Minneapolis City (part 26 of 80)

The shores formed an appropriate setting to the river. ' The low, gracefid banks above the falls, with their park¬ like swards and groves, and the steep high bluffs below, clothed with trees and vines gorgeous in autumn coloring, were equally beautiful. Be3'ond the low hills in the far background the setting sun painted the western sk^' with streaming ravs of gold, flame and purple, while Indian summer spread its pale, violet haze over land, river and skv, softening and blending all the picture - "its thou¬ sand hues toned down harmoniousU'.''

The spring of 1851 was remarkabl}' earl\' and charming. The snow melted a war' in February, and March was a loveU' warm month in which gardens were joloughed and seeds of earlj' vege¬ tables planted.

The ice went out of the river about the middle of the month, and a few days later a shrill and prolonged whistle an¬ nounced the arrival at St. Paul of the first boat of the season. This boat brought among other commodities a lot of seed potatoes, that sold for from one dollar and-a-half to two dollars a bushel. Forthwith nearh^ all the ground in and around town was planted with them,

Nature responded with three hundred bushels to the acre of tubers of the finest qualitt'. But, since everv one had plant¬ ed potatoes, there were almost no butt¬ ers, and twelve and-a-half cents was the highest price paid for the few that were sold. Nearh" all other vegetables were raised in abundance, milk and fresh meats became more plentiful, and life generalh' more comfortable, though with one serious drawback. It was impossiljle to obtain female domestic help, ex¬ cept now and then a dat" of laundry work, consequently ladies were com¬ pelled to do all the work of the house¬ hold. This was not so dreadful at first, but when the babies began to come, and no nurses nor servants could be had, "for love or monev," the mothers then plunged into the saddest experiences of life in a new countiw. Except to the fortunate few who had relatives at hand those experiences were bitterh' cruel.

Ye 3'oung mothei's, now so tenderl3^ guarded and nursed, consider with thankful jo3' the contrast between this time and that. Think of one then, " fresh from the perilous birth,'' indebt¬ ed solely for a few da3fs' care at first to the sweet kindness of a neighbor, who had few leisure moments from her own cares and toil, in less than a week, tak¬ ing sole care of herself and bab3q and before the end of the third week, in the kitchen doing all the work of the house¬ hold. And this in Januaiw of a fearfully cold winter. Those were indeed, "hard times.'' The thoughtful 3foung mother might well, like Maiw of old, "ponder these things in her heart,'' and feel that the All-Father must have important work for her to do in the world, for surel3" nothing but His gi'acious love and care could have saved her through such perils.

The St. Charles, the only hotel, was elosed for a 3'ear, consequently', visitors, either on business or pleasure, were en¬ tertained at ])rivatc houses. As ladies did their own cooking, and were often reduced to the verge of despair in their efforts to contrive su]r])lies for their table, these unexpected guests some¬ times occasioned awkward and disa¬ greeable, though unavoidable, contre¬ temps. Though hoste.sses might Ire like Eve, "on hospitable thoughts intent," and to their credit be it said, the spirit of genuine hospitality' was never lack¬ ing, no matter how tight the pinch, yet the production of an impromptu meal was now and then, as nearly as possible, the evolving of sulistance from a form¬ less void.

For instance, the gudeman goes off to the capital on business, saying he cannot return to supper. The weaiw I'lousewife remembers that the bread box is empty, the cupboard likewise, but the chance of one long afternoon and even¬ ing of entire rest is so tempting that she "flings care to the winds," and i^roceeds to enjoy' a delicious rest, undisturbed by' visions of a hot stove and cream tartar biscuit. But in the gloaming, when she is making her supper of milk and crack¬ ers, behold ! the man I'eturns bringing three others with him. Alother Hub¬ bard is in dire consternation for a sec¬ ond, metaphorically beats herself and humbly cries men culpa! inea culpa! but before time has gone on sixty seconds, the rested brain and hands are in full force, a fire kindled, the kettle on, cuul kneading-board and flour in place.

Misfortunes are said to never come singly, proof of which in this , case, is given by the cream tartar jug being found empty. A passing boy is hailed and sent to a neighbor to borrow, re¬ turns em])ty-handed, and is then hurried away to a drug store a long distance off. The consciousness of the four hungry men waiting makes each mo¬ ment seem an hour, biit the enforced de¬ lay' gives time for the preparation of an extra dish or two, and when at last the board is sjjread it is with a sufficiently' dainty and toothsome repast, and gives no indication of the ghastly' poverty of the cupl)oard, nor of the expenditure of nerve and vital force that went into its hasty production.

Another time, comes unexpectedly' to breakfast a dear old bachelor judge, a frec(uent and always welcome guest, though he was apt to be crusty and im¬ patient, if things went wrong, and some¬ times planted thorns in his hostess' heart by frank criticisms. The break¬ fast table was set in the kitcii'en, which was as fresh and sweet and bright as a room coidd be, and the judge liked it - he had been there before. Unfortimately the ])rinei]jal dish that morning hap¬ pened to be a salt mackerel, which he did not like, and he could not be ]iersuaded to taste it, though it was baked in cream and was really very nice.

While making the most of his toast and coffee, he cast longing glances at a sauce pan on the stove, and, finally for¬ getting himself, half rose from his chair so as to make sure of the contents, but seeing water only, instead of the good thing he expected, he sat down with a most ludicrous expression of disgust on his face, hardly spoke again, and went away in concealed displeasure. Nobody was hurt, however, and in a day or two he was there again, cheerful and genial, and forgetting the unlucky mackerel in the enjoy'inent of some favorite dish.

1 could give scores of incidents similar to the above, but these are sufficient to give an idea of the difficulties of hoxisekeeping at that time. At first there were no canned goods except cove oys¬ ters, but peaches came very soon. These were an unspeakable comfort, as being alwa3'S at hand for emergencies, as well as a relief from the inevitable cran¬ berries, which we had began to detest. Everything for the talkie was perforce prepared within the household with no help from baker or catei'cr, which, added to the lack of servants, made that part of housekeeping very laborious and har¬ assing. It is amusing now to think of the various devices resorted to in the struggle to supply the deficiencies of the market. Preserves were made of almost everything, melons, cucumbers, toma¬ toes, wild grapes, and a nast^^ little fruit called sand cherries, and equal ingenuity went into the manufacture of pies, even to the substitution of cracker moistened with tartaric acid for apple, which, made into a pie, "could hardly Ije told from real apple.'' I am liapp^' to say that this invention was not extensively adopted, and that such pies did not find their way into " the best society.''

But, in regard to some articles of food, we were quite as well i^rovided with then as now, and indeed better in the matter of game. This was very abundant, and, as no game laws were in existence, we had a profusion of the choicest, as soon as there were hunters to take it, and at nearly all seasons of the year. There were almost no hunters at first, but in a 3'ear or two, rumors of this country as the sportsman's para¬ dise, began to spread abroad, and drew many knights of the rod and gun from all parts of the United States, and also' from England and Scotland. Lords, Sirs and Honorables were "thick as blackberi'ies,'' and royal si)ort thev found. Deer were plentiful within a few miles of town, and the country was full of feathered game of nearly all kinds. Evei'y lake and stream abounded in ducks, and thousands of pigeons came at harvest time.

The fii'st residents on the West Side found sport right "under their noses,'' so to speak. Those living near the river among the trees used to shoot pigeons immediateU' about the house, and often afforded the amusing spectacle of the shooter coming to the ground more quickh' than the birds.

Some men, who earU^ established homes on the West Side, retained their places of business in St. Anthonv', re¬ maining there all da3y and returning onl v at dinner time at night. No doubt some of them still remember the pigeon pies, made from birds shot befoi'e break¬ fast the same morning, that used to be sent to them for luncheon.

Grouse I'oosted in the trees within twent3' feet of the house, and the whirr of the pheasant nnd the twitter of bob white, were dail3^ heard in the grass and undei'-brush. The prett3q gentle creatures were so fearless that we hated to have them killed.

Deer used sometimes to dash through the grove on their wa3' to the springs which lined the bluff's, and how delighted we weak women wei'c when no men were there to harm the soft-e3'ed, grace¬ ful creatures.

During our occupation of a jDreemption shant3q at a point which is now Seventh street and Twelfth avenue south, quantities of plover were shot within twent3'^ rods of the house door.

A Air. Alosseau, who lived on Lake Calhoun, had a son who brought us ducks and fish for two or three 3^ears. He was a clever 3^oungster, not 3'^et in his teens when he first came, but must have been a skillful sportman, for he nearW always brought us splendid red¬ heads and mallards, and also the largest and finest fish.

Hunting And Fishing

The pike, usually ealled piekerel here, were uniformly large, and one weighing less than eight or ten pounds we woidd hardly look at. A young lady fishing from the river bank just below Cheever's, was nearly pulled into the river by a twenty-four pounder. A boy at some distance heard her sci'eam, and coming to the rescue found her prostrate on the ground pluekih' holding fast to the rod, but quite powerless to drag the mon¬ ster in.

Later, when Uncle Sam let go his grip upon the West Side, Lakes Calhoun and Harriet became the favorite fishingground, and afforded glorious sport to the followers of the "gentle craft." The " ])ale face " soon banished the aborig¬ ines - the wigwams disappeared, and the lovely and favorite haunts of the red men knew them no more, flow thev must have hated to leave such a spot! Whether or not they had any apprecia¬ tion of the beautiful in nature, we can¬ not tell,bvit the\' seemed always to have selected the most charming and pictur¬ esque situations for their camps.

However, the lakes possessed every desirable advantage Jjesides beauty. They were not only full of the finest fish, but in the adjacent woodlands every kind of game abounded, and a great variety- of wild fruits grew in ])rofusion. In many places the trees were literally impurpled by the masses of grapes; plums and cherries were ecpially abun¬ dant, and of berries, especially straw¬ berries, there was no end. On the north shore of Calhoun there was a bed of the latter of more than an acre in extent, in which one could hardly set foot without crushing the berries. Wagon loads of people from town used to resort there, and return laden with bushels of the luscious fruit. On the south shore of Harriet may still be seen the scattered ])rogcny of the fruit, which, in that carlv time, flushed the banks with scarlet and filled the air with delicious fragrance.

