Waseca County, Minnesota - Chapter 51, 1905

Chapter 51

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - GOLDEN WEDDING OF HON. AND MRS. WM. BRISBANE - A CENTENARIAN DIBS - SUICIDE OF ICHABOD WEST - BUILDING OF GRANT HOUSE AND WAVERLY HOTEL - DEATH OF MRS. KIMBALL - PROSPEROUS YEAR.

The county commissioners for this year were Ira C. Trowbridge, Geo. "W. Soule, Philip Purcell, N. M. Nelson, A. J. Jordan, and W. D. Armstrong, with C. E. Crane as county auditor. Philip Purcell was again elected chairman. Nothing special occurred except the awarding of the county printing without having given notice to the publishers in the county asking for bids. This action was a violation of law.

A Golden Wedding

Hon. Wm. Brisbane and wife, of Wilton, celebrated their golden wedding Jan. 20, 1882. Their children, grand children, and great grand children then numbered seventy-three, and nearly all of them were present. There were also present some two himdred other persons, who participated in the celebration of the anniversary. One very noticeable - and to Mr. and Mrs. Brisbane a very interesting feature - was the presence of Mr. and j\Irs. John Gillis, of Wisconsin, who were married on the same day and at the same place that they were. Mr. Gillis came with his aged companion on purpose to celebrate their Golden Wedding with their friends of "Auld Lang Syne." He brought with him a picture of the humble, thatched cottage in Scotland where they commenced their married life. It is seldom that two couples.

who married on the same day in the same place, and afterwards emiorated to a foreign shore, are permitted to celebrate their golden wedding together.

Death Of A Centenarian

A paragraph in a local paper, dated April 14, 1882, read as follows: "Died, at her home in Wilton, on the afternoon of the 6th inst., at 4 o'clock, Mrs. Boyer, in the one hundred and fourth year of her age. She had been confined to her bed all winter, but did not appear worse than usual until a few hours before her death. The funeral services on Saturday afternoon were conducted by Rev. Thos. Hartley of Otisco. " She cared far very kindly by her son, James, who went west soon after her death.

Suicide

Mr. Ichabod West, one of the early settlers of Vivian, aged 83 years, on the 8th day of August, committed suicide by hanging himself to a bed post in his room. Mr. West had been living with his son's family and had been growing blind for some time. This greatly annoyed him, and caused him to express fears that he would become entirely helpless. This seemed to him an unbearable calamity. On Tuesday forenoon he went to his room. Soon after, his daughter-in-law had occasion to go in there when she found him suspended to the bed post by means of a handkerchief. He had evidently passed the handkerchief around the bed post and then around his neck and deliberately strangled himself to death.

Building Operations

During the summer of 1882 several substantial buildings were erected in Waseca. Among them were two large hotels - the Grant House and the Waverly, - the Anderson block - now known as McLoughlin Bros.' Store, - the brick building at the soutlieast corner of Second and Wood streets, and other smaller buildings.

Death Op Mrs. Kimball

At a very early hour Sunday morning, Sept. 2. 1882, at the residence of her daughter, ]\Irs. H. P. Norton, of Waseca, jMrs. Nancy Kimball quietly passed from earth. Mrs. Kimball was the daughter of a soldiei' of the War of the Revolution, Gen. Eliphalet Gay, of New London, N. H. At this place Mrs. Kimball was born on the 25th of June, 1795. She was married to Jonathan Kimball in the year 1820, and continued to reside in New London till 1839. The family then emigrated to McHenry county, Illinois, and settled in what afterwards became Woodstock, the county seat. After nine years of pioneer life her husband died, and she lived a widow thirty-four years. Till about ten years ago, she retained her property in Woodstock, and made that place her home. She afterwards resided with her daughters, spending most of her time in Waseca with Mrs. Norton.

Election Results

The election, which was held Nov. 7, 1882, gave the following local results: state senator, Dr. R. 0. Craig; representative, John C. White, of Waseca; county auditor, C. E. Crane; coroner. Dr. H. J. Young; county commissioners, Philip Purcell, and N. M. Nelson. Messrs. Crane, H. J. Young and N. M. Nelson were republicans - the others democrats.

Close Op The Year

On the whole, the year 1882 was a quiet one for Waseca county. The weather, as a rule, had been mild, and the crops better than average. The people generally had been prosperous, and the holidays found them happy and contented.

