Stearns County, Minnesota - Chapter 56: Municipal St. Cloud, 1915 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 56: Municipal St. Cloud

Government of the City - Officers Year by Year - Street Improvements - Public Utilities - Bond Matters - Doings of the Council - The Commission Form of Government - By P, J. Seberger, Mayor of St. Cloud.

When Governor Stevens made his survey of a northern railroad route to the Pacific in 1853, he camped at the present site of St. Cloud. In 1855 St. Cloud was the point at which the Red river trains crossed the Mississippi on their way to St. Paul. It was the head of steam navigation on the Mississippi and boats ran regularly, during the open season, from St. Anthony Falls to this place. The first house within the corporate limits of St. Cloud was built by James Kitchens, for Gen. Lowry in upper town.

The site of lower town was taken up as a claim by Martin Wooley, a Norwegian. He sold his right to Geo. F. Brott, who surveyed and platted the tract in the spring of 1855. Mr. Brott's claim, however, was based on a mail contract. The mail contract law had been construed to permit contractors to take up six hundred acres of land on every twenty miles of their route. Under this construction tremendous frauds had been perpetrated or attempted. About this time the Secretary of the Interior made a decision quite new and adverse to what had been the rule in preempting under mail contracts, holding that to be able to preempt the mail route on which the contract was taken must run east and west and extend to the Pacific. Under this ruling hundreds of claims, such as Mr. Brott's, went back to the government. The decision in the main was just, but the whole course of making titles was thrown into chaos.

The plan of special acts of congress to grant the right of preempting such mail contract claims as had been improved, and in cases where actual settlers would be wronged by adherance to that decision, was resorted to. Hundreds of people had purchased lots from Mr. Brott and built houses upon them, and these would have been the losers but for a special act of congress

At about the same time that Brott platted lower town, John L. Wilson surveyed and platted what was called middle town, while General Lowry surveyed and platted upper town, called Lowry's addition and Joseph Edelbrock surveyed and platted a tract west of middle town, called Edelbrock's Second Addition, the following winter.

In the summer of 1855, a saw mill, hotel and nine dwellings were erected, and these with about six or eight other buildings previously constructed constituted the little hamlet of St. Cloud of sixty years ago. Mr. Wilson gave the town the name of St. Cloud after a suburb of Paris, which had been the home of the great Napoleon. By this name it was incorporated by an act of the legislative assembly of the territory of Minnesota in the spring of 1856. The act of incorporation provided that an election should be held on the first Wednesday in the following April to elect one president, one recorder and three trustees, to hold office for one year, and to whom were given the usual powers granted such corporate officers.

1856-67. - Pursuant to the provisions of the act referred to, a meeting of the citizens of the town of St. Cloud was held on the second day of April in 1856 for the purpose of electing a town council. Warren B. Crane and Joseph Edelbrock were chosen judges of election and John H. Taylor clerk. The following voters, thirtyfive in all, were present and cast their ballots for town officers: S. R. Lowry, C. T. Stearns, Leland Cramb, Joseph Edelbrock, S. C. Raymond, Adam Langer, Warren B. Crane, Michael Hanson, Adam Jaeger, John H. Taylor, Henry Palmer, Simon Lodermeier. C. L. Raymond, Charles W. Stanley, Joseph Eich, John

The Auto Spkinkler Ttntck

Goodspeed, Thomas Birch, Henry C. Waite, Frederick Moore, Josiah E. West, Joseph Dasch, Sr., Alplions Mayerra, Joseph, Niehaus, Joseph Dasch, Jr., R. A. Smith, John Ball, John Tenvoorde, John King, H. H. Welzheimer, Michael Lahr, Anton Edelbrock, William S. Judd, Nicholas Lahr, John Scheffer and Michael Con. The election resulted as follows: For president of the council, S. B. Lowry, 35 votes; for recorder of the council, John H. Taylor, 35 votes; for trustees, John W. Tenvoorde, 35 votes, C. T. Stearns, 34 votes, Franklin Sisson, 26 votes.

On May 20 the first meeting of the council was held at the home of John W. Tenvoorde by mutual consent. All members were present and qualified by taking the oath required by the act of incorporation, before James C. Shepley, notary public. The act of incorporation was read, a committee on by-laws appointed, also one on improvements, both of which committees were to report at the next meeting. The next meeting was held June 2, but no reports were made and no business was transacted. No more meetings were held that year.

January 14, 1857, the council met pursuant to notice at the Stearns House. It was voted that proposals be received for building a bridge across the ravine at the junction of Washington and Fifth avenues or at what is now known as the intersection of Fifth avenue and Three-and-a-half street south. At this meeting a committee was appointed to inquire into the expediency of providing a market place and erecting a market house.

At the meeting of January 21 H. W. Cowles was appointed attorney to draft ordinances and by-laws for the town. On February 21 the committee on market house reported favorably for providing a market place and erecting a market house thereon, and recommended that the market house be located on the public park between Fourth and Fifth avenues and Washington and Jefferson streets. The report was accepted and the recommendation adopted. On February 28 proposals for the construction of a bridge across the ravine were received from Messrs. Sisson and Taylor and accepted.

it. The following officers were elected: President, John L. Wilson; recorder, R. H. Richmond; trustees, H. G. Fillmore, J. W. Tenvoorde, Henry Broker.

The first meeting of the new council was held at the St. Cloud Hotel June 20, vvhen the following resolution was adopted: "Ordered by the town council of the town of St. Cloud, that no store, saloon, bar-room or shop be opened within the corporate limits of said town for the sale of merchandise or liquors or for the transaction of any business on the Sabbath day under penalty of $10 for the first offense, and double the amount for the second and for each offense thereafter, provided that nothing in this order be so construed as to apply to the St. Cloud hotel and the Stearns house,."

On August 10 the second meeting was held at the American house, and John L. Wilson, president of the town council, Avas instructed to enter at the land office at Sauk Rapids the town site of the town of St. Cloud for the corporation authorities to be held by the authorities in trust for the several parties in interest. On October 6 the next meeting was held at the store of John L. Wilson, when the corporation seal was adopted. It consisted of a green circular piece of paper, about the size of a silver dollar, with the edges scalloped, and the words "St. Cloud" in the center, and the words and figures "Incorporated March, 1856" on the margin. It v,as to be applied with a red sealing wax wafer. A resolution was passed forbidding the sale or gift of intoxicants on election day, October 13.

1858-59. - No meetings were held from October 6. 1857, until October 18, 1858, when the town council met at the store of John L. Wilson, pursuant to notice. John L. Wilson was still president of the council, and H. G. Fillmore, trustee, but all the other old oflficers were superseded by a new lot of men, as will be observed from the following list of officers for the year: President, John L. Wilson; recorder, T. C. Alden; trustees, H. G. Fillmore, B. Rosenberger, L. Gorton. A subscription of $225 for a town jail, presented by B. Overbeck, was accepted and Mr. Overbeck authorized to collect the subscription, together with all that might be thereafter subscribed. He was also authorized to lease a lot for the purpose of erecting the jail thereon. At the next meeting the council leased from Mr. Overbeck a lot for this purpose at an annual rent of $25, and gave Mr. Overbeck permission to trade lumber subscribed for square timber for the walls of the jail.

1859-60. - The following were the officers for the year ending April, 1860: President of the council, James C. Shepley; recorder, Joseph Broker; trustees, Joseph Edelbrock, Ludwig Robbers, Peter Kraemer. The first meeting of the council was held April 9 in the office of J. C. Shepley. The president and recorder were appointed a committee to draft by-laws for the government of the town, and rules and regulations for the government of the council At the next meeting, held April 15, the committee reported by-laws providing for the election of a town treasurer and town marshal, and defining the duties of each. On April the 16th the committee reported the standing rules of the town council, which were unanimously adopted, as were also, with slight amendments, the by-laws for the government of the town reported at the previous meeting. The council then proceeded to the election of a treasurer and marshal; B. Rosenberger being elected treasurer and B. Overbeck marshal.

On April 15 B. Overbeck, agent for the town council for building a jail, reported on May 15 the amounts collected and disbursed for that purpose. A list of those refusing to pay their subscriptions was placed in the hands of Mathias Mickley with instructions to collect. On September 5 permission was given the town marshal to finish the jail building at his own expense, and the amount so expended by him was to be repaid out of the proceeds of the sale when the council sold the jail. On April 19 the president of the council was authorized to employ counsel for the purpose of presenting entry of the town site of St. Cloud at the General Land Office at Washington, and December 5 the council engaged N. P. Causine, of Washington City, for that purpose. The council was to advance him $200 as a retaining fee and executed an obligation to pay him $300 as an additional fee if the local authorities were allowed to enter the lands claimed by the town. No other meetings were held until April 4, 1860.

1860-61. - The town council met at J. E. Bradford's store Wednesday, April 4, at 11 o'clock a. m., for the purpose of holding an election for members. The council immediately adjourned to Joseph Edelbrock's store to hold the election. At the opening of the polls, the recorder being absent, the judges of election, Joseph Edelbrock, Peter Kraemer and J. C. Shepley, appointed Joseph Howard as clerk of election. The following persons were elected: President, James C. Shepley, 55 votes; recorder, Joseph Broker, 56 votes; Trustees, Peter Kraemer, 56 votes, L. Robbers, 56 votes, Joseph Edelbrock, 58 votes.

