%^^ 1 ^ r\V^ Y * n ^ tf 1 > \ > JW. •' - a"^ 'f g. ^ "^ -f^" I <^ ,-0 -' ^^ o°- '/'„ .'0 ^._. v^ ..-^^ -bo^ •\^ ^^ x^^^. «2- A A PIONEER HISTORY OF Becker County MINNESOTA INCLUDING A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF ITS NATURAL HISTORY AS EMBRACED IN THE MINERAL. VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL KINGDOMS, AND A HISTORY OF THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY; ALSO, INCLUDING A LARGE AMOUNT OF VALUABLE HISTORICAL INFORMATION COLLECTED BY MRS. JESSIE a' WEST. AND NUMEROUS ARTICLES WRITTEN BY VARIOUS EARLY PIONEERS RELATING TO THE HISTORY OF THE SEVERAL TOWNSHIPS OF BECKER COUNTY BY ALVIN H. WILCOX PIONEER PRESS COMPANY ST. PAUL, MINN 1907 Errata Page 14U— First line, the word "cub" is superfluous. Page 251— Fifth line from bottom, read 1S95 instead of " 1905." Page 2d7— Sketches of John George Morrison and George A Morrison, following, were written by George A. Morison.O Page 280— Eleventh line, read Tim and Redpath, instead of "Jim and Redpath." Page 3l5— Nameof Mrs. Jessie C, West, as historian, should be left out. Page 313— Tenth line from bottom read Sec. 18 instead of " 19." Page S63- Fourth line from bottom, read Rosanian instead of " Rossmas." Page 368-Eleventli line from bottom, date of marriage should read NOV.2S, 1S66. Page 373— Fifteenth and 17th lines, read Sec. S instead of "6." Page 426— Fourth line, read a long distance, instead, of " the long distance." Pages 436 7 — Appears the name of Rev. K. " Bjorge," but should read B Jot go. Page 469— Third line. History of Lake View, read /. B. Siinzuous in- stead of "A. B " Page 475— Article regarding Pelican Valley Navigation Co. was written by John K. West, of Detroit, and his name should have been appended. Page 501— Twelfth line, read birthplace of Mrs. Ebeltoft, ^orwa^ in- stead of 'Sweden." Page 517— First line, read 1847 instead of " 1874." Page 524— Last name in sketch of Hugh Sullivan, read Ole D. Olson instead of 'Ole I." Page 531— Tiie three first iii7es should go to the bottom of same page. Page 540— The last half of seventh and four following lines, should follow tirst line on page 541. Page 563— The words both hands full but should precede the last line on page. Page 566-Fifth line, for "Carl Campbell" read C. M. Campbell. Page see- Nineteenth line read 29th June. Page 591 — Peneath cut in upper right hand corner, read Mr. and Mrs. O.J.Jahr. Beneath cut in lower left hand corner, read Nels Nelson Viger. Page 602- Fourth paragraph, 3rd line, read Charles Schnitzer, instead of "A." Page 6U-Fourth line read 1802 instead of " 1S62." Page 674— Transpose names under cuts. Page 686— In title line, read Toad Lake instead of " Good Lake." Page 695— Sixth paragraph, omit name of John O'Neil. Page 736— That part of first paragraph stating that Dr. Emma K. Ogden served as an army nurse, is incorrect. Page 738— First line should read, " W. J. Morrow, Jan. 3, 18S7, to Jan. 5. 1697." ■■ PREFACE. The History of Becker County, here presented to the public, is the result of long and patient labor and research, bestowed upon it with a view of producing a brief presentation of its natural history, including that of the mineral, vegetable and animal kingdoms, and also to produce an authentic and con- nected narrative of events of general importance and interest, which have occurred in the early settlement of the territory now included within the limits of Becker County, or in which its residents have been actors ; confining the accotmt as closely as possil)le to the count}', and its present and former inhabitants ; referring to outside matters only as far as necessary to show the connection of events. In the preparation of this work, no labor has been spared in gathering historical material from, and calling to ni}- assist- ance the most thoroughly informed citizens of the county. It has been my object to collect all facts obtainable, and as veracity and the unimpeachable truth are the life, and the heart and soul of history, I have been equally diligent in excluding every- thing of doubtful authenticity. This work is intended chiefly as a pioneer history and a special effort has been made to collect and record such historical information as is liable soon to evade our grasp, and pass for- ever beyond our reach, with an addition of such incidents of more recent occurrence as may be of especial interest, delegating to some younger historian the task of recording the more com- monplace events of recent years. Perhaps more space has been allotted to the early days of the county than will be of interest to the present generation, but pioneers hope to be pardoned by those who came later for clinging with a vivid and aft'ectionate recollection to the memorable pioneer past, and for recalling, and lingering with feelings of pride and friendship around the memories of the days that are no more. I at first started out with the intention of writing up a sketch of all the early settlers, and particularly to publish the army ex- perience of every old soldier in Becker County, presuming and 4 A Pioneer History of Becker County. guessing that tliere would be as many as fifty, but when I came to count them up and found that more than three hundred soldiers of the Civil War were now living or had lived in Becker County, my head began to swim around and around, and I gave it up. I have since told some of my friends that I was not writing biographies of the early settlers or old soldiers ex- cept of such as had died, and so far as any of them have ex- pressed themselves, they have assured me that there would be no ill-will or feelings of jealousy on their part if they were left out under those conditions. I have, however, inserted a few, of people who have left the county, and also a few of the very earliest settlers, who are still living. So if any one is disap- pointed in not finding his name on the biographical list, he can attribute it to the fact that he is still in the land of the living. As many of the people of our county well remember, Mrs. Jessie C. West, of Detroit, had for several years before her death been gathering material for a history of Becker County, and had collected cjuite a large amount of valuable historical information. Her papers have since been placed in my hands, and from them I have selected a large number of articles and items which I at first intended to give a separate place in my book by inserting them all together by themselves; but after a further examination of the various articles, I decided that they would be better appreciated, and would add more to the interest of the work, and would be more interesting in and of themselves if they were distributed throughout the work, where they would naturally fit in and connect with the various subjects of a kindred nature with themselves. In order to give her due credit for all the articles used be- longing to her collection, I have placed her name under the lower right-hand corner of all articles written by herself, and where they were compiled by her or furnished her by some one else, I have placed the name of the author under the lower right-hand corner of the article, and have placed Mrs. West's name under the left lower corner of the same article. All articles written for me by other individuals will have the name of the writer prefixed or annexed, and wherever there is no name attached, either at the head or the foot of the article, your humble servant is supposed to be the author. A. H. Wilcox. IT IS IMPORT J NT T/jat you read the preface before reading the hook proper in order to fully understand the authorship of the -carious articles. Table of Contents. I'reface 3 CIIAI'TKR r. Becker County Created 9 CIIAPTKR ir. General George L. I'ecker 15 CIIAl'TER TIL Geology of l^.ecker County IT CHAPTER IV. Lakes and Rivers 19 CILM'TLR \'. Wild Trees and Plants of Piecker County 23 CIL\PTER XL Praiiies and Natin-nl Parks 41 CHAPTER \'II. Wild Animals of Becker County 43 The Buffalo — Moose — Elk — Caribou — Common Deer — Antelope — Panther — Lynx — Wild Cat — Timber Wolf — Coyote or Prairie Wolf — Red Fox- Cross Fox — Silver Gray Fox — Black Fox — Grizzly Bear — Black Bear — Wolverine — Fisher - — Pine Marten — Otter — Badger ■ — Skunk — Raccoon — Opossum — Mink — Ermine — Weasel — Bat — Jack Rabbit — Northern Hare, or Timber Rabbit — Cottontail Rabbit — Beaver — ^Musk Rat — Porcupine — Woodchuck — liarn Rat — Black Squir- rel — Gray Squirrel — Red Squirrel — Flying Squirrel — Chipmunk — Pocket Gopher ■ — Gray Gopher — Speckled Gopher — Field Mouse — Deer Mouse — LTouse Mouse — Jttmping Mouse — Mole. CLLVPTER \-TIT. List of Birds of Becker County 159 CHAPTER IX. Fishes of Becker County 191 CHAPTER X. How was this Country first Peopled.. 195 CHAPTER XL Chi;i]iewa Indians 196 CHAPTER XII. Abstract of Title 200 CHAPTER Xlll. The fust Inhabitants 210 CHAPTER XI\'. Birch-bark Canoes and Canoe Travel.. 21() CHAPTER X\'. The Old Red River Road 217 CH.VPTER X\'L I'irst Settlement by White People 220 CHAPTER XVII. Northern Pacific Explorations 234 CHAPTER XVIII. History of the White Earth Reservation 239 CHAPTER XIX. Organization of Becker County 275 CHAPTER XX. History of Burlington Township 277 CHAPTER XXL History of Detroit Township 315 CH.VPTER XXII. History of Audubon Township 373 CHAPTER XXIII. History of Lake Park Township 412 CHAPTER XXIV. History of Cormorant Townshij) 44i CHAPTER XXV. History of First_ Settlement of Lake Eunice Townshin 4oh CHAPTER XX\'I. History of Lake View Township 4l-;CKKR CoL'XTV. 97 In the month of September, 1877, I was examining a section of railroad land in Morrison County, ten or fifteen miles south- west of Litte Falls. About noon, while running a line with a small compass, I heard the sound of footsteps and a low mut- tering, between a grunt and a growl, ofif some distance to my left, which I at first took to be some of the Polish settlers hold- ing a confab in their own language. As I proceeded north the noise appeared to keep about the same distance from me, until all at once, whatever they were they made a rush towards me and came to a standstill in a clump of willows and alders about four rods to my left. They then set up a most unearthy noise, (lififerent from anything I had ever heard, a sort of compound noise, something like what you would hear if you would turn three or four calves loose, and set three or four bloodhounds onto them, and the whole six or eight would tune up and make all the noise they possibly could in their own tongues. I concluded that some wolves had caught a deer and were devouring it alive, so I broke down a bush to mark the place where I had left ofif my line, hung my book pocket and compass on a tree, and with my Jacob's-stafif rushed ofif down into the willows to scare ofif the wolves and secure the venison. I had no gun, but I made my way through the brush foir a distance of twenty or thirty feet, during which time the noise had ceased, when im- mediately there commenced a fearful cracking of brush and renewal of the noise, all of which were fast coming in my di- rection. I stood my ground until some big willows began to bend over almost in my face, when I turned and made for higher ground. I had seen no animals yet, but I could hear them close to my heels as I ran, and wdien I got out of the swamp, I came to an ironwood tree, about six inches in diame- ter, which I went up like a squirrel ; never before had I dreamed that I could climb so well, and even took my Jacob's-stafif with me. Immediately after I had seated myself on the first limb, which was eight or ten feet from the ground, a big black bear rushed up to the foot of the tree, raising herself up on her hind feet and tried to climb the tree. The tree, however, was too small for her grasp, so she stood and looked at me, giving an occa- sional "cluck" wath her tongue and now and then renewing her efiforts to climb the tree. I tried to strike her with the Jacob's-stafif, but could not quite reach her. Every time I struck at her she would strike at the stafif with her paw. 98 A PioxHER History of Becker County. \\'hile the old bear was keeping me up the tree, four more bears, two of whom were full grown and two were cubs, came out of the swamp and seated themselves on the ground about fifty feet away, keeping up a low muttering all the time. When the old bear had kept me up the tree about ten min- utes, she went back to the other bears and seated herself with them. The}' ap]:)eared to have made up their minds to stay all day. After waiting ten minutes longer, I climbed down, and as the bears did not attempt to follow me, I set up my compass and then started north on mv line, while the bears sat still and looked on. There is another story which I will relate in connection with this. When I had finished my day's work, I started to hunt our camp. After going east about two miles, I came to a log- house and on entering asked the lady of the house for a drink of water, and received what was much more to my liking, a drink of milk. She asked me what I was doing back there in the big brush, saying at the same time she seldom saw anvone coming from that direction. I told her I was looking over the railroad coiupany's land, "(^)h," says she "you are one of those 'valuators' that are around here." I then told her about the bears. She wanted to know if I did not know of some better place in Minnesota where there were no bears to eat up the children, and where the children could go to school. I referred her to Becker County, the result of which was that the whole family moved up to Detroit the next spring, and they are now, 1901, among the most prosperous farmers in Detroit Town- ship. The lady referred to is Mrs. Martin Casey. By the way, Casey and his neighbors went the next day and killed all of the five bears. On the 25th day of October, 1884, a young man came into my office, at Detroit (I was County Auditor), and asked me to go with him and show him a homestead. I replied that if he would furnish a conveyance, I would go with him. He soon appeared with a team and butcher's wagon belonging to John O. French. Before leaving Detroit, we met my brother's young- est boy, AA' arlo Wilcox, with a little single barrel shotgun, and he wanted me to take it along, saying we might see something we would w^ant to shoot. The shotgun was accordingly taken along. We reached Height of Land Lake about eleven o'clock, hitched our team and proceeded to look over section eight in A PioxKKR History of BivCker Colintv. 99 lleii^ht of Land Township, j^'oing south on the east Hue of the section and l)ack north through the middle. Soon afer ])assing" the central point of the section we came to a thicket of young poplars, where there was a lot of fresh earth scattered around, and a lot of small stacks of leaves piled up, and my com])anion remarked that "there must have been some deer in there." I replied that there had been something" worse than deer in there. Just then a big black bear stuck its head out of a hole in the ground, about six feet from where I stood and undertook to come out. It was growling and showing its teeth in a frightful manner, when I rushed up and kicked at it and it quickly slid back into the ground. I then shouted to my companion, "here is a bear." The next thing that came into my mind was a wish that we had something to kill the bear with, a gun, a revolver, an ax or even a hatchet. I had for- gotten that we had a gun with us, when my companion called to me to take the gun and give him the compass. I replied that was just what I wanted. I cocked the gun, which was loaded with Xo. 6 shot for partridges, and aimed at the l)ear's head, which was now in plain sight and pulled the trigger, but the hammer failed to fall. I let the hammer down and cocked it again, but still I could not fire the gun off. I fooled away at least two minutes with the lock and then asked my com- l)anion what was the matter with the gun. He said that I must have pulled the hammer back too far, as there were three catches to the lock instead of two like other guns. The second was the right one, whereas I had each time pulled it l)ack to the third notch. Having now studied out the combination, I began to look for the bear, but it had disappeared. I then wdiistled twice long and loud, wdien I thought I could see its head down in the hole and took aim half way between the eye and the ear and pulled the trigger once more. This time there was no fail- ure, the gun went otT and here was a terrible kicking for a minute down in the hole and then all was still. The bear had kicked itself well back to the rear of its den. By hard pulling I managed to get the bear back to the entrance, then we got hold of an ear and a paw each and finally pulled the bear out. In going back to our team we met John and Marcus Soper ; they had an ax with them and we soon cut a road to the bear, and they assisted us in lifting it into the butcher's wagon, which was just the thing to haul the bear home in. We arrived at loo A PioNKKR History of Bkckek County. Detroit a little before dark and weighed the bear on Smith and Harris's scales. It weighed 299 pounds. In August, 1872, W. W. M'Cleod, of Richwood, was gather- ing beans near his house when he heard screams from the in- mates of the house. A young bear had entered the kitchen, but retired on hearing the screams. Air. M'Cleod with the aid of his wife and some strong blankets succeeded in capturing young Bruin. George Learman, of Detroit, says that sometime in the eighties he was hunting deer over near the Detroit mountain, when some boy who was hunting in the same vicinity called to him that "there was a bear over there." He went to the boy, and was shown a bear that was denned up for winter, but partly aroused, was looking out of his den. George shot, and as he supposed, killed the bear ; laid his gun down and was tugging away to get the bear out of the hole ; had worked at him some little time, pulling and tugging, and while he had Mr. Bear by the head and jaws trying to get him out. the bear suddenly opened his eyes and mouth, giving a half grunt or growl. George was exceedingly surprised, and admits that he was a very scared boy and got away from the bear mighty quick, secured his gun and did a lot of shooting at the poor bear's head before he ventured near him again. 'Sir. Larson kindly brought the particulars of a bear to the Local which are substantially as follows', and occurred in Richwood: Early Monday morning while IMrs. Frank Anderson was doing her housework, she heard a commotion in the barnyard, and looking out, saw a monstrous black bear making toward the house. She at once screamed for her husband who fortunately happened to be near by. He seized his gun and shot the bear in a vital spot, which knocked him down. He im- mediately arose and advanced toward Mr. Anderson, who rapidly fired three more shots that took effect in vital places, but did not quite succeed in killing him in that manner. He then grabbed his axe and with some well directed blows finished killing Bruin. His faithful dog rendered efficient service by fighting the bear from the rear. Quite a large amount of stock has been killed in the vicinity, and lately a number of calves, the slaughter of the latter v;as attributed to the bear killed Monday. It is reported that there are more of these savage beasts in this region.— La/cf Park Local. June 6th, 1884. A Pioneer History of Becker County. ioi HUNGRY BEAR SCRATCHES AT FARM HOUSE DOOR AND MEETS HIS WATERLOO. August, 1906. Charles Oelfka. of Height of Land Township, was chased around his farm-house by a huge black bear. Fortunately, he had left the door of his house partly open, and he dashed through the door and shut out the anger- ed bear, who then pushed and scratched at the entrance in an efifort to force its way in. Mr. Oelfka heard something scratching at the side of the house, and thinking the cattle were loose, he went down stairs attired just as he had been sleeping, and went into the yard. No sooner was he in the dark than he saw the big dark object moving towards him. Oelfka ran into the house. Then Bruin moved to the window, and Mr. Oelfka shot the animal as it stood at the window looking inside. The bear rushed ofif, and Oelfka chased it with some dogs. He came up to it in the woods and again shot it. this time fatally. The bear was brought to Frazee. It weighed 250 pounds, and was almost black. The meat was sold and was quickly purchased by the citizens. Mr. Oelfka says that the forest fires have been raging fiercely in the woods northeast of Frazee, and they have driven the game from their seclusion to the lands which are being cultivated. In consequence of this fierce fire, it is expected that wild game will be plentiful in the northeastern part of Becker County this year. A recent heavy rain has retarded the forest fires, but the wild animals, driven from their seclusion, are hungry and fierce. — Detroit Record. Alexander Henry says in his Journal : September 15th, 1800. My hunter killed a large bear near the camp today, and a half-breed killed four more. September 20th, 1800. Two Indians came from above and informed me that they had killed forty bears, some elk, moose, and a few beavers and raccoons. One Indian boy had killed two bears. October 13th, 1800. One of my hunters saw a full grown bear as white as snow. His gun missed fire and the bear escaped. He assured me that it was not a grizzly, but one of the common kind. The bears, both black and grizzly, which reside along Red River, take to the large hollow cottonwood trees, where they lie dormant during the winter and are hunted by the Indians in the same manner as raccoons. But the bears in the rolling country, where it is more elevated, never take to the trees for their winter quarters. They live in holes in the ground, in the most intricate thicket they can find, generally under the roots of trees' that have been torn up by the wind or have otherwise fallen. I02 A Pioneer History of Becker County. The reason why the bears differ so much in their choice of habitations' is obvious. The low points along the river are every sprmg subject to overflow when the ice breaks up. The water and mud carried down by the current make their dens v:ncomfortable. On the higher lands where the ground is free from overflow the soft and sandy soil is not so cold and uncomfortable as the stiff black mud on the banks of the river. August 8th. 1808. Last evening the Indians brought in some fresh meat, including a large black bear and her two cubs, one of which was brown and the other entirely black. This is frequently the case. I once saw a black bear killed early in the spring, whose two cubs were taken alive, one of them being cinnamon and the other black. Both were kept at the fort for a long time and became perfectly tame. Q I04 A Pioneer History of Becker County, The Wolverine. The wolverine is a native of the semi-arctic regions of North America, but has been found somewhat farther south than our range of latitude, and I have it from good authority that it for- merly inhabited the timbered regions of Becker County, but never in very large numbers. In the winter of 1801-02. two wolverines were killed in the vicinity of White Earth and the skins taken to a trading post where Grand Forks now stands. In the winter 1802-03 the skin of a wolverine was purchased at a trading post recently established at White Earth. In the winter of 1880-81, I found the tracks of an animal, in the Shell Prairie country, that the Indians said was a wolver- ine. The track of one forefoot was five inches long and four inches wide. I measured the track in the snow with a short stick and then measured the stick in camp. Old North-Wind, the Pine Point Indian, says he killed a wolverine many years ago with a hatchet, that had broken into an old wigwam, and was gnawing some bones that had been left there. Old Basswood says the last time he heard of a wolverine in Becker County was about fifteen years ago, or about 1890. I have seen two wolverines in my lifetime, but they were not in Becker County. When in the gold mines in Montana, in 1862-3, I had a part- ner by the name of John Peterson. On one occasion Peter- son went away prospecting in the mountains for a couple of weeks, leaving his cabin locked. His cabin was built of pine logs, the lower tier of which lay flat on the ground, and the floor was nothing more or less than the bare ground itself. In- side the cabin he left ten or fifteen pounds of bacon and a quanti- ty of dried venison. AMien Peterson returned he discovered that something had been prospecting under his house, during his absence. A hole had been dug under one side nearly big enough for him to crawl through himself. Hearing a noise inside he plugged up the hole and unlocked the door of his cabin, and was not long in discovering the burglar, which proved to be a wolverine of A Pioneer History of Becker County. 105 large size. He at first attempted to make his escape through the hole by which he had entered, but failing in this he backed him- self up into one corner, where he fell a victim to the unerring aim of Peterson's navy revolver. The wolverine had been living high during Peterson's absence. The meat had about all disappeared and he had been occupying Peterson's bed, nesting in the dried hay, but had kept it tolerably clean although the floor had been defiled in a beastly manner. This animal nteasured nearly three feet in length, exclusive of the tail, which was about ten inches long, and stood about sixteen inches high. As the wolverine has undoubtedly left Becker County for all time I will endeavor to give a detailed account of this peculiar animal. The wolverine is the largest of the family of animals to which it belongs ; such as the fisher, the marten, the skunk, the otter, the ermine, the weasel and the badger. It somewhat re- sensil)le cub bear in its movements, but much more resembles a low standing, bushy-haired dog in appearance. As my experience with wolverines has been very limited I will quote from a work published by Professor Elliot Coues, secretary and naturalist of the American branch of the commis- sion that established the boundary between the United States and British America. The title of the work is "Fur Bearing Ani- mals." In color, tiie wolverine is blackisli, or deep dusky brown, with a re- markable broad band of chestnut or yellowish-brown, running along the sides, and turning up to meet its fellow on the rump and base of the tail. The wolverine is a dangerous foe to many animals larger than itself, and by the profes'sional hunter is looked upon as an ugly and dangerous customer. To the trapper, the wolverines are equally annoying. When they have discovered a line of marten traps, they will never abandon the road, and must be killed before the trapping can be successfully carried on Beginning at one end, they proceed from trap to trap along the whole line, pulling them successively to pieces, and taking out the baits from behind. When they can cat no more, they continue to steal the baits and hide them. If hungry, they may devour two or three of the martens they find captured, the remainder being carried off and hidden in the snow at a considerable distance. The work of demolition goes on as fast as the traps can be renewed. The prospensity to steal and hide things is' one of the strongest traits of the wolverine. To such an extent is it developed that the animal will io6 A PioNKKR History of Becker County. often secrete articles of no possible use to them. He has been known to gnaw through a log nearly a foot in diameter, and also to dig a hole several feet deep in frozen ground, to gain access to the coveted supply. This propensity of the wolverine to carry ofif traps receives confirma- tion from other sources. In Captain Cartwright's Journal (ii, 407), an instance is recorded in the following terms: — "In coming to the foot of Table Hill I crossed the track of a wolverine with one of Mr. Callingham's traps on his foot; the foxes had followed his bleeding track. As this beast went through the thick of the woods, under the north side of the hill, where the snow was so deep and light that it was with the greatest difficulty I could follow him even on Indian rackets, I was quite puzzled to know how he had contrived to prevent the trap from catching hold of the branches of trees or sinking in the snow. But on coming up with him I discovered how he had managed; for after making an attempt to fly at me, he took the trap in his mouth and ran upon three legs. These creatures are surprisingly strong in proportion to their size; this one weighed only twenty-six pounds and the trap eight; yet including all the turns he had taken he had carried it six miles." The ferocity of the wolverine, no less than its cunning, is illustrated in some of the endless occasions on which it matches its powers against those of its worst enemy. A man had set a gun for a wolverine which had been on his usual round of demolition of marten traps. The animal seized the bait unwarily, and set ofT the gun; but owing to careless or improper setting, the charge missed or only wounded it. The wolverine rushed upon the weapon, tore it from its fastenings, and chewed the stock to pieces. At Peel's River, on one occasion, a very old wolverine discovered my marten road, on which I had nearly a hundred and fifty traps. I was in the habit of visiting the line about once a fortnight; but the beast fell in the way of coming oftener than I did, to my great annoyance and vexation. I determined to put a stop to his thieving and his life together, cost what it might. So I made six strong raps at as many different points, and also set three steel traps. For three weeks I tried my best to catch the beast without success; and my worst enemy would allow that I am no green hand in these matters. The animal carefully avoided the traps set for his own benefit, and seemed to be taking more delight than ever in demolishing my marten traps and eating the martens, scattering the poles in every direction and caching what baits or martens he did not devour on the spot. As we had no poison in those days, I next set a gun on the bank of a little lake. The gun was concealed in some low bushes, but the bait was so placed that the wolverine must see it on his way up the bank. I blockaded my path to the gun with a small pine tree which completely hid it. On my first visit afterward I found that the beast had gone up to the bait and smelled it, but had left it untouched. He had next pulled up the pine tree that blocked the path, and gone around the gun and cut the line which connected the bait with the trigger, just behind the muzzle. Then he had gone back and pulled the bait away, and carried it out on the lake, where he laid down and devoured it at his leisure. There I found my string. I could scarcely believe that all this had been done designedly, for it seemed that faculties fully on a par with human reason would be required A PioxKER History of BiX'kkr Couxtv. 107 for such an exploit, if done intentionally. I therefore rearranged things, tying the string where it had been bitten. But the result was exactly the same for three successive occasions, as I could plainly see by the foot- prints; and what is most singular of all, each time the brute was careful to cut the line a little back of where it had been tied before, as if actually reasoning with himself that even the knots might be some new device of mine, and therefore a source of hidden danger he would prudently avoid. I came to the conclusion that he ought to live, as he must be something at least human, if not worse. I gave it up, and abandoned the road for a period. When pressed by the pangs of hunger, still bolder exploits are sometimes performed, as in the instance narrated by Captain J. C. Ross. In the dead of an Arctic winter, his ship's company were surprised by a visit from a wolverine, which clambered over the snow wall surrounding the vessel, and came boldly on deck among the men. Forgetful of its safety in the extremity of its need for food the animal seized a canister of meat, and suffered himself to be noosed while eating. The Fisher. 'i'he fi.sher formerly inhabited Becker County in large num- bers, but I fear they will now have to be classed among the extinct animals of the county. 1 never saw but one fisher, and that one was wading around in a shallow place in a stream of water apparently trying to catch a fish, or a frog, or a clam, or possibly a turtle for its dinner. It was not very shy at first, but after allowing me to approach with- in a couple of rods, it ran ashore on the same side of the creek on which I was standing and disappeared among the pines. This fisher was about the size of an ordinary red fox; being a])out two feet long exclusive of the tail which was about a foot in length, and much more slender than that of a fox. Its color was black. Old Basswood says that fishers were cjuite common about the headwaters of the Otter Tail River until about thirty years ago, when a terrible fire swept through that part of the country and they all disappeared. He thinks the fire referred to occurred in the spring of 1872. Ouoting again from Professor Coues : The general aspect is rather that of a fox than of a weasel, but the ears are low, and remarkably broad, being about twice as wide at base as high; they are rounded in contour, and well furred, both sides, to the io8 A PioNKER History of Becker County. entrance. The feet are broad and flat, furred both sides, and armed with very stout, compressed, much curved, acute claws. The fisher is a larger and stronger animal than any variety of the pine marten, but it has similar manners; climbing trees with facility, and preying principally upon mice and frogs. It lives in the woods, preferring damp places in the vicinity of water, in which respect it differs from the marten, which is generally found in the driest spots of the pine forests. The hunters have assured me that they have known a fisher to destroy twelve out of thirteen traps in a line not more than fourteen miles long. Mr. Frothingill informs us that whilst residing in the northern part of our state, thirty-five years ago, hunters were in the habit of bring- ing us two or three specimens in the course of the winter. They obtained them by following their tracks in the snow, when the animals had been out in quest of their prey the previous night, thus tracing them to the hollow trees in which they were concealed, which they chopped down. They informed us that as a tree was falling, the fisher would dart from the hollow, which was often fifty feet from the ground, and leap into the snow, when the dog usually seized and killed him, although not without a hard struggle, as the fisher was infinitely more dangerous to their hounds than either the grey or red fox. They usually called this species the black fox. A neighbor on one occasion, came to us before daylight, asking us to shoot a raccoon for him, which, after having been chased by his dogs the previous night, had taken to so large a tree that he neither felt dis- posed to climb it nor to cut it down. On our arrival at the place, it was already light, and the dogs were barking furiously at the foot of the tree. We soon perceived that instead of being a raccoon, the animal was a far more rare and interesting species, a fisher. As we were anxious to study its habits we did not immediately shoot, but teased it by shaking some grape vines that had crept up nearly to the top of the tree. The animal not only became thoroughly frightened, but seemed furious; he leaped from branch to branch, showing his teeth and growling at the same time; now and then he ran half way down the trunk of the tree, elevating his back in the manner of an angry cat, and we every moment expected to see him leap ofif and fall among the dogs. He was brought down after several discharges of the gun. He seemed extremely tenacious of life, and was game to the last, holding on to the nose of a dog with a dying grasp. This animal proved to be a male; the body measured twenty-five inches, and the tail fifteen inches. The largest fisher which I have seen was killed by myself on the Riviere de Argent, one of the channels of the mouth of Slave River, about fifteen miles from Fort Resolution. It was fully as long as' a Fulvus fox. much more muscular, and weighed eighteen pounds. In the color of its fur the greyish tints predominated, extending from half way down the back to the nose. The fur was comparatively coarse; though thick and full. The tail was long and pointed, and the whole shade of the pelage was very light and had rather a faded look. Its claws were very strong and of a brown color; and as if to mark its extreme old age the teeth were a good deal worn and very much decayed. I caught it with A PioNEUK History of Becker County. 109 difficulty. For about two weeks it had been infesting my marten road, tearing down the traps and devouring the bait. So resolved to destroy it, I made a strong wooden trap. It climbed up this, entered from above and ate the meat. A gun was next set but with no better success, it cut the line and ran ofi with the bone that was tied o the end of it. As a dernier ressort. I put a steel trap in the middle of the road, covered it carefully, and set a bait at some distance on each side. Into this it tumbled. From the size of its footprints my impression all along was that it was a wolverine that was annoying me. and I was surprised to find it to be a fisher. It showed a good fight, hissed at me much like an enraged cat biting at the iron trap, and snapping at my legs. A blow on the nose turned it over, when I completed its death by compressing the heart with my foot until it ceased to beat. The skin when stretched for drying was fully as large as a middle sized otter, and very strong, in this respect resembling that of a wolverine. In their habits the fishers resemble the martens. Their food is much the same, but they do not seem to keep so generally in the woods. They are not so nocturnal in their wanderings as the foxes. An old fisher is nearly as great an infliction to a marten trapper as a wolverine. It is an exceedingly powerful animal for its size, and will tear down the wooden traps with ease. Its regularity in visiting them is exemplary. In one quality it is, however, superior to the wolverine, which is that it leaves the sticks of the traps where they are planted, while the other beast, if it can discover nothing better to hide, will cache them some distance ofif. no A Pioneer History of Becker County, PINE MARTEN. The Pine Marten. The ])ine marten was once very ])lenliful in the timber por- tions of Becker County, and it is possible that there are a few left in the north central part, although I have not heard of one for several years. I never saw but two. One of them had just been shot from an oak tree and the other was running up a low pine and skip- ping around anK^ng its branches. These martens bore a strong resemblance to the mink, only they were a little larger in size, and their ears were very much larger. They are expert climbers, and are as much at home among the trees as a squirrel. Old Basswood's father killed four martens at Basswood Lake, in the southeast part of the reservation about 1855. The marten from which this i)hotograph was taken was a fairly good specimen, only it was much darker than they will average. In speaking of the marten, Professor Coues says : This animal is about the size of a common house cat, though standing much lower on account of the shortness of the legs. The length of the head and body is about a foot and a half, more or less; the tail with the hair is a foot long or less; the tail-vertebrae are less than half as long as the head and body. The tail is very full and bushy, particularly toward the end, the reverse of the tapering-pointed shape which obtains in the fisher. It is difficult to describe the color of the marten fur accurately. In a large heap of skins (upwards of fifty), which I have just examined A P'lOXEER IIlSToKV oF BKCKER CoUNTV. Ill minutely there exists a great variety of shades darkening from the rarer of yellowish-white and bright orange, into various shades of orange brown, some of which are very dark. However, the general tint may with pro- priety be termed an orange brown, considerably clouded with black on the back and belly, and exhibiting on flanks and throat more of an orange tint. The legs and paws as well as the top of the tail are nearly pure black. The claws are white and sharp. The marten is ordinarily captured in wooden traps of very simple con- struction, made on the spot. The traps are a little enclosure of stakes or brush in which the bait is placed upon a trigger, with a short upright stick supporting a log of wood; the animal is shut off from the bait in any but the desired direction, and the log falls upon its victim with the slightest disturbance. A line of such traps, several to the mile, often extends many miles. The bait is any kind of meat, a mouse, squirrel, piece of fish, or bird's head. One of the greatest obstacles that the marten hunter has to contend with in many localities is the persistent destruction of his traps by the wolverine and fisher, both of which display great cun- ning and perseverance in following up his line to eat the bait, and even the martens themselves which may be captured. The exploits of these animals in this respect may be seen from the accounts elsewhere given. I have accounts from Hudson's Bay trappers of a marten road fifty miles long, containing one hundred and fifty traps, every one of which was destroyed throughout the whole line twice — once by a wolf, once by the wolverine. When thirty miles of this same road was given up, the re- maining forty traps were broken five or six times in succession by the latter animal. Notwithstanding the persistent and uninterrupted destruction to which the marten is subjected, it does not appear to diminish materially in num- bers in unsettled parts of the country. It holds its own partly in conse- quence of its shyness, which keeps it away from the abodes of men, and partly because it is so prolific; it brings forth six or eight young at a litter. Its home is sometimes a den under ground or beneath rocks, but oftener the hollow of a tree; it is said to frequently take forcible posses- sion of a squirrel's nest, driving off or devouring the rightful proprietor. Though frequently called pine marten, like its European relative, it does not appear to be particularly attached to coniferous woods, though these are its abode in perhaps most cases simply because such forests prevail to a great extent in the geographical areas inhabited by the marten. The marten is no partner in guilt with the mink and weasel in the inva- sion of the farmyard, nor will it, indeed, designedly take up its abode in the clearing of a settler, preferring always to take its chances of food supply in the recesses of the forest. o A PioNiiEK ilisToKv c)F Becker Couxtv. 113 The Otter. The otter inhabited Becker County 100 years ago in consider- able numbers, and their skins were an article of traffic of no small magnitude. They have, however, been getting gradually less, year by year ever since, until but very few are left in the county at the present time. I never saw but one otter alive, and that was shot by a com- panion at my side so quickl}- that I could hardly sa}' that I ever saw it alive. Few animals vary more in size than the otter. Some in- dividuals are twice as large and heavy as others equally as mature. The average length of a full grown otter is from four to four and a half feet, from tip to tip ; some specimens, however, touching five feet while others are not more than half as long. The fur of the otter is of great beauty, very thick, close, short and glossy. The otteir has a peculiar habit of sliding dat on its belly, whether for amusement or convenience, I am unable to say. In the winter of 1870 and 71, there was an otter slide on the west bank of the Otter Tail River, nearly in front of where George Herrick now lives in the Town of Erie. Although I have seen otter slides in dilTerent parts of the country, 1 must give in- formation at second hand, and will quote from Audubon, in the following language : The otters ascend the bank at a place suitable for their diversion, and sometimes where it is very steep, so that they are obliged to make quite an effort to gain the top: they slide down in rapid succession where there are many at a sliding place. On one occasion we were resting ourselves on the bank of Canoe Creek, a small stream near Henderson, which empties into the Ohio, when a pair of otters made their appearance, and not observing our proximity, began to enjoy their sliding pastime. They glided down the soap-like muddy surface of the slide with the rapidity of an arrow from a bow. and we counted each one making twenty-two slides before we disturbed their sportive occupation. This habit of the otter of sliding down from elevated places to the borders of streams, is not confined to cold countries, or to slides on the snow or ice, but is pursued in the Southern States, where the earth i.= seldom covered with snow, or the waters frozen over. Along the reserve dams of the rice fields of Carolina and Georgia, these slides are verv common. 114 -^ PlOXEKK HiSTOKV OF BliCKER CoUXTV. The food of the otter, and the manner in which it is procured, are noted l)y the same author in the following terms: The otter is a very expert swimmer, and can overtake ahnost any fish, and as it is a voracious animal, it doubtless destroys a great number of fresh water fish annually. We are not aware of it having a preference for any particular species, although it is highly probable that it has. About twenty-five years ago we went early one autumnal morning to study the habits of the otter at Gordon and Spring's Ferry, on the Cooper River, six miles from Charleston, S. C. where they were represented as being quite abundant. They came down with the receding tide in groups or families of five or six together. In the space of two hours we counted forty-six. They soon separated, ascended the different creeks in the salt marshes, and engaged in capturing mullets (Mugil). In most cases they came to the bank with fish in their mouths, despatching it in a minute, and then hastened back again after more prey. They returned up the river to their more secure retreats with the rising tide. In the small lakes and ponds of the interior of Carolina, there is found a favorite fish with the otter, called the fresh water trout. A retreat examined by Andubon has been thus described 1)y this author : One morning we observed that some of these animals resorted to the neighborhood of the roots of a large tree which stood on the side of the pond opposite to us', and with its overhanging branches shaded the water. After a fatiguing walk through the tangled cane-brake and thick underwood which bordered the sides of this lonely place, we reached the opposite side of the pond near the large tree, and moved cautiously through the mud and water to its roots; but the hearing or sight of the otters was attracted to us, and we saw several of them hastily make otY at our approach. On sounding the tree with the butt of our gun. we discovered that it was hollow, and then having placed a large stick in a slanting position against the trunk, we succeeded in reaching the lowest bough, and thence climbed up a broken branch from which an aperture into the upper part of the hollow enabled us to examine the interior. At the bottom there was c^uite a large space or chamber to which the otters retired, but whether for security or to sleep we could not decide. Next morning we returned to the spot, accompanied by one of our neigh- bors, and having approached and stopped up the entrance under water as noiselessly as possible, we cut a hole in the side of the tree four or five feet from the ground, and as soon as it was large enough to admit our heads, we peeped in and discovered three otters on a sort of bed composed of the inner bark of trees and other soft substances, such as water grasses. We continued cutting the hole we had made, larger, and when sufficiently widened, took some green saplings, split them at the butt end, and managed to fix the head of each animal firmly to the ground by passing one of these split pieces over his neck, and then pressing the A PioNKKR History of BkckER County. 115 stick forcibly downwards. Our companion then crept in to tlic hollow, and soon killed the otters, with which we returned home. The last otters catight in I'.ecker County of wliicli J lune any knowledge were taken in Lake Eunice Township in 1887, an account of which is here given by James Xunn, of T\)nsfor(l. who was living in Lake Eiuiice at the time. In the fall of 1887, Harry Britt, a neighbor, and I were out hunting small game north of Lake Maud, when we came to a peculiar looking trail on the frozen inlet close to the lake. It looked as if something had been dragged along until the snow had become packed quite hard, and ended at the lake when the open water was reached. When we returned home, we reported the finding of this strange sign to Uncle George Britt, as Harry's father was called, and I well remember how anxious he became about some old traps that were hard to find. A few days afterwards he brought home three fine otter skins, for which he realized something like thirty dollars. ]. N. S. F. Sivertson, of Toad Lake Township, while walking over the thin, transparent ice near the outlet of Toad Lake in the fall of 1902. discovered a large otter swimming in the water under the ice directly beneath his feet. He followed him for some distance thinking he might catch him, but he finally dis- appeared all at once, probably having entered his l)urrow, the entrance to which is always under the water, the same as that of a beaver. Otters never climb trees. Pi w o Q < A Pioneer History of Bkcker County. 117 The American Badger. The badger was quite common in Becker County when it was first settled, and a few still remain, but they are not found in any such numbers as they were thirty or forty years ago. The badger is a stout, thick set animal of great strength, but is not especially noted for agility. The body is broad, flattened and low ; the legs being very short and stout, with broad, flat feet and enormous claws. The color is a grizzly gray which gives rise to the expres- sion "as gray as a badger." The length of the animal from tip to tip is about thirty inches, six inches of which is included in the length of the tail. Some of the fore claws are an inch and a half in length. The badger is one of the most secretive animals in the coun- try, living exclusively in holes in the ground, for the digging of which its whole make-up is admirably adapted, and it is seldom seen in the daytime. You might travel for days and weeks in a country where their holes were abundant, and where num- erous badgers lived, and not see a single animal. There are still a good many badger holes in our county, and undoubtedly a few badgers, but I have not seen a badger for twenty years. Every badger hole, however, is not the home of a badger, as many of these holes were originally the home of a gopher or a chip- munk, and have been enlarged by the badger in order to get at the little animal itself, for its supper or breakfast. The badger is not an expert runner and can be easily run down by a man on foot, in which case they always show fight. In the spring of 1871, when we were living on the northwest quarter of section 6 of Detroit Township, where Nels Lofstrum now resides, we discovered a badger's den near our house, and on two or three occasions Mrs. Wilcox encountered the old badger himself digging wild artichokes in a patch of hazel-brush about half way l)etween the house and his den. The first time she saw him he was only a few feet away and the badger immediately set his jaws to clattering like a threshing machine; but in a very short time he started on a run in one direction, and Mrs. Wil- cox started in the other direction, and it was only a question of speed as to which should reach their den first. The next time ii8 A Pioneer History of Becker County. she saw him, however, he did not appear to be so reaehly fright- ened, neither did she, and by the time we moved from there down to another claim at Oak Lake, a Httle later on, the badger had become comparatively tame. I once came across a large badger on the prairie, when en- gaged in examining land for the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, some disance from its hole. I was alone and had no wea]:)- on but my Jacob's-staff. The badger started to run but i soon overtook him, when he turned to fight. Anyone who has been in close quarters with a badger knows what a frightful noise they make by clattering their jaws together, when brought to bay. The bear makes a similar noise under the same circumstances, only much louder. \\'oodchucks or ground-hogs make the same kind of noise. It is neither a growl, nor a snarl, nor a howl, nor a hiss, but rather a mingling of all. When the badger saw that he could not get away he turned and came at me with a rush, with his jaws clattering loud enough to be heard twenty rods away. I struck at him with my Jacob's- stafif, but he proved to be an artful dodger. I backed away a few steps, when he charged at me again, this time raising on his hind legs as he came up trying to claw and bite my hands and legs. I kept him off with my Jacob's-staff and finally managed to hit him a welt across the back that stunned him for a few seconds, but before I could repeat the blow he rose up and was ready to renew the fight. I then knocked him over, and hit him when he was down. He, however, made another charge, but my blows finally began to tell, and after hitting him at least a dozen times, I finally cracked his head, which finished him. My right arm and shoulder were so lame after that fight that I could not get my coat on, and was obleged to carry my arm in a sling for a whole week. On another occasion, when out on a survey in North Dakota in 1876, we were camped on the banks of the Sheyenne River near where Lisbon now stands. One morning we were going to move our camp, so I left all the men to help load u]) tlie camp outfit and started off alone for the place where we were to begin our day's work, expecting the men to follow as soon as the wagon was loaded, ^^■hen 1 had gone nearly a mile, I saw two badgers digging roots in a patch of wild artichokes, but when they saw me they ran for their home and both rushed in. The foremost badger immediately l)egan digging and throwing dirt in the wav A l'i().\):i;i< llisToin- of Becker County. 119 of the hindmost which obstructed his progress, so I reached the hole just in time to catch liold of his tail. The badger pulled with all his might, and the badger is a very powerful animal. Vie immediately commenced digging also, excavating with his fore paws and throwing out the dirt with his hind feet, and turn mv head whatever way I would, a good part of it came square into my face. The weather was dry, and the day hot, and the light soil as it came from that hole was nothing more or less than a continuous stream of dust. The badger in the meantime was digging himself slightly farther and farther in, and the strain on his tail was becoming harder and harder all the time. My arms were pulled their whole length into the hole, and noth- ing but the size of the hole prevented me from being pulled in altogether. When I first caught hold of the badger I expected somie of the other men along in a very short time and intended to have them help dig out the badger. So I held on to him for at least half an hour. Finally my hands and arms began to grow dreadfully tired, the sweat was running in little streams down through the dust and dirt on my face, the badger was still heaving the dry earth into my neck, face and eyes until I finally decided that I could "hold the fort" no longer and was obliged to let go. I then went back to the camp and found that after they had loaded up the wagon they started to drive across the river and had tipped over, dumping the whole load int(_^ the water and had only just then finished re- loading the wagon. In August, 1878, I was camped for a week all alone by a little spring, six miles west of where the village of Steele, in Kidder County, N. D., now stands. I was living in a tent and as I had to do my own cooking, I had taken along quite an as- sortment of canned stuff, particularly canned beef. I was very careful of my provisions as there was no place to buy any nearer than fifty miles. As my work of appraising land took me away the whole of each day, I always took great care to fasten the front of my tent in the morning, and even banked it up next to the ground with sods to keep the "varmints" out. After a day or two, I found that some kind of an animal was making regular visits, both by night and by day. It finally got inside by digging a hole underneath and helped himself to half a can of canned beef that I had left open and tried to open a new can, as T could tell by the marks of his teeth. He I20 A Pioneer History of Becker County. tried to get in at night and I could easily have shot him, but I supposed it was a skunk, and was not inclined to pick a quarrel with him as he was liable to be well armed himself. Finally one evening, as I sat in front of my tent eating supper, I made a new discovery. There was a steep bank about twenty feet from my tent, six or eight feet high, and I found that there had been a big hole dug in the bank that same day. My visitor had evi- dently taken a liking to the locality, and to me, and had decided to become mjy permanent neighbor. Before I had finished eat- ing, I fancied I could see a shadow or a motion of some kind, well back in the hole, and a moment later the object became a shade plainer and continued to advance almost imperceptibly un- til the outline of a badger's head came into plain view. I hap- pened to have a single barreled pistol with an eight inch barrel, at hand, and I shot he badger through the head, without leaving mv seat. The Skunk. The skunk is so common in Becker County that it is not necessary to say much about his everyday affairs, but there are some traits of character and habit peculiar to the animal that are both curious and interesting, and in which humanity in general is largely interested, to which I wish to call attention, and there is no way in which I can do it so briefly and clearly as to quote again from Professor Coues. He says : ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE ANAL GLANDS AND PROPERTIES OF THE SECRETION OF THE SKUNK. Tlie almost insuperable repugnance, which the skunk naturally excites', has always been an obstacle to the investigation of its peculiar defensive organs. The first, and for a long time the only accurate, record, was that given by Dr. Jefifries Wyman in the first volume of the Boston Natural History Society's Proceedings, 1844, p. no. This indicated, though briefly, the general structure of the parts which obtains throughout the family, as far as known. The organ is a true anal gland, without connection with the genito-urinary system. The organ is paired with a fellow on the opposite side. These glands are situated on either side of the intestine, at the root of the tail, just within the anus, and are about an inch in diameter. When the animal is pursued, the lower part of the intestine is prolapsed through the anus, the tail is elevated over the back, and by the contraction of the muscles of the anus the acrid fluid is eiected in two streams to the dis- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 121 tance of six or eight feet. The fluid is a peculiar secretion Hke that of the civet, and not the urine, as is commonly thought. The common opin- ion, that the animal scatters it with its tail, is erroneous. The fluid is limited in quantity; and, having been discharged, the animal is harmless until the sacs are again filled by gradual secretion. To the eye, the peculiar and odoriferous secretion of this animal is a pale bright or glistening yellow, with specks floating in it. By the mi- croscope it looks like a clear fluid, as water, with masses of gold in it, and the specks like bubbles of air, covered with gold, or rather bags of air in golden sacks. The air I take to be the gas from the golden fluid The fluid is altogether peculiar and indescribable in odor, pungent, pene- trating, and persistent to a degree, perhaps, without parallel, outside of this sub-family, in the animal kingdom. It has been called "garlicky," but this is a mild term. The distance to which the substance, in liquid form, can be ejected, is, in the nature of the case, difficult to ascertain with pre- cision, and doubtless varies with the vigor of the animal and amount of accumulation in the reservoir. But there is no doubt that the spurt reaches several (authors say from four to fourteen) feet, while the aura is readih" perceptible at distances to be best expressed in fractions of the mile. The discharge is ordinarily invisible in the daytime, but several observers attest a certain phosphorescence, which renders the fluid luminous by night This is doubtless true, though I have not verified it by actual observation Emission does not take place when the animal is captured in a deadfall, in such way that the small of the back is broken by the falling weight. I found that instantaneous death is' not always a sure preventive of escape of effluvium. A skunk which I shot with my pistol, held within a foot of its head, the bullet traversing the whole body from the forehead to the groin, was too ofYensive to be skinned, though it died without a perceptible struggle, and had certainly not opened its reservoir up to the moment when shot. It seems, however, that the disgusting qualities of the substance have been given undue prominence, to neglect of a much more important and serious matter. The danger to the eyesight, should the acrid and pungent fluid actually fall upon the eyes, should not be forgotten. Dogs are some times permanently blinded by the discharge, and there are authentic cases in which human beings have lost their sight in the same way. Sir John Richardson alludes, on the authority of Mr. Graham, to the cases of "several" Indians who had lost their eyesight in consequence of inflamma- tion resulting from this cause. The effect upon dogs is described by Audubon and Bachman: "The instant," they say, "a dog has received a discharge of this kind on his nose and eyes he appears half distracted, plunging his nose into the earth, rubbing the sides of his face on the leaves and grass, and rolling in every direction. We have known several dogs, from the eyes' of which the swelling and inflammation caused by it did not disappear for a week. The fluid has been put to medicinal use in the treatment of asthma. One invalid is said to have been greatly benefited by the use of a drop three times a day; but he was soon obliged to discontinue the use of the remedy, owing to the intolerably offensive character which all his secretions ac- 122 A l^loXKKK HiSToKV ()F BlvCKKR CoL'XTV. quired. A story is told* of an asthmatic clergyman who procured the glands of a skunk, which he kept tightly corked in a smelling-bottle, to be applied to his nose when his symptoms appeared. He be'.ieved he had discovered a specific for his distressing malady, and rejoiced thereat; but on one occasion he uncorked his bottle in the pulpit, and drove his con- gregation out of church. In both these cases, like many others, it is a question of individual preference as between the remedy and the disease. R.\BIES .\IEPHITIC.\. By Rev. Horace C. Hovey, M. A It is cruel to add aught to the odium already attached to the common skunk. But. clearly, he is as dangerous as he is disagreeable. In a wild state he is by no means the weak, timid, harmless creature commonly described by naturalists; although it is said that, if disarmed of his weapons of ofYence while young, he may be safely domesticated. An adventure, while on a summer tour amid the Rocky ^Mountains, first called my attention to the novel class of facts about to be presented. Our camp was invaded by a nocturnal prowler, which proved to be a large coal-black skunk. Anxious to secure his fine silky fur uninjured, I at- tempted to kill him with small shot, and failed. He made characteristic retaliation; and then rushing at me with ferocity, he seized the muzzle of my gun between his teeth! Of course the penalty was instant death. An experienced hunter then startled us by saying that the bite of this animal is invariably fatal, and that when in perfect apparent health it is always rabid. He resented our incredulity and confirmed his statement by several instances of dogs and men dying in convulsions shortly after being thus bitten. On mentioning this adventure to H. R. Payne, M. D.. who had been camping with miners near Canon City, Col., he said that at night skunks would, come into their tent, making a peculiar crying noise, and threaten- ing to attack them. His companions, from Texas and elsewhere, had accounts to give of fatal results following the bite of this animal. Since returning to Kansas City, I have had extensive correspondence with hunters, taxidermists, surgeons and others, by which means the par- ticulars have been obtained of forty-one cases of rabies mcphitica, occurring in Virginia, ^Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Texas. All were fatal except one; that was the case of a farmer, named Fletcher, living near Gainesville, Texas, who was twice bitten by M. macroura [of Aud. & Bach.r^M. mcphitica var. — E. C], yet recovered and is living still. On further inquiry it was found that he was aware of his danger, and used prompt preventive treatment. Another case was alleged to be an exception; that of a dog which was severely bitten in a long fight with a skunk, but whose wounds healed readily and without subsequent disease. It seems, however, that this dog afterward died with mysterious symptoms like those of hydrophobia in some of its less aggravated forms. Instead of burdening this article with a mass of circumstantial details, a few cases only will be given best fitted to show the peculiarities of the malady; and those are preferred that are located on the almost unin- *By .\udubon and Bachman, Quad. X. .\. i. 323. A PioxKi'K HisTom- oi" Ukckkr County. 123 habited plains of western Kansas, because there the skunks would be least liable to be inoculated with canine virus. A veteran hunter, Nathaniel Douglas, was hunting buffalo, in June, 1872, fourteen miles north of Park's Fort. While asleep he was bitten on the thumb by a skunk. Fourteen days afterwards singular sensations caused him to seek medical advice. But it was too late, and after con- vulsions lasting for ten hours he died. This case is reported by an eye- witness, Mr. E. S. Love, of Wyandotte, Kansas, who also gives several similar accounts. One of the men employed by H. P. Wilson, Esq., of Hayes City, Kansas, was bitten by a skunk at night, while herding cattle on the plains. About ten days afterwards he was seized with dilirium and fearful convulsions, which followed each other until death brought relief. Mr. Wilson also reports other cases, one of which is very recent. In the summer of 1873, a Swedish girl was bitten by a skunk while going to a neighbor's house. As the wound was slight and readily cured, the affair was hardly thought worthy of remembrance. But on Jan. 24th, 1874, the virus, which had been latent for five months, asserted its power. She was seized with terrible paroxysms. Large doses of morphine were administered, which ended both her agony and her life. The Raccoon. In its movements, and in the facility with which it uses its fore i)aws. the raccoon comes the nearest to a htiman being of any animal, in Minnesota. The track of the fore foot is hke that of a cliild's hand. It was formerly very common in I5eckei County, and there are still a good many left, but they are no where near as mmierotis as formerly. I have never seen but two raccoons in the County during my thirty-five years' residence here. In Xovember. 1883, I saw one in a small creek which is the inlet to Shell Lake at the bridge <»n the north shore. It soon went ashore and waddled off into the woods as soon as it saw me move. I found another u]) in a tree, about a foot in diameter, and there was a black squirrel u]) in the same tree with the .raccoon. I chopped the tree down, and when it fell the s(|uirrel gave a long leap when the tree was about three-fourths of the way to the ground, and struck the earth as lightly as a feather and escaped. The raccoon howevei clung to the tree until it struck the ground which threshed the life out of him. As most everyone knows, raccoons are great lovers of green corn, and manv of them are caught in the fall of the vear while 124 -"^ PioxKKR History of Becker County. helping themselves to roasting- ears, or after being" tracked by dogs and treed in the adjoining forest, where they are easily killed by being shot, or by cutting down the tree in which they have taken refuge. Racoons are easily tamed and make interesting pets. I have had them reach their paw through a small hole in the wire netting of their cage, and insert it into the bottom of my vest pocket, and take out a peanut or a piece of candy as handilv as a monkey could do it. Alexander Henry in his journal says: Oct. igth, 1800. My men have caught twenty raccoons' and five foxes. They bring in daily some raccoons, foxes, fishers and wolves. Nov. 2ist, 1800. My men take no more raccoons in traps. These animals are now lodged in hollow trees, where they will remain, like bears, until spring, without sustenance. The men take plenty of foxes and wolves, a few fishers, and a chance marten. Nov. 30th, 1800. Some of my men went raccoon hunting, the weather being warm. They returned in the evening with seven, which they had t'onnd in one hollow tree. Raccoon hunting is common here in the winter season. The hunter examines every hollow tree, and when he sees the fresh marks of their claws, he makes a hole with an ax, and thus opens the hollow space, in which he lights a fire to find out if there be any raccoons within, as they often climb trees in the autumn, and not finding them proper for the purpose, leave them and seek others. But if they be within, the smoke compels them to ascend and put their heads out of the hole they entered. On observing this, the ax is applied to the tree and with the assistance of the fire, it is soon down, and the hunter stands ready to despatch the animals as they are stunned by the fall. But sometimes they are so ob- stinate as to remain in the tree until they are suffocated and roasted to death. The Opossum. I did not suppose that any opossum would ever have the courage to come to Becker County, and did not intend to say anything about him, but in the Detroit Record of December 9th, 1904, the following appeared under the head of Height of Land items: "Mr. Herrick caught a possum in his trap last week." A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 125 This brings the opossum right home among us, and gives me good ground to write up what I know of this interesting animal. When I was a boy, sixteen years of age, which carries us back to the winter of 1849-50, I was living in western New York, a country nearly as cold as this, and up to that time the opos- sum had never been heard of so far as any of us knew in that part of the country. I was trapping for foxes that winter with a steel trap, and was not very successful, as I only caught one, but caught several skunks, which I did not want, as they were of no value in those days. One morning in February, I visited my trap, already thoroughly disgusted with the skunks for being so careless in getting into my trap, when I found I had caught what I took to be another skunk. I had a club in my hands, but as I did not care to get at too close range, I threw my club at the animal at a distance of about a rod, and held my breath and shut my eyes to await the consequences. The clul) hit the ground and the trap, and just barely touched the animal, but not hard enough to hurt a baby. To my astonishment the animal keeled over, gave a few quivers and stretched itself out for dead. I had caught an ani- mal that was new and strange ; its tail w^as considerably more than a foot long, nearly an inch in diameter, round and entire- ly naked. I was somewhat surprised at the ease with which I had killed it, but never for a moment dreamed but that it was thoroughly dead. I took it home and put it into a box until after break- fast, when I found it was not only alive but quite lively. By the time I had it out of the box, it was dead as ever, so I took it over to a neighbor, who was an old trapper, and he pronounced it a "possum," and asked me if he might have the hide. I told him "yes" and he immediately preceeded to skin the animal. The ease with which it had been killed on two occasions had slipped from my mind, so I said nothing about it. but from what I have since learned of their habit of ''playing opossum." I am positive that one allowed himself to be skinned alive without liinching. The female opossum is provided with an external pouch, in which it carries its young, the same as a kangaroo. When the young opossums are first born, they are not more than an inch long, and resemble young mice, but they are im- mediateh' placed in the pouch by the mother, where they are nourished and grow rapidly for six weeks, at the end of which 126 A PlOXKl'R lllSToKV Ol' UlvCKKK CoLWTV. time they leave the pouch and run al)()ut. l)ut occasionally re- turn for shelter and protection. Mrs. \\'ilcox. who is a native of ( )lii() where opossums were plenty, has seen them carrying" their young' in the manner described. She once saw a litter of young" opossums ])laving" in the woods, a little larg"er than new-born kittens, 1)ut as soon as they saw her, they made a scamper for their mother, who was not far away. The old opossum stood erect on her hind feet, and the young ones, five in number, climbed into the pouch, the en- trance to which was about half way between the fore legs and hind legs. She then wrapped her tail around her body just below the orifice of the pouch which served as a belt, and kept the young- sters from falling out, then dropped down on all four of her feet and scampered away to her little den in the rocks and was soon out of sight. These animals are good climbers and are ex])erts at gather- ing fruit, especially peaches, and farther south they go for the persimmons. They use their tails as well as their paws, and frequently have been seen with their tails wound around a limb and their body hanging" below head downwards, perhaps asleep, or perhaps reaching" out with their paws for persimmons, or what is also very much to their liking, the eggs in some bird's nest. Aside from the tail the opossum has some resemblance to the raccoon, only slightly smaller. After I caught my opossuni as first related, several others were caught that same winter. So. perhaps, others may follow up the brave fellow who has found his way to Becker County, and it is to be hoped they may be more fortunate, and keep out of the traps. The American Mink. The mink it too common in iiecker County to need a very minute description. With the exception of the muskrat, there have been more mink skins taken than those of any other fur- bearing animal in Becker County since the country began to be settled. Being strictly aquatic in its habits, the large number of lakes and ponds and rivers in Becker County aft'ord a vasi field for their homes and an abundance of their fa\orite food. The mink is still quite plentiful in Becker County. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 127 Professor Coues says : "The length of head and body, 11 inches; tail vertebrae, 6; with hairs, 7; total length, 18 inches. Unlike the marten, the mink has small, low ears, smaller than those of the weasel. I have observed that the color of this animal, as well as of the otter and beaver, grows lighter as it advances in years, and that the white blotches or spots are of greater size and distinctness in the old than in the young. The fur of a young mink (under three years), when killed in season is very handsome; its color is often an almost pure black. The skin is thin and pliable, approaching nearly to the papery consistency of that of the marten. When aged, the hide is thick and the color more rusty. The summer pelage is short, but tolerably close, and is of a reddish brown color, and the tail, though still possessing black hairs, shows dis- tinctly the under fur of a decidedly rusty hue. The peculiar odor which the animals of this genus have in common, attains in this large and vigorous species a surpassing degree of fetor, though of the same quality. No animal of this country, except the skunk, possesses so powerful, penetrating, and lasting an effluvium. Its strength is fully perceived in taking the animal from a trap, or when the mink is otherwise irritated. Ordinarily the scent is not emitted to any noticable degree; it is under voluntary control, and the fact that the mink spends most of its time in the water is another reason why its proximity, even in numbers, is not commonly perceived by smell. The tenacity of life of the mink is something remarkable. It lives for many hours — in cases I have known for more than a day and night — under the pressure of a heavy log, sufficient to hold it like a vice, and when the middle of the body was pressed perfectly flat. Nay, under one such circumstance, which I recall, the animal showed good fight on ap- proach. When caught by a leg in a steel trap, the mink usually gnaws and tears the captive member, sometimes lacerating it in a manner painful to witness; but, singular to say, it bites the part beyond the jaws of the trap. This does not appear to be any intelligent attempt to free itself, but rather an act of the blind fury excited by consciousness of capture. Some have averred that it is an instinctive means of lessening pain, by permitting a flow of blood from a portion of the limb beyond the point of seizure; but this seems to me very problematical. The violence and persistence of the poor tortured animal's endeavors to escape are witnessed in the frequent breaking of its teeth against the iron — this is the rule rather than the ex- ception. One who has not taken a mink in a steel trap can scarcely form an idea of the terrible expression the animal's face assumes as the captor approaches. It has always struck me as the most diabolical of anything in animal physiognomy. A sullen stare from the crouched, motionless form gives way to a new look of surprise and fear, accompanied with the most violent contortions of the body, with renewed champing of the iron, till breathless, with heaving flanks, and open mouth dribbling saliva, the animal settles again, and watches with a look of concentrated hatred, mingled with impotent rage and frightful despair. It is probably our only 128 A Pioneer History of Becker County. species which feeds habitually upon reptiles, fish, nioUusks and crustaceans — more particularly upon frogs, fresh water clams, crawfish and the like. Nevertheless, it is not confined to such diet, but shows its relationships with the terrestrial weasels in a wide range of the same articles of diet as the latter secure. It is said to prey upon muskrats — a statement I have no hesitation in believing, though I cannot personally attest it. It is also destructive to our native rats and mice and is known to capture rabbits, while its not infrequent visits to the poultry yard have gained for it the hearty ill-will of the farmer. Various marsh-inhabiting birds are enumerated in the list of its prey, among them the rails and several smaller species; and it does not spare their eggs. But most birds are removed from its attack; for the mink is not a climber, at least, not to any extent. Minks are not burrowing aninials in a state of nature, but freely avail themselves of the holes of muskrats and other vermin. They cannot climb a smooth surface, but ascend readily where there is roughness enough for a nail hold. The grown male will weigh about two pounds; the female is heavier than she looks, averaging between one and a half and one and three-fourths pounds. April is for the most part the month of reproduc- tion. Five or six young are ordinarily produced at a birth. Litters have been found in the hollow of a log, as well as in the customary burrows. The mink has been frequently tamed, and is said to become, with due care, perfectly gentle and tractable, though liable to sudden fits of anger, when no one is safe from its teeth. Without showing special affection, it seems fond of being caressed, and may ordinarily be handled with perfect impunity. E. C. S. F. Sivertson once dug a mink out of a hole in the ground on an island in Toad Lake. Just as he had unearthed the mink it gave an evasive jump and landed on the seat of Sivertson 's pants and scrambled up under his coat, where it fastened itself with its teeth and toe nails, which pricked through his shirt to the hide. Sivertson tried to pull it out by the tail, but the harder he pulled the worse it bit and scratched. He was finally obliged to lie down flat on his back, by which means he finally smothered the mink. I The Ermine. The ermine is still found in Becker County. It very much resembles the weasel, but is somewhat larger and invariably has a black tip to its tail, varying from one-fourth to one-third its total length. This is the distinguishing mark between the ermine and the weasel. The length of the ermine is about ten inches, exclusive of the tail, which is from four to five inches A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 129 loni^. Its color in summer is a dull brown above, and a sulphury yellow beneath. In the winter, in this latitude, it is a pure white all over, except the end of its tail whch is black all the year around. The ermine is provided with glands which emit a powerful odor like that of the skunk, only it is less rank and penetrating, and not so far reaching. In the fall of 1872, while camped a few miles south of De- troit Lake, an ermine found its way into a sack that was about one-third full of dried venison. I was the first one to discover the intruder, so I closed up the sack, keeping him inside and finally caught him by the head while he was still in the sack, and killed him with my hands. The stench that he emitted was hor- ribly ofl^ensive, and the venison was ruined ; we never used any of it afterwards. The fur of the ermine, many years ago, was held in great value, being used for robes of royalty, worn by the crowned heads of China, Turkey and other nations of Europe. A thousand dollars was a low figure for a cloak of ermine. One hundred and fifty years ago, their skins formed a large part of the Canadian exports, but later they have so sunk in value as not to pay the ex- pense of collecting them. About the first of Nov., 1904, I saw a beautiful ermine near the Otter Tail River opposite the Commonwealth sawmill, in the slab-yard. He had just donned his winter's dress, which with the black tip to his tail presented an interesting and grace- ful appearance. A little shy at first, he soon became quite tame, allowing me to approach within a few feet of him, when suddenly he would retreat back in among the slabs, but soon returned, coming almost near enough for me to put my hand on him. After playing around in this way for five minutes, his curiosity was evidently gratified, and he scrambled away over the slabs in quest of a mouse or some other small game, to which they are very destructive. They are great destroyers of all small animals, such as rab- bits, hares, gophers and chipmunks ; also the domestic fowls of our poultry yards frequently fall a victim to their rapacity, as well as grouse and partridges, which, with their eggs and young, are in constant danger of being destroyed by the ermine. 130 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Professor Coiies says : The ermine indeed is neither so aquatic as its congener, the mink, nor so much at home on trees as the marten; but it has too frequently been observed in such situations to admit the doubt that it both swims and climbs with ease and without reluctance. The always pleasing pen of Mr. Wm. Macgillivray has furnished us with the following general account of the habits of the ermine: It fre- quents stony places and thickets, among which it finds a secure retreat, as its agility enables it to outstrip even a dog in a short race, and the slimness of its body allows it to enter a very small aperture. Patches of furze, in particular, afiford it perfect security, and it sometimes takes possession of a rabbit's burrow. It preys on game and other birds, from the grouse downwards, sometimes attacks poultry or sucks their eggs, and is a determined enemy to rats and moles. Young rabbits and hares frequently become victims to its rapacity, and even full-grown individuals are sometimes destroyed by it. Although in general it does not appear to hunt by scent, yet it has been seen to trace its prey like a dog, following the track with certainty. Its motions are elegant, and its appearance extremely animated. It moves by leaping or bounding, and is capable of running with great speed, although it seldom trusts itself beyond the immediate vicinity of cover. Under the excitement of pursuit, however, its courage is surprising, for it will attack, seize by the throat and cling to a grouse, hare or other animal, strong enough to carry it off; and it does not hesitate on occasion to betake itself to the water. Sometimes, when met with in a thicket or stony place, it will stand and gaze upon the intruder, as if conscious of security; and, although its boldness has been exaggerated in the popular stories which have made their way into books of natural history, it cannot be denied that, in proportion to its size, it is at least as courageous as the tiger or the lion. The Weasel. There are weasels in Becker County as well as ermine, al- though they bear so great a resemblance to each other that most people are inclined to regard them as one and the same animal. Both animals change their color semi-annually, and both are inveterate destroyers of smaller animals, such as mice and go- phers, and frequently make sad work in the poultry yard. The weasel is shy and wary, while the ermine will approach a person as if unconcious of danger, and will dodge back and forth, to and from its place of concealment, coming a little nearer until within three or four feet, if unmolested. The weasel is a good climber, while the ermine seldom undertakes to climb anything more than a wood pile or a low building. The ermine A Pioneer History of Becker County. 131 is about three inches longer than the weasel, and the tip of its tail is always black, although the remainder of its fur may be either brown or white, while the tail of the weasel is all of the same color. I once saw a weasel, or rather a pair of weasels, which was an extraordinary freak of nature ; two of them grown together, after the manner of the Siamese twins. A ligament of skin and, probably, flesh, about an inch wide connected the two ani- mals together, just back of the fore shoulders. I saw them on two different occasions as they dodged back and forth under my father's barn. I tried to catch them, but did not succeed- That was in 1850 more than half a century ago, but I still re- tain a very distinct impression of their appearance. The weasel is sometimes the prey of hawks, but sometimes the hawk gets the worst of it. At one time a farmer in walking over his grounds, saw at a short distance from where he stood, a hawk pounce on some object on the ground, and rise with it in its claws. In a few minutes, however, the hawk began to show signs of great un- easiness, rising rapidl}' in the air. or as cpiickly falling, and wheel- ing irregularly around, while it was evidently endeavoring to force some obnoxious thing from itself with its feet. After a short but sharp contest, the hawk fell suddenly to the earth, not far from where the farmer stood intently watching the manoeuver. He instantly went to the spot, when a weasel ran away from the hawk, apparently unhurt, leaving the bird dead, with a hole eaten through the skin under the wing and the large blood vessels of that part torn through. Professor Coues says : A glance at the phj'siognomy of the weasel would suffice to betray its character. The teeth are almost of the highest known raptorial character; the jaws are worked by enormous masses of muscles covering all the side of the skull. The forehead is low. and the nose is sharp; the eyes are small, penetrating, cunning, and glitter with an angry green light. There is something peculiar, moreover, in the way that this fierce face surmounts a body extraordinary wiry, lithe and muscular. It ends a remarkably long and slender neck in such a way that it may be held at right angle with the axis of the latter. When the creature is glancing around, with the neck stretched up, and flat triangular head bent forward, swaying from one side to the other, we catch the likeness in a moment — it is the image of a serpent. 132 A PioNEi;R History of Becker County. Bats. Bats were never very common in Becker County. When living on our homestead, at Oak Lake, more than thirty years ago, we occasionally had a visit from a bat ; they always, of course, come at nightfall and disappear at the break of day. I have not seen a bat for many 3'ears, and I am not sure that there are any in existence in the county at the present time, and there are, perhaps, young people in the county who never saw one, so I will give them a brief description. The bat is an animal abundantly supplied with wings, but without feathers. Their color is nearly black. Their bodies are covered with a short, fine substance, something like velvet, but their wings are naked, especially the inner surface. The head and ears somewhat resemble those of a mouse, but their sharp, carnivorous teeth are more like those of a weasel or a monkey. The length of the body is about two inches and the breadth of the extended wings five inches from tip to tip. The wings are made of a fine frame-work of bones and sinews covered with a fine, flexible membrane. I am not aware that they have any legs or feet, but they are provided with short claws instead. At the elbow joints of their wings are short hooks with which they suspend themselves from the underside of a roof or any other smooth surface, with their heads downwards. In the winter they retire to caves and other warm, sheltered places, where they lie dormant until spring. In the winter of 1897 and '98 I visited the Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, and when about half a mile underground we came to where the roof was literally covered with bats, in patches of twenty or thirty feet in extent. They were hanging suspended from the roof of the cave, heads downward by the hooks on their wings. Bats appear to have a peculiar affinity for bed-bugs. In the spring of 1856 I cut down a large black walnut tree in Fairfield County, Ohio, in the top of which was a large hollow containing a nest of bats. There were about forty bats in the hole and with them about a peck of bed-bugs. Being nocturnal in their habits, thev were dazed and blinded and bewildered bv the lisfht of the sun A PioxKER History of Becker County. 