Pipestone City

Pipestone City

ON THE mountains of the prairie, 4G west). The elevation of Pipestone on the great red l'ipest(jne quarry, above sea level is 1740 feet.' As a railroad where, the poet tells us, in ages center it takes high rank, four .separate past the Great Spirit stood and called the systems having lines to the city. In the tribes of men together, is the city of state of Minnesota are only two cities - - Pipestone, capital of Pipestone county. Minneapolis and St. Paul - that have History records that wherever the North greater railroad facilities, and only two American Indians were in the habit of others - ilankato and Albert Lea - that gathering in large numbers, for places of have as many railroads as Pipestone. The residence, council, or worship, those spots railroad com]>anies that operate lines to have invariably Ijeen selected by white Pipestone are tlie Great Northern, the Chimen on which to locate their centers of cago, Milwaukee & St. P'aul, the Chipopulation. There is scarce an instance cago. Rock Island & Pacific, and the Chito the contrary, and, indeed, it would cago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, have been remarkable had a city not been The city, therefore, enjoys excellent shipfounded at the famous quarries. For ping facilities, a circumstance to which wliere is now the modern city of Pipestone, is due much of Pipestone's ]>rosperity and the aborigines were wont to gather to re- growth.

the drag business in LeMars, Iowa, accompanied by a small party, visited the quarries in >September, 1873, he determined to found a city there and selected as a site the land on which Pipestone now stands. In the enterprise he interested D. E. Sweet, D. C. Whiteliead and John Ijowry, of Rock Rapids. Towa, and in 1.S74 tlie first attempt to found a settlement at the quarries was made. The enterprise was inaugurated (hiring the Jmrd times jieriod following tlie panic of 18'i3, at a time when local conditions were also most inauspicious because of the grasshopper scourge. Adding to the discouragements of the undertaking, the residents of the western country had an inherent fear of the Indian, and .sentiment was against the founding of a settlement in the vicinity of the Pipestone quarries, where it was known the Sioux were wont to congregate in large numbers. But the promoters were men of determination, and they carried through their project, not, however, without many discouragements and setbacks.

In the month of :\Iay, 1874, C. H. Bennett, 0. W. Bennett, D. C. Whitehead, Job Whitehead, D. B. Sweet and John Lowry visited tlie site and took claims, and C. H. Bennett erected the first building in the city-to-be, an 8x12 feet shanty, six feet high, at the point that is now designated the corner of Hiawatha and

Centennial streets. On June 4 nf tlie same year D. E. Sweet, his wife and little son, and John Lowry took up their residence at the point where it was determined to found the town, a point fortyfive miles from the nearest railroad and also a long distance from the nearest white settlement. ]\rr. Sweet tore down the Bennett cabin, wliich had been donated him l)y Jlr. Bennett, and erected a more substantial home, and in December Mr. Jmwry erected the town's second building - a small cabin. In August, 1874, when there was only one building in Pipestone (and in Pipestone county), through the instrumentality of Mr. Sweet, the Pipestone postoffice was established and Mr. Sweet received the commission as postmaster.-

For two years after the first settler located on the proposed townsite there was little impovement. During the .summer seasons of 1875 and 187G a few newconiei's arrived, selected claims in the vicinity, and made a few improvements, wliicli promi.sed better things for the futiiii', but all iiivai'ial)ly left for their old liomcs for the winters, leaving Mr. Sweet and jiis family the only residents of "the town'" and of Pipestone county. Quite a numl)er of temporary residents were in the vicinity in the summer of 1870, selecting claims and breaking land, and to supply their wants John Lowry, in June, establislied a store in the building he had

^During the first year there was no regular mail service, but the mail was occasionally brought down from Lake Benton. Regular service by way of I^ake Benton was established in July. 1875, and a Mr. Snyder secured the contract for carrying the mail, making weekb* trips. In the fall of 187.5 Mrs. Sweet received the commission for the Pipestone postoffice. C. H. Bennett was commissioned in 1870. but did not qualify, although he served as deputy several montiis during the fall and winter of 1870. W. H. Wheeler was appointed in February. 1877, l>ut served only a few months. D. E. Sweet again became postma.ster in November. 1877. and served until November 15. 1S8G.

In the early days the "postoffice" was a corner in a room of Mr. Sweet's residence. In the fall of 1878 a 12x15 feet building was erected for the postoffice, and a year later the federal business was transacted in a more imposing

Succeeding Mr. Sweet as postmaster was John Stuart, who was appointed by President Cleveland and who served from November 15, 1886, initil January 23, 1S90. Major E. A. Rice served from the last mentioned date, imder appointment by President Harrison, until May 1. 1894. Hiram W. George was the postmaster under the second Cleveland administration four years, relinquishing the office to W. W. Robey May 2. 1S97. Mr. Robey served until his death early in 1906. His widow, Luella T. Robey. after serving several weeks as acting postmaster, received the commission and served as Pipestone's postmaster until .\pril 4. 1910. Since that date J. H. Nichols has been postmaster of Pipestone.