Capter Lii, 1883

The county commissioners opened their session this year Jan. 2. ]\Ir. Purcell was again elected chairman. As usual in those days, there was an unseemly squabble for the county printing, and more or less favoritism was shown. The repoi-t says :

"Bids for the county printing were considered. The Argus bid only for the proceedings of the county commissioners at 25 cents per folio. The Radical put in a bid for the delinquent tax list at 2% cents per description, the proceedings free, and suggested that the financial statement be published in all three papers, and each paid 25 cents per folio. The Herald proposed to print the delinquent tax list for $40, the financial statement for $25, the proceedings of commissioners, including the proceedings of the board of equalization, for $35, and all other notices at 10 cents per folio. In disposing of the county printing, the bid of the Argus was accepted, also that of the Radical with the exception of the financial statement which was awarded without stating the price. The proceedings of the board of equalization were awarded to the Herald at 25 cents per folio."

Mrs. Amanda Gregory

This lady, who was one of the very early settlers of St. Mary, died Feb. 28, 1883, at the age of seventy-eight years. She had been feeble for a long time and died of old age.

Death Of Editor Rose

Salem M. Rose, senior editor and publisher of the Waseca County Herald, departed this life at 4.30 o'clock Tuesday morning, March 13th, aged fifty-one years, and three months. Mr. Rose was one of the pioneers of Minnesota, removing to this state about 1860 from New York. He settled in Dodge county, where he afterwards married Abbie F. Bunker, and for the years that intervened previous to his removal to Waseca, he was successful in obtaining the reward of an industrious, honest and well ordered life. He was one of the early editors of Waseca and highly respected.

Death On The Railroad

Matthias Maloney, brother of the late John Maloney, of Waseca, and of Thomas Maloney, of Iosco, was found dead by the side of the railroad track. He was one of the early settlers of the county and lived with his four children a short distance east of New Richland, where he owned a farm. Friday night, March 16, he started for Waseca, having in his possession about $45 in money and several valuable papers. At New Richland he took a freight train, arriving at Waseca about the hour of 1 a. m. Very shortly thereafter his dead body was found lying on the railroad track a short distance south of the M. & St. L. depot. He was terribly mangled and cut, which indicated that a number of cars had passed over him. Coroner Young was immediately summoned, but he did not deem it necessary to hold an inquest, as the manner of Mr. Maloney 's death was entirely plain. Whether he was crawling under a car and the train started meanwhile, or whether he was standing on the track and first run over by the engine, can only be conjectured. One thing, however, seemed a little curious. When his body was found, which was immediately after his death, there was no money or papers about his person. No satisfactory explanation of the mystery ever came to light. He left surviving him three girls and a son, the last having then attained to manhood.

Maplewood Park Driveway And Streets

to issue bonds in any sum not exceeding $6,000.00 for the purpose of constructing highways - more especially a driveway or road around Clear Lake and to the grounds known as ]\Iaplewood Park. Immediately upon the passage of this act, ilayor CoUester called a special meeting of the city council. Upon petition of numerous citizens, the council adopted the following resolution :

"RESOLVED: That the common council of said city of Waseca hereby order a special election to be held by the legal voters of said city on the 19th day of March, 1883, at the court house, in said city, commencing at 9 o'clock a. m., and closing at 5 o'clock p. m., for the purpose of voting on the question of issuing such bonds as provided by law; and that a copy of this resolution be published in the Herald and the Radical of said city."

The records further show that, at a special meeting of the common council, held March 29, pursuant to the call of the mayor, it was moved and carried "that the recorder be directed to purchase eiiihteen blank printed bonds in denominations of $500.00 each, said bonds to run ten years with interest coupons attached, beaiing a rate of interest of six per cent per annum, interest payalile semi-annually, and said bonds to be issued June 1, 1888.'' There much discussion before the matter of bonds and streets and driveways in and about Waseca was settled. On ]\lay :10, folliiwing, the council ordered the issuance of two bonds, of $500 each, the money to be derived therefrom to be expended in the construction of the driveway around Clear Lake. On June 5, the council awarded the job of grubliing and clearing the road bed around Clear Lake to James Tripp for $16."i.00. The contract for hauling and putting upon the streets one thousand loads of gravel, from the farm of Mike Tomoski, was let to jMr. Patrick Kelly, he being the lowest bidder. At the council meeting of June 15, Alderman Robertson introduced a resolution to immediately issue four more city bonds, numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6, of $500.00 each, for the construction of drives around Clear and Loon Lakes. Alderman Wood moved to amend by making the total amount of the bonds $4,000.00, one-half the amount, $2,000.00, to be used in making stone gutters along Second street. The amendment was lost by a tie vote - Wood and Broughton voting aye, and Madden and Robertson nay. The vote being taken on the original motion it was lost by the same vote. June

20, ]\layor Trowbridge called a special meeting of the council to take action in regard to the construction of stone gutters ov Second street, and also the construction of the driveway around Clear Lake.