133 to such an extent that they flew against us and against the trees, striking" them so hard that some of them were badly crippled. The Great Hare, or Jack Rabbit. This animal was formerly confined to the prairie regions in the western part of the county, but later on it has worked its way in among the clearings and fields in the wooded districts, farther east. The general color of the jack rabbit is a pale brown with black ear tips. It changes its color at the beginning of winter, and although the bleaching is extensive, it is never quite com- plete, like that of the timber rabbit. The change in color in this class of animals takes place as far south as latitude 41°, its range of latitude varying with the severity of the winter, while in the Allegheny and Rocky Mountain regions, it extends two or three degrees farther south. The jack rabbit is a very interesting and rather amusing 'and comical animal, ^^'hen in seclusion and unconscious of being observed, and particularly when sitting erect on his hind legs, with one ear cocked back and the other forward, engaged in thinking of his family affairs, he is a very meek, serious and inoffensive looking animal ; but a jack rabbit engaged in a brown study and seriously reflecting on his misdeeds, and a jack rabbit engaged in destroying fruit trees and garden stuff are two dif- ferent propositions. A jack rabbit under a full head of steam is another propositon. With the approach of danger he will start off with a hop, skip and a jump, generally on three legs, as if partially disabled, and then stop and await developments, and right here is the critical period in the aff'airs of the jack rabbit, for if there is a shotgun in any way connected with the cause of alarm, he is now liable to fall a victim to its deadly aim. If he is not upset with a gun on the start, and he is satisfied after a moment's observation that the cause of alarm is a reality, he lets himself loose on all fours and starts oft' on a race that will outstrip the most swift-footed animal in the land. I have measured the jumps of a jack rabbit in the snow that were twenty-two feet be- tween tracks. In the fall of 1881, while I was engaged in sur- veying the Fargo branch of the St. Paul and Milwaukee 134 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Railroad, there was a young" man in my party by the name of Henry Hamilton, from Detroit, a brother of Georg-e D. Hamilton of the Detroit Record, then about eighteen years of age. Once, as we were returning from our work to our boarding place at Fort Aber- crombie, Henry and I were riding in the tail end of the wagon with our feet hanging out behind, when a jack rabbit jumped up out of the grass and gave three or four bounds on three legs and then stopped. Says I to Henry "he has got a leg" broke and you can catch him." "That is so" says Henry, and off he started after the rabbit. The rabbit did not appear, however, to take him at all seriously at first, for he waited until Henry was within a short distance, when he gave a few more hops, still making believe that he was crippled and then stopped again. This gave Henry new courage, and he increased his speed with renewed energy. The rabbit now saw that Henry was in earnest and let himself out at full speed over the prairie, and was soon out of sight. When Henry came back he remarked that he didn't think that rabbit had any leg broken. The first jack rabbit, I ever saw was being chased by two big timber wolves. As soon as the rabbit saw me he started in my direction and came within about four rods, stopped and stood up on his hind legs and looked as though he felt himself to be in a place of safety. The w^olves both came within easy rifle shot and then stopped. It was difficult to decide which to shoot, the rabbit or one of the w^olves. But I was in need of meat and concluded to try the rabbit, and brought him down with a bullet through the head. \\'\i\\ a repeating rifle I could have easily killed one or both of the wolves, but before I could reload they were out of reach. That rabbit was all I had to eat for the next four days. In some of the states farther west, especially in the mountain valleys where irrigation is practiced, jack rabbits are a serious pest. They much prefer to gnaw the bark off the apple trees and to eat the young growing grain and alfalfa, than to live on their old diet of prickly pears and sage-bush, and as a conse- quence they thrive and multiply in some of those little valleys in the west to an extent almost beyond belief. In the summer of 1902, while traveling along the western borders of the Blue Mountains in central Oregon, on two different occasions and in two different places, I counted more than one hundred rabbits A Pioneer History of Becker County. 135 on eacli occasion along the roadside between sundown and dark. While I was at Prineville, the county seat of Cook County, two men in one day killed and brought in 137 jack rabbits and eave them to the hogs. The Northern Rabbit or Hare. When I began to write an account of the wild animals of Becker County, I intended to write about those only that form- erly lived here and have since disappeared altogether, or were liable to become exterminated, but when once started in, it is difficult to decide where to stop, so I am now getting among a class of animals that will smile at the idea of ever becoming exterminated, as, for instance, the muskrat, and still more so, the rabbit. "To breed like rabbits," is an old saying, and our rabbits are no exception to the rule , for there are five rabbits in the timber regions of the county now to where there was one thirty-five years ago. The woods were alive with foxes then, and they lived largely on rabbits, but the white settlers have long since thinned out the foxes with strychnine, and the rabbits have increased to correspond with the decrease of the foxes. The northern rabbit or hare, as every one knows, changes its color twice a year. Audubon, the celebrated American nat- uralist, and the man that our village of Audubon was named for by his own niece, once kept an animal of this class in con- finement for a whole month in the spring of the year while it was undergoing this change, and he ascertained that the change was made gradually by the white hairs falling out and new hairs of a brown color growing in their place. So he laid it down as a rule that all changes of color in animals at the beginning of the winter, as well as its close, came about in the same way. Other naturalists have since discovered, however, that while Audubon was correct as to the change in the spring, that he was in error in regard to the change in the beginning of the winter, which came about by a gradual change in the color of the fur as cold weather came on, and that there was no falling out of the fur itself. The northern rabbit is probably no more plentiful anywhere in the county than in the vicinity of the Otter Tail River in the town of Erie. 136 A Pioneer History of Becker County. In the l)e£;inning- of the long- cold \vinter of iSSj-'SS, a large family of people, and poor at that, moved into the house of Charles E. Molen, on Section 14, in Erie. The settlers in the vicinity were somewhat nervous over their poverty, and were fearful of being- obliged to help pull them through the winter. I was putting in logs at my mill by the bridge that winter, but I never heard of them' asking- for any help or going hungry, although I know they did not have $10 worth of provisions all winter besides rabbits. They kept two shotguns going, and killed several hundred rabbits that winter, all of which they devoured asking no favors of anyone. \A'hen spring came and the snow disappeared, the back yard and the front yard were both filled with the heads, pelts, running apparatus and general anatomy of those rabbits, and when the time came to clean up the yards and remove the rubbish, it made a whole wagon-load. Two men, who had just imported themselves into the county, wintered in a little cabin half a mile south of my mill that same winter on Section 26. I furnished them with a little salt occasionally, but aside from that they, too, lived entirely on rab- bits. They killed more than 100 during the month of February. After all this slaughter there were still rabbits left in the spring. One day, after the snow had gone, I was looking around among my saw-logs at the mill, when I saw a ral)bit bounding down one of the roads leading through the log yard, coming- straight towards me on a fast run, with a mink close at its heels. I supposed the rabbit would be as badly scared at me as he was at the mink, but instead of that he ran right in between niy feet and stopped there, his heart beating like a trip-hammer. The mink then sneaked ofT towards the river, while the ral)bit turned around and gazed at the mink for several minutes. I did not offer to disturb him, but let him sit until he was ready to leave. Finally he hopped leisurely away, and the last I saw of him, he was mounted on a saw-log, standing erect on his hind feet, taking observations. Mrs. AVilcox had fed and petted some of the rabbits around the mill that winter, but they never became very tame. They were fond of bread crusts, but would not eat soft bread. 1 never was much of a rabbit hunter myself, but on one oc- casion when out hunting with a dog, he ran an animal, that I could see from its tracks was a rabbit, into a hollow tree about two feet in diameter. The tree was standino-, Ijtit the rabbit had A Pioneer History of Dkcker County. ^37 gone up the hollow in the inside, out of reach. I then cut a pole about four feet long and nearly an inch thick, split the small end up for the distance of about a foot, and then ran the split end up the hollow tree. I could feel something alive up there, and placing the end of the pole against the rabbit, gave it a gentle twist which wound the split end of the pole into the rabbit's hide, so that it was glad to let go and come down, the stick still retaining its grip on the rabbit. Thinking there must be another, I ran the pole up the tree again, and twisted down another rabbit the same way. Trying my luck the third time, I soon tangled my split pole up in the fur of another rabbit. He held on long and hard, but the stick held its grip and I pulled him out also. This species of rabbit, or hare, is still very plentiful in some parts of the county. In the winter of 1905 and 1906. they were very numerous in the vicinity of Pine Point. William D. Aspinwall, who runs a store at that place says, that several times during that winter he and Peter Parker and Buddise went rabbit hunting, and they almost invariably killed and brought home two or three sacks full. Frequently, the three of them killed over 100 in a single dav. The Cottontail Rabbit. There are not many cottontail rabbits in Becker County. I never saw or heard of any here, until five or six years ago, and have never seen but two or three in Becker County, although they are quite plentiful in some parts of Otter Tail County. The cottontail is a true rabbit, as it never changes its color, whereas those animals of this family that turn white in the winter are nothing more or less than hares, although usually called rabbits. The cottontail is a little smaller than our native hare, and they are very numerous in some of the states farther south, where they are a positive nuisance, being very destructive to fruit trees and gardens. The cottontail lives almost exclusively in and around culti- vated fields, while the native hare of our county makes its home in the seclusion of the forests. 138 A Pioneer History of Becker County. It is nothing" nncomnion for hunters in some parts of Iowa to go out and shoot forty or fift}^ of these rabbits in a few hours. The cottontail rabbits have been working slowly north, towards Becker County for several years, but I think they are making a great mistake in coming to this cold country, with nothing to wear but their summer clothing, for we have a breed of rabbits here, already acclimated, and abundantly supplied with clothing suitable for both winter and summer, and wdiich are a much superior breed to the cottontails, and far less destructive to gardens and orchards. < pq 140 A Pioneer History of Becker County. The Beaver Cub. The beaver formerly inhabited Becker County in immense numbers, but by the time the first settlement was made in the county they had been almost exterminated. In the spring of 1872 I saw two beavers that had just been caught in the Bufifalo River, in the western part of the county, by a French half-breed, whose name was Antoine Cariljeau and an occasional beaver skin was picked up by fur buyers for several years afterwards. The timbered portions of Becker County were formerly favorite resorts for the beaver. On the smaller streams and ravines and natural drains, throughout the forests of the county, the remains of their old dams are still existing by the hundred. For several years I was lumbering in the vicinity of the Otter Tail River, and had occasion to open up at different times more than 100 miles of logging roads. These were generally located along the channels of the small water courses leading to the Otter Tail River, or to the lakes through which it flows. These water courses were invariably obstructed by beaver dams at distances varying from fifteen to fifty rods apart, according to the amount of fall in the channel. The dams were just far enough apart, so that when they were full of water it would reach from one dam to the other. On some of my roads the greatest part of the work to be done was grading through these dams. The best of material for the construction of such dams was everywhere abundant. The soft mud, and the soft wood trees, such as the balm of Gilead and the willow, the alder and the aspen were in great abundance in the very localities where most needed. A splendid specimen of an old beaver dam is located on the little creek which crosses the river road, one mile north of the residence of Samuel Pearce. This dam is a few rods below where the road crosses the creek in Section 36, Town of Erie. The beaver, however, frequently manages to get along with- out any dam at all. On streams the size of the Otter Tail River, and larger, where the current is slow and the water deep, they frequently burrow in the banks of the stream. The entrance to their habitation is always under water, but as they dig their way into the bank, they always work upwards, establishing their place of abode about a foot above the level of the stream. A PioNKER History of Becker County. 141 Wherever the nature of the ground will not admit of such a dwelling" place, they always build a dam, and in the pond above the dam they always build one or more houses or lodges, as it may more properly be called, the entrance to which is always under water. This is undoubtedly to afiford protection against wolves and other wild animals. My own personal experience with the bea\er has been out- side of Becker County, but they will illustrate the habits and peculiarities of the beaver better than I can give them otherwise. In the winter of 1862-3, I cut into a beaver's house that stood in a pond, made by a beaver dam built across a stream about the size of the Buffalo River in the town of Cuba. The house was built in about four feet of water, and stood the same dis- tance above the water. The pond was covered with ice, three or four inches thick, clear and transparent. As I began to chop into the wall of the house, three beavers plunged out and into the water under the ice and disappeared. It took almost an hour to chop through to the interior with a sharp ax, because the framework was a complete netting of willow saplings, half an inch in diameter, filled in with mud, and the whole mass was at that time frozen solid. It would have been impossible for a wolf or any other animal to dig through that structure at any season of the year. The walls of the house were at least one foot thick, the interior was four feet long and three feet wide, with a partition through the middle. There was a hole through the partition, just large enough for a beaver to pass through. The interior was lined with dried grass leaves, and was very comfortable, and clean enough for a person to live in. The floor under the grass was a foot above the water, smooth and hard, and although it was zero weather, the interior of the house was warm from the natural heat of their bodies. On one side of the partition was a storehouse filled with provisions, which consisted of willow sprouts about one-third of an inch in diameter and two feet long, the bark of which is their principal food. In the other room was a quantity of these sprouts with the bark already gnawed off, ready to be dumped into the water before bed-time. Beaver dams are usually from four to five feet high, and are built of brush cut in the summer when in full leaf, interwoven with sticks from four to six feet longf and from one to six inches 142 A Pioneer History of Becker County. • in diameter. All of these are filled in with mud as fast as they are laid. It is astonishing to see what these animals will accompHsh in the way of felling trees, some of which are two feet in diameter. The only use they make of trees of this size, however, is to cut off the branches to use in the construction of their dams. In the summer of 1863, some beavers commenced to build a dam across a creek only a few rods below my cabin. I could hear them at work every night, and on several occasions, when there was a good moon, I crawled down through the brush and sat for an hour at a time watching them at work. There ap- peared to be four in the colony, and they always worked in pairs. One beaver was engaged altogether in cutting down trees. The trees were all small ; willow, alder and choke-cherry. He would once in a while commence on a choke-cherry, but after giving it two or three bites, would make a wry face and leave it and commence on a willow or alder. His mate floated the sticks and brush to the dam and laid them in their places. The other pair were engaged in filling in the brush and woodwork with mud. Their work was progressing slowly but surely, until the middle of July, when they were overtaken with a dreadful disaster. Twelve of us had been at work for ten weeks on a dam, a mile above, and when we had raised the water to a height of eighteen feet, the dam broke away, causing an immense flood, which tore out one end of the beaver dam, so that it was swung around and lodged against the bank of the creek, but it did not wash away. During the flood, these beavers swam around and around in the deep water, diving occasionally and slapping the water with their tails as they went down, as if trying to show their disgust with the fools who had made them so much trouble. Slapping the water with the tail when they dive, is a peculiar trait of the beaver. In October, 1862, a man by the name of Howe and myself were camping on the banks of a river where there was not a white person living within fifty miles in either direc- tion. The river was one hundred feet wide at this place, with four or five feet of water, a moderate current and alluvial banks, five or six feet high, which showed every indication of being honeycombed with beaver dens. After sitting around our camp- fire until nine o'clock, we took a final look at our horses and then went to bed. As soon as everything had become quiet, we heard a chug in the water, somethino- like the noise that a A I^ioNEKR History (jf Becker County. 143 stone the size of a man's fist would make when thrown in. This was soon followed by another chug-, and then another, and another until it seemed as though a whole shower of rocks was being rained into the river. My companion was now thoroughly frightened, and declared his belief that a hundred Indians were on the opposite side of the river, throwing stones at us. We got up and went down to the river bank and the noise ceased instantly, but we had no sooner retired again than the noise was livelier than ever. Howe now seized his saddle and started for his horse, with the avowed intention of leaving the place. I told him I was sure the noise was made by beavers, but he was as sure the noise came from Indians. I told him I had three horses to lose to his one, and that, rather than leave in the dark, I would sit up and guard the horses, to which he finally agreed. I watched about an hour, h\ which time Howe was snoring" sound- 1\' and the moon had arisen, but the noise in the river had not abated one particle. I then crawded on my hands and knees through the tall grass to the river bank, where I had an excel- lent view of what was going on. The whole surface of the river was in a turmoil. The beavers were swimming around and diving almost evervwhere. I counted at one time thirteen above the water, and it is certain there were forty or fifty within two hundred feet of where I lay. In the month of December, 1863, I was camped with four companions on the right bank of the Missouri River, close to where the village of Townsend in Montana is now located. Just before dark one night, I went to the river bank after a pail of water. During the day a small ice gorge had formed several feet high, but the water had mostly settled away through the ice. so that I was obliged to walk some distance over the ice- drift to get the water. When about a rod from the shore, I heard a peculiar sound, as if something was being smothered in the ice under my feet. I began to dig into the crushed ice and soon came to a live beaver, but before releasing him altogether, called to my com- panions, who came out and one of them brought a revolver. Betwixt my digging and that of the beaver, the ice gorge began to give way, but the men all joined hands with me and with each other, and the last man caught Ik Id of a tree on the shore. By the time the man came wdth a revolver, the ice began to move inider our feet, Init we shot the licaver and released him 144 -^ PioxEER History of Becker County. from the ice. By this time, the ice gorge was rapidly going, l^ut I hung" on to the beaver and the string of men that reached to the tree hung to me, and we were soon pulled safely on shore. We ate the beaver for supper that night. Beaver tails are very delicious to the taste, like pigs' feet, only there is much more of them. A beaver tail is about a foot long and some of them are four inches wide, while others are only about three inches wide. A beaver with a broad, flat tail always has dull inferior teeth, and vice versa, a beaver with strong, sharp teeth has a narrow tail, so you will see that some of them are made for wood cutters and others are made for handling mortar and mud. The length of a beaver, head and body included, is about two feet. The beaver belongs to the family of rodents, their adz- shaped teeth resembling those of the rat or the squirrel. The hind feet are very large and broad and are as completely webbed as those of a goose. A fair-sized beaver will weigh about thirty or thirty-five pounds, gross weight. There is at this time, 1905, a colony of beavers in the north- eastern part of Becker County, according to the following report, by James Nunn, of Ponsford : He says : Nov. 25th, 1905. A year ago last summer it was reported at Ponsford, that beavers were working on Indian Creek, in the town of Two Inlets, and out of curiosity, I visited the locality and found a small dam. recently built across the stream, just below the bridge on the Ponsford and Boot Lake road, which had raised the water about eighteen inches, which satisfied me that a colony of beavers had located there. Last summer they extended their operations and built another, and a larger dam, above the bridge, which raised the water about two feet at that point. The trees used in the construction of these dams were from one to six inches in diameter, being as large as any that grew just there. Deer and bears are quite numerous in that vicinity, and an occasional moose is yet found in the northeastern part of Becker County. It is said that there is a colony of beavers at work south of Shell Lake, near the line between Shell Lake and Carsonville Townships. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 145 SAVANNAH. June 5th. 1906. The beavers are at work again on the Dinner Creek dam. It is becom- ing a serious problem as to whether the beaver had best be trapped, the (lam blown ont, or the game and fish commission pay for the flowage. They work in a very wary manner and the person who gets sight of them must be skillful and patient. This family is supposed to be a part of flie state park tribe and we are loth to destroy them. — Detroit Record. The Muskrat. This animal always has been, is now, and undoubtedly for years to come will continue to be found in Becker County in great numbers. There are but few farms, or but few quarter sections of land in the country, that have not within their borders one or more "rat" ponds or lakes, or are in close proximity to them, some localities in the Shell Prairie country, alone, excepted. One of the dreams and hopes of the boy of ordinary ambition is to become a trapper and a hunter, and where is the boy born and reared in Becker County who has not had the opportunity to realize those dreams? As a general thing" they have had a chance to trap muskrats to their heart's content, provided, of course, that they could procure the traps, and many an honest dollar they have earned that way. On more than one occassion, also, the rats have been a godsend to a large part of the popula- tion, particularly in 1872-73-74-75 when the grasshoppers were devastating" the country, as I have related in another article. Nearly everybody knows as much about these animals as I do, as to how they live both in the water and out, and how they build their houses, and obtain their food at the bottom of ponds and lakes. They always breed and rear their young on dry land. In the winter and spring of 1890, I had a lot of railroad ties piled u]) at dififerent places on the shores of Height of Land Lake. In the spring, when removing one of these piles of ties into the lake, preparatory to floating them down the river, we found a mtiskrat nest under the ties. There were five yoimg rats in the nest, al^out the size of chipmunks, and I gathered up a handful, four I think, and ptit them into the pocket of my rubber raincoat and buttoned them in. I then went up to the house of Mr. Simon ^^^aite, where I was boarding, and began 146 A Pioneer History of Becker County. to take the rats out of my pocket to show them to the old lady. By this time however, the youngsters were not so docile as thev were when 1 picked them up, for as soon as I put iii}' hand in my pocket, the young rascals grabbed me by the fingers with their teeth and hung on for dear life. I pulled ni}- hand out with rats lianging to three fingers and a thumb, and I could not shake them ofif, but they kept on biting. Finally with the assistance of Airs. AA^aite, I chocked the little villains, one at a time, until they let go. I then told her she might ha\'e the rats for ])ets, but she fired them out of the house and told me I ought to have known l)ettcr than to have had an}'thing to do with them. A\'ith the exception of shooting a few, this is all the experience I ever had with muskrats. The Porcupine. The porcupine is occasionally found in Becker County. It is a good, solid, plump animal, a little larger than a raccoon, and will measure about three feet long from tip to tip, of which the tail is about six inches. They do not belong to the same natural famil\- as the raccoon, skunk, badger, opossum and the bear, but, rather, are allied to the squirrel and the woodchuck, the muskrat and the beaver ; having teeth of the rodent or adz-shaped order for gnawing hard, tough substances. It is an easy matter in the woods to determine when you are in the vicinity of porcu- pines, especially in the winter, for they will take the bark slick and clean from the tops and upper limbs of trees down, half way to the ground. They generally select maple and poplar or tam- arack, taking trees from fifteen to thirtv feet high. Most people know what the quills of the porcupine are like. About three inches in length with very sharp points, with barbs of a fine texture pointing backwards, that permit the quills to work inwards, but they are extremely difificult to extricate. When 1 lived on my homestead at ( )ak Lake, in Detroit Township, my dog tackled a porcupine one day and got decidedly the worst of it. He came home with his mouth full of quills, some of them were run through his tongue, others were run through his nose and the ends were sticking out on each side, and some were stuck completely through his under jaw. He was a large, powerful Xewfoundland dog, and was decidedly A Pioneer History of Becker County. 147 opposed to allowing me to meddle with the quills. 1 finally got him down on his back and pinned him down by running a pitchfork into the ground with the tines astraddle his neck, in which position he w^as held while I extracted the quills with a pair of pincers. I have had cattle that had taken a fancy to smell of a hedge- hog, and would come home with six or eight quills sticking more than half their length in the pad of their nose. These too had to be pulled out with pincers. The porcupine is clad, in addition to his quills, with a short, thin growth of hair, much shorter than the quills in the summer, but in winter the quills are outgrown with a luxuriant growth of long black hair, somewhat on the furry order, that completely hides the quills. It is a mistaken idea that porcupines can throw their quills, particularly those of the body. It is possible that by giving the proper shake to the tail, a few quills growing on that appendage might be thrown for a distance of a foot or two, at the season of the year when they are shedding heir quills. They are expert climbers, and they invariably live in hollow trees. Many a time I have tracked them to a hollow tree when a boy, on a thawing day, in the winter, and would cut the tree down and drive them up some other tree that had no hole for them to get into, and then shoot them on i)urpose to see them fall and tumble to the ground. In the summer of 1893, I was looking over Section i. Town of Grand Park, with a view to cutting off the pine timber the ensuing winter. I was traveling along the road cut out for hauling hay, when I came across a porcupine that was traveling along the road in the same way that I was going. He was quite tame, in fact a little too tame to suit my fancy, but I did not wish to kill him, as I felt interested in seeing all such harmless animals thrive in the country. At the same time, he was so tame and friendly that I was not inclined to go off and leave him. I drove him along the trail ahead of me for awhile guiding him with a pole. He finally got so that he wanted to keep close to me, but he went too slow, and I did not fancy his quills, so I went off and left him. The next winter, when cutting the pine in that vicinity, my men came across him and his mate, both comfortablv housed 148 A Pioneer History of Becker County. inside large, hollow pine trees, separately, but both were killed b_\- the falling of the trees. The Woodchuck. This animal is quite common in Becker County. In some parts of the United States it is called the ground-hog. It is a burrowing animal, digging its own hole and hibernating during the winter and coming out fat in the spring. This is a coarse- haired animal, having no fur in its covering to tempt the trapper, but is sometimes caught for its hide, of which whip lashes are made of a superior quality. A single hide will make a good lash six feet in length. Nearly everybody in Becker County has seen a woodchuck either here or in some other part of the United States. A full grown animal is twenty inches or more in length, of which the tail is four or five inches. They are usually of a brown color, but occasionally one is found of a jet black. In western New York, where they are much more numerous than here, about one in every twenty or thirty is black. I once found a woodchuck on Section 26, in Lake V^iew Township, as black as a coal. It ran into the hollow of a standing oak tree, and I fastened it in by blocking up the entrance with chunks of wood and limbs of trees, intending to take it home with me when I came back, but I did not come back that way. The woodchuck is a poor climber, and is never known to go far up a tree, but can easily climb a fence or a wood-pile. The Common Gray or Barn Rat. The common barn rat cuts a very important figure in the affairs of the ordinary farmer in some parts of the United States. For many years after Becker County began to settle up, we congratulated ourselves over the fact that we had, as we believed, made our everlasting escape from those pests of the barn and farm house, that had made life a burden during our younger days in some of the older states. We were free to admit that our lot had been cast in a cold country, in a country where winter reigned supreme five months in the vear, more or less, but we felt that we had left behind A Pioneer History of Becker County. 149 us enough that was disagreeable and annoying, to offset the discomforts or our winter chmate to a great extent and in various ways. The ground was covered with snow in the winter which afforded us good sleighing on which to do the heavy work, instead of being obliged to plod around in the mud. The extreme cold killed all the malaria in the air and the water, so that we were not subject to fevers or chills, it also killed the germs of the little bug or worm that invariably infected the peas and some- times the beans, making them wormy in the states farther south, and last but not least, we had left the old gray rat so far behind us that he could never overtake us during our life- time, and if he did, he could never withstand the rigors of our northern climate, but would invariably perish during the first winter season. But woe to our dreams of fancied security and delight ; it is true that we enjoyed twenty-five years of immunity from their annoyance, but an evil day finally dawned upon us. Our fond hopes proved after all to be but empty dreams, for slowly but surely the rats have been on our trail during all these long years, following us up with an unerring instinct and have over- taken us at last. A\'hen they first put in an appearance in the county it is difficult to say, but the first time I remember seeing them was about the year 1897. They were quite numerous and aggressive around Frazee about that time. How they came, whether by rail, by wagon or on foot, is a matter of uncertainty ; we only know they came. They do not appear quite so numerous in 1905, as they were at first. It has been intimated that the extremely cold winter of 1903 and 1904 reduced them to some extent. But there are rats yet left in Becker County, so I will give a little of my experience with these animals, and a brief de- scription. An ordinary barn rat is about eight inches in length, exclusive of the tail, which is six inches long and about one-fourth of an inch in diameter, and entirely naked. Their color is a dark blue when young, but they become gray with age. In some of the older states, fifty or sixty years ago, manv of the barns were literally overrun with rats. We killed scores of them every year, but they did not appear to get anv less in numl^ers. They may have found some way by which 150 A PioxKKR History of Bkcker County. they have been able to diminish their numbers since, but if they have, I never heard of it. My father had a barn thirty by forty feet in extent, and in one corner of the barn was a granary about twelve feet square, which he kept well filled with wheat and oats during the winter season. The rats would gnaw a hole into this granary every winter and help themselves to the grain. During the winter of 1849-50 they became unusually numerous and troublesome, and my brother, C. P. Wilcox and myself decided to make war on this community of rats. We accordingly pro- vided ourselves with a lantern, and each armed with a club we proceeded to the barn about nine o'clock one evening. They had gnawed a hole through a corner of the granary door at the top, and the noise from the inside denoted considerable activity among the animals within. We quietly opened the door, stepped inside, closed the door behind us as quicklv as possible and plugged up the hole in the door. We then went after the rats with our clubs, hitting them right and left with telling effect. There must have been about forty of them in that little room and when they found their onl\- avenue of escape was cut off, they became desperate and began to show fight. They came at us half a dozen at a time, and after being bitten several times we were glad to open the door and get out. We killed fourteen rats that evening and about as many more the two nights following. After that they would invariably make a rush for the door as soon as it was opened and rush out. They burrowed in tlie hay-mow during the winter months. cutting tunnels through the solid hay. twenty or more feet in length, with chambers leading in various directions, insuring warm and comfortable quarters for themselves during the winter. I have known from fifty to seventy-five of these rats to be killed in a single evenins;^ in the manner outlined above. The Black and Gray Squirrel. I am not aware that there were any black or gray squirrels in Becker Count}- before the coming of the white settlers. I be- lieve that zoologists have decided that the gray and black squirrels are one and the same species, but I am hardly reconciled to the theory. A PioxivKK llisTdin- oi- Becker Countv. 151 According to the best of my knowledge, they have been coming to Becker County in about equal numbers, the first coming about 1878. Unfortunately, however, they manage to get killed off about as fast as they come, so I am afraid they will never become very numerous. These squirrels are certainly very interesting and beautiful ani- mals, and it is a pity, they cannot be let alone a few years, and given a chance to get a foothold in the county. Fifty years ago black squirrels were very plentiful in Western New York, and there would usually be about twenty black squirrels to one gray one. During those same times, in Ohio, the conditions were reversed, and there would be about twenty gray squirrels to one black one, while in Michigan they were about equally divided. Once in Western New York when they were very abundant, I saw a black squirrel, a grey squirrel and a white squirrel, all up in the same tree and they were all about the same size. It was the only white squirrel I ever saw or heard of. I could easily have killed it, but only tried to catch it alive and failed. As would nat- urally be supposed, it was a shining mark for the men and boys with guns in the neighborhood, and was shot a day or two after I saw it. Occasionally there would be a year when squirrels would pass through those states in large numbers. They never appeared to be in a hurry and generally would linger through the entire season. They would climb the houses, the barns, the shade trees in the dooryards and along the highways, and the fruit trees in the orchards. They were killed by both men and boys in large numbers, and thev were considered the best eating of any game in the country. The following from the Indianapolis Journal, of Sept. 17th. 1905, gives a good account of these S(|uirrels in Indiana vears ago : For more than fifty years after Indiana was first settled, the slaughter of wild animals went on without any restriction. There was some excuse for killing squirrels, for they were a pest in early times, being great thieves of seed corn and green corn. More than a dozen different varieties were indigenous to the United States, but the best known was the common gray or migratory squirrel. It was called migratory on account of the long journeys it sometimes made. Occa- sionally, for reasons of their own, probably in search of food, these squirrels used to migrate from one part of the country to another in great numbers. Once started on one of these migrations, neither mountains nor rivers could stop them, and they devoured ever3'thing eatable that came in their wav. 152 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Audubon describes one which he witnessed: "It was in 1819, when we were descending the Ohio river in a flatboat, chiefly with the intention of seeking for birds then unknown to us. About 100 miles below Cincinnati, as we were floating down the stream, we observed a large number of squirrels swimming across the river, and we continued to see them at various places until we had nearly reached Sniithland, a town about 100 miles above the mouth of the Ohio. At times they were strewn, as it were, over the surface of the water, and some of them, being fatigued, sought a few moments' rest on our long steering oar, which hung into the water in a slanting direction over the stern of our boat. The boys along the shores and in boats were killing the squirrels in great numbers, although most of them got across." They were very numerous in the primitive forests of Indiana and their depredations were a serious matter for the pioneers. They hid near the cornfields, and as soon as the seed corn was covered they began to dig for it. Old farmers used to tell how accurately a squirrel would follow the row and dig into a hill of corn till he found the grains. Later, when the cars began to form, the squirrels attacked them. Some years they were worse than others, and the years 1824, 1834 and 1836 are numbered as especially bad ones. During the squirrel visitation the farmer put forth his utmost efforts to protect his crop. The best marksman in the family took the gun, and the rest, women and children, rang bells, rattled "horse-fiddles," pounded on dead trees and made all sorts of noises. Sometimes a man was paid to work one half of the day and shoot squirrels the other half. A local historican of Johnson County says: "Mrs. Mollie Owens says there were seasons when she could stand in her door and see fifteen or twenty squirrels on the fence at any morning hour. James Owens, her husband, killed 200 in one day. Jacob Bower shot twenty-six on one occasion without moving out of his tracks. William Freeman, without rising from his chair at the breakfast table, shot nine from a hill of ripening corn in the garden in the front of his cabin door. Thomas Patterson shot two from a neighbor's chimney and they fell into the fireplace within." The Red Squirrel. The small, red, timber squirrel is found in considerable num- bers in Becker County, and is more widely distributed throug-hout the northern part of the United States than any other animal, being found in every state from Maine to Washington, wherever there are any groves or forests of timber. It is so well known that it is useless to undertake to say anything about the interesting little animal, that is not known to people in general. It is bright, cheer- ful and harmless, building its habitations, and rearing its young in the trees near our homes whenever it can find a hollow large enough A Pioneer History of Becker County. 153 for a nest, and frequently in our barns, and even in the chambers of our houses. When we lived on our homestead at Oak Lake, one of them made a nest in an old vinegar keg that stood at the end of our house, and that reminds me that once Mrs. Wilcox set a hot custard pie on a stump near the house to cool, and before she was fairly back in the house, a red squirrel landed on top of the pie with all four of his feet. It gave three or four squeals and ran up a tree, jumping around among the limbs, chattering, and holding up and shaking first one foot, then another, for the space of three or four minutes. The Flying Squirrel. This animal is occasionally found in Becker County. It is a little larger than the common red squirrel and resembles it in gener- al appearance, except that it is provided with a membrane or skin, connecting and filling the intermediate space between the fore leg and the hind leg on each side of the body. This web or membrane is an extension of the skin covering the body, and is about an inch in width. It cannot be said exactly to fly, but with help of its extended legs and the consequent spreading of the membrane connecting the fore legs with the hind legs, it can sail from the top of one tree to another tree at a considerable distance, rising slightly above its start- ing point at the first leap and then gradually inclining downwards, using its tail as a rudder, it can land on the ground or on the branch of another tree at a distance of from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet from the place of starting. There was a family of fly- ing squirrels in the grove of timber surrounding my house at Oak Lake, in the summer of 1873. They appeared to be easy prey to my old cat. When sailing overhead they more resemble the outstretched skin or pelt of some small animal than a squirrel. The flying squirrel is provided with a fine soft fur, of much finer quality than that of any other specie of squirrel in this part of the county. It is an expert climber always nesting in hollow trees. The Chipmunk. Everybody living in the woods of Becker County knows the chipmunk, a beautiful little animal with a head and body about six 154 -^ PioxEKR History of Becker County. inches in length and a tail half as long. At lumber camps and at houses newly erected in the woods they are quite neighborly, com- ing in and making themselves at home, and one time in the fall of the year they came near taking possession of my camp. When un- molested they become quite tame about a camp, and more than once I have had them eat out of my hand. They live in the ground and hibernate, although they are fre- quently tempted to come out of their wintry home on a warm sunnv day. The Pocket Gopher. Professor Coues sa}s : The pocket gopher, as its name indicates, is pro\ided with hirge pouches or pockets connecting with its mouth, on each side of its head and neck. It has long been a matter of dispute as to wliat the gopher carries in its pockets, some people believing that they carry the dirt of which the mounds are made that dot the prairies. This I believe to be a mistake, as' nothing is ever found in their pockets but food. They have enormous- ly large fore parts, and in working under ground, after they have loosened the earth, they push it ahead, propelhng themselves along by their hind legs, with their head quite buried in the mass of soil. Coming as they do up the slanting passage, when they reach the surface they give the load of dirt a quick and vigorous flirt, which throws the dirt at some dis- tance. The method may be compared to a snow plow, only the dirt is pushed ahead instead of being dumped to either side. The pocket gopher is a very common animal in l^eckcr County, but is the most secretive, and less is known of its domestic af- fairs than of any animal in the country. Kverbody knows a gopher knoll when he sees it, and when the farmer comes to a shock of wheat with the inside all gone, and a stack of loose soil nearly as high as the original shock built up in its place, or when he comes to six or eight hills in a row of potatoes in which the bottom has dropped out, potatoes and all, he knows that a pocket gopher has been operating a mine in the neighborhood. On the 28th of July, 1886. the Board of Count}- Commissioners of Becker County passed a resolution to pay a bounty on gopheis and blackbirds, the price set on the heads of gophers being two dol- lars per himdred. At that meeting or a subsequent one, I do not remember which, the question arose as to what should be considered a gopher. There A Pioneer History of Bkcker County. 155 were four farmers on the board at that time, and all four of them were unanimous in the opinion that all burrowing animals of the squirrel tribe should be considered as gophers, and although this decision was not placed on record it w^as the understanding that the scalps of all pocket gophers, gray gophers, speckled gophers and chipmunks should be paid for at the rate of $2.00 a hundred. Whether this ruling was adhered to, for any length of time or not. I do not know, as I left the auditor's office at the close of the year, but judging from the amount of money recpiired to pay the sub- sequent bounties, there must have been a general slaughter of all four of the species of animals named above. The following is from the Detroit Record of March 28th, 1889: The county commissioners yesterday voted to discontinue the payment of gopher and blackljird bounties in this county. The effort to exter- minate these Httle pests has thus far cost the county about $5,000, and a decrease in the number is scarcely perceptible. Of the $5,000 referred to about $2,500 was paid out for gopher bounties, which means that about 125,000 of these little animals must have been slaughtered in less than three years in this county. ^^^ J. ]\lorrow, who was count}- auditor during nearly all of this bounty paying period, estimates that the above figures are approx- imately correct and that at least 125,000 animals belonging to the gopher family were slaughtered during that time. The Gray Gopher. The gray gopher, or ground squirrel, as it is sometimes called, is very common in 15ecker County. They are nearly as plentiful now as they were when the country first began to settle up. They are not as destructive to grain fields and gardens as the pocket goph- er, and when given a chance the}- l)ecome (piite tame. In the month of September, 1871, I was camped at the north end of the lake that reaches up across Section 6, in Lake Park Town- ship, and for several days I was there all alone, doing m\- own cook- ing. Among other things I used considerable corn starch which I made into a kind of pudding. A gray gopher was living in a hole only a few feet frt)m my tent and it was not long before he began to show a disposition to get acquainted, and to pick up the bits of corn starch pudding that 156 A PioxEKR History of Bkcker County. fell from the table. In a da}^ or two he became so tame that he would take lumps of pudding from my hand the same as a kitten, only with this difference, that as soon as he had swallowed two or three mouthfuls, he would invariably break and run for his hole. He would never stay under ground however more than a minute, when he would come back and hunt around for more pudding. On one occasion he w^ent through the rounds of swallowing the pudding, running into his hole and back to the tent again, five or six times, until he finally got so full that he could squeeze himself into the ground no longer, but stuck fast in the hole. I pulled him out and let him go. He was aroimd again the next day, when I made a noose on the end of a string, which I placed over the hole, and when he came out I pulled on the string and caught him around the body and pulled him out, and kept him tied up for a few hours. This however did not affect his appetite in the least, for he ate all the pudding he could find during his confinement. I moved away that day and turned him loose, but he was still hunting the ground over for something to eat when I came awav. The Speckled Gopher. The speckled gopher is very common on all the prairies of Beck- er County. Every school-boy on the prairie knows the little animal that stands by its hole on its hind feet as straight as a picket, with its fore legs hanging by its side, and when alarmed, or its curiosity satisfied drops into its burrow so quickly and silently you hardly miss him, and in less than a minute bobs up again almost as sud- denly as he disappeared. The Field Mouse. Everybody knows the common field mouse. It is an irritable, pugnacious little creature, standing up on its hind legs and fighting for itself against its enemies at great odds. The Wood Mouse or Deer Mouse. The wood mouse is a pretty little animal, three or four inches in leno-th, with a tail a little less. It is of a buff' or fawn color, darker A Pioneer History of Becker County. 157 along- its back, with its under parts pure white. It is sometimes called the deer mouse or white-footed mouse. Their natural home is in hollow trees, where thev store away acorns and hazel nuts for the winter, divesting them of the shuck or shell before putting them away. Many a time in the older states I have cut down trees in which I found two or three quarts of beech nuts already peeled by these little creatures, and which we always greedily appropriated to our own use. They frequently make their nests in the house of some settler, where they make bad work destroying clothing, as they never discriminate between your old clothes and your Sunday suit, being equally as liable to chew up and appropriate one as the other, when it comes to making their nest. We had a family of them in the grove on our homestead at Oak Lake, and they made us a lot of trouble. The House Mouse. This little rodent, with a head and body not much larger than your thumb, is quite a factor in the animal kingdom. It is said to be a foreigner, smuggling itself into this country on shipboard from Europe, nearly two hundred years ago. It certainly has improved its time and opportunities, for it has kept pace with civilization, and there is scarcely a family household in America that has not its quota of these little "varmints." It is the pest of housewives and house- maids, who keep up a constant warfare against it with a hostile array of cats, traps, brooms and rat poison. Yet it does not seem to di- minish in numbers. It is a terror to them, whether dead or alive, for a single mouse running across the floor will stampede a whole room- ful of women as effectually as if a coyote or a wild-cat had been turned loose in the room. Some of them are brave and skillful trappers of the little beast, but their trouble only just begins when he is caught, for they generally have to call one of the boys to take the mouse out of the trap. There is no danger of the species ever becoming extinct. The Jumping Mouse. This interesting little animal is one of the smallest of the four- footed beasts of Becker Countv. It is found in meadows and low 158 A Pioneer History of Becker County. places, living- in thick, heavy grass throughout the country but is not very plentiful. It has some of the characteristics of the kangaroo ; inasmuch as it travels by jumping with its hind feet. When alarmed it starts off in a succession of astonishing leaps, making eight or ten feet at a jump, using only its hind legs, but when not in a hurry it walks on all fours like any other animal. This tiny creature is about three inches long, head and body, and its tail is nearly twice as long as both. It has light fore-quar- ters, strong hind-quarters, and very long hind legs. If a mouse weighing an eighth of a pound can jump eight feet, how far ought a dog weighing ten pounds to jump? The Mole. The mole is too well known to require an extensive description. It is about two and a half inches long, with a short tail and power- ful fore parts especially adapted to digging. The fur is thick and soft, lying with ecfual ease backwards as well as forwards. The eyes are very small and covered with a membrane, and in- vestigation shows that the eye is much degenerated, and of but lit- tle use as an organ of sight. Moles are subterranean in their habits, and live exclusively on animal food. All kinds of worms, grubs and caterpillars are readily eaten, and in captivity, meat, small birds and even other moles are greedily devoured. Their limbs, although short, are capable of very rapid movements, and wdien in quest of their food, moles frequentl}- travel long distances underground so near the surface that the earth becomes raised u]:» above the tunnel which it makes. Moles generally dwell in underground encampments built by themselves of mud and clay, which, when c()m])lete(l and dried out, become hard and water-proof. These little camps arc usuall\- call- ed mole hills. A r'lONEER History uf Becker County. 159 Chapter VIII. LIST OF BIRDS OF BECKER COUNTY, MINNESOTA. Compiled isy Trios. S. Roberts, M. D. DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF BIRDS, MINN. NAT. HIST. SURVEY. Becker County, lying as it does between the great forest region of northwestern Minnesota and the treeless plains to the westward, is ideally situated for presenting within its boundaries a great variety of bird life. The western one-third of the county is rolling prairie, sloping from elevations of 1400 to 1500 feet along the forest border, toward the Red River Valley in the tier of counties adjoining it on the west. This, with several isolated areas of prairie in the forests farther east, provides congenial homes for a large number of prairie loving birds. Among these are a few species belonging more appropriately to the high Cotcau regions of North Dakota, as, for example, the Lark Bunting, Sprague's Pipit, Chestnut-colored Longspur, Burrowing Owl and several oth- ers. The remaining two-thirds of the county are more or less thickly covered with forest. Pine trees, spruces and fir balsams are found throughout much of this area. Deciduous trees of many species are abundant or predominate in the southern and cen- tral portions of the county, but in the northeastern quarter the forest becomes more distinctly coniferous and both the fauna and the flora present the typical Canadian aspect. Thus there is presented in the timbered regions of the county a diversity of con- ditions which attracts almost all the avian forest dwellers of the state. The prairies and forests of Becker County are diversified by over 88,000 acres of water in the form of lakes and ponds and many streams. Thus an immense number of aquatic birds here find con- genial surroundings and ample opportunity to disport themselves, feed and raise their young. With the advent of man and the inevitable and largely unavoidable destruction of primitive conditions, there has been a widespread and wholesale diminution in the numbers of the water birds, extending in some instances to almost the en- tire disappearance of species once conspicuous features of the bird life. Some of these birds, as the swans, geese, pelicans, cur- lews, avocet and godwits cannot live in the wild state in associa- i6o A Pioneer History of Becker County. tion with civilized conditions an}- more than could the buffalo, antelope or elk, and there is no hope that they will ever again be restored to the old places where they were once so abundant. A few have left their names attached to lakes and rivers, as empty reminders of their early occupancy of the land. The following list of birds of Becker County has been com- piled from information in the possession of the Minn. Nat. Hist. Survey derived from several sources. In the early eighties Prof. W. W. Cook, now connected with the Biological Survey, Washington, D. C, was stationed at White Earth Agency and collected much information in regard to the bird life of that locality, which has found its way into print in several connections, particularly in his well known "Migration of Birds in the Mississippi Valley." In 1883, Mr. Foster H. Brackett, of Massachusetts, who died a few years ago, prepared an annotated list of birds observed about De- troit in the month of May of that year. This list was published in the Otiartcrly Journal of the Boston Zoological Society, Vol. II, 1883. The writer spent nine weeks in the summer of 1902 study- ing the birds of the Lake Itasca region, immediately adjoining the northeastern corner of Becker County, and the information there obtained applies equally well to the evergreen forests of the coun- ty under consideration. The data from these three sources have been used, supplemented by safe inferences from what is known of the general distribution of our birds. In this manner a list has been prepared which will, it is hoped, give to the general reader a fair idea of the bird life of Becker County. To the bird student, who may have opportunity to give close attention to the subject it will at least provide a basis for future more exact annotation. Total number of species of birds occurring in Becker County. 262 Water birds occurring in Becker County 83 Land Birds occurring in Becker County 179 Summer Residents (Breeding birds) 158 Migrants only 53 Winter Visitants 17 Permanent Residents 18 Accidental 13 Extinct 2 A PioNEi^R History of Becker County. i6i I. Western Grebe {Aechuwphorus occidentalis.) A western species, probably occurring occasionally in the lakes and marshes. 2. HoldoEi^l's Grebe, Red-necked Grede (Colyinbus holbccllii) Undoubtedly breeds in colonies in the marshy bays of the larger lakes, as it does in Grant County and at Leech Lake. 3. Horned Grebe {Colymhtis miritus). To be looked for chiefly spring and fall in open water. 4. Eared Grebe (Colymbus nigricoUis calif ornicus). A western species, breeding in colonies in marshes and sloughs. 5. PiED-BiLLED Grebe, Dabchick, "Hell-diver" (Podilymbus podiceps). The common species of grebe, breeding abundantly in all shallow lakes and sloughs. The grebes all construct floating nests of water-soaked, decayed vegetation, deposit- ing the oval-shaped, much stained eggs in a shallow de- pression in the top. In the absence of the parent bird the eggs are covered with wet material and it is gener- ally thought that incubation is partly accomplished by the action of the sun upon this mass of damp vegeta- tion. 6. LooN, Great Northern Diver {Urinator imbcr) . A common and well-known bird. The two large olive- gray, black-spotted eggs are usually deposited in a de- pression on an old muskrat house on the edge of open water. The Black-throated and Red-throated Loons, high north- ern species, may occasionally occur in early spring and late fall. 7. Herring Gull {Larus argcntatus) . This is the large white gull commonly seen spring and fall, flying over the larger lakes. It breeds farther north. 8. Ring-billed Gull (Lams dclazvarcnsis.) A smaller gull similar to the last. 9. Franklin's Gull (Lams franklimi). The only gull found during the summer months. It breeds in colonies in sloughs and marshy lakes. The farmers call it the "Prairie Dove" and it may often be seen fol- i62 A PioxKKR History of Becker County. lowing the "breaking ploughs," picking up the grubs and worms as they are turned up by the plough-share. ID. Bonaparte's Gull (Lariis Philadelphia). Similar to the last in size and general appearance. A migrant, spring and fall, breeding in the far north. Often seen in great tiocks late in the fall. 11. Caspian Tern {Sfcnia caspia). To be looked for as an uncommon migrant. 12. Forster's Tern (Sterna forsfcri). A summer species, breeding in the sloughs and marshy ponds in company with Black Terns. This bird with its black cap, pearl gray mantle, long. forked tail, and snowy white under parts, well merits the name of "Sea Swal- low," sometimes applied to the Terns. The Common and Least Terns may occasionally occur but are imperfectly known as Minnesota birds. 13. Beack Tern {Hydrochclidon nii^ra siiriiiainciisis) . An abundant and, in the breeding season, noisy bird, nest- ing everywhere in sloughs and wet marshes. It constructs a rather neat but frail nest of fine stems on floating vegetation and lays from two to four dark, spotted, strong- ly i)yriform eggs, similar in appearance to those of most Terns. The black body-plumage of the adult bird ren- ders it very unlike its snow-white relatives, in appearance. 14. DouiiLE-CRESTED CoRMoRANT, "Black Loon" (Phahicrocorax dilophiis) . A common bird, congregating in certain localities where they build their nests in the tops of trees or on the ground, usually on islands in large lakes. It has rapidly decreased in numbers of late years. Cormorant Lake in the south- western part of the County derived its name from the presence in former years of a colony of these birds. 15. White Pelican {Pclccaiiiis cryfhrorhyiichos) . This large bird, — formerly abundant, nesting on the ground in colonies, — is now greatly reduced in nvmibers, occurring chiefly in small wandering companies. 16. American Merganser. Sheldrake, ( Merganser aiiierieaiiiis). Probably appears chiefly as a migrant spring and fall. A PioxiviiR History of IjKcker County. 163 17. Red-bkKasted Merganser (Merganser serrator). May be looked for as a breeding bird as well as migrant. Nest on ground near water. 18. Hooded Merganser. "Fisb Duck,"" "Saw-bill."" (Lof^Jiodyfes eiicnllafiis). A common duck, nesting in bollow trees. Remains late in the fall, often in rapid places in streams, when all still water is frozen over. A beautiful bird but the flesh usually "fishy" and indifferent eating. 19. Mallard, "Green-head" (Anas bosehas). Breeding commonly in marshes and sloughs, especially in the prairie portions of the county. This, like all the ducks, has been reduced deplorably in numbers of late years. Still an abundant migrant spring and fall. The Black ^Mallard, or Dusky Duck, probably occurs spar- ingly during migrations. 20. Gadwall, Gray Duck (Cliaiilelasimis sfrepenis) . Common, breeding ; similar to Mallard in its summer hab- its. 21. Baldpate, American Widgeon (Marcca anierieaini). Not very common, breeds. 22. GrEEn-wingEd Teal (A'eftion earoliiieiisis) . Common spring and fall, but for the most part breed- ing further north. 27^. Blue-winged Teal (Oucrquediila discors). An abundant bird in all suitable localities, nesting com- monly about marshes and ponds. The western Cinnamon Teal may occur occasionally as a rare straggler. 24. Shoveller. Spoon-bill (Spatula rlypeafa.) Common, breeds. Usually light in weight and a poor duck for the table. 25. Pintail, "Sprig-tail"" {Daflla aeiifa). A common early spring and fall migrant, appearing in large flocks ; breeding less numerously in the prairie por- tion of the County. 26. Wood Duck [Ai.v spoiisa). This gorgeously colored and valuable duck is rapidly decreasing in numbers everywhere with the advent of civ- ilization. The Wood Duck, as its name implies, is partial 164 A PioxEER History of Becker County. to the streams and ponds of woodlands. It builds its nest in a cavity in a tree, often at a considerable distance from water. 27. Redhead (Aythya amcricana) . Common, breeding in the sloughs and around the edges of marshy lakes in the more open portions of the county. 28. Canvas-back {Aythya raUisncria). A less common breeder, but numerous spring and fall. This and the last species are fond of the wild celery and congregate in the fall in great flocks on lakes where this plant is abundant. 29. Greater Scaup Duck, Large Blue-bill (Aythya marila) . Found spring and fall, but less commonly than the next species. 30. Lesser Scaup Duck, Blue-bill (AytJiya affiiiis). Abundant spring and fall, furnishing a considerable part of the late pass-shooting. Breeding sparingly about marshy lakes. 31. Ring-necked Duck, "Black Duck" (Aythya collaris). A common and valuable duck, breeding in the marshes and appearing as a migrant in great numbers spring and fall. In size and appearance very like the Lesser Scaup, but the wing patch, or speculum, is bluish gray instead of white as in the Scaup. 32. Golden-eye. Whistle-wing (Claiigiila clangiila amcricana). Nowhere common ; found chiefly about the larger lakes and along rivers. Xests in a hollow tree. A northern species, Barrow's Golden-eye, may occasion- ally occur during winter along rivers where the water flows too rapidly to freeze. 33. BuFFLE-iiEAD, "Butter-ball" (Charitonctta albcohi). Frequent spring and late fall, preferring open water. May occasionally breed ; nests in hollow trees. 34. White-winged Scoter (Oidemia deglandi). This and its two congeners, the American and Surf Scoter, are chiefly birds of the sea-coasts and high north- ern regions, but are occasionally found in the interior and an individual belonging to this group may now and then be taken spring or fall or even during the winter months A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 165 where there chances to be open water. They are of Httle or no value as game birds. 35. Ruddy Duck (Bris)Jiatnra jamaicensis). This curious little cluck with its spike-like tail is a com- mon bird in reedy, marshy lakes, and nests commonly about their margins, floating its bulky nest among the rushes and cat-tails. It is an expert diver and generally adopts this method of escape when hard pressed, after the manner of grebes. 36. Lesser Snow^ Goose, White Brant {Chen hypcrborea) . Formerly an abundant species in the prairie regions, ap- pearing from the north in late fall in vast flocks ; now, much reduced in numbers. The Blue Goose {Chen ca:rnlescens) may occur as a straggler during migration. 37. White-fronted Goose {Anser alhifrons gonibeli). An arctic-breeding species that may occur rarely during migrations. 38. Canada Goose, "Honker" (Branta canadensis). A common migrant spring and fall and formerly a reg- ular breeder in the prairie regions, but now rarely, if ever, found during the summer. The Hutchin's Goose and the Cackling Goose, varieties of the Canada Goose, probably occur during the spring and fall migrations. The true Brant {Branta hernicla) is rarely if ever found in Minnesota, despite the many records to the contrary. The Snow Goose is so universally known among sportsmen by the name of Brant, that it has led to much confusion in statements regarding these birds. 39. Whistling Swan {Olor colnmhianus) . 40. Trumpeter Swan {Olor buccinator). Of these two species the Whistling Swan breeds in the far north and is only found in Minnesota during migra- tions and is then an uncommon bird. The Trumpeter Swan formerly bred commonly from Iowa northward, as evidenced by the many bodies of water named after this bird. Now few, if any, remain to breed within our territory. Small parties of the latter species are still to be found, however, during the migratory seasons. i66 A PioxJiivK History of Becker County. 41. American Bittern (Botcmnis Iciifiginosiis). A common bird of marsh and lake side. Familiarly known by the names of Stake-driver, Shite-poke, Thunderpump. etc. 42. Least Bittern (Ardctta c.vilis). This slender, curious little bird is common among the rank growth of the marshes, especially among the quill- reeds ; but its elusive habits result in its being little known. 43. Great Blue Heron (Ardca hci-odias). A common bird about the shores of lakes and along the banks of streams. Nests in colonies in the tops of tall trees, often in company with Cormorants. This bird is popularly known by the name of "Crane ;" but, though it has long legs and a long neck, it belongs to a different family from the Cranes proper. 44. Beack-crowned Night Heron {Nycticorax nycticorax nocvins) . Ma}^ possibly occur in Becker County, but the locality is rather far north for this species. 45. Whooping Ckaxe (Cms aiiicricaiia) . A migrant, spring and fall, now becoming rare. 46. Sandhill Crane (Gnis Mcxicaiia). Once a very common bird, breeding in the great prairie marshes, but now chiefly a migrant. Usually seen and heard flying high overhead. 47. King Rail (Rallns clcgans). Possibly a rare summer resident. 48. A'iRGiNiA Rail (Ralhis 7 irgiiiiaints) . 49. Carolina Rail, Sora (Porcaiia caroUiia). This and the preceeding species are the common Rail birds of the marshes, the Sora, however, far out-numbering the larger and longer-billed Virginia Rail. The Sora remains until the marshes freeze in the Fall, when they disappear in a night as if by magic. 50. Yellow Rail {Poraaiia noz'choracciisis). Prof. W. W. Cooke has seen this little Rail once at White Earth Agency in the latter part of June, which would indi- cate it as a breeding bird. On account of the dense marshy growth, which it frequents, and its indisposition to take A TioxEEK History oi'^ Bkckur County. 167 wing when disturbed, it is not easy to observe and may be long overlooked where it is not uncommon. 51. CooT, Mud-hen (fiilica atncricana). An abundant and well-known bird, breeding in great numbers in sloughs and marshy lakes. The Florida Gallinule (Galliinila galcala) may occasion- ally occur in similar surroundings, though it is naturally a more southern bird. The red bill and frontal shield will distinguish it from the Coot, in which the bill is white with brown shield. The Gallinule, in habits, is more like a Rail than a Coot. 52. Wilson's Piialarope (StCL!;aiiopiis tricolor). This gentle, graceful bird is a common summer resident on the prairie meadows. Contrary to the usual custom, the female Phalarope is the gay-colored member of the family, and leaves the incubation of the eggs and care of the young to her plainly-colored mate. Another species, the Northern Phalarope, probably occurs as a rare migrant. 53. AvocET (Rcciiri irostra amcricaiia). Formerly a breeding bird throughout the prairie regions of Minnesota, now of rare occurrence. 54. Woodcock {Philohela minor). Frequents low, wet woodland. Uncommon. 55. Wilson's Snipe. Jack Snipe (Gollinago dclicata). A common bird in meadows and along tlie marshy borders of lakes and streams, especially in spring and fall, a few nesting in such localities. 56. LoNG-iULLED DowiTCiiER,, Red-brcasted Snipe {Macroshaiii- pliiis sci^lopaccus) . Breeds in the far north ; migrates through our state in little flocks, when it is to be found frequenting sloughs or marshes. 57. Stilt Sandpiper (Micropalaina hynioJifopiis). A rare migrant. 58. Knot, Robin Snipe {Triiiga caiiiitiis) . May occur as a rare migrant. 59. Pectoral Sandpiper. Jack Snipe (Triiiga luacnlafa). Usually a common migrant. i68 A Pioneer History of Becker County. 60. White-rumped Sandpiper (Triiiga fuscicoUis). A migrant spring and fall. 61. Baird's Sandpiper (Triiiga bairdii). Sometimes a common migrant found along the sandy shores of lakes, often in company with the next species. 62. Least Sandpiper (Triiiga ininutilla). A common bird spring and fall along the shores of lakes and streams. Breeds far north. 63. Red-backed Sandpiper (Triiiga alpiiia paciUca). Occasionally found during migration in similar situations as the last two and the next species. 64. Semi-paemated Sandpiper (Brcwictes piisiUns). Associates with the Least Sandpiper, which it closely re- sembles in most ways, but may be distinguished by the webbed base of its toes. 65. Sanderling (Calidris arcnaria). A coast-wise bird, occurring as a rare straggler if at all. Has been taken several times in Minnesota. 66. Marbled Godwit (Liinosa fcdoa). Once an abundant and conspicuous summer resident over all the prairie regions of Minnesota, but now so reduced in numbers as to be almost uncommon. 67. HuDSONiAN GoDwiT (Liinosa li(riiiastica). May occasionally be encountered as a migrant. 68. Greater Yeeeow-lEGS (Totanus melaiwleucus). 69. Lesser Yeleow-lEGS (Totamis ftaripcs) . Both these long-legged snipe are common and early mi- grants and their loud "Tell-tale" cries are well known sounds about mud flats and marshy lake-sides. A few are to be found during the summer months, but they breed almost entirely in the far north. 70. Solitary Sandpiper (Helodromas solitaries). A common migrant found chiefly about ponds and streams in wooded regions. A few pass the summer and probably nest in such localities. The nest is a rarity and there is reason to believe that the eggs are deposited in the deserted arboreal nests of other birds. 71. Western WillET (Symphcmia scmipalinata inornata). Once a common summer bird of our prairies, now greatly reduced in numbers. A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 169 72. Bartramian Sandpiper, Field Plover, Upland Plover, "Onaily" (Bartrainia longicauda) . Once one of the most characteristic birds of all our upland prairies ; but on account of its palatable flesh and tame and unsuspicious nature, together with the destruction of its natural habitat for purposes of agriculture, it has been re- duced almost to the verge of extermination where it was once most abundant. The "passing" of the Upland Plover is much to be deplored, and it is doubtful whether it can ever be reinstalled, even with the most rigid protection. 73. Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryugites subruficollis). Occasionally encountered during migration in compact flocks of many individuals, frequenting the dry prairies in the neighborhood of lakes and watercourses. 74. Spotted Sandpiper, "Tip up," "Teeter" (Actitis inacularia). A common summer resident, familiar to everyone as it feeds along the sandy shores of our lakes and streams. 75. LoNG-BiELED Curlew (Numenhis longirostris) . The day of this large and conspicuous bird with its long curved bill has nearly passed in the settled portions of Minnesota. It was once a common summer resident on our prairies. 76. HuDSONiAN Curlew (A^uiiiciiiiis Jiiidsoniits). A rare migrant if at all. yy. Eskimo Curlew {Nitincnins borcalis) . Formerly an abundant migrant over the prairie regions of the interior, but now like the Passenger Pigeon, ap- parently a bird of the past. The explanation of its singular disappearance is not apparent. 78. Black-belliEd Plover (Sqnatarola squatarola) . Sometimes common on upland prairies during migration. 79. Golden Plover {Charadriiis dominicus). A more common species than the last, occurring under similar conditions. 80. KiLLDEER Plover (Aigialitis rocifcra). A common and familiar bird, its loud "Kill-dec, Kill-dee, Kill-dee" well-known to everybody. 81. Semi-palmated Plover {JEgialitis semipalrnata). Occurs during migration. I/O A Pioneer History of Becker County. 82. Belted Piping Plover (.Jii!;ialifis uicloda circmiiciiicta ] . Like the last may be encountered during" migration and possibly breeding-. 83. Turnstone (Arciiaria nioriucUa). May be looked for as a very rare migrant. F. H. Brackett reports seeing a "bunch of four" near Detroit in Mav, 18S3. 84. BoB-WHiTE. Quail (Coliiius zirgiuiaiius). Air. D. W. Meeker, of Moorehead, states that this 1)ird has of late years become a permanent resident in moderate numbers in the southern part of Becker County. This is probably the most northern locality for the state. 85. Canada Grouse, Spruce Partridge {Dc)idrai!;a[^iis cainidciisis). Fovuid in the evergreen forests of the county. 86. RuFEED Grouse, "Pheasant," "Partridge" (Bomisa initbcJIiis toi^ato ) . A common bird of the forests, disappearing all too rapidly with the destruction of its haunts. 87. Prairie Hen, Pinnated Grouse, Prairie Chicken (Tyiiipanii- chus amcricaiiiis ) . This bird has extended its range northwestward until it is now found in almost all parts of Minnesota, where the character of the surface is suited to its wants. It reached the western part of Minnesota twenty-five or thirty years ago. 88. Sharp-tailed GrolisE. "Prairie Chicken" [Pcdiocccfcs phasi- aiiclliis campcsfris). This was the original Prairie Chicken of the western part of our state. It is rather more frecjuently found among scattered timber and in brushland than the Pinnated Grouse. 89. P.vssENGEK Pigeon, Wild Pigeon (Bctopistcs tiiigraforiiis) . Formerly an abundant bird throughout all the wood- lands of the state, now probably entirely extinct every- where. Brackett reports seeing near Detroit in May. 1883, "a few small flocks," and adds that it was "ver}- abundant a little later." 90. Mourning Dove, Carolina Dove (Zoialdiira uiacroiira). A common bird, often mistaken, when in flocks, for the last species, accounting for some of the reports of the lat- ter bird being seen during late years. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 171 91. Turkey Buzzard, Turkey \'ulture {Cathartcs aura). Common. 92. SwALEOW-TAiLED KiTE (Ehuwidcs forfjcatiis) . Occurs as a summer resident in the forest-covered portion of the county. A single individual seen by the writer at Elk Lake near the northeastern corner of Becker County in July, 1902. 93. Marsh Hawk, Marsh Harrier (Circus hudsouius) . A common bird seen hunting low over the marshes and prairies. Its food consists largely of meadow mice, frogs, snakes and large insects. It is therefore a useful bird and should not be thoughtlessly destroyed. 94. Sharp-shinned Hawk {Accipitcr tcJox). This trim little hawk is a summer resident and fair- ly common. It is rapid of flight and daring in pursuit of its prey. It is powerful for its size and destroys many birds and where opportunity offers does much damage among young poultry. 95. Cooper's Hawk {Accipitcr coopcrii). Common. Resembling the last species, but decidedly larg- er. Often called "Hen Hawk." It works much havoc among wild birds and poultry. 96. American Goshawk (Accipitcr atricapillus) . Found chiefly in the winter time, but a few may breed in the heavy forests. A large, powerful bird that preys al- most entirely upon rabbits, squirrels, grouse, ducks and poultry when the opportunity offers. This hawk, together with the last two species and the Duck Hawk, to be mentioned later, are the outlaws among the diurnal birds of prey. They do far more harm in se- curmg their chosen quarry, than can be condoned by the small amount of good they do in the destruction of in- jurious rodents and other animals. In the case of all the other hawks the balance is in their favor and they are of real benefit to the farmer and are worthy of protec- tion even if they do destroy an occasional domestic fowl. 97. Red-tailed Hawk. "Hen Hawk," "Chicken Hawk" (Butco borcalis) . This is a common bird, forming the great bulk of the large hawks seen during the summer time. It is a valuable allv 172 A Pioneer History of Becker County. of the fanner, feeding as it does almost entirely upon gophers, squirrels, mice, grasshoppers and other insects with a few snakes, lizards and frogs, and, less frequently, wild birds and poultry. However, its few harmful deeds give it a bad name and it is relentlessly pursued and de- stroyed by every poultry raiser, when the real offender is usually one of the smaller species mentioned above. A light colored variety of this bird, known as Krider's Hawk, and a dark western form, known as the Western Red Tail, may be looked for as of occasional occurrence. 98. Red-shouldered Hawk {Biitco lineatus). A more southern species probably occurring occasionally in the summer time. 99. Swainson's Hawk, Grasshopper Hawk {Bntco szuaiiisoiiii). A common species. This bird feeds almost exclusively on striped gophers and mice, grasshoppers and crickets. At times it destroys large numbers of locusts and large grass- hoppers, which it secures by beating low over the prairie and seizing them as they tiy up from the ground. It is thus an eminently beneficial bird and should be recognized and carefull}- protected. 100. Broad-winged Hawk (Bntco playptenis). A medium sized hawk that rarely kills birds and is dis- tinctly of benefit to the agricultural interests. An abundant species, loi. American Rough-legged Hawk (Arcliibiitco lagopiis saiicti- johannis). A winter bird, feeding extensively upon mice and other small rodents. The Ferruginous Rough-legged or Squirrel Hawk, a western species, may occasionally occur as a straggler. 102. Golden Eagle (Aquila chyscutos). Chiefly a winter bird in the United States, but Prof. Cooke tells us that he has seen them in Becker County, presum- ably at White Earth Agency, as late as the first of June ; which would seem to indicate that they formerly, if not at present, bred in the secluded parts of the county. 103. Bald Eagle (Haliccfiis Icucocephalus). Once rather common. Now restricted to a few pairs, nest- ing amid the wildest snrroundings. A pair has nested A Pioneer History of Becker Couxty. 173 for many years past in a large pine tree on the west shore of Elk Lake, but a short distance north of the northeastern corner of Becker County. The writer inspected and photo- graphed this eyrie, containing two young eaglets in July, 1902. The Bald Eagle makes bold to capture a few squirrels, rabbits, gophers, and an occasional bird ; but for the most part secures its living by robbing the Fisk Hawk of its hard-earned prey. It is, also, not averse to carrion when hard pressed. A noble record for the bird selected as our national emblem ! 104. Gyrfaecon {Falco rnsticolus) . This, or one of its two varieties, may be looked for as a rare accidental winter visitant from the north. 105. Prairie Falcon {Falco mexicanus). A western species that may occur as a rare straggler in the prairie portion of the county. 106. Duck Hawk (Falco peregrinus anatuni). A beautiful, bold hawk of medium size. An occasional pair may be found nesting in tall timber about the larger bodies of water. 107. Pigeon Hawk {Falco coliinihaviiis). A common little hawk of spirited habit, feeding chiefly on birds and insects and occasional small mammals. 108. Richardson's Merein (Falco richardsonii) . A western species that may occur as a rare visitor in the prairie portion of the county. 109. Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparvcrhis). An abundant and beautiful little hawk to be seen sitting motionless on the top of a stub or fence post, or poised on rapidly-beating wings, as it looks for the mouse or grass- hopper in the grass below. A very useful bird that has been all too greatly reduced in numbers of late years. Nests in holes in trees. no. OsPREY, Fish Hawk (Fandioii halicctiis caroliiicnsis) . A few pairs nest about the larger bodies of water. They were to be seen daily about Lake Itasca in the summer of 1902, securing their prey by bold dashes into the water, often from a considerable height. They seize the tish in their talons and bear it off to be devoured at some con- 1/4 A Pioneer History of Becker Couxty. venient resting place when not despoiled of their quarrv by the watchful Bald Eagle. 111. LoNG-EARED Owl (Asio zvilsoniauus). A common inhabitant of tamarack and white cedar swamps. Migrates south in the winter. 112. SiioRT-E.\RED Owl (Asio accipitrinits). Common. A bird of the marsh and prairie, rarely, if ever, found in woodland. Summer resident only. 113. B.ARRED Owl (Syniimn iicbitlositin). A frequent species in heavy timber. 114. Great Gray Owl (Scotiaptc.v cincrca). Occasionally found in the winter time in the heavy forest. 115. Richardson's Owl (Xyctala tciig)iiahiii n'cJiardsoiii). A small owl, occurring occasionally in winter. 116. Saw-whet Owl (Nyctala acadica). The smallest of our owls. A not luicommon permanent resident, nesting in deserted woodpecker holes. 117. Screech Owl (Mcgascops asio). This is the common little owl that comes so fearlessly about farms, hunting for mice among the out-buildings and about the grain stacks. Remains through the winter. 118. Great Horned Owl, Cat Owl (Bubo rirgiiiiaints). The commonest large owl. Found chiefly in heavy woods. This bird is large and powerful and very destructive to mammals and birds of many species. It kills a large num- ber of rabbits and works havoc among the Ruffed grouse during the late fall and winter season, when other food is not as easily obtained. The owls are, for the most part, beneficial to agricultural interests, as they destroy, in their nocturnal prowlings, an immense number of mice, other small injurious mam- mals, and insects, some of them of the most damaging varieties. The Great Horned and the Great Gray are the only two species an inventory of whose food would show the balance to be seriously against them. The farmer, who kills the smaller owls, is thoughtlessly destroying most valuable allies in the constant warfare which it is necessary to wage against his natural enemies. A light variety of the Great Horned Owl is known as the Arctic Horned Owl. A PioxEER History of Becker County. -/3 119. Snowy Owl (A^ycfca iiycfca.) A winter visitant, sometimes appearing in considerable numbers, usually in open country. It is a powerful owl, destructive to birds, mammals and fish, but its munbers are usually so limited that it is not a disturbing element of much importance. 120. American Hawk Owl {Snrnia ulula caparoch). A rather common winter visitant throughout the forests of northern Minnesota and a few probably remain to breed. This owl is said often to hunt its prey, hawk-like, in the day- time. The popular idea that owls are able to see but very imperfectly in the daytime is not entirely correct, for most, if not all, varieties can see well enough to get about with per- fect ease when forced to move, and several other species be- sides the Hawk Owl occasionally hunt by day. 121. Burrowing Owl {Spcotyto cunicularia hypogcca). A bird of the prairie dog towns further west, occasionally found in western Minnesota inhabiting deserted badger and fox dens. 122. Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccy:::iis aiiiericaiiiis). 123. Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccycus crythrophfhalniiis) . The cuckoos are rather common but shy birds and little seen as they inhabit the thick underbrush. Their loud, rattling call is, however, well known ; and the belief, that they utter it usually just preceding storms, has given to them the common name of "Rain Crow." They are about the only birds that will eat, in any considerable numbers, the hairy caterpillars which are often such a pest; and they are there- fore, among our most beneficial birds. Unlike the Euro- pean Cuckoo they build their own nests and rear their own young. 124. Belted KingeishER {Ccrylc alcyon). Common about all the lakes and streams. 125. Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobafes zillosus). Common in heavy timber and wooded swamp-land. 126. Downy Woodpecker (Dryobofcs pubcscciis) . Abundant everywhere in woodland. 127. Arctic Three-toEd Woodpecker. Black-backed Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides). A common permanent resident in the evergreen forests. 176 A PioxEKR History of Becker County. 128. American Three-toed Woodpecker, "Ladder-back" {Picoi- dcs aiiiencaiiiis) . An uncommon bird. Breeding at Lake Itasca in 1902. 129. Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapiciis ^arius). A common summer resident. This bird from its habit of piercing the bark to secure the sap, does much injury to many varieties of trees, incluchng cultivated fruit and orna- mental species. It is therefore to be regarded in the light of a pest — the only outlaw among the woodpeckers, which are, as a family, among the most useful of all our birds. 130. PiLEATEi) Woodpecker, Logcock, Cock-of-the-Woods, (Ccophkriis pilcafiis abicticola) . This, the largest of our woodpeckers, is still rather common in the primitive forests. It is a most useful bird and should never be ruthlessly destroyed simply because it is an object of curiosity, as is so frequently the case. 131. Red-iiEaded Woodpecker (Mclancrpcs crytliroccphahis) . Common in open woodland and about habitations. 132. Flicker, "High Hole," "Yellow Hammer," "Golden-winged Woodpecker (Colapfcs aiiratiis hifciis). A familiar bird known to everyone. More terrestrial in habit than the other woodpeckers, feeding extensively on ants which it secures by thrusting its long, sticky togue in- to their burrows. ^33- Whip-poor-will {Anfrostoiiiiis vocifenis) . Present. Brackett says, "Heard one on May 6, 1883, near Detroit." 134. NiGHT-ii.vwK, Bull bat {Chordcilcs zirgiiiiaiiiis). A common and well-known bird. The birds found on the prairie and in open country are light-colored and are known as Sennett's Night-hawk. 135. Chimney Swift, Chimney "Swallow" [Chcctiira pi-lai:!;ica). Abundant. Formerly bred in hollow trees. 136. Ruby-Throated Hummingiurd i^Trocliiliis coliibris). Common. 137. Kingbird {Tyrainius tyraniiiis). Abundant. 138. Arkansas Kingbird (Tyrainuis verficalis). A western species found rather commonly in the tree claims and groves along the borders of the prairies. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 177 139. Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchiis criiiitiis). Frequent in heavy timber about lakes and along water- courses. Builds its nest in a cavity in a tree. This is the Flycatcher that almost invariably places a cast-off snake- skin in its nest. 140. PHoeoE, House Pewee {Sayoniis pha-bc). A familiar bird, nesting about out-buildings and under bridges. 141. Olive-sided Flycatcher (Coutopns borcalis). A summer resident in heavy woodland. Brackett says: "Saw several near Detroit in 18S3." 142. Wood Pewee {Coiifopus lirciis). A common bird in all woodland. 143. Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Enipidoiia.v Hazircntris). A common migrant, and probably a few breed in damp woodland. 144. Traill's Flycatcher (Binpidonax fraillii). Common, frequenting chiefly willow^ groves and low-lying brush land. Probably, in part, at least, the variety known as the Alder Flycatcher. 145. Least Flycatcher, Chebec (Enipidoiia.v ininiiiuis). The most common member of the family in all woodland. 146. Prairie Horned Lark, Shore Lark (Ofocoris alpestris praticola). A common bird everywhere in open country. Retreats southward in winter and returns at the very earliest sug- gestion of spring. A larger variety know'n as Hoyt's Horned Lark, which breeds in British America, may be looked for as a late fall and early spring visitant. 147. Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). Common, and familiar to all. 148. Canada Jay, "Moose Bird," "Camp Robber," "Whisky Jack" {Pcrisorcns canadensis) . Common, noticed chiefly in the winter time as it then forages about lumber camps and forest dwellings. In the early spring it retreats to nest in the most inaccessible spruce and white cedar swamps. 178 A PioxEiiK History of Becker Couxtv. 149. XoRTiiEKX Ravex {Corz'iis corax /principalis) . Occurs cliiefly as a late fall, winter and early spring- visit- ant from the north, feeding- about camps and along- the shores of lakes and rivers. 150. American Crow (Conns aiiiericaiius) . \'ery common. Clarke's Nutcracker, a western bird, has been taken as a rare straggler in western Minnesota and may be looked for in Becker County. 151. Bobolink, Reed Bird, Rice Bird {Dolichonyx oryaiTonis) . An abundant bird in all prairie meadows. Called Rice Bird in the south where it is very destructive in the rice fields; in the north a harmless or beneficial bird. 152. Cow Bird {Molothrns ater). Common. A parasitic bird, never building a nest of its own, the eggs being deposited in the nests of other birds, usually a species smaller than the cow bird. The voung are cared for by the foster parents. 