Mankato City

Mankato City

Showing somewhat the extent of the immigration, it may be noted that between May 19, 1866 and July 23, 1869, there had been entered at the U. S. land office with cash and land warrants ia Blue Earth County 4,963 acres and as homesteads 16,437 acres.

This year (1869), the county bridge, 353 feet long, was erected over the Blue Earth at West Mankato. During this summer, also, the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad was extended from Mankato to Crystal Lake. Here a new town was laid out in May, 1869 by Lucius 0. Hunt and Wniiam R. Robinson and named "Lake Crystal." By the time the railway reached this point in September, quite a village had sprung up, where two months before there was only a field to be seen. The Loon Lake Postofiice was discontinued and a new office established at Lake Crystal with Henry Humphrey as first postmaster on September 1, 1869. By December 1, 1869 we note that Lake Crystal possessed a grain elevator, a hotel, built by S. P. Oakley, a two story frame school house, 34x40, a two story frame store, built by Henry Humphrey and occupied with a stock of groceries and drugs by Pomeroy & Wickersham, a store building erected by W. C. Davis and occupied by him with a stock of hardware, a building occupied by Davis & Dunn as general store, another building occupied by P. A. Larfcon with another general store, a harness shop conducted by Wm. Seeger, a cooper shop in charge of Dorwood & McKay, and a doctor's office. H. C. Howard, also, had just sold his flour mill at Shelby Center to Henry Day for $1,600 and his sawmill at the same place to Asa White and S. C. Hilton, who moved it to section three of Mc- Pherson, and had built him a home at Lake

Crystal and opened there an agricultural implement store. In short. Lake Crystal had grown in about four months from nothing to a bustling village of forty buildings and on February 34, 1870, was incorporated by the Legislature as a village.

On July 3, 1869 the Republicans of Blue Earth County tried what was known as the Crawford plan of nominating their county officers. This was really a priniar}- election method such as is now in vogue. It happened this year that the Republicans had nine candidates for sheriff and there were three to five candidates each for some of the other offices, and the persons who were nominated, only received onefifth to one-third of the total vote. This caused great dissatisfaction with the Primary Election plan and it was abolished at an election held May 31, 1870, by a vote of 439 to 103. The Republican nominee for sheriff and some of the other nominees of that party for county offices were beaten at the polls. P. H. Waite of Mankato ran as an Independent candidate for Judge of the District Court at this election. Being a Democrat, he was endorsed by his own party, and elected by a good majority over Andrew C. Dunn the Republican nominee.

About October 1, 1869, a post office was created ia the southwest corner of Rapidan with Dr. N. Bixby as postmaster. He, also, had to act as his own mail carrier.

The Winona & St. Peter Railroad had now reached Janesville, and had its track laid to the east line of our county, and a village was laid out there called "Smith's Mill," onehalf of which is located in each county.

sota and Northwestern Eailroad company." ^imong the incorporators were Dr. Wm. E. McMahan and Basil Moreland of Mankato, Matthew Thompson of South Bend, and Prancis Bassen and Col. Wm. Pfender of New Ulm, and the road was to run from a point on the Iowa line via Austin, Mankato, South Bend, New Ulm, and Big Stone Lake, to the mouth of Sioux Wood Eiver. This charter was renewed by an act passed by the Legislature in March, 1867, and the route designated being the same practically as in the original bill, except that Geneva and Wilton were added to the points the road was to pass through. In March 1869, this act ' was again amended, to the effect that the line of the road should begin on or near the Iowa line, and run by Albert Lea to Mankato and thence in the direction of Big Stone Lake to the western boundary of the State. The corporation was also authorized to construct a branch from Mankato to Blue Earth City and to change its name if it saw proper. This year James B. Hubble, John A. Willard and Clark Thompson took hold of the charter and determined to use it to construct a railroad from Mankato by way of Good Thunder's Pord to connect with the Chicago and Milwaukee Eailway at Wells. It was also planned to extend the road in a northwesterly direction later. Mankato and the whole county became greatly interested in the project. December 18, 1869, a mass meeting was held at Higgins Hall, Mankato, to consider the project, and a resolution was passed in favor of granting the company a bonus of $65,000. On December 23, the common council of Mankato voted to issue bonds to that amount, subject to the approval of the electors of the city, and an election was called for January 4, 1870. The vote resulted 464 in favor and 10 against the bonus. January 13, 1870 Lime voted $4,000 bonus for same purpose by vote of 35 to 29. Beauford, Mapleton, and Lyra voted $15,000 each and Mankato Township and Decoria $10,000 each. The road was begun in the summer of 1870, and completed in 1874.

Payne was at first associated with him as editor and proprietor, but after one yeax's experience retired. The paper was conducted as a Democratic Journal and under the able management of Mr. Wise became very popular and influential.

The snow fall of 1868-9 was seven and one half feet and that of 1869-70 seven and onesixth feet, which resulted in a good stage of water in the Minnesota each spring. The steamboat trade therefore continued quite good in spite of tha arrival of the railroads. Many of the boats, however, withdrew. Among those who continued in 1869, were the Ellen Hardy, St. Anthony Palls, Jennette Eoberts, Otter, Mankato, and Pioneer. The Otter for two or tnree years made regular trips between New Ulm and South Bend, transferring at the latter place passengers and freight to the St. Paul and Sioux City Eailroad. The Otter at this time was owned by New Ulm business men. John Segar was her captain in 1870, and afterwards Boncoeur Subilier, both of New Ulm. In 1870, there were about eighty steamboat arrivals at Mankato. Among the boats engaged this year were the Otter, Mankato, St. Anthony, Tiger, Dexter, John C. Gault and G. B. Knapp. The total wheat receipts at Mankato up to February 1, 1870 from the 1869 crop amounted to 213,970 bushels, which indicates that there was considerable transportation to do.

Early in March Dr. E. D. Buckner started a newspaper at Lake Crystal called the "Peoples Journal." On May 3, it merged with the "Garden City Herald," under the name of "Herald and Journal" and continued its place of publication at Garden City, until August, 1870, when it was discontinued, and the press removed to Madelia. On March 4, 1870, the following mail routes existed in Blue Earth County, carrying mail to the postoffices named:

In March, IS';*©, a number of Germans at Mankato organized a Turner Society, with forty members. The main object of the society was gymnastic exercise and social privileges.

During the years 1869, 1870,-71 and 72 the old settlers held their reunions at Mankato. Fourth of July celebrations were held in various parts of the county. In 1869, Garden City had the principle one with Judge Austin as orator. In 1870, Winnebago Agency, and a grove near Mr. Taylor's store in Mapleton were the centers of patriotic demonstrations.

During those years the Blue Earth County bar possessed an array of legal and forensic talent of great ability. Judge Waite, who had come to the county in 1860, and who recently had won fame in his legal battles in behalf of the city of Mankato to recover its streets, levees, and public grounds against private greed, which had appropriated them, and against the St. Paul and Sioux City Eailroads, who had attempted to steal a right of way through the city without paying therefor, was now on the bench. As a lawyer he was a great worker, and energetic and persistent fighter, and as a judge he was able, honest and impartial. Daniel Buck, who had first settled in South Bend, but had recently removed to Mankato. He was an indefatigable worker. Impulsive, honest, earnest, determined, a firm believer in the right of his clients case, a strong man with the jury, he continued the Nestor of the Bar of our county nearly half a century. E. P. Freeman came to Mankato early in 1S62, a graduate of Yale Law school, having a good legal mind, well trained, a genial, kind hearted man, whom all liked. But he allowed politics and his social habits to interfere too much at times with his law practice. Served as County Attorney, as Legislator and as Receiver of the U. S. Land Office for many years. Judge Brown came to Mankato in 1865, from Indiana. He was a gentleman of the old school, medium sized, smooth shaved, with an erect, alert figure. Neat and professional in dress but not particularly stylish. Always polite and affable. Fond of classical learning and all educational matters. A good lawyer but lacking a little in depth and breadth. His partner James A. Wiswell located in 1857, in Garden City, removed to Mankato about 1854, and went into partnership with Judge Brown, and for many years t.ie firm of Brown & Wiswell were prominent among the Blue Earth County bar. He was not as polished or well educated as Judge Brown, but possessed considerable native ability and was a man. of good judgment. He served the County as Legislator for several terms and the city of Mankato as its first mayor.

0. 0. Pitcher came to Mankato as an educator in 1857, and after a few years entered the law. He possessed a good legal mind, and served as County Attorney and legislator, but was not a great trial lawyer, and after a few years retired from active practice. He took much interest in political matters.