This meeting resulted in the adoption of a resolution to issue city bonds to the amount of $3,000 - $1,500 of which was to be expended in the construction of stone gutters on Second street, and the rest in the construction of the driveway around Clear Lake. At the council meeting held Nov. 20, of the same year, the mayor and the recorder were directed to issue two more road bonds, each of $500.00. It appears from the records that only $5,000 of the authorized $6,000 in bonds, was issued that year. This was a year of many improvements in and about the city. The Clear Lake road was graded in excellent shape as was the Loon Lake drive. The stone gutters on each side of Second street were put in this season. This last was one of the most useful public improvements ever made by the city up to that time.

Steamboat Launched

A small steamboat, called the "Commodore," was successfully launched on Clear Lake, June 16, 1883. The boat was formerly in use on Lake Minnetonka, Minn., and was purchased by Ira C. Trowbridge and A. P. Jamison for $1,200. It served as a pleasure boat for a number of years, especially during the Chautauqua sessions at IMaplewood Park. It was finally sold to parties in the western portion of the state, much to the regret of many in this locality.

Independence Day

Great preparations had been made for a public celebration of the Fourth, at Waseca, but a drizzling rain, which set in at 5 o'clock a. m. and continued till between 9 and 10 o'clock, sadly demoralized the arrangements that had been made. As soon as the rain ceased, however, the people gathered at Court House Square, where Rev. R. Forbes delivered one of his characteristic addresses.

Maplbwood Park Association

organize this association. The temporary officers were Rev. C. N. Stowers, of Faribault, president; Rev. H. C. Jennings, secretary; and Mr. A. P. Jamison, treasurer. Nearly all the leading citizens of Waseca took stock and became interested in what was popularly known as "The Waseca Cautauqua Assembly" at IMaplewood Park. It was one of the finest resorts in the state and was maintained for fifteen years consecutively - the last assembly being held in July, 1898. Financially, the enterprise was never a success; but morally, socially, and intellectually it was worth more than it cost. It is much to be regretted that the people at large did not contribute more liberally to its maintenance.

Tornado Extraordinary

This was the year of tornadoes in Southern Minnesota, and Waseca had a foretaste of what was a terrible disaster at Rochester, jMinn., about a month later.

The worst storm that ever visited this section occurred July 13, 1883. About 10 o'clock a. m., dense, black clouds rolled Tip from the southwest and overcast the- sky. Lightning flashes followed each other in quick succession and heavy peals of thunder shook every building and made the earth tremble. Rain soon commenced to fall, and then, for a few moments, there was a death-like calm, when, all at once, the wind came from the northwest with all the force of a hurricane, and the rain came in blinding sheets, accompanied by hail. So dense was the falling rain and so fierce the wind that one could not discern objects across the street. This terrible storm lasted about an hour, during which time the strongest mind shuddered with fear at what might happen.

Although much damage was done to property, no person was killed or seriously injured. Trowbridge's brick building, now occupied by Mr. Gallien, was imroofed, the tin roofing being carried some distance. The top of the south wall was torn down and the rain drenched the interior of the building. His loss was estimated at $1,000. The furniture factory, since destroyed by fire, was entirely unroofed and the body of the building badly wrecked. Willyard's planing mill and machine shop was badly torn to pieces - almost a complete wreck. Father Christie's barn at the Catholic parsonage was moved from its foundation. The wind totally wrecked the warehouse on the west end of the W. & St. P. elevator, and moved a number of barrels of cement and salt several rods, but left them standing uninjured. The large wheel of Roland's windmill and portions of the tower were carried away. The top of the front wall of the Simon Smith brick store was blown down. The "Priest hotel" lost its chimneys and the barn was totally wrecked. The plateglass front windows of the building now owned and occupied by Mc- Loughlin Bros, were broken by flying debris. One corner of the old courthouse was unroofed and portions of the wall blown down. One freight car was blown from the transfer track and upset, while many of the cars were unceremoniously moved about the yards. The German M. E. church was racked out of position and considerably injured. The old "City Roller Mill" of Everett & Aughenbaugh received the full force of the storm as it swept unimpeded across Loon Lake. The roof was torn off and the entire building very much twisted out of shape. Their machinery was badly disarranged and somewhat damaged. Their warehouse was partly unroofed and five hundred sacks of flour were exposed to the rain. The Grant house had a portion of its roof torn off and some damage was done to inside rooms.