153. Yellow-headed Blackbird (XaiitJwccphalus xanflwccplia- lits). Abundant in all (juill-reed and cat-tail swamps. A powerful bird, doing much harm to corn, oats and wheat but also feeding extensively upon grasshoppers and locusts. 154. Red-wixged Blackbird (Agelaius pluriiiccus.) An abundant and destructive bird although the injury it does to grain is somewhat compensated for by the numerous number of injurious insects and weed seeds wdiich it con- sumes. A variety known as the Thick-billed Redwing occurs as a migrant in late fall and early spring. 155. Western Meadow Lark (Sturnella magna ncglccta). Abundant. A valuable bird to the farmer. 156. Orchard Oriole {Ictcrns spurius). Brackett says, "Quite common" at Detroit in May, 1883, but this is so near the northern limit of its distribution that one would expect it to be of infrequent occurrence. 157. Baltimore Oriole, "Hangnest," "Golden Robin," "Golden Oriole" {Icterus galbula). \'erv conimon. A PioxKKR History oi' Becker County. 179 158. Rusty Blackbird (Scolccopliagiis carolinus). A common migrant spring" and fall, breeding' in the far north. Occurs in large, noisy flocks. 159. Brewer's Blackbird (Scolccophagus cyaiioccplialus). Similar to the last in appearance. A summer resident, breeding' in colonies in poplar groves and other small timber. 160. Bronzed GracklE, Crow Blackbird (Ouiscalits qiiiscula (vneus). Common, breeding. Most noticeable in the late summer and fall when thev congregate in loose flocks, feeding about farm-yards, fields and lawns, destroying a large num- ber of injurious insects and grubs that compensate in some measure for the injury that they do to the farmers' crops. 161. Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraiisfes ccspcrtinus) . A \vinter visitant, appearing in small flocks. Tame and vmsuspicious in habits. Feeds largely on fruit of the box- elder, maple and hackberry. 162. Pine Grosbeak (Piiiicola ciiuclcafor). Also a winter visitant. Fond of the fruit of the sumac and high -bush cranberry. 163. Purple Finch (Carpodaciis purpurcns). Chiefly to be seen in flocks, spring and fall, but a few breed in the evergreen forests. 164. American Crossbill {Loxia ciinirosfra minor). A permanent resident throughout northern Minnesota. 165. Whitk-winged Crossbill (Loxia Icncoptcra) . Occurrence the same as the last but usually not so plentiful. 166. Redpoll {AcantJiis liiiaria). A visitant from the north, occurring in flocks often of considerable size. Two other varieties, the Hoary and the Greater, may be looked for as occasional associates of the common Red- poll. 167. American Goldfinch , "Thistle Bird," "Wild Canary" (As- tragaUnus tristis). Common. Nesting late in summer. 168. Pine Siskin (Spiniis piiius). ]\Iuch less common than the last, chiefly seen spring and i8o A PioxEKR History of Becker County. fall, but a few may nest in the pine forests of the north- eastern corner of the county. 169. English Sparrow {Passer doiiicsticus). Introduced into the United States in 1850, this bird has spread until it is now a resident in almost every state and territory of the Union and in most parts of British America. 170. SnowFlake (Passcriiia tiivalis). A winter visitant from the north, occurring in larg^e flocks in open country. Chiefly noticeable in the late fall and early spring. 171. Lapland Longspur (Calcoriiis lappoiiiciis). Like the last. 172. Smith's Longspur (Calcarius pictus). May occur in company with the last species. 173. Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus). A common summer bird on the higher prairies. 174. McCown's Longspur {Rhynchophancs uiccoivnii). To be looked for as a breeding bird, often in wheat-fields among the growing grain. Breeds in Pipestone and Lac qui Parle Counties. 175. Vesper Sparrow, Grass Finch, Bay-winged Bunting (Poocce- tcs gramiiicus) . A common roadside bird. 176. Savanna Sparrow (Aimiiodraiiiiis sand-d'ichciisis saiaiuia). Common in meadows. 177. Baird's Sparrow (Aiiimodraiinis bairdii). A prairie Ijird. common in the same situations as the last species. 178. Grasshopper Sparrow, Yellow-winged Sparrow {Amniodra- nms saiaiinanim passcrimis). A common bird of upland prairie and grass fields. 179. Henslow's Sparrow {Aniinodramns hcnsloivii). This tiny bird, almost mouse-like in habit, is not uncommon among rank grass, in dry meadows or upland fields. 180. Leconte's Sparrow {Ainiiiodraiiiits Icconfcii). Common in the marshes and meadows about prairie sloughs. 181. Nelson's Sparrow, Nelson's Sharp-tailed Finch {Amuiodra- mus nelsoni). Frequents prairie marshes. Breeding. A Pioneer History of Becker County. i8i 182. Lark Sparrow. Lark Finch (Choiidcsfes grammacus). A bird found chiefly in semi-prairie country. Usually common. 183. Harris' Sparrow (Zoiiotrichia qncnila). IMigrant, spring and fall. Usually abundant in the latter season. 184. White-crowned Sparrow (Zoiiotrichia Icncophrys). Like the last but less common. What is known as Gambel's or the Intermediate Sparrow, a western variety of this species, occurs regularly during the migrations, often in considerable numbers. 185. White-throated Sparrow (Zoiiotrichia albicoUis). Common summer resident, breeding throughout the ever- green portion of the county. 186. Tree Sparrow (Spi::;clhi monticola). An abundant migrant spring and fall. 187. Chipping Sparrow, "Chippy," Hair-bird (SpizcUa socialis). Common, often breeding familiarly about houses and in towns. 188. Clay-colored Sparrow (Spi::cUa pallida). Abundant. 189. Slate-colored Junco, Snow Bird (J unco hyciiialis). An abundant summer bird throughout the evergreen re- gion. Elsewhere migrant spring and fall. An occasional example of the western variety known as the Oregon Junco, may be found among the migrating flocks. 190. Song Sparrow (Mclospica iiiclodia). Common summer resident. 191. Lincoln's Sparrow (Mclospica lincolnii). Found chiefly in the evergreen forests. Probably breeds, but apparently not common. 192. Swamp Sparrow (Mclospiza georgiana). Common. A bird of wet swamps, especially where grown up in bushes. 193. Fox Sparrow (Passer ella iliaca). A common migrant spring and fall. 194. TowHEE, Chewink, "Ground Robin" (Pipilo crythrophthal- mus). A common bird in woodlands. i82 A Pioneer History of Becker County. 195. RoSK-i'.REASTED Grosbeak (Zamclodia Judoziciana) . A common summer resident. 196. Indigo Bunting {Cyanospiza cyanca). Infrequent, probably reachino^ the northern hmit of its distribution in the open woodland of the southern part of Becker County. Prof. W. W. Cooke states that he did not see it during a three years' residence at White Earth Agency ; but Mr. B. T. Gault reported seeing several. May 27th, 1893, in going from Detroit to Lake Lida. .\t the lat- ter place several were encoimtered June 15th of the same year in a brushy pasture. The writer did not see it at Lake Itasca, but it occurs at Leech Lake. 197. DiCKCissEE, Black-throated Bunting (Spha americana). A summer resident, frequenting chiefly grass, clover and grain fields, where it nests in late June and July. Becker County is near the northern limit of its range but it has been found nesting in Polk County, still further north and it has been reported from Marshall County. 198. Lark Bunting, White-winged Blackbird (Calaiiiospica incl- anocorys) . A bird of the western plains found on the upland prairies of western Minnesota, often commonly. 199. Scarlet Tanager {Piranga erythraniclas) . Found as a summer resident in open woodland. 200. Purple AIartin (Progiic siibis). Common about settlements. 201. Cliff Swallow {PctrochcUdon hinifroiis). Common, breeding under the eaves of buildings. 202. Barn Swallow (Hinindo crythrogasfra). Common. 203. Tree Swallow, White-bellied Swallow (Tachyiiiccta hicoJor). Common. Nesting in holes in trees and stumps. 204. Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia). Frequent, nesting in colonies in holes in banks along rivers and lakes. 205. Rough-winged Swallow (Stclgidoptcry.v scrripcjuiis). Similar to the last but less sociable. 206. Bohemian Waxwing {Ampclis garridus). A winter visitor from the north, coming often in con- siderable flocks, but verv irregularly. A rioxKKK History of Becker County. 183 207. Cedar IjIRD, Cherry Bird, Cedar Waxwing [AuipcUs ccdro- niiii ). An abundant summer resident. 20(S. Northern Shrike, Butcher Bird {Laiiiiis burcalis). A spring and fall visitor, but probably not found during the winter except in unusually mild seasons. 2oy.- Migrating Shrike (Laiiins Indovicianus jitigrans). A summer resident. 210. Red-eyed V'ireo (Virco olivaceus). Common everywhere in woodland. 211. Philadelphia VirEo (Virco philadclphicus). An uncommon migrant, possibly breeds. 212. Warbling VirEo (l^irco gihus). Common. 213. Yellow-throated Vireo (Virco fiavifrons). A summer resident, less common than either the Red-eyed or Warbling. 214. Blue-headed Vireo, Solitary Vireo (Virco solitarius). Breeds rather commonly in the evergreen forests in the northeastern corner of the county, elsewhere a migrant. 215. Black and White Warbler (Mniotilfa varia). A summer resident throughout the wooded portion of the county. 216. Golden-winged Warbler {Hcliiiijithophila chrysoptcra) . A summer resident in bushy woods especially near tama- rack swamps. 217. Nashville Wx\rblEr (Hcliiiiitthophila nibricapilla). A common summer resident in the tamarack and white cedar swamps. 218. Orange-crowned Warbler (Hcliniiifliopliila cclata). A common spring and fall migrant. 219. Tennessee Warbler (HchninthophUa pcrcgrina). A very abundant migrant spring and fall. 220. Parula Warbler {Compsothlypis anicricana). A rather common summer resident in the heavy timber. 221. Cape ^Iay Warbler (Dciidroica tigriiua). A spring and fall migrant. 222. Yellow W^\rblEr (Dciidroica crstiza). An abundant summer resident. 184 A Pioneer History of Becker County. 223. Black-Throated Blue Warbler (Dciidroica ccrnilcscois). An uncommon migrant. 224. Myrtle Warbler. Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dciidroica coronata). An abundant spring and fall migrant. A few pairs prob- ably breed in the Lake Itasca region. 225. Magnolia Warbler {Dciidroica maculosa). A common migrant, breeding in limited numbers in the evergreen forest. 226. Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dciidroica pciiiisyl7viiica.) A common summer resident. 227. Bay-breasted Warbler (Dciidroica castaiica). An uncommon migrant. 228. Black-poll Warbler (Dciidroica striata). A common migrant. 229. Blackburnian Warbler (Dciidroica blackbitniicc). Breeds rather commonly in the heavy forests of the county. 230. Black-throated Green Warbler (Dciidroica zirois). A bird of the heavy forest, living almost exclusively in the tree tops. 231. Pine Warbler (Dciidroica zii:;orsii). An abundant summer resident in all "Jack pine" timber. 232. Palm Warbler (Dciidroica paliiiarniii) . A common migrant. 233. Oven bird (Scinrus anrocapiUus). Common everywhere in woodlands. 234. Grinnell's Water-thrush (Scinrus noreboracciisis nota- bilis). Summer resident in low-lying woodlands. Common along the banks of lakes and streams during migration. 235. Connecticut Warbler (Gcothlypis agilis). To be looked for as a rare migrant. 236. Mourning Wari'.lER ( Gcothlypis Philadelphia) . A common summer resident, breeding in old "burns" in the pine forest. 237. Maryland Yellow-throat (Gcoflilypis trichas brachidac- tyla). A common summer bird in all bushy meadows. 238. Wilson's Warbler (IVilsoiiia piisilla). A spring and fall migrant. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 185 239. Canadian WakblER (IVilsonia canadensis). Chiefly as a migrant, but a few breed about the white cedar swamps. 240. American Redstart {Scto{^hai:;a ruficilla). A common summer resident. 241. Amzrjcan FiPiT (A iifhiis pciiiisylzaniciis). Spring and fall migrant, seen usually in open country or along the beaches of the larger lakes. 242. Sprague's Pipit (Aiithiis spragiicii). A western species occurring on the prairies of the western portions of the county. This bird soars and sings high in the air like the English skylark and our own horned lark. 243. Cat Bird (Galeoscoptes carolinensis) . Common summer resident. 244. Brown Thrasher (Toxostoina nifuiii). Quite common in the more open wooded portions of the county. 245. Western House Wren (Troglodytes ccdoii a::feciis). A common and well known little bird. 246. Winter Wren (Olbiorchilus Jueiiialis). A summer resident, breeding in the heavy forest, but not commonly. More frequent as a migrant. Not found in the winter as its name implies. 247. Short-billed Marsh Wren {Cistothorns stcUaris). A common bird in meadows and marshes. 248. Long-billed Marsh Wren (Cistothorns pahtstris). A commoner bird than the last, found in wetter marshes. 249. Brown Creeper (CertJiia faniiliaris ainericana) . This tinv little bird is common in all woodland, migrating south in the winter. 250. White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis). A common permanent resident in all woodland. 251. Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). A summer resident, migrating southward for the winter. 252. Chickadee (Parus atricapillns) . A permanent resident. Common. 253. HuDSONiAN Chickadee (Parus hndsonicns). A northern species to be looked for as a winter visitant, possibly nesting, as it does regularly in the northeastern part of Minnesota. i86 A I'ldXKKR HisTom' oi" 1')i;ckkk Couxtv. 254. GoLDEN-CROwNRD Kinglet (Rcgulus satrapa). A common spring' and fall migrant. 255. RuRY -CROWNED KiNGLET (Reguliis calciiditla) . An early spring and late fall migrant, usiialK' in con- siderable nnmbers. 256. Wood Thrush (Uylocichla iiiiisfclina). A summer resident, its beautiful song beard in almost all woodland. 257. Wh^son's Thrush, \"eery ( Hylocichla fiisccscciis). A common summer resident. 258. Gray-cheeked Thrush (Hylocichla alicicc). A spring and fall migrant. 259. OrjvE-BACKED Thrush, Swainson's Tbrusb (Hylocichla nstnlata sivainsonii) . A summer resident in tbe evergreen forests. 260. Hermit Thrush (Hylocichla guttata pallasii). An abundant summer resident throughout tbe coniferous forests. Its wonderful song could be heard coming from all directions until far into the twilight every evening at Lake Itasca during June and July. 1902. 261. American Robin {Mcriila migratoria). An abundant simimer resident, often seen migrating in considerable flocks. 262. Blue-bird (Sialia sialis). A common and familiar bird, nesting not only in boxes about habitations, but very commonly in holes in tree stubs standing in open places in the forest. Disappearing- Birds and Game Birds. P.Y ]). W. AlEEKKR. ^lany of the birds that were common in Becker County in early days have become rare and some of them almost extinct in this localit}-. This is especially true of the swan, pelican, whooping crane, sandhill crane, blue heron, cormorant, wood duck, wild pigeon, woodcock and bald eagle. The last named, the emblem of the nation, formerly nested in the county ; and the last nest, of which there is a record, was in a large tree which stood on an island in Cotton Lake. This A I'lOXKIiR iIlST(;RV Ul' HlvCKER CoUXTY. 187 tree blew down about five years ago and tbe eagles have found a new nesting place more remote from civilization. In 1897 a whooping crane was found dead in Town Lake, south of Frazee. The bird had been shot and had probably flown some distance before his wounds proved fatal. Albert Higbee, in the history of Walworth, also mentions the killing of one in that township in the early eighties. Cormorants and pelicans formerly nested in Becker County and the fact that two lakes were named after these birds is due to this fact. The cormorants formerly nested on the islands in the lake of that name, in the southwestern part of the county, but were forced to vacate by the settlers. There were several colonies of blue heron in the county, but now the nests are widely scattered. During the summers of 1886 to 1889 the Indians cut down about thirty pine trees each year on the shores of Rice Lake, north of Height of Land Lake, in order to get the young birds for food. The wild pigeon, which at one time was found everywhere in North America, from Mexico to Hudson's Bay and from the Atlan- tic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains, has entirely disappeared. These birds nested in Becker County and as far north as Hudson's Bay. Until the seventies the wild pigeon was very plentiful and count- less thousands of them were killed in this locality. The last one seen in Becker County, of which there is a record, was observed by Mr. Wilcox in 1888. This bird was crippled and remained through the summer of that year in a little grove of pine trees on the banks of the Otter Tail River about eight miles north of Frazee. Woodcock never were plentiful in Becker County and for many years have been very rare. This is one of the game birds that is rapidly disappearing and will soon be referred to only in the past tense. The finest of all our ducks, the graceful, beautifully plumaged wood duck is another favorite that is becoming rarer each year. This bird formerly nested in holes in trees near the lakes and streams of Becker County and some of them still breed in remote sections of the county. Old settlers recall seeing the mother bird carrying her young, one by one, in her bill to the water from the nest in the tree. Other birds that are practically extinct in this locality, are the avocets, curlews and godwits. i88 A Pioneer History of Becker County. The (leniand for game birds for the eastern markets well nigh caused the extermination of the ruffed, pinnated and sharp-tailed grouse by the market hunters, aided and abetted by traders in the villages. Since the sale of all game has been prohibited in Alinne- in the woods. Limiting the open season, also the number that may be killed in a day, are factors that aid their protection. It will be necessary, however, to enact and enforce more stringent laws, else these birds will, like the buffalo, soon be exterminated. The ruffed grouse, the king of game birds of Minnesota, is found in all the timbered parts of Becker County. This splendid bird is also called "partridge" and "pheasant," because of their resemblance to their Euro])ean relatives. Dr. Coues says, "The bird itself is unmistakable ; no other species has the conspicuous ruffle of lengthened, broad, soft, silky (purple-black) feathers on the neck." No one who has heard the whirr of the ruff'ed grouse, when taking wing, could mistake this peculiar, startling sound for any other. Nor can one mistake the drumming sound made by the male bird, by rapidly vibrating his wings, while standing on a log or stump. The home of the ruffed grouse is in the wood- lands — in the summer they are found near openings and around berry patches, but as the leaves fall and winter approaches they seek the cover of heavy timber and wooded swamplands. They pair in the early spring ; nest upon the ground in the shelter of brush, a fallen log or in a hollow between the roots of a tree. The num- ber of eggs varies from ten to sixteen ; and the newly hatched chicks quickly hide under leaves or brush when the mother bird sounds the note of alarm. She will pretend to be wounded in order to lead an intruder from the vicinity of her brood, and will attack one who continues to approach after the little brown shadows have disappeared. No game bird is more difficult to shoot. Their colors blend so completely with their surroundings that it is difficult to dis- tinguish them until they are awing — then the hunter often has only a glimpse of a whirring, brown body, darting to the cover of nearby brush or timber. The flesh is white, extremely delicate, and highly prized. Comparatively little is known of the Canada grouse, or, as it is commonly named, the "spruce grouse" or "spruce hen." This bird was also called the "fool hen" because it had not learned to fear man. With the ap])roach of civilization it has retired to A Pioneer History of Becker County. 189 the dense forests and dark swamps where it is rarely seen. In summer it feeds upon berries, the buds and leaves of plants and shrubs and insects. In the winter its food is mainly the buds and leaves of pine and other coniferous trees. The sharp-tailed grouse was the original "prairie cliicken" of the west and was plentiful in Becker County, especially in the western part where prairie and woodland meet. They are about the same size as the pinnated grouse, and the distinguishing marks are : the pointed tail ; lighter colored plumage, especially on the breast and lower part of the body ; heavier feathering of the legs and extending well upon the feet. Its home is in the rolling country where there is brush or stunted growth of timber. A favorite bird with sportsmen, as they lie close for the dog ; usually rise singly, and when flushed will fly but a short distance. In summer they feed upon berries and insects, in the winter upon buds of brush and trees. The pinnated grouse or prairie chicken was driven west by the advance of civilization and for many years has been found upon the prairies and in the openings in the timber of Becker County. The pairing season begins with the breaking up of winter, when the booming of the male bird sounds like the beating of a mufiled drum. This sound is made by inflating the orange- colored receptacles at either side of the neck, and issuing the call for the female, which is at the same time a challenge to other males. Their nest is a crude affair of grass on the sod or in the stubble. The number of eggs laid varies from eight to sixteen and the female has entire charge of incubation and the care of the young. Coveys remain together until late in the fall when the birds "bunch," the flocks often numbering from one to two hun- dred. Early in the fall the birds lie well to the dogs and, unless scattered, nearly all of the covey will take wing at the same time, the mother rising slightly in advance of her young. As the season advances the birds become wilder and, when disturbed, fly a long distance. They feed upon small grain and seeds, which are in- variably picked from the ground, and are fond of grasshoppers and other insects. In the winter they roost in trees, feed upon buds, around straw stacks and in cornfields and weed patches. The flesh is dark, of a gamey flavor and is highly prized. Dis- tinguishing marks are, the short rounded tail and the little wings of narrow, straight, pointed feathers at either side of the neck. 190 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Quail have several times reached the southern townships of Becker County where several bevys were hatched in 1906. These birds resemble young ruffed grouse with abbreviated tails. They are very prolific, the female laying from twelve to twenty eggs. Both parents aid in the process of incubation and in the care of the young. They feed mainly upon seeds and insects and from an economic standpoint are considered the most valuable of all birds. The call of this beautiful bird resembles the name by which it is known in some localities — "Bob White." Quail are difficult to shoot on account of their extremely rapid flight. They live through a winter when the snowfall is light; but when the snow is heavy they find it difficult to procure food. As they roost upon the ground, huddled together in some sheltered spot, they are often smothered by drifting snow. Many varieties of wild ducks, besides the wood duck, still nest in the unsettled parts of the county. During the seasons of mi- gration, in the spring and fall, the ducks tarry with us until they leave, on the northern journey for their breeding grounds ; and in the fall for their winter homes. The lakes and marshes of Becker County, where wild rice and celery thrive, are favorite haunts for these birds and there the hunters seek their quarry. English and other snipe are numerous about the open marshes during the spring and fall. Some varieties still breed in the county. L pland plover still breed extensively on the prairies and mead- ows of Becker County and leave, late in the summer, for southern climes. Late in the fall the golden plover stop over a few days be- fore proceeding on their journey to the grassy ranges of Texas and Northern Mexico. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 191 Chapter IX. FISHES OF BECKER COUNTY. By D. W. Meeker. In the fish that inhabit the lakes and streams, nature endowed Becker County with a goodly heritage. In them the Indians found one of the principal sources of their supply of food — one that was inexhaustible, for the Indian never was guilty of wanton destruction, nor would he capture more fish or game than he could make use of. It is to be regretted that his white brothers did not learn from him the lesson of moderation ; for, if they had, they would never have fed fish to their swine or used them to fertilize their fields. The early settlers, like the Indians, found in the fish a staple article of food, and this was one of the reasons why they located as near as possible to a lake or stream. The white man brought im- proved implements for capturing fish ; and these were readily adopted by his dusky brother of the forest. As the country became more thickly populated and the lines of railroad were extended the demand for fish for shipment increased ; and the waters of Becker County became a favorite field for the net- ter and market fisher. For many years there was little or no re- striction; and the game and food fish were slaughtered during the spawning seasons, for that was the time when they could be netted or speared with comparative ease. When the fish became scarce there came a demand for protection during the spawning periods; and laws were enacted prohibiting fishing in the early spring. These, like all other laws, were flagrantly violated by a certain class of citi- zens ; and it became necessary to pass more strict laws ; imposing more severe penalties, and making it the duty of special officers to enforce them. The sale of black bass is prohibited in Minnesota; also the taking in any other way than with hook and line. In this part of the state the bass do not leave their spawning beds until late in June, and the closed season should be extended from May 30th to July I St. Several varieties of fish, that were not natives of Becker County, have been planted in its waters with varying success. Brook trout were placed in the streams flowing into Detroit Lake from the east 192 A Pioneer History of Becker County. and south, and they have thrived in those waters. Trout were also planted in the small streams tributary to the Buffalo and Wild Rice Rivers; but have not become numerous in those brooks. In 1874 the United States government planted "salmon," probably land- locked or lake trout in Detroit Lake ; but these were caught in a few years by the Indians near the mouth of he Pelican River, early in the spring. It was doubtless the same variety of fish that was planted in Hehrhold Lake by the government in 1896; but there is no record of any of them having been caught. The State Game and Fish Commission has planted crappies in the Detroit chain of lakes and these fine fish will, in all probability, become abundant in these lakes. Carp were planted in Oak Lake and are, doubtless, still there as they are only caught with net or spear. The black bass, small and large mouth, are natives of Becker County, and the large mouth variety is found in practically all of the lakes. A description of these fish is unnecessary, for nearly every resident of the county has an intimate acquaintance with them. They are the game fish of North America and Dr. Henshall, the recognized authority, says, "Inch for inch, and pound for pound, the gamest fish that swims." The small mouth variety is the rarer, and many fishermen consider it the gamer of the two. The color in both varieties varies, even in the same waters ; age, depth and hue of water, and presence or absence of weeds about their haunts being factors. In the winter the black bass hibernate in deep water ; and authorities agree with the statement of Mr. John Eoff, found in the Report of the Smithsonian Institution, for 1854: "In the winter season they retire to deep, still water and apparently hide under rocks, logs, etc., and remain there until the first of April." After leaving their winter quarters, the bass spend several weeks before they pair and begin preparations for breeding. Each pair makes a nest in shallow water, varying from two to six feet deep, in the lakes. The nests are shallow, saucerlike depressions, about twice the diameter of the length of the fish, from which the bass fan with their tails and fins, sand, silt and vegetable matter, leaving a bright, clean bed. The female deposits her eggs in the nest and they are fertilized by the male. The eggs are hatched in from one to two weeks, depending upon the temperature of the water. If the spawning period has arrived the fish will not spawn unless the temperature of the water is above 50 degrees ; and the eggs will die if it falls to 45 degrees after they have been deposited. It is A PioNEKR History of Becker County. 193 the male bass that guards the nest and broods the newly-hatched fry for several days, until they scatter to the shelter of weeds and grass in shallow water. The young fish feed upon small crustacean and some of the larval forms of insects. In a month they are an inch long ; three to six inches in the fall ; and increase about one pound each year until the average maximum of five pounds is attained. Black bass cannot be propogated artificially and breeding in captivity is still in the experimental stage. Fry for transplanting (in Minnesota) are obtained from the sloughs and shallows of the lower Mississippi. The large mouth is the Oswego. The Rock bass resembles the black bass, but is deeper and more compressed, like a sunfish. It is olive green in color, much mottled ; head and mouth large ; eyes large and red. The rock bass, when fullgrown, is from ten to twelve inches in length and weighs about one pound. They are common in all the waters of Becker County and are an excellent pan-fish. Wail-Eyed Pike, as they are commonly known, although in the "books" they are also called "Pickerel" and "Pike-Perch," are na- tives of most of the lakes of the county. Cormorant being a notable exception. The reason for the absence of the Pike from this lake has never been explained. This is one of the most valuable of the food fishes of the state. It is a trimly built, shapely fish with a long and rather slender body. The head is large, and the large eyes are "glassy." The color varies ; but is usually of an olive or greenish brown ; are rarely found in shallow water except early in the spring, when they spawn near the mouth of a stream. The pike are a quick growing fish, attain a length of three feet and, occasion- ally, a weight of ten pounds. They are found about sandy or gravel- ly bars and, as the season advances, seek deeper, colder water. The pickerel is a native. This fish is not a favorite in Becker County, because the more desirable members of the finny tribe are so plentiful. It cannot be called a handsome fish, for it has too large a head and a mouth that is far too large for a thing of beauty. The pickerel is a valuable food fish, especially after it has attained a weight of three pounds or over. They spawn early in the spring in very shallow water along the marshy or grassy shores of the lakes and streams. The pickerel is easily caught, for it will bite at any- thing; and during the winter is speared through holes in the ice. Several varieties of sunfish are found in the w^aters of the county and some of them are misnamed crappies. These fish inhabit every 194 -^ Pioneer History of Becker County. lake and stream in the county ; are easily caught, and are a very desirable pan-fish. The yellow perch is another fish that is found in all the waters of the county. It is always found in schools — the fish in each school being about the same size. The fiesh is delicately flavored. Catfish and bullheads are natives of the lakes and streams of the county. They are not favorites with fishermen, yet the flesh is highly prized in many localities. The sucker family is well represented in the waters of the county. The red horse and other varieties of sucker are abund- ant. They are of little use as food fish as the flesh becomes soft early in the spring. The sucker is the w^orst enemy of other fish for it follows them during the breeding season and feasts upon their spawn. It is rarely taken except with net or spear. The tullibee, or inland or mongrel whitefish, is a native of the deep water lakes of the county. It is a valuable food fish and one that is highly prized by those who live near the lakes. Its home is in the deep, cold waters, and it never comes near the surface except during the breeding season, which occurs late in November and early in December. The tullibee spawns near the surface ; and, when they are running, are caught in gill nets. Many people bury them in the snow and thus have a supply of fresh fish for the entire winter. The minnows are, of course, numerous in all the waters of the county. Some of the darters are very beautiful, especially dur- ing the breeding season ; and on account of their brilliant colors, are said to occupy the same position among fishes that humming birds do among birds. The creek chub or horned dace, silver fin or "horny head," shiner, roach or golden shiner, red fin, l)lunt-nose, silversides, stickleback and stone rollers are common. The dogfish is the only non-edible fish found in the waters of the county. It is probable that all the fish found in the Red River of the North and its tributaries have been found in Becker County. There are records of sturgeon being taken in Detroit Lake ; and probably some of the "monsters," reported from time to time, are members of this family. Sheepshead, also called the fresh water drum, have been caught in Pelican Lake. The gold eyes, river chub and some of the minnows and darters are also found in the tributaries of the Red River that flow from the countv. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 195 Chapter X. HOW WAS THIS COUNTRY FIRST PEOPLED? For a long- time it was the opinion of many intelligent people, who had investigated the subject, that the Indians were the de- scendants of the ten lost tribes of Israel. If it is a fact that they were actually lost, that might be a very reasonable theory, but al- though a good many Jews have been found in America in recent years, I have never heard of their claiming any relationship with the Indian. George Catlin, an American artist, who had traveled among the Indians of the entire continent, and was undoubtedly better acquainted with the Indian character and traditions than any other white man, claimed to be firm in the belief that the Indians had an Adam of their own and that they were originally created on the American continent. Bancroft, the eminent American historian, expressed his belief that the Indians are of Mongolian descent. This opinion is corroborated by Dr. Eastman, a highly edu- cated Sioux Indian of full blood, who says that he recognizes the names of several of the Japanese warships as familiar Sioux names, varying but little from those of his own tongue. During the world's fair at St. Louis, in 1904, an educated In- dian woman, of the Creek Nation, stated that during a conver- sation with some of the Filipinos, who were there on exhibition, that she could understand a large part of their language, and could converse with them in their native tongue with a surprising de- gree of intelligence. But whether they were of Mongolian, Malay, Phenician, Scan- dinavian, American. Aztec, or Hebrew origin, or whether they were descended from the man in the moon, will probably never be known, and the imagination, unsupported by facts, may roam at will in the realm of ingenious, speculation, which it is unprofit- able to pursue. ig6 A PioxcKK History of Becker County. Chapter XL THE CHIPPEWA INDIANS. Ojibwa. the original name of the Chippewas, means puckered up, or to roast until drawn up. (See Warren's History of the Ojibwa Nation.) I am free to admit, that I take a different view of the Indian question, and that my feelings and sympathies run in a different channel from that of many of the American people. Sixty years of my life I have passed among, or in close prox- imity to different tribes, and have traveled or lived among' more than twenty dift'erent nations of Indians, speaking as many differ- ent tongues. When a child in my mother's arms, we were both saved from a watery grave by a squaw, belonging to the Alleghany tribe of the Seneca Nation, who forced her way in a canoe, through a rag- ing flood, and rescued us from a block of ice that was hurrying us at a rapid rate, down the swiftly flowing waters of the Alle- ghany River. It is true that I have been twice held up by the Sioux Indians, who each time considered all white men as trespassers on their lands, and I was once robbed by the Bannocks, but they were then at war with the United States, and only two months before nearly three hundred of their warriors had been slain by our soldiers in a single battle. I have lived for more than thirty-six years as a near neighbor to the Chippewa Indians here in Becker County, and feeling my- self duly qualified to render an impartial opinion in their case, I pronounce them, with the exception perhaps of the Flatheads and Fend' Oreilles in Montana, to be the most honest, peaceable and trustworthy nation of Indians in the United States. Of course there have been criminals among them, like Bach-i-na-na, Bo-a- nece and Bobolink, who have been guilty of the crime of murder, but during the brief history of our county, twice as many mur- ders have been comiuitted by white men. During my ten years' experience in logging on the Otter Tail River, I have had many losses from theft by white men, but never lost the value of a penny through an Indian. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 197 Bishop Whipple once told of making a trip many years ago with a party of Indians, and one morning, as they were about to start out on a hunt, the l)ishop asked the chief what he had better do with his watch and pocketbook, as he did not like to carry them around through the brush and swamps, and he was afraid they would be stolen if he left them in camp. The chief replied, "hang them up on a tree, they will be safe ; there is not a white man within fifty miles of here." Ever since the discovery of America there has been a class of white men on the frontiers, who have considered the Indians as legitimate victims of plunder and rapine, and in some sections, and at dififerent periods of our country's history it has been the height of ambition with some of this class of bravados to kill one or more Indians. Adam Poe, notorious as the slayer of Big Foot, a Wyan- dot chief, near the Ohio River, in West Virginia something like 100 years ago, once remarked that "he had killed 'bars' and 'paint- ers' (bears and panthers) to his heart's content, but that there was no game like Injuns," To the credit of the people of Becker County, however, the Indians here have received far better treatment than in many other localities. W. W. Warren, the historian of the Chippewa Nation, himself one-fourth of Chippewa blood, in the preface to his interesting work makes the following touching and elocjuent plea in behalf of his kindred race : The red race of North America is fast disappearing before the onward, irresistless tread of the Anglo-Saxon. Once the vast tract of country, lying between the Atlantic seaboard and the Mississippi, where a century since roamed numerous tribes of the wild sons of nature, but a few, a very few, now exist. Their former dominions are now covered with the teeming towns and villages of the "pale face," and millions of happy free- men enjoy the former homes of these unhappy and fated people. The few tribes and remnants of tribes, who still exist on our Western frontier, truly deserve the sympathy and attention of the American people. We owe it to them as a duty, for we are now the possessors of their former inheritance, and the bones of their ancestors are sprinkled through the soil on which are now erected our happy homesteads. The red man has no powerful friends, such as the enslaved negro once could boast, to represent his miserable, sorrowing condition, his many wrongs, his wants and wishes. In fact, so feebly is the voice of phil- anthrophy raised in his favor, that his very existence appears to be hardly known to some of the American people, or his character and condition 198 A Pioneer History of Becker County. has been so misrepresented, that it has failed to secure their love and confidence. The heart of the red man has been shut against his white brother. We know him only by his exterior. Much has been written concerning the red race, by travelers, mis- sionaries and by some eminent authors; but the information respecting them, which has thus far been collected, has been superficial and inaccurate. It is true that the Indians are possessed of traits of character and an individuaHty peculiarly their own, and in most cases a white man who expects to deal with them by following the busi- ness rules and principles of the white men, will at first become puzzled and disappointed, but after a better acquaintance, and gaining their confidence will find his business with them very much simplified and more satisfactory. The following extract from the rep<^rt of Indian Commissioner Leuj^p, for 1905, touch- ing these peculiar characteristics of the Indian are well worthy of record. I copy the folloAving article from the \Mute Earth Touiahai^'k. Of this report the editor says : "All those who may read the follow- ing extracts from the report of Commissioner Leupp, cannot help but admit that he has a sincere regard for the Indians. Notwith- standing that he may have overdrawn their virtues, there it not an Indian in America who should not feel grateful for the Commis- sioner's report as a whole." The Commissioner says : The commonest mistake made by the white wellwishers in dealing with the Indian is the assumption that he is simply a white man with a red skin. The next commonest is the assumption that because he is a non-Caucasian he is to be classed indiscriminately with other non-Cauca- sians, like the negro, for instance. The truth is that the Indian has as dis- tinct an individuality as any type of men who ever lived, and he will never be judged aright till we learn to measure him by his own standards, as we whites would wish to be measured if some more powerful race were to usurp dominion over us. Suppose, a few centuries ago, an absolutely alien people like the Chinese had invaded our shores and driven the white colonists before them to districts more and more isolated, destroyed the industries on which they had always subsisted, and crowned all by disarming them and penning them on various tracts of land where they could be fed and clothed and cared for at no cost to themselves, to what condition would the white American of to-day have been reduced? In spite of their vigorous ancestry they would surely have lapsed into barbarism and become pauperized. No race on earth could overcome, with forces evolved from within themselves. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 199 the effect of such treatment. That our red brethren have not been wholly- ruined by it, is the best proof we could ask for the sturdy traits of character inherent in them. But though not ruined, they have suffered serious deterioration, and the chief problem now before us is to prevent its going any further. To that end we must reckon with several facts. First, little can be done to change the Indian who has already passed middle life. By virtue of that very quality of steadfastness which we admire in him, when well applied, he is likely to remain an Indian of the old school to the last. With the younger adults we can do something here and there, where we find one who is not too conservative; but our main hope lies with the youthful generation, who are still measurably plastic. The thoughtless make sport of the Indian's love of personal adorn- ment, forgetting that nature has given him an artistic instinct of which this is merely the natural expression. What harm does it do him that he likes a red kerchief around his neck, or feels a thrill of pride in the silver buckle on his belt? Does not the banker in the midst of civilization wear a scarf pin and a watch chain, and fasten his linen cuffs with links of gold? The highest of us is none the worse for the love of what is bright and pleasant to the eye. Our duty is plainly not to strangle the Indian's artistic craving, but to direct it into a channel where its satisfaction will bear the best fruit for himself and the world. 200 A PioNEEK History of Becker Countv Chapter XII. ABSTRACT OF TITLE. It is customary among all careful business men, and particular- ly with dealers in real estate, before investing money in land or taking security in the same, to investigate the title to the land in question. Becker County is now nearly all, except what is on the White Earth Reservation, in the hands of white people as owners, and they, I believe feel secure in their right and title to their homes, and such other real estate as they possess, wherever they are able to trace the dififerent instruments of conveyance link by link in one unbroken chain back to the deed or patent from the United States Government. But for the satisfaction of all such that have any fear that there may be a flaw in their title previous to Uncle Sam's patent, and for the satisfaction of any person who may on any moral grounds, or who may have any conscientious scruples as to whether Uncle Sam himself had a good and sufficient right, both morally and legally, to convey to us these lands, we will proceed to investigate the title to the soil of Becker County, back to the very beginning of the history of the real estate business on the American continent. Becker County was a part of the Louisiana purchase, which was ceded or deeded to the United States by Napoleon Bonaparte, Em- peror of France, on the 30th day of April, 1803. And now the gi- gantic question arises : how did France acquire a legal right to this country to begin with? And here we come to the first instrument of conveyance ever executed in writing afifecting the title to the farms and homes of the people of Becker County. Early in the year 1689, Nicholas Perrot, a Frenchman, with a party of forty men, established a trading post at Lake Pepin, and commenced trading with the Sioux Indians. That same year he formally claimed the country in the name of France. The official document reads as follows : I, Nicholas Perrot, commanding for the King at the post of Nadoues- sioux. and commissioned to manage the interests of commerce among the Indians, and to take possession in the King's name of all places where I have heretofore been, and whither I will go. I, this day, the 8th of May, 1689, do, in the presence of the Reverend A Pioneer History of Becker CoUx\ty. 201 Father Marest of the Society of Jesus, Missionary among the Sioux; of Monsieur de Borieguillot, commanding the French in the neighborhood of the Wisconsin; Augustin Legardieur, Esquire; Sieur de Caumont; and of Messieurs Le Seur, Herbert, Lemire and Blein, declare to all whom it may concern, that being come from The Bay Des Puants, and to the Lake of the Wisconsins, and to the River Mississippi, we did transport ourselves to the country of the Sioux, on the borders of the River St. Croix, to the mouth of the River St. Pierre (Minnesota River), on the bank of which were the Mantantans; and farther up to the interior, to the northeast of the Mississippi, as far as the Menchokatonx, with whom dwell a majority of the Sioux who are to the northwest of the Mississippi, to take possession for, and in the name of the King, of the countries and rivers inhabited by the said tribes, and of which they are the proprietors. The present act done in our presence, and signed with our hands and subscribed, etc. We here find the Minnesota country west of the Mississippi River claimed by France, and this instrument is one of the Hnks in the chain of title by which our lands are held. But to a man of ordinary in- telligence and moral sensibility we are still in the mire of doubt and uncertainty, and are far from "reading our title clear" to the soil we now occupy, and I here come to a question that has puzzled many an able writer, and been the theme of many a long-winded controversy. When Washington Irving began to write up the history of New York, he encountered this same overshadowing question. He, how- ever, met the question heroically, and came forward with an array of arguments and statement of facts that must forever settle the ques- tion of the right of the King of France to this section of our country to the entire satisfaction of all conscientious philanthropists and legal quibblers. He says : The question which has thus suddenly arisen is: What right had the first discoverers of America to land and take possession of a country with- out first gaining the consent of its inhabitants? A question that has stood many fierce assaults, and has given much distress of mind to multitudes of kind-hearted people. And indeed, until it be totally vanquished and put to rest, the worthy people of America can by no means enjoy the soil they inhabit with clear right and title, and quiet, unsullied consciences. The first source of right by which property is acquired in a country is discovery. For as all mankind have an equal right to anything which has never before been appropriated, so a nation that discovers an unin- habitated country and takes possession thereof is considered as enjoying full property, and absolute, unquestionable empire therein. This proposition being admitted, it clearly follows that the Europeans who first visited America were the real discoverers of the same; nothing being necessary to establish this fact but simply to prove that it was totally uninhabitated by man. This would at first appear to be a point of 202 A Pioneer History of Becker County. some difficulty, for it is well known that this quarter of the world abounded with certain animals that walked erect on two feet, had something of the human countenance, uttered certain unintelligible sounds very much like language and in short, had a marvelous resemblance to human beings. But the zealous and enlightened fathers who accompanied the discoverers, soon cleared up this point, greatly to the satisfaction of his Holiness the Pope and all Christian voyagers and discoverers. They plainly proved, and as no Indian writers arose on the other side to dispute the fact, it was considered as fully admitted and established that the two-legged race of animals before mentioned were mere cannibals, detestable monsters, and some of them giants; which last have always been considered as outlaws. Indeed the philosophic Lord Bacon declared the Indians to be people prescribed by the laws of nature. Nor are these all the proofs of their utter barbarism. Ullo tells us, "Their imbecility is so visible that one can hardly form an idea of them different from what one has of the brutes. Nothing disturbs the tran- quility of their souls, equally insensible to disasters and to prosperity. Though half naked, they are as contented as a king in his most splendid array. Fear makes no impression on them, and respect as little." And M. Bouguier says, "It is not easy to describe their indifiference to wealth and all its advantages. One does not well know what motives to propose to them to persuade them to any service. It is vain to ofYer them money; they answer they are not hungry." And Vanegas assures us that "Ambition they have none. The objects of ambition with us — honor, fame, reputation, riches, positions and distinctions — are unknown among them. In a word, these unhappy mortals may be compared to children, with immature in- tellects." But the benevolent fathers advanced still farther, and stronger proofs, Lullus affirms: "The Indians go naked and ha\"e no beards! They have nothing of the reasonable animal except the mask. And even that mask was allowed to avail them but little, for it was soon found that they were of a hideous copper complexion, and being of a copper complexion it was all the same as if they had been negroes, and negroes are black, and black, said the pious father crossing himself, is the color of the devil." There- fore, so far from being able to own property, they had no right even to personal freedom, for liberty is too radiant a deity to inhabit such gloomy temples. All of which circumstances plainly convinced the righteous followers of Cortes and Pizarro that these miscreants had no title to the soil they infested — that they were a perverse, illiterate, dumb, beard- less black seed — mere wild beasts of the forests, and like them should be either subdued or exterminated. The right of discovery being fully established, we now come to the next, which is the right acquired by cultivation. To cultivate the soil we are told is an obligation imposed by nature on mankind. Now it is notorious that the Indians knew nothing of agriculture when discovered by the Europeans, but lived a most vagabond, disorderly, unrighteous life; whereas it has been unquestionably shown that Heaven intended the earth should be plowed, and sown, and manured, and laid out into cities, and towns, and farms and pleasure grounds and public gardens — all of which A Pionke;r History of Becke;r County. 203 the Indians knew nothing about; therefore they did not improve the talents Providence had bestowed on them; therefore they were careless stewards; therefore, they had no right to the soil; therefore, they deserved to be exterminated. It is true the Indians might plead that they derived all the benefits from the land which their simple wants required — they found plenty of game to hunt, which, together with the roots and wild fruits of the earth, furnished a sufficient variety for their frugal repasts; and that so long as these pur- poses were answered the will of Heaven was accomplished. But this only proves how undeserving they were of the blessings around them: they were so much the more savages for not having more wants. Therefore, the Indians, in not having more wants, were very unreasonable animals, and it was but just that they should make way for the Europeans, who had a thousand wants to their one, and therefore would turn the earth to more account, and more truly fulfil the will of Heaven. Besides inany wise men who have considered the matter properly have determined that the property of a country cannot be acquired by hunting, cutting wood, or drawing water therein. Now as the Indians (probably from never having read the above decisions) had never com- plied with any of these forms, it follows that they had no right to the soil, but that it was completely at the disposal of the first comers, who had more wants and more desires than themselves. But a more irresistible right than either that I have mentioned, is the right acquired by civilization. All the world knows the lamentable state in which these poor savages were found. But no sooner did the benevolent inhabitants of Europe behold their sad condition, than they immediately went to work to improve it. They introduced among them rum, gin, brandy, and other comforts of life; and it is astonishing to read how soon the poor savages learned to estimate these blessings. They likewise made known to them a thousand remedies by which the most inveterate diseases were alleviated and healed; and that they might comprehend the benefits and enjoy the comforts of these medicines, they introduced among them the diseases which they were designed to cure. By these and a variety of other methods was the condition of these poor people won- derfully improved. Here, then, are three complete and undeniable sources of right estab- lished, any one of which was more than ample to establish a property in the newly discovered regions of America, and this all at once brings us to a fourth right, which is worth more than all the others put together; and this last right may be entitled the Right by Extermination, or, in other words, the Right by Gunpowder. But lest any scruples of conscience should remain on this head, and to settle the question of right forever. His Holiness Pope Alexander VI. issued a bull by which he generously granted to the Catholic nations of Southeastern Europe all the newly discovered quarters of the globe. These nations having both law and gospel on their side, were clearly entitled to the soil, and also to the eternal thanks of these infidel savages, for having come so far. endured so many perils by land and sea, for no other purpose 204 A Pioneer History of Becker County. but to improve their forlorn, uncivilized, heathenish condition; and for having made them acquainted with the comforts of life." W. I. We now find France with a securely established title to the soil we now occupy, in Becker County. In 1762 France ceded the whole of the province of Louisiana to Spain who was the sole and undisputed owner for thirty-eight years, when by the treaty of St. Ildefonso, Spain ceded the Pro- vince back to France on the first day of October 1800. France never took formal possession of the entire province, but occupied a few places on the Mississippi River jointly with Spain, the most important of which was New Orleans ; both nations hav- ing troops stationed there at the same time. Finally on the 30th day of April, 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte, by the treaty of Paris, as I have before stated, sold the province to the United States for $15,000,000. Spain was displeased with the transfer of the province to the United States, and her minister at Washington was instructed to warn our government to suspend the ratification of the treaty of cession of Louisiana ; as the French government, in securing the province had contracted with Spain not to retrocede it to any other power, and France, not having adhered to that agreement, the treaty cession was declared void by Spain. This controversy was not settled until the 22nd of February 1819, when Spain rati- fied the treaty of Paris, and relin((uishe-. Nellie Way. Fanny Way. Almon W. Sherman. (Died during the Winter.) Mrs. Almon W. Sherman. Alma Sherman. Dee Sherman. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 22.^ Mrs. Lyois Cutler, mother of Mrs. Sherman. Lois Anderson, granddaughter of Mrs. Sherman. Dewitt Sperry. Mrs. Dewitt Sperry. Ella Sperry, Frank Sperry, children of Dewitt Sperry. Alice Sperry, niece of Dewitt Sperry. Mrs. Barbary Stillman, mother of Mrs. Sperry. IN WHAT IS NOW AUDUBON TOWNSHIP: Christen Anderson. Mrs. C. Anderson. Annie Anderson, daughter of Chris. Anderson. John F. Beaver. Mrs. John F. Beaver. (Died in the spring of 1870). Frederick Johnson. Buckley B. Anderson. Mrs. B. B. Anderson. Jedediah Anderson, son of B. B. Anderson. Edward Anderson, son of B. B. Anderson. Richard Anderson, son of B. B. Anderson. Elva Anderson, daughter of B. B. Anderson. Freeman Anderson, son of B. B. Anderson. Miron Anderson, son of B. B. Anderson. Andrew Anderson, son of B. B. Anderson. Jackson Burdick, son-in-law of B. B. Anderson. Mrs. Jackson Burdick. Ida Burdick, daughter of Jackson Burdick. Eunice Eurdick, daughter of Jackson Burdick. Oren Burdick, son of Jackson Burdick. Harvey Jones. David Pyle. M. L. Devereaux. David Beveridge. Mark Warren. Talmage. The census of 1870 gives the population of Becker County as 308. These figures are misleading, as to my certain knowledge there were not more than sixty people in the county on the first day of June of that year outside the White Earth Reservation, so 224 A Pioneer HISTuR^' oe Becker County. that the other 238 reported at the time must have been mostly on the reservation, and nearl}^ all of them Indians. In the summer of 1869, a party sent out to explore a route for the Northern Pacific Railroad, passed through the county from the west, and among them was John ( ). French, now of Detroit Township, who was connected with the party. In the summer of 1870, the probability that the Northern Pa- cific Railroad would pass through the county brought quite an influx of settlers, too many to mention in detail at the present time, but they will be accounted for under the heading of the dif- ferent townships. At the beginning of the year 1879, there was not a single set- tler in the whole region of country east of the Otter Tail River, which includes rather more than the eastern half of the county. That summer J. F. Siegford, his son, Frank Siegford, George M. Carson, A. W. Sanderson, and C. E. Bullock, opened the wa}' and led the van-guard of pioneers to the beautiful prairies of Osage and Carsonville, that have since developed into one of the most thriving and ])rosperous communities in the county. The timbered to\vnshi])s were somewhat slower to settle, but at the present time (1905) there is scarcely a cjuarter section of government land in the count}- without a settler. The first white girl born in the county was Clara D. W'ay, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Way, who were then living at Oak Lake in I^etroit Township. She was Ijorn on the 20th of July 1870. The first white boy born in Becker County was Olaus Reep, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sevald Reep, who was born on the 29th day of July 1871 and recorded January 20th, 1872. The first death among the white settlers was that of Alnion W. Sherman, who died at Oak Lake on the 31st day of December, 1869. The first white people to g"et married in the county were L J. Hanson and Annis Mix, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Mix, who were married by Rev. J. E. Wood on the 22d day of October 1871. Frank M. Campbell of White Earth took the census of Becker County in 1870. The first deed of conveyance for land in Becker County was made by Christen Anderson to the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- panv, for the west half of the southwest road of Section 8. in A Pioneer History of Becker County. 225 the present township of Aiuhibon. This deed was made the nth day of July, 1871, and recorded January 20th, 1872. The first mortgage in Becker County was made by Ole Peter- son to Knute Nelson, present United States senator. The mort- gage was for $200, and was on the east half of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter, and lot 5 of Section 4, in the present township of Audubon. The mortgage was dated January 9th, 1872. The first school in Becker County was taught by Mrs. Julia A. Spears at White Earth in the fall of 1870. The first school in Becker County, outside the reservation was taught by Miss Nancy M. Comstock, in the fall of 1871, in a house belonging to Henry Way, in what is now school district number three in Audubon Township. The first school taught in Becker Count}^ in a legally organized school district, was in district number one in the village of Detroit, by Miss Lottie Frank, be- ginning on the second day of July 1872. The first religious service in Becker County was held at White Earth by the Rev. John Johnson, (Enmegahbowh), in the fall of 1868. The first religious service in Becker County, outside the reser- vation, was held by the Rev. Dr. Lord on the shore of Floyd Lake on the 22d of August 1869, at the camp of the Northern Pacific Railroad exploring expedition. The first religious service ever held in Becker County with a full audience of Becker County people, and by a minister residing in this part of Minnesota, was conducted by the Rev. T. Watleson at the house of John F. Beaver in what is now Audubon Town- ship, on the sixth of November 1870. Father Gurley was the first resid'ent minister in Becker Coun- ty, outside the reservation, coming here as missionary for the Ncirthern Pacific Railroad, under the auspices of the Methodist churcli in July 187 1. 226 A Pioneer History of Becker County. William Morrison. WILLIAM MORRISON. William Morrison, one of Becker County's earliest white set- tlers, was born in Montreal, Canada, March 7th, 1785. His father was a Scotch immigrant named Allan Morrison, a native of Stornoway, on the Lewis, one of the Hebrides or west- ern Isles, forming part of Scotland, and his mother a Canadian French lady named Jane for Jessie) Wadin. A PioxiiER History of Bkcker County. 227 William having received a common school education, commenced clerking in a store in Montreal before he was fifteen years of age. Montreal was at that time the home and general headquarters of the British and Canadian fur traders, who came down the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers, in mackinaw boats and birch- bark canoes, every summer, with their winter's collection of furs, and returned the same season, to the far Northwest, with a new supply of goods for the next winter's business. The few avenues to fortunes presented to the ambitious young men by the Canada of that day, coupled with the tales of adven- tures, and stories of the large profits made in the fur trade, fired young Morrison's ambition, and he at the early age of sixteen, was apprenticed by his father with the Northwest Fur Company, then the great rival of the more ancient Hudson's Bay Company, and started for old Grand Portage on Lake Superior, the Company's western headquarters, with the returning boats. The next year, in 1802, he was sent to Leech Lake and thence to an outpost on the headwaters of one of the streams tributary to the Crow Wing River, from which point they collected furs from their Indian hunters scattered through what is now Becker and Otter Tail Counties. These Indians were Pillager Chippewas, and from information gathered from some of the old Indians I knew at Leech Lake in 1870, and who remembered well "Sha-gah- nansh-eence," the "Little Englishman," as he was called by the Chippewas, I would locate this outpost at Shell Lake. In 1803-4 Morrison wintered at Upper Rice Lake on the head- waters of the \\^ild Rice River, and it was during that winter and the spring of 1804 that he visited Lake Itasca and the various smaller lakes which form part of the source of the Mississippi River. No white man had ever visited that country before Morrison, and he rightfully claimed to be the discoverer of the source of this great river, although Nicollet, Beltrami and Schoolcraft all claim- ed this honor several years later. It being the policy of the Northwest Fur Company not to allow any of its traders to remain more than one or two years at the same outpost, Morrison was, in this manner, enabled to visit many places, and became well acquainted with the fur resources of a vast territory ; the knowledge so acquired soon proved of great value to him. 228 A Pioneer History of Becker Couxty. His industrious habits and natural shrewdness, coupled witli his ability to handle the rough "Yoyageurs" and his po])ularit}- among the Indians, soon attracted the notice of his employers, and after several years spent in managing various trading posts in Minnesota, he was placed in charge of a number of them, with headquarters at Sandy Lake, on the upper ]\Iississi])pi River. It was while stationed there that an incident occurred, illustrating his popularity with, and influence over the Indians. Tecumseh's brother, "The I'rophet," had sent out his tobacco to all the western and northwestern tribes, with a secret message to the Indians to join him in a general massacre of the whites in the Indian country. Such was the reputation and influence of this famous grand medicine man, the prophet, over the Indians, that although the Chippewas were of a peaceful disposition and had no great cause of complaint against their traders, they dared not refuse the invi- tation. The tobacco sent was smoked in secret council, the Indians withdrew away from the trading posts, and generally assumed an unfriendly attitude. Morrison had left Sandy Lake and gone on a business trip to Fond du Lac, to meet with the other chief traders and the manag- ing board of the Northwest Company. While there, messengers came in from Sandy Lake and a number of other trading posts, with reports, that the Indians were acting in an unfriendly manner, and that their actions indicated there was mischief a brewing, but none of the traders' employes could find out what the trouble was. The assembled traders decided that Morrison was the only one able to get the secret out of the Indians, and he started at once for Sandy Lake, his own post, with the messenger who had brought die report. They had a light l)irch canoe and traveled rapidly, so that on the forenoon of the third day they paddled out of Prairie River into Sandy Lake. Some young Indians, wdio were returning from a deer hunt, recognizing him. hurried home to spread the news, that the "Little Englishman" was coming home. From stray hints heard while at Fond du Lac, Morrison had made up his mind that "The Prophet" was at the bottom of the trouble, and he soon decided on his plan of action. Paddling close to the shore he was soon opposite the wigwams of the Indians, but contrary to custom he never stopped to enquire about the news and kept on as if in a great hurry. This A I'loMvEK HiSTuRV OF BECKER CoUXTV. 229 nettled the suspicious Indians, and one of them was sent on to intercept Morrison above one of the small portages which cut across the points formed by the long bends of the Mississippi River, below the mouth of the Sandy Lake River. His face was painted black, and as Morrison did not seem to notice him, the Indian hailed the canoe, when the paddlers stopped. "You seem to be in great hurry," said the Indian, "what news where you come from?" "Xoth- ing," answered Morrison, "and what is going on here?" "Nothing here either." Then Morrison slowly began paddling away ; stopping suddenly, he half turned around saying: "Oh yes, there is some news I was forgetting. The great medicine man, "The Prophet." has been killed by the Long Knives, (the Americans). Then he re- sumed paddling and soon reached his stockade, a short distance down the Mississippi. The next day the Indians flocked in and resumed friendly relations, without showing the least sign of ill feeling. As luck would have it, messengers came a few days afterwards from Lake Superior, confirming his report of the death of "The Prophet," and all circumstances connected with the plot came out. It was a lucky hit. Morrison had calculated that if he could get the Indians to come around, he would succeed in getting them started out deer hunting, birch-bark raising, etc., and get them scattered, so they could not spend their days of idleness in plotting more mischief. William Morrison stayed with the Northwest Fur Company until in 1816, when being oiYered better inducements, he joined the American Fur Company (John Jacob Astor's), and was placed in charge of the department of Fond du Lac, with headquarters at Old Superior. Wisconsin. This department embracing within its territory. Lake Vermillion, Red Lake, Sandy Lake. Leech Lake, Lake Winnebagoshish, Cass Lake, Otter Tail Lake, Crow \Wihg on the Mississippi, and Grand Portage on Lake Superior. He re- mained in charge of John Jacob Astor's business there until 1826, when having acquired what was called a competency for those days, he retired from the fur trade and returned to Canada. There he purchased a large island, since known as Morrison's Island, in the St. Lawrence River, between Old Fort William Henry, now Sorel, on the south shore, and Berthier-en-Haut, on the north shore of the river. For some years he was engaged in farming, but pastoral life was too quiet and unexciting for his active mind, and after a few 230 A Pioneer History of Becker County. years spent on the farm, he settled in Berthier, where for many years he carried on a mercantile business, and was also judge of the county court. While trading in the upper [Mississippi country, he married a Pillager Chippewa woman, by whom he had two boys and a girl. His wife dying soon after the birth of the last born, the children were, according to Indian custom, taken care of by the wife's mother, who always thereafter followed and lived with her grand- children. When Morrison left the Indian country in 1826, he made arrangements to take his three children with him, but on the eve of the day set for the departure of the boats, from Superior for Macki- noe, the grandmother stole the children and disappeared during the night. Search for them was made for several days, but with- out success, and they were necessarily left behind. They returned eventually to Leech Lake, and in course of time the two boys grew to be great hunters and warriors, and many Sioux scalps dangled from their belts whenever they went out with a war party. In spite of their Indian bringing up, and thanks to the good advice given them by their uncle, Allan Morrison, they never for- got that they were of white blood, and always exercised their in- fluence over their reckless tribesmen to keep them from molesting the whites, and but for the stand taken by Joseph, (or Ay-gans as the Indians called him), at Leech Lake during the outbreak of 1862, there would have been a massacre of the em]:)lo}es and traders at the agency. Hole-in-the-day, head chief of the Mississippi Chippewas, had stirred up the Pillagers to such a pitch that they had robbed the stores and made the whites prisoners. They had met in several councils and the most reckless of them had decided that the whites must die the next morning. Ay-gans had taken an active part in the councils, but had always taken the part of the prisoners. At last, when he saw that all his efforts had been in vain, he got up and spoke about their comradeship in war and in the hunts, and also on their relationship to one another and of that law of nature which binds kin to kin, and then he bared his arm, displaying his light skin, saying: "You are talking of killing our white friends, and you say they must die tomorrow. Look at this arm ; it is light colored, the blood that runs through it is white man's blood, and when you kill our white friends you will kill me also." That last part of the speech was telling. Ay-gans was a brave man, and his last A Pioneer History of Becker County. 231 words, were to Indian ears, both defiant and threatening. The next morning other brave men took sides with the whites and their Hves were spared. They were marched down to Gull Lake as prisoners, and turned over to the care of the Gull Lake Indians, and afterwards liberated. Descendants of this Jos. !AIorrison are now settled on the Wild Rice River in Norman County, but formerly were a part of the first contingent of Otter Tail Chippewas, who removed with their father to Becker County in 1872, and settled around the present agency and the Old Trading Post. The daughter was taken into the family of one of the missionaries and followed them to Stillwater, where she married a German farmer, and died several years ago. Joseph died at Beaulieu, Minn., in January, 1889. His older brother Richard, or Dekaince, died at Otter Tail Lake about 1870. AA'illiam ^lorrison's second wife was a Miss Ronssain, daughter of a Fond du Lac, Minn., Indian trader. She was the mother of two sons and two daughters, and went with her husband to Canada, where she died a few years afterwards. William, the oldest of the two boys, left Canada for the west and eventually joining one of Col. Fremont's expeditions to the Pacific coast, went to Cali- fornia, where he settled and died about 1850. The younger son, Donald George, left Canada before he was twenty years of age, and worked his way through Michigan, Illi- nois and Wisconsin to Minnesota, where he settled in the Red River valley near the boundary line, and became a member of the Terri- torial Legislature of Minnesota. A few years later he settled in Old Superior, Wisconsin, where he was elected register of deeds of Douglas County, an office he held for years afterwards. He died in Superior, in 1898. After the death of his second wife, William Morrison found himself with four young children, with none but hired help to man- age and care for them, so after a couple years of this kind of exist- ence, he married Miss Elizabeth Ann Kittson, an elder sister oi the late Commodore N. W. Kittson of St. Paul, Minnesota. Four daughters were born of that union. Mrs. Morrison died in February, 1864, and her husband, who had been blind for several years, could not bear up long under the blow. He aged rapidly after this, and although surrounded by kind friends who endeavored by their attentions and company, to keep his mind interested in the events of the day, he lost all interest 2^2 A PrONEER HiSTORV OF BeCKER CoUNTV. in life and gradually passed away. He died on Morrison's Island August /th, 1866, and was buried in Sorel, alongside of his last wife. In religion he was an Episcopalian, and in politics a Conserva- tive, and a strong supporter of the Canadian government in the troublesome years of 1837-38, and possessed of much influence with the authorities. This he used to good advantage after the rebellion, and was instrumental in saving the lives and liberty of many of his patriotic friends. The accompanying portrait was taken when he was about sixty- nine years of age. Geo. a. Morison. Mark Warren. The first man I ever saw in Becker County was Mark Warren. He was one of those eccentric characters, always found on the fron- tier, whose occupation can best be defined as fur trader and wild rover, and who usually disappeared with the advent of civilization. I found him near the southw'est corner of what is now Cormo- rant Township, in October 1870. I asked him where he lived, and he pointed to an old Red River cart that was standing near by and said that was all the home he possessed. He did not remain in the county more than a year or two longer, but I afterwards frequently camped with him both in Minnesota and Dakota, learn- ing something of his history, which had been very eventful. He was about forty years of age, a native of Vermont, well educated, and started out in life intending to become a lawyer. His life, however, about that time became blighted, the particulars of which he never gave me in full, but from occasional hints it was easy to surmise the cause that changed the whole future course of his life. He had been for many years engaged in buying furs from the Indians and frontier settlers, and for the last ten or fifteen years had been a rambler in this region of country. Sometime in the year 1865, he had gathered up a cart-load of furs and taken them to St. Paul, disposing of them at good prices, and returning by the Old Red River trail, camped at night near the Buffaki River. His camp was a little way off from the trail, and sometime in the night, someone entered his tent, struck him on the head with a club, then stabbed him in the breast with a knife and robbed him of $400 and A Pioneer History of Becker County. 233 left him for dead, ^^'hether the robber was a white man or an Indian was not known, as Warren did not see the vilhiin. When he l)ecame conscions, it was noon the following' day and he was scarcely able to move hand or foot, and lay in that condition until the second day, when he mustered up strength to crawl out to the cart trail, where he lay all that day and the next night. About noon of the third day, he was picked up by some Red River half- breeds, who took him to the nearest trading post, where he ho\- ered between life and death for a whole month, and it was a year before he fully recovered from the effects of this foul deed. AX'arren went from here to the A\'ild Rice River, and in the au- tumn of 1874, I found him on the l)ank.s of the Missouri, a little above Bismarck, in Dakota, and again in 1878, I found him further up the Missouri in a snug cabin, herding cattle and reading Black- stone. The last I heard of him was in the year 1895, when he had found a final resting place among the mountains of A\^voming. 234 A Pione;e:r History of Becker County. Chapter XVII. NORTHERN PACIFIC EXPLORATIONS. The first route proposed for the Northern Pacific Railroad was to run from Duluth to St. Cloud and from thence to Breckenridge, as a feasible route was known to exist along that course, whereas most people had their doubts as to the practicability of building a railroad farther north. The first exploring expedition was fitted out in June, 1869, under the direction and management of George A. Bracket, of Minneapolis. Their first camp was pitched at Small Lake, a little w^est of St. Cloud on the 9th day of July, 1869. Accompanying the expedition was J. Gregory Smith, at that time governor of \'ermont, and also president of the X'orthern Pacific Railroad Company, Eugene M. Wilson, of Minneapolis, member of Congress from the third Minnesota district. Senator William Windom, the Rev. Dr. Lord of Chicago, Charles Carlton Coffin, correspondent of the Boston Journal, and among several others the financial agent of Jay Cook, a man whose name was Holmes. Pierre Bottineau, a Red River half-breed, and one of the most noted frontiersmen of the Northwest, was the guide of the party, and John C). French, now of Detroit Township, was his assistant. The party consisted of about seventy men, fifty-five of whom were teamsters ; twenty-five light wagons and buggies, and about thirty heavy wagons, loaded with provisions, baggage and general camping outfit. As they left St. Cloud, they made a very imposing procession, stretching out along the road for nearly half a mile in extent. They moved by easy stages, following the old Alexandria and Red River road, and in the course of about a week reached Fort Abercrombie, a frontier post occupied by United States troops. The party here divided, about one-half of them remaining behind to explore the Red River Valley and the country adjacent thereto in a direction north from Ft. Abercrombie. The other half of the expedition now procured the ser\'ices of a squad of twenty-five or thirty soldiers from Ft. Abercrombie, under the command of a lieutenant to serve as an escort, and then, under the leadership of Bottineau and French, proceeded to explore the country across the Dakota plains to the Missouri River. They A Pionee;r History of Becker County. 235 crossed the Maple, Sheyenne and James Rivers, coming to the Missouri some distance north of where Bismarck now stands. At their camp near the James River they were fired upon, in the night, by a party of Sioux Indians and skirmishing with the pickets was quite hvely for a couple of hours, and was only brought to a close by the dawning of day. One soldier was slightly wounded. x\fter examining the approaches to the Missouri, and ascertain- ing the feasibility of a crossing, the party started back by a new route a little north of their outward trail, and about the 15th of Au- gust reached the Red River a little north of where Fargo now stands. Here they met the party which they had left at Ft. Aber- crombie a few weeks before. After a short rest, the united expedition crossed the Red River and started on their homeward journey in an easterly direction across the Red River flats, and on the 21st of August, 1869, camped for the night on the shores of Floyd Lake, in what is now Detroit Township. The next day being Sunday, the expedition rested from their journeying and the Rev. Dr. Lord held religious servi- ces at the camp, and preached the first sermon ever preached in Becker County by a white man of which we have any knowledge. At this camp at the southwest corner of Floyd Lake, Charles Carleton Coffin wrote a letter to the Boston Journal, giving a de- scription of the country in the western part of Becker County, and appropriately naming it the Park Region of Minnesota. The following is a copy of his letter: On our second day's march from Red River, we came to a section of country that might with propriety be called the Park Region of Minnesota. It lies amid the uplands of the divide. It is more beauti- ful even than the country around White Bear Lake in the vicinity of Glenwood. Throughout the day we rode amid such rural scenery as can only be found in the most lovely spots in New England. Think of an undulating country, gently rounded elevations with green slopes, of lawns and parks and countless lakes; calm waters reposing amid the low hills, skirted by forests, fringed with rushes, perfumed by lilies; or of the waves rippling on gravelly beaches, of wild geese, ducks, loons, pelicans and innumerable waterfowl building their nests amid the reeds and rushes; think of lawns blooming with flowers, of elk and deer browsing amid the meadows. This is their haunt. We see their tracks along the sandy beach, but they keep beyond the range of our rifles. So wonderfully has nature adorned this section of country, that it seems as if we were riding through a country that had long been under cultivation, and that beyond yonder hillock we shall find a mansion or at least a farm house. 236 A Pioneer History of Becker County. I do not forget that I am seeing this country at its best season, that it is midsummer, and that the winters are as long as in New England; but I can say without reservation that nowhere in the wide world, not even in England, the most finished of all lands; not in la belle France, or sunny Italy, or in the valley of the Ganges, or the Yangtze, or the slopes of the Sierra Nevadas in California have I beheld anything approaching this region of natural beauty. It was a pleasure, after three days' travel over trackless wilds, to come suddenly and unexpectedly upon a hayficld. There were the swathes newly mown. There was no farm-house in sight, no fenced fields, but the hay- makers had been at work in the vicinity. We were approaching civiliza- tion. Ascending the hill we came in sight of a settler, a pioneer. One of our party had already come up with him. and he informed us that we should find the old trail about a mile ahead. He had a long beard hanging to his breast; long, matted hair and a pale wrinkled countenance. He had come from Ohio in his youth and had always been a skirmisher on the advancing line of civilization. We struck the old trail about a mile west of Oak Lake. This trail was formerly traveled by the French and Indian traders, between the Mississippi River and Pembina, and had not been used much of late years. Striking that, we should have no trouble in reaching the settlements at Otter Tail forty miles southeast. Emigration travels fast. Four families have just made a beginning at Oak Lake on the old Red River trail. We reached the settlement on Saturday night. August 21st. and pitched our tent on the shore of Floyd Lake for the Sabbath. It was a rare treat for these people to come to our camp and hear a sermon from the Rev. Dr. Lord. The oldest person in the colony is a woman, now in her eightieth year, with eye undiminished, a countenance remarkably free from the marks of age. who walks with a firm step after three-score years of labor. Sixty years ago she left Lebanon, New Hampshire, a young wife, leaving her native hills for a home in the state of New York, then moving with the great army of emigrants to Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa in succession, and at last b'^ginning again in Minnesota. Last year her hair, which had been as white as the purest snov,% began to take on its original color, and is now <|uite dark. There are but few instances on record of such a renewal of youth. The women and children of these four families lived here all alone for six weeks while the men were away after the stock. On the fourth of July all hands traveled forty miles, to Rush Lake to celebrate the day. Store, church, school and post office are forty miles away and the nearest mills are fully as distant." The four families referred to were the Henry Way, Sherman, Sperry and Stillman families, who had settled the year before at Oak Lake. The settler referred to with the long- hair was a half hmy individttal by name of Talmage, who lived in a little dugout a mile or two A Pioneer History of Becker County. 237 southwest of where Audubon now stands. He left the country the next year. He is the man who cut the hay referred to in the letter above. The expedition then proceeded on its way to the east, the route followed by them being- very nearly identical with that now occupied by the Northern Pacific Railroad itself. This ex- pedition settled the location of the Northern Pacific between Du- luth and Moorhead, but another expedition was sent out the next year to make a farther examination of the country between the Red River and the Missouri. John (). French was also a mem- ber of this expedition, and to him I am indebted for a large part of the information contained in this article. The Northern Pacific Railroad was just a little more than one year in being built through Becker County. Grading began in the vicinity of the Otter Tail County line and in the Detroit Woods, about the middle of October, 1870, and was finished in the western part of the county about the middle of November, 1871. By the first of December, trains were making regular trips to Oak Lake Cut, which were continued through the winter, but only two trains were run through to ]\Ioorehead that fall, as the road was blockaded with snow until the middle of the next April, although a large crew of men shoveled snow all winter at an expense of $30,000. General Rosser was chief engineer of this part of the railroad. An engineer by the name of Keith had charge of the work from the second crossing of the Otter Tail to Chris. Anderson's place on Section 8, in Audubon Township, and Reno, a relative of Major Reno of Custer Massacre fame, had charge from there to where Hawley, in Clay County, is now. In 1870 and 1871 an engineer by the name of McClellan, a cousin of General McClellan, surveyed a line from Floyd Lake, in Detroit Township to Pembina. Fred. Brackett had the contract of grading the road from the crossing of the Otter Tail River near the county line to Detroit Lake, and George M. C. Brackett graded the road from Detroit Lake a dis- tance of ten miles to the west. T. M. Ault had a sub-contract for grading a few miles east from Detroit Lake. An old Scotchman by the name of James INIcCoy, had a con- tract for grading, where the village of Lake Park now stands. The Soo railroad was built across Becker County in the year 1903. WHITE CLOUD. HOLE-IN-THE-DAY. PAUL BEAULIEU. TRUMAN A. WARREN. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 239 Chapter XVIII. HISTORY OF THE WHITE EARTH RESERVATION. I will begin the history of White Earth with a letter from Ma- jor J._D, Bassett, who was Indian agent for the Mississippi Band of Chippewas at the time of their removal to White Earth in 1868: WoLFBORO, N. H., August 10, 1906. Yours of the 27th ult. reached me a few days since, forwarded from Minneapolis. I have delayed answering it in order to consult with Mr. James Bean, who now lives in California, but was expected here, and who was my clerk during my incumbency of the Indian agency and could have given me much help in answering your letter. These answers are from memory, which is not as clear as they would have been if I had some diaries kept at that time, which I have in Minneapolis. I find that forty years dims my memory of events that transpired that length of time ago. When the treaty was made in Washington in 1867, the party that went with me consisted of George Bonga (interpreter), Head Chief Hole-in-the- day, Peter Bottineau and five or six other Chiefs and Headmen; all full- blooded Indians. We were there over two months before the treaty was made and ratified. Paul H. Beaulieu was sent by me to White Earth in the spring of 1868, before the removal to explore the country and meet me on my arrival there, which was to precede the arrival of the Indians. Truman Warren was employed as an interpreter and collected the Indians at the old agency, near Crow Wing, superintended collecting the outfit and accompanied them on their journey. I followed them a few days after and overtook them at Otter Tail Lake, where they were met by a delegation of Sioux Indians and were holding a friendly council. Paul Beaulieu met me, before I arrived at the point afterwards selected for the agency, and accompanied me back to the reservation, and together with him the agency was located, also a road to White Earth Lake, and a site for the sawmill selected. I do not recollect now of sending any one to the reservation to do any work except what was done by Paul Beaulieu, in exploring on the reservation. As soon as the site for buildings was selected and the loca- tion of the land to be broken was marked out, I employed Joseph Wake- field to break the land for an Indian farm and to break land separately, for such Indians as desired to occupy it. I do not recollect the exact date when the breaking commenced or ended, but there is no question about Paul Beaulieu being the first settler. He was there before the first colony arrived and I think his family was there also, and he was employed as a farmer from the time of the first arrival of Indians at White Earth Reservation, until I left the agency. There were Indians and half-breeds constantly going and coming, but the number there was constantly in creasing. I think, when the Indians arrived near the Reservation, Paul 240 A Pioneer History of Becker County. went out to meet them and piloted them to the ground. I think he met me at some point and came back with me before the arrival of the Indians. I left the Indians at Otter Tail Lake and did not see them again until their arrival. Truman Warren stayed with the Indians until their arrival at their destination. Truman was the Moses from the start, and true and faithful. ]\Iost of the Indians that went that year, went together with Warren. No band or body of them went together after that time during that year. Several ox teams went with the Indians, and I think the same teams were put to work breaking land. There were some pine logs cut as you suggest, and it was done by Joseph Wakefield the next winter. I do not recollect how many, but enough to build many houses for Indians and store-houses. My experience with the Indian Department shows to my mind the most incomprehensible absurdity that a civilized people ever attempted to impose upon an uncivilized race. To attempt to civilize a people and at the same time prevent them from adopting any of the arts or advan- tages of civilization, is to my mind absolutely absurd and ridiculous. Give the benefit of law and the work is done at once. Abrogate law amongst the white people and we would soon relapse into barbarism. Respectfully yours, J. B. B.'