In 1870, Martin J. Severance removed to JIankato and at once took a leading place among the bar of the county. He had an impressive presence and splendid oratorical powers, which gave him strength before a jury. He was, also, well versed in the law and strictly honest and upright as a . man. At first he formed a copartnership with Mr. Pitcher and later with D. A. Dickenson. Judge Dickenson opened a law office in Mankato in 1868. He was an able lawyer, a thorough gentleman, clean and upright. Among the younger men were, M. G. Willard who came to Mankato in 1868, and devoted most of his attention to mercantile and real estate law. A. E. Pfau, began the practice of his profession at Mankato in 1869, and was quick, witty and vigorous in the tria,! of his case, a popular young lawyer with the jury; and J. E. Porter, who came to Mankato in 1870, but was soon elected Judge of Probate and side tracked from the law. Such were the most prominent members of the bar in our county in the early seventies. A line array of men of splendid character and talent. Pour of whom became district court judges and two .-vive sat upon the supreme bench of the state.

As indicating the speed of steam boats on the Minnesota it is recorded that on May 14, 1870, the Tiger made the distance from Eed Wood to Mankato in thirteen and one-half hours, being the quickest time it had ever been made.

By August, 1870, the track of the Winona and St. Peter Eailroad was completed to Burgess' Mill (the present site of Eagle Lake), and on August 26, its first train, consisting of two passenger coaches, a baggage and mail coaches and three freight cars arrived at Mankato. On October 35, 1870, the completion of the road to Mankato was celebrated by a grand excursion and a big dinner, at which Judge Waite acted as toast master and speeches were made by Judge Wm. Mitchell, Judge C. H. Berry, Mayor Lee of St. Paul, D. Sinclair and others. In September, 1870, D. C. Evans and Elias F. Drake platted the townsite of Minneopa. The St. Paul and Sioux City road erected a grain elevator here, at which D. C. Evans acted as buyer. In the month of ISTovember alone he bought and shipped 19,600 bushels of wheat from this station. J Dean of Minneapolis opened a lumber yard here, and during the summer the picturesque falls attracted picnic excursions from St. Paul, St. Peter, Mankato and a number of other places.

to pay the jurors of the District Court in cash. Heretofore they and all creditors of the county had been paid in county orders, which were discounted at the stores, but at last our county had become solvent and has so remained ever since.

The fall of 1870, was very fine and even wild fiowers were found on the prairie as late as December. About Nov. 1, 1870, the new post ofllice of "Speier" was established near the Burgess mill in Le Eay and Freeman A. Gate appointed postmaster.

In October 1870, Mapleton station was surveyed on the line of the new Wells railroad and on January 21, 1871, a plat of the new townsite was made by David Smith (Owner of the land) and Clark W. Thompson, James B. Hubbell, and John A. Willard, who as owners of the Eailway, had received each a one-fourth interest in the townsite.

Arrangements were also made to lay out another townsite on the land of Levi Houk at Good Thunder's Ford, and a survey of this town was made in April, 1871, by Levi Hauk, Clark W. Thompson, James B. Hubbell and John A. Willard, and a plat filed in which the village was designated "Good Thunder." Immediately after the survey in April, John G. Graham, who had been in business at Garden City, began the erection of a store building at Good Thunder. The carpenter work was done by Julius Webber, then a young carpenter at Garden City, but afterwards for many years the honored judge of the Ninth Judicial District, with home at New Ulm. Early in June, 1871, Mr. Graham moved his stock of general merchandise from Garden City to Good Thunder, and, a postofEice being established there about the same time, he was made its first postmaster. Before the middle of June two stores had been opened and a building for a hardware store nearly completed at the new town.

Soon after the survey of Mapleton station in October, 1870, James E. Brown, who was in the mercantile business at Winnebago Agency built a store at the new townsite and began business^ there. In May, 1871, he sold out his business at Winnebago Agency and removed entirely to Mapleton, becoming its first merchant.

During the winter of 1870-71 wlieat went up to $1 per bushel to the great encouragement of the farmers. About April 1, 1871 the Blue Earth Valley Farmers' Club was organized at Shelbyville with following officers:

In the fall of 1870, Eev. A. Council of the Christian Church started a college at ]\Iankato known as "Blue Earth College," which ran for i.bout a year. Eev. Council was a very capable and energetic young man, but in quite feeble health, and before the end of the school year, he was obliged to resign because of sickness, and his assistant, Hiss E. J. Dickerson, finished the first year of the school and then it had to be abandoned.

In March, 1871, Mankato school District voted $10,000.00 bonds for the erection of a second school building, and the "Pleasant Grove" school house was completed that fall. At Mankato in 1871, we also note the building of a factory on 2nd street opposite the American House, for the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, etc., by Wolfram and Pans; the building of a large brick residence by John J. Shaubut, which now forms a part of St. Joseph's Hospital; and the construction of the present large German Catholic Church. The laying of the corner stone of the latter building on .July 24th, was a notable event. Bishop Grace officiated and there were grand processions in charge of Dr. Foilman as Marshal, and impressive ceremonies witnessed by about 3,000 persons. The building cogt about $-15,000.00 originally.

As long as the stage of water permitted the Pioneer and the Hudson were run between Mankato and New Ulm and Epd Wood in connection with the Winona and St. Peter railway, and the Otter and the St. Anthony Palls in connection with the St. Paul and Sioux City Bailway. As the river was low much of the summer, steamhoat traific to St. Paul was largelv discontinued, and in two or three ye^rs craped altogether. The boats were unable with the uncertain stage of water -to compete with the railroads. On July 7,

1871, one of the worst hail storms that ever visited the county swept over the townships of Cambria, Judson, South Bend, Butternut Valley, Lincoln, Garden City and portions of Jledo, working wholesale destruction to over 10,000 acres of grain in our own county, besides the havoc done in Brown and Nicollet counties. Many of the farmers were left in utter destitution, without even bread or seed, let alone the wherewith to meet their obligations. All their hard labor for the entire year gone in a few moments. The farmer of those days had nothing to fall back upon if his wheat crop failed. During the winter of 1871-2 about 1,300 of these hail storm sufferers applied to the governor for aid to procure seed wheat. The Legislature passed measures for their relief and the County Commissioners of Blue Earth County were authorized to issue $5,000.00 in bonds for the aid of such sufferers in this county. The bonds, however, were defeated at the polls in March by a vote of 579 against to 531 in favor. Some of the towns, who had suffered no harm, with the selfishness too often witnessed in public matters, voted almost solid against the proposition. At their meeting of March, 1871, the County Board had over 100 applications for aid from the hail sufferers and gave such assistance as they were able. Private subscriptions, also, did something to relieve the situation. Public charity is always grossly abused by the dishonest and unworthy, which thought doubtless influenced the vote on the bonds, yet the example of Him, "Who makes his sun shine on the just and the imjust" is the safest rule in cases of great public calamity and actual need.

In the fall of 1871, Woodham and Burgess built a flour mill at the outlet of Eagle Lake. On January 25, 1872, the Blue Earth Valley Bums Club met at the house of James Ellis in Sterling and the good old songs and games of bonny Scotland were given a full test on the snowy banks of Lake Lura. The officers elected for the coming year were :

The winter of 1871-3 had an abundant snowfall, in some of the railway cuts it was twenty feet deep. The depth of the snow drove the deer from the timber back of Mankato and they were found at times in Van Brunt and Warren Additions.

During the summer of 1871, there were a number of railway excursions gotten up by the churches of Mankato as a means of recreation and of raising money. Some of the churches cleared $150.00 to $200.00 each on these excursions.

The Citizens National Bank of Mankato was organized on the 28th of May, 1872. John P. Meagher was chosen President, J. P. Bishop, vice-president, and J. H. Ray cashier, and the following were made directors: H. Wolfram, Daniel Buck, J. W. Bishop, J. P. Meagher, M. Schwartz, J. A. James, Chas. Mansfield, J. J. Thompson, J. T. Williams, Wm. Thomas and Wm. Condon. On May 20, 1872, E. S. Eich started a cheese factory at Lake Crystal, a forerunner of the great dairy industry, . which has later made such wonderful progress.

On July 23, 1872, a German singing society known as the Harmonia, laid the corner stone of their new hall, which is the present opera house at Mankato. There was a procession of various lodges and clubs present. A. E. Pfau gave the English address and Prof. Neumeyer spoke in German. The building was finished this year and senator Wilkinson gave the dedicatory oration on Christmas day.

On the 13th of August, 1872, The Mankato Linseed Oil Co., was organized by John A. Willard, James B. Hubbell and E. D. Hubbard and the works at Mankato greatly enlarged. This company located flax mills at Lake Crystal and in Shelby to prepare the crude material for their Mankato factory. On June 4, 1872, the Blue Earth County Beekeepers Association met in convention at Eraser's Hall, Garden City, and stimulated the culture of the honey industry. A. W. Hawley, B. B. Parker, Edson Gerry, E. G. Eew, J. P. Purber and B. Coffin were among those who participated in the convention.

