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GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


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HISTORY 

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Douglas  and  Grant  Counties 

Minnesota 

THEIR  PEOPLE,  INDUSTRIES  AND  INSTITUTIONS 


CONSTANT  LARSON 

Editor-in-Chief 


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With  Biographical  Sketches  of  Representative  Citizens  and 
Genealogical   Records  of  Many  of  the  Old  Families 


yOLUME  I 


ILLUSTRATED 


977   to/  1916 

B.  F.  BOWEN    &   COMPANY,  Inc. 
D    '^'  X-  Indianapolis,  Indiana 

V.I 


DEDICATION 

To  those  whose  hands  planted  the  first  homes  in  Douglas  and  Grant 
counties;  whose  love  of  religion  and  education  established  the  first  churches 
and  schools ;  whose  desire  for  good  government  led  to  the  organization  of 
civil  townships  and  the  selection  of  worthy  public  officials;  whose  wish  for 
material  jn-osperity  has  caused  the  building  of  mills  and  factories  and  the 
opening  of  \irgin  tracts  of  land  to  culti\ation — to  those  who  are  gone,  as 
well  as  to  the  many  pioneers  still  liA'ing,  is  tliis  record  of  their  achievements 
dedicated. 


PUBLISHERS'  PREFACE 


1192545 

.\11  life  and  achievement  is  e\-olution;  present  wisdom  comes  from  past 
experience,  and  present  commercial  prosperity  has  come  only  from  past  exer- 
tion and  sacrifice.  The  deeds  and  moti\es  of  the  men  who  have  gone  before 
have  been  instrumental  in  shaping  the  destinies  of  later  communities  and 
states.  The  development  of  a  new  country  was  at  once  a  task  and  a  privi- 
lege. Jt  required  great  courage,  sacrifice  and  prixation.  Compare  the  pres- 
ent conditions  of  the  people  of  Douglas  and  Grant  counties,  ^Minnesota,  with 
what  thicy  were  six  tlecades  ago.  From  a  trackless  wilderness  and  \irgin 
land,  they  have  come  to  be  centers  of  prosperity  and  civilization,  with  millions 
of  wealth,  systems  of  railways,  educational  and  religious  institutions,  varied 
industries  and  immense  agricultural  and  dairy  interests.  Can  anv  thinking 
person  lie  insensible  to  the  fascination  <)f  the  study  which  discloses  the  aspira- 
tions and  efforts  of  the  early  ]>ioneers  who  so  strongly  laid  the  foundation 
u])on  which  has  l;ecn  reared  the  magnificent  prosperity  of  later  days?  To 
perpetuate  the  stnry  of  these  jjcople  and  to  trace  and  record  the  social, 
religious,  educational,  political  and  industrial  jirogress  of  the  community 
from  its  first  incejition,  is  the  function  ol  the  local  historian.  A  sincere 
purpose  to  preser\e  facts  and  jiersonal  memoirs  that  are  deserving  of  per- 
petuation, and  which  unite  the  present  to  the  past,  is  the  motive  for  the 
present  publication.  The  publishers  desire  to  extend  their  thanks  to  those 
who  hax'e  so  faithfully  labored  to  this  end.  Thanks  are  also  due  to  the 
citizens  of  Douglas  and  Grant  counties,  for  the  uniform  kindness  with  which 
they  ha\-e  regarderl  this  iindertaking,  and  for  their  many  services  rendered 
in   the  gaining  of  necessary   information. 

In  placing  the  "History  of  Douglas  and  .Grant  Counties,  Minnesota," 
before  the  citizens,  the  publishers  can  conscientiously  claim  that  they  have 
carried  out  the  plan  as  outlined  in  the  ]>rospectus.  luery  biographical'  sketch 
in  the  work  has  been  submitted  to  the  part}-  interested,  for  correction,  and 
therefore  any  error  of  fact,  if  there  be  any,  is  solely  due  to  the  person  for 
whom  the  sketch  was  prepared.  Confident  that  our  effort  to  please  will 
fully  meet  the  approbation  of  the  public,  we  are. 

Respectfully, 

THE  PUBLISHERS. 


CONTENTS 

VOLUME  I 
DOUGLAS  COUNTY 

CHAPTER    I— RELATED     STATE     HISTORY 3i 

A  portion  of  Minnesota  Originally  Included  in  Louisiana  Purchase — Indian 
Cessions  and  Treaties — Territorial  Government  Established — Boundaries — 
Governor  Alexander  Ramsey — Eirst  Territorial  Legislature — The  Historic 
Council  with  the  Indians  at  Traverse  des  Sioux — The  Treaty — Indian 
Hunters  Cause  Trouble — Townsite  Speculation — Constitutional  Convention — 
l-'irst  State  Lesislature— A<lniissi<in  of  Minnesota  as  a  State— Aid  to  Rail- 
roads—  l-inancial  String  iu\  —  direst  Among  the  Indians — Massacre  of 
1S')2 — Punishment  of  the  Indians — Sul)sequent  Treaties — A  Period  of  Rapid 
Development — Trouble  Because  of  the  State  Issue  of  Railroad  Bonds — Settle- 
ment of  the  Ouestion  and  Activity  in  Railroad  Building — Diversified  Farm- 
ing Interests — Population  Statistics — Military  Record — Xame — Geograpliy — 
Area — Rivers — Lakes — Elevations — Climate — Chronological  History  of  the 
State. 

CHAPTER  II— GEOLOGY  OF  DOUGLAS  COUXTY 59 

Location  of  the  County — Area — Surface  Features — Xatural  Drainage — 
Lakes — Topography — Moraines — Drift  and  Glacial  Deposits — Altitudes — 
Soil — Timber — Geological  Structure — Mean  Elevation  Due  to  Underlying 
Formations — Building    Stone — Lime — Aboriginal    Earthworks. 

CHAPTER    HI— THE      KEXSIXGTOX      RUXE      STOXE;      AX      AXCIEXT 

TRAGEDY    72 

White  Men  in  Minnesota  Prior  to  the  Discovery  by  Columbus — The  Record 
— Conflicting  Views  as  to  the  Authenticity  of  the  Rune  Stone  Found  in 
Douglas  County — The  Discovery — Topography  of  Surroundings — Examina- 
tion of  Stone  l)y  Experts — Details  of  the  Inscription — References  to  the 
Topography  of  the  Region — Where  was  Vinland? — Cliaracteristics  of  the 
Stone — Discussion  of  Its  .Authenticity — Rune  Books — Review  of  tlie  Find- 
ing of  the  Stone  and  Xotes  on  the  Record  Given  by  the  Inscription — Lin- 
guistic Objections — Collateral  Evidence — Resolutions  Adopted  by  the 
Museum  Committee  of  the  Minnesota  State  Historical  Society — Investiga- 
tions of  Prof.   George  T.    Flom — Bibliography. 

CHAPTER    IV— EARLY    SETTLEMEXT 123 

Great  Xatural  Beauty  of  the  Park  Region  of  Minnesota — Lack  of  .\l)Solute 
Proof  of  Some  Early  Historical  Statements— The  Old  Red  River  Trail— The 


CONTENTS. 

Kinkaid  Brothers  and  Their  Settlement  at  Alexandria — Gradual  Growth  of 
the  New  Settlement — Other  Early  Settlements — The  First  County  Govern- 
ment— Development  of  the  County — Effect  of  News  of  the  Indian  Uprising 
on  the  Early  Settlement — Echoes  of  Pioneer  Days — Henry  Gager's  Stage 
Station — Mosquitoes  in  Pioneer  Times — Brandon  Township's  First  Home- 
stead— First  School  Houses — Pioneer  Reminiscences — Primitive  Ways  of 
Agriculture — Early  Days  of  the  Railroad — Conditions  in  the  Pioneer  Schools 
— Quick  and    liffective   Remedy   for   Frostbites. 

CHAPTER  V— THE   SIOUX   OUTBREAK  AND   THE  OLD   STOCKADE 140 

Causes  for  the  Sioux  Outbreak  of  1862 — Story  of  the  Trouble — Every 
Frontier  Dwelling  a  Charnel  House — Siege  of  Ft.  Ridgely — Suppression  of 
The  Sioux — Battles  of  Birch  Coulie  and  Wood  Lake — Pitiful  Scenes  at  Camp 
Release — Punishment  of  the  Guilt}' — Effect  in  Douglas  County  of  the 
Uprising — Tragic  Death  of  .\ndrew  Austin — The  Old  Stockade  at  Alex- 
andria. 

CHAPTER   VI— ORGANIZATION    OF   DOUGLAS    COUNTY 15J 

First  Civil  and  Judicial  Relations — Legislative  Act  Creating  the  County — 
Boundaries — First  Meeting  of  the  County  Board — County  Buildings — Court 
House  History — Jails — Population  of  Douglas  County— Naturalization  Rec- 
ords— County   Financial   Statement. 

CHAPTER  VII— OFFICIALS  OF  DOUGLAS  COUNTY 162 

First  Officers — Roster  of  County  Commissioners — Auditors — Treasurers — 
Registers  of  Deeds — Sheriffs — County  Attorneys — Judges  of  Probate — Sur- 
veyors— Coroners — Clerks  of  the  Court — Court  Commissioners — Superin- 
tendents of  Schools — Douglas  County  in  the  Legislature — I^egislative 
Apportionments,   with    Roster  of   Senators   and    Representatives. 

CHAPTER  VllI— TOWNSHIP  ORGANIZATION  AND  EARLY  SETTLERS  172 
Civil  and  Congressional  Townships — Osakis  Township — Creation — Settle- 
ment— Officials — Alexandria  Township — Creation — First  Officials — Settle- 
ment— Present  Officials— Holmes  City  Township — Created — First  Election 
— Settlement  and  Land  I-jitries — Pioneer  Life,  a  Reminiscence — Early  Events 
— Present  Officials — Brandon  Township — Created — Settlement — Officials — 
— Moe  Township — Creation  of — Settlers — Officials — Lake  Mary  Township — 
Establishment — Name — Settlement — Officials — Leaf  Valley  Township — Crea- 
tion— Settlement — Officials — Millerville  Township^Created — Settlement — 
Officials — Evansville  Township — Established — First  Homesteads — Officials — 
Orange  Township — Established — Land  Entries — Officials — Ida  Township — 
Established — Early  Homesteaders — Officials — Carlos  Township — Created — 
Settlement — Officials — Urness  Township — First  Settlers — Officials — Hudson 
Township — Established — Early  Settlers — Present  Officers — Belle  River 
Township — Establishment  and  Name — Land  Entries — First  Settlers — Early 
Conditions — Indian  History  and  Tradition — Present  Officers  of  the  Town- 
sliip — Solem  Township — Creation  and  Name — Settlers — Present  Officers — 
Miltona  Township — Creation — Settlement — Officials — La  Grand  Township — 
Establishment — Settlement — Present  Officers — Spruce  Hill  Township — 
Establishment  and  First  Election — Present  Officers. 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    IX— DEVELOPMENT    OF    AGRICULTURE 194 

Early  Conditions  Favorable  to  the  Development  of  Farms — Timber  and 
Water  Supply — Location  of  Douglas  County — Surface  Features — Land  and 
Water  Area — Timber — Soil — Climate — Farms  and  Principal  Crops — Corn 
Prizes — Potato  Culture — Fruits — Live  Stock — Dairying — Rural  Mail  Deliv- 
ery— Telephones — Good  Roads — Douglas  County  Agricultural  Association — 
— Douglas    County   as    a   Summer   Resort — Registered   Farm    Names. 

CHAPTER    X— TRAV^EL    AND    TRANSPORTATION 211 

Wonderful  Transformation  in  Transportation  System — Blazing  of  the  First 
Roads — Military  Trails — Government  Road  Surveys — The  First  Railroads  and 
Later    Lines    Which   Have    Entered   the   County — County   Roads. 

CHAPTER    XI— EDUCATIONAL    INTERESTS 216 

The  Little  Log  School  Houses  of  Pioneer  Days — High  Value  Placed  on 
Education  by  Early  Settlers — Minnesota's  Splendid  Educational  System — 
The  County's  School  System  Epitomized — Alexandria  City  Schools  and 
Some  of  the  Early  Teachers — Clerks  of  the  School  Districts — Teachers  of 
Douglas   County. 

CHAPTER    XII— CHURCHES    OF    DOUGLAS    COUNTY 224 

First  Religious  Services  in  the  Homes  of  the  Early  Settlers — The  Itinerant 
Preacher — First  Church  Organizations — A  List  of  the  Seventy-three 
Churches  Incorporated  in  Douglas  County — Methodist  Episcopal  Churches- 
Congregational  Churches — Norwegian  Lutheran  Churches — Swedish  Luthe- 
ran Churches — Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Churches — Swedish  Baptist 
Church — German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Church — Catholic  Churches — Episco- 
pal Church — Church  of  Christ,  Scientist — Seventh-day  .\dventist  Church — 
Presbyterian    Church. 

CHAPTER    XIII— NEWSPAPERS    265 

.\n  Account  of  the  Various  Papers.  Past  and  Present,  Which  Have  Been 
Influential   in   the   Advancement   of   Douglas    County. 

CHAPTER  XIV— THE  BENCH  AND  BAR '_ 272 

First  x\ttorneys  in  Douglas  County — Later  Attorneys — Douglas  County 
Judiciary. 

CHAPTER    XV— THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSION 275 

Self-reliance  of  Early  Settlers  in  Times  of  Sickness — The  First  Physicians 
in  Douglas  County — .Alexandria  Physicians — Osakis  Physicians  and  Those 
Elsewhere   in    the    County — Doctors   of   Dental   Surgery. 

CHAPTER    XVI— BANKS    AND  BANKING 280 

High   Interest   Rate   in   Early  Days— A   Record   of   the   Banks   at  -Alexandria, 

Osakis,  Evansville,  Brandon,  Carlos,  Garfield,  Nelson,  Kensington.  Forada, 
Melba   and   MillerviUe. 

CHAPTER    XVII— MILITARY    ANN.^LS 286 

Soldiers  Monument — Douglas  County's  Loyalty  in  tlic  Civil  War — Grand 
Army  of  the   Republic — -The   Spanish-.American   War. 

CHAPTER   XVIII— FRATERNAL  AND   BENEVOLENT   SOCIETIES 291 

The    Spirit    of    Fraternity    Among   the    Pioneers— The    First    Lodges    in    the 


County — IndepL-ndent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows — Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen — Knights  of  Pythias — Modern  Woodmen  of  America — Scandi- 
navian Mutual  Aid  Association  Siloah — Independent  Order  of  Good  Temp- 
lars— Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union — Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons — Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen — Modern  Brotherhood  of  Amer- 
ica— Douglas    County    Humane    Society. 


CHAPTER    XIX— ALEXANDRIA,    THE    COUXTY    SEAT 300 

Beautiful  for  Location — Modern  Improvements — In  the  Days  of  the  Begin- 
ning— Subsequent  Development — The  City  Government — Elections  and  Offi- 
cials of  the  City — The  Postoffice — Commercial  and  Industrial  Concerns — 
Tlie   Commercial   Club — Free   Public   Library. 

.CHAPTER    XX— INCORPORATED    TOWNS    AND    \TLLAGES 314 

Epitomized  History  of  Osakis,  Touching  Its  Location,  Early  Record,  First 
Events,  Business  Interests,  Public  L'tilities,  Manufacturing  Industries,  Church 
and  Fraternal  Societies,  Commercial  Club.  Postoffice,  Educational  Advan- 
tages and  Homes — Evansville,  Brandon,  Holmes  City,  Nelson,  Garfield, 
Melby,    Forada,    Miltona,    Millersville,    Carlos   and   Kensington. 

CHAPTER    XXI— SIDELIGHTS    ON     COUNTY    HISTORY 331 

Home-coming  Week  at  Alexandria — Memories  of  Other  Days,  a  Cluster  of 
Reminiscences — William  Everett  Hicks,  the  Man  Who  Started  Alexandria 
Going — Senator  Knute  Nelson.  Alexandria's  "Grand  Old  Man" — Alexandria's 
First  Village  President — F'irst  Commercial  -Association  Incorporated — The 
Celebrated  Paulson  Case — Reminiscences  by  a  F'irst  Settler — .An  Early  Trav- 
eler's Impressions — An  Impressionist's  View  of  Alexandria — Something 
About  Mules  and  Mule  Drivers — Glimpses  of  Claim-stakes  and  Claim- 
shanties — The  .Approach  to  Alexandria — Hospitality  of  the  Wilderness — The 
Sims    Brothers — Old    People's    Home — Early    Daj'S    Near    Nelson. 


GRANT  COUNTY 

CHAPTER  I— GEOLOGY  AND  TOPOGRAPHY 361 

Location — Area — Surface  Features — Drainage — Lakes  —  Elevations  —  Soil  — 
Timber — Geological  Structure — Lake  .Agassiz — Building  Stone— Lime— Bricks 
— .Aboriginal    Earthworks. 

CHAPTER    II— THE    INDIAN    OUTBREAK    AND   THE   STOCKADE 370 

Settlement  Deferred  Because  of  the  Indian  L'nrest  in  the  Early  Sixties — 
Causes  of  the  Outbreak — First  Bloodshed — .Ambuscade  at  Redwood  F'erry — 
-Attack  on  New  Ulm — Battle  of  Birch  Coulie  and  at  Wood  Lake — Events  in 
Grant  County  During  the  Outbreak — The  Old  Stockade — Expeditions 
Through    Grant    County. 

CH.VPTER    HI- E.\RLY    SETTLEMENT    376 

Edward  (Iriffin,  the  l-"irst  White  Resident  of  Grant  County — Some  of  the 
I'irst  Settlers— Pioneer  Conditions— Settlement,  by  Townships,  and  Interest- 
ing   Incidents    in    Connection    Therewith. 


CHAPTER   IV'— ORGAXIZATIOX    OF   GRANT    COUNTY 387 

Legislative  Act  Estaljlishing  the  County — Locating  the  County  Seat — Name 
of  the  County — First  Commissioners  and  Some  of  Their  Early  Acts — Com- 
missioner Districts  Estalilished — The  Second  Board — First  County  Court 
House — County-seat  Contest — The  Present  Court  House — Population  Statis- 
tics— Naturalization    Statistics — Countj-     Finances. 

CHAPTER   V— OFFICIALS    OF    GRANT    COUNTY 399 

County  Commissioners — Auditors — Treasurers — Registers  of  Deeds — Sher- 
iffs— County  Attorneys — Judges  of  Probate — Surveyors — Coroners — Clerks 
of  the  Court — Court  Commissioners — Superintendents  of  Schools — Grant 
County   in    the    Legislature — Senators   and    Representatives — Apijortionnients. 

CHAPTER    VI— TCJWNSHIP    ORGANIZATION    409 

An  Account  of  the  Organization,  First  Elections,  I'irst  and  Present  Officers, 
and  Other  Interesting  l-'acts  in  the  Townships  of  Lien.  Logan,  Elk  Lake, 
Pelican  Lake,  Elbow  Lake,  Pomnie  de  Terre,  Erdahl,  Stony  Brook,  Land, 
Rosevillc,  Maesville.  Gorton,  Delaware,  Lawrence,  Sanford  and  North 
Ottawa. 

CHAPTER    VH— DEVELOPMENT   OF   AGRICULTURE    419 

Pioneers  I'avored  by  Wonderfid  Natural  Resources — Getting  Started  on  the 
Pioneer  F"arm — Some  Early  Difficulties — E\olution  of  F'arm  Machinery — 
Tree  Planting — Diversified  Farming — Statistics  of  Production — Modern 
F'arm  Conditions — County  .Agricultural  Agent — Farmers'  Clubs — Recorded 
I'arni    Names — Grant   County   .Agricultural   .Association. 

CI1.\PTER    Vlll— TRAVEL    AND    TRANSPORTATKJN    427 

Trails,  the  First  Routes  of  Travel— The  First  Roads— Old  Stage  Routes- 
Trend  of  Early  Settlement— Laying  Out  the  Early  Wagon  Roads— State 
Highway    Commission — Railroads   in    Grant   County. 

CH.APTER    IX— SCHOOLS   OF   GRANT   COUNTY   432 

High  Ideals  of  the  Pioneers — First  School  Houses — Scliool  Districts  Estab- 
lished— Sketch  of  the  F^arly  Schools  by  a  Pioneer — Some  of  the  Early  School 
Houses — Pioneer  School  Conditions — Teachers  of  189() — Development  of 
School  System — .Aims  of  the  Modern  Seliool — Teachers  for  1916 — School 
District   Officers — F'inancial   Statement. 

CHAPTER   X— CHl-RCHES   OF   GR.XXT   COUNTY   442 

Synod  Lutheran  Churches — Rev.  Gullik  M.  Erdahl— Swedish  livangelical 
Lutheran  Churches — Xorwcgian  United  Lutheran  Church — Presbyterian 
Church — Rev.  James  Godward — Methodist  Churches — Catholic  Churches — 
Seventh-Day   .Adventist   Church — Other   Church    Incorporations. 

CHAPTER   XI— XF.WSP.VPERS   OF   GRAXT   COUXTY  455 

Story  of  Journalistic  Efforts  Which  Have  .Api)eared  in  Grant  County  and  of 
the   Papers   Xow   in    Existence   Here. 

CHAPTER  XII— THE  BEXCH  AXD  BAR  458 

Early  Judicial  Jurisdiction  of  Grant  County— Judges — .Attornevs — Story  of 
the    F'irst    Court    Session. 


CHAPTER    XIII— THE    MEDICAL    PROFESSIOX    461 

Sharp  Contrast  Between  Early  Conditions  and  Those  of  Today — First  Physi- 
cians in  the  County — Physicians  Who  Have  Practiced  at  Herman,  Elbow 
Lake.  Ashbj-,  Wendell,  Barrett  and  Hoffman — Grant  Comity  Dentists- 
Veterinary    Surgeons. 

CHAPTER  XIV— BANKS  OF  GRAXT  COUNTY 466 

High  Interest  Rates  in  Early  Days — .\  Brief  History  of  Each  of  the  Finan- 
cial Institutions  in  Herman.  Elbow  Lake,  Hoffman,  Ashby,  Wendell,  Nor- 
cross,    Barrett   and    Erdahl. 

CHAPTER    XV— MILITARY   ANNALS    472 

Grand   Army   of  the    Republic — Many    Veterans   Among   the    Early   Settlers. 

CHAPTER  XVI— FRATERNAL   AND    BENEVOLENT  SOCIETIES 474 

Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons — Order  of  the  Eastern  Star — -Knights 
of  Pythias — Independent-  Order  of  Odd  Fellows — Modern  Woodmen  of 
-America — Brotherhood   of   American   Yeomen — Degree    of   Honor. 

CHAPTER   XVII— ELBOW   LAKE,   THE   COUNTY   SEAT 481 

Platted — Location — Selection  as  County  Seat — First  Election — Municipal 
Officers — Slow  Early  Growth — Postoffice — Schools — Business  Directory — 
Creamery    Interests — Telephones — Concert    Band. 

CHAPTER    XVIII— VILLAGES    OF    GRANT    COUNTY 488 

Herman — Settlement — Platting — First  Officers — Present  Officers — Schools — 
Community  Social  Club — Band — Business  Interests — Hoffman — Beginning 
of — First  Business  Men — First  and  Present  Officers — Education — Religious 
Organizations — Ladies'  Band — Present  Business  Interests — Wendell — Begin- 
ning of  and  Early  Events — Postoffice — Incorporation — First  and  Present 
Officers — Schools — Public  Improvements  —  Business  Directory  —  Ashby  — 
Early  Records  Destroyed — Officers — Schools — Postoffice — First  Merchants 
— Present  Business  Interests — Barrett — Original  Plat — Incorporation — First 
and  Present  Officers — Manufacturing  Industries — Postoffice — Business  Inter- 
ests— Norcross — Hereford — Erdahl — Pommc    dc    Terrc — Cancstorp. 

CHAPTER    XIX— SIDELIGHTS    ON    COUNTY    HISTORY   500 

County-seat  Contest — "A  Crow  Feast" — "An  Eventful  Day" — "News  from 
Grant  County" — Ancient  Stone  Carving — Indian  Scare  of  1876 — Grant  County 
Old   Settlers'   Association — .\   Pioneer   of   Pioneers — Thomas   C.    Hodgson. 


HISTORICAL  INDEX 


VOLUME 


DOUGLAS  COUNTY 


A 

Aboriginal     Earthworks     71 

Acreage    of    Farms    197 

Agricultural    Association    201 

Agriculture,  Development  of 194 

Agriculture,     Primitive     137 

Alexandria — 

Attractiveness    of    300 

Banks     , 280 

Beginning   of   301 

Business   Interests   309 

Churches__224,   221,   229,   230,   231, 
2li,  235,   246,  247,  251,   253,  254,  262 

City    Buildings    308 

City    Government    302 

Elections     304 

First    Merchants    301 

Growth    of    126,  302 

High    Schoof 217 

Home-coming    Week    331 

Impressionist's   View  of 349 

Improvements     300 

Incorporation   as   Village    303 

Indian    Scare    148 

Kinkaid,    Alexander    125 

Lawyers     212 

Library    312 

Lodges    287,    291,   292,    294,  296 

Lot   Sales    126 

Mail    Routes,    Early    126 

Mayors    307 

Merchants    309 

Newspapersi     265 

Officials,  Roster  of 304 

Old   People's    Home   357 

Physicians     275 

Population     158,  300 


Alexandria — Con. 

Postofficc     History    ■ 126,  308 

President,  First   Village 343 

Reminiscences    333,  346 

Roster   of   Officials    304 

Schools    218 

Settlement    124,    127,   132 

Stockade    134,  150 

Townsitc   Company 126 

Village    Council    303 

Alexandria   Township — 

Altitude     66 

Churches    227 

Officers,    First    153,  173 

Officers,    Present    174 

Organization     153,   173 

I'opulation     158 

Settlement     ._ 173 

Topography    65 

Altitudes    in    County    65 

Altitudes    in    the    State    49 

Ancient    I'Vce   and   Accepted   Masons  295 
Ancient   Order   of   l"nited    Workmen  292 

Animals,    Farm    201 

Apportionments,    Legislative   169 

Area   of   County   59 

Area   of  the   State   47 

Attorneys    272 

Auditors,    County    153,  164 

Austin,    Andrew,    Death    of   149 

B 

Banks   and    Banking    280 

Baptist    Church 221,    228,    229,  230 

Belle    River   Township — 

Altitude    65 

Churches    234.  259 


HISTORICAL 


ricllc    River    Township — Con. 

Indians     189 

Mills.     Early    189 

Officers    - 190 

Organization    lh8 

Population    158 

Settlement     188 

Bench    and    Bar    272 

l!,iuvolcnt    Snciities     l.._-287.  291 

Kethcsda     Society     2i2 

lUnmdaries   of    eounty   152 

Brandon- 
Banks    283 

Business    Interests    324 

Churches   230,  234,  325 

Incorporation     324 

Indian    Scare    149 

LaVvyers    273 

Lodges    292 

Xewspapers    269,  271 

Officials    324 

riiysicians     278 

Population    159 

Schools    324 

Settlement      130.  323 

Stage    Station,    Early   323 

Brandon   Township — 

Birth,    First    133 

Gager,    Henry    133 

Homestead,    First    135 

Officers     179 

Organization    178 

Population     158 

Settlement    133,  179 

Building    Stone     71 

c 

Carlos- 
Banks    283 

Piusiness    Interests    329 

Churches    234,    252,  259 

Plat   329 

Popiulation    159,  329 

Carlos  Township — 

Altitude    66 

Churches    232,  2ii 

Officers    185 

Organization    185 

Population    159 


Carlos    Township — Con. 

Settlement     185 

Topography    65 

Catholic    Church   232.   233,   234,  254 

Cereal   Crops   198 

Chippewa   (see    Brandon)   __130.   134,   149 

Chippewa    Township    66 

Chiropractor     279 

Chronolo.gical   History  of  Minnesota     50 

Church   of   Christ,   Scientist   263 

Churches   224 

Claim-stakes    and    Claim-shanties 351 

Clerks  of  the  Court 153,  167 

Clerks   of  School   Districts 221 

Climate   of   Minnesota    49 

Conimissioners,   County 161 

Commissioners,    County.    I'irst 129 

Commissioners.    Court    167 

Congregational  Church__224,  227.  231.  238 

Constitution   of  State   39 

Corn   as   a    Crop 199 

Coroners     153,   167 

County  .\ttorncys   153,   166 

County  Auditors   153,   164 

County    Boundaries   152 

County    Buildings    153 

County    Coiumissioners,     h'irst 129 

County    Commissioners,    Roster   of 16! 

County    h'inances    161 

County  Government,   First 129 

County   Offices,    First   154 

County   Officials,   Roster   of 161 

County    Organized    152 

County    Roads    214 

County  School  Superintendents 168 

County   School   System    217 

County  Surveyors 153,   166 

County   Treasurers   153,  164 

Courcurs   des    Bois,   the   211 

Court,   Clerks   of  the   153,   167 

Court    Commissioners    167 

Court    House    History    154 

Creameries    200 

Croiis,    I'arm    198 

D 

Daughters    of    Rebekah    297 

Dentists     278 

Diversified    I'^arniing    Interests    46 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Doctors    27S 

Douglas   County   Agricultural   Ass'u.  201 

Douglas    Count}-    Humane    Society—  299 

Drainage     195 

E 

Early    Days    near    Xclson    357 

I"larly    I'^aniilies    127 

Early   Settlement   of   Count}' 123 

ICarthworks     71 

Education 216 

r.lection.    Eirst   in    County    129 

l'"piscoi)al    Cliurch    262 

l-Aangelical   Association   229,  231 

ICvangclical    Lutheran    Church    

227,  229,  230,   2M.  234,  253 

Evansville — 

Ranks    •- 282 

I'lusincss     Interests    323 

Churches    226.  229, 

231,  2ii.  234.   246,   247,   248,   264,  i22 

Improvements   i22 

Incorporation    322 

Indian    Scare    149 

Lawyers  27i 

Location    321 

Lodges    295,  ?,22 

Newspapers    271 

Officials    i2?, 

Paulson  Case 345 

Physicians  278 

Population    159 

Settlement     130 

Stage  Station,   I'.arly   322 

Evansville    Township — 

.Altitude    66 

Churches    248,  250 

Officers    184 

Organization    183 

Population    1,59 

Settlement     184 

F 

air    Association    201 

amilies.  Early 127 

arm    Acreag:e    197 

arm    .Knimals    201 

arm    Xames,   Registered   204 


I'armers    Clubs    201 

h'arming   Interests,    Diversified 46 

Farms,    Number   of   197 

I'^inancial    Statement,    County    161 

First   County   Government   129 

F6rada 159,  264,  284,  328 

Fraternal    Orders    287     "M 

F>eemasonry     295 

Free    Methodist   Church    230,  231 

hVostbites,    Pioneer    Cure    for 139 

G 
Garheld— 

Banks    2i^3 

liusiness     Interests    327 

Churches     234,  327 

Name     327 

Officials     327 

Population     159 

Postoffice     327 

Geography   of   the    State 47 

Geology    of    Douglas    County 59,     66 

German   Evangelical   Luth.   Church__  252 

Grains     19,s 

Grand    -Army    of   the    Republic 287 

Gregory,    P.    L.    129.   152 

Growing    Season    197 

tirowth  of  the  State 44 

H 

Hicks,    William    E.    340 

Holmes   City — 

Business    Interests    325 

Churches-.  230,  234,   248,  251,  252,  325 

Indian    Scare    149 

Location     325 

Lodges     293 

Settlement    132 

Holmes  City  Townshiij — 

Altitude    66 

Churches    247.  248 

Officers    178 

Organization    ; 153,   174 

Pioneer    Life    175 

Population    159 

Recollections   of  178 

Settlement    124,  174 

Topography     65 

Home-coming,    A    331 


HISTORICAL    INDEX. 


Hospitality.     Early     355 

1 1  udson  Township — 

.\ltitiide    66 

Officers     187 

Organization     187 

Population    159 

Settlement     130,  187 

Topography    65 

Humane    Society    299 

I 
Ida    Township — 

Altitude     66 

Churches    227,    228.    231,  248 

Moraines    64 

Officers     185 

(Organization     185 

Population    159 

Settleniient    128,   185 

Incorporated    Churches    224 

Incorporated    Towns    314 

Independent   Order   of   Good   Temp- 
lars      293 

Independent   Order  of   Odd   Fellows 

291,    292,  296 

Indian   Hunters,  Trouble   with 37 

Indian    Outbreak    140 

Indian    Treaties    33 

Indian    I'nrest    40 

J 

Jail     History    156 

Judges    ^T^ 

Judges   of   Probate 130,    152,    153,  166 

Judiciary    of    Douglas    County 273 

K 
Kensington — 

Banks    284 

Business    Interests    329 

Churches    233 

Location    329 

Plat    329 

Population    159 

Kensington   Rune   Stone   Tl 

Kinkaid     Brothers     124,   125 

Knights    of    Pvthias    292 


L 

LaGrand  Township — 

Altitude    -I 66 

Churches    230 

Officers    192 

Organization    192 

Population     159 

Settlement     192 

Topo.graphy-    65 

Lake    Mary   Township — 

.Altitude    66 

Officers     181 

Organization    181 

Population     159 

Settlement    181 

Topography     65 

Lakes    of    Minnesota 48 

Lakes  of  the   County   59 

Land   Area   195 

Lawyers    272 

Leaf   \'alley   Township — 

Altitude    66 

Churches    226,  230 

Officers    - 181 

Organization    181 

Population    159 

Settlement     181 

Legal    Profession   272 

Legislative    Apportionments    169 

Legislators     168 

Lime   71 

Live     Stock    201 

Location   of   County   59 

Location    of    Douglas    County 194 

Lodges    287.  291 

Lund  Township — 

Altitude    66 

Churches    228,    232,    248,  249 

Officers    191 

Moraines    63 

Organization    191 

Population    159 

Settlement     191 

M 

Masonic    Order    295 

Massacre    of    1862 42 

Medical    Profession    275 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Melby    284,  328 

Methodist  Episcopal  Church  224,  226,  235 

Military   Annals    286 

Military   Record   of  State 46 

Military   Trails    212 

Millcrville— 

Banks    284 

Business    Interests    329 

Churches    233,  257 

First   Things   329 

Plat   329 

Population    159 

Millerville    Township — 

Altitude    65 

Moraines    63 

Officers    .: 183 

Organization    182 

Population    159 

Settlement    135,  182 

Miltona    328 

Miltona   Township — - 

Altitude   --     66 

Officers 191 

Organization    190 

Population    159 

Settlement    191 

Modern   Brotherhood  of  America—  298 

Modern   Woodmen   of  America 293 

Moe   Township — • 

Altitude    66 

Churches   227,   228,   230,   233,  246 

Moraines 63 

Officers    180 

Organization    179 

Population    159 

Settlement     180 

Moraines    63 

Mosquitoes    133,   134 

N 

Name   of  the   State   47 

Xationality   of   Citizens   197 

Naturalization     Records     159 

Nelson — 

Banks  284 

Business   Interests   326 

Early    Days    357 

First   Things   325 

Incorporation    325 


Nelson — Con. 

Plat    325 

Postoffice    325 

Population     159 

School 326 

W.  C.  T.  U 326 

Nelson.   Senator   Knute   342 

Newspapers    265 

Norwegian-Danish   Evan.   Luth.  Ch._  228 

Norwegian   Evangelical   Church 226 

Norwegian    Evan.    Luth.    Church 

. 227,    229,  230 

Norwegian    Lutheran   Church   246 

O 

Officers,    First   County   129 

Officials   of   County   162 

Ohnian,    Olaf    72,    76,    86,  88 

Old   People's   Home   357 

Old    Red   River   Trail 124 

Orange    Township — 

Altitude    66 

Commercial   -Association   344 

Officers    184 

Organization    184 

Population    159 

♦     Settlement    184 

Topography    65 

Organization   of   County   152 

Organization  of  Townships 172 

Osakis — 

Band   344 

Banks   281 

Business    Interests    315 

Churches    

224,   227.  229,   231,   232,   255,   264,  319 

Commercial    Club    319 

Creamery     318 

Farmers    Co-operative   Assn 344 

First    Events    315 

Fires    315 

High    School    217 

Homes,  A  City  of 321 

Improvements   317 

Incorporation     315 

Lawyers    273 

Location    314 

Lodges. 289,  295,  319 

Mail    Service    320 


HISTORICAL    INDEX. 


Osakis— 

Manufacturing   Industries 318 

Xante    '- 314 

Xewspapcrs    271 

Officials    315 

Physicians  276 

Plat 314 

Population   159,  317 

PostofFicc 320 

Professional  Interests 315 

Public     L'tilitics    318 

Schools     320 

Settlement   130,  314 

Osakis   Township — 

Altitude    66 

Churches 228,  248 

Xame    172 

Officers.  First 153,   172 

Officers,  Present 173 

Organization 153,   172 

Population    159 

Settlement 172 

Ti>i)Ography   65 

Osteopathy     279 

P 

Patriarchs    Militant    296 

Paulson  Case,  the  Ccleliratcd 345 

Physicians 275 

Pioneer  Days,  Echoes  of 132,   136 

Pioneer   Schools,   Conditions   in 138 

Population    of    County 158,   197 

Population   of  the   State    46 

Potatoes 199 

Precipitation 197 

Presbyterian  Church 231,  234.  264 

PresSi   the   265 

Probate   Judges    130,    152,    153,   166 

Products,  Farm 198 

R 

Railroad   Honds 39 

Railroad,   the    First   213 

Railroads,    Early   Days   on .138 

Rainfall 197 

Red   River  Trail -_.   124 

Registered   h'arm   Xanies 204 


Ue-isters  of  Deeds 129,  152.  153,   1(6 

Related   State   History 33 

Religious    Societies   224 

Reminiscences 132,    136.   333,  346 

Representatives 168 

Rivers  4« 

Roads,  County ,_  214 

Roster   of   County   Officials 161 

Rune   Stone,   Kensington 12 

Rural   I"ree   Delivery 201 


Scandinavian   Christian   Free   Church  233 
Scandinavian     Evan.     Luth.     Church 

228.    Ill 

Scandinavian   Free   Church  of  God--  233 

Scandinavian   Mut.   Aid  .^ssn 293 

School   Districts,    Clerks   of 221 

School   Houses,   First 136 

School    Superintendents,    County 168 

Schools  216 

Schools.    Pioneer,    Conditions    in 138 

Senators,   State  168 

Settlement  of  County 123 

Seventh-Day  Adventist  Church  -_231,  263 

Sheriffs 129,  152.  153,  165 

SherifT's    Residence    1.58 

Sidelights     331 

Sims     Brothers    356 

Sioux    Indians,    Murders    by 43 

Siou.x    Outbreak    140 

Soil   66,   196 

Soldiers    Monument    286 

.Solem    Township — 

.\ltitudc    66 

Churches   227,  229,  248 

Moraines     63 

Officers    190 

Organization 190 

Population 159 

Rime  Stone 72 

Settlement 190 

Spanish-.American   War   289 

Spruce  Hill  Township — 

Altitude    65 

Churches 228,  231.  234,  248,  249 

Moraines 63,     67 

Officers 193 

Organization 192 


HISTORICAL   INDEX. 


Spruce   Hill  Townshii.— 

Population 159 

Settlement 192 

Stage   Routes,    Early   212 

State  Constitution 39 

State  Senators 168 

Stockade.  Old 140 

Summer  Resorts 203 

Superintendents  of  School 168 

Surface  Features 59 

Surveyors,  County 153,  166 

Swedish    Raptist    Church__-229,  230, 

234,  251 

Swedish     Evangelical    Cliurch 

225,   228,   229,  232 

Swedish    Evan.    Luth.    Church 

229,  230.  231,  2.«,  234,  2.50 

Swedish   Lutheran  Church _- 247 

T 

Teachers  of  Douglas  County 223 

Temperature 196 

Terminal  Moraines 67 

Territorial   Government 34 

Timber 66,  195 

Topography  of  the  County 63 

Towns 314 

Township  Organization 172 

Townsite   Speculation   38 

Trading  Posts 211 


Trails,  Early  124 

Trails,  the  First       211 

Transportation 211 

Treasurers,  County 153,   164 

Treaties  with   Indians 33 

U 

Union    Church   Society 232 

Union   Religious  Society 229 

I'rness   Township — 

.Altitude    66 

Churches 230,  248,  250 

Lodges     293 

Officers 187 

Organization 186 

Population    159 

Settlement 186 

V 

Value  of  Farm  Land 197 

Vegetable   Products 199 

Villages    314 

w 

Water  Area 195 

Weather  Records *__— 196 

Woman's  Christian  Temperance 
Union 294 


GRANT  COUNTY 


A 

■'.\  Crow  Feast" 502 

Aastad     442 

-Aboriginal  Earthworks 369 

-Agricultural  -Agent.   County 423 

-Agricultural  -Association 425 

-Agriculture,  Development  of 419 

Altitudes 362 

-An  Eventful  Day 500 

-Ancient  Free  and  .Accepted  Masons_  474 

-Ancient  Stone  Carving 506 

-Apportionments,  Legislative 406 

Area  of  County 361 

-Assessment  Districts,   First 389 


-Attorneys    458 

-Auditors.   County   389,  401 

.\shby— 

Altitude    362 

Banks    468,  470 

Business  Interests  495 

Churches    447 

Farmers'   Club ^  424 

Location    494 

Lodges    472,  479 

Lawyers     459 

Newspapers    456 

Officials    494 

Physicians    463 


HISTORICAL    INDEX. 


Ashby— Con. 

Population    396 

Postoffice  49S 

School    District    Officers 438 

Schools    494 

Teachers    437 


Banks    and    Banking 

Baptist  Church 

Barrett^ 

466 

..  454 

470.  471 

Business  Interests 

Churches 

497 

4=i4 

Farmers'   Club   

Incorporation    

Location 

424 

496 

496 

Lodges 

477    479 

Manufacturing  Industries- 
Officials 

496 

496 

464 

Platted 

496 

396 

497 

School   District    Officers 

Teachers 

439 

437 

Beaches    .       ^ 

365 

458 

Benevolent  Societies 

Brick-making 

474 

369 

Bridges,    Early    428 

Brotherhood   of   -American   Yeomen-  479 
Brown,  Henry                                               SOS 

Building  Stone   

C 

367 

499 

Catholic  Church   

452 

Christian  Reform  Church 

Church   of   God  

Churches   of   Grant    County—. 

Clerks  of  the   Court 

Commissioner    Districts 

454 

454 

442 

404 

—390,  400 

County    .\gricultural    .\gent 423 

County  .\ttorneys 389,  403 

County   -Auditors   389,  401 

County  Commissioners,  First 387 

County  Commissioners,  List  of 

387,  389,  391,  399 

County   P'inances   397 

County  Officers,   First   389 

County-seat   Contest   392,  500 

County    Seat    Located 387,  389 

County   Surveyors   404 

County  Treasurers   389,  401 

Court   Commissioners   405 

Court,    First   Sessions  of 460 

Court    House,    First    391 

Court  House,  Present 394 

Crop  Statistics 422 

Crops,    Early 420 


Degree  of  Honor 480 

Delaware  Township — • 

Altitude    362 

Geology 367 

Name    416 

Officers  416 

Organization    416 

Population    396 

Roads,    Early    385 

School    District    Officers 438 

Schools    432 

Settlement     385 

Dentists   464 

Development    of   School   System 435 

District  Court 460 

Diversified    Farming    421 

Doctors    461 

Drainage   of   County 361 


Commissioners,    County,    First 387 

Commissioners,    County,    List    of 

387,   389,    391,  399 

Coroners   404 


E 


Early  Difficulties 420 

Early  Settlement,   Routes  of 428 

Earthworks,  -Aboriginal 369 

Eastern  Star,  Order  of  the 475 

Education   432 

Elbow  Lake — 

-\ncient    Stone    506 

Band    4S7 

Banks   467 


HISTORICAL    INDEX. 


Llliew    Lake— Con. 

Business  Interests   485 

Churches      444,445,447,  452 

Court   Houses   392,  394 

Creamery    486 

Dentists     464 

Early    Growth    482 

Election.    First    481 

Farmers'  Clubs 424 

Growth   481 

Improvements ■ 482 

Lawyers 459 

Location     481 

Lo.Ircs 474.  476,  478,  479,  480 

Newspapers 456,  486 

Officials  482 

Physicians     462 

Flatted    481 

Population    396 

Postmaster,  .An   Early 378 

Postoffice    History   482 

Public  Utilities 482 

School   District  Officers 437 

Schools    483 

Teachers   437.  484 

Telephones    486 

Elliow   Lake  Township — 

.\ltitude    362 

Churches    442,  443 

I-"armers'   Clubs   424 

Election,  First 412 

First  Death 381 

First    Religious    Service 381 

Geology  367 

Officials    412 

Organization    411 

Population    396 

School  District  Officers 438 

School,    First   381 

Schools 432 

Settlement   . 377,  380 

Elevations   362 

Elk  Lake  Township — 

.Altitude   362 

Churches    443 

Geology    365 

Mill,   Early   381 

Officers    410 

Organization  410 

Population    396 


Elk    Lake    Township — Con. 

School    District    Officers 437 

Schools    432,  433 

Settlement 376,  377,  381 

Roads,    Early    38L  429 

Erdahl— 

Banks    471 

Business  Interests 498 

Churches   454 

Farmers'   Club   424 

Location    498 

Plat   498 

School  District  Officers 440 

Erdahl.  Rev.  Gullik  M 444 

I'-rdahl   Township — 

-Altitude    362 

Lime 367 

Moraines    364 

Name    412 

Officials   412 

Organization    412 

School   District   Officers    437 

Schools  432 

Settlement     384 

Population     396 

Evangelical   Lutheran   Church 446 

F 

Fairs,  Annual  426 

Farm    Conditions,    Modern 422 

Farm    Machinery,    Evolution    of 421 

Farm   Names 424 

Farm    Production    422 

Farmers'   Clubs 423 

Farming   Interests 419 

Finances    of    County 397 

First    County    Commissioners 387 

First   House   in   County 376 

First  Session  of  Court 460 

Fraternal    Orders    474 

Freemasons     474 

G 

Geological  Structure   364 

German    Evan.    Luth.    Church 454 

German    Reformed   Church 454 

Glacial    Drift    364 

Godward.    Rev.   James 448 


HISTORICAL    INDEX. 


Old  Settlers-  Association 508 

Old  Stockade 374 

Order  of  the  Eastern  Star 475 

Organization  of  County 387 

P 
Pelican    Lake    Township — 

Altitude 362 

Election,    Mrst    411 

Government  Road 373 

Lime  369 

Moraines    364 

Officials   411 

Organization    411 

Population     396 

Roads,  Early 427 

School    District    Officers 438 

Schools   432,  433 

Settlement   377,  380 

Stockade    374 

Physicians    461 

Pioneer  Conditions 377 

Pioneer    Farms    419 

Pioneer  School  Conditions 435 

Pomme    de   Terre — 

Churches    443 

Early   Stores    J 380 

Laid  Out 379 

Mill    380 

Plat 499 

Pomme   dc  Terre  Township — • 

Altitude    362 

Election,    First    412 

Moraines    364 

Officials     412 

Organization    412 

Population     396 

Roads.    Early    427 

School    District    Officers 438 

Schools    432 

Settlement     i77 .  379 

Population    Statistics 395 

Prairie    Fires   420 

Presbyterian  Churcli 447 

Press,    the    455 

R 

Railroads    431 

Recorded  I'-arm   Names 424 


Registers  of  Deeds 389,  402 

Religious    Societies    442 

Representatives   406 

Road   Districts,   First   389 

Roads,  Government 373 

Roseville   Township — 

Altitude    362 

Churches   454 

Election,  First 414 

Xanie    383 

Officers    414 

Organization    414 

Population     396 

School    District    Officers    438 

Schools    383 

Settlement     383 

Routes  of  Early  Settlement 428 

Ivoyal  Xeighhors  of  America 477 

S 

Sanford,    Henry   F.   376.  378 

Sanford    Township — 

Altitude   362 

First   House  in   County 376 

Xame    417 

Officials   417 

Organization    417 

Population     3% 

School    District    Officers 438 

Schools   432.  434 

Settlement 376,  377,  i7i< 

School   District   Officers   437 

School   Districts,   Early  „_-389,  390,  432 

School    I'inancial   Statement 440 

School    Houses,    Early    434 

School    Superintendents.   County 405 

Schools     432 

Schools.    Early,    Sketch    of 433 

Secret    Orders    474 

Senators,    State   406 

Settlement,  Early 376 

Seventh-Day  Advcntist   Church 4.=;3 

Sheriffs    389.   3''1.  402 

Sioux  Indian  Outbreak 370 

Sketch  of  Early  Schools 433 

Soil   362 

State  Highway  Commission 430 

State    Roads   4.W 

State    Senators    406 


HISTORICAL    INDEX. 


Stock    Raising-   422 

Stockade,    the    Old    374 

Stone,   Building  368 

Stone  Carving,  Ancient 506 

Stony  Brook  Township — 
Altitude    362 

Election,  First 413 

First    Religious   Service 383 

House,    First   383 

Officials    413 

Organization    413 

Population    396 

Roads,   Early   427 

School  District  Officers 438 

Schools    432 

Settlement 376,  377,  382 

Streams 361 

Surface   Features   361 

Superintendents  of  Schools 405 

Surveyors,   County 404 

Swedish   Evan.   Luth.   Church 444 

Synod   Lutheran   Churches   442 

T 

Teachers  in  1896 435 

Teachers  in  1916  436 

Timber 364 

Township   Organization 409 

Trails,   Early   427 


Transportation    427 

Treasurers,  County 389,  401 

Tree    Planting,    Early 421 

V 
Veterinary  Surgeons 46S 

W 

Wendell- 
Banks  469,  471 

Business   Interests   493 

Churches 443,  449 

Creamery    492 

Farmers'    Club    424 

Incorporation     492 

Location     492 

Lodges    478 

Merchants,    Early    492 

Newspapers   456 

Officials    493 

Physicians     464 

Platted 492 

Population    396 

Postoffice 492 

Public    Utilities    493 

School    District    Officers    439 

Schools    493 

Teachers    437 

Wheat,   a   Leading   Crop 421 


BIOGRAPHICAL  INDEX 


VOLUME  II 


A. 

Aancnson,    Reinert    _-31/ 

Aanerud,     M.     C .485 

Adams,    Mclvin     L 196 

Adensam.    Henry   688 

Adensam,   Wcnzl   669 

Adrianson,   Clavis   P 670 

Amundsen,    Ole    A.    169 

Amundson,  Hon.   Ole 43 

Amundson.   Oscar   166 

Anderson.   A.    Emil 600 

Anderson,    A.    M 167 

Anderson,    Aaron    458 

Anderson,    Andrew    H 667 

Anderson,    Carl    D 295 

Anderson,    Charles    251 

Anderson,    Charley    J 623 

Anderson,    F.    O 578 

Anderson,    Giistaf    244 

Anderson,    Louis   174 

Anderson,  Magnus 345 

Anderson,    Ncls    D 496 

Anderson,   Xcls    M 232 

Anderson,    O.    H.    534 

Anderson,    Swan    M 325 

Angen,   Jens   J 263 

Angen,    Olaus    378 

Asleson,   Ole   195 

Augdabl,    Carl    O 682 

B 

Backelin,   John   432 

Bah,    Andrew    O 203 

Bah,    Olaus    O 246 

Baker,   John   544 

Baker,    Lewis    544 

Baker,    William    R 676 


Bardahl,     Hans    517 

Barker,    Melvin    A 591 

Bartness,    Paul    S 611 

Earlz,    Rev.   Albert   F.    W 575 

Bates,   John    C 236 

Behrends,    William    F 94 

Benson,    John    S 406 

Benson,    Louis    680 

Berg,    John    O 677 

Bergan.    Erick    N -188 

Bergan,    Ole    N 676 

Bergh,    Emil    E 275 

Berglund,  J.  Alfred 430 

Bergstrom,   John    __.383 

Betland,    Christopher    P 551 

Betland,    John    C 526 

Betterman,    William     F 351 

Birkhofer,   Hans 336 

Bjerke,    Even    E 620 

Boerner,  Elmer 558 

Bolin,    John    639 

Bordsen,   Theodore   90 

Borgen,   Adolph    571 

Borrill.    James    R 536 

I'.oulting,    Walter    H 274 

Bowman,    Edwin    337 

Brakken,    Gilbert    J.    691 

Brandt,    Emil   J 339 

Brckke,     Nels     B 686 

Brevig-,     Xels     N 212 

Brevig.     Peter     N' 675 

Brewf^cr.    Loren    I 84 

Bronson,    Clement    H 504 

Bronson.    Willie    X 1 87 

Brough,    Robert    K 71 

Brown,     Charles    T 612 

Brown,    Eli   W 564 

Brown,   George  C 261 

Brown,  John   N 384 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


Brown,    Nicholas     384 

Brown,    P.    C 388 

Brown,    William    662 

Brucske,   lunil   476 

Brueskc.   I'Vedcrick   439 

Brusc,    Evert   186 

Bundy,   Scott   424 

Burkcc,    Axel    208 

Burros.    O.    J 363 

Burtness,    Tidoman    H 68 

Busclier.    Frank    307 

Bye,   Xels   479 

C 

Campbell,    Harlan    S 61 

Canlicld,    Charles    F 89 

Carlquist,    Adam    374 

Carlson,    C.    A 334 

Carlson,    Carl   J 373 

Carlson,    Magnus    464 

Carlson,   Samuel    M 464 

Cassell,   Peter   278 

Cater,   Charles  88 

Christensen,    Martin    411 

Christcnson,   Arthur  C 249 

Christenson,    Christen    A 106 

Christeuson,  Henry 306 

Christenson,    Nels    C 250 

Christiansen,    Chris    511 

Christopherson,    Charles    J 460 

Clark,  John   H 644 

Colbjornscn,    Colbjorn    W 40 

Cooley,  John  H 466 

Cordal,    Tosten    T 122 

Cowing;,    William    T 35 

Crabb,   William   J 451 

Crai.sj,  Hon,   George   P 96 

Curtis,    Jesse    M 158 

Curtis,    O.    H 291 

D 

Dahl.    Alfred    J 98 

Dahl,   F.rick   F 390 

Dahl,    Peter    E 340 

Dahlberg,    Martin    1 445 

Dahlgrcn,    Olaf  J 661 

Dahlstrom,    Carl   J 2.S9 

Danek.   eharles  311 


Davidson,   David  J 409 

Derby,    L.    J 658 

Dicken,    James    F 376 

Diment,    Henry    368 

Diment,    Louis   368 

Dobmeyer,   F'erdinand   G 472 

Drussell,    Edward   J 220 

Dybdal,    Knute    283 

Dybdal,    Tosten    E 583 

Dyrud,   Siver   663 

E 

EkbcFg,   Frank   A 585 

Elgin,    Frank   497 

EUingson,   Ellen   652 

Ellingson,    Fllcnd   X 116 

EUingson,   Nils   63 

Ellis,   Ray   F 465 

Engemon,    Ole    253 

Englund,   Peter   M 455 

Engstrom,    Peter   . 353 

Erickson,   August  W 223 

Erickson,   Edward   P.   584 

Erickson,    Erick   G 618 

Erickson,    Hcndrick   417 

Erickson,    Peter    189 

Evenson,   Nels   M 51 

Evju.    Halbcrt    H 680 

F 

b'agerberg,    Lewis    T 615 

Eahlin,    Nels   J.   265 

Fida,   Leopold   341 

F'ida,    Lucas    382 

Fisher,  John   M. 175 

Fjoslien.   Knut   O 505 

Floden,   Peter 640 

Foslien,    Alfred   303 

Foslien,  Theodore 399 

I'oss,    Hon.    Louis   O 562 

Frigaard,    Jens    281 

G 

Gerjord,    Ole   T.   521 

Gilbertson,   George    176 

Gilbertson,    Gilbert    113 

Gilkinson.  Andrew   I..   M.  D I.^C 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


Gillies,   John    E 492 

Ginther,    Louis    138 

Goetzinger,    Hon.    William    H 477 

Goodell,  Charles   S 159 

Gregersen,  Anton   H. 56 

Grinder,    Christian    C 193 

Gronwold,  Herman •. 185 

Groven,   Knute  267 

Gruetzmacher,   Robert   82 

Guenther,    Gustavus    576 

Gulbrandscn,  Ole 554 

Gulbranson,  Ole 653 

Gulson,    H.    A 356 

Gundcrson.  John   L 179 

Gustafson,   Gustaf  H 579 

H 

Haatvedt,   Carl   A.   288 

Haatvedt,    Ole    A 288 

Halgrimson,  J.   E 184 

Halvorson,    Albert    O 491 

Halvorson,   John   T 343 

Halvorson,    Osten   228 

Hammer,  John  362 

Hand,  William  R.,  M.  D 569 

Handschug,    William    A 588 

Hansen,  Anton   410 

Hansen,   Louis    614 

Hanson,  Albert 240 

Hanson,   Christopher    B 426 

Hanson,     Erick    347 

Hanson,   Gilbert 674 

Hanson,    George    H 352 

Hanson,    Hans   O 240 

Hanson,    Hans    P 352 

Hanson,    Henry    452 

Hanson,    Ole   508 

Hanson,    Peter    461 

Harris,    Frederick   G 689 

Harrison,    Ole   W 148 

Harstad,    Carl   A 226 

Harstad,    Christian    L ^_270 

Hauge,  Lars  J. 132 

H'augen,  Andrew  I 500 

Haugen,  Knute 149 

Hauglie,    Anton    367 

Hawkins,  Oliver  P 298 

Hawkinson,  Andrew 665 

Haywood,    George    H 142 


Heald,    Frank   H 629 

Helleckson,    FI.    E 77 

Hcndrickson.   Henry 518 

Hengstler,   William  H.,   M.   D 76 

Herbert,    Frans    O 318 

Hermanson,  Carl 231 

Hermanson,    L.    G 350 

Hermanson,    William    398 

Hessel,    Henry    516 

Hctherington,    Charles    C 322 

Hicks,    William    E S3 

Hillmond,     Hon.     Herman 72 

Hintzen,    John    A 342 

Hintzen.    Leonard    437 

Hintzen,   Nicholas    344 

Hjelm,    Peter    M 404 

Hobart,    H.    B 440 

Hogstrom,   John    N 670 

Holing,    Anton    453 

Holing,   John  657 

Holm,  Peter  J 462 

Holt.    Engebret    O 539 

Holte,  Christ  L 475 

Hoplin,    Peter    75 

Hove,  James    B 139 

Hove,    Oluf    T 433 

Howe,   Byron   E 365 

Hubred,    Hans    560 

Hubred,   Olaf   M 546 

Isackson,    Isack    386 

Isakson,    Andrew    538 

Island,  Gunerinus   L. 230 

Iverson.    Ole    B 93 

J 

Jeffrey,    George    355 

Jensen,    Peder   660 

Jensen.    Theodore    A 333 

Jenstad,  Ole  G 541 

Johnson,    Hon.   .\nders    G— 1 483 

Johnson,   Charles 414 

Johnson.   Chris   91 

Johnson,    Erick   395 

Johnson,   Erick   G 408 

Johnson,    Gustav  A 182 

Johnson.  John   C 488 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


Johnson,   Martin 237 

Johnson,    Martin    P 634 

Johnson,    Mrs.    Peter   332 

Johnson,  Theodore 271 

Johnson,  \'ictor  X 412 

Julig,    Charles    L 252 

K 

Kaasa,    Halvor    L 194 

Kellogg.    Leander    4cS9 

Kent,   Lewis   S 144 

Kersten,    H.    C 654 

Kietzman.  Adolph  G 606 

Kietznian,   Aniil    R 312 

Kietzmann,  .\lbert   P 598 

Kinney,  James  .\ 272 

Kloehn,    Charles    387 

Kloos,   Charles   B 596 

Kloos,  John  W 656 

King,   Frederick 447 

Knutson,  Torgjels 168 

Kraemcr,   Michael   309 

Kreidler,   George  D ; 617 

Kube,   Adolph   G 287 

Kuchenbcckcr,   Otto   199 

Knllandcr,  Andrew   685 

L 

Landecne,   William   E 567 

Landt,   S.   S 532 

Larson,  A.  D.,  M.   D 605 

Larson,  .-Mgot   F 214 

Larson,   C.   H 457 

Larson,  Constant 160 

Larson,    Mrs.   Elna   561 

Larson.   Emil 636 

Larson,   Erick   324 

Larson,  Julius 444 

Larson,    Simon   478 

Larson,  Victor   346 

Leach,  Hugh   E 83 

Lee,    Jens    P 603 

Lee,   Lars   E 423 

Lee,    Ole   302 

Lekander,    Jens    648 

Leraas,  Andrew   L 599 

Leraas,    Ole    J .590 

Lel^oy,    Henry   A 592 


Lewis,   Hon.    Henry   L 446 

Lien,    Edward    535 

Lietz,   Henry  T 635 

Lillemoen,   Henry   G 118 

Lindem,    John   T 137 

Lindsey,   Harvey  E 248 

Lindstrom,   Charles  J 217 

Lindstrom,   Olaf  J 494 

Linnard,   Carl   O 401 

Long,  Charles   M.,   M.  D 364 

Lorsung,   Anton  J 117 

Lund,    Alfred    O 78 

Lund,   Christian  A 357 

Lusty,  John  A 1 331 

Lynne,    John    M 689 

Lynne,    Lars    587 

Mc 

McClellan,   James    R 335 

McCord,  Andrew  L 436 

McCrea,    Ezra    E 566 

McFarlane,  John    470 

M 

Magnuson,  A.  Alfred 459 

Mahlke,   Fred   637 

Malmquist,    Henry   A 338 

Martinson,  Henry  M 205 

Mathison,   Math  428 

Mattson,   Swen   515 

Ma.xfield,    George   S 81 

Mcckstroth,  Charles  W.,  M.  D 163 

Meissner,   Ernest 358 

Meissner,  William  F 155 

Meistcr,   Conrad 314 

Melby,  H.  O 300 

Melby,   K.   N.   O 480 

Melin.    Axel   389 

Mclin,    Charles    360 

Miller,    Carl    G 224 

Miller,    Henry   W 543 

Miller,   Soren  J 435 

Mobraaten,  Torger 279 

Mollman,  August  552 

Moses,  William  J.  B 59 

Moxness,   Peder   391 

Mylir,    Henry    O 369 

Mvhr,  Peter  O 405 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 


X 

Xasli,    Timothy    V 284 

Xehls.   I"rank  J.    E.   G 103 

Xclson,   Alfred    664 

Xclsoii,    Algc.rt    T 43S 

Xelsoii,   Carl   241 

Xclson.   Edward   23^ 

Xclson,    Gustaf 286 

Xolson.    John     P 219 

Xelson,   John   W 628 

Xelsun.   lion.   Xcls   E 418 

XeLson.    Xolson    G 349 

Xdson,   Ottn   482 

\.lM.n,   otio   W 442 

Xrl>,.n.    I\Ut  J 473 

Xo>s,   Christ   (■ 215 

Xewhorsc,    Carl    J 555 

Xcwnian.    E.   J 499 

Xewman,    Gust    277 

Xicmackl.    William    W .502 

Xilson.    Xils   512 

Xorsrcn,   John    .\ 429 

Xornian.    Rev.    Olans 41 


O 

Oachs.    iM-ank    601 

Ohcrs,    Knut    - 427 

Olhekson,    Hans    1 266 

Olson.    Charles    G 431 

Olson.  Jnlins   C 641 

Olson.  Ole   G 520 

Olson,    Olof   211 

Olson,  Thomas 157 

Omland,    Peter   T 400 

Oslund.   Erick  O 238 

Osterbcrg-,  Arthur  L 115 

Ostrom,    .\aron   J 140 

Otterson.    Xcls    M 524 

P 

Pennie.    Peter    315 

Pennock,   Joseph    668 

Peterson,    Carl    O 280 

Peterson,    Charles    S 626 

Peterson,    Claus    456 

Peterson,   Emil   359 


Peterson,    Erank    .\ 545 

Peterson,    Xcls    136 

Peterson.    P.    M 254 

I'eterson,    Peter    550 

Peterson,  Peter  .\. 326 

Peterson,     I'eter     A 326 

IVterson.     Peter    C, 105 

Peterson.    Peter  J 683 

Petcrsnn,    Rev.    Peter   T 143 

Pikop.    Knut    .\.    207 

Pikop.    L.    11 519 

Pikop,   Olaus   .\ 127 

Piko]).    Hon.   Ole   A 33 

Phtan.   Gilbert  J 263 

Pletan,   Jens   198 

I'letan.    Ole   J 187 

I'owers,    i'letcher  W..   M.   D 527 

Prestrud,  C.  .\. 70 

Q 

Ouast.    F.    E 666 

(juinn,  Thomas 642 

R 

Raines,   John    E 671 

Raiter,    Ercd    C 4.i 

Randall,   .\uvignc   M..   M.   D 154 

Rarer.     Robert     F 100 

Reif.    Victor    M 290 

Ringdahl,   Theo.   449 

Risbrudt.    Edward   T 366 

Ritzschke,    Albert    L 180 

Ritzschke,   Carl   646 

Kitzschkc,    Charles    E 548 

Ritzsclikc,  Theodore  A.   H 580 

Ronhovde,    Mons    ..-_572 

liooney,    .\.    A 206 

Rose,    Lars   . 321 

Roth,    Andrew    297 

Ruggles.   E.   R 125 

Russell,    INTarvin    D 421 

Rustad,   Carl   O 594 

Rustand,    .Andrew    C.l 487 

Rustand,   Mads    C 153 

Rustand,   Ole   C 191 

Rustand,    Ole    K 109 

Ruud,   Magnus   P..,   M.   D 92 


BIOGKAl'ItlCAL    INDEX. 


s 

Sanil.    Kittil    () 693 

Saiul,  Ole  O 239 

Sandbcrg-,    John    495 

Sanford,   Jasper   X 631 

Sangstead,  Andrew 420 

Sannes,  Ole  O 525 

Sanstcad,  John   E 371 

Saterlee,    Henry   I 403 

Satterlund.    Ole    687 

Satire.   Rev.   Torbjorn   A 4S 

Schaffer.   .Albertiis   260 

Schelin,   Charles   F 471 

Schlcchter.   Joseph    294 

Schmidt,  William   67S 

Schmidt,    William    B 245 

Schoonover,    Sylvan    102 

Schulz,   .■\ugust   643 

Sellscth.   Ole   38 

Setran,    Hogan    G 282 

Sheldon.  W.  W 134 

Shervey,  Sivert 542 

Shogrcn,   Carl  A 209 

Shogren.    Herman   A 216 

Simonson,  Hans 568 

Skinnemoen,  John   S ^ 124 

Skinnemoen,  Nils  S 133 

Skinnemoen,   Ole   S 173 

Skinnemoen.  Stiner  S.,  Jr 52 

Skoglund,  Magnus 681 

Skramstad,  Haakcn 227 

Skrove,    Martin    463 

Sletten.   K.   E 607 

Sletto.    Ole    E 415 

Slotsve,  Hans   H.   557 

Smith,  John   402 

Smith.    Roy   G 269 

Sobers,    Halvor    O 613 

StafFanson,    Erick    G 372 

Stariha.    Mathcw   _— 229 

Stark.    Gustav   -V 162 

Sfcdje.   Clarence   692 

Stcidl,   Nicholas   A 130 

Steinach,    Rev.    Emil  J 99 

Steinhorst.   Ed 690 

Stene.    C.   J 171 

Stevens.  George  T 151 

Strand,    Jens    O 530 

Strandberg.  John   T 361 


Strang,   Cassius  C,  D.  D.  S 64 

Strecd,  Tcter 242 

Strom,  .\nton  H 381 

Stromlund,    George    192 

-Suckow.     Herman    392 

Sund,    Engebret    E 213 

Svvcnson,    Carl    H.    679 

Swenson,   Ferdinand   121 

Svvcnson,  Sven   N.   256 

Swenson,    Rev.    Sven    W 80 

Swenson.    Swen    467 

Swenson,  Theo   E 256 

Swore,    Knute   165 

Synionds,    Fred    H.   624 

Syverson.    Lauritz    450 

Syvrud.    Thomas    A.   156 

T 

Teigen,    Bottol   T.   108 

Thayer.  Thomas   M..  M.  D. 111 

Thies.  Nick  .sa; 

Thompson,   .Alfred  J.   468 

Thompson,    August    285 

Thompson,  Gilbert  J 649 

Thompson,   John    638 

Thompson,  Ole  A. 304 

Thompson.    Theo.    595 

Thorson,    Lars    441 

Thorson.   Thor  J 422 

Thorstenson,    Calmer    E.    164 

Thronson.    Otto    C.    201 

Thronson.  Thron   C. 528 

Titus.    John    F.    268 

Tobiason.  T.  L. 222 

Tollefson,   Bernt  311) 

Tollefson.    Jens    235 

Torgerson,    Mikkel    289 

Torstenson,    William    650 

Treat,    George    L.    128 

Triese.  Jacob 513 

Tripp,   George   293 

Trisko,    Sylvester    264 

U 

Ulsagcr,   Martin   N 221 

I'nunib,    Peter   O.    112 

l-rness.   John   A.    582 


Von    l-!auml);icli.    Ma 


BIOGRAPHICAL    INDEX. 

V  Wcstlund,   P.    M.   622 

W'cttleson,   Joseph    H.   58 

L'denck    -3-/  ^^..^1^    Martin   l'. 507 

Winkjcr,    G.    T.    379 

W  Wold,   Hon.  Carl   .\.   60H 

Wagcnius,    Samuel    O 329  ^\°'f-  "^^  '^ ^^^ 

Wagner,    Herbert    O.    54 

Walstad.  -Andrew   M.   320 


Y 


Wallen,   Oscar  J.   119  yates,    W.    .\.    181 

Wangsness,    Syvert    S.    258 


Z 


Waugh,   Knute    522 

W^caver,    Howard    _ 299 

Weigand,     Fred    621  Zelkr.    Andrew    684 

Wells,   A.   Waters   145  Zicb^irth.    \V.   T. 150 

W>scn,    Constant    .\.    396  Zicnier.    Kred    574 

Western,   John   O.   172  Zininul,    Andrew    416 


DOUGLAS  COUNTY 

MINNESOTA 


CHAPTER  I. 
Related  State  History. 

The  greater  part,  or  about  two-thirds,  of  the  territory  embraced  within 
the  boundaries  of  Minnesota  was  inckided  in  the  Louisiana  Purchase,  ceded 
to  the  United  States  by  France  in  1803.  The  remainder  of  this  state,  com- 
prising the  northeastern  third  part,  lying  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  was 
included  in  the  country  surrendered  from  Great  Britain  by  the  treaty  of 
1783,  at  the  end  of  the  Revolutionary  War.  In  1805  a  grant  of  land  nine 
miles  square,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Mississippi  and  St.  Peter  (now  Min- 
nesota) rivers,  was  obtained  from  the  Sioux  Indians.  A  military  post  was 
established  on  the  grant  in  18 19,  and  in  1820  arrangements  were  made  for 
the  erection  of  a  fort,  which  was  completed  in  1822  and  named  Ft.  Snelling, 
after  the  commanding  officer,  and  the  grant  has  ever  since  been  known  as 
the  Ft.  Snelling  Reservation.  In  1823  the  first  steamboat  ascended  the 
Mississippi  as  far  as  Ft.  Snelling;  and  annually  thereafter  one  or  two  trips 
of  steamboats  were  made  to  this  isolated  post  for  a  number  of  years. 

This  territory  was  held  by  the  Chippewa  or  Ojibway  and  the  Dakota 
or  Sioux  Indians,  but  adventurous  pioneers  had  penetrated  into  the  coun- 
try along  the  streams  tributary  to  the  Mississippi  river,  and  in  1836  Wis- 
consin territory  was  organized,  comprising  all  the  territory  west  of  Lake 
Michigan,  and  including  within  its  limits  all  the  country  west  of  the  Great 
Lakes  and  north  of  Illinois,  the  west  boundary  of  the  territory  being  the 
Mississippi  river. 

INDIAN  TRE.A.TIES. 

In  1837  two  important  treaties  were  made  with  the  native  tribes  of 
Indians.  The  first  one  was  made  by  Gov.  Henry  Dodge,  of  Wisconsin,  with 
the  Ojibwavs,  at  Ft.  Snelling,  on  the  29th  of  July,  of  that  year,  whereby 

(3) 


34  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

they  ceded  to  the  United  States  all  their  pine  or  agricultural  lands  on  the  St. 
Croix  river  and  its  tributaries. 

On  the  29th  of  September,  of  the  same  year,  at  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton, a  treaty  with  the  Sioux  was  made  by  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  a  special  com- 
missioner representing  the  United  States,  and  about  twenty  chiefs,  accom- 
panied by  Major  Taliaferro,  their  agent,  and  Scott  Campbell,  an  interpreter. 
Through  the  influence  and  by  the  direction  of  Governor  Dodge,  this  delega- 
tion of  chiefs  had  proceeded  to  Washington  for  the  purpose  of  making  this 
treaty,  by  which  the  Dakotas,  or  Sioux,  ceded  to  the  United  States  all  their 
lands  east  of  the  Mississippi  river  and  all  its  islands.  The  Indians  were  to 
receive  as  consideration  for  the  same  $110,000  in  cash,  to  be  divided  among 
the  mixed  bloods,  $90,000  in  payment  of  debts  owing  by  the  tribes,  and 
$300,000  to  be  invested  in  five  per  cent,  stocks,  the  interest  of  which  should 
be  paid  to  them  annually. 

In  1848  Wisconsin  adopted  a  state  constitution,  but  ignored  the  enab- 
ling act,  and  made  the  northern  part  of  the  western  boundary  of  the  state 
along  the  line  of  the  St.  Louis  and  Rum  rivers,  which  was  not  accepted  by 
the  United  States  government,  and  the  boundary  line  from  the  Mississippi 
river  to  Lake  Superior  became  fixed,  as  in  the  enabling  act,  on  the  line  of 
the  St.  Croix  river  and  in  a  direct  line  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Louis  river. 

After  the  acceptance  of  the  Wisconsin  constitution,  in  May,  1848,  the 
territory  north  and  west  of  the  St.  Croix  and  Mississippi  rivers  being  prac- 
ticaly  without  a  government,  the  Hon.  John  Catlin,  claiming  to  be  still 
secretary  and  acting  governor  of  Wisconsin  territory,  issued  a  proclama- 
tion for  a  special  election,  to  elect  a  delegate  to  Congress.  The  election 
was  held  on  October  30,  and  Hon.  H.  H.  Sibley  was  chosen  delegate,  and 
after  some  delay  was  admitted  as  such  into  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States. 

TERRITORIAL    GOVERNMENT    ESTABLISHED. 

On  March  3,  1S49,  Congress  passed  an  act  to  establish  the  territorial 
government  of  Minnesota.  It  fixed  the  seat  of  government  at  St.  Paul, 
and  established  the  southern  boundary  of  the  territory  along  the  north  and 
west  boundary  line  of  the  state  of  Iowa,  from  the  Mississippi  river  to  the 
Missouri  river,  the  western  boundary  through  the  middle  of  the  channel 
of  the  Missouri  river  to  the  moutli  of  the  White  Earth  river,  and  up  the 
middle  of  the  channel  of  the  White  Earth  river  to  the  boundary  line  between 
the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  the  northern  boundary  running  thence 
easterly  and  southeasterly  on  the  international  boundary  line  to  Lake  Super- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  35 

ior,  and  the  eastern  boundary  running  thence  in  a  straight  Hne  to  the  north- 
ermost  point  of  the  state  of  Wisconsin,  and  following  the  north  and  west 
boundary  of  said  state  down  the  St.  Croix  and  Mississippi  rivers  to  the 
place  of  beginning.  At  this  time  the  population  of  the  territory  was  mainly 
in  the  section  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  and  the  settlers  were  almost 
entirely  engaged  in  lumbering.  The  territorial  government  was  declared 
fully  organized,  June  i,  1849,  by  Hon.  Alexander  Ramsey,  who  had  been 
appointed  first  territorial  governor.  The  year  1848  was  noted  as  the  year 
of  excitement  from  the  discovery  of  gold  in  California,  and  the  eyes  of 
many  thousands  of  people  throughout  the  east  were  turned  westward,  where 
opportunities  were  opening  for  the  growth  of  new  states.  Although  at  the 
organization  of  the  territory  there  was  scarcely  a  thousand  people,  within  a 
year  the  census  of  1850  gave  to  the  territory  a  population  of  6,077.  Of  this 
number,  however,  1,134  residents  were  credited  to  the  northernmost  part  of 
the  territory  on  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  many  of  these  being  half- 
breds,  and  the  early  pioneers  engaged  in  the  fur  trade,  brought  there 
through  the  influence  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company. 

The  first  territorial  election  was  held  on  August  i,  1849. 

The  first  session  of  the  territorial  Legislature  commenced  in  St.  Paul, 
September  3,  1849,  during  which  counties  were  established  and  a  code  of 
laws  enacted.  The  second  session  was  commenced  in  January,  1851,  at 
which  time  the  capitol  was  located  at  St.  Paul,  the  university  at  St.  Anthony, 
and  the  state  prison  at  Stillwater. 

THE   COUNCIL  AT  TRAVERSE  DES   SIOUX.  ^    ^   ^^^  m   — 

1192545 

In  185 1  three  treaties  were  made  with  the  Sioux  and  with  the  Ojibway 
bands  of  Indians,  whereby  large  tracts  of  lands  were  relinquished  to  the 
United  States.  In  view  of  the  great  extent  of  country  desired,  and  the 
importance  of  the  transaction,  and  the  long  continued  friendship  of  the 
Dakota  nation.  President  Fillmore  departed  from  the  usual  mode  of  appoint- 
ing commissioners,  and  deputed  the  Hon.  Luke  Lea,  the  commissioner  of 
Indian  affairs,  and  Gov.  Alexander  Ramsey  to  meet  the  representatives  of 
the  Dakotas,  and  to  conclude  with  them  a  treaty  for  such  lands  as  they 
might  be  willing  to  sell. 

On  the  27th  of  June,  185 1,  Commissioner  Lea  arrived  in  St.  Paul  on 
the  steamboat  "Excelsior,"  and  on  the  29th  he,  in  company  with  Governor 
Ramsey,  landed  at  Traverse  des  Sioux,  where  the  great  council  was  to  be 
held  and  the  treaty  consummated  with  the  Sisseton  and  Wahpeton  bands 


36  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

of  Sioux.  Great  delay  in  the  proceedings  was  caused  by  the  non-arrival  of 
certain  Sioux  chiefs  from  the  upper  country,  and  it  was  not  until  the  i8th 
of  July  that  the  council  convened  and  the  preliminaries  to  the  treaty  com- 
menced. During  this  interval  of  about  twenty  days  they  all  entertained 
themselves  as  best  they  could  with  races,  dances,  suppers,  sham  fights,  and 
all  sorts  of  fun. 

On  the  1 8th  of  Jul}",  all  the  chiefs  having  arrived,  proclamation  was 
made,  and  being  convened  in  grand  council  and  the  pipe  of  peace  having 
been  passed  around,  the  council  was  opened  by  an  address  from  Governor 
Ramsey.  On  the  23rd  of  July  the  treaty  was  concluded  and  signed  by  the 
chiefs,  by  which  they  ceded  to  the  United  States  all  the  lands  claimed  by 
these  bands  east  of  the  Sioux  Wood  (or  Bois  des  Sioux),  and  Big  Sioux 
ri\ers  and  Lake  Traverse  to  the  Mississippi,  excepting  a  reservation  one 
hundred  miles  long  by  twenty  miles  wide,  on  the  upper  part  of  the  Minne- 
sota river.  By  this  treaty  the  Indians  were  to  remove  within  two  years  to 
the  reservation;  to  receive  from  the  government,  after  removal  $275,000, 
to  enable  them  to  settle  up  their  affairs  and  to  become  established  in  their 
new  home;  and  $30,000  was  to  be  expended  in  breaking  land,  erecting  mills 
and  establishing  a  manual  training  school.  They  were  also  to  receive  for 
fifty  years  from  that  time,  an  annuity  of  $68,000,  payable  as  follows :  Cash, 
$40,000;  civilization  fund,  $12,000;  goods  and  provisions,  $10,000;  educa- 
tion fund,  $6,000. 

About  a  week  later,  on  the  29th  of  July,  Governor  Ramsey  and  Com- 
missioner Lea  met  the  chiefs  and  leading  men  of  the  Med-ay-wakanton  and 
Wah-pay-koo-tay  bands  of  Sioux  at  a  grand  council  at  Mendota,  to  nego- 
tiate another  treaty  for  the  sale  of  other  lands,  which  was  concluded  on  the 
5th  of  August,  being  signed  by  sixty-four  chiefs,  head  men  and  warriors. 
In  the  treaty  these  bands  of  Indians  ceded  and  relinquished  all  their  lands  in 
territory  of  Minnesota  and  state  of  Iowa,  and  in  consideration  thereof  the 
United  States  was  to  reserve  for  them  a  tract  of  the  average  width  of  ten 
miles  on  either  side  of  the  Minnesota  river,  and  bounded  on  the  west  by  the 
Tehay-tam-bay  and  Yellow  Medicine  rivers,  on  the  east  by  the  Little  Rock 
river,  and  a  line  running  due  south  from  the  mouth  to  the  Waraju  river; 
and  to  pay  them  the  following  sums  of  money:  For  settling  debts  and  aid 
in  removal,  $220,000;  for  erection  of  buildings  and  opening  farms,  $30,000; 
civilization  fund,  to  be  paid  annually,  $12,000;  educational  fund,  paid 
annually,  $6,000;  goods  and  provisions,  annually,  $10,000;  cash,  $30,000. 
The  annuities  were  to  continue  for  fifty  years  from  the  date  of  the  treaty. 

These  two  treaties  of  1851  at  Traverse  des  Sioux  and  Mendota  acquired 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  'X^'] 

for  white  settlement  nearly  24,000,000  acres  of  the  finest  lands  in  the 
world.  The  cessions  were  mostly  in  Minnesota,  but  included  about  an  eighth 
part,  or  nearly  3,000,000  acres,  in  the  state  of  Iowa,  between  the  line  of  the 
old  "neutral  ground"  and  the  northern  and  western  boundaries  of  the  state. 
That  tract  of  country,  and  generally  all  lands  in  Iowa,  claimed  by  the  Sioux, 
were  therefore  embraced  in  the  articles  of  cession  of  both  treaties. 

The  Senate  of  the  United  States,  on  the  23rd  of  June,  1852,  ratified  the 
treaties,  with  amendments  to  each,  which  amendments  were  subsequently 
accepted  by  the  Indians,  and  on  the  24th  of  February,  1853,  President  Mil- 
lard Fillmore  issued  his  proclamation  accepting,  ratifying  and  confirming 
each  of  the  said  treaties  as  amended.  The  total  lands  in  the  present  state  of 
Minnesota  relinquished  to  the  government  by  these  treaties  exceeded 
19,000,000  acres;  and  they  also  ceded  about  1,750,000  acres  in  South  Dakota, 
besides  the  tract  described  in  Iowa. 

The  third  treaty  of  185 1  was  effected  by  Governor  Ramsey  with  the 
Red  Lake  and  Pembina  bands  of  Ojibways  at  Pembina,  by  which  they 
ceded  certain  territory,  sixty-five  miles  in  width  by  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  in  length,  intersected  by  the  Red  River  of  the  North.  This  treaty 
was  not  ratified  by  the  government. 

After  the  ratification  of  the  treaties  with  the  Sioux,  a  great  wave  of 
immigration  set  in  from  all  the  eastern  states,  and  an  era  of  speculation 
started  which  probably  has  never  been  excelled  in  any  portion  of  the  west. 
A  census,  taken  in  1857,  gave  a  population  of  150,037. 

INDIAN    HUNTERS    CAUSE    TROUBLE. 

Notwithstanding  there  was  an  abundant  supply  of  good  land  outside  of 
the  limits  of  the  land  ceded  under  these  treaties,  the  adventurous  spirit 
of  the  pioneers  led  many  of  them  to  settle  on  the  extreme  limits  of  the 
grant,  and  in  immediate  proximity  to  the  Indian  settlements.  In  the  south- 
western portion  of  the  state,  particularly,  settlements  were  made  close  to 
the  boundary  line  of  Iowa  and  north  and  west  of  Spirit  lake.  Some  were 
in  Iowa  and  some  were  in  Minnesota,  and  all  were  within  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  Indian  agent  resident  in  the  territory  of  Minnesota.  Although  the 
Indians  were  living  on  the  reservation  lands  west  of  these  settlements,  in 
their  hunting  expeditions  they  were  accustomed  to  return  to  the  ceded 
lands.  In  a  general  way  the  Indians  were  civil,  and  committed  only  petty 
depredations;  but  their  visits  were  at  times  annoying.  Among  the  Indians 
there  was  a  single  band,  under  the  leadership  of  Ink-pa-du-ta,  or  the  Scar- 


38  D01GLA5   AND   GRANT    COUXTIES.    MIXXESOTA. 

kt  Point,  of  about  fifteen  lodges,  which  had  been  for  many  years  an  inde- 
pendent band  and  of  a  thie\Tng,  \-agabondish  character  (really  outlaws  from 
the  Sioux  nation,  and  not  represented  in  the  treaties  of  1S51).  who  had 
taken  possession  of  a  strip  of  land  nmning  on  both  sides  of  the  boundary 
lines  of  Iowa  and  Minnesota,  and  extending  to  the  Missouri  river.  In 
March.  1857.  a  few  of  these  Indians  were  hunting  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Rock  river  and  one  of  them  was  bitten  by  a  dog  belonging  to  a  white  man. 
The  dog  was  killed  by  the  Indian,  and  in  return  the  owner  of  the  dog  made 
an  assault  upon  the  Indian,  and  afterward  gathered  his  neighbors,  and  they 
went  to  the  Indian  camp  and  disarmed  them.  The  arms  were  afterward 
returned  to  them,  and  the  party  moved  northeast  arriving  at  the  Spirit  Lake 
settlement  about  the  6di  of  March,  where  they  massacred  the  men  and  took 
four  wcMnoi  into  captivity.  Other  settlements  were  attacked,  and  alto- 
gether forty-two  settlers  were  killed.  Two  of  the  women  were  afterward 
rescued  through  the  efforts  of  Hon.  Charles  E.  Flandreau.  then  the  Indian 
agents  An  effort  was  made  to  punish  this  band  of  savages,  but  all  escaped 
except  the  eldest  son  of  Ink-pa-du-ta.  who  had  ventured  into  the  camp  of 
other  Sioux,  near  the  agency,  and  was  killed  in  an  attempt  to  capture  him. 

T0WX-5ITE    5?ZCVL.\TI0X. 

In  1855  and  1856  town-site  speculation  became  the  absorbing  thought, 
and  when  die  panic  of  1857  set  in.  Minnesota  was  soon  in  a  deplorable 
condition.  The  demand  for  an  extensive  railroad  system  and  a  state  gov- 
ernment had  originated  in  the  flush  times  of  1856  and  1857,  and  on  Febru- 
arv  26.  1857,  Qwigress  passed  an  act  authorizing  a  constitutional  conven- 
tion, and  granting  a  large  amount  of  lands  in  aid  of  puWic  schools.  On 
March  3,  1857,  an  act  of  Congress  was  approved  making  a  large  grant  of 
lands  in  aid  of  railroads. 

The  election  of  members  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  was  held  on 
Tune  I,  1857,  and  the  resnh  was  an  almost  equal  division  representing  the 
Democratic  and  RqmUican  parties.  So  close  was  this  division,  and  there 
being  some  contested  seats,  when  the  convention  assemtJed,  on  July  13, 
two  distinct  organizations  were  made,  each  proceeding  to  frame  a  Con- 
stitntion.  but  finally,  by  conference  committees,  they  united  in  one  docu- 
ment, which  was  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  on  October  13,  and  was 
adc^ed  almost  unanimously.  By  this  Constitution  the  boundaries  of  the 
state  were  changed  <m  the  west,  making  the  Red  River  of  the  North  the 
line,  up  the  Bois  des  Sioux,  and  thence  extending  along  that  river  and 


DOLGLAS    AXD    GRAXT    COIXTIES.    MIXVESOTA.  39 

through  Lake  Traverse  and  Big  Stone  lake,  and  by  a  direct  south  Hne  to  the 
north  boundar}'  of  Iowa. 

This  Constitution  provided  for  an  election  of  state  officers  at  the  same 
time  of  voting  upon  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution,  resulting,  by  a  close 
vote,  in  the  election  of  the  Democratic  nominees.  The  first  state  Legisla- 
ture was  convened  on  the  2nd  of  December.  1857,  and  continued  in  session 
until  March  25,  1858,  when  a  recess  was  taken  until  after  the  state  should 
be  admitted.  Some  doubts  were  raised  as  to  the  legality  of  the  acts  of 
the  Legislature  previous  to  admission  by  Congress.  The  act  of  admission 
was  passed  and  approved.  May  11,  1858.  The  Legislature  again  assembled 
in  June,  and  finally  adjourned.  August  12,  1858.  During  this  prolonged 
session  the  embryo  state  was  without  funds,  and  a  loan  of  $250,000  was 
authorized;  but  as  the  acts  of  the  Legislature  before  admission  were  some- 
what irregular,  the  loan  could  not  be  readily  negotiated.  To  tide  over  the 
difficulty  state  warrants  were  issued  in  the  form  of  bank  notes,  and  passed 
current,  with  more  or  less  discount,  until  the  summer  of  1S58,  when  they 
were  redeemed  from  the  proceeds  of  the  loan  consummated  after  the  admis- 
sion of  the  state. 

R.AILROAD    BOX-DS    ISSUED. 

The  first  Legislature  worked  diligently  in  what  they  considered  the 
best  interest  of  the  state,  and  as  the  grant  of  lands  by  the  United  States 
in  aid  of  railroads  within  the  state  had  to  be  turned  over  to  companies,  a 
large  part  of  the  session  was  devoted  to  railroad  legislation.  The  scheme 
of  further  aid  to  companies  who  might  be  willing  to  undertake  the  build- 
ing of  railroads  was  originated,  and  was  commonly  denominated  the  "Five 
Million  Loan  Bill,"  contemplating  the  loan  of  the  credit  of  the  state,  to 
that  amx.unt,  in  such  sums  as  would  be  paid  upon  the  grading  and  final 
completion  of  certain  miles  of  road.  On  a  submission  of  this  law  to  the 
people  it  was  adopted  by  a  large  majoritj'.  The  opposition  at  the  time  of 
the  vote  upon  this  measure  was  ver\-  bitter,  and  continued  after  bonds  were 
being  issued,  and  with  the  dissatisfaction  arising  from  the  small  amount  of 
work  completed  and  the  large  amount  of  bonds  issued,  threatenings  of  repu- 
diation advocated  by  leading  men  in  the  state  caused  a  distrust  in  financial 
circles  and  a  fin.1l  collapse  of  the  whole  scheme,  with  the  foreclosure  of  the 
mortgages  taken  by  the  state  upon  the  railroad  lands  and  franchises,  and 
the  abandonment  of  all  railroad  construction  for  the  time  being.  The  total 
amount  of  bonds  issued  under  this  provision  of  the  constitution  was  S2.275,- 
000.     By  the  foreclosure  proceedings  the  state  acquired  about  250  miles  of 


40  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

graded  road,  the  franchises  of  the  companies  and  the  lands,  amounting  to 
five  million  of  acres,  as  indemnity  for  this  issue  of  bonds.  Notwithstanding 
the  state  had  acquired  all  the  rights,  including  the  improvements  of  the  rail- 
roa.l  companies,  the  feeling  against  any  settlement  of  the  bonds  was  strong 
enough  to  secure  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  in  i860,  prohibiting  the 
passage  of  any  law  levying  a  tax  or  making  other  provision  for  the  pay- 
ment of  the  principal  or  interest  of  these  bonds  without  having  the  same 
submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  people  and  adopted. 

The  two  years  following  the  crash  of  1857  were  replete  with  financial 
disaster  and  a  shrinkage  of  inflated  values  in  town-sites;  but  the  country 
was  filling  up  with  farmers,  and  the  rich  soil  of  the  state  was  giving 
abundant  harvests.  The  political  contest  of  1859  was  bitter,  and  resulted  in 
the  Republican  party  carrying  the  state,  both  for  state  officers  and  the  Legis- 
lature 

The  census  of  i860  gave  the  state  a  population  of  172,023.  During 
this  year  there  was  great  hope  of  a  largely  increased  immigration  into  the 
county;  but  the  political  situation  in  the  Union,  starting  with  the  opening 
of  the  presidential  campaign  of  that  year,  soon  indicated  a  disturbing  ele- 
ment throughout  the  country,  and  distrust  and  depression  were  manifest 
on  all  sides  which  was  not  allayed  by  the  result  of  the  presidential  election. 
The  war  period,  commencing  with  the  time  of  the  President's  proclamation 
in  April,  1861,  to  the  final  close  of  the  rebellion  in  1865,  did  not  permit  any 
material  growth  in  the  state.  About  twenty-two  thousand  of  her  able- 
bodied  citizens  volunteered  and  were  enlisted  in  the  Union  army. 

UNREST    AMONG    THE    INDIANS. 

The  Indian  reservation  set  apart  by  the  treaties  of  1851,  a  tract  twenty 
miles  wide  on  the  upper  part  of  the  Minnesota  river,  embracing  some  of 
the  finest  lands  in  the  state,  was  becoming  a  barrier  to  settlements  in 
the  upper  Minnesota  valley.  Settlers  had  taken  lands  close  up  to  the  reserva- 
tion, and  there  was  considerable  complaint  that  Indians  were  coming  off 
the  reservation  and  committing  petty  depredations,  and  the  Indians  had 
more  or  less  complaints  to  make  regarding  the  extortions  practiced  by  the 
post  traders.  The  encroachments  of  the  whites  were  viewed  with  suspicion 
by  the  Indians,  and  sooner  or  later,  from  these  causes  alone,  a  conflict  would 
probably  have  occurred.  The  War  of  the  Rebellion,  calling  away  so  many 
of  the  able-bodied  men  of  the  state,  left  the   frontier  settlements  almost 


DOl'GLAP    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA.  .4I 

defenseless,  and  doubtless  caused  the  younger  portion  of  the  tribes  to  become 
more  offensive  to  the  settlers  and  more  exacting  in  their  demands. 

The  lands  embraced  within  the  reservation  under  the  treaties  of  185 1 
were  in  the  very  heart  of  Minnesota,  and,  considering  the  forests  and 
streams,  were  the  choicest  of  farming  lands.'  The  settlers  on  the  border 
were  anxiously  coveting  this  "Garden  of  Eden."  A  sentiment  was  created 
throughout  the  state  that  the  Indians  should  abandon  the  tribal  relations 
and  become  civilized.  To  this  end  the  head  men  of  the  Dakota  nation 
were  induced,  in  1858,  to  go  to  Washington,  under  the  charge  of  Hon. 
Joseph  R.  Brown,  in  whom  they  had  great  confidence,  for  the  purpose  of 
negotiating  for  the  whole  or  a  part  of  this  reservation.  Treaties  were 
signed  ceding  the  ten-mile  strip  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  upon  the 
payment  of  $140,000,  and  the  government  provided  that  every  head  of  a 
f?mily  or  single  person  over  the  age  of  twenty-one  adopting  a  civilized 
life  should  secure  in  fee  eighty  acres  of  land.  From  some  cause  the  pay- 
ments of  $140,000  were  never  made,  and  there  was  great  dissatisfaction 
on  account  of  this  treaty,  among  those  of  the  tribes  who  were  adverse  to 
accepting  the  condition  of  civilization;  and  from  the  fact  that  there  was 
no  money  divided  among  them  on  account  of  this  relinquishment  a  bitter 
dissension  arose  between  the  older  chiefs  and  the  younger  members,  the 
latter  claimiing  that  they  had  been  robbed  either  by  the  chiefs  or  by  the 
government,  and  they  proposed  to  have  the  settlement,  peaceful  or  other- 
wis-e 

This  internal  strife  was  augmented  from  year  to  year  by  the  withdrawal 
of  families  who  were  willing  to  accept  the  civilization  fund,  the  number  in 
three  years  succeeding  the  treaty  amounting  to  one  hundred  and  sixty  per- 
sons. They  were,  however,  still  annuity  Indians,  and  claimed  the  right  to 
be  heard  in  the  councils.  The  annuity  Indians,  all  told,  numbered  about  six 
thousand  two  hundred,  and  the  annual  cash  payment  to  each  person 
amounted  to  about  fifteen  dollars.  The  Indians  were  treated  as  wards  of 
the  United  States.  Two  agencies  were  established,  around  which  were 
gathered  storekeepers  to  sell  the  Indians  goods  in  anticipation  of  the  annuity 
payments;  and,  usually,  the  annual  payment  was  simply  a  settlement  of 
the  claims  of  the  traders,  who  took  the  risk  of  furnishing  the  goods  in 
ad\ance.  That  there  was  injustice  practiced  upon  the  Indians  is  doubtless 
true;  probably  not  so  great  as  the  disaffected  Indians  imagined.  There 
was  enough,  however,  to  make  the  time  of  the  annual  payment  an  anxious 
period,  for  fear  of  an  outbreak.  The  failure  of  the  government  in  its 
attempt  to  punish  the  Spirit  Lake  murderers  had  a  tendency  to  create  a  feel- 


42  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ing  among  the  leaders  of  the  rebellious  spirit  that  if  they  could  only  unite 
the  whole  body  of  Sioux  in  an  uprising  they  could  make  a  successful  attack 
upon  the  settlers,  and  perhaps  regain  the  lands  formerly  held  by  the  Indians. 
The  War  of  the  Rebellion,  starting  in  1861,  gave  renewed  energy  to  the 
discontent.  The  Indians  were  well  aware  of  the  reverses  of  the  Union 
forces  during  the  first  year  of  the  war.  The  calls  for  troops  were  taking  the 
able-bodied  men  from  the  farms,  and  many  of  the  half-breeds  had  volun- 
teered for  the  army.  All  these  conditions  had  a  disquieting  effect,  and, 
added  to  this,  in  1862  the  June  payment  was  not  made;  and  as  there  was  no 
satisfactory  answer  for  the  delay,  the  traders  took  advantage  of  the  neces- 
sities of  the  Indians  and  insinuated  that  perhaps  the  government  would  go 
to  pieces,  and  there  would  be  no  further  payments.  The  missionaries  endeav- 
ored to  counteract  these  evil  influences,  and,  with  the  aid  of  the  civilized 
Indians,  succeeded  in  averting  deliberate  outbreak.  The  delay  in  payment 
of  annuities,  however,  tended  to  keep  up  the  discontent,  particularly  among 
the  younger  braves,  who  were  the  hunters.  Their  vagabond  life  brought 
them  into  the  settlements,  and  in  contact  with  the  whites;  and  their  worth- 
less, lazy  habits  made  them  offensive  to  the  families,  as  beggars  of  meals  or 
money,  or  anything  that  took  their  fancy. 

MASSACRE   OF    1862. 

These  are,  in  brief,  the  circumstances  which  led  up  to  the  great  mas- 
sacre of  1862,  which  for  a  short  time  threatened  the  lives  of  all  the  settlers 
on  the  western  boundary  of  the  state.  There  was  no  concerted  action  for 
the  massacre,  and  to  some  extent  there  is  an  uncertainty  as  to  why  the  first 
murders  were  committed.  Four  young  men  or  boys  are  believed  to  have 
commenced  the  massacre,  in  a  spirit  of  bravado,  making  a  threatening 
attack  first  upon  a  family,  driving  them  from  their  home,  and  afterward 
following  them  to  a  neighbor's  house,  where,  after  an  altercation  with  the 
families,  they  killed  three  men  and  two  women.  These  occurrences  took 
place  on  the  17th  of  August,  in  the  township  of  Acton,  twelve  miles  west 
of  Litchfield.  Realizing  that  if  they  remained  in  the  vicinity  punishment 
would  soon  overtake  their  murderous  acts,  they  lost  no  time  in  going  back 
to  camp,  relating  what  they  had  done,  and  asking  protection.  A  hasty 
consultation  was  had  between  two  of  the  chiefs;  they  realized  that  the  mur- 
derers must  be  given  up,  or  the  annuities  would  be  stopped,  and  a  war  of 
exteimination  would  be  inaugurated.  They  chose  to  stand  by  the  murder- 
ers, and  immediately   following  there  was  a  general  uprising  of  the  entire 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    GOUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  43 

Sioux  bands.  So  swift  were  their  movements,  before  any  effective  resistance 
could  be  brought  against  them,  that  about  eight  hundred  of  the  settlers, 
men,  women  and  children  were  murdered  within  a  few  days.  The  prompt 
action  of  the  state  authorities,  aided  by  the  national  government,  resulted 
in  the  capture  of  about  2,000  of  the  belligerent  Indians  and  the  withdrawal 
of  the  remainder  beyond  the  boundaries  of  the  state,  into  the  wilds  of 
Dakota.  Of  the  captured  Indians,  303  were  found  guilty  of.  murder  and 
rape,  and  were  condemned  to  death  by  a  military  court-martial.  Of  this 
number  265  were  reprieved  by  President  Lincoln,  and  the  remainder,  thirty- 
eight  of  the  most  prominent  engaged  in  the  massacre,  were  hung  in  Manka'to 
on  the  26th  of  December,  1862.  The  next  year  the  general  government 
authorized  an  expedition  against  the  Indians  who  had  escaped  to  the  Dakota 
plains,  because  of  their  constant  raids  in  small  squads  on  the  frontiers  of 
the  state  for  the  purpose  of  horse-stealing  and  marauding  upon  adven- 
turous settlers  who  might  risk  going  back  to  their  abandoned  farms.  After 
two  decisive  encounters,  the  Indians  retreated  beyond  the  Missouri  river, 
and  in  1864  another  expedition  was  sent  forward  and  a  final  settlement 
of  the  Sioux  outbreak  was  accomplished,  by  a  confiscation  and  surrender 
of  the  ponies  and  arms  of  most  of  the  bands  hostile  to  the  government. 

The  several  tribes  of  Sioux  Indians  were  engaged  irt  this  massacre,  and 
were  the  representatives  of  the  tribes  that  had  made  the  cession  of  lands 
in  1851,  imder  the  first  and  second  treaties  of  that  year.  Under  these 
treaties  the  government  had  set  aside  trust  funds  of  $2,520,000,  from  which 
there  was  paid  annually  the  sum  of  $126,000.  Settlers  who  had  lost  prop- 
erty urged  their  claims  for  indemnity,  and  Congress  promptly  established  a 
commission  to  receive  all  claims  and  investigate  the  facts.  The  commis- 
sion was  dujy  organized  and  established  headquarters  in  the  city  of  St.  Paul, 
and  carefully  examined  all  the  claims  presented.  The  total  number  filed 
was  2,940,  with  damages  amounting  to  $2,458,795.16.  The  commission 
allowed  2,635  claims,  and  cut  down  the  damages  to  $1,370,374.  By  act  of 
Congress  these  claims  were  paid,  and  the  annuities  and  all  further  pay- 
ments to  the  tribes  were  stopped.  The  state  was  also  reimbursed  for  extra- 
ordinary expenses  incurred  during  the  period  of  insurrection. 

On  the  2nd  of  October,  1863,  a  treaty  was  concluded  at  the  old  cross- 
ing of  Red  Lake  river,  about  twelve  miles  east  of  the  present  city  of 
Crookston  by  Alexander  Ramsey  and  Ashley  C.  Morrill,  and  the  chiefs 
and  head  men  of  the  Red  Lake  and  Pembina  bands  of  Ojibway  Indians, 
for  the  cession  of  a  large  tract  of  country,  being  the  same  land  embraced 
in  one  of  the  treaties  of   1851,  but  not  ratified  at  that  time,  of  which  the 


44  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

boundaries  are  as  follow :  Commencing  at  the  intersection  of  the  national 
boundary  with  the  Lake  of  the  \\^oods;  thence  in  a  southwest  direction  to 
the  head  of  Thief  river;  thence  following  that  stream  to  its  mouth;  thence 
southeasterly  in  a  direct  line  toward  the  head  of  Wild  Rice  river;  and  thence 
following  the  boundary  of  the  Pillager  cession  of  1855  to  the  mouth  of  said 
river;  thence  up  the  channel  of  the  Red  river  to  the  mouth  of  the  Cheyenne; 
thence  up  said  river  to  Stump  lake,  near  the  eastern  extremity  of  Devil's 
lake;  thence  north  to  the  international  boundary;  and  thence  east  on 
said  boundary  to  the  place  of  beginning.  It  embraced  all  of  the  Red  River 
valley  in  [Minnesota  and  Dakota,  except  a  small  portion  previously  ceded, 
and  was  estimated  to  contain  11,000,000  acres.  This  treaty  was  ratified  by 
the  Senate,  with  amendments,  March  i,  1864.  The  Indians,  on  the  12th  of 
April,  1864,  assented  to  the  amendments,  and  President  Lincoln,  by  his 
proclamation  of  the  5th  of  May,  1864,  confirmed  the  treaty. 

A    PERIOD  OF   RAPID  DEVELOPMENT. 

The  close  of  the  Civil  \\'ar  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  the  return  of  the 
SQldiers,  and  the  assurance  of  no  further  depredations  from  the  Sioux 
Indians,  started  a  new  era  of  prosperity  and  rapid  growth.  The  Legislature, 
in  the  meantime,  had  granted  charters  on  the  foreclosed  roadbeds  and  lands 
to  new  railroad  companies,  and  the  construction  of  roads  was  furnishing 
abundant  labor  to  all  who  were  coming  to  the  state.  The  population  at 
this  time  was  250,099,  and  in  1870  the  ppoulation  had  increased  to  439,706, 
nearly  doubling  in  five  years.  The  railroad  companies  had  within  the  same 
period  constructed  nearly  1,000  miles  of  railroad,  and  continued  their  build- 
ing with  even  greater  vigor  until  the  financial  crisis  of  1873  brought  all  pub- 
lic enterprises  again  to  a  stand,  and  produced  stagnation  in  all  the  growing 
towns.  The  farmers  had  been  active  in  developing  the  country,  and  were 
adding  largely  to  the  productions  of  the  state  when  the  grasshopper  raids, 
for  the  time  being,  destroyed  the  growing  crops,  and  caused  great  financial 
distress  for  two  or  three  years. 

The  census  of  1875  gave  the  state  a  population  of  597,407,  still  showing 
a  fair  increase,  but  small  in  comparison  with  the  five  years  following  the 
close  of  the  rebellion.  By  1878  the  state  had  fairly  recovered  from  the 
financial  crash  of  1873,  but  speculation  has  at  no  time  since  1878  been  so 
reckless  as  during  the  two  periods  ending  in  1857  and  1873. 

.-\long  with  the  prosperity  of  the  state,  caused  so  largely  by  the  rapid 
railroad   building,   the   state   pride  began  to   assert  itself   with   more   force, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  45 

and  the  prominent  citizens  continued  to  urge  an  adjustment  of  the  dis- 
honored railroad  bonds.  In  1877  a  proposition  setting  aside  the  proceeds 
of  500,000  acres  for  internal  improvement  lands  in  settlement  was  by  act 
of  the  Legislature  submitted  to  a  vote  at  a  special  election  called  for  the 
I2th  of  June,  and  was  voted  down  by  the  decisive  vote  of  59,176  against 
to  17,324  votes  for,  the  proposition.  This  vote  was  largely  owing  to  the 
fact  that  the  state  at  that  time  had  almost  an  entire  new  population  that 
had  come  into  the  state  long  after  the  bonds  were  issued  and  had  no  definite 
knowledge  of  the  history  of  the  original  indebtedness. 

In  1881  the  Legislature  enacted  a  law  providing  for  the  adjustment  of 
these  bonds  and  designating  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  as  a  com- 
mission to  make  the  settlement.  The  constitutionality  of  this  law  was 
questioned,  a  writ  of  injunction  was  served,  and  the  final  determination  of 
the  supreme  bench  was  that  the  law  was  unconstitutional,  as  also  the 
amendment  of  i860,  prohibiting  any  settlement  without  a  vote  of  the  people. 
This  latter  act  had  previously  been  determined  unconstitutional  by  the 
supreme  court  of  the  United  States.  An  extra  session  of  the  Legislature 
was  called  in  October  of  the  same  year,  when  the  final  adjustment  was 
authorized  by  act  of  the  Legislature,  on  a  basis  of  fifty  per  cent,  of  the 
amount  nominally  due,  and,  after  a  careful  examination  of  all  the  claims 
presented,  the  bond  question  was  forever  set  at  rest  by  the  issue  of  adjust- 
ment bonds,  to  the  amount  of  $4,282,000,  to  parties  entitled  to  receive 
them.  For  the  payment  of  these  bonds  the  proposition  of  setting  aside 
the  proceeds  of  the  500,000  acres  of  internal  improvement  lands  was  again 
submitted  to  the  general  election  in  1881,  and  by  a  vote  of  82,435  votes  in 
favor,  and  24,526  votes  against,  the  action  of  the  Legislature  was  ratified 
and  the  stigma  of  repudiation  removed,  which  had  been  fastened  upon  the 
state  by  the  popular  vote  of  1877. 

In  1880  the  national  census  gave  the  state  a  population  of  780,773,  and 
the  state  census  of  1885  swelled  these  figures  to  1,117,798,  indicating  the 
extraordinary  growth  of  forty-three  per  cent. ;  but  an  examination  of  the 
figures  shows  that  the  growth  was  mainly  confined  to  the  cities,  being  nearly 
eighty  per  cent,  of  increase,  while  in  the  farming  community  and  small 
towns  the  percentage  of  increase  was  only  twenty  per  cent. 

During  the  ten  years  between  1880  and  1890  there  was  a  period  of 
great  activity  in  the  railroad  building,  and  2,310  miles  of  road  were  put  in 
operation.  This  alone  gave  great  energy  to  the  business  of  the  state,  and 
caused  a  large  increase  in  the  population  of  the  cities,  and  gradually  cul- 
minated in  a  most  extravagant  real  estate  boom,  and  an  era  of  the  wildest 


46  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

speculation.  In  the  country  the  growth  was  normal  over  the  entire  state, 
although  large  numbers  of  farmers  in  the  southern  half  of  the  state  were 
attracted  to  the  plains  of  Dakota,  where  great  activity  was  being  developed 
by  the  pushing  of  railroads  into  different  sections  of  the  territory. 

DIVERSIFIED    FARMING   INTERESTS. 

The  settlement  of  the  Dakotas  and  the  consequent  breaking  up  of  the 
virgin  land,  after  the  vear  1885,  almost  doubled  the  wheat  yield  of  the  north- 
westerii  states,  so  that  the  farmers  of  Minnesota  were  soon  confronted 
with  the  question  whether  wheat  should  continue  to  be  their  leading  staple. 
In  the  southern  part  of  the  state  the  wheat  return  was  not  enough  per  acre 
to  yield  any  profit  to  the  farmer  at  the  reduced  prices ;  and  gradually  meth- 
ods have  changed,  so  that  the  leading  agricultural  industries  now  include 
dairying,  stock  raising,  and  general  diversified  farming.  It  seems  probable 
that  Minnesota  will  hold  her  place  as  the  greatest  wheat-producing  state, 
and  will  also  earn  a  greater  reputation  as  the  best  all-round  farming  state 
in  the  Union. 

'J"he  national  census  of  1890  gave  the  state  a  population  of  1,301,826, 
an  increase  of  184,028  in  five  years,  of  which  amount  about  70,000  increase 
went  to  the  cities  and  114,000  to  the  country  districts,  showing  eighteen  per 
cent,  increase  in  the  cities  and  fifteen  per  cent,  increase  in  the  country.  The 
state  census  of  1895  showed  an  increase  of  272,793,  or  21.95  P^r  cent.,  in  the 
preceding  five  years,  giving  a  total  population  of  1,574,619. 

According  to  the  census  of  1910  the  population  of  Minnesota  was 
2,075,708,  showing  an  increase  of  17.8  per  cent,  during  the  preceding 
decade.  The  population  of  the  five  largest  cities  was  as  follow:  Minnea- 
poli.s,  301,408;  St.' Paul,  214,744:  Duluth,  78,466;  Winona,  18,583;  and 
Stillwater    10,198. 

Minnesota  was  the  first  state  of  the  Union  to  respond  to  the  call  of 
the  President  for  volunteers  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  with  Spain,  in 
April,  i8g8.  Three  regiments,  designated  as  the  Twelfth,  Thirteenth  and 
Fourteenth  Regiments  of  Minnesota  Volunteers,  were  mobilized  at  St.  Paul, 
.^pril  29,  and  were  mustered  into  the  United  State  service  on  May  7  and  8. 
The  Fifteenth  Regiment  was  mustered  into  sen-ice  on  July  18.  In  total 
tin's  state  furnished  5.315  ofiicers  and  enlisted  men  for  the  volunteer  army. 
.At  the  close  of  the  w-ar  the  Twelfth  and  Fourteenth  Regiments  returned  to 
Minnesota,  and  were  mustered  out  of  service  in  November.  The  Fifteenth 
Regiment  continued  in   service  until   March  27,    1899;  and   the  Thirteenth 


DOTGLAS    AND    GRANT    GOUNTIES.    MINNESOTA.  47 

Regiment,  after  more  than  a  year  of  service  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  was 
mustered  out  on  October  3,  1899. 


Minnesota  derives  its  name  from  the  river  which  was  named  "Minisota" 
by  the  Dakotas,  pronounced  "Min-nee-sotah,"  apphed  to  the  stream,  in  its 
natural  state  in  the  summer  season,  after  the  waters  were  cleared  from  the 
roiling  caused  by  the  spring  floods.  Mini,  water;  sotah,  sky-colored. 
Apparently  to  secure  the  correct  pronunciation  in  English  letters,  the  con- 
vention called  at  Stillwater,  in  1848,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  a  terri- 
torial organization,  instructed  their  delegates  to  see  that  the  name  of  the 
territory  should  be  written  Min-ne-sota. 

GEOGRAPHY. 

Geographically,  Minnesota  occupies  the  exact  center  of  the  continent 
of  North  .\merica,  midway  between  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific  oceans,  and  also 
midway  between  Hudson  bay  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  This  state  is  bounded 
on  the  south  by  Iowa,  on  the  west  by  South  and  North  Dakota,  on  the  north 
by  Manitoba  and  Ontario,  and  on  the  east  by  Wisconsin.  It  extends  from 
latitude  43  degrees  30  minutes,  to  49  degrees  24  minutes,  and  from  89 
degrees  29  minutes,  to  97  degrees  15  minutes,  west  longitude.  From  its 
southern  boundary  to  the  northern  is  about  400  miles,  and  from  its  most 
eastern  to  the  extreme  western  point  about  354  miles. 


Minnesota  is,  in  area,  the  tenth  state  of  the  Union.  It  contains  84,287 
square  miles,  or  about  .53,943,379  acres,  of  which  3,608,012  acres  are  water. 
In  altitude  it  appears  to  be  one  of  the  highest  portions  of  the  continent,  as 
the  headwaters  of  three  great  river  systems  are  found  in  its  limits,  those 
of  streams  flowing  northward  to  Hudson  bay,  eastward  to  the  Atlantic  ocean, 
and  southward  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

About  half  of  this  surface,  on  the  south  and  west,  consists  of  rolling 
prairie,  interspersed  with  frequent  groves,  oak  openings  and  belts  of  hard- 
wood timber,  watered  by  numberless  lakes  and  streams,  and  covered  with  a 
warm,  dark  soil  of  great  fertility.  The  rest,  embracing  the  elevated  district 
immediately  west  and  north  of  Lake  Superior,  consists  mainly  of  rich  min- 


40  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

eral  ranges  and  of  the  pine  forests  which  clothe  the  headwaters  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, affording  extensive  supphes  of  lumber.  There  is  but  a  very  small 
percentage  of  broken,  rocky  or  worthless  land  in  the  state.  Nearly  all  is 
arable. 


Numerous  rivers  and  watercourses  give  the  state  excellent  drainage. 
But  few  states  are  so  well  watered  as  Minnesota.  Its  navigable  rivers  are 
the  Mississippi,  the  Minnesota,  the  St.  Croix,  the  St.  Louis,  the  Red  River 
of  the  North,  and  the  Red  Lake  river,  all  of  which,  near  their  sources,  have 
extensive  water  powers;  while  a  number  of  smaller  streams  such  as  Rum 
river  and  Snake  river,  both  valuable  for  lumbering,  the  Cannon  and  Zumbro 
rivers,  the  Vermilion,  Crow,  Blue  Earth,  Des  Moines,  Cottonwood,  Chip- 
pewa, LeSueur,  Root,  Elk  and  Sauk  rivers,  also  furnish  fine  water  powers. 
These  with  their  tributaries  and  a  host  of  lesser  streams  penetrate  every  por- 
tion of  the  state.  Some  of  the  water  powers  furnished  by  these  streams 
are  among  the  finest  in  America,  and  many  of  them  have  been  utilized  for 
manufacturing  purposes. 

LAKES. 

The  lakes  of  Minnesota  are  more  numerous  and  varied  in  form  than  in 
any  other  state  in  the  Union.  Bordering  on  the  northeast  corner'  of  the 
state  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  the  waters  of  the  great  Lake  Superior 
wash  its  shores.  Within  the  state  there  are  about  ten  thousand  lakes,  the 
largest  of  which  is  Red  lake,  in  the  central  northern  part  of  the  state,  bor- 
dering partly  by  dense  pine  forests,  with  its  overflow  through  Red  Lake 
river,  by  a  devious  course,  into  the  Red  River  of  the  North.  On  the  same 
northern  slope,  in  St.  Louis  county,  is  the  beautiful  Vermilion  lake,  with  its 
tributaries,  at  the  edge  of  the  great  Vermilion  iron  range,  and  flowing  into 
Rainy  lake,  on  the  northern  boundary,  and  then  through  Rainy  Lake  river 
into  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  and  thence  into  Lake  Winnipeg,  and  finally 
into  Hudson  bay.  On  the  southern  slope  of  the  state  is  Itasca  lake,  the 
source  of  the  Mississippi,  with  Cass  lake.  Lake  Winnibigoshish,  Leech  lake, 
and  other  innumerable  lakes,  all  adding  volume  to  the  water  of  the  Mississippi, 
eventually  flowing  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Then  there  is  Mille  Lacs,  the 
source  of  Rum  river,  and  the  picturesque  Lake  Minnetonka.  These  are  the 
largest  lakes  in  the  state.  Of  these,  however,  only  Minnetonka,  White  Bear, 
Bald  Eagle  and  Chisago  lakes  have  so  far  been  much  utilized  as  summer 
resorts.     The   incomparable  park  region,  traversed  by  the  Great   Northern 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  49 

and  Northern  Pacific  railroads,  is  the  paradise  of  summer  idlers,  of  hunters 
and  fishermen;  but  it  is  not  in  this  portion  alone  that  all  the  beautiful  lakes 
are  found.  The  northeastern  and  the  southwestern  sections  each  have 
numerous  lakes  to  attract  the  summer  visitor. 

There  is  an  undoubted  modification  of  the  climate  of  the  state,  caused 
by  'these  numerous  bodies  of  water,  giving  a  most  delightful  summer  tem- 
perature. 

Fine  varieties  of  fish  are  abundant  in  all  these  lakes;  and  the  state 
expends  annually  thousands  of  dollars,  through  a  game  and  fish  commission, 
to  improve  the  varieties  and  to  prevent  their  wanton  destruction. 

ELEVATION. 

Surveys  with  leveling  from  the  sea  show  that  the  shore  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior is  the  lowest  land  in  the  state,  602  feet  above  sea  level.  The  waters 
of  the  northeastern  part  of  the  state  south  of  the  Mesabi  iron  range  flow 
into  Lake  Superior,  and  are  carried  to  the  Atlantic  ocean.  The  Mississippi 
river,  having  its  chief  source  in  Lake  Itasca,  at  1,466  feet  elevation,  runs  in 
a  southerly  direction,  leaving  the  state  at  620  feet  above  sea  level. 

The  Red  River  of  the  North,  rising  in  the  north,  near  Itasca  lake,  at 
a  height  of  1,600  feet  above  the  ocean,  after  a  circuitous  route  south  and 
west  to  Breckenridge,  in  Wilkin  county,  and  then  flowing  north  along  its 
great  valley,  leaves  the  state  at  an  elevation  of  750  feet.  The  average 
elevation  of  the  state  is  given  at  about  1,275  feet.  The  highest  elevation  is 
the  Misquah  hills,  in  Cook  county,  2,230  feet. 


The  elevation  of  Minnesota  above  the  sea,  its  fine  drainage,  and  the 
dryness  of  the  atmosphere  give  it  a  climate  of  unusual  salubrity  and  pleas- 
antness. It  has  an  annual  mean  temperature  of  44  degrees,  while  its  mean 
summer  temperature  is  70  degrees,  the  same  as  that  of  middle  Illinois  and 
Ohio,  southern  Pennsylvania,  etc.  The  excessive  heats  of  summer  often  felt 
in  other  states  are  here  tempered  by  the  cooling  breezes.  Its  high  latitude 
gives  it  correspondingly  longer  days  in  summer  than  states  further  south, 
and  during  the  growing  season  there  are  two  and  one-half  hours  more  sun- 
shine than  in  the  latitude  of  Cincinnati.  This,  taken  in  connection  with 
the  abundant  rainfall  of  earlv  summer,  accounts  for  the  rapid  and  vigorous 

.(4) 


50  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

growth  of  crops  in  Minnesota,  and  their  early  maturity.  The  cool  breezes 
and  cool  nights  in  summer  prevent  the  debilitating  effects  of  heat  often  felt 
in  low  latitudes.  The  winter  climate  is  one  of  the  attractive  features  of  the 
state.  Its  uniformity,  and  prevailing  freedom  from  thaws  and  excessive 
spells  of  cold,  severe  weather  or  heavy  snow  storms,  and  its  dryness,  together 
with  the  bright  sunshine  and  electrical  condition  of  the  air,  all  tend  to  enhance 
the  personal  comfort  of  the  resident,  and  make  outdoor  life  and  labor  a 
pleasure. 

These  features  tend  to  make  this  climate  the  healthiest  in  the  Union. 
It  gives  life  and  briskness  to  those  performing  manual  labor,  enabling  them 
to  do  more  work  than  in  a  damper  or  duller  climate. 

CHRONOLOGICAL. 

In  the  following  list  some  of  the  more  important  events  in  the  state, 
from  the  earliest  explorations  to  the  present  time,  are  set  forth  in  chronolo- 
gical order: 

1635.     Jean  Nicollet,  an  explorer   from  France,   who  had  wintered  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Green   Bay,   brought   to   Montreal   the  first 
mention  of  the  aborigines  of  Minnesota. 
1659-60.     Grosseilliers  and  Radisson  wintered  among  the  Sioux  of  the  Mille 
Lacs  region,  Minnesota,  being  its  first  white  explorers.     In  a 
previous  expedition,   four  years  earlier,  they  are  thought  to 
have  come  to  Prairie  Island,  west  of  the  main  channel  of  the 
Mississippi,  between  Red  Wing  and  Hastings. 
1661      Father  Rene  Menard  left  Kewennaw,  on  Lake  Superior,  to  visit  the 
Hurons,  then  in  northern  Wisconsin,  and  was  lost  near  the 
sources  of  the  Black  and  Chippewa  rivers.     His  breviary  and 
cassock  were  said  to  have  been  found  among  the  Sioux. 
1679.     July  2,  Daniel  Greyselon  Du  Lhut  (Duluth)  held  a  council  with  the 
Sioux  at  their  principal  settlement  on  the  shore  of  Mille  Lacs. 
Du  Lhut,  in  June,  1680,  by  way  of  the  St.  Croix  river,  reached 
the  Mississippi  and  met  Hennepin. 
1680      Louis  Hennepin,  after  captivity  in  the  village  of  Mille  Lacs  Sioux, 

first  saw  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony. 
1689      May  8,  Nicholas  Perrot,  at  his  Ft.,  St.  Antoine,  on  the  Wisconsin 
shore  of  Lake  Pepin,  laid  formal  claim  to  the  surrounding 
country  for  France.     He  built  a  fort  also  on  the  Minnesota 
shore  of  this  lake,  near  its  outlet. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  5 1 

1095.  LeSueur  built  a  fort  or  trading  post  on  Isle  Pelee,  now  called  Prairie 
Island,  above  Lake  Pepin. 

1700.  LeSueur  established  Ft.  L'Huillier,  on  the  Blue  Earth  river  (near 
the  mouth  of  the  LeSueur),  and  first  supplied  the  Sioux  with 
firearms. 

1727  The  French  established  a  third  fort  on  Lake  Pepin,  with  Sieur  de 
La  Perriere  as  commander. 

1728.     Great  flood  in  the  Mississippi. 

1763  By  the  treaty  of  Versailles,  France  ceded  Minnesota,  east  of  the 
Mississippi,  to  England,  and  west  of  it  to  Spain. 

1766  Capt.  Jonathan  Carver  visited  St.  Anthony  falls  and  Minnesota 
river.  He  claimed  to  have  made  a  treaty  with  the  Indians 
the  following  spring,  in  a  cave  afterward  called  "Carver's 
Cave,"  within  the  present  limits  of  St.  Paul,  at  which  he  said 
they  ceded  to  him  an  immense  tract  of  land,  long  known  as 
"Carver's  Claim,"  but  never  recognized  by  the  government. 

1796.  Laws  of  the  Ordinance  of  1787  extended  over  the  Northwest  terri- 
tory, including  the  northeastern  third  of  Minnesota,  east  of 
the  Mississippi  river. 

1798-99.     The  Northwestern  Fur  Company  established  itself  in  Minnesota. 

1800.  May  7,  that  part  of  Minnesota  east  of  the  Mississippi  became  a  part 
of  Indiana  by  the  division  of  Ohio. 

1803.  April  30,  that  part  of  Minnesota  west  of  the  Mississippi,  for  the 
preceding  forty  years  to  possession  of  Spain  as  a  part  of  Louis- 
iana, was  ceded  to  the  United  States  by  Napoleon  Bonaparte, 
who  had  just  obtained  it  from  Spain. 

1803-04.  W'illiam  Morrison,  the  first  known  white  man  to  discover  the 
source  of  the  Mississippi  river,  visited  Elk  lake  and  explored 
the  streams  entering  into  the  lake  forming  the  head  of  the 
river. 

1805.  Lieut.  Z.  M.  Pike  visited  Minnesota  to  establish  government  rela- 
tions there,  and  obtained  the  Ft.  Snelling  reservation  from 
the  Dakotas. 

1812.  The  Dakotas,  Ojibways  and  Winnebagoes,  under  the  lead  of  hostile 
traders,  joined  the  British  during  the  war.  Red  river  colony 
established  by  Lord  Selkirk. 

1819.  Minnesota,  east  of  the  Mississippi  river,  became  a  part  of  Crawford 
county,  Michigan.  Ft.  Snelling  established,  and  a  post  at 
Mendota    occupied    by    troops,    under    command     of      Col. 


52  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Leavenworth.  Maj.  L.  Taliaferro  appointed  Indian  agent, 
arriving  on  April  19. 

1820.  Corner  stone  of  Ft.  Snelling  laid  on  September  10.  Governor  Cass 
visits  Minnesota  and  makes  a  treaty  of  peace  between  the 
.Siotix  and  Ojibways  at  Ft.  Snelling.  Col.  Josiah  Snelling 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  latter  post. 

1823.  The  first  steamboat  arrived  at  Mendota,  May  10,  Major  Taliaferro 
and  Beltrami  being  passengers.  Maj.  Stephen  H.  Long 
explored  Minnesota  river,  the  Red  river  valley,  and  the  north- 
ern frontier.     Beltrami  explored  sources  of  the  Mississippi. 

1826  Great  flood  on  the  .Red  river;  a  part  of  the  colony  driven  to  Minne- 
sota, settling  near  Ft.  Snelling. 

1832.  Schoolcraft  explored  sources  of  Mississippi  river,  and  named  Lake 
Itasca  (formerly  called  Elk  lake). 

1833      First  mission  established  at  Leech  lake  by  Rev.  W.  T.  Boutwell. 

1834.  The  portion  of  Minnesota  west  of  the  Mississippi  attached  to  Michi- 

gan.   Gen.  H.  H.  Sibley  settled  at  Mendota. 

1835.  Catlin  and  Featherstonhaugh  visited  Minnesota. 

1836.  The  territory  of  Wisconsin  organized,  embracing  the  part  of  Minne- 

sota east  of  the  Mississippi,  the  part  on  the  west  being  attached 
to  Iowa.  Nicollet  visited  Minnesota. 
1837  Governor  Dodge,  of  Wisconsin,  made  a  treaty  at  Ft.  Snelling  with 
the  Ojibways,  by  which  the  latter  ceded  all  their  pine  lands 
on  the  St.  Croix  and  its  tributaries ;  a  treaty  was  also  effected 
at  Washington  with  a  deputation  of  Dakotas  for  their  lands 
east  of  the  Mississippi.  These  treaties  led  the  way  to  the  first 
actual  settlements  within  the  area  of  Minnesota. 

1838.  The  treaty  ratified  by  Congress.     Franklin  Steele  makes  a  claim  at 

St.  Anthony  falls.  Pierre  Parrant  makes  a  claim  and  builds 
a  shanty  on  the  present  site  of  St.  Paul. 

1839.  St.  Croix  county  established. 
1843.     Stillwater  settled. 

1846.  August  6,  the  Wisconsin  enabling  act. 

1847.  The  Wisconsin  Constitutional  Convention  meets.     The  town  of  St. 

Paul  surveyed,  platted  and  recorded  in  St.  Croix  county  regis- 
ter of  deeds'  office.  First  improvement  of  the  water  power 
at  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony. 

1848.  May  29,  Wisconsin  admitted,  leaving  the  area  of  Minnesota  without 

a  government.     August  26,  the  "Stillwater  Convention"  held, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  53 

taking  measures  for  a  separate  territorial  organization,  and 
asking  that  the  new  territory  be  named  Minnesota.  October 
30,  H.  H.  Sibley  elected  delegate  to  Congress. 

1849.  January   15,  H.   H.   Sibley  admitted  to  a  seat.     March  3,  the  bill 

organizing  Minnesota  passed.  March  19,  its  territorial  officers 
appointed.  June  i,  Governor  Ramsey  declared,  by  proclama- 
tion, the  territory  organized.  September  3,  the  first  terri- 
torial Legislature  assembled. 

1850.  Great  flood  this  year;  highest  water  ever  known.     Minnesota  river 

first  navigated  by  steamboats.  Census  shows  6,077  inhabi- 
tants. 

1851.  Location  of  the  capitol,  university  and  penitentiary;  another  flood. 

July  23,  treaty  of  Traverse  des  Sioux  completed  and  August 
5  the  treaty  of  Mendota,  opening  the  territory  west  of  the 
Mississippi  to  settlers. 

1852.  June  23,  the  treaties  ratified  by  the  United  States  Senate. 

1853.  Pierce's  administration.     W.  A.  Gorman  appointed  governor.     The 

capitol  building  completed. 

1854.  Celebration  of  the  opening  of  the  Rock  Island  railroad,  the  first  road 

to  the  Mississippi  river,  by  a  mammoth  excursion,  reaching 
St.  Paul,  June  8.  Large  immigration  this  season  and  the 
three  succeeding-  ones,  and  the  real  estate  mania  commences. 

1857.  Enabling  act  passes  Congress,  February  26.     Gov.  Samuel  Medary 

(appointed  by  Buchanan),  arrives  on  April  22.  Legislature 
passes  a  bill  to  remove  the  capital  to  St.  Peter,  but  it  fails  to 
accomplish  the  object.  Ink-pa-du-to  massacre,  April.  Land 
grant  passes  Congress.  April  27,  extra  session  of  the  Legis- 
lature to  apportion  land  grant.  July  13,  Constitutional  Con- 
vention assembles.  Real  estate  speculation  reaches  its  height, 
and  is  checked  by  the  financial  panic,  August  27.  Great 
revulsions  and  hard  times.  Census  shows  150,037  population. 
October  13,  Constitution  adopted  and  state  officers  elected. 

1858.  State  loan  of  $250,000  negotiated.     Five  million  loan  bill  passed  by 

the  Legislature,  March  9;  ratified  by  vote  of  the  people,  April 
15.  Great  stringency  in  money  market.  State  admitted,  May 
II.     State  officers  sworn  in,  May  24. 

1859.  Hard  times  continue  to  intensify.     "Wright  County  War."     "Glen- 

coe"'  and  "Owatonna"  money  issued.  Work  on  the  land 
grant  rnad  ceases.     Collapse  of  the  five  million  scheme.     First 


54  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

export  of  grain  this  fall.     Hard  political  struggle;  the  Repub- 
licans triumph. 
i860.     Another  warm  political  canvass      Federal  census,  172,023. 

1861.  April  15,  President  proclamation  for  troops  received;  the  first  regi- 

ment recruits  at  once;  June  22,  it  embarks  at  Ft.  Snelling  for 
the  seat  of  war. 

1862.  Call  for  600,000  men.     August  17,  massacre  at  Acton;  August  18, 

outbreak  at  Lower  Sioux  Agency,  eight  miles  east  of  Red- 
wood Falls;  19th,  New  Ulm  attacked;  20th,  Fort  Ridgely 
attacked;  25th,  second  attack  on  New  Ulm;  30th,  Fort  Aber- 
crombie  besieged;  September  2d,  the  bloody  attack  at  Birch 
Coulee.  September  19,  first  railroad  in  Minnesota  in  opera-' 
tion,  between  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis.  September  23,  bat- 
tle of  Wood  Lake;  26th,  captives  surrendered  at  Camp 
Release;  military  commission  tries  321  Indians  for  murder, 
rape,  etc.;  303  condemned  to  die;  December  26,  38  hung  at 
Nankato. 

1863.  General    Sibley's   expedition    to   the    Missouri    river;   July   3,    Little 

Crow  killed;  July  24,  battle  of  Big  Mound;  July  26,  battle  of 
Dead  Bufifalo  Lake ;  July  28,  battle  of  Stony  Lake. 

1864.  Large  levies  for  troops.     Expedition  to  Missouri  river,  under  Sully. 

Inflation  of  money  market.     Occasional  Indian  raids. 

1865.  Peace  returns.     Minnesota  regiments  return  and  are  disbanded.     In 

all  22,016  troops  furnished  by  the  state.  Census  shows 
250,099  inhabitants. 

1866-72  Rapid  railroad  building  everywhere;  immigration  heavy;  "good 
times"  prevail,  and  the  real  estate  inflated. 

1873.  January  7,  8  and  9,  polar  wave  sweeps  over  the  state;  seventy  per- 
sons perish.  September,  the  Jay  Cook  failure  creates  another 
panic.     Grasshopper  raid  begins  and  continues  five  seasons. 

1876.  September   7,   attack  on  bank  at   Northfield  by  a   gang  of   armed 

outlaws  from  Missouri;  three  of  the  latter  killed  and  three 
captured. 

1877.  Biennial  session  amendment  adopted. 

1878.  May  2,  three  flouring-mills  at  Minneapolis   explode;  eighteen  lives 

lost. 
1880.     November   15,  portion  of  the  hospital  for  the  insane  at  St.   Peter 
destroyed  by   fire;  eighteen  inmates  burned  to  death,   seven 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  55 

died  subsequently  of  injuries  and  fright,  and  six  missing;  total 

loss,  $150,000. 
1881.     March  i,  the  state  capitol  destroyed  by  fire. 
1884.     January  25,  state  prison  partially  burned. 
1886      April  14,  a  tornado  strikes  the  cities  of  St.  Cloud  and  Sauk  Rapids, 

demolishing    scores    of    buildings    and  killing  about  seventy 

people. 
1887.     Important  legislation  regarding  the  liquor  traffic,  common  carriers, 

and  elections. 

1889.  The  Legislature  enacts  the  Australian  system  of  voting  in  cities  of 

10,000  and  over.  The  first  electric  street  railway  started  in 
the  state  at  Stillwater. 

1890.  United  States  census  shows  a  population  of  1,301,826.     July  13,  an 

excursion  steamboat  returning  from  Lake  City  encampment 
foundered  on  Lake  Pepin,  and  100  people  drowned.  July 
13,  tornado  swept  across  Lake  Gervias,  in  Ramsey  county, 
demolishing  several  buildings  and  kilHng  six  people. 
1891  June  15,  a  series  of  tornadoes  started  in  Jackson  county,  near  the 
town  of  Jackson,  traversing  Martin,  Faribault,  Freeborn, 
Mower  and  Fillmore  counties,  on  a  line  nearly  parallel  with, 
but  from  five  to  fifteen  miles  north  of,  the  Southern  Minnesota 
division  of  the  Milwaukee  &  St.  Paul  railway,  doing  a  large 
amount  of  damage  to  farms  and  farm  buildings,  and  causing 
the  death  to  about  fifty  people  along  the  track  of  the  storm. 

1892.  June  7,  Republican  national  convention  held  at  Minneapolis.     The 

Australian  system  of  voting  used  at  the  November  general 
election. 

1893.  The  Legislature  authorizes  the  appointment  of  a  capitol  commission 

to  select  a  site  for  a  new  capitol,  and  providing  a  tax  of  two- 
tenths  of  a  mill  for  ten  years  to  pay  for  the  site  and  the 
erection  of  a  building.  A  great  financial  crisis  causes  the 
failure  of  several  banks  and  many  mercantile  and  manufactur- 
ing establishments  in  the  larger  cities  of  the  state. 

1894.  September  i.  forest  fires  start  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hinckley,  in 

Pine  county,  carrying  death  and  destruction  over  nearly  four 
hundred  square  miles  of  territory,  destroying  the  towns  of 
Hinckley  and  Sandstone,  causing  the  death  of  417  people, 
rendering  homeless  and  destitute  2,200  men,  women  and  chil- 
dren, and  entailing  a  property  loss  of  about  $1,000,000. 


56  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

1895.  A  census  of  the  state  was  taken  during  the  month  of  June,  and  the 

total  population  of  the  state  was  found  to  be  1,574,619. 

1896.  The  Red  Lake  Indian  reservation  was  diminished  to  about  a  quarter 

part  of  its  former  area,  and  on  May  15  a  large  tract  of  agri- 
cultural and  timber  lands  formerly  belonging  to  that  reserva- 
tion was  opened  for  settlement. 

1897.  July  2,  the  monument  at  Gettysburg  to  the  First  Minnesota  Regi- 

ment was  dedicated. 

1898.  July  27,  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  capitol  was  laid.     Minnesota 

supplied  four  regiments  for  service  in  the  Spanish-American 
War,  being  the  first  state.  May  7,  to  respond  to  the  president's 
call.  October  5,  the  Pillager  Indians  attacked  United  States 
troops  near  Sugar  Point,  Leech  lake. 

1899.  Semi-centennial  of  the  territory  and  state  celebrated  by  the  Old  Set- 

tlers' Association,  June  i,  and  by  the  Historical  Society, 
November  15. 

1900.  Population  of  Minnesota,  shown  by  the  national  census,   1,751,394. 

Death  of  Senator  C.  K.  Davis,  November  27. 

190 1.  In  the  Pan-American  Exposition,  at  Buffalo,  New  York,  the  superior 

exhibits  of  wheat,  flour,  and  daii-y  products  of  Minnesota- 
caused  her  to  be  called  "the  Bread  and  Butter  State." 

1902.  August  23,  the  fortieth  anniversary  of  the  Sioux  War  celebrated  at 

New  Ulm.  Monuments  and  tablets  erected  there  and  at  other 
places  in  the  Minnesota  valley. 

1903.  Tide  of  immigration  into  Minnesota,   particularly   in  northern   and 

western  sections.  April  22,  death  of  Alexander  Ramsey,  first 
territorial  governor,  later  governor  of  the  state,  United  States 
senator,  and  secretary  of  war. 

1904.  Louisiana  Purchase  Exposition.     Minnesota  exhibits  win  many  first 

prizes  for  flour,  butter,  fruits,  iron  ores,  work  of  pupils  in 
schools,  etc. 

1905.  January  3,  Legislature  convenes  in  the  new  capitol.     The  population, 

according  to  the  state  census,  June  i,  was  1,979,912. 

1906.  September  3,  live  stock  amphitheater  on  the  state  fair  ground  dedi- 

cated, with  address  by  James  J.  Hill.  Attendance  at  the  fair 
on  that  day,  93,199;  during  the  week,  295,000. 

1907.  Folwell  Hall,  the  new  main  building   for  the   College  of   Science, 

Literature  and  Arts,  of  the  University  of  Minnesota,  com- 
pleted at  cost  of  $410,000  for  the  building  and  its  equipment. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  57 

The  total  number  of  students  of  this  University  enrolled  in 
all  departments  for  the  year  was  4,145. 

1908.  The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  admission  of  Minnesota  to  statehood 

was  celebrated  in  connection  with  the  state  fair,  its  attendance 
during  the  week  being  326,753. 

1909.  Death  of  Gov.  John  A.  Johnson  as  the  result  of  an  operation,  at 

Rochester.  Minnesota,  September  21,  1909.  Lieut.-Gov. 
Adolph  O.  Eberhart  sworn  in  as  governor  by  Chief  Justice 
Start,  in  the  Supreme  Court  retiring  room,  at  11  o'clock  the 
same  day. 

1910.  Population  of  Minnesota,  shown  by  the  national  census,  2,075,708; 

Death  of  State  Treasurer  Clarence  C.  Dinehart,  June  8.  E. 
S.  Pettijohn  appointed  to  succeed,  June  it.  Forest  fires  in 
northern  Minnesota  during  the  second  and  third  week  in  Octo- 
ber, results  in  death  to  about  thirty  people  and  the  destruc- 
tion of  about  $20,000,000  of  property.  .Spooner  and  Baudette 
wiped  out. 

1911.  The  Legislature  ratified  the  proposed  amendment  to  the  United  States 

Constitution  for  election  of  United  States  senators  by  popular 
\ote.  October  18,  George  E.  Vincent  was  inaugurated  presi- 
dent of  the  University  of  Minnesota. 

1912.  The   Legislature  in  special   .session  enacted   a  new   primary   election 

law  and  "corrupt  practices"  act.  October  ig,  the  statue  of 
Governor  Johnson  on  the  capitol  ground  was  unveiled. 

1913.  June  16-20,  the  American  Medical   Association  held  its  sixty-fourth 

annual  session  in  Minneapoli?  United  States  postal  savings 
bank  and  parcel  post  inaugurated  in  Minnesota.  Practical  reforms 
in  state  road  laws  enacted.  Work  begun  on  the  new  building 
of  the  St.  Paul  Public  Library  and  Hill  Reference  Library.  New 
postoffice  and  new  railroad  depot  building  in  Minneapolis. 
November  5.  the  historic  Carver's  cave,  all  trace  of  which  had 
been  lost  for  forty  years  or  more,  was  definitely  located. 

1914.  March.  Minneapolis  made  the  reserve  city  in  the  Northwest  for  the 

system  of  regional  national  banks.  Remarkable  impetus  to 
building  operations  in  Minnesota  cities.  April  4.  Frederick 
Weyerhauser,  extensive  lumber  operator,  died  in  his  winter  home 
at  Pasadena,  California.  April  15.  plans  adopted  for  St.  Paul's 
new  terminals  aiid  union  depot.  May  9.  a  bronze  statue  of  Gen. 
James  Shields,  tendered  by  the  Loyal  Legion  and  the  Grand  Army 


58  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

of  the  Republic  to  the  state  of  Minnesota,  for  a  niche  in  the 
capitol.  Unveiled  in  November;  formally  presented  to  the  state 
by  Commander  Samuel  Appleton,  of  the  Loyal  Legion;  accepted 
by  Governor  A.  O.  Everhart;  eloquent  memorial  address  by 
Comrade  and  Companion  John  Ireland,  archbishop.  July  4-11, 
the  National  Educational  Association  held  its  annual  convention 
in  St.  Paul.  November.  Winfield  Scott  Hammond,  Democrat, 
elected  governor  of  Minnesota,  defeating  William  E.  Lee,  Repub- 
lican nominee. 

1915.  January  2,  session  of  the  thirty-ninth  Legislature  opened  at  the  state 

capitol;  Hon.  J.  A.  A.  Burnquist,  lieutenant-governor,  president 
of  the  Senate;  H.  H.  Flower,  speaker  of  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives. January  3,  Winfield  Scott  Hammond  inaugurated 
governor  of  Minnesota.  February  12,  birthday  of  Abraham 
Lincoln  observed  by  Minnesota  Commandery  of  the  Loyal  Leg- 
ion by  a  banquet  at  the  West  hotel,  Minneapolis.  Oration  by 
Bishop  William  A.  Quayle,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
February  19-20,  forty-ninth  annual  convention  of  the  Minnesota 
Editorial  Association  assembled  at  the  St.  Paul  hotel,  St.  Paul, 
President  H.  C.  HotaHng,  presiding.  December  30,  death  of 
Governor  Hammond.  December  31,  Lieutenant-Governor  Burn- 
quist assumed  the  office  of  governor. 

1916.  February,  discovery  of  discrepancies  in  the  office  of  Walter  J.  Smith 

treasurer  of  the  state,  and  his  subsequent  resignation. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Geology  of  Douglas  County. 

Douglas  county  lies  in  the  west  part  of  central  Minnesota,  about  half 
way  between  the  Mississippi  river  and  Lakes  Traverse  and  Big  Stone. 
Alexandria,  the  county  seat  and  largest  town,  is  about  one  hundred  and 
twenty  miles  west-northwest  from  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis.  The  county 
has  a  length  of  five  townships,  or  thirty  miles,  from  east  to  west,  and  a 
width  of  four  townships,  or  twenty-four  miles,  from  north  to  south.  Doug- 
las county  contains  about  722.66  square  miles,  or  462,500.62  acres,  of 
which  about  sixty  thousand  acres  are  covered  with  water. 

SURFACE    FEATURES. 

Natural  Drainage.  The  county  is  included  wholly  within  the  basin  of 
the  Mississippi  river;  but  about  half  of  it  sends  its  waters  to  the  Mississippi 
river  by  way  of  the  Minnesota  river.  The  Long  Prairie  river,  tributary 
to  the  Crow  Wing,  drains  the  northeastern  and  central  portions  of  Douglas 
county,  having  its  sources  in  lakes  Miltona,  Ida,  Carlos,  Le  Homme  Dieu, 
and  others.  Osakis  lake,  on  the  east  line  of  Douglas  county,  is  the  head 
of  the  Sauk  river.  The  west  part  of  this  county  is  drained  by  the  Chippewa 
river,  excepting  its  northwest  corner,  where  Lake  Christina  lies  within 
the  basin  of  the  Pomme  de  Terre  river.  Lakes  of  large  and  small  size 
abound  in  the  county,  especially  in  the  region  within  ten  or  fifteen  miles 
around  Alexandria.  The  most  notable  have  been  described  as  follows  by 
Rev.  C.  M.  Terry: 

"The  lakes  of  Douglas  county  are  unsurpassed  for  the  purity  of  their 
waters,  the  beauty  of  their  scenery  and  general  attractiveness.  There  is  a 
large  number  of  them,  as  a  glance  at  the  map  will  show,  but  it  is  not 
the  number  so  much  as  it  is  their  beauty  and  variety  which  impresses  anj^one 
who  studies  them  in  detail. 

"In  the  eastern  half  of  Douglas  county  there  is  a  chain  of  lakes  remark- 
able for  their  purity,  depth  and  beauty.  They  are  all  connected  and  lie 
within  a  radius  of  a  dozen  miles  from  Alexandria.  Beginning  with  the 
most  northern  and  highest  of  the  chain,  they  are  Irene,  Miltona.  Ida.  Louise, 


6o  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Alill,  Andrews.  ^Fary.  Lobster,  Fish,  Latoka,  Cowdrey.  Darling.  Union, 
Childs,  X'icturia.  Geneva,  Le  Homme  Dieu,  Carlos. 

"Lake  ^liltona  is  the  largest  of  the  chain.  It  has  an  area  of  about  nine 
square  miles.  It  is  six  to  seven  miles  long  from  east  to  west,  and  about  two 
miles  wide.  It  has  two  inlets,  one  at  the  eastern  extremity  and  another 
at  the  northwestern.  Its  outlet  on  the  southeastern  side  discharges  into 
Lake  Ida.  The  lake  has  an  elevation  above  the  sea  of  a  trifle  over  fourteen 
hundred  feet.  Its  shores  in  man}-  places  are  bold  and  rise  abruptly  twenty 
to  forty  feet  above  the  water.  They  are  covered  with  forests  except  in  a 
few  places.  The  Leaf  hills  to  the  north,  dun  and  hazy  in  the  distance,  are 
seen  from  the  center  of  the  lake.  There  are  large  areas  of  the  lake  which 
are  shallow,  and  the  bottom  is  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  aquatic 
plants.  Although  a  number  of  soundings  were  taken  in  different  parts  of 
the  lake,  only  one  place  of  considerable  depth  was  found  where  the  line 
showed  eighty  feet  of  water;  this  was  a  little  south  of  the  center.  Other 
parts  showed  thirty  to  fifty  feet,  but  the  majority  of  soundings  gave  fourteen 
to  twenty-five  feet.  Ow'ing  to  the  amount  of  vegetation  growing,  the  water 
is  not  as  free  from  foreign  matter  as  some  lakes.  It  is,  however,  clear, 
sparkling,  with  no  tinge  of  yellow.  There  are  some  fine  springs  on  the 
shores  of  this  lake ;  and  some  stately  forest  trees,  sugar  maple,  elm  and 
basswood,  flourish. 

"Next  in  size  and  order  is  Lake  Ida.  It  is  four  and  one-half  miles 
long  and  one  to  one  and  a  half  miles  wide.  It  has  an  area  of  about  five 
square  miles.  It  lies  east  of  the  central  drift  ridge,  which  divides  the  waters 
of  the  county.  The  surrounding  country  is  massively  rolling  drift,  and  on 
the  eastern  side  is  well  timbered.  The  water  is  very  pure  and  crystalline. 
The  shores  are  strewn  with  pebbles  and  small  sub-angular  boulders.  There 
are  very  few  reeds  and  bushes.  The  temperature  of  this  lake  on  the  i6th  of 
August  was  73  degrees  F.,  surface:  and  8i  degrees  F.,  air.  The  inlet  of 
Lake  Ida  is  at  the  northern  end,  where  it  recei\"es  the  surplus  water  of  Lake 
]\liltnna.     Tlie  outlet  is  at  the  siiutheast  corner,  whence  it  flows  south. 

"The  charming  little  Lake  Latoka  is  only  two  miles  from  Alexandria. 
It  is  abinit  one  and  one-half  miles  long  and  half  a  mile  wide.  It  lies  in  a 
deep  and  quite  uniform  basin.  It  has  average  depth  of  fifty  feet,  the  great- 
est being  eighty  feet.  The  bluffs  around  the  north  end  at  the  outlet  are 
from  two  to  thirty  feet  high.  The  soil  is  sand  and  gravel,  including  some 
boulders.  The  water  is  remarkably  pure  and  of  a  deep  Ixittle-green  color. 
The  surrounding  country  is  covered  with  forest. 

"Lake  Cowdrev,  a  few  rods  north  of  Latoka,  is  smaller  in  area  but  a 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA.  OI 

\-ery  pretty  lake.  Here  the  .surplus  waters  from  some  twelve  or  fourteen 
other  lakes  combine  and  send  a  deep,  strong  current  north  to  Lake  Darling. 

"A  sheet  of  water  two  miles  long  and  a  mile  wide,  surrounded  by 
forests  of  stately  trees,  dry  and  bold  shores,  divided  by  a  bar  near  the 
northern  end  into  two  basins,  almost  two  lakes,  this  is  Lake  Darling.  The 
inlet  at  the  southern  extremity  pours  continually  into  this  lake  the  surplus 
Avaters  of  a  dozen  others.  The  depth  varies  from  sixteen  to  fifty  feet. 
The  water  is  clear  and  pure. 

"Lake  A'ictoria  receives  the  drainage  from  half  a  dozen  smaller  lakes 
at  the  south.  There  are  two  arms,  an  eastern  and  western ;  both  have  inlets 
and  combine  to  form  the  main  body  of  the  lake.  The  western  arm  is 
much  the  larger.  In  this  basin  the  great  mass  of  the  water  lies.  Its  depth, 
near  the  center,  varies  from  forty  to  fifty  feet.  The  east  arm  is  thirty 
to  forty  feet  deep.  Near  the  outlet  the  water  becomes  shallow  and  reeds 
are  numerous.  In  the  center  of  the  lowest  part  of  the  lake  the  depth  varies 
from  twenty-two  to  thirty-eight  feet.  The  water  is  not  very  pure ;  it  contains 
a  considerable  amount  of  decaying  vegetable  matter,  brought  down  from 
swamps  and  shallow  lakes  above.  The  shores  of  the  Victoria  are  generallv 
high  and  wooded.  The  banks,  where  exposed,  are  clay.  A  very  short  out- 
let, crossed  by  the  Great  Northern  railway,  brings  us  to  the  next  link  in 
the  chain. 

"Lake  Geneva  is  nearly  two  miles  long  and  half  a  mile  wide.  Its 
waters  are  clearer  than  those  of  Victoria.  In  some  parts  it  is  also  con- 
siderably deeper.  Soundings  varying  from  thirty  to  sixty  feet  were  made 
in  the  south  part  of  the  lake.  There  is  clay  in  the  surrounding  bluffs,  which 
rise  ten  to  twenty  feet  above  the  water.  The  railway  has  made  a  long, 
high  'fill'  at  the  inlet.  In  consequence  of  these  facts  the  water  holds  in 
suspension  considerable  earthy  matter,  giving  it  at  times  a  faint  vellowish 
tinge. 

"One  of  the  charms  of  tliis  chain  of  lakes  and  the  country  adjacent  is 
the  presence  of  fine,  large  forest  trees,  which  the  ravages  of  the  'woodman' 
have  not  laid  low.  For  this  reason  the  shores  of  these  lakes  are  particu- 
larly attractive  as  places  of  resort  in  summer. 

"Lake  Le  Homme  Dieu  has  a  quite  irregular  shape  and  lies  in  two 
distinct  depressions  of  unequal  depth.  The  long  point  that  runs  out  from 
the  west  side  is  continued  under  water  by  a  bar  extending  more  than  half 
way  across  the  lake.  In  the  southern  basin,  not  far  from  the  inlet,  the 
water  is  from  sixty  to  seventy-five  feet  deep.     Iji  various  parts  of  this  basin 


62  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

depths  varying  from  twenty-five  to  fifty-seven  feet  were  found.  The  lower 
basin  at  the  north  end  of  the  lake  is  larger  and  includes  a  deep  bay  on 
the  west  side,  but  on  the  whole  this  portion  of  the  lake  is  shallower  than  the 
other. 

"As  a  whole,  it  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sheets  of  water  in  Minne- 
sota. The  shores  are  moderately  high  and  well  rounded.  It  is  separated 
only  by  a  narrow  bar  from  Lake  Carlos.  The  water  is  clear  and  pure. 
In  this  respect  there  is  a  gradual  improvement  as  we  proceed  down  the 
chain.  Geneva  is  purer  than  Victoria,  Le  Homme  Dieu  is  purer  than  Geneva, 
and  Carlos  is  purest  of  them  all. 

"Lake  Carlos  is  the  gem  of  this  group  of  lakes.  It  is  the  last  and  low- 
est of  the  series.  It  is  the  immediate  source  of  Long  Prairie  river,  which 
forms  its  outlet  at  the  northeast  corner.  It  has  two  inlets,  one  from  lake 
Darling  at  the  southern  extremity,  and  the  other  from  Lake  Le  Homme 
Dieu.  It  thus  receives  the  surplus  waters  of  all  the  other  lakes  north  and 
south  and  the  drainage  of  six  townships.  The  lake  in  some  places  is  one 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  deep,  and  there  is  a  channel  averaging  fifty  feet  deep, 
extending  the  entire  length  of  the  lake.  The  deepest  area  is  not  far  from 
the  Le  Homme  Dieu  inlet.  There  are  shallow  areas  where  the  water  is 
only  five  to  ten  feet  deep,  further  down  the  lake.  It  is  about  five  miles  long 
and  a  mile  wide.  Tlie  water  is  perfectly  pure,  of  a  deep,  bottle-green  color. 
The  color,  however,  varies  with  the  sky  and  weather,  and  is  sometimes  a  deep 
indigo  and  sometimes  a  light  delicate  blue.  In  this  lake,  as  in  many  others, 
which  have  been  explored  with  the  sounding  line  and  other  appliances  for 
discovering  what  lies  at  the  bottom,  it  was  found  that  there  are,  under  the 
level  surface  of  the  water,  a  variety  of  hill  and  dale,  plateaus,  ravines, 
abrupt  declivities  and  gradual  slopes  very  similar  to  the  irregularities  of 
the  county  around.  Vegetation,  too,  flourishes  beneath  the  waves  as  vigor- 
ously as  on  the  main  land,  while  the  waters  are  thronged  with  fish  of  many 
species  and  of  delicious  flavor. 

"There  are  many  indications  about  the  shores  of  these  lakes  of  former 
higher  levels  of  water.  There  are  old  beaches  and  half-obscured  terraces 
which  show  that  the  lakes  were  connected  at  no  very  remote  date.  The 
whole  of  the  'Alexandria  prairie,'  which  lies  between  the  two  chains  of 
lakes,  is  modified  drift.  The  gravel,  sands  and  clays  are  finely  stratified 
and  record  the  fact  that  at  the  close  of  the  ice  age  some  ancient  river  with 
gentle  current  flowed  here,  rearranging  and  depositing  in  their  present  posi- 
tions the  materials  wliich  the  glacier  had  brought  down. 

"On    the    eastern    lioundary   of    Douglas    county,    but    lying   chiefly    in 


DOL'GLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  63 

Todd  county,  is  Lake  Osakis.  It  is  about  seven  miles  long.  The  southern 
part  is  a  mile  and  a  half  to  two  miles  wide.  The  northern  part  is  narrow 
and  deep.  The  depths  at  the  upper  end  of  the  lake  varied  from  forty  to 
seventy  feet.  In  the  broader  part  of  the  lake  there  are  large  areas  of  shallow 
water,  varying  from  five  to  fifteen  feet,  the  average  depth  being  alx)ut  twenty- 
five  feet.  Around  the  southern  end  of  the  lake,  the  prairie  slopes  down 
gradually  to  the  water's  edge.  Some  of  the  shores  are  low  and  wet.  At 
other  points  they  are  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  above  the  water.  The  water 
varies  in  purity.  In  the  deep  parts  at  the  north  end  it  was  quite  pure.  In 
shallow  places  and  where  the  wind  stirs  the  whole  volume  to  the  bot- 
tom, it  has  the  yellowish  hue  characteristic  of  the  more  alkaline  lakes. 

"Among  the  hills  in  the  southern  part  of  Douglas  county  are  a  multi- 
tude of  small  lakes,  the  largest  of  which  is  Lake  Oscar.  The  surrounding 
country  is  rolling,  and  there  are  some  abrupt  declivities  and  massive  hills 
of  drift,  whose  summits  are  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above 
the  lakes.  There  is  a  fringe  of  oaks  about  the  lake,  and  a  forest  on  the 
northeast  stretches  away  to  Alexandria  and  beyond.  Toward  the  west 
and  south  lies  a  prairie  country.  The  outlet  of  Lake  Oscar,  in  high  water, 
is  into  the  Chippewa  river.  Its  only  tributaries  are  other  and  smaller  lakes. 
The  basin  is  subdivided  by  various  points  and  bars.  The  outlet  is  very 
irregular.  This  interlocking  of  the  water  gives  the  most  charming  scenery. 
The  shores  are  bold,  being  in  several  places  thirty  to  forty  feet  above  the 
water.  The  lake  is  about  thirty  feet  deep  in  its  largest  basin,  growing  shal- 
lower, of  course,  about  the  shore's  points. 

"In  the  extreme  northwestern  part  of  the  county  is  Lake  Christina, 
which  has  an  area  of  about  six  scjuare  miles,  but  is  very  shallow.  The 
water  is  decidedly  yellow  and  muddy.  It  is  full  of  reeds  and  rushes.  Its 
shallow  depth  and  the  rills  and  rivulets  pouring  down  from  clay  deposits 
keep  it  looking  very  much  like  the  Missouri  river.  It  is  rather  exceptional 
in  this  respect  among  the  lakes  of  this  region." 

Maple  lake,  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county,  and  Smith  lake, 
in  the  southeastern  part,  are  both  fine,  deep  lakes. 

Topography.  The  south  edge  of  the  great  terminal  moraine  called  the 
Leaf  hills  extends  into  Lund  along  the  north  side  of  Lake  Christina  and 
into  Millerville  north  of  Lakes  Moses  and  Aaron.  Its  elevations  in  these 
townships  along  the  north  line  of  Douglas  county  are  one  hundred  to  two 
hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  lakes,  or  thirteen  hundred  to  sixteen 
hundred  feet  alaove.the  sea. 

At  the  highest  point  of  the  Leaf  hills  in  Otter  Tail  county,  fifteen  miles 


64  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

south  of  the  Leaf  lakes,  a  morainic  belt  branches  off  nearly  at  right  angles 
from  the  range  of  the  Leaf  hills  and  extends  southeast  into  Douglas  county. 
In  the  first  few  miles  this  moraine  decreases  in  height  from  two  hundred  to 
seventy-five  feet.  At  the  north  line  of  Douglas  county  it  divides  into  two 
divergent  belts,  both  showing  a  rough  and  broken  surface,  though  the  hills  of 
each  are  only  seventy-five  feet  or  less  in  height.  One  of  these  continues  south- 
east and  east  through  Spruce  Hill  township  into  Todd  county;  the  other 
runs  south-southwest  to  the  northwest  side  of  Lake  Miltona,  along  the  west 
side  of  Lake  Ida,  by  Elk  lake  and  the  west  part  of  Lake  Lobster,  to  the  con- 
spicuous hills,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high,  at  the  southwest  corner 
of  Moe.  Each  of  these  belts  averages  about  one  mile  wide.  The  latter  in  its 
farther  extent,  seems  to  leave  by  a  continuous  course  from  the  prominent 
Leaf  hills  to  the  almost  equally  noteworthy  morainic  range  which  extends 
through  a  distance  of  forty  miles  in  southern  Pope  and  northern  Kandiyohi 
counties. 

From  the  hills  in  Moe  and  the  northeast  part  of  Solum,  lying  on  the 
north  and  west  sides  of  Lake  Oscar,  this  terminal  moraine,  seldom  much  ele- 
vated above  the  adjacent  country,  but  distinguished  by  its  irregular  hills  and 
hollows,  continues  with  an  average  width  of  about  one  mile,  first  southwest 
and  south  twelve  miles  to  the  bridge  across  the  Chippewa  river  in  section  32, 
Xora  township,  in  Pope  county;  then  southeast,  east,  and  east-northeast 
eighteen  miles,  passing  along  the  north  side  of  Lake  Whipple  to  Glenwood. 
It  will  probably  be  found  traceable,  also,  by  low  knolls  and  ridges,  from  the 
bridge  in  Pope  county  to  the  hills  in  Blue  Mounds  township,  in  the  same 
ci^unty.  About  three  miles  southwest  from  the  course  of  this  moraine,  a 
roughly  broken  tract  of  morainic  hillocks  and  ridges  was  noted. 

Most  of  northwestern  Douglas  county,  between  the  Leaf  hills  and  lake 
Christina  on  the  north  and  the  moraine  that  extends  from  Lakes  Miltona  and 
Ida  southwest  to  Lake  Oscar,  is  prominently  rolling  till,  rising  with  smooth 
slopes  in  swells  thirty  to  fifty  feet  above  the  depressions  and  lakes.  The 
most  rolling  portion  of  this  area  is  found  in  the  west  part  of  Ida  township, 
and  on  a  belt  several  miles  wide  southwest  from  the  Great  Northern  railway. 
Northwest  from  Brandon  station  a  tract  of  moderately  undulating  and  partly 
level  gravel  and  sand,  belonging  to  the  modified  drift,  extends  to  the  Chip- 
pewa river:  and  in  Millerville  nearly  level  modified  drift  extends  two  or 
three  miles  south  and  east  from  Lake  Moses,  having  a  height  of  twenty  to 
forty  feet  above  this  lake.  The  same  formation  of  gravel  and  sand  con- 
tinues iiorriiward  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Karon  to  the  moraine,  but  in  this 
portion  it  has  a  motlerately  undulating  surface. 


A      TYl'lCAL      I.(l(;      CAHIX      OF      THE     I'lOXKKi;    I'KKI 


I.AKK    \"I(T(li;iA.    norCLAS    COIXTY 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  65 

The  southwest  edge  of  Douglas  county,  west  and  south  from  Red  Rock 
lake,  is  a  somewhat  lower  and  gently  undulating  expanse  of  till.  In  the 
south  part  of  this  county,  southeast  from  the  moraine,  Holmes  City,  Lake 
Mary  and  the  west  half  of  La  Grand  are  undulating  or  rolling  till,  with  eleva- 
tions twenty  to  forty  feet  above  the  hollows.  The  morainic  hills  of  till  west 
of  Lake  Ida  and  north  of  the  west  part  of  Lake  Miltona,  seventy-five  to  one 
hundred  feet  high,  are  quite  in  contrast  with  the  moderately  undulating  or 
often  nearly  level  till  which  covers  central  and  southeastern  Miltona  and 
continues  thence  south  through  Carlos  and  Alexandria,  the  east  part  of  Hud- 
son, the  south  part  of  Belle  River  and  Osakis  and  Orange  townships. 

In  northeastern  Miltona  and  Spruce  Hill  townships  the  morainic  belt 
consists  chiefly  of  kame-like,  short,  disconnected  ridges  of  coarse  gravel, 
twenty  to  thirty,  or  rarely,  forty  feet  high,  most  frequently  trending  from 
west  to  east,  or  approximately  so.  North  and  south  of  this  belt  are  tracts  of 
level  modified  drift,  only  ten  to  twenty-five  feet  above  the  streams;  that  south 
of  the  moraine  occupies  the  north  half  of  Belle  River  township,  and  con- 
tinues westward  on  the  south  side  of  the  Long  Prairie  river  to  Lake  Carlos. 

Another  tract  of  modified  drift,  consisting  for  the  most  part  of  level 
or  slightly  undulating  sand  and  gravel,  extends  eight  or  nine  miles  south  from 
Alexandria,  through  the  west  half  of  Hudson  township;  and  the  same  forma- 
tion with  a  more  rolling  surface,  in  swells  and  plateaus  twenty-five  to  fifty 
feet  above  the  depressions  and  lakes,  also  reaches  three  or  four  miles  west 
and  northwest  from  Alexandria,  through  the  east  half  of  La  Grand  town- 
ship. Kames  of  coarse  gravel,  forming  short  ridges,  ten  to  thirty  feet  high, 
were  noted  near  the  Maple  lake  school  house  in  section  29,  Hudson  town- 
ship. 

Osakis  lake  is  about  thirteen  hundred  and  ten  feet,  and  Lakes  Winona 
and  Agnes,  close  west  and  north  of  Alexandria,  are  about  thirteen  hundred 
and  sixty-five  feet  above  the  sea. 

The  highest  land  in  Douglas  county  is  on  or  near  the  north  line  of  Millers- 
ville,  which  crosses  the  border  of  the  Leaf  hills,  attaining  at  a  few  points  a 
height  of  about  sixteen  hundred  feet  above  the  sea.  The  other  portions  of 
this  county  are  from  one  hundred  to  four  hundred  feet  lower,  its  lowest 
land  being  the  shore  of  lake  Christina,  which  is  about  twelve  hundred  and 
fifteen  feet  above  the  sea,  or  the  valley  of  the  Chippewa  river  at  the  south- 
west corner  of  the  county,  which  has  nearly  the  same  elevation.  Estimates 
of  the  average  heights  of  the  townships  of  Douglas  county  are  as  follows: 
Spruce  Hill,  fourteen  hundred  feet  above  the  sea;  Belle  River,  thirteen  hun- 
(5) 


(^  DOUGLAS    AND   GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

dred  and  forty;  Osakis,  thirteen  hundred  and  sixty;  Orange,  thirteen  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five;  Miltona,  fourteen  hundred  and  forty;  Carlos,  thirteen 
hundred  and  seventy-five ;  Alexandria,  thirteen  hundred  and  eighty ;  Hudson, 
thirteen  hundred  and  ninety;  Leaf  Valley,  fourteen  hundred  and  twenty;  Ida, 
fourteen  hundred  and  twenty-five;  La  Grand,  thirteen  hundred  and  ninety; 
Lake  Mary,  fourteen  hundred;  Millerville,  fourteen  hundred  and  forty; 
Chippewa,  thirteen  hundred  and  ninety ;  Moe,  fourteen  hundred  and  twenty ; 
Holmes  City,  fourteen  hundred  and  ten;  Lund,  thirteen  hundred  and  thirty; 
Evansville,  thirteen  hundred  and  fifty;  Urness,  thirteen  hundred  and  sixty; 
and  Solem,  thirteen  hundred  and  fifty.  The  mean  elevation  of  Douglas 
county,  derived  from  these  figures,  is  approximately  thirteen  hundred  and 
eighty-five  feet. 

Soil  and  Timber.  The  l)lack  soil,  one  to  two  feet  thick,  is  the  upper 
part  of  the  glacial  and  modified  drift  covering  this  county,  thus  colored  and 
made  fertile  by  the  decay  of  vegetation  during  many  centuries.  The  carbon- 
ates of  lime  and  magnesia,  in  the  form  of  magnesian  limestone  boulders, 
pebbles  and  fine  detritus,  are  an  important  ingredient  of  the  drift,  contribut- 
ing much  to  the  productiveness  of  the  soil,  and  also  making  the  water  of  wells 
and  springs  hard.  Alkaline  matter  is  not  present  in  appreciable  quantity. 
Wheat  and  other  grains,  sorghum,  potatoes  and  other  vegetables,  live  stock, 
butter  and  cheese,  are  the  chief  agricultural  products. 

Douglas  county  is  well  supplied  with  timber,  about  half  its  area  being 
wooded.  This  forest  extends  from  Miltona,  Spruce  Hill  and  Belle  River,  its 
most  northeastern  townships,  southwestward  to  Lakes  Andrews,  Mary  and 
Oscar.  Southeast  of  this  belt,  the  south  edge  of  Osakis  and  most  of  Orange 
and  Hudson  townships  are  prairie.  In  the  northwest  part  of  Douglas  county 
a  strip  of  timber  two  or  three  miles  wide,  consisting  partly  of  oak  openings, 
extends  from  Lake  Miltona  westerly  to  Chippewa  lake  and  into  Millerville 
and  Lund  townships.    Besides  this,  most  of  the  lakes  are  fringed  with  woods. 

GEOLOGICAL    STRUCTURE. 

This  count}-  is  entirely  covered  by  the  glacial  and  modified  drift.  The 
thickness  of  the  drift  in  Douglas  county  is  probably  from  one  hundred  to 
two  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  Its  bottom  has  not  been  reached  by  wells,  and 
this  estimate  is  derived  from  its  known  thickness  on  adjoining  areas.  The 
greater  part  of  this  formation  is  till  or  the  modified  glacial  drift,  called  also 
boulder-clay,  or  hardpan,  deposited  by  the  ice-sheet  without  modification  by 
water.     With  this  are  associated  beds  of  modified  drift  or  gravel,  sand  and 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  67 

clay,  which  were  gathered  from  the  ice,  assorted  and  laid  down  by  the  waters 
set  free  by  glacial  melting. 

Terminal  moraines.  The  material  of  the  terminal  moraines  of  the  ice- 
sheet  which  have  been  explored  in  Minnesota  is  nearly  everywhere  till,  with 
scanty  deposits  of  modified  drift.  The  latter  consists  of  obliquely  and  irregu- 
larly stratified  gravel  and  sand,  the  gravel  often  being  very  coarse,  with 
pebbles  and  rounded  stones  of  all  sizes  up  to  a  foot  or  more  in  diameter. 
It  either  occurs  enclosed  in  the  till,  forming  beds  and  masses  of  variable 
shapes  from  a  few  inches  to  several  feet  in  thickness,  or  sometimes  it  is 
spread  upon  the  surface  and  forms  knolls  and  ridges.  No  considerable  area 
or  extensive  portion  of  this  formation  is  found  to  consist  of  water,  within  this 
region;  though  at  some  localities  in  Spruce  Hill  township,  it  is  in  great  part 
stratified  gravel  and  sand,  usually  with  numerous  boulders  enclosed  and 
scattered  over  its  ridges  and  hillocks. 

The  till  of  the  terminal  moraines  differs  very  noticeably  from  the  more 
level  areas  of  till  which  generally  lie  at  each  side ;  in  that  the  former  has  many 
more  boulders,  and  a  much  larger  intermixture  of  gravel  and  sand  than  the 
latter.  On  an  average,  probably  twenty  times  as  many  rock-fragments,  both 
large  and  small,  occur  in  the  morainic  hills  and  knolls  as  on  the  smoother 
tracts,  and  sometimes  the  ratio  is  a  hundredfold.  The  smaller  pebbles  and 
stones  have  angular  and  unworn  forms,  or  more  frequently  are  rounded, 
probably  by  water-wearing  before  the  glacial  period,  or  show  planed  and 
striated  surfaces,  due  to  grinding  under  the  moving  ice-sheet.  The  large 
boulders  are  mostly  less  than  five  feet,  but  rarely  are  ten  feet  or  more  in 
diameter.  In  form  they  are  subangular  and  of  irregular  shape,  rarely  show- 
ing any  distinctly  water-worn  or  glaciated  surface. 

In  contour  these  deposits  are  very  uneven,  consisting  usuallv  of  many 
hillocks,  mounds  and  ridges  of  rough  outlines  and  broken  slopes,  with  enclosed 
hollows,  which  are  sometimes  nearly  round,  but  more  generally  have  some 
irregular  fomi,  often  holding  sloughs  and  lakelets.  The  only  indication  of 
system  appears  in  the  frequently  noticeable  trends  of  the  elevations  and 
depressions  in  a  direction  approximately  parallel  with  the  course  of  the 
series. 

It  should  be  added  that  the  ridges  which  occur  as  part  of  this  formation 
differ  from  the  ridges  of  interbedded  gravel  and  sand  called  osars,  in  their 
material,  which  is  usually  boulder-clay  or  till;  in  their  trend,  at  right  angles 
with  the  course  in  which  the  ice  moved,  while  series  of  osars  extend  nearly 
in  the  direction  taken  by  glacial  currents;  and  in  their  length,  single  ridges 
of  the  moraines  being  only  froiu  a  few  rods  to  a  quarter  of  a  mile  or  very 


68  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

rarely  perhaps  a  half  mile  long,  while  a  single  ridge  in  a  series  of  osars  is 
generally  longer,  and  is  sometimes  distinctly  traceable  ten  or  twenty  miles.  In 
this  state,  however,  osars  of  similar  extent  with  those  of  Sweden  and  Scot- 
land, and  those  described  in  Maine  by  Prof.  George  H.  Stone,  in  ^lassa- 
chusetts  by  Rev.  G.  F.  Wright,  and  in  New  Hampshire  by  Professor  \\'in- 
chell.  have  not  been  found. 

The  height  of  the  morainic  elevations  above  the  intervening  hollows 
is  generalh"  from  twenty-five  to  seventy-five  or  one  hundred  feet.  The  only 
district  in  this  state  where  they  are  higher  for  any  considerable  part  of  the 
series  is  the  Leaf  hills,  which  through  a  distance  of  twenty  miles  rise  from 
one  hundred  to  three  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  adjoining  country. 
Upon  the  Coteau  des  Prairies  the  terminal  moraines  lie  on  areas  of  highland, 
to  tlie  altitude  of  which  xhey  appear  to  add  seventy-five  or  one  hundred  and 
rarely  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  hundred  feet. 

For  agriculture  the  value  of  the  terminal  moraines  is  much  less  than 
that  of  the  gently  undulated  till  which  generally  covers  other  parts  of  this 
region.  Among  the  hills  of  this  formation,  however,  are  found  considerable 
areas  which  have  a  smooth  surface,  nearly  free  from  boulders,  and  possess 
a  highly  productive  soil;  while  the  portions  which  are  too  knolly  and  stony 
for  desirable  cultivation  afiford  excellent  pasturage.  In  some  districts  the 
entire  morainic  belt  is  in  smooth  swells,  being  all  good  farming  land. 

The  origin  of  these  series  of  drift  hills  is  confidently  referred  to  the 
action  of  the  continental  ice-sheet,  accumulating  them  at  its  margin  in  suc- 
cessive belts,  which  mark  the  farthest  limit  reached  by  the  ice  in  the  last 
glacial  epoch  and  lines  where  it  halted  or  perhaps  temporarily  re-advanced 
during  its  final  recession.  Their  reference  to  the  agency  of  land-ice  is 
required  by  the  partly  near  and  partly  remote  sources  of  their  material; 
bv  its  generallv  unstratified  condition;  by  its  transportation  next  to  these 
hill-ranges  in  courses  nearly  at  right  angles  toward  them ;  and  by  the  variable 
elevation  of  the  series,  conforming  to  all  the  irregularities  in  altitude  of  the 
region  across  which  they  extend. 

In  general,  the  material  and  contour  of  the  morainic  belts  in  Douglas 
county  present  the  same  characteristics  as  in  other  parts  of  the  state,  agreeing 
fully  with  the  foregoing  descriptions.  The  contour  of  the  drift  hills,  trending 
from  east  to  west,  is  in  the  same  direction  as  the  belt  which  they  form.  Their 
material  is  partly  sand  and  gravel,  commonly  with  frequent  or  abundant 
boulders,  and  partly  Ixiulder-clay  or  till.  The  shortness  and  the  disconnected 
or  irregularly  interlocked  arrangement  of  the  ridges,  their  variable  width 
and  broken  sloi>es,  forbid  their  reference  to  such  glacial  rivers  as  deposited 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  69 

the  prolonged  narrow  ridges  called  osars,  and  seem  to  prove  that  their  accumu- 
lation, where  they  consist  of  sand  and  gravel,  was  by  the  waters  flowing 
down  from  the  melting  surface  of  the  ice-sheet  along  its  margin.  This  mode 
of  formation  must  also  be  attributed  to  the  greater  part  of  the  morainic 
belt  observed  in  Soruce  Hill  township,  and  the  northeast  part  of  Miltona, 
and  to  the- upper  part  of  the  bluffs  at  Glenwood.  Boulders  are  usually  pres- 
ent, and  at  many  places  are  very  abundant  in  and  on  the  deposits  of  gravel 
and  sand  in  the  morainic  belts;  but  they  are  usually  absent  or  rare  in  and 
on  osars,  wherever  these  peculiar  gravel  ridges  have  been  observed. 

Comparison  and  correlation  with  the  morainic  belts  of  other  portions 
of  the  state  indicate  that  the  series  of  drift  hills  is  contemporaneous  with  the 
sixth  or  Waconia  moraine  and  the  seventh  or  Dove  moraine.  The  former 
is  represented  by  the'  drift  accumulations  along  the  line  of  Chippewa  and 
Lake  Whipple  in  Pope  county.  The  latter,  or  Dove  moraine,  continues 
westerly  and  northwest  to  Nora  township,  where  it  curves  graduallv  and 
thence  runs  northeast  through  the  county  by  Takes  Oscar.  Ida  and  ^liltona. 
The  lobe  of  the  ice-sheet  on  whose  boundaries  these  lines  of  knolly  and  hilly 
drift  were  formed,  lay  on  their  south  and  west  side.  At  the  time  of  the 
Waconia  moraine  the  angle  in  the  glacial  boundary  formed  by  the  confluence 
of  the  ice-fields  flowing  from  the  west  and  those  flowing  from  the  north 
and  northeast  was  probably  near  Glenwood,  in  Pope  county,  the  northern  ice 
temiinating  on  the  tract  of  rolling  till  that  extends  eastward  from  Glenwood 
and  Lake  Reno  into  Stearns  county,  not  distinguished  by  specially  morainic 
contour.  At  the  time  of  the  Dove  moraine  this  northern  ice  appears  to  have 
reached  only  to  Spruce  Hill  township,  its  angle  of  confluence  with  the  west- 
ern ice-lobe  l^eing  in  the  north  part  of  Miltona  township.  During  the  two 
stages  next  later  in  the  glacial  recession  the  massive  Leaf  hills  were  accumu- 
lated at  the  south  end  of  the  western  "ice-lobe,  which  in  its  earlier  extent  had 
covered  the  basin  of  the  Minnesota  river  and  stretched  southward  in  Iowa 
to  Des  Moines. 

In  the  suljsequent  recession  of  the  ice-sheet  from  eastern  Douglas 
county,  b}-  which  its  margin  was  withdrawn  to  the  moraines  of  Lakes  Oscar, 
Ida  and  Miltona,  and  that  of  Spruce  Hill  township,  further  deposits  of 
modified  drift  were  made,  including  the  Mt  of  undulating  or  nearly  flat 
sand  and  gravel,  about  one  mile  wide,  reaching  from  Lake  Amelia  and 
Turtle  lake  to  the  north  end  of  Westport  lake  and  continuing  thence  with 
less  width  along  Ashley  creek  to  the  Sauk  river;  the  plain  in  Hudson  and 
Alexandria  townships,  with  the  connected  area  of  plateaus,  swells  and  kame- 
like  accumulations  in  La  Grand  township ;  and  the  plain  bordering  the  Lon<T 


yo  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Prairie  river  in  Carlos  and  Belle  river  townships,  with  associated  undulating 
and  partly  rolling  and  kame-like  deposits  in  the  south  part  of  Spruce  Hill. 
The  terminal  moraines  in  Todd  county  show,  however,  that  the  course  of 
drainage  could  not  continue  north-eastward  in  the  valley  of  Long  Prairie 
river,  still  covered  by  the  ice-sheet,  but  was  turned  southward  into  the  Sauk 
valley. 

Much  of  Carlos  township  has  a  moderately  undulating  surface  of  till, 
underlain  at  the  depth  of  ten  to  twenty  feet  by  a  thick  bed  of  sand,  in  which 
wells  obtain  water  before  reaching  its  bottom.  Again,  about  one  mile  east 
of  Alexandria  a  railroad-cut  was  seen  to  consist  of  stratified  sand  and  gravel, 
having  a  vertical  thickness  of  twenty  feet  exposed  and  continuing  lower, 
overlain  by  a  deposit  of  till  three  to  ten  feet  thick.  These  observations  prove 
a  considerable  re-advance  of  the  ice  after  it  had  once  retreated,  but  both 
these  movements  probably  took  place  within  the  same  last  glacial  epoch. 

A  fault  was  seen  in  a  lenticular  layer  of  dark  laminated  clay  one  and  a 
half  feet  thick,  enclosed  in  till,  in  the  section  cut  for  the  railroad  in  the 
north  part  of  Evansville.  The  north  end  of  this  clay  layer  has  fallen  one  and 
a  half  feet.  This  is  five  feet  above  the  railroad  track  and  about  thirty-five 
feet  below  the  surface,  the  whole  section  above  and  beneath  the  faulted  clay 
being  till. 

Mean  elevation  due  to  underlying  formations.  The  grand  topographic 
features  of  this  district,  as  the  highlands  and  the  depression  occupied  bv  Lake 
Christina,  are  doubtless  due  to  the  contour  of  the  formations,  probably  Cre- 
taceous, which  underlie  the  drift  deposits.  Erosion  during  the  long  Ter- 
tiary ages  had  probably  sculptured  the  strata  that  then  formed  the  surface 
in  massive  hills  and  elevated  areas  resembling  the  buttes  and  mesas  of 
the  West,  divided  by  basins  and  channels  sometimes  several  hundred  feet 
lower.  Such  preglacial  contour,  though  partially  planed  down  and  filled  up 
by  the  erosion  of  the  ice,  still  determined  the  mean  elevation  of  the  envelop- 
ing drift-sheet,  giving  in  this  district  the  l^eautiful  scenery  in  southwestern 
Minnesota. 

Boulders  of  magnesian  limestone,  like  that  outcropping  near  Winnipeg 
in  Manitoba,  are  frequent  in  the  drift  throughout  this  country,  perhaps  mak- 
ing on  an  average  a  twentieth  part  of  the  rock- fragments  over  one  foot  in 
size.  Occasionally  very  large  slabs  and  blocks  of  it  are  found,  measuring 
ten  to  twenty  feet  in  length.  A  much  larger  proportion  of  the  gravel  is  this 
limestone,  which  makes  alx)ut  a  third  on  the  shores  of  some  of  the  lakes. 

The  other  boulders  and  gravel  are  chiefly  crystalline  rocks,  as  granite, 
syenite,  gneiss,  and  micaceous  and  hornblendic  schists.     The  largest  mass  of 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  7I 

this  kind  observed  is  a  boulder  of  flesh-colored  granite.  It  is  forty  or  fifty 
feet  below  the  highest  land  of  the  township.  This  kind  of  granite,  however, 
does  not  appear  to  be  specially  abundant  in  the  drift.  No  other  boulder  of 
the  crystalline  rocks  larger  than  five  to  seven  feet  in  dimension,  was  noticed 
in  the  county. 

Ice-formed  ridges  of  gravel  and  sand,  sometimes  with  numerous  boul- 
ders, occur  in  many  places  on  the  shores  of  lakes,  usually  where  the  water 
is  shallow  and  the  adjoining  land  low,  being  quite  often  a  marsh  scarcely 
higher  than  the  lake,  above  which  the  ridge  has  a  height  of  three  to  six  and 
seven  feet,  with  a  width  of  three  to  six  or  eight  rods.  Such  ridges  are  seen 
on  the  southeast  side  of  Lake  Moses  in  Millerville  township;  at  the  mouth 
of  Little  Chippewa  lake  in  section  9,  Chippewa  township;  along  a  distance 
of  one  and  a  half  miles  on  the  west  side  of  the  north  part  of  Lake  Amelia 
and  between  this  and  Turtle  lake,  which  were  united  before  the  formation, 
of  this  ridge. 

The  soil  and  agricultural  capabilities  of  the  county,  and  its  timber,  has 
already  been  noticed.  In  adaptation  for  profitable  farming,  which  must  con- 
tinue to  be  their  chief  source  of  wealth,  they  are  unsurpassed  by  any  other 
part  of  the  state  or  of  the  Northwest. 

Building  Sfoiic.  No  rock-outcrops  occur  in  this  district,  but  the 
boulders  of  the  drift  supply  the  needs  of  the  farmer  for  coarse  masonry,  as 
foundations  and  the  walls  of  cellars  and  wells. 

Lime.  Magnesian  limestone  boulders  are  used  in  many  places  for  lime- 
burning.  Lime  is  burned  at  Evansville  and  other  parts  of  Evansville  town- 
ship, as  well  as  in  Millerville,  Chippewa,  Ida  and  La  Grand  townships. 

ABORIGINAL   EARTHWORKS. 

In  the  northern  corner  of  Alexandria  township,  between  Lakes  Carlos 
and  Le  Homme  Dieu,  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  in  heavy  woods,  is  a  steep 
mound,  about  fifteen  feet  high,  which  has  been  partly  dug  out  and  was  found 
to  contain  bones.  Near  this  are  also  two  or  three  smaller  mounds,  about  five 
feet  high. 


CHAPTER  III. 

The  Kensington  Rune  Stone;  An  Ancient  Tragedy. 

If  the  conclusions  of  eminent  archaeologists  be  correct,  the  one  outstand- 
ing, paramount  fact  in  the  histor_v  of  Douglas  county  is  that  one  hundred  and 
thirty  years  before  the  voyage  of  Columbus  to  America,  white  men — Euro- 
peans— had  trod  the  soil  of  that  section  of  Minnesota  now  comprised  within 
the  boundaries  of  Douglas  county  and  had  left  here  a  record  of  their  travels 
and  of  their  perilous  adventures  and  of  the  death  of  ten  of  their  number  at 
the  hands  of  the  savages. 

EIGHT  GOTHS  AXD  TWEXTY-TW'O  NORWE- 
GIANS UPON  A  JOURNEY  OF  DISCOVERY 
FROM  VINLAND  WESTWARD.  WE  HAD  A 
CAMP  BY  TWO  SKERRIES  ONE  DAY'S  JOUR- 
NEY NORTH  FROM  THIS  STONE.  WE  WERE 
OUT  FISHING  ONE  DAY.  WHEN  WE  RE- 
TURNED HOME  WE  FOUND  TEN  MEN  RED 
WITH  BLOOD  AND  DEAD.  A  V  M,  SAVE  US 
FROM  EVIL.  HAVE  TEN  MEN  BY  THE  SEA  TO 
LOOK  AFTER  OUR  VESSEL  FOURTEEN  DAY^S' 
JOURNEY    FROM    THIS    ISLAND.     YEAR     1362. 