Various church buildings were begun in the year '51, b\' Baptists, Congregationalists, Methodists and K])iscopalians. A Roman Catholic church had alrcadv been built, and it had a large and prosperous congregation. Its members were mostly of French, or mixed French and English nationality. Its ])riest was a gentleman of I'efinement, an eloquent ])rcacher, earnest and devout, apt in every good work, and was universally esteemed. The other societies were small and feeble, and their churehes were built largely with money contributed from the East. The Rev. Charles Secombe, who ministered to the Congregationalists, was an earnest, devoted pastor, and he soon gathered about him an interesting and tiselul society.

He was a rather rigid Calvinist, and fed his people on strong doctrine, which had a tendency i)erhai)s to, draw his own people more closely together, but at the same time to banish all who pre¬ ferred a milder spiritual diet. But he was so conscientious and untiring in his work, so lo^-al and useful £i citizen, and such a kind and pleasant neighbor, that he won the esteem and love of all. He is still living and is doing active, useful work in a Western State not much older in years than this State was when he began work in St. Anthoiu-.

The Baptist and Alethodist societies earh' took the front rank in moral and religious influences, and sowed broad¬ cast the good seed that "brought forth fruit an hundred-fold." Within two years each had a commodious church b'uilding, and each its full proportion of members. Mr. Brown, the Baptist jjastor, was a clever young man of great

Fresh from a New England theologi¬ cal seminary, he held the most uncom¬ promising views of religious tenets and duties, especially that of the stern puri¬ tan observance of Sunda}" as a day of holy worship and nothing else. That there was then much careless disregard of the da3% no one could deni', but it was more the result of incidental causes than of intentional irreverence or unbe¬ lief. The zealous I'oung pastor, who lacked the experience of life that would have made him more lenient to sins which were more those of training and circumstances, than of the heart, preached constantly and faithfulh' on the subject, but to little purpose, for, to a great extent, those who most needed his admonitions, did not come to hear them .

But he bided his time, and a fit oppor¬ tunity soon offered itself. He was called upon to officiate at a public funeral, when these innocent, unwary sinners filled the house, and, seizing the precious chance, he thundered at them a brill¬ iantly elocpient, but unmercifulh' scath¬ ing sermon, on his pet abhorrence, even, like another John Knox, hurling anathe¬ mas at the women for their Sunday dis¬ play of laundr3' - the poor 3mung man, in his bachelor ignorance of the mys¬ teries of domestic econ 01113', taking it for granted that the rites of the wash-tub had been performed on Sunday morn¬ ing. At the close, he apologized for the inappropriate sermon, b3' sa3dng that it was his onU' chance to reach them.

With their proverbial good nature, the people enjo3'ed the fine sermon, and took the lashing with serene patience, though no doulit some thoughtful souls took in the lesson and profited 113^ it. It

His health failed before the end of his second winter here, and he was forced to leave his most useful work and seek a milder climate. He married an Episco¬ palian, and subsequenth' took orders iii the Episcopal Church, but never recov¬ ered his health and died before reaching middle life.

The Episcopal Church had no resi¬ dent rector, but was served in turn by three 3'oung priests, who had come to St. Paul in the previous 3'ear. They formed a sort of communit3', and, with¬ out taking absolute vows, had dedicated themselves to an almost monastic life, and to the work of founding the church in this new countr3'.. The3^ lived in a tent at first, had no domestic, but cared and cooked for themselves, and many were the jokes cii'culated at their ex¬ pense, such as their experience with a stubborn cow, that objected to being milked on the wrong side, and thei'eupon settled matters by a lively use of her heels ; or with an aggravating stove pipe that unjointed itself just in time to add its soot to the boiling hast3^ pud¬ ding; or untimely visits from his Satanic Majest3', as in the olden time, in the form of a serpent. These and many othei's were current, and the sufferers were the fii'st to laugh over their mis¬ haps, but the3' went serenely on their wayq too pluck3' and too earnest to be daunted b3' tidfles.

That little tent on the gi'een hill-side, hallowed from the first by dail3'' pra3'er, ma3^ be regarded as the inception of the Episcopal Church in this part of the State. The Rev. F'ather Gear, then chap¬ lain at Eort Snelling, had held occa¬ sional services in St. Paul, but these 3"oung men were the real pioneers. The3' were cultitred and I'efined, two of them from families of wealth, but they forsook all, and, with the true gospel spirit, obe3'ed the sacred command to "go into all the world and ])reach the gospel to eveiw creature.''

Besides instituting and caring for the parishes in St. Paul and St. Anthoin', the_v established missions on the St. Croix as far as Tailor's Falls, up the Mississippi to Sauk Rapids, including several points midway, down the river to Point Douglass, Hastings, Red Wing and Wabasha, u]) the Minnesota to Shakopee, and inland to Faribault, Rosemount and other places. To all these points the\^ traveled on foot, l)oth summer and winter, holding services in an\' house or hut that offered, baptizing the children, teaching the ignorant, visit¬ ing and comforting the sick and afflict¬ ed, and buiwing the dead. It was genuine apostolic work performed in the simple, true old apostolic way.

Generous gifts of mone^' came to them from the Hast, which enabled them to l)uild chapels at main- of these places. Mrs. Sigourney' was warmly interested in their work, and was one of its most genei'ous benefactors. Resides money she sent a cabinet organ to one mission, a communion service to another, a li¬ brary for the Sunda}" School to another, and also manv useful gifts for Christmas festivals.

.\fter a few 3'ears Mr. Merrick broke down in health and returned to his childhood's home. He long since passed to his reward, but both Dr. Breck and Wilcoxson were jmeserved for long lives of beautiful usefulness, and were per¬ mitted to behold, in i)art, the munificent harvest resulting from their earlv toils - the tin3' seed they planted having brought forth ten thousand fold.

I remember as if it were vesteiakn', on one stinging cold winter morning, one or the other dropping into my house for a brief rest after his nine-mile tramj). While taking his cofl'ee and biscuit, how enthusiasticalh' he talked of some S])ecial encouragement thev had met with in their work, of the nice chajjels the3" were building, and of how manv candidates for confirmation were alread v awaiting the first visit of a bishop, with not one word, and evidentlv not a thought of the hard, continual toil, and the entire abnegation of self, which had gone into cveiw step of their progress. .\nd I re¬ member as well how I stood in the win¬ dow watching, with wondering admira¬ tion, the tall (both men were six feet high) strong, confident man starting forth with stalwart stride and buo3mnt spirit on his solitar3^, cold, dreaiw walk of slxt3' miles to Sauk Rapids.

Both the spring of 1852 and 1853 brought manv emigrants to St. Anth- 0113". The various professions and lines of business received solid accessions, and nund^ers of much needed dav laborers came at this time. There were no un¬ occupied dwellings, and man3' families were compelled to "camp out" until a house coidd be jmt up. It was not alwa3's possible to do this at once, for the one saw mill coxdd not turn out lumber fast enough to satisf3' the demand. No reserve lumber could be accumulated, for everv board, scantling and shingle was havded awa3' as fast as it came from the mill, and often, within twenty-four hours, formed part and parcel of a shel¬ ter and home for a newlv arrived famih'.

We manv times saw lund)er deposited on a lot in the evening, and 1)3' noon of the next dav a balloon frame with board roof woidd a])pear in its stead, as if bv magic - the familiar stove j)ipe sending np its wreaths of smoke, telling of the home and fathih' life alread\' established below. It must not be thought that these humble dwellings belonged onl_v to the very poor. On the contraiw, they often sheltered well-to-do people, and those of education and refinement. One often found in sucli houses boxes of books serving as table and lounges, rolls of handsome carpeting for seats and beds, fine paintings hanging on walls of rough pine boards, while crates of choice china and glass had to take their chances with the elements out of doors till an addition could be made to the house. Not infrequenth' the carpets served in the capacit3' of tapcstiw on the walls, when an earh' winter caught the famih' in an unfinished house.

It was interesting to obseiwe with what fond care plants and shrubs were brought from the old homes to adorn the new. It was not rare to see roses, peonies, lilies, snow-balls and other shrubs, planted out in holes in the sod even before the house went up.

A dear old minister and his wife, who came here with a sickl\' child for the benefit of the climate, brought a cat, and with it some plants of catmint, thus thoughtfulh'- providing for feline ill¬ nesses. Both the cat and the mint were the delight of the neighbors, and the mint was wideh" distributed. We were sceptical of its medicinal efficacy' - for cats, and utterly scouted the old super¬ stition that it was "sovereign for babies," but we had been familiar with its furry leaves and pleasant fragrance from childhood, and with the exquisite beauW of its tin\" flowers under the magnifier in our botanical da3'S, so that the humble little weed was a bit of home and early associations, and could not fail to touch the heart with fond and tender memories of 3'outhful da3's and 3'outhful friends.

Some of the mint was afterward planted at Lake Hanfiet on what was known as the Fitch place, and I found plent3" of it in the woods near there a few 3'ears since. If the Park Commis¬ sion and Linden Heights improvements have not rooted it out it is there still.

Cats were veiw scarce at first, in fact there were onL' two in the town, and, though priceless as pets, the3' were use¬ less otherwise, as rats and mice were unknown. Dogs were also scarce, and the onlr' pets we could get at were the little striped ground squirrels, of which there were great numirers on the prairie. The3' ran in and out of the house, and not being molested, soon became perfectlv tame. The3" would come at meal time for their food, asking for it b3" sit¬ ting erect with their tin3' fore-paws ex¬ tended in an absurdh' comical manner, and if not attended to, would jump to our laps and beg in a st3de not to be re¬ sisted. After cramming themselves with potato, bread or pudding, the wise little midgets would fill their cheek pouches with corn from a dish of it kept for the purpose, and run off to their nests to deposit the grain, returning again and again for more.

But this little pastoral was as brief as it was prett3',for bo3's and guns soon destro3'ed or drove awa3^ our pets, and some tears were shed when we found that their tameness and their fondness for us had been the sure means of their destruction .

