Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 34, 1905

Chapter 34

BIBLA'S COMET - DEATH OF COL. IDE - APPOINTMENT OF C. C. COMEE - GREAT STORM, BILLY ADAMS FROZEN- BITTER COLD WEATHER- TERRIFIC STORMS AT HARVEST TIME - EARLY FROST AND EARLY WINTER - BRISBANE REPRESENTATIVETOWN OP ALTON ORGANIZED.

The year 1866 was ushered in by the masses with the usual cheerful greetings, but the oft-repeated prediction that the world was about to come to an end was solemnly believed by the credulous, simply because some lop-sided Bible students pretended to have discovered in the prophecies that the world would be destroyed in 1866 ; while other predictions were based upon the supposed effects of the near approach of Biela's comet, supposed to be due in 1866. But the comet, though due, did not appear, and the world is still here doing business as usual.

County Government

At the annual meeting of the board of county commissioners, Jan. 5th, H. D, Baldwin resigned the oiSce of county attorney, and his law partner, Major W. T. Kittredge was appointed in his stead.

At the March session of the board, the salary of Rev. E. S. Smith, county superintendent of schools, was increased from $100 per year to $125, - a trifle less than $11 per month. And yet the ' ' Elder ' ' put in much of his time and all of his ability.

On the 27th of April, 1866, the county board made an order organizing the town of Alton, and appointed the first election to be held at the house of M. L. Devereaux, May 15, 1866, for the

At the September meeting of the board, James E. Child, entirely without solicitation on his part, was chosen county superintendent of schools, for the year 1867, at a salary of $300.

Death Of Colonel Ide

Col. John C. Ide, who had held the ofHce of county auditor since January, 1863, was one of the best known and most popular men in the county and was widely known in the state. He was born of New England parents in the state of New York. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade. He was a fine singer and an excellent teacher of vocal music. For many years he spent his winters teaching music and giving public concerts. He was an out-and-out temperance advocate, a strenuous Abolitionist, and consequently, in those days, an ardent republican. He first came West in 1855, and located on East Prairie, Rice county, ]\Iinn. He was a representative from Rice county in the legislative session of 1856. He came to Wilton, in this county, in the summer of 1856, and built the first sawmill erected in the county. This mill was of great benefit to all the early settlers of the vicinity. In the fall of 1857 he was the candidate on the republican ticket, with Governor Ramsey, for lieutenant governor; but democracy then held sway in Minnesota, and the whole state ticket was defeated. Socially, morally, and religiously he was a worthy and valuable citizen, a kind neighbor, a true friend. Few men in this county have died leaving more friends and fewer enemies than he. He had suffered from heart disease for a number of years, and died quite suddenly about Oct. 25, 1866.

On the 30th of October, 1866, the county commissioners held a special session and appointed Capt. C. C. Comee, then of Vivian, to succeed Col. Ide.

Weather And Crops

hours. The wind blew a gale and the cold was intense. Several persons were frozen to death and others badly injured in the state. "Billy" Adams, who was driving stage from Wilton to Mankato, at the time, was caught out in the storm, between Wilton and Alma City, and remained out all night. He nearly perished of cold. Both hands, his feet, his nose, ears and face were badly frosted. Some of his fingers had to be amputated. He had no passengers and was alone with his four horses all that terrible night, suffering most intensely.

Deep snow covered the ground during the winter, and the spring was late and cold. Seeding could not be done until late in April. The crops were comparatively poor, and the harvest discouraging. The month of August brought the most intense heat, accompanied by terrific storms of rain, thunder and lightning. While the more strenuous, industrious, and lucky farmers saved most of their small grain, nevertheless there was considerable loss in this line. To add to the losses already suffered, a heavy frost, followed by cold, prolonged rains, visited the state September 20. Corn, pumpkins, and squashes were badly injured. ]\Iany of the new settlers found hard times staring them in the face at the close of the season. Prices of everything ruled high for the ensuing year, and few there were who had much to sell. Winter set in early.

At the fall election the following officials were declared elected : County commissioners, James Isaac, democrat, John S. McKune, and Eev. C. S. Luce; county auditor, Capt. C. C. Comee; county attorney, Maj. W. T. Kittredge; court commissioner, James E. Child; representative, Hon. Wm. Brisbane, who was elected over Hon. H. D. Baldwin, by five votes. A singular condition was developed by a canvass of the votes for commissioner in the district composed of Blooming Grove, Iosco, St. Mary, and Woodville. The official canvass showed that Eri G. Wood received 75 votes, B. G. Wood 72 votes, Eri Wood 6 votes, and James Isaac 99 votes. The certificate of election was given to Isaac, although Mr. Wood received a fair miajority of 54 votes. The acceptance of Mr. Isaac, upon such a vote, was a surprise to many; but ]\Ir. Wood, who never sought office, refused to contest for the position, and ilr. Isaac served out the term. Mr. Isaac and Representative Brisbane were the only democrats elected in the county.