St. Charles City

St. Charles City

St. Charles is situated in the valley of the Whitewater river, in the county of Winona, on the Winona & St. Peter railroad, twenth-eight miles west of the city of Winona.

Geological Features

The city of St. Charles is located in a triangular valley, through which, on the north side, flows the Whitewater river. This valley has been formed by the erosion and removal of the original layers down to solid magnesian limestone, and upon the bed of that layer the city is located, while upon every side are displayed the precipitous sides of those ancient layers which have remained protected by their cap of solid flags of Trenton limestone, and have withstood the forces of the destroying elements.

The Trenton limestone, whicli is the upper layer of rock in the bluffs around, is naturally of a blue color, but when near the surface and aftected by light and water they are usually faded.

The lower Trenton formation here has been described by Prof. N. H. Winchell, state geologist, in the following language : " At a quarry near St. Charles, half a mile south of the city, the lowest portion of the Trenton appears as follows, in descending order: No. 1, hard, crystalline, calcareous layers, ringing under the hammer ; of a light drab color, without shale ; fossiliferous, fifteen feet. No. 2, bluish-green shale, about ten feet. Total, Trenton, twentyfive feet."

These Trenton flags, with the underlying beds of shale, are impervious to moisture, consequently the localities which they underlie are better watered than those of the lower layers, and the margin of this formation is usually marked by springs of water.

Next in the descending order we arrive at the St. Peter sandstone, which is about 100 feet thick, and is an almost pure quartz sand, containing but two-tenths of one per cent of foreign matter, which is alumina with a trace of carbonate of lime, not enough of the latter even to cement its grains. We have here an inexhaustible quantity of white, non-fossiliferous, and almost pure quartz sand, which is easily excavated, and is said to be fairer than the Linn sand used by the Scotch manufacturers of flint glass, and is every way equal to that sand for this purpose. Here it is used only for making common mortar, for which purpose it is well adapted. Says Mr. Hurlbut, in his valuable papers on the geology of southern Minnesota, "The thousands of escarpments of this formation which border the plains in as many convenient places offer in return, for but little labor, the indulgence in every fancy in subterranean architecture, from the cool and spacious dairy vault and brewer's cellar to the Mediaeval Ehenish castles supplied with sparkling fountains at will."

Under the above we find a layer of magnesian limestone, which is found at the surface in some localities near the Whitewater river. This, as its name indicates, is not a pure limestone. It contains carbonate of lime with about one equivalent of carbonate of magnesia, with some insoluble silicates and traces of alumina, the largest percent being carbonate of lime. It was formerly believed that because of these impurities it was not adapted to the making of lime, and therefore people built kilns south of this city, where tliey obtained the purer carbonato of lime in the Trenton beds. This was a blunder, for, althougli tlie niagnesian limestone produces a large amount of insoluble cemont and does not slack so easily and perfectly as the cai'bouate of lime, yet it is more economical, as it reqilires less heat in burmiii!;. It also throws out less heat in slacking, and is therefore called 'coor lime. It is slower in setting, so that from fifteen to twenty bricks can be laid with one spreading of mortar, and a corresponding advantage is gained in plastering. This is a light colored and pretty stone, and, being hard and enduring, it is well adapted for building ])urposes.

A few miles north of this city is a quarry of magnesian limestone, which is of a light cream color, and homogeneous texture, and when first taken from the quarry is soft. It is easily cut into all desirable forms. It takes a polish and is therefore a marble. It has an abundance of calcareous cement, and hardens by exposure to the air. It is adapted to oi-namental work as well as heavy masonry, can be cut into posts, sills, caps, water-tables, etc.

Clay abounds in the vicinity, which, for some years past, has been economized for the manufacture of brick. A few miles from th(^ city are bogs of peat, some of which give promise of yielding a fair burning material, yet they have not been proved by sufficient

The quaiTies of the Trenton system abound in fossils peculiar to that age, many of which have been gathered to enrich the museums of institutions for educational purposes as well as of private collections. There are also boulders which have been transferred here during the past geological ages, among which are granite, agates, silicious limestone, argentines or lamellar calcites, jaspers, etc., some of which are susceptible to a polish and by their hardness^ are adapted to useful purposes.

Organization Of The Town

In 1851 there were no white settlers in this part of the country. The buffalo had disappeared but the deer and the elk still pastured the prairies and sought shelter in the wooded valleys. Abundance of speckled trout jilayed in the crystal waters. By an act of the legislature of the territory of Minnesota, passed February 23, 1853, so much territory as is embraced within the following boundaries, to-wit : Beginning at the southwest corner of T. 105 N., K. 10 W., thence north twenty-four miles to the northwest corner of T. 108 N.,

St. Charles Towttship

R. 10 W., thence east to the Mississippi river, thence down said river to the northeast corner of Houston county, thence west to the place of beginning, was established as the county of Winona. The county of Winona is on the eastern and northeastern slope of the State of Minnesota to the Mississippi river. The summit level of the country between Winona City and Mankato is at Eice lake, in the county of Dodge. The streams running easterly and northeasterly from that point are rapid, affording abundance of power for hydraulic purposes. Between these streams thei-e are generally continuous ridges of land which break in grand, lofty and picturesque escarpments on the Mississippi shore. The height of these escarpments are not much below the summit level at Rice lake ; the streams, in their rapid course to the Mississippi, seem to have worn down their channels through the solid lime-rock, and through the more friable Silurian to then- present depths ; hence on the shore of the Mississippi we behold such remarkable features in the landscape. Tlie nearer these streams approach to the river the deeper are the gorges, and it was after much toil and labor that the early pioneer could ascend through these gorges to the elevated prairies above.

On April 29, 1854, the county commissioners divided the county of Winona into six election precincts. The precinct of Elba, in which was St. Charles, included T. 105 N., R. 8, 9 and 10 W., now Hart, Fremont and Saratoga; T. 106 N., R. 9 and 10 W., now Utica and St. Charles, and T. 107 N., R. 10 W., now Elba. E. Haws, William Davidson and L. H. Springer were appointed judges of election. At this session the county was divided into assessment districts. District No. one, embracing T. 108 K, R. 9 and 10 W., and T. 105, 106 and 107 K, R. 10 W. A. P. Hall was appointed collector. On July 3, 1854, the valuation of personal property in this district was $11,318.