The passenger train that left Waseca, going east, just before the storm, was blown from the track, about three miles this side of Owatonna, and several passengers were more or less injured. Among the passengers were Rev. H. C. Jennings, Misses Fanny and Etta Forbes, and Max Forbes, all residents of Waseca at that time. Miss Etta Forbes had an arm broken by the fall, and all were badly shaken up. After reaching Owatonna, Mr. Jennings procured a team and carriage and returned to Waseca with the Misses Forbes.

There was one amusing incident during the storm which served to relieve the sadness that was so universal in the community just after the storm subsided. There lived in the city at that time a ponderous gentleman by the name of Kelley, a wood sawyer by occupation. He was undoubtedly the largest man in the county. "Brother" Kelley lived alone in a small house just east of the W. & St. P. elevator. At the time of the storm he was at his house, and being the heaviest man in the county, he wndoubtedly felt that he would be able to hold his own house down under all circumstances. But alas ! the Storm King was no respecter of weights and measures, and, in a jiffy, his house was torn in pieces and scattered to all the winds of heaven. Kelley seized hold of the stove as an anchor, but he was soon torn from that and carried bodily with portions of his domicile into a pond of water near by with part of the roof of his house upon him. As soon as he struck the ground and recovered from his surprise, he threw off the piece of roof and waded ashore, where he sat down upon the ground and meditated upon the weakness of human habitations until the storm subsided. Aside from a bad bruise on his head he was not much injured, except in his wounded dignity, for he was a very dignified man.

The German Lutheran church, in Iosco, was moved from its foundation and racked to some extent. S. S. Phelps' large barn, in St. ilary, was all torn to pieces, and his granary moved from its foundation. In the same town the new residence of James and John Keeley was blown down. A cow belonging to "Wm. Oestereich was killed by lightning. E. Brossard's barn was imroofed. Julius Papke lost his granary, corn cribs, sheds, and other property.

In Blooming Grove, Malachi Madden had a large new barn demolished. Two of his small boys were in the barn at the time and were carried quite a distance, but safely landed in a slough. His crops were badly damaged. Roger Garaghty, living near Madden 's, had his log house, his barn and sheds entirely blown down, and his crops badly injured. The storm was fearful at Ole Sonsteby's place. He went into his cellar as the storm struck, and immediately his house, built of logs, was taken up and carried away. Large oak trees near his house were broken off and some torn out by the roots.

In Woodville, Mike Spillane's granary was blown down and his crops badly injured. Charles Ileusel had thirty-five tons of hay destroyed, his crops and buildings badly injured, and a quantity of growing timber ruined.

Result Op The Election

A. Bierman, democrat, for governor, carried the county by a majority of 203. For other state officers, the republican majority was about 165. The democrats elected Charles ilcKenna treasurer, M. B. Keeley clerk of court, P. McGovern county attorney, and Dr. D. S. Cummings superintendent of schools, fliram A. Mosher, independent, was elected register of deeds. The republicans elected S. D. Crump judge of probate, B. A. Lowell court commissioner, Orson L. Smith surveyor, and Dr. H. J. Young coroner. The democrats also elected two county commissioners - J\I. F. Connor and A. J. Jordan.

The Vermonters held a meeting at the Grant house in December, 1883, and Mr. P. A. Brwin, of St. Mary, was present, althoiigh eighty-eight years of age.

Wilton Lodge No. 24

The first Masonic lodge organized in the county was located in Wilton, and was instituted Jan. 8, 1858. . After the removal of the county seat from that place to Waseca, Wilton gradually faded away, and on Dec. 20, 1883, the lodge was removed to Alma City. At the time of its location at Alma City it contained a membership of twenty-five. Its membership was soon after much increased.