When  a  stone  inscribed  in  Runic  characters  carrying  the  above  simple 
narrative  was  unearthed  on  the  farm  of  Olaf  Ohman  on  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  14,  Solem  township,  about  three  miles  northeast  from  Kensington 
station,  in  Douglas  county,  in  the  fall  of  1898,  much  local  interest  was 
created  in  the  matter,  but  it  was  not  until  some  little  time  later  that  the  find 
was  brought  to  the  attention  of  archaeologists  in  such  a  way  as  to  lead  to 
the  widespread  investigation  which  has  marked  the  later  history  of  what  now 
is  known  on  two  continents  as  the  Kensington  Rune  Stone.  Archaeologists 
are  divided  in  their  opinion  as  to  the  genuineness  of  the  record  here  unfolded 
and  there  has  arisen  a  considerable  controversy  in  relation  to  the  matter, 
elaborate  arguments  being  presented  both  for  and  against  the  genuineness 
of  the  inscription  on  the  stone;  some  maintaining  that  the  Runic  characters 
there  inscril:ied  are  but  the  work  of  a  clever  forger  lient  on  perpetrating  an 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES;,    MINNESOTA.  73 

even  more  elaborate  hoax  than  was  the  famous  "Cardiff  giant,"  while  other 
equally  earnest  and  sincere  scholars  declare  that  there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the 
authenticity  of  the  record,  among  these  latter  being  Mr.  Warren  Upham, 
archaeologist  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  and  some  other  members 
of  that  society,  and  in  1910  a  preliminary  report  in  the  matter  was  made  to 
the  society  by  its  museum  committee.  In  view  of  the  fact,  however,  that 
statements  have  been  made  that  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society  endorsed 
the  Kensington  Rune  Stone  as  authentic,  Solon  J.  Buck,  superintendent  of 
that  society,  desires,  in  this  connection,  to  call  attention  to  the  exact  position 
of  the  society  on  the  subject.  The  museum  committee,  as  will  be  seen  by  the 
report  which  follows,  rendered  a  favorable  opinion,  "provided,  that  the 
references  to  Scandinavian  hterature  given  in  this  committee's  written  report 
and  accompanying  papers  be  verified  by  a  competent  specialist  in  the  Scandi- 
navian languages,  to  be  selected  by  this  committee,  and  that  he  approve  the 
conclusions  of  this  report." 

The  report  of  the  committee  was  presented  to  the  executive  council  of 
the  society,  but  was  never  accepted  or  adopted  by  the  council  or  by  the  society 
itself.  It  was,  however,  as  will  also  be  noted  in  the  report  that  follows, 
received  and  ordered  printed  "with  the  statement  that  the  council  and  society 
reserve  their  conclusions  until  more  agreement  of  opinion  for  or  against 
the  rune  inscription  may  be  attained."  Xo  further  action  on  the  subject  has 
ever  been  taken  by  the  executive  council  or  by  the  societv.  It  also  will  be 
noted  that  Professor  Bothne,  who  was  selected  by  the  museum  committee, 
in  accordance  with  its  resolution,  to  verify  the  references,  refused  to  approve 
the  conclusions  of  the  committee's  report.  Since  that  report  was  made,  Mr. 
Holand,  the  owner  of  the  stone,  took  it  abroad  and  it  was  examined  by  a 
number  of  European  scholars,  but  so  far  as  has  appeared,  few  if  any  of 
them  have  expressed  their  belief  in  its  authenticity.  Superintendent  Buck's 
position  in  the  matter  is  similar  to  that  expressed  by  the  executive  council 
of  the  society  in  1910.  Never  having  made  a  study  of  runic  inscriptions,  he 
is  quoted  as  preferring  to  reserve  his  conclusion  in  the  matter  until  more 
agreement  of  opinion  is  reached  among  experts  in  the  field. 

Below  is  given  in  full  the  preliminary  report  of  the  Minnesota  Historical 
Society  by  its  museum  committee  on  the  famous 

KENSINGTON    RUNE    STONE. 

As  the  museum  committee  is  charged  with  the  responsiliility  of  making 
a  recommendation  to  the  society  respecting  the  authenticit}-  or  the  fraudulent 


74  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

origin  of  the  Kensington  Rune  Stone  and  its  inscription,  it  is  thought  best 
to  review  somewhat  carefully  the  facts  as  to  the  discovery  of  the  stone. 
For  this  purpose  the  results  of  the  three  visits  made  to  that  locality  1)y  Prof. 
N.  H.  Winchell,  investigating  the  subject  for  this  committee,  will  here  be 
cast  into  one  statement. 

THE    DISCOVERY. 

The  stone  was  found  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  Olof  Ohman  on  the  southeast 
quarter  of  section  14,  Solem  township,  Douglas  county,  about  three  miles 
northeast  from  Kensington  station  on  the  "Soo  Line,"  on  November  8,  1898. 
The  owner  of  the  farm  was  having  a  patch  of  land  cleared  of  timber  prepara- 
tory to  plowing,  and  his  men  were  grubbing  out  the  stumps.  There  were 
present  at  the  finding,  or  immediately  thereafter,  the  following  persons :  Olof 
Ohman,  his  sons,  Olof  Emil  Ohman,  12  years  of  age,  and  Edward  Ohman, 
10  years  of  age,  and  Xils  Olof  Flaaten.  owner  of  the  adjoining  farm. 

The  exact  location  was  on  the  southern  slope  of  one  of  two  knolls  which 
together  form  the  higher  part  of  what  has  been  called  an  "island,"  because 
formerly  surrounded  by  a  lake  and  now  surrounded  by  a  grassy  marsh.  These 
knolls  have  an  extreme  height,  above  the  surface  of  the  marsh,  of  fifty-five 
feet,  the  smaller  knoll  rising  about  fifty  feet.  The  stone  lay  forty- four  feet 
above  the  marsh. 

When  the  stone  was  found,  its  inscribed  side  was  down,  and  about  six 
inches  of  soil  covered  it.  A  poplar  or  aspen  tree  grew  above  it,  and  spread 
its  principal  roots  about  it,  running  into  the  ground  on  opposite  sides.  On 
being  cut  away  the  stump  carrying  the  roots  lay  adjacent  for  some  weeks 
and  was  seen  and  noted  by  several  visitors.  Estimates  as  to  the  size  and 
age  of  the  tree  vary  somewhat,  some  stating  that  it  was  at  least  ten  years 
old  and  others  that  it  was  from  twenty  to  thirty  years  old,  and  one  esti- 
mating it  as  probably  forty  years  old.  According  to  Mr.  Sam  Olson,  of 
Kensington,  this  tree  was  about  four  or  five  inches  in  diameter  at  about 
fifteen  inches  above  the  stone,  and  about  ten  inches  in  diameter  at  six  or 
eight  inches  above  the  stone.  The  roots  of  the  tree,  especially  the  largest 
one  which  spread  over  the  surface  of  the  stone,  were  flattened  by  contact 
with  the  stone  during  the  period  of  their  growth.  The  flattening  of  the  roots 
is  an  important  feature,  as  it  denotes  that  the  tree  had  been  in  contact 
with  the  stone  during  the  whole  time  of  the  life  of  the  tree. 

In  the  spring  subsequent  to  the  finding  of  the  stone  Mr.  Samuel  Olson 
and  a  party  visited  the  place  and  made  some  excavations  where  the  stone 
was   found,   having  the  idea  that  the  men   who  were  massacred  had  been 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  75 

buried  there,  and  that  the  stone  was  designed  to  mark  their  burial  place.  He 
saw,  and  all  his  party  saw,  the  stump  of  the  tree  that  grew  on  the  stone.  The 
members  of  this  party,  besides  Mr.  Olson,  were  the  following:  Cleve  Van 
Dyke,  executive  clerk  to  the  late  Governor  Johnson,  then  superintendent  of 
schools  of  Douglas  county;  J.  P.  Hedberg,  now  at  Warroad;  John  M.  Olson, 
who  furnished  a  team,  now  at  Alexandria;  Albert  Larson,  now  in  Canada; 
John  E.  Johnson,  of  Kensington;  Emil  Johnson,  now  at  Warroad;  Gulick 
Landsvark,  living  two  miles  east  of  Kensington;  and  Lars  Goldberg,  now 
at  Bowbells,  North  Dakota. 

Mr.  Samuel  Olson  and  Mr.  John  E.  Johnson  signed  a  joint  statement 
that  the  tree  must  have  been  at  least  ten  years  old,  and  more  likely  twenty 
or  thirty  years  old.  The  rest  of  the  party  have  not  been  consulted,  but  Mr. 
Joseph  Hotvedt  stated  that  he  saw  the  roots  and  verified  the  description  of 
their  flatness,  "such  as  would  be  caused  by  lying  against  a  stone." 

Mr.  Olson  made  a  drawing  to  show  the  appearance  of  this  stump  when 
in  contact  with  the  stone.  He  thinks  the  largest  root  ran  over  and  across 
the  stone,  but  Mr.  Olof  Ohman  was  positive  that  the  largest  root  ran  down 
into  the  ground  at  the  edge  of  the  stone,  and  that  a  smaller  root  ran  across 
the  upper  face  of  the  stone.  This  smaller  root  he  thought  was  about  three 
inches  in  diameter. 

It  should  be  stated  here  that  Professor  Flom's  account  of  his  interview 
with  Mr.  Olson  carries  a  misapprehension  of  what  Mr.  Olson  said  as  to  the 
size  of  the  tree.  Mr.  Olson  says  that  he  said  that  the  tree  tapered  so  that  at 
15  or  18  inches  above  the  stone  it  was  about  four  or  five  inches  in  diameter. 

The  topography  of  Mr.  Ohman' s  farm  and  the  adjoining  country  is 
morainic,  the  elevations  rising  sometimes  somewhat  abruptly  to  the  height 
of  fifty  or  seventy-five  feet,  or  even  a  hundred  feet,  above  the  adjoining 
lowlands.  The  material  of  the  drift  is  clay  of  a  limonitic  yellow  color,  but 
at  a  depth  of  fifteen  to  twenty  feet  this  clay  is  blue.  There  are  ver)^  few 
boulders  in  the  clay,  yet  on  the  tops  of  some  of  the  drift  hills  granitic  and 
other  boulders  are  numerous,  and  sometimes  the}-  are  found  in  numbers 
near  the  bases  of  the  hills  and  in  the  swamps.  They  are  sometimes  large  and 
conspicuous,  and  frequently  have  been  gathered  into  heaps  in  the  fields. 
About  seventy-five  in  a  hundred  of  the  boulders  are  of  granite;  about  five 
in  a  hundred  are  of  limestone;  about  five  in  a  hundred  are  of  gabbro  or  of 
gabbroid  rocks;  five  in  a  hundred  are  of  Keewatin  greenstone,  including 
Ogishke  conglomerate;  about  five  in  a  hundred  are  of  dark  nondescript  rock, 
sometimes  quartzosfi ;  and  the  other  five  in  a  hundred  may  be  compared  with 
the  rock  of  the  rune  stone,  being  some  of  the  various  forms  of  gravwacke. 


76  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

The  extreme  length  of  the  Rune  Stone  is  36  inches,  width  across  the 
face  15  inches,  the  thickness  sVz  inches,  and  its  weight  is  about  230  pounds. 
It  is  of  graywacke,  but  its  shape  and  dark  color  suggest  that  it  is  trap.  Its 
flat  surfaces  and  angular  jointage  are  due  apparently  to  long  continued  heat- 
ing and  slow  cooling  in  contact,  or  near  contact,  with  igneous  rocks.  On 
its  inscribed  face  is  a  layer  of  calcite  covering  a  part  of  the  area  in  which 
the  inscription  was  engraved.  This  calcite  was  deposited  in  a  jointage- 
opening,  probably  when  the  rock  was  in  its  native  place;  and  it  has  been 
revealed  by  the  removal  of  an  adjoining  parallel  mass,  the  joint  plane  itself 
causing  the  even  face  on  which  the  engraving  was  made.  The  reverse  of 
the  inscribed  side  is  not  so  regular  and  has  evidently  been  through  the  rough 
experiences  of  glacial  action,  since  it  bears  a  number  of  distinct  glacial  striae. 
The  men  who  found  the  stone  are  plain  and  simple  farmers,  working 
hard  to  derive  a  subsistence  for  themselves  and  families  from  their  land.  The 
honesty  and  candor  of  Mr.  Olof  Ohman  become  evident  to  anyone  who 
converses  with  him.  He  does  not  speak  English  readily,  but  seems  to  under- 
stand English  when  he  hears  it  spoken  in  common  conversation.  He  states 
that  his  education  comprised  six  terms  of  school  in  Sweden,  of  six  weeks 
each,  in  an  elementary  county  school,  where  the  children  gathered  for  instruc- 
tion, first  at  one  farm  house  for  a  week  and  then  at  another,  six  weeks  in 
all  making  one  term.  I  was  told  that  Mr.  Ohman  came  to  his  farm  in  1890, 
and  on  consulting  the  register  of  deeds  at  Alexandria  I  found  lands  deeded 
at  four  different  dates,  now  constituting  the  Ohman  farm,  from  1890  to  1898. 
from  Halvor  Stenson,  Ole  Amundson,  and  E.  J.  Moen. 

After  finding  the  stone,  it  was  exliibited  for  a  time  in  the  drug  store 
at  Kensington.  It  was  later  sent  to  Minneapolis  and  was  examined  by  Prof. 
O.  J.  Breda,  also  to  Evanston,  111.,  and  was  examined  by  Prof.  George  O. 
Curine.  As  they  pronounced  it  fraudulent,  it  was  returned  to  the  finder 
in  March.  1899,  who  placed  it  carelessly  in  his  )ard,  where  it  served  as  a  step- 
ping stone  near  his  granary  for  eight  years,  without  further  notice.  In 
1907  Mr.  Hjalmar  Rued  Holand  obtained  it  of  Mr.  Ohman,  and  has  brought 
it  again  to  notice  and  wider  study.  By  Mr.  Holand  it  was  brought  to  the 
attention  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society;  and  the  museum  committee 
was  directed  to  investigate  its  authentic  or  fraudulent  record,  and  to  report 
their  recommendation  to  the  executive  council.  Mr.  Holand  has  since  exhib- 
ited it  in  Chicago,  Illinois;  Madison,  Wisconsin,  and  Northfield,  Minnesota, 
giving  in  each  place  a  lecture.  This  has  brought  out  various  criticisms,  pro 
and  con,  and  the  burden  resting  on  the  committee  has  considerably  increased. 
The  memliers  of  this  committee  appreciate  the  great  importance  of  the 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  JJ 

question  which  is  in  their  hands,  and  they  know,  collectively  and  individually, 
that  it  is  due  to  American  history,  before  they  stamp  the  stone  with  their 
approval  or  their  rejection,  to  make  an  exhaustive  investigation  and  an  impar- 
tial discussion  of  all  the  circumstances. 

THE   INSCRIPTION. 

The  runic  inscription  has  been  translated  as  l>elo\v  and  published  by 
Mr.  Holand  in  Harper's  Weekly,  October  9,   1909. 

On  the   face  of   the   stone : 

8  goter  ok  22  norrmen  po  opdhagelse  fardh  fro  \'inland  of  vest  vi 
hadhe  laeger  vedh  2  skjar  en  dags  rise  norr  fro  dheno  sten  vi  var  ok  tiske 
en  dhagh  aeptir  vi  kom  hem  fan  10  man  riidhe  af  blodh  og  dhedh  A  X  M 
fraelse  af  illy 

On  the  edge  of  the  stone: 

har  10  mans  ve(dj  havet  at  se  aeptir  vore  skip  14  [?]  dhagh  rise 
from  dheno  oh  ahr  1362 

No  one  has  called  in  question  the  correctness  of  this  translation.  In 
explanation  of  the  transliteration  Mr.  Holand  writes:  "The  runic  alpha- 
bet had  only  one  character  to  indicate  three,  or  what  became  three,  different 
sounds,  til.  dli,  and  d.  Out  of  2,000  runic  inscriptioris  we  find  only  about 
a  half  dozen  having  a  separate  sign  for  d.  This  character  was  later  sup- 
plemented, and  was  used  medially  and  finally.  This  however  was  used 
only  in  the  literature  written  in  Roman  characters,  and  was  never  used 
in  runic  inscriptions.  In  most  cases  this  has  now  been  superseded  by  d, 
but  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  in  the  fourteenth  centur\-  it  had  a  soft 
sound.     I  have  therefore  translated  it  with  dh." 

The  English  translation  is  as  follows: 

"Eight  Goths  [Swedes]  and  twenty-two  Norwegians  upon  a  journey 
of  discovery  from  Vinland  westward.  We  had  a  camp  by  two  skerries 
one  day's  journey  north  from  this  stone.  We  were  out  fishing  one  day. 
When  we  returned  home  we  found  ten  men  red  with  jjlood  and  dead. 
A  V  M    [Ave,  Virgo  Maria],  save  us   from  evil. 

[We]  have  ten  men  by  the  sea  to  look  after  our  vessels  fourteen 
[or  forty-one?]   days'  journey  from  this  island.     Year  1362." 

REFERENCES  TO   THE  TOPOGRAPHY  OF   THE  REGION. 

There  are  two  or  three  references  to  natural  objects  to  which  we  should 
give  special  attention : 


y8  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

(a)  Their  camp  was  near  two  rocks  in  the  water  (skerries),  one 
clay's  journe}-  north   from  the  stone ; 

(h)      The  location  of  the  stone  was  on   an  island; 

(3)  The  sea  was  fourteen  days'  journey  from  the  stone  (doubtfvilly 
forty-one  ). 

( a )  Professor  P\)ssuni  and  Mr.  Holand  searched  about  Lake  Chris- 
tina. I'elican  lake,  and  other  lakes,  lying  about  one  day's  journey  (twenty 
miles )  toward  the  north.  The  former  found  no  rocks  about  the  shores 
which  could  be  accepted  as  the  rocks  mentioned  in  the  inscription.  Mr. 
Holand,  guided  by  Rev.  O.  A.  Norman  of  Ashby,  found  several  large 
boulders  standing  in  the  water  about  300  or  400  feet  from  a  sharp  point 
on  the  southwest  shore  of  Pelican  lake,  which  seemed  to  him  to  answer 
the  description.  There  are  twelve  or  thirteen  of  them  and  hence  they  are 
too  numerous,  and  for  the  purpose  of  locating  a  camping-place  they  would 
hardly  be  referred  to,  and  certainly  would  not  be  at  all  in  accord  with  the 
number  "two."  Mr.  Norman  remarked,  on  occasion  of  a  late  interview, 
that  the  term  "skerry"  is  applicable  to  one  rock  or  a  series  of  rocks,  and 
that  there  are  two  lines  or  series  of  boulders  which  run  not  exactly  parallel, 
and  that  those  lines  might  be  called  the  skerries  referred  to  in  the  inscrip- 
tion :  but  such  lines  are  not  distinguishable  from  the  land. 

There  are,  however,  on  the  point  itself,  at  the  water's  edge  and  at 
the  extremity  of  the  point,  two  enormous  boulders.  One  is  of  red  porphy- 
ritic  granite,  cut  by  a  coarse  red  dike,  three  inches  wide,  with  dimensions 
of  6  feet  by  4  feet  by  3>4  feet,  with  rounded  contours.  The  other  is  of 
gray  gneiss,  banded  with  light  reddish  laminae,  6  feet  by  4^/2  feet  by  4  feet, 
irregularly  and  bluntly  angular,  showing  some  brecciation  and  a  pegmatyte 
\'ein  about  an  inch  wide.  These  boulders  are  in  the  most  exposed  position, 
and  are  very  conspicuous  objects  to  anyone  standing  on  the  land  a  few  rods 
farther  back.  Some  small  boulders  and  sand  form  the  immediate  break- 
water of  the  beach,  and  also  compose  the  point  itself  for  some  distance 
inland  from  the  boulders. 

This  part  of  the  point  is  liable  to  destruction  by  ice  and  waves  and 
winds  of  every  season.  That  it  is  transitory  is  proved  by  the  fact  that 
the  roots  of  a  small  oak  are  uncovered  to  the  height  of  fourteen  inches 
above  the  present  surface,  and  this  oak  must  have  started  to  grow  when 
the  surface  on  which  it  s])routed  was  so  much  higher  than  now.  Under 
such  conditions,  at  times  when  the  adjoining  beach  may  have  been  washed 
away,  the  large  boulders  would  be  surrounded  by  water.  It  is  also  very 
certain  that   548  _\'ears  ago  the  lake  level   was  somewhat  higher  than  it  is 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  79 

now,  and  that  circumstance  alone,  without  the  removal  of  the  stones  and 
sand  lying  now  about  the  big  boulders,  would  have  brought  these  stones 
into  the  water,  and  would  give  them  exactly  the  characters  required  to 
comply  with  the  inscription.  The  present  beach  line  is  parallelled,  on  either 
side  of  the  point,  by  a  higher  beach  composed  of  boulders,  gravel,  and  sand, 
which  could  have  been  formed  only  when  the  lake  was  about  two  feet 
higher  than  now.  This  upper  beach  fades  away  into  the  mainland  of  the 
point,  but  between  its  arms  enibraces  a  small  lagoon.  If  the  explorers" 
camp  was  on  this  point,  near  its  extremity,  the  two  big  boulders  would  ht 
chosen  very  naturally  as  reference  points  in  the   inscription. 

( h )  The  stone  is  said  to  have  been  located  on  an  island,  but  when 
found  it  was  not  on  an  island.  It  was  on  a  morainic  hill  which  is  now 
surrounded  by  a  grassy  marsh,  and  which  may  have  been  an  island  in  a 
small  lake  prior  to  the  desiccation  of  the  country  which  has  converted  many 
lakes  into  marshes  and  many  marshes  into  meadows.  This  gradual  drying 
up  of  the  country  is  a  well-known  feature  throughout  the  western  part  of 
the  state.  It  has  been  known  and  many  times  noted  during  the  last  fifty 
years  throughout  the  Northwest.  If  the  stone  be  genuine,  therefore,  the 
present  disagreement  with  the  facts,  as  with  the  skerries,  is  due  to  physi- 
cal change  in  the  surface  of  the  country. 

(c)  The  sisrae  was  fourteen  days'  journey  from  the  sea.  At  no 
place  could  the  sea  be  reached  in  that  space  of  time,  with  their  means 
of  tra\el,  other  than  Hudson  bay.  There  is  some  doubt  whether  this 
figure  should  be  14  or  41,  and  if  it  be  41  it  would  allow  the  supposition 
that  the  party  penetrated  the  country  by  way  of  the  Great  Lakes.  There 
are,  however,  insuperable  oljjections  to  such  an  idea.  It  is  a  very  improb- 
able suggestion  that  from  any  place  which  may  have  had  the  name  of  \'in- 
land  a  party  would  penetrate  North  America  by  that  route,  Ijy  sail  and  by 
foot,  to  encounter  the  natives  in  a  tragic  death  only  in  western  Minne- 
sota. That  suggestion  need  not  Ije  further  considered;  and  the  more  so, 
.'■■ince  the  route  of  possible  tra\'el,  or  at  least  most  probable,  as  shown  bv 
the  ^Minnesota  Historical  Society's  map  of  regions  north  to  Hudson  bay 
and  of  the  pro.ximity  of  Minnesota  through  a  well-known  water  route, 
would  have  been  from  \''inland  to  Hudson  bay,  and  to  Lake  Winnipeg 
via  Nelson  river,  and  thence  up  the  Red  river  of  the  North.  This  map  is 
based  on  the  chart  of  J.  T.  Smith,  published  in  1839  at  London,  in  a  work 
entitled  "The  Discovery  of  America  by  the  Northmen  in  the  Tenth  Cen- 
tury." By  this  map  it  appears  that  the  entrance  to  Hudson  bav  is  directly 
west    from    W'estljygd   and    Eastl5}'gd,    the   chief   settlements   of   Greenland, 


8o  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  ' 

and  could  hardly  fail  of  being  well  known.  It  is  the  route  which  the  ships 
of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  followed  for  about  three  hundred  years  in 
reaching"  the  region  of  furs  tributary  to  Hudson  ba}^. 

WHERE    WAS    VINLAND? 

It  will  be  noted  that,  according  to  Smith's  map,  Vinland  was  eastern 
Massachusetts;  and  it  is  customary,  in  writings  dealing  with  the  North- 
men's discoveries,  to  mention  three  parts  of  the  coast  of  North  America, 
namely,  Helluland,  Markland,  and  Vinland,  the  last  being  farthest  south. 
But  that  there  was  confusion  in  the  application  of  these  geographic  terms 
there  seems  no  room  to  question.  It  seems  to  be  a  mere  assumption  that 
Helluland  was  north  of  Markland,  for  it  is  sometimes  said  to  be  northeast  of 
Greenland,  and  even  to  be  duplicated,  one  to  the  northeast  and  one  to  the 
southwest,  while  Rafn  has  placed  one  at  Labrador  and  one  at  Newfound- 
land. This  last  made  it  reasonable  to  place  Vinland  much  further  south 
(Nova  Scotia). 

That  Vinland  was  not  exclusively  Nova  Scotia,  but  still  less  exclu- 
sively Massachusetts,  is  evident  from  Joseph  Fischer's  work,  "The  Dis- 
coveries of  the  Norsemen  in  America"  (St.  Louis,  1903),  at  page  3,  when, 
in  quoting  from  Adam  of  Bremen's  oldest  work,  Fischer  states  that  the 
objections  to  Adam's  tales  consisted  mainly  in  a  statement  like  the  fol- 
lowing : 

"After  Wineland  there  is  no  habitable  land  in  that  ocean,  but  all  that 
emerges  is  icebound  and  wrapped  in  impenetrable  mist." 

Adam  was  the  earliest,  according  to  Fischer,  who  called  attention  to 
the  arctic  and  North  American  discoveries  of  the  Northmen,  having  written 
in  A.  D.  1067.  Perhaps  the  objection  to  Adam's  account  of  Vinland  was 
based  by  Fischer  on  an  idea  of  Vinland  which  grew  up  afterward  without 
sufficient  warrant,  and  it  is  necessary  to  inquire  to  what  land  Adam's  original 
description  was  intended  to  be  applied.  It  could  not  apply  to  the  region 
south  of  Labrador,  but  it  is  applicable  to  the  country  north  and  west,  i.  e., 
adjoining  Hudson  strait  and  extending  into  Hudson  bay;  and  it  seems  to 
indicate  that  from  the  first  the  Northmen  knew  something  of  the  rugged- 
ness  and  inhospitable  nature  of  at  least  the  northern  part  of  Hudson  bay. 
It  is  perhaps  reasonable  to  presume  that  at  the  first  the  term  Vinland  was 
applied  to  the  whole  known  coast  of  North  America,  and  that  it  was  only 
at  a  later  epoch  that  it  was  localized  and  restricted  to  Nova  Scotia  or  to 
Massachusetts.      But   that    would    discredit   the    storv   of   the   discoverv   of 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  8l 

grapes  by  the  enthusiastic  German,  unless  it  can  be  shown  that  grapes  grew 
■  spontaneously  as  far  north  as  Labrador. 

Note — Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  the  important  researches  of 
Prof.  AI.  L.  Fernald  on  the  "Plants  of  Wineland  the  Good"  have  been 
printed  (Rhodora,  February,  1910),  which  show  conclusively  that  the 
"grapes"  referred  to  by  the  translators  of  the  sagas,  were  not  the  fruit 
of  the  grape  vine  (Vitis),  but  some  form  of  currant  (Ribes),  or  the  wine- 
berry  of  northern  Europe  (Vaccinium  Vitis-Idaea),  and  that  the  last  named 
species  is  common  in  northern  Labrador.  As  the  so-called  "grapes"  were 
gathered  so  abundantly  as  to  fill  their  afterboat  in  the  spring  of  the  year, 
it  seems  certain  that  the  fruit  so  gathered  was  that  which  is  now  well 
known  as  wine-berry  (Vaccinium  Vitis-Idaea),  which  is  so  abundant  in  the 
spring  as  to  constitute  the  food  supply  for  birds  when  they  return  from  the 
south.  Professor  Fernald  also  shows  that  the  "self-planted  wheat,"  men- 
tioned as  one  of  the  products  of  Vinland,  was  the  strand  wheat  (Elymus 
arenarius).  having  a  similar  northern  distribution.  The  tree  which  the  Norse- 
men procured  in  Vinland,  as  identified  by  Fernald,  was  not  maple,  but  some 
form  of  curly  birch,  probably  the  canoe  birch  (Betula  papyracea).  These 
researches  not  only  confirm  the  description  of  Adam  of  Bremen,  but  render 
it  probable  that  the  people  of  Vinland  were  acquainted  with  more  or  less 
of  Hudson  bay. 

It  is  well  known  that  students  of  Norse  records  have  found  difficulty 
in  reconciling  the  statements  respecting  Vinland,  not  only  as  to  the  name 
of  the  discoverer,  but  as  to  the  nature  of  the  country  and  its  products.  It 
occurs  to  this  committee  that  possibly  these  discrepancies  can  be  reconciled 
by  the  supposition  that  two  different  eastward-facing  coasts  have  been  con- 
founded and  considered  as  one.  The  earliest  accounts  are  perfectly  appli- 
cable to  the  west  coast  of  Hudson  bay.  The  Flatey  book  states  that  in 
\'inland  were  glaciers,  and  these  are  well  known  about  the  northwestern 
confines  of  Hudson  Bay,  but  are  not  found  in  Nova  Scotia  nor  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  only  scantily  in  Labrador.  The  description*  by  Adam  of 
Bremen,  and  the  earlier  dates  given  by  the  Flatey  book,  giving  Bjarne  as 
the  discoverer  of  Vinland,  seem  to  point  to  the  west  coast  of  Hudson  bay. 
After  the  lapse  of  about  fifteen  years  (985  to  1000)  Leif's  accidental  voy- 
age to  \'inland  took  place,  and  there  is  reason  to  suppose  that  he  and  his 
successors  visited  points/ on  the  Atlantic  side  of  North  America,  but  sup- 
posed they  had  visited  the  country  which  had  already  been  named  Vinland. 
From  his  and  Karlsefne's  sagas,  there  rose  the  geographic  distinction  of 
(6) 


82  DOUGLAS    AXD    GR.\XT    COUNTIES,    MIXXESOTA. 

Helluland.  Markland,  and  \'inland.  so  much  spoken  of  by  all  later  accounts. 
The  committee  has  not  taken  the  time  necessar}-  to  verify  or  to  disprove 
this  h\-pothesis.  and  desires  merely  to  call  attention  to  it  as  a  possible  solu- 
tion of  contradictions  that  appear  in  the  historic  records,  avoiding  the  neces- 
sity- of  rejecting  either  as  untrustworthy. 

Dr.  Henrik  Xissen.  of  Minneapolis,  has  called  attention  to  "Characters"' 
described  as  engraved  on  the  rocks  of  the  shore  of  Hudson  bay,  not  far 
from  Fort  George,  and  suggests  that  they  may  be  runes  made  by  the  Norse- 
men. There  certainly  was  no  permanent  colonization  of  \'inland.  and 
according  to  Fischer  all  arguments  hitherto  brought  forward  to  support 
the  idea  of  colonization  by  the  Xorse  have  proved  to  be  fallacious.  The 
definite  histon,-  of  the  voyages  to  \'inland  ends  at  A.  D.  1121.  but  there  is 
sufficient  account  to  show  that  until  the  year  1362  voyages  from  the  Scandi- 
navian settlements  in  AA'estem  Greenland  were  occasionally  made  to  \'in- 
land.  The  western  settlement  in  Greenland  was  about  that  time  attacked 
by  Eskimo  and  destroyed,  and  probably  within  a  half  century  later  the 
eastern  settlement  suffered  a  similar  stroke.  The  year  A.  D.  1406  is  the 
last  date  given  in  the  Icelandic  annals  for  the  arrival  of  a  foreign  vessel 
in  Greenland.  A  colony  in  Vinland,  if  it  existed,  therefore  must  have 
perished  about  the  same  time  as  the  destruction  of  the  Greenland  colonies. 
In  the  absence  of  other  evidence,  the  statement  of  the  Kensington  Rune  Stone, 
that  a  party  of  thirty  men  started  from  \'inland  on  an  exploring  tour 
westward.  ma\"  be  understood  to  refer  merely  to  a  winter  spent  by  the  party 
in  \'inland.  or  even  to  a  temporan,-  landing  there,  rather  than  to  any  prev- 
iously existing  settlement  or  colony. 

According  to  Storm's  "Studier  over  \'inlandsreiseme"  (pages  76.  •/■/). 
an  expedition  was  sent  by  King  Magnus  from  Bergen  in  1355,  under  the 
command  of  Paul  Knutson.  into  American  waters,  the  purpose  of  which 
was  to  defend  the  Greenland  settlements  against  the  Eskimo.  It  has  been 
supposed  that  this  expedition,  or  a  part  of  it.  returned  in  1364. 

THE    SLIGHT    WEATHERIXG    OF    T^E    RUXE    STOXE. 

It  may  be  assumed  that,  if  this  stone  was  erected,  as  it  claims,  by 
explorers  in  1362.  it  was  set  up  on  end,  and  that  the  lower  end,  where  no 
runes  are  engraved,  was  buried  in  the  ground.  When  it  was  found,  accord- 
ing to  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Ohm.an.  its  inscribed  face  was  downward.  Now 
the  lower  end  of  the  stone  is  not  cut  off  squarely,  but  is  roughly  beveled 
on  one  side.     Gravitation  alone  acting  on  a  beveled  stone  would  cause  the 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  83 

base  to  be  diverted  to  one  side,  in  the  same  manner  as  a  single-beveled  stake 
when  driven  into  the  ground.  In  settling  into  the  ground,  owing  to  the  direc- 
tion of  the  bevel,  this  stone  naturally  would  fall  with  its  face  side  upward. 
Its  position  therefore  was  determined  by  some  other  force  than  gravitation. 
Either  it  was  purposely  placed  with  the  rune  inscription  down,  which  is 
not  reasonable  to  suppose,  whatever  its  age,  or  it  was  acted  on  by  some  other 
force  which  caused  it  to  fall  over  forward.  We  cannot  of  course  state  how 
many  forests  have  grown  and  been  thrown  down  by  tornadoes  within  the 
548  years  through  which  it  may  have  been  in  the  spot ;  nor  how  many  forest 
fires  have  devastated  the  region ;  nor  how  many  buffaloes  have  rubbed  against 
it;  nor,  finally,  to  what  acts  of  violence  the  native  Indians  may  have  resorted 
to  counteract  its  evil  influences.  Numerous  works  of  the  mound-building 
Indians  are  known  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  and  they  certainly  would 
have  discovered  the  monument.  If  they  participated  in  the  massacre  of  the 
ten  men  at  the  camp,  they  would  quite  certainly  look  upon  the  stone  as  a 
retributive  threatening  reminder  of  their  pale-face  victims. 

The  interior  of  the  stone  is  dark  or  dark  gray.  On  close  inspection  it 
can  be  seen  to  contain  many  grains  of  quartz  which  are  roundish,  showing 
a  sedimentary  detrital  origin.  In  a  thin-section,  prepared  for  microscopic 
examination,  it  shows  not  only  rounded  quartz  grains  but  also  feldspar  grains, 
and  a  finer  matrix  consisting  chiefly  of  quartz  and  biotite.  The  dark 
color  of  the  stone  is  due  to  much  biotite,  mainly,  but  also  to  an  isotropic 
green  mineral  (chlorite?),  magnetite,  and  hematite.  The  quartz  has  become 
mainly  re-formed  by  secondary  growths.  There  is  a  crypto-gneissic  elonga- 
tion prevalent  in  the  mica,  and  also  to  some  extent  in  the  larger  quartzes. 

The  weathered  surface  is  somewhat  lighter,  and  yet  it  is  firm  and  wholly 
intact.  It  is  evident  that  the  surface  color  has  been  acquired  since  the  Glacial 
period,  and  therefore  that  some  7,000  or  8,000  years  may  have  elapsed  since 
its  face  was  first  exposed  to  the  elements.  The  reverse  of  the  inscribed  side 
is  more  altered  by  weathering  and  carries  evident  older  glacial  striations. 

The  first  impression  derived  from  the  inscription  is  that  it  is  of  recent 
date,  and  not  548  years  old.  The  edges  and  angles  of  the  chiseling  are  sharp, 
and  show  no  apparent  alteration  by  weathering.  The  powder  of  the  stone 
when  crushed  is  nearly  white.  None  of  this  powder  is  preserved  in  the 
runes  on  the  face  of  the  stone,  and  it  is  necessary  therefore  to  allow  it  some 
years  of  age,  but  it  is  quite  impossil>le  to  draw  a  decisive  inference  of  the  age 
of  the  inscription  from  that  alone.  The  edge  of  the  stone  differs  in  this 
respect  from  the  face,  since  most  of  the  rune  letters  show  the  white  powder 
formed  bv  crushing  the  stone.     This  dift'erence  was  said  to  l)e  due  to  the  fact 


84  DOUGLAS    AND    GRAXT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

that  the  runes  on  the  edge  had  been  filled  with  mud  and  had  been  cleaned  out 
by  scraping  them  with  an  iron  nail.  Indeed  in  the  runes  in  some  places  on 
the  edge  can  be  seen  with  a  pocket  magnifier  small  quantities  of  fresli  metallic 
iron  evidently  derived   from  that  process. 

The  freedom  of  the  face  of  the  stone  from  glacial  marking  is  to  be 
noted.  It  seems  probable  that  the  smooth  jointage  surface  on  which  the 
inscription  is  made  was  of  more  recent  date  than  7,000  or  8,000  years.  It 
is  plain  that  the  calcite  deposit  that  covers  a  part  of  it  was  formed  in  a 
joint-opening  before  the  stone  was  separated  from  its  neighbor,  and  that  it 
has  had  approximately  as  long  direct  exposure  to  the  elements  as  the  rest  of 
that  surface.  The  well  preserved  condition  of  this  calcite,  as  a  whole,  no 
less  than  the  non-glaciation  of  the  face  of  the  stone,  indicates  a  period  of 
exposure  less  than  7.000  or  8,000  years.  ^larble  slabs  in  graveyards  in  New- 
England  are  more  deeply  disintegrated  than  this  calcite,  when  they  stand 
above  the  surface  of  the  ground. 

The  immediate  surface  of  the  calcite,  especially  the  edges  formed  by 
cutting  the  runes,  is  smoothed  b\'  a  recent  friction  of  some  kind,  much 
more  than  the  surface  of  the  graywacke;  and  this  is  attributable  to  wearing 
away  when  the  stone  served  as  a  stepping-stone  at  the  granary. 

If  the  engraved  face  of  this  stone  was  separated  from  its  neighbor  since 
the  Glacial  age,  as  seems  certain,  it  must  have  been  in  some  way  protected 
from  the  action  of  the  elements:  and  consequently  the  calcite  is  comparable 
with  the  white,  fine-grained  limestone  boulders  and  pebbles  that  are  com- 
mon in  the  body  of  the  drift  in  that  part  of  the  state.  Such  boulders  when 
freshly  taken  from  the  till  in  deep  excavations  are  not  rotted,  but  are  fresh 
and  firm  and  smooth  as  marbles,  and  show  distinctly  the  fine  glacial  scratches 
which  they  received  during  the  Ice  age.  which  ended  about  7,000  or  8,000 
years  ago.  When,  however,  they  are  found  exposed  at  the  surface  of  the 
ground,  they  have  lost  this  smoothness  and  all  the  glacial  marking,  and  their 
surfaces  afiford  a  fine  white  powder  of  natural  disintegration.  As  there  is 
nothing  of  this  on  this  calcite  ( which  is  also  the  principal  ingredient  of  the 
limestone  boulders),  it  is  evident  that  either  the  calcite  has  but  recently  been 
exposed  or  has  been  protected  from  the  weather.  If  the  slal)  was  separated 
from  its  neighbor  548  years  ago,  it  must  have  lain  with  its  face  side  down  dur- 
ing the  most  of  that  period,  and  if  separated  earlier  it  must  have  been  covered 
I)y  drift  clay.  If  it  was  so  separated  fifteen  or  thirty  years  ago  it  may  have 
lain  with  its  face  side  up  and  probably  would  show  no  more  weathering 
than  it  now  evinces.  In  short,  there  is  no  possible  natural  way  to  preserve 
that  calcite  scale  from  general  disintegration  for  548  years  except  to  bury 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  85 

it  beneath  the  surface.  If  it  were  not  thus  buried  and  still  is  intact,  it  must 
have  been  exposed  and  the  inscription  must  have  been  made  less  than  a  hun- 
dred years  ago,  and  probably  less  than  thirty  years  ago. 

The  general  "mellow"  color  of  the  face  of  the  graywacke,  and  of  the 
whole  surface  of  the  stone,  is  also  to  be  noted.  This  is  the  first  apparent 
effect  of  weathering.  Graywacke  may  be  estimated  to  be  fifty  to  a  hundred 
times  more  durable  in  the  weather  than  calcite,  some  graywackes  being  more 
resistant  than  others. 

There  are  six  stages  of  the  weathering  of  graywacke  which  are 
exhibited  by  the  stone,  and  they  may  be  arranged  approximately  in  a  scale 
as  follows : 

1.  A  fresh  break  or  cut o 

2.  Break  or  cut  shown  b)'  the  runes  of  the  face 5 

3.  Edge-face,  which  has  not  been  engraved,  but  was  apparently 

dressed  by  a  rough  bush-hammering 5 

4.  The  inscribed  face  of  the  stone 10 

5.  The   finely   glaciated  and   polished  back   side   and   the   non- 

hammered  portion  of  the  edge 80 

6.  The  coarse  gouging  and   the   general  beveling  and  deepest 

weathering  of  the  back  side 250  or  500 

These  figures  are  but  rough  estimates  and  are  intended  to  express  the 
grand  epochs  of  time  through  which  the  stone  has  passed  since  it  started 
from  the  solid  rock  of  which  it  formed  a  part  prior  to  the  Glacial  period; 
and  to  a  certain  degree  they  are  subject  to  the  errors  of  the  personal  equation 
of  the  person  who  gives  them.  Prof.  W.  O.  Hotchkiss,  state  geologist  of 
Wisconsin,  estimated  that  the  time  since  the  runes  were  inscribed  is  "at  least 
50  to  100  years."  If  the  figures  in  the  foregoing  series  be  all  multiplied  by 
100,  they  would  stand: 

(I)        (2)        (3)        (4~)  (5)  (6) 

000:     500:     500:      1,000:     8,000:     25.000  or  50,000    ■ 

Since  8.000  years  is  approximately  the  date  of  the  end  of  the  latest  gla- 
ciation  (5),  the  numbers  may  all  be  accepted  as  the  approximate  number  of 
years  required  for  the  various  stages  of  weathering.  Hence  stages  (2)  and 
(3)  may  have  required  each  about  500  years. 

The  composition  of  the  stone  makes  it  one  of  the  most  durable  in  nature, 
equalling  granite,  and  almost  equalling  the  dense  quartzyte  of  the  pipestone 
quarry   in   the   southwestern   part   of   Minnesota.      On   the   surface   of   this 


86  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

quartzyte,  even  where  exix)sed  to  the  weather  since  they  were  formed,  the 
fine  glacial  scratches  and  polishing  are  well  preserved,  and  when  covered  bv 
drift  clay  they  seem  not  to  have  been  changed  at  all. 

DISCUSSION  OF  THE  AUTHENTICITY  OF  THE  RUNE  RECORD. 

Owing  to  the  existence  of  the  belief  with  some  that  the  inscription  was 
made  by  Mr.  Ohman,  and  the  rumors  that  seemed  to  confirm  that  suspicion, 
a  member  of  the  committee  has  made  three  separate  visits  to  the  locality,  and 
has  examined  into  all  the  facts  that  have  a  bearing  on  such  supposed  origin 
of  the  stone.  There  is  no  need  to  rehearse  the  details  of  this  search.  A 
summary  revie\\-.  however,  seems  to  be  called  for  in  order  that  the  result 
reached  by  the  committee  may  be  seen  to  be  based  on  a  thorough  investigation. 

There  was  a  rumor  that  a  man  of  the  name  of  Ohman  had  taken  part, 
about  fifteen  years  ago,  in  the  exploitation  of  a  so-called  "fossil  man"  found 
in  Marshall  county,  in  the  Red  river  valley.  As  the  owners  of  this  wonderful 
specimen  disagreed  and  went  into  court  to  settle  their  dispute,  the  facts  were 
made  a  matter  of  record.  On  consulting  Judges  Andrew  Grindeland,  of 
Warren,  and  William  \^'atts,  of  Crookston,  it  was  found  that  one  of  the 
parties  was  named  O'Brien,  and  that  his  name  had  been  confounded  with 
Ohman. 

It  was  rumored  that  Mr.  Ohman  had  rune  books,  was  familiar  with  rune 
characters,  made  runes  on  the  sidewalk,  on  window  casings  and  granaries,  and 
was  generally  regarded  as  a  "queer  genius,"  resembling  Uriah  Heep,  of 
Dickens.  These  rumors  came  to  the  committee  in  letters  from  different  direc- 
tions, and  on  occasion  of  the  third  trip  to  Douglas  county  were  met  with 
not  only  at  Kensington,  but  also  at  Elbow  Lake,  at  Brandon,  Evansville,  Moe, 
and  sometimes  at  intervening  farm-houses.  In  order  to  find  the  truth  of 
these  rumors  the  whole  region  was  pretty  thoroughly  canvassed,  and  a  record 
was  made  of  all  information  obtained.  These  rumors  will  be  treated  of 
separately. 

Rune  Books.  It  was  found  that  ^fr.  Ohman  had  a  Swedish  grammar, 
published  in  1840,  the  author  of  which  was  C.  J.  L.  Almquist,  issued  at 
Stockholm.  This  rumor  was  encountered  by  Mr.  Holand,  when  he  was  in 
the  neighborhood  in  1907,  when  he  procured  the  stone  of  Mr.  Ohman.  He 
saw  the  book,  when  Mr.  Ohman  was  absent,  as  he  asked  Mrs.  Ohman  the 
privilege  of  examining  Mr.  Ohman's  "library."  He  considered  that  it  had 
nothing  to  do  with  the  rune  stone  and  discredited  the  rumor.  \\'hen,  more 
recently,  interest  in  the  stone  became  more  active  and  the  rumor  became 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  8/ 

widespread,  it  was  thought  necessary  to  procure  this  "library,"  or  at  least 
to  get  the  historical  facts  about  the  "rune  book."  It  was  purchased-  from 
Mr.  Ohman  for  fifty  cents,  although  he  reluctantly  parted  with  it,  and  would 
be  glad  to  have  it  returned  to  him.     On  the  front  fly-leaf  is  written 

Sz'.  Fogclblad, 
Stockholm,  d.  i6  Nov.  1868. 

It  is  a  duodecimo  volume,  and  has  472  pages.  On  pages  117  and  118 
are  shown  sixteen  rune  characters  in  vertical  column,  with  their  correspond- 
ing names  and  Roman  equivalents. 

j\lr.  Ohman,  when  asked  where  and  when  he  obtained  this  book,  stated 
that  he  got  it  from  Mr.  Anderson,  who  obtained  it  from  a  preacher.  This 
was  on  the  occasion  of  our  second  visit  to  Mr.  Ohman's  house.  On  occasion 
of  our  third  visit  he  also  stated  that,  after  the  rune  stone  was  found,  Mr. 
Anderson  had  suggested  that  he  should  take  it  home  for  the  purpose  of  read- 
ing the  rune  record  by  means  of  the  rune  alphabet  contained  in  it;  that  he 
did  so,  but  found  more  characters  on  the  stone  than  in  the  book,  and  could 
not' translate  the  record,  and  that  he  had  not  returned  the  book.  It  transpired 
later  that  Mrs.  Anderson  and  Mrs.  Ohman  are  cousins. 

Sven  Fogelblad.  When  asked  about  the  name  on  the  fly-leaf  at  the 
front  of  the  book,  Mr.  Ohman  said  that  it  was  that  of  a  broken-down 
preacher  who  used  to  be  at  Anderson's  farm-house,  and  who  was  then  well 
known  in  the  surrounding  region,  as  he  got  a  precarious  living  amongst  the 
farmers,  partly  by  teaching  their  children  in  little  school-gatherings,  by 
binding  books,  and  by  little  light  jobs,  but  principally  by  charity.  He  was 
always  poor,  by  reason  of  his  fondness  for  intoxicating  liquor.  He  had  his 
home,  so  far  as  he  could  claim  one,  at  Mr.  Anderson's  farmhouse,  and 
when  he  died,  which  was  at  the  age  of  about  seventy  years,  in  1895  or 
1896,  his  books  were  left  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Anderson.  Mr.  Samuel 
Olson,  of  Kensington,  said  he  never  saw  Mr.  Fogelblad,  and  is  of  the  opin- 
ion that  he  died  prior  to  his  going  there  fifteen  years  ago.  These  points 
were  verified  by  others.  They  were  carefully  followed  up,  because  it  had 
been  intimated  by  some  that  Mr.  Fogelblad  may  have  traced  out  the  runes 
for  Mr.  Ohman  to  carve  on  the  stone,  and  that  the  "rune  book"  formerly 
owned  by  Mr.   Fogelglad  had  been  the  source  of  the  necessary  knowledge. 

Mr.  John  A.  Holvik,  a  student  of  the  United  Church  Seminary,  St. 
Anthony  Park,  St.  Paul,  had  begun  a  search  for  the  book  which  Fogel- 
±)lad  left  at  Mt.  Anderson's  at  the  time  of  his  death,  said  to  have  been  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  Ohman  and  to  have  given  aid  to  the  engraving  of  the  rune 


an  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

inscription,  .\fter  the  book  was  obtained  in  the  investigation  by  this  com- 
mittee, he  examined  it  at  leisure  for  two  or  three  days,  and  wrote  the  follow- 
ing letter  concerning  it : 

jAitcr  of  John  A.  Holvik. 

St.  Autbou.v  I'aik.  Miiiu.,  April  20.  1910. 
Prof.  N.  H.  Wiiicliell,  St.  Paul. 
Dear  Sir: 

After  comparing  in  detail  the  Kensington  iuserliition  with  the  hook  bearing  the 
name  of  Sv.  Fogelblad,  I  am  prepared  to  make  the  following  statements. 

1.  The  book  Is  a  grammar  of  modern  Swedish,  published   in  1S40. 

2.  It  contains  some  material  on  the  development  of  the  language: 

(a)  A  system  of  runes: 

(b)  Xoun  declensions  of  Old  and  Middle  Swedish; 

(c)  Verb  conjugations  of  Old   and  Middle  Swedish; 

(d)  Short  selections  to  illustrate  the  language  at  different  iieriods  from  A.  D.  1200 
to  the  present  time. 

(e)  Selections  to   illustrate  different   dialects. 

3.  The  rune  system  Is  the  Futhork  of  sixteen  characters.  'I'he  rimes  of  the  inscrip- 
tion are  the  later  "punctuated"   (stungne)   runes. 

4.  The  declensions  give  the  four  cases  for  nouns  in  Old  and  Middle  Swedish 
The  Inscription  has  only  nominative  and  genitive  forms.  Furthermore,  the  word  for 
ship,  used  as  a  tji^e  word  in  the  fifth  declension,  is  spelled  skep  in  Middle  Swedish 
The  inscription  has  skip. 

5.  The  conjugation  gives  plural  iutlectiou  for  all  verbs  in  Old  ami  Middle  Swedish 
The  inscription  uses  singular  verb  forms  with  plural  subjects. 

6.  A  selection  from  the  fifteenth  century  gives  the  constructions:  "wi  ware  .  .  . 
wi  hafwe     "     The   Inscription   has   "vi   var     vi   har." 

7.  A  selection  from  the  year  1370  gives  the  preposition  "a."  The  inscription  uses 
the  proposition  "po"   (which  Is  objected  to  by  some  linguists). 

8.  Some  of  the  rune  characters  indicate  (according  to  some  ruuologists)  that  the- 
autlior  of  the  Inscription  must  be  from  Dalame  in  Sweden.  A^  selection  in  the  book 
shows  the  characteristic  diphthongs  of  the  dialect  of  Dalarne:  but  a  characteristic  fea- 
ture of  the  inscription  is  the  lack  of  diphthongs. 

To  summarize:  The  difference  in  rune  systems,  and  the  so-called  "errors'"  in  the 
inscription,  with  some  parallel  correct  forms  in  the  book,  make  it  evident  that  there  is 
no  connection  between  the  inscription  on  the  Kensington  Rune  Stiuie  and  the  book  bearing 
the  name  Sv.  Fogelblad. 

Yours  truly. 

.T.  A.  Holvik. 

OTHER    RUMORS    CONCERNING    MR.    OHMAN. 

It  was  rumored  that  Mr.  Ohman  was  a  stone  mason,  and  hence  that  he 
might  be  skillful  in  cutting  rune  letters.  There  seems  to  be  no  truth  nor  basis 
for  this  rumor,  other  than  the  natural  desire  to  explain  a  puzzle.  It  may  have 
ijeen  suggested  by  someone,  asked  by  another  whether  true  or  not,  intimated 
by  another,  and  affirmed  by  the  fourth.    Once  stated  as  a  fact,  it  was  hence 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  09 

additional  evidence,  united  with  the  possession  of  the  rune  stone  and  the 
alleged  possession  of  "rune  books,"  that  Mr.  Ohman  made  the  inscription  on 
the  stone.  Mr.  Ohman  is  a  carpenter.  No  one  was  found  who  knew  of  his 
working  as  a  stone  mason,  though  several  were  asked. 

The  rumor  that  Mr.  Ohman  made  rune  characters  on  the  sidewalks,  on 
fences,  and  on  granaries,  asking  people  if  they  could  read  them,  was  appar- 
ently a  very  easy  one  to  verify  or  disprove.  And  so  it  proved  to  be.  Every- 
where, whenever  this  statement  was  made, .  the  question  was  asked  whether 
the  person  making  it  ever  knew  of  Mr.  Ohman's  making  rune  characters. 
The  answer  was,  "No,  but  Mr.  So-and-So  can  give  you  the  facts.  He  lives 
at  Brandon,  or  near  Brandon."     On  arriving  at  Brandon,  where  the  rumor 

was  prevalent,  I  was  directed  to  Mr.  O ,  who  was  said  to  know  more 

of  the  peculiar  mental  processes  of  Mr.  Ohman  "than  any  man  on  earth." 
He  at  once  declared  that  Mr.  Ohman  was  in  the  habit  of  making  rune  char- 
acters, as  a  joke,  and  "knew  all  about  runes."  Asked  to  state  whether  he  him- 
self ever  saw  Mr.  Ohman  make  runes  at  any  time,  disregarding  the  rumor, 
Mr.  O.  said  he  never  had  himself  known  of  his  making  runes,  but^that  Mr. 
Gunder  Johnson,  about  four  miles  farther  south,  had  known  of  his  making 
runes.  We  drove  then  directly  to  Mr.  Gunder  Johnson's  farm.  The  following 
is  copied  from  our  note  took,  written  at  the  time  of  the  interview  : 

••Mr.  Ciiiu'er  .lohuson  says  his  little  testiuiony  is  not  worth  Miiything  one  way  or 
the  other.  He  knew  Mr.  Ohninu,  who  built  his  house,  about  26  or  27  years  ago.  Mr. 
Obujiui  iiiul  be  were  talking  about  old  Xorske  one  day,  and  Ohman  said  there  were  old 
letters  which  were  called  nnies,  and  Mr.  Ohmau  took  a  pencil  and  made  some  on  a 
board,  sa.vini;  they  were  runes.  Mr.  Johnson  never  knew  of  his  making  runes  at  any 
other  time,  nor  of  any  preacher  living  with  Ohman  who  made  runes,  nor  any  living 
in  this  country  who  ciuiUl  make  them,  nor  anyone  passing  throiigh  here  who  could 
make  them." 

Later,  when  Mr.  Ohman,  was  told  that  people  said  he  made  runes  on  side- 
walks and  on  granaries,  etc.,  he  indignantly  demanded,  "Who  said  it?"  When 
he  was  told  that  Air.  Gunder  Johnson  stated  that  he  had  made  them  on  a  board 
when  he  worked  for  Mr.  Johnson  twenty-six  or  twenty-seven  years  ago,  he 
denied  it,  but  added  that  he  "could  not  recall  an\-  conversation  with  Mr.  John- 
son about  runes,"  and  that  if  at  an\-  time  he  had  said  anything  to  Mr.  Johnson 
about  runes,  "It  was  I^ecause  he  had  learned  it  in  school  in  Sweden.  Every 
school  boy,  and  every  Swede  and  Norwegian,  knows  something  about  runes, 
but  not  so  as  to  use  them." 

So  far  as  we  can  see,  therefore,  the  common  rumor  that  Mr.  Ohman 
made  rune  characters  on  the  sidewalks  and  on  fences,  in  hours  of  idleness, 
and  was   familiar   with   runic  literature,   was   derived   from   the   simple   fact 


90  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

that  twenty-six  or  twenty-seven  years  ago,  according  to  Mr.  Gunder  John- 
son, though  forgotten  by  Mr.  Ohman,  he  had  made  some  rune  characters  for 
Mr.  Johnson  with  a  pencil  on  a  board  when  he  was  working  on  Mr.  John- 
son's house  as  a  carpenter,  in  order  to  show  him  the  kind  of  letters  formerly 
used  by  the  Scandinavians.  The  following  is  also  extracted  from  our  field 
book,  bearing  on  the  existence  of  this  rumor. 

"I  fouud  Mr.  Guilder  Jobusou  a  very  tiilkative  uiau.  I  recall  it  Ilo^^■,  and  record 
it  for  its  beariug  ou  tlie  existence  and  spread  of  tlie  idea  that  Mr.  Oliuiau  knew  rimes 
long  ago,  had  a  number  of  books  on  runes,  and  made  runic  characters  ou  the  walks, 
window  casings,  and  the  granary  doors  about  the  country.  I  have  traced  up.  under  the 
direction  of  those  who  believed  and  repeated  this  story,  all  the  promising  lines  of  evidence, 
and  I  have  fouud  the  report  especially  prevalent  and  detailed  about  Brandon,  where 
Mr.  Ohman  lived  26  or  27  years  ago.  I  have  asked,  not  for  the  stor.v,  but  for  positive 
statements  as  to  whether  the  parties  affirming  the  story  actually  knew  of  Mr.  Ohman's 
making  runes.  They  said  they  did  not,  except  Jlr.  Gunder  Johnson,  and  some  of  them 
said  they  knew  nothing  about  it  except  what  emanated  either  from  Mr.  O.  of  Brandon 
or  Mr.   Gunder  Johmsou. 

"The  incident  which  seems  to  have  given  origin  to  the  rumor  was  probably  dormant 
until  Prof.  Breda  and  Prof.  Curme  pronounced  the  stone  a  fraud,  and  the  stone  had 
been  returned  to  Ohman's  farm.  Then  all  the  people  began  to  speculate  as  to  how 
the  stone  was  inscribed.  All  minds  turned  to  Mr.  Ohman.  Eighty  years  passed.  The 
knowledge  of  Mr.  Gunder  Johnson  about  Jlr.  Ohman's  making  runes,  and  the  fact  that 
he  retaiiied  the  fraudulent  stone,  were  coupled  together  and  seemed  to  explain  each  other, 
springing  at  once  into  importance,  I  have  no  doubt,  through  Mr.  Johnson.  The  idea  was. 
very  naturally,  giveu  broadcast.  There  was  no  other  possible  explanation  of  a  fraudu- 
lent rune  stone  found  ou  Mr.  Ohman's  farm  aud  kept  by  him,  however  indifferently. 

•■Jlr.  Ohman  is'  a  rather  taciturn  man,  and  he  took  no  pains  to  counteract  the 
report  that  he  was  the  impostor.  One  man  said  that  if  the  rune  inscription  were 
genuine,  it  was  a  very  valuable  historic  document,  and  any  man  would  have  made  it 
well  kuown  as  a  valuable  possession,  the  inference  being  that,  as  Mr.  Ohman  did  not 
make  it  notorious,  he  must  have  known  it  was  fraudulent.  His  neighbors  made  sport 
of  him  for  keeping,  or  even  for  having  made,  a  fake  inscription.  Mr.  Gunder  Johnson's 
knowledge  was  amplified,  as  such  rumors  grow  in  a  farming  community,  and  some 
intimated  that,  as  Fogelblad  was  a  scholar,  he  was  the  man  who  traced  out  the  runes 
for  Mr.  Ohman  to  cut  on  the  stone. 

"More  lately,  as  it  became  kmiwu  that  Mr.  Ohman  had  'rune  hooks.'  the  story 
was  credited  by  many  who  had  no  knowledge  of  the  case  nor  any  personal  acquaint- 
ance with  Mr.  Ohman;  and  during  the  last  few  years,  when  the  recent  renewal  of  inquiry 
about  the  stone  became  known  by  the  people  of  this  region,  of  course  all  the  rumors, 
however  increased  in  detail,  were  revived  also,  and  there  is  no  doubt  that  some  have 
innocently  spread  the  story,  on  the  assumption  that  what  was  reported  and  was  not 
denied  must  be  true.  In  its  exaggerated  form  it  was  sent  in  letters  to  members  of  this 
committee,  and  these  letters  pronqited  this  thorough  investigation." 

Ohman  is  not  a  thrifty  farmer.  His  premises  are  in  disorder.  His 
cattle,  pigs,  chickens,  and  his  children,  have  a  common  way  of  approach  to 
his  front  door,  and  when  it  is  mudd\-  the  floor  of  his  house  is  also  muddy. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  9I 

There  is  no  grading,  no  sidewalk,  no  fence,  to  make  his  home  pleasant;  and 
it  is  plain  that  the  farm  is  not  at  its  best.  This  Hstlessness  has  its  influence 
in  estimating  the  causes  of  the  apparent  neglect  of  Mr.  Ohman  to  make  the 
most  of  his  discovery.  After  the  rune  stone  had  been  pronounced  a  fraud 
by  two  professors  (Breda  and  Curme),  his  interest  in  it  extended  no  further 
than  to  insist  on  its  return  to  him.  A  Swede  farmer,  in  ignorance  of  the 
ways  and  means  to  have  the  inscription  further  investigated,  not  fully  know- 
ing the  English  language,  and  having  no  spare  money  to  use  in  a  doubtful 
quest,  he  was  obliged  to  let  the  stone  rest  in  his  yard  uncared  for. 

It  should  not  be  inferred  from  the  foregoing  discussion  of  "rumors,'" 
as  to  Mr.  Ohman's  agency  in  fabricating  the  rune  inscription,  that  there  is  a 
prevalent  opinion  connecting  him  with  it.  Most  of  the  people,  and  especially 
his  neighbors,  believe  that  these  rumors  are  baseless,  and  affirm  their  con- 
fidence in  Mr.  Ohman  as  well  as  in  the  genuineness  of  the  rune  stone.  It  is 
chiefly  at  a  distance  from  Ohman's  farm,  and  among  strangers,  that  these 
rumors  are  sustained  by  those  who  have  curiosity  enough  to  form  opinions 
about  the  discovery.  The  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Saethre,  of  the  church  where 
Mr.  Ohman's  children  were  confirmed,  said  that  Mr.  Ohman  came  to  that 
vicinity,  to  his  knowledge,  later  than  himself,  which  was  twenty-five  years 
ago.  He  is  confident  that  Mr.  Ohman,  whom  he  had  known  ever  since  he 
came  to  his  farm,  "is  utterly  incapable  of  making  the  inscription."  He  has 
never  heard  that  Mr.  Ohman  traveled  about  and  made  runes  on  the  sidewalks 
and  granaries  in  idle  hours,  nor  has  he  ever  heard  of  a  clergyman  in  that 
region  who  did  so. 

THE   TREE   THAT   GREW    ON    THE   RUNE    STONE. 

As  it  is  well  established  that  a  poplar  tree  grew  in  the  soil  above  the 
stone,  it  is  plain  that  the  size  of  the  tree  has  a  direct  bearing  on  the  possible 
fabrication  of  the  inscription  by  Mr.  Ohman,  or  by  any  person  since  Mr. 
Ohman  located  on  the  farm.  Mr.  Samuel  Olson,  of  Kensington,  who  was  of 
the  party  that  excavated  in  the  earth  where  the  stone  was  found,  in  the  spring 
of  1899,  expecting  to  find  the  remains  of  those  who  were  massacred,  made 
from  memory  a  pencil  sketch  of  the  stump  and  roots  of  the  tree  as  they 
appeared  at  that  time. 

No  one  was  found  who  questioned  the  existence  of  this  tree,  nor  the  flat- 
ness of  the  roots  caused  by  long  contact  on  the  stone.  Indeed,  one  man  who 
regarded  Mr.  Ohman  as  the  possible  maker  of  the  inscription  stated  that  he 
saw  the  roots  and  that  thev  were  flattened  on  one  side. 


92  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Tlie  shortest  time  that  has  been  assigned  to  the  growth  of  the  tree  is  ten 
years.  'Sir.  Ohman  took  the  first  part  of  his  farm  in  1890.  The  stone  was 
found  in  the  fall  of  1898  on  that  portion  of  his  farm  which  was  the  earliest 
deeded  to  him,  and  which  he  received  by  warranty  deed  from  Halvor  Stehson. 
If  Mr.  Ohman  is  responsible  for  the  stone,  he  must  have  buried  it  with  its 
face  downward  in  sufficient  soil  at  once  to  support  a  young  tree,  and  the  tree 
would  have  had  the  period  of  eight  years  to  attain  the  size  which  it  had  in 
1898;  and  if  the  tree  were  as  large  as  most  of  those  who  saw  it  have  testified 
to,  its  growtb  in  eight  years  is  put  entirely  outside  of  possibility.  It  would 
then  be  possible  still  to  presume  that  the  stone  was  put  there  during  the  owner- 
ship of  the  land  by  Mr.  Stenson.  The  committee  has  taken  no  steps  to  ascer- 
tain the  truth  that  might  be  in  such  a  hypothesis,  nor  to  learn  anything  of  the 
antecedents  of  the  land  earlier  than  the  record  of  the  deeds  to  Mr.  Ohman. 

REVIEW   OF  THE    FINDING  OF   THE   STONE. 

The  foregoing  sketch  of  the  facts  of  the  finding  of  the  stone,  and  of  the 
attendant  conditions,  embraces  everything  of  importance  that  has  come  within 
the  scope  of  our  inquiry.  It  may  be  well,  before  leaving  this  part  of  the  subject 
to  call  attention  to  some  obvious  inferences  which  bear  on  the  question  of  the 
authenticity  of  the  stone. 

1.  The  inscription  was  made  upon  a  boulder  of  gra3'wacke  found  in 
the  near  vicinity. 

2.  The  inscribed  face  of  the  stone  has  not  passed  through  even  the 
latest  glaciation,  but  the  opposite  side  shows  such  glaciation  that  it  may  have 
witnessed  two  ice-epochs.  The  boulder  had  been  split  along  an  old  jointage 
plane,  and  the  inscription  is  mainly  on  the  resultant  even  face.  The  inscribed 
edge  was  also,  doubtless,  caused  by  a  jointage  plane,  Init  appears  to  have 
been  shaped  by  hammering. 

3.  The  inscribed  face  api>ears  weathered  so  as  to  indicate  that  it  was 
separated  from  its  companion  piece  perhaps  several  thousand  years  ago  (but 
has  not  been  glaciated),  or  was  affected  by  water  that  entered  along  the 
joint-opening  for  a  long  time  before  such  separation.  The  preservation  of 
the  calcite  scale  shows  that  since  its  separation  it  has  been  protected  from 
the  weather. 

4.  Two  remarkable  boulders  are  at  the  end  of  a  sharp  point,  at  the 
southwestern  side  of  Pelican  lake,  and  though  they  are  not  now  surrounded 
by  water,  they  probably  were  so  five  hundred  and  forty-eight  years  ago,  and 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  93 

may  stand  for  the  "skerries"  referred  to  in  the  inscription.  If  the  inscription 
is  modern,  the  engraver  could  hardly  refer  to  these  boulders  as  "skerries." 
They  are  about  twenty  miles  north  of  the  place  where  the  stone  \vas  found. 

5.  The  stone  was  found  on  an  elevation  surrounded  with  a  swamp, 
and  it  is  in  keeping  with  a  slow  known  physical  change  to  suppose  that  the 
elevation-  was  formerly  surrounded  by  water,  and  that  the  term  "inland"  was 
appHcable.  If  the  inscription  is  modern,  the  engraver  must  have  known  that 
five  hundred  and  forty-eight  years  ago  this  elevation  was  an  island. 

6.  The  sea  was  said  to  be  fourteen  days'  journey  distant  from  the  place 
of  the  stone.  The  sea  at  Hudson  bay  is  about  that  distance  from  Douglas 
county,  for  a  canoe  party  descending  the  Nelson  river.  If  parties  reached 
Minnesota  by  that  route  they  must  have  brought  boats  with  them  by  way  of 
Lake  Winnipeg  and  the  Red  river  of  the  North.  It  is  not  easy  to  see  any 
reason  for  their  leaving  the  regular  watercourse  and  taking  their  boats  across 
the  country  to  Pelican  lake,  but  if  they  were  fishing  on  Pelican  lake  they 
must  have  had  boats.  At  Pelican  lake  they  would  have  been  about  twenty- 
five  miles  from  the  nearest  point  of  the  Red  river  of  the  North. 

7.  When  found,  the  face  of  the  stone  was  down.  On  any  supposition 
as  to  the  maker  of  the  inscription  it  seems  to  be  necessary  to  assume  that  it 
was  not  originally  placed  in  that  position.  Owing  to  the  easy  disintegration 
of  calcite  in  the  weather,  it  is  evident  that  the  inscription  is  either  recent  or 
the  stone  was  so  placed  ( or  was  overturned )  as  to  protect  the  inscription 
from  the  weather. 

8.  The  age  of  the  tree  which  was  growing  on  the  stone  seems  to  show 
that  the  inscription  was  made  prior  to  the  occupancy  of  the  farm  by  \lr. 
Ohman. 

9.  Air.  Fogelblad,  whom  rumor  has  associated  with  the  stone,  died  in 
1895,  three  years  prior  to  the  finding  of  the  stone.  The  tree  must  have 
started  to  grow  on  the  stone  at  least  as  early  as  1888,  according  to  the  short- 
est estimate  of  its  age.  The  committee  has  not  learned  the  date  of  'Sir.  Fogel- 
blad's  coming  to  the  region,  not  deeming  it  important.  The  relation  of  the 
rune  stone  to  the  Swedish  grammar  owned  by  Mr.  Fogelblad  at  the  time  of 
his  death  is  expressed  by  Mr.  Holvik.  According  to  his  opinion,  the  liook 
could  not  have  been  the  source  of  the  information  necessar}'  to  construct 
the  inscription. 

10.  If  the  stone  is  fraudulent,  it  seems  neces.sary  to  exonerate  both 
Mr.  Fogelblad  and  Mr.  Ohman  from  the  imposition,     (See  the  Appendix.) 


94  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

NOTES  ON  THE   RECORD  GIVEN   BY  THE  INSCRIPTION. 

The  inscription  has  been  acceptably  translated  as  follows : 

Eight  Goths  and  twenty-two  Norwegians  upon  a  journey 
of  discovery  from  Vinland  westward.  We  had  a  camp  by  two 
skerries  one  day's  journey  north  from  this  stone.  We  were 
out  fishing  one  day.  When  we  returned  home,  we  found  ten 
men  red  with  blood  and  dead.     A.  \\  M.,  save  us  from  evil. 

Have  ten  men  by  the  sea  to  look  after  our  vessels  four- 
teen days"  journey  from  this  island.     Year   1362. 

Without  reference  at  this  time  to  the  language  used,  and  not  consider- 
ing the  peculiarities  of  the  grammatical  inflections,  it  may  be  worth  while 
to  take  a  general  view  of  the  record. 

One  is  struck  first  with  the  simplicity  of  the  statements  and  the  omis- 
sion of  non-important  details.  This  simplicity,  unfortunately  for  the  his- 
torical value  of  the  record,  goes  so  far  as  to  omit  the  name  of  the  leader  of 
the  party,  as  well  as  that  of  the  patron  or  king  who  may  have  sent  it  out. 

It  is  a  mixed  party,  of  Swedes  and  Norwegians.  By  reason  of  the 
order  in  which  these  are  mentioned  it  is  probable  that  the  scribe  was  a  Swede, 
since  he  names  them  first,  although  composing  only  about  one-quarter  of 
the  whole  party. 

The  party  started  from  Vinland,  a  very  remarkable  statement  in  the 
light  of  the  fact  that  it  is  not  known,  even  at  this  day,  that  a  permanent 
or  even  a  temporary  colony  was  established  in  Vinland.  The  expression 
"from  Vinland"  may  mean  in  a  direction  westward  from  Vinland.  In  the 
light  of  the  results  of  Professor  Fernald's  studies  on  the  "Plants  of  Wine- 
land  the  Good,"  it  is  remarkable,  if  the  stone  is  fraudulent,  that  the  location 
of  \'inland,  by  the  statements  of  the  record,  should  agree  with  the  location 
of  that  countrv  liv  Fernald.  since  all  modern  (and  even  earlier)  descriptions 
of  \inland  have  placed  \'inland  either  in  Nova  Scotia  or  in  Massachusetts.. 
Could  it  have  been  a  random  and  accidental  coincidence,  that  a  fraudulent 
record  should  correct  the  current  historical  belief  of  the  times?  How -could 
an  impostor  come  to  the  knowledge  that  Vinland  was  nowhere  except  in 
Labrador  or  at  least  in  the  region  about  the  entrance  to  Hudson  strait? 
What  credit  could  be  given  to  his  record  by  going  counter  to  the  accepted 
history  of  his  time?  This  agreement  with  the  latest  research  as  to  the 
location  of  Vinland  is  a  very  suggestive  fact. 

They    went    "westward"    from    X'inland.    and    they    had   their    s]ii])s    till 


DOUCLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  95 

within  fourteen  days'  journey  of  the  end  of  their  exploration,  when  they 
left  them  "at  the  sea."  with  ten  men  to  guard  them.  If  the  record  be  fraudu- 
lent, what  reason  could  there  be  for  saying  that  their  camp  was  fourteen 
days'  journey  from  the  sea?  How  much  more  probable  it  would  be  to  say 
that  their  camp  was  forty  days  or  even  two  months'  journey  from  the  sea. 
especially  if  \"inland  was  where  it  has  been  thought  to  be;  and  how  much 
more  probable  that  an  impostor  would  not  attempt  to  make  a  definite  state- 
ment. If  the  record  is  fraudulent,  the  impostor  was  very  foolish  not  only 
in  giving  the  distance  of  their  camp  from  the  sea,  but  also  in  saying  how  far 
it  was  north  from  the  stone.  Not  only  so,  but  he  attempted,  more  foolishly, 
to  give  guides  to  the  exact  location  of  the  camp  by  saying  it  was  "near  two 
skerries."  If  the  stone  had  been  noticeably  more  than  one  day's  march  from 
those  skerries,  or  if  the  camp  had  been  noticeably  nearer  or  more  distant 
than  fourteen  days'  journey  from  "the  sea,"  there  would  be  much  doubt 
thrown  upon  the  record  b}-  such  a  discrepancy. 

The  exactness  with  which  the  location  of  the  camp  is  described  can  be 
attributed  to  the  probable  burial  of  the  ten  men  at  the  camp,  and  the  natural 
desire  to  describe  geographically  the  place  of  the  bloody  massacre  of  ten  of 
their  comrades;  while  the  agreement  of  this  exactness  with  the  facts  in 
nature  shows  how  improbable  it  was  for  a  faker  runologist  to  have  made  the 
inscription.  If  the  record  be  fraudulent,  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  those 
two  skerries  exist,  and  at  the  right  distance,  and  that  there  are  no  others. 

It  is  still  more  remarkable,  on  the  hypothesis  that  the  stone  is  fraudu- 
lent, that  within  modern  times  they  could  not  be  called  skerries,  as  they  are 
not  now  surrounded  by  water.  Hence  the  impostor-scribe  was  not  only  a 
runologist,  but  he  was  able  to  look  backward  through  the  physical  change 
that  has  come  over  the  region,  and  to  describe  those  boulders  as  they  were 
five  hundred  and  forty-eight  years  ago,  when  there  is  no  doubt  that  the 
water  of  the  lake  was  so  high  as  to  surround  them  and  thus  warrant  the 
description  which  he  made  of  them.     He  must  have  been  a  geologist. 

If  the  record  is  fraudulent,  it  is  also  remarkable  that  the  impostor  could 
see  that  five  hundred  and  forty-eight  years  ago  the  hill  on  which  the  stone 
was  placed  was  surrounded  by  water  so  as  to  warrant  the  application  of  the 
term  "island."  He  must  have  known,  and  must  have  made  allowance  for  the 
fact,  that  within  recent  time  the  country  has  dried  up  considerably,  and  that 
what  are  now  marshes  were  then  lakes. 

If  the  stone  be  fraudulent,  it  is  singular  that  the  impostor  ran  the  risk 
of  all  these  details  and  violated  none  of  them.  A  well  considered  fraud  is 
usuallv  characterized  bv  the  omission  of  details.     Here  was  a  reckless  and  a 


ijG  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

fearlessness  amongst  details  which  l>etoken  honesty  and  truth.  The  very  dis- 
crepancies, where  the  details  di\erge  from  present  geographic  knowledge, 
when  correctly  understood  are  turned  to  so  many  points  of  confirmation. 

"We  were  out  fishing  one  day."  That  is  a  remarkable  and  rather  singular 
statement,  especially  if  the  stone  be  fraudulent,  since  the  fishing  was  on  a  lake 
twenty  miles  distant  from  the  place  at  which  the  inscription  was  made.  Again, 
they  must  have  had  boats.  There  is  no  reference  to  them.  Where  could 
they  have  got'  boats  ?  Not  a  word  is  said  as  to  how  they  reached  tlie  place 
where  they  were  encamped,  nor  as  to  the  direction  to  the  sea.  Such  links  as 
are  necessary  to  make  a  connected  and  reasonable  story  would  certainly  be 
given  by  an  impostor.  But  here  the  briefest  statement  is  made  of  the  lead- 
ing facts,  and  the  reader  is  left  to  connect  them  as  best  he  can.  We  are  not 
at  a  loss  to  supply  the  links.  The  boats  must  have  been  birch  bark  canoes, 
used  to  this  day  by  the  northern  Indians,  easy  to  propel  in  the  water  and 
easy  to  "portage"  over  the  land. 

"We  found  ten  men  red  with  blood  and  dead."  That  is  a  remarkable 
statement.  Why  should  the  fact  of  the  gory  appearance  of  the  dead  men  be 
stated  at  all?  and  especially  why  should  it  be  stated  before  stating  the  fact  of 
death?  The  murderers  are  not  mentioned  nor  indicated.  These  peculiari- 
ties in  the  record  may  be  explained  b\-  attributing  the  massacre  to  Indians, 
with  whom  they  may  have  had  some  dealing.  The  appearance  of  the  bloody- 
corpses  implies  the  scalping  knife.  The  appearance  of  the  bodies  is  stated 
before  the  fact  of  their  death,  and  must  have  made  a  deep  impression  on  the 
explorers,  although  it  is  probable  that  the  men  were  dead  before  they  were 
scalped.  If  the  stone  is  fraudulent,  it  is  singular  that,  within  modern  times, 
when  the  scalping  of  white  men  by  Indians  is  a  familiar  fact,  the  massacre 
should  be  described  in  that  manner.  An  impostor  would  hardly  observe  the 
nicety  of  the  significance  in  inverting  the  terms  of  description,  or  that  of 
mentioning  the  bloody  appearance  of  the  dead  at  all. 

Then  comes  the  most  remarkable  feature  of  this  remarkable  inscription. 
"A.  \'.  AI."  Hail,  Virgin  Mary!  or  Ave  Maria.  This  is  a  distinctly  Catholic 
expression.  According  to  Archbishop  Ireland,  no  modern  Scandinavian 
would  utter  it,  as  they  are  Lutherans.  It  would  be  strictly  appropriate  in 
1362.  If  the  stone  be  fraudulent,  the  impostor  artfully  emplo\ed  a  term 
suitable  to  the  date  of  the  inscription;  but  we  would  hardly  expect  an  im- 
postor, such  as  this  man  must  have  been,  to  be  so  religious  as  to  call  on  Mary, 
or  on  any  of  the  gods  of  the  Vikings,  or  on  any  of  the  saints  of  Christianity. 
On  the  supposition  that  the  stone  is  fraudulent,  this  is  a  decided  anachron- 
ism and  would  hardly  be  introduced  by  an  impostor. 


KENSINGTON  RUNE  STONE 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  97 

If  the  stone  is  fraudulent,  the  base  perpetrator  was  artful  enough  to 
make  use  of  rune  characters  appropriate  to  the  date  1362.  The  ancient 
runes  are  sixteen  in  number,  according  to  the  grammar  of  Almquist.  The 
inscription  contains  several  characters  not  found  in  the  old  runic  alphabet, 
and  some  that  are  peculiar  to  itself  or  to  some  locality. 

Rev.  O.  A.  Norman,  of  Ashby,  called  our  attention  to  a  singular  coinci- 
dence, viz.,  the  frequency  of  the  expression  calling  upon  Mary,  in  Scandi- 
navia, at  the  time  of  the  "black  death,"  which  prevailed  in  the  fourteenth 
century.  A  poem  or  song,  entitled  "Fornesbronen,"  was  recited  at  the  burials 
of  the  many  dead,  and  appears  to  have  become  well  known.  It  was  lately 
reprinted  in  a  brochure  at  Fergus  Falls,  Minnesota,  entitled  "Telesoga." 
Each  verse  ends  with  an  appeal  to  Mary  to  grant  help  and  freedom  from 
evil.  The  sudden  and  bloody  death  of  ten  of  their  comrades  seems  to  have 
impressed  the  living  in  a  manner  similar  to  the  mysterious  death  of  the  black 
plague.  If  the  stone  be  fraudulent,  the  impostor  seems  to  have  been  aware  of 
the  prevalence  of  that  prayer  in  the  fourteenth  century,  and  very  shrewdly 
appended  it  at  the  proper  place  in  this  inscription. 

It  appears,  from  several  considerations,  that  the  scribe  was  a  rather 
illiterate  Swede.  If  the  stone  be  fraudulent,  it  is  singular  that  such  a  man 
should  prove  himself  capable  of  such  literary  and  historical  knowledge,  and 
of  such  artiful  cunning.  If  the  stone  be  fraudulent,  it  seems  necessary  to 
suppose  that  a  non-educated  Swede  should  be  able  to  make  the  inscription  and 
to  accomplish  the  following: 

1.  A  simple,  straightforward  record. 

2.  Correct  the  prevalent  notion  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  Vinland. 

3.  Refer  to  two  skerries,  which  could  not  have  existed  when  the  record 
was  made  but  did  exist  five  hundred  and  forty-eight  years  ago. 

4.  Refer  to  an  island,  which  was  not  an  island  when  the  stone  was  in- 
scribed, but  was  so  five  hundred  and  forty-eight  years  ago. 

5.  Define  exactly  the  location  of  the  camp  with  reference  to  the  seaside 
and  with  reference  to  the  •stone. 

6.  Describe  the  massacre  in  such  a  way  as  to  indicate  that  the  men  were 
scalped  by  Indians,  although  no  mention  is  made  of  Indians. 

7.  Make  the  prayer  to  the  Virgin  Mary  common  in  Scandinavia  in  1362, 
but  anachronistic  iij  the  nineteenth  century. 

8.  As  an  impostor,  utter  the  common  prayer  of  a  devout  Catholic  of 
the  fourteenth  century. 

9.  Use  in  part  some  ancient  runic  characters  instead  of  those  common 
in  later  centuries. 

(7) 


98  DOUGLAS    AND   GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

10.  All  this  deceit  and  laborious  cunning,  without  any  ascertainable 
motive,  perpetrated  in  an  unpopulated,  or  at  most  only  a  sparsely  inhabited, 
region  amongst  a  wilderness  of  forests. 

LINGUISTIC  OBJECTIONS. 

Notwithstanding  these  considerations,  which  point  toward  the  genuine- 
ness of  the  Kensington  Rune  Stone,  there  are  linguistic  objections,  which,  it 
is  claimed,  are  insurmountable.  It  is  claimed  by  those  who  are  expert  in  the 
Scandinavian  languages,  and  who  present  those  difficulties,  that  linguistic 
evidence  is  paramount  in  importance,  and  that  other  considerations  are  pertin- 
ent only  after  the  linguistic  objections  are  removed. 

A  summary  statement  of  these  objections  is  about  as  follows : 

Certain  words  not  in  use  in  Sweden  at  the  date  given  the  inscription,  viz. : 

opdagclsc.  It  is  pointed  out  that  this  word  is  not  in  Sodervall's  diction- 
ary, nor  in  that  of  Kalkar,  the  latter  being  a  dictionary  of  the  old  Danish 
(and  Swedish)  language  covering  the  years  1300  to  1700,  and  that  in  modern 
Swedish  the  word  opdage  is  uppdaga;  that  "opdagclsc"  is  made  by  adding  to 
the  root  the  suffix  else,  which  in  the  form  ilsi  is  not  found  in  Swedish  or  Dan- 
ish prior  to  1300;  that  "opdage"  itself  is  a  borrowed  word,  allied  to  the  Dutch 
opdagen  and  the  German  cntdcckcn;  and  that,  if  it  had  existed  in  1362,  its  only 
meaning  could  have  been  dazmiing. 

po,  which  appears  twice  in  the  inscription.  This  word,  derived  from 
iipp  a  becomes  pa  and  paa.  and  in  Sodervall's  dictionary  is  said  to  date  from 
about  1400,  and  to  have,  in  the  older  Swedish,  only  the  active  sense,  "to 
designate  an  action  by  some  one,  or  a  condition  or  state  of  a  person,"  which 
is  not  the  sense  in  which  it  is  used  here. 

laeger  is  objected  to  as  a  word  in  Swedish  at  the  date  of  1362,  on  the 
ground  that  it  shows  a  Germanic  influence,  dating  from  the  sixteenth  cen- 
tury or  later,  its  earliest  date  in  Kalkar  being  1534. 

dag  is,  on  the  stone,  thag  (or  dhug),  meaning  day,  but  in  1362  d  had 
supplanted  dh  and  should  have  been  used.  The  use  of  "the  thorn"  (the 
rune  (?)  for  dh  or  th  or  d)  indicated  a  modern  Swede  runologist.  The 
same  objection  lies  against  dh  in  opdagelse.  J 'inland,  and  dcd.  and  other 
words. 

vorc  skip  should  have  been  written  voruui  skipiiiii,  to  agree  with  the  lan- 
guage of  Sweden  in  1362. 

har,  var,  kom,  and  fan,  are  first  person  plurals,  as  used,  and  should 
have  the  ending  om.  viz.,  haf thorn  (or  hathom),  zvroin,  koiiioiii.  and  funnom. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  99 

These  would  have  been  found  in  the  "Mariaklagan,"  had  any  first  person 
plurals  been  used  in  the  part  with  which  comparison  is  made,  since  in  the 
third  person  plurals  found  in  it  the  full  inflectional  endings  are  used. 

dcd  (or  theth,  or  dhedth)  should  have  been  dodh,  and  is  apparently  a 
reflection  of  the  English  word  "ded." 

from  is  English 

mails  is  an  incorrect  plural  English  word  for  men. 

0  is  written  with  c  rune  inside  an  o.     o  appears  for  the  first  time  in 

1495- 

In  short,  the  language  of  the  stone,  it  is  claimed,  is  a  mixture  of 
modern  Swedish,  Norwegian,  and  English. 

It  is  fortunate  for  the  cause  of  historic  truth,  no  less  than  for  linguistic 
criticism  applicable  to  the  inscription  of  this  stone,  that  quite  a  number  of 
American  as  well  as  some  European  experts  in  runes  and  in  Scandinavian 
literature  have  given  close  attention  to  this  stone,  and  have  afforded  their 
aid  to  the  committee  in  their  efforts  to  reach  a  warrantable  conclusion  as 
to  the  authenticity  of  the  record  for  the  date  which  it  claims.  The  commit- 
tee has  also  taken  advantage  of  the  published  opinions  of  others,  so  far 
as  we  have  learned  of  them,  whenever  such  opinions  have  been  based  on 
specific  and  critical  linguistic  points.  A  mere  "opinion,"  pro  or  con,  has 
been  passed  by  without  consideration;  for  it  is  plain  that  not  only  the  labor 
would  be  practically  endless  should  the  committee  entertain  unsupported 
opinions,  but  that  in  the  end  the  result  would  be  based  on  other's  opinions 
and  would  not  be  a  creditable  and  judicial  consideration  of  the  problems 
with  which  the  committee  is  charged. 

The  following  eminent  and  critical  scholars  have  aided  the  committee, 
and  to  them  the  thanks  of  the  Historical  Society  are  due : 

Helge  G jessing,  University  of  Christiania,  Norway. 

Hjalmar  Rued  Holand,  Ephraim,  Wisconsin. 

O.  J.  Breda,  Christiania,  Norway,  formerly  of  the  University  of  Min- 
nesota. 

George  O.  Curme,  Northwestern  University,  Evanston,  Illinois. 

Chester  N.  Gould,  University  of  Chicago,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

Rasmus  B.  Anderson,  Madison,  Wisconsin. 

Dr.  Knut  Hoegh,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota. 

Gisle  Bothne,  University  of  Minnesota,  Minneapolis. 

John  O.  Evjen,  Augsburg  Seminary,  Minneapolis. 

Andrew  Possum,  St.  Olaf  College,  Northfield,  Minnesota. 

P.  P.  Iverslie,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota. 


lOO  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

George  T.  Flom,  University  of  Illinois,  Urbana,  Illinois. 

Julius  E.  Olson,  University  of  Wisconsin,  Madison,  Wisconsin. 

J.  A.  Holvik,  United  Church  Seminary,  St.  Anthony  Park,  St.  Paul, 
Minnesota. 

Olaf   Huseby,   Norwegian  journalist  and   author,    Fosston,    ^Minnesota. 

J.  J.  Skordalsvold,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  formerly  professor  of  Nor- 
wegian Literature  in  Augsburg  Seminary. 

O.  E.  Hagen,  Meridian,  Wisconsin,  formerly  professor  in  the  Uni- 
versity of  South  Dakota,  Vermilion,  South  Dakota. 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  among  these  there  is  divergence  of  testimony. 
and  sometimes  contrary,  not  only  in  the  results  which  they  have  reached, 
but  sometimes  in  their  estimates  of  the  value  of  the  linguistic  peculiarities 
of  the  language  of  the  inscription. 

With  one  exception,  the  members  of  the  committee  are  all  linguistic 
scholars  and  are  capable  of  judging  the  force  of  linguistic  arguments,  pro 
and  con,  and  we  have  attempted  to  compare  judicially  the  evidence  that  has 
been  adduced. 

It  should  be  remarked  at  the  outset  that  the  argument  against  the  rune 
inscription  is  like  this :  As  the  translation  of  the  Bible  in  King  James'  version 
does  not  employ  the  words  boy  or  girl,  but  instead  uses  lad  and  danisel,  if 
a  book  purporting  to  be  a  copy  of  the  King  James  version  were  found  to 
contain  the  words  boy  and  girl,  it  would  at  once  be  classed  as  fraudulent. 
Likewise  if  words  are  found  in  the  Kensington  rune  stone  inscription  which 
were  not  in  use  in  1362,  the  inscription  is  fraudulent.  But  it  is  evident 
at  once  that  such  a  comparison  of  these  cases  involves  a  possible  error. 
Two  books  actually  in  print  can  be  compared  with  preciseness,  and  one  can 
be  pronounced  a  fraud  with  positiveness  when  it  does  not  agree  with  its 
prototype.  In  the  case  of  this  stone,  a  definite  inscription  is  to  be  com- 
pared with  a  "usage,"  and  it  is  the  wide  uncertainty  of  that  usage  that 
gives  rise  to  the  variety  of  evidence  and  opinion. 

It  should  be  remarked  also  that  the  usage  with  which  the  stone  may 
be  compared  may  be  that  of  a  considerable  period  of  time,  say  a  whole 
century;  it  mav  be  that  of  high-class  and  dignified  literature,  or  that  of 
common  or  ordinary  writing,  or  that  even  of  everyday  speech.  It  is  plain, 
therefore,  that  it  is  important  to  determine  the  standard  to  which  the  inscrip- 
tion ought  to  show  a  conformity.  It  should  also  be  remembered  that, 
as  in  English,  these  standards  change  from  one  into  the  other  with  lapse 
of  time.  A  usage  which  was  prevalent  only  in  common  speech,  say  in 
the   fourteenth  century,   might  be   found  in  literature  in  the  fifteenth  cen- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  lOI 

tury,  and  in  the  more  dignified  language  of  legal  documents  not  till  the 
sixteenth  century.  As  our  slang  words  creep  slowly  into  literature,  and 
finally  are  recognized  in  the  standard  dictionaries,  so  the  colloquial  terms 
and  usage  of  the  Swedish  gradually  came  into  use  in  the  higher  type  of 
literature. 

It  is  agreed  by  all,  so  far  as  we  have  learned,  that  the  inscription, 
whether  false  or  genuine,  was  niade  by  a  Swede  and  a  rather  unlettered 
man,  a  good  mechanic,  and  probably  from  ancient  Gothland,  now  the  south 
part  of  Sweden,  or  from  Visby,  on  the  island  of  Gothland,  where  foreigners 
were  numerous  from  all  commercial  points  in  Europe.  In  such  a  city  the 
influence  of  foreign  languages  would  be  apparent  and  more  pronounced 
than  in  any  other  part  of  Sweden,  except  perhaps  Stockholm.  If  the 
engraver  of  the  inscription  were  an  unlettered  Swede,  it  appears  that  the 
standard  with  which  it  should  be  compared  is  not  that  of  high-class  standard 
literature,  whether  legal  documents,  educational  treatises,  or  poems,  but 
more  reasonably  the  colloquial  vernacular  of  Gothland.  It  would  be  neces- 
sary to  allow  for  some  effect  of  German  and  perhaps  English  contiguity. 
Hence,  as  the  stone  claims  to  date  from  the  fourteenth  century,  it  is  reason- 
able to  compare  it  with  the  colloquial  usage  of  that  century. 

Here  arises  another  important  consideration,  viz.,  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury was  a  period  of  change  and  confusion,  arising  from  the  introduction 
of  Christianity.  Here  was  in  full  swing  the  tradition  to  the  modern  forms 
and  usages.  Indeed  the  language  of  Sweden  and  Denmark  in  the  fourteenth 
and  fifteenth  centuries  "was  much  like  that  of  the  present."  and,  "to  that 
degree  agrees  with  the  new  that  nothing  except  an  occasional  business  or 
law  expression  will  stop  a  reader  of  the  present."  This  change  was  not 
accomplished  without  much  irregularity,  and  perhaps  this  is  most  apparent 
in  the  fourteenth  century.  The  German  language  made  a  powerful  impress 
on  the  Swedish.  Dahlerup  declares,  "Never  has  our  language  received 
so-  great  influence  from  abroad  (especially  Middle  Low  German)  as  it 
received  in  the  fourteenth  and  fifteenth  centuries."  Those  irregularities 
consisted  in  a  more  or  less  prevalent  dropping  of  case  ending,  disregard  of 
grammatical  agreements,  especially  in  common  speech,  and  differences  of  spell- 
ing. 

With  these  facts  in  mind,  we  will  examine  in  succession  the  difticult 
linguistic  points  whicli  we  have  already  mentioned. 

opdagclsc  is  claimed  to  be  a  modern  word.  It  is  a  serious  objection  to 
this  word  that  it  is  not  found  in  two  standard  dictionaries,  Sodervall's 
and  especially  Kalkar's,  the  latter  purporting  to  be  a  dictionary  of  the  old 


I02  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Danish  (and  Swedish)  language,  covering  the  years  1300  to  1700.  The 
root  of  the  word  was  known,  also  the  prefix  op  (upp),  and  the  suffix  else 
(Use).  It  was  a  neuter  verb,  signifying  to  appear,  to  dawn.  In  the  inscrip- 
tion it  has  an  active  significance,  to  discover.  Yet  Kalkar  gives  a  quotation 
dating  from  1634  in  which  this  word  appears  in  its  active  sense,  viz.,  "Et  skib 
med  rofoere  for  landit  var  opdaget"  (A  vessel  zvith  pirates  was  discov- 
ered off  shore).  The  fact  that  the  date  of  this  quotation  is  1634  does 
not  show  that  this  signification  of  this  word  was  not  in  earlier  use,  for 
Kalkar  gives  numerous  other  quotations  witth  dates  showing  similar  Ger- 
man influence,  dated  later  than  their  known  earhest  use,  as  follows : 

understanda  is  dated  1610,  but  is  found  in  Den  Jydskc  Lov  of  1241. 
(Brandt,  Gammeldanska  Lasebog,   1856,  p.  29,  Hne  15.) 

ophange  in  dated  1575,  used  in  a  provision  of  Waldemar  Seier  of  1250 
(itto,  41,  3,  as  uphengia.) 

opladlia,  dated  by  Kalkar  1550,  used  in  a  diploma  of  1329  (ditto,  yj, 
5,  as  itplader)  ;  and  numerous  others. 

Kalkar's  dictionary  was  not  complete.  He  is  now  compiling  a  sup- 
plement, which  will  contain  hundreds  of  words  missed  by  him  in  his  first 
edition.  The  following,  similar  to  opdagelsc,  may  be  mentioned,  in  use 
about  1400,  which  were  omitted  by  Kalkar:  opfostrc,  upfodde.  opbrande, 
opraettilsae,  forymmels,  paa>nindelse  (ditto,  98,  line  23;  169,  8;  168,  6). 
This  shows  simply  that  opdagelse  may  have  been  one  of  the  common  words 
omitted  by  Kalkar,  and  therefore  that  the  absence  of  this  word  in  Kalkar's 
Danish  dictionary  is  not  certain  evidence  that  it  was  not  in  use  in  Gothland 
in  1362,  at  least  in  common  speech;  for,  as  has  been  remarked  already, 
the  standard  dictionaries  of  any  language  are  the  last  to  recognize  innovations, 
such  as  this  appears  to  have  been,  from  other  languages. 

We  fail  to  see  the  force  of  the  objections  to  opdagelse  in  the  fact  that 
the  modern  Swedish  for  opdage  is  uppdaga.  The  use  of  the  older  word 
seems  to  us  rather  to  be  a  difficulty  in  assigning  the  inscription  to  modern 
invention. 

The  difficulty  with  po  in  the  inscription  consists  of  two  parts :  (  i  ) 
It  is  used  earlier  than  is  recognized  by  Sodervall's  dictionary ;  and  ( 2 ) 
it  is  used  correctly  to  designate  "an  action  by  some  one,  or  a  condition 
or  state  of  a  person,"  which  is  thought  to  be  not  the  sense  in  which  it  is 
used  here. 

The  fact  that  Sodervall's  dictionary  assigns  this  word  to  "about  1400" 
is  in  some  degree  an  objection  to  its  use  in  1362;  yet,  if  it  be  recalled  that  in 
common  speech   nian\-   words   are   in   use  long  before   they  are   recognized 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  IO3 

in  standard  literature  and  in  dictionaries,  and  that  the  difference  of -time 
here  amounts  to  only  thirty-eight  years,  it  appears  to  the  committee  that  the 
word  po  was  more  likely  than  not  to  have  been  known  and  used  at  the 
date  assigned  to  the  rune  stone.  In  the  middle  of  the  fourteenth  century, 
moreover,  we  find  pa,  po,  and  upa,  used  side  by  side. 

As  to  the  significance  of  the  word  po  (on),  used  as  a  preposition  before 
the  word  opdagelse,  its  force,  as  defined  by  the  objectors,  is  to  be  inferred 
from  the  connection.  "On  a  journey  of  discovery"  implies  a  verb  such  as 
going,  and  if  that  be  supplied  the  phrase  reads  "going  on  a  journey  of  dis- 
covery," which  gives  the  preposition  exactly  the  sense  required. 

Again,  it  is  quite  likely  that  in  pronunciation  pa,  the  original  word  which 
became  paa,  was  sounded  so  nearly  like  po  that  the  unlettered  scribe  pre- 
ferred po  to  any  other  spelling.  Further,  as  there  was  no  rune  character  for 
aa,  this  sound  was  commonly  expressed  by  the  rune  for  o. 

laeger.  The  original  Norse  form  was  legr,  but  in  Swedish  the  e  became 
a,  and  under  the  influence  of  German  contact  the  word  took  the  form  of 
laeger,  or  lager.  It  is  assumed  by  the  objectors  that  this  final  form  was 
due  to  the  sixteenth  century  and  hence  could  not  have  been  used  in  1362; 
but  Falk  and  Torp  state  that  in  Swedish-Danish  the  transition  from  e  to  a 
took  place  about   1200   (Lydhistorie,  Kristiania,   1898,  page   11,   No.   2). 

It  is  further  objected  to  this  word  that  in  the  sense  here  employed 
(camp)  it  was  not  employed  in  1362,  but  meant  burial  place  or  lying  together; 
yet  Kalkar  illustrates  it  in  the  sense  used  in  the  inscription,  viz.,  "The 
angels  of  the  Lord  built  their  camp  round  about  them :  Herrins  engel  slaar 
lagre  omkring  tlicnnom"  (date  of  this  writing,  1524?).  This  dictionary 
covers  the  period  from  the  fourteenth  to  the  seventeenth  century. 

dhag,  opdhagelse,  J'inlandh,  dhed,  and  other  words  in  the  inscription, 
are  spelled  with  the  rune  character,  called  thorn.  It  is  claimed  that  the 
more  modern  character  for  d  had  supplanted  the  "thorn"  in  1362,  and  ought 
to  have  been  used.  The  thorn  was  usually  used  at  this  time  for  both  th 
and  dh;  but  it  appears  that  t  was  gradually  supplanting  th,  and  d  was  taking 
the  place  of  dh.  It  is  plain  from  all  sides  that  the  thorn,  used  exclusively 
on  the  inscription,  was  warrantable  as  a  character  either  for  that  dental 
which  was  sounded  th,  or  for  that  which  was  sounded  by  dh.  At  the  same 
time,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  the  distinct  character  for  d  had  a  recognized 
existence:  but  whether  there  was  any  rule  or  regulated  practice,  in  1362,  as 
to  the  use  of  it  for  d.  we  have  been  unable  to  find  out.  No  one  has  referred 
to  any  regulated  practice,  and  it  seems  to  us  that  any  criticism  demanding 
the  exclusive  use  of  the  character  for  d  in  1362  where  the  inscription  shows 


I04  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

dh,  should  be  supported  by  such  a  rule.  There  is  not  a  word  in  the  inscrip- 
tion which  calls  for  the  dental  sound  th,  and  it  is  hence  plain  that  where  the 
thorn  sign  is  used  it  was  intended  to  take  the  place  of  the  sign  for  dh 
(or  for  d). 

Further,  while  the  character  was  used  at  the  time,  it  occurs  so  rarely 
that  it  seems  most  runesmiths  were  ignorant  of  its  existence  or  ignored  it. 
For  instance,  it  does  not  occur  a  single  time  in  the  twenty-six  Swedish 
and  Danish  runic  inscriptions  from  the  middle  period  quoted  by  Vigfussen 
on  pages  447-449  of  his  "Icelandic  Reader  and  Grammar."  The  thorn 
however  occurs  I42  times  in  these  same  inscriptions.  It  appears  also  that 
there  was  great  latitude  in  the  use  of  this  character,  in  that  it  not  only 
commonly  represented  th  and  dh,  but  also  frequently  d,  and  even  t.  In 
inscription  No.  4,  on  page  448,  we  find  ristu  spelled  with  the  "thorn"  instead 
of  the  t.  Therefore,  while  it  might  have  l:>een  accessible  in  elementary  text- 
liooks.  the  writer  of'  the  inscription  has  shown  a  close  agreement  even  with 
written  usage  in  Sweden  in  the  middle  ages,  by  using  the  "thorn"  exclusively. 
Had  /  only  been  used,  that  character,  as  it  seems  to  the  committee,  would 
have  constituted  a  greater  objection  than  the  exclusive  use  of  the  "thorn." 

hadhe,  har,  var,  kom,  and  fan.  These  are  unquestionably  verb  forms 
of  the  first  plural,  past  tense  {har  is  present),  used  by  the  rune-maker, 
and  purporting  to  be  from  the  date  of  1362.  The  validity  of  these  forms 
is  questionable.  It  is  evident  that  if  fraudulent  these  abbreviated  terms  might 
be  those  which  the  inscriber  of  the  stone  would  employ  in  the  nineteenth 
century.  The  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  if  these  five  verb  forms 
cannot  be  satisfactorily  explained,  the  stone  will  be  suspected  as  a  forgery. 
They  have  therefore  given  particular  attention  to  the  question  whether  such 
abbreviations  were  warrantable  in  the  year  1362. 

The  statement  has  been  made  already,  in  general  terms,  that  this  was 
a  period  in  the  histor}'  of  the  Danish- Swedish  and  Danish-Norse  lan- 
guages when  great  confusion  prevailed,  because  of  a  tendency  toward  the 
modern  usages,  and  it  would  be  possible  to  assign  such  verb  changes  to  that 
general  statement.  The  committee,  however,  have  thought  that,  owing  to 
the  sweeping  character  of  this  difficulty,  it  would  be  well  to  disregard  the 
general  principle,  and  to  find,  if  possible,  examples  in  practice  dating  irom 
the  fourteenth  centur}-,  of  such  verb  changes  as  are  here  shown  by  the  rune 
stone. 

Dahlerup,  commenting  on  this  period,  says:  "Numerous  verb  forms, 
especially  in  documents  showing  Jutland  influences,  show  that  the  speech 
undoubtedly  in  many  parts  [of  the  country]  had  given  up  the  logical  use  of  the 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I05 

plural  forms"  ( Det  Danske  Sprogs  Historic,  p.  33).  As  an  example  of  this 
he  quotes:  "Allc  fugle  son  hedder  voliicres  pa  Latin,"  "the  faar,"  "the 
gik,"  "the  kan,"  "I  seer,"  etc.  In  all  these  illustrations  we  find  singular 
verbs  with  plural  subjects.  We  have  other  examples  of  this,  as  in  a  letter 
of  1340,  which  begins,  "Alloc  )nen  thettac  href  ser  eller  hor'  (Brandt's 
Lasebog,  p.  79,  line  i).  Similarly  a  letter  of  1329  begins,  Allae  ma£n  thet- 
tae  href  ser  aeldaer  horaer  (ditto,  yy,  i).  This  shows  at  least  that  the 
old  classic  rule,  that  the  inflectional  ending  of  the  verb  must  agree  with 
its  subject,  was  not  maintained  in  the  four-teenth  century.  The  third  per- 
son plural  preterite  for  hafa  is  hofdu;  but  as  early  as  1200  we  find  JVitherlax 
men  hamdhe  honum  uraet  giort"  (Kong  Knuts  Viderlagsret  in  Brandt's 
Lasebog,  p.  39,  line  i).  Gamle  Kong  Eriks  Kronike,  written  about  1320, 
says,  "The  hado  upotith  therra  maat"  (Svenska  Medeltidens  Rim-Kronikor, 
G.  E.  Klemmings's  edition,  Stockholm,  1865,  first  part,  line  1514;  see  also 
line  2581).  Upsala  Kronike,  of  the  fourteenth  century,  reads,  "hadae  moss 
[plural]  acdct  opp  oxen  som  I'ar  of  osth  giord  (Hunde  Kongen  og  Snio  in 
Hallenberg,  No.  51,  also  cjuoted  in  Brandt's  Lasebog,  p.  y2,  line  i).  In 
Mandevilles  Reiser,  of  about  1400,  we  similarly  find  hadhc:  "ikcae  Jiadhae  vy 
.  .  .  .frem  kommit"  (Brandt's  Lasebog,  123,  10);  "ta  tct  hadae  gongit 
Iioos  tho  milae,"  etc.,  (ditto,  122,  16).  See  also  the  frequent  use  of  "the 
hade."  they  had,  in  Svenske  Medeltidens  Rim-Kronikor. 

As  to  the  form  has,  here  used  in  place  of  the  regular  full  inflectional 
haffvom,  we  find  that  in  many,  perhaps  in  most,  writings  of  the  fourteenth 
century,  the  termination  of  the  first  person  plural,  vom,  had  largely  disap- 
peared. It  is  retained,  however,  in  an  important  work  dating  from  1320, 
Gamle  Eriks  Kronike,  where  also  nearly  all  the  old  endings  are  preserved. 
Instead  of  haffvom,  we  find  the  modern  forms  hm'e  or  haver;  but,  according 
to  Falk  and  Thorp,  for  a  long  time  the  i>  was  elided  in  pronunciation,  mak- 
ing lia  and  har,  or  was  replaced,  even  in  the  fourteenth  century,  h\  »,  the 
following  e  being  dropped.  Thus:  "lak  haur  of  herrana  hort"  (Gamble 
Eriks  Kronike,  1320,  Klemming's  ed.,  line  4404) ;  "Thet  haur  konnng  Bierge 
giort"  (ditto,  line  4480).  The  rhythm  also  shows  that  it  was  pronounced 
as  a  single  syllable.  Similarly  in  a  diploma  of  1386  we  read,  "Wi  have  tint 
oc  lathet  ivore  kerae  bytndn  (Brandt's  Lasebog,  p.  79,  line  18).  In  a  letter 
of  Queen  Margaret,  of  1339,  we  read:  "Meth  al  thene  rat  som  han  og 
honiies  fathir  thcr  til  hawe  haft  og  hawe."  In  the  last  two  instances  u 
(or  T')  is  Ti',  which  also  illustrates  the  confusion  which  has,  in  all  modern 
languages,  attended  those  half  consonants.  In  the  next,  u  is  plainly  and 
simply  used  for  v.     In  a  book  of  remedies,  about  1360,  we  read  "J]'i  Iiaita 


I06  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

nu  talet  ok  sagt  oc  screiv'dt  thct  som  tharyekt  ar"  (Molbech's  Ordbog,  xlix)  ; 
also,  "Thorn  ther  hauer  howeth  wdrk,"  etc.   (ditto,  xlix). 
Summarizing  oiir  inquiry  on  this  word,  we  find : 

(a)  that  the  plural  hafvom  had  been  largely  dropped  in  the  four- 
teenth century; 

(b)  that  the  singular  for  haver  had  largely  superseded  it; 

(c)  that  according  to  Falk  and  Torp,  eminent  philologists,  this  v  has 
long  been  dropped  phonetically; 

(d)  that  haur,  the  immediate  phonetic  predecessor  of  har,  occurs  sporadi- 
cally in  Gamle  Eriks  Krliinike,  the  ablest  literary  work  of  the  times,  written 
in  1320. 

If  we  add  to  this  a  probable  advance  in  phonetic  and  grammatic  develop- 
ment in  the  region  of  Gothland,  there  seems  to  be  no  longer  remaining  any 
valid  objection  to  the  use  of  the  spelling  seen  on  the  stone. 

It  should  further  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  author  of  this  inscription, 
if  it  be  genuine,  would  be  extremely  unlikely  to  be  an  educated  literary  man, 
but  rather  a  plain  man  of  action.  As  such  he  would  write  as  he  spoke.  On 
the  contrary  an  impostor  of  today,  trying  to  reproduce  the  language  of  an 
ancient  period,  could  only  be  a  philologist,  and  would  try  to  follow  the  liter- 
ary usage  of  the  time,  instead  of  employing  forms  adapted  to  his  own  day. 
The  apparently  modern,  but  defensible,  use  of  the  word  har,  is  therefore, 
in  the  opinion  of  this  committee,  good  evidence  of  the  phonetic  authorship 
of  the  record  in  the  fourteenth  century. 

var  is  the  first  person  plural,  used  for  the  old  and  regular  form  varum. 
The  discussion  of  har  applies  largely  to  this  word.  In  the  fourteenth  century 
it  was  the  common  form.  In  the  chronicle  of  the  Danish  kings,  written 
about  1250  and  1300,  we  find  the  singular  and  plural  forms  struggling  side 
by  side.  In  line  12  we  read,  Hialti  ok  Birghi  var  i  hans  tiina."  while  in  line 
15  we  read,  "Slenge  ok  Vege  varu  i  hans  tima."  After  this  time  the  singular 
var  is  dominant.  Many  illustrations  could  be  given  of  plural  subjects  used 
with  the  singular  var.  Var  is  frequently  seen  in  the  form  vare,  as  "tha  vare 
wi  acy  fraelstc  aff  helvedis  nodh"  (devotional  jxiem  from  alx)ut  1425,  Brandt's 
Lasebog,  p.  262,  8). 

koiii  is  used  for  koiiiiiion,  the  plural  ending,  like  others  already  dis- 
cussed, having  dropped  off  in  the  period  under  discussion. 

fail.  This  form,  although  we  have  no  examples  to  quote,  may  be  assumed 
to  have  been  used  for  the  old  plural  form,  analogous  to  koin,  var,  and  har. 

dhcdh  {or  dcdh).  The  use  of  c  for  ac,  in  the  fourteenth  century,  or  vice 
versa,  was  frequent.     Hence  the  uncritical  maker  of  the  inscription  did  not 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  IO7 

pass  beyond  the  warrant  of  his  time.  The  Danish  dialect  had  dcd  in  1390. 
It  is  evident  that  the  thorn  must  have  been  intended  here  to  express  the 
symbol  dh  (th  as  in  this,  and  .not  tli  as  in  thistle),  which  irt  English  found  its 
equivalent  in  d,  and  in  German  in  the  word  todt.  The  spelling  of  this  word 
may  have  been  influenced  somewhat  by  a  knowledge  of  the  English  pro- 
nunciation of  the  same  word,  and  by  the  Danish  ded. 

from  in  its  form  is  English.  It  is  given,  however,  by  Falk  and  Torp's 
Etymologisk  Ordbog,  as  occurring  sporadically  in  the  old  Swedish,  meaning 
from.  The  easy  phonetic  substitution  of  0  for  long  a  or  aa  is  so  apparent 
in  this  word  that  it  needs  no  efifort  at  explanation.  The  letter  m,  however, 
is  in  this  place  quite  antique,  unless  it  is  adopted  directly  from  the  English, 
and  seems  to  furnish  an  argument  for  the  authenticity  of  the  stone  rather 
than  against  it. 

fn  the  old  Aurlancrs  church  in  Sogn,  Norway,  completed  in  the  Catholic 
time,  about  1300,  there  was  a  pair  of  very  small  panes  of  glass.  The  two 
panes  were  a  present  to  the  church  "from"  so-and-so.  When  the  church  was 
razed,  the  panes  were  bought  by  an  enlightened  gentleman  in  the  district, 
and  they  may  be  found  safely  treasured  there  yet. 

The  work  entitled  "Gamle  Eriks  Kronike"  was  the  product  of  some  writer 
living  in  that  part  of  Sweden  known  as  Vestgotland,  written  about  1320.  This 
work  contains  a  great  many  of  the  words  of  the  inscription,  used  in  the  same 
meaning.  This  was  perhaps  the  home  of  the  Goter  mentioned  in  the  inscrip- 
tion. 

This  inquiry  might  be  extended  so  as  to  include  several  other  words 
that  have  been  criticised,  but  as  we  have  brought  under  review  the  chief  of 
the  objections  from  a  linguistic  point  of  view,  we  deem  it  unnecessary  to 
go  further  into  details. 

From  the  examination  of  the  language  of  the  stone  the  committee 
think  that  the)-  are  warranted  in  making  the  following  conclusions : 

1.  It  cannot  be  the  work  df  some  unlettered  amateur  of  the  present 
day. 

2.  It  is  either  the  uncritical  record  of  an  exploration  of  the  fourteenth 
century,  or  the  fabrication  of  a  consummate  philologist  familiar  with  the 
dialect  of  Vestgotland  in  the  fourteenth  century,  which  was  essentially  the 
Dalske  dialect  of  Dalarne  of  the  sixteenth  century. 

3.  No  expert  philologist  would  make  the  blunder  of  writing  dcd  for 
d'od.  A  modern  philologist  familiar  with  the  evolution  of  0  from  an  would 
hardly  make  such  an  error,  but  such  phonetic  mistakes  were  common  among 
the  uncritical  people  of  the  fourteenth  century. 


I08  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

4.  The  peculiarity  of  spelling  '"and"  as  both  ok  and  og  is  abhorrent 
to  the  scientific  precision  of  a  modern  philologist,  but  was  very  natural  in 
the  fourteenth  century,  when  the  sounds  of  k,  t,  and  p.  were  frequently 
confounded  with  those  of  g,  d,  and  b. 

5.  The  use  of  the  phrase,  "id  var  ok  fiskc,''  belongs  in  the  same  class 
of  colloquialisms  as  skiillen  for  skule  han.  haden  for  havde  han,  etc.  These 
phrases  are  all  on  the  lips  of  the  people  in  common  speech,  but  no  well- 
informed  person  would  sufifer  them  to  appear  in  a  serious  narrative  in 
writing.  But  in  the  fourteenth  century,  with  its  greater  phonetic  freedom, 
the}-  were  all  common. 

6.  Several  obsolete  words,  which  were  in  use  in  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury, such  as  lacgcr,  rise,  skjar,  af  illy,  and  from,  as  well  as  the  peculiar 
numeral  characters,  strongly  indicate  that  no  modern  impostor  made  the 
inscription,  as  the  works  of  scholars  proving  that  they  were  in  use  at  that 
time  have  mainly  been  published  since  the  stone  was  found. 

7.  The  linguistic  internal  evidence  of  the  genuineness  of  the  stone 
coincide  with  and  confirm  the  indications  that  come  from  the  finding  of 
the  stone  and  its  attendant  condition. 

8.  The  numeral  which  expresses  the  number  of  days'  journey  distant 
from  the  seashore  is  more  probably  meant  for  fourteen  than  forty-one. 

COLLATERAL  EVIDENCE. 

Attention  should  be  called  again  to  the  stone  found  by  Verendrye  and 
sent  by  him  to  Paris  in  1734-40.  The  characters  could  not  be  read  by  any 
parties  in  Quebec,  but  were  believed  to  be  of  Tartarean  origin,  there  being 
then  a  belief  entertained  by  many  scholars  and  archeologists  that  America 
was  peopled  by  Asiatics.  The  particulars  of  this  finding,  so  far  as  they  are 
known,  are  given  by  the  Swedish  botanist  Kalm,  who  traveled  in  America  in 
1748-51- 

Again,  there  was  evidently  European  blood  in  the  Mandan  Indians. 
All  travelers  who  visited  them  reported  instances  of  light-colored  hair  and 
skin,  and  blue  e\"es.  (7atlin  presumed  that  the  party  of  ]\Iadoc,  a  Welsh 
prince,  had  reached  them,  and  that  their  descendants  would  account  for  the 
remarkable  physiognomy.  It  is  doubtful,  however,  that  the  mixing  of  the 
dark  Iberian  complexion  of  the  Welsh  with  that  of  the  Indians  would  ever 
produce  blue  eyes,  while  it  seems  certain  that  the  blond  complexion  of  the 
Northmen  of  Europe  would  produce  them. 

These  facts  constitute  an  a  priori  affirmative  case  indicating  that  peo- 
ple  from  northern  Europe  mingled  with  the  Alandan  Indians. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  ICQ 

RESOLUTIONS    ADOPTED    BY    THE    MUSEUM    COMMITTEE. 

The  following  resolutions,  which  were  adopted  unanimously  by  this 
committee  April  21,  1910,  are  not  expected  to  terminate  the  investigation, 
but  to  show  the  present  belief  of  its  members : 

Resolved,  That  this  committee  renders  a  favorable  opinion  of  the  authen- 
ticity of  the  Kensington  rune  stone,  provided,  that  the  references  to  Scandi- 
navian literature  given  in  this  committee's  written  report  and  accompan_\-ing 
papers  be  verified  by  a  competent  specialist  in  the  Scandinavian  languages. 
to  be  selected  by  this  committee,  and  that  he  approve  the  conclusions  of 
this  report. 

Resoh-ed.  That  this  action  of  the  committee  be  reported  to  the  next 
meeting  of  the  executive  council,  and  that  J\Ir.  Holand  be  so  informed. 

E.  C.   Mitchell,  Chairman. 

F.  J.     SCHAEFER, 

O.  D.  Wheeler, 

N.    H.    WiNCHELL, 

Warren  Upham.  Secretary. 

In  the  next  monthly  council  meeting.  May  9,  19 10.  this  subject  was 
introduced  by  Rev.  Edward  C.  Mitchell,  chairman  of  the  committee,  and 
large  parts  of  this  report  were  read  by  Professor  Winchell,  followed  by 
his  presentation,  for  the  committee,  of  these  resolutions.  After  much  dis- 
cussion by  the  president  and  several  members  of  the  council  and  others  of 
the  society,  the  council  voted  that  the  report  and  resolutions  of  the  museum 
committee  be  received  and  printed,  with  a  statement  that  the  council  and 
society  reserve  their  conclusion  until  more  agreement  of  opinions  for  or 
against  the  rune  inscription  may  be  attained. 

Subsequently,  Professor  Bothne,  having  been  selected  by  the  museum 
committee,  in  accordance  with  its  resolutions,  for  verification  of  references 
and  a  statement  of  his  opinion,  sent  to  the  committee  the  following  letter : 

The  University  of  Minnesota, 
Minneapolis,  Jnly  19,  1910. 
Prof.  N.  H.  Winchell, 

Dear  Sir:  I  am  going  away  tomorrow,  and  cannot  attend  your  meet- 
ing next  Sunday.  I  have  examined  your  report  carefully,  have  visited 
Kensington  and  neighborhood,  and  have  read  most  of  the  papers  and  articles 
relating  to  the  rune  stone. 


no  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

I  ha\e  always  believed  with  the  great  authorities  of  Norway  and  Sweden, 
Magnus  Olsen,  Moltke  Moe,  M.  Hogstad,  Bugge,  Noreen,  Schrick,  Mon- 
telius,  that  the  language  is  too  modern,  besides  being  faulty;  and  a  more 
careful  study  of  the  words  has  not  changed  my  opinion.  In  some  places 
where  the  rune  (thorn)  is  used,  it  is  not  used  properly.  But  I  shall  not 
enter  into  details  at  this  time. 

That  the  Norwegians  discovered  Vinland  is  a  fact.  That  they,  in 
the  fourteenth  century,  may  have  penetrated  into  the  country  as  far  as 
the  present  Kensington,  is  possible.  But  what  has  been  testified  to  about 
the  finding  of  the  stone  is  not  convincing,  and  I  do  not  consider  the  Ken- 
sington stone  authentic. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  stone  should  be  brought  to  Norway  to  be 
examined  by  expert  runologists,  and,  in  my  opinion,  nothing  else  will  dis- 
pose of  the  matter. 

Yours  respectfully, 

GiSLE    BOTHNE. 


PROFESSOR    FLOM  S    INVESTIGATION. 

Since  the  foregoing  was  written,  a  learned  contribution  has  been  made 
to  the  subject  by  an  eminent  philologist,  Prof.  George  T.  Flom,  of  the 
University  of  Illinois,  who  reaches  an  adverse  decision.  This  was  cour- 
teously furnished  to  the  committee  in  manuscript,  but  has  since  been  revised 
and  published  in  June,  1910,  by  the  Illinois  Historical  Society,  entitled 
"The  Kensington  Rune  Stone,  a  Modern  Inscription  from  Douglas  County, 
Minnesota."     His  objections  can  be  classified  as  follows: 

PRONUNCIATION    AND   SPELLING. 

1.  hadlic.  hafthc  should  have  been  used;  that  is,  the  disappearance 
of  /  or  V  before  a  consonant  had  not  yet  taken  place. 

2.  I'cdh  should  Ije  vidh.  The  change  to  c  begins  about  1400.  vc,  in 
the  third  line  from  the  end,  is  an  attempt  to  use  the  modern  Swedish-Nor- 
wegian vc. 

3.  fro  should  be  fra.  as  fro  and  fro)n  never  occur  in  Middle  Swedish. 

4.  of  cannot  be  compared  with  the  sense  "too,"  which  would  be  beside 
the  point   ;  and  of  rest  is  as  impossible  as  "too  west"  in  English. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  Ill 

5.  o/j  would  have  been  in  Middle  Swedish,  in  the  regular  way,  do. 

6.  ahr.  The  same  error  occurs  here  in  oh.  These  spellings  belong  to 
a  much  later  time. 

7.  dliag,  opdhagclsc,  landli,  dlicdh.  There  was  no  need  for  the  Swedish 
scribe  to  employ  the  rune  p  for  (/,  os  well  as  for  dh  and  //;;  for  d  then  had 
its  own  symbol. 

INFLEXIONS. 

8.  x'ar,  koiii,  fan,  liar.  The  transference  of  the  singular  form  to  the 
plural  is  comparatively  recent. 

9.  man,  as  plural,  is  irregular. 

10.  7-i  had  he.  The  modern  scribe  here  employed  his  own  speech, 
with  an  antiquarian  effort  shown  in  introducing  /;  after  the  dental. 

11.  fra  dheno  sten  should  be  fra  pacssoii  stcn  (variant  of  paoiuna 
stcn)  ;  "later  fra  may  also  govern  the  accusative,  which  would  give  the 
form  fra  paenna  sten." 

12.  at  se  acptirvore  skip  should  be,  regularly,  at  se  aeptir  varolii  skipiiin. 
The  rune  stone's  inscription  is  that  of  present  speech,  Norwegian  rather  than 
Swedish,  except  for  the  word  aeptir. 

13.  from  dheno  ijh.  oil  is  feminine  in  Old  Swedish,  and  the  feminine 
form  of  dheno  should  have  been  used,  i.  e.,  fra  paeniia  0.  {  Compare  fra  dheno 
stcn  above.) 

MEANING    OF    CERTAIN    WORDS. 

14.  po.  then  just  forming  from  11  pp  a,  up  pa,  could  not  be  used  in  this 
way  (i.  e.,  with  an  activity),  but  only  as  a  preposition  meaning  upon.  The 
use  here  is  modern  (in  Swedish  comparatively  recent). 

15.  opdhagclse  must  have  dated  from  after  the  Reformation.  It  is 
Dutch,  and  its  meaning  as  here  employed  is  from  High  German  entdeckcn. 

16.  lacger  is  a  loan  from  the  German.  The  Old  Swedish  word  was 
laegher,  which  also  was  used  differently. 

17.  rise  should  be  in  Old  Swedish  resa.  which  came  into  Swedish  from 
German  in  the  fifteenth  century. 

18.  Two  quotations  are  given,  from  the  fourteenth  century  and  the 
fifteenth  century,  to  show  how  consistent  the  language  was  at  that  time.  One 
is  from  Sjalinne  Throst,  1370,  MS.  1430,  the  other  from  Margaret's  Chronicle, 
late  fifteenth  century,  MS.  1514-1525. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


THE   RUNES. 

19.  Examination  shows  that  the  runes  employed  are  not  those  of  the 
Mariaklagan,  Middle  Swedish  of  about  1400,  which  are  the  same  as  in  theScan- 
ian  Law  (1300).  The  Kensington  scribe  therefore  did  not  use  the  regular 
Norwegian  and  Middle  Swedish  runic  alphabet,  but  employed  characters 
either  invented  by  himself  or  from  some  other  dialect,  "a  different  alphabet." 

20.  This  paper  shows  use  and  knowledge  of  runes  "until  the  last  cen- 
tury." Hence  there  is  some  likelihood  of  someone  having  skill  enough  to 
write  runes  in  the  latter  half  of  the  nineteenth  century. 

21.  It  finds  that  the  particular  alphabet  of  the  Kensington  stone  was 
in  use  in  the  sixteenth  century  in  Elfdalen;  and  it  infers  that  the  sixteenth 
century  is  "modern,"  yet  in  important  respects  quite  different.  For  instance, 
the  thorn  was  used  by  the  Kensington  scribe  for  tJi,  dli,  and  d,  whereas 
at  the  date  claimed  for  the  stone  d  had  its  own  character. 

DISCUSSION    OF   THESE   OBJECTIONS.  ' 

Most  of  these  critical  objections  have  been  presented  by  others,  and 
are  referred  to  in  the  Ixidy  of  the  foregoing  report.  There  are  21  items, 
as  numbered,  and  they  will  be  reviewed  here  in  numerical  order.  Numbers 
I,  3,  7,  8,  10,  14,  15,  and  16,  have  been  shown  to  be  either  invalid  ov  at 
least  of  questionable  character  adverse  to  the  records. 

No.  2.  vc  is  undoubtedly  the  phonetic  for  I'cdii,  which  is  spelled  in 
full  (vcdii)  in  the  fourth  line,  but  probably  pronounced  as  spelled  here 
(vi").  If  the  rune  scribe  were  perpetrating  a  fraudulent  record  of  1362, 
and  was  acquainted  with  the  word  vcdJi.  he  would  scarcely  introduce  a 
modern  spelling  of  that  word   (tr). 

No.  4.  The  translation  far  to  the  z^'cstzvard  is  not  required.  The  use 
of  of  for  af  is  an  instance  of  the  phonetic  confounding  of  a,  aa,  with  0. 

No.  5.  oh.  The  difference  in  sound  between  this  word  and  do  was 
so  slight  that  the  rune  scribe  was  phonetically  at  liberty  to  use  either. 

No.  6.  ahr.  Dahlerup  says  that  "as  early  as  in  Old  Danish[i050-i35o], 
the  original  long  a  had  begun  to  approach  the  sound  of  aa"  (Det  Danske 
Sprogs  Historic,  p.  31  ).  This  increased  length  of  sound  was  indicated  also 
by  the  spelling  ahr. 

No.  9.  iiiaii.  The  common  form  for  the  plural  was  menu,  or  iiuiii. 
The  form  here  used  is  irregular  for  anv  date  and  can  hardly  be  justified, 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES, 


113 


although  in  Gamle  Eriks  Kronike  (1320)  is  the  expression  "10,000  man  them 
forslo"'  (Klemming's  edition,  326). 

No.  10.  z'i  hadlie.  If  the  faker  scribe  knew  the  antiquarian  style,  it  is 
hard  to  explain  why  he  used  his  own  speech  at  all.     (Compare  No.  2.) 

No.  II.  fra  dheno  stcn.  The  error  of  not  distinguishing  the  gender 
of  nouns  in  the  application  of  the  demonstrative  was,  and  is,  common.  The 
final  letter  (0)  was  frequently  substituted  for  a;  but  as  sten  is  masculine, 
this  form  of  the  adjective  is  quite  allowable.  The  final  letter  0,  being  unac- 
cented, was  frequently  substituted  for  a,  and  vice  versa. 

No.  12.  at  se  aptir  vore  skip.  This  illustrates  the  confusion  of  inflex- 
ional usage  of  the  fourteenth  century.  According  to  Falk  and  Torp,  about 
this  period  c  was  changed  to  a  in  the  word  cptir  and  others  in  the  Swedish 
language;  but  the  change  was  not  permanent,  the  letter  e  being  restored,  and 
a  century  later  we  find  dptir,  cptir,  and  dffthir,  and  cftir,  used  side  by  side 
(Svenska  Medeltidens,  Rim-Kronikor,  third  part).  As  the  scribe  employed 
dptir,  it  seems  that,  unless  he  was  a  learned  linguist,  he  must  have  been 
contemporary  with  this  temporary  change. 

Professor  Flom  contends  that  a  writer  of  the  fourteenth  century  would 
have  written  varom  skipmn.  We  find  however  that  case  endings  were  not 
so  invariably  respected  as  is  commonly  supposed.  Even  in  the  Icelandic  sagas, 
which  show  a  far  more  precise  literary  practice  than  the  Swedish  of  the  four- 
teenth century,  the  case  endings  are  sometimes  violated.  For  instance,  in 
the  Vinland  saga  (A.  M.  552)  we  read:  "Lata  their  i  haf  fram  tvcnnum 
skipmn  thegar  their  erii.  bunir"  (Vigfusson's,  p.  123,  line  23).  haf  is  there 
nominative  and  should  be  dative,  while  tvennum  skipum  is  dative  and  should 
be  accusative. 

Such  disregard  and  confusion  of  case  endings  is  still  more  common  in 
the  Swedish  of  the  fourteenth  century.  Molbech  says  of  this  period:  "The 
old  mother  tongue's  declensions  and  endings,  which  in  the  fourteenth  cen- 
tury but  meagerly  remained,  almost  completely  disappeared  at  the  close  of  the 
century"  ( Molbech's  Ordbog,  p.  xlvii).  We  find  therefore  that  the  expres- 
sion in  the  inscription  is  not  out  of  harmony  with  fourteenth  century  usage. 
No.  13.  This  shows  the  same  "irregularity  of  declension  as  we  find 
above  to  be  characteristic  of  the  period. 

No.  17.  rise.  Kalkar  gives  this  spelling  as  an  Old  Swedish  noun  (mean- 
ing journey)  of  the  middle  ages.  The  modern  form,  reise  or  reysa,  occurs 
more  commonly  in  the  literature  of  that  period. 

No.  18.     These  quotations  from  the  standard  literature  exhibi't  the  usage 
(8) 


114  DOXJGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

of  scholars,  among  whom  there  was  great  dissimilarity  of  standards.  The 
Kensington  stone  shows  rather  the  usage  of  the  common  people,  and,  as 
already  stated,  the  two  cannot  be  expected  to  agree  in  detail. 

No.  19.  The  runes  used  are  not  precisely  like  those  common  in  1362, 
as  illustrated  by  the  Mariaklagan  and  the  Scanian  I^w,  these  being  of  about 
that  date,  but  embrace  novel  characters,  thirteen  in  number  (including  punctu- 
ations). It  cannot  be  understood  why  an  unlettered  Swede  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  attempting  a  fraud  of  1362,  should  invent,  or  import,  thirteen 
characters  not  in  common  use ;  since  this  variation  from  the  common  use 
would  hardly  be  expected  to  further  the  acceptance  of  the  fraud.  The  proper 
comparison  would  be  with  other  inscriptions  of  West  Gothland,  which  the 
two  runic  documents  referred  to  are  not. 

No.  20.  It  is  certainly  true  that  a  scant  and  waning  knowledge  of  runes 
continued  till  the  nineteenth  century. 

No.  21.  This  particular  alphabet,  according  to  Professor  Flom,  appears 
to  have  been  in  use  in  the  sixteenth  century  in  Elfdalen,  in  central  Sweden, 
though  with  some  divergences.  How  much  earlier  it  was  used,  we  do  not 
know;  but  as  people  from  Gothland  ("8  Goths"  )  were  of  this  party  and  also 
used  this  alphabet,  it  is  evident  that  it  was  used  in  Gothland  or  West  Goth- 
land. 

This  energetic  discussion  brings  out  important  new  facts  which  every- 
one who  is  seeking  only  the  truth  will  v^'elcome ;  but  everyone  will  be  at  liberty 
still  to  make  such  application  of  the  facts  as  his  own  judgment  dictates. 
There  are  curious  anomalies  in  the  arguments  of  the  author,  such  that  the 
facts  presented  seem  not  to  be  used  in  their  logical  sequence,  nor  in  the  bear- 
ing which  they  have  on  each  other  and  on  the  main  issue. 

The-  rune  character  (thorn)  is  confounded  by  Flom  with  a  similar 
character  having  the  upper  and  lower  ends  of  its  semicircle  continued  some- 
what to  the  left  of  the  vertical  bar.  This  form  is  said  to  have  taken  the  place, 
in  part,  in  the  modern  Dalecarlian  runic  alphabet,  when,  on  the  disappearance 
of  the  sounds  dli  and  tli,  a  special  character  was  required  to  represent  the 
sound  of  d,  which  grew  into  prominence  and  persisted.  The  character  thus 
used  does  not  appear  on  the  Kensington  stone;  and  hence  only  the  sounds 
represented  can  be  fairly  ascribed  to  the  stone.  Professor  Flom's  new 
translation,  on  pages  25-26  of  his  address,  seems  to  be  based  wholly  on  his 
confusion  of  these  rune  forms.  In  1362  the  thorn  must  have  represented 
the  sound  .of  d  in  those  cases  where  the  d  sound  in  spoken  language  had 
supplanted  dh  or  th,  though  it  had  not  yet  been  given  a  special  character  in 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  II 5 

written  language.  The  modern  runic  alphabet,  according  to  Flom,  employs 
only  the  new  form  which  represents  the  sound  d. 

On  the  stone  the  "thorn"  character  occurs  fourteen  times,  distinctly  cut, 
without  any  suggestion  of  the  modern  rune  character  representing  d.  Yet 
nothwithstanding  this  the  author  assumes  that  the  scribe,  a  man  of  the  latter 
half  of  the  nineteenth  century,  as  he  supposes,  and  hence  familiar  with  that 
modern  rune  for  the  sound  of  d,  ignorantly  inscribed  the  "thorn"'  in  these 
fourteen  places.  It  is  not  intimated  that  the  use  of  the  old  character  was 
due  to  the  scribe's  cleverness,  to  make  the  inscription  seem  ancient,  although 
that  would  be  a  consistent  view  for  Professor  Flom  to  take,  but  he  says 
distinctly  that  that  the  scribe  was  ignorant  of  the  character  used  for  d.  As 
a  matter  of  fact,  the  modern  sound  of  d  was  only  beginning  to  be  used  in 
spoken  language  in  1362,  and  was  very  rarely  recognized  then  in  runic 
script  the  character  for  t  punctuated  and  thus  changed  to  indicate  the  d 
sound. 

Professor  Flom  shows  that  a  rune  system  was  used  in  Dalarne  in  the 
sixteenth  century  and  later,  but  fails  to  show  how  much  earlier. 
Doubtless  runes  were  well  known  there  in  1362,  since  their  use  seems  to  have 
prevailed  throughout  Scandinavia  from  a  much  earlier  time.  To  except 
Dalarne  would  be  without  reason,  unless  some  special  condition  can  be  shown 
to  have  operated  against  runes  in  that  district.  The  inference  therefore  is 
that  they  were  the  ancestors  of  the  Dalarne  system  of  1600.  It  remains  to 
ascertain  how  the  ancient  runes  used  there  differed  from  those  of  1600  or  those 
of  more  recent  time,  and  whether  they  manifested  those  characters  that  do 
not  agree  with  the  modern  Dalarne  system,  nor  exactly  with  that  of  the 
Scanian  Law.  Finding  important  divergences  of  the  Kensington  stone  from 
modern  runes,  Flom  abruptly  attributes  them  sometimes  to  the  ingenuity  and 
sometimes  to  the  ignorance  of  the  scribe,  not  even  considering  the  possibility 
of  their  being  due  to  their  archaic  date. 

It  is  unlikely  that  a  faker  with  the  keenness  necessary  to  guide  him  in 
injecting  into  the  inscription  certain  ancient  forms  of  language  should  so  far 
forget  himself  as  to  leave  off  the  old  inflections  of  the  verbs  (0111,  uni,  etc.), 
thus  giving  his  work  a  decidedly  modern  look.  It  is  more  probable  that  in 
1362  those  endings  had  already  been  dropped  in  speech,  but  that  a  skillful 
impostor  familiar  with  ancient  literature  would  retain  them  in  his  inscription. 

The  conclusions  set  out  in  the  appendix  seem  not  to  be  based  on 
the  facts  brought  out  by  Professor  Flom's  address.  No.  i  is  deficient  because 
his  address  does  not  treat  of  "the  language  as  spoken  at  the  time."'  He 
only  discusses  it  as  written  and  especially  its  inflexions,  which  were  dropped 


Il6  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

much  later  in  the  written  than  in  the  spoken  language.  No  2  is  faulty  for 
he  does  not  at  all  discuss  "the  runic  series  of  the  time"  (1362).  He  finds 
that  the  Kensington  inscription  agrees  substantially  with  the  recent  Delecar- 
lian  system,  and  where  it  shows  discrepancies  (which  may  arise  from  greater 
age)  he  regards  them  as  evidences  of  forgery  by  the  scribe.  Xo  2  is  further 
faulty  because  of  the  uncertain  significance  of  the  word  "modern."  Some 
things  that  are  modern,  say  of  the  nineteenth  century,  began  to  exist  in  the 
fourteenth  but  are  still  "modern,"  which  indeed  may  be  the  case  of  the  Delecar- 
lian  rune  system  as  a  whole.  The  verdict  of  the  committee  who  reviewed 
Flom's  arguments,  being  founded  on  evidence  not  proven,  or  only  assumed, 
is  therefore  not  conclusive. 

The  genuineness  of  the  Kensington  rune  stone  must  be  determined,  if 
Professor  Flom's  identifications  be  accepted,  by  an  investigation  directed  to 
the  question  whether  the  Delecarlian  system  of  runes  existed  at  the  date  1362 ; 
for  the  linguistic  objections  are  largely  swept  away,  and  the  runic  objections 
appear  to  be  turned  into  probably  evidence  in  favor  of  the  stone. 

INVESTIGATION  OF  THE  RUMOR  RELATING  TO  SVEN   FOGELBLAD. 

The  following  article,  reporting  an  investigation  of  an  alleged  forgery 
of  the  Kensington  Rune  Stone,  contributed  by  Mr.  H.  R.  Holand,  is  reprinted 
from  the  Minneapolis  Journal,  in  which  it  was  published  August  9.  1910: 

Since  the  famous  rune  stoue  of  1362  was  found  near  Kensington.  Minuuesota. 
twelve  .vears  ago,  it  lias  been  subject  to  a  close  scrutiny,  and  many  persons  liave  been 
accused  of  having  forged  it.  These  have,  however,  been  acquitted  one  after  another 
until  now  only  one  remains.  This  man  is  one  Fogelblad,  who  was  formerly  a  Swedish 
Lutheran  pastor. 

According  to  the  statements  of  Professors  R.  B.  Anderson  and  G.  T.  Floni,  the  leaders 
of  the  opposition  against  the  genuineness  of  the  inscription,  Fogelblad  was  a  Lutheran 
clergyman  who  later  was  deposed.  He  is  said  to  have  turned  against  his  former  faith 
and  written  books  against  Christianity,  among  which  was  one  entitled  "Ageof  Reason." 
He  made  his  home  at  Kensington,  where  he  is  reported  to  have  carved  runes  on  window 
casings  and  doors,  etc.  One  of  his  favorite  subjects  of  discourse  was  a  strange  narra- 
tive of  how  "Scandinavian  explorers  had  visited  that  region  (around  Kensington)  hun- 
dreds of  years  ago."  When  he  suddenly  died,  "Fryxell's  famous  book  on  the  Runes 
of  East  Gothland"  was  found  in  his  trunk.  This  book  was  later  given  by  one  Andrew 
Anderson,  in  whose  home  Fogelblad  died,  to  Olof  Ohman,  the  tinder  of  the  stone. 
According  to  Flom  and  R.  B.  Anderson  this  book  is  a  complete  commentary  on  the 
inscription  of  the  stone. 

Such  is  the  rumor  published  in  several  newspapers,  and  now  latest  in  a  pani])hlet 
published  by  the  Hlinois  State  Historical  Society.  It  must  be  admitted  that,  if  this  is 
true,  it  is  .serious  circumstantial  evidence  against  the  truth  of  the  inscription. 

Although  I  have  made  four  or  five  earlier  trips  to  Kensington  and  vicinity,  I  had 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  II7. 

not  heard  this  rumor,  and  I  have  therefore  just  made  a  special  trip  thither  to  see  what 
could  be  learned  of  this  man's  life  and  character. 

I  have  spent  a  week  in  following  the  trail  through  Douglas,  Grant.  Pope,  Meeker 
and  Carver  counties.  I  have  talked  with  iwrsons  who  knew  him  in  Sweden,  with  farmers 
who  entertained  him  for  years,  with  men  and  women  whose  entire  schoolings  had  been 
received  from  him,  and,  finally,  with  those  who  were  with  him  when  he  died.  Although 
I  have  interviewed  more  than  a  hundred  persons,  there  has  been  perfect  harmony  in 
all   their  accounts,  e.specially  concerning  his  character. 

The  following  is  a  summary : 

Sveu  Fogelblad  was  born  about  1820-25  in  Sweden.  He  studied  theology  and  the 
necessary  classic  studies  that  went  with  it  in  Upsala.  His  first  public  appearance  is 
some  time  before  1860  when  we  find  him  a  jolly  curate  under  Rev.  Mr.  Kolander  in 
Tomberg  parish  in  Westgothland. 

He  resigned  his  pastorate  and  came  to  America.  Here  he  was  almost  persuaded  to 
re-enter  the  ministry  as  pastor  of  a  Swedish  congregation  at  Litchfield.  But  at  the 
critical  time  his  old  enemy,  drink,  tripped  him  up. 

He  made  his  first  appearance  around  Kensington  about  1885-90.  He  is  described 
as  a  short,  thiek-set  man  of  about  70  years  of  age,  always  cheerful  and  neat.  He  must 
have  overcome  his  drink  habit,  for  none  of  the  people  around  Hoffman  and  Kensington 
ever  saw  him  drink  or  under  the  influence  of  drink.  He  had  no  permanent  home  here, 
but  as  itinerant  schoolmaster  used  to  sojourn  for  a  few  weeks  at  different  farmhouses, 
getting  50  cents  per  month  for  each  child  taught.  His  classes  used  to  number  si.x  to 
eight  pupils,  giving  him  an  income  of  $3  to  $4-  per  month,  which  was  all  he  needed  for 
clothes.  When  the  times  and  the  seasons  were  inconvenient  for  schooling  he  used  to 
quarter  himself  upon  a  farmer.  He  was  e.xtremely  lazy,  and  was  never  known  to  have 
assisted  in  the  harvest  or  carried  in  a  pail  of  water  or  aii  armful  of  wood.  He  preferred  to 
repair  old  pipes,  bind  books,  make  kitchen  kuiek-knacks,  etc. 

In  spite  of  his  laziness  the  farmers  were  always  glad  to  see  hiui  because  of  his  wealth 
of  local  news.  He  knew  of  births  and  deaths  and  other  doings  fiir  and  wide,  and  was 
the  forerunner  of  the  village  newspaper.  Moreover  he  was  always  absolutely  reliable 
in  all  his  gossip,  conscientious  and  kindhearted  in  all  his  narratives,  and  clean  and 
agreeable  in  person.  He  was  without  any  ambition  and  never  studied.  He  wrote 
neither  books  nor  pamphlets,  his  literary  efforts  consisting  of  humble  doggerels,  which 
rarely  if  ever  were  printed.  He.  however,  boasted  to  several  that  upon  one  illustrious 
occasion  long  ago  in  Sweden  he  had  written  an  article  for  which  a  paper  had  paid 
him  ten  kroner   (about  $2.50). 

Although  he  always  seemed  contented,  there  was  an  undercurrent  of  melancholy 
in  him.  and  those  who  know  him  best  say  he  was  never  happy  after  he  left  college. 
Those  days  evoked  his  liveliest  memories,  and  his  eyes  always  overflowed  with  tears 
when  he  told  of  the  times  when  he  with  300  or  400  other  students  used  to  sing  the 
stirring  Swedish  songs.  On  the  whole,  he  appears  to  have  been  a  tenderhearted, 
superficial  person  in  general,  with  a  deep  conscientiousness  which  prevented  him  from 
squaring  his  creed  with  the  doctrine  of  the  church,  wearing  his  sorrows  as  well  as  his 
joys  upon  his  sleeve,  inspiring  confidence  in  all  by  his  openhearted  ways.  ' 

He  had  iieen  visiting  for  a  year  with  a  nephew  in  Scott  county,  when  he  in  1S95 
returned  to  Kensington  to  visit  friends.  On  approaching  the  house  of  one  Andrew 
Anderson,  he  suddenly  felt  ill.  whereupon  he  went  in  there  and  died  after  a  three  days' 
attack  of  an  unknown  malady. 

Those  who  knew  him  best  in  (irant  and  Douglas  counties  are  Messrs.  Oslund. 
Thompson  and  Slmonson  of  Red   Hock   Lake.  Hendrickson  of  Hoffman,   Ekberg  of  Her- 


Il8  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

mau.  aud  Moeu.  Carlsou.  Benson.  Ohmau  and  Oberg  of  Kensington,  all  among  the 
mcst  respected  farmers  of  that  section.  To  these  persons  and  nian.v  others  I  put  the 
following  questions: 

Did  you  ever  see  or  hear  of  Fogelblad  making  runes  on  window  casings,  doors, 
or  elsewhere?  Did  he  ever  speak  of  American  discovery,  or  of  Scandinavians  having 
visited  this  section  long  ago?  Do  you  believe  he  could  have  had  a  hand  in  making  the 
Kensington   inscription? 

To  all  of  these  questions  1  received  an  invariable  and  unequivocal  "no."  Not 
one  had  seen  him  make  runes,  not  one  had  heard  hiui  speak  of  Scandinavian  explorers 
in  Minnesota,  not  one  believed  he  could  possibly  have  had  anything  to  do  with  the 
Kensington  stone.  Many  of  these  persons  doubted  the  stone's  genuineness,  but,  lio  mat- 
ter who  had  chiseled  it,  they  said,  they  were  sure  Fogelblad  was  innocent.  He  was, 
they  said,  too  honest  and  conscientious  to  have  perpetrated  such  a  fraud;  he  had  no 
aptitude  whatever  for  practical  jokes  and  deceptions;  he  was  too  lazy  to  have  executed 
it,  and  too  garrulous  to  have  concealed  it  if  he  had.  Furthermore,  it  is  plain  from 
the  limitations  of  his  early  training  and  later  opportunities  that  he  was  entirely  ignorant 
of  the  fine  runological  and  linguistic  points  involved  in  this  inscription.  Finally,  he 
did  not  make  his  appearance  around  Kensington  until  many  years  after  the  tree  above 
the  stone  had   wound   its  roots  around  it. 

As  to  ■•Fryxell's  famous  book  on  the  Runes  of  East  Gothland."  which,  according 
to  Professors  Flom  and^  Anderson,  contains  all  the  material  for  this  inscription,  I  assert 
Fogelblad  never  possessed  or  saw  this  book,  for  one  excellent  reason — such  a  book 
never  existed  except  in  the  overwrought  minds  of  these  gentlemen  of  imaginary  rune  lore. 
Fryxell  never  wrote  any  book  whatsoever  on  runes.  For  information  on  this,  see  every 
Swedish  encycloiiedia.  The  only  nut  of  truth  in  this  entire  bag  of  husks  is  that  Andrew 
Anderson,  in  whose  house  Fogelblad  died,  found  an  old  Swedish  grammar  (by  Alm- 
quist)  among  his  books.  On  page  34  are  two  lines  of  runes  to  illustrate  the  develop- 
ment of  the  language.  This  book  he  gave  to  Olof  Ohman.  the  finder  of  the  stone,  who 
by  its  help  tried  to  make  out  the  inscriptions,  but  without  success.  Three  years  ago 
I  looked  over  Ohman"s  books  in  his  absence  and  found  this  work,  but  saw  at  once 
that  it  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  inscription,  as  the  runes  are  different.  Last  spring 
this  book  was  again  brought  into  the  discussion  by  suspicious  persons,  and  I  then 
asked  Professor  Winchell,  the  state  archaeologist,  to  send  for  "the  book,  which  he  did. 
He  then  laid  it  before  Norse  scholars,  who  said  it  would  be  quite  impossible  to  have 
■constructed  the  inscription  from  this  alphabet.  . 

The  small  collection  of  books  left  by  Mr.  Sven  Fogelblad  at  his  death, 
at  the  home  of  Mr.  Andrew  Anderson,  was  found,  on  inquiry  by~the  museum 
committee,  to  have  been  disposed  of  in  part  to  Rev.  M.  A.  Nordstroem,  of 
Riverside,  California.  In  order  to  push  the  im-estigation  of  this- question 
still  further,  inquiry  was  made  of  Mr.  NordstroeiTi  as  to  the  existence  of  any 
works  on  runes,  and  especially  by  Fryxell  on  runes,  in  the  collection  owned 
by  Fogelblad.  Mr.  Nordstroem  replied,  after  some  delay  due  to  change 
of  residence,  that  the  books  got  by  him  were  on  philosophy,  that  Fogelblad 
had  no  work  by  Fryxell,  and  added  that,  in  his  opinion,  Fogelblad  could 
not  have  made  the  inscription. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  II9 


BIBLIOGRAPHY. 

The  chronologic  order  is  followed,  as  showing  best  the  development  of 
discussion  of  this  subject.  The  time  included  extends  to  September,  1910, 
giving  a  considerable  number  of  references  later  than  the  date  of  this  report 
by  the  museum  committee,  but  preceding  its  publication.  Many  minor  articles 
and  comments  in  magazines  and  newspapers  are  omitted. 

Breda,  Prof.  O.  J.  Au  interview  giving  au  account  of  the  discovery  of  the  Ruue 
Stone.     Minneapolis  Journal,  Feb.  22,   1S99. 

News  Report,  tlie  first  announcement  of  tbis  discovery  published  in  the  Norwegian 
press,  Skandinaven,  Chicago,  Feb.  22,  1S99. 

Aaberg,  E.  E.  Further  account  of  the  discovery,  written  by  a  local  resident  acquainted 
with  its  details.     Skandinarcn    (semi-weekly),  Chicago,  March  1,  1809. 

Curme,  Prof.  G.  O.  Interview  presenting  in  a  brief  paragraph  bis  objection  to 
the  use  of  the  decimal  system  in  the  inscription.     Skandinaven,  March  1.  1899. 

Kirkeberg,  Rev.  O.  L.  An  able  translation  of  the  inscription,  with  argument  in 
favor  of  the  genuineness  of  the  stone.    Skandinuven,  March  1,  1899. 

Curme,  Prof.  G.  O.  A  lengthy  interview,  favoring  the  genuineness  of  the  inscrip- 
tion, but  objecting  to  the  apparently  English  word  from.    Skandinaven,  March  3,  1899. 

Conradi,  P.  A.  Detailed  discussion  of  the  inscription,  presenting  arguments  for  and 
against  its  genuineness.     Skandinaven,  March  10,  1899. 

Editorial  Article  in  Skandinai-en,  March  K,  1899,  summarizing  the  objections  of 
Prof.  Oluf  Rygh  as  published  in  Mnrgenhladet,  Christiania,  Norway.  These  are  the  sup- 
posed English  words,  from,  of,   ded,  and  unusual  runic  characters. 

Flom.  P.  L.  Communication  showing  that  from  was  in  use  in  Norway  in  the 
middle  ages.     Skandinaven,  March  24,  1899. 

Breda,  Prof.  O.  J.  Interview  giving  a  cablegram  from  professors  of  Christiania 
University,  discrediting  the  ioscription  chiefly  because  of  its  numerous  supposed  English 
words.     Minneapolis  Tribune,  April  16,  1899. 

This  opinion  silencetl  all  who  had  been  interested  in  the  Rune  Stone,  and  we  find 
nothing  further  printed  about  it  until  1908. 

Holand,  Hjalmar  Rued.  First  account  of  the  stone  in  the  revival  of  the  discussion, 
containing  a  detailed  defense  of  its  genuineness  and  a  full  translation.  Skandinaven, 
January  17,   1908:   printed   also  in   several   other   Scandinavian  newspapers. 

Holand.  H.  R.  The  second  chapter,  pages  8-22,  in  his  "De  Norske  Settlementers 
Historie"  (Ephraim,  Wisconsin,  1908),  gives  an  account  of  the  visits  to  America  by  the 
early  Norsemen  between  the  years  lOOO  and  1362,  and  concludes  with  a  description  of 
the  Kensington  Rune  Stone.  A  view  of  the  stone  is  presented  from  a  photograph,  and 
its  inscription  is  printed  in  the  rune  characters,  with  a  manuscript  transliteration. 

Holand,  H.  R.  Notes  of  correspondence  with  Prof.  Magnus  Olsen  and  Helge  Gjessing. 
of  Christiania  University,  giving  Mr.  Gjessing's  objections  to  the  inscription  and  answers 
to  them.     Deeorah  Posfcn,  Decorah,  Iowa,  May  14.  1909. 

Gjessing.  Helge.  Runestenen  fra  Kensington.  The  full  publication  of  his  objections. 
in  Symra,  Decorah,  Iowa.  Vol.  5,  No.  3,  pp.  113-126,  September,  1909. 

Iverslie,  P.  P.  Keusingtonstenen.  An  able  support  of  Mr.  Holand's  arguments  in 
favor  of  the  stone  and  in  opposition  to  Mr.  Gjessing's  conclusions.  Kvartalskrift,  Eau 
Claire,  Wisconsin,  July,  1909,  pp.  13-21. 


120  DOUGLAS    AND   GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Editorial  Article  in  La  Nature,  Paris.  France,  August  14.  1009.  giving  tbe  history 
of  the  discovery  of  the  stone  and  discussions  of  it,  and  presenting  the  probability  of  its 
genuineness. 

Holaud,  H.  R.  "Au  Explorer's  Stone  Record  which  antedates  Columbus:  a  Tragic 
Inscription  unearthed  in  Minnesota,  recording  the  Fate  of  a  Band  of  Scandinavian 
Adventurers."     Harper's  Weekly,  October  0.  1909.  p.  15. 

Fossum,  Prof.  Andrew.  "Hudson  Bay  Route  to  Solve  Problem."  A  defense  of  the 
inscription  by  an  able  presentation  of  the  feasibility  of  the  explorers'  route  by  the  way 
of  Hudson  bay,  the  Nelson  river,  lake  Winnipeg,  and  the  Red  river.  XunicgUin  American, 
Northfield,  Minnesota,  October  22,  1909.  This  article  was  printed  also  in  Norwegian 
in  Skandinaven,  October  26. 

Holand,  H.  R.  "The.  Skerries  Discovered."  Au  account  of  the  author's  di-scovery  of 
the  skerries  mentioned  in  the  inscription.  Noriicgian  American,  November  19,  1909. 
The  same  account  in  Norwegian,  accompanied  by  a  map  of  Pelican  lake,  showing  the 
position  of  the  skerries  and  probable  location  of  the  camp  of  the  explorers,  was  published 
in  Skandinaven,  November  26. 

Odland,  M.  W.  "The  Kensington  Rune  Stone  is  Genuine."  Minneapolis  Jounial, 
November  29,  1909. 

Norman,  Rev.  O.  A.  "More  about  the  Rune  Stone, ; by  one  who  was  asso- 
ciated in  the  Discovery  of  the  Skerries."    Ashby   (Minnesota)   Post,  December  3,  1909. 

News  Report  of  a  meeting  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  December  13,  1909, 
giving  synopses  of  addresses  by  H.  R.  Holand,  Prof.  N.  H.  Winchell,  Prof.  Andrew  Fossum, 
and  Dr.  Knut  Hoegh,  all  in  defense  of  the  genuineness  of  the  inscription.  Pioneer  Press, 
St.  Paul.  Minnesota.  Dec'ember  14,  1909. 

News  Report,  noting  resolutions  by  the  Council  of  the  JIinne.sota  Historical  Society, 
requesting  the  governor  of  Minnesota  to  institute  a  search  iu  Paris  for  a  supposed  rune 
stone  found  in  the  Northwest  by  Verendrye  in  his  expeditions  of  1738-43.  related  by  Peter 
Kalm  in  his  "Travels  into  North  America"  (London  edition,  1771.  Vol.  III.  pp.  124-128). 
The  Dispatch,  St.  Paul,  December  14.  1909. 

News  Reports,  more  detailed,  of  tbe  addresses  on  December  13.  in  the  meeting  of  this 
Historical  Society,  including  nearly  all  of  Professor  Wiifchell's  address.  Xorirc'iiaii 
American.  December  17.  1909. 

Hoegh,  Dr.  Knut.  Report  by  the  chairman  of  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Nor- 
wegian Society  of  Minneapolis  to  investigate  the  discovery  of  the  stone.  The  reiiort  shows 
that  it  had  lain  where  it  was  found  since  about  1800.  at  least,  and  strongly  favors  the 
genuineness  of  the  inscription.     Symra,  Vol.  5.  No.  4.  pp.  178-189.  December,  1909. 

Holand,  H.  R.  A  reply  in  Symra,  Vol.  5.  N<i.  4,  p|i.  209-213.  to  the  arguments  of  Mr. 
Gjessing  in  its  preceding  number  as  before  cited. 

Upham,  Warren.  "The  Kensington  Rune  Stone,  its  Discovery,  its  Inscriptions,  and 
Opinions  concerning  them."  Records  of  the  Past,  Washington,  D.  C,  Vol.  IX,  Part  1,  pp. 
3-7,  January-February,  1910;  with  prints  from  photographs  showing  the  inscriptions  on 
the  face  and  edge  of  the  stone. 

Daae,  Dr.  Anders.  Concise  summary  of  the  discussidu  up  in  date,  rouchuling  that  the 
opponents  of  the  stone  have  not  properly  investigated  tbe  subject  liefore  forming  their 
conclusions.     Aftenpostcn,  Christiauia,  Norway,  January  18,  1910. 

News  Report  of  a  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Historical  Society.  Feliruary  3.  1910,  in 
which  an  address  relating  to  the  probable  genuineness  of  this  Rune  Stone  was  delivered 
l)y  H.  U.  Holand.  followed  by  arguments  of  Dr.  Chester  N.  Gould,  of  Chicago  University, 
and  Prof.  George  T.  Flom.  of  tbe  I'niversity  of  Illinois,  against  it.  skdinlindrrn.  Febru- 
ary 5;  1910. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  121 

Aiulei'son.  Prof.  Kasuius  B.  "Professor  Auderson  calls  it  a  Fraud."  a  sharp  attack 
on  the  Itune  Stoue  and  Mr.  Holand's  integrit.v.  Wl'iconxiii  titaic  ■Journal.  Madisou, 
Wisconsin,  February  7.  1910. 

Holand,  H.  R.  Rebuttal  of  the  arguments  presented  in  the  preceding  article.  Wis- 
coiiisin,  State  Journal,  February  8.  I&IO. 

Holand.  H.  R.  An  interview  entitled  "Wed  with  Indians,"  presenting  the  prob- 
ability that  the  blue-eyed  Maudan  Indians  are  the  result  of  intermarriage  of  the  explor- 
er.s  of  13U2  with  the  Indians  of  that  region.     Pioneer  Press,  February  15,  1910. 

Anderson,  Prof.  R.  B.  Editorial  attacks  against  the  Kensington  stone  and  Mr. 
Holand.  Amerika,  Madison,  Wisconsin,  February  18,  1910.  In  the  next  issue  of  Aineriha, 
February  25,  are  a  letter  by  Warren  Upham,  secretary  of  the  Jlinnesota  Historical 
Society,  coucerniu!:  that  society's  investigation  of  the  stone  and  its  inscriptions,  and 
Professor  Andersdu's  eilitorial   reply. 

Gates,  Rev.  Htiratio.  A  sunnnary  of  the  discovery  and  discussion,  with  numerous 
references  supporting  the  genuineness  of  the  inscriptions.  Rcimblican  Gazette.  Willmar, 
Minnesota,  March  24,  1910. 

Holand,  H.  R.  "A  Fourteenth-Century -Columbus,"  noting  that  a  Norse  expedition 
under  the  command  of  Paul  Knutson  sailed  from  Bergen  to  Greenland  in  1355  and 
returned  in  l.'J64,  and  that  probably  they  went  into  Hudson  bay  and  theuee  advanced 
inland  to  the  site  of  the  Kensington  stoue.     Harper's   Wcekli/,  March  26,  1910. 

Hageu.  Prof.  O.  E.  "Ad  Utrunique  Simus."  An  Interesting  discussion  of  the  cre- 
dentials of  this  Rune  Stone,  with  the  conclusion  that  the  runes  and  the  language  of  the 
inscription  will   yield   "its  own   vindication   or  condemnation."     Amerika,  April   1,   1910. 

Huseby,  Olaf.  A  defense  of  the  langua,i;e  of  the  stoue.  particularly  of  the  word 
front,     ^kandinaren.  April  9,  101 U. 

Holand,  H.  It.  A  reply  to  I'rofes.sor  Flom's  ob.iections  to  the  inscription,  as  pre- 
sented by  him  at  the  meetiufr,  February  3.  of  the  Chicago  Historical  Society.  Skundi- 
naren,  April  21,  1910. 

Holand,  H.  R.  "The  Oldest  Native  Document  in  America ;"  the  address  delivered 
before  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society  as  before  noted,  December  13,  1909,  giving  a 
narration  of  the  finding  of  the  Rune  Stone,  with  affidavits  relating  thereto,  and  a  full 
statement  of  the  arguments,  runic,  and  linguistic,  on  both  sides  of  the  controversy,  showing 
the  probable  reliability  of  the  inscription  as  a  historical  record.  Journal  of  American 
History.  Vol.  IV,  No.  2,  pp.  165-184,  April,  1910. 

Breda,  Prof.  O.  J.  "Ruudt  Keusiugton-stenen."  A  satirical  article,  noting  the 
improbabilities  of  an  exploration  so  far  inland,  and  reminding  the  reader  of  the  adverse 
opinions  uttered  by  Norse  scholars  when  the  stone  was  foiuid.  Symra.  Vol.  6,  No.  2,  pp. 
05-80,   May,  1910. 

,     Dieserud,   .luul.      "Holand    og   Kensingtonspogen."      Detailed    objections   against    the 
language  of  the  inscription.     Skandinaven,  May  4,  and  Anurika.  May  13,  1910. 

Winchell.  Prof.  N.  H.  News  report  entitled  "I  believe  the  Stoue  is  Genuine." 
Nonreoian  Anieriean,  Northfield.  Minnesota,  May  13,  1910.  This  article  and  others  in 
the  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis  newspapers.  May  10-12,  contain  extracts  from  the  Report 
of  the  Mu.seuni  Committee  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  read  by  Professor  Win- 
chell at  the  society's  monthly  meeting.  May  9. 

Holand,  H.  R.  "Kensington-stenen."  Lengthy  replies  to  Jlr.  Diesernd's  olyections 
stated  in  the  foregoing  article.     Skandinaven,  May  IS  and  23,  1910. 

Anderson,  Prof.  R.  B.  "The  Kensington  Rune  Stone  once  more:  Draw  your  own 
Conclusions."  This  article  claims  that  one  Andrew  Anderson  practically  .idmitted  to 
the  writer  that  he  and  Olof  Ohman,  the  tinder  of  the  stone,  .-issisted   a   foniier  iire;ichcr 


122  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

named  Fogelblad  iu  forging  the  inscription.  Amerika,  ilay  27,  1910 ;  reprinted  also  in 
the  Democrat,  Madison,  Wisconsin,  of  the  same  date. 

Winchell,  Prof.  N.  H.  "Letters  from  Rune  Su.spects."  Letters  of  Andrew  Anderson 
and  Olof  Ohman,  denying  and  disproving  the  preceding  accusation,  and  showing  the 
impossibility  of  any  collusion  between  them.     Norwegian  American,  June  10.  1910. 

Anderson,  Prof.  R.  B.,  and  Prof.  X.  H.  Winchell.  "Opinions  differ  on  Rune  Stone." 
An  interview  with  the  former,  accusing  Rev.  Sveu  Fogelblad  of  making  inscription,  and 
letters  from  the  latter  and  from  Andrew  Anderson,  refuting  that  statement.  Minne- 
apolis Journal,  June  10,  1910. 

Iverslie,  P.  P.  Rebuttal  of  the  arguments  against  the  inscription  presented  by  Mr. 
Dieserud  as  before  noted.     Amerika,  June  10,  17,  and  24,  1910. 

Daae.  Dr.  Anders.  "Var  Normandeue  i  Amerika  i  1362V"  Review  of  recent  develop- 
ments in  the  disi'iissidii.  including  a  signed  invitation  from  professors  at  Christiania 
University  that  the  stinic  lie  brought  there  for  renewed  investigation.  Aftciiiioxtrn. 
Christiania,  Norw^iy,  .luiio  12.  1910. 

Flom,  Prof.  George  T.  "The  Kensington  Rune  Stone;  a  Modern  Inscription  from 
Douglas  County,  Minnesota."  This  address,  delivered  to  the  Illinois  State  Historical 
Society  at  its  annual  meeting,  May  5-6,  1910,  is  a  very  elaborate  array  of  arguments, 
from  many  points  of  view,  against  the  genuineness  of  this  rune  inscription,  with  intima- 
tion that  Mr.  Fogelblad  may  have  been  its  author.  Publication  with  a  large  plate  view^ 
of  the  rune  stone,  showing  separately  the  records  on  its  face  and  edge,  and  a  plate  of 
the  runic  alphabets  used  in  the  Scanian  Law.  the  Lament  of  the  Virgin,  and  this  Ken- 
sington inscription. 

Schaefer,  Rev.  Francis  J.  "The  Kensington  Rune  Stone."  Narration  of  the  dis- 
covery, description  of  the  stone,  with  a  plate  from  photograiilis.  mikI  iliscussiou  of  the 
inscription,  concluding  that  it  probably  is  genuine.  Acta  et  DU-ln  (  pulilislied  by  the  St. 
Paul  Catholic  Historical  Society),  Vol.  II,  No.  2.  pp.  206-210,  July,  lOKi. 

Dieserud,  Juul.  Restatement  of  his  arguments  against  the  stone.  SkdiKliiKircii. 
July  11,  1910. 

Holand.  H.  R.     Reply  to  the  article  last  cited.     Hkandinaren.  July  29.  1910. 

Holand.  H.  R.  Report  of  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  rumor  relating  to  Sven 
Fogelblad.  entirely  exonerating  him  from  complicity  in  authoi-ship  of  the  inscription. 
Skandinaven.  August  4,  and  the  Minneapolis  Jountul.  August  9,  1910:  reprinted  in  the 
preceding  pages  57-60. 

IversHe,  P^  P.  "Comments  on  the  Rune  Stone."  in  support  of  its  genuineness. 
Norwegian  Avierican,  August  12,  1910. 

Grevstad,  N.  A.  Editorial  review  of  Professor  Flom's  address,  before  noted,  the 
reviewer's  conclusion  being  that  the  arguments  in  favor  of  the  stone  are  stronger  than  its 
opponents  admit.     Skandinaren,  September  5,  1910. 

Holand.  H.  R.  "Mere  om  Kensington  Stenen."  Statement  of  the  geological  features 
of  the  stone,  and  notes  of  the  opinions  of  experts  concerning  the  antiquity  of  the  inscrip- 
tion.    Skini(liiiarr)i.  September  17,  1910. 

Petterson.  A.  E.  An  interesting  summary  of  Icelandic  traditions  of  late  voyages  to 
Vinland.  supporting  the  genuineness  of  the  stone.     Skandinaven,  September  24,  1910. 

Holand,  H.  R.  "Are  there  English  Words  on  the  Kensington  Rune  Stone?"  An 
Investigation  of  the  supposed  English  words  (the  most  common  objection),  showing  them 
to  be  of  ancient  Norse  usage,  exhibiting  philological  features  practically  impossible  for  a 
forger.     Records  of  the  Pa>:t.  Vol.  IX,  Part  V.  pp.  240-245,  September-October.  1910. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
Early  Settlement. 

An  eloquent  and  observant  writer  who  some  years  ago  had  occasion  to 
pen  his  observation  regarding  that  portion  of  the  beautiful  Park  Region  of 
Minnesota. comprised  within  the  borders  of  Douglas  county  observed  that  "the 
first  settlers  who  pushed  their  way  thus  far  beyond  the  confines  of  civilization, 
found  a  land  of  great  natural  beauty;  a  land  selected  as  a  home  by  the  Sioux 
and  Chippewa,  with  love  for  the  beautiful  which  Nature  made  an  instinct 
in  the  savage.  The  sun  shone  as  brightly  then  as  now,  the  flowers  bloomed 
as  freshly  and  carpeted  the  wide  waste  with  the  same  variegated  hues  of 
beauty,  while  the  woodland,  with  its  network  of  undergrowth,  almost  defied 
penetration  to  all  else  but  natives  of  its  own  depths.  It  was,  indeed,  a  beauti- 
ful land.  In  summer,  a  perfect  paradise  of  flowers;  in  winter,  a  drear\-, 
barren  desert,  with  no  trace  of  civilization.  But  today,  how  changed  the 
scene.  Rich  fields  of  golden  grain,  magnificent  farms,  villages  and  cities 
have  sprung  up  where  so  recently  was  naught  but  waste  and  desolation. 
The  wintry  blast  which  in  former  years  drove  the  deer,  bear  and  wolf  to  their 
hiding  places,  now  signals  the  herd  of  the  husbandman  to  comfortable 
shelter;  while  the  iron  horse,  swifter  than  the  nimble  deer,  treads  the  path- 
way so  recently  the  trail  of  the  red  man.  A  wealthy  and  prosperous  land 
has  grown  up,  filled  with  a  happy  and  contented  people — a  land  dotted  with 
schools  and  churches;  while,  as  each  milepost  in  the  history  of  the  county  is- 
passed,  it  seems  to  mark  an  era  of  new  and  increased  prosperity." 

Upon  seeking  to  arrive  at  a  definite  conclusion  regarding  the  very  first 
settlement  of  any  county  or  locality,  the  historian  immediately  is  confronted 
by  a  difficult  task.  Fact  and  tradition  are  so  closely  interwoven  in  all  state- 
ments relating  to  the  beginning  of  a  social  order  in  an)-  given  community  that 
it  often  is  wholly  impossible  to  differentiate  between  the  two  and  to  say  of 
any  given  set  of  narratives  bearing  upon  the  first  settlement,  this  is  fact 
and  this  is  merely  tradition.  And  the  situation  confronting  the  historian  in 
Douglas  county  is  no  exception  to  the  rule.  In  the  absence  of  any  definite 
record  or  memoir  of  the  pioneer  period  preserved  against  such  a  time  as  this 
there  is  no  means  at  hand  of  acquiring  absolute  proof  of  historical  state- 


124  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ments  covering  the  period  that  marked  the  first  settlement  hereabout  in  the 
time  preceding  the  Indian  outbreak,  for  it  is  known  that  there  was  some 
settlement  here  in  the  latter  fifties  of  the  past  century.  At  the  time  of  the 
ui>rising,  however,  those  scantily  protected  settlers  were  scattered  and,  seek- 
ing safet\-  in  flight  to  more  populous  centers,  did  not  return;  hence  there 
was  a  period  following  the  appearance  of  the  white  man  as  a  settler  in  this 
region  that  the  land  reverted  to  the  waste  and  was  unsought  by  such  as  other- 
wise would  have  gladly  occupied  the  beautiful  park  region  hereabout. 

THE  OLD  RED   RIVER  TRAIL. 

Though  unpopulated  by  the  white  man  until  the  period  of  the  latter 
fifties,  above  mentioned,  Douglas  county  was  not  unknown  to  civilization, 
for  long  before  its  actual  settlement  white  men  had  been  passing  through 
on  the  old  Red  River  trail  which  marked  the  passage  to  the  Pembina  colony 
and  the  rich  trading  posts  of  the  farther  Northwest,  and  the  groaning  creak 
of  the  ungreased  axles  of  the  Red  river  carts  must  have  been  familiar  sounds 
to  the  savage  denizens  of  the  then  wastes  of  this  lake  region  long  before  the 
white  man  stopped  to  la)-  claim  ti)  one  of  the  fairest  spots  on  the  globe.  The 
old  trail  of  the  Red  River  N'alley  settlements  passed  through  Douglas  county, 
running  about  twelve  miles  south  of  the  present  line  of  the  Great  Northern 
railroad,  and  along  the  line  of  that  famous  trail  there  was  carried  on  a  con- 
siderable commerce  many  years  before  there  were  any  actual  settlements  in 
this  immediate  vicinity. 

Out  of  all  the  confusion  relating  to  statements  covering  the  period  of 
pioneer  davs  it  may  safely  enough  be  declared  that  the  first  definite  settle- 
ment made  by  whites  within  the  boundaries  now  comprising  Douglas  county 
was  during  the  summer  of  1858,  in  August  of  which  year  Alexander  and 
William  Kinkaid  made  their  historic  settlement  at  the  junction  of  the  two 
lakes,  Agnes  and  Winona,  the  present  site  of  the  beautiful  city  of  Alexandria, 
the  county  seat,  which  bears  its  name  in  honor  of  Alexander  Kinkaid.  About 
that  same  time  a  settlement  was  made  within  the  present  limits  of  Holmes 
City  township  by  one  Holmes,  Noah  Grant  and  W.  S.  Sandford.  Both 
parties  arrived  at  their  respective  places  of  settlement  at  very  nearly  the 
same  time,  but  which  came  first  is  a  difficult  matter  to  determine  at  this  late 
date.  By  cfimmon  consent  the  Kinkaids  alwa\s  have  been  accorded  the 
honor  of  being  regarded  as  the  pioneers,  but  a  brief  historical  sketch  of 
Douglas  county  accompanying  a  plat-book  of  the  county  published  in  the 
middle  eighties  savs  that  "some  of  the  leading  old  settlers  claim  that  the 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I25 

Holmes  City  party  had  been  here  some  weeks  before  the  Kinkaids  arrived." 
However  that  may  be,  it  is  certain  that  in  August,  1858,  both  parties  were 
on  the  ground.  Messrs.  Holmes,  Grant  and  Sandford  came  together  from 
Shakopee.  Mr.  Holmes,  who  was  regarded  as  the  leader  of  the  party,  became 
the  leader  in  that  community  during  the  short  time  he  remained  there  and 
when  the  township  came  to  be  named  it  was  given  the  name  of  Holmes  City 
in  his  honor,  while  the  little  lake  on  which  the  settlement  called  Holmes  City 
was  established  became  known  as  Grant's  lake,  in  honor  of  Noah  Grant,  an 
immediate  contemporary  of  Holmes.  Mr.  Holmes  only  remained  a  year  or 
two  and  then  returned  to  Shakopee.  Noah  Grant  enlisted  in  the  army  dur- 
ing the  Civil  War  and  upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  returned 
to  Douglas  county,  but  in  1867  went  South,  where  he  afterwards  made  his 
home.  Sandford,  it  is  said,  left  the  county  at  or  before  the  time  of  the 
Sioux  rebellion. 

THE  KINKAID   BROTHERS. 

Alexander  and  William  Kinkaid,  bachelor  brothers,  were  natives  of 
Wilmington,  Delaware,  who,  some  years  prior  to  1858,  the  time  of  their 
settlement  in  Douglas  county,  had  come  West  and  had  put  in  their  fortunes 
with  those  early  settlers  who  had  come  to  Minnesota  in  territorial  days.  For 
some  time  they  sojourned  at  St.  Peter,  which  then  had  aspirations  to  become 
the  capital  of  the  state,  and  then  pushed  on  northwest  into  Pope  county/ 
locating  on  White  Bear  lake,  where  they  started  a  settlement  which  later 
developed  into  the  thriving  town  of  Glenwood.  The  following  summer,  the 
summer  of  1858,  they  came  on  farther  to  the  northwest  on  a  prospecting 
expedition  and  upon  arriving  at  the  banks  of  Lake  Agnes  became  so  deeply 
impressed  by  the  beauty  of  the  spot  that  they  determined  there  "to  pitch  their 
tent,"'  and  thus  was  the  city  of  Alexandria  brought  into  being.  Returning 
to  White  Bear  lake  for  their  belongings  the  Kinkaid  brothers  soon  made 
their  way  back  to  Lake  Agnes  and  in  August  of  that  year  made  a  perma- 
nent location  on  the  site  previously  selected,  being  probably  the  first  white  men 
who  had  visited  that  particular  spot.  It  was  not  long  until  other  settlers 
were  attracted  to  the  spot  and  thus  a  thriving  settlement  presently  sprang 
up  on  the  attractive  rise  of  ground  to  the  south  of  Lake  Agnes  and  on  the 
east  shore  of  Lake  Winona,  the  site  now  covered  by  the  city  of  Alexandria. 
The  Kinkaid  brothers  built  a  log  cabin  on  the  knoll  just  south  of  where  the 
Great  Northern  railway  station  now  stands,  and  upon  the  arrival  of  other 
settlers  almost  immediately  thereafter  became  instrumental  in  forming  a 
townsite  company,  with  a  view  of  attracting  others  and  thus   establishing 


126  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

a  city  in  the  then  wilderness.  They  secured  the  services  of  Gen.  T.  F.  Bar- 
rett, of  St.  Cloud,  a  government  surveyor,  who  surveyed  and  platted  the 
townsite  and  the  same  was  named  Alexandria,  in  honor  of  the  founder, 
Alexander  Kinkaid.  In  order  to  promote  the  sale  of  lots  and  advertise  the 
attractiveness  of  the  new  settlement,  the  Kinkaid  brothers  organized  a  town- 
site  company,  which  included  besides  themselves  Col.  John  Ball,  of  Winona; 
George  F.  Bratt,  of  St.  Cloud;  H.  T.  Welles,  of  Minneapolis,  and  A.  P.. 
Wilson  and  P.  L.  Gregory,  of  St.  Anthony.  Though  the  township  at  that 
time  had  been  run,  it  had  not  been  sub-divided  and  the  land  hereabout  had 
not  been  fully  surveyed.  It  is  narrated  that  through  the  agency  of  P.  L. 
Gregory  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land'  were  located,  the  same  being 
covered  by  Sioux  half-breed  script,  obtained  for  this  purpose  by  H.  T. 
Welles  from  Franklin  Steele,  of  Minneapolis,  and  to  secure  him  for  the 
advance  made,  the  title  to  the  town  site  was  vested  in  Mr.  Welles.  William 
Kinkaid  remained  at  the  new  settlement  until  1861,  in  which  year  he  received 
an  appointment  to  a  government  clerkship  and  removed  to  Washington, 
D.  C,  where  he  died  some  time  afterward.  Alexander  Kinkaid  was  made 
postmaster  of  the  new  town  of  Alexandria,  when  a  station  was  established 
there  late  in  1858,  the  mail  route  at  that  time  being  from  St.  Cloud  to  Ft. 
Abercrombie,  the  mail  then  being  carried,  most  of  the  time  on  foot,  by  one 
Evans,  after  whom  the  town  of  Evansville  afterward  came  to  be  named. 
The  postoffice  at  first  was  kept  in  the  Kinkaid  cabin,  but  when  J.  H.  Van 
Dyke  presently  started  a  little  store  the  office  was  removed  to  the  same  and 
later  \'an  Dyke  was  made  postmaster.  Alexander  Kinkaid  continued  to 
take  a  prominent  part  in  the  affairs  of  the  new  settlement,  being  one  of  the 
most  active  promoters  of  the  growing  village,  but  about  1868  went  to  Cali- 
fornia, where  it  is  believed  he  sjient  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

GRADUAL  GROWTH    OF   THE    NEW    SETTLEMENT. 

For  some  time  after  the  establishment  of  the  new  settlement  all  the 
travel  to  and  from  Alexandria— what  little  there  was — came  from  the  south, 
along  the  edge  of  the  prairie,  following  the  line  taken  by  the  Kinkaids  upon 
coming  into  this  country.  The  old  trail  to  the  Red  River  settlements  passed 
through  the  county,  but  there  was  very  little  travel  upon  that.  A  year  or 
two  after  the  Kinkaids  came  they  opened  a  road  north  from  the  new  town- 
site  and  in  1859  the  government  troops  cut  a  road  through  the  timber,  east 
and  west,  establishing  a  military  road,  which  afterward  became  a  stage  and 
state  road  and  which,  with  a  few  changes  in  its  course,  is  now  one  of  the 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  12/ 

most  extensively  traveled  highways  in  this  part  of  the  state,  its  course  being 
throvigh  the  towns  of  Osakis,  Alexandria,  Brandon  and  Evansville. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  year  1858  there  was  very  little  addition 
to  the  population  of  the  county,  though  among  those  who  came  before  the 
spring  of  1859  were  the  families  of  P.  L.  Gregory,  James  Bedman,  Charles 
Cook,  J.  A.  James  and  Hugh  O'Donnell.  It  was  from  St.  Cloud  that  P.  L. 
Gregory  made  his  way  to  this  section  and  he  became  a  member  of  the  Alexan- 
dria Town  Site  Company,  and  for  several  years  took  a  prominent  part  in 
the  work  of  developing  the  new  settlement.  Tlie  townsite  company  put  up 
a  log  hotel  near  Kinkaid's  building  and  Gregory  moved  his  family  from  St. 
Cloud  and  occupied  the  hotel,  the  family  making  their  way  from  St.  Cloud, 
a  distance  of  seventy  miles,  by  ox-team.  For  several  years  the  Gregory  hotel 
was  a  favorite  resort  of  the  pioneers  and  is  still  often  referred  to  in  tales 
of  the  old  days  hereabout.  Some  years  after  locating  at  Alexandria  Gregory 
was  elected  as  a  representative  from  this  district  to  the  state  Legislature  and 
returned  to  St.  Cloud  for  residence.  James  Bedman,  who  also  arrived  in  the 
fall  of  1858,  was  an  Englishman  and  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  He  took  a 
claim  on  the  rise  northwest  of  Lake  Agnes  and  opened  a  little  blacksmith 
shop  in  which  he  followed  his  trade.  Charles  Cook,  also  a  native  of  Eng- 
land, arrived  with  Bedman  from  Kandota,  in  Stearns  county,  but  in  1867 
he  returned  to  his  native  land.  Soon  after  the  war  broke  out  J.  A.  James, 
whose  name  is  noted  above,  enlisted  for  service  and  did  not  return  to  Alex- 
andria. Hugh  O'Donnell,  who  did  good  work  for  the  townsite  company, 
later  took  a  claim  nearby,  but  left  in  1861  and  years  afterward  was  heard 
from  as  a  resident  of  Pembina.  Among  others  who  came  in  the  summer  of 
1858  were  N.  F.  Barnes  and  Glendy  King,  the  former  of  whom  came  from 
the  state  of  Maine  and  the  latter  from  Philadelphia.  Barnes  settled  on  a 
farm  east  of  Lake  Agnes,  but  in  1866  went  to  St.  Cloud,  whence  he  later 
went  to  California.  King  settled  at  the  south  end  of  Lake  Winona,  but  in 
1 861  returned  East,  which  section  did  not  permanently  claim  him,  however, 
for  in  the  early  eighties  word  was  received  that  he  had  been  killed  in  the 
Indian  Territory. 

As  word  of  the  new  settlement  over  in  the  lake  country  became  circu- 
lated others  became  attracted  to  the  spot  and  during  the  year  1859  quite  a 
number  of  settlers  arrived  in  the  county,  the  most  of  whom  settled  in  Alexan- 
dria or  in  that  immediate  vicinity.  Among  these  were  J.  H.  Van  Dj'ke,  A. 
Darling  and  family,  James  F.  Dicken,  James  Barr  and  family,  Myron  Col- 
oney  and  S.  B.  Cowdry.  \^an  Dyke,  who  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
moved  over  from  St.  Cloud,  arriving  at  Alexandria  in  the  spring  of   1859. 


128  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

During  that  summer  he  put  up  a  log  house  on  the  height  overlooking  the 
lake,  south  of  where  the  Great  Northern  freight  depot  now  stands,  and  in 
that  building  opened  up  a  small  store,  the  first  general  store  in  Douglas 
county,  and  there  continued  doing  business  until  the  time  of  the  Indian  out- 
break, when  the  building  was  torn  down  and  the  goods  moved  within  the 
walls  of  the  stockade  which  the  government  meanwhile  had  erected  on 
the  same  height  overlooking  the  lake  nearby  the  store,  which  also  had  been 
used  as  a  postofifice  and  was  thus  regarded  as  the  center  of  the  new  com- 
munity. A.  Darling,  who  had  come  over  from  the  neighborhood  of  Oshkosh, 
Wisconsin,  took  a  claim  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Darling,  and  there  he  and  his 
family  remained  until  the  time  of  the  Indian  outbreak,  when  they  left  for 
Missouri,  intending  to  return  when  things  had  quieted  down  in  this  section, 
but  in  August.  1864.  Mr.  Darling  was  slain  by  Southern  bushwhackers  and 
his  family  returned  to  the  homestead  farm  on  Lake  Darling,  and  there  estab- 
lished their  home  anew.  It  was  in  the  spring  of  1859  that  James  F.  Dicken, 
who  is  still  living  in  Douglas  county,  one  of  its  best-known  and  most  hon- 
ored residents,  had  his  first  sight  of  this  favored  region.  He  passed  through 
the  new  settlement  at  Alexandria  on  his  way  West  on  a  prospecting  trip,  but 
returned  in  the  fall,  accompanied  by  Burton  Sparry  and  Henry  Whitcomb, 
and  established  himself  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Ida  for  the  purpose  of  trap- 
ping and  trading  with  the  Indians.  In  August.  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  First 
^Minnesota  Cavalry,  under  Colonel  McPhail.  and  remained  in  the  service  for 
thirteen  months,  at  the  end  of  which  term  of  service  he  went  to  Missouri,  in 
Vvhich  state  he  renewed  the  acquaintance  of  the  family  of  A.  Darling,  mar- 
ried one  of  the  daughters  of  the  family  and  in  1864  returned  to  Douglas 
countv,  which  has  ever  since  been  his  place  of  residence,  his  home  long  hav- 
ing been  at  his  pleasant  place  one  mile  east  of  Garfield. 