As the real estate belonged to the government, the improvements on the lands were taxed as personal property. The tax per cent, on the valuation this year was one and thirty-five hundredths per cent.

On May 1, 1854, a resolution was passed by the county commissioners constituting each election precinct a road district, and William Davidson was appointed road supervisor of the Elba district.

The first election in Elba precinct was held in the fall of 1854, at the house of William Davidson. Joseph Mixter and John T. Blair were appointed clerks of the election. Benjamin Langworthy was elected justice of the peace. William Davidson was elected one of the county commissioners.

The early records of Elba precinct while under the territorial government, and betore the towns were organized geographically, having been lost, the writer has been under the necessity of supplying the history from the recollection of those who were the early pioneers of the precinct ; hence it is not as complete as it might have been if the records could have been examined.

In the fall of 1856 the second election for the Elba precinct was held at the house of James Ball, situated on the premises now known as the " Summit Farm," in the town of St. Charles. At this election L. H. Springer and William Davidson were appointed judges, and Joseph Mixter, clerk. At this election Carter Fuller was elected constable. During this year the republican party in the territory was organized, and jutted against the democracy. C. H. Berry, now of Winona City, and Wm. Ashley Jones, were present at this election to sustain the democratic nominees. W. Thome, residing near the southern limits of the precinct, came a distance of twelve miles and voted the democratic ticket. L. H. Springer was elected one of the county commissioners.

At the April session of the year 1857 the board of county commissioners organized geographically T. 106, N., of E. 10 W., into a separate precinct, denominated St. Charles precinct ; and H. G. Rice, Benjamin Raynold and Wm. P. Wood were appointed judges of election, to be held at the schoolhouse in the village of St. Charles. On May 11, 1858, the first township election for the organized town of St. Charles was held for the purpose of electing town officers. A. G. Murray was elected chairman of the board of supervisors, and Franklin Langworthy and David Balcombe were elected supervisors ; Harris Scoville, town clerk ; J. F. Remore, assessor ; Geo. P. Pratt, collector ; Charles Elsbury, overseer of the-poor ; Geo. P. Pratt and Geo. Bartlett, constables ; Harris Scoville and Wm.

Eaely Pioneers

In the spring of the year 1853, William Davidson pre-empted on Sec. 10, T. 106, N., E. 10 W., upon which he built a log house into which he moved his family. He claims to be and is considered to be the first settler of the town of St. Charles, and entitled to be called "The Old Settler"; though about this time Hiram Hull, one of the famous Minnesota City Company, who emigrated from the city of New York and laid out Minnesota City, thinking that he was locating on the banks of the Mississippi river instead of a big slough ; but becoming dissatisfied with that place, left and made a claim on section 12, in the town of St. Charles, upon which he erected a small log dwelling and made some other improvements ; but sold out in the fall of 1853, and moved to the east. In the latter part of May, 1853, Lewis H. Springer and famil}^, from the State of Illinois, after a short residence at Winona, moved and settled on section 19, in the now city of St. Charles, and erected a double log house on the south bank of the south branch of the Whitewater river, and near the foot of what is now Whitewater street. The family consisted of himself, his wife Adaline and his daughter Ella. With him also came Benjamin Langworthy and Mrs. Langworthy, the father and mother of Mrs. Springer, and Alonzo and Benjamni Langworthy, Jr. Alonzo and Benjamin, sons of Benjamin Langworthy, made their claims on section 18.

In the same year, and soon after Mr. Springer had settled on his claim, Eobert Calhoun and Carter Fuller made their claims on the uplands, south of St. Charles city. James Smith, Mr. Kately and Mr. Russell made their claims and settled in the southeasterly part of the town, in the fall of the same year. About this time Wm. Hause made a claim about a mile northeast of Springer's, upon which he erected a claim shanty. He had formerly made and sold a claim in the now town of Saratoga. No other claim was made in the north part of the town until the year 1855, when David Evans made a claim and erected a small log house about a mile north of the city of St. Charles. The government surveys of the lands of southern Minnesota were made in the fall of 1853 and the spring of 1854. A. M. Norris, of Dubuque, had the contract for the meridian and townsliip lines, and W. A. Jones had the contract for the subdivision of the lands in tliis locality, assisted by A. M. Raymond. Some of the first settlers had staked out claims before the subdivisions had been made, and consequently were disappointed in not getting all that which they desired to locate.

In the spring of 1854 Mr. Salisbury settled on the southeast quarter of section 19. John Elsbury about the same time settled on the same section, and Harris Scoville on section 18. During this year Lewis li. Springer erected a small frame store a few rods south of his dwelling-house, and kept a small assortment of dry goods and groceries for the accommodation of the settlers. This was the first mercantile establishment and the first frame building in town. Mr. Springer was appointed postmaster in the spring of 1854, and kept the postoffice in this new building. He subsequently sold his stock of goods to Fianklin Langworthy, and Langworthy sold to Hiram Rice. Mr. Rice soon after built a new store opposite where now stands the old Hall's Hotel. The old store which Springer built is now a part of the house occupied by Morgan Thomas. At the time Mr. Springer settled in St. Charles there was no settlement west on this route, and no public-house west of Winona to accommodate emigrants until Mr. Springer, in the spring of 1853, opened his - dwelling as a public inn ; and many of the early settlers will remember when, after a weary journey from Winona up the steep and rugged windings of the high bluffs that skirt the western side of the valley of the Mississippi, and crossing the prairie where little water was found, famished from hunger and thirst, they arrived at Springer's tavern, where their wants could be supplied.

At the present time not a vestige of Springer's tavern, where in former times so much comfort had been dispersed, now remains, save the old roof of oak shakes and a few logs, on the premises of Miss Sarah Birge, daughter of the late Col. Joseph Birge, used as a shelter for pigs and hens.

In the year 1854 a Mr. Wheeler settled on section 19 in the town, now city of St. Charles, adjoining the county line, upon which he built a log house and in the following year opened the same for a public inn. The skin of a wild cat staffed with straw and elevated on a pole gave intimation that entertainment for man and beast could be had. It was popularly known as the " Wild Cat Tavern." This was the second house opened for a public inn of the town. In the summer of 1856 James and Joshua Easton erected the first framed public inn, being the same building now owned and occupied by Henry Hall, situate on Winona street. Mr. Hall made his first location on lands east and adjacent to the phitted portion of the city, now owned by Carlos Brewer. In the month of July, 1856, a violent tornado accompanied with rain, thunder and lightning, swept through the village, prostrating large and firmly-rooted trees in its course, taking off the roof of Mr. Hall's house and all the logs above the upper joists and landing them at a distance, and took up over the walls of the house beds, bedding, and furniture, exposing the inmates of the dwelling to the furious blasts, frightening them out of their senses and committing other misdemeanors against the peace and dignity of Mr. Hall and the people of the village.