Six rural routes are supplied from the Pipestone office. The first four began operations November 1. 1902; No. 5. on A))ril 1. 1904; No. 0. in recent years.

History Of Piprstoxk Couxty

erected in December, ISM.'' The first mercantile establishment in the i-it\ ami county liail n $300 stock of general mertliandise. It was discontiuiied in the fall, all the customers having been driven from tiie county by the ravages of the grasshoppers. In June, 187G, also, C. H. Benlictt erected a little one-story ofTice building. 12x1(1 feet, at tlie corner of Centennial and I''iances streets.' making the tliii'd liuililing in Pipestone.

1). K. Sweet and C. H. Bennett platted the townsite of Pipestone City' in 187(1. Mr. Sweet doing the surveying. C. H. F«ennett. who was the owner of that part of the townsite on the southwest quarter of the northeast (|uarter and the southeast quarter of the noithwest <piarter of section P.'. made the dedication October 17, 187(). the acknowledgement being made before .1. S. Struble, Justice of the peace in Plymiiuth county, Iowa, ^larv O. Sweet and 1). K. Sweet, tlie owners of that part on the soutliwest quarter of section 12, made the dedication June 18, T. Tiie oiiginal plat consisted of twenty-two blocks. The streets east and west were named Pillsliui'\, Longfellow, Centennial, Olive and Catlin. Those noi-fh and south wi're Knuna. Helen, Anna. Fran-

Lowry. formerly of Rock Rapid.s. hos just opened ;i general store at Pipe.stone City, whieh win be a great convenience to the people now residing the're and chose soon to become occupants of the beautiful lands in that section. His stock was purchased of the e.'ilLrprising firm of Bartlett & Jacobsen, of Luverne." - Rock County Herald, June 24, 1876.

'The postoffioe was named Pipestone, the townsite Pipestone City. For a number of years the village was commonly called Pipestone City, but later the "city" was dropped from the title.

Till' platting of the townsite did not lesult in the immediate Iniilding of the town. In fa.t. >u -h «eie the exigencies of the times that when fall arrived the onlv jieo- |)le to he found on the townsite and in the whole county were the townsite ]ji'o- )ii'ietors. Mr. Bennett remained in Pi|iestone until just before Christmas; "Sir. Sweet returned to the place in January and spent the rest of the winter there. Nor was there nnieh improvement in the town in 187T, although quite a niimlier of ne'\V settlers arrived and located in the vicinity. John Stuait erected a house west of the Sweet home in the spring of the year, and in Xovember the framework for a hotel huihling was raised liy \\'illiain Jones, the ]iioneer landlord."

The actual founding of Pipestone may lie said to have taken place in the spring of 1878, for jii'ior to that time there were few criterions of a village. With the rush for Pi])estone county lands earlv in the spring of that year came the establishment of the first business houses. Before tlie twelve-month was ended a dozen or more buildings had been erected on the townsite, the town had a population

'". . . Where twenty-five years ago stood the pioneer hotel of Pipestone, tlie Jones House, and how this name will call to the memory of the old settlers the sight of Landlord 'Bill' Jftnes, his wife and their eleven daughters - almost enough to fill the old hotel without the transients or the score or more of 'regulars' who never missed roll call at meal time. The old hotel was a crude affair, hastily erected of lumber hauled across the country from Luverne, complete (?) with all the modern inconveniences - water in each room, when it rained - light in each room, when the moon shone through the crevices in the roof - heat in each room, when it was warm weather." - Pipestone County Star, 1904.

Histoey Of Pipestone Couxty

of possibly fifty people, and several business houses had been opened. D. E. Sweet and J. H. Nichols engaged in the real estate business and erected a small building, in which was located tlie postoll'ice. C H. Bennett began the erection of a store building and opened his drug store in the same the following spring, he and liis wife having established their permanent residence there in the sunnneiof 1878. John and Mac Stuart ojiened a general merchandise store, which thry conducted under the firm name of Sluail Brothers." \\'illiam Jones opened his hcitel to the public. W. E. Wheeler and James (Jillard, under the firm name "f Gillard & Wheeler, established a haidware store in June.^ Eeuben Clark erected a store building in the spring and engaged in the genei'al nierchan<lisc Ijusiiie-^s. John fiender.son opened a blacksnuth shop. Dr. E. M. Carr erected a house in the spring and engaged in the practice of medicine, .lohn Lowry returned and nuide his jiome in the new town. Later in the year Rev. Pease, of Blue Eartii City, arrived and erected a residence: S. L. Bailey became a resident; Captain John Pearson came fi'om Manl^ato to become a jipiiiiaiicni citizen ; Eiley French purchased a liil and buiU a residence thereon,^" The ih-canis (if the town's founders had come true ; a city existed at the famons Pipestone i|uarrics.