Among  the  other  original  settlers  whose  memories  have  been  recalled 
was  James  Barr,  who  also  arrived  in  1859,  having  come  West  from  Phila- 
delphia. He  entered  a  claim  near  the  Darling  place  and  remained  there  for 
several  years,  later  becoming  a  resident  of  Ida  township  and  still  later 
moving  on  farther  west  and  settling  in  the  Dakotas.  Myron  Coloney, 
another  of  the  settlers  of  1859,  ^*  referred  to  in  contemporary  accounts  as 
having  been  (|uite  a  character  among  the  earl\-  settlers.  He  had  for  some 
time  been  engaged  in  editorial  work  on  one  of  the  St.  Louis  newspapers,  was 
a  writer  of  much  talent  and  took  an  active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  new 
settlement.  He  took  a  claim  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Ida  and  there  estab- 
lished his  home,  building  a  log  cabin  into  which  he  moved  his  effects,  among 
which  was  a  fine  piano,  his  wife  having  been  an  accomplished  musician.     It 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I29 

was  in  the  neighborhood  of  James  F.  Dicken's  place  on  Lake  Ida  that  the 
Coloneys  settled  and  Mr.  Dicken  found  pleasant  relief  from  his  lonely  bache- 
lor quarters  in  the  agreeable  companionship  of  his  neighbors.  When  the 
settlers  were  warned  to  flee  at  the  beginning  of  the  Indian  outbreak  the 
Coloneys  returned  to  St.  Louis,  leaving  their  domestic  belongings  behind, 
and  not  long  afterward  their  house  overlooking  the  lake  was  destroyed  by 
lire,  the  first  piano  in  Douglas  county  thus  being  reduced  to  ashes.  S.  B. 
Cowdry,  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  whose  name  is  noted  above  as 
one  of  the  arrivals  in  1859,  took  as  a  claim  a  farm  in  La  Grande  township, 
afterward  owned  by  G.  C.  Whitcomb,  but  a  year  later  left  his  claim  shanty 
and  moved  into  the  settlement  at  Alexandria,  where  he  took  charge  of  the 
hotel  whicli  Charles  Cook,  the  Englishman,  had  just  given  up,  the  profits  of 
the  humble  inn  not  having  been  sufficiently  remunerative  to  pro\e  attractive. 
When  the  outbreak  occurred  Cowdry  joined  the  others  in  the  general  fiight 
to  St.  Cloud  and  did  not  return. 

THE    FIRST    COUNTY    GOVERNMENT. 

In  the  meantime  there  was  beginning  to  be  some  form  to  the  civic 
affairs  of  the  new  community  and  a  county  government,  for  certain  local 
purposes,  had  been  set  up.  For  some  years  after  the  creation  of  Douglas 
county  by  the  Legislature  it  had  been  attached  to  Stearns  county  for  civil 
and  judicial  purposes,  but  in  1859,  there  then  having  come  to  be  a  consid- 
erable settlement  in  and  about  the  center  of  the  county,  a  move  was  started 
to  organize  Douglas  for  administrative  purposes.  In  this  movement  P.  L. 
Gregory  is  said  to  have  been  the  active  leader  and  an  election  was  held — the 
first  election  in  Douglas  county — in  Gregory's  hotel.,  Not  all  of  the  settlers 
were  willing  thus  to  assume  the  responsibilities  of  government  and  it  is 
narrated  that  only  a  few  voted.  The  returns  of  the  election  therefore  were 
not  recognized  by  the  authorities  and  the  election  was  held  to  be  void.  How- 
ever, during  the  session  of  the  Legislature  in  the  winter  of  1858-59,  a  bill 
had  been  passed  authorizing  the  organization  of  Douglas  county  for  certain 
local  purposes  essentially  administrative  in  their  character  and  it  was  not 
long  after  the  failure  of  the  first  citizens  to  e.xercise  their  right  to  the  fran- 
chise that  the  governor  appointed  J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  S.  B.  Cowdry  and  A. 
Darling  as  a  board  of  commissioners  to  set  on  foot  a  local  government  here- 
aI)out.  This  board  convened  at  .the  Van  Dyke  store  and  appointed  the  fol- 
lowing countv  officers:    Register  of  deeds,  Alexander  Kinkaid;  sherifl:,  J.  A. 

(9) 


130  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Adams;  probate  judge,  P.  L.  Gregory.  This  organization  was  maintained 
until  the  time  of  the  Indian  outbreak,  when  it,  as  well  as  all  other  local 
matters,  was  abandoned  and  all  records  that  had  been  made  were  lost.  Noth- 
ing further  was  done  in  the  matter  of  local  government  until  1866,  by  which 
time  definite  settlement  again  was  being  re-established,  when  the  county  was 
organized  on  a  permanent  and  continuing  basis,  the  details  of  which,  as  well 
as  the  general  history  of  the  county  government,  are  set  out  elsewhere  in  this 
volume  in  the  chapters  relating  to  the  organization  of  Douglas  county  and 
to  the  officials  of  the  same. 

While  the  settlement  at  Alexandria  was  beginning  to  take  form,  it  being 
the  first  settlement  in  the  county,  other  portions  of  the  county  also  were 
beginning  to  be  recognized  as  exceedingly  desirable  points  for  settlement 
and  during  the  years  of  1859  and  i860  several  small  settlements  sprang  up. 
.\t  the  point  where  the  thriving  village  of  Brandon  now  stands  Henry  Gagar 
settled  and  it  was  not  long  until  others  had  joined  him  at  that  desirable 
point,  c|uite  a  little  settlement  presently  being  formed  there,  to  which  the 
name  of  Chippewa  was  given,  the  large  lake  in  that  vicinitv  also  being  gi\en 
the  name  of  Chippewa  lake,  the  headwater  of  the  Chippewa  river  which 
drains  the  western  part  of  the  county  and  empties  into  the  Minnesota  river 
at  Montevideo,  in  Chippewa  county,  this  state.  Afterward  the  \'illage  of 
Chippewa  was  rechristened  Brandon,  in  honor  of  the  birthplace  in  Ver- 
mont of  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  after  whom  the  county  was  named.  In 
the  southeastern  part  of  the  county  there  also  was  noted  the  beginning  of  a 
settlement  in  1859,  John  Potter  having  taken  a  claim  where  tlie  village  of 
Osakis  now  stands,  and  within  a  year  afterward  Joshua  Fairfield,  Robert 
Wyman,  Benjamin  Pease,  William  Husted  and  others  took  claims  nearby 
or  farther  up  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  count}-.  About  the  same  time  Xels 
Olson  took  a  claim  on  Maple  lake,  in  what  afterward  became  Hudson  town- 
ship, and  during  the  year  i860  the  western  part  of  the  county  also  began  to 
take  on  something  of  the  aspect  of  settlement.  The  year  before,  in  1859, 
Burbank  &  Company  having  established  their  stage  line  through  this  part 
of  the  country,  a  station  was  established  at  the  point  now  known  as  Evans- 
ville  and  1-^vans.  the  first  mail  carrier,  after  whom  the  town  was  named,  had 
put  up  a  little  shant\-  there.  In  i860  Mr.  Rogers  settled  there  and  kept  the 
station  and  it  was  not  long  until  others  had  settled  in  that  part  of  the  count^•, 
among  those  resident  in  the  Evans  neighborhood  at  the  time  of  the  Indian 
outbreak  having  been  the  Canfields,  the  Does,  Samuel  Thompson,  the  Per- 
fountaines,  the  LaBrands,  Miner  VanLoon,  H.  Blackwell,  Thomas  Cowing, 
J.  W.    Barr,   Robert  Ridley.   George  Bancroft,  George  Kinkaid  and    James 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I3I 

Shotwells.  By  this  time  roads  were  beginning  to  be  opened  up  in  addition 
to  the  stage  Hne  and  the  old  military  trail  and  the  Red  River  trail  and  there 
was  on  all  sides  an  appearance  of  activity  presaging  early  and  populous  set- 
tlement. Numerous  farms  were  beginning  to  be  developed  and  the  fair  lake 
region  comprised  in  what  is  now  Douglas  county  gave  promise  of  becoming 
at  once  one  of  the  most  desirable  points  of  settlement  in  the  western  part 
of  the  state.  More  and  more  frequent  were  the  inquiries  at  the  land  office 
regarding  locations  in  this  section  and  all  seemed  well  with  Douglas  county, 
the  future  apparently  being  full  of  promise,  when  the  dread  event  occurred 
that  proved  a  set  back  for  all  of  western  Minnesota  and  on  down  the  fair 
valley  of  the  Minnesota  river,  a  set  back  from  which  Douglas  county  did 
not  recover  for  several  years,  during  which  the  county  was  practically  depopu- 
lated, the  courageous  and  hopeful  settlers  who  had  come  here  in  the  period 
following  1859  and  up  to  the  summer  of  1862  having  fled  in  the  face  of  a 
savage  uprising  which  for  a  time  threatened  to  sweep  before  it  the  force  and 
the  authority  of  the  white  man  in  the  new  state. 

The  influence  of  the  earlier  phases  of  the  Civil  War  had  been  little  felt 
this  far  west,  the  absence  of  railroads  and  telegraph  leaving  the  settlers  in 
practical  ignorance  of  the  disastrous  struggle  then  being  waged  between  the 
states,  so  much  so  that  the  extent  of  the  war  had  hardly  been  realized  out 
this  way,  though  several  of  the  settlers  had  responded  to  the  call  to  arms 
and  had  enlisted  in  the  service  of  their  country  against  the  rebellion  of  a 
section.  But  when  the  news  came  in  August,  1862,  that  the  Indians  had 
arisen  and  had  declared  war  on  the  whites  in  Minnesota,  the  dreams  of 
peaceful  and  undisturbed  habitation  out  here  were  rudely  dashed  and  the 
history  of  Douglas  county  was  set  back  for  three  or  four  vears,  or  until 
the  eventual  re-establishment  of  secure  conditions  in  the  wilderness  made 
tenable  the  return  of  the  settlers  who  had  scattered  and  fled  to  more  populous 
points  upon  the  wild  cry  of  alarm  that  followed  the  Sioux  uprising  of  1862. 
And  thus  closed  the  first  period  of  the  history  of  Douglas  county,  the 
pioneer  period,  the  period  of  the  first  settlement,  when  the  foundations  were 
laid  for  the  noble  structure  of  social,  civic,  religious  and  commercial  develop- 
ment that  later  was  to  be  erected  here.  Of  the  tragic  incidents  connected 
with  the  Sioux  uprising,  in  its  relation  to  this  part  of  the  state,  details  are 
set  out  elsewhere  in  a  chapter  devoted  to  that  outbreak ;  of  the  resumption  of 
settlement  after  the  uprising  had  been  effectually  put  down,  details  also  are 
set  out  elsewhere  in  the  chapters  relating  to  the  organizations  of  townships 
and  villages,  and  there  is  therefore  no  need  to  dwell  here  upon  that  tragic 
incident  which  interrupted  the  course  of  empire  in  Douglas  count\-  bv  driv- 


132  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ing  the  pioneers  into  retreat  or  to  include  in  this  chapter  on  the  early  settle- 
ment of  the  county  the  details  of  the  establishment  of  a  permanent  govern- 
ment hereabout  or  of  the  real  settlement  which  came  about  in  due  course 
when  the  white  man  came  into  undisputed  possession  of  this  fair  region  and 
no  longer  stood  in  terror  of  the  relentless  fury  of  the  savages.  Suffice  it  to 
say  that  there  had  been  established  here  before  the  Sioux  uprising  an  out- 
post of  civilization  and  that  on  the  foundation  then  laid  there  has  arisen  one 
of  the  finest  and  most  substantial  social  structures  in  all  the  great  state  of 
Minnesota. 

ECHOES    OF    PIONEER   DAYS. 

From  a  series  of  letters  relating  to  pioneer  days,  written  by  V.  D. 
'  Nichols,  a  pioneer  of  Douglas  county,  now  residing  at  San  Jose,  California, 
and  published  in  the  Brandon  Echo  during  the  summer  of  1906,  it  is  pointed 
out  that  Douglas  county  was  first  settled  at  Alexandria  and  at  Holmes  City 
in  1858.  The  country  then  was  a  perfect  wilderness,  the  undisputed  hunt- 
ing ground  of  the  Indians,  who  found  much  wild  game  roaming  everywhere 
through  the  heavy  timbers  and  over  the  grassy  prairie  land.  One  of  the 
early  Holmes  City  settlers  killed  more  than  ninety  deer  in  one  winter.  The 
chief  source  of  livelihood  for  those  early  pioneefs  was  hunting,  trapping  and 
fishing.  The  settlers  did  not  begin  to  come  out  here  in  any  yery  large  num- 
bers for  some  time  after  the  desirability  of  this  region  as  a  place  of  residence 
had  been  demonstrated,  the  Indian  massacre  keeping  the  first  stream  of 
immigration  out  this  way  from  penetrating  too  far  into  the  wilderness.  But 
with  the  close  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  establishment  of  a  sense  of  security 
against  Indian  depredations,  numbers  began  to  prospect  for  new  homes  in 
this  section  and  considerable  settlements  began  to  form.  In  addition  to  the 
settlement  at  Alexandria,  already  referred  to,  in  1866,  a  considerable  number 
of  settlers  had  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  of  old  Chippewa,  which  had  first 
been  settled  by  Henry  Gager  in  1861  and  which  later  took  its  present  name 
of  Brandon. 

Among  the  first  of  these  colonists  were  Hans  P.  Hanson,  Ole  Thomp- 
son, Haagen  Holing  and  John  Thorkelson,  who  came  over  from  Goodhue 
county  by  ox-team,  with  covered  wagons  and  a  few  head  of  cattle.  I'hey 
had  heard  of  the  excellent  land  in  this  region  that  could  be  secured  cheaply. 
Some  bought  their  farms  for  $1.25  an  acre  and  others,  who  bought  from 
speculators,  paid  from  $2.50  to  $3.50  the  acre.  Traveling  was  extremely 
slow  and  difficult,  as  there  were  practically  no  roads  and  a  bridge  was  almost 
wholly  unknown.     If  the\-  came  to  a  stream,  the  only  way  was  to  plunge 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I33 

in  and  get  across  as  best  they  could.  The  drivers  had  to  lead  their  oxen 
and  were  therefore  compelled  to  wade  along,  sometimes  waist  deep.  It 
might  happen  that  the  heavy  load,  consisting  of  wife  and  children  and  the 
most  essential  household  goods,  would  get  stuck  in  mid-stream.  Then  the 
only  way  was  to  carry  the  load  across  to  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river  and 
get  the  wagon  out  as  best  they  could.  In  addition  to  these  difficulties,  the 
mosquitoes  were  so  thick  that  the  travelers  could  hardly  breathe  without 
choking  on  them  and  the  pests  worked  a  great  hardship  on  cattle. 

The  parties  above  mentioned  located  on  the  farms  on  which  they  estab- 
lished their  permanent  homes,  with  the  exception  of  H.  P.  Hanson,  who 
bought  the  eighty  north  of  the  John  A.  Olson  place,  where  he  at  once  began 
to  erect  a  sod  hut.  Meanwhile,  they  did  their  cooking  and  housekeeping  in 
the  covered  wagons.  Three  days  after  their  arrival,  Thorston  Hanson  was 
born,  thus  having  the  distinction  of  having  been  the  first  white  child  born  in 
the  township  of  Brandon.  The  hardships  and  privations  these  people  had  to 
undergo  were  distressing.  The  swarms  of  mosquitoes  and  flies  drove  the 
people  and  the  cattle  almost  frantic.  It  had  rained  almost  continuously  all 
summer,  so  every  low  place  was  full  of  water,  an  ideal  breeding  spot  for  the 
mosquitoes.  The  cattle,  tormented  by  the  pestilential  insects,  would  stray 
off  through  the  thick  underbrush  in  the  wild  woods  and  in  the  marshes.  The 
grass  was  so  high  as  almost  to  conceal  them  and  to  follow  them  was  a  most 
difificult  task,  to  say  nothing  of.  the  disagreeable  work  of  hunting  for  them 
through  the  tall,  stiff  and  sharp  slough  grass  and  thick  timber,  tormented 
continually  by  clouds  of  mosquitoes. 

HENRY   G.\GER's    STAGE   ST.\TION. 

The  first  piece  of  land  taken  up  in  the  township  of  Brandon  was  the 
place  taken  Ijy  Henry  Gager,  shortly  after  or  about  the  time  the  stage  route 
was  opened  between  St.  Cloud  and  Ft.  Abercrombie,  on  the  Red  river,  near 
the  present  city  of  Breckenridge,  this  state;  Burbank  &  Waite,  who  held  the 
mail  contract,  having  induced  Gager  to  enter  a  tract  of  land  there,  open  up 
a  farm  and  keep  a  stage  station  for  them,  other  stations  established  in  this 
section  having  been  those  at  Osakis,  Alexandria,  Evansville  and  Pomme  de 
Terre.  Gager  opened  a  farm  at  Chippewa  lake  and  kept  the  station  until 
the  Indian  outbreak  in  1862,  when  he  was  driven  out.  There  was  another 
settler  named  Austin,  whose  house  stood  where  later  the  school  house  in  dis- 
trict No.  76  was  erected.  He  and  some  others  came  back  after  cattle  and 
Austin  was  killed  by  Indians  near  where  the  village  of  Evansville  now  is 


1^4  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

situated.  A  few  weeks  later  the  government  had  the  government  mail  route 
open  again.  Stockades  were  put  up  at  Alexandria,  Chippewa  and  Pomme 
de  Terre  and  soldiers  were  stationed  there  for  defense,  and  most  of  the 
scattered  settlers  came  back. 

In  1865  George  Freundrich  bought  the  Gager  place  and  in  1866  settlers 
began  coming  in,  the  first  settlers  in  that  part  of  the  county  making  Chippewa 
City  their  headquarters.  In  1867  came  the  flood,  when  the  roads,  bad  enough 
before,  for  awhile  became  impassible.  As  the  nearest  place  at  which  the 
settlers  could  get  flour  or  other  provisions  was  at  St.  Cloud,  one  hundred 
and  four  miles  away,  starvation  stared  them  in  the  face.  Luckily,  an  ox- 
train  loaded  with  supplies  for  one  of  the  frontier  forts  was  wending  its  way 
through  the  county  at  the  t4me  and  as  it  could  not  proceed,  these  supplies 
were  sold  to  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  Chippewa.  In  1868  settlers  came 
in  briskly  and  the  township  was  organized  under  the  name  of  Chippewa 
Lake.  George  Cowing  put  up  a  store  across  the  road  from  Richard  Peffer's 
house.  Metz  &  Cotois  put  up  the  Pefifer  building  for  a  store.  Joseph  Med- 
bery  put  up  a  blacksmith  shop.  A  townsite  was  laid  out,  the  postoffice  of 
Chippewa  Lake  was  established  and  there  became  the  center  of  civilization 
for  many  miles  about.  Later  the  name  of  the  postoffice  was  changed  to 
Brandon,  in  further  honor  to  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  in  whose  honor  the  county 
was  named,  Brandon,  Vermont,  having  been  "the  Little  Giant's"  birthplace. 
Other  centers  of  settlement  sprang  up  and  at  last,  in  1878,  came  the  railroad 
and  New  Brandon.  Old  Brandon  went  back  to  a  quiet,  well-tilled  farm. 
Meantime,  Freundrich  sold  it  out  to  Peffer,  Hoplin  and  others,  Peffer  getting 
the  old  farm.  But  none  of  the  old  timers  ever  forgot  the  "great  old  times" 
at  Chippewa  lake  or  the  many  hunting  and  fishing  stories  told  there. 

MOSQUITOES   IN    PIONEER   DAYS. 

The  present  generation  cannot  realize  all  the  hardships  the  early  settlers 
endured  in  opening  up  the  land.  Of  these  hardships,  the  mosquitoes  were 
probably  the  most  difficult  to  endure.  Bad  roads,  the  lack  of  every  conven- 
ience of  living  and  such  things  were  expected  beforehand  and  so  could  be 
endured,  but  the  little  insect  pests  were  almost  unendurable.  V.  D.  Nichols 
recalls  that  on  more  than  one  night  no  one  could  get  a  "wink"  of  sleep.  "The 
early  settlers  did  not  have  houses  from  which  the  pests  could  be  entirely 
excluded  and  I  have  known  them  to  so  swarm  in  the  houses  that  they  would 
put  out  the  light  in  a  few  minutes  time,  their  dead  bodies  clogging  the  wick. 
Out  of  doors,  toward  evening,  it  was  almost  impossible  to  breathe  on  account 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  •      I35 

of  them.  A  man's  clothing  would  become  so  covered  that  he  simply  would 
look  gray  with  them.  The  poor  cattle  would  rush  madly  through  the  bushes 
trying  to  brush  them  off  and  often  stray  a  long  way  off.  I  have  known 
grown  men  to  give  up  and  cry  from  the  pain  of  their  bites  and  the  hopelessness 
of  getting  any  rest  from  them." 

BRANDON    township's  FIRST    HOMESTEAD. 

The  first  homestead  entered  in  the  township  of  Brandon  (old  Chippewa 
Lake),  taken  up  after  the  Indian  outbreak  of  1862,  was  on  an  entry  made 
by  John  C.  Nichols,  while  on  the  same  day  his  cousin,  John  J.  Nichols,  entered 
a  neighboring  place.  Someone  had  filed  on  the  place  in  1862  and  had  broken 
about  five  acres  on  it,  but  never  returned  after  the  outbreak.  The  Nichols 
boys  arrived  from  VVolcottville,  Indiana,  early  in  1866  and  were  the  very  first 
settlers  to  come  into  the  township  after  it  again  began  to  settle  up,  the  party 
above  referred  to  as  having  come  from  Goodhue  county,  having  come  a  few 
months  later.  After  selecting  land,  it  was  necessary  to  go  to  St.  Cloud,  one 
hundred  and  four  miles  distant,  to  locate,  as  the  land  office  was  there  at  that 
time,  it  being  some  years  later  that  it  was  moved  to  Alexandria.  St.  Cloud 
also  was  the  point  from  which  all  supplies  were  drawn.  John  C.  Nichols  was 
a  member  of  the  first  board  of  supervisors  of  Brandon  township  and  was 
supervisor  from  the  time  the  township  was  organized  in  1868  to  1878,  most 
of  the  time  chairman  of  the  board.  He  sold  out  in  1879  and  moved  to 
Dakota. 

In  1867  Antoine  Pelliser  entered  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  right  north  of 
Baumbach  lake  and  broke  twenty  acres  of  the  same  that  same  season,  the 
next  spring,  in  March,  1868,  selling  the  farm  to  Fred  von  Baumbach,  who 
took  up  an  additional  tract  adjoining  as  a  homestead  and  built  his  first  log 
house  where  the  Nootnagle  house  later  was  erected,  and  farmed  the  land 
imtil  his  election  in  1872  to  the  office  of  county  auditor,  when  he  moved  to 
Alexandria,  where  he  is  still  living.  In  1876  he  sold  his  farm  to  Dr.  Charles 
Nootnagle,  who  two  years  later  gave  the  place  to  his  sons,  Herman  and 
Fred.  Mr.  von  Baumbach  was  quite  a  horticulturist  and  on  his  place  were 
planted  the  first  fruit  trees  in  Brandon  township ;  or  rather  there  and  on  the 
V.  D.  Nichols  place,  the  two  getting  one  dozen  small  crab-apple  trees  and 
each  planted  six. 

William  Kappahahn  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Millerville  town- 
ship, having  arrived  there  from  Northfield  on  March  8,  1867.  At  that  time 
there  was  about  three  or  four  feet  of  snow  on  the  ground  and  he  and  another 


136     •  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

man  who  had  come  up  here  with  government  supplies,  had  to  wade  through 
the  wet  snow.  It  was  beginning  to  meU  and  the  streams  had  to  be  forded. 
At  one  place  below  Alexandria  they  had  to  wait  two  days  before  the  water 
was  low  enough  for  them  to  undertake  the  ford.  Mr.  Kappahahn  had  been 
through  this  country  a  few  years  previously  with  General  Sibley's  force  dur- 
ing the  Indian  outbreak.  One  of  the  worst  difficulties  he  had  to  contenc? 
against  after  locating  was  the  mosquitoes.  The  people  much  of  the  time 
during  the  summers  could  not  work  on  account  of  the  pests.  About  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  they  had  to  build  smudge  fires,  to  which  the  cattle 
would  come  bellowing.  Often  the  cattle  would  be  so  thickly  covered  with 
mosquitoes  that  the  settlers  had  to  take  a  hoe  and  scrape  the  insects  off. 

THE    FIRST   SCHOOL    HOUSES. 

The  district  school  houses  of  the  pioneer  period  were  not  so  well 
equipped  with  blackboards,  desks,  charts,  mechanical  appliances  and  the  like 
as  the  schools  of  the  present  date.  The  seats  were  made  from  heavy  boards, 
with  wooden  pegs  driven  into  them  for  legs  and  the  pupils  had  to  make  use 
of  their  knees  in  lieu  of  a  desk ;  and  not  very  many  were  troubled  with  curva- 
ture of  the  spine  on  that  account,  either. 

PIONEER    REMINISCENCES. 

Conditions  and  modes  of  life  in  Douglas  county  today  differ  greatly 
from  those  of  the  pioneer  days.  To  those  who  have  lived  here  from  the 
beginning,  the  changes  have  come  about  so  gradually  that  to  a  large  extent 
they  have  escaped  notice;  and  to  the  younger  generation  some  of  the  expe- 
riences of  the  early  settlers  seem  like  tales  from  a  story  book  rather  than 
actual  occurrences. 

For  many  }'ears  the  only  travel  was  on  foot  or  with  ox-teams  and  was 
necessarily  slow  and  monotonous,  except  on  the  rare  occasions  when  the 
"steers"  would  take  it  into  their  heads  to  run  awa_\",  and  then  for  a  time 
it  was  neither  slow  nor  monotonous. 

Parts  of  the  county  were  sparsely  settled  and  even  on  some  of  the  main 
roads  through  the  big  woods — especially  was  this  true  near  .\lexandria — 
one  could  travel  for  miles  without  seeing  a  human  habitation  or  meeting  a 
single  person.  But  the  scenery  along  the  roads  was  magnificent,  especially 
in  the  autumn,  after  the  foliage  had  been  touched  by  the  early  frosts,  and 
the  deep  red  of  the  high-bush  cranberries  and  the  dark  blue   of  the   wild 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 37 

grapes,  both  of  which  were  plentiful,  mingled  with  the  multi-colored  leaves 
of  the  trees  and  shrubs. 

Perhaps,  because  of  the  fact  that  houses  were  far  apart  and  travel  was 
slow,  the  people  were  sociable  and  hospitable  to  a  degree,  and  a  house  near 
one  of  the  roads  was  seldom  without  one  or  more  guests  over  night,  although 
the  house  was  very  small  and  the  accommodations  most  scanty. 

PRIMITIVE   WAYS   OF   AGRICULTURE. 

The  day  of  farm  machinery  had  not  arrived  and  for  many  years,  espe- 
cially on  the  farms  in  the  timber,  the  numerous  stumps  were  such  serious 
obstacles  to  the  use  of  machinery  that  the  latter  could  not  have  been  used, 
even  if  the  owner  had  the  means  to  buy  it.  The  hay  was  cut  with  a  scythe, 
cocked  by  the  pitchfork  and  carried  to  the  stack  on  poles.  To  those  who 
are  unfamiliar  with  this  operation  it  may  be  stated  that  a  cock  was  a  round 
pile  of  hay,  built  quite  high  and  in  such  a  way  that  it  would  shed  rain,  and 
of  such  a  size  that  twenty  cocks  would  ordinarily  make  a  ton.  In  stacking 
these  cocks  into  large  and  permanent  stacks,  two  men  would  provide  them- 
selves with  two  strong  poles  about  ten  feet  long  and  pointed  at  the  ends. 
These  poles  would  be  run  under  the  cock  of  hay  about  three  feet  apart, 
one  man  would  take  hold  of  the  ends  of  these  poles  on  one  side  of  the  cock 
and  the  other  man  would  do  the  same  on  the  other  side,  and  the  cock  would 
then  be  lifted  and  carried  to  the  stack.  If  the  men  were  strong  they  would 
not  be  content  to  carry  one  cock,  but  would  put  one  on  top  of  another  and 
carry  both  to  the  stack  at  one  time. 

Wheat  and  other  small  grain  was  cut  with  a  cradle,  an  implement  con- 
sisting of  a  large  and  long  scythe  to  which  was  affixed  a  frame  consisting 
of  four  "fingers,"  or  prongs,  of  wood  nearly  as  long  as  the  scythe  blade 
and  about  eight  inches  apart.  The  contrivance  bore  a  remote  resemblance 
to  the  cradle  in  which  babies  were  rocked  to  sleep — hence  the  name.  By 
means  of  this  cradle  the  grain  would  be  cut  and  laid  in  even  swathes  that 
could  easily  be  raked  into  bundles  and  bound  up.  Grain  seeders  were 
unknown  and  the  grain  was  sown  broadcast  by  hand.  Corn  and  potatoes 
were  cultivated  entirely  by  the  hand  hoe.  Wheat  was  threshed  out  on  the 
house  floor  with  sticks  and  flails  and  thrown  across  the  room  to  separate  the 
grain  from  the  chaff,  but  threshing-machines  were  s6on  introduced.  For 
many  years  the  threshing-machines  were  operated  by  horse  power,  and 
usually  five  teams  of  horses  were  used  to  run  a  machine. 


138  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


EARLY    DAYS    OF    THE    RAILROAD. 

The  first  railroad  trains  that  operated  in  the  county  were  quite  different 
from  the  present  ones.  That  was  the  day  before  steel  rails  were  used  and 
the  soft  iron  rails  soon  became  flattened  out  even  though  the  locomotives 
and  cars  then  in  use  were  much  lighter  than  those  of  the  present  day.  For 
a  number  of  years  wood-burning  engines  were  used  and  the  wood  for  these 
engines  was  cut  near  the  railroad  in  the  winter  time,  hauled  to  the  track 
and  piled  up  in  ranks  generally  six  feet  high.  In  places  these  ranks  of  cord- 
wood,  often  four  or  five  in  number,  would  extend  almost  continuously  for 
miles  along  the  track.  Then  in  the  summer  or  fall  a  crew  of  five  or  six 
men  would  come  along  with  a  circular  saw,  operated  by  a  steam  engine,  and 
saw  the  cordwood  in  two.  the  proper  length  for  use  in  the  engines.  This 
was  before  the  day  of  the  traction  steam  engine  and  the  saw-rig  engine 
would  be  pushed  by  the  men  from  place  to  place  on  planks. 

When  a  train  came  along  and  wanted  fuel  it  would  simply  stop  any- 
where along  the  right-of-way  where  some  of  this  sawed  cordwood  was  to 
be  found,  the  train  crew  would  get  off  and  throw  on  a  sufficient  supply  of 
wood  and  then  start  on  their  way  rejoicing.  It  can  readily  be  seen  that  in 
those  days  it  took  more  than  four  hours  to  run  from  Alexandria  to  St.  Paul. 

CONDITIONS    IN     THE     PIONEER    SCHOOLS. 

Though  the  country  was  thinly  settled  and  the  pupils  not  always  numer- 
ous, schools  were  very  early  established  everywhere.  The  buildings  were 
usually  constructed  of  logs  and  were  very  small.  The  school  house  in  dis- 
trict Xo.  22.  where  the  writer  obtained  all  of  his  schooling  below  the  high 
school,  was  about  eighteen  feet  long  by  sixteen  feet  wide,  and  at  times  there 
was  an  attendance  of  more  than  fifty  pupils  of  almost  all  sizes  and  ages. 
Sometimes  the  teachers  were  very  well  educated  and  again  their  scholastic 
qualifications  were  more  or  less  limited.  The  writer  can  very  well  remem- 
ber that  one  of  the  teachers  of  this  school,  in  all  seriousness,  told  the  pupils 
that  no  one  had  been  able  to  get  near  the  south  pole  because  of  the  extreme 
heat  which  prevailed  there.  And  he  inspired  the  youngsters  with  much 
admiration  and  considerable  awe  for  the  knowledge  bound  up  in  "Robin- 
son's Common-School  Arithmetic"  by  solemnly  stating  that  only  two  per- 
sons in  all  the  world  were  far  enough  advanced  in  mathematical  knowledge 
to  know  all  that  that  book  contained.  One  of  these  was  the  author  of  the 
book  and  the  other  the   King  of   England.      Presumably   this   teacher   was 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I39 

even  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  the  good  Queen  Victoria  then  reigned  in 
England.  In  those  days  the  attendance  at  school  was  mostly  in  the  winter 
time  and  if  a  boy  attended  school  as  much  as  two  or  three  months  during 
the  3-ear,  it  was  generally  thought  that  he  was  preparing  himself  for  the 
ministry. 

MADE    SHORT    WORK    OF    FROSTBITES. 

For  many  years  money  was  scarce  and  the  settlers  had  little  of  it  to 
spend.  Overcoats  and  overshoes  were  unknown,  and  frozen  toes  were  very 
common.  However,  a  home-made  remedy  consisting  of  a  poultice  made 
from  unslacked  lime  and  melted  pork  made  short  work  of  frostbites.  In 
many  families  whitefish,  caught  in  the  nearby  lakes  in  the  fall 'of  the  year 
and  salted  down,  was  an  almost  daily  article  of  food. 

Although  the  people  were  sociable  and  hospitable,  it  seemed  that  quar- 
rels and  fights  were  much  more  common  then  than  now.  And,  as  the 
British  General  Gage  remarked  about  the  boys  of  Boston,  the  pugnacious 
and  belligerent  spirit  of  tlieir  elders  was  reflected  in  the  youngsters,  and  if  a 
number  of  country  boys  went  to  Alexandria  on  a  Fourth  of  July  or  other 
holiday,  they  would  expect  to  have  a  fight  with  the  city  boys  before  they  got 
l^ack  again. 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Sioux  Outbreak  and  the  Old  Stockade. 

"There  have  been  many  theories  advanced  to  account  for  the  Sioux  out- 
break of  1862,  but  they  are  for  the  most  part  superficial  and  erroneous," 
declares  the  Rev.  Edward  Duffield  Neill  in  his  comprehensive  "History  of 
Minnesota."  Little  Crow,  in  his  written  communications  to  Colonel  Sibley, 
explaining  the  causes  which  had  provoked  hostilities  on  the  part  of  the 
Indians,  makes  no  allusion  to  the  treaties,  but  stated  that  his  people  had  been 
driven  to  acts  of  violence  b}-  the  suffering  brought  upon  them  by  the  delay  in 
the  payment  of  their  annuities,  and  by  the  bad  treatment  they  had  received 
from  the  traders.  In  fact,  nothing  has  transpired  to  justify  the  conclusion 
that  when  the  bands  first  assembled  at  the  agency,  there  was  anything  more 
than  the  usual  chronic  discontent  among  them,  superinduced  by  the  failure 
of  the  government,  or  its  agents,  faithfully  to  carry  out  the  stipulations  of 
the  different  treaties.  During  the  trial  of  the  prisoners  before  the  military 
commission  every  effort  was.  made  to  elicit  evidence  bearing  upon  the  out- 
break and  the  motives  which  actuated  the  leaders  in  inaugurating  the  bloody 
work.  The  only  inference  that  can  be  drawn  from  all  these  sources  of  infor- 
mation is,  that  the  movement  was  not  deliberate  and  predetermined,  but  was 
the  result  of  various  concurrent  causes,  such  as  the  long  delay  in  the  payment 
of  the  annuities  after  the  Indians  were  asseml^led,  and  an  insufficient  supply 
of  food  in  the  interim ;  dissatisfaction  with  the  traders ;  alleged  encroach- 
ment of  settlers  upon  the  Indian  reservation;  ill-feeling  of  the  pagan  Indians 
against  the  missionaries  and  their  converts  and  the  predictions  of  the 
medicine-men  that  the  Sioux  would  defeat  the  white  men  in  battle  and  then 
reoccupy  the  whole  country  after  clearing  it  of  the  whites.  Add  to  these 
the  facts,  well  known  to  the  Indians,  that  thousands  of  young  and  able- 
bodied  men  had  been  dispatched  to  aid  in  suppressing  the  Southern  rebellion 
and  that  but  a  meager  force  remained  to  garrison  Ft.  Ridgeh-  and  Ft.  Aber- 
crombie,  the  only  military  posts  in  proximity  to  their  countrv,  and  it  will  be 
perceived  that,  to  savages  who  held  fast  to  their  traditional  attachment  to 
the  British  crown,  and  were  therefore  not  friendly  to  the  Americans,  the 
temptation  to  regain  their  lost  possessions  must  have  been  strong.     It  was 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I4I 

fresh  in  their  minds,  also,  and  a  frequent  subject  of  comment  on  their  part, 
that  the  government  had  taken  no  steps  to  punish  Ink-pah-du-tah  and  his 
small  band,  who  had  committed  so  many  murders  and  other  outrages  upon 
citizens  at  Spirit  Lake  in  1857. 

APPLICATION    OF    THE    TORCH    TO    THE    MAGAZINE. 

It  is,  ho\ve\'er.  by  no  means  certain  that  all  of  these  considerations 
combined  would  have  resulted  in  open  hostilities,  save  for  an  occurrence 
which  proved  to  l>e  the  application  of  the  torch  to  the  magazine.  Five  or 
six  young  warriors,  wearied  of  the  inaction  of  a  stationary  camp  life,  accord- 
ing to  Neill,  made  an  excursion  along  the  outer  line  of  the  Big  Woods  in 
a  northern  direction,  with  the  avowed  intention  of  securing  the  scalp  of  a 
Chippewa,  if  practicable.  Being  unsuccessful  in  their  search,  they  retraced 
their  steps  to  Acton,  a  small  settlement  in  Meeker  county,  on  August  17, 
1862,  and  through  some  means  they  obtained  whisky  and  drank  freely.  They 
made  a  demand  for  more  liciuor  from  a  man  named  Jones  and  were  refused, 
whereupon  the  infuriated  savages  fired  upon  and  killed  not  only  Jones,  but 
two  other  men,  ^^^ebster  and  Baker,  and  an  elderly  woman  and  a  young  girl. 
Terrified  at  their  own  violence  and  fearful  of  the  punishment  due  to  their 
crimes,  these  savages  made  their  way  back  to  the  camp  at 'the  Lower  Agenc)', 
confessed  their  guilt  to  their  friends  and  implored  protection  from  the  venge- 
ance of  the  outraged  laws.  They  all  belonged  to  influential  and  powerful 
families  and  when  the  whole  affair  had  been  discussed  in  solemn  conclave  in 
the  "Soldiers  Lodge"  it  was  determined  that  the  bands  should  make  common 
cause  with  the  criminals,  and  the  following  morning  was  fixed  upon  for  the 
e.xtermination  of  the  unsuspecting  whites  at  the  agencies  and  of  all  the  white 
settlers  within  reach. 

According  to  Holcombe's  history  of  the  outbreak  it  was  about  August 
12  that  twenty  Lower  Indians  went  over  into  the  big  woods  of  Meeker  and 
McLeod  counties  to  hunt.  Half  a  dozen  of  the  Rice  Creek  band  were  of  the 
party.  One  of  Shakopee's  band,  named  Island  Cloud,  had  business  with 
Capt.  George  C.  Whitcomb,  of  Forest  City,  later  commander  of  the  stockade 
at  Alexandria,  concerning  a  wagon  which  the  Indian  had  left  with  the  captain. 
Reaching  the  hunting  grounds  in  the  southern  part  of  Meeker  county,  the 
party  divided.  Island  Cloud  and  four  others  proceeding  to  Forest  City  and 
the  remainder  continuing  in  the  township  of  Acton.  On  the  morning  of 
August  17  four  Rice  Creek  Indians  were  passing  along  the  Henderson  and 
Pembina  road,  in  the  central  part  of  Acton  township.     Their  names  in  Eng- 


142  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

lish  were  Brown  Wing,  Breaks  Up  and  Scatters,  Ghost  That  Kills  and 
Crawls  Against  and  none  was  more  than  thirty  years  of  age.  As  these 
Indians  were  passing  the  house  and  premises  of  Robinson  Jones,  four  miles 
south  of  the  present  site  of  Grove  City,  one  of  them  found  some  hen's  eggs 
in  a  fence  corner  and  proceeded  to  appropriate  them.  One  of  his  comrades 
remonstrated  against  the  taking  of  the  eggs,  because  they  belonged  to  a 
white  man,  and  a  discussion  amounting  to  a  quarrel  resulted.  The  Ghost 
Killer  and  his  three  companions  went  to  the  Jones  house  and,  according  to 
the  statement  that  Jones  presently  made  to  his  family,  demanded  whisky 
whicii  he  declined  to  give  them.  Alarmed  at  their  menacing  attitude,  Jones 
fled  from  his  house  to  that  of  his  stepson,  Howard  Baker,  living  half  a  mile 
north,  whither  his  wife  had  gone  a  day  or  two  before  and  where  at  the  time 
was  staying  a  young  couple,  Viranus  Webster  and  wife,  Wisconsin  folk, 
who  were  seeking  a  homestead  in  Minnesota.  UiX)n  leaving  his  home  Jones 
left  his  foster  children,  Clara  D.  Wilson,  a  girl  of  fifteen,  and  the  latter's 
baby  brother.  Walking  leisurely,  the  Indians  followed  Jones  to  the  Baker 
house  and  there,  after  some  apparently  friendly  parley,  shot  and  killed  Jones, 
Baker,  Webster  and  Mrs.  Jones,  after  which  they  returned  to  the  Jones 
house  and  shot  Clara  Wilson  through  the  heart,  but  did  not  molest  the  infant. 
Mrs.  Baker  and  Mrs.  Webster  made  their  way  to  the  home  of  the  nearest 
settler  and  the  neighborhood  was  aroused,  the  word  of  the  murders  being 
passed  on  to  all  the  adjoining  settlements. 

THE    historian's    CONCLUSION. 

Holcombe  concludes  that  "all  of  the  attendant  circumstances  proye  that 
the  murder  of  the  five  persons  at  .Vcton  was  not  concocted  by  any  other 
Indians  than  the  four  that  did  the  deed,  and  that  they  had  po  accessories 
before  or  after  the  fact.  It  was  not  perpetrated  because  of  dissatisfaction 
at  the  delay  in  the  payment,  nor  because  there  were  to  be  soldiers  at  the  pay 
table;  it  was  not  occasioned  by  the  sale  of  the  ten-mile  strip  of  the  reserva- 
tion, nor  because  so  many  white  men  had  left  Minnesota  and  gone  into  the 
Union  army.  It  was  not  the  result  of  the  councils  of  the  soldiers'  lodge, 
nor  of  anv  other  Indian  plot.  The  twenty  or  more  Indians  who  left  Rice 
Creek  on  .\ugust  \2  for  the  hunt  did  not  intend  to  kill  white  people;  if  they 
had  so  intended,  Island  Cloud  antl  all  the  rest  would  have  been  present  at 
and  have  participated  in  the  murders  at  Baker's  and  Jones',  and  carried  off 
much  portable  jiroperty,  including  horses.  The  trouble  started  as  has  been 
stated — from  finding  a  few  eggs  in  a  white  man's  fence  corner." 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I43 

About  six  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  August  i8,  1862, 
according  to  NeilFs  account,  a  large  number  of  Sioux  warriors,  armed  and 
in  their  war  paint,  assembled  about  the  buildings  at  the  Lower  Agency.  It 
had  been  rurpored  purposely  in  advance  that  a  war-party  was  to  take  the  field 
against  the  Chippewas,  but  no  sooner  had  the  Indians  assumed  their  several 
positions,  according  to  the  program,  than  an  onslaught  was  made  indiscrim- 
inately upon  the  whites,  and  with  the  exception  of  two  or  three  men  who 
concealed  themselves,  and  a  few  of  the  women  and  children  who  were  kept 
as  captives,  no  whites  escaped  destruction  but  George  H.  Spencer,  who 
although  twice  seriously  wounded,  was  saved  from  instant  death  by  the  heroic 
intervention  of  his  Indian  comrade,  Wak-ke-an-da-tah,  or  "Red  Lightning." 
A  number  of  persons  also  were  slain  at  the  LTpper  Agency,  but  through  the 
agency  of  "Other  Day,"  a  Christian  Indian,  the  missionaries,  the  Rev. 
Stephen  R.  Riggs  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Thomas  Williamson  and  their  families 
and  others,  numbering  in  all  about  sixty  persons,  were  saved,  the  party  being 
conducted  safely  through  the  Indian  country  to  the  white  settlements. 

EVERY    FRONTIER    DWELLING    A    CHARNEL    HOUSE. 

The  massacre  of  the  people,  the  pillage  of  stores  and  dwellings,  and  the 
destruction  of  the  buildings  having  been  consummated,  parties  were  dis- 
patched to  fall  upon  the  settlers  on  farms  and  in  villages  along  the  entire 
frontier,  extending  nearly  two  hundred  miles.  The  scenes  of  horror  con- 
sequent upon  the  general  onslaught  can  better  be  imagined  than  described. 
Fortimate,  comparatively  speaking,  was  the  lot  of  those  who  were  doomed 
to  instant  death,  and  thus  spared  the  agonies  of  lingering  tortures  and  the 
superadded  anguish  of  witnessing  outrages  upon  the  persons  of  those  near- 
est and  dearest  to  them.  The  fiends  of  hell  could  not  invent  more  fearful 
atrocities  than  were  perpetrated  by  the  savages  upon  their  victims.  The 
bullet,  the  tomahawk  and  the  scalping-knife  spared  neither  age  nor  sex,  the 
only  prisoners  taken  being  the  young  and  comely  women,  to  minister  to  the 
brutal  lusts  of  their  captors,  and  a  few  children.  In  the  short  space  of 
thirty-six  hours,  as  nearly  as  could  be  computed,  eight  hundred  whites  were 
cruelly  slain.  Almost  every  dwelling  house  along  the  extreme  frontier  was 
a  charnel  house,  containing  the  dying  or  the  dead.  In  many  cases  the  torch 
was  applied  and  maimed  and  crippled  sufferers,  unable  to  escape,  were  con- 
sumed with  their  habitations.  The  alarm  was  communicated  by  refugees  to 
the  adjacent  settlements,  and  soon  the  roads  leading  east  and  to  the  pro- 


144  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

tected  centers  were  crowded  by  thousands  of  men,  women  and  children,  in 
the  wild  confusion  of  sudden  flight. 

After  accomphshing  their  mission  of  death  the  savages  assembled  in 
force  and  attempt  to  take  Ft.  Ridgcly  by  a  coup  de  main.  In  this  they 
were  foiled  by  the  vigilance  and  determination  of  the  garrison,  aided  by 
volunteers  who  had  escaped  from  the  surrounding  settlements.  The  attack 
was  continued  for  several  days,  but  without  success.  The  town  of  New  Ulm 
also  was  assailed  by  a  strong  force  of  the  savages,  but  was  gallantly  defended 
by  volunteers  from  the  neighboring  counties,  under  the  command  of  Col. 
C.  H.  Flandrau.  Captain  Dodd,  an  old  and  prominent  citizen  of  St.  Peter, 
was  among  the  killed  at  this  latter  point.  Ft.  Abercrombie,  on  the  Red  river, 
also  suffered  a  long  and  tedious  siege  by  the  bands  of  Sioux  from  the  Lac 
qui  Parle  country,  until  relie\ed  by  a  force  dispatched  by  Governor  Ramsey 
from  St.  Paul. 

SUPPRESSION   OF  THE  SIOUX. 

The  first  advices  of  the  outbreak  reached  the  state  capital  on  the  day 
succeeding  the  massacre  at  the  Lower  Agency!  Instant  preparations  were 
made  by  Governor  Ramsey  to  arrest  the  progress  of  the  savages.  At  his 
personal  solicitation,  Henry  FI.  Sibley,  a  resident  of  JMendota,  whose  long 
and  intimate  acquaintance  with  Indian  character  and  habits  was  supposed 
to  render  him  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  position,  consented  to  take  charge  of 
military  operations.  He  accordingly  was  commissioned  by  the  governor, 
colonel  commanding,  and  upon  him  in  person  devolved  the  conduct  of  the 
campaign. 

Unfortunately,  the  state  of  Minnesota  was  lamentably  deficient  in  the 
means  and  appliances  requisite  to  carry  on  successfully  a  war  of  the  formid- 
able character  which  this  threatened  to  assume.  The  Sioux  alhed  bands 
could  bring  into  the  field  from  eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  warriors,  and 
they  might  be  indefinitely  reinforced  by  the  powerful  divisions  of  the  prairie 
Sioux.  Those  actually  engaged  in  hostilities  were  good  marksmen,  splen- 
didly armed,  and  abundant!)-  supplied  with  ammunition.  They  had  been 
victorious  in  several  encounters  with  detachments  of  troops,  and  had  over- 
whelming confidence  in  their  own  skill.  On  the  other  hand,  the  state  had 
already  dispatched  five  thousand,  more  or  less,  of  her  choicest  young  men 
to  the  South,  her  arsenal  was  stripped  of  all  the  arms  that  were  effective, 
and  there  was  little  animuniticMi  on  hand,  and  no  rations.  There  was  no 
government  transportation  to  be  had  and  the  prospect  was  not  by  any  means 
favoral)le.     Goveror  Ramsey,   notwithstanding,   acted  with  promptness  and 


OLD    STtXKADK    AT    AI.EXAXDUIA.       FlidM     A    CUAYOX     DltAWIXC    MADE     IX 
1MI2.    DIKIXi;    THE    DAYS    OF    .MILITAKY    AfTIVITY    THERE. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I45 

vigor.  He  telegraphed  for  arms  and  ammunition  to  tiie  war  department  and 
to  the  governors  of  adjoining  states.  He  authorized  also  the  appropriation 
for  the  public  use  of  the  teams  belonging  to  individual  citizens,  and  adopted 
such  other  measures  as  the  emergency  demanded. 

There  were  at  Ft.  Snelling,  happily,  the  nuclei  of  regiments  tliat  had 
been  called  into  service.  Colonel  Sibley  left  Ft.  Snelling  with  four  hundred 
men  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  early  on  the 
morning  of  August  20.  Upon  an  inspection  of  the  arms  and  cartridges 
furnished,  it  was  fovmd  that  the  former  comprised  worthless  Austrian  rifles, 
and  the  ammunition  was  for  guns  of  a  larger  and  different  calibre.  The 
command  was  detained  several  days  at  St.  Peter,  engaged  in  swedging  the 
balls  so  as  to  fit  the  arms  and  in  preparing  canister-shot  for  the  six-pounders. 
Meantime  arms  of  a  better  quality  were  received,  reinforcements  of  troops 
arrived  and  the  column  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  Ft.  Ridgley,  which  was 
reached  without  interruption,  and  the  troops  went  into  camp  a  short  distance 
from  the  post,  to  await  the  reception  of  rations  and  to  make  the  final  prepara- 
tions for  an  advance  upon  the  hostile  Indians,  who  had  drawn  in  their 
detached  parties  and  were  concentrating  for  a  decisive  battle. 

BATTLES    OF    BIRCH    COOLIE   AND    WOOD    LAKE. 

Scouts  were  dispatched  to  ascertain  the  location  of  the  main  Indian 
camp,  and  upon  their  return  they  reported  no  Indians  below  Yellow  Medicine 
river.  A  burial  party  of  twenty  men,  under  the  escort  of  one  company  of 
infantry  and  the  available  mounted  force,  in  all  about  two  hundred  men, 
under  the  command  of  Major  J.  R.  Brown,  was  detailed  to  proceed  and 
inter  the  remains  of  the  slain  at  the  Lower  Agency  and  at  other  points  in 
the  vicinity.  The  duty  was  performed,  fifty-four  lx>dies  buried,  and  the 
detachment  was  en  route  to  the  settlements  on  Beaver  river  and  had  encamped 
for  the  night  near  Birch  Coolie,  a  long  and  wooded  ravine  debouching  into 
the  Minnesota  river,  when,  about  dawn  the  following  morning,  the  camp  was 
attacked  by  a  large  force  of  Indians,  twenty-five  men  killed  or  mortally 
wounded  and  nearly  all  the  horses,  ninety  in  number,  shot  down.  Provi- 
dentially, the  volleys  of  musketry  were  heard  at  the  main  camp,  although 
eighteen  miles  distant,  and  Colonel  Sibley  marched  to  the  relief  of  the 
beleaguered  detachment,  drove  off  the  Indians,  buried  the  dead,  and  the 
weary  column  then  retraced  its  steps  to  the  camp. 

The  period  spent  in  awaiting  necessary  supplies  of  provisions  was  made 

(ID) 


146  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

useful  in  drilling  the  men  and  bringing  them  under  discipline.  So  soon  as 
ten  days'  rations  had  been  accumulated,  Colonel  Sibley  marched  in  search  of 
the  savages,  and  on  September  23,  1862,  was  fought  the  severe  and  decisive 
battle  of  Wood  Lake.  The  action  was  commenced  by  the  Indians  and  was 
bravely  contested  by  them  for  more  than  two  hours,  when  they  gave  way  at 
all  points  and  sent  in  a  flag  of  truce,  asking  permission  to  remove  their  dead 
and  wounded,  which  was  refused.  A  message  was  sent  back  to  Little  Crow, 
the  leader  of  the  hostile  Indians,  to  the  efifect  that  if  any  of  the  white  pris- 
oners held  by  him  received  injury  at  the  hands  of  the  savages,  no  mercy 
would  be  shown  the  latter,  l>ut  that  they  would  be  pursued  and  destroyed 
without  regard  to  age  or  sex. 

The  success  at  Wood  Lake  was  i:ot  achieved  without  serious  loss.  Two 
officers  were  severely  wounded  and  nearly  forty  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  much 
greater,  a  half-breed  prisoner  stating  it  at  thirty  killed  and  a  larger  number 
wounded.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Marshall  and  Major  Bradley,  of  the  Seventh 
Regiment,  distinguished  themselves,  the  former  leading  a  charge  of  five  com- 
panies of  his  own  and  two  companies  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  which  cleared 
a  ravine  of  the  enemy,  where  they  had  obtained  shelter.  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Averill  and  Major  McLaren,  of  the  Sixth  Regiment,  also  performed  signal 
service,  as  did  all  the  officers  and  men  of  both  regiments.  The  Third  Regi- 
ment, composed  of  fractions  of  six  companies,  fought  gallantly,  having  for  a 
time,  in  conjunction  with  the  Renville  Rangers,  borne  the  brunt  of  the  fight, 
and  their  loss  was  great  in  proportion. 

PITIFUL    SCENES    AT    CAMP    RELEASE. 

One  of  the  main  objects  of  the  campaign,  the  deliverance- of  the  white 
captives,  was  yet  to  be  accomplished,  and  required  the  exercise  of  much  judg- 
ment and  caution.  There  was  good  reason  to  fear  that,  in  the  exasperation 
of  defeat,  the  helpless  prisoners  might  fall  victims  to  the  savages.  Colonel 
Sibley,  therefore,  delayed  his  march  towards  the  great  Indian  camp  until 
the  second  day  after  the  battle,  to  allow  time  to  the  friendly  element  to 
strengthen  itself  and  to  avoid  driving  the  hostile  Indians  into  desperate  meas- 
ures against  their  prisoners.  On  the  25th  of  September,  the  column,  with 
drums  beating  and  colors  flying,  filed  past  the  Indian  encampment  and  formed 
camp  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  it,  on  the  heights  overlooking  the  junc- 
tion of  the  Chippewa  and  the  Minnesota  rivers,  at  a  point  about  two  miles 
southwest  of  the  present  city  of  Montevideo.     Colonel  Sibley,  with  his  staff 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I47 

and  field  officers/ then  proceeded  to  the  lodges  of  the  Indians  and  directed 
that  all  the  captives  should  be  delivered  up  to  him,  which  was  forthwith  done ; 
a  sight  thus  being  presented  that  sufficed  to  suiifuse  the  eyes  of  strong  men 
with  tears.  Young  and  beautiful  women,  who  had  for  weeks  endured  the 
extremitv  of  outrage  from  their  brutal  captors,  followed  by  a  crowd  of  chil- 
dren of  all  ages,  came  forth  from  the  lodges,  hardly  realizing  that  the  day 
of  their  deliverance  had  arrived.  Convulsive  sobbing  was  heard  on  every 
side  and  the  poor  creatures  clung  to  the  men  who  had  come  to  their  relief, 
as  if  they  feared  that  some  savage  would  drag  them  away.  They  were  all 
escorted  tenderly  to  the  tents  prepared  for  their  reception  and  made  as  com- 
fortable as  circumstances  would  admit.  The  number  of  pure  whites  thus 
released  amounted  to  about  one  hundred  and  fifty,  including  one  man  only, 
George  H.  Spencer,  whose  preservation  by  "Red  Lightning"  has  been  noted 
above.  Mr.  Spencer  expressed  his  gratitude  to  Colonel  Sibley  that  the  latter 
had  not  made  a  forced  march  upon  the  camp  after  the  battle,  stating  emphatic- 
ally that  if  such  a  course  had  been  pursued,  it  was  the  determination  of  the 
hostile  Indians  to  cut  the  throats  of  the  captives  and  then  disperse  to  the 
prairies.  There  were  deli^■ered  also  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  half-breeds, 
who  had  been  held  as  prisoners. 

PUNISHMENT    OF    THE    GUILTY. 

Two  of  the  principal  objects  of  the  campaign,  the  defeat  of  the  savages 
and  the  release  of  the  captives,  having  thus  been  consummated,  there  remained 
but  to  punish  the  guilty.  Many  of  these,  with  Little  Crow,  had  made  their 
escape  and  could  not  be  overtaken,  but  some  of  the  small  camps  of  refugees 
were  surrounded  and  their  inmates  brought  back.  The  locality  where  these 
events  transpired  was  appropriately  called  Camp  Release  and  the  spot  has 
been  marked  by  a  grateful  state  by  the  erection  of  a  beautiful  granite  shaft, 
suitably  inscribed,  commemorating  the  deeds  of  Colonel  Sibley's  relief  expedi- 
tion and  the  release  of  the  captives. 

At  the  proper  time  the  Indian  camp  was  surrounded  by  a  cordon  of 
troops  and  four  hundred  of  the  warriors  were  arrested,  chained  together  in 
pairs,  and  placed  in  an  enclosure  of  logs  made  by  the  troops,  under  strong 
guard.  Others  who  were  known  to  be  innocent  were  not  interfered  with. 
Colonel  Sibley  constituted  a  military  commission,  with  Colonel  Crooks,  com- 
manding the  Sixth  Regiment,  as  president,  for  the  trial  of  the  prisoners.  A 
fair  and  impartial  hearing  was  accorded  to  each  and  the  result  was  the  find- 
ing of  three  hundred  and  three  guilty  of  participation  in  the  murder  of  the 


148  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

whites,  and  the  sentence  of  death  by  hanging  was  passed  upon  them.  Others 
were  convicted  of  robbery  and  pillage  and  condemned  to  various  terms  of 
imprisonment,  and  a  few  were  acquitted.  The  witnesses  were  composed  of 
the  released  captives,  including  mixed  Ijloods,  and  of  Christian  Indians,  who 
had  refused  to  join  Little  Crow  in  the  war. 

The  preparations  for  the  execution  of  the  guilty  Indians  were  brought 
to  a  summary  close  by  an  order  from  President  Lincoln  prohibiting  the  hang- 
ing of  any  of  the  convicted  men  without  his  previous  sanction,  sentimental 
persons  in  the  East  having  demanded  of  the  President  a  review  of  the  pro- 
ceeding of  the  military  court.  The  people  of  the  state  were  highly  indig- 
nant at  this  suspension  and  an  energetic  protest  was  made  by  their  senators 
and  representatives  in-  Washington.  Finally,  after  much  delay,  Colonel 
Sibley  was  directed  to  carry  out  the  sentence  of  the  commission  in  certain 
cases  specified,  and  on  December  26,  1862,  thirty-eight  of  the  criminals  were 
executed  accordingly  at  Mankato,  on  the  same  scaffold,  under  the  direction 
of  Colonel  Miller,  commanding  that  post.  The  remainder  of  the  condemned 
were  sent  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  early  in  the  spring,  where  they  were  kept  in 
confinement  for  more  than  a  year,  a  large  number  dying  of  disease  in  the 
meantime.  Those  that  remained  eventually  were  dispatched  to  a  reservation 
on  the  Upper  Missouri,  where  the  large  number  of  prisoners  taken  by  Colonel 
Sibley,  principally  women  and  children,  had  already  been  placed. 

EFFECT    OF    THE    UPRISING    IN    DOUGLAS    COUNTY. 

When  the  stage  brought  the  news  to  the  Alexandria  settlement  during 
those  fateful  days  in  August,  1862,  that  the  Indians  were  collecting  and 
putting  on  the  war  paint  at  the  Yellow  Medicine  agency,  much  alarm  was 
created  in  the  hamlet  and  throughout  the  county,  for  trouble  had  been  feared 
for  some  time,  and  the  settlers  were  warned  to  flee  if  they  desired  safety. 
When  the  stage  driver  brought  the  news  of  the  uprising  all  the  settlers  in  the 
vicinity  of  Alexandria  congregated  on  the  town  site  and.  held  a  "council  of 
war.'"  .\fter  some  discussion  of  the  news  it  was  decided  that  the  alarm 
must  lie  a  hoax  and  the  farmers  were  advised  to  return  to  their  fields,  which 
they  did.  I'our  days  later  a  messenger  from  Go\  ernor  Ramsey  reached  this 
part  of  the  state,  driving  post  haste,  distributing  arms  and  ammunition  and 
cornmanding  the  settlers  to  gather  together,  or  rendezvous,  and  arm  them- 
selves for  safety.  At  Alexandria  a  few  muskets  and  some  ammunition  were 
left  with  J.  H.  \'an  Dyke  for  distribution  and  all  the  settlers  that  could  be 
reached  were  notified  to  arm  or  prepare  for  flight.     On  that  same  day  prac- 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I49 

tically  all  the  settlers  in  the  community  assembled  at  Alexandria  and  it  was 
then  and  there  decided  that  the  women  and  children  should  at  once  be  taken 
to  Sauk  Center  or  St.  Cloud  for  safety,  and  the  party  lost  no  time  in  setting 
out,  all  save  their  most  valuable  personal  possessions  being  left  behind.  At 
the  same  time  the  settlers  in  the  several  vicinities  of  Holmes  City,  Chippewa 
(Brandon)  and  Evansville  and  the  few  who  had  gathered  in  the  vicinity  of 
Osakis — who  had  not  already  gone,  got  together  and  all  left,  most  of  them 
going  to  Sauk  Center  or  St.  Cloud,  while  others  scattered  in  various  direc- 
tions, it  being  said  that  but  two  of  the  settlers  remained  in  the  county,  Andreas 
Darling  and  N.  P.  Barnes.  They  conveyed  their  families  to  places  of  safety, 
but  returned  straightway  and  remained  on  their  farms,  undisturbed. 

When  the  first  squad  of  refugees  from  this  section  arrived  at  Sauk 
Center  a  consultation  was  held  and  it  was  decided  that  the  men  should  return 
to  their  farms  and  attend  to  their  crops.  Accordingly,  within  a  few  days, 
they  were  on  their  way  back,  most  of  them  being  armed  with  some  kind  of 
a  weapon,  among  those  who  returned  at  that  time  being  recalled  the  names 
of  Messrs  Dicken,  Barr,  Redman,  Darling,  Barnes,  Shotwell,  Cowing,  Can- 
field,  Thompson,  Ridley,  Gager,  Austin,  Lewis,  Rogers  and  several  young 
men.  Upon  their  arrival  at  Alexandria  the  party  found  everything  just  as 
it  had  been  left,  even  the  tables  set  as  they  were  when  the  affrighted  settlers 
had  fled. 

TRAGIC  EVENT  CREATES  FRESH  ALARM. 

Upon  finding  things  at  the  settlement  undisturbed,  the  party  separated, 
the  settlers  leaving  for  their  respective  farms.  A  number  started  for  the 
Chippewa  settlement  where  Henry  Gager"  s  claim  was  located  and  when  that 
place  was  reached  eight  or  ten  of  the  party,  including  Andrew  Austin  and 
Ben  Lewis  started  for  Evansville  to  see  about  Rogers's  property  and  to  learn 
whether  the  Indians  had  burned  the  house.  Andrew  Austin  and  Ben  Lewis 
were  riding  ponies  and  had  proceeded  on  Cjuite  a  distance  in  advance  of  the 
remainder  of  the  party  who  were  riding  in  a  wagon.  On  the  way  Austin  and 
Lewis  shot  a  hawk  and  stuck  the  feathers  in  their  hats.  When  but  a  short 
distance  from  their  destination  they  were  surprised  by  a  band  of  about  forty 
Indians,  who  sprang  up  from  their  ambush  along  the  trail  and  surrounded 
the  two,  firing  upon  them  at  close  range.  The  party  in  the  wagon  was  far  to 
the  rear  and  unable  to  render  aid  to  the  entrapped  horsemen ;  and,  indeed,  it 
would  have  been  a  mark  of  foolhardiness  for  the  small  party  to  have 
attempted  succor  in  the  face  of  the  overwhelming  odds  presented  i)y  the  much 
superior  liand  of  redskins. 


150  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

At  the  first  volley,  Austin  was  seen  to  reel  from  his  horse,  while  Lewis 
headed  toward  the  south,  escaping  the  bullets  of  the  savages,  his  nimble- 
footed  pony  quickly  putting  a  safe  distance  between  him  and  his  red  foe,  and 
was  soon  out  of  sight^never  to  be  heard  of  again  in  this  community.  In  a 
moment  the  Indians  had  gathered  about  the  prostrate  form  of  Austin  and 
those  in  the  wagon  straightway  wheeled  about  and  beat  a  precipitate  retreat 
to  the  point  where  they  had  left  the  rest  of  the  party.  There  they  waited  for 
a  time,  prepared  to  resist  to  the  death  the  expected  attack,  but  as  none  came 
they  presently  all  set  out  on  the  return  to  Sauk  Center,  abandoning  their 
previous  design  of  remaining  on  the  farms  which  they  had  left  at  the  first 
alarm.  Through  the  haste  of  getting  away  a  gun  was  accidentally  dis- 
charged, the  contents  entering  the  back  of  a  girl  who  had  accompanied  the 
party.  At  Sauk  Center  medical  aid  was  secured  and  she  eventually  recovered. 
The  body  of  the  ill-fated  Andrew  Austin  remained  where  it  fell  for  several 
weeks,  a  squad  of  soldiers  that  had  been  dispatched  to  this  part  of  the  state 
then  giving  it  proper  burial,  a  coffin  for  that  purpose  being  obtained  at  Alex- 
andria. The  soldiers  found  that  the  savages  had  cut  off  Austin's  head  and 
one  of  his  hands  and  then  had  cut  out  his  heart. 

THE  OLD  STOCKADE  AT   ALEXANDRIA. 

After  the  terrible  event  above  related  none  of  the  settlers  returned  to 
Douglas  county  until  after  the  soldiers  were  sent  to  this  section,  which  was 
not  until  the  latter  part  of  October  or  early  in  November,  and  Alexandria 
was  created  a  government  post.  The  first  company  detailed  to  that  post  was 
Company  B,  Twenty-fifth  Wisconsin,  under  Captain  Joshlin,  who  had 
quarters  erected  for  his  command  at  a  point  near  the  original  Kinkaid  log 
cabin,  the  first  house  erected  in  the  county,  about  a  scjuare  south  of  the  pres- 
ent railway  station  of  the  Great  Northern  Railroad .  Company.  About  two 
months  later  Captain  Joshlin's  command  was  relieved  by  Company  K,  Eighth 
Minnesota,  under  command  of  Captain  Rockwood,  who  caused  to  be  erected, 
as  quarters  for  his  command  and  as  a  means  of  greater  security  to  the  set- 
tlers hereabout,  the  famous  old  stockade,  which  for  some  years  was  the  center 
of  social  and  commercial  activity  for  this  whole  region.  The  old  stockade 
was  of  the  familiar  form  of  construction  of  such  structures,  generally,  erected 
with  a  view  to  stability  and  security  against  assault,  the  walls  being  con- 
structed of  logs  set  endways  into  the  ground,  the  enclosure  being  about  ten 
rods  square.  It  was  erected  on  the  hill  near  the  \'an  Dyke  Store,  just  south 
of  the  present  freight  depot  of  the  Great  Northern  Railroad  Company,  and 


DOUGLAS   AND   GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I5I 

the  building  of  it  in  the  period  of  mid-winter  was  quite  a  task  for  the  soldiers 
and  settlers  thus  engaged.  Upon  the  completion  of  the  stockade  practically 
all  the  settlers  who  had  returned  to  the  vicinity  of  Alexandria  moved  into  the 
same,  J-  H.  Van  Dyke  even  moving  his  store  inside,  all  thus  acquiring  a 
greater  sense  of  security  against  possible  further  marauding  bands  of  sav- 
ages, and  thus  the  situation  remained  at  the  settlement  until  the  Indian 
excitement  had  wholly  subsided,  further  fears  of  an  uprising  being  pretty 
generally  at  an  end  before  the  close  of  another  year,  after  which  there  was 
little  excitement  over  the  Indians,  although  it  is  recalled  that  as  late  as  1873 
there  was  a  "scare"  throughout  this  part  of  the  state,  vague  rumors  of  an 
Indian  uprising  driving  not  a  few  of  the  settlers  in  the  sparsely  populated  dis- 
tricts to  more  populous  centers  and  causing  all  to  take  effective  precautionary 
measures  such  as  the  molding  of  bullets  and  seeing  to  it  that  effective  bolts 
were  placed  on  houses,  but  that  rumor  seemed  to  be  a  "false  alarm,"  as  there 
was  found  to  be  no  foundation  for  it  whatever. 

The  troops  remained  at  the  old  stockade  until  the  spring  of  1866,  by 
which  time  a  sufficient  number  of  settlers  had  returned  to  Douglas  county,  or 
new  ones  had  come  in  to  take  the  places  of  those  who  had  fled  during  the 
uprising,  to  pave  the  way  for  the  re-establishment  of  a  formal  local  govern- 
ment again,  Douglas  county  being  officially  and  permanently  reorganized  in 
the  spring  of  1866,  as  set  out  elsewhere.  During  the  time  the  troops  remained 
at  the  stockade  there  generally  was  about  half  a  company  stationed  there. 
Captain  Grosvener,  with  a  company  of  Hatch's  battalion,  succeeded  Captain 
Rockwood  and  he  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  Capt.  G.  C.  Whitcomb,  who 
remained  in  charge  until  the  post  was  discontinued  and  the  soldiers  dis- 
charged in  the  spring  of  1866.  In  the  meantime,  the  Civil  War  had  been 
going  on  and  in  this  great  struggle  Douglas  county  nobly  performed  her 
part  in  raising  men,  her  quota  being  furnished  without  the  painful  necessity 
of  resorting  to  the  draft.  After  it  was  discontinued  the  stockade  fell  into 
disuse,  its  timbers  were  found  useful  for  other  building  purposes  and  it  long 
since  has  been  a  matter  of  memory  only;  but  among  the  old  settlers  the  mem- 
ories that  cluster  around  it  are  imperishable — some  sad,  some  gav,  but  all 
linked  with  that  early  period  that  witnessed  the  permanent  establishment  of 
a  definite  social  order  hereabout,  a  process  in  which  the  old  stockade  plaved 
no  small  part,  the  security  the  presence  of  the  soldiers  there  gave  to  the  set- 
tlers having  been  a  very  pronounced  factor  in  the  restoration  of  civic  condi- 
tions after  the  setback  occasioned  bv  the  dre^d  rising  of  the  Sioux  in  the 
summer  of  1862. 


CHAPTER  VL 
Organization  of  Douglas  County. 

For  some  time  after  Douglas  county  was  first  set  apart  by  the  state 
Legislature  it  was  attached  to  Stearns  county  for  civil  and  judicial  pur- 
poses. In  1859  a  move  was  started  to  establish  Douglas  as  an  independent 
county.  P.  L.  Gregory  was  the  prime  mover,  and  an  election  was  held — the 
first  in  the  county — at  Gregory's  hotel.  Some  of  the  settlers  were  opposed 
to  the  project,  and  only  a  few  voted.  It  was,  therefore,  given  up,  as  the 
election  was  held  without  authority  and  was  illegal.  At  the  session  of  the 
state  Legislature  in  1858- 1859  a  bill  was  passed  authorizing  the  organiza- 
tion of  Douglas  county  for  certain  purposes,  and  the  Governor  appointed 
J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  S.  B.  Cowdry  and  A.  Darling,  as  the  first  board  of  county 
commissioners.  The  board  met  at  the  store  of  Mr.  Van  Dyke,  at  Alexandria, 
and  appointed  the  following  county  officers:  Alexander  Kinkaid,  register 
of  deeds;  J.  A.  James,  sheriff,  and  P.  L.  Gregory,  judge  of  probate.  This 
organization  was  kept  up  until  the  Indian  outbreak  in  1862,  when  it  was 
abandoned  and  all  records  which  had  been  made  were  lost.  Nothing  further 
was  done  with  official  matters  until  1866.  when  the  count}-  was  permanently 
organized. 

Douglas  county  was  established  with  its  present  boundaries  by  act  of 
the  Legislature  in  1866,  when  it  was  ordered  that  "The  county  of  Douglas  is 
established  and  bounded  as  follows :  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of 
township  130  north,  range  36  west  from  the  fifth  principal  meridian:  thence 
west  on  the  line  between  townships  130  and  131,  to  the  northwest  corner  of 
township  130,  of  range  40;  thence  south  on  the  line  between  ranges  40  and 
41,  to  the  southwest  corner  of  township  127,  of  range  40;  thence  east  on  the 
line  between  towhships  126  and  127,  to  the  southeast  comer  of  township 
127,  of  range  36;  thence  north  on  the  line  between  ranges  35  and  36,  to  the 
place  of  beginning." 

FIRST    MEETING    OF   THE    COUNTY    BOARD. 

In  the  si)ring  of  1866  the  governor  appointed  a  new  board  of  commis- 
sioners to  organize  the  countv.  consisting  of  the  following:    J.  H.  A'an  Dvke, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 53 

James  F.  Dicken  and  Donald  Stevison.  This  board  held  its  first  meeting 
on  June  15,  1866,  at  Alexandria,  which  village,  on  account  of  its  being  the 
principal  settlement  and  located  near  the  center  of  the  county,  had  been  desig- 
nated as  the  county  seat.  Mr.  Van  Dyke  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  county 
board  \yhich  then  proceeded  to  appoint  the  following  of¥icers :  J.  Mont 
Smvth,  auditor;  Charles  Cook,  judge  of  probate;  J.  Mont  Smyth,  register 
of  deeds;  Thomas  F.  Cowing,  sheriff;  J.  Mont  Smyth,  clerk  of  the  court; 
William  Shaw,  attorney ;  T.  W.  Moore,  surveyor ;  Thomas  F.  Cowing, 
treasurer;  Robert  Wyman,  coroner. 

At  this  first  meeting  of  the  county  board  two  townships  were  estab- 
lished, Osakis  and  Alexandria.  Osakis  township  consisted  of  congressional 
townships  127  and  128,  range  36,  and  Alexandria  township  included  all  the 
balance  of  the  county.  The  board  appointed  the  first  officers  for  Osakis 
township  as  follows:  William  Shaw,  clerk;  J.  Maguire,  treasurer;  T.  M. 
Works,  assessor;  William  Shaw  and  Roland  Sanderson,  justices;  Thomas 
Adams  and  Charles  Gilbert,  constables.  The  first  officers  apix)inted  for 
Alexandria  township  were:  J.  Mont  Smyth,  clerk;  H.  S.  Rutherford,  treas- 
urer; T.  W.  Sprague,  assessor;  George  Cowing  and  N.  B.  Johnson,  justices; 
John  Johnson  and  Henry  Blackwell,  constables. 

At  the  second  meeting  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  held  at 
Alexandria  on  October  4,  1866,  a  petition  having  been  presented  from  the 
legal  voters  in  that  territory,  congressional  townships  127  and  128,  ranges 
39  and  40,  were  set  apart  as  a  separate  civil  township,  to  be  known  as 
Holmes  City  township.  The  board  appointed  the  following  judges  and 
clerks  of  the  election  to  be  held  there:  Henry  Blackwell,  N.  B.  Johnson  and 
Xels  Nickelson.  judges;  T.  W.  Sprague  and  Noah  Grant,  clerks. 

EVOLUTION   OF   COUNTY    BUILDINGS. 

When  Douglas  county  was  organized  there  was  a  provision  in  the  laws 
of  the  state  allowing  county  officers,  in  counties  where  there  was  no  court 
house,  to  keep  their  offices  at  their  homes.  For  some  months  this  plan  was 
followed  by  the  first  officers  of  Douglas  county.  At  a  meeting  of  the  county 
board  held  on  January  i,  1867,  Commissioner  Dicken  made  a  motion,  which 
was  formally  adopted,  that  "The  county  auditor  be  instructed  to  procure  an 
office,  furnish  the  same  with  stove  and  the  necessary  furniture,  including  a 
desk  for  the  safe-keeping  of  books  and  papers,  and  also  to  furnish  said  office 
with  fuel,  all  of  which  at  the  expense  of  the  county ;  also  to  procure  a  suit- 
able desk  for  the  clerk  of  the  district  court." 


154  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

On  February  2,  1867,  the  board  voted  to  issue  county  order  Xo.  i  for 
twenty-five  dollars,  to  J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  to  pay  for  seals  for  the  clerk  of  the 
court  and  the  register  of  deeds.  At  that  same  meeting  the  board  issued 
county  order  No.  2  for  four  hundred  dollars,  to  W.  E.  Hicks,  J.  H.  Bondy 
and  Thomas  F.  Cowing,  for  county  books. 

In  the  spring  of  1867  \\.  E.  Hicks  and  Thomas  F.  Cowing  erected  a 
frame  building  on  lot  10.  block  59,  in  the  original  plat  of  the  village  of 
Alexandria,  where  N.  P.  Ward's  store  now  stands.  It  was  a  two-story 
structure,  ha\ing  four  rooms  and  an  entry  on  the  first  floor  and  one  large 
room  on  the  second  floor.  On  March  30,  1867,  the  county  commissioners 
voted  to  pay  Hicks  and  Cowing  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  annum  for 
the  use  of  this  building  for  county  offices,  the  room  on  the  second  floor  to  be 
used  only  when  required  for  holding  court,  possession  to  be  given  on  June 
I,  1867. 

The  county  officers  established  themselves  in  the  building  on  Main 
street  in  the  fall  of  1867.  Furniture,  stoves  and  fuel  were  provided  and  all 
the  county  business  was  for  a  time  transacted  there.  On  September  4,  1867, 
James  Troag  was  paid  fifty-five  dollars  for  a  fine  hand-made  desk  for  the 
use  of  the  clerk  of  the  court.  At  that  time  none  of  the  county  officers  devoted 
all  their  time  to  the  county  duties  but  had  private  business  which  required 
attention.  Anyone  having  in  hand  a  matter  which  required  the  atten- 
tion of  a  county  official  would  first  find  the  officer  at  his  place  of  busi- 
ness, when  they  would  repair  to  the  building  used  as  a  court  house  and  give 
the  matter  official  consideration.  On  account  of  the  small  amount  of  county 
business  to  be  attended  to  at  that  time,  the  early  officials  soon  found  that  this 
])lan  seriously  interfered  with  their  private  aiTairs  and  secured  permission 
from  the  county  board  to  take  their  books  and  papers  to  their  respective 
stores  and  offices  in  the  village  of  Alexandria. 

On  December  30,  1868,  the  county  auditor  was  instructed  to  lease  the 
.southeast  corner  room  in  the  court  house  to  J.  H.  \'an  Dyke  for  six  months, 
with  the  privilege  of  using  the  room  for  the  county  treasurer  when  necessary, 
Mr.  \'an  D\ke  to  pay  at  the  rate  of  $33.33  per  year,  quarterly  in  advance. 
.\t  the  same  time  the  northeast  corner  room  was  rented  to  Lewis  Lewision, 
register  of  the  United  States  land  office,  at  the  rate  of  $66.66  per  year.  On 
January  6,  1869,  the  register  of  deeds  was  allowed  to  remove  his  books  from 
the  court  house  to  his  office,  and  on  March  9.  that  same  \ear,  the  county 
auditor  removed  his  books  to  his  store.  On  June  22,  1869,  the  southwest 
corner  room,  occupied  by  John  S.  Mower,  superintendent  of  schools,  was 
rented  to  Mr.  ]Mower  for  his  use  as  a  lawver's  office,  the  court  commissioner 


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FIRST   XATIOXAI.   BANK   IX   1S7C. 
Wlierp  C.  O.  Peterson's  driis  store  now  stiinds.  in  1876  Bob  Walker  bad  bis 
■ksmitli  shop.     The  next  bnildins;  was  the  home  of  the  First  National  Bank 
ilGxandrin. 


THE  OLD  COL'ltT  HOUSE. 
From  a  photograph  taken  in  1S76,  the  site  now  being  occupied  by  N.  P.  Wardstone.     The  little  bnild- 
ing  was  used  by  James  Walker,  as  a  jewelry  store,  express   office,    postofEce    and    office    of    the    clerk    of 
courts.     The  next  building  was  the  log  store  erected  by  William  E.  Hicks. 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 55 

and  sheriff  to  use  the  room  when  needed.  The  same  room  was  rented  to 
John  S.  Randolph  on  September  7,  1869.  The  northwest  corner  room  was 
rented  to  W.  F.  Ball  for  nine  dollars  per  month. 

FIRST   COURT    HOUSE   OWNED    BY   THE   COUNTY. 

The  little  frame  building  on  Main  street  continued  to  be  used  more  or 
less  exclusively  for  public  business  for  nine  years,  but  very  early  the  county 
fathers  realized  that  in  time  the  county  would  need  a  real  court  house,  and 
with  wise  foresight  began  negotiations  for  ground  for  a  public  building.  On 
May  26,  1871,  the  board  conferred  with  W.  E.  Hicks  to  secure  a  piece  of 
land  in  the  townsite  of  Alexandria  for  a  pubHc  square  on  which  to  erect 
county  buildings.  Mr.  Hicks  agreed  to  give  the  county  a  bond  for  a  deed  if 
the  commissioners,  on  behalf  of  the  county,  would  bind  themselves  to  com- 
mence the  erection  of  county  buildings  within  three  years  and  complete  them 
in  six  years.  The  commissioners  were  unable  to  give  any  such  assurance 
and  the  project  was  abandoned  for  the  time  being. 

On  March  27,  1875,  Theresa  T.  Hicks,  widow  of  W.  E.  Hicks,  agreed 
to  give  the  county  a  bond  for  a  deed  to  block  34,  in  the  original  townsite  of 
Alexandria,  if  the  county  would  erect  a  court  house  costing  not  less  than 
$10,000  on  or  before  January  i,  1880.  This  amount  was  decided  to  be  more 
than  the  county  could  afford  for  a  building  and  Mrs.  Hicks  was  persuaded  to 
give  the  land  to  the  county  on  condition  that  a  court  house  costing  not  less 
than  three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  would  be  built  before  January  i, 
1878.  The  county  commissioners  at  that  time  were  A.  H.  Ta\lor,  K.  C. 
Rustad,  Roljert  Angus,  Ole  Amundson  and  AI.  J.  Gordon.  On  April  6, 
1876,  they  accepted  the  plans  of  J.  X.  Herder,  for  a  building  fort\'  by  fift}-- 
four  feet.  The  contract  was  awarded  to  Raymond  &  Owen,  of  St.  Cloud, 
who  agreed  to  build  the  court  house  for  three  thousand  four  hundred  and 
forty-seven  dollars. 

J.  N.  Herder,  L.  K.  Aaker  and  A.  J.  Ames  were  appointed  as  a  com- 
mittee to  superintend  the  construction  of  the  building.  This  court  house  was 
completed  and  accepted  on  .\ugust  15,  1876.  It  was  a  two-story  frame 
building,  with  five  office  rooms  on  the  first  floor  and  a  court  room  up-stairs. 
A  fire-proof  vault,  nine  by  twelve  feet,  was  built  at  the  rear  of  the  court 
house,  by  Stephen  King,  at  a  cost  of  six  hundred  and  seventy  dollars.  When 
the  officials  moved  into  this  building  in  the  fall  of  1876  the  county  business 
had  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  the  principal  officers  devoted  all  their 
time  to  their  official  duties.     For  almost  twenty  years  this  building  ser\'ed 


156  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

for  conntv  purposes,  when  it  was  replaced  by  a  modern  structure  which 
provided  not  only  larger  working  space,  but  what  was  even  more  important, 
safety  \-aults  for  the  storage  of  the  many  valuable  records  of  the  county. 

PRESENT   COUNTY   COURT    H0U.SE. 

Back  in  the  eighties  when  Theodore  Bordsen  was  a  county  auditor  he 
was  largel}-  instrumental  in  establishing  a  fund  for  a  new  court  house.  This 
fund  accumulated  through  the  years  and  finally  grew  to  sufficient  proportions 
to  enable  the  county  to  erect  a  new  building  without  issuing  a  single  dollar's 
worth  of  bonds.  On  July  11,  1893,  the  board  of  county  commissioners 
appointed  a  committee  consisting  of  Fred  von  Baumbach,  L.  J.  Brown,  James 
H.  White,  John  B.  Cowing  and  James  Ouinn,  to  procure  and  select  plans 
and  specifications  for  a  new  court  house.  The  plans  of  Buechner  &  Jacobson 
were  accepted  on  October  10,  1893,  ^.nd  on  January  3,  1894,  the  general  con- 
tract was  awarded  to  Hinckley  &  Powers,  who  agreed  to  put  the  building 
under  roof  during  1894,  for  $26,037.43.  Many  of  the  common  brick  for  this 
building  were  furnished  by  parties  in  this  count}',  namely:  J.  A.  McKay,  of 
Alexandria;  Norton  &  Berg,  of  Evansville,  and  Gilbert  Bracken,  of  Ida. 
The  facing  brick  were  brought  from  St.  Paul. 

Auditor  Fred  von  Baumbach  and  Commissioner  James  H.  White  were 
appointed  as  a  committee  to  superintend  the  construction  of  the  building.  At 
the  time  this  new  court  house  was  erected  the  county  was  suffering  from  a 
serious  industrial  depression ;  cost  of  material  and  labor  was  at  a  low  figure 
and  easily  secured,  and  it  was  principally  for  this  reason  that  Douglas  county 
was  able  to  erect  her  present  handsome  court  house,  including  heating,  light- 
ing, plumbing  and  vault  fixtures,  for  the  sum  of  $35,000. 

The  building  was  completed  and  accepted  in  the  fall  of  1895.  It  is  a 
two-story  brick  structure,  the  facing  being  of  pressed  brick  and  the  trim- 
mings of  Kasota  sandstone.  There  are  eight  offices  on  the  first  floor  and 
five  offices  and  the  court  room  on  the  second  floor.  Fire-proof  vaults  are 
provided  for  the  safe  storage  of  official  records.  A  basement  extends  under 
the  entire  building,  providing  space  for  the  heating  system,  work  shop  and 
storage. 

FIRST    COUNTY    JAIL. 

On  Tune  2'j,  1867,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  voted  to  authorize 
the  county  attorney  and  George  B.  Cowing  to  fit  up  a  suitable  building  to 
be  used  as  a  county  jail.    On  January,  1868.  the  county  auditor  was  instructed 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I57 

to  ask  Charles  A.  Gilman,  then  the  state  senator  from  this  district,  to  pro- 
cure the  passage  of  an  act  authorizing  the  county  to  issue  bonds  for  the 
purpose  of  building  a  jail.  However,  nothing  definite  resulted  from  these 
'various  projects,  and  for  about  two  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
county  prisoners  were  detained  wherever  the  sheriff  saw  fit.  On  Ma}'  30, 
1868,  a  committee  consisting  of  F.  B.  Van  Hosen,  J.  H.  \'an  Dyke  and 
George  C.  Whitcomb  was  appointed  to  get  proposals  and  make  an  estimate 
on  the  cost  of  building  a  jail  twelve  by  fourteen  feed,  to  be  built  of  oak 
timber,  with  walls,  floor  and  ceiling  six  inches  thick.  The  contract  for  a 
building  of  that  description  was  let  on  June  30,  1868,  and  it  was  completed  in 
September,  of  that  year,  at  a  cost  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

This  first  jail  building  was  located  on  the  rear  of  the  lot  back  of  the 
court  house  on  Main  street.  Some  slight  alterations  and  improvements  were 
made  to  it  at  various  times,  but  it  was  never  more  than  the  old-fashioned 
"calaboose"  common  in  those  days.  After  the  county  oiificials  had  moved 
to  the  new  frame  court  house  in  1876,  the  little  oak  jail  was  sold  to  R. 
A\'egener  for  twenty-five  dollars. 

BRICK   JAIL   BUILT  ON    THE   COUNTY   GROUNDS. 

Plans  for  a  new  brick  jail  drawn  by  H.  L.  Sage  were  accepted  by  the 
county  board  on  February  3,  '1880.  Bids  were  received  on  February,  1880, 
and  the  lowest  was  that  of  J.  N.  Herder,  who  offered  to  put  up  the  building 
for  $8,640.  As  this  was  more  than  the  county  could  afford  to  spend  for  a 
jail  all  bids  were  rejected  and  the  board  advertised  for  plans  of  a  jail 
of  eight  cells  to  cost  more  than  $6,000.  New  plans  of  H.  L.  Sage  were 
accepted  and  the  building  contract  was  awarded  to  John  Aiton  for  $6,250. 

This  brick  jail  was  built  due  east  of  the  frame  court  house,  twenty-five 
feet  west  of  E  street.  Surveyor  John  Abercrombie  determined  the  proper 
grade.  After  the  construction  was  started  the  contractor  was  allowed  two 
hundred  dollars  extra  to  make  the  wall  one  foot  higher  all  around.  The 
building  was  completed  in  the  fall  of  1880,  and  accepted  by  the  county,  but  it 
was  not  long,  however,  until  the  county  officials  realized  that  it  was  a  very 
unsatisfactory  jail  building.  It  was  mostly  underground,  dark  and  damp, 
and  while  it  probably  would  have  been  considered  a  very  proper  prison  in 
the  Middle  Ages,  it  did  not  meet  the  humanitarian  ideals  of  .the  present  dav. 

After  it  had  been  made  to  serve  as  a  county  jail  for  a  number  of  vears 
the  county  grand  juries  began  to  condemn  it  as  an  unfit  place  in  which  to 
confine  prisoners.     The  building  was  dark,  damp  and  unhealthful,  aft'orded 


150  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

no  proper  accommodation  fbr  female  prisoners,  was  dangerous  in  case  of 
fire  and  too  small  for  the  county  needs.  In  1899  the  state  board  of  correc- 
tions and  charities  finally  and  formally  condemned  the  jail,  and  on  July  18, 
1899,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  voted  to  erect  a  new  jail  and 
sherifif's  residence.  The  board  at  that  time  consisted  of  Anton  H.  Strom, 
John  F.  Lancleen,  J.  H.  White,  Michael  Hickey  and  Roland  Bentson. 

PRESENT    JAIL    AND    SHERIFFS    RESIDENCE. 

On  f''ebruary  9,  1900,  the  county  board  accepted  plans  for  a  new  jail 
which  had  been  approved  by  the  state  board  of  corrections  and  charities, 
and  on  March  22,  1900,  the  contract  for  its  erection  was  let  to  Aiton  Brothers, 
for  $8,916.  The  contractor  was  to  pay  $400  for  the  material  in  the  old  jail 
and  remove  the  same  from  the  court  house  grounds.  The  contract  for  heat- 
ing and  ventilating  was  awarded  to  T.  M.  Maguire,  for  $930;  the  contract 
for  the  plumbing  was  given  to  John  M.  Bailey,  for  $620,  and  the  steel  cell 
work  to  the  Diebold  Safe  and  Lock  Company,  for  $4,280.  The  building  was 
completed  and  accepted  by  the  county  on  December  3,  1900. 

It  is  a  two-story  brick  building,  with  sandstone  trimmings,  of  architec- 
tural design  to  harmonize  with  the  court  house,  and  stands  a  short  distance 
southeast  of  the  last  mentioned  building.  Comfortable  C|uarters  for  the 
sherifif  and  family  are  provided  in  the  front  part  of  the  building,  and  ample 
provision  is  made  in  the  rear  for  the  accommodation  of  the  few  persons 
in  Douglas  county  who  need  be  detained  under  law.  The  building  has 
every  modern  convenience. 

POPULATION  OF  DOUGLAS  COUNTY. 

The  population  of  Douglas  county  in  1910,  according  to  the  Federal 
census  report,  was  17,669,  of  which  number  4,619  were  foreign  born,  divided 
among  the  principal  foreign  countries  as  follows:  Sweden,  1,998;  Norway, 
960;  Germany,  753;  Austria,  244;  Denmark,  230;  Canada,  116;  Finland, 
86;  all  other  countries,  232.  While  the  different  nationalities  of  the  foreign 
born  population  are  largely  separated  into  distinct  communities  they  are 
all  enthusiastic  patriots  for  the  land  of  their  adoption.  The  population  for 
three  decades  is  set  out  in  the  following  table: 

lino.       I'.KM).       isoo. 

Ale.xjUHlriii    cit.v    3,001  -     2,(isl  2.118 

Alexjiiidiia    townsliip    078  072  470 

Belle    Kiver     fowusliip 719  8!)2  711 

Hr.-iiKldU    tnwiisliin    632  075  570 


r,6i 

509 

910 

746 

207 



859 

545 

7119 

506 

DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I59 

191(1  190(1  1S90 

Braiulon   vilhi.se   27(j            272            225 

Carlos    towushiiJ    557           597           435 

Carlos  village   1(57          

Evausville  township   474           589           580 

Evausville   village    389           483           452 

Forada    village    66  

Garfield    village    KjO          

Holmes    City    townsliip 682           701            746 

Hudson    towusliip    492 

Ida    township    729 

Kensington    village    , 244 

La  Grand  township 850 

Lake   Mary   township   610 

Leaf   Valley    township    674 

Lund    township    634 

Millerville    township    552 

Millerville    village    150 

Miltoaa    towjiship    417 

Jloe    township    689 

Nelson    village    157 

Orange    township    418 

Osakis    township    623 

Osakis    village    924 

Soleni    township    590 

Spruce  Hill  township 602 

I'rness    township    513 

Total    17,669       17.964       14,606 

NATURALIZATION    RECORDS. 

A  large  majority  of  the  settlers  of  this  county  who  came  here  from 
ahroad  have  become  naturalizecJ  citizens  of  this  county  by  due  process  of 
law.  The  first  step  in  naturalization  is  for  the  applicant  to  make  declaration 
of  his  intention  to  become  a  citizen  of  this  country,  and  is  known  as  taking 
out  the  first  papers.  The  first  person  to  apply  for  first  papers  in  Douglas 
county  was  John  Nelson,  from  Sweden,  who  appeared  before  county  clerk 
J.  H.  Van  D_\-ke  on  February  28,  1867.  The  second  was  Thurston  Severson. 
on  March  4,  1867.  Halvor  Halvorson,  from  Norway,  also  came  on  the 
same  day.  The  fourth  man  was  Thomas  Oatmason,  on  March  15,  1867, 
and  the  fifth  was  Erick  Peherson  Eng.,  on  March  20,  1867.  In  1867 
there  were  97  applicants  for  first  papers,  of  whom  59  were  from  Den- 
mark; 3  from  Austria,  and  i  from  France. 

The  first  applicant  for  second  papers,  or  final  proof  of  citizenship,  in 
Douglas  count}',  was  Henr\-  Blackwell,  a  native  of  England,  who  appeared 


456 

343 

703 

479 

815 

472 

6i22 

714 

673 

530 

616 

641 

l6o  DOL-GLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

before  county  clerk  F.  B.  \"an  Hoesen  on  October  5,  1870.  Air.  Blackwell 
had  taken  out  his  first  papers  in  Meeker  county.  The  second  applicant 
was  Peter  Stranstrup.  on  October  5,  1870,  who  presented  an  honorable  dis- 
charge showing  he  had  served  three  years  in  the  Union  army  during  the 
Civil  War.  The  third  name  on  the  records  is  that  of  Ole  Brandon,  who  also 
appeared  on  October  5,  1870,  and  also  presented  an  honorable  discharge 
showing  three  years'  service  in  the  Union  army.  The  fourth  man  was 
Thomas  F.  Cowing,  a  native  of  England,  who  had  made  his  declaration  of 
intentions  in  Dane  count)',  Wisconsin,  and  secured  his  final  proof  of  citi- 
zenship on  October  6,  1870.  On  that  same  day  Thurston  Halvorson,  a 
native  of  Norway,  applied  for  his  second  papers,  having  taken  out  his  first 
papers  in  Stevens  county. 

In  1870  and  1871  there  were  95  applicants  for  second  papers  in  Douglas 
county,  of  whom  61  were  from  Norway  and  Sweden;  29  were  from  England; 
3  from  Prussia;  i  from  Denmark,  and  i  from  Russia.  In  1896  it  became 
necessary  for  minor  aliens  to  make  application  for  citizenship  on  a  separate 
form.  This  applied  to  those  who  came  to  this  country  before  their  eighteenth 
birthday,  but  the  law  was  changed  in  1906.  The  following  table  sets  out  the 
naturalization  record  since  the  organization  of  the  county : 

First  Second         Minor. 

Papers.  Papers.       Aliens. 

1867    97         1802  _ 

1S68    128         1893  - 

1869    382         1894  _ 

1870    470  6  1895  _ 

1871    592  89  1896  _ 

1872    194  82  1897  - 

1873    98  157  1898  . 

1874    78  141  1899  _ 

1875    62  1.34  1900  _ 

1876  92  157  1901  . 

1877  28  64  1902  . 

187S  24  51  1903  _ 

1879  30       32   1904  _ 

1880  92        28   1905  _ 

1881  198       18   1906  _ 

1882  318       22   1907  - 

1883  74       22   1908  _ 

1884  224        21   1900  . 

1885  64       13   1910  _ 

1886  130       28   1911  . 

1887  41        31   1012  _ 

1888    180  29       1913    _ 


First 

Second 

Minor. 

Papers. 

Papers. 

Aliens. 

63 

17 

36 

21 

ISO 

IT 

18 

16 

214 

280 

21 

27 

352 

75 

44 

334 

79 

25 

106 

30 

25 

100 

23 

15 

32 

7 

31 

60 

14 

32 

20 

11 

44 

IS 

0 

38 

16 

7 

39 

26 

4 

27 

13 

21 

12 

23 

20 

28 

IS 

26 

21 

23 

0 

1889    34 

I.SOO    1.32 

ISO!    34 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  l6l 


FINANCIAL  STATEMENT. 

The  following  financial  statement  is  taken  from  the  report  of  the  county 
auditor  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  191 5: 

-•1  ssets. 

Court   bouse  and   grouuds   .f  34,700.00 

Jail   aud   site   14,900.00 

Woodlots  aud   barn   1,500.00 

Office  aud  vault  furniture  aud  fixtures 3,500.00 

Ditcb  liens,  assessed  but  not  due 105,023.81 

Ditcb  liens,  accrued  but  uot  assessed 4,490.79 

Balance  cash   in  ditcb  fund 42,998.92 

Balance  casb   in   revenue   fund   3,537.27 

Balance  cash  in  incidental  fund 132.45 

Balance  cash  in  mortgage  registry  fund  1,960.99 

Balance  cash  in  county  sanatorium  fund 7,629.55 

Balance  cash  in  assurance  fund •  7.26 

Due  from  state  of  Minnesota,  road   refund 2,804.42 

Due  from  state  of  Minnesota,  wolf  bounty 229.50 

Taxes  for  the  year  1914  due  and  unpaid 7,261.10 

Uncollected  taxes   for  1913  and  prior  years,   estimated 4,936.43 

Fuel  in  yard  and   basement   165.00 

$235,777.49 
LkiWlities. 

Claims  filed  aud  not  audited   $    1,144.37 

Ditch  bonds  issued  but  uot  due 101,800.00 

Warrants    outstanding    4,435.86 

Road  aud  bridge  fund  overdraft 1,213.73 

Assets   and   liabilities    127,183.53 


$235,777.49 


(lO 


CHAPTER  Vn. 

Officials  of  Douglas  County. 

Mention  has  already  been  made  in  the  chapter  on  county  organization 
of  the  officers  appointed  during  the  temporary  organization  effected  in  1859. 
During  the  Indian  outbreak  in  1862  the  county  was  almost  deserted,  the 
organization  was  abandoned  and  the  records  lost.  It  was  not  until  the  spring 
of  1866  that  permanent  government  was  established  in  the  area  now  known 
as  Douglas  county.  Governor  William  R.  Marshall  appointed  J.  H.  Van 
Dyke,  James  F.  Dicken  and  Donald  Stevison  as  a  board  of  county  commis- 
sioners to  organize  the  county.  This  board  met  at  Alexandria  on  June  15, 
1866,  and  appointed  the  first  officers  of  Douglas  county  under  the  permanent 
organization,  as  follows:  J.  Mont  Smyth,  auditor;  Charles  Cook,  judge 
of  probate;  J.  Mont  Snwth,  register  of  deeds;  Thomas  F.  Cowing,  sheriff; 
J.  Mont  Smyth,  clerk  of  the  court ;  William  Shaw,  attorney ;  T,  W.  Moore, 
surveyor;  Thomas  F.  Cowing,  treasurer;  Robert  Wyman,  coroner. 

COUNTY   COMMISSIONERS. 

The  board  of  county  commissioners  has  always  been  one  of  the  most 
important  official  bodies  of  the  county  government.  The  first  board  pro- 
ceeded to  divide  the  county  into  townships,  also  into  commissioner  districts, 
established  school  .districts  and  roads  and  ferries.  The  minutes  of  the  meet- 
ings of  the  board  as  kept  by  the  county  auditor,  who  is  clerk  of  the  board 
of  commissioners,  serves  as  a  record  of  the  organization  and  development 
of  the  county.  Following  is  a  complete  list  of  the  county  commissioners,  the 
first  name  being  that  of  the  chairman  of  the  board;  beginning  with  1886 
the  names  are  given  in  the  order  of  their  respective  commissioner  districts : 

1866 — J.  H.  \'an  Dyke.  James  F.  Dicken,  Donald  Stevison. 
1867 — Donald  Stevison,  James  F.  Dicken,  N.  B.  Johnson. 
1868— S.  T.  Russell,  O.  G.  Lincoln,  N.  B.  Johnson. 
1869 — E.  G.  Holmes,  Levi  E.  Thompson,  O.  G.  Lincoln. 
1870 — Levi  E.  Thompson,  Warren  .\dley,  T.   Evenson. 
1871 — Levi  E.  Thompson,  N.  S.  W'orden,  T.  Evenson. 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  163  ' 

1872 — Levi  E.  Thompson,  N.  S.  Worden,  T.  Evenson. 

1873 — Levi  E.  Thompson,  N.  S.  Worden,  O.  Amundson,  C.  F.  Kings- 
land,  S.  Thompson. 

1874 — Robert  Angus,  K.  Rustad,  O.  Amundson,  A.  H.  Taylor,  AT. 
Gordon. 

1875 — Robert  Angus,  K.  Rustard,  O.  Amundson,  A.  H.  Taylor,  M. 
Gordon. 

1876 — A.  H.  Taylor,  K.  Rustad,  O.  Amundson,  Robert  Angus,  M.  Gor- 
don. 

1877 — A.  H.  Taylor,  K.  Rustad,  O.  Amundson,  Robert  Angus,  L.  H. 
Webster. 

1878 — A.  H.  Taylor,  R.  Bentson,  O.  Amundson,  Robert  Angus,  L.  H, 
Webster. 

1879 — A.  H.  Taylor,  R.  Bentson,  Thoren  Evenson,  James  Knapton,  L, 
H.  Webster. 

1880 — James  Knapton,  R.  Bentson,  Thoren  Evenson,  H.  H.  Wilson, 
James  Fitzgerald. 

1881 — H.  H.  Wilson,  R.  Bentson,  Thoren  Evenson,  James  Knapton,  N. 
B.  Smith. 

1882 — H.  H.  Wilson,  R.  Bentson,  Thoren  Evenson,  Robert  Angus,  N. 
B.  Smith. 

1883 — H.  H.  Wilson,  R.  Bentson,  Thoren  Evenson,  Robert  Angus, 
N.  L.  Renter. 

1884 — George  W.  Robards,  O.  Amundson,  Thoren  Evenson,  Robert 
Angus,  N.  L.  Renter. 

1885 — George  W.  Robards,  O.  Amundson,  \'.  D.  Nichols,  Robert 
Angus,  N.  L.  Renter. 

1886 — A.  G.  Johnson,  Ole  T.  Vinkjer,  Rol>ert  Angus,  Rudolph  Wegener, 
James  Shinners. 

1887 — A.  G.  Johnson,  Ole  T.  Vinkjer,  Robert  Angus,  Rulodph  Wegener, 
James  Shinners. 

1889 — A.  G.  Johnson,  Ole  T.  \"inkjer,  Robert  Angus,  Rudolph  Wegener, 
James  Shinners. 

1891 — A.  G.  Johnson,  Ole  T.  Vinkjer,  Peter  Sweet,  Rudolph  Wegener, 
W.  H.  Crowe. 

1893 — Ole  J.  Thurstad,  Charles  J.  Johnson,  Peter  Sweet,  James  H. 
White,  James  Quinn. 

1895— Ole  J.  Thurdstad,  Anton  H.  Strom,  Peter  Sweet,  S.  O.  Stedje, 
James  Quinn. 


l64  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

1897 — Roald  Bentson,  Anton  H.  Strom,  John  F.  Landeen,  S.  O.  Stedje, 
Michael  Hickey. 

1899 — Roald  Bentson,  Anton  H.  Strom,  John  F.  Landeen,  James  H. 
White,  Michael  Hickey. 

1901 — Nels  Ekblad,  Anton  H.  Strom,  John  F.  Landeen,  James  H. 
White,  John  L.  Sather. 

1903 — ^'els  Ekblad,  John  C.  Egeberg,  John  F.  Landeen,  Edward  A. 
Olsen,  John  L.  Sather. 

1905— Nels  Ekblad,  John  C.  Egeberg,  C.  A.  Anderson,  Edward  A. 
Olsen,  John  L.  Sather. 

1907 — Nels  Ekblad,  L.  O.  Larson,  C.  A.  Anderson,  C.  J.  Lindstrom, 
John  L.  Sather. 

1909 — D.  J.  Davidson.  L.  O.  Larson,  Louis  Malmberg,  C.  J.  Lindstrom, 
John  L.  Sather. 

191 1 — D.  J.  Davidson,  Peter  Hoplin,  Louis  Malmberg,  John  H.  O'Brien, 
John  L.  Sather. 

1913 — Theodore  Walstead,  Peter  Hoplin,  Louis  Malmberg,  John  H. 
O'Brien,  John  Severson. 

191 5 — Theodore  Walstead,  Peter  Hoplin,  Louis  Malmberg,  John  H. 
O'Brien,  John  L.  Sather. 

AUDITORS. 

The  board  of  county  commissioners  appointed  J.  Mont  Smyth  as  the 
first  auditor  of  Douglas  county.  The  record  makes  no  mention  of  what 
his  salary  was  to  be  to  start  with,  but  on  January  i,  1867,  the  commissioners 
voted  to  pay  the  county  auditor  five  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  Like  the 
other  county  officers  he  did  not  at  first  devote  all  his  time  to  the  duties 
of  his  office. 

Following  is  a  list  of  those  who  have  held  the  office  of  auditor,  together 
with  the  years  of  their  service:  J.  Mont  Smyth,  1866-67;  G.  C.  Whitcomb, 
1867-69;  William  M.  Pye,  1866-71;  George  A.  Freudenreich,  1871-72; 
James  Fitzgerald,  1872-73;  Fred  von  Baumbach,  1873-80;  Theodore  Bord- 
sen,  1880-89;  Fred  von  Baumbach,  1889-98;  E.  P.  Wright,  1898-1909;  E. 
J.  Brandt,  1909-15;  C.  H.  Jenson.  1915,  term  expires  in  1919. 

TREASURER. 

The  commissioners  also  appointed  the  first  county  treasurer,  Thomas 
F.   Cowing,  at  their  meeting  on  June    15,    1866.     Naturally,   there  was  no 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 65 

money  in  the  treasury  upon  the  organization  of  the  county  and  the  early 
expenses  were  met  by  issuing  orders  or  warrants  on  the  credit  of  the  county. 
These  orders  were  discounted  at  the  local  banks,  sometimes  as  low  as  sixty 
per  cent  on  their  face  value,  and  as  they  could  later  be  cashed  in  full  they 
returned  a  very  satisfactory  profit  to  the  purchaser. 

A  complete  list  of  the  treasurers  of  Douglas  county  is  here  given : 
Thomas  F.  Cowing,  1866-69;  J-  H.  Van  Dyke,  1869-71;  T.  W.  Sprague, 
1871-75;  H.  K.  White,  1875-79;  John  Kron,  1879-87;  John  C.  Thornstad, 
1887-89;  Erick  Erickson,  1889-91;  Theodore  Bordsen,  1891,  present  term 
expires  in  1919. 

REGISTER   OF    DEEDS. 

During  the  first  organization  of  Douglas  count}-  the  record  books  were 
kept  at  St.  Cloud,  the  county  seat  of  Stearns  county;  but  in  1866,  upon 
effecting  the  permanent  organization,  they  were  sent  to  Alexandria.  The 
first  record  made  regarding  land  within  the  limits  of  Douglas  county  bears 
the  date  of  July  25,  1862.  It  is  a  deed  from  A.  D.  Campbell  and  wife, 
of  Dakota  county,  to  H.  T.  Welles,  of  Hennepin  county,  conveying  the  west 
half  of  the  northeast  quarter,  and  the  west  half  of  the  southeast  quarter,  of 
section  19,  township  .128,  range  t,"/.  and  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
19,  township  126,  range  37,  in  all  three  hundred  and  one  acres.  The 
consideration  was  two  hundred  dollars.  The  first  mortgage  recorded  in 
Douglas  county  bears  the  date  of  June  17,  1867.  Robert  Thomas  was  the 
mortgagor  and  J.  C.  Bodwell  was  the  mortgagee.  The  land  mortgaged  was 
the  southeast  quarter  of  section  34,  township  128,  range  36. 

The  fcillowing  have  served  as  register  of  deeds  since  the  organization 
of  the  county:  J.  Mont  Smyth,  1866-67;  G.  C.  Whitcomb,  1867-69;  F.  B. 
\'"an  Hoesen,  1869-71;  A.  J.  Ames.  1871-77;  Theodore  Bordsen,  1877-79; 
W.  F.  Canfield,  1879-87;  Nels  E.  Nelson,  1887-1900;  Oscar  Erickson, 
1909-15;  John  Nelson,  1915,  term  expires  in  1919. 


The  duties  of  the  sheriff  of  Douglas  county  have  never  been  very 
difficult  in  the  way  of  dealing  with  criminals,  though  there  is  considerable 
work  in  the  line  of  civil  duties.  Some  of  the  early  sheriffs  were  thought 
to  favor  the  saloon  element  too  much,  and  on  one  or  two  occasions  a  sheriff 
was  removed  by  the  governor  on  account  of  being  a  too  liberal  patron  of 
the  saloon  himself. 


l66  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

A  list  of  the  county  sheriffs  is  here  set  out :  Thomas  F.  Cowing, 
1866-67;  A.  Robinson.  1867-68;  Lorentz  Johnson,  1868-69;  G.  W.  Harper, 
1869-71;  Magnus  Lundgren,  1871-72;  Nels  A.  Nelson,  1872-73;  Ole 
Amundson,  1873-77;  Ole  Urness,  1877-86;  John  A.  Thordsted.  1886-87; 
Ole  Urness,  1887-88:  T.  J.  Barros.  i888;89;  A.  \V.  DeFrate,  1889-99; 
J.  E.  Lundgren,  1899-1911:  L.  S.  Kent,  191 1,  present  term  expires  in  1919. 

COUNTY   ATTORNEYS. 

On  March  10,  1868,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  voted  "That 
the  salary  of  the  county  attorney  be  fixed  at  one  hundred  dollars  for  the 
year  1868,  and  in  addition  thereto  the  board  will,  in  case  of  an  accumulating 
amount  of  Ijusiness,  entertain  favorably  a  bill  for  extra  charges.'"  On 
March  9,  1869,  the  salary  of  the  county  attorney  was  fixed  at  three  hundred 
dollars  per  annum.  Increases  in  salary  corresponding  with  the  increases  in 
business  have  been  made  at  various  times  since  that  date. 

The  following  have  served  as  attorney  for  Douglas  county :  William 
Shaw,  1866-69;  F-  B.  Van  Hoesen,  1869-71;  John  Randolph,  1871-73; 
Knute  Nelson,  1873-75;  Nelson  Fulmer,  1875-79;  George  H.  Reynolds, 
1879-83;  H.  Jenkins,  1883-85;  C.  J.  Gunderson,  1889-1903;  Constant  Lar- 
son, 1903-13;  Hugh  E.  Leach,  1913,  term  expires  in  1919. 

JUDGES    OF    PROBATE. 

It  was  not  until  the  county  offices  were  moved  to  the  present  county 
grounds  in  1876  that  the  judge  of  probate  had  any  regular  office,  and  not 
until  several  years  later  that  he  was  in  his  office  as  often  as  one  day  a 
week.  It  was  not  long,  however,  until  the  work  of  the  office  increased 
so  that  the  incumbent  devoted  all  his  time  to  his  official  duties  as  at  present. 

The  judges  of  probate  in  Douglas  county  have  been  as  follows :  Charles 
Cook,  1866-71;  H.  S.  Boyd,  1871-73;  William  S.  Best,  1873-77;  William 
McAboy,  1877-85;  James  S.  Fitzgerald.  1885-93;  A.  G.  Sexton,  1893-1912; 
George  L.  Treat,  1912-13;  George  P.  Craig.  1913.  term  expires  in  1917. 

SURNEYORS. 

The  land  in  Douglas  county  was  first  surveyed  and  the  corners  of  all 
sections  lotated  by  government  surveyors.  Occasional  mistakes  in  measure- 
ments, however,  have  caused  some  difficulty  in  running  some  of  the  lines, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  167 

though  the  original  work  in  Douglas  county  was  done  better  than  in  some 
other  counties  of  the  state.  Besides  determining  section  lines  the  work  on 
the  roads  and  ditches  requires  the  attention  of  the  surveyor. 

Following  is  a  list  of  the  surveyors  of  Douglas  county:  T.  W.  Moore, 
1866-69;  Henry  Blackwell,  1869-71;  L.  W.  Rima,  1871-75;  Charles  L. 
Thompson,  1875-79;  John  Abercrombie,  1879-83;  Henry  Blackwell,  1883-89; 
John  Abercrombie,  1889-1907;  E.  R.  Lausted,  1907-1911 ;  John  Abercrom- 
bie, 191 1,  present  term  expires  in  1919. 


In  the  early  years  of  the  county  government  it  was  not  customary  as 
at  present  to  choose  a  physician  for  coroner.  The  duties  of  the  office  were 
extremely  light  and  it  was  not  then  considered  necessary  to  make  a  careful 
inquest  should  a  fatality  come  under  the  consideration  of  the  coroner. 

The  coroners  in  Douglas  county  have  been  as  follows :  Robert  Wyman, 
1866-71;  Daniel  Shotwell.  1871-73;  Godfrey  Vivian,  1873-81;  S.  W. 
McEwan,  1881-91  ;  H.  J.  Boyd,  1891-93;  S.  W.  McEwan,  1893-99;  E.  A. 
Hensel,  1899-1903;  H.  J.  Boyd,  1903-07:  E.  A.  Hensel,  1907-11;  A.  D. 
Haskell,  1911-15;  M.  B.  Ruud,   1915,  term  expires  in  1919. 

CLERK   OF   THE   COURT. 

The  records  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  show  that  J.  Mont 
Smyth  was  appointed  as  the  first  clerk  of  the  district  court.  He  evidently 
did  not  qualify  nor  serve  for  the  earliest  papers  in  the  clerk's  office  bear 
the  signature  of  J.  H.  A^an  Dyke  as  clerk  whose  name  appears  on  case 
No.   I  and  also  on  the  naturalization  and  other  records. 

Following  is  a  list  of  those  who  have  served  as  clerk  of  the  court 
for  Douglas  county:  J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  1866-69;  F-  B.  Van  Hoesen,  1869-73; 
James  Purden.  1873-79;  W.  E.  Chidester,  1879-81;  H.  K.  White,  1881- 
1903;  W.  F.  Sundblad,  1903,  present  term  expires  in  1919. 

COURT  COMMISSIONERS. 

The  court  commissioner  has  jurisdiction  in  certain  matters  when  the 
court  is  not  in  session  in  this  county,  and  some  of  his  duties  are  similar 
to  those  of  the  judge  of  probate. 

Those  who  have  served  as  court  commissioner  in  Douglas  county  are 


l68  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

as  follows:  N.  B.  Patterson,  1869-73;  Charles  Schultz,  1873-91;  W.  E. 
Chidester,  1891-99;  Joseph  Gilpin,  1899-1901 ;  J.  A.  McKay,  1901-07; 
George  P.  Craig,  1907-13;  C.  H.  Jensen,  1913,  term  would  have  expired 
in  191 7,  but  W.  F.  Sundblad  is  now  acting  as  court  commissioner. 

SUPERINTENDENT    OF    SCHOOLS. 

The  early  superintendents  of  the  county  schools  had  no  certain  office 
room  and  were  usually  paid  so  much  a  day  for  the  time  devoted  to  their 
official  duties.  Several  of  the  early  incumbents  in  this  office  were  appointed 
by  the  county  commissioners. 

Following  is  a  list  of  all  who  have  served  as  superintendent  of  schools 
in  Douglas  county:  John  A.  Mower,  1869-73;  Smith  Bloomfield,  1873-75; 
W.  H.  Sanders,  1875-87;  E.  T.  Carroll,  1887-91;  A.  D.  Gaines,  1891-95; 
A.  W.  Curtis,  1895-99;  C.  W.  V'dn  Dyke,  1899-1903;  Godfrey  T.' Englund, 
1903-07;  Theodore  A.  Erickson,  1907-15;  George  Susens,  1915,  term 
expires  in  1919. 

DOUGLAS    COUNTY    IN    THE    LEGISLATURE. 

Douglas  county  was  first  represented  in  the  state  legislature  under  the 
apportionment  of  i860,  which  divided  the  state  in  twenty-one  districts,  of 
which  Douglas  county  was  a  part  of  the  third  district,  together  with  eighteen 
other  counties.  This  district  was  entitled  to  one  senator  and  three  representa- 
tives. 

The  third  Legislature  assembled  on  January  8,  1861,  and  adjourned  on 
March  8.  Lieut.-Gov.  Ignatius  Donnelly  was  the  presiding  officer  in  the 
senate,  and  Jared  Benson,  of  Anoka  county,  was  the  speaker  of  the  hnver 
house.  The  third  district  was  represented  by  Seth  Gibbs  in  the  senate, 
and  by  Thomas  Cathcart,  Levi  Wheeler  and  P.  S.  Gregory  in  the  house. 

.  Fourth   Legislature — 1862.      S.    B.    Lowry   in   the    senate,    and    R.    M. 
Richardson,  Peter  Roy  and  John  Whipple  in  the  house. 

Fifth  Legislature — 1863.  William  S.  Moore  in  the  senate,  and  L.  R. 
Bently.  H.  C.  Wait  and  R.  M.  Richardson  in  the  house. 

Si.xth  Legislature — 1864.  J.  P.  W'ilson  in  the  senate,  and  R.  M. 
Richardson,  W.  T.  Rigby  and  C.  A.  Ruffee  in  tlie  house. 

Seventh  Legislature — 1865.  J-  P-  ^^  ilson  in  the  senate,  and  Oscar 
Taylor,  Louis  A.  Evans  and  W.  T.  Rigby  in  the  house. 

Eighth  Legislature — 1866.  R.  M.  Richardson  in  the  senate,  and  N.  F. 
Barnes.  Thomas  Cathcart  and  B.  Overpeck  in  the  house. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  169 

APPORTIONMENT    OF    1866. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1866  the  state  was  divided  into  twenty-two 
districts,  of  which  Douglas  county  was  still  a  part  of  the  third.  This 
district  was  now  entitled  to  one  senator  and  two  representatives. 

Ninth  Legislature — 1867.  Louis  A.  Evans  in  the  senate,  and  N.  H. 
Miner  and  N.  Richardson  in  the  house. 

Tenth  Legislature — 1868.  C.  A.  Oilman  in  the  senate,  and  D.  G. 
Pettijohn  and  N.  H.  Miller  in  the  house. 

Eleventh  Legislature — 1869.  C.  A.  Oilman  in  the  senate,  and  Ludwig 
Robbers  and  William  E.  Hicks  in  the  house. 

Twelfth  Legislature — 1870.  H.  C.  Wait  in  the  senate,  and  John  L. 
\\'ilson  and  Isaac  Thorson  in  the  house. 

Thirteenth  Legislature — 1871.  H.  C.  Wait  in  the  senate,  and  ^^^  S. 
Moore  and  Luke  Marvin  in  the  house. 

APPORTIONMENT    OF    187I. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1871  the  state  was  divided  into  fortv-one 
districts,  of  which  Douglas  county  was  a  part  of  the  thirty-ninth,  together 
with  Pope,  Stevens,  Orant,  Big  Stone  and  Lake  counties.  The  district  was 
entitled  to  one  senator  and  two  representatives. 

Fourteenth  Legislature — 1872.  Ole  Peterson  in  the  senate,  and  F.  B. 
\'an  Hoesen  and  O.  W.  Rockwell  in  the  house. 

Fifteenth  Legislature — 1873.  J-  G.  Whittemore  in  the  senate,  and 
\\'arren  Adley  and  O.   W.  Rockwell  in  the  house. 

Sixteenth  Legislature — 1874.  J.  O.  Whittemore  in  the  senate,  and 
\\'arren  Adley  and  Henry  Foss  in  the  house. 

Seventeenth  Legislature — 1875.  Knute  Nelson  in  the  senate,  and  Mar- 
tin Stowe  and  J.  0.  Whittemore  in  the  house. 

Eighteenth  Legislature — 1876.  Knute  Nelson  in  the  senate,  and  Mar- 
tin Stowe  and  J.  D.  Oood  in  the  house. 

Nineteenth  Legislature — 1877.  Knute  Nelson  in  the  senate,  and  Michael 
-A.  \\'ollan  and  Ole  Amimdson  in  the  house. 

Twentieth  Legislature — 1878.  Knute  Nelson  in  the  senate,  and  John 
B.  Cowing  and  H.  W.  Stone  in  the  house. 

Twenty-first  Legislature — 1879.  A.  A.  Brown  in  the  senate,  and  Tohn 
B.  Cowing  and  Ole  N.  Barsness  in  the  house. 


170  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Twenty-second  Legislature — 1881.  L.  K.  Asker  in  the  senate,  and  C. 
F.  Washhurn  and  F.  B.  \'an  Hoesen  in  the  house. 

APPORTIONMENT   OF    1881. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1881  the  state  was  divided  into  forty- 
seven  districts,  of  which  Douglas  county  was  a  part  of  the  forty-first, 
together  with  Pope  county.  This  district  was  entitled  to  one  senator  and 
two   representatives. 

Twentj'-third  Legislature — 1883.  ^'-  B.  \'an  Hoesen  in  the  senate,  and 
J.  H.  Van  Dyke  and  Ole  Peterson  in  the  house. 

Twenty-fourth  Legislature — 1885.  F.  B.  \'an  Hoesen  in  the  senate, 
and  George  W.  Thacker  and  H.  L.  Lewis  in  the  house. 

Twenty-fifth  Legislature — 1887.  G.  \\'.  Thacker  in  the  senate,  and 
M.  A.  Wollan  and  H.  H.  Wilson  in  the  house. 

Twenty-sixth  Legislature — 1889.  G.  W.  Thacker  in  the  senate,  and  H. 
H.  \\'ilson  and  Edwin  Cox  in  the  house. 

APPOKTIONMCNT    OF    1889. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1889  the  state  was  divided  into  fift}-four 
districts,  of  which  Douglas  and  Pope  counties  constituted  the  forty-seventh 
district,  entitled  to  one  senator  and  two  representatives. 

Twenty-seventh  Legislature — 1891.  Herman  A.  Grafe  in  the  senate. 
and  H.  G.  Lewis  and  L.  B.  Cantleberry  in  the  house. 

Twenty-eighth  Legislature — 1893.  Herman  A.  Grafe  in  the  senate, 
and  A.  G.  Johnson  and  John  E.  Johnson  in  the  house. 

Twenty-ninth  Legislature — 1895.  A.  G.  Johnson  in  the  senate,  and  C. 
P.  Reeves  and  G.  J.  Strang  in  the  house. 

Thirtieth  Legislature — 1897.  A.  G.  Johnson  in  the  senate,  and  R.  J. 
McXeil  and  C.  P.  Reeves  in  the  house. 

APPORTIONMENT   OF    1897. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1897  the  state  was  divided  into  sixty-three 
districts,  of  which  Douglas  and  Pope  counties  were  made  the  fifty-eighth 
district,  entitled  to  one  senator  and  two  representatives. 

Thirty-first  Legislature — 1899.  C.  P.  Reeves  in  the  senate,  and  R.  J. 
McNeil  and  H.  C.  Estbv  in  the  house. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I7I 

Thirty-second  Legislature — 191 1..  C.  P.  Reeves  in  the  senate,  and  T. 
T.  Ofsthun  and  G.  B.  Ward  in  the  house. 

Thirty-third  Legislature — 1903.  G.  B.  Ward  in  the  senate,  T.  T. 
Ofsthun  and  H.  L.  Lewis  in  the  house. 

Thirty-fourth  Legislature — 1905.  G.  B.  Ward  in  the  senate,  and  T.  T. 
Ofsthun  and  John  F.  Landeen  in  the  house. 

Thirty-fifth  Legislature — 1907.  C.  J.  Gunderson  in  the  senate,  and  E. 
M.  Webster  and  E.  E.  Lobeck  in  the  house. 

Thirty-sixth  Legislature — 1909.  C.  J.  Gunderson  in  the  senate,  and 
Iver  J.  Lee  and  E.  E.  Lobeck  in  the  house. 

Thirty-seventh  Legislature — 191 1.  C.  J.  Gunderson  in  the  senate,  and 
Iver  J.  Lee  and  John  J.  Anderson  in  the  house. 

Thirty-eighth  Legislature — 1913.  C.  J.  Gunderson  in  the  senate,  and 
Nels  E.  Xelson  and  T.  T.  Ofsthun  in  the  house. 

APPORTIONMENT    OF    I9I3. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1913  the  state  was  divided  into,  sixty- 
seven  districts,  of  which  Douglas  and  Pope  counties  were  made  the  forty- 
seventh  district,  entitled  to  one  joint  senator  and  one  representative  from 
each  county. 

Thirty-ninth  Legislature — 1915.  E.  E.  Lobeck  in  the  senate,  and  Carl 
A.  Wold  (Douglas  county)  and  Iver  J.  Lee  (Pope  county)  in  the  house. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Township  Organization  and  Early  Settlers. 

Douglas  county  is  divided  into  twenty  civil  townships  which  coincide 
in  each  instance  with  the  respective  congressional  townships,  each  one  being 
six  miles  square.  The  first  three  townships  were  established  by  the  county 
l)oard,  but  the  later  townships  were  established  by  petition  of  a  majority  of  at 
least  twenty-five  legal  voters. 

OSAKIS    TOWNSHIP. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  county  board  held  on  June  15,  1866,  the  commis- 
sioners established  the  first  township,  to  be  known  as  No.  i  or  Osakis  town- 
ship. As  then  formed  it  comprised  all  of  congressional  townships  127  and 
128,  range  36.  Its  name  was  taken  from  the  lake  which  lies  on  the  eastern 
boundary  of  the  township.  The  commissioners  appointed  the  first  officers 
for  Osakis  township,  as  follow:  T.  AI.  Works,  assessor;  William  Shaw  and 
Roland  Sanderson,  justices:  Thomas  Adams  and  Charles  Gilbert,  constables; 
\\'illiam  Shaw,  clerk;  J.  Maguire,  treasurer.  The  present  area  of  Osakis 
township  includes  only  township  128,  range  36. 

John  Potter  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  settler  in  Osakis  township, 
taking  up  a  claim  on  section  25  in  1859.  A  number  of  other  settlers  came  in 
soon  afterwards  but  nearly  all  left  this  vicinity  during  the  Indian  outbreak 
in  1862.  As  nearly  as  can  ]>e  ascertained  the  first  settler  on  each  section  in 
the  township  is  mentioned  in  the  following  list.  John  Derocher  took  land 
on  section  i  in  1862,  Thomas  C.  McClure  on  section  2  in  1862,  Elias  For- 
meshill  on  section  3  in  1864,  Elling  Semmen  on  section  4  in  1871,  Adam 
Anderson  on  section  5  in  1866,  Ole  Solum  on  section  6  in  1863,  Sven  .Ander- 
son on  section  7  in  1869,  Peter  F.  Peterson  on  section  8  in  1868,  Benjamin 
^\■.  \'iles  on  section  9  in  1862,  William  A.  Seamans  on  section  10  in  1861, 
Henry  H.  Anderson  on  section  11  in  1861,  John  S.  Countryman  on  section 
12  in  1867.  Albert  S.  Alderman  on  section  13  in  1861,  Elijah  G.  Gibbs  on 
section  14  in  1863,  Thomas  A.  Adams  on  section  15  in  1861,  Ingrin  Nelson 
on  section  17  in  1867,  Hans  Hanson  on  section  18  in  1868,  John  E.  Rineheart 
on  section  19  in  1861,  Charles  Peterson  on  section  20  in  1869.  Charles  Giles 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 73 

on  section  21,  1861,  John  B.  Scherman  on  section  22  in  1867,  Armstead  M. 
Gideon  on  section  23  in  1868,  Stephen  D.  Seamans  on  section  2^  in  1862, 
Hiram  M.  Works  on  section  26  in  1864,  Lemuel  H.  Webster  on  section 
27  in  1869,  James  Chambers  on  section  28  in  1864,  Edwin  Fairfield  on  sec- 
tion 29  in  1863,  Thor  Peterson  on  section  30  in  1868,  Matthew  Bartlett  on 
section  31  in  1862,  William  B.  Glover  on  section  31  in  1864,  Clay  Moore 
on  section  33  in  1866,  Olinda  Graves  on  section  34  in  1861,  and  Thomas 
L.  Adams  on  section  35  in  1866. 

The  present  officers  of  Osakis  township  are  as  follows :  A.  A.  Rooney. 
clerk ;  Edward  Hanson,  treasurer ;  George  W.  LaMonte,  assessor ;  Joel  Han- 
son, A.  G.  Sorenson  and  Thomas  IMasteller,  supervisors; 

ALEXANDRIA    TOWNSHIP. 

^^'hen  the  board  of  county  commissioners  held  its  first  meeting  on  June 
15,  1866,  it  was  decided  that  all  of  Douglas  county  not  included  in  Osakis 
township  should  be  known  as  Alexandria  or  No.  2  township.  The  commis- 
sioners appointed  the  first  officers,  as  follow :  T.  W.  Sprague,  assessor ; 
George  Cowing  and  N.  B.  Johnson,  justices;  John  Johnson  and  Henry  Black- 
well,  constables;  J.  Mont  Smyth,  clerk;  H.  S.  Rutherford,  treasurer. 

William  and  Alexander  Kinkaid  located  in  Alexandria  township  in  1859 
and  other  settlers  came  in  soon  afterward.  The  few  who  remained  in  the 
township  during  the  Indian  troubles  sought  safety  in  a  stockade  on  the 
Alexandria  townsite.  The  present  area  of  Alexandria  township  includes 
only  congressional  township  128,  range  37.  Some  of  the  first  settlers  on 
each  section  are  as  follows :  John  B.  Gilfillan  took  land  on  section  i  in 
1863,  Thomas  Watts  on  section  2  in  1863,  William  B.  Mitchell  on  section 
3  in  1863,  Thomas  Aadson  on  section  5  in  1868,  Wooster  P.  Wyman  on 
section  6  in  1869,  James  Bedman  on  section  i  in  1861,  Laura  A,  Kinkaid 
on  section  8  in  1863,  Aaron  Doty  on  section  9  in  1862,  Andrew  Holes  on 
section  10  in  1864,  Edward  O'Brien  on  section  11  in  1868,  Peter  T.  Peterson 
on  section  12  in  1864,  Nels  Anderson  on  section  13  in  1865,  George  Caison 
on  section  14  in  1865,  Annie  P.  Smith  on  section  15  in  1863,  Chester  Wait 
on  section  17  in  1864,  Peter  L.  Gregory  on  section  18  in  i860,  A.  D.  Camp- 
bell on  section  19  in  i860,  James  S.  Mitchell  on  section  20  in  1862,  Charles 
Walker  on  section  21  in  1863,  Martin  Debord  on  section  22  in  1863,  Thomas 
White  on  section  23  in  1862,  Hans  Anderson  on  section  24  in  1870,  Marv 
Larson  on  section  25  in  1869,  Michael  Kennedy  on  section  26  in  1863,  Rich- 
ard Dent  on  section  2^  in  1863,  Rufus  Colby  on  section  28  in  1870,  L.  \\'. 


174  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Kilbonrn  on  section  29  in  1865,  Roderick  D.  Hathaway  on  section  30  in  1862, 
Jesse  Hosford  on  section  31  in  1863,  Mary  E.  Latimer  on  section  32  in 
1863,  Wilhelm  Dummert  on  section  34  in  1869,  and  Robert  Walker  on 
section  35  in  1867. 

The  present  officers  of  Alexandria  township  are  as  follow :  A.  E. 
Anderson,  clerk;  J.  H.  Schlein,  treasurer;  Einil  E.  Gahlon,  assessor;  Louis 
Thorson,  Louis  Anderson  and  Soren  Jensen,  supervisors. 

HOLMES    CITY    TOWNSHIP. 

Holmes  City  township  was  established  by  the  board  of  county  commis- 
sioners on  October  4,  1866,  and  at  that  time  included  all  of  congressional 
townships  127  and  128,  ranges  39  and  40.  The  commissioners  appointed  the 
following  election  officers  for  the  township :  Henry  Blackwell,  N.  B.  John- 
son and  Nels  Nickelson,  judges ;  T.  W.  Sprague  and  Noah  Grant,  clerks. 
At  present  Holmes  City  township  is  comprised  of  congressional  township 
127,  range  39. 

A  'Sir.  Holmes,  Noah  Grant  and  W.  S.  Sandford  located  in  Holmes 
City  township  in  1858.  Noah  Grant  proved  up  on  a  claim  on  section  2,  but 
the  others  did  not  secure  title  to  any  land.  Among  the  other  early  settlers 
were:  Lloyd  L.  Ely,  who  took  land  on  section  i  in  1868,  George  Blackwell 
on  section  3,  in  1868,  Simon  Christenson  on  section  4  in  1870,  Jonas  Sjull- 
son  on  section  5  in  1868,  Erick  Johanson  on  section  6  in  1869,  Olaf  Paulson 
on  section  7  in  1869,  Nils  B.  Johnson  on  section  8  in  1865,  Peter  O.  Kron 
on  section  9  in  1865,  Henry  J.  W.  Brown  on  section  10  in  1868,  Martin  H. 
Strandvold  on  section  11  in  1870,  Andrew  Knudson  on  section  12  in  1869, 
John  VV.  Gilbreath  on  section  13  in  1868,  Francis  Guiles  on  section  14  in 
1869,  Kittel  Sampson  on  section  15  in  1865,  John  A.  Anderson  on  section 
16  in  1867,  Carl  A.  J.  Wahlstrom  on  section  17  in  1868,  Olof  Falin  on  sec- 
tion 18  in  1869,  Thurston  Severson  on  section  19  in  1865,  Ingerinus  E. 
Lobeck  on  section  21  in  1867,  Lars  Isakson  on  section  22  in  1869,  Charles 
F.  Canfield  on  section  2;^,  in  1868.  Miner  Van  Loon  on  section  24  in  1865, 
Thomas  W.  Price  on  section  25  in  1867,  William  H.  Guiles  on  section 
26  in  1870,  H.  B.  Westmoreland  on  section  2y  in  1863,  Halvor  D.  Strand- 
void  on  section  28  in  1866,  Nels  A.  Nelson  on  section  29  in  1868,  John 
Freeborn  on  section  30  in  1868,  Lars  J.  Dalen  on  section  31  in  1868,  John 
Mattson  on  section  t,2  in  1868.  Swan  N.  Swanson  on  section  t,7i  in  1868, 
Ole  Evenson  on  section  34  in  1863,  and  Halvor  Toraasen  on  section  35 
in  1870. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 75 

PIONEER   LIFE   IN    HOLMES   CITY. 

In  response  to  a  request  from  the  Park  Region  Echo,  Hon.  E.  E.  Lobeck, 
state  senator  from  this  district,  recently  prepared  the  following  brief  review 
of  pioneer  conditions  in  the  neighborhood  of  his  bo3'hood  home  in  Holmes 
City  township.  "To  enumerate  the  struggles  and  hardships  the  first  settlers 
had  to  go  through,"  wrote  Senator  Lobeck.  "would  take  up  too  much  space, 
but  suffice  me  to  say  that  this  lot  fell  upon  a  rugged  class  of  people,  strong 
in  body  and  mind,  who  converted  the  wilderness  into  a  garden  spot. 

"My  father  came  to  Holmes  City  in  the  fall  of  1867  and  settled  down 
in  section  21.  At  that  time  it  took  longer  to  go  across  the  country  than 
now.  Here  is  a  little  bit  from  father's  note  book  :  "Came  to  New  York 
May  5,  then  on  board  a  train  via  Easton,  Reading  and  Harrisburg  to 
Cleveland.  There  we  were  stuffed  into  one  of  those  renounced,  dingy,  dirty 
steamboats  and  taken  across  Lake  Erie  to  Detroit — on  toard  a  train  again 
to  Grand  Haven  and  then  on  steamboat  across  Lake  Michigan  to  Mil- 
waukee, where  a  train  stood  puffing-  ready  to  take  us  westward,  and  after  a 
few  days  of  jolting  and  jerking  we  were  dumped  off  at  Prairie  du  Chiene  on 
the  Mississippi  river  and  tugged  up  to  St.  Paul  on  a  river  boat.'  There  we 
rested  for  a  few  days  and  stretched  our  arms  and  legs  to  find  out  if  every- 
thing was  in  order  and  when  we  found  that  we  had  every  limb  with  us, 
we  boarded  a  train  and  came  to  St.  Cloud,  which  was  then  the  terminal 
of  the  domain  of  the  steam-horse. 

"In  St.  Cloud  father  bought  an  ox-team  for  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  dollars,  a  second-hand  wagon  for  one  hundred  and  five  dollars,  stretched 
a  cover  over  it  and  took  part  of  the  luggage,  together  with  mamma  and 
us  children  and  stuck  us  in  the  vehicle.  'Get  up.  Dick  and  Charley!'  and 
off  we  were  and  landed  in  Holmes  City  the  29th  day  of  May.  It  took  us 
twenty-four  days  from  New  York  to  Holmes  City,  a  trip  which  is  now- 
made  in   four  days. 

"In  the  township  of  Holmes  City  we  found  a  few  Norwegians.  Swedes 
and  Americans — "^'ankees,  we  called  the  Americans  at  that  time,  .\mong 
the  Norwegians  we  had  Kjettel  Koltvedt,  who  lived  where  Nils  Thompson 
used  to  live  later  on;  Nils  Mikkelsen  (Haatvedt's  place),  where  we  staved  a 
few  days,  and  Gunder  Knutson.  where  we  stayed  during  the  summer.  A 
few  other  Norwegians  were  scattered  here  and  there,  .\mong  the  Swedes, 
I  may  name  H.  L.  Lewis,  who  is  still  tilling  the  soil  in  Holmes  City,  and 
Messrs.  Svenson,  Ole  Fahlin,  Ole  Erickson,  Christopher  Person  and  others, 


170  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

and  among  the  Americans  I  will  mention  Messrs.  Blackwell,  Canfield,  West- 
moreland and  the  Guiels  brothers.  These  were  among  the  first  to  tackle  the 
big  oaks  and  turn  the  sod  in  Holmes  City.  The  Holmes  City  village  was 
founded  in  the  fall  of  1858  and  it  is  today  one  of  the  most  beautifully 
located  and  cozy  inland  towns  you  can  find.  No  one  had  any  crop  when 
.we  came,  l)ut  three  or  four  seeded  a  few  acres  that  spring,  but  did  not  get 
much,  as  the  blackbirds  did  most  of  the  harvesting. 

"Father  thought  conditions  would  be  better  farther  to  the  northwest, 
so  he  yoked  up  his  team  and  took  the  government  trail  in  the  direction  of 
Ottertail  county,  but  when  we  reached  the  old  fort  at  Pomme  de  Terre 
and  from  a  hilltop  looked  west  across  the  country — no  settlers  between  there 
and  the  Rockies,  he  got  lonesome.  'Ho,  back,  haw,  Dick  and  Charley!" 
and  at  once  he  was  on  his  way  back  to  Holmes  City.  In  crossing  Chippewa 
river  he  discovered  that  the  water  was  packed  with  fat  and  beautiful  hogs. 
He  grabbed  a  handspike  and  went  down  to  see  what  was  up  and  found  that 
tlie  river  was  teeming  with  fish — buffalo  fish,  mind  you — and  as  no  game 
warden  was  around,  father  manipulated  the  spike  in  such  a  way  that  after 
awhile  he  had  the  wagon-box  full  of  fish  and  came  in  triumph  back  to  Gunder 
Knutson's.     'America  is  all  right!' 

"In  the  spring  of  1867  father  bought  three  cows  and  paid  fifty  dollars 
to  fifty-five  dollars  for  each.  He  also  paid  nineteen  dollars  for  a  barrel  of 
flour  and  nine  dollars  for  a  barrel  of  salt.  He  broke  up  two  and  one-half 
acres  that  year,  which  was  seeded  the  following  spring  and  we  children  had 
to  run  from  one  end  of  the  field  to  the  other  all  day  chasing  blackbirds.  In 
the  fall  after  the  cradle  had  been  swung  and  threshing  was  done,  father 
stored  away  fort}--nine  l)ushels  of  wheat  and  fifty  bushels  of  potatoes. 

"In  the  fall  of  1867  we  moved  into  our  own  home.  Not  very  much 
furniture — a  few  chairs,  minus  backs;  a  rude  table,  and  beds  one  above  the 
other — and  we  children  scrambled  for  the  upper  one,  as  it  was  a  glorious 
thing  to  look  down  from  the  'heights'  and  note  what  was  going  on  in  the 
room.  Lamps?  Oh,  no!  A  home-made  candle  had  to  do  at  that  time. 
The  winter  of  1867-68  was  bitterly  cold  and  severe.  Geese,  ducks  and  deer 
were  plentiful  in  the  fall  and  we  lived  high.  During  the  summer  we  had 
fish  daily,  as  the  lakes  were  teeming  with  members  of  the  finny  tribe  and  we 
youngsters  had  no  trouble  catching  whole  strings  of  them. 

"During  the  succeeding  springs  of  1868,  1869  and  1870  a  stream  of  immi- 
grants came  and  soon  every  available  quarter  section  was  taken.  School 
districts  were  organized,  congregations  formed,  ministers  called,  and  the  peo- 
ple went  afoot  four  to  five  miles  to  get  to  prayer  meetings  and  other  gath- 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 77 

erings  of  that  kind  in  the  evenings — singing  both  going  and  coming.  As 
the  population  increased,  strife  and  cjuarrels  came.  It  was  a  mighty  hard 
thing  to  get  the  school  houses  and  churches  in  the  right  places.  Well  do  I 
remember  a  day  when  hard  words  were  flying,  fists  were  used  and  axes 
flourished  at  the  foot  of  the  hill  between  where  Ole  Mauseth  and  Ole  John- 
son now  reside.  A  school  house  had  been  erected  at  that  place  and  the  peo- 
ple farther  to  the  south  came  and  demanded  that  the  institution  of  edu- 
cation and  learning  1)e  moved.  At  the  foot  of  the  hill  the  battle  was  fought. 
A  gentleman  of  some  reputation  led  the  forces  for  the  faction  that  wanted 
the  school  house  moved — and  a  genuine  Viking,  chunky,  strong  and  fear- 
less, by  the  name  of  Lars  Isakson,  was  the  leader  for  the  other  side.  This 
Lars  Isakson  was  looked  upon  by  us  youngsters  as  a  mighty  man.  He 
once  caught  a  deer.  The  brush  was  thick  and  Lars  dropped  himself  down 
beside  the  deer  track  and  all  of  a  sudden  a  buck  came.  Lars  stuck  out  his 
hand  and  grabbed  the  hind  foot  of  the  deer  and  you  may  imagine  what 
happened.  The  brush  was  uprooted — at  times  they  were  rolling  on  the 
ground,  at  times  they  \\'ere  up  in  the  air — but  Lars  brought  some  venison 
home  to  his  family,  all  right.  In  that  school  house  fight  he  stood  like  a 
wall,  even  if  an  ax  was  flourished  over  his  head.  I  have  a  vivid  picture 
of  that  typical  Viking  in  my  mind  yet.  Some  small  scrappings  occurred 
about  fishing  places  in  the  spring.  An  heroic  battle  was  fought  on  a  hill 
between  two  study  pioneers,  because  both  claimed  the  right  to  a  creek  where 
the  fish  went  to  spawn.  A  handspike  was  used  by  one  of  the  men,  breaking 
the  arms  and  legs  of  the  other  fellow  and  for  many  years  that  hill  went 
under  the  name  of  'Slagter  bakken,'  the  butcher  hill. 

"The  potato  bugs  came  to  visit  Holmes  City  for  the  first  time  in  June, 
1870,  and  they  came  to  stay.  These  abominable,  persistent  creatures  kept 
us  children  busy  and  we  did  not  love  them  at  all.  Two  years  afterward 
the  black  potato  bugs  came  for  the  first  time  and  threatened  to  devour  every 
potato  plant  in  the  township,  and  then  both  young  and  old  had  to  be  out  and 
do  some  killing.  In  the  fall  the  prairie  fire  kept  the  people  on  the  lookout  and 
many  a  night  the  men  folks  had  to  leave  home  to  meet  this  foe,  while  the 
women  and  children  sat  at  the  windows  starring  at  the  glare  in  the  sky, 
fearing  that  both  house  and  barn  would  go  up  in  smoke.  Great  damage 
was  done  every  fall.  Nils  Abrahamson  lost  all  his  grain  in  the  fall  of  1872, 
during  a  terrific  fire.  The  cold  winters  and  the  long  drives  to  market  made 
it  a  severe  task  for  the  people  to  dispose  of  their  grain  and  many  a  man 
was   found  dead  along  the  roadside  on  what  we  called  the  Morris  prairie. 

(12) 


178  DOUGLAS    AND   GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

We  had  two  extremely  severe  storms  in  February,  1872,  and  when  those 
storms  were  over  the  prairie  were  strewn  with  dead  bodies.  Some  were 
caught  going  to  Morris  and  some  were  caught  coming  from  that  place.  A 
few  saved  their  lives  by  tipping  over  the  wagon-box  and  creeping  under  it, 
wrapping  themselves  in  blankets  and  empty  sacks;  but  we  may  imagine 
how  it  felt  to  be  confined  in  such  a  place  for  three  days  and  three  nights. 

"The  years  went  on  and  the  people  went  through  hardships  of  all 
kinds.  The  last  of  the  set-backs  came  in  1876-77,  when  the  grasshoppers 
came  and  devoured  everything.  After  that  time  conditions  changed;  market 
places  sprang  up  closer  at  hand  and  today  the  farmers  in  Holmes  City  seem 
to  be  happy  and  contented.  The  first  market  place  was  St.  Cloud,  seventy- 
five  miles  away;  Melrose  next,  fifty  miles  awa}^;  then  Benson,  forty-five 
miles ;  then  Morris,  twenty-five  to  thirty  miles  away,  and  then,  all  of  a  sudden, 
the  Manitoba  road  liit  Alexandria  and  then  the  people  were  singing;  and 
then,  more  than  twenty  years  ago,  the  Soo  came,  still  closer  at  hand." 

FURTHER   RECOLLECTIONS  OF    HOLMES    CITY. 

One  of  the  very  earliest  settlers  in  the  Holmes  City  neighborhood  was 
the  trader  and  trapper,  Lewis,  who  located  a  station  there  for  trading  with 
the  Indians,  and  he  is  recalled  by  settlers  who  came  in  as  late  as  1867. 
At  a  very  early  date  a  postoffice  was  established  at  Holmes  City  and  some 
time  later  a  postoffice  was  established  at  Moe,  with  Gunder  Johnson  as  post- 
master. When  the  railroad  reached  Douglas  county  the  postoffice  at  the 
home  of  Robert  Angus,  was  moved  to  Garfield  and  Brandon  postofiice 
was  moved  over  to  the  present  location  of  that  town  on  the  railroad.  It 
is  related  that  Holmes  and  Grant,  who  had  come  up  into  this  country  before 
the  days  of  the  Indian  uprising,  bought  out  the  Lewis  trading  post  and 
that  the  trading  point  thus  created  later  came  to  be  known  as  Holmes  City, 
which  it  still  bears,  and  which  name  was  given  the  township  when  it  later 
came  to  be  organized,  the  lake  on  which  the  village  is  situated  being  named 
Grant,  in  honor  of  the  other  partner  in  the  concern. 

The  present  officers  of  Holmes  City  township  are  as  follow :  S.  O. 
Wagenius,  clerk;  John  Backelin,  treasurer;  Olof  Wallner,  assessor;  X.  G. 
Nelson,  Theodore  Swenson  and  Emil  Guldbranson,  supervisors. 

BRANDON    TOWNSHIP. 

On  September  3,  1867,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  established 
Chippewa   township,    comprised    of   congressional   townships    129   and    130, 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  1 79 

ranges  39  and  40.  The  first  meeting  was  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  George 
A.  Freundereich,  September  28,  1867.  The  name  was  later  changed  to 
Brandon,  which  township  now  comprises  congressional  township  129, 
range  39. 

Henry  Gager  is  thought  to  have  been  the  first  settler  in  Brandon  town- 
ship. He  located  on  section  5  about  i860  and  others  came  in  soon  after- 
ward. Haagan  Holing,  who  died  in  February,  1907,  at  his  home  in  Brandon 
township,  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  in  this  township,  having  come  out 
here  from  Minneapolis,  where  he  was  working  in  the  mills,  in  1865,  and 
filing  on  the  homestead  on  which  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life.  When  he 
built  his  cabin  after  his  arrival  here,  his  nearest  neighbor  was  four  miles 
distant.  Mr.  Holing  served  as  treasurer  of  Brandon  township  for  more 
than  thirty  years. 

In  the  list  following  is  given  the  names  of  one  of  the  first  settlers  on  each 
section  of  the  township,  with  the  approximate  date  of  their  location.  Charles 
A.  Dollner  took  land  on  section  2  in  1863,  John  J.  Nichols  on  section  3  in 
1862,  Solon  Moore  on  section  4  in  1862,  Joseph  Hunt  on  section  6  in  1867, 
George  Ward  on  section  7  in  1865,  George  A.  Freundenreich  on  section 
9  in  1861,  A.  A.  Noble  on  section  10  in  1862,  Andrew  Holes  on  section 
II  in  1862,  John  Sundblad  on  section  12  in  1865,  Lars  Nilson  on  section 
13  in  1863,  Elijah  Sandford  on  section  15  in  i860,  Job  Smith  on  section 
17  in  1866,  Martin  Stowe  on  section  18  in  1862,  Hans  J.  Solem  on  section 
19  in  1870,  Matilda  Mcintosh  on  section  20  in  1862,  L.  Fletcher  on  section 
21  in  1862,  Fletcher  Thom  on  section  22  in  1862,  John  D.  Aldrich  on  sec- 
tion 23  in  1868,  Ingebret  Peterson  on  section  24  in  1863,  John  Salmon  on 
section  25  in  1862'  John  Nelson  on  section  26  in  1865,  Ole  Peterson  on  sec- 
tion 27  in  1864.  Ole  Thompson  on  section  28  in  1861,  Jonetta  Halvorson 
on  section  29  in  1868,  Nels  Nelson  on  section  28  in  1863,  Thomas  FT. 
Klevan  on  section  31  in  1S63,  Halvor  Rassmussen  on  section  32  in  1863, 
Hans  A.  Strom  on  section  33  in  1863,  and  Halvor  G.  Kyllo  on  section  34 
in  1869. 

The  present  officers  of  Brandon  township  are  as  follow :  Emil  E.  Bergh, 
clerk:  Henry  O.  Olson,  treasurer;  Anton  Holing,  assessor;  C.  O.  Augdahl, 
Knute  Olaerg  and  H.  H.  Evju,  supervisors. 

MOE    TOWNSHIP. 

On  September  3,  1867,  a  petition  signed  by  fourteen  legal  voters  was  pre- 
sented to  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  requesting  that  congressional 
township   128,  range  39,  be  established  as  a  separate  civil  township.     This 


l8o  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

petition  was  granted  with  instructions  that  the  first  meeting  be  held  at  the 
house  of  Thomas  Adkins,  September  21,  1867.-  The  township  was  first  called 
Adkinsville,  in  honor  of  one  of  the  first  settlers,  but  later  the  name  was 
changed  to  Aloe,  in  memory  of  a  district  in  Xorway,  from  which  a  numljer 
of  the  pioneers  came. 

Torer  Evenson  and  family,  who  had  come  from  Norway  to  America 
in  1857,  settling  in  Wisconsin,  were  among  the  early  settlers  in  ^^loe  town- 
ship, settling  on  the  old  Evenson  homestead  there  in  1865,  coming  through 
by  ox-team  and  prairie  schooner  from  Wisconsin  and  living  in  their  covered 
wagon  until  a  cabin  could  be  built.  Moe  township  then  was  practically  a 
wilderness,  there  being  but  few  settlers  there  and  those  far  between,  among 
these  having  been  Lars  Amundson  and  Johanes  Hanson,  Indians  being  more 
commonly  seen  there  than  white  people.  Amundson  had  brought  out  with 
him  a  grind-stone  and  that  useful  article  proved  so  popular  with  his  pioneer 
neighbors  and  was  borrowed  so  widely  that  finally,  so  the  story  goes,  nothing 
was  left  of  it  but  the  hole,  and  that  the  neighbor  who  used  it  last  neglected 
to  return. 

Some  of  the  first  settlers  on  each  section  in  JNIoe  township,  together  with 
the  approximate  date  of  their  location,  are  mentioned  in  the  following  list. 
Arthur  A.  Flom  took  land  on  section  i  in  1864,  Ole  Thompson  on  section  2 
in  1865.  Ole  Bergerson  on  section  3  in  1868,  Thomas  Olson  on  section  4  in 
1868,  Patrick  Brown  on  section  5  in  1864,  Monroe  Nichols  on  section  6  in 
1864,  Gulick  Johnson  on  section  7  in  1868,  Mary  E.  Chute  on  section  8  in 
1864,  Thomas  Larson  on  section  10  in  1870,  Ole  K.  Lappinger  on  section  13 
in  1866,  John  Arntson  on  section  14  in  1863,  Charles  Brown  on  section  17  in 
1868,  Amos  Johnson  on  section  18  in  1863,  Peter  Johnson  on  section  iq  in 
1868,  Thomas  E.  Lajord  on  section  20  in  1863,  Knudt  C.  Brackle  on  section 
21  in  1863,  Lewis  Lewiston  on  section  22  in  1864,  Lathan  J.  Ellsworth  on 
section  23  in  1863,  George  B.  Wright  on  section  24  in  1865,  Peter  Peterson  on 
section  26  in  1863,  James  S.  Mitchell  on  section  2-]  in  1865,  Henry  C.  Wait 
on  section  28  in  1865,  Hendric  Johnson  on  section  29  in  1864,  Ole  Amund- 
son on  section  30  in  1865,  John  Nord  on  section  31  in  1869,  Ol^  Brandon  on 
section  2,2  in  1863,  John  Blackwell  on  section  33  in  1863,  Sylvester  Yates 
on  section  34  in  1866,  and  Maths  Anderson  on  section  35  in  1868. 

The  present  officers  of  Moe  township  are  as  follow:  Alfred  B.  Ander- 
son, clerk;  Peter  Syverson,  treasurer;  Peter  Hanson,  assessor:  O.  E.  Sletto, 
Lauritz  Severson  and  Carl  J.  Pipo,  supervisors. 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  lOI 

LAKE    MARY    TOWNSHIP. 

Lake  Mary  township  was  established  on  September  3,  1867,  as  requested 
in  a  petition  presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners  signed  by  fifteen 
legal  voters  in  congressional  township  127,  range  38.  The  first  meeting  was 
to  be  held  at  the  home  of  A.  L.  Robinson,  September  21,  1867.  The  town- 
ship was  named  for  the  large  lake  of  that  name  in  the  northwestern  part  of 
the  township. 

The  records  do  not  give  the  exact  date  of  entry  of  the  homesteads  in 
many  instances,  but  the  following  list  has  the  approximate  date  of  settlement 
of  most  of  the  sections  in  Lake  Mary  township.  Matthew  Britendahl  took 
land  on  section  i  in  1864,  Charles  E.  Jenkins  on  section  2  in  1863,  William 
E.  Hicks  on  section  3  in  1863,  Hendrick  Erickson  on  section  4  in  1868, 
George  W.  McComber  on  section  5  in  1864,  Elon  Holmes  on  section  6  in 
1865,  Ferdinand  Keflo  on  section  7  in  1867,  James  C.  Ii/Iiller  on  section  9  in 
1864,  Porter  Davis  on  section  12  in  1865,  Charles  T.  McKillips  on  section  13 
in  1870,  Horace  A.  McComter  on  section  14  in  1863,  William  Hounsell  on 
section  15  in  1868,  Thomas  Crooks  on  section  17  in  1868,  Samuel  M.  Jones 
on  section  18  in  1868,  Gottlieb  Greibe  on  section  19  in  1868,  Stephen  W. 
Miller  on  section  20  in  1868,  Margaret  J.  Fox  on  section  21  in  1869,  Har- 
rison Crandall  on  section  22  in  1870,  Fred  J.  Colby  on  section  23  in  1870, 
John  Tompkins  on  section  24  in  1868,  Benton  A.  Livingston  on  section  25  in 
1863,  William  Matthews  on  section  26  in  1865,  David  Townsend  on  section 
27  in  1868,  George  Lansing  on  section  28  in  1869,  Andrew  Lansing  on  sec- 
tion 29  in  1869,  Thomas  C.  McClure  on  .section  30  in  1864,  Isaiah  Fairies  on 
section  31  in  1864,  James  A.  Beaver  on  section  32  in  1864,  Fred  C.  Holmes 
on  section  33  in  1864,  George  B.  Wright  on  section  34  in  1864,  and  William 
H.  Harris  on  section  35  in  1864. 

The  present  officers  of  Lake  Mary  township  are  as  follow :  Charles 
Danneck,  clerk:  Wenzel  Bruzek,  treasurer;  Thomas  J.  Barros,  assessor;  A. 
Koudela,  Andrew  Roth  and  Frank  Radii,  supervisors. 

LEAF  VALLEY  TOWNSHIP. 

Leaf  A'alley  township  was  established  by  the  board  of  countv  commis- 
sioners on  November  2t,.  1867.  The  first  meeting  was  to  be  held  at  the 
house  of  Willard  B.  Ellis,  December  14,  1867.  This  township  comprises 
congressional  township  130,  range  38. 


162  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

In  the  following  list  are  given  the  names  of  some  of  the  first  settlers 
on  each  section  in  Leaf  Valley  township,  together  with  the  approximate  date 
of  their  location.  Enoch  H.  Alden  took  land  on  section  i  in  1868,  George 
Mumm  on  section  2  in  1870,  William  Marquadt  on  section  3  in  1866,  Hen- 
rick  Thies  on  section  4  in  1866,  Wilhelm  Fentzke  on -section  5  in  1689,  John 
Johnson  on  section  6  in  1869,  Adam  Peffer  on  section  7  in  1869,  Emil  Nuscke 
on  section  8  in  1869,  John  S.  Evans  on  section  9  in  1868,  Herman  Peterman 
on  section  10  in  1870,  Willard  A.  Alden  on  section  11  in  1869,  Wesley  Smith 
on  section  12  in  1873,  Wallace  Kibbe  on  section  13  in  1870,  Samuel  Pollard 
on  section  14  in  1871,  John  S.  Evans  on  section  15  in  1870,  Peter  Smith  on 
section  17  in  1872,  Andreas  Reger  on  section  18  in  1870,  Peter  Ley  on  sec- 
tion 19  in  187 1.  Wilson  Davidson  on  section  20  in  1870,  Mary  A.  Lane  on 
section  21  in  1870,  Lorenzo  D.  Peck  on  section  22  in  1868,  Isaac  Johnson  on 
section  2:^^  in  1871,  John  H.  Hartew  on  section  24  in  1872,  Simon  L.  West 
on  section  26  in  1873,  J.  F.  W.  Grosenick  on  section  2y  in  1875,  August 
Lawrenz  on  section  28  in  1871,  John  Comoford  on  section  29  in  1871,  El- 
bridge  G.  Paddock  on  section  30  in  1871,  Patrick  Kelly  on  section  31  in  1873, 
John  Mullins  on  section  ^2  in  1872,  Andrew  Anderson  on  section  34  in  1871, 
and  Jonas  Hult  on  section  35  in  1871. 

The  present  officers  of  Leaf  Valley  township  are  as  follow :  Michael 
Kelly,  Jr.,  clerk;  W.  H.  Venzke,  treasurer;  H.  Julig.  assessor;  Charles  L. 
Julig,  J.  G.  Loeffler  and  William  Schmidt,  supervisors. 

MILLERVILLE  TOWNSHIP. 

Millerville  township  was  established  on  November  2t^,  1867,  by  the 
board  of  county  commissioners,  in  answer  to  a  petition  signed  by  si.xteen  legal 
voters  from  congressional  township  130,  range  39.  The  first  meeting  was  to 
be  held  at  the  house  of  John  Miller,  one  of  the  early  and  prominent  settlers, 
for  whom  the  township  was  named. 

Some  of  the  first  settlers  on  each  section  in  Millerville  township,  with 
the  year  about  when  they  located,  are  mentioned  in  the  following  list.  Nicholas 
Langshausen  took  land  on  section  i  in  1869,  August  Keplien  on  section  2 
in  1870,  Rolden  M.  Finch  on  section  4  in  1871,  Ignatz  KroU  on  section  6  in 
1876,  John  Schwartz  on  section  7  in  1871,  Andrew  Bader  on  section  8  in 
1872,  Aaron  Dewey  on  section  9  in  1871,  John  Engler  on  section  10  in  1873. 
Bernhard  Nuss  on  section  11  in  1873,  John  Woyda  on  section  12  in  1873, 
Anton  R.  Cicky  on  section  13  in  1872,  Mathias  Portz  on  section  14  in  1872, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  183 

Mathias  Wunch  on  section  15  in  1871,  John  F.  Busse  on  section  17  in  1875, 
Hans  G.  von  Stackhausen  on  section  18  in  1870,  Olof  Landin  on  section  20 
in  1873,  John  Schafer  on  section  22  in  1868,  John  Flesch  on  section  2'i^  in 
1873,  John  N.  Peck  on  section  24  in  1871,  Joseph  Goetz  on  section  25  in 
1872,  George  Wagner  on  section  26  in  1873,  Wilham  W.  Arness  on  section 
27  in  1873,  Andrew  J.  Arness  on  section  28  in  1871,  Magnus  Johnson  on 
section  29  in  187:,  Edward  Uhde  on  section  30  in  1872,  Thomas  Lauder  on 
section  },2  in  1876,  Andrew  J.  Goodwin  on  section  33  in  1872,  and  Henry 
McKibben  on  section  34  in  1873. 

Charles  Debetzan,  who  died  at  St.  Cloud  in  1906,  was  one  of  the  early 
settlers  in  IMillerville  township.  He  and  his  family  moved  to  this  state  from 
Pennsylvania  in  1688,  settling  in  Douglas  county.  At  the  time  of  his  death 
Mr.  Debetzan  had  twenty-nine  grandchildren  and  fifty-two  great-grand-i 
children. 

The  present  officers  of  Millerville  township  are  as  follow:  John  M. 
Prazak,  clerk;  Henry  Meissner,  treasurer;  Albin  Beckman,  assessor;  John 
Bitzan,  Peter  Renkes  and  Frank  Lederman,  supervisors. 

EVANSVILLE   TOWNSHIP. 

Evansville  township  was  established  on  January  7,  1868,  and  originally 
included  all  of  congressional  townships  129  and  130,  range  40.  At  present 
it  comprises  only  congressional  township  129,  range  40.  The  first  meeting 
was  to  be  held  at  the  house  of  Jacob  Shawr,  February  24,  1868.  The  town- 
ship was  named  for  a  Mr.  Evans,  who  carried  the  mail  through  here  in  1859 
on  the  old  St.  Cloud  and  Ft.  Abercrombie  stage  road.  Later  he  put  up  a  little 
store  on  the  present  site  of  the  town  of  Evansville  and  the  village  was  also 
named  for  him.  Evans  was  killed  by  the  Indians  during  the  outbreak.  A 
number  of  claims  were  taken  about  i860  but  the  country  was  deserted  dur- 
ing the  Indian  troubles. 

In  the  fall  of  1865,  L.  E.  Thompson  took  a  homestead  on  the  banks  of 
Lake  Fanny,  and  was  the  first  settler  to  locate  after  the  outbreak.  A  number 
of  the  sections  in  Evansville  township  were  first  settled  by  the  men  named  in 
the  following  list,  at  about  the  years  given,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained. 
Luther  Dearborn  took  land  on  section  i  in  1865,  Gustav  Willius  on  section 
2  in  1866,  Ole  H.  Lockren  on  section  3  in  1865,  John  Johnson  on  section  5 
in  1866,  Monroe  Nichols  on  section  6  in  1866,  John  Partridge  on  section  7 
in  1867,  Hans  Hanson  on  section  8  in  1866,  Olof  Dahlheim  on  section  9  in 


184  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

1870,  Jacob  Shanar  on  section  10  in  1865,  James  G.  Butterfield  on  section  11 
in  1866,  Robert  White  on  section  13  in  1865,  Pascal  Smith  on  section  14  in 
1869,  Knut  Larson  on  section  15  in  1865,  Thomas  Aadson  on  section  17  in 
1866,  Martin  Erickson  on  section  18  in  1870,  Ole  A.  Knutson  on  section  19 
in  1867,  Andrew  Nass  on  section  21  in  1869,  Joseph  A.  Jenkin  on  section 
22  in  1867,  Isaac  Skiles,  Jr..  on  section  24  in  1865,  Jonathan  Morrell  on 
section  25  in  1868,  ^^^iiliam  H.  Sanders  on  section  26  in  1871,  Mordecai  C. 
Pkimmer  on  section  27  in  1871,  Edward  Peterson  on  section  29  in  1866,  Ole 
Alberts  on  section  30  in  1865,  Varano  G.  Bryant  on  section  32  in  1866, 
James  A.  Beaver  on  section  34  in  1866,  and  George  Ward  on  section  35  in 
1867. 

The  present  officers  of  Evansville  township  are  as  follow :  A.  B.  Ander- 
son, clerk;  John  Saterlie,  treasurer;  J.  H.  Kronberg,  assessor;  T.  C.  Thron- 
son,  Fritz  Lindstrom  and  Ole  O.  Larson,  supervisors. 

ORANGE    TOWNSHIP. 

Orange  township  was  established  on  January  7,  1868,  by  the  board  of 
'county  commissioners,  in  answer  to  a  petition  from  a  majority  of  the  legal 
voters  in  congressional  township  127.  range  36.  The  first  meeting  was  to  be 
held  at  the  house  of  I.  S.  English,  February  24,  1868. 

Among  the-  early  settlers  who  located  in  Orange  township  were  Donald 
Stevenson,  who  took  land  on  section  i  about  1864,  James  B.  Wickham  on 
section  2  in  1864,  Elijah  G.  Gibbs  on  section  3  in  1864,  Gilbert  Sargent  on 
section  4  in  1865,  Thomas  Smith  on  section  5  in  1866,  Julia  M.  Allen  on 
section  7  in  1866,  George  Plank  on  section  8  in  1864,  James  Holes  on  sec- 
tion 9  in  1864,  Daniel  W.  McCart  on  section  10  in  1864,  George  E.  Hanford 
on  section  11  in  1866,  Albert  A.  Gilbert  on  section  13  in  1865,  Oliver  Han- 
ford on  section  14  in  1866,  John  M.  Scott  on  section  15  in  1866,  Charles 
Walker  on  section  17  in  1866,  John  W.  Fulkerson  on  section  18  in  1866, 
Nelson  H.  Miner  on  section  20  in  1866,  Isaac  T.  Andrews  on  section  23  in 
1865,  Morris  Ladd  on  section  25  in  1865,  Luther  LaPlant  on  section  26  in 
1864,  Gustavus  Klatt  on  section  28  in  1863,  John  F.  Walker  on  section  29  in 
1864,  Patrick  Maloney  on  section  30  in  1865,  Robert  Thomas  on  section  31 
in  1863,  Jeremiah  Plank  on  section  32  in  1864,  George  W.  Radabaugh  on 
section  33  in  1864,  and  William  T.  English  on  section  34  in  1863. 

The  present  officers  of  Orange  township  are  as  follow :  \\\  W.  Rarick, 
clerk;  Mike  Dunn,  treasurer;  August  J.  Mechels,  assessor:  M.  G.  Dockhani. 
Lewis  Baker  and  John  Cassell,  supervisors. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


IDA    TOWNSHIP. 

Ida  township  was  established  on  March  2,  1868.  It  comprises  con- 
gressional township  129,  range  38.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house 
of  Robert  Angus,  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  April,  1868. 

James  F.  Dicken,  who  located  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Ida,  was  one  of 
the  first  settlers  of  Ida  township.  James  Barr  and  Myron  Coloney  were  also 
early  settlers.  Some  of  the  first  to  locate  on  a  number  of  the  sections  of 
Ida  township,  with  the  approximate  date  of  their  settlement,  are  mentioned 
in  the  following  list  of  homesteaders  who  secured  a  patent  to  their  land  from 
the  government.  Thomas  Brown  took  land  on  section  2  in  1864,  John  Torry 
on  section  3  in  1863,  August  F.  Braski  on  section  4  in  1868,  Claus  V.  John- 
son on  section  5  in  1871,  Leonard  West  on  section  6  in  1871,  Pehr  Anderson 
on  section  7  in  1873,  Sylvester  Dicken  on  section  8  in  1865,  John  Reid  on 
section  9  in  1864.  Gilbert  Brakken  on  section  12  in  1873,  Lars  Pederson  on 
section  14  in  1871,  Erick  Ersson  on  section  15  in  1873,  Daniel  Russell  on 
section  16  in  1863,  Solomon  R.  Kaiser  on  section  17  in  1864,  Benjamin 
Stewart  on  section  20  in  1868,  Jesse  Hosford  on  section  21  in  1864,  Erick 
Larson  on  section  22  in  1871,  Henry  Richards  on  section  24  in  1870,  Charles 
E.  Thomas  on  section  25  in  1868,  William  Rutherford  on  section  2y  in  1864, 
J.  M.  Smith  on  section  28  in  1865,  John  J.  Muir  on  section  29  in  1868, 
James  Holes  on  section  30  in  1864,  Alexander  Richardson  on  section  31  in 
1864,  Julius  Frost  on  section  2^2  in  1863,  Owen  Osborn  on  section  34  in 
1863,  and  S.  M.  Thompson  on  section  35  in  1864. 

The  present  ofiicers  of  Ida  township  are  as  follow :  C.  J.  Christopher- 
son,  clerk;  Charles  Kloehn,  treasurer:  John  A.  Norgren,  assessor;  P.  M. 
\'ideen,  Charles  G.  Olson  and  Emil  Bruske,  super^•isors. 

CARLOS   TOWNSHIP. 

Carlos  township  was  established  on  May  i,  1868,  at  which  time  the 
board  of  county  commissioners  gave  notice  that  the  first  meeting  should  be 
held  at  the  house  of  A.  H.  Hall,  on  May  19,  1868.  As  originally  established 
Carlos  township  included  all  of  congressional  townships  129  and  130,  range 
37:  township  130,  range  36,  and  the  west  half  of  township  129,  range  36. 
At  present  it  comprises  only  congressional  township   129,  range  T,y. 

Carlos  township  settled  up  rapidly  after  the  Indian  outbreak,  the  greater 
part  of  the  land  being  taken  up  under  homestead  entry.  Some  of  the  first 
settlers  on  a  number  of  the  sections  of  this  township,  with  the  vear  of  their 


l86  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

arrival,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,  are  mentioned  in  the  following  list 
of  those  who  secured  title  from  the  government.  Joseph  B.  Plymouth  took 
land  on  section  i  about  1864,  William  A.  Wheeler  on  section  2  in  1870, 
Charles  Engstrom  on  section  6  in  1865,  Sarah  J.  Brown  on  section  7  in 
1868,  Antoine  Klein  on  section  8  in  1871,  John  Torrey  on  section  10  in 
164,  William  H.  Sparrell  on  section  11  in  1864,  Timothy  Enright  on  section 
12  in  1864.  Samuel  Beidleman  on  section  13  in  1863,  Ova  A.  Hall  on  section 
15  in  1864,  William  A.  Cosgrove  on  section  17  in  1864,  Gustav  O.  Hegg  on 
section  18  in  1864,  James  F.  Dilley  on  section  19  in  1863,  Joshua  N.  Daudna 
on  section  21  in  1868,  William  W.  Kaine  on  section  22  in  1863,  Alfred  W. 
Prettyman  on  section  24  in  1863,  Hugh  Hamill  on  section  2j  in  1864,  John 
Van  Hoesen  on  section  28  in  1864,  John  B.  Ellison  on  .section  30  in  1864. 
Daniel  McCarthy  on  section  31  in  1864,  and  Napoleon  Beedan  on  section 
7,2  in  1866. 

The  present  officers  of  Carlos  township  are  as  follow :  A.  F.  ]\Iiller. 
clerk :  J.  O.  Stedje,  treasurer ;  W.  B.  Nelson,  assessor ;  Emil  Lundeen,  Albert 
Ritten  and  Tollef  Dahl,  supervisors. 

URNESS    TOWNSHIP. 

On  March  22.  1869,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  set  apart  con- 
gressional township  128.  range  40,  as  a  separate  civil  township,  to  be  known 
as  Red  Rock.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Ole  Moe.  on  April 
13,  1869.  On  February  7,  1871,  the  commissioners  received  a  petition  re- 
questing that  the  name  of  the  township  be  changed  to  Urness,  in  memor)-  of 
a  certain  district  in  Norwa}'. 

In  the  following  list  are  given  the  names  of  some  of  the  first  settlers  in 
a  number  of  the  sections  of  Urness  township,  together  with  the  approximate 
date  of  their  arrival.  Ole  Strand  took  land  on  section  i  in  1871,  John  John- 
son on  section  2  in  1864,  Christopher  Isakson  on  section  3  in  1864.  Martin 
Anderson  on  section  4  in  1864,  Johannes  Hanson  on  section  5  in  1864,  Karie 
Petersdatter  on  section  6  in  1871,  Christopher  Christopherson  on  section  7  in 
1864,  Hans  Johnson  on  section  8  in  1864,  Erick  Paulson  on  section  9  in 
1863,  Andrew  J.  Burke  on  section  10  in  1863,  Thomas  S.  Holleque  on  sec- 
tion II  in  1863,  Ole  J.  Urness  on  section  12  in  1865,  Bernt  J.  Burke  on 
section  15  in  1870,  Erick  Nelson  on  section  17  in  1871,  J.  Henry  Holmes 
on  section  18  in  1867,  John  L.  Merriam  on  section  20  in  1864,  Ole  E.  Fjeld 
on  section  21  in  1866,  Jens  Olsen  on  section  23  in  1869,  Andrew  J.  Urness  on 
section  24  in  1865,  John  Johnson  on  section  25  in  1864.  Nels  Iverson  on  sec- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  ISJ 

tion  2"/  in  1863.  Edwin  O.  Hillstad  on  section  29  in  1863,  William  H.  Brad- 
ford on  section  30  in  1868,  Ole  Olson  on  section  ^2  in  1866,  Charles  R. 
Stewart  on  section  2^t,  in  1863,  Isaac  Oberg  on  section  34  in  1863,  and  Xels 
O.  Shattleboe  on  section  35  in  1862. 

The  present  officers  of  Urness  township  are  as  follow :  O.  A.  Burkee, 
clerk;  Oscar  Earsness,  treasurer;  John  Endreson,  assessor;  Xils  Bye,  Olaf 
Hakenson  and  A.  K.  Burkey,  supervisors. 

HUDSON    TOWNSHIP. 

On  March  30,  1869,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  granted  a  peti- 
tion to  establish  congressional  township  127,  range  ^,'],  as  a  separate  civil 
township.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Brown,  on  April 
16,  1869.     Later  the  name  of  this  township  was  changed  to  Hudson. 

Below  are  given  the  names  of  some  of  the  early  settlers  on  each  section 
in  Hudson  township,  with  the  approximate  date  of  their  arrival,  ^^'illiam 
Smith  took  land  on  section  i  in  1871,  Joseph  Strong  on  section  2  in  1870. 
John  M.  Sissler  on  section  3  in  1868,  William  H.  Rowe  on  section  4  in 
1869,  William  P.  Burgan  on  section  5  in  1869,  James  H.  White  on  section 
6  in  1870,  Edward  Phernetten  on  section  7  in  1867,  Orson  Shippey  on  sec- 
tion 8  in  1866,  Henry  H.  Russell  on  section  9  in  1868,  Jacob  Gasper  on 
section  10  in  1867,  Thomas  Strieker  on  section  11  in  1869,  Pleates  Fry 
on  section  12  in  1868,  James  Purdon  on  section  13  in  1867,  Edwin  R. 
Childs  on  section  14  in  1867,  Nelson  B.  Fullmer  on  section  15  in  1869, 
Creighton  J.  Bondurant  on  section  16  in  1869,  Hiram  Shippey  on  section  17 
in  1868,  George  G.  Mitchell  on  section  18  in  1867,  Rial  Moulton  on  section 
19  in  1869,  Thomas  Parks  on  section  20  in  1869,  Harden  Brown  on  sec- 
tion 21  in  1869,  James  W.  Meyers  on  section  22  in  1869,  William  W.  Sheldon 
on  section  23  in  1867,  William  H.  Briggs  on  section  24  in  1868,  John  AIc- 
Cellan  on  section  25  in  1869,  John  Meyers  on  section  26  in  1868,  Benjamin 
Sheldon  on  section  2-j  in  1868,  Hollis  S.  Boyd  on  section  28  in  1868,  Eleazer 
C.  Phelps  on  section  29  in  1868,  Leander  Kellogg  on  section  30  in  1864, 
Nancy  Campbell  on  section  31  in  1865,  William  Hogan  on  section  32  in 
1866,  William  H.  McGee  on  section  33  in  1866,  Porter  Davis  on  section  34 
in  1869,  Joseph  DeCramer  on  section  35  in  1868,  and  George  Cassell  on 
section  36  in  1869. 

The  present  officers  of  Hudson  township  are  as  follow :  Fred  C. 
Meade,  clerk;  John  Lorenz.  treasurer;  Peter  Cassell,  assessor;  George  Mc- 
Mahan,  James  Butler  and  John  Lorenz,  supervisors. 


loo  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

BELLE   RIVER   TOWNSHIP. 

On  ^larch  8,  1870,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  received  a  i3eti- 
tion  to  establish  congressional  township  129,  range  36,  as  a  separate  civil 
township.  This  petition  was  granted  and  the  township  named  Riverdale, 
with  instructions  that  the  first  meeting  should  be  held  at  the  house  of 
Mathias  Klein,  March  22,  1870.  On  January  4,  1871,  a  communication  was 
sent  to  the  county  board  saying  that  the  township  meeting  had  adopted  the 
name  of  Belle  River,  instead  of  Riverdale.  This  action  was  approved  by  the 
commissioners. 

Some  of  the  first  to  locate  on  a  number  of  the  sections  in  Belle  River 
township  are  mentioned  in  the  list  which  follows,  together  with  the  date  of 
their  arrival,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained.  John  Moriarty  took  land  on 
section  i  in  1865,  Martin  Lee  on  section  2  in  1873,  Martin  Crowson  on  sec- 
tion 4  in  1873,  Michael  Fitzgerald  on  section  6  in  1865,  Peter  Henry  Jr.,  on 
section  7  in  1865,  John  Clouser  on  section  8  in  1868,  Frank  Ouinn  on  sec- 
tion 9  in  1870.  Henry  Cook  on  section  10  in  1867,  Johnston  W.  Lowrv  on 
section  11  in  1865,  John  Dunn  on  section  12  in  1865,  John  Collins  on  sec- 
tion 13  in  1 87 1,  John  Petruick  on  section  15  in  1873,  Charles  Baumers  on 
section  17  in  1868,  Stephen  Miller  on  section  18  in  1865,  Anders  G.  Sjogren 
on  section  19  in  1875,  Nicholas  Botzel  on  section  20  in  1873,  Gustav  Ander- 
son on  section  22  in  1875,  George  B.  Craig  on  section  2t^  in  1871,  Andrew 
Ellsworth  on  section  24  in  1870,  Luther  Dearborn  on  section  25  in  1865, 
Anders  L.  Helrud  on  section  26  in  1875,  Lars  Bergsten  on  section  2y  in 
1875,  Haymond  W.  Clark  on  section  28  in  1865,  John  B.  Gilfillian  on  sec- 
tion 31  in  1865,  August  Forsgren  on  section  2,2  in  1873,  John  A.  Nelson  on 
section  ^i,  in  1869,  Joseph  Van  Epps  on  section  34  in  1866,  and  Obadiah 
Brown  on  section  35  in  1865. 

George  B.  Craig,  who  arrived  in  1865,  is  referred  to  as  probablv  the 
first  settler  in  Belle  River.  Se\'eral  others  soon  settled  in  that  same  neigh- 
borhood, among  these  being  John  Anderson  and  his  brother-in-law,  M.  A. 
Anderson.  The  country  in  general  thereabout  was  very  marshy  at  that  time. 
Mr.  Craig  had  a  yoke  of  steers  and  a  wagon.  One  of  these  steers  had  the 
bad  habit  of  balking  in  the  most  undesirable  places  in  the  road,  and  would 
lie  diiwn  when  the  roailwax-  didn't  suit  him.  One  day  Mr.  Craig  prepared 
to  go  to  market  with  a  load  of  potatoes.  He  had  no  sacks  and  no  monev 
with  which  to  buy  them  and  the  potatoes  were  loaded  into  the  wagon-box 
loose.  The  roads  were  bad  and,  sure  enough,  in  crossing  one  of  the  difficult 
spots  in  the  road  the  balky  steer  laid  down  on  the  job.     ]\lr.  Craig  was  thus 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  189 

put  to  the  tedious  task  of  carrying  tlie  potatoes  across  to  a  dry  spot.  When 
the  wagon-box  was  emptied  the  steer  conchided  to  get  up  and  gi). 

There  was  no  mill  nearer  than  Melrose  at  that  time  and  thither  the  set- 
tlers went  to  grind.  The  first  year  Mr.  Anderson  was  on  his  place  he  raised 
but  twelve  bushels  of  rye.  which  was  to  be  the  year's  supply  for  his  family. 
He  started  to  Melrose,  a  trip  requiring  about  five  days  at  that  time.  When 
he  arrived  at  the  mill  there  the  miller  declined  to  grind  rye  and  Mr.  .Vnder- 
son  had  to  return  with  the  grain,  which  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  ground 
during  the  winter  in  their  cofl:ee-mill.  Mr.  Craig  did  the  same.  He  bought 
a  coffee-mill  of  Johnson,  the  Osakis  merchant,  the  latter  guaranteeing  the 
machine.  After  a  few  weeks  of  use  the  cofifee-mill  was  worn  out  by  the 
extraordinary  demand  upon  it  and  Mr.  Craig  took  it  back  to  the  store  and 
claimed  a  new  one,  under  the  terms  of  the  guarantee.  This  second  machine 
also  wore  out  in  due  course  and  another  machine  was  secured  on  the  guar^ 
antee,  this  process  being  repeated  a  third  or  fourth  time  during  the  winter  and 
it  was  not  until  long  afterward  that  Mr.  Craig  told  Mr.  Johnson  how  those 
coffee-mills  failed  to  stand  up  to  the  guarantee. 

For  about  two  years  during  the  most  trying  period  a  band  of  about  two 
hundred  Indians  camped  on  the  other  side  of  the  river,  on  the  land  now 
known  as  the  Renter  farm.  These  Indians  were  friendly  and  often  visited 
with  the  new  settlers.  The  Indians  had  plenty  of  meat  and  fish  and  would 
give  liberally  of  these  stores  in  exchange  for  potatoes,  salt,  rye  and  the  other 
products  of  the  white  man's  husbandry.  That  they  were  perfectly  honest  is 
shown  by  the  following  incident.  John  Anderson  had  a  sieve,  which  he  had 
brought  from  the  old  country,  and  which  he  used  in  sifting  the  grain  at 
threshing  time.  An  old  Indian  had  borrowed  this  sieve  and  one  night  about 
two  o'clock  he  brought  it  back,  explaining  to  Mr.  Anderson  that  the  Sioux 
were  coming  and  that  the  Chippewas  were  going.  The  entire  camp  was  gone 
in  the  morning.  The  traditional  enmity  existing  between  the  Sioux  and  the 
Chippewas  from  time  immemorial  made  it  impossible  for  bands  of  the  two 
rival  tribes  to  live  in  peace  in  the  same  neighborhood.  A  gruesome  reminder 
of  this  ancient  feud  was  unearthed  in  the  neighborhood  of  Chippewa  Lake 
some  years  ago,  when  the  curiosity  aroused  over  the  probable  cause  of  a 
slight  mound  led  to  an  excavation  which  revealed  a  few  feet  under  ground 
the  bones  of  a  considerable  number  of  human  beings,  clearly  those  of  Indians. 
From  the  promiscuity  with  whfch  the  bones  were  mingled  it  is  evident  that 
the  lx)dies  had  been  thrown  into  a  shallow  trench  without  regard  to  any 
orderly  arrangement  and  had  then  been  covered  over.  These  evidently  were 
the  bodies  of  the  victims  of  one  of  the  numerous  battles  which  were  fought 


IQO  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

between  warring  tribes  in  this  section  long  before  the  coming  of  the  white 
man. 

The  present  officers  of  Belle  River  township  are  as  follow :  L.  E. 
Olson,  clerk;  Nicholas  Hintzen,  treasurer;  John  L.  Renter,  assessor;  Mattis 
Clark,  John  'J.  Dunn  and  Paul  Blank,  supervisors. 

SOLEM    TOWNSHIP. 

Solem  township  was  established  on  March  lo,  1870,  in  answer  to  a 
petition  signed  by  Osmund  Thompson  and  others.  It  comprises  congres- 
sional township  127,  range  40.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of 
Ole  O.  Sauslin.  The  township  takes  its  name  from  a  district  in  Norway, 
from  which  place  many  of  the  pioneers  came. 

In  the  list  which  follows  are  mentioned  some  of  the  pioneers  who  settled 
on  a  number  of  the  sections  of  Soleni  township,  with  the  approximate  date 
of  their  arrival.  Erick  Johanson  took  land  on  section  i  in  1870,  Jens  Lekan- 
der  on  section  2  in  1871,  Ole  O.  Sarsland  on  section  3  in  1869,  Ole  E.  Field 
on  section  4  in  1866,  John  Johnson  on  section  5  in  1866,  Daniel  Linquist  on 
section  6  in  1871,  Ole  Olson  on  section  9  in  1871,  Paul  Nielson  on  section 
10  in  1869,  John  Hedstrom  on  section  11  in  1870,  Olof  Paulson  on  section 
12  in  1 87 1,  Abraham  Nilson  on  section  13  in  1871,  Halvor  Halvorson  on 
section  14  in  1866,  John  Peterson  on  section  15  in  1872,  Jens  Fahlin  on  sec- 
tion 17  in  1872,  Peter  Knutson  on  section  18  in  1872.  Andrew  Kullander 
on  section  21  in  1871,  Christen  Olson  on  section  2;3,  in  1874,  Isaac  Peterson 
on  section  24  in  1870,  Andrew  G.  Sohlberg  on  section  25  in  1867,  Erick  Hagg 
on  section  26  in  1872,  Erick  Snar  on  section  2^  in  1871,  Peter  Swenson  on 
section  28  in  1872,  Erick  Pehrson  Eng  on  section  30  in  1873,  and  Joseph  E. 
Wetterling  on  section  34  in  1872. 

The  present  officers  of  Solem  township  are  as  follow :  Jorgen  Spilseth, 
clerk :  Frank  Kullander,  treasurer ;  John  S.  Benson,  assessor ;  L.  A.  Larson, 
X.   M.   .\nderfon  and  William  Peterson,  supervisors. 

MILTONA    TOWNSHIP. 

Miltona  township  was  established  on  December  19,  187 1.  It  comprises 
congressional  township  130,  range  37.  The  odd  sections  in  this  township 
were  secured  by  the  old  St.  Paul  &  Pacific  Railway  Company.  The  even 
sections  were  mostly  taken  by  homestead  entry  and  some  of  the  early  settlers 
on  the  \arious  sections  are  mentioned  in  the  list  which  follows,  together  with 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I9I 

the  dates  of  their  arrival,  as  nearly  as  they  can  be  ascertained.  Durfee  Mar- 
quette took  land  on  section  2  in  1878,  James  H.  Abbott  on  section  4  in  1880, 
Frederick  W.  Balfour  on  section  6  in  1871,  Sven  Olson  on  section  8  in  1878, 
Jason  Bumpus  on  section  10  in  1875,  Mary  Hill  on  section  12  in  1885,  George 
L.  Taplin  on  section  14  in  1874,  Joseph  C.  Carter  on  section  18  in  1877,  Delia 
Lucas  on  section  20  in  1876,  Harrison  Foster  on  section  22  in  1880,  Timothy 
Martin  on  section  24  in  1875,  Charles  Jungrath  on  section  26  in  1871,  Frank 
Schram  on  section  32  in  1877,  and  Garrett  Cronk  on  section  34  in  1879. 

