20 feet, and being a practical blacksmith commenced working at his trade. These were the first buildings erected in eitlier village or township. He hammered away at the anvil, and in 1856, conceived the idea, and at once platted the village on his farm in section three, and recorded it the same year as Lake City. Selling his shop to Frederick Roth, in 1857, he went back to his birthjjlace in Canada. He remained away one year and then returned to his place, and again took up the hammer and blacksmith tools, continuing work at his trade until 1880.

(ieorge Burns arrived in 1855, and put up a hotel, with a saloon in connection, near Bush's blacksmith establishment. He managed this until 1866, when he sold to Henry D. Kopps, who, after running it for two years, sold to Patrick Cuskelly, and he in turn, in 1869, sold the establishment to the fatlier of the present jiroprietor, M. F. Depati. This gentleman erected a lirick addition, the size of which was 28x33- feet, two stories, at a cost of S2.500, and in 1880 sold it to his sou, Moses F. Depati, for $3,000, who still continues the establishment, with a .'i|!600 stock of goods in connection.

In 1856, at the time of laying out the village. Joseph Gadory put up a two-story building for a saloon, and run it as such until 1859, when he sold the building to Peter Bush, wlio, with his family, occupied it as a dwelling.

In the fall of 1856, a saw-mill was put up in th^ "Village of the Lake" by J. Bowman, with a circular saw and a power of 40 horse, making the capacity 1,500 feet per day. In 1857, the mil] was destroyed by fire, the supposition being that it was the incendiary work of Indians; and the ground was purchased by P. Melhorn and Enoch Woodman, who rebuilt the mill, and in connection with the saw tliey put in one run of stone, and commenced doing custom work for the surrounding neighborhood. In 1859, the mill became the property of P. Schuyler and Jared Patrick, who operated it until 1862, when it was sold to D. M. Lucris, and this gentleman removed it to Cordova, and still runs it there.

The village has now become almost a thing of the past, as the opposition of larger towns, and their close proximity proved too much for the little "burg," else, from the beauty of its location, advantages of age, etc., the fond hopes of its projectors might have been realized. In its palmy days it was recognized as an important point in the county, and at one time had the concomitants that would readily distinguish it from a crossroad or a hamlet; now they have passed away and it contains only a hotel, a school house, a couple of dwellings, and the memory of days gone by.

There is still a chance, however, for this village, as the Cannon Valley railroad passes directly through tlie village plat within a, few rods of the hotel, and undoubtedly the time our readers are perusing this the sound of the locomotive will be heard in the region of the Lake City, reminding the patriarchs of what "might have been."

H. A. AcKERMAN was born in Fond du Lac couuty, Wisconsin, on the 22d of November, 1848. In 18G4, he enlisted in the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry and served till tlie close of the war. He then returned to Wisconsin, and in 1870, came to this place and located in section twenty-nine, where he still resides. He has been clerk of his school district, and also taught in the district. On the 25th of D333inb3r,1872, he was mnrried to Miss Louisa Suitohii, who has borne him two children.

Franklin Austin was born in New York on the 29th of December, 1816. He moved to Ohio in 1841, and there married Miss Harriet Hively in October, 1847. In 1856, they came to Minnesota, located first in Dakota county until 1867, and then purchased the farm which has since been their home. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have had six children, of whom three are living.

Ohio. He married in May, 1846, Miss Lidia Kechum and their son, Orlin, was born on the 2d of January, 1854. The following spring they removed to Wisconsin, and in 1857, came to this place, his parents moving to Lyons county in 1871, and still make it their home. Orlin, the subject of this sketch, resides on the farm which hi", father took. He was married on the 7th of July, 1880, to Mi.ss Frankey Aldrich. They have one child.

George W. Aldrich, a native of New York, was born on the 17th of September, 1836. In 1856, he came with his parents to this place, and has since made it his home. Miss Jane Gilhousen became his wife on the 5th of June, 1860. Of six children born of this union, five are living.

Norman Bemi.s, proprietor and manager of the hotel of this place, was born in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, on the 20th of March, 1847. He was united in marriage on the 15th of September, 1869, to Miss Augusta Getchaw and they have a family of three children. They moved from the latter State to this place in 1873, and engaged in the hotel business as previously mentioned.

JosiAH Bailey was born on the 7th of October, 1844, in Indiana, where he remained until coming with his parents to Minnesota in 1856. The following year he purchased a farm in section sixteen which has since been his home. In 1862, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Mounted Bangers, Company H, was discharged on the 28th of May, 1863, and re-enlisted in the Minnesota Heavy Artillery, Company L, and served till the close of the war. After his discharge he returned to his farm, and on the 1st of February, 1867, married Miss Lnsetta Gilhousen, who has borne him three child.ien. Mr. Bailey has been a member of the school board several times.

J. P. Bush, whose parents were among the first to locate in this place was born in Oswego county. New York, on the 1st of March, 1847. He came with them to Beloit, Wisconsin, in 1850, and to this township three years later, locating in section three. In 1856, he returned east and resided in Canada two years, then came again to his home here and has since engaged in farming, his mother living with him.

Peter Bush, one of the earliest residents of Faribault and also one of the pioneers in this place, was born on the 1st of August, 1808, in St. Hugues, Quebec, He was married on the 4th of

July, 1845, to Mrs. Emily Grassett. The following year they moved to Oswego county, New- York, and in 185(1, came west to Beloit, Wisconsin. Mr. Busli located in section thirtv-one, where Faribault now is, in 18.58, I)ut soon after sold his claim to Indian traders and in the fall located in this township. He built a blacksmith shop and worked at the business until 1856, when he went to Le Sueur county and platted Lake City. The same year he returned to liis native place in Canada, remained until 1858, and came again to Lake City, where he was engaged at his trade several years. In 1878, he returned to Ins farm in this place, and has since made it his home. Mr. and Mrs. Bush have had seven chihlron, only one of whom is living.