On September 3, 1872, the Germans of Mankato formed a new militia company, called "National Guards," with forty members, officered as follows:

At the November election, 1872, the Eepublicans and Democrats divided the honors. Among the democrats elected were Daniel Buck, for County Attorney, J. Wm. Hoerr for County Treasurer, and J. E. Porter for Judge of Probate. Porter was a new man and running against David Wilcox, one of the best known men in the county, and under the circumstances Porter's victory was a great surprise. He won by four votes.

Winter set in early in the fall of 1872, and the railroads had snow blockades about the first of November. Most of the farmers and the owners of horse flesh generally were, also, blockaded this winter, for the Epizootic everywhere was prevalent. As the winter progressed the snow became ever deeper and the temperature colder. The railroads in spite of every effort were blockaded for weeks at a time. The Winona & St. Peter road suffered particularly on the portion of their road between St. Peter and New Ulm, and its trains were hardly able to get to the latter place all winter and the mails had to be carried thither on sleighs. Two hundred shovelers were kept at work, but to no purpose, for what they cleared out one day would blow full the next. On January 7, 1873, a terrible blizzard set in, which lasted for two days. It was about the worst known in the history of the country and many people were frozen to death, and Blue Earth county did not entirely escape. D. Kirk, a school teacher of Garden City, and a brother of David Kirk, afterwards county superintendent of schools, was caught by the storm away from home and perished. John Halverson of Medo was likewise caught and so badly frozen that his feet and hands had to be amputated. About seventy persons perished in the State and thirtyone were seriously injured. About 250 cattle and twenty-five horses were destroyed by the storm.

Elsewhere in this volume will be found a table showing the growth of our public schools during the past forty-five years, prepared from, the an- nual reports furnished the State Superintendent of Puhlic Instruction. Here will be noted the transition from the log school house to the frame and brick, the gradual substitution of female for male teachers, the advance in wages, and the increase in the number of scholars. All are items of interest and worthy of consideration. Statistics, however, do not reveal the real work of education, what advance has been made in methods of teaching, how much better educated the youth of today are if any, compared with their fathers and mothers, who attended the schools of thirty and forty years ago, are questions of more importance. The advantages of the present over the past pertain, however, more to the city and village than to the country school, for the latter continues much as of yore, except that the men teachers have disappeared and likewise most of the older scholars. Many of the latter now attend the high school of some nearby village or town. The primitive log schoolhouse, in which the only furniture consisted of a box stove in the corner by the door, a chair and cheap table at the farther end of the room for the teacher, and a few rude homemade benches ranged between for the pupils, have long since vanished. But the white painted frame structure, with patent desks, a black board, a few maps and charts on the wall, and a globe and dictionary on the teachers desk, still remains, much as in the seventies. In this connection it may not be void of interest to take a mere glimpse into a number of the school houses of the county in the fall of 1872, with E. C. Payne, then County Superintendent, as he reported the same in the Eeview of that day.

District ISTo. 53, Mankato Township, Teacher, Miss Mary Bailey, wages $30.00 per month, pupils enrolled forty-eight, present thirty-eight good frame building.

District No. 3, Tivoli, teacher Miss Mary Maynard, wages $100 for three months, enrolled thirty-three, present twenty-one, need a new school house.

District No. 16, Garden City Village, Primary Department: Miss Emma King, teacher, enrollled thirty-two, present twenty-five, wages $30.; Intermediate Department; Miss Emma L. Walker, teacher, enrolled 49, present forty-two, wages $30. High school, David Kirk, teacher, enrolled forty-three, present thirty-six, wages $45.00. School house large two story frame.

District No. 117, Shelby, G. W. Dewn, teachpresent 22, good frame building, er, wages $20 and board, enrolled 24, present 22, new brick building of good size.

District No. 58, Medo, B. F. Stedman, teacher, wages $36.25, enrolled 34, present 26, primitive log building, sixth term for this teacher at this school.

District No. 33, Sterling, Miss Abbington DeWolf teacher, wages $30, enrolled 26, present 13, frame building, out of repair, used to be for years one of the best districts, but had been weakened by loss of territory.

The following districts were visited in June, 1873. We give first number of district, where located, name of teacher, number of scholars, enrolled, and lastly kind of school house:

During the winter of 1872-3 a large number of lodges of Patrons of Husbandry (or "Granges," as they were generally called) were organized all over the county. Major A. J. ilurphy was perhaps the most active in forming them. No society ever grew more rapidly among our people than this farmers' association. In a few months it had spread into every township and neighborhood in the county. On April 18, 1873, a council of the - Blue

Earth County Granges met at Lake Crystal, and a series of market or fair days were established as follows : Lake Crystal in May, Garden City in June, Mankato in July, and Good Thunder in October. On July 4th of this year monster celebrations were held by these farmer clubs at Lake Cr\'stal and Mapleton. The lodges participating in the Lake Crystal program were : Lake Crystal, Madoc, Gopher, Albion, Watonwan, Lincoln, Winger, Garden City, Ceresco, Eapidan, Hebron, Eureka, Hesperidan. Butternut, Castle Garden, Cambria, and Sterling. Between 1,000 and 1,200 members marched in the procession, all dressed in their regalia. This consisted of a Nankeen pouch or bag tied on the right side, a picture of a plow (the emblem of the order) on the flap, and beneath, the name and number of the lodge. A sash of the same material trimmed with red tape was worn across the breast, and in case of officers an initial letter indicating the position was worn on the sash. The lady members wore pretty white aprons and sashes, both trimmed with red tape, and generally they were dressed in white. Each grange in the procession was headed by its officers and carried banners and flags appropriately inscribed. Col. J. H. Stevens, editor of the "Farmers' Union," was orator of the day at Lake Crystal. At Mapleton the grangers were also out in force. About 1.200 to 1,500 persons were present there and Maj. A. C. Woolfork of Mankato delivered the address.

The matter of building the two railroads, one from Mankato to Wells, and the other up the Blue Earth from Mankato to Blue Earth City, were very live issues again this year. On February 27, 1873, Lyra voted $15,000 bonus to the Wells road by a majority of one in a poll of 107. April 1, Mankato voted $70,000 in bonus to the Wells road and $35,000 to the Blue Earth City branch. April Srd, Mapleton voted $12,500 bonus to the Wells Eailway. These amounts were in lieu of the former bonuses voted a year or two before, which had in some way fallen tliroup:]!. Beauford and ^^I.ankato townships defeated their bonus propositions ; but this only resulted in a little more agitation and another election, when a favorable vote was secured.

About the first of June, 1873, a German But a worse foe was at hand than the Blue newspaper called the "Mankato Beobachter" Earth County farmer had ever met before. (Observer) was started by Ludwig Schramm. In August, 1873, the grasshoppers began to During the same month a new postoffice was rppear in the Northwest towns of the county established in McPherson, under the name of in large numbers and at once began their "Belleview" with J. D. Hawkins as postmaster, work of destruction. Much damage was done and the name of "Speier" postoffice changed to in these towns to late crops this year, but we "Eagle Lake," and H. Bosard, who kept a shall hear more about them later, store near the railway station of that name, ap- In September, 1873, an unfortunate trouble pointed postmaster. Another postofEice was arose in the Normal School over the action of established in December at Vernon Center by the board in superceding Miss J. A. Sears, who the name of "Mj^rna" with Thos. Perkins as had acted as superintendent for a year. Thirtypostmaster, service to begin January 1st, 1874. six students took Miss Sears' part and seceded eluded the McCormick. Marsh Harvester, Kirby, During the winter of 1873-4 a lecture course Excelsior Dropper, Massillion Harvester, Buck- was srotten up at Mankato. which brought eve, Osborne. Woods Peaners. Edwards, Esterlv. thither for two or three winters some of the Advance Harvester, J. P. Manny Peaper. and best talent in the country. Snrh stars as Hon. Madison Harvester. The debts incurred in buy- Geo. S. Boutwell. Mary A. Livermore, Menins: such costly machinery and the hazzards of delsohn Club of Boston, Wendell Phillips, and raising drove many a venturous farmer Gen. Kilpatrick, who appeared the first season, en the financial rocks, hut others were more and Bavard Taylor, John 'B. Gousrh, Henrv fortunate. Then the lightning rod man was Ward Beecher, Eev, Edward Eggleston, Hon.

During 1873 the Mankato Driving Park Association was formed and secured grounds on the Brooks farm just north of Mankato, where the admirers of good horses had many a meet.