The  present  officers  of  Miltona  township  are  as  follow :  John  O.  Hiller, 
clerk :  Edward  Miller,  treasurer ;  G.  J.  Thompson,  assessor ;  William  Better- 
man,  Lewis  Olbeckson  and  John  Eggleston,  supervisors. 

LUND    TOWNSHIP. 

Lund  township  was  established  on  March  i,  1872.  It  comprises  con- 
gressional township  130,  range  40.  The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house 
of  John  \\'ahlin.  The  original  petition  asked  that  the  township  be  named 
Christina,  but  the  name  Lund  was  adopted.  About  two  weeks  after  the  new- 
township  was  established  the  commissioners  received  a  petition  asking  that 
it  be  set  back  in  the  township  of  Evansville,  to  which  it  had  formerly  been 
attached,  but  as  all  the  signatures  to  the  petition  were  in  the  same  hand- 
writing it  was  not  given  any  serious  consideration. 

Some  of  the  homesteaders  on  the  various  sections  of  Lund  town.ship 
located  about  the  years  given  in  the  following  list :  They  were  among  the 
first  to  settle  in  the  township.  Hans  F.  Peterson  took  land  on  section  2  in 
1877,  Nils  J.  Walstad  on  section  4  in  1876,  Ole  Peterson  on  section  6  in 
1868.  Sven  S.  Ebbjorn  on  section  8  in  1869,  Thomas  Olson  on  section  10  in 
1871,  Lars  Ellingston  on  section  11  in  1877,  Anders  N.  Fjillstrom  on  section 
12  in  1877,  .\ndrew  Janson  on  section  13  in  1876,  Ole  S.  Hernm  on  sec- 
tion 14  in  1876,  Olof  Larson  on  section  15  in  1875,  August  Peterson  on 
section  18  in  1874,  Kam  Swenson  on  section  19  in  1869,  Anders  Janson  on 
section  21  in  1876,  Gabriel  Peterson  on  section  22  in  1876,  .Andrew  Skon  on 
section  28  in  1869,  Grager  Kittelson  on  section  30  in  1876,  Charles  Johnson 
on  section  31  in  1873,' Andrew  Johnson  on  section  },2  in  1875,  John  John- 
son on  section  -^t^  in  1866,  and  Milton  M.  Morrell  on  section  34  in  1868. 

The  present  officers  of  Lund  township  are  as  follow :  Victor  E.  John- 
son, clerk ;  .\ndrew  .\.  Lang,  treasurer ;  A.  G.  Johnson,  assessor ;  Anton 
Olson,  .-\.  G.  Olson  and  .\ndrew  P.  Nelson,  supervisors. 


ig2  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

LA    GRAND    TOWNSHIP. 

On  September  4,  1873,  the  board  of  county  commissioners  established 
congressional  township  128,  range  38,  as  a  separate  civil  township,  to  be 
known  as  West  Alexandria.  The  first  election  was  held  at  the  school  house 
in  district  Xo.  47,  on  September  23,  1873.  On  December  11,  1873,  the  com- 
missioners were  notified  that  the  legal  voters  of  the  township  had  chosen 
the  name  of  La  Grand,  instead  of  West  Alexandria,  and  the  county  board 
had  the  change  properly  recorded  in  the  archives  of  the  state. 

Andrew  Darling  was  the  first  settler  to  locate  in  what  is  now  La  Grand 
township.  He  took  up  a  claim  in  i860.  Others  came  in  about  the  same  time 
but  there  was  very  little  permanent  settlement  until  after  the  Indian  troubles 
were  quieted.  Robert  Smith  took  land  on  section  i  about  1864,  Jacob  Ly 
Brand  on  section  2  in  1862.  James  F.  Dicken  on  section  3  in  1863,  Engebret 
Xielson  on  section  4  in  1870,  Carl  G.  Johnson  on  section  5  in  1868,  Charles 
Peterson  on  section  6  in  1871,  Francis  B.  \'an  Hoesen  on  section  7  in  1865, 
Xiels  P.  Christenson  on  section  8  in  1869,  George  F.  Cowing  on  section  9  in 
1861,  L.  J.  Brown  on  section  10  in  1868,  Samuel  B.  Cowdry  on  section  11  in 
i860,  James  Bedman  on  section  12  in  1861,  Hugh  O'Donnell  on  section  13  in 
1861,  George  Diment  on  section  14  in  1861,  Samuel  B.  Pinney  on  section 
15  in  1864,  Daniel  Egan  on  section  17  in  1864,  Caroline  S.  Edwards  on  sec- 
tion 18  in  1863,  John  O'Brien  on  section  19  in  1862,  George  B.  Wright  on 
section  20  in  1862,  James  Knapton  on  section  21  in  1871,  Oscar  W»  Day 
on  section  22  in  1865,  Mary  A.  Kinkaid  on  section  24  in  1861,  Louis  Morain 
on  section  25  in  i860,  James  B.  Lattimer  on  section  26  in  1861,  Sophus  N. 
Miller  on  section  2/  in  1868,  Amund  Mattison  on  section  28  in  1871,  Anders 
O.  Solberg  on  section  31  in  1865,  George  W.  McComber  on  section  32  in 
1863,  and  Hendrick  Erickson  on  section  34  in  1872. 

The  present  officers  of  La  Grand  township  are  as  follow:  P.  M.  Eng- 
lund,  clerk:  O.  M.  Englund,  treasurer:  S.  M.  Carlson,  assessor:  Ole  Satter- 
lund.  S.  J.  Wedin  and  A.  A.  IMagnuson.  supervisors. 

SPRUCE    HILL    TOWNSHIP. 

Spruce  Hill  township  was  established  on  January  5,  1875.  It  com- 
prises congressional  township  130,  range  36.  The  first  election  was  held  at 
the  school  house  in  district  No.  51,  on  March  9,  1875. 

The  odd  sections  in  this  township  were  part  of  the  land  grant  of  the 
St.  Paul  &  Pacific  Railway  Company,  and  therefore  were  not  available  for 


LAKE  OSAKIS. 


SPEARING    FISH.    LAKE    OSAKIS. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I93 

homesteads.  Some  of  the  early  settlers  who  located  claims  on  the  even 
numbered  sections  arrived  here  about  the  years  given  in  the  following  list. 
Samuel  Hasbrouck  took  land  on  section  2  in  1878,  Stekan  Slekicher  on  sec- 
tion 4  in  1876,  Joseph  Friet  on  section  6  in  1875,,  Michael  Barta  on  section 
8  in  1875,  Ole  Janson  on  section  10  in  1878,  Tracy  Bardwell  on  section  12  in 
1878,  Thomas  Primrose  on  section  14  in  1875,  Gilbert  F.  Sciven  on  section 
18  in  1877,  Louis  Nilson  on  section  20  in  1875,  Alvin  Milligan  on  section 
22  in  1879,  Chester  H.  Bardwell  on  section  26  in  1878,  Martin  B.  Hagblad 
on  section  28  in  1875,  Hans  Matson  on  section  ^2  in  1875,  and  Andrew 
Lustig  on  section  34  in  1875. 

The  present  officers  of  Spruce  Hill  township  are  as  follow:  Nels 
Nelson,  clerk;  Frans  Anderson,  treasurer;  E.  V.  Larson,  assessor;  Axel 
Peterson,  John  Lindberg  and  Charles  Hallock,  supervisors. 


(13) 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Development  of  Agriculture. 

In  the  days  of  the  beginning  of  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  state, 
the  development  of  agriculture  was  probably  as  rapid  as  in  any  section  of 
Minnesota.  It  already  has  been  noted  that  the  earliest  settlers  attracted  to 
this  region  were  of  an  energetic  and  thrifty  type  and  little  time  was  lost  in 
bringing  the  wilderness  under  cultivation.  In  nearly  all  sections  of  the  county 
there  was  a  sufficient  area  of  natural  meadow  to  enable  the  settler  to  begin 
his  farming  operations  at  once,  without  the  tedious  and  arduous  labor  of 
clearing  a  patch  of  land  before  he  could  get  in  his  first  crop  and  thus  nearly 
all  were  enabled  to  make  an  inmiediate  and  effective  start  toward  the  tilling 
of  the  soil  after  the  little  log  cabin  had  been  erected  as  a  temporary  shelter 
for  the  family.  Plenty  of  excellent  timber  was  easily  accessible  for  this 
latter  purpose  and  with  the  expenditure  of  ordinary  energy  there  was  little 
to  prevent  the  average  family  from  becoming  fairly  comfortably  settled  within 
a  year  after  taking  up  a  location  in  the  new  country.  Added  to  this  abund- 
ance of  good  timber,  the  numerous  running  streams  and  the  many  lakes  of 
good,  pure  water,  together  with  the  unbounded  fertility  of  the  virgin  soil 
made  this  section  an  ideal  one  for  settlement  and  it  was  not  long  after  the 
tide  of  immigration  had  definitely  settled  in  toward  this  part  of  the  state 
that  the  most  desirable  lands  were  taken  up  by  industrious  and  earnest  home- 
steaders, who  ciuickly  brought  their  places  under  cultivation;  by  the  time  of 
the  middle  seventies  it  having  been  most  effectually  demonstrated  that  Douglas 
county  was  one  of  the  garden  spots  of  the  state,  a  fact  which  the  experience 
of  the  later  years  has  served  to  accentuate. 

LOCATION    OF   D0UGL.-\S    COUNTY. 

Douglas  county  is  situated  a  little  southwest  of  the  central  part  of  the 
state  of  Minnesota,  in  the  division  of  the  state  known  as  the  West  Central 
Section,  alx)ut  one  hundred  and  thirty  miles  northwest  of  the  city  c)f  St. 
Paul,  the  state  capital,  and  is  nearly  on  the  dividing  ridge  of  that  part  of  the 
state.  Within  a  few  miles  of  its  north  and  west  lines  the  waters  flow  north 
into  the  Red  river,  south  into  the  Minnesota  river  and  east  into  the  Mississippi 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I95 

river.  It  lies  in  that  part  of  the  state  which,  from  its  beautiful  lakes,  streams 
and  prairies,  dotted  with  groves  of  magnificent  native  trees,  is  appropriately 
named  the  "Park  Region"  of  Minnesota.  At  Alexandria,  nearly  in  the  center 
of  the  county,  the  altitude  is  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  ninety-one  feet, 
and  on  the  north  line  of  the  county  it  is  somewhat  over  one  thousand  four 
hundred  feet,  being  as  high  as  any  part  of  the  state  except  the  extreme 
northeast  and  southwest.  The  surface  of  the  county  is  undulating,  fine,  level 
and  rolling  prairies,  interspersed  with  living  streams,  beautiful  lakes  and 
magnificent  woodland.  An  almost  perfect  drainage  of  the  county  is  secured 
by  several  chains  of  lakes,  flowing  out  through  the  Chippewa  river  in  the 
western  part  of  the  county,  into  the  Minnesota  river,  and  through  the  Long 
Prairie  river  to  the  east  into  the  Mississippi.  There  are  about  two  hundred 
lakes  in  the  county,  many  of  them  very  deep,  and  most  of  which  have  high 
banks  surrounded  with  beautiful  timber  extending  close  to  the  shores,  with 
many  fine  sandy  beaches.  One  of  these.  Lake  Carlos,  a  few  miles  north  of 
Alexandria,  is  said  to  be  the  deepest  lake  in  the  state,  and  has  been  sounded 
to  a  depth  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet.  There  is  comparatively  little  marsh 
or  wet  land,  and  much  of  that  has  been,  or  can  be,  drained.  An  abundance 
of  good,  pure  well  water  can  always  be  found  at  an  average  depth  of  thirty 
feet. 

LAND   AND    WATER    AREA,    TIMBER,    SOIL    AND    CLIMATE. 

Douglas  county  contains  722.6  square  miles,  divided  into  twenty  town- 
ships, extending  thirty  miles  from  east  to  west  and  twenty-four  miles  from 
north  to  south.  According  to  the  United  States  government  surveys  it  has 
an  area  of  462,500.62  acres,  of  which  401,014.74  acres  are  land  and  61,485.88 
acres  water.  The  1910  census  report,  however,  increases  the  land  area  to 
414,720  acres,  a  part  of  the  increase  being  due  to  the  drainage  of  shallow 
lakes  and  ponds  within  recent  years. 

Throughout  the  county  of  Douglas  there  is  an  abundant  supply  of 
choice  timber.  The  northeastern  side  of  the  county  has  a  heavy  growth  of 
native  forest,  while  the  central  and  western  parts  are  dotted  over  with 
groves  which  furnish  abundant  fuel  and  shelter  for  stock.  Much  of  the 
timber  suitable  for  lumber  has  been  cut,  but  there  is  still  some  remaining 
which  can  be  used  in  building  barns  and  other  farm  buildings.  Much  timber 
land  has  been  cleared  and  converted  into  fine  fields.  Among  the  hardwoods 
native  to  the  country  are  the  maple,  white,  red  and  burr  oak,  ironwood,  birch, 
ash  and  elm,  while  of  the  soft  varieties  the  principal  are  the  dififerent  varieties 
of  poplar,  basswood,  soft  maple,  cottonwood,  tamarack  and  spruce. 


ig6  DOUGLAS    AND   GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

The  soil,  almost  without  exception,  is  of  excellent  quality.  A  heavy 
black  loam,  or  a  black  sandy  loam,  from  eight  inches  to  six  feet  deep,  with 
clay  or  hardpan  subsoil,  varying  in  depth  from  eighteen  inches  to  several 
feet,  prevails,  forming  a  quality  of  land  of  a  character  best  suited  to  bear 
the  extremes  either  of  wet  or  drought.  There  are  several  distinct  classes  of 
soil  found  in  the  count}-  which  may  be  termed — the  black  sandy  loam  prairie 
soil,  the  black  loam  prairie  soil,  the  black  sandy  loam  timber  soil  and  the 
black  loam  timber  soil,  all  of  excellent  quality  and  each  having  its  special 
adaptability  to  particular  crops.  There  is  also  the  deep,  rich  black  soil  of 
the  natural  lowland  meadows  and  of  the  lake  bottoms  which  have  been 
reclaimed  by  drainage,  conditions  thus  described  rendering  the  county  ex- 
tremely well  adapted  to  the  demands  of  diversified  farming. 

The  winters  are  generally  cold  and  the  summers  generally  warm,  but 
this  locality  is  not  subject  to  those  sudden  and  unexpected  changes  which  are 
so  fatal  in  their  effects  and  which  afflict  seaboard  and  more  southern  regions. 
The  atmosphere  is  clear,  dry  and  pure  and  has  a  tonic  property  which  braces 
and  develops  the  energies  and  fits  a  man  for  great  mental  and  physical  exer- 
tion. It  is  declared  by  experienced  travelers  that  a  person  will  suffer  far 
less  bodily  discomfort  with  the  thermometer  at  twenty  degrees  below  zero 
in  this  locality  than  he  will  in  the  states  of  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio 
or  Illinois  with  the  thermometer  indicating  zero.  Usually  there  is  fine 
sleighing  and  no  slush  during  the  winter.  In  summer  the  nights  are  cool. 
Malarial  diseases  are  unknown  in  this  locality  and  the  rating  given  to  the 
state  of  Minnesota  abreast  of  any  other  state  in  the  Union  for  general  health- 
fulness.  Hail  storms  are  not  so  frequent  as  in  states  further  south  and 
cyclones  have  seldom  visited  these  parts.  Hot  winds,  such  as  prevail  in 
some  sections,  are  practically  unknown  here. 

TEMPERATURE,    RAINFALL    AND    POPULATION. 

The  records  of  the  United  States  weather  department,  kept  at  Alex- 
andria, show  the  mean  annual  temperature  for  the  past  twenty-one  years  to 
be  41.4  degrees.  In  19 14  the  highest  temperature  was  95  degrees  on  August 
8,  and  the  lowest  was  32  degrees  below  zero  on  February  8.  According  to 
an  admirable  review  of  crop  conditions  recently  prepared  under  the  direction 
of  the  Douglas  County  Agricultural  Association,  the  average  dates  of  the 
earliest  and  latest  killing  frosts  for  sixteen  years  up  to  1908  are  September 
23  and  May  18.  The  earliest  frost  in  autumn  during  the  sixteen  years 
occurred  on  September  9  and  the  latest  in  the  spring  was  on  June  8.    In  19 14 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I97 

tlie  earliest  frost  was  on  September  22  and  the  latest  in  the  spring  was  on 
May  10. 

The  mean  annual  rainfall  for  twenty  years,  1888  to  1908,  as  kept  by 
the  weather  station  at  Alexandria,  was  24.23  inches,  and  for  the  six  years, 
1909  to  1914,  it  was  24.18  inches.  In  1914  the  total  rainfall  was  29.43 
inches.  The  following  figures  show  the  mean  rainfall  at  Alexandria,  by 
months,  for  twenty  years  to  1908,  and  also  for  the  five  years,  1909  to  1913, 
during  the  months  of  April,  May,  June,  July  and  August,  which  comprise 
practically  the  entire  crop  season,  and  show  that  the  great  bulk  of  the  rainfall 
occurs  during  those  months: 

20  yrs.      5  yrs. 

April 2.23  1.96 

May    3.31  3.98 

June   3.97  2.22 

July    3.44  409 

August 3.71  3.98 

The  foregoing  figures  show  that  the  average  growing  season  is  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-eight  days,  which  compares  favorably  with  southern  Wiscon- 
sin, Iowa  and  northern  Illinois,  and  is  sufficiently  long  for  the  maturing  of 
excellent  crops  of  corn. 

The  population  of  the  county  in  1910  was  17,669,  of  which  number  4,619 
were  foreign  tern,  divided  among  the  principal  foreign  countries  as  follow: 
Sweden,  1,998;  Norway,  960;  Germany,  753;  Austria,  224;  Denmark,  230; 
Canada,  116;  Finland,  86;  all  other  countries,  2^2.  The  different  nationalities 
of  the  foreign-born  population  and  their  descendants  are  largely  separated  into 
distinct  communities  and  settlements;  that  is,  there  are  Swedish,  Norwegian, 
German,  Bohemian,  Danish  and  Finnish  settlements. 

FARMS  AND  PRINCIPAL  CROPS. 

According  to  the  census  of  1910  the  number  of  farms  in  Douglas  county 
in  1909  was  2,265,  comprising  354,379  acres,  the  average  size  of  the  farm  be- 
ing 156.5  as  against  177  acres  for  the  whole  state.  The  percentage  of  all 
lands  in  farms  was  85.4  and  the  percentage  of  improved  land  was  62,  the 
average  number  of  acres  improved  on  each  farm  being  97.  The  value  of 
farm  lands  was  $10,694,213,  and  the  value  of  all  farm  property  was  $16,- 
312,224,  the  average  value  of  farm  land  per  acre  being  placed  at  $30.18. 
According  to  the  1914  report  of  the  state  tax  commission  the  value  of  farm 
lands  in  that  year  had  increased  to  $16,976,453.  and  the  average  value  of  land 
per  acre  to  $42.84. 


ly^  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Douglas  county  was  long  famous  for  raising  the  largest  crops  of  wheat 
of  any  county  in  the  state,  holding  the  record  for  the  highest  average  yield 
per  acre  for  man}-  \ears.  In  the  earlier  years  of  its  history  wheat  and  other 
cerals  constituted  its  principal  crops  and  little  attention  was  given  to  the 
raising  of  corn,  live  stock  or  dairying.  But  the  farmers  have  long  since 
awakened  to  the  fact  that  it  does  not  pay  to  put  all  their  eggs  into  one 
basket,  and  the  methods  of  farming  have  for  the  past  fifteen  years  l>een 
gradually  changing.  The  acreage  of  wheat  has  been  gradually  decreased 
and  that  of  corn  increased,  while  more  and  more  attention  is  being  given  to 
dairying  and  stock  raising.  The  result  has  been  better  farming  methods 
practiced  in  the  raising  of  all  crops,  and  increased  prosperity. 

The  following  gives  the  acreage  and  amoimts  of  the  principal  crops 
raised  in  1909.  the  latest  date  for  which  accurate  statistics  are  available: 

Acres.  Bushels. 

Corn    8,927  308.805 

Oats 23.385  820.913 

Wheat 63.653  1,208,710 

Barley   15.609  413,066 

Rye    3.148  70.998 

Flax  seed   4.859  54.013 

Timothy  seed 401  2,135 

Potatoes    1,532  178,466 

Hay  and  forage 56,170  85.972 

In  19 1 5  corn  increased  to  about  twelve  thousand  acres,  wheat  decreased 
in  acreage,  while  rye  and  potatoes  largely  increased.  The  following  figures 
show  the  average  yield  per  acre  of  Douglas  county  crops  in  1909. compared 
with  the  average  yield  of  the  same  crops  in  the  state  : 

Average  of  Average  of 

State.     Douglas  Couiity. 

Corn ^ 33-99  '^i'-  34-6     bu. 

Oats    .. 31.5     bu.  35.       bu. 

Wheat,  spring 17.4     bu.  19.       bu. 

Barley    22.2     bu.  26.5     bu. 

Rye 16.6     bu.  22.5     bu. 

Flax  seed 9.1     bu.  ii.i     bu. 

Hay  and  forage ' 1.53  tons  1.53  tons 

Potatoes 1 19.8     bu.  116.5     bu. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  I99 

Corn  has  been  successfully  grown  in  Douglas  county  for  many  years.  In 
1899  there  were  6,593  acres:  in  1909  the  acreage  had  increased  to  8,927;  in 
1915  there  were  at  least  12,000  acres,  which  acreage  was  considerably  in- 
creased in  191 6.  In  the  past  few  years,  with  the  coming  of  farmers  from 
southern  Minnesota,  Iowa  and  Illint)is,  who  are  skilled  in  its  cultivation,  the 
yield  of  corn  has  rapidly  increased  until  it  begins  to  rival  the  best  yields  of 
those  states.  Farmers  also  are  raising  more  corn  for  fodder  and,  while  in 
1910  there  was  hardh"  a  silo  to  be  found  in  the  county,  there  are  now  in  the 
neighborhood  of  one  hundretl  and  fifty,  there  being  at  least  twenty-five  in 
one  township  alone.  By  the  experiments  of  the  State  Agricultural  College, 
a  number  of  varieties  of  white  and  yellow  dent  corn  have  been  produced 
that  are  well  adapted  to  the  county,  mature  early,  }ield  well  and  are  very 
successfully  grown.  Among  these  are  Minnesota  No.  23,  Minnesota  No.  13, 
Rustler  White,  Silver  King,  Reeves'  Yellow  Dent  and  others. 

Douglas  county  fanners  have  taken  a  number  of  prizes  at  recent  corn 
shows  which  are  worthy  of  record  here.  At  the  corn  contest  of  the  Minne- 
sota Corn  Growers  Association  held  at  Albert  Lea,  January  2  to  7,  191 1, 
George  McMahan  was  awarded  the  first  prize  for  the  northern  section  of  the 
state  for  best  ten  ears  of  Minnesota  No.  13.  At  the  same  contest  Samuel 
Preston,  of  Carlos  township,  received  the  second  prize  for  the  best  twenty- 
five  ears  of  any  variety,  his  corn  being  White  Dent;  and  Eugene  Korkowski, 
of  Brandon  township,  received  first  prize  for  the  entire  state  for  the  best  ten 
ears  of  flint  corn.  And  this  flint  corn  was  the  best  in  the  United  States,  for 
the  second  prize  winner  afterward  entered  his  corn  at  the  national  corn  show 
at  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  received  first  prize.  In  1912  Mr.  McMahan  won 
first  prize  for  the  entire  state  for  the  best  ten  ears  of  white  dent  at  the 
northwestern  live-stock  show  at  South  St.  Paul. 

POTATO    CULTURE,    FRUITS,    LIVE    STOCK    AND   DAIRYING. 

For  vegetables,  it  is  declared  that  no  soil  in  the  state  is  better  suited 
than  that  of  Douglas  county.  Potatoes,  beets,  turnips,  onions  and  all  kinds 
of  garden  and  field  vegetables  grow  to  fine  size  and  give  large  yields.  The 
growing  of  potatoes  for  outside  markets  has  in  the  past  few  years  become 
an  assured  success  and  many  carloads  are  now  shipped  each  year  outside 
the  state  at  a  good  profit.  No  finer  potatoes  are  grown  in  the  state,  a  fact 
attested  at  the  scoring  at  the  county  exhibits  at  the  Minnesota  state  fair 
during  recent  vears,  where  Douglas  county  potatoes  came  into  competition 
with  a  lar^e  number  of  the  best  counties  of  the  state;  in  one  year,  out  of  a 


200  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

possible  score  of  150  points,  Douglas  county  scoring  149,  the  highest  of 
the  twenty-three  counties  exhibiting.  The  next  year  the  score  was  147 
points,  the  highest  of  the  thirty-four  counties  contesting. 

The  first  potato  warehouse  in  the  county  was  built  at  Garfield  in  191 1 
by  a  farmers  co-operative  company,  and  was  so  much  of  a  success  that  in 
1912  a  second  warehouse  was  built  at  that  point,  since  which  time  warehouses 
have  been  built  at  Alexandria,  Osakis,  Brandon,  Carlos,  Nelson,  Forada  and 
Melby.  As  a  consequence  of  this  success  the  acreage  of  potatoes  has  in- 
creased to  above  four  thousand  acres  and  the  potato  crop  is  now  becoming 
one  of  the  leading  crops  of  the  county. 

On  many  of  the  older  farms  of  the  county  apples  of  good  size  and  fine 
quality  and  other  cultivated  fruits  are  successfully  grown,  and  within  the 
past  few  years  many  thousands  of  hardy  apple,  crab,  plum  and  cherry  trees 
have  been  set  out  and  are  doing  well.  Forty-five  varieties  of  apples  were 
shown  at  the  Douglas  county  exhibit  at  the  state  fair  recently  and  the  fruit 
exhibits  as  a  whole  have  scored  as  high  as  many  counties  one  hundred  miles 
farther  south.  Large  numbers  of  grape  vines  and  strawberries  also  have 
Iieen  planted  and  the  strawberry  crop  is  especially  fine.  As  much  as  four 
hundred  dollars  has  been  realized  from  one  acre  of  strawberries.  Wild 
fruits  are  abundant  in  all  parts  of  the  county,  grapes,  plums,  raspberries, 
gooseberries  and  juneberries  are  excellent  in  quality  and  large  in  quantity. 

The  soil,  climate,  pure  water  and  timber  all  combine  to  make  this  sec- 
tion especially  adapted  to  stock  raising  and  dairy  farming.  The  soil  and 
climate  being  well  adapted  to  growing  corn,  clover,  timothy,  alfalfa  and 
nutritious  grasses,  all  kinds  of  stock  do  well  and  cattle  and  hogs  especially 
are  increasing  rapidly.  There  have  been  in  the  past  no  serious  diseases 
among  cattle,  ver}-  little  hog  cholera  and  very  few  diseases  among  horses, 
while  sheep  do  extra  w^ell  here,  besides  being  a  great  aid  in  clearing  up 
timber  and  brush  lands.  According  to  the  bulletin  of  the  Douglas  County 
Agricultural  Association  above  referred  to,  the  creameries  are  getting  the 
verv  highest  prices  for  butter  in  the  Eastern  markets  and  taking  premiums 
wherever  they  enter  butter  in  competition.  There  are  now  fourteen  cream- 
eries in  the  county,  eleven  co-operative,  two  independent,  and  one  large  cen- 
tral creamery,  with  the  largest  capacity,  when  built,  of  an}-  creamery  in  the 
state,  owned  by  the  North  American  Storage  Company  at  Alexandria.  A 
breeders  association  was  formed  in  1909,  the  first  one  to  be  organized  in  the 
state,  and  it  has  been  quite  successful,  having  about  sixty  members,  covering 
about  half  the  county.  A  number  of  full-blood  Holstein  and  Guernsey  sires 
have  been  purchased  and  hundreds  of  grade  calves  have  been  raised  by  its 


i;\iiiKX('i:s  (IF  iMtdsrEniTT. 


WHEAT  HARVEST  SCENE. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  20I 

members.  The  association  has  also  stimulated  outside  farmers  to  purchase 
full-blood  sires  and  twenty-five  or  thirty  such  sires  are  now  owned  by  indi- 
viduals. Recent  statistics  show  that  the  fourteen  creameries'  had  1,917 
patrons  owning  15.107  cows,  made  2.215,819  pounds  of  butter  and  paid  out 
during  the  year  $573,686.02  to  patrons  for  butter  fat.  To  this  must  be  added 
the  large  amounts  received  by  farmers  for  cream  shipped  to  central  cream- 
eries in  adjoining  counties  and  the  amounts  received  by  farmers  for  butter 
made  upon  the  farms,  which  probably  amounts  to  nearly  as  much  as  the 
sum  received  from  the  creameries  in  the  county.  A  recent  report  of  the 
Minnesota  tax  commission  gave  the  numbers  and  value  of  the  live  stock  in 
Douglas  county  as  follow : 

Number.  Value. 

Cattle 30,281        $    870,516 

Horses 10,352  1,045,737 

Swine    10,203  95.064 

Sheep    3,512  14,802 

RURAL  MAIL  DELIVERY.  TELEPHONES  AND  GOOD  ROADS. 

Douglas  county  has  a  complete  county  system  of  rural  free  delivery 
routes  by  which  every  farmer  in  the  county  is  reached.  There  is  also  a 
complete  system  of  rural  telephones  maintained  by  eight  companies,  connect- 
ing with  each  other  and  with  exchanges  in  Alexandria.  Osakis  and  other 
villages,  and  with  long-distance  lines,  covering  nearly  every  part  of  the  county 
and  giving  good  service.  The  county  is  noted  for  its  good  roads,  having 
many  miles  of  first  class  graveled  roads,  which  are  being  added  to  each  year. 
The  National  Parks  Highway,  known  as  "The  Red  Trail,"  extending  from 
Xew  York  to  Seattle,  passes  through  the  county  nearly  parallel  to  the  Great 
Xorthern  railway,  following  practically  the  route  of  the  old  Red  River  trail, 
which  was  the  highway  for  the  famous  old  Red  River  carts  in  the  days  of 
the  fur  traders.  This  road  is  practically  all  now  graded  and  graveled,  as  a 
state  road,  throughout  its  forty-mile  course  in  the  county. 

Farmers  clubs  for  the  discussion  of  farm  problems  and  for  social  inter- 
course flourish  in  Douglas  county,  nine  or  ten  such  clubs  doing  splendid 
work  along  those  lines.  There  are  also  a  number  of  farmers  co-operative 
associations  for  conducting  elevators,  potato  warehouses,  the  shipping  of  live 
stock  and  other  produce,  the  buying  of  farm  machinery  and  other  bulky 
merchandise  at  wholesale,  besides  the  co-operative  creameries  above  men- 
tioned,  and   largely  attended    farmers   institutes   for  the   study  of   scientific 


202  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUXTIKS.    MINNESOTA. 

agriculture  and  farm  problems,  conducted  b}'  state  experts,  are  held  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  county  every  winter.  The  prices  at  which  improved  farms 
can  be  bought  in  Douglas  county  vary  considerable,  according  to  circum- 
stances, ranging  from  forty  dollars  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars 
an  acre.  A  successful  county  fair  is  held  each  year  at  Alexandria  by  the 
Douglas  County  Agricultural  .Association,  which  also  makes  an  annual  countv 
exhibit  at  the  state   fair. 

DOUGLAS    COUNTY    AGRICULTURAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  efforts  to  hold  county  fairs  and  agricultural  exhibits  in  Douglas 
county  have  passed  through  three  successive  stages  of  development.  From 
the  very  beginning  of  agricultural  development  in  this  section  of  the  state, 
the  farmers  and  business  men  of  Douglas  county  have  exerted  their  energies 
in  the  direction  of  making  a  creditable  showing  of  the  resources  of  the 
county  and  the  annual  exhibits,  together  with  a  constant  succession  of  the 
exhibits  of  the  county's  agricultural  resources  at  the  Minnesota  state  fair, 
have  done  much  to  establish  the  reputation  of  this  section  as  a  region  of 
much  productivity.  Early  in  the  seventies  voluntary  exhibits  began  to  be 
made  in  the  village  of  Alexandria  after  the  passing  of  the  harvest  season 
and  on  January  i8,  1874,  the  Douglas  County  Fair  Ground  Association  was 
organized  and  incorporated  for  the  purpose  of  holding  annual  fairs  in  the 
village  of  Alexandria,  the  county  seat,  the  articles  of  incorporation  of  this 
association  having  been  signed  by  Christ  H.  Raiter,  L.  G.  Sims,  Hiram  Ship- 
pev,  Thomas  F.  Cowing,  Fred  von  Baumbacb,  Charles  Shultz,  Charles  F. 
Sims,  J.  B.  Cowing,  Knute  Nelson,  C.  Offel,  Charles  Sonday,  John  A.  Flesch, 
George  H.  Roe,  Thomas  W.  Sprague,  James  H.  \'an  Dyke,  Joseph  Gilpin, 
J.  M.  Doudua,  Godfrey  Vivian  and  Frank  E.  Lewis. 

The  above  association  established  fair  grounds  and  conducted  annual 
exhibits  with  a  varying  measure  of  success  for  some  years  and  was  presently 
reorganized  and  succeeded  by  the  Douglas  County  Agricultural  Society, 
which  filed  articles  of  incorporation  on  April  2,  1888.  This  society  was 
organized  with  a  capital  stock  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  with  the  following 
stockholders;  Fred  C.  Meade,  of  Hudson;  John  Landeen,  of  Ida;  B.  W. 
Blakesley,  of  Lake  Mary;  N.  N.  Hardy,  of  Alexandria;  Mathias  Kline,  of 
Belle  River;  Jacob  Kohlhaas,  of  Carlos;  J.  F.  Dicken,  of  La  Grand;  D.  E. 
Robinson,  of  Lake  Mary ;  Frank  Reynolds,  Fred  von  Baumbach,  J.  H.  Let- 
son  and  G.  W.  Robards,  of  Alexandria,  and  the  following  directors ;  F.  C. 
Meade,  John  Landeen,  B.  W.  Blakesley,  Mathias  Kline,  Jacob  Kohlhaas,  J.  F. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  203 

Dicken  and  X.  N.  Hardy.  The  Douglas  County  Agricultural  Society  con- 
tinued holding  county  fairs  and  some  very  creditable  exhibits  were  made 
from  year  to  year,  Ijut  finally  the  direction  of  the  society  gradually  passed 
into  other  hands,  too  much  attention  was  paid  to  the  sporting  side  of  horse 
racing  and  the  sporting  element  which  attached  itself  to  the  enterprise  eventu- 
ally brought  the  county  fairs  into  such  local  disrepute  that  the  people  of  the 
county  generally  paid  little  attention  to  the  same,  attendance  and  interest 
both  dwindling  to  such  proportions  that  the  societ}-  finally  was  disbanded 
and  the  fair  ground  was  bought  by  the  city  of  Alexandria  for  e\xntual  park 
purposes  or  such  purposes  as  may  eventually  be  found  most  advantageous  to 
the  city,  and  the  annual ,  county  fair  exhibits  ceased  for  a  time.  During  the 
years  1907-10,  annual  fairs  were  held  at  Alexandria  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Alexandria  Commercial  Club. 

On  August  25,  19 II,  the  present  Douglas  County  Agricultural  Asso- 
ciation was  organized  and  on  September  5  of  that  year  filed  articles  of  incor- 
poration, under  the  above  title,  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  incorporators 
being  as  follow:  Nels  Bye,  of  Urness;  Ole  J.  Berg,  of  Moe:  B.  E.  Howe,  of 
Osagis;  C.  H.  Cooper,  of  Carlos;  John  H.  O'Brien,  of  Alexandria;  Fred  C. 
Meade,  of  Hudson;  John  A.  Johnson,  of  Ida;  Theo.  A.  Erickson,  J.  A. 
W'edum,  G.  A.  Kortsch  and  A.  H.  Gregerson,  of  Alexandria,  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers ;  President,  Theo.  A.  Erickson ;  vice-president,  Fred  C. 
Meade ;  secretary,  George  L.  Treat,  and  treasurer,  G.  A.  Kortsch.  This 
association  has  not  yet  purchased  fair  grounds,  but  has  done  a  fine  work  in 
making  a  concerted  efifort  to  promote  the  agricultural  interests  of  Douglas 
county  and  to  introduce  the  advantages  of  this  section  as  an  agricultural 
region  by  means  of  well-designed  publications  and'  other  forms  of  publicity 
to  persons  seeking  homes  in  the  beautiful  park  region  of  which  the  associa- 
tion's base  of  operations  is  the  virtual  center.  Attractive  exhibits  have  been 
made  in  the  city  of  Alexandria  with  a  view  to  showing  the  advance  that  has 
been  made  in  recent  3'ears  in  the  methods  and  results  of  modern  farming  and 
as  a  further  means  of  interesting  all  in  the  wonderful  agricultural  possibili- 
ties of  the  county.  The  association  also  makes  an  annual  county  exhibit  at 
the  state  fair  and  through  this  latter  means  has  done  much  to  attract  the 
attention  of  people  from  all  parts  of  the  state  to  Douglas  county. 

DOUGLAS    COUNTY    AS    A    SUMMER    RESORT. 

Douglas  county  is  a  famous  summer  resort.  Its  two  hundred  lakes  of 
pure,  deep  water,  with  their  beautiful,  timbered  shores  and  sandy  beaches, 


204  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

furnish  a  resting  place  and  recreation  for  many  hundreds  of  people  from  all 
parts  of  the  United  States  during  the  summer  months.  The  finishing  is  of  the 
best,  among  the  varieties  of  fish  to  be  found  in  the  lakes  being  pickerel,  wall- 
eyed pike,  Great  Northern  pike,  crappies,  and  at  least  six  varieties  of  bass, 
including  the  gamey,  small-mouthed  gray  bass  and  the  black  bass,  all  of 
which  attain  a  size  wholly  unknown  outside  of  the  Minnesota  park  region. 
While  the  tourist  resorts  center  at  Alexandria  and  Osakis,  good  accommoda- 
tions also  are  provided  at  many  small  resorts  and  farm  houses  throughout 
the  county. 

REGISTERED    FARM    NAMES. 

The  Minnesota  state  Legislature  passed  an  act  in  1909  under  the  pro- 
visions of  which  any  farm  owner  in  the  state  may  secure  exclusive  right  to  a 
name  for  his  farm  by  having  the  same  recorded  with  the  register  of  deeds 
in  the  county  where  he  lives.  A  fee  of  onl}-  fifty  cents  is  charged  to  cover 
the  cost  of  the  clerical  work.  Up  to  August,  19 16,  one  hundred  and  nine- 
teen farm  names  were  registered  in  Douglas  county,  and  the  owners  and 
location  of  the  same  are  set  out  in  the  following  paragraphs: 

"Birch  Hill" — Owned  by  C.  H.  Jenson;  registered  on  July  2,  1909; 
located  on  section  24,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Riveiview" — Owned  by  Oscar  Erickson;  registered  on  July  2,  1909; 
located  on  section  t,2,  t^t,,  township  129,  range  40. 

"Lakeside"" — Owned  by  XewtonJ.  Trenham;  registered  on  July  9,  1909; 
located  in  section  18,  township  128,  range  ^,7. 

"Pleasant  \'ie\v'" — Owned  by  C.  H.  Cooper;  registered  on  July  10, 
1909;  located  on  section  13.  township  129,  range  37. 

"Lund"" — Owned  by  Ole  Haglund;  registered  on  July  13,  1909;  located 
on  section  17,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Eagle  Point" — Owned  by  E.  E.  Hedeen;  registered  on  July  20,  1909; 
located  on  section   12,  township   129,  range  39. 

"Lake  Shore"" — Owned  by  Jacob  E.  Jacobson;  registered  on  July  20, 
1909:  located  on  section  13.  township  129,  range  39. 

"Cloverdale" — Owned  b\-  Leander  Kellogg:  registered  on  July  2^,  1909; 
located  on  sections  28,  29,  t,j.  ^t,,  township  127,  rdnge  2i7- 

"Runboholm"' — Owned  by  Oscar  Wolf;  registered  on  July  26,  1909; 
located  on  section  2,  township  127,  range  39. 

"Coney  Island"" — Owned  by  Paul  W.  Hanson;  registered  on  July  26, 
1909:  located  on  section  2,  township  127.  range  39. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  2O5 

"Elmwood" — Owned  by  C.  E.  Warberg;  registered  on  July  2-],  1909; 
located  on  section  25,  township  129,  range  36. 

"Urness  Lakeside" — Owned  by  E.  J.  Olson;  registered  on  July  28,  1909; 
located  on  sections  14,  2:i,,  township  128,  range  40. 

"Greenwing  Pass" — Owned  b\-  John  E.  Anderson;  registered  on  Jul\- 
28,  1909;  located  on  section  12,  township  127,  range  40,  and  section  7, 
township  127,  range  39. 

"Elm  Grove" — Owned  Ijy  C.  J.  Peterson;  registered  on  July  28,  1909; 
located  on  section  11,  township  127,  range  39. 

"Maple  Hill" — Owned  by  Annie  Johnson;  registered  on  July  28,  1909; 
located  on  section  11,  township  127,  range  39. 

"Lakeview" — Owned  by  Louis  Morris;  registered  on  July  30,  1909; 
located  on  section  20,  township  127,  range  37. 

"Oak  Grove" — Owned  by  Peter  N.  Johnson;  registered  on  July  31, 
1909;  located  on  section  26,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Maple  Lane" — Owned  by  George  A.  Swaren ;  registered  on  August  2, 
1909;  located  on  section  27,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Sunnyside" — Owned  by  Ambrose  Peet;  registered  on  August  14,  1909; 
located  on  section  I},,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Fairview" — Owned  by  C.  O.  Weatherwax;  registered  on  August  16, 
1909;  located  on  sections  21,  22,  township  129,  range  t^J. 

"Riverside" — Owned  by  F.  W.  Craig;  registered  on  August  21,  1909; 
located  on  sections  13,   14,  24,  township  129,  range  36. 

"Korum  Farm" — Owned  by  Aune  O.  Korum;  registered  on  August  28, 
1909;  located  on  sections  5,  6,  township  128.  range  39. 

"Fairfield" — Owned  by  Anton  Lund;  registered  on  September  11, 
1909;  located  on  section   15,  townshii>   128,  range  38. 

"Butternut  Lawn" — Owned  by  Carolina  Miessner;  registered  on  Sep- 
tember 18,  1909;  located  on  sections  27,  34,  township  120,  range  39. 

"Evansville  Fairview" — Owned  by  Ellen  J.  Okerlund ;  registered  on 
September  2-3^,  1909;  located  on  sections  29,  31,  ^2.  township  129, 
range  40. 

"Cosy  Nook" — Owned  by  Ellen  J.  Okerlund;  registered  on  September 
23,  1909;  located  on  section  },2,  township  129,  range  40. 

"Sandvik" — Owned  by  C.  H.  Larson;  registered  on  September  24, 
1909;  located  on  section  14,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Oakland" — Owned  by  Charles  O.  Anderson;  registered  on  October  4, 
1909;  located  on  sections  31,  }^2,  township   129,  range  2,1- 


2o6  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COl"NTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

"Grand  View" — Owned  by  Mina  O.  Newhouse;  registered  on  October 
9,   1909;  located  on  sections  29,  32,  township  129,  range  39. 

"Woodland" — Owned  by  John  Anderson;  registered  on  OctoJjer  9, 
1909:  located  on  sections  26,  27,  35,  township  128,  range  39. 

"Maplewood" — Owned  by  B.  W.  Blakesley;  registered  on  October  23, 
1909;  located  on  sections  11,  13,  14,  township  127,  range  38. 

"Clover  Crest" — Owned  by  William  Hermanson;  registered  on  October 
26,  1909;  located  on  section  7,  township  129,  range  38. 

"The  Oaks" — Owned  by  R.  J.  Ballentine;  registered  on  November  10. 
1909:  located  on  section  7,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Glen  Oak" — Owned  by  C.  X"auman ;  registered  on  November 
17,  1909;  located  on  sections  2"],  28,  township  129,  range  t,"]. 

"Birch  Lawn" — Owned  by  E.  H.  Boerner;  registered  on  November  17, 
1909;  located  on  sections  28,  29,  township  129,  range  37. 

"Oakdale" — Owned  by  Erick  E.  Ekdahl;  registered  on  November  24, 
1909;  located  on  section  35,  township  129,  range  38,  and  section  2,  town- 
ship 128,  range  38. 

"Lake  Center" — Owned  by  J.  N.  Tilleskjor;  registered  on  November  26, 
1909;  located  on  section  11,  township  128,  range  40. 

"Clover  Leaf" — Owned  by  John  S.  Wagner;  registered  on  November 
30,  1909;  located  on  section  33,  township  130,  range  39. 

"Oak  Lawn" — Owned  by  John  Kelly ;  registered  on  December  8,  1909 ; 
located  on  section  28,  township  130,  range  38. 

"Willow  Grove" — Owned  \>\  Christian  Pitir^on ;  registered  on  Decem- 
lier  II,   1909;  located  on  section  22,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Lugn  Vik" — Owned  by  Per  Hanson;  registered  .on  December  16, 
1909;  located  on  section  2,  township  127,  range  39. 

"Cranberry  Farm" — Owned  by  James  Lauda;  registered  on  December 
28,    1909;  located  on  sections  2,  3,   11,  township   129,  range  39. 

"Broadview" — Owned  by  J.  O.  Brandon;  registered  on  December  31. 
1909:  located  on  sections  })-•  H'  township  128,  range  39. 

"Park  Hill" — Owned  by  A.  J.  Peterson;  registered  on  January  13. 
1910;  located  on  section  9,  township   129,   range  39. 

"Pine  Hill" — Owne<l  by  A.  H.  Englund;  registered  on  Januarv  24, 
1910;  located  on  section  15.  township  127,  range  39. 

"Lilac  Grove" — Owned  by  Gustaf  Olson;  registered  on  January  26, 
1910;  located  on  section  15,  township  127,  range  39. 

"Lake  Park" — Owned  b\'  P.  A.  Lofdahl ;  registered  on  February  7, 
1910;  located  on  sections  20,  21,  township  130,  range  39. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  207 

"Prairie  \'iolet" — Owned  by  Amund  Holverson;  registered  on  Febru- 
ary 7.  1910;  located  on  section  2,  township  128,  range  40. 

"Woodside" — Owned  by  Paul  E.  Foslin;  registered  on  February  7, 
1910;  located  on  sections  15,  16,  township  128,  range  39. 

Geneva  Hill" — Owned  by  F.  O.  Erickson;  registered  on  February  14, 
1910;  located  on  section  15,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Green  Briar" — ^Owned  by  Erick  T.  Sletto;  registered  on  February  19, 
1910;  located  on  sections  17,  18,  19,  20,  township  128,  range  39. 

"Prairie  Home" — Owned  by  J.  H.  Cooley ;  registered  on  February 
26,  1910;  located  on  sections  7,  8,  township  127,  range  37. 

"Spring  Hill" — Owned  by  E.  J.  and  Jennie  Robards;  registered  on 
February  28,  1910:  located  on  sections  4,  5,  township  127,  range  },■/. 

"Hazel  Grove" — Owned  by  J.  ^^'.  Lund;  registered  on  ]\Iarch  17. 
1910:  located  on  section  26,  township   128,  range  2)7- 

"Carlos  Lakeview" — Owned  by  John  P.  Peterson;  registered  on  March 
21,   1910;  located  on  sections  16.  17,  township  129,  range  ^J. 

"Andrewborg" — Owned  by  Andrew  A.  Anderson;  registered  on  May 
9,   1 9 10;  located  on  section  21,  township  128,  range  39. 

"The  Blom  Farm" — Owned  by  John  J.  Blom;  registered  on  May  14, 
19 10;  located  on  section  15  township  128,  range  38. 

"Oakwood" — Owned  by  Charles  Guenther;  registered  on  May  2;i,.  1910; 
located  on  section  20,  township  130,  range  38. 

"Hampton" — Owned  by  Gustav  Tonn ;  registered  on  I\Iay  27,  1910; 
located  on  sections  11,   12,  township  129,  range  T,y. 

"Golden  Willow" — Owned  by  Louis  Thoreson;  registered  on  Ma\-  31, 
1910:  located  on  section  2.  township  128,  range  37. 

"Fosmoe  Farm" — Owned  by  John  Fosmoe;  registered  on  June  7.  1910; 
located  on  section  28,  township  128,  range  39. 

"Summit" — Owned  by  L.  G.  Hermanson;  registered  on  June  22,  1910; 
located  on  section  12,  township  129,  range  39. 

"Meadow  Lawn" — Owned  In-  Fritz  Lindstrom;  registered  on  August 
8,   19^0;  located  on  section  ^t,,  township  129,  range  40. 

"Brookside" — Owned  by  Fred  Peterson;  registered  on  August  26, 
1 9 10;  located  on  section  13,  township  129,  range  39. 

"Brook  Hill" — Owned  by  Emil  Peterson;  registered  on  August  26, 
1 9 10,  located  on  section  18,  township  129,  range  38. 

"La  Glade" — Owned  by  ^\'illiam  H.  Lee;  registered  on  October  4, 
19 10;  located  on  section  23,  township  128.  range  38. 

"Green  Park" — Owned  by  Ole  L.  Berglund ;  registered  on  October  29. 


208  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

1910;  locdted  on  section  4.  township   129,  range  36,  and  section  33,  town- 
ship 130,  range  36. 

"Green  Hill" — Owned  by  Charles  A.  Anderson;  registered  on  October 
31,   1910;  located  on  section  5,  township  128,  range  36. 

"Wood  Lawn" — Owned  by  Samuel  Preston;  registered  on  December 
7.  1910;  located  on  section  30,  township  129,  range  T,y,  and  section  25.  town- 
ship  129,  range  38. 

"The  Willows" — Owned  by  Frank  Danielson;  registered  on  Januar}-  12 
1911  ;  located  on  section  31,  township  127,  range  40. 

"Botner  Farm" — Owned  by  Ole  P.  Botner;  registered  on  January  17, 
1911;  located  on  sections  12,  13,  township  128,  range  39. 

"Shore  Acres" — Owned  by  Jerry  L.  Blodgett;  registered  on  January 
30.  191 1 ;  located  on  section  31,  township  129,  range  37. 

"The  Highlands" — Owned  by  H.  L.  Lewis:  registered  on  February  15 
191 1 ;  located  on  section  15,  township  IJ7,  range  39. 

"Homewood" — Owned  by  John  Bolin;  registered  on  February  28 
191 1 ;  located  on  section  2,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Victoria  Lodge" — Owned  by  Josephine  Helen  \'an  Cleve;  registered 
on  March  18,   191 1;  located  on  section  21,  township  128,  range  2,y. 

"Interlachen  Lodge" — Owned  by  Mary  E.  Finch;  registered  on  June 
9.  191 1 ;  located  on  section  6,  township  128,  range  T,y. 

"Glendale" — Owned  by  Albert  W.  Allen;  registered  on  June  24,  1911 ; 
located  on  section  21,  township  128,  range  ^,7. 

"Fair  Acres" — Owned  by  John  C.  Ames;  registered  on  September 
II.   191 1  ;  located  on  section  2,  township  129,  range  38. 

"La  Grand  Lake  Park" — Owned  by  Peter  Sweet;  registered  on  Sep- 
tember 24.  191 1  ;  located  on  sections  2,  3,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Highland" — Owned  by  J.  P.  Gran;  registered  on  November  10.  1911  ; 
located  on  sections  i,   12,  township   127,  range  40. 

"Circle  Beach" — Owned  by  Constant  A.  Wesen;  registered  on  Decem- 
ber 18.  191 1  ;  located  on  section  24.  township  127,  range  39. 

"Heather  Brae" — Owned  by  J.  A.  McKay;  registered  on  December 
26,    191 1  ;  located  on  section   17,  township   128,  range  37. 

"Oak  Hill" — Owned  by  E.  J.  Brandt;  registered  on  December  2~,  191 1 ; 
located  on  section  30,  township  130,  range  36. 

"Belle  Plaine" — Owned  by  Gust  Mattson;  registered  on  December  28. 
191 1 ;  located  on  section  29,  township  129,  range  36. 

"Sunny  Slope" — Owned  by  John  Nelson;  registered  on  December  30. 
191 1  ;   located  on   section    19.  township    128,   range  36. 


DOl'GLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  209 

"Cloverland" — Owned   by   August   Anderson;  registered   on   December 

30,  191 1  :  located  un  section  12,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Urness  Homestead" — Owned  by  John  A.  Urness;  registered  on  Decem- 
ber 30,  191 1 ;  located  on  sections  13,  14,  24,  township  128,  range  40. 

"Pleasant  Grove  Stock  Farm" — Owned  by  John  A.  Olson;  registered 
on  January  2,  1912;  located  on  sections  17,  18,  township  128,  range  36. 

"Honeydale" — Owned  by  Albin  Anderson;  registered  on  March  18, 
1912;  located  on  section  i,  township  129,  range  36. 

"Lakewood" — Owned  by  Samuel  Preston;  registered  on  March  22, 
1912;  located  on  section   11,  township   128,  range  38. 

"Pleasant  Home" — Owned  by  Edward  A.  Olson;  registered  on  April 
6,  1912;  located  on  sections  24,  25,  township  128,  range  37. 

"Crescent  Grove" — Owned  by  O.  H.  Kahlon;  registered  on  June  12, 
1912;    located  on   section    i,   township    128,   range   37. 

"The  Meadows" — Owned  by  E.  O.  Fritz;  registered  on  August  30, 
1912;  located  on  sections  28,  33,  township  129,  range  36. 

"North  Star" — Owned  bv  Theodore  Walstad ;  registered  on  September 
12,  1912;  located  on  section  4,  township  130,  range  40. 

"Terre  Bonne" — Owned  by  Stephen  A.  Blackwell;  registered  on  October 

31,  1912;  located  on  section  13,  township  127,  range  39. 

"Peaceful  Grove" — Owned  by  Theodore  Johnson;  registered  on  March 
8,   1913;  located  on  sections  29,  32,  township  127,  range  40. 

"Oakdene  Park" — Owned  by  W.  J.  B.  Moses;  registered  on  June  23, 
1913;  located  on  section  23,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Plain  View" — Owned  by  Augusta  Peterson;  registered  on  July  9, 
1913;  located  on  section  21,  township  127,  range  40. 

"Ferndale  Stock  Farm" — Owned  by  Peter  Rutten;  registered  on  Novem- 
ber 15,  1913:  located  on  sections  i,  2,  township  128,  range  36. 

"Park  Region" — Owned  by  Mrs.  H.  B.  Hobart;  registered  on  Decem- 
ber 2-/,  1913;  located  on  sections  34.  35,  township  129,  range  37. 

"Meadow  Lane  Jersey  Farm" — Owned  by  J.  O.  Rosencjuist;  registered 
on  February  6.  1914;  located  on  section  10,  township  130,  range  36. 

"Evergreen  Valley  Orchard  Green  Lawn  Roadside  Farm — Owned  by 
Robert  Berglund;  registered  on  February  9,  1914;  located  on  section  3, 
township  127,  range  40. 

"Orchard  Grove" — Owned  by  A.  G.  Carlson;  registered  on  February 
12,  1914;  located  on  section  4,'  township  127,  range  n. 

"Geneva  Crest" — Owned  by  A.  G.  Carlson;  registered  on  March   18, 
1914;  located  on  section  22,  township  128,  range  37. 
(14) 


2IO  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

"Brook  Dale" — Owned  by  J.  J.  Volker;  registered  on  May  i6,  1914; 
located  on  section  30,  township  127,  range  36. 

"Golden  Summit  Dairy  Farm" — Owned  by  George  Workman ;  regis- 
tered on  June  15,   1914;  located  on  section  31,  township   127,   range  36. 

"Hillcrest" — Owned  by  Elhe  L.  Hitchcox;  registered  on  July  3,  1914; 
located  on  section  i,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Brown's  Dale  Stock  Farm"- — Owned  by  John  N.  Brown;  registered 
on  May   11,    1915;  located  on  sections   7.    18,  township    129.  range  36. 

"Cowdry  Park" — Owned  by  John  M.  Green;  registered  on  May  19, 
1915;  located  on  section  14,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Sunny  Brook" — Owned  by  Peter  Streed;  registered  on  October  2t,. 
191 5;  located  on  section  14,  township  129,  range  T,y. 

"Garden  Grove" — Owned  by  Frank  O.  Kullander ;  registered  on  March 

1,  1916;  located  on  section  21,  township  127,  range  40. 

"Pleasant  Hill" — Owned  by  Matt  Johnson;  registered  on  March  10, 
1916;  located  on  section  28,  township  128,  range  39. 

"Hill  View" — Owned  by  Gust  Mattson;  registered  on  April  i,  1916; 
located  on  section  35,  township  129,  range  37. 

"Maple  Grove" — Owned  by  E.   Herman  Peterson ;  registered  on   May 

2,  1916;  located  on  section  16,  township  130,  range  36. 

"Alexandria  Fruit  and  Nursery  Farm" — Owned  by  W.  H.  Horton ; 
registered  on  June  17.  191 6;  located  on  section  24,  township  128,  range  38. 

"Oak  Valley" — Owned  by  C.  Hermanson;  registered  on  July  3,  1916; 
located  on  section  27,  township  129,  range  39. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Travel  and  Transportation. 

From  the  days  of  the  Umibering  Red  Ri^•er  carts  and  the  "prairie 
schooners,"  with  their  plodding  oxen  as  motive  power,  to  the  wonderful 
trans-continental  steel  vestibuled  trains  that  roar  amid  the  lake-begemmed 
park  region  comprised  within  the  confines  of  Douglas  county,  on  their  swift 
flight  to  and  from  the  coast,  and  from  the  creaking  wagons  of  the  pioneers 
to  the  cushioned  ease  of  the  automobile  "super-sixes"  of  the  present  day 
is  a  far  crv,  indeed;  and  yet  this  amazing  transformation  in  the  transporta- 
tion system  of  the  people  has  been  accomplished  within  the  eas}-  recollection 
of  many  persons  now  living  in  Douglas  county. 

White  men  began  to  travel  through  the  then  wilds  of  this  section  of 
Minnesota  as  early  as  the  second  decade  of  the  past  century,  the  French 
voyageurs  and,  later,  the  hardy  courciirs  dcs  bois,  or  rangers  of  the  woods, 
blazing  the  ways  that  later  became  well-developed  and  much  traveled  trails 
from  the  rich  fur-trading  stations  of  the  Red  River  country  to  the  outposts 
of  ci\-ilization  on  the  Mississippi.  For  many  years  the  voyageurs  and  semi- 
wild  wood  rangers,  employees  of  the  various  fur  companies,  ranged  through 
the  wilds  of  Minnesota  and  traded  with  the  Indian  tribes  on  the  Minnesota, 
the  Mississippi,  the  Red  River  of  the  North  and  other  streams.  These 
hardy  men  penetrated  to  all  parts  of  the  land  and  explored  it  mile  by  mile. 
Trading  posts  were  established  at  all  convenient  points  from  the  headwaters 
of  the  Mississippi  westward  to  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  from  Lake 
Superior,  Rainy  Lake  and  Lake  of  the  Woods  on  the  north  to  the  valley 
of  the  Minnesota;  many  of  these  posts  being  carried  on  by  private  intli- 
viduals  in  competition  with  the  rich  fur-trading  companies  of  the  East,  and 
the  trails  through  the  forests  and  over  the  prairies  created  by  these  wander- 
ing and  roving  traders  later  Ijecame  the;  first  highways  of  the  pioneers,  the 
first  permanent  settlers  of  the  land.  Towards  the  middle  of  the  century 
communication  between  the  Red  River  valley  and  the  outside  world  became 
all  the  more  frequent.  Cart  routes  leading  to  the  head  of  navigation  on 
the  Mississippi  began  to  be  established  by  traders  who.  independent  of 
the  fur  companies,  began  to  locate  at  Pembina  and  other  points,  Mendota, 


212  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

near  Ft.  Snelling  becoming  one  of  the  chief  objective  points  of  the  Red 
River  cart  trails  through  Minnesota -for  many  years  lief  ore  St.  Paul  was 
founded  and  became  a  determined  rival  of  the  equally  busy  port  at  Prairie 
du  Chein.  The  aristocracy  of  the  plains  in  those  times  consisted  of  the 
officers,  traders  and  clerks  at  the  posts  and  the  buffalo  hunters.  While 
the  Selkirk  colonists  generally  dressed  in  homespun  clothing  and  lived  plainly, 
the  men  at  the  posts  had  every  lu.xury  they  could  procure,  including  a 
stock  of  the  finest  lic|uors.  In  fact,  liquor  was  one  of  the  essentials  of  a 
well-stocked  post  in  that  time  and  there  was  rarel}-  a  lack  of  the  ardent 
spirits  among  the  roving,  reckless  people  of  that  day,  it  not  being  an  infre- 
quent thing  to  cache  barrels  of  whiskey  at  convenient  points  along  the  trail, 
presumably  for  the  better  progress  of  the  carters  and  rovers  of  the  fur 
country.  It  is  related  that  Whisky  Lake,  just  to  the  north  of  the  present 
village  of  Brandon,  in  Douglas  county,  has  its  name  from  the  circumstance 
thad  it  was  noted  in  those  days  as  the  place  of  one  of  the  best-known  liquor 
caches  of  that  period. 

Afterward,  the  military  trails  began  to  open  up  new  lines  .of  travel, 
one  of  the  most  notable  of  these  being  the  old  military  trail  that  was  cut 
through  Douglas  county  and  on  to  the  Red  River  by  Colonel  Abercrombie, 
who  established  the  fort  which  long  bore  his  name,  in  the  neighborhood  of 
the  present  city  of  Breckenridge,  and  then  came  the  stage  lines,  enterprising 
individuals  finding  that  there  was  enough  transient  travel  developing  to 
warrant  the  establishment  of  regular  stage  routes  and  stage  stations.  It 
was  in  the  spring  of  1859  that  J.  C.  Burbank  &  Company,  of  St.  Cloud  and 
St.  Paul,  commenced  running  a  line  of  stages  through  Douglas  county,  sta- 
tions along  that  route  being  established  in  this  county  at  Osakis,  Alexan- 
dria, Chippewa,  about  two  miles  from  what  is  now  the  village  of  Brandon, 
and  Evansville,  the  western  terminus  of  the  line  at  first  being  Ft.  Aber- 
crombie and  later  St.  Mncent.  The  road  followed  was  the  one  surveyed  by 
the  government  the  year  before  and  opened  by  the  troops,  the  same  now 
being  the  old  state  road,  with  certain  modifications  of  route  to  suit  later  con- 
ditions. For  years  that  road  was  the  main  thoroughfare  of  travel  between 
St.  Paul,  St.  Cloud  and  the  Red  River  region.  The  stage  line  was  con- 
tinued by  Burbank  &  Company  until  about  1874,  when  the  railroad,  follow- 
ing the  same  general  line  of  direction,  reached  Melrose,  after  which,  as  the 
distance  then  was  only  about  forty  miles,  local  stage  companies  and  local 
freighters  began  gradually  to  take  over  the  business  and  regular  stages  and 
freight  hauls  were  established  out  of  Alexandria  to  the  railway  station.  In 
1874   a    stage   line    also    was    established   between    Benson   and    Alexandria 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  2I3 

and  the  competing  lines  had  the  effect  to  reduce  the  price  of  freightage  con- 
siderably. 

The  railway  was  graded  as  far  west  as  Alexandria  in  the  years  1873 
and  1874,  but  owing  to  the  failure  of  the  company,  the  road  was  not  com- 
pleted until  in  1878,  and  on  the  5th  day  of  November  in  that  year,  the  first 
train  of  the  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  &  Manitoba  Railroad  Company  reached 
Alexandria,  an  occasion  of  general  rejoicing  throughout  the  entire  county. 
The  railway,  entering  the  county  at  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Osakis,  accom- 
modating the  village  already  established  at  that  point,  proceeded  on  in  a 
northwesterly  direction,  continuing  to  follow  virtually  the  line  of  the  old 
stage  route,  through  Osakis,  Alexandria,  La  Grand,  Ida  Brandon,  Evansville 
and  Lund  township  and  passed  out  at  a  point  a  little  more  than  two  miles 
south  of  the  north  edge  of  the  latter  township,  the  northern  boundary  of 
the  county,  along  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Christina,  striking  the  old  stage 
station  at  Evansville  on  its  way.  The  station  at  Chippewa  was  passed  by 
on  the  other  side  by  the  railway  surveyors  and  what  small  commercial 
activities  had  been  started  there  were  moved  over  to  the  railroad  and  thus 
began  the  village  of  Brandon.  Between  Osakis  and  Alexandria  another 
station  was  established  and  was  given  the  name  of  Nelson,  in  honor  of 
United  States  Senator  Knute  Nelson,  and  later  about  midway  between  Alex- 
andria and  Brandon  another  station  was  established,  which  developed  into 
the  present  village  of  Garfield.  Still  later  the  station  at  Melby  was  estab- 
lished in  the  upper  part  of  Lund  township,  just  south  of  the  Lake  Christina, 
and  all  have  developed  into  prosperous  trading  points,  the  centers  of  the 
extensive  shipping  interests  of  their  respective  territories. 

THE  GREAT  NORTHERN  RAILROAD. 

The  railroad  above  mentioned,  now  the  main  line  of  the  Great  Northern 
railroad,  running  from  Chicago  to  the  coast,  is  a  part  of  the  great  system 
of  railroads  evolved  under  the  directive  genius  of  the  late  James  J.  Hill. 
At  the  time  of  the  failure  of  the  banking  house  of  Jay  Cook  &  Company  in 
1873,  and  the  consequent  bankruptcy  of  the  Northern  Pacific  Railroad,  a  part 
of  that  system  formerly  known  as  the  St.  Paul  &  Pacific  was  involved  in 
difficulties  with  its  bondholders  and  encumbered  by  a  heavy  mortgage.  It 
was  at  that  time  in  the  hands  of  a  receiver  appointed  by  the  court  and  a 
syndicate  was  formed,  under  the  direction  of  James  J.  Hill,  which  purchased 
the  whole  property  and  reorganized  it  under  the  name  of  the  St.  Paul,  Minne- 
apolis &  Manitoba  Railroad  Company,  George  Stevens,  of  Montreal,  being 


214  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

chosen  president  of  the  company  and  Mr.  Hill,  general  manager.  On  August 
22,  1882,  Mr.  Hill  was  elected  president  of  the  company  and  the  history 
of  the  magnificent  railway  system  which  he  gradually  built  up,  under  the 
name  of  the  Great  Northern,  is  a  matter  of  common  knowledge.  It  was 
in  1880  that  the  trans-continental  line  crossed  the  Red  River  and  its 
progress  then  on  over  the  mountains  and  the  plains  to  the  coast  was  but  a 
matter  of  sure  and  steady  pushing  along  until  more  than  half  a  continent 
had  been  crossed  with  its  iron  bands,  from  the  shores  of  Lake  Superior  and 
the  banks  of  the  Mississippi  to  the  Pacific. 

Douglas  county  again  was  penetrated  by  a  railroad  in  1902,  the  Minne- 
apolis, St.  Paul  &  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  or  "Soo"  line  entering  the  county  on 
section  ^2,  of  Hudson  township,  proceeding  northerly  through  that  town- 
ship to  Alexandria  and  thence,  through  Alexandria  township,  northeasterly 
through  Carlos  township  and  out  of  the  county,  north,  on  section  2,  of  Mil- 
tona  township.  Forida,  in  Hudson  township;  Carlos,  in  the  township  of  that 
name,  and  Miltona,  in  the  township  of  that  name,  being  the  stations  estab- 
lished along  the  route,  besides  that  at  Alexandria,  the  new  line  opened  up 
valuable  markets  to  Duluth  and  the  lake.  The  western  line  of  the  "Soo" 
but  in  1887  crossed  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  Douglas  county,  enter- 
ing the  same  in  section  36  of  Solem  township  and  crossing  the  lower  part  of 
that  township  in  a  northwesterly  direction,  passing  out  in  section  19  of 
the  same,  the  village  of  Kensington  being  the  only  station  on  that  line  in 
the  county. 

With  the  rapid  development  of  the  automobile  as  a  means  of  rapid 
and  convenient  transportation,  local  travel  throughout  this  part  of  Minne- 
sota, as  well  as  all  over  the  country,  has  been  practically  revolutionized. 
Since  the  farmers  have  found  that  an  autoniol)ile  is  one  of  the  best  invest- 
ments that  can  be  made  on  a  farm,  there  are  few  well-equipped  farm  plants 
in  the  county  that  have  not  an  automobile  now,  the  farm  thus  being  brought 
within  easy  distance  of  the  market,  and  in  consequence  the  growing  cry  for 
better  roads  have  resulted  in  much  more  systematic  attention  to  the  con- 
struction and  maintenance  of  highways.  The  many  attractive  lakes  through- 
out the  county  bring  thousands  of  tourists  into  Douglas  county  during  the 
summer  season  and  most  of  these  come  in  by  automobile,  the  license  plates 
of  widely  remote  states  being  noted  among  these  touring  cars,  covering  a 
range  from  Oregon  to  Florida  and  from  New  York  to  Texas. 

County  road  No.  i,  the  St.  Cloud  and  Breckenridge,  or  Ft.  Abercrombie 
road,  already  referred  to.  was  surveyed  in  1858  and  1859  by  Theodore  H. 
Barrett  and  opened  up  in  part  during  the  year   1859.     In   1869  this  road 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  215 

was  resurveyed  as  far  as  the  village  of  Alexandria  by  the  then  county  sur- 
veyor, Henry  Blackwell. 

County  Road  Xo.  2,  the  Osakis  Townsite  and  Ottertail  Lake  road,  was 
surveyed  by  W.  Adley  in   1866. 

County  road  No.  3,  the  Lake  George  and  Ottertail  lake  road,  was  sur- 
veyed in  1869  by  Charles  Tengwall. 

County  road  No.  4,  the  St.  Paul  &  Pacific  railroad  and  Ft.  Ripley , 
road,  was  surveyed  by  Henry  Blackwell  in  1869. 


CHAPTER  XL 

L^DUCATIONAL    INTERESTS. 

The  development  of  the  schools  of  Douglas  county  from  the  days  of 
the  little  log  school  house  in  the  wilderness  to  the  present  highly  organized 
and  effective  high-school  system  with  a  course  as  good  as  that  offered  by 
the  colleges  in  that  earlier  day  is  one  of  the  wonders  of  modern  social 
progress.  So  gradual  has  this  development  been,  however,  that  those  of  the 
present  generation  of  pupils  are  hardly  sensible  of  the  wonderful  advance- 
ment that  has  been  made  along  that  line,  accepting,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
advantages  in  the  way  of  schooling  that  hardly  could  have  been  dreamed  of 
by  the  pioneers  who  cleared  the  way  in  this  region  a  couple  of  generations 
ago. 

There  was  little  time  lost,  after  the  settlers  began  to  make  over  the 
wilds  hereabout,  in  getting  schools  established  and  very  soon  after  a  set- 
tlement was  found  to  possess  a  sufficient  number  of  children  to  warrant 
the  effort,  the  district  school  came  into  being;  districts  being  organized  in 
accordance  with  the  effective  Minnesota  system  until  there  finally  came  to 
be  one  hundred  and  two  school  districts  in  the  county,  all  of  which  now  are 
doing  effective  work.  In  many  instances  at  first  these  little  district  schools, 
by  reason  of  the  natural  and  inevitable  limitations  of  the  circumstances  and 
surroundings,  were  but  crude  affairs,  indeed;  but  they  served  their  purpose 
in  their  own  day  and  generation  and  the  torch  of  learning  was  bravely  held 
aloft  in  the  wilderness.  By  the  time  of  the  early  seventies,  when  the  settle- 
ment of  the  county  was  rapidly  progressing,  there  had  come  to  be  excel- 
lent schools  in  all  the  considerable  settlements  and  villages,  while  even  in  the 
remoter  districts  there  had  come  to  be  a  well-organized  system  with  respect 
to  the  schools,  no  neighborhood  being  without  a  fitting  place  of  schooling 
for  the  youth  of  the  same.  The  wonderful  impetus  given  to  the  cause  of 
education  throughout  this  state  generally  by  Minnesota's  wonderful  educa- 
tional system  was  felt  from  the  very  beginning  throughout  Douglas  county 
and  the  gradual  development  of  the  schools  of  the  count}-,  as  a  result  thereof, 
has  been  a  matter  of  course,  the  high-minded  men  and  women  who  took 
the  lead  in  school  matters,  as  well  as  in  the  general  social  matters  of  this 
communit}-  in  an  early  day,  having  built  very  wisely  and  very  well  a  founda- 


^/r5f  -«^<^>i<?^^  'Ve^^e. 


HI-:  . 

.    A. 

JAMES    (Ar.lX,    ON 

THE    WEST    SlIOKE    (IK    LAKE    AIJX 

:s. 

w 

riiK 

FIIiST    SCHOOL     IX 

ALIOXAXDiaA     IS     SA1I>    TO    IIAX'E 

r.i' 

EX 

TATiiHT    I 

tv  .MISS  .lAXviEi;  IX  iscn. 

DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  21/ 

tion  upon  which  today  rests  the  county's  excellent  school  system,  one  of  the 
most  effectively  organized  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

THE    county's    school    SYSTEM    EPITOMIZED. 

Included  in  the  one  hundred  and  two  districts  which  comprise  the  sys- 
tem of  public  schools  in  Douglas  county  are  two  high  schools,  one  at  Alex- 
andria and  one  at  Osakis ;  two  graded  schools,  each  doing  two  years  of 
high-school  work  and  a  course  in  manual  training,  at  Evansville  and  Bran- 
don; nine  semi-graded  schools  and  eighty-nine  rural  schools,  with  free  uni- 
form text  books  throughout  the  county,  except  in  one  district.  Every  school 
has  a  library.  All  rural  schools  except  three  receive  state  aid,  and  nearly 
all  teachers  have  had  special  normal  training.  Five  districts  are  known 
as  consolidated  districts  and '  transport  pupils  living  more  than  two  miles 
from  school,  these  districts  being  those  at  Alexandria,  Osakis,  Melby,  Mil- 
tona  and  Nelson.  Graduation  exercises  for  the  rural  schools  are  held 
annually  at  the  county  seat,  the  class  of  1916  numbering  fifty- four,  and 
graduates  from  the  graded  and  rural  schools  are  admitted  to  the  high  schools. 
Industrial  education  along  the  lines  of  agriculture,  sewing  and  cooking,  is 
successfully  taught  in  the  graded  and  rural  schools  and  an  annual  county 
industrial  contest  is  held  in  connection  with  the  county  fair,  where  the  work 
and  products  of  these  schools  are  exhibited,  there  being  large  enrollments 
in  the  corn,  potato,  pig  and  bread  contests. 

The  high  school  at  Alexandria  was  one  of  the  first  ten  high  schools 
in  the  state  to  introduce  the  teaching  of  agriculture,  and  the  district  now 
maintains  a  ten-acre  farm  for  the  use  of  the  pupils  in  both  the  grade  school 
and  in  the  high  school.  The  Alexandria  high  school  also  maintains  special 
departments,  for  w^hich  state  aid  is  provided,  such  as  agriculture,  manual 
training,  domestic  science  and  art,  commercial  and  normal  training,  and 
music  also  is  taught.  The  high  school  at  Osakis,  though  not  numbering 
so  many  pupils,  has  the  same  departments  and  is  doing  excellent  work,  as 
are  the  graded  and  semi-graded  schools  in  the  county.  The  system  of  super- 
vision of  the  schools  compels  a  high  standard  of  competency  oin  the  part 
of  the  teaching  corps  and  Douglas  county  boasts  of  a  highly  trained  and 
very  competent  force  of  teachers,  practically  all  of  whom  hold  first-grade 
certificates.  With  the  improvement  in  the  curriculum  and  in  the  methods 
of  teaching  in  recent  years  there  also  has  come  a  wonderful  improvement 
in  the  manner  of  construction  of  school  houses,  all  the  newer  school  build- 
ings in  the  county  being  built  along  modern  lines  with  respect  to  sanitation 


2l8  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIKS,    MINNESOTA. 

and  for  the  better  comfort  of  the  pupils,  every  effort  being  made  to  render 
the  school  as  attractive  a  spot  as  possible,  bringing  it  more  and  more  in 
hannon\-  with  the  home  and  at  the  same  time  dexeloping  it  as  a  social 
center  of  large  influence  throughout  the  entire  district. 

ALEXANDRIA    CITY    SCHOOLS. 

In  connection  with  the  ceremonies  incident  to  the  dedication  of  the 
present  magnificent  high-school  building  at  Alexandria  in  the  spring  of 
1916,  a  brief  sketch  of  the  history  of  the  Alexandria  schools  was  read  by 
R.  C.  Bondurant,  of  the  Alexandria  Post-News,  who,  as  pupil,  teacher,  patron 
or  school  officer  of  the  Alexandria  schools,  had  enjoyed  exceptional  oppor- 
tunities for  observation  of  the  gradual  development  of  the  same.  In  opening 
his  review,  Mr.  Bondurant  pointed  out  that  it  had  been  a  diflrcult  task  to 
trace  the  earliest  history  of  the  school  district.  Old  records,  if  any,  had 
been  .destroyed,  but,  fortunately,  his  access  to  the  early  files  of  the  old 
Alexandria  Post  and  correspondence  with  friends  of  the  early  days  had 
enabled  him  to  prepare  what  is  regarded  locally  as  the  most  accurate  history 
of  the  schools  of  the  county  seat  of  Douglas  county  that  has  ever  been 
compiled. 

The  first  school  in  the  district  was  taught,  probably,  by  Miss  Janvier 
in.  1861,  in  a  little  log  cabin,  the  home  of  J.  A.  James,  near  where  IMajor 
von  Baumbach's  residence  now  stands  on  the  west  side  of  Lake  Agnes.  It 
is  claimed  that  Miss  Olive  Darling  also  taught  in  that  building  in  1865. 
The  next  school  was  taught  in  the  old  stockade,  a  small  log  building  being 
used  to  accommodate  the  few  pupils  who  attended.  It  seems  that  three 
women  taught  in  the  stockade,  Mrs.  Haynes  probably  having  been  the  first. 
Miss  Kate  Piatt,  who  later  became  Mrs.  W.  H.  Cowing,  was  the  second, 
and  Miss  Wright,  of  St.  Cloud,  also  taught  there.  The  first  school  up  town 
was  taught  in  the  winter  of  1867-68  by  Miss  Anna  Worthington,  the 
school  room  having  Ijeen  on  the  second  floor  of  the  old  court-house  building, 
which  in  later  years  was  occupied  by  N.  P.  Ward  as  a  grocery  store.  Miss 
Worthington  also  taught  during  the  following  winter  and  in  the  winter  of 
1860-70  there  seem  to  have  been  two  or  three  teachers,  who  met  with  indiffer- 
ent success,  the  first  having  been  a  man  of  the  name  of  \Mlliams,  whose 
reign  was  short.  Just  who  fnllowed  Williams  is  nut  recalled.  It  is  prob- 
able, however,  that  the  third  teacher  of  that  winter  was  Miss  Hannah  Ben- 
nett, daughter  of  a  Methodist  preacher.  During  the  summer  of  1870  a 
short  term  was  taught  by  Miss  Mary  Amelia  Pye,  in  an  old  frame  build- 


DOUGLAS    ANn    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  2I9 

ing  which  stood  where  the  middle  portion  of  the  building  of  the  Alexandria 
Hardware  and  Lumber  Company  now  stands. 

About  that  time  a  change  for  the  better  came  in  the  affairs  of  the 
Alexandria  school.  In  July  or  August  of  1869  the  first  site  for  a  school 
house  was  purchased.  A  half  block  of  land,  a  part  of  the  present  school 
site,  was  acquired  and  has  since  remained  the  property  of  district  No.  2. 
The  old  Alexandria  Post  records  the  fact  that  on  Saturday,  March  26,  1870, 
a  school  meeting  was  held  for  the  purpose  of  electing  school  officers. 
Eighty  votes  were  cast  at  that  election  and  John  McLeod  was  elected  direc- 
tor :  Smith  Bltiomfield,  clerk,  and  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen,  treasurer.  'Sir.  Bloom- 
field  was  later  county  superintendent  and  Mr.  Van  Hoesen  was  for  many 
years  a  member  of  the  school  board. 

In  the  spring  of  1870  work  on  the  first  school  building  in  Alexandria 
was  commenced.  The  Alexandria  Post  of  November  12,  1870,  says  of  that 
building:  "It  is  44  by  24  feet  on  the  ground,  and  about  24  feet  from  the 
ground  to  the  eaves.  The  pitch  of  the  roof  is  one-third.  The  frame  is  of 
oak.  The  studding,  2  by  5  ;  the  joists,  2  by  8.  It  is  filled  with  grout  to 
the  top  of  plate  of  first  story.  The  sheeting,  flooring  and  lining  are  of 
basswood — the  siding  also,  and  carefully  dressed.  There  is  a  porch  in  front, 
nine  feet  wide — six  feet  projection  and  eight  feet  posts,  the  roof,  pitch  and 
cornice  correspond  with  the  main  building.  There  is  a  hall-way.  or  vesti- 
bule, in  the  lower  stor}-.  formed  by  running  a  partition  across  the  building 
eight  feet  from  the  entrance.  This  leaves  a  lower  room  35  by  22  feet  ten 
inches,  and  10  feet  6  in  the  clear.  This  room  is  ceiled  with  matched  pine 
flooring  three  feet  from  the  ground.  It  is  lighted  by  six  twelve-lighted 
windows,  size  of  glass,  10  by  8.  The  vestibule  is  lighted  by  two  windows  of 
same  description.  The  upper  room  is  43  feet  by  22  feet  10  inches,  of  same 
height  as  the  lower  room,  and  is  lighted  by  eleven  windows.  Of  these,  there 
is  a  central  front,  sixteen-lighted,  with  a  circle  head ;  two  front  side  windows, 
twelve-lighted,  size  of  glass,  10  by  16,  and  four  on  either  side  of  .same  descrip- 
tion. 

The  Post  of  the  same  date  says  of  the  teacher  who  taught  the  first  term 
of  school  in  the  new  building:  "Miss  M.  Frank  Reynolds,  a  graduate  of  the 
Winona  Normal  School  and  a  teacher  of  experience  and  ability,  has  been  ap- 
pointed to  the  charge  of  the  school  during  the  winter  term.  School  will  com- 
mence on  Monday  morning  next,  15th  instant,  at  8>4  o'clock."  The  follow- 
ing from  the  same  issue  of  the  Post  should  be  of  interest.  "With  such  a 
buiUling  to  instruct  in,  and  with  a  teacher  who  is  entitled  to  our  confidence, 
let  us  help  the  excellent  cause  by  showing  our  interest  in  the  work  of  educa- 


220  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

tion  and  by  that  co-operation  and  assistance  in  the  households,  without  which 
the  efforts  of  the  best  of  teachers  will  meet  with  very  partial  success."  This 
lady  was  the  daughter  of  Judge  Reuben  Reynolds  and  a  sister  of  George  H. 
Reynolds,  one-time  attorneys  of  Alexandria. 

About  1872  the  second  floor  of  the  new  building  was  furnished  as  a 
school  room  and  two  teachers  were  employed.  .\  Mr.  \\'illis  was  hired  as 
principal  and  Miss  Kate  McClellan  taught  the  primary  pupils.  These  two 
teachers  remained  until  the  school  closed  in  the  spring  of  1873.  From  that 
time  on  there  is  a  complete  list  of  principals  and  superintendents,  which  will 
be  given  later.  In  the  summer  of  1876  a  "twin"  building  to  the  first  one  was 
erected  about  one  hundred  feet  to  the  east.  That  fall  one  room  in  the  new 
building  was  used.  In  1878  the  second  floor  of  the  new  building  was  finished 
and  four  teachers  were  employed,  Miss  Mary  Gunderson  (Mrs.  F.  B.  Yan 
Housen)  being  the  principal.  About  1882  the  schools  became  so  crowded 
that  one  of  the  rooms  in  the  old  building  was  divided  into  two  rooms.  Also 
about  that  time  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  was  rented  and  used  as  a 
school  room,  this  making  the  employment  of  six  teachers  necessary.  In  the 
summer  of  1883,  what  is  now  known  as  the  old  high  school  building  was 
erected.  John  Alton  having  the  contract.  Just  the  two  floors  of  this  latter 
Iniilding  were  used  for  school  purposes,  they  being  considered  ample  for 
some  time.  The  school  grew  faster  than  the  town,  however,  and  in  1888, 
the  Ward  school  was  opened  and  continued  for  several  years,  during  the  later 
years  with  two  teachers.  After  being  closed  for  some  time,  that  building  was 
reopened  in  1910  with  one  teacher,  .\l30ut  that  time  two  routes  for  trans- 
pcirting  pupils  were  established,  one  north  and  one  to  the  west.  In  191 1  the 
district  came  under  the  consolidation  act,  and  the  Ward  building  was  closed 
and  three  other  routes  established.  The  Washington  building  had  been 
thought  large  enough  to  accommodate  the  schools  for  years,  but  in  the  course 
of  a  short  time  they  were  again  crowded  and  during  the  summer  of  igo8  the 
old  high  school  building  was  remodeled,  rooms  being  furnished  in  the  attic 
and  in  the  basement,  these  rooms  being  added  to  later  until  four  floors  of  the 
building  were  crowded. 

In  1887,  during  the  superintendency  of  Mr.  Gaines,  the  school  was  put 
in  the  high-school  class.  When  the  Putnam  act  went  into  eft"ect  in  1909  a 
complete  industrial  course  was  added.  Sewing  and  manual  training  had  been 
taught  during  the  two  years  previous  and  in  1909  the  normal  and  commer- 
cial courses  were  added.  In  the  fall  of  1914  the  normal  department  was 
crowded  out  of  the  school  building  and  quarters  were  secured  in  the  court 
house.  That  fall  the  school  board  began  agitation  in  favor  of  a  new  and 
modern  high  school  building;  bonds  were  voted  on.  February  8,   19 15,  and 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  221 

tlie  contract  was  let  to  the  Xational  Contracting  Company  on  June  4,  1915. 
fortv-five  years  from  the  time  the  first  school  building  in  Alexandria  was 
erected.  One  of  the  interesting  features  of  Mr.  Bondurant's  sketch  is  a  list 
of  teachers  who  were  at  the  head  of  the  school  from  the  time  of  its  beginning 
in  the  little  log  cabin  f)n  the  Baumbach  hill.  It  may  be  that  the  order  in 
which  the  first  three  or  four  teachers  is  given  is  not  wholly  accurate,  as  the 
memory  of  early  settlers  had  to  be  depended  on  for  the  list  and  dates  and 
these  individual  recollections  do  not  all  agree. 

Miss  Janvier  seems  to  have  been  the  first,  teaching  in  1861.  She  was  a 
sister-in-law  of  George  Kinkaid,  one  of  the  townsite  proprietors.  Whether 
Olive  Darling  or  Mrs.  Haynes  is  the  next  in  order,  is  a  question,  Miss  Darl- 
ing probably  having  the  honor.  Then  came  Miss  Piatt  and  Miss  Wright, 
Mrs.  Ha3-nes,  Miss  Piatt  and  Miss  Wright  having  taught  in  the  stockade. 
Then  came  Miss  Anna  Worthington  and  a  man  named  Williams,  and  it  is 
thought  that  Miss  Hannah  Bennett  taught  a  short  term,  followed  by  Miss 
Pye.  The  first  school  building  then  was  occupied,  Miss  M.  Frank  Reynolds 
having  been  the  first  teacher  in  the  same.  The  heads  of  the  school  since  that 
time  have  been  as  follow:  Mr.  Willis,  in  the  fall  of  1872,  with  Miss  Kate 
McClellan  as  primary  teacher;  J.  H.  Dunn,  in  the  fall  of  1873,  Miss  Mary 
Alden  as  primary  teacher ;  A.  H.  Graham,  who  came  in  the  fall  of  1875  and 
taught  during  the  following  winter  and  until  his  death  in  the  fall  of  1876, 
A\'.  H.  Sanders  finishing  the  winter  term  and  J.  H.  Dunn  returning  to  con- 
duct the  spring  term  of  1877,  after  which  C.  A.  Carson  taught  until  Christ- 
mas, 1877,  when  W.  H.  Sanders  again  took  charge;  Miss  Mary  Gunderson, 
in  the  winter  of  1878-79;  C.  E.  Norton,  beginning  the  term  of  1879,  to  be 
succeeded  by  J.  W.  Chaney,  who  finished  the  same;  C.  J.  Gunderson,  term  of 
1880-81;  Joel  N.  Childs,  1881,  remaining  two  years,  during  which  time  the 
school  increased  to  six  rooms,  H.  H.  Kingsley  and  C.  L.  Greenough  follow- 
ing, each  remaining  one  year;  A.  D.  Gaines,  fall  of  1885,  remaining  five  years, 
a  period  of  progress  for  the  school;  J.  H.  Manchester,  one  year,  succeeded 
by  J.  E.  Phillips,  who  remained  diree  years,  after  which  followed  John 
Cranston,  C.  F.  W.  Carlson  and  W.  P.  Dyer,  under  the  latter  of  whom  the 
industrial  and  normal  departments  were  added:  C.  S.  Yeager,  1910-11,  fol- 
lowed by  J.  B.  Hagen,  who  remained  two  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
was  succeeded  by  F.  M.  Yockey,  the  present  superintendent. 

CLERKS    OF    THE    SCHOOL    DISTRICTS. 

The  clerks  of  the  school  districts  in  Douglas  county  for  the  current  year 
(1916)  are  as  follow:     Xo  i,  J.  P.  Olson,  Osakis;  2,. A.  A.  Urness,  Alex- 


222  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

andria;  3,  Sylvester  Chase,  Forada:  4,  Emil  Gulbranson,  Farwell ;  5,  J-  O. 
Brandon.  Kensington;  6,  Henry  A.  Dau,  Alexandria;  7.  Aug.  J.  Alechels, 
Alexandria;  A.  Alfred  Foslien,  Garfield;  9,  Fred  Sweet,  Alexandria;  10, 
Otto  T.  Olson,  Xelson;  11,  A.  A.  Rooney,  Osakis;  12,  Mary  A.  Pollard, 
Osakis;  13,  Reinhold  Roth,  Alexandria;  14,  Chas.  Danek,  Lowry;  15,  Emil 
E.  Gahlon,  Xelson;  16,  Albert  Covel,  Alexandria;  17,  John  A.  Xorgren, 
Garfield;  18,  Peter  Cassell,  Alexandria;  19,  Frank  Radii,  Alexandria;  20, 
W".  R.  Guiles,  Farwell;  21,  Chas.  Robertson,  Osakis;  2t,,  Walter  C.  Havens, 
Garfield;  24,  T.  J.  Barros,  Alexandria;  25,  Eug.  Korkowski,  Brandon;  26, 
Alfred  Strand  Evansville;  2/.  Ole  J.  Holm,  Kensington;  28,  John  Kelly, 
Garfield;  29,  E.  O.  Steen,  Farwell;  30,  E.  H.  Boerner,  Alexandria;  31,  C. 
W.  Aleckstroth,  Brandon ;  ;3,2,  Edward  Erickson,  Evansville ;  ^t,.  M.  G. 
Dockham,  Osakis;  34,  Frank  Buscher,  Brandon;  35,  T.  O.  Bakken,  Evans- 
ville; 36,  R.  J.  \'ickerman,  Alexandria;  ^,7.  John  Hopfner,  Brandon;  38, 
.\lbert  J.  Flor.  Ashby ;  39,  Peter  Beheng,  Carlos ;  40,  Martin  Dahlberg,  Xel- 
son;  41,  Thos.  Collins,  Osakis;  42,  C.  O.  Colniark,  Kensington;  43,  Peter 
Faber,  Parkers  Prairie;  44,  John  Feiguni,  Brandon;  45,  John  P.  Edman, 
Kensington;  46,  John  Eggleston,  Parkers  Prairie;  47.  S.  M,  Carlson,  Alex- 
andria; 48,  John  H.  Strom,  Brandon;  49,  X'els  Christopherson,  Hoffman; 
50,  Joseph  Schlecter,  Alexandria;  51,  John  Sundquist.  Eagle  Bend;  52,  N. 
D.  Anderson,  Evansville;  53,  Geo.  Freudenberg,  Parkers  Prairie;  Ole  O. 
Lea,  Brandon;  55,  Xels  A.  Johnson,  Carlos;  56,  J.  IM.  Prazak,  Evansville; 
57,  H.  A.  Pries.  Evansville;  58,  Edwin  Johnson.  Melby;  59,  Chas.  Miller, 
Garfield;  60,  Emil  Johnson,  Alexandria;  61.  Chas.  G.  Olson,  Garfield;  62, 
P.  L.  Blank,  Carlos;  63,  John  Johnsrud,  Kensington;  64,  Frank  Pexsa, 
Carlos;  65,  Albert  Engstrand,  Carlos;  66,  Frans  Anderson,  Carlos;  67, 
Phtiebe  Withers.  Osakis;  68,  C.  J.  Christopherson,  Alexandria;  69,  Swan 
Anders()n,  Alexandria;  70,  Henry  Oberg,  Brandon;  71,  X.  M.  Anderson, 
Hoft'man;  J2.  C.  A.  Beckman,  Evansville;  73,  Roy  Downing,  Parkers  Prai- 
rie; 74,  C.  A.  Anderson,  Alexandria;  75.  Chas.  Braunscheveig.  Alexandria; 
76,  Frank  Schwartz,  Evansville;  yy,  C.  J.  Lindstrom,  Alexandria;  -S.  EWmg 
Ellingson,  Hoffman ;  79,  A.  S.  Peterson.  Farwell ;  80.  Emil  J.  Wahlstrom. 
Kensington;  81,  Theo.  Johnson,  Kensington;  82,  Henry  Olson,  Brandon; 
83,  J.  H.  Kapphahn,  Osakis;  84,  H.  J.  Marthaler,  Osakis;  85.  \\"illiam 
Bosnian.  Osakis;  86,  G.  E.  Willett.  Osakis:  87,  X.  H.  Strand,  Evansville; 
88,  Henry  Eggen.  Garfield;  89,  .\.  G.  Olson,  Evansville:  90,  L.  O.  Larson, 
Evansville:  gi.  R.  L.  Smith,  \'illard :  92,  AL  Clark,  Carlos;  93.  A.  L. 
( 'hajiman.   .Mexandria;  94,  John  Tvrdik.  .Me.xandria ;  93  J-  J-   Sursely,  Car- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  223 

los:  96.  Frank  Freske,  Vining;  97,  Albert  Roth,  Villard;  98,  Peter  Streed, 
Carkos;  99,  F.  L.  Berglin,  Garfield;  100,  Henry  Kloehn,  Garfield;  102,  R. 
A.  Johnson,  Melby;  103,  Chas.  F.  Schelin,  Nelson;  104,  Aaron  Edman, 
Evansville. 

TEACHERS  OF   DOUGLAS   COUNTY. 

The  teachers  in  these  several  districts  for  the  term  1 916-17  were  as 
follow:  No.  I,  Superintendent  E.  N.  Hamilton;  2.  Superintendent  F.  INI. 
Yockey;  3,  Elvira  Flint;  4,  Fanny  Lehto;  5,  Jennie  Halverson;  6,  Hattie 
Werline;  7,  Susan  Thirmesch:  8,  Eunice  Landa ;  9,  Tessie  Mcllravie;  10, 
Lydia  Johnson;  11,  Anna  A'.  Donahue;  13.  Mathilda  Renner;  14,  Sigrid 
Johnson;  15,  Alinetta  Sweet;  16,  Myrtle  Parmeter;  17,  Signe  Peterson, 
principal.  Ellen  Sangstead ;  18,  Hilda  Bostrom ;  19,  Meda  Drussell;  20, 
Peter  Xordby,  Myrtle  Weatherwax ;  21,  Alartha  Olson;  27,,  Clifford  Lar- 
son; 24.  X(ira  G.  \'iker;  2^.  Mary  \'.  Schirber;  26,  Alma  Moen ;  2j.  Rose 
Knutsun.  Minnie  Stenberg;  28,  Cathyrn  Augustine;  29,  Frankie  Xelson; 
30.  Minnie  I.  Johnson;  31,  Mr.  Hawley.  principal,  Jennie  Beckman,  Clara 
Xelson.  Esther  Erickson ;  7,2.  AJinnie  Johnson;  t,^.  Bessie  Lowrv;  34,  ;\Iar- 
garet  E.  Lawler;  35,  Mary  Xorem ;  36,  Grace  Franklin;  ^y,  Lillian  Erick- 
son; 38,  Clara  Tweeten;  39,  Mary  Palmer;  40.  Rose  Xelson;  41,  Emma 
Feda;  42,  Grace  Bondurant.  principal,  Lillian  Johnson,  Alphild  Lund;  44, 
Jennie  Barsness;  45,  Ernest  Olson,  principal,  Amelia  Nelson;  46,  .\nna 
Owen;  47,  Nettie  McFarlane;  48,  Isabelle  .\ngus;  49,  Constance  Erickson; 
50.  .\nna  G.  Olson;  51,  Hazel  Johnson;  52.  Elizabeth  Swenson;  53,  Cecelia 
Donahue,  Christine  Ekman;  54.  Ehera  Johnson;  55,  Jacob  Bixby,  principal, 
Freda  Dahlstrom;  56,  Mamie  Tamble ;  57.  Herman  Steubner,  principal;  58, 
Alma  Gradin;  59,  Edith  Anderson;  60;  Olive  Olson;  61.  X'ictor  Ostlund, 
principal,  Mrs.  Xelson;  62,  Margaret  Julig;  63,  Louise  Tax;  64,  .\melia 
Feda;  65,  Ellen  L.  Hedin ;  66,  Hannah  Clark;  67,  Esther  Lee;  68,  Myrtle 
Olson;  69,  Agnes  Dahlstrom;  70,  Mary  Jacobson;  71,  Petra  Reckadahl; 
72,  Teckla  Anderson;  yT,.  Carrie  Smith;  74.  Ellen  Anderson;  75,  Alice 
Modahl;  76,  Ruth  Werner;  yy,  Clara  Larson;  78,  Alma  Westerberg;  80, 
Xettie  Maroney;  81,  Jennie  Larson;  82,  Edna  Sweet;  83,  Mabel  Brink- 
man;  85,  Helen  Schmid;  86.  Frances  Blakeslee;  87,  Bertha  Norem;  88, 
Helga  Knutson ;  89,  Olga  Anderson ;  90,  Clara  Olson ;  92,  Margaret  Tav- 
lor;  93,  Edna  M.  Anderso"  •  94,  Ino  Cowing;  97,  Mabel  Palmer;  98,  Myrtle 
Benn,  principal,  Airs.  Be....ie  Swetland;  99.  Edith  Hanson;  100.  Elvera 
Engstrom,  principal;  102.  George  Hanson,  principal,  Cecil  Rinehart ;  10:;, 
Ralph  Borman,  principal. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Churches  of  Douglas  County. 

No  definite  history  of  the  earHest  religious  services  held  in  the  beautiful 
lake  region  now  comprised  within  the  boundaries  of  Douglas  county  is  avail- 
able, but  it  is  known,  as  a  matter  of  tradition,  that  unorganized  services  were 
held  from  time  to  time  in  the  groves  or  in  the  humble  homes  of  the  earliest 
settlers  by  itinerant  preachers  long  before  there  was  any  definite  church  organ- 
•  ization  in  the  county,  Congregationalist  services  having  been  held  in  the 
Gregory  cabin  as  early  as  1859.  Though  not  the  first  church  to  file  its  articles 
of  incorporation,  it  is  pretty  clearly  established  that  th'e  Congregational  church 
at  Alexandria  was  the  first  formal  church  organization  in  the  county ;  having 
been  organized  in  December,  1867,  though  the  claim  is  made  that  the  church 
erected  by  the  Methodists  at  Alexandria  was  the  first  church  building  erected 
in  that  city.  That  was  in  the  fall  of  1868  and  the  church  stood  just  west  of 
the  present  church  building,  near  where  the  parsonage  now  stands,  adjoining 
the  church,  which  stands  on  the  northwest  corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  F 
street,  just  one  square  west  of  the  business  center  of  the  citv.  With  char- 
acteristic liberality  the  Methodists  permitted  the  use  of  their  church  build- 
ing to  other  denominations  which  soon  sought  to  effect  organizations  in 
Alexandria  and  the  old  church  thus  was  the  point  of  beginning  for  several 
others  of  the  churches  of  Alexandria.  None  of  the  charter  members  of  the 
Methodist  church  is  still  living  and  no  full  records  of  the  early  days  of 
Methodism  thereabout  are  now  available,  such  information  as  the  present 
congregation  has  regarding  the  early  days  having  come  from  the  recollec- 
tions of  the  late  John  Bondurant,  a  pioneer  of  the  church,  a  record  of  whose 
narratives  were  carefully  penned  by  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Brown,  during  the  time 
of  the  latter's  pastorate  at  Alexandria,  1895-1900. 

CHURCHES    INCORPORATED    IN    COUNTY. 

Tliough  tlie  Methodist  church  at  Alexandria  may  have  been  the  first  to 
effect  a  formal  organization  it  was  not  the  first  to  file  its  articles  of  incor- 
poration, that  distinction  being  accorded  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
of  Osakis,  the  record  of  whose  incorporation  opens  the  record  of  incorpora- 


SWEDISH     LUTIIEIiA.N     CllUliClI,    ALEXAMJKIA 


METHODIST    EI'ISCOPAL   t'lIlKCH,    ALEXANDUIA. 


co\(;i;e(;ati().\al  riirui'ii,  alexaxduia. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  225 

tions  in  Douglas  county,  the  first  page  of  Book  A  of  the  record  of  incorpora- 
tions for  that  county  carrying  the  following : 

"We,  Charles  Griswold,  presiding  elder;  F.  H.  Tubbs,  preacher  in 
charge;  L.  H.  Webster,  E.  F.  Chase  and  Marquis  Bowhall,  stewards,  and 
Simon  Coons,  class  leader  of  the  congregation  accustomed  to  attend  divine  ■ 
worship  at  Osakis  in  the  county  of  Douglas  and  state  of  Minnesota  cele- 
brated under  the  ministration  and  jurisdiction  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  said  officers  constituting  the  quarterly  conference  of  said  church  at 
and  for  the  said  town  of  Osakis,  do  hereby  certify  that  we,  the  said  officers 
in  said  c[uarterly  conference,  assembled  at  the  school  house  in  West  Union 
in  the  county  of  Todd,  in  said  state,  on  the  24th  day  of  February,  A.  D. 
1869,  did  and  hereby  do,  in  conformity  to  the  constitution,  rules  and  usages 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  by  virtue  of  the  authority  in  us 
vested  by  said  constitution  and  rules,  and  in  pursuance  of  Section  eighty- 
eight  (88)  of  Chapter  thirty-four  (34)  of  the  General  Statutes  of  Minne- 
sota, appoint  and  constitute  Simon  Coons,  Lemuel  H.  Webster,  William  B. 
Glover,  Esdore  F.  Chase,  Harlow  F.  Curtis,  Donald  Stevenson  and  Michael 
H.  Coons  trustees  of  the  said  church  and  congregation  at  the  said  town  of 
Osakis  by  the  corporate  name  of  The  First  Alethodist  Episcopal  Church  of 
Osakis,  by  which  name  the  said  trustees  and  their  successors  shall,  as  a  cor- 
poration, forever  hereafter  be  called  and  known.  In  testimony  whereof  we 
hereunto  subscribe  our  names  and  affix  our  seals  the  24th  day  of  February, 
A.  D.  1869.  Signed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  presence  of  James  Chambers, 
Elias  G.  Pike,  King  E.  Bohall,  Charles  Griswold,  presiding  elder;  F.  H. 
Tubbs,  preacher  in  charge ;  L.  H.  Webster,  steward ;  C.  F.  Chase,  steward ; 
M.  Bohall,  steward :  Simon  Coons,  class  leader,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  at  Osakis,  IMinnesota.""  This  article  of  incorporation  was  attested 
by  James  Chambers,  notary  public,  and  was  filed  for  record  in  the  office  of 
the  register  of  deeds  of  Douglas  county  on  October  18,  1869,  at  9  o'clock 
a.  m. 

About  this  time  began  that  notable  influ.x  of  immigration  of  the  Scan- 
dinavian peoples  to  this  section  of  Minnesota  and  the  next  congregation  to 
file  articles  of  incorporation  in  the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds  of  Douglas 
county  was  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Falun  Congregation  of  the  town  of 
Osakis,  which  was  organized  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  John  Johnson, 
James  Alagny.  president,  and  Leonard  Forsgren,  secretary,  the  congrega- 
tion at  that  meeting  electing  Adam  Anderson,  Peter  Lundgren  and  Peter 
Hanson,  trustees.  This  second  article  of  incorporation  was  filed  for  record 
on  April  19,  1872. 
(15) 


226  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Seventy-three  distinct  congregations  have  filed  articles  of  incorix)ration 
in  the  ofiice  of  the  register  of  deeds  of  -Douglas  county.  Of  course  not  all 
of  these  congregations  are  now  existent,  not  a  few  of  them  having  dis- 
banded for  one  reason  or  another  and  some  others  having  merged  with  other 
.congregations,  giving  up  their  own  separate  identity,  but  the  larger  part  of 
them  are  still  continuing  and  flourishing,  the  religious  needs  of  the  people 
of  the  county  being  provided  for  by  no  fewer  than  fifty- four  church  organ- 
izations conveniently  located  in  the  towns  and  rural  neighborhoods  through- 
out the  county,  and  nearly  all  are  supplied  with  comfortable  and  tasteful 
houses  of  worship.  These  societies  comprise  the  following:  Congrega- 
tional, one ;  Episcopal,  one ;  Adventist,  one ;  Plymouth  Brethren,  one ;  Meth- 
odist Episcopal,  two;  Free  Methodist,  two;  Presbyterian,  four;  Swedish 
Baptist,  two;  Swedish  Mission,  three,  and  thirty-two  Lutheran  churches,  as 
follow :  Danish,  one ;  Finnish,  one ;  Norwegian  Free  church,  one ;  United 
and  Synod  Norwegian,  ten ;  Swedish,  thirteen,  and  German,  six.  The  Cath- 
olic churches  number  five  and  in  most  of  these  services  are  held  in  both 
English  and  German.  A  prominent  and  valuable  feature  of  most  of  these 
societies  is  a  well  organized  and  well  attended  Sunday  school,  with  a  County 
Sunday  School  Association  uniting  them  f(ir  mutual  benefit  and  support. 

NAMES   OF   THE   VARIOUS    CONGREGATIONS. 

Following  will  be  given  a  brief  summary  of  the  organization  of  the 
various  church  congregations  which  make  up  the  list  of  seventy-three  above 
referred  to.  This  list  is  made  up  from  the  record  of  incorporations  in  the 
register  of  deed's  office  and  is  set  out  in  the  order  in  which  the  articles  of 
incorporation  were  filed,  not  in  the  order  in  which  the  various  congregations 
were  organized ;  for  it  is  noted  that  many  of  the  congregations  did  not  incor- 
porate until  long  after  they  had  been  well  established  as  definite  religious 
bodies,  having  substantial  houses  of  jvorship  and  holding  regular  services. 
The  first  two  congregations  to  file  articles  of  incorixiration  have  been  noted 
above.  The  next  was  that  of  the  First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Park- 
ers Prairie,  which  was  organized  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Benjamin 
Roadruck,  in  the  township  of  Leaf  Valley,  November  13,  1872,  Benjamin 
Roadruck,  Albert  Tull  and  Cyrus  Smith  being  elected  trustees  of  the  con- 
gregation. 

On  July  I,  1872,  "the  male  persons  of  full  age  belonging  to  the  reli- 
gious society  heretofore  known  as  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  church  of 
Evansville  and  vicinity"  met  at  the  house  of  P.  Ohlson  in  the  town  of  Evans- 
ville  and  elected  Thomas  Bordson.  John  Davidson  and  P.  Ohlson  as  trustees. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  227 

On  June  3,  1872,  the  congregation  of  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran church  of  Moe,  Solem,  Grant  and  Alexandria  met  at  the  parsonage  of 
the  church  of  Moe  and  elected  John  Arneson,  Charles  Peterson,  Ole  Endre- 
son,  Roar  Benson,  Ole  E.  Lien,  Ole  Thompson  and  Lorentz  Johnson,  trustees, 
the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  Ole  Amundsen  and  Andrew  J. 
Urness. 

On  May  20,  1872,  the  "F"irst  Congregational  Church  and  Society  of 
Alexandria"  was  incorporated  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  church  theretofore 
occupied  by  said  society  in  Alexandria  by  the  election  of  William  E.  Hicks, 
George  F.  Sims  and  Robert  C.  McNeil  as  trustees. 

On  March  25,  1872,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  school  house  at  Osakis, 
professors  of  the  Baptist  faith  organized  a  congregation  of  that  communion 
and  elected  L.  Fail,  Rollin  Sanderson,  John  Daesusha,  Charles  Gilbert  and 
A.  Doesing.  trustees,  the  Rev.  William  M.  Wells  and  Abram  Doering  attest- 
ing the  minutes  of  the  meeting. 

On  June  17,  1872,  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  at 
Pelican  Lake  adopted  a  constitution  and  elected  Jan  G.  Llalt,  Aslak  Gunder- 
son  and  Ole  P.  Bowerset,  trustees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  attested 
by  T.  Nettleson,  chairman,  and  Knut  Melby,  secretary. 

The  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Ida  was  incorporated 
on  November  5,  1874,  by  the  election  of  Martin  Nelson,  Amund  Bjorga  and 
August  Olson  as  trustees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  Gil- 
bert Brackken  and  Gudbrand  Anderson. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  home  of  x\ndrew  Olson  at  Alexandria  on 
October  6,  1875,  the  congregation  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of 
Alexandria  incorporated  by  electing  Ole  H.  Nelson,  David  Anderson  and 
Andrew  Olson  as  trustees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by 
Chr.  Sangstad  and  David  Anderson. 

On  September  21,  1875,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  home  of  L.  K.  Aaker, 
the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Alexandria  was  incorporated 
by  the  election  of  C.  M.  Hanson,  L.  K.  Aaker  and  John  Sundblad  as  trustees, 
the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  L.  Johnson  and  Thorns  Oadson. 

On  February  7,  1876,  at  a  meeting  in  the  town  of  Lake  Mary  those  in 
that  vicinity  holding  to  the  profession  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  incor- 
porated under  the  corporate  name  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  by  elect- 
ing John  Robinson,  Robert  McClellan,  George  Ingersol,  Eyar  Langdon  and 
H.  Laufman,  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  home  of  A\'illiam  M.  Wills  at  Alexandria  on 


228  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

April  22",  1876,  the  First  Regular  Baptist  church  of  Alexandria  was  incor- 
porated by  the  election  of  John  McFarland,  John  O.  Lindquist  and  William 
McAboy  as  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  school  house  in  district  Xo.  15  in  the  township 
of  Osakis  on  March  27.  1877,  "Our  Lord's  Scandinavian  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran Church  of  the  Town  of  Osakis  Under  Authority  of  the  Wisconsin 
Synod"  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  M.  J.  Kyed,  P.  T.  Peterson  and 
L.  Solum  as  trustees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  attested  by  Jacob 
Anderson  and  A.  I.  Stadstad. 

The  Christian  Lake  church,  which  had  existed  since  the  year  1871,  held 
a  meeting  in  the  school  house  in  district  No.  58,  Lund  township,  on  May  10, 
1877,  and  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Christian  Nilsson,  Ole  Wahlin  and 
Daniel  Anderson  as  trustees,  the  congregation  adopting  a  constitution  in 
conformity  with  that  used  and  recommended  by  the  Swedish  Augustana 
Synod,  Andover,  Illinois. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  S.  A.  Sandberg  on  ^lay  17,  1869, 
the  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Ida  was  incorporated  by  the 
election  of  A.  Sandstedt,  C.  G.  Johnson  and  Charles  Johnson  as  trustees. 
The  meeting  was  presided  over  by  the  Rev.  S.  F.  Westerdahl,  chairman,  and 
P.  G.  Anderson  was  secretary. 

On  June  12,  1877,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Peter  E.  Julin  in 
the  township  of  Moe,  the  congregation  of  the  Finns  church  of  Holmes  City 
lake  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Peter  E.  Julin,  John  W^atson  Lehto 
and  Herman  Jacobson  as  trustees. 

On  June  10,  1878,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Frank  Engstran, 
the  Svenska  Lutherska  Augustana  Synod  Forsamlingen  in  Spruce  Hill  was 
incorporated  by  the  election  of  Ole  Johnson,  Frank  Egstran  and  Erik  Nelson 
as  trustees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  l^eing  attested  by  Axel  Peterson  and 
N.  P.  Hegblad. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Lewis  Hanson  in  the  town  of  Osakis 
on  February  19,  1879,  the  Scandinavian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of 
Osakis,  which  was  organized  on  October  2,  1873,  was  incorporated  by  the 
election  of  Hans  Jenson,  Knud  Smith  and  Peder  Boeson  as  trustees,  the 
articles  of  incorporation  being  attested  by  Ole  Thompson  and  Elling  Hal- 
grinson. 

On  July  28,  1879,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  village  of  Osakis,  Our  Lord's 
Norwegian-Danish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Osakis  was  incorporated 
bv  the  election  of  J.  P.  Simonson,  Jens  Lyseng  and  Ole  Broughton  as  trus- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  229 

tees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  attested  by  J.  P.  Simonson,  Martin. 
Rasmuson  and  Ole  Broughton. 

At  a  meeting  at  the  home  of  G.  Klatt  on  August  25,  1879,  the  persons 
attached  to  the  Alexandria  Mission  of  the  Evangelical  Association  of  North 
America  incorporated  the  Salem  church  of  the  Evangelical  Association.  The 
meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the  Rev.  E.  F.  Movius  and  Fr.  Kurell,  Sr., 
Aug.  Kruger  and  G.  Klatt  were  elected  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  Union  church  at  Osakis  on  March  25,  1879, 
Rev.  F.  X.  \\'alcott,  chairman,  and  Thomas  Bolles,  clerk,  the  Union  Religi- 
ous Society  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Harvey  Mills,  Chester  S. 
Boss  and  William  H.  Sevens  as  trustees. 

On  April  23,  1878,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  school  house  on  section  11, 
Solem  township,  the  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  in  Solem  was 
incorporated  by  the  election  of  Paul  Nilson,  R.  Bentson  and  Paul  Larson  as 
trustees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  attested  by  \\\  S.  Stadstad  and 
Christian  Olsen. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Congregation  of  Evansville  was 
incorporated  at  a  meeting  held  on  February  3,  1883,  by  the  election  of 
Anders  Johnson,  John  Bylander,  C.  B.  Johnson  and  C.  J.  Johnson  as  trustees. 

The  congregation  of  the  First  Swedish  Baptist  church  of  Alexandria 
met  at  the  American  Baptist  church  in  Alexandria  on  January  i,  1883,  and 
with  the  Rev.  Martin  Dahlquist  as  chairman  and  N.  A.  Peterson  as  clerk 
incorporated  by  electing  John  Leverson,  John  Falk,  John  Jern,  N.  A.  Peter- 
son and  Martin  Dahlquist  as  trustees. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  of  Evansville  was  incorporated 
as  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Zionsborg  Congregation  on  May  6,  1885,  by  the 
election  of  Ole  Alberts,  Per  Erickson  and  Erick  T.  Malmgren  as  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  Octoljer  20,  1886,  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Church 
Svea  of  Alexandria  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  M.  Lungren,  N.  J. 
Johnson,  A.  P.  Erickson,  Andrew  Peterson  and  C.  H.  Larson  as  trustees. 
John  E.  Hedberg  was  chairman  of  the  meeting  and  J.  E.  Peterson,  clerk. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Association  of  Oscar  Lake  was 
incorporated  at  a  meeting  held  on  June  30,  1885,  Lars  Fahlin,  John  Matson 
and  H.  L.  Lewis  being  elected  trustees,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being 
attested  In-  C.  G.  Johnson  and  C.  .\.  Peterson. 

The  first  board  of  trustees  of  the  First  Baptist  Society  of  Alexandria 
was  elected  on  May  18,  1885,  A.  R.  Campbell,  John  McFarlane  and  N.  L. 
Page  being  thus  elected,  the  articles  of  incorporation  Ijeing  attested  by  C.  B. 
Rockwell,  chairman,  and  John  A.  ^McKav.  clerk. 


230  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COCNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  January  15,  1887.  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Luth- 
eran Church  Lekvalten  of  Holmes  City  was  incorporated,  the  chairman  of 
the  meeting  being  John  E.  Hedberg;  clerk,  S.  O.  Hegenius,  and  the  trustees 
elected,  John  Smith,  John  Bergstrom,  Olaf  O.  Sodergren  and  John  Backelin. 

The  constitution  of  the  Ebenezer  church  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Congregation  of  the  L'naltered  Augsburg  Confession  of  Leaf  \"alley.  incor- 
porated, was  tiled  for  record,  January  24,  1887,  the  articles  of  incorporation 
being  signed  by  Christian  Froeming,  Carl  Grosenick.  William  Schmidt  and 
August  Hertig. 

A  certificate  of  election  of  trustees  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Alex- 
andria, signed  by  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Eigelberner,  chairman,  and  L.  S.  Kaiser, 
clerk,  and  filed  for  record  on  May  20,  1887,  certified  to  the  election  of  L.  S. 
Kaiser,  Almon  Morse,  John  McFarlane  and  Robert  AIcFarlane  as  trustees. 

The  St.  Petre  Norsk  Evangelical  Lutheran  Alenighed  in  the  village  of 
Brandon  was  incorporated  on  January  23,  1888,  the  incorporators  being 
Johan  O.  Berg,  Board  Solberg,  Ole  Enderson,  E.  Engebrightson,  Niels  Niel- 
sen and  Engebret  Torkelson,  with  the  following  officers :  President,  Johan 
O.  Berg;  secretary,  Ole  Enderson;  treasurer.  Board  Solberg;  trustees,  Ole 
Enderson,  Board  Solberg,  Johan  O.  Berg,  Niels  Nielson,  Engebret  Torkel- 
son and  E.  Engebrigtson. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  court  house  hall  on  May  5.  1888,  at  which  E. 
Hallgren  was  chairman  and  Ole  Olson,  clerk,  the  Swedish  Baptist  church  of 
Alexandria  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Nils  Peterson,  John  Severt- 
son  and  John  H.  Broms  as  trustees. 

The  Eastern  Moe  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  in  section 
I  in  the  township  of  ^loe,  at  a  meeting  held  in  that  church  on  November  8, 
1886,  presided  over  by  L.  Carlson,  chairman;  George  R.  Botner,  clerk;  was 
incorporated  by  the  election  of  Syvert  J.  \'ibstad,  Theodore  Thompson  and 
Carl  J.  Peterson  as  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  April  3,  i88g,  at  the  residence  of  P.  J.  Vickstrand 
on  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  30  of  La  Grand 
township.  Nils  Anderson,  chairman,  and  Emil  Johnson,  clerk,  the  Svenska 
Kristna  Forsamlingen  of  La  Grand  township  was  incorporated  by  the  election 
of  P.  J.  \'ickstrand,  Nils  Anderson  and  Emil  Johnson  as  trustees. 

The  Free  Methodist  church  of  Alexandria  was  incorporated  on  April  2"/, 
1889,  at  a  meeting  presided  over  by  William  H.  Black;  AL  F.  Childs.  clerk; 
William  H.  Black,  J.  W.  Glines  and  V.  D.  Nichols  being  elected  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  church  of  that  congregation  on  May  16,  1889, 
L.    Johnson,    chairman,    and    Nils    Ekblad,    clerk,    the    Swedish    Evangelical 


DOUdLAS    AND    GRAXT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  23I 

Lutheran  Fryksande  church  of  Urness  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of 
Nils  Ekblad,  John  R.  Randstedt  and  Nils  J.  Lindstrom  as  trustees. 

The  Svenska  Kristna  Missions  Forsamlingen  in  the  town  of  Id'a  was 
incorporated  on  February  8,  1890,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  residence  of  J.  E. 
Norgren  on  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  29  of  that  township,  A.  G.  Berg- 
strom,  chairman,  and  Erick  Johnson,  clerk,  and  A.  G.  Bergstrom,  Emil 
Peterson  and  John  Johnson  being  elected  trustees. 

The  First  Congregational  church  of  O&akis  was  incorporated  on  May 
20,  1890,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  C.  N.  Armstrong,' 
Frances  A.  Sargent  and  Lizzie  G.  Armstrong. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  school  house  in  Evansville  on  August  6,  1890, 
the  congregation  of  the  Presbyterian  church  there,  Rev.  James  Godward, 
chairman,  and  Charles  L.  Thomson,  clerk,  was  incorporated  by  electing  Will- 
iam Beach,  Christ  Nelson  and  John  Kron  as  trustees. 

Den  Svenska  Kristna  Forsamlingen  of  Spruce  Hill  at  a  meeting  held 
at  the  residence  of  Mary  Peterson  in  the  northeast  corner  of  the  northeast 
quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  29  on  November  21,  1890,  Frans 
Anderson,  chairman,  and  Andrew  Larson,  clerk,  was  incorporated  by  the 
election  of  Andrew  Larson,  Alfred  Lingren  and  Joseph  Johnson,  trustees. 

The  First  Free  Methodist  church  of  Alexandria  was  incorporated  at  a 
meeting  held  at  the  parsonage  of  that  church  on  March  28,  1891,  Richard 
Boothroyd,  chairman,  and  John  W.  Glines,  clerk,  Jacob  Roth,  Richard 
Boothroyd,  Elizabeth  Covel  and  Elmira  Glines  being  elected  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  April  2,  1891,  C.  Aeberle,  chairman,  and  Carl 
Brockopp,  clerk,  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  Zions  Congregation  of  the  LTn- 
altered  Augsburg  Confession  was  incorporated,  the  articles  of  incorporation 
being  signed  by  C.  Aeberle,  C.  Brockopp,  W.  Lemke,  M.  Haberer,  J.  Stoppel, 
Carl  Schulke,  Carl  Beltz  and  Andrew  Roth. 

The  Seventh  Day  Adventist  Church  Society  of  Osakis,  at  a  meeting 
held  at  the  church  of  that  society  at  Osakis  on  November  11,  1891,  W.  B. 
Hill,  chairman,  and  Euphemia  Imre,  clerk,  was  incorporated  by  the  election 
of  W.  B.  Hill,  Randall  Perkins,  Samuel  Johnson  and  G.  L.  Fry  as  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  April  4,  1892,  Frank  Johnson,  chairman,  and 
Mattis  Clark,  clerk,  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Spruce 
Hill  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Frank  Johnson,  Peter  Hanson  and 
A.  Osterberg  as  trustees. 

The  Emanuels  Church  of  the  Evangelical  Association  of  North  America 
at  Alexandria  was  incorporated  at  a  meeting  held  on  June  17,  1895.  A-  H- 


232  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

Utzinger,  president,  and  Mrs.  Rosa  Zimmerman,  secretary,  August  Engel, 
Frank  Griebenow  and  Gustav  Klatt  being  elected  trustees. 

The  German  Evangelical  St.  Michael's  church  on  section  8  in  the  town- 
ship of  Carlos,  was  incorporated  at  a  meeting  held  at  that  church  on  July  8, 
1896,  Herman  F.  Miller,  chairman,  and  August  Leucke,  secretary,  Frederick 
Kitzman,  August  Leucke  and  August  Blank  being  elected  trustees. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Emmanuel  Congregation  of  the  L'naltered 
Augsburg  Confession  at  Carlos  was  incoqxjrated  at  a  meeting  held  on 
February  16.  1897,  A.  Bartz,  chairman,  and  J.  Schwerttiger,  secretary. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Mission  church  of  Christina  Lake  was  incor- 
porated at  a  meeting  held  at  the  residence  of  Olaf  Larson  in  Lund  township 
on  July  6,  1897,  N.  D.  Anderson,  chairman,  and  M.  Thornberg,  secretary, 
George  Larson,  Frederick  Olson  and  X.  D.  Anderson  being  elected  trustees. 

The  Scandinavian  Evangelical  Lutheran  Emaus  Congregation  of  Osakis 
was  incorporated  on  July  30,  1898,  J.  P.  Simonson,  James  P.  Johnson,  X.  P. 
Jacobson,  Lars  Christenson,  Andrew  Johnson,  E.  H.  Erickson,  C.  W.  Lar- 
son, R.  J.  Simonson,  C.  P.  Hanson,  T.  W.  Schleppergril,  Soren  Hanson, 
Lars  Jacobson,  Karl  Berry,  R.  P.  Clauson,  Peter  Larson  and  P.  J.  Stenmore 
signing  the  articles  of  incorporation;  J.  P.  Simonson,  president;  James  P. 
Johnson,  secretary-;  Erick  Erickson,  treasurer,  and  C.  P.  Hanson.  Soren 
Hanson  and  N.  P.  Jacobson,  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  school  house  in  district  30  of  Carlos  township, 
June  19,  1899,  the  Union  Church  Society  of  Carlos  was  incorporated,  Will- 
iam A.  Wheeler  acting  as  chairman  of  the  meeting,  H.  F.  ]\Iiller  as  clerk  and 
J.  O.  Stedje,  H.  F.  Miller.  August  Blank,  Parnell  Atkinson.  William  A. 
Wheeler  and  Mathias  Junt  being  elected  trustees. 

The  Union  Church  Society  of  Hudson  was  incorporated  at  a  meeting 
held  in  the  school  house  of  district  No.  6,  Hudson  township,  June  26,  1899, 
G.  J.  Strang,  chairman,  and  Fred  C.  Meade,  secretary,  F.  M.  Dille,  M.  D. 
Fredenberg,  Herbert  Boyd,  S.  S.  Pratt  and  J.  J.  Brown  being  elected  as 
trustees. 

The  Catholic  church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  at  Osakis,  in  the 
diocese  of  St.  Cloud,  was  incorporated  on  August  i.  1899,  the  articles  of 
incorporation  being  signed  by  James  Trobec,  bishop;  Edward  J.  Xagl.  \icar 
general;  P.  Ildephonse  Molitor,  O.  S.  B.,  pastor  in  charge;  and  \Mlliani 
Shinners  and  Sylvester  Housen,  lay  members  of  the  congregation. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  dwelling  house  of  Andrew  Knudson  on  sec- 
tion 21,  township  127,  range  39,  H.  Jenson,  minister;  Andrew  Knudson, 
chairman,  and  Torgal  Xordby,  clerk,  the  Bethesda  Society,  a  religious  society, 


DOUGLAS    ANP    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  233 

was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Emer  O.  Steen,  Ole  Steen  and  Torgal 
Xordby  as  trustees. 

The  Catholic  church  of  Our  Lady  of  Seven  Dolors  at  Millerville  was 
incorporated  on  November  2"^,  1899,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being 
signed  by  James  Trobec,  bishop  of  the  diocese  of  St.  Cloud ;  Edward  Nagl, 
vicar  general ;  Alois  Raster,  pastor  in  charge,  and  Michael  Kelly  and  J.  C. 
Drexler,  la}'  members  of  the  congregation. 

St.  Mary's  Catholic  church  of  Alexandria  was  incorporated  on  February 
2J,  1900,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  James  Trobec,  bishop 
of  the  diocese  of  St.  Cloud ;  Edward  J.  Nagl,  vicar  general ;  Otto  Weisser, 
pastor  in  charge,  and  Adam  J.  Renner  and  Mathias  N.  Kroll,  lay  members  of 
the  congregation. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  dwelling  house  of  John  W.  Johnson  in  the 
east  half  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  't^T)^  township  128,  range  39, 
the  same  being  the  township  of  Moe,  Abraham  Hogana,  chairman,  and  John 
M.  Johnson,  clerk,  the  Suomalainen  Ewankelis-Lutherilainen  Kansallisseu- 
rakunta  of  the  town  of  Moe  was  incoqx)rated  by  the  election  of  Jacob  Olson, 
John  Gustav  Hiltunen  and  Ed.  A.  Johnson  as  trustees. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Kensington  was  incor- 
porated at  a  meeting  held  on  February  11,  1901,  Rudolph  Valkjuist,  chair- 
man, and  Charles  Lilyquist,  secretary,  J.  P.  Hedberg.  Charles  Lilyquist  and 
J.  A.  \\'edum  being  elected  trustees. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Emanuel  Congregation  of  the  Lnaltered 
Augsburg  Confession  at  Carlos  was  incorporated  at  a  meeting  held  on 
March  21,  1902,  Ferdinand  Fiss,  chairman,  and  Albert  Schulz,  secretar\-,  the 
articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  Ferdinand  Fiss,  H.  Bast,  John 
P'elton,  Gustav  Tonn,  Ferdinand  Zunker,  Carl  Scheunemann,  Herman 
Beulke,  Albert  H.  Schulz  and  W'illiam  Zunker. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  residence  of  Lars  Johnson  on  Alarch  17,  1903, 
Olaf  A.  Lafgren,  chairman,  and  E.  P.  Wickstrom,  clerk,  the  Scandinavian 
Christian  Free  Church  of  Evansville  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of 
Sven  Person,-  A.  P.  Johnson  and  Lars  Johnson  as  trustees. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Dreieninigkeits  Congregation  of  Millerville 
township  was  incorporated  at  a  meeting  held  on  September  21,  1903,  Ernst 
Meissner,  chairman,  and  .\lbert  Pries,  clerk,  Adolph  Pries,  W'ilhelm  Klein 
and  Karl  Buse  lieing  elected  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  hall  at  518  Main  street  in  Alexandria  on 
December  19,  1905,  C.  .\.  Strandberg,  chairman,  and  George  A.  Anderson, 
clerk,  the  Scandinavian  Free  Church  of  God  of  Alexandria  was  incorporated 


234  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

by  the  election  of  Gottfried  Kruger,  C'.  A.  Sternljerg  and  Albert  Kruger  as 
trustees. 

The  Catholic  church  of  St.  Nicholas  of  Belle  River  was  incorporated 
on  February  2,  1910,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  James 
Trobec,  bishop  of  the  diocese  of  St.  Cloud;  Edward  Nagl,  vicar  general; 
Ignatius  Tomazin,  pastor  in  charge,  and  Charles  B.  Pasch  and  A.  Joseph 
Wolters,  lay  members  of  the  congregation. 

On  March  19,  1906,  Fred  Swenson,  moderator,  and  W.  AI.  Dunnicliff, 
clerk,  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Garfield  was  incorporated  by  the 
election  of  F.  L.  Robbins,  John  A.  Nelson  and  W.  ^^^  Dunnicliff  as  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  May  10,  1879,  at  the  house  of  Swen  Waginius, 
Rev.  O.  Olson,  chairman,  and  Sven  Auslund,  clerk,  the  Swedish  Evangelical 
Lutheran  church  of  Wennesborg  in  Douglas  and  Grant  counties,  was  incor- 
porated by  electing  Alartin  Peterson,  Frick  ^Viklund  and  Sv.  Auslund  as 
trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  at  the  house  of  Gust  M.  Johnson  on  February  24, 
1906,  Per  Hanson,  chairman,  and  Gust  M.  Johnson,  clerk,  the  Swedish  Bap- 
tist church  of  Holmes  City  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Per  Hanson, 
Gust  M.  Johnson,  Maret  Hanson,  Ellen  Ekstrand  and  Annie  Johnson  as 
trustees. 

The  Catholic  church  of  St.  Anna  of  Brandon  was  incorporated  on 
February  10,  1909,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  James 
Trobec,  bishop  of  the  diocese  of  St.  Cloud;  Edward  J.  Nagl,  vicar  general; 
Paul  Kuich,  pastor  in  charge,  and  August  Lehr  and  Jacob  Table,  two  lay 
members. 

At  a  meeting  held  in  the  school  house  at  Carlos  on  April  5,  1909,  Scott 
Bund}-,  moderator,  and  C.  O.  Franzen,  clerk,  the  Carlos  Presbyterian  church 
was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  M.  E.  Smith,  James  B.  Howe,  C.  O. 
Franzen  and  Scott  Bundy  as  trustees. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  St.  John's  Society  of  Garfield  was  incor- 
porated at  a  meeting  held  in  the  village  hall  on  February  24,  1910,  August 
Stark,  Sr.,  chairman,  and  Carl  Kloehn,  secretary,  Fred  Berthel,  Henry 
Wadtke  and  Fred  Wittnebel  being  elected  trustees. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  January  19,  1910.  M.  B.  Juul,  president;  Carl  O. 
Augdahl,  secretary,  and  Julius  Larson,  treasurer,  the  Brandon  Evangelical 
Lutheran  church  was  incorporated  by  the  election  of  Anton  Strom,  O.  F. 
Olson  and  M.  Sektnan  as  trustees. 

The  First  Swedish  Baptist  church  of  Spruce  Hill  was  incorporated  at  a 


DOUGLAS    ANL'    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  235 

meeting  held  in  the  home  of  O.  A.  Peterson  on  ^lay  4,  1914,  Fred  Pahnborg, 
chairman,  and  Nathaniel  P.  Larson,  secretary,  O.  A.  Peterson,  Nathaniel  P. 
Larson  and  G.  A.  Erickson  being  elected  trustees. 

On  August  18,  1914,  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  home  of  .V.  Eastman  in 
E\-ansville,  G.  R.  Anderson,  chairman,  and  S.  A.  Swenson,  secretary,  the 
First  Swedish  Baptist  church  of  Evansville  was  incorporated  by  the  election 
of  Per  Johnson,  Mrs.  X.  P.  Johnson  and  O.  Skold  as  trustees. 

THE    METHODIST    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH. 

As  noted  in  the  introduction  to  this  chapter  the  house  of  worship  of  the 
First  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Alexandria  was  the  first  church  build- 
ing erected  in  that  city  and  from  all  accounts  the  first  to  be  erected  in  Doug- 
las county.  The  Minnesota  Conference  met  at  Red  Wing  in  1867  and  at  its 
business  session  voted  to  establish  a  church  at  Alexandria,  and  Rev.  William 
Bowdish  was  appointed  pastor.  The  next  year  the  first  church  building  was 
erected  in  Alexandria.  It  was  just  west  of  the  present  building,  near  where 
the  new  parsonage  now  stands.  The  second  pastor  appointed  to  that  field 
was  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Kingsland,  under  whom  a  revival  occurred  that  greatly 
increased  the  membership  of  the  church.  He  remained  but  a  year  and  was 
followed  by  the  Rev.  H.  G.  Hilton,  who  remained  two  years  and  during 
whose  pastorate  the  first  parsonage  was  built.  It  still  remains  at  the  rear 
of  the  church  in  the  possession  of  the  society.  In  1874  the  Rev.  C.  B.  Bre- 
count  was  appointed  to  the  Alexandria  charge,  that  having  been  his  first 
Minnesota  pastorate  and  under  his  ministrations  there  was  a  large  ingather- 
ing to  the  church.  Two  years  later,  in  1876,  the  Rev.  G.  S.  Dorsey  became 
pastor,  the  period  of  his  servic?  long  being  remembered  as  the  beginning  of 
a  period  of  trial  and  hardship.  It  was  in  that  year  that  the  grasshopper 
scourge  swept  the  fields  and  starvation  stared  the  people  in  the  face.  The 
pastor's  health  failed  and  he  asked  to  lie  released.  The  financial  pressure 
became  so  great  that  on  the  retirement  of  Reverend  Dorsey  the  church  doors 
were  shut  and  for  fifteen  months  no  regular  preaching  services  were  held. 
Even  the  Sunday  school  was  finally  closed. 

LInder  the  presiding  eldership  of  Reverend  Starkey,  Rev.  S.  M.  Bron- 
son,  of  Iowa,  was  secured  and  placed  in  charge.  He  reorganized  the  society 
and  placed  a  new  roof  on  the  building.  Dark  days  followed  in  close  succes- 
sion until  the  entire  membership  were  almost  disheartened  and  some  favored 
closing  the  church  again.  But  there  were,  as  usual,  a  few  faithful  ones,  whi). 
like  the  Scotch  bugle  boy,  never  had  learned  to  play  "retreat,"  and  who  per- 


236  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

sistently  pressed  for  victory.  The  Rev.  C.  T.  Barkulo  was  sent  as  pastor  in 
October.  1881.  He  was  a  faithful  preacher  of  the  Gospel  and  an  earnest, 
hard  worker,  and  soon  the  society  was  on  upgrade  again.  He  was  followed 
b}'  the  Rev.  S.  Snyder  who  had  a  stirring  re\-ival,  thus  strengthening  the 
church  very  materially.  He  was  followed  bv  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Ogle,  a  talented 
man  who  was  much  beloved  by  his  congregation.  It  was  about  this  time 
that  tiie  church  was  greatly  strengthened  by  the  accession  of  some  prominent 
men.  possessed  of  generous  hearts  and  zealous  endeavor  for  Zion.  Such  men 
as  J.  U.  Barnes,  William  Moses,  Robert  McCrory.  H.  A.  LeRoy  and  others, 
who  of  their  increasing  wealth  and  worth  gave  freely  to  the  prosperity  of 
the  church.  In  the  fall  of  1887,  Rev.  Samuel  White  was  appointed  pastor 
and  his  ministry  was  made  memorable  by  a  very  successful  revival  and  a 
new  building  was  decided  upon.  By  the  fall  of  188S  he  had  the  frame  of 
the  new  building  up,  when,  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  the  people,  he  was 
removed  to  another  charge. 

This  proved  unfortunate  to  the  society's  advance,  as  it  was  not  until  the 
coming  of  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Grose  in  the  fall  of  1889,  that  the  old  debt  was 
paid  off  and  the  building  properly  enclosed.  That  building  was  dedicated  on 
January  26.  1890.  In  the  fall  of  1891,  Rev.  H.  Treglawney  became  pastor 
and  was  successful  in  eliminating  all  indebtedness.  Ne.xt  was  the  Rev.  C.  W. 
Lawson  who  was  a  careful  and  untiring  shepherd  of  the  flock.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  one  of  the  most  constructive  and  eft'ective  pastors  the  church  has 
had.  namely,  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Brown,  now  of  Grinnell,  Iowa.  Mr.  Brown 
ga\e  to  the  church  the  longest  pastorate  of  any  preacher  up  to  that  time — 
nearly  five  years.  They  were  years  of  material  improvements  and  spiritual 
growth.  The  new  parsonage  was  constructed  under  his  supervisi(in,  being 
until  recently  the  best  ministerial  home  in  the  Fergus  Falls  District. 

Under  the  head  of  "Notes  and  Comments,"  there  appears  this  interest- 
ing paragraph :  "The  old  church  building  when  no  longer  needed  was  sold 
to  \\'.  K.  Barnes  who  started  it  one  winter  across  Lake  Agnes  on  its  way  to 
his  farm  on  Lake  Darling  .(now  occupied  by  N.  J.  Nelson  and  family)  where 
it  is  now  used  as  a  barn  (where  it  can  truthfully  be  said,  it  is  "cold  as  a 
l:arn'").  \Mien  well  on  its  way  over  the  lake  it  broke  through  the  ice  as 
favoring  immersion  exclusively,  or  ])rotesting  against  the  indignity  put  upon 
it.  There  it  remained  for  some  time,  and  was  afterwards  taken  to  its  desti- 
nation." 

The  foll(jwing  is  a  record  of  the  pastors  who  have  served  the  Methodist 
church  at  .Alexandria  as  taken  from  the  official  records :  ^\'illiam  M.  Bow- 
dish,    1867  to   1868;  C.  F.  Kingsland,    1868  to   1871  ;  J.  L.   Fasig,    1871   to 


bOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  237 

1872:  H.  G.  Hilton,  1872  to  1874;  C.  B.  Brecount,  1874  to  1876:  George 
X.  Dorsey,  1876:  S.  M.  Bronson.  1878  to  October,  1880;  F.  I.  Fisher,  1880; 
D.  S.  Smith,  July  1881  to  October,  1881  :  T.  C.  Barkuloo,  October,  1881,  to 
1882:  S.  Snyder,  1882  to  March,  1883;  J.  B.  Ogle,  April,  1883,  to  September, 
1885:  S.  D.  Kemerer,  October,  1885,  to  1887;  Samuel  White,  1887  to  1888; 
H.  C.  Klingel,  1888  to  1889;  R.  C.  Grose,  1889  to  1891 ;  C.  H.  Terglawney, 
1891  to  1892:  C.  \y.  Lawson,  1892  to  1895:  J.  M.  Bjown,  1895  to  May, 
1900;  C.  \\'.  Cullinge,  'Slay,  1900,  to  June,  1901 ;  E.  H.  Nicholson,  June, 
1901,  to  October,  1904;  J.  G.  Crosier,  October,  1904,  to  1905;  R.  \\'.  \Mlcox, 
1905  to  1907;  George  E.  Tindall,  1907  to  the  present  time. 

During  the  present  pastorate  many  difficulties  have  been  met  and  prob- 
lems solved.  The  material  increase  of  the  church  has  been  most  encourag- 
ing. The  old  "basement  debt"  of  six  hundred  dollars  at  six  per  cent,  interest 
has  been  paid  in  full,  and  over  one  thousand  dollars  improvements  have  been 
made  upon  the  Iniildings,  so  that  the  buildings  are  all  under  good  repair. 
The  interior  aspect  of  the  church  parlor  has  been  greatly  enhanced.  Two 
beautiful  memorial  windows  have  been  installed  in  the  church  to  the  memories 
of  Robert  McCrory  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Moses,  beloved  pioneers  of 
the  church  and  faithful  servants  of  God,  through  whose  generosity  and 
untiring  zeal  the  church  was  sustained  in  some  of  its  years  of  severe  trials. 
During  the  year  19 15  the  budget  ran  up  to  over  two  thousand  five  hundred 
dollars,  the  largest  of  any  year  in  the  history  of  the  church,  except  when  the 
church  was  dedicated. 

The  spiritual  growth  of  the  church  has  also  paralleled  its  material  in- 
crease. Revivals  have  been  held  every  year  and  have  been  the  means  of 
increasing  the  membership  from  eighty-four  at  the  commencement  of  the 
present  pastorate  to  one  hundred  and  seventy-three  at  the  present,  with 
twenty  in  the  pastor's  probationer's  class.  The  superintendent  of  the  Sun- 
day school  is  O.  L.  Solstad;  president  of  Epworth  League,  Dr.  D.  E.  Whit- 
tenberg;  president  of  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  Mrs.  T.  R.  Alton;  president  of 
Woman's  Missionary  Society,  Mrs.  L.  Madison ;  stewards,  O.  W.  Landeen, 
George  Susens,  W.  H.  Horton,  A.  F.  Storm,  C.  J.  Larson,  H.  H.  Grielaenow. 
J.  A.  Poalson,  Mrs.  O.  W.  Landeen,  Mrs.  S.  D.  Johnson,  ^^Irs.  D.  L.  John- 
son, Mrs  George  Bracken,  Mrs.  H.  N.  Doyle;  trustees,  G.  Jesse  Strang, 
M.  R.  McArdle,  Thomas  Cooper,  Herman  H.  Squires,  Gus.  E.  Antlerson, 
Fred  G.  Boomgaarden,  George  W.  Ramsdell.  Franklin  George,  Jacob  Luckert. 

The  Rev.  George  E.  Tindall,  present  pastor  of  the  church,  is  also 
called  to  speak  at  Brandon,  Hoffman  and  Garfield.  For  three  years  he  pulj- 
li.^^hed  at  Alexandria  the  Fergus  Falls  District  Methodist,  a  quarterly  ]nilili- 


238  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

cation  in  the  interests  of  the  church  of  that  district,  and  during  the  twentv- 
six  years  of  his  ministerial  activity  in  Minnesota,  having  begun  his  pastoral 
work  on  May  20,  1890,  his  first  charge  having  been  the  church  at  Ada,  has 
in  other  ways  been  one  of  the  most  active  ministers  of  the  Methodist  church 
in  this  state.  Mr.  Tindall  is  a  native  of  Canada  and  left  his  old  home  near 
Bradford,  Ontario,  in  1890.  to  take  up  his  ministerial  caUing  in  t'his  state 
and  has  ever  since  served  in  Minnesota,  his  se\eral  charges  having  been  at 
Ada,  Melrose,  Grove  Lake,  Staples,  Long  Prairie,  Frazee,  Aklev,  Warren 
and  Alexandria. 

FIRST    CONGREGATIONAL    CHURCH    OF    ALEXANDRIA. 

Sometime  in  the  year  i860,  two  years  after  the  advent  of  the  first  white 
settlers  in  what  is  now  Douglas  county,  the  Rev.  C.  S.  Harrison,  a  Congre- 
gational missionary,  and  representative  of  the  American  Home  Missionary 
Society  of  that  denomination,  then  stationed  at  Sauk  Center,  held  what  is 
claimed  by  some  to  be  the  first  religious  service  within  the  bounds  of  the 
present  city  of  Alexandria  and  probably  of  Douglas  county.  This  service 
was  held  in  a  bedroom  of  a  log  house  owned  bv  P.  L.  Gregors".  Mr.  Harri- 
son probably  continued  to-  come  to  Alexandria  for  occasional  services  for 
about  six  months. 

In  the  winter  of  1866  and  1867  Mrs.  Theresa  T.  Hicks  and  Mrs.  Ann 
B.  Whitcomb,  being  anxious  that  the  young  should  have  some  Christian 
training,  gathered  a  little  flock  together  within  the  old  stockade  and  formed 
a  Sunday  school.  In  the  summer  of  1867  the  American  Home  Missionary 
Society  again  became  interested  through  the  Minnesota  sui>erintendent,  Rev. 
Richard  Hall,  and  sent  Rev.  B.  F.  Haviland  to  work  in  this  district.  On  the 
14th  day  of  December,  1867,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the  court  house  hall  to 
consider  the  propriety  of  organizing  a  Congregational  church  in  Alexandria. 
The  church  was  duly  organized  with  the  following  members,  who  brought 
letters  from  their  respective  churches.  Rev.  B.  F.  Haviland,  J.  R.  Lowell, 
S.  B.  Chikls,  Eliza  Lowell,  L.  R.  Chi-kls,  Ann  B.  Whitcomb,  Antoinette  Darl- 
ing, L.  J.  Hobert,  H.  T.  Haviland  and  Theresa  T.  Hicks — three  males  and 
seven  females.  The  officers  elected  were  Rev.  B.  I".  Haviland,  clerk;  J.  R. 
Lowell,  deacon,  and  S.  B.  Chikls,  treasurer.  On  April  i.  1869,  ]\Ir.  Havi- 
land resigned  his  charge.  The  little  company  were  still  meeting  in  the  court 
hciuse  hall  for  services.     George  F.  Whitcomb  was  elected  clerk. 

In  the  fall  of  1868  W.  E.  Hicks  donated  a  lot  for  a  church  and  the 
people  of  the  village  all  contributed  towards  the  erection  of  a  new  church 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  239 

building  on  the  site  of  the  present  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  parsonage. 
The  Methodists  had  recently  formed  an  organization  and  the  new  building 
was  known  as  the  Methodist  church.  Upon  its  completion  the  Congregation- 
alists  used  it  alternately  with  the  Methodists.  The  first  mention  found  in  the 
records  of  meeting  in  the  new  church  was  on  June  26,  1869.  In  July,  1869, 
Rev.  Reuben  Evarts  came  to  x\lexandria  to  care  for  the  young  church  and 
continued  in  his  work  until  July,  1871.  Little  is  on  record  concerning  the 
work  during  the  two  years  except  that  the  pastor  was  to  receive  seven  hun- 
dred dollars  salar),  a  part  of  which  was  to  be  paid  l)y  the  Home  Missionary 
Society.  There  is  no  record  of  any  pastor  being  at  work  from  July,  1871, 
to  May,  1873,  but  the  church  was  not  idle,  for  in  October,  1872,  after  having 
tendered  a  call  to  Rev.  Mr.  Williams — who  did  not  accept — the  church  voted 
to  raise  five  hundred  dollars  and  proceed  at  once  to  build  a  parsonage,  the 
building  committee  being  James  Purdon,  George  C.  Whitcomb  and  L.  G. 
Sims.  The  parsonage  was  built  on  lots  donated  by  W.  E.  Hicks  on  the 
site  of  the  present  Congregational  church  which  comprises  three  entire  lots. 
On  May  i,  1873,  Rev.  William  W.  Norton  became  pastor  of  the  church 
which  was  evidently  not  yet  very  strong,  as  the  salary  was  to  be  seven  hun- 
dred and  free  parsonage,  the  church  paying  but  two  hundred  dollars  of  the 
amount.  It  was  during  this  pastorate  that  the  church  seemed  to  take  on  new 
life  and  great  progress  was  made.  On  May  20,  1873,  a  church  "society"  was 
organized  and  a  corporation  formed  to  be  known  as  "The  First  Congrega- 
tional Church  and  Society  of  Alexandria,"  and  William  E.  Hicks,  George 
C.  Sims  and  Robert  C.  McNeil  were  elected  trustees.  During  the  Rev.  Will- 
iam W.  Norton's  pastorate  of  four  years  the  membership  increased  from 
nine  to  thirty-three :  the  parsonage  was  enlarged  and  improved ;  a  new  chiu-ch 
seating  two  hundred  was  built  and  furnished  at  a  cost  of  about  two  thcu- 
sand  six  hundred  dollars,  all  l)ut  five  hundred  dollars  of  which  was  raised  bv 
the  church  and  society.  At  the  conclusion  of  his  pastorate  in  April,  1877, 
the  following  appears  on  the  record :  "Although  the  grasshoppers  have 
inpoverished  the  country,  yet  the  condition  of  the  church  both  spiritually 
and  financially  is  excellent  and  the  future  prospects  very  encouraging." 

■  Rev.  P.  S.  Smith  was  acting  pastor  for  one  year  from  Mav  i,  1877, 
and  on  January  4,  1878,  was  held  the  first  regular  annual  meeting,  the  fol- 
lowing officers  who  had  served  since  May,  1874,  being  elected:  Clerk,  W. 
E.  Chidester;  treasurer,  Mrs.  George  C.  Whitcomb;  deacon,  W.  E.  Chid- 
ester.  Rev.  Quinc}-  L.  Dowd  was  pastor  from  September  i,  1878,  to  Sep- 
tember I,  1880.  June  24,  1879,  a  constitution  for  the  "society"  and  a  com- 
pact of  agreement  between  the  "church"  and  "society"  was  adopted,  and  thus 


240  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    GOUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

the  regular  organization  of  "The  First  Congregational  Church  and  Society 
of  Alexandria"  was  i^erfected  after  an  existence  of  more  than  six  years.  At 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  church  in  January,  1879,  William  S.  Mules  was 
elected  clerk,  Andrew  Purdon,  treasurer,  and  L.  G.  Sims,  deacon.  At  the 
first  annual  meeting  of  the  "society"  held  on  May  24,  1880,  George  C. 
Whitcomb  was  elected  trustee  for  a  term  of  three  years,  thus  showing  that 
finally,  after  many  years  of  struggle,  the  machinery  of  that  part  of  the 
church  organization  was  working  smoothly.  On  the  19th  day  of  Jnly  in 
the  same  year  an  amendment  to  the  constitution  was  adopted  increasing 
the  number  of  members  of  the 'board  of  trustees  to  five  and  Messrs.  D.  H. 
Mason  and  George  H.  S.  Campbell  were  elected  the  additional  members. 

On  November  i,  1880,  Rev.  W.  W.  Norton  was  recalled  to  the  pastorate 
and  continued  for  one  year.  The  church  had  evidently  been  strengthened, 
for  when  Rev.  \Mlliam  Gill  was  called  to  the  pastorate  in  December,  1881, 
the  church  promised  to  pay  four  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  of  the  seven  hun- 
dred dollars  salary.  This  pastor  continued  until  April,  1883,  when  Rev.  J.  S. 
Jewell  was  called,  taking  charge  on  June  i.  This  seemed  to  be  a  time  of 
awakening,  as  the  church  assumed  self-support  and  also  increased  the  salary 
to  one  thousand  dollars.  This  result  was  largely  due  to  the  wise  planning  of 
the  previous  pastor.  Rev.  William  Gill.  On  account  of  sickness  in  his  family 
this  pastorate  continued  but  two  years.  The  church  was  supplied  during 
the  summer  of  1885  by  Rev.  J.  A.  Stemen,  who  declined  a  call  to  become 
permanent  pastor.  Rev.  S.  M.  Wilcox  was  then  called  to  the 'work  and  began 
his  pastorate  on  December  i,  1885,  and  continued  five  years.  Whether  or 
not  this  was  the  time  of  the  organization  of  the  Young  People's  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor  is -not  shown  by  the  records,  but  in  December,  1888,  the 
society  and  the  Sunday  school,  which  had  been  continued  since  its  first 
organization  in  1866,  both  gave  annual  reports  for  the  first  time.  At  this 
same  meeting  the  Ladies'  Society  gave  its  first  annual  report,  although  the 
report  showed  it  was  not  the  first  year  of  its  organization  as  it  showed  cash 
on  hand  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  of  sixty-five  dollars.  .  On  January  i, 
1 89 1,  Rev.  George  W.  Jackman  came  to  the  church  as  pastor,  liut  remained 
only  one  year. 

It  is  said  "There  is  a  man  for  every  crisis"  and  the  man  was  evidentlv 
found  when  the  church  called  to  the  pastorate  Rev.  George  E.  Soper,  in 
June,  1892.  Although  there  had  been  a  steady  advance  under  the  leadership 
of  nearl\-  e\ery  pastor,  it  was  during  "Sir.  Soper's  pastorate  that  the  present 
church  1)uilding  was  erected,  the  membership  was  largely  increased,  and  the 
church  came  into  pniminence  among  the  churches  of  the  state.     After  ha\- 


DOUGLAS    .ANn    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  24I 

ing  finished  the  present  beautiful  and  commodious  church  edifice,  the  state 
association  was  invited  to  meet  in  Alexandria.  This  invitation  was  accepted 
and  in  1895  the  pastors  and  delegates  of  the  churches  of  the  state  met  in 
their  fortieth  annual  meeting.  From  that  time  the  Congregational  church 
of  Alexandria  has  held  a  high  place  among  the  churches  of  the  state. 

The  first  action  of  which  there  is  any  record  with  reference  to  the 
erection  of  the  present  house  of  worship  was  taken  by  the  society  at  itr 
annual  meeting  in  January,  1889,  when  Mrs.  J.  H.  Lebson,  Mrs.  F.  B.  Van 
Ht)esen  and  W.  S.  Moles  were  appointed  a  committee  to  devise  wa3's  and 
means  for  raising  funds  for  the  purpose,  and  at  the  annual  meeting  held  in 
January,  1890,  Mesrs.  H.  K.  White,  C.  H.  Raiter,  George  G.  S.  Campbell 
were  added  to  this  committee.  At  a  special  meeting  held  November  18, 
1892,  it  was  resolved  "That  this  church  and  society  proceed  to  the  erection 
of  a  new  church  building  to  cost  twelve  thousand  dollars,  provided  that 
amount  of  money  be  first  raised,  and  the  following  building  committee  was 
appointed :  I'".  B.  Van  Hoesen,  treasurer ;  George  L.  Treat,  secretary ;  A.  S. 
Mason,  master  mechanic.  At  a  later  meeting  the  members  of  the  board  of 
trustees,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Samuel  D.  Moles,  C.  H.  Raiter,  G.  B.  Ward, 
J.  H.  Letson  and  George  G.  S.  Campbell  were  added  to  this  committee.  The 
building  was  completed  and  dedicated  with  a  week  of  services  beginning  on 
December  17,  1893.  Its  total  cost,  including  furniture  and  heating  plant, 
was  twenty  thousand  five  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars  and  forty-two 
cents,  which  was  all  paid  before  dedication. 

An  important  feature  of  Mr.  Soper's  pastorate  was  the  inaugeration  of 
rural  missionary  work  at  four  out  stations  in  the  towns  of  Hudson,  Lake 
Mary.  Carlos,  and  Miltona,  supported  in  part  by  members  of  the  church  and 
society.  This  work,  started  in  1896,  was  successfully  carried  on  for  six 
years  by  Rev.  George  F.  Norton,  Rev.  F.  P.  Ferguson  and  Rev.  Alexander 
Thorn,  resulting  in  the  organization  of  churches  at  Carlos  and  Hudson,  and 
the  erection  of  two  church  buildings,  and  its  final  abandonment  was  due 
largely  to  changed  conditions  on  the  fields.  The  church  building  in  the  town 
of  Carlos  was  located  about  two  miles  west  of  the  present  Carlos  village  and 
was  shared  with  the  German  Lutherans  and  Norwegian  Lutherans.  After 
being  used  for  several  years  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  and  a  new  church  was 
built  by  the  Lutherans  at  Carlos  village.  After  the  location  of  the  village 
of  Forada  on  the  new  Soo  Line  railroad  the  Hudson  church  building  was 
sold  to  the  Presbyterians  and  moved  about  a  mile  and  a  half  to  its  present 
location  in  said  village  where  the  church  work  started  as  above  stated  is 
(16) 


24^  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

being  successfully  carried  on  by  the  Presbyterians.  A  revival  service,  led  by 
Rev.  Mr.  Hartsough,  was  conducted  during  this  pastorate  and  was  fruitful 
in  adding  a  number  of  members  to  the  church  rolls.  The  work  continued 
to  grow  during  the  five  and  one-half  years  of  Mr.  Soper's  pastorate,  which 
ended  on  December  31,  1887. 

Rev.  William  H.  Medlar  succeeded  to  the  pastorate  in  May,  1898,  and 
continued  till  December  i,  1903,  five  and  one-half  years.  During  this  pastor- 
ate the  records  show  two  distinct  features  of  work,  the  first  being  that  of 
rural  missionary  work,  and  the  second  the  successful  revival  services  con- 
ducted by  Mr.  Hunt  from  which  thirty  united  with  the  church  by  confession 
of  faith.  The  total  membership  was  increased  from  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight  to  two  hundred  and  thirty-eight.  The  splendid  work  done  among  the 
young  people  under  Mr.  Medlar's  leadership  needs  also  to  be  mentioned. 

•Rev.  William  J.  Paske  accepted  the  call  and  became  pastor  of  the 
church  on  May  i,  1904.  Some  institutional  features  of  work  were  added  to 
the  church  ec|uipment  in  the  summer  of  1905.  '  A  Men's  Club  was  organized 
which  finished  off  a  portion  of  the  basement  of  the  church  and  installed  there- 
in bowling  alleys  at  a  cost  of  five  hundred  and  eighty  dollars,  which  fur- 
nished wholesome  recreation  for  all  who  cared  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
opportunity,  boys  and  girls  alike,  as  well  as  members  of  the  club.  During  the 
year  1904  a  beautiful  new  parsonage  was  erected  at  an  expense  of  over  five 
thousand  five  hundred  dollars  on  lots  directly  west  from  the  church  building. 
In  1907  a  magnificent  organ  was  installed  in  the  church  at  an  expense  of 
three  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  Mr.  Paske's  pastorate  ended  on  Sep- 
tember I,  1907. 

The  next  pastor  to  take  up  the  work  was  Rev.  Alfred  A.  Secord,  begin- 
ning on  November  15,  1907,  and  ending  on  September  i,  1913,  being  more 
than  five  years  and  nine  months  and  the  longest  in  the  history  of  the  church. 
Mr.  Secord's  pastorate  was  not  marked  by  any  great  increase  in  the  material 
equipment  of  the  church,  as  in  some  former  pastorates,  but  there  was  a  strong 
steady  and  well  balanced  growth  along  all  lines,  with  a  marked  increase  of 
influence  in  the  whole  community.  In  1907  the  church  received  a  legacy 
from  the  estate  of  Francis  B.  Van  Hoesen  of  one  thousand  dollars  for  the 
purpose  of  making  repairs  to  the  church  building  when  needed.  Union 
revival  services  held  in  1908  under  the  leadership  of  Rev.  Milford  H.  Lyon. 
brought  into  the  church  about  thirty  new  members.  The  benevolences  of  the 
church  were  largely  increased  and  became  the  largest  in  its  history.  In  1911 
the  General  Congregational  Association  of  the  state  again  held  its  annual 
meeting  with  the  church. 


DOUGLAS    ANU  GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  243 

On  December  i.  19 13,  Rev.  Frederick  Osten-Sacken  commenced  his 
pastorate  which  continued  to  July  i,  1916,  the  two  and  one-half  years  being 
characterized  by  a  large  increase  in  membership,  seventy-six  members  being 
received  and  there  being  a  net  gain  of  fifty-seven.  A  Men's  Sunday  Club  of 
over  fifty  members  was  organized  which  has  charge  of  the  bowling  alleys 
and  holds  a  weekly  meeting  at  the  Sunday  school  hour  in  a  room  which  it 
provided  in  the  basement  of  the  church,  for  the  discussion  of  religious  and 
social  topics. 

This  history  would  not  be  complete  if  it  failed  to  mention  the  mission- 
ary and  charitable  work  of  the  church.  A  child  of  the  American  Home  Mis- 
sionary Society,  and  assisted  by  it  for  the  first  sixteen  years  of  its  life,  as 
well  as  by  the  Church  Building  Society  in  the  erection  of  its  first  parsonage 
and  church  building,  the  church  has  always  recognized  its  obligations  to 
these  societies  especially,  and  at  the  same  time  has  always  contributed  to 
other  missionary  and  educational  objects  as  well  as  to  local  charities.  In 
carrying  on  the  rural  missionary  enterprise  before  mentioned,  and  assisting 
in  the  erection  of  the  two  church  buildings  in  the  towns  of  Hudson  and 
Carlos,  an  opportunity  was  afforded  to  repay  to  some  extent  its  debt  to  the 
home  mission  and  church  building  societies.  These  contributions  amounted 
to  about  four  hundred  dollars  per  year  for  about  six  years  for  carrying  on 
that  work,  and  to  nearly  one  thousand  six  hundred  dollars  for  the  church 
buildings.  In  1898  the  total  benevolences  are  recorded  as  eight  hundred  and 
twelve  dollars,  and  in  1899,  one  thousand  nine  hundred  eighty-six  dollars, 
including  the  church  building  subscriptions.  For  the  last  ten  years  the  total 
annual  benevolences  have  averaged  aver  nine  hundred  dollars. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  the  growth  of  the  church  in  membership  by 
decades.  In  1877,  at  the  end  of  the  first  decade,  there  were  33  members; 
in  Deceniljer,  1887,  there  were  81;  in  December,  1897,  158;  in  December, 
1907,  158;  and  at  the  present  time,  September,  1916,  there  are  247.  The 
officers  who  have  served  the  church  are :  Deacons,  J.  R.  Lowell,  S.  B. 
Childs,  \\'illiam  E.  Chidester,  L.  G.  Sims,  George  T.  Robards,  Fayette  C. 
Meade,  George  L.  Treat,  Andrew  Purdon,  Samuel  D.  Moles,  George  E. 
Middleton.  Charles  W.  Ridley,  Millard  Fifield,  Arthur  S.  Mason,  J.  A. 
Cranston,  Frank  Kent,  J.'  Willis  Knox,  Hugh  E.  Leach  and  Fred  C.  Meade. 
Those  who  are  conspicuous  for  their  long  service  are :  William  E.  Chidester, 
from  May  i,  1874,  to  September  19,  1898,  over  twenty- four  years  and  four 
months;  George  L.  Treat  from  August  2,  1883,  to  the  present  time,  thirty- 
three  years;  Andrew  Purdon,  from  December  28,  1893,  to  the  present,  near- 
ly thirty-three  years;  and  Fayette  C.  Meade,  from  August  2.  1883,  to  Janu- 


244  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUXTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ary  2,  1896,  and  from  January  10,  1907,  to  the  present  time,  over  twenty- 
two  years.  The  present  deacons  are :  George  L.  Treat,  Andrew  Purdon.  J. 
\\'inis  Knox,  Hugh  E.  Leach,  Fred  C.  Meade,  and  Fayette  C.  Meade,  honor- 
ary deacon. 

Deaconesses,  beginning  on  December  31,  1896:  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Cami> 
bell,  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Roberts.  Mrs.  IMary  E.  Chapman,  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Stevens, 
Mrs.  Lucy  Whitcomb.  Mrs.  Anne  Raiter,  Mrs.  Albert  Hubbell,  Mrs.  F.  L 
Cook,  Mrs.  A.  G.  Sexton,  Mrs.  Hattie  Barnes,  Mrs.  Maud  Larson,  Mrs. 
H.  S.  Campbell,  ^Irs.  Lillian  Boyd,  Mrs.  Angeline  Hounsel  and  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Kinney. 

Clerks:  Rev.  B.  F.  Haviland.  George  T.  ^^'hitconll).  William  E.  Chid- 
ester,  AMlliam  S.  Moles,  ^Irs.  X.  E.  Dowd,  Andrew  I'urdon,  Airs.  A.  E. 
Loring,  Joel  X.  Childs,  George  L.  Treat,  Henry  A.  Barnes,  Nathan  M. 
Barnes.  George  E.  ]^Iiddleton,  Dr.  C.  L.  Good,  Arthur  S.  Mason.  The  pres- 
ent clerk  is  George  L.  Treat.  Among  those  who  have  served  as  treasurer 
are :  Airs.  Ann  B.  \\  hitcomb,  George  C.  Whitcomb,  Andrew  Purdon.  Alex- 
ander Forbes,  Eder  E.  Houghwont,  Fayette  C.  Meade,  J.  H.  \\'ettleson, 
William  Walker,  \Mlliam  E.  Xesbitt  and  James  A.  Kinney. 

The  trustees  who  have  served  the  "society"  are:  W'illiam  E.  Hicks, 
George  C.  Sims,  Robert  C.  McNeil,  George  C.  Whitcomb,  William  S.  Moles, 
David  H.  Mason,  George  G.  S.  Campbell,  George  W.  Robards,  Gershom 
B.  Ward,  Samuel  D.  Moles,  Christ  H.  Raiter,  James  H.  Letson,  Andrew 
Purdon,  Horatio  Jenkins,  Francis  B.  \"an  Hoesen,  Constant  Larson,  Tallef 
Jacobson,  Hugh  E.  Leach  and  \\'illiam  J.  Sheldon.  George  H.  S.  Camp- 
bell has  served  continuously  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  since  July 
19,  1880,  and  as  secretary  of  the  board  since  January  5,  1883,  and  C.  H. 
Raiter  has  served  as  a  member  since  1883.  The  present  trustees  are:  Hugh 
E.  Leach,  president;  George  G.  S.  Campbell,  secretary;  C.  H.  Raiter,  J.  H. 
Letson  and  W'illiam  J.  Sheldon. 

There  are  a  number  of  auxiliary  societies  connected  with  the  church 
which  have  contributed  largely  to  its  growth  and  work  and  which  should 
be  briefly  mentioned.  The  first  of  these  is  the  Sunday  school,  which  was 
organized,  as  has  been  said,  even  before  the  church,  and  has  been  success- 
fully carried  on  ever  since,  largely  furnished,  through  its  training,  recruits 
for  the  church  membership.  From  a  very  small  class  it  has  grown  to  a 
membership  of  about  two  hundred  at  the  i>resent  time,  though  there  have 
been  some  ups  and  downs  in  its  history.  Those  who  have  acted  as  superin- 
tendent of  the  school  since  1880  are:  L.  G.  Sims,  George  L.  Treat,  E.  E. 
Houghwont.  Samuel  D.   Moles.  Joseph  H.  ^^■ettleson.   Prof.  J.   E.   Phillips, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRA?\T    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  245 

Prof.  J.  A.  Cranston,  Mrs.  Nellie  Page,  Mrs.  O.  J.  Robards,  J.  W.  Knox, 
Constant  Larson,  Ezra  E.  McCrea. 

The  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  has  been  in  exist- 
ence since  1887,  and  while  it,  too,  has  had  its  ups  and  downs  it  has  done 
a  valuable  work  among  the  young  people  in  fitting  them  for  more  advanced 
church  work.  The  combined  active  membership  of  the  senior  and  junior 
societies  in  January,  1916,  was  one  hundred  and  three. 

The  Woman's  Missionary  Society,  organized  in  February,  1885,  has 
done  much  to  advance  the  interest  of  Missions  in  the  church.  Its  first  report 
to  the  church  at  the  annual  meeting  in  December,  1886,  showed  total  con- 
tributions to  home  and  foreign  missions  of  sixty-two  dollars  and  these 
annual  contributions  have  gradually  increased  until  the  present  time.  For 
the  last  few  years,  including"  the  value  of  missionary  boxes  of  clothing,  the 
annual  offering  amounts  to  from  three  hundred  dollars  to  four  hundred  dol- 
lars.    The  society  has  a  present  membership  of  fifty-two. 

One  of  the  strongest  forces  in  the  material  work  of  the  church  has  been 
the  Ladies'  Society.  While  a  work  society  existed  at  an  early  period  probably 
no  formal  organization  was  attempted  until  1885  or  1886.  From  that  time 
tlie  society  has  been  very  active.  It  now  has  a  membership  of  fifty-three. 
The  records  show  that  in  1893-4  the  society  expended  in  furnishings  for  the 
new  church  building  $2,335  •  that  in  1900  it  paid  for  the  lots  on  which  the 
parsonage  now  stands  $1,150;  that  in  1903  it  expended  "mostly  for  carpet" 
for  the  church  $634;  and  that  in  1904  it  took  the  lead  in  building  the  par- 
sonage and  paid  $2,171  of  the  expense.  In  1905  it  contributed  $500  toward 
the  expense  of  the  new  organ.  These  are  some  of  the  larger  things  that  it 
has  accomplished,  btit  it  has  also  contributed  largely  towards  the  running 
expenses  and  the  local  charitable  work  of  the  church  as  there  has  been  need. 

Only  one  of  the  original  members  survives,  Mrs.  Thresa  T.  Hicks,  who 
is  still  a  member  of  the  church,  though  for  many  years  unable  by  reason 
of  deafness  and  blindness  to  take  part  in  the  church  work.  Others  who 
have  been  members  from  an  early  period  are  George  F.  Whitcomb.  1868, 
Deacon  Andrew  Rudon  and  Mrs.  LucyE.  Whitcomb,  1875,  and  Mrs.  Chris- 
tine Walker,  1877.  Among  those  now  deceased  who  were  members  for  the 
longest  period  may  be  mentioned,  David  H.  Mason,  missionary  of  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union  for  more  than  twenty-five  years,  from 
1874  to  1906,  and  Deacon  William  E.  Chidester  from   1873  to  1898. 

While  there  are  many  members  who  have  taken  a  prominent  part 
in  the  work  of  the  church  from  an  early  period  none  are  more  worthy 
to  be  mentioned  for  their  Christian  character  and  zeal  and   for  their  long 


246  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

and  arduous  service  than  Mrs.  Ann  B.  Whitcomb,  one  of  the  original  band; 
Mrs.  Lucy  Finch,  Deacon  WilHam  E.  Chidester  and  Deacon  Andrew  Pur- 
don.  In  conchision  it  remains  to  be  said  that  the  leadership  in  providing 
the  splendid  equipment  in  church  building  parsonage,  pipe  organ,  etc.,  was 
found  in  the  large  donations  of  Christ  H.  Raiter  and  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen  and 
in  the  splendid  labors  of  the  board  of  trustees,  without  which  such  equip- 
ment would  not  have  been  possible. 

THE    NORWEGIAN    LUTHERAN    CHURCH. 

One  of  the  first  churches  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  communion  in 
Douglas  county  is  that  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  at  Evansville, 
which  was  formally  organized  and  rules  and  regulations  adopted  on  Octo- 
ber 9,  1896.  Previously  ministers  from  other  settlements  came  periodically 
to  preach  to  the  persons  of  that  faith  in  the  Evansville  neighborhood  and 
it  was  not  until  1871  that  the  permanent  pastor  was  chosen.  Rev.  Carlson 
was  the  first  minister  to  fill  the  position  and  he  remained  four  years.  From 
the  fall  of  1875  to  1885,  the  Reverend  Stadstad  served  the  congregation 
as  pastor,  and  from  that  date  the  Rev.  T.  A.  Sattre  has  filled  the  position, 
for  years  having  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  oldest  ministers  of  that 
communion  in  continuous  service  in  one  parish  in  western  Minnesota.  The 
services  of  the  congregation  until  1880  were  held  in  the  old  log  school  house 
on  the  hill  and  in  that  year  the  present  commodious  house  of  worship 
was  erected.  In  1900  the  congregation  provided  a  fine  parsonage  for  the 
pastor. 

The  two  churches  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  communion  in  Moe 
township  have  for  many  years  been  large  factors  for  good  in  that  commun- 
ity. These  churches  are  maintained  under  one  charge,  the  minister  in  charge 
filling  both  pulpits  alternately.  The  Moe  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  on 
section  7  of  Moe  township  was  erected  in  1878,  the  first  pastor  being  the 
Rev.  Lauritz  Carlson,  and  the  East  Moe  church  was  erected  in  1882.  The 
two  congregations  aggregate  more  than  one  hundred  families  and  the  par- 
sonage is  maintained  in  conjunction  with  the  first  named  church. 

The  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  of  Alexandria  was  organized  at  a 
meeting  held  in  the  school  house  in  tliat  city  on  April  17,  187J,  the  following 
persons  participating :  Lars  K.  Aaker,  John  Sundblad.  Ove  I\I.  Week, 
Lorintz  Johnson,  S.  N.  Miller,  G.  Dahl,  O.  R.  Wulfsberg  and  Katherine 
H.  Aaker,  others  joining  a  short  time  afterward,  as  follows:  Mrs.  Kris- 
tine  \'andvke,  Oluf  Solum  and  familv,  Thomas  Oakson,  Christian  AI.  Han- 


X()i;wi:(;iAX    ij-riiicuAX    ciukcii.   kvaxsvii.M' 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  247 

son,  Stean  Torgerson  and  Theodore  Bordson;  in  1875  Christoffer  Larson 
and  Sophia  Larson  and  in  1876,  Olef  King.  The  first  church  building  was 
erected  in  1876  and  the  following  pastors  have  served:  Rev.  Lauritz  Carl- 
sen,  1872-75;  Rev.  O.  H.  Auberg,  1877-79;  Rev.  A.  L  Stadstad,  1876, 
1880-85;  Rev.  T.  A.  Sattre,  1886-1900;  Rev.  B.  A.  Benson,  1901-15;  Rev. 
Grant  Mile  Rundhaug,  19 16.  The  present  membership  of  the  congregation 
is  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  and  a  very  comfortable  parsonage  is 
maintained  adjoining  the  church.  The  pastor  in  charge  also  has  charge  of 
the  congregation  of  the  Scandinavian-American  Lutheran  church  at  Carlos 
and  of  the  church  of  Our  Savior  at  Nelson. 

X0RWEGI.\N     LUTHERAN     CHURCH    AT    EVANSVILLE. 

The  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  at  Evansville  was  organized  and  rules 
and  regulations  for  the  same  were  adopted  on  October  9,  1869.  Previously, 
ministers  from  other  settlements  came  periodically  to  preach  to  the  people 
of  that  faith  and  it  was  not  until  in  1871  that  a  permanent  pastor  was 
chosen.  Reverend  Carlson  was  the  first  minister  to  fill  the  position  and  he 
remained  four  years.  From  the  fall  of  1875  to  1885  Reverend  Stadstad 
served  the  congregation  as  pastor,  and  from  that  date  Rev.  T.  A.  Sattre, 
the  present  pastor,  has  filled  the  position  with  ability  and  marked  success. 

Until  in  1880  the  services  were  held  in  the  "old  log  school  house  on  the 
hill,"  but  in  that  year  the  present  commodious  building  was  erected.  The  fine 
parsonage  near  the  church  was  built  in  1900.  The  first  trustees  of  the 
church  were  Ole  Granddokken,  John  Davidson  and  John  Saterlie.  The 
present  congregation  consists  of  about  four  hundred  and  the  church  and 
parsonage  are  free  from  debt. 

THE    SWEDISH    LUTHER.\N    AUGUSTANA    CHURCH. 

The  first  ministers  of  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Augustana  church  to  visit 
Douglas  county  were  Eric  Norelius  and  Peter  Carlson  and  that  was  during 
the  summer  of  1865.  They  travelled  on  foot  and  by  ox-team  through  the 
dense  woods  and  uninhabited  prairies.  The  next  year  Rev.  J.  Magny  came 
to  the  countv  and  organized  the  Oscar  Lake  church  in  Holmes  City  town- 
ship. He  visited  a  number  of  places  in  the  county'  and  prepared  them  for 
future  religious  work. 

In  September,  1879.  in  the  Svea  church  at  Alexandria,  the  .Mexandria 
District   was   established.      The   district   was   verv   large,    extending   to    the 


248  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Pacific  Coast  on  the  west  and  to  the  extreme  north  of  Canada  on  the  north, 
but  in  this  vast  territory  there  were  then  only  nineteen  small  congrega- 
tions. The  following  ministers  were  present  at  that  meeting:  J-  P.  Matt- 
son,  L.  C.  Lind,  P.  J.  Lundblad,  S.  J-  Kronberg  and  L. -Johnson.  Of  these 
all  have  passed  to  their  reward  except  Reverend  Kronberg.  who  lives  on 
his  farm  near  Melby,  Minnesota. 

There  are  eleven  churches  of  this  denomination  in  the  county,  namely  : 
Svea,  at  Alexandria;  Ida,  in  Ida  township,  Falun,  in  Osakis  township; 
Spruce  Hill,  in  Spruce  Hill  township;  Oscar  Lake,  in  Holmes  City  township; 
Holmes  City,  at  Holmes  City;  Wennersborg  in  Solem  township;  Immanuel, 
at  Evansville ;  Christine  Lake,  in  Lund  township ;  Fryksende,  in  Urness 
township,  and  Zionsborg,  in  Evansville  township. 

A    BRIEF    HISTORY    OF    THESE    CHURCHES. 

Svea  church  at  Alexandria  was  organized  and  inctirporated  in  1877. 
For  a  time  the  congregation  used  the  church  building,  located  where  the 
present  church  stands,  together  with  the  Norwegian  congregation,  but  pres- 
ently the  Norwegians  built  a  church  of  their  own  and  each  then  had  its 
separate  house  of  worship.  The  present  fine  Svea  church  building  was 
erected  in  1909.  There  is  a  commodious  parsonage  next  to  the  church  and 
this  is  owned  in  common  by  Svea  and  Ida  congregations.  The  ministers  of 
this  church  have  been  the  following:  L.  C.  Lind,  John  Hedberg,  A.  ]\Ielin. 
A.   Mattson,  the  last  named  being  the  present  very  efficient  pastor. 

Ida  church  was  organized  in  1869  and  incorporated  in  1877.  Its  pres- 
ent edifice  was  erected  in  1897.  The  church  owns  a  parsonage  at  Alexan- 
dria in  common  with  the  Svea  church.  The  congregation  has  been  served 
by  the  above  named  pastors  of  the  S^•ea  church,  and  A.  Mattson  is  the 
present  pastor. 

Falun  church  was  organized  on  ]\Iay  31,  1871,  at  a  meeting  at  which 
Peter  E.  Hanson  was  chairman  and  E.  L.  Forsgren,  secretary.  Lars  Berg- 
strom,  E.  L.  Forsgren  and  John  Marites  Johnson  were  elected  deacons. 
Adam  Anderson,  Peter  Lundgren  and  P.  E.  Hanson  were  elected  trustees. 
Later  on  in  the  same  year  the  church  was  incorporated  and  Adam  Anderson, 
Peter  Lundgren  and  P.  E.  Hanson  continued  to  be  trustees.  The  mem- 
bership then  was  sixty-five.  The  first  church  building  was  built  of  logs 
and  was  quite  a  large  building.  It  was  located  on  the  southwest  quarter  of 
section  8  in  Osakis  township.  The  present  building  was  erected  in  1886  and 
there  is  a  commodious  parsonage  near  the  church.     The  following  pastors 


DOUGLAS     ^ND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  249 

have  served  Falun  church :  P.  J.  Lundblad,  J.  P.  Hedberg,  A.  ]\[eliu.  J. 
S.  Ryding,  and  P.  G.  Ording,  the  latter  of  whom  is  the  present  ver\-  efficient 
pastor. 

Spruce  Hill  church  was  organized  in  1876;  incorporated  in  1878  and 
its  present  church  building  was  constructed  in  1902.  For  some  years  the 
church  was  served  by  the  pastor  who  served  the  church  at  Parkers  Prairie, 
and  later  by  the  pastor  of  the  Falun  church. 

THE     CHRISTINA     LAKE     PASTORATE. 

The  church  work  among  the  Swedish  people  of  the  western  part  of 
Douglas  county  has  been  carried  on  by  the  Christina  Lake  pastorate  since 
1 87 1.  Rev.  J.  Magny  organized  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Christina  Lake 
congregation  in  that  year  and  it  was  incorporated  in   1877. 

In  the  year  1874,  Re^'.  S.  J.  Kronberg  was  called  by'  the  mission 
board  of  the  Minnesota  conference  to  take  charge  of  the  church  work 
among  the  Swedish  people  of  Douglas,  Otter  Tail  and  Grant  counties. 
The  pioneers  were  very  religious.  They  felt  that  they  could  not  live  and 
prosper  without  having  the  church  of  their  fathers  in  their  midst.  Lender 
the  able  leadership  of  Reverend  Kronberg,  the  beautiful  Christina  Lake 
church  building  was  erected  which  yet  serves  as  the  place  of  worship. 
This  was  by  no  means  a  small  undertaking  when  the  financial  circumstances 
of  the  people  at  that  time  are  considered. 

This  congregation  has  been  a  prominent  factor  in  the  upbuilding  of 
this  community,  and  many  men  and  women  have  been  better  fitted  for  the 
duties  of  life  through  the  infiuence  of  this  church.  Northwestern  College, 
which  is  now  located  at  Fergus  Falls,  had  its  beginning  here  under  the  name 
of  Lund  .\cademy,  and  the  school  room  of  the  church  served  as-  the 
home  of  the  college  during  the  first  year.  Nearl}-  all  of  the  charter  mem- 
bers of  this  congregation  have  been  laid  to  rest  in  the  peaceful  cemetery 
adjoining  the  church,  but  the  good  work  begun  by  them  will  continue  through 
generations  to  come. 

When  the  Great  Xorthern  railway,  then  the  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  & 
Manitoba  road,  was  built  through  Douglas  county  in  1879,  the  \nllage  of 
Evansville  came  into  existence.  The  Swedish  people  in  the  village  and 
surrounding  country  at  that  time  belonged  to  the  Christina  Lake  congrega- 
gation,  but  in  1883  the  Swedes  and  Norwegians  erected  a  small  church 
in  the  western  part  of  the  village.  In  1884  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Imnianuel 
congregation  of  Evansville  was  organized  and  the  Swedes  became  the  sole 


250  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIICS,    MINNESOTA. 

owners  of  the  above  mentioned  church  building.  This  building  was  replaced 
by  a  modern  church  in  1906.  Upon  the  resignation  of  Reverend  Kronberg, 
who  faithfully  served  this  pastorate  for  thirty  years,  the  residence  of  the 
pastor  was  changed  from  Christina  Lake  to  Evansville.  In  19 13  the  pastor 
erected  a  beautiful  modern  house  next  to  the  church  at  a  cost  of  five  thou- 
sand dollars,  which  makes  this  property  a  valuable  addition  to  the  village. 

The  Swedish  Lutheran  Fryksende  congregation,  in  the  township  of 
L^rness,  south  of  Evansville,  was  organized  in  1877  and  a  church  building 
was  then  erected. 

In  1884  the  Swedish  Lutheran  Zionsborg  congregation  was  organ- 
ized and  a  church  was  built  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  township 
of  Evansville. 

The  abo\e  mentioned  four  congregations  constitute  the  Christina  Lake 
pastorate  which  has  been  served  by  the  following  ministers :  Rev.  S.  J. 
Kronberg,  from  1874  to  1904;  Rev.  Eric  Floreen,  from  1905  to  1908; 
1908-1910,  no  residence  pastor;  from  1910  to  1912  by  Rev.  C.  E.  Holmer, 
and  from  19 12  to  the  present  day  Rev.  S.  W.  Swenson  has  been  the  pastor. 
In  closing  this  brief  review  of  the  history  of  the  Christina  Lake  pastorate, 
Mr.  Swenson  appended  the  following:  "It  would  have  been  a  pleasant  duty 
for  the  writer  to  mention  many  faithful  men  and  women  who  have  been 
connected  with  the  work  in  this  pastorate,  Ijut,  as  space  does  not  permit,  we 
close  with  the  assurance  that  God  knows  them  all  and  He  will  give  the 
due  reward." 

SWEDISH    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH. 

One  of  the  very  earliest  church  organizations  in  Douglas  county  was 
that  of  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Oscar  Lake,  which 
was  organized  in  1886,  largely  through  the  individual  efforts  of  O.  Fahlin. 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  community.  For  some  time  services  were 
held  in  the  homes  of  the  settlers  of  that  neighborhood,  but  after  awhile 
a  small  church  building  was  erected.  The  second  and  present  house  of 
worship  was  erected  in  1884  at  a  cost  of  above  three  thousand  dollars  and 
was  dedicated  in  1886  by  the  Rev.  J.  Fremling,  president  of  the  conference. 
The  pastors  who  have  had  charge  there  are  as  follows:  Rev.  J.  IMagny, 
Rev.  Aaron  W'ahlin,  Rev.  L.  Johnson,  Rev.  J.  A.  Johnson,  Rev.  Rudolph 
\'all(|uist  and  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  E.  M.  Ericksson,  who  is  also 
pastor  of  the  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Holmes  City,  where 
he  makes  his  home,  and  of  the  church  of  the  same  communion  at  Xorunga, 


DOUGLAS    ANP    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  25 1 

over  the  line  in  Pope  cmmty.  The  church  at  Hohnes  City  was  organized 
in  1875,  services  being  held  in  convenient  places  of  meeting  until  a  house 
of  worship  was  erected  in  1889.  the  building  being  consecrated  on  December 
3,  1890,  by  the  Rev.  P.  Sjblom,  the  cost  of  the  church  having  been  in  the 
neighborhood  of  three  thousand  dollars.  A  parsonage  is  maintained  for  the 
pastor  at  Holmes  City,  the  cost  of  the  same  having  been  shared  by  the  con- 
gregation at  Oscar  Lake  and  a.t  Norunga.  Among  the  ministers  who  pre- 
ceded Mr.  Eriksson  at  Plolmes  City  were  the  Rev.  O.  Lindh,  Rev.  J.  P. 
Hedberg,  Rev.  J.  J.  Johnson  and  Rev.  Rudolph  Vallcjuist.  The  three 
churches  in  this  charge  are  well  organized  for  effective  service,  the  various 
departments  of  the  work  of  the  church  being  well  represented  by  active 
workers. 

SWEDISH    BAPTIST    CHURCH    OF    ALEXANDRIA. 

At  the  same  time  that  Alexandria  and  Douglas  count}-  were  celebrating 
their  home  coming  week  in  the  summer  of  1916,  the  Swedish  Baptist  church 
was  celebrating  its  thirty-tifth  anniversary.  A  large  number  of  the  mem- 
bers, former  members  and  friends  from  far  and  near  were  present.  The 
programs  extended  over  several  days  and  were  well  attended.  Great  interest 
in  the  meetings  prevailed. 

The  congregation  was  organized  on  July  2,  1881,  at  the  home  of  John 
Broms  with  A.  A.  Linne,  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  pres- 
ent. N.  A.  Peterson  was  chosen  president  and  A.  A.  Linne,  secretary. 
Thirteen  persons  joined  as  members  on  this  day.  They  are  J.  Broms.  Fred 
Severson,  Johanes  M.  Broms,  Ulrika  S.  Broms.  Ida  Broms,  Ole  E.  Floding, 
Karin  Floding,  N.  J.  Anderson,  Christine  Anderson,  Nils  A.  Peterson  and 
Anna  Peterson.  The  first  deacons  were  Fritz  Severson  and  Nils  A.  Pet- 
erson. 

In  December  ]\Iartin  Dahlquist  was  engaged  as  pastor  which  position 
he  held  for  three  years.  The  progress  and  growth  of  the  church  was  marked 
from  the  start,  so  in  1885  there  were  forty  members.  At  that  time  the 
American  Baptist  church  on  Seventh  avenue  was  hired  as  the  public  meet- 
ing place.  Following  Mr.  Dahlquist  came  Reverend  Hallgren  in  1877  and 
the  progress  of  the  congregation  became  still  more  marked,  so  in  189 1  there 
was  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-five.  It  was  during  this  time 
that  the  congregation  secured  the  present  site  and  built  their  own  church. 
In  1891  Reverend  Hallgren  went  to  Sweden  and  this  left  the  congregation 
without  a  fixed  pastor.  But  Mr.  Ole  Sutherlund  served  in  the  capacity 
as  such  until  the  following  }-ear  when  Rev.  A.  G.  Holm  took  charge.     The 


252  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

church  was  completed  in  1894  and  in  1895  and  the  membership  had  reached 
one  hundred  and  eighty. 