^SSETT. First Land Plowed in Becker County. J. W. Wakefield, now of Aitkin, Minn., who did the first plowing in Becker County, says: Aitkin, Minn., July 22, igo6. In the fall of 1862, I passed through Becker County with the Indian agent, on our way to Clearwater, where he made payment to the Otter Tail, Pembina and Red Lake Indians. We followed the old Red River Trail, and camped at Detroit Lake on our way out. Edwin Clark was the agent at that time. It was a wild trip. The Sioux were all over the country, and were very hostile; it being soon after the beginning of the terrible massacre in southern Minnesota. The Otter Tail Indians escorted us through to the Clearwater. I broke 240 acres of land for the Indians at White Earth, in the summer of 1868, and the winter following cut one million feet of pine logs to be sawed into lumber and to be used in the con- struction of the agency buildings. I started my teams from old Crow Wing in the latter part <>f .Kpril. 1868, and Paul H Beaulieu was the leader of the party, because he knew better how to manage the fording of the rivers, but William Thompson took charge of the work. Paul was employed by the government as farmer and surveyor. After locating my teams at breaking, he returned to accompany Major Bassett. I commenced breaking about the middle of May, with two six-ox teams and four two-horse teams. I think Paul Beaulieu's first trip to White Earth was when he went with my teams, arriving there early in May, 1868. James Warren and George Van Valken- A PioNiiiiR History ui* I>ecke;r County. 241 burg came to White Earth later on. I opened up a store there, as I was the only licensed trader in the country at the time. Robert Fairbanks was my clerk. E. B. Lowell took charge of my logging camp that next winter. I think our making the trip through that country in the fall of 1862, was the cause of White Earth being chosen for a reservation, for we all recommended it to the government as the Garden of Eden, and we were not much mistaken. I have been trying to refresh my memory as to the names of those of my party who went to White Earth to do the breaking of land. There were, besides Beaulieu, four men and one woman. The woman was Wm. Thompson's wife, a white woman, and the entire party were white men, but for my life I cannot remember their names, except Wm. Thompson and Simeon Weaver. As to Paul H. Beaulieu, he went back to Crow Wing and brought his family back, and so did Robert Fairbanks. The following winter I cut one million feet of logs to build the Agency. Again Paul Beaulieu returned to Crow Wing and piloted my teams and crew through. They left Crow Wing the early part of January, i86g. This party was, P. H. Beaulieu, E. B. Lowell, John B. Wakefield and True Moores. Somewhere in the vicinity of Detroit, they experienced a snow storm. So much snow fell with the heavy wind, the men got discouraged and all agreed to turn back, when True Moores with a four-horse team hitched up and said he was going to White Earth, as he had hired out to do and started out alone. Paul Beaulieu soon followed and after some time they all pulled out, and with much difficulty, with snow and cold, made their way by following the ridges and high land, for the valleys were ten to twenty feet deep with snow. It was quite an undertaking to haul our supplies so far without roads or bridges. I got $13.00 per acre for breaking and $10.00 per one thousand feet banking logs and it was not too much either. Yours respectfully. To A. H. Wilcox Joseph B. Wakefield. The William Thompson referred to took a claim the next year two or three miles south of where Frazee now stands and lived there for several years. The place is now owned and occupied by Thomas Keyes. His wife referred to afterwards became the wife of C. H. Whipple and lived in Detroit for several years and died there on the 13th day of March, 1888. First Saw Mill at White Earth. Long Pr.mrie. Minnesota. July 10. 1906. Hon. a. H. Wilcox. Frazee, Minn., Dear Sir: I have your favor of the 2nd inst., asking about my trip to White Earth in the spring of 1868, and in reply will say I went there at that time to build a saw mill for the Indians, under contract with Major J. B. Bassett, then Indian agent. 242 A Pioneer History of Becker County. We loaded the engine, boiler and mill machinery into a flatboat at the old village of Crow Wing and poled the boat up the Crow Wing River to the mouth of Leaf River and up that river to Leaf Lake. The party was made up of the late Wm. L. Dow, Little Falls, Minn., Mr. Mc- Cabe, of Minneapolis, Minn., Mr. Jerry Bartrum and a brother of his, whose name I have forgotten, and myself, with about half a dozen Indians who helped pole the boat. We found the water very low that spring and in many places were obliged to build wing dams to raise the water sufficiently to enable us to get up over the rapids; when we got into Leaf River we found it so crooked that our boat, which was seventy feet long, could scarcely make the turns and we were greatly delayed and did not reach Rufifee's Landing on Leaf Lake as soon as we expected; we ran short of provisions and the last few days lived on fish which we caught in the river. We left the boat at Rufifee's Landing, and the cargo was afterwards loaded onto wagons and hauled through to White Earth Lake. After leaving our boat, we went to Otter Tail Lake where Charley Peake had a trading store, only to find he had nothing to eat except fish and potatoes, and for four days, while we were waiting for the teams which started from the Crow Wing Agency the day after we did and which were greatly delayed by bad roads, we shared his generous hospitality and scant bill of fare. At Otter Tail Lake was also located Mr. Van Norse, to whom we were indebted for many courtesies. When we reached Buffalo River we were obliged to bridge that stream before we could get our teams across, and while there Major Bassett over- took us and went ahead to White Earth and sent back Mr. Paul Beaulieu to pilot us in to our destination. Upon our arrival we immediately commenced work on the saw-mill, and soon had it running. It was located about two miles east of the present village on the bank of White Earth Lake. Thompson & Peake had banked a lot of pine logs across the lake the winter before, and from these we sawed quite a lot of lumber and shingles and then left the mill in charge of Anton St. Germain, who ran it for some time. The following winter I built a saw-mill at Red Lake for the Indians of that agency; the mill was located at the outlet of the lake and was run by water power. The firm of Thompson & Peake, who did the lumbering at White Earth the winter before I went there, was composed of Mr. William Thompson, whom you mention, and Fred Peake. Giles Peake and Charley Peake were at Otter Tail at the time. There were no Indians with Major Bassett, they came later and arrived while I was there during the early summer. Paul Beaulieu was at White Earth ahead of us and before Major Bassett went there, he must have gone there very early in the spring. Truman Warren was at the old Crow Wing Agency at the time and did not reach White Earth until the middle of June. It is difficult for me to give the exact date when my party left Crow Wing m the spring, but my best recollection is that it was about the middle of May. A PiONEKR History of Backer County. 243 I regret that I am unable to go more into detail or be more definite as to dates, but the fact is I am now eighty-four years old and my memory is not as good as it was some years ago. I came to Minnesota in 1856 and settled at Little Falls, have lived in this part of the state ever since, and am interested in the history of the state and am pleased to contribute any- thing I can, to make the history that I have had anything to do with making a matter of record. Yours truly, Samuel Lee. Mr. Lee is the father of Hon. Wm. E. Lee, of Long Prairie. Mr. Samuel Lee died at Long Prairie October 22nd, 1906. Nathan Butler. XAl'HAX I'.V 11, ER. Nathan Butler, an old U. S. government surveyor, who was with the first party of Indians when they went through to White Earth in the month of June 1868, says: It was in June 1868 that I first went into Becker County. It was the time Major Bassett moved the Indians to White Earth Reservation. I joined him near Otter Tail Lake and went to White Earth with him. 244 -■^ PioxKEK History of LiiiCKKK Countv. Paul Beaulieu was living at White Earth with his family when Major Bassett and I arrived there. He met us two or three miles this side of the agency. He was hunting along the road, and had killed a lynx and some other game. He returned to the agency with us, and we took dinner with him, which his wife had prepared, apparently in anticipation of our arrival. I recollect very distinctly that she had bear meat and a turtle cooked. I noticed that Bassett ate pretty freely of the bear meat, but not of the turtle. When we were out after dinner, inspecting the breaking that Jos. Wakefield was doing for the government, Bassett re- marked, that he did not think his wife would put a turtle on the table more than once with the feet on it. That accounted for his eating bear instead of turtle. I ate the turtle and preferred it to the bear meat. We were there nearly a week on account of one of the mules being lame, and while we were there I recollect Bassett talking with Lee about putting up a saw mill by contract, but could not make any bargain to do it. When we got back to the outlet of Rush Lake the heaviest of the saw mill machinery was there loaded on wagons waiting for Bassett. We gave them information about the road, and gave them three weeks to get to White Earth Lake. In seven days they had the mill there ready to set up; the best job of handling ox teams I ever saw. In a letter to W. W. McLeod, Mr. Btitler says : On our return I met three or four men from Clitheral, Otter Tail County, looking for good land on which to locate and I pursuaded them to go through the Detroit Woods to the vicinity of Oak Lake. They were delighted with the land in that vicinity and made claims there to which they afterwards moved their families. One of them, Henry Way, was living in the vicinity the last I heard of him. These, at the time were supposed to be the first white men who ever settled in Becker County. Patrick Quinlan was living on the river bank just south of where Frazee is now, but he thought he was living in Otter Tail County until after the county line was run two years afterwards. In 1874 I was employed by the U. S. Commissoner of Indian Affairs to locate and survey a wagon road from Detroit to the Red Lake Agency. As there was a good road already located to White Earth Agency and from there to the Wild Rice River, I adopted the old road that far, and the road from there north did not vary two miles at any one point from a straight line. In July, 187 1, I went to Oak Lake, then the end of the railroad, and outfitted three parties to examine land for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, and in the fall of that year took a party into the woods east of Richwood and examined the towns of Grand Park and Carsonville. N. B. To W. W. McLeod. Mr. lUitler is now living- at Minneapolis, bnt was back here in Jnly 1906, at the age of 74 years, making a survey of some land in the woods a few miles south of Frazee, about as nimble as ever. MRS. TULIA A. SPEARS. JULIUS BROWN. REV. JOHN JOHNSOX. MRS. JOHN JOHNSON. 246 A Pioneer History of Becker County. History of White Earth, By Mrs. Julia A. Si'Ears. In 1867 my home was at the old Chippewa Agency near Crow ^^'ing•, Minnesota. A widow, with three children, I was employed as government day teacher, and rememher very well the events which occurred at that time. J. B. Bassett was Indian agent, and the same year went to ^^'ashing■ton with the head chief Hole-in- the-day, and other chiefs of the Mississippi band of Chippewas, to make a treaty with the government in the exchange of their old reservation for a new- one which was to be selected for them in northern Minnesota. It was a year after the treaty, before all the Indians could be pursuaded to leave their old home, and when at last they were willing and ready to move, Hole-in-the-day became dissatisfied and unruly. He demanded much for himself as head chief which was refused by the government. He then began to oppose the removal and made much trouble by trying to prevent the other chiefs and braves from starting, telling them to wait until next spring" as he would not be ready until then ; that he was going to Washington again to demand of the government that improve- ments be made at the new reservation before removal, including a saw-mill, houses for the Indians, and a large house for himself like the one that was destroyed by fire during the Indian raid in 1862. He told them that when all these improvements were made he would be ready to go, and they and the Agency would all move together. He urged them to wait, but they would not listen to him and were determined to go. The agent had received orders from the department to have the Indians removed to their new home early that spring, and they were all ready to start. Hole-in-the-day was very angry when he found that he could not prevent them from moving, and threatened to kill the first to go. Some of his braves supported him in his stand. Finally, after much trouble, they were ready to start on the 4th day of June, 1868. T. A. Warren was appointed by the government to superintend the transfer of the Indians to their new reservation at White Earth. He collected together men, women and children, about two hundred in all. at the old agency. I saw them when they started, with a long- train of ox teams, Mr. Warren in a light buggy with his wife and child. My friend, Reverend Fred Smith, now rector of Saint Colum- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 247 bia church at White Earth, accompanied them. He was then a very young man. He has given me some information of the first two years of the settlement at White Earth, including the following nar- rative of the removal written by himself : In the morning of June 4, 1868, Truman Warreji started with the Indians for their new home, White Earth, with eleven ox teams, moving the Mississippi band of Chippewas, under the chiefs White Cloud, Wah- bon-ah-quod, Nay-bon-ash-kung and Mun-ne-do-wab. It was a trying time. Hole-in-the-day had told his braves that whoever went first would surely be killed on the spot. Nay-bon-ash-kung, who was a brave as well as a chief, took his gun and told the party to follow him, saying: "Now, follow me; whoever will come in my way to stop me from going, he will be killed on the spot." All the Indians went along with him, having their guns ready for business, and nobody dared to come in his way. T. A. Warren was their leader, having charge of the removal. In coming through to Otter Tail Lake we saw few houses, but after leaving the lake we saw none. It was a vast wilderness. The Indians arrived at White Earth at noon, June 14, 1868. We camped near the present site of the agency buildings, and lived in tents and wigwams until houses were built. Eew were ready by cold weather, and some of the Indians built little log huts for their first winter. T. A. Warren had charge of the Indians after they reached their new home. He built a log store house for the flour, pork, groceries and other supplies, and distributed weekly rations to the Indians for one year. Air. Paul Beaulieu, at the request of the Indians, was their first farmer. He came from Crow Wing with his family and four wdiite men and they arrived a short time in advance of the Indians and settled at a place four miles from A\'hite Earth Lake, now known as the "Old Trading Post." This was their first village here. James W^arren, government saw^yer and carpenter, and George Van A'alkenberg, government l)lacksmith, came with Paul Beaulieu on one of his trips. Samuel Lee and a party of men left Crow AA'ing about the mid- dle of Alay with the machinery for a sawmill wdiich he afterwards built at AA'hite Earth Lake and he had hard time getting through with the mill. The government farm was located, farmhouse and stables built, as also a dwelling house for T. A. Warren and several small houses for the Indians — all log buildings. There were no gardens the first year, as they arrived too late in the season, but there was plenty of wild rice in the lakes, and ducks, geese and prai- rie chickens were also plentiful. The lakes were filled with many varieties of fish, including catfish, pickerel, muskallonge, black and rock bass, suckers, red-horse and wall-eyed pike. Sturgeon were 248 A I'loxKKR History of Bkckkr County. also cauL;ht in W hite F'artli Lake. The first two years deer were quite plentiful, and also elk, moose, bear, muskrats and rabbits. Nay-bon-ash-kung', one of the chiefs, who died in 1873, killed the first elk. The Indians did not hunt much the first year, those who were able to work being- hired by the government to help build their own houses. In the fall of the same year (1868) Rev. Mr. John Johnson (En-meg-ah-bowh) sent word he was coming to \\niite Earth with his family, bringing with him a few Indians from IMille Lacs. He requested a party of Indians to meet him at Otter Tail Lake as it was not safe for a small party to travel alone through the wilderness, the Sioux being feared at that time. That winter a little log church was built. Rev. Johnson was sent by Bishop Whip- p\e to convert and civilize the Indians, in which work he was very successful. He \\as an eloquent preacher and very popular with the Indians. In September, 1868, Julius Brown, ( Alamuckkawange) the first male child, was born. Jane Parker, daughter of Bahbewob (Peter Parker), was the first girl born. The first death occurred September i, 1868, Gin-gion-cumig-oke, mother-in-law of T. A. Warren. x\h-zhe-day-gi-shig and wife were the first couple married, on January 12, 1869, in Saint Columbia church, where they were also baptized. In the fall of 186B, the Indians were paid their first amuiity money, ten dollars per head, at White Earth. R. P. Fairbanks, who was a big boy ar this time, says he remem- bers well that Joseph Wakefield came here before the Indians ar- rived and built a small store at the old trading post. The name of the members of the firm were Joseph Wakefield and Fred Peake. His father, Robert Fairbanks ran the store for them. This was the first store at White Earth in recent years. The 14th day of June of each year has always been observed by the people and Indians as the anniversary of the day when the first Indians arrived at White Earth. They named their new home Gah- wah-bah-bi-gon-i-kah, or White Earth, from the white clay found under the black soil. On April i, 1869, Mr. Bassett resigned his office as Indian Agent, and an army officer was then appointed by the government to fill the vacancy, during whose term two annuity payments were made to the Indians. During 1869 most of the Indians that had remained at the old agency at Crow Wing and Gull Lake moved to White Earth, as did A Pioneer History of Becker Cou.\ty. 249 also a number of mixed-blood families from Crow Wing and Leech Lake. In that year a Roman Catholic priest. Father Tomazine, ar- rived and his first church was a small building built of logs and locat- ed about three miles south of the agency. On the morning of Sept. 9, 1870, I started with m_\- three children from Little Falls, Minnesota, in company with my sister, Mrs. James Warren, and family of seven children, on our journey to White Earth. Mr. La Chance and Mr. Mouchamp were hired with their tw() tw'd-hcrse teams and one ox team. We went to Crow W ing and to()k the Leech Lake road as far as Twenty-four-mile Creek, so named from being 24 miles from I^eech Lake, where a road had just been completed by the government across the country to White Earth. Here we met an Indian with an ox team who had been sent by my brother, Truman, to guide us to White Earth. Mr. La Chance went back to Little Falls, while Mr. Mouchamp continued with us. We traveled very slowly as the teams were heavily loaded. It was a desolate country, but wa saw large numbers of ducks, geese, prairie chickens and partridges. My sister and I walked nearly the entire distance. When we reached Pine Point we met Rev. Johnson with his family, on their way to visit Bishop Whipple, and taking his two daughters to Saint Mary's Hall, Faribault, where they were to attend school. W'e camped together that night and had a pleas- ant visit with them. Mr. Johnson informed us that the roads were in a very bad condition and that we were yet one and a half day's journey from White Earth, which proved true. Ten days after leaving Little Falls we arrived at our new home, where we were warmly welcomed by relatives antl friends. We were much pleased with the country, the fruitful gardens and the tall oak trees which were so green and beautiful, there having been no frost. I was much surprised to see the great improvement in my Indian friends whom I had known at the "Old Agency" and who had come with the first removal. When they left there they were heathens and wore blankets, long hair, feathers, and painted their faces, and now when they came to shake hands and welcome me they were dressed like white men, wdth short hair and unpainted faces. This was the result of the good work of their missionary, who had converted most of these Indians. They were now trying to live Christian lives and had taken their lands near each other. The government had houses built for them and they all appeared contented and happy. I never heard any of them express regret at having come to White Earth, 250 A Pioneer History of Becker County. their only complaint being; the lack of schools for their children. Mr. John Cook had been appointed by the government to be their farmer and overseer, having arrived with his family from Leech Lake earl\- in the spring of 1870, where he had filled a similar posi- tion for a nnmber of years. I was very glad to renew their ac- (piaintance, as I had known them at Leech Lake where we first met. Mrs. Cook was the first white woman who came to White ]£arth. They had three beautiful children, two boys and one girl. They were good Christian people, Mr. Cook being an honest, up- right man, and the Indians had great respect for him. For his home he had selected another place near a lake two miles from the village, where a new farm-house and other government buildings were being erected. AAdien completed in the fall he moved there with his famil}^ and kindly offered me the house he had vacated for a day school and residence, which I gladly accepted. There were about forty children in attendance and I taught all winter. it being the first school on the reservation. In the fall of 1870 there was a new blacksmith appointed, a Mr. Cochran who had been there only a few weeks. Early one morning he went out in a boat to shoot ducks, and in reaching over the side of the boat to pick up a duck, which he had killed, the boat upset and before assistance could reach him he was drowned. His body was not recovered until the following spring. He was the first white man Ijuried at AMiite Earth. The removals, including ourselves, were: Alfred Warren and familw Madeline Warren, Tyler Warren and Mrs. Delia Winters. These were all the children of W. AV. W^arren the historian. They have since all passed away except Madeline, who is now Airs. George ITran. There were also Mr. Tim. Moore and wife and mother-in-law, Mrs. Fountain, Mr. Frank M. Campbell, wife and four children, Mr. Robert Fairbanks, wife, four sons and one daugh- ter, and Mr. Frank Roy, wife and family, all from Crow \¥ing. Besides these there were two traders, George Fairbanks and Wm. McArthur, the last named coming several years later. I remember the Indians secured quantities of furs in the fall and early spring, such as bear, timber wolves, coyotes, red fox, mink, lynx, wild-cat, coon, muskrat, skunk, weasel, marten, fisher, otter and badger. The four last mentioned animals are now very rare. In 1870 Mr. Bardwell was appointed Indian agent, with head- quarters at Leech Lake, and held the office for one y^ar, another A PioNEKR History of Beckisr County. 251 annuity being paid during his term. In that year Bishop Whipple came to visit the Indians. He held services and confirmed a large number of Indians in the little log church, on this his first visit to White Earth. All the Indians loved and respected their good Bish- op and he was their best friend. With his influence with the De- partment at Washington he did much to help them when in trouble and want during the grasshopper plague. In the spring of 1871 E. P. Smith was appointed Indian agent with headquarters at White Earth, bringing his own employes, most of them coming from Ripon, Wisconsin. This being the first agency at White Earth, their names are here given: Mr. Chittenden, tnimarried, head clerk and overseer ; Mrs. Minnie Cook, niece of E. P. Smith, assistant clerk ; Mr. M. V. Nichols, farmer ; Mr Bardwell, blacksmith ; Mr. A. K. Murray, engineer in charge of the govern- ment sawmill at White Earth Lake ; Mr. J. E. Haven, carpenter ; Dr. Bodle, physician. All had families. Dr. Bodle and Mr. Haven were employed for a number of years at White Earth. Several government houses for employees were built, including the Indian boarding school, the only school building ready for use that fall. The first superintendent and teachers were Mr. and Mrs. Armour, from Iowa. There was room for only fifty pupils, and twenty-five boys and as many girls were taken, none under fifteen years of age. The pupils were taught to do all the work in the boarding school. Eastern churchmen assisted the Episcopal mission and a new church and parsonage were built. The new church was consecrated l)y Bishoji \\'hipple in August. 1872, when he visited WHiite Earth accompanied by quite a party of the clergy and laity. In the spring of 1871, John Cook and family moved from W^hite Earth to their new home and farm near Audubon, where all the members of this unfortunate family were cruelly murdered a year afterwards by three Chippewa Indians, Bobolink and Boanece being the principal actors in the tragedy. They were both arrested soon after the crime and taken to prison, but Boanece was released for want of evidence. He was quite ill when he returned home, but recovered partially and was able to walk about, always with a loaded gun as if he expected to be retaken. In February, 1873, Mr. James Whitehead came to White Earth to arrest him again. The Indians became very much excited and quickly held a council and all agreed to stop the arrest. They were determined not to allow Mr. White- head to take Boanece from the reservation, although knowing him 252 A Pioneer History oe IIkcker Couxtv. to be guilty. Tlie fear of an Indian ()utl)reak was tlieir reason for resisting the arrest. The Leech Lake Pillagers had several times sent word to the White Earth hidians that if they permitted him to be taken off the reservation to prison again, where he would be hung by the whites, there would be trouble and they would C(.mmence kill- ing the white ])eo])le. P)oanece and his wife were related to S(Mne of the worst Indians at Bear Lsland, Leech Lake. This was the last attempt made to arrest him, and he died soon after at his home on Rice River. The west half of White Earth Reservation was sur- veyed by George P. Stuntz and Shaw of Duluth and St. Paul, in the summer of 1871. During the year 1873 all the government buildings were completed, including the large school-house and boys' building, also the industrial hall where the Lidian women were taught house-work, including cooking, sewing, knitting, carpet- weaving, etc. Miss Hattie Cook, niece of E. P. Smith, the agent, was the matron in charge. In the spring of 1873 a }oung Indian woman was murdered in a sugar camp. She was one of two sisters who had l)een left to watch the camp during the night. An Indian assaulted them and killed the elder one with a hatchet after she had tried to defend herself. The younger sister escaped and reported the tragedy. The murderer attempted to run away, but was caught and taken to Fort Ripley, where he was held a prisoner for some months in the guard house, the only punishment he received for the crime. He is still living. One night during the same year an Indian was shot while re- turning home from the village and his body found by the roadside the next morning. He was supposed to have been murdered by a Leech Lake Indian to avenge the killing of a relative. In 1H73, Rev. J. A. Gilfillan, a young Episcopal clergman, came to White Earth to assist Rev. Mr. Johnson in mission work. He very soon learned to speak the Ojibwa language, and with his kindly ways, won the love and respect of the Indians, who found in him a sincere friend. He instructed a class of young Indian luen and prepared them to become clergymen and deacons for the dififerent churches and missions, which through his influence were erected for the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota. In this work he was very suc- cessful. Most of his pupils are still living, having charge of the churches and missions, and are preaching the gospel to their own people. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 253 E. P. Smith completed his term as agent in 1872. During the short time he was Indian agent he made a great many improve- ments at White Earth. He was a Christian man and one of the best agents ever on the reservation. Mr. Douglas, from [Minneapolis, succeeded him, and remained in office one year. During 1873 some of the prominent mixed-blood families and traders from Crow Wing, Minnesota, moved to White Earth. They included Mr. Clement Beaulieu, wife, four sons and one daughter ; Albert Fairl)anks and family ; A\'illiam Fairbanks and family ; George Donald and family. A son of ^ir. Scandrett, and grandson of Bish- op \\'hipple, was the first white child born at White Earth, in the fall of 1874. Truman A. Warren, Truman A. Warren was born at La Pointe, Madeline Island. Lake Superior, April 19th, 1827. and was the second son of Lyman M. Warren, the first permanent American settler on Lake Superior. The father was for many years connected in business with the American Fur Company, making his residence on Madeline Island, its most westerly headquarters along the chain of the Great Lakes. He was a direct descendant of Richard Warren, one of the Pilgrim Fathers of the Mayflower. Gen. Joseph Warren who fell at Bun- ker Hill, was also a member of a collateral branch of this same family. The mother of Truman Warren was Mary Cadotte, the daughter of Michel Cadotte, an old time fur trader of Lake Superior and the great Northwest and was himself the son of Jean Baptiste Ca- dotte, who was in partnership with Alexander Henry, the English- man, noted for his journeys and writings. The wife of Michel Ca- dotte, and mother of Mary Cadotte was an Ojibwa woman, daugh- ter of Waub-ije-Jauk (White Crane) hereditary chief of the La Pointe band of Ojibwas, wdiich was closely related to the bands of the Mississippi. Truman W^arren was the younger brother of W^ W. Warren, the historian of the Ojibwa nation. In the summer of 1836 their grandfather, Lyman Warren, Sr., of New York, visited La Pointe, and on his return took home the two boys with him to Clarkson, New York, where they attended school for two years. Afterwards, from 1838 to 1841, they attend- ed the Oneida Institute at Whitesborough. near Utica, New York. where they acquired a good scholastic training. 254 ^"^ PiOxXEER History of Becker Couxtv. Truman remained at Clarkson until 1843, ^vhen he returned to La Pointe, Madeline Island. He was of a fine personal appearance, gentlemanly, somewhat reserved in manner, studious and practical. Having acquired an excellent penmanship, he very readily found employment in the office of James P. Hays, U. S. Indian Agent, and from that period he was connected with the Indian service nearly all his life. He became identified with the Mississippi Chippewas in 1 85 1, at the time when an effort was made to remove the Lake Superior Chippewas to Crow Wing and Gull Lake. He made his home at the Chippewa Agency near Crow Wing and resided there for years, engaged in trade and also in the government service at times, always on good terms and in friendship with the head chief, Hole-in-the-day. Mr. Warren took a lively interest and an active part in the re- moval of the Indians to the White Earth Reservation, and it can be truly said that it was greatly through his advice and wise counsel that they were at last prevailed upon to leave their old home and country where they had roamed and lived for generations back. He was one of the party who accompanied the chief, Hole-in-the- day, on his trip to make a selection of the lands and to locate the \\'hite Earth Reservation. On his return from his trip he carried in his own conveyance a goodly specimen of the rich black soil as a proof of the richness of the "promised land" ; and the Indians who came to see were greatly pleased. They laughed heartily and said it was only "Makoukes" (or Little Bear, Mr. AVarren's Indian name) who would take the trouble of doing this. After twenty years of constant employment in the Indian ser- vice, during which time he opened up a thriving farm, Mr. Warren left his home at White Earth, and commenced a new home on the Red Lake Reservation. Though never intended for a permanent residence, it was here that he met his death after a few days of severe illness. He died October 31st, 1888, aged sixty-one years, leaving a wife, two sons and two daughters. His remains were brought to White Earth for interment at St. Benedict Cemetery. The following is copied from a letter written by J. B. Bassett, Feb. 25th, 1905, who was United States Indian agent at the time of the first removal : Your favor of the 15th inst., received. I gladly answer your inquiries as well as I can, but the lapse of twenty-seven years has blotted much of that history from my memory. There are some of the persons with whom A Pioneer History of Becker County. 255 I was associated that I shall never forget, and among them is your brother, Truman A. Warren. A truer and nobler man I have never met. It was through his influence and help that I persuaded the Indians to remove to their present reservation. Your brother T. A. Warren had charge of col- lecting the Indians that first went to White Earth. He brought them together at the old agency, organized the outfit, had charge of it and accompanied them on their journey. As you truly say ihey had perfect confidence in him, and well they might, for he never de- ceived them. Your memory of the removal is quite correct. Your brother was my interpreter from the time that I assumed the agency until I left. I always found him a truthful and remarkably bright and intelligent gentle- man although his life spent on the frontier, where he was surrounded by all the temptations that lead astray and have ruined so many. He always maintained his manhood and purity of character while associated with the Indians. The Beaulieus were a remarkably bright family. Paul Beaulieu was an exceptional man, of a vivid imagination and good heart, and gifted with plenty of brain power. He was an orator and had mastered the English, French and Ojibway languages perfectly. Three sisters of T. A. Warren survive him, all residents of White Earth. The oldest is Mrs. Julia A. Spears, born September 3d, 1832, at La Pointe, Madeline Island, Wis. She was educated at Clarkson, ]\Ionroe County, New York and was employed as govern- ment day teacher for several years in the early settlement of White Earth. Her family consists of two daughters and a son, Mrs. Alice J. Mee, ]\Irs Mary Lambert, who with their families reside at White Earth ; and William R. Spears who with his family lives at Red Lake, where he has been engaged in trade for several years. The next sister, Mrs. Mary English was born in 1835 at La Pointe, Wis., and educated at Hudson, Ohio. When eighteen years old she re- turned home and taught government school at Odahnah, Wis., for a number of 3'ears, and also at Red Clifif, Wis. She removed to White Earth in 1874, and was principal of the government boarding school there for two years. She was transferred to Red Lake as principal of the first government school at that place for five years. She was married to John English at Red Lake and taught school for ten years longer, when her health failed and she resigned, re- turning to White Earth. Mrs. Sophia W^arren, third sister, was born in 1837, at La Pointe, Madeline Island. She was married when quite young to Mr. James Warren, a white man of the same family name and one of the earliest settlers who came to White Earth as a government employe two years before his family joined him. He died in 1882 leaving a widow, seven sons and four daughters, 256 A Pioneer History of Becker County. most of whom are married and have famihes. Edward L \\ arren, one of the sons, resides at Cass Lake, Minnesota ; Henry Warren, an- other son, resides at Bena, Minn., being superintendent of the gov- ernment boarding school there. The rest have homes in White Earth. Mr. Paul Beauheu was one of the first settlers, and was gov- ernment farmer during the first two years of the settlement of White Earth Reservation. He ploughed and made the first garden in White Earth. During his life he was always a very prominent man. He died in 1897, leaving a widow, two sons and two daugh- ters, all married and with families: ^Mrs. A. A. Ledeboer, Mrs. Elizabeth Mackintosh and Truman Beaulieu having their homes at White Earth, and Clement Beaulieu, the younger, wdio resides at Red Lake. ^Irs. Julia Spears. William Whipple Warren. William Whipple Warren, the historian of the Chippewa Nation, was born on Madeline Island in Lake Superior the 27th of May, 1825. He was the father of the late Tyler Warren and Mrs. George L'ran, of White Earth. He was a member of the second Minnesota Territorial Legislature in 1857, and was then residing at Gull Lake. He died of consumption in May, 1853, at the age of twenty-eight years. Elliot Coues, editor of Alexander Henry's journal, has this to say of the Cadotte family : CADOTTK FAMILY. Jean Baptiste Cadotte, Sr., (the great grandfather of W. W. and Truman Warren and also of Mrs. Spears, Mrs. English and Mrs. James Warren,) came to Michilimackinac in Oct., 1756, with his wife, a Nipissing woman. This wife died in 1767. That same year he married Marie Monet by whom Marie Cadotte was born and baptism registered as of July 28th, 1768. J. B. Cadotte founded a trading post on the American side of Sault Ste. Marie in 1760 and was found there May 19th, 1762. by Alexander Henry, Sr., with whom he went in partnership. He went with him in 1775 to the Saskatchewan River and separated from him at the Cumber- land House to go to Fort des Prairies in October. J. B. Cadotte crossed the Rocky Mountains near the National Bound- ary, more than one hundred years ago, and the famous Cadotte's Pass, the oldest pass in those mountains south of the Boundary Line, was so named for him. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 257 He is said to have prevented the Lake Superior Indians from joining Pontiac. He remained in trade and agriculture until 1796, v^^hen, on the J4th of Alay of that year, he gave his property to his two legitimate sons J. B. Cadotte, Jr., and Michel Cadotte at Sault Ste. Marie. The date of his death is somewhat conjectural, but was somewhere between 1803 and 1810, at a very advanced age. Michel Cadotte, Sr., son of J. B. Cadotte, Sr., and grandfather of Truman Warren was on the south side of Lake Superior in May, 1798. His house was on the bay between Sand River and Bad River. His wife was an Indian woman, and one of his daughters married Leon St. Germain. Michel Cadotte, Jr., is listed as a voyageur in the Northwest Fur Company on the Chippewa River in 1804, and took part in the capture of Michilimackinac in the War of 1812. He was a brother to Mrs. Lyman Warren and an uncle to Truman Warren. Louis Cadotte. thought to be a brother of the last (?) was taken to London, by George Catlin as chief of a band of Indians he exhibited there. Louis Cadotte married an English girl and brought her to Sault Ste. Marie where she died. He was living there in Sept. 1853. See Wm. Kingston's "Western Wanderings." Beaulieu Family. Alexander Henry in his journal says : Oct. 2d, 1805. We set off for Pembina River with Le Sueur, Huneau and wife. Fire on the plains in every direction; burned our horses' feet passing through smouldering turf. We slept at night in Beaulieu's tent on Sale River. Elliott Cones, editor of the above work, has the following to say with reference to the Beaulieu family : Beaulieft is a very old name in these annals. A half-breed family of that name was found on Slave River when the Northwest Fur Company first reached it in or about 1778, showing prior presence of the French so far as this. Francois Beaulieu, one of the family born in the region, was one of the six voyageurs who accompanied Sir Alexander McKenzie on his exploring expedition across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, in 1793, from the place where they had wintered on Peace River. He was baptized by Bishop Tache in 1848. He died in 1872 almost a centenarian. The Beaulieu of whom Henry speaks is Joseph Beaulieu, listed as a voy- ageur in the Northwest Fur Company on Red River in 1804. Bazil Beaulieu from Montreal, was a voyageur of the North- west Fur Company in 1804 and 1805, at Flambeau, Minn. He was the father of Clement H. and Paul Beaulieu of White Earth. 258 A Pioneer History of Becker County. PAUL H. BEAULIEU. Paul H. Beaulieu was born at Mackinac in 1820. He was of Frencli and Indian descent and took an active part in the early development of the territory and state of Minnesota, especially in all matters relating to the Chippewa Indians, and in their several treaties with the government. He possessed the attributes of a splendid education, was a master of the English and French languages, a born diplomat, a brilliant orator, and a Chesterfield in manner and address, and was reputed to be the most fluent interpreter of the Chippewa dialect that the nation ever produced. He was largely instrumental in bringing about the measure which secured to the Chippewas their present home, the White Earth Reservation, and he, too, led the van when they removed hither, and turned the first furrow and planted the first crop, and took the initiatory steps in the paths of a new civilization. Mr. Beaulieu never sought the uncertain allurements of the political world, although grandly qualified to honor and administer the duties of its most intricate branches; he chose, rather, to humiliate himself to his humble surroundings and to the elevation of his kindred, the Chippewas of Minnesota. He belonged to that lofty school of individualism that is fast passing away, and who, "along the cool, sequestered vale of life, they keep the 'morseless tenor of their way" and whose noble deeds of self-sacrifice are buried with them. ]\lr. Beaulieu had been in failing health for some time, and the sudden and tragic death of his beloved son, John H. Beaulieu, a few weeks ago, undoubtedly hastened his demise which occurred on the gth of February, 1897. He leaves a wife and two daughters and two sons, Mrs. Jennie Ledeboer, Mrs. A. J. Mcintosh, and Truman and C. A. H. Beaulieu. He was a brother of the late lamented Col. C. H. Beaulieu. and at the time of his death he was employed as interpreter on the Chippewa Commission. In respect to his memory Maj. R. M. Allen, U. S. Indian agent, ordered the agency flags at half mast during Wednesday and Thursday, and that general business about the agency be suspended during the funeral services. He was laid to rest on Thursday, in St. Benedict's mission cemetery; Rev. Father Aloysius, O. S. B., officiated at the funeral services.— D^iro/i Record. Mus. West. CLEMENT H. BEAULIEU. Col. Clement H. Beaulieu, Sr., or, as his friends delighted to call him, "Uncle Clem," was born at Lac du Flambeaux, in the then territory of Michigan, which included Wisconsin, Minnesota and a large portion of territory west of the Mississippi, on Sept. 10, 1811. A pioneer, a statesman and an individual of marked characteristics, being born in a period when the West and Northwest was, comparatively speaking, a howling wilder- ness and barbaric Eden of the untutored red man, his father, Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu, having emigrated from Canada in the year 1804. and who was actively engaged in the fur trade of the Northwest for many years, and in which business ^Ir. C. H. P.caulicu. Sr.. became early engaged in the Lake Superior region and other points east and west of the head- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 259 quarters of the Mississippi, especially in the vicinity of La Pointe, Wis., and at Crow Wing, Minn. At the latter place at one time he owned and conducted the most thriving trade and enjoyed the pleasantest home in Minnesota, under the warm hospitality of its roof and from the bounty of its board no friend or stranger ever turned away hungry, nor felt touched by the chill of discourtesy. Mr. Beaulieu was of mixed French and Algic Indian blood, being descended on his father's side from the chivalrous de Beaulieus of France, and the most distinguished totem or clan of the Ojibwa nation, members of whose family have been chiefs and princesses from time immemorial, and the principles and persuasive influences of both races were happily continued in the life and nature of Mr. Beaulieu, and it was owing to the implicit faith that the Indians cherished in his word and wisdom that he was a power amongst them, and true it is, that many serious collisions have been averted between the Chippewa Indians of Minnesota and their white neighbors, owing to his timely councils, and today, these people not only can thank his aggressive forethought and wisdom for their heritage to homes on the White Earth Reservation, but the further sig- nificant t'act that no stain of the white man's blood rests on the hands of the Chippewas of Minnesota. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Farling, a daughter of one of the early Scotch missionaries, in 1840, celebrating midst the surroundings of a large family of children and grandchildren their golden wedding, some three years ago. THE SEER OF Minnesota's venerable pioneers is dead! Clement Hudon de Beaulieu, more familiarly known as Col. C. H. Beaulieu, of White Earth, this county, died on the morning of Monday, 2d of Jan., 1893, after a short illness of some eight days. Mr. Beaulieu, who was a very active man for one so advanced in years, met with a very serious accident a few days ago, having broken his leg, and which culminated in his death. His wife survives him, and also five sons, Capt. Chas. H.. Rev. C. H., Jr., Gus. H., Theo. B., Robt. G. and one daughter, Mrs. Theo. H. Beaulieu. — Detroit Record. Mrs. West. Clement A. Beaulieu came to White Earth in the fall of 1873, and took charge of George A. Morison's trading post, but two years afterwards moved to the new agency and established a store of his own where he was in trade for several years. He took his land on Fish Lake in Norman County, but always had a renter there work- ing his farm, while he and his family resided at the agency in Becker County until the time of his death in 1893. Mr. Beaulieu was a prominent man here, and had great influence with the Indians and chiefs. He took an active part in the treaty made in 1889. He was a close friend of Hon. H. M. Rice. Mrs. Julia A. Spears. 26o A Pioneer History of Becker County. Among Mrs. West's papers I came across the following clipping from the Detroit Record of January 27th, 1893: Mr. Bazil H. Beaulieu, an old and respected pioneer of Wisconsin and Minnesota, has been commissioned by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a judge of the court of Indian offenses at this agency. Mr. Beaulieu was tendered his commission and officially notified of his appointment by Agent C. A. Rufifee on Monday. He is the proud possessor of a document sear and yellow with age, it being one of the three justice of peace commissions issued by the first territorial governor of Wisconsin, Mr. Beaulieu being one of the three persons appointed to execute the duties of that then honorable position, his field being Brown County, in 1836. As the name. Bazil H. Beaulieu, was identical with that of the Bazil H. Beaulieu who came from Montreal in 1804, and believing that in 1836 he would be too young a man for the Bazil H. Beaulieu of 1804, I wrote to Theodore H. Beaulieu of White Earth for infor- mation, and received the following reply : White Earth, Minn.. Oct. 22,, 1905. Hon. a. H. Wilcox, Frazee, Minn., My Dear Sir: Replying to yours of the i6th inst., concerning the identity of Bazil H Beaulieu, who came from Montreal, Canada, and settled at Lac du Flam- beau, Wis., the then territory of Michigan, in 1804, etc., you are respect- fully informed that this person was my father's uncle and a granduncle of mine. There were two brothers, Paul and Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu Paul was my father's father and my grandfather; Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu was the father of the late Col. Clement H., Paul H., Henry H. Beaulieu and was also the father of Mrs. Catherine Beaulieu Fairbanks (Mrs Robert Fairbanks), Mrs. Margaret Beaulieu Bisson (Mrs. Martin Bisson), Mrs Oustave Borup, deceased, and Mrs. Julia Beaulieu Oakes; the latter being the only surviving child of the said Bazil Hudon de Beaulieu. She i. at present at this agency and is now 94 years of age, and still hale and hearty My fatlier, the late Bazil H. Beaulieu, the second, was the onlv son of Paul Hudon de Beaulieu, and is the person referred to' in the Record clipping. My grand uncle Bazil was stationed at Lac du Flambeau as an Indian trader, and my grandfather Paul was at Vermillion Lake and also Red Cedar (now Cass Lake), some time between 1830 or 1840 (I am not clear as to date.) My grandfather removed to Navareno (now Green Bay Wis.), and settled there. Later on he purchased large tracts of land, as also the old Stockbridge agency sawmill and grist-mill from the Govern- ment on the south side of the Fox River and where is now built the flour- ishing city of Kaukauna, Wis. Sometime about 1848 my father also re- moved to Green Bay, and on the death of my grandfather he fell heir to all of the property, he being the only child. Our family removed from A Pioneer History of Becker County. 261 Kaukauna, Wis., about 26 years ago and settled at White Earth, Minn. Both my grandfather and grandmother are buried at the old French or mission cemetery at Green Bay, Wis. My mother and father sleep in St. Benedict's mission cemetery. White Earth, Minn. Appreciating the interest you manifest in the history of the sturdy pioneers, who braved the wild and woolly days of yore, and helped to carve the crude paths of this grand commonwealth, I have the honor, dear sir, to remain, Very respectfully, Theo. H. Beaulieu. Outpost at White Earth. Alexander Henry in his journal says: Sept. 20th, 1802. I sent Michel Langlois with a clerk and five Indians to build at Red Lake. This is an overland post, and required horses to transport the property. W^e have enough for all purposes, and a new sort of cart which facilitates transportation. They are about four feet high and per- fectly straight; the spokes are perpendicular, without the least bending out- ward, and only four to each wheel. Oct. 15th, 1802. Duford followed Langlois to Red Lake River, high water over the plains prevented their reaching Red Lake and they built at White Earth. Rev. John Johnson or Enmegahbowh. In 185 1, the Rev. Dr. Breck, a great missionary, whose name must be known to every reader of the Soldier, began a mission at Leech Lake, among the Ojibwa Indians of Minnesota. This mission, from various circumstances, had only a partial success, and in the winter of 1855-56 troubles with the government agents roused the Indians to such madness that Dr. Breck was forced to leave, and the mission buildings were burned. Two years later the Rev. Mr. Peake went to Crow Wing to establish another mission, and a young Indian deacon. John Johnson, his Indian name Enmegahbowh, came to assist him. This man had been a catechumen under Dr. Breck, and had been baptized by him. He must have been born to some position in his tribe, as he had been set apart for a "Medicine Man" in youth, and his Indian name, EiiiiicgahbozvJi, meant "The man who stands by his people," a significant name, which in time proved to be a true one. In 1861 Mr. Peake resigned the mission into the hands of Enmegah- bowh. Crow Wing was then a settlement of very bad repute on the 262 A Pioneer History oe Becker County. frontier. Tn 1.S62. the year of the Sioux outljreak. Hole-in-the-day. a lead- ing Ojibwa chief, a bad man, full of craft and cunning, collected five hun- dred warriors, and prepared for a general massacre of the white people. Enmegahbowh, having prevented, by his influence, some other bands from joining these, was made a prisoner, but succeeded in escaping, and, through the midst of great perils, made his way to Fort Ripley, and by his timely information, such measures were taken that bloodshed and a more fearful massacre than that of the Sioux were prevented. For a few years the mission work seemed at a stand still. From Canada Enmegahbowh received earnest invitations to go where comfort and hopeful work awaited him, but Bishop Whipple encouraged him, standing in the forefront for an unpopular cause and a hated people, and Enmegahbowh would prove the fitness of his name — he would not desert his people. At last the government made new arrangements, and seven hundred Ojibwas were moved to what is called the White Earth Reservation, a tract thirty-six miles square in northern Minnesota. Of these seven hundred about one hundred and fifty were French half-breeds, or Roman Catholics. Amongst the remainder Enmegahbowh labored earnestly, the government now aiding in the work by encouraging the Indians in civilized ways. A steam sawmill was built at White Earth Lake, where Indians were taught to run the machinery, and from which lumber was furnished for building purposes. Eastern churchmen assisted the mission, and a church and par- sonage were built. At the time of the consecration of the church in August, 1872. quite a party of the clergy and laity, through the kindness of Bishop Whipple, were enabled to visit White Earth. The consecration was on Thursday. Friday morning, the chiefs sig- nified to the bishop their wish to meet him in a council, which was there- fore held, that afternoon, on the hillside in front of the church. It was a picturesque scene — the lovely landscape, the sunlight glancing through the tall oak trees on the bishop and Enmegahbowh, who sat in the centre, the chiefs and five or six clergymen grouped around. Behind the bishop three chairs were placed for the ladies of the party — the first time, I think, that ladies were ever admitted to an Indian council. The chiefs spoke in turn, as they had themselves arranged, and were interpreted by Enmegahbowh. — Christian Soldier. Mks. Spears. The Rev. John Johnson was born in Canada and died at White Karth on the 12th of June. 1902, at the ag-e of 95 years. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 263 Peter Parker. Peter Parker, the present janitor of the industrial school at Pine Point, a full-blooded Indian and a soldier of the Civil War, says : I drove one of the ox teams that hauled the baggage belonging to the Indians who comprised the party that arrived at White Earth on the 14th of June, 1868, under the leadership of Truman Warren. Paul Beaulieu had gone on ahead in charge of another party; gov- ernment employes who went to open a farm for the Indians and do some plowing. We first saw Paul Beaulieu at White Earth; there is where his party and ours first met. James Warren and George Van Valkenberg came in July. Fred Peake was the first storekeeper at White Earth (he and Joe Wakefield were partners), Robert Fairbanks worked or run the store for him. Peake was a white man. George Fairbanks started a store a little later on and John Beaulieu worked for him. Robert Fairbanks started his own store a little later. The building where James Whitehead undertook to arrest Boanece at White Earth in Feb., 1S73, was the Gains Johnson building. My daughter was the first white girl born at White Earth. Petkr Parker. Fred Peake and his brother Giles built the store in Detroit now owned and occupied by Tver Grimsgard, in the spring of 1872. First Catholic Priest at White Earth. Father Genin, the Catholic priest who brought in Sitting Bull from Canada, was the first priest that made regular trips t(^ this reservation, but Father Tomazine was the first priest who located here, and I might say, started the first mission. Gus. H. Beaulieu. The Fairbanks Family. Robert Fairbanks was born at Sandy Lake, Minn., on the 21st day of September 1825. When he was quite young he was sent to Fredonia, New York, to be educated, and at the age of twenty he was employed at the headquarters of the American Fur Company at La 264 A Pioneer History of Becker Countv. Pointe, Wisconsin, as clerk. In 1846 he married Catherine Beaulieu the youngest sister of C. H. and Paul Beaulieu. He remained at La Pointe until 185 1, when he removed to Crow Wing with his fam- ily where he remained in trade for a number of years, where he had a comfortable home and family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. In 1868 he removed to White Earth with his family, where he had taken charge of the store belonging to Joseph Wakefield, which he ran for a year, when he opened up a store of his own which he ran until he died. Benjamin Fairbanks and George A. Fairbanks were sons of George Fairbanks, Sr., a brother of Robert Fairbanks, who was born at Sandy Lake, ^Nlinn., on the 26th day of August, 1827. He was for many years a prominent trader at Leech Lake, Crow Wing, and White Earth, where he moved his family in 1878, being one of the first traders at that place. George A. Fairbanks, Jr., was born at Crow Wing on the loth day of August, 1851, and went with his parents to White Earth in 1868, and succeeded his father in trade, in which he remained until his death on the 19th of November, 1891. Ben. Fairbanks was born at Crow Wing, Nov. 4th, 1853. jMrs. Julia A. Spears. Frank M. Campbell. Frank M. Campbell, of White Earth, was born in Green County, 111., on the 27th day of January, 1832, and came to Crow W^ing, i\Iinn., in 1855. He came to White Earth in Sept., 1868, and has lived there ever since. He says he thinks he is about the only white man who has lived in Northern Minnesota 50 years without drinking any intoxicating liquor. He is the father of George M. and William F. Campbell, of White Earth. The former was born at Crow Wing June 29th, 1859, and Wil- liam was born at the same place on the 12th of March 1865. Mr. Frank Campbell took the census of all of Becker County in 1870. Mr. Campbell died January 29th, 1907. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 265 Building on the Reservation. Nearly all the public buidings constructed on the reservation from 1 87 1 till 1878, were built under the supervision of Charles P. Wilcox, whose home was then at Detroit, but who now lives in Pasa- dena, California. He says : I went to White Earth in the spring of 1871. The agent at that time was E. P. Smith, and had been there but a few months. My first work on the reservation was to superintend the construction of a church and parsonage for the Episcopal Church as ordered by Bishop Whipple, and the same year I also built a schoolhouse for the government. Then followed the rebuilding and enlarging of the sawmill at White Earth Lake in 1872, and the building of a large barn, and boarding-house for the schools. An industrial hall for the government, and a hospital for Bishop W^hipple followed, and a flour mill at White Earth Lake. Next was a dam and sawmill at the Wild Rice River about 18 miles north of the agency, then a large school building near the agency, and a church building at Wild Rice. The latter by order of Bishop Whipple. My last work was the construction of a water power grist-mill on White Earth River, about five or six miles north of the agency. This was about the year 1877. 266 A I'lONKEK IllSToK^' ol" lilXKI'.R CoL'XTV. ALLAN MORRISON. GEORGE A. MORISOX. Allan Morrison, Sr. Allan Morrison, a younger brother of William Morrison, was born at Teerebonne, near Montreal, Canada, June 3d, 1803, and re- ceived a common school education in his native village, which prepared him for a clerkship in a country store. Being a lad of uncommon physical development and activity, he did not take kindly to indoor life, and his brother William having made his first return visit to Canada in 1820, he was easily induced to accompany him to what the French Canadians called "Lcs pays d'cn Hant" or The Upper Countries. The delays incidental to the settlement of their father's estate prevented them from starting with the returning boats and canoes, and they were compelled to start much later ; so late in fact, that win- ter overtook them before the journey to the far north was half over. After staying some days at one of the trading posts, to give time for the ice to thicken, they started on afoot and it was not long before they had to use snow shoes, traveling being made so much easier with them after the snow got to be six or eight inches deep. A Pione;er History of Becker County. 267 Their route from Montreal, was up the Ottawa River to a por- tage into Lake Nipissing, and thence via Georgian Bay to Saulte Ste. Marie, via Manitou Island, and thence on the ice of Lake Superior to old Superior, Wisconsin, which they reached in February, 1821. There he signed articles of engagement with the American Fur Compau}', for a five years' apprenticeship and in due course of time was given a small outpost to manage, and later on was placed in charge of the trading post at Red Lake, Minnesota. About 1825 he married Charlotte Louisa Chabrille, a mixed blood Chippewa born at (lid Fort William, on Lake Superior ; by her he had several children, the only ones now surviving being Mrs. Mary A. Sloan of St. Cloud. Mrs. Caroline Grandelmyer and Miss Rachel Morrison of Brainerd, and John George and Allan Morrison of White Earth. All have allotments of land on the White Earth Indian Reservation, where John, George and Allan built substantial homes on their farms. During the many years he was engaged in the fur trade, Allan Morrison was successively in charge of nearly all the American Fur Company's trading posts in Northern Minnesota, and finally he settled down at Crow Wing, on the Mississippi, an important post, where he represented the interests of the late Henry M. Rice, during the period that gentleman engaged in the fur trade in the upper Mississippi country. He was a member of the Territorial Legislature of Minnesota, and Morrison County was named for him ; was also postmaster at Crow Wing, Minnesota, for several years. Leaving Crow Wing in the fall of 1874, he removed to White Earth, Becker County, where he resided to the time of his death, November 21, 1876, and where he was buried in the Catholic ceme- tery. Geo. a. Morison. John George Morrison. John George Morrison, son of Allan and nephew of William, was born at Lake Winnebegoshish, Minnesota. April 29th, 1843, where his father was managing a trading post for the American Fur Company. He attended the Mission Schools at Crow Wing and Belle Prairie. Minnesota, for a few years, but was compelled to quit school on ac- 268 A rioxKivR History of Becker County. count of his father's ill health ; he soon became the mainstay of the family and so continued until his brother Allan became old enough to take his place. While yet a mere boy, he carried on some trading with the Indians around Gull Lake and towards Leech Lake, and became quite popular with them ; during the Indian outbreak he was chosen by MK. AXD MRS. JOHN GEORGE MORRISON. Governor Ramsey and the Indians themselves to carry messages be- tween the two camps and in that capacity rendered valuable services. After the Civil War, in 1865, the United States government, de- siring to ascertain the true conditions and feelings of the Indian tribes, organized, at all Indian agencies, bodies of scouts, whose mission was to enquire into and report the causes of troubles and dis- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 269 satisfaction among the Indians. These scouts were chosen from among the intehigent and loyal mixed bloods, and were placed under the supervision of the military authorities. Upon the recommendation of the officer then in command at Fort Ripley, John George Morrison was placed in charge of the scouts at the Crow Wing Agency, and so remained until the corps was disbanded. July 3rd, 1863, he married Margaret Elizabeth Fairbanks, daughter of Robert Fairbanks and Catherine Beaulieu. Ten children were born to them ; six in Crow Wing and four near White Earth Agency. Two lived only a few years, the others are, with the exception of his daughter ]Mrs. Julia A. Spears, (the sec- ond ) , who lives at Red Lake, all members of the Wliite Earth Reser- vation, and- possess valuable landed interests there. He removed to the White Earth Reservation, from old Crow Wing, on the Missis- sippi, in the fall of 1874, and some years afterwards entered the gov- ernment service and occupied several positions, being successivelv captain of Indian police and judge of the court of Indian offenses, and later government farmer, which position he held until the winter of 1892-3. In the fall of 1893, he removed to Red Lake, and has since successfully carried on hotel keeping and trading. George A. Morison. George A. Morison, nephew of William and Allan Morrison, was born in St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, Canada, October 4th, 1839; his father being Donald Geo. Morison and his mother M. A. Rosalie Papineau, daughter of D. B. Papineau, and niece of the Hon. Louis Papineau, the talented leader of the French element in Canada, and the principal instigator of the Canadian rebellion of 1837. Morison attended common schools until nearly ten years of age, then went to college for five years in his native village, rounding up his education with a four year term in a large village store. He visited the west in 1858 and 1859, spending several months in Old Superior, Wisconsin, in Crow Wing on the ^lississippi, and also at Long Prairie, the old agency for the Winnebago Indians. That was in the early days, when travel was by canoes or over Indian trails, and the trip from Superior to Crow Wing was made in a birch canoe, up the St. Louis River to Floodwood River, wdiich was followed nearly to its source, thence over a portage into Prairie 2/0 A I'loxKEK History of Ceckkr County. River, which fiows into Sandy Lake, and thence into the Mississipi River. He returned to Canada in November, 1859, where he remained a few years. In May 1865, he landed in St. Paul, Minnesota, and lived in Little Falls and Crow Wing during the next three or four years. He started in business at Leech Lake in January, 1869, and in the fall of the same year came to White Earth annuity pa\ment with a stock of goods which he eventually closed out to Wm. W. McArthur, then a licensed Indian trader there. In August. 1870, Morison and McArthur combined their business and carried on trading in the Indian country, under government license, at Leech Lake, Red Lake. White Earth and Otter Tail, under the above firm name, dis- solving co-partnership in August, 1871 ; Morison retaining all trad- ing posts in the Chippewa countr\-, except that of Otter Tail, where McArthur continued in business. Morison remained in the Indian trade until July, 1880, and made his heaquarters at White Earth Agency during the last five years of his career as an Indian trader. He. however, continued to live on the reservation, wdiere he carried on farming and stock raising, on a small scale, with his cousin Allan Morrison, Jr. In the fall of 1882, he in company with Arnold A. Ledeboer, also of White Earth, opened a general store at Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, (at that time a very much boomed town), but owing to a series of bad crop years, low prices, and general dull times, the venture was not successful and they closed their business in 1887; Morison re- turning to White Earth. In 1894, he entered government service at White Earth Agency, and later, in January 1896, was stationed at Red Lake Sub-Agency, as reservation overseer, a position he held until July ist, 1901. when he returned to White Earth. Since January, 1905, he has formed part of the office stafif at the agency, having charge of the allotting of land under the provisions of the "Steenerson Act." Ry an Indian wife he has one son, Allan F. Morison, born Febru- ary 6th, 1882. He has been in the government Indian service for a number of years and is now attached to the agency ofiice force. It will be noticed that William and Allan ^lorrison wrote their names with two r's, while Geo. A. Morison wTites the name with only one r, as did a long line of ancestors before him. This differ- ence in writing the name, was brought about in a curious manner. A PioxEiJR History of Becker Couxtv. 271 When William Morrison joined the Northwest Fur Company, he had to sign articles of engagement, as they called it at the time, to serve for five years, and the notary who did the writing, wrote the name Morrison, as did other branches of the family; when W'illiam came to sign, he called the notary's attention to the error in spelling, but was told that it mattered little, to sign it as written and it would be just as good. Several years later when Allan IMorrison, his broth- er, came to Lake Superior, he also had to write his name as his elder brother did, and hence the change in their manner of writing the name. In the Island of Lewis, Scotland, which is the cradle of the family, the name has been spelt for a thousand years or more, with only one r, thus, Morison. Donald McDonald. r^Irs. Duncan IMcDougal, who lives on the White Earth Reserva- tion a little north of the village of Richwood says : My father. Donald IMcDonald. was born in Canada about the year 1790. He came to Otter Tail Lake about the year 1850 or 1851 as near as I can remember, and died at White Earth in iSgo, and was about 100 years old as near as I can tell. I was born at Sandy Lake in 1831. My father had a store at Detroit Lake and traded with the Indians for about one year. I was not there with him, but as near as I can remember and find out, it was near where Detroit connects with some other lake. I was not married at the time so it must, I think, be more than fifty years ago. The U. S. land oi^ce was opened at Otter Tail Lake in 1859 and was moved to St. Cloud in 1861, at the beginning of the Sioux outbreak. Wm. Sawyer, of Ohio, was the receiver. Major J. B. Clitheral. of Alabama, was the first register, T. Mills the second, and Oscar Taylor the third register. Mrs. Mary McDoug.\l Foster. John Rock, a Pine Point Indian, who was born at Floyd Lake in Detroit Township in 1844, says: McDonald built his store at Detroit Lake on the little prairie, a little west of the Pelican River inlet when he was ten years old. He thinks he traded there about two years. "FATHEll" GILFILLAN'S SELP^-SACRIFICING LABORS IN THE NORTH WOODS. In the history of such a man as the Rev. J. A. Gilfillan, of White Earth, for instance, there is a mass of material which would afTord inspira- tion for the mission writer at long range such as no published statistical reports could faintly suggest. Mr. Gilfillan's life has been one of the most heroic and self-sacrificing in all the history of missions — home or foreign. 272 A PioxKER History of Becker County. Privation, exposure, separation from friends, isolation from the world — these are but suggestions of what such a man must endure. Many a time while the newspaper man was in the woods did he hear of "Father" Gilfillan. You could hardly find a man in all the vast un- settled reservations of Minnesota who does not know this man. You can hear many and many a story about him, but you will not hear one that is not settled in a foundation of good will. He came to America from England when quite young. A quarter of a century ago he was rector in a small church in Duluth. Thirty-two years ago, he went into the pine woods, and there he has been ever since, a mission worker among the Indians. Some years ago, Mr. Gilfillan fell heir to a large fortune, left him by relatives in England. There were many thousands of dollars which came to his hand. A large amount of this has been expended already, but, so it is said, enough yet remains to net an income of about $12,000 a year, and this amount is annually being spent. And how? In doing good among the Indians. A large block of his fortune was spent for them, and now, save for the needs of himself and family, the major portion of his income goes to aid the Indians. A quite interesting and, in one sense, amusing experience was told of his generosity. Mr. Gilfillan had bought a car load of seed potatoes, which he w^as going to give to the Indians to plant. He had the potatoes sent up to the reservation by team, but was himself delayed in getting there. When he reached home, a week or so later, he found that the tribe had made rather more immediate use of the potatoes than he had anticipated — they had eaten up the whole car load. Mr. Gilfillan is one of the most modest of men, speaks in the most unassuming manner of his work, and has never a word of complaint over his isolation from the world, or the privations to which he is put. — Minne- apolis Journal. Clipping- from the first number of the first volume of the first ne\vs])aper ever i^rinted on the \\'hite Eat-th Reservation : THE PROGRESS. "A Higher Civilization; The .Mainlcname of Law and Order." GUS. H. BEAULIEU, Publisher. TH EO. H. BEAULIEU, Editor. Vol. I. WHITE EARTH AGENCY, MINN., THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 1886. No. I. SALUTATORY. With lliis ninnljcr we make our bow to the public. The novelty of a newspaper published upon this reservation may cause many to be wary in their support, and this from a fear that it may be revolutionary in character. Our motto will undeceive such. We propose to remain true to this motto, true to the standard of social and individual morality it would ex- press. W'e shall aim to advocate constantly and without reserve, what A Pioneer History of Becker County. 273 in our view, and in the view of the leading minds upon this reservation, is the best for the interests of its residents. And not only for their interests, but those of the tribe wherever they are now residing. The main consideration in this advocacy, will be the political interests, that is, in matters relating us to the general goverment of the United States. We shall not antagonize the government, nor act in the presenta- tion of our views in any way outside of written or moral law. We intend that this journal shall be the mouth-piece of the community in making known abroad and at home, what is for the best interests of the tribe. It is not always possible to reach the fountain head through subordinates, it is not always possible to appeal to the moral entiment of the country through these sources, or by communications through the general press. Hence we establish TJie Progress as an organ, and an organ only in this sense. ARROGANT SUPPRESSION OF THE PRESS! A MENIAL AND SERVILE ACTION. A Decision of the Judge and the Verdict of an Intelligent Jury, Maintains the Freedom of the Press on the Reservation! Oct. 8th, 1887. In the month of March last year, we began setting the type for the first number of The Progress and were almost ready to go to press, when our sanctum was invaded by T. J. Sheehan, the U. S. Indian Agent, accompanied by a posse of the Indian police. The composing stick was removed from our hands, our property seized, and ourselves forbidden to proceed with the publication of the journal. We had, prior to this time, been personally served with a written notice from Mr. Sheehan detailing at length, surmises beyond number as to the character of The Progress, togther with gratuitions assumptions as to our moral unfitness to be upon the reservation, charging the publisher with the voicing of incendiary and revolutionary sentiments at various times. We did not believe that any earthly power had the right to interfere with us as members of the Chippewa tribe, and at the White Earth Reservation, while peacefully pur- suing the occupation we had chosen. We did not believe thre existed a law which should prescribe for us the occupation we should follow. We knew of no law which could compel us to become agricuuturists, pro- fessionals, "hewers of wood and drawers of water," or per contra, could restrain us from engaging in these occupations. Therefore we respectfully declined obeying the mandate, at the same time reaching the conclusion that should we be restrained we should appeal to the courts for protection. We were restrained and a guard set over our property. We sought the protection of the courts, notwithstanding the assertion of the agent, that there could be no jurisdiction in the matter. The U. S. district court. Judge Nelson in session, decided that we were entitled to the jurisdiction we sought. The case came up before him, on jury trial. The court asserted and defended the right of any member of a tribe to print and publish a news- 274 A Pioneer History of Becker County. paper upon his reservation just as he might engage in any other lawt'ul occupation, and without surveillance and restrictions. The jury before whom the amount of damage came, while not adjudging the amount asked for, did assess and decree a damage with a verdict restoring to us our plant. EXPLANATOK^■. By referring to the date on the first page of this issue, our readers will observe that we made our bow, or rather, more strictly, we began to bow, but a heavy hand was laid upon us, and we have not been able to resume the perpendicular until now. In another column, we give a de- tailed account of the proceedings which arrested our work, together with the subsequent events which issued in our being able to finish the bow began so long ago. Our editorial back is straight once more, and we return to the work we laid out for ourselves so many months ago, with vigor and courage in no wise abated, and with renewed determination to advance the interests of the reservation, and the welfare of the Indian in general. APOLOOKTIC. Kind readers, many of you have looked for our coming long and patiently, and now that we are with you and you have looked us over, you may feel that your yearning was unfitting the occasion; to such we would say, that the long time which has elapsed since we first attempted to launch our little craft, which was attended with difficulties, the rough blustering breezes, the general unfavor of the weather, the unnecessary quarantine we were subject to, and the time employed in dry dock, etc., somewhat disorganized our material and we have had to alter our once set course to suit circumstances. Now that we are once more at sea, fumigated and out of quarantine, and we issue from dry dock with prow and hull steel-clad tempered with truth and justice, and with our clearance registered, we once more box our compass, invite you all aboard, and we will clear port, set sails to favorable breezes, with the assurance that we will spare no pains in guiding you to a 'higher civilization." A NOTED VISITOR. On Aug. i8, 1896, Senator Knute Nelson, accompanied by the famous French traveler and explorer, Paul du Chaillu, arrived on a visit to the Chippewa Indians of the White Earth Reservation. During the day tlie gentlemen drove around and visited the different places of interest al)out the agency. The next day a large delegation of the Chippewas, head men and members of the reservation assembled at the agency office for a "l)ig smoke and to make good inedicine" and to smoke the pipe of peace and welcome the great father's councilor and his distinguished friend, the great hunter. The late lamented chieftain. White Cloud, acted as master of ceremony, and his choicest native oratory, through an interpreter, made the address of welcome, and which was responded to in feeling words of appreciation by the senator. Paul du Chaillu, a small, sparsely built and grizzled Frenchman, was then introduced as the "big hunter, from the land of the A Pioneer History ok Becker County. 275 Win-de-go-cannibals," and he entertained the assemblage with some very interesting recitals, illustrating, by motion and gestures, some of his ex- citing and perilous experiences in hunting the gorilla, lion and tiger, and hair-breadth escapes from cannibals, etc., greatly to the amusement of his audience. "Yes, my friends," said he, "you shall have a good school building if it lies in my power to provide one." — Minneapolis Tribune. —Feb. 4th, 1897. Mrs. West. Chapter XIX. ORGANIZATION OF BECKER COUNTY. The county was organized by a special law approved March ist, 1 87 1. This law authorized the governor, Horace Austin, to appoint a board of county commissioners, three in number, for Becker Coun- ty. The commissioners appointed were John Cromb, John F. Beav- er, and Chris. Gardner, and their terms of office were to continue un- til the beginning of the year 1872. The Tyler Hotel at Detroit was the place appointed for their first meeting, which occurred on the 23rd day of June, 1871. They were sworn in by David Pyle, a no- tary public. At this meeting David Pyle was appointed county auditor to serve until the first Monday in March 1872. Previous to 1882, the terms of all county auditors and treasurers commenced on that day. At this same meeting Charles E. Churchill of Burlington Township was appointed sheriff and Archibald McArthur, of Detroit, register of deeds, to serve until the beginning of the year 1872. The next meeting of the board was held at the store of S. B. Pinnev. on the Sherman farm, at Oak Lake, on the 5th day of July. The next meeting was held the 15th day of August. There was then a vacancy on the board caused by the death of Mr. Gardner, and William G. Woodworth of Detroit was appointed to fill his place. The county board on the 24th day of September, 1871, for the first time, divided the county into commissioners" districts. The first district was made up of the southern tier of townships running the entire length of the county, from east to west with Lake Park added to it. The next tier of townships north, excepting Lake Park, comprised the second district. The three northern tiers of town- ships, twelve of which were on the White Earth Reservation, made 276 A Pioneer History oI'^ Bij^cker County. up the third district. An entirely new board was elected in the fall of 1871. On Jan. 2nd, 1872, the new board of county commissioners held their first meeting. There were present commissioners L. G. Steven- son, first district, and W. H. H. Howe, second district. A. J. Haney, who had been elected from the third district, had left the county. The various meetings of the county board up to this time had been held sometimes at Detroit and more frequently at Finney's store on the Sherman farm, on the shore of Oak Lake, but on the 13th day of March, 1872, they met at Oak Lake City, by the big cut on the Northern Pacific Railroad. At this meeting there was a full board ; J. E. Vangorden having been appointed to fill the vacant place in the 3rd district. The next meeting was held at Detroit on the 8th of June, 1872. On Tuesday, Sept. loth, 1872, the board again met at Detroit. When the legislature passed the bill organizing Becker County and designating Detroit as the place at which the county commissioners should hold their first meeting, it was generally understood that that act of legislature fixed the county seat at Detroit. It was currently reported in those days that many years before, a townsite had been surveyed out at Detroit Lake and named Detroit, and that circumstance was supposed to have had its influence with the authorities in appointing that place for the county seat. The law, however, did not require the county officers to remain at the county seat until three years after the county was organized. Court was always to be held there, but to transact business with any one of the county officers, you must hunt him up by going to his residence in whatever part of the county his home might be. The county treasurer and the sherifif and sometimes the coroner however, frequently reversed this rule and took pains to hunt some of the other fellows up, whether they wanted to see them or not. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 2'/'j Chapter XX. TOWNSHIP HISTORY. In presenting the histories of the different townships of Becker County I have undertaken to arrange them in the order in which they were first settled, but in a few instances I have deviated from this rule to avoid too much skipping around over the county. HISTORY OF BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP. On the 27th of May, 1857, the survey of a townsite was made at the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, where the village of Frazee now stands, and the plat was recorded at St. Cloud, as Becker County was at that time attached to Stearns County for recording purposes. It was claimed that the land covered by this townsite was held by half-breed script, but the title was never perfected. The script was undoubtedly "lifted" some time afterward and other land taken with it, and this land reverted back to the U. S. government. The certificate of the plat is signed by N. P. Aspinwall, surveyor. He was an uncle to Wm. Aspinwill, who now operates a store at Pine Point. I have a certified plat of the townsite in my possession at the present time. The townsite is bounded and described as follows : "Commencing at an oak tree at the southwest corner of said town- site, and running thence north, crossing the Otter Tail River and De- troit Lake, five thousand two hundred and eighty feet, thence running east, crossing the Otter Tail River, two thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight feet, thence running south five thousand two hundred and eighty feet, thence west two thousand nine hundred and fift}-eight feet to the place of beginning." The names of the proprietors were A. P. Aspinwall, F. Campbell, Donald McDonald, George McDougal and D. Shoff. Frank AT. Campbell, of White Earth, now a man over seventy years of age, informs me that he is the F. Campbell mentioned as one of the proprietors, and Donald McDonald the old Otter Tail Lake fur trader was another. The townsite was one mile long north and south and three hundred and ten feet more than half a mile 2/8 A I'loXI'.l'K IIlSToKV OF BECKER CoUNTV. wide from east to west, and contained about three hundred and fiity- eight and one-half acres of land. Judging from the topography as shown on the plat, the town- site would very nearly fit the west half of Section 35 in the present township of Burlington, except that it was somewhat wider. The west line must have been near where the bridge across Town Lake now stands, and the east line very near the railroad bridge crossing the Otter Tail River, the north end near the Commonwealth Com- pany sawmill, and the south end some distance south of the residence of Edward Briggs. The plat shows one hundred and thirty-one blocks, with streets to correspond. Even the big marsh along the river south of Frazee between the railroad bridge and the outlet to Town Lake is mapped into blocks and lots with great precision. In the written description Detroit is said to be located at "the southern end of a beautiful lake called Detroit Lake at the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, twenty-two miles northwest of Otter Tail City. This place is on the direct route between Lake Superior and Pembina. The face of the country to the west con- sists chiefly of beautiful prairies and lakes, while on the east there are large bodies of hard and pine wood timber. There are two water powers at this place capable of running a grist and saw- mill." The narrow place on the Otter Tail River where the Com- monwealth Lumber Company has built its bridge near its sawmill is marked on this plat as "Mill Property." The other mill site is marked below^ the outlet of Town Lake. Patrick Quinlan. I will here insert a short article, written by Patrick Quinlan, the first white settler in Burlington Township, giving an account of himself and the first settlement of the tow^nship. RiciiwooD, December 26, 1903. I was born in Canada close to the village of Norwood, on the 15th day of February. 1836. My father and mother were Irish. I lived and worked on my father's farm until I started west. The railroad was built only to the lead mines beyond Galena. III. I arrived in St. Paul in May. 1854. St. Paul was a very small village at that time. I stayed one night, took the steamboat at St. Anthony the next day and came to Sauk Rapids. No Minneapolis or St. Cloud at that time existed. I started for Long Prairie, and it was Winnebago Agency at that time. The first man I A Pioneer History of Becker County. 