The council chosen at this election did not meet until December 1, when the following motion, presented by Mr. Robbers, was adopted: "That the parties claiming a right to lots or interest in lots in the town site of St. Cloud be required to file with the statements required by the statute an abstract of title certified by the register of deeds of the proper county of his right to the same." The corporate authorities were authorized by the council to procure an abstract of title to all the lots located upon the lands entered by said corporate authorities as the town site of the town of St. Cloud. A plat of the town was ordered purchased from T. H. Barrett, and James M. McKelvey was employed as attorney for the council to advise them on matters of law. Messrs. Moore and Shepley, at a meeting held on December 25, were employed to make out the deeds for the town council for lots and blocks in the town.

The total cost of the entry of the townsite assessed on the town lots was $2,264.25, including professional services, entry cash loaned, seal, printing, abstract and the like. Ludwig Robbers was authorized and directed to receive the money paid as the expenses assessed on the lots for the entry of the town, to keep the same until directed to pay it out by order of the council, and for this services to receive two per cent on the whole amount collected by him.

On March 5 the town council was authorized to execute a conveyance to the county of Steams of all the town's interest in a building commenced for a jail and partly completed, and being on lot 4 in block 6 in the town of St. Cloud, and the president was directed to deliver the same to the county commissioners on the execution of a release to the town council of all liability for the construction of the building or rent of the ground on which it stood.

1861-62. - The newly-elected officers presented their certificates of election April 9. They were: President, Joseph Edelbrock; recorder, B. Rosenberger; trustees, L. Robbers, Peter Kraemer. Charles Lueg. At the meeting of April 12 James M. Mc- Kelvey appeared before the council and tendering $96, demanded a deed for Columbia Square, which on motion of Mr. Robbers was refused. Mr. Robbers also moved that the council recognize John L. Wilson as the original proprietor of the town of St. Cloud, and that the council give him a deed of all lots to which he holds the record title uncontested, and further that no deed of conveyance be given the County of Stearns for Columbia Square as per resolution of the council adopted March 5; 1861. The motion was adopted, but at the next meeting, held August 29, the recorder laid before the council a writ of mandamus served upon him by County Attorney James M,. McKelvey on August 28, issued by the judge of the district court of the Fourth district, compelling the town council to execute and deliver a deed to the county commissioners of Stearns county for Columbia Square. The council ordered a deed to be executed and delivered in accordance with the requirements of the writ of mandamus.

At the next meeting, March 27, 1862, Charles Lueg resigned as trustees, and Henry C. Waite was appointed to fill the vacancy, and on March 31 he appeared, qualified and took his seat. During the year only four meetings were held at which business was transacted.

1862-63. - The election held in April resulted as follows: President, Joseph Edelbrock; recorder, B. Rosenberger, trustees, L. Robbers, H. C. Waite, Peter Kraemer. These officers were elected to hold office to July 7, 1862, when the election under the new charter, granted by the legislature and approved March 8, 1862, would be held. At their first meeting, April 22, John W. Tenvoorde was selected town marshal, and Joseph Broker and John L. Wilson were appointed assessors. The council passed an ordinance providing: First - That all claimants of lots and blocks in the town of St. Cloud included within the limits of the corporate entry, not contested, should prior to the 10th day of May, 1862, pay the treasurer of the town the amounts assessed upon the lots and blocks claimed by them and receive deeds for the same. Second - That in case such claimants fail or neglect to pay for and receive deeds for their respective interest within the time specified measures be taken to collect the assessments and expenses due under and in pursuance of the provisions of Chapter VI of an act entitled "An Act to incorporate the town of St. Cloud and to repeal a former charter of said town." Third - That the ordinance be published in the Minnesota Union until the 10th day of May.

On July 8 the council met and prepared a financial statement which showed that there was due the town on account of taxes on lots outstanding and unpaid, $711.36, and that there was an outstanding indebtedness against the town of $458.48, leaving in the treasury after all the taxes were paid a balance of $252.89. On March 8, 1862, the legislature passed an act incorporating the town of St. Cloud, granting to it all the general powers possessed by municipal corporations at common law, in addition to others specifically granted, and repealing a former charter. The grant contained the following important matters:

The west-half of the southeast quarter, the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter, and lot number three of section number eleven; the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section number fourteen; the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section number thirteen; lot number one of the section number twelve; and the south half and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section number eleven, township number one hundred twenty-four north and range twenty-eight west.

aldermen, to hold office for one year. Only freeholders could hold office. All officers were to be elected at large. Vacancies in the office of mayor were to be filled by special election, in the office of alderman by appointment by the council. The first election under this charter was to be held on January 7, 1862, and thereafter on the first Monday in May of each year.

Third - The town council consisted of the mayor and four aldermen. The mayor presided at the meetings of the council, had power to execute all acts required of him by ordinance, and was authorized to call upon any male inhabitant of the town over eighteen years of age to aid in enforcing the laws or carrying mto effect any law or ordinance, and any person refusing such aid could be fined not less than five and not more than twenty-five dollars.

In this charter the powers of the council were specifically set forth, as well as the duties of the appointive officers, among which was a provision empowering the marshal to sell at public auction all tracts and lots of land upon which the taxes or assessments remained unpaid.

On the 7th day of July, 1862, an election was held at the store of Joseph Edelbrock in pursuance of the provisions of this charter for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year, resulting as follows: Mayor, L. A. Evans; recorder, A. B. Curry; Aldermen, H. C. Burbank, Joseph Broker, J.. W. Tenvoorde, B. Overbeck.

The officers on the 21st day of July met at Joseph Edelbrock's store and adopted rules for the government of the council, divided the town into two assessment districts, called for sealed proposals for printing, requested the mayor to appoint standing committees on Finance, Ways and Means, Lot Claims, Streets and Alleys and Assessments and Taxes, and elected the following Town officers: Marshal, Lewis Clark; treasurer, Silas Marlatt; attorney, J., C. Shepley; surveyor, J. H. Place; assessors, B. Rosenberger and Ed. Latch.

The town surveyor was directed to make a survey of the town so far as was necessary to be able to report whether or not the original survey was correct, to ascertain whether or not the original monument required to be fixed by law in some public place was ever so fixed at the time of the original survey, and to ascertain whether or not such minutes had been made on the plat from which such monument or the place where it was located could be found.

At the next meeting, held October 28, the surveyor made his report of the survey made in conformity with the resolution of the council adopted on July 28, stating in substance that the bearing of Washington avenue was correct as now established according to the record made on the original plat, filed September 1, 1855, but that St. Germain street was not at right angles with Washington avenue, as at the southeast corner of block 29 the line of that street was two feet six inches too far north; and that there was a stone monument established at the southeast corner of Columbia Square at the time of the original survey, and such monument was indicated on the plat, but that it had been destroyed and it was now impossible to establish the same with certainty. He recommended that Washington avenue be made a base line, accurately measured off and that monuments be established at all street crossings on the same, and that monuments be also established at all street crossings on St. Germain street, as corrected from said base line, as guides for future surveys. The report of the surveyor was accepted and placed on file and the attorney was instructed to draft an ordinance making and establishing Washington avenue as a base line for all future surveys.

John W. Tenvoorde tendered his resignation as alderman, the resignation was accepted, and the vacancy filled by the election of L. Robbers. On November 20, Lewis Clark resigned as marshal, which vacancy was filled by the election of C. Grandlemeyer. On the same date the recorder was authorized to procure blank scrip to the amount of $600, and issue the same in sums not less than $5, taking in lieu thereof United States treasury notes, gold or silver, paying the same over to the town treasurer, and the scrip to be redeemed by the treasurer when presented in sums not less than $5, payable in United States treasury notes. On November 25,

Wm. J.. Parsons was chosen attorney to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of J. C. Shepley, who removed from the state. On December 31, the recorder was authorized to procure additional scrip in the amount of $2,000, and issue the same in conformity with instructions of the town council given in the resolution of Novem. ber 20.

On January 23, 1863, the finance committee, in accordance with instructions of January 6, submitted an estimate of the indebtedness of the town for the year ending on the first Monday in May, 1863, which was as follows:

Indebtedness, due and to become due, $902.55; estimated receipts, $1,167.37; leaving an apparent balance of $264.58, but which will probably be a small deficit. It was estimated that the cost of a fire engine, engine house, etc., would be $850.

The report of S. Marlatt, the town treasurer, made May 5, having an available balance of $117.99, the council adopted specifications for a new fire engine house and appropriated a sum sufficient to pay for its construction and to provide blocks, tackle, etc., and a hook and ladder carriage.

1863-64. At the election held May 4, two tickets being in the field for the first time, nominated at non-partisan caucuses, the result was as follows, the voting being so close that the successful candidates, some from each ticket, had majorities ranging from only one to three votes:

Mayor, S. B. Pinney; recorder, J. P. Wilson; aldermen, John Zapp, E. Leonardy, Jos. Howard, B. Overbeck. The following officers were appointed: Treasurer, Silas Marlatt.

surveyor being requested to file an estimate of the expense of such a resurvey; the estimate was placed at $200 and the surveyor was authorized to make his survey, and set stakes at the corners of all blocks and alleys.

