Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 37, 1905

Church

THE WEATHER - FIRST BANK FAILURE - SEVERE WIND STORMSTAGE OVERTHROWN - VERY COLD MARCH - DEPOT BURNEDSCHOOL HOUSE CONTEST - JAIL AND COURT HOUSE BURNED AT WILTON - INCOME TAX - THE DARK DAY - SHOCKING DEATH OF MURPHY - RAILROAD TO JANESVILLE - WASECA CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The year 1869 was ushered in by a heavy rainstorm, followed by a week of cold, unpleasant weather. The remaining three weeks of January brought mild, warm weather. There was quite a fall of snow in February and March, and early in April the snow disappeared with a heavy rainfall, causing very high water. The spring was backward, and seeding did not commence until about the middle of April.

About harvest time, the country was visited by heavy storms of rain and high winds, making the harvest a long, tedious, and expensive one. Grain also suffered somewhat from blight and rust, but the yield was large, much larger than the prices, for on the 15th of November, 1869, wheat, in Waseca, brought 57 cents for No. 1, and No. 2, which was the grade of this section, brought only 52 cents.

First Bank Failure

In accordance with the fashion at that time Waseca had a bank failure which proved to be a very great damage to the whole community. It came to the surface January 29, 1869. Like a thunder clap on a clear, January morning, or a conflagration at midnight, or a mighty whirlwind on a cloudless summer day, or a sudden and murderous Indian outbreak on a defenseless, frontier town, so came the first bank failure in this county as the report flew from ear to ear that Baldwin & Kittredge had failed. The failure was a bad one. The assets amounted to only $32,000, while the liabilities footed up to .i;31,()00. One-half of the assets consisted of I'eal estate, considerable of it village lots, and did not sell for the estimated value when sales were made. It was a terrible blow to our young village, leaving many of our citizens in very bad shape financially. The failure took with it the bank at Blue Earth City, eoiulueted l)y S. P. Child under the firm name of Baldwin & Child. That failure, in turn, caused financial distress to many people in Faril)ault county, although every creditor there was finally paid in full, dollar for dollar, while here the assets did not pay over sixty cents on the dollar. The late 'Sir. Wm. Everett was appointed assignee, in the bankruptcy proceedings, and managed the estate to tlie satisfaction of all concerned.

A Second Newspaper

W. D. Falmer and A. -I. Clark started a paper at "Wilton, called the "Conrant," which continued some six months and then failed. Palmin- remained only two weeks. Mr. Clark having charge of the paper the remainder of the lime. Clai-k recently died, in Texas, wo think. His last newspaper enterprise (and he started many") was at Roseau, in this state. He was a very congenial, companionable man, but whisky was his bane and kept him in the slough of [)overty and despondency.

Severe Wind Storm

There was a very severe wind storm on Friday, March ."i. lSti9. Al. Long, then one of Burbank & Co.'s stage drivei-s, between here and ]\Iankato, had his stage upset and rolled over and over down a hill as though it were a paper kite. The horses were thrown down and badly tangled up, and one of them was badly injured. There was but one passenger aboard, and, fortunately, he was not injui'ed, although he asserted in language strong that the stage I'oacli i-oUed over twenty times.

Death Of A Brave Soldier

only dau-hter of W. H. Yonns, against the wishes of her parents, was somewhat romantic. IMr. Bliven enlisted at the miistering-in of the Tenth :Minnesota regiment and served with it until the close of the Rebellion as a brave and faithful soldier. While in the service, he eoiiti-acted that lingering and dreadful disease, consumption, which finally closed his earthly career. His was another name added to the long roll of those honored patriots who gave their lives that this nation might live as the home of free men.

The Coldest March Day On Record

"We give it up! We stand corrected! We have always stood by Minnesota and Minnesota weather, but now we feel shocked. Our potatoes and other small supplies of vegetables are frozen in the month of March! Can we stand that? Thermometer down to 20 degrees; can we call that blessed? We can't see the propriety of hot weather in January and such monstrous weather in March. If anybody wants to emigrate, we say, 'let 'em go.' Our feelings have been exceedingly outraged. Wonder If the torrid zone is 'froze up?' Is there no way of getting up a change?"