279 worked for lived down below Big Lake and he was a new settler, by the name of Foiles. I worked two months and a half at twenty dollars per month and I never got my pay. He accidentally shot himself, and his wife promised to pay me, but I never troubled her about the money. It was a bad start, however, as I lost a good deal of my wages afterwards. For three or four years before the war when a man got his money, very often it was no good, no one would accept it. Every man that was doing any business had what was called a bank detector. I worked for a man named Bonfield, who lived at Rice Lake near St. Anthony. He was in the lum- ber business and paid me a hundred and twenty dollars and the money was no good. In the year 1859 a man on his way to Red River offered me twelve dollars a month if I would go and help him through and work for him through the winter which I did, commencing the spring of i860. I got a chance to work as watchman on the first steamboat on the Red River owned by Mr. Burbank, of St. Cloud. The boat was built by Mr. Anson Northrup at Georgetown and after working on the boat a while I got tired of the business and a man came and offered me twenty dollars a month to go with a party out to the Blackfoot country. They were going to trade for horses, so I started with them in a party of eight. After trav- eling some days we found ourselves among the buffalo. After traveling through that country and seeing so many bufifalo, I thought they would al- way^s remain. We struck the Blackfoot trail close to Bear Paw Mountain, and followed the trail northwest four days before we overtook the Indians. During the time we were following the Indian trail we saw many buffalo that the Indians had killed and left without taking any part of them for their own use. There were also a great many wolves. When we got within about two miles of an Indian camp we met some Indians who were going out on a hunt. Our boss treated them to some whisky which they liked very much and one of them asked for some whisky to carry to his friend who was out hunting. Our interpreter asked him how he could carry it. He said he could carry it, and he doubled up the tail of his leather shirt, poured in the whiskey, tied a string around it and so started off. We soon arrived at the camp, and I was surprised to see so many horses and we got quite a number and started for Fort Gary. While on our return trip three of us concluded to run bufifalo one evening, and so we started out after a large herd and we managed to kill one large bull which we shot over twenty times before he fell. We found it very inconvenient to load our guns while on horseback. While coming through the Assiniboine country the Assiniboines took some of our horses from us. We were out on that trip something over two months, more than half of the time we lived on buflfalo meat alone. In the fall of 1862 I came back to St. Cloud with a wagon train belonging to Mr. Burbank of that place. We expected to have trouble with the Sioux Indians, but we did not. From 1862 to 1868 I remained at Crow Wing a good part of the time and worked for the government. I came to Becker County, ]\Iay 28th, 1868, and built a cabin near where Frazee now stands. The land was not surveyed at that time and the railroad company beat me out of three forties of my claim, that part which was on Section 35. The land now belongs to Edward Briggs. I 28o A Pioneer History of Becker County. built my house on what is now the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 35, a little cast of the Otter Tail River. In June, 1868, Mr. Henry Way and Mr. Sherman came but went on to Oak Lake, west of Detroit where they put up hay to use the next winter. The next person after myself to settle in Burlington township was Charles E. Churchill. He came about the first of June, 1870, the same year the railroad was surveyed. I helped him build his house, hauling the logs with my team. His house was built on the west side of the river, nearly opposite where it intersects the lake (in what is now Schebaher's field). The next newcomers were William Chilton, T. W. Chilton and William Redpath, who came some time in June 1870. Jim and Redpath soon went back but about the 20th of August returned and James Chilton and James Winram came with them. When I came the nearest settlers were at Rush Lake; Otter Tail City was the nearest store. When I came onto the place I paid two dollars and twenty-five cents a bushel for ten bushels of potatoes at Otter Tail City. Flour was seven dollars per sack, pork thirty- five cents per pound. During the first winter I had to carry my flour, pork and other supplies on my back from Otter Tail City. It was im- possible to go with oxen the snow was so deep and no road. The first summer I was there I put up about thirty tons of hay and thought I could sell it to parties who were hauling supplies to White Earth for the Indians who had been removed there that summer by the government: but as soon as cold weather set in they hauled all their supplies around by Leech Lake, and I was unable to sell any hay. I started from Otter Tail City one day about the middle of February on Indian snowshoes. I had about eighty pounds of flour and other stuff on my back. Night overtook me not far from where Perham now stands. It was cloudy and dark and I got lost. After wandering about for a long time I came to the Oter Tail River about a mile below the crossing and walked up until I came to the crossing, then I knew where I was. But there was an open space in the ice so I had to step into the water. The space was not very wide and the water only a little above my knees. The night was not cold and I traveled about a mile, and finding myself pretty tired, stopped and rested. When I started I discovered that I was unable to carry my pack, so I had to leave it until next day. I arrived home sometime after midnight a very tired man. William Thompson was my first neighbor. He came up the next sum- mer and located where Thomas Keys now lives in Otter Tail County. There were lots of ducks, chickens and other game at that time and I shot a large bear. When I first saw her she had a large cub with her. I did not have my gun with me then. It was at the north end of the grove, near where Edward Briggs now lives, and they were going to that rocky hill west by the river. So I went home and got the gun, which was loaded with shot and I added a bullet into each barrel and started after her. Hunting around for some time in the brush, I heard her run, but I could not see her owing to the density of the brush. After running a little way I saw her as she went west toward the river. I took a short cut, but when I arrived was not sure whether she was ahead of me or not. So I walked about watching very carefully for some time and was sur- CHARLES E. CHURCHILL. WILLIAM G. CHILTON. JAMES WINRAM. LEONARD A. ASHLEY. 282 A I'loNHKK History of Becker Couxtv. prised all at once to see her standing on her hind feet about six feet away from me. I aimed at her breast and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go of¥. It seemed to scare her and she got down and walked away sideways a few feet with her head turned toward me. I pulled the other trigger, the gun went off and she fell, and I loaded that barrel again be- fore I went to where she was lying. She was dead. I found that I had shot her between the eyes. I could not find the cub. I shot some other game; two wild cats, some mink and one red fox. After living there four years and losing my claim. I concluded to move to White Earth. So I found a claim that suited me north of the Bufifalo River. I took the land in my wife's name and we are still living on the same land. My health has been very poor for some time and I do not expect to get rich, but I am content. I do not think it best to trouble you any more. Yours truly, P. QUINLAN. Patrick Ouinlan died at his home near Rich wood the loth of March, 1905. \\'iniam G. Chilton built on the land now occupied by his heirs. His cabin stood on the west bank of the Otter Tail River close to his old bridge forty or fifty rods above where the planing mill now stands. James G. Chilton built on Section 15 on the same land where he now resides. James was for several years a sailor on Lake Ontario in his younger days, and served a term in a military com- pany in Canada and was on the Northern Pacific R. R. survey. T. \\\ Chilton built on Section 27, near the ttppcr end of Town Lake. James Winram located and built on Section 14, down near the tamarack swamp, opposite where Tim. Chilton's hotise now stands. William Redpath built a house a little west of where the Ittmber platform of the big sawmill is now. He afterwards sold his claim to Charles M. Campbell, who proved up on the sotith tier of forties of vSection 26 where the steam mill and lumber piles now stand. C. M. Campbell came to Becker County in May, 1872. The next settler after those mentioned by Ouinlan who came into the township was John Graham, who came in October, 1870, and selected the land where he now resides, and went back for his family and returned with them August 25th, 1871. Then came Patrick O'Neil wdio was then a beardless youth but seventeen years old ; he came on the 4th day of December, 1870. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 283 Next came Luther Weymouth and Chris. Gardner on the tenth of December of the same year. Mrs. Weymouth came in March, 1871. Early in the spring of 1871 Weymouth and Gardner built and opened up a hotel on the south side of the river, near where the present Perham road starts to come down the hill towards the river. Johnson Wilson, late in the year of 1870, selected a place on the northwest quarter of Section 20, wdiere David Graham now re- sides. Pie built his house the next summer in a fine spruce grove, but the trees have since all been destro3'ed by the winds and storms. There was a fine little prairie covering several acres of land, a little east of his house at that time. In 1 87 1 there was c|uite an influx of settlers into the township. August Trieglaff and Anthonv Komansparger came about the first of June and located on Section 24. The Trieglafi:' bo\'s now own both farms. In the spring of this same year Robert McPhee and family located on the northwest quarter of Section 10, and, about the same time, James ^Maxwell settled on Section 28 with his family, where the Richmonds now reside. William Hoffman came into Burlington Township in June, 1871, from Fort Madison, Iowa, and the following spring took a home- stead on the northeast quarter of Section 22. He is a veteran of the Civil War, and still resides in the vicinity. 1. J. Collins came to this county in 1871, but went back to New York and returned with his family on the i8th of May, 1872, and located on the southeast quarter of Section 34. Roscoe Dow located on Section 20 on the 25th of June, 1871. E. L. W' right came from Vermont and located on the south- west quarter of Section 10, in May, 1872. Wm. Hehrhold and family came to Burlington about the 15th of October, 1873, from iMissouri and settled on Section 28, where they still reside. In May, 1871, William Austin located on Section 32, on what is now known as the John Brigg's farm. He usually went by the name of "Billy Chicken." Mr. John Chilton moved into this township from Canada in the year 1873 and located on Section 14. He was accompanied by his wife, his son John R. Chilton, and three single daughters, one of JAMES G. CHILTON. MRS. J.\MES G. CHILTOX. GUV CHILTON. MRS. LUTHFK WEYMOUTH. A PioNEiiR History of Becker County. 285 whom afterwards married William Redpath. The other two daugh- ters married Patrick O'Xeil and James Scott, two prosperous farm- ers who still live in the neighborhood. Another daughter, Mrs. C. W. Campbell and husband came into the township in 1872, and still another, Mrs. John Cummer, came with her husband from Canada in 1884. John Chilton, Sr., was born in \^ermont and died in Burlington Township on the 26th of November, 1886, aged 75 years. Mrs. James Chilton was the first white woman to settle in Burlington, arriving on the 4th dav of December, 1870, and her son, Guy Chilton, was the first white child born in the township. He first saw the light in James G. Chilton's log cabin, which stood on Section 15, on the i6th day of April, 1872. The first death in the township was that of Chris. Gardner, which occurred about the loth of August, 1871. Mr. Gardner was a member of the board of county commissioners at the time of his death. The person who taught the first school in Burlington Township was Miss Nellie F. Brigham, of Richwood, now Mrs. C. H. Potter, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She says: "I think I may safely claim the honor of having taught the first school in Frazee. I began my school there about the 20th of May, 1874. The school numbered seventeen pupils and I can recall them all by name now if necessary. The schoolhouse was a new structure. I boarded at the Thompkin's Hotel. It is a source of great pleasure that I am numbered with my two sisters among the earliest instructors of Becker County." The first marriage in the township was that of T. W. Chilton and Amelia Rider on November 24th, 1873, by the Rev. J. E. Wood, of Detroit. Bachinana. The following article written by William W. Howard will imdoubtedly be read with much interest, especially by some of the first settlers in the western part of the county. He was the compassman for George B. Wright, the U. S. government sur- veyor, who had the contract for surveying the township lines ly- ing between the 9th and loth standard parallels and the 5th and 6th guide meridian, which includes Silver Leaf, Height of Land, Grand Park, Plolmesville, Erie, Burlington, Lake View, Detroit, 286 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Ricluvood. Ilamden, AudutxMi. Lake Eunice, Cormorant, Lake Park, Cuba and six townships in Clay County and seven in Otter Tail. Air. Howard ran all these town lines for George B. Wright and then ran the section lines in Lake Park. Audubon, Lake \"ie\v and lUirlington. He began in the eastern part of this work in April, 1870, and finished about the middle of the next winter, among his assistants were John A. 1'.. McDonell and William McDoncll, of Lake Eunice. In 1871, he was sent out by the North- ern Pacific Railroad Company as one of its laud examiners, and in August I joined his party and remained with him until winter. In 1883, Vvdiile I was county auditor, I was authorized to pro- cure a set of certified plats of the townships of Becker County, and I employed Mr. Howard to do the \vork. The bound volume of government phts in the office of the register of deeds at Detroit is the work of Mr. Howard. St. P.\ul, AItw., Feb., 22, 1897. A. H. Wilcox, Esq.. Fk.^zee, Minn., Dear Old Friend:— You have asked me to give some account of my knowledge of our experience with Bachinaiui. It was early in the sea- son of 1870 that I left Minneapolis for the then une.xplored region of Becker County, George B. Wright having a government contract to run the township lines of twenty-four townships, extending north and west from Gormantown in Otter Tail County. Our outfit consisted of an ox- team, covered wagon, two tents, and the genera! outfit of a government survey where the country was mostly prairie and could consequently he reached by wagon. The old Red River trail ran through the timber from the Otter Tail to Oak Lake, and from Thompson's at the first mentioned point, to the three log houses at Oak Lake, comprising nearly all there was of civilization in the whole region. Our first line north landed us in a tamarack swamp, about one and a half miles east of where Frazee now stands, and our experienced camp-man and cook declared after some exploration that the way ahead was im- passable for team, if not for man. For want of knowing anything better to do, I sent a man back to civilization to consult George B. Wright, and not to be idle we started to subdivide Town 138, Range 39, Gormantown, trusting to get a contract for it when the township was finished. After about ten days of work, we were in the northwestern part of the town one afternoon, when, through the stillness of the forest, came float- ing on the air, a peculiar sound, indeed, for that country, but familiar to any one who had ever been on a survey with George B. Wright. "Who- o-pe," faint, and long drawn out. but most unmistakably George B's voice. 'V on may be sure we were all alert, and shout after shout was answered A Pioneer History of Becker County. 287 back, though where he was or how he got there was a mystery. Soon the call came nearer, and it was not long before we saw a birch canoe coming up the river. We had by the merest chance happened to be just in the vicinity of the Otter Tail. In the canoe were "George B.," a half- breed — Charlie, the Indian, Bachinana or Neeche. The canoes were to take the place of our wagons, and the half-breed and Indian the place of the oxen, propelling the canoes, where available, and carrying our burdens on their heads where canoeing was impracticable. Packing a load of 100 lbs. by a strap over the forehead was a novelty to me then, and I well remember what I thought of the advice of one wiser than I, viz: "if the packs are not heavy enough to start with put in a few rocks." We reorganized our "survey" on that line, and managed to "swamp" a road for the team up the east side of the river to within about a mile of Height of Land Lake, and using that as our base of supplies, we run lines east and north by aid of the canoes and packers. With varying success we worked north until we reached Height of Land Lake, and after run- ning our line east across the lake, we found ourselves about a mile and a half east of the lake, at night fall, so we had to make camp for the night as best we could. We constructed a rough bough shelter and pitched our mosquito tents under it. These latter being a small square tent of mos- quito netting, six feet long, two feet wide and three feet high, suspended by the four corners on boughs stuck in the ground. By carefully get- ting under these tents we were safe for a while from the millions of mos- quitoes, that make life almost intolerable in a new country. Of course we had to be very guarded in our movements for a very slight strain on the mosquito netting would tear it and thus defeat its purpose. And "thereby hangs a tale." I was lying next to Joe Deloria, a French boy, who having been brought up among the half-breed Indians, could talk Chippewa, to which tribe Neeche belonged. About the time we were beginning to thing of sleep, it began to rain, and though our boughs were poor shelter it was enough to tempt the Indian and he crawled in be- tween Joe and myself. Being pitch dark, I did not see him and supposed it was Joe rolling over and thereby causing a big strain on my tent, placing it in imminent danger of tearing; my only hope of saving myself from be- ing devoured by the insects on the rest of the trip lay in having Joe get oflf my tent, so I called out sharply to him to do so, but Neeche under- stood not, so I reinforced my remarks with a threat of a "punch" if he did not lie over. Any one who has had to lie out in the woods all night at the mercy of mosquitos in a wet season knows what my provocation was. So I gave him a powerful dig in the ribs with my elbow, my back being to him. I never was noted for obesity and I suspect my elbow was sharp. Great was my surprise to hear only a deep grunt in place of the torrent of profanity I expected. Then I discovered that I had unknowingly and perhaps unjustly struck the revengeful Indian; as he had probably not been aware of his encroaching on my bed, nor had he understood my call and 288 A Pioneer History oe Becker Couxtv. threat. Howevtr. I had saved my netting and got some sleep despite the rain. But when we turned out in the morning, the half-breed informed us that Neeche was going home. "White man had struck him." He said if I had used a hatchet (it might have saved some lives later if I had) it would not have been so bad, but to be struck with the fist "like a squaw" was too much for Chippewa pride. But by dint of coaxing and explanations and promises of a pair of buckskin leggings I had in camp, we pursuaded him to stay, notwithstanding he had donned his war paint, and was got up in great shape in his wTath. But he did not get over it as long as he was with us. When later we got out near the Red River trail, and met frequent bands of Chip- pewas, he would rehearse the whole afTair with no good will towards me. Indeed had I then known what kind of an Indian he really was, I doubt very much if I would have given him so much chance to do me harm. He told later that there were three white men he meant to shoot before he died; two he did shoot, I believe, perhaps I was the third. I remember I was a little suspicious of him and when running the line between Ranges 39 and 40, Town 140, now Grand Park and Holmesville, I wanted to get my canoe into Tamarack Lake. It was in Height of Land Lake at the time. and I had understood the Indians to say that there was a good sized stream running from Tamarack Lake and emptying into the Otter Tail River near the reservation line, I started with my two Indians for Tamarack Lake by that route, and after paddling hard a whole day, we found ourselves in Flat Lake, one half of which lies on the reservation, instead of in Tamarack Lake. The mistake had arisen through a confusion of names on the part of the Indian and half-breed. I was anxious to reach Tamarack Lake that night, so in order to make sure of its location and identity, I left the half-breed to get supper and about sundown with Bachinana for a guide, started down tlie canoe trail due south to see if the next lake was really Tamarack Lake. I guess that was the l)est chance he ever had ii lie meant me any harm, but with a vivid remembrance of the ignominious "dig in the ribs" in mind, I com- pelled him to go in advance all the way, and carried my hatchet in my h;nd, knowing that a hatchet inspired more wholesome fear in an Indian, than would a revolver. I will confess to a feeling of satisfaction, not to say relief, when I heard he had gone to the "happy hunting ground." When in the mood for it he was for an Indian a good worker, but his reputation was to work only a short time until he got money enough to indulge in what seemed to be a ruling passion — gambling. He had very little regard for hutnan life. It was only by the superior strength of his antagonist that we escaped a tragedy in our camp a few weeks later and just before he left us. Our party, comprising at that time two more half- breeds, one, Peter, being a very powerful fellow. One night the gambling in their tent seemed to be more boisterous than usual, and Neeche pitted against two brothers, lialf-brcer's, lost everything even to the shirt on his back, when in anger, out to the wagon he rushed, and seized a gun. Noth- ing but Peter's superior strength saved him, but he managed to discharge A Pioneer History of Ueckek County. 289 tlie gun in the air, during the struggle. We concluded it best to take all the firearms into our tents after that for our own safety. He left us soon after this, some time in July, I think, mainly because he had earned some $30 and wanted to have a good time with it. I learned that he soon lost it all at gambling. Sometime in the fall the old man Carlson, living in the northwest part of Audubon Township, was called out of his home by the burning of his hay stacks one night, and shot by this same Indian. Of his subsequent career I think you are better informed than I am. Except for this passion for gambling, and his readiness with his gun when incensed, he was very tractable and mild for an Indian. William W. Howard. This Indian, Bachinana, is the same one who shot Gunder Carlson in October, 1870, as related in the history of Audubon Town.^hi]). James Winram Shot by an Indian. By J.\mes Winr.\m. Fr.azEE, ^Iinx., October 16, 1905. In the summer of 1870 when at work on the Northern Pacific Railroad survey helping to run the preliminary lines east of the IMississippi, I learned that the country near Otter Tail River and Detroit Lakes was a good location to make settlement. In the month of August, 1870, I left Sauk Rapids, which at that time was the end of railway communication, and in company with William Redpath and James G. and Timothy Chilton started across the country on foot, and after about six days' travel we reached what is now the township of Burlington, Becker County. Thinking we had gone far enough, we each of us se- lected claims and helped each other to get out logs and raise log houses besides putting up a few tons of hay. In the latter ])art of September I walked to Crow ^^'ing and went to work on a government survey near Willow River and Sandy Lake. After we got through I walked back and found that during my absence of about three months the railroad company had located their line within two miles of my claim and the township had been sub-divided into sections. I now went to work on the house I had commenced a few months before and moved into it. New settlers began to come in and amongst them a family named Robert McFee, who had located about a mile from me. Mr. McFee's family consisted of himself, his wife and one infant child. I, being unmarried at the 290 A Pioneer History of Becker County. time, Mr. McFee proposed and I consented that he should move his family into my house as it would be more convenient for him while he was getting his own ready. By this time, I had got about two acres broken and fenced and in the spring of 1871 planted it to potatoes and other vegetables. About this time it began to be rumored that the Indians were growing restless and liable to make trouble, although at that time I did not feel much alarmed as I did not think they would molest us, but one day in the early part of June, 1 87 1, a man named Wilson, who was hunting a pair of stray oxen, came by my house and told me that the body of a man had been found in the brush near Rush Lake, with every indication that he had been killed by Indians. Mrs. McFee said she was not afraid of Indians ; she had lived in Wisconsin and they never troubled them there. One afternoon in the middle of June, I had occasion to go about a mile east of the house where I was making some shingles. McFee himself was at work about a mile northwest at his own house. There was a drizzling rain, and after I thought I had been in it long enough, I left for home. Before I reached the house I saw an Indian standing at the door with his gun in his hand, but as that was not an unusual occurrence, I did not think much about it until I got close by. I then noticed Mrs. McFee was unusually excited, she said she was glad I had come because she was afraid of this Indian and wished me to send him away. I told her she was perhaps alarmed without much cause, but at all events when I had got through washing my hands I would do as she requested. I had picked up the wash basin while she was telling me, and was not suspecting any trouble. I then turned to the Indian, whose name I afterwards learned was Bachinana, and told him to get off of the premises, but he did not seem to want to go, so I took him by the collar and gave him a push. He was now about six feet from the door of the house on the outside, and again he stood still without moving any further. I now noticed he had a knife in a sheath in front of him, and I was entirely unarmed, and things began to take on a serious aspect. The thought suggested itself to me of attempting to disarm the Indian, but at that time I did not know that he had been guilty of any misbehavior, and if I could succeed in getting him away, it would probably make less future trouble. So I gave him another push, and he now started briskly down the hill until he got about fifty feet away from me. A Pione;er History of Be;cker County. 291 He then wheeled about and brought his gun to his shoulder. When he made the motion to turn around, I knew what to expect, and I knew also that it would not be of any use to try and get into the house or even to dodge around the corner, so I made a dash down hill towards him, intending that if his gun should miss fire or he should miss me, to take chances in a hand scuffle in which I thought the chances would be in my favor. This sudden, and to him unexpected movement on my part, seemed to confuse him some and I was about four feet from the muzzle of his gun. He turned half round to get away, when he fired, the charge of shot shattering my arm from nearly the wrist to the elbow, and a few scattering shots going into my side. The Indian ran away, and as far as I could see did not look back. I then returned to the house, Mrs. McFee was terribly frightened, and now told me for the first time how insolent and threatening the Indian had been. He had drawn his knife across her baby's throat while it was asleep, and terrified her in other ways. I was growing weaker from the loss of blood, and proposed going to Weymouth's house about three miles down the river to see if I could get something done for my arm ; but Mrs. McFee said if I left the place, the In- dian might come back and kill her ; so I suggested that she herself should go for her husband, who was in the opposite direction to which the Indian had gone, and get him to stay with her. This she did. I now found I was getting faint from loss of blood, and it was with some difficulty that I was able to stand. I tried to stop the blood by tying cloth bandages around my arm, but did not ap- pear to have any success. I then took a towel and bound it twice around my arm above the elbow, put in a stout stick and twisted it as much as I could bear. This appeared to have the desired eft'ect. I then locked the house door, and sat down on the floor, after getting my revolver in which I found there were two charg- es, and waited for McFee to come. If the Indian should come first, it was my intention to shoot him, if I could, when he enter- ed the house. McFee came as soon as he could, finding the door locked, he called to me and I told him to break in the door. I could not get up. He lost no time in going down to Weymouth's who sent up a team and some men. They lifted me into a wagon and took me to his place. It was months before I recovered, and when I did I was crippled for life ; although the arm was saved, it was with the loss of six inches of the radius bone, and 292 A Pioneer History of Uecker County. otherwise so badly shattered that it has since been of Httle use to me. In closing this narrative, I will say that I was surprised at the kindness shown to nic at that time by those who had only known me for a few months at the most, and some not that long. It was done with so little display that it appeared to me that they did not want each other to know they were making any sac- rifices for my sake. James Winram. After shooting Winram, he took to the deep woods and was not seen about the settlements for several months, although efforts were being constantly put forth to secure his arrest. This, however, was not accomplished until March of the following year, when he was disposed of in a summary manner, as related further on by Patrick Quinlan, one of the parties to the tragedy. Bachinana Holds up Paul Sletten. Mrs. Luther Weymouth relates the following. Early in the summer of 1871 the Northern Pacific Railroad Company- was building its road through the township of Burlington. Paul C. Slet- ten was then foreman of a crew of men who were grading near the cross- ing of the Otter Tail River, and was boarding at the Weymouth hotel on the hill, a little south of the river. His family was then living on their homestead at Oak Lake, so Paul bought a pony of Bachinana to ride back and forth Saturday nights and Sundays to and from his home. When on one of his home trips, and while in the thick of the woods east of De- troit Lake, who should he meet in the road but Bachinana himself. He stood square in the middle of the road with a double barreled shotgun in his hands, both barrels of which were cocked, and ordered Paul to get off his horse. Paul was unarmed at the time and was not long in obeying orders. He dismounted, whereupon the Indian took off the saddle, threw it at Paul, mounted the pony and rode away. This was about the time he shot James Winram. and he was never seen again in the vicinity. AfDfr.ox. Minx., October. 16, 1905. Mk. W 1 1. cox: Mrs. Sletten says that she remembers well that Paul was held up by Indians and his horse taken, but she does not know so much about the details. As near as she remembers it occurred as follows: Paul had bought a saddle pony from some Indians at the railroad camp somewhere east of Detroit. He w-anted to use the pony on his trip back and forth between the camp and home. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 293 Mr. Brackett. the contractor, had loaned him a saddle. On his way home through the Detroit woods after dark a band of Indians surrounded him, pulled him ofif his horse and took possession of the animal. They started to take the saddle ofT, but he protested that if they took the horse, they might as well keep the saddle too. They could not see any use in the saddle, so placed it on Sletten's shoulders and pointed up the road. There was nothing to do hv.t make the best of a bad situation, and he came home late at night with the saddle strapped to his back. A. O. Netland. The Shooting of Bachinana. By Patrick Quinlan. Some time abotit the middle of March, 1872, an Indian called at my house and said that Bachinana would pass by that even- ing on his way to Pine Lake, but expected that he would stay all night at the Indian camp down in the woods, west of Rice Lake. Later in the evening I saw an Indian pass over the rail- road bridge at Frazee and concluded it was Bachinana. As soon as I could I went to Hobart station to notify John Lisk, who had al- readv spent some time hunting for Bachinana but Lisk said, "It is dark and I am not sure that I would know him, I wish you would go with me." So I went with him and we called at Rogan's to get information as to where the Indian crossed Rice Lake. He said he knew, and taking his gun started with us. After going a short distance Rogan stopped and said he wanted to know if there was any fighting to be done, and Lisk said he thought there would be. After crossing Rice Lake and traveling about two miles west in the woods, we met two Indians. Rogan and Lisk being in advance of me they met the Indians first and laid hands on the first one, while the other one left the trail and seemed anx- ious to avoid us. I saw that his calcuiation was to circle and come into the trail behind me, therefore I stopped, because I concluded by his actions that he was the one we were after. The snow was very deep and he could not travel very fast. So when he was coming near the trail, I went back and laid hold of him. He had a gun, he said he had no whisky. I told him I wanted to know who he was. It was pretty dark and he had on a blanket cap which with the darkness prevented me from getting a good look at his face and he kept turning his face away from me. After 294 A Pioneer History of Becker County. a short struggle he became very angry, and said I must let him go. I told him, no, I must see who you are." After we had scuffled some time, Lisk came up behind me and grabbed the Indian on the shoulder and threw him backward full length on the snow. Rogan was behind me, and he shot the Indian as quick as he fell ; therefore I did not see it. I was sorry that he was killed the way he was though I was satisfied that he was a dangerous character. After his death he was buried on the narrow ridge between the Northern Pacific Railroad and the Otter Tail River, a little east of Frazee down towards the railroad bridge. He was buried by Thomas Murphy, in charge of the Northern Pacific gravel train. His grave is now nearly obliterated. Bill Rogan was arrested and given a hearing and held for trial, but was afterwards released under bonds. About the 25th of August, 1873, he was re-arrest- ed and lodged in jail at St. Paul. He afterward stood his trial at Fergus Falls and was acquitted. Irving John Collins. Irving John Collins came to Becker County May i8th, 1872, from Monroe County, New York. He was accompanied by his wife and son Henry, then only one and a half years old ; also David Wellman and his wife. After visiting for some time with Captain D. ly. Wellman, he took a soldier's homstead in the town of Burling- ton, Section 34, 138, 40. where he has lived continuously up to the present time. There were no bridges over the Otter Tail River and Collins used to ford the river. All business to and from the farm was done by ox team or on foot across the river, or by boat. The nearest depot was in Hobart Township, Otter Tail County. The first Sabbath school was organized in Captain Well- man's residence by Missionary Mason, and David Wellman was elected superintendent. The next summer it was removed to the upper room in Mr. Hendry's store, and was removed in 1874 to Frazee into the little public schoolhouse standing on the ground now occupied by the palatial residence of Gotlieb Baer. Mr. Collins was superintendent ; Leonard Ashley, secretary ; and Robert Carson took an active part. About twenty was the regu- lar attendance. MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL PEARCE. 296 A PioNEEr< History of Becker County. Mr. Collins discovered that liis land, overlooking the Otter Tail River, was rich in Indian lore, and some very rare treasures of Indian relics were found in the grounds, such as arrow heads, hammers, pieces of pottery and one extra large mound led to the belief that this was one of the old and famous Mound Build- er's cities or camping grounds. Xumerinis piles of cooking stones were foimd where he now has his home. In 1873-4 there was an Indian scare, and all the residents of the village congregated in one building in town. Leonard Ashley came over and implored ]Mr. Collins to come with his family into the barracks, but he thought he could defend him- self and family, and he kindly refused the invitation. The cause of the scare was a party of Sioux Indians going through to White Earth for a visit with the Chippewas. They went through Collin's farm passing the house on their prancing horses and decked in feathers and paint. They would jump off their ponies and with their scalping knives cut ofif the long grass as if they were scalping an enemy. Mr. Collins served his country as a soldier in Company I, Thirteenth New York Volunteer Infantry, and belongs to the Detroit Post. He is considered an expert farmer and machinist and owns one of the best farms near Frazec. I lis c(irn won a prize at the ?t. Louis Exposition. He is an active Christian and a trustee and meiuber of the First Methodist Episcopal church. J. A. B. Smith. The fir.st bridge built across the Otter Tail River in this county was built in 1869 by Patrick Quinlan. It was built at the foot of the hill where the Perham road is now located, about ten rods south from where the new bridge across the Otter Tail River has since been built. The river then ran along the foot of the hill in what is now the old slough, all the way from the railroad to a point sev- eral rods west of the Perham road. After building this bridge he built a corduroy road along what was then the north side of the river to the long narrow ridge on the east side of the railroad ly- ing between the railroad and the river. When the railroad was built a year or two afterwards, they changed the bed of the river to its present location. A PioNKER History of Becker County. 297 The old Red River trail which had been the only thoroughfare through this part of the country for years, entered Becker County between the two lakes on Section 36, near where Herman Fisher now lives, passed by the Albertson place and crossed the Otter Tail River between where the lower dam and the bridge on the Silver- leaf road have since been built. There had never been any bridge across the river and the crossing was frequently attended with considerable difficulty, especially at the beginning of winter when ice was forming, so Ouinlan conceived the idea of building a cut- off road, bridging the river and charging toll for all travelers pass- ing over his bridge. After he had finished the bridge, he opened up a new road from a point on the Red River trail, a little south of where Thomas Keys in Otter Tail County has since lived. The road ran on the west side of the oak grove in Edward Brigg's field south of his house, and came down to the river at the foot of the hill exactly where the road enters the marsh at the present time. The old road is still to be seen where it came down the hill over in the timber west of the present road. This was about the time the Northern Pacific explorers and surveyors commenced traveling up and down the country, and while they were delighted at having a bridge to cross on there was a lot of kicking done when it came to paying toll. After having several quarrels and getting but little toll he dropped the whole business and never covered the bare poles on his corduroy v^-est of the river. The place where this bridge was built has since been nearly filled with sand and gravel washed down from the hill, although there is a small bridge there at the present time. When the railroad company changed the bed of the river they built a new wagon bridge a short distance below the railroad bridge and for many years all the travel from the south went around the horseshoe bend, along the foot of the railroad embank- ment. The road was changed to its present location in the winter of 1897 and 1898. The bridge across Town Lake was built in 1883, by Luther Weymouth, with a state appropriation of $600. The "Hodder" bridge across the Otter Tail, on Section 2, was built in 1886 by Rudolph Boll with money furnished by the town and county. The bridge across the Otter Tail below the lower dam was built in the summer of 1889 by R. L. Frazee with a state appropriation. 298 A Pioneer History of Becker County. On the 9th day of Aiii^ust, 1872, a petition was granted by the board of county commissioners to detach Township 138, Range 40, from the township of Lake Mew and organize the same into a new township to be called Burlington. The township was so named from the city of Burlington in the state of \>rmont, by Airs. E. L. \\'right, a Vermonter, whose husband took a leading part in the organization of the township. The first township election was held on the 26th day of August of that year at the house of Wm. G. Chilton. The first set of township officers were : Chairman of board of supervisors, E. L. Wright ; supervisors, Charles E. Churchill and Patrick Quinlan ; clerk, James G. Chilton. Roscoe Dow was elected justice of the peace at this election, but did not qualify. At the annual town meeting in March, 1873, the supervisors elected were E. L. Wright, chairman ; Charles E Churchill and I. J. Collins, supervisors ; James Chilton, town clerk ; James Max- well, assessor. Arthur Crissy. In the winter of 1872-3, R. L. Frazee opened up his first lumber camp in Becker County, on Section 14, in the town of Erie. Among the men employed in his camp was a man named Arthur Crissy, a native of Maine, a man about thirty-five years of age, of robust constitution and perfect health and full of general good humor, and who prided himself on being the best ox teamster in Becker County. The exact date when he left Becker County I cannot give, but I found him at Bismarck in Dakota territor}^ in the fall of 1874. The next time I saw him was in the summer of 1878 in the same place where he kept a little candy and tobacco store. Since I had last seen him, he had lost both feet and was walking on his knees. He had met with a terrible misfortune in the spring of 1876, and I will endeavor to relate it as he told it to me as near as possible. A few miles below Bismarck is Sibley Island wdiich contains twenty or thirty acres of land. On the west side of the island is the Missouri River, and on the east side is a narrow channel about four rods wide, which is full of water, when the river is high, but most of the time it is nearly dry. I am quite familiar with this island, as we tied up our steamboat alongside of it over night in the spring of 1862, and in 1874 I A Pioneer History of Becker County. 299 surveyed it for the government. The river bottoms here extend east for four or five miles, on a dead level. Sibley Island at that time was covered with a heavy growth of Cottonwood timber, and in the winter of 1875-6, N. P. Clark, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, put in a wood camp on the island. This camp consisted of a log cabin for the men and two log stables for the oxen, of which they had twenty or thirty. With the disappearance of the snow in the spring the camp was broken up, but Crissy and two other men, one of which was named Kelly, were retained to take care of the oxen. They had not remained there many days before the ice in the river broke up and an ice gorge commenced to form a short distance below the island. In a day or two the water in the channel on the east side began to raise, and in a short time was up level with its banks. At this time they found they could have made their escape to the high ground, but they decided on account of the oxen to remain another day, confident that Clark or his agent at Bismarck would send orders for them to come away w^th the cattle before night. That night, however, the water rose rapidly and by the next morn- ing escape was impossible. They were driven out of their cabin and made their escape to the roof. The night before they had taken the precaution to turn out the oxen from their stables, and that day the oxen were all swimming around among the trees, and they were themselves on the top of the cabin, where they expected to remain in safety with their bedding and some provisions, until the the flood subsided. In this, however, they were disappointed. By the middle of the afternoon, the water was two feet deep on the roof of the cabin, where they were standing. They now commenced shouting for help. It was several miles to high land on their side of the river, so there was no hope of relief from that direction, but Fort Lincoln was on the opposite side of the river, and as it was afterwards discovered there were some soldiers within hearing dis- tance, but the gorge of ice made it impossible for them to cross the river. Their only hope now was to reach some of the cottonwood trees, the nearest of which was several rods away from the cabin. They had kept the upper part of their clothing dry, and the problem now was how to reach the trees without getting wet all over. It was not long, however, before the opportunity came. One of the oxen came swimming close to the cabin and Kelly mounted 300 A I'loxKEK History oi- Heckhk County. it. wliicli took hini to a small tree that stood about twenty feet above the water. Soon afterwards another ox drifted by in close prox- imity to the cabin and Crissy and his com])anion were soon astride the ox, which they easily guided h) a good sized cottonwood tree with numerous limbs for climbing and seats, and they were soon out of reach of the flood. Night quickly set in, their provisions and bedding had all floated away and their wet clothing began to freeze. and their lower extremities were soon benuml)ed with the cold. They began to call for help in turns. Towards morning Kelly was heard to utter a cry of despair and almost instantly he relaxed his hold and fell into the water and was never seen or heard of again by his companions. This had a very depressing effect on Crissy's companion, wdio was sitting on the same limb of the tree with Crissy. It was not long before he too dropped from his seat, and in falling he caught Crissy by both ankles with his hands, clinging to them with a grip like that of a vise. Crissy was a large powerful man, but it was fully an hour before he could release himself from his companion's icy grasp. During all this time the man was insen- sible and his own strength was fast becoming exhausted. At last Crissy, by an almost superhuman effort, relaxed the man's grip, and he fell into the water and was seen and heard no more. Crissy having managed to keep some matches dry, lit his pipe and alter- nately smoked and shouted for help. The next day the sun warmed him u]) so that he was comparatively comfortable, but the second night was colder than before and his feet began to freeze. The second morning he felt as if he could hold out no longer, but the Sim arose and put new life into him and he determined to hold on another day if possible, and should no help coiue to give up the struggle for life. The third night set in colder than before. At dark a thin skim of ice commenced to form on the water. The icy coldness had now left his feet and legs and lu' felt drowsy. He was just on the point of falling asleep when the scnmd of human voices and the strokes of an oar fell upon his ears. Relief was at hand ! A boat manned by soldiers from Fort Lincoln had come to his rescue. He was lifted into the boat and taken across the river where he found that in attcm])ting to walk he was unable to stand on his feet. I le was taken to the hosi:)ital at the fort where he became delirious and kuew nolhii^ii' for more than a week. In the meantime his A Pioneer History of Becker County. 301 legs were amputated just below the knees. He managed to get around fairly well for many years and finally died at Bismarck in the winter of 1896-7. James Winram. James Winram was born on the Isle of Man, February i6th, 1843. ^is parents moved that same year to Liverpool, where his boyhood days were spent until he was fourteen years of age, when in the year 1857 he shipped on board a sailing vessel bound for Calcutta, going by the way of the Cape of Good Hope. Upon his return from this voyage he made a voyage to Australia, after which he made four more voyages to India and China. These voyages took about five years of his life in all, and the strange sights that he saw, and the many adventures which he can relate would almost rival the stories of Sinbad the Sailor. A Stabbing Affray. On the 2d of May, 1874, Sol. Wells stabbed Bill McDonald at Webb's cabin. After nearly cutting ofif his thumb, he stabbed him in the thigh and in his back, inflicting serious but not fatal wounds. Old Sol. was a wild-eyed son of Erin who homesteaded the land on Section 18, where the village of McHugh has since been built. He was killed by the cars near his own home some time about the year 1888. An old chum and countryman of his by the name of "Billy" Lamb homesteaded the southwest quarter of Section 18. August Trieglaff, Sr. August Trieglafl^. Sr.. was born in Falkenberg, Germany, on the 15th day of August, 1831. He came to America in the spring of 1870 and to Becker County about the first of June, 1871. and took a homestead on Section 24, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Trieglafif was comparatively a poor man when he came to this country, but l:»v untiring industry and rigid economy, he became one of the A Pioneer History of Becker County. 303 prosperous men of Becker County. He was a man of sound business judgment, decided in character and strictly upright and honest in all his transactions with his fellow men. Mr. Trieglaff died on the 25th day of June, 1897, leaving his wife and five sons and two daughters to survive him. The sons are William Trieglafif, August Trieglaff, Carl Trieglaff, Robert Trieglaff and Albert Trieglafif. The daughters are Mrs. Joseph Frick and Mrs. Michael Warter. Wm. G. Chilton. By George E. Tindall. William G. Chilton was born on a farm near Kingston, Ontario, Feb. 1 2th, 1846. He became a sailor at the age of seventeen and continued as such upon the inland lakes and rivers for six summers, after which he left in company with a friend, Wm. Redpath, for the distant West reach- ing Minnesota in 1870. From Little Sauk near St. Cloud their journey was by ox team there being no railroad west of that place at that time. He settled in Becker County and filed on the land that now forms the homestead upon which he built one of the first houses in the county. He also assisted in the construction of the first sawmill erected in these parts, on the Otter Tail River, and afterwards sold it to R. L. Frazee. It was most interesting to listen to a recital of his adventures with the Indians, "perils by sea," narrow escapes in blizzards, experiences in privations, and other hardships incident to a pioneer's life, all of which contributed to make him the man he was in courage and enduring power. At the age of twenty-nine he visited his old home in the East and was happily married to Miss Katherine Rutledge, and as a result of this union there were born unto them four children, Addia, Mabel, John and Almena, all of whom lived to mourn the loss of their mother in May, 1883. His second wife was Mrs. Ellen Moulthrope, of Detroit, by whom seven children were born, five of which are still living; namely : Timothy, Ella, Katie, Howard and Gordon. Mr. Chilton died on the 26th day of August, 1902. Three brothers and four sisters survive him, namely : James, Timothy and John, and IMrs. John Gummer, Mrs. Patrick O'Neil and Mrs. 304 A PiONKER History of Bi'X'kkr Couxtv. Scott, all of whom live in this vicinity, and Airs. Charles Camjjhel of Redlands. California. Mrs. West. Samuel Pearce. Samuel Pearce was born at Sherborne, Dorsetshire, England, on the fifth day of April, 1832, and was married to Miss Elizabeth Warr on the first day of December, i860. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom are still living. Their names are as follows : Thomas Pearce. ]\Irs. Eliza- beth Morse, William Pearce, Samuel Pearce, Mrs. Angelena Gifford, Robert Pearce, Charles Pearce, Flossie Pearce. About the middle of March, 1873, Mr. Pearce. accom]:)auie(l by Thomas, his oldest son, left his home in England in company with about one hundred and fifty other people comprising what was called the Yeoville Colony, destined for Hawle}-. Clay County, Minnesota. They arrived at their destination on the 13th of April. Xot taking a fancy to the bleak prairies of Clay County, at the close of a hard winter, and as he was well pleased with what he saw of Becker the day before while passing through, he came back to Frazee on foot the next day and afterwards took a homestead on Section 2, of the township of Burlington, where he resided until the time of his death. The family came a year or two later ; as soon as he was able to work and earn money to pay their passage. In addition to his original homestead he added over 200 acres more to his farm, making it one of the finest and best cultivated in Burlington Town- ship. Mrs. Pearce and her son Charles are still living on the old homestead. Mr. Pearce died on the first day of December. 1901. Brutal Murder Near McHugh. In Fall of 1905. A most horrible discovery was made yesterday afternoon by Bert Morton, a boy living near AIcHugh, four miles east of Detroit. While out rabbit hunting the boy discovered a peculiar trail through the brush. His curiosity excited, he followed it up, and found that it led to a brush pile in a near-by swamp, and that under the brush heap lay the dead body of a man. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 305 Word was sent to the sheriff, who in company with County Attorney Schroeder, Marshal Bert Clement, Dr. Frasier and Marshal John Hurley, of Frazee, visited the place last night. They found the body, but were unable to identify it. In the absence of the coroner from the county the body was brought to Detroit at an early hour this morning. The man evidently was a Finlander, and a harvest hand on his way home from Dakota. Apparently a shotgun had been placed close to the man's head and fired, as the head was horribly mutilated. After the shooting the body had been dragged feet first by a horse, from the scene of the crime to the hiding place. This was plainly apparent from the trail that was left, and also from the condition of the body. A letter was found upon the body, but so saturated with blood that it was hardly legible. A portion of the address upon the envelope ap- pears to be L. R. Satzwedel, Leonard, N. Dak. The letter is written in Finnish. The murdered man was apparently of that nationality and about 20 to 25 years old. His hat, coat and shoes were missing. He wore a navy blue shirt; blue overalls; a neck muffler and chest protector, striped red and black. In his pocket was found a steel handled knife upon the side of which were the words "Easy Opener." — Detroit Record. A Finlander by the name of Charles Huotari was convicted of this fotil crime at the March term of court, 1906, and sent to the penitentiary for hfe. The name of the murdered man was Jacob Paakkonen. Village of Frazee. For nearly three years after the Northern Pacific Railroad was built, the nearest station was at Hobert, a long mile on the other side by the Otter Tail River. In the summer of 1872 a company consisting of Absalom Camp- bell, Charles ^L Campbell, William G. Chilton and T. W. Chilton built a dam and sawmill on Section 26, near where the Nichols, Chisholm Lumber Company's sawmill is now located. After oper- ating their mill for a few months they sold the property to R. L. Frazee. As soon as Frazee had secured this valuable mill site he made a purchase of all the land on Section 35, lying west and north of the river, and proceeded to lay out a townsite on the north side of the railroad, including a part of Sections 26 and 35. The sur- vey of this townsite was made in the summer of 1873 by W. C. Darling. He next began to negotiate with the railroad company for the removal of the depot from Hobart, and as an inducement in that 3o6 A Pioneer History of Becker County. direction, he gave them half the lots in his new townsite. The re- moval was gradually accomplished, the depot building not being brought over until some time after a temporary station had been estab- lished at the new townsite. Finally, on the 25th day of October, HON. R. L. FRAZEE. 1874, the depot building was loaded on two flat cars and brought across the river and dumped off at the new station on the north side of the track. Thomas Murphy, now of Sanborn, North Dakota, claims the honor of being in charge of the removal. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Frazee enlarged the Chilton sawmill and in the fall of the same year built a flour mill adjoining his sawmill, and both mills did a flourishing business for many years. In the spring of 1874 an ugly hole was cut in his mill dam by the high water in the river and it was with considerable difficulty that it was finally repaired. A lot of his saw-logs floated off down the river and were sold to parties below. A PioNKER History of Becker County. 307 In 1 88 1 he built the big, new dam at the east end of Front Street and moved both mills down to the new dam that same fall. The flour mill, however, was considerably enlarged and when completed was the finest flour mill in northern Minnesota. These mills both burned down on the 14th day of October, 1889. The cost of these mills, dam included, was about $60,000, and were insured for $15,000. In the spring of 1890 he sold all his mill property to A. H. Wilcox, who repaired the dam and rebuilt the sawmill on the old foundations that same year. He carried on the manufacture of lumber until January, 1897, when he sold out to the Common- wealth Lumber Company, who built a new steam sawmill on an extensive scale near where the Campbell mill was built in 1872. This mill, however, is outside the village but close up to the hne. The first house in the village of Frazee was built by James G. Chilton on the rear of what are now lots 11 and 12, block 14, where Chris. Johnson had a laundry a few years ago. This house was built in the summer of 1872 of lumber sawed at the Campbell sawmill. In the fall of 1873 S. M. Thompkins came down from Oak Lake and built what is now known as the Frazee Hotel or Briggs' House. This hotel was opened up for business about the first of December, 1873. The next October Luther Weymouth moved his hotel over from Hobert and set it up on the south side of the railroad a little east of where the passenger depot now stands. Some of the passenger trains stopped regularly at the Weymouth House for meals, Mrs. Weymouth was a very popular landlady in those days. Her meals were the subject of much flattering comment far and wide. The box-elder and the willow trees growing there at the present time were planted in the rear of the new hotel by Mrs. Weymouth herself. This new hotel hurt the business of the Thompkins' house to a serious extent. As an inducement to draw railroad passengers to his house Thompkins built a broad, high walk from the depot in a straight line to his hotel, over the big hole where Baer's block and the Windsor Hotel now stand. One of the first buildings erected — as I remember, was the one now owned by Dr. S. S. Jones and used by him as a drug store. It was built by a little Jew whose name I have forgotten, in 1873, for a dry goods store. The Cummer flour mill was brought up from New York Mills on the 9th of August, 1898, and rebuilt at the lower dam, where 3o8 A Pioneer History of Becker County. it did service until the 3rd of June, 1903, when it was totally wrecked by the washing away of the west end of the dam. In the summer of 1904 the Stelzner flour mill was built by Mr. C. J. Stelzner, who soon afterwards sold a half interest to James Scott. Leonard Ashley was the first station agent at Frazee. In the fall of the year 1898 the railroad company moved the passenger depot from the north side of the track, in the rear of Baer's brick block, to the south side near where it now stands, and since that time have used the old side track on the south side of the main line of the railroad for the main line. The building was moved by Charles Wagner, of Detroit. It should ever be born in mind, however, that much of the real estate in Frazee is bounded, and the descriptions start from the center of the main line of the railroad, and that the original main line is the third track north from the passenger depot since the double track was laid, or the track that runs next to the freight depot, being the most northerly of the three tracks between the two depots. Incorporation of the Village of Frazee. On the sixth day of January, 1891, the board of county com- missioners of Becker County adopted the following resolution : Resolved; on receiving and reading the petition of A. H. Wilcox and thirty-four others, residents upon the lands and premises in said petition described, praying that a time and place be appointed when and where the electors actually resident upon said described premises, may vote for or against the incorporation of said premises, and said petition being in due form, it is further resolved, that the electors, resident on said premises shall meet at the Briggs Hotel on said premises on the loth day of February, A. D. 1891, at 10 o'clock, a. m., and that Edward Gummer, George Combs, and W. Baer are hereby appointed to act as inspectors at said meeting, and that copies of said petition and notices of said meeting be posted as provided by law. The proposition to incorporate the village received nearly a unanimous vote and the first election of officers was held at Baer's store on the loth of March, 1891, when the following officers were elected : President, A. H. Wilcox ; trustees, William Baer, Clement Mayer and Robert Alexander; village, recorder, John Briggs; treasurer, John S. Comstock ; justices of the peace, John A PioNjjiiR History of BiiCKER County. 309 Neuner and Lewis D. Hendry ; constables, John D. Clary and Arnold Kohnen. The incorporation took in the following territory : The south half of the southwest quarter of Section 26 and all of Section 35, Township 138, Range 40, except the south tier of forties and the west tier of forties. Hon. R. L. Frazee. Randolph L. Frazee, for whom the village of Frazee was named, was born at Hamden Junction, Vinton County, ( )hio, on the 3rd day of July, 1841, and came to Minnesota in September, 1866, locating first ten miles north of St. Cloud. In the fall of 1868 he removed to Otter Tail City where he built a sawmill and flour mill which he operated until the spring of 1872, when he built a side track and saw- mill where Xew York ^lills station is now located. This place was then called Frazee's Mills. He sold out here in the fall of 1872 and bought the Campbell-Chilton mill at Frazee. A history of his milling operations has already been given in the history of Frazee Village, so I will pass them over. In the fall of 1873 he built for his first residence the house in block 2 of his first addition, which stands just a little west of where L. D. Hendry now resides. That same fall he erected a building on Front Street, since known as the Louck's Hotel, which he used as a store for the next four years. That same fall, 1873, he built a warehouse on the north side of the railroad track which he used also for an ofiice and in 1876 added a large store building to it, which was about 24 by 80 feet in extent ; the same building that was used for many years as a store by Baer Brothers. In the fall of 1874, says Mr. Frazee, "I graded a sidetrack alongside of my w^arehouse and furnished ties for the rails, and then prevailed on C. W. Mead, the general manager of the Northern Pacific Railway Company, to move the depot over from Hobert. There were strong objections to the removal made by the Lake Superior and Puget Sound Townsite Company, who owned the townsite at Hobert, and also by David Wellman, who had just recently surveyed out an addi- tion thereto ; but Mr. Mead told me to keep quiet until they had sub- sided somewhat, and that he would send a crew some evening and 3IO A Pioneer History of JJkckek Couxtv. make quick work of the removal. The crew came up on Saturday evening and by Sunday night the depot was at Frazee, safe and sound." Mr. Frazee represented Becker County in the ^Minnesota legis- lature during the session of 1875, and in 1883 was the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor running considerably ahead of his ticket, but was defeated by Charles A. Gilman, of St. Cloud. In 1890 Mr. Frazee removed to Pelican Rapids in Otter Tail County, where he resided until the time of his death, which occurred on the 4th day of June, 1906. He was one of the wealthiest men in northwestern Minnesota, but although usually fortunate and properous in business matters his business pathway was not always a smooth one. Mrs. Frazee and four sons and two daughters survive him. They are Charles, William, Harry, Clifford, Mrs. May McArdle and ]\Iiss Cora Frazee. Luther Weymouth. Luther Weymouth was born in the town of Abbot. Maine, on the 15th day of October, 1833. On the i6th day of June, 1855, he was married at Stillwater, Maine, to Miss Abbie C. Porter, who was born at Fredrickton, New Brunswick, on the 31st of Septem- ber, 1838. In September, 1858, Mr. Weymouth started for California, going by way of the Isthmus of Panama and located at Mariposa. Here he opened a boarding house, housing and feeding eighty-eight men who were in the employ of General John C. Fremont, who, two years before, had been the Republican candidate for president of the United States. About once a week he had for a guest at his table, a lady who was at that time the most popular woman in the free states, and the idol of the Republicans of the whole land, Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont, wife of General Fremont, and daughter of Senator Thomas H. Benton, of Missouri. Mrs. Fremont always came on horseback accompanied by her daughter. General Fremont was at that time the proprietor of the famous Mariposa Spanish land grant, a tract of land as large as an ordinary county. Weymouth returned to Maine after an absence of nearly three years with several thousand dollars in gold. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 311 For several years after his return he was engaged as steward on a steamboat plying on the Penobscot River between Old Town and Lincoln. He came to Becker County on the loth of December, 1870, and that same w^inter built a hotel on the brow of the hill on the south side of the river near where Mrs. Martin now lives. He afterwards opened up a hotel at Hobart where the Northern Pacific station was located, but when the station was moved to Frazee, Weymouth came with it and brought his hotel with him, building and all, on the cars. His hotel was re-established a few rods east of where the passen- ger depot now stands, where he and Mrs. Weymouth did a thriving business for several years. Mr. Weymouth was the first postmaster at Frazee, bringing the office with him from Hobart. For several years he was justice of the peace for the town of Burlington and many stories were in circulation years ago, relating to his short-handed methods of administering justice and his utter disregard for red tape. On one occasion a woman came in from the country and com- plained that her husband had been pounding her, and asked to have a warrant issued for his arrest. The warrant was issued but they could not find the constable. He had gone from home. Weymouth, however, could not allow so trifling an obstacle as that to stand in the way of the administration of justice, so he took the warrant and served it himself, arresting and bringing the offender to town in his own conveyance. He gave him a speedy trial, with no other witness than his wife, found him guilty of assault, fined the prisoner ten dollars, which he promptly paid. Weymouth then handed the ten dollars over to the offender's wife, who went home rejoicing, highly pleased with Judge Weymouth's method of conducting court, and dealing with wife beaters. Mr. Weymouth died on the 26th day of August, 1885. Leonard Ashley. Leonard Ashley, the first depot agent at Frazee, was born in the town of Wilton, Saratoga County, New York, on September 25th, 1845. His father was of English and Irish descent and his mother was Scotch. His parents afterwards moved to Groton, New York, where 312 A Pioneer History of Becker County. he received an academic education. He learned telegraphy and went west with his brother as far as the Rocky Mountains, working at different places, but finally came back as far as Hobart, as the station was then called, and became the first ticket agent at that place, and when the depot building was moved over to Frazee in 1874, he came with it and so became the first agent at Frazee, which position he occupied until the time of his death. He also held the ofiice of town clerk during all his residence at Frazee. He was married on (3ctober 8th, 1874. to i\Iiss Thomsena Hed- den of Garden City, New York. Mr. Ashley died at his home in Frazee on the 31st of March, 1882, survived by his wife who died several years later. They were the parents of Misses Jessie and Agnes and Paul Ashley. Jessie Ashley. The First Newspaper in Frazee. The first newspaper in Frazee was printed on the 23rd day of December, 1896. The name of the paper at that time was the Park Region, and the editor was A. Delacy Wood. I here insert a part of his salutatory opening, and also a few items from the first number of the paper : TO THE PUBLIC. We shall dispense with the customary lengthy salutatory and make a brief, plain statement of the mission and platform of the Frazee Park Reg- ion. This journal has been established as a purely legitimate business en- terprise, the material having been bought by the proprietor for that purpose, there being no obligation, mortgage or political debt to meet. We have faith in the future of Frazee, and this rich region of northern Minnesota, with its sparkling lakes, musical streams and great natural advantages, and shall do all in our power to aid in the work of progress and development. The Park Region has not been started as a boom sheet or political jour- nal but is here to zealously advocate and defend the best interests of our village and county. In politics the Park Region will be independent, free from bias, not bigoted or narrow-minded — and will, at all times, evince a spirit of re- spect and consideration for those friends and contemporaries who may honestly differ with us on the great national issues of the day. Local and county matters, however, will receive special attention at our hands. Suffice it to say, the Park Region will endeavor to be a journal of local advocacy and general news, and we ask for the hearty co-operation of all our citizens, irrespective of political affiliations. The Park Region will always endeavor to stand loyally for justice and right. A. De Lacy Wood. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 313 OUR THRIVING VILLAGE. Frazee is now assuming proportions that justify the claim of its orig- inal founder, Hon. R. L. Frazee, that it is destined to be one of leading towns in northern Minnesota. This thriving village contains a population of about 400, and is pleasantly situated on the Otter Tail River and on the main line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, 200 miles from St. Paul and 55 miles from Fargo, and is located in the midst of the famous picturesque Park Region of Minnesota which has brought forth glowing words of praise from the leading descriptive writers of the country. Fifteen beautiful lakes are situated within live miles of this place, all abounding with fish, consisting of bass, pickerel, pike and rock bass. With the sparkling waves and healthful breezes of these fine lakes, with the primeval forest rising grandly in proximity, there is scarcely a prettier or more romantic region in the North Star State, — a region, greatly favored by the generous hand of nature, that would beggar description from the most graphic pen. This point is bound to become a popular summer resort just as soon as its advantages are known abroad. This place has been incorporated about six years and ]Mr. A. H. Wilcox has been president of the council since that time with the exception of one term, which ofificial preferment is certainly a handsome recognition of his sterling worth as a citizen, business man and neighbor. A number of public improvements are contemplated the coming year. Many lumbermen do not seem to realize the great pine forests tribu- tary to Frazee that can be easily floated down the Otter Tail River. Those who have thoroughly investigated this district are loud in their praises of the quality and quantity of the timber that is standing, waiting to be cut and floated down from the White Earth region to the big mill that will soon be located at Frazee. It is roughly estimated that there is over 200,000,000 feet of choice pine directly tributary to this rising young city. Frazee is surrounded by a rich farming section, which is thickly settled by a thrifty class of farmers, most of whom do their trading here. In all probability a large flouring mill will be erected here, while electric lights, water works and factories are among the possibilities of this flourishing section of the justly famous Park Region of the Golden Northwest. May the brightest hopes of our citizens be fully realized. It is rumored that Baer Bros., our enterprising merchants, intend to erect a large brick store building next spring on their fine corner lot. A. H. Wilcox has leased his sawmill here for one year to Minneapolis parties with privilege of buying. The Northern Pacific Railway completed its many improvements in the vicinity of Frazee for i8g6 by constructing a three-span iron bridge across the Otter Tail River here. The bridge was placed in position IMon- day. State Bank of Frazee — Organized Jttly ist, 1897. First ofificers : Charles W. Higley, president ; A. H. Wilcox, vice president ; L. W. Oberhauser, cashier. 314 -^ Pioneer History of Becker County. Converted into the First National Bank of Frazee on Nov. 2, 1903. A. H. Wilcox, president ; T. R. Daniel, vice president ; L. W. Oberhauser, cashier Baer Brothers brick block was built in the summer of 1898, and L. D. Hendry's block was built the same year. Captain D. L. Wellman. CAPT. D. L. WELLMAN. Captain D. L. Wellman is a veteran of the Civil War and the originator of the celebrated Wellman Saskatchewan Fife wheat, which at one time sold as high as ten dollars a bushel. Senator Nelson once told me that he did his thinking and dream- ing in the Norwegian language, but that when it came to talking business he preferred the "King's English." Capt. Wellman does some of his thinking and all his sleeping and dreaming and eating in Otter Tail County, but when it comes to talking and transacting business, he prefers Becker County for his field of operations. For the last thirty-six years he has been con- sidered the link that binds the two counties together, but not the A Pioneer History of Becker County. 315 "missing link," for he has never been missing on a single occasion during all that period of time. Although the captain is an Otter Tail County man by resi- dence and force of circumstances, he is a Becker County man by choice and long continued hal)it. and is therefore clearly entitled to a place among us. Since the above was written, and on Feb. 21, 1907, Capt. Wellman died suddenlv, at his home near Frazee. Chapter XXL HISTORY OF DETROIT TOWNSHIP. By Mrs. Jessie C. West. The following interesting account of the first settlement of De- troit Township is from the pen of Henry Way, nov^ of Osage, who was one of the pioneer party : In 1865 a colony composed of sixteen families left Iowa and arrived in Otter Tail County, July 31, 1865. There were no white settlements in that county at that time. We settled at Battle Lake, remaining there three years. From Otter Tail Lake to Dayton, over that vast expanse of country now covered with cities and towns and past where Fergus Falls now stands, there was not a white settler nor a house. As I was a farmer by occupation I desired to find a good range for stock where there was an abundance of grass, good water and some timber. Having been informed by the Indians and half-breeds of the immense cattle range north, five of us started out in search of it. We came past what became Otter Tail City, then occupied by some mixed bloods. We forded the Otter Tail River three times, which brought us to the present location of Frazee City, where we found a man named Butler, who claimed that the land was all taken by script, and who told us it was still fourteen miles to the "land of promise." We camped there that night, he promising to go with us the next day and show us the land, rich with strawberries, and only waiting for the cows to come to have them with cream. We reached Oak Lake, June 28, 1868, and were so well pleased with the country that we took our claims without getting out of the wagon. L. D. Sperry, A. W. Sherman and myself each took a claim at Oak Lake, Mr. Sherman taking the one which was since the county poor farm. We at once commenced improvements — that is, we started foundations for our houses and left them for the buz- zards to roost on and hold our claims until we returned. We then re- turned to our families in Otter Tail County. Mr. Sherman came back and built a house and put up hay; I also built my house and the next spring came with my family. When we were at Battle Lake we had to go to Cold Springs, nine miles this side of St. Cloud, for our flour, and to Sauk Center for our groceries and all things used by farmers. This AI.MON W . SHKKMAN. HENRY WAY. C. A. SHERMAN. MR. AND MRS. CLAVTO.N GOULD. A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 317 was 108 miles, and took us from eight to ten days to make a trip. After- we arrived in Becker County we did all our trading and milling at Alex- andria, distant 100 miles. My friends, think of it; what would you think of starting out with an ox team, 100 miles, for a box of matches or a pound of tea? Why, I think you would say, "Give me the Northern Pacific Rail- road to make the trip with." Mr. Sherman was on his farm during the winter of '68, and during my absence they got out of provisions; Paul Beaulieu. of White Earth, called, and, learning their situation and sympathyzing with them, promised them a sack of flour before the setting of another sun; and he was as good as his word. All traffic was carried on then with dog sleds, and our mail (what we had), was sent from Otter Tail City by the hand of some Indian. In the spring of 1869 a party of men in the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company came through from St. Cloud. They came with supplies, and made my place their headquarters. At that time it seemed almost impossible for a railroad to be built through a country without inhabitants. During the summer of 1870 we were surprised to see the emigration that was coming in. In the year of i86g we were surprised to see a train of buggies and wagons coming into our neighborhood. There were fifteen of them and they called at my place and wanted to buy a sheep. We sold them one, and one of the men informed me they were looking for a place to locate a railroad. This man was Mr. Eugene Wilson, of Minneapolis. There was also Rev. Mr. Lord, of New York City, who invited us to come to their camp at 10 o'clock a. m.. as he would hold a meeting. We went, and listened to a good sermon. Then we had dinner with them, it being Sunday they did not travel. Gov. Smith, of Vermont, was then president of the company; there were senators and ex-senators from other states, and physicians for soul and body, and also Carleton Coffin, the great newspaper correspondent, who justly entitled this the Park Region. Mrs. West. Henry Way. The place that Mr. Way selected for his homestead was at the north end of Oak Lake, on the southeast quarter of Section 7. In 1870 he sold his improvements to Mrs. Barbara Stillman, after which he located on Section 20 in what is now Audubon Town- ship. L. D. Sperry lived there much of the time during the early seventies, and Elias Nason lived there in 1885. It now belongs to J. Isaacson. Almon W. Sherman located on the west shore of Oak Lake, on the place that afterwards became the poor farm, and is now (1905), the residence of L. O. Ramsted. L. D. Sperry selected for his homestead, a place on the west shore of the lake in the northwest quarter of Section 7. After living there for a year or two he rented his house to a man by the name of Sterling, and the first store ever opened up in Becker MRS. NELLIE BOWKER. ARRA J. BOWKER. MRS. LOIS CUTLER. MRS. JANE WAY. MRS. LOIS H. SHERMAN. Five generations of the first white women who settled in Becker County. A Pioneer History of Beckej^ County. 319 County, to trade with white people was begun in this house, Sperry hving in the meantime on his mother-in-law's place (Mrs. Still- man's), at Oak Lake. The old White Earth and Red River trail passed close to both these houses. Byron Wheeler since owned this place, and lived there for several years, in the same house where the store was kept. About the middle of December, 1870, Jedediah Anderson started a small store in a vacant house belonging to Mrs. Sherman on Sec- tion 18. close to the west shore of Oak Lake, in Detroit Township, and two or three days later another store was opened up by S. B. Pinney, with Ole A. Boe for clerk, in another vacant house belong- JOHN O. FRENCH. ing to Mrs. Sherman, so by the beginning of the year 1871 there were three full fledged stores running full blast, in what is now Detroit Township. C. A. Sherman or Alma Sherman as he was usually called, took for his claim the east half of the northwest quarter, and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 19. Samuel J. Fox located on Section 15 where John O. French now resides, but the time of his location is uncertain. French savs 320 A Pioneer History of Becker County. that he was Hving' there when the Northern Pacific Railroad survey- ors camped at Floyd Lake in August, 1869, but he is not sure whether he had a liousc or not. He also says that he saw Max N'annose and Leon Vannose there at Floyd Lake also, but saw no houses. As all three of these men were living- with Chippewa women, the probability is that they were all living in wigwams, prior to the summer of 1870. At any rate, Henry Way is confident that none of them wintered there during the winter of 1869 and 1870. All three of them, however, had good log houses in the summer of 1870. The Vannoses both built their houses near the southwest corner of Floyd Lake, on Section Sixteen. In the meantime John ( ). French settled upon and commenced a residence on the farm at Floyd Lake, in the summer of 1870 where he has lived ever since. Melvin ]\L Tyler located on the northwest quarter of the nortli- west quarter of Section 34 on the 28th day of July. 1870, and built the first section of what was afterwards enlarged and became the Tyler Hotel, that stood for so many vears on the north side of the railroad, near the Pelican River. About the first of September Archibald Mc Arthur took a claim on the north shore of Detroit Lake, on Section 35, where the little prairie comes down to the lake a little east of the Pelican River. The next settler was Deacon Samuel P. Childs, who came from Alexandria and selected the southwest quarter of Section 2^, on the 30th day of September, 1870. ^Ivs. Childs and the rest of the family came on the 22(\ of May, 1871. William W. Rossman located on the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 34, which afterwards became the Holmes Addition to Detroit, sometime in ( )ctober 1870. He had been living for several months in Lake Eunice, being one of the three first settlers in that township. This land is now right in the midst of the village, and takes in the Holmes school building. Many of the early settlers will probably remember Michael Dalton, who lived for several years on what was since the C. P. Bailey farm; the northeast quarter of Section 32. Dalton located on this place in October, 1870, and Clarence McCarthy settled on the southeast quarter of Section 32 at the same time. Late in the fall of this year, Samuel J. Fox took the west half of the southeast quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 34, COL. GEORGE H. JOHNSTON. ¥. B. CHAPIN. FKANK A. JO-iNSON. 1- irst Depot Agent. FRANK I IM MMF.TT. First while bov born in Detro't. 2)22 A Pioneer History of Becker County. and built a house on what is since known as the Fox Hill. A large part of the village of Detroit is now built on the old Fox property, including the Frazee and Holmes Addition and the Holmes Second Addition, taking in the Hotel Minnesota and the court house. In November, 1870, I selected the northwest quarter of Section 6 for a homestead, but did not make any improvements until late in January, 187 1, at which time I built a log house, and Andrew' Tong built a house on the northeast quarter of Section 6 that same winter. Josiah Richardson took the northwest quarter of Section 22, some time in the summer or fall of 1870. Charles Tyler I think located on the south tier of forties of Sec- tion 26, since known as the Brook's farm, in the fall of 1870. These were about all the settlers in Detroit Township before the advent of the New England Colony in the spring of 1871. History of the New England Colony. Mr. Thomas J. Martin of Lake Eunice gives the following ac- count of the origin of the New England Colony : At the close of the Civil War, Congress passed a law giving to every soldier, sailor and marine 160 acres of land, which could be taken under the homestead act. In 1870 the Northern Pacific Railroad Company commenced to build its road through Minnesota, and in the winter of 1870 and '71 Charles Carleton Coffin, war correspondent and reporter for the Boston Journal, who in 1869 had accompanied a party of Northern Pacific officials and engineers over the proposed route in northwestern Minne- sota, gave a series of lectures in Boston, which were listened to by large audiences and were published by all the prominent newspapers of the day. The result of the land grant and these lectures was the holding of a large meeting in Boston in the spring of 1871 and an association was formed, known as the Gale Association of Ex-Soldiers and Sailors. Mr. Coffin was present at these meetings, and vividly pictured out the possibilities of the Northwest. Committees were appointed to visit the different states where government lands could be obtained, and Frank B. Chapin, Calvin K. Day, William H. H. Howe, Thomas J. Martin and Sanderson were appointed a committee to visit Minnesota. Sanderson, Day and Chapin came to St. Cloud and there purchased a lumber wagon and came the rest of the way with their team. Mr. Day was accompanied by his wife and daughter. The other two members of the committee, Howe and Martin, were accompanied by Millard Howe and Frank Barnes, L. C. Averill and wife, two young men, Tucker and Kimball, and the wife and two children of T. J. Martin. They came by way of the lakes to Duluth, then a town of 300 inhabitants, then to Crow Wing on the cars, remaining there the guests of James Campbell, late of Richwood, 324 A Pioneer History oe Becker County. who kept a liotel at that place, until they could procure wagons to transport them to Detroit. They arrived in Detroit ^lay 22. 187 1, where they met Mr. Chapin and Mr. Day. who were staying at Tyler's Hotel, it being the only house near the line of the railroad. On our way through Otter Tail City we formed the acquaintance of Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Holmes, who have done so much for the prosperity of Detroit. We found the following ex-soldiers living near Detroit, viz.: William W. Rossman, Josiah Richardson, Derrick Hu.ck and John O. French. The colony was soon increased by the arrival of Charles H. Sturtevant and Martin H. Garry. The first store in the village was built by E. G. Holmes and John H. Phinney in Tyler Town in August of 1871. In the fall of 1871 Capt. William F. Roberts came as an agent for the New England Colony, which had purchased all the railroad land in the township of Detroit, and proceeded to put up a building known as the New England House, which has since been enlarged to the present Waldorf Hotel. In the spring of 1872 a large number of ex-soldiers came to Detroit. Among them were George Wilson, Col. George H. Johnston, Edgar M. Johnston, L. D. Phillips, James T. Bestick, Robert Carson, George A. Learman, Milo S. Converse, George L. Brackett, George W. Grant and others. On the l:;ack of this certificate is jirinted the articles of incorpo- ration, which are too lengthy to pnl)hsh in fnll, hut the preamhle reads as follows : Whereas. It is proposed to form an association under the foregoing title for the purpose of promoting and aiding emigration of persons who served in the late war, and others, and the settlement of families on the present uncultivated land of the West (and more especially at present, on lands in the neighborhood of the town of Detroit Lake, Becker County, Minnesota,) in such manner as to induce considerable companies to go and settle in the neighborhood of each other, and thus create a community for mutual protection and encouragement, and the early establishment of schools, churches, and other needful institutions of society: And ll'licrcas. It has been determined that the most convenient method of managing the matters aforesaid will be to put all the lands, moneys, and property of every description which shall be contributed, or may be acquired in the promotion of the matters aforesaid, in the hands of one person, to be held by him in trust, and managed for the promotion of the business: And Whereas, Colonel George H. Johnston, of Boston, ^Massachusetts, has been chosen to act as such trustee for the present, and until his successor shall be chosen: A'oti', Therefore, I, the said George H. Johnston, in consideration of the premises and one dollar in hand paid, do by these presents accept said A Pioneer History of Becker Couxtv. 325 Trust, etc., etc. Then follows eleven articles for the government of the Trustee and the Association. In Witness Whereof, I, the said George H. Johnston, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourteenth day of June, A. D. 1871. George H. Johnston. (L. S. ) This association was separate from, and independent of the Gale or Xew England Colony, mentioned by T. J. ^lartin in a preceding article. They acquired all the odd numbered sections of land in Detroit Township, and laid out the original townsite of Detroit on the south half of Section 2". Colonel Johnston served in the capacity of trustee for several years at the end of which time for some unknown reason the whole of this valuable acquisition came into his hands, and in 1883 a large part of it went into the hands of Henry S. Jenkins. During the spring and earl}- summer of 1871 the following set- tlers located on land in Detroit Township : Frank !>. Chapin, Calvin K. Day and William H. H. Howe, on Section 26, J. C). Crummet on the east half of the southeast quar- ter of Section 34. Isaac N. Thomas on the southeast quarter of Section 28, James Hickey on the northeast quarter of Section 28 and Dewit C. Heald on the northwest quarter of Section 28. Swan Anderson on the southwest quarter of Section 22, and Charles E. Herbert on the northeast quarter of Section 22. ?\Iillard F. Howe and Frank Barnes and Henry Aliller on Sec- tion 14. Frank A. Johnson on the southwest quarter of Section 6, and Gus. Turnwall on the southeast quarter of Section 6. Nelson Heath on the southwest quarter of Section 2. Mellville H. Davis on the southwest quarter of Section 8, and James Blanchard on the west half of the east half of Section 8, and a settler on the east half of the east half of Section 8, whose name I have forgotten. On Section 10 George Vose and John Anderson. C. P. Wilcox on the southeast quarter of Section 18, and Cyrus A. Rollins on the west half of the south quarter of Section 18. Charles O. Quincey on the southeast quarter of Section 24 and Charles \\\ Rand on the southwest quarter of Section 24. 