D. C. Co.\TES, an old resident of this State, was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of September, 1839. In 184i, he came west with )iis parents and located near Black Hawk, Iowa, thence, in 1852, to St. Paul, and four years later to Morristown, Rice county. On the 13th of August, 18()2, he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company B, was in some important battles in the north and south and in a number of skirmishes. After his discharge on the 31st of May, 1865, he came to this place and on the 16th of November, 1869, was joined in matrimony with Miss Mary A. Green. The union has been blessed with one child, Martha Irene. Mr. Coates was elected a member of his school district in 1881.

David D.\ VIS was born in New York on the 12th of May, 1831. When he was seven years old his parents removed to Illinois and in 1850, to Iowa. David learned the carpenter and joiner trade and in 1855, came to Faribault where he worked at the same, building the first house in the place after the town was platted. He was married on the 1st of April, 1858, to Janette Vansdal. Of eight children born of this union, seven are liviog.

Pbtek Dalcour, one of the first settlers in this place, was born in lower Canada in the District of Montreal on the 18th of March, 1832. He left his native j^lace in 1851, and came to Warsaw which has since been his home. He first built a log house 14x16 feet, cutting the logs and carrving them on his back. On the 7th of December, 1857, he married Miss Lucia A. Walleat, who has borne him seven cliildren, five of whom are living. In 1874, he erected the fine brick building in which he now lives.

AijKKeii Daws is a son of Henry Daws, who was horn on the 27th of February, 1795, in London, Enghiud; left his native phicc and emigrated to America in 1848. Ho remained in New York one year and came from thence to Wisconsin where he lived until coming to Warsaw in 1853, and settled in section seventeen, being among the first to locate here. He died on the 18th of January, 1880. His son Alfred, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 31st of July, 1839, in England and came with his father to America and to this place, which has since been his home, coming into po.ssession of the old homestead at the deatli of h^ father. He was married on the 16th of March, 1866, to Miss Austena Thrown. They have had three children, of whom two are living.

MosEs F. Dep.\ti, Jr., was born in Montreal, Canada, on the 15th of April, 1852, and left his native home in 1869, coming to Faribault. In 1870, he moved to Warsaw and for ten years worked at his trade, that of house and sign painting, which he learned in Canada. He was united in matrimony on tlie 9th of December, 1876, to Miss Anna Smith and they have three children. In 1880, Mr. Depati bouslit the Lake House of which he has since been landlord.

P. Griffith was l)orn in New York on the 10th of June, 1809. He was reared in his native State and married on the 31stof October,1830, to Clarissa Barnes. In 1852, lie moved to Illinois but returned to New York two years later. He then made a trip to Minnesota, pre-empted land and in the spring of 1857, moved his family to the claim and two years later removed to the village. In 1862, he returned to his farm but came again to the village in 1867, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. Since retiring from l)usiness in 1877, he has filled the office of .Tustice of the Peace and lieen a member of the board of Supervisors. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith have had seven children, five of whom are living.

Elias GiLHorsEN, one of the j^ioneers of this place, was born in Dauphin county, Pennsvlvania, on the 11th of October, 1817. He was married on the 22d of February, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Siford, who bore him ten children, nine of whom are living. In 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Gilhousen emigrated to Minnesota, resided in St. Paul until the 1st of March, 1855, when they came to this township. Mrs. Gilhousen died on the 30th of November. 1881.

Htstort Of Rice Countt

Jacob Heushey was Ijoru in Wisconsin on the 28tli of Dec-ember, 1814, and came with his parents to this place on the 10th of May, 1855. On the 13th of .Tanuary, 1867, he married Miss Lucilia Clemmor and two years later his father presented him with a farm in section seven. In 1876, Mr. Hershey moved to Chippewa conuty and while there was school Director three years aud a member of the board of Supervisors three years. He returned to Warsaw in 1882, and is engaged in the cultivation of bis farm.

N. N. Gr.wes, one of the ea,rliest pioneers of this place, was born in Oneida county, New York, on the 18th of November, 1814, and at the'age of ten years removed with his parents to Jefferson county, where he grew to manhood and learned the carpenter trade. He 1835, he .moved to Michigan, and on the 18th of November, of the same year married Miss Emily Welch, who has borne him nine children, three of whom are living. In 1843, he returned to his old home in Oneida county and engaged in blacksmitbing four years, then came to Wisconsin aud farmed until 1852, when he moved to this place in section one. Mr. Graves built many of the first buildings in the county. Until the last town meeting, when be resigned, he has held some local ofiiee, has been Supervisor and Justice of the Peace.

Edw.\1!D Holi.isteu, one of the first settlers of this jilace, is a native of New York, born on the 27th of November, 1832. In 1853, he came to Wisconsin but the following year returned to New York. In October following he made another trip west to IMinnesuta and located a claim on the shore of Cannon Lake in this town.sliip, where he lived until 1856, then weut to the village of Warsaw and engaged in mercantile juirsnits. In 1861, on the 29th of April, he enlisted in the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company G, and participated in the first battle of Bull Run, was discharged for disability the last of August of the same year, with the rank of Fourth Corporal. He was married after returning from tlie army on the 24th of February, 1862. to Miss Rowena Coats, who has borne him six children, four of whom are living. Mr. HoUister was a member of the Legislature in 1869 and '70, has held the office of Town Ti-easurer eight terms and is at pr iseut Postmaster aud Notary Public. He again eagaged in mercantile bu8ine.ss in 1881.

of March, 1846, and when ten years old came with his parents to Minnesota Territory, and located in this place, where they were among the early settlers. Mr. Hulse enlisted in the First Minnesota Mounted Rangers, Company H, in 1862, and served fourteen months, then re-enlisted in the Eleventh Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and received an honorable discharge in 1865. He immediately returned to Warsaw, and in 1876, was united in marriage to Miss Marinda A. Harper, the ceremony taking place on the 26th of February. The re.sult of the union is one child. Mr. Hulse's farm is located in .section thirteen, which he has owned since before the war.