Depot Burned

< »n the 17th of ilarch, '69, the city saw its first very destructive fire. The following is the description given at the time: "About one o'clock in the morning our citizens were startled from their slumbers by the fearful cry of fire ! fire ! ! fire ! ! ! which rang out with dreadful clearness on the still, morning air. Flames were seen issuing from the W. & St. P. R. R. station-house, which, being of wood, was, with nearly all its contents, soon a mass of smouldering ruins. It is impossible to learn the exact origin of the fire, but it is supposed to have originated from the explosion of a kerosene lamp which was left burning on the table in the office. A large amount of freight was stored in the building - much of ii" belonging to merchants in I\Iankato and other towns to the west and southwest of us. The books and papers of the office were all destroyed. Some 2,000 bushels of wheat belonging to Troost & White, millers of Minnesota City, were consumed. The estimated loss was from $12,000.00 to $15,000.00." * * *

First Schoolhouse Contest In Waseca

On the 27th of March, 1869, there was a lively annual school meeting - the question being to build or not to build a schoolhouse. Those in favor of building elected the following officers : James E. Child, director; Eri 6. Wood, treasurer; G. N. Taylor, clerk. After a lengthy and stormy debate the meeting adjourned to April 10th. On the evening of the 10th, after a long and heated struggle, the majority of the voters of the village selected lots one and two of block three. First addition, as the site for the schoolhouse. Bonds bearing 12 per cent interest were issued, and a resolution was formally adopted directing the officers of the district to let the contract for building the schoolhouse, to the lowest responsible bidder at any price not to exceed $2,000. The present High School building now stands upon the site then chosen. The building of the first schoolhouse was a struggle from start to finish, but the first building was completed October 1st, ISfilJ, and school opened on the 4th of the same month.

The total expense of the public school that year, including rent, blackboard, stoves and pipe, lightning rod, fuel and incidentals, with two teachers. Prof. Carman and JNliss Lizzie Smith, amounted to only $775.80.

It is proper to note in this connection that March 26th, 1870, at the annual meeting, Child and Wood were re-elected, and Dr. L. D. Mcintosh was chosen clerk. The opposition finall.y carried a motion to adjourn for one week, hoping thereby to defeat a motion to levy a tax for eight months of school. At the adjourned meeting, however, the motion carried and the school board was fully sustained.

Destructive Fire At Wilton

On the 3d day of April, 1869, as if to aid the rapid decline of the doomed village of Wilton, then the county seat, a disastrous fire occurred. The fire originated, it was thought, either from the stove pipe, wliieh led from the jail stove to the chimney, or was set fire by a prisoner, named Shea. The fire was not discovered until about eiglit o'clock, when it had reached the roof and spread far and wide on the inside, between the roof and eeilini;- over the adjoining court room. Heroic work was dimo to save the building, while men, M'omen and children, with much presence of mind, worked bravely in saving the books, papers, records and furniture of the county offices. The venerable old court house soon fell in, and Mr. Henry J. ]\Ieyer's building, which contained LaDow's Hall, J. H. Wightman's stock of hardware, Powers & LaDow's library, and G. A. LaDow's household effects next fell a prey to the devouring flames. Hall's saloon next met its doom and in the space of an hour and a half the whole block was but a mass of smouldering ruins. Each building was insured for $200, which did not cover a tenth part of the loss. The people of Wilton cared for those made homeless and the county commissioners met April 12, to arrani;e for county offices - the county offices being temporarily located in the wagon shop of B. Bundsho. The prisoner Shea, who was serving time for robbing a drunken man in Waseca, Avas rescued without serious harm, although he was terribly scared.