""John Stewart [Stuart] contemplates opening a iitor« [in Pipestone] tills spring, keeping on his shelves a general assortment o' goods suited to the wants of what is destined to become a live, progressive community.'* - Rock County Herald, March 15, 1S7S.

""Mr. James H. Gillard has removed a portion of his hardware stock to Pipestone City and expects to remove the balance, together with his teams, tools, etc., within a fortnight." - Rock County Herald, May 3, 1S7S.

""'Mr. Riley French, son-in-law of Mr. S. T-. Bailey, of this place, arrived here with his family from Colo, Story county, Iowa. Mr. I''i-encii is a business man, comes well recommeiidt'tl, and we give him a hearty welcome anumg us." - Correspondence in Rock Count,v Herald. September 6, 1878.

.Activities were renewed early in tiie spring of 1879. The town received added dignity by being declared the county seat of the newly organized county, anil the activities were augmented by runioi's of tiie coining of two lines of railway." Among the first institutions put niiik'i' way was the Eureka hotel, by J. \V. Lewis.'- In April Ralph J. Wiger o|K'ned a hardware store and J. A. Phelps a restaurant. Dr. W. J. Taylor, who had been one of tile lirst to take a claim in ilie \icinil\. Iiiit who had later s|ieni most nf his time at Luverne, began the practice of his profession in the new town ill March. Dr. G. W. Morrill also practiced in l'i]3estone. A. F. Jackson started a second blacksmith shop. L. H. Hackett opened a flour and feed store. In early summer J. A. Phelps & Co. erected a large building and engaged in the furniture business, also carrying a stock of harness. In April S. M. Pa.sco estalilislied the first lumber yard.'-'' On June i:i 1. L. Hart established the Pipestone County Star, the first newspaper, and Pipestone at last had an organ to proclaim the greatness of the new town. At the time of the founding of the Star there were in the village the following business anil professional men: this way, but no one knew whether Pipestone City would be the lucky point or not. A survey of tlie Southern Minnesota had been made several miles south, and it was decided that if the road was through there it would be necessary to move tlie town to it, and some buildings were built with that end in view." - Pipestone County Star, August 12, 1880.

'="Mr. J. W. Lewis goes to f'ipestone tpday to perfect arrangements for the building of a new hotel there. The new building will be 20x110 feet in size, two stories high. We congratulate the people of Pipestone City upon so valuable an accession to their numbers and business." - Rock County Herald. February 21, 1879.

""Mr. S. M. Pasco, of Luverne, is preparing to fill a nnuh needed branch of business in this cnunt>' - a first class lumber yard - and has a portion of the stock already on the ground." - I'. spondcnce ill Rock CcMintv Herald, May 2, 1879.

Pipestone In Early Days

An excellent showing was made for a town one year old. but the stocks were small and many of the buildings were of a temporaTT character. On August 13, 18S0, when the town Imd assumed more sul)stantial proportions, the Star told nf tlie conditions in June, 1879:

Fifteen months ago the houses in Pipestone City - that is, those that could be called houses - could have been numbered on the fingers of one hand. Riley French had a good, comfortable two-story residence. D. E. Sweet was well fixed in the way of a house, as was also John Stuart. Of the business houses C. H. Bennett had the best in town. . . . Had the goods in all the stores mentioned been piled into one place, they would have made one good general stock, while in Pasco's lumber yard there was not enough material to have built a single building like that of Stuart Bros, today.

But the activities in the little town did uiit cease in June. At that time the local paper reported fourteen new buildings in contemplation for the ne.xt two months. .Ml summer "the sound of tlie hammer and -aw" was lieai'd in the I'apidlv buildingcapital of Pi]iestone county. Tlie joy of the residents was complete when, on the evening of November 2(i, 1879, the first train pulled into Pipestone, the Southern Minnesota having been completed to that point. It was a time of general rejoicing. As a result of the coming of the railroad and the arrival of liundrcds of new settlers to Pipestone county, the village grew rapidly in 1880 and developed into a flourishing, well-built little city. Wlien the federal census of that year was taken, in the early summer, the population was 2222, of which number nbmit one-fourth were engaged in business. An enumeration of the Iniildings in the little city of Pipestone, nuide in Augiist, 1880. showed sixty-four structures, of which twentyeight were business houses, tliirty-two residences, two hotel buildings, one school house and one jail. Besides these, many others were contemplated for the fall montlis. Tlie following business directory, puldished August 13, 1880, shows many changes from and additions to that of the vear before :

