Wacouta Township

Wacouta Township

This is a factional township just east from Red Wing at the head of Lake Pepin, containing only about four sections of land. It takes the name of the last reigning chief of thelleil Wing band, which signifies The Shooter.

The first settlement was made by George W. Bullard who came in 1850, and with the authority of a license to trade with the Indians began his improve- luents. Abner W. Post came soon after and built the first house for Mr. Bullard. Post and Bullard put up a saw-mill and began the manufacture of lumber in 1853. Several families came and settled here about that time. A town site was surveyed and platted; building lots put on the market with some expectation of a future city. As early as 1854 hotels were built by Daniel Sanders and J. B. Smith ; both were well patronized, as a large number of men were employed in the lumber business. Rafting logs, which wei'^e from the pineries further north, was done here at that time. Wacouta contended with the village of Red Wing for the location of the county seat. It continued a busy and growing place up to the breaking out of the civil war.

In the spring of the year 1857, Avheu the ice remained in the lake until the first of May, the place was crowded with travelers, so that a third hotel was erected and furnished by Mr. Bullard. A post-oflice was established and many improvements inaugurated.

At the call for volunteers in 1861, about half of the legal voters of this village entered the army. The lumber business having already diminished, from that time the place did not flourish as a business point, and many of its inhabitants removed to other places.

Since the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad has been built and a station established here it is becoming a place of some importance again.

Among the earliest settlers still living, and who remain here, are Deacon George Post and Abner W. Post, both of whom have served as county commissioners at different periods in the early history of the county, and as public spirited leaders in their own township.

Near the railroad station a mill for the manufacture of syrup and sugar from amber cane has been in successful operation a few years, owned by N. H. and Paul Post.

Mrs. Julia B. Nelson, a well known lecturer and platform speaker, was for several years a resident of Wacouta. She was the first person in Goodhue county who took a first grade teacher's certificate. After teaching in the country a few years, she married Mr. Ole Nelson, who had just returned from the war, depleted in health. In about two years she was left a widow, and also bereft of her only child. She thenceforth dedicated her life to the cause of humanity ; was for several years teaching among the freedmen in the South. A few facts of her early history will be interesting to the reader, as related by herself at a meeting of the old settlers in Lake Pepin valley :

Had I ever been scalped by a savage Sioux, or seared to death by harmless Chippewas ; had I ever lived in a seven-bynine log-house on three grains of corn a day ; had I ever practiced driving four-in-hand with an ox-team; had I ever raised vegetables on territorial ground, or raised the chickens that crowed when Minnesota was admitted to the Union, it would not be inappropriate to call upon me, in an old settlers' meeting, and I should be both proud and happy to respond.

As the case stands, if I speak and confine myself wholly to facts, I fear you will not be greatly entertained and will conclude that, as an old settler, I am a fraud and a failure.

One darkish night in the June of 1857, the steamer Henry Clay landed at the town of Wacouta and from that boat stepped my father, Edward BuUard, who had been down the river and brought back with him some horses, some cattle, and two awkward school girls, one of whom was myself. Although it was late at night, I saw a good many lights in the darkness, and thought I had really come to town. Passing to my new home, I

I couldn't make a claim and develop the resources of the country, but I did what I could by attending the spelling-schools and lyceums which were in full blast. About two years after, I began "to teach the young idea how to shoot," and have followed that business much of the time since.

Speaking of Sabbath keeping, in the early days when there was "no sound of the church-going bell," an aunt of mine who came to the state before I did, who had no neighbors, and whose husband had gone on a journey of several days, kept the Sabbath, as she supjjosed, and the next day put out her washing. Her husband returned and notified her that she had been washinoon Sunday.

Great changes have been wrought before our eyes, great improvements have been made in our time ; but what pleases me most of all - more than the thought of railroad facilities and wonderful immigration, more than telegraphic communication and sfjacious and beautiful public buildings - is the prosperity of those who came here to make homes, bringing with them only health and hope and honest hearts and willing hands. To see those who worked hard behind oxen, riding with their own horses and carriages, and to see those who lived in log huts now occupying comfortable houses, enjoying themselves and educating their children - that is best of all.

The reporter thinks it is well to note in the old settlers' record of this annual meeting, that Mrs. Nelson spoke entirely off hand, without any notes, and with much grace of voice and manner, and as the Green

Wacouta has lately become a place of rest and recreation in the summer. About three-fourths of a mile from the railroad station, after passing through a small grove, the traveler may find himself at Vivian park, at the head of Lake Pepin. Here the waters of the great river expand into a wide and deep basin, which has all the qualities of a great lake, whose waters are still, except when stirred by the wind.

There, on high ground overlooking the lake, can be seen a row of cottages. Some eight or ten are already finished, while there is room for as many more, commanding the same extensive view of lake and wild surrounding scenery.

Here, separated from the noise and dust of the busy world, one can enjoy freedom from care ; rest from accustomed labor ; and healthful amusements. The facilities for hunting, fishing, rowing and sailing are abundant. Mr. Elijah Brown, the proprietor, has had a fine park laid out in rear of the cottage lots, with walks and carriage drives, through rows of trees, flowering shrubs and plants. He seems determined to spare neither time nor expense in making the place attractive. The famous nelumbian lily, often called the lotus, grows naturally and in great abundance near this resort.