326 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Israel James Hanson on the southeast quarter of Section 30, Alfred Staigg" on the northeast quarter of Section 30, and John Lethenstrom on the northwest quarter of Section 30. Hannah Collins was living on the southwest quarter of Section 36. There was also a settler on Section 20, whose name I have for- ten, perhaps two. In December, 1871, Lester C. McKinstry, William P. AIcKinstrv and Hosmer H. Wilcox took claims on Section 4. E. G. Holmes sent his store to Detroit in August, 1871, it being the first store opened in the village, and in the fall of 1S72 located there permanently. The following from the Detroit Record, May 25th, 1872. A pioneer association has been organized at Detroit, a meeting of which was held at Tyler's Hotel on Thursday of this week. (The association has for its object the mutual benefit of its members.) Mrs. West. A large majority of these settlers were members of the New England Colony and many others located in the village belonging to that colony. In the spring and summer of 1872 another stream of emigrants poured into Detroit from Boston and other parts of New England, and in 1873 the influx of settlers was kept up, al- though there was quite a falling off as compared with the two previous years. The newcomers, how-ever, were not all from New England, probably one-fourth of the whole population coming from other parts of the country. Among the New Englanders who came in 1871 were Robert Buchanan, Thomas Louden, Alexander Louden, W. C. Roberts, George E. Jepson, Millard F. Howe, Frank Barnes, L. D. Phillips and many more whose names I have forgotten and have not space to mention if I could remember them all. Many more came in 1872, and in the spring of 1873 the following came to the village: Charles W. Dix, A. S. McAlister, and from other parts of the country came J. H. Sutherland, S. N. Horneck, A. J. Clark, Carl- ton Curry, Jasper B. Hillyer and Charles Cochran or "Scotty" as he is familiarly called. Col. George H. Johnston came to Detroit in the fall of 1871 but went back to ]^>oston, returning in the spring of 1872 to remain permanently. Robert Carson came with him as private secretary and remained with him for several vears. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 327 John A. Teague first came to Detroit about the 20th of May, 1872, but after remaining there a day or two went on to Glyndon where a village was just started. About the first of May he took a preemption on a quarter section of land on Section 14, in Hawley, in Clay County, where he lived until 1874 when he came to Detroit and engaged in the drug business, in which he remained until 1906 when he became a full-fledged dry goods merchant. Mr. Teague has made a success in business aiTairs since he came to Becker County. W. J. Wood came to Detroit with his parents July, 1872. He was then budding into manhood, and went by the name of the big Wood boy. Some of the members of this colony were lacking in staying- qualities, for in the year 1873 they began to scatter away and their numbers have continued to dwindle down by removal and death until of the three hundred or more who came at diflferent times, there is now but a handful left. The colony may be said to have undergone a severe and thorough sifting process, and those who remain represent the No. i Hard kernels of wheat, a fair illustration of the "survival of the fittest." Many of the worthy colonists have fallen by the wayside, and their bones are now mingling with the soil of Becker County, others have made Detroit a way station on their journey to other regions, but a majority of them returned at an early date to their old homes in New England from whence they migrated. M. V. B. Davis came to Becker County with Mrs. Davis about the middle of the seventies and located on a farm in Lake Eunice, but finding a rural life too dull for his energetic temperament he finally located in the village of Detroit and engaged in the boot and shoe business in which he has been eminently successful. A. E. Bowling, another gentleman who has made a small fortune as a boot and shoe merchant, came to Detroit from Michigan April 15, 1879, with his young wife and his circumstances now indicate what industry and frugality will accomplish. Horace Bowman came here first in 1874 but remained but a short time. He came again in 1879 with Mrs. Bowman, after the death of his father-in-law and engaged in business with his brother-in-law, S. N. Horneck. Among the pioneer women of Detroit who are still living here are Mrs. F. B. Chapin, Mrs. C. K. Day, Mrs. C. O. Ouincy, Mrs. J. E. Wood, Mrs. E. G. Holmes, Mrs. W. C. RobertsfMrs. S. N. 328 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Ilorneck, .Mrs. Charles Craigie, .Mrs. S. B. Childs, Mrs. C. H. Sturte- vant. Mrs. K. Rnmery. Mrs. Geo. Wilson and ]Mrs. J. E. Bestick. .Ml these came in the early seventies. Mrs. S. X. Horneck died in February 1907, since the above was written Organization of Detroit Township. Detroit Township was organized on the 29th day of July, 1871, and the first township election was held at Tyler's Hotel on that date. The township officers elected that day were : W. S. WoodrniT, chairman of supervisors ; C. .A.. Sherman, super- visor ; S. J. Fo.x, supervisor ; .\rchibald Mc.A.rthur, town clerk ; S. B. Childs, treasurer; Willaim W. Rossman. justice of peace: John O. French, constable ; Z. Sutherland, constable. When the township was first org^anized it took in all of what is now the townships of Detroit, Lake \'iew, Burlington, Erie, Height of Land, Silver Leaf, Everg-reen, Toad Lake, Spruce Grove, Wolf Lake. Green V'alley and Runeburg. When Lake \'icw was organized the next spring-, all of the south tier of townships were detached from Detroit and attached to Lake \'iew, and when Burlington was organized later on, everything east of Burlington became a part of that township, and everything east of Detroit still remained a part of Detroit, and when Richwood was organized, everything east of that township became a part of Richwood. There was considerable non-resident pine land scattered over these eastern townships, and they came in for their share of township taxation, which in man\- cases was enormous, and which finally led to a lawsuit in 1876 with the result that these unorganized townships were cut loose from the organized towns and all farther taxation discontinued except for state and county purposes. First General Election in Detroit. The first general election in Detroit Township was held at Tyler's Hotel on the 6th day of November, 1871. Millard Howe, who was one of the judges of that election says: "The first elec- tion in Detroit was held at Tyler's Hotel in November, 1871. The election board were : Judges : Frank Barnes, Millard Howe and A PioNKER History of EJecker County. 329 either Isaiah Delemater or Wilham G. Woochvorth, I do not re- member which, and the clerks were Charles Doell and either Dele- mater or W'oodworth. We played a game of seven-up to see who should carry the election returns out to Dr. Pyle's house who then lived two miles west of where the village of Audubon is now. Pyle was then county auditor, appointed by the county commisioners. I got beat, so the next morning I started out for his place on foot by the way of the Oak Lake Cut. A little west of the cut I came across Dennis Stack who showed me where Pyle lived. Millard F. Howe. Following close upon the heels of the New England Colony was another colony coming from Buffalo, New York and from Dunville, Canada. In the summer of 1872 a man by the name of Whitson C. Darling, hailing from the last named town arrived at Detroit and after looking the county over returned to the East and began the organization of a colony with which to people the vacant land in the vicinity of Detroit. Our friend Alfred Meilie in his history of Erie Township gives us further light on the inside workings of Darling and his colony. On the 29th of March, the first instalment of this colony arrived from Buffalo, and consisted of Mrs. Caroline Trimlett and her son William, now one of the merchants of Detroit, then a beard- less boy ; ]\Ir. George Neuner and wife and two striplings of boys, John Neuner, now of Frazee, and Frank Neuner of Erie Township But few more came for the next two or three years and the flood of emigration did not fairly set in until the spring of 1876, when it began in earnest, and for the next three or four years bid fair to rival the X'ew England Colony of 1871, 'yz and 'y^, in the num- ber of emigrants it sent to Detroit and the surrounding coimtry. They came to the number of about three hundred from Buft'alo and Canada in about equal numbers, those coming from Buff'alo being mostly Germans, while those coming from Dunville, Canada, were mostly native born Canadians of English or Irish descent. Some of the Germans located in Detroit but a majority of them took home- steads in Erie Township. The Canadians mostly settled on land in Lake View, Detroit and Burlington. They were nearly all honest and industrious and possessed of excellent staying c[ualities, as they and their children now constitute a large part of the population of Erie and Lake View, with a good sprinkling of them in Detroit and Burlineton. 330 A Pioneer History of Becker County. The first white child born in Detroit Township was a daughter of Henry and Jane Way, who was born on the north shore of Oak Lake in July, 1870. This child died in infancy. The first white boy born in Detroit must have a notice. He was born Wednesday, the 24th of July, 1872, and his mother was ]\Irs. J. O. Crummett. This is Frank Crummett. The first death in Detroit Township and in Becker Covmty was Almon W. Sherman, who died on the west shore of Oak Lake on the 30th day of December, 1869. The first people married in Detroit Township were John An- derson to Mary St. Clair, by Squire Rossman on the 15th of Feb- ruary, 1872. They were married at the home of Samuel J. Fox wdio was then living on Fox Hill, now in the heart of the village of Detroit. ]\Iiss St. Clair was of mixed blood. Clayton Gould and Dee Sherman were the first couple married in the township where both parties were fully of white blood. They were married at the home of her mother, ^Irs. Almon Sherman, at Oak Lake on the loth of September, 1872. Henry Way. Henrv Wa^• was born at Muncie. Delaware County, Lidiana, on the 8th day of October, 1838. He was married to Jane A. Sherman on the 7th of November, 1858, in what is now Fremont County, Iowa. Mr. Way is a veteran frontiersman. Born on the frontier, he has ever since kept in the vanguard of civilization, having been successively one of the pioneers of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa. In 1865 he was a member of the first band of white people to take up their residence in Otter Tail County and he now (1905) enjoys the proud distinction of being the oldest white resident in Becker County. As has already been stated, Mr. Way settled in Detroit Township on the 28th of June, 1868, and in the summer of 1870 changed his residence to Section 20 of what is now Audubon Township. He here secured 240 acres of what I consider the best land in Becker County, and has been one of the most successful farmers in his section of the country, and he was one of the first to demonstrate the fact that apples could be successfully raised in our latitude. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 331 Mr. Way now resides in the village of Osage, and was one of the originators, and is now one of the proprietors of the flouring mill at that place, a structure of which the people of that village are justly proud. A. W. Sherman. Almon W. Sherman was born at Monkton, Chittenden County, Vermont, on the 9th day of May, 1803, and was married to Lois H. Cutler on the 14th of May, 1835. Mr. Sherman came to Otter Tail County, Minnesota, on the 19th day of May, 1865. There were sixteen families in the party, and they were the first settlers in Otter Tail County. After residing in that county for three years he in company with four other men came to Becker County, arriving on Section 18 in Detroit Township on the 28th day of June, 1868. His farm was afterwards purchased by the county for a poor farm, but for several years past has been the home of Lars O. Ramstad. Mr. Sherman built a house and wintered with his family during the winter of 1868 and 1869 at Oak Lake, with no neighbors nearer than White Earth in one direction and the Otter Tail River in the other. The winter was long and cold, and provisions were scarce and on one occasion, had it not been for unexpected assistance from Paul Beaulieu they would have sufifered from hunger. Mr. Sherman died at Oak Lake, on the 30th day of December, 1869. Mrs. Lois Cutler. Mrs. Lois Cutler was born at Lebanon. Grafton County, New Hampshire, on the 24th day of September, 1788, and was married to Alpheus Cutler in 1808. Her maiden name was Lathrop. Mrs. Cutler came into Becker County with her son-in-law, A. W. Sherman in the year 1868, it being then a wilderness. There were no houses north of Rush Lake a distance of forty miles from where they settled. They were visited by the Northern Pacific Railroad ex- ploring party in the summer of 1869. In this party were Gov. Smith, Senator Wiildom and others, and much surprised they were to meet on the frontier, the sister of a verv rich and noted banker of Wash- T,T,2 A PlONKKK MiSToKV oF ril'X'KKk CnrxTV. ington City, as Mrs. Culler assured them slie was the sister of J. H. Lathrop of that city. It was her of whom Charles Carletoii Coffin, who was with this expedition wrote, as the woman "who had kept on the tide of emigration from New York to Nebraska, and thence north to this place, and whose locks once whitened with age: had under the rejuvenating influence of the .\orthwcst become l)lack again." She was a member of the church of Latter Day i^aints. and a very exemplary one for forty-six years. She firmly believed that at one time a daughter of hers was miraculously healed by the im- position of hands by the ordained elders of the church. Her husband, Alpheus Cutler, a soldier of the War of 1812, stood high in the councils of their church. Mrs. Cutler died at the home of her grandson C. A. Sherman, at Oak Lake, on the 23rd of March, 1878. Mrs. Lois Sherman. Mrs. Lois LL Sherman, wife of Almon W. Sherman and daughter of Mrs. Lois Cutler, was born at Lisle, Broome County, New York, on the 2d day of March, 181 1. When twenty years of age, after two years of sickness, during which time she was nearly helpless and unable to leave her bed, she was almost instantaneously and permanently restored to health, by an ordained elder belonging to the church of which Joseph Smith was the head, who was then holding meetings in the neighborhood. For several years, during the early seventies. I lived a near neighbor to these people, and many times I have heard the story of this marvelous transaction from the lips of both Mrs. Cutler and Mrs. Sherman. They were both women of sincerity, veracity and intelligence, and I was never in the least disposed to doubt the truth of their statement. This was the beginning and the foundation of their faith in and connection with the church of Latter Day Saints, to which they and their posterity for five generations have most loyally and faithfully adhered, and bv which in the course of events they and their kindred became the chief corner stone of that church when it was organized at Oak Lake in the summer of 1875, and which now (1905) has a membership of more than 100 souls in Becker Countv. j\Irs. Sherman came to Becker Countv with her A Pionee;r History oi" BiiCKE;R County. 333 husband in 1868 and died at their old homestead on the shores of Oak Lake, on the nth day of April, 1880. Mrs. Jane A. Way. Mrs. Jane A. Way was born in Hancock County, Illinois, on the 14th day of April, 1842. She was the daughter of Almon W. and Lois H. Sherman and is the wife of Mr. Henry Way who came to Becker County in the summer of 1868, and she is entitled to the honor of being the oldest white settler in point of residence of her sex now living in Becker County. Mrs. Way has had her full measure of frontier life, having braved the dangers incident to the settlement of a new country in three or four different states. She has been the mother of seven children : viz., Henry A., Pliny A., Lois Dora, Nellie C, Fanny R., Clara D. and Arra Ann. Of these seven, only Nellie, Fanny and Arra survive. All three are married. Mrs. Way is now enjoying the fruits of a busy and eventful life with her husband at Osage, in a quiet and comfortable home, surrounded by everything necessary to make life comfortable in her mature vears. Cutler A. Sherman. Cutler A. Sherman, son of Almon W. and Lois Sherman, was born December 6th, 1848, at Silver Creek. Mills County, Iowa. In July, 1865, he came with his parents to Battle Lake in Otter Tail County, Minn., and in the fall of 1868 came with them to Detroit Township. He resided here on the shores of Oak Lake for about fifteen years, when he took up his residence at Clitheral in Otter Tail County, where he was accidently killed by the upsetting of a load of wood on which he was riding, on the 4th day of November, 1885. John O. French. Johnny French, as he is familiarl\- called, was born at New Market, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, on the 31st day of October, 1842. Probably no other man in Becker County has had a more adventurous career, or been through more dangers than he. 334 ^"^ Pioneer History of Becker County. At the beginning of the Civil War he enHsted in the First Minnesota Regiment of V^olunteers, and remained with his regiment until the close of his three year term of enlistment. He says he never missed a meal or a single battle. He was at the first battle of Bull Run, Antietam and all the other bloody battles in which the First Minnesota was engaged, including the famous charge at Gettysburg, in which two-thirds of the men in his regiment were either killed or woiftided. Murdock Pattison, of Cormorant was in this charge. French had his clothing pierced with bullets in three different battles but never received a scratch himself. In 1864 he enlisted in Brackett's Battalion and crossed the plains in Sully's expedition against the Sioux Indians, and took part in the bloody battle of the Bad Lands, which was fought on the ninth and tenth of August, 1864. Clem. ]\ layer of Frazee. was also in this battle. French went with the first Northern Pacific Railroad exploring expedition as assistant guide and was an assistant in the party of engineers that located the line through Becker County. He is now (1905) the only man living in Detroit Township who was living there previous to the spring of 1871. Extracts from the Otter Tail City Record. W. F. BaIvL, Editor, E. G. Holmes. Proprietor. August 5th, 1871. — E. G. Holmes & Company have sent a stock of goods to Detroit. The goods were hauled in heavy wagons, drawn by nine ox teams. There were only two houses in Detroit at that time. September 30th, 1871. — E. G. Holmes & Company have established a store at Detroit Lake, endeavoring to keep pace with the developments of the Northern Pacific Railroad. December 2nd, 1871. — Mr. Giles Peake has opened a new store at Detroit City, in Becker County. The cars are running regularly on the Northern Pacific Railroad as far west as Oak Lake. February 24th, 1872. — Captain Roberts of the Boston Colony is just completing a new building for a hotel, on the new townsite. Mrs. West. Extracts from the Detroit Record. The first publication at Detroit was on the i8th of ]\Iay, 1872. The editor at that time was William F. Ball, the first newspaper man in the countv, a Virginian, but one who lovallv served his coun- HON. E. G. HOLMES. MRS. E. G. HOLMES. MRS. JESSIE C. WEST. HON. W. F. BALL. 336 A PioxEER History of Becker County. try in the Union army for three years, the most of which time he with his command was chasing after Quantrell in Missouri. Ar- kansas and the Indian Territory. E. G. Holmes was the proprietor. Mr. Ball says : I was born at Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania on the 15th day of June, 1843. My father was a Virginian, and his home was in Fairfax County, Va. He was a Methodist minister (there were four brothers, all Methodist ministers), and a member of the Baltimore Conference. He had been stationed at Danville, where I was born, but transferred back to Virginia soon after my birth, so I never knew Danville as a home. This was something like being "born at sea," and I have always called myself a Virginian. The old homestead in Virginia was right near "Ball's Cross Roads," only a couple of miles from the bank of the Potomac, and right across from Washington. Ball's Cross Roads, Ball's Bluff, and all those places in which Ball appears in that vicinity, take their names from my father's family. I mention all this to explain why I, born in Pennsylvania, always call myself a Virginian. Mr. Ball edited the Record until about 1877 when he went away and a year or two aferwards settled in Fargo. N. D., where he has become one of the first attorneys in the state. He was at one time mayor of Fargo. May 25th, 1872. — Thirty-seven houses could be counted in Detroit from one spot. May 25th, 1872. — A pioneer association was organized at Detroit. June 2d 1872. — Myriads of young grasshoppers swarm on the prairies in every direction, and much anxiety is felt by the farmers in consequence. June 23d 1872. — Captain Daniel Coney, brother of Ex-Governor Coney, of Maine, has completed his residence near Floyd Lake, about three miles from town, and removed to that delightful spot this week. (The Byron Wheeler place.) July 7th, 1872. — Rev. Mr. Wood will preach tomorrow at McKenzie's Hall at 10:30 o'clock, followed by Sunday school and Bible class; service also at 3 p. m. The first brick chimney in Detroit, and we believe in Becker County, was put up last week by Mr. W. W. Rossman, who erected two on his home. Let it be recorded! W. F. Ball, Esq., having moved to Detroit, has resigned the office of clerk of court of Otter Tail County. Norcross brothers have just finished burning their first kiln of brick and finished them as samples. Their bricks are of excellent quality for either outside work or a cellar wall. (W. A. Norcross had a hand in making these bricks). July 20th, 1872.— Charles J. Wright is added to A. H. Wilcox's force of men examining the Northern Pacific Railroad lands in Becker County. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 337 He assisted in the United States survey of this county two years ago, and on arrival at Detroit, Tuesday last, observed that something had happened. THE FIRST CHURCH IN DETROIT. On Friday evening the 19th inst., a few brethren met, agreeable to previous notice, at the home of Rev. Mr. Wood to consider the propriety of constituting themselves into a church of Christ, in fellowship with the Baptist denomination. After due consideration, they agreed imanimously to take this important step and adopted articles of faith and a covenant and invited a number of brethren temporarily in the vicinity, to constitute a council for recognition. — Record, July 2y, 1872. On Sunday morning, this council, representing the First Baptist Church of Duluth, the Fourth Baptist Church of Boston and the American Home Missionary Society, together with the delegates from the newly organized church, and finding the proceedings in every way regular and proper, resolved to proceed with the recognition. This was fulfilled in the evening service in the following order, viz.: Sermon and prayer of recognition by the Rev. J. E. Wood of the American Baptist Home Mission Society; hand of fellowship by Brother J. S. Campbell of the Duluth church; charge to the church by Brother G. H. Johnston of Boston. Then was fully organized the first church of Detroit, and the first Baptist church west of Duluth on the Northern Pacific Railroad. July 2^, 1872. — There is only one flour mill in Becker county, and that is hardly entitled to be called a mill — the old government mill at White Earth of very small capacity. The grain crop of this county for the present year would afford plenty of work for a good mill. At the county commissioners' meeting, Saturday, June 8th, W. H. H. Howe was appointed to employ a surveyor to lay out the White Earth road. D. F. Bradley, of Pembina County, Dakota Territory, applied for a license to run a ferry across the Red River, opposite the mouth of the Pembina river, which was ordered permitted. August 12. — Bishop Whipple held his first service here, at the freight depot. Charles H. Rand saw a bear near his claim shanty this week, two miles from Detroit. On September 30, 1870, S. B. Childs came to Detroit with a horse team from Alexandria. Archie McArthur was then hauling out logs for his house on Sec- tion 35, just west of the mouth of the Pelican River on Detroit Lake, when S. P). Childs canie in. The little back building of Tyler's hotel was all that existed then ; the roof was covered wdth shakes. Aug. 3d, 1872. — George E. Wheeler has opened a blacksmith shop at Detroit. The cellar for R. L. Frazee's residence is completed. 338 A Pioneer History of Becker County. White Earth road has 2,800 feet of marsh road to be corduroyed, 2,100 feet in one string. Swan Olund and J. P. Engberg of Richwood have the contract. The read will be ready by October ist. "Remember it is the Pioneer store of Detroit." E. G. H. & Co. As the grasshoppers took their flight "looking toward the sun they seemed like drifting snow, from over 100 to 500 feet upwards." August 17, 1872. — Congregational council. The organization of a church at Detroit. (On Monday afternoon and evening last a Congrega- tional council met at McKenzie's Hall. We are informed that the services were very impressive and interesting, and there were present at the meet- ings the following clergymen: Revs. C. C. Salter, Duluth; C. H. Merrill, Mankato; Richard Hall, Superintendent of Congregational Home Mission- ary Society, St. Paul; C. M. Terry, St. Paul; C. Pickett. St. Cloud; A. Fuller, Rochester; C. M. Saunders, Waukegan, 111.; S. H. Lee, Cleveland, Ohio; E. O. Williams, Glyndor; H. A. Gates, Detroit Congregational Mis- sionary, on N. P. R. R. ; J. E. Wood, Missionary for Baptists on the N. P. R. R. ; Rev. Richard Hall, of St. Paul, acted as moderator. The sermon was by Rev. S. H. Lee, Columbus, Ohio, and the right hand of fellowship extend- ed by Rev. E. S. Williams, of Glyndon. A church was organized and eleven members were received into the same. Several others were only prevented by reason of not having got their letters from homes in the east. Aug. 24, 1872. — R. L. Frazee's residence is nearly built. The main building is 24x36 and 16x24. Fred Peake is erecting a large store near the New England House to be occupied by his brother. Rev. McKinstry, of Colfax, (now Audubon,) in this county, is visiting Detroit this week for the first time. He made us a freindly call. August 31, 1872. — Frazee and Holmes have this week surveyed and platted the 40 acre tract bought of Mr. Fox, and are now ready to sell lots. September 2, 1872. — Mr. Kimball Hayden, wife and two children ar- rived in town this week from Boston. Mr. Hayden has taken a claim in the Detroit woods, (now Erie Township,) purchased lots in town for build- ing in the spring, and we understand is to be connected with the sawmill soon to be erected here. September 7, 1872.— On Sunday last, the telegraph office at Detroit was removed to the new depot, since which time the trains stop at that place. The new buildings are very convenient and comfortable, and Frank Johnson has now everything in order. September 14, 1872.— S. B. Childs this week marketed the first load of oats raised in Detroit Township. In looking to the great future, this is the first rain drop of a great shower. Mr. Childs has threshed his wheat, which yields 20 bushels to the acre. September 14, 1872.— E. G. Holmes and wife, the latter just returned from New Jersey, are stopping at Mr. Tyler's, and from this time on will make Detroit their residence. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 339 September 14, 1872. — E. G. Holmes & Co. are erecting a new store 22x60 on lots recently purchased near the railroad depot. Judge Reynolds is building a story and a half Gothic home, 16x26, on land recently purchased of Mr. Fox, which will be finished about Novem- ber 1st. February ist, 1873. — Rev. I\Ir. Christ the first resident Methodist preacher in Detroit arrived April 5th. 1873. The following arrived on the train last Saturday, March 29th, 1873. Mrs. Trimlett and son; George Neuner, wife and two boys. The party is stopping at Tyler's hotel, and it is rumored that Mrs. Trimlett has leased the house and will rent the hotel the present season. May 31. 1873. — The Congregational church is now completed and services will be held there on each Sabbath morning and evening. It is a very neat and pleasant chapel, and reflects credit both to our new but fast growing town, and those through whose instrumentality it was erected. Mr. George W. Grant from Peabody, Mass., arrived Tuesday, June 7, 1873, Ex- Vice President Schuyler Colfax, visited Detroit on the nth of August, 1873, and pronounced the Park Region the most beautiful coun- try he ever laid his eyes on. October. 1873. — School was divided, and C. W. McConnel was made principal. Mrs. Sutherland was retained as teacher of the primary depart- ment. The schoolhouse cost $2,500. August 30, 1874. — Work on the mill dam on Pelican River is steadily progressing. Squire Rossman has charge of the work. The raceway, flume and bulkhead are to be put in next week. It is the intention of the parties interested to have the mill up and equipped this fall, probably in October. The contract for furnishing all the lumber for this work and also for the mill building has been let to J. E. Van Gordon, one of the pro- prietors of Richwood sawmill. September 6, 1874. — Protect your grain and hay stacks by plowing around them in good season. Keep down the prairie fires this fall. Save all the prairie burning for a concerted attack on young grasshoppers that will without fail make their appearance next spring. September 5th, 1874. — H. A. Bowman of Bufifalo, New York is at the Wilson House. September 5th, 1874. — A large black bear has been seen hy different parties in the Detroit woods east. It visited the home of Samuel Hamilton. D. G. Webster, of Lake View, saw one near his home, and some little girls saw one near Detroit Lake. If the citizens hope to save the prairie grass for the young grasshoppers in the spring, they will need to organize. A strip should be burned on either side of the railroad track through every town. September 12, 1874. — On Saturday last there was unloaded from the Northern Pacific freight train at this place, a handsome church bell for the Catholic church at White Earth. The bell was cast at the St. Louis Bell Works; weight about i.ooo pounds and costing $400. October ist. 1874. — Once more we call the attention of the people of Becker county to the almost vital importance of keeping down the prairie fires this fall. Keep them down at whatever cost, and then fire the grass 340 A Pioneer History of Becker County. simultaneously in all directions on some day next spring and more will be dene toward driving out the grasshoppers than can possibly be done in any other way. We have only noticed the light of one or two fires thus far and they were a goodly distance off, and perhaps out of this county. But even those were one or two too many. Not one foot of ground should be burned over this fall. Once more then we say, "Keep down the prairie fires." George H. Reynolds, son of Judge Reynolds of this place has formed a copartnership with the Hon. Knute Nelson of Alexandria. Mr. Reynolds graduated from the law department of the Michigan University with honors last spring. He is a young man of fine natural ability with economical habits, and starts in the world with bright prospects before him. We wish him abundant success in all his undertakings. September 9, 1876. — John French with a party of friends last week in one day killed 105 prairie chickens. Mrs. West. After W. F. Ball, A. J. Clark, George H. Johnston, L. Ed. David- son, Arthur Linn and George D. Hamilton have successively pub- lished the Record. Mr. Hamilton bought the Record in the fall of 1878 and since that time has made it one of the best and most prosperous county papers in the State of IMinnesota. The first sermon preached at Detroit was by Charles Doell. who ])retcnded to 1)e a preacher. This was late in the summer of 1871. He had an audience of about a dozen. Just before this he preached in Lake View at C. H. Sturtevant's place. He after- wards fell from grace. Father Gurley preached in Detroit soon afterwards, at the Hemsley house, since known as the Brook's farm. Josiali Dele- meter, a yotmg attorney tried to start "Old Hundred" ; he tried it twice and failed, so he had to preach without any singing. Mrs,. West. J. O. Cruminiett. Friend Wilcox. — The old store that you refer to that was moved from Otter Tail City in 1871 was built into a dwelling house and has been owned for the last eight or ten years by the late M. S. Converse. I started the first bank in Detroit in the spring of 1872, and Mr. R. L. Frazee was associated with me. Bowman and myself started the bank of Detroit on July ist, 1875, and the Hotel Minnesota was built in 1883 and opened on July ist, 1884. Respectfully yours, E. G. Holmes. Becker County Agricultural Society. On the 13th of August, 1872. the Becker County Agricultural Society was organized at a meeting held at McKenzie's Hall, with the following A Pioneer History of' Becker County. 341 named persons as members: viz.: George H. Johnston, J. E. Wood, James B. Chapman, Wm. C. Roberts, Robert B. Carson, N. M. McFadden, Giles Peake, Geo. Martin, M. M. Bradley, Wm. F. Ball, W. W. Rossman, F. L. Woods, A. J. Farnsworth, F. B. Chapin, A. J. Underwood, C. P. Bailey, Geo. E. Wheeler. D. Eldridge, L. S. Cravath, W. H. H. Howe, James McKenzie, Isaiah Delemater, Thomas Louden, Alexander Louden, John Watson, Edgar M. Johnston, George A. Norcross, C. K. Day, Charles E. Brown. L- D. Philipps, James T. Bestick, H. N. Gates, M. M. Tyler, Charles W. Rand. Wm. W. Hemsley. David Pyle, J. Van Gordon, L. G. Stevenson, Charles H. Sturtevant, T. J. Martin, Oliver Taylor and George B. Hibbard. The following were elected the first officers of the society: President, F. B. Chapin; Secretary, W. F. Ball. The first Becker County Fair was held at Detroit on the 5th day of October, 1872. — Dctrcit Record. Charlie Sturtevant says there was a grove of young poplar trees growing in the street in front of McKenzie's store (now Horneck and Bowman's), in 1872. Mrs. West. How Detroit was Named. Archie McArthur informed me many years ago that Detroit Lake received its name in the following way : A Catholic priest, who was a Frenchman, and whose naine was then familiar but now forgot- ten, in traveling through the country camped for the night on the north shore of what is now Detroit Lake, in plain sight of where the long bar stretches across the lake. The water in the lake was low, and the dim outline of the bar as it stretched across the lake was glimmering in the light of the setting sun, when our reverend father exclaimed to some of the attendants, "See what a beautiful Detroit" ; Detroit, so I am informed by French scholars, is the name in their language of a narrow place in a lake, but in this in- stance referred to the bar reaching across the lake. Roads. When the people of Detroit began to build up their village they discovered that they were nearly surrounded by lakes and impass- able swamps. The old Red River trail passed around the east side of the village, and by tortuous windings afforded a tedious outlet to the northwest 342 A Pioneer IIistorv oe Becker County. and the southeast. In order to get to White Earth, or Oak Lake, or Audubon, you were obhged to go around by F. B. Chapin's, and thence around by the house that A. I. Smart afterwards built, thence by where John O. French now Hves, and thence by the north end of Oak Lake. To go east or southeast to Frazee or Erie, you would be obliged to go to the north shore of Detroit Lake and cross the Pelican River where it flows into the lake and travel in places be- yond there on the gravelly beach of the lake. To the west or south- west there was only one outlet, and that was around by the south- east shore of Lake St. Clair, crossing the outlet where it leaves the lake. You could go south by passing around the west end of Detroit Lake after the outlet was bridged, but before that the crossing was difficult. The people of Detroit, however, went at the road problem with commendable energy. Their first move was to vote a large issue of bonds, and the money was expended with equal liberality outside the township as well as at home. They built at a heavy expense, and unassisted as far as I know, the entire road from Detroit to White Earth via the village of Richwood. These roads while expensive were the making of the town. From their construction it received an impetus that it has kept up to the present day. School District No. i. On the I2th day of March, 187J. a petition was granted by the board of county commissioners to create School District No. i, and in April the first legally created school district in Becker County, was organized by electing W. W. Rossman, director; \V. H. H. Howe, clerk, and C. K. Day, treasurer. The first common school in a legally created school district on the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad, west of the Northern Pacific Junc- tion was opened at Detroit on July 2d. 1872, at McKenzie's Hall, with Miss Lottie J. Frank, of Duluth, as teacher. Her school continued for three months with fifteen pupils. In February, 1873, the Baptist church was rented and school moved there under the management of Miss Amelia Brigham (now Mrs. J. H. Sutherland). School continued there five months. In the fall of 1872 arrangements were made for the erection of a suitable school building. August 30th, 1873. — The new school house at Detroit is all completed but painting. — Detroit Record. Mrs. West. A Pioneer Historv of Recker County. 343 \Mien School District No. i was first created it took in all of Detroit Township and a few fractional sections around the northern part of Detroit Lake in Lake View. Soon afterwards all of the present townships of Erie, Height of Land, Toad Lake, Wolf Lake and Green Valley were added to District No. i. The levying of heavy taxes on lands in these unorganized townships led to con- siderable litigation and but little money was collected and in con- junction with the township taxes led to a lawsuit which was decided adversely to the district in 1876 and 1877. When R. L. Frazee was in the legislature in 1875, he secured the enactment of a law confining the size of school districts to one tow'Uship of land, or an equivalent thereto. If you will examine the map of School District No. i, which takes in nearly all of Detroit Township and a small part of Lake View, you will observe a notch or two in the western border, where some one has broken out of the district and taken several quarter sections of land along with them. In the year 1873, the settlers in the vicinity of Oak Lake began discussing a scheme to organize a new school district, to be made up of the northwest quarter of Detroit Township. They were, how- ever, soon reminded by the people in the village that they were in School District No. i, and were there to stay. They were also further informed that in order to establish a new district it would be necessary to obtain a majority of all the voters in the district on a petition, and as nine-tenths of them lived in and around the village this was out of the question. A law was, however, found by which they could be set off as individuals, one at a time, to an adjoining district, by the county commissioners by proving that they lived near- er another schoolhouse than the one in which they were then located, and that their land joined the other district. Accord- ingly three or four families living in Sections 7, 8 and 19 were set off and attached to District No. 19, or what is now District No. 39, in Audubon Township. Soon afterwards, Andrew Ben- son in Section 30, was set off in the same way. The people in the village watched these proceedings with feelings of anxiety. They had just lost five townships through the opera- tions of the Frazee law and now the one township that remained was in danger of dissolution. They were at their wits end, and finally as a last resort, they appealed to F. B. Chapin, who was always considered the Solomon 344 A Pioneer History of Becker County. of Becker County in matters relating to schools and school districts, to see if he could not devise some scheme to prevent the further disintegration of what territory they had left. Chapin took the matter under advisement, and after playing a few games of checkers to sharpen his wits, hit upon the device of an independent school district, and in the spring of 1878 the machin- ery of the reorganized district was put in operation, a permanent king row was established along the line of Audubon Township, and the holes around the borders efifectually plugged. An independent school district is like Shakespeare's reference to "that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns." It is an easy matter to get into an independent school district, but by an ingenious device of the machinery, you can never get out. Thanks to the sagacity of F. B. Chapin and the workings of the independent school district law. School District Xo. i, remains in- tact to his dav. Detroit boasts that it had the first grain warehouse built on the Northern Pacific Railroad west of Duluth. It was built by J. H. Sutherland, for thirteen years judge of probate in our county. He completed it ready for business in August, 1873. It was the forerun- ner of the elevator system in northern Minnesota. The first load of wheat was bought from Mr. Peabody of Pelican Lake, September 4th, 1873. Wheat was brought to this warehouse from points at a long distance. From Fergus Falls, Elizabeth, Norwegian Grove and Pelican Rapids. During the fall Mr. Sutherland shipped over 25,000 bushels. The building was occupied by C. M. Campbell in 1893 as a grocery store, and is now Pelican saloon, in front of the depot. THE FIRST TWO LOADS OF WHEAT. The first two car loads of wheat ever shipped from Becker County. C. H. Graves and Company, Commission Merchants, Agents for the Onondaga Salt Com., of N. Y. Duluth, September 13th, 1873. J. H. Sutherland, Esq. Detroit, Minn. Dear Sir: We report car No. 116 containing 2,2'] 55-60 bushels No. 2 wheat (went No. 2 because it weighed only 57 lbs., but was otherwise good.) A Pioneer History of Becker County. 345 327 55-60 bushels at $1.06 is $347-59 Paid freight $49- 19 Inspection 15 49-34 Net to you $298.25 We have received bill of lading on car No. 1272, but the car has not arrived yet, probably will come in to-night, on this we advance you $280.00 Total $578.25 Sent to you by express lith inst $300.00 Sent to you by express 13th inst, this day 278.25 Total $578.25 Yours truly, C. H. Graves & Co. Enclosed please find rules of inspection. DuLUTH, September, 15, 1873. J. H. Sutherland, Esq.. Dear Sir: — Car No. 1272 received yesterday. 339 25-60 bushels of No. 2 wheat at 1.06 $359-79 Paid freight 50.92 Inspection 15 51-07 $308.72 On which we advanced 280.00 Leaving due you balance $28.72 Which we will send with next package of currency. Wheat is tumbling down fast, and we are obliged to reduce price to $1.10 for No. i, $1.05 for No. 2, 95 cents for No. 3. We will, however, pay you former prices on any cars shipped today or tomorrow, so as to save you from loss and allow you to adjust your buying prices to the market. Yours truly, Mrs. West. C. H. Graves & Co. Oak Grove Cemetery. The first move towards locating a Protestant cemetery at De- troit was made on the 24th day of April, 1874. The citizens who took the lead in the matter were Judge Reuben Reynolds, Col. George H. Johnston and Rev. J. E. Wood. At the meeting held on the above date, it was decided to purchase ten acres of ground of Col. Johnston, who ofifered it at a low figure. 346 A Pioneer History of Becker Couxty. to be located in the southeast corner of the northeast c^uarter of the northwest quarter of Section 2"] of Detroit Township. I was employed to make the survey, and Swan Anderson and Russel Davis, a nephew of Mrs. Wilcox, were employed as my as- sistants. At the request of Judge Reynolds, who was clothed with au- thority to arrange for the survey of the grounds, it was decided that the blocks and lots, and streets and alleys should all be laid out in circles and winding curves, of various shapes and sizes to conform to the lay of the land, the driveways and walks to occupy the low- est ground, while the burial lots should occupy the more elevated locations, by which there would be a gentle slope from all the lots towards the alleys and walks. Owing to the intricate nature of the survey in la\ing out so many curves and circles the progress of the work was slow and tedious. A large part of the ground was covered with dense hazel brush, which also hindered the progress of the survey, so that two weeks were required to complete the work, but the plat of the survey made a beautiful map when finished. I wonder if the plat is still in existence. The first memorial service ever held in Detroit, I think, was held in a grove on these cemetery grounds, on the 30th of May, 1874. I was engaged in this survey at the time, but suspended my work for awhile and listened to an address delivered by Judge O. P. Stearns, of Duluth. The only other person I now remember as being present on that occasion was Miss Amelia Brigham, now ]\Irs. J. H. Suther- land, who was then the teacher of the Detroit school. She was one of the singers. To the best of my recollection there were no graves there at that time to decorate, but there were two or three in the neighborhood that received appropriate attention. The burial of the dead in the new cemetery began immediately after it was surveyed, but as it was not enclosed for several years the stakes at the corners of the lots were knocked down, or had rotted away so that by 1880 but few of the lots could be located, and in the fall of 1882 a new survey was made by C. G. Sturtevant, by which all blocks, lots, streets and alleys were located on the right angled plan, which was much easier and more quickly done than laying out so many curves and circles. The Methodist church in Detroit was dedicated June 23d, 1879. A Pjonekr History of Becker County, 347 The Shooting of Harry Byron. On the 2d of September, 1873, A. J. Clark shot Harry Byron, a saloon keeper, in the head, while engaged in a quarrel in John McLelland's office, inflicting a painful but not dangerous wound. Byron was around again in the course of a week, and Clark was arrested and tried for assault with a dangerous weapon, but escaped conviction. This shooting occurred in the building now belonging to M. V. B. Davis, and used by him as a shoe store. FIRST VILLAGE ELECTION IN DETROIT. The first election in the Village of Detroit was held March 3, 1881, and the officers elected were A. Brooks, president; George H. Johnston, E. G. Holmes, and James Hickey, trustees; Robert B. Carson, recorder; W. J. Wood, treasurer; C. P. Wilcox, assessor; C. K. Day and W. W. Ross- man, justice of the peace and Carlton Curry, constable. The village at that time included the whole township. The city charter was adopted February 23. 1903; election was held March 31, 1903, and the ofTficers elected were as follows: Mayor. E- W. Davis; clerk, C. G. Sturtevant; treasurer, W. J. Morrow; assessor, W. C. Trimlett; justices. W. W. Rossman and George W. Taylor; aldermen, 1st Ward. James Hickey, J. T. Reed and O. P. Morton; aldermen, 2d Ward, Casper Wackman, A. Skeoch, Jr., and R. W. Moore; aldermen. 3d Ward, C. F. Snell. Frank Johnson and L. J. Norby. Chas. G. Sturtevant. Recorder. Detroit Tov^^nship and Village Separation. A petition of the majority of the legal voters of the township of Detroit having been filed with the board of county commis- sioners asking that a special election for said township be called for the purpose of voting upon the question of detaching all of said township except Sections 27 and 34 from the village of Detroit, the said board called said election accordingly, setting the same for Feb, 15th, 1902. The election was held on said day, and it was voted to detach said territory. This left the 34 sections unorganized territory and they were organized in the usual manner by the board of county commissioners, and April 5th, 1902, designated for the holding of the first township election. At that election J. W. Cough- lin was elected chairman of supervisors, and Byron Wheeler and Fred Riebhofif, supervisors ; James Casey, town clerk ; E. Swick, treasurer; John Isaacson, assessor; A. M. Hoghaug and Carl Weiss, justices of the peace ; John Brink and C. Kraft, constables. 348 A PioxiiKR History oi' Becker County. The John Convay Murder. The murder of John Convay, village marshal of Detroit, occurred as a result of a feud existing between one John W. Kelliher. alias Big Red or Reddy, and one Howard, alias Bulmer, both gamblers and fancy men for house of ill-fame. After repeated quarrels and knock-downs these men met again on the evening of June 22, 1886, at a saloon in the Masonic Block and resumed hostilities, and finally about one o'clock in the morning of Wednesday, June 23, the two men, Howard being backed by a gambler named Frank Bennett, alias Burns, alias McCormick, met in front of the Masonic Block and resumed their ((uarrel; the village marshal. Convay. hearing the disturbance came up and attempted to quiet them; the testi- mony of the few who were present goes to show that the three were very abusive and seemingly anxious for a light; finally Bennett made a move toward Reddy, whereupon Reddy fired; at the shot Bennett jumped quick- ly to one side and fell flat on the ground, no doubt with the intention of misleading Big Red into the belief that he was hit, in order to prevent another shot being fired. The marshal seeing Bennett drop, made a rush at Big Red, probably with the intention of placing him under arrest, when the big ruffian stepped back a pace or two and taking deliberate aim at the officer sent a bullet crashing through his heart. Without a word poor "Jack" staggered and fell into the arms of Bennett. Reddy did not wait to learn the result of his shots, but hurried away. The fatal missile had done its work most effectually, having entered the breast slightly to the left, passing through the heart and causing instant death. The town was aroused and instant search for the murderer begun. Two men, John Boutell and George Foster were stationed near the house occupied by Big Red's mistress; near daybreak they heard a noise in the underbrush near the house and on investigation found the murderer lying on the ground, his coat thrown over his head; he had evidently been sleeping where he lay, doubtless overcome in part at least from the effects of liquor. He was at once placed under arrest and turned over to Sheriff J. H. Phin- ney, and was placed in the county jail, where he remained through the day. But little business was done in Detroit that day. Men were to be seen in small groups in every part of the town, upon the streets, in the stores, saloons and alley-ways earnestly discussing the tragedy, and the many threatening countenances were ample indications that further' developments might be expected, while many appeared anxious, appre- hensive and excited, as though waiting for and fearing some terriblei event. At precisely ten o'clock in the evening, several taps were made upon the fire bell in quick succession, and the fierce yell which immediately followed, breaking harshly upon the oppressive stillness, was ample evidence that this was the understood signal for an execution by Judge Lynch. Farmers for many miles around had been coming into town all day, and many men arrived by the evening train from points both east and west; the town was thronged with men and at the ringing of the bell a mass of humanity surged toward the court house; a sledge hammer was brought into use; the sheriff and jailer were overpowered and the keys to the jail taken from them, and Kelliher was quickly brought face to face A Pioneer History of Becker County. 349 with his unlawful but determined executioners; a rope was thrown over his head and the cry "go ahead" was given; with probably fifteen men having hold of the rope, and pulling with frenzied zeal the mob left the jail and ran wildly down the street leading west, to the house that had been occupied by Big Red as a bagnio, and in a twinkling the rope had been thrown over the limb of an oak tree, and the body of Big Red was swinging in the air; the victim was doubtless dead long before the tree was reached, or if not dead certainly unconscious. The scene was one of wildest confusion, but all had been done so quickly and so effectually that the terrible afifair could scarcely be realized, but the deed over, the excited crowds melted away and in a short time the village streets were practically deserted. Ghorge D. Hamilton. The Rev. H. C. Hamilton Dudley. The Rev. H. C. Hamilton Dudley was born February i8th, 182 1, at Vershire, Orange County, Vermont. In the spring of 1873 he came to Detroit as a missionary of the Protestant Episcopal church for the northwestern part of the state. He was sent by Bishop Whipple and was sustained by the American Church Missionary Society. Mr. Dudley had formerly been a minister of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Johnstown, New York. Mr. Dudley moved to Detroit, May 2nd, 1873, and held his first service May 25th, in the Baptist Church. Soon after this he leased the property known as the Tyler's Hotel intending to hold services in one of the large rooms until a church could be built. A room was fitted up for a mission chapel. He afterwards held services in Peake Hall, and occasionally in the Baptist and Congre- gational churches. Much of his work was outside of Detroit, preaching at various towns along the line of the Northern Pacific almost daily. His last sermon was preached at Wadena while suf- fering from a severe cold resulting in pneumonia from which he died at Detroit, May 5th, 1875. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. Frank R. Mills- paugh, then rector at Brainerd, and the Rev. James Gurley, on the 8th of May, when there was a terrific rain storm. For some time previous to his death, public speaking had been a painful task. He writes, "My lungs are bleeding every day. Like my old valise, I am simply a wreck." A few hours before his decease he said, "I have fallen with my armor on." 350 A Pioneer History of Becker County. He was buried at Detroit, but his remains were afterwards taken East bv his wife. One who knew him in the mission work at ]\Ioor- head writes, "His death was a great blow to us all. He was a broad-minded, whole-souled Christian gentleman." Mrs. West. The Rev. H. N. Gates. I was born, May 31st, 1820, at Fowler, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. When I was about four years old my parents moved to Canada, so that from the time I was four until I was twenty years old I was an inhabitant of Canada. In 1839, I came to New York State and in 1840 I began my preparation for the ministry, and entered Union College in 1843, and graduated in 1846. I was mar- ried to Miss Mary Chaney, September, 15th, 1846. She was the daughter of the Rev. John and Margarette Chaney and was born October 9th, 182 1, and died September 23rd, 1890. I studied the- ology at East Windsor Hill now Hartford Theological Seminary, and graduated in July, 1850, and entered the Home Missionary work immediately going to the Yankee Settlement, Iowa, now Edgewood, where I labored four years. In giving an account of the organization of the church of De- troit, I hardly know where to begin my narrative as it would be of but little public interest. Suffice it to say that my commission from the society was dated January ist, 1872, with instructions to con- tinue with the road till it should reach Puget Sound. Having con- ferred with Colonel Johnston, who was then in Boston, we determined to pitch our tent at Detroit City, then in embryo. We made our way to our destination and arrived at Detroit February nth, 1872. Our landing was literally on a snow bank, the train stopping op- posite Mr. Tyler's hotel to which Colonel Johnston had kindly di- rected us. Mr. Tyler kindly took us in for the night, but on inquiry if we could be boarded for two or three weeks, Mr. Tyler said it would be impossible for him to keep us beyond that night as his house was full already. On inquiry, Mr. Tyler could not think of any place where we could be boarded, but after diligent inquiry we discovered that a ]\Irs. Day would take us for a few days. So in the afternoon of Saturday we took up our abode for a few days at Mr. Day's. The next day being Sabbath, and not having an appointment and few knowing of our arrival, we rested at Mr. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 351 Day's- During the week following' I looked over the field and made arrangements for regular preaching on each alternate Sab- bath, the first meeting being held in the unfinished hotel kept by- Mr. Roberts. With occasional interruptions, I held services at Detroit every alternate Sabbath, Brother Wood of the Baptist church, alternating with me. On the Monday following our second Sabbath, having failed to find any place to board in Detroit, we started on the back track for Brainerd, hoping to secure accommo- dation there, but having spent a whole day, assisted by the town agent we could not find any place where we could lay our heads, so we continued our way eastwards ; and arrived at Duluth on Wednesday morning. The search there for a boarding place re- sulted the same as at Brainerd, except that we found accommoda- tions at the Bay View Hotel, at the moderate rate of $18 a week. So I made the hotel the base of my operations, preaching at Brain- erd and Detroit on alternate Sabbaths. About the first of April, having had a little cabin erected in the woods, on a claim which I had made, we returned to Detroit and for about four months the cabin in the woods was our headquarters. Having proved up on my claim and the traveling into the woods having become very bad, we boarded at Mr. Day's while I built a house in the village, preaching as heretofore at Detroit and Brainerd, and occasionally visiting and preaching at all the points of pros- pective importance along the road, as at Wadena, Perham, Hobart, Oak Lake, Audubon, etc. Mrs. West. H. N. Gates. Reuben Reynolds. Reuben Reynolds was born at Covington, Genesee County, New York, on the 25th day of April, 1820, where he remained with his father's family on a farm until his sixteenth year, when they moved to the state of Michigan. At the age of nineteen he purchased of his father his time and commenced to work on a farm for small wages to earn sufficient money to pay his father and go to the district country school, and within the short period of four years had by his tireless industry and indefatigable labor paid his indebted- ness to his father and received education sufficient to enter the ministry of the Methodist Church, where he almost at once ac- quired a great reputation as an evangelist. His intense earnest- 35^ A Pioneer History of Becker Couxtv. ness and great power as an extemporaneous speaker made him famous as a revivalist through all Michigan. In 1855 he came to Minnesota with his family in a covered wagon, and settled at Rochester in Olmstead County, where he re- mained until the spring of 1870, when he moved to northern Min- nesota, first settling" at Alexandria, from which place in 1871, he moved to Otter Tail City, and a little later, wdien the new land district was created, moved to Oak Lake, and a few months later to Detroit. During his residence at Oak Lake and Detroit he held the position of receiver in the United States Land Office. Judge Reynolds did not commence the study of law until after he was forty years of age, but aided by his studious habits and vast amount of general information he soon became a fine law- }er. and in the field of advocacy he had few equals. Governor Hubbard appointed him judge of the district court, wdiich posi- tion he held at the time of his last illness, which terminated his life, March 8th, 1889. Mrs. West. Mrs. R. Reynolds. Dr. Dexter J. Maltby. Dexter J. Maltby, M. D., the pioneer physician of Detroit, was the son of Calvin and Minerva (Woodward) Maltby, a native of Watertown, Jefferson Count}-, N. Y. He was born April 25th, 1843. I'he Maltbys early settled in Rhode Lsland, and the great grandfather of Dr. Maltby was in the Revolutionary army. His father went into the second war with the mother country at the age of seventeen, and was in the battle of Sackett's Harbor, lie was educated in the graded schools of \A'atertown, and had begun the study of medicine when the Civil War broke out. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted as a private in the 94th New York Infantry, serving a part of the first two and a half years as a hospital stew- ard. He was in eight pitched battles, and received only one or two very slight wounds. At the battle of Gettysburg he was taken prisoner, paroled, and released at the end of three days. In April, 1864, Mr. Maltby went before General Casey's military examining board and was commissioned lieutenant, but before the papers reached him he was taken prisoner at the battle of Weldon R. R.. Petersburgh, Mrginia, and was six months in Libby prison and at Salisbury, X. C. On March ist. 1865, he A PioxERR History oi^ BkckKR County. 353 ^vas sent directly to the camp parole hospital near Annapolis, Md., where he had typhoid fever, and where he remained until after Lee's surrender. On leaving the service Lieut. Maltby returned to Watertown, resumed his medical studies, continuing them until early in 1871. At that time he received a certificate from a medical examining board and came directly to Detroit, reaching there on April 19th, 1871. At that time there were four tents, a frame store and log hotel in the place, and but four settlers in the vicinity. His practice that season was largely among railroad men at Oak Lake. He married Lizzie H. Hays of Watertown, New York, February 2nd, 1866. They had three children, Jay H., Mabel and Anna. Dr. Maltby died at Detroit on the 8th day of June, 1880. ^iRS. West. Frank A. Johnson. Frank A. Johnson, the first station agent at Detroit, came West with the Northern Pacific Railroad and took a homestead on Section 34, and on the completion of the road to this point was appointed telegrapher and ticket agent of the company. He was considered one of the best agents in the company's service. He took a leading part in public matters and was master of the Masonic Lodge at Detroit for many years. He was a man of strong convictions and of honor and integrity. Mr. Johnson died at Detroit on the 26th of December, 1882. John Harding Phinney, John Harding Phinney was born December 28th, 1S21, at Champlain, Clinton County, N. Y. He was married to Martha Brockway, September 4th, 1867, at Rockford, Illinois, by the Rev. Henry N. Goodwin, to whom v/ere born five children — -May. Lizzie B., Eva L., Nelly L. and John H. He came to Becker County in 1871 and located on Summit Avenue, Detroit. John H. Phinney was very promin.ent in all social and public affairs. He was at first engaged in business with E. G. Holmes, opening the first store in the village of Detroit. He was engaged in various branches of trade, until his election as sherifif in the fall 354 -^ Pioneer History of Becker County. of 1879, which office he held for seven years. He took an active part in all matters of public interest and in the improvement of the city he was one of the foremost. In the early days the people endured some of the hardships of the frontier, living in real log houses, plastered with mud, with holes and cracks in the floors wide enough to see all that was going on down below. Our first tele- graph station was a mere rough shanty. The depot was soon built and immediately afterwards Bishop Whipple held his first service in one part of it, confirming Mrs. W. F. Ball and Mrs. George Wilson. Mr. Phinney died on the first day of May, 1890. Mrs. West. Mrs. J. H. Pixney. Colonel George Henry Johnston. Colonel George Henry Johnston, the founder of the town of Detroit, was born at Boston, Mass., May 5th, 1832, the son of William and Susanna Caines Johnston. His grandfather George Johnston came from Scotland about 1810 and settled in Boston. His maternal grandfather Thomas Caines came from England and introduced the manufacture of flint glass in this country, starting the enterprise in South Boston when that part of the city was largely devoted to cow pastures. He was educated in the common schools of Boston. In 1850 he began to learn from his father the trade of a glass manufacturer. He worked at the business until he became of age, and was clerk for a few years in the Boston post office. He started the Sufifolk glass works in 1855 ^^^ sold out to his father-in-law, Joshua Jenkins, who still carries on the business, the only works of that kind now in operation in the city (1879). ^^ May, 1861, Mr. Johnston entered the army as ist Lieutenant of Company "E," ist Massachusetts Infantry and was promoted to adjutant after the first battle of Bull Run. In 1862 by appointment of the President, he was promoted to captain and adjutant general, and a little later was promoted to lieutenant colonel and adjutant general for gallantry at Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Glendale and Malvern Hill. He was in thirty-two engagements and received only two very slight wounds. He was honorably mentioned four times by the commanding officer for bravery and skillful A Pioneer History of Becker County. 355 maneuvering on different occasions, and was breveted colonel at the close of the war. He resigned a short time before Lee's surrender on a surgeon's certificate of disability. After recover- ing, Colonel Johnston was in trade for a short time at Norfolk, Va., then returned to Boston and engaged in the building and real estate business. In 1871, he came to Minnesota to select lands for the New England Colony and after extensive examina- tions selected 10,000 acres in Becker County, buying all the odd numbered sections in Detroit Township. In 1874 Colonel Johnston built a flour mill on Pelican River, one mile from town and was in the mercantile business in Detroit for about one year, selling out in the fall of 1877. He was in the city council of Boston for several years, but in Minnesota he kept out of political office. For two years he was department com- mander of the G. A. R., at Detroit, resigning in 1877. He was a trustee of the Baptist Church, Detroit. He married Aman- da M., daughter of Joshua Jenkins, Feb. i8th, 1859. G. H. John- ston was connected with Suffolk glass works and ran for mayor of Boston on the Prohibition ticket. He was a policeman in South Boston for some time, and went to the front with the ist Massachusetts Regiment and made $25,000 in trading with the rebels. The foregoing was given to me by Henry S. Jenkins, of Boston. December loth, 1892. Mrs. Jessie C. West. DIED IN HIS CHAIR, IN MINNEAPOLIS. Saturday, April 27. 1889. Col. George H. Johnston, who has for some time been affected by heart trouble, died suddenly at 7:15 last evening at his residence, 2023 Stevens avenue. He was sitting at the supper table, when he fell back and died instantly. Col. Johnston was prominently known in Masonic and Grand Army circles in the state, and was past grand commander of the state G. A. R. Col. Johnston was a man of literary tastes, an excellent parliamentar- ian, and well known as an extemporaneous speaker. He was prominently connected with the Republican party of this state, having been a member of the state central committee and chairman of the memorable convention of the fifth district which nominated Kindred for congress. — Minneapolis Tribune. George Wilson. George Wilson was identified with the history of Detroit, building and opening the Wilson House in 1872 and retained possession until his death. 356 A Pioneer History oe Becker County. lie was an active and honored member of Alt. Tabor Lodge, joining in 1873, and there are but one resident and two non-resi- dent members who have l)een so long in fellowship with this or- der. He served during the Civil War for four years in the 28th New York and 43d Indiana Infantry, and at the close of the war for three years in the regular army. He was an honored member of F. C. Choate Post, G. A. R., at the time of his death. Few men were so well known in the countr}- as ^Ir. Wilson who by his Cjuiet, unassuming manner, integrity and steady industrious life, made countless friends. — Detroit Record. Mr. W ilson was a native of Canada, and died on the 6th dav of December, 1895, in the 53d year of his age. Mrs. Wilson and a son, Frank Wilson, still survive. Mrs. Wilson is a full blood native American woman, and enjoys a distinction of which any person might well be proud ; of being a niece of both Hole-in-the-day and ^^'hite Cloud, two celebrated chiefs of the Chippewa nation. Capt. Isaac M. Thomas. Capt. I. AI. Thomas was born in the county of Cardigan, Wales, on Christmas Day in the year 1823. and came to America in the year i86r. He was for several years in the cop]:)er region on the south shore of Lake Superittr. He came to Becker Coun- ty in the spring of 1871 and his family came to Detroit on the 5th of June, the same year. He will be remembered as the man who ran the water tank and pumped the water for the Xorthern Pacific Railroad Company for more than twent}' }-ears. He died on the 1 2th of February, 1896. Charles Wocdman Dix. Charles W'oodman Dix was a native of Boston, Mass., where he was born July 26th, 185 1. He lived with his parents in Bos- ton until 22 years of age, wdien on account of poor health he came to Detroit and resided here until his death ; he was engag- ed in mercantile trade here for manv \ears ; was postmaster for about ten years : has held various public positions of trust and responsibility, and in 1896 was elected for the third term as vil- lage recorder. ( )n June 17th, 1877, he was united in marriage A PioNiJER History of Becker County. 357 to Lillie E. \\ood, (laughter of the Rev. J. E. Wood, the pioneer minister of the gospel of this entire section of country. He was a member of the Unitarian Society of this village and has been one of the active members of that society for years. He was one of the pioneer members of Alt. Tabor Lodge. A. F. & A. M.. in which he always took great interest, and of which he was past master. Socially Air. Dix has always enjoyed great popular- itv, being personally known to nearly every resident of the coun- tv. Air. Dix died on the 27th day of August. 1896. George D. Hamilton. Joseph E. Furber. Air. Furber was one of the pioneers of Detroit, and no man was more highly esteemed than he, in this community. A native of AVolfborough, N. H., where he was born Alay 13. 1840, he was among the great army who cast their fortunes in the West soon after t'lie war, and in 1868 he settled in the then small town of Alin- neapolis, afterwards going to Chicago, where he remained about two years; later to Afilwaukee, from which city he came to De- troit' where, in partnership with Geo. N. Seaman, he engaged in the mercantile business in 1875, estabhshing the business in wdiich he has ever since been engaged, though several changes have taken place in the personnel of the firm, which, at the time of his death consisted of Joseph E. and his brother James C. Fur- ber. He was a conservative business man, Init invariably honor- able, and during the nearly quarter of a century in which he was engaged in trade here we doubt if a question can be raised as to the fairness of the treatment which any patron has received at his hands. Joe Furber, as he was familiarly known, was one of those men who leave many friends, no enemies, and none to say aught but that which is in his praise. He was a single man, and for years made his home with his aged mother and his two sis- ters, the Alisses Bessie and Eva Furber. Air. Furber died at Detroit, on the 2st of Alarch. 1897.— Z^c- froif Record. AIrs. West. Samuel N. Horneck. Samuel N. Horneck was a native of Ireland, born in Old Ross, County of Wexford, November 13th, 1826, the son of John and Sarah' (Boyce) Horneck. He came to America in 1848 and went 358 A Pioneer History of Becker County. to Buffalo, N. Y., where he engaged in mercantile business, re- maining there nineteen years. He went to Franklin, Pennsylvania and from there came to Detroit, Minnesota, in 1873. He was ap- pointed postmaster by Cleveland in 1885. He married Anna E. Mooney, daughter of G. V. and Eliza (Shaw) Mooney of Buffalo, N. Y., December 12th, 1854. He had one son Philip, who died in 1892. Mr. Horneck died April 6, 1900. — Detroit Record. Mrs. West. Mrs. Jessie C. West. Mrs. Jessie C. West was born on the 9th day of January, 1849. Her life began amid those best associations which have hallowed so many a New England home, and there her early years were spent, surrounded by the beauty of Berkshire hill and vale of which she was never tired of speaking. At Pontoosuc, a suburb of Pittsfield. Mass., she first saw the light of God's world, the fourth daughter of George and Matilda Campbell ; and only a few years passed ere she became a member of the Congregational Church of Pittsfield under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. John Todd, a pastor whose memory she lovingly cherished through all the years of her life. She came to Detroit with her husband, John K. AA'est. in October, 1881, and spent the remainder of her days in that village. Mrs. West was a woman of refinement of mind and heart, possessing considerable will-power in facing and overcoming ob- stacles and difficulties, and a buoyancy of spirit which brightened thought and act and made an atmosphere of light around her. She loved her home and all about her. Externally an attractive and comfortal^le looking house, stand- ing in its well ke])t grounds, you no sooner entered the Oaken- wald residence, and looked into the eyes of its mistress, saw her cheery smile and heard the ringing of her voice, than you were conscious that the true home spirit dwelt there. When she came to Detroit there was much mission work to be done, and she at once entered into it heart and soul. During her first year there she helped to organize seven Sunday schools, one of which became a flourishing church. She was in full sym- pathy with the work of the Salvation Army and was a frequent contributor of funds for their support. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 359 This work and her missionary labors required much journey- ing in the neighborhood, and in this she found recreation. She loved the country-side ; hill and vale, lake and forest each had its charms for her. Skillful in handling a team, with a companion of her travels she was often on the road, and was ever welcome when they drew into some farmer's yard or stopped at some hum- ble dwelling, either among the white settlers or among the Indians on the White Earth Reservation. — Memorial Booklet Mrs. West took a deep interest in the settlement of Becker County and in the growth of Detroit City. With the help of Mrs. J. H. Sutherland, she was the organizer and the historian of the Pioneer Settlers' Union of Becker County, and during her last years was the life and soul of that organization. She had long been engaged in collecting and arranging material for a history of Becker County, and it is doubtful if such a history would have been published for years to come had it not been for the zeal and energy of Mrs. West in giving it a beginning. The material collected by her was the nucleus around which the pres- ent work has grown to completion. She was Becker County's representative at the Columbian Ex- position at Chicago in 1893. Mrs. West died on the 25th day of January, 1903, and was buried amons: her native Berkshire Hills. William C. Roberts. William C. Roberts was a native of Boston, Mass., where he was born May 12, 1835, ^''^'^l received his education in that city, where he attended school until he was 16 years of age. After completing his education he engaged in the commission and fruit business in Boston, until the outbreak of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in the 44th Massachusetts Infantry, and after serving nine months as a private he was promoted to the rank of sec- ond lieutenant for bravery at the battle of Rawles Mills, N. C. He was assigned to the 55th Massachusetts Colored Infantry and remained in that regiment from 1863 until September, 1865. He was promoted to first lieutenant in June, 1864, and later to the rank of captain, and at the close of the war was presented with a brevet commission by the President. He participated in many battles and skirmishes. The 55th was the first regiment 360 A Pioneer History of Becker County. to enter Charleston, at the evacuation. In front of Charleston, on Folly Island, he received a sunstroke and contracted malarial fever. He was detached from his regiment and sent to Branchville, S. C, with his company in June, 1865, where he had charge of the contracts between the planters and the negroes. He was mustered out with his regiment in September, 1865, at Charleston, when he returned to Bos- ton and engaged in business. He remained in that city until 1871, and during that time he was a member of the Boston city council. He was connected with different military organizations of the city, and was one of the committee on building the army and navy monument on Boston Common. In 1 87 1 Capt. Roberts removed with a Boston colony to Min- nesota and settled in Detroit. He erected the first hotel in this village, known as the "New England House." which for many years figured prominently in the affairs of the town. The house, rebuilt, still stands and is known as the Waldorf. Mr. Roberts assisted in laying out the original plat of the town. Capt. Roberts was married on May 7, 1866. to ]\Iiss Mary F. Bowker, and to them were born sixteen children fourteen of whom are living. Last fall, Mr. Roberts entered the soldiers' home where he thought to spend his last years in ease and quiet, but the end came much quicker than he expected, and he died in the home in which he so richly deserved a place on Dec. 25, 1904. — Detroit Record. George W. Taylor. George W. Taylor was born in \'ermont on the loth day of July, 1833. In 185 1 he married Miss Sarah A. Ashley who died at Detroit on the 15th of August, 1905. Mr. Taylor came to Detroit with his family in 1876, which village he made his home during the rest of his life. He was for several years connected with the Minnesota Agricultural Society, and was for a long time a justice of the peace in Detroit. Mr. Taylor died at Detroit on the 8th day of October, 1905, survived by two daughters, Mrs. George Dimond and Mrs. Everett Davis, both of Detroit. — Detroit Record. A PiOiXEER History of Bkckkr County. 361 Carlton Curry. Carlton Curry was a native of Ontario, Canada, where he was born July loth. 1826. ]\Ir. Curr}- came to I\Iinnc^^ota in 1856, settling;- in ( )lnistea(l Count}'. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, 9th Minn. Inf. in which he served until the close of the war and he was honorably discharged June 2d, 1865. Mr. Curry came to Detroit May 26ih, 1873, and he has lived here continuously for thirty-two years. For many years he was engaged in the liver}' business, in which he was the pioneer in this section. He was, until \ery recent years, a man of robust constitution, and he was a prominent figure in the early history of the town. For many }'ears, and in the strenuous pioner days of the village, he was the peace officer of the town in the capac- ity of marshal, for which he was exceptionally well cjualified. He died in the Swedish hospital, in Minneapolis, on Saturday, March 25th, 1905. — Detroit Record. Rev. John E. Wood. John E. A\"ood w^as a native of Gloucester. Rhode Island, where he was born April 14th, 1825. His youth and young man- hood were spent in the vicinity of his birthplace. In 1850, at Mystic, Conn., he married Miss Annie E. Burrows, wdio with two sons and a daughter survive him. They are W. J. Wood and Mrs. L. E. Dix, of this city, and F. E. Wood, of Bucklin, Kans. Another daughter, Mrs. May Johnston, died in Califor- nia several years ago. At the age of twenty-five years Mr. Wood entered the minis- try, and in this calling" he successfully directed his energies for nearly half a century. He held a number of pastorates in his native state, and in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Early in his career his attention was turned in the direction of politics, he being elected a member of the Massachusetts legislature in 1855 ; but after serving one term he returned to the pulpit and was thereafter called to the pastorates of Xew Bedford. Providence and Groton. Early in the year 1862, when it became apparent that the civil war was to be more than a passing unpleasantness, and the president called for 300,000 more men to defend the Union, John E. Wood took such action as has been characteristic of his whole 362 A Pioneer History of Becker County. life. He had been stationed at Groton, Conn., for several years, and we quote from a local newspaper of that time the following which shows his capacity, in his young and vigorous manhood, as a man of action and a leader of those with whom he was associated. The article referred to recites the prompt action on the part of the REV. J. E. WOOD. citizens of Groton in raising their cpiota in res])()nse to the Presi- dent's call, and adds : The war commiUee called on Rev. John E. Wood, a popular Baptist minister of the town, whose patriotism and proverbial energy were well known, to open a recruiting office to insure men of the right stamp. Par- son Wood, after sleeping over the proposition one night, concluded the call of his country was the call of God; he left his flock, flung out the stars A Pioneer History of Becker County. 363 and stripes at Mystic, and the last we heard of him he had 100 men, the best blood of Groton, if physical bearing and the highest social, moral and religious standing have any weight. Rev. Mr. Wood, when his company was full, was unanimously chosen captain and enters the 21st regiment with the benediction of a multitude of admiring friends, and we believe they will not disappoint their expectations. Mr. Wood went to the front with his regiment, the 21st Connecticut, and the following year he was dicharged for dis- ability, by order of Major General Sumner, near Falmouth, Va., and thereafter he resumed his pastoral work in New England, in which he continued until 1871. With the building of the Northern Pacific Railroad a new empire was to be opened. This frontier work appealed to Mr. Wood and his exceptional qualifications for effective service be- ing recognized he was appointed missionary for the Baptist so- ciety, his field covering the entire line of the Northern Pacific Railroad. He came with his family to Duluth in 1871, and ever since that time he has been identified with the growth and devel- opment of the Northwest. As Northern Pacific missionary, which position he held for three years, until 1874, he established churches at many of the towns as they sprung up along the line of the railroad, among these being Brainerd and Detroit. On July 2d, 1872, he removed to Detroit with his family and estab- lished his church there, at that time the frontier of civilization and progress in the new Northwest. In 1874 he was appointed general missionary for the Baptist church in Minnesota, continuing in that capacity until 1878. In the years following his work was varied. He was called to the pastorate of the Detroit church, and later to that of St. Cloud, and in whatever field his lot was cast he was an earnest laborer and a tower of strength in the cause of his Master. He performed the first marriage ceremony ever solemnized in Becker County, in October, 187 1, and he has probably joined in wedlock more people than any other minister in this state. Mr. Wood died at Detroit on the ist of February, 1905. George D. Hamilton. William W. Rossmas. Wm. W. Rossman was born in Clinton County, New York, Aug. 27th, 1829. His mother was a sister of Bishop Hedding of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His youth and young man- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 365 hood were spent in his native state where he was employed in his father's woolen mill, and later took up the trade of millwright. In 1853 he came West, locating in Wisconsin, where he remained three years, then removing to Glencoe, Minnesota. On the out- break of the Indian war he took part in that conflict, afterwards serving as a private in Company E, 153rd Indiana Infantry for seven months, and was discharged on account of poor health. On the 29th of May, 1870, he came to Becker County and located in Lake Eunice Township and came to Detroit three or four months afterwards and took a government homestead on the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 34 of that township, on what now comprises a large part of the residence portion of the city. During his long residence in Detroit Mr. Rossman held various county, village and city ofifices, and took a prominent part in the progress of the town during its pioneer period. He was most congenial by nature, and made friends of all with wdiom he came in contact. Mr. Rossman was for many years a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the G. A. R. post from the time of its or- ganization. Mr. Rossman was married at Glencoe in 1858 to Mary Jane McClelland, who with four children, one son and three daugh- ters survive him. The family lived here over thirty years, and removed to Spo- kane two years ago. His son Frank Rossman has for the last twenty years been an esteemed citizen of Park Rapids, Hubbard County. Mr. Rossman died at Spokane Falls, Wash., on the 8th day of July, 1906. Myla Seamans Converse. Myla Seamans Converse was born in Schroon, Essex County. New York, March 19th, 1843. Mr. Converse was a descendant of Deacon Edward Converse the minister in charge of the con- gregation that was brought to this country by Gov. John Winthrop. in 1620 as governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and is of Norman French descent. Pie moved with his father, in March, i860, to Webster, Mass.. where he was employed in S. S. Slater and Son's woolen mill till 21st of May, 1861. He enlisted for three years or during the war in Company I, 15th ^Massachusetts 366 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Volunteers, and served throughout the war. The first engage- ment in which he participated was the battle of Ball's Bluff, V^a., in October, 1861. In that battle his brother William Frank- lin Converse was captured, and afterward died in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. In March, 1862, the regiment in which Myla S. Converse was enlisted went to Harper's Ferry, Va., crossed the M. S. CONVERSE. Potomac at Harper's Ferry and went to Winchester, Va., with General Shields. After General Stonewall Jackson was driven out of Winchester, his division. Gen. John Sedgewick in com- mand, returned to Washington ; took steamers at Washington, going down the Potomac to Fortress Monroe, Va. From Vir- ginia they went to Yorktown where the division was assigned to the Second Army corps then commanded by Gen. E. V. Sum- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 367 ner. After the evacuation of Yorktown they went to West Point, Va., on the York River, by steamers, where they disembarked and had an engagement with the enemy. From there they took the boat again and went to White House Landing where they dis- embarked, crossed the peninsula to the Chickahominy where they took part, together with the First Minnesota, in building the great Grape Vine Bridge on which General Sumner moved his corps across to the opposite side of the river to reinforce the left wing of the General Casey's army on the 31st of May, 1862, dur- ing the battle of Fair Oaks. In this engagement about four o'clock in the afternoon, the 15th Massachusetts arrived on the field and immediately became engaged. At about half past four Converse was severely wounded in his right thigh, the thigh bone being broken, and just as he was to be carried from the field he received another wound through the right hand. He was sent back with others of the wounded to White House Landing where he took a steamer for Philadelphia. He was in a hospital on Wood Street near 226. Street from about the 6th or 7th day of Jime, 1862, until the latter part of July when he received a furlough and went home for thirty days. He reported again to his company for duty at Sharpsburg, Va., on the morning after the battle of Antietam. From there he went with the Army of the Potomac to Falmouth, Va., where his regiment participated in the battle of Frederick City, Va., fought by General Burnside. After this engagement the wound in the leg gave Mr. Converse some trouble in regard to marching, and he enlisted in the First L'nited States Cavalry, under an order from the AA'ar Department, for the term of three years. He was as- signed to Company E. He accompanied the company to the front where the first Cavalry was assigned to what is known as the Re- served Brigade of the Cavalry Corps of the Army of the Potomac, then commanded by General Stoneman. Their first engagement was at Kellysford, Va., on the 17th day of March, 1863. This was at the beginning of General Stoneman's raid. Their other engage- ments were at Beverly's Ford, June loth, 1863 ; Goose Creek, June 19th; Upperville, June 21st; Gettysburg, July 3rd; Williamsport, Md., July 6th: Boonesville, July 8th: Falling Water. July 15th; Manassas Gap, Md., July 21st; Brandy Station. August ist, and August 3rd: at Mine Run, Va., Dec. 5th: on General Custer's raid, Feb. 28th and 29th, 1864: at Spottsylvania, May 7th; in the 368 A ProNEER History of Becker County. Wilderness, Ya.., Alay 8th ; on General Sheridan's raid, MaY 9th to 14th; at Beaver Dam, ATay loth ; Yellow Tavern, Mav nth: Chickahominv River, May 12th, (here again he received another slight wound on his right arm just below the shoulder, which, however, did not lay him up from service); Horseshoe Shop May 28th; at Cold Harbor, May 30th and 31st; at Brevilian Sta- tion, June 1 2th ; at Deep Bottom, July 2Sth ; at Newton, Aug. 12th Sheperdstown, Aug. 29th; at Winchester, Sept. 19th ; at Willford, Sept. 23rd ; at Waynesboro. Sept. 28th ; at Edinburgh. Oct. 8th and 9th ; at Cedar Creek, Oct. 19th ; on the Gordonsville raid, Dec. 20th to 28th; on the Loudon \'alle}' raid, Jan. 5th to 8th, 1865 ; at Waynesburgh, Mar. 21st ; Dinwiddie Court-House March 30th; at Five Forks, \^a., April ist, April 2d and April 3(1, i8f)5; at Evergreen Station, April 8th ; at the surrender of General Lee's army of Appomattox, April 9th, 1865. These engagements are copied frc^m the back of his discharge, which discharge he received from Company E. first United States Cavalry, approved l)y A. G. l^rackett. Colonel commanding first United States Cavalry, also attested and approved by Major Gen- eral Philip S. Sheridan, commanding Department of the Gulf. He was detailed in the spring of 1865, just before the surren- der of Lee's army, to report to General Sheridan's headquarters, then being a sergeant of Company E, to take command of orderlies : went from A\'ashington to New Orleans with General Sheridan when he went down to take command of the Department of the Gulf. He was mustered out at New Orleans on the 17th day of December, 1865. He came to Becker County in the spring of 1872 and settled in Lake Eunice Township where he resided for many years. His first wife to whom he was married on December 26, i860, was Mary Emerson of Thompson, Connecticut, who died in Lake Eunice, February 27th. 1881. He held the office of military storekeeper during the adminis- tration of Governors Nelson and Clough when he was displaced by Gov. Lind on the first of January, 1899. Mr. Converse was married the second time to Mrs. Grace Nuttle on the 24th day of June, 1883. The last few years of his life were spent in the village of De- troit where he died on the 9th of November. 1905. He leaves surviving him his wife and two sons. Philip S. Converse, present A Pioneer History of Becker County. 