WiLLARD HuGHSO.N-, one of the pioneers of this place, was born at Hamilton, in Upper Canada, on the 7th of February, 1824. In 1833, he moved with his parents to Michigan, and in 1837, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On the 17th of January, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriett E. Love, who has borne him four children, of whom one is living. Mr. Hughson came to this township in 1855, and pre-empted land in section twenty-eight, upon which he lived until 1868, when he moved to the village of Warsaw, but in 1871, returned to agricultural pursuits, this time locating his present farm in section eight. He was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors in 1859, and Chairman of the same in 1876 and ;78, and in 1865, '66 and '67 was Assessor.

Lorenzo .Jackson, one of the pioneers of Rice county, was born in Manchester, Hillsborough county, New Hampshire, on the 26th of September, 1819. He was engaged in farming until 1845, then clerked, and a year later started a dry goods store for himself. He was united in marriage on the 28th of November, 1850, with Miss Caroline S. Bartlett, who has borne him six children, two of whom are living. In 1856 he came to Cannon City, where he was in the same business five years, then came to Faribault, aud entered the employ of a mercantile house. Ten years later he engaged in farming in Warsaw, where he still resides. In 1881, he was elected County Treasurer, and still holds the office; also has been a memljer of the board of County Commissioners.

CniusTiAN Low was born in Germany on the 2d of February, 1838, and in 1852 emigrated to Wisconsin. On the 2d of February, 1864, he was married to Hannah Guitchel. In 1867, they moved to Warsaw, aiid located in section twenty-seven,

.T.\MES A. MoKci.VN, one of the early settlers of Warsaw, was bora in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, on the 1st of March, 1832. Ho was married in his twenty-second year, on the llith of May. to Jane Denison. In an early day Mr. Morgan made a trip through Maryland and Virginia, and in 1855, came to this township and pre-empted laud in section six. In 1859, he went to Pike's Peak, but returned shortly, and in 1862, enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Kegiment, Company B, and served till the close of the war. He then returned to his farm, to which he has since given his attention. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have had fourteen children, nine of whom are living.

John Nfsbaum is a native of Prussia, born on the 13th of April, 1831, and at the age of twentyone years emigrated to America. He first located in Toledo, Oliio, but a year later came to Wisconsin, and in 18tU, to Warsaw, where he still resides. He was married on the 22d of October, 1870, to Miss Kaeynah Richard, who has borne him sis children.

HOW.A.RD R.\ND was born in Nova Scotia on the nth of March, 1836, and in 1847, left his native place and moved to Massachusetts. On the 25th of December, 1858, he was joiued in matrimony with Miss Mary Reynolds, and they have had seven children, six of whom are living. In 1861 Mr. Rand came to Minnesota, first settled in (ioodhue county, and in 1867, moved to Warsaw, where he lias since lived.

Andrew Swanson, a native of Sweden, was born on the 24th of July, 1823. He was married near his birthplace on the 26th of December, 1848, to Miss Betsy Mary Morgulson. They sailed for America on the 17th of April, 1852, and located in Illinois. In 1856 they moved to Red Wing, Minnesota, and in 1860 rented a farm at the head of Spring Creek, upon which they lived until coming to this place in March, 1868. Mr. Swarson own3 a good farm of one liumlred and sixty acres in section thirty-six. He has a family of seven children, one having died.

He was married there on the 2()tli of Septemlier, 1857, to Melittia A. Hull. The following year they came to Blue Earth county, Minnesota, and resided on a farm until 1860, then came to this township and bought land in section seven, where they have since made tlnnr home. They have had four children, three of whom are living. Mr. Sanborn has boeiiTown Clerk, and also School Clerk.

W. S. SNyuEU was born in Albany county. New York, on the 22d of November, 1840. He removed to Wisconsin, and thence, on the 11th of June, 1856, to Warsaw. On the 10th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, served three years; was wounded in the third battle, and still carries the ball in the left shoulder. Miss Maggie Wood became his wife on the 1st of January, 1872, and they have one child.

W. S. Weatheeston was born in St. Lawrence county. New York, on the 16tli of July, 1844. On the 9th of September, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixth New York Cavalry, Company K, went south, and was in the battles of Williamsburg,Fair Oaks, Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Ohancelsorsville, and the three days' fight at Gettysburg. Having been discharged, and re-enlisted in the winter of 18G2, under Gen. Sheridan, he was in the battles of the Wilderness, in front of Richmond, thence to Malvern Hill, and joined the army under (ren. Grant. Mr. Weatherston afterward had charge of seventy men who were sent to secure a supply of corn. While making the journey they were engaged in a severe fight During all the battles and skirmishes in which Mr. Weatherston participated, he received but one mark, a ball at one time grazing his left leg and leaving a black and blue spot. On receiving his discharge, he came to Rice county, Minnesota, and located in Wells township, where he resided until returning to his native State in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, where he was joined in marriage with Miss Laura C. Lytle. In 1873, he returned to this county, and settled in Warsaw, where he engaged in grain raising until 1881, since which time he has been engaged in the dairy business, liaving some very fine blooded cattle, and has sold one thousand pounds of creamery butter. Mr. and Jliv. Weatherston have had four children, one of whom is living.