The birds also were ver3- tame as we found to our cost when we came to have a garden. Our first sad experienee was with a large patch of Champion of Eng¬ land peas, the vines of which grew so tall and luxuriant, that they were beau¬ tiful to look upon. We could not sufficienth' admire the contrasting harmon3^ of color between the soft green of the vines and the bright plumage of the

Pretty Garden Robbers

Orioles that were ever darting hither and thither among the foliage. It was a S3'mphony in green, scarlet and gold, with an accompaniment of twittering, livelj" songs. We were extremely careful that our lively little guests should not be molested, we scattered grain about the garden paths, and we felt proud of our power of attracting and taming the wild creatures about us.

In due time our vines were loaded with great plump pods, g>ving promise of delicious feasts of the best peas ever offered to the taste of mankind. The da\" of fruition came, and "all in the dew\' morning" we went out to cull our first dish of peas. On grasping the fine large pods the\^ collapsed under the pres¬ sure, and were found to be empt\', and not one full grown pea could be found in the entire patch.

On examination we discovered that the pods had been stripped open on one side, and the peas so skillfulh^ retnoved as to leave the pods uninjured, and hanging as* if still filled and intact. That our pet Orioles were the robbers was soon an undisputable fact, reluc¬ tant as we were to believe it. If the canny little thieves had left us even a small share of the ci'op, we would have accepted it thankfully, and have left them unmolested, but we were not will¬ ing to \deld to such wholesale spolia¬ tion, so we began a s\'stem of mild war¬ fare against the enem^", but had our labor for our pains, for we were circum¬ vented at evciw jjoint. Mosquito net¬ ting was no more of an obstacle in their wa\' than so much thistle-dowu would have been. The}' perched fearlessly, and, as we imagined, mockingly, upon the most a])])roved and fearsome scare¬ crows, as if they had a pre-emption right to the ground and its products, and we were the intruders.

could save our peas, and that we could not think of, and after a second trial we abandoned to some extent our pretty, tree-encircled garden for one on the open prairie.

In the spring of ISbd' emigration in¬ to the Territory was at flood-tide, every boat brought hundreds of people, and all comfort and pleasure in the trip up the river was at an end. The first boats were small stern-wheelers, not noted for speed, but they were models of ease and comfort, and the trip through the lovely scenery of the Alississip])! highlands was delightfid. The captains were gentle¬ men who considered the ])assengcrs as guests, whose comfort and pleasure they were bound to promote in every way possil)lc. They presided at the table with old-time punctilious courtesy, and the meals were taken leisurely and agreeably as if in one's own home. As the table was furnished generously with the best products of the St. Louis mar¬ ket, the guests found themselves in such good case that no murmur of complaint arose even when the trip fi'om Galena consximed five days.

The negro servants were charming with their kindly ways, and willing ser¬ vice, as if given for love rather than money - the old-fashioned, jolly , care-free sort who worked all day, and plaved the banjo and sang and danced all night. There were some very sweet voices among them,, and their songs came floating to our ears from the lower deck, softened by distance and mingled with the gentle swish of the water with the most charming effect. Tlicse sim])le, im])romptu concerts added much to the pleasures of the trip.

With the general high standard of ex¬ cellence prevailing throughout these steamers and their management, there was one trifling defect, such as charac¬ terizes all mundane afi'airs. It was a lapse from strict morality, but it pro¬ duced fun enough to counteract all vex¬ ation felt its victims. Articles of food or drink amongst the freight on board were appropriated with the most audacious, matter-of-fact coolness. Wine, cider or spirits, were mysteriously turned into water, and fruit, S3'rup, pickles, cheese, butter and the like, took wings and flew awa\', leaving not a trace behind, though sid3sef|uent de¬ velopments revealed the fact that some of these commodities had somehow found their wa\^ to the steamer's pantiw. Among the comforts and luxuries which called forth the lavish compliments of the passengers on a certain trip' were the fresh, pure, sweet butter, and deli¬ cious Hamburg cheese. The latter was at that time the first favorite in Eastern markets, and the New Yorkers at the table expressed great surprise at finding it in the remote West. One Amoving couple openh' congratulated themselves on having a fine large cheese of that brand among their household freight, and on the pleasant prospect of being able in the future to jnx'cure it here, in¬ stead of sending East for it.

At the end of the journcA" their cheese and a big jar of Orleans Count3'' golden butter Avere not to be found on board the boat, and it then daAAuied on the minds of the OAAmers that possibl3' the3' might haA'e been eating their oaa'ii butter and cheese. On inAXstigation this AA'as proA'ed to be the true explanation of the loss. The clerk promptlv paitl for the things AAnthout a Avord of ai)olog3' or remonstrance, and he might well do so. He must have chuckled AA'ithin himself OAxr the simplicit3" of the Eastern green¬ horn who taxed him onlv 1214 cents per pound for butter and 10 for cheese, Avhen the prices here were ,30 cents for the former and 18 or 20 for the latter.

large and splendid side-\Adieel steamers, Avhieh droA'e the humble stern-wheelers off the course, and with them all the comfort and pleasure of the riAxr trip. The immense croAAxls changed the AA'hole order of affairs.

Polite, suaAX captains and clerks no longer proffered kind attentions to guests - no gentle, smiling manim3's rushed to meet ladies and children Avith simple cicAxtion and service. There \A'as no choice of rooms and no faA'ored seats at table. Indeed, the best of officers could do nothing for such a struggling mass of humanit3', and could only leaAX people to fight their wa3' through as best the3' could. It Avas literalh' "first come, first serAXcl," and the strongest and boldest got the best of eA'er3ffhing, AAdiich AA'as not much of a best at the highest estimate. The AA'aiters AAxre un¬ trained, Avhite serAmnts, incapable of coping Avith a great crowd, and they be¬ came cross and fractious under the pres¬ sure. Meals AAxre served continuousl3' from six in the morning till past mid¬ night, and for both passengers and ser- A'ants there was neither rest nor sleep, AA'hile meals AAxre to man3'' a delusion and a snare.

A St. Paul lad3", whose husband itoaa" occupies high political position, and a ladv of St. Anthon3^ chanced to be croAAnled into one small state-room to¬ gether. Each AAms traAxling alone AAoth a 3a)ung child, and a detailed histoiw of their experience AA'ould have drawn tears from a stone. Milk and AAdiolesome bread were ecpially unattainable, and hoAA^ the babies lived on such food as thc3' had seemed miraculous. Children AA'ere not admitted to meals until after all the adults Avere serA'ed, and AAdien these ladies reached the table the3' usuall3' found nothing left on it but sodden bread and the graAw left in the plattei's after the meat had been de- voured. Nothing but downright hunger could have made it possible to swallow those delicacies in the midst of such un¬ tidiness and confusion. Fortunateh', the trip was a short one, and the babies escaped with their lives. Both the little ones lived to become wives, and to con¬ tribute to the second generation of native Minnesotians.

But that jostling, eager ci'owd which robbed the river trip of all its pleasure and romance, brought new life and solid prosperity' to the Territory, and St. An¬ thony, with other towns, began to make rapid advances in growth and popula¬ tion.

During these years a new enterprise had become of absorbing interest to its citizens. From the first they' had looked with longing ey'cs upon the rich and beautiful land spread out before them up and down the river on its western bank.

From time to time rumors had reached them that the government had under contemplation importaiit changes touching the reservation, bv which the eastern half might, at no distant day', be open to settlers through' purchase or pre-emption. Even before this had be¬ come a direct probability', many had attempted to secure portions of the land by means of permits from the officers at Fort Snelling, and some ventures of the kind were made as early as the winter of '51 and '52.

Men, with hatchet in hand, crossed the ice-bound river to this Canaan of their hopes, and located each his "claim '' by' blazing the trees on its boundaries.

Some nearly' lost their lives on these expeditions. Before they were aware, the short dav closed in upon them, and the haze of twilight or a flurry' of snow would blot out all pathway's, as well as distant objects. The neajdy flat, un¬ broken surface of the land and the uni¬ form size and form of the oak trees, pre¬ sented no possible landmarks, and the traveler was easily bewildered, and as likely' to strike oft' to the west or south as towards home. One man found him¬ self on the edge of the bluff half way' to Minnehaha, and as his only' guide was the river, he was forced to follow the sin¬ uosities of the bluff line which doid)led the distance. It was 15° below zero weather, and how terrible that tramp was, through trackless snow, trees, un¬ derbrush and two or three ravines, no language can fitly' describe.

Another individual went over and "blazed a claim,'' which included the ground on which the West Hotel now stands. He had resolved to be prudent and start for home long before dark, but before four o'clock a foggy mist settled around him' and totally obscured every' object. He set out, as he supposed, in a direct line for the open river, realizing at once that the roar of the Falls was his only' safe guide, but he tramped round and round five dreadful hours before he caught a sound of the Falls, and was able to trace his way' home.

Most of these hare-brained attempts however, were fruitless, though others were made frecpiently'. In '52 a trial of squatter sovereignty' was made bv several families who became actual resi¬ dents on the reserve. Of course such a settlement was boldly' illegal, but it formed an interesting picture to look u]Kni. The locality' was one of extraoi'dinary' beautv. It was a broad ex- ]janse of the richest natural greensward, dotted here and there with fine trees, and stretching in a lovely, graceful slo])e down to the river. With the cosy little cabins nestling among its greenery', it seemed a mimic Orand-Fre, ])caceful and hai)py' in Arcadian simplicity, where,

Its existence, however, was a brief one. A new commander came to Fort Snelling, whose ideas of militaiw duty were of the strictest, and he could not tolerate such unlawful occupation of territoiw under his control, so he sent a squad of soldiers to warn the people off, and afterward to l;)urn the buildings.

But through various agencies, resi¬ dents continued to locate homes on the west side, and, when Governor Ramses' decreed the organization of Hennepin count\q a village nearh' as popidous as St. Anthony, had come into existence. As St. Anthon}' was in Ramsey count3q the new town naturalh' became the count}' seat of the new count}'. The matter of giving a name to the town now came up, and an exciting discussion arose.

Our neighbors down the river as¬ sumed for us the name of All Saints, and continued to use it until the question was finally decided. In view of the large water privileges some wished it named Lowell. The name of Albion met with so much favor that it was really put on record by the county clerk, but it was rejected by the majority. Winona was also proposed, and was warmly advocated by those who wished the Indian names to be preserved, but it did not meet with general approval.