History Of Pipestone Poitnty

So great had lieen Ibe progre.ss of Pipestone during the preceding year that early in 1881 ciinie tlie demend for incorimration. At a mass meeting to take the nee essary steps, held at Postnffice hall on Jannary 14, A. J. Clark was eliairni:in and I. L. Hart was secretary. There was an nnaniniily of opinion that inror|ioiaiion should be brought about, and to draft a bill to present to the legislature a conimittee was chosen, consisting of J. H. Nichols, T. T.. Hart, .Tohn Stiinit. ('. H. Bennett and Dr. W. .1. Tavlor. 'I'liese gentlemen pre))ared a liill, which was approved at another mass meeting. The bill introduced in the legislature by Representative P. J. Kniss and in due time became a law, the act being signed by the governor February 10. 1881. Hnder its provi-sions C. H. Bennett, J. H. Nichols and S. L. Bailey were named commissioners to call the first election and have charge of affairs preliminary to beginning

"To remedy detects in the original iiieorportion act. the electors, on June 4. 18S3, by a vote ot 59 to 14. decided to reincorporate under the provisions of an act of the legislature of 1SS3, and this was done..

'''Under the village form of government the license question was voted upon under the local option law at nearly every annual election. Kven before incorporation, the question was submitted to the voters of Sweet township, of which Pipestone formed a part. At the first township election, on April lii, 1879, license was defeated by a vote of 23 to 55. After incorporation, on only one occasion did the against license advocates win at the polls. Following was the result on the license question under village government: municipal go\ernmeiit. The election to select tbc first officers was held ilarcii 2!l. tlie Judges being S. L. Bailey and H. W. Cork The village was under this fin'm of government'^ until 1001, when the city form was adopted. Following are the names of those who were elected to olfice under the village government:'"

"Resigned in March. 1882. and S. I.. Bailey chosen at a special election. Mr. Bailey died in 1883. and at a special election June 4. 1883. Robert Scarf was elected.

^The election for president of the village council resulted in a tie vote. 193 ballots being cast for e-^ch of the candidates. E. W. Davies and L. H. Moore. The law provided tliat in such cases lots sliould be drawn under the I supervision of tiie .iudges of election, tnit this

After the lively times rc.^ultiii.o fnuii tlic bnilcling of the town's fir.st raili-niid, a .short period of quiet times ensued, and the years ISSl and 1882 were not partieulaily ones of progress. Wcathi'i' idiiditions were not favorable for grain production, and the town settled down to a normal basis. Aided by a bonus frdiii (he residents of Pipestone, Frazer Mackey erected a flouring mill in 1882. About a score of litlier buildings, mostly residences, were erected during tJiat year.

The boom came in 1883. During (hat and the folbiwing year Pipestone made greater strides forward than anv other town in soutliwestern Minnesota. It de- \cloped from a little hamlet of temporary frame strnchires into a town noted for its handsome stone buildings ; it became one of the best advertised, most talked-of municipalities in the northwest. I'his change was brought about almost wholly by the operations of the land firm of Clnse F^ros. & Co. In compliance with the terms of a contract entered into April 13. 1883, with Charles IT. Bennett, the fii'iii mo\'ed its general headcpiarters from Le^Iars, Idwa. (o Pipestone, erected a handsome hdtrl Iniilding, and stai'ted a liocim foi' I'iprsloiie and Pipestone county 1ba( was the mnr\cl (d' the times. The people of Pipestone duly celebrated the signing of the contract that made certain the coming of the boom.-" A commercial

^^Among those who took an active part in furnishing the funds, real estate and town lots to meet the demands of Close Bros. & Co. and brought the matter to a successful conclu.sion were C H. Bennett. C. C. Goodnow. I.. H. Moore. W. .1. Tavlor. J. H. Nichols. D. E. Sweet, Riley Frencli, T. A. Bhck and others.

Pipestone was in a constant state of turmoil during 1883, due to the building operations. Many of the business houses erected were of native stone, and the residences were of substantial and permanent character. Nearly one hundred buildings were put uii during the twelve-month - a record equalled by no town in the vicinity. Eeal estate values soared and there were many transfers.^' The value of the improvements for the year 1883 was nearly $125,000, itemized as follows:

The year 1884 cclip.sed the preceding one. The Burling-fon and Omaha railroads built to the city and added to the activities. Earlv in the sjiring. before the frost was out of tJic ground, building operations were liegun. The Star said in April : "The outlook was never so promising. Property is changing hands at good figures, and a general feeling' of confidence seems to ]iossess our people."' The year left an ineffaceable record on the liistory of the village. The building ini-

-*'The Rock County Hei'ald (T'Uverne'i on June 29, 1.S.53. told of the doings in the neighboring village: "The boom now enjoyed by Pipestone village is phenomenal. The prices obtained for town property are such as to startle a l.uverne man. \\'itii but a fraction of the population of this place and a trifling immigration, holders of town property in the former place are gathering in a harve.st such as no one ever reaped in Ijuverne."