Chaptee Lxi

Cannon City is one of the center towns of Rice county, lying in the second tier from the south and west county lines, and the smallest town in the county. Its immediate surroundings are, Bridgewater on the north; Wheeling on the east; Walcott and Faribault on the south; and Wells and Faribault on the west, embracing an area of 19,840 acres. The city of Faribault takes from its southwest comer 3,200 acres, or sections twenty-nine, thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two and the southern halves of sections nineteen and twenty. Of the area mentioned, considerable is taken up by town lots and some is covered with water, which leaves the township exclusive of these, an area of 1.3,243 acres.

Here we find both timber and jjrairie land; the entire western portion being covered with timber, iu places heavy and again light, and interspersed with meadow and timber openings. The eastern and northeastern pa'rts, extending from the north to the south line of the town, is a rolling prairie, with here and there fine groves of timber. This is called East Prairie, for the reason that it lies east of the Cannon River timber. Little Prairie is a small prairie in section four. The greater part of the town is under a high state of cultivation, and many of the oldest and finest farms in the county are located here. The soil is rich and well ad;i|)ted to the crops and agricultural modes of to-day. A dark loam is the covering of the prairie, and as you approach the timber a lighter nature of soil is visible, with a tendency to clay and sand. Along the Cannon River, which enters the township from Faribault and crosses the western part in a nortlierly direction, the surface is more or less broken, and in some places enough so to be termed hilly, although thei'e are few places so abrupt as to be detrimental to tillage. An abundance of excellent limestone is found in various localities in the western part of the town, and several have burned kilns with the most satisfactory results, there being a number of these enterprises now in operation. It is also valuable for building purposes, for which it has already been used quite extensively, several stone quarries being now at work.

The town is well watered, but has not as many lakes as the surrounding townships. Chrystal Lake is the only one of note, and is located in the central part, just north of the village of Cannon City. Prairie Creek rises in section twenty-three, and taking a northern course hastens its way to Northfield township, from whence it enters the county of Goodhue. The Cannon River has been mentioned as traversing the western part. Otto Falls Creek, or, as it is generally known. Pond's Creek, rises in Wheeling, and flowing westward, crosses the southern tier of towns and eventually becomes part of the Straight River. Several small streams traverse the northwestern part of the township on their way to the Cannon River.

A sketch of the town, published in 1868 by P. W. Frink, says that "Cannon City township occupies the larger part of the same township in which the town of Faribault is also located. The number of acres of taxable lands within its limits, exclusive of town lots, is 13,243. Some of the oldest and most valuable farnn in the county are located in this town, and in no part of the county can more favorable locations be found with regard to timber, meadow, water, and arable land. Its population is mostly emigrants from eastern ;md middle States."

At the census taken in 1870, the values in Cannon City, as given to the census takers, were as follows: Keiil property, S2(!5,(!0(); personal property, S58,8U0; total, §324,400. Tlie total v;ilue of property for the seme year, as jier assessment rolls, was $120,139. In 1882, the total value assessed was $318,8.50, of which 82(53,309 represented tlie real, and -'$55,.541, the personal property. This shows an increase of property assessed, during the past twelve years, of $192,711.

To get at, with any degree of accuracy, the real first settler of a section that has been settled for a generation is a more difficult matter than would be imagined by one who has never undertaken to determine such a case, for, no matter how authentic the source, or how conclusive the evidence brought to bear, there will be a certain number of men who will emphatically deny the assertion, and bring up another candidate for patriarchal honors, so to speak. Therefore, to avoid any misunderstanding, or any chance for dispiite, that course has been adopted whereby the date of arrival is given, as near as can be ascertained, and the reader can select therefrom a first settler to his notion. In the language of Mark Twain, you "read the facts and take your choice," or words to that effect.

The actual settlement of Cannon City township commenced early in 18-54, and it is claimed there were one or two arrivals late in the year previous; but of such we can learn nothing. Among the first to locate was Mr. John Corsett, a native of Ohio, who got into the town in the spring of 1854, and took a claim in section thirty-five. He built a little shanty covered with what he called "shakes," and at once commenced putting up hay, succeeding in securing about twenty tons. After he had been there a short time a number of others swelled the settlement in this part of the township. The entire force that arrived in this year were from Dunkirk, Wisconsin, but they have now all removed to other towns or counties, except one family.

William N. Owens and family were natives of New York, having left the place of their nativity early in the forties and removed to Wisconsirj. Here they remained for ten years, in Dunkirk, and in 1854, when the Minnesota fever first began to find root in the minds of the eastern people, they decided to join the throng. A number also came.

among whom were Isaac Hamlin and his parents, George Marks and his family, John Pratt and family, Samuel Howe, John Ralier, A. Kcnslnw, and some who are mentioned elsewhere, and who took claims in adjoining towns. These all started about the same time, and came straggling along on their way to the Cannon Valley. When they got to the Eoot River, in Fillmore county, where Forestville now is, the ty])hoid fever took hold of some members of Mr. Owens' family and he was detained there some time, Mrs. Owens being confined and delivered of a child during the detention. This, however, although it detained the family, did not hinder the balance of the party, and Mr. Owens witli his teams assisted the others to get into the country, his eldest coming up to drive one of the teams. When the boy got back he reported not very flattering news to his parents, and they seriously entertained the plan of retracing their steps to their former home, but thially overcame their scruples and pushed on. arriving on East Prairie, on the 1st of October, 1854. They here found that those who had preceded them had failed in their agreement to select a good claim and cut hay for the detained party, and as they had four yoke of oxen, two cows, and one horse, they were obliged to secure hay or suffer severe loss. After looking about for a short time, he (Owens ) made Corsett, who is mentioned above as having put up twenty tons of hay, an offer of $250 for his claim .md hay, which offer was accepted and Mr. Owens moved his family into Corsett's doorless and floorless cabin. This was soon remedied by making a floor out of slijjpery elm bark, and door of slabs. The roof of the cabin was very poor, as it was made of clap boards, and Mr. Owens says that often has he heard the children in the night crying, "Ma, Ma, it's suowin' in my face!" and he determined to fix it, so he went out on the prairie, cut sod and packed it in layers on the roof of his house. This remedied the evil for the present and "kept the snow out of the children's faces,'" but when the spring came and the drenching rain washed crevices through the sod, great haste was required in shoveling it off' the roof to prevent the shanty from being transformed into a mud hole.