.\t  that  time  a  great  change  took  place.  A  branch  church  was  organ- 
ized from  a  part  of  the  membership  at  Reynolds,  Todd  county.  Also  a 
large  number  of  the  members  migrated  to  Canada  and  a  Swedish  Baptist 
church  at  Alidale  was  organized  almost  exclusively  from  members  that  had 
left  .Alexandria.  This  for  a  time  greatly  reduced  the  local  organization  but 
it  continued  to  prosper  because  of  the  self-sacrifices  and  energy  of  those 
who   remained. 

In  1 90 1  the  Holmes  City  members  organized  the  Holmes  City  con- 
gregation and  have  later  built  for  themselves  a  very  beautiful  church  in 
the  village  of  Holmes  City. 

In  191 2  the  local  church  was  remodelled  and  enlarged  at  a  consider- 
able expense.  It  is  now  one  of  the  largest  churches  of  the  city  and  cen- 
trally located,  so  is  often  used  for  large  temperance  gatherings  and  meet- 
ings of  similar  nature  by  outsiders. 

The  acti\'ities  of  this  congregation  are  extensive  and  felt  in  many  parts 
of  the  county  through  its  Sunday  schools  and  various  Ladies"  Aid  organi- 
zations. One  of  the  features  of  this  church  organization  is  the  persistent 
and  energetic  temperance  work.  Its  membership  can  always  be  counted 
upon  as  loyal  supporters  in  any  movement  of  this  kind,  no  matter  under 
what  auspices  such  movement  may  be  conducted. 

Rev.  A.  O.  Lundeen,  the  present  pastor,  has  brought  new  life  and 
energy  into  the  organization  and  the  growth  and  influence  of  the  congre- 
gations are  steadily  gaining  ground. 

GERMAN    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCH. 

In  the  fall  of  1874  the  Rev.  A.  Hertwig,  resident  at  South  Effington, 
made  a  number  of  explorations  into  the  townships  of  Miltona,  Carlos,  Belle 
River  and  Spruce  Hill.  A  number  of  German  Lutherans  were  found  scat- 
tered through  these  townships  and  that  same  fall  the  Emmanuel's  German 
Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  was  organized.  Services  were  held  at 
the  homes  of  the  various  members  until  a  small  church  could  be  built  near 
the  present  farm  of  William  Zunker.  The  members  being  far  scattered, 
progress  was  slow  and  some  years  later  a  number  of  the  original  members 
severed  their  connection  and  joined  in  building  a  Union  church  near  the  pres- 
ent cemetery  at  Carlos.  The  rest  built  the  present  church  of  the  Emmanuel's 
congregation  just  at  the  outskirts  of  the  village  of  Carlos.     That  building 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COL'NTIES,    MINNESOTA.  253 

was  put  Up  in  1898,  there  being  fourteen  members  of  the  church  at  the 
time,  and  is  still  used  as  a  house  of  worship  by  the  congregation.  After 
the  Rev.  A.  ,  Hertwig  moved  from  South  Effington  to  Gaylord  the  Rev. 
A.  Bartz,  of  Alexandria,  had  charge  of  the  congregation  until  the  sum- 
mer of  1910,  when  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Jank  was  called  and  was  installed  as  the 
first  resident  pastor.  He  had  charge  of  the  congregation  until  in  May,  1914, 
and  in  June  of  that  same  year  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Paul  F.  Siegel, 
took  charge.  Connected  with  the  Emmanuel  congregation  at  Carlos  there 
is  a  small  congregation  at  Park  Hill,  over  in  Todd  county,  also  under  the 
charge  of  Mr.  Siegel.  Naturally,  in  a  mixed  settlement,  such  as  that  around 
Carlos,  the  progresss  of  a  one-language  church,  and  that  foreign,  must  be 
slow.  The  congregation  at  present  numbers  thirty  voting  members,  about 
eighty-five  communicant  members  and  about  one  hundred  and  seventy  souls. 
There  are  no  auxiliaries  to  the  church,  but  the  congregation  upholds  a  paro- 
chial school,  though  in  the  winter  of  1915-16  there  were  only  seven  in 
attendance  at  the  same.  The  pastor  also  serves  as  teacher  in  the  school.  It 
is  reported  that  a  new  church  is  badly  needed,  the  present  edifice  not  holding 
more  than  half  the  congregation  and  without  doubt  the  next  few  years  will 
see  a  new  church  edifice  erected  alongside  the  parsonage  in  town. 

The  Evangelical  Lutheran  Zion's  congregation  at  Alexandria  had  its 
origin  about  thirty-five  years  ago  in  a  small  way,  when  a  few  German 
Lutheran  families  who  had  settled  in  and  near  Alexandria  formed  a  congre- 
gation, which  has  grown  into  the  present  flourishing  parish.  The  Rev.  Hert- 
wig, then  stationed  at  Effington,  over  the  line  of  Ottertail  county,  who  was 
one  of  the  missionaries  of  that  faith  in  the  Northwest,  served  the  little  con- 
gregation at  converrkmt  seasons  and  after  the  arrival  of  a  few  more  Ger- 
man Lutheran  families  the  congregation  was  formally  organized,  December 
2-j,  1886,  with  seven  charter  members,  Andrew  Roth,  Matth.  Haberer,  Fred 
Fiebranz,  Carl  Beltz,  Fred  Kitzke,  Carl  Schuelke  and  Julius  Stoppel.  At 
first  the  small  congregation  held  its  services  in  private  houses ;  then  it  rented 
the  Lutheran  Norwegian  church  for  its  meetings.  But  in  the  year  1889  the 
little  flock  built  a  church  building  of  its  own,  a  small  building,  but  the  little 
congregation  was  delighted  now  to  have  its  own  spiritual  home.  As  the 
Reverend  Hertwig  by  this  time  had  eleven  places  to  serve,  the  congrega- 
tion at  Alexandria,  with  four  other  small  congregations,  the  ones  at  Villard, 
Carlos,  English  Grove  and  Oak  Hill,  in  the  next  year  called  its  own  pastor, 
the  Rev.  A.  Bartz,  who  is  still  serving.  In  the  year  1899,  the  congrega- 
tion meantime  having  outgrown  the  building  erected  in  1888,  a  new  and 
larger  church   edifice,  the  present  church  building,   was  erected,   and  great 


254  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

was  the  joy  of  the  members  when  the  Lutheran  Zion's  Congregation  was 
permitted  to  enter  this  new  house  of  worship.  As  the  work  for  the  pastor 
thenceforward  increased,  the  parish  was  divided  in  1902,  Villard  and  two 
other  places  calHng  their  own  pastor.  A  few  years  later  another  division 
took  place,  Carlos  and  Oak  Hill  organizing  as  a  parish  and  calling  their 
own  pastor.  By  that  time  a  new  congregation  had  been  founded  at  Garfield, 
which  asked  to  form  a  parish  with  the  congregation  at  Alexandria  and  this 
mutually  agreeable  union  still  exists.  In  191 1  Zion's  congregation  celebrated 
the  twenty-fifth  anniversary,  or  silver  jubilee,  of  its  organization  and  in  the 
next  year  another  important  step  was  taken  by  the  congregation  in  calling 
a  special  teacher  for  its  parochial  school,  the  latter  theretofore  having  been 
conducted  by  the  pastor.  Prof.  W.  Melchert,  the  teacher  then  called,  is 
still  serving  in  that  capacity.  In  this  school,  besides  religion,  all  the  branches 
of  the  common  school  are  taught  in  two  languages,  English  and  German. 
Besides  this  school  training,  there  is  a  two-year  course  of  special  instruction 
of  the  upper  classes  in  religion  by  the  pastor,  preparatory  to  confirmation. 
To  attain  this  end  the  Ijetter,  the  congregation  erected  in  1914  a  handsome 
two-room  modern  school  building.  The  congregation  at  present  has  more 
than  eighty  voting  members,  three  hundred  communicants  and  five  hundred 
baptized  members,  and  the  Word  of  God  is  preached  in  its  midst  in  two 
languages,  German  and  English. 

THE     CATHOLIC     CHURCH     IN     DOUGLAS     COUNTY. 

There  are  several  active  parishes  of  the  Catholic  church  in  Douglas 
count}',  including  St.  Mary's  at  Alexandria,  Immaculate  Conception  at 
Osakis,  St.  Ann's  at  Brandon,  the  Seven  Dolors  at  Millerville,  and  the 
church  in  Belle  River,  the  latter  presided  over  by  the  Rev.  Emil  Steinach; 
while  there  are  several  parishes  in  adjoining  counties,  a  part  of  whose  mem- 
bership is  gained  from  Douglas  county. 

The  first  religious  services  for  the  Catholics  of  Alexandria,  the  county 
seat,  were  held  in  a  small  apartment  at  the  residence  of  Charles  Sondag  and 
among  the  first  priests  who  administered  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  people 
in  those  pioneer  days  was  the  Re\-.  Edward  Guenther.  In  compliance  with 
the  rec|uest  of  a  few  Catholics  in  that  community  Bishop  Seidenbusch 
granted  permission  for  the  erection  of  the  little  church,  which  stood  until  the 
present  handsome  church  of  St.  Mary's  was  erected  at  Alexandria  about 
fifteen  vears  ago.  It  was  on  July  2,  1882,  that  the  little  frame  building  was 
dedicated,  under  the  patronage  of  the  Visitation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin,  by 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  255 

the  Rev.  Father  Othmar,  who  attended  the  parish  from  St.  John's  University 
at  Collegeville.  The  Benedictine  Fathers  directed  the  congregation  until 
1895,  when  Rev.  Father  Tomazin  was  ordered  to  provide  for  it  in  connec- 
tion with  his  pastorate  in  Belle  River.  In  February,  1899,  the  Benedictines 
were  again  intrusted  with  the  charge,  and  following  a  mission  conducted 
in  June  of  that  year  by  the  Rev.  Father  Augustine,  of  Moorhead,  the 
trustees  secured  the  appointment  of  a  priest  to  administer  services  regularly 
every  Sunday  instead  of  once  or  twice  a  month,  as  was  done  previously, 
and  the- charge  was  conferred  upon  Rev.  Otto  Weisser,  who  officiated  from 
October  of  that  year  until  October,  19 10,  it  being  during  his  pastorate  that 
the  parish  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  state,  as  set  out  in  a 
previous  paragraph.  Father  Weisser  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  L.  J.  Haupt, 
who  became  the  first  resident  priest  in  Alexandria  and  he  has  been  suc- 
ceeded in  turn  by  the  Rev.  Henry  Leuthner,  Rev.  James  Walcher,  Rev. 
Leo  Gans,  Rev.  Peter  Gans,  Rev.  Paul  Kuich,  Rev.  Van  Dinter  and  the 
Rev.  Francis  Welp,  the  present  pastor.  St.  Mary's  parish  maintains  a  com- 
modious parish  residence  and  the  various  organizations  of  the  church  display 
their  activities  by  their  works.  These  include  the  Confraternity  of  Chris- 
tian ^Mothers,  the  Ladies'  Sewing  Circle,  the  Young  Ladies  Sodalitv  and 
St.  Mary  Court  No.  1067,  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  the  latter  of  which 
was  organized  in  February,  1900.  with  a  membership  of  twenty-one. 

Though  the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  at  Osakis  did  not 
come  into  being  until  the  summer  of  1899,  the  people  of  the  Catholic  faith 
in  that  vicinity  had  not  been  deprived  of  the  comfort  of  divine  service, 
in  the  earlier  days  the  few  scattered  families  attended  service,  under  consid- 
erable sacrifice,  at  the  church  on  the  Benedictine  farm  about  two  miles  north- 
west of  West  Union.  But  as  Osakis  grew  and  prospered,  more  Catholic 
families  settled  in  the  vicinity  and  the  project  of  having  a  church  of  their 
own  came  to  fulfillment.  One  of  the  circumstances  which  contributed  to 
the  establishment  of  a  Catholic  parish  at  Osakis  was  the  fact  that  the  Bene- 
dictine Fathers  had  resolved  to  dispose  of  their  farming  property  near 
Lhiion.  which  was  soon  followed  by  the  decision  to  move  the  St.  Alexis 
church  into  the  town  of  West  Union,  thereby  making  the  distance  still 
farther  for  the  Catholics  in  and  around  Osakis.  In  the  beginning  of  April, 
1899,  the  Rev.  Ildephonse  Molitor,  pastor  of  the  church  of  St.  Alexius  at 
West  Union,  called  a  meeting  of  Catholics  of  Osakis  and  vicinity  for  the 
purpose  of  organizing  a  congregation.  At  that  meeting  twenty-eight  were 
present  and  the  details  of  raising  funds  and  providing  for  the  erection  of  a 
church  were  entrusted  to  a  committee.     Eight  lots  were  bought   for   iour 


256  DOUGLAS    AND    t;RANT    COTNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

hundred  dollars  in  C.  P.  Hanson's  addition  to  Osakis  and  work  on  the 
edifice  was  begun  without  delay.  One-half  of  the  church  furniture  and 
five  hundred  dollars  in  cash  was  gi\en  the  Osakis  congregation  when  it 
separated  from  St.  Alexius  parish.  At  the  beginning  the  congregation  con- 
sisted of  forty-five  families  and  it  was  incorporated,  August  11,  1899,  under 
the  name  of  The  Cluirch  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  as  set  out  in  a 
previous  paragraph.  The  original  plan  was  to  build  a  brick-veneered  church. 
Init  scarcity  of  funds  precluded  the  idea  of  veneering  it  and  hence  it  remained 
unfinished  until  the  latter  part  of  October,  1905.  The  church  was  dedi- 
cated on  December  17,  1900,  bv  the  Rt.  Rev.  James  Trobec,  D.  D.,  bishop 
of  the  diocese  of  St.  Cloud.  The  foundation  and  the  frame  work  of  the 
church  cost  about  three  hundred  dollars  and  the  brick  veneering  was  added 
at  a  cost  of  eight  hundred  and  fifty  dollars.  From  its  inception  until  October, 
1900,  the  congregation  was  attended  to  partly  by  Fathers  from  the  Benedic- 
tine Abbey  at  Collegeville  and  partly  from  ,St.  Alexius  church.  In  October, 
1900,  it  was  made  a  permanent  mission  of  St.  Alexius  church  of  \\'est 
Union  and  on  September  14,  1905,  it  became  a  parish  having  a  resident  priest. 
The  following  Benedictine  Fathers  have  been  pastors  of  the  church  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception  or  attended  the  same  from  the  abbey:  Rev.  Ilde- 
phonse  Molitor,  Rev.  Charles  Cannon,  Rev.  Oswald  Baran,  Rev.  Louis 
Traufler,  Rev.  Maurus  Ferdinand,  Rev.  Ralph  Knapp  and  Rev.  Philip 
Bahner.  On  April  4,  1906,  Rev.  Philip  Bahner  called  a  meeting  of  the  lay 
trustees  to  consider  the  feasibility  of  building  a  parish  house.  At  that  meet- 
ing it  was  decided  to  proceed  at  once  with  the  erection  of  a  parish  house 
and  to  make  a  loan  of  one  thousand  dollars  to  cover  the  stipulated  cost. 
In  the  spring  and  summer  of  1906  the  present  parsonage  was  built.  Father 
Bahner  doing  much  of  the  carpenter  work  himself.  Services  were  conducted 
every  Sunday,  as  there  was  no  mission  connected  with  the  parish.  Father 
Bahner  remained  pastor  until  October,  1907,  when  the  Benedictine  Fathers 
were  relieved  of  Osakis.  The  Rt.  Rev.  James  Trobec  then  appointed  Rev. 
Frederick  Hinnenkamp,  pastor,  who  took  charge  of  the  parish  on  October  12, 
1907.  Father  Hinnenkamp  was  pastor  until  August  4,  191 1,  when  he  was 
transferred  to  the  church  of  Our  Lady  of  Angels  at  Sauk  Center.  During 
his  pastorate  substantial  improvements  were  made  in  both  the  church  and 
the  house.  The  interior  of  the  church  was  laid  with  steel  sheeting  and 
beautifully  decorated.  Two  hot-air  furnaces  were  installed  in  the  basement 
of  the  church,  these  and  the  improvements  in  the  house  and  on  the  premises 
being  paid  for  in  cash,  the  money  for  the  same  being  raised  by  church  fes- 
tivals, donations  and  subscriptions.     Services  were  conducted  every  Sunday 


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ATIIOI.IC    CHUnCH.    ALEXAXDUIA. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  257 

and  Holy  Day,  except  on  the  first  Sunday  of  each  month,  when  Father 
Hinnenkamp  attended  St.  Ann's  congregation  at  Brandon,  which  order  co- 
tinues  to  the  present  time.  x\fter  Father  Hinnenkamp  had  been  transferred 
to  Sauk  Center,  Rev.  John  Fuss  was  pastor  of  the  church  of  the  Immacu- 
late Conception  for  three  months.  Then  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  people 
were  ministered  to  for  some  time  by  the  Rev.  William  Scheiner,  pastor  of 
St.  Alexius  church  at  West  Union.  After  that  -the  Benedictine  Fathers  of 
St.  John's  Abbey,  Collegeville,  conducted  services  at  Osakis  two  Sundays 
a  month  until  February  23,  1913,  when  the  bishop  appointed  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Wessendorf,  pastor.  On  account  of  ill  health  Father  Wessendorf 
was  compelled  to  leave  the  following  June.  z\gain  the  Benedictine  Fathers 
were  called  upon  for  their  kind  assistance,  until  the  bishop  could  send  Rev. 
John  Van  der  Boer,  who  had  charge  of  the  parish  for  nearly  six  months. 
Father  Wessendorf  resumed  his  pastorate  on  March  26,  1914,  and  has  con- 
tinued the  same  to  this  day.  Within  the  past  few  years  the  parish  has 
increased  considerably  and  at  present  numbers  about  seventy  families,  or 
three  hundred  and  fifty  members.  Because  of  this  increase  in  membership 
and  on  account  of  the  general  prosperity  the  parish  was  able  to  reduce  its 
liabilities  by  two  thousand  nine  hundred  dollars  in  the  past  four  years,  leav- 
ing at  present  an  incumbrance  of  only  six  hundred  dollars  on  all  its  prop- 
erty. On  December  24,  1902,  the  church  corporation  purchased  two  acres  of 
land  from  Charles  Anderson  for  a  cemetery,  for  a  consideration  of  two  hun- 
dred dollars.  The  remains  in  the  old  cemetery  near  the  Evergreen,  or 
Rhinehart,  cemetery,  were  then  taken  up  and  removed  to  the  new  site.  The 
Christian  Mothers  Society  of  the  Church  of  the  Immaculate  Conception  was 
estabhshed  on  October  19, -1902,  by  the  Rev.  Maurus  Ferdinand.  This 
society,  together  with  the  Sewing  Circle,  or  Ladies  Aid  Society,  has,  by 
means  of  festivals,  suppers  and  energetic  work,  supplied  the  church  with 
the  necessary  linens  and  vestments,  has  provided  for  the  repair  of  cassocks 
and  altar  linen  and  the  scrubbing  of  the  church  and  has,  moreover,  provided 
the  church  with  some  beautiful  statues,  a  marble  votive  stand,  flowers  and 
other  furnishings  for  the  sanctuary  and  has  borne  the  expense  of  fencing  in 
the  cemeterv,  the  society  Ijeinjj  n  living  monument  to  what  union  and  effort 
can  accomplish 

The   Church   of   the    Seven    Dolors   at   Millerville,   of   which   the   Rev. 

Ignatius  Wippich  has  been  the  pastor  since  in  April,    1910,   is  one  of  the 

twenty-five  parishes  of  the  diocese  of  St.  Cloud  which  is  in  the  possession 

of  a  parochial  school,  which  w^s  erected  at  a  cost  of  something  more  than 

(17) 


258  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

seventeen  thousand  dolars  in  1913,  after  a  very  vigorous  and  effective  cam- 
paign in  that  behalf  directed  by  the  pastor,  Father  \\'ippich,  who  wrote  in 
Latin  and  placed  in  the  cornerstone  of  the  new  school  a  document,  of  which 
the  following  is  a  free  translation : 

"To  the  greater  glory  of  God  and  veneration  of  Alary,  the  sorrowful 
mother  of  our  Redeemer,  the  patroness  of  our  parish,  and  for  the  safvation 
of  souls  from  generation  to  generation,  souls  redeemed  by  the  blood  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  for  the  welfare  of  our  country;  the  cornerstone  for 
the  proposed  new  parochial  school  at  Millerville,  in  the  county  of  Douglas 
and  state  of  Minnesota,  was  laid  and  blessed  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bernard  Richter, 
domestic  prelate  and  pastor  of  the  St.  Boniface  church  of  Melrose,  on  the 
feast  of  the  glorious  Apostles,  Peter  and  Paul,  on  a  Sunday,  on  the  29th 
of  June,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  nineteen  hundred  and  thirteen,  when  Pius 
X,  by  Divine  Providence,  Pope,  was  gloriously  reigning  over  the  Catholic 
church,  when  James  Trobec,  by  Divine  Mercy  and  grace  of  the  Holy  Apos- 
tolic See,  was  bishop  of  the  diocese  of  St.  Cloud,  when  Ignatius  W'ippich,  a 
priest  born  in  the  diocese  of  Emland,  East  Prussia,  was  pastor  of  the  St. 
Mary's  church,  under  the  title  of  the  Seven  Dolors,  at  Millerville,  and  Chas. 
L.  Julig  was  treasurer,  and  John  Bitzan,  secretary  of  the  congregation,  and 
also  when  to  the  board  of  consultation  belonged  John  Kelly,  Frank  Kor- 
kowski,  Frank  Ledermann,  Martin  Pinkowski,  Edward  Schirber  and  Peter 
Wagner;  when  Eugene  Korkowski  was  president  of  the  St.  Joseph  (Men's) 
Society;  Ferdinand  Dobmeyer,  chief  ranger  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  For- 
esters; Conrad  Abel  of  the  St.  Aloysius  (Young  Men's)  Society;  Widow 
Anna  Maria  Kotschevar,  president  of  the  Christian  Mothers'  Society,  and 
Barbara  Kotschevar,  president  of  the  Young  Ladies'  Sodality,  under  the 
patronage  of  St.  Rosa  of  Lima:  when  'Woodrow  Wilson  was  President  of 
the  United  States  of  America;  Adolph  Eberhart,  governor  of  the  state  of 
Minnesota,  and  Jacob  Thoennes,  mayor  of  the  village  of  Millerville,  this 
festival  took  place  on  a  beautiful  day  and  a  great  multitude  participating. 
The  builder  of  the  school  is  John  Abel,  a  youth  of  Millerville.  The  archi- 
tect, Edward  J.  Donahue,  of  St.  Paul.  Of  the  visiting  priests  were  Revs. 
John  Sand  of  Effington,  Paul  Kuich  of  Alexandria,  Emil  Stemach  of  Belle 
River,  and  the  newly  ordained  Victor  Stiegler.  And  to  Thee,  O  Sorrowful 
Mother,  to  whose  honor  this  statue,  which  decorates  the  parochial  school,  is 
today  blessed,  again  also  this  parish  is  dedicated,  that  through  thy  interces- 
sion, the  Almighty  God  may  reward  all  benefactors  of  this  school  with 
eternal  goods,  and  that  our  pledge  may  be  brought  before  the  Throne  of  the 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  259 

Almighty — namely,  lienediction,  and  glory,  and  wisdom,  and  thanksgiving, 
honor  and  power  and  strength  to  our  God  for  ever  and  ever.     Amen." 

The  St.  Mary's  parochial  school  is  situated  in  a  healthful  and  pleasant 
locality,  north  of  the  church  on  a  hill  and  is  surrounded  by  a  grove.  It  has 
a  front  elevation  of  fifty-nine  feet  and  a  side  elevation  of  forty-one  feet. 
The  building  is  constructed  of  white  brick  on  a  concrete  basement.  In  the 
basement  are  the  boiler  room,  coal  bunks,  kitchen  and  dining  room  for  the 
V'en.  Sisters,  play  room  and  lavatories.  The  first  ston,'  contains  two  spacious 
class-rooms  with  all  sanitary  and  modern  equipments.  The  second  story  is 
used  exclusively  as  a  residence  for  the  Sisters  of  St.  Benedict. 

The  Church  of  Our  Lady  of  Seven  Dolors  at  Millerville  is  familiar  to 
all  residents  of  Douglas  county  and  its  towering  spire  can  be  seen  for  miles, 
overtopping  everything  in  the  vicinity.  The  first  church  in  Millerville  was 
built  in  1868,  prior  to  which  mass  had  been  said  at  the  homes  of  some  of  the 
early  settlers,  among  whom  were  the  Larsungs,  the  Weavers  and  John  A. 
Miller,  for  the  latter  of  whom  Millerville  was  named.  The  old  church,  built 
of  logs,  was  pulled  down  to  give  place  to  the  present  church  building,  which 
was  erected  in  1892.  The  first  priest  officiating  at  Miller  was  Father  Pierce, 
in  1867,  who  was  succeeded  by  Father  Tomazin,  who  built  the  priest's  house, 
which  building,  as  well  as  the  first  church,  has  long  since  disappeared.  Father 
Tomazin  remained  until  1873  and  was  succeeded  by  Father  Holzer,  Father 
Schneider,  Father  Hilbert,  Father  Cramer,  Father  Gunther.  Father  Ewen, 
Father  Jerome.  Father  Brogerding,  Father  W'eist,  Father  Kicken,  Father 
Alois  Rastor  and  the  present  pastor.  Father  Wippich.  On  account  of  his 
maserly  eloquence  and  his  excellent  character.  Father  Otto  Weist  was  held 
in  very  high  regard  throughout  that  community  and  in  October,  1901,  a 
beautiful  and  costly  monument  was  erected  over  his  final  resting  place. 

The  mission  of  St.  Nicholas  at  Belle  River,  to  which  also  belongs  the 
Catholics  of  Carlos,  four  miles  distant,  was  founded  in  1870  by  the  Rev. 
Father  Tomazin,  a  Slovenian  missionary  amongst  the  northern  Indians  of 
the  Sioux  and  Chippewa  tribes,  a  countryman  of  the  renowned  Indian  mis- 
sionary. Father  Pierz.  Pioneer  divine  service  was  at  first  held  in  the  home 
of  Frank  Ouinn,  the  father  of  the  late  James  Quinn,  at  one  time  county 
commissioner  and  nearly  always,  since  the  organization  of  the  parish,  treas- 
urer and  trustee  of  the  St.  Nicholas  church;  Frank  Quinn,  his  father,  and 
John  Clausen,  pioneers,  donating  each  ten  acres  of  land  to  Bishop  Thomas 
L.  Grace,  for  the  foundation  o{  a  church  at  Belle  River.  The  first  church 
was  built  of  logs,  on  the  present  cemetery  in  1871,  and  was  dedicated  by  the 
late  Archbishop  Thomas  S.  Grace,  of  St.  Paul.     On  the  same  occasion  some 


260  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

children  of  the  parish  were  confirmed.  In  September  of  the  same  year  the 
renowned  Jesuit  missionary,  P.  Havier  Weninger,  held  the  first  mission 
(revival).  Rev.  Ignatius  Tomazin  attended  the  parish  until  August,  1873, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John  Schenk,  the  Bohemian  pastor  of  Long 
Prairie,  whose  life  was  so  siiddenly  and  sadly  terminated  in  1883,  when  he 
accidentally  shot  himself  to  death.  The  management  of  the  St.  Nicholas  con- 
gregation was  now  conducted  by  the  Benedictine  Fathers,  of  Collegeville, 
Re\'.  Pater  Placidus,  the  Greek  scholar,  who  later  on  for  a  few  years  became 
rector  of  a  Greek  college  in  Rome,  Italy,  and  who  is  now  a  celebrated  pro- 
fessor at  St.  John's  University,  Minnesota;  Rev.  Peter  Alfred,  presentlv 
pastor  of  the  Catholic  church  at  Moorhead,  Minnesota;  Rev.  IMartinus,  at 
present  at  Weire's  Grover,  Stearm  county,  Minnesota,  and  then  for  seven 
years.  Rev.  Pater  Tldephons,  who  attended  the  parish  from  the  Benedictine 
convent  at  West  Union,  now  secularized  and  sold.  In  1891  Rev.  Ignatius 
Lager  took  charge  of  the  congregation  until  the  year  1893.  ^^'^  1883  already, 
under  the  leadership  of  Pater  Placidus,  the  second  frame  church  had  been 
built  by  the  contractors,  Christ  Raiter  and  Spooner,  of  Alexandria,  and  one 
year  later  the  little  parsonage,  by  Messrs.  William  Maher,  John  Collins  and 
Anton  Schneiderhan,  Sr.  In  1890  Rev.  Ignatius  Lager  had  an  addition 
built  to  the  parsonage,  destined  for  a  parochial  school,  which  however,  was 
used  for  a  winter  chapel.  During  his  term  of  office  Rev.  Peter  Post,  a 
saintly  Jesuit  Father,  conducted  a  successful  mission  in  his  parish.  In  1893 
Father  Lager  was  followed  in  office,  again  by  the  Rev.  Father  Tomazin, 
who  in  191 5  celebrated  his  golden  jubilee  of  the  priesthood  in  unison  with 
his  Lordship,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Thomas  O'Gorman,  bishop  of  Sioux  Falls,  South 
Dakota,  with  whom  he  had  been  ordained  priest  on  the  5th  of  November, 
1865,  in  the  cathedral  of  St.  Paul,  Minnesota.  The  Reverend  Jubilarian 
(who  during  his  second  term,  incorporated  the  parish  with  Joseph  Woltors, 
Sr.,  as  secretary,  and  Charles  Pasch,  as  treasurer,  Bishop  James  Trobec,  at 
that  time  ordinary  of  the  St.  Cloud  diocese,  as  president  and  Rt.  Rev.  Mgr. 
Edward  Nagl,  vicar  general,  as  vice-president,  and  himself  as  chairman  of 
the  incorporation  of  the  church  of  St.  Nicholas),  remained  as  pastor  in 
Belle  River  until  1907,  when  he  was  transferred  to  Padua,  ^Minnesota,  being 
succeeded  by  Rev.  Herman  Klein.  He  again  provided  a  successful  mission 
through  the  Dominican  priest.  Rev.  Pater  Thuente,  of  Minneapolis,  and 
made  many  improvements  in  the  church  and  priest's  house,  ^^■ith  the  permis- 
sion of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  James  Troliec,  Rev.  H.  Klein  and  Rev.  Emil 
Joseph  Steimach,  of  St.  Mary's  church,  Rice,  Benton  cuunty,  Minnesota, 
exchanged  their  ijarishes  on  the  i8th  of  October,  190S.     Under  the  present 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  261 

pastor,  Emil  Joseph  Steimach,  the  ditiferent  parish  societies  were  organized: 
St.  Nicholas  Sodality  for  single  and  married  men;  St.  Ann"s  for  Christian 
mothers;  St.  Agnes'  for  young  ladies,  and  Childhood  of  Jesus'  for  the  chil- 
dren. The  purpose  of  these  sodalities  is  the  material  as  well  as  spiritual 
advancement  of  the  parish  in  general  and  the  spiritual  growth  and  sanctifica- 
tion  of  the  individuals  in  particular.  In  1909  a  hot  air  furnace  system  was 
installed  in  the  church,  the  gallery  enlarged  and  other  improvements  made 
on  premises,  in  church  and  parsonage.  Messrs.  James  Quinn  and  Peter 
Beheng  were  trustees  under  the  present  administration  up  to  191 3,  when  the 
latter  resigned  as  secretary,  being  succeeded  in  the  office  by  Henry  Wolters. 
In  June,  1905,  a  well-attended  mission  was  given  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Bour.  On 
the  8th  of  August,  191 5,  in  the  afternoon,  around  three  o'clock,  a  fire  broke 
out  in  the  sacristy  of  the  church  and  in  less  than  an  hour  the  building  was 
transformed  into  a  heap  of  ashes.  The  cause  of  the  conflagration  could  not 
be  ascertained,  but  most  likely  started  in  the  charcoal  box  on  the  sacristy 
table.  The  following  Sunday  service  was  conducted  on  the  new  porch  of  the 
parsonage,  people  having  their  provisional  seats  in  the  surrounding  grove. 
A  mass  meeting  for  the  following  Sunday  was  announced  (for  the  22d  of 
August).  At  the  latter,  the  following  building  committee  was  elected:  E.  H. 
Steimach,  pastor,  chairman  ex-officio;  August  Kohlhaas,  (acting)  vice- 
chairman;  Peter  Beheng,  treasurer;  Henry  Wolters,  secretary;  Albert  Ritten, 
John  Dunn,  Anton  Schneiderhan,  Jr.,  and  Thomas  Ouinn.  After  organiza- 
tion of  committee,  a  plan  for  the  new  church  was  selected,  Messrs.  Alban  and 
Lockhart,  of  St.  Paul,  chosen  as  architects ;  funds  collected,  with  three  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  dollars  insurance,  amounted  to  about  twenty-two  thou- 
sand dollars.  On  the  19th  of  October,  the  contract  for  the  new  church  was 
let  to  the  lowest  liidder,  William  Schueller,  contractor  and  builder,  of  Fergus 
Falls,  who  gave  bonds  and  commenced  work  on  the  new  church  on  the  27th 
of  April,  1916.  The  laying  of  the  cornerstone  took  place  on  the  30th  of 
May,  Decoration  Day.  His  Lordship  Rt.  Rev.  Joseph  Busch,  performed  the 
ceremony,  also  blessed  the  two  new  bells  of  two  thousand  pounds  and  one 
thousand  four  hundred  ninety  pounds  respectively,  and  preached  the  English 
sermon,  whilst  Rt.  Rev.  Mgr.  B.  Richter,  of  Melrose,  preached  in  German. 
The  following  reverend  priests  were  present  besides  the  pastor :  Rev.  John 
Sand,  Effington;  Rev.  Ignatius  Wippich,  Millerville;  Rev.  Francis  Beitscher, 
Long  Prairie;  Rev.  .Math.  Billmayr,  Brownsville;  Rev.  Charles  Gruenwald, 
St.  Cloud;  Rev.  Joseph  Wessendorf,  Osakis;  Rev.  Eugene  Scheirer,  Hold- 
ingsford.     The  beautiful  new  church  of  Gothic  style,  seating  some  eight  hun- 


262  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

dred  people,  was  dedicated  on  the  15th  of  October,  1916.  Previous  to  its 
dedication  the  premises  around  the  church  were  beautiful  and  the  interior  of 
the  sanctuary  was  furnished  appropriately  with  nice  altars,  statuary  and 
furniture  of  quality  and  beauty.  The  parishioners,  about  one  hundred  and 
six  families,  irrespective  of  German,  Bohemian.  Hollandish,  Belgian.  Irish 
and  English  extraction,  are  good,  loyal  fervent  Americans  and  showed  their 
unity,  their  ci\ic  pride  and  religious  fervor  by  contributing  most  generously 
of  money  and  lalDor,  until  their  pious  aspirations  materialized  in  this  beauti- 
ful temple  of  God,  crowning  their  efforts  and  sacrifices  and  attesting  their 
love  of  God  and  zeal  of  salvation. 

EMMANUEL    EPISCOPAL    CHLTRCH    AT    ALEXANDRIA. 

Emmanuel  Episcopal  church  at  Alexandria  was  organized  earl_\-  in  the 
seventies,  among  the  leading  families  in  the  organization  of  the  same  being 
the  Cowings,  the  \'an  Dykes,  the  Dickens,  the  Abercrombies,  the  Brophys 
and  the  Spragues,  and  on  August  31,  1875,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
George  Stewart,  the  first  rector,  the  present  attractive  old  Gothic  edifice  which 
has  ever  since  served  the  Episcopal  congregation  as  a  house  of  worship,  was 
dedicated,  the  document  attesting  the  fact  being  signed  by  Bishop  Benjamin 
Whipple,  first  bishop  of  Minnesota,  to  whose  memory  a  memorial  w-indow 
has  been  placed  in  the  church.  Among  the  other  memorial  windows  in  the 
church  is  one  to  the  memory  of  Rt.  Rev.  Mahol  Morris  Gilbert,  bishop  coad- 
jutor; to  Mary  A.  Cowing,  one  to  Efifie  Viola  Moore,  one  "presented  by 
tourists,"  one  presented  by  the  St.  Andrew's  Brotherhood  and  one  to  Lucile 
Brown.  The  beautiful  altar  is  a  memorial  to  Louis  J.  Brown,  the  altar  rail 
to  Mary  Henrietta  Alleyne  Mingfield,  the  altar  chairs  to  Smith  Bloomfield, 
the  missal  stand  to  Ellen  A'enoss,  the  cross  and  altar  vases  to  ]\Iartha  S.  D. 
Plank,  the  litany  desk  to  Richard  and  Cecelia  Heard,  the  prayer  book  to 
Mary  Ann  and  John  James  Peacock.  There  is  also  a  window  presented  by 
the  St.  Monica  Guild  and  one  presented  by  "friends."  There  have  been 
fifteen  rectors  of  Emmanuel's  Episcopal  church  since  its  organization,  the 
Rev.  George  Stewart  having  been  followed,  in  turn,  by  the  Rev.  I.  T.  Oslx)rn, 
Rev.  Thomas  K.  Allen,  Rev.  F.  B.  Nash,  Rev.  Mark  Jukes,  Rev.  F.  M. 
Bacon,  Rev.  Charles  Rollit,  Rev.  James  McCausland,  Rev.  F.  E.  Alleyne, 
Rev.  George  \V.  Barnes,  Rev.  Glen  White,  Rev.  H.  J.  Kaiser,  Rev.  Samuel  L. 
Mitchell  and  the  Rev.  E.  C.  Schmeiser.  the  latter  of  whom  has  been  in  charge 
since  March.   1916. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  263 

THE    CHURCH    OF    CHRIST     (SCIENTIST). 

The  Church  of  Christ  (Scientist)  at  Alexandria  is  a  recent  organiza- 
tion, the  meniljers  of  which  hegan  to  liold  regular  Sunday  services  at  the 
home  of  Mrs.  Alta-Mae  Jacobson  on  July  12,  1914.  At  that  time  there  were 
only  about  seven  or  eight  persons  interested  in  the  meetings,  but  the  home 
soon  became  too  small  to  accommodate  the  growing  congregation  and  on 
November  22.  19 14,  the  group  moved  into  the  present  charters  of  the  Chris- 
tian Science  church,  a  small  hall  over  the  Carlson  grocery  store  on  the  city's 
main  street.  The  group  grew  steadily  and  on  Alarch  21,  1916,  organized  an 
authorized  Christian  Science  Society  at  Alexandria,  complying  with  the  rules 
of  the  First  Church  of  Christ  (Scientist)  at  Boston.  There  are  seventeen 
charter  members,  four  of  whom  are  members  of  the  Mother  Church.  The 
officers  consist  of  a  first  reader,  a  second  reader  and  a  board  of  trustees.  The 
first  reader  is  Mrs.  Alta-Mae  Jacobson;  second  reader,  ]\Irs.  Caroline  von 
Baumbach;  trustees:  President,  Mrs.  Margaret  Unumb;  treasurer,  Miss 
Amelia  Jasperson ;  clerk,  Alta-Mae  Jacobson ;  Mrs.  Mary  Robards  and  Will- 
iam Olson.  The  group  has  a  committee  for  the  distribution  of  Christian 
Science  literature,  which  sends  the  Monitor,  a  daily  newspaper  of  clean 
journalism;  the  Sentinel,  a  weekly  magazine,  and  the  Journal,  a  monthly 
magazine. 

SEVENTH-DAY  ADVENTIST. 

The  Seventh-Day  Ad\entist  church  of  Alexandria  was  organized  on 
November  8,  1885,  with  twelve  charter  members  and  E.  A.  Curtis  as  elder. 
For  awhile  a  rented  building  was  used  for  a  place  of  worship  until  a  build- 
ing could  be  bought.  The  church  building  now  occupied  was  dedicated  for 
service  on  January  2^,  1900,  the  dedicatory  service  being  conducted  by 
Pastor  C.  W.  Flaise.  Following  Mr.  Curtis  the  pastors  of  the  church  have 
been :  G.  L.  Budd,  E.  M.  Chapman,  W.  W.  Ruble,  and  E.  L.  Sheldon,  the 
present  pastor. 

Of  the  many  young  people  who  have  grown  up  and  been  fostered  by 
this  church,  four  have  become  ministers  of  the  Gospel  and  are  holding  posi- 
tions of  trust  in  different  places.  A  school  room  has  been  added  to  the 
church  building  and  for  nine  months  of  the  year  a  teacher  is  employed  and 
instruction  is  given  the  children  in  the  usual  grade  studies  and  on  Bible  sub- 
jects, especial  efifort  being  made  to  build  up  Christian  character.  There  is  in 
the  church  a  strong  Missionary  Volunteer  Society  of  young  people,  which 
meets  regularly. 


264  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

There  are  several  church  companies  at  different  places  in  the  county 
which  hold  regular  services,  but  have  not  as  }'et  secured  church  buildings. 

THE    PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

Some  years  ago  there  was  a  Presbyterian  church  mission  established  at 
Alexandria  under  the  direction  of  the  mission  board  of  that  church,  but  it 
could  not  get  a  foothold  and  was  presently  abandoned.  The  only  actrv'e 
congregations  of  the  Presb_vterians  in  Douglas  county  are  those  at  Forada, 
presided  over  by  the  Reverend  Owen,  who  is  building  up  a  flourishing  and 
compact  organization  there,  and  the  church  at  Evansville,  which  now  has 
a  stated  pastor,  and  a  church  at  Osakis. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 
Newspapers. 

It  was  not  long  after  the  establishment  of  a  social  order  hereabout  that 
the  newspaper  appeared  and  from  the  very  beginning  Douglas  county  has 
been  favored  b}'  the  presence  of  admirable  mediums  of  publicity,  the  news- 
papers of  the  county  ranking  very  high  among  the  country  journals  of  the 
state. 

The  first  newspaper  established  in  Douglas  county  was  the  Alexandria 
Post,  which,  under  its  present  hyphenated  name  of  the  Post-Nczvs,  is  still 
being  published,  having  had  an  unbroken  existence  since  September  2^,  1868, 
on  which  date  it  was  launched  on  the  then  untried  "sea  of  journalism"  in 
this  section  of  Minnesota  by  William  E.  Hicks,  owner  of  the  Alexandria 
townsite,  who  was  a  tried  New  York  City  newspaper  man,  and  who  asso- 
ciated with  him  in  the  initial  stages  of  the  venture  George  \\^  Benedict,  a 
practical  printer,  of  St.  Cloud,  who  before  the  year  was  out  retired  and  the 
paper  was  continued  alone  by  Hicks  until  late  in  the  fall  of  1870,  when 
Joseph  Gilpin,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  War  and  an  experienced  printer,  took 
over  the  publication,  Hicks  in  the  meantime  having  been  elected  to  the 
Legislature  and  his  townsite  and  other  business  interests  requiring  all  of 
his  time.  Mr.  Gilpin  had  grown  up  "at  the  case''  on  a  newspaper  in  Buffalo. 
New  York,  and  when  the  Civil  War  broke  out  had  enlisted  for  service  in  a 
New  York  regiment.  His  health  became  broken  and  he  found  work  at  the 
printer's  "case"  in  the  cit}-  did  not  agree  with  him  after  the  completion  of 
his  militarv  service,  therefore,  in  July,  1867,  he  came  to  Minnesota  and  for 
the  benefit  he  thought  might  be  derived  in  a  physical  way,  homesteaded  a 
farm  on  the  shores  of  beautiful  Lake  Darling,  just  north  of  Alexandria,  and 
thought  he  would  become  a  farmer,  but  the  old  lure  of  the  print-shop  was 
too  strong  and  a  couple  of  years  after  the  PoJ^had  been  started,  he  traded 
his  farm  to  Hicks  for  the  newspaper  property  and  resumed  the  calling  with 
which  he  was  much  Ijetter  acquainted  than  with  the  methods  of  breaking  a 
frontier  farm. 

Mr.  Gilpin  continued  the  publication  of  the  Post  until  1874,  in  which 
vear  he  sold  the  paper  to  A.  B.  Donaldson,  of  Minneapolis,  a  professor  in 


266  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

the  State  University,-  and  returned  to  his  former  home  in  Buffalo,  but  pres- 
ently returned  to  Alexandria  and  on  August  i,  1877,  started  the  Douglas 
County  Nc-di'S,  the  publication  of  which  he  continued  until  1894,  when 
Charles  Mitchell,  of  St.  Cloud,  came  over  and  bought  both  the  Post  and  the 
Xcivs  and  consolidated  the  two  pajiers  under  the  present  name  of  the  Post- 
Xczi's.  Charles  Mitchell,  a  lirnther  of  William  Mitchell,  of  the  St.  Cloud 
Journal,  continued  the  publication  of  the  Post-Xc<^'s  until  Noveml)er  7.  1902, 
when  he  sold  the  paper  to  Ezra  E.  McCrea,  of  St.  Paul,  an  experienced 
newspaper  man,  who  has  ever  since  been  editor  and  publisher  of  the  paper. 
Mr.  McCrea,  who  formerly  was  deputy  city  clerk  of  St.  Paul,  had  a  ten-year 
experience  in  newspaper  work  before  taking  up  the  work  at  Alexandria,  hav- 
ing been  a  reporter  on  both  the  Pioneer  Press  and  the  DispatcJi  at  the  state 
capital  and  had  for  some  time  been  a  reporter  for  the  Associated  Press  in 
New  York  City. 

OLD    PAPER    REVIVES    MEMORIES    OF    ANOTHER    DAY. 

An  examination  of  the  files  of  the  old  Alexandria  Post,  preserved  at 
the  office  of  the  Post-N^ews  would  revive  many  memories  of  other  days  in 
the  minds  of  old  residents  who  might  look  over  the  same.  The  Post  was  an 
admirably  printed  sheet  from  the  very  start,  its  initial  issue  showing  the 
work  of  a  master  hand.  It  was  pointed  out  by  the  editor  that  the  mechani- 
cal outfit,  which  had  been  shipped  over  from  Chicago,  was  in  place  and  ready 
for  operation  within  two  weeks  after  the  order  was  placed.  When  the  Post 
Avas  established  Grant  and  Colfax  were  the  nominees  of  the  Republican 
party  for  president  and  vice-president,  respectiveh',  and  their  names  were 
carried  at  the  mast-head  of  the  paper  in  its  very  first  issue.  The  electors  on 
the  Republican  national  ticket,  whose  names  were  published,  were  W.  T. 
Rambush,  of  Freeborn  county;  Oscar  Malmros,  of  Ramsey  county;  C.  T. 
Brown,  of  Nicollet  county,  and  T.  C.  Jones,  of  Anoka  county.  The  con- 
gressional ticket  was,  for  first  district,  M.  S.  ^\'ilkinson ;  second  district, 
Ignatius  Donnelly;  legislative  ticket,  for  Stearns  county,  S.  B.  Pinney;  out- 
side of  Stearns  county.  William  E.  Hicks.  Large  attention  was  paid  by  the 
Post  to  local  political  conditions,  a  warm  local  fight,  with  particular  refer- 
ence to  the  congressional  nomination  then  being  on.  In  the  second  issue  of 
the  Post  there  was  printed  the  correspondence  between  Gen.  L.  T.  Hubbard 
and  Ignatius  Donnelly  regarding  a  plan  of  arbitration  of  the  differences  be- 
tween the  two,  arising  out  of  the  congressional  nomination,  the  Post  con- 
cluding its  comment  on  the  proposition  by  declaring  that  "should  the  board 


UOL'GLAS    AND    GRANT    COL'NTIES,    MINNESOTA.  267 

of  arbitration  settle  the  matter  of  differences  between  the  candidates  harmon- 
iously, which  we  trust  they  will,  the  choice  of  the  board,  we  have  no  doubt, 
would  Ije  recognized  and  accepted  by  the  entire  party,  and  this  is  as  it  should 
be."  The  Republican  county  ticket  for  that  year,  as  carried  by  the  Post  in 
its  initial  issue,  was  as  follow:  For  auditor.  William  M.  Pye;  register  of 
deeds,  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen ;  sheriff,  (i.  W.  Harper;  corner,  Daniel  Shotwell; 
judge  of  probate,  H.  S.  Boyd ;  surveyor,  Henry  Blackwell :  treasurer,  T.  W. 
Sprague;  court  commissioner,  N.  B.  Patterson;  county  commissioner,  second 
district,  Levi  E.  Thompson. 

Proper  attention  was  paid  to  local  social  doings  in  those  days  and  in 
the  second  issue  of  the  Post  there  was  printed  a  considerable  item  under  the 
head  of  "The  Alexandria  Ball,'-'  the  public  being  informed  that  "tlie  ball 
given  by  Mr.  McLeod,  of  the  Woodhull  House,  on  Monday  night  last,  was 
a  complete  success.  About  thirty  couples  were  present.  Dancing  began  at 
nine  o'clock  and  was  continued  until  midnight,  when  supper  was  announced 
and  all  sat  down  to  a  splendid  repast,  served  in  Mrs.  McLeod's  inimitable 
style.  Thorough  justice  lieing  done  to  the  substantials  and  delicacies  of  the 
supper,  dancing  was  resumed  and  continued  until  daybreak.  .Vll  the  partici- 
pants went  home  pleased  and  satisfied.  Russell's  music,  McLeod's  supper  and 
Darling's  management  are  all  that  are  necessary  to  make  a  night  pass  pleas- 
antly. These  reunions  of  town  and  country  are  agreeable  and  aid  greatly 
in  promoting  a  friendly  feeling  among  those  present.  We  hope  these  social 
gatherings  may  be  more  frecjuent."  That  same  issue  of  the  paper  devoted 
three  columns  to  a  report  of  the  fourteenth  annual  conference  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  church  at  St.  Anthony,  including  a  list  of  appointments  for  the 
several  districts  of  the  state,  it  being  noted  that  C.  F.  Kingsland  was  appointed 
to  the  Alexandria  church  and  O.  Hoover  to  the  Osakis  church  in  the  St. 
Cloud  district.  L'nder  the  head  of  "Our  Xew  Church,''  it  was  stated  that 
"In  our  last  issue  we  alluded  to  a  moA-ement  towards  erecting  a  Methodist 
church  in  Alexandria.  As  a  further  evidence  of  the  energ\'  and  public  spirit 
of  the  citizens  in  this  matter,  we  take  great  pleasure  in  stating  that  the  build- 
ing is  already  in  course  of  construction,  carpenters  commencing  work  on 
Monday  morning  last.  The  citizens  can  now  confidently  calculate  upon 
having  a  suitable  house  of  worship  ready  for  occupancy  within  sixty  da\'s." 
In  the  same  column  it  was  noted  that  "We  were  delighted  with  the  good  dis- 
play of  the  vocal  powers  of  the  ladies  of  Alexandria  at  the  morning  church 
service  last  Sunday.  There  is  abundant  material  in  our  congregation  for 
good  singing  and  we  hope  to  see  an  organ  placed  in  the  church  to  accompany 
our  lady  singers."     This  item  is  supposed  to  have  had  reference  to  the  con- 


268  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

gregation  of  the  Congregational  church,  which  at  that  time  was  holding  serv- 
ices in  the  old  court  house  hall  and  to  which  Mr.  Hicks  later  donated  the 
fine  corner  lot  on  which  the  present  Congregational  church  stands.  Under 
the  head  of  "Personal"'  it  was  noted  in  the  second  issue  of  the  Post  that  "Air.- 
G.  W.  Benedict,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Alexandria  Post,  went  below 
on  Sunday  last,  after  assisting  in  the  publication  of  the  first  number  of  our 
paper,  which  in  point  of  mechanical  appearance,  we  are  not  afraid  to  com- 
pare with  any  newspaper  that  has  been  started  on  the  frontier  of  late  years. "" 
The  grain  market  quotations  then  were  as  follow :  "Wheat  is  lower,  selling 
at  $1.05  for  Xo.  I.  All  the  markets  below  are  lower.  Oats  are  C|uoted  at  50 
to  53  cents.     Wheat  at  Center,  $1  to  $1.50." 

The  business  interests  of  Alexandria  seemed  well  represented  even  at 
that  early  date  and  the  Post  carried  the  following  advertisers  in  its  columns : 
F.  B.  Van  Hoesen,  attorney  at  law;  Scandinavian  House,  L.  Johnson,  pro- 
prietor: H.  L.  Gordon  and  L.  W.  Collins,  Gordon  &  Collins,  attorneys  at  law 
and  real  estate  agents;  Gates  &  Blood,  general  freighters,  running  "regularlv 
once  a  week  between  St.  Cloud  and  Alexandria,  rates  from  $1.50  to  $2  per 
100  pounds;"  Van  Hoesen  &  Mitchell.  F.  B.  \'an  Hoesen  and  James  S. 
Mitchell,  real  estate  agency;  John  S.  Mower,  attorney  at  law  and  insurance; 
AI.  H.  Tolan,  bootmaker  and  repairer ;  George  C.  Whitcomb,  countv  auditor 
and  register  of  deeds,  "any  business  required  to  be  done  by  non-resident  land 
holders  executed  promptly  and  no  exorbitant  charges;"  Dr.  O.  E.  Andrews, 
physician  and  surgeon ;  Thomas  Cowing,  general  merchandise ;  \\'oodhulI 
House.  John  ]iIcLeod,  proprietor;  Hammond,  Rima  &  Co.,  shingle  manu- 
facturers; \\'.  E.  Hieks,  lumber  yard;  C.  Shultz,  gunsmith  and  dealer  in 
sportsmen's  and  hunter's  goods ;  G.  C.  Marshall,  saloon ;  E.  G.  Holmes,  gen- 
eral merchandise  and  farm  implements.  Holmes  City ;  John  Sundblad.  board- 
ing house  and  saloon;  C.  Sonday,  merchant  tailor;  J.  F.  Bell  &  Company, 
St.  Cloud,  dry  goods ;  Alexandria  Flouring  Mills,  "the  highest  price  paid  for 
wheat;"  Joseph  Gilpin,  builder  and  plasterer;  D.  Fredenberg,  carriage  and 
wagon  factory ;  Smith  &  Herbert,  boots,  shoes  and  leather ;  St.  Germaine.  St. 
Cloud ;  D.  B.  Hull,  house,  sign  and  carriage  painting,  glazier  and  paper- 
hanger;  Andrew  Lundberg,  carpenter  and  jointer;  Robert  Walker,  black- 
smitliing  and  horse-shoeing;  S.  J.  Holmberg.  wagonmaker;  J.  H.  Holla- 
Ijaugh,  liardware;  T.  F.  Cowing,  Alexandria  Store,  drx  goods  and  general 
merchandise;  J.  B.  Cowing,  groceries  and  meat  market;  Pomme  de  Terre 
Station  Hotel,  D.  Burns,  proprietor;  Mueller  Brothers,  dry  goods  and  general 
merchandise. 


DOUGLAS    A.VU    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  269 


:HE    ALEXANDRIA    CITIZEN. 


In  the  summer  of  1893,  ^^^-  S.  Gilpin,  son  of  the  veteran  ethtr.r,  Joseph 
Gilpin,  and  Newton  Trenham  started  a  newspaper  at  Alexandria  which  they 
called  the  Citizen  and  which  the_\-  began  publishing  largely  in  behalf  of  the 
Grange  movement.  Presently  Gilpin  sold  his  interest  in  the  paper  to  Tren- 
ham and  moved  to  Hamilton,  North  Dakota,  where  he  started  a  paper  which 
he  conducted  for  three  or  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to 
Osseo,  Wisconsin,  and  started  there  the  Ossco  .Yczi's.  which  he  is  still  pub- 
lishing. Trenham  later  sold  the  Citizen  to  J-  A.  Kinney,  whiT  is  still  con- 
ducting the  same. 

THE    PARK    REGION    ECHO. 

Twent)--six  years  ago  a  man  by  the  name  of  Clark  arri\ed  at  Brandon 
and  proceeded  to  establish  a  newspaper  for  that  thriving  village.  He  was 
an  e.x-county  attorney  of  Itasca  county  and  considerable  was  expected  of 
his  venture  by  the  people  of  that  community.  The  paper  he  started  he 
named  Blue  Bells.  But  he  proved  to  be  an  eccentric  sort  and  the  publica- 
tion was  rather  erratic.  Frecjuently,  weekly  editions  would  be  omitted.  He 
continued  about  a  year  and  sold  out  to  Hans  Peterson  and  Fred  Andrews, 
two  of  Brajidon's  promising  and  energetic  young  men.  They  edited  the 
paper  for  some  time,  when  it  proved  the  income  was  not  sufficient  to  keep 
the  venture  going. 

But  the  people  of  Brandon  h.ad  acquired  a  taste  of  ha\ing  a  local  news- 
paper and  were  not  willing  to  let  matters  drop  so  readily.  At  E\ansville, 
A.  C.  Lawrence  was  located  and  they  made  an  arrangement  with  him  to 
take  over  the  property.  They  assisted  him  to  the  extent  of  fetching  his 
household  goods  and  family  to  Brandon  and  he  began  reviving  the  Brandon 
Echo.  He  gave  the  Aillage  a  live  and  interesting  newspaper,  but  he  also 
encountered  the  same  ditficulty — small  income — too  small  to  maintain  a 
family  of  three  large  people.  It  was  claimed  that  tlie  three  together  would 
ti])  the  scales  at  more  than  700  pounds  and  that  they  ate  regularh"  three 
pijunds  of  the  liest  roast  lieef  each  dinner.  The  Echo  was  then  sold  to 
George  S.  Myron,  who  mo\-ed  the  plant  into  his  house,  the  one  now  occu- 
pied by  Anton  H.  Str(im.  Up  to  that  time  the  plant  had  been  located  in 
the  Decker  building,  yet  standing  south  of  the  Larson  hardware  store.  'Slv. 
Lawrence  went  to  Alexandria  and  there  started  a  new  paper  which  lasted 
only  a  short  while,  though. 

Mr.   Borgen  was  a  good  printer  and  put  new  life  into  the  Echo.     It 


270  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

appeared  to  prosper  and  gain  prestige.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  and 
this  gave  him  additional  income  and  prestige,  and  he  materially  improved 
the  publication.  Large  fonts  of  type  were  added  and  the  old  army  press 
was  disposed  of  and  the  Minnesota  stop-cylinder  press,  on  which  the  Alex- 
andria Post  Xczcs  had  been  published  for  several  years  was  installed.  The 
paper  was  changed  from  a  four-page  seven-column  to  an  eight-page  five- 
column.  The  business  men  ot  the  \-illage  patronized  him  liberally  and  did 
what  they  could  to  assist  in  giving  the  community  a  li\e  little  local  paper. 
But  re\erses  set  in  and  in  time  the  ownership  passed  into  the  hands  of  the 
Brandon  State  Bank.  Again  the  business  men  took  a  hold  to  retain  the 
paper  .and  keep  it  alive.  Carl  A.  ^^'old.  the  present  editor,  agreed  to  edit 
it  for  the  bank  until  some  other  arrangement  could  be  made.  But  this 
appeared  to  Ije  a  difficult  matter  and  a  proposition  was  made  to  Wold,  which 
he  accepted  and  became  the  owner  of  the  plant. 

Up  to  this  time  the  temperance  question  had  not  received  much  atten- 
tion in  the  local  papers.  In  fact  the  saloons  had  been  the  most  prominent 
feature  in  the  business  and  political  life  of  a  community.  But  a  change 
was  dexeloping.  Their  work  was  "growing  distasteful  and  protests  began 
to  come  frequently.  The  system  was  gradually  changing  from  the  local 
saloonkeeper  wlio  lived  in  the  place  and  invested  his  income  in  the  village, 
educated  his  children  there  and  took  a  live  interest  in  the  development  of 
the  towns,  as  is  customary  of  business  men,  to  men  who  acted  as  mere 
agents  for  some  brewery  outside  of  the  village  and  whose  only  interest  in 
the  place  was  the  amount  of  profits  turned  in.  This  system  produced  a 
class  of  saloon  keepers  that  sometimes  did  not  act  wisely  or  very  scrupu- 
lously. They  gener^ited  a  general  protest  from  the  better  class  of  residents 
and  the  temperance  movement  was  on. 

Mr.  \\'old  upon  assuming  the  management  of  the  Echo  at  once  dis- 
continued the  liquor  advertising.  This  was  resented  by  the  saloon  keepers 
and  at  once  a  fight  was  on.  \\'old  tried  to  avoid  this  and  for  a  long  time 
ignored  the  attacks  and  advocated  prohiljition  and  no-license.  From  this 
condition  developed  an  organization  in  the  count)-  that  has  done  much  to 
create  sentiment  for  no  saloons  and  a  dry  county. 

After  three  years  work  in  Brandon,  temperance  advocates  of  the  county 
started  a  movement  to  reorganize  the  paper  and  mo\e  the  plant  to  Alexandria, 
where  the  Eclio  would  l>e  in  a  position  to  assume  the  work  for  the  whole 
county.  From  a  small  circulation  it  has  developed  a  large  circulation  and 
has  the  liberal  support  of  the  people. 

The   plant    of   the   Park   Region   Echo   is   now    equipped   with   a   good 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  27I 

cylinder  press,   jobber,   linotype   and   other  necessary   machinery    for   news- 
paper and  job  work. 

THE    ALEXANDRIA    REPUBLICAN. 

.\  newspaper  formerly  puljhshed  at  Alexandria  was  the  Rcl^ublican, 
which  was  established  more  than  twent}-  }'ears  ago  by  U.  B.  Shaver,  who  con- 
tinned  its  publication  a  few  years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  sold  it  to 
A.  C.  Lawrence,  who  continued  the  publication  of  the  same  until  growing 
financial  difficulties  caused  him  to  seek  a  change  of  base  and  he  moved  the 
plant  to  Fergus  Falls. 

THE    OSAKIS    REVIEW. 

The  Osakis  Rcviciv  was  established  in  1890  by  A.  L.  Heikes  and  was 
a  four-page  seven-colimin  paper.  It  was  printed  on  one  of  the  first  Wash- 
ington hand-presses  ever  brought  to  Minnesota.  The  Rci'ic-zv  became  the 
property  of  Clement  H.  Bronson,  the  present  publisher,  in  December,  1892. 
Mr.  Bronson  at  that  time  enjoying  the  distinction  of  being  the  youngest 
editor  in  the  state.  From  a  four-page  paper  with  a  circulation  of  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  copies  weekly,  the  Rcviciv  has  grown  to  an  eight-  to  sixteen- 
page  seven-column  newspaper,  having  a  circulation  of  over  one  thousand 
five  hundred  copies  weekly.  The  Rcz'iciv  is  now  printed  in  a  modern  news- 
paper plant  occupying  a  floor  space  forty  by  one  hundred  feet.  The  office  is 
equipped  with  a  linotype  machine,  power  presses  and  attached  newspaper 
folder,  each  piece  of  machinery  being  driven  by  an  individual  electric  motor. 
The  Rcznczv  has  always  been  consistently  Republican  in  politics. 

THE    BRANDON    FORUM. 

The  Brandon  Foiiiin  was  founded  at  Brandon  by  A.  B.  Johnson  on 
October  15,  19 10.  about  two  years  after  the  Echo  had  been  moved  from  that 
village  to  Alexandria.  Five  years  later,  October  15,  1915,  the  Forum  was 
purchased  by  W.  J.  B.  Moses,  who  has  since  been  editor  and  publisher  of  the 
same. 

THE    EVAN.SVILLE    ENTERPRISE. 

The  Enterprise,  published  at  Evansville,  was  established  in  1889  by 
H.  G.  Urie,  who  later  sold  to  P.  A.  Neff,  who  in  turn  sold,  the  paper  to  W.  N. 
Bronson,  brother  of  the  editor  of  the  Osakis  Review,  who  is  still  publish- 
ing it. 


CHAFTl'K  .\I\', 
Thk  Bench   and   Bar. 

The  first  attorneys  to  locate  in  Douglas  county  for  the  practice  of  their 
profession  were  John  Randolph  and  John  S.  Mower,  who  came  to  Alexan- 
dria in  1867,  when  this  city  was  only  a  straggling  village.  Reuben  Reynolds 
also  came  that  same  year.  Mr.  Reynolds  was  county  attorney  from  1871  to 
1873.  ^I''-  Mower  was  the  first  county  superintendent  of  schools,  serving 
from  1869  to  1873,  and  was  also  editor  of  a  newspaper.  F.  B.  V^an  Hoesen. 
one  of  the  very  early  settlers  at  Alexandria,  was  a  lawyer  and  served  as 
county  attorney  from  1869  to  1871,  but  spent  most  of  his  years  here  as  a 
banker. 

In  1 87 1,  Knute  Nelson,  a  young  lawyer  from  Wisconsin,  who  had  been 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  Dane  county  in  1869  and  practiced  there  two  years, 
came  to  Alexandria  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Reuben  Reynolds  for  the 
practice  of  law.  Mr.  Nelson  was  county  attorney  from  1873  to  1875;  was 
elected  to  the  state  Senate  in  1875;  was  elected  to  Congress  in  1883  and 
served  there  until  1892;  was  elected  governor  of  Minnesota  in  1892  and 
served  two  terms;  in  January,  1895,  he  was  elected  United  States  senator 
and  has  since  represented  this  state  in  the  Senate. 

Nelson  Fulmer  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Mr.  Nelson  and  was  admitted 
to  the  bar" at  .\lexandria.  Mr.  Fulmer  practiced  law  here  for  several  years; 
was  county  attornev  from  1875  to  1879,  and  later  moved  to  St.  Cloud,  where 
he  was  collector  of  the  McCormick  Harvester  Company  and  finall\-  had 
charge  of  collections  for  that  company  in  a  large  part  of  the  state. 

William  F.  Ball  came  to  Alexandria  from  Canada  in  1875  and  opened 
an  office  for  the  practice  of  law.  After  residing  here  about  ten  years  Mr. 
Ball  moved  to  Fargo,  North  Dakota,  where  he  died  recently. 

George  H.  Reynolds,  a  son  of  Reuben  Reynolds,  came  to  Alexandria  in 
1877.  He  was  county  attorney  from  1879  to  1883.  He  afterward  mo\ed  to 
St.  Cloud  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  there  until  his  death  in   1914. 

Col.  Horatio  Jenkins,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who  had  gone  south 
after  the  Civil  War,  came  to  Alexandria  from  Florida  in  1880  and  engaged 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  273 

in  the  practice  here  until  his  death.  He  was  county  attorney  from  1883 
to  1889. 

George  L.  Treat,  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  and  a  graduate  of  Ann  Arhor 
law  school,  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Alexandria  in  1883,  and 
has  been  here  ever  since,  engaged  in  the  law,  loan  and  insurance  business. 

C.  J.  Gunderson  was  educated  at  Minnesota  State  University  and  the 
Ann  Arbor  law  school  and  began  practice  in  Alexandria  in  1886,  and  has 
ever  since  been  one  of  the  resident  attorneys.  Mr.  Gunderson  was  county 
attorne}-  from  1889  to  1903,  and  served  eight  years  in  the  state  Senate. 

Constant  Larson  is  a  native  of  Douglas  county  and  after  graduating 
from  the  law  school  of  the  State  University  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Alexandria  in  1894.  Mr.  Larson  was  county  attorney  from  1903 
to  191 3,  and  is  the  present  city  attorney. 

Hugh  E.  Leach  came  to  Alexandria  in  1906  and  formed  a  partnership 
with  C.  J.  Gunderson  for  the  practice  of  law.  Mr.  Leach  was  elected  county 
attorney  in  1913  and  is  now  serving  in  that  "office. 

Ralph  S.  Thornton  was  educated  at  Drake  University,  Iowa,  where  he 
was  graduated  from  the  law  department  in  191 3.  He  came  to  Alexandria 
in  October,  19 14,  and  has  since  been  engaged  here  at  his  profession. 

F.  E.  Ullman  located  in  Alexandria  in  1906  and  after  practicing  law 
here  for  a  short  time  moved  to  another  field. 

Nick  Langhausen  had  a  fine  law  office  at  Alexandria  in  19 12,  but  his 
library  was  burned  in  1914  and  he  cjuit  the  practice. 

A.  A.  Andrews  practiced  law  for  about  six  months  at  Alexandria  in  1914. 

OTHER   ATTORNEYS   OF   DOUGLAS    COUNTY. 

O.  A.  Felt,  who  was  a  graduate  of  the  L^niversity  of  Minnesota,  located 
at  Evansville  in  1896.  He  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  there  until  his 
death  in  1908. 

A.  G.  Osterberg  practiced  law  at  Brandon  until  his  removal  to  Mille 
Lacs  county,  several  years  ago,  where  he  is  now  register  of  deeds  for  that 
county. 

F"rank  H.  Borchert  located  at  Osakis  in  1896  and  opened  a  law  office 
there.  Mr.  Borchert  is  also  interested  in  the  banking  business  and  is  the 
present  postmaster  of  Osakis. 

E.  R.  Ruggles  was  formerly  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  in  Douglas 
countv,  but  is  now  manager  of  a  summer  hotel,  called  "Idlewild,"  at  Osakis. 

'(18) 


274  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

DOUGLAS    COUNTY    JUDICIARY. 

Ever  since  its  organization  Douglas  county  has  been  a  part  of  the  seventh 
judicial  district,  which  is  comprised  of  the  counties  of  Clay,  Becker,  Otter 
Tail,  Wadena.  Douglas,  Todd,   Morrison,  Mille  I^cs,  Benton  and  Stearns. 

The  judges  who  have  presided  in  this  district  are  as  follow:  James  M. 
McKeLyey  of  St.  Cloud,  Stearns  county,  who  assumed  office  on  August  i, 
1866;  L.  M.  Collins,  of  St.  Cloud,  April  19,  1883;  L.  L.  Baxter,  of  Fergus 
Falls,  Otter  Tail  county,  March  18,  1885;  D.  B.  Searle,  of  St.  Cloud,  Novem- 
ber 14,  1887;  Myron  D.  Taylor,  of  St.  Cloud,  December  i,  1906;  Carroll  A. 
Nye,  of  Moorhead,  Clay  county,  January  i,  1911  ;  William  L.  Parsons,  of 
Fergus  Falls,  April  18,  1913,  and  John  A.  Roeser,  of  St_Cloud,  April  i,  1913. 

The  three  last  named  are  the  present  judges  of  this  district,  having 
concurrent  jurisdiction,  and  assignments  are  made  by  the  senior  member. 
Judge  Nye. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
The  Medical  Profession. 

During  the  early  )ears  of  the  settlement  of  this  region  there  were  no 
regular  practicing  physicians  hereabout,  the  settlers  relying  on  the  experi- 
ence of  such  of  their  number  as  might  have  a  knowledge  of  "simples"  to 
help  them  out  of  their  ailments  in  ordinary  cases  and  sending  over  to  Sauk 
Center  for  a  physician  in  case  of  emergencies,  but  as  the  charge  for  attend- 
ance by  a  physician  from  that  distance  was  almost  prohibitive,  the  emergency 
was  generally  extreme  when  such  a  call  was  made.  Occasionally  traveling 
doctors  would  come  out  this  way  and  make  the  rounds  of  the  settlements, 
but  as  far  as  the  recollection  of  the  survivors  of  that  period  goes  Doctor 
Andrews  was  the  first  physician  definitely  to  locate  at  Alexandria,  where  he 
remained  in  practice  for  several  years.  Doctor  Andrews  was  not  only  a 
good  physician,  but  an  excellent  surgeon,  who  had  had  considerable  experi- 
ence as  a  practitioner  in  the  iron  region  near  Duluth  before  locating  at 
Alexandria.  He  later  moved  to  Aloorehead,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his 
hfe. 

It  was  during  the  time  of  Doctor  Andrews's  residence  at  Alexandria 
that  Doctor  Borden,  a  young  graduate  physician  from  Boston,  came  out 
here  and  located  at  Alexandria,  where  he  remained  some  years,  later  return- 
ing to  Boston,  whence  news  presently  came  of  his  death  there.  Then  came 
Dr.  Godfrey  ^'ivian,  an  Englishman,  who  also  came  down  from  the  iron 
range,  a  surgeon  of  wide  experience,  who  remained  at  Alexandria  for  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  went  to  California,  where  he  spent  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  Not  long  after  the  coming  of  Doctor  Vivian,  Doctor  Lewis 
appeared  on  the  scene  and  the  two  formed  a  partnership  and  started  a  drug 
store,  of  which  Doctor  Lewis  became  the  active  manager,  the  latter  spending 
the  balance  of  his  life  at  Alexandria. 

In  1 88 1  Dr.  S.  W.  McEwan,  who  had  started  in  practice  at  Evansville, 
moved  to  Alexandria  and  presently  formed  a  partnership  with  Doctor  Vivian, 
which  continued  until  the  latter's  appointment  as  postmaster,  when  Doctor 
McEwan  and  Dr.  H.  J.  Boyd,  the  latter  of  whom  meanwhile  had  located  at 
Alexandria,  formed  a  partnership.  Doctor  Boyd  was  a  son  of  one  of  the 
l)ioneer   families  of  Hudson  township  and  had  grown  to  manhood   in  this 


276  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

community.  He  received  his  medical  education  in  Cincinnati  and  afterward 
for  a  time  was  engaged  in  practice  in  New  York,  but  about  1883  he  returned 
to  Douglas  county  and  .engaged  in  practice  at  Alexandria,  where  he  spent 
the  rest  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  about  1909.  His  son,  Dr.  Leon  A. 
Boyd,  is  now  in  practice  at  Alexandria.  Doctor  McEwan  became  very  suc- 
cessful in  his  practice,  at  the  same  time  taking  an  active  part  in  public  affairs, 
and  remained  actively  in  practice  until  his  death  about  ten  years  ago. 

ALEXANDRIA  PHYSICIANS. 

In  the  meantime,  as  in  all  communities,  other  physicians  had  been  locat- 
ing at  Alexandria,  some  of  these,  however,  remaining  but  a  short  time  until 
attracted  to  some  other  location  and  thus  created  no  Aery  distinct  impression 
upon  the  community.  Among  those  who  did  locate  with  a  definite  purpose 
to  remain  may  be  mentioned  Dr.  James  H.  Drake,  a  young  physician,  who 
engaged  in  practice  at  Alexandria  for  a  year  or  two  and  then  went  to 
Mondak,  Montana.  Dr.  Frithiof  L.  Kling  also  was  located  for  some  time 
at  Alexandria,  but  presently  moved  to  the  neighboring  county  seat,  Elbow 
Lake,  where  he  is  now  engaged  in  practice.  Dr.  W.  E.  Ellis,  of  Prentice, 
Wisconsin,  also  located  at  Alexandria,  but  after  awhile  returned  to  the  place 
from  which  he  had  come,  and  Dr.  Charles  A.  Lester,  another  physician  of 
some  years  standing  in  Alexandria,  located  at  Winona,  this  state.  Dr. 
Eugene  A.  Hensel,  who  succeeded  to  the  practice  of  Doctor  McEwan  upon 
the  death  of  the  latter,  grew  up  in  Douglas  county,  his  parents  having  been 
pioneers  here.  He  was  graduated  from  Bush  Medical  College,  at  Chicago, 
and  began  practice  at  Alexandria  in  the  nineties,  remaining  there  until  in 
January,  1910,  when  he  moved  to  San  Diego,  California,  where  he  is  now 
engaged  in  practice.  Besides  Dr.  Leon  A.  Boyd,  mentioned  above,  the  other 
practitioners  at  Alexandria  at  present  are  Dr.  M.  B.  Ruud,  Dr.  L.  W.  Satter- 
lee.  Dr.  A.  D.  Haskell  and  Dr.  L.  M.  Keene. 

OSAKIS    PHYSICIANS. 

The  oldest  practicing  physician  at  present  in  Douglas  county  is  Dr.  C.  M. 
Long,  of  Osakis,  who  was  a  classmate  of  Doctor  McEwan  at  Rush  Medical 
College,  and  who  is  now  the  only  member  left  of  the  regular  medical  fratern- 
ity in  this  region  of  forty  years  ago,  all  the  early  physicians  at  Fergus  Falls, 
Alexandria,  Osakis,  Sauk  Center  and  St.  Cloud  save  himself  having  passed 
to  their  reward  years  ago.     When  Doctor  Long  settled  in  Douglas  county  in 


DOUGLAS   AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  277 

1878  Alexandria  was  but  a  small  hamlet  and  Osakis  was  but  a  feeding  place 
for  the  ox-trains,  to  use  the  Doctor's  own  words  in  expressing  the  situation. 
He  arrived  at  Osakis  on  the  old  stage  from  Melrose,  and  the  St.  Paul,  Min- 
neapolis &  Manitoba  railroad  was  laid  through  Osakis  to  Alexandria  in  the 
fall  of  that  same  year,  the  first  mixed'  train  being  run  through  Osakis  and 
on  to  Alexandria  on  November  i6.  When  Doctor  Long  settled  in  practice  at 
Osakis,  Doctor  Vivian  and  Doctor  Lewis  were  in  practice  in  Alexandria 
and  had  been  there  for  some  time,  continuing  in  partnership  until  the  death 
of  Dr.  Lewis  at  Chaska  about  1882.  Doctor  Long  was  the  first  resident 
physician  at  Osakis  and  has  remained  there  continuously  ever  since  settling 
in  the  village,  the  list  of  physicians  who  later  located  there  comprising 
Doctors  Rathburn,  Anderson,  Scoboris,  Cleveland,  Titus,  A.  J.  Gilkinson  and 
Hengstler,  the  two  latter  of  whom  are  now  practicing  there  in  partnership. 

For  twenty  years,  or  until  the  railway  physicians  in  the  smaller  towns 
were  discontinued.  Doctor  Long  was  the  local  physician  for  the  Great  North- 
ern railroad.  From  his  description  of  the  disadvantages  under  which  the 
physician  labored  in  the  period  covering  the  earUer  years  of  his  practice,  it 
is  apparent  that  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of  the  pioneer  physicians 
or  of  the  efforts  they  put  forth  amid  all  possible  disadvantageous  conditions. 
During  most  parts  of  the  year  the  roads  were  almost  impassible  on  account 
of  mud  holes,  stumps,  rocks,  ruts  and  the  heavy  snow  banks  of  the  cold 
winters  of  those  early  days.  The  question  of  price  or  of  pay  for  services  was 
not  considered,  but  all  calls  were 'answered  with  a  devotion  to  the  profession 
and  an  interest  in  the  patient  that  was  as  noble  as  it  was  unselfish,  for  many 
times  the  physician  received  not  even  a  civil  "thank  you"'  for  his  services. 

In  those  days  it  not  infrequently  happened  that  the  deep  snow  drifts 
were  the  belated  physician's  protecting  bed  against  freezing  and  the  old  army 
rifle  kept  the  hungry  "sassy"  wolves  at  bay.  Surgical  operations  often  were 
performed  during  the  night  hours  in  the  remote  districts  without  counsel  or 
assistance.  All  emergencies  had  to  be  met  fearlessly,  without  any  advantage 
save  the  exercise  of  double  wits,  courage  and  "dare."'  Difficult  surgical  opera- 
tions had  to  be  performed  under  conditions  that  would  make  a  modern  physi- 
cian's hair  stand  on  end,  there  then  being  no  opportunity  for  the  antiseptic 
surgery  of  today,  and  it  is  remarkable  what  good  results  usually  followed 
those  daring  operations.  Though  in  too  many  cases  the  families  who  were 
compelled  to  call  in  the  services  of  the  physician  were  poor  and  had  no 
intention  of  paying  for  the  service,  there  sat  the  true  physician,  all  night, 
watching  and  devising,  devoted  to  the  interests  of  his  patient,  though  know- 
ing that  he  was  not  to  be  remunerated  when  all  was  over. 


270  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

The  medical  profession  is  represented  at  Alillerville  by  Dr.  John  C. 
Drexler,  and  at  Kensington  by  Dr.  Otto  L.  Hanson  and  at  Carlos  by  Dr. 
P.  A.  Love.  Doctor  Gray  formerly  was  engaged  in  practice  at  Garfield, 
which  village  is  now  without  a  physician. 

EVANSVILLE    PHYSICIANS. 

So  far  as  can  be  ascertained  the  following  list  contains  the  names  and 
years  of  service  of  all  the  physicians  who  have  resided  at  Evansville :  Doctor 
Hahnemann  came  in  1881  and  moved  away  in  1886;  Doctor  AIcKenzie  came 
in  1886  and  stayed  until  1887;  Dr.  Charles  Nootnagel  resided  here  in  1887-89; 
Doctor  Spaulding,  1890-91;  Dr.  R.  I.  Hubert,  1891-94;  Dr.  Charles  Van 
Cappellen,  1894-96;  Dr.  C.  R.  Ward,  1895-1903:  Dr.  C.  W.  Meckstroth, 
1896-1901 ;  Doctor  Bachman,  1901-1902;  Dr.  G.  B.  Mathison,  1902-1910; 
Doctor  Regner,  1906-07;  Dr.  G.  R.  Melzer  came  in  1910;  Dr.  W.  Hufifman, 
1912-13;  Doctor  Ekrem,  1914-15;  Doctor  Ruud  and  Dr.  P.  G.  Cowing  came 
to  Evansville  in  1916  and  are  now  engaged  in  the  practice  there. 

BRANDON    PHYSICIANS. 

The  physicians  who  have  practiced  at  Brandon  have  been  as  follow : 
Doctor  Brown  came  about  1883  and  resided  here  several  years;  Doctor  Foss, 
1885-86;  Dr.  Charles  Van  Cappellen,  1889-1904;  Dr.  Gisle  Bjornstad,  1893- 
96;  Dr.  John  Lyng,  1 899-1 901 ;  Dr.  C.  W.  Meckstroth  came  in  1901  and  still 
resides  here.  Dr.  C.  Nootnagel,  Sr.,  a  homeopath,  practiced  five  miles  west 
of  Brandon  from  1876  until  his  death  a  few  years  ago. 

DOCTORS  OF  DENTAL  SURGERY. 

From  the  traveling  "tinker,"  as  the  settlers  about  the  old  stockade  used 
to  call  the  itinerant  dentists  who  were  wont  to  call  at  the  settlement  there  or  at 
the  other  early  settlements  in  Douglas  county  in  pioneer  days,  to  the  skilled 
and  trained  dental  surgeons  of  today  is  a  far  cry,  indeed.  In  the  old  days 
tooth-pulling  was  the  chief  remedy  for  dental  ailments,  though  some  of  the 
traveling  dentists  were  equipped  with  a  sort  of  a  kit  of  tools  with  which 
they  would  attempt  the  filling  of  teeth,  Init  the  sufferer  usually  discovered 
that  the  filling  would  be  dropping  out  within  a  short  time.  In  consequence 
of  the  bad  practice  of  these  itinerants  the  pioneers  usually  relied  upon  the 
family  physician  for  dental  services,  the  same  being  confined  to  tooth-pulling. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  279 

except  in  the  cases  of  those  who  cared  to  make  a  trip  to  the  cities  for  dental 
attention. 

It  was  not  until  about  1880  that  Alexandria  had  a  resident  dentist.  Dr. 
James  Bell,  who  came  over  from  Minneapolis  and  located  at  the  county  seat, 
the  first  resident  dentist  in  Douglas  county.  Doctor  Bell  presently  formed  a 
partnership  with  Doctor  Hand,  who  came  in  later,  and  that  partnership  was 
continued  for  some  time.  Doctor  Hand  later  moving  to  Long  Prairie  and 
Doctor  Bell  back  to  Minneapolis.  Doctor  Jordon  was  the  next  dentist  to 
locate  at  Alexandria  and  he  later  went  to  Fergus  Falls,  where  he  died,  and 
the  next  was  Doctor  Avery,  who  later  went  to  Idaho.  Dr.  Harry  Pritchett 
and  Doctor  Good  located  at  Alexandria  about  that  time,  the  former  of 
whom  later  moved  to  Perham  and  the  latter  sold  his  practice  to  Dr.  J.  J. 
Volker,  who  is  still  engaged  in  practice  at  Alexandria.  Dr.  E.  E.  Buell 
succeeded  to  the  practice  of  Doctor  Jordon  and  is  still  in  practice.  In  1904 
Dr.  C.  L.  Cole  established  an  office  at  Alexandria  and  is  still  there,  and  in 
1906  Dr.  C.  C.  Strang,  present  mayor  of  Alexandria,  opened  an  office  for 
the  practice  of  his  profession  and  is  still  thus  engaged  there.  The  latest 
dentist  to  locate  at  the  county  seat  is  Dr.  L.  W.  Prescott,  who  opened  an 
office  there  in  the  summer  of  19 16. 

The  chiropractic  profession  is  represented  by  Dr.  D.  E.  Wittenburg, 
and  the  osteopaths  l^y  Dr.  J.  A.  McCabe. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
Banks   and  Banking 

The  early  banks  of  Douglas  county  were  private  institutions,  often 
carried  on  along  with  some  other  business.  When  the  county  was  unde- 
veloped it  was  only  natural  that  interest  rates  were  high.  It  was  no  uncom- 
mon thing  for  a  money  lender  to  ask  as  high  as  twenty-five  or  thirty  per  cent 
interest  during  the  early  days  of  settlement.  As  land  values  increased,  inter- 
est rates  were  lowered,  and  developed  farms  afforded  good  security  for  loans. 
Later  the  rates  were  regulated  by  law  and  today  the  farmers  and  business 
men  of  Douglas  county  are  able  to  secure  all  the  money  they  need  for  legiti- 
mate enterprises  at  rates  as  reasonable  as  any  county  in  the  state. 

There  are  now  four  national  and  thirteen  state  banks  in  Douglas  county. 
In  1915  these  banks  had  capital  and  surplus  of  $529,500,  and  total  deposits 
of  $3,459,159.68.  It  is  estimated  that  two-thirds  of  these  deposits  belong 
to  farmers.  These  figures  represent  a  per  capita  deposit  of  $195.  In  the 
following  paragraphs  brief  mention  is  made  of  the  officers  and  the  financial 
condition  of  all  the  banks  in  Douglas  county. 

FIRST    NATIONAL    BANK    OF   ALEXANDRIA. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Alexandria  is  the  oldest  financial  institu- 
tion in  the  county.  In  1868  a  private  bank  was  established,  called  the  Bank 
of  Alexandria,  of  which  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen  was  president;  C.  H.  Raiter,  vice- 
president,  and  G.  B.  Ward,  cashier.  In  1883  this  business  was  converted  into 
a  national  bank,  called  the  First  National  Bank  of  Alexandria.  The  present 
officers  are:  C.  J.  Gunderson,  president;  C.  H.  Raiter,  vice-president;  A.  H. 
Gregersen,  vice-president;  P.  O.  Unumb,  cashier;  C.  F.  Raiter,  assistant 
cashier.  Directors:  C.  J.  Gunderson,  C.  H.  Raiter,  Fred  von  Baumbach, 
P.  O.  Unumb,  A.  H.  Gregersen,  F.  C.  Raiter  and  Theodore  Bordsen. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  Stock,  $60,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $39,551.86;  deposits,  $766,533.15;  loans  and  discounts,  $681,563.18; 
cash  assets,  $158,257.71. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


FARMERS    NATIONAL    BANK   OF   ALEXANDRIA. 

The  Farmers  Xational  Bank  of  Alexandria  was  chartered  on  June  12, 
1901.  The  first  officers  were  as  follow:  Tollef  Jacobson,  president:  J-  H. 
Letson,  vice-president :  Andrew  Jacobson,  cashier ;  H.  A.  Schaefer,  assistant 
cashier.  The  bank  has  the  same  officers  in  1916  with  the  addition  of  H.  A. 
LeRoy  as  vice-president. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  igi6,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $100,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $31,424.33;  deposits,  $805,516.14;  loans  and  discounts,  $722,314.15; 
cash  assets,  $118,184.05.  The  building  in  which  the  Farmers  National  is 
hriused  was  erected  in  1914  and  is  one  of  the  handsomest  bank  buildings  in 
the  state.  It  is  of  Maine  granite  and  with  a  marble  interior,  erected  at  a 
cost  of  about  $65,000. 

DOUGLAS    COUNTY    STATE    BANK. 

The  Douglas  County  State  Bank  was  established  on  June  10,  1886,  at 
Alexandria.  The  first  officers  were :  Joseph  U.  Barnes,  president ;  William 
Moses,  vice-president ;  H.  A.  Barnes,  cashier.  The  first  board  of  directors 
consisted  of  Joseph  U.  Barnes,  William  Moses,  G.  A.  Kortsch,  Henry  A. 
Barnes,  E.  J.  Phelps,  W.  L.  Barnes  and  E.  A.  Merrill.  The  present  officers 
are :  G.  A.  Kortsch,  president :  W.  K.  Barnes,  cashier ;  O.  W.  Landeen, 
assistant  cashier. 

At  the  close  of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  the  bank  had:  Capital, 
$50,000.00:  surplus  and  undivided  profits,  $11,724.34;  deposits,  $202,271.58; 
loans  and  discounts,  $213,961.65;  cash  assets,  $37,556.34. 

OSAKIS    STATE    BANK. 

The  Osakis  State  Bank  was  organized  in  ]\Iay,  1900.  The  first  officers 
were:  H.  A.  Shedd,  president;  W.  P.  Long,  vice-president;  Carl  E.  Oberg, 
cashier.  First  board  of  directors :  H.  A.  Shedd,  W.  P.  Long  and  \\'.  B. 
Lvons.  The  original  capital  stock  was  $10,000.  The  present  officers  of  the 
bank  are :  F.  H.  Borchert,  president ;  W.  P.  Long,  vice-president ;  Clyde  W. 
Long,  cashier;  C.  E.  Belding,  assistant  cashier.  Directors:  F.  H.  Borchert, 
W.  P.  Long  and  \Y.  B.  Lyons. 

At  the  close  of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  the  condition  of  the  bank 
was  as   follows:     Capital   stock,  $25,000.00;   surplus   and   undivided  profits. 


282  .  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

$11,653.40;   deposits,  $309,396.70;   loans  and   discounts,   $334,486.11;   cash 
assets,  $27,838.34. 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK  OF  OSAKIS. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Osakis  was  organized  on  June  9,  1903, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000.00.  The  first  officers  were :  Tollef  Jacob- 
son,  president;  Andrew  Jacobson,  vice-president;  Nels  M,  Evenson,  cashier. 
The  present  officers  are:  Nels  M.  Evenson,  president;  James  A.  Caughren, 
vice-president;  G.  R.  Lee,  cashier;  D.  B.  McCleery,  assistant  cashier. 

At  the  close  of  business  on  May  i,  1916,  the  bank  showed  the  following 
financial  condition:  Capital  stock,  $25,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided  profits, 
$13,340.34;  deposits,  $285,766.89;  loans  and  discounts,  $239,646.75;  cash 
assets,  $79,300.84. 

FARMERS    STATE    BANK    OF    EVANSVILLE.   , 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Evansville  was  established  in  1882.  The 
present  officers  are  as  follow:  G.  H.  Raiter,  president;  O.  C.  Amundson, 
vice-president;  Joseph  Mathison,  cashier;  V.  F.  Johnson,  assistant  cashier. 
A  recent  statement  of  the  bank  showed  the  following  condition:  Capital 
stock,  $10,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided  profits,  $7,500.00;  deposits,  $131,- 
000.00;  loans  and  discounts,  $118,000.00;  cash  assets,  $26,000.00. 

EVANSVILLE    STATE    BANK. 

The  Evansville  State  Bank  was  established  on  October  i,  1902,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $10,000.00.  The  first  officers  were:  Tollef  Jacobson,  presi- 
dent; Andrew  Jacobson,  vice-president;  Oscar  Lindstrom,  cashier;  O.  J. 
Wallen,  assistant  cashier.  In  1904  O.  J.  Wallen  was  elected  cashier.  In 
May,  1912,  the  capital  stock  was  increased  to  $25,000.00,  and  a  surplus  of 
$5,000.00  was  set  aside.  The  present  officers  are :  John  Anderson,  presi- 
dent; A.  J.  Ostrom,  vice-president;  O.  J.  Wallen,  cashier;  J.  T.  Larson, 
assistant  cashier. 

At  the  close  of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  the  condition  of  the  bank  was : 
Capital  stock,  $25,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided  profits,  $11,013.60;  deposits, 
$216,714.14;  loans  and  discounts,  $217,443.47;  cash  assets,  $27,168.92. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  283 

FIRST    NATIONAL    BANK   OF   BRANDON. 

The  Brandon  State  Bank  was  organized  in  1902,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $10,000.00.  O.  F.  Olson  was  the  president  and  Theodore  F.  Olson  was 
the  cashier.  On  June  16,  1916,  this  institution  was  converted  into  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Brandon,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000.00.  Toilet 
Jacobsen  is  president  and  Ferd  Swenson  is  cashier. 

Statement  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Brandon  at  the  close  of  busi- 
ness on  August  6,  1916:  Capital  stock,  $25,000.00;  surplus,  $10,000.00; 
deposits,  $211,932.72;  loans,  $179,414.91;  cash  assets,  $45,368.95. 

F.\RMERS   STATE    B.\NK    OF    BRANDON. 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Brandon  was  organized  on  No\-ember  11, 
1910.  Its  first  officers  were:  P.  O.  Unumb,  president;  B.  T.  Teigen,  vice- 
president;  George  Drexler,  cashier;  A.  B.  Burkee,  assistant  cashier.  Mr. 
Drexler  died  on  April  13.  1914,  and  was  succeeded  by  A.  B.  Burkee  as 
cashier.     The  present  assistant  cashier  is  Edwin  Berg. 

At  the  close  of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  the  statement  of  the  bank 
was  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $15,000.00;  surplus,  $4,000.00:  deposits, 
$255,112.54;  loans  and  discounts,  $250,716.55;  cash  assets,  $18,330.67. 

FIRST    STATE    BANK    OF    CARLOS. 

The  First  State  Bank  of  Carlos  was  organized  on  Septemlier  5,  1904, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000.00.  The  first  officers  were:  S.  .\.  Netland. 
president;  A.  O.  Netland,  vice-president;  James  B.  Hove,  cashier.  The 
present  officers  are:  James  B.  Hove,  president;  A.  ]\I.  Kohlhaas,  vice-presi- 
dent ;  Edward  B.  Dahlsten,  cashier. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follow:  Capital  stock,  $10,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $3,264.34;  deposits,  $158,338.44;  loans  and  discounts,  $145,795.76; 
cash  assets,  $19,850.29. 

GARFIELD    ST.\TE    BANK. 

The  Garfield  State  Bank  was  organized  on  IMarch  2-j,  1905,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $10,000.00.  The  first  officers  were:  Harry  Dranger,  presi- 
dent; Ferd.  Swenson.  cashier.     The  present  officers  are:     Ferd.   Swenson, 


284   "  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

president;   John   A.    Linnard,    vice-president;    Theodore    Walstad,    cashier; 
George  Roche,  assistant  cashier. 

At  the  close  of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  the  condition  of  the  bank 
was  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $15,000,00;  .surplus,  $3,000.00;  deposits, 
$193,427.53;  loans  and  discounts,  $185,442.04;  cash  assets,  $19,461.59. 

NELSON    STATE    BANK. 

The  Nelson  State  Bank  was  incorporated  on  April  23,  1907,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $12,000.00.  The  fir.st  officers  were:  James  Manuel,  presi- 
dent; H.  J.  Ernster,  cashier.  Directors:  C.  H.  Larson,  T.  A.  Erickson  and 
George  Stromlund.  The  present  officers  are:  C.  H.  Larson,  president;  F. 
Otto  Swenson,  vice-president;  George  Stromlund,  cashier;  Ida  A.  Erickson 
and  Hanna  M.  Stromlund,  assistant  cashiers.  T.  A.  Erickson  and  Nels 
Sather  are  on  the  board  of  directors. 

At  the  close  of  inisiness  on  June  30,  1916.  the  condition  of  the  bank 
was  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $12,000.00;  surplus,  $3,448.63;  deposits, 
$124,867.82;  loans  and  discounts,  $120,367.25;  cash  assets,  $13,305.79. 

FIRST   STATE    BANK    OF    KENSINGTON. 

The  First  State  Bank  of  Kensington  was  established  in  1909.  The 
present  officers  are:  C.  H.  Raiter.  president;  H.  Thorson,  vice-president; 
O.  W.  Harrison,  cashier ;  C.  D.  Sampson,  assistant  cashier.  The  principal 
items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  are  as 
follow:  Capital  stock,  $15,000.00:  surplus  and  undivided  profits,  $6,100.83; 
deposits,  $209,222.86;  loans  and  discounts,  $200,195.40;  cash  assets, 
$^3.795-09- 

FARMERS    STATE    BANK    OF    FORADA. 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Forada  was  organized  in  19 13,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $10,000.00.  The  first  officers  were:  Fred  C.  Meade,  presi- 
dent; John  Lorenz,  vice-president;  Henry  Daniels,  cashier.  The  present 
officers  are:  Theodore  Aune,  president;  John  Lorenz,  vice-president;  N.  P. 
Norling,  cashier. 

At  the  close  of  Ijusiness  on  June  30,  19 16,  the  statement  of  the  bank 
showed  the  following  condition:  Capital  stock,  $10,000.00;  surplus  and 
undivided  profits,  $2,269.94;  deposits,  $48,078.80;  loans  and  discounts,  $49,- 
333.78;  -cash  assets,  $4,130.05. 


DOUCa.AS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


JIELBY    STATE    BANK. 

The  Alelby  State  Bank  was  estalilished  in  1914.  Tlie  present  officers 
are:  E.  A.  Jewett,  president;  H.  M.  Palmquist,  vice-president;  J.  L.  Everts, 
cashier.  A  statement  of  the  bank  for  June  30,  1916,  shows  the  following 
condition:  Capital  stock,  $10,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided  profits,  $2,- 
228.39;  deposits,  $44,489.89;  loans  and  discounts,  $48,466.00;  cash  assets, 
$3,678.27. 

GERMAN   .\MERICAN    STATE   BANK   OF    MILLERVILLE. 

The  German  American  State  Bank  of  jNlillerville  was  chartered  on  May 
II,  1914,  and  opened  for  business  on  August  i,  1914.  The  present  officers 
are:  Tollef  Jacobson,  president;  Frank  Buscher,  cashier.  Directors:  Tol- 
lef  Jacobson,  Ferd.  Swenson,  F.  G.  Dobmeyer,  P.  B.  Lorsung  and  Frank 
Buscher. 

At  the  cjose  of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  the  condition  of  the  bank  was 
as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $10,000.00;  surplus  and  undivided  profits,  $2,- 
124.30;  deposits,  $61,616.88;  loans  and  discounts,  $54,538.16;  cash  assets, 
$15,034.27. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Military  Annals. 

On  the  lawn  of  the  Douglas  county  court  house  there  stands  a  beautiful 
gray  granite  monument,  surmounted  by  a  life-size  bronze  figure  of  a  soldier 
standing  at  guard.  On  the  face  of  the  granite  shaft  there  is  carved  a  repro- 
duction of  the  familiar  emblem  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  on 
the  left  side  of  the  shaft  there  is  carved  the  following  inscription: 

IN    MEMORY    OF 

THE  SOLDIERS  AND  SAILORS  OF  THE  CIML  WAR, 
1861  TO  1865 

IT    WAS    ERECTED    BY    THE    PERSONAL    INFLUENCE    OF 

REV.    T.    W.    CRITCHETTE,    D.    D., 

COMMANDER    OF    J.    L.    REYNOLDS    POST    NO.     5 1,    DEPT.    OF    MINN., 

G.    A.    R..    THE    W.    R.    C.    AND    THE    CITIZENS    OF    DOUGLAS    COUNTY. 

DEDICATED    MAY   3O,    I916. 

Douglas  count}-  not  having  had  a  formal,  separate  civic  entity  during 
the  period  of  the  Civil  War,  it  having  teen,  previous  to  the  spring  of  1866, 
attached  to  Stearns  C(iunt}-  for  civil  purposes,  the  military  annals  of  the 
region  now  comprised  within  the  boundaries  of  Douglas  county  hardly  can 
be  regarded  as  those  of  the  latter  county,  but  rather  of  Stearns  county,  to 
which  it  then  was  attached.  When  the  Civil  ^^'ar  broke  out  there  were  not 
manv  settlers  in  the  territory  now  comprised  within  Douglas  county  and  of 
these  all  but  a  very  few  scattered  and  left  during  the  time  of  the  Indian  up- 
rising in  the  next  year,  the  story  of  which,  together  with  a  history  of  the 
estalilishment  of  the  old  stockade  at  Alexandria,  following  the  outbreak,  is 
told  in  an  earlier  chapter.  Of  the  few  settlers  in  this  region,  however,  a 
goodlv  percentage  responded  to  the  call  to  arms  and  joined  the  forces  of 
the  state  of  Minnesota  in  aiding  to  put  down  the  rebellion  of  the  Southern 
states,  this  percentage  having  been  sufficiently  high  to  obviate  the  necessity 
for  the  exercise  of  the  draft  throughout  this  region.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  and  upon  the  re-establishment  of  a  sense  of  security  against  the  Indians 
in  this  section,  settlement  became  quite  rapid  and  among  these  settlers  were 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  287 

many  of  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  War,  who  came  out  here  seeking  new 
homes  in  this  promising  region.  These  veterans  in  the  due  course  of  time 
formed  local  posts  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  one  at  Osakis  and  one 
at  Alexandria,  and  the  rosters  of  these  posts  may  therefore  very  properly 
be  regarding  as  continuing  the  military  annals  of  the  county  in  so  far  as 
the  Civil  ^^^ar  is  concerned. 

JOHN    L.    REYNOLDS    POST    NO.    5I. 

The  charter  of  John  L.  Reynolds  Post  No.  51,  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic,  Department  of  ^linnesota.  was  granted  at  Stillwater  on  October 
29,  1883,  John  P.  Rea  then  being  department  commander  and  Samuel  Bloo- 
neir,  assistant  adjutant-general,  following  l>eing  the  charter  members  of  the 
post :  Horatio  Jenkins,  Thomas  F.  Cowing,  Lewis  J.  Brown,  James  S.  Chap- 
man, John  B.  Cowing,  Henry  K.  White,  Buel  Chidester,  William  E.  Chid- 
ester,  Andrew  J.  Ames,  Charles  Schultz,  Lewis  S.  Hill,  William  H.  Hutchin- 
son, Joseph  Gilpin,  Charles  Perkins  and  Ole  J.  Urness.  The  post  held  its 
first  meeting  in  Cowing's  Opera  Hall  at  Alexandria  on  October  29,  1883, 
and  W.  H.  Harrington,  chief  mustering  officer  of  the  Department  of  ]\Iinne- 
sota.  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  installed  the  post  and  officers  of  the 
same,  the  officers  being  as  follow :  Commander,  Horatio  Jenkins ;  senicjr 
vice-commander,  Thomas  F.  Cowing;  junior  vice-commander,  William  H. 
Sanders;  surgeon,  Lewis  J.  Brown;  chaplain,  James  S.  Chapman;  quarter- 
master, J.  B.  Cowing;  adjutant,  WilHam  E.  Chidester;  officer  of  the  day, 
Henry  White ;  officer  of  the  guard,  Buel  Chidester ;  sergeant-major,  Andrew 
Ames. 

John  L.  Reynolds  Post  grew  in  strength  of  numljers  and  in  local  influ- 
ence with  the  passing  of  years  until  its  roster  came  to  number  one  hundred 
and  seventy-nine,  the  meml^ers,  in  addition  to  those  mentioned  above  being 
as  follow :  Hiram  Shippey,  Hiram  P.  James,  James  A.  Shotwell,  William  A. 
Downs,  Oliver  B.  Cooley,  A.-  H.  Taylor,  George  A.  Whitcomb,  Francis 
Giles,  Charles  E.  Jenkins,  F.  C.  Meade,  William  P.  Burgan,  G.  J.  Strang. 
Samuel  J.  Johnson,  James  Shaver,  George  E.  Ke}-es,  Knute  Nelson,  Leon- 
ard West,  Henry  H.  Brown,  David  Johnson,  Peter  Lundgren,  W.  H.  Hal- 
stad,  W.  C.  Roland,  John  Lindquist,  John  Barnard,  Hamilton  Tavlor,  F.  G. 
Stevens,  N.  N.  Hardy,  Fred  von  Baumbach,  A.  A.  Brown,  James  C.  Miller. 
Royal  Colby,  Dennis  Crandall,  \\'.  R,  Franklin,  James  A.  Miller,  C.  \\'.  Co- 
field.  Moses  Fredenberg,  Isaiah  Johnson,  Cah'in  .\bbott,  .Albert  Hubljell. 
Rial  Catlin,  Thomas   Kinney.   Mathias   Swap,   Joseph   Cramer.   William   H 


288  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

Countryman,  R.  B.  Oliver,  George  W.  Frost.  Paul  Paulson,  Carl  W.  Wood- 
ward. Xels  Abrahamson,  H.  L.  Lewis,  James  F.  Dicken,  William  L.  'Slc- 
Kenzie,  William  P.  Rogers,  Daniel  Allee,  Martin  J.  Norde,  Johnson  Baker, 
Christopher  Halvorsen,  George  W.  Gardner,  Thomas  Bratton.  John  N. 
Shelru,  George  W.  Partridge,  Olaf  Dahlheim,  James  Madison,  John  Sund- 
blad,  Andrew  J.  Urness,  George  G.  ^Mitchell,  William  Hounsell,  James  J. 
McQuillan,  Luther  South,  James  R.  Patten,  Olaf  Fahlin,  Philander  Brooks, 
Gilbert  Olson,  John  Olson,  Jr.,  Moses  Ingersoll,  H.  G.  Fladeland,  Cyrus  B. 
Chase.  James  W.  Roath.  Henry  Johnson,  Fred  Prodger,  Samuel  Jones,  John 
Peterson.  Andrew  Burkee,  John  X.  Hanson,  John  A.  Anderson,  Nicholas 
Mager,  Peter  Smith,  John  DeBilzen,  August  Wilm,  J.  L.  Kasson,  J.  C. 
Terrvl,  Gustav  Olason,  William  Ziska,  John  A.  Johnson,  Charles  Laurel, 
\\'illiam  Kapphahn,  Joshua  M.  Doudna,  Alonzo  Kellogg,  Laurentz  Johnson, 
Justus  O.  Kellogg,  Nicholas  Renkes,  John  Hobart,  John  E.  Allen,  William 
A.  Baile}-,  John  C.  Carley,  Francis  W.  Frederick,  John  Moses,  James  Fitz- 
gerald, Frank  Webber,  Frank  H.  Colby,  George  H.  Ostrum,  William  Mc- 
Crory,  William  B.  Dow,  Olie  Olson,  Olie  Brandson,  Charles  Buscher,  Charles 
H.  Wright,  Ed.  Peterson,  Josiah  Kimball,  James  H.  Abbott,  Nicholas  Sand- 
strom.  Nelson  Peck,  Almon  Warner,  Stephen  W.  Miller,  Theo.  A.  Emerson, 
August  Gutzman,  George  A.  Freundenberg,  \"alentine  Nichols,  Egbert  Ful- 
lerton,  Gilbert  Hayford,  Samuel  Laws,  Alvin  Milligan,  John  R.  Moran, 
James  Bright,  Jesse  Barrick,  Amos  Bacon,  William  A.  McDonald,  Henry 
Haner,  Solomon  Demming,  David  R.  B.  Hall,  Edward  Alger,  Joseph  Alger, 
Benjamin  W.  Noe,  Charles  W.  Sutton,  P.  L.  Letherman,  R.  Larson,  Vincent 
Cooley,  Chris  McCabe,  Frank  J.  Stevens,  Thomas  Cooper,  Henry  Yerigen. 
Charles  F.  McKillips,  William  Cort,  James  Goddard,  James  Watters,  Rev. 
T.  W.  Critchette,  D.  D.,  Melvin  Cushman,  George  Mathison,  Gottlieb  Grie- 
bio,  Lewis  S.  Patten  and  Melvin  Churchman,  besides  whom  the  names  of 
John  Anderson,  Thomas  Carpenter  and  William  Wagoner  are  mentioned  on 
the  roll  as  veterans  not  members  of  the  post. 

With  the  passage  of  time  and  in  consequence  of  death  and  removals, 
the  present  membership  of  the  post  has  dwindled  down  to  thirty-two.  Meet- 
ings are  held  in  a  room  on  the  second  floor  of  the  court  house,  provided 
through  the  courtesy  of  the  county  commissioners,  and  the  present  (1916) 
officers  of  the  post  are  as  follows:  Commander,  Rev.  T.  W.  Critchette,  D. 
D. ;  senior  vice-commander,  Thomas  Cooper;  jimior  vice-commander,  Frank 
F.  Stevens;  officer  of  the  day,  Luther  South;  officer  of  the  guard,  Henry 
A'earkin;  adjutant,  Melvin  Cushman;  quartermaster,  James  Watters,  and 
chaplain.  T.  W.  Critchette. 


DOUGLAS    ANU    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


JOHN    KENNEDY    POST   NO.    4I. 

John  Kennedy  Post  No.  41,  Department  of  Minnesota,  Grand  Arm}-  of 
the  Republic,  was  instituted  at  Osakis  on  May  27,  1885,  with  M.  D.  Judkins, 
W.  H.  Crows,  F.  A.  Caswell,  William  Johnson,  S.  R.  Smith,  M.  Johnson, 
W.  H.  Stevens,  V.  A.  Edgerly,  John  Bailor,  L.  E.  Stallcop,  H.  H.  Sander- 
son, J.  B.  Johnson,  B.  W.  Viles,  H.  O.  Whipple,  John  Casterline,  J.  H. 
Passon,  John  Hoosline,  E.  J.  Wickwire,  Stephen  John,  J.  B.  Sherman,  J.  H. 
Rock,  W^  B.  Lyons,  A.  O.  Chapin,  E.  G.  Pike,  C.  N.  Tubbs,  C.  W.  B.  Taylor 
and  Paul  Harmon  as  charter  members  and  the  following  officers :  Com- 
mander, Joseph  Bird;  senior  vice-commander,  Levi  Stallcop;  junior  vice- 
commander,  I\Iark  D.  Judkins,  and  adjutant,  \\\  H.  Crows.  Kennedy  post 
remained  active  for  many  }"ears,  but  in  course  of  time  its  ranks  l>ecame  so 
thinned  b}"  death  and  removals  that  it  finally  disbanded.  At  one  time  the 
post  was  a  strong  organization,  owned  their  own  building  and  held  their 
meetings  with  due  regularity.  But  as  the  years  advanced  death  entered  the 
ranks,  many  moved  away,  interest  subsided  and  it  was  found  impossible  to 
maintain  the  post.  Following  is  a  complete  roster  of  the  post,  sixty-seven 
in  all:  M.  D.  Judkins,  William  H.  Crowe,  F.  A.  Caswell,  S.  R.  Smith, 
Morgan  Johnson,  William  H.  Stevens,  V.  A.  Edgley,  John  Bailor,  Levy 
Stalcap,  H.  H.  Sanderson,  J.  B.  Johnson,  C.  N.  Tiebs,  E.  G.  Pike,  O.  O. 
Chapin,  O.  A\\  Tiger,  B.  W.  Viles,  Paul  Harmon,  H.  O.  Whiffle,  John  Cas- 
terton,  John  Hoostine,  P.  H.  Pason,  E.  Wickwire,  John  Stephen,  John  B. 
Scherman,  John  H.  Rock,  W^  B.  Lyons,  William  Johnson,  James  H.  Fisher, 
W.  W.  Wood,  AL  W.  Adley,  Joseph  Bird,  James  Stanley,  William  Millard, 
William  Curtis,  'SL  G.  Tixley,  John  R.  Lysing,  David  Chapman,  Webster 
Howard,  Sam  Gonser,  J.  H.  Mann,  O.  H.  P.  Fans,  George  Haskins,  John 
Debord,  Rubin  L.  Buck,  Calvin  Ripley,  B.  D.  Judkins,  A.  O.  Berry,  R.  B. 
Saterlee,  J.  B.  Perkins,  D.  A.  Edwards,  Alexander  Brink,  Charles  Peterson, 
William  Knowles,  Jacob  Bowman,  John  Kileble,  L.  P.  Beeding,  Dennis 
Huntley,  William  Schroeder,  A.  J.  Marrow,  John  Shaw,  Ruben  Skeesucker, 
V.  Warren,  W.  W.  Gorden,  R.  Tilton,  Dennis  Harden,  M.  Tilton,  R.  H. 
Belnap,,  C.  S.  Grover. 

THE  SPANISH-AMERICAN   WAR. 

On  the  25th  of  May,  1898,  just  one  month  after  the  declaration  of  war 
l:)et\veen  the  United  States  and  Spain,  President  McKinley  issued  his  second 
(19) 


290  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

call  for  troops.  The  patriotic  fervor  was  at  its  height  throughout  the  county. 
At  the  city  of  Alexandria  there  was  organized  a  company  of  volunteers,  one 
hundred  and  forty  strong,  which  was  promised  a  place  in  the  Fifteenth  Regi- 
ment, Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  but  like  a  good  many  other  like 
organizations,  it  was  doomed  to  be  disappointed,  for  there  were  sixty  such 
companies  and  only  twelve  could  be  used  at  this  time,  and  the  Alexandria 
volunteers  were  asked  to  wait  for  the  Sixteenth.  In  the  first  few  days  of 
July  a  number  of  the  boys  went  to  the  cities  and  enlisted  in  other  companies 
rather  than  wait  for  the  promised  Sixteenth  Regiment. 

Those  enlisting  in  Company  B,  under  Capt.  John  W.  Fineout,  were  as 
follows :  Asa  P.  Brooks,  Frank  R.  Beisholdt,  Erik  Florman,  Martin  Jensen, 
WiUiam  F.  Miller,  John  O'Farrell,  Henry  T.  Ronning,  Benjamin  F.  Gaskill, 
Bendix  N.  Bekker,  William  Gauthier,  Louis  O.  Lund,  David  Myers,  Oscar 
I.  Peterson  and  Carl  C.  A'anDyke,  all  of  Alexandria. 

Those  enlisting  in  Company  G,  under  Capt.  L.  S.  Nelson  were  as  fol- 
lows :  William  A.  Downs,  George  A.  Fish,  Edward  P.  Lampman,  Ovey  V. 
Shippey,  Henry  C.  Eichman,  Carl  J.  King  and  Frank  L.  Lampman,  all  of 
Alexandria,  and  Nick  Sward,  of  Nelson  Station. 

They  were  first  stationed  at  the  state  fair  grounds,  at  Camp  Ramsey, 
named  in  honor  of  the  first  governor  of  Minnesota,  and  there  on  July  18, 
1898,  the  regiment  was  mustered  in  as  a  body.  On  August  2^^  the  entire 
regiment,  except  Company  G  was  moved  to  Ft.  Snelling,  on  account  of  the 
epidemic  of  typhoid  fever  which  had  taken  a  strong  hold  on  the  boys  at 
Camp  Ramsey.  Company  G  was  left  to  police  the  grounds  and  followed  the 
main  body  the  next  day.  Although  several  of  the  boys  from  Douglas  county 
fell  a  prey  to  the  dreaded  disease,  they  were  all  fortunate  in  recovering.  Not 
so  with  all  in  the  regiment,  however,  for  a  great  number  died.  On  the  15th 
of  September  the  boys  left  for  Camp  Meade,  Pennsylvania.  On  November 
15  the  boys  again  moved,  this  time  to  Augusta,  Georgia,  where  they  remained 
until  they  were  mustered  out  on  March  27,  1899.  In  addition  to  those  volun- 
teers from  Douglas  county  mentioned  above,  there  were  about  half  a  dozen 
who  enlisted  in  various  other  regiments. 


CHAPTER  XVni, 
Fraternal  and  Benevolent  Societies. 

The  spirit  of  fraternity  in  the  way  of  formal  organizations  of  the  vari- 
ous secret  societies  began  early  to  be  manifested  in  Douglas  county  after 
the  rough  edges  of  pioneer  living  had  been  somewhat  worn  off,  and,  although 
this  community  is  not  so  strongly  marked  by  the  presence  of  secret  societies 
as  are  some  communities  in  the  state,  there  have  been  from  the  beginning 
some  well-organized  and  influential  fraternal  associations  in  the  county. 
Some  of  these  have  maintained  their  organization  in  compact  form;  others 
have  flourished  for  a  time  and  then  gone  down  through  a  decline  in  interest 
on  the  part  of  their  respective  memljers.  The  majority  of  the  lodges  in  the 
county  at  present  are  those  organized  for  insurance  purposes  rather  than 
for  any  other  reason  and  the  social  side  of  these  latter  associations  has  never 
been  very  strongly  played  up,  the  members  keeping  up  their  "dues"  in  behalf 
of  the  insurance  feature,  but  giving  little  attention  to  the  fraternity  idea 
that  is  made  much  of  by  some  such  associations  in  other  communities.  The 
majority  of  these  have  no  corporate  existence  and  some  do  not  even  main- 
tain lodge  headquarters.  An  effort  has  been  made  to  obtain  a  complete  list 
of  the  various  fraternal  and  benevolent  societies  in  the  county,  but  the  Hsl 
which  follows  does  not  purport  to  be  complete,  not  a  few  of  the  societies 
thus  approached  for  information  failing  to  supply  the  necessary  data  to 
make  up  a  report  on  the  same. 

The  first  "lodge"  to  file  articles  of  incorporation  in  Douglas  county  was 
Alexandria  Lodge  No.  54,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  which  on 
]\Iay  I,  1876,  was  incorporated  with  the  following  charter  members:  B. 
Nicholas,  W.  L.  McCallum,  Evison  Atkinson,  August  Kortsch  and  Samuel 
Beidelman,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  W.  L.  McCallum, 
noble  grand;  Evison  Atkinson,  vice-grand,  and  Fred  von  Baumbach,  sec- 
retary. 

The  second  was  Ida  Grange  No.  395,  incorporated  on  June  4,  1877,  with 
the  following  charter  members :  E.  H.  Alden,  Scharlatte  Alden,  Alexander 
Hasbrook,  James  F.  Dicken,  Jerome  Dicken,  Joseph  Pennar.  Abner  Darling, 


292  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Reuben  Ecker.  Rebecca  A.  Ecker,  Elizabetb  Bedman.  Heiir)'  Alden  and  Henry 
H.  Brown. 

On  March  14,  1895,  Brandon  Lodge  No.  224,  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  was  instituted  with  F.  W.  Ruppelius,  Herman  Nootnagel, 
Gustavus  Gunther,  Rudolph  Wagner,  Joshua  M.  Doudna  and  the  following 
officers:  Noble  grand,  F.  W.  Ruppelius;  vice-grand,  Herman  Nootnagel, 
and  secretary,  L.  E.  Williams. 

Douglas  Encampment  No.  47,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  ac- 
cording to  its  articles  of  incorporation  filed  in  the  office  of  the  register  of 
deeds,  was  instituted  on  September  25,  1897,  with  George  G.  S.  Campbell, 
James  Walker,  James  H.  ^'an  Dyke,  A.  G.  Sexton,  A.  W.  Curtis,  Rudolph 
Wegener,  J.  A.  ]\IcKay,  Fred  von  Baumbach,  H.  K.  White.  George  F.  \Miit- 
comb,  J.  E.  Lundgren,  Hugo  Lundbohm,  Wego  ^^'erner,  F.  E.  FrankHn, 
Michael  Hickey,  Gilbert  Sargent,  N.  P.  Jacobson,  Charles  Culross,  J.  P. 
Simonson,  H.  J.  Boyd,  A.  M.  Kohlhaas,  H.  T.  Halvorson,  William  McKay, 
R.  J.  McNeil,  P.  Atkinson,  Jolm  Templeton,  Thomas  Hall,  S.  W.  McEwan 
and  A.  E.  Shippey,  charter  members. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  December  7,  1898,  Alexandria  Lodge  No.  185, 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  was  incorporated  with  the  following 
charter  members :  Arthur  S.  Mason,  Leon  E.  Waite,  Simon.  R.  Drum, 
Cyrus  T.  Allen,  C.  W.  Ridley,  D.  J.  Jones,  Fred  C.  Meade,  George  R. 
Auxer,  O.  J.  Reynolds,  H.  G.  Atwood,  L.  C.  Atwood.  O.  A.  Bailor,  G.  B. 
Carlton.  C.  L.  Gilbert,  C.  H.  Kline,  C.  N.  ]\Iitchell  and  .V.  D.  Sargent,  with 
the  following  officers:  :Master  workman,  William  E.  Kellogg;  foreman, 
J.  W.  Robards;  overseer,  Nels  Erickson;  recorder,  L.  C.  Atwood;  financier, 
J.  E.  Peterson;  receiver,  Charles  S.  Brown;  guide,  A.  E.  Shippey;  inside 
watch,  Hugo  Heere :  outside  watch,  J.  L.  Burgan. 

Alexandria  Lodge  No.  133,  Knights  of  Pythias,  at  Alexandria,  was 
incorporated  on  December  13,  1898,  said  lodge  having  been  instituted  on 
June  13,  1894,  the  charter  members  being  F.  B.  A'an  Hoesen,  Charles  S. 
Mitchell,  L.  E.  Waite,  George  E.  Soper,  N.  W.  Hicks,  G.  A.  Kortsch,  W.  K. 
Barnes,  Milo  Strieker,  Alex.  Jacobson,  Walter  E.  Peck,  H.  K.  White,  George 
S.  Spaulding,  G.  T.  Morrisse,  H.  T.  Halvorson,  George  F.  Whitcomb,  Glaus 
J.  Gunderson,  J.  H.  Letson,  N.  L.  Page,  W.  F.  Jordan,  C  H.  Raiter,  S.  D. 
Moles,  H.  W.  Allen,  R.  J.  McNeil,  George  L.  Treat,  G.  B.  Ward,  ^^'.  T. 
Cowing,  E.  P.  Wright,  C.  A.  Benson,  P.  O.  Unumb,  H.  Jenkins,  Sr.,  W.  F. 
Sundblad,  S.  W.  McEwan,  N.  .P.  Ward,  D.  J.  Jones,  H.  J.  Boyd  and  Joseph 
F.  Hieljel,  the  officers  at  the  time  of  incorporation  having  been  as  follow: 
Chancellor    commander.    ToUef    Jacolison;    vice-chancellor,    ]\Iiles    Strieker; 


DOUGLAS   ANO    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  293 

prelate.  W.'H.  Thompson;  master  of  work,  W.  T.  Hendren;  keeper  of  record 
and  seal,  Joseph  F.  Hiebel;  master  of  exchequer,  P.  O.  Unumb;  master  at 
arms,  Andrew  Jacobson;  trustees,  Charles  S.  Mitchell,  H.  K.  White  and 
W.  K.  Barnes.  This  lodge  is  no  longer  active,  having  surrendered  its 
charter  some  years  ago. 

Urness  Camp  No.  5521,  ]\Iodern  Woodmen  of  America,  in  the  town  of 
Urness,  at  a  meeting  held  in  the  camp  rooms  on  July  25,  1899,  was  incor- 
porated, the  officers  of  the  camp  at  that  time  being  as  follow:  Venerable 
counsel,  Oscar  Erickson :  worthy  advisor,  John  A.  Urness;  banker,  E.  G. 
Erickson;  clerk,  Oscar  Lindstrom;  escort,  John  G.  Doobin;  watchman,  John 
J.  Bugge;  sentry,  Ole  A.  Johnson;  managers,  Henry  N.  Hanson,  P.  J.  Bugge 
and  Nels  J.  Urness.  The  charter  members  of  this  camp  were  Peder  J.  Bugge, 
John  J.  Bugge,  John  G.  Doobin,  Erick  G.  Erickson,  Oscar  Erickson,  Henry 
N.  Hanson,  Ole  A.  Johnson,  Oscar  Lindstrom,  Charles  S.  Peterson,  Albert 
Ouam,  Andrew  Ouam.  John  A.  Urness,  Ole  K.  Urness,  Nils  J.  Urness  and 
Thomas  Thompson. 

The  Scandinavian  Mutual  Aid  Association  Siloah,  of  Holmes  City,  was 
incorporated  on  December  18,  1899,  an  association  for  relief  in  sickness, 
accident  or  death,  the  articles  of  incorporation  being  signed  by  the  follow- 
ing officers:  President,  H.  L.  Lewis,  vice-president.  Per  J.  Holm,  secretary, 
R.  \'allquist;  treasurer,  Jens  Backelin;  directors  at  large,  P.  J.  Christopher- 
son  and  John  Holmstedt. 

Perlbandet  Lodge  No.  49,  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars,  was 
incorporated  on  Novemljer  30,  1910,  with  the  following  officers:  President, 
Peter  Hoglin;  vice-president,  Jennie  Johnson;  secretary,  Ole  Wallner;  treas- 
urer, Andrew  Hjelm;  trustees,  Albert  Hanson,  Paulus  Paulson  and  P.  J. 
Hjelm. 

Besides  the  Grand  Army  Post  and  the  W'oman's  Relief  Corps,  which 
are  treated  of  in  the  chapter  relating  to  military  annals,  there  are  at  Alexan- 
dria, the  county  seat,  lodges  and  societies  as  follow:  Constellation  Lodge 
No.  81,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons;  Lyra  Chapter  No.  166,  Order 
of  the  Eastern  Star:  Alexandria  Lodge  No.  54,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows;  Douglas  Encampment  Xo.  47,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows; 
Canton  Caledonia,  Patriarchs  Militant;  Lady  of  the  Lake  Lodge  No.  173, 
Daughters  of  Rebekah ;  Alexandria  Homestead  No.  589,  Brotherhood  of 
American  Yeomen;  Alexandria  Lodge  No.  185,  Ancient  Order  of  United 
Workmen;  St.  Mary's  Court  No.  1067,  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters;  Alex- 
andria Lodge  No.  904,  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America;  Park  Region  Camp 
No.  2416,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America;  Maple  Camp  No.   2064.  Royal 


294  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Neighl)ors;  Alexandria  Tent  No.  65,  Knights  of  the  Maccabees,  and  a  lodge 
of  the  Ladies  of  the  Maccabees;  Alexandria  Lodge  No.  357,  American 
Nobles:  Alexandria  Council  No.  1715,  Knights  and  Ladies  of  Security; 
Alexandria  Observatory  No.  89,  North  Star  Lodge,  an  active  branch  of  the 
Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  the  Douglas  County  Humane  So- 
ciety and  the  Douglas  County  Agricultural  Society. 

woman's,  christian  temper.ance  union. 

The  Alexandria  branch  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union 
vifas  organized  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  Methodist  church  in  February,  1908, 
presided  over  by  Miss  Green,  with  the  following  charter  members :  Mrs. 
George  E.  Tindall,  Mrs.  Fred  Williams,  Mrs.  Francis  Davis,  Mrs.  Ida  Tart, 
Mrs.  Orin  Kellogg  and  Mrs.  Otto  Landeen,  the  first  officers  being  as  follow : 
President,  Mrs.  Martha  Williams;  vice-president,  Mrs.  Francis  Davis;  secre- 
tary, Mrs.  Orin  Kellogg:  treasurer,  Mrs.  Otto  Landeen.  The  union  now 
has  a  membership  of  sixty-six  and  is  officered  as  follow:  President,  Mrs. 
Eva  Wold;  vice-president,  Mrs.  Leonora  Squires;  corresponding  secretary, 
Mrs.  Anna  Poalson;  recording  secretary,  Mrs.  AHce  Haskins;  treasurer,  Mrs. 
Martha  Lobeck.  At  Evansville,  Brandon,  Garfield,  Kensington,  Ida  and 
Nelson  there  are  also  active  branches  of  this  form  of  social  work,  the  cor- 
responding secretary  of  the  union  at  Evansville  being  Mrs.  W.  M.  Thomp- 
son; Garfield,  Mrs.  Anna  Loren;  Kensington,  Mrs.  Agnes  Osterberg;  Bran- 
don Young  Peoples  Band,  Reuben  Hermanson;  Ida  Young  Peoples  Band, 
Miss  Belle  Angus,  and  Nelson  Young  Peoples  Band,  Emmaline  Younger. 

DOUGLAS    woman's    CHRISTIAN    TEMPERANCE    UNION. 

The  Douglas  Chapter,  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union,  at  Alex- 
andria, was  organized  on  November  4,  1914.  The  first  officers  were  as  fol- 
low: Mrs.  Etta  Mulligan,  president;  Mrs.  Ethel  Kinney,  vice-president;  Mrs. 
Katherine  Brandt,  recording  secretary;  Mrs.  Eunice  Franklin,  correspond- 
ing secretary:  Mrs.  Anna  Helming,  treasurer. 

The  active  charter  members  were :  Mrs.  Etta  Mulligan,  Mrs.  Katherine 
Brandt,  Mrs.  Eunice  Franklin,  Mrs.  Ethel  Kinney,  Mrs.  Anna  Helming. 
Mrs.  Mable  Reynolds,  Mrs.  Ida  Hanson,  Miss  Eva  Whiting,  Mrs.  Jessie 
Walters,  Mrs.  Mary  Larsen,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Sherwood,  Mrs.  Maud  Larson, 
Mrs.  Cornelia  Osten-Sacken.  Mrs.  Lillian  Bovd,  Mrs.  Louise  Wedum,  Mrs. 


l)()i;i;las  and  grant  counties,  Minnesota.  295 

.■\iigeline  Hounsell,  Mrs.  Delia  Nelson,  Mrs.  Ida  Lor,  Mrs.  Florence  Hicks, 
Mrs.  Bertha  Osborn.  Mrs.  Mary  Geer  and  Mrs.  Freudenberg. 

The  honorary  charter  members  were:  S.  C.  Nelson,  R.  C.  Franklin, 
E.  J.  Brandt,  Elmer  Watters,  John  T.  Flanagan  and  Fergus  A.  Flanagan. 
The  present  officers  are :  Miss  Eva  Whiting,  president;  Mrs.  Louise  Wedum, 
vice-president;  Miss  Mae  Cowan,  recording  secretary;  Mrs.  Henrietta 
Morris,  corresponding  secretary;  Mrs.  Anna  Helming,  treasurer.  The 
chapter  now  has  fift^•-four  active  members  and  nineteen  honorar)-  members. 

.\NCIENT    FREE    AND    ACCEPTED    MASONS. 

A  dispensation  was  granted  to  organize  Constellation  Lodge  No.  81, 
Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  Alexandria  on  February  25,  1869. 
The  lodge  was  duly  organized  on  March  8,  1869,  with  the  following  officers: 
N.  B.  Patterson,  worshipful  master:  L.  ^^^  Kilbourne.  senior  ma,ster;  F.  B. 
Van  Hoesen,  junior  warden;  John  D.  Aldrich,  junior  deacon;  \A'.  T.  Eng- 
lish, senior  deacon :  L.  W.  Rima,  tyler ;  George  F.  Cowing,  treasurer ;  L.  G. 
Sims,  secretary.  The  charter  of  the  lodge  was  received  on  January  27,  1870. 
The  lodge  now  has  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  fifteen,  with  the  fol- 
lowing officers:  W.  J.  Sheldon,  worshipful  master;  J.  H.  Stevens,  senior 
warden;  H.  E.  Leach,  junior  warden;  C.  C.  Strang,  senior  deacon;  A.  M. 
Foker,  junior  deacon;  C.  H.  Raiter,  senior  steward ;  F.  Garvey,  junior  stew- 
ard; C.  Fiskness,  tyler;  C.  F.  Raiter,  treasurer;  J.  A.  Kinney,  secretary. 

OSAKIS   LODGE   NO.    l8o. 

Osakis  Lodge  No.  180,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  was  organ- 
ized at  Osakis  on  May  5,  1888,  by  Deputy  Grand  Master  Bridgman,  of 
Star  in  the  ^^'est  Lodge  No.  60,  at  Sauk  Center,  Minnesota.  The  charter 
members  were:  W.  H.  Crowe,  J.  H.  Rock,  H.  Chalfant,  G.  R.  Babbitt,  W. 
P.  Long,  W.  B.  Lyons,  C.  Nelson  and  L  P.  Schei.  The  first  officers  were: 
VV.  H.  Crowe,  worshipful  master;  J.  H.  Rock,  senior  warden;  H.  Chalfant, 
junior  warden ;  W.  B.  Lyons,  secretary ;  W.  P.  Long,  treasurer.  This  lodge 
holds  its  meetings  in  the  Masonic  hall  in  the  Caughren  block.  The  officers 
for  1916  are:  C.  G.  Millard,  worshipful  master;  G.  L.  Bryant,  senior 
warden;  L.  M.  Thorbum,  secretary;  J.  M.  Curtis,  treasurer. 

Evansville  Lodge  No.  214,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at 
Evansville,  was  organized  on  May  25,  1894,  with  the  following  charter 
members :    Charles  W.  Webb,  Christ  Nelson,  P.  J.  Wrangelborg,  Olaf  Dahl- 


296  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

heim  and  F.  N.  Miner,  the  first  elective  officers  being  as  follow :  Wor- 
shipful master,  Charles  \\'.  Webb;  senior  warden,  Christ  Xelson;  junior 
warden,  P.  J.  Wrangelborg ;  treasurer,  Olaf  Dahlheim;  secretary,  F.  N. 
Miner.  The  lodge  has  a  present  membership  of  thirty-six  and  the  pres- 
ent (1916)  officers  are  as  follow:  Worshipful  master,  Allen  H.  Nelson; 
senior  warden,  E.  L.  Anderson;  junior  warden,  A.  C.  Hanson;  treasurer, 
C.  W.  Webb;  secretary,  H.   E.  Alstead. 

INDEPENDENT    ORDER    OF    ODD    FELLOWS. 

Alexandria  Lodge  No.  54,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  was 
instituted  on  April  18,  1876,  at  Alexandria,  with  the  following  charter  mem- 
bers: B.  Nichols,  \y.  L.  McCalum,  Evison  Atkinson,  August  Kortsch  and 
Samuel  Beidleman.  The  first  officers  were  as  follow :  Noble  grand,  W.  L. 
McCalum ;  vice-grand,  E.  Atkinson ;  recording  secretary,  Fred  von  Baum- 
bach;  treasurer,  August  Kortsch.  The  present  membership  of  the  lodge 
numbers  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  and  the  present  officers  are :  Noble 
grand,  L.  P.  Schroeder;  vice-grand,  A.  C.  Jensen;  recording  secretary,  John 
C.  Antonson ;  financial  secretary,  F.  E.   Franklin ;  treasurer,  C.   H.  Jensen. 

Douglas  Encampment  No.  47,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  was 
instituted  on  September  25,  1897,  i^i  Odd  Fellows  hall  at  Alexandria  with 
the  following  charter  memljers :  George  G.  S.  Campbell,  James  Walker, 
James  H.  \'an  Dyke,  A.  G.  Sexton,  A.  W.  Curtis,  Rudolph  Wegener,  J.  A. 
McKay,  F.  von  Baumbach,  H.  K.  White,  George  F.  Whitcomb,  J.  E.  Lund- 
gren,  Hugo  Lumbohm,  Wego  Werner,  F.  E.  Franklin,  Michael  Hickey, 
Gilbert  Sargeant,  N.  P.  Jacobson.  Charles  Culross,  J.  P.  Simonson,  H.  J. 
Boyd,  A.  M.  Kahlhaas,  H.  T.  Halverson,  W.  W..  McKay,  R.  J.  McNeal, 
Parnell  Atkinson,  John  Templeton,  Thomas  Hall,  S.  W.  McEwan  and  A.  E. 
Shippey.  The  first  officers  were  George  G.  ,S.  Campbell,  James  Walker, 
James  H.  Van  Dyke,  A.  G.  Sexton,  R.  Wegener  and  J.  A.  McKay.  The 
present  membership  of  the  Encampment  is  thirty-one  and  the  present  officers 
are  Fred  Radecop,  N.  N.  Akesen,  A.  E.  Alger,  G.  A.  Anderson,  F.  E. 
Franklin,  F.  T.  Geer  and  Richard  Chase. 

Canton  Caledonia  No.  18,  Patriarchs  Militant,  Independent  Order  ,of 
Odd  Fellows,  was  instituted  on  February  10,  19 10,  in  Odd  Fellows  hall  at 
Alexandria,  with  the  following  charter  members:  J.  E.  Lundgren,  F.  E. 
Franklin,  J.'  S.  McKay,  A.  H.  McKay,  L.  C.  Atwood,  J.  A.  McKay,  S.  B. 
McKay,  George  M.  \'iering,  A.  E.  Shippey,  R.  A.  McKay,  G.  A.  Anderson. 
J.  A.  Munkberg,  John  S.  Lien,  Casper  Hanson,  F.  T.  Geer,  Elmer  E.  Peter- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  297 

son,  E.  C.  Oppel  and  A.  G.  Sexton.  The  first  officers  were  as  follow :  Cap- 
tain, J.  E.  Lundgren ;  lieutenant,  F.  E.  Franklin ;  ensign,  J.  S.  McKay ;  clerk, 
A.  H.  2\IcKav;  treasurer,  L.  C.  Atwood.  The  present  membership  is  sixteen 
and  the  present  officers  are:  Captain,  F.  T.  Geer;  lieutenant,  J.  A.  McKay; 
ensign,  L.  S.  Kent;  clerk,  E.  E.  Franklin;  treasurer,  G.  A.  Anderson. 

Lady  of  the  Lake  Rebekah  Lodge  No.  173,  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows,  was  instituted  on  April  8,  1898,  in  Odd  Fellows  hall  at  Alexandria, 
with  the  -following  charter  members :  J.  E.  Lundgren,  Mary  J.  Campbell, 
William  McKay,  E.  C.  Raiter,  Nina  Pratt,  John  Templeton,  Julia  Baumbach, 
F.  C.  Oppel,  G.  G.  S.  Campbell,  Lillian  R.  Boyd,  J.  A.  McKay,  Ella  M. 
Sweet,  Maud  McKay,  Charles  J.  Lindstrom,  B.  T.  Emerson,  Claudia  Stevens, 
R.  J.  McNeal,  Henriette  Wilson,  Millie  O.  Sexton,  Ollie  Rodgers,  Caroline 
Lindstrom,  George  E.  Whitcomb,  Winnie  Van  Loon,  May  Hall,  A.  G.  Sex- 
ton, Sarah  Walker,  Cora  M.  Brooks,  R.  Wegener,  Mary  E.  Geer,  Marie 
Walker,  Thomas  Hall,  F.  von  Baumbach,  L.  S.  Kaiser,  E.  E.  Robinson,  C. 
Tart,  A.  W.  Curtis,  A.  E.  Shippey,  F.  T.  Geer,  Charlotte  Campbell,  J.  H. 
Van  Dvke,  Ellen  M.  Kaiser,  Louise  C.  Kortsch,  S.  S.  Pratt,  Anna  Temple- 
ton,  Emma  L.  Shippey,  E.  E.  Dent  and  Alice  E.  McNeal.  The  first  officers 
were  as  follows  :  Noble  grand,  Ella  M.  Sweet ;  vice-grand,  Louise  C.  Kortsch ; 
recording  secretary,  Charlotte  Campbell;  financial  secretary,  Winona  Sex- 
ton ;  treasurer,  Maud  McKay.  The  present  membership  is  seventy-six  and 
the  present  officers  are  :  Noble  grand,  Ida  Alger ;  vice-grand,  Clara  Schroed- 
er:  recording  secretary,  Josephine  Satterlee;  financial  secretary,  E.  E. 
Franklin;  treasurer,  Mattie  Allen. 

BROTHERHOOD    OF    AMERICAN    YEOMEN. 

Alexandria  Homestead  No.  589,  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen, 
was  organized  on  March  28,  1902,  at  a  meeting  in  E.  E.  Buell's  office  in  the 
city  of  Alexandria,  the  meeting  being  called  to  order  by  C.  W.  Collinge, 
tleputy.  On  April  2,  1902,  the  first  officers  of  the  Homestead  were  elected, 
as  follow :  Past  foreman,  E.  A.  Hensel ;  foreman,  E.  E.  Buell ;  master  of 
ceremonies,  Frank  Raiter;  master  of  accounts,  Nelse  Erickson;  correspond- 
ent, Newton  Trenham ;  chaplain,  James  L.  Alton ;  overseer,  Frank  Miller ; 
watchman,  S.  R.  Sweet;  sentinel,  Charles  S.  MitcheU,;  guard,  ^^'illianl  E. 
Xesbitt;  lodge  deputy.  Roljert  Brough.  The  first  regular  place  of  meeting 
was  in  the  Knights  of  Pythias  hall,  also  known  as  the  N.  P.  Ward  hall,  and 
at  that  time  it  was  decided  to  meet  on  the  first  Friday  of  each  month.  This 
date  was  afterward  changed  to  the  first  and  third  ^^londavs  of  each  month. 


298  •     DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

and  those  are  still  the  meeting  nights  of  the  order.  The  original  charter 
became  lost  in  the  early  existence  of  the  order  and  a  new  one  was  issued  by. 
the  home  ofifice.  The  charter,  as  it  is  now,  has  the  following  names  enrolled: 
James  L.  Alton,  Xels  Erickson,  Eugene  Hensel,  William  E.  Nesbitt,  Orin 
Kellog,  Ripley  C.  Bondurant,  Annie  E.  Roberts,  Ragna  Olson,  Claud  E. 
Colin-,  Edmund  H.  Gilmore,  Daniel  Stromlund,  John  E.  Peterson,  Lewis 
Stewert  Kent,  William  J.  Young,  Theodore  L.  Bordsen,  Frank  E.  Raiter, 
Robert  Brough,  Xoah  P.  \\'ard,  Peter  O.  Bolin,  Ouincy  M.  Gilmore,  Grace 
M.  .\iton,  John  Eiden,  Charles  Daniels,  Byron  A.  Strieker,  Ida  Young, 
Adelbert  E.  Shippey,  John  Swenson,  Elmer  T.  Drum,  H.  T.  Holverson, 
Joseph  J.  Mode,  Samuel  James,  Lyman  C.  Atwood,  Stephen  R.  Sweet,  E.  C. 
Wagoner,  Frank  C.  Olson,  Franklin  B.  McKenzie,  Nellie  L.  Nesbitt,  Charles 
A.  Benson,  Arthur  S.  Mason,  John  Johnson,  Hermon  Thompson,  Jessie  A. 
Strieker,  Enock  F.  Nelson,  George  Washington  Ramsdell,  Bertha  McGray, 
Clarence  W.  Lee,  Alatilda  Nelson,  John  A.  ]McCabe,  Anton  Kust,  David 
Nelson,  Louis  C.  Lamser,  Jennie  Alton,  Magnus  Munson,  \'irgil  E.  Hawley, 
M.  J.  Sweet,  James  G.  Crozier,  B.  W.  Mitchell,  Clell  Blanchard,  James  A. 
Kinney,  Rienhard  Merki,  Elmer  E.  Peterson,  Thomas  R.  Aiton,  Alice  O.  Far- 
rar,  William  Erickson,  Peter  R.  Sorenson,  Carl  K.  McGray,  Amelia  A. 
Daniels,  Gustus  C.  Preston.  Charles  E.  Farrar,  Ethel  Kinney,  Clara  Merki, 
Elmer  Roberts,  Laura  Bondurant  and  Fred  Raiter.  The  present  officers  of 
the  Homestead  are:  Foreman,  William  A.  Downs:  master  of  ceremonies, 
E.  E.  Evans;  master  of  accounts,  Nels  Erickson;  correspondent,  Nellie  L. 
Nesbitt;  chaplain,  Jessie  O.  Waters;  overseer,  William  E.  Nesbitt;  Lady 
Rowena,  Lillian  B.  Downs;  Lady  Rebecca,  Laura  Bondurant;  watchman, 
William  J.  Young;  sentinel,  \\'ilmott  L.  Lawson.  The  Homestead  now 
meets  in  Raiter's  Hall  and  has  a  present  membership  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty. 

MODERN    BROTHERHOOD    OF    AMERICA. 

Lodge  No.  904,  ^Modern  Brotherhood  oi  America,  was  organized  at 
Alexandria  on  July  12,  1901,  with  the  following  charter  members:  Frank 
S.  Fredenburg,  Herman  S.  Anderson,  Theo.  F.  Damask,  Clarence  H.  Yeri- 
gan,  Charles  E.  Aiton,  Edwin  P.  Wright,  Nathan  A.  Blanchard,  Constant 
Larson,  Carlos  Whitcomb,  George  Gustafson,  James  L.  Aiton,  Emil  A. 
Polzine,  Rol^ert  W.  McFarlane,  Samuel  A.  Engstrom,  John  Milligan.  N. 
Gauthier,  Olof  Sutherland,  Michael  Milligan,  Charles  H.  Gabion,  Nels  E. 
Johnson,  Nels  Erickson,  William  Lee,  Edwin  D.  JMaxon,  Axel  R.  Diseth, 
George   P.    Craig,   Eugene   L.    Norton,    Andrew   Westlund,    Frank   Scriven, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  2qg 

Arnold  F.  Will,  Oscar  H.  Gahlom,  Lewis  C.  Nelson,  Irwin  A.  Lee,  Gustaf 
A.  Diseth,  Andrew  Broms,  Ernest  De  F.  2\Iaxon  and  Lyman  C.  Atwood. 
Lodge  records  were  all  destroyed  by  tire  on  P'ebruarv  26,  1913,  when  the 
Gunderson  and  Raiter  buildings  were  burned.  The  alxive  is  taken  from  a 
duplicate  charter  which  was  furnished  after  the  fire.  Policies  issued  at  the 
date  of  organization  are  signed  by  Ernest  D.  Maxon,  president,  and  Geo. 
P.  Craig,  secretary.  Meetings  are  held  in  Raiter's  Hall  on  the  fourth  Fri- 
day evening  of  each  month.  The  present  membership  of  the  lodge  is 
twenty-one,  and  the  present  officers  are  as  follow :  D.  B.  Shepard,  presi- 
dent; W.  C.  Nass,  vice-president;  George  P.  Craig,  secretary;  W.  E.  Xesbitt. 
treasur'/r:  H.  S.  Anderson,  conductor;  S.  A.  Engstrom,  chaplain;  G.  A. 
AndersVm,  inside  guard;  J.  L.  .\iton,  outside  guard. 

DOUGI..\S    COUNTY    HUM.ANE   SOCIETY. 

The  Douglas  County  Humane  Societ}-  was  organized  on  June  21,  1904, 
with  the  following  charter  members :  J.  S.  Cowen,  John  J.  .\llen,  Cleveland  ■ 
H.  Hicks,  Maurice  Cohn,  Constant  Larson,  H.  S.  Campbell,  C.  A.  Benson 
and  Frank  Stevens.  The  first  officers  were:  President,  X.  P.  Ward;  secre- 
tary, Cleveland  H.  Hicks;  treasurer,  \\'.  K.  Barnes.  The  present  officers  are: 
President,  Frank  M.  Stevens;  secretary,  George  I...  Treat;  treasurer,  W.  K. 
Barnes.  The  present  membership  is  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five. 
Though  the  society  was  organized  at  Alexandria,  the  membership  is  from  all 
parts  of  the  county.  During  the  twelve  years  since  its  organization  the 
society  has  investigated  more  than  ninety  complaints  of  cruelty,  seventy-five 
of  which  have  been  complaints  of  cruelty  to  animals;  eleven  of  crueky  to 
children,  and  four  of  cruelty  to  adults.  There  have  been  nine  prosecutions 
of  cruelty  to  animals  \vith  eight  convictions.  Twenty-eight  animals  have 
been  killed  by  order  of  the  society,  and  thirteen  children  have  been  taken 
from  their  parents  on  account  of  cruelty  and  neglect  and  sent  to  the  State 
Public  School  at  Owatonna  on  complaint  of  the  society,  whose  motto  is : 
"We  speak  for  those  that  cannot  speak  for  themselves." 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Alexandria,  the   County   Seat. 

Beautiful  for  location.  Alexandria,  "Lady  of  the  Lakes,"  county  seat 
of  Douglas  county,  occupies  a  charming  and  most  advantageous  position  in 
the  delightful  park  region  of  Minnesota  and  has  for  many  years  enjoyed 
its  well-merited  reputation  as  one  of  the  prettiest  and  most  flourishing 
county-seat  towns  in  the  state.  In  the  beginning  it  was  fortunate  in  being 
settled  by  an  intelligent  and  enterprising  class  of  citizens  and  the  high  stand- 
ard of  citizenship  then  established  has  ever  been  maintained,  its  business, 
school  and  church  privileges  being  second  to  no  other  city  of  its  size  and  the 
equal  of  those  of  much  larger  places.  Its  miles  of  cement  sidewalks,  well- 
graded  streets,  attractive  homes,  spacious  and  well-kept  lawns  and  abundance 
of  shade  trees  combine  to  make  Alexandria  an  ideal  place  of  residence,  ren- 
dered all  the  more  attractive  by  its  proximity  to  the  chain  of  seven  lakes, 
pronounced  by  ^^'arren  L^pham,  of  the  Minnesota  Historical  Society,  to  be 
the  finest  chain  (jf  lakes  in  the  state  and  whose  shores  are  lined  with  summer 
cottages,  club  houses  and  resort  hotels,  making  the  city  the  center  of  the 
summer  tourist  business  throughout  the  park  region,  greatly  swelling  the 
population  during  the  summer  months. 

According  to  the  census  returns  of  1910  Alexandria  then  had  a  popu- 
lation of  three  thousand  and  one,  but  conservative  estimates  now  place  the 
population  at  between  thirty-three  hundred  and  thirty-five  hundred  and 
continued  building  operations  point  to  a  rapidly  increasing  population.  The 
cit^'  has  several  thriving  manufacturing  establishments,  substantial  banking 
institutions  and  business  houses  and  has  excellent  facilities  as  a  market  for 
grain  and  produce,  with  an  outlet,  by  way  of  the  Great  Northern  railway  and 
the  "Soo"'  line,  to  three  of  the  best  markets  in  the  Northwest,  St.  Paul, 
[Minneapolis  artd  Duluth. "  It  has  a  handsome  postoffice  building,  erected  by 
the  federal  government  at  a  cost  of  sixty  thousand  dollars,  a  fine  lilirary 
containing  some  nine  thousand  volumes,  two  fine  grade  school  buildings,  a 
new  high-school  building  erected  at  a  cost  of  seventy  thousand  dollars,  three 
banks  with  combined  deposits  of  more  than  one  and  one-half  million  dol- 
lars, the  Douglas  county  buildings,  eleven  churches,  three  commercial  hotels, 
besides  the  adjacent  summer  hotels,  and  three  enterprising  and  well-conducted 


ALEXAXDKIA   IN   lS7(i. 
East   side   of   Main    street,    pUutoiiraphecl    iii  IsKi.       Tlie   largo  liuiiaing  is   the   old  Dougla 
House,  a  location  now  oceiiiiieil  by  the  James  Walker  store. 


ALEXANDRIA  IX  1S76. 
Looking  north  along  Main  street  from  Campbell's  Mi 


THE   IlirivS   IK^MESTEAD. 
Home   of    Willi.iui    E.    Hii-ks.    one   «t   tlw   cliief    iiromoters   of   the 
Alexjindria    towusite.    in    the    latter   sixties:    a    sample   of   the   kind   of 
Imiiaiiiirs   in   wliieli   the   very   liest   of   the   pioneers   liad   to   live.     This 
was  one  of  the  best   honses  in  Dou.ulas  county  at  that   time. 


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R  A  KAIX. 

Alexandria 

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llowia.^'    ;l    1 

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ohiirds  storo 

riiis  seeue   was  direi'tly   in   front   of 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3OI 

newspapers.  The  city  government  is  up-to-date  and  energetic  and  the  city 
owns  its-  own  electric  Hght  and  waterworks  plant  and  the  general  attractive- 
ness of  the  main  business  street  is  enhanced  by  a  half  mile  of  l)rilliant  boule- 
vard lights.  As  the  commercial  center  of  the  county,  all  lines  of  general 
business  are  well  represented  and  some  of  its  banks  and  commercial  houses 
would  do  credit  to  a  town  of  many  times  its  population. 

IN  THE  DAYS  OF  THE  BEGINNING. 

In  an  earlier  chapter  relating  to  the  early  settlement  of  Douglas  county, 
the  historv  of  the  beginning  of  things  in  Alexandria  is  set  out  at  consid- 
erable length,  as  it  was  then,  as  now,  the  central  point  in  the  communit\- 
and  its  early  history  was  practically  identical  with  that  of  the  county,  all 
matters  of  interest  in  and  to  the  county  clustering  about  the  county  seat.  In 
1865  the  second  store  in  the  county  was  opened  at  Alexandria  by  Thomas 
F.  Cowing,  J.  H.  A^an  Dyke  still  running  his  sutler's  store,  mentioned  in 
the  earlier  chapter,  at  that  time.  Mr.  Cowing  had  just  completed  a  term  of 
service  in  the  army  and  he  erected  a  little  log  building  and  opened  up  a 
small  stock  of  general  merchandise,  later  building  a  larger  store  room  and 
extending  his  stock,  remaining  in  business  for  many  years  thereafter.  His 
father,  Thomas  Cowing,  had  come  to  Douglas  county  in  1861,  settling  on 
a  farm  near  the  present  site  of  Holmes  City,  and  when  the  Indian  out- 
break occurred  left  with  his  family,  but  when  the  soldiers  established  the 
stockade  at  Alexandria  he  returned  and  shortly  afterward  erected  a  log 
house  in  which  for  some  time  he  conducted  a  hotel,  later  engaging  in  the 
mercantile  business.  In  1866  William  E.  Hicks,  a  New  Yorker,  whose  activi- 
ties in  promoting  the  development  of  Alexandria  are  mentioned  more  at 
length  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  started  the  third  store,  building  a  log  store 
building  which  he  stocked  with  a  line  of  general  merchandise.  In  that  same 
\-ear  Hicks  Iwught  the  townsite,  which  meantime  had  concentrated  in  the 
hands  of  two  or  three  persons,  one  of  whom  was  Judge  Gregory,  who  had 
expended  monev  and  labor  and  had  encountered  hardships  in  behalf  of  Alex- 
andria. Almost  immediately  afterward  Hicks,  in  connection  with  Thomas 
Cowing,  erected  a  saw-mill  on  Long  Lake  and  in  the  following  year  began 
the'  erection  of  the  Alexandria  flouring  mill,  completed  in  1869  and  a  few 
years  later  sold  to  G.  G.  S.  Campbell.  Hicks  also  erected  a  hotel,  the  Wood- 
hull  House,  and  in  the  fall  of  1868  started  the  Alexandria  Post,  the  first 
newspaper  in  Douglas  county.  In  the  same  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Legis- 
lature and  continued  to  take  an  active  interest  in  the  work  of  developing  the 


302  DOUGLAS    ATSSD    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

new  town  until  his  death  in  1874.  His  widow  is  still  Hving  in  Alexandria, 
occupying  the  building  at  the  corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  H  street,  erected 
by  her  husband  back  in  the  old  days. 

In  the  meantime  other  lines  of  business  gradually  were  being  developed 
in  the  new  settlement  and  there  presently  came  to  be  quite  a  village  at  the 
site  of  the  old  Kinkaid  settlement  at  the  junction  of  the  two  pretty  lakes, 
Agnes  and  Winona.  In  the  chapter  relating  to  newspapers  there  is  set  out, 
in  a  review  of  the  history  of  the  Post,  a  list  of  the  merchants  doing  business 
at  Alexandria  when  the  Post  was  established  and  it  will  not  be  necessary 
to  repeat  the  same  here.  One  of  the  causes  of  the  considerable  impetus 
given  to  business  and  the  rapid  growth  of  population  in  the  new  settlement 
was  the  establishment  in  the  winter  of  1868-69  of  a  government  land  office 
at  Alexandria.  It  was  in  February,  1869.  that. the  land  office  was  opened, 
with  Lewis  Lewiston,  of  St.  Cloud,  as  register,  and  J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  of 
Alexandria,  as  receiver.  The  office  at  farst  was  located  in  the  building  which 
then  was  being  used  as  a  court  house.  In  June,  1869,  Lewiston  was  suc- 
ceeded as  register  bv  L.  K.  Aaker,  then  of  Goodhue  county,  and  in  the 
winter  of  1874  Warren  Adley  became  receiver,  Soren  Listo,  of  Brecken- 
ridge,  succeeding  Aaker  as  register  the  following  spring,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing winter  the  office  was  moved  to  Fergus  Falls,  but  by  that  time  almost 
all  the  tillable  land  in  this  region  had  been  taken.  It  is  undoubted  that 
the  land  office  was  a  great  factor  in  the  development  of  Douglas  county  and 
gave  an  impetus  to  trade  and  every  branch  of  business  at  Alexandria,  which 
thus  was  the  headquarters  for  a  very  wide  territory  throughout  the  North- 
west, settlers  driving  there  to  mill  even  from  the  Red  River  settlement  and 
Rush  Lake,  distances  of  more  than  one  hundred  miles,  and  for  several  years 
during  the  early  seventies  the  town  was  constantly  full  of  people,  hotels 
crowded  and  all  places  where  accommodations  could  be  furnished,  either  for 
man  or  beast,  taxed  to  their  utmost.  In  the  fall  of  1878  the  railroad  reached 
Alexandria  and  the  day  on  which  the  first  train  rolled  into  the  town,  the 
5th  of  November  it  was,  was  made  a  gala  day  in  the  village,  which  ever  since 
has  been  gradually  developing  into  its  present  substantial  state. 

THE    CITY    GOVERNMENT. 

Bv  an  act  of  the  Legislature  approved  February  20,  1877.  the  following 
described  territory  in  the  county  of  Douglas,  state  of  Minnesota,  to-wit: 
Lots  5  and  6  in  section  18,  the  north  half  of  section  19,  the  north  half  of 
the  southwest  quarter,  the  north  half  of  the  southeast  quarter  and  the  north 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3O3 

half  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  19,  all  in 
ownship  1^8  of  range  T^y,  "be  and  the  same  is  hereby  set  apart,  constituted 
and  incorporated  as  the  village  of  Alexandria.  *  *  *  ^nd  the  inhabit- 
ants of  said  territory  shall  form  and  constitute  a  municipal  corporation  and 
shall  ha\-e  the  powers  possessed  by  municipal  corporations  at  common  law," 
etc.,  and  James  H.  Van  Dyke,  Lewis  I.  Brown  and  Fred  von  Baumbach 
were  appointed  to  call  and  give  notice  of  the  first  election  in  said  village. 

Pursuant  to  legal  notice  dated  March  5,  1877,  and  signed  by  the  above 
named  persons,  the  legal  voters  of  the  village  of  Alexandria  met  at  the  court 
house  on  March  12  of  that  same  year,  at  nine  o'clock  a.  m.,  the  meeting 
being  called  to  order  by  J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  and  on  motion  L.  I.  Brown  and 
Thomas  Cowing  were  elected  judges  and  Theodore  Bordson,  clerk  of  elec- 
tion and  the  election  by  ballots  proceeded  with  the  following  result:  Presi- 
dent, F.  B.  Van  Hoesen ;  trustees,  John  Sundblad,  Charles  Schultz  and  John 
Kron;  recorder,  Fred  von  Baumbach;  treasurer,  John  B.  Cowing;  justice  of 
the  peace,  A.  J.  Ames,  and  constable,  Frank  Reynolds. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  village  council  was  held  on  I\Iarch  17,  1877,  and 
the  recorder  was  instructed  to  obtain  from  St.  Paul  books  for  the  use  of 
the  treasurer  and  recorder  and  all  blanks  needed.  At  the  meeting  on  April 
3,  ordinances  were  adopted  relating  to  licenses  and  relating  to  police  regu- 
lations, racing  of  horses  and  fast  driving.  At  the  next  meeting  ordinances 
were  adopted  relating  to  health  and  to  cattle  running  at  large  and  Frank 
Reynolds  was  appointed  pound  master.  At  the  meeting  on  April  18  an  ordi- 
nace  was  adopted  relating  to  the  incumbering  of  certain  streets  and  a  commit- 
tee was  appointed  to  see  that  chimneys,  stove  pipes  and  fire-places  were  kept 
in  safe  condition,  and  Chester  Van  Dyke  was  elected  street  commissioner. 
At  the  meeting  on  May  i,  John  Abercrombie  was  employed  to  survey  the 
chief  streets  of  the  village  for  the  purix)se  of  establishing  a  grade.  On  May 
15  the  council  approved  the  bonds  of  five  applicants  for  liquor  license  and 
on  June  8  James  Walker  was  appointed  village  constable  to  fill  a  vacancy 
created  by  the  resignation  of  Frank  Reynolds,  whose  bill  for  services  had 
been  scaled  fnim  $33.10  to  $20.60  at  the  previous  meeting  of  the  council. 
At  that  same  meeting,  "it  having  been  reported  to  the  council  that  the  drug 
stores  were  in  the  practice  of  retailing  liquor  without  license,  a  motion  was 
adopted  appointing  Charles  Schultz  a  committee  to  consult  with  Knute  Nel- 
son about  bringing  action  against  said  stores  for  selling  liquor,"  and  the 
minute  of  the  next  meeting,  June  10,  noted  that  "the  president  and  recorder 
were  requested  to  notify  Mess.  Sims  &  Nelson,  druggists,  that  the\-  must 
take  out  a  license   for  selling  liquors;"  and  thus  the  new  village  began  to 


304  IIOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

exercise  its  authority  and  to  get  under  headway  as  a  governing  body.  On 
December  15  of  that  first  year  of  the  village  organization  the  resignation 
of  Fred  von  Baumbach,  recorder,  was  accepted  and  George  H.  Roe  was 
appointed  to  fill  the  unexpired  term. 

On  January  i,  1878,  the  second  village  election  was  held,  with  the  fol- 
lowing result :  President,  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen ;  trustees,  L.  K.  Aaker,  George 
A.  Freundenreich  and  G.  C.  Sims ;  recorder,  W.  F.  Ball ;  -treasurer,  J.  B. 
Cowing;  justice  of  the  peace,  H.  H.  Wilson;  constable^  James  Walker.  At 
the  meeting  of  the  council  on  January  10,  following,  the  bonds  of  Charles 
Volk,  B.  A.  Li\-ingston,  Aberle  &  Aberle  and  \'an  Dyke  &  Larson,  as  liquor 
dealers,  were  approved,  the  license  fee  at  that  time  being  noted  at  seventy- 
five  dollars.  On  March  7  a  special  election  was  held  for  the  purpose  of 
electing  a  justice  of  the  peace  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation 
of  A.  J.  Ames,  and  H.  Shippey  was  elected. 

The  next  annual  election  was  held  on  January  7,  1879,  with  the  following 
result:  President,  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen;  trustees,  John  N.  Herder,  H.  H.  Wil- 
son and  T.  F.  Cowing;  recorder,  George  W.  Robards,  treasurer,  Theodore 
Bordson;  justice  of  the  peace,  Hiram  Shippey;  constable,  James  Walker. 

1880 — President,  Thomas  Cowing;  trustees,  C.  F.  Canfield,  Frank 
RcAUolds  and  M.  J.  Norde ;  recorder,  James  Purdon ;  treasurer,  Ole  Narver- 
son. 

1881 — President,  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen;  trustees,  James  Walker,  Charles 
Robards  and  John  Sundblad;  recorder,  N.  J.  Trenham;  treasurer,  George 
C.  Sims;  constable,  Len  West.  In  March  of  that  year  the  Legislature  granted 
to  the  village  a  new  charter  and  on  March  15  an  election  was  held  under 
the  charter,  with  the  following  result :  President,  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen ;  coun- 
cilmen,  C.  T.  Robards,  for  one  year ;  C.  W.  Cofield,  for  two  years,  and  John 
Sundblad,  for  three  years;  recorder,  N.  J.  Trenham;  treasurer,  George  C. 
Sims;  assessor,  James  Fitzgerald;  marshal,  Len  West;  justices  of  the  peace, 
William  McAboy  and  James  Fitzgerald. 

1882 — President,  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen;  councilman,  John  Kron;  recorder, 
N.  |.  Trenham;  treasurer,  G.  C.  Sims;  assessor,  James  Fitzgerald;  marshal, 
John  Knapton.  'Tn  favor  of  restraining  horses,  etc.,"  43  Votes;  against  the 
same,  150. 

1883 — President,  H.  H.  Wilson;  recorder,  N.  J.  Trenham;  treasurer, 
G.  C.  Sims;  councilman,  N.  P.  Ward;  assessor,  W.  H.  Sanders;  marshal, 
Charles  Culcross. 

1884 — President,  F.   B.  Van  Hoesen;  recorder,   N.  J.  Trenham;  treas- 


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first 


FIRST  HOr.SE  IX  ALEXANDRIA. 

on  (lra\yin,Et  of  the  cabin  erected   by 

)  settle  at  Alexandria,  wbicli  was  nai 

Alexander  Kinkaid. 


Kinkaid   brothers 
in  honor  of 


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K.VITKKS   MKAT   .MAKKKT.   AI.KXANl  )KIA. 

Mr.    KiiitM-   \vc:iriii:;   .■inrou. 


DOUGLAS    AND,  GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  305 

urer,  G.  C.  Sims;  councihiKin,  P.  Arnott;  assessor,  James  Fitzgerald;  marshal, 
John  JNIetcalf. 

1885 — President,  H.  H.  Wilson;  recorder,  George  H.  Brundage;  treas- 
urer, George  C.  Sims ;  councilmen,  John  Kyed  and  G.  A.  Kortsch ;  marshal, 
John  Metcalf ;  assessor,  J.  H.  \'an  D}'ke. 

1886 — President,  H.  H.  Wilson;  recorder,  George  H.  Brundage; 
treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson;  councilman,  John  Sundblad ;  marshal,  John 
Knapton ;  assessor,  J.  H.  \'an  Dyke.  Favoring  liquor  license,  221,  votes ; 
against,  86. 

1887 — President,  X.  L.  Page;  councilman,  Theodore  Johnson;  recorder. 
F.  A.  Reimer;  treasurer,  G.  C.  Sims;  assessor,  J.  H.  Van  Dyke;  justices 
of  the  peace,  J.  H.  Van  Dyke  and  F.  G.  Stevens;  marshal,  A.  W.  DeFrate. 

1888 — President,  N.  L.  Page;  councilman,  Fred  von  Baumbach; 
recorder,  A.  G.  Sexton;  treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson;  assessor,  J.  H.  Van 
Dyke;  marshal,   A.   W.   DeFrate.      ^ 

1889 — President,  James  Walker;  councilman,  J.  H.  Letson;  recorder, 
A.  G.  Sexton;  treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson;  assessor,  J.  H.  Van  Dyke;  jus- 
tices, J.  H.  Van  Dyke  and  George  L.  Treat;  marshal,  C.  W.  Cofield.  A 
proposition  to  bond  the  village  for  the  construction  of  a  waterworks  plant 
was  carried  and  a  similar  proposition  to  bond  the  village  for  the  con- 
struction of  a  sewer  system  was  rejected.  Waterworks  bonds  to  the  amount 
of  eighteen  thousand  dollars  were  issued  in  that  same  spring.  In  December 
of  that  year  a  committee  was  appointed  to  consider  the  advisability  of  pur- 
chasing from  J.  B.  Hardebeck  the  electric  light  plant,  which  had  been  oper- 
ated as  a  private  enterprise,  and  the  same  presently  was  taken  over  by  the 
village  for  the  sum  of  eight  thousand  five  hundred  dollars  and  has  since 
been  operated  as  a  municipal  plant,  in  connection  with  the  waterworks 
plant. 

1890 — President,  X.  P.  Ward;  councilman,  Ruljert  INIcCrory;  recorder, 
A.  G.  Se.xton;  treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson;  assessor,  J.  H.  Van  Dyke;  jus- 
tice, W.  E.  Chidester;  marshal,  C.  Hanson. 

1891 — President,  X.  P.  Ward;  councilman,  Fred  von  Baumbach; 
recorder,  X.  W.  Hicks;  treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson;  assessor,  S.  M.  Thomp- 
son ;  justice,  F.  G.  Stevens ;  marshal,  Frank  Reynolds. 

1892 — President,  James  Walker;  councilman,  Richard  Dent;  recorder, 
X.  W.  Hicks;  assessor,  James  S.  Chapman;  treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson; 
justice,  James  F"itzgerald ;  marshal,  Chester  Van  D\ke.    • 

1893 — President,  James  Walker;  councilman,  \\'illiam  AlcCrorv; 
( 20)  .  . 


306  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

recorder,  James  Fitzgerald;  treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson;  assessor,  James  S. 
Chapman ;  justice,  W.  B.  Mitson ;  marshal,  C.  B.  Van  Dyke.  W' hole  number 
of  votes  cast,  349. 

1894 — President,  R.  McCrory;  councilman.  Fred  von  Baumbach; 
recorder,  James  Fitzgerald;  treasurer,  G.  G.  S.  Campbell;  justice,  J.  A. 
McKay;  marshal,  Peter  BoHn;  assessor,  J.  A.  McKay;  street  commissioner, 

A.  E.  Shippey.  For  license,  282;  against,  167.  Whole  number  of  votes 
cast,  479. 

1895 — President,  R.  McCrory;  councilman,  Robert  Walkter ;  recorder, 
James  Fitzgerald;  treasurer,  S.  M.  Thompson;  marshal,  J.  S.  Lampman,  jus- 
tice, W.  B.  Mitson;  assessor,  George  Whitcomb;  street  commissioner.  C.  B. 
Van  Dyke.     License,  yes,  251;  no,   193. 

1896 — President,  O.  J.  Robards;  councilmen,  R.  J.  iMcXeil  and  W.  K. 
Barnes;  recorder,  James  Fitzgerald;  treasurer,  S.  Al.  Thompson;  assessor, 
G.  F.  Whitcomb;  marshal,  J.  S.  Lampman;  justice,  A.  A.  Brown:  street 
commissioner,  C.  B.  Van  Dyke.     License,  yes,  266;  no,  274. 

1897 — President,  N.  P.  V\^ard ;  councilmen,  J.  F.  Hiebel  and  M. 
Kraemer;  recorder,  James  Walker;  treasurer,  W.  F.  Sundblad;  marshal,  C. 

B.  Van  Dyke;  justice,  W.  B.  Mitson;  assessor,  WiUiam  Van  Dyke;  street 
commissioner,  G.  R.  Morse.     License,  yes.  259;  no.  255. 

1898 — President,  N.  P.  Ward:  councilman,  T.  R.  Aiton ;  recorder, 
James  Walker;  treasurer,  William  F.  Sundblad:  justice,  Joseph  Gilpin; 
assessor,  William  Van  Dyke;  marshal,  C.  H.  Klein;  street  commissioner, 
Nick  Menkes. 

1899 — President,  X.  P.  Ward;  councilman  M.  Kraemer;  treasurer,  W. 
F.  Sundblad,  recorder,  James  Walker:  justice,  W..  B.  Mitson;  marshal.  F. 
E.  Franklin;  assessor,  James  H.  Wettleson ;  street  commissioner,  Nick 
Henkes. 

1900 — President,  N.  P.  Ward;  councilman,  C.  Aberle;  treasurer,  W.  F. 
Sundblad ;  recorder,  James  Walker ;  justice,  Joseph  Gilpin ;  assessor,  William 
Van  Dyke;  marshal,  L.  S.  Kent;  street  commis,sioner,  A.  E.  Shippey. 
License,  yes,  307;  no.   241. 

1901 — President,  George  G.  S.  Campbell:  councilmen,  John  Anderson 
and  H.  T.  Halvorson;  treasurer,  Joseph  F.  Heibel ;  recorder,  W.  F.  Sund- 
blad: justices,  W.  B.  Mitson  and  J.  A.  McKay;  assessor,  William  A'an  Dyke; 
marshall,  C.  Fiskness ;  street  commissioner,  Nick  Henkes. 

1902 — President-,  G.  G.  S.  Campbell;  councilman,  Herman  Nootnagel: 
recorder,  W.  F.  Sundblad:  treasurer,  Joseph  F.  Heibel;  assessor,  William 
Van  Dyke;  street  commissioner,  Nick  Henkes;  marshal,  Christ  Fiskness. 


DOUGLAS    .VXD    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  •  3O7 

1903 — President,  X.  P.  Ward;  councilman,  Michael  Kraemer ;  recorder, 
W.  B.  ]Matson;  treasurer,  L.  S.  Atwood;  justice,  F.  E.  UUman ;  marshal, 
Christ  Fiskness. 

1904 — President,  John  Anderson;  councilmen,  William  Moses  and  J. 
A.  Prodger;  recorder,  W.  B.  Mitson. 

1905 — President,  John  Anderson;  councilman,  AI.  D.  Freshenburg; 
recorder,  L.  C.  Atwood;  treasurer,  Charles  J.  O'Brien. 

-  1906 — President,  Toleff  Jacohson ;  recorder.  W.   B.   Mitson;  treasurer, 
C.  J.  O'Brien. 

1907 — President,  Toleff  Jacohson;  recorder,  W.  B.  Alitson ;  treasurer, 
C.  J.  O'Brien;  justices,  F.  E.  Ullman  and  William  \'an  Dyke. 

1908 — President,  Andrew  Jacohson;  recorder,  W.  B.  Mitson;  treasurer, 
C.  J.  O'Brien;  marshal,  J.  R.  Cowing;  street  commissioner,  C.  J.  Hollrjuist. 
In  the  meantime  the  city  charter  having  been  adopted,  the  next  election  was 
held  under  that  charter. 

1909 — Mayor,  Gustav  A.  Kortsch;  treasurer,  C.  J.  O'Brien;  justices, 
\Mlliam  \'an  Dyke  and  Joseph  Gilpin;  aldermen,  ]\Iatt  Habener,  P.  O. 
Unumb,  J.  A.  Prodger,  H.  S.  Campbell  and  W.  E.  Xesbett.  License,  yes, 
365 ;  no,  275.  Recorder  Mitson  acted  as  clerk  of  the  council  until  that 
body  presently  appointed  C.  J.  Sundblad  to  the  position  of  city  clerk,  which 
position  he  ever  since  has  held. 

1910 — Mayor,  John  J.  Anderson;  treasurer,  Xels  Erickson;  aldermen. 
Matt  Haberer,  P.  O.  Unumb  and  H.  S.  Campbell. 

191 1 — Mayor,  Michael  Kraemer;  treasurer,  Xels  Erickson;  aldermen. 
Robert  Peacock.  W.  W.  Sheldon;  justices.  Joseph  Gilpin  and  William  \'an 
Dyke. 

1912 — Mayor,  Alfred  A.  Secord ;  treasurer,  Xels  Erickson;  aldermen. 
Matt  Haberer,  P.  O.  Unumb  and  H.  S.  Campbell  License,  yes,  328;  no, 
374.     Total  number  of  ballots  cast,  735 

1913 — Mayor,  Louis  Ginther;  treasurer,  Xels  Erickson;  justice,  William 
\'an  Dyke;  aldermen,  J.  F.  Anderson  and  W.  \\'.  Shekkm.  License,  for. 
373  ;  against,  291. 

1914 — Mayor,  Louis  Ginther;  treasurer,  Xels  Erickson;  aldermen. 
Matt  Haberer  and  H  S.  Campbell.  Total  number  of  votes,  636.  License, 
for,   347;  against,   287. 

1915 — Mayor,  Louis  Ginther;  treasurer,  Xels  Erickson;  justice,  E.  F. 
Xelson;  aldermen,  J.  F.  Anderson  and  W.  W.  Sheldon.  License,  for,  ^^y. 
against.  305.  May  31.  1915,  Douglas  county  voted  "dry"  and  the  .Alexan- 
dria saloons  were  closed  in  six   months. 


308  DOUGLAS    AND    GRAXT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

1916 — Mayor,  Dr.  C.  C.  Strang;  treasurer,  Nels  Erickson;  aldermen, 
C.  \'.  Anderson,  P.  O.  Unumb  and  T.  H.  Weatherhead.  Total  vote  cast, 
621.  The  present  city  council  consists  of  C.  V.  Anderson,  P.  O.  Unumb, 
J.  F.  Anderson,  T.  H.  Weatherhead  and  W.  VV.  Sheldon,  representing  the 
five  wards  in  the  city,  respectively.  The  city  clerk  is  C.  J.  Sundblad  and  the 
city  attornc}'  is  Constant  Larson.  C.  A.  Johnson  is  superintendent  of  the 
board  of  public  works  and  the  commissioners  of  the  same  are  Louis  Ginther, 
N.  P.  Ward  and  Dr.  E.  E.  Buell,  C.  J.  Sundblad  being  secretary  of  the  board. 
The  chief  of  the  effective  volunteer  fire  department  is  L.  S.  Kent  and  the 
chief  of  police  is  Jerry  Callaghan.  Nicholas  Hankes  is  street  commissioner, 
also  under  appointment  by  the  council,  and  the  city  health  officer  is  Dr. 
L.  W.  Saterlee.  The  city  hall,  a  substantial  two-story  brick  structure, 
erected  in  1882,  affords  headquarters  for  the  city  clerk,  the  police  and 
fire  departments  and  a  well-equipped  public  rest  room.  The  city  jail  adjoins 
the  city  hall  on  the  south  and  the  waterworks  reservoir  occupies  premises 
adjoining.  The  city  schools,  a  history  of  which  is  set  out  in  the  chapter  relat- 
ing to  education,  are  admirably  maintained  and  a  Carnegie  library,  situated 
across  the  street  from  the  new  high-school  building,  is  an  excellent  adjunct 
to  the  same. 

THE    ALEXANDRIA    POSTOFFICE. 

The  first  postoffice  in  Douglas  county  was  established  at  Alexandria 
very  shortly  after  the  beginning  of  the  settlement  there  in  1858  and  it  is 
the  recollection  of  Mrs.  Fanny  Van  Dyke  that  her  father,  Charles  Cook, 
was  the  first  person  there  to  be  put  in  charge  of  the  mails,  which  were 
carried  between  St.  Cloud  and  Ft.  Abercrombie  by  the  mail  carrier,  Evans, 
after  whom  the  village  of  Evansville  later  came  to  be  named.  Upon  Cook's 
return  East  the  charge  of  the  little  local  mail  was  taken  over  by  Alexan- 
dria Kinkaid  and  was  distributed  to  the  settlers  from  his  cabin  until  J. 
H.  \'an  Dyke  started  his  store  at  the  settlement,  when  the  "office"  was 
moved  to  that  center  of  congregation  and  \'an  Dyke  presently  was 
appointed  postmaster,  continuing  to  hold  his  commissi<)n  until  his  resig- 
nation in  1866,  at  which  time  Robert  Wyman,  who  was  running  a  hotel  in 
the  stockade  abandoned  by  the  soldiers  in  that  year,  was  appointed  and  he 
was  succeeded  in  turn  by  T.  F.  Cowing,  N.  B.  Patterson,  Charles  T.  Sims, 
1874;  Sophus  N.  Miller,  1876;  Lorenzo  G.  Sims,  1880;  Sophus  N.  Miller, 
1883;  Dr.  Godfrey  Vivien,  1887,  and  he  by' J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  who  was  suc- 
ceeded bv  his  widow,  Mrs.  Fanny  \^an  Dyke,  who  served  for  three 
terms,    she   being   succeeded   by    Charles    S.    Mitchell,    who   served    for   one 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  309 

term,  being  succeeded  by  H.  K.  White,  who  died  in  office  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  his  deputy,  Robert  K.  Brough,  present  incumbent,  who  has  held 
the  office  continuously  since  in  December,  1908.  Following  an  ample  appro- 
priation by  Congress,  the  present  handsome  postoffice  building  was  erected 
at  a  cost  of  about  sixty  thousand  dollars,  one  of  the  most  substantial  build- 
ings in  a  town  the  size  of  Alexandria  in  the  state,  and  was  opened  for 
business  on  February  22,   191 1. 

COMMERCIAL    AND    INDUSTRIAL    CONCERNS. 

Alexandria  has  a  well-organized  Commercial  Club  and  its  commercial 
and  industrial  interests  are   represented  by  the   following  concerns : 

Alexandria  Auto  Company,  garage  and  machine  shop;  Alexandria  Citi- 
ccn,  J.  A.  Kinney,  proprietor,  newspaper  and  job  printing;  Alexandria  Con- 
fectionery Company,  candy  manufacturers,  ice  cream,  and  restaurant;  Alex- 
andria Boat  Works,  E.  G.  Erickson,  proprietor,  manufacturers  of  boats; 
Alexandria  Hardware  and  Lumber  Company,  J.  A.  \Vedum,  president, 
hardware,  lumber,  farm  machinery,  coal,  bicycles,  paints  and  oils;  Alexan- 
dria Electric  Supply  Company,  motorcycles  and  electrical  supplies;  Alexan- 
dria Milling  Company,  E.  G.  Olson,  president,  flour  and  feed  grinding;  Ales- 
aiidria  Post-News,  E.  E.  McCrea,  proprietor,  newspaper  and  job  printing; 
x\merican  Laundry,  Lackey  and  Olson,  proprietors,  general  and  family  laun- 
dry; Alexandria  .Soda- Water  W^orks,  Michael  Kraemer,  proprietor,  soft- 
drinks  bottling  works;  Alexandria  Telephone  Company,  C.  H.  Raiter,  presi- 
dent, local  and  long-distance  service;  Alexandria  Potato  Warehouse  Asso- 
ciation, buyers  and  shippers  of  jxitatoes;  Atlantic  Elevator  Company,  grain 
and  coal;  Anderson  Furniture  Company,  Carl  X.  Anderson,  proprietor,  fur- 
niture, undertaking,  carpets,  rugs,  pianos,  sewing  machines,  bicycles,  pic- 
ture framing  and  trunks;  Anderson,  John  F.,  cement  works  and  contractor; 
Aiton  &  Anderson,  plastering  contractors:  Aiton,  Thomas  R.,  contractor  and 
brick  layer;  Alexandria  Tire  X'ulcanizing  Company,  Breese  Brothers,  pro- 
prietors. 

Baker  Weedless  Fish  Hook  Company,  J.  Griebler,  F.  W.  Becker,  manu- 
facturers of  fishhooks;  Blake's  Hotel,  C.  J.  Blake,  proprietor,  summer  hi)tel; 
Boyd,  Dr.  L.  M.,  physician,  specialist  in  eye,  ear.  throat  and  nose:  Bronis 
Cutlery  Works,  J.  M.  Broms,  proprietor,  factory  and  general  repairs;  Broms 
Tire  Repair  Co.,  Anton  Broms,  auto  tires  and  repairs;  Brown  Brothers  & 
Chapin,  farm  machinery,  vehicles  and  automobiles;  Buell,  Dr.  Eugene  E., 
dentist;  Birchard,  Mrs.  B.  J.,  flower  store;  Brophy,  G.  S.,  second-hand  store; 
Bjorklund,  .\.  W.  T.,  plumbing  and  heating. 


3IO  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,'   MINNESOTA. 

Cable,  John  W.,  blacksmith  shop;  Campbell,  George  G.  S.,  flour  and 
feed  store,  and  elevator;  Carlson,  John  A.,  groceries  and  crockery:  Central 
House,  L.  Michaelson,  proprietor,  hotel;  Chase,  Richard,  dray  line;  Colbjorn- 
sen  &  Wegener,  clothiers  and  tailors;  Cole,  Dr.  C.  L.,  dentist;  Cowen,  John 
S.,  real-estate  dealer:  Costello,  Sherman,  restaurant;  Cowing-Robards  Com- 
pany, hardware,  agricultural  implements,  plumbing,  heating  and  coal;  City 
Flower  Store,  Mrs.  ]\Iyra  Pennar,  proprietor;  Cozy  Theatre;  Chidester,  Buel, 
real  estate  and  insurance :  Central  House,  feed  barn. 

-  Dickinson  Inn,  Harry  L.  Dickinson,  manager,  summer  hotel ;  Douglas 
County  Bank,  G.  A.  Kortsch,  president ;  W.  K.  Barnes,  cashier :  Drum, 
Simon  R.,  pianos. 

Eagle  Clothing  Company,  The,  C.  A.  Kolstad,  president  and  manager; 
Edwards.  W.  C,  veterinarian;  Earl  I.  Best  Lumber  Company,  lumlaer  and 
fuel;  European  Hotel,  William  Heyer,  proprietor;  Eickmann.  cigar  manu- 
facturer. 

Falconer,  Dr.  Thomas,  veterinarian;  Farmers  National  Bank,  Tollef 
Jacobson,  president,  Andrew  Jacobson,  cashier;  First  National  Bank,  C.  J. 
Gunderson,  president,  P.  O.  Unumb,  cashier;  Franklin,  F.  E.,  real  estate 
and  insurance;  Fredenburg,  Moses  D.,  machine  shop;  Fair  Store,  The,  C.  E. 
Mabee,  proprietor,  variety  store. 

Gamble-Robinson  Company,  H.  N.  Doyle,  manager,  wholesale  fruits 
and  groceries;  Goodwin,  Albert  G.,  real  estate  broker;  Great  Northern 
Express  Company,  W.  L.  Lawson,  agent;  Gregersen,  A.  H.  and  Company, 
dry  goods  and  groceries;  Grieljenow,  Herman  H.,  groceries:  Gunderson  & 
Leach,  Claus  J.  Gunderson,  Hugh  E.  Leach,  lawyers;  Gilbertson,  A.,  soft 
drinks  and  billiards. 

Hammar,  IMrs.  ^larv,  restaurant;  Hanson,  Dean,  harness;  Halverson 
Furniture  Company,  furniture,  undertaking,  rugs,  wall  paper,  picture  fram- 
ing: Hanson,  J.  R.,  furs  and  electric  wiring;  Haskell,  Dr.  A.  D.,  physician 
and  surgeon;  Herberger-Wettleson  Company,  dry  goods;  Herbert,  F.  O., 
groceries;  Herbert,  Cyril,  billiard  hall;  Hoglund,  J.  L.,  jeweler;  Holverson, 
Henry  T.,  druggist  and  optician;  Howard  Theatre,  C.  P.  Hanke,  proprietor; 
Hande  and  Tonsager,  laarber  shop;  Hopson,  A.,  barber  shop. 

Johnson,  P.  A.,  photographic  studio;  Johnson,  Charles  A.,  granite  monu- 
ments and  tombstones;  Johnson,  E.  W.,  tailor  and  cleaner. 

Keene,  Dr.  L.  M.,  physician  and  surgeon;  Kent's  Bus  and  Transfer, 
L.  S.  Kent,  proprietor:  Kitzke,  Miss  Clara  A.,  millinery:  Knapton  Sisters, 
millinery;  Koyle,   Kittle,  millinery. 

Larson,    Constant,    lawyer:   Letson    House,    Louis   Ginther,    proprietor. 


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STREET  SCENE,  ALEXA.XDKIA. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3II 

hotel:  Levin,  Albert,  barber  shop;  Loo  Land  Company,  real  estate;  Ludke- 
Luckert  Company,  wholesale  groceries;  Lindquist,  Albert  V.,  photographic 
studio;  Lundberg,  Levine  A.,  restaurant. 

McKav,  J.  A.,  real  estate;  McCabe.  Dr.  John  A.,  osteopath;  iSLinhat- 
tan  Oil  Company.  W.  V.  Abercromliie.  agent:  Motor  Inn  Garage  Company, 
garage.  automo1>ile  dealers  and  auto  repair  shop;  Moore,  John  L..  restau- 
rant; Minnesota  House  Feed  Barn.  William  Hagan,  proprietor. 

National  Contracting  Company,  J.  A.  Shulind,  president,  general  con- 
tracting; North  American  Storage  Company,  F.  R.  Noonan,  manager,  cold 
storage  and  creamery,  dealers  in  Initter  and  eggs. 

Olson,  Frank  C,  plumliing  and  heating;  Oppel,  C.  and  Company  (C. 
and  F.  C.  Opel,  H.  Paulson),  shoes. 

Purdon,  Andrew,  wagon-maker:  Pederson,  photos:  Pennar,  Alex.,  con- 
tractor; People's  Store  (Ferdinand  F.  and  Carrie  Wellin),  dry  goods  and 
millinery:  Peterson  Brothers,  garage  and  auto  machine  shop;  Peterson,  C. 
O.,  drugs,  books  and  stationery;  Peterson,  P.  M.  &  Company,  painters  and 
decorators;  Prescott,  W.  L.,  real  estate:  Prescott.  Dr.  Laurel,  dentist;  Prod- 
ger,  J.  A.  auto  livery;  Park  Region  Echo,  Carl  Wold,  proprietor,  newspaper 
and  job  printing;  Paulus,  William,  contractor. 

Quality  Bakery  and  Lunch  Rooms. 

Radecop,  Fred  C,  blacksmith  shop;  Raiter  Brothers,  shoes  and  rub- 
bers; Raiter,  Fred  C,  meat  market;  Renner,  J.  AL,  plumbing,  heating  and 
general  repairs;  Rul.  Wegener  Brewing  Company,  H.  Birkhofer,  president; 
Ruud,  Dr.  M.  B.,  physician  and  surgeon. 

St.  Anthony  and  Dakota  Elevator  Company,  Ft.  S.  Campbell,  agent, 
elevator:  St.  Paul  Bakery,  Joseph  Leuthner,  proprietor,  commercial  bak- 
ing; Satterlee.  Dr.  L.  W..  homeopathic  physician:  Satter,  Andrew,  livery 
and  feed  stable ;  Seeger.  Andrew,  pop  corn,  fruit,  tobacco ;  Sheldon  Clothing 
Company,  clothing  and  gentlemen's  furnishers;  Shepard,  D.  B.,  contractor; 
Shoppey's  Bowling  Alleys:  Secord.  Alfred  A.,  real  estate;  Standard  Oil 
Company,  H.  A.  Schroeder,  agent;  Stevens,  F.  M.,  auto  and  horse  livery; 
Strandberg,  C.  A.,  wood  dealer;  Strang,  Dr.  C.  C,  dentist:  Strieker,  Frank 
W.,  painter  and  decorator:  Swenson's  dray  and  ice  line;  Syvrud  &  Meyers, 
automobile  dealers  and  auto  livery;  Syvrud  &  Hanson,  real  estate:  Stoppel, 
Mrs.  Max.  millinery:  Stoppel,  Helmuth  J.,  barber  shop. 