The year 1885 was not so filled with activity in the building line as had been the two preceding years. Still there was substantial growth, the value of iniprovonients, mostly residences, amounting to $44,650. The population, as sliown by tlie state census of 1885, wa.s 1109. an increase of 500 per cent in five years. A business directory issued in December, 1885, listed the following:

In 1886 the sum ol' -i^oS.'.Hio was expended in buildino- improvements. Amniii;- tlie principal structures erected were stone Iniildings by C. H. Bennett, Albert Hemenover and A. Powell, the Baptist church, jail. etc. The improvements were more than offset, however, by loss from fire. The first and only serious conflagration in Pipestone's history occurred early in thf morning- of December 15, 1886, when the Cahimet hotel was completely destroyed. Hev. A. S. Orcutt, pastor of the Baptist ehurdi, lost his life in the flames and three other persons were injured. The estimated loss on the building, which was owned by Col. Brock-way, was '.$40,000, insured for $23,000. The loss on the turniture and fixtures, owned by L. Ellsworth, was .$.5000. insured for $3000. Fred B. Eykvn. who conducted a liilliard hall in the basement, suffered a loss of $4000. covered by $2000 insurance.

or coiulitions in ISST the Star on Januar\ li. 1H88, said: "The close of 18S; fmind nofhing of great importance in file wav of im|iroveuu'nts during flic vear for the Star to place on record. In the wav of building there was little done; in fact, in business buildings there was nothing added to our growth. There was a reason for this. The sudden and rapid strides mailc IIiitc years ])rc\i(ms placed our village, as. such booms usually do. so far in advance of the country that a halt was necessary to let the country catch u]i, as it were."

"The early history of Pipestone's electric lighting ."sy.stcm contained many dark days. and. incidentally, many dark nights. In lS9n the village decided to install a plant and purctiased the necessary machinery. Before it could be set up. however, an injunction by the court prohibited the village authorities from carrying out their plans. The outfit was purchased by struction of tlie new Calumet hotel, and a system of waterworks, installed by the city. The Imilding of the little city of Jasper before the railroad reached the town brought much business to Pipestone, all the material and supplies being secureil through the county seat town. In building improvements nearly $100,000 were expended. The next two years, 1889-1891, were not attended with much progress. In 1890 the population was 1232. a .-light gain in five years. That Acar an electric lighting system was installed with private capital.^"

In 1892 came a revival, and f'ipestone again advanced with rapid strides. The building im|)rovements for the year were valued at $170, (500, according to an estimate bv the Star. .Vmong the items were the government Indian school, $."')0,000 ; ^[a.sonie Temple, by ^lylius & Ashton, $20.000 ; power house and ])lant of the Pipestone l*]lectric Light company, $1."),- 000; flouring mill by Mackey & S(hi. $8.- 000; Episcopal church. $4000; and many handsome residences. There was a considerable expenditui-e for new buildings in 1893, also, despite the stringency of the times. Thereafter for a few years the town was stagnant, so far as material advancement was concerned, due to the panic, poor cro])s and low prices. The census of 189.T showed a jiopulafion of KiliS, a siilisfantial increase over former enumerations.

Despite the fad thai tliei-c was not conijilefe recovery from the hard times, Pi|iesfone made a gnod showing in ISIK!. The building improvements were valued at $4.j,7?.j, including the installation of a telephone system, the erection of a city

Marline & Loomis. who established the plant at the city pumping station. Later the property passed into the hands of H. D. Sanford. later still to the First National Bank, and then to Brown. Roe & Willard. under whose management the plant was destroyed by fire. J T. McNernv bought the franchise and installed a second-hand plant. Later Minneapo-

The last few years of the nineties were prosperous ones in Pipestone, as they were in all ]iarts of the county. The huilding iinpi-ovcments in 1S9S were valued at $ss.j()(i. includino- $12,300 for the First National Bank hlock and $10,000 for a new Iniilding at the government school on (he reservation. Jn 1900 over $160,000 were expended on buildings. Among the items were $.30,000 for improvements at the Indian scliool, $12,000 for improvemcnls in the lighting plant, $10,000 for the Presbyterian clnircli, and $10,000 for the court liouse foundation. The population in 1000 was 2r>^(\. giving Pipestone rank as one of the largest towns of southwestern Minnesota.

The change frcnii village to citv government was made in 1901, and was brought about largely through tlie activities of L. II. ^looi'c. who was president of the village council. \ iietition was prepared and circulated by Jlr. Moore, asking the juilge of proliate to issue the order for the lieginning of the city form of government in accordance with the provisions of the state law. The petition was signed bv nearly all the voters, and on .lulv 33, 1901, Judge C. I. Ping issued the ordci' and named Septcnd)er 3 as the date for the first election under the new form of goveinincnl. City officers were chosen on lis oapUali.st.': biiiU a mndern plant and conducted the busincs.s until December, 19n!l. At that time Huron. South Dakota, capitalists purchased the business and have since conducted it. C. Campbell is the secretary and treasurer of the company, and Carl Opiien is the local manager.