In the year 1858, M. H. Gates and H. C. Parrott erected a store building. After the closing of the mercantile business the building was used as a wagon-shop by H. C. Parrott, being the first wagonshop established in St. Charles, and from which beginning sprang the present large and extensive wagon and sleigh manufacturing establishment of H. C. Parrott & Co. The first blacksmith shop, being a frame building near the southern confines of the original village of St. Charles, was erected by John Elsbury, in the Burr Oak grove, on the premises now owned by B. M. Cravath, near to which Mr. Elsbury built his log house on the precise site where now stands the beautiful mansion erected by S. W. Stone, and now owned by Mr. Cravath. In the blacksmith shop was held the first public dance in St. Charles, at which most of the settlers, young and old, attended.

In 1860 James H. Easton established the first art gallery in St. Charles. Washington Wendell established the first shoe shop, and Isaac Talbot the second. Dr. Wendell, the brother of Washington Wendell, was the first physician that settled in St. Charles.

Claim Troubles

During the year 18 Si, a laud-claim society was organized of which Carter Fuller was appointed chairman and Joseph Wheeland elected secretary. The object of the society was to guarantee to each member the right to claim and hold possession of 320 acres of land, so that each one in taking this amount of land, might secure at least forty acres of timber. This liberal way of appropriating Uncle Sam's laud, without his being a party to the affair, soon led to difficulty. Mr. Joseph Wheeland, a member and secretary of the society, had made his claim of 320 acres, upon which he liad erected a log house and into which he had moved his family. He subsequently sold a portion of his claim, and then to make out his complement of land floated on to an adjoining piece of timber, claimed under the by-laws of the society by another person. Mr. Wheeland having been protected in his original claim of 320 acres, and being secretary of the society and therefore more sacredly bound to carry out the provisions and bj^-laws of the society, and having been the first one to violate the rules, the other members determined that he should suffer for it. Some time during the winter of 1854r-5, and while Mr. Wheeland was at Winona on business, a party in disguise went to his house, and taking by force his wife and three small children in a sleigh to Carter Fuller's house where they were left (Mr. Fuller being the father of Mrs. Wheeland), then returning to the house and taking out everything that was valuable set the house on fire which was soon burned to ashes. The club gang then went out and cut down all the timber on the land, drew it away, dividing it, as was supposed, among themselves. S. B. Dickson, a resident of St. Charles, says that "he and Henry Woodruff were on their way to Saratoga and had stopped at a private house, when the gang were drawing the timber. The gang apprehending that they were spies, ordered them to go back and threatened to shoot them if they ever appeared in court against them." After the burning of the house, word was immediately sent to Mr. Wheeland, who came home immediately and getting a clue to some of the desperadoes, returned to Winona to get out a warrant for their arrest. In the meantime a large party of the members of the club appeared in the road in front of Mr. Fuller's house, where Mrs. Wheeland then was, and requested admittance into the house. Mr. Fuller apprehending a raid and evil intent had prepared for a vigorous defense. He had at hand one double-barreled rifle, one single-barreled rifle, one shotgun and a brace of six shooters, all well loaded. He refused them admittance. He stood in his door with rifle in hand and threatened to shoot the first man who would dare to mount the fence to come into his enclosure. A parley ensued - there was a cessation of hostilities. It was finally agreed that three of the party might be admitted to explain the object of the visit. The delegation having said that they had come with no hostile intentions, their errand was a peaceable one, and turning to Mrs. Wheeland asked her, "what amount of money would satisfy her for the damage done in burning the house." Mrs. Wheeland replied, "All the law will give." These words had a magic eftect upon the party for they soon scattered, and when Mr. Wheeland returned, accompanied with Sheriff Eaton with a warrant for their arrest they were non est inventus. Some of these persons, however, were subsequently arrested and brought before Justice Thompson, of Winona, for trial, and Messrs. Dickson and Woodruff, whom the gang had threatened, in case they should appear in court against them, were subpoenaed as witnesses against them, and gave their testimony. It was said that the evidence was conclusive, yet they got clear by some means. S. S. Beman was counsel for the defense. Mr. Dickson states that when he was building his shanty on his claim, he was forbidden to do so, and if he persisted in doing so he was threatened of being shot. He built his shanty, however, but while he was gone to Winona to enter his land his shanty was torn down and the boards taken away and never found. Mr. Dickson further states that at about the first of November, 1855, he was at Winona at the time of the land sales. There was there at that time an old gentleman who had made a claim of a quarter section of land, situate in Saratoga town, and a bona fide settler on the same and entitled to bid it off'; another person bid $1.25 per acre, and cried " settle." The old gentleman then raised the bid five cents and cried "settle," upon which one of the club society told him if he did not withdraw his bid, he would put him into the river. The old gentleman refused to do so. The ruffians seized him and were dragging him toward the river when he drew a revolver and shot one of them, wounding him in the thigh. Another man was wounded in the groin. In the affray the old gentleman had his thumb sh(M; off. He was trodden down by the gang and severely injured in the breast. He finally succeeded in getting up and taking refuge in the land office, where the mob tried

Public Schools

The first schoolhouse erected in St. Charles was a frame building, in the year 1855, on the west side of Church street. A young lady from Chatfield by the name of Clarissa Mastick, taught the first school. The next person who taught the school was Miss Lucy Bolt, now Mrs. James H. Easton, of Rochester, Minnesota, This schoolhouse was used for all public gatherings, both political and religious. A debating club was formed that year, the meetings being held in the schoolhouse. The old schoolhouse is now occupied as a residence by Wm. Wheeler. A new and more convenient schoolhouse was erected during the year 1863, on the east side oi Whitewater street, and a few rods north of Winona street, which was destroyed by fire in 1869, it being then private property, having been sold by the school district.