The first directory of Mankato was published, also, this year. The Winona and St. Peter Eailway Company passed through the best timber region in the county and the wood and lumber business of the road at once became an important factor. During January, 1874, 20,000 cords of wood were delivered along the line of the road. But we shall have more to say about this industry later.

On Feb. 1, 1874, an important change took place in the affairs of the Catholic Church of Mankato. An agreement was entered into between the church and the Jesuit Brotherhood, whose headquarters in this country is at Buffalo, N. Y., whereby the latter were put- in charge of the services of the church. The parish had grown too great for a single pastor, and it was a wise plan to put it into the hands of an order, who could supply all the men necessary to do the work properly.

The people who settled our county were a religious people and they built alters to the God of their fathers in every community. They were divided into many nationalities, and religious denominations, but on the whole all possessed the virtues of a noble Christian character. Our population as a class, both American and Foreign, was made up of the salt of the earth, men who feared God and worked righteousness. Of the many churches and schools they founded and built we shall speak more in detail, in the annals of the various towns. We may note, however, that in the early 70's the land had been mostly divided among the various tribes and nationalities'. The north half of the city of Mankato together with Mankato and Lime Townships, were settled almost wholly by Germans, mostly of the Catholic faith. Some Lutherans, Turners, Evangelical and Methodists were sprinkled among them, their numbers corresponding to the order named. In McPherson, Mapleton, and the north half of Beauford the German Catholics predominated, with many German Lutherans among them and a few Methodists. In Lyra, Eapidan and Decoria the German Lutherans predominated, but there was quite a number of German Catholics among them, especially in Lyra. Danville was now fast becoming a German town. They were mostly of the Methodist and Lutheran faith, but had a large and influential Catholic element in the southern part of the town. Pleasant Mound and the north half of Ceresco was, also, fast becoming a solid settlement of German Lutherans. The towns of South Bend, Judson, Cambria and the north half of Butternut Valley were occupied by the Welsh very early. Lake Crystal and Mankato also contained many of this nationality. They were mostly Calvinistic Methodists, a denomination nearly allied to the Presbyterians. This denomination had seven or eight churches among them, the Congregationalist two, and there were a few Baptist and Wesleyan families. The Norwegians were occupying the south half of Butternut Valley and the northwest portion of Lincoln, the west half of Sterling and some of the east part of Shelbj', the most of Medo, a strip along the west end of Eapidan, and the portions of Eapidan and Decoria, which lie in the vicinity of \he mouths of the Maple and Cobb rivers. Quite a number of them also reside at Lake Crystal and Mankato. They too are a very religious people and belong almost exclusively to the Lutheran faith and have many churches. Among them, as among the Germans, there are two synods of the Lutheran church, which nearly amount to two denominations. The old doctrine of the Free Will is really at the bottom of their differences. In the southeast comer of Lincoln and dipping over a little into Garden City a colony of Swedish Baptists had located. On the Judson bottom were a few Swedish Lutherans, while at the City of Mankato many Swedish people reside. The majority are of the Lutheran faith, but the Congregational, Baptist and M. E. have churches among them. The Irish took possession of Jamestown, of the northerly portion of Ceresco, of the southwest comer of Lyra, a strip on the line between Beauford and Lyra and the northwest corner of DanviUe. Mankato contains, also, quite a number of the Sons and Daughters of Erin; while McPhxerson and other towns have a few families. As a rule they are of the Catholic faith. In the eastern part of Sterling, and crossing the line into Mapleton and in Mapleton Village and with a few scattering families in Beanford, the trihe of Scotland might be found. Garden City, Vernon Center and Shelby were mostly settled by Americans and a majority of the other towns haJ more or less American settlers. These lines of demarkation between the various nationalities still remain quite distinct, but already intermarriage, the public schools, the press, the demands of business are beginning to beat down the lines of separation and before long all will be welded into a homogenous whole, the future American.

During the early 70's there was much activity throughout the county in Sunday school matters, and conventions were held each year. A report, not far from being complete so far as the English speaking schools were concerned, and covering a few of the foreign schools, showed there were in the county, fifty-three Sunday schools, four hundred and forty-one officers and teachers and two thousand five hundred and sixty scholars.

In March, 1874, the Mankato Woolen Manufacturing Company was organized by Christian Eoos, Jacob Bierbauer, A ISTeumayer, Thos. Bennett and J. P. Meagher.

The summer of 1874 was very dry and windy and many fires caused thereby and much &ax burned. The establishment of the oil mill at Mankato had greatly encouraged the production of flax all over the county.

The grasshoppers were quite numerous this year in the northwestern portion of the county and fully half of the crops were destroyed by them. A severe hailstorm in June swept through Cambria, Butternut Valley and Judson and took about all the grasshoppers had not yet had time to finish.

About the last of July, 1874, the first load of iron was received for the Wells road and the work of laying the track began. By September 29th, daily trains were running to Good Thunder and on November 17, 1874, a celebration of the completion of the road to Wells was held. Other events of the year at Mankato were: The building of Turner's hall (afterwards called Union Hall and now transformed to the Heinrich Hotel), and the sale of the "Mankato Union" on September 11th by W. B. Griswold to J. K. Cleveland, and of the Beobaehter by Schramm to J. M. Broome of New Ulm. The city, also, entered in September into a contract with a Chicago firm, named Spangler, Marrs and Miller, to sink an artesian well four inches in diameter. The well was dug to depth of 2,204 feet and then abandoned. Had it been properly cased and cared for, it doubtless would have been successful. It was one of the deepest holes ever dug in the State, and was therefore of considerable interest to the geologist. The water rose in it within 71% feet of the top, but a leak occurred near this point. It cost the city $12,000 to dig it, and $1,568 was paid for the land, which today constitutes Highland Park.

In June, 1874, Mankato voted $10,000 bonds to build the Eranklin school house. Garden City also built during the summer a new two story school building.

The assessors returns for June, 1874, showed the following live stock statistics: Horses, 7,007; cattle, 16,065; sheep, 6,153, hogs, 5,186. There were 42,010 apple trees growing in the county and 820 bushels of apples raised and 5,980 pounds of grapes. In 1875 Blue Earth County ranked fifth in the State in dairy produce and was first in the production of honey, having 702 hives and 15,666 pounds of honey. It, also, raised the most com of any county, amounting to 457,991 bushels.

At the November election Judge F. H. Waite, who had resigned his position as District Judge,- in order to run for Congress as an Independent candidate, was beaten by M. H. Dunnell, the Eepublican nominee, but by a majority of only 2,986, which was about one-third the usual figure. D. A. Dickinson, the Eepublican nominee, was elected Judge of the District Court, over Daniel Buck. The Democrats succeeded in electing their share of the county officers.

The saw mill industry of the county was now nearly at its best. The great timber section covering its northeast quarter was full of saw mills. The Dickinson mill by Hoosier Lake, the Fredericks and Hodapp mill, and the Whitrock mill in the vicinity of the poor farm, the Bennett and Harvey mill at Tivoli, the Morse mill on outlet of Lake Madison, the Woodham Mill, owned then by Burgess & Picket on the outlet of Eagle Lake, the Lamphear mill on Indian Lake in LeEay, the Stokes mill at Smith's Mill, the Forster mill at north end of Eagle Lake, the Saylor mill in Jamestown, the Boegen mill at Mankato, the two mills at Winnebago Agency, one or two at Eagle Lake and many others that do not now occur to us were busy manufacturing lumber. Eagle Lake was now beginning to be somewhat of a village, the principal center of the wood and lumber business. In January, 1874, a newspaper was started there by A. H. Wheeler, under the name of "The Golden Prize" which ran for about a year and

In February, 1875, a new post ofEice was created at Mapleton station with the old pioneer, Eobert Taylor, as postmaster. Early in August another postofEice was created in Medo, called "Little Cobb," with Wm. Germo as postmaster.

On March 1st, 1874, the Welsh held one of their big "Eisteddfod's" at Turners Hall, Mankato. This is a literary and musical festival of a competitive character, usually held once a year. It had been held for two or three years before this. On March 17th, the Irish brotherhood celebrated St. Patricks day at Mankato with a good literary program.

During this year the Catholics under the leadership of the Jesuit brotherhood, always active in educational work, built their fine school building at Mankato. It is of brick, 150 feet long by 60 feet wide, and three stories high. It was completed by October 1, 1876, and dedicated with appropriate exercises by Bishop Ireland.

We have given much space to the settlement and growth of Mankato both city and township in the general history of the county and it is not necessary to repeat the same facts again. Besides, a complete history of our county seat, would require a volume of itself, and space will not permit such particularity. I shall, therefore, only review a few facts very briefly. Mankato was founded in February 1853. Incorporated as a village March 2, 1865, and as a city March 6, 1868.