^'The matter of erecting a city hall was under consideration several years before, but not until 1S95 was there any prospect for the buildiner. The matter was first definitely urged when the villae:e lawmakers were W. S. Mc- Donald. L. R, Ober, S. G. Gasser. M. C. Schauer and J. H, Parker. These gentlemen secured plans and estimates of cost in l.*s95. and in lS9f> were re-elected in a campaign in which the citv hall nuestion was the princioal issue. The contract for the e'-^ction of the building was let .Tune R, ISDfi, to C, C, Smith, on a bid of $fi900; the corner stone was laid with ceremonies by the president of the council June 22: that date, and on September 7 the newly elected officers took the oaths of office. On Septemlier 9 the city council met for the first time. Following are the names f>f the residents who have served as city ofl'icials :

1903 - Mayor, F. A. Walker; aldermen, first ward, O. T. Gilson, second ward, W. R. Somerville;'' recorder, J. E. Craig; treasurer, Mac Brown.

'^Did not qualify because he had not been a resident of the ward thirty days at the time of his election. His successor was not chosen until the next regular election.

The imiirovciiicnts in tlic city for IfKil were valued at $100,000, including the court house. In the fall of the year came an epidemic of smalljjo.x, which tended to retard the growtji. From November 7, 1901, to May 1, 1903, 237 cases of the disease were cared for under the direction of the health officers. The progress during the first five years of the last decade

'"For several years prior to this time the city authoritie.s liad endeavored to bring abont this improvement, hut the voters had refused to authorize the necessary bond issue. At the city election in April, 1905, the proposition was carwas steady, and when the state census of lOO.I) was taken Pipestone had a poinihition of 3885, making it the largest and most important city of southwestern Minnesota. An event of the year 1905 was the construction of a sewerage 'system. ^^

During the last few years there has not heen much advance in Pipestone; in fact, there has been a falling ofT in population, the enumeration of lll](l sliowing a |iiipulation of 3475, a loss of 410 in five years.*" The year 1910 was the most active in several years, several thousand dollars worth of hnilding improvements being made.

The growth continiicil during the s|iring of 1889, and when a census was taken early in '^farch there were found to be v!;).5 people living in the territory which it was [iropo.sed to incorporate as the village of Jasper: of (his iinmher ISS were in Pipestone countv ,ind 11 in Puck cnuiity. The petition a.skiiig for incorporation was signed by neai'ly every voter in the village.'" The tcrrilory which it was asked to have incorporated included both Jasper a'ld \\'(\<t Jasper. 1?80 acres being in Pipestiiiu- ciuiiity ami S(l() in Pock. The

Busbey. L. H. Gilbertson. P. F. Barson. Owen Kinsella. Vic WillLston. W. H. Phelps. Alexander Tait, John McQuig. T. M. Torresen. James Williamson. A. M. Hanson, A, P. Jameson, Morton Boswell, J, A. Viekeiman. George Turtis, John L, Larson, J. J. Vickerman and I^awrence Connelley.

Scenes At Jasper

board of county commissioners of Pipestone county took favorable action and named May 9, 1889, as the date for liolding a special election to vote on the question, appointing P. F. Poorbaiigh, D. G. Miller and A. P. Smith as inspectors of the election. Fifty-five votes were polled, every one being in favor of incorporation. 'I'he first election for the selection of village officers was held May 24 and ninetytivo votes were polled. Municipal governlueid was begun May 25, when the village council met for the first time." r(dlowing are the names of the citizens who liave been elected to office in Jasper's corporate history :'"

1893 - President, A. P. Smith; trustees, James Williamson, H. D. Jenckes, Robert McGowan; recorder, A. A. Watts; treasurer, L. W. Coombe; justices, Henry Fauth, A. H. Nelson; constables, W. H. Lake, Ben Lund.

"The separation from Eden township for voting piu'poses was not accomplished until July 14, ISim. Prior to that time the electors of Jasper were frequently required to drive into the country .seyeral miles to exercise their franchise.

'-Prior to 1S95 the license question was not an issue at tlie annual elections, license liaving been granted each year. Since that time the question of license or no license has been decided each year under the local option law. with results as follows:

1895 - President, Ranson Walter; trustees, A. F. Oaks, L. H. Gilbertson, George Rae; recorder, E. E. Humphrey; treasurer, J. H. Taylor; street commissioner, J. A. Stilson; justice, W. P. King; constables, A. C. Richardson, William Ganfield.