On August 1, 1863, S. B. Pinney, the mayor, was appointed town attorney, and on August 8, Peter Schmitt, having resigned as marshal and assessor, his place as assessor was filed by Alderman Jos. Howard, and A. Riehm was appointed marshal. On September 18, A. Riehm resigned and L. Robbers was appointed. On Nov. 12, L. Robbers resigned, and Mathias Mickley was elected to fill the vacancy. On December 19 Alderman Zapp offered his resignation, which was accepted, and John L. Wilson was named to succeed him. Alderman Leonardy resigned and E. M. Tobey was appointed, but never attended a meeting, and lastly Alderman Overbeck tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and Lewis Clark was named to fill the unexpired term. No more meetings were held until April 23, 1864, when the council met to vote their salaries.

On May 4, the town treasurer made his annual report, which is summarized in the following: Total collections, with cash on hand at beginning of year, $1,662.77; paid out on orders, $1,044.97; paid out to redeem scrip, $492.95; paid treasurer's fee, $34.35; cash on hand, $49.45; cash on hand to redeem scrip, $41.05; total, $1,662.77.

1864-65. - The following officers qualified May 19, and met in special session on the call of the mayor: Mayor, L. A. Evans; recorder, J. M. Rosenberger; aldermen, H. C. Burbank, Jos. Broker, Oscar Taylor, H. C. Waite. The following officers were appointed on May 26: Treasurer, S. Marlatt; marshal, A. Gilmore; surveyor, J. H. Place. On July 5, Alderman Waite offered a resolution ordering the marshal to request that all places of business, all drinking saloons, and all places of public amusement be closed on Sabbath day, which resolution was unanimously adopted. Aldermen Waite and Burbank reported that they had purchased of John L. Prince of St. Paul, the fire engine known as the Rotary Mill Engine No. 1 of that place, together with the hose cart belonging thereto, for the sum of $500. The report was accepted, and at a subsequent meeting the mayor and re- corder were instructed to draw orders for $500 to John L. Prince, bearing 10 per cent interest. On October 25 the marshal was instructed to collect on all taxable property three mills on the dollar and one dollar capitation tax, but at the following meeting the rate was fixed at six mills instead of three.

Joseph Broker was appointed to provide for the building of cisterns or wells by subscription or otherwise, but not at the expense of the town, to be located at the street intersections, to furnish water for the fire engine in case of fire. At the meeting on December 23 Aid. Broker was authorized to contract for the digging of wells on the best terms possible.

The fire apparatus belonging to the town was delivered to the fire company, which was organized at the courthouse on December 16, the property and the company to be subject to the control of the council.

1865-66. - On May 2 the legal voters of the town met at the Courthouse for the purpose of electing a mayor, recorder, and four aldermen, with the following result: For mayor, E. O. Hamlin, 59 votes (A. B,. Curry, 29); for recorder, John Zapp, 89; for aldermen, B. Vossberg 83, M. Hanson 50, Wm. Powell 47, (Jos. Broker 44, L. G. Sims 43, A. B. Curry 41, L. Robbers 40). B. Vossberg, M,. Hanson, Wm. Powell and Jos. Broker, having each received a majority of the votes cast, were elected aldermen for one year.

On June 30 Andrew Schroeder was appointed town treasurer and Leander Gordon alderman to fill the vacancy occasioned by the removal of Aid. Wm. Powell from the corporate limits. On September 12 the council levied a five-mill tax on all taxable property in the town. On Nov. 6 Edward O. Hamlin presented his resignation as mayor of the town, but it was not accepted.

1866-67.. - On May 7 the annual town election was held at the Courthouse and resulted as follows: Mayor, P. L. Gregory, 131 votes; for recorder, John Zapp, 134; for aldermen, Geo. Herberger 110, M. L. Tolman 109, Chas. Lueg 99, John L. Wilson 74, Peter Smith 68, Nicholas Lahr 25, Jos. Edelbrock 24, Jos. Broker 18. Geo. Herberger, M. L. Tolman, Chas. Lueg and John L. Wilson, having received the highest number of votes for aldermen, were declared elected. On May 19 the council appointed Peter Tome town marshal, and on May 24, Michael Lauerman was appointed night watchman, and the county jail was designated as the jail for the town. On Aug. 6 William S. Moore was appointed attorney for the town; Aug. 28, the council levied a tax of five mills on all taxable property; Nov. 14 Wm. S. Moore tendered his resignation as attorney, which was accepted and the mayor instructed to employ Moore & Kerr, and in case of their refusal some other attorney for the purpose of enforcing the ordinances against the sale of intoxicating liquors. On February 11, 1867, the resignation of P. L. Gregory as mayor was presented and accepted, and Alderman M. C. Tolman unanimously elected acting mayor. Feb. 23, at a special election A. B. Curry was elected mayor, 92 votes having been cast for and one against him.

First - Extending the territorial limits to include the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter, the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter, the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, the west half of the southeast quarter, the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter and lots two and three of section eleven; and lot one of section twelve; and the west half of the northwest quarter, the west half of the southwest quarter and lots, one, two, three and four of section thirteen; and the east half of the northeast quarter, the east half of the southeast quarter, the north half of the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter, and the north half of the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section fourteen, all in township one hundred twenty-four north, range twenty-eight west. Second - Dividing the town into four wards. Third - Holding annual elections to elect mayor and recorder at large, and one alderman from each ward, who must be a freeholder in the ward. The mayor was to be a freeholder of the town. Fourth - Permitting the town council to impose fines, penalties and punishments for the breach of any by-law, ordinance or regulation, not to exceed $100 and imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed thirty days or both, and to put the offender on bread and water at the discretion of the justice.

An election was held under the amended charter May 6, 1867, with the following result: Mayor, A. B. Curry; recorder, John Zapp; aldermen, 1st ward, John H. Owen; 2nd ward, J. H. Kelly; 3rd ward, Joseph Broker; 4th ward, L. Enderle. The total vote cast was 293.. The first ward cast 55; the second ward. 64; the third, 129; and fourth, 45. On August 3 Joseph Broker resigned, and on September 21 B. Rosenberger was elected to fill the vacancy.

The town council met on May 10, and duly organized for the transaction of business. Committees were appointed, road districts established, road master, town marshal, assessor, police, attorney and treasurer, appointed.

(Publishers' Note. - From this date even to the present time, railroad matters have been prominently before the council. Mayor Seberger's extensive and valuable references to these matters are for the most part omitted from this publication owing to lack of space. The railroads and their transactions with the people and government of St. Cloud are fully treated in another chapter in this history.)

A petition, signed by a large majority of the business men, presented to the town council praying that steps be taken to compel the First Divisions of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company to comply with the provisions of the act of congress and the acts of the legislature of the state of Minnesota, requiring said road to be built to the town of St. Cloud.

A road tax of two days' labor was levied on all persons residing in the town as provided by law. Six wells were constructed for the use of the fire department, and were located as follows: 1 - At the intersection of St. Germain street and Jefferson avenue. 2 - At the intersection of St. Germain street and Richmond avenue. 3 - At the intersection of St. Germain street and "Washington avenue. 4 - At the intersection of Washington avenue and Lake street. 5 - At the intersection of Washington avenue and Monroe street. 6 - At the intersection of Richmond avenue and Lake street.

The St. Cloud Bridge Company made the following proposition to the town of St. Cloud Aug. 13, 1867. First - The stockholders of the St. Cloud Bridge company will relinquish to the town of St. Cloud all their stock and interest upon condition that the town build and complete the bridge across the Mississippi river within one year from date, upon the town refunding to the stockholders the money already advanced by them; or, second, the stockholders will receive from the town of St. Cloud a bonus in bonds or town orders in the sum of $8,000, payable in five years with interest at 10 per cent per annum, and obligate themselves to complete the bridge within one year from date. The latter proposition was unanimously adopted and town orders in amount of $8,000 payable in five years, at 10 per cent per annum, were issued and delivered to the company.

On September 9, by resolution, the mayor was authorized to appoint a committee of four, one from each ward, to draw up a new charter for the government of the town. The committee appointed engaged Wm. J. Parsons to draft the charter. On Jan. 29, 1868, Mr. Parsons presented his draft to the council, which was duly considered and amended. A meeting of the voters of the town was called for February 6, 1868, at the courthouse, for the purpose of deciding whether a majority of the legal voters approved the new charter. The charter was duly approved and adopted. In pursuance of Chapter 12 of an act entitled, "An Act to reduce the Act incorporating the town of St. Cloud, and to repeal a former charter of said town, approved March 8, 1862, and the several acts amendatory thereto to one act, and to amend the same, and to incorporate the city of St. Cloud," approved March 6, 1868, the council gave notice of an election to be held on Monday, May 4. This was the first election under the new charter, which provided for a mayor, city treasurer, two city justices, three aldermen from each of the four wards, and three members of the board of education from each ward. The mayor, treasurer and city justices were elected at large. The total vote cast was 359, and the election resulted as follows: Mayor, Edward O. Hamlin; treasurer, John M. Rosenberger; city justices, N. F. Barnes and R. M. Richardson; aldermen, 1st ward. C. Bridgman, L. Gordon, T. C. Alden; 2nd ward, H. C. Burbank, Lewis Clark, O. Tenney; 3rd ward, Thomas Smith, L. Robbers, L. A. Evans; 4th ward, J. R. Bennett, Peter

Smith, Andrew Fritz; members board of education, 1st ward, N. F. Barnes, A. Montgomery, M. C. Tolman; 2d ward, E. V. Campbell, J. C. Wilson, Wm. T. Clark; 3d ward, Joseph Edelbrock, Barney Vossberg, T. C. McClure; 4th ward, Joseph Broker, A. J. Reed, A. E. Senkler.