Thompson,  Albert,  garage,  auto  supplies  and  repairs:  Thornton.  Ralph 
S..  law\-er:  Treat,  George  L.,  lawyer  and  real  estate:  Thompson,  Herman 
T.,  barber  shop. 

Unumb.  E.  O.,  dry  goods,  clothing  and  groceries. 


312  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Van  Dyke,  Lafayette,  cigar  manufactory;  \>nne\vitz  Brothers,  meat 
market;  \'olker,   Dr.   J.   J.,   dentist. 

Walker,  William,  groceries;  Ward,  N.  P.,  groceries  and  crockery; 
Weatherhead,  T.  H.,  dray  and  ice  line;  Weber,  Barney,  pool  and  billiard 
hall;  Weeker,  A.  O.,  tailoring;  Wittenburg,  Dr.  D.  E.,  chiropractor;  Western 
Express  Company,  O.  F.  Ehlers,  agent;  \Vestman,  Wilhelm,  photographic 
studio;  Wagoner,  Edward  C,  pianos. 

The  Commercial  Club  of  Alexandria  was  incorporated  on  ]\larch  i8, 
1907,  the  names  of  the  incorporators  being  A.  H.  Gregerson,  G.  A.  Kortsch, 
Horatio  Jenkins,  Ezra  E.  McCrea,  Fred  C.  Oppel,  E.  Eugene  Buell,  G.  B. 
Ward,  Constant  Larson,  H.  T.  Halvorson,  H.  A.  LeRoy  and  O.  Hen- 
nings  and  the  following  officers:  President,  A.  H.  Gregerson;  first  vice- 
president,  G.  A.  Kortsch ;  second  vice-president,  Horatio  Jenkins ;  corre- 
sponding and  recording  secretary,  Ezra  E.  McCrea ;  financial  secretary,  Fred 
C.  Oppel;  treasurer,  E.  Eugene  Buell;  executive  committee,  A.  H.  Greger- 
son. Ezra  E.  McCrea,  G.  B.  Ward,  Constant  Larson,  H.  T.  Halverson,  H. 
A.  LeRoy  and  O.  W.  Hennings.  The  present  officers  of  the  Commercial 
Club  are  as  follows:  President.  J.  H.  Wettleson;  first  vice-president.  Andrew 
Jacobson;  second  vice-president,  H.  S.  Campbell;  corresponding  and  record- 
ing secretary,  George  L.  Treat;  financial  secretary,  J.  W.  Knox,  and  treas- 
urer, G.  A.  Kortsch.  There  are  also  live  commercial  clubs  at  Osakis,  Bran- 
don and  Evansville,  which  look  after  the  commercial  interests  of  those  towns 
and  besides  these  there  are  numerous  farmers  clubs  in  the  county,  which 
have  proved  and  are  proving  of  large  value  in  their  respective  rural  com- 
munities. There  are  also  a  number  of  farmers'  co-operative  associations 
for  conducting  elevators,  potato  "warehouses,  the  shipping  of  live  stock  and 
other  products  of  the  farm,  the  buying  of  farm  machinery  and  other  bulky 
merchandise  at  wholesale,  besides  a  number  of  very  effective  local  creamery 
associations. 

THE    ALEXANDRIA    FREE   PUBLIC   LIBRARY. 

The  fine  public  library  at  Alexandria  had  its  beginning  in  a  reading 
club  started  in  the  village  days  of  that  city  as  early  as  1878,  a  small  circu- 
lating library  being  established  at  that  time.  While  Senator  Nelson  was 
serving  in  the  state  Senate  he  was  instrumental  in  ha\ing  enacted  the  pres- 
ent admirable  public  library  law  in  Minnesota  and  under  the  provisions 
of  that  law  there  was  organized  the  Alexandria  Free  Public  Library,  which 
has  had  a  continuous  and  successful  existence  ever  since.  For  a  time  after 
the  village  bought  the  building  since  used  as  a  city  hall,   the  books  of  the 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3I3 

library  association  were  lioused  in  the  hall  of  that  building,  now  used  as 
a  town  hall,  and  during  George  G.  S.  Campbell's  incumbency  as  president 
of  the  village  he  was  alile  to  secure  from  Andrew  Carnegie  a  donation 
Si  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  erection  of  a  Carnegie  free  public  library  in 
Alexandria.  .\  choice  lot  across  the  street  from  the  high-school  property 
was  obtained  and  the  present  handsome  public  library  was  erected,  an  addi- 
tional two  thousand  dollars  later  being  secured  from  the  old  iron  master 
to  complete  the  same.  There  are  about  nine  thousand  volumes  in  the  library 
and  one  thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty-nine  cards  were  in  circula- 
tion in  the  summer  of  19 16,  a  fair  index  of  the  popularity  of  the  library 
among  the  reading  people  of  the  city  and  vicinity.  The  present  library 
board  is  composed  of  the  following  members:  G.  A.  Kortsch,  president; 
George  G.  S.  Campbell,  secretary:  Constant  Larson,  H.  A.  LeRoy,  U.  P. 
Ward,  E.  E.  McCrea,  Airs.  Anna  \'olker,  Knute  Nelson  and  Mrs.  W.  F. 
Sundblad.  Margaret  A.  McCord  is  the  librarian  and  the  city  treasurer  acts 
as  treasurer  of  the  board.  Under  the  will  of  the  late  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen 
the  library  board  received  a  legacy  of  five  thousand  dollars,  the  income 
from  which  is  to  be  applied  ■  to  library  purposes  forever  and  this,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  small  tax  levied  for  librar}-  purposes  maintains  the  librar\-  in 
admirable  fashion. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Incorporated  Towns  and  Villages. 

Very  few  counties  in  the  state  having  the  population  claimed  by  Doug- 
las county  can  pride  themselves  of  so  many  incorporated  towns  and  villages. 
Geographically,  they  are  apportioned  with  regularity,  which  fact  goes  to 
show  that  they  were  located  to  meet  the  demands  and  needs  of  the  sur- 
rounding communities  and  not  to  appease  the  selfish  ambitions  of  some 
ambitious  person.  Each  tow^n  and  village  has  shown  growth  and  prosperity 
and  in  each  case  has  become  a  commercial  center  and  trading  point  for  the 
surrounding,  community. 

OSAKIS. 

In  the  eastern  edge  of  the  county  on  the  Great  X'orthern  Railway,  and  on 
the  shore  of  the  most  picturesque  lake  in  JNIinnesota,  is  located  Osakis,  the 
second  village  in  size  and  importance  in  the  county.  The  history  of  the 
village  is  somewhat  obscure  but  it  is  known  that  with  the  coming  of  the 
early  settlers,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Peter  Botneau,  a  Canadian  half-breed 
Indian,  had  a  camp  one  mile  east  of  where  the  village  now  stands.  His 
camp  was  on  the  dividing  line  between  the  Sioux  Indians,  who  inhabited 
the  prairie,  and  the  Chippewa  Indians  who  lived  in  the  timbered  region. 
Therefore  he  called  his  place  "Sakis,"  which  meant  a  place  of  danger.  \Mth 
the  coming  of  some  English  settlers  they  added  the  prefix  "O"  and  thus  the 
village  took  on  the  name  of  Osakis. 

Early  in  the  history  of  Douglas  county,  a  few  white  settlers  had  gathered 
near  Osakis  Lake,  attracted  by  the  great  beauty  of  the  place,  locating  just  over 
the  line  in  Todd  county,  and  one  of  them,  John  Potter,  in  1859,  made  a 
claim  where  Osakis  now  stands.  In  1859  the  stages  began  running  here  on 
their  way  to  Ft.  Abercrombie,  and  this  was  one  of  the  stations.  When  the 
Indian  outbreak  came  in  1862  all  the  settlers  abandoned  their  claims  and 
left  for  safety,  and  many  never  returned.  However,  along  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  sixties,  Daniel  Stevenson,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Minnesota,  pur- 
chased the  land  and  laid  out  a  town.  Among  the  first  settlers  were  the 
Gordon  boys  who  took  up  their  residence  on  the  bank  of  the  lake.  The  first 
store  in  the  \illage  was  erected  by  James  Chambers  in    1866  and  he   con- 


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IIKill    SC'IKIOL.   ALEXANDRIA. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3I5 

tinned  to  hand  out  merchandise  and  groceries  for  several  years.  The  year 
of  1867  brought  several  newcomers  to  the  village.  In  January  of  the 
same  year  Warren  Adley,  who  for  several  years  had  been  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business,  erected  a  commodious  hotel,  and  around  his  establishment 
clustered  several  homes  and  buildings  of  a  various  nature.  Henry  Stone 
established  a  general  store  where  the  Brown  implement  store  is  tixlay.  On 
May  25,  1867,  Mr.  Sanderson  opened  a  tow  mill  and  did  an  active  business 
for  some  time.  Among  other  early  settlers  not  already  mentioned  were: 
Thomas  Adams,  J-  C.  Stone,  Leon  Faille,  A.  M.  Giddeon,  A.  S.  Worden, 
John  McKinsey,  W.  H.  Stevens,  W.  P.  Long  and  \V.  H.  Crowe.  A  large 
majority  of  male  settlers  were  single  men.  For  instance,  in  the  summer 
of  1886  there  were  ten  young  single  men  in  the  village  and  all  lived  in  two 
small  houses.  There  was  not  a  girl  eligible  to  marriage  in  manv  miles. 
Finall}-,  in  the  summer  of  1868,  Mrs.  Tannehill  moved  into  the  village  with 
five  beautiful  and  charming  daughters.  At  once  there  began  a  spirited 
and  lively  contest  among  the  young  men  to  win  the  hearts  of  these  fair 
maidens.  So  persistent  were  the  attentions  of  the  young  men  that  the  con- 
test was  not  long  drawn  out  and  in  a  very  few  months  ]\Irs.  Tannehill 
was  alone. 

The  first  fire  in  the  village  occurred  in  1887  when  the  old  railroad 
eating  house,  built  in  1879,  was  burned  to  the  ground;  the  second  fire 
occurred  on  January  16,  1889,  when  the  building  belonging  to  George 
Frye  and  Adley's  barn  burned:  the  third  fire  was  on  May  18,  1890,  but 
not  a  great  loss  was  sustained. 

The  first  passenger  train  came  through  the  village  November   i,   1878. 

The  first  wooden  sidewalk  was  laid  by  William  H.  Crowe,  as  was  also 
the  first  cement  sidewalk  in  May,  1881. 

The  village  became  an  incorporated  district  on  February  21,  18S1.  with 
the  following  officers:  President,  W.  P.  Long:  recorder,  ^^'illiam  H. 
Crowe :  treasurer,  J.  B.  Bird.  At  the  present  time  Osakis  has  a  village  form 
of  government  with  the  following  officers:  Mayor,  L.  D.  Bentlev;  recorder, 
S.  J.  Lyons;  treasurer,  D.  B.  McCleery;  Robert  Metcalf,  William  Brown  and 
William  Baker;  justices,  W.  B.  Lyons  and  C.  S.  French:  constables,  R.  H. 
Belknap  and  Mike  Clifford. 

The  business  and  professional  interests  of  the  village  during  the  sum- 
mer of  1916  were  in  the  hands  of  the  following:  Allen,  H.,  contractor 
and  builder;  Anderson  Bros.  &  Baker,  hardware  and  implements:  Anderson, 
Mrs.  A.  B.,  milliner;  Austin,  G.  A.,  real  estate. 

Belknap  &  Son,  livery;  Bentley,  L.  D.,  real  estate;  Berg,  Carl,  contrac- 


3l6  DOUGLAS    .AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

tor  and  luiilder;  Bjorklund,  Alexander,  contractor  and  Ijuilder;  Bjorklund, 
John,  shoe  shop;  Borschert,  F.  H..  attorney;  Brown  Bros.  Implement  Com- 
pany, farm  implements  and  automobiles;  Bryant.  G.  L.,  veterinary;  Buck, 
Charles,  stone  mason. 

Caughren,  H.  J.,  department  store;  Christensen,  Peter,  ditch  and  tiling 
contractor;  Cagley,  Roy,  restaurant;  Christensen,  C.  'SI.,  ditch  and  tiling 
contractor;  City  Hotel,  \\..  S.  Garner;  Cobb,  R.  E.  &  Company,  branch  pro- 
duce dealer;  Cowen,  L.  C.  summer  resort. 

Davis,  Henry,  power  saw  rig. 

Earle,  M.  A.,  contractor  and  builder;  Electric  light  plant.  S.  ]\I.  Lowery, 
manager;  Empress  Theatre,  E.  H.  Voss;  Engells.  P.  A.,  blacksmith  and 
wagon  shop;  Erwin,  S.  E.,  harness  and  shoe  shop;  Evenson,  O.  C,  con- 
tractor and  builder. 

Fairhaven  summer  resort,  C.  H.  Comport,  proprietor;  Faille.  A.  'SI., 
carpenter   and  builder:    Fearing  &   Conley.   li\-ery  and    feed   stable;    Fezler, 

F.  H..  auctioneer;  First  National  Bank,  Nels  M.  Evenson,  president;  Fisher, 
X.  E.,  live  stock  shipper;  Finneke,  Andrew,  contractor  and  builder:  French, 
C.  S.,  licensed  embalmer;  Flynn,  Ray  Auto  Co.,  Ray  Flynn,  manager;  Fry, 
\'erne,  painter  and  decorator. 

Garber,  Louis,  proprietor  People's  Bargain  Store;  Gilkinson,  Dr.  A. 
J.,  phvsician  and  surgeon;  Gingery,  H.  E.,  lumber,  grain  and  coal;  Gresty, 

G.  \Y.,  real  estate:  Great  Northern  Railroad  and  Express  Company,  H.  F. 
Greeley,  agent. 

Harris  Land  Company,  real  estate;  Harden,  D.  A.,  painter  and  deco- 
rator; Hagen,  William,  wagon  shop;  Hanson,  Xels,  contractor  and  builder; 
Harsh  Bros.,  shippers  of  ice;  Herberger-Cruse  Company,  department  store; 
Hedberg,  J.  A.,  furniture  and  undertaking;  Hengstler,  Dr.  \\'.  H.,  physi- 
cian and  .surgeon;  Hicks  &  Robertson,  sale  and  feed  stable:  Hotel  Idle- 
wilde.  summer  resort.  E.  R.  Ruggles,  proprietor:  Hause,  C.  W'.,  restaurant; 
Howe,  B.  E.,  auctioneer:  Hawlett,  John,  painter  and  plasterer;  Hyland,  W. 
H.,  clothing;  Ideal  Cafe,  A.  S.  Jackson;  Ingersoll.  H.  A.,  pool  and  billiards. 

Tacobson,  H.  J.,  milkman;  Jenkins,  S.  G.,  auctioneer;  Johnson,  W., 
boatman:  Johnston,  Chas.,  carpenter  and  builder;  Johnson.  L.  J.,  milkman; 
Jorgenson,  Peter,  tailor. 

Kirk,  William,  street  sprinkler:  Kirk,  Leslie,  auto  livery:  Kulstad, 
Oscar,  laundry;  Kline  Oil   Company,  Charles  Kline,  manager. 

Lakeside  Ice  Company,  Lake  House;  Lamphear,  G.  E.,  general  mer- 
chandise: LaMont,  Lou  E.,  milliner:  Larson,  Peter,  blacksmith  and  wagon- 
shop:   Lane,   Ralph,  dray  line;  Langston,   William,   auto  repair  shop;  Lenz 


A  I.EAPIXr;  EXTERrUISK  AT  OSAK 


STKKET  SCENE,  08AKIS. 


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STREET    SCENE   IN   OSAKIS. 


DOUGLAS    ANH    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3I7 

Summer  Hotel,  James   .\.    Xorris.  proprietor:  Long,   Dr.    C".   M.,   physician 
and  surgeon;  Lyons,  W.  R.,  justice  of  peace;  Ludwig,  A.  A.,  attorney. 

■  ]\Iadson,  J-  'SI.,  insurance  and  notary  public;  Mann,  Mrs.  Lucy,  dress- 
maker; Mix,  Herman,  carpenter  and  builder;  McCleery,  D.  B.,  real  estate; 
Mix  &  Sampson,  dray  line. 

North  American  Storage  Co.    ( branch ) ,  Geo.   Buck,  manager. 

Osakis  Creamery  Compan}-. 

Osakis  Commercial  Club,  C.  H.  Bronson,  president;  Osakis  Milling 
Co.,  H.  E.  Gingery,  president;  Osakis  Meat  Market,  B.  C.  Blakeslee;  Osakis 
State  Bank,  F.  H.  Borschelt,  president;  Osakis  Telephone  Company,  F.  B. 
Cannada,  proprietor;  Osakis  Rcviezv,  C.  H.  Bronson,  proprietor;  Osakis 
public  school,  E.  N.  Hamilton,  superintendent;  Osakis  Roller  Mill,  H.  W. 
Smith;  01son"s  \'ariety  Store,  A.  Olson;  Olson,  R.  A.,  photographer. 

Park  Region  Hospital,  Drs.  Gilkinson  and  Hengstler;  Palmatier,  H., 
barber;  Palmer,  H.,  auctioneer;  Palmatier  &  Earle,  barbers;  Penfield,  Mrs. 
dressmaker;  Phelps.  Warren,  contractor  and  builder;  Postoffice,  F.  H. 
Borchert,  postmaster.    S.   L.   Lyons,   assistant;   Poncelet,   Michael,   plasterer. 

Ouinn,  Frank,  real  estate  and  insurance. 

Rellar,  Frank,  well  driller;  Riis,  Laura,  dressmaker;  Ruggles,  E.  R., 
attorney. 

Shinners.  \\'.  E.,  real  estate;  Skuey,  J.  J.  &  Co.,  general  store;  Smith,  C. 
J\L,  barber;  Smith,  H.  W.,  feed  mill;  Spaulding,  H.  H.,  restaurant;  Stev- 
ens, G.  T.,  real  estate;  Steintl,  V.,  blacksmith  and  wagonshop;  Stewart,  R.  E., 
dentist;  Stratemeyer,  E.  H.,  shoe  shop;  Swore,  Knute,  general  store;  Stand- 
ard Oil  Co.   ( branch  )  ;  Sutliff.  Pearl,  dressmaker. 

Thornburn  &  Larson,  dentists;  Thoma,  G.  AL,  bakery;  Thompson  & 
Son,  live  stock  shippers;  Togstad  Bros.,  jewelery  and  opticians. 

Von  Retter,  P.  J.,  tailor. 

Wigal,  Marv,  milliner :  W'oodard  Hospital.  Mrs.  A.  A.  Woodard ;  With- 
ers, H.  W.,  pool  and  billiards. 

Yates,  ^V.  A.,  lumber  and  coal:  Yates  &  Nelson,  automobile  repair  shop. 
Zimmerson,  J.  P..  stone  mason. 

A  conservative  estimate  of  Osakis'  population  would  be  one  thousand 
four  hundred  people,  which  numl)er  is  increased  during  the  summer  months 
by  tourists  who  visit  the  summer  resorts  for  rest  and  recreation.  Beautifully 
situated  on  the  shore  of  the  most  picturesciue  lake  in  Minnesota,  Osakis  is 
favored  in  the  beauty  and  scope  of  its  natural  surroundings. 

Osakis  is  an  enterprising  city  of  modern  conveniences  for  comfort 
and  advancement,  including  one  of  the  best  high  schools  in  the  central  part 


3l8  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

of  the  state,  churches,  fraternal  and  civic  societies,  a  well-equipped  volun- 
teer fire  department,  an  active  commercial  club,  excellent  rural  route  facili- 
ties, electric  and  power  service,  local,  long  distance  and  rural  telephone 
service,  water-works,  sewerage,  miles  of  cement  walks,  and  in  fact  all 
improvements  that  go  to  make  up  a  modern,  progressive  and  up-to-date 
city.  The  majority  of  the  business  blocks  are  of  brick  thus  giving  the  town 
a  substantial  and  metropolitan  appearance.  A  school  building  has  just  been 
completed  at  a  cost  of  seventy  thousand  dollars  and  is  a  model  of  its  kind. 
As  a  market  town  Osakis  is  pre-eminent  among  the  cities  and  villages 
in  this  section  of  the  state.  A  large  merchant  flour-mill,  a  roller  feed-mill, 
two  grain  elevators,  two  potato  warehouses,  creamery,  and  a  market  for 
straw,  baled  hay,  eggs,  poultry,  vegetables  are  provided  to  furnish  an  outlet 
for  everything  the  farmer  produces. 

PUBLIC    UTILITIES. 

The  village  owns  its  own  water  system  which  furnishes  adequate  fire 
protection  and  provides  water  service  for  many  families.  A  water  tower 
and  tank  provide  immediate  pressure  in  case  of  fire  until  the  pump  at  the 
pumping  station  may  be  put  into  operation. 

The  village  has  day  and  night  electric  service  furnished  by  the  Osakis 
Milling  Company  and  the  service  is  equal  to  the  best  found  in  the  larger 
cities. 

The  Osakis  Telephone  Company  has  an  extensive  s}'stem  with  over  two 
hundred  subscribers  and  connecting  with  eleven  farmer's  lines. 

MANUFACTURING    INDUSTRIES. 

Among  the  most  successful  manufacturing  institutions  of  the  county 
is  the  four-hundred-barrel  merchant  flour  mill  erected  at  a  cost  of  fifty 
thousand  dollars.  The  famous  "O-sa-kis"  brand  is  a  household  word  not 
only  through  this  part  of  Minnesota  but  in  neighboring  states.  In  connec- 
tion with  the  mill  the  company  has  an  elevator  of  thirty-thousand-bushel 
capacity  and  equipped  with  all  the  latest  machinen,'.  A  spur  track  provides 
adequate  and  economical  facilities.  The  company  grinds  nearly  one-half 
million  bushels  of  wheat  annually,  operating  day  and  night  and  giving 
employment  to  about  twenty  people. 

The  Osakis  Co-operative  Creamery  is  owned  and  managed  by  farm- 
ers.    The  company   was  incorporated  in    1897  and  has  enjo\ed  prosperity 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3I9 

ever  since.  In  1914  a  new  building-  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  six  tivnisand 
dollars.  The  plant  is  equipped  with  all  the  modern  machinery  and  the 
products  command  a  premium  in  the  New  York  market.  The  report  of 
the  output  for  the  year  of  191 5  is  not  at  hand- but  for  1914  the  amount  of 
butter  turned  out  amounted  to  three  hundred  and  thirty-eight  thousand  one 
hundred  and  forty-five  pounds.  At  the  present  time  the  creamery  has  over 
three  hundred  patrons. 

Among  other  manufacturing  industries  is  a  roller  feed  mill,  eciuipped 
with  an  electric  motor  for  power  purposes,  so  that  the  farmer  can  have 
his  feed  ground  while  he  waits. 

A  tile  and  cement  factory  has  been  in  operation  for  the  last  few  }-ears 
and  has  enjoyed  success  and  prosperity.  In  September,  191 5,  the  com- 
pany moved  into  a  larger  and  more  convenient  building  erected  by  the  com- 
pany. 

The  \illage  has  a  planing  and  moulding  mill  and  several  iron  and 
wood-work  shops  that  give  employment  to  several  people, 

CHURCH    AND   FRATERNAL   SOCIETIES. 

The  religious  and  social  life  of  the  village  is  all  that  could  be  desired. 
There  are  four  churches,  including  the  Caiholic  with  Rev.  Fatlier  A^'essen- 
dorf  as  pastor;  the  Danish  Lutheran,  Rev.  P.  C.  Paulsen,  pastor:  the 
[Methodist,  Rev.  Edward  Kaneen,  pastor :  the  Presbvterian,  the  pastor  to 
be  supplied. 

Many  fraternal  organizations  are  represented,  most  of  them  maintain- 
ing lodge-rooms.  Among  the  number  represented  are  the  following :  Masons, 
Eastern  Star,  Improved  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Woodmen  of  America, 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  Degree  of  Honor,  Knights  of  Macca- 
bees and  Danish  Brotherhood. 

OSAKIS    COMMERCIAL    CLUB. 

Osakis  has  a  wide-awake  commercial  club  of  seventy  members.  The 
club  maintains  nicely  furnished  rooms  in  the  Caughren  block  with  reading 
tables,  writing  desks,  billiard  and  card  room  and  all  modern  conveniences, 
including  janitor  service.  The  present  officers  include  the  following  well- 
known  business  men:  President,  C.  H.  Bronson:  vice-president,  E.  X. 
Hamilton:  secretary,  E.  R.  Ruggles:  treasurer,  G.  R.  Lee;  executive  com- 
mittee, Nels  Evenson,  George  Herberger,  H.  E.  Gingery,  F.  H.  Bnrchert 
and  D.  W.  Henstler. 


3-"0  DOUGLAS    .\Xn    GRANT    COUNTIES.    JIINNESOTA. 

POSTOFFICE. 

While  the  early  records  were  burned  in  a  fire  that  destroyed  the  Osakis 
l)0stcffice  se\eral  years  ago,  it  is  kn.own  tliat  tlie  Osakis  postotifice  was 
estabhshed  'in  1865,  and  the  first  postmaster  was  Donald  Stevenson,  the 
earliest  pioneer  and  townsite  proprietor.  Air.  Stevenson  was  succeeded  as 
postmaster  in  1867  by  J.  B.  Johnson,  who  fur  many  years  kept  the  postoffice 
in  his  store  building.  Short!}-  after  the  railroad  reached  Osakis  in  1878. 
Rasmus  Flore  was  made  postmaster.  Mr.  Flore  was  succeeded  by  John  H. 
Rock  who  held  the  office  a  numlser  of  years  and  under  whose  incumbency 
the  office  reached  the  presidential  class.  Air.  Rock  was  a  Republican  and 
when  Cleveland  became  President  was  succeeded  by  Frank  J.  Herberger, 
a  prominent  young  merchant  of  the  village.  Upon  the  return  of  a  Repub- 
lican administration  Mr.  Herberger  was  succeeded  by  Gilbert  Sargent,  who 
died  after  holding  the  office  five  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  Harry 
C.  Sargent,  who  was  postmaster  for  four  years,  and  was  one  of  the  young- 
est postmasters  in  the  state  holding  a  presidential  postoffice.  Harry  Sargent 
gave  way  to  Clement  H.  Bronson,  editor  of  the  Osakis  Rcz'ieiv,  who  was 
appointed  to  the  office  in  February,  1907,  by  President  Roosevelt  and  was 
re-appointed  by  President  Taft  in  191 1.  Air.  Bronson  served  until  June  i. 
1915,  when  a  change  of  administration  resulted  in  the  naming  by  Presi- 
dent Wilson  of  the  present  postmaster,  Frank  H.  Borchert,  president  of  the 
Osakis  State  Bank.  The  present  efficient  assistant  postmaster,  S.  J.  Lyons, 
has  had  active  charge  of  the  work  of  the  office  since  Mr.  Bronson  was 
appointed  postmaster  in  1907,  and  Aliss  Bertha  Larson  has  held  the  posi- 
tion as  clerk  for  a  number  of  years. 

Rural  route  service  out  of  Osakis  was  established  in  1902  during  the 
administration  of  Postmaster  Gilbert  Sargent.  David  W.  Allen  was  the 
first  rural  carrier  appointed  and  is  still  in  the  service.  At  the  present  time 
there  are  five  rural  routes  out  of  Osakis,  the  carriers  in  every  instance  being 
the  ones  originally  appointed  to  the  routes,  as  follows:  Route  i,  D.  \\'. 
Allen;  route  2,  S.  M.  Donaldson:  route  3,  John  J.  Hanson:  route  4,  I.  I. 
McSevany;  route  5,  E.  J.  Lee. 

EDUCATIONAL    ADVANTAGES. 

In  191 5  the  Osakis  school  district  constructed  a  new  and  modern  build- 
in'g  at  a  cost  of  seventy-five  thousand  dollars.  The  building  contains  the 
eight  grades  besides  the  high  school  and  its  various  departments.     The  new 


JIAIX    HTItEET.    EVAXSVILT.E. 


tDS-FAK    VIKW    (IF    KVANSVl 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  32I 

building  gives  added  facilities  for  all  industrial  departments,  a  teachers' 
training  course  and  a  public  library.  The  domestic  science  and  manual 
training  departments  are  each  supplied  with  a  suite  of  three  rooms  com- 
pletely equipped.  The  agricultural  department  is  also  supplied  with  a  suite 
of  rooms  leading  to  which  is  an  inclined  entrance,  thus  permitting  live  stock 
to  be  taken  into  the  class  room  for  study. 

The  teachers'  training  course  fits  students  of  the  senior  year  to  teach 
in  the  rural  school.  Only  a  small  number  are  permitted  to  enroll  in  this 
department  for  the  reason  that  the  character  of  the  work  does  not  permit 
a  larger  number  to  accomplish  the  desired  results.  According  to  Superin- 
tendent Hamilton's  report,  the  enrollment  for  the  past  year  was  three  hun- 
dred and'  eighty,  of  which  numljer  the  high  school  contributed  about  one 
hundred. 

CITY    OF    HOMES. 

Situated  in  the  park  region  and  on  a  beautiful  lake,  Osakis  is  especially 
favored  with  attractive  building  spots.  A  large  majority  of  the  homes  are 
modern  and  especially  is  this  true  of  the  beautiful  dwellings  erected  in  recent 
years.  They  are  surrounded  by  large  and  well-kept  lawns  and  trees.  The 
greater  part  of  the  citizens  own  their  homes  and  take  pride  in  their  upkeep. 

The  village  owns  a  lake  shore  park  covered  with  native  timber  and  is 
kept  as  a  public  picnic  and  playground.  The  park  is  about  two  and  a  half 
acres  in  extent  and  provides  an  ideal  shady  spot  for  all  out-door  and  public 
gatherings. 


EVANSVILLE. 

Eyansville  is  located  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county,  surrounded 
by  the  very  best  of  farming  land,  with  black  loam  and  clay  subsoil,  many 
groves  of  timber,  and  is  within  a  short  distance  of  many  sparkling  lakes. 
The  old  St.  Cloud  and  Ft.  Abercrombie  stage  road,  twenty  miles  north 
of  Alexandria,  passed  along  the  south  edge  of  one  of  the  most  handsome 
groves  that  adorn  the  wide  area  of  the  park  region.  This  road  was  opened 
in  1859,  and  stages  were  running  during  that  year.  A  man  named  Evans 
was  the  first  carrier,  and  as  this  point  was  made  a  stage  station,  he  here 
put  up  a  little  shanty,  in  the  locality,  and  afterwards  the  village  took  his 
name.  In  i860,  a  man  named  Rogers  settled  there  and  kept  the  station  unt-l 
(21) 


;^22  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

the  Indian  outbreak.  Settlers  commenced  to  gather  in  and  a  number  of 
claims  were  taken,  but  when  the  outbreak  came,  the  whole  country  was 
deserted  and  very  few  ever  came  back.  Peabody  &  Kyde  built  a  store 
and  sold  the  first  goods  ever  offered  in  this  market.  In  the  fall  of  1865, 
L.  E.  Thompson  selected  and  occupied  a  homestead  on  the  banks  of  Lake 
Fanny,  and  was  the  first  settler  in  the  town  after  the  outbreak.  He  built 
a  cabin  in  the  beautiful  grove  and  passed  the  winter  alone,  being  joined 
by  his  family  the  following  spring.  The  next  year  M.  C.  Plummer,  W.  H. 
Saunders,  Messrs.  Youngroth,  Delheim,  Peterson,  and  others,  with  their 
families  located  here.  The  site  of  the  old  stage  station,  faultless  in  its 
picturesque  beauty,  overlooking  the  wide  sweep  of  the  prairie  land,  groves, 
and  shining  lakes  which  extended  away  southward,  so  captivated  Jacob 
Shaner,  that  in  1872  he  laid  out  a  townsite,  and  in  course  of  a  few  years 
a  number  of  dwellings  and  business  houses  nestled  in  the  edge  of  the  grove. 
But  Mr.  Shaner  neglected  to  record  his  plats,  and  the  first  real  townsite 
of  Evansville  was  laid  out  by  Lorentz  Johnson,  in  the  fall  of  1879,  covering 
between  fifteen  and  twenty  acres.  Later  Gustaf  Willius,  of  St.  Paul,  laid 
out  about  the  same  number  of  acres  as  a  new  village  by  the  name  of  East 
Evansville,  often  called  "New  Town"  or  "Lower  Town."  The  first  cars 
reached  Evansville  late  in  the  fall  of  1879,  and  since  that  time  the  village 
has  shown  a  steady  and  gradual  growth.  The  village  has  a  splendid  loca- 
tion, and  will  always  be  one  of  the  best  points  in  the  county  as  a  trading 
center.  A  thickly  populated  and  prosperous  farming  country  is  tributary  to 
it,  and  as  the  railroad  makes  it  a  good  shipping  point,  it  is  bound  to  always 
be  a  growing,  busy  place. 

Evansville  was  incorporated  in  1881  by  Chapter  13  of  the  Special  Laws 
of  Minnesota  for  the  year  1881,  and  the  charter  was  amended  by  Chap- 
ter 23  of  the  Special  Laws  for  the  year  1883. 

In  the  way  of  improvements  the  \illage  has  installed  a  complete  water- 
works system  and  in  1897  constructed  a  substantial  town  hall.  A  new  school 
building  is  under  consideration  which  will  add  much  grace  and  dignity  to  the 
village. 

The  village  is  well  supplied  with  church  and  fraternal  organizations. 
The  churches  represented  are  the  Swedish  Lutheran  with  Rev.  S.  W.  Swen- 
son  as  pastor;  the  Swedish  Mission,  Rev.  Engstrom,  pastor;  Swedish  Bap- 
tist, pastor  to  be  supplied:  Norwegian  Lutheran,  Rev.  T.  A.  Sattre,  pastor; 
Presbyterian,  Rev.  Hubber,  pastor. 

The  fraternal  organizations  are  represented  by  the  Masons,  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  and  the  Royal  Neighbors. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  323 

The  business  and  professional  interests  of  the  village  during  the  sum- 
mer of  19 16  were  in  the  hands  of  the  following: 

Auto  garage,  N.  J.  Lindstrom,  manager;  Banks,  Evansville  State  Bank, 
Farmers'  State  Bank;  barber,  E.  L.  Anderson;  blacksmith  shop,  L.  J.  Klein 
and  Martin  Nelson;  creamery,  J.  J.  Micklish ;  clothing,  Nick  Swartz; 
dentist,  Dr.  W.  R.  Porter;  dray  line,  L.  A.  Larson,  P.  J.  Johnson;  druggist, 
C.  C.  Cowden;  elevators,  Anderson  Grain  Company,  Inter- State,  J.  H. 
Harris;  general  dealers,  L.  A.  Schwartz,  H.  E.  Alstead,  V.  M.  Reif,  M. 
O.  Dahe;  grocery  store,  Carl  Borgrud;  hardware  dealer,  Evansville  Hard- 
ware and  Lumber  Company,  G.  L.  Bristol  &  Company;  hotel.  The  Commer- 
cial, J.  Johnson,  proprietor;  jeweler,  L  J.  Jacobson,  livery  and  feed  stable, 
Ole  Homme;  milliners,  Hilma  Johnson,  Mrs.  V.  M.  Reif;  merchant  tailor, 
Evansville  Tailoring  Company;  meat  markets,  Nils  P.  Johnson,  Charles 
Peterson,  newspaper,  The  Evatisznlle  Enterprise,  W.  H.  Bronson,  proprie- 
tor; physician,  Dr.  H.  O.  Ruud,  Dr.  P.  G.  Cowing;  photographer,  H.  A. 
Pries;  restaurant,  Aug.  Carlson,  A.  F.  Lane;  furniture,  C.  S.  Peterson;  room- 
ing houses,  Olof  Dollheim,  Herman  Rogers;  shoe  and  harness  shop,  Chris 
Nelson. 

The  present  elective  officers  of  the  village  are  as  follow:  President, 
H.  A.  Pries;  recorder,  L  J.  Jacobson;  treasurer,  O.  J.  Wallen;  trustees,  A. 
B.  Anderson,  Chris  Nelson  and  H.  G.  Urie;  constables,  John  Johanson  and 
Ole  Homme;  justices,  H.  E.  Alstead  and  V.  M.  Reif.  A  conservative  esti- 
mate of  the  population  would  be  about  five  hundred. 


Years  ago  the  old  St.  Cloud  and  Ft.  Abercrombie  stage  and  mail 
line  passed  two  miles  north  of  this  point,  and  a  station  was  established  on 
the  wood-crowned  hill  that  marks  the  spot.  Henry  Gager  was  the  first 
settler  in  this  locality,  which  was  then  called  Chippewa.  A  hotel  was  opened, 
later  a  general  store  and  postoffice  were  established,  and  the  usual  industries 
of  a  frontier  village  grouped  about  the  place.  In  August,  1879,  when  the 
railroad  graded  through  the  town  of  Chippewa,  Engineer  Sewall  laid  out 
the  town-site  of  the  village  of  Brandon  of  today,  two  miles  south  of  the 
conspicuous  old  village  on  the  hill.  The  proprietress  of  the  site  was  Mary 
Griffin,  whose  business  manager  was  J.  W.  Griffin,  of  Minneapolis.  Martin 
Stowe  immediately  commenced  the  erection  of  a  large  store  and  residence  on 
the  then  open  prairie  of  the  new  village.  Halvor  Engemoen  of  Holmes 
City,  a  man  of  means  and  enterprise,  also  built  a  large  store  and  residence. 


324  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Soon  afterward  Emil  Larson  built  a  hotel;  Philsbury  &  Hulbert  and  David 
Dows  &  Compan}'  erected  grain  houses,  and  the  railroad  compan}'  put  up  a 
neat  and  pleasant  depot  building.  Other  business  interests  followed  rapidly. 
A  glance  at  the  business  interests  of  the  present  day  is  sufficient  to  satisfy 
one  of  its  growth  and  prosperity.  The  business  and  professional  interests 
are  as  follow : 

Beraud,  \"ictor,  barber;  Brandon  Cement  and  Tile  Factory;  Brandon 
Cemetery  Association,  Wigo  Werner,  secretary;  Brandon  Co-operative 
Creamery  Association,  Emil  Bergh,  secretary;  Brandon  Farmers'  Grain 
Company,  Ole  Holpin,  manager;  Brandon  Farmers"  and  Merchants'  Union 
Elevator  Company,  J.  Lorsung,  manager;  Brandon  Forum,  W.  J.  B.  Moses, 
editor ;  Brandon  Grain  Company,  S.  Dickinson,  president ;  Brandon  Hotel, 
William  F.  Meissner,  proprietor;  Brandon  Meat  Market,  O.  O.  Talaat; 
Brandon  Lumber  Company,  C.  J.  Rosengren;  Brandon  Potato  Company,  O. 
F.  Olson,  president;  Brandon  State  Bank,  T.  Jacobson,  president;  Burke,  A. 
B.,  insurance  agent;  Dickinson,  S.,  express  and  telegraph  agent;  Farmers 
State  Bank,  P.  O.  L^numb.  president;  Farmers  and  Merchants  Co-operative 
Telephone  Company;  Haber,  A.  G.,  flour;  Halgren  &  Christenson,  general 
merchants;  Hoplin  &  Berg,  hardware;  Kronberg,  Nels,  farm  implements; 
Larson,  P.  A.,  garage;  Lahn,  August,  livery;  Leonard  Olund  &  Co.,  general 
merchandise;  Meckstroth,  Dr.  C.  W.,  physician  and  surgeon;  Melby,  John, 
painter;  Moe  &  Urness  Township  Mutual  Fire  Insurance  Co.,  A.  H.  Strom, 
secretary;  Olson  Hardware  and  Implement  Company;  Olson,  T.  F.,  insur- 
ance agent;  Pehan,  Casper,  confectionery:  Ringdoll,  C.  A.,  drugs;  Seidlinger, 
P.  J.,  harness;  Swinger,  L.  H.,  blacksmith;  Tamble,  Jacob,  furniture:  Teigen, 
B.  T.,  general  merchandise;  Videen,  G.  R.,  restaurant. 

The  village  became  incorporated  by  a  bill  passed  by  the  state  Legisla- 
ture and  signed  by  the  governor  on  November  22,  1881.  About  nine  years 
after  incorporation  a  town  hall  was  built  which  has  since  been  a  public  meet- 
ing place  and  headquarters  for  the  fire  department. 

Brandon  has  excellent  graded  schools  doing  two  years'  high  school 
work.  The  teachers  for  the  coming  year  are :  Principal,  Morris  E.  Hawley  : 
grammar  grades,  Jennie  Beckman:  intermediate,  Clara  Nelson;  primary. 
Esther  Erickson.  The  average  enrollment  is  alx>ut  ninety.  The  school 
board  is  composed  of :  Emil  Bergh,  president :  Dr.  C.  ^^'.  ^leckstroth,  secre- 
tary; Wigo  Werner,  treasurer. 

The  present  village  officers  include  the  following:  President,  B.  T. 
Teigen-;  recorder,  \\'igo  Werner;  treasurer,  A.  Burkel,  trustees.  Math  Xel- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRAXT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  325 

son,  W.  J.  B.  :\Ioses  and  John  Hammergren ;  justice;  A.  Burkel ;  constable, 
August  Lehn. 

The  religious  life  of  the  village  is  supplied  by  four  congregations,  they 
being  the  Catholic,  Norwegian  Free  Lutheran,  Norwegian  Svnod  Lutheran, 
and  a  Norwegian  congregation. 

It  is  a  recognized  fact  that  Brandon  ships  more  grain  than  any  other 
station  in  the  county.  The  village  has  a  live  commercial  club  composed  of 
farmers  and  merchants.  There  are  six  fine  lakes  within  fifteen  minutes' 
drive  of  town,  and  the  town  is  surrounded  by  fine  farms. 

HOLMES    CITY. 

This  is  an  inland  \'illage,  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  township 
I.earing  the  same  name.  It  was  one  of  the  first  settled  points  in  the  county, 
Air.  Holmes,  after  whom  the  town  was  named,  Noah  Grant  and  W.  S.  San- 
ford  having  settled  here  in  the  summer  of  1858.  The  village  today  has  a 
good  grade  for  an  inland  town.  A  directory  of  the  present  business  is  as 
follows : 

Backehn,  J.  J-.  shoemaker;  Bergstrom,  John,  blacksmith;  Hanson  Bros., 
general  merchandise;  Bjelm,  P.  M.,  flour  mill;  Holmes  City  Co-operative 
Creamery  Association;  Johnson,  Albert,  tailor;  Johnson,  J.  M.,  carding  mill; 
Malm,  S.  J.,  jeweler;  Wagemus,  S.  O.,  postmaster;  Wolf,  Oscar,  blacksmith. 

Two  religious  denominations  have  congregations  here,  namely,  the 
Swedish  Lutheran,  and  Swedish  Baptist.     This  village  it  not  incorporated. 


Data  is  not  in  hand  to  show  who  were  the  ^•erv  first  settlers  in  this 
village  or  just  when  it  began  its  existence,  but  facts  go  to  prove  that  the  date 
must  have  l^een  in  the  latter  part  of  the  seventies.  A  man  by  the  name  of 
Star  was  the  first  merchant  and  was  also  the  first  postmaster.  The  postoffice 
at  that  time  was  known  as  Dent.  Star  served  as  ix)stmaster  seven  or  eight 
months  and  on  May  12,  1881,  he  was  succeeded  by  the  present  postmaster, 
Thomas  Olson,  who  has  seen  continuous  service  ever  since.  The  name  of 
the  postoffice  was  later  changed  to  Nelson  in  honor  of  Senator  Knute  Nelson. 

In  about  1890,  S.  J.  Miller  bought  the  land  now  comprising  the  site  of 
Nelson  and  platted  it  into  lots.  The  first  lot  was  sold  to  John  Silrose  for 
fifty  dollars,  which  was  the  average  price. 

On  August  31,    1903,  the  village   was  incorporated  and   the   following 


326  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

officers  elected:  President,  J.  P.  Larson;  recorder,  Olof  Erickson;  trustees, 
L.  J.  Hanson,  Mat  Berglund  and  S.  J.  Miller.  The  present  (jfficers  include 
the  following:  President,  G.  A.  Fosgren;  recorder,  J.  G.  Myers;  trustees, 
H.  A.  Iverson,  J.  F.  Henry  and  Olof  Erickson. 

Many  lines  of  business  are  now  carried  on  in-  the  village  as  will  be 
noticed  by  giving  attention  to  the  present  business  directory  which  is  as 
follows : 

Axito  repairing,  C.  E.  Iverson;  builder  and  contractor,  J.  F.  Henry;  Bank 
of  Nelson,  George  Stromlund,  president;  buyer  of  live  stock,  J.  P.  Larson; 
carpenter  and  contractor,  T.  A.  Jensen;  cement  and  lumber,  N.  O.  Johnson; 
cit}'  meat  market,  J.  G.  Myers;  department  store,  Herberger-Cruse;  depot 
Great  Northern,  W.  O.  Fadden;  elevator,  N.  O.  Johnson;  tlour  and  feed, 
J.  P.  Larson ;  hotel  and  restaurant,  T.  A.  Jensen ;  Nelson  potato  house ;  pump 
supplies  and  repairs,  Olof  Erickson. 

The  Nelson  Telephone  Company  was  organized  in  1906  and  was  in- 
stalled by  C.  E.  Iverson.  The  service  has  always  been  first-class,  which  is 
quite  a  tribute  to  the  present  operators,  Mrs.  C.  E.  Iverson  and  daughter. 

The  village  has  a  concert  band  of  twenty-two  pieces  that  would  do 
credit  to  a  town  many  times  the  size  of  Nelson.  During  the  summer  months 
weekly  concerts  are  held  in  the  band  stand  near  the  center  of  the  village. 

There  is  only  one  church  in  the  village  and  that  is  the  Danish  Baptist, 
the  pastor  being  the  Rev.  P.  C.  Paulson. 

In  the  way  of  fraternal  organizations  there  are  two,  the  Knights  of 
Maccabees,  organized  on  April  13,  1901,  and  the  Ladies  of  the  Maccabees, 
organized  on  April  30,  1904. 

An  object  of  great  pride  and  admiration  among  many  citizens  is  the 
Young  Peoples  Branch  of  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union.  This 
branch  was  organized  in  191 1  by  Mrs.  Scovell,  a  state  worker.  In  1913,  a 
b.uilding  was  erected  by  this  organization  at  a  cost  of  about  eight  hundred 
dollars.  The  building  was  dedicated  by  state  workers  and  gained  a  great 
deal  of  notice  from  the  fact  that  the  building  was  about  the  only  one  of  its 
kind  in  existence.  The  societies  are  also  very  few.  The  society  already 
referred  to  maintains  an  organization  holding  regular  meetings  semi-monthly. 
Edna  Larson  is  president  of  the  organization  and  also  state  secretary  of  the 
state  organization;  Wallace  Larson  is  vice-president;  E.  Youngner,  secre- 
tary; Chris  Hanson,  treasurer. 

Nothing  gi\es  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  and  the  surrounding  com- 
munity more  pride  than  to  speak  of  their  school.  And  rightfully  too,  because 
they  have  just  completed  a  new  brick  building  at  a  cost  of  about  twenty 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  327 

thousand  dollars.  The  building  is  modern  from  basement  to  attic  and  is  a 
model  of  its  kind.  The  village  school  has  been  consolidated  with  a  school 
district  in  the  countr\-  and' thus  made  more  satisfactory  to  all.  Four  teachers 
are  employed  and  the  enrollment  averages  about  one  hundred"  and  ten.  Ralph 
Borman  is  the  principal  for  the  school  year  of  1916  and  191 7. 


The  village  was  named  in  honor  of  James  A.  Garfield,  President  of  the 
United  States.  Among  the  first  settlers  in  and  near  the  village  were:  T. 
Knutson,  Oscar  Dahlin,  Fred  Bartle,  Claus  Peterson,  Mrs.  M.  Sanstead  and 
Augu.st  Fenstad.  The  townsite  plats  for  the  village  were  filed  by  Andrew 
Sanstead,  February  17,  1882. 

The  village  began  its  corporate  existence  on  September  9,  1905.  The 
following  officers  were  elected:  President,  T.  Knutson;  treasurer,  J.  A. 
Nelson ;  recorder,  W.  W.  DunniclifT ;  trustees,  Ole  Johnson,  Joseph  P.  McCord 
and  J.  C.  Peterson;  justices.  Gust  Loo  and  K.  P.  Landru;  constables,  S.  L. 
West  and  Fred  Bartel.  The  present  elective  officers  include  the  following : 
President,  P.  Christiansen;  recorder,  Theodore  Walstad;  trustees,  Leonard 
Loren.  Simon  Jensen,  Edward  Sanstead;  constable,  Herman  Zeigelman. 

Among  the  postmasters  of  the  village  have  been  the  following:  Swan 
D.  Larson,  who  was  probably  the  first;  C.  H.  Larson,  Andrew  Gustavson, 
John  Lundstrom,  J.  L.  Larson,  C.  G.  Bergsten,  and  the  present  postmaster, 
C.  J.  Johnson,  who  was  appointed  October  17,  1907. 

The  business  interests  of  the  village  during  the  summer  of  19 16  were  in 
the  hands  of  the  following  men: 

Auto  garage,  Charles  Johnson;  bank.  State  Bank  of  Garfield;  barber. 
Gust  .\.  Lund;  blacksmith,  John  Youngberg;  creamery,  Farmers  Creamery 
Association;  elevator.  Farmers  Elevator;  general  dealers,  A.  Abrahams,  L. 
Olund  &  Co.,  A.  Bergsten  &  Son;  hardware,  Knutson  &  Son;  harness,  Fred 
Passenheim;  hotel,  August  Buthner;  livery,  E.  Peterson;  lumber,  Garfield 
Lumber  Company,  John  Nelson,  manager;  meat  market,  Ketter  Bros.;  potato 
warehouse,  Farmers,  L.  Loren. 

The  German  Lutheran  church  has  a  congregation  in  the  village  and  is 
served  by  the  Reverend  Bartz.  The  village  maintains  no  separate  school  dis- 
trict, but  is  very  conveniently  served  by  the  district  school  just  at  the  edge  of 
town. 

The  first  potato  warehouse  in  the  county  was  built  at  Garfield  in  191 1  by 
a  farmers  co-operative  company,  and  was  so  much  of  a  success  that  in  191 2 
a  second  one  was  built. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


The  village  of  Melby,  with  a  population  of  about  seventy,  is  located  in 
the  northwest  corner  of  the  county  and  twenty-four  miles  from  Alexandria. 
It  was  platted  by  A.  G.  and  Sigrid  Johnson  in  April,  1902.  The  village  is 
surrounded  by  a  fine  agricultural  community  which  is  its  main  support. 
Although  the  village  is  small,  yet  the  business  interests  are  varied  and  almost 
any  need  can  be  accommodated.     The  business  directory  is  given  as  follows : 

Bank,  Melby  State  Bank;  blacksmith,  Ole  Olson;  creamery.  Gust  Wah- 
lin;  elevator,  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  Johnson  &  Palmquist;  furniture 
dealer.  Constant  Lundgren;  feed  mill,  A.  G.  Johnson  &  Sons  Co.;  general 
dealer,  O.  M.  Gilbertson  &  Co.,  Johnson  Bros. ;  harness  shop,  Swan  Lind- 
strom;  hardware  dealer,  H.  N.  Palmquist;  implement  dealer,  P.  M.  Pear- 
son ;  lumber  dealer,  Evansville  Lumber  Company ;  potato  warehouse,  Farm.- 
ers ;  restaurant,  L.  C.  Calkin,  Fritz  Carlson ;  shoe  shop,  N.  A.  Westman. 
This  village  is  not  incorporated. 


Forda  is  a  small  village  located  on  the  "Soo  Line,"'  about  seven  miles 
south  of  Alexander  and  with  an  estimated  population  of  seventy-five.  The 
village  is  the  heart  of  an  agricultural  region  and  also  where  much  fruit  is 
grown.  Thus,  the  village  satisfies  the  need  of  a  local  market  and  doubtless 
will  continue  to  grow  as  time  advances.  The  village  was  platted  by  Cyrus 
A.  Campbell  in  July,  1903,  was  incorporated  on  April  6.  1905. 

Following  is  a  directory  of  the  business  interests :  Affeldt,  John,  hard- 
ware; Beisek,  Lewis,  blacksmith;  Chase,  C,  hotel;  Farmers  State  Bank; 
Forada  Co-operative  Manufacturing  and  \A^arehouse  Company ;  Jenson, 
William,  general  merchandise  and  postmaster ;  Northland  Elevator  Company ; 
Stevens,  O.  P.,  grocer;  Turnland,  Harry,  express  and  telegraph  agent. 


Miltona  is  a  small  village  located  in  the  township  that  bears  its  name. 
It  is  on  the  "Soo  Line"  and  although  not  as  large  as  some  of  the  other 
villages  in  the  county,  is  well  equipped  with  elevator  and  stock  shipping 
facilities.  Sufficient  business  enterprises  exist  to  satisfy  all  local  needs.  J.  A. 
Hintzen  conducts  a  general  store ;  Edward  Jerome,  a  blacksmith  shop ;  P.  G. 
Miller,  a  grain  elevator ;  the  Sandbeck  Lumber  Company,  a  branch.  ]\Iiltona 
is  not  incorporated. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  329 


MILLERVILLE. 


The  town  site  of  Alillerville  was  platted  by  Edward  Schirber  in  June, 
1903.  The  village  began  its  corporate  existence  June  29,  1903,  after  a 
hotly-contested  election  had  been  held  to  decide  the  question  of  incorporation. 
The  liquor  question  was  one  of  the  main  issues,  as  many  of  the  citizens 
wanted  saloons  and  incorporation  was  the  only  means  to  such  an  end. 

The  village  is  located  in  the  township  that  bears  its  name,  and  though 
inland,  has  an  extensive  local  trade.  The  first  house  in  Millerville  was  built 
by  John  A.  Miller,  second  by  Frank  Weber,  third  by  Peter  Lorsung.  The 
first  store  was  built  and  operated  by  Mathias  Kotschevar,  Joseph  .Stariha, 
the  first  hotel  keeper,  and  Mathias  Baden,  the  first  blacksmith. 

The  business  interests  during  the  year  of  1916  were  as  follow: 

Bank,  German  American  State  Bank  of  Millerville;  blacksmith,  Jaciib 
Thoeness ;  creamery,  John  Poppler,  Jr. ;  druggist,  C.  M.  Klein ;  fiour-mill, 
Fred  G.  Dobmeyer;  general  stores,  J.  Linster  and  A.  J.  Lorsung;  hotel, 
Mathias  Stariha;  harness  shop,  P.  B.  Lorsung;  meat  market,  J.  P.  Lorsung; 
physician.  Dr.  John  C.  Drexler ;  machinery,  Val.  Thoenness  &  Sons. 


The  town-site  plats  for  the  \-illage  of  Carlos  were  filed  in  the  register  of 
deeds  office  on  August  12,  1903,  by  Cyrus  A.  Campbell.  The  village  began 
its  corporate  existence  on  July  7,  1904.  It  is  located  on  the  "Soo  Line"  and 
about  eight  miles  northeast  of  Alexandria.  The  estimated  population  is  two 
hundred.  The  village  has  two  Lutheran  churches  and  a  general  business 
that  is  characteristic  of  towns  of  its  size. 

Following  is  a  director}-  of  the  business  interests: 

Auto  garage,  G.  H.  Gilbertson;  bank.  First  State  Bank;  blacksmith,  G. 
H.  Gilbertson,  J.  Heskenhoff;  liarber,  Charles  H.  Holgrimson;  creamery, 
Carlos  Co-operative  Creamery  Company;  elevator.  Homestead  Flevator 
Company,  N.  Steidl,  agent;  Woodworth  Elevator  Company,  A.  .\thman, 
agent;  Farmers  Society  of  Equity;  general  dealer,  Albert  Kohler,  A.  J. 
Ogren,  Renter  Bros. ;  harness  shop,  Thomas  Roach ;  hardware  dealer,  August 
Kohlhaas ;  implement  dealer,  Ehlert  &  Gilbertson ;  livery,  Casper  Renter ; 
lumber  dealer,  C.  O.  Franzen  &  Co.;  meat  market,  J.  E.  Taylor;  physician, 
P.  .\.  Love;  real  estate  dealer,  J.  B.  Hove,  Bundy  Scott;  restaurant,  Charles 
Annis;  telephone,  Central  Telephone  Company. 


330  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUTs'TIES,    MINNESOTA. 

KENSINGTON. 

Kensington  was  platted  by  William  D.  AVashburn  in  March,  1887,  and 
incorporated  on  June  6,  1891.  It  is  located  in  the  extreme  southwestern 
corner  of  the  county,  on  the  "Soo  Line"  and  nineteen  miles  from  Glenwood. 
Kensington  is  situated  on  a  rolling  prairie  whose  land  is  unequalled  in  pro- 
ductiveness. A  conservative  estimate  of  the  population  at  the  present  time 
would  be  about  two  hundred  and  sixty.  In  the  way  of  religious  and  civic 
'  rganizations  the  village  has  a  Swedish  Lutheran  church  and  an  active  and 
wide  awake  commercial  club. 

The' business  directory  for  the  year  1916  is  as  follows: 
x\uto  garage,  Colmark  &  Brandt;  bank,  First  State  Bank  of  Kensington; 
barber,  Mark  F.  Chan;  blacksmith  shop.  Axel  W.  Hallberg;  creamery,  Ken- 
sington Co-operative  Creamery;  druggist,  John  A.  Wedum;  elevators.  Farm- 
ers Elevator  Company,  Andrew  Holt,  agent;  Atlantic  Elevator  Company, 
P.  G.  Peterson,  manager;  furniture  dealer,  George  S.  Maxfield;  Farmers 
M'arehouse  Association,  J.  T.  Rotto,  president;  general  dealer,  Abraham  Des- 
nick,  John  Bisek;  harness  dealer,  Ole  Berglund;  hardware  dealer,  Kensing- 
ton Hardware  and  Lumber  Company;  hotel,  Kensington  Hotel,  Mrs.  E.  J. 
Colmark,  proprietor ;  implements,  Harry  Osterberg ;  livery,  Bjorklund  Bros. ; 
lumber  dealer,  Kensington  Hardware  and  Lumber  Company;  meat  market, 
Frank  Dahlin;  physician.  Dr.  Otto  L.  Hanson;  photographer,  E.  J.  Col- 
mark; restaurant,  George  Hendricks,  J.  A.  Bjerke;  tile  works,  Kensington 
Tile  Company,  L.  A.  Larson,  president. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
Sidelights  on  County  History. 

As  an  interesting  "sidelight"  on  the  history  of  Alexandria  and  of  Doug- 
las county,  perhaps  no  event  of  recent  years  hereabout  has  been  more  signi- 
ficant or  productive  of  greater  interest  in  the  days  that  have  gone  than  the 
"home-coming  week"  celebrated  by  the  people  of  Alexandria  and  of  the 
county  at  large  at  the  county  seat  in  the  last  week  of  June,  1916,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Commercial  Club  and  of  the  home-coming  committee.  A 
series  of  interesting  meetings  were  arranged  for  the  affair  and  the  event 
was  marked  by  the  return  to  the  scenes  of  other  days  of  many  who  had  gone 
away  from  this  favored  community  seeking  fame  and  fortune  elsewhere, 
but  who  still  regard  Douglas  county  as  "home,  sweet  home."  Meetings  were 
held  in  the  high  school  hall  and  music  was  furnished  by  the  Alexandria 
band,  on  Saturday  bands  from  Eagle  Bend  and  Kensington  also  being  present. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  on  Thursday'  evening,"  Gustav  A.  Kortsch 
presiding.  The  Rev.  Francis  Welp  delivered  the  invocation  and  Dr.  C.  C. 
Strang,  mavor  of  Alexandria,  made  an  address  of  welcome  to  the  "back- 
homers,"  the  response  to  the  same  being  made  by  Theo.  A.  Erickson.  Other 
speakers  were  A.  M.  Darling,  O.  H.  Larson,  Julian  Fitzgerald,  Walter  Shot- 
well,  W.  E.  Landeen  and  A.  M.  Wilton,  all  of  whom  spoke  in  a  reminiscent 
strain  of  other  days.  On  Friday  morning  a  reunion  of  former  pupils  of  the 
Alexandria  schools  was  held,  the  program  being  carried  out  by  memljers  of 
former  classes,  and  a  short  historical  review  of  the  school  dating  back  to 
1 861  was  given,  while  talks  fraught  with  interesting  stories  of  past  school 
days  were  made  by  A.  T.  Larson,  Theo.  A.  Erickson.  A.  P.  Nelson  and  W. 
E.  Landeen.  R.  C.  Bondurant  presided  and  an  alumni  association  was  organ- 
ized with  the  following  officers:  President,  A.  T.  Larson,  of  Alinneapolis ; 
vice-president,  W.  E.  Landeen,  of  Elbow  Lake;  secretary.  Alma  Anderson, 
of  .Alexandria ;  treasurer,  R.  C.  Bondurant.  There  were  present  at  this 
alumni  meeting  five  members  of  the  class  of  1878.  The  afternoon  meeting 
on  that  day  was  presided  over  by  H.  A.  LeRoy  and  a  series  of  interesting 
letters  from  persons  who  had  left  this  county  in  days  past  for  farther  fields 
was   read  bv  George   L.    Treat,   secretary  of  the   home-coming   committee. 


^^2  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Reminiscent  talks  were  made  by  M.  N.  Koll,  of  Cass  Lake,  and  by  James  F. 
Dicken,  pioneers  of  the  county,  and  A.  T.  Larson  also  gave  an  interesting 
talk.  At  that  meeting  the  address  of  the  week  was  made  by  Adolph  P. 
Xelson,  of  Grantsburg,  Wisconsin,  who  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  Alexandria, 
"Ladv  of  the  Lakes,"  and  to  the  pioneers  of  Douglas  count}-,  among  whom 
he  mentioned  the  names  of  the  Kinkaid  brothers.  Holmes,  Grant,  Hicks,  San- 
ford,  Gregory,  Dicken,  Darling,  Blackwell,  Van  Dyke,  Shotwell,  Sims,  Whit- 
comb,  Kent,  Lewis,  Nord,  Walker,  Thorp  Sprague,  Freudenreich,  Cowings, 
Van  Hoesen,  Baumbach,  White,  Robards,  Moles,  Canfield,  Brown,  Vivian, 
Aaker,  Christie,  Sundblad,  Bondurant,  Llawley,  Fahlin,  Kortsch,  Gilpin, 
Burkel,  Gunderson  "and  last,  but  not  least,"  concluded  the  speaker,  "that 
fplendid  citizen  of  your  midst  who  is  known  as  the  'grand  old  man,"  not 
onlv  of  Minnesota,  but  also  of  the  United  States  Senate.  A  man  who  has 
made  his  statesmanship  and  his  influence  of  life  so  felt  in  the  national  gov- 
ernment that  when  he  speaks,  not  onl\-  America,  but  the  world  is  glad  to 
listen  and  to  take  counsel.  I  ha^-e  reference  to  your  peerless  citizen,  your 
great  representative  in  the  LTnited  States  Senate,  Senator  Knute  Nelson." 
Among  the  earlier  teachers  in  the  schools,  the  speaker  mentioned  Mr.  Gunder- 
son, Miss  Gunderson  (now  Mrs.  Van  Hoesen),  Miss  Childs,  Miss  Thomp- 
son, Miss  King,  the  Misses  Wright,  Miss  Barnard  (now  Mrs.  Robards), 
Miss  Dudley,  Miss  Donaldson,  Miss  Lloyd  and  Prof.  A.  D.  Gaines,  "through 
whose  genius  and  leadership  the  Alexandria  high  school  attained  a  rank 
second  ti)  none  in  the  state." 

The  I'riday  evening  meeting  was  presided  over  b}'  J.  H.  \\'ettleson, 
president  of  the  Commercial  Club,  and  with  one  exception  the  program  was 
made  up  of  five-minute  talks  by  George  F.  ^^'hitcomb,  N.  P.  \\'ard,  A.  M. 
Darling  and  R.  C.  Bondurant.  The  exception  noted  was  a  talk  given  by 
James  F.  Dicken,  of  La  Grand,  now  past  eighty-one  years  of  age  and  one  of 
the  very  first  settlers  of  Douglas  county,  who  gave  for  the  entertainment  and 
edification  of  his  hearers  a  review  of  the  history  of  Douglas  county,  he 
ha\'ing  been  a  resident  here  since  the  very  beginning  of  a  social  order  in  this 
section  of  the  state.  Mr.  Dicken  arrived  in  Douglas  county  in  1859  after 
having  spent  two  or  diree  years  in  the  vicinit}-  of  the  present  city  of  Hutch- 
in.'-on,  this  state,  and  he  gave  the  dates  of  the  cutting  out  of  the  Alexandria- 
Garfield  and  the  Alexandria-Carlos  roads,  the  names  of  the  parties  who  did 
the  work  and  of  the  occasion  that  demanded  the  construction  of  the  roads. 
He  gave  also  a  brief  history  of  the  Indian  uprising  of  1862,  of  the  excite- 
ment that  followed  and  of  the  general  exodus  of  the  settlers  from  this  region 
to  [joints  of  safety  at  Sauk  Center,  St.  Cloud  and  elsewhere  during  that  time 


DOl^GLAS    AND    GRA>7T    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  333 

of  trouble.  On  Saturda)-  evening,  closing  the  home-coming  week,  a  recep- 
tion \va.s  given  by  the  ladies  at  the  rooms  of  the  Commercial  Club  and  on 
Sunday  evening  a  union  service  was  held  in  the  Congregational  church,  the 
Rev.  F.  S.  Stein,  of  Lincoln,  Xebraska,  preaching  on  the  subject  of  home 
inHuence.  or  the  place  of  the  home  as  a  factor  in  civilization.  As  stated 
al)0\e,  the  delightful  home-coming  was  arranged  under  the  general  direction 
of  the  Commercial  Club  of  Alexandria,  the  general  committee  and  chairmen 
of  sub-committees  being  as  follow:  Chairman,  G.  A.  Kortsch;  secretary, 
George  L.  Treat;  program,  George  L.  Treat;  publicity,  John  Griebler; 
finance,  Andrew  Jacobson ;  reception,  Constant  Larson :  entertainment.  H. 
T.  Holverson;  decoration.  W.  T.  Cowing;  music,  J-  ^L  Renner;  parade, 
Lewis  S.  Kent ;  membership,  J-  H.  Wettleson. 

MEMORIES   OF   OTHER  DAYS. 

Among  the  many  letters  received  by  the  secretary  of  the  home-coming 
committee  and  read  at  the  meeting,  there  were  some  so  interesting,  recalling 
scenes  and  incidents  of  other  days  so  pleasantly,  that  it  is  regarded  as  a 
matter  of  value  and  interest  to  succeeding  generations  to  quote  a  few  extracts 
from  the  same  in  this  connection. 

Senator  Xelson  wrote:  "I  am  very  glad,  indeed,  that  you  and  the 
other  friends  have  nio\-ed  in  this  matter.  It  will  be  a  great  opportunity  for 
the  old  settlers  to  meet  and  come  together  to  talk  over  old  times  and  the 
struggles  and  trials  of  frontier  life.  We  have  now  ceased  to  be  a  frontier 
country,  but  nevertheless  we  are  still  so' young  that  many  of  the  pioneers  are 
still  with  us  and  bear  the  scars  and  marks  of  the  intense  struggle  of  pioneer 
life.  Alexandria  and  Douglas  county  were  fortunate  in  securing  an  ener- 
getic, industrious  and  thrifty  class  of  people,  who  ha\e,  by  their  efforts. 
succeeded  in  making  Douglas  county  one  of  the  garden  spots  of  Minnesota. 
\Ve  old  settlers,  who  will  in  the  near  future  pass  away,  can  look  back  with 
pride  on  the  great  work  that  has  been  accomplished  with  the  knowledge  and 
assurance  that  our  work  will  be  taken  up  by  the  younger  generation  that  will 
succeed  us  and  that  they  will  expand  and  enlarge  upon  the  foundations  that 
we  laid.  They  will  have  strenuous  work  before  them,  but  they  will  be  sub- 
jected to  less  trials  and  tribulations  and  have  more  of  the  modern  conveniences 
than  we  had;  but  we  bespeak  for  them  the  same  blessings  of  an  All-W'ise 
Providence  that  N\e  ha\e  enjoyed  in  our  day  and  generation." 

Major  E.  H.  ^^■hitcomb,  major  and  chief  sanitary  officer  of  the  b'irst 
Brigade,   Minnesota  National  Guard,  and  a  son  of  Capt.   George  C.   Whit- 


334  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

comb,  \vho  was  commandant  of  the  old  Alexandria  stockade  when  the  latter 
was  disbanded  in  1866,  writing  from  Camp  Bobleter,  where  the  Minnesota 
troops  were  being  mobilized  for  border  service,  wrote:  "Disappointment 
falls  to  the  lot  of  most  of  us  at  one  time  or  another,  and  it  certainly  has  hit 
me  this  time.  I  felt  that  a  duty  was  incumbent  on  me  to  be  present  at  the 
home  coming  and  have  a  vacation,  but  duty  of  a  more  serious  character  has 
called  and  I  a:ii  doing  what. I  can  for  my  .country.  I  was  mustered  into  the 
United  States  service  yesterday  (June  zj,  1916).  I  am  chief  sanitary  officer, 
with  what  other  duties  may  arise.  I  would  dearly  enjoy  the  handclasp  of 
friends  of  old  who  will  be  with  you.  As  I  sit  here  in  my  tent,  in  fancy  I 
can  look  into  eyes  long  closed  on  earth  and  hear  familiar  voices  wafted  on 
waves  of  tender  recollection  from  across  the  Mystic  Sea.  These  will  not 
respond  to  your  invitation,  but  they  will  be  thought  of  and  spoken  of  in 
tenderest  terms  and  will  occupy  their  fitting  and  essential  place  in  the  history 
of  Alexandria.'' 

C.  D.  Baker,  of  Fergus  Falls  wrote:  "I  wanted  a  chance  to  tell  what 
few  old  settlers  there  were  left  there  and  what  I  knew  about  them  in  an 
earlier  day.  I  was  goin^  to  tell  about  our  trip  at  the  time  that  Knute  Nelson, 
Baumbach,  \^an  Hoesen,  Charles  Schultz,  John  Cowing  and  about  a  dozen 
others  went  down  east  of  town  fishing;  the  time  that  Charles  Schultz  could 
not  pull  a  tree  up  by  the  roots,  and  that  Mr.  Nelson  and  Baumbach  had  to 
sing  songs  for  the  party  on  their  way  home  that  night.  I  wanted  to  tell 
about  ]\lr.  Baumbach  helping  me  to  sell  apple  trees  up  in  the  Millerville 
country,  when  two  of  us  rode  in  a  two-wheeled  road  cart;  I  wanted  to  tell 
about  Jim  Dicken,  the  time  when  he  was  selling  fire  insurance,  when  'for  a 
moment'  he  forgot  himself;  and  then  there  were  a  lot  of  the  boys  that  I 
wanted  to  talk  about,  but  I  find  most  of  them  have  gone  to  the  'happy  hunt- 
ing grounds.'  ■  As  I  figure  it,  there  is  only  about  one  out  of  ten  of  the  old- 
timers  alive.  .  .  .  My  heart  is  with  you.  and  it  seems  as  though  I  can 
see  among  the  crowd  that  you  have  there,  some  of  the  old-timers  that  I  knew 
forty  years  ago.     There  must  be  a  few  of  them. left." 

;\Irs.  Edward  Gillette,  of  Santa  Barbara,  California,  wrote:  "And  we 
are  among  the  pioneers!  My  dear  father,  Richard  Dent,  wife  and  family  of 
seven  children,  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  arrived  at  Alexandria,  Sep- 
tember 9.  1868,  coming  by  team  from  LeSueur,  Minnesota.  It  was  indeed 
a  frontier  town  of  few  inhabitants — looked  very  drear)'  to  us.  never  having 
liNed  where  we  could  not  see  railroad  trains  every  day.  Father  went  to  work 
for  Mr.   ^^■illiam  Hicks,  in  the  grist-mill,  as  engineer.     We  lived  in  a  log 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  335 

house  owned  by  Mr.  Shotwell,  near  Lake  Geneva,  until  a  log  house  could  be 
built  on  our  farm  on  Lake  Victoria.  We  moved  on  October  28  and  it  was 
not  half  finished;  no  chinking  in  cracks  and  without  windows — hung  up 
blankets  to  keep  out  the  cold,  but  we  were  all  well  and  happy.  The  few 
people  seemed  like  one  large  family.  .  .  .  D.  W.  Colby  and  family 
were  among  the  early  settlers,  also  Cal.  Roland  and  James  Rusk.  All  were 
there  ahead  of  our  family.  Mrs.  Van  Hoesen  and  her  brother,  C.  J.  Gunder- 
son  were  there  at  Robert  Smith's,  who  had  a  farm  near  the  Shotwells,  on 
Lake  Geneva.  Three  youngest  children  of  our  family  were  born  in  Alexan- 
dria: Mrs.  H.  A.  Plahte,  of  Spokane,  Washington;  Mrs.  M.  H.  Terryll,  of 
Faribault,  and  Dr.  Frank  E.  Dent,  of  Sequim,  Washington.  Dear  mother 
passed  away  at  Spokane,  May  10,  191 1  ;  father,  May  19,  1915.  Brother  James 
Dent,  who  was  in  the  railway  mail  service  office  for  twenty  years  in  St.  Paul, 
passed  away  June  2;^,  1909.  He  was  chief  clerk  at  that  time  and  was  loved 
by  all  who  knew  him.  Brother  Richard  is  a  member  of  the  big  real-estate 
firm  of  Arthur  D.  Jones  &  Company,  of  Spokane,  Washington,  and  is  vice- 
president  of  the  company." 

William  G.  -Scott,.  «f  Winnipeg,  wrote : .  "The  receipt  of  your  letter 
caused  me  to  indulge  in  some  'reminisencing'  and  recall  the  fact  that  it  is 
fifty  years  this  present  month  of  June  since  my  father  and  my  eldest  brother 
— the  latter  now  a  resident  of  the  state  of  Washington — first  arrived  in 
Douglas  county  and  located  on  homesteads  in  the  township  of  Hudson.  The 
other  members  of  the  family,  including  the  writer,  followed  in  October  of 
the  same  year  (T866).  The  journey  from  Toronto  occupied  seventeen  days 
and  was  made  by  steamboat  to  Milwaukee,  railway  to  LaCrosse,  steamboat 
to  St.  Paul,  railway  to  St.  Cloud  and  'prairie  schooners'  to  Hudson.  At 
that  time' there  were  no  large  centers  of  population  west  of  Milwaukee,  the 
present  flourishing  cities  of  St.  Paul  and  Minneapolis  being  mere  hamlets. 
It  boasted  an  abandoned  stockade,  but  few  buildings.  It  had  a  tri-weekly 
mail  service,  carried  by  the  Burbank  four-horse  stage  coaches,  which  made 
regular  trips  between  St.  Cloud  and  Ft.  Abercrombie,  on  the  Red  river.  It 
was  on  the  main  highway  to  the  various  forts  in  northern  Minnesota,  the  then 
territory  of  Dakota  and  what  was  then  known  as  Ft.  Gary,  or  the  Red  River 
Settlement.  There  were  continually  passing  through  it  long  lines  of  govern- 
ment wagons,  each  drawn  by  six  mules,  carrying  supplies  and  munitions  to 
the  western  forts.  The  commerce  of  what  is  now  the  three  prairie  provinces 
of  Canada,  served  at  the  present  time  by  three  transcontinental  lines  of  rail- 
way and  numerous  branches,  was  then  carried  along  the  same  route  in  Red 
river  carts,  each  drawn  by  one  ox,  their  journey  leading  through  northern 


336  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

IMinnesota  and  Dakota,  then  homeless  plains,  within  whose  borders  civiliza- 
tion had  not  yet  entered  except  in  the  vicinity  of  two  or  three  forts." 

The  Rev.  J.  Scott  Willmarth,  of  Greenwood,  Wisconsin,  wrote :  "Alex- 
andria ma\-  well  be  proud  of  her  citizens  and  of  the  products  of  her  school. 
She  always  has  a  Treat  to  show  her  visitors.  Some  may  come  and  some 
may  go,  but  one  is  always  Constant.  She  is  renowned,  not  only  for  her  fine 
houses,  but  also  for  her  barns.  In  competing  with  other  towns  for  recogni- 
tion she  can  rely  on  her  Knox,  and  she  can  easily  wrest  first  honors  from 
all  comers  with  her  double  Nelson." 

J.  A.  Cranston,  superintendent  of  schools  at  Santa  Ana,  California, 
former  superintendent  of  the  schools  at  Alexandria,  wrote  expressing  the 
hope,  "in  the  not  too  distant  future,  to  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  once  more 
Alexandria,  the  crown  city  of  northern  Minnesota,  and  enjoy  once  more 
those  beautiful  lakes  and  drives  for  which  Douglas  county  has  become  truly 
famous." 

Col.  B.  L.  Bull,  of  North  Yakima,  Washington,  past  commander  of 
JNIeade  Post  No.  9,  Department  of  Washington  and  Alaska,  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic,  in  a  letter  to  the  committee  recalled  that  "We  lived  there  in 
1871  and  slept  in  our  prairie  schooner  near  your  beautiful  city,  but  passed 
on  to  Ottertail  county.  We  are  inclined  to  think  our  mistake  was  in  not 
driving  our  claim  stake  there  in  1871." 

W.  H.  Sanders,  who  located  man}'  of  the  roads  in  this  part  of  the  state 
and  was  later  for  some  years  superintendent  of  schools  of  Douglas  county, 
writing  from  Los  Angeles,  California,  conveyed  the  following  interesting 
bit  of  information:  "I  made  my  first  trip  to  Douglas  county  in  1867.  As  I 
passed  through  Alexandria,  I  noted  that  the  old  stockade  was  about  all  there 
was  of  the  town.  There  was  a  store  within  the  stockade  and  a  little  later 
T.  F.  Cowing  built  one  outside  the  structure.  I  went  up  to  what  is  now  the 
town  of  Evansville  and  took  up  a  claim  about  five  miles  south  of  the  present 
town,  my  nearest  neighbor  being  about  five  miles  south  of  my  location.  Later 
Mr.  Plummer  took  a  claim  adjoining  mine  and  then  quite  a  number  of  set- 
tlers came  into  that  section.  All  fled  several  times  at  the  report  that  the 
Sioux  Indians  were  coming,  only  to  return  after  the  scare  was  over.  Only 
once  did  we  realize  that  it  was  not  a  false  alarm.  A  canoe  with  Indians  came 
down  the  lake  and  paddled  straight  across  for  my  home,  but  backed  by  Mr. 
Plummer  we  stood  our  ground,  shooting  over  the  heads  of  the  Indians,  which 
soon  caused  them  to  retreat.  There  were  many  stirring  times,  hardships, 
even  sufferings,  in  those  pioneer  days,  but  the  settlers  realized  even  then  the 
great  possibilities  of  that  glorious  count}-  and  remainetl.     In  1872  or  1873, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,.  MINNESOTA.  337 

when  I  moved  to  Alexandria,  it  was  still  a  small  town,  among  the  early  set- 
tlers I  recall  having  been  the  Cowings,  Van  Dykes,  Hicks,  Mr.  \"an  Hoesen 
and  many  others."" 

J.  \'.  Roland,  writing  from  Postoak,  recalled  to  the  attention  of  the 
committee  that  he  could  "date  back  as  far  as  1867,  when  I  first  arrived  in 
Alexandria.  I  made  my  hume  in  Dt)Uglas  county  for  ten  years  and  experi- 
enced some  very  haril  times.  In  the  summer  of  1868,  during  a  high-water 
period,  the  country  was  out  of  flour  and  none  could  be  obtained  at  any  price. 
I  was  working  for  a  Mr.  Piatt,  who  lived  on  a  farm  on  the  south  side  of 
Lake  Louise.  At  that  time  there  was  a  company  of  United  States  soldiers 
camped  for  the  night  on  the  shore  of  the  lake  and  after  they  had  gone  on 
their  way  I  went  down  to  the  camp  and  found  a  box  of  hard-tack  that  had 
been  left  behind  because  of  some  mold  on  some  of  them.  I  hurried  to  the 
Piatt  cabin  and  told  of  the  find.  Immediately  the  lady  of  the  house,  Mrs. 
Piatt,  and  luyself  hurried  to  the  place  and  gathered  up  the  fragments;  carried 
them  to  the  home  and  Mrs.  Piatt  prepared  a  most  luscious  dinner.'" 

From  Dyment,  Ontario,  Mrs.  D.  A.  Larson  wrote :  "I  shall  ever  remem- 
ber the  pleasant  circumstances  which  first  brought  me  to  Alexandria.  I  took 
up  residence  there  in  my  bridal  days — in  October,  1868.  Though  being 
away  for  many  years,  yet  my  heart  will  always  drift  back  where  my  cherished 
interest  is — as  my  husband's  resting  place  is  in  Kinkaid  cemetery." 

From  New  Bed  ford,.  Massachusetts,  the  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Anton  A.  Ander- 
son wrote:  "Although  it  is  many  years  since  we  lived  in  the  heart  of  the 
park  region  of  Douglas  county,  many  sweet  remembrances  linger  with  us  and 
we  can  truthfully  say  with  the  ancient  Israelites:  'If  we  forget  thee,  O, 
Jerusalem  (Alexandria),  let  our  right  hand  forget!  Let  our  tongue  cleave 
to  our  palate,  if  we  do  not  remember  thee;  if  we  prefer  not  Jerusalem  (Alex- 
andria) above  our  chief  joy.'  Alexandria  and  its  beautiful  surroundings 
will  always  be  the  dearest  sjxit  to  us." 

From  Claremont,  California,  Mrs.  Stella  Stoneman  JMoles  wrote:  "I 
doubt  if  many  are  back  whose  entrance  to  Alexandria  antedates  my  own, 
for  I  went  there  first  as  a  little  girl  in  1874,  when  Mr.  Norton  preached  in 
the  little  old  church  down  in  the  hollow.  He,  too,  is  gone,  and  his  wife,  and 
Annabel,  with  whom  I  played  dolls  and  whom  I  loved  almost  as  a  sister  in 
those  days.  In  those  days  the  railroad  came  no  farther  than  Melrose,  and  I 
went  the  rest  of  the  way  with  Mr.-  David  Masdn,  who  also  has  been  laid  to 
rest.  He  had  taught  his  horse  to  be  a  home  missionary  horse,  for  I  remem- 
ber how  the  horse  stopped  at  everv  bov,  girl,  man,  woman  and  house  that 

(22) 


338  DOUGLAS    AND.  GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

we  came  to,  to  ask  if  there  was  a  Sunday  school  in  the  neighborhood,  appar- 
ently as  concerned  as  Mr.  ]\Iason  as  to  their  religious  opportunities.  But  it 
was  when,  as  a  young  woman,  I  visited  my  sister  at  Sylvan  Home  and  later, 
when  I  went  as  a  bride  to  Alexandria,  that  I  spent  perhaps  the  happiest  days 
of  my  life.  I  can  see  it  all  now,  the  woods  and  the  lakes  and  the  country 
roads.  It  was  then  that  I  learned  what  beautiful  puff-balls  could  be  made 
from  thistles.  It  was  there  I  picked  wild  strawberries  and  raspberries.  It 
was  there  I  saw  my  first  ski  and  took  my  first  toboggan  slide.  I  have  many 
happy  memories  and  I  remember  lovingly  the  kindly  people  I  knew  both  as  a 
little  girl  and  later  as  a  woman  grown." 

Writing  from  Urbana.  Illinois,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  S.  Mason  sent  "greet- 
ings to  all  our  friends  in  the  following  lines  from  Browning: 

"Grow  old  along  with  me! 

The  best  is  yet  to  be. 

The  last  of  life,  for  which  the  first  was  made; 

Our  times  are  in  His  hand 

Who  saith,  'A  whole  life  I   planned.' 

Youth  shows  but  half;  trust  God;  see  all,  nor  lie  afraid." 

The  Rev.  George  E.  Soper  wrote:  "The  prospect  of  hearing  the  address 
of  Adolph,  of  seeing  Lew  Kent,  in  all  his  glory,  leading  the  parade;  of 
listening  to  all  those  speeches  of  early  friends  would  be  enough  to  draw  me 
from  a  long  distance;  but  when  added  to  all  this,  there  is  the  prospect  of 
meeting  many  old  friends  and  of  reviving  the  friendships  of  earlier  days,  I 
find  the  desire  to  be  there  most  enticing.  It  will  no  doubt  be  a  glorious 
occasion  and  will  do  much  to  strengthen  the  chords  of  home  joys,  which  after 
all  is  said,  lie  very  near  the  sources  of  the  truest  happiness." 

From  Tacoma  Miss  Bessie  Kasson  wrote:  "Alexandria  spelled  home 
for  so  many  years  that  we  always  think  and  speak  of  it  in  that  sense,  and 
assure  you  we  have  never  forgotten  the  years  we  spent  among  you,  or  the 
Ijeauties  of  Alexandria  and  surrounding  country,  the  many  kindnesses  of 
your  citizens  and  the  spirit  of  friendliness  which  made  us  feel  at  home 
among  you.  My  father,  who  was  eighty  years  old  last  January,  looks  no 
older  than  when  leaving  Alexandria  and  my  mother  has  changed  very  little. 
I  would  like  to  suggest  that  you  follow  the  example  of  our  chivalrous  west- 
ern men  and  grant  your  women  the  right  of  suffrage.  It's  a  fine  thing  to 
feel  that  you  are,  indeed,  a  real  citizen  of  the  United  States  of  America." 

Mrs.  Delia  Isom,  of  Lovell,  Wyoming,  wrote;  "My  father,  Benjamin 
Stewart,    lived   near    Garfield   and   the   home    now   owned   by    Mrs.    Robert 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  339 

Angus  used  to  be  my  home  when  I  first  came  to  Douglas  county  forty-seven 
years  ago.  We  lived  mostly  among  the  Indians,  as  my  father  often  traded 
groceries  for  furs  and  meats,  which  were  plentiful  in  those  days.  The 
Indians  were  not  hostile  then,  yet  when  they  used  to  gather  in  the  house 
and  sharpen  their  knives,  the  hearts  of  my  sisters  and  mother  seemed  to 
stop  beating  as  they  used  to  watch  me  at  play  with  my  rag  doll.  They 
would  laugh  and  talk  to  me  in  their  own  language  and,  of  course,  I  was 
afraid  they  wanted  my  doll,  not  seeming  to  realize  what  mischief  they  might 
be  planning.  I  also  lived  in  Alexandria  with  my  husband,  George  Dixon, 
and  two  small  sons,  who  now  are  grown  men  in  business  in  the  city  of 
Minneapolis.'" 

Mary  Elizabeth  Whitcomb,  of  Minneapolis,  wrote :  "I  would  gladly 
do  something  to  add  to  the  pleasure  of  the  occasion  were  it  in  my  power,  but 
I  know  there  will  be  no  lack  of  interesting  things  to  fill  the  time,  and  I 
have  perhaps  done  my  share  in  recalling  the  old  times,  as  in  response  to  Mr. 
Bondurant's  request  before  the  dedication  of  the  new  high  school  building, 
I  wrote  an  account  of  the  early  school  days  there,  which  is,  I  think,  fairly 
accurate  for  the  years  which  it  covers." 

From  Roseburg,  Oregon,  N.  Bevier  wrote:  "I  often  think  of  the  old 
frontier  days,  for  I  enjoyed  them  better  than  later  days.  There  are  lots  of 
Pope  and  Douglas  people  here,  following  being  the  names  of  a  few:  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  P.  Brooks,  Mr.  Hagan,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  Boyd, 
Mrs.  Henri  Boyd  and  son,  Vern ;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Pennie  and  family  and 
the  three  daughters  of  Mr.  P.  Pennie,  besides  whom  there  are  quite  a  few 
Minnesota  settlers,  but  not  right  from  that  part." 

From  Hazel,  Minnesota,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Prodger  wrote :  "Our 
kindest  thoughts  are  always  with  the  old  neighbors  of  Douglas  county,  with 
whom  we  used  to  have  such  good  times.  It  doesn't  seem  like  home  here,  as 
it  did  there  where  we  lived  so  many  years." 

Mrs.  Herbert  M.  Boyd  wrote  from  Roseburg,  Oregon:  "Father  Boyd 
moved  with  his  family  td  Hudson  township  the  22nd  of  June.  1867,  and  I 
went  to  live  with  them,  July  24,  1879,  so  even  I  ha\'e  seen  many  changes. 
I  well  remember  the  first  trip  to  Alexandria,  September  4,  1879.  The  store 
of  Moses  &  Wylie  was  considered  quite  a  fine  store,  and  I  remember  the  L.  J. 
Brown  store,  at  one  time  where  the  Griebenow  store  has  been  for  years,  and 
then  they  were  fine  stores.  I  remember  many  changes  in  all  the  years  of 
my  sojourn  in  Hudson." 

John  Templeton  wrote  his  regrets  from  Forest  Grove.  Oregon,  declaring 


340  DOUGLAS    AND    GR  \NT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

that  "nothing  would  give  me  more  pleasure  than  to  meet  with  all  the  old- 
time  friends  and  talk  over  old  times  and  renew  our  youth  together." 

F.  M.  Nelson,  of  Minneapolis,  wrote :  "When  I  go  back  in  my  memory 
to  the  13th  of  June,  1887,  at  2:20  o'clock,  when  I  got  off  the  train  as  an 
immigrant,  how  little  did  I  dream,  when  walking  up  Main  street  seeing  the 
signs:  L.  K.  Aaker,  John  Sundblad,  Moles  Brothers,  Baumbach  &  Holver- 
son  (or  Monissev,  as  it  was  then),  Spaulding,  drugs,  and  Kortsch,  Hardy  & 
Heebel,  with  others,  what  Alexandria  would  mean  t(_i  me.  Most  of  those 
signs  are  g(ine  from  the  dear  old  Main  street,  but  in  my  memory  lingers  those 
names  of  the  pioneers,  of  which  I  have  a  fond  recollection.  Wherever  I  go 
I  always  think  and  speak  of  Alexandria  as  my  home  town." 

L.  T.  Mathison  wrote  his  regrets  from  Rush  Lake,  Saskatchewan, 
declaring  that  "m\  heart  is  right  there,  where  I  spent  my  boyhood  days." 

From  Tacoma  Caroline  M.  Sprague  wrote:  "Nothing  would  please  me 
better  than  to  make  a  visit  to  the  old  home  town  and  I  deeply  regret  not 
being  able  to  do  so.  The  longing  to  see  the  kinsfolk  I  have  left  behind,  and 
the  dear  old  friends,  also  makes  my  old  heart  ache." 

From  Claremont,  California,  Samuel  D.  Moles  wrote,  recalling  that 
"it  is  over  twentx'  vears  since  my  wife  and  I  left  Alexandria  to  come  to  Cali- 
fornia;"  continuing,  "It  was  in  Douglas  county  that  nearly  one-half  of  my 
life  was  spent,  and  I  often  think  of  the  beautiful  country  and  clear  lakes  and 
business  opportunities  that  your  county  affords." 

From  Kingsburg,  California,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  O.  Jern  wrote:  "\Ye 
have  always  held  the  most  ardent  resi>ect  and  have  today  a  warm  place  in 
our  hearts  for  the  old  town  of  'Alex.'  Though  we  are  not  able  to  be  present 
on  this  occasion,  personally,  we  are  with  you  in  kindest  memory  at  all  times. 
Since  our  departure,  vears  ago.  we  have  traveled  to  some  extent,  but  have 
never  found  quite  the  same  ideal  conditions  that  exist  there." 

Mrs.  Kate  McLellan  Finkle,  of  Minneapolis,  expressing  her  regret  at 
her  ina1iilit>-  to  be  present  at  the  home  coming,  wrote :  "I  would  have  enjoyed 
meeting  the  friends.  Oh,  the  wonderful  review  that  passes  before  the  mind's 
eve!  Alexandria  deserves  to  have  the  best  (if  everything,  as  the  former  citi- 
zens were  of  such  a  lovely  and  interesting  type  and  as  I  am  sure  the  present 
ones  are." 

THE    MAN    WHO    STARTED    ALEXANDRIA    GOING. 

It  ma\-  \ery  properly  be  said  that  William  Everett  Hicks  was  the 
man  who  started  Alexandria  going  and  by  doing  so  performed  a  service  for 
Douglas  countv  that  will  keep  his  memory  green  in  this  section  of  Minnesota 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  ,^1 

for  generations  to  come.  Though  he  died  before  he  was  forty  years  of  age, 
he  had  shown  a  notable  capacity  for  performance  and  his  Hfe  had  been  full 
of  activity.  A  New  Yorker,  he  came  to  this  section  of  Minnesota  in  the 
fall  of  1866  and  was  so  deeply  impressed  by  the  beauty  of  this  charming 
lake  region  that  he  decided  to  make  his  permanent  home  at  Alexandria, 
where,  during  the  next  eight  }'ears,  or  until  his  death  in  1874,  he  took  a  very 
active  part  in  local  affairs,  becoming  the  owner  of  the  townsite  and  the  pro- 
moter of  various  commercial  and  industrial  enterprises,  besides  representing 
the  district  in  the  Legislature  and  establishing  the  first  newspaper  in  this 
part  of  Minnesota. 

William  E.  Hicks  was  born  at  Sand  Point,  Long  Island,  in  1835,  and 
was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Brooklyn.  In  1853  he  became  a  reporter  on 
the  Xc-a'  York  Tribune,  Horace  Greeley's  paper,  and  in  1857  became  financial 
editor  of  the  New  York  Evening  Post,  holding  that  position  until  1862, 
when  failing  health  compelled  his  resignation.  The  next  year  he  traveled 
extensively  in  Europe  and  returned  in  the  following,  year,  going  into  business 
in  Wall  street.  In  the  spring  of  1866  Mr.  Hicks  came  West  on  a  genera! 
prospecting  and  pleasure  trip  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  came  out  here  from 
St.  Paul  on  a  hunting  trip.  As  noted  above,  he  became  so  charmed  with  the 
scenic  beauties  of  the  park  region  hereabout  that  he  decided  to  remain.  He 
bought  the  Alexandria  townsite,  which  up  to  that  time  had  not  been  making 
very  great  headwav,  and  also  began  to  develop  timber  lands  in  this  section. 
In  1867  he  built  a  log  store  building  at  Alexandria  and  stocked  the  same 
with  a  general  stock  of  merchandise.  He  also  erected  a  hotel  building  and 
built  the  two-story  frame  building  which  for  some  time  thereafter  was  used 
as  a  court  house,  and  on  the  second  floor  of  which  he  conducted  a  newspaper, 
the  Alexandria  Post,  which  he  established  in  1868,  the  }ear  in  which  he  was 
elected  to  the  Legislature  from  this  district.  Among  i\Ir.  Hicks's  other  enter- 
prises was  a  combined  grist-  and  saw-mill,  which  became  tlie  leading  indus- 
try in  this  section,  attracting  patronage  for  many  miles  in  all  directions  and 
giving  a  real  impetus  to  the  development  of  this  section,  which  before  that 
time  had  been  suft'ering  for  the  lack  of  an  adequate  flour-riiill  and  for  a 
saw-mill.  Mr.  Hicks  donated  from  his  townsite  lands  the  square  on  which 
the  Douglas  county  court  house  stands  and  also  donated  to  the  Congrega- 
tional church  the  fine  corner  lot  on  which  that  society  erected  its  first  church 
and  on  which  the  present  handsome  Congregational  church  stands.  In  other 
ways  Mr.  Hicks  contrilnited  to  the  cWk.  commercial  and  industrial  life  of 
the  growing  communitv  and  remained  active  in  all  good  works  until  his  death 
at  Alexandria  on  July   17,   1874.     He  left  a  widow  and  five  children.     One 


342  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

of  his  sons,  Cleveland  H.  Hicks,  for  years  has  been  private  secretary  to 
Senator  Knute  Xelson,  whose  home  is  in  Alexandria,  bnt  whose  official 
duties  recjuire  his  presence  in  Washington  much  of  the  time. 

Alexandria's  "grand  old  man." 

United  States  Senator  Knute  Nelson  has  been  a  resident  of  Douglas 
county  since  the  year  1870,  when  he  moved  over  here  from  Wisconsin,  and 
has  ever  since  been  one  of  the  most  active  factors  in  the  life  of  the  com- 
munity, as  well  as  in  the  wider  and  more  general  life  of  the  whole  state. 
Senator  Nelson  is  a  native  of  the  kingdom  of  Norway,  born  on  February  2, 
1843,  ^"d  was  but  six  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  the 
United  States  in  July,  1849,  the  family  remaining  in  Chicago  until  the  fall 
of  the  next  year,  1850,  when  they  removed  to  Wisconsin,  where  the  future 
United  States  senator  grew  to  manhood.  During  the  Civil  War  Knute  Nelson 
enlisted  for  service  as  a  private  in  the  Fourth  Regiment,  Wisconsin  Volun^ 
teer  Infantry,  and  was  promoted  to  a  non-commissioned  office  in  the  same. 
At  Port  Hudson,  Louisiana,  June  14,  1863,  he  was  wounded  and  taken  pris- 
oner. Upon  the  completion  of  his  military  service  he  returned  to  Wisconsin. 
took  up  the  study  of  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  as  a  practicing  attorney 
in  the  spring  of  1867.  He  was  elected  to  the  Wisconsin  state  Legislature 
and  served  in  the  assembly  during  the  years  1868-69,  after  which  he  sought 
a  field  farther  west  in  which  to  enter  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
and  in  1870  came  to  Minnesota  and  located  at  Alexandria,  which  ever  since 
has  been  his  home.  Mr.  Nelson  at  once  began  to  take  a  prominent  part  in 
the  civic  affairs  of  the  new  community  in  which  he  had  located  and  it  was 
not  long  until  he  was  recognized  as  a  potent  factor  in  the  same.  He  was 
appointed  county  attorney  of  Douglas  county  shortly  after  settling  at  Alexan- 
dria and  served  in  that  capacity  until  1874.  During  the  four  years,  1875-78, 
he  served  this  district  in  the  upper  house  of  the  Minnesota  General  Assembly 
and  Jn  the  campaign  of  1880  was  a  presidential  elector  from  this  state.  On 
February  i,  1882,  he  was  commissioned  a  member  of  the  board  of  regents 
of  the  Minnesota  State  University,  a  position  which  he  retained  until  Janu- 
ary I,  1893.  Senator  Nelson's  larger  public  service  began  with  his  election 
as  a  member  of  the  forty-eighth  Congress  from  the  fifth  Minnesota  district, 
and  he  was  re-elected  to  the  forty-ninth  and  fiftieth  Congresses.  In  the  fall 
of  1892  he  was  elected  governor  of  Minnesota  as  the  nominee  of  the  Republi- 
can party  in  this  state  and  was  re-elected  to  that  office  in  the  fall  of  1894, 
during  which  second  incumbency,  January  23,   1895.  he  was  elected  United 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  343 

States  senator  from  Alinnesota  and  has  ever  since  represented  this  state  in 
the  Senate,  having  been  re-elected  by  the  Legislature  in  1901,  1907  and  1913- 
Senator  Nelson  has  a  delightful  farm  home  situated  on  the  outskirts  of 
Alexandria  and  takes  much  pleasure  in  the  same  during  his  brief  respites 
from  public  service.  He  also  maintains  his  old  law  office  in  Alexandria,  but 
gives  httle  attention  to  the  practice  of  his  profession,  long  having  been  prac- 
tically retired  from  active  practice. 

ALEXANDRIA'S    FIRST  VILLAGE    PRESIDENT. 

Francis  Bennett  Van  Hoesen,  who  died  at  his  home  in  Alexandria  on 
January  -7    1907,  not  onlv  was  the  first  president  of  the  village  of  Alexan- 
dria, but  in  manv  other  ways,  during  his  residence  of   forty  years  in  the 
county  seat  of  Douglas  county,  contributed  of  his  talents  and  energies  to  the 
general  upbuilding  of  the  community  at  large.     Born  in  Onandaga  county, 
New  York,  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents,  in 
1854,  to  Minnesota,  the  family  setthng  at  Hastings.     He  later  returned  to 
his  native  state,  where  he  completed  the  academic  course  in  the  schools  and 
then  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Michigan  State  University,   from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1864,  after  which  he  for  a  time  was  engaged  in 
practice  in  the  law  office  of  his  uncle,  at  Harvard,  Illinois,  presently  return- 
ing'to  Minnesota,  where  he  spent  a  year  as  bookkeeper  in  a  bank  at  St.  Cloud, 
after  which    in   1867.  he  moved  over  to  the  new  and  ambitious  village  of 
Alexandria,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  life,  one  of  the  most  active  factors 
in  the  development  of  the  town.    Upon  settling  at  Alexandria  Mr.  Van  Hoesen 
opened  a  branch  land  office  and  in  1869  joined  with  his  uncle,  George  Ward 
and  Robert  Smith  in  the  establishment  of  the  first  bank  in  Alexandria,  of 
which  he  was  made  cashier.     When  the  bank  was  reorganized  as  the  First 
National  Bank  in  1883  Mr.  Van  Hoesen  was  made  president  of  the  same 
and  continued  in  that  capacity  continuously  until  his  death.    When  the  village 
of  Alexandria  was  incorporated  in  1877  Mr.  Van  Hoesen  was  elected  first 
president  of  the  same  and  bv  subsequent  elections  served  for  more  than  hve 
vears   in  that  capacitv.      He   previously  had   served  the  county   in   several 
capacities,  countv  attorney,  clerk  of  court  and  register  of  deeds  and  later  for 
some  vears  was  a  member  of  the  board  of  health,  while  in  1872  he  had  been 
elected  representative  to  the  Legislature  from  this  district  and  was  re-elected 
in  1 88 1    and  in  1883  was  elected  to  the  Senate.     From  the  very  beginning 
of  his  residence  in  Alexandria  Mr.  Van  Hoesen  took  an  active  interest  in 
the  ';chools  and  was  also  a  prime  mover  in  the  organization  ot  the  library 


344  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

association.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  First  Congregational  church, 
organized  in  1876,  and  was  president  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  same  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  Among  the  legacies  he  left  was  one  of  one  thousand 
dollars  to  the  church,  one  of  five  thousand  dollars  to  the  library  and  one  of 
three  thousand  dollars  to  the  Kinkaid  Cemetery  Association.  He  was  a 
charter  member  of  Constellation  Lodge  No.  81,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted 
Masons,  at  Alexandria,  organized  in  1870,  and  served  for  eleven  terms  as 
worshipful  master  of  the  lodge. 

FIRST    COMMERCIAL    ASSOCIATION    INCORPORATED. 

The  record  of  incorporations  in  the  office  of  the  register  of  deeds  of 
Douglas  county  reveals  that  the  first  commercial  association  incorporated  in 
the  county  was  the  Norden  Commercial  Association,  whose  articles  of  incor- 
poration were  filed  for  record  on  August  16,  1871,  Peter  O.  Chilstrom,  Eoen 
Newman,  Peter  Newman,  Peter  Hanson,  William  Christensen,  Bernhard  C. 
Hanson,  S.  P.  Christensen,  Magnus  Olson  and  Soren  Listoe,  of  the  city  of 
MinneapoHs,  incorporating  under  the  above  title  to  carry  on  a  general  trad- 
ing business  at  Herman,  Grant  county. 

The  first  cemetery  association  incorporated  was  the  Orange  Grove 
Cemetery  Association,  organized  at  a  meeting  held  at  the  school  house  in 
district  No.  7,  in  the  township  of  Orange,  March  24,  1873,  Robert  Thomas, 
chairman,  and  M.  G.  Pixley,  secretary,  the  others  signing  the  articles  of  in- 
corporation being  J.  S.  English,  Joseph  Pixley,  Robert  Thomas,  Jacob  Man- 
ning, John  Gray,  George  H.  Robart,  R.  T.  Bullard,  M.  G.  Pixley,  Gustav 
Klatt,  Harmon  Dumerl,  O.  Kator,  John  Mada  and  John  Baker. 

The  first  farmers  co-operative  association  to  file  incorporation  papers 
was  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Company  of  Osakis,  a  general  mercantile  con- 
cern, organized  on  December  17,  1875,  those  signing  the  articles  of  incor- 
poration being  James  Chambers,  A.  C.  Peterson,  Mathew  Easton,  J.  C. 
Stone,  J.  P.  Simonson,  Charles  Handy  and  Andrew  Bergsten. 

The  first  cornet  band  to  file  articles  of  incorporation  was  the  Osakis 
Cornet  Band,  incorporated  on  May  3,  1886,  the  following  persons  signing 
the  articles  of  incorporation:  H.  M.  Chalfant,  W.  A.  Yales,  I.  P.  Schei,  C. 
Nelson,  Alex.  Anderson,  J.  R.  Gallinger,  D.  M.  Farr,  George  L.  Fry,  Paul 
Herman  and  William  Cressy. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  345 

THE    CELEBRATED    TAULSON    CASE. 

In  as  well  ordered  and  quiet  a  neighborhood  as  this  there  naturally  have 
been  very  few  notable  criminal  cases  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  court 
and  a  chapter  devoted  to  crimes  and  misdemeanors  in  a  work  of  this  char- 
acter would  be  short  indeed,  but  there  is  one  case  that  for  years  provided  a 
mystery  for  the  people  of  Douglas  count}-  to  talk  over  and  which  was  not 
cleared  for  years  after  the  commission  of  the  crime.  It  was  in  the  early 
days  of  the  settlement  of  this  region,  back  in  the  old  stage-coach  days,  long 
before  the  coming  of  the  railroad  to  this  section,  and  the  scene  of  the  crime 
was  at  the  old  log  inn  and  stage  station  at  the  stop  which  later  became  the 
thriving  village  of  Evansville.  Five  Scandinavians,  one  of  whom  was  named 
Paulson  and  who  were  not  long  from  the  old  country,  arrived  at  the  inn  one 
day  and  while  renewing  old  acquaintances  drank  quite  liberally  of  frontier 
whisky,  served  at  the  inn.  a  quarrel  presently  being  started  and  some  scuffling 
or  wrestling,  which  was  not  altogether  good  natured  in  character,  but  which 
ended  apparently  without  serious  ill-feeling  on  the  part  of  any  and  late  in 
the  evening  the  men  started  for  the  home  of  one  of  the  party  who  lived  near- 
by, where  they  expected  to  remain  the  rest  of  the  night.  On  the  shore  of  a 
small  lake  in  the  vicinity  the  quarrel  w-as  known  to  have  been  renewed.  That 
evening  was  the  last  Paulson  was  seen  alive  and  although  the  neighborhood 
was  searched  no  trace  of  him  could  be  found.  The  four  men  last  seen  in  his 
company  were  arrested,  but  as  there  was  no  evidence  against  them  they 
presently  were  released.  Three  Indians,  skilled  in  the  lore  of  the  woods  and 
of  the  lakes,  were  called  in  to  assist  in  the  search  for  the  body,  the  theory 
of  the  community  being  that  Paulson  had  been  killed  as  an  outcome  of  the 
quarrel  and  his  body  thrown  into  the  lake,  but  the  most  careful  search  of  the 
lake  failed  to  reveal  the  body.  In  the  meantime  the  county  commissioners 
had  offered  a  reward  of  five  hundred  dollars  for  the  recovery  of  the  body 
and  not  long  thereafter,  shortly  after  the  Indians  had  made  their  ineffectual 
search,  the  wife  of  the  landlord  of  the  inn  in  which  the  initial  quarrel  between 
the  Scandinavians  had  occurred,  volunteered  to  find  the  body  in  the  lake  and 
pointing  out  a  certain  spot  in  the  water  told  the  searchers  to  look  there,  e\-en 
though  the  ground  had  been  gone  o\er  carefully  before.  The  boch-  was 
found,  even  as  she  had  declared  it  would  be,  and  she  collected  the  reward 
money.  The  four  suspects  again  were  arrested  and  the  one  with  whom 
Paulson  had  quarrelled  was  placed  on  trial  for  his  life,  but  there  l^eing  no 
direct  evidence  against  him,  he  was  ac(|uitted  and  all  four  were  again  set  at 


346  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

liberty.  Xot  long  afterward  the  landlord  of  the  inn  and  his  wife  left  the 
count}-,  with  the  five  hundred  dollars  that  had  been  paid  the  wife,  and  went 
up  into  Canada,  where  they  settled.  On  his  deathbed  the  landlord  cleared 
the  mystery  of  the  Paulson  case,  declaring  that  Paulson  had  returned  to  the 
inn  about  midnight  of  the  night  he  had  left  with  his  four  compatriots  and 
had  demanded  more  whisky.  This  the  landlord  refused  and  a  quarrel  ensued 
in  which  the  landlord  killed  Paulson.  He  hid  the  body  in  a  haystack  until 
the  night  after  the  Indians  had  searched  the  lake,  when,  with  the  assistance 
of  his  wife,  he  carried  the  body  to  the  lake  and  cast  it  in,  it  therefore  having 
been  an  easy  matter  for  the  wife  later  to  locate  the  body  for  the  searching 
party  and  claim  the  reward  that  had  been  offered  by  the  county.  No  suspicion 
was  attached  to  them  and  after  going  to  Canada  they  kept  their  secret  well, 
until  remorse  compelled  the  deathbed  divulgence  of  the  same. 

REMINISCENCES   BY   A   FIRST   SETTLER. 

During  the  agitation  of  the  project  for  holding  a  "home-coming"  week 
at  Alexandria  during  the  early  summer  of  1916,  Mrs.  Fannj-  Van  Dyke, 
widow  of  J.  H.  Van  Dyke,  the  first  merchant  in  Alexandria,  who  came  to 
Douglas  county  with  her  parents,  as  a  girl,  in  1858,  contributed  the  follow- 
ing bit  of  reminiscence  to  the  Alexandria  Post-Nczi's:  "The  first  settlers 
were  the  Kinkaid  brothers,  Alexander  and  Will,  who  came  here  from  Dela- 
ware. After  Alexander  our  town  was  given  its  name.  Then  came  the 
Joseph  James  family  from  Philadelphia.  Their  child  was  the  first  child  born 
here  and  was  named  Winona  Douglas,  after  our  lake  and  county.  After 
them  our  family  (the  Cook  family)  came  in  the  year  1858.  The  house  we 
lived  in  was  built  where  the  von  Baumbach  home  now  stands.  It  was  made 
of  peeled  logs  and  was  very  comfortable,  but  coming  from  the  busy  city  of 
London,  as  we  did,  it  was  a  decided  change.  Aly  father,  who  was  a  member 
of  the  Hudson  Bay  Company  bought  furs  of  the  Indians,  but  spent  much 
time  fishing  and  hunting.  Game  of  all  kinds  was  very  plentiful.  With  us 
came  the  Bedman  family,  Mr.  Bedman  being  the  first  blacksmith  here. 
Shortly  after  this  came  the  N.  F.  Barnes  family  and  Peter  L.  Gregory.  Then 
the  Darling  family  came  and  they  were  the  first  people  who  knew  how  to  be 
good  farmers,  and  everyone  went  to  them  for  advice.  About  this  time  came 
also  our  good  old  friend.  James  Dicken,  who  was  a  trapper  and  who  told 
extraordinary  stories.  Among  the  many  was  the  following  one :  Jim  wanted 
some  shirts,  and  goods  of  the  cheapest  quality  ])emg  very  expensive  at  that 
time,  he  bought  only  three  yards.     When  he  found  this  would  make  but  one 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  347 

shirt,  he  said  that  he  knew  of  a  woman  in  Pennsylvania  whcj  could  make 
two  shirts  out  of  three  yards  of  material  so  long  that  they  dangled  on  the 
ground  and  he  could  pull  them  up  over  his  ears.  He  also  knew  how  to  make 
'stone  soup.'  which  was  ver)-  rich  and  tasty.  A  little  later  on  came  the  Shot- 
well  and  Canfield  families  in  the  year  1859.  Also  about  this  time  came  my 
husband,  J.  H.  \'an  D\-ke.  The  Cowdrys  and  Barrs  made  up  some  of  the 
early  settlers  and  after  that  the  people  began  to  come  thick  and  fast. 

"My  father,  Charles  Cook,  was  the  first  postmaster,  the  'office'  being  our 
dining  table.  The  mail  was  brought  by  ox-team  from  St.  Cloud  and  later  a 
Mr.  Evans,  the  first  Scandinavian,  brought  the  mail  on  horse-back.  The 
town  of  Evans\'ille  was  named  after  him  and  they  built  a  small  log  house 
there  for  him  to  stay  over  night  and  break  the  distance  of  the  journey,  which 
was  a  very  difficult  one.     He  was  later  killed  by  the  Indians. 

"The  first  school  teacher  I  recall  was  a  Miss  Jonvier,  a  sister  of  Mrs. 
Kinkaid.  The  school  house  was  an  old  log  house  on  the  von  Baumbach 
place  and  belonged  to  my  father.  Mrs.  Haines  was  the  teacher  in  the  stock- 
ade and  later  a  Miss  Pye  taught.  Then  came  Miss  Olive  Darling,  who  taught 
about  the  time  that  the  Hjcks  family  came.  The  first  doctor  was  Doctor 
Andrews,  then  a  Doctor  Borden  and  later  Doctor  Vivian.  Mr.  \'an  Dyke 
had  the  first  settler's  store  here,  in  which  he  had  the  postoffice.  He  also  had 
the  land  office  and  was  justice  of  the  peace.  The  mail  was  quite  large  at 
that  time,  as  the  stockade  had  been  built  and  the  soldiers  had  been  stationed- 
there.  The  mail  was  brought  from  St.  Cloud  by  the  Burbank  stage  and  was 
heavily  escorted  bv  mounted  men.  The  stockade  was  situated  aljout  where 
the  Aberly  brewery  now  stands  and  was  built  in  1862  by  'Company  25'  of 
Wisconsin.  It  was  made  of  logs,  with  a  bastion  at  opposite  corners  to  use 
in  case  of  an  attack  by  the  Indians.  Many  sad  things  happened  there,  one 
being  the  death  of  a  young  soldier,  John  Hazelton,  who  died  of  exposure. 
He  was  given  a  military  funeral  and  his  body  was  later  taken  to  the  Kinkaid 
cemetery,  where  it  now  lies.  The  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  hap- 
pened about  this  time  and  caused  much  sadness  among  the  soldiers,  some  of 
whom  wept  like  children.  We  were  ordered  to  put  on  mourning  and  the 
flag  was  draped  with  some  black  lining  I  had  bought  to  line  a  dress  with,  each 
soldier  wearing  a  piece  of  it  around  his  arm. 

"The  first  minister,  to  the  best  of  my  memory,  was  Bishop  \MiippIe, 
hut  several  other  missionaries  came  here  at  different  times. 

"The  spirit  among  all  the  early  settlers  was  a  kindly  one  and  each  one 
helped  the  others.  Eatables  were  very  high  and  hard  to  procure,  flour  being 
thirteen  dollars  a  l^arrel.     The  poorest  grade  of  calico  was  twenty-five  cents 


34^  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

a  pound  and  ordinary  sheeting  was  tift}-  cents  a  }-ard,  and  a  very  poor  grade 
of  white  flannel  was  over  a  dollar  a  yard.  With  all  the  inconveniences  at 
this  time  we  managed  to  have  quite  a  little  sociability  and  when  one  had 
anything  extra  nice  to  eat  they  always  gave  a  party  for  the  rest.  Mrs.  Bed- 
man  had  invited  us  all  one  evening  and  the  feature  was  to  be  dried-apple  pie. 
She  only  had  enough  apples  to  make  two  pies  and  had  set  them  on  a  bench 
near  the  stove.  In  her  excitement  and  lack  of  chairs  she  sat  down  on  them, 
much  to  her  sorrow,  and  ours.  The  Whitcomb  family  were  also  here  during 
the  time  of  the  stockade,  ]\[r.  AMiitcomb  being  captain  of  the  post.  ]Many 
of  the  people  who  first  came  here  were  driven  out  by  the  Indians  and  never 
came  back." 

AN    EARLY    TRAVELER'S   IMPRESSIONS. 

Among  the  first  settlers  in  Douglas  count}-  were  Charles  Cook  and 
family,  Londoners,  who  came  to  Minnesota  from  Canada  in  the  later  fifties 
and  in  1858  settled  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Agnes,  the  present  site  of  the  city 
of  Alexandria.  Charles  Cook  had  been  an  extensive  merchant  in  the  fur 
trade  in  London,  his  Hudson  Bay  establishment  on  Regent  street  in  that  city 
having  been  one  of  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  metropolis,  and  it  was  he 
who  introduced  into  London  the  use  of  seal  skin  as  a  luxurious  form  of  outer 
apparel,  his  first  seal-fur  coat  having  been  made  for  the  Duke  of  Welling- 
ton, the  second  for  Charles  Dickens,  the  famous  coat  referred  to  in  the 
latter's  "American  Notes,"  and  the  third  for  the  Count  d"  Orsay.  'Sir.  Cook's 
beautiful  and  accomplished  wife  was  a  Franklin,  daughter  of  Robert  Frank- 
lin, a  cousin  of  Sir  John  Franklin  and  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  and  a  repro- 
duction of  the  portrait  of  her  younger  sister,  painted  by  one  of  the  most 
celebrated  artists  of  that  day  and  hung  in  the  Royal  Gallery,  is  known  world 
wide.  Charles  Cook  unfortunately  met  with  business  reverses  and  left  his 
beautiful  home  in  London  for  New  York,  where  he  engaged  for  a  time  in 
business,  going  thence  to  Canada,  later  coming,  with  his  family,  into  the 
wilds  of  Minnesota,  in  behalf  of  his  Hudson  Bay  Company  connection,  but 
after  a  few  years  spent  on  the  banks  of  Lake  Agnes  went  East  and  later  re- 
turned to  London,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  In  the  mean- 
time his  young  daughter,  Fanny,  married  James  H.  \'an  Dyke,  Alexandria's 
first  merchant  and  one  of  the  most  active  promoters  of  the  destinies  of  the 
new  settlement,  and  remained  at  the  settlement.  During  the  stockade  days 
]\Irs.  \"an  Dyke  was  known  as  the  "Florence  Nightingale"  of  the  post,  where 
her  husband  was  running  the  suttler's  store,  her  kindness  to  ailing  soldiers 
there  endearing  her  to  the  whole  command.     Mrs.   Van  Dyke,  who  is  still 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  349 

living  in  Alexandria,  retains  a  very  vivid  recollection  of  the  old  stockade  days 
and  of  the  days  preceding  the  Indian  outbreak  and  retains  at  her  pleasant 
home  a  number  of  interesting  souvenirs  of  those  days,  including  the  first 
table  and  chair  made  by  the  hands  of  the  soldiers  at  the  stockade.  She  also 
is  the  possessor  of  a  well-worn  and  valuable  copy  of  the  Franklin  Bible, 
printed  in  1813,  and  of  numerous  family  portraits  and  works  of  art,  souv- 
enirs of  her  girlhood  da\s  in  London  Irefore  she  became  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  the  Minnesota  frontier.  Her  brother,  Charles  Cook,  had  a  good  bit  of 
artistic  ability  and  among  her  cherished  possessions  are  several  crayon  draw- 
ings of  scenes  hereabout  during  the  pioneer  days,  including  a  drawing  of  the 
old  Cook  log  cabin,  the  house  over  on  the  hill,  where  now  stands  the  von 
Baumbach  home,  where  the  first  school  in  Douglas  county  was  conducted, 
and  of  the  old  stockade,  reproductions  of  which  appear  elsewhere  in  this 
volume.  In  her  library  Airs.  Vru  Dyke  has  a  bound  volume  of  Harper's 
Xcw  Monthly  Magazine  for  the  year  i860,  in  which  appears  a  wonderfully 
interesting  narrative  of  an  anonymous  traveler,  the  same  illustrated  by  an 
equally  anonymous  artist,  conveying  in  vivid  language  the  author's  impres- 
.sions  of  a  trip  "to  Red  River  and  Beyond." 

AN    impressionist's    VIEW    OF    ALEXANDRIA. 

The  narrative  of  the  anonymous  magazine  writer  above  referred  to 
opens  with  a  description  of  the  departure  of  his  part)'  from  St.  Paul  on  June 
10  and  of  the  journey  to  St.  Cloud,  the  first  station,  and  then  takes  up  the 
second  station  of  the  journey  on  to  Pembina,  the  reference  to  the  trip  across 
that  section  of  the  state  comprised  in  what  is  now  Douglas  county  being  as 
follows :  "On  Monday,  June  20,  the  train  struck,  its  tents  and  left  St.  Cloud ; 
here  beginning  its  experiences  of  camp-life  with  a  background.  So  far  we 
had  been  treading  the  warp  and  woof  of  civilization — now  we  began  to 
slip  of¥  the  fringes  of  its  outermost  skirts.  Our  direction  was  northwest,  by 
the  valley  of  the  Sauk  river,  through  the  lake  district  of  central  Minnesota 
to  the  head  of  navigation  on  Red  River.  Such  articles  as  were  needed  had 
been  added  to  our  outfit,  including  a  boat  to  cross  streams  in,  which  served 
for  a  wagon-box  on  dry  land.  The  second  day  out  all  our  horses  and  mules 
ran  away  .before  breakfast.  Half  the  camp  scoured  the  camp  in  every  direc- 
tion for  the  runaways.  They  were  caught  four  miles  away,  making  steady 
tracks  for  St.  Cloud  and  its  possible  oats,  led  on  in  their  desertion  by  two  of 
the  handsomest,  smallest  and  meekest-looking  mules  in  the  train.  The  road 
rewarded  them  with  retributive  justice  that  day.    The  sloughs  were  innumer- 


^35°      '  DOUGLAS    .'vND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

able,  and  indeed  innumerable  they  continued  to  be  for  weeks  and  weeks,  only 
approaching  the  limits  of  mathematical  calculation  as  we  neared  Pembina. 
This  may  seem  strange  when  it  is  considered  that  we  crossed  the  divide  between 
the  tributaries  of  the  Minnesota  and  Mississippi;  but,  as  Joseph  said,  'with  a 
general  convexity  of  outline  there  was  great  concavity  of  detail'  The  con- 
vex 'divide,'  like  a  rounded  cheek,  had  a  small-pox  of  lakes,  bogs,  ponds, 
sloughs  and  morasses. 

"To  give  in  detail  the  particulars  of  this  part  of  our  experience  would 
be  cruel  to  writer  and  reader,  though  it  might  gain  for  the  former  a  seat  in 
the  Chinese  Paradise  of  Fuh,  where  the  purgatorial  price  of  admission  is  to 
wade  for  seven  years  in  mud  up  to  the  chin.  So  let  me  give  the  spirit  of  it 
all,  in  a  lump.  The  only  external  indication  of  some  kinds  of  sloughs  is  a 
ranker  growth  of  grass,  perhaps  of  a  different  color,  in  the  low  ground 
between  two  hills  of  a  rolling  prairie.  Again,  on  a  level  prairie,  where  the 
road  seems  the  same  as  that  you  have  been  traveling  dry  shod,  your  horse's 
hoofs  splash  in  wet  grass.  This  goes  on,  worse  and  worse,  till  you  get 
nervous  and  begin  to  draw  up  your  heels  out  of  the  water;  and  so,  perhaps, 
for  a  mile,  whether  in  the  water  or  out  of  it  you  cannot  tell,  horses  up  to 
their  bellies  trudging  through  the  water  and  grass,  carts  sinking  deeper  than 
the  hubs,  you  travel  at  the  rate  of  one  mile  in  2  140.  A^ery  often,  however, 
sloughs  put  on  no  such  plausible  appearance,  but  confess  themselves  unmis- 
takably bad  and  ruinous  to  horses  and  carts. 

SOMETHING  ABOUT   MULES  AND   MULE   DRIVERS. 

"It  is  the  wagon-master's  business  to  ride  ahead  of  the  train  a  few  hun- 
dred yards  and  on  coming  to  a  slough,  to  force  his  horse  carefully  back  and 
forth  through  it  until  he  finds  the  best  place  for  crossing.  I  have  fished  for 
trout  in  Berkshire  streams  so  small  that,  to  an  observer  a  hundred  yards  dis- 
tant, I  must  have  seemed  to  be  bobbing  for  grasshoppers  in  a  green  meadow ; 
but  the  appearance  is  not  more  novel  than  to  see  a  strong  horse  plunging  and 
pitching  in  a  sea  of  green  grass  that  seems  to  have  as  solid  a  foundation  as 
that  your  own  horse's  hoofs  are  printing.  Some  sloughs  have  no  better  or 
worse  spot.  It  is  mud  from  one  side  to  the  other — mud  bottomless  and  in- 
finite, and  backing  up  in  some  infernal  Symmes's  hole.  The  foremost  cart 
approaches,  and,  at  the  first  step  the  mule  sinks  to  his  knees.  Some  mules  lie 
down  at  this  point;  but  most  of  ours  were  sufficiently  well  broken  to  make 
one  more  spasmcidic  leap,  and,  though  the  water  or  mud  went  no  higher  than 
their  fetlocks,  then  and  there  thev  laid  them  down.     This  is  the  moment  for 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  35I 

human  intervention,  and,  on  the  part  of  profane  mule  drivers,  for  an  impreca- 
tion of  divine  intervention.  The  men  get  off  their  horses  and  carts  and  hurry 
to  the  shafts  and  wheels,  tugging  and  straining,  while  one  or  two  yell  at  and 
belabor  the  discouraged  and  mulish  mule. 

"The  census  man  would  have  no  difficulty  at  this  juncture  in  ascer- 
taining the  persuasion  to  which  profane  mule  drivers  belong,  or,  at  least,  in 
which  they  have  been  reared.  Some  of  their  oaths  derive  their  flavor  from 
camp-meeting  reminiscences.  Another  man  excels  as  a  close-communion 
swearer,  and,  after  damning  his  mule,  superfluously  damns  the  man  who 
would  not  damn  him.  Other  oaths  have  a  tropical  luxuriance  of  irreverent 
verbiage  that  shows  them  to  have  been  drawn  from  the  grand  and  reverent 
phrases  of  the  Prayer-book,  and  still  others  are  of  that  sort  which  proves 
their  users  godless  wretches,  with  whom,  for  very  ignorance,  oaths  stand 
in  the  stead  of  adjectives.  Belabored  by  oaths,  kicks,  whip-lashes  and  ropes- 
ends,  the  mule  may  rise  and  plunge  and  lie  down  again,  and  rise  again  and 
plunge,  until  the  cart  is  on  solid  ground;  but  it  was  generally  the  quicker 
way  to  unload  the  cart  or  wagon  at  once,  or  to  lighten  it  until  the  mule  could 
get  through  easily.  If  this  was  inconvenient  for  any  reason,  a  rope  was 
fastened  to  the  axle,  and  twenty  men  pulling  one  way  would  generally  succeed 
in  beating  the  planet  pulling  the  other.  Our  Indian  ponies  got  through  the 
mud  splendidly.  Joseph  was  heard  to  recommend  a  stud  of  them  for  the 
hither  side  of  Bunyan's  Slough  of  Despond.  They  were  too  lazy  to  be  other 
than  deliberate  in  getting  out  of  a  hole.  They  put  their  feet  down  carefully, 
and,  like  oxen,  waddled  along,  one  step  or  one  jump  at  a  time.  So  they 
never  strained  themselves  as  high-spirited  horses  would,  and  yet  were  not  so 
mulish  as  to  be  willing  to  stay  stuck  in  the  mud  for  centuries,  until  the 
branches  of  future  trees  would  lift  them  up  for  fruit  like  Sir  John  Mande- 
ville's  sheep. 

GLIMPSES    OF    CLAIM-STAKES    AND    CLAIM-SHANTIES. 

"Three  times  we  crossed  the  tortuous  Sauk,  first  by  a  ferry  like  the  one 
at  Rum  river.  The  next  time,  four  days  afterward,  we  hail  to  make  (Xir 
own  ferry.  One  stout  fellow  swam  across  with  a  rope  in  his  teeth,  which 
was  tied  firmly  to  stout  trees  opposite  each  other.  Then  the  wagon  box  was 
taken  off  the  wheels,  two  or  three  hours  spent  in  caulking  it,  launched,  and 
a  man  in  the  bow,  holding  on  to  the  rope  which  sagged  down  to  within  a 
vard  of  the  water,  by  bending  his  body  and  keeping  stifif  legs,  could  head 
the  bow  up  stream  against  the  swift  current  and  ]ndl  himself  and  the  load 


352 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


across.  V  Cree  half-1)reed  did  tliis  canoeing  as  dexterously  from  the  first 
as  if  he  had  spent  his  Hfe  on  the  river.  Horses,  mules  and  oxen  were  then 
pushed  into  the  stream,  one  by  one,  their  lariats  tied  around  their  noses, 
and  held  b}'  another  person  in  the  boat,  so  as  to  guide  them  at  once  to  the 
only  place  where  they  could  get  ashore.  Finally,  the  empt)-  carts  and  wagons 
were  floated  across  and  pulled  up  the  bank  tiy  a  rope  around  tlie  axle.  Cross- 
ing other  streams  where  the  current  was  not  swift  enough  to  overturn  the 
carts,  and  the  water  only  deep  enough  to  flow  over  the  boxes,  we  cut  sap- 
plings,  made  a  floor  on  top  of  the  frames,  lifted  the  goods  top  of  that  and 
crossed  without  unharnessing  a  mule.  The  conclusion  of  all  which  is,  that 
people  on  railroad  cars  don't  realize  what  they  have  to  be  thankful  for. 

"This  valley  of  the  Sauk  up  which  we  were  traveling  is  one  of  the 
garden  spots  of  Minnesota.  The  new  settlers  of  the  last  two  or  three  years 
have  many  of  them  taken  that  direction.  Claim-stakes  and  claim-shanties 
speck  the  road  from  one  end  to  the  other.  Some  of  the  claim-shanties  were 
built  in  good  faith,  had  been  lived  in,  and  land  was  tilled  around  them.  Not 
a  few,  however,  were  of  the  other  sort,  built  to  keep  the  letter  of  the  law ; 
four  walls  merely,  no  windows,  doors  or  roof.  We  often  found  it  con- 
venient to  camp  near  these  edifices,  and  saved  ourselves  the  trouble  of  going 
half  a  mile  for  wood  when  we  found  it  cut  so  near  at  hand. 

"A  terrific  thunder-storm  came  on  one  afternoon  in  this  Sauk  valley 
to  which  the  average  thunder-storms  of  latitude  40"  42',  longitude  74"  41', 
are  two-penny  and  theatrical.  We  were  drenched,  of  course,  with  the  lowest 
cloudful,  in  a  moment;  but  the  thunder  was  so  near,  prolonged  and  hurtling, 
that  it  was  enough  to  make  a  brave  man  shiver  to  remember  that  his  trousers 
had  a  steel  buckle.  All  day  and  night  the  tempest  continued,  rain  pouring, 
lightning  flashing  round  the  whole  circuit  of  the  heavens,  and  the  thunder 
unintermitted.  But  the  next  morning  rose  as  clear-skied  as  if  the  preceding 
had  been  a  June  day  or  old  tradition,  and  not  written  down  in  the  calendar 
of  the  battle-month  as  the  anniversary  of  Mnntebello. 

THE    APPROACH    TO    ALEXANDRIA. 

"Our  last  day's  travel  in  sylvan  Sauk  valley  took  us  to  Osakis  Lake. 
Here  we  camped  for  Sunday,  in  an  opening  in  a  fine  forest  which  sur- 
rounded the  lake.  Sunday  was  a  perfect  day.  With  patient  sight  one  might 
trace  here  and  there  the  graceful  scarf-like  shadowy  white  of  the  highest 
and  rarest  clouds  against  the  pure  blue.  No  lower  or  coarser  forms  were 
visible  anvwhere  from  horizon  to  horizon,  and  even  these  would  sweep  into 


DOUGLAS    .AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  353 

such  evanescent  folds,  and  ripple  away  into  such  ethereal  faintness,  that  the 
eye  passed  them  and  looked  through  the  blue  ether  itself.  To  breathe  the 
pure  air  was  indeed  an  inspiration.  The  wind  came  fresh  and  clear  over  the 
lake.  There  it  lies,  surrounded  by  forests  on  every  side,  with  only  here  and 
there  vistas  of  open  prairie.  From  the  level  of  the  roots  of  the  nearest  trees, 
and  from  the  shadows  of  the  rest  among  their  huge  trunks,  the  shining  beach 
slopes  down,  its  white  sand  the  floor  where  the  waves  endlessly  run  up,  vis- 
ible far  out  and  then  fused  with  the  surface  blue.  I  gave  myself  a  baptism 
in  this  beautiful  cold  lake,  and  then  finding  an  old  gnarled  oak  whose  spread- 
ing limbs  made  a  comfortable  couch  overlooking  the  water,  whiled  the  still 
hours  away  till  the  shadows  of  the  distant  trees  lengthened  over  the  lake 
and  touched  the  hither  shore.  Osakis  lake  is  twelve  miles  long  and  two  or 
three  wide;  its  waters  are  ciuite  cold  and  abound  with  the  largest  and  finest 
kind  of  fresh-water  fish — wall-eyed  pike,  bass,  perch  and  other.  The  Doctor, 
our  one  skillful  fisherman,  brought  in  a  boat-load,  caught  in  an  hour  or 
two's  drifting.  The  rest  of  the  camp  spent  the  day  in  reading,  writing, 
sewing,  fishing,  washing,  cooking  and  mending  wagons. 

"Ten  or  twelve  miles  over  the  very  worst  road  yet,  brought  us  to  a 
place  which,  when  it  gets  to  be  a  place,  is  to  be  called  Alexandria.  Half  of 
the  distance  and  more  was  through  woods.  Look  up,  and  there  was  gorg- 
eous sunlight  flooding  the  fresh,  young  leaves,  lighting  up  old  oak  trunks, 
and  glorifying  the  brilliant  birch  and  maple,  pigeons  flying  or  alit,  robins 
and  thrushes  and  what  other  mellow-throated  songsters  I  know  not,  making 
the  vistas  and  aisles  of  shadow  alive  with  sounds ;  but  look  down,  and  your 
horse  was  balking  at  a  labyrinth  of  stumps,  where  there  was  no  place  to 
put  his  foot;  this  extending  for  ten  rods  and  there  terminating  in  a  slough 
aggravated  by  the  floating  debris  of  a  corduroy  bridge,  and  this  ending  in  a 
mud-hole,  the  blackness  of  darkness,  with  one  stump  upright  to  prevent  your 
wading  comfortably  through  it,  to  transfix  your  horse  or  upset  your  cart. 

"The  carts  and  their  drivers  could  not  get  through  by  daylight,  but 
were  compelled  to  stay  in  the  woods  and  fight  mosquitoes  all  night,  reaching 
Alexandria  about  noon  the  next  day.  Joseph  and  I,  on  our  ponies,  'thridded 
the  somber  boskage  of  the  wood'  and  got  to  Alexandria  before  dark.  It  was 
slow  traveling,  but  on  sure-footed  Indian  ponies,  not  very  disagreeable.  The 
mosquitoes  were  our  worst  torment ;  we  avoided  their  terebrations  by  'taking 
the  vail.'  About  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  we  caught  glimpses  through 
the  leaves  of  a  lake  at  the  right  of  us,  and  soon  came  to  the  short  branch 
road  which  led  to  it.  Leading  our  horses  down  to  the  .water's  edge,  we 
(23) 


354 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


observed  a  blazed  tree  just  at  the  margin,  and  an  inscription  neatly  written 
on  the  white  wood,  with  name  and  date  of  the  company  by  whom  it  had 
been  cut. 

"Coming  out  on  the  beautiful  prairie  which  is  the  site  of  Alexandria, 
we  were  surprised  to  see  the  wagon  and  tents  of  Messrs.  Burbank  and 
Blakely's  first  two  stage  loads,  showing  that  their  road-makers  were  not  far 
enough  ahead  for  them  to  follow  on.  Is  it  possible  that  I  have  forgotten 
to  tell  the  romance  of  that  stage  load?  Two  Scotch  girls,  sisters,  journeying 
without  any  protection  save  their  good  looks  and  good  sense,  from  Scotland 
to  Lake  Athabasca,  where  one  of  them  was  to  redeem  her  plighted  faith 
and  marry  a  Hudson  Bay  Company's  officer.  Ocean  voyage  alone,  two  or 
three  thousand  miles  travel  through  a  strange  country  to  St.  Paul  alone, 
then  this  journey  by  stage  to  Ft.  Abercrombie,  camping  out  and  cooking 
their  own  food,  and  voyaging  down  Red  river  in  a  batteau,  near  a  thousand 
miles  more,  and  fired  at  by  Red  Lake  Indians  on  the  way,  then  journey- 
ing with  a  company's  brigade  to  Athabasca,  going  north  all  the  while  and 
winter  coming  on  too,  and  the  mercury  traveling  down  to  the  bulb;  but  her 
courage  sinking  never  a  bit.  Hold  her  fast  when  you  get  her,  x\thabascan ! 
She  is  a  heroine,  and  should  be  the  mother  of  heroes.  And  the  brave, brides- 
maid sister!  Where  are  the  'chivalry?"  Letters  take  about  a  year  to  get 
to  Athabasca,  gentlemen. 

"Three  English  sportsmen  and  their  guns,  tents  and  dogs  filled  another 
stage.  They  had  hunted  in  Canada  and  Florida,  shot  crocodiles  in  the  valley 
of  the  Nile,  fished  for  salmon  in  Norway,  and  were  now  on  their  way  to 
the  bufifalo  plains  of  Saskatchewan  to  enjoy  the  finest  sport  of  all.  Purdy 
rifles,  Lancaster  rifles,  Wesley  Richards's  shot-guns  and  Manton's  shot-guns, 
single-barreled  and  double-barreled:  these  wei-e  their  odds  against  brute 
strength  and  cunning.  One  of  them  was  a  baronet,  the  others  Oxford  men, 
and  all  might  have  passed  a  life  of  ease  in  London  with  society,  libraries, 
establishments;  but  this  wild  life,  with  all  its  discomforts  and  privations  and 
actual  hardships  and  hard  work,  had  more  attractions  for  them  in  its  free- 
dom, its  romance,  its  adventure.  Their  stories  were  of  beleagured  proctors 
and  bear  fights,  Hyde  Park  and  deer-stalking.  Rotten  Row  rides  and  moose 
hunts.  Next  year  we  may  hear  of  them  up  the  Orinoco  or  in  South  Africa. 
Better  there  than  wasting  away  manliness  in  'society'  or  the  'hells,'  or  in 
bribing  electors ;  but  is  there  not  something  else  in  all  England  worth  living 
and  working  for?  One  of  the  three  was  a  splendid  rifle-shot.  With  my 
Maynard  rifle,  breech-loading  and  weighing  only  six  pounds,  unlike  anything 
he  had  ever  handled,  he  plumped  a  sardine-box  at  distances  of  lOO.  150,  200 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  355 

and  300  yards,  and  hit  the  small  tree,  in  the  cleft  of  which  it  was  fastened, 
almost  every  time  in  twenty. 

HOSPITALITY    OF    THE    WILDERNESS. 

"Our  tented  tield  was  a  fair  beginning  for  a  town.  In  fact,  we  far 
outnumbered  the  actual  population  of  Alexandria.  Joseph  and  I  were  glad 
enough  to  be  permitted  to  enjoy  more  than  municipal  privileges  under  the 

roof   of   Judge   G (P.    L.    Gregory).     If   pioneers   were   all    of   the 

kind  that  have  founded  Alexandria,  civilization  and  refinement  would  travel 
west  as  fast  as  settlement,  instead  of  being  about  a  decade  behind.  The 
house  was  built  of  hewn  logs,"  of  course;  but  inside  grace  and  beauty  strug- 
gled with  the  roughness  of  such  raw  materials  and  came  off  victorious,  and 
yet  nothing  was  out  of  place.  There  was  an  air  about  the  main  room  that  . 
made  you  remember  that  the  grandest  queen  walked  on  rush-strewn  floors 
not  half  so  fine  as  these  spotless  planks — and  what  wall-paper  had  such  deli- 
cate hues  as  the  peeled  bark  revealed  on  the  timber  beneath? — and  there 
was  a  woman's  trick  in  the  fall  of  the  window  curtains  and  the  hanging  of 
the  net  over  the  spotless  counterpane  in  the  corner,  and  the  disposition  of 
things  on  the  bureau,  crowned  by  its  vaseful  of  beautiful  prairie  flowers. 
Here  we  enjoy  such  dinner-table  chat  and  such  long  evening  talks;  '^\{;  and-i 

I.,  with  Judge  G and  his  wife,  as  made  us  wish  we  had  known. 

them  in  London  Terrace  ten  years  ago,  though  we  could  regret  the  absence 
of  none  of  the  luxuries  which  they  were  daily  proving  a  well-ordered  life 
could  be  lived  without. 

"Alexandria  is  environed  b)-  beautiful  lakes — lakes  which  I  obstinately 
refuse  to  rhapsodize  over,  simply  because  there  are  so  many  and  all  deserve 
it.  To  a  promontory  jutting  out  into  one  of  these  I  took  a  seven-mile  walk 
early  one  drizzly  morning,  with  one  of  our  party,  accompanied  by  a  hound, 
for  which  he  had  returned,  to  follow  up  the  scent  of  a  deer  which  he  said 
he  had  shot  and  badly  wounded  two  hours  before.  We  found  the  place — - 
the  leaves  were  splashed  with  blood — gave  the  dog  the  scent,  and  followed  .his 
wild  running  for  two  or  three  miles,  but  saw  no  deer  and  walked  home  in 
the  rain.  *  *  *  First  day's  travel  from  Alexandria  train  made  two 
and  one-half  miles.  Best  four-wheel  wagon  had  all  its  spokes  crushed  out 
falling  into  some  rut  in  a  wood-road.  Next  day  we  got  on  a  dozen  miles 
farther  to  Chippewa  crossing.  A  party  of  Chippewas  were  hunting  and 
fishing  in  the  vicinity.  Two  dusky  boys  watched  us  crossing  from  their 
canoe  and  laughed.   I   fancy,   at  white  paddling.      A   shower  came   up,   but 


356  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

before  the  shallow  lake  had  put  on  its  goose-flesh  to  meet  the  raindrops, 
their  paddles  were  out,  and  they  skimmed  the  water,  straight  as  a  crow 
flies,  through  the  rushes  to  the  shelter  of  the  trees  which  overhung  the 
water,  and  there  the  canoe  rested  motionless  again,  and  they  watched  us  in 
silence.  They  had  speared  a  half  dozen  buffalo  fish  and  a  plug  of  tobacco 
bought  all  we  wanted  for  supper.  *  *  *  'pj^g  prairie  from  Alexandria 
to  Otter  Tail  river  was  a  very  beautiful  one,  the  hills  moderately  high,  but 
of  gentle  slopes,  their  green,  grassy  sides  flecked  with  wild  flowers  of 
a  thousand  brilliant  or  quiet  hues,  and  then  every  mile  or  two  a  high  swell 
of  land  from  which  we  could  look  over  these  smaller  undulations  to  the 
great  green  wave  rising  to  its  height  again."  And  it  was  thus  that  this  genial 
but  anonymous  traveler  passed  on  out  of  what  afterward  came  to  be  known 
as  Douglas  county  on  his  way  to  the  Pembina  country  and  beyond,  leav- 
ing a  record  of  his  impressions  along  the  way  that  is  invaluable  today  as  a 
reflection  of  the  country  and  of  the  condition  of  things  in  the  days  of  the 
very  beginning  of  a  social  order  hereabout. 

THE    SIMS    BROTHERS. 

Among  the  most  active  of  the  early  residents  of  Alexandria  were  the 
three  brothers,  Charles  F.,  Lorenzo  G.  and  George  C.  Sims,  uncles  of 
George  L.  Treat,  of  that  city.  The  Sims  brothers  were  natives  of  New 
York  state,  but  early  took  up  their  residence  in  Minnesota,  Charles  F.  Sims 
arriving  at  St.  Paul  in  the  spring  of  1856.  From  1861  to  1863  he  was  in 
the  drug  business  at  St.  Anthony  and  in  1864  he  joined  Captain  Fisk's  expedi- 
tion of  that  year  bound  for  Idaho.  He  later  engaged  in  the  milling  business 
at  St.  Cloud  and  in  1866  he  and  his  brother  joined  the  last  Fisk  expedition 
west,  returning  to  Minnesota  in  1868.  From  1869  to  1875  Charles  F.  Sims 
was  in  the  employ  of  W.  E.  Hicks  as  manager  of  the  latter's  mills  at  Alex- 
andria, and  in  the  fall  of  1871  made  two  trips  to  Ft.  Gary  in  the  interests 
of  the  mill.  In  1875  he  went  to  California,  three  years  later  locating  in 
Minneapolis,  and  in  1882  moved  to  Grand  Forks,  North  Dakota,  returning 
to  Minneapolis  in  1905,  where  he  died  on  May  8,  1910.  For  a  time  during 
his  residence  in  Alexandria  he  was  postmaster  of  the  village,  as  was  also, 
later,  his  brother  Lorenzo  G.  Sims,  who  located  in  Alexandria  in  1867, 
remaining  there  engaged  in  the  drug  business  until  his  departure  about  1881 
for  Rosco,  South  Dakota,  where  he  remained  in  business  for  about  twenty- 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  retired  and  moved  to  Minneapolis,  where 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  357 

he  is  now  making  his  home.  The  third  brother,  George  Sims,  located  at 
Alexandria  in  1868  and  was  for  some  time  employed  in  the  old  Hicks 
log  store  there,  presently  engaging  in  business  for  himself  and  was  thus 
engaged  until  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Wisconsin.  His  death  occurred  in 
Chicago,  October  22,  1898. 

OLD    people's    home. 

The  Old  People's  Home  of  the  Red  River  Valley  Conference  of  the 
Augustana  Lutheran  church,  now  being  erected  near  Alexandria,  will  be 
when  completed  one  of  the  finest  institutions  of  its  kind  in  the  state.  The 
buildings  are  being  erected  on  a  naturally  beautiful  and  desirable  site,  on 
the  shore  of  Lake  Winona,  just  west  of  the  city  of  Alexandria,  on  ground 
donated  by  C.  H.  Raiter.  They  occupy  a  high  rise  of  ground,  comma'nding 
a  view  of  a  large  oak  grove,  the  grounds  gently  sloping  to  the  lake  shore. 

The  main  building,  of  which  the  corner-stone  was  laid  during  the  first 
week  in  September,  1916,  is  fifty-three  by  eighty-eight  feet  in  dimensions. 
It  has  full  basement,  two  floors  of  rooms  and  large  attic.  The  main  build- 
ing was  ready  for  occupancy  on  November  i,  1916,  and  cost  about  twenty- 
five  thou.sand  dollars. 

early  days  near  nelson. 

The  following  interesting  reminiscence  was  written  by  C.  H.  Larson, 
the  Nelson  merchant,  who  has  a  vivid  recollection  of  pioneer  conditions  in 
this  neighborhood : 

"We  arrived  in  this  county  by  mule-team  from  St.  Cloud  in  November, 
1868,  stopping  at  the  farm  house  of  John  A.  Nelson  that  first  winter. 
Some  time  during  the  winter  a  bear  broke  through  an  out  shanty  and  stole 
a  butchered  pig  from  Mr.  Nelson  and,  by  the  way,  pigs  were  pigs  in  those 
days.  In  the  spring  of  1869  my  grandmother  walked  through  the  wilder- 
ness for  a  week  or  ten  days  trying  to  find  some  small  pigs  and  she  finally 
found  a  farmer  south  of  Melrose  that  had  pigs  and  she  persuaded  him  to 
sell  her  two  which  she  carried  in  a  basket  and  came  home  after  traveling 
for  aliout  ten  days.  She  was  a  very  strong  woman  and  for  several  sum- 
mers went  with  my  father  out  in  the  harvest  fields  in  English  Grove,  there 
being  a  settlement  in  that  part  in  the  early  days.  The  settlers  came  in  quite 
a  few  in  the  early  seventies,  homesteaded  land  in  the  Crooked  Lake  coun- 
try and  what  we  called  the  Geneva  Woods.     We  moved  into  our  own  shanty 


358  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIKS.    MINNESOTA. 

in  the  early  fall  of  1869  and  built  a  better  house  a  year  later  made  of  hewn 
logs  with  moss  between  the  logs  and  birch  bark  and  dirt  on  the  roof.  These 
Wfere  the  prevailing  high-toned  dwellings  in  those  days;  the  poorer  trash  lived 
in  hol6s  in  the  ground  or  huts  built  of  round  logs. 

"House-keeping  was  very  easy  in  those  days,  one  room  made  up  for  sit- 
ting room,  dining  room,  bed  room,  kitchen  and  all  the  other  rooms.  Furni- 
ture consisted  of  a  couple  of  hewn  log  benches,  same  for  table,  and  logs 
nailed  up  in  a  corner  for  bed.  Feed  was  potatoes,  salt  bread  and  butter, 
burnt  bread,  coffee  and  milk,  and  of  course  those  that  could  shoot  and  had 
a  gun  could  get  game  all  they  wanted,  but  my  father  had  never  shot  a  gun 
in  his  life  but  he  finally  bought  one  and  I  remembered  plainly  one  evening  we 
met  a  large  buck  but  in  place  of  shooting  he  stuck  the  gun  in  the  air  and 
hollered  so  the  buck  would  not  run  over  us.  There  was  plenty  of  fish  but 
there  was  no  way  of  getting  them  except  to  get  out  in  the  water  with  a 
pitchfork  and  shovel  them  out,  which  some  of  the  most  enterprising  did. 

The  mode  of  traveling  in  the  early  days  was  walking  through  mud  and 
water  knee  deep  in  some  places  and  through  brush  and  thrash  that  w^as 
nearly  impassable.  In  1869  a  path  was  cut  through  the  woods  to  Alexan- 
dria called  the  Crooked  Lake  road.  This  was  the  outlet  from  East  Bell 
river.  Crooked  Lake  and  the  Geneva  Woods  settlement  and  connected  with 
the  so-called  State  Road  some  four  miles  east  of  Alexandria.  In  the  winter 
of  1872  and  1873  railroad  work  was  started  and  the  settlers  all  wore  a 
grin.  This  work  kept  up  for  about  two  years  and  then  quit;  some  of  the 
settlers  cut  some  cord  wood  and  ties  and  hauled  out  to  the  track  expecting 
to  sell — but  nothing  doing.  The  railroad  company  was  busted.  Then  on 
top  of  all  this  drawback  we  had  an  Indian  scare  in  the  year  1876.  Everybody 
expected  to  get  killed ;  many  people  flocked  into  the  village  and  barricaded 
themselves.  We  stayed  on  the  farm;  my  stepfather  got  the  broad-ax  into 
the  house  and  we  barricaded  the  door,  so  we  expected  to  decapitate  at  least 
some  redskin  before  we  were  willing  to  give  up.     But  no  Indians  came. 

"When  this  scare  was  over  the  grasshoppers  came  and  practically  ate 
up  evervthing,  even  the  pitchfork  handles.  We  would  run  over  our  little 
field  of  wheat  with  a  clothes  line,  one  man  in  each  hand,  to  scare  them  off 
or  at  least  keep  them  from  continually  eating;  we  saved  some  of  our  crop 
that  way.  Some  people  would  dig  ditches  across  the  road  to  keep  the  small 
grasshoppers  from  going  from  one  field  to  another.  When  the  ditch  was  full 
of  hoppers  hay  was  put  on  them  and  set  afire  to,  burning  them  up.  The 
government  furnished  coal  tar  and  many  used  to  run  little  carts  across  the 
field  in  the  spring  and  capture  hoppers  in  this  way. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  359 

"Finally,  some  years  later,  the  railroad  was  finished  and  cars  came 
along.  The  engine  toots  was  sweet  music  to  the  settlers.  Wood  chopping 
and  hauling  was  the  going  business  in  those  days  and  every  shack  in  the 
woods  was  full  of  wood  choppers  and  haulers;  prairie  farmers  coming  in 
from  all  over  the  country  buying  stumpage,  put  up  shacks  and  spending  the 
winters  that  way. 

"The  first  minister  that  I  can  remember  came  in  here  in  the  spring 
of  1869,  stopping  at  a  farm  in  Crooked  Lake  and  preaching  in  several  of 
the  homestead  shacks  around.  There  was  a  small  Swede  paper  printed  in 
Chicago  that  was  circulated  around  in  the  early  days.  In  this  paper  the 
minister  I  spoke  about  above  wrote  about  his  trip  here.  He  said :  T  stopped 
at  a  place  in  Crooked  Lake  one  night.  I  got  mush  in  a  wooden  bowl,  milk 
in  a  wooden  bowl  and  ate  with  another  wooden  bowl  and  butchered  all  night.' 
The  bedbugs  were  very  active  in  the  log  shacks  in  those  days  and  the  more 
sensitive  people  had  a  hard  time  to  sleep.  The  Crooked  Lake  church  was 
built  a  year  or  two  later.  It  was  c|uite  up-to-date  for  those  times.  It  was 
built  of  hewn  logs,  had  several  windows  in  it  and  had  two  iron  rods  run- 
ning across  the  building  to  keep  the  logs  from  bulging  out.  The  benches 
were  hewn  planks  put  on  log  standards,  cut  from  round  legs  so  they  were 
quite  substantial  but  hard  on  the  back,  as  the  ministers  in  those  days  never 
preached  less  than  four  hours  at  one  sitting.  Reverend  Lundblad,  of  Park- 
ers Prairie,  was  the  first  minister  that  preached  regularly  in  the  Crooked 
Lake  church.  The  people  came  to  church  in  their  blue  overalls  and  what 
we  called  in  those  days  government  boots,  but  they  were  all  happy  and  con- 
tented and  I  doubt  if  the  people  of  our  day  are  as  satisfied  as  those  settlers  of 
the  early  day.  Most  of  them  walked  to  church  and  the  better  class  would 
drive  a  team  of  oxen  when  the  roads  were  passable. 

"The  first  school  in  district  No.  22  was  held  in  my  grandfather's  hut, 
in  the  summer  of  1873.  ^^  ^r.  Fred  Leasure  taught  the  school,  having 
about  four  scholars  when  all  attended,  but  mostly  only  myself,  as  I  am  a 
sticker  and  attended  the  three  months  every  day.  I  learned  the  A,  B,  C's 
and  to  talk  a  little  English  and  how  to  kill  snakes  successfully.  Crushing 
the  head  done  the  business.  The  next  year  a  log  school  house  was  built 
on  the  Crooked  Lake  road,  on  section  14.  The  first  term  we  had  many 
teachers,  most  of  them  staying  only  a  few  days.  Mr.  C.  J.  Gunderson  was 
the  first  successful  one  we  had  and  even  he  had  to  take  a  layoff  for  several 
weeks  during  the  term  but  was  ably  substituted  with  his  sister,  Mrs.  Van 
Hoesen. 

"The   Swedish   church   in   Alexandria   was   organized   about    1878    and 


360  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES^    MINNESOTA. 

we  shared  the  church  with  the  Norwegians  for  many  years,  finally  buying 
them  out.  Reverend  Lind  was  our  first  minister  in  Alexandria,  having  Alex- 
andria, Crooked  Lake  and  Ida  congregations,  and  from  then  everything  has 
gone  merrily  on." 


GRANT  COUNTY 

MINNESOTA 


CHAPTER  I. 

Geology  and  Topography. 

Grant  county  lies  in  western  Minnesota,  in  the  second  range  of  counties 
east  from  Lakes  Tra\-erse  and  Big  Stone.  Elbow  lake,  in  the  central  part, 
is  the  county  seat.  The  county  is  sc|uare,  measuring  four  townships,  or 
twenty-four  miles,  from  east  to  west,  and  the  same  from  north  to  south. 
The  area  of  the  county  is  578.28  square  miles,  or  370,099.24  acres,  of  which 
about  twenty  thousand  acres  are  covered  by  water. 

SURFACE   FEATURES. 

The  west  half  of  Grant  county  is  included  within  the  basin  of  the  Red 
River  of  the  North,  being  drained  to  Lake  Traverse  by  the  Mustinka  river 
and  its  tributaries.  The  rest  of  this  county  is  drained  to  the  Minnesota 
river,  mainly  by  the  Pomme  de  Terre,  which  flows  very  directly  from  north 
to  south  through  the  east  half  of  the  county.  The  Chippewa  river,  however, 
flows  nearly  parallel  with  the  Pomme  de  Terre  river,  and  only  four  or  five 
miles  east  of  it,  through  the  southeast  edge  of  Grant  county. 

Lakes  are  numerous  in  the  county  excepting  in  the  western  portion 
thereof.  They  range  in  size  from  the  smallest,  a  few  rods  in  diameter,  to 
Pelican  lake,  which  covers  approximately  six  square  miles,  in  the  most  north- 
east township  of  Grant  county,  to  which  its  name  is  given.  Elk  lake  and 
Elbow  lake  also  give  their  names  to  the  townships  in  which  they  occur.  Its 
other  most  noteworthy  lakes  are  Pomme  de  Terre  lake,  through  which  the 
river  of  this  name  flows.  Lightning  lake  in  Stony  Brook  township,  Cormor- 


362  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ant  lake  and  Barnett  lake  in  Lien  township,  and  a  group  of  a  dozen  small 
lakes  within  five  miles  east  and  southeast  from  Herman. 

Grant  county  has  mostly  an  undulating  or  rolling  surface,  rising  in 
smooth,  massive  swells  ten  to  thirty  or  sometimes  fifty  feet  above  the  hol- 
lows and  lakes.  Seen  in  a  view  of  wide  extent,  however,  the  appearance  is 
that  of  an  approximately  level  plain.  The  valleys  or  channels  eroded  by 
these  streams  are  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  feet  deep,  and  var}-  from  a 
quarter  to  a  half  of  a  mile,  or  rareh',  where  the  Pomme  de  Terre  river  flows 
through  lakes,  one  and  a  half  miles  in  width. 

The  northeastern  third  is  more  prominentl\-  rolling  than  other  parts  of 
the  county ;  and  rough  morainic  knolls  and  hills  border  the  north  side  of 
Pelican  lake  and  extend  westward  into  the  northeast  corner  of  Pomme  de 
Terre  township.  These  are  the  southwest  edge  of  the  great  morainic  tract 
called  the  Leaf  hills.  Within  the  limits  of  this  county  they  attain  only  slight 
altitudes,  fifty  to  one  hundred  an.d  fifty  feet  above  Pelican  lake  and  Lake 
Christina,  or  about  twelve  hundred  and  fifty  to  thirteen  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  above  the  sea. 

In  the  western  range  of  townships  of  Grant  county  the  area  that  was 
occupied  by  the  glacial  Lake  Agassiz,  as  described  in  a  later  part  of  this 
chapter,  is  characterized  by  a  much  more  smoothed  and  even  surface  than 
the  other  parts  of  the  district  toward  the  east  and  south,  this  being  the  margin 
of  the  verv  flat,  broad  expanse  which  reaches  thence  west  to  the  Bois  des 
Sioux  river  and  north  along  the  Red  River  valley  to  Winnipeg. 

ELEVATIONS. 

The  following  elevations  were  taken  on  the  old  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis 
&  Manitoba  Railway,  from  profiles  in  the  ofifice  of  Col.  C.  C.  Smith,  engineer, 
St.  Paul: 

Fergus  Falls  Line. 

Feet  above 
the  sea. 
Outlet  from  Lake  Christina  to  Pelican  lake,  water,   1,213;  grade       1.225 

Interlaken ^'""^ 

Ashby    ^--91 

Summit  near  Ashby,  cutting  ten  feet;  grade 1.294 

Pelican  creek,  water,  1236;  grade 1.249 


doui;las  and  grant  counties,  Minnesota.  363 

Breckinridge  Line. 

Hancock    1.155 

Summit,  cutting  only  one  foot;  grade 1,17- 

Pomme  de  Terre  river,  water,  1,066;  grade 1,078 

Junction  of  Brown's  \'alley  branch 1,120 

Morris . 1,129 

Summit,  grade 1,156 

Donnelly 1,1^4 

Herman 1,070 

Upper  beach  Lake  .\gassiz,  cut  six   feet;  grade 1,060 

Norcross,  on  lower  beach  of  Lake  Agassiz 1-039 

Mustinka  creek,  water,  1,018;  grade 1,026 

The  highest  land  of  Grant  county,  in  Pelican  Lake  and  Erdahl  townships, 
is  about  thirteen  hundred  and  fifty  feet  above  the  sea  and  its  lowest  land,  on  its 
west  boundary,  is  about  ten  hundred  and  ten  feet  above  the  sea.  Estimates 
of  the  average  heights  of  the  townships  of  Grant  county  are  as  follows : 
Pelican  Lake,  twelve  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet ;  Erdahl,  twelve  hundred 
and  seventy-five;  Elk  Lake,  twelve  hundred  and  fifty;  Land,  twelve  hundred 
and  twenty-five;  Pomme  de  Terre,  twelve  hundred  and  forty;  Sanford, 
twelve  hundred  and  twenty;  Lien,  eleven  hundred  and  eighty;  Roseville, 
eleven  hundred  and  sixty;  Stony  Brook,  eleven  hundred  and  si.xty;  Elbow. 
Lake,  eleven  hundred  and  forty ;  Delaware,  ten  hundred  and  ninety :  Macs- 
ville,  ten  hundred  and  ninety;  Lawrence,  ten  hundred  and  fifty;  North  Otta- 
wa, ten  hundred  and  thirty-five,  and  Logan,  ten  hundred  and  fifty.  The 
mean  elevation  of  Grant  county,  from  these  figures,  is  eleven  hundred  and 
fifty-five  feet. 

SOIL    AND    TIMBER. 

A  black  loam  soil  extends  everywhere  one  to  four  feet  deep.  This  is 
the  enriched  upper  part  of  the  glacial  drift,  which  below  forms  the  subsoil, 
having  a  ^-ellowish  color,  due  to  weathering,  to  a  depth  of  ten  to  twenty  feet, 
be^•ond  which  it  has  a  darker  and  bluish  color.  Clay,  sand  and  gravel,  with 
occasional  boulders,  intermingled  in  an  unstratified  manner  (clay  being  the 
predominant  ingredient),  constitute  the  greater  part  of  this  formation.  With 
this  boulder-clay,  till,  or  hardpan.  as  it  is  called,  are  associated  comparatively 
thin  and  scantv  deposits  of  stratified  gravel  and  sand,  which  occur  as  layers 


3^4  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

in  the  till,  or  rarely  in  knolls  or  swells  on  its  surface,  also  in  flat  tracts  on  the 
bottom  lands  of  the  larger  streams,  and  in  beach-ridges  on  the  borders  of 
Lake  Agassiz. 

The  county  is  wholly  prairie,  with  timber  only  in  small  groves  besides 
many  of  the  lakes  and  in  a  very  narrow  belt  along  portions  of  the  rivers  and 
creeks.  Basswood,  bur-oak,  white  and  red  elm,  silver  maple,  box-elder,  wild 
plum,  green  ash,  hackberry,  ironwood,  poplar  and  Cottonwood  are  the  prin- 
cipal species  of  trees. 

GEOLOGICAL  STRUCTURE. 

The  drift-sheet,  consisting  chiefly  of  till,  and  probably  varying  from 
one  hundred  to  two  hundred  feet  in  depth,  covers  the  county  and  wholly 
conceals  the  bed-rocks.  Beneath  the  drift  are  doubtless  in  many  places  de- 
posits of  Cretaceous  age,  similar  to  those  outcropping  in  Brown,  Redwood, 
Lyon  and  Stearns  counties;  but  under  these,  or,  where  they  are  absent,  imme- 
diately underlying  the  drift,  Archaen  rocks  are  believed  to  occupy  this  whole 
district,  at  a  depth  of  a  few  hundred  feet. 

A  well  drilled  for  the  railroad  at  Herman  passed  through  one  hundred 
and  twenty-four  feet  of  till,  and  then  went  sixty-five  feet  in  rock.  The  first 
seven  or  eight  feet  of  the  rock  was  the  fine-grained,  buff,  raagnesian  lime- 
stone, boulders  of  which  are  common  throughout  northwestern  Minnesota. 
Professor  Winchell  thinks  it  probable  that  this  portion  was  a  compacted 
mass -of  bouWers.-' --The 'nearest  outcrops  of  this  rock  in  the  direction  from 
which  the  drift  came,  are  near  Winnipeg  in  Manitoba.  The  remaining  fifty- 
seven  feet  were  evidently  in  Archaen  rocks,  being  quartzose  granite,  with 
red  feldspar ;  white  micaceous  quartzyte ;  and  mica  schist  of  several  varieties. 

The  glacial  drift  forming  the  surface  of  this  county  has  the  same 
smoothly  undulating  or  rolling  contour  which  characterizes  the  greater  part 
of  the  Minnesota  basin.  Its  only  portion  presenting  the  rough,  irregularly 
grouped,  stony  knolls  and  hills  of  terminal  moraines  in  northeastern  Grant 
county,  including  Pelican  Lake,  some  parts  of  Erdahl  and  the  northeast  corner 
of  Pomme  de- Terre  township.  These  moraink  accumulations  belong  to  the 
time  of  the  eighth  or  Fergus  Falls  moraine.  The  ice-sheet  appears  to  have 
lain  upon  this  district  until  its  recession  from  the  seventh  or  Dovre  moraine, 
when  it  was  melted  back  from  Swift  and  Big  Stone  counties  to  Fergus  Falls 
and  the  Leaf  hills  in  Otter  Tail  county. 

The  gravel  on  the  bottom  land  of  the  Pomme  de  Terre  river  is  about 


DOUGLAS    .-iND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  365 

half  limestone;  and  nearly  the  same  proportion  holds  for  the  gravel  of  lake- 
shores  and  for  that  contained  in  the  till.  A  much  less  proportion  of  the  large 
boulders  is  limestone,  perhaps  not  more  than  a  twentieth  generally,  and  in 
some  localities  scarcely  a  hundredth,  the  remainder  being  granite,  syenite, 
gneiss  and  crystalline  schists.  But  in  section  31,  Elk  Lake  township,  about 
a  dozen  limestone  blocks,  three  to  eight  feet  in  size,  were  seen  together  one  to 
three  rods  west  of  the  road,  much  outnumbering  the  comparati\ely  small 
granitic  boulders  that  could  be  counted  on  the  same  space. 

The  valleys  of  the  Pomme  de  Terre  and  Chippewa  rivers,  iift\-  to  one 
hundred  feet  deep  along  most  of  their  course,  and  one-fourth  mile  to  one 
mile  or  occasionally  more  in  width,  were  avenues  of  drainage  from  the 
melting  ice-fields  in  their  northward  retreat.  By  these  glacial  floods  the 
Pomme  de  Terre  valley  was  eroded  below  its  present  depth,  and  the  subse- 
quent alluvial  deposits  brought  in  by  tributaries  and  washed  down  from 
adjoining  bluffs  by  the  springs  in  their  ravines,  have  filled  some  portions 
higher  than  others,  so  that  depressions  not  thus  filled  hold  the  Pomme  de 
Terre  and  Little  Pomme  de  Terre  lakes. 

LAKE  AGASSIZ. 

Lake  Agassiz,  formed  in  the  basin  of  the  Red  river  by  the  barrier  of  the 
ice-sheet,  extended  into  the  northwest  part  of  Eldorado,  the  most  northwest 
township  of  Stevens  county,  and  its  upper  beach  continues  thence  northward 
through  Grant  county,  lying  four  to  six  miles  east  of  the  county  line.  On 
the  area  occupied  by  this  glacial  lake,  the  surface  is  notably  smoothed  and 
nearly  flat.  Its  material  here  is  mainly  till,  in  some  places  showing  indistinct 
marks  of  stratification  due  to  the  leveling  action  of  the  lake,  but  containing 
sand  and  gravel  and  frec|uent  boulders,  and  much  more  properly  classed  as 
till  than  as  modified  drift.  No  lakes  are  now  found  on  this  part  of  the  area 
that  was  covered  by  Lake  Agassiz,  but  it  has  occasional  sloughs,  sometimes 
a  mile  or  more  in  extent.  Besides  the  upper  or  Herman  beach  of  this  lake, 
which  is  crossed  by  the  Great  Northern  railway  one  and  one-half  miles  north- 
west of  Herman,  its  next  lower  or  Norcross  beach  is  well  exhibited  through 
the  west  range  of  townships  of  Grant  county,  being  crossed  I)y  this  railway 
at  Norcross,  five  miles  northwest  of  Herman.  These  beaches  consist  of 
gravel  and  sand,  each  being  a  low,  flattened  ridge,  ten  to  twenty  to  one  hun- 
dred rods  wide,  three  to  ten  feet  above  the  adjoining  land  on  the  side  away 
from  the  lake,  and  having  a  descent  of  ten  to  twenty  feet  on  the  other  side. 


366  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

The  outlet  of  Lake  Agassiz  flowed  in  the  remarkable  channel  or  valley 
which  now  contains  Lakes  Traverse  and  Big  Stone  and  the  Minnesota  river. 
At  the  time  when  the  upper  beach  was  formed,  its  mouth  was  about  eighty 
feet  above  the  present  surface  of  Lake  Traverse,  or  ten  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  above  the  sea.  The  Norcross  beach  in  Grant  county  is  one  to  three 
miles  west  of  the  upper  or  Herman  beach  and  alx)ut  thirty  feet  lower,  show- 
ing that  the  outlet  of  the  lake  had  eroded  its  channel  considerably  during  the 
time  between  the  stages  recorded  by  these  beach  ridges. 

The  following  notes  were  taken  in  connection  with  the  work  of  mapping 
these  beaches  and  leveling  to  determine  their  elevation : 

UPPER   OR    HERMAN    BEACH. 

The  beach  ridge  is  well  displayed  in  the  northwest  quarter  of  section 
19,  Eldorado  township,  in  Stevens  county,  having  an  elevation  of  about  ten 
hundred  and  sixty-three  feet  above  the  sea.  Its  height  is  seven  to  ten  feet 
above  the  land  next  west,  and.  five  feet  above  the  depression  next  east.  The 
surface  on  each  side  .is  till,,  slowly  falling  westward  and  rising  eastward. 

Beach  in  the  northwest  part  of  section  i-j,  Logan  township,  having  an 
elevation  of  ten  hundred  and  sixty-seven  to  ten  hundred  and  sixty-nine  feet; 
in  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  22,  ten  hundred  and  sixty-seven;  in  the 
north  part  of  this  section  22,  and  the  south  part  of  section  15,  Logan  town- 
ship, forming  a  broad,  smoothly  rounded  gravel-ridge,  ten  hundred  and  sixty- 
eight  to  ten  hundred  and  seventy-one. 

Beach  near  the  middle  of  section  15,  Logan  township,  about  thirty  rods 
wide,  with  a  broad  nearly  flat  top,  ten  hundred  and  seventy;  having  a  descent 
of  about  fifteen  feet  on  its  northwest  side  to  the  area  of  Lake  Agassiz,  and 
half  as  much  on  the  southeast,  thence  rising  very  gradually  in  the  one  and 
one-half  miles  eastward  to  Herman.  This  ridge  is  gravel:  the  land  at  each 
side,  till. 

Beach  equally  well  exhibited,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  section  10,  and 
in  the  southwest  part  of  section  11,  Logan  township,  ten  hundred  and  sixty- 
nine  to  ten  hundred  and  seventy-one;  and  in  this  section  11,  at  the  railroad, 
and  for  fifty  rods  southwestward,  ten  hundred  and  sixty-four  to  ten  hundred 
and  sixty-six.  In  the  cut  through  this  beach-ridge  for  the  railroad,  its 
material  is  sand  and  gravel,  containing  pebbles  up  to  two  or  three  inches  in 
diameter,  half  or  two-thirds  being  limestone. 

Depression  forty  rods  wide  next  southeast  at  the  railroad,  lowest  twenty 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  367 

rods  from  the  top  of  the  beach,  ten  hundred  and  sixty  to  ten  hundred  and 
sixty-three. 

Surface  of  till  at  the  southeastern  snow  fences  of  the  raih'oad,  about 
a  third  of  a  mile  southeast  from  the  beach,  ten  hundred  and  seventy -three ; 
at  the  northwest  end  of  the  northwestern  snow  fences,  about  twenty-five 
rods  northwest  from  the  highest  part  of  the  beach,  ten  hundred  and  fifty- 
four;  and  at  the  one  hundred  and  eightieth  mile-post,  about  a  charter  of  a 
mile  northwest  of  the  last,  ten  hundred  and  forty-nine. 

Railroad  track  at  Herman,  ten  hundred  and  seventy;  at  the  one  hun- 
dred and  eightieth  mile-post,  ten  hundred  and  fifty-one. 

In  the  southwest  quarter  of  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  i8,  Dela- 
ware township,  ten  hundred  and  sixty-seven;  beach  here,  ten  hundred  and 
sixty-six  to  ten  hundred  and  sixty-se\en. 

On  the  east  side  of  the  southeast  (|uarter  of  section  12,  Gorton  town- 
ship, on  the  western  slope  of  the  beach,  ten  hundred  and  sixty-two;  top  of 
l^each-ridge,  ten  hundred  and  sixty-seven.  Beach  through  the  next  one  and 
a  half  miles  north,  along  the  west  side  of  sections  18  and  7,  Delaware  town- 
ship, ten  hundred  and  sixty-six  to  ten  hundred  and  sixty-eight.  The  beach 
for  this  distance  is  conspicuously  developed,  having  a  width  of  about  twenty- 
five  rods,  rising  five  to  eight  feet  above  the  depression  at  its  east  side  and 
ten  to  fifteen  feet  above  the  land  west. 

In  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  6,  Delaware  township,  of  same  height 
with  the  top  of  the  beach-ridge,  ten  hundred  and  sixty-eight. 

Beach  in  section  31,  Elbow  Lake  township,  not  so  conspicuous  as  usual, 
ten  hundred  and  sixty-six;  in  or  near  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  19, 
this  township,  ten  hundred  and  seventy ;  in  the  southwest  quarter  of  section 
18,  a  gracefully  rounded,  low  ridge,  as  elsewhere,  composed  of  gravel  and 
sand,  including  pebbles  up  to  three  inches  in  diameter,  ten  hundred  and  sixty- 
five  to  ten  hundred  and  sixty-six;  in  the  northwest  quarter  of  this  section  18, 
ten  hundred  and  seventy;  in  the  northeast  quarter  of  the  northeast  quarter 
of  section  2,  North  Ottawa  township,  ten  hundred  and  seventy-one;  aliout 
one  mile  north  of  east,  near  the  north  side  of  section  35,  Lawrence  township, 
ten  hundred  and  seventy-five:  and  about  one  mile  farther  north,  also  ten 
hundred  and  seventy-five. 

Beach  in  the  northeast  quarter  of  section  26,  Lawrence  township,  ten 
hundred  and  seventy-five  feet,  being  four  feet  above  the  land  adjoining  this 
ridge  on  the  east,  and  about  ten  feet  above  the  flat  land  near  on  the  west ;  in 
section  2t,.  Lawrence  township,  ten  hundred  and  seventy-six;  and  near  the 


368  .  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

south  side  of  section  10,  ten  hundred  and  sixty-nine  to  ten  hundred  and 
seventy-four. 

Extensive  sloughs  of  marshes  occur  in  section  36,  and  in  sections  25  and 
24,  Lavifrence  township,  each  being  about  a  mile  long,  lying  on  the  east  side 
of  the  beach-ridge  and  reaching  two  and  one-half  miles  northward;  the  eleva- 
tion of  these  above  sea-level  is  about  ten  hundred  and  sixty  feet. 

In  the  north  part  of  section  10,  and  the  south  part  of  section  3,  Law- 
rence township,  the  shore  line  of  Lake  Agassiz  is  not  marked,  as  usual,  by  a 
gravel  ridge,  but  by  a  somewhat  abrupt  ascent  or  terrace,  the  top  of  which, 
composed  partly  of  gravel,  is  ten  hundred  and  eighty-five  to  ten  hundred  and 
seventy-nine;  base  of  this  terrace-land  westward,  consisting  of  till  slightly 
modified  on  the  area  of  Lake  Agassiz,  ten  hundred  and  sixty  to  ten  hundred 
and  fifty.  This  escarpment,  the  eroded  shore-line  of  the  glacial  lake,  passes 
at  the  north  side  of  section  10,  Lawrence  township. 

Beach  in  section  34,  Western  township,  the  most  southwest  township 
of  Otter  Tail  county,  ten  hundred  and  seventy  to  ten  hundred  and  seventy- 
five. 

NORCROSS    BEACH. 

At  Norcross  depot  this  beach  has  the  same  elevation  as  the  railroad 
track,  ten  hundred  and  thirty-nine  feet  above  the  sea.  There  is  a  depression 
three  feet  lower  on  the  southeast,  and  the  surface  ten  to  fifteen  rods  north- 
west from  the  top  of  this  beach,  on  the  side  where  the  lake  was,  is  ten  hun- 
dred and  thirty-two  to  ten  hundred  and  thirty-four.  Thence  a  very  smooth 
plain  descends  to  Gorton,  Campbell,  and  the  Red  river  at  Breckinridge. 
Alx)ut  fifty  rods  northeast  from  Norcross  depot,  the  beach  attains  its  greatest 
height  in  this  vicinity,  ten  hundred  and  forty-three  feet.  It  is  a  rounded, 
low  ridge  of  sand  and  gravel,  lying  on  an  area  of  till,  having  the  same 
characters  as  the  upper  beach  at  the  numerous  places  that  has  been  described. 
The  course  of  the  Norcross  beach  has  been  mapped,  but  its  elevation  has  not 
been  exactlv  determined  at  other  points  in  this  county.  In  Western  town- 
ship. Otter  Tail  county,  its  elevation  is  approximately  ten  hundred  and  forty- 
five  feet. 

BUILDING    STONE. 

As  there  are  no  outcrops  of  rock,  the  boulders  of  the  drift  are  consider- 
ablv  used  for  rough  masonry.  They  are  frequent  throughout  much  of  the 
district,  but  are  comparatively  scarce  on  the  more  smooth  and  flat  areas. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  369 


Magnesian  limestone  boulders  have  been  burned  for  lime  in  the  south- 
west part  of  Pelican  township,  and  also  in  the  north  part  of  this  same  town- 
ship, as  well  as  in  the  northwest  part  of  Erdahl  on  the  southeast  side  of 
Pomme  de  Terre  lake. 

BRICKS. 

The  first  brick-making  in  the  county  was  begun  in  1881.  The  clay  used 
is  till,  excavated  to  a  depth  of  five  or  six  feet,  containing  gravel,  a  large  part 
of  which  is  limestone,  so  that  nearly  every  brick  is  more  or  less  cracked  by 
the  slacking  of  particles  of  Hme.  Some  sand,  hauled  from  the  Pomme  de 
Terre  river,  is  mixed  with  this  clay  for  tempering.  The  bricks  are  mostly 
cream-colored,  but  have  a  notably  greenish  tint  when  they  are  subjected  to 
the  greatest  heat,  and  a  light  pinkish  color  close  to  the  outside  of  the  kiln, 
where  the  heat  is  least. 

ABORIGINAL   EARTHWORKS. 

An  artificial  mound  of  the  usual  dome-like  form,  forty  feet  across  and 
six  feet  high,  lies  in  section  12,  Lien  township,  about  thirty  rods  east  of 
the  road  and  a  half  a  mile  southwest  from  Little  Pomme  de  Terre  lake,  which 
is  about  seventy-five  feet  lower. 

Another  mound,  about  five  feet  high,  is  located  one-half  mile  northwest 
from  the  old  Moose  Island  tank,  on  land  some  twenty  feet  above  a  little  lake 
close  east.     This  is  four  miles  southeast  from  Herman. 


(24) 


CHAPTER  II. 
The  Indian  Outbreak  and  the  Stockade. 

The  principal  scenes  of  the  Sioux  Indian  outbreak  of  1862  occurred 
some  hundred  miles  to  the  south,  but  no  introduction  to  the  history  of 
Grant  county  would  be  complete,  or  furnish  a  proper  understanding  of  con- 
ditions just  prior  to  the  advent  of  white  settlers  in  this  region,  which  did  not 
recite  the  main  events  of  that  fateful  summer  which  ended  forever  the  occupa- 
tion of  this  county  by  the  native  red  men.  Not  until  this  outburst  of  savage 
fury  had  been  subdued  and  the  hostile  Indians  driven  from  the  state,  was  it 
safe  for  settlers  to  locate  this  far  from  supply  stations  and  military  protec- 
tion. 

In  the  campaign  which  followed  the  outbreak,  outposts  of  soldiers  were 
stationed  in  the  area  which  subseciuently  became  Grant  county,  and  several 
expeditions  of  troops  traversed  this  region,  going  or  returning  from  the 
engagements  farther  west.  A  number  of  the  men  who  a  little  later  were 
among  the  early  settlers  of  this  county,  passed  through  here  during  the 
Indian  warfare,  and  secured  such  a  favorable  impression  of  the  country  that 
the}'  made  plans  to  return. 

causes  of,  the  outbreak. 

There  is  a  great  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  primary  cause  of  the 
Sioux  Indian  outbreak  in  Minnesota  in  the  summer  of  1862.  However,  it  is 
certain  that  the  white  traders  and  the  government  agents  were  not  entirely 
guiltless  in  bringing  about  this  formidable  uprising.  Under  the  terms  of 
the  treaties  of  185 1  and  1858  the  Indians  were  paid  a  certain  amount  of 
money  each  year  in  exchange  for  the  land  they  had  ceded  to  the  whites.  This 
payment  was  usually  made  in  June,  in  gold  and  silver  coin,  and  amounted 
to  about  thirty  dollars  to  each  Indian  of  the  various  Sioux  bands.  It  had 
become  an  established  custom  for  the  white  traders  to  be  present  at  the 
payment  and  present  bills  against  the  Indians  which  often  equalled  and  some- 
times exceeded  the  amount  to  be  drawn  from  the  government.  Soldiers  were 
on  hand  to  enforce  the  collection  of  these  bills  and  this  greatly  incensed  the 
Indians. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  37I 

Another  cause  for  dissatisfaction  was  the  edict  of  the  government  that 
the  Sioux  should  not  make  war  on  the  Chippewas,  who  had  recently  killed 
several  of  their  number.  In  May,  1862,  a  band  of  Sioux  under  Red  Iron 
were  hunting  on  the  upper  Pomme  de  Terre  river,  within  the  borders  of  this 
county,  when  they  were  attacked  by  the  Chippewas,  and  lost  two  men. 

The  Indians  assembled  at  the  Yellow  Medicine  Agency  about  the  usual 
time  in  1862,  to  receive  their  annuity.  The  payment  was  delayed,  and  after 
waiting  until  their  provisions  were  exhausted  the  Indians  returned  to  their 
camps.  This  increased  the  unrest  among  the  Sioux  and  the  more  headstrong 
warriors  began  to  urge  an  uprising  against  the  whites  to  regain  the  land  they 
had  parted  with.  The  Civil  War  was  then  in  progress  and  it  seemed  an  oppor- 
tune time  for  an  organized  attack.  An  accident  caused  the  smouldering 
resentment  to  burst  into  flame. 

THE    FIRST    BLOOD    SHED. 

During  the  second  week  in  August,  1862,  a  party  of  young  Indians 
who  were  hunting  in  Meeker  county  got  to  bantering  each  other  as  to  which 
were  the  braver,  finally  each  vowing  that  to  show  their  courage  they  would 
kill  a  white  man.  They  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Robinson  Jones,  near 
Acton,  and  after  making  a  show  of  friendship,  shot  and  killed  five  people. 
Securing  horses  in  that  neighborhood  they  mounted  and  rode  to  the  camp 
of  their  band  near  the  Redwood  Agency.  A  council  was  called  and  after 
various  chiefs  had  been  visited  and  informed  of  the  happening,  it  was  decided 
to  make  war  on  the  whites  rather  than  surrender  their  comrades  who  had 
killed  the  settlers. 

The  next  day,  August  18,  1862,  the  Indians  attacked  the  Redwood 
Agency,  killing  many  white  men  and  capturing  the  women  and  children.  A 
few  escaped  and  carried  the  news  of  the  uprising  to  Ft.  Ridgely,  which  was 
the  nearest  garrison  of  government  troops,  fourteen  miles  away.  The 
Indians  divided  into  small  bands  and  that  same  day  killed  manv  settlers  on 
both  sides  of  the  Minnesota  river,  burned  their  houses  and  ran  ofl:'  their 
stock. 

AMBUSCADE  AT   REDWOOD   FERRY. 

Capt.  John  S.  Marsh,  in  command  of  Company  B,  Fifth  Minnesota 
Regiment,  stationed  at  Ft.  Ridgely,  upon  receipt  of  the  news  of  the  massacre 
at  Redwood  Agency,  deeming  it  merely  a  local  trouble,  set  out  with  a  party 
of  about  fifty  men  to  quell  the  disturliance  at  the  Agency.     He  had  nci  idea 


yj2  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

of  the  extent  of  the  uprising  and  was  confident  that  he  could  overcome  any 
opposition  he  might  meet.  While  this  command  was  preparing  to  cross  the 
river  by  ferry  just  below  the  Agency,  they  were  attacked  by  Indians  in 
ambush  along  the  river  and  Captain  Marsh  and  twenty-five  soldiers  were 
killed.  This  victory  encouraged  some  of  .the  hesitating  Indians  to  join  in 
the  uprising. 

ATTACK   ON    NEW    ULM. 

On  Tuesday  morning.  August  19,  1862,  about  three  hundred  and  twenty 
warriors  under  the  command  of  chief  Little  Crow  descended  upon  the  town 
of  New  Ulm  and  laid  siege  to  that  place.  After  several  fierce  attacks  dur- 
ing the  succeeding  four  days  the  Indians  finally  withdrew.  The  loss  to  the 
defenders  of  New  Ulm  was  some  thiry-five  men  killed  and  more  than  sixty 
wounded.  Ft.  Ridgely  was  attacked  on  August  20  and  21,  but  was  able  to 
drive  off  the  savages.  A  few  days  later  reinforcements  arrived  under  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Sibley. 

BATTLE  OF   BIRCH    COULfE. 

The  main  body  of  the  Indians  retreated  up  the  river  after  their  repulse 
from  Ft.  Ridgely.  On  August  31  Colonel  Sibley  sent  a  detachment  of  men 
to  Redwood  Agency  to  bury  the  bodies  of  Captain  Marsh's  men  killed  at  the 
ferry,  and  to  learn  the  strength  and  location  of  the  Indians.  While  part  of 
this  command  under  Captain  Grant  were  camped  at  Birch  Coulie,  on  Septem- 
ber I,  they  were  attacked  by  a  large  band  of  Indians  who  were  on  their  way 
down  the  river  to  make  a  new  assault  on  New  Ulm.  The  soldiers  were  not 
taken  altogether  by  surprise  and  were  able  to  hold  oft'  their  assailants  until 
help  came  to  them  from  Ft.  Ridgely. 

After  the  battle  of  Birch  Coulie,  Colonel  Sibley  organized  a  strong  force 
and  proceeded  up  the  south  bank  of  the  Minnesota  river  after  the  retreating 
Indians. 

BATTLE    OF    WOOD    LAKE. 

On  the  evening  of  September  22  Colonel  Sibley's  column  of  about  two 
thousand  men  went  into  camp  a  short  distance  northeast  of  Wood  Lake,  in 
the  eastern  part  of  Yellow  Medicine  county.  Early  the  next  morning  the 
camp  was  attacked  by  the  Indians,  who  were  driven  off  after  many  of  their 
number  .had  been  killed.  The  loss  to  the  whites  was  seven  men  killed  and 
thirty-four  wounded.     This  battle  ended  all  organized  effort  on  the  part  of 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  373 

the  Indians,  who  retreated  to  their  camps  up  the  river,  opposite  the  point 
where  the  Chippewa  i\ows  into  the  Minnesota  river.  There  they  dug  rifle 
pits  and  were  read}'  to  make  a  determined  resistance,  but  when  the  soldiers 
under  Colonel  Sible}'  came  up  the  Indians  saw  they  were  greatly  outnum- 
bered and  surrendered,  at  the  same  time  giving  up  ninety-one  white  pris- 
oners, mostly  women  and  children.  In  commemoration  of  this  event  the 
spot  was  named  Camp  Release  and  is  now  marked  by  a  fine  monument. 

While  this  campaign  against  the  organized  bands  of  Indians  was  in 
progress,  many  outrages  were  perpetrated  on  settlers  all  over  western  Minne- 
sota, by  raiding  Indians  in  small  parties.  A  few  days  before  the  surrender 
at  Camp  Release,  chief  Little  Crow  with  over  one  hundred  warriors,  fled  into 
North  Dakota.  Later  Little  Crow  returned  to  this  state  and  was  shot  and 
killed  by  a  settler  near  Hutchinson,  McLeod  county.  Of  the  Indians  who 
surrendered  to  Colonel  Sibley,  three  hundred  and  three  were  condemned  to 
death,  but  owing  to  appeals  for  clemency  from  eastern  people.  President 
Lincoln  commuted  the  death  sentences  of  two  hundred  and  sixty- four  to 
imprisonment.  Thirty-eight  were  hanged  on  one  scaffold  at  Mankato.  on 
December  26,  1862.  One  of  the  condemned  Indians  proved  an  alibi  at  the 
last  moment. 