Since the early days of its history Jasper has sicadilv pi'ogressed. Tlu' population had incrcn.'^ed to 372 when tlie fedoral census of 1890 was taken. In 1892 it received t'le sei-iind line of lailmad, the Kock Island, which some time before had been extended from Tro.sky to the pink (pmrries, three milc^ fnim the village. Tlie e.xtension to .la-^per was brought about by votiuiT $2:)0ii liDuds as a lionus, wdiich was done by a vote of 4G to 5 iii May, \S':)-i. The track was laid to the town September 13. The hard times period of the nineties brought a temporary depression in Jasper. Tiie quarries were not operated tor a fewyears, and the discontinuance of the payroll tended to stop progi-ess in many lines. In the late nineties, however, the old time activity was resumed and Jasper again took up the forward march. In 1900 the town had a population of .559,'^ and in 190.5 the population had increased to 619. The census of 1910 gave Jasper a population of 704; its increase in the preceding five years was greater than that of any otlier Pipestone county town.

During its entire history Jasper has had unl\' two tires of any consequence. The iirst of these occurred early in the niornino' of June IG, 19U5, when the mercantile establishment of Holvig Bros, was damaged to the amount of $10,000. The flames were confined to the one building. The other conflagration occurred in February, 1907, when the flouring mill was destroyed, entailing a loss of $12,000.

The Schools

Jasper was only a few months old when arrangements were made for a public school. The Jasper Improvement company donated a site, and on October 27, 1888, the following district ofl'icers were chosen: Fiank Apfeld, director; S., S. King, clerk ; P. F. Poorbaugh, treasurer. At the same time the contract was let to W. il. Cross for the erection of the tlr^t school house, a 24x36 feet frame building. This building was completed within a few weeks, and school was opened December 17, in charge of iliss Mary Hartney. During the first term the enrollment reached over thirty pupils. The pioneer building answered the |)urpose of a school house until 1893, when it was replaced by a handsdine native stone building, erected at a cost of about $8000. lloiids in the sum of .$12,000 were voted in February, 1892, but it was more than a year later when the temple nf Icai'iiiiig was constructed. It was built entirely of gray jasper, donated by the Siou.x Valley Stone company.

The Churches

Four church societies maintain organizations in Jasper, namely, l^resbyterian, ilethodist, German Evangelical and Norwegian Lutheran. The first church organized in the village was the Presbyterian," which was formed in 1889. The first trustees, selected in June of that year, were P. F. Poorbaugh, president; J. H. Taylor, W. B. Leet, P. F. Sherman, D. G. Miller, James Williamson and Andrew Eae. A house of worsliip was erected soon after, but was not dedicated until November 27, 1892. The dedication ceremonies were conducted by Eev. R. N. Adams, of Minneapolis, assisted by Revs. H. N. Bell, J. T. Henderson, H. B. Sutherland and G. E. YonHagen.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity church was organized in the early nineties. A church building was erected in 1894 and dedicated October 28 by Rev. H. C. Brinkman, Rev. G. H. Buscher and Rev. Ph. Studt. The first pastor of the church was Rev. H. B. Kohlmeier.

Fowler Methodist Episcopal church was also organized in the early nineties. In the fall of 1895 work was commenced on a handsome .stone church edifice, which was ccnnp'eted the following year. The building was dedicated June 2, 1901, by liisliop Joyce, assisted by Presiding Elder J. M. Bull and Revs. Ellery. Leazer. Sanders and others. The mendiersliip of the Methodist society was not large, and the large and costly church building proved too expensive for it to retain. la 1904 a deal was consummated whereby the building was traded for a smaller stone building, which bad been erected by the Norwegian Lutheran society.

The Lodges Fire Department

Jasper's fire department was organized in March, 18'.i2, with T. L. I)o:iovan as chief. The mdy tire fighting apparatus maintained liy the pioneer company was a hook and ladder mittit. which was piu'- chased by the village council. Frmn this small beginning tlie Jasper tire department has developed into its present efficient condition.

The Banks

Two banking institutions are maintained in Jasper, and the banking history dates back to the spring of 1889. At that time Israel Turner, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, located in the new town and founded a private bank, wliich he conducted until July, 1892. His business was taken over by the State Bank of Jasper, which was incorporated «itb a capital stock of $2.'i,000. The first officers and stockholders were E. W. Davies, president; O. P. Miller, vice president ; J. H. Taylor, cashier; T. A. Black, P. F. Sherman, H. E. Corbett, F. L. Janes and J. K. P. Thom]ison. In Decemlier, 1902, the institutiiin was incorpoi'ated as the First National Bank of Jasper with a capital stock of .$2.1,000 and with the officers that had served the state bank.