1868-69. - On May 12, 1868, the newly elected council met and organized, L. A. Evans being chosen president. For the purpose of having the third State Normal school established here a resolution to issue the bonds of the city in the sum of $5,000, payable in three years, bearing interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum, was unanimously adopted by the council and placed in the hands of J. G. Smith for negotiation. A poll or road tax of $2 was levied on each voter of the city not exempt by law, with the privilege to work the same out at the rate fixed by law. John Zapp resigned as city clerk June 3 and N. F. Barnes was elected to succeed him. The council levied a 16-mill tax to pay a portion of the Mississippi river bridge bonds. Normal School bonds, fire department building and equipment, and city incidental expenses. By a vote authorized by the legislature the voters of the city declared in favor of offering a bonus for the building of a hotel.

At the annual election May 3 Oscar Taylor was elected mayor by 186 votes, as against 170 votes for his opponent, C. F. Davis. John M. Rosenberger was elected city treasurer without opposition. Four aldermen and four members of the board of education were also elected, C. Bridgman, Lewis Clark, Thomas Smith and Sylvester Miller being elected aldermen for the first, second, third and fourth wards, respectively.

1869-70. - On May 10 the council met and organized by electing L. A. Evans president and N. F. Barnes city clerk. On August 30 the previously voted offer of a bonus of $12,500 for the building of a hotel was withdrawn. The question was revived in later years.

The mayor transmitted to the council a resolution from the board of education providing for the issuance of bonds in the sum of $5,000 for the purpose of completing the Union school building, and recommended that the same be concurred in, as required by the amendatory act of the legislature of

The council also voted to issue bonds in the sum of $2,500, payable to H. T. Wells on or before January, 1873, provided that the Northern Pacific Railroad company extended its road across the Mississippi river within the corporate limits of the city before 1873.

The annual election was held May 2, resulting in the election of Oscar Taylor mayor and John M. Rosenberger city treasurer; Wm. Powell, alderman for the first ward; J. G. Smith, for the second; Charles Schulten for the third, and Peter Smith for the fouth.

1870-71. - The council organized May 9 by electing C. D. Kerr president and N. F. Barnes city clerk, after which the mayor submitted a brief message. Four mills were assessed on all taxable property for the current expenses of the city, and ten mills for payment of bonds and other city indebtedness.

The election was held on the 26th day of February with the following result: Ordinance No. 16, providing for the issue of bonds to aid in the construction of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad bridge - 385 for to 17 against. Ordinance No. 17, providing for the issue of bonds for right of way and depot grounds - 401 for to 1 against.

The matter of purchasing a first-class fire engine for the fire department had been discussed from time to time since 1865. The old apparatus was entirely out of date and inadequate. A resolution to issue bonds in the sum of $2,500 for the purpose of purchasing such apparatus was presented to the council March 25, 1872, but failed to pass. At a special meeting.

held April 2, the question of purchasing a fire engine and necessary equipment was ordered submitted to a vote of the people at the annual election to be held May 6. The result of that election was as follows: For 120; against 76.

1872-73. - The council organized May 13 by selecting J. G. Smith president and N. F. Barnes city clerk. Thirteen and onelourth mills on the dollar of assessed valuation of personal and real property of the city was levied for municipal purposes.

Bonds in the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of purchasing a first-class "Hand Fire Engine" were issued in accordance with a vote of the citizens at the annual charter election, and the committee on Fire Department was authorized to forthwith purchase such engine from Hunnemann & Co.., of Boston.

1873-74. - The council organized by electing J. G. Smith president and N. F. Barnes city clerk. The new fire engine had been received, and on July 1, 1873, was tested and being found satisfactory was accepted by the council. Thirteen mills on the assessed valuation of the real and personal property of the city was levied for municipal purposes.

The hotel proposition in the form of a resolution providing that the matter of issuing bonds in the sum of $5,000 be submitted to a vote of the people at an election to be held November 4, 1873. The proposition carried, and on November 24 Capt. J. E. West appeared before the council with plans and specifications for a hotel costing not less than $20,000, and proposed to construct such a hotel provided the council gave him a bonus of $5,000. The matter was discussed and finally referred to a committee for consideration to report at a meeting to be held on December 2. On that date Capt. West made a proposition to the council in which he agreed to erect a hotel building costing not less than $35,000. exclusive of furniture, and to locate the same on the west half of block E or D, or on the north half of block 13, and to submit plans and specificationa of the proposed building to the council for their approval, the council to agree to issue city bonds to the amount of $5,000, payable to J. E. West or bearer, as a bonus to aid in the construction of this hotel, and the council was also to agree to build a sewer from the cite selected to the river. This proposition was unanimously accepted, but December 29th the council's action in this matter was rescinded.

On February 25, 1874, John Zapp in behalf of the St. Cloud Bridge company appeared before the council and stated that the company had voted to sell the bridge to the city for $20,000. The matter was referred to a special committee, which reported at the following meeting that they conferred with the bridge company relative to their bridge across the Mississippi river for the purpose of making the same free, but recommended that no action be taken at that time.

The annual charter election held on May 4 resulted in the election of Jas. R. Boyd mayor, John M. Rosenberger city treasurer, John H. Owen alderman for the first ward, R. M. Russell for the second, Joseph Edelbrock for the third, and John J. Dorr for the fourth.

1874-75. - J. G. Smith was elected president of the council and N,. F. Barnes city clerk. The tax rate for municipal purposes was fixed at 26.1 mills on the assessed valuation on all the real and personal property of the city.

On April 26, 1875, Alderman Bridgman offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the treasurer of the City of St. Cloud be and he is hereby instructed and required not to pay any portion whatever of the principal or interest of the so-called railroad bonus bonds, except the bonds known as the right-of-way bonds. This resolution was referred to the committee on Ways and Means, as was also a resolution which provided for the employment of counsel for the city to take such steps as were deemed best to test in the courts the validity of the so-called railroad bonds. The committee reported the same back on May 5 with the recommendation that the resolutions be referred to the new council.

The first of the two resolutions offered by Alderman Bridgman April 26 and referred to the new council was indefinitely postponed at a meeting June 9, and the second was laid on the table, to be taken up at a meeting June 29, when Aldermen McClure, Clarke and Owen were appointed sx committee to open negotiations with the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company looking to a compromise of this bonded indebtedness. The committee employed counsel to give an opinion relative to the validity of these bonds, which action was approved by the council, and the committee further authorized to take such additional action in the premises as in their judgment was for the best interest of the city.

The following are the facts and events which led to the controversy. By an act of congress of March 3, 1857, a land grant was made to the territory of Minnesota in aid of a railroad from Stillwater by way of St. Paul and St. Anthony to a point near the foot of Big Stone lake, with a branch through St. Cloud and Crow Wing to the navigable waters of the Red River of the North at such a point as the legislature might determine.

By an act of the territorial legislature of May 22, 1857, the Minnesota and Pacific Railroad company was incorporated and the grant vested in that company. The corporate powers as defined by its charter were to survey, locate, construct, complete, alter, change the location of, reconstruct, maintain and operate a railroad on such route as the company might think proper from Stillwater by way of St. Paul and St. Anthony to the town of Breckenridge, with a branch from St. Anthony by way of Anoka, St. Cloud and Crow Wing to St. Vincent near the mouth of Pembina river.

On March 3, 1870, the Northern Pacific Railroad company, having in the meantime been incorporated and in process of construction at the solicitation of the Minnesota and Pacific company, authorized the corporation known as the First Division of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company, which by legislation had become the proprietor of this portion of the original Minnesota and Pacific, to survey, locate and construct a branch railroad from St. Cloud by way of Sauk Centre, Osakis and Alexandria to some point on the Red River of the North.

Prior to the adoption of the policy indicated by this last act, the company under its original charter built its road from St. Anthony up the east side of the Mississippi river to Sauk Rapids, then a rival town to St. Cloud.

The village of St. Cloud contained at the time of the completion of the route to Sauk Rapids about 2,000 people. The township of St. Cloud, in which the city is situated, extends up the Mississippi to a point opposite the village of Sauk Rapids, and the company claimed that by building their road along the east bank of the river opposite the village of St. Cloud, they had complied with the requirements of their charter, and by their act and conduct threatened to build up the rival town of Sauk Rapids and denied all obligation or intention to cross the river and enter the village of St. Cloud unless pecuniary inducements satisfactory to the company were offered by the latter place. After the passage of the act of 1870 authorizing the deflection up the Sauk Valley, the company claimed that they had the right to make the terminus of that branch at any point in the township of St. Cloud and to cross the river by a bridge at Sauk Rapids and commence from a point opposite that village, but offered to take up their track from a point opposite St. Cloud to Sauk Rapids and build a bridge at St. Cloud and cross there if sufficient pecuniary inducements were offered them, and threatened, if not, they would cross at Sauk Rapids, and even went so far in their impatience at the evident reluctance of the people of St. Cloud to submit to their exactions that Mr. Becker, president of the company, in the fall of 1871 came to St. Cloud and made use of a telegram said to have been received from Mr. Murdock, the person who possessed the control to a large degree over the counsels of the company, to the effect that if the people of St. Cloud did not issue their bonds at once they would cross at Sauk Rapids.