During the fall Mr. Owens broke two acres of the prairie, and later in the fall and through the winter he fenced eighty acres; being the first fence put up in the township; also makhig, at the same time, by night work, witli a draw-knife, shingles euougli to cover the houses of Samuel Howe, John Ralier, ami his own, which were each 16x24 feet.

All of these settlers mentioned had come in unprepared for the extreme "newness" of matters which they found, and as provisions and lumber were very scarce Mr. Owens, iu October, 1864, started by team to Hastings to lay iu a supply. When he got there he found nothing but one little hut, where was kept a few articles for sale,but they were out of provisions and lumber was not to be thought of. He then went to Prescott and Douglass where he succeeded in getting provisions and a few rough boards. Mr. Owens is still living^^in section thirty-five and may be called the pioneer tavern keeper of the town, as from his very first advent he, more or less, kept tavern until about 1870. Of his sons, two of them still remain and are prominent men in Rice county, while William N. and Aueel E. Owen are now in the territory of Montana, both having done valuable service tor their country, the first in crushing the rebellion, and the last in the Indian war at Fort Abercrombie.

But we digi-ess. To return to the time of Mr. Owen's arrival in October, 1854. After Corsett had sold his farm lie took a claim in Walcott township and finally found his way to Redwood county, where he died some years ago.

Aliout the time that Owens settled, a few more made their appearance. A party who were natives of Vermont having stopped for a time in Wisconsin, from whence they came direct. M. N. Pond and wife, and Prof. Ide, his father-in-law, with Mrs. Ide and her two daughters, made up the party. Tliey came direct to Faribault, following the trail of Mr. Thomas Sprague,who had settled iu Warsaw, and arrived at their destination in due time, liaving lost tlie single wagon trail. They then started to East Prairie in search of farms. Tliere was not a track through the timber nor a sign of civilization, and they were forced to tediously cut a pathway through the heavy and tangled woods. Wlien they got to the prairie they found signs of someone's having already been on the ground, for on a stake, conspicuously planted, apijoarcd tlie warning words:

Whoever this remarkable "monarch-of-all-theysurveyed" firm were, the sturdy pioneers allowed them to diiiin it, and proceeded to select and settle on the best farms tliey could find. Prof. Ide took a claim in section thirty-five where the village now is, while Mr. Pond secured a place in section thirty-six, where he at once erected a hewn log hut, making shingles therefor with a drawknife; the fact has been omitted that they liad brought with them a yoke of oxen and team of horses. Here Pond remained until the survey was made which discovered to him that he was upon a school section, and he at once sold for .f200 and removed to the timber in section thirty-three, in which he took the southwest quarter and at once put up a bark shanty; peeling the bark from sapplings, unrolling and nailing it to the posts he had prepared, making a shanty sixteen feet square. He moved into this in the spring of 1855. The winter of 1855-50 was a very severe one, and as soon aj the thermometer was put out the mercury would at once bob out of sight, w-hile the anxious shiverer was still in doubt as to how cold it really was, and it became a standing joke that two thermometers must be tied together perpendicularly to find how cold it was; but, it was an actual fact that for ninety days there was not a minute's thaw. This was quite an unfortunate surprise to the early settlers as the winter before had been very mild, and it is stated on good authority that musquitoes were seen iu December and men could work in shirt sleeves, almost all winter. However, they stood it, as they were obliged to, many faring badly; but it is a strange fact that stock stood out of doors all through the frightfully severe winter, enduring the cold and did not sutler, apparently.

A number of others came about the same time and increa.sed the settlement iu the southern part of the town, and many pushed their way over the line and took farms in Walcott. Among these were George Marks and Mr. Emerson. The latter first took a claim on East Prairie, but afterwards removed to Walcott where he engaged in a mill. Oliver Tripp, a native of the state of New York, came on the 15th of August, iu 1854, and took posse.ssion of some of the prairie land in section thirty-six, where he still remaius.having purchased adjoining lands until he now owns a t'ai-m of 320 acres, a part being in Walcott and Cannon City. W.. L. Herriman was another who came in 1854, arriving from Ohio iu the fall of the year named and secured a claim a short distance north of the farina occupied by the parties aljove montioneil. He was a blacksmith by trade and assisted in the early settlement of the village by starting the first blacksmith shop. He has held the office of Towu Treasurer for sixteen years aud is stDl a pi-oniinent man in tlie town.

Mr. Truman Boss came early in the fall of 18.54 and secured a place in section twenty -two, where Mr. C Erb now lives. He left a number of years ago.

Mr. John Thompson, a native of Scotland, arrived in Cannon City township in 185.5, and assisted in the settlement of East Prairie and the village, by aiding in the erection of a steam and grist mill, an account of which is found on another page.