First Financial Report

The first financial report of the village of Waseca was published April 21, 1869. This report showed no real or personal property taxes collected, but the total receipts amounted to $396, and were derived from the following sources, to wit : eiintrol of the Republican party, the supreme court, and the government, there was an income tax - and a very just tax it was too, althoug'h there were some queer pranks about taxpayers then as HOW. Here is a little article which went forth from the sanctum of the "Waseca News, May 12, 1S69, viz:

"What a tremendous loss there must have been in business circles for less than a thousand dollars a year! Heavy men laboring for less than a thousand dollars a year!!

"Where is Hunter with his bonds and farms and merchandise? and Bailey and Watkins with their hardware? and Libby with his United States bonds and liquor profits? and Addison & Everett with their tremendous sales? and Wadsworth with his salary and lands? and the Smiths, and Johnsons, and McCues, and Castors, and doctors and lawyers, and hosts of other equally worthy gentlemen in this couiity? Are they dying in poverty and obscurity? What have they been doing the past year? Have they been gnawing at their original capital?

"It is a glorious thing. Brother Ward, to have an income; but it is excruciating to look upon the poverty (?) of our friends around us! Only two persons, in Waseca county pay Income taxes - poor, degraded, 'Black Republicans,' at that!

The man that has an income can and ought to pay his proportion of the taxes; the man that, on account of misfortune or otho-wise, in any year, has no income ought not to be called upon ti) pay taxes. The farmer that has a good crop can afford to pay taxes. The farmer whose crop is totally destroyed by a torimdo or drouth is not able to pay taxes and ought not to be called upon to pay any for that year. There is no other plan of luxation so fair and so equitable as taxation based upon income.

Base Ball Of Years Agone

Perhaps it will interest soiiii> of the people of to-day and of the future to read and learn something of the first prominent baseball organization of Waseca county. It was ebristiMied the "Clear Lake Base Ball Club," and was organized Wednesday evening.

May 5: the following officers were elected: B. S. Lewis, president; "\V. ^I. ilurfin, vice president ; W. 0. Xanscawen, secretary ; Lewis Brownell, treasurer; J. W. Johnson, P. P. Smith and :\[. H. Helms, directors. It was organized with a membership of 18 - afterwards increased to 27. The next Saturday evening, at a regular meeting, the following were chosen as the first nine, viz : ]ilike ilurphy, captain; M. H. Helm, pitcher; Wm. Wood, catcher; I. AV. Johnson, short stop; ]M. ilurphy, first base; B. S. Lewis, second base; Dan. Haines, third base ; AV. il. Alurfin, center field ; Charles Yincent, right field; Koger AVood, left field. The members met every evening, Sundays excepted, upon the grounds now occupied by the court house and jail, for practice. It was little more than an amateur club until it absorbed the "Blooming Gi'ove nine," and made Alartin Healy captain and pitcher. It finally became the champion club of the state and won the silver bat. The base ball excitement about that time became almost universal throughout the country, and even aged men would leave their business to broil in the hot sun while they watched the ups and downs of the game. But, like every other fad, it had its day; and our AYaseca people, after one year of excitement, loss of time and cash outlay, concluded to give the game over to less practical men and bnys.

Congregational Church

On the 11th of ilay, 1869, members of the Congregational chiirch met in what is now the Baptist church building of Waseca, and adopted articles of incorporation in accordance with the laws of the state. The following gentlemen were chosen trustees: Ezra AVood, A. E. Dearborn, Austin Yinton, J. 11. Stevens, L. Hummiston, Ed. Bennett and G. A. Rowland. Ezra AVood was elected president and A. E. Dearborn secretary. At this meeting there was considerable discussion regarding the erection of a church edifice at an early day, but nothing decisive was accomplished until the following September. About the 22d of that month the committee had secured $1,700.00 for the purpose, and about October 1, D. L. Whipple and Alaj. Young commenced work on the construction of the edifice. The building was completed the next spring, and constitutes the main part of the present church.