Col. John H. Stevens, who had the best right to a controlling voice in the matter, preferred the name of Hennepin for the town, and that of Snelling for the county, but he was overinded, and the decision was postponed for a time.

At last the problem was solved by Air. Chas. Hoag, who, next to Colonel Stevens, cherished the most sanguine hopes of the future greatness of the in¬ fant town, and who considered the selec¬ tion of a suitable name of the gravest importance. In the watches of the night a happy inspiration revealed the name. In running over his list of names that of Indianapolis, with its soft ryth¬ mic flow of vowels, caught his ear. He had been tiwing to form a conqDound of Indian syllables, and had failed to com¬ plete a harmonioiis whole, but " apolis " instantaneously furnished the missing link, and the name Alinneapolis was born at that moment, finished, polished, significant, musical, and altogether lovely. It is needless to add that it was axlopted by unanimous suffrage.

For the next three years Hennepin county was a sort of battle-field, or it might be compared to a gold mine, so many rushed in with such intense eager¬ ness to gain a foot-hold in it, who were ready to sacrifice any and everything, if by so doing they coxild gain a share of its treasiires. Emigration had increased enormously, and people rushed to this county as to a new El Dorado. Not only did the magnificent water power attract capitalists and manufacturers to the town, but large numbers of farm¬ ers crou'ded in to get possession of lands of unsurpassed beauty and extraordinaiw fertility. After the pre-emp¬ tions were completed in '55, it was said that, except the school lands, every quarter section in the county was occu¬ pied by actual settlei's.

But their possession rvas gained at the cost of much anxiety, suffering and even of danger, especially in regard to the land adjacent to Alinneapolis. The pre-emption laws were hedged about with so many and such minute technical¬ ities that they were often misunderstood, or some seemingly unimportant require¬ ment was overlooked, which would have been of no consequence in ordinary busi¬ ness matters; but now, when dishonest and greedy sharks were on the watch to take advantage of the least defect, they were of the first importance.

Claims And Claim Jumpers

caliin unoccupied for ten minutes, for, even in that short time, a "jumper" might take possession, who could be dis¬ lodged only by personal violence, or by the payment of a sum of mone^'. Trvd\^ the pre-emptor's bed that winter was not one of roses. Many were compelled to keep guard with men and fire arms night and da\' througli most of the win¬ ter. A sort of frenz3^ seemed to possess people which dulled all sense of honor, and led them to trample on the most sacred rights.

Intimate friends and neighbors scru¬ pled not to jump each others' claims, if they detected the slightest flaw in their satisfaction of the pre-emption law. When at last, the official announcement of the passage of the ])re-emption bill T'eached the land office here, it happened unfortunately that some men who held valuable claims, were temjjorarily ab¬ sent. One who was only thirty miles away was prompth' sent for, but before he could I'each home, which he did before ten o'clock next morning, jumpers, like sleuth-hounds scenting their prey, had discovered his absence and took instant advantage of it. During the night, lumlier was haided iipon the land, a shant3' built, furnished with a bed, chair and stove, and after an occupanc\' of a few hours, the enterprising jumper filed his claim of pre-emption. Resistance to this claim involved a long dela^', vex¬ atious litigation and great expense, con¬ sequently, to rid himself of the intruder, the rightful owner paid him hundreds of dollars more than the then value of the land, and the hero of the shant\' depart¬ ed with a well lined i)Ocket-book, and openlv boasting of the fine trade he had made. A circumstantial historv of all similar affairs of that time would fill a volume.

with the long strain ot suspense and anxiet}", and preferred to par' nnjust de¬ mands, in order to secure their title at once, and be relieved from the weaiw load the\' had carried so long.

That winter was fortunateh' a mild one, otherwise much suffering would have fallen upon the families that occu- ])ied some of the pre-emption shanties.

Babies were born in houses which wordd now be deemed barbarous shel¬ ters for horses. The green lumber of which these wei'e built shrank so as to open cracks eveiwwhere, and the newlv born little pre-emptors were cradled in the fresh, vigorous breezes of heaven's pure air, and sometimes received an in¬ formal bajDtism, when water from the leak3' roof trickled down upon the tin3' sleeping faces.

None but those who passed througli this marvellous period of our historv can realize the intense excitement that pervaded all classes of the communit3'. A listener to the talk of children would hear much of claims, pre-emption, land office, etc. One little golden haired tot was lost one da3', and when found a long wa3' from home, and asked as to her intentions and destination, I'eplied that she was " doin to land office to find papa."

The land office, which wms in a build¬ ing on Washington avenue and Eighth avenue south, w'as the great centre of burning vital interests - the shining goal of long deferred hopes, and no words can fully express the depth of thankful jo3' with which care-worn men came forth from its portals with their pre¬ emption titles safe in their hands. And the little homes which had so long been overshadowed b3' anxiet3', and in which loving wives and children had suffered so much dread and terror, were now turned into bowers of j 03' fid happiness. Bast woes were soon forgotten in the delight of possessing the coveted land, which seemed well worth all it had cost them. It was truly "a goodly land, and a fair," and people could extiltingh' chant with the psalmist, "the lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage." They could also say of it, as Greatheart did of his vallej^ that "it was of a fruitful soil, and brought forth by handfulls."

All nature seemed in sympathy with the joy of mankind, for a lovelier spring never dawned upon earth. A ]ieav\' snow fell in March, but by the 20th of April "the winter was over and gone, and the time of the singing of birds had come." The skies were deeplj^ blue, and the air delightfully soft and mild. On the night of the 23rd, a sweet svimmer rain fell, accompanied with thunder and lightning. Very soon the prairie was beautiful with richest verdure and flowers, and vast numbers of birds filled the air with music. Pigeons, grouse and plover were familiar neighbors, feed¬ ing fearlessly with the chickens, for there were no enemies to molest them. Peace and plent3' reigned, and life, in the little pre-emption shanty, enfolded bj' nature's fairest forms and influences, was an idyl, sweet enough to inspire a poet's pen. Some infelicities of course were inter¬ woven in this simple, homelj' romance. The rain often fell on sleeping faces, sand sifted in and sprinkled the steaks, or spoiled the cream, but on the whole things were veiw nice and comfortable.

As 150,000, out of nearl\" 170,000 acres, were occupied Iw actual settlers, among whom was a large number of thrifty, intelligent farmers, the county from the first took the front rank in wealth and population. Minneapolis, with such a solid basis of support at her back, and relieved from the incubus of pre-emption difficulties, now began to make gigantic strides in the waj' of ex¬ pansion and wealth. Business blocks, hotels, mills and manufactories, were rapidly erected, while schools, churches and handsome dwellings, kept even pace with them.

The year fifty-six was one of great prosperity'-, money' was iDlentiful and every' one felt rich. Toil and cares pressed less heavily, the conditions of domestic life were more free and bounti¬ ful, and with more leisure for both social and intellectual pleasures, life was per¬ haps as bright and happy^ hei'e as in any place in the world.

A portion of Ramsey county', which included St. Anthony, had been annexed to that of Hennepin, and the two towns became practically' and socially' the same as one, though they were not united under one name till some y'ears later. Private parties were given then as fre¬ quently' as now, compared with the population, and were in every respect quite as pleasant. Every luxury' for the table could at this time l)e easily procui'ed.

But the bright days of prosperity did not continue long; reverses, heavy and bitter, came making many' who had been rich, abjectly' poor. Much of the land obtained through so many' difficulties, was lost by moi'tgage or sold for almost nothing, and the next few years were marked by gloom and discouragement. In addition to the severe financial de¬ pression, one terrible pifijlic disaster fol¬ lowed another, until it seemed as if the city' was doomed to destruction . ' ' Men 's hearts failed them for fear," and many' became discotiraged and departed to other States, though eventually, nearly all returned. The remainder, however, struggled bravely' on, working hard and practicing the closest economy, and waiting patiently for the darkness to pass away. They have their reward now in seeing the little village of their early love, and the seene of their long and steadfast toil, transformed into one of the most prosperous and beautifid cities of the world.

The Judge heretofore alluded to was B. B. Meeker, one of the Territorial Judges of the Supreme Court. He purchased a large tract of land below St. Anthony, and early identified him¬ self with that town. He was one of the few, who, at that period, prophesied of, and firmh^ believed in, the ultimate prosperity and large future growth of this city . He was often derided and laughed at for his sanguine visions and hopes, but nothing could shake his confidence, and even through the darkest days of the "hard times," when the bottom seemed to drop out of ever}'- thing, he held unflinchingly to his opinion.

prairie. Somewhere about what is now Eighth street and Twelfth avenue south, I came upon him lying on the turf, supporting his head on one hand, and gazing about with a rapt, thoughtful expression on his face. The spot was a broad, open space, somewhat elevated, from whencecould be seen a fine, extended landscape. His first words to me were, "What a beautiful country it is!" He came to the side of my buggy, and talked for some time in the old, hopeful strain, (he knew that his listener was in full sympathy with him on this point) sa3dng that he believed he should live to see all that vicinity covered with buildings.

Evidently, a change for the better was taking place, and he felt almost sure that a period of great prosperity and rapid growth would follow. Pointing to the old Universit}' building in the dis¬ tance, he said: "And that will sometime be the crowning glory of Minnesota."

By The Editor

The first settlers of what is now Min¬ neapolis, were mostly from the New England and the Middle States. Two or three families of Canadian French were living on the site when the first settlement really commenced in 1848-9, by the arrival of a few families from the State of Maine. Ramsey county was organized by an act approved October 27, 1849, and embraced that part of the present site lying east of the Mississippi river. Hennepin county, embracing the present site of the main part of the city, was organized March 6, 1852, (al¬ though by a singular typographical error, the act appears in the printed copies to have been approved in 1825). The county was annexed to Ramsey for judicial purposes. At the legislative ses¬ sion in 1856, Hennepin county was ex¬ tended across the Mississippi river, in¬ cluding that part of the present site of the city which lies on the north and east sides of the river. At the same session, and by the same act, the county build¬ ings were located on block seventy-two, in the town of Alinneapolis, where they have continued to the present time.