Jasper'S Churches And School The School

Ill ;i small liuililiiiy ('M'ct('(l (in tlii' tmvnsite by Ed. Wilkins, the liisl Won.lstock scliool was organized in tlic fall nf 1881. Tliis temporary luimc was vac alcil the followiiii;- year when a scIkkiI lidnse, 24x40 I'eet. was fonipleteil. Tn erei-t I lie Imililing tlie district issued bonds to the aiiKiiiiil of $1200. An additiiin of the same dimensions as the original was made in 1888. '--* The present substantial two-story, foul' iiMiiii schddl liiiilding was erected in IHOl and cost complete .$:oo(». Of this amount .$(i000 were secured (yam a bond issue, authorized March i:i. I'.Kil. by a vote of lo; to 12. The first term of school in the new building was conducted by Frank O'Neill, principal, and the Misses Dixon and Morton.

Many cjf the lii'st settlers of P)urke township were Catholics and the first> church organized in Woodstock was of that cIc'iKiinination. Soon after the founding of the town St. Martin's church was organized and a house of worship erected. In IdOii the church home was enlarged. .'\ parochial scliool was eslalilished in 1909 by Hev. Joseph Zahner, in which seventy-two pupils were enrolled the first year.

Presbyterian services were fir.st held in Woodstock in January. 1884, conducted by Hev. Charles Thayer, of Pipe.stone. A few months later provision was made for holding services every second Sunday, and the interest awakened resulted in the formation of a church .society Janiiarv 4, 188.5, under the direct ion of K'cv. Charles Thayer and l!,.v. (J. K. Mc.\f,-,\ .synodicai

"Til.' original half tif tin- old Imilding now loans the irar part of Cliark-.s I.lndsav's store. John Hoog. the implement dealer, came into possession of the other portion.

nii.ssionarv for ^linncsola. The following wc'ie the lirst nicmhcrs of the Woodstock I'leshyleiian church: Alice Kllithorpe, .Vela Smiley, Adeline Wilkins, Adeline C. Millci'. William .\. Mc llciiilric. K. ('. Ilinde. K. .S. Wheeler, .Mis. K. L. Wheeler, Edwin \aiiWalker. Sarah .V. \'aiiWalker, Lvclia Widch and Mmma L. Ware.

The liist Presbyterian church of Wood- >lcuk was incorporated February Hi, 188-"), willi the following trustees: M. W . Ware, (ieorge C. Eyland, Jr., 1). M. Fytt'e, E. S. Wheeler and Charles Lindsav. The first elders of the cbuic-h. tdec-led .March l."). were Ivlwin \'an Walker ami Charles W. Welch. In April, 188.J, the church was admiKcd to membership to the Afankato Presbytery. The church home was dedicated free of debt June 1.3, 188(1.''

At one time the Methodists maintained a church organization in Woodstock, but in late years they have discontinued the holding of regular services. The society was cuganized in the early nineties liy Rev. Arminius Davis, and in 1893 a church edifice was erected under the pastorate of li'cx. .1. W. Hawk. The church was dedicated .liiiu^ 7, 189(i.

r;i(]e:5 wfre mustered in.'" The post was iiaiiii'il in honor of Ex-Governor Stephen Miller, Minnescjta's ehiel' executive duiing tlie closing days of the civil war. A Woman's Kelief Corps, No. 5, was granted a charter of organization February 28, 1898.»«

Woodstock Camp No. 3587, Modern Woodmen of America, was organized Fehluary 1."). 18!)G.'' Its auxiliary. Arbor Camp No. 'iSS, Royal Neighbors of America, also maintains an active organization.

The youngest secret society in the village is Woodstock Homestead No. 1457, Brotherhood of American Yeonuwi, which «as organized .\ngust 25, 19(19. with fourteen charter members.

The Bank

The history of Woodstock's one bank dates from 188:5. Early in the fall of that year the Baid< of Woodstock, a private concern, was estaldished by the fli'm of Sampson & French and placed under the management of George C. Eyland. .Ti-. The institution was incorporated under the state banking laws December 24, 1885. with a capita! stock of $25,000, by John C. French, Joseph Sampson aid George C. Eyland, .1 r. During the financial ))anic of later years the firm of Sampson & French failed and the affairs of the bank were straightened out by (i. H. Perry, the receiver. The bank was resuscitated by R. W. Green and others as a private bank, and in .lanuary, 190(1, it was incorporatetl as a state luiiik with a capital stock of $10,000 and with the following officers: Tennis I'riiis, president; K. W. Davies, vice president ; R. W. Green, cashier. Two years later the capital was increased to $20,00(1. In February, 1903, R. W. Green disposed of his interest in the hank of E. W. Davies. F. L. Janes, C. E. Dinehart, F. 1). Week, (). P. Miller, .M. A. Cox and F. B. Parker, and James Jackson became the cashier and local manager. Early in 1905 the institution was reorganized as the First National Bank of Woodstock, capitalized at $25,- 000, by the following incorporators: E. W. Davies, 0. P. Miller, F. D. Bennett, Fred Bloom, James Jackson and others. The present officers are E. W. Davies, president ; James Jackson, vice president and cashier : E. W. Davies, F. L. Janes, James Jackson, William Doms arid B. F. Warren, directors.