During the same fall or early winter a resolution which was formally submitted to the city council and formally accepted by them and is recited in the ordinances providing for the issue of the bonds and constitutes in fact the contract on which the bonds were issued, was passed by the directors of the Northern Pacific Railroad company. This company had at this time obtained a controlling interest in the counsels of the First Division of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company, and their action in the matter seems to have been on behalf of the latter company and was ratified and recognized by it by the receipt and enjoyment of the benefits accruing under it. The resolution provided that the crossing by the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company of the Mississippi river at St. Cloud would be at the Wilson Crossing, so called, provided that there was given to that company free of cost the right of way through the city and twenty acres of land for depot grounds conveniently located and a good and suflRcient guaranty for the issue and delivery to the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company of $65,000 in the city bonds, bearing interest not less than seven per cent, payable semiannually, the principal payable in twenty years, and provided also that the city of St. Cloud would never by its action or the action of its council or otherwise restrict the speed of the company's trains, and provided also that the city of St. Cloud would hold the company harmless from all expense for maintaining gates or flagmen on the line of their road within the limits of the city.

The city council accepted this proposition by resolution and a committee was deputed to secure the passage of the necessary act conferring upon the city the requisite power for issuing the bonds, which bill was passed the ensuing winter.

While the bill was pending certain leading citizens of St. Cloud, who were at St. Paul opposing its passage, were burned in effigy by a mob instigated by agents or employes of the company, and threats of personal harm were made. Work having been begun on the bridge on the strength of the resolution of the city council accepting the terms of the resolution of the Northern Pacific company, was stopped on several occasions when the bill hung fire and it was thought it would be defeated. The bill was finally passed and the bonds issued and delivered to the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company, who borrowed on them $18,000 of the First National Bank of St. Paul.

Many of our leading citizens felt that the officers of the company obtained these bonds by an oppressive use of their powers, and that they had actually wrung from an unwilling people a reluctant submission to their exactions by coercion and fraudulent and corrupt practices; hence the unwillingness to pay the bonds in full.

The annual election, which took place April 3, resulted in the election of L. W. Collins mayor, John M. Rosenberger treasurer, Wm. Powell alderman for the first ward, John Coates for the second, B. Reinhard for the third, and James R. Bennett for the fourth.

1876-77. - Wm. Powell was elected president of the council and N. F. Barnes city clerk. At a meeting called by J. M. Rosenberger, chief engineer of the Fire Department, at the courthouse April 22, 1876, a number of citizens organized a Hook and Ladder Company, known as "St. Cloud Hook and Ladder Company No. 1," by electing L. A. Evans foreman, P. R. Griebler first assistant, and L. Robbers as second assistant.

The following citizens joined the company: L. A. Evans, H. L. Grover, Chas. Weber, L. W. Collins, Jacob Griebler, H. W. Tenvoorde, C. F. Macdonald, N. Obermiller, F. W. Earle, Eugene S. Hill, James Young, L. M. Klepper, P. R. Griebler, T. D. Robertson, L. M. Curtis, C. F. Hines, John DeLeo, W. A. Stevenson, H. Robbers, Wm. Heatherington, Seb Schaefer, A. Hennemann. Jr., James Boyd, John F. Edelbrock, Geo. M. Schaefer, Geo. H. Sheire, James R. Bennett, John Hennemann, F. B. Wilson, F. E. Searle, C. D. Jones, F. Tolman, Sam A. Gilman, Theodore C. Wing, J. C. Waite, E. B. Smith, Joseph Kremer, John Stevenson, Charles Ketcham, Henry Tolman. The company having complied with the provisions of ordinance No. 7, petitioned the council to be accepted as a duly organized Hook and Ladder company, and as members of the Fire Department of the city with all the rights and privileges pertaining to the same. The council by resolution accepted the organization

J. P. Farley, manager of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad company, communicated to the council through Aid. McClure, chairman of the railroad committee, the fact that he was prepared to make an amicable and satisfactory adjustment of the $65,000 railroad bridge bonds issued by the citj. These bonds were hypothecated with the First National Bank of St. Paul, the bank having advanced in the neighborhood of $22,000 on them, including interest. Arrangements were made with the bank and with the company whereby these bonds would be delivered to the city on the payment of $21,808.40. The question of issuing $20,000 bonds to be used in liquidation of the $65,000 railroad bridge bonds was submitted to a vote of the people at a special election held on June 1, with the following result: For issuing bonds, 180; against, 3.

Bonds were accordingly ordered issued by resolution adopted by the council July 8, in the sum of $20,000, $5,000 payable in ten years, $5,000 in fifteen years, $10,000 in twenty years, with interest at the rate of eight per cent per annum. The bonds were negotiated, and the proceeds, $18,- 357.06 with $1,808.40 appropriated from the revenue fund of the city and $1,642.96 in warrants issued by the city bearing 12 per cent interest, were delivered to the First National Bank of St. Paul in full for the $65,000 railroad bridge bonds. At the annual charter election the following officers were elected: Mayor, L. W. Collins; treasurer, John M. Rosenberger; aldermen, first ward, John H. Owen; second ward, Lewis Clark; third ward, Frank X. Remeley; fourth ward, P. R. Griebler.

1877-78. - The council organized by electing Wm. Powell president and N. F. Barnes city clerk. In the budget for this year is found an item of $500 for the poor fund. This is the first time in the history of the city that a levy was made for this purpose. Prior to 1877 there is no record of any appropriations ever having been made for the relief of paupers or the poor, but during the years 1877 and 1878, the relief committees frequently report granting relief to the needy.

W. Collins; treasurer, John M. Rosenberger; aldermen, first ward, F. H. Dam; 2nd ward, Wm. T. Clark; 3rd ward, Peter Kraemer; 4th ward, John B. Sherer.

1878-79. - The council again organized by electing Wm. Powell president and N. F. Barnes city clerk. At a meeting. May 17 (trafl^c on the wagon bridge across the Mississippi having been closed April 1), a delegation of citizens appeared before the council presented a petition signed by three hundred or more legal voters of the city, requesting that a special election be held to ascertain whether the bonds of the city in the sum of $10,000, shall be issued for the purpose of constructing a free bridge across the Mississippi river.

After some discussion, a special election was ordered to be held on May 30th. At the same meeting a motion was adopted instructing the bridge committee to make the bridge company an offer of $5,000 for their bridge. At the special election, held on May 30, 274 votes were cast in favor of issuing bonds in the sum of $10,000, and 33 votes against. On June 9 the bridge company accepted unconditionally the proposition of the council to give $5,000 for the bridge property, and the deed for the same was delivered to the council June 18. J. S. Sewall of St. Paul was employed to draw plans and specifications for new superstructure on the old bridge piers. Bids were called for and opened on July 17 and H. E. Horton's bid for a combination bridge at $9,000 was accepted. - (Publishers' note. - For many years previous to this the city had been agitated over the bridge question, and many propositions of various natures had been considered both by the council and by the voters. An account of these various propositions and their fate has been omitted for lack of space.)

1879-80. - The council met April 14 and elected Wm. Powell president after seven ballots had been taken. John Coates was elected vice-president on the second ballot. Seven ballots were cast for city clerk, each resulting in six votes for N. F. Barnes and six votes for J. R. Bennett, Jr. The council adjourned to April 15. On that date balloting for city clerk was resumed, Barnes and Bennett being the candidates. Many ballots were taken, each resulting in a tie, and the council adjourned to April 19. On April 19, the council met and resumed balloting for city clerk, after a long, hard fought parliamentary battle. Three ballots were taken, each resulting in a tie between Barnes and Bennett. Council adjourned.

On April 25 the council completed the organization by electing the following officers: Assessor, J. R. Bennett, Sr.; city clerk, E. D,. Moore; city attorney, D. B. Searle; city surveyor, N. P. Noel; street commissioner, And. Fritz. No matters of importance were accomplished or even considered during the year.

On motion of Aid. Waite a committer was appointed to look up a good location for a city park, and to ascertain for what price a suitable location could be had. Aid. Waite was named chairman of the committee, and at a subsequent meeting he reported that the most suitable location was near Pine Garden Grove, but that it was beyond the means of the city to purchase it. He further reported that the Wilson property in Block C, owned by Lewis Clark, and known as Empire Block, had been offered for |1,200, and that it seemed to the committee a very desirable tract for park purposese and was within the means of the city to purchase, and upon his motion the proposition was accepted.

A special meeting of the council was called by the mayor March 19 for the purpose of considering the water power improvement bond question, and on March 22nd the council voted that the matter be submitted to a vote of the people at the annual charter election. The election was held April 4, and the bond proposition was carried by a vote of 449 to 24. The following officers were elected: Mayor, J. P. Hammerel; treasurer, John M. Rosenberger; aldermen, 1st ward, J.. H. Raymond; 2nd ward, John Cooper; 3rd ward, Peter Kraemer; 4th ward, Peter Brick.