A special act of the legislature organizing the St. Charles school district was approved February 6, 1867. At the annual school meeting held in March, of the same year, a board of education was elected, consisting of the following persons : John M. Cool, chairman ; H. C. Parrott, treasurer ; John Pickert, clerk ; J. W. Brockett, H. 11. Guthrie and S. Y. Hyde. Also at this meeting there was appointed a committee to select a site for a graded school building, and report at some future meeting. A special meeting was called April 10, 1867, when it was voted to issue bonds to the amount of $10,000, running from one to ten years, with twelve per cent interest, payable annually for the purpose of building a schoolhouse. At this meeting the committee appointed to select a site made their report. The site selected was what was denominated "Birge's Square," between Richland and Church streets, the site of the present school building, containing about two acres of land. Tlie appropriation of $10,000 not being sufficient to complete the building, a special meeting of the school district was held at the new schoolhouse on January 18, 1868, when the board of education was instructed to issue and negotiate additional bonds of the district to the amount of $3,000, payable in four years. Subsequently the legislature legalized the* action of the board of education. The new building was built of wood, two stories. The first story contained four schoolrooms, and the second story contained two schoolrooms and one large assembly room. The four lower rooms were furnished, and the St. Charles graded schools commenced on January 16, 1868, with about 150 scholars in attendance. Sylvester Bedal was teacher and superintendent ; Lavina Averill, Mary Tomlinson and Julia Eertrand were assistants. In the year 1878 this building was totally destroyed by fire. The fire caught fi'om a tinner's turnace, who was repairing the tin gutters on the roof. The fire occurred a few days before the annual school meeting, at which time arrangements were made for building a new building of brick and stone. The new building was completed in December, 1878. It is a fine two-story and basement structure of red brick trimmed with cut stone and cream colored brick, and cost, unfurnished, about $12,000. It contains eight commodious, welllighted and well-ventilated schoolrooms, each with ample cloak rooms. It is in the form of a letter X, thus giving opportunity to be lighted by windows on three sides of each schoolroom. It is heated from furnaces located in the basement. In the High School department a course of stud}^ is taught preparatory to admission to the State University. At the present time there are six departments, with as many teachers. The school building and the management of the school is a monument to the energy, intelligence and progressive spirit of the people of St. Charles.

Marriages, Births And Deaths

The first marriage in St. Charles was that of Mr. J. S. Olds and Miss Ellen Aldrich, of Clarksburg, Massachusetts, in the spring of 1856. They were married by Benj. Langworthy, justice of the peace, at the house of L. H. Springer. The next marriage was that of James H. Easton and Miss Lucy Bolt, by H. Thompson, a justice of the peace. This was in the fall of 1856. -

The first birth was that of Philip, son of L. H. Springer, in the year 1854. The first death was that of Richard, son of John Elsbury. His death was occasioned by eating the flowers of some wild plant. The next death was that of Hiram Rice, merchant. The place of burial was then on land belonging to Alonzo Langworthy, on the north side of the Whitewater river, long since vacated as a burial place.

Civil And Criminal Suits

Pangbiirn and Langworthy were plaintiffs, and M. S. Weeks, defendant, June 11, 1858. A jury was called but failed to agree. The parties agreed to submit the case to the justice who found no cause of action. Judgment was rendered against plaintiflFs for costs amounting to $24. 92. Sam Cole, attorney for plaintiffs, and Moses W. Fay for defendants.

The first criminal suit of record was the State of Minnesota against Alfred Hawlej^ (now adjutant general of the state), on a charge of an assault and battery upon the body and person of William Coon, March 15, 1860, in which the defendant was discharged.

Religious History

The first sermon delivered in St, Charles was by E. Ely, of the Baptist persuasion, at L. H. Springer's in the month of January, 1854. Mr. Ely now resides at Winona. He was one of the first settlers, and is the historian of Winona city. In August, 1854, the Rev. T. R. Cressey, of the Baptist church, preached at L. H. Springer's and organized a Union Sabbath school, being the first Sabbath school established in St. Charles. From this time to 1857 Father Michael Klepper, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, who had settled on a farm about four miles north of St. Charles, preached in the schoolhouse and formed the first Methodist class in this town. During this time preachers of other denominations occasionally preached at St. Charles and vicinity. A. M. Page, an adventist, occasionally preached. Union Sabbath schools were usually kept up during the summer seasons.

On April 18, 1855, the Rev. David Brooks, of the Methodist church, preached at the house of L. H. Springer, being the first sermon of that order delivered in St. Charles.

In the fall of 1856, Father Klepper formed the first class of the Methodist Episcopal church in St. Charles, composed of the following named members: George C. Slieeks, Mrs. Sheeks, Samson Sheeks, Lucinda Sheeks, Eliza Sheeks, Wm. Cunningham, Joseph Drake, Mrs. Drake, Nelson Wilson, Mary Wilson, Michael Klepper, Mrs. Rebecca Klepper, Martha Ann Kleppei", Marietta Klepper, Wm. Hendee, Mary Hendee, Calvin Hitt, Mrs. Hitt, N. D. Mason and Mrs. Mason. The Minnesota conference was set off from the Wisconsin conference in the year 1856. The first quarterly meeting of the St. Charles circuit of the Methodist Episcopal church was held at the schoolhouse in St. Charles, on September 19, 1857. At this

The Baptist church of St. Charles was organized in the year 1859 by the Rev. D. L. Babcock. A meeting was convened for that purpose at the schoolhouse in St. Charles, on March 3, 1859, and was called to order by appointing Rev. H. B. Slater moderator, and J. W. Denton clerk, pro tem. The following named persons became identified with the organization : Simpson Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Ebenezer Growt, Rhoda Growt, Emily Growt, Morris James, Catharine James, Ward Smith and Justus W. Denton. The declaration of faith and church covenant, as published by the Baptist convention of New Hampshire, was adopted as their rule of faith and covenant. In 1865 a church edifice was built at a cost of about $3,000. On February 26, 1859, according to public notice previously^ given, the following-named persons assembled in the schoolhouse in St. Charles, for the purpose of organizing a Congregational church, viz : Hatsel Brewer, Daniel M. Evans, Palmer Carpenter, Isaac Hanks, Alonzo Rowley, John Davidson, Robert Robertson, Polly Brewer, Sarah Evans and Martha Carpenter. Rev. David Burt was chosen moderator. Henry Balcombe was elected scribe. It was then resolved that the above-named persons organize themselves into a church to be called the First Congregational Church of Christ at St. Charles, by adopting the articles of faith and covenant which were then and there presented. The articles of faith and covenant having been adopted, the church was duly constituted and organized. Hatsel Brewer and D. M. Evans were elected deacons. Hatsel Brewer was also elected clerk. A church edifice was constructed, l>eing the first one built in St. Charles, which recently was sold to the German Evangelical society, an organization of recent date in this city. The Congregational society have now a church edifice of more architectural beauty than the original one. Their first church building was erected in 1859, without a spire.