March 1, 1856, an act was approved by Governor Gorman incorporating the town of Minneapolis. This act pro¬ vided to embrace within the town limits as follows: "Beginning at a point on the Mississippi River, where the line be¬ tween sections ten and fifteen intersects said river, thence west on said line be¬ tween sections ten and fifteen to the southwest corner of section fifteen, thence south on section line to the southwest corner of section twentyseven, thence east on the south line of section twent3'-seven, twenty-six and twenty-five to the Mississippi River; thence up said river to the place of be¬ ginning." It will thus be seen that its original boundaries embraced but a small part of the present city. When the act was passed, however, the terri¬ tory included within the town limits was deemed ample to serve for the next twenty-five or thirty years.

The town was divided into four wards. The act provided for a Town Council, which was to consist of a Jus¬ tice of the Peace and three Trustees, of whom the Justice of the Peace was to be President. One Trustee was to be resident of, and elected in each ward, and three constituted a quorum. They were empowered to establish by-laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, to govern the town, regulate and improve streets, alleys and sidewalks, levy taxes and assessments, establish fire com- panics, markets, etc., to appoint proper officers to carry out the objects of the corporation, and generally, to have the rights and perform the duties incident to municipal corporations. Under such a simple and inexpensive government did the town continue until the granting of the city charter in 1865. The first settlers, as before remarked, were mainly from New England and the Middle States, and accustomed to self govern¬ ment, under similar laws. Crime was infreciuent. Paupers were few. The vast and complicated machineiw, necessar\^ to run a great citj", which has since grown up, was then unknown. If any schemes were on foot to subserve per¬ sonal interests among officials, they were quickly discovered and nipped in the bud. The principles embodied in the charter of the town, were, in the main, embodied in the charter to the city. But the changes, and modifications of those principles in the growth of the city to 175,000 population have been numerous.

Writing the histoiw of the municipal government of the citj' of Minneapolis, as it exists to-day, involves the history of two separate and distinct cities. They were separated it is true, in bound¬ ary only by the Mississippi River, but were under distinct municipal organiza¬ tions, until the consolidation of the two cities as hereinafter stated.

At the session of the Legislature in 1855, an act was passed to incorporate the city of St. Anthon}'. It embraced that iDortion of the present site of the city of Minneapolis which lies east of the Mississippi River. The city was divided into three wards, with two Aldermen from a ward. The City Coun¬ cil consisted of the Mayor and Aidermen. The charter conferred on the Council the usual powers incident to municipal corporations. At the time of the granting of the charter, the city was supposed to contain from 2,500 to 3,000 inhabitants, and in some quarters, es¬ pecially in the East, no small amount of ridicule was cast on its premature am¬ bition in assuming city airs. But its subsequent progress demonstrated that the step was not unwise, especially in view of the economical manner in which municipal affairs were then managed. And the same remarks will apply to the incorporation of the city of Minneapolis at a later date. Under the charter above mentioned, the cit^^ progressed without noteworthy incident, until 1872, when it was merged in the city of Alinneapolis.

In the meantime, the town of Minne¬ apolis on the west side of the river had continued to grow. In 1858, in accord¬ ance with the charter granted in 1856, a town government was organized with a Council, of which H. T. Welles was President. The first meeting of the Council was held July 20th, 1858. The Councillors in the several wards were : Isaac I. Lewis, First ward ; Chas. Hoag, Second ward; William Garland, Third ward, and Edward Hedderly, Fourth ward. Mr. Todd was chosen Clerk, but before the expiration of his term, was succeeded b3' G.Heniy Hamilton, and I). Morrison succeeded to the place of Mr. Lewis.

In 1859, a new Council was elected. Councillors, J. O. Weld, C. H. Pettit, N. S. Walker, and H. E. Alann; C^ rus Beede, President. Mr. Hamilton was Secre¬ tary' till November, 1858, when he re¬ signed, and C. L. Savory' was elected in his place. This board continued in office till 1861, when a new board was elected. It did not, however, serve a long time, for in consequence of certain defects in the charter, and the undue expense of administration, the charter of incorix)- ration was repealed at the Legislative

In 1864, the Legislature passed an act giving enlarged powers to the supei'- visors of the town of Minneapolis with¬ in certain defined limits, and also to cer¬ tain officers therein. Under this act, and certain amendments thereto, at the Legislative session in 1865, the town was governed until the enactment of the city charter in 1867. The first board of supervisors, under these acts, consisted of S. H. Mattison, E. B. Ames, Miles Hills, and Thomas Hale Williams, Clerk. The second. Col. C. Aldrich, George A. Brackett, and 0. M. Laraway. The third, E. S. Jones, J. M. Eustis, and R. P. Russell. Under these men the town continued, until the enactment of the city charter in 1867.*

The Legislature of 1866 passed an act approved March 2, 1866, granting a charter to the citj" of Minneapolis. The limits defined in the charter are as follows, viz: Sections thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, and the east half of section twenty-one, and sections twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty' -four, twenty-five, twenty-six and twenty-seven, all in township twenty-nine, north of range twenty-four west. It will thus be seen that the city limits embraced the city of St. Anthon\% but for certain purposes only, as the latter city still retained its corporate existence. It was the first step towards a consolidation which occui'red six years later.

The city was divided into eight wards, four of which were on the east side of the river, within the limits of the city of St. Anthony, and the other four on the west side of the river.

correct, as for a sliort distance here the river runs more nearh' east. But as its general course is south, for convenience it has been customary to speak of them, when referring to either division, to use the terms East, or West Minneapolis.

The elective officers of the city were. Mayor, Comptroller, Treasurer, Citv^ Justice and two Aldermen for each ward. All other officers necessary^ for the man¬ agement of the affairs of the city were to be appointed by the common council, which consisted of the Aldermen. By this charter, the usual powers incident to municipal corporations, were gi'anted to the Mav'or and common council. For the purposes of education, improve¬ ment of streets, and taxation for special purposes, provided in the charter, the city was divided into two districts, the first being the four wards on the east side of the river, the seeond that portion of the city on the west side. And all public property being in either division, at the time of the granting of the eharter, was to belong to such division. And the debts and obligations of each division at such time, were to be as¬ sumed by each respectiveh^ And the common council had power to levy taxes to pay such debts, provided a ma¬ jority of the Aldermen of each division voted for the levy of the same.

It was further provided that, "the school s\"stem heretofore in force, in each of said districts shall remain the same, except that," etc., the exception lieing that in both districts, "The Board of Education of the City of St. Anthon}"," shall hereafter be known as " The Board of Education of the First District of Minneapolis," and "The Boai'd of Edu¬ cation of the Town of Minneapolis," shall hereafter be known and styled, as " The Board of Education of the Second District of Minneapolis." Further pro¬ visions were made for the acceptance of the charter, by the voters of both dis- tricts, and if the charter was aece]jted, the fiinctioiis of the city council of the city of St. Anthony were to cease, and also those of the supervisors of the town of Alinneapolis.

Thus was, to this extent, the union of the two cities consummated. Neither yielded its name, neither did either yield, so much as it did, without grave consid¬ eration. But it was a large step in ad¬ vance, of what seemed to disinterested observers for the mutual interests of the two cities. And the result proved the wisdom of the action.

It required, however, but a few years experience to demonstrate that a more perfect union would prove mutually ad¬ vantageous. The interests of the two cities were almost identical. Alunicipal government could be administered more efficiently and economicalh', under a single head and name; and the influence of the cities be therebv greatly strength¬ ened. These were controlling considera¬ tions, and their force was conceded by all. Only a single reason, and that of a sentimental, rather than a practical na¬ ture, was urged against the union - the name. St. Anthony had the advantage and prestige of a historical name, and in any event the name of the Balls must always remain the same. On the other hand the people of Alinneapolis had liecome equally attached to the name of their cit3'. It had grown far more rapidh' than St. Anthoinq and con¬ tained much the largest population. After much discussion, the advtmtages of a union liecame so manifest, that St. Anthoiu' graeefull}' yielded her claim in favor of Alinneapolis, and a legislative act was approved Februaiw 28, 1872, consolidating the two cities under the name of the cit}' of AIinnea])olis. IB' the same act the boundaries of the citv on the west side of the river were en¬ larged and the cit\" divided into ten wards. The former cit\' of St. Anthoin' was called the East Division of Alinne¬ apolis, and the territory lying south and west of the river, the West Division. Two Aldermen were to be elected for each ward, and to hold office for two 3'ears. These Aldermen constituted the Cit3" Council.

Provision was also made that the public property then existing in each division shoidd continue to belong to such division, and the debts and obliga¬ tions of each of the former cities should be paid respectively 1)3' the divisions to which the3^ belonged.

The consolidation of the cities thus formed, worked successfully and harmoniousl3', and with little, if ain', fric¬ tion between the two divisions. It is an illustration of the fcicilit3' with which Western people adapt themselves to changed municipal government and po¬ litical conditions. To-day there are thousands of I'esidents - perhaps indeed, a majorit3' - who have never heard that the present city is composed of two cities, under separate and distinct mu¬ nicipal governments.

And it is 1)3' no means improbaljle that the example of the consolidation of these two municipalities, which was effected more than fifteen 3'ears since with such gratifying success, ma3' at no distant da3' be followed 1)3' Alinneapolis and St. Paul, with equall3' beneficial residts.

The charter of 1872, above men¬ tioned, has formed the basis of the cit3' government since. Amendments have frequentU' been made to meet the neces¬ sities of a rapidly growing city, and one new department of especial importance has been added - the establishment of a park S3'steni - which was scarce!)' thought of but a few 3'cars since. This will be treated of in its proi)er ])lace. .\sidc from this, it is deemed unnccessarv to go into further ptirticulars of the municipal government of the city. It does not differ materialh" from that of many other Western cities, the general features of which are familiar to nearl3' all our citizens. And to those desiring further particulars, the statutes, charter and ordinances, are of easr' access.

It is helieved that a record of the names of those who have served as citv officers and Aldermen from the first organization ot a cit\' government in St. Anthon3', to the jDresent time, will not be without interest. All these men have, in a greater or less degree, aided in the growth and progress of the cit3\ Near- Iv half of them have alread3' joined "the great majorit3''' - the survivors have witnessed the building of a cit3', which, for the bidef time since its found¬ ing, has no equal in the histor3' of the world. For the record, to the 3'ear 1881, we are indebted to Neill's Histor3' of Hennepin Count3', tlie balance is com- ]filed from official sources.