1881-82. - John Coates was elected president of the council and Theodore Bruener city clerk. The street commissioner was ordered to improve the park in Empire Block. The proposition of purchasing Pine Garden for a city park was suggested August 6, when on Aid. Bridgman's motion a committee of three was appointed to correspond with the owner, Mr. Brott, and ascertain the price and terms of sale. At the following meeting, August 21, a petition from a number of citizens requesting the council to make the purchase was presented and referred to the committee on city property.

At a special meeting of the council, called by the mayor, held November 30, the first board of health was created. The board was composed of Peter Brick, B. Reinhard and Coleman Bridgman, members of the city council, and Doctors O. A. Gilman and W. L. Beebe. Dr. O. A. Gilman was designated the health officer and exofficio president of the board. The board was given power to make such regulations and to adopt such means as were thought proper and necessary to prevent the spread of smallpox and other contagious diseases, and to exercise all the powers necessary for the preservation of the public health. This action was deemed necessary because of the severe form of smallpox which was then raging in various parts of the county, and particularly in the Spring Hill district, many cases of which proved fatal. One case, was brought to the city and terminated fatally, and in consequence much fear was entertained by our citizens, but fortunately no other cases appeared here.

On March 10 the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad company, in a communication to the council proposed to move its rail repairing mill from Breckenridge and its bridge framing yards, carpenter shop and store room from Minneapolis Junction to St. Cloud, and to move its local freight house nearer the business center of the city, and to erect a new passenger station of suitable size to conveniently accommodate the business at this point, provided there was conveyed to it, free from encumbrance, certain lands lying just north of Breckenridge avenue, between Ninth avenue and Twenty-first avenue. This proposition was unanimously accepted, and the company so notified. The matter of raising the necessary funds for the right of way and depot grounds asked for by the company in its proposition was referred to a committee with instructions to report at the next meeting.

On March 15 a petition was presented, signed by a large number of leading citizens, requesting that a proposition for the issuance of the bonds of the city in the sum of $15,000 for the purpose of purchasing the lands and lots required by the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway company for the purposes named in their proposal of March 10 be submitted to the voters of the city at the next annual city election. This petition was accepted and the proposition was carried by a large majority, the vote standing 303 for the bonds and 27 against.

The officers elected at the annual election, held April 3, were as follows: Mayor, L. W. Collins; treasurer, John M. Rosenberger; aldermen, 1st ward, Wm. Powell; 2nd ward, John Coates; 3rd ward, B. Reinhard; 4th ward, Frank Balder.

1882-83. - The council organized by electing John Coates president and Theodore Bruener city clerk. A petition signed by Ira M. Noyes, J. E. West and 120 others was presented to the council requesting that Lake George and a strip of land adjoining and around it be purchased by the city for the purpose of supplying the city with water and for use as a park.

Capt. J. E. West appeared before the council and stated that nearly all the owners of lands adjoining the lake had consented to donate such parts of their lands as the city would need for the purposes stated in the petition, that it was desirable and feasible to build an avenue around the lake about 100 feet wide, and that the estimated cost of this improvement would be from $6,500 to $10,000.

The matter was referred to a committee consisting of Aid. Waite, Reichert and Brick with power to have the necessary survey made, to procure an abstract of title of the lands needed, and to take such other preliminary action as deemed advisable. This committee reported June 24 that they had received substantial encouragement from the principal owners of the properties involved, but that they had made no definite arrangements such as could be embodied in a final report and asked for further time.

The first request for the construction of a sewer was made August 5, 1882, by J. E. Hayward, proprietor of the Grand Central hotel. The matter of constructing a sewer along St. Germain street, from Washington avenue (now Fifth avenue) to the Mississippi river, was referred to a special committee, consisting of Aid. Reichert, Waite and Cooper.

Aid. Waite brought up the subject of lighting the streets and after some discussion a committee was authorized and instructed to purchase and erect street lamps on State street from the new Manitoba passenger depot to St. Germain street, thence east on St. Germain street to Washington avenue, thence south on Washington avenue to the ravine bridge.

On motion of Aid. Waite a public library was established under the provisions of the general laws of the state. It was known as the St. Cloud City Library, and the donation of the books of the Library Association was accepted by the council.

The mayor called a special meeting of the council April 24 for the purpose of considering the question of a water supply for the city. Mr. Breech, the general manager of the Northwestern Water and Gas Supply company, of Minneapolis, was present on invitation, and addressed the council on the various systems of supply. He explained the direct pressure system, the reservoir system, and the combination system, consisting of the direct pressure and the reservoir system. He advised that St. Cloud adopt the latter system, stating that in his opinion it would be the cheapest and most practicable for the city. He suggested that the supply of water could be obtained either directly from Lake George or from a well constructed about 100 or 200 feet distant from the lake. He proposed to the city of St. Cloud for and on behalf of the Northwestern Water and Gas Supply company to make for the city full and detailed drawings and specifications of the combination system, and also to submit an estimate of the cost of the work for a consideration of $100, this sum to be deducted from the cost of the work in case the contract for doing the same was let to them.

On May 21 Messrs. Pike & Sturtevant appeared before the council and explained the direct pressure, the Holly system, and agreed to submit detailed plans and specification within ten days. On May 30 the committee on water works reported in favor of installing the direct pressure system. This recommendation was accepted. At a subsequent meeting they reported that, while they favored the river location, they hesitated to definitely so recommend. The committee was authorized and empowered to advertise for and receive bids on plans and specifications, furnished by Mr. Sturtevant, for both the river and the lake locations for the pump house. Plans and specifications and estimates of cost of pump house and intake pipe for three locations were presented July 21. The estimates were as follows: For Empire Park site, $3,587.00; for LeRoy street site, $3,- 764.50; for Block B site, on lots belonging to Mr. Schaefer, $3,432.50. The committee reported that Mr. Schaefer demanded $1,700 for his property, and that Mr. Wilson objected to the use of the LeRoy street site, and that there were objections to the Lake George site. At an adjourned meeting, the Empire Park site was unanimously designated as the location for the pump house. It was discovered later that there was considerable opposition to this, so the matter was reconsidered, and the committee instructed to purchase the Kerr property between Second and Third street north and Fifth avenue and the river.

The contract for the construction of the whole system, as per plans and specifications, was awarded to V. D. Lemar & Company, of St. Paul, for $21,175. Pike & Sturtevant were employed as engineers to superintendent the construction of the works, at $1,550. The bonds of the city

The Northwestern Telephone Company asked permission to establish a telephone exchange system, and at the request of the company the council passed an ordinance granting all rights and privileges necessary for the proper construction and maintenance of such a system for a period of ten years.

A sewer was ordered put in on St. Germain street from Washington avenue to the Mississippi river. Street Commissioner Frank Lorinser being directed to superintend the construction. The cost of the work and all the material purchased or provided was paid for out of the general revenue fund.

In pioneer days the Curtis and Wilson surveys had been made independent of each other and with apparently no reference to street connection. In the year 1863 the city council instructed James H. Place to examine Mr. Wilson's survey and make report. After examination he reported the bearings of Washington avenue (now Fifth avenue) to be correct, but that St. Germain street did not run at right angles with Washington avenue. The city authorized Mr. Place to correct the survey. He commenced the work and placed monuments at the center of the street intersections of St. Germain street and Washington avenue, at the street intersection of Lake street and Washington avenue, and at other intersections on Washington avenue. He also ran a line down Washington avenue into and down Fifth street (now Fifth avenue) in Curtis survey one or more blocks below the ravine and established monuments there. He did not complete the remainder of the work to the satisfaction of the council, and his survey was not adopted. In the year 1867 the city council ordered the construction of wells on St. Germain street and Washington avenue. These wells were built in the center of the street at the street intersections. The building of a portion of these wells necessitated the removal of the monuments and the monu- ments so taken up were removed by City Surveyor N. P. Noel to a point exactly ten feet easterly of their original location,. The line as run by Mr. Place down Fifth street conflicts with the Curtis survey, but the monuments as placed by him have been used as a base for later surveys, and nearly all of the improvements in that part of the city are made to conform to his lines, the exceptions being improvements made previous to the Place survey on First street (now First avenue) and Sixth street (now Sixth avenue), which are thrown about eight feet off from the line of the Curtis survey and into the street according to the survey made with the Place monuments as a starting point. The owners of these improvements insisted that they were on the proper lines, as they knew the improvements were made according to the Curtis survey, and there was no authority for using the Place monuments. To correct the matter the council by ordinance approved and adopted on July 28, 1883, the Place survey so far as the placing of the monuments was concerned, and the monuments so placed were established as a base line for future surveys in what is known as St. Cloud City, according to Curtis survey, and A. A. Brown's Addition to St. Cloud, and the town site of St. Cloud, according to Wilson's survey. The ordinance also provided for the vacation of eight feet of the west side of Sixth street and eight feet of the east side of First street, leaving those streets 72 feet in width.