The first services of the Episcopal church were celebrated by the Right Rev. Bishop "Whipple, in the spring of 1864, and the next in December of the same year. In the forepart of January, 1865, Rev. J. H. Waterbury commenced holding regular services in the schoolhouse on each alternate Sabbath. At a meeting of the friends of the Episcopal church, held January 27, 1868, for the purpose of organizing Trinity Church, the following proceedings were had : The Rev. John W. Shatzell, missionary in charge, took the chair, and liobert Stewart was chosen secretary. The following persons were elected wardens and vestrymen : Senior warden, Robert Stewart ; junior warden, David Harris ; vestrymen, H. C. Parrott, J. W. Brockett, Charles Wardner, Joshua Martin, George H. Clark, Albert Stansburj, Robert H. Cutter, Albert Richardson, Josej)h Birge and S. W. Stone. The church being duly organized, services were held every alternate Sabbath, in Templar's hall. Subsequently a handsome church edifice was erected on St. Charles street.

A Roman Catholic church was organized in the year 1867, by Father Latte. In the year 1868, a stone edifice was erected, and dedicated in the fall of 1874, by Father Cotter, of Winona. The first services of the Roman Catholic church held in St. Charles were held at the residence of Patrick Donohue, in the year 1361 or 1862. Patrick Donohue, Joseph Wegeman and Father Latte were the first ones to organize the church.

Secret Societies

On February 15, 1864, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota granted a dispensation creating Rising Sun Lodge, U. D., of A. F. and A. M., designating Robert Stewart, A¥.M. ; Benjamin Birge, S.W. ; Geo. H. Clark, J.W. The charter members were Robert Stewart, Ben]. Birge, Geo. H. Clark, Farnum Chickering, Joseph Birge, Geo. H. Brown, Wm. Cravey, Lauren L. Chamberlain, John Curtis and Charles Griswold. The first communication was held February 25, 1864. The next year a charter was granted under the name of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 49. Subsequently Orient Chapter, R. A. M., was organized. At present there are, in the city of St. Charles, organizations of Odd-Fellows, Knights of Honor, Royal Arcanum, United Workmen, and temperance lodges, and also a grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. The masonic fraternity in 1880 built a handsome lodge-room, with a large banquet hall connected with the lodge-room by folding doors, a commodious reception-room and other necessary rooms.

The War Of The Rebellion

St. Charles responded nobly to the call of the country for its quota of troops to sustain the Union in the war of the rebellion, and the names of those boys in blue wiio, Cincinnatus like, left the plow in the furrow and rallied in defense of the flag of their country, de-

Many of the above-named persons were residents of towns adjoining St. Charles, but were accredited to the town of St. Charles in consequence of bounty received from the said town, the town at one time paying as high as $300 bounty to fill its quota of soldiers called for by the government. Besides the above, T. D. Weeks and S. C. McElhaney, of St. Charles, enlisted in Col. Birge's regiment of sharpshooters. This regiment was raised at Benton Bar- racks, near St. Louis, Missouri, in the fall of 1861, under the patronage and special favor of Gen. Fremont, who intended ^o make of it a model sharpshooting regiment, and one that would represent the whole West. With this view, recruiting officers were appointed in nearly all the Western states, to recruit for Birge's sharpshooters. Two companies were raised in Ohio, three in Illinois, one in Michigan, and three were organized at the barracks from squads sent by recruiting officers from Iowa, Minnesota and other Western states, thus forming a regiment different from any other in this, that it represented every state in the west.

In the spring of 1864 it was contemplated to raise a battalion, to be called the First Battalion of Minnesota Volunteers ; but not succeeding at the time in raising the requisite number, the following-named persons from St. Charles enlisted into the 8th Iowa Cav., to wit, S. A. Johnson, G. H. Johnson, C. H. Taylor, Robert Butcher, John C. Strain, John Bourdon and David James, who were mustered into service at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in May, 1864.

Members Of The Legislature

The names of those persons who have been members of the legislature from St. Charles are as follows : S. S. Beman, senator, session of 1857-8 ; Manly Grover, representative, session of 1857-8 ; Ebenezer Warner, representative, session of 1861 ; Thomas P. Dixon, of Saratoga, now a resident of St. Charles, representative, session of 1864 ; Charles Griswold, representative, session of 1865 ; H. W. Hill, representative, session of 1868 ; S. Y. Hyde, representative, session of 1869 ; John M. Cool, representative, session of 1870 ; John M. Cool and S. Y. Hyde, representatives, session of 1871 ; S. S. Beman, senator, and ,John L. Blair, representative, session of 1872 ; S. S. Beman, senator, session of 1873 ; S. S. Beman, senator, session of 1874 ; H. W. Hill, senator, session of 1875 ; H. W. Hill, senator, session of 1876; J. F. Remore, senator, session of 1877 ; J. F. Remore, senator, and F. C. Robinson, representative, session of 1878 ; II. W. Hill, senator, session of 1879. The constitution of the state was amended' providing for biennial sessions of the legislature. S. S. Beman, senator, session of 1881 ; H. W. Hill, present representative for the session of 1883.