369 register of deeds, Becker Co., Minn. ; W. F. Converse, assistant chief deputy inspector of grain, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Philip S. Converse. James T. Bestick. James T. Bestick was born October i6th, 1840, at Henderson, Granville county, North Carolina. He moved to Massachusetts when about five years old, settling in South Braintree. He re- ceived his education in the common schools of that town, nuit- ting school at the age of fifteen and went to work in a boot manu- facturing shop. Was a member of the Braintree Light Infantry, Company C, 4th regiment AI. V. M. At the breaking out of the rebellion he went with his regiment to Fortress Monroe. Leav- ing home April i6th, 1861, he arrived at Fortress Monroe and went on guard April 20th. Went from Fortress Monroe to New Port News and after serving three months returned home and remained at home about a year. August 6th, 1862, he re-enlisted in Company E, 14th Massachusetts, afterwards the ist Mass. H. A. He took part in all the campaigns of his regiment until June 22nd, 1864, when before Petersburg he was captured and about two hundred of his regiment were taken by way of Pjelle Isle, Libby Prison, Lynchburg and Danville, to Andersonville, arriv- ing there July 12th, 1864, and was removed from Andersonville to Florence, S. C, in September, 1864. He remained a prisoner until February 26lh, 1865, when he was paroled at Wilmington, N. C. He v/as sent home and discharged at Boston, March 30, 1865. During his incarceration he was reduced in weight from ^53 to 98 poiuids, was nearly blind and afflicted with scurvv. Be- fore enlisting the second time he was married to Miss Hannah W. Raymond, leaving his wife at home with his parents. After partly recovering his health he went to work at his old trade. In the spring of 1872 he removed with his family to Detroit, Min- nesota, arriving here April 9, 1872. He built a small house and moved into it early in June and claimed to be the first man to move into a dwelling house on the original townsite of Detroit. He took up the business of shoemaking which he followed for a number of years. After coming to Detroit he has followed various avocations, shoe making, carpenter, cooper, was in the grain warehouse with J. H. Phinney and was his deputy sheriff A Pioneer History of Becker County. 371 I for three years. He held various offices of trust : supervisor, con- stable, assessor, v^'as a member of the board of education for elev- ij en years, deputy clerk of court under L. C. McKinstry, deputy I auditor under A\'. J. ^Morrow, and in the fall of 1892 was elected j judge of probate of the county, re-elected in 1894 without op- position. He was superintendent of the Oak Grove cemetery from its organization in 1883 until his health failed. He was a member of the Lakeside band from its organization until 1890. He was a charter member of Lakeside Lodge 105, L O. O. F. He became a member of the G. A. R. in 1867 and retained his membership ever since until his death which occurred the 22nd of August, 1906. James T. Bestick is survived by his wife, one son, Elmer J. Bestick, of this city, and one daughter, Mrs. Chas. Liscom, of Kansas City. George D. Hamit,ton. CHRISTEN ANDERSON. PAUL C. SLETTEN. MRS. BKEDE ANDERSON. OLE PETERSON. A PioNKiJR History of Buckkr County. 373 Chapter XXII. HISTORY OF AUDUBON TOWNSHIP. By Petkr a. O. PktersoxX. The first settlers in Aiululjon Township, were Christen An- derson, John F. Beaver and Fred. Johnson. Beaver and Ander- son were both married men and their wives came with them, and they were tlie first white women to settle in what is now Audu- bon Township. There was also an infant girl in the Anderson family when they came. Her name is Annie. Neither the township or section lines had been run in this part of the county, so none of these settlers had any means of knowing what section they were living on for a whole year. These three settlers came to this township on the 28th of June, 1869. Christ. Anderson took what is now the west half of the west half of Section 6; John Beaver the east half of the southwest quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 6; Fred Johnson located on the southeast quarter of Section 7. Soon after this time a man by the name of Talmage, a single man of eccentric character squatted on what is now Section 20, and after living there less than a year in a dugout, left the coun- try. ( )n the 6th of September. 1869, Buckley B. Anderson came in- to the township with his wife and a family of eight children, five of whom were fully grown, and settled on what are now Sec- tions 17 and 20. The oldest daughter of the Andersons, who is the wife of Jackson Burdick came with her husband and three children in the same party with the Andersons. Burdick took his land also on Sections 17 and 20. B. B. Anderson opened u]) a store about the first of November, 1870. at his residence, which was the first store in what is now Audubon Township. Harvey Jones who came with the xA^nder- son's located on the southeast quarter of Section 18. Jones soon afterwards sold his improvements to David Beverage who came sometime in the fall of 1869. and took another claim on Section 34, in Lake Park Township, about a year afterwards. 374 -"^ Pioneer History oe Becker County. Dr. David Pyle took a claim which inchided a part of Sections i6 and 17 and brought his family in the spring of 1870. M. L. Devereaux was in this township during the winter of 1869 and 1870 but took a homestead on Section 10 of Lake Park the next year. His land is now a part of the celebrated Canfield farm. The following settlers came to Audubon Township in about the order in which they are named : Elling Carlson, Section 6, June 20th, 1870; Gunder Carlson, Section 6. June 20th. 1870; Martinus Johnson, Section 9, June 23rd, 1870; Sevald Reep, Section 5, June 24th, 1870; Jens Simon- son, Section 16, June 24th, 1870; Andrew Jensen, Section 17 June 24th, 1870; Simon Jensen, Section 16, June 24th, 1870: I. T. Knudson, Section 16, June 25th, 1870; Chris. Olson, Section 18, June 26th. 1870; Ole Peterson, Section 4, June 30th, 1870; Peter A. O. Peterson, Section 4, June 30th, 1870; John O. John- son, Section 30. June 30th, 1870; Andrew Olson, Section 16, July 4th, 1870; Jacob Anderson, Section 13, July 6th, 1870; Erick P. Skeim, Section 15, July 6th, 1870; Louis Thompson, Section 14. July 6th, 1870; Martha M. Quigne, Section 14, July 6th, 1870; Brede Arneson, Section 14, July 15th, 1870; Ole Larson, Section 23, July, 1870; Gustave Erickson, Section 27, Aug. 28th, 1870; Lars Knudson, Section 34, Aug. 28th, 1870; Joseph R. Marshall, Section 30, Aug. 28th, 1870; William Robinson, Section 30, Aug., 1870; Walter R. Gregory, Section 20, Aug., 1870; Moody Cook, Section i, 1870; A. M. Beaver, Section 6, Sept. ist, 1870; John Gulbranson, Section 8, Sept. ist, 1870; Henry J. Larson, Section 10, Oct. 8th, 1870; Paul C. Sletten, Section 24, 1870; Guy Good- rich, Section 24, March, 1871 ; John Cook, Section 22, April, 1871 ; F. K. Small, Section 16, April, 1871 ; L. C McKinstry, Section 12, April 25th, 1871 ; James G. McGrew, Section 10, May ist, 1871 ; Rasmus Boyer, Section 6. May ist. 1871 ; Hans H. GHnstad, Section 26, June, 1871 ; Gilbert Rosten, Section 26, June 15th. 1871 ; Jacob Fargerlie, Section 26, June 15th, 1871 ; Halver Grunt, Aug., 1871 ; Ole Danielson, Section 28; A. S. Danielson, Section 28; William McKinstry, Jr., Section 12, June, 1871 ; T. Longtine, Section 31, 1871 ; William P. McKinstry, Sr., Sept. 10, 1871 ; Sivert Reep, 1871 ; John Larson, Section 2, 1871 ; Carl Stave, Section 24, 1871 ; Ole Boardson, Section 12, 1871 : P. P. Wall, Section 12, May 1st, 1871; Willis Smith, Section 2, 1871 : Malcolm McDonald, A PioxEER History of Becker Couxty. 375 Section 2, 1871 ; Olof Erickson, Section 28, 1871 ; Nels N. Elton, Section 21, May 22nd, 1872; Michael Oschner, Sept., 1873. Elling Carlson, who was one of the first to come into the town- ship in the snmmer of 1870, selected his claim and returned to his former home, leaving his brother, Gunder Carlson in charge of both claims and remained away until the spring of 1871 when he returned to Section 6 of this township with his family. Andrew Olson's family did not arrive until the spring of 1871. Christen Anderson one of the first three settlers of this town- ship was born in Norway, February 19th, 1835, came to xA.merica in 1865, and died about the 20th of November, 1906. John Beaver was about the same age of Chris. Anderson, but came to America several years sooner and was a soldier in our Civil War. He was a member of the first board of county com- missioners of Becker County, and was the first clerk of the dis- trict court elected by the people. Mr. Beaver died of consumption May 17th, 1873. Fred Johnson was born in Norway, and came to the United States when young. He is still living in the township. Sevald Reep was born in Norway on the 13th day of Febru- ary, 1835, came to America in 1866. He died May 4th, 1879. The first child born in Audubon Township was Olaus Reep, son of Sevald Reep, who was born on the 29th day of July, 1870. The first death in the township was that of Mrs, John F. Beaver, who died about the first of March, 1870. The first marriage in the township was that of John Mason to Annie L. Larson, who were married at Oak Lake Cut on the 30th day of January, 1872, by James G. McGrew, justice of the peace. Mason was a saloon keeper and afterwards lived for sev- eral years at Lake Park. The first school in the township was taught by Nancy M. Comstock in the fall of 1871 in a log building on the land of Henry Way on Section 20. On the 30th of September, 1871, the board of county commis- sioners declared all of Township 139. Range 42, or w'hat is now Audubon Township, established or created into one school dis- trict, to be known as School District No. i. The legal voters of the district proceeded to organize by electing a board of school officers and hired a school teacher who began a term of school 376 A Pioneer History of Becker County. that fall, it being the first school taught in Becker County, out- side the White Earth Reservation. It was afterwards discovered that the creation of the school district was illegal, as there had been no petition presented to the board, and the creation of the district was annulled, and Detroit Township made District Xo. i. The township was organized on the 19th day of August. 1871. and the first tow^nship election was held at the house of John F. Beaver at that date. Walter R. Gregory was chosen moderator, and John Cook and B. B. Anderson judges of election. They were sworn in by David Pyle, a Notary Public. The following township officers were elected: A\\ R. Gregory, chairman of board of supervisor;^ : David Pyle, John Cook, supervisors ; Henry J. Larson, town clerk ; Buck- ley B. Anderson, assessor; Guy H. Goodrich, treasurer; Jacob Anderson, F. K. Small, constables ; James G. McGrew, Henry Way, justices of the peace. The township was organized under the name of Windom ; in January, 1872, changed to Colfax; in September, 1872, changed to Oak Lake and on January 2d, 1881, changed to Audubon. The Northern Pacific Railroad Company surveyed its line through the township in the fall of 1870 and towards the close of the year a camp and supply station were established at Oak Lake Cut, the former by Mr. Brackett the contractor and the latter by Fletcher and Bly, who had the contract to suppl}' the grading crews. Hubbard and Raymond also put in a stock of goods in the spring of 1871. A hotel built of logs was also erected that same winter. During 1871 and also to some extent in 1872 while the railroad was being built, con- siderable business w'as transacted by different establishments in the different lines of trade, many of them being sheltered in tents. After stations were established at Detroit and Audubon, business gradually fell awav and the place was discontinued soon afterwards. MR. AND MRS. JOHN GII.BERTSON. MR. AND MRS. HENRY I. LARSON. 378 A Pionee;r History of Becker County. Village of Audubon. The townsite of Audubon was surveyed out in the summer of 1872, at which time a railroad station was established and placed in charge of a man by the name of Rothplatz. Henry Larson built a hotel the same summer, the first in the village. The Northern Pacific Railroad Company opened up an office for the sale of their lands in this vicinity late in the year 1872 and placed it in charge of L. S. Cravath. B. B. Anderson erected a building and laid in a small stock of goods early in the fall of 1872, it being the first store in the village. He was followed later in the fall by E. Newman and O. J. Johnson, who bought his stock of goods and added to it; he in turn sold it to Thomas W. Dunlap and Michael Gillespie and also added to the store building. Frank Lacross established a general store in June, 1873, ^^^ he in turn sold it to Thomas W. Dunlap and Michael Gillespie in 1875. The Audubon Jounial was started in the fall of 1873, by P. P. and O. G. Wall. The Congregational church was begun in the fall of 1872, and was dedicated in 1873. The village of Audubon was incorporated by special law, approved Feb. 23d, 1881. The first set of village officers were : Michael Gillespie, president; R. B. White, recorder; Benjamin Hemstock, Walter Drew and Mike Oschner. trustees. The Rev. Mr. Watleson conducted divine service in the house of John Beaver on November 6, 1870. This being the first divine service ever held in the township, preliminary steps were taken to organize a Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church at the time. Rev. B. Hagboe, who came in the suiumer of 1872 was the first resident preacher, but no church was l^uilt until the summer of 1874. The State Bank of Audubon was organized earlv in Feb., 1907. The officers are S. A. Netland, president, and A. O. Netland, cashier. P. A. O. Pktersox. Henry J. Larson, who preempted the principal part of the townsite of Audubon says : I located on the southwest quarter A Pioneer History of Becker County. 379 of Section 10 of what is now Audubon Township on the 30th of November, 1870, and sold to the Townsite Company. The survey of the townsite of Audubon was commenced in the first days of May, 1872, and a small house or box office was made ready for a telegraph office about the same time. The present passenger depot was made read}^ about the 20th of September of that same year. How Audubon Received its Name. About the middle of August, 1871, Mr. Thomas H. Canfield came through on a tour of inspection, and with him was quite a party of aristocratic looking people, and they camped where the Audubon depot now stands. The prairies were then covered with flowers and lilies, and there were several ladies in the party who were filled with admiration at the beauty of the surround- ing country, and I remember that one lady asked Mr. Canfield if a railroad station could ever be established there that it be called Audubon. Another man took out a memorandum book and noted down this request. I afterwards learned that the lady was a niece of John J. Audubon, the great American naturalist. H. J. Lauson. Oak Lake Village. In 1871-72 there was a thriving village at the Old Oak Lake Cut on the northeast quarter of Section 24 of the present town- ship of Audubon. The village grew up simultaneously with the progress of the work of excavating the long deep cut on the Northern Pacific Railway at that place ; it being several hundred feet in length and twenty feet or more in depth, and was the heaviest job of excavating on the Northern Pacific Railway between Duluth and the Missouri River. Work was begun in this cut about the beginning of the winter of 1870; the exact date I am unable to give. I was there on the 2ist of January, 1871, and George M. C. Bracket, the contractor, was there at work with about forty men, engaged in excava- ting the frozen ground at the east end of the cut. I was there again on the loth of February and work was in progress at 380 A PlONEKK HlSTCiKV l)F BeckHR CoUXTY. both ends of the cut, and there was quite a sprinkhng of tents on the south side. I was there again on the 20th of April, and the ckister of tents was assuming- the appearance of a thriving village. Fletch- er and Bly were running a big store, and were the general sup- ply agents of the Xorthwestern Construction Conipanv. and were doing a rushing business. This is the same "I'ncle Loren" Fletcher who has represented the city of .Minneapolis in the United States congress for se\'eral years past. In this store at that time were Guy Goodrich and Tim Chilton, who were work- ing in the capacity of clerks, dealing out groceries, calico and tobacco to Indians, scjuaws, graders and tenderfeet alike. In May, 1871, N. K. llul:)bard and J. H. Raymond opened up another store, which did a flourishing business for the next two years, and soon afterwards R. li. Abraham opened up still another, which he moved to Lake Park later on. P>v the first of August the south side of the cut had become a lively village of tents, and it was said there were 400 peojile living there at that date. The structures, however, were not altogether tents, as there had been some logs and considerable lumber used in their construction. There were now two hotels in operation ; one owned and operated by James !M. Crummy and L. D. Burger and the other by S. M. Thompkins, and that same summer a boot and shoe store was started by a man b}- the name of Marshall, wdio afterwards moved his store to Bis- marck, and towards the close of the year S. B. Pinney moved his store over from Sherman's, 1)\- the lake, which made four gen- eral stores running in the little \illage about the time the rails were laid to the cut. There was a'so the usual accomi)animent of saloons, gam- blers, sports, toughs, confidence men and fast women, such as are usually found congregated together on the outskirts of civiliza- tion, wherever there is an}- unusuallv large gathering of men with- out families. ( )ne large tent was used for a dance hall, and various other "doings" of a n-iysterious character were said to be carried on in that tent, as a consecjuence of which it was shunned by all timid people. Conspicuous among the gang of outlaws that infested the town were two superfine cut-throats of the first water. The name of one was Fhang, a polished expert of the light fingered A ProNEER History of Becker County. 381 craft, who claimed to be a native of Dublin. Ireland, and the name of the other was Shumway. After the Northern Pacific Railway was completed to Aloorhead in the fall of 1871 this pair of land pirates changed their quarters to that village much to the relief of the people of Oak Lake. On the 25th of April, 1872, Shang" shot and mortally wounded Shumway, who after he was wounded attempted to shoot Shang, but instead shot and killed an innocent b}'stander, a barkeeper by the name of 'I'hompson. Clay County had only just been organized and no county officers had yet been appointed. The newly appointed county commissioners met immediately and appointed James Blanchard sheriff of Clay County and his first official act was to arrest the murderer Sliang. At a preliminary hearing after Shum way's death, Shang was released on a nominal bond and was never prosecuted, it being the general opinion that he had rendered Moorhead a good service in ridding it of Shumway, although Shang was if possible the worst villain of the two. The first political meeting in Becker County was held about the 25th of C^ctober, 1871. Governor Austin made a speech at a Republican meeting" at Oak Lake Cut, and during the progress of the meeting, a Norwegian by the name of L T. Knudson, who lived on Section 16, Audubon, was badly injured for life by a blow on the head with a revolver in the hands of an Oak Lake gambler called Blink}^ Jack. Jack's dog had a fight with a dog be- longing to Jacob Anderson and the owners of the dogs had a row over the dogs but were separated. Jack was not satisfied and afterwards started to hunt up Anderson and have it out. He came across Knudson and taking him for Anderson struck him on the head several times with his revolver. He was knocked senseless and thought to be dead for awhile, but was finally restored and is suffering from the hurt until this day. Jack was tried at the November term of court and sentenced to pay $400 fine or a year in jail. As there was no jail in the countv, the sheriff', Charles E. Churchill, could do no better than to take him home with him, but after boarding with him for a couple of weeks Jack skipped out. In the month of October, 1871, the work in the big cut w^as finished, and the small army of graders moved on to the West, but the little village continued to thrive. The place was easy 382 A Pioneer History of Becker County. of access, as there were good natural roads leading to it from all the principal points of the compass except the east. It cost Detroit several thousand dollars to construct as good roads as those leading to the cut, which did not cost a dollar. The oflficials of the Northern Pacific Railway Company from the start had anticipated the securing of a townsite at this place, and with it the construction of a permanent railway station. A part of this same plan was to locate the Detroit station on the shore of Detroit Lake, near where Mr. West's ice house now stands, and in accordance with the same plan there would be no station between Oak Lake and Lake Park. In the summer of 1871 the officials of the Northern Pacific Company commenced negotiating with L. D. Burger, who had now become the sole proprietor of the land where the depot grounds were wanted, for the purpose of purchasing the whole or at least a half interest in the proposed townsite ; but believing that the company would eventually be obliged to establish a permanent station at that point, Burger became exceedingly independent, and placed an extravagent price on his land. I have heard him say more than once that he had got the rail- road company where the hair was short ; that they had got to come to his terms, and they had got to pay for it besides. In the fall of 1871 a temporary station and telegraph office was established at the west end of the Oak Lake Cut, and an- other at Detroit, down in Tjdertown, near the Pelican River, and as the Northern Pacific officials were anxious to establish a permanent station at Detroit as early as possible, and as they were somewhat discouraged in their efforts to secure a satis- factory location at Oak Lake, they decided to locate the Detroit depot one block w*est of where the depot buildings now stand after the original townsite was laid out by Col. Johnston in the winter of 1871 and ''J2. The people at Oak Lake, however, did not lose heart, but still believed that with its favorable location and its present flour- ishing condition, the village was destined to remain the metrop- olis of the Park Region. The railroad officials still kept up negotiations with Burger during the whole of the year 1872, notwithstanding they had located a permanent station at Detroit, less than five miles away, but Burger was as stubborn and exacting: as ever. "You have A Pioneer History of Becker County. 383 got to come to my terms and you know it" he would say when- ever the subject was mentioned. In the month of July the United States Land Office was opened up at Oak Lake, and the merchants, hotel keepers and saloon keepers still continued to do a thriving business, and these prosperous conditions served to make Burger the more exhorbitant in his bargaining with the railroad company and also tended to keep up the courage of the people generally who were doing business in the village. ^ ^^^ III 1 ^l&^ W. J. MORROW, Finally the railroad officials became tired of dallying any longer with a scheme that promised no satisfactory outcome, and in the spring of 1873 moved the temporary station from Oak Lake to Audubon, where a townsite had just been laid out by the Lake Superior and Puget Sound Townsite Company. This proved the final undoing of Oak Lake. Everybody moved away but Burger and his family; the land office was moved to Detroit that same year, and for many long years afterwards all that remained of the once prosperous village was the old log hotel and barn, and a big 384 A Pioneer History of Becker County. patch of Canada thistles, that were scattering- their winged seeds of pestilence through the surrounding country. Frank Palmer, a native of X'ermont, was the telegraph operator at Oak Lake station. W. J. Morrow, the present popular cashier of the Alerchants National Bank of Detroit, came to Oak Lake Cut early in the spring of 1871, and after remaining there a year or two stayed in Audubon for awhile, and in 1876 took a homestead on Section 28, in Hamden Township, where he resided until he was elected clerk of court in 1879. when he removed to Detroit, where he has resided ever since. MiNOT, N. D.. Jan. 5tli, 1906. A. H. Wilcox, Esq., Frazee City. Minnesota. Dear Sir: — The Mr. S. B. Pinney that you refer to is unquestionably the Pinney that died here in Minot. He was an early settler down at Oak Lake, as I believe they called it in the early days when Tompkins kept his keg saloon. He certainly resided along the Northern Pacific Railroad between Oak Lake and Fargo, and then after a while, he moved up to Fargo and resided there until about five years ago. when he came up here to Minot. He had two sons and one daughter, — I believe that is all of the family. To all appearances, he never accumulated any property. He was not the owner of any real estate here, whatever, and very little household effects. He might have property somewhere else that I don't know of. He was a tall man — quite tall and slim. He died about the first of December, 1905. James Johnston. The Shooting of Gunder Carlson by Bachinana. In October, 1870, I was surveying the town of Hamden for the United States government, hi the early part of the evening of the 21 St day of that month, while camped in a grove on Sec- tion 17, we noticed a fire a few miles south of us. AA'e were a little surprised as it had snowed the night before and the grass was still wet, so we knew it could not be a prairie fire, but we did not know the cause of it until several days af- terwards. A Norwegian by the name of Gunder Carlson and one of his boys, were living a little south of the line between Hamden and Audubon. He had already erected a log house and stable, and had about thirty or forty tons of hay stacked near his stable. About dark while sitting in his house, he saw a light outside, and after going out into the doorvard, and A Pioneer History of Becker County. 385 while standing by an oak tree near his door with one hand over his eyes to shade them from the glare of the fire, he discovered that his own hay stacks were on fire ; and just about that time he was shot by someone hid behind the wood-pile. He, how- ever, had a glimpse of his would-be murderer, and could have recognized him afterwards. As the stable was in great danger of being destroyed, he sent his boy to the rear of the stable and had him crawl through a hole into the stable and turn out the oxen and the cows. He thought the Indian was still guarding the front door of the stable, but he succeeded in getting the cattle out without difficulty. The stable did not burn. The old man was badly hurt. The gun was loaded with buckshot, and the whole charge took effect in his side and arm. He and the boy succeeded in making their way down to Christen Anderson's, who lived two miles southeast of there. As soon as they were gone, Bachinana, for that was the In- dian's name, commenced to sack the house. He took some cofifee and sugar and clothing, a gun and a little money. Things were pretty badly torn up in the house, and he even smashed the glass out of the windows and splintered up the sash with his hatchet. Mr. Carlson's arm was rendered help- less as long as he lived. He had several buckshot taken out of his side and back, but some of them penetrated too far ever to be reached, and they finally caused his death about two years afterwards. Billy Lamb. On the 17th of October, 1872, Dennis Stack came near kill- ing Billy Lamb at Oak Lake. I never heard all the details of the quarrel but during the aft'ray Stack gave Lamb an ugly cut across the abdomen with a knife, so that some of his bowels protruded. Lamb made his exit from the building where it occurred and made his way to a haystack where he was found some time afterwards in a serious condition. The cut was sewed up and he lived for twenty years afterwards. He showed me the scar the next February and it was an ugly one. Billy was an inofi'ensive son of Erin, and a veteran of the Civil War. Stack was also an Irishman, but a bad, quarrelsome man. ** •fc**'*'"'"* * *'^'^' JOHN COOK. MRS. JOHN COOK. CAPT. F. K. SMALL. MRS. F. K. SMALL. A PioNeKK History oi? Beicker County. 387 THE COOK FAMILY. Murdered By Indians Near Audubon, Becker County, Minnesota. — A Bio- graphical Sketch and Narrative. By Albion Barnard. January, 1893. Nothing in the history of Becker County, I venture to affirm, has touched more deeply and through a wider circle the chords of human sympathy and sorrow than the tragic fate, nearly twenty-one years ago, of the family whose name appears in the heading of this article. The tributes, especially to the memory of the father and mother, gleaned from the local weekly of De- troit, and the Minneapolis and Saint Paul dailies, at the time of the murder, are many, and attest the high appreciation of their worth by those wdio knew them best. These papers furnish also the details with much minuteness which make up the story of the eager pursuit, arrest, and formal trial, resulting in the conviction of one of the murderers. The subseciuent capture by soldiers at Leech Lake of an Indian reputed by his band to be the chief actor in the bloody drama, has never been made public. A recital here of the facts and incidents connected with this capture forms a needed supplement to the general narrative. On the seventh day of May, 1871, John Cook, closing a long and honorable service of the government, the last year of which as agent in charge of the new AAdiite Earth Indian Reser- vation, lying partly in Becker County, removed with his wife, three children and household goods to the township now known as Audubon. The names of the children were Freddie W., Mary E., and John W., aged respectively and in the order named, seven and a half years, six years, and ten months. He was accompanied 1)y Ca])t. F. K. Small, an eastern seafaring man and his faiuily, consisting of a wife, and two sons, one of seven and one of three years, the wife being a sister of Mrs. Cook. The location and acreage of the respective tracts of land upon which they settled and established claims imder the homestead law are determined with precision by the formula in use at the United States Land Office ; that of Cook being the west half 388 A Pioneer Historv of Becker County. of the southwest quarter; and lots 7, 8 and 9 of Section 22, Township i3(; Xorth, Range 42 A\>st, aggregating i84-)4 acres. Tlie lots, I ma}' here remark, indicate a meandered lake upon which they border. Small's claim adjoining that of his friend, was partly in Section 22 and partly in Section 21. Upon these claims convenient farm buildings had been erected. They were of the type common to pioneer settlements on the prairies of the West. Rough or partially hewn oak logs from the nearest grove formed the foundation and walls of these small structures, the chinks being filled with adhesive mud. Materials for the roofs, doors, windows and inside finish were bought from a distant manu- factory. There was nothing about the exterior of these build- ings to attract the eye of a passing observer. A glance, however, at the interior of the dwellings would have disclosed evidence of thrift and culture on the part of their occupants. There were Brussels carpets upon the floors, neatly curtained windows and beds; silver tableware and jewelry of various kinds; costly ap- parel, books, periodicals, etc., as shown in a properly attested in- ventory. John Cook was born in the little town of Campton, N. H., in 1832. His wife, Diantha J., whose maiden name was Wash- burn, was a native of Welchville, Oxford County, ]\Iaine, her birth being eight years subsequent to that of her husband. The two were joined in marriage at Boston in January, 1863. In response to the call of the government he entered the navy in September, 1864, as assistant steam-engineer on the United States steamer. Little Ada, one of the Potomac squadron. Ad- miral Porter in command. After several months acceptable service here, the war having closed meantime, he removed to Rochester, in this state, and took up a claim. This was soon relinquished for a position offered him at Leech Lake as engi- neer in charge of the government mill and steamboat for the benefit of the Indians at that place. During five successive years he rendered faithful and efficient service at this post and was then transferred to White Earth. It was at this place he was presented to the reader at a specific date, in the two-fold act of resigning an important public trust and, with his friend Small, entering upon a plan for the accomplishment of a long cherished object. That object, I need hardly say, was the founding of a home for those who were dear to him by kindred ties. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 389 In pursuance of this, he and Capt. Small had been attracted to a locality then far-famed as the park region of the Red River of the North. It comprises a part of the counties of Otter Tail and Becker, and may be described as a tract of land fifteen to twenty miles wide, lying immediately west of the great timber belt of northern Minnesota and constituting a portion of the watershed of the river named, on its eastern side. The visitor here sees a broad expanse of rolling prairie rising at intervals to summits of commanding view. The entire landscape appears studded with lakes and lakelets of crystal water, abounding with many varieties of fish, while groves of maple and oak alter- nated at that time with virgin fields ready for the plowshare of the pioneer settler. For long periods this region had been a favorite haunt of the buffalo (bison) and elk. Its grassy slopes had furnished luxuriant feed for countless numbers of these animals, to be, in turn, enriched by the droppings of their living forms and the flesh and bones of their dead. In more recent times it had been a borderland between the Chippewa of the forest belt on the east and his hereditary enemy, the wily Sioux of the vast prairie on the west. Here in the common pur- suit of a noble game they had met in many a fierce encounter. But these scenes, typical of a nomadic life and age, had suddenly vanished — in a day almost — to give place to those of peaceful, rural industry. A\'ith the first shriek of the iron horse in its approach from the east, the buffalo and elk had fled in terror, and a pioneer corps of hardy settlers had become a barrier be- tween these warring tribes of Indians. This delightful park region in question, with a soil of sur- passing fertility, was soon to be traversed by the Northern Pacific Railroad, in its extension westward. Located near the center of it. and within convenient distance of a prospective de- pot, my friends. — for thus I may call them — began their new home-life under the most auspicious conditions. Bouyant with health and hope and lacking no material comforts, a prosperous, happy future seemed, to a superficial observer at least, assured to them. But how narrow the scope of our finite minds. In the chain of cause and eft'ect. stretching into the infinite depths of that future, an Eternal Power has linked events which can- not be foreseen by us. 390 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Nearly a year had now elapsed since Cook and Small had entered npon their new occupations as tillers of the soil. The last week in April had come with its sunshine and rain, covering with verdure and flowers the brown, dry prairie sod of winter. On Friday morning, the 27th of that month, Airs. Small sent her little boy to the home of her sister for a dish of milk. He speedily returned saying the house was burned "and nobody could be found." With anxious foreboding, Mrs. Small, in the absence of her husband at Detroit, hastened to the spot to find only two heaps of smoldering embers where had stood the dwelling and workshop. Peering into a hole half filled with partially charred debris, which indicated the place of the cellar, she beheld with a thrill of horror the blackened remains of human bodies. Doubt, which up to this moment had afforded a faint gleam of hope in her mind that somehow the lives of her sister and family had been preserved, now deepened into the certainty that all of them had here met an untimely death. Was it by the accidental burning of the house, or had some fiend in human form perpetrated a deed of atrocious cruelty? A few neighbors who had meantime been attracted to the smoldering ruins, began an investigation which resulted in finding clues which speedily led to the solution of this question ; a fresh im- print of a moccasin in the plastic soil near the ruins; an Indian knife near the workshop ; the failure after careful search to find any silverware or jewelry in the debris, or any trace of feather- beds, woolen blankets, clothing, and a large bundle of green furs known to have been in the building at this time; the fact, more- over, that two small parties of Indians, hunting and trapping, had been encamped in the near vicinity, this fact being made especially significant by their sudden disappearance on the morn- ing after the murder. It was ascertained further that two gal- lons of whisky had been sold to these Indians by some villainous white traders the day preceding that occurrence. On the other hand, suspicion had much reason for pointing to that swarm of vicious "roughs" which at that time accompanied the construc- tion of the Northern Pacific Railroad, keeping pace with its daily extension westward, as the agents in the commission of this diabolical crime. Any doubt, however, which may have lingered in the minds of some as to the authors thereof, was (|uickly to be dispelled. A PioNEiCR History of Becker County. 391 Hardly a week had elapsed when a young' Indian was seen at Sandy Lake on the Mississippi having in his possession several articles of women's clothing and jewelry. This being reported to United States Marshal Brackett, at Saint Paul, he at once engaged the services of James Whitehead, long a resident among, and thoroughly acquainted with, the Indians of the Upper Mississippi. Accompanied by Messrs. Preston and Holland of Brainerd, Whitehead, on the eleventh of May, proceeded to that lake and, by a little strategy, effected the arrest of the suspected party. During the journey to Aitken by canoe, he nearly escaped from his captors by diving into the water and swimming like an otter beneath the surface. His Indian name, Kah-kah-ba-she, is interpreted Bobolink. He was taken to St. Paul, and confined in the jail. A confession made by him charged one Mais-kah-\vah-l)e-tung by name, as the chief actor in the bloody drama, while admitting his own guilt iri a subordi- nate part. Many subsequent confessions were published in the papers at the time, but the sequel renders it prol)able that the first only is essentially correct. In January following the trial of Bobolink began at De- troit. The Wilson house served as a jail for the prisoner, and a hotel for the judge, counsel, witnesses and others. The court convened in a long, narrow hall, over a billiard saloon, south of the Northern Pacific Railroad track. Judge McKelvy of Saint Cloud presided, the counsel for the state being F. R. E. Cornell of Minneapolis, attorney general, while the counsel for the prisoner was Judge Reynolds of Detroit and Hon. D. O. Preston of Brainerd. The jurors selected from a panel of twen- ty-four were Joseph Simmons, E. Rummery, Frank Bullard, D. C. Norris, C. H. Sturtevant, Chas. E. Herbert, L. D. Philips, Kimball Hayden, C. M. Tyler, Miles Hannah, Edward Bullard and Frank M. Peaseley. Among the large number of wit- nesses who testified for the prosecution were Capt. and Mrs. Small. Doctors Pyle and Calkins, James Whitehead, Franklin Cook, city engineer of Minneapolis, and a brother of the mur- dered man, and several Indians. For the defense was the testi- mony of Doctors Sully and Maltby. With elaborate arguments by counsel, and a brief, impartial charge by the judge, the jury retired and after two hours' deliberation rendered a verdict of "Guilty of murder in the first degree," with the death penalty 392 A Pioneer History of Becker County. added. The courtroom was crowded and no outward sign of approval or disapproval was manifested. By our statute the governor of the state was empowered to fix the date for the exe- cution of this penalty. \\'hile awaiting in the St. Paul jail this act on the part of the governor. Bobolink died of some cause un- known. Meantime, as a consequence of this murder and that of the Johnson family, in Clay County, a few months previous, by Indians, a feeling of alarm had become general among the set- tlers of the Red River Valley. At several places stockaded buildings had been erected by them for refuge and defense. Governor Austin had issued a proclamation, warning the Indi- ans to keep themselves closely within the lines of their reser- vations, if they would avoid arrest by the military. He had also ofifered a reward of one thousand dollars for the person or per- sons proven to be guilty of the crimes in question. In order to ascertain the exact state of affairs that he might take all needful means for the protection of the alarmed settlers and thus allay their excitement, he sent Doctor Day of St. Paul, an expert in knowledge of Indian character, to investigate and re- port thereon. So well did the doctor perform this duty that all apprehension was speedily removed. This trial of Bobolink is noteworthy in several of its aspects. Held in what was then a frontier village, the judge and coun- sel ranked among the ablest of the state. The witnesses were chiefly intelligent and prominent in their respective circles, some of them having been summoned from distant localities. The jury proved their fitness by a verdict amply justified by tl:e evidence. Thus constituted, the court was a fit symbol of our highest civilization and in its procedure an exemplary illustra- tion of the best known methods of determining justice to per- sons charged with crime. As the ordeal of intelligent reascjn taking the place of that of savage ini]ndse and superstition, it furnished a needed and impressive object lesson in a frontier region, far-reaching in its influence. In striking contrast was the spectacle at Brainerd a few months before of two Indians accused of the murder of a girl of mixed blood, hanging from the limb of a tree on the principal street, while a lawless mob rent the air with shouts of exultation. Against one of these victims there was nothing that could be called proof of A Pioneer History of Becker County. 393 guilt, — only mere suspicion, which subsequent developments showed was groundless. Such brutal acts are a blot upon our boasted civilization and they will cease only when respect and the higher sentiment of reverence of law shall have found a place in the hearts of men everywhere. Soon after the trial at Detroit, vague hints and rumors of an Indian hiding himself closely near the Leech Lake Agency reached the ears of the government employes at that post. So significant a fact — for fact it proved to be — in connection with many circumstances known to them, warranted the conviction on their part that this Indian was an accomplice in the murder near Oak Lake. Thereupon the head chief of the Pillager bands in that locality was sought and a reward of one hun- dred dollars was paid him by Agent E. P. Smith for disclosing the name and hiding place of the suspected criminal. With a file of soldiers then at hand to aid him, the writer of this ac- count proceeded to make his arrest. The wigwam in which he was concealed was one of a dozen located on a tongue of land projecting far into the lake. To insure success, it was neces- sary to make the approach thereto covertly. So cautiously ad- vancing, the underbrush serving as a screen, w^e entered upon the base of the tongue. Then with a rapid sweep down the nar- rowing tract we prevented any message or cry of alarm reach- ing the party sought by his numerous friends on the watch. At the extremity called Pine Point, we surprised and captured the hiding Indian, though he was provided with ample means for defense or escape. He proved to be as we expected, the Mais-kah-wah-be-tung implicated by the confession of Bobolink in the murder near Oak Lake. The authorities of Becker County were at once notified by Agent Smith of this arrest. They were also assured by him that sufiicient proof would be furnished at a trial which they alone were empowered to give the arrested party, to insure his conviction. For some reason unknown to the writer, these authorities neglected or deemed it unwise to bring the Indian into court. Meantime he was confined at Fort Ripley and at the end of a year was set free, since the military could not legally hold him longer. I may add in conclusion that a circular plot of ground, two chains in diameter, inclosing the site of the burned buildinos 394 A PioNKER History of Becker County. and the interred remains of the victims of a savage deed in- spired by the desire of plunder only, has ben set apart for a sacred and noble purpose. A claim upon the government preferred by the heirs of Cook, for property destroyed by the Indian murderers, has been ap- proved in the court of claims, and now awaits only an act of con- gress for payment. Dated January ist, 1895. Mrs. West. A. B. The claim for damages has since been paid. The following is from the ^linneapolis Tribune: The whole country is familiar with the horrible massacre of the Cook family — consisting of the father, mother and three children^which took place on Friday night, April 26th, at their home near Oak Lake in this state. As soon as the terrible event became known. Major Brackett, the successful detective, commenced work on the case, and his efiforts have been rewarded by the capture of the principal murderer, who with three others are now known to have committed the terrible crime, and as the three alluded to are well known, there is very little doubt but that they, too, will soon be brought to the halter. THE CAPTURE OF KA-KA-BA-SHE. The Indian brought to St. Paul by Major Brackett on Saturday night goes by the name of Ka-ka-ba-she, or Bobolink, and he was first suspected as one of the murderers by John Lynde, a well known and respectable half-breed, who saw Bobolink at Sandy Lake, and who came from Oak Lake about the time of the murder, decked out in ladies' costume and flourishing a gold chain and other articles. When Lynde got to Aitken station, he notified the telegraph operator, who at once sent the facts to Brainerd, where the despatch reached Major Brackett on Tuesday of last week. The Major immediately secured the service of James Whitehead, an old trader among the Pillager Indians, to make the arrest, who with two trusty assistants repaired to Aitkin, where they were joined by Lynde, and all four proceeded to Sandy Lake where the Indians were camped. As soon as they reached Sandy Lake Whitehead alone went among the Indians and picked out Bobolink. He remarked as he took hold of him, "Come along — I want you!" Bobolink demurred, and for a time meditated resistance, but Whitehead was stern and inexorable; and amidst the shouts, execrations and hostile demonstrations of a hundred squaws, who attempted to rally the tribe to the rescue of Bobolink, Whitehead succeeded in getting away with his prisoner, who. fortunately, had in his possession at the moment of his capture, Mrs. Cook's cloak, gold chain and other articles, which were safely brought back to testify in immistakable language against the bloody and barbarous demon, and which will serve in a short time to hang him on a civilized gallows. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 395 GREAT CREDIT IS DUE to John Lynde, the half-breed, and James Whitehead, for their action in bringing Bobohnk into Major Brackett's clutches. It is believed that no other man but Whitehead could have succeeded in the audacious enterprise of visiting the Indian tribe, and boldly dragging out one of their number and successfully getting away with him. He seems to have commanded both the respect and the fear of the whole tribe, and it seems almost amazing that he should have succeeded in getting out alive with his prisoner. But his promptness and extraordinary celerity of movement saved him, for had he dallied a moment or two longer, by which time the Indians, recovered from their surprise, would have overwhelmed him, and Bobolink and the principal circumstantial evidences which he carried with him would have been hidden away. Major Brackett, likewise, has reason to be proud of the part he has played in the interesting transaction. After reaching Sandy Lake, he took to the water, and DIVED FOR HIS LIFE by plunging into the lake and attempting to escape. Whitehead pur- sued his prisoner in the water, who dived every time his pursuer at- tempted to seize him, and he was only brought to time by Whitehead's striking him a telling blow on the head with an oar; then dragging him into the canoe, he got him safely to Aitkin, twenty miles away, when he took the train for Oak Lake, where the villain was examined before a justice of the peace and committed for trial". A PAINFUL SCENE ]\Irs. Small the sister of the murdered Mrs. Cook was shown the articles in possession of the captured murderer, all of which she recognized in an in- stant. For a moment she was overcome with anguish at the recollection of the sad fate of her sister. Then amidst her agonizing paroxysms of grief, she hap- pened to cast her eyes on the red demon, who was present, and whom she would certainly have slain on the spot if she had been in possession of a weapon. She was finally led away from the presence of the cause of her misery, and this melancholy scene closed. Mrs. Small was the first witness. She testified she resided within three-fourths of a mile of her sister, Mrs. Cook; their claims joined; last saw Mr. John Cook and family on the Sunday night before they were massacred; they were killed on Friday night, April 26th, 1872; Mrs. Cook's oldest boy, Freddie, on that even- ing brought milk to our house; he also brought me a note from his mother; it was sisterly in tone, and contained words of cheer and contentment. THE FIRST NEWS. About half past ten on Saturday morning, I sent my boy over to my sister's for milk; he got nearly there, and returned to tell me the house was burned; I sent him to tell my sister and her family to come over to my house; he soon came back, saying nothing could be found of anybody; I then went myself to search for them. 396 A Pioneer History of Becker County. THE REMAINS. I looked into the cellar and saw the remains of human bodies; could not go into the cellar on account of fire which smouldered there; I sent my son after Mr. Larson; my husband was in Detroit, I telegraphed for him to come home immediately. Mr. Larson came, and with a pole re- moved some of the remains. I saw Mr. Cook's remains; all his ribs at- tached to the backbone were there; saw a skull near the body and a heart, not burned, lay near the ribs. My husband came home in the afternoon and we telegraphed to Mr. Franklin Cook at Minneapolis. THE CONFESSION. Bobolink commenced by remarking that he had bad luck hunting, and was anxious to go by White Earth home- Arrived first at Little Sioux camp, southwest of Anderson's store. He took the direction prescribed by Boanece, and proceeded to Little Lake, where he changed his mind, and concluded to go by Anderson's store and Oak Lake. Just before reaching the store he met an old Indian by the name of Mais-kah-wah- be-tung, who after a few minutes' talk concluded to go with him and murder the Cook family. He refused at first, and he asked Mais-kah-wah- be-tung why he wanted to murder the Cook family. Mais-kah-wah-be-tung said plunder, that he had assisted to murder a Swede family, thereby getting many valuable things. After two sittings and talks he finally concluded to go with ^Slais-kah- wah-be-tung. They passed by the south side of the store and along the shore of a little lake in the direction of Mr. Cook's house, arriving at the tree near the house. There was a light in the window and they could see all that was going on in the house. They stopped some little time at the tree, the prisoner still hesitating to commit the crime, when Mais-kah-wah-be-tung upbraided him severely for cowardice, after which Mais-kah-wah-be-tung went up to the window and with his gun fired through at a man sitting on a chair in the room, and killed him. Then he told the prisoner Bobolink to keep watch on the outside so that no Americans might come and detect them. Mais-kah-wah-be- tung then went into the house and met a lady coming out of the other room of the house. He struck her one blow with his hatchet and killed her immediately. Defendant then told Mais-kah-wah-be-tung that he had done enough, and tried to frighten him to desist by telling him that the Americans were coming, but he paid no attention, but proceeded upstairs and commenced killing the children, and then proceeded to throw down such goods as he found. He took a light upstairs with him, which went out, when he struck a match and lit it again. The de- fendant said he only heard one short cry of a child when the killing was being done. After he was through upstairs he searched the house below, and brought out all that was valuable, making up two bundles. Defendant helped to pack them. After the packs were made up they started in the direction they came from. After getting some distance Mais-kah-wah-be-tung discovered he had left his hatchet, and said to de- fendant, you can go on, I'll go back and get my hatchet and then over- take you. He did so, and when he caught up with defendant Bobo- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 397 link looked back and saw that the house was all in flames — ]\Iais-kah- wah-be-tung having set it on fire. They then proceeded together to the place they first met. Then Mais-kah-wah-be-tung told him to be careful and not expose the goods for some time, lest their crime would be discovered thereby; as for himself, he would bury his goods until fall. They then parted, Bobolink going homeward and Mais-kah-wah- be-tung going west. The defendant crossed the line of railroad above Oak Lake, where he slept one night, then circled around, coming back to the railroad at Hobart. There he sold 100 rats, which was a part of the plunder taken out of Mr. Cook's chamber; he sold them to a white man. He then went by railroad down to station near Sandy Lake, his home. The day of the night of the murder he left Boanece's camp at noon, being the 26th of April. They got to Cook's house and began the murder about II o'clock at night. Mr. Cook sat dead on his chair and the woman lay dead on the floor, as the defendant saw them, when standing on the outside of the house and looking through the window near the door. I did not see the children at all; they were upstairs. Mais-kah-wah- be-tung said there were three children, two in one bed and one in another. Mrs. West. Henry J. Larson, who was then living where the village of Atulnbon now stands, was the first person, next to Mrs. Small to reach the scene of the murder. Henry Way came soon afterwards. Mr. Larson says : On the day before the murder I went from my place south, past Capt. Small's house, and after talking for a few minutes with Mrs. Small, went on down to Mr. Cook's place, arriving here about five o'cock in the evening. Cook was burning some rubbish around the house, and preparing to plant his garden. The Indians had already commenced to beat on a drum, and Mr. Cook made some remark about the probability of their being drunk from whisk}' obtained at Oak Lake. They danced and made loud noises most every night at their camp, about half a mile southwest from Cook's house. The next morning I noticed that Mr. Cook's house was gone and im- mediately started for the place, and when near there saw Mrs. Small coming from the opposite direction, and we proceeded to where the house had been. I at once went to the stable where the horse ani cow stood and found them undisturbed. At Mrs. Small's request I took the horse and rode to Detroit to inform Mr. Small and Moody Cook, and informed all I met." H. J. L. Directly after the murder Boanece was camped at Floyd Lake and made trips every day from his camp to Oak Lake 398 A Pioneer History of Becker County. village until the time of his arrest, always passing by my house at the north end of Oak Lake. A day or two after the murder he walked into the house, and asked for something to eat. I was away from home in the Wild Rice country at the time, and Mrs. Wilcox was alone. She gave him some bread and cold pork which he eat with a relish, and he gave her an agate. He was in no hurry to leave, after eating his lunch, and while sitting in the house a half grown kitten came in. Boanece picked it up and asked Mrs. Wilcox to give it to him. She asked him what he wanted it for, and he took out his knife and made a sign to skin the kitten by pulling its hide ofif over its head and leaving it nearly entire. He then took out his tobacco, and by motions gave her to understand that he wanted it for a tobacco pouch. He did not, however, get the kitten. Mrs. Wilcox says he had the wickedest looking eyes she ever saw in a human being. She had not yet heard of the murder. Arrest of Boanece. Soon after the murder a drunken Indian at Oak Lake drop- ped a hint that Boanece was implicated in the crime. Boanece was then camped at Floyd Lake, near where John O. French was living. French was at the time running a butcher shop at Oak Lake and he proposed to Frank Morse who was liv- ing near him, that they go over and arrest him. French was one of the constables of Detroit Township at the time. They found five or six lodges at Floyd Lake, but there was no one in them but squaws and children, so they were obliged to go back without their man. A day or two afterwards Boanece happened to be at Oak Lake village, and French and L. D. Burger who was then deputy sheriff, decided that now was the time to capture him. They then started out in quest of the Indian. Burger had two navy revolvers strapped under his coat and French was also provided with a good weapon. They overtook Boanece just as he was leaving the village, near the railway station, which then stood at the west end of the big cut. There was a young, boyish looking Indian with him, of appearance so insignificant and innocent that they hardly took him into consideration. Boanece was armed with A Pioneer History of Becker County, 399 a double barreled shot gun, and French asked him if he wanted to sell his gun, and at the same time took hold of the bar- rels and told him to let him see it. Boanece replied that it belonged to another Indian, and at the same time cocked both hammers and told him to let go or he would shoot him. Burger then seized the Indian and French took away the gun and they marched him up to Burger's hotel, where Burger hunted up a dog chain, with which they proceeded to shackle him. When they commenced, French handed the gun belonging to Boanece to the young Indian to hold, but by the time they had their Indian shackled he had skipped out gun and all. This young scamp proved to be Bobolink himself, who was after- wards convicted of the same murder. They took Boanece into the hotel where he was seated, and in a short time he arose and hobbled across the room to where Burger was standing and pointing his finger in his face with much emphasis told him that he would kill him if he ever got a chance, and then made the same remark to French. Then they ail went to supper, and while seated at the table, Louis Thompson, a Norwegian, living on Section 14, in Audubon walked up behind Boanece and deliberately took out his knife and cut off a lock of his hair. Boanece sprang to his feet, and seizing a knife from the table started for Thompson, his eyes flashing like balls of fire and the chain clanking on the floor of the dining room, but his feet were so hampered by the chain that Thompson made good his escape. Boanece was assigned to a room upstairs, and closely guarded, but during the night he managed to give them the slip and made his way down stairs, but the outside doors were all locked, so that he could not get out, but finally groped his way into a back room and partly hid himself by getting behind, and partly crawling into a large heap of potatoes that was lying on the floor, and it was only after a long search with a lantern that he was finally found. A few days afterwards he was taken to St. Paul and locked up a short time, after which he was brought back and given a hearing and released for want of evidence. .After his release Boanece dressed himself in fantastic array, an equipment of eagle feathers forming the principal part of his costume, and went to a photogapher and had his likeness taken. Bobolink who Was arrested at Sandy Lake by Whitehead, Preston and Holland had been confined in the Ramsev Countv 400 A ProxEER History of Becker County. jail and was placed on trial January 15th, 1873. I was in Detroit at the time, and was occasionally in at the trial. Kimball Hay- den was the foreman of the jury, and during the trial was the best dressed man in the courtroom. I well remember his high silk hat and Prince Albert coat and the aristocratic air that he assumed. F. R. E. Cornell, who was the attorney general of the state, and who was prosecuting the case, took Hayden for an attorney when he first came, and inquired of him how many cases he had in court. The principal witness in the case was the prisoner himself, who acknowledged having a part in the murder, but accused Boanece and Mais-kuh-wah-be-tung of being the principals in the crime. Whitehead gave an account of the arrest of Bobolink at Sandy Lake, of his attempt to escape by jumping overboard while on their way down the river in a row-boat, of his subse((uent capture, and of their safe arrival at Brainerd. Judge Reynolds was the chief counsel for the prisoner and he was assisted by D. O. Preston of Brainerd, who assisted Whitehead to capture Bobolink at Sandy Lake. As there was no jail in the county. Bobolink was kept at the Wilson house in charge of Lars A. Larson, the sheriff. He wore shackles on both hands and feet. I was staying at the Wilson house myself at that time. Peter Schroeder, of Perham, the brewer, banker and mill owner, was working for his board at the Wilson house that winter. One evening after the night session of court was over Bobolink was left for a short time in charge of Schroeder and myself when he asked us something in Chip- pewa that we did not understand, so we called George W^ilson, the landlord to interpret for us, who said Bobolink wanted to know when they were going to "nepo" him. Mrs. F. K. Small, the sister of the murdered woman, Mrs. Cook, also stayed at the W^ilson house during the trial. Bobolink often complained of the savage looks the white squaw gave him. Bobolink died May 19th, 1873, in the Ramsey County jail. He was said to have starved himself to death. Soon after the murder of the Cook family, Boanece and K ab- a-ma-be were arrested on suspicion of being implicated in the crime, but after the arrest of Bobolink, he made a confession, charging Mais-kah-wah-be-tung with being the principal, and only party to the crime besides himself. Kab-a-ma-be had al- ready been released as there was not a particle of evidence A PioxKER History of Becker County. 401 against him, and Boanece was now allowed to go home, although he was considered a bad Indian and it was generally believed that he was one of the guilty parties. During Bobolink's trial, however, he made statements im- plicating Boanece as one of the three parties to the murder. Sometime early in February, 1873, the Indian excitement broke out. afresh. It was reported that Boanece, who was of mixed Sioux and Chippewa blood and who was now wanted for complicity in this terrible crime "was hiding in the vicinity of the White Earth Agency. James Whitehead who had so bravely and skillfully accomplished the capture of Bobolink at Sandy Lake was selected to make the arrest. He accordingly pro- ceeded to WHiite Earth, taking with him a small posse of men. Henry Way took the party from Oak Lake Station to White Earth with his team, and went with him to assist in making the arrest. They found him at the house belonging to Gams John- son and with him were half a dozen other Indians, the most desperate and dangerous characters on the Reservation all en- gaged in the Indian gambling game of mocasin. Whitehead shook hands with Boanece and told him he wanted him to go with him. He said, "Allright. I will go as soon as I can get ready," and stepping back picked up a double-barreled shotgun already cocked, and pointing it in Whitehead's face told him he did not propose to be choked to death like a dog, and ordered him to leave the place. He had two or three more guns at hand ready for use, and the other Indians were also armed to the teeth, and gathered around him. ready to take a hand in the fight, so AMiite- head decided to postpone the arrest until he could simimon ad- ditional help. He accordingly sent word to the governor of the state, who on the 15th of February ordered out a company of militia, con- sisting of forty men under the command of Lieutenant Dresser, all of Brainerd. They arrived at Oak Lake Cut in the afternoon on the five o'clock train. All the teams in the village were pressed into service, and some of the farmers in the vicinity were called upon to lend a hand to help. I was staying that night at the home of C. A. Sherman, my wife being away in Iowa for the winter. Just after I had gone to bed, a couple of men came after Sherman, and he started ofif with his team to take a load of soldiers to White Earth. It was late in the evening before 402 A PioNEiiR History of Becker County. the soldiers were loaded up, but tinall}- about eleven o'clock the teams started, six or seven together. The night was cold and storniv, the snow was deep and the roads badly drifted. Half the soldiers and some of the teamsters were drunk and by the time thev were well up into Richwood Township they were scat- BOANECE tered over the prairie in all directions. Some of them had lost the road, and others were stuck fast in the snow. About mid- night they met a messenger from \\'hite Earth who brought word that Boanece was no longer there, but had left for parts unknown and the whole arm}- made a race liack to Oak Lake and took the first train for Brainerd. A PioNi;E;R History of Beckkk County. 403 Extracts from the Audubon Journal. This paper was started in the fall of 1873 by P. P. and O. G. Wall. April 4, 1874. — A. K. Murray of White Earth, moved to Audubon last Monday. April II, 1874. — By a special act of the Legislature, passed in 1873, the village of Detroit voted to ta.x the township $5000 to corduroy the sinks about the village so that it could be reached. April 25, 1874. — When the county seat bill was defeated in the Senate last winter, the Detroiters hoisted flags and made other demonstrations of delight. Where are those flags now? Johnstonville is dumb on the county seat matter. The "Kunnel" and his "40 thieves" have gone into council, and an onslaught from any direction will not surprise us. "Look out for prairie fires. They begin to make their appearance at the north and west of us." — Detroit Record. To which the Audubon Journal replies : Yes, but there is no danger of them burning out the tamarack swamps near your place at this time of the year! May 30, 1874. — We are happy to inform the Record that the county seat of Becker County is now at Lake Park. We understand that the board of county commissioners will meet at the auditor's ofifice at Lake Park hereafter, that being the most convenient place for all concerned. Unpaid county orders now draw interest at 12 per cent, on and after July I, 1874, from date of filing until paid. July 18, 1874. — A cloud of grasshoppers from the British possessions passed over Dakota and into Minnesota, which reached from Moorhead to Mankato, a distance of 225 miles. Frank La Cross is putting up a new store building to accommodate his large and growing trade. August 28, 1874. — The fur trade has been lively during the past week. Rats brought as high price as 28 cents. Wheat 65 cents, oats 65 cents, and potatoes 40 cents. December 19, 1874. — The ice in Cormorant Lake is about two feet thick. Rats have fallen: — " 'Tis the saddest event of all the 'Glad New Year.' " Wheat is 70 cents and oats are 70 cents. Muskrats are 25 cents. The county seat in court. On the petition of Col. George H. Johnston of Detroit, Judge Stearns has issued a writ of mandamus, requiring the county commissioners of this county to provide offices for the county officers at the county seat or show cause why they do not do so. The hear- ing will be held on the 3rd day of February when it will be ascertained which is the county seat, the Detroit which was made the county seat in 404 A PinxEUR History of Becker County. 1857, or the Detroit which was not in existence until 1872, or some fifteen years after the act of legislature was passed locating the county seat. An- other warning to the people not to sign the Detroit petition for the abate- ment of state tax. We call on the people to be on their guard. January 23, 1875. — Rats are up again and everybody wears a smiling face. Wheat 75 cents, oats 65 cents, muskrats 28 cents and kits 17 cents. February 6th. — The case commenced by Colonel Johnston against the county commissioners which was heard by Judge Stearns on the 3rd inst. was dismissed on motion of the attorney for the county. This is the third time the colonel has failed to enforce his demands against the county. He has failed in two suits to recover $i,300' for a jail that the county doesn't want, and one to enforce the commissioners to pro- vide offices for the county officers at his town, so that he can pay his taxes by simply walking across the street while nine-tenths of the citizens of the county have to go to nearly the extreme eastern side of the set- tled portion of the county to transact their business with the covmty officials at the colonel's town, and all this simply to gratify and con- tribute to the wealth of this self-important, old Yankee speculator. Bitter fight of Colonel Johnston against McGrew and Dixon and Tor- gerson for raising county attorney's salary to $800. Ever since the com- ing into this county of the hoard of Detroit refugees they have made it a point to constantly belie and insult the foreign born population liv- ing in this region. February 20th, 1875. — People are again urged to systematically burn the prairies to prevent grasshoppers spreading. At a meeting at this place it was decided to call upon the people of the different towns to appoint committees at their annual town meetings, whose duty it will be to arrange matters in regard to the burning of the prairies. If things are allowed to take their course, the people will have themselves to blame if again overrun with grasshoppers. March 13, 1875. — Committees have been appointed to burn the prairies to prevent the increase of grasshoppers. Thirty of these several mem- bers of the dififerent committees were in town this week, and informed us that they are determined to do all in their power to make the war upon the hoppers a success. TREASURY DEPLETING TRIO. No. I. — Colonel Johnston vs. the County Commissioners of Becker County, suit, attorney for plaintifif, W. F. Ball, County attorney. No. 2. — Colonel Johnston vs. the County Commissioners of Becker County, attorneys for plaintiff, W. F. Ball and R. Reynolds. No. 3. — Colonel Johnston vs. same for mandamus. People of Becker County: THESE THREE VAMPIRES ARE SLOWLY BUT SURELY DRAINING YOUR TREASURY. The farmers of Cormorant Township intend putting in their regular crops this coming spring and run the risk of having them destroyed by grasshoppers. If pluck and energy will in any way effect the result the Cormorant farmers are bound to make a raise. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 405 Muskrat rates are as usual. Spring trapping promises to be lively. Trappers hereabouts are busily engaged at present building trapping boats and making other prepara- tions for the country rat campaign. — Audubon Journal. Mrs. West. The Rev. James Gurley. The Rev. James Gurley was born at Wexford, Ireland, in the year 1800. His parents left him with an aunt, when a very small child, while they went to England and then to America, where they settled at Sandusky, Ohio. Rev. James Gurley was 15 years old when he came to America to live with his parents. ^^'hile with them he became, like his father, a Methodist min- ister. At an early age he was married to a widow, Mrs. Wycouf, who had two children, a girl and a boy. He became a traveling minister and lived a number of years in Ohio, and had a large family of five boys and four girls. He owned a beautiful farm two miles from the city of Zanesville, Ohio, which he sold and invested in a portable sawmill at Pepin, Wisconsin. He still preached as well as looked after the sawmill. After a few years he moved his sawmill to Maxville, Wisconsin, and there traded it to a man to put up a building for a grist or flour mill, of which his son Benjamin owned a share. When living there in 1861 he adopted a daughter, Angelina Sankey, a girl about ten years old. About the same time, two of his sons went into the army. Benja- min went as captain of a company and Walter did a great deal of writing for army officers. They lived at Maxville a few years after the close of the war, and then traded the flour mill for a store at Wabasha, Minnesota, where his family resided for three years. The first year he preached whenever called on, the second year he was sent as chaplain to the Y. M. C. A. at Minneapolis, and the third year he was sent as a missionary to Brainerd. He be- came acquainted with a Richard Giffin and they came west to Becker County and took claims in the spring of 1871. By this time his store had failed in Wabasha. Farther Gurley located his claiin on the bank of a small lake on Section 18 of Audubon Township which he named Mission Lake, which is about half way between Audubon and Lake Park. Here he built a log cabin and made a garden and then returned by stage to Wabasha, where his family consisting of his wiie and adopted daughter had resided 4o6 A Pioneer History of Becker County. since buying the store, lie bought a team, and took the boat and went to St. Paul. He then drove through from St. Paul to Becker County, which took three weeks. On the way through the people were very kind ; all he had to do was to tell them that he was Father Gurley and a missionary for the Northern Pacific, and they were taken in free of cost, as mother and father. He came through without any accident, and settled on his claim in the latter part of July, 1871, and was the first resident preacher in the county. He held services or preached in Detroit and Oak Lake. His adopted daughter was married to Hamilton Kelly in the fall of 1872. In the same year he and his aged wife moved to Glyndon, from there to Audubon and thence to Detroit. Here they resided several years until his wife's health failed, then he took her back to live with their daughter Kate, or Mrs. Trimble, who lived in Bucyrus, Ohio, then he returned to Detroit, Minn. His wife lived for six months and died and was buried in the cemetery at Bucyrus, Ohio. His home was in Detroit, but he traveled along the North- ern Pacific Railroad from Moorhead to Detroit and preached un- til his health failed him. His daughter, Clara, or Mrs. Pomroy, who resided at St. Charles, Iowa, came up to Moorhead, where he was sick and took him back to her home, where he resided un- til his death. She had his remains buried alongside of his wife. In 1848, the Wyandotte Indians were removed from Ohio to their reservation in Kansas, and being opposed to slavery, they wished a minister from the North. At the annual conference of the M. E. Church in Cincinnati in 1848. volunteers were called for to fill the position and Mr. Gurley was chosen. The Southern people of Missouri and Arkansas being opposed to him on account of his anti-slavery preaching, conspired to kill him, but Mr. Gur- ley l)eing a Mason was taken under the care of members of that organization, and secretly gotten out of the territory during the night and his life spared and saved. The Masons placing him in a sleigh and covering him with buffalo robes, traveled sixty miles during the night to a place of safety. This is simply a little episode of his eventful life and is only one of a great many. Mrs. West. Walter Gurley. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 407 Dr. David Pyle. Dr. David Pyle, who was the first auditor of Becker County, and also the first notary public, was born in Ohio about 1825. When a young man he went farther west, and located I think in Morgan County, Illinois. His wife was a native of Missouri. Sometime in the early fifties, he in company with a man by the name of John B. Morgan, with their families crossed the great plains with teams and wagons, by way of the South Pass on their way to the then territory of Oregon. When in what is now Southern Idaho, Morgan had some trouble with his family, and left them, going north with a party of Indians. I came across this same Morgan in 1862, on the headwaters of the Mis- souri, living with a Blackfoot squaw, and following the occupa- tion of Indian trader and wild rover. He was afterwards hung by a vigilance committee. The Pyle family proceeded to Oregon, where they remained for several years. The next I know of them they were living in McLeod County, Minnesota, where he was elected to the legis- lature in the fall of 1868. The next spring he was appointed gov- ernment physician to A\ bite Earth, and in the fall of 1869 took a homestead on Sections 17 and 18, in what is now Audubon Town- ship, where he removed his family in the spring of 1870. When the county was organized. Dr. Pyle was appointed county auditor, which ofifice he held until the first Monday in March, 1872. He was appointed notary public by Gov. Austin, on the 3d of December, 1870, and his commission was recorded in Douglas County, to which Becker was then attached, on the 19th of January, 1871, and in Becker County on the loth of Janu- ary, 1872. Dr. Pyle left Becker County in the fall of 1873 with his family and went to northern Alabama, where he died somewhere about the year 1884. Captain Freeman K, Small. Freeman K. Small was born at Lubec, Maine, on the 6th day of June, 1837. WTien a boy he went to sea and passed through the dififerent grades, until he stood on the quarterdeck as master 4o8 A Pioneer History of Becker County. mariner, and for several years commanded vessels sailing" from the ])orts of Luhec and Eastport. Captain Small was married to ]Miss Jeanette Washburn, at her father's home on April loth, 1862, but he continued to follow the high seas for several years afterwards. He traveled over a large part of the world, includ- ing two trips to Africa. Mrs. Small accompanied her husband on several of these trips, but concluding she was never intended for a sailor, she persuaded him to abandon his occupation as sea rover and take up his trade as carpenter and builder, which he had learned in his younger years. Mrs. vSmall writing from her home at Bradford. Mass., Dec- ember 3rd, 1905, says: ]Mr. Small went to Leech Lake, Minn., in March, 1870, as carpenter and engineer of a steamboat on that lake, which was being run in the interest of the Indian farmers, by which they carried their oxen and plows to their different places around the lake. Our son Jake and myself went to Leech Lake in the following May. John Cook in the meantime was sent to White Earth from Leech Lake to look after the interests of the Indians there, and in July, 1S70, he got us transferred to White Earth with them. The follow- ing spring they took their homestead near Audubon and we went on our claim, which joined theirs, in April 1871, and lived there until Audubon became a railroad station when we built a house there and lived there several years. Aside from the trouble aiising from the murder of my sister's family, we enjoyed life out there very much, and often wished we had not come back so far east. W lun the Small family left Becker Count}- they took up their residence at Bradford, Mass., where he died on the 12th of March, 1903. Mrs. Small and two sons survive him. Mrs. F. K. SmalL Mrs. Jeanette ^^^ Small, wife of Capt. F. K. Small, and sister to Mrs. John Cook was born at Welchville, Maine, in the year 1839. Her maiden name was Washburn, and she is a relative of the celebrated W^ashburn family of Maine, that sent five brothers to Congress, four of whom were members of the House of Rep- resentatives at the same time. One of them afterwards a United States senator from Minnesota, another a governor of Wisconsin and still another. Elihu B. Washburn was minister to A Pione;er History of Becker County. 409 France during" Lincoln's administration, and had it not been for his powerful influence and persistent efforts, it is doubtful if Gen. Grant would ever have been advanced to the head of the Union Army. Mrs. Small is the namesake of the wife of Elihu B. Wash- burn, whose name was jeanette. Paul C. Sletten. Paul C. Sletten was born in Kvam, Gulbrandsdalen. Norway, February 26, 1841. He was the second eldest of four brothers and having" lost his father through his early death, he soon struck out to work his own way through life. From the time he was fourteen years old he worked in different positions, meanwhile improving every opportunity for study and education. At the age of twenty-one he went to work on a government railroad then under construction at Hadeland, Norway. At this time he found opportunity for studying" civil engineering and also commenced to read English. In 1867 he was married to Kari Berger of Hadeland, Norway, and two years later emigrated to the United States, landing in New York July 13, 1869. These were the days nf the building" of the Northern Pacific Railroad and fortified with letters of recommendation and creden- tials from Norwegian government engineers (among them one from Chief Engineer Pihl), he soon obtained a responsible posi- tion with the Northern Pacific Contractors. In the fall of 1870 a railroad camp was established at Oak Lake and work continued there throughout the winter. Here he was joined bv his wife and at this time took as a homestead the northeast quarter of Section 24, Township 139, Range 42 where they established their residence. He continued with the railroad people until the road reached Bismarck in 1873 when he returned to his home. Oak Lake was during" the railroad construction days a lively trading post and the surrounding countrv began to develop rapidly. Mr. Sletten was a man of great natural ability, an indefatigable worker and soon became deeply interested in the upbuilding and welfare of the new and promising settlement, taking a prominent place among the sturdy pioneer residents of Becker County. He was employed as clerk and manager in stores at Oak Lake and 4IO A Pioneer History of Becker County. later at Audiiljon, Minn, and after Becker County was organized he was in 1873 elected clerk of the District Court. In 1875 he received from President Grant the appointment as receiver of public funds of the United States Land Office at Detroit. He was reappointed to this position in 1879, the office then having been removed to Crookston. His family followed him there in 1880. He retained his Becker County interests and was frequently seen among his numerous Becker County friends. He was on in- timate terms with many of the leading public men of his day and prominent in the councils of his party. In politics he was a staunch Republican and fought many hard battles for his party. In the famous Nelson-Kindred congressional campaign he threw his strength with the "Little Norwegian from Alexandria" and was credited with a good share of the Nelson victory. In 1883 he was again appointed receiver, thus having the honor of being appointed to the same office by three different presidents, but served only one year of his third term. He died at his Crookston home of inflammation of the bowels, July 8th, 1884. and is survived by the widow, Mrs. Kari Sletten and five daughters. The family later removed to their Oak Lake homestead where they built a comfortable home and continued to reside until 1902 when they sold the farm and Mrs. Sletten established her resi- dence at Audubon, ]\Iinn. The surviving children are: Mrs. Josephine S. Bailey of Min- neapolis, Miss Caroline L. Sletten of Audubon, Mrs. Nicoline C Netland of Audubon, Mrs. Sophie W. Netland of Northfield, Minn, and Miss Cora P. Sletten of Audubon, Minn. A. O. Netland. Hon. James G. McGrew. James G. McGrew was Ijorn near Indianapolis, Indiana, De- cember 23, 1833, 'ii''*^! came to Freeborn County, Minn., in 1855. He enlisted in Company B, Fourth Minnesota Infantry, and w'as stationed at Fort Ridgely, Minnesota, during the summer of 1862, participating in the battle of Redwood, and in the defence of Fort Ridgley against the Sioux Indias, in which battle twenty- five of its members were killed and were buried near where the fort stood. Captain Timothy Sheehan and Lieutenant McGrew were the two heroes of the battle. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 411 He was afterwards with his regiment in the siege of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and several other battles, remaining with his regiment to the close of the war, being mustered out in Ala- bama Sept. 6, 1865. He located in Fillmore County, and in 1868 was elected to the state legislature, and removed to Becker County in the spring of 1871, taking a homestead on the southeast cjuarter of Section 10 in Audubon Township. He was admitted to the bar in 1872 and in the fall of 1873 was elected to the office of county attorney, which office he held for four years. He removed to Crookston in 1879. Mrs. West. Captain ]\IcGrew died at St. Paul on the 30th day of January, 1907. ]Mrs. Hattie E. Goodrich of Oak Lake died on February 24th. in her 37th year, followed by the death of her husband, Guy H. Goodrich, on December 6th. Mr. Goodrich was born in Attica, New York; came to Crow Wing in 1869; followed up the N. P. R. R. and came here in 1870. He was engaged with Fletcher & Bly Co., contractors- He took a farm at Oak Lake on which he lived until his death. Mrs. Goodrich was, in pre- vious years of her life, connected with the Baptist church at Milwaukee. On Nov. 22nd William McKinstry "fell on sleep." His had been an eventful life. Born at Westminster, Vt., on June 14th, 1795, he went as a 3'oung- man to western New York. He was ordained a deacon of the INIethodist Episcopal Church by Bishop Elijah Hedding, in the village of Perry, N. Y., September 24th, 1837, and became a circuit rider of that church on a salary of about $100 a year and necessary traveling expenses. For between twenty and thirty years he labored in western New York along the Alleghany River, and in northern Pennsylvania, spend- ing most of his time on horseback, traversing the country, fording rivers, holding camp-meetings, attending revivals, preaching and praying wherev- er he found opportunity, and dealing with the spiritual interests and ex- periences of all sorts of people. He came into Stearns County, Minn., in 1867, and to Becker County in the fall of 1871. He passed away at the home of his son, L. C. ^IcKinstry, at Audubon, a good man and full of years of service for his Divine ]\Iaster in the ^lethodist Episcopal Church. He died November 22, 1882. ^Irs. West. Rev. Geo. W. Brownjohn. 412 A PioNEKR History of Becker County. Chapter XXIII. LAKE PARK TOWNSHIP. The first settlers in Lake Park Township were George Os- borne and Daniel McKay, who came into the township in April, 1870. They located on Section 36. and what has since been called the Jonas Errickson farm was one of their claims. They were both single men and left the conntry soon after they had pro\-ed np on their land. The next settler was John Cromb, who came into the town- ship on the 20th of May, 1870, and took np land on Sections 26, 34 and 35. The same farm is now the home of John O'Day. ^Irs. John Cromb came with him, and was the first white woman who settled in the townshi]). John Cromb. John Cromb was born in Perthshire, Scotland, on the 27th day of February, 1843, and came to the United States in June, 1S69. He came directly to Balmoral, Otter Tail County, Minn., where he remained until the next spring" when he came to Becker Coun- ty, locating- in Lake Park Township on the 20th day of ^lay, 1870. Mr. Cromb was a member of the first board of county com- missioners of Becker County, being appointed to that ofiice by Governor Horace Austin at the time of the organization of the county in March, 1871. He was the first county auditor elected by the people, which office he held until the fall of 1881 when he resigned to accept the appointment of register of the United States Land ( )fiice at Crookston, Minn., which ofiice he held until after the election of President Cleveland in 1884. Since that time he has been president of the Merchants' Na- tional Bank of Crookston. where he has resided since the fall of 1881. Mrs. F. M. Higley, now of Spokane Falls, Wash., who came to Lake Park ToAvnship early in June, 1870, says: We came to Becker County on the loth day of June, 1870. We had four children. There were ten others in the party; Harry Chamberlain, JOHN CROMB. CHRIST E. BJORGE. OI.F. BJORCIE. OLIVER TAYLOR. 414 A Pioneer History of Becker County. wife and one child; John Higley, wife and three children; James N. Cham- berlain and Charlie Morgan. Abner and John Chamberlain did not come at that time. I think Wash. Dixon came a little later than we. He was not with our party. We came a few days after John Cromb, George Osborne and Dan McKay. We left St. Charles, Minn., on the loth day of May, with ox teams and covered wagons, arriving in what is now Lake Park Township just one month from the time we started, the loth of June. The weather was very rainy, and as we had to cook by camp-fires it was rather unpleasant at times, but on the whole we had rather an enjoyable time. Flora Moore taught the first school in Lake Park Township. Mrs. Frank M. Higley. HISTORY OF LAKE PARK TOWNSHIP. Bv Christen E. Bjorge. Christen E. Bjorge is one of the old settlers of this county. He is a native of Norway, and was born in Ringibn, Gudbransdalen. on the 6th day of October, 1850. He is the son of Erick and Mary Bjorge. Mr. Bjorge. the subject of this sketch, remained in his native land attending school until 1867, and at the age of seventeen he emigrated to the United States and settled in Ver- non County, Wisconsin, where he remained for three years. To get a somewhat connected idea of Mr. Bjorge's history, I will in his own words give the following taken from the Becker County Journal : "To get a somewhat connected idea of what I am about to re- late it will be better to begin at the time I left Coon Prairie, Wis- consin, and started on my romantic search for land. The day dawned on which I decided to start ; the second day of May, 1870. Many friends were present to bid us good-by and wish us good luck on our journey. It was hard to bid these friends good-by, but our decision could not be changed ; we must look for a home but where we knew not. Still we would follow Greeley's advice and "Go West." The oxen bought for the occasion were hitched up and off we started sometimes at a gallop, sometimes in the road and sometimes out as they were unbroken and would mind noth- ing. Thus we journeyed until about to ascend a steep hill which leads from Coon Prairie to what was known as the Dutch Ridge. Before we reached the top, the oxen lost all patience and made a manoeuver which overturned the wagon and broke the tongue and A Pioneer History of Becker County. 