Thus  ended  the  Sioux  outbreak  of  1862 — the  most  terrible  massacre 
the  country  has  ever  known.  It  is  stated  by  R.  I.  Holcombe,  in  "Minnesota 
in  Three  Centuries,"  from  which  book  many  of  the  facts  in  the  foregoing 
account  are  taken,  that  more  white  people  perished  in  that  savage  slaughter 
than  in  all  the  other  massacres  ever  perpetrated  on  the  North  American 
continent. 

EVENTS    IN    GRANT    COUNTY    DURING    THE    OUTBREAK. 

In  1859  a  road  was  built  by  the  government  from  St.  Cloud  to  Ft. 
Abercrombie,  near  the  present  site  of  Breckenridge,  Wilkin  county.  This 
road  entered  Grant  county  on  section  36,  Pelican  Lake  township,  and  crossed 
the  northeastern  corner  of  the  county.  This  road  was  for  some  years  the 
main  line  of  travel  for  soldiers  on  their  way  to  the  frontier  forts  in  the  Red 
river  valley,  and  was  also  used  for  stage  coach  traffic  and  ox-teams  hauling 
supplies  to  the  upper  garrisons.  In  1862,  as  soon  as  the  serious  nature  of 
the  Indian  uprising  was  appreciated  by  the  authorities,  the  Eighth  Regiment 
of  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  then  being  organized  at  Ft.  Snelling.  was 
hurried  to  the  more  exposed  points  on  the  frontier.  The  companies  were 
widely  scattered  and  one  of  them,  Company  D,  was  assigned  to  a  position 


374  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

along  the  old  stage  road  on  what  is  now  section  i8,  in  Pelican  Lake  township, 
Grant  county. 

THE    OLD    STOCKADE. 

Company  D,  Eighth  Regiment,  Minnesota  \'okmteer  Infantry,  was 
commanded  by  Capt.  Samuel  McLarty,  with  Dennis  Jacobs,  first  lieutenant. 
and  Thomas  Harris,  second  lieutenant.  The  company  reached  Pelican  Lake 
township  in  September,  1862,  and  in  a  skirmish  with  a  small  band  of 
marauding  Sioux  two  soldiers  were  killed,  Corporal  Zenas  Blackman  and 
Private  Comfort  B.  Luddington.  The  soldiers  then  erected  a  stockade  and 
remained  there  until  May,  1864,  when  the  regiment  was  assembled  at  Ft. 
Ridgely,  to  become  a  part  of  the  expedition  under  General  Sully  in  his  cam- 
paign through  the  "bad  lands." 

The  stockade  was  built  on  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  18,  Pelican 
Lake  township,  on  the  north  side  of  the  road  .where  it  passes  between  two 
small  lakes,  which  would  serve  as  natural  defenses  on  the  south  and  the 
north.  There  was  quite  a  steep  bluff  leadifig  down  to  the  lake.  The  walls  of 
the  stockade  were  made  from  logs,  ten  or  twelve  inches  in  diameter,  set  close 
together  in  a  trench  and  nailed  securely  to  one  another.  They  were  about 
twelve  feet  high  and  enclosed  an  area  some  eight  rods  wide  and  twelve  rods 
long.  Two  gates,  one  on  the  east  side  and  the  other  on  the  south,  afforded 
entrance  to  the  enclosure.  In  the  northwest  corner  of  the  stockade  there  was 
a  two-story  block  house,  with  only  one  door  leading  from  the  yard.  The 
second  stor)'  of  the  block  house  was  built  over  the  first  at  an  angle  so  that  the 
sides  of  the  building  really  faced  in  eight  directions.  Both  stories  were  pro- 
vided with  loopholes  for  rifle  firing.  Four  long  low  log  barracks  were  built 
for  soldiers'  quarters  and  stables,  and  a  story  and  a  half  house  for  the  officers. 
There  was  a  well  back  of  the  officers'  quarters. 

A  garrison  was  maintained  at  this  point  until  1865,  when  the  buildings 
and  ground  were  purchased  from  the  government  by  Carpenter  &  Burbank, 
owners  of  the  stage  line  from  St.  Cloud  to  Ft.  Abercrombie,  who  placed 
Edward  Buckmaster,  an  old  stage  driver,  in  charge  of  the  station.  Meager 
provision  was  made  for  the  entertainment  of  travelers.  Samuel  Snow  had 
a  small  sutler's  store  at  the  stockade:  while  the  soWiers  were  still  there,  and 
about  1868  he  was  succeeded  by  N.  0.  Puntches,  who  increased  the  stock 
of  goods  and  later  moved  over  to  the  village  of  Pomme  de  Terre  nearby. 
While  at  the  stockade  he  used  one  of  the  old  buildings  for  a  store  room. 
In  1872  David  Burns  traded  land  at  Sauk  Center  for  the  farm  on  which  the 
post  stood  and  lived  there  until  he  died  in  1S79.     The  old  stockade  fence  was 


DOUGLAS    AND    GKAXT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  375 

used  for  fuel  and  the  buildings  were  put  to  general  farm  purposes,  disappear- 
ing gradually  as  they  outlived  their  usefulness. 

EXPEDITIONS    THROUGH    GRANT    COUNTY. 

After  the  Indians  were  defeated  in  the  Minnesota  valley  those  who 
fled  from  the  state  gathered  at  Devils  Lake,  North  Dakota,  where  they  were 
re-enforced  by  large  bodies  of  Sioux  from  that  neighborhood.  An  expedi- 
tion was  organized  against  these  Indians,  under  command  of  General  Sibley, 
who  had  been  promoted  after  the  battle  of  Wood  Lake.  This  column 
ascended  the  Minnesota  valley,  proceeded  to  Devils  Lake,  and  thence  to  the 
Missouri  river,  where  pursuit  of  the  savages  was  abandoned.  On  the  return 
trip  the  command  marched  to  Ft.  Abercrombie,  and  then  over  the  old  stage 
road  through  Grant  county  to  St.  Cloud.  Ole  E.  Lien,  Ole  Larson  Sunvold 
and  Jens  Peterson  Lee  were  members  of  this  expedition,  and  later  became 
settlers  in  this  county,  having  obtained  their  first  personal  knowledge  of  this 
country  while  on  their  way  through  here  in  the  fall  of  1863. 

Another  expedition  against  the  Indians  in  1863  was  known  as  Hatch's 
Independent  Battalion  of  Cavalry.  Three  companies  were  mustered  into 
service  in  September,  1863,  and  in  October  marched  through  Grant  county 
to  the  Red  river  valley  and  went  down  the  river  to  Pembina.  In  connection 
with  the  British  authorities  they  captured  a  number  of  prisoners.  These 
companies  were  on  duty  at  different  frontier  posts  during  1864,  and  returned 
to  Ft.  Snelling  in  small  detachments.  One  of  the  members  of  this  command 
who  a  little  later  became  the  first  settler  in  Grant  county,  was  Henry  F.  San- 
ford,  one  of  the  leading  figures  in  the  organization  of  this  commonwealth. 


CHAPTER   III. 

;  Early  Settlement. 

Aside  from  the  .soldiers  and  stage  company  emplo3'ees  who  Hved  at  the 
stockade  in  Pehcan  Lake  township,  the  first  white  resident  in  Grant  county 
was  Edward  Griffin,  who  squatted  on  land  in  what  is  now  Stony  Brook 
township,  in  1866.  He  was  a  trapper  and  trader.  He  constructed  a  rude 
cabin,  planted  a  small  patch  of  vegetables  and  later  in  the  season  harvested 
a  crop  of  hay.  Mr.  Griffin  had  a  small  stock  of  provisions  and  goods  which 
he  traded  to  the  Indians  and  half-breeds  for  furs,  and  as  the  white  settlers 
began  to  come  in  he  increased  his  stock  until  he  had  a  nice  little  store.  He 
was  essentially  a  trapper,  however,  and  in  1871  left  these  parts  for  a  loca- 
tion more  remote.  His  shanty  was  located  near  the  big  Skinnemoen  grove 
in  the  northern  part  of  the  township. 

SOME   OF   THE    FIRST    SETTLERS. 

The  first  permanent  settler  in  Grant  county  was  Henry  F.  Sanford. 
Mr.  Sanford  made  his  initial  visit  to  Grant  county  in  1863  as  a  member  of 
Hatch's  Battalion,  stopped  for  a  time  at  the  stockade,  then  moved  on  with 
the  troops  to  the  Red  river  valley.  In  1864  the  company  returned  to  the 
stockade,  where  Mr.  Sanford  was  stationed  until  1866,  when  he  was  hon- 
orably discharged  from  the  service.  In  the  meantime  he  had  thoroughly 
explored  this  region  and  had  determined  to  locate  here.  He  located  on  sec- 
tion 17,  township  129,  range  42,  just  south  of  the  present  site  of  Elbow 
Lake  village.  He  made  a  homestead  filing  on  this  land  in  1868.  Mr.  San- 
ford erected  a  small  cabin  which  was  the  first  house  built  in  Grant  county. 
He  culti^'ated  a  little  garden  in  which  he  raised  .sufficient  vegetables  to  sup- 
ply his  personal  wants  and  also  enough  to  entertain  other  hunters,  trappers 
and  land  seekers  who  happened  his  way.  For  the  first  few  years,  however, 
most  of  liis  time  was  spent  in  hunting  and  trapping,  as  fur  gathering  in 
those  days  was  more  profitable  than  tilling  the  soil. 

Following  Mr.  Sanford,  Ole  Gudmunson  was  possibly  the  next  actual 
settler.     He  took  up  land  in  what  is  now  Elk  Lake  township,  in   1867,  and 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  T^iy 

was  the  first  settler  in  the  county  to  break  a  largfe  area  of  prairie  land  for 
crops. 

Next  in  order  were  Timothy  Heald,  Joseph  Pennock  and  Frank  Smith 
who  located  here  in  1868.  Mr.  Heald  had  made  a  prospecting  trip  through 
this  region  the  previous  year  and  selected  a  location  on  section  24,  Pomme 
de' Terra  township,  as  he  had  hopes  of  establishing  a  town  in  that  neigh- 
borhood, there  being  water  power  nearby  and  a  railroad  had  been  surveyed 
through  there.  Mr.  Pennock  located  on  section  18,  across  the  line  in  Peli- 
can Lake  township,  and  developed  a  farm  there. 

Many  new  settlers  came  in  1868  and  from  that  year  the  development 
of  the  county  really  begun.  K.  N.  Melby  located  in  Pelican  Lake  township 
that  same  year,  and  Ole  E.  Lien  located  in  Lien  township,  he  being  the 
pioneer  for  whom  the  township  was  named.  In  1871  S.  S.  Frogner  located 
in  Logan  township,  the  first  settler  in  that  portion  of  the  county.  In  1869 
Iver  G.  Holt  and  L.  L.  Tobiason  located  in  Pelican  Lake  township;  Ole 
Larson  Sunvold  in  Pomme  de  Terre:  Jens  Peterson  Lee  in  Sanford,  and 
Halvor  Anderson- in  Elk  Lake.  In  1870  O,  W.  Olson,  Ole  T.  Ring,.  Even 
Bjerke,  Ole  Torstenson  and  Peter  Gran  settled  in  Elk  Lake  township.  In 
that  same  year  John  K.  Lee  and  Ole-K.  Lee  were  among  those  who  settled 
in  Lien  township. 

The  year  1871  saw  a  considerable  settlement  made  in  Elbow  Lake 
township  and  also  in  Stony  Brook.  In  the  former  township  J.  N.  Sanford 
and  Ole  O.  Canestorp  were  among  the  first  to  locate,  and  in  Stony  Brook 
Steiner  S.  Skinnemoen  and  H.  G.  Lillemon  were  among  the  first  settlers. 

In  1872  accessions  were  mafle  to  all  these  settlements  and  farms  were 
taken  up  in  practically  e^•er^■  part  of  the  county  except  on  the  "flats"  in  the 
western  border.  The  following  year  when  the  count}'  was  established  and 
organized  there  were  approximately  eight  hundred  people  in  the  county. 

PIONEER    CONDITIONS. 

Tlie  experience  of  the  pioneers  in  establishing  homes  in  this  \irgin 
land  varied  only  according  to  their  means  and  equipment  at  the  start,  and 
the  accessibility  to  timl>er  for  fuel  and  building  purposes.  As  a  genera! 
thing  they  came  in  covered  wagons  drawn  by  teams  or  oxen,  and  lived  in 
the  wagons  until  they  could  construct  a  rude  cabin,  which  was  soon  dis- 
placed by  a  comfortable  house.  Where  timber  was  not  to  be  had,  a  dug-out 
was  constructed  and  serA^ed  as  an  admirable  shelter.  Those  who  had  an 
equipment  of  farming  tools  went  to  work  at  once  to  cultivate  their  land. 


T,y8  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

but  they  were  in  the  minority,  as  most  of  the  early  settlers  had  very  little. 
The  country  abounded  with  game  and  many  of  the  pioneers  secured  a  large 
part  of  their  liA'ing  by  hunting  and  fishing.  There  was  a  ready  market  for 
all  kinds  of  pelts.  Some  of  the  early  settlers  used  their  teams  and  oxen  to 
haul  freight  between  go\ernment  posts  and  thus  secured  money  to  purchase 
farm  equipment.  Earring  accident,  the  first  few  years  were  the  hardest, 
but  after  a  garden  was  started  and  markets  were  near  enough  to  receive 
the  crops,  it  was  not  long  until  the  rich  soil  began  to  return  a  sufficient 
harvest  to  supply  all  necessary-  improvements  for  home  and  fami. 

Before  the  first  railroad  entered  Grant  county,  in  1871,  the  long  trip 
necessary  to  mill  and  market  was  one  of  the  chief  difficulties  of  the  settlers, 
and  even  this  first  railroad  did  not  entirely  solve  the  problem  for  those  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  county.  Some  of  the  first  crops  were  hauled  to 
Morris,  Alexandria  and  even  to  Perham. 

SETTLEMENT    BY    TOWNSHIPS. 

Henry  F.  San  ford  and  two  other  bachelors  were  the  only  settlers  in 
San  ford  township  in  the  early  part  of  i86g.  They  lived  principally  by 
hunting  and  fishing,  doing  little  farming  until  they  were  married  a  few 
years  later.  Many  stories  are  told  of  Mr.  Sanford's  skill  as  a  hunter.  It 
is  said  that  he  usually  had  his  granary  decorated  each  winter  with  a  long 
string  of  wild  geese  hung  under  the  eaves,  where  they  would  keep  during 
the  cold  weather  and  could  be  used  as  needed.  Prairie  chicken  were  so  plen- 
tiful they  could  be  shot  from  his  dooryard. 

From  the  very  beginning  of  settlement  in  this  county  Air.  Sanford  took 
a  leading  part  in  public  affairs.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  board  of 
county  commissioners,  later  was  county  auditor  and  was  postmaster  of  El- 
bow Lake  village  for  many  years.  While  Sanford  township  was  one  of  the 
first  to  l:>e  settled  it  was  one  of  the  last  to  be  organized,  being  attached  to 
other  townships  for  election  and  assessment  purposes  until  1882.  When 
the  petition  for  organization  was  circulated  that  year  the  name  was  left 
blank  and  the  commissioners  unanimously  decided  to  name  the  new  town- 
ship "Sanford,"  in  honor  of  the  man  who  had  devoted  so  much  of  his  life 
to  this  county.  Mr.  Sanford  was  killed  in  an  accident  in  Xew  Mexico  in 
1914. 

Ole  Fletcher  and  John  Olson  settled  in  Sanford  township  in  1869. 
Thev  were  hunting  companions  of  'Mr.  Sanford.  and  it  was  in  the  cabin  of 
Ole  Fletcher  that  the  first  school  was  held  in  the  township.     In    1869  Jens 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  3/9 

Peterson  Lee,  with  his  wife  and  four-month-old  daughter,  settled  in  San- 
ford  township.  For  ahnost  two  years  Mrs.  Lee  was  the  only  white  woman 
in  the  neighborhood.  Mr.  Lee  had  passed  through  Grant  county  with  the 
Sibley  expedition  and  in  the  winter  of  1867  made  a  trip  to  this  locality 
from'  Brandon  on  snow  shoes.  He  arrived  at  the  site  of  the  village  of 
Elbow  Lake  just  at  dusk  in  the  winter  evening  and  came  suddenly  upon 
an  Indian  camp.  A  number  of  dogs  rushed  towards  him,  but  he  was  able 
to  drive  them  off,  after  which  the  Chippewas  invited  him  to  share  their  sup- 
per of  roast  muskrat.  It  developed  later  that  these  Indians  had  cut  down 
a  number  of  trees  in  the  grove  which  was  owned  by  George  McComber, 
a  timber  speculator,  and  built  some  sixteen  rude  huts  near  the  east  side  of 
the  lake.  For  thus  despoiling  the  timber  they  were  taken  to  Alexandria 
and  fined  a  considerable  amount,  which  they  paid  in  furs.. 

When  Mr.  Lee  came  with  his  family  to  settle  in  1869  they  lived  for 
the  first  year  in  one  of  the  Indian  shacks,  then  located  on  land  west  of  the 
lake  on  section  7.  In  1870  Chris  Mobraaten  located  in  Sanford  township, 
and  that  same  year  Ole  Syverson  and  wife  came  in.  Knud  O.  Laastuen 
settled  on  section  8,  in  1873.  C.  S.  Dahl,  Ollof  Otteson,  Gunder  Hanson 
and  Henry  Gnnderson  were  among  the  settlers  of  an  early  day  in  Sanford 
township. 

These  settlers  marketed  their  first  crops  at.  Morris,  then  Herman,  and 
later  hauled  to  Ashby.  When  the  railroad  was  being  built  the  construction 
gangs  created  a  considerable  market  and  several  loads  of  potatoes  were 
hauled  to  Tintah  and  sold.  Flour  was  purchased  by  the  early  settlers  of 
Sanford  township  until  mills  were  established  within  driving  distance. 

POMME    DE    TERRE    TOWNSHIP. 

Timothy  Heald  laid  out  a  town-site  on  his  claim  in  section  24,  and 
named  it  "Pomme  de  Terre."  The  township  later  was  given  the  same  name. 
Other  early  settlers  in  this  township  were:  C.  W.  Briggs,  who  located  on 
section  13  in  1870;  Ole  Sornson,  on  section  13  in  1871 ;  Nels  B.  Brakke, 
on  section  i  in  1871 :  George  W.  Vaughan  and  his  son,  John  S.  \'aughan, 
on  section  12  in  1870;  Oliver  Williams,  on  section  23  in  1872;  Thomas  E. 
Midbon  and  Halvor  O.  Midbon,  on  section  24  in  1872;  John  Scott,  Jens 
Adriansen  and  Ole  Johnson  Lene,  all  came  at  an  early  day.  Another  well 
known  early  settler  was  J.  P..  Rolf  son,  who  located  on  section  i  in  187.S. 

N.  p.  Puntches  moved  his  general  merchandise  stock  from  the  old 
stockade  over  to  the  village  of  Pomme  de  Terre  in  187 1  and  erected  a  two- 


380  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Story  frame  building,  twenty-six  by  fifty  feet  in  dimensions.  In  1874 
August  Scheafer  and  Fred  Williams  built  a  grist-mill  on  the  Pomme  de 
Terre  river,  near  the  village,  where  they  had  made  a  mill-race  which  devel- 
oped seven  head  of  water  power.  In  1875  Lage  Johnson  and  his  son-in-law, 
H.  A.  Langlie,  built  a  store  across  the  street  from  Puntches'  establishment. 
The  village  seemed  to  be  getting  a  good 'start,  but  the  railroad  did  not  come 
through  there,  and  the  early  hopes  of  its  founders  were  never  realized.  At 
one  time,  however,  the  village  could  boast  of  two  stores,  two  blacksmith 
shops,  a  grist-mill,  elevator,  hotel  and  saloon. 

■PELICAN    LAKE    TOWNSHIP. 

The  settlement  of  Pelican  Lake  township  was  closely  interwoven  with 
the  development  just  mentioned  in  Pomme  de  Terre,  a  number  of  the  early 
claims  being  taken  across  the  line  from  the  village.  There  was  also  an 
early  settlement  made  in  the  north  part  of  the  township,  by  people  who  had 
friends  north  of  there  in  Otter  Tail  county.  Among  these  were  Iver  G.  Holt 
and  Andrew  J-  Holt,  who  settled  on  section  2  in  1870;  Peter  Sorkness  and 
John  Stene,  on  section  2  in  1871  ;  Thomas  Gulickson  and  Gunder  Gulick- 
son,  on  section  i  in  1872;  John  Houston,  on  .section  3  in  1870;  John  New- 
man and  Abner  Newman,  on  section  5  in  1870;  L.  M.  Phinney,  Charles 
Phinney  and  Jacob  Halsetb,  on  section  4  in  1872;  Martin  Jacobson,  on 
section  3,  and  Gunder  Gunderson  and  Hans  Kjorven,  all  came  at  an  early 
day. 

Ole  Larson  Sun\'old  settled  on  section  2g,  lieing  one  of  the  first  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  township.  R.  Beardsley,  one  of  the  most  prominent 
early  settlers,  long  a  justice  of  the  peace  and  still  living  at  Ashby,  came  into 
the  township  in  1869.  Ole  P.  Settra,  who  came  in  about  the  same  time, 
is  said  to  have  built  the  first  house  in  the  township,  on  Pelican  Heights, 
north  of  the  lake. 

Settlers  in  Pelican  Lake  got  their  flour  at  Alexandria  until  the  mill  was 
built  at  Pomme  de  Terre.  This  township  was  a  noted  region  for  game  in 
the  early  days,  all  kinds  of  ducks,  geese,  cranes,  grouse  and  deer  and  bear 
being  plentiful. 

ELBOW    LAKE    TOWNSHIP. 

J.  N.  .Sanford  came  to  Elbow  Lake  township  in  April,  1871,  and  look 
up  a  homestead  on  section  24.  In  May  of  that  same  year  H.  P.  Hansen, 
Tiedeman  H.  Purtness,  Erick  Norgaard  and  Andrew  Norgaard  all  located 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  S&I 

here  \nders  O.  Pikop,  who  located  here  in  1872,  became  one  of  the  large 
landowners  of  the  township.  Christopher  Mobraaten,  Lars  Mohagen,  H.  I. 
Haugen,  Andrew  Olson,  Erick  Olson,  Knut  Syverson  and  Christopher  Tor- 
gerson,  all  located  here  in   1871. 

The  fir.t  church  service  in  Elbow  Lake  township  was  held  at  the  house 
of  Christopher  Mobraaten  in  the  summer  of  1871,  by  Rev.  L.  Carlson,  of 
the  Svnod  Lutheran  church.  The  first  school  was  taught  by  Emma  Gould, 
starting  on  May  10.  1875.  The  nearest  early  mill  to  this  settlement  was 
at  \lexandria.  Most  of  the  early  crops  were  hauled  to  Herman,  but  the 
nearest  early  store  was  at  Ponm.e  de  Terre.  J.  N.  Sanford.  who  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  township  and  served  as  chairman  of  the  first  board 
of  supervisors,  was  also  rural  postmaster  for  the  neighborhood  m  the  early 
davs  The  first  death  in  the  township  was  that  o£  John  Robinson,  a  settler 
who  perished  in  the  terrible  snowstomi  which  raged  for  three  days  on  Jan- 
uary 6,  7  and  8,  1873. 

ELK    LAKE    TOWNSHIP. 

\  Strong  settlement  sprung  up  in  Elk  Lake  township  at  an  early  day. 
Among  those  who  came  before  1872  were:  Ole  Gudmunson,  Halvor  Ander- 
son, William  Olson,  Ole  Torstenson,  Jens  Sethney,  Sam  Olson  BerntS.  en- 
son  Tore  Olson.  Ole  T.  Ring.  Tver  Johnson,  Kittel  Johnson,  O  e  Anderson^ 
Peder  Gran,  A.  Benson,  O.  W.  Olson.  A.  Hubred,  Syver  Ellmgson  and 
Even  E  Bjerke  Ole  Ostenson  and  Hans  Ostenson  were  also  early  settlers. 
The  fir"^t  school  hou.se  in  the  county  was  built  in  this  township  m  the  wmter 
of    1872-73.     Rev.   Louis   Carlson   held   religious  services   ni   this   township 

also  at  an  early  day.  ,    .,      ,  ,     t-,,     t    1 

One  of  the  first  roads  in  the  county  was  built  through  Elk  Lake 
township  to  Herman  and  connected  with  a  road  to  Alexandria.  These  t.-o 
points  were  the  early  marketing  places  for  settlers  m  this  ne>ghl>orhooch 
Stillman  Meeker  built  a  grist-mill  on  section  i.  which  did  grinding  for  the 
settlers  and  was  known  as  the  ^'Chippewa  Mills.' 

LIEN    TOWNSHIP. 

Congressional  township  128.  range  42,  was  the  first  to  be  organized  as 
a  civil  township.  It  was  named  '•Lien"  for  Ole  E.  Lien,  who  came  in  1868 
Ld  tlka  pre-emotion  claim  and  also  a  homestead.  Erland  Anderson, 
Han  Hanson  and  Lars  Larson  were  among  the  very  early  settlers  in  he 
township.     Per  Erlandson  located  on  section  18  at  a  very  earlv  date.     Other 


382  nOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

early  settlers  were :  Jens  O.  Strand,  Ole  D.  Bartness,  Alons  Hesjedal,  Mar- 
tin Larson.  H.  Eide.  Jens  K.  Gran,  John  G.  Peterson,  P.  A.  Moller,  K.  O. 
Bakke,  Ole  Alostad  and  A.  Holen. 

Per  Erlandson  was  for  a  numljer  of  3'ears  county  surveyor  and  is  now 
the  oldest  li\'ing  pioneer  in  Lien  township.  When  he  came  here  the  country 
was  all  raw  prairie  with  the  exception  of  a  few  straggling  thickets  by  the 
lakeside,  and  here  he  established  a  home,  hauling  the  siding  for  his  small 
frame  house  from  Benson  by  ox-team  and  making  the  bricks  himself  for 
the  foundations  and  chimney.  W^ith  the  assistance  of  his  wife  he  dug  a 
well  twenty-eight  feet  in  depth,  which  still  serves  on  the  old  home  place. 

P.  A.  ]\[rj|!er  was  the  first  postmaster  in  Lien  township.  He  carried 
the  mail  from  Alexandria  to  Herman  and  kept  the  postoffice  at  his  farm 
on  section  22.  Later  R.  J.  Beach  was  postmaster  until  the  office  was  moved 
to  Barrett,  where  Ole  K.  Lee  was  the  first  postmaster  in  1884.  Lien  town- 
ship settled  up  rapid!}'  in  the  early  years  and  the  homesteads  were  all  taken 
in  1878. 

LOGAN    TOWNSHIP. 

Settlement  was  made  in  what  is  now  Logan  township  in  1871,  when 
S.  S.  Frogner  located  there  and  very  soon  after  his  arrival  opened  a  small 
store  for  the  con\'enience  of  the  incoming  settlers.  As  the  railroad  came 
through  that  same  year  it  served  to  encourage  settlement  in  this  neighbor- 
hood and  the  next  few  years  witnessed  rapid  development.  The  townsite 
of  Herman  was  laid  out  and  all  lines  of  business  necessary  to  a  frontier 
town  were  quickly  established.  Herman  became  the  leading  village  of  the 
county  and  remained  so  until  it  was  definitely  decided  that  it  would  not 
have  the  county  seat. 

Some  of  the  early  settlers  of  Logan  township  were:  E.  A.  Ziebarth, 
P.  H.  Clague.  Lewis  T.  Breen,  Plans  Prydz,  Andrias  Larson,  A.  C.  Earslev, 
P.  A.  Lamarche,  G.  Johnson,  Ole  Taneru.  O.  \A^estin.  H.  W.  Simons,  Will- 
iam J.  Brown,  L.  Baker,  John  Ohlsson,  John  Galvin,  Charles  Tancre  and 
C.  Pullman. 

STONY    BROOK    TOWNSHIP. 

Mention  has  already  been  made  of  Edward  Griffin,  who  located  for  a 
short  time  in  Stony  Brook  township  and  then  mo\-ed  on.  In  1870  three 
brothers  came  from  northeastern  Towa  and  settled  here.  They  were  Hans 
H.,  Terrace  and  Knute  Haavig.  They  sent  back  word  to  their  friends  in 
Iowa  al:)Out  the  fine  land  here  and  induced  many  others  from  that  section 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  383 

to  join  them.  In  1871  quite  a  little  colony  came  from  Iowa  and  located  in 
Stony  Brook  township.  Among  them  were:  Steiner  S.  Skinnemoen,  H.  G. 
Lillemon,  Martinus  Larson,  Chris  Mobraaten,  Tosten  K.  Dahlen  and  Peder 
Gulbranson.  In  1872  these  settlers  with  a  number  of  others  contributed 
three  or  four  logs  each  and  built  a  little  cabin  in  which  church  services  were 
held.  It  was  also  used  for  a  school  house.  Rev.  Torgus  Vetleson,  who 
started  a  number  of  cliurches  in  this  neigh1x)rhood,  was  the  first  pastor. 
Hans  H.  Haavig  led  the  singing  in  the  church  services  and  also  taught  the 
first  school.  Children  came  from  long  distances  to  attend  this  school,  stav- 
ing a  few  weeks  ■\\'ith  neighbors  and  then  returning  home. 

Other  early  settlers  in  Stony  Brook  township  were:  Knute  P.  Eidahl, 
H.  Albertson,  Nils  N.  Brevig,  Ole  Knudtson,  Engebret  Knudtson,  John  K. 
Folken,  Anders  Kjorven,  Hans  P.  Heijer,  Knut  Olson,  Jens  Erickson, 
Cliristian  Johnson,  Kittel  A.  Sattra  and  Reier  G.  Baa.sen. 

The  first  house  erected  in  Stony  Brook  township  stands  on  the  farm 
of  John  S.  Skinnemoen  and  is  being  preserved  with  great  care.  JMr.  Skin- 
nemoen also  has  an  extensi\e  and  interesting  collection  of  Indian  relics 
formerly  used  by  the  nati\es  in  this  neighbohood,  consisting  of  arrow-heads, 
spear-heads,  stone  hammers  and  axes. 

ROSEVILLE    TOWNSHIP. 

Many  names  were  suggested  when  Roseville  township  was  about  to  be 
organized,  but  the  settlers  finally  decided  upon  a  name  which  would  remind 
them  of  the  appearance  of  the  virgin  prairie  when  they  located  there,  l^eau- 
tiful  with  thousands  of  wild  roses.  At  the  time  of  organization,  in  1878, 
the  township  was  pretty  well  settled,  and  as  most  of  the  settlers  had  come 
in  after  the  railroad  penetrated  this  section,  they  did  not  have  quite  such 
a  hard  task  as  the  pioneers  who  came  a  little  earlier. 

L.  H.  Patchen  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  and  had  a  postoffice  at  his 
farm  for  several  years.  The  nearest  mill  was  Jolinson's  mill  at  Morris,  but 
provisions  could  be  secured  at  Frogner's  store  at  Herman.  Among  the 
early  settlers  were:  August  Endreson,  Henry  Boerner.  H.  J.  Bollum,  Theo- 
dore Shauer,  C.  W.  Gii¥ord,  Alliert  Boerner,  Syver  Erickson,  H.  O.  Han- 
son, Carl  Anderson,  John  Brennin,  P.  F.  McCollor,  Hans  Endreson,  Charles 
W'erk.  Charles  Sliauer.  John  P.  Molander,  Charles  A.  Haskins.  Ludvik 
Korner,  S.  R.  Lerum,  Ole  Halvorson.  John  H.  Kroke,  Henry  Bundv.  Ferd 
Clark  and   John  Buckman. 


3^4  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


ERDAHL    TOWNSHIP. 

Settlement  was  made  in  Erdahl  township  at  quite  an  early  day,  and 
the  pioneer  homes  were  developed  in  all  parts  of  the  township.  Perhaps 
the  largest  early  settlement  was  along  the  road  which  connected  Elbow 
Lake  and  Evansville.  This  was  the  first  route  established  to  mill  and  mar- 
ket for  this  neighborhood. 

Gilbert  Gilbertson  was  one  of  the  first  to  locate  here,  and  Gilbert  Alun- 
son  and  Ole  Munson  were  early  settlers.  Other  pioneers  of  Erdahl  town- 
ship were :  Jacob  Olson,  Mikkel  D.  Lien,  Knute  A.  Lien,  Ole  Nilson,  Mar- 
tin O.  Boe,  Ole  A.  Boe,  Nils  A.  Lee,  Nils  Olsen,  Erik  Nilson,  Peder  T. 
Alvstad.  Thore  Jensen  and  H.  D.  Downen. 

LAND    TOWNSHIP. 

There  was  an  early  trail  which  later  became  a  road  running  north 
from  Morris  over  which  many  of  the  pioneers  of  Land  township  made  their 
entrance  to  Grant  county.  Settlement  was  made  here  about  the  same  time 
as  in  Elk  Lake  township  to  the  north,  but  not  so  rapidly  at  first.  This 
township  ofi^ered  many  natural  advantages  or  account  of  the  timber  and 
watering  places  along  the  Pomme  de  Terre  and  Chippewa  rivers.  A  num- 
ber of  pioneers  in  Land  township  came  from  Wisconsin. 

Some  of  the  early  settlers  in  Land  township  were:  Erik  Olson,  Lars 
O.  Studlien,  S\en  Ausland,  Christian  Pederson,  A.  D.  Ausland,  Anton  L. 
Studlien,  Jolm  L.  Studlien,  Hans  Helland,  Ole  Clarquist,  G.  P.  Eklof  and 
Ole  Erikson. 

MACSVILLE    TOWNSHIP. 

Settlement  in  Macsville  township  was  rapid  after  the  railroad  came 
through  in  1 87 1.  A  nearby  trading  point  was  established  at  Herman  and 
the  fine  land  around  the  numerous  lakes  was  soon  taken  up. 

Francis  McNabb  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  and  was  chairman  of  the 
first  board  of  supervisors.  John  McQuillan,  another  early  settler,  was  the 
first  township  clerk.  Other  early  settlers  were:  John  Gustafson,  H.  P. 
Ronell,  Hans  Christianson,  H.  H.  Schram,  J.  W.  Perry,  John  Sannom  and 
Gustaf  Johnson. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  385 


DELAWARE     lOWNSHIP. 

One  of  the  first  roads  built  in  Grant  county  connected  Herman,  Elbow 
Lake  and  Pomme  de  Terre  \'illages,  running  through  Delaware  township. 
.\long  this  road  and  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  township  were  the  principal 
early  settlements.  Mails  were  carried  from  Herman  over  the  road  to  Bar- 
rett, with  offices  at  farm  houses  along  the  way. 

Some  of  the  first  settlers  in  Delaware  township  were :  Thomas  C. 
Hodgson,  Jacob  Erlandson,  Nels  Helsene,  Hans  Channel,  A.  Selander, 
James  Moses,  A.  Erlandson,  O.  Lundberg,  John  E.  Hanson,  H.  C.  Prescott, 
John  Helsene.  J.  N.  Casper.  Louis  Nelin,  John  Lundberg,  A.  J.  Cates  and 
J.  P.  Shoberg. 

LAWRENCE    TOWNSHIP. 

The  first  settlers  in  Lawrence  township  were  J.  S.  Bean,  John  Shaw, 
Horace  Shaw  and  Frank  P.  Symonds,  who  came  here  in  1870  from  St. 
Lawrence  county.  New  York.  It  was  they  who  gave  the  township  its  name 
in  remembrance  of  their  former  home.  Settlement  in*  this  township  was 
somewhat  retarded  on  account  of  the  fact  that  every  other  section  was 
railroad  land,  and  also  because  at  first  the  government  was  allowing  only 
eighty  acres  to  be  taken  as  a  homestead.  Frank  P.  Symonds  built  a  little 
cabin  which  was  the  first  house  erected  in  the  township.  By  making  what 
they  called  a  "field"  bed,  this  little  cabin  often  sheUered  eight  or  ten  men, 
sleeping  on  their  blankets  and  quilts  spread  on  the  fioor.  About  the  time 
of  the  first  settlement  this  region  was  noted  as  a  great  place  to  hunt  prairie 
chicken,  cranes  and  geese.  Many  hunters  came  from  New  York  and  other 
eastern  points  to  enjoy  the  sport. 

M.  L.  Adams  settled  here  in  1878,  when  the  country  was  still  in  a 
pioneer  condition.  At  that  time  the  farmers  weie  hauling  their  grain  over 
poorly  marked  trails  to  Campbell,  Herman  and  Fergus  Falls.  Flour  was 
secured  at  the  mill  at  Parkdale  and  at  the  old  Red  river  mill  at  Fergus 
Falls.     Oxen  were  used  for  many  years  for  hauling  and  farm  work. 

Other  early  settlers  in  Lawrence  township  were :    L.  H.  Fowler,  C.  W. 
Stickney,  R.  H.   Femier,  D.   P.   Carpenter,  William  Carpenter,   A.   Fisher, 
E.  East,  S.  Fisher,  G.  H.  Adams,  J.  C.  Marple,  Joseph  Marple,  James  W. 
Ash.  N.  S.  Denton,  T-  C.  Titus,  F.  J.  Titus  and  Theodore  Connell. 
(25) 


386  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

GORTON    TOWNSHIP. 

Gorton  township  lies  mostly  in  the  "flats'"  which  characterize  the  west- 
ern portion  of  Grant  county,  and  on  account  of  lack  of  natural  drainage 
did  not  settle  up  as  rapidly  as  some  other  townships.  The  railroad  passed 
through  here  in  1871,  providing  a  convenient  access  to  market,  and  a  trad- 
ing point  was  established  at  Norcross. 

Among  the  early  settlers  in  Gorton  township  were :  Frank  Forstein, 
Samuel  H.  Wright,  Gullik  S.  Moen,  Abner  Crawford,  Ellef  Ellson,  Baak 
Iverson,  Knut  Hoginson,  E.  H.  Johnson,  Ole  O.  Hillestad,  Kolben  Gabriel- 
son,  Chris  C.  Ness,  Ole  Olson,  Ole  Lee,  Knud  Gland,  Agrim  Baarson  and 
Lars  Knudson. 

NORTH    OTTAWA    TOWNSHIP. 

North  Ottawa  township  also  lies  in  the  "flats"  where  only  recently 
artificial  drainage  has  made  the  naturally  rich  land  fully  available  for  agri- 
culture. Thomas  H.  Toombs,  from  Ottawa,  Illinois,  gave  the  township  its 
name.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  and  was  chairman  of  the  first  board 
of  supervisors. 

Other  early  settlers  in  North  Ottawa  township  were:  John  Tripp, 
Nicholas  Thies,  Peter  Schuster,  David  Tripp,  Gustaf  Johnson,  A.  H.  Bul- 
lis,  James  M.  Tucker,  Anders  A.  Falla,  J.  S.  Ireland,  George  Allen,  John 
Matchenske,  John  Schuster,  Henry  Fay,  Gustaf  Hanson,  Steen  Steenson, 
W.  A.  Bullis,  L.  C.  Engelson,  C.  Christianson,  Hans  Monson,  Ole  A. 
Amundson,  C.  Nielsen  Veng  and  Charles  Johnson. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Organization  of  Grant  County. 

The  area  comprised  in  the  present  limits  of  Grant  county  was  first 
formally  organized  as  a  separate  county  on  March  8,  1868,  when  the  state 
Legislature  passed  an  act  establishing  the  county,  and  ordered  that  the 
county  seat  should  be  located  on  the  southwest  quarter  of  section  31,  town- 
ship 139,  range  42.  As  this  would  have  placed  the  county  seat  in  Becker 
county,  near  the  northeast  corner  of  Sallie  lake,  it  is  supposed  that  an  error 
was  made  in  writing  "139"  instead  of  "129,"  which  would  have  located  the 
county  seat  in  the  geographical  center  of  the  county.  This  new  sub-division 
of  the  state  was  named  "Grant"  in  honor  of  Gen.  U.  S.  Grant,  who  was 
elected  that  year  to  his  first  term  as  President  of  the  United  States. 

Another  step  in  the  tentative  organization  of  the  county  was  taken  in 
1 87 1,  when  the  governor,  Horace  .Austin,  appointed  three  county  commis- 
sioners, namely :   Henry  F.  Sanford.  K.  N.  Melby  and  S.  S.  Frogner. 

In  T872,  Peter  N.  Smith  and  Henry  Secor,  two  lawyers  from  Otter  Tail 
county,  came  down  and  induced  the  county  commissioners  to  appoint  a  fuU 
set  of  officers,  with  Secor  as  auditor  and  Smith  as  county  attorney.  These 
officers  evidently  never  held  their  positions  legally,  as  they  left  no  official 
record,  and  their  presence  here  is  known  only  through  tradition. 

When  the  fifteenth  Legislature  assembled  in  the  second  week  of  Jan- 
uary, 1873,  Timothy  Heald  and  several  others  went  to  St.  Paul  and  re- 
quested that  the  Legislature  pass  a  new  act  for  the  organization  of  the 
county.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  on  February  28,  1873,  the  Legis- 
lature approved  "An  act  to  provide  for  the  organization  of  Grant  county," 
as  follows:    • 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  Legislature  of  tlie  state  of  Minnesota:  Section 
I.  That  the  county  of  Grant  in  this  state  be  and  the  same  is  hereby  declared 
to  be  an  organized  county,  with  all  the  rights,  privileges  and  immunities 
of  other  organized  counties  within  this  state,  and  the  county  seat  shall  be 
located  by  the  county  commissioners  hereafter  to  be  elected  as  provided  in 
this  act. 

"Section  2.     On  the  day  of  the  next  annual  town  meeting  after  the 


36i5  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

passage  of  this  act,  the  legal  voters  of  said  county  may  meet  at  the  several 
places  where  the  last  amiual  election  was  held  in  said  county,  and  after 
choosing  judges  of  election  shall,  between  the  hours  of  nine  o'clock  in  the 
forenoon  and  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  proceed  to  vote  for  three  county 
commissioners,  and  after  canvassing  such  vote  said  judges  of  election  shall, 
within  ten  days  thereafter,  make  a  report  of  such  canvass  to  the  county 
auditor  of  Douglas  county,  to  which  said  Grant  county  is  attached  for 
judicial  purposes,  who  shall  issue  certificates  of  election  to  three  having  the 
highest  number  of  votes;  which  commissioners  shall  within  twenty  days 
thereafter  qualify  and  enter  upon  their  duties,  and  who  shall  hold  their 
offices  until  the  next  general  election  and  until  their  successors  are  elected 
and  qualified. 

"Section  3.  Immediately  upon  the  qualification  of  said  commissioners 
they  shall  proceed  to  locate  the  county  seat  of  said  county,  and  appoint 
qualified  persons  to  fill  all  the  county  offices  in  said  county,  except  clerk 
of  the  district  court,  and  also  to  appoint  two  justices  of  the  peace  and  two 
constables,  which  persons  so  appointed  and  having  qualified  shall  hold  their 
offices  until  the  next  annual  town  meeting,  and  until  their  successors  are 
elected  and  qualified. 

"Section  4.  All  acts  and  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  with  the  provisions 
of  this  act  are  hereby  repealed. 

"Section  5.  This  act  shall  take  effect  and  be  in  force  from  and  after 
its  passage." 

FIRST    COMMISSIONERS    ELECTED. 

At  an  election  held  in  the  several  election  districts  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  the  foregoing  act,  Henry  F.  Sanford,  K.  N.  Melby  and 
S.  S.  Frogner  were  elected  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners  of  Grant 
county.  The  board  held  its  first  meeting  on  April  12,  1873,  and  as  the  min- 
utes of  the  meeting  are  given  in  the  records  of  the  county  commissioners 
in  such  lucid  style,  set  down  in  the  beautiful  handwriting  of  Henn,^  F.  San- 
ford, they  are  here  given  in  full,  as  follows : 

"Meeting  of  the  board  of  Grant  county,  held  at  the  store  of  N.  O. 
Puntches,  at  Pomme  de  Terre.  in  said  Grant  county,  April  12,  1873.  in 
pursuance  of  a  notice  issued  on  the  31st  day  of  March,  A.  D.  1873,  notify- 
ing the  public  that  on  the  12th  day  of  April,  1873,  there  would  be  a  meet- 
ing of  said  commissioners,  for  the  purpose  of  locating  the  county  seat  and 
appointing  the  officers  of  said  county. 

"Present  all  the  members,  namely:    K.  N.  Melby,   S.  S.   Frogner  and 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  389 

Henry  F.  Sanford.  Henry  F.  Sanford  was  duly  elected  chairman.  R.  S. 
Talbot  was  duly  appointed  clerk  of  the  board,  pro  tern. 

"The  board  being  duly  organized  the  first  business  in  order  being  the 
locating  of  the  county  seat :  K.  N.  Melby  moved  to  have  the  coimty  seat 
located  on  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  24,  township  130,  range  42. 
Motion  lost.  Moved  by  S.  S.  Frogner  that  the  county  seat  l>e  located  on 
section  8,  township  129,  range  42.  S.  S.  Frogner  and  Henry  F.  Sanford 
voted  in  the  affirmative;  K.  N.  Melby  in  the  negative.  The  motion  was 
carried-and  the  county  seat  is  therefore  located  on  section  8,  township  129, 
range  42,  in  said  coimty. 

"The  following  named  persons  were  unanimously  appointed  to  fill  the 
county  offices  set  opposite  their  names:  R.  S.  Talbot,  auditor;  O.  W.  Olson, 
treasurer;  N.  Q.  Puntches,  attorney;  Ole  Tarson,  register  of  deeds;  E.  M. 
Heald,  sheriff;  John  Ohlsson,  surveyor;  Ole  Thompson,  judge  of  probate; 
Hans  Hanson,  coroner:  Josiah  Smith,  superintendent  of  schools;  Ole  A. 
Peterson  and  John  Doherty,  justices  of  the  peace;  H.  P.  Hansen  and  George 
Johnson,  constables. 

"The  next  business  in  order  being  the  dividing  the  county  into  road 
and  assessment  districts,  it  was  unanimously  resolved  that  the  county  should 
be  divided  as  follows:  That  each  election  district,  as  formerly  laid  out, 
in  which  elections  have  been  held,  shall  be  and  are  hereby  declared  to  be 
road  and  assessment  districts.  Said  districts  to  be  numbered  i,  2,  3  and 
4,  corresponding  to  the  numbering  of  such  former  election  districts,  and 
that  an  assessor  and  road  overseer  be  appointed  for  each  of  said  districts. 
The  following  named  persons  were  unanimously  appointed  to  fill  the  offices 
set  oppo.site  their  names:  District  No.  i,  J.  G.  Holt,  assessor;  Jacob  Olson, 
road  overseer.  District  No.  2,  Even  E.  Bjerke,  assessor;  Per  Erlandson, 
road  overseer.  District  No.  3,  E.  A.  Ziebarth,  assessor;  H.  Ronell.  road 
overseer.  District  No.  4,  Joseph  Smith,  assessor;  T.  Hanson,  road  over- 
seer. 

"It  was  resolved  that  the  amount  of  license  for  selling  intoxicating 
liquors  is  liereby  fixed  at  thirty  dollars  per  annum,  and  that  all  persons 
dealing  in  intoxicating  liquors  in  the  county  are  hereby  required  to  apply 
for  a  license  to  sell  the  same  on  or  before  the  i  st  day  of  May,  next  ensuing, 
under  the  penalty  provided  by  law  for  selling  such  liquors  without  license. 

".\  petition  was  presented  from  the  inhabitants  of  part  of  township 
130,  range  41.  asking  to  have  a  school  district  established  according  to  the 
boundaries   mentioned    tlicrein.      The   petition   was   granted,    and    sections   4, 


39°  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

5  and  6.  and  the  north  half  of  sections  7,  8  and  9,  in  township  130,  range 
41,  was  set  off  and  estahhshed  as  such  school  district,  to  be  designated 
school  district  No.  i. 

"A  petition  was  presented  from  the  inhabitants  of  election  precinct  No. 
3,  asking  for  the  passage  of  a  law  restraining  cattle  from  running  at  large 
in  their  election  precinct.  The  following  resolution  was  unanimously  passed 
in  relation  thereto:  That  in  the  third  election  district  or  precinct  of  Grant 
county  no  cattle,  horses,  mules,  hogs  or  sheep  shall  be  allowed  to  run  at 
large  without  a  competent  person  to  take  charge  of  the  same,  and  the  own- 
ers of  such  stock  .shall  be  liable  for  all  damages  done  by  sucli  stock  to  the 
crops  or  other  property  of  the  inhabitants,  or  any  of  them,  in  said  third 
election  precinct. 

"R.  S.  Talbot  was  sworn  in  as  county  auditor." 

The  board  then  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Sanford.  on 
Saturday,  May  3,  1873,  to  receive  the  bonds  of  the  appointed  county  offi- 
cers and  qualify  them  for  office.  At  that  meeting  the  commissioners  ac- 
cepted the  bonds  and  qualified  such  officers  as  presented  themselves.  John 
Dohertv  not  having  qualified  as  justice  of  the  peace,  John  Ohlsson  was 
appointed  to  fill  that  office. 

On  Mav  24,  1873,  the  board  met  at  Herman  and  established  school 
districts  Nos.  2  and  3.  Mr.  Heald  having  declined  to  qualify  as  sheriff, 
E.  A.  Ziebarth  was  appointed  to  fill  that  office. 

COMMISSIONER    DISTRICTS    ESTABLISHED. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  held  on  September  2,  1873,  at  the  house  of 
Henry  F.  Sanford,  tlie  commissioners  proceeded  to  divide  the  county  into 
three  commissioner  districts,  as  follows:  District  No.  i  to  comprise  town- 
ship 130,  of  ranges  41,  42,  43  and  44.  District  No.  2  to  comprise  township 
129,  of  ranges  41,  42,  43  and  z^,  and  township  128,  of  range  41.  District 
No.  3  to  comprise  township  128,  of  ranges  42,  43  and  44,  and  township 
127,  of  ranges  41,  42,  43  and  44. 

The  board  then  established  three  new  school  districts,  to  be  known  as 
districts  Nos.  4.  5  and  6.  They  also  designated  places  for  holding  elections 
in  the  several  precincts  and  appointed  judges  of  election,  as  follows :  No. 
I  at  Pomme  de  Terre;  George  W.  Vaughan  and  Ole  Peterson,  judges. 
No.  2  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Gudmunson,  in  township  128,  range  41;  O.  W. 
Olson  and  Even  E.  Bjerke,  judges.  No.  3  at  Herman;  John  Olson  and 
E.  A.  Ziebarth,  judges. 


DOLT.LAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  39I 

/ 

SECOND    BOARD    OF    COUNTY    COMMISSIONERS. 

The  second  board  of  county  commissioners  held  their  first  meeting  on 
January  6,  1874,  at  Herman.  The  Ixiard  was  composed  of  George  W. 
"V^aughan,  Coll  McClellan  and  Louis  T.  Breen.  One  dollar  was  paid  to 
Louis  Baker  for  the  use  of  a  room  in  which  to  hold  the  meeting.  O.  W. 
Olson,  who  was  acting  as  superintendent  of  schools,  resigned,  and  Coll 
McClellan  was  appointed  in  his  stead. 

On  March  2,  1874,  the  board  met  at  the  house  of  Henry  F.  Sanford. 
The  following  persons  were  appointed  to  the  respective  ofifices :  E.  M. 
Heald,  sherifif;  John  Ohlsson,  surveyor;  Timothy  Heald  and  K.  N.  Melby, 
justices  of  the  peace  in  district  No.  i  ;  Joseph  Pennock  and  John  Houston, 
constables,  and  Ole  Larson,  assessor.  In  district  No.  2  Andrew  Olson  and 
James  Sethny  were  appointed  justices;  H.  P.  Hansen  and  Gilbert  Munson, 
constables;  T.  H.  Bartnes,  assessor;  Ole  Munson,  road  overseer.  In  dis- 
trict No.  3  John  Ohlsson  and  G.  W.  Frost  were  appointed  justices;  Charles 
Tancre  and  Erick  Olson,  constables ;  John  Doherty,  assessor ;  H.  P.  Ronell, 
road  overseer. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  held  on  April  i,  1875,  it  was  resolved  that 
no  bills  against  Grant  county  should  be  allowed  prior  to  March   i,   1873. 

FIRST  COUNTY   COURT   HOUSE. 

As  related  in  the  minutes  of  the  board  meeting  held  on  April  12,  1873, 
Mr.  Melby  attempted  to  locate  the  county  seat  at  Pomme  de  Terre,  then 
a  small  trading  post  in  the  center  of  a  considerable  settlement  in  the  north- 
eastern part  of  the  county.  Mr.  Frogner  wished  to  locate  it  at  Herman, 
but  yielded  to  the  argument  of  Mr.  Sanford  that  it  should  be  located  at  a 
more  central  point.  They  accordingly  voted  to  establish  the  county  seat 
on  section  8,  township  129,  range  42,  and  a  part  of  the  homestead  of  Knud 
O.  Laastuen  was  secured  for  the  purpose.  At  that  time  the  village  of 
Elbow  Lake  was  not  yet  started,  and  the  neighborhood  was  but  sparsely 
settled.  The  location  of  the  county  seat,  however,  soon  attracted  business 
and  professional  men  to  this  point  and  the  village  was  established. 

The  homestead  of  Henry  F.  Sanford  was  situated  just  south  of  the 
lake  on  section  17,  across  from  the  location  of  the  county  seat.  After  the 
election  held  on  November  3,  1874,  Mr.  Sanford's  cabin  became  the  office 
of  the  auditor  and  treasurer,  the  other  officers  maintaining  their  places  of 


392  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES^    MINNESOTA. 

business  at  their  respective  homes.  The  need  of  a  suitable  building  for  the 
county  officers  was  soon  realized,  and  on  May  i8,  1875,  a  petition  signed 
by  one  hundred  and  three  legal  voters  of  the  county  was  presented  to  the 
board  of  commissioners,  asking  that  five  hundred  dollars  be  appropriated 
to  build  a  court  house  at  Elbow  Lake.  Hope  was  still  entertained  in  some 
other  parts  of  the  county  that  the  county  seat  might  yet  be  located  in  their 
neighborhood,  so  a  counter  petition  was  presented  to  the  board,  signed  by 
one  hundred  and  fifty-nine  legal  voters,  praying  the  county  commissioners 
not  to  build  a  court  house  that  year. 

Several  other  unsuccessful  efforts  were  made  to  induce  the  commission- 
ers to  put  up  a  county  building  at  Elbow  Lake,  but  it  was  not  until  two 
years  later,  on  December  8,  1877,  that  the  lx)ard  decided  to  build  a  court 
house  at  Elbow  Lake  and  apjoropriated  five  hundred  dollars  for  that  pur- 
pose. On  December  20,  of  that  year,  a  contract  was  let  to  A.  C.  Earsley 
to  erect  a  building  twenty-four  by  thirty  feet,  for  which  he  was  to  be  paid 
five  hundred  dollars  in  county  warrants,  to  bear  interest  at  the  rate  of  ten 
per  cent.  Later  the  plans  for  the  finishing  of  the  building  were  somewhat 
altered  and  enlarged,  and  H.  H.  Wilson,  of  Alexandria,  was  given  a  con- 
tract to  complete  the  building  for  seven  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars. 
This  building  was  approved  and  occupied  by  the  county  officers  on  Novem- 
ber I,   1878. 

The  first  county  building  stood  on  a  lot  just  west  of  the  present  court 
house.  It  was  a  two-story  structure,  with  four  rooms  and  a  hall  on  the 
first  floor  and  one  room  on  the  second  floor  used  as  a  court  room.  An 
outside  stairway  ga\-e  access  to  the  upper  stor\'.  This  building  served  for 
the  needs  of  the  cormty  offices  until  1884,  when  it  was  remodelled  and 
enlarged;  the  stairway  was  placed  inside,  and  a  small  additional  tract  of 
ground  purchased  from  Mr.  Laastuen  adjoining  it  on  the  north.  In  the 
meantime,  however,  there  occurred  an  exciting  contest  for  the  countv  seat, 
which  is  well  rememljered  by  many  of  the  older  settlers  still  li\'ing  in  this 
county. 

COUNTY    SEAT    CONTEST. 

In  1880,  the  village  of  Elbow  Lake,  where  the  seat  of  government 
for  Grant  county  had  been  estalilished,  was  but  a  small  cluster  of  houses, 
without  a  railroad  and  of  no  special  commercial  importance;  while  Her- 
man was  an  incorporated  village  of  several  hundred  population,  with  rail- 
wav  communications  and  numerous  business  hoiises.  There  is  no  doubt 
but  Llerman  would  have  been  the  countv  seat  of  Grant  countv  but  for  one 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  393 

insurmountable  objection — its  location  in  tbe  extreme  southwestern  corner 
of  the  county.  Undeterred  by  this  fact,  the  citizens  of  that  vicinity  renewed 
their  efforts,  and  brought  sufficient  influence  to  bear  to  induce  the  Legis- 
lature, in  1 88 1,  to  pass  a  special  act  moving  the  county  seat  to  Herman,  sub- 
ject to  ratification  by  the  people  at  the  following  fall  election. 

An  exciting  campaign  and  election  followed,  at  which  808  votes  were 
counted,  of  which  439  were  for  Herman  and  369  against.  The  voting 
strength  of  the  county  at  that  time  was  Sj2.  According  to  the  returns 
Herman  had  a  majority  of  70,  and  was  proclaimed  the  county  seat  by  the 
governor.  Unwilling  to  accept  defeat,  the  people  of  Elbow  Lake  and 
Pomme  de  Terre  immediately  took  steps  to  contest  this  election  in  the 
courts.  Timothy  Heald  and  several  others  advanced  money  and  spent  time 
to  gather  evidence  which  would  retain  the  county  seat  location  at  Elbow 
Lake.  Notwithstanding  the  contest,  private  parties  proceeded  at  once 
toward  the  erection  of  a  court  house  at  Herman,  and  upon  its  completion, 
and  while  the  issue  was  pending  settlement  in  the  courts,  citizens  of  Her- 
man and  their  SAmpathizcrs  made  a  raid  on  the  county  offices  at  Elbow 
Lake  and  renio\ed  all  the  records  to  Herman. 

During  the  investigation  which  followed  the  people  of  Eltow  Lake 
retained  Knute  Nelson  and  H.  Jenkins,  while  L.  W.  Collins  represented 
Herman.  The  Elbow  Lake  workers  soon  discovered  that  the  vote  from 
Erdahl  township  had  not  been  returned,  and  that  Logan  township  (in  which 
Herman  is  located)  had  cast  a  bigger  vote  than  it  was  ever  known  to  have, 
and  more  than  an  examination  of  the  poll  books  showed  that  it  did  have. 
A  lawyer  at  Red  Wing,  named  Boettcher,  who  had  been  attorney  in  a 
South  Dakota  county  seat  contest,  gave  Mr.  Nelson  an  important  clue  and 
he  sent  to  St.  Paul  for  a  detective,  named  Cleveland,  to  work  up  the  clue. 
Evidence  was  secured  that  the  Plerman  people  had  gone  to  Anoka  and 
:\[inneapolis,  just  before  election,  and  hired  a  number  of  laborers  to  work 
on  the  village  streets.  These  men  were  voted  and  after  election  returned 
to  their  hom.es.  It  was  also  discovered  that  six  minors  and  eight  men  who 
were  not  American  citizens  had  voted.  The  revised  figures  were  consid- 
ered by  the  court  and  on  August  19,  1882.  judgment  was  rendered  in  favor 
of  Elbow  Lake. 

Upon  securing  this  decision,  some  of  the  partizans  of  the  Elbow  Lake 
neighborhood,  still  nursing  a  grievance  for  the  hasty  manner  in  which  the 
county  records  had  been  removed  to  that  village,  organized  a  posse  and 
descending  on  the  town  in  the  dead  of  night,  secured  the  official  records  and 
brought  them  back  to  Elbow  Lake.     This  mob  was  given  some  hasty  train- 


394  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ing  by  the  leader,  who  had  a  bugler  to  sound  his  signals,  and  all  considered 
it  a  very  serious  matter  at  that  time.  In  these  later  days,  however,  the 
survivors  of  that  expedition  enjoy  many  a  good  laugh  in  recollection  of  the 
trip.  Time  has  served  to  efface  any  ill-feeling  engendered  during  the  con- 
test and  all  factions  are  happy  to  have  the  county  seat  located  at  the  most 
central  village. 

One  of  the  most  aggressive  leaders  in  the  campaign  to  retain  the  county 
seat  at  Elbow  Lake  was  Timothy  Heald,  of  Pomme  de  Terre,  one  of  the 
well-known  early  settlers  of  the  county.  It  was  due  to  his  initiative,  more 
perhaps  than  to  any  other  one  man,  that  the  contest  was  taken  up  and  pressed 
to  a  successful  conclusion.  Later  he  was  reimbursed  for  the  money  he  had 
expended,  as  was  also  J.  W.  Reynolds,  who  served  as  an  attorney  in  the 
case. 

PRESENT    COURT     HOUSE. 

The  rapid  development  of  Grant  county  during  the  early  nineties,  and 
the  consequent  increase  in  the  county  business,  necessitated  larger  quarters 
than  the  county  building  at  that  time  afforded.  Many  of  the  public  records 
were  in  danger  of  destruction  for  want  of  fire-proof  storage  places,  and 
rooms  were  needed  for  the  county  attorney  and  the  judge  of  probate.  In 
order  to  raise  money  for  a  new  court  house  the  county  commissioners,  in 
1899,  decided  upon  a  plan  which  would  relieve  the  county  from  any  bond 
debt.  They  proposed  to  make  a  slight  increase  in  the  tax  levy  and  keep  the 
revenue  from  this  source  in  a  separate  fund  to  be  used  for  a  new  building. 
Succeeding  boards  all  approved  of  this  plan  and  in  seven  years  over  thirty- 
six  thousand  dollars  was  raised  in  this  manner.  In  the  fall  of  1904,  the 
^commissioners  advertised  for  plans  for  a  new  court  house  and,  after  careful 
inspection,  those  -submitted  by  Bell  &  Detweiler,  of  Minneapolis,  were 
selected. 

The  most  desirable  location  for  the  new  building  was  the  slight  knoll 
just  east  of  the  old  court  house,  occupied  by  the  residence  of  Knud  O. 
Laastuen.  After  considerable  negotiations  this  site  was  secured  by  the  com- 
missioners, mainly  through  the  generosity  of  public  spirited  citizens  who 
organized  the  "Elbow  Lake  Improvement  Company,"  secured  title  to  the 
tract  and  conveyed  it  to  the  county.  In  this  manner  the  present  beautiful 
site  of  five  acres,  on  an  eminence  at  the  head  of  Central  avenue  and  extend- 
ing back  to  the  shore  of  Worm  lake,  was  obtained  for  the  erection  of  the 
building  of  which  Grant  county  may  well  be  proud. 

The  contract  for  the  construction  of  the  building  was  let  to  the  Prince 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  395 

Construction  Company,  of  Minneaix)lis,  who  agreed  to  erect  the  building  of 
Portwing  brown  stone  for  $60,202,  inckiding  the  heating  and  pkimbing 
equipment.  E.  A.  Durkee,  a  member  of  the  company,  was  the  superintendent 
of  construction.  Work  was  begun  in  the  spring  of  1905  and  the  finished 
building  was  inspected  and  accepted  on  April  6,  1906.  The  interior  decora- 
tions were  painted  by  Oden  J.  Oyen,  of  LaCrosse,  Wisconsin.  Electric 
fixtures  and  lamps,  metal  furniture  and  office  desks  and  chairs  of  the  most 
modern  style  and  construction  were  secured.  E.  J.  Scofield,  then  serving  as 
county  attorney,  was  the  first  official  to  occupy  an  office  in  the  new  court 
house,  moving  into  it  on  May  21,  1906.  Sheriff  Thompson  and  Clerk  of 
Court  Johnson  occupied  their  offices  in  the  new  building  on  the  succeeding 
day,  and  the  other  officers  followed  as  soon  as  their  rooms  were  completed. 
The  new  court  house  was  formally  dedicated  with  fitting  exercises  on  July 
23,  1906. 

This  building  consists  of  three  stories,  and  is  equipped  with  the  latest 
appliances  in  heating,  lighting  and  ventilation.  On  the  second  floor  are  the' 
offices  of  the  auditor,  treasurer,  commissioners,  register  of  deeds  and  clerk  of 
the  court.  In  the  basement,  which  really  is  the  first  floor  of  the  building,  are 
the  offices  of  the  judge  of  probate,  sheriff,  superintendent  of  schools,  high- 
way engineer,  agricultural  agent  and  custodian.  The  third  floor  is  occupied 
by  the  court  room,  county  attorney  and  jury  rooms.  Ample  fire-proof 
storage  vaults  are  provided  for  the  care  of  all  county  records.  A  beautiful 
lawn  surrounds  the  building  and  a  grove  of  small  oaks  serves  as  a  back- 
ground on  the  border  of  the  nearby  lake. 

Grant  county  has  never  found  it  necessary  to  build  a  jail ;  one  room  in 
the  court  house  fitted  up  with  two  small  steel  cells  being  all  the  equipment 
the  county  possesses  for  the  detention  of  prisoners.  Neither  has'  the  countv 
a  poor  farm;  the  township  officers  looking  after  any  dependents  in  their 
respective  townships  and  non-residents  being  cared  for  through  the  proper 
county  officials.     The  county  has  never  had  a  bonded  del)t. 

POPULATION    OF  GR.\NT    COUNTY. 

The  first  federal  census  in  which  an)-  return  was  made  from  Grant 
county  was  that  of  1870  when  the  count)-  had  a  population  of  340.  The 
state  census  of  1875  gave  the  county  1,191.  In  1880  there  were  3,004;  in 
1885  there  were  5,197;  in  1890  there  were  6,875 ;  in  1895  there  were  7,887; 
in  1900  there  were  8,935;  i"  1905  there  were  9,652,  and  in  1910  there  were 
9,114  people  living  in  Grant  county.     In   1900  the  foreign-born  population 


396  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

was  represented  as  follows:  From  Norway,  1,590;  from  Sweden,  809;  from 
Germany,  182:  from  Denmark,  43;  from  Canada,  42;  from  Ireland,  20; 
from  England,   18:  from  Scotland,   15;  from  Bohemia,  4;  from  Russia,  2; 

from  Finland,   2:   from  Holland,    i,  and   from   Austria,    i.  The   following 

table  shows  the  population  of  the  various  townships  and  villages  for  three 
federal  census  periods: 

1910.  1900.  1890. 

Ashby  village 334  279        231 

Barrett  village 278  2}^"]  

Delaware   township 293  307        224 

Elbow  Lake  township 410  473        440 

Elbow  Lake  village 776  625         267 

Elk  Lake  township 470  476        416 

Erdahl  township   670  595         500 

Gorton  township 217  318        203 

Herman  village 604  550        322 

Hofifman    village ^ 391  270  

Land  township 479  617        714 

Lawrence  township 281  273         120 

Lien   township    425  538        630 

Logan  township 246  214         126 

Macsville  township 286  253        241 

Xorcross  village  __-_ 177      

North  Ottawa  township 322  321         237 

Pelican  Lake  township 469  506        471 

Pomme  de  Terre  township 458  .  529        426 

Roseville  township 351  439        },']2 

Sanford  township 475  506        384 

Stony  Brook  township 527  609        551 

Wendell  village   175      

Total 9.1 14     8.935     6,875 

NATURALIZ.\TION   STATISTICS. 

The  first  person  to  apply  for  his  "first  papers"  and  make  declaration  of 
his  intention  to  become  a  citizen  of  the  United  States  before  the  clerk  of  Grant 
county-,  was  H.  A.  Hillmond,  from  Germany,  whose  application  is  dated  on 
September  4,  1883.    Mr.  Hillmond  later  represented  Grant  county  in  the  Legis- 


DOt'CLAS     \ND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  397 

lature.  The  second  applicant  was  Ole  G.  Jenstad,  from  Xorwa\-,  who  ap- 
peared on  September  22,  1883.  Mr.  Jenstad  is  still  a  resident  of  the  county, 
living  near  Barrett.  The  third  applicant  was  Anders  Olsson,  from  Norway, 
on  September  22,  1883;  the  fourth  was  Nils  Anderson,  from  Norway,  on 
September  24,  1883,  and  the  fifth  was  Lars  Olsen  Hjelle,  from  Norway,  on 
September  24,  1883. 

The  first  person  to  make  final  proof  of  citizenship  and  secure  his  "sec- 
ond papers"  was  Andrew  Erlandson,  from  Sweden,  who  appeared  before 
the  clerk  on  September  4,  1883.  The  second  was  Nils  Stenson,  from  Nor- 
way, on  the  same  date.  Halvor  J.  Eolluni,  Anders  Mattson  and  Thomas 
Gillesby  made  final  proof  on  September  24,  1883. 

The  total  number  of  all  who  have  applied  for  citizenship  papers  in 
Grant  county  is  presented  by  years  in  the  following  table : 

First  Second  First  Second 

Papers.  Papers.                                              Papers.  Papers. 

883 48  15  1900 41  79 

884 39  18  1901 48  2^ 

885 II  19  1902 35  34 

886 42  6  1903 20  8 

887 16  18  1904 30  25 

888 120  27  1905 39  8 

889 17  12  1906 16  II 

890 109  14  1907 14  I 

891 17  15  1908 28  I 

892 105  16  1909 18  7 

893 38  10  1910 14  6 

894 86  8  1911 19  16 

895 21  10  1912 8  2 

896 77  13  1913 3  II 

897 14  257  1914 18  8 

898 13  159  1915 19  9 

899 16  64 

COUNTY   FINANCES. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  held  on  Septemljer  20, 
1875,  the  following  levy  of  taxes  was  made  for  the  ensuing  year:  General 
expenses,  $1,433:  sinking  fund,  $860:  poor  fund,  $140,  and  road  and  bridge 


398  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

fund,  $572.  These  figures  compared  with  the  auditor's  report  of  recent  date 
give  an  idea  of  the  growth  of  the  county  finances  during  the  past  forty  years. 

Following  is  the  trial  balance  from  the  general  ledger  of  County  Auditor  Nel- 
son, showing  the  condition  of  the  various  funds  at  the  close  of  business  on 
December  31,  191 5  : 

Debits.  Credits. 

County    treasurer    $295,809.66       $245,992.59 

Warrants  accounts 245,992.59  259,326.64 

Taxes  and  penalties 155,146.95  158,815.64 

Current  school  fund 12,599.17  12,736.67 

County  revenue 22,593.80  21,655.39 

Road  and  bridge  fund 25,173.67  26,039.70 

Ditch  funds 37,203.48  60,646.89 

Redemption   fund 2,387.17  2,504.32 

School  fund  (districts) 75.3^1-55  78.664.52 

Town,  city  and  village 42,079.27  43,478.86 

Incidental  fund 39-2-58  641.81 

Stat€  revenue-and  school 29,711.60  29,744.00 

State  lands  and  interest 8,969.10  9,074.85 

State  loans 6,846.45  10,531.77 

Inheritance  tax 477-46  447-46 

Mortgage  registry  tax 1,638.60  2,007.14 

Assurance    4-85 

$962,313.10       $962,313.10 
Balance  from  these  figures  e.\tended $  50,755.48 


CHAPTER  V. 

Officials  of  Grant  County. 

When  Grant  county  was  permanently  established  by  act  of  the  Legislature 
in  1873  the  first  step  in  formal  organization  was  the  election  of  three  commis- 
sioners, who  appointed  the  first  complete  set  of  county  officers.  At  that  time 
Grant  county  was  not  far  advanced  from  its  state  of  primitive  wilderness ;  set- 
tlers were  few  and  far  between,  communication  was  difficult  and  business  was 
mostly  a  matter  of  barter.  It  is  largely  due  to  the  good  judgment  and  public 
spirit  of  these  first  officers  that  social  order  was  so  quickly  and  firmly  estab- 
lished in  the  formative  period  of  this  community.  The  board  of  county 
commissioners  has  always  been  one  of  the  most  important  official  bodies  of 
the  county  government,  and  the  early  members  of  this  board  had  especially 
ilifficult  and  far-reaching  questions  lirought  to  them  for  decision. 

COUNTY    COMMISSIONERS. 

The  first  board  of  county  commissioners  consisted  of  Henry  F.  San- 
ford,  K.  N.  Melby  and  S.  S.  Frogner.  Mr.  Sanford's  home  was  on  section 
17,  township  129,  range  42,  just  south  of  the  present  site  of  the  village  of 
Elbow  Lake.  Mr.  Melby  was  a  farmer  in  Pelican  Lake  township  and  became 
in  time  an  extensive  landholder  there.  Mr.  Frogner  kept  the  first  store  at 
Herman,  in  Logan  township.  More  extended  mention  is  made  of  these 
men  in  the  chapter  on  early  settlement  This  first  board  of  commissioners 
met  at  Pomme  de  Terre,  at  Mr.  Sanford's  cabin,  at  the  house  of  Louis 
Baker  in  Herman,  or  other  points  in  the  county  where  the  nature  of  the 
business  to  be  considered  necessitated  their  presence.  For  several  years  be- 
fore the  first  court  house  was  built  the  meetings  of  the  commissioners  were 
held  at  the  home  of  Mr.  Sanford.  At  a  meeting  of  the  board  held  on  Sep- 
tember 2,  1873,  the  county  was  divided  into  three  commissioner  districts. 
District  No.  i  comprised  what  is  now  the  townships  of  Lawrence,  Stony 
Brook,  Pomme  de  Terre  and  Pelican  Lake.  District  No.  2  was  composed 
of  North  Ottawa,  Elbow  Lake,  Sanford,  Erdahl  and  Elk  Lake.  District 
No.  3, included  all  of  what  is  now  Gorton,  Delaware,  Lien,  Logan,  Macsville, 
Roseville  and  Land  townships.     This  arrangement  prevailed  until  July  21,. 


400  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

1883,  when  a  redistricting  was  rendered  necessary  according'to  law,  as  more 
than  eight  hundred  votes  had  been  cast  at  the  last  preceding  election.  The 
board  therefore  ordered  and  determined  that  the  county  should  be 
divided  into  five  commissioner  districts,  as  follow:  District  No.  i,  Pomme 
de  Terre,  Stony  Brook  and  Lawrence  townships;  district  No.  2,  Pelican 
Lake,  Erdahl  and  Elk  Lake  townships;  district  No.  3,  Lien,  Roseville  and 
Land  townships;  district  No.  4,  Sanford,  Elbow  Lake,  North  Ottawa  and 
Delaware  townships;  district  No.  5,  Logan,  Gorton  and  Macsville  town- 
ships. This  re-districting  took  effect  on  January  i,  1884.  A  roster  of  the 
board  of  county  commissioners  since  the  county  was  established  is  as  follows ; 

1873 — Henry  F.  Sanford,  K.  N.  Melby,  S.  S.  Frogner. 

1874 — George  W.  Vaughn,  Coll  McClellan,  Louis  T.  Breen. 

1875— Coll  McClellan,  Louis  T.  Breen,  Iver  G.  Holt. 

1876— Iver  G.  Holt,.E.  A.  Ziebarth,  H.  P.  Hansen. 

1877— H.  P.  Hansen,  Iver  G.  Holt,  John  G.  Peterson. 

1878 — H.  P.  Hansen,  John  G.  Peterson,  Ole  Johnson. 

1879-83 — Ole  Johnson,  John  G.  Peterson,  Gilbert  Gilbertson. 

1884— H.  P.  Hansen,  N.  B.  Ufford,  Even  E.  Bjerke,  Ole  Johnson,  L.  L. 
Tobiason. 

1885-86— H.  P.  Hansen,  N.  B.  Ufford,  Even  E.  Bjerke,  L.  L.  Tobia- 
son, John  C.  Johnson. 

1887 — H.  P.  Hansen,  Even  E.  Bjerke,  John  C.  Johnson,  Frank  AIcNabb, 
Gilbert  T.  Hoff. 

1888— H.  P.  Flansen,  Even  E.  Bjerke,  Frank  McNabb,  Gilbert  T.  Hoff, 
A.  E.   Dybdal. 

1889-90— H.  P.  Hanson,  Frank  McNabb,  Gilbert  T.  Hoff,  A.  E.  Dyb- 
dal, Sven  Auslund. 

1891-92 — H.  P.  Hansen,  Frank  McNabb,  A.  E.  Dybdal,  Sven  Aus- 
lund, Sam  Olson. 

1893-94— H.  P.  Hansen,  Frank  McNabb,  A.  E.  Dybdal.  Sam  Olson, 
M.  F.  Munson. 

1895 — Henr\-  Hendrickson,  Frank  McNabb,  A.  E.  Dybdal,  Knut  K. 
Fuglie,  John  O.  Torgerson. 

1896 — Henrv  Hendrickson.  .\.  E.  Dybdal,  John  O.  Torgerson,  Knut 
K.  Fuglie,  W.  T.  Ziebarth. 

1897-98 — Henr}-  Hendrickson.  Knut  K.  Fuglie,  John  O.  Torgerson,  A. 
E.  Dybdal,  Frank  A.  Ekberg. 

1899-1900 — Henry  Hendrickson,  Knut  K.  Fuglie,  John  O.  Torgerson, 
Frank  A.  Ekberg,  Warren  Polar. 


POMME  DE  TERRE  LAKE,  NEAR  ELBOW  LAKE. 


DOUGLAS    AN1>    GRAXT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  4OI 

1901-02 — Edward  Mobraaten,  Knut  K.  Fuglie,  R.  Johnson,  John  O. 
Torgerson,  W.  T.  Ziebarth. 

1903-04 — Edward  Alobraaten,  Knut  K.  Fughe,  R.  Johnson,  Louis 
Fagerberg,  W.  T.  Ziebarth. 

1905-06— Ole  L.  Kaasa.  Knut  K.  Fughe,  Anton  HeUand,  Louis  Fager- 
berg, W.  T.  Ziebarth. 

1907-08  —M.  L.  Adams,  E.  F.  Malmgren,  Anton  Hehand,  Louis 
Fagerberg,  O.  W.  Jones. 

1909-10 — M.  L.  Adams,  E.  F.  Malmgren,  Anton  Helland,  Louis 
Fagerberg,  O.  W.  Jones. 

1911-12 — M.  L.  Adams,  E.  F.  Malmgren,  Anton  Helland,  M.  C. 
Aanerud,  O.  W.  Jones. 

1913-14 — M.  L.  .Adams,  E.  F.  Malmgren.  X.  J.  Endreson,  M.  C. 
Aanerud,  O.  W.  Jones. 

1915-16 — M.  L.  Adams,  O.  C.  Thomson,  N.  J.  Endreson,  M.  C. 
Aanerud,  O.  W.  Jones. 

AUDITORS. 

The  first  auditor  of  Grant  county  was  R.  S.  Talbot,  who  was  appointed 
by  the  county  commissioners  on  April  12,  1873,  and  was  subsequently  elected 
to  that  office  and  served  one  year.  Mr.  Talbot  lived  in  Logan  township, 
but  during  the  early  part  of  his  term  went  about  the  different  settlements 
in  the  county  with  all  the  official  records  in  his  pockets.  On  September  3, 
1873,  his  salary  was  fixed  b)-  the  lx)ard  at  three  hundred  dollars— then  the 
highest  salary  in  the  county.  Henry  F.  Sanford,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Tal- 
bot as  auditor,  was  a  wonderfully  fine  penman,  and  his  records  as  auditor 
and  clerk  of  the  county  board  are  models  of  neatness. 

A  list  of  the  auditors  of  Grant  count}',  with  the  years  of  their  service, 
is  as  follows:  R.  S.  Talbot,  1873-75;  Henry  F.  Sanford,  1875-78;  H.  A. 
Langlie,  1878-80;  John  Ohlsson,  1880-87;  Henry  F.  Sanford,  1887-91;  T. 
E.  Dybdal,  1891-99;  P.  H.  Clague,  1899-1903;  J.  S.  Arneson,  1903-07;  O. 
E.  Wold,   1907-15;  C.  M.  Nelson.   1915.     Term  expires  in  1919. 

TREASURERS. 

During  the  fortv-three  years  that  Grant  county  has  been  organized  there 
have  been  but  four  county  treasurers.     Ole  W.  Olson  was  appointed  treas- 
urer at  the  first  meeting  of  the  county  board.     He  was  a  farmer  of   Elk 
(26) 


402  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Lake  township,  and  it  is  said  that  he  kept  the  county's  cash  and  securities 
in  an  unlocked  box  in  his  cabin.  In  1875  Treasurer  Olson  presented  a 
bill  for  office  rent  for  fifteen  dollars  but  the  commissioners  allowed  him  only 
ten.  In  1882  a  bank  at  Herman,  conducted  by  C.  F.  Washburn,  offered 
to  pay  four  per  cent  per  annum  on  monthly  balances  for  county  funds 
deposited  there.  A  considerable  deposit  was  made  there,  but  in  1883  the 
bank  became  insolvent  and  the  county  brought  action  against  the  bank  to 
recover  the  money.  While  the  case  was  pending,  W.  D.  Washburn,  an 
uncle  of  the  banker  involved,  paid  the  county  the  amount  due,  some  twenty- 
eight  hundred  dollars,  and  the  case  never  came  to  trial.  The  countv  has 
never  lost  a  dollar  through  any  of  its  depositories. 

The  county  treasurers  have  been  as  follows:  Ole  W.  Olson,  1873-82; 
Ole  O.  Canestorp,  1882-89:  Lars  Lynne,  1889-1911;  E.  A.  Dybdal,  1911, 
present  term  expires  in  1919. 

REGISTER    OF    DEEDS. 

The  first  register  of  deeds  of  Grant  county  was  Ole  Larson,  who  at 
first  maintained  his  office  at  his  house  on  his  farm  in  Pelican  Lake  township. 
Mr.  Larson  had  had  some  business  experience  and  started  the  early  records 
in  a  careful  and  systematic  manner. 

A  list  of  the  registers  of  deeds  is  as  follows:  Ole  Larson,  1873-77; 
John  Ohlsson,  1877-80;  James  E.  Williams,  1880-82;  Frank  Forstein, 
1882-87;  John  K.  Lee,  1887-95;  A.  H.  Ring,  1895-97;  H.  J.  Bollum,  1897- 
1903 ;  Frank  Heald,  1903,  present  term  expires  in  1919. 

SHERIFFS. 

It  was  with  some  difficulty  that  the  county  board  induced  any  one  to 
accept  the  office  of  sheriff  on  the  organization  of  the  county.  The  duties 
of  that  office  were  very  light  and  the  pay  correspondingly  small.  E.  M. 
Heald  was  the  first  man  appointed  and  served  with  frequent  re'signations 
for  several  vears.  In  1876  H.  P.  Hansen  was  elected  but  refused  to  qualify. 
Then  Ole  O.  Canestorp  was  appointed  but  declined  the  office,  and  it  was 
offered  to  Jacob  Talseth  with  the  same  result.  Then  E.  .\.  Ziebarth  was 
appointed,  and  since  that  time  the  sheriff  has  been  regularly  elected. 

The  sheriffs  of  Grant  county  have  been  as  follow :  E.  M.  Heald, 
1873-76;   E.   A.    Ziebarth,    1876-77;   Ole   D.    Bartness.    1877-79;    Hans   P. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  403 

Hansen,  1879-83;  J.  T.  Lindem,  1883-91:  E.  N.  Nash,  1891-1902;  W.  B. 
Caldwell,  1902-03;  Alfred  Thompson,  1903-11;  Oscar  H.  Hanson,  191 1, 
present  term  expires  in  1919. 

COUNTY  ATTORNEYS. 

At  their  first  meeting  the  commissioners  appointed  N.  0.  Puntches  as 
county  attornex-.  :\Ir.  Puntches  was  then  keeping  a  store  at  Pomme  de 
Terre.  He  was  a  shrewd  business  man,  but  was  not  a  lawyer,  and  it  is  said 
that  his  ignorance  of  the  law  sometimes  led  him  into  amusing  and  embar- 
rassing situations.  On  January  4,  1876,  G.  .A.  J.  Overton  was  employed 
by  the  board  to  give  them  legal  advice  during  that  session.  On  April  4, 
1877,  Knute  Xelson  was  employed  as  county  attorney,  to  be  paid  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  dollars  for  his  sefvices  that  year.  As  nearly  as  can  be 
determined  from  the  records  of  the  county  commissioners,  E.  S.  Rolfe  was 
the  first  resident  attorney  who  held  the  office,  beginning  in  1878  for  a 
salary  of  one  hundred  dollars  for  whatever  service  the  board  might  require. 
This  amount  was  raised  to  two  hundred  dollars  the  next  year. 

The  county  attorneys  have  been  as  follow:  N.  Q.  Puntches,  1 873-75 
duties  attended  to  b}-  some  one  employed  by  the  commissioners.  1875-78 
E.  .  Rolfe,  1878-S1:  T.  W.  Reynolds,  1881-83;  C.  M.  Stevens,  1883-87 
George  Ketcham,  1887-91:  E.  J.  Scofield,  1891-95;  Michael  Casey,  1895-99 
E.  J.  Scofield,  1899-1909:  Xels  J.  Bothne,  1909-13;  R.  J.  Stromme,  1913, 
present  term  expires  in  1919. 

JUDGES  OF    PROBATE. 

Ole  Thompson  Ring  was  the  first  judge  of  the  prolaate  court  for  grant 
county,  appointed  by  the  commissioners  on  April  12,  1873.  He  was  a 
farmer  in  Elk  Lake  township  and  attended  to  the  duties  of  his  office  at  his 
residence.  The  next  incumbent  in  this  position,  Ole  O.  Canestorp,  made  it 
his  practice  to  come  to  the  court  house  in  Elbow  Lake  on  the  first  Monday 
in  each  month  to  care  for  whate\'er  business  had  accumulated.  J.  S.  Arneson 
served  by  appointment. 

A  list  of  the  judges  of  probate  is  here  given,  as  follow  :  Ole  T.  Ring, 
1873-78;  Ole  O.  Canestorp,  1878-82:  Andrew  Eriandson,  1882-87;  Louis 
O.  Foss,  1887-97;  A.  O.  Ofsthun,  1897-1901  ;  J.  S.  Arneson,  1901-03:  W. 
H.  Goetzinger,  1903,  present  term  expires  in  1917. 


404  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

SURVEYORS. 

The  first  county  surveyor  was  John  Ohlsson,  appointed  by  the  com- 
missioners in  1873.  At  that  time  Mr.  Ohlsson  Hved  in  Mascville  township. 
He  had  been  a  sea  captain  before  immigrating  to  .\merica,  and  had  received 
a  very  thorough  school  in  navigation  and  surveying. 

The  county  surveyors  have  been  as  follow:  John  Ohlsson,  1873-78; 
Per  Erlandson,  1878-82;  Hugh  Spence,  1882,  resigned  after  a  few  months; 
Per  Erlandson,  1882-87;  H.  J.  Bollum,  1887-97;  M.  H.  Palmer,  1897-99; 
C.  G.  Gustafson,  1899-1905;  Per  Erlandson,  1905-11 :  H.  J.  Bollum,  1911, 
present  term  expires  in  1919. 

CORONERS. 

Hans  Hanson,  the  first  coroner  of  Grant  county,  was  a  farmer  living  in 
Stony  Brook  township.  Neither  was  the  second  coroner,  L.  M.  Phinney,  a 
physician.  Grant  county,  however,  began  earlier  than  some  other  counties 
to  elect  a  physician  to  the  office  of  coroner. 

A  complete  list  of  those  who  have  held  this  office  is  as  follows:  Hans 
Hanson,  1873-77;  L.  M.  Phinney,  1877-80;  Dr.  James  M.  Tucker,  1880-83 
Dr.  William  D.  Holden,  1883-85;  L.  M.  Phinney,  1885-93;  C.  W.  Bigarel 
1893-97;  Dr.  P.  G.  Cowing,  1897-99;  Dr.  C.  E.  Caine,  1899,  resigned:  Dr 
A.  D.  Larson,  1899-1903;  Dr.  J.  O.  Sackett,  1903-05;  Dr.  C.  B.  Heimark 
1905-06;  Dr.  F.  W.  Powers,  1906-07;  Dr.  W.  R.  Hand,  1907-09:  Dr.  J 
M.  Thayer,  1909-11 ;  Dr.  F.  W.  Powers,  1911-13;  Dr.  John  T.  Leland 
1913,  present  term  expires  in  1919. 

CLERKS  OF   THE   COURT. 

Prior  to  1883  Grant  county  was  attached  to  Douglas  county  for  judicial 
purposes  and  the  clerk  of  the  district  court  at  Alexandria  performed  what- 
ever services  were  necessarv.  The  clerks  who  thus  attended  to  the  duties 
for  Grant  county  were  James  Purden,  W.  E.  Chidester  and  H.  K.  White. 
In  March,  1883,  J.  E.  Williams  was  apix)inted  as  the  first  resident  clerk  of 
the  district  court  for  Grant  county. 

The  list  of  clerks  of  the  court  is  as  follow:  J.  E.  Williams.  1883-87; 
Lars  J.  Hague,  1887-97;  P.  P.  Larson,  1897-1901  :  L.  C.  Johnson,  1901, 
present  term  expires  in  191 7. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  4O5 


COURT    COMMISSIONERS. 

As  provided  in  the  state  constitution  the  court  commissioner  has  judicial 
power  and  jurisdiction  not  exceeding  the  power  and  jurisdiction  of  a  judge 
of  the  district  court.  The  first  court  commissioner  in  Grant  county  was  Hale 
H.  Cook,  who  was  appointed  in  1883.  Mr.  Cook  had  immigrated  from  Eng- 
land and  was-  a  farmer  in  Pomme  de  Terre  township.  The  second  court 
commissioner,  A.  C.  Belyea,  while  not  a  lawyer,  knew  considerable  about 
law  as  he  had  worked  in  a  lawyer's  office  in  Herman. 

The  court  commissioners  have  been  as  follow:  Hale  H.  Cook, 
1883-87;  A.  C.  Belyea,  1887-91;  Thomas  Casey,  1891-95;  G.  T.  Hagen, 
1895-99;  Henry  Sampson,   1899,  present  term  expires  in   19 19. 

SUPERINTENDENTS   OF   SCHOOLS. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  they  appointed 
Josiah  Smith  as  superintendent  of  schools.  There  is  no  record  that  Mr. 
Smith  ever  qualified  for  the  office  or  served  as  superintendent.  On  January 
6,  1874,  the  commissioners  accepted  the  resignation  of  O.  W.  Olson,  super- 
intendent of  schools,  and  allowed  him  fifty  dollars  for  his  services,  though 
there  is  no  previous  mention  of  his  appointment.  When  Mr.  Olson  resigned 
Coll  McClellan  was  appointed  and  served  two  years.  During  the 
early  years  the  salary  of  the  superintendent  was  too  small  to  induce  any- 
one to  devote  all  his  time  to  the  office  and  there  were  frequent  resignations 
and  appointments.  It  was  not  until  1882,  when  Mr.  Hodgson  was  superin- 
tendent, that  the  board  agreed  to  pay  five  hundred  dollars  if  he  would  devote 
all  his  time  to  office  during  the  school  term. 

The  superintendents  have  been  as  follow:  O.  W.  Olson,  1873-74;  Coll 
McClellan,  1874-76;  John  W.  Gould,  1876-77;  Thomas  C.  Hodgson, 
1877-78;  H.  G.  Lillemon,  1878-79:  E.  S.  Rolfe,  1879-80;  Thomas  C.  Hodg- 
son, 1880-89;  J.  A.  Abrahamson,  1889-91;  Mrs.  John  O.  Sauby,  1891-93; 
W.  H.  Townsend,  1893-95;  Knut  T.  Dahlen,  1895-1901 ;  George  L.  Wood- 
worth,  1901-07;  R.  J.  Stromme,  1907-13;  Blanche  L.  Brennin,  1913,  present 
term  expires  in  1919. 

GRANT    COUNTY    IN    THE   LEGI.SLATURE. 

Under  the  apportionemnt  of  1871  the  state  was  divided  into  forty-one 
senatorial  districts,  and  Grant  county  was  assigned  to  the  thirty-ninth,  along 


406  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

with  Douglas,  Pope,  Stevens,  Big  Stone  and  Lake  counties.  This  district 
was  entitled  to  one  senator  and  two  representatives.  At  the  ensuing  sessions 
Grant  county  has  been  represented  as  follows: 

Fourteenth  Legislature — 1872.  Ole  Peterson  was  in  the  senate,  F. 
B.  Van  Hoesen  and  G.  W.  Rockwell  were  in  the  house. 

Fifteenth  Legislature — 1873.  J-  G.  Whitteniore  was  in  the  senate; 
Warren  Adley  and  Henry  Foss  were  in  the  house. 

Sixteenth  Legislature — 1874.  J.  G.  Whitteniore  was  in  the  senate; 
Warren  Adley  and  Henry  Foss  were  in  the  senate. . 

Seventeenth  Legislature — 1875.  Knute  Nelson  was  in  the  senate;  War- 
tin  Stow  and  J.  G.  Whitteniore  were  in  the  house. 

Eighteenth  Legislature — 1876.  Knute  Nelson  was  in  the  senate;  Martin 
Stowe  and  J.  D.  Good  were  in  the  house. 

Nineteenth  Legislature — 1877.  Knute  ,  Nelson  was  in  the  senate; 
Michael  A.  Wollan  and  Ole  Amundson  were  in  the  house. 

Twentieth  Legislature — 1878.  Knute  Nelson  was  in  the  senate;  John  B. 
Cowing  and  H.  W.  Stone  were  in  the  house. 

Twenty-first  Legislature — 1879.  A.  A.  Brown  was  in  the  senate;  John 
B.  Cowing  and  Ole  N.  Barsness  were  in  the  house. 

Twenty-second  Legislature — 1881.  L.  K.  Aaker  was  in  the  senate;  C. 
F.  Washburn  and  F.  B.  Van  Hoesen  were  in  the  house. 

APPORTIONMENT   OF    1881. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1881  the  state  was  divided  into  forty-seven 
senatorial  districts,  and  Grant  county  was  assigned  to  the  forty-second, 
along  with  Big  Stone,  Stevens  and  Traverse.  This  district  was  entitled 
to  one  senator  and  one  representative. 

Twenty-third  Legislature — 1883.  C.  F.  Washburn  was  in  the  senate; 
H.  H.  Wells  was  in  the  house. 

Twenty-fourth  Legislature — 1885.  H.  H.  Wells  was  in  the  senate; 
George  L  Becker  was  in  the  house. 

Twenty-fifth  Legislature — 1887.  D.  W.  Hixon  was  in  the  senate;  R. 
A.  Costello  was  in  the  house. 

Twenty-sixth  Legislature — 1889.  D.  W.  Hixon  was  in  the  senate; 
Amasa  S.  Crossfield  was  in  the  house. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  407 

APPORTIONMENT  OF    1889. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1889  the  state  was  divided  into  fifty-four 
senatorial  districts,  and  Grant  county  was  assigned  to  the  forty-ninth,  along 
with  Big  Stone,  Stevens  and  Traverse.  This  district  was  entitled  to  one  sena- 
tor and  two  representatives. 

Twenty-sevtnth  Legislature — 189 1.  Ole  O.  Canestorp  was  in  the  sen- 
ate; Alfred  Setterlund  and  H.  C.  Lyman  were  in  the  house. 

Twenty-eighth  Legislature — 1893.  Ole  O.  Canestorp  was  in  the  senate; 
Andrew  Peterson  and  D.  P.  O'Neill  were  in  the  house. 

Twenty-ninth  Legislature — 1895.  Edwin  J.  Jones  was  in  the  senate; 
J.  M.  Finney  and  Louis  O.  Foss  were  in  the  house. 

Thirteenth  Legislature — 1897.  Edwin  J.  Jones  was  in  the  senate;  Louis 
O.  Foss  and  J.  M.  Finney  were  in  the  house. 

APPORTIONMENT    OF    1897. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  1897  the  state  was  divided  into  sixty-three 
senatorial  districts,  and  Grant  county  was  assigned  to  the  fifty-seventh  dis- 
trict, along  with  the  Traverse  and  Stevens.  This  district  was  entitled  to 
one  senator  and  two  representatives. 

Thirty-first  Legislature — 1899.  Edwin  J.  Jones  was  in  the  senate; 
Louis  O.  Foss  and  Jacob  T.  Schain  were  in  the  house. 

Thirty-second  Legislature — 1901.  Edwin  J.  Jones  was  in  the  senate; 
Henry   K.    Nelson  and   Herman  Hillmond   were   in  the   house. 

Thirty-third  Legislature — 1903.  Jacob  T.  Schain  was  in  the  senate; 
H.  Ward  Stone  and  A.  D.  Larson  were  in  the  house. 

Thirty-fourth  Legislature — 1905.  Jacob  T.  Schain  was  in  the  senate ; 
H.  Ward  Stone  and  A.  D.  Larson  were  in  the  house. 

Thirty-fifth  Legislature — 1907.  Ole  O.  Canestorp  was  in  the  senate; 
Lewis  C.  Spooner  and  William  C.  Bicknell  were  in  the  house. 

Thirty-sixth  Legislature — 1909.  Ole  O.  Canestorp  was  in  the  senate; 
Lewis  C.  Spooner  and  William  C.  Bicknell  were  in  the  house. 

Thirty-seventh  Legislature — 191 1.  Edward  Rustad  was  in  the  senate; 
L.  C.  Spooner  and  J.  E.  Peterson  were  in  the  house. 

Thirty-eighth  Legislature — 1913.  Edward  Rustad  was  in  the  senate; 
L.  C.  Spooner  and  Carl  P.  Carlson  were  in  the  house. 


408  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


APPORTIONMENT    OF    I913. 

Under  the  apportionment  of  191 3  the  state  was  divided  into  sixty-seven 
senatorial  districts,  and  Grant  county  was  assigned  to  the  forty-eighth,  along 
with  Stevens,  Traverse  and  Big  Stone.  This  district  was  entitled  to  one 
senator  from  the  district  and  one  representative  from  each  county. 

Thirty-ninth  Legislature — 1915.  Edward  Rustad  was  in  the  senate; 
Ole  A.  Pikop  (Grant  county),  Lewis  C.  Spooner,  Sam  Y.  Gordon  and  J. 
H.  Erickson  were  in  the  house. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Township  Organization. 

Grant  county  is  subdivided  into  sixteen  civil  townships,  which  coincide 
in  each  case  with  the  si.xteen  congressional  townships  embraced  in  the 
county.  The  requirements  for  township  organization  are  prescribed  bv  law 
and  depend  principally  upon  the  number  of  inhabitants  and  legal  voters 
residing  in  the  township  desiring  to  be  established.  Some  of  the  townships 
in  Grant  county  were  not  organized  until  some  time  after  they  had  acquired 
a  sufficient  number  of  electors,  but  they  had  a  satisfactory  government  bv 
being  attached  to  other  townships  or  were  content  with  the  election  precinct 
representation.  The  first  township  to  be  organized  was  Lien,  in  1874.  and 
the  last  was  North  Ottawa,  in  1882. 

LIEN    TOWNSHIP. 

On  July  28,  1874,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county  com- 
missioners by  Ole  D.  Bartness,  signed  by  sixteen  legal  voters  of  congres- 
sional township  128,  range  42,  praying  that  the  township  be  organized  and 
named  "Franklin."  This  petition  was  signed  by  Ole  D.  Bartness,  John 
G.  Peterson,  Halvor  J.  Eide,  Mons  A.  Hesjedahl,  Per  Erlandson,  P.  A. 
Moller,  Olof  Cederberg,  William  Erlandson,  M.  Anderson,  O.  Mel- 
berg,  Nils  Person,  K.  O.  Bukke,  Tolef  Nelson,  Ole  E.  Lien  and  M.  L. 
Vig.  The  petition  was  granted,  but  the  state  auditor  informed  the  com- 
missioners that  there  already  was  a  township  named  "Franklin,"'  and  it 
became  necessary  to  select  some  other  name.  The  name  "Anderson"  was 
suggested,  in  honor  of  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  township,  but  a 
greater  number  seemed  to  favor  the  name  "Lien,"  in  honor  of  Ole  E.  Lien, 
who  located  here  in  1867  or  1868,  so  the  township  was  given  that  name. 

The  first  election  in  Lien  township  was  held  on  March  9,  1875,  when 
the  following  officers  were  elected:  Ole  D.  Bartness,  clerk;  M.  Anderson, 
treasurer;  K.  O.  Bukke,  assessor;  A.  Holen  and  O.  Mostad,  justices;  O. 
Burt  and  E.  Anderson,  constables;  John  G.  Peterson,  P.  A.  Moller  and  Ole 
E.  Lien,  supervisors. 

The  officers  of  Lien  township  in    1916  are  as   follows:    .Helmer   Lar- 


4IO  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

son,  clerk;  E.  J.  Newman,  treasurer;  J.  J.  Leraas,  assessor;  Erick  E.  Huset. 
Iver  Stamnes  and  Swen  Mattson,  supervisors. 

LOGAN    TOWNSHIP. 

Logan  township  was  organized  on  July  29,  1874,  when  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners  by  Louis  T.  Breen,  signed 
by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  in  congressional  township  127,  range  44, 
praying  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named  "Herman."  The  peti- 
tion was  signed  by  Louis  T.  Breen,  A.  C.  Earsley,  P.  A.  Lamarche,  Andrias 
Larson,  G.  Johnson,  H.  Prydz,  H.  W.  Simons,  William  J.  Brown,  L.  Baker, 
Louis  Taneru,  Ole  Taneru,  C.  Pullman,  P.  Clague,  E.  A.  Ziebarth  and  O. 
Westin.  The  petition  was  granted,  but  upon  learning  that  the  name  "Her- 
man" had  been  applied  to  another  township  in  the  state  the  commissioners 
chose  the  name  "Logan,"  in  honor  of  Gen.  John  A.  Logan. 

The  township  of  Logan  failed  to  hold  a  meeting  and  elect  officers  as 
ordered  by  the  board,  so  on  January  5,  1876,  the  county  commissioners 
appointed  the  following  officers :  Hans  Prydz,  clerk ;  E.  A.  Ziebarth,  treas- 
urer; John  Ohlsson,  assessor;  William  Brown  and  John  Galvin,  justices; 
John  Johnson  and  Charles  Taneru,  constables;  E.  A.  Ziebarth,  overseer  of 
highways;  E.  A.  Ziebarth,  S.  S.  Frogner  and  John  Ohlsson,  supervisors. 

The  officers  of  Logan  township  in  1916  are  as  follow:  H.  N.  Erfert, 
clerk;  E.  J.  Drexler,  treasurer;  G.  H.  Mumm,  assessor;  Louis  Lentfer,  John 
Davis  and  JNI.  Steger,  supervisors. 

ELK    LAKE    TOWNSHIP. 

On  January  4,  1876,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county 
commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional 
township  128,  range  41,  requesting  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named 
"Elk  Lake."  The  petition  was  granted,  and  the  name  given  was  that  of  a 
lake  in  the  township.  The  original  petition  cannot  be  found  among  the 
township  records  in  the  auditor's  office,  but  it  is  known  that  some  of  the 
signers  were :  Ole  Gudmunson,  Halvor  Anderson,  William  Olson,  Even  E. 
Bjerke,  Ole  Anderson,  B.  Benson,  Ole  T.  Ring,  Sam  Olson,  Kittel  Johnson. 
James  Sethney,  A.  Hubred  and  Bernt  Swenson. 

The  first  election  was  held  at  the  school  house  in  Elk  Lake  township 
on  March  14,  1876,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Sam  Olson, 
clerk:  Anton  Hubred,  treasurer:  C.  Pederson,  assessor;  James  Sethnev  and 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  4I  [ 

August  Ostenson,  justices;  Syvert  Ellingson  and  Hans  Ostenson,  constables: 
Ole  Thompson,  pound  master;  Ole  Anderson  and  Bernt  Swenson,  road 
overseers;  Peder  P.  Gran,  Ole  Torstenson  and  Iver  Johnson,  supervisors. 

The  officers  in  Elk  Lake  township  in  1916  are  as  follow:  O.  M. 
Hubred,  clerk;  O.  W.  Olson,  treasurer;  E.  M.  Thompson,  assessor;  Elling 
Ellingson,  O.  J-  Bjerke  and  A.  H.  Anderson,  supervisors. 

PELICAN    LAKE    TOWNSHIP. 

On  Januar}-  4,  1876,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  county  board  by 
Iver  G.  Holt,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional  town- 
ship 130,  range  41,  asking  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named  "Peli- 
can Lake."  The  petition  was  granted,  and  the  township  named  for  a  lake 
which  covers  some  seven  sections  within  its  boundaries,  which  lake  was 
noted  for  the  large  flocks  of  pelicans  found  there  in  the  early  days.  Some 
of  those  who  signed  the  petition  were :  Joseph  A.  Pennock,  Iver  G.  Holt. 
K.  N.  Melby,  Ole  Gulickson,  Charles  Phinney,  L.  M.  Phinney,  John  New- 
man, Thomas  Gulickson,  I'eter  Sorkness,  Martin  Jacobson,  Jacob  Halstead, 
John  Stene,  Hans  Kjorven  and  Gunder  Wold. 

The  first  election  in  Pelican  Lake  township  was  held  on  March  14, 
1876,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Charles  Phinney,  clerk; 
John  Stene,  treasurer ;  Joseph  A.  Pennock,  assessor ;  John  Houston  and 
Lewis  Tobiason,  justices;  Jacob  Halstead  and  Iver  A.  Holt,  constables; 
Peter  Peterson, -road  overseer;  L.  M.  Phinney,  K.  N.  Melby  and  John 'New- 
man, supervisors. 

The  officers  in  Pelican  Lake  township  in  1916  are  as  follows:  Andrew 
Olson,  clerk;  E.  K.  Heisberg,  treasurer;  Charles  Mickelson,  assessor;  W. 
F.  Wohlers,  C.  J.  Stene  and  Anton  Sumstad,  supervisors. 

ELBOW    LAKE   TOWNSHIP. 

Elbow  Lake  township  was  organized  on  April  3,  1877,  when  a  petition 
was  presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority 
of  the  legal  voters  of  township  129,  range  43,  praying  that  the  township 
be  organized  and  ^named  "Elbow  Lake."  The  petition  was  granted,  and 
the  township  named  for  a  lake  nearby.  Some  of  those  who  signed  the  peti- 
tion were:  J.  N.  Sanford,  Ole  O.  Canestorp,  H.  P.  Hansen,  Erick  Norgaard, 
Andrew  Norgaard.  Ole  H.  Sand,  Torger  Ostenson,  Tiedeman  H.  Burt- 
ness.  Anders  O.  Pikop  and  A.  I.  Haugen.     At  the  time  of  organization  San- 


412  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ford  and  North  Ottawa  township  were  attached  to  Elbow  Lake  township. 

The  first  township  election  was  held  on  April  20,  1877,  at  the  house 
of  Ole  O.  Canestorp.  when  the  following  officers  were  elected:  Ole  O. 
Canestorp,  clerk;  Ole  H.  Sand,  treasurer;  H.  P.  Hansen,'  road  overseer; 
Henry  F.  Sanford,  justice ;  Helge  H.  Ramstad,  constable ;  Ole  O.  Canestorp, 
assessor;  J.  N.  Sanford,  Even  Jorgenson  and  T.  H.  Burtness,  supervisors. 

The  officers  in  Ellx)w  Lake  township  in  1916  are  as  follow:  Albert 
O.  Halverson,  clerk;  A.  L  Haugen,  treasurer  and, assessor ;  John  H.  Eergu- 
son,  Torger  Mobraaten  and  Olaus  A.  Pikop,  supervisors. 

POMME   DE   TERRE   TOWNSHIP. 

On  July  17,  1877,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county  com- 
missioners, signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional  town- 
ship 130,  range  42,  praying  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named 
"Pomme  de  Terre."  The  petition  was  granted,  and  the  township  was 
named  for  a  lake  nearby,  which  title  is  a  Erench  phrase  meaning  "fruit  of 
the  earth."  The  signers  of  the  petition  were:  Ole  Johnson  Lene,  Ole 
Sornson,  J.  E.  Rolfson,  Nels  B.  Brakke,  Timothy  Heald,  O.  Williams. 
Thomas  E.  Midbon,  A'aron  Heald,  Haivor  O.  Midbon,  H.  A.  Langlie, 
Swend  Olson,  Lage  Johnson,  C.  W.  Briggs,  George  W.  Vaughan,  John 
S.  Vaughan,  John  Scott,  Jens  Adriansen  and  N.  O.  Puntches. 

At  the  first  regular  election,  held  on  March  12,  1878,  the  following 
officers  were  elected:  H.  A.  Langlie,  clerk;  Lage  Johnson,  treasurer;  Aaron 
Heald,  assessor;  J.  E.  Rolfson  and  Ole  Johnson,  justices;  Haivor  Mikkel- 
son  and  Haivor  Olson,  constables;  Russell  Briggs  and  Haivor  Mikkelson, 
overseers  of  highways;  Tver  Rolfson,  Russell  Briggs  and  John  S.  Vaughan, 
supervisors. 

The  officers  of  Pomme  de  Terre  township  in  1916  are  as  follow:  G. 
C.  Paulson,  clerk;  Jacob  Woessner,  treasurer:  G.  G.  Woldtwedt,  assessor; 
H.  E.  Hellickson,  William  Woessner  and  T.   G.  Thompson,  supervisors. 

ERDAHL   TOWNSHIP. 

Erdahl  township  was  organized  on  July  30,  1877,  when  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority  of 
the  legal  voters  of  congressional  township  129,  range  41,  praying  that  the 
township  be  organized  and  named  "Erdahl."  The  petition  was  granted,  and 
the  township  named  in  remembrance  of  a  district  in  Norway,   from  which 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  4I3 

some  of  the  early  settlers  had  come.  The  petition  was  signed  by  Gilbert 
Gilbertson,  Alikkel  O.  Lien.  Ole  Nilson.  Martin  O.  Boe,  Ole  A.  Boe,  Peder 
Alvstad,  Thore  Jensen,  H.  D.  Downen,  Erik  Nilson,  Carl  Nilson,  Nils  A. 
Lee,  Jacob  Olson,  Nils  Olsen  and  Knut  A.  Lien. 

The  commissioners  ordered  that  the  first  meeting  should  be  held  on 
August  18,  1877,  at  the  school  house  in  district  No.  6.  The  list  of  officers 
elected  cannot  now  be  found,  but  it  is  known  that  Gilbert  Gilbertson  was  the 
first  clerk. 

The  officers  of  Erdahl  towmship  in  igi6  are  as  follows:  A.  \'.  Malm- 
gren,  clerk;  A.  O.  Bah,  treasurer;  Gilbert  Hanson,  assessor;  IMartin  X'.  Lee, 
J.  P.  Frykman  and  Otto  Kuchenbecker,  supervisors. 

STONY   BROOK   TOWNSHIP. 

On  July  30,  1877,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county 
commissioners  by  H.  G.  Lillemon,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters 
of  congressional  township  130,  range  43,  asking  that  the  township  be  organ- 
ized and  named  "Stony  Brook."  The  petition  was  granted.  Those  who 
signed  the  petition  were :  Knut  Olson,  Jens  Erickson,  Peder  Gulbranson, 
Tosten  K.  Dahlen,  Kittel  A.  Sattra,  Reier  G.  Baasen,  Hans  P.  Heijer,  C. 
O.  Kolle,  Christian  Johnson,  Anders  Kjorven,  H.  G.  Lillemon,  Nils  N. 
Brevig,  Sr.,  Nils  N.  Brevig,  Jr.,  Alartinus  Larson,  Engebret  Knudtson, 
John  K.  Folken  and  Ole  Knudtson. 

The  first  election  in  Stony  Brook  township  was  held  on  March  12,  1878, 
when  the  following  officers  were  elected :  H.  G.  Lillemon,  clerk ;  H.  H. 
Haavig,  treasurer  and  assessor;  H.  G.  Lillemon  and  H.  Albertson,  justices; 
C.  O.  Kolle  and  Nils  N.  Brevig,  constables;  S.  S.  Skinnemoen,  road  over- 
seer and  pound  master;  H.  Albertson,  Tosten  K.  Dahlen  and  P.  Gulbran- 
son, supervisors. 

The  officers  of  Stony  Brook  township  in  1916  are  as  follow:  H.  T. 
Haavig,  clerk ;  H.  K.  Vigen,  treasurer ;  I.  E.  Kolle,  assessor ;  Ole  C.  Rustand, 
Ole  Asleson  and  Gilbert  J.  Pletan,  supervisors. 

LAND    TOWNSHIP. 

Land  township  was  organized  on  March  6,  1878,  when  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners  by  Erik  Olson,  signed  b\ 
a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional  township  127,  range  41,  ask- 
ing   that    the    township    be    organized    and    named    "Land."'     The    petition 


414  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,,    MINNESOTA. 

was  granted,  and  the  township  named  for  the  town  of  Land,  Wisconsin, 
from  when  some  of  the  early  settlers  had  come.  Some  of  the  signers  of 
the  petition  were :  Erik  Olson,  Lars  O.  Studlien,  Ole  Erikson,  Sven  Aus- 
lund,  John  F.  Linden,  Hans  Helland,  A.  D.  Auslund,  and  Christian  Peder- 
son. 

The  first  township  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Lars  O.  Studlien,  on 
March  26,  1878.  The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Sven  Auslund  and 
Erik  Olson  was  chosen  moderator,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected : 
Anton  L.  Studlien,  clerk ;  John  L.  Studlien,  treasurer ;  John  T.  Linden, 
assessor;  Sven  Auslund  and  Hans  Helland,  justices;  Ole  Clarquist  and  G.  P. 
Eklof ,  constables ;  Ole  Erikson  and  A.  D.  Ausland,  road  overseers ;  Erik 
Olson,  Christian  Pederson  and  A.  D.  Auslund.  supervisors. 

The  officers  of  Land  township  in  1916  are  as  follows:  Peter  Randin, 
clerk ;  John  Johnson,  treasurer ;  Theodore  Lindquist,  assessor ;  Tom  Joranger, 
J.  C.  Urbatch  and  Paul  Westberg,  supervisors. 

ROSEVILLE   TOWNSHIP. 

Roseville  township  was  organized  on  July  24,  1878,  when  a  petition 
was  presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners  by  L.  H.  Patchen,  signed 
by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional  township  127,  range  42, 
asking  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named  "Roseville."  The  peti- 
tion was  granted.  This  petition,  which  had  been  circulated  for  several 
months  through  tire  -township,  bore  the  following  signatures :  Joe  Sherer, 
Theodore  Shauer,  John  Brennin,  John  P.  Xolander,  Charles  A.  Haskins, 
Charles  \Verk,  Ludvik  Korner,  S.  N.  Lerum,  John  T.  Linden:,  Ole  Halvor- 
son,  H.  O.  Hanson,  John  H.  Kroke,  Peter  F.  McCoUor,  Roderick  O'Dowd, 
L.  H.  Patchen,  C.  \V.  Gifford,  H.  J.  BoUum,  Ferd  Clark,  Henry  Bundy, 
Albert  Boerner,  John  Buckman,  William  Boerner,  Henry  Boerner,  Peter 
Samuel,  J.  H.  Deveney,  August  Endreson  and  Hans  Endreson. 

The  first  township  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  T.  Lindem, 
on  August  14,  1878,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected:  John  T. 
Lindem,  clerk;  H.  J.  Bollum,  treasurer:  Theodore  Shauer,  assessor;  C.  W. 
Gifford  and  Albert  Boerner,  justices;  Syver  Erickson  and  H.  O.  Hanson, 
constables;  John  Boerner  and  Carl  Anderson,  road  overseers;  L.  H.  Patchen, 
August  Endreson  and  Henry  Boerner,  supervisors. 

The  officers  of  Roseville  township  in  1916  are  as  follows:  Alfred  Nel- 
son, clerk;  ^^^illard  Kreidler,  treasurer;  A.  T.  Lindem,  assessor;  Herman 
Podratz,  John  I.  Larson  and  John  H.  Olson,  supervisors. 


DOLIGLAS    AND   GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  ,  4I5 


MACSVILLE    TOWNSHIP. 

On  September  2t„  1878,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county 
commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional 
township  127,  range  43,  praying  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named 
"Macsville."  The  petition  was  granted,  and  it  is  thought  that  Francis 
McNabb  and  John  McQuillan  had  something  to  do  in  suggesting  the  name; 
they  were  both  early  settlers  of  the  township.  Some  of  the  signers  of  the 
petition  were :  John  Sannom,  G.  P.  Ronell,  Francis  McNabb,  J.  W.  Perry, 
Hans  Christianson  and  John  McQuillan. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  John  Gustafson,  on  October 
12,  1878,  when  the  following  officers  were  elected:  John  McQuillan,  clerk: 
H.  H.  Schram,  treasurer;  J.  W.  Perry,  assessor;  H.  H.  Schram  and  John 
McQuillan,  justices;  John  Sannom  and  Gustaf  Johnson,  constables;  Hans 
Christianson  and  J.  W.  Perry,  pound  masters;  G.  P.  Ronell,  road  overseer; 
Francis  McNabb,  H.   P.  Ronell  and  Hans  Christianson,  supervisors. 

The  officers  of  Macsville  township  in  1916  are  as  follow:  P.  T.  Will, 
clerk;  William  T.  Tretten,  treasurer;  Tom  Haley,  assessor;  George  J.  Reuss, 
W.  W^  Niemackl  and  A.  H.  Blume.  supervisors. 

GORTON    TOWNSHIP. 

Gorton  township  was  organized  on  July  21,  1879,  when  a  petition  was 
presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority  of 
the  legal  voters  of  congressional  township  128,  range  44,  praying  that  the 
township  be  organized  and  named  "Gorton."  The  petition  was  granted. 
The  signers  of  the  petition  were :  E.  H.  Johnson,  Frank  Forstein,  Ole 
O.  Hillestad,  Kolben  Gabrielson,  Christ  C.  Ness,  Knut  Hoginson,  Ole  Olson, 
Baak  Iverson,  Ellep  Ellson,  Agrim  Baarson,  Lars  Knudson,  Abner  Craw- 
ford, Samuel  H.  Wright,  Gullik  S.  Moen,  Ole  Lee,  Knud  Oland  and  Ole 
Olson. 

The  first  township  meeting  was  held  at  the  old  depot  at  Gorton  station. 
on  August  25,  1879.  but  the  record  of  the  officers  elected  has  not  been 
preserved. 

The  officers  of  Gorton  township  in  1916  are  as  follow :  James  A.  Cobb, 
clerk ;  C.  C.  Ness,  trea.surer ;  C.  H.  Christophel,  assessor ;  Louis  Klason, 
Knute  Haugen,  and  William  Steinhagen,  supervisors. 


4l6  .  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

DELAWARE    TOWNSHIP. 

On  October  6,  1879,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county 
commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional 
township  128,  range  43,  praying  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named 
"Delaware."  The  petition  was  granted.  When  the  petition  was  being 
circulated  there  were  five  names  considered  by  the  people  and  each  had 
their  sponsors,  so  it  was  put  to  a  vote  with  the  understanding  that  the  name 
having  the  highest  number  of  votes  should  be  included  in  the  petition  to  the 
county  board.  The  ballot  resulted  in  placing  the  names  in  the  following 
order :  Delaware  was  first.  Highland  Park,  second ;  Granite  Lake,  third ; 
Spring  Grove,  fourth,  and  Laconia,  fifth.  So  the  township  came  to  be 
called  Delaware,  which  name  was  chosen  by  people  from  that  state. 

The  petition  was  signed  by  James  Moses,  A.  Erlandson,  A.  Selander. 
O.  Lundberg,  Hans  Channel,  John  E.  Hanson,  H.  C.  Prescott,  Jacob  Erland- 
son, J.  N.  Casper,  Louis  Melin,  John  Lundberg,  John  Helsene,  Nels  Helsene, 
A.  J.  Gates,  J.  P.  Shoberg  and  Thomas  C.  Hodgson. 

The  officers  of  Delaware  township  in  1916  are  as  follows :  C.  A.  Ander- 
son, clerk;  Ole  E.  Nelson,  treasurer;  Edward  Rolien,  assessor;  Louis  Han- 
son, W.  H.  Tegtmeier,  and  L.  J.  Derby,  supervisors. 

LAWRENCE    TOWNSHIP. 

On  March  29,  1880,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county 
commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional 
township  130,  range  44,  asking  that  the  township  be  organized  and  named 
"Lawrence."  The  petition  was  granted.  In  case  the  name  "Lawrence" 
could  not  be  used  the  petitioners  asked  that  the  township  be  called  "Ches- 
ter." On  the  original  petition  in  the  county  auditor's  office  are  the  follow- 
ing names;  L.  H.  Fowler,  C.  W.  Stickney,  F.  P.  Symonds,  H.  Shaw,  R. 
H.  Fenner,  D.  P.  Carpenter,  William  Caqienter,  J.  S.  Bean,  A.  Fisher,  E. 
East,  S.  Fisher,  John  Shaw,  M.  L.  Adams,  G.  H.  Adams,  J.  C.  Marple, 
James  W.  Ash,  N.  S.  Denton.  J.  C.  Titus.  F.  J.  Titus,  Joseph  G.  Alarple 
and  Theodore  Connell. 

The  first  township  meeiing  was  held  at  the  house  of  Joseph  Bean,  on 
April  17,  1880,  when  L.  H.  Fowler  was  elected  clerk,  and  H.  L.  Marple 
was  elected  treasurer. 

The  officers  of  Lawrence  township  in  1916  are  as  follows:  G.  A-  Shuck, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  4I7 

clerk;  George  L.  Thiel,  treasurer:  Howard  Weaver,  assessor;  F.  H.   Sym- 
onds,  A.  G.  Kube  and  F.  A.  Klinger,  supervisors. 

SANFORD    TOWNSHIP. 

On  July  .24,  1882,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  board  of  county 
commissioners,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional 
township  129,  range  42,  praying  that  the  township  be  organized  as  a  civil 
unit.  The  petition  was  granted,  and  as  no  name  was  included  in  the  peti- 
tion the  commissioners  decided  to  name  the  township  "Sanford,"  in  honor 
of  Henry  F.  Sanford,  the  first  settler  in  the  township  and  in  his  day  one 
of  the  most  influential  men  in  the  community.  The  petition  for  organization 
was  signed  by  Ole  O.  Blagsvedt,  K.  C.  Walvick,  Oloff  Otterson,  Henry 
Gunderson,  Tosten  Ostensen,  Osten  Jansen,  C.  S.  Dahl,  Ole  Hanson,  Hans 
Olson,  Gunder  Hanson,  Ole  Larson,  Erik  Olson,  Nils  Olson,  Hans  Hanson, 
Jens  Peterson  Lee  and  Henry  F.  Sanford. 

The  first  meeting  was  held  on  August  9,  1882,  at  the  house  of  Knud 
O.  Laastuen,  but  no  list  of  the  officers  is  preserved  in  the  records. 

The  officers  of  Sanford  township  in  1916  are  as  follows:  Andrew 
Johnson,  clerk:  Eldor  Edstrom,  treasurer;  Ole  H.  Larson,  assessor;  Peter 
Johnson,  Engebret  Syverson  and  Ole  Fjeld,  supervisors. 

NORTH    OTTAWA    TOWNSHIP. 

North  Ottawa  township  was  organized  on  July  24,  1882,  when  a  peti- 
tion was  presented  to  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  signed  by  a  major- 
ity of  the  legal  voters  of  congressional  township  129,  range  44,  asking 
that  the  township  be  organized  and  named  "Ottawa."  The  petition  was 
granted,  but  the  commissioners  were  informed  by  the  state  auditor  that 
there  was  another  township  of  that  name,  so  it  was  changed  to  "North 
Ottawa."  The  residents  of  the  township  had  first  written  the  name  "Rich- 
land" in  the  petition,  but  a  short  time  before  it  was  presented  it  was  changed 
to  "Ottawa"  by  some  of  the  settlers  who  had  come  from  Ottawa,  Illinois. 

The  original  petition  was  signed  by  twenty-six  men,  as  follows :  A. 
H.  Bullis,  James  M.  Tucker,  Anders  A.  Falla,  Thomas  H.  Toombs,  J.  S. 
Ireland,  George  Allen,  Peter  Schuster,  Nicholas  Schuster,  Nicholas  Thies, 
John  Matchenske,  John  Schuster,  Henry  Fay,  Gustaf  Hanson,  Steen 
Steensen,  W.  A.  RuUis,  John  Tripp  David  Tripp,  Gustaf  Johnson,  Charles 
(27) 


4l8  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Johnson,  William  Tripp,  George  Tripp,  L.  C.  Engelson,  Ole  A.  Amundson, 
C.  Nielson  Veng,  Hans  Monson  and  C.  Christianson. 

The  first  township  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Thomas  H.  Toombs, 
on  August  7,  1882.  The  board  of  township  supervisors  elected  at  that 
meeting  consisted  of  Thomas  H.  Toombs,  chairman,  John  Tripp  and  Nicholas 
Thies. 

The  officers  of  North  Ottawa  township  in  1916  are  as  follows:  Ole 
K.  Rustand,  clerk;  And.  Rustand,  treasurer;  C.  M.  Johnson,  assessor; 
Nicholas  Thies,  John  Sieben  and  H.  E.  Lindsay,  supervisors. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
Development  of  Agriculture. 

The  story  of  the  origin  of  the  soils  of  Grant  county,  the  manner  of 
their  construction,  their  structure  and  texture,  has  already  been  carefully  set 
out  in  the  chapter  on  geology.  In  that  same  chapter  mention  is  also  made 
of  the  location,  drainage  and  native  vegetation  of  this  county;  therefore 
it  is  not  necessary  to  repeat  these  facts  in  detail  in  this  connection.  It  is 
the  happy  blending  of  all  these  essential  factors  for  crop  production  that 
has  made  Grant  county  a  noted  agricultural  region.  Situated  on  a  divide 
at  the  head  waters  of  two  great  drainage  systems;  at  an  altitude  averaging 
twelve  hundred  feet;  having  an  average  annual  rainfall  of  twenty-four 
inches,  and  a  growing  season  of  usually  over  one  hundred  and  thirty  days, 
Grant  county  possesses  ideal  conditions  for  plant  and  animal  growth. 

When  the  first  settlers  came  to  Grant  county  the  broad  prairies  were 
unbroken  by  any  tree  or  shrub.  They  bore  a  profusion  of  native  grasses, 
made  bright  in  places  by  numerous  wild  flowers.  Along  the  streams  and 
near  the  lakes  were  found  small  groves  of  trees,  consisting  principally  of 
oak,  maple,  ash,  elm,  birch  and  cottonwood.  The  pioneers  found  these 
lakes  and  streams  teeming  with  fish — pickerel,  pike,  bass  and  perch;  and 
on  the  plains  and  in  the  groves  an  abundance  of  game.  Great  flocks  of 
geese  and  ducks  were  common;  cranes,  prairie  chickens,  grouse,  deer  and 
rabbits  were  secured  with  little  difficulty.  An  ample  living  was  right  at 
hand,  and  a  ready  means  of  barter  and  trade  was  found  in  the  pelts  of  the 
foxes,  badgers,  mink  and  muskrats  which  were  trapped  or  shot  in  great 
numbers.  The  natural  resources  of  this  region,  and  the  beauty  of  the  virgin 
country,  with  its  exhilirating  air  and  bright  sunshine,  were  no  doubt  pleasing 
to  the  early  comers,  and  they  felt  assured  that  here  was  a  country  that 
would  abundantly  reward  their  labor. 

GETTING   STARTED  ON    THE    PIONEER    FARM. 

The  pioneers  who  settled  in  this  county  were  accustomed  to  farm  life 
under  frontier  conditions.     Many  of  them  had  already  been  through  just  such 


420  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIESj    MINNESOTA. 

an  experience  as  awaited  them  here,  on  a  claim  in  Wisconsin,  Iowa  or  south- 
ern Minnesota.  Some  few  Hved  by  hunting  and  trapping  for  a  time,  but  the 
majority  knew  of  the  difficulties  which  confronted  them  and  set  to  work 
as  speedily  as  their  means  would  permit  to  develop  their  new  homes.  The 
first  concern  of  the  settler  was  to  erect  a  shelter  for  his  family,  usually  the 
log  cabin  of  one  or  two  rooms,  or  out  on  the-  prairie  built  of  such  lumber 
as  could  be  brought  in  from  the  nearest  mill.  A  sufficient  protection  for 
the  teams  or  oxen  could  be  made  from  poles  covered  with  grass.  Small 
patches  of  ground  were  planted  to  vegetables  for  home  use,  and  until  mar- 
kets were  available  within  reasonable  distance  no  grain  was  raised  for  ship- 
ment. The  virgin  prairie  sod  was  difficult  to  break  with  the  tools  of  those 
days  and  it  was  several  years  after  settlement  begun  that  any  considerable 
area  was  planted.  Once  broken  up,  however,  the  soil  was  easily  worked 
and  abundant  yields  were  secured.  Oxen  could  subsist  entirely  on  the  native 
grasses  and  wild  hay  formed  the  chief  support  of  the  few  teams  of  horses 
in  the  early  days.  Many  of  the  first  settlers  went  to  St.  Cloud,  Alexandria, 
Morris  or  to  Fergus  Falls  for  flour,  but  it  was  not  long  until  mills  were 
established  near  enough  to  get  grinding  done  from  home-grown  grain. 

Wheat  at  once  took  the  lead  as  a  cereal  crop,  though  oats,  barley  and 
rye  were  also  planted.  In  spite  of  the  fact  that  the  native  grasses  ofifered 
such  splendid  pasturage  for  stock,  laws  were  passed  at  an  early  day  to  pro- 
hibit stock  from  running  at  large  unattended  by  a  herder,  for  fear  of  damage 
to  un  fenced  fields.  Only  such  stock  was  kept  as  was  needed  for  home  con- 
sumption and  farm  work  as  it  was  many  years  after  the  first  settlement 
that  any  regular  shipments  of  stock  were  made. 

SOME    EARLY    DIFFICULTIES. 

A  menace  which  the  early  settler  soon  learned  to  dread  was  the  danger 
of  prairie  fire.  These  fires  might  be  started  by  accident  or  by  design,  or 
sometimes  by  lightning,  and  come  sweeping  over  the  plain  consuming  every- 
thing in  its  path.  It  was  the  usual  custom  when  establishing  a  new  home 
to  plow  several  furrows  at  some  distance  about  the  house  and  outbuildings, 
and  this  would  sometimes  suffice  to  turn  the  flames  aside,  but  in  many  cases 
houses  and  crops  were  burnt  and  a  few  people  lost  their  fives.  Old  settlers 
say  it  was  a  wonderful  spectacle  to  see  a  fire  that  had  gotten  a  good  start 
sweep  across  the  prairie  with  the  speed  of  the  fastest  horse. 

As  early  as  1875  the  county  commissioners  took  action  for  the  relief 
of   settlers   who  had   lost  their  crops   from   danger  by  hail.      In   that  year 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  42I 

Christopher  Peterson,  Peder  Gran  and  Halvor  Larson  were  granted  extended 
time  for  paying  their  taxes  on  that  account. 

Predatory  animals  were  a  source  of  considerable  loss  to  the  early  set- 
tlers and  for  some  time  bounties  were  paid  for  wolves  and  gophers.  The 
years  1876  and  1878  will  long  be  remembered  as  the  "grasshopper"  years. 
At  that  time  these  insects  devoured  many  acres  of  crops.  They  did  con- 
siderable damage  at  other  times,  but  never  returned  in  such  great  numbers. 

The  lack  of  roads  was  a  great  handicap  to  the  early  farmers  of  Grant 
county,  and  it  was  several  years  before  passable  roads  were  built  connecting 
the  first  settlements  with  mills  and  markets.  A  great  part  of  the  hauling 
was  done  after  the  ground  had  frozen  in  the  winter  time  and  sleighs  cotild 
be  used. 

EVOLUTION    OF    FARM    MACHINERY. 

The  first  crops  harvested  in  this  county  were  cut  with  a  cradle  and 
flailed  out  on  the  frozen  ground.  In  this  manner  Jens  Peterson  Lee  cared 
for  twenty  acres  of  wheat  which  he  planted  in  1871.  The  self-rake  reaper 
was  sSon  introduced,  followed  by  the  "hand"  binder,  on  which  two  men  stdod 
and  bound  the  grain  by  hand  as  it  came  over  the  elevator.  This  was  suc- 
ceeded bv  the  "wire"  binder  and  later  by  the  "self"  binder  of  the  present  day. 

Almost  as  wonderful  an  improvement  has  been  made  in  the  plows,  culr 
tivators  and  threshing  machines  in  use  in  this  region.  In  fact,  all  the  various 
machines  required  bv  modern  farming  are  the  results  of  practical  use  and 
demonstration  by  succeeding  generations  of  farmers. 

TREE   PLANTING. 

Many  of  the  early  settlers  on  the  prairie  began  at  once  to  set  out  trees 
about  their  farmstead,  to  add  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  place  and  serve 
as  a  wind  break  from  the  winter  storms.  Some  of  the  land  in  this  county 
was  taken  up  under  the  "timber  claim  act,"  which  was  an  act  passed  by 
Congress  to  encourage  tree  planting  on  the  plains.  These  various  efforts 
resulted  in  the  thousands  of  beautiful  groves  which  now  adorn  the  farms  of 
Grant  county,  serving  not  only  as  a  protection  but  being  of  material  benefit 
in  the  way  of  fuel  and  luml)er. 

niVERSIFIED   FARMING. 

For  manv  rears  wheat  was  the  leading  crop  in  Grant  county,  l)ut  dimin- 
ishing yields  made  it  evident  that  dependence  could  no  longer  l)e  jilaced  on 


422  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

that  one  crop.  Perhaps  the  height  of  the  wheat  yield  was  reached  in  1895, 
after  which  diversified  cropping  began  to  be  introduced,  which  system  was 
given  additional  impetus  by  the  serious  "rust"  loss  of  1903.  Larger  acre- 
ages were  planted  to  oats,  rye,  barley,  flax,  potatoes,  corn  and  clover,  and 
the  first  steps  taken  towards  a  crop  rotation  which  would  include  some 
legume  for  the  improvement  of  the  soil.  Flax  was  found  to  grow  well  one 
year  on  new  breaking,  but  was  subject  to  wilt  if  replanted  on  the  same 
ground.  Corn  had  been  grown  in  this  part  of  the  state  for  many  years  and 
the  acreage  was  rapidly  increased  as  the  acreage  of  wheat  grew  smaller. 

In  recent  years  the  advantages  of  stock  raising  have  become  more  and 
more  apparent,  and  the  superior  natural  advantages  of  Grant  county  for 
this  type  of  farming  have  caused  its  rapid  adoption.  Fine  herds  of  pure- 
bred stock  are  now  to  be  found  on  many  farms. 

Originally  many  acres  in  this  county  were  in  need  of  artificial  drainage 
and  thousands  of  dollars  have  been  spent  by  the  officials  in  putting  in  proper 
ditches.  The  rich,  flat  land  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  especially 
sufi'ered  in  a  wet  season,  and  a  comprehensive  system  of  drainage  is  now 
being  installed. 

STATISTICS   OF    PRODUCTION. 

According  to  the  federal  census  of  1910  Grant  county  in  1909  produced 
crops  valued  at  $2,232,674.  In  that  year  the  value  of  all  farm  property 
was  $13,482,322.  Hay  and  forage  was  produced  on  43,545  acres  to  the 
amount  of  56,513  tons.  The  amount  of  grains  produced  is  .shown  in  the 
following  table: 

Corn.  Oats.  Wheat.  Barley.  Rye. 

Acres,  9,386  47.593  54.207  25.232  254 

Bushels,  272,798  1.542,716  923-778  573.654  4.156 

While  there  are  as  yet  no  commercial  orchards  in  Grant  county,  it  has 
been  demonstrated  that  fine  fruit  can  be  grown  here.  Within  the  last  few 
years  manv  hardv  apple,  crab,  plum  and  cherry  trees  have  been  set  out  and 
are  doing  well. 

MODERN   FARM   CONDITIONS. 

Conditions  of  rural  life  have  so  vastly  improved  since  the  first  settlers 
entered  this  county  that  it  is  hard  to  realize  that  it  has  been  but  little  o\'er 
forty  years  since  the  pioneers  started  to  change  this  then  wilderness  into  pro- 
ductive farms.     The  splendid  results  of  their  efforts  are  seen  today  through- 


DOUGLAS  .AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  423 

out  the  county,  in  the  thousands  of  well  improved'  farms  and  modern  farm 
homes,  equipped  with  everything  that  makes  for  comfort  and  convenience. 
The  scientific  training  given  in  the  schools,  proper  crop  rotations,  improved 
seed  and  machinery,  purebred  stock,  co-operative  buying  and  selling  of  stock 
and  better  marketing  facilities,  are  some  of  the  factors  now  in  operation 
which  will  maintain  these  farms  at  their  present  high  standard  and  make 
possible  a  permanently  profitable  system  of  agriculture  in  Grant  county. 

It  is  estimated  that  there  are  now  in  use  in  Grant  county  about  five 
hundred  and  forty  automobiles.  Over  three  hundred  of  these  are  owned 
by  farmers.  They,  have  ceased  to  he  a  luxury  and  are  now  almost  a  neces- 
sity. The  automobile  has  had  a  marked  effect  on  rural  life.  It  has  increased 
community  interest  and  afforded  a  relief  from  monotony;  aided  in  edu- 
cation by  wider  contact;  provided  means  of  easier  and  cheaper  marketing; 
helped  in  the  building  of  good  roads,  and  proven  of  emergency  value. 

Every  village  in  Grant  county  now  has  a  "rest  room,"  which  women 
and  children  from  the  country  may  make  use  of  while  waiting  for  one 
another  to  do  their  shopping,  or  visit  there  with  friends.  These  rooms  have 
proven  a  great  accommodation  especially  in  stormy  weather. 

COUNTY  AGRICULTURAL  AGENT. 

Grant  county  employs  a  trained  agricultural  advisor,  whose  duty  it  is  to 
co-operate  with  the  farmers  in  working  out  and  putting  into  operation  plans 
calculated  to  improve  the  business  of  farming.  His  activities  are  super- 
vised in  a  measure  and  assisted  by  the  state  agricultural  college  and  the 
United  States  department  of  agriculture,  and  the  Grant  County  Farm 
Bureau.  The  present  county  agent  is  A.  L.  Norling,  who  has  been  here 
since  November,  19 12.  The  work  of  the  agent  is  comprised  in  part  in  the 
following  lines  of  effort:  Organizing  clubs  of  boys  for  contests  in  corn 
growing  and  stock  raising;  organizing  clubs  of  girls  in  bread-making  con- 
tests; assisting  in  outlining  programs  for  Farmers  Clubs  meetings;  and 
initiating  definite  projects  for  farm  work  in  improved  seed,  crop  rotations, 
purebred  stock,  feeding  experiments,  disease  control  and  sanitation,  farm 
accounts  and  farm  surveys  to  determine  profit. 

FARMERS    CLUBS. 

Acting  under  the  suggestion  of  the  department  of  agricultural  exten- 
sion of  the  state  universitv,  manv  Farmers  Clubs  have  been  formed  in  this 


424  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

section  of  the  state.  In  Grant  connty  there  are  now  sixteen.  The  purpose 
of  these  clubs  is  educational,  social  and  financial.  They  are  composed  of  a 
number  of  families  residing  in  a  neighborhood  who  meet  together  once  a 
month  or  oftener  at  the  various  farm  homes.  A  program  consisting  of 
literary  or  musical  entertainment,  talks  on  the  business  of  farming  or  such 
topics  as  may  be  chosen,  is  given  by  members  or  some  one  invited  for  the 
occasion.  A  limch  is  generally  served.  The  work  of  these  clubs  is  prov- 
ing of  great  benefit  to  the  dififerent  communities.  The  names  of  the  clubs 
and  the  secretary  of  each  are  as  follow : 

Progressive  Farmers  Club.     Oscar  Erlandson,  Elbow  Lake. 

North  Ottawa  Farmers  Club.     Ella  Ricks,  Norcross. 

Lawrence  Farmers  Club.     Ernest  E.  Marple,  Wendell. 

Farmers  Betterment  Club.     Ole  Skinnemoen,  Wendell. 

Viking  Farmers  Club.     Alfred  Wicklund,  Elbow  Lake. 

Elberling  Farmers  Club.     W.  F.  Wohlers,  Ashby. 

Central  Farmers  Club.     Adolph  Kaasa,  Elbow  Lake. 

Corndale  Farmers  Club.     Glen  Cole,  Norcross. 

Willowdale  Farmers  Club.     Mabel  Haugen,  Elbow  Lake. 

Booster  Farmers  Club.     Olga  Bengtson,  Herman. 

Erdahl  Farmers  Club.     O.  G.  Reina,  Erdahl. 

Mustinka  Farmers  Club.     Mr.  Wagner,  Elbow  Lake. 

Land  Farmers  Club.     George  Lindquist,  Hofl^man. 

Lincoln  Farmers  Club.     Marie  Blixrud,  Barrett. 

Lien  Farmers  Club.     David  Newman,  Barrett. 

Delaware  Farmers  Club.     M.  C.  Aanerud,  Elbow  Lake. 

RECORDED    FARM    NAMES. 

In  1909  the  state  Legislature  passed  an  act  under  which  the  owner  of  a 
farm  may  have  a  farm  name  recorded  and  secure  exclusive  right  to  that 
name  in  the  county  where  he  resides.  Up  to  the  present  time  sixteen  farm 
names  have  been  recorded  with  the  register  of  deeds  of  Grant  county,  as 
follow : 

"Clover  Leaf  Farm."  Owned  by  W.  H.  Goetzinger.  Recorded  Decem- 
ber 23,  1910.     Located  on  sections  21  and  28,  township  129,  range  -|2. 

"FairAaew."  Owned  by  J.  L.  Bugbee.  Recorded  February  11,  1911. 
Located  on  section  11,  town.ship  130,  range  44. 

"Sunnyside."  Owned  by  F.  P.  Symonds.  Recorded  February  23, 
191 1.     Located  on  section  2,  township  130,  range  44. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  425 

"Maple  Grove."  Owned  by  C.  D.  Anderson  and  Thilda  C.  i\.nderson. 
Recorded  October  17,  191 3.     Located  on  section  6,  township  130,  range  41. 

"Meadow  Lawn."  Owned  by  Adolph  Borgen.  Recorded  Decemljer 
3,  1913.     Located  on  section  16,  township  128,  range  41. 

"Oak  Grove."  Owned  by  O.  M.  Hubred.  Recorded  January  2,  19 14. 
Located  on  sections  16,  20  and  21,  township  128,  range  41. 

"Woodland  Farm."  Owned  by  Charley  J.  Anderson  and  Anna  M. 
Anderson.  Recorded  May  27,  19 14.  Located  on  section  8,  township  128, 
range  41. 

"Lawrence  Center  Stock  Farm."  Owned  by  S.  S.  Wyand.  Recorded 
June  10,  1 9 14.     Located  on  section  15,  town.ship  130,  range  44. 

"Evergreen   Farm."     Owned  by  W.    F.    Wohlers.     Recorded  April   5, 

1915.  Located  on  section  20,  township  130,  range  41. 

"Maple  Dale."  Owned  by  Peter  Flodin  and  Inger  Flodin.  Recorded 
June  17,  1915.     Located  on  section  13,  township  130,  range  44. 

"Green  Valley  Place."  Owned  by  Willet  G.  Parsons  and  Hattie  Mae 
Parsons.  Recorded  March  15,  1916.  Located  on  section  13,  township  129, 
range  43. 

"Pleasant  \'iew."  Owned  by  R.  P.  Sugden  and  Olive  Sugden. 
Recorded  April  14,  1916.     Located  on  section  18,  township  127,  range  43. 

"Meadow  Brook."     Owned  by  Soren  T.  Endreson.     Recorded  May  12, 

191 6.  Located  on  section  23,  township  127,  range  42. 

"North  Star."  Owned  by  Julius  H.  Mau  and  Minnie  H.  Mau. 
Recorded  June  21,   1916.     Located  on  section   11,  township  128,  range  42. 

"Oak  Wood."  Owned  by  Errol  J.  McDonald  and  Marjorie  McDonald. 
Recorded  July  11,  1916.  Located  on  sections  16  and  17,  township  129, 
range  42. 

"Riverside."  Owned  by  John  Stock.  Recorded  July  24,  19 16. 
Located  on  section  36,  township  127,  range  41. 

GRANT    COUNTY    AGRICULTURAL    ASSOCIATION. 

The  Grant  County  Agricultural  Association  filed  articles  of  incorpora- 
tion on  December  2,  1909.  Its  general  purpose  is  to  aid  and  develop  the 
agricultural  resources  of  the  county,  to  promote  agricultural,  horticultural 
and  mechanical  experiments,  and  tests  of  various  seeds,  grains,  vegetables, 
fruits  and  grasses,  and  to  hold  annual  fairs  in  this  county.  It  also  aims  to 
aid  in  the  introduction  and  breeding  of  purebred  live  stock  and  to  encourage 
the  training  of  good  horses. 


426  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

To  attain  these  objects  the  association  acquired  a  tract  of  land  within 
the  village  of  Herman.  The  tirst  officers  were :  O.  W.  Jones,  president : 
J.  Ray  Wells,  vice-president;  Oscar  Arneson,  secretary;  A.  D.  Larson,  treas- 
urer. Directors:  W.  T.  Ziebarth,  John  T.  Lindem,  Herman  Hillmond,  W. 
H.  Goetzinger,  Orland  Fallon,  Charles  Cater  and  F.  A.  Ekberg. 

The  association  holds  an  annual  fair  and  races  at  Herman,  and  has  very 
successful  meetings. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
Travel  and  Transportation. 

The  first  routes  of  travel  established  in  the  area  which  now  comprises 
Grant  county  were  the  trails  of  the  native  Indians  who  inhabited  this  region. 
This  particular  locality  was  a  favorable  hunting  ground  for  the  redmen,  and 
as  they  moved  frequently  about  the  country  they  established  certain  well 
defined  paths  leading  from  one  camping  ground  to  another.  As  this  was  a 
part  of  the  ground  where  the  Chippewas  and  the  Sioux  had  frequently  bloody 
encounters,  these  trails  were  often  traveled  by  war  parties  of  one  or  another 
tribe.  While  these  trails  wound  along  lakes  and  streams,  through  the  for- 
ests and  over  the  broad  prairies  in  apparently  aimless  fashion,  they  took  the 
grades  with  surprising  accuracy  and  subsequent  careful  surveying  has  shown 
that  in  some  places  they  were  the  best  and  shortest  routes  between  certain 
points. 

It  was  not  until  1850  that  the  first  road  built  by  white  men  penetrated 
this  region.  In  that  year  the  old  stage  road  from  St.  Cloud  to  Ft.  Aber- 
crombie  was  completed,  crossing  the  northern  part  of  Grant  county,  through 
what  is  now  Pelican  Lake,  Pomme  de  Terre  and  Stony  Brook  townships. 
A  way  station  was  built  at  what  later,  became  the  village  of  Pomme  de  Terre, 
and  it  was  on  this  road,  on  section  18,  in  Pelican  Lake  township,  that  govern- 
ment troops  erected  a  stockade  in  1862.  Stage  coaches  made  regular  trips 
over  this  road,  carrying  passengers  to  Ft.  Abercrombie,  where  connections 
were  made  with  boats  on  the  Red  River  of  the  North.  Frequent  mail  ser- 
vice was  maintained,  one  of  the  early  mail  carriers  being  a  Mr.  Evans,  for 
whom  the  town  of  Evansville.  in  Douglas  county,  was  named.  Some  of 
the  early  settlers  in  Grant  county  earned  money  to  purchase  their  first  teams 
and  tools  by  hauling  government  supplies  over  this  road  to  frontier  garrisons 
located,  at  points  farther  west  and  north.  The  cumbersome  Red  River  cart 
of  the  half-breed  traders  and  trappers  from  Pembina  creaked  noisily  along 
this  early  route,  laden  with  furs  to  be  exchanged  at  St.  Paul  for  pro\isions 
and  ammunition. 


4-S  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ROUTES   OF    EARLY   SETTLEMENT. 

In  the  early  sixties  the  tide  of  emigration  was  flowing  slowly  but  steadily 
towards  this  county,  and  a  few  adventurous  men  had  already  "prospected'" 
through  here,  learning  what  a  desirable  country  it  was.  The  old  stage  road 
would  no  doubt  have  carried  many  an  incoming  settler,  had  it  not  been  for 
the  opening  of  the  Civil  War,  which  checked  development  in  this  region, 
and  the  Indian  outbreak  of  1862,  which  made  settlement  hereabout  impos- 
siljle  until  the  country  was  cleared  of  that  savage  foe.  When  the  war 
between  the  states  was  at  an  end  and  the  hostile  bands  of  Indians  had  been 
removed  to  distant  points,  the  first  real  settlers  of  Grant  county  began  to 
arrive. 

A  number  of  the  settlers  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county  came  in  over 
the  stage  road  and  located  along  it  or  in  that  neighborhood.  Other  of  the 
pioneers  traveled  to  Alexandria  by  teams  and  then  came  over  the  trails 
directly  westward  on  foot,  settling  in  the  eastern  and  central  parts  of  the 
county-  Many  of  the  early  settlers  in  the  southern  and  southeastern  parts 
of  the  county  came  in  from  the  south,  on  the  trails  which  skirted  the  edge 
of  the  prairie;  and  as  the  first  railroad  to  approach  this  region  was  com- 
pleted to  Morris  in  1870,  it  was  natural  that  the  incoming  settlers  should 
come  by  rail  to  that  point  and  then  drive  up  from  the  south.  When  Grant 
county  was  organized  in  1873  it  is  estimated  that  there  were  about  eight 
hundred  people  here.  One  of  their  greatest  needs  was  the  establishment  of 
roads,  and'  the  county  board  took  immediate  action  in  the  matter. 

LAYING    OUT    THE    EARLY    WAGON    ROADS. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners,  held  on  April 
12,  1873,  after  locating  the  county  seat  and  appointing  the  coimty  officers, 
the  board  ordered  that  each  election  district  should  be  a  road  district,  and 
appointed  an  overseer  for  eadi  of  the  four  districts  thus  established.  That 
same  summer  the  first  bridge  was  built  in  Grant  county.  The  board  met  a.t 
Pomme  de  Terre  on  July  23,  1873,  to  receive  proposals  for  building  a  bridge 
across  the  Pomme  de  Terre  river  on  section  24,  township  130,  range  42.  A 
plan  of  a  bridge  was  submitted  by  Per  Erlandson,  also  one  by  Joseph  Olson 
and  Timothy  Heald.  Mr.  tieald  agreed  to  build  the  bridge  for  fi\e  hundred 
dollars,  and  have  it  finished  by  November  i,   1873.     His  bid  was  accepted. 

On  July  28,  1874,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  county  board  by  Even 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  429 

E.  Bjerke.  signed  by  twenty-four  legal  voters  of  the  territory  to  be  affected, 
requesting  that  a  road  be  laid  out  from  the  southeast  quarter  of  section  12^ 
township  128,  range  41,  in  a  certain  specified  indirect  line  to  Herman,  on 
section  13,  township  127,  range  44.  This  would  give  the  settlers  in  Elk 
Lake  township  a  fairly  direct  road  to  the  railway  at  Herman.  At  the  same 
meeting  a  petition  was  presented  by  Ole  Monson,  signed  by  a  number  of 
legal  voters  in  Pelican  Lake  and  Erdahl  townships,  requesting  that  a  road 
be  laid  out  from  a  point  on  the  stage  road  near  the  foot  of  Pelican  lake, 
south  along  the  section  line  through  Erdahl  township.  Also  a  petition  was 
presented  by  Jacob  Olson,  signed  by  legal  voters  of  Erdahl  and  Sanford 
townships,  requesting  that  a  road  be  laid  out  from  Elbow  Lake  to  the  east 
county  line,  there  to  connect  with  a  road  from  Evansville,  Douglas  county. 
At  this  meeting  the  board  decided  to  build  the  second  bridge  to  be  built  in 
the  county,  which  was  to  be  located  across  the  Pomme  de  Terre  river  on 
section  12,  tov/nship  128,  range  42.  The  contract  was  let  to  Christopher 
E.  Berg,  who  agreed  to  build  a  good  substantial  bridge  for  two  hundred 
dollars. 

On  January  6,  1874,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  county  board  from 
thirty-three  legal  voters,  asking  the  board  to  have  a  road  laid  out  through 
the  eastern  part  of  Elk  Lake  and  Land  tov>'nships,  to  connect  with  a  road 
from  Morris,  in  Stevens  county.  A  petition  was  presented  asking  that  a 
road  be  laid  out  from  the  home  of  Ole  Thompson,  on  section  15,  township 
128,  range  41,  to  run  east  to  the  county  line  and  connect  with  a  road  from 
Alexandria.  This  would  be  a  continuation  of  the  road  from  Herman  to 
Elk  Lake  township.  On  September  10,  1874.  a  petition  was  presented 
requesting  that  a  road,  be  laid  out  connecting  Barrett  and  Herman  on  a  some- 
what different  route   from  the  location  mentioned  in  a  preceding  petition. 

On  May  29,  1875,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  county  board,  signed 
by  fifty-two  legal  voters  of  the  territory  to  be  afifected,  asking  that  a  road  be 
laid  out  as  follows:  Commencing  at  the  corner  of  -Fiftli  street  and  Ham- 
burg avenue,  in  the  village  of  Herman,  to  run  in  as  direct  a  line  as  prac- 
ticable to  the  village  of  Pomme  de  Terre.  H.  P.  Hansen  and  Ole  Canestorp 
were  appointed  as  a  committee  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Knud  O.  Laastuen 
and  locate  this  road. 

The  recital  of  these  petitions  is  here  given  at  some  length,  as  it  serves 
to  show  where  the  largest  settlements  were  in  the  county  at  that  time,  the 
largest  communities  naturally  demanding  the  first  roads.  Some  of  these 
cross-country  roads  were  actually  laid  out  and  built,   Init   it   was  not  long 


430  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

until  tlie  practice  was  established  of  laying  out  the  reads  as  nearly  as  prac- 
ticable on  the  section  lines  and  the  later  petitions  were  framed  accordingly. 

In  addition  to  the  early  roads  laid  out  by  the  county  there  were  a  num- 
ber of  trails  over  the  prairie  which  in  time  became  plainly  marked  roads, 
and  some  of  them  were  developed  by  the  state.  Frequent  mention  is  made 
in  the  commissioners  record  of  the  state  road  from  Herman  to  Fergus  Falls 
and  the  state  road  from  Pomme  de  Terre  to  Fergus  Falls,  also  a  state  road 
from  Herman  to  Big  Stone  Lake. 

It  was  not  many  years  after  the  county  was  settled  that  nearly  every 
section  line  was  laid  out  as  a  road,  and  under  county  and  township  admin- 
istration these  roads  were  built  and  kept  in  repair.  Considering  the  materials 
at  hand  the  "dirt"  roads  of  Grant  county  compare  very  favorably  with  any 
in  the  county. 

STATE    HIGHWAY    COMMISSION. 

The  system  of  county  control  of  its  roads  and  bridges  prevailed  until 
1913,  when  a  more  economical  and  efficient  system  was  introduced  under 
what  is  called  the  state  highway  commission.  The  present  resources  of  this 
commission  consisto-f  'a"=tax-of  one  mill  on  each  -dollar  of  vaksation,  which, 
together  with  the  interest  on  the  internal  improvement  land  fund  and  other 
resources,  is  annually  distributed  among  the  different  counties  in  amounts 
based  on  area,  valuation,  amount  of  their  appropriation  for  roads  and 
bridges,  mileage  of  state  and  other  roads  and  topographical  conditions.  The 
manner  in  which  a  county  can  avail  itself  of  the  state  aid  is  by  act  of  the 
countv  board  in  establishing  a  state  road  or  bridge.  After  construction  the 
commission  will  refund  a  certain  portion  of  the  cost.  This  proportion 
dqiends  upon  various  eondrtions,  and- in  Grant  county  amounts  .to  seventy 
per  cent.  Under  this  system  there  has  been  expended  in  Grant  county  dur- 
ing the  past  year  approximately  fifteen  thousand  dollars,  of  which  eighty 
per  cent,  was  for  construction  and  twenty  per  cent,  for  maintenance. 

The  first  resident  engineer  in  Grant  county  under  the  workings  of  the 
state  highway  commission  was  R.  E.  Kreuger,  who  started  work  in  1913  and 
remained  three  years.  In  March,  1916,  he  was  succeeded  by  W.  E.  Burgess, 
who  is  now  highway  engineer  for  Grant  county,  assisted  by  Philip  Jacobson, 
draughtsman.  .\t  present  there  are  four  routes  that  have  been  designated  as 
state  roads  and  are  under  varying  degrees  of  improvement.  State  road  No. 
I  is  the  road  east  from  EIImw  Lake  through  Erdahl  to  the  eastern  county  line. 
State  road  No.  2  is  the  road  south  from  Elbow  Lake  to  the  northwest  corner 
of  Roseville  township,  and  north  from  Elbow  Lake  to  the  northern  county 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  43 1 

line.  State  road  Xo.  3  is  the  road  through  the  soutliern  part  of  Lawrence 
and  Stony  Brook  townships,  from  road  No.  2  to  the  western  county  Hne. 
State  road  No.  4  is  the  road  which  crosses  the  southern  tier  of  townships, 
connecting  Herman  and  Hoffman. 

RAILROADS    IN    GRANT    COUNTY. 

The  first  railroad  to  enter  Grant  county  was  built  by  the  St.  Paul  and 
Pacific  Railway  Company  in  1871,  across  the  southwestern  corner  of  the 
county.  The  towns  of  Herman  and  Norcross  were  quickly  laid  out  on  this 
road.  The  coming  of  this  railroad  served  to  hasten  the  settlement  of  the 
county,  provided  a  nearer  market  for  produce  and  gave  emplo}'Tnent  to  many 
who  later  became  residents  here.  The  road  is  now  a  part  of  the  Great 
Northern  system.  In  1879  a  railroad  was  built  by  the  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis 
and  Manitoba  Railway  Company  across  the  northeastern  corner  of  the 
county.  It  also  is  now  a  part  of  the  Great  Northern  system.  The  town  of 
Ashby  was  laid  out  on  this  road  in  1880.  Another  railroad  which  is  a  part 
of  the  Great  Northern  system  crosses  the  north  central  part  of  the  county. 
It  was  biiilt  in  1887. 

The  Minneapolis,  St.  Paul  and  Sault  Ste.  Marie  railroad,  commonly 
known  as  the  "Soo-Pacific,"  was  built  through  Grant  county  in  1887.  In 
common  with  the  other  main  lines  of  road  in  this  section  of  the  state  it  fol- 
lows a  northwesterly  course,  this  direction  being  determined  by  the  efforts 
to  tap  the  richest  districts  of  the  northwest. 

Excellent  passenger  and  freight  service  is  maintained  on  these  roads, 
and  some  of  the  most  palatial  trains  in  the  country  now  cross  Grant  county, 
affording  a  wonderful  contrast  to  the  ox-teapis  which  conveyed  some  of  the 
first  settlers. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Schools  of  Grant  County. 

No  better  indication  of  the  high  ideals  of  the  pioneers  who  settled  this 
county  could  be  desired  than  the  fact  that  their  first  concern,  after  estab- 
lishing their  homes,  was  to  secure  schools  for  their  children.  The  first 
school  house  was  built  in  Elk  Lake  township,  in  1872,  before  the  county 
was  formally  organized.  This  was  a  log  building  and  other  schools  were 
soon  started  in  various  parts  of  the  county  in  private  homes  or  in  a  claim 
shanty  or  dug-out.  As  soon  as  the  county  was  organized,  in  1873,  ^  num- 
ber of  petitions  were  presented  to  the  county  commissioners  requesting  that 
school  districts  be  established  in  the  principal  settlements.  These  petitions 
were  granted  and  some  eight  or  ten  districts  were  established,  but  the  num- 
bering and  the  boundaries  of  the  districts  became  so  confused  in  the  records 
that  on  April  i,  1875,  the  county  board  re-numbered  them  and  established 
the  schools  in  eleven  districts.  District  No.  i  was  all  of  Elk  Lake  town- 
ship and  the  east  half  of  Lien.  District  No.  2  was  all  of  Land  and  Rose- 
ville  townships.  District  No.  3  was  all  of  Logan  and  Macsville  townships. 
District  No.  4  was  the  west  half  of  Lien  and  the  east  part  of  Delaware  town- 
ships. District  No.  5  was  the  east  part  of  Elbow  Lake  and  all  of  Sanford 
townships.  District  No.  6  was  all  of  Erdahl  township.  District  No.  7  was 
the  northwest  part  of  Pelican  Lake  township.  District  No.  8  was  the  north- 
east and  central  part  of  Pelican  Lake  township.  District  No.  9  was  the 
southwest  part  of  Pelican  Lake  township.  District  No.  10  was  the  west 
part  of  Elbow  Lake  township.  District  No.  1 1  was  all  of  Pomme  de  Terre, 
Stony  Brook  and  Lawrence  townships.  It  should  be  understood  that  these 
townships  were  not  organized  at  the  time,  but  the  use  of  the  names  in  this 
connection  is  less  confusing  than  to  give  the  legal  description  of  the  districts 
by  section,  township  and  range. 

Thus  every  part  of  the  county  was  supplied  with  meager  school  facili- 
ties except  what  is  now  Gorton  and  North  Ottawa  townships,  which  were 
not  settled  until  a  little  later.  Soon  after  these  districts  were  established 
school  district  No.  12  was  formed  in  the  township  of  Stony  Brook.  This 
numbering  has  been  maintained  in  the  respective  locations  though  all  the 
districts  have  since  then  been  subdivided  as  additional  schools  were  needed. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  433 

SKETCH     BY    ONE    OF    THE    PIONEERS. 

The  early  count}-  superintendents  of  schools  were  not  in  every  case 
school  teachers.  Some  were  farmers  and  some  were  business  men,  and  at 
that  time  no  uniform  system  of  reports  was  made  to  the  state  officials,  so  no 
records  of  the  early  schools  are  to  be  found  in  the  archives  of  the  county. 
The  early  superintendents  devoted  only  a  part  of  their  time  to  the  duties 
of  the  office,  and  it  was  not  until  1882,  when  Thomas  C.  Hodgson  was 
county  superintendent  of  schools,  that  the  office  was  placed  on  a  salary 
basis,  the  commissioners  agreeing  to  pay  Mr.  Hodgson  five  hundred  dollars 
for  his  services  during  the  school  term.  Mr.  Hodgson  was  an  able  instructor 
and  an  excellent  organizer  and  under  his  guidance  the  schools  made  rapid 
progress.  When  the  new  court  house  was  dedicated,  in  1906,  Mr.  Hodgson 
wrote  an  historical  sketch  of  the  county  to  be  placed  in  the  corner-stone. 
Included  in  this  sketch  was  a  brief  review  of  the  early  schools  and  a  descrip- 
tion of  conditions  at  that  time,  as  follows : 

"The  first  common  school  district  organized  in  the  county  was  undoub- 
tedly in  Elk  Lake,  still  known  as  No.  i.  The  date  of  organization  is  not 
given  in  the  records,  but  in  the  files  in  the  auditor's  office  there  is  a  notice 
of  officers  elected  in  April,  1873.  It  first  comprised  the  whole  township. 
It  was  the  only  district  to  draw  its  apportionment  in  1873.  The  second 
district  to  be  organized  (the  first  one  mentioned  in  the  commissioner's  record) 
is  the  same  district  known  as  No.  7,  in  the  northwest  part  of  Pelican  Lake 
township.  This  district  built  a  log  school  house  in  1874  and  held  school 
that  year. 

"In  1874  five  schools  were  held  and  drew  their  apportionment,  but  the 
records  are  so  confused  that  it  cannot  be  known  which  districts  they  were, 
except  that  those  above  were  among  them.  Many  of  the  schools  were  held 
in  private  houses,  in  very  small  rooms;  some  were  held  in  cabins  and  dug- 
outs after  their  inhabitants  had  moved  into  better  buildings.  Among  the 
difficulties  of  teaching  in  the  early  days  was  the  fact  that  most  of  the 
children  were  unable  to  speak  English.  They  had  to  learn  the  language 
as  well  as  the  rudiments  of  learning.  Schools  were  held  only  for  a  short 
term  and  when  the  year  had  rolled  round  the  pupils  had  forgotten  most 
of  what  they  had  learned  the  year  before.  It  was  like  climbing  two  steps 
of  a  ladder  and  falling  back  one.  Of  the  educational  qualifications  of  the 
teachers  generally  in  the  early  days  not  very  much  can  be  said,  but  it  can 
truthfullv  be  stated  that  thev  nearlv  alwavs  met  the  requirements  of  the 
(28) 


434  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

times.  They  did  honest  work,  put  up  with  hard  fare,  and  accepted  low 
wages.  Of  those  early-day  pupils  too,  it  may  be  said  that  they  have  served 
their  day  and  generation  fully  as  acceptably  as  those  who  came  after  them." 

SOME   OF   THE    EARLY    SCHOOL    HOUSES. 

The  first  school  house  in  Grant  county,  already  alluded  to,  was  built 
by  the  settlers  in  Elk  Lake  township  at  their  own  expense  and  largely  by 
their  own  labor.  That  neighborhood  had  one  of  the  largest  of  the  early 
settlements  and  in  the  summer  of  1872  the  project  of  building  a  school 
was  talked  of.  In  the  fall  a  meeting  was  held  and  all  present  agreed  to 
furnish  logs  and  labor.  Those  who  took  part  were  Halvor  Anderson,  Ole 
Anderson,  A.  Benson,  Even  Bjerke,  Syver  Ellingson,  Peder  Gran,  Ole  Gud- 
munson,  A.  Hubred,  Iver  Johnson,  Kittel  Johnson,  O.  W.  Olson,  Sam 
Olson,  Tore  Olson,  Ole  Ring,  Jens  Sethney,  Bernt  Swenson,  Ole  Torsten- 
son  and  perhaps  one  or  two  others.  Logs  were  cut  and  hauled  by  ox-teams 
to  the  site  selected,  and  the  walls  of  the  building  were  erected  in  the  late 
fall  of  1872.  The  roof  was  put  on  and  the  building  finished  in  the  early 
spring  of  1873.  It  was  eighteen  by  twenty-four  feet  in  size.  School  was 
held  that  year  and  the  school  immediately  drew  state  apportionment.  The 
first  teacher  in  this  school  was  Mrs.  Martha  Sethneiy,  long  a  resident  of 
Elk  Lake  township.  At  a  later  date  this  building  was  sided  with  boards 
over  the  log  frame,  the  roof  was  reshingled  and  the  interior  remodeled. 
The  first  school  in  Land  township  was  held  in  an  old  machine  shed  on 
the  farm  of  Martin  Studlien  about  1874.  Christene  Nash  was  the  first 
teacher.  This  school  became  district  school  No.  2.  District  schools  Nos. 
3  and  4  also  held  sessions  in  1874,  in  Logan  and  Lien  township,  respec- 
tively. The  school  which  became  district  school  No.  5  was  started  in  1874 
on  section  7,  Sanford  township,  in  an  old  log  house  formerly  used  by  Ole 
Fletcher.  Alice  Hill  was  the  first  teacher  and  at  the  first  term  there  were 
four  pupils;  Sophia  Peterson,  Olive  Christiansen  and  two  children  of  Knud 
O.  Laastuen.  The  first  school  in  Pelican  Lake  township  was  started  in 
1874  or  1875  in  a  little  log  house  owned  by  Ole  Wold,  on  section  10,  a 
short  distance  southwest  of  the  present  site  of  Ashby  village.  This  school 
was  taught  by  Sallie  Johnson.  The  first  school  in  Stony  Brook  township 
was  held  in  the  little  log  cabin  which  had  been  erected  for  church  services 
in  1872.  The  school  was  started  about  1874  or  1875.  This  school  was 
taught  by  Hans  H.  Haavig,  who  had  been  a  teacher  in  Norway  and  was 
well  educated.     He  was  also  a  fine  singer  and  led  the  singing  in  the  church. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  435 

This  school  became  district   school   No.    12,   which  was  the  only  school  in 
Stony  Brook  township   for  several  years  after  the  organization. 

PIONEER    SCHOOL    CONDITIONS. 

All  the  early  schools  of  course  had  very  meager  equipment.  Very  few 
children  had  a  complete  set  of  text  books,  in  fact,  there  were  not  sufficient 
books  to  establish  regular  courses.  There  were  no  maps,  charts  or  globes, 
and  only  a  few  home-made  blackboards.  Reading,  spelling,  writing  and 
-numbers  were  the  principal  subjects  taught.  In  some  of  the  early  schools 
it  was  the  custom  to  studv  aloud,  and  when  two  or  more  children  were 
using  the  same  book  the  result  was  not  always  harmonious.  This  custom 
soon  became  obsolete.  As  the  county  de^■eloped  log  school  houses  were 
replaced  by  frame  structures  and  in  a  few  cases  brick  buildings  were 
erected. 

TEACHERS    OF     1 896. 

In  1890  -the  number  of  school  districts  had  increased  to  forty-eight. 
In  1896  there  were  fifty-five  districts.  The  teachers  in  that  year  were: 
Amanda  Ash,  Rena  Asleson,  Carrie  Barnes,  Mary  Borchert,  Florence  Cald- 
well, Sarah  M.  Ellsworth,  Gustaf  Gilbertson,  Anna  L.  Godward,  Eliza- 
beth Godward,  Isabella  Groven,  Hannah  Gudmunson,  Nora  Grim,  Thea 
C.  Dahlen,  Lizzie  Dahlen,  Hattie  Davidson,  Ida  M.  Dewey,  Alphia  Flade- 
land,  Frank  Heald,  Kate  Hodgson,  Mrs.  Emma  Heald,  Isabella  Hodgson, 
Annie  Hollen,  Estella  Houston,  Julia  D.  Johnson,  Maggie  Johnson,  Jennie 
Johnson,  Martha  C.  Johnson,  Augusta  Johnson,  Amanda  Lake,  Emily  Lit- 
tle, Alice  Little,  Mrs.  Thea  Nash,  Martin  Mikkelson,  Emily  Nelson,  Louise 
Nelson,  Julia  M.  Osen,  Julia  Pederson,  Mrs.  Warren  Polar,  A.  M.  Pen- 
nock,  Henry  Peterson,  Mae  !^reston,  Blanche  Prescott,  Gertrude  Schiefer, 
August  Sethney,  Mary  Smith,  Olive  Stanley,  Clara  P.  Stave,  Tena  H. 
Tollefson,  Tina  O.  Tollefson,  Charley  Thoreson,  George  L.  Woodworth, 
Bertha  Scofield,  H.  W.  Shroyer  and  Mrs.  H.  W.  Shroyer. 

DEVELOPMENT    OF    SCHOOL    SYSTEM. 

The  real  development  of  the  modern  school  system  begun  with  intro- 
duction of  grades.  The  graded  school  afforded  a  scientific  basis  upon  which 
to  work.  .At  an  earlv  date  the  requirements  for  teaching  were  increased 
and    facilities    were    secured    to   aid    in    instruction.      Free   text-books    were 


436  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

introduced,  and  all  schools  were  equipped  with  maps,  globes  and  dictionaries. 
Longer  terms  were  held  and  buildings  were  remodeled  or  built  with  greater 
regard  to  lighting,  heating  and  ventilation. 

Numerous  laws  were  passed  by  the  state  Legislature  to  aid  in  secur- 
ing better  schools.  In  1877  an  act  was  approved  allowing -women  to  vote 
on  all  school  matters.  In  1887  a  state  law  required  instruction  on  physi- 
ology and  hygiene,  with  special  reference  to  the  effect  of  stimulants  and  nar- 
cotics upon  the  human  system.  In  1885  the  state  agreed  to  pay  half  the 
cost  of  libraries  for  the  schools.  Acts  were  also  passed  arranging  for  the 
state  department  of  education  to  grant  certificates  to  teachers ;  and  to  extend 
state  aid  to  schools  of  a  certain  standing. 

AIMS    OF    THE    MODERN    SCHOOL. 

In  igo6  there  were  sixty-four  school  districts  in  Grant  county  and  in 
1916  there  are  sixty-nine.  These  schools  are  distributed  over  the  county 
in  such  a  manner  as  to  make  it  most  convenient  for  all  children  to  attend. 
The  school  of  the  present  day  is  a  wonderful  improvement  over  the  pioneer 
school  in  equipment  and  scientific  methods.  The  aim  of  the  modern  school 
is  to  afford  not  only  mental  training,  but  supply  serviceable  knowledge  as 
well.  To  this  end  courses  are  given  in  the  use  of  tools,  agriculture,  domes- 
tic science  and  commercial  branches.  Local  and  state  fair  contests  and 
boys  and  girls  clubs  add  to  the  interest  of  school  work. 

Teachers"  institutes,  reading  circles  and  libraries  now  help  to  enlarge 
the  scope  of  instruction,  and  parent-teacher  clubs  bring  home  and  school 
nearer  together.  When  a  school  has  attained  a  certain  high  standing  in 
regard  to  length  of  term,  qualifications  of  teacher,  condition  of  building 
and  equipment,  library  and  school  grounds,  it  is  entitled  to  state  aid  to 
the  extent  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  each  term.  Fifty-five  schools  in 
Grant  county  are  now  receiving  this  state  aid. 

TEACHERS    FOR    I916. 

The  total  enrollment  in  the  schools  for  the  year  191 5  was  889  pupils 
in  the  high  and  graded  schools,  and  1,503  pupils  in  the  rural  and  semi- 
graded  schools.  There  were  thirty-nine  teachers  in  the  high  and  graded 
schools,  and  seventy  in  the  rural  and  semi-graded  schools.  The  teachers  in 
the  various  districts  for  19.16  are  as  follow:  District  No.  i,  Clara  Sanders; 
No.  2,  Irene  Flvnn;  No.  3,  E.  B.  Anderson,  superintendent  of  Herman  high 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  437 

school;  No.  4,  Stella  Erickson;  No.  5,  L.  H.  Brinks,  superintendent  of 
Elbow  Lake  high  school;  No.  6,  Augusta  Johnson;  No.  7,  Annie  Wilson; 
No.  8,  G.  A.  Fjeldstad,  superintendent  of  Ashhy  high  school ;  No.  9,  Thora 
Dybdal;  No.  10,  M.  J.  McDonald;  No.  11,  Pearl  Holman;  No.  12,  NelHe 
Ellingson;  No.  13,  Sena  Bah;  No.  14,  Gladys  Sauby;  No.  15,  Olive  Thomp- 
son; No.  16,  Alice  Newman;  No.  17,  Alma  Hanson;  No.  18,  Mary  Smith; 
No.  19,  Alma  M.  Louthan;  No.  20,  Ida  M.  Johnson;  No.  21,  Margaret 
Cavanough;  No.  22,  Ephra  Ackerman;  No.  23,  Ida  Kassa ;  No.  24, 
Charlotta  Johnson;  No.  25,  Mildred  Palin;  No.  26,  Blanche  Schoonover; 
No.  27,  Lilly  Johnson;  No.  28,  Alma  Bengston;  No.  29,  Sigrid  Fjoslien; 
No.  30,  Lilly  Dybdal;  No.  31,  Josephine  Groheler  and  Lulu  Christophel; 
No.  T,2,  Betsy  Hanson;  No.  ^^,  Mabel  Hall,  superintendent  of  Barrett 
school;  No.  34,  Clara  Klug,  superintendent  of  Wendell  school;  No.  35,  Eda 
Thompson;  No.  36,  Agnes  Manskau;  No.  37,  Martha  Mecklenberg;  No.  38, 
Genevieve  Doely;  No.  39,  Hilda  Dahler;  No.  40,  Amber  Hastie;  No. 
41,  Annie  Johnson;  No.  42,  J.  A.  Cook,  Hoffman  school;  No.  43, 
Ella  Holt;  No.  44,  Eldora  Lund;  No.  45,  Stella  Adams;  No.  46,  Dotty  D. 
Nye;  No.  47,  Olive  Huseth;  No.  48,  Latania  Ackerson;  No.  49,  Hilda  Mel- 
by;  No.  50,  Nellie  Brown;  No.  51,  Dessie  Ziebarth;  No.  52,  Margaret  Hoff; 
No.  53,  Hilda  Haugen;  No.  54,  Ulda  Dybdal;  No.  55,  Fannie  Iverson;  No. 
56,  no  school;  No.  57,  Anna  Dahler;  No.  58,  Ella  Ness;  No.  59,  Grace 
Sheppard;  No.  60,  Hulda  Bengtson;  No.  61,  Lydia  Enderle ;  No.  62,  Cecelia 
Berquist;  No.  63,  Ida  Martinson;  No.  64,  Ida  Sellseth;  No.  65,  Clara  Ears- 
ley;  No.  66,  Mabel  Haugen;  No.  67,  Jennie  Vik;  No.  68,  Eudora  LaGrange; 
No.  69,  Bada  Chambers. 

SCHOOL    DISTRICT    OFFICERS. 

In  the  following  list  are  given  the  names  of  the  school  district  officers 
for  1916-17,  with  the  township  in  which  the  school  is  located.  The  first 
named  is  the  clerk,  the  second  is  the  director  and  the  third  is  the  treasurer. 

No.   I,  Elk  Lake  township— R.  E.  Olson,  O.  B.  Peterson,  O.  W.  Olson. 

No.  2,  Land  township — T.  Joranger,  A.  R.  Bjelland,  P.  O.  Nordin. 

No.  3,  Herman  village— A.  H.  Morken,  A.  W.  Wells,  E.  E.  Peck. 

No.  4,  Lien  township — Otto  Nelson,  Andy  Block.  H.  A.  Larson. 

No.  5,  Elbow  Lake  village — Tos.  E.  Dybdal,  E.  Sauby,  W.  E.  Lan- 
deene. 

No.  6,  Erdahl  township— Olous  O.  Bah,  J.  T.  Johnson,  Ole  A.  Dahlen. 


438  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

No.  7,  Pelican  Lake  township — Anton  O.  Sumstad,  Charles  Nelson, 
Julius  Elberling. 

No.  8,  Ashby  village— L.  J.  Hauge,  E.  K.  Teisberg,  A.  M.  Randall. 

No.  9,  Pelican  Lake  township — C.  E.  Schow,  Joseph  Balgard,  Bodel 
Anderson. 

No.  ID,  Elbow  Lake  township — A.  Haakenson,  A.  L  Haugen,  Elef 
Gren. 

No.  II,  Pomme  de  Terre  township — George  M.  Johnson,  H.  L.  Olson, 
Fred  Schwarck. 

No.  12,  Stony  Brook  township — O.  E.  Lillemon,  Ole  Asleson,  Nils 
Skinnemoen. 

No.   13,  Erdahl  township — J.  E.  Olson,  Martin  N.  Lee,  H.  O.  Rustad. 

No.  14,  Lien  township — J.  B.  Blixrud,  John  Sandberg,  Mons  A.  Ron- 
hovde. 

No.  15,  Pomme  de  Terre  township — H.  O.  Johnson,  Peter  Brandvold, 
Henry  Tollefson. 

No.    16,   Roseville  township — F.  D.  Clark,  U.  F.  McCollor,  Aug.  Holm. 

No.  17,  Elbow  Lake  township — A.  O.  Halvorson,  Lars  H.  Berg,  J.  H. 
Ferguson. 

No.  18,  Gorton  township — A.  H.  Richards,  C.  H.  Christophel,  John 
Gronwold. 

No.    19,   Delaware  township — C.  E.  Ellison,  A.  DeVries,  Wm.  Hedlund. 

No.  20,  Roseville  township^-A.  T.  Lindem,  Jens  Lerum,  z'Vlbert  Lind- 
strom. 

No.  21,  Macsville  township — Theo.  Ritzschke,  W.  H.  Brown,  Frank 
Oachs. 

No.  22,   Sanford  township — C.  J.  Nibbie,  B.  E.  Engen,  Ole  H.  Larson. 

No.  2T,,  Roseville  township — James  R.  Borrill,  Fred  Zimer,  W.  H. 
Kridler. 

No.  24,  Elbow  Lake  township — H.  C.  Kersten,  G.  Johnson,  L.  L. 
Brewster. 

No.  25,  Lien  township — C.  O.   Strand,  Ed.  Rulien,  William  Coleman. 

No.  26,  Delaware  township — C.  A.  Anderson,  Christ  Christensen. 
Erick  Helsene. 

No.  27,  North  Ottawa  townshijD — Mrs.  George  Larson,  Nick  Koltes, 
John  Sieben. 

No.  28,  Lawrence  township — Fred  \^'eigand,  Geo.  ^^'eigand.  H.  Weaver. 

No.  29,  Stony  Brook  township — O.  K.  Lysne,  T.  T.  Cordal,  S.  S. 
Wangsnes. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  439 

No.  30,  Elbow  Lake  township — T.  C.  Johnson,  K.  O.  Sand,  H.  K. 
Vigen. 

No.  31.  Norcross  village — B.  Torgersrud,  George  Houps,  J.  A. 
Loughlan. 

No.  ^2,  Elk  Lane  township — O.  M.  Huberd,  Thomas  Otterson,  J. 
Sethney. 

No.  T,^,  Barrett  village — E.  N.  Ellingson,  A.  F.  Peterson,  August 
Miller. 

No.  34,  W'endell  village — John  E.  Raines,  H.  T.  Haavig,  L.  C.  Ber- 
gan. 

No.  35,  Elk  Lake  township— C.  J.  Anderson,  Ole  Melin,  A.  M.  Ander- 
son. 

No.  36,  Lawrence  township — J.  H,  Summers,  J.  W.  Thiel,  J.  F.  Styer. 

No.  ^y,  Pomme  de  Terre  township — Alfred  H.  Woessner,  Louis  Island, 
William  Woessner. 

No.  38,  Sanford  township — L  M.  Westermoe,  Louis  Pederson,  Ole  A. 
Olson. 

No.  39,  Elbow  Lake  township — Olous  A.  Pikop,  Knut  A.  Pikop,  Alick 
Ormbrick. 

No.  40,  North  Ottawa  township — Oscar  Amundson,  John  Ricks,  An- 
drew Rustand. 

No.  41,  Land  township — Swan  Auslund,  Abner  Erickson,  Theodore 
Lindquist. 

No.  42,  Hoffman  village — H.  L.  Englund,  P.  P.  Hedenstrom,  Eric 
Sletten. 

No.  43,  Erdahl  township — J.  J.  Taylor.  E.  Conroy,  A.  J.  Betland. 

No.  44,  Erdahl  townshili — A.  G.  Enberg,  Hans  Johnson,  J.  P.  Ander- 
son. 

No.  45,  Lawrence  township — Mrs.  V.  A.  Bugbee,  F.  J.  Miller,  A.  G. 
Kube. 

No.  46,  Logan  township — Louis  L.  Lentferr,  William  Boeckholt,  H. 
N.  Erfert. 

No.  47,  Elk  Lake  township — F.  A.  Peterson,  P.  H.  Nelson,  A.  J. 
Peterson. 

No.  48,  Sanford  township — Herman  Ledum,  Pete  Ekelien,  Engbert 
Syverson. 

No.  49,  Land  townshii^ — Anton  Amundson,  Alfred  Hagen,  Thosten 
Haatvedt. 


440  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

No.  50,  North  Ottawa  township — W.  W.  Cushman,  Jake  Besler,  Roy 
L.  Brown. 

No.  51,  Delaware  township — B.  D.  Brewster,  John  Buhr,  Austin  Vaa. 

No.  52,  Elk  Lake  township— J.  T.  Halvorson,  Pete  Peterson,  Alfred 
Lund. 

No.   53,  Lien  township — E.  J.  Newman,  Knut  Waugh,  John  J.  Leraas. 

No.  54,  Elbow  Lake  township — Sven  Jorgens,  Knut  Fjoslien,  G.  C. 
Paulson. 

No.  55,  Pomme  de  Terre  township — Mike  Thompson,  M.  Haroldson, 
T.  A.  Hagen. 

No.   56,  Delaware  township — Albert  Passer,  Dan  Kloos,  Emil  Nelson. 

No.  57,  Sanford  township — Lewis  T.  Fagerberg,  Herman  Huset,  Ben- 
hard  Westrom. 

No.  58,  Erdahl  village— O.  G.  Reine,  C.  A.  Bergren,  H.  T.  Harrison. 

No.  59,  Roseville  township — Conrad  Blixrud,  N.  P.  Peterson,  Herman 
Podratz. 

No.  60,  Lien  township — J.  H.  Clark,  Hans  Moen,  Bennie  Ostenson. 

No.  61,  Lawrence  township — R.  C.  Tompson,  M.  A.  Baker,  G.  A. 
Shuck. 

No.  62.  Macsville  township — Mrs.  C.  J.  Bacon,  A.  H.  Blume,  Theo- 
dore Johnson. 

No.  63,  Pomme  de  Terre  township — Jacob  Haberer,  Andrew  Woes- 
sner,  Pete  Martinson. 

No.  64,  Gorton  township — Edwin  J.  Awe,  Louis  Steger,  William 
Jones. 

No.  65,  Delaware  township — John  Beck,  R.  F.  Rarer,  Knute  Haugen. 

No.  66,  North  Ottawa  township — O.  K.  Rustand,  John  Kelly,  Charles 
Gorden. 

No.  67,  Lien  township — Martin  Leraas,  Niles  P.  Setterlund,  Oscar 
Erickson. 

No.  68,  Gorton  township — R.  H.  Martin,  Oscar  Hillestad,  William 
Steinhagen. 

No.  69,  Macsville  township — F.  A.  Ekberg,  \\'illiam  Tretten,  H.  B. 
Johnson. 

FINANCIAL   ST..\TEMENT. 

The  following  financial  statement  is  taken  from  the  report  of  the  county 
superintendent  of  schools,  for  the  year  ending  July  31,  1916: 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  44] 

High    and  Rural  and  Soni- 

Graded  School  Graded  School 

Receipts.                                    Districts.  Districts. 

Cash  on  hand  at  beginning  of  year $  6,756.97  $15,789.55 

Received    from   apportionment 5,095.17  9,155.27 

Received  from  special  tax 21,080.75  20.894.60 

Received  from  local  one-mill  tax 1,176.15  4,827.82 

Received  from  special  state  aid 9,184.00  4,578.37 

Received  from  bonds  and  other  sources         18,621.15  1,993.11 


Total    $61,914.19                 $57,238.7: 

Disbursements. 

Paid  for  teachers'  wages  and  board $26,327.46 

Paid  for  fuel  and  school  supplies 3,743.42 

Paid  for  repairs  and  improving  grounds  2,215.64 

Paid  for  new  school  houses  and  sites 14,453.29 

Paid  for  bonds  and.  iaterest — ^ 85.47 

Paid  for  library  books 196.95 

Paid  for  text-books 889.88 

Paid  for  apparatus 469.70 

Paid  for  transportation  of  pupils 67.41 

Paid  for  all  other  purposes 3,963.52 

Cash  on  hand  at  end  of  year 9,503.45 

Total    $61,914.19 

Amount  of  outstanding  orders $607.48 


^^7'373-^3 

3.961.42 

1,646.89 

20.00 

710.25 

644.86 

766.24 

-'3774 

3,748.16 

18,150.03 

$57.-'38.72 

$82.95 

CHAPTER  X. 

Churches  of  Grant  County. 

There  is  no  better  recommendation  for  a  country  than  the  fact  that  it 
is  weU  suppHed  with  churches  of  various  denominations.  The  fact  that  such 
a  circumstance  exists  in  Grant  county  makes  this  locahty  a  coveted  place 
of  settlement.  AlthoughUiere  are  many  churches  and  many  different  denomi- 
nations in  the  county  the  history  of  their  organization  is  very  incomplete 
and  the  requests  for  information  have  been  very  meagerly  answered. 

SYNOD    LUTHERAN    CHURCHES. 

In  187 1  and  1872  the  Rev.  Louis  Carlson  held  services  in  many  parts  of 
the  county.  He  organized  several  congregations,  among  them  being  those 
of  Elk  Lake,  Lien,  Elbow  Lake,  Erdahl  and  Herman.  This  valiant  mission- 
ary did  valuable  service  for  four  years,  and  then  became  a  missionary  to 
Australia.  After  a  few  years  he  returned  from  Australia  and  again  took 
up  his  work  in  this'iield.  He  removed' to  California  and" died  there.  Means 
with  which  to  build  churches  in  the  early  days  were  limited,  and  the  meet- 
ings had  to  be  held  in  small  private  dwellings  and  later  in  school  houses. 
According  to  tradition  perhaps  the  first  religious  service  in  the  county  was 
a  Swedish  meeting  held  in  Land  township  in  the  dug-out  belonging  to  Gust 
Shalmark.  This  meeting  was  presided  over  by  Rev.  Mageney,  a  traveling 
missionary. 