St. Charles Methodist Church. - This church was organized in 1857, the class being formed by Rev. M. Klepper in St. Charles, consisting of twenty-three members. The first quarterly meeting of which there is any record was held September 19, 1857, when the following board of trustees was elected : Joseph Drake, A. D. Porter, G. C. Sheeks, William Hendee, N". E. Mason, Calvin Hitt and Samuel Latta. The first Sabbath school was organized in 1858. The date is not recorded. There were at this time forty-nine members. In April, 1858, B. B. Crist was appointed to this circuit. In 1859 Rev. J. Cowden became pastor. At this time the holding of the annual conference was changed from spring to fall. In the fall of 1859 Rev. J. M. Gossard became pastor, with C. G. Hayes as assistant. The estimating committee's report for 1859-60 is as follows :

The above is a perfect copy of the report. The first quarterly meeting for the years 1859-60 was held at St. Charles December 31. There was nothing of importance occurred during the years 1860-61. At the annual conference in the fall of 1861 the circuit was changed from Whitewater to St. Charles, and Rev. Alfred Welch became pastor. In the thii-d quarterly minutes we learn that there were seven schools, with fifty officers and teachers, and eight hundred scholars. From 1862 to 1865 Charles Griswold was pastor. During the years 1863-4 lots were purchased and a parsonage built. In 1865 H. Webb was pastor. During this year the church was built, at a cost of $3,000, added to the cost of parsonage, $1,072.67, making a total of $4072.67. In 1866 S. K Phelps was pastor ; in 1867, N. Tainter; 1868-9, Bartly Blain ; 1870-1-2, Henry G. Bilber ; 1873, William M. Bowdish, who was pastor three years. J. M. Liscomb then took the charge and retained it for three years ; 1879-80 G. W. Barnett was pastor. He was succeeded by the present pastor. Rev. John Watson. During the present incumbent's charge the church has been thoroughly repaired and painted, at an expense of $266.25. The church is free from debt, and has an insurance of $2,500, and the parsonage $1,500, in the Continental Insurance Company.

Association of Christians Opposed to Secret Societies. - The first anti-secret association organized in this state was effected at the door of the Congregational church in St. Charles about June 1, 1872, the inside of the building not being avaihible for a business meeting. The organization was the result of two lectures delivered by Rev. Charles A. Blanchard, of Wheaton, Illinois, and it was made auxiliary to the national association, the objects of which, according to its articles of constitution, are primarily to expose and oppose all the secret associations of the age, inasmuch as they are regarded by the members as hostile to the Christian religion and the existence of a republican state. The new organization started with twenty-four members, and in 1873 its' name was changed to the Winona County Christian Association, and a new constitution adopted. The original officers of the association were : Oren (.ravath, president ; E. S. Harvey, vice-president; P. T. Thurber, secretary and treasurer. An anti-masonic library is owned by the association, and meetings held to discuss the questions involved in the controversy between this society and those who oppose their views. The library is free to all. The present officers are : -S. B. Patterson, president ; P. Huller, vice-president ; L. S. Downing, treasurer ; W. H. Morrill, secretary and librarian. December 12, 1878, a state association was formed at St. Charles, and annual convocations are held from time to time in the interest of its declared objects.

Public School

If the grade and efficiency of the public schools in any community are to be accepted as a true index of the general intelligence of such comnmnity, and the value it places upon thorough instruction in such branches of knowledge as may be included in a somewhat liberal curriculum, then may St, Charles honestly congratulate herself upon the record she has thus made. Nor is the ambitious little city on the western confines of the county at all unmindful of the record she is thus making for herself through the enlightened efforts of her educational board, fully sustained, as they are, by the intelligent liberality of that independent school district. This record extends over a period of about sixteen years, during which time' discouragements of no ordinary character have been met and overcome, and out of which the public school of that city emerges with a reputation for efficiency, tlioroughness and honesty of administration that commands the hearty approbation of all qualified judgments.

60, being so borne on the rolls of the county superintendent and included in his regular reports to the state superintendent of instruction. By a special act of the Minnesota legislature, passed February 6, 1867, this district, No. 60, was created a chartered district, as such entitled to all the special privileges accorded such districts under the laws of the state. The district at this time included seven and one-half sections of land. By special act of legislature, of March 4, 1868, section 31 ol St. Charles township, Winona county, and one and one-half sections from Olmstead county (formerly included in the independent school district of Dover), were added to the territory included in the old district No. 60, making the full complement of ten sections comprised in the chartered school district of St. Charles as thus constituted. The boundaries of this district remain unchanged since that date. The same year that the chartered district was created, 1867, a commodious school building was erected, and preparations were made for conducting schoolwork on a scale commensurate with the needs of the district. The new school building occupied a full block near the center of the corporation, one block east of the main business street of the village. It was a substantial frame structure with solid stone foundations, containing six spacious classrooms and a general assembly-room, and cost when complete $16,000. Here the school grew and prospered for nearly eleven years, when it was destroyed by fire, August 31, 1878, the loss being about one-half covered by insurance. The school board immediately met, called for plans and specifications for a new school building, let the contract, and in just ninety days from breaking ground for the foundations of the new structure the keys were turned over to the board of education, the structure complete at a cost of $11,475. To this should be added $li,500 for furniture and furnaces. The new structure deserves more than a passing notice, as it is one of unique character, the plans for which were copyrighted by Langdon, of Winona, in 1877, and designated by him the Centennial School Building. The special features of this plan are, economy of construction, isolation of classrooms, so that no noise or confusion in one disturbs the others, three sides of each classroom fully exposed to light and air, and a complete system of ventilation. The plan itself is quite difficult of desci'iption, as it does not fall under any particular order of architecture, but may be generally stated as consisting of an irregular hexagonal center, from which extend four arms. The passage-ways, staircases, entrances to clothes-closets and classrooms are into and from this center, four of the sides of which form the four unlighted ends of the classrooms that open out of this central hall. By this arrangement there will be as many sets of classrooms, fom' in each set, as there are stories to the structure. These radiating classrooms are all set diagonally to the cardinal points of the compass, so that the windows of each classroom give free access to sunlight upon three sides.

The St. Charles school building is a two-story brick, solid stone foundations and basement for furnaces. The solid walls of stone in the basement carried to the first floor are continued in brick to the ceilings of the second story, thus rendering the divisions complete and greatly enhancing the safety of the structure should fire break out in any part. A separate furnace supplies heat to each wing of the building, and capacious ventilating flues insure a constant current of pure air throughout the classrooms. No assembly-room is provided for in this arrangement. The classrooms, eiglit in number, six only of them occupied, are uniform 'in size, and fully provided with all modern appliances for schoolwork. The staircases leading from the second story to the main floor are amply sufficient for all purposes. Of these there are two, each five feet wide in the clear and arranged at opposite sides of a broad hall. The approaches to the street from the main hall are also fully adequate to the most rapidly necessitated exit. Besides the eight recitation-rooms there are eight cloak-rooms, eight teachers' closets and ample storage room for fuel below.