There was a total eclipse of the sun on the seventh day of August, 1869, at 3.43 p. m. This eclipse of the sun was one of the most awe-inspiring sights ever beheld. Long prior to the obscuration, almost everyone had prepared his smoked glass and was watching intently for the phenomenon that astronomers had foretold years and years before. Exactly on time the moon was seen to intrude between the earth and the sun. Slowly and surely darkness covered the face of the sun, the obscuration growing more and more, and then was seen the approach of the moon's shadow in the air. The heavens were darkened. The stars and planets shone forth as in the night. The air grew sensibly cooler. Animals became strangely agitated. Birds seemed bewildered and fluttered in the treetops. A strange gloom covered the earth. Buildings, trees, animals, and all other objects had a peculiar and unnatural appearance. The human face assumed a pallid, ghastly shade, and as the eclipse reached totality or near it, all grew silent and meditative ; and a feeling of profound awe, not to say dread, took possession of the beholder.

County Politics

The Republican county convention was held at Wilton, September 2, 1869. At this convention Waseca secured the nomination of Waj. W. C. Young, who was well known to favor the removal of the county seat to Waseca. The nominees were as follows: Maj. W. C. Young for representative; J. B. Hill, sheriff; J. A. Canfield, judge of probate; Lewis Brownell, county attorney; C. E. t'rane, surveyor; P. C. Bailey, court commissioner; Dr. ]M. S. Gove, Coroner.

The Democrat county convention was held September 18.' 1869, and put in nomination the following candidates: Kelscy Curtis for representative; B. S. Lewis, county attorney; H. A. ]\Iosher, register of deeds; Philo Hall, treasurer; S. W. Long, sheriff; Dr. R. 0. Craig, coroner; John Bradish, judge of probate. The result of the election gave certificates to W. V Young, S. 'S\. Long, J. A. Canfleld, B. S. Lewis, C. E. Crane, P. C. Bailey, H. A. :\Iosher and Dr. M. S. Cove. Hence, as will be seen in the result, honors Wfiv divided between the parties even at that day, when party feeling ran high.

Shocking Death By Accident

One of those shocking accidents that sometimes occur, happened September 24, 1869. Mv. John Miirphy, an early settler of Byron, accompanied by one of the Messrs. Linnihan of the same town, in returning home from Waseca in the evening, and while crossing a bridge over a runway on the Geo. T. Dunn farm in AYilton, met with a fatal accident. While crossing the pole bridge, the off horse slipped one hind foot through the bridge. The horse commenced to struggle, and Mv. Murphy, as was supposed, took the near horse by the bridle and tried to quiet the team. The off horse, however, struggled and plunged about until yiv. ]\Iurphy and both horses were thrown from the bridge, on the east side, the man falling tinderneath and both horses on top of him. It was so dark at the time that nothing could be seen any distance. Linnihan, who was in the wagon, called to Murphy but got no answer. He then got out of the wagon and felt aroimd until he discovered Murphy beneath the horses. Linnihan cut the harness from the horses and the off one got out. Murphy was fast under the other horse and under water, and Linnihan found it impossible to extricate him. He then mounted the live horse and aroused the neighbors, who came with lanterns. They drew oiit the body of the horse in the creek under which they found the lifeless form of ]\Ir. Murphy. It was a very sad affair.

Shooting Deer And Chickens On The Railroad Track

Among the railroad incidents of that day, we recall the story of Conductor Denny Keeler, and Engineer Nichols. It was the first week in December, 1869, when going east, that they had a novel experience. Just after pulling out of Dover Center, they discovered a fine deer upon the track some distance ahead Crowding on steam they gave chase. The road at this place was fenced on both sides of the track, so there was little chance of escape for the frightened animal but to outrun the fiery horse behind him. The train gained steadily and rapidly upon the deer, and, when within gunshot, both Keeler and Nichols fired, both shots taking effect and disabling the deer, but not killing it. The train was stopped and Denny, with knife in hand, cut the deer's throat, and took the carcass aboard without even a pass

It was not unusual in those days, when Waseca was the westi-rn terminus of the road, for the boys to stop a train l)etween Owatonna and Waseca long enough to bag a few chickens.