The  congregation  at  Aastad  was  the  first  to  build  a  church  edifice.  The 
congregation  was  organized  in  1872,  and  the  following  year  began  prepara- 
tion for  a  church  building.  It  was  of  logs,  twenty-six  by  thirty-six  feet  and 
ten  feet  high,  with  four  small  windows  on  a  side.  The  expense  was  three 
hundred  dollars,  logs  furnished  free.  The  church  was  completed  in  1875 
and  served  its  purpose  until  1889  when  it  was  replaced  by  a  modern  frame 
building.  In  1881  a  large  and  beautiful  church  was  erected  at  Herman  at  a 
cost  of  over  five  thousand  dollars.  It  was  for  a  long  time  the  finest  piece 
of  architecture  in  the  county  and  one  of  the  nicest  churches  in  the  western 
part  of  the  state.  In  1883  churches  were  built  in  Lien  and  Elbow  Lake 
townships.     In   1875,  I^^^'-   ^'-   Erdahl  began  his  labor  in  this  county.     He 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  443 

held  meetings  in  all  parts  of  the  county  and  lived  to  see  man_\-  prosperous 
congregations  organized. 

The  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  Elbow  Lake  township 
was  organized  on  October  12,  1873,  by  the  Rev.  Louis  Carlson,  who  served 
as  pastor  from  1873  until  1875.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  G.  M.  Erdahl 
who  served  until  1900.  Rev.  O.  G.  Juul  was  the  ne.xt  pastor  and  served 
until  191 5.  At  that  time  Rev.  E.  Wulfsberg  became  the  pastor.  In  1889 
the  congregation  built  a  modern  edifice  which  they  continue  to  use  as  a 
place  of  worship.     The  present  membership  is  about  two  hundred. 

The  Pomme  de  Terre  Lake  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church 
was  organized  on  December  5,  1873,  ^y  the  Rev.  Louis  Carlson.  The  pas- 
tors of  this  congregation  have  been  the  same  as  those  for  the  Elbow  Lake 
Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  mentioned  above.  A  modern  frame 
church  building  was  erected  in  1899.  The  present  membership  is  one  hun- 
dred and  ten. 

The  St.  John's  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  of  the  village  of  Elbow 
Lake  was  organized  in  1900  by  the  Rev.  O.  G.  Juul,  with  the  following 
charter  members:  L.  J.  Hauge,  H.  J.  Bollum,  P.  P.  Larson,  Christian 
Haarstad,  K.  T.  Dahlen,  Lars  Lynne,  O.  L.  Larson,  H.  W.  Olson.  The  first 
meeting  was  held  in  the  residence  of  John  K.  Lee.  Services  were  held 
in  school  house  for  some  time  and  then  in  the  Swedish  church  for  two  years. 
Rev.  G.  M.  Erdahl  preached  here  many  years.  Reverend  Juul  served  as 
pastor  until  191 5  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  E.  Wulfsberg  who  is  the  pres- 
ent pastor.  As  the  church  congregation  grew  and  prospered  a  handsome 
church  building  was  erected  in  1907.  The  present  membership  is  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five. 

The  Stony  Brook  Norwegian  Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  located  at 
Wendell,  was  organized  in  1905  by  the  Rev.  O.  G.  Juul,  who  served  as 
pastor  until  191 5.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  E.  Wulfs- 
berg. In  due  season  a  modern  church  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  four 
thousand  dollars.     The  present  membership  is  one  hundred  and  fifteen. 

Other  congregations  of  the  same  denomination  were  organized  in  Elk 
Lake,  on  ^Nlay  6,  1872;  Lien,  in  1873,  and  Gorton,  in  1877. 

The  Svnod  Lutheran  church  of  Norcross  was  one  of  the  congregations 
organized  by  Rev.  Erdahl.  When  the  charge  was  divided  the  congregation 
was  assigned  to  Reverand  Juul  who  labored  there  until  19 15  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  Holum.  Although  the  congregation  is  not  large  it  is  very 
active  and  exercises  a  potent  influence  in  the  communit}-.  .\  nice  little 
church  was  built  a  few  years  ago  that  is  now  entirely  paid  for. 


4-14  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

REV.    GULLIK    M.    ERDAHL. 

Rev.  Gullik  M.  Erdahl  was  born  in,  Hardanger,  Norway,  on  October 
5,  1840,  and  seven  years  later  emigrated  to  America  with  his  parents  and 
settled  in  Madison,  Wisconsin.  He  studied  in  the  high  school  of  that  city 
for  some  time  and  then  entered  Luther  College  at  Decorah,  Iowa,  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1866.  In  order  that  he  might  better  prepare 
himself  for  the  ministry,  he  continued  his  research  at  the  Concordia  Semi- 
nary, at  St.  Louis,  from  which  school  he  was  graduated  in  1869.  He  pur- 
sued his  studies  in  the  University  of  Michigan  the  following  year  and  in  1871 
entered  the  state  of  Kansas  as  a  missionary  and  remained  there  one  year. 
He  then  removed  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  where  he  organized  several  con- 
gregations and  also  one  at  Soldier  Valley,  in  Monona  county,  Iowa.  In 
1875  he  received  a  call  from  the  congregations  of  Grant  county,  including 
those  of  Lincoln,  Immanuel,  Elbow  Lake,  Pomme  de  Terre  and  Hjerdal. 
He  served  these  congregations  until  1900  at  which  time  the  circuit  was 
divided.  Rev.  O.  G,  Juul  was  assigned  to  the  congregation  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  county  and  Reverend  Erdahl  retained  the  Lincoln  and  Immanuel 
congregations. 

Thus  for  forty- four  years  Reverend  Erdahl  was  a  teacher  and  preacher 
of  the  gospel;  for  thirty-nine  years  he  served  the  same  congregations.  It 
was  a  record  of  labor  in  the  service  of  the  Master  that  is  most  creditable. 
It  covers  an  experience  that  none  but  one  who  has  dedicated  his  life  to  the 
advancement  of  Christ's  kingdom  would  choose  to  select.  He  came  out  on 
the  western  frontier  in  the  early  days,  not  that  he  might' better  his  own 
condition  but  for  the  sake  of  the  Gospel  and  humanity.  His  choice  evi- 
denced a  steadfastness,  a  nobility  of  purpose  that  is  characteristic  of  few. 
He  met  his  own  trials  and  privations,  sorrows  and  worries.  He  forgot 
self  and  shared  the  adversities  and  sorrows  of  his  people,  he  comforted  them 
with  words  of  cheer  and  bade  them  take  courage  when  despondency  threat- 
ened. He  pointed  out  the  way  of  righteousness  and  carried  the  Savior's 
message  of  love  and  forgiveness.  As  a  minister  he  arose  above  denomina- 
tionalism;  he  carried  a  message  of  reason,  of  acceptance  of  Christ  and  the 
Savior  of  mankind.     He  died  at  his  home  near  Barrett  on  March  25,  1914. 

SWEDISH    EVANGELICAL    LUTHERAN    CHURCHES. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Fridhem  church,  located  five  miles 
southeast  of  Barrett  in  the  town  of  Lien,  was  organized  in  December,  1877. 
Among   the    charter    members    were,    P.    A.    Moller,    Erick    Johnson,    Olaf 


DOUOLAS    ANn    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  445 

Cederberg,  Wilhelni  Erlandson,  John  G.  Peterson.  The  first  pastor  was 
Rev.  L.  J.  Kronberg.  This  congregation  was  reorganized  in  1885  and  incor- 
porated the  same  year  at  the  home  of  Mons  Anderson.  At  that  time  Rev.  J. 
Lundberg  was  the  pastor.  The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  Oscar  O.  Gustaf- 
son  of  Elbow  Lake.  The  church  property  is  vahied  at  three  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars  and  the  present  membership  is  one  hundred  and  nineteen. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  Bethel  church  of  Herman  was  organ- 
ized in  1880  by  the  Rev.  J.  Lundberg.  Among  the  members  instrumental  in 
the  organization  were,  C.  A.  Smith,  John  A.  Willd.  Isaak  Ekberg  and  Andrew 
Selander.  The  congregation  has  a  church  and  grounds  valued  at  three 
thousand  dollars.  The  present  pastor  is  Rev.  Oscar  Gustafson,  and  the 
membership  is  eighty-two. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  of  Elbow  Lake  was 
organized  and  incorporated  in  1887,  the  pastor  at  that  time  being  the  Rev. 
J.  Lundberg.  Among  the  men  who  were  responsible  for  the  organization 
of  the  church  at  this  point  were:  Nels  Hakanson,  Nels  Anderson,  Nels 
Olson  and  Rev.  J.  Lundberg.  Li  the  beginning,  services  were  held  in  various 
places  and  often  in  the  town  hall,  but  as  the  congregation  grew  in  strength 
and  numbers  a  handsome  church  building  was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about 
three  thousand  dollars.  Among  the  pastors  have  been  Reverend  Nordstrom, 
Reverend  Olson  and  Rev.  M.  W.  Gustafson.  The  pastor  at  the  present  time 
is  Rev.  Oscar  O.  Gustafson,  who  is  a  college  man  of  unusual  talents  and 
liberal  ideas.     The  present  membership  is  one  hundred  and  thirty-tw^o. 

The  Swedish  Evangelical  Lutheran  congregation  of  Hoffman  is  one 
of  the  three  church  organizations  that  has  originated  from  the  mother  church 
of  Wennersborg  in  the  town  of  Solem,  Douglas  county.  The  church  con- 
gregation was  not  incorporated  until  1901  but  was  organized  several  years 
before.  In  1900  a  beautiful  and  modern  building  was  erected,  costing  about 
four  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  The  congregation  is  unusually  strong 
as  is  evidenced  by  the  present  membership,  there  being  two  hundred  and 
forty-seven.  Among  the  early  pastors  was  Rev.  Nordstrom,  who  conducted 
services  at  many  points  in  the  county.  Rev.  Rudolph  Vollquist  was  pastor 
of  the  congregation  for  several  years  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  P.  P. 
Hedenstrom,  who  has  been  the  regular  pastor  for  the  past  eight  years. 

NORWEGIAN    UNITED    LUTHERAN    CHURCH. 

The  Norwegian  United  Lutheran  congregation  of  Elbow  Lake  held 
their  first  service  in  1875,  the  meeting  being  conducted  by  the  Rev.  J.  A. 
Berg.     He  was  a  traveling  missionary  and  preached  here  only  occasionally. 


446  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

He  served  the  religious  needs  of  the  people  for  about  two  years  and  was 
succeeded  by  Rev.  I.  Tharaldson,  who  two  years  later  established  congrega- 
tions in  Elk  Lake  township  and  Bethana.  Shortly  afterward,  Reverend 
Tharaldson  removed  to  Grand  Forks,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Gustaf 
Oftedal  and  he  in  turn  by  Rev.  Ole  Ogen,  of  Morris,  Rev.  X.  Hierman  and 
A.  Wold.  In  1886,  Rev.  P.  T.  Peterson,  of  Minneapolis,  received  a  call  and 
being  ordained  the  same  year,  took  up  the  work.  Following  him  was  Rev. 
S.  A.  Johnson,  then  Rev.  L.  E.  Kleppe,  and  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  H.  'SI. 
Thoresen. 

THE    HJARDAL    CONGREGATION. 

The  Hjardal  congregation  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  was 
organized  on  April  8,  1S81,  under  the  name  of  the  Norske  Evangeliske 
Lutherske  Menighed  of  Ten  Mile  Lake,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev.  T. 
Wetleson,  those  participating  in  tlie  organization  and  present  at  the  initial 
meeting  of  the  same  having  been  Ole  Johnson,  K.  O.  Sanby,  Aslak  Tollef- 
son.  Roar  Halvorson,  Ole  Sorenson,  Nils  B.  Brekke,  Tobias  O.  Sanby,  Olaus 
Ostenson,  Halvor  Alikkelson  and  Andreas  Erickson.  The  first  pastor,  the 
Rev.  T.  Witleson,  served  the  congregation  until  in  September,  1886,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  A.  J.  Hulting,  who  served  until  1891  and 
under  whose  pastorate,  in  1887,  the  name  of  the  congregation  was  changed 
to  that  which  it  now  bears,  Hjardal.  It  was  also  during  Mr.  Hulting's 
pastorate  that  the  church  was  erected,  in  1889,  the  congregation  previous  to 
that  time  having  held  its  meetings  in  the  school  house  in  district  No.  15. 
The- Rev.  P.  T.  Petterson'was  called  to  succeed  the  Reverend  Hulting  and 
he  sen-ed  until  in  December,  1899,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Aaron  Johnson,  who  was  succeeded  on  November  11,  1903,  by  the  Rev. 
L.  E.  Kleppe,  who  resigned  in  July.  1906,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
H.  M.  Thorson,  the  present  pastor,  under  whose  pastorate  progress  is  reported 
in  all  departments  of  the  work  of  the  church,  the  present  membership  of 
which  is  about  forty-three. 

The  Norcross  Evangelical  Lutheran  church  was  organized  in  1878 
under  the  ministration  of  the  Rev.  G.  Erdahl,  who  served  as  the  first  pastor 
of  the  same  and  was  succeeded  in  turn  by  the  Rev.  O.  G.  Juul.  the  Rev.  T. 
A.  Hoft'  and  the  Rev.  J.  O.  Holum,  the  latter  of  whom  is  the  present  efficient 
pastor  of  the  congregation.  The  congregation  numbers  a  membership  of 
seventv  and  worships  in  a  substantial  frame  building.  The  various  depart- 
ments  of   the   work   of   the   church   are   well   organized   and   a   Ladies   Aid 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  447 

Society  and  a  Young  Ladies  Club  contribute  very  materially  to  the  cause 
of  the  church. 

PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH. 

In  the  summer  of  1886,  Rev.  A.  C.  Petitt,  of  Fergus  Falls,  began  to 
hold  services  at  Elbow  Lake,  and  after  several  months  of  persistent  labor, 
he  succeeded  in  organizing  a  Presbyterian  church  on  October  23,  1886.  The 
meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of  J.  N.  Sanford,  Rev.  A.  C.  Petitt  presiding 
and  Reverend  Winchester  preaching  the  sermon.  After  the  sermon  the 
following  named  persons  were  received  as  the  charter  members  of  the 
organization:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  N.  Sanford,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Joseph  Marple, 
and  IMrs.  Xancy  E.  X'anNess.  Messrs.  Sanford  and  Marple  were  chosen  as 
elders  but  the  former  declined  to  act  as  ruling  elder.  Mr.  Marple  was  duly 
installed,  having  been  previously  ordained  in  the  church  of  Western.  Rev. 
Pettitt  continued  his  labors  among  the  people  at  Elbow  Lake  until  April, 
1887,  when  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  churches  of  Maine  and  Maplewood, 
^Minnesota.  The  church  was  then  without  a  pastor  for  several  months,  until 
Rev.  W.  T.  McAltioner  came  to  the  field.  Owing  to  his  wife's  illness  he 
was  obliged  to  leave  ere  he  got  rightly  into  the  work.  The  little  flock  being 
left  without  a  shepherd,  became  discouraged  and  somewhat  indifferent  so 
that  for  a  time  it  seemed  almost  advisable  to  abandon  the  field.  However,  on 
December  9,  1888,  Harold  Thorson  gave  Rev.  James  God  ward,  of  Evans- 
ville,  a  pressing  invitation  to  preach  for  the  people  at  Elbow  Lake  on  the 
following  Sabbath.  The  invitation  was  accepted  and  a  large  attentive  audi- 
ence assembled  to  hear  the  preached  word,  and  strange  as  it  may  seem  to 
old  and  thoroughly  organized  congregations,  Rev.  Godward  was  engaged  by 
the  leading  business  and  professional  men  of  the  town  to  preach  every  altern- 
ate Sabbath  for  one  year,  and  there  was  not  a  Presbyterian  among  them. 
The  salary  agreed  upon  was  increased  one  hundred  dollars  the  first  year. 
Reverend  Godward  served  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  people  until  his  death, 
;\Iav  14,  1913-  R-  G.  Rieman,  a  student  pastor,  filled  the  pulpit  during  the 
summer  of  the  same  year.  In  November,  1913,  Rev.  A.  T.  Huber  accepted 
the  call  of  the  congregation  and  is  the  present  pastor.  He  also  has  charge 
(if  the  church  at  Ashby.  The  membership  of  the  local  congregation  is  one 
hundred  and  eight. 

The  present  church  building  was  erected  in  1897  at  a  cost  of  two  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  dollars.  Improvements  have  since  been  made  thus  mak- 
ing the  building  quite  ample  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  congregation. 

The  Ashby  Presbyterian  church  was  organized  on  December  9,   1888, 


448  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

by  Rev.  A.  C.  Elmer  and  Rev.  James  Godward,  with  the  following  charter 
members:  E.  ]\Iarden  and  wife,  William  Porter  and  wife,  Dr.  William 
McKenzie  and  wife,  D.  R.  Davidson  and  wife,  M.  A.  Burbank  and  wife, 
A.  D.  Dewey  and  wife,  Mrs.  H.  K.  Fisk,  George  Huggett.  Rev.  James  God- 
ward  was  the  first  pastor  and  served  ten  years,  from  1888  to  1898.  Rev. 
J.  \V.  Hood  succeeded  Re\'erend  Godward  and  served  the  congregation  one 
year.  Rev.  A.  T.  Ploetz  became  the  pastor  in  1900  and  served  one  year. 
Rev.  W.  H.  Leggett  was  pastor  from  1901  to  1907.  He  was  followed  by 
Rev.  D.  O.  Bean,  who  served  about  one  year.  From  1908  to  191 1  the  church 
had  no  regular  pastor.  In  1912  Rev.  John  Mark  accepted  the  call  of  the 
congregation  and  was  the  pastor  for  about  two  years.  Since  that  time  Rev. 
A.  T.  Huber,  of  Elbow  Lake,  has  been  the  pastor.  The  present  membership 
numbers  seventeen.  The  congregation  uses  the  church  building  formerly 
owned  by  the  Methodist  congregation. 

REV.    JAMES    GODWARD. 

The  Re\-.  James  Godward  was  born  in  Sheffield,  England,  May  29, 
1845,  and  in  1849  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  who  settled  in  the 
vicinity  of  Youngstown,  Ohio.  His  mother  died  when  he  was  quite  young 
and  he  was  brought  up  under  the  guidance  and  direction  of  his  elder  brother. 
He  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  Ohio,  and  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age 
worked  in  the  coal  mines.  During  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  in  the  service 
of  his  country  and  became  a  member  of  a  volunteer  regiment  from  Ohio.  He 
served  in  the  war  about  a  year  and  returning  home  at  the  end  of  the  war 
resumed  his  work  in  the  coal  fields.  During  the  time  he  was  working  in 
the  coal  fields  he  was  educating  himself.  After  working  hours  he  recited 
to  students  and  teachers  of  ^^'estminster  College,  located  at  Xew  Wilming- 
ton, Pennsylvania. 

In  December,  1865,  James  Godward  was  married  to  Jean  Binnie,  a 
Highland  Scotch  girl  of  unusual  talents  and  wisdom.  Soon  after  his  mar- 
riage he  became  a  member  of  the  Neshannock  church,  a  so-called  country 
church,  but  one  having  an  average  attendance  of  one  thousand  and  an 
approximate  membership  of  two  thousand  people.  This  church  has  the  dis- 
tinction of  sending  out  more  missionaries  than  any  other  church  of  this 
denomination.  To  say  that  Reverend  Godward  was  as  great  as  any  of 
these  would  not  be  an  exaggeration.  For  many  years  he  was  an  active  elder 
in  the  church  and  a  leader  in  Sunday  school  and  temperance  work.  He 
remained   in    Xew   Wilmington   several    vears   and   then   moved   to   Albany, 


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DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  449 

Ohio,  and  organized  the  Concord  church,  of  which  he  was  an  elder  and 
superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school.  After  a  few  years  he  went  back  to 
New  Wilmington  and  there  was  chosen  as  an  elder  in  the  church.  From 
New  Wilmington  he  removed  to  Mt.  Jackson  where  he  was  chosen  as  an 
elder  and  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath  school.  He  remained  at  Mt.  Jackson 
for  several  years  and  then  returned  to  Albany  and  worked  in  the  church  there. 
During  all  this  time  he  was  studying  and  preparing  himself  for  the  service  of 
God.   ^ 

He  decided  to  enter  the  mission  field  and  came  west  in  the  early  part  of 
1887,  and  was  ordained  at  Moorhead,  Minnesota,  in  March  of  the  same 
year.  He  decided  to  locate  at  Evansville,  Minnesota,  and  there  he  organized 
a  congregation  and  built  a  church  building.  He  also  organized  a  church  at 
Ashby  about  the  same  time  and  in  the  years  of  1887  and  1888  preached  at 
the  places  already  mentioned  and  also  at  Dalton.  In  1888  he  ceased  preach- 
ing at  Dalton  and  annexed  the  congregation  of  Elbow  Lake  to  his  circuit. 
In  1893  he  built  the  church  parsonage  at  Ellx)w  Lake  and  from  this  point  as 
a  center  conducted  services  at  different  times  at  Ashby,  Barrett,  Hoffman, 
Kensington,  Wendell,  Lawrence  and  Western  in  addition  to  Elbow  Lake 
and  Evansville.  Under  his  pastorship  the  church  building  in  Ellxiw  Lake 
was  constructed  in   1897. 

Reverend  Godward  was  a  man  universally  loved  and  respected.  The 
golden  rule  w^s  his  precept  in  dealing  with  his  fellow  men  and  in  his  every 
walk  of  life  he  practiced  the  religion  he  preached.  He  enjoyed  a  popularity 
that  was  only  limited  by  acquaintance  and  not  an  enemy  did  he  have.  He 
visited  the  sick,  comforted  the  sorrowing  and  helped  the  needy.  It  was 
given  to  few  men  to  yield  such  an  influence  of  good — an  influence  that  will 
continue  to  live  and  bear  fruit.  Reverend  Godward's  health  began  to  decline 
a  year  before  his  death.  He  was  requested  to  give  up  his  work  but  he 
insisted  that  his  services  were  needed.  His  last  sermon  was  preached  in 
Elbow  Lake  on  Sunday  morning,  April  20,  191 3.  A  few  days  afterward  his 
illness  became  so  acute  that  he  was  confined  to  his  bed.  He  died  on  the 
morning  of  May  14,  1913. 

The  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Wendell  was  organized  on  April  10, 
1904,  by  Rev.  James  Godward.  The  charter  members  were  as  follow: 
Miss  Ida  Stickney,  Miss  Delia  Barker,  Mrs.  W.  U.  Williams,  Mrs.  Hattie 
Masters,  Mrs.  Laura  C.  Stickney,  Miss  Emma  Stickney,  Ole  Saison,  Airs. 
Ole  Saison,  Mrs.  Mary  Steine  and  Miss  Gertrude  Steine. 

The  first  pastor  was  Rev.  James  Godward,  who  was  succeeded  by 
(29) 


450  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Rev.  F.  O.  Bastrom  and  Rev.  William  Anderson.  The  present  pastor  is 
Rev.  H.  T.  Sackett.  The  church  now  has  a  membership  of  sixteen.  In 
November,  191 2,  the  congregation  bought  the  Methodist  church  building 
at  Hereford  and  moved  it  to  Wendell,  where  it  is  still  in  use.  The  pastor 
of  the  Wendell  church  conducts  services  in  Lawrence  and   Western. 

LAWRENCE     PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCH. 

The  first  religious  service  held  in  the  town  of  Lawrence  was  in  the 
home  of  Joseph  C.  Marple,  father  of  H.  L.  Marple,  in  the  winter  of  1893, 
Rev.  John  Irwin  conducting  the  service.  The  first  Sabbath  school  was 
organized  in  the  school  house  of  district  No.  28  by  J.  C.  Marple  in  thp 
spring  of  1884,  with  John  Marple  as  superintendent  and  Rev.  George  John- 
son of  Western  Presbyterian  church  preaching.  Services  were  held  each 
Sunday  afternoon  during  the  summer  and  similar  services  were  held  during 
the  summers  of  18S5  and  1886.  On  December  18,  1886,  a  meeting  was 
called  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  A.  C.  Pettitt,  and  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Lawrence  was  organized  with  a  membership  of  twenty-two  members, 
namely:  Jacob  M.  Reeser,  Harriet  R.  Reeser,  George  H.  Adams,  Daniel 
L.  Tucker,  Harriet  Tucker,  John  Shaw,  Mary  E.  Shaw,  Delany  Shaw, 
George  H.  Shaw,  Mattie  J.  Shaw,  John  Sellie,  Theodbre  Cowdell,  Mrs. 
Mary  M.  Ash,  Kilborn  B.  Ia)vejoy,  Mr.  S.  P,  Lorell,  Mrs.  Sophia  Lorell, 
Wilmar  J.  Reeser,  Lillie  C.  Reeser,  Ida  A.  Reeser,  Clarence  G.  Wentworth, 
George  E.  Wentworth  and  Stella  Anderson.  Jacob  M.  Reeser  was  elected 
elder  and  continued  to  hold  the  office  through  life. 

Sabbath  school  and  preaching  services  were  held  in  the  summer  months 
by  different  ministers.  Rev.  James  Godward  especially  looked  after  the 
interest  of  the  church  up  to  the  year  1900.  The  church  was  incorporated 
under  the  laws  of  the  state  in  the  spring  of  1901,  under  the  direction  of 
Rev.  C.  M.  Junkin.  Five  acres  of  land  having  been  donated,  the  congrega- 
tion proceeded  to  build  a  church  edifice  that  same  summer,  and  the  same  was 
dedicated  on  December  i,  1901,  Rev.  R.  N.  Adams,  synodical  superintendent; 
Rev.  James  Godward,  of  Elbow  Lake,  and  Rev.  C.  M.  Junkin,  pastor,  being 
present.  The  building  cost  about  one  thousand  eight  hundred  dollars,  the 
Presbyterian  board  of  church  erection  supplying  five  hundred  dollars.  The 
board  of  home  missions  assisted  in  support  of  the  pastor  up  to  the  summer 
of  1902  when,  in  conjunction  with  the  Western  church,  the  churches  became 
self-supporting.  From  that  time  on  there  has  been  regular  senice  under 
different  pastors,  with  many  changes  of  membership,  members  moving  away 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  45 1 

and  others  moving  in ;  but  never  has  there  failed  to  be  those  who  supported 
and  enjoyed  it,  and  rejoiced  in  the  fact  that  a  House  of  God  had  been  estab- 
Hshed  in  the  town  of  Lawrence. 

In  the  current  year  (  1916)  the  membership  is  fifty-two,  with  a  Sunday 
school  of  over  one  hundred.  Only  two  of  the  charter  members,  the  .elder, 
J.  M.  Reeser,  and  his  daughter  are  still  in  attendance.  Since  its  organiza- 
tion, the  following  pastors  have  served  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Lawrence: 
1884,  Rev.  George  Johnson;  1886,  Rev.  A.  C.  Pettitt;  1894  to  1900,  Rev. 
James  Godward ;  Reverends  Stewart,  Stevens  and  Mclnnis  were  student  sup- 
plies; Rev.  S.  Ferguson,  pastor-at-large ;  Rev.  Matthewson,  pastor-at-large ; 
Reverend  McAltioner;  1900-02.  Rev.  C.  M.  Junkin;  1902-03,  Rev.  L  G. 
Smith;  Rev.  W.  F.  Finch,  pastor-at-large:  1903-07,  Rev.  James  Wrav,  Rev- 
erend ShibH  and  students;  1910,  Rev.  T.  C.  Hodgeson;  1913-15.  Rev.  Will- 
iam Anderson;  1915-16,  Rev.  H.  T.  Sockett;  Rev.  S.  Sharpless,  pastor-at- 
large. 

METHODIST  CHURCHES. 

The  first  Methodist  church  in  Grant  county  was  organized  in  Herman  in 
1879  by  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Starkey.  The  church  began  its  existence  with  a  mem- 
bership of  ten  members,  but  has  grown  to  such  an  extent  that  the  organiza- 
tion is  onfe  of  the  strongest  in  this  section  of  the  country.  The  auxiliaries  in 
connection  with  the  church  are  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society,  of  whidh  Mrs.  Dunn 
is  president;-  the  Sunday  school  and  the  Queen  Esther  Circle.  The  pastors 
who  have  served  the  congregation  since  the  beginning  include  the  following: 
Rev.  H.  B.  Crandall,  Rev.  S.  M.  Harm,  Rev.  C.  W.  Larson,  Rev.  W.  J. 
Hunter,  Rev.  M.  O.  McNiff.  Rev.  P.  P.  Ingalls,  Rev.  Frank  Fisher,  Rev. 
D.  S.  Smith,  Rev.  George  West,  Rev.  S.  G.  Briggs,  Rev.  E.  C.  Teachout, 
Rev.  C.  E.  Davenport,  Rev.  E,  H.  Nickolson,  Rev.  W.  Peckard,  Rev.  H.  A. 
Barton,  Rev.  Thomas  E.  Archer,  Rev.  Elijah  Haley,  Rev.  R.  Murray,  Rev. 
Joseph  E.  Watson,  Rev.  William  Love,  Rev.  L.  D.  King,  Rev.  J.  Wesley 
Scott,  Rev.  J.  J.  Trask,  Rev.  C.  I.  Mason,  Rev.  L.  W.  Bartholow,  and  the 
present  pastor.  Rev.  R.  Levin. 

The  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Norcross  was  organized  several 
years  after  the  one  at  Herman  and  was  incorporated  in  1901.  For  some  time 
services  were  held  in  the  village  school  house  but  as  the  congregation  grew 
in  strength  and  numbers  a  neat  little  church  was  erected.  Besides  holding 
regular  services  here  the  pastor  also  conducts  regular  meetings  in  a  school 
house  in  the  township  of  Delaware. 

In  1888  or  1889  a  Methodist  congregation  was  organized  at  Hereford. 


45-  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

The  little  congregation  prospered  and  in  due  season  erected  a  neat  little  church 
building.  Church  services  were  held  with  regularity  for  a  few  years.  Rev. 
Smith  preached  to  the  congregation  for  several  years.  Among  the  leading 
members  of  the  congregation  were  L.  L.  Brewster,  Josias  McGee,  Kelley  B. 
Lovejoy,  Rebekah  Ireland,  George  Shaw  and  Thomas  H.  Toombs. 

CATHOLIC    CHURCH   AT   ST.    OLAF. 

The  first  Catholic  gathering  in  Elbow  Lake  and  vicinity  was  held  at  the 
home  of  J.  A.  Dols  on  June  8,  1912.  The  first  Sunday  service  was  held  at 
the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tos.  E.  Dybdal  on  May  7,  1914,  with  Father 
James  Walcher,  of  Tintah,  presiding.  Services  are  now  conducted  quite 
frequently  at  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dybdal  by  Father  Matthew  Hoff- 
man, of  Tintah.  Sunday  school  is  conducted  each  Sunday  by  Mrs.  Tos.  E. 
Dybdal  and  although  the  gathering  is  small  the  interest  manifested  is  en- 
couraging to  those  of  the  faith. 

The  congregation  received  its  name  from  the  fact  that  Harold  Thorson, 
although  not  a  Catholic,  has  kindly  donated  a  beautiful  lot  as  a  site  for  the 
prospective  church  building  and  it  was  he  who  so  liberally  endowed  St.  Olaf 
College.  A  great  deal  of  support  has  been  received  from  non-Catholics,  a 
fact  that  is  very  encouraging  to  the  supporters  of  this  faith.  Two  thou- 
sand five  hundred  dollars  have  already  been  subscribed  toward  the  erection 
of  anedifice  and  it  is  the  fond  hope  of  every  member  to  have  the  structure  in 
the  course  of  construction  within  a  year. 

THE   PARISHES  OF  ST.    CHARLES  AND   ST.    MARY. 

The  Catholic  church  of  St.  Charles  at  Herman  w^s  organized  during  the 
summer  of  191 3  by  the  Rev.  Father  Charles  L.  Grunenwald  and  during  that 
same  summer  was  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  state  of  Minnesota  with 
the  following  board  of  directors :  The  Rt.  Rev.  James  Trobec,  D.  D.,  bishop 
of  St.  Cloud ;  the  Rt.  Rev.  Mgr.  E.  J.  Nagl,  vicar  general ;  the  Rev.  Charles 
L.  Grunenwald,  pastor  in  charge,  and  J.  J.  Olson  and  Edward  Drexler,  lay 
members.  The  Rev.  Charles  L.  Grunenwald,  who  had  labored  so  effectively 
for  the  success  of  the  parish,  was  appointed  the  first  pastor  of  St.  Charles, 
attending  the  same  from  Donnelly,  and  upon  his  removal  to  St.  Cloud  to 
become  editor  of  the  diocesan  ])aper,  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  B.  H. 
Wessling,  was  appointed  at  the  end  of  No\'ember,  1915.  At  present  there 
are  about  twenty-two  families  connected  with  St.  Charles  parish,  numbering 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  453 

about  sixty  souls,  and  progress  is  reported  in  all  departments  of  the  work 
of  the  church. 

The  church  of  St.  Mary  at  Norcross  was  organized  in  the  year  1906 
by  the  Rev.  Father  James  Walcher,  of  Tintah,  his  successor  being  the  Rev. 
Father  Matthew  Hoffman.  Then  Norcross  was  made  a  mission  of  the 
parish  at  Donnelly  and  the  Rev.  Father  Charles  L.  Grunenwald  was  appointed 
pastor,  he  being  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  B.  H.  Wessling,  of  Donnelly,  the 
present  rector,  and  pastor  also  of  the  church  of  St.  Charles  at  Herman. 

SEVENTH-DAY    ADVENTIST    CHURCH    AT    HERMAN. 

In  the  year  1905  a  small  company  of  believers  in  the  doctrines  of  the 
Seventh-Day  Adventist  church  in  and  about  Herman  was  organized  into  a 
church  company  by  Elder  W.  W.  Ruble,  now  in  the  educational  work  of 
that  communion,  and  Elder  A.  C.  Gilbert,  now  president  of  the  Canadian 
conference  of  the  Seventh-Day  Ad\'entists.  The  congregation  was  organ- 
ized after  a  six-weeks  series  of  lectures  and  started  out  with  an  initial  mem- 
bership of  twenty,  which  number  was  increased  to  thirty-one  by  1907.  The 
work  of  this  small  company  prospered  and  a  few  more  members  have  been 
added  since.  Some  of  these  members  have  moved  away  and  joined  other 
churches,  while  "some  have  been  laid  to  rest,  awaiting  the  Lord's  soon  com- 
ing; when  all  the  Faithful  shall  be  called  from  their  dusty  beds  to  meet  the 
Lord  in  the  air  (i  Thess.,  iv:  15-17),  the  living  righteous  to  be  changed 
(  I  Coi.,  x\- :  51-54)  ;  all  to  go  to  Heaven,  where  Christ  is  (John  xiv :  1-3) 
to  reign  with  Him  one  thousand  years  (Rev.  xx :  4)."  The  present  mem- 
bership of  the  Seventh-Day  Adventist  chmxh  at  Herman  is  twenty,  with 
two  waiting  to  join.  The  offerings  for  the  first,  second  and  third  quarters 
of  1916  amounted  to  $480.33;  that  is,  including  the  tithes,  besides  the  con- 
tributions for  home  missionary  work.  As  one  devout  member  of  this  faith 
puts  it:  "Every  member  of  this  denomination  is  an  ambassador  of  God  and 
has  a  work  to  do :  to  help  warn  the  world  of  the  coming  of  the  Day  of  God, 
just  before  (.'hrist  comes  in  the  clouds  of  Heaven." 

OTHER   CHURCH   INCORPORATIONS. 

There  are  several  organizations  in  the  county  whose  incorporation  is 
recorded  with  the  register  of  deeds,  some  of  which  are  not  now  active. 
Among  the  incorporations  are  the  Land  Norsk  Evangelical  Lutheran  Meni- 
ghed  church  of  Hoffman;  the  Bethel  Norsk  P^vangelical  Lutheran  Menighed 


454  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

church  at  Erdahl;  the  Bethesda  Menighed  church  of  Barrett;  the  First  Bap- 
tist church  of  Herman,  one  of  the  early  churches  in  the  community;  the 
Christian  Reform  church  of  America  of  Norcross;  the  EvangeHcal  Lutheran 
Saint  Paul's  church  of  Herman;  the  Bethany  Lutheran  congregation  in  the 
township  of  Lien;  the  Salem  Lutheran  church  of  Barrett;  the  Catholic  church 
of  St.  Charles  of  Herman;  the  Catholic  church  of  St.  Mary  of  Norcross; 
the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Zions  Congregation  in  the  town  of  Rose- 
ville;  the  German  Evangelical  Lutheran  Christ  church  of  Pomme  de  Terre; 
the  German  Reformed  church  southwest  of  Herman.  The  Church  of  God 
at  Hereford  has  an  active  organization  and  a  neat  frame  building. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

Newspapers  of  Grant  County. 

The  newspapers  of  Grant  county  compare  very  favorably  with  those  of 
any  other  distinctly  rural  community.  A  number  of  journalistic  efforts  have 
appeared  in  the  county  in  the  past  years,  flourished  for  a  time  and  passed  out 
of  existence.     There  are  now  five  weekly  papers  published  in  Grant  county. 

GRANT    COUNTY    REVIEW. 

The  Grant  County  Rcxinv  was  established  in  1900,  at  Herman,  bv  J. 
S.  Arneson  and  Oscar  i\rneson.  The  Arneson  Brothers  conducted  the  pa])er 
until  191 1,  when  they  sold  out  to  Ronald  Morrison,  who  had  charge  of  the 
paper  for  about  three  months.  The  present  proprietor,  E.  M.  Chesebrough, 
assumed  the  management  of  the  Review  on  November  i,  191 1,  and  has 
built  up  a  very  good  paper.  It  is  a  six-column,  six-page  weekly  paper,  and 
is  noted  for  the  thoroughness  in  which  it  covers  the  local  field.  The  Reincw 
is  independent  in  politics.  The  office  is  well  equipped  for  both  news  and 
commercial  job  work. 

Tlie  Herman  Enterprise  was  established  at  Herman  in  May.  1887,  by 
E.  W.  Randall,  publisher,  and  F.  J.  Skinner,  editor.  It  was  an  eight-column, 
four-page  paper.  It  was  later  purchased  by  J.  W.  Reynolds,  who  sold  out 
to  K.  C.  Ness,  who  in  turn  sold  to  Nellie  Jacobs.  Miss  Jacobs  continued  to 
publish  this  paper  until  it  was  discominued  in  1908.  She  was  noted  for  the 
vigorous  manner  in  which  she  handled  local  matters.  Miss  Jacobs  married  N. 
J.  Bothne  and  they  now  live  at  New  I'iockford,  North  Dakota. 

Perhaps  the  first  paper  in  the  county  was  the  Herman  Banner,  published 
at  Herman,  about  1878.  This  newspaper  is  said  to  have  been  owned  by  a 
Mr.  Kindred  and  edited  by  A.  C.  Belyea,  later  owner  of  the  Herald. 

GRANT    COUNTY    HERALD. 

The  Grant  County  Herald  was  established  at  Herman,  about  1881,  when 
that  village  was  the  metropolis  of  Grant  county,  by  W.  C.  Whiteman.  Mr. 
W'hiteman  conducted  the  paper  for  several  years  and  then  sold  to  A.  DeLacey 


456  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Wood,  who  in  turn  sold  to  A.  C.  Belyea.  Mr.  Belyea  moved  the  paper  to 
the  village  of  Elbow  Lake  in  1887,  and  continued  as  its  publisher  until  his 
death,  in  1895,  whtn  W.  H.  Goetzinger  became  the  proprietor.  Mr.  Goet- 
zinger  conducted  the  paper  until  1914,  since  which  time  it  has  been  owned 
by  the  Herald  Printing  Company. 

The  Elbo7v  Lake  Tribune  was  established  in  1886  by  J.  S.  Arneson.  In 
189Q  the  Tribune  absorbed  the  Barrett  Lake  Breecc,  which  had  been  pub- 
lished for  some  three  years  at  Barrett.  At  the  time  of  consolidation  the 
Tribune  was  enlarged  from  a  five-column,  four-page  paper,  to  seven  columns, 
four  pages.     A  few  years  later  the  paper  was  discontinued. 

ASHBY    POST. 

The  Asliby  Post  was  established  on  November  i,  1901,  by  William  Pen- 
nar,  who  sold  out  on  x\pril  22,  1910,  to  Alfred  J.  Dahl.  Mr.  Dahl  continued 
as  publisher  until  April  22,  191 3,  when  he  transferred  his  interests  to  L.  R. 
Rath  bun.  the  present  proprietor. 

The  Post  has  a  circulation  of  five  hundred  and  fifty,  and  is  published 
every  Friday.  It  is  a  six-column  folio.  The  type  is  hand  set,  and  the  office 
is  equipped  with  newspaper  and  job  presses. 

The  Grant  County  Farmer  was  published  at  Ashby  about  1890,  by  A.  S. 
King.  In  1897  this  paper  was  taken  over  by  J.  S.  Arneson,  who  conducted 
it  a  few  years,  when  it  was  discontinued. 

WENDELL  TRIBUNE. 

The  Wendell  Tribune  was  established  on  August  14,  1914,  by  A.  R. 
McManus.  formerly  principal  of  the  Wendell  public  schools.  When  founded 
the  paper  had  two  hundred  and  seventy  subscribers  and  now  has  five  hun- 
dred. It  is  a  five-column,  eight-page  paper,  and  is  well  supported  by  local 
advertising  from  the  wide-awake  W^endell  merchants. 

The  Tribune  office  is  well  supplied  with  up-to-date  type  faces  and  all 
)  the  necessary  facilities  for  commercial  job  work.  The  paper  circulates  in 
Grant  county  and  the  southern  part  of  Otter  Tail  county. 

The  Wendell  Sun  was  published  for  about  eight  months  at  Wendell,  by 
J.  Harvey  Cousins,  in  1913,  when  it  was  discontinued.  Mr.  Cousins  also 
started  the  Barrett  Tribune  alx)ut  the  same  time,  and  after  a  brief  existence 
it  also  ceased. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  457 


HOFFMAN   TIMES. 

The  Hoffman  Times  was  estal>Iished  on  ]\Iay  25,  1916,  by  W.  N.  Bron- 
son.  It  is  a  six-cohimn,  eight-page  paper.  The  Times  office  has  an  "Ideal" 
news  press  and  a  ten  by  fifteen  inch  job  press,  also  a  good  supply  of  type. 

The  Hoffman  Tndcpcndcnt  was  conducted  at  Hofifman  by  Casper  Noh- 
ner,  from  the  spring  of  1912  to  the  fall  of  1914,  when  it  was  discontinued. 


CHAPTER    XII. 
The  Bf.nch  and  Bar. 

From  the  time  of  its  permanent  organization,  in  1873.  until  1883. 
Grant  county  was  a  part  of  Douglas  county  for  judicial  purposes,  and  dis- 
trict court  cases  from  this  county  were  tried  at  Alexandria.  In  1883  the 
state  Legislature  gave  Grant  county  a  court  of  its  own  and  rnade  it  a  part 
of  the  seventh  judicial  district,  which  was  comprised  of  Benton,  Douglas, 
Grant,  Mille  Lacs,  Morrison,  Otter  Tail.  Pope,  Sherburne,  Stearns  and  Todd 
counties.  The  judges  who  presided  over  this  court  while  Grant  county  was 
a  part  of  the  seventh  judicial  district  were  L.  W.  ColHns  and  L.  L.  Baxter. 
Judge  Collins  later  became  a  member  of  the  state  supreme  court. 

In  1887  Grant  county  became  a  part  of  the  sixteenth  judicial  district, 
then  composed  of  Big  Stone,  Grant,  Stevens,  Traverse  and  Wilkin  counties, 
to  which  Pope  county  was  added  later,  and  these  counties  constitute  the  pres- 
ent sixteenth  judicial  district.  The  judges  have  been :  Calvin  L.  Brown,  who 
served  from  1887  to  i8g8,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  state  supreme  court 
of  which  he  is  now  chief  justice;  F.  J.  Steidl,  who  served  from  1898  to 
1901,  and  S.  A.  Flaherty,  who  was  elected  in  1900  and  is  still  presiding  as 
judge  of  this  district. 

ATTORNEYS. 

E.  S.  Rolfe  was  the  first  attorney  to  take  up  residence  in  Grant  county. 
He  opened  a  law  office  at  Herman  in  the  early  seventies  and  at  once  took  an 
active  part  in  county  affairs.  Mr.  Rolfe  was  county  superintendent  of 
schools  from  1879  to  1880  and  was  county  attorney  from  1878  to  1881. 
He  moved  away  from  Herman  in  1882. 

Joseph  W.  Reynolds  located  in  Herman  in  1879  and  was  one  of  the 
leading  early  lawyers.  Mr.  Reynolds  was  county  attorney  from  1881  to 
1883.     He  is  now  practicing  law  in  Duluth. 

Charles  M.  Stevens,  who  also  located  at  Herman,  was  county  attorney 
from  1883  to  1885.  He  moved  from  Grant  county  to  Minneapolis,  and  later 
went  to  Aberdeen,  South  Dakota,  where  he  is  still  in  the  practice. 

W.   H.  Townsend,  a  native  of   Michigan  and  a  graduate  of  the  law 


•    '  DOUGLAS    AND    GRAKT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  459 

school  at  Ann  Arloor,  located  at  Her.man  in  1887.  He  was  county  superin- 
tendent of  schools  from  1893  to  1895.  Mr.  Townsend  died  at  Flint,  Michi- 
gan, in  1900. 

A  Mr.  Rothrick  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Herman,  in  1882,  in 
partnership  with  J.  W.  Reynolds.  Aljout  1888  he  mo\ed  to  Little  Falls, 
this  state. 

George  Ketcham  opened  a  law  office  at  Herman  in  1882.  He  was 
county  attorney  from  1885  to  1891.     Mr.  Ketcham  died  at  Herman  in  1899. 

Arthur  B.  Childress  moved  from  Northfield  to  Herman  in  1897,  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  there  for  two  years,  then  came  to  Elbow  Lake,  and 
after  conducting  an  office  here  for  one  year  moved  back  to  Northfield,  where 
he  is  now  judge  of  the  fifth  judicial  district. 

Guy  B.  Caldwell  located  in  Herman  about  1895.  After  practicing  there 
three  years  he  removed  to  St.  Paul. 

F.  C.  Anderson  opened  a  law  office  in  Flerman  in  1905,  and  is  still 
located  there. 

Nels  J.  Bothne  located  in  Herman  in  1906.  and  after  residing  there 
one  year  moved  to  Elbow  Lake.  Mr.  Bothne  was  county  attorney  from 
1909  to  1913.  Soon  after  leaving  this  office  he  moved  to  New  Rockford, 
North  Dakota. 

A.  S.  King  came- to  Ashby  in  1882  and  after  residing  there  until  1900 
moved  to  Lake  Park,  Becker  county,  where  he  is  still  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice. 

Michael  Casey  and  Thomas  Casey,  brothers,  natives  of  Wisconsin, 
opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  law  at  Elbow  Lake-  in  1887.  Michael 
Casey  served  as  county  attorney  from  1895  to  1899.  In  1899  he  moved  to 
Bloomington,  Wisconsin,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  practice.  Thomas 
Casey  was  court  commissioner  for  Grant  county  from  1891  to  1895.  He  is 
still  engaged  in  practice  at  Elbow  Lake. 

Oscar  M.  Torrison  located  at  Elbow  Lake  in  1887,  and  lived  here  until 
1890,  then  moved  to  Chicago,  where  he  is  now  one  of  the  judges  of  the 
circuit  court. 

E.  J-  Scofield  came  to  Elbow  Lake  from  Houston  county  in  1889,  and 
was  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Torrison  for  one  year.  Mr.  Scofield  served  as 
county  attorney  from  1891  to  1895  and  from  1899  to  1909.  He  is  still 
engaged  in  practice  here. 

Andrew  O.  Ofsthun  located  at  Elbow  Lake  in  1891.  In  1896  he  was 
elected  judge  of  probate  and  was  serving  in  that  office  when  he  was  acci- 
dentally killed  at  Pomme  de  Terre  lake  in  1901. 


4^10  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

R.  J.  Stromine  began  the  practice  of  law  at  Elbow  Lake  in  1903.  Mr. 
Stromme  was  county  superintendent  of  schools  from  1907  to  1913,  and 
since  191 3  has  been  county  attorney. 

Knut  T.  Dahlen  came  to  Ellx)\v  Lake  in  1900,  and  opened  an  office  for 
the  practice  of  law.  Mr.  Dahlen  was  county  superintendent  of  schools  from 
1895  to  1901.  In  T912  he  moved  to  ]MinneapoHs,  where  he  now  is  assistant 
county'  attorney. 

James  S.  Scribner  located  in  Elbow  Lake  in  1900,  and  one  vear  later 
moved  to  Walker,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  practice. 

STORY  OF  THE  FIRST  COURT  SESSION. 

At  the  dedication  of  the  new  court  house,  in  1906,  a  letter  was  read 
from  Judge  L.  \\\  Collins,  who  presided  at  the  first  session  of  the  district 
court  held  in  Grant  county,  in  1883.  This  letter  is  of  interest,  as  it  gives 
an  insight  into  the  conditions  which  confronted  the  early  lawyers  in  Grant 
county.     Judge  Collins  wrote  as  fohows : 

"I  held  the  first  term  of  court  in  your  county  at  Elbow  Lake  in  1883 
in  the  old  court  house,  a  small  building  erected  for  public  purposes.  There 
was  but  one  hotel,  kept  by  TVIr.  Laastuen,  and,  if  I  remember  right,  no  store 
at  all  in  your  place.  I  am  told  that  the  hotel  I  speak  of  was  on  the  ground 
now  occupied  by  the  new  court  house — a  beautiful  site  for  a  public  building. 

"Things  were  very  crude  in  those  days.  I  remember  that  an  appeal 
was  made  to  me  to  transfer  the  court  to  either  Herman  or  Ashby,  because 
there  were  no  proper  facilities  in  Elbow  Lake.  I  thought  that  those  who 
had  business  might  be  discommoded,  and  stated,  upon  opening  the  court, 
that  if  any  complaints  were  to  be  made,  I  would  listen  to  them  at  that  time, 
and,  if  there  was  no  well  founded  reason  for  transferring  the  court  to  some 
other  town,  it  would  be  held  here.  I  heard  no  complaints  and  we  went  on 
with  the  business. 

"The  lawyers  were  all  taken  care  of  by  the  then  county  auditor,  Mr. 
Sanford,  who  lived  about  a  mile  away,  across  a  small  lake.  Farmers  took 
jurors,  litigants  and  witnesses  to  their  houses  in  the  neighborhood.  The 
hotel  proprietor  and  his  good  wife  did  exceedingly  well  with  the  crowds  that 
were  thrust  upon  them,  and,  upon  the  whole,  it  was  not  an  unpleasant  con- 
dition of  things. 

"I  held,  as  district  judge,  one  or  two  terms  later,  when  the  town  had 
commenced  to  grow  and  could  boast  of  a  store  and  three  or  four  dwelling 
houses.  I  look  back  upon  those  days  and  the  friends  I  met  there  \Aith  a  good 
deal  of  satisfaction." 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

The  jNIedical  Profession. 

If  one  could  form  a  mental  conception  of  the  physician  of  the  early 
days  and  his  surroundings,  it  would  present  a  picture  in  sharp  contrast  to 
the  conditions  faced  by  the  physicians  of  the  present  day.'  In  early  times 
there  was  probably  one  physician  within  a  radius  of  twenty-five  or  thirty 
miles,  and  his  only  road  was  the  Indian  trail  or  the  few  lines  of  the  stage 
coach.  His  chief  means  of  conveyance  was  the  faithful  horse  which  he  rode, 
and  his  entire  line  of  supplies  and  instruments  was  carried  in  small  saddle 
bags  strapped  to  the  saddle.  Rivers  had  to  be  crossed  in  time  of  flood,  blind- 
ing snow  storms  faced,  and  when  he  left  home  on  a  round  of  visits  he  knew 
not  when  he  would  return.  Contrast  these  conditions  with  those  which  pre- 
vail in  this  day  of  excellent  roads,  telephones,  automobiles  and  improved 
medical  science,  and  one  can  readily  appreciate  the  sacrifices  and  hardships 
that  the  early  doctors  endured.  Doubtless  none  of  the  professions  have 
undergone  the  changes  of  that  of  the  medical  profession,  and  probably  none 
other  has  risen  to  such  a  high  point  of  efficiency. 

HF.RM.^N    PHYSICIANS. 

The  first  man  to  enter  Grant  county  as  a  practicing  physician  was  Dr. 
William  F.  Holden,  who  located  at  Herman  early  in  the  fall  of  1882.  After 
practicing  there  a  number  of  years  he  removed  to  Winona,  this  state,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  Doctor  Holden  was  followed  b)-  Dr.  C.  O. 
Paquin,  who  was  graduated  from  tlie  medical  department  of  Iowa  State 
University  in  1872.  In  January,  1883,  Dr.  W.  R.  Hand  came  to  Herman 
and  opened  an  ofifice  for  the  practice  of  medicine.  Doctor  Hand  was  grad- 
uated from  the  Cincinnati  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  1877  and 
began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Scranton,  Pennsylvania,  and  remained 
there  until  his  removal  to  Herman,  as  stated.  In  1896  Doctor  Hand  sold 
his  practice  to  Dr.  A.  D.  Larson,  and  after  spending  one  winter  in  New 
York  Post-Graduate  Medical  School,  located  in  Klbow  Lake. 

In  i8c)6  John  Ouincy  Sackett.  a  man  who  had  little  or  no  technical 
training  in  the  medical  profession,  located  at  Hennan.     He  started  work  as 


462  DOUGLAS    .AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

a  horse  doctor,  but  being  a  man  of  unusual  natural  ability,  with  sound  judg- 
ment and  a  winning  personality,  he  gradually  turned  his  attention  to  medi- 
cine and  established  an  extensive  practice.  "Doctor"  Sackett  died  at  Herman 
in  1907. 

-Among  the  later  physicians  who  located  at  Herman  were  Doctor  Mc- 
Cann,  Doctor  Cottam  and  Doctor  Waite,  who  after  brief  terms  of  residence 
here  mo^-ed  to  other  fields.  Dr.  B.  I..  Brigham,  a  graduate  of  the  College 
of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Baltimore,  practiced  here  for  a  few  years. 
Dr.  James  H.  Bowers  is  another  physician  known  to  have  been  in  Herman, 
but  his  residence  was  of  such  short  duration  that  little  is  known  of  him. 

At  the  present  time  there  are  three  physicians  practicing  in  Herman. 
Dr.  .\.  D.  Larson  came  here  in  18Q4  and  in  1896  took  over  the  practice  of 
Doctor  Hand.  Dr.  T.  M.  Thayer,  who  was  graduated  from  a  New  York 
medical  college  in  1900,  and  was  assistant  physician^at  the  Fergus  Falls  state 
hospital  for  six  years,  located  in  Herman  in  1908.  Doctor  Thayer  was 
coroner  of  Grant  county  from  1909  to  191 1.  Doctor  Larson  was  coroner 
from  1899  to  1903.:  Dr.  J-  T.  Leland,  who  was  graduated  from  the  Chicago 
Homeopathic  College,  opened  an  office  in  Herman  in  1905.  Doctor  Leland 
has  been  county  coroner  since  191 3. 

ELBOW   LAKE    PHYSICIANS. 

Dr.  Fred  A.  Robinson  was  the  first  physician  to  begin  the  practice  of 
medicine  at  Elbow  Lake.  He  was  graduated  from  the  Minnesota  Hospital 
College  in  1887  and  immediately  located  in  Elbow  Lake.  Doctor  Robinson 
was  accidentally  killed  while  out  hunting  in  1889. 

Dr.  Norman  W.  Chance  was  one  of  the  pioneer  physicians  of  Elbow 
Lake,  locating  in  the  village  in  October,  1888.  He  was  born  in  Wood 
county,  Ohio,  and  received  his  elem.entary  education  there.  After  graduating 
from  Rush  Medical  College,  at  Chicago,  he  came  to  Minnesota  and  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Elbow  Lake.  Subsequently  he  took  two 
post-graduate  courses,  one  at  the  Chicago  Polyclinic  and  the  other  at  Johns 
Hopkins  University,  at  Baltimore.  Doctor  Chance  moved  to  Little  Falls, 
this  state,  where  he  died  on  July  3,  1916. 

Dr.  C.  E.  Caine  was  the  third  physician  to  take  up  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine in  Elbow  Lake.  Doctor  Caine  was  graduated  from  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  Minnesota  State  University  in  1896,  and  at  once  opened  an 
office  in  Elbow  Lake.  He  practiced  here  for  several  years  and  then  removed 
to  Morris,  this  state,  where  he  now  resides. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  463 

The  next  physician  to  locate  in  the  village  was  Dr.  W.  R.  Hand,  who 
removed  here  from  Herman,  in  1896,  and  has  since  practiced  in  Elbow 
Lake.  Doctor  Hand  has  maintained  an  office  in  Grant  county  longer  than 
any  other  physician  now  engaged  in  the  practice  here. 

Dr.  C.  B.  Heimark  came  to  Ellx)w  Lake  about  1904  and  stayed  one 
year.  Later  he  resided  for  about  a  year  at  Wendell  and  then  moved  to  Ack- 
ley,  where  he  died  in  19 10. 

Dr.  Robert  B.  Hixson,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  iMinnesota, 
located  in  Elbow  Lake  about  1900,  but  remained  only  a  short  time. 

Among  the  practicing  physicians  in  Elbow  Lake  at  the  present  time  is 
Dr.  E.  .A..  T.  Reeve,  who  was  graduated  from  Hamline  University  in  1899 
and  located  here  a  short  time  afterward,  where  he  soon  established  a  paying 
practice. 

Dr.  F.  L.  Kling  is  also  engaged  in  the  practice  in  Elbow  Lake  at  the 
present  time.  Doctor  Kling  is  a  graduate  of  Hamline  Uni\-ersity,  with  the 
class  of  1903.  After  practicing  in  Alexandria  for  several  years  Doctor 
Kling  located  in  Elbow  Lake  in  191 3. 

Dr.  Per  Oyen  set  up  an  office  at  Ell>ow  Lake  about  19 10,  and  was  here 
two  years,  moving  to  Eessenden,  North  Dakota,  where  he  now  resides. 
Another  physician  who  located  in  the  village  and  practiced  here  several  years 
was  Dr.  Jacob  L.  Hoffman.  '  He  came  here  in  1909  and  in  191 1  moved  to 
Henning,  Otter  Tail  county,  this  state. 

ASHBY    PHYSICIANS. 

One  of  the  pioneer  ph}sicians  of  Grant  county  was  Dr.  E.  J.  Johnson, 
of  Ashby.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Michigan  with  the  class 
of  1879.  and  a  man  especially  learned  in  his  profession.  He  practiced  here 
for  several  years  at  an  early  day.  Another  physician  who  at  one  time  prac- 
ticed in  the  \  illage  of  Ashby  was  Dr.  Ole  M.  Loosihs,  who  was  educated  in 
Norway  and  came  to  this  country  to  practice  medicine.  He  did  not  remain 
here  long,  but  removed  to  another  location. 

Dr.  P.  G.  Cowing  located  at  Ashby  in  189^.  About  1910  he  removed 
to  Montana,  but  in  1916  returned  to  Minnesota  and  located  at  Evansville. 

Dr.  A.  Mason  Randall  came  to  Ashby  in  19 10,  where  he  is  still  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  medicine. 


464  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

WENDELL    PHYSICIANS. 

Dr.  C.  D.  Kolset  located  at  Wendell  about  1900,  where  he  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  medicine  until  1912,  when  he  moved  to  Brooten,  this  state. 

Dr.  Peter  Rothnem  located  at  Wendell  about  1914,  and  is  still  engaged 
in  the  practice  there.  One  of  the  pioneer  physicians  of  the  Wendell  neigh- 
borhood, who  was  for  a  long  time  located  near  Hereford  station,  was  Dr. 
J.  M.  Tucker.  He  was  a  graduate  of  the  medical  department  of  Land  Uni- 
versity, Canada,  and  died  in  this  county  several  years  ago. 

BARRETT    PHYSICIANS. 

Dr.  F.  \\\  Powers,  who  was  graduated  from  Hamline  Uni\ersity,  in 
1899,  and  was  formerly  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Rockford, 
this  state,  located  at  Barrett  in  1902.  Doctor  Powers  maintains  a  hospital 
at  Barrett  and  is  known  as  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  the  county. 

Dr.  Carl  F.  Ansman  located  at  Barrett  in  1914  and  at  once  opened  an 
office  for  the  practice  of  medicine.  Dr.  Eugene  W.  Young  was  one  of  the 
early  day  physicians  at  Barrett,  but  removed  to  another  location. 

HOFFMAN    PHYSICIANS. 

Doctor  Spurr  located  at  Ho#man  in  1893,  and  after  practicing  medicine 
there  two  or  three  years,  removed  to  St.  Paul,  where  he  is  now  practicing 
dentistry. 

Dr.  F.  E.  Griswold  opened  an  office  at  Hoffman  in  1898,  and  is  still 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  there. 

Dr.  Amly  Sjolaas,  who  recently  located  at  Hoffman,  is  the  only  woman 
physician  in  the  county,  and  is  the  youngest  in  point  of  service. 

GRANT    COUNTY    DENTISTS. 

Dr.  A.  C.  Agern  was  the  lirst  dentist  to  locate  in  Herman;  later  he 
moved  to  California.  Dr.  Frank  R.  Haley  began  the  practice  of  dentistry 
in  Herman  in  1908,  but  soon  moved  to  another  location.  Dr.  L.  W.  Pres- 
cott  located  in  Herman  in  1915,  but  soon  afterward  moved  to  Alexandria. 
D'octor  Fergerson  opened  an  office  for  the  practice  of  dentistry  at  Herman 
in  1916. 

Dr.  C.  H.  Godward  was  the  first  and  only  dentist  in  Elbow  Lake  until 
the  coming  of  Dr.  O.  Sauby  in  the  summer  of  1915. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  465 


VETERINARY    SURGEONS. 

A.  H.  Bullis,  a  man  of  talent  but  having  no  partictdar  technical  training, 
did  all  the  veterinary  work  in  the  county  at  a  very  early  day.  He  was  an 
old-fashioned  "hoss  doctor"  and  was  very  successful  considering  his  equip- 
ment. 

Dr.  M.  H.  Smith,  a  trained  veterinary,  whose  abrupt  manner  of  speech 
caused  him  to  be  regarded  as  rather  eccentric,  located  at  Elbow  Lake  in 
1890.     He  died  here  in  May,  1907. 

Dr.  L.  Smedley  is  a  veterinary  surgeon  located  at  Herman,  where  he 
has  been  practicing  since  1913. 

Dr.  John  R.  Nelson  came  to  Elbow  Lake  in  1908,  where  he  is  still 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  veterinary  surgery. 


(30) 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

Banks  of  Grant  County. 

In  the  early  days  of  the  settlement  of  Grant  county  it  was  only  natural 
that  interest  rates  on  loans  secured  from  private  parties  should  be  quite  high. 
Values  were  not  then  established  and  credit  was  not  secure.  Even  after  the 
first  banks,  which  were  private  concerns,  were  started,  it  was  aistomary  to 
charge  from  ten  to  tliirty  per  cent  fcr  short  time  loans.  Fanners  in  this 
county  can  now  secure  all  the  money  the}-  need  for  legitimate  improvement 
at  six  per  cent.  In  1889  there  were  two  banks  in  the  county  with  com- 
bined deposits  of  about  $100,000:  there  are  now  fourteen  banks  with  depos- 
its of  something  over  $2,000,000.  Of  the  financial  institutions  in  Grant 
county,  three  are  national  banks  and  eleven  are  state  banks.  Following  is 
a  brief  history  of  each  in  the  order  of  their  organization : 

grant    county    state    bank    of    HERMAN. 

The  first  bank  in  Grant  county  was  started  at  Herman  in  1878  as  a 
private  institution  under  the  name  of  C.  F.  Washburn  &  Company.  After 
a  few  years  of  disastrous  experience  it  ceased  to  exist  in  1883.  That  same 
year  saw  the  establishment  of  the  oldest  bank  in  Grant  county,  the  Grant 
County  Bank  of  Herman,  which  was  started  on  August  23,  1883.  The  first 
officers  were:  R.  P.  Wells,  president;  H.  H.  Wells,  vice-president;  E.  W. 
Snyder,  cashier;  A.  W.  Wells,  assistant  cashier.  The  directors,  in  addition 
to  the  officers,  were  L.  E.  Pearce  and  W.  J.  Monroe.  The  bank  begun  under 
a  state  charter  with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000.  In  1886  it  was  discontinued 
as  a  state  bank  and  became  a  private  bank  with  a  capital  of  $10,000.  On 
lanuary  29,  1906,  it  again  became  a  state  bank  under  the  name  of  Grant 
County  State  Bank  of  Herman,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $25,000.  The  present 
officers  are:  Chris  Johnson,  president;  J.  P.  Wells,  vice-president;  A.  W. 
Wells,  cashier;  R.  T.  Johnson,  assistant  cashier.  Directors:  Chris  Johnson, 
T.  P.  Wells,  A.  W.  Wells,  R.  J.  Johnson  and  W.  H.  Cooley.  The  bank 
occupies  a  two-story  brick  building  valued  at  $10,000. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on 
June  30,  1916,  are  as  follows:   Capital  stock,  $25,000;   surplus  and  undivided 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  467 

profits,  $10,500;    total  deposits.  $225,000;    loans  and  discounts,  $225,000; 
cash  assets,  $24,899. 

BANK  OF  ELBOW   LAKE. 

Tiie  Bank  of  Elbow  Lake  was  established  in  1886  by  Harold  Thorson, 
who  had  been  engaged  in  the  banking  business  in  Northfield,  Minnesota. 
The  original  capital  stock  was  $35,000.  The  first  officers  were:  Harold 
Thorson,  president;  A.  D.  Davidson,  vice-president;  Henry  Sampson,  cash- 
ier. The  directors  were:  Harold  Thorson,  A.  D.  Davidson,  John  Christen- 
son,  C.  H.  Raiter,  E.  J.  Scoiield,  W.  W.  Smith  and  Henry  Sampson.  The 
present  officers  are:  Henry  Sampson,  president;  Ole  O.  Canestorp,  vice- 
president;  M.  A.  Lukken,  cashier.  Directors:  Henry  Sampson,  M.  A. 
Lukken,  Harold  Thorson,  Knut  Fjoslin  and  Ole  O.  Canestorp. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $50,000;  surplus  and  imdivided 
profits,  $13,108;  total  deposits,  $289,492.23:  loans  and  discounts,  $298,- 
839.25;  cash  assets,  $30,301.23. 

FIRST   NATIONAL  BANK   OF   ELBOW   LAKE. 

The  First  National  Bank  of  Elbow  Lake  was  established  in  August, 
1 89 1,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $50,000,  by  J.  U.  Barnes,  H.  A.  Barnes,  N.  M. 
Barnes  and  Thomas  R.  Marston,  of  Minneapolis,  and  W.  K.  Barnes  and 
William  Moses,  of  Alexandria.  The  first  officers  were:  W.  K.  Barnes, 
president;  William  Moses,  vice-president;  Thomas  R.  Marston,  cashier.  A 
two-story  brick  building  was  erected  in  1892  which  was  enlarged  and  im- 
proved in  1914.  The  first  charter  expired  in  191 1  and  was  then  renewed 
until  1931.  W.  K.  Barnes  served  as  president  from  1891  until  1911,  and 
since  that  date  as  vice-president.  W.  E.  Landeene  started  with  the  bank  as 
bookkeeper  at  the  time  of  organization,  was  elected  assistant  cashier  in  1894, 
cashier  in  1895,  ^"d  president  in  191 1.  Lars  Lynne,  who  has  been  cashier 
since  191 1,  was  treasurer  of  Grant  county  for  twenty  years.  The  present 
officers  of  the  bank  are :  W.  E.  Landeene,  president ;  W.  K.  Barnes,  vice- 
president;  Lars  Lynne,  cashier.  The  directors  are:  W.  E.  Landeene,  W.  K. 
Barnes,  Lars  Lynne,  E.  J.  Scofield  and  W.  H.  Goetzinger. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on 
June  30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $50,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $19,426.03;  total  deposits,  $217,915.72;  loans  and  discounts,  $216,- 
392.58;   cash  assets,  $23,052. 


4^8  DOUGLAS    AND    GR\NT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


STATE    BANK    OF    HOFFMAN. 

The  State  Bank  of  Hoffman  was  incorporated  on  September  i,  1899, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000.  The  first  ofificers  were:  D.  A.  McLarty, 
president;  N.  E.  RuHen,  vice-president;  William  Schellbach,  cashier.  The 
present  officers  are :  N.  E.  Rulien,  president ;  D.  A.  McLarty,  vice-president ; 
William  Schellbach,  cashier;    H.  W.  Lundin,  assistant  cashier. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $10,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $10,541.31;  total  deposits,  $231,068.25;  loans  and  discounts,  $209,- 
657.11;   cash  assets,  $35,385.16. 

FIRST    STATE    BANK   OF    ASHBY. 

The  First  State  Bank  of  Ashby  was  organized  in  July,  1900,  with  the 
following  officers:  C.  D.  Wright,  president;  E.  A.  Jewett,  vice-president; 
J.  L.  Everts,  cashier.  The  majority  of  the  stockholders  are  farmers  and 
all  the  stock  is  owned  by  local  people.  The  present  officers  are :  E.  J. 
Scofield,  president;    E.  K.  Teisberg,  vice-president;    L.  J.  Hauge,  cashier. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $25,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $5,100;  total  deposits,  $192,000;  loans  and  discounts,  $183,000; 
cash  assets,  $31,000. 

FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK  OF   HERMAN. 

The  Peoples  Bank  of  Herman  was  organized  in  September,  1901,  by 
Ernest  E.  Peck  and  Rodney  Hill.  This  institution  was  reorganized  on  Jan- 
uary 4,  1906,  as  the  First  National  Bank  of  Hennan,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $25,000.  The  first  officers  were:  Rodney  Hill,  president;  C.  B.  Kloos, 
vice-president;  Ernest  ¥..  Peck,  cashier;  A.  L.  Nelson,  assistant  cashier. 
W.  T.  Ziebarth,  director,  with  the  officers.  In  January,  1907,  A.  D.  Larson 
took  the  place  of  W.  T.  Ziebarth  as  director,  and  in  January,  1909,  G.  H. 
Mumm  succeeded  C.  B.  Kloos  as  vice-president.  Rodney  Hill  died  in  1909 
and  in  January,  1910,  P.  W.  Barton  was  elected  to  fill  Mr.  Hill's  position  as 
president.  In  1910  E.  C.  Eaton  took  the  place  of  A.  L.  Nelson  as  assistant 
cashier,  and  Fred  Hidde  was  added  to  the  board  of  directors.  In  the  fall 
of  19 1 2  P.  W.  Barton  died  and  A.  D.  Larson  became  president  and  E.  D. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  469 

Rodgers  was  made  a  director.  The  present  officers  are :  A.  D.  Larson, 
president;  G.  H.  Miimm,  vice-president;  Ernest  E.  Peck,  cashier;  E.  C. 
Eaton,  assistant  cashier;  Ray  Lentz,  assistant  cashier.  Fred  Hidde  and  E. 
D.  Rogers,  directors,  with  officers. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $25,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $10,032.53;  total  deposits,  $232,648.93;  loans  and  discounts,  $223,- 
977.02;   cash  assets,  $23,000. 

FIRST   NATIONAL    BANK   OF   WENDELL. 

The  Farmers  and  Merchants  State  Bank  of  Wendell  was  organized  in 
1903,  with  the  following  officers:  Edward  Mobraaten,  president;  Martinus 
Larson,  vice-president;  S.  Skinnemoen,  Jr.,  vice-president;  Carl  A.  Pres- 
trud,  cashier.  The  capital  stock  was  $12,000.  On  September  2,  1916,  this 
institution  became  the  First  National  Bank  of  Wendell,  with  a  capital  stock 
of  $25,000.  The  present  officers  are:  Edward  Mobraaten,  president;  Mar- 
tinus Larson,  vice-president;  S.  Skinnemoen,  Jr.,  vice-president;  Carl  A. 
Prestrud,  cashier;  Hjalmar  Larson,  assistant  cashier.  Directors:  The  offi- 
cers and  Erick  H.  Bergerud,  C.  H.  Bergerud,  G.  T.  Rund,  A.  E.  Soliah  and 
Ole  O.  Sand.     The  bank  has  a  fine  new  brick  building,  costing  about  $12,000. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  of  the  state  bank  at  the  close 
of  business  on  June  30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $12,000;  sur- 
plus and  undivided  profits,  $6,000;  total  deposits,  $180,000;  loans  and  dis- 
counts, $180,000;    cash  assets,  $17,000. 

STATE    BANK    OF    NORCROSS. 

The  Bank  of  Norcross,  a  private  institution,  was  established  in  1905. 
In  1908  this  was  incorporated  as  a  state  bank,  under  the  name  State  Bank 
of  Norcross.  The  present  officers  are:  Andrew  Lund,  president;  Ole  Selle- 
seth,  vice-president;  Alfred  Lund,  cashier.  The  officers  and  Lars  Larson 
form  the  board  of  directors. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $10,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $11,500;  total  deposits, -$85,000;  loans  and  discounts,  $93,000;  cash 
assets,  $7,500. 


470  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

CITIZENS   STATE   BANK    OF   BARRETT. 

The  Citizens  State  Bank  of  Barrett  was  organized  in  July,  1908,  with  a 
capital  stock  of  $10,000.  The  first  officers  were:  H.  Thorson,  president; 
E.  F.  Malmgren,  vice-president;  H.  Sampson,  vice-president;  Oliver  Gorder, 
cashier.  The  present  officers  are:  H.  Thorson,  president;  Tollef  Nelson, 
vice-president;  A.  T.  Leraas,  cashier. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $10,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $5,000;  total  deposits,  $207,189.19;  loans  and  discounts,  $200,000; 
cash  assets,  $13,613.33. 

FARMERS  STATE  BANK  OF  HOFFMAN. 

Tlie  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Hoffman  was  organized  on  March  21, 
191 1,  with  a  capital  stock  of  $12,000.  The  first  officers  were:  P.  O.  Unumb, 
president;  Charles  B.  Kloos,  vice-president;  Frank  Buscher,  cashier.  The 
present  officers  are:  P.  O.  Unumb,  president;  Charles  B.  Kloos,  vice-presi- 
dent;  G.  A.  Lofgren,  cashier;   Ole  Lindstrom,  assistant  cashier. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $12,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $1,682.22;  total  deposits,  $116,436.01;  loans  and  discounts,  $105,- 
955.61;   cash  assets,  $17,056.93. 

FARMERS  STATE  BANK  OF  ASHBY. 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Ashby  was  established  on  June  i,  1914, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000.  The  first  officers  were:  I.  O.  Manger, 
president;  C.  A.  Bakke,  vice-president;  Severt  Aaseng,  cashier.  George 
Brito  and  Eleanora  Manger,  directors.  The  present  officers  are:  O.  A. 
Wilson,  president;  C.  A.  Bakke,  vice-president;  Severt  Aaseng,  cashier. 
J.  B.  Iverson  and  I.  O.  Manger,  directors. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $10,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $2,000;  total  deposits,  $4,800;  loans  and  discounts,  $4,400;  cash 
assets,  $8,000. 


AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  47I 


FIRST   STATE  BANK  OF  ERDAHL. 


The  First  State  Bank  of  Erdahl  was  organized  on  November  12,  1915. 
They  occupy  a  modern  brick  building,  equipped  with  all  new  furniture  and 
burglar-proof  safe.  The  present  officers  are:  Charles  Bradford,  president; 
Ole  A.  Thompson,  vice-president;  H.  O.  Wagner,  cashier;  M.  J.  Wagner, 
assistant  cashier.  Directors :  Charles  Bradford,  Ole  A.  Thompson,  H.  O. 
Wagner,  C.  E.  White  and  G.  K.  Westboe. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on 
June  30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $12,000;  surplus  and  undi- 
vided profits,  $3,353.45 ;  total  deposits,  $32,976.80 ;  loans  and  discounts, 
$37,545.06;    cash  assets,  $6,433.50. 

FARMERS    STATE   BANK   OF   BARRETT. 

The  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Barrett  was  organized  on  May  15,  1916, 
with  a  capital  stock  of  $10,000.  The  present  officers  are:  F.  W.  Powers, 
president;  Helmer  Larson,  vice-president;  H.  L  Wilson,  cashier;  Alfred 
Peterson,  assistant  cashier. 

The  principal  items  from  the  statement  at  the  close  of  business  on  June 
30,  1916,  are  as  follows:  Capital  stock,  $10,000;  surplus  and  undivided 
profits,  $2,000;  total  deposits,  $11,415.03;  loans  and  discounts,  $13,935.17; 
cash  assets,  $5,904.51. 

WENDELL    STATE    BANK. 

The  Wendell  State  Bank  was  organized  on  July  i,  1916,  with  a  capital 
stock  of  $12,000.  They  are  erecting  a  modern  brick  building,  which  will  be 
equipped  with  up-to-date  furniture,  and  will  open  for  business  as  soon  as 
the  new  banking  house  is  completed.  The  building  will  cost  $5,000.  The 
officers  of  the  bank  are:  jVustin  Boe,  president;  Martin  Bergerud,  vice- 
president  ;  John  S.  Skinnemoen,  cashier.  The  directors,  besides  the  officers, 
are:  Albert  Thorstad,  John  Thorsen,  Andrew  Haugen,  Ole  Skinnemoen 
and  Gustaf  Foss. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Military  Annals. 

The  events  which  occurred  in  Grant  county  during  the  Indian  troubles 
of  1862  have  been  mentioned  in  the  chapter  deahng  with  the  story  of  the 
outbreak.  As  Grant  county  was  not  organized  until  some  time  after  the 
Civil  War  there  were  no  organized  companies  sent  from  this  region.  Among 
the  early  settlers,  however,  there  were  many  who  had  seen  service  during 
the  war  between  the  states,  and  also  a  number  who  had  participated  in  the 
campaigns  against  the  Indians. 

ASHBY    POST. 

In  the  fall  of  1889  a  number  of  the  Civil  War  veterans  of  Grant  county 
organized  a  post  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at  Ashby.  which  flour- 
ished for  many  years  and  finally,  on  account  of  death  and  removal  of  so  many 
of  the  comrades,  was  disbanded  in  1903.  This  post  was' named  W.  W. 
Preston  Post  No.  185,  Department  of  Minnesota,  in  honor  of  W.  W.  Pres- 
ton, a  member  of  the  Third  Regiment,  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Cavalry,  long 
a  resident  of  this  neighborhood.  The  first  officers  were :  K.  X.  Olson, 
commander;  Frank  Wahldieck,  adjutant;  R.  Beardsley,  quartermaster  and 
chaplain. 

The  membership  of  the  post  consisted  of  the  following:  K.  N.  Olson, 
Twenty-second  Regiment,  Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry;  Frank  Wahldieck, 
Tenth  Regulars;  R.  Beardsley,  Fourth  Wisconsin;  A.  D.  Dewey,  Twenty- 
second  Wisconsin;  S.  G.  Beebe,  Fourth  Wisconsin;  M.  M.  Small,  Bracketts' 
Battalion ;  Joseph  Pennock,  Sixteenth  Illinois ;  Thomas  Olson,  Tenth  Minne- 
sota Battery;  James  Godward,  Ohio  Infantry;  Ole  O.  Ike,  Tenth  Iowa; 
Thomas  Rohann,  Tenth  Minnesota;  Ole  Sauby,  First  Minnesota;  Jens  Peter- 
son Lee,  Tenth  Minnesota ;  James  H.  Bowman,  Fourteenth  Wisconsin ;  C.  E. 
Sandin,  First  Minnesota;  August  O.  Melby,  Fifteenth  Wisconsin;  E.  C. 
Schow,  Fifteenth  Wisconsin;  Henry  Brown,  Illinois  Infantry;  James  O. 
Richardson,  First  Minnesota:  K.  N.  Melby,  Twenty-second  Wisconsin;  H. 
G.  Lillemon,  Sixteenth  Iowa. 

There  were  other  veterans  who  belonged  to  this  post  but  their  names  can 
not  now  be  recalled,  and  the  records  are  not  available.     The  following  mem- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  473 

bers  had  served  as  commander  of  the  post:  K.  N.  Olson,  S.  J.  Beebe-,  R. 
Beardsley  and  A.  D.  Dewey.  At  the  time  of  mustering  out  the  officers  were 
as  follow:  A.  D.  Dewey,  commander;  R.  Beardsley,  quartermaster  and 
adjutant;  James  Godward,  chaplain. 

HERMAN    POST. 

Andrew  J.  Hubbard  Post  No.  115,  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  was 
organized  at  Herman  in  the  early  eighties.  A.  C.  Earsley  was  "commander 
and  D.  L.  Lattin  was  adjutant.  On  May  19,  1887,  the  Herman  fyitcr prise 
had  a  report  of  the  post  meeting,  as  follows: 

"The  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  post  met  in  Herman  on  Tuesday. 
All  officers  were  present  with  but  one  exception.  Thirty  members  were  re- 
ported in  good  standing  and  three  applications  for  membership  were  acted 
upon  favorably.  The  report  of  the  treasurer  showed  that  there  is  thirty 
dollars  on  hand.  It  was  decided  to  attend  the  Sauk  Center  encampment  on 
June  8  in  a  body,  and  General  Barrett.  P.  F.  McCoUar,  S.  G.  Kriedler  and 
A.  C.  Earsley  were  appointed  a  committee  to  make  arrangements  for  such 
attendance.  It  was  also  decided  to  hold  memorial  services  on  Decoration 
Day,  May  30,  1887.  The  post  will  be  held  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
at  three  o'clock,  p.  m.  A.  C.  Earsley,  D.  W.  Hixson  and  R.  P.  Wells  were 
appointed  a  committee  to  make  general  arrangements  for  Decoration  Day, 
and  A.  C.  Earsley,  G.  Smith  and  D.  W.  Hixon  were  appointed  a  committee 
on  music.  James  Robinson  was  appointed  officer  of  the  day.  All  old  soldiers 
and  all  true  and  loyal  citizens  are  invited  to  join  in  the  exercises  of  the  day." 

The  post  became  reduced  in  members  on  account  of  death  and  removals 
until  there  were  not  enough  left  to  continue  the  work  and  the  post  was  dis- 
banded in  19 10. 

Many  of  the  early  settlers  who  were  prominent  in  the  organization  and 
government  of  Grant  county  were  veterans  of  the  Civil  and  Indian  Wars. 
Among  them  may  be  mentioned  the  following:  Henry  F.  Sanford,  a  mem- 
ber of  Hatch's  Independent  Battalion  of  Cavalry;  Ole  E.  Lien,  of  the  Tenth 
Regiment.  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry;  Ole  Larson  Sunvold,  also  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Tenth  Regiment;  H.  P.  Hansen,  of  the  Fifty-second  Regiment, 
Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry;  and  R.  P.  Wells,  of  the  Fourth  Regiment, 
Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry. 

So  far  as  can  be  ascertained  no  residents  of  Grant  county  took  part  in 
the  Spanish- American  War  in  1898-99,  though  several  who  had  fi)rmerly 
lived  here  enlisted  at  other  points. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Fraternal  and  Benevolent  Societies. 

The  instinct  for  companionship,  common  to  all  men,  has  found  expres- 
sion in  Grant  county  as  elsewhere,  in  the  formation  of  numerous  fraternal 
and  benevolent  societies.  Several  of  the  lodges  which  at  one  time  flourished 
in  the  county  have  passed  out  of  existence,  but  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained 
mention  is  here  made  of  all  the  orders  now  active  in  Grant  county. 

ANCIENT    FREE    AND    ACCEPTED    MASONS. 

Park  Region  Lodge  No.  22-],  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  was 
organized  at  Elbow  Lake  on  April  24,  1898.  Among  the  charter  members 
were  John  T.  Lindem,  Harold  Thorson,  J.  D.  Boyd,  F.  H.  Prodger,  O.  J. 
Rued,  E.  J.  Scofield  and  H.  W.  Barker.  The  first  elective  ot^cers  were  as 
follow:  J.  D.  Boyd,  worshipful  master;  F.  H.  Prodger,  senior  warden; 
Harold  Thorson,  junior  warden;  John  T.  Lindem,  secretary;  O.  J.  Rued, 
treasurer;  E.  J.  .Scofield,  senior  deacon,  and  H.  W.  Barker,  junior  deacon. 

The  present  officers  of  Park  Region  lodge  are  as  follow:  C.  H.  God- 
ward,  worshipful  master;  R.  D.  Hand,  senior  warden;  Arthur  Smith,  junior 
warden;  M.  A.  Lukken,  secretary;  Dr.  W.  R.  Hand,  treasurer;  Frank  Stan- 
ley, senior  deacon ;  O.  C.  Jacobson,  junior  deacon ;  C.  E.  Stickney,  senior 
steward,  and  Don  Boyd,  junior  steward.  The  present  membership  numbers 
sixty-seven. 

PRESCOTT    LODGE    NO.     162. 

Prescott  Lodge  No.  162,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  was 
organized  at  Herman  on  January  14,  1885.  The  first  officers  were:  Ezra 
W.  Snyder,  worshipful  master;  R.  P.  Wells,  senior  warden;  Nathan  B. 
Ufford,  junior  warden. 

The  lodge  now  has  a  membership  of  sixty-eight,  and  the  following  are 
the  officers  for  1916:  J.  W.  Fay,  worshipful  master;  J.  R.  Wells,  senior 
warden;  J.  H.  Caswell,  junior  warden;  John  T.  Lindem,  secretary;  A.  W. 
Wells,  treasurer;  T.  M.  Thayer,  senior  deacon;  G.  R.  Underwood,  junior 
deacon;  W.  E.  Moses,  senior  steward;  R.  J.  Johnson,  junior  steward,  and 
Archie  Earslev.  tvler. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  475 

ORDER    OF    THE    EASTERN    STAR. 

Rufus  Chapter  No.  144,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  was  organized  in 
Elbow  Lake  on  November  19,  1900.  The  charter  members  were  as  follow: 
Isabel  Hodgson.  G.  P.  Woodworth,  Elizabeth  Goetzinger,  E.  H.  Cornell, 
J.  P.  Anderson,  Kathryn  Hodgson,  Efifie  Godward,  Mary  Skogmo,  Lillian 
Cornell,  Jennie  Hand,  W.  R.  Hand,  W.  H.  Goetzinger,  E.  J.  Scofield,  Mrs. 
E.  J.  Scofield,  G.  C.  Hodgson,  Mrs.  Ida  May  Woodworth,  Emery  McKane, 
Peter  J.  Runberg,  Francis  M.  Barker  and  Harold  Thorson.  Among  the 
first  ofificers  elected  were :  Lillian  M.  Cornell,  worthy  matron ;  W.  H.  Goet- 
ziner,  worthy  patron;  Elizabeth  Goetzinger,  associate  matron. 

This  chapter  was  the  second  of  the  order  to  be  organized  in  the  county, 
the  first  being  at  Herman.  In  order  that  a  chapter  might  be  organized  at 
Elbow  Lake,  W.  H.  Goetzinger  and  wife,  Lillian  Cornell,  Kathryn  Hodgson 
and  E.  H.  Cornell  were  first  initiated  in  the  lodge  at  Herman.  In  a  short 
time  the  chapter  was  organized  at  Elbow  Lake.  The  order  meets  the  first  and 
third  Monday  nights  of  each  month  in  the  hall  above  the  Bank  of  Elljow 
Lake. 

The  present  ofificers  are  as  follow :  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Goetzinger,  worthy 
matron;  Dr.  C.  H.  Godward,  worthy  patron;  Mrs.  Susie  Nelson,  secretary; 
Mrs.  Anna  Scofield.  associate  matron;  Mrs.  May  Christianson,  conductress; 
Mrs.  Emma  Alberts,  associate  conductress;  Mrs.  Frankie  Palin,  treasurer; 
Francis  W.  Stanley,  sentinel;  Mrs.  Pearl  Landeene,  warder;  Frances  Alberts, 
Ruth ;  Mrs.  Anna  G.  Hinkley,  Ada ;  Jensine  Sanders,  Esther ;  Nina  G.  Willd, 
Martha;  Mrs.  Emma  Shoemaker,  Electa.  The  chapter  now  has  a  member- 
ship of  twenty-seven. 

GOLDEN    RULE   CHAPTER    NO.    39. 

Golden  Rule  Chapter  No.  39.  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  was  organized 
at  Herman  on  August  8,  1891.  The  charter  members  were  as  follow:  Mes- 
dames  Lottie  J.  Swartout,  M.  J.  Snyder,  Amelia  Winger,  Kate  Konchal, 
Lottie  Wells,  Euretta  Noel,  E.  E.  Prescott,  R.  M.  Prescott,  C.  W.  Prescott, 
Minnie  Ketcham,  Ruth  Northrop;  and  the  Misses  Syvia  Aurland,  Marion 
A\'ells,  Jennie  Snyder,  Ella  G.  Richards;  and  Messrs.  R.  P.  Wells,  W.  H. 
Townsend,  Joseph  Burns,  C.  O.  Winger,  George  A.  Hartwell  and  E.  W. 
Snvder.  The  first  elective  ofificers  were:  Mrs.  M.  W.  Ketcham,  worthy 
matron;  R.  P.  \\'ells,  worthy  patron;  Helen  S.  Hixson.  assistant  matron; 
Marion  Wells,   secretary;  Amelia  Winger,  treasurer;  C.   W.   Prescott.  con- 


47t>  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

ductor;  \l.  J.  Snyder,  assistant  conductor.     The  chapter  holds  its  meetings 
in  the  Odd  Fellows  hall. 

The  present  officers  are:  Belva  Wells,  worthy  matron;  S.  S.  Laandt, 
worthy  patron;  Birdie  Chesebrough,  assistant  matron;  Isabel  M.  Goodell, 
secretary:  Bertha  E.  Peck,  treasurer:  Nina  S.  Wells,  conductress;  Louise 
Schober,  assistant  conductress.  The  chapter  now  has  a  membership  of 
seventy. 

KNIGHTS   OF    PYTHIAS. 

Elbow  Lake  Lodge  No.  92,  Knights  of  Pythias,  was  organized  on 
September  27,  1892.  The  following  were  charter  members :  Michael  Casey, 
John  B.  Skogmo,  E.  N.  Nash,  Norman  W.  Chance,  A.  C.  Belyea,  Barney  L. 
Bull,  L.  C.  Perry,  Ole  L.  Lundberg,  C.  H.  Gasman,  Andrew  O.  Ofsthun, 
Leonard  E.  Randall,  John  A.  Wedum,  E.  J.  Scofield,  Abram  S.  King,  C.  J. 
Knutson.  John  P.  Hedberg,  John  G.  Peterson,  Ole  K.  Lee  and  Herman 
Hillmond. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follow :  W.  H.  Goetzinger,  chancellor  com- 
mander; F.  W.  -Stanley,  vice-chancellor;  H.  H.  Barker,  prelate;  C.  M.  Nel- 
son, keeper  of  records  and  seal;  L.  T.  Silk,  master  at  arms;  Jacob  Triese, 
master  of  work;  Guy  Thompson,  inside  guard;  George  Hanson,  outer  guard; 
C.  T.  Carlson,  master  of  finance;  A.  W.  Fargerland,  master  of  exchequer. 

Section  No.  3204,  Endowment  Rank  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  was 
established  at  Elbow  Lake  on  July  2,  1896,  with  the  following  charter  mem- 
bers: Michael  Casey,  John  B.  Skogmo,  N.  B.  Lien,  W.  E.  Landeene,  Peter 
Peterson,  Herman  Hillmond,  Joseph  Pennock  and  E.  H.  Cornell. 

INDEPENDENT  ORDER  OF  ODD  FELLOWS. 

Harmony  Lodge  No.  230.  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  was 
organized  at  Herman  on  January  13,  1896.  The  following  were  among 
the  charter  members :  A.  D.  Larson,  John  W.  Crabtree,  John  Bomback, 
M.  J.  Fearer  and  Louis  Anderson.  On  the  17th  of  the  same  month  the  lodge 
was  duly  instituted  and  officers  installed  by  Grand  Master  Mark  E.  Clay. 
The  first  officers  were :  A.  D.  Larson,  noble  grand ;  M.  J.  Fearer,  vice-grand ; 
J.  W.  Crabtree,  recording  secretary;  Louis  Anderson,  treasurer.  The  first 
meetings  were  held  in  a  lodge  room  over  the  Grant  County  Bank  and  later 
in  rooms  in  what  was  then  the  Commercial  Hotel.  The  membership  rapidly 
increased  and  in  eight  years  after  formation  (1904)  the  present  two-story 
commodious  building  was  acc|uired. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRA\T    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  477 

Today  the  lodge  numljers  one  hundred  and  three  active  and  enthusiastic- 
members.  The  propert)-  is  practically  paid  for  and  the  lodge  is  in  a  flour- 
ishing condition. 

This  lodge  numbers  twenty-five  past  grands,  all  of  whom  are  now  active 
members  of  the  lodge  with  the  exception  of  Past  Grand  George  Kriedler, 
who  died  in  January,  1916.  The  present  officers  are:  C.  F.  Nelson,  noble 
grand;  W.  A.  Pracht,  vice-grand;  W.  G.  McRoberts,  recording  secretary; 
E.  E.  Peck,  financial  secretary;  E.  C.  Eton,  treasurer. 

MODERN    WOODMEN    OF    AMERICA. 

Herman  Camp  Xo.  331 1,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  was  organ- 
ized at  Herman  on  Octol>er  29,  1895.  The  charter  members  were:  John 
Burkhart,  Albert  Boerner,  John  W.  Crabtree,  M.  J.  Fearer,  Mons  Hanson, 
J.  D.  Houston,  Ole  G.  Jenstad,  A.  D.  Larson,  K.  C.  Ness,  W.  W.  Niemackl, 
B.  H.  Phinney,  C.  H.  Phinney,  H.  C.  Prescott,  R.  F.  Rarer,  Charles  H. 
Schellbagh,  H.  P.  Webb.  Leo  N.  Westberg,  Albert  S.  Webb  and  George  F. 
Houston.  The  first  officers  were :  J.  W.  Crabtree,  venerable  consul ;  H.  P. 
Webb,  worthy  advisor;  M.  J.  Fearer,  banker;  K.  C.  Ness,  clerk;  O.  G. 
Jenstad,  escort ;  L.  N.  Westberg,  watchman ;  J.  D.  Houston,  sentry ;  A.  D. 
Larson,  physician.  In  191 1  the  camp  erected  a  new  brick  lodge -hall  at  a 
cost  of  seven  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 

The  present  officers  are:  E.  M.  Chesebrough,  venerable  consul;  B.  F. 
Davis,  worthy  advisor;  W.  L.  Smedley,  banker;  E.  C.  Eaton,  clerk;  George 
Davis,  escort ;  George  R.  Underwood,  watchman ;  A.  C.  Earsley,  sentry ;  J.  T. 
Leland  and  T.  M.  Thayer,  physicians.  The  camp  has  a  membership  at  pres- 
ent of  two  hundred  and  five. 

There  is  a  lodge  of  the  Royal  Neighbors,  auxiliary  to  the  Modern  \Vood- 
men,  at  Herman.  The  officers  for  1916  are:  Gertrude  Record,  oracle; 
Rose  Davis,  vice-oracle;  Flora  Jones,  past  oracle;  Grace  Cater,  receiver; 
Rekka  Morken,  recorder;  Ida  Otting,  inner  sentinel;  Emily  Johnson,  outer 
sentinel ;  Emma  Gruetzmacher,  chancellor ;  Minnie  Jones,  marshal ;  Emma 
Gruetzmacher,  manager. 

BARRETT    CAMP    NO.    3360. 

Barrett  Camp  Xo.  3360.  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  was  organized 
on  November  2,  1898.  Among  the  charter  members  were:  M.  B.  Elling- 
son.  M.  P.  Thune.  A.  H.  Peterson.  Ole  Anderson,  P.  J.  Berg.  Ole  Moe.  W. 


4/8  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

N.  Wilson.  P.  P.  Larson,  G.  P.  Ellingson,  L.  A.  Schwantz,  H.  O.  Jelund,  A. 
E.  Hegne,  Thomas  Hogarth  and  I.  Groger.  The  first  officers  were :  M.  B. 
Ellingson,  venerable  consul;  P.  P.  Larson,  worthy  advisor;  Ole  Moe,  banker; 
M.  P.  Thiine.  clerk;  A.  H.  Peterson,  escort;  H.  O.  Jelund,  watchman; 
Thomas  Hogarth,  sentry :  Ole  Anderson,  L.  A.  Schwantz  and  G.  P.  Ellingson, 
managers. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follow :  J.  R.  Stockdill,  venerable  consul ; 
A.  W.  Borgen,  worthy  advisor;  A.  Samuelson,  banker;  F.  E.  Nelson,  clerk. 

ELBOW    LAKE    CAMP    NO.    95/7. 

Elbow  Lake  Camp  No.  9577,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  was  organ- 
ized at  Elbow  Lake  on  May  2,  1901.  Among  the  charter  members  were: 
Adolf  Anderson,  John  P.  Anderson,  Ole  C.  Christoferson,  Hugh  H.  Cole- 
man, W.  H.  Goetzinger,  Helmer  O.  Hanson,  Levy  H.  Hanson,  Ole  Hanson, 
Jens  P.  Johnson,  Nels  E.  Landeene,  R.  J.  Lehman  and  E.  N.  Nash. 

Hyacinth  Camp  No.  3362,  Royal  Neightors,  was  instituted  at  Elbow 
Lake  on  March  31,  1903,  with  the  following  charter  members:  Emily  John- 
son, Betsy  Jacobson,  Ella  Sauby,  Margaret  Cosh,  Helena  Brandvold,  Jose- 
phine Ofsthun,  Anjelin  Johnson,  Lena  Olson,  Hulda  Brackin,  Bertha  Han- 
son, Ragna  Anderson,  Alvina  Ackerson,  Camilla  Stahl,  Filda  Ameson, 
Carrie  Prescott,  Elvira  Sauby,  Anna  Johnson,  Gertrude  Bartness,  \'ictor  E. 
Erlandson,  Earnest  H.  Erlandson.  Ole  C.  Jacobson,  L.  C.  Johnson  and  Dr. 
E.  T.  Reeve. 

The  present  officers  of  Hyacinth  camp  are  as  follow:  Mrs.  Emily 
Johnson,  oracle ;  Mrs.  John  Nelson,  vice-oracle ;  Mrs.  John  Nelson,  recorder ; 
Sarah  Pennock,  past  oracle ;  Lena  Allen,  chancellor ;  Betsy  Jacobson,  receiver ; 
Thora  Flatness,  marshal ;  Ragna  .Anderson,  inner  watch ;  Amanda  Tobolt, 
outer  watch ;  Margaret  Cosh,  Lena  .Allen  and  O.  C.  Jacobson,  trustees.  The 
camp  has  a  present  membership  of  twenty-six. 

WENDELL    CAMP. 

\\'endell  Camp,  ]\lodern  Woodmen  of  America,  was  organized  at  Wen- 
dell in  1907.  They  meet  the  first  and  third  Thursdays  of  each  month  in 
Woodmen  hall.  The  officers  for  1916  are  as  follow;  C.  E.  Stickney,  vener- 
able consul :  A.  R.  McManus,  worthy  advisor ;  Michael  Crogan,  banker ;  T.  V. 
Scott,  clerk;  John  Raines,  escort;  Ben  Simonson,  John  Raines  and  M.  L. 
Adams,  managers. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  479 

ASHBY   CAMP    NO.    7386. 

Ashbv  Camp  No.  7386,  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  was  organized 
at  Ashby  about  ten  years  ago.  Chris  Stene  is  the  present  venerable  consul 
and  John  Stene  is  the  clerk.     The  camp  has  forty  members. 

BROTHERHOOD    OF    AMERICAN    YEOMEN. 

.Homestead  No.  418.  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen,  was  organized 
at  Elbow  Lake  on  March  8,  1900,  with  the  following  charter  members: 
W.  R.  Hand,  M.  Warfield,  K.  E.  Eidahl,  Charles  E.  McQuillan,  C.  E.  John- 
son, J.  S.  Arneson,  Ida  M.  Arneson,  Oscar  Svien,  S.  M.  Arneson,  J.  Ander- 
son. J.  A.  Peterson,  Carrie  Prescott,  Charles  D.  Peterson,  G.  Peterson,  E.  H. 
Cornell,  H.  Hillmond,  S.  H.  Oversea,  J.  Engebretson,  A.  A.  Lysne,  G.  M. 
Skogmo,  Otto  Amundson,  G.  T.  Kolberg,  H.  K.  Harrison,  G.  Gilbertson. 
H.  W.  Nelson,  E.  H.  Fogelsong,  A.  H.  Foss  and  Oscar  Arneson.  Within  a 
few  years  the  organization  became  dormant  but  was  reorganized  on  April 
25,  1906,  with  the  following  officers:  George  L.  Woodworth,  foreman; 
R.  J.  Stromme,  master  of  ceremonies;  O.  Amundson,  correspondent:  Will- 
iam Landeene,  master  of  exchequer;  Rev.  James  Godward,  chaplain; 
;\Irs.  L.  C.  Johnson,  overseer:  L.  C.  Johnson,  watchman;  A.  Hendricks, 
sentinel ;  A.  G.  Fossen,  guard. 

The  present  officers  are  :  R.  J.  Stromme,  foreman  ;  E.  .\.  Dybdal,  master 
of  ceremonies:  L.  C.  Johnson,  correspondent;  Emily  Johnson,  chaplain. 
The  present  membership  is  sixty-eight. 

HERMAN    HOMESTEAD. 

Herman  Homestead,  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen,  has  the  fol- 
lowing officers  for  1916:  B.  A.  Ritzschke,  foreman;  Edward  Ritzschke, 
master  of  ceremonies ;  Mrs.  E.  E.  Peck,  master  of  accounts ;  W.  T.  Ziebarth, 
correspondent;  Mrs.  Paul  Goodell,  overseer;  Mrs.  Joe  Mathews,  chaplain; 
Mrs.  O.  W.  Jones,  Lady  Rowena ;  Mrs.  E.  M.  Chesebrough,  Lady  Rebecca ; 
Emil  Keitzman,  sentinel;  R.  P.  Sugden,  watchman;  George  R.  Underwood, 
guard. 

BARRETT    HOMESTEAD. 

Barrett  Homestead,  Brotherhood  of  American  Yeomen,  was  organized 
at  Barrett  in  1907.  The  officers  for  1916  are:  G.  F.  Gustafson,  foreman; 
Andrew   Linder.   correspondent;   Frank   Nelson,   master   of  ceremonies. 


480  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


DEGREE  OF    HONOR. 

Purity  Lodge  No.  56,  Degree  of  Honor,  was  organized  at  Elbow  Lake 
on  February  i,  1896,  with  the  following  charter  members;  Mrs.  George 
Hinkley,  Mrs.  J.  G.  McQuillan,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Ackerson,  Mrs.  E.  C.  Ackerson, 
Mrs.  H.  W.  Barker,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Nelson,  Mrs.  A.  O.  Ofsthun,  Mrs.  N.  T. 
Ackerson,  Pearl  Barker,  Mrs.  Peter  Peterson,  Mrs.  O.  K.  Laastuen,  Mrs. 
J.  N.  Biever,  Mrs.  O.  G.  Sanders,  Rena  Bacon,  Peter  Peterson,  O.  K. 
Laastuen,  E.  C.  Ackerson,  J.  G.  McQuillan,  Per  Person,  George  Hinkley, 
N.  T.  Ackerson,  O.  G.  Christianson,  Christian  Rygh,  W.  R.  Cockran,  O.  G. 
Sanders,  John  H.  Oss  and  M.  Laastuen. 

At  one  time  the  lodge  was  in  a  very  prosperous  condition  and  had  a 
membership  of  about  forty,  but  time  has  wrought  many  changes  in  the 
personnel  of  the  organization  and  now  six  members  are  on  the  roll,  only  two 
of  whom,  Mrs.  John  Sauby  and  Mrs.  Belle  Hendricks,  live  in  Elbow  Lake. 

Among  the  first  officers  were  the  following:  J.  C.  Ackerson,  past  chief 
of  honor;  J.  G.  McQuillan,  chief  of  honor;  Mrs.  J.  N.  Biever,  lady  of  honor; 
Pearl  Barker,  chief  of  ceremonies;  Mrs.  O.  G.  Sanders,  recorder;  Rena 
Bacon,  financier;  Mrs.  Peter  Peterson,  receiver;  Mrs.  O.  K.  Laastuen,  usher; 
Mrs.  E.  C.  Ackerson,  inside  watch;  Mrs.  George  Hinkley,  outside  watch. 
The  first  officers  were  installed  by  Mrs.  Mary  Dailey,  grand  chief  of  honor. 


RESIDENCE     DISTRICT,       EAST     TAUT     OF   ELBOW   LAKE. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
Elbow  Lake,  the  County  Seat. 

The  village  of  Elbow  Lake,  the  seat  of  government  of  Grant  county, 
was  platted  on  October  28,  1886,  on  land  belonging  to  Knud  O.  Laastuen 
and  ex-Senator  W.  D.  Washburn,  and  was  the  third  village  of  the  county 
to  be  invested  with  the  dignity  of  municipal  incorporation.  Geographically, 
the  village  is  located  in  section  17,  Sanford  township,  in  the  central  portion 
of  the  county,  and  its  origin  as  a  governmental  center  is  to  be  attributed  to 
the  wise  decision  of  the  electors  of  the  district  who,  as  early  as  1873,  saw  in 
the  location  a  point  central  and  easily  accessible  from  all  parts  of  the  county. 
The  final  disposition  of  the  judicial  seat  question  and  the  erection  of  the  court 
house  in  1878,  set  at  rest  all  doubts  as  to  the  future  of  Elbow  Lake,  and  its 
subsequent  development  and  general  advancement  in  educational,  social  and 
commercial  channels  have  been  steady  and  permanent.  Its  central  location 
with  reference  to  convenience  for  the  management  and  transaction  of  county 
afifairs,  its  proximity  to  extensive  agricultural  areas  and  trade  districts,  its 
modern  school  system  and  numerous  fraternal  and  social  organizations, 
patroned  by  a  progressive  and  public-spirited  people  are  advantages  rarely 
accorded  to  a  town  of  its  size.  Although  the  town  is  destined  to  never  be 
one  of  any  great  size,  yet  it  is  enjoying  a  gradual  growth  such  as  builds  for 
permanance  and  stability. 

The  town  is  regularly  laid  out,  with  wide  and  well  shaded  streets,  con- 
venient alleys,  and  both  the  business  and  residence  sections  are  well  provided 
with'  sidewalks.  The  residence  district  includes  homes  that  are  modern  in 
every  sense,  surrounded  by  picturescjue  and  well  kept  lawns. 

The  first  municipal  election  in  the  village  of  Elbow  Lake  was  held  on 
September  13,  1887,  the  officers  being  selected  as  follow:  Henry  F.  San- 
ford, president;  John  Christenson,  Gunder  Hanson  and  M.  Casey,  trustees; 
A.  C.  Belyea,  recorder;  O.  J.  Kolseth,  treasurer;  A.  C.  Belyea,  justice  of  the 
peace:  A.  Thompson,  constable.  O.  M.  Torrison  was  appointed  attorney; 
A.  Thompson,  marshal ;  A.  W.  Nelson,  street  commissioner ;  Knud  O. 
Laastuen,  fire  warden;  V.  T.  Johnson,  pound  master;  Dr.  F.  A.  Robinson, 
F.  R.  Berglin  and  H.  W.  Barker,  board  of  health.  The  first  council  meeting 
was  held  on  September  19,  1887. 
(30 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES, 


MUNICIPAL   OFFICERS. 


The  municipal  government  of  the  present  time  is  in  the  hands  of  a 
thoroughly  progressive  body  of  men  whose  constant  aim  is  to  foster  and 
encourage  pubHc  and  private  improvement.  The  officers  include  the  follow- 
ing: W.  E.  Landeene,  president;  Thomas  Casey,  recorder;  M.  A.  Lukken, 
treasurer;  H.  J.  Bollum,  assessor;  A.  G.  Ness,  marshal;  A.  J.  Anneson,  J.  A. 
Dols,  Sophus  Bartness,  trustees;  W.  H.  Goetzinger,  justice. 

In  the  way  of  municipal  improvements  the  town  is  quite  up  to  the 
standard.  Among  the  first  improvements  that  is  worthy  of  mention  was  the 
installing  of  a  waterworks  system  in  1898.  Two  driven  wells  were  put  down 
to  a  depth  of  two  hundred  feet  and  when  put  to  a  test  produced  one  hundred 
and  eighty  gallons  per  minute.  A  wooden  water  tank  was  erected  which  was 
replaced  by  an  iron  tank  in  191 5.  The  present  tank  holds  one  hundred  and 
fifty-six;  thousand  gallons.  In  the  way  of  fire  protection  the  town  has  a 
volunteer  fire  company  of  thirty-three  men,  a  chemical  fire  engine,  two  hose 
carts,  a  truck  and  ladder  wagon,  and  one  thousand  feet  of  water  hose.  In 
1900  an  electric  light  plant  was  installed  at  a  cost  of  about  ten  thousand 
dollars.  The  plant  was  managed  by  the  town  until  19 14  at  which  time  it 
was  sold  to  the  Ottertail  Power  Company. 

When  the  first  white  settlers  came  into  the  vicinity  of  Elbow  Lake  in 
1868  that  there  were  eighteen  log  shacks  located  near  the  site  now  occupied 
by  the  creamery.  These  log  huts  were  occupied  by  half-breeds  who  were 
engaged  in  hunting  and  curing  pelts,  but  a  short  time  later  they  were  ousted 
by  the  owner  of  the  timljer  land. 

Although  the  site  of  Elbow  Lake  seemed  to  be  a  natural  selection  for  a 
town,  yet  the  early  growth  was  slow.  Even  in  1881  there  was  but  a  small 
cluster  of  houses,  no  railroad,  in  fact  nothing  of  commercial  importance. 
However,  with  the  question  of  the  county  seat  settled  for  all  time  and  with 
the  coming  of  the  railroad,  the  site  of  Elbow  Lake  acquired  a  much  changed 
appearance  and  not  many  years  elapsed  until  its  commercial  importance  was 
unquestioned. 

ELBOW  LAKE  POSTOFFICE. 

The  government  established  a  postoffice  in  the  vicinity  of  Ellxiw  Lake 
in  1869  or  1870.  H.  P.  Hansen  was  the  first  postmaster  and  his  office  was 
on  his  farm  on  section  24.  He  held  the  office  for  a  period  of  five  years.  At 
that  time  the  office  did  not  present  many  burdens  as  the  cash  receipts  amounted 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  483 

to  only  a  few  dollars  in  the  course  of  a  month.  At  first  the  mail  was  carried 
by  the  stage  coach  but  as  the  settlement  of  the  country  increased,  star  routes 
were  established  and  the  mail  became  more  frequent  and  reliable.  As  the 
country  developed  the  postoffice  was  moved  from  the  Hansen  farm  to  West 
Elbow  Lake  where  it  remained  a  few  years,  and  thence  to  the  village  of 
Elbow  Lake,  in  about  1880.  Among  the  men  who  have  served  the  com- 
munity and  village  as  postmaster  have  been  the  following:  O.  H.  Aaker, 
Halvor  Hendricks,  J.  N.  Sanford,  Henry  Sanford,  A.  W.  Nelson,  L.  J. 
Hauge,  C.  M.  Nelson,  J.  S.  Jacobson,  O.  T.  Stromme  and  the  present  post- 
master, John  Engebretson.  Five  rural  routes  serve  the  country  communities 
from  this  ofifice.  Hans  L.  Johnson  has  charge  of  route  No.  i ;  John  L. 
Stanley,  route  No.  2;  Francis  W.  Stanley,  route  No.  3;  Hjalmar  E.  John- 
son, route  No.  4,  and  John  Berger,  route  No.  5. 

Although  the  town  of  Elbow  Lake  is  considered  a  "city  of  homes"  it  is 
also  a  mecca  for  church  and  fraternal  organizations.  These  various  organ- 
izations exercise  a  potent  influence  on  the  social  and  religious  life  of  the 
community  and  through  their  instrumentality  many  people  have  been  in- 
fluenced to  select  this  place  as  a  permanent  residence. 

ELBOW    LAKE    SCHOOLS. 

There  is  no  surer  index  as  to  the  character,  intelligence  and  degree  of 
progress  in  a  community  than  the  public  schools — their  management,  patron- 
age and  scope  of  work — and  in  the  great  majority  of  cases,  those  who  seek 
new  localities  in  which  to  establish  homes  and  rear  their  families  take 
into  careful  consideration  the  feature  of  educational  advantages  before  taking 
a  decisive  step.  The  early  settlers  of  Elbow  Lake  seem  to  have  been  endowed 
with  unusual  wisdom  and  keen  foresight  in  the  way  of  education  because 
hardly  had  the  town  limits  been  established  until  provisions  had  been  made 
for  a  village  school.  In  due  season  a  handsome  and  substantial  building  was 
erected  and  equipped  with  all  the  modern  appliances  that  the  times  afforded. 
This  building  was  a  two-room,  two-story  structure  and  stood  in  the  block 
just  west  of  the  present  building.  In  the  fall  of  1888,  the  first  school  was 
held  in  the  village,  the  teachers  being  Mrs.  John  O.  Sauby,  who  had  charge 
of  the  grammar  grades,  and  Effie  Coleman,  who  had  charge  of  the  primary 
grades.  The  following  year,  Mrs.  Hurley,  later  Mrs.  McKenzie  and  Miss 
Johnson  had  charge  of  the  school.  The  teachers  had  control  of  the  work 
for  a  period  of  four  or  five  years,  but  as  the  attendance  continued  to  increase 
more  room  was  necessarv. 


484  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

In  1893,  ^"  addition  was  made  similar  to  the  original  building  and  four, 
teachers  were  employed.  In  a  few  years  another  addition  was  made  and  an 
additional  corps  of  two  teachers  were  employed.  In  keeping  with  the  prog- 
ress of  the  times  a  new  building  was  desired,  a  movement  which  led  to  the 
erection  of  the  present  structure  in  1907  at  a  cost  of  thirty  thousand  dollars. 
The  original  building  and  the  two  additions  now  form  beautiful  residences  in 
the  block  just  west  of  the  school  grounds. 

In  1902,  a  four-year  high  school  course  was  adopted,  which  was  the 
first  in  the  county.  As  a  result  many  pupils  came  to  Elbow  Lake  from 
neighboring  towns  and  villages  to  complete  their  high  school  course.  This 
circumstance  has  led  to  congested  conditions  on  account  of  the  increased 
attendance  and  as  the  school  authorities  extend  a  cordial  welcome  to  all  pupils 
of  the  county,  an  addition  to  the  present  building  within  the  next  year  is  quite 
probable. 

The  school  board  has  at  all  times  been  composed  of  careful,  competent 
and  conscientious  men  who  have  been  assiduous  in  appointing  to  the  imme- 
diate management  and  supervision  of  the  schools  such  men  and  women  who 
are  privileged  to  aspire  to  such  positions  of  trust  and  delicate  responsibility 
by  virtue  of  moral  character,  learning  and  ability.  The  men  and  women 
who  were  at  the  head  of  the  school  system  at  different  times  before  the 
school  was  recognized  by  the  state  authorities  are  given  as  follow:  Mrs. 
John  O.  Sauby,  Mrs.  Hurley,  Mr.  Thompson,  L.  G.  Perry,  B.  W.  Hosmer, 
H.  W.  Shroyer,  Iver  Johnsrud  and  J.  A.  Cederstrom.  J.  A.  Cederstrom  was 
the  principal  when  the  state  high  school  was  established  in  1902.  He  con- 
tinued as  superintendent  until  1905  and  was  succeeded  by  H.  A.  Johnson 
who  served  from  1905  until  1909.  W.  B.  Bolcom  was  chosen  as  the  next 
superintendent  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  a  period  of  two  years.  He 
resigned  in  the  summer  of  191 1  and  H.  R.  Tonning  was  elected  and  served 
until  1915.  He  was  followed  by  the  present  superintendent,  L.  H.  Brinks, 
who  is  a  man  of  university  training  and  broad  scholastic  ideals.  In  the  main, 
the  high  rating  of  the  school  system  is  due  to  his  untiring  efforts  but  due 
credit  must  be  given  to  his  excellent  corps  of  teachers,  for  it  is  through  their 
hearty  co-operation,  coupled  with  the  assistance  of  a  helpful  and  appreciative 
school  board,  that  has  made  success  possible.  The  present  school  board  is 
composed  of  the  following  men:  E.  Sauby,  president;  Tos.  E.  Dybdal, 
secretary;  W.  E.  Landeene,  treasurer;  R.  D.  Hand.  Paul  Hanson  and  N.  J. 
Eide. 

The  teaching  corps  for  the  school  year  of  19 16- 191 7  includes  the  fol- 
lowing:    L.  H.  Brinks,  superintendent;  Irene  Anderberg,  high  school  prin- 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  485 

cipal;  Margaret  Doty,  English;  Ruth  Wallfred,  science;  Adeha  Olson,  home 
economics;  Emil  Thorsen,  agriculture;  O.  W.  Bergan,  manual  training; 
Elizabeth  Meany,  normal  department;  Marion  Engebretson,  eighth  grade; 
Marie  Erdahl,  seventh  grade ;  Esther  Lundquist,  sixth  grade ;  Ruth  Jernberg, 
fifth  grade;  Esther  Engelbretson,  fourth  grade;  Milla  Lynne,  third  grade; 
Hazel  Mortinson,  second  grade;  Mabelle  Johnson,  first  grade.  The  enroll- 
ment for  the  month  of  September,  1916,  was  three  hundred  and  twenty,  of 
which  number  one  hundred  and  nineteen  are  in  the  high  school. 

BUSINESS    DIRECTORY. 

In  the  summer  of  19 16  the  business  and  professional  interests  of  Elbow 
Lake  were  in  the  hands  of  the  following : 

Auto  garage — Elbow  Lake  Automobile  Company,  Henry  Smith,  pro- 
prietor; Auto  livery — J.  O.  Smith,  E.  C.  Ackerson;  Architect — A.  H.  Foss; 
Attorneys — Thomas  Casey,  E.  J.  Scofield.  R.  J.  Stromme. 

Banks — First  National  Bank,  Bank  of  Elbow  Lake;  Barter  shop — 
Walter  Fox ;  Bowling  alley — Walter  Tobolt ;  Blacksmith  shops — J.  A.  Palin, 
John  Nelson,  Henry  Smith;  Bottling  works — Sven  Olson. 

Clothing  store — Harry  Maftalin;  Cigar  factory — A.  A.  Downs;  Cream- 
ery— Peter  Storvick;  Confectionery — Nels  Solberg,  Edward  Eddinger; 
Cement  worker — T.  T.  Stuverud. 

Druggists — Hand  Drug  Company,  O.  G.  Hanson;  Dray  line — Joseph 
Pennock,  Robert  Cosh;  Dentists — Dr.  C.  H.  Godward,  Dr.  O.  Sauby. 

Elevators — Oslxirn-McMillan.   Farmers .  Elevator  and   Grain   Company. 

Furniture  dealer — John  Sether;  Flour  mill — Nels  Bergan. 

Grocer — E.  P.  Barsness:  General  merchandise — Elbow  Lake  •  Co-opera- 
tive Company,  Paul  Hanson  &  Company,  Larson  &  Fide,  Stromme  &  Loose. 

Hotels — The  Park  Hotel,  R.  E.  Hauser,  proprietor;  The  Haarstad 
Hotel,  C.  G.  Haarstad,  proprietor;  Harness  shop — Albert  GermundsonJ 
Hardware  dealers — Hauge  Lumber  &  Hardware  Company.  Elbow  Lake 
Hardware  &  Lumber  Company. 

Implement  dealers — Erick  Sletten,  Elbow  Lake  Hardware  &  Lumber 
Company;  Icedealer — R.  Christianson  &  Company. 

Jewelers — Hans  J.  Heram,  W.  R.  Hand. 

Lumber  dealers — Elbow  Lake  Hardware  &  Lumber  Companv.  Hauge 
Lumber  &  Hardware  Company ;  Livery^Abraham  Thorson. 

Moving  picture  show — B.  E.  Anderson;  Meat  market — R.  Christianson 
&  Company;  Merchant  tailor — G.  Hofstad. 


486  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Newspaper — The  Grant  County  Herald.  H.  H.  Barker,  proprietor; 
Nursery  dealer — C.  S.  Hinkley. 

Painters— Nels  Nelson,  L.  T.  Silk;  Physicians— Dr.  F.  L.  Kling,  Dr. 
E.  T.  Reeve,  Dr.  W.  R.  Hand;  Photographer— M.  L.  Holdrem. 

Restaurants — Nels  Solberg,  Sven  Olson  &  Son,  Edward  Eddinger; 
Real  estate  dealers — Tos  E.  Dybdal,  Brown-UUand  Land  Company,  Globe 
Land  &  Loan  Company. 

Shoe  store — B.  E.  Dybdal;  Shoemaker — S.  Albretson;  Stock  buyers — 
John  O.  Sauby,  Farmers  Shipping  Association. 

Telephone — Elbow  Lake  Telephone  Company. 

Variety  store — L  A.  Tasa;  Veterinary — Dr.  J.  B.  Nelson. 

Wood  dealer — P.  A.  Haggberg;  Well  driller — Max  Lohse. 

An  industry  of  the  town  that  is  worthy  of  special  mention  is  the  cream- 
ery. This  creamery  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  the  county,  having  been  organized 
in  the  early  eighties.  The  plant  has  been  owned  by  several  different  people 
and  operated  with  various  degrees  of  success.  Peter  Storvick  is  the  present 
owner  and  is  operating  the  concern  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  communitv. 
The  total  output  for  June,  1916,  was  approximately  eighteen  thousand 
pounds  of  butter,  for  w'hich  the  farmers  received  the  sum  of  four  thousand 
five  hundred  dollars.  The  average  number  of  patrons  is  one  hundred  and 
eighty.  Besides  the  butter  industry,  ice  cream  is  manufactured  during  the 
summer  season. 

The  Grant  County  Telephone  Company,  with  headquarters  at  Elbow 
Lake,  was  organized  in  1901  and  reorganized  in  1903  with  the  same  officers 
and  stockholders.  The  first  organization,  which  is  the  same  as  the  present 
one,  is  inclusive  of  the  following :  Henry  Sampson,  president ;  E.  J.  Scofield, 
vice-president;  W.  E.  Landeene,  secretary-treasurer.  The  company  main- 
tains an  exchange  at  Herman  and  toll  lines  to  Ashby,  Wendell  and  Erdahl. 
The  first  telephone  line  in  the  county  was  built  in  1900,  between  Herman  and 
Elbow  Lake,  by  George  Ketcham,  an  attorney.  The  equipment  was  quite 
inadequate  and  the  service  unsatisfactory.  In  1901  the  present  company 
took  over  the  system,  which  was  in  a  decadent  condition,  and  after  remodel- 
ing and  reconstructing,  have  given  excellent  local  and  long  distance  service. 

Among  the  improvements  of  1916  is  the  new  Soo-Pacific  depot,  now 
under  construction.  The  new  depot  for  Elbow  Lake,  the  "Gateway  of  the 
Park  Region,"  will  be  one  of  the  best  in  a  village  of  this  size  on  the  entire 
system.  The  structure  is  located  to  the  east  of  the  old  depot.  The  basement 
contains  room  for  coal  bins,  storage  and  the  hot-water  heating  plant.  The 
building  is  built  of  hydraulic  pressed  brick  and  stone,  the  stone  forming  the 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  487 

trimmings  and  running  up  the  sills  of  the  windows  all  around.     The  building 
is  modern  in  every  sense,  very  commodious  and  conveniently  arranged. 

An  organization  of  Elbow  Lake  of  which  the  citizens  are  justly  proud 
is  the  Elbow  Lake  Concert  Band.  The  band  is  composed  of  thirty-five  pieces 
and  under  the  leadership  of  John  Sather  it  has  become  one  of  the  best  bands 
in  the  Park  Region.  During  the  summer  season,  weekly  concerts  are  given, 
which  are  enjoyed  not  only  by  local  people  but  by  those  who  come  from  a 
distance. 


CHAPTER    X\'III. 

Villages  of  Grant  County. 

In  Grant  countv  there  are  six  incorporated  towns  and  villages,  all  rail- 
road points,  and  so  situated  with  reference  to  locality  that  they  atford 
extraordinary  accommodations  and  conveniences  to  the  agriculturist  and 
stock  growers  of  the  district. 

HERMAN. 

There  are  many  events  of  more  or  less  local  historical  interest  asso- 
ciated with  the  settlement  and  subsequent  growth  of  the  village  of  Herman, 
Logan  township,  in  the  extreme  southwestern  part  of  the  county,  in  which 
Herman  is  located,  was  one  of  the  first  settled  localities  in  the  district  and 
for  many  years  after  the  organization  of  the  county,  Herman  continued  to 
be  the  chief  railroad  point  and  principal  place  of  business  in  the  three  coun- 
ties of  Grant,  Stevens  and  Traverse.  The  village  of  Herman  was  laid  out 
on  land  belonging  to  the  St.  Paul  &  Pacific  Railroad  Company.  About  this 
time  S.  S.  Frogner  and  Peter  Hanson  opened  up  general  merchandizing 
stores  there  and  did  a  prosperous  business  with  the  settlers  and  half-breed 
aborigines.  The  village  plat  was  filed  with  the  register  of  deeds  on  Septem- 
ber 30,  1875,  by  George  L.  Becker  and  Samuel  S.  Breed.  The  village  began 
its  corporate  e.xistence  March  15,  1881 — a  year  made  memorable  by  the 
determined  efifort  of  the  citizens  to  secure  the  county  seat.  The  first  officers 
of  the  village  were  as  follow :  C.  A.  Smith,  president :  Charles  Pullman,  A. 
C.  Earsley,  A.  Wells,  trustees;  J.  K.  Van  Doren,  recorder;  F.  \V.  \\^ebster. 
treasurer;  T.  C.  Hodg.son  and  C.  F.  Washburn,  justices;  David  Remp, 
marshal. 

The  present  elective  ofticers  include  the  following:  J.  P.  Wells,  presi- 
dent ;  A.  C.  Harper,  clerk ;  Charles  Goodell,  Edward  R.  Hanney,  G.  John- 
srud,  trustees;  W.  J.  Shultz,  Paul  Goodell.  constables;  Charles  Phinney. 
J.  B.  Hodgson,  justices. 

Herman,  with  a  population  of  about  eight  hundred,  is  one  of  the  busiest 
and  best  little  towns  situated  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  Red  River  Val- 
ley. Doubtless  if  any  town  in  the  county  or  surrounding  counties  can  offer 
as  manv  inducements  to  the  homeseeker  or  Ixisiness  man   as  the  town   of 


MAIN    .STItEET.   HERMAN. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  489 

Herman.  The  town  is  surrounded  by  one  of  the  best  prairie  farming  dis- 
tricts in  the  Northwest.  Tlie  town  is  beautifully  laid  out,  populated  with 
a  progressive  class  of  people  working  for  a  common  purpose,  "A  better  and 
greater  Herman."  A  little  over  two  years  ago  the  State  Municipality  League 
selected  Herman  as  the  "Model  Town  of  the  State  of  Minnesota." 

Herman  is  particularly  fortunate  in  the  way  of  school  facilities.  It  has 
a  modern  pressed  brick  school  and  a  school  system  that  is  above  the  average. 
Prof.  E.  B.  Anderson  is  the  superintendent  and  is  ably  assisted  by  a  trained 
corps  of  teachers  and  an  appreciative  school  board.  A  full  high  school 
course  is  given,  including  the  special  subjects  of  manual  training,  domestic 
science  and  agriculture.  The  enrollment  for  month  of  September,  1916,  was 
about  one  hundred  and  ninety,  of  which  number  the  high  school  contributed 
forty. 

In  the  way  of  church  and  fraternal  organizations,  the  town  is  amply 
supplied  to  satisfy  the  wants  and  needs  of  the  average  citizen.  Brief  accounts 
of  these  organizations  will  be  found  in  their  respecti\'e  chapters. 

THE    COMMUNITY    SOCIAL    CLUB. 

The  Community  Social  Club  is  one  of  the  few  organizations  of  its  kind 
in  the  state.  It  was  formally  organized  on  November  17,  1914,  by  the  rep- 
resentative citizens  and  business  men  of  the  town.  The  general  purpose  is 
literary,  social  and  the  promotion  of  the  welfare  of  Herman.  The  organi- 
zation has  beautifully  equipped  club  rooms  in  the  Woodmen  hall.  It  was 
through  the  hearty  co-operation  and  influence  of  the  club  that  made  pos- 
sible the  present  existence  of  the  Herman  public  library'.  The  library  rooms 
are  also  in  the  Woodmen  hall  in  conjunction  with  those  of  the  club.  At 
present  the  library  has  about  two  thousand  volumes.  This  library  is  the 
only  one  that  is  municipal  in  character  in  the  county,  a  fact  which  goes  to 
show  that  the  people  of  Herman  are  among  the  most  progressive  citizens  of 
the  county.     Mabel  Clark  is  the  present  librarian. 

The  town  has  a  band  of  twenty- five  pieces  that  is  entirely  self-support- 
ing. This  organization  has  never  solicited  any  help  from  the  public  and  is 
one  of  the  strongest  boosters  of  the  town. 

During  the  summer  of  19 16  the  business  interests  were  in\-ested  in  the 
following : 

Auto  garage — W.  B.  Schmidt  &  Son;  Attorney — F.  C.  .Anderson; 
Banks — First  National,  Grant  County  State;  Blacksmith  shop — Henrv  Fels; 
Barber    shops — John    Newberger.    Soy    Newberger;    Confectionery — H.    T. 


490  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

Lesson;  Creamery — S.  S.  Landt  &  Son;  Druggist — A.  D.  Larson;  Dentist 
— F.  R.  Haley;  Elevator — Farmers  Elevator  Company;  General  dealers — 
A.  C.  Harper  &  Company,  Herman  Farmers  Store,  Wells  Hedgeson;  Hard- 
ware dealer — Gust  Bros. ;  Harness  shop — J-  E.  Nelson ;  Hotel — The  Pull- 
man ;  Jeweler — Orrin  Larson ;  Livery — Otto  Carlson,  Williain  Shultz ; 
Lumber  dealers — H.  W'.  Ross  Lumber  Company,  Standard  Lumber  Com- 
pany; Milliner — Mrs.  Hetty  Warren;  Meat  markets — A.  F.  Mitchell,  Frank 
Johnson;  Mill — Herman  flour  mill;  Newspaper — The  Grant  Coiinf\  Rc- 
ziezv,  E.  M.  Chesebrough,  proprietor;  Physicians — Dr.  T.  M.  Thayer,  Dr. 
J.  T.  Leland;  Restaurant — James  F.  Leavell;  Real  estate  dealer — O.  C. 
Eaton,  Charles  Cater,  Haney  Land  Co.,  Ziebarth  .&  Lindem ;  Shoe  shop — 
J.  S.  Edelstein;  Theater — The  Bijou,  Frank  Hook  proprietor;  Tailor  shop 
— John  Weiss;   Veterinary — Walter  Smedley. 

HOFFMAN. 

On  April  i6,  1887,  a  plat  of  the  village  of  Hoffman  was  filed  by  W^  D. 
Washburn,'  and  a  small  cluster  of  houses,  which  were  speedily  thrown 
together  upon  the  advent  of  the  Soo-Pacific  road  in  1886,  at  once  took  on 
the  form  of  a  commercial  center.  Hoffman  is  located  in  the  town  of  Land, 
eighteen  miles  southeast  of  Elbow  Lake,  in  a  remarkably  productive  agricul- 
tural district.  Among  the  numerous  country  towns  on  the  Soo  line  between 
the  Twin  cities  and  Portal,  the  thriving  town  of  Hoffman  which,  an  indus- 
trial class  of  people,  by  perpetual  co-operation,  energ\'  and  persistence,  have 
succeeded  in  building,  maintaining  and  constantly  improving  and  to-day  it  is 
recognized  as  an  industrial  factor  of  considerable  local  importance.  To 
adjoining  towns  on  the  Soo  line  and  other  railroads  as  well,  Hoffman  is 
justly  known  as  a  live,  healthy,  prosperous  and  desirable  place  of  business. 
While  once  flourishing,  competing  villages  and  towns,  in  the  course  of  years, 
have  entered  into  comatose  conditions,  this  place  has  continually  forged  ahead 
enjoying  growth  and  prosperity.  Today  the  town  has  a  population  of  about 
five  hundred. 

The  first  business  men  of  the  town  were:  H.  J.  Gronberg,  John  Kron, 
L.  T.  Breen,  J.  A.  Willd  and  A.  Fogelstrom.  As  the  business  grew  and  the 
population  increased  the  citizens  desired  to  become  a  corporate  unit,  so  on 
April  25,  1891,  a  petition  was  filed  for  the  purpose  of  holding  an  election 
to  decide  the  question.  The  election  was  held  on  June  23,  of  the  same  year, 
and  resulted  in  the  vote  of  thirty-three  in  favor  and  eight  against.    The  first 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  49 1 

officers  were  inclusive  of  the  following:  J.  A.  Willd,  president;  L.  T. 
Breen,  H.  J.  Gronberg,  M.  Rollofson,  trustees;  H.  Hendrickson.  recorder; 
N.  E.  Rulien,  treasurer. 

The  present  officers  are  as  follows :  N.  E.  Rulien,  president ;  S.  J. 
Ausland,  recorder;  Eric  Sletten,  J.  A.  Cook,  Charles  Nelson,  trustees;  Will- 
iam Shauer,  constable;    J.  A.  Cook,  justice. 

The  public  school  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  It  comprises  three 
departments,  with  an  enrollment  at  the  present  time  of  about  one  hundred 
and  five.     J.  A.  Cook  is  the  principal. 

The  citizens  of  HoJifman  are  proud  of  their  town,  of  their  schools, 
churches  and  other  organizations,  but  nothing  gives  them  more  pride  than 
to  speak  of  the  ladies'  band.  The  band  was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1916 
and  its  success  has  been  unrivalled.  Summer  concerts  have  been  given  and 
the  people  not  only  of  Hoffman  but  surrounding  towns  as  well  have  shown 
due  appreciation.  A  great  deal  of  the  success  belongs  to  the  leadership  of 
A.  L.  Backhmd  whose  untiring  efforts  certainly  have  been  rewarded.  The 
young  ladies  who  compose  the  band  are  as  follows :  Lillie  Johnson,  Amely 
Sjolaas,  Ruth  Henderson,  Clara  Sunder,  Nina  Willd,  Beattie  Johnson,  Jessie 
Wallmark,  Ruth  Lindstrom,  Sigrud  Backlund,  Olga  Johnson,  Lillian  Meyer, 
Jensine  L.ander,  Florence  Danielson,  Alma  Henderstrom. 

The  following  business  interests  were  represented  in  the  summer  of 
1916: 

Auto  garage — Shauer  Brothers;  banks,  Farmers  State,  Hoffman  State; 
blacksmith  shop,  Erich  Melin;  barber,  J.  H.  Flolid;  confectionery,  R.  E. 
Shauer  &  Company:  creamery,  Hoffman  Co-operative  Creamery  Company; 
clothing  and  furnishings,  Desnick  &  Kronick ;  druggist,  H.  J.  Gronberg ;  dray 
line,  I.  Berg;  elevators.  Farmers  Elevator  Company,  Woodworth  Elevator 
Company,  Lang  Elevator  Company;  feed  and  fuel,  J.  P.  Mattson;  furniture 
dealer,  H.  L.  Elglumb;  general  dealers,  Anton  Helland,  Farmers  Co-opera- 
tive Mercantile  Company,  J.  M.  Arnquist  &  Son ;  harness  shop,  K.  Skog- 
lund;  hardware  dealers,  Hoffman  Hardware  Co.,  Lindhurst  &  Stavig;  imple- 
ment dealer,  Eric  Sletten;  jeweler,  Edward  Stavig;  lumber  dealer,  C.  A. 
Willd;  meat  market,  S.  J.  Ausland  &  Company;  newspaper.  The  Hoffman 
Times,  W.  N.  Bronson,  proprietor;  produce  dealer.  North  American  Stor- 
age Company ;  physicians,  Dr.  F.  E.  Griswold,  Dr.  Amly  Sjolaas,  Dr.  H.  A. 
Hegna;  restaurants,  R.  E.  Shauer  &  Co.,  J.  R.  Milne;  stockbuyer,  Hoffman 
Shipping  Association ;  tile  drainage,  B.  H.  Malmgren ;  variety  store,  Mrs. 
Nora  Sturgis. 


492  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


WENDELL. 


The  village  of  Wendell  is  located  in  Stony  Brook  township,  on  section 
^2.  The  land  was  formerly  owned  by  the  Pacific  Land  Company  and  on 
July  II,  1889,  the  original  plat  of  the  townsite  was  filed  in  the  office  of  the 
register  of  deeds  by  the  above  company,  Kittel  Olson  and  Gunild  Qlson. 
The  village  is  situated  on  the  Soo-Pacific  line,  nine  miles  northwest  of 
Elbow  Lake  and  is  the  only  trading  point  of  pronounced  importance  in  the 
extensive  agricultural  area  comprising  the  northwestern  part  of  the  county. 
Here,  as  elsewhere  in  the  district,  the  staple  industries  are  wheat  raising, 
corn  growing  and  dairying.  Illustrative  of  the  importance  of  Wendell  as  a 
shipping  point  and  the  relative  standing  of  the  section  as  a  producer,  the  fact 
may  be  cited  that  the  village  is  the  best  in  the  county.  The  dairying  indus- 
try is  also  followed  with-  much  supcess  as  is  evidenced  by  the  splendid  cream- 
ery here.  The  creamery  is  known  as  the  Farmers  Co-operative  Creamery 
company  and  is  managed  by  John  Raines.  In  1915  a  splendid  new  brick 
building  was  constructed  at  a  cost  of  six  thousand  dollars  complete.  In 
the  month  of  August,  1916,  the  total  quantity  of  butter  made  amounted  to 
ten  thousand  four  hundred  and  five  pounds.  Thus  it  can  be  seen  that  this 
industry  is  quite  a  source  of  wealth  and  one  which  deserves  the  hearty  sup- 
port of  the  entire  community. 

The  first  storekeeper  in  what  is  now  the  village  of  Wendell  was  Kittel 
Olson.  When  the  Soo-Pacific  road  in  its  construction  in  1887,  located  a 
depot  at  W'endell,  the  possibilities  for  a  little  commercial  center  were  sug- 
gested and  Messrs.  Beck  &  Whitman,  who  were  in  business  in  Meeker 
county,  bought  the  stock  of  goods  belonging  to  Olson  and  put  in  a  stock 
of  general  merchandise.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  Beck  built  the  store 
room  now  occupied  by  L.  O.  Sand  and  moved  the  store  into  it.  In  the 
same  year  K.  I.  Haugen  built  the  store  room  now  occupied  by  T.  A.  Boyd 
and  put  in  a  stock  of  goods.  T.  A.  Boyd  bought  the  Haugen  store  in  1889 
and  has  been  in  business  ever  since. 

The  first  postmaster  in  the  village  was  D.  A.  Beck  in  1887.  The  com- 
munity was  first  served  from  the  postoffice  of  Asha,  a  point  about  three 
miles  from  Wendell  and  on  the  star  route  between  Fergus  Falls  and  Herman. 
E.  A.  Roach  succeeded  J.  A.  Beck  as  postmaster,  who  in  turn  was  followed 
by  T.  A.  Boyd.  The  present  postmaster  is  J.  L.  Boyd,  the  son  of  T.  A. 
Boyd,  and  has  served  for  the  past  three  years. 

A  petition  for  the  incorporation  of  the  village  was  filed  on  January  20, 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  493 

1904,  signed  by  T.  A.  Boyd,  P.  O.  Floan  and  C.  A.  Prestrud.  The  village 
was  incorporated  in  April  of  the  same  year  with  the  following  officers :  T. 
A.  Boyd,  president:  E.  A.  Dybdal,  clerk:  L.  C.  Bergen,  treasurer:  C.  E. 
Stickney,  Andrew  Solem,  E.  Mobraaten,  trustees;  F.  W.  Hungerford  and 
Ole  K.  Olson,  constables:  C.  B.  Heimark,  chairman  of  the  board  of  health. 

The  present  elective  ofificers  include  the  following:  E.  IMobraaten, 
president;  L.  H.  Pikop,  John  Raines,  E.  Mohagen,  trustees:  L.  C.  Bergen, 
clerk;  Hjalmar  Larson,  treasurer;  C.  E.  Stickney,  justice;  L.  H.  Larson, 
constable;  Ben  Simonson,  constable  and  marshal. 

The  village  became  an  independent  school  district  immediately  after  incor- 
poration. A  three-room  two-story  building  was  constructed  which  was 
destroyed  by  lire  in  1909.  In  1910,  the  present  four-room  brick  building 
was  constructed  at  a  cost  of  twelve  thousand  dollars.  The  first  teachers  to 
teach  in  the  village  were,  Amanda  Norgard  and  Ida  Running.  At  present 
there  are  four  teachers,  the  principal  being  Clara  Kling.  A  nine-months 
school  is  held  and  two  years  of  high  school  are  given.  The  average  enroll- 
ment is  about  one  hundred  and  twenty. 

The  village  is  beautifully  laid  out  on  a  hillock  about  four  squares  north 
of  the  depot.  The  spirit  of  the  village  may  be  summed  up  in  the  word — 
progress.  Neither  is  this  name  a  misnomer,  because  seldom  does  one 
see  in  a  village  of  two  hundred  people  such  a  metropolitan  appearance.  The 
majority  of  the  business  blocks  are  substantial  brick  structures  and  additional 
ones  are  now  under  construction.  The  village  has  had  electric  lights  since 
1913,  the  power  for  which  is  furnished  by  the  Ottertail  Power  Company. 
The  homes  are  modern  and  well  kept,  showing  that  the  citizens  are  pros- 
perous and  contented.  Although  the  citizens  are  proud  of  these  conditions 
they  are  aware  that  were  it  not  for  the  wide-awake  and  progressive  farm- 
ers in  the  vicinity,  present  conditions  would  be  greatly  changed. 

The  following  is  a  business  directory  for  the  year  of  1916: 

Auto  garage,  Edward  Mohagen;  banks.  Farmers  State  Bank,  First 
National  Bank;  blacksmith.  Andrew  Solem;  barber  shop,  E.  H.  Shoemaker; 
elevators,  Osborne-^NIcAIillan,  Farmers  Elevator  Company ;  furniture  dealer, 
L.  C.  Bergen.  L.  O.  Sand;  general  dealers.  E.  Naftalin  &  Son.  T.  A.  Boyd, 
Dybdal,  Pikop  &  Skinnemoen  Company ;  harness  shop,  C.  N.  Lillemoen  ;  hard- 
ware dealers.  L.  C.  Bergen,  L.  O.  Sand;  hotel,  Andrew  Lystne;  implement 
dealers,  Sletten  &  Thorsen,  C.  E.  Stikney;  jeweler,  T.  A.  Dybdal;  lumber 
dealer,  Edward  JNIobraaten ;  livery.  Nels  Olson ;  meat  market,  Ben  Simonson ; 
moving  picture  show,  C.   E.  Stickney:  newspaper,    IJ'cndcU   Trib.imc,  A.   R. 


494  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES.    MINNESOTA. 

McManus,  proprietor;  physician,   Dr.   T.   P.   Rothneni ;  restaurant,  Johnson 
Cafe;  telephone,  Wendell  Telephone  Company. 


Ashlar,  fourth  in  population  among  the  villages  of  Grant  county,  is 
located  in  Pelican  Lake  township,  on  the  main  Hne  of  the  Great  Northern, 
in  the  extreme  northeastern  part  of  the  county.  The  village  is  situated 
upon  the  land  which  was  formerly  owned  by  K.  &.  O.  Alelby,  the  original 
plat  having  been  filed  by  that  gentleman  in  1879. 

From  its  inception,  Ashby  has  been  of  more  or  less  importance  as  a 
commercial  center,  and  notwithstanding  several  serious  reverses  with  which 
the  village  has  met,  it  is  still  one  of  the  most  important  trading  points  in 
the  district,  being  favored  with  an  extensive  patronage  by  residents  over 
the  lines  in  Otter  Tail  and  Douglas  counties,  as  well  as  from  the  northeastern 
townships  of  Grant  county.  Ashby  has  a  thrifty  population  of  about  four 
hundred  people,  neat  dwellings,  attractive  and  commodious  business  houses 
and  additional  ones  in  the  <:ourse  of  construction.  The  merchants  as  a  whole 
are  progressive  and  enterprising,  who  endorse  and  support  any  measure  that 
bears  the  stamp  of  merit. 

The  date  Ashby  began  its  corporate  existence  is  uncertain,  as,  owing  to 
the  early  records  being  destroyed  by  fire,  no  account  of  the  first  organization 
is  at  hand.  The  management  of  the  municipal  affairs  at  the  present  time 
is  vested  in  the  following  men:  A.  ]\I.  Randall,  president;  George  Vange- 
ness.  clerk;  Svert  Aasang.  treasurer;  C.  E.  Thorsteson,  J.  O.  Western, 
George  Huggett,  trustees :  Herman  Balgaard.  constable  and  marshal ;  Ross 
Beardsley,  justice. 

In  1893  the  village  was  visited  by  a  very  destructive  fire  which  laid 
in  waste  over  half  the  business  district.  Rebuilding  began  almost  imme- 
diately and  ere  many  years  had  passed  new  and  modern  buildings  had 
taken  the  place  of  the  ones  destroyed. 

An  excellent  public  school  system  is  maintained,  of  which  G.  A.  Fjeld- 
stad  is  the  superintendent.  A  new  school  building  is  just  completed  at  a  cost 
of  about  twenty-four  thousand  dollars,  which  amount  does  not  include  the 
equipment.  Although  the  building  is  not  as  large  as  some  in  the  county, 
it  is  doubtless  the  most  modern  and  up-to-date  building  in  this  section. 
The  site  of  the  building  has  been  pronounced  by  the  state  authorities  as  one 
of  the  verv  best  in  the  entire  state.     The  structure  is  situated  on  the  crest 


DOUGLAS    AMD    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  495 

of  a  gently  rising  knoll  from  which  a  birds-eye  view  can  be  gained  of  the 
country  in  every  direction.  The  school  system  now  includes  a  four-year 
high  school  course  with  all  of  the  special  courses  including  manual  training, 
domestic  science,  and  agriculture,  with  specially  equipped  apartments  for 
each.  The  present  enrollment  is  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  of  which 
number  forty-three  are  in  the  high  school.     Seven  teachers  are  employed. 

The  first  school  in  the  community  was  on  the  Teisberg  farm  and  Mrs. 
Teis1>erg  was  the  first  teacher.  Pupils  of  all  sizes  and  ages  were  in  attend- 
ance, most  of  whom  were  very  eager  to  learn. 

The  postofiice  was  established  in  1879  or  1880,  with  K.  X.  O.  ]\Ielby 
as  postmaster,  fiovvever,  the  first  postofifice  in  the  community  was  at  Pomme 
de  Terre  and  N.  Q.  Punchtes  was  the  first  postmaster.  •  With  the  establish- 
ment of  the  village  site  and  the  coming  of  the  railroad  the  postofiice  was 
moved  to  the  village  and  was  situated  just  across  the  bridge  in  the  east 
part  of  the  village.  Among  the  men  who  have  been  postmasters  of  the 
village  are  the  following:  C.  Hawkins,  A.  S.  King,  Martin  Holt,  E.  C. 
Schow,  O.  A.  Norman,  William  Penner,  A.  J.  Dahl  is  the  present  post- 
master and  has  served  in  the  capacity  since  June,  1910. 

The  first  merchants  in  the  village  were,  P.  Hawkins,  N.  O.  Punchtes 
and  Johnson  &  Langley. 

The  business  interests  of  the  village  during  the  fall  of  1916  were  in  the 
hands  of  the  following  men : 

Auto  garage,  Ashby  Auto  Company,  Elberling  Brothers:  banks.  Farm- 
ers State  Bank,  First  State  Bank;  barber  shop,  L.  A.  Lindberg;  blacksmith- 
shop,  G.  W.  Hugget,  J.  P.  Hanson  &  Son ;  dray  line,  J.  R.  Bowman,  Andrew 
Hofif;  druggist,  Geo.rge  Peterson;  dentist.  Dr.  R.  M.  Bright;  elevators,  Farm- 
ers Elexator  Company,  Northwestern  Elevator  Company;  feed  mill,  Robert- 
son Bros. ;  feed  stable,  Ben  Johnson ;  general  dealers,  A.  R.  Sunju,  E.  T.  Ris- 
brudt,  Paulson  Bros.,  J.  M.  Lynne,  Dahl  &  Peterson;  harness  dealer,  A.  F. 
Stucke;  hardware  and  furniture  dealers,  Stene  Hardware  Company,  Chris 
Skaar ;  hotels.  Hotel  Ashby,  Hotel  Kittson ;  implement  dealer,  Andrew  Olson, 
Ole  Johnson;  jeweler,  J.  A.  Kjellberg;  livery,  H.  A.  Bye;  lumber  dealer, 
Ashby  Lumber  Company,  J.  O.  Western,  manager;  meat  market,  O.  L.  Boe, 
Dahl  &  Peterson ;  milliner,  Julia  Paulson ;  newspaper,  Tlic  Ashby  Post,  L. 
R.  Rathbun,  proprietor;  physicians.  Dr.  .\.  M.  Randall,  Dr.  O.  A.  Norman; 
photographer,  A.  Cifrlson;  restaurant,  O.  A.  Running,  Trondbjin  Cafe,  H. 
O.  Koefod,  proprietor;  telephone,  Ashby  Telephone  Company. 


496  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 


On  the  Soo  line,  nine  miles  directly  southeast  of  Elbow  Lake,  is  the 
thriving  town  of  Barrett,  one  of  the  most  favorably  located  and  prosperous 
communities  in  the  county.  It  is  situated  on  section  12,  township  128, 
range  42.  The  original  plat  of  the  village  was  filed  on  May  7,  1887,  by 
Erick  Johnson  and  Gertrude  Johnson  and  William  D.  Washburn  and  Lizzie 
D.  Washburn. 

The  village  was  incorporated  in  1889,  and  the  first  election  was  held 
on  December  2^,,  of  that  year,  with  the  following  result:  Ole  Moe,  presi- 
dent; Ole  J.  Rued,  John  G.  Peterson,  C.  Van  Dj^ke,  trustees;  Ole  K.  Lee, 
recorder,  M.  B.  Ellingson,  treasurer. 

The  present  elective  officers  include  the  following:  Andrew  Linder, 
president,  E.  N.  Ellingson,  clerk;  M.  Lund,  Edward  Erickson,  Peter  Jen- 
son,  trustees ;  R.  J.  Stockdill,  marshal ;  Andrew  Linder,  justice. 

What  is  now  the  townsite  of  the  village  was  formerly  the  homestead 
of  Mrs.  Johnson.  The  first  business  house  erected  in  Barrett  was  that  of 
John  Ellingson,  in  1888,  who  with  his  sons,  M.  B.  and  B.  P.,  were  the  pioneer 
merchants,  produce  dealers  and  stock  shippers. 

Barrett  has  a  population  of  two  hundred  and  seventy-eight,  and  its 
business  interests  are  controlled  by  gentlemen  who  are  thoroughly  apace 
with  the  times.  Within  a  stone's  throw  of  the  Soo  depot  lies  the  lower 
lake  Pomme  de  Terre,  one  of  the  most  beautiful  sheets  of  water  in  the  lake 
region.  As  a  picnicking  resort  it  is  unsurpassed,  the  attractive  feature  of 
beautifully  shaded  groves  being  augmented  by  several  row  boats,  which 
are  always  at  the  service  of  visitors.  The  population  is  largely  Scandi- 
navian and  they  are  very  thrifty  here  as  elsewhere  in  the  county. 

In  the  way  of  manufacturing  industries  the  village  has  two.  The 
tile  factory,  the  owner  of  which  is  E.  F.  Mongen,  began  its  existence  in 
the  spring  of  19 16  and  since  the  first  day  of  operation  has  been  unable  to 
satis  f 3'  the  demand  although  about  one  thousand  four  hundred  tile  are  made 
each  day.  The  Barrett  roller  mill,  owned  by  G.  H.  Gustafson,  is  one  of  the 
oldest  industries  of  the  village  and  has  always  given  unqualified  satisfaction. 
The  mill  has  a  fifty-barrel  capacity  and  operates  continuously  in  order  to 
accommodate  the  trade.  The  mill  is  equipped  with  both  steam  and  water 
power,  and  is  one  of  the  most  important  industries  of  the  community. 

In  addition  to  its  business  equipment,  Barrett  maintains  two  lodges 
and  four  church  denominations,  all  of  which  are  treated  in  special  chap- 
ters. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  49/ 

The  interest  that  the  people  take  in  education  is  evidenced  by  the  mod- 
ern brick  building  situated  in  the  eastern  part  of  town.  The  village  schools 
have  been  independent  of  the  township  since  about  the  time  the  village  was 
incorporated.  At  the  present  time  four  teachers  are  employed  with  an  enroll- 
ment of  about  one  hundred. 

The  exact  date  that  the  postoffice  was  established  cannot  be  obtained, 
but  it  is  known  that  Ole  K.  Lee  was  the  first  postmaster  in  the  village. 
Before  there  was  an  ofhce  in  Barrett  a  postoffice  was  located  out  in  the 
country  about  three  miles,  where  only  stamps  and  envelopes  were  sold.  The 
order  in  which  the  postmasters  have  served  are  given  as  follow :  Ole  K. 
Lee,  G.  Arneson,  Ole  Moe,  M.  P.  Thune,  J.  G.  Peterson,  M.  H.  Palmer, 
J.  G.  Peterson,  and  A.  F.  Peterson,  the  present  postmaster,  who  has  served 
two  years. 

The  business  interests  of  Barrett  in  the  fall  of  1916  were  represented 
by  the  following: 

Auto  garages,  Clinton  Peterson,  Sainuelson  Brothers ;  banks,  State  Bank 
of  Barrett,  Citizens  State  Bank;  blacksmiths,  Samuelson  Brothers;  barber, 
J.  G.  Johnson;  creamery,  Farmers  Co-operative  Creamery  Company;  drug- 
gist, N.  J.  Stromstad;  dray  line,  J.  O.  Hagen;  elevators,  Farmers  Elevator 
Coriipany,  Osborn-McMillan  Elevator  Company,  Barrett  Elevator  Company; 
furniture  dealer,  Barrett  Hardware  Company;  general  dealers,  Andrew 
Linder,  B.  M.  Desnick;  harness  shop,  Barrett  Hardware  Company;  hard- 
ware dealers,  Barrett  Hardware  Company,  Larson  Brothers;  hotel,  Barrett 
Lake  Hotel,  August  Miller,  proprietor;  hospital,  Powers  Hospital;  imple- 
ment dealers,  Barrett  Hardware  Company,  Sletten  Brothers;  lumber  dealer, 
M.  Lund;  meat  markets,  F.  E.  Nelson,  J.  Sumstad;  mill,  G.  H.  Gustafson; 
physician.  Dr.  F.  W.  Powers;  produce  dealer,  North  American  Storage 
Company;  restaurants,  Edward  Anderson,  Albert  Anderson,  Mrs.  Hans. 
Larson. 

NORCROSS. 

The  village  of  Norcross  is  located  in  Gorton  township  on  section  28. 
The  original  plat  of  the  townsite  was  recorded  on  December  22,  1881,  and 
signed  by  Nelson  F.  Griswold  and  Lucy  A.  Gfiswold,  Judson  N.  Cross  and 
Clara  N.  Cross. 

On  November  14,  1903,  the  people  of  the  village  filed  a  petition  for  the 
purpose  of  incorporation.     At  that  time  there  were  one  hundred  and  forty 
citizens   living^  within  the   proposed   corporate   limits.      The   signers   of  the 
petition  were,  Ole  Selleseth,  H.  O.  Shaner  and  Ole  B.  Iverson. 
(32) 


498  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

The  village  is  located  on  the  main  line  of  the  Great  Northern  and  is 
quitt  important  as  a  banking  and  local  trading  center.  The  business  direc- 
tory of  1916  shows  the  following  business: 

Behan,  James,  hotel;  Du  Frene,  H.  I.,  farm  implements;  Duluth  Ele- 
A^ator  Company;  Farmer,  W.  K.,  meat  market;  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany; Felix,  Edward,  farm  implements;  Jacobson,  Andrew,  blacksmith; 
Laughlin  &  Johnson,  general  store;  Lund  &  Selleseth,  general  store;  State 
Bank  of  Norcross;  Wolfe,  G.  E.,  barber. 


The  village  of  Hereford  is  located  on  section  i,  township  129,  range 
44.  The  original  plat  of  the  village  was  recorded  on  September  10,  1887, 
by  Richard  Nash  and  Mary  Nash.  On  the  Great  Northern  railroad,  nine 
miles  west  of  Elbow  Lake,  situated  just  at  the  verge  of  the  great  Red  river 
"flats,"  has  a  population  of  twenty-five.  In  1886,  when  the  railroad  was 
about  to  establish  a  station  at  this  point,  it  was  the  intention  to  call  the 
place  Culbertson,  in  honor  of  the  man  who  owned  a  tract  of  land  there, 
but  the  modest  man  said  that  if  they  wished  to  compliment  him  in  any  way 
to  call  the  place  "Hereford,"  after  his  beautiful  herd  of  white-faced  cattle 
kept  on  his  farm,  "Hereford  Park,"  near  Newman,  Illinois.  Accordingly 
the  place  was  so  christened. 

According  to  tradition  George  Schell  was  the  first  telegrapher  at  this 
point  and  his  office  was  located  in  a  little  hand-car  house,  but  later  replaced 
by  a  small  depot.     He  served  as  operator  for  a  period  of  seven  years. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McGee  conducted  the  first  hotel  in  the  village,  but  as  the 
population  did  not  increase  as  expected,  the  project  had  to  be  abandoned. 

The  business  interests  of  1916  were  in  the  hands  of  the  following: 
Federal  Elevator  Company;  Hull  &  Harris,  cement  workers;  Larson,  C. 
H.,  general  store;  Mobraaten,  Edward,  lumber  dealer;  Winter-Truesdell- 
Ames,  grain  elevator. 

ERDAHL. 

The  village  of  Erdahl  is  located  on  section  10,  township  129,  range  41. 
The  original  plat  was  recorded  October  7,  1887,  and  signed  by  Harold  Thor- 
son  and  Carrie  S.  Thorson.  Although  the  village  is  destined  to  never  be 
one  of  any  great  size,  yet  it  is  so  geographically  situated  that  it  will  always 
l>e  of  importance  as  a  local  trading  center.  The  business  directory  for  1916 
includes  the   following:     Alberts  &   Gilbertson,   grocery  and  confectionery;. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  499 

Erdahl  Farmers  Grain  Company;  I-Lrdahl  Mutual  Telephone  Company;  Jor- 
genson,  Samuel,  blacksmith;  Markegaard,  Andrew  implements;  Reine,  O. 
G.,  hardware;  Vinge,  Mrs.  M.,  general  store. 

POMME    DE    TERRE. 

Pomme  de  Terre  was  the  first  village  in  the  county  and  was  platted 
on  the  homestead  of  Timothy  Heald,  section  24,  township  130,  range  42. 
The  original  plat  was  recorded  in  1874  by  the  owner  of  the  land  who  at 
that  time  had  visions  of  a  growing  and  prosperous  town  on  account  of  the 
excellent  water  power  and  the  survey  of  railroad  close  by.  Several  busi- 
ness houses  sprang  up  and  flourished  for  a  time  only  to  pass  out  of  existence 
much  more  gradually  than  they  had  entered. 

CANESTORP. 

The  townsite  of  Canestorp  is  commonly  known  as  West  Elbow  LakeJ 
The  original  plat  was  filed  in  the  register  of  deeds  ofiice  on  March  12, 
1887,  by  Adolphus  H.  Bode,  trustee  of  the  St.  Paul,  Minneapolis  &  Mani- 
toba Railroad  Company.  The  land  of  the  townsite  was  owned  by  Charles 
Swanson  and  Mettie  Swanson.  The  townsite  is  located  on  the  branch  of 
the  Great  Northern  railroad  from  Evansville  to  Tintah,  one  mile  west 
of  Elbow  Lake,  and  makes  possible  better  shipping  facilities.  The  grain 
elevator  at  this  point  is  quite  convenient  for  the  farmers  in  the  vicinity,  and 
thousands  of  bushels  of  grain  are  handled  yearly. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Sidelights  on   County   History. 

The  county  seat  contest  of  1881-82  was  one  of  the  most  exciting  events 
ifi  Grant  county  and  at  the  time  was  the  cause  of  considerable  heated  dis- 
cussion. Herewith  are  presented  a  few  newspaper  extracts  which  show 
the  state  of  feeling  at  that  time.  The  first,  entitled  "An  Eventful  Day," 
is  the  premature  jubilation  of  A.  DeLacey  Wood,  editor  of  the  Grant  County 
Herald^  then  published  at  Herman.  The  contribution  entitled  "News  from 
Grant  County,"  is  thought  to  be  the  work  of  one  Matthew  Hawkins,  and 
created  considerable  amusement  at  the  time  it  was  printed.  The  veiled  refer- 
ences to  names  will  be  understood  by  all  the  old  settlers.  The  long-winded 
editorial  on  "A  Crow  Feast,"  not  only  gives  a  rough  picture  of  the  state 
of  feeling  at  that  time,  but  is  a  fine  example  of  the  bitter  editorials  charac- 
teristic of  the  political  controversies  of  forty  years  ago,  now  happily  fallen 
into  disuse. 

AN    EVENTFUL   DAY.  , 

"Friday,  November  25,  1881,  was  an  eventful  day  in  the  history  of 
Grant  county.  On  that  day  the  officers  of  the  county  who  are  required 
by  law  to  keep  their  offices  at  the  county  seat,  removed  their  safes,  records 
and  effects  to  Herman,  the  county  seat  of  Grant  county. 

"On  the  2 1st  inst.  the  governor's  proclamation,  declaring  Herman  the 
legally  established  count}-  seat  of  Grant  county,  was  issued,  and  on  the  25th, 
the  officers  having  direct  notice  of  the  issuance  of  the  proclamation, 
determined  to  move  at  once  to  their  new  and  more  agreeable  quarters  at 
Herman.  The  removal  was  conducted  by  each  officer  personally,  and  the 
whole  was  carefully  and  intelligently  supervised  by  our  estimable  commis- 
sioner, John  G.  Peterson.  Mr.  Peterson  was  named  by  a  majority  of  the 
board  of  county  commissioners  to  take  charge  of  the  removal  and  see  that 
the  safes,  records,  etc.,  were  safely  transported  and  securely  deposited  in  the 
new  offices  at  Herman.  That  he,  the  officers  and  assistants  performed  their 
duties  in  this  matter  well  and  expeditiously  appears  from  the  fact  that  the 
transfer  of  the  entire  effects  of  the  county  officers,  including  their  accumulated 
records  and  heavy  iron  safes,  was  accomplished  on  that  day. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  5OI 

"The  removal  of  the  county  seat  to  Herman  heralds  a  new  era  in 
our  county's  history.  Grant  county  will  have  her  fine  court  house,  on  a 
splendid  three-acre  block  in  the  center  of  the  village,  and  will  at  no  distant 
day  be  on  an  equal  footing  with  the  surrounding  counties.  This  is  a  great 
gain  to  the  county  and  introduces  a  season  of  progress  and  prosperity,  for 
which  the  most  selfish  person  cannot  fail  to  thank  the  generous  citizens 
of  Herman. 

"Vacant  land  will  be  taken  up,  uncultivated  prairies  will  be  caused  to 
bloom  with  the  wealth  of  growing  crops;  the  prairie  flower  will  give  place 
to  the  corn  stalk  and  wheat  stem;  the  merits  of  our  land  and  attractions  of 
our  county  will  be  advertised  abroad ;  emigration  will  add  to  our  population, 
and  every  individual  in  the  county,  wheresoever  he  lives,  will  realize  a  posi- 
tive, unquestionable  benefit." 

NEWS    FROM    GRANT    COUNTY. 

"Editor :  Last  week  I  was  sojourning  in  the  Land  of  Potatoes,  and 
it  came  to  pass  on  Friday,  when  the  evening  was  nigh,  that  a  messenger 
came  in  haste  to  say  that  a  great  event  was  at  hand,  even  the  removing 
of  the  county  seat.  An  order  from  the  Great  Sanhedrin  had  been  given, 
and  the  people  were  gathered  to  make  a  descent  on  the  City  of  Fraud,  the 
ungodly  city  of  Herman,  and  remove  therefrom  the  archives  of  Grant. 
And  they  besought  me  to  be  present  and  rejoice  with  the  tribes  of  Fran,  and 
Timothy  and  P.  O.,  over  the  downfall  of  the  unrighteous.  But  I  said,  I 
have  bought  a  pair  of  oxen  and  must  go  and  prove  them,  which  being  trans- 
lated means,  I  have  other  fish  to  fry.  But  he  whom  I  was  serving,  Ernest 
W.,  whose  surname  is  Cooke,  said.  Go  too,  thou  art  careful  and  troubled 
about  many  things,  choose  now  the  good  part  and  follow  us,  else  I  go  not. 

"And  when  the  evening  was  come  and  the  lamp  of  night  was  on  high, 
it  came  to  pass  that  I  was  journeying  with  the  multitude  towards  the  land 
of  the  Philistines.  And  as  we  journeyed  the  multitude  increased  until  there 
were  fifteen  chariots  and  fifty-two  men  of  war.  And  we  pitched  our  camp 
over  against  the  devoted  city,  even  on  the  bank  of  the  river  of  Mustinka. 
And  when  the  morning  was  nigh  we  arose  and  went  forth  to  battle.  And 
when  we  came  into  the  cit}'  of  Gath  the  inhabitants  were  amazed  and  sore 
afraid,  for  they  were  asleep  and  the  sentinels  aroused  them  with  loud  knock- 
ings,  and  cries  that  the  Israelites  were  upon  them  and  judginent  and  retri- 
bution were  at  hand. 

"But  the  scribe  who  had  charge  of  the  temple  and  the  keys  thereof. 


502    .  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

having  the  fear  of  God  in  his  heart,  was  awake  and  watching;  he  threw 
open  the  gates,  and  the  chariots  were  loaded  with  the  records,  strong  safes 
and  treasures,  and  the  IsraeHtes  departed  therewith  in  peace  with  the  blow- 
ing of  horns  and  shouting  and  loud  rejoicing.  But  the  Philistines  tore  their 
hair  and  put  on  sackcloth  and  ashes,  or  in  other  words  were  very  down  in 
the  mouth  and  drank  beer  and  wagged  their  heads  and  talked  fiercely  to 
one  another.  But  the  Israelites  heeded  not,  but  departed  into  their  own 
land  and  deposited  their  spoils  at  the  Lake  of  Elbow  where  they  now 
remain." 

A    CROW    FEAST. 

"It  has  not  been  the  policy  of  the  Banner  in  this  political  campaign 
to  appeal  to  the  sectional  prejudices  of  the  citizens  of  Grant  county.  We 
long  to  see  the  time  when  all  animosities  shall  be  obliterated  and  general 
good  feeling  shall  prevail.  But  we  fail  to  see  how  this  grand  result  is 
to  be  honorably  effected  by  our  people  voting  in  a  body  for  the  man  who 
has  not  only  never  done  anything  to  allay  the  bad  blood  that  has  from  time 
to  time  been  stirred  up,  but  who  has  done  more  than  any  other  man  outside  of 
the  county  and  almost  any  man  inside  of  the  county  to  stir  up  jealousy  and 
bitter  feeling  between  the  different  sections  of  the  county. 

"From  the  first  Knute  Nelson  has  been  a  partisan  in  the  local  divi- 
sions of  Grant  county — a  partizanship  which  culminated  in  his  relentless 
prosecution  of  the  people  of  Logan  and  Delaware  in  an  expensive  suit  at 
Alexandria.  His  industrious  attempt  to  bring  many  of  our  most  promi- 
nent citizens  into  disgrace  and  shame  is  so  fresh  that  we  wonder  with  blank 
astonishment  how  some  of  those  same  citizens  can  so  humiliate  themselves 
and  the  town  they  hail  from  as  to  obsequiously  fall  on  their  faces  before 
their  arch  enemy,  and  like  the  dog  in  the  fable,  look  up  and  lick  the  hand 
that  smites  them.  The  subject  is  too  painful  to  dwell  upon  further.  We 
presume  they  would  be  willing  to  go  to  the  penitentiary  if  they  could  only 
see  his  lordship  elected.  Peace  purchased  at  such  a  price  is  too  costly  to 
awaken  anything  but  contempt  and  ridicule. 

"It  is  well  known  that  Knute  Nelson  has  been  for  years  an  aspirant 
for  the  office  for  which  he  is  now  a  candidate.  His  name  was  prominently 
mentioned  two  years  ago,  and  we  presume  W.  D.  Washburn  is  now  assist- 
ing in  his  election  as  the  result  of  Knute's  forbearance  at  that  tirne.  But 
his  having  been  an  aspiring  office-seeker,  coupled  with  his  conduct  toward 
this  section  of  Grant  county,  shows  conclusively  that  he  never  expected 
the  support  of  this  section  of  the  county.     He  had  too  much  sense  to  expect 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  5^5 

it  His  tactics  were  to  damage  us  all  he  could,-  that  he  might  ruin  and 
hold  the  united  support  of  those  who  were  against  us.  Doubtless,  there- 
fore no  one  was  more  surprised  to  find  he  had  a  following  here  than  Knute 
Nelson  himself.  We  confess  it  is  without  a  parallel  in  modern  politics. 
For  ourselves  we  can  see  no  honorable  excuse  for  such  a  state  of  things. 
In  the  language  of  the  great  Billings,  'Why  are  things  thusly?' 

"The  reason  is  not  hard  to  divine.  C.  F.  Washburn,  of  Herman,  being 
ambitious  to  go  to  the  state  Senate,  saw  no  way  to  get  there  except  by 
tacking  on  to  the  lapels  of  the  great  Nelson.  A  great  light  broke  in  upon 
and  illuminated  the  shrewd  brain  of  our  would-be  senator.  He  approaches 
Nelson  and  says:  'Most  illustrious  Mogul!  I  want  to  go  to  the  senate.  I 
am  just  as  objectionable  to  the  north  as  you  are  to  the  south  of  Grant 
county  Let's  chip  in,  you  carry  me  through  the  north  and  111  tide  you 
over  the  south,  and  thus  we'll  both  be  elected.'  'A  happy  thought,  said 
Knuty.  'and  we  will  also  thereby  heal  all  the  dissensions  of  that  distracted 

"""""'V^nd  so  fellow  citizens  of  Grant  county,  it  is  proposed  by  these  two 
political  bosses  that  we  adjust  all  our  difficulties  by  each  sitting  down  and 
partaking  of  a  hearty  meal  of  crow. 

"While  musing  on  the  strange  situation  as  indicated  above,  we  uncon- 
sciously fell  asleep  (having  attended  Tom  Mullin's  dance  the  night  before). 
and  dreamed  We  lifted  up  our  eyes  and  lo,  we  beheld  a  great  table  sixteen 
hundred  feet  long  set  upon  the  plains  of  Elbow  Lake.  And  a  proclama- 
tion was  sent  out  into  every  by-way  of  the  county,  which  sumnioned  every 
voter  of  the  county  of  Grant  to  a  great  feast  provided  for  them  by  the 
great  Nelson- and  the  ingrate  Washburn.  We  also  observed  that  the  table 
extended  from  east  to  west  and  that  all  those  who  hailed  from  the  north 
end'  occupied  that  side  of  the  table,  while  those  who  came  from  the  south 
end'  occupied  the  south  side  of  the  table,  at  the  head  of  which  were  arranged 
the  returning  board  of  the  town  of  Logan.  There  was  Washburn,  with 
countenance  as  innocent  and  placid  as  a  babe;  and  Earsley,  around  the 
corners  of  whose  mouth  there  played  a  sarcastic  smile  and  whose  other  eye 
winked  knowingly  at  frequent  intervals;  and  Smith,  with  the  facial  expres- 
sion of  an  ex-communicated  deacon;  and  Pullman,  whose  face  shone  like 
a  barn  door  on  a  frosty  morning;  while  stretching  away  toward  the  setting 
sun  were  arrayed  the  colleagues  of  these  gentlemen  to  the  number  of  433- 
exactly  no  more  and  no  less.  .    ,.       , 

"'\t  the  head  of  the  column  on  the  other  side  and  directly  opposite 
Washburn  was  to  be  seen  the  grey  scattering  locks,  the  commanding  brow 


504  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

and  the  lowering  visage  of  Timothy  Heald,  while  at  his  right  stood  the 
unterrified,  the  indomitable  and  the  re-lie-able  Knute  Laastnen.  Then 
stretching  away  toward  the  setting  sun  filed  the  stalwarts  of  the  'north  end' 
to  the  number  of  433,  no  more  and  no  less.  We  observed  that  as  soon  as 
the  count  was  made  the  visage  of  Timothy  Heald  grew  ominously  dark 
while  the  teeth  of  Knud  Laastuen  gritted  in  a  manner  that  indicated  a 
voracious  appetite.  On  the  other  side  the  countenance  of  Washburn  was 
if  possible  more  child-like  and  innocent  than  ever.  The  sarcastic  smile 
played  on  Earsley's  lips  more  vigorously  than  before;  Smith  chuckled  down 
his  throat  and  Pullman's  barn  door  flew  wide  open.  Then  Timothy  Heald 
took  from  his  pocket  a  shrill  whistle  and  blew  it  three  times,  and  Knute 
Nelson  appeared.  There  was  then  some  commotion,  and  many  Scandi- 
navians of  the  south  side,  feeling  the  nationality  influence,  cast  wistful 
eyes  toward  the  north  side.  However,  each  man  kept  his  place.  It  was 
then  decided  that  each  man  should  show  his  credentials  before  the  table 
should  be  spread,  when  it  was  found  that  some  fifty  or  seventy-five  of  those 
wearing  voting  garments  on  the  south  side  presented  such  questionable  cre- 
dentials that  Knute  the  Great  demanded  that  they  should  withdraw  from 
the  feast.  Hereupon  Pullman  sprang  to  his  feet  and  the  following  unique 
if  not  eloquent  colloquy  ensued: 

"Pullman :     'By  the  jumping ,  old  Tim  Heald,  you  ain't 

got  money  enough  or  sand  enough  to  drive  them  fellers  away  from  the 
table.' 

"Earsley    (aside)  :      'D it,    Pullman,    don't   be   making   an   ass   of 

yourself.' 

"Heald  :    'By ,  Pullman,  Pll  show  you  that  I  have  got  sand  enough 

to  drive  them  fellers  away  from  this  table  and  to  send  vou  to  Stillwater, 
too.' 

"Washburn:  'Don't  get  excited,  gentlemen;  don't  get  excited.  Pll 
assume  the  responsibility  of  this  unpleasantness.  I  move  we  turn  the  meet- 
ing into  a  caucus,  and  suggest  that  the  viands  for  the  occasion'  be  placed 
upon  the  table  at  once.' 

"While  waiting  for  order  to  be  restored,  Washburn  got  Pullman,  Ears- 
ley  and  Smith  off  to  one  side  where  he  succeeded  in  persuading  them  that 
it  was  best  in  the  interest  of  politics  to  let  the  questionable  voters  go  home 
hungry.  Then  the  questionable  voters  were  called  out  and  informed  of  their 
doom,  which  strange  enough  they  each  accepted  with  calm  resignation. 
With  tearful  eyes  they  each  bade  good-bye,  and  it  was  observed  that  each 
man  as  he  shook  hands  at  parting  immediately  put  his  hand  into  his  breeches 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  5O5 

pocket!  Wondering  at  this  strange  procedure  we  tpok  pains  to  inquire  into 
its  origin,  when  he  found  that  it  was  an  innocent  custom  which  had  grown 
up  among  that  class  of  voters,  when  shaking  hands  with  politicians  of  the 
Washburn  stripe  near  election  time. 

"With  the  disappearance  of  the  objectionable  voters  there  seemed  to 
be  a  return  of  good  feeling.  After  this  a  short,  private  interview  took 
place  between  the  Great  and  the  Ingrate,  which  caused  no  little  perturbation 
among  the  people  who  were  eagerly  waiting  for  the  feast  (for  the  long 
waiting  had  created  a  voracious  appetite  which  was  doubtless  just  exactly 
what  the  benefactors  wanted  to  produce).  At  length  all  was  ready  and 
the  Ingrate  lifted  up  his  voice  and  spoke  as  follows: 

"  'P'ellow  citizens.  This  is  not  the  time  to  discuss  great  questions  or 
enter  into  a  long  discourse.  I  i>erceive  you  are  all  impatient  for  the  refresh- 
ments provided  here.  Mr.  Nelson,  who  has  so  recently  joined  the  army  of 
the  Lord,  will  now  pronounce  the  blessing.' 

"This  Mr.  N^elson  did  with  a  degree  of  pathos  and  unction  which 
effectually  stopped  the  mouths  of  all  the  scoffers.     Then  he  spoke  as  follows : 

"  'My  friends,  I  rejoice  with  you'  alt  to  behold' this  joyful  day  of  recon- 
ciliation, and  I  am  proud  to  know  that  my  own  humble  efforts  have  con- 
tributed to  this  glorious  result.  I  am  also  proud  to  confess  myself  a  for- 
eigner, a  brother  to  so  many  who  are  here  today.  I  plead  guilty  to  the 
charge  of  being  a  little  Norwegian.  If  elected  I  shall  continue  as  in  the 
past  to  serve  all  sections  of  Grant  county.' 

"Then  Washburn  made  remarks  of  a  similar  nature — reminding  those 
on  the  north  side  especially  that  he  would  serve  them  faithfully  as  he  had 
done  in  the  past. 

"By  arrangement  previously  made,  Washburn  was  to  supply  the  viands 
for  the  north  side,  while  Nelson  was  to  serve  the  south  side.  Now  the 
work  of  serving  had  not  proceeded  far  when  we  observed  that  a  look  of 
profound  disgust  covered  the  faces  of  the  multitude  on  both  sides.  We 
drew  near  to  see  what  it  could-  be  that  had  occasioned  such  disappointment, 
and  beheld  that  there  was  nothing  but  crow,  crow,  crow !  3209  feet  of  crow ! 
a  spectacle  for  the  gods!  No  wine  or  even  harmless  tea,  nothing  in  liquid 
form  but  a  glass  of  water  fetched  from  the  far-famed  Salt  River.  There 
was  a  general  confusion  and  a  strong  disposition  all  round  to  repudiate  the 
whole  feast.  San  ford  put  on  his  hat  and  left  the  taljle.  Heakl  then  went 
among  the  crowd,  exhorting  them  to  eat,  saying,  'there  is  no  use  talking, 
gentlemen,  we've  got  to  eat  it."  Then  they  began  with  pathetic  contortions 
of   countenance  to   devour   each   his   crow.      We   oljserved    that   each   crow 


506  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

dished  out  had  some  label  or  motto  or  other  device  attached  to  it,  and  jjeing 
curious  to  know  what  the  principal  actors  in  this  drama  had  received  we 
drew  near  to  inspect  them.  We  observed  first  that  Washburn  had  received 
as  his  portion  a  crow  that  had  been  long  dead  and  was  far  gone  in  decav, 
but  Washburn  saw  that  it  contained  a  sugar  plum  which  had  on  it  in  gilt 
letters  S,  S.  and  he  swallowed  his  crow  with  the  utmost  nonchalance.  Ears- 
ley's  crow  was  simply  labeled  'Policy,'  and  the  sarcastic  smile  prepared  the 
way  for  its  reception.  Pullman's  crow  was  not  visible  as  it  was  covered 
with  thick  striped  cloth  which  had  the  stripes  on  cross-ways.  Smith's  crow 
was  received  at  the  hands  of  Nelson  himself.  It  was  fat  and  plump  and 
had  pinned  to  its  breast  this  beautiful  inscription :  'Bone  of  your  bone  and 
flesh  of  }'our  flesh.'  It  was  so  evidently  painful  an  operation  that  we  ven- 
tured to  ask  him  how  he  felt  about  it  anyhow.  'Feel,'  he  said,  'I  feel  as  if  I 
was  the  meanest  cannibal  on  earth.' 

"On  the  north  side  things  were  but  a  little  better.  Knute  Nelson's 
crow  looked  as  if  it  had  died  of  consumption,  and  besides  some  one  had 
stuck  it  all  full  of  burrs.  These  villians  were  from  Ortonville.  However, 
it  was  branded  precisely  as  Donnelly  had  described  the  Washburn  family, 
with  a  M.  C.  Heald  took  his  down  and  then  swore  it  was  not  crow  at 
all ;  he  said  it  was  turkey.  Knud  Laastuen  said  it  was  no  use  to  lie  about 
it,  his  was  crow  and  darned  tough  crow  at  that.  Canestorp's  fowl  was 
very  old,  tough  and  but  half-cooked  at  that,  but  with  superhuman  efforts 
he  managed  to  swallow  it  down,  but  he  never  digested  it.  He  lingered  along 
till  the  close  of  1883,  and  the  place  that  knew  him  once  knew  him  no  more 
forever.  And  we  looked  up  and  beheld  the  whole  row  on  either  side  of  the 
table  had  disappeared  and  we  saw  printed  in  huge  letters  along  the  middle 
of  the  table,  'Gone  home  to  vote  for  Kindred  and  Campbell.' 

"And  we  awoke,  and  behold,  it  was  a  dream!" 

ANCIENT    STONE    CARVING. 

An  ancient  stone  carving,  almost  rivaling  the  Kensington  "rune  stone"  in 
interest,  was  discovered  in  Grant  county  in  1890.  This  stone  was  found  on 
the  Christianson  farm,  three  miles  west  of  Elbow  Lake.  It  was  about  three 
feet  long  and  two  feet  wide,  and  one  side  of  the  boulder  had  been  smoothed 
to  bear  a  carving  some  thirteen  inches  in  diameter,  an  undecipherable  hiero- 
glyphic having  been  chiseled  in  the  solid  rock.  This  stone  was  brought  to 
Elbow  Lake  and  sef  up  in  the  foundation  of  the  Elbow  Lake  flour  mill, 
where  it  attracted  much  attention. 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  507 

Scientists  who  viewed  the  stone  expressed  various  opinions  as  to  the 
origin  and  meaning  of  the  inscription,  but  all  agreed  that  it  was  the  work 
of  human  hands  wrought  at  a  very  ancient  date.  The  stone  was  purchased 
by  Doctor  Hoegh,  in  1906,  for  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  removed 
to  Minneapolis.  Travelers  who  are  acquainted  with  the  prehistoric  ruins 
found  in  the  Southwest  say  that  this  stone  closely  resembled  the  Aztec  carv- 
ings seen  in  Arizona  and  New  ^lexico. 

THE    INDIAN    SCARE    OF    1876. 

The  summer  of  1876  will  be  recollected  by  all  the  old  settlers  as  the 
time  of  the  memorable  Indian  scare,  a  circumstance  that  will  go  down  in 
local  history  as  one  of  the  saddest  and  at  the  same  time,  most  amusing 
incidents.  Rumors  of  the  great  Custer  massacre  had  begun  to  arrive  and 
as  the  reports  were  successively  repeated  they  were  duly  exaggerated,  until 
the  whole  of  this  immediate  territory  was  made  to  think  that  every  red- 
skin on  the  continent  was  on  the  warpath.  It  resulted  in  almost  a  general 
stampede  for  Alexandria,  Herman,  Morris  and  other  points  where  it  was 
hoped  to  secure  protection.  Homes  were  abandoned,  movable  articles  quickly 
gathered  and  loaded  into  ox-wagons  or  any  other  conveyance  at  hand, 
stock  collected  and  a  general  rush  for  a  place  of  safety  was  made.  There  was 
not  an  Indian  within  miles  and  the  report  of  their  proximity  was  a  cruel 
hoax. 

The  day  succeeding  the  general  alarm  the  true  situation  was  made 
known,  all  fears  were  dissipated,  and  the  settlers  returned  to  their  hastily 
deserted  homes,  where  the  rest  of  the  summer  was  largely  devoted  to  the 
recovery  of  their  nerves  and  the  replacing  of  their  household  effects. 

As  would  naturally  be  inferred,  many  amusing  incidents  are  reported 
to  have  occurred  in  the  grand  rush.  One  terribly  startled  farmer  hooked 
onto  a  recently  purchased  threshing  machine  and  started  pell-mell  across 
the  prairie.  Incidentally  glancing  over  his  shoulder  from  the  off  leader,  on 
which  he  was  astride,  he  espied  three  horsemen  chasing  him  at  breakneck 
speed.  Thinking  them  blood-thirsty  savages,  he  cut  loose  the  horse  he  was 
riding,  bid  a  hasty  farewell  to  the  dear  separator,  and  was  away  with  the 
keen  prairie  wind.  The  pursuers  proved  to  be  three  neighbors  who  were 
armed  to  the  teeth  and  out  scouting.  Another  settler  who  had  a  choice 
collection  of  milch  cows  had  heard  that  milk  was  a  potent  cliarm  to  calm 
the  savage  breast.  Before  his  departure  he  filled  every  axailable  receptacle 
with  milk  and  placed  them  around  about  his  cabin  in  plain  view  in  hopes 


508  DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA. 

that  the  anticipated  visitors  would  partake  of  the  fluid,  feel  kindly  toward 
him  and  spare  his  home.  The  hogs  and  calves  took  advantage  of  the  oppor- 
tunity to  indulge  in  a  bounteous  feast. 

GRANT   COUNTY   OLD   SETTLERS   ASSOCIATION. 

About  fifteen  years  ago  (he  old -settlers  of  Grant  county  organized  an 
old  settlers  association  for  the  purpose  of  holding  annual  reunions  and 
thus  renewing  old  acquaintances  of  the  pioneer  days.  In  mid-summer  of 
each  year,  a  reunion  is  held  at  some  point  in  the  county.  Any  citizen  who 
came  into  this  or  adjoining  counties  prior  to  1880  is  eligible  to  membership. 
H.  Hillmond  is  the  president  of  the  association,  having  served  in  that 
capacity  for  several  years. 

A    PIONEER    OF    PIONEERS. 

Henry  Brown  was  a  pioneer  among  pioneers.  Before  the  war  he  entered 
the  employ  of  tlit  Hydspn  Bay  Company  and  in  the  early  sixties  came 
to  this  county  as  a  trapper  making  his  headquarters  in  and  around  Pomme 
de  Terre.  He  was  a  familiar  character  and  known  to  all  old  settlers  and 
teamsters  who  quartered  at  Pomme  de  Terre  when  it  was  one  of  the  stop- 
ping places  on  the  old  trail.  In  the  old  days  when  might  made  right,  "Old 
Hen",  as  he  was  familiarly  known,  con\inced  more  than  one  burly  bruiser 
that  he  had  found  a  big  bunch  of  trouble  in  an  undersized  package. 

THOMAS   C.    HODGSON. 

Few  men  were  better  known  in  Grant  county  than  Thomas  C.  Hodg- 
son. Mr.  Hodgson  was  active  in  well  doing  to  the  end  of  his  days.  Blessed 
with  more  than  ordinary  intelligence,  he  was  a  preacher,  a  teacher, 
a  reformer,  and  an  uplifter.  In  politics,  in  governmental  and  public  affairs 
he  was  alwavs  interested  and  active.  E^•ery  movement  for  civic  betterment 
and  for  the  uplift  of  his  fellow  man  received  his  encouragement  and  support. 
He  was  for  progress  in  all  things  and  never  advocated,  never  supported  a 
cause  that  would  give  rise  to  a  blush  or  a  prick  of  conscience.  Mr.  Hodg- 
son was  not  an  ordained  minister  of  the  gospel  although  at  one  time  he 
considered  entering  the  ministry.  He  was  an  able  ready  speaker  and  con- 
ducted many   religious'  services   during  the   later  years   of   his   life.      As  a 


DOUGLAS    AND    GRANT    COUNTIES,    MINNESOTA.  5O9 

layman  he  visited  many  homes  carrying  the  message  of  the  love  of  Christ 
and  brought  cheer  to  many  a  heavy  heart  and  broken  spirit. 

Thomas  C.  Hodgson  was  born  on  the  Isle  of  Man  {ofi  the  coast  of 
England)  on  January  i,  1843.  He  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents 
who  settled  in  Illinois.  Later  the  family  moved  to  North  Dakota.  He 
enlisted  in  the  Union  army  and,  serving  until  the  end  of  the  Civil  War,  was 
discharged  and  returned  to  his  home.  He  married  soon  afterward  and 
moved  to  Grant  county  in  1877,  taking  a  claim  in  Delaware  township.  After 
many  years  of  hard  labor  he  retired  from  the  farm  and  moved  to  Elbow 
Lake,  where  he  lived  until  1908,  when  he  removed  to  Fergus  Falls,  where 
he  died  on  September  7,  1913. 


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