Second State Normal School located at Mankato, was started Oct. ?, 1868. The first part of its present building was erected in 1869-70. A large addition was made to the building in 1894, another addition in 1906, and a second building erected in 1908.

Mankato, also, has two large parochial schools and two private commercial colleges. The German Catholic school was started in the fall of 1865, with three sisters of Notre Dame in charge. In 1875-6 the present large, four story, brick building was erected. After this a male teacher was also employed. The first was Joseph Karl, succeeded in 1877, by Nicholas Moes, who in turn was succeeded in 1898/ by Frau Suellentrop.

The German Lutheran School was started January 16, 1883, by Eev. K. P. Schulze with thirteen scholars, which increased to ninetyseven before the end of the year. Theo. Diesuer was soon employed as teacher to relieve Rev. Schulze, whose pastoral duties required all his time. Mr. Diesner did not prove a success and resigned in March, 1884, and Rev. Schulze was obliged to resume the care of the school until May, 1885, when Prof. F. L. F. Brockmeyer was put in charge, and remained at the head of the school with great success until failing health obliged him to resign. The school now numbered over 200 pupils and a fine two story brick school building was erected in 1905.

The Mankato Commercial College was started June 10, 1891, by Howard L. Rucker and Arthur G. Matter. After one year. Prof. Rucker sold his interest to H. J. Brandrup. In 1896, Prof. Matter sold out to W. E. Freeman. The latter retired in 1898, to become county superintendent of schools, and Prof. Brandrup was sole proprietor until July, 1899, when Geo. E. Nettleton bought a half interest in the school. The growth of the school has been phenomenal. Beginning with about half a dozen pupils, it now has 300 to 400. Until 1908, the school occupied the upper story of the Sterns' Block, but in the fall of 1907, Brandrup and Nettleton purchased the large three story brick block, which now constitutes the permanent home of this excellent school.

The Toland Business University was started in the fall of 1904, in the upper story of the Hubbard-Patterson Block. It met with such success that it was soon obliged to branch out for additional room to empty stores. When the Richards Block was constructed in 1905, the upper story was built for the special use of this school, where it is now conveniently located and doing splendid work. The school is owned by Prof. Chas. C. Owen, and has a splendid corps of instructors.

Mankato has twenty-two church buildings, including those of North j\Iankato, and there are two or three religious societies who worship in halls.

Seventh Day Adventists organized first early in the seventies. In the summer of 1874, they built a house of worship in Tinkcom's addition. In three or four years this first society becarae scattered and the church building was removed to Eagle Lake. In 1883 the church was reorganized. September 35, 1888, the society became incorporated by the election of the following trustees: David Quinn, Wm. H. Pettis and Gaylor Mattison. Their present building stands on State street and was erected in 1888-9. The membership is about eighty.

First Baptist Church, organized by Rev. J. R. Ash, August 21, 1859, with twelve charter members. Worshiped first in Masonic Hall. In spring of 1861, purchased a frame building of James Cannon, on present site of "Review Office" on Front street, which was occupied by society until May, 1867, when it was sold to J. C. Wise for a printing office. After this, the church worshiped in the log school house, and in halls until May 3, 1868, when a frame chapel was dedicated on site of present church on South Broad Street. Sunday school started January 28, 1865. F. T. Wait and M. L. Plumb were first deacons. Prominent among its pastors were: J. W. Rees, Wilson Whitney and F. E. R. Miller. During the pastorate of the first, two members, who were destined to become great leaders and workers in the church joined it - namely, W. C. Durkee and Geo. M. Palmer. In 1888, the present fine edifice was erected. The membership is about 300.

The West Mankato Branch Baptist church was organized in 1892, with twenty-six members. A. Sorenson was moderator of the meeting, and the other officers were: E. Strand, clerk; Blomquist, treasurer; G. Tanquist and J. Johnson, deacons. The church was incorporated May 5, 1899, by the election of Frank Tanquist, Chas. Lindfeldt, and Gust Tanquist as trustees. Their chapel was dedicated March 16, 1902. Members about fifty.

St. John's Catholic Church, (English) was started in June, 1884, under Father John Prior. It was legally incorporated Aug. 22, 1885, by Bishop John Ireland, Father A. Ravaux, Rev. John Prior and James Doherty and James Car- ney lay members. The corner stone of their church building was laid JSov. 24, 188i, and the dedication was held June ^0, 1886. i'ather Prior was succeeded by Father Daniel Hughes, and he by leather lioDert Hughes, the present pastor. The congregation numbers about -±50.

St. Peter and St. Pauls Catholic Church, (German) was started at a meeting held December 30, 1854, at the log hotel of Clements Kron. Father Kavaux and Vivaldi and Bishop Cretin ministered to the congregation untiJ March, 1856, when Father Valentine ISommereisen became the first settled pastor of the church. A log hut on Agency Hill was the first chapel. A stone chapel, 30x40 feet was erected in 1856. The present fine church was dedicated Nov. 23, 1873, by Bishop Thomas Grace, during the able pastorate of Father A. Wirth. The church was put in charge of the Jesuit Fathers in January, 1886. Many costly improvements have been made from time to time on the church building and its furnishings, its equipment costing in all about $47,000. In connection with this church, the sisters of the Sorrowful Mother erected St. Joseph's Hospital - one of the best and most important institutions in the city. The congregation now numbers about 3,000, and their present chief pastor is Father Theo. Hegemann.

The First Christian Church was organized May, 1868. The charter members were : James B. Elliot, Elizabeth Elliot, Clementine Elliot, E. W. Dickenson, Anna Dickenson, Elizabeth Chenowith, Meriam Eadford, Eobert _Sharpe, Jessie Sharpe, Joseph Powers, Cecilly Powers, Levi Scott, Mahala Scott, Clementine Levan, Amanda Holmes, Anna Brown and Sarah Davis. The first pastor was Eev. Austin B. Council, who began his work in June, 1870. The church was incorporated Feb. 1, 1871, by election of following trustees: HayJen E. Garrett, Henry S. Goff, John M. Faddis, Chauncy A. Austin, and Elijah W. Dickinson. Eed Jacket Hall was the first home of the church, but in 1872 its first chapel was built. The present edifice was completed in 1895. The membership is about 200 and the last pastor Eev. V. Black has recently resigned.

First Congregational Church organized at Shoemaker's Hall, Aug. 28, 1870. The charter members were : Harvey JMeacham, Geo. S. Meacham, j\largaret Meacham, L. Z. Torry, Harriet F. Torrey, Geo. M. Gage, Elizabeth Gage, J. A. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, Caroline C. Brown, Susie M. Dyer, A. P. Tukey, Miss Arabella Olds and Miss Jeimie Hayden. a^he church incorporated Oct. 29, 1870, by the election of the following trustees: Francis Burke, James Morrison and J. A. Kennedy. The first pastor was Eev. C. H. Merril, followed in two years by Eev. L. W. Chaney. The church building was erected in 1871, remodeled and enlarged in 1906. The parsonage was built in 1907. Membership about 150. Present pastor Eev. B. L. Heermance.

The Swedish Congregational Church was organized in 1889, the first trustees elected on July 25, of that year, were: A. Hjerpe, Andrew Anderson and John P. Anderson. John Almquist was the first clerk. Eev. G. A. Burg was the first pastor. The church worshiped in the old Swedish Lutheran building until 1895, when the present edifice was built on Belgrade Avenue. jMembership about seventy.

St. John's Episcopal Church organized June 27, 1860, by Bishop Whipple. Eev. E. W. Blow was the first regular pastor in July, 1862. He was followed in April, 1863, by Eev. Geo. C. Tanner, who in turn was followed by Eev. Alpheus- Spor. The first incorporation occured July 9, 1866, at Shoemaker's Hall when the following officers were chosen : Wardens, N. Finch and Dr. J. C. Jones; vestrymen, 0. 0. Pitcher, P. B. Sparrow, J. HoUenbeck, C. D. Dunscomb, A. L. Lindholm, F. H. Waite, J. A. Wiswell, and E. D. B. Porter. The corner stone of the chapel was laid August 15, 1866, and the building occupied in August, 1867, but not completed and dedicated until Dec. 7, 1869. The rectory was built in 1887 - Present membership about 185.

