Le Sauk Township

Le Sauk Township

Le Sauk township is situated in the northeastern part of the county, having the Mississippi river for its eastern boundary, St. Cloud on the south, St. Wendel on the west, and Brockway on the north.

The surface is comparatively level, undulating throughout the township except for a small ridge of hills in the northwestern part. Originally the town was covered to a large extent with timber and light brush. Especially in the northwestern part there was a very good growth of oak and other hardwood, and considerable tamarack. Now the forest and brush land is rapidly giving way to fields, meadows and pastures of the best kind.

In the central part of the township there is a pretty lake, about three-quarters of a mile long and a quarter of a mile wide. In the northeastern part of the town there

This prairie in the northeastern part is of considerable historic significance. It was included in the Long Prairie Reservation to which the Winnebago Indians were removed from Iowa, and until a few years ago many of the graves of the people of that band could still be seen..

The only village in the town is that of Sartell. Aside from the school in this village, the town has but two school houses, one in section 8 and one in section 29. In view of the fact that the people are of the highest class of intelligence this fact is somewhat strange, but many causes have contributed to this condition. The town is small occupying only about a half of a regular Congressional township. And it has not been well settled. A large tract of rich land in the central part was owned for many years by the late N. P. Clarke. The topographical condition of a part of the township is not favorable to building conditions, on account of its low, flat and wet condition. Therefore, the two school houses are sufficient. District 5 has its school house in section 8, and district 13 has its school house in section 29. The people about Sartell send their children to the school in that village, while the children in the extreme southern part of the township are educated in the school houses of districts 2 and 108 in St. Cloud and St. Joseph townships. Outside of Sartell there are no churches, public halls, cemeteries or creameries.

A grist mill with a daily capacity of 200 barrels is located in the southeastern part at the mouth of the Sauk river. It is owned by George Hine. This is a historic mill site. In the late fifties or the early sixties, a combination saw mill and grist mill was built here by Frank Arnold and a man named Sims. Later it was owned by Arnold & Stanton, and finally by Mr. Arnold, who operated it for many years. In 1876 the old mill was torn down and a new one erected by Mr. Arnold. Some twenty years ago the mill was destroyed by fire, and the present one erected.

The Indian traders were the first white residents of Le Sauk. Their story is appropriately told elsewhere in this work. Following them came Philip Beaupre, who about 1850 made a claim within the limits of this township. He spent the greater part of his time, however, at Sauk Rapids. From 1852 to 1855 he was at Pembina. Upon his return he lived for several years on his old claim. Later he located again in Sauk Rapids.

J. B. Sartell came in 1854.. At that time a number of settlers were already living here. A man named Stone was living on what is now the Bowing Brothers' farm; and a man named Condor was also living within the present limits of the same farm. A Mr. Fadden was living where the Sartell Brothers' saw mill now stands. Appleton Webb came soon afterward and lived where the Bowing Brothers' residence is now located. Joel Bailey and a Mr. Grant lived on different parts of what is now the S. J. Gillispie's farm, formerly owned by the late Judge D. B. Sarle. Mr. Webb died in Brockway and is buried there. Mr. Bailey died in St. Cloud. Mr. Grant was for some time in charge of an ox team trucking between St. Paul and St. Cloud. Other early comers were Samuel Cox Johnson, William Connell, Adam Langer and others.

The territory comprising Le Sauk was formerly embraced in the townships of Brockway and St. Cloud, but separately organized in 1860, and the first election held at the house of Harvey Sawyer, October 1. The first officials elected were: Supervisors, Harvey Sawyer (chairman), Joseph B. Sartell, and Joel Bailey; clerk, Joel Bailey; treasurer, Appleton Webb; and justices of the peace, S. Putnam and Philip Beaupre. Joel Bailey was also elected school superintendent of the township, in accordance with the school system of that day.

The first school taught was by Elbert Hodgden, in the government blacksmith shop at the Winnebago Agency, but the exact date cannot be obtained.

There were no churches in Le Sauk until the village of Sartell was organized. However, religious services were held from the very earliest days. Pioneer services were held at private houses, and in the school house in the northern part of Le Sauk, and in the school house in the southern part of Brockway. Before the village was organized services were also held in the school house in section 21.

Joseph B. Sartell, as already mentioned, arrived in 1854, and at once began to develop the community. In 1856 or 1857, he built a small mulay saw mill for Harvey Sawyer at the mouth of the Watab river. Mr. Sartell operated it for awhile, and then moved to Clearwater. He afterward moved to Winnebago prairie, and took a homestead on what is now a part of S. J. Gillispie's farm. He was ill for a long time, became discouraged with farming, and again took up the milling business. He had many interesting experiences. At one time a war party of Chippewas borrowed his boat to cross the river and intercepted a band of Sioux, whom they surprised on Maine Prairie and murdered twelve. For a time Mr. Sartell worked for Asa Libby in a saw mill that stood on a ledge point on the east side of the river, about three and a half miles above the present site of the paper mill. Afterward he operated a small saw mill owned by Randolph Prazee, and situated on the river near the present residence of C. B. Gregory. From there he went to Two Rivers, where he built a small saw mill of his own which he operated for two years. Then he sold out and came to a point about a mile south of the present location of the Sartell mill. Here he built a small water-power saw mill, which he operated for many years,. It was built and rebuilt several times and some twentysix years ago a steam engine and planer were added. Some ten years ago, the planes were moved from the saw mill to where they now stand. The saw mill continued to be operated at the same location until about five years ago, when on account of the difficulty experienced in holding the logs below the dam of the Watab Pulp & Paper Co., it was moved to a point about one mile north of the former location. In the early days the logs were rafted down the river from Ft. Ripley. Later they were driven. Now the logs are brought down from the lumber regions by rail, and then to the mill by gasoline launch.