M. C. Sweat, a native of Vermont, after stopping in Wisconsin for a time, made his appearance in the year 18.")4, and took a claim north of the East Prairie settlement, in section twenty-three, where he still -'tills the soil." having sii'ce his arrival spent some time in the Rocky Mountains, besides doing his country service in the late war. Mr. Sweat was joined the following year by a New Yorker in the person of H. C. Tripp, who with his family made himself at home on an adjoining farm in the same section where he still holds forth, now having 240 acres of land and one of the finest brick residences in Rice county.

About the same time another native of the Empire State put in an appearance and joined his fellow New Yorker by purchasing a claim in section twenty-five. This was E. B. Orcutt, of Oneida county, and aftei- having stopped for a time in Wisconsin, he Inade his arrival in 1855, with two yoke of oxen. He still remains on tlie claim he originally secured, having one of tne finest farms in the town. Mr. .Joseph Covert, of New York, came about the same time, and should be mentioned as prominent among the eiu-ly settlers, although he first took a claim and lived over the line in the town of Wheeling. In 18C8, he removed to his present place in section twentyfive of Cannon City, adjoining Mr. Orcutt'son the south. He has Itocn and now is among the most prominent and jiublic spirited men in the township and county.

Still another crowded into this section this year, - 1855 - in the person of Roswell Bryant, of New England, who, with his family, after stopping for a time in fiidiana, nuule their way to IMimiLsota and became identified with Cannon City township jiioueering by securing prairie land adjoining the places above mentioned. He still remains on the place.

In the meantime other parts of the tciwnsbi]>liad begun evoluti(ms toward civilization, although as 3'et the north and south portions were as far apart, in a social sense, as it is now distant from St. Paul. Until the settlements grew so large as to merge together there was no intercoui'se between them, and one "heard not, neither did he see, what the other did." Below we shall endeavor to give most of the prominent arrivals in the northern settle raent, as they grew, and gradually converging became one.

About the first to commence a settlement in the north was what was known as the Closson party, of Wisconsin. They consisted of Calab Closson and his sous J. Clark, Joseph, Amasa, and Schuyler, who all took farms adjoining, in the northeastern corner of the town, arriving late in the year 1854. They at once erected log houses and stables as they had considerable stock with them. Caleb, the father, remained here until about 1872, when he removed to the northern jjart of the State, where he is j'et. The two oldest sons, J. Clark and Joseph, were both married; the former is now a drayman at Faribault, and the latter is still on the farm. The other two boys, Schuyler and Amasa, took claims here first, then went to the army and died from the effects (.)f injuries received there. These were the most prominent pioneers in the northern part of the town, and the "Closson Settlement" is still often spoken of by the old pioneers. Section five, a few miles west of this settlement, received an initiating settler soon afterward in the person of John Dun gay, a native of England who came from Chicago, where he had been working at the carpenter trade for several years, and secured a good farm in Cannon City township. He at once erected a comfortable house, sawing the lumber therefor with a whipsaw, also preparing lumber and making probably the first wagon made in Rice county. He remained on his original place until 1862, when he removed to where he lives at present, in sectiun sixteen.

Thomas Van Eaton, late of Wisconsin, made his appearance in the sjjring of 1855, and helped fill in the gap between the two settlers above mentioned by taking a farm in section three. He afterwards turned out to be a preacher, and was finally murdered near Sauk Centre by the Indians during their outbreak, they cutting off his bead and leaving his body lying in a slough. The ghastly, grinning skull rolled over the prairie for nine years before it was identified and buried.

Jesse Carr, a native of the Empire State, made bis appearance the same spring, 1855, and preempted-a farm in section four, where he began improvements at once, and still remains on the place, at the ripe old age of seventy-two years.

Thus it will be seen that by the fall of 1855 the town bad become pretty well settled and all parts bad representatives in the pioneer line. Sears brothers bad arrived and the village of Cannon City brought into existence, while Prairieville in the south, bad made a very noticeable stride. A few more of the most prominent arrivals can be noted.

F. Van Eaton came from Indiana in 1856, and secured a place in the northern part of the town, where he has been a school clerk for fifteen years.

C. H. Mulliner, a native of New York State, came to Minnesota in 1855, and in 1856 secured a place in Cannon City township, where he still remains, a prominent man among the most successful farmers.

O. B. Hawley, another of Cannon City's public spirited men, arrived from New Y'^ork State, in 1856, and settled on bis present farm in section twenty-six, wbicOi his father, E. Hawley, had pre-empted the year previous. Mr. Hawley was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors which organized the township in 1858, which oflBce he held for eight terms.

John Jepson, one of the pioneers of Minnesota, arrived in 1856, and took a farm in section fourteen in Wheeling. He has since moved to Cannon City and become prominently identified with the interests of the townshij).

F. Strunk, of the state of New York, came to Bice county in 1864, and in 1873 formed a stock company imder the title of Cannon City Mill Company, and erected a flouring mill on the Cannon River, in section eight.

Joseph Fancher, and J. and Elson Emerson, came from the east and settled on sections three and eleven. They have since gone to parts unknown.

Thomas Bowles, or as be was familiarly known, Deacon Bowles, of Michigan, a brother-in-law of the Sears brothers, came to Cannon City in the spring of 1855, and took a farm near the village. He mortgaged his farm to some capitalists of Faribault, by which he tinally lost it, and in 1872, removed toOsakis.