Jerusalem Church of Evangelical Association was organized in 1868, and incorporated March 8, 1869, with following trustees; Geo. Eoose, Geo. Ortt and John Hauck. In 1872, their chapel was built under the pastorate of

"Our Savior's Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" became a legal body in April, 1871, by the election of the following trustees : Lars C. Nilson, Christina Hanson and Bergamen Joliannesen. There had been a congregation formed two or three years before. Until 1875, the church worshiped in the German Lutheran chapel. In this year the congregation divided and two church edifices were built, one by the above named corporation on the corner of Pleasant and Carroll, and the other by the "Trinity Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church" on the corner of Van Brunt and Carroll. The former has a membership of about 130, under Eev. Nils Norgaard, and the Trinity Church has about 228 members under Eev. John H. Brono.

"The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel Church" dates its origin to the year 1871. In those early days it met in private houses, Higgins Hall, and the old Court House. The church was organized in 1874:, by the election of the following officers: Trustees, Chas P. Hallman, Louis Anderson and T. A. Fait; deacons, John Freeman, J. T. Hultengren and John F. Johnson; and clerk, Chas. F. Hallman. This year a brick chapel was erected in West Mankato and Eev. J. G. Lagerstrom became their first pastor. In 1886, a division arose in the church over the question of excluding from the membership those who belonged to fraternal societies. January 10, 1887, the seceding majority formed a new organization under Eev. S. Anderson and the following ofEicers were chosen: Trustees, Soren Johnson, Chas. Peterson and John Dahlen; deacons, John G. Magnuson, Martin Nelson and John Paulson. William's Hall served as a meeting place imtil the erection of the present fine house of worship in 1892, under the able leadership of Eev. S. C. Franzen. In 1902, the church received a gift of a pipe organ from Gen. G. Widell. The congregation now numbers 650 with 250 communicants.

The Centenary M. E. Church was started as early as the summer of 1855, when a class was organized by Eev. Lewis Bell. Methodist ministers had preached in the town as early as 1853 and 4. In October, 1855, Eev. John W. Powell was appointed the first pastor of the church. Meetings were held in halls and the log school house until 1866, when the base- of the first church building was finished, and the superstructure completed in 1870. The first incorporation of the church occured January 3, 1860, when the following trustees were appointed: David Lines, E. J. Sibley, John Hemperly, Benjamin Hotaling, John N. Hall, Joseph "Thompson, and Isaac N. Britton. It was reincorporated January 17, 1884, when Elder J. N. Liscomb appointed the following trustees: 0. E. Mather, A. H. Allen, Wm. Pearson, Geo. W. Bradley and D. L. Clements. In 1907, the present elegant edifice was erected at a cost of over $30,000, under the leadership of the present pastor, Eev. Peter Clare. The present trustees are: J. W. Andrews, J. H. Baker, T. C. Peart, John White, J. S. Young, Nelson Weed, George W. Sugden, C. Gable, and the stewards are: D. L. Clements, S. H. Grannis, A. J. Nelson, B. C. Parmalee, G. E. Nettleton, Thos. Dooley, H. W. Maltby, H. J.

The Belgrade Avenue M. E. Church was organized in 1899 and a chapel was erected in 1900. The German M. E. Church was organized in 1873, by Eev. F. E. Schulte. May 31, 1877, ilie church was incorporated by the appointment of the following trustees: Christian Maae, Christian Luehring and Johann Frey. May 18, 1879, their church building was dedicated, a brick structure, 33x54, which cost over $3,100. The present membership is about 70.

The First Swedish M. E. Church was organized Sept. 5, 1886, by Eev. J. D. Andrews, and incorporated January 2, 1897, by Elder Oscar J. Stead with the following trustees : Peter Carlstrom, F. W. Skoog, Nels Hoglund, GustofE Carlstrum and Erick Johnson. The church building was dedicated April 30, 1903. Membership about forty.

The First Presbyterian Church was started in February, 1854, by Eev. James Thomson, who held regular services thereafter. It was the first church in Mankato and Eev. Thomson was the first regular minister to locate in the county. The organization of the church occured August 31, 1855. A. D. Seward was the first Elder. The church worshiped in halls and the log school house until the erection of its first chapel in 1865. It was incorporated May- 15, 1863, when the following persons were elected trustees : A. D. Seward, B. P. Freeman, J. A. Willard, David Lamb, H. P. Christensen, Cornelius Wampler, J. S. Batchelder, J. J. Shaubut, and J. J. Porter. The present elegant church edifice was begun in 1893, and completed in 1896. Prominent among its pastors have been, Thos. Marshall, J. B. Little, Lee W. Beattie and Geo. W. Davis. The .present pastor is Eev. T. Eoss Paden, and the membership over 500.

Hope Mission was started by the First Presbyterian Church in August, 1887, and a neat chapel erected in which Sunday school and other services have been regularly held ever since.

The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Church was started in 1865, and it was organized in December of that year. Among the charter members were John D. Jones, and wife, Ellis E. Ellis and wife, Mary Eoberts, Hugh Hughes, Wm. Francis, Wm. S. Hughes, Margaret Jones, Owen Eoberts and wife and Owen Jones and wife. The church was incorporated Feb. 30, 1867, with the following trustees: Wm. Jones, Wm. W. Jones, John E. Thomas and Eev. Wm. Eoberts. The first church building was erected in the spring of 1867. Eichard T. Jones was made an elder in 1871, and in 1877, four elders were chosen, namely: Hugh Jones, Owen Jones, John D. Evans and James Griffiths. In February, 1884, the first building was burned, and in the fall of the same year a new brick church was built on State street. This was replaced in 1896, by the present fine edifice. Eev. Eichard F. Jones became pastor in Nov. 1873, Eev. John C. Jones, in Feb. 1884, and Eev. Wm. E. Evans in January, 1895. The present membership is about 150.

The Christian Scientists and the Christian Volunteers, also, hold regular services in the city, but have no church building. A Hebrew church called "Bnay-Israel" was organized Oct. 14, 1907, at the residence of L. Salet, where the society worships.

Histoey Of Blue Eaeth Couisity

The town was first settled in the spring of 1856, by Uriah Payne, Ira Annis, J. \V. Sprague, James Cornell, Eobert Taylor and others, a full account of which settlement appears elsewhere is this volume. It was first called "Sherman after Isaac Sherman an old settler of Danville, or possibly, after x^sa P. Sherman, an old settler of Mapleton, who lived on Section twenty t'herein, and united with the old town of ;\[apleton, now Sterling, for administrative purposes. On separation of the two towns, the present names were adopted. The first town meeting of the independent municipality, was held April 2, 1861, at the home of James Cornell, but it adjourned for the afternoon to a log school house on Section seven. The first sermon was preached by James Cornell in a grove near former residence of jSTeil Darroch. The first marriage was that of John Mund and Elizabeth Dixon, on Oct. 19, 1856, Eev. James Cornell ofEiciating. Mr. Cornell, also, officiated the same fall at the first funeral - a child of Azro Furguson. The first postofiice was established in 1857, with Stephen Middlebrook as postmaster. In 18C3, he was succeeded by Sylvester Hawkins, who in 1886 was succeeded by Eobert Taylor. In 1856 and 7, Vincent Wessels kept a small store at his home. Early in the sixties Sylvester Hawkins ran a store at his home in section 18, nntil February, 1866, when he transferred his farm, store and postofEice to Eobert Taylor. In 1865-6, H. A. Buck had a small store at old Mapleton and Wm. Wilde entertained the weary traveler at the same place. Benajah Corp, near the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 7, was the neighborhood blacksmith. About 1858, Middlebrook Bros, put up a steam saw mill on the Maple in the southwest quarter of section 7, which was burnt in June, 1863. They rebuilt the mill and operated it for two or three years thereafter. The old townsite of Mapleton was laid ont partly in this town, but it failed, and was vacated in Februar}^ 1863.

The first school was taught in 1857, by Jarvis P. Harrington in a log school house in Section 7. In 1867, a postoffice was established in the northeast corner of the town at the cabin of Joel Gates called "Garden Prairie." In 1870, Eichard Credicott succeeded Mr. Gates as its postmaster, but, when the Wells Eailway was built and the village of Mapleton founded about two or three years later, the office was discontinued.

The present village of Mapleton was surveyed in October, 1870, and platted January 31, 1871, by David Smith, owner of the land, and Clark W. Thompson, James B. Hubbell and John A. Willard, builders of the Mankato and Wells Railway. The first store (a small grocery) was built in the fall of 1870, by James N. Wishart. In September of the same year, James E. Brown now editor of "Amboy Herald" and his brother Geo. Brown opened the second store - being the first general store.

The railroad was built in 1874, and on February 29, 1875, Robert Taylor removed the Mapleton postofEice to the village, where he was postmaster until his death in June, 1883. He was succeeded by his son, James S. Taylor, who in turn was succeeded in Nov., 1885, by James McLaughlin. Then came Peter G. Johnston from May, 1889, to Oct., 1894, followed by Hugh M. Quinn, who held the office until Kov. 1900, when C. G. Spaulding was appointed.