415 finally they got loose. We lashed the broken tongue and continued our journey, arriving at La Crosse late that night, tired and dis- couraged by our first day's trip. We partook of a meager supper, crept into our wagon, and soon fell into a refreshing sleep. The next day we left La Crosse, crossing- the Mississippi on a ferry. On the Minnesota side the bank of the river was very steep and we came near having an accident. Our untrained oxen again showed their contrariness by backing up instead of going forward and another step backward would have plunged the whole outfit into the Mississippi, which here with majestic strength and splendor rushes by on its way to the gulf, ready to swallow and carry along whatever came in its way. But good fortune assisted us. The wagon was stopped by a projecting rock. We unhitched the oxen in a hurry, and drove them to the top of the hill. We had to unload and carry everything- up the hill by hand. A passer- by with a team of horses pulled the wagon up for us, and we again proceeded on our journey. We cast a last look back to bid our dear Wisconsin good-by. La Crosse lay calmly smiling in the rays of the rising sun, but a treacherous enemy, the Mississippi, stretched out between us. This early in the spring the pasturage for our oxen was poor, and consequently we had to proceed very slowly the first week so as not to tire our animals. To mention all the daily occurrences would take up too much space. But I thought it would interest both old and young to hear something about the "redskins" at this time when they were a constant menace to those breaking up the prairie or clearing the forest to get a home for themselves and their families. The young people of to-day can hardly imagine what the pioneers had to experience, sufifer and overcome. We moved slowly onward and arrived at Otter Tail City about the middle of June, and met several land seekers who I will men- tion individually. Martin Olson was just back from a trip to Becker County, where he had found a home and was to return with his family. Mr. Olson described the country with brightest colors, and all the company agreed to go and look it over. From Otter Tail City (at that time an insignificant Indian village) to Becker County, there were no roads, only Indian trails. To go over these roads with heavy loads was next to impossible in many places. In the southern part of Becker County we had to cross a swamp which 4i6 A PioNEKR History of Becker County. caused us much trouble and hardship ; but cross it we must as we could discover no way around it. Consequently we had to bridge the swamp which took both time and strength, as the necessary materials had to be carried in. At last the bridge was finished, but it was not the best. Then seven or eight yoke of oxen were hitched to each wagon, and off we started across the swamp. Here it was necessary to hurry along the rear teams, and when these fell through the leaders were hurried on to pull out those which fell through the bridge. In this way we finally got everything across. The caravan proceeded slowly until we arrived at Detroit Lake. Here we drove along the beach until we came to a place where a stream flowed into the lake. To cross this stream was next to impossible. In the first place it was very deep and there were high banks on the other side which we could not climb. In order to cross we would either have to build a bridge or drive into the lake around the mouth of the stream. We decided to do the latter. We raised the wagon boxes so as to save our provisions if possible. The water, however, was deeper than we had antici- pated, and several got their baggage soaked. When in the stream, a yoke of our oxen lost all patience and seemingly thought it better to end their miserable existence by committing suicide. Where the water was deepest and onl}^ the oxen's horns were visible, they lay down and disappeared from sight. At this time good advice was appreciated. Chains were brought in a burr}', and with the aid of two yoke of cattle we saved both the oxen and the wagon. The poor animals that again saw daylight against their wills made a few grimaces, but otherwise seemed no worse off for their plunge bath. June 24th, 1870, we passed the site on which Detroit, our county seat, now stands ; the plains looked lonely and desolate. Who would at that time have thought that this would have been our county metropolis, and from its county halls justice would be dealt out to our people. We proceeded steadily though slowly further and further west, nearer and nearer to our goal. Four or five miles west of Detroit the country l)ecame more open, being mostly prairie with groves here and there, with lakes, full of fish, scattered in all directions. We soon arrived at the place where Lake Park is now situated. We halted and pitched camp, were satisfied with our surroundings A PioNivKR IlisTdUv oi" Becker County. 417 and the beautiful Goshen we had taken possession of. Not least did the women enjoy the assurance that now their trials and suf- ferings were at an end, and they could view the future with hope- ful eyes. The trip had lasted nearly two months, and you need not wonder that we felt the need of a rest, a chance for a general cleaning up. The next morning we were all early on our feet, driven by the blood-thirsty, long-legged mosciuitoes which seemed to have no pity for the pale-faces who now made their conquest here. The day dawned clear and bright, and when the sun's rays caressed the tops of the trees, the numerous birds struck up a beautiful morning song, expressing their happiness and satisfaction at being able to live and Iniild their homes in this part of nature's domain. The land seekers breakfasted, and were soon ready to strike out for the choice of a home. Each started in his own direction, while the cattle were left at the camp to be cared for by the women and children. By nightfall most of the land seekers were back, and had found what they had sought, a home for themselves and theirs. All took up land near the timber. The party, among the first settlers of this township, scattered as one after the other got ready and moved his family and belongings to the place chosen for their future home. AA"e arrived at the place in Section 8 which be- came our home on June 28th, 1870. The first thing we did was to build a claim shanty, its size was ten by twelve feet, seven feet high at the ridge. I had half a window facing the south. The roof was composed of poplar poles and hay, with clay on top. It soon showed that we were not master builders, as all the rain that fell on the roof streamed through into what we called a bed. The bed was made from a couple of oak logs three feet long, laid six feet apart and covered with poles. There was no floor in the cabin, and when it rained there was little comfort within. Table we had none, but used a box which we had brought with us. We made stools out of oak logs, leaving a part of a limb on for a handle. There was little said about the necessary housefurnishing, as lumber and the neces- sary tools were not to be had. All we had was an old ax, and with such a tool it was hard to manufacture the furniture. In the summer of 1870 we broke a few acres wdiich were seeded in 1871, but the grasshoppers came and took it all ; the same happened in 1872. In 1873, we had no grasshoppers but then we had a very 4i8 A Pione;e;r History of Becker County. small area seeded. The reason for this was that so many were of the opinion that we would again be visited by the grasshoppers, and also that so many were too poor to buy seed wheat. In 1874-5, the grasshoppers again ravaged the country so that there was nothing left for bread for the poor farmers. When I say that the grasshoppers were so numerous that they stopped railroad trains you will perhaps doubt it, but it is a fact that the insects would alight on the rails in such numbers that the rails would become slippery, and the trains could not move. These continuous failures, together with other obstacles and disappointments, caused many to lose heart. This must be said of the Norwegian ; he is tough and determined to hold out ; at least that was the case here." During these years of privation few moved away to other localities, but most of the first settlers remained. Many will perhaps wonder how so many could hold out for such a length of time without getting any crops. It must be said that the railroad, the Northern Pacific, which runs through here was built to Lake Park in the fall of 187 1, and this gave the farmers a chance to earn a little, both by their own work and the work of their ox teams. If the Northern Pacific had not been built at that time I dare say everybody would have been starved out of Becker County. Even when we first settled here we lived in constant fear of the many Indians we had to mingle with. They had their homes on the White Earth Reservation, in Becker County. It soon became apparent that the Indians were not friendly to the whites, who were overrunning their hunting grounds. In the fall of 1870 the Indians set fire to a stack of hay belong- ing to a farmer named Gunder Carlson, and when he went out to investigate he was shot from behind by an Indian. Mr. Carlson received six buckshot in the back and died two years later from the effects of the wounds. In the fall of 1871 a family by the name of Johnson were killed by the Indians, and in the spring of 1872 another family consisting of five persons were killed. These atroci- ties put fear and unrest in our minds, and made the situation very grave. In May, 1872, a message was sent out that the Indians were gathered on the White Earth Reservation for a council. Their war spirit gathered strength as their meeting progressed. The Indians had even donned their war paint, and were dancing A Pionee;r History or" Becker County. 419 the war dance. There was at that time a minister on the reser- vation, who sent the settlers word about the doings of the In- dians. When war-like rumors came out, the settlers of Lake Park Township gathered at Lake Park to discuss what had best be done. The most careful were chosen as leaders, and it was decided to build a fort on a little hill south of where our peace- ful little village. Lake Park, now stands, with extensions on each corner so that firing could be done along the sides of the fort from the inside, railroad ties were set upright in these ditches, and the dirt tramped in again. Port-holes were arranged here and there around the fort. Women and children were brought in- side the stockade. Some of the men were placed as sentinels while others were stationed at the port-holes to receive the ex- pected enemy. The settlers remained here for several days. Meanwhile there was nobody at home to care for the stock, so these animals were obliged to shift for themselves as best they could. The warlike Indians did not come. The reason was that the above mentioned minister had brought his influence to bear upon them. Their minister was a steadfast friend of the white settler and he, next to God, m'ust be thanked for our deliverance. When the settlers received the good news that all danger was over for the time being, each one proceeded to his own home. In 1876 there was another fear of Indian uprising, but then, as before, it was frustrated by the peaceful ones who were more friendly to the whites. Thirty-five years ago nobody would have thought that at this time Becker County would become such an important county in the state. It is not only one of the handsomest counties in the state, but the farmers and the inhabitants are as a whole well-to-do, not to say rich. Especially in the western part we see on every hand well cultivated farms and substantial buildings. Large herds of cattle are now grazing where not many years ago herds of buflfalo were found. C. E. BjORGE. Mr. C. E. Bjorge was united in marriage to Miss Dina Hamre on the 28th day of October, 1875. Miss Hamre was born in Goodhue County, Minnesota, and was the daughter of John and Emily Hamre, both natives of Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Bjorge have been blessed with six children, Edwin, Julia, Annie, Oscar, Rhoda, and Leona. 420 A Pioneer History of Becker County. ^Ir. Bjorge was appointed ])ostmaster at Lake Park under Cleveland's first administration. He conducted the ofifice with credit and satisfaction both to himself and all concerned. He was presi- dent of the village for a few years, then assessor of the township, and Avas census enumerator in 1880 and 1890. and clerk and member of the board of education. Mr. Bjorge is a man of good business abilities and qualifications, and has been successful in whatever business he has been engaged. Ole E. Bjorge. The Scandinavian peninsula has been conspicuous for the pro- duction of a strong, honest, energetic type of men, and has furnished some of the most progressive and enterprising of the settlers of the Northwest. They have helped to bring this region into a high state of development and civilization. They have proved themselves to be progressive, intelligent, and worthy citizens. The early settlers of Lake Park Township were mostly Scandinavians, and no more thrifty agricultural locality can be found in the Northwest. Ole E. Bjorge, the subject of this biographical sketch, was the first settler in the western part of Lake Park Township and has aided materially in its progress and development. Ole J. Bjorge was born in Ringibu, Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, September loth, 1845, and was raised on a farm in his native land. His father, Eric O. Bjorge, was born in Norway, March 25th, 1 82 1, and died at Lake Park, Minnesota, December 20th, 1902. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Christenson Losness, was born in Norway, and died at Coon Prairie, Wiscon- sin, November 20th, 1869. The parents of Ole E. Bjorge were not people of wealth, and when only a young boy he was put to heavy work. On April 6th, 1866, he bade adieu to his home, parents and friends and set sail for America. The journey across the sea was made in a sail ship, and it took seven weeks to reach America. Mr. Bjorge was the first of the family to come to America, and was the means of the family settling in this country. In 1868, Mr. Bjorge was married to Mary H. Sandsness. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Halvor Sandsness,. were both born in Norway. She was born in Sandsness, Bjorsogton, Norway, November 14th, 1845. ^"^l came A PioNEUR History of Becker County. 421 to America in 1866. Her parents are both dead; her father having died in Norway and her mother at Rushford, Minnesota. Three children have been born of this marriage, namely : Henry, born March 7th, 1871 ; Edwin, born May 17, 1878; and Minnie, now Mrs. H. Himrum, born December 8th, 1882. Ole E. Bjorge and his brother, Christen, arrived in Becker County, Minnesota, in June, 1870, coming all the way acoss the country from Wis- consin with an ox team and a covered wagon. Detroit then con- sisted of a few Indian tents, and the country was entirely without roads. Ole E. Bjorge and his brother, Christen Bjorge, both took claims in Lake Park Township. Ole built a house in Section 8, which was the first log cabin in the western part of Lake Park township. The first years were full of hardship, and all the farm- ing was done with oxen, and supplies had to be hauled a distance of over one hundred miles ; besides the grasshoppers destroyed the crops for several years. The Indians were a source of dread and caused a great deal of trouble and anxiety to the early settlers. The country was then filled with wild game, and the Indians looked with suspicion upon the invasion of the white man which would eventually decrease the size of the territory over which he could roam and hunt. Several families were massacred by the Indians in the adjoining townships, and the report helped to spread con- sternation among the settlers. It became customary for the settlers in the evenings to take a look around the country to ascertain if there were any suspicious Indians gathered around. One evening in the fall of 1871, as Ole Bjorge was spying around from the top of a hill to see if there were any Indians in view, he saw a large prairie fire in the north and against the flames he could plainly see a crowd of men coming towards his farm. In a moment, he heard several shots discharged in the same direction and Ole felt certain it meant an Indian outbreak, and he ran to the house and told the family that the Indians were coming and that they should run to the home of G. T. Johnson, which w^as only a few rods away. He then warned his father, Erick, and family, and they all rushed to the home of Mr. Johnson. Here they made preparations for self- defense. Johnson was stationed at the door with a gun and Erick held the powder horn and the bullet bag and Ole held an ax. The women and children were in the cellar. The house was surrounded with heavy timber on all sides and at a short distance below the house was a large slough filled with heavy grass. Ed. Bjorge, 422 A Pioneer History of Becker County. who was then a boy, crawled down the hill and hid himself in the heavy grass of the slough and in case of an attack by the Indians, Ed. would probably have been the only one to survive. There during that long and strenuous night stood the brave and fearless men, ready to sacrifice their lives, in a new and unsettled country, for the protection of themselves and families. Early in the morn- ing, while it was still dark, an object was discerned crawling up the hill toward the house. "There is one of the Indians," whispered Johnson, "and in a second he will be dead." He raised the hammer, put the gun to his shoulder, took aim to be sure of the object, and was ready to fire. "Wait," whispered Ole, "it looks like Ed." Johnson hesitated a minute and in the meantime it was discovered that it was actually "Ed." The night was cold and being chilled to the bones Ed. was unable to hold out in the slough any longer, and made up his mind to seek shelter in the house. It was a narrow escape from meeting a tragic death. Morning at last dawned and no Indians had been seen. Later it was learned that the men who had been seen on the prairie in the evening were not Indians at all but a number of railway men who had gone to attend a dance and on their way discharged their revolvers. Mr. Bjorge was a hard and efficient worker, and as the result of many years of labor he had converted the farm into one of the finest and most productive in Becker County. Additional land was acquired by purchase so that the farm now includes three hundred and sixty acres. A complete set of good and substantial buildings have been erected which have converted the farm into a home of more than usual comfort. In July, 1899, Mr. Bjorge was stricken with paralysis and died on the 9th of July of that year. He was buried in the cemetery of the Norwegian Synod at Lake Park. Mr. Bjorge was highly esteemed and respected by all those with whom he was acquainted, and the funeral was one of the largest ever held in the western part of Becker County. It must be said to his credit that he always intended that justice should be observed among men, and all his dealings were marked with the highest degree of honesty and in- tegrity. He stood for a "square deal." Politically he was a Dem- ocrat and attended numerous conventions of his party. He was a memljer of the Lutheran church, as was also his familv, and bv A Pione;er History of Becker County. 423 his death the community lost a most worthy citizen and one of the pioneers of Becker County. Henry O. Btorge. Jonas Erickson. Jonas Erickson was born August i6th, 1848, in IModelford, Sweden. His parents were farmers. He came to America in 1857 and settled in Iowa. He was married to Olava Aas, a native of Sweden. Their marriage has been blessed with six children, of which Lewis, Annie and Christian are still living. Three are dead. On the nth day of June, 1870, he settled on his farm on Sec- tions 2 and 3 in Lake Park Township. On the 19th day of September, 187 1, he was elected chairman of the board of supervisors. On the 21st day of December, 1871, he was elected the first treasurer of School District No. 2, and on the 1 2th day of March, 1872, he was elected assessor in this town- ship. Gustav Jacobson. Gustav Jacobson is one of the early settlers of this township. There are perhaps few who occupy a more prominent place than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr. Jacobson is a native of Norway. He was born in 1848. Came to America in the year 1866. In 1876 Jacobson was united in marriage to Miss Inga Olson, a native of Norway. Their marriage has been blessed with two children — Julius and Caroline. In the summer of 1870, he came to this township, and settled on Section 30, where he has carried on agricultural operations and has been one of the most successful farmers in this township. Oliver Taylor. One of the first settlers in the western part of Becker County was Oliver Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a native of the state of Ohio, being born there in the year 1828. While a boy he accompanied his parents to Indiana and in the early "fifties" went to Minnesota and settled in Kandiyohi County. In 1862, however, just before the Indian outbreak, he returned to Indiana. After a few years' 424 A Pioneer History of Becker County. stay he again went to Minnesota and arrived in Becker County in the summer of 1870. He in company with two other gentlemen by the name of Clark and Haney first stopped at Richwood, where Mr. Haney located on the Buffalo River with a view of building a mill. Mr. Taylor left Richwood and took up a claim on Section 2 of the township of Lake Park, where he remained during the following winter with nothing but his dog and horses for his O. I. BERG. GUS. JACOBSON. companions. In the summer of 187 1, he brought up his family to live on the claim where they together endured the various trials of frontier life. In 1876 he sold his farm to Thomas H. Canfield and with his family moved to Tennessee, thence to Missouri, where his wife died in 1878. With his two daughters, he returned to Lake Park where they remained a short time, and then settled in Marshall County, Minn., and where he was elected the first audi- tor of that county. Mr. Taylor died in Lake Park Township on the fourth of November, 1899. George Goodrich came here in the summer of 1870 and settled on Section 14. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 425 Gudm F. Johnson. Mr. Gudm F. Johnson was born in Norway, June nth, 1844. His parents were both Norwegians. He came to the United States in August, 1866, sta>-e(l a few years in Wisconsin and then moved to Minnesota. Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Anne E. Bjorge, May 23rd, 1869. He arrived at Oak Lake, Becker County, June 28th, 1871, and later in the same year purchased some railroad land in the western part of Lake Park Township. At the first town meet- ing held in the township of Lake Park, at that time called the town of Liberty, Mr. Johnson was elected on the board of township supervisors. He stayed in Becker County a short time, and went to Minneapolis in 1872. At Minneapolis he became associated with Mr. Jedde in editing and publishing a Norwegian weekly news- paper by the name of Budstckkcii. This was a Democratic organ, and for many years w^as the leading Norwegian newspaper in the state. Even Nelson. Even Nelson was born in Lillejord, Telemarken, Norway, June 23rd, 1842. In 1859, Mr. Nelson, for the purpose of obtaining an education, entered a seminary and graduated from the same in the spring of 1861. In the- fall following he was given a position as school teacher, and followed this profession for a period of six years. In 1867, he was married to Birget Overson, w4io was also a native of Norway. She is a relative of Halvor Steenerson, the present congressman from this district. Mr. Nelson made up his mind to try his fortune across the sea, and shortly after his marriage, he and his wife started on their voyage to the United States, coming to Kashkenomghe Prairie, Dane County, Wisconsin. He remained there for three years. During this time he was engaged in teaching the Norwegian language in the adjoining Scandinavian districts. The homesteads in this district were all taken up, and as Mr. Nelson did not possess sufficient means to purchase land he made up his mind to go where he could obtain a free farm of his own. Con- sequently on the 17th day of May, 1870, he and his wife, in com- pany with several others, left Madison, Wisconsin, and on the 3d day of July arrived in the western part of Becker County. It will 426 A PioxEER History of Becker County. be observed that the trip consumed one month and a half. This was due to the fact that the journey had to be made by the use of oxen, some of which were old and slow. And also to the fact that the long distance had to be traveled without any roads what- ever. Mr. Nelson took up a homestead on Section 30 of Lake Park Township, on which he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been blessed with a family of nine children, nearly all of whom are full grown and all are living. Four of them are married. Mr. Nelson has not been lacking in energy and thrift in the building up of a comfortable home. His farm, by successful cultivation, has been brought to a high degree of fertility, and the well-con- structed buildings bear evidence of success and prosperity. Johannes Bjornstad. Johannes Bjornstad was born in Norway in August, 1814, came to America in 1869. and in July, 1870, located on Section 24 of Lake Park Township, where he continued to reside until the time of his death, which occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Goodrich, on the 22d day of October, 1899. He was the father of Olof, Michael and John Bjornstad. M. Bjornstad. Mr. AI. Bjornstad is the owner of a fine farm in the eastern part of Lake Park Township. He is a Norwegian, born in Roken, Norway, September 29th, 1849. ^^^ his youth he decid- ed to leave his native country and emigrate to the United States and in June, 1868, he arrived in America. Inspired with the hope of finding a home of his own he proceeded to Minnesota and on the 4th day of July, 1870, arrived in Becker County. He took up a homestead in Section 13 of Lake Park Town- ship, where he still resides. On July 29th, 1873, Mr. Bjornstad was married to Miss Josephine Halvorson, and at the present time Mr. and Mrs. Bjornstad are the proud parents of twelve children, six boys and six girls, George, Joseph, Bendike, Wil- helm, Gabriel, Ferdinand; and Cornelia, Helena, Marie, Nora, Julia and Alma. Mr. Bjornstad has held several township of- fices such as supervisor, road overseer, and school director. In A Pioneer History of Becker County. 427 politics, Mr Bjornstad has been associated with the repubhcan party. He is also a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. By active work and industry he has constructed on his farm large and comfortable buildings in which he and his family now enjoy the comfort and blessings of modern farm life. Olaus Bjornstad. Olaus Bjornstad resides on Section 13 in Lake Park Town- ship ; he has made farming his vocation, and is one of the most prominent farmers in the eastern part of the township. Mr. Bjornstad is a native of Norway, being born in Roken, Norway, February 21st, 1847. ^^ the age of tw^enty-four, full of vigor and strength with the hope of finding a place where he could use his energy to better advantage than in his native land, he made up his mind to go to America and after a success- ful voyage arrived in the United States in June, 1869. Having heard of the fertile land in Minnesota, Mr. Bjornstad proceeded westward in search of a home. He finally arrived in Becker County and on the 8th day of November, 1870, took up a home- stead in the eastern part of Lake Park Township. He worked on the road bed of the Northern Pacific Railway during the summer of 1871, and during the fall and summer of 1872 served as watchman on the fencing train of the Northern Pacific. Mr. Bjornstad was also engaged as clerk in the store of Holmes & Phinney in Detroit, and after serving in this capacity for one year and a half he moved out to his homestead. May 20th, 1875, he was married to Marie Beaver. As a result of this marriage nine children were born, most of whom are now full grown. Of these there are six girls, Clara, Thea, Selma, Olga, Inga and Holda; also three boys, John, Oscar and Adolph. He has held many positions of honor and trust. In the fall of 1871 he was present at a meeting at which the organiza- tion of the township was affected and was elected one of its first officers. He served as county commissioner at the time of the building of the Becker County court-house and for many years he has served as a member of the board of supervisors, and also as a member of the school board. At the present time he is chairman of the board of town supervisors. He is a mem- ber of the Norwegian Lutheran church. 428 A I'loxEER History of Becker County. Mr. Bjornstad has put up many fine and substantial build- ings on his farm which show evidence of the general prosperity, so characteristic among the farmers in the western part of Beck- er County. Andrew A. Houglum. Andrew A. Houglum was born at Arnefjord, Sogn, Nor- way, August 27th, 1855. H^s parents were of Norwegian birth and lived on a farm, but were in ])oor circumstances. In those days the people made their own clothing; the men wore knee pants and long stockings. Wooden shoes were of universal use. The children, as soon as they l^ecame of sufficient age, learned to make their own wooden shoes, and at the age of twelve Mr. Houglum made his first pair. In 1869, at the age of fourteen he in company with his parents left his home on his journey for America. Before they reached Bergen the steamer on which they were passengers struck on a rock, but fortunate- ly the ship was not seriously damaged. At Bergen they boarded a sailing ship, and at the end of three weeks landed safely in Quebec, Canada. From there they proceeded to Goodhue Coun- ty, Minnesota, arriving on the 15th day of June. Mr. Houglum heard of the fertile soil in the great Red River country, and in 1871 in company with his brother started for Becker County. He took up a homestead in the western part of Lake Park Town- ship. His brother Ole also took up a homestead nearl)y ; he died some years ago. When Mr. Houglum left Goodhue County, all he possessed was fifty dollars. The journey to Becker County was made with oxen and was necessarily slow and tedious. He was mar- ried in 1883, ^iid as the result of his marriage eight children have been born. Mr. Houglum has always taken an active interest in the development of the western part of Becker County, and for many years has been a member of the board of supervisors for Lake Park Township. In politics he has been associated with the principles of the republican party. He is also a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Christen E. Bjorge. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 429 Nels Nelson. Nels Nelson is a prosperous farmer residing- on Section 6 of Lake Park Township. Mr. Nelson was born in Appelbo, Dalarne, Sweden, April 5th, 1837. He was married in Sweden when he was twenty-two years old, and at the age of thirty- three set sail for America with his wife and three children, ar- riving at New York, July 3d, 1870. From New York he pro- ceeded westward as far as Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he re- mained until the following- spring. Early in the spring he pur- chased a pair of horses and a bob-sleigh and with his family pro- ceeded toward the West. Arriving at Sauk Center, he left his family behind in a small log shanty and proceeded on the journey until he finally arrived at the place of John O. Johnson near Audubon. Being informed by Mr. Johnson that there were homesteads to be had, Mr. Nelson hurried back after his family and on the 4th day of April, 1871, they arrived sound and healthy in the northwestern part of Lake Park Township, where he de- cided to take a homestead. One month and four days were con- sumed in journeying from AA^isconsin to this place, because of snow-storms and the bad condition of the roads. The family had to walk nearly the entire distance. After a few years Mr. .Nelson acquired more land by pur- chase from the railroad company, so that his farm now comprises three hundred acres of the finest agricultural land. Mr. Nelson is a member of the Lutheran church, and has assisted in building one of the finest Lutheran churches in this part of the state. This church is situated in the northwestern part of Lake Park TowMiship, and has been constructed of brick and stone at the cost of twelve thousand dollars. This magnifi- cent edifice for religious worship stands as a living monument to the imtiring energy and the industry of the sturdy pioneers, who by the sacrifice of their labor and money have contributed to its construction. As has been related in the beginning of this sketch Mr. Nelson has been eminently successful in following the pursuits of agriculture. The numerous and well construct- ed buildings on his farm bear evidence of a successful and pros- perous life. 430 A Pioneer History of Becker County. John G. Norby. John G. Norby, one of the most successful and prosperous farmers of Becker County, resides on his farm in Section 5 of Lake Park Township. Mr. Norby was born on the farm Ekern in Berum, Askers, Norway, November 17th, 1837. In 185 1, his father died and the following year Mr. Norby with his mother and five sisters and one brother removed to his grandfather's farm, Norby, where he lived until 1867. On June 21st, 1858, he was married to Thorena Larson. She was born on the I2th day of November, 1835, on a farm Okeri-Berum, Norway. On April 12th, 1867. Mr. Norby with his entire family consist- ing of his wife and five children, Gustav, Dorthea, Lousie, now Mrs. C. K. Ekern, Lars, Ludvig and Adolph, and also his mother and four sisters, took passage by steamship to the United States and arrived at Lansing, Allamakee County, Iowa, May I2th. He moved out to east Pain Creek Prairie to live with his brother-in-law Jens Okeri. During the summer he worked on the nearby farms, and was paid at the rate of one dollar per day. On May 14th, 1871, Mr. Norby, with his wife and six children, Henry Edward having been born in Fillmore County, started out with two yoke of oxen hitched to a prairie schooner, and one hundred and thirty-five dollars in his pocket to seek a home in the Northwest, and on the evening of June i6th arrived at the place of Ole E. Bjorge in the western part of Becker County. After looking over the land in various di- rections, Mr. Norby finally decided to locate on Section 5 in Lake Park Township and commenced at once the erection of a log cabin. In the fall he worked with his two yoke of oxen, in the cut of the Northern Pacific Railway, west of where the village of Lake Park is now located. The ^^^inter of 1871-2 was cold and stormy and exceptionally hard, but the people, being all in the prime of life and full of strength and courage withstood the hardships remarkably well during these early years, which were filled with many hardships. The settlers were very sociable. During Christmas and other holidays several families were gathered together in the newly built log cabins, and spent the time in singing, story telling and various other amusements. During these years money was extremely scarce, but the people were full of energy, hope and happiness. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 431 Mr. Xorby at v^arious times has added by purchase to the size of his farm, so that it now comprises an area of four hun- dred and twenty-five acres of as good agricultural land as can be found anywhere in the Northwest. Large and comfortable buildings have been erected, and on the farm may also be seen a fine herd of Red Polled cattle headed by thoroughbred sires. In politics Mr. Xorby has always adhered to the doctrines of the republican party ; he is a member of the Xorwegian Lutheran church, and is also one of the directors of the Becker County State Bank. Ingel Ukkestad. Ingel Ukkestad was born in Nannestad, X'orway, February 7th, 1821. He came to the United States, July 12th, 1862, and after looking over the country in several localities he finally ar- rived in Becker County. He took up a homestead on Section 4 in the township of Lake Park on the 6th day of July. 1871. Mr. Ukkestad was married to Marie Thoreson, April 27th, 1862. Three children have been born, John, Ludvig, and Albert. The eldest son John owns and operates a farm in the township of Cuba while Ludvig and Albert are attending to the manage- ment of the farm at home. For many years Mr. Ukkestad has been in feeble health and for that reason has been closely confined to his home. He is a member of the L'nited Lutheran church. L. W. Pederson. L. W . Pederson was born in Inderoen, Trondhjem, Xorway, January 23d, 1847. He left his native home in Norway, April 25th, 1866, to seek his fortune in America. The ocean was crossed in a sailing vessel, and after a successful voyage he landed at Quebec, June 12th. Pie proceeded westward to Fill- more County, ^linnesota. In the winter of 1871 he proceeded northward in quest of a home, and arrived in the western part of Becker County on the 14th day of February that same year and took a homestead on Section 4 in the township of Lake Park. Mr. Pederson was married to Bergitha J. Engelstad on the 13th day of May, 1873. Mrs. Pederson died April 30th, 1901, 432 A Pioneer History of Becker County. and was buried at the Lutheran church cemetery at Lake Park. Mr. Pederson has held several positions of trust and honor. He served as the first clerk in school district No. i6, served in the capacity of assessor for the township of Lake Park during sever- al terms, and was also elected for many years as chairman of the board of supervisors. He acted as president of the Lake Park and Cuba Farmers' Insurance Company from the time it was organized until 1902. From 1875 to 1879 ^^^ served as county commissioner of Becker County. Mr. Pederson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church, and always took an active interest in religion. In poli- tics he has always been a staunch supporter of . Republican prin- ciples. On the 22d day of January, 1902, Mr. Pederson was married to Anna J. Skovdahl. As a result of this marriage two children have been born, Ingeborg Malena and Lydia Bergithe. Mr. Pederson conceived the idea of founding an orphans' home on his farm. With this idea in view additional buildings were constructed, and the Orphans' Home became an established fact. This institution is known as the Lake Park Orphans' Home. Mr. Pederson donated a portion of his farm to the support of this institution, additional land has been acquired by purchase, so that the property belonging to the institution comprises three hundred and sixty acres. At the present time in the neighborhood of one hundred children are cared for at the institution. The property is now owned by the United Lutheran Church. In 1902, Mr. Pederson moved to Halstad, Minnesota, where he purchased a farm and has since made his residence. Erick S. Quam. Mr. Quam was born in Hafslo, Norway, July 20th, 1834. His parents were farmers by occupation. In 1862, Mr. Quam was married to Christie Stokkenoo, of Lyster, Norway. They emigrated to America, and arrived at Albert Lea, Minnesota, in the summer of 1870. After having lived in Albert Lea one year they set out to seek their fortune in a new country and in August, 1871, they located on Section 30 where they still live. Mr. Quam purchased the improved claim of Gulbrand Erick- son, and later filed on a homestead. The first few years were full of hardships. The grasshoppers destroyed the crops for several A PioNKER History of Becker County. 433 years, and in 1875 a terrific hail storm ravaged the country. In 1872, the story was circulated that the Indians intended to kill the settlers, and in anticipation of this Mr. Quam took most of his personal effects with him and moved to Lake Park, where he and some of the other settlers commenced the construction of a fort to be used for the protection of themselves and families. Fortunately the Indian scare did not materialize. Mr. Quam is a member of the Lutheran church in which he has always been an earnest and conscientious worker. Mr. Quam is now the owner of a large and well cultivated farm on which have been erected costly and substantial buildings making a home where he may enjoy the cjuiet and comfort of life in his de- clining years. ]\Ir. Jens P. Foss, of whom I have no history, came here in the spring of 1872, and settled on the southwest quarter of Sec- tion 16 (school land). O. I. Berg came here in the spring of 1872. Organization. The first township election was held at the house of M. L. Devereaux on Section 10, September 19th, 1871. John Cromb was elected moderator, AI. L. Devereaux, clerk; and Martin Olson, and Louis Johnson, judges of election. At this meeting the organization of the township was affected and it was named the township of Liberty. The following named persons were elected as the first officials of the new township. Supervisors, Jonas Erickson, chairman ; W. H. Chamberlain and G. F. John- son. M. L. Devereaux was elected town clerk ; Charles Smith treasurer; John Cromb and Jonas Erickson, justices of the peace and Frank Higley and Louis Johnson, constables. At a meeting held on the 21st day of October, 1871, the town- ship was organized into a school district called No. 2, with the following officers : M. L. Devereaux, clerk ; John Cromb, director and Jonas Erickson, treasurer. This district was set aside as illegally established. At this time there was no railway, and the nearest market place was over one hundred miles away. This was a long dis- tance to drive with oxen over poor roads to obtain the necessi- ties of life. In the summer of 1871, however, work was com- 434 -^ Pioneer History of Becker County. menced on the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. A railroad station was established in the northern part of the township, and the name given to it was Lakeside. The building of the railroad put new life into the country. The settlers were given employment, money was put into circulation, stations were built, markets were opened, and the}- were enabled to sell their products to obtain the necessities of life and to procure the machinery so essential to successful cultivation and sub- jugation of the soil. The early years were full of hardships, the grasshoppers destroyed the crops and the settlers were in con- stant dread of the Indians. By reason of this many became discouraged, abandoned their homesteads and returned to older settlements. But neither the ravages of the grasshoppers nor the danger of being extermin- ated by the Indians could scare away the majority of the early and sturdy pioneers, who had crossed untrodden prairies, and unbridged streams, and penetrated wild forests for the purpose of providing homes for themselves and their families. In 1876, at the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Hawley, the post ofifice known as Loring, the railway station, and the township were all merged into one name to be known as Lake Park. This was indeed a most fitting name, for to one who in summer time beholds the striking landscaj^e consisting of undulating prairies, green groves, blossoming fields and picturesque lakes, it presents the scenic beauty of a park. In fertility of soil this township is not surpassed by any in Becker County, nor per- haps in the entire Northwest. The land is not only adapted to the growing of grain such as wheat, oats, barley, and fiax, but during recent years, clover and corn have been raised with suc- cess. The country is therefore adapted to diversified farming; stock-raising and dairying have in recent years become import- ant industries. In the village of Lake Park are two creameries that are running with full capacity the year around. The stock farm of Thomas Canfield which is situated near the village of Lake Park is one of the finest and most up-to-date stock farms in the Northwest. On this farm Mr. Canfield has bred up from imported and domestic stock a fine herd of Short- horns that have captured many prizes at many fairs where they have been exhibited. On the farm ma}' be seen also the finest Yorkshire hogs in America, if not in the world. His A Pionee;r History of Becker County. 435 Yorkshires took the championship at the World's Exposition at St. Louis, and at every other place where they have been exhibited they have carried off the highest honors. Many of the farmers in the vicinity have availed themselves of the opportunity of improving their stock by purchasing full- blooded sires at the Canfield farm. Lake Park is noted for its fine stock, and for this the farmers are indebted, to a large extent, to the energy and untiring efforts of Mr. Canfield, who has made it possible for them to obtain full-blooded sires of the highest bred type. An orphan home has also been built in the northwestern part of the township where dependent children can be cared for and educated. The village of Lake Park, with a population of 800, is a thrifty and prosperous town, and as an evidence of its thrift and prosperity may be cited the fact that there is not a single shanty in the village. Already some of the early pioneers have been laid to rest, and the time is not far distant when all of them will have ceased to count their homes among the living. They have done their duty and have done it well ;, they have been faithful and true. For their unswerving loyalty to those by whom they are survived, and devotion to country, the rising generation is deeply in- debted. They strove to make us and our country what we are and their efforts have not been in vain. The substantial roads, the fine school houses, and the towering churches bear the strongest testimony to their industry, their undying devotion to family, and their loyalty to country and to God. Henry O. Bjorge. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST CONGREGATION IN BECKER COUNTY. The first minister to visit us was the Rev. T. Watleson. He conducted services on November 6th, 1870, and this as far as I know was the first religious service in this county. On the i6th day of INIay, 1871, a congregation was organized and named The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation of Becker County. The trustees elected were Lars A. Larson, T. S. Hande and John Beaver. November 19th, 1872, a meeting 436 A Pioneer History of Becker County. was held in Lake Park and the name of the congregation was changed to the Norwegian Evangehcal Lutheran Hay Creek Congregation of Becker and Clay Counties. At this meeting a HON. HEXRV O. BJORGE. call for a minister was issued, but the choice was left to the church council of the Norwegian Synod. Rev. K. Bjorge was called and held his first service the first Sunday after Trinity. He worked with several congregations in this and neighboring counties until 1888, when he accepted a call from Red Wing and Zumbrota. Rev. Bjorge had to put up A Pioneer History of Becker County. 437 with many hardships during his first years here. His congrega- tions were so scattered that in order to reach them he had to cross the prairies where roads and bridges were few at that time. But under these conditions be it said in Mr. Bjorge's favor that he was a faithful servant of the Lord. There are many who yet remember him with love and thankfulness, for his was always well meant counsel which he always sought to make impressive during the time he worked and suffered, during these pioneer days. As is often the case, we seldom understand when a person wishes his fellow men well, and this will also apply here. His reward will not be missing on the Great Day when it will be said. "Good and faithful servant thou hast been faithful over a few things ; I will make thee ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." The first child born in Lake Park Township was Henry O. Bjorge, who was born on the 7th day of March, 1871. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs Ole Bjorge. The first people to get married in Lake Park Township were Ole L. Berland and Betsy Olson, who were married on the 3rd of January, 1872, by L. G. Stevenson, justice of the peace. A child, Jens K. Sorenson, died in this township, September 13th, 1871. This was the first death in the township. John Delaney died May 22d, 1872. Mons Johnson died Nov- ember 15th, 1872. With reference to the early deaths in the township John Cromb has this to say: I think that old John Delaney, who lived on what is now the John Horan farm was one of the first to die. He died of strangulated hernia. I remember his death well, being with him when it occurred, and afterwards made his coffin, as we had no undertakers in those days. We had funeral services at the house, however, Father Gurley officiating. We buried the old man in a grove facing the lake on my farm, where the body still remains. R. H. Abraham was appointed postmaster in the spring of 1872. Chris. E. Bjorge. 438 A Pioneer History of Becker County. REMINISCENCE OF THE COOK FAMILY MURDER. By F. M. Higley. There were two families by the name of Small and Cook, who had formerly been employed by the i^overnment at ^^'hite Earth, who had moved into the vicinity of Audubon and taken up claims. Sometime after the shooting of JMr. Carlson, the Cook family were all murdered in the night, their bodies thrown into the cellar, the house set on fire and all consumed. The intention was to have killed both families, as was afterwards learned, but for some reason the plan miscarried, to the intense satisfaction of Mr. Small and family. Although there were no horses in the country, the settlers having mostly arrived here in the old time prairie schooner with an ox team attached, the news spread like wild fire and the excitement and alarm which had been aroused by the crime became intense. The blood curdling deeds of those human wretches who butchered our people in 1862, at Lake Shetek, and other places were fresh in the minds of all, and there were some here who had actually passed through that awful ordeal and of course those scenes were revived in their minds with all of their attendent horrors. Some were in favor of immediate flight leaving everthing behind, while others who had spent all they had in getting here and getting a little home established disliked the idea of being driven out like a flock of sheep and losing all they possessed. In the neighborhood where I lived, four miles south of Lake Park, we got together, talked the thing over and decided to build a fort and undertake the protection of our families. All hands turned out and began its immediate erection. John Cromb sent to the governor for arms and ammunition, securing for the count}' forty stands of arms, "Springfield muskets," and 1600 rounds of cart- ridges which were distributed through the country, our neigh- borhood receiving ten guns. While we were busily engaged in our preparations of defense people of other sections of the country were not idle. Similar preparations were going on in Lake Park X^illage. The citizens of the village and surrounding country turned out and built a fort on the hill south of the depot made of railroad ties of which there were luckily plenty in town. Large numbers of the country A Pioneer History of Becker County. 439 people flocked to the new fort from far and near, it being- on the railroad offered greater inducements than our Httle country affair, and for a week or ten days, I suppose things were pretty lively. The material for ours had to be cut in the woods and hauled half a mile ; we cut logs twelve feet long, dug a trench three feet deep, putting them in on end and fitting them together close enough so a bullet would not pass between. We built quite a large log house inside for our Women and children, for we did not wish to be left up here in this new country, where such commodities were scarce, without our women. I remember one afternoon while we were working away leisurely a young man came riding up at break neck speed (and right here I must modify my statement in regard to the horses, for this young man did have a horse which was quite a curiosity at the time). He said the Indians were on their way to the settlements in full war dress scalping everything in their path, and he was going to leave the country. He advised us. to fly for our lives. We had a good sized gap in the last wall of our little fort to fill in, rather more than we expected to get done that afternoon, but I tell you all joking was then laid aside and the men went to work at a lively rate. I remember distinctly with what earnestness I tried to persuade this man to give up his notion to skip the country and turn in with us and help finish the gap in the wall, but to no purpose. His mind was made up ; he had seen enough Indian picnics in "62" to satisfy him and away he went, but he didn't go far, I guess, for he was back on his claim again all O. K., and afterwards secured a little body to go in partnership with him and help him improve it, and is now a prosperous farmer not a thousand miles from Lake Park. I must tell you that the report that he brought was a false alarm, not gotten up by him however, which his actions clearly indicated. AVe finished our fort that night and moved in pretty much the whole neighborhood. There were a few, however, who had come in from the East, and were not familiar with the redman's ingenuity in stirring things up and making it lively at short notice, who remained at home waiting for the cloud to burst, and if a raid had been made would have gone the way of the Cook family, but of course as they never came the laugh was on us. We slept in the fort one night and men, women and children piled in there as though they had been fired in with a shotgun. The next morning my wife said to me 440 A Pioneer History of Becker County. "let us go home. I had about as soon take my chances with the Indians." She had taken a terrible cold sleeping on the ground and felt as though if she stayed there she would die anyway. Our house was only about eighty rods from the stockade so we went. Some that lived farthest from the fort stayed a week or ten days. By that time we learned that the danger was over, although there was rnore or less apprehension for a long time, but we never had any more trouble. Mrs. West. F. M. H. Miss Flora Moore, now Mrs. Cyrus Curtiss, of Des Moines, Iowa, taught the first school in the township. Mrs. Sylvester Moore, her mother, writing from the home of Mrs. Curtiss, Nov. 7th, 1906, says : I saw Flora to-day and she gave me some data with reference to her school in Lake Park Township. She says she commenced her school in June. 1872, the same year the first school was taught in Detroit. Frank Higley engaged her to teach the school. The school was taught in the house at the stockade on the Frank Higley farm. She taught three months, boarded at Mr. Higley's, had fifteen scholars and received her pay from Mr. Higley. HISTORY OF LAKE PARK VILLAGE. By O. I. Berg. In January. 1872, Ole J. Weston, who was then section fore- man built the first shanty in Lake Park for his section crew. The next building was R. H. Abraham's basswood store building which he hauled up from Oak Lake with oxen in February, 1872. This was the first store in the village. Filing Carlson and Peter Ebeltoft erected a building and started a store in the spring. This was the second store in the village. S. B. Pinney and Charles B. Plummer built a store in the summer of 1872 which was the third one in the village. The first framed residence building was built by O. I. Berg in the fall of 1872. The place was then called Hay Siding. Hans Hanson started the first blacksmith shop, in the spring of 1873. Charles B. Plummer opened a hotel in 1874. Eight blocks of the original townsite were surveyed in 1873 by Joseph E. Turner by order of L. P. White, agent for the Townsite A Pioneer History of Becker County. 441 Company. The remainder of the village was surveyed by A. H. Wilcox in May, 1882, by order of Thomas H. Canfield, pro- prietor. R. H. Abraham was the first postmaster. The village was incorporated in March, 1881. The judges of the first election were appointed by the Secretary of State, Fred Von Bombach, and were, O. I. Berg, R. H. Abraham and Dr. J. O. Froshaug. The first election was held March 15th, 1881. Thirty-five votes were cast and the following village ofificers were elected : President, Thomas C. Hawley ; trustees, O. I. Berg, M. Mark, J. E. Chase; recorder, A. C. Dean; constable, L. E. Norby; justice, J. A. Bemis. The first railroad ticket agent was Thompson. The first small church was built by the Lutheran Conference in 1879. The Synod church was built in 1884. The first schoolhouse was built in 1875. The first school teacher in the village was Miss Delia Hawley. LAKE PARK TIMES. ml THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1882. No. I. SALUTATORY. "According to the eternal fitness of things" every booming town in this most booming country has its advantages sounded through the medium of its newspaper. We have looked over the ground and have decided that it is time for Lake Park to show its hand, as it were, and take its place among other towns of its size, able and ready to support its own newspaper. We do not take this step hastily, for we have watched the steady and solid growth of the village for four years and know, therefore, what we do. Possessing the finest agricultural district in the state, already thickly settled by thrifty farmers, it is destined to advance by a rapid and substantial growth. It has been intimated that the Times has been established as a campaign paper in the present fight in progress in the fifth district. This assertion we wish to contradict at the outset and assure our patrons that we have come to stay and mean business. We may have our personal preferences on the subject, but the Times will take no part in the matter. It will always be in the interest of the growth and prosperity of, first the village of Lake Park; second the country surrounding. In short, the Times is to be a local paper in the full sense of the word. It is not owned or controlled by any political party or faction and all fears on this point may be put to rest at the outset. 442 A PioxKiiR liisTuRV OF BACKER County. Lake Park, situated in the western part of Becker County, has the finest country tributary to it of any town in northwestern Minnesota. To the north the country is thickly settled for twenty miles and it includes the garden spot of Becker County. The famous Wild Rice Region, twen- ty miles northwest of Lake Park, finds its outlet here. No town in this part of the state has so large an area to depend upon for support and the quantity of grain which finds a market here is enormous and fully half of what Becker County produces. We have a gently rolling prairie with just enough timber to supply the farmers for years to come. Splendidly watered by the Buffalo River and its tributaries, which furnish the pure water free from alkali, the Buffalo valley, in point of excellence far sur- passes the Red and James River valleys. And that the town is alive to all these facts is shown in the marked improvements which are going on in every direction. Buildings are going up in every direction and it is safe to say that Lake Park is destined to become, in the near future, one of the largest and most flourishing cities in northwestern Minnesota. This year there will be harvested one of the finest crops ever secured in the county and the fact of Becker being the champion wheat growing county in the state will no doubt be demonstrated, as has heretofore been the case. H. P. Hamilton, Editor. F. M. HIGLEY. Francis Marion Higley was born in Coudersport, Pa., Dec. 17, 1843. At nine years of age he, with his parents, moved to Warren, 111., and in 1856 removed from that place to Olmstead County, Minnesota, where he spent his early manhood. November 5, 1861, at the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the service of his country in company C, Brackett's battalion of cavalry, and was mustered out May 24, 1866, making a service of over five years. February 12, 1867, he was joined in marriage to Mrs. Elvira Bogue and in 1870 moved with his family to Becker County, arriv- ing here June 10, and has since made his home here. He died November 4, 1899, of heart failure, at the age of 55 years, 10 months and 17 days. Mrs. West. Detroit Record. THOMAS H. CANFIELD. Thomas Hawley Canfield was born March 2nd, 1822, in the city of Arlington, Vermont. He was a descendant of Nathan Canfield. one of the pioneers of that state. A history of Mr. Canfield's life is to a large extent a history of the inception, inaugurartion and comple- tion of that great enterprise, the Northern Pacific Railway. Educated in his native state he early attracted the attention of prominent finan- ciers and business men, and after a few years of successful business life in the town of Williston, he became manager of the large manu- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 443 facturing and shipping firm of Follett & Bradley in Burlington, Vt. This firm was at that time changed to Follett & Canfield. About this time he also built the Rutland and Washingon Railway, of which he became presi- dent and lessee. Early in the fifties the idea of a continental railroad oc- curred to Mr. E. F. Johnson, then the foremost railway engineer in Amer- ica. Mr. Canfield, then about thirty years of age, was so convinced by Mr. Johnson of the practicability of such a road to the western coast, that he HON. THOS. H. CANFIELD. resolved to make it the business of his life and to devote his time, energies and talents towards the accomplishment of that object. The first active steps were taken in '52 when he, with Mr. Johnson, built the Chicago, St. Paul and Fond du Lac Railway, known now as the Chicago and Northwest- ern. The feasibility of continuing the road to the coast became more apparent as time went on. On account of opposition which was en- countered chiefly from Hon. Jefiferson Davis, then secretary of war, noth- ing could be accomplished at that time towards extending the road. War 444 '^ Pioneer History of Becker County. breaking out about this time everything was at a standstill. In 1865, how- ever, a charter was granted to a Mr. Perham of Maine, who transferred it to a company of Eastern men, who appointed Mr. Canfield director and general agent of the company. Of the twelve original directors of the company two only were Minnesotans — William Windom and William S. King. And so it happened that fifteen years after its inception the plans were laid for the building and organization of the Northern Pacific Railway. But almost untold difficulties were thrown in the way of those interested by those who desired a southern or middle route to the coast, and but for the courage, faith and determination of those twelve directors there would have been no Northern Pacific road to-day. The project was ridiculed as im- possible; its advocates called it crazy and visionary; but they persevered in their efforts. Twice was the charter on the point of being lost, and the second time the bill amending it in some points was signed by the presi- dent one day only before the charter expired. The history of the actual building of the road would form a thrilling and exciting story of adventure and difficulty. Several expeditions conducted personally by Mr. Canfield, sometimes on horseback, sometimes on buckboards and wagons, traversed the country from St. Paul and Duluth across the Rocky Mountains to the very ends of the route. Through tracts of land inhabited by hostile Indian tribes; across almost unsurmountable obstacles the surveys were made, until finally in 1869 the route was finally determined upon, and the construction of the road commenced. At this time a company was also formed, having Mr. Canfield as president, called the Lake Superior and Puget Sound Town- site Company, which was empowered to buy lands, build boats and do most any kind of business to further the interests of the railroad company- This company under Mr. Canfield's direction located, platted and laid out along the line of the railroad the towns of Aitkin, Brainerd, Motley, Aldrich, Wadena, Perham, Audubon, Lake Park, Hawley, Glyndon and Moor- head, and later Fargo and Tacoma. In 1870 two expeditions were made on horseback by Mr. Canfield, accompanied by Gov. Smith from St. Paul to Dakota, passing through most of these towns. There was at this time only one house in Detroit, and thai a log one built by Mr. Tyler. For the next three or four years numerous expeditions were successfully made under the personal guidance of Mr. Canfield. for the purpose of perfecting the plans and efficiency of the undertaking. For twenty years he labored in the interests of the road until in 'jz^ when the bankruptcy of the road occurred, he resigned from the directorship and also from the presidency of the Puget Sound Land Co. During this same year he purchased about 3,000 acres of farming land in the neighborhood of Lake Park, where he spent for the remainder of his life most of his time. During the last twenty-five years, in fact ever smce he resigned from the railroad, he was ever closely identified with the growth and development of the Northwest. His name is associated with the history of the state and nation. In the words of his biographer: "He was a man of broad ideas, wonderful vitality and energy, uncon- querable will and indefatigable determination, and the history of the gigan- tic enterprises in which he was concerned demonstrate the characteristics A Pioneer History of Becker County. 445 of the man; of strictest integrity, kind and courteous, of extensive reading and observation, endowed with the keenest foresight and executive ability, he has indehbly impressed himseh' upon the history of the great undertakings with which he had been connected. ]Mr. Canfield was a member of the Episcopal church, holding the important position of the secretary of the diocese for over thirty years. He was delegate to the General Convention on five different occasions. Mr. Canfield died at Lake Park, on the l8th day of January, 1897. He was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth A. Chittenden, great granddaughter of Thomas Chittenden, first governor of Vermont. She died in 1848, and he subsequently married Caroline A. (daughter of Rt. Rev. Bishop Hopkins of Vermont,) who, with three daughters, Emily, Marion, and Flora, and one son, Thomas H., still survive him. (A large part of the information contained in this notice is taken from a Life of Mr. Canfield published some years ago in Burlington, Vt. L. G. M.) Mrs. West. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 447 Chapter XXIV. HISTORY OF CORMORANT TOWNSHIP. By C. M. Halgren. Assisted by W. W. McLeod and Severt Olson. The town of Cormorant was first settled in 1870. Dugald Campbell was the first settler. He came and settled in Section 36, May i8th, 1870. Dugald Campbell was born in Glasgow, Scotland, August ist, 1819, and emigrated to St. John's, New r>runswick, in 1825 with his parents, where he lived until 1848, when he went to Massachusetts where he followed the sea for one year. In 1849 ^^^ came to Stillwater, Minnesota, where he followed the lumber woods in winter, and was a raft pilot on the jNIississippi River in the summer for six years. In 1859 l''^ ^^^^ the river, and settled on a farm in the town of Florence, Goodhue County, ^linnesota, where he lived until April 22nd, 1870, when he took his team and came to Becker County. Mr. Campbell was married to Julia Furman, ^larch 24th, 1861, at Red Wing, Minnesota, and of this union one son was born, Hubert B. Camp- bell, on Alay 20th, 1862. Mr. Campbell lived on his farm until his death which occurred March 13th, 1891. The next settler was Sandore Olson, who came to the town of Cormorant about June ist, 1870, and settled on the farm now owned by Murdock Pattison. Mr. Olson owned a farm at Evansville, Minnesota, at the time ; he stayed here until after the town was organized in 1872, and then sold out to Mr. Pattison and moved back to Evansville. The next three settlers were Nels Erickson, Knut Matson and Mats Xelson, who came here together June 8th, 1870. Nels Erick- son and wife Eliza moved here from Carver County by ox team. They have a family of five children, Mary, Eliza, Carrie, Erick and Daniel, their son Erick l)eing the first male white child born in the town. He was born December 25th, 1870. Their daugh- ter Carrie was nearly killed at or near the place where S. D. Riders farm is now in the town of Scambler. Otter Tail Coun- ty. As they were unyoking the oxen one night thev had one ox freed when the other turned quickly, swinging the yoke ..laH^^I^ A Pioneer Historv of Becker County. 449 which struck Carrie, knocking her down, and for a while they thought her dead, but she recovered, and afterwards married Ole Erickson, and is the niotiier of four boys and six girls. Ole Erickson is one of the early settlers; he came here in 1871. Air. Nels Erickson gives us some hard luck stories of his early days in this town and of the hardships endured by some of the early settlers, himself being among the number. He is one of the foremost farmers in the town. Knut Alatson is also one of the prosperous farmers. lie and his wife, Anna, also came here from Carver County. They have a family of eleven children, Mary, AFats, Julia, Ole, Erick, Carrie, Emma, Clara, Alina. and two died when babies. Julia Knutson was the first white girl l)orn in the town, December 8th, 1870. Mats Nelson settled on a farm on the south shore of Cor- morant Lake on which he lived until his death, January 29th, 1884. Severt Olson, Peter A. Severtson. A\'illiam Thompson, and Ole and Jonas Hoveland settled here on June 12th, 1870. Severt Olson moved by oxen and wagon from Wisconsin. He was married to his present wife by the Rev. Mr. Hagebo, November 24th, 1873, this being the second marriage in the town. They have two children, Oscar and Clara. Oscar vS. Olson was born May i8th, 1875. Peter A. Severtson was married to Gunheld Severtson on Nov. 15th, 1871, by Minister E. A. Berg, who lived about 15 miles southeast of Fergus Falls ; this was the first marriage ceremonv in the town. They had a family of five children, Isaac, Zachariah, Josephine, Sena and Gena, of which all are living except Gena. Ole Hoveland was the first to die in the town, also the first one buried in the Lutheran graveyard. He was drowned in Lake Ida. May 31st, 1874. This seemed to be a very unlucky day, as there were nine persons drowned the same day at about the same hour: Two at a little lake was of Hawley. One in Buffalo River, four miles west of Lake Park. Two at Lorentz Olson's. Ole Hoveland in Lake Ida. One at Norwegian Grove. Two at Elizabeth. OLK KKICKSON AND FAMILY. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 451 Severt Hokland settled here July ist. 1870. Ole Erickson and Nels Estenson about Septeml)cr ist. 1870. (iabriel Hanson, Lorenz Olson and Andrew Erickson in the spring of 1871. Peter Anders in the summer of 1872. Tom Olson in 1875. Ole E. Olson is also one of the old settlers. He came here April ist, 1871. They had a family of six children, Isabel, Edward, vSimon, Henry, Olaus and Sarah. Their daughter Isabel was the second girl born in the town. Mr. Olson left Norway and went to Australia and worked in the gold mines as day laborer until he had ac- cumulated $1,800, which he invested in a mine of his own, from which he realized nothing. AMien he had lost all, he l)egan to work by the day until he had raised mone}' enough to take him to California, where he worked a while and became sick and his sickness cost him all he had before he was able to work again. He then came to Minnesota, got married and settled in Cormor- ant. Of his children, Edward and Olaus are both dead. Mr. She.rbrook married Isabel Olson. The first town election was held February, 26th, 1872. The first township officers were as follows: Chairman, Dugald Campbell ; supervisors, Samuel C. P. Brandt and Ole E. Olson ; clerk, David Merry ; assessor, Severt Hokland ; treasurer, San- dore Olson; justices, Dugald Campbell and David Merry; con- stables, Charles T. Hanson and Patrick Liddy. Severt Olson, Peter A. Severtson and Ole Hoveland had the first sawmill in the town, which consisted of an old fashioned whipsaw which they bought at Alexandria. They sold the lum- ber for the fioors of some of the first buildings that were built in Detroit, for which they received $30 per thousand. At first there was but very little land under cultivation, and so all the unmarried men would go south for having and harvest and would work on their farms here in the winter and early spring. It was often a hard matter to make both ends meet. The first crop that Severt Olson raised he worked nearly all summer for the seed and had to haul it from the southern i)art of the state. He did not get his grain threshed, but he had it stacked and ready, and had sent for the threshing machine when a prairie fire came along and burned up all his grain and his hay. He had worked on the Northern Pacific Railroad and had spent what money he made for a yoke of oxen, so he had to cut down a crooked tree, and make himself a pair of bob-sleds. He worked A Pioneer History of Becker County, 453 in the woods northeast of Detroit all winter, and the next year when his t^rain got to he al)out a foot high the grasshoppers came and took every bit of it. The next year he got part of a crop and the grasshoppers took the rest of it. He had just enough to live on and had to buy seed for the next year again. He thought it strange that he should have such a small crop when his neighbors all around him had more per acre than he did, so he asked Peter Severtson why this should be, and Peter told him that if he had been a married man and had a family he would have needed more and would have got more, but as he was single he did not need it, and so did not get it. Severt got married the next year, and his crop was good accordingly. .li E. ULSON AXD FAMILY. To show the scarcity of money we will relate a story of Peter A. Severtson, who took grist to mill at Alexandria in the fall after snow began to fall. Of course, it took quite a while to make the trip with the oxen, and he had to camp out at night. One night his coat caught fire and there was a big hole burned in the back when he awoke. He had no money to get it re- paired and none to buy a new coat with, so he had to get along the best he could the rest of the way to town and home again. Along about the year 1877, Charley Squires, Murdock Patti- son and W. W. McLeod built a dam and erected a mill at Cor- 454 -^ PioxEER History of Becker County. niorant village. The name of the firm was [Murdock, Pattison & Co. This property changed hands until \\\ \^^ AIcLeod be- came a sole owner eventually. He ran it several years by water- power, and after that failed he \n\t in a steam plant and remo\ed the old burrs and put in a complete set of rollers which worked well for several years. It afterwards changed hands several times, each party taking what they could out of it, but most of them sinking some money, until lately it was purchased by Ber- thold Kroll, who was a man of experience, and he has so far given satisfaction and has secured a good trade. The first store was started about the time that the mill was built. The firm name was McLeod & Davis. They sold out to S. A. Halgren, October nth, 1880. The nearest post-office when the first setlers came was Fort Pomme de Terre. After the Northern Pacific Railroad was built, then Audubon was the nearest, then one was started at Pelican Lake. The citizens of this village wanted a post-office at Cor- morant, and sent in several petitions but they seemed to do no good, the neighboring villages working against it and it seemed impossible to do anything further. During the time that W. D. Washburn was stumping" the district for congress some of the patrons thought that it was an opportunity that they ought not to lose, so W. \\\ McLeod wrote to A\'. D. Washburn, stating" that there were a nund)er of voters here that would like to sup- port him in his campaign, but they were of the opinion that the favors should nc^t be all on one side as we were in need of a post- office. If he would use his infiuence in our behalf we would do what we could for him. In just nine days the commission came for John A. Davis as postmaster. Miss Jane Bardsley taught the first school in Cormorant. She afterwards became Mrs. John A. Davis. C. M. HalgrEx. y. Z c o ■f. w. 456 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Chapter XXV. THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF LAKE EUNICE. By Simeon S. Buck. In the spring of 1870. W. W. Rossnian with myself and my brother WilHam left McLeod County for Becker County. We came with teams as there were no railroads at that time. We made the trip in about two weeks, and arrived at Cormorant Lake the ist of June and took claims on Section 29. The sec- ond day we went fishing and caught as fine a string of bass as you would wish to see. Rossman and I were cooks ; he would make the slaj^-jacks, and I would fry the lish and make the cofTee ; we built a log cabin and covered it with bark and sod and the floor was made of earth. This we thought was a good house, but the mosquitoes were awful that summer, and I expect we used some cuss words about them. Our nearest place to buy anything was at Alexandria, about 100 miles away, but we brought enough stutif to eat so that we got along with catching lish and shooting game until fall. Then we went back to McLeod County to get the families. We made the trip without any mishaps. John McClelland came l)ack with us. He located at Lake Eunice. In the fall of 1871 Sidney Buck was born, the first boy born in Lake Eunice. At that time we started the city at Buck's mills, and it has been starting ever since. I was born in Orange County, Vermont, in 1833, and came to Minnesota in 1851. I went to California in 1858, and was in New York City at the time of the completion of the Atlantic cable. There was a great blowout at that time. I came back to Minne- sota in i860 and was here during the Minnesota massacre in 1862. In McLeod County I saw a whole family that had been killed by the Sioux Indians, and all had their heads cut off. I came to Becker County and took a claim in what is now Lake Eunice Township on the 30th da}' of ]\Iay. 1870. In the year 1871 my brother William Buck and myself moved to Section 31, in Lake Mew Township, where we built a sawmill the succeeding year. S. S. B. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 457 MR. AND MRS. JOHN MCCLELLAND. LAKE EUNICE TOWNSHIP. By John }*IcClelland. All history except that of wars is usually made up of little things, incidents, waifs floating" on the stream of time, seemingly of no account as they pass, hardly worthy of record, and yet in the fitful passage of a century, the historian looks back for those little incidents with the interest that would surprise us could we realize a tithe of their importance in the estimation of those who shall come after us. Lake Eunice was named by the United States surveyors in honor of Eunice McClelland, who was the first white woman to settle near the lake. She was the wife of John McClelland. The names of the first settlers were Simeon S. Buck, William Buck, William W. Rossman, John ^McClelland, Archibald B. Mc- Donell, Duncan McDonell, John A. B. McDonell, William AIc- Donell, Finlay McDonell, Donald J. McDonell, Anton Glaum, Jacob Gessel, John Turten, Eugene Early, J. Peter Johnson, L. G. Stev- enson, John Holstad, George W. Britt, William Wagner, John Nelson, John Germer, John Peterson, Nels Peterson, Ostra Olson, 458 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Ole Alunson, John King and Thomas AIcDonongh, all of whom I think came in 1870. Among" those who came in 1871 were Thomas Bardslev, Alon- zo Fogg, John Dispennet, Thomas J. Alartin, Conrad Glaum, Peter Glaum, Conrad Glaum, Jr., Jacob Shaffer. Warren Horton, R. A. Horton. iVIyla Converse came in the spring of 1872, and George W. Grant, Andrew Rydell, John O. Nelson, \Vm. Blake and James Blake came in the spring of 1873. George ^^^ Grant was a veteran of the Civil War and the hero of many battles. In later years he has held many important positions in the Grand Army of the Republic. The lands in this town are much diversified, affording every facility for farming that the husbandman can desire. The west- ern and northern parts are generally timbered with oak, maple, linden, poplar, etc. The balance of the land is prairie with groves of timber skirting the lakes. The surface is gently undulating, and the soil a rich black loam. The first child born in the township was Sidney Buck, in October, 1871, son of William Buck, and is still a resident of Becker County. The first marriage was that of Alonzo Fogg to Miss C)rlora Britt, by W. W^ Rossman. justice of the peace, of Detroit. They now live in Washington. The first "husking bee" was at Mr. Britt's, where the boys got their pay for husking by kissing the girls every time they found a red ear of corn. The first death in the township was that of Jane McClelland, mother of John McClelland and Mrs. W. W. Rossman of Detroit. The first school in the town was a three months subscription school taught by Miss Orlora Britt. The first town meeting was held September 3rd, 1872, and the following officers were elected : Justices of peace, A. B. AIcDon- ell and R. A. Horton ; supervisors, William Buck, John Dispen- net and John Turten ; town clerk, John McClelland ; treasurer, John Bardsley ; assessor, Duncan B. jMcDonell ; constables, J. W. Horton and Charles R. Clockler. The first settlers of this township went through all the hard- ships incident to the settlement of a new country. Goods of all kinds were high and money scarce. Everything had to be hauled by wagons from Alexandria, about ninety miles, the first summer. In the winter of 1871, Fletcher & Bly, of Minneapolis, opened a store at the Big Cut, three or four miles west of Detroit on the A Pioneer History of Becker County. 459 Northern Pacific Railroad, after which goods could be obtained at a more reasonable price. At this time lumber was out of the question. The houses were all built of logs with sod roofs. Some had glass windows, and others had none. The more enterprising settlers had logs split and hewed on one side, which they laid down for their floors. Others spread hay on the ground, which had to be taken up every few days to prevent the fleas and mosquitoes from becoming too plenty. The fleas and mosquitoes will be long remembered by the early settlers of this township. Some time in April, 1872, while ]\Irs. John ]\IcClelland was out in the dooryard raking chips, two Indians suddenly appear- ed before her, and asked in Chippewa wdiere her husband was. Although taken by surprise she did not answer, but kept right on raking chips. Finally the other Indian asked in good English where her man was, and she told him he went to "Oak Lake." Almost before the words were out of her mouth the Indian said '"Good." This so frightened her that she was almost ready to run to one of the neighbors, but remembering the three children, she kept on with the rake, and showed as little fear as possible The Indians after conversing awhile in their native language, started in the direction of Oak Lake. This event took place shortly after the Cook family murder, about five miles north of here. It required a great deal of nerve to pass through such an ordeal at a time when it was thought a general uprising of the Indians might take place any day. A half crazy Dutchman by the name of Jacob Schaft'er came into the townshij) in 1871. Jake was naturally of a thieving disposition and would steal everything he could lay his hands on. He would steal from one neighbor and give to another, auAthing from an ox yoke to a load of lumber. C)n one occasion he was known to steal a load of lumber in Detroit and give it away before he got home. The last we heard of poor Jake he was dangling from the limb of a tree in Montana for stealing horses. L. G. Stevenson was another queer specimen of humanity, who came here in 1870. "Steve." as he was called, was as cute as a fox, a first-rate neighbor, and a clever fellow all around. The first civil case tried in the township Steve was employed as counsel for the defendant and John McClelland for the plaintift". 460 A PioxEKR History of Becker County. As the justice of peace before whom the case was tried was not very well posted in Blackstone, he was at a loss to know how to open the court. Steve told him to repeat after him what he should sa}\ "Proceed sir," said the justice of peace. "Hear }e, hear ye," said the justice of peace, "the justice court of Lake Eunice is now open, all persons having business in this court must appear and be heard. God save the Queen." "God save the Queen, be d— d if I'll do it," said the justice of peace, "there is something' not right about that. We don't have a Queen in this country." After a sharp skirmish by the attorneys it was decided to call ofif the Queen and the case went on trial. The plaintift" won the case, and as Steve did not tell the justice of peace how to close the court, the probability is, it is still open. Steve was for a long time the political Moses of this part of the country, and when the Republican party wanted to concentrate public sentiment and obtain full delegations from Becker Comity in the district conventions, they had but to call Steve, and the thing was fixed. Steve was a singular genius ; the world would not have been complete without him. Mrs. West. J<^hn McCi.klt.axo. Besides the characters in Lake Eunice mentioned by Mr. McClelland as noted for their peculiarities, there were others. A man by the name of Thomas McDonough took a claim on Section 22 in 1870, and afterwards sold his right to Alonzo Fogg. Tom had no fingers or thumbs on either of his hands, having lost them by hard freezing. He, however, could do almost any kind of work, was an expert horse teamster, and could handle the lines as skillfully as a man with a full set of fingers. A man by the name of Frank Yergens bought the northwest quarter of Section 23 from John King, who had pre-empted the place after a close contest with the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. The same place is now owned and occupied by Alfred Nunn. Yergens, or r3utch Frank, as he was usually called, was a peculiar specimen of the genus homo. Knickerbocker's descrip- tion of AA'outer \'an Twiller, the first I3utch Governor of New York, would ajjply equally as well to Dutch Frank. He was a man specially noted for the symmetry of his physical proportions, being exactly five feet six inches in height and six feet fi^'e inches in circumference. He was one of nature's noblemen, a man with a noble head — an immense head, a head that no ordinary neck A Pioneer History of Becker County. 461 could support, so nature came to his relief by placing his head on top of his backbone, squarely between his shoulders without any neck at all. One dark, rainy night he took old Uncle James Blake, who was making his way home on foot from Detroit carrying a brass clock that he was taking home to repair, into his wagon to ride but afterwards made him get out and walk the rest of the way through the mud because he could not play him a tune on the clock. Archibald McDonell. By Mrs. Jessie C. West. Archibald B. McDonell was born at Fort William, Shire of Argyle, Scotland, on the i8th of October, 1814. About the later part of June, 1870, Archibald B. McDonell and family composed of a wife and nine children, five sons and four daughters — Duncan the oldest of the boys was married a short time previous to leaving Canada, their former home — arrived in St. Paul. On the 22nd day of June, they went from St. Paul to Shakopee, Scott County, and remained there until the 5th of July, when Mr. McDonell and three of his sons left for Becker County to seek new homes, leaving his wife, Donald, and Finlay, his daughters and daughter-in-law at Shakopee, until he and the boys could erect a home on the wild prairies. They went by way of Carver, Young America and Glencoe, stopping with some friends from Canada a few days, who had settled on some lands on the Buffalo Creek, McLeod County. Then they left for Pelican Lake and the proposed Northern Pacific Rail- road by way of Litchfield, Benson, Alexandria. Pom me de Terre, Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids and arrived at Pelican Lake on the 20th day of July, the whole country traversed between Pomme de Terre and Pelican Lake being destitute of any houses, except one on the west end of Pelican Lake, owned by Robert Scambler, but in every direction a covered wagon and a little group of children could be seen. P. S. Peabody had started to build a house on the north side of Pelican Lake, which A. B. ^McDonell and sons helped to finish by hewing out basswood slabs for floor and room meanwhile looking about the country between Pelican and Cormorant Lakes for suitable lands to take as homesteads. The most attractive land had been staked out by parties who 462 A Pioneer History oe Becker County. went aht-ad of the "Boom" on purpose to sell their rights to the newcomers in a short time. Men, horses and oxen w'ere busy hauling logs for shanties, and plowing the prairie to get sods to cover the houses which made a very good and warm place to live in. The lands were not surveyed at the time when each man marked out the piece of land he intended to claim, but some time in the latter part of August, George l'>. Wright was sent by the government to survey the counties of liecker and Clay into town- ships and sections, which made a vast difference in the situation ,of some of the homesteads, .\bout the first of September the other meml)ers of the McDonell family arrived at Pelican Lake, where A. B. McDonell had built a comfortable sod covered shanty after the fashion of the country. Before the cold weather set in not less than twenty families, composed of Swedes, Nor- wegians, Scotch, French, Irish Americans and Germans Avcre settled around Pelican and Cormorant Lakes. In the days of the early settlement at Pelican Lake, fish could be caught in abundance at any point around the lake by dropping the hook into the water. Bait was plentiful, frogs, horse-flies and grass- hoppers, and fishermen were sure of a pickerel, ])ike or black bass ever\- time his hook struck the water. P'ish and game ward- ens were unknown in the days of early settlement. At and around the Pelican country also partridges, prairie chickens, wild ducks, geese, ])elicans, swans and sand-hill cranes were in countless numbers. Inhal)iting the country then were deer, elk, common and jack rabbits, which went far in assisting the homesteader to stick to his claim during the seven years of grasshopper troubles. In the fall of 1870 and the winter of 1S71, the nearest market to the settlement was Alexandria in Douglas County, something over one hundred miles distant. Lintil the Northern Pacific Railroad was iDuilt, P. S. Peabody had a few staple arti- cles at from three to five five hundred per cent profit. Salt pork, 25 cents per ])oun(l, tea from $1.00 to $1.50 per pound. Calico at 25 cents per yard and e\'erything else in proportion. But we must admit that it was about as easy to pay for the necessities of life in those days as it is to-day in 1894, as money was plentiful, work suflficient and good wages at any kind of labor, and the job hunted the man and not the man the job as it is now. Most of the settlers have passed away. A. B. McDonell died Nov. 27th, 1902. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 463 John McClelland. The old settlers will doubtless nearly all remember John McClelland. He was the first register of deeds ever elected by the people of this county, and held the office for six years, and as he was always obliged to walk on his knees he was for a long' time a familiar figure in Detroit. He now lives in the state of Washington. A PATHETIC CHAPTER. By Robert McClelland. The story of suffering from cold and hunger of Dr. Ripley and John McClelland in the spring of 1856 resulting in the death of the former and the loss of his legs by the latter comprises a pathetic chapter in the history of the times. John McClelland had reached Glencoe prior to the month of March, 1856, but at what particular time whether in the latter part of 1855 or the early spring of 1856 cannot now be recalled. In the month of March 1856, Dr. Ripley of Shakopee, and John Mc- Clelland, then of Glencoe, were employed by Bell and Chapman to go to Cedar City a point now known on