Sartell Village

Sartell village is located on both banks of the Mississippi river, in Stearns and Benton counties, occupying about 400 acres in sections 21 and 28, Le Sauk township, and about 300 acres in the township of Sauk Rapids. It is a little south of the central part of each township, and that part of it east of the Mississippi river is bisected its full length by the line of the Northern Pacific railroad.

Divided as it is by a wide river, the need of a bridge has long been felt. Some two years ago, the matter was agitated, but there was a wide diversity of opinion as to whether the bridge should be located above or below the dam. In the winter of 1913-14, the matter was revived, and work was soon started. It is a beautiful structure and was completed in the fall of 1914, marking a new era of prosperity for the village. It is of steel construction with a twenty-foot concrete roadway, and two concrete sidewalks. As the people live on the west bank of the river the advantages of this bridge are at once apparent.

The hamlet with which the village of Sartell originated consisted of a dozen or so houses occupied by the Sartells and their employes, grouped about the saw mill, which the Sartells have operated for many years.

The organization of the village was due to the fact that the Watab Pulp & Paper Mill located at this point. The mill encountered many difficulties during the period of its location and construction. Persons who owned water-powers below the proposed site, opposed the project, and entered very serious objections, even carrying the fight to Congress. But a petition was presented to that august body signed by 984 names, including nearly all the leading business and professional men of St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and vicinity, and the charter was granted. Work began about the middle of April, 1905. The water was low in the river at that time, but soon rose rapidly, and remained high throughout the period of operations, thus entailing some ten months' extra work, and causing an additional expense of several hundred thousand dollars. It took nearly two years to build the dam, and during that time an average of about 100 men were employed.

Several lives were lost during the period of building. The saddest of all was that of little Carl Mathie, the bright elevenyear-old son of the manager. Carl, who was a general favorite with all the workers, was playing under a bank where the men were digging when he was caught and instantly crushed to death by a pile of hardpan which suddenly gave away. At different times five men were drowned and one or two were killed in other ways,.

The mill when erected had a daily capacity of from 80,000 to 100,000 pounds of print paper. This capacity has since been doubled. The mill is not numbered among the largest in the country, but it is one of the best equipped paper mills in the world.

The first store in Sartell was located here some thirty or thirty-five years ago. It then occupied only a small space in the ofl^ce of the Sartell mill, where the Sartells bought supplies wholesale, and sold to a few families living in the vicinity. Later a building 12 by 16 feet was added for store purposes. But this was afterward burned, together with all of the mill books and accounts, and the township records. Since that time the mill owners have kept a small supply of groceries, dry goods and shoes.

The first building to be erected after the construction of the paper mill was started, was the Watab Hotel, which has accommodations for about thirty people. Since that time many other substantial buildings have been constructed.

The village is named from Joseph B. Sartell, the first settler. He and his seven sons continued to reside together here. Joseph B.. Sartell died in January, 1913, at the age of eighty-six years. Two of his sons, Egbert P. and Winslow L., are also dead. The other five, Charles S., Linton L., William L., Fred N. and Frank A., all live here together, a most unusual circumstance.

A four-roomed school house has been erected at a cost of about $8,000. Only the lower story is used for educational purposes. The village rents the upper story for a hall.

Anton Smudd was the first postmaster here, receiving his appointment November 20, 1904. He held the office until January 7, 1909, when he was succeeded by Lou E. Parish, who is still serving.

Sartell village was organized in November, 1907, and the first council meeting was held November 15 of that year. The council consisted of Charles S. Sartell (president), Antone Smudde, F. S. Payne, Charles Mayer and Fred N. Sartell (clerk). Charles S. Sartell has continued to serve as president and Fred N. Sartell as clerk. Antone Smuddle was in the council until the March election of 1913, when he was succeeded by Robert Crignon, who is still on the board. Charles Mayer was succeeded in March, 1909, by Max Alpine. In 1913 Mr. Alpine was succeeded by Bernard Garding, who is still serving. F. S. Payne served until March, 1910, when he was succeeded by J. J. Hinchm.an. Mr. Hinchman was succeeded in 1912 by William Moores, who in turn was succeeded by Charles F. Sartell, who is still serving.

The council is now composed as follows: C. S. Sartell, president; F. N. Sartell, recorder; Bernard Garding, Robert Crignon and C. F. Sartell.

The Presbyterian church at Sartell was incorporated August 10, 1909, and the building formally dedicated September 5. The elders were James Halropple, F. S. Payne, Thomas Borton and Leslie Smith. Services have been conducted by the Revs. T. M. Findley, L. C. McBride, A. H. Perpetuo, P. S. Landis, H. W. O'Dell and M. G. Court.

As far back as 1898 a Sunday school had held meetings in the old Sartell schoolhouse. Ten years later, in February, 1908, the Rev. T. M. Findley preached a series of sermons in the new schoolhouse, afterwards making an engagement to preach once in every four weeks until the following January. It was on August 10, 1908, that the preliminary steps were taken for the organization of a church.