The first Council organized .\pril 13th, 1855. H. T. Welles, Ma3-or. Aldermen, First ward - Benjamin N. Spencer, one year; John Orth, two years. Second ward - Daniel Stanchfield, one year; Edward Lippincott, two r^ears. Third ward - Caleb Dorr, one \'ear; Kobt. W. Cummings, two \'ears. Officers appointed b3' the Council were - W. F. Brawlej', Cit}- Clerk; Ira Kingsley, Treasurer; S. W. Farnham, Assessor; Benjamin Brown, Marshall; E. S. Hall, Citr- Attorney-; Isaac Gilpatrick, Supervisor of Streets; E. B. Nash, Collector of Taxes; C. B. Chaprhan, City Surve3"or; L. Bostwick, CiU- Justice. Appoint¬ ments, mostb' to fill vacancies were - G. F. Brott, Assessor; Benjamin Brown, Collector; E. B. Nash, Weigh Master; Z. E. B. Nash, Treasurer; W. H. Townsend, Supervisor of Streets; J. B. Gilbert, .\ssessor; H. Hechtman, Supervisor of Streets, soon succeeded by J. M. Brewer; Seth Turner, Marshal and Collector.

cers - W. F. Bi'awlec', Clerk and Comptroller; Richard Fewer, Treasurer ; Seth Turner, Assessor and Supervisor of Streets; J. Chapman, Marshal and Collector; J. S. Demmon, Citj^ Attorne3' ; J. M. Brewer, Supervisor; Lardner Bostwick, Cit3f Justice. Subsequent appointments - Seth Turner, resigned, succeeded bv J. M. Brewer, and he bv Henrv Whipple; Seth Turner, Marshal and Col¬ lector; D. B. Dorman, Treasurer, .\ugust 12th, the ordinance combining the office of Marshal and Collector, was repealed, and L. W. Stratton was aiipointed Collector. Mavor Allen resigned, and

Re-division of the cit3' in four wards. William W. Wales, Mavor. Aldermen - Daniel Knoblauch, First ward; L. tV. Johnson, Second; William McHerron, Third; John C. Johnson, Fourth. Ap¬ pointed officers - W. F. Brawle3', Clerk and Comp¬ troller; N. Kellogg, Assessor; L. W. Stratton, Collector; J. M. Brewer, Supervisor, soon suc¬ ceeded by W. A. Rowell; G. .4. Noursc, Attorne3' ; II. S. Temple, Marshal.

Ma3' 22nd, 1857, A. D. Foster, Alderman, re¬ signed. March 22nd, 1858, Moses Whittier, ap¬ pointed Supervisor in place of Rowell, resigned. Special election April 25th, 1857, William Dugas, .\lderman. First ward. He resigned March 22nd, 1858.

Officers Of The Town

K. 15. Graves, Mayor. .Vldermen - E. \V. Cutler, First ward, one year; Henry Heebtman, two years; Richard I'ewer, Second, one year ; William Locbren, two years; O. T. Leavitt, Third, one year; Charles Crawford, two years; J. S. I'illsbiu'y. Fourth, one year; J. H. Murphy, two years. Appointed officers - W. W. Wales, Clerk; John Bab¬ cock, Treasurer; Daniel Edwards, Assessor; J. H. Xoble, Marshal; J. B. Gilfillan, Attorney; W. A. Townsend, Supervisor; J. A. Armstrong, Col¬ lector; Charles Henry and Solon Armstrong, Justices of the Peace; D. Schofield and W. Moliter, Constables; F. S. Brown, Chief of Fire Depart¬ ment. December 8th, 1860, A. Rowell, Colleetor, viee J. A. Armstrong.

Records from April, 1865 to June, are missing, and it is probable there are omissions in conse¬ quence. O. C. Merriman, Maymr. Aldermen, in¬ cluding those holding over - S. Pillsbury, Dan M. Demmon, Richard Fewer, Peter Weingart, .An¬ drews, Blakeman, Bernhard, T.M. Rohan, Charles T. Simms, to fill vacancy. Appointed officers - W. W. Wales, City Clerk; D. Edwards, Assessor; William Imshells, Supervisor; E. Lippencott, Mar¬ shal, vice Noble, resigned.

In 1867, the city of Minneapolis was organized. The first officers were elected Februaiw 19th, 1867, and took the offi¬ cial oath at the office of the Town Clerk, February 26th, following. The elected officers who formed the first Citj" Coun¬ cil were: D. Morrison, Maj^or. Aidermen - William H. Gaslin, FCenry Oswald and F. L. Morse, First ward; Hugh G. Harrison, S. H. Mattison and N. B.Hill, Second ward; George A. Brackett, R. Price and O.B.King, Third ward; Isaac Atwater, F. K. E. Cornell and G. Scheitlin. Fourth ward; Charles H. Woods, CitjyJustice. F. R. E. Cornell was elect¬ ed Pi'esident, and F. L. Alorse, Vice-Pres¬ ident. Upon draAving by lot for the term of office as Aldermen, the result was as follows: For the one j-ear term, Alorse, Harrison, Brackett and Atwater; for two \^ears term, Gaslin, Alattison, Price and Cornell; three years term, Oswald, Hill, King and Scheitlin. Ap¬ pointed officers' - Thomas Hale Williams, Cit\' Clerk; 1). R. Barber, Assessor. A I arch 9th, H. H. Brackett, Chief of Police; S.H.King, Cit\' Surveyor; Chas. E. Flandrau, City Attorney; A. J. AIc- Dougall, Street Commissioner. Alarch 16th, the Council designated the bounds constituting the fire limits, fixed upon the amount of bond required of the sev¬ eral officers, and awarded the city print¬ ing to T. S. King of the Atlas Printing Company. At the same meeting it was decided to emploj^ four policemen at sixti' dollars per month. Several new offices were created during the remainder of the \'ear, and a number of ordinances added for the better government of the city. A Bocird of Health was estab¬ lished, and Ur. Lindley appointed Health Offieer. The amount recpiired in the Cit\' Treasurer's bond was three hun¬ dred dollars.

E. B. Ames, Ma3'or. Aldermen - F. L. Morse, First ward; A. M. Reid, Second; (). A. Prav, 'I'liird ; F. R. E. Cornell, Fourth; J. L. Himes and H. G. Hicks, City Justices. Appointed officers - Thomas Hale Williams, Cit3- Clerk; Charles Har¬ row, Treasurer; John Vander Horck, Compti'nllcr; D.,R. Barber, Assessor; J. M. Shaw, Attornew; J. L. Himes and H. G. Hicks, Justices; J. D. Rich, Constable; Cortez L. Peck, Chief of Police. July 5th, .\. H. Young, Attornev, vice Shaw, resigned; William F. Cahill, .\lderman First ward, to fill vacancy. September Gth, (). M. Laraw<a3', Treas¬ urer, vice Darrow.

April 9tb, 1872, the new Council was organized. The offieers ])resent were: Aldermen Richard Fewer, M. W. Glenn, Baldwin Brown, G. T. Townsend, T. J. Tuttle, John Vander Horck, W. F. An¬ keny', Peter Rouen, A. i\I. Reid, C. AI. Hardenbough, S. C. Gale, O. A. I'ray, Leonard Day, N. B. Hill, Edward Alur- })hy, Isaac Atwater, Joel B. Bassett and John Orth.

The oath of office was taken, Alder¬ man Atwater elected temporary chair¬ man, and the Council proceeded to the permanent organization of the city gov¬ ernment of Alinneapolis.

The standing rules of the former city government of Alinneapolis were adopt¬ ed, a few subordinate officers were ap¬ pointed, and the first session of the con¬ solidated city government closed.

April 12th the Council convened for the transaction of necessary business. The newly elected Mayor, E. AL Wilson, delivered 'his inaugural address, after which the usual committees were ap¬ pointed. H. H. Corson was appointed Chief Engineer of the F'ire Department, and D. R. Barber, Assessor of the West Division. April 17th, the Police EWree was reorganized, with a Chief, Caj)tain, Sergeant and ten Patrolmen. Alay 8th, Dr. Charles Sim()son was appointed Health Officer. June 5th, A. N. Alerrick, City Attorney.

A. C. Rand, Ma3'or. Aldermen - M. W. Glenn, E'irst ward; J. H. Gilmore, Second ward; J. W. Anderson, Third ward ; Frank Beebe, Fourth ward; J.M. Parker, Fifth ward; Joseph Holscher, Sixth ward; R. C. Benton, Attorne3' ; William B. Hill, Comptroller; T. J. Buxton, Treasurer; Dr. A. H. Salisbury, Health Officer; Andrew Rinker, Engineer; Ed. McDermott, Sealer of Weights and Measures; A. S. Munger, Chief of Police ; W. M. Brackett, Chief of Fii'e Department.

As this 3'ear closes the official record, the entire list is given, embracing both those officers eleeted in 1880, and those holding over from previous

Officers Of The City

M. Walsh, A. C. Haugan, Joseph Holscher; Selah Mathews, Citj^ Clerk; T. J. Buxton, Treasurer; W. B. Hill, Comptroller; R. C. Benton, Cit3' At¬ torney; W. M. Brackett, Chief Engineer Fire De¬ partment; W. H. Johnson, Superintendent of Waterworks; Andrew Rinker, City Engineer; Grove B. Cooley, Judge of Alunicipal Court; A. S. Munger, Chief of Police; Dr. A. H. Salisbuiw, Health Officer.

Bt' an act of the Ivegislatnre the term of all city officers hoicling over, and all those elected April 5, 1887, to expire on the first Monday in Jamiart', 1889.