On August 25 the St. Cloud Gas and Electric Light company asked for the exclusive right of supplying the city and citizens with gas and electricity for illumination and other uses, and of using the streets and alleys for the purpose of laying down gas mains and for erecting electric light wires for a period of twenty years. An ordinance was adopted August 28 granting to the company the privilege of supplying gas and electricity for a period of fifteen years, but the franchise was exclusive only so far as related to the furnishing of gas. The city agreed to erect and maintain at least twenty street lamps, and pay not to exceed $2,50 per month per lamp for gas,.

the latter part of 1883 for the purpose of improving the water power of the river at St. Cloud. J. E. West appeared before the council November 24 and stated that the company proposed to build a good and substantial dam across the Mississippi river at this point provided the city gave the company a bonus of $100,000. The proposition was referred to a committee consisting of Aid. Raymond, McConnell and Wright, to investigate and report thereon at some future meeting. On December 15, the committee recommended the acceptance of the company's proposition and that a special election be held January 15, 1884, for the purpose of voting on the question of issuing bonds of the city in the sum of $100,000 as a bonus to the company. The election was held and resulted in 711 votes for the bonus and 43 votes against.

Geo. Curtis, Fred Low, H. G. Wire, J. E. Hennemann, J. P. Fahnlender and thirteen others petitioned for permission to organize as a hose company to be known as St. Cloud Hose Company No. 1. Permission was granted to form the company to constitute a part of the Fire Department.

1884-5 - Wm. Powell was elected president of the council, and N. F. Barnes city clerk. The council received May 3 the following resolution adopted at a meeting of the chamber of commerce of St. Cloud, held on April 4: "Whereas, It is deemed advisable by this chamber that a street be laid out around Lake George in this city; and Whereas, The committee appointed by this chamber to procure the right of way for same report that they are unable to agree with certain owners of property over which the same will pass, therefore, Be it Resolved, That the city council be requested to lay out such a street and to condemn the land therefor in such manner as to them may seem proper." The

On March 2, 1885, the Water Power & Mill Company presented to the council a definite proposition for aid in the construction of a dam across the Mississippi river at St. Cloud and for the purpose of improving the water power. At a subsequent meeting the proposition referred back to the company to be amended so as to fully conform with the resolutions passed by the council December 19, 1883 and adopted by a vote of the citizens January 15, 1884. On March 13 the company submitted an amended proposition whereby they agreed to construct a dam and canal within three years from the date of the acceptance of their proposition, and in accordance with the provisions, conditions and limitations imposed by the resolutions of the council passed December 19, 1883, and in accordance with the plans, specifications and dravv'ings thereof submitted, on condition that the council would issue and negotiate the bonds of the city in the sum of $100,- 000 in the manner provided by the resolutions of December 19, and also to vacate for the use of the company certain streets and alleys designated in their proposition. After many delays, the proposition was finally accepted on August 6, 1885.

Mayor C. F. Macdonald, having accepted a position under the United States government and being prohibited under the rules of the federal government from holding any municipal office while so employed, tendered his resignation on August 17th. The resignation was accepted, and a special election ordered to be held August 31 for the purpose of electing a mayor to fill the vacancy. The election was duly held, and David T. Calhoun was elected mayor for the unexpired term. On June 16 the council passed an ordinance renaming the streets and avenues of the city.

St. Germain street with too much of the St. Cloud and Maine Prairie road, so called, lying within the limits of the city were united as one street and designated as St. Germain street. Fountain Place and Park Place were united as one street and designated as First street north. The street surrounding the land upon which the court house is located was designated as Court Square. St. Augusta street was designated as Second street north. LeRoy street and that part of the street unnamed along the north line of section 14 to Walnut street and Rengal avenue were united as one street and named Third street north. Spring street and Walnut street and that part of the street unnamed extending from Walnut street along the north line of section 14 to the east line of section 10 and Smith avenue were united as one street and named Fourth street north. Cable street and Diamond street, to Twenty-first avenue. Waite street to Twenty-second avenue. Searle street to Twenty-third avenue.

The petition of J. A. Lahr, Peter Becker, Nick Lambert, Mike Orth, J. D. Kowalkowski and fifteen others to organize a hose company to be known as St. Cloud Hose Company No. 2 was presented to the council. The petition was granted and the petitioners were authorized to form such company to constitute a part of the fire department of the city.

1886-87 - John Coates was elected president of the council and H. G. Wire city clerk. On April 14, 1886. St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids were swept by a most destructive cyclone, killing many citizens and destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of property. At the request of a mass meeting of citizens, the council appropriated $5,000 in relief of the sufferers. The contract for building a new solid brick fire house on Seventh avenue north was awarded to Kropp Bros, for $2,675. An application from John Callicott for the privilege of putting in an electric light plant for the purpose of furnishing electric light to the citizens of St. Cloud was received by the council November 6, 1886. Permission was granted on condition that the work be commenced prior to June 1, 3887, and continued thereafter in good faith.

On March 22 the St. Cloud Electric Light and Power company, in a communication to the council, after reciting that the corporation was duly organized under the laws of the state and that the stockholders were resident freeholders and business men of the city, stated that they would present at the next meeting of the council a proposition to furnish electric light for the city and its inhabitants, if the council rescinded its action of November 6th, in which it granted to John Callicott the privilege of establishing an electric light plant in the city. After considerable discussion a motion to rescind was carried by a vote of 6 to 5.

A number of citizens considered this action of the council as injurious and detrimental to the city's reputation and interest, and protested against the repudiation of a contract which would be a stigma and reproach on the good name of the city, and in a petition demanded that so much of the proceedings of March 22 as related to this matter be expunged from the records. This was done by the council by a vote of 8 to 3.

The Little Grant Engine Company, which for twenty years had been the city's band of enthusiastic and efficient fire fighters, reported that the organization had disbanded January 1, 1887. After the water works plant had been constructed in 1884, hose and hook and ladder companies were organized, and the necessity for the engine company ceased to exist. The old engine, which had done years of service, was sold. A new engine house was constructed, and new fire apparatus installed.

The engineer for the St. Cloud Water Power & Mill company, the city engineer and the city's consulting engineer reported that the Water Power & Mill company had constructed the dam and canal with their appurtenances in compliance with the terms of the contract made between the City of St. Cloud and the company, and recommended the acceptance of the work. This was done, and the final amount still due the company under the contract was paid, and thus closed one of the most important transactions in the history of the city.

The building of the dam across the Mississippi raised the water in the river to such an extent that, in order to prevent damage to the water works plant, it was necessary to raise the pump house and pumps at the upper levee seven feet. The adjustment of the damages was submitted to arbitration. The arbitrators awarded the city $1,517.60, which the company paid.

The St. Cloud Land Improvement Company presented to the city a deed for a lot on the canal for the use of the city for a water works location, and a lease of 150 horse power was presented by the Water Power and Mill Company. Both were executed in compliance with a contract between these companies and the city dated August 3, 1885.

The council submitted a bill to the legislature, amending the city charter so as to give the council authority to levy special assessments for public improvement payable in installments.

On March 7, 1887, C, P. McClure and others petitioned for a street car ordinance, which was referred to the committee on ordinance. On April 9 the council granted to the St. Cloud City Street Car company the exclusive right and privilege of constructing and operating a single or double track for a passenger railway line extending from the intersection of Eighth avenue north and Second street to Ninth avenue, thence south on Ninth avenue to St. Germain street, thence east on St. Germain street to Fifth avenue and thence south on Fifth avenue to Seventh street. The cars to be used upon this line were to be "propelled with animal or other motive power except steam." Animal power was used for a number of years, and no cars were permitted to run at a greater rate of speed than six miles per hour, and "while cars were turning corners or crossing bridges the horses or mules attached thereto were not to be driven faster than a walk."

The annual charter election was held April 4. The total vote cast was a little more than 760. David T. Calhoun and John M. Rosenberger were elected mayor and treasurer respectively without opposition. The aldermen elected were as follows: 1st

1887-88 - A spirited contest for president of the council resulted in the election of John Coates on the seventeenth ballot. H. G. Wire was unanimously elected city clerk.

This year marked the beginning of street sprinkling in St. Cloud. The committee on streets and alleys was authorized to contract for the work, the cost to be assessed to the property benefited. The territory covered was St. Germain street from Ninth avenue to the Mississippi river, First street south from Fourth to Seventh avenue, Sixth and Seventh avenues from the railroad track to First street south and Fifth avenue from St. Germain street to the lower ravine. Two teams were engaged for the work, and the season was to extend from May 1 to November 1, or for a period of six months.

The St. Germain street sewer was extended from a point between Fourth and Fifth avenues on St. Germain to Ninth avenue, on Eighth avenue from St. Germain to Court Square, on Sixth and Seventh avenues from First street north to First street south, on Fifth avenue from First street south to a point opposite the middle of Block E, and on Fourth avenue from St. Germain street to First street south. The total linear feet was given as 4,268, the total estimated cost at $12,323.75, and the average cost per foot $2..89. The cost was assessed to the benefited property. Bids were advertised for and received, and the contract let to Sykes & Brooks of Minneapolis.

A joint committee composed of members of the council and the chamber of commerce, reported that it was the judgment of the committee that it was for the best interests of the city that the water works be offered for sale, and recommended that the council advertise for proposals for the purchase of the plant. The recommendation was concurred in, and proposals were called for and received. The bid of $20,- 000 by Sykes, Phelps & Brooks was accepted, and an ordinance providing for the sale of the plant to them and for its extension, and defining the rights, privileges and powers of the company was adopted by the council.

The street commissioner was ordered September 5 to commence work on the proposed driveway around Lake George. On October 3 a plat of the boulevard was approved by the council. On November 7 the city attorney was instructed to institute condemnation proceedings to obtain title to the real estate in and about Lake George necessary for the proposed improvement.