Early Items Of Interest

In 1854, when William N. Owens arrived in the southern part of the town, the particulars of which have already been noted, he broke two acres of prairie land which was the first sod turned for agricultural purposes in the town. The following year be sowed this to oats from which he put up a stack that he sold in the field for $50. At the same time he jjut in six bu.sbel8 of wheat, and raised, besides enough for seed, 100 bushels, which be sold for $2.00 per bushel, and could have got more if be had asked it. It was cleai ed with an old fashioned hand fan. He had settled on the old "Indian Trail," and the Indians in passing through from Red Wood to Wabasha, became a nuisance. The first thing they did after he had settled was to come to the farm and strike their teepees directly in front of his house, in a little grove which was there. This was more than the pioneer family could bear, and as soon as they were rid of them, Mr. Owens and his son repaired lo the grove where they felled every tree and turned over the sod, so that the Indians, on their return, were forced to seek shelter in the timber half a mile west of the farm. On one occasion the red skins came to Mr. Owens' door for breud, iiiid upon being handed a loaf laid down -')f2..'50 in gold and refused to take it back or receive any change. Another time a new gun was left for a pan of flour. Mr. Owens says that had he been pr(>pared for trading he could have made a fortune in furnishing provisions to them. It was sometime before the Indians co\ild be taught what fences were made for, and in passing through the prairie land would tear them down and march in tribes directly through the growing grain and up to the bouse,in caildish ignorance that was very provoking, and Mr. Owens stationed one of his children at the })oint where they usually entered the field with instructions to lead them around the piece of grain. This finally taught them to be more careful, but they proved to be so bothersome that Mrs. Owens bethought a plan and carried it into successful execution that cured their propensity for laying around the house. She got her daughter, Amelia, to go to bed when she saw them coming, and then she would meet them at the door and l)laudly tell them "Mecosha Sharada," which means small-pox, and the red skins would "light" out like a pack of dogs.

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Owens, Amelia, who is mentioned above, grew to be a great favorite among the Indians, and many times has the anxious mother feared they would abduct her, but finally the messenger of death called her away from the home in which she had so long been a bright figure, which left a deep and lasting impression on the small colony. For years afterward, the Indians, who had loved and petted the bright girl, would stop at Mr. Owens' door and enquire, '^Piipoiise?' and on being told '^Nrpo," or dead, would go away sadly saying, "Too bad, Too bad!"

Rev. John Hoover, with his wife and three children, and his son-in-law, William Neel, came from Ohio, and arrived in Cannon City townsliip in April, 1855. He found all the claims marked, mostly with the names of Tripp, Boss & Co., William Dunn, and Sears Brothers, and not knowing that these parties had no right to claim 'the laud, he purcliased a farm of a man uaineil Carr, who had .settled on sections ten ami eleven and was living in a little pole shanty, one half of which constituted his stable, and the other halt his dwelliufr. Mr. Hoover at ouce moved on the place and erected a log house, which he covered with a roof of four thicknesses of "shakes," thinking that Would surely keep out the rain. The second night after this was put up there came up a frightful storm, which they found to be about as severe in the house as out of doors, and to save his library the Elder placed it under the bed, but notwithstanding this precaution, the water soaked through the bed and almost ruined his books. When Rev. Hoover was at Fariliault, on his way here, he was called upon to preach a funeral sermon over the body of an emigrant who had taken sick and died in an Indian hut in the place. Mr. H. protested that he could not, as he had nothing but his rough traveling clothes and could not appear in such unsuitaWe garments. They insisted, however, and borrowed him a suit, in which he delivered the discourse to a congregation of two men and several women. In fact, when the shroud which had been made was brought forward there were not enough men present to raise the coi-pse, and it was split open in the back and tucked under. This was on the 15th of April, 1855. During the summer of the same year, Mr. Hoover jjosted up a notice that he would hold religious services on the shore of Chrystal Lake, he being of the Methodist Protestant faith, and after inaugurating it, seats were made of logs, and spread over the grounds here and there. Many well attended and able meetings were held here at which Mr. Hoover officiated, and a Sunday school was organized, which is still in force. William Neel now occupies the farm secured by Mr. Hoover.

Rev. T. R. Cressey was jirobably the first and most prominent missionary of the Baptist faith in Rice couuty. He originally came from Ohio, locating first, for a time, at Hastings. In 1855, he came to Rice county and settled in Cannon City township, where Mr. Turner now is, and was prominent aud foremost among religious circles, preaching the first sermon in the town. In 1862, he went into the army as chaplain and did valuable Service. Returning after the close of the war, he remained a short time and removed to Des Moines, Iowa, where he died. He was a true Christian, an earnest worker, and was beloved and respected by all who knew him.

Among the first marriages in the town was that of Elson Emerson to Charity Judd, at the residence of John Emerson, in ]85() or '57. Another was that of Mr. and Mrs. KiekenofT.

The first ileath oecurred in the spring of 1855, and was Mrs. Warren, mother of Mrs. John Pratt, at the latter's residence in the southern part of the township. A coffin was made under the shade of a tree by Mr. M. N. Pond, from the boards of a wagon box, and wa.s stained with a red wood cane. Her remains are now at rest in the Prairieville cemetery.

A few weeks after this death, on the 24:th of May, 1855, Amelia, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Owens, was taken away by death, and was buried in their garden, where they remained until the burial ground was laid out. Rev. J. Hoover, of Cannon C!ity, preached the funeral discourse.

A man called "Doctor" died at the residence of Truman Boss in the fall of 1855. He had just sold nis claim and contemplated going back to his eastern home, when the grim monster overtook him.