First ward, John T. McGowan, Joseph Ingenhutt ; Second ward, F. C. Barrows, James C. Ha3'nes; Third ward, (ieo. A. Durnam, Joseph H. Klichili; Fourth ward, E. G. Potter, S. B. Loye; Fifth ward, Chas. P. Lovell, Henry W. Brazie; Sixth ward, Samuel Hunter, Lars Af. Rand; Seventh ward, John H. Pany, Mortimer B. Rol¬ lins; Eighth ward, Melvin Grimes, Geo. W. Flan¬ ders; Ninth ward, James H. Bradish, John J. Mc¬ Guire; Tenth ward, Alncent Reeves, Fred A. Schwartz; Eleventh ward, John A. Blichfeldt, Wil¬ liam H. Lacke3'; Twelfth ward, Wm. B. Wood¬ ward, George Peterson; Thirteenth ward, D. D. Farnsworth, James S. Gray. Officers appointed by the City Council for 3'ear 1891 - Robert D. Rus¬ sell, City Attorney; Chas. F. Haney, City Clerk; Andrew Rinker, City Engineer; J. C. Plummer, City Assessor; A. H. Runge, Chief Engineer Fire Department; J. M. Hazen, Inspector of Buildings; Dr. C. A. Chase, Cit3' Ph3'sician ; Dr. E. S. Kelle3', Commissioner of Health; John West, Superinten¬ dent of Work House; D. T. Davies, Inspector of Meats; A. G. Alosher, Sealer of Weights and Aleasures ; J. M. AIelo3', Inspector of Street Lights ; Rufus Roberts, Cit3' Weigher; Wm. Collins, En¬ gineer of Citv Hall; Frank Ga3'lord, Janitor Cit3' Hall.

Population Of The City

In this connection it is interesting to observe the change which has gradually been going on during the last fifteen or twenty yeai's, in the personnel of the legislative department of the city. For several years, in the early history- of the cit\', the compensation of the Aldei'inen was hardh' more than nominal - not ex¬ ceeding one hundred dollars per annum. And even of this amount, several Aidermen declined to draw their salaries, or turned them over to some charitable in¬ stitution of the city. There was then no inducement to seek the office, for the salary attached to it. And 3-et the ablest business men, and those repre¬ senting the largest interests, were will¬ ing to accept the office. B\' the act of incorporation of the city of Alinneapolis, the Council was to consist of twelve members, and so continued until the union of the cities in 1872, when the number was increased to eighteen. With the growth of the city the number was subsequenth" increased, until at the pres¬ ent time (1890) the Council consists of thirty-nine members, and the salaiw of an Alderman is $750.

aece])t the office of alderman. The rais¬ ing of salaries has not resulted in secur¬ ing better representative men, nor has the increase in numbers served to secure more useful and conservative legislation. So elcnrlv has this become apparent, that the last Legislature amended the charter 1)3' reducing the number of aidermen from three to two in each ward, and the salaries to $500 each. The Board of Trade favored a still larger I'eduction of nund)ers and salaries, but the nundier was finalh' compromised as above stated.

It is true the business of the eit3' has verv largeh' increased in the last few 3'ears, and the work of some men in the council proportionalh' increased. But these men are few - confined to a few men on the important committees, Iw whom the main work of legislation is done. These few doubtless earn their salaries. But the majoritv do not. It is to be hoped the time will come in the histor3" of municipal legislation when to each shall be proiDortioned his work and salary. The legislation of the ])resent day has not achieved this result.

The municipal government of the citv of Alinneapolis cannot 3 et be said to be establi.shed on a permanent basis. Its main featui'es will probably be retained for man3' 3'ears ; but the rapid growth of the cit3q the increase of wards, and the large expenditures required foiqjublie improvements, necessitate from time to time important changes. This growth and the consequent increase of debt and expenditure will appear from the follow¬ ing statement compiled from latest re- ])orts : census was taken under peculiar condi¬ tions. Under the law the census of the United States was to be taken in June. It was so taken in this city. Before the result was announced, allegations of fraud were made against the enumera¬ tors in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. A recount was ordered in both eities - in Minneapolis in August, and in St. Paul in August and September. The result in Minneapolis is given above. In St. Paul the recount showed 133,156. In the latter cit}^ the recount was carried on under the supervision of Mr. Wardle, in Alinneapolis under that of Mr. Kruse. Both these gentlemen were detailed from the department at Washington for this express purpose. The returns were sub¬ jected to a more rigid scrutiny than those of an3^ other city in the United States, and it is undoubtedly true that neither city was credited with an indi¬ vidual to which it was not justh- en¬ titled. But those two months were unquestionabh' the most unfavorable for each cit3' of any in the 3^ear for showing the actual population. The lai'ge num¬ bers of laborers always absent at that season in the harvest fields, as well as very large numbers away at ] Measure resorts, would largeh' reduce the actual population. It is a conservative esti¬ mate to sa3' that a census taken in June or October of the same 3'ear, would have shown an excess of 10,000 for each cit3' over the actual returns, even under the rigid S3\stem adopted.

Minneapolis, however, has everv rea¬ son to be proud of the actual showing. No other cit3Tn the countr3' (unless it be Chicago) can show a higher precentage of increase for the last ten 3-ears. Nor need there have been an3" disappoint¬ ment had not the press continuousl3- in¬ sisted on claiming a larger population than an3' statistics at hand justified. But the same rate of increase for the next ten 3'ears will give us a population in 1900 of hardlv,if any, less than 500,- 000. And certainly the prospects to-da3^ are more favorable for an equal rate of increase than they were ten yeai's ago.

A resume in a condensed form of the progress of the cit3'-, from 1860 to 1891, is here given for convenience. Alany of these statistics will appear more at large in other articles, but some readers ma3- prefer to see them concisely stated in a single group. The most of these are taken from pidDlished statistics and can be verified as being correct, except that at the time of the present writing (fall of 1891 ) the increase in several of the classes is very material. In a city of as rapid growth as Minneapolis a differ¬ ence of nine months in the time of com¬ putation, in man3" departments, woidd make a change almost incredible to one not acqainted with the facts :

Before this work goes to press some departments of the above statistics ma3- be somewhat changed, but it is con¬ fidently believed that in all respects they will be increased instead of diminished. In regard to population alone statistics are at hand to pi'ove conclusiveh^ that the population before January 1, 1892, will exeeed 175,000.

By Rufus J. Babdwin

A majority of the people of Minne¬ apolis have always been of the RejDublican faith. That of the neighboring city of St. Paul have been as decisively Democratic.

A reason for the difference must be sought in the character of the immigra¬ tion which flowed to the two cities in their early periods. Tha*t which came to the former was largely from New England, chiefl\" from the northeastern part, with many from the Middle States. That which constituted the controlling element of the latter was from the bor¬ der states, with considerable numbers from the South. The one were native born and of the Protestant faith, the other largeh' of foreign extraction, and attached to the Roman Catholic church.

From 1841 to 1853 the National Government was in the control of the Whig part3", except the four years of President Polk, from March 4, 1845. Its great statesmen. Clay and Webster, had developed and cherished the policy of protection to American industry-, of stimulating and aiding internal im¬ provement, with a liveh' svmpathv with the development of the Northwest. During the latter part of the period the demands of the slave power in the nation, resulting in the repeal of the

Missouri compromise, the fugitive slave law, and the attempt to carrv the "do¬ mestic institution" into the free terri tones of Kansas and Nebraska, had aroused throughout the Northern States such a determined opposition that the Whig party was abandoned and the Republican party took its place in 1866. pledged to conflne slavery' to the states where it had a constitutional footing, and to prevent its extension into free territory. Though beaten with its standai'd bearer, the gallant Fremont, in the campaign of that \'ear, the Demo¬ cratic ascend anc\' did not survive the administration of Buchanan, and with the election of Lincoln in 1860 the Republican party secured control of the Government, and retained it for twentyflve 3'ears.

The first settlei's of St. Anthon\% and of Minneajjolis were Whigs, but strongty imbued with the free soil sentiment, so that they naturalK' drifted into the RepidDlican party on its organization. This rule, however, was not without its exceptions, for several of the most stal¬ wart Democrats of Minneapolis came out of the Whig ranks, but the\' were leaders with few followers.

istration. At the second State election the Republican party was successful, and has held political control to the present time. The political complexion of the Territory was, however, rather accidental than determined by political considerations. The appointed officers were Whigs, but it happened that the leading representative men were of the opposite faith. Such were Henry H. Sibley and Henry M. Rice, the delegates in Congress, and they gave to the Ter¬ ritory the complexion of their party affiliation. Politics, however, had little to do with their selection. They had lived in the Territory a long time, were able and conspicuous, and were enthu¬ siastically devoted to the welfare of the new community. They were, in short, the fittest men, and were accordingly selected by the suffrages of Whigs and Democrats alike. The Republican pre¬ cinct of St. Antnony gave to General Sibley an almost unanimous vote.

The press, too, that almost omnip¬ otent moulder of public opinion, was Democratic The Pioneer, established in 1849, at St. Paul, by the brilliant and lamented James M. Goodhue, was Dem¬ ocratic, and although devoted to the best interests of the Territory, was in everything political "regular." His successor, Earl S. Goodrich, was equal¬ ly attached to Democratic men and measures.

On the contrary, the St. Anthony. Express, established in 1851, under the able editorial management of Isaac At¬ water, assisted by Shelton Hollister, was a Whig paper, and strongly sup¬ ported the administration of President Fillmore. At the dissolution of the Whig party, Mr. Atwater attached him¬ self to the Democracy, by which party he was elected to the Supreme Bench at the organization of the State govern¬ ment, and he has continued to be a con¬

In 1854, Rev. C. G. Ames established in Minneapolis the Minnesota Republiean, which was a Republican paper of the most radical type; and when in 1857 it was merged into the Daily News, under the editorial management of W. A., Croffut, the politics and tone of the paper were in no way moderated.

A few years later (1859), Col. W. S. King, through the colums of the Atlas, poured hot shot into the ranks of the Democracjq and put to rout the "bond swindlers" and "repudiators."

At the first general election, held at the time of the organization of the Hen¬ nepin county government on the 11th of October, 1852, politics were alto¬ gether overlooked.

The polls for the whole county were held at the home of Colonel Stevens, and seventy-one votes were cast - all for the same candidates: Benjamin H. Ran¬ dall, of Fort Snelling, and Dr. A. E. Ames were elected representatives; John Jackins, Alex. Mooi'e and Joseph Dean, county commissioners; Isaac Brown, sheriff; Joel B. Bassett, judge of probate; John H. Stevens, register of deeds; John S. Mann, treasurer; and Eli Pettijohn,of Fort Snelling, and Edwin Hedderly, jus¬ tices of the peace.