The presiding genius of this pattern temple of teaching is Prof. D. Steward, who is ably seconded by an efficient corps of five teachers, supervising one grammar, one intermediate and three primary departments.

Much of the efficiency of the school is due to the untiring efforts of the clerk of the board, E. Hill, Esq., who has held that position since 1873. The present board of education is as follows : E. M. Gallup, chau'man ; E. Hill, clerk ; Clias. Gerrish, treasurer ; H. C. Parrott, Dr. W. A. Chamberlin and R. L. Dawley.

As public money is paid only on the actual enrollment, and not upon the numbers of scholars of school age in the district, the number of legal school age within the district is not known. The actual enrollment for 1882 was 403. While inspecting the premises and classrooms for the purposes of this work, we were given a specimen of the school's proficiency in combining numbers. A class of over twenty scholars, averaging less than eleven years of age each, were called before the blackboard and repeatedly added columns of figures, ranging from fifteen to twenty-one figures in a column, aggregating from 90 to 127 as the sum total, as fast as the numbers could possibly be written on the board by the teacher. Again and again, with the watch in our hands, we timed the process, in from seven to fifteen seconds. We were invited to say a word to the class, and in response promised to put them in Winona county history. Wishing to avoid all insidious distinctions, we make no mention of the particular class or teacher, but thus redeem our promise.

D. Steward, principal, is a native of Vermont and a graduate of Dartmouth College, class of 1875. Since leaving college Mr. Steward has been actively engaged in teaching, having adopted this as his life-work. Mr. Steward's first engagement as principal of St. Charles schools was for the school year 1880-1, at the expiration of which he took a trip through the west, and returning, assumed charge for the school year 1882-3, at an advance in salary of twentyfive per cent over first year's contract. Mr. Steward is recognized as a thorough-going teacher, of broad, comprehensive views, and thoroughly honest in his educational work.

Miss M. A. Buck, daughter of Hon. C. F. Buck, of Winona, has charge of the grammar department ; Miss L. M. Glidden is teacher of the intermediate; Miss Mary Clarkson, "A" primary ; Miss Helen F. Lathrop, "B" primary; Miss M. A. Gates, daughter of M. H. Gates, herself a native of St. Charles, and witii Miss Buck, a graduate of the State Normal, is in charge of the "C" primary room.

On February 25, 1864, Kising Sun Lodge was organized under dispensation of the M.W. Grand Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Minnesota, and Robert Stewart, Benjamine Birge and George H. Clark were designated as principal oflicers, and thus it continued to labor until October 26, 1864, when a charter was granted by the M.W. Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota: M.W. A. T. C. Pierson, G.M.; RW. L. E. Thompson, D.G.M. ; RW. C. H. Lindsley, G.S.W. ; RW. W. T. Rigby, G. J.W. ; George W. Prescott, G. Sec, imder the name and style of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 49, A. F. and A. M., with Robert Stewart, W.M. ; Benjamine Birge, S.W. ; George H. Clark, J.W. ; Nathan Novatus Pike, Treas. ; Joshua Martin, Sec. ; Allen O. Adams, S.D. ; Charles M. Lake, J.D. ; R. B. Bunce, Tyler. At the first annual election, held on December 22, 1864, Samuel Young Hyde was elected W.M., and by consecutive re-election held the office four years, presiding with rare administrative prudence and marked distinction.

December 17, 1869, Nelson Hardy Swift was elected W.M. At the sixth annual election, held December 16, 1869, Samuel Y. Hyde was again elected W.M., and at the annual election held December 15, 1870, was succeeded by Charles Griswold, who, being subse- (juently elected to the office of M.W.G.M., was succeeded by the election of S. A. Johnson, February 16, 1871, said election being held by virtue of a dispensation granted by M.W.G.M. C. W. Nash. At the eighth annual election held December, 21, 1871, Samuel Y. Hyde was again called to preside, and by successive re-election was continued as W.M. until December 28, 1875, having served eight of the eleven terms since the charter organization of the lodge. December 16, 1875, Alfred P. Stearns was elected W.M,, and reelected in the succeeding years, 1876-77. December 19, 1878, George H. Johnson was elected W.M. , and re-elected at the annual election held December 18, 1879, Alfred P. Stearns was elected for a fourth term at the annual election, December 16, 1880, and at the annual election of December 15, 1881, was succeeded by E. Merrill Gallup, the present incumbent. From its organization under the wise guidance and guardian care of illustrious, worthy, administrative officers the lodge has maintained a steady, healthy and prosperous growth, aggregating since its organization a grand total of 194 members, of which it yet retains upon the roll fully onehalf, notwithstanding the depleting processes of death, demission, and the many and various other causes and mutations inevitably incidental to progi-ess in all human affairs. Inharmonies have sometimes lurked in its deliberations to confront the sagacity of wisdom, strength and beauty, and mar the loveliness and glory of friendship ; but mainly all its activities and deliberations liave been characterized by a due admixture of prudence, patience, fortitude, and that noble forbearance which ultimately neutralizes every defection and harmonizes all infelicities. Its charities have been many and munificent ; seldom unworthily, and generally judiciously bestowed ; so that while many suffering recipients have experienced a sweet satisfaction and happy relief by the gracious benefactions of its liberal almonry of the resources of many years of prosperity up to the year 1880, its treasury was never plethoric or groaning with idle accumulations.

To relieve the distressed is deemed not only as the highest and first duty of the masonic brotherhood, but it is hailed as a privilege and honor by every true craftsman. It is also the sacred privilege of every person in affliction or in want, to apply for such needed help or relief as may be in the power of a Mason to grant. Whenever such application for relief in calamity, distress or affliction has been made to Kising Sun, No. 49, whether by individual or community, it has always observed and enforced the masonic rule of brotherly love, relief and truth, not only in the interest of the craft, but in the interest of sweet charity itself in manner and form, never questioning whether its beneficiary objects be craftsman or profane.