The village was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, February 23, 1878, and David Smith, J. E. Brown and L. Troendle appointed to call first corporate election. This election was held March 19, 1878, and the following officers elected: Trustees - Joel Gates, Lucius Troendle, James McLaughlin, and C. H. Wicks; treasurer, Sherman Peet; recorder, P. A. Foster; justice, C. W. Smith; constable, Henry Tenney.

In the summer of 1889, a 2,000 barrel reservoir was erected and a water system installed, which was enlarged three or. four years later. In January, 1884, the village purchased a Rumsey engine for the use of the fire company. In 1896, an electric light plant was installed by Sellers Bros. In the winter of 1901-2 a sewer system was constructed at a cost of over $7,000. Prominent among the pioneer stores, and now the oldest in the village, is that of L. Troendle, which was opened in the fall of 1872. The first grist mill was erected by Moses Gates and N. P. Nelson in 1880. In 1881, it was leased to James Pearson, and later passed into the hands of S. Peet. December 31, 1886, it burned. In the summer of 1887, the present mill was built by Mr. Peet at a cost of $9,000, with 175 barrel capacity. It is now owned by the Mapleton Milling Co. A private bank was started by Corliss & Brown in March, 1882. In September 1896, this bank failed and a State Bank was immediately started, largely through the 'efforts of Judge Daniel Buck of Mankato. The latter's son, A. A. Buck, was made cashier and came near wrecking the bank in October, 1903. Through the special effort of its directors, it was restored to a solid basis, and reopened in a short time with 15. F. McGregor as cashier.

March 31, 1903, the First National Bank was organized by W. A. Hanna, L. Troendle, J. E. Norton, Wm. Stroebel, R. B. Hanna, and John Stroebel, of which C. W. Borchert is the cashier.

Sprague's Hall and Brown's Hall were early public gathering places. The I. 0. 0. F. and the Masonic lodges have each built fine blocks with good halls. Feb: 8, 1896, Mapleton was visited by a big fire, which destroyed six of its business houses. The following summer they were all replaced by brick blocks, which gave the village a much more substantial and modem appearance.

The first school house was built in 1869, and Geo. A. Clark was the first teacher. This building was occupied until 1878, when it was sold to the M. E. for a parsonage, and a new and larger structure was erected, after a very warm fight over its location. The high school was erected in 1887.

The first newspaper in the village was the "Mapleton Messenger" started by J. L. Barlow, June 13, 1879. After a few months it moved elsewhere, and was succeeded April, 1880, by the "Mapleton Censor," which suspended March 1, 1881. Its editor was , J. B. Price. The next paper was "The Mapleton Enterprise" which was. started September 1, 1884, as a small monthly sheet by Brown, Wishart and Orr, as a means to advertise their store. It was first issued by Brown and Hotaling as a weekly newspaper on June 1, 1888, and not long thereafter H. C. Hotaling became its sole proprietor.

The Mapleton Free Baptist Church was the first religious body to organize in the town. It was started about 1864-5, at the log house of Harlow Bassatt by Rev. S. A. Stow, with five charter members: John Goff, Minerva Goff, D.

Piistotiy Of Blue Earth Cottxty

Boynton, Isaac Smith, and Fredrick Miller. It was incorporated June 6, 1868, when the following officers were chosen: Deacons, Alonzo Clark and Fredrick Miller; trustees, Ira Annis, Isaac Smith, John Chase, John M. More, Fredrick Miller and ]\rilton Mills. Soon after the village was started the church moved thereto and a building was erected in 1878, costing about $1,500.

The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Johannes Church was organized in 1871, with ten members. Eev. A. Barnake was its first pastor, and after holding services for a few times in private houses Troendle's Hall became its meeting place. In 1876, a church building was erected at a cost of $1,500. April 17, of this year the congregation was incorporated. Jacob Geisenchoefer and A. Paget presided and the following trustees were chosen: Fritz Gruth, Chas. Proehl and Ch. Kruger. Christian H. Wicks was made deacon. The church is in a flourishing condition.

It is claimed that the M. E. were the first to start regular religious services in the town. This was as early as 18-56, when Eev. J. W. Powell made Mapleton a part of his Shelby^'ille circuit, and a class was formed. Early in the sixties the M. E. held meetings at the house of Harlow Basset and at the Kruger school house. The church was organized at Mapleton village in 1870, by Eev. Powell, who was its first pastor. Their church building was erected in the summer of 1891.

The Congregational Church was incorporated at the residence of D. W. Brooks Oct. 23, 1882, by the election of the following trustees : James Morris, W. D. Sprague and .John Sprague. The ecclesiastical organization took place Dec. 26. 1889, and Eev. 0. 0. Eundell was its first pastor. At first they worshiped in the Baptist Church, but in 1882-.3 they erected a building of their own which was dedicated June 14, 188'i.

The Eoman Catholic Church of St. Theresa was started in 1876. It was legallv incorporated March 9, 1885, by Bishop John Ireland, Father Eaveaux and Eev. Thos. Duane. pastor, and James McLaughlin and John Schweitzer lay members. The first chapel was of brick,

The first hotel in the village was opened in 1870, by Henry Tenney. The Farnum House, was built in 1875, by C. W. Farnum, who was its proprietor until Nov., 1880. In 1878, W. H. Leighton built the ilapleton House, which Mr. and Jlrs. ]\Iartin Schlingerman have so successfully conducted for many years. In the eighties. The Farnum House became the property of E. Traver, and was called the "Traver House" for many j'ears. In 1901, the old building was torn down and the present fine brick structure erected by Wm. Pagenkoff, and in January, 1902, Fred Gerlick was installed as its first landlord. The present landlord is Carl Splett.

Among the pioneer business men of the village, not before mentioned are: A. Eima, who started a general store in 1875, Johnston and Marvin came later, Joel Gates, J. M. Sprague and Wm. Hanna, hardware, John Schweitzer, druggist: Wm. Albrecht, boots and shoes (1876) Chas. Dietz, harness shop : James McLaughlin, furniture; S. C Brooks, W. Tenney and Geo. M. Cooper, livery : Dr. Ira Bishop, L. W. Kreuger and F. G. Bomberger, physicians: John Paul, J. E. Norton and S. Poet, lumber: C. G. Spaulding, wheat buyer: T. B. Taylor and Henry Pagel, stock buyers: P. A. Foster, Wm. N. Plymat, Morgan A. Berry, C. J. Laurisch and IT. G. Argetsinger, lawyers: Griner it Co., clothing: J. S. Taylor, books: IT. M. Quinn, farm implements.

Besides the postoffices named, the pioneers were served by an office established in the early sixties at Grapeland of which M. L. Lockerby was postmaster in November, 1877. The office was usually, however, kept just across the line in Faribault County. June 1, 1891. a postoffice was reestablished at Old J\Iaplcton called "Hawkins" after an early settler, with ilrs. Jennette Taylor as the postmistress. Since the opening of the present century all rural postoffices have been done away with and the daily delivery sys- tem has been inaugurated. Telephones add still more to the facility for communication on farm and in village. Besides the village school, which is independent, there are five school districts in the town and two Joint school districts, in each of which there is a good frame school house, and an excellent school regularly maintained.

The first settlers were C'has." J\Ianstield and A. W. Callen, who settled on the east side of Eice Lake in the fall of 1854. In 1855, the town was made a part of the Winnebago Reservation and the Agency buildings were located on the site of the present village of St. Clair. A number of government officials and employees were settled here and made the point one of special importance during the Indian occu}iancy. August 31, 1855, the town was made an election precinct under the name of Eice Lake, after the lake of that name found therein, which was famous among the Indians for its production of wild rice. Chas. Mansfield, A. W. Callen and J. L. Alexander were the first election judges and twenty-one votes were cast in the fall of 1855. Among those connected with the Indian agency, who came here with the Winnebagoes in June, 1855, were: General J. E. Fletcher, Indian agent, Henry Foster, Joshua Ady, A. L. Foyles W. J. Cullen, Superintendent of Indian School, Chas. H. Mi-x, Asa White, Geo. Culver, Peter ilanaige, Xewell Houghton and J. L. Alexander. In June, 1856, John Johnston, afterwards of Sterling, located at the Agency as blacksmith. In 1861, J. B. Hubbell and Lucius Dyer and other republican officials under Agent Balcome located at the agency. The Indians were removed in May, 1863, and immediately settlers began pouring into the town. There are many tales connected with the old Winnebago Agency, some of which have been recounted on former pages. In parting with the Indian period space will permit but one more glimpse into its savage scenes.