This townshi]) was brought into existence for self-government shortly after the territory became a State, and the meeting for the purpose of organizing was held at the residence of I. N. Safer, in Can Don City, on the 11th of May, 1858. The meeting came to order upon call of I. N. Safer, and officers pro tern, were placed in charge of the meeting as follows: Chairman, Thomas Eobinson; Moderator, Peter Chenne worth; Clerk, D. W. .\lbaugh. The meeting then took up the mattor of township officers for the ensuing year, and elected the following: Supervisors, O. B. Hawley, Cliairman, Jesse Carr, and J. h. Starks; Justice of the Peace, William N. Owens; Clerk, C. Smith House; Asses.sor, J. D. Carr; Constable, Jobn Cusey. The first records of the township are in such condition that it is impossible to ascertain to a certainty who were the first officers, and the above are as near correct as we can determine. The name of Thomas Bowles also appears in the first record as making a motion to vote .f 200 to defray town espouses, which was carried.

This township voted sums at different times to pay bounties to volunteers who should fill the quota. On the 8th of August, 1864, an appropriation was made to pay S200 to each man who sliould oll'cr to enlist before the 5th of September, 1864, the vote on the t[ue3tion being 63 for and 17 against the proposition. On the 21st of January, 1865, another special town meeting was held for the purpose of levying a tax to pay

At the annual town meeting in the spring of 1882, the following town officers were elected: Supervisors, E. Walrod, Chairman, O. R. Ingram, and F. Van Eaton ; Clerk, Thomas Sloan ; Treasurer, W. L. Herrimau; Assessor, H. C. Leasure; Justice of the Peace, Franklin Carter: Constable, John Struthers.

Dtstkict No. 8. - This district, which embraces the village of Praireville, effected an organization at the first meeting of the Rice County Commissioners in January, 1856, although school had been held the year previous, in the fall, by Mr. Haugland in a sclioolhouse erected in the summer of 1855, by K. Merrit, the lumber having been drawn from Hastings. This was a very good building and served the purpose until 1876, when the present neat and substantial brick house was erected on the same site in the village of Prairieville, at a cost of !|;1,800, being heated by a furnace and supplied with necessary apparatus for a successful school. In 1858, James Anderson, Clerk, reported this district as having thirty scholars, and a year later E. Austin reported sixty-five.

DisTKiCT No. 9. - The first school taught in this district was in the winter of 1856-57, at the residence of William Dunn, by Miss Mary Swarthout, with an attendance of about fourteen scholars. The distric^t was organized the same year, and a schoolhouse erected soon after. Their present school building is located in the eastern part of section twelve, and cost .S400; the number of scholars at present is about eighteen. This district, in January, 1858, reported to the county conimi.ssioners as having thirty-two scholars. Geo. Douglass was Clerk.

District No. 10. - This is the district embracing the village of Cannon City. It was set apart and organized under its present number, at the very first meeting of the board of County Commissioners, in January, 1856. The first school was taught the summer before the organization, in a store building belonging to North & Carroll, by Miss Fannie Havlin, with twenty-five scholars present. In January, 1858, J. Sanborn, Clerk, reported this district as having ninety -two scholars; and one year later, James D. Carr who was then Clerk, reported 103 scholars. This was to determine how much of the apportionment money this district was entitled to; it being that year sixtylive cents per scholar. The ilislriet now has a very neat and commodious huilding on block eighteen in the village, which was erected in 1873, 18x28 feet, of brick, at a cost of $1,7(10. It is furnished with patent desks and necessary apparatus. The last term was taught by Miss H. Ray, with seventy scholars.

District No. 25. - Effected an organization in 18<)2, and a log house was rolled together at that time, 14xl(! feet. Miss Mary Carr taught the first school in this building, with fifteen juveniles on the hard wood benches. The district now has a fine brick schoolhouse, 20x30 feet, that was erected in the northeastern part of section seventeen at a cost of SfiOO, with patent seats and heated with a furnace. S. N. Haynes was the last teacher, there being an attendauce of fifteen.

District No. 30. - This educational organization came into existence m 18.57. aud the first school was taught in a building 18x24 feet, which the district erected in the northern part of section twenty-five, on G. G. Durland's land, the lumber being hauled from Hastings, and there were ten scholars present. The location of the jjresent school structure is the southwestern jiart of the same section, there being now an attendance of eighteen pupils. This district, in 1858, reported to the Commissicmers that they had thirty-five scholars in attendance.

District No. 72. - The greater portion of the territory now comprising this district was formerly merged into the organization of district No. 22. which was organized in 1857. It was s?t off in 1861, and a schoolhouse erected in 18G4, at a cost of .f 150. Tlie first school was held in a log house on the Rutherford farm, a short time after the district was set off, by Miss Mary Jane Butterfield, with thirteen scholars present. The prefent location of the schoolhouse is in the southwestern corner of section three, and the attendance registers twenty -four.

District No 81. - Effected an organization in 1865, and the first school was taught in a little shanty in section twenty-four by Miss Esther Durance with eleven scholars. In 18G7, a schoolhouse was erected, 20x21 feet, on the same site now occupied by their building, the northwest corner o" section twenty-four.

TiiK First Saw-Mill. - In 1855, M. N. P.md commenced getting out timber ou section tiiirtythrce for a saw-mill. He threw a dam acMviss the river, jnit in a Hume witli twenty-two feet head, and equipping the concern with a sash saw commenced making lumber at the rate of about 3,000 feet per day, in 1857. He ran the mill for .six or seven years, until steam got so plenty and efficient that a common water wheel of early days was too remindful of a "poor-liouse" and he left it to rot down. The old water wheel is still in tlie stream, and combined with the rocky bhiii', the water trickling over the stone steps in the stream, which nature formed, the unused kilti makes a most picturesque scene.

As early as 1854, Mr. Pond started the first lime burning in the townshijj, starting a kiln on a log heap and burning enough lime to plaster his hou.se. In 1856, he erected a good kiln with a capacity of about 100l)arrels per week, which he ran for iil)OUt fifteen years. The kiln is still there but not in use.