The annual charter election was held April 2, with the following result: Mayor, William Westerman; treasurer, Charles Dueber; aldermen, 1st ward, Wm. Powell; 2nd ward, John Coates; 3rd ward, B. Reinhard; 4th ward, John Wimmer.

The Gas and Electric Light company completed its electric light plant and entered into a contract with the city to furnish twelve arc lamps of 2,000 candle power at $125 each per year, additional lamps to be installed at the same figures.

000, authorized by Chapter 146 of the special laws of the state for the year 1883, were pledged to the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway company to reimburse the company for sums advanced in acquiring depot grounds, and also to cover advances to be made by the company in providing additional right of way for a spur track to the dam. During the summer of 1888 the company expended $3,961.89 for right of way for the spur track and $11,- 038.11 for depot grounds. The $15,000 bonds were negotiated, and the company was paid.

The charter of the city was revised by the council and submitted to the legislature. Among other things it provided for establishing the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh wards in Benton and Sherburne counties. The bill was passed in the spring of 1889, and the annual election in April was held under its provisions.

1, resulted as follows: Mayor, William Westerman; treasurer, Charles Dueber; aldermen, 1st ward, F. H. Dam; 2nd ward, A. L. Cramb; 3rd ward, Sebastian Reichert; 4th ward, A. Vogel; 5th ward, Martin Connelly; 6th ward, J. P. Wilson; 7th ward. James Murray.

For Alderman Kraemer's unexpired term for alderman for the third ward Henry Kammermeyer was elected, and for Alderman Brick's unexpired term for alderman for the fourth ward P. J. Ryan was elected.

The legislature passed an act consolidating and uniting the St. Cloud School district and the St. Cloud Independent School district, provided that a majority of the votes cast at an election held for the purpose was in favor of the proposition. The question was submitted at the annual election and carried by a large majority, the vote being 1,051 for and 254 against consolidation.

The bonds of the city to the amount of $80,000 were issued for the purpose of building a bridge across the Mississippi river at Tenth street south. The city engineer prepared plans and specifications for the proposed bridge, which were submitted to Col. J. T. Fanning, a consulting engineer, and approved by him; and on Nov,. 13, 1889, the contract for building the bridge was awarded to the St. Cloud Bridge Company for the sum of $81,876. The work was to be completed June 1, 1890.

The city attorney was again instructed May 14 to commence condemnation proceedings to obtain title to the lands included in the Lake George boulevard improvement. The city engineer was directed to prepare the necessary plat and descriptions for the special assessment, and the ordinance committee was ordered to prepare a grade ordinance for the boulevard driveway. On May 27 the plats and descriptions prepared by the city engineer were adopted by the council, and the improvement designated as improvement No. 7. Proposals were called for, and on October 11 the contract was awarded to W. W. Murphy. On October 18 new plans, specifications and descriptions for the boulevard property and for grading the driveway and other streets were presented and adopted, and the improvement designated as improvement No. 22, and onehalf of the expense thereof was ordered assessed against the benefited property. The contractor had worked two months in the autumn of 1889 and one month in the spring of 1890 when the council ordered the work discontinued. On June 2 the council was petitioned to complete the work. The city engineer reported that it would cost about $1,460 to complete it, and the work was ordered resumed. A hearing on the assessment roll was had September 18, D. W. Bruckart appearing for some of the objectors. Other objectors appeared at the meetings of September 22 and 26. On the twenty-ninth the assessment roll was referred to the board of public works for further consideration, and on November 6th was confirmed. The total amount paid Mr. Murphy on his contract was $9,221.90.

A spur track was put in from the St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad company's main line to the Anderson and Bohn saw mill in East St. Cloud. A number of the property owners refused to settle for the right of way. The council requested the company to institute condemnation proceedings, and guaranteed the payment of all damages caused by the construction of the spur track. On February 6, 1893, the company was paid $4,401.70 in full for sums advanced by them on account of this track.

The sum of $43,500 was levied for the year 1890. This made a tax rate of about 17 mills on the dollar of valuation, the highest the city had ever had up to this time. The amount levied was about twice as much as had ever been levied before.

The Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph company was awarded the contract for installing a fire alarm system at $2,400. The work was completed January 1, 1890, and formally accepted March 11, but the bill was not paid until December 3rd.

The annual election April 7 resulted as follows: Mayor, P. R. Griebler; treasurer, Charles Dueber; aldermen, 1st ward, John N. Bensen; 2nd ward, John DeLeo; 3rd ward, Joseph Edelbrock; 4th ward, D. T. Calhoun.

1890-91 - B. Reinhard was elected president of the council and Peter Brick city clerk. The result of the annual election, held April 6, 1891, is given below: Mayor,

P. R. Griebler; treasurer, Charles Dueber; aldermen, 1st ward, Edw. Maybury; 2nd ward, George Tileston; 3rd ward, B. Reinhard; 4th ward, Andrew Alstrom; 1st ward (to fill vacancy), George Stewart; 2nd ward (to fill vacancy), Joshua Mayhew..

The mayor in his message and the chief of the fire department in his report to the council recommended the purchase of- a hose wagon and a span of horses and the employment of one driver and one man to take charge of the property at the Seventh avenue hose house, both to be on duty at all times. Action was postponed from time to time, but on September 8 the fire department committee was in- -structed to invite bids for a hose cart. The bid of the Waterous Engine Company, of St. Paul, was accepted and the hose wagon with two fire extinguishers was purchased.

Ordinance No. Ill amending Ordinance No. 70, relating to the St. Cloud Street Car company was unanimously passed August 19. This ordinance, among other things, provided for the use of electricity as a motive power for the propulsion of the cars. The company at once began extensive improvements, laying new tracks and extending their line.

The services rendered by the Water Works company were very unsatisfactory. So numerous were the complaints and criticisms regarding the management and efficiency of the plant that the council appointed a committee to investigate. After careful investigation the committee reported that the plant was neglected, that the equipment was inadequate, and that the capacity was insufficient. The company's bill for services from July 1, 1891, to January 1, 1892, $3,800 was laid on the table. Promises were made by the company to make a number of improvements in order to put the system in good working condition. After weeks of delay the council allowed $2,000 on the bill as payment in full, which the company refused to accept.

very exciting, there being a contest for nearly every office and the figures given show how close the vote was: For mayor, D.. W. Bruckart, 701; P. R. Griebler, 693; aldermen for the 1st ward, G. W. Stewart, 140, W. P. Remer, 112; for the 2nd ward, N. P. Kraemer, 112, Joshua Mayhew, 101; for the 3rd ward, Aug. Edelbrock, 163, S. Reichert, 116; for the 4th ward, B. Renskin, 168, J. R. Bennett, Jr., 144, A. Vogel, 55; for the fifth ward, O,. M. Nelson, 31; for the sixth ward, A. Parish, 60, Geo. Hansen, 32, C. T. Mines, 27; for the seventh ward, H. J. Anderson. 48, A. P. Williams, 34.

On July 1 the water works committee made a complete test and examination of the water works plant, and in an exhaustive report to the council pointed out a number of defects. The equipment was found to be inadequate and defective, the capacity insufficient for the needs of the city, the pressure poor, the boilers were not all fired up and kept in readiness for fires, in short, that the entire system was woefully neglected. The committee recommended that the city attorney be instructed to institute mandamus proceedings or take such other legal steps to compel a compliance with the terms of the contract between the company and the city. They also recommended that the bill of the company for hydrant rental from January 1, to July 1, 1892, for $3,800 be laid on the table.

On February 14, 1893, the water works committee submitted a report upon the bills of the Water Works Company, recommending that the city pay to the company $2,000 in full for all claims against the city up to July 1, 1892, for hydrant rental and all other charges. They also recommended that the bill of $3,800 for hydrant rental for the six months ending January 1. 1893, be paid in full. Neither of these amounts was to be paid unless the company accepted both as payments in full. These recommendations were adopted by a unanimous vote of the council.

The first step was taken July 12, 1892 toward the building of a new iron bridge across the Mississippi river on St. Germain street. F. W. Cappelen, of Minne- apolis, was employed to assist the city engineer in making an inspection of the bridge and piers and on August 13th, reported on the condition of the bridge, and advised the construction of a new one at once. He submitted three plans, one providing for a 24-foot roadway on the old piers, one for a 28-foot roadway on new piers, and one for a 36-foot roadway on new piers, the estimated cost being $31,200, $40,000 and $49,000, respectively. He was instructed to prepare complete drawings, specifications and details for a 28-foot roadway iron bridge. Bids were called for and received, and the figures ranged from $38,959.90 to $46,821.26 for the superstructure alone. The contract was awarded to the Detroit Bridge company for $39,152.10, but the contract was never signed, and the discussion on the bridge matter was continued for nearly a year and a half before anything definite was accomplished.

On May 1, the committee on Mississippi river bridges, submitted a full written report and recommended that a special election be called for the purpose of voting upon the question of issuing $50,000 bonds for the building of a bridge across the river on St. Germain street. The election waa ordered to be held on the seventh -day of August. The plans and specifications adopted in the fall of 1892 providing for a 28-foot roadway, were readopted. The election, held August 7th, resulted as follows: For the bonds, 202; against, 387.