Railroad Extended To Janesville

The village of "East Janesville," ;is the present Janesville was then cal]('(l, was surv<'yi'(l and platted by S. H. ilott in August, 1st;!). The people of the "Old Village of Janesville," which was situated on the west side of the outlet at the south end of the beautiful Lake Elysian, had anticipated the building of the )-oad to that point and the new villa<:e was well under way before the first train reaehi^d that point. J. W. Sprauue, general manaaer of the W. & St. P. Ky. at that time, was proprietor of the new town and i'eai)ed a harvest of shekels. The first building was liy Judue Ijaldwiii. wh<i went from Waseca. It was built in Auuust, ".rim'" t'ummins hauling the first load of lumber for it. This building M'as openetl as a boarding house and hotel. It was afto-wards known as tlie "Joluisini House." IIuu. J. 0. Chandler came over from the old town and opened a stock of general merchandise, A. W. Jennison and Frank A. ]Miner from "Waseca alsn opened a stoi'e with a j^eneral assortment of gudds. Hon. D. J. Dodge, from Waseca, opened a hardware store under the firm name of D. J. Dodee & Co. J. D. Andi-ews, also from Wasecn, (ipeiiecl a drue' stoi'e in the new town. Hon. R. ( *. Craiy- came over from the old town and opened a doctor "s office. Other buildings followed in i-apid succession and when the fii-st train arrive!, Oct. 10th, LS(ilt, East Janesvilh' was a bnstling'litth> town.

As soon as n^utdar trains made Janesville, the daily staees of Burbank & Co. (-eased to arrive at WasiH'a from the west, but made their head(|uarters at Janes\ille. For ten years the Burbank staec lines had been our sole dependence for mail facilities on the main thoi'oiighfares, and when these staees ceas(>d their daily visits it seejiied nuich like the death of an old friend in the comiinniity,

Misc'Ellaneous Notes

The first iMrs. Poter Lindsay, who had been ill of cancer of the breast for three years, had it removed about the first of February, lytiil. l)y Drs. Coe, Gove and Brubaker. She died not longafterwards.

The "Xews" of ^Mareh 31, 18H0, contained a four column legal notice of application for right of way through Waseca county by the W. & St. 1>. R. R. Co. It had to be published six weeks and was what printers call a "fat take."

The Fourth of July was duly celebrated this year on July 5th at Waseca. Rev. E. II. Alden was the orator of the day. Capt. :\r. H. Helms acted as marshal, Hon. Sam. B. Williams served as president, and Lewis Brownell read the Declaration of Independence. The base-ball ground was the center of attraction during the aftei-noon. There was a big dance at McCue 's hall in the evening and a display of fireworks was made liy the village. The day was very pleasant and passed off without an accident.

September 17, lSii9, AVm. W. Casey, of Elysian, stole a pair of oxen from Ericlc Larsen, of Iosco, traded them to a Mr. Wilson residing on the Des ^loines river, for a horse, and then sold the horse to one Seott, of IMorristown. Casey was soon after arrested and later convicted of the crime. The oxen were recovered through the efforts of Hans Hanson.

September 2:2, 1869, Henrjr AYillyard shot a pelican which was sailing over AVaseca. It measured eight feet from tip to tip of its wings It was sent to a taxidermist at Winona and mounted, and for a long time stood in one of the drug stores of Waseca.

For the year ending September 1, there had been received and shipped from AVaseca -18(1,000 bushels of wheat - almost a halfmillion bushels. The receipts of June amounted to 13,381 bushels, and for July, to 32,189 bushels. During the year, there was a large trade in agricultural implements. The sales for the year ending Sept. 1 amounted to !f!86,93r). The wheat crop of that year, although mostly Xo. 2, amounted to 300,882 bushels, as returned by the assessors. The crop was fair but prices ruled low.