Municipal government commenced with the granting of a charter for the City of St. Anthony in 1855. Previous to that time there had been a township organization, electing justices of the peace, and minor officers - county affairs being administered by the commission¬ ers of Ramsey county, of which St. Anthony composed a part until 1856.

Mayors From 1855 To 1891

spirited, Henry T. Welles being elected Mayor over John Rollins 1)3^ a small niajorit}'. It could not be called a part_v victoiy, though the successful candidate was a Whig. Both gentlemen were for many succeeding \'ears loAml sujiporters of the Democratic party. The succeed¬ ing city elections were mostU" controlled by part3" considerations. Local issues, personal popularit3' of candidates, the exigencies of a ra]3idl3' growing comniunit3', inspired nominations and con¬ trolled elections. The following named gentlemen successiYel3' held the office of ma3'or of St. Anthon3':

After the consolidation of the cities of St. Anthon3' and Minneapolis, into the City of Alinneapolis, the Ma3'or's chair has been filled Iw the following named gentlemen :

St. Anthoin-, as a constituent part of Ramse3' couut3', was often represented in the Territorial Legislature. Thus at the election in 1849, Capt. John Rollins was elected to the Council, and William R. Alarshall, afterwards Governor of the State - both Whigs - to the House. In the succeeding 3'ear John W. North and Edward Patch, Democrats, were elected to the House. It was at the session of 1850 that the charter of the State Universit3" was granted, locating that insti¬ tution of learning at St. Anthoin-. Rep¬ resentative Marshall was chicfl3' instru¬ mental in securing the location - a ser¬ vice for which he shoidd be held in grateful remembrance 1)3' the citizens of Minneapolis.

At the election in 1851, William L. Lamed, Democrat, was elected to the Council over Isaac Atwater, the Whig candidate, and Sumner W.Farnham and Dr. John H. Alurpln- were elected re])resentatives. George F. Rrott, Democrat, was elected sheriff, and Ira B. Kingsle3-, nominated 1)3' the People's partv, judge of probate.

The Whigs decided to make no nomi¬ nations in 1853, but su])ported candi¬ dates of disaffected Democrats, and thus secured the election of Henr3' S. Plum¬ mer and Cephas Gardner as representa¬ tives.

An anti-slaverv convention was held in the Congregational church of St. Anthon3', in 1854, at which the radical views of the prominent ])oliticians of that period were freelv and vigoroushset forth 1)3' such men as John W. North, Rev. C. G. Ames, W. D. Babbit, Rev. Charles Sccombe, and others; and resolutions were adopted which reflected the drift of opinion at the North respect¬ ing slaverv, and its extension into new territorv.

the Winslow* House was filled with guests - many of them from the South, accompanied by their bodj^ servants - a few of the leading anti-slavery men de¬ termined to make a xDublic example which, should inform such persons of their rights. A writ of habeas corpus was obtained, and by virtue of it the sheriff took a colored woman who was a slave of Col. R. Christmas at his home in Mississippi, and had been brought here with the family on a summer ex¬ cursion, and brought her before the Dis¬ trict Court. Mr. Cornell appeared for the petitioner, and Colonel Christmas was present. Judge Vanderburgh, before whom the proceeding was conducted, declared the law to be that slavery was a local institution, that a slave brought into Minnesota by its owner became free, and advised the woman - Eliza Winston was her name - that she was free to choose whether to remain with her former owner, or to leave him. Much excitement prevailed among the bystanders when the decision was given. The petitioners and their friends gath¬ ered around the woman, and escorted her to a carriage in waiting, while Col¬ onel King paced the hall, brandishing a huge cane and denouncing in unmeas¬ ured terms all who aided or abetted in holding a slave in Minnesota. She was driven to the residence of W. D. Babbit; and a crowd of sympathizers with Col¬ onel Christmas following and surround¬ ing the house, she was at nightfall moved to another refuge, and was soon after sent to Canada. That night the Atlas printing office, owned by Colonel King, was guarded by citizen volunteers in anticipation of an attack, but fortunateh" reason aiid moderation prevail¬ ed, and no hostile demonstration was made.

The Republican party was formalH organized in Minnesota at a ]Dublic meeting held in Central Hall, St. An¬ thony, March 29th and 30th, 1855, William R. Marshall presiding, and J. F. Bradley acting as secretary. A plat¬ form consisting of fourteen resolutions was presented by C. G. Ames, which after a two days' discussion was amended and adopted, and an address to the people was issued. Reading the plat¬ form at this day, bristling wdth the most extreme tenets of the abolitionists, one can not wonder that conservative mefl of Whig antecedents, should hesi¬ tate to identify themselves with the new party.

Party lines were definitely drawn for the first time between the newly born RepidDlican ptirty and the Democrats at the fall election of this year. Nineteen hundred and fifty-five votes were cast in the countv. Most of the former Whigs voted the Republican ticket, whieh pre¬ vailed by a majority of about twenty votes, although eighteen votes were thrown away on "know nothing" can¬ didates. James F. Bradley and Thomas Pierce were elected Representatives, and although Joel B. Bassett received a ma¬ jority in Hennepin county for the coun¬ cil, he was defeated by D. M. Hanson, who received sufficient votes in Carver county, to secure his eleetion. Hence¬ forth Hennepin county has with a few unimportant exceptions, sustained Re¬ publican measures and men.

St. Anthony was detached from Ram¬ sey and annexed to Hennepin countj'' in 1856, so that henceforth both partici¬ pated in the elections for the same offices.

The Land Grant Act

vacancy, and William W. Wales was also elected to fill a vacancy in the coun¬ cil caused by the resignation of John Rollins. Asa Keith of Richfield, John P. Plummer of Brooklyn, Rev. W. Hax'den of Champlin, and Delano T. Smith of MinneaiJolis, were elected Representa¬ tives from the west district, and Jon¬ athan Chase, and Henry Hectman, from the St. Anthony disti'ict.

The Legislative session of 1857 was the last held under Territorial auspices, and was the most important w'hich had hitherto convened. Congress had passed the land-grant act, by virtue of which the odd numbered sections of the public lands adjacent to fiv'e lines of rail¬ road were granted to the Territory of Minnesota, to aid in the construction of the several lines, cind it devolved on this Legislature to incorporate companies to construct the roads, and to grant to them the portion of lands appertaining to each line. In fulfillment of this dut\' the St. Paul & Pacific, Minneapolis, Fari¬ bault & Cedar Valle3', and Southern Minnesota Rail Road Companies, were incorporated, and received their grants. No part\' question arose. All were ani¬ mated b\^ the prospect of rapid growth of population and wealth, vinder the stimulus of the aided railroad construc¬ tion, and the millions of acres of public land were dealt out with a lavish hand. Happih" no allegation of corruption has ever been made against those in whose hands lay the distribution of the im- ])erial largess. In the scheme which was adopted, Minneafiolis seeured four lines of railroad ; the main line of the St. Paul and Pacific, passing up the east side of the river ; a branch line crossing the river from St. Anthoin' and running to the western boundarv of the Terri¬ tory ; the Minneapolis, Fariljault <!<: Cedar Valley running from Alinneapolis south across the Minnesota River; and a branch of the Southern Minnesota, from St. Anthoin' to Shakopee. All these lines, after main' dela^^s, and des¬ perate attempts to thwart the will of Congress and the Legislature, on the part of hostile corporations and jealous I'ivals, have been substantialh' secured, together with others not then provided for, which the commanding position and commei'cial importance of Vlinneajiolis have eittracted to her.

The act enabling the Territory of Minnesota to establish a State govern¬ ment, having also become a law, it de¬ volved on this Legislature to provide for the holding of the Constitutional Convention.

The Legislature was convened in ex¬ tra .session April 27th, and among its first acts was the important one accept¬ ing the land grant act, and another to execute the trust imposed on the Territoiw by the act. Much general legisla¬ tion was also enacted, especiall}' in creating municipal and railroad corjiorations. Under the Territorial regime special charters were freeh' granted. When the State constitution was adopt¬ ed this power was taken awa}' from the Legislature, and all private corpora¬ tions were required to be formed under general law's open to all w'ho would compl}' with their conditions.

In the District of Hennepin county w'est, Dr. A. E. Ames, Col. Cyrus Al¬ drich, David VIorgan, and Erastus N. Bates, of Minneapolis ; Rev. W. W. Hagden, of Chanqilain ; Gen. K. N. Bar¬ tholomew, of Richfield, and Rev. Chas. B. Sheldon, of Excelsior, were elected as delegates; and in the St. Anthony dis¬ trict Judge B. B. Meeker, William L. Lohclles, Calvin A. Ttittle, Charles L. Chase,

Dr. John H. hlurphy, L. C. Walker, Peter Winell, David A. Secombe, S. W. Put¬ nam, and C. M. Hall, were given certifieates of election by the Register of Deeds, Rev. C. G. Ames, upon whom devolved the canvass of the votes. The last four names hiid not received a majorit\' of votes, but as some of the ballots had not specified which of the names were as delegates at large, the I'egister of deeds rejected so manr' of the majorit}^ bal¬ lots that the four minority candidates were given certificates. Of the delegates elected from the whole Tei'ritor}', the political parties were so equally divided that the rejection of the four Democrats, and the certification of the four Repub¬ licans in their place, gave the majority of the convention to the Republicans. A violent storm of denunciation at once arose, and the Pioneer poured out tlie vials of its wrath upon the head of the Register of Deeds, denouncing him as a "political priest" and "conspirator." Charles L. Chase, who was one of the delegates and was also Seci'etary of the Territory', preferred charges of violation of official duty against the Register of Deeds, and Gov. Sam Aledary removed him from office. But the removal was of little avail. The following day the Count\' Commissioners restored him to office, and at the ensuing fall election the peoi)le again elected him. There is little doubt that Air. Ames acted con¬ scientiously', for he fortified his action by competent legal authority, and, in a similar case in the west district, and for the same irregularity', he set aside the returns which gave Rev. C. B. Shel¬ don, Republican, a majority, and gave the certificate of election to R. P. Russel, Democrat. Air. Russel, however, declined to avail himself of his legal authority' and did not claim the office, and Air. Sheldon was admitted to the seat in the Republican wing of the convention.