Thus has Rising Sun lived and prospered in its charities, amassing no wealth, and scarcely ever with a respectable fund in its treasury ; yet in April of the year 1880 it conceived and developed a scheme whereby in conjunction with Orient Chapter, No. 19, R.A.M., a large and commodious second-story hall, 54x80 feet, was erected and commodiously arranged into audience and banquet halls, with rooms necessary and ample thereto, together with a fair equipment of furniture and convenient fixtures at present owned and occupied conjointly by both societies ; and now, Anno Lucis 5883, Rising Sun Lodge, No. 49, is blessed with peace and harmony of more than average unanimity, and with comparatively brightening prospects for future growth and usefulness, with foundations deeply laid in the solid experiences of the past ; its standing is firm, compact and impregnable, its course is onward to the motto "Excelsior." In the present organization the officers are: E. Merrill Gallup, W.M.; Robert Mares, S.W. ; Clarence Y. Ferguson, J.W.; James C. Woodard, Treas.; E. Geo. Hill, Sec; Robert F. Wahler, S.D.; Malcolm Clark, J.D. ; Allen O. Adams, Chaplain; Geo. H. Johnson, Marshal ; Henry N. Gage, S.S. ; Thomas Clarkson, J.S.; William Davidson, Tyler.

Orient Chapter^ No. 19^ R.A.M. - Early in the year 1870, there being in St. Charles and vicinity several members of the masonic order who had taken the royal-arch degree, it was thought best to establish a chapter of the order, and accordingly on February 22 of that year a petition for dispensation to institute a chapter of Royal

Arch Masons in the city of St. Charles was presented to E. D. B. Porter, at tliat time M. E.G. II. P. of the State of Minnesota. The petition was signed bv Robert Stewart, John Bullen, S. Y. Hyde, Truman Morse, Charles Greswold, T. T. Stevens, CliarlesH. Slocum, Robert B. Kellam, Alfred P. Steams, Henry Talbot and Nelson H. Swift, and named companion Robert Stewart as M.E.H.P., Samuel Y. Hyde, K., and John Bullen, Scribe. The dispensation was duly granted, and on March 10, 1870, the first regular convocation of the chapter was held.

Companion Robert Stewart, who, hj reason of age, zeal, ripe experience and ability was styled the ' ' Father of Masonry in St. Charles," held the office of M.E.H.P. by successive re-election until his death, which occurred July 31, 1876, being then incumbent of the office.

St. Charles Lodge., No. 6"^ I.O.O.F. - Located at St. Charles, was instituted on the 28th day of May, 1878, under the direction of Past Grand Master I. M. Westfall, acting as Deputy Grand Master. The charter members were : Charles E. Kendall, John W. Zerwas, B. Neuman, I. M. Westfall and H. E. Doty.

The lodge was represented in the Grand Lodge of Minnesota in 1878 by L M. Westfall, in 1879 by B. Neuman, in 1880 by John W. Zerwas, in 1881 by A. W. Stebbins and in 1882 by John W. Zerwas. <

The officers for the last term of 1882 are as follows : T. D. See field, N.G. ; George Miller, V.G. ; Henry Maire, Rec. Sec; John Cook, Treas. ; E. D. Wilmot, Conductor ; C. H. Tock, Warden ; Julius Bnssuitz, Guardian ; John W. Zerwas, R.S. to theN.G. ; C. A. Smith, L.S. to the KG.; S. A. Keep, R.S. to the V.G.; Jacob Wachter, L.S. to the Y.G.; C. Lane, R.S.S.; C. A. Demro, L.S.S.; A. W. Stebbins, Chaplain and Henry Maire, P.G.

The total membership at present is thirty-three. The lodge is in a flourishing condition financially, and its supply of furniture and lodge fixtures is equal to any of its numbers in the state.

Germania Lodge^ No. 22^ A. O. U. W. - Was organized at St. Charles nearly six years ago, its charter bearing date August 10, 1877. The original membership was sixteen ; about thirty members in all have been obligated and the present membership is twenty. The decrease is entirely owing to removals and suspensions, no deaths of members having occurred since organization. Their meetings are held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, in common with which organization they are joint owners of the hall furniture and fixtures. The present ofiicers of Germania are: J. T. Stewart, M.W. ; W. Hasselgrave, F. ; I. Bresler, O, ; F. Blankenburgh, Rec. ; F. H. Allen, Fin." J. C. Woodard, Rec'r. ; Jeremiah Dickenson, Guide; Ed. Pearson, I. W. ; Louis Schnell, O. W.

Conclusion

Up to the winter of 1863-4 there was no market in this place for wheat or other farm products, save what was required by the people for home consumption ; but at this time Charles Wardner came here from Winona, built a store and grain warehouse attached, and put in a large stock of general merchandise, and received farm products in exchange fcr goods, or purchased the same for cash. The Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company were laying the iron track between here and Winona, and in the month of February, 1864, the road was completed to this place, and the iron horse for the first time entered the beautiful village of St. Charles. Warehouses, stores and other buildings sprung up as if by magic. Two lumber yards were opened here at that time, and all kinds of business began to prosper. Previous to this time the nearest market for the people of this place and vicinity, and for a long stretch of country west, was Winona, the roads being lined daily with teams, mostly oxteams, laden with the produce of the land, going to Winona to sell, and in return purchase such commodities as were necessary ior the family and for opening up and improving the vast and fertile country tributary to Winona.

On February 28 the legislature passed an act to incorporate the city of St. Charles. The proposition was submitted to the people at an election held on March 1, 1870, and adopted. On March 8, 1870, an election was held for the purj)ose of electing city officers. At this election S. W. Stone, now of Aurora, Dakota Territory, was elected the first mayor of the city of St. Charles, and thenceforth it became a full-fledged city. The present city officers are as follows : C. W. Seefield, mayor ; H. C. Parrott, W. K. Parr, C. N. Clark, S. C. McElhaney, aldermen ; C. G. Bachelder, recorder ; J. C. Woodard, treasurer ; Joseph Bockler, assessor ; E. G. Hill and E. M. Gallup, justices of the peace ; A. H. Adams and G. T. Olds, constables ; Miles Growt, city marshal ; O. Potter, street commissioner.

At this time (December, 1882) the city of St. Charles has a population of about 1,200. Her public schools are of the very best in the state, being of a high standard, in which her citizens take a lively interest, employing at all times the very best of teachers. The terms of school aggregate nine months in each year. Six church edifices representing as numy different denominations, viz., Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, German Evangelical and Congregational, are established here, in which religious services are held in some or all every Sabbath. As a commercial and manufacturing place it has superior advantages, being surrounded with a rich agricultural district, the surplus products of which are yearly on the increase.