The Death Of Honk Honka

Life at an Indian Agency has many a sensation and many a tragedy. In April, 1857, when the Inkpadutah trouble was at its height, there lived among the Winnebagoes, a vicious, drunken Indian named Honk Honka. In one of his wild periodical sprees he assaulted a white man so viciously that the matter could not be overlooked and the sheriff was sent for, who took the culprit to Mankato to lodge in the County jail. It happened to be the very day that Captain Lewis' company returned from their skirmish with the Sioux near Madelia, and everybody's fittention was taken up with that exciting event. While the deputy sheriff was stopping a minute in the bar room of the Mankato House to discuss the news, he left Honk Honka, handcuffed, sitting on a -bench near the door. Suddenly the Indian darted out and disappeared into the neighboring brush, and aided by the gathering darkness escaped. After spending some weeks down in Sibley County, where some friends liberated his hands from the irons, he returned unexpectedly one day to the Agency and entered one of the Indian huts. Two papooses were sleeping on a bed in the room and Honk Honka, being drunk as usual, threw himself on the bed crosswise, pinning both children under him. The cries of the youngsters brought the mother at once to their aid, but unable to extricate them, she ran out yelling frantically for help. X white man named, John Quinlan, hearing the disturbance rushed in and jerked the Indian off the bed. Honk Honka drew a long, sharp knife and rushed furiously at Quinlan, who dodged around the stove in the center of the room. For half an hour or more the mad chase was kept up around that stove until Quinlan was nearly exhausted. There was no time to open the door and get out, for the knife in the hands of that whisky crazed savage was too close to his back. The woman had disappeared and there was no response to his cries for help. At last he spied an ax in a corner of the room, and as he spun around the stove he managed to grab it, and facing suddenly about, he dealt the Indian a blow which severed his head from his shoulders. A number of young bucks soon came and gathered Honk Honka's body up in a blanket and hurried it. A brother of the deceased refused to accept Quinlan's plea of self-defence, but threatened to avenge his brother's death. Knowing the Indian character, Quinlan concluded the Agency was not the safest place on earth for him, and departed for part unknown and thus ended the sprees of Honk Honka.

By Sept. 2, 1863, sufficient settlers had located in the town to require the County Board to create it into an independent municipality. The name was changed from Rice Lake to !Mc- Clelan, after the famous Union General. The first town meeting was held at the house of Luoius Dyer on September 19, 1863. when the following officers were elected : Supervisors, Asa White, chairman. J. Y. Colwell and Lucius Dyer ; clerk, Henry Poster ; treasurer, E. 0. Bartlett; assessor, Chas, Manaig; justices, J. L. Alexander and J. Y. Colwell : constables. Aaron Foyles and Alexander Paver. Henry Foster was the first postmaster, appointed in 1856. He was succeeded in January, 1862, by James B. Hubbell, who in turn was succeeded bv Lucius Dyer in May, 1863. Dyer had been Indian Farrher under the Eepublican administration, but on the departure of the Winnebagnes, had purchased the land on which the large brick residence of the Indian agent stood, and occupied it as a hotel. In ^March, 1X65, he sold the place to Josiah C. Truman, who about the same time succeeded him as postmaster. The house was afterwards the home of the late Duane F. Easdall, and is still occupied by his family.

In February, 1865, the name of the town was changed from ^fiC'lelan to ^IcPherson by act of the Legislature. August 11, 1865, Aaron Hilton laid out a townsite on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section S. which he called after his own name, and which now corresponds with the main part of the village of St. Clair. On this land was located the government mill, which llr. Hilton had bought the summer before, and which after refitting he was now operating. The lumber department had two run of saws with a capacity of 10,000 feet per day, and had a lath and shingle mill attached. The flour department had a capacity of 100 barrels per day.

In July, 1866, Mr. Hilton was appointed postmaster and removed the office to his new town of "Hilton." The latter, at the time, contained about a dozen houses, 3 stores, 2 blacksmith chops,' 3 wagon shops, 2 boot and shoe shops, & saloons and 1 hotel, besides the mill. Henry Foster still had his store a few rods to the east, on the site of the old Agency, Mr. Gilmore had a saw and shingle mill there, also. James E. and Geo. Brown opened- a general store at Hilton in December, 1861. One Koehler had a store there at the same time. Hilton kept the postoffice at the store of Brown Bros, and in l^Tay, 1869, James E. Brown was appointed postmaster and was succeeded in August, 1871, by Henry Mohr, who had purchased the mercantile business of Nick Lang. In November, 1869, Hilton sold his mill to Hogle & Eeader, and in a year or two, Hegle pold his interest to Peter Pfaff. In 1R;0 M. B. Easdoll became a member of the firm of Brnwn Bros., and during the following year the Browns sold out to Mr. Easdcll and W. H. Harrison. Drs. Eaton and Haynes were among the pioneer physicians. J. C. Nutting, C. AVilbur Eay and W. S. Smith were later doctors. Will and l\[urpliy and afterwards John Murphj' conducted a store at St. Clair for years. Other prominent business men of the village were J. C. Cook, Chas. Young, M. Jost, Fred Gerlich, Mv. Crandall, H. E. King and H. Miller. Early in 1886, E. A. Deumeland built his present large store. About 1887, S. C. Hilton, the old mill owner, of the village, was succeeded by Chas. Eogers, who has been the chief mill owner since. In 1891, Grignon & Coughanour started the first creamery in the village. The present large co-operative creamery was built in 1904. October 14, 1880, J. H. Barlow started a paper called the "Messenger," which was only issued a short time. March 9, 1897, J. ^Y. Ward started the "St. Clair Star" which survived a few months longer.

The postofEice was designated "AVinnebago Agency" until April 1, 1886, when it was changed to "St. Clair", a name suggested by Chas. 0. Conner, after General St. Clair. The village has since, also, gone by the same name. There was a strong effort to have the postofifice called "Hilton" but it failed. February, 1890, Joseph H. Gebbard was appointed postmaster. His successor was Fred Gerlich, who in turn was succeeded in December, 1898, by M. B. Easdall, the present incumbent. Until 1887, the village was divided into two school districts, Numbers 70 and 73, but on August 6, of that year, the districts were united, and the present fine brick school house completed by the fall of 1888. In 1895, Geo. B. Caldwell built the present hotel; and in July, 1906, the "St. Clair State Bank" was organized by H. Thielman, N. Juliar, D. F. Easdell, C. J. Pagenkoff, P. W. Wingen, S. J. Mace, 0. 0. Juliar, E. S. Haedt, G. P. JuHar, A. A. Juliar, H. A. Hubner, Thos! Bowe, F. W. Lassow, F. C. Schultz, S. B. Wilson, G«o. May and John Bestman, with a" capital of $12,000. The present bank building was finished in 1907. The MePherson town hall was erected at St. Clair in 1898. The village has four churches. The Catholic Church was organized in 1864, by Father Sommereisen with about thirty families. The present church building was erected in 1874. The church was legally incorporated June, 11, 1903, by Bishop Joseph B.

The Lutheran Church was organized in 1874, with fifteen members. Eev. Albert Kuhn was its first pastor. The congregation was incorporated Feb. 29, 1876, under the name of "St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Winnebago Agency" at school house No. 70 and the following trustees chosen: John Fitzloff, August Barnske and August Kupke. Wjn. Brundt and Fritz Cords were made elders. The church building was erected in 1876.

The "Zion Church of Evangelical Association" was organized in 1874. The incorporation occurred Feb. 24, 1876, at school house No. 70, and the following trustees elected: Frederick Lumberg, John Borchard and Otto Schultz; and the chapel built that summer. The first pastor was Eev. G. H. Knabel.

The Congregational Church was organized in 1874, with about twelve families by Eev. Wallace Bruce. A house of worship was built in 1876. The church was reorganized Oct. 23, 1904 and a parsonage built in 1908.

In May, 1906, the St. Clair Citizens Telephone Co. was organized. The Alphabet Railway, now a branch of the Milwaukee system, was completed to the village in the fall of 1907.

Among the early settlers of the town not already mentioned were: Isaac Autrey, John Law, Dr. Coleman, Chas. W. Plerman, Michael Nary and Patrick O'Conner. The Belview postofEice was established in June, 1873, with James H. Eastman as postmaster. He was succeeded in January, 1876, by Amos H. Eastman, and in January, 1879, A. B. Preston was put in charge of the office.

The first school was taught by the pioneer Methodist preacher, Eev. B. Y. Coffin' in 1867, for the Indians. A parochial school was also taught by the sisters during the Indian time. The first public school for white children was taught in 1863, at the Agency by Francis Beveridge, a noted lawyer from St. Paul, who spent , , his last years in retirement at this out of the way village. There are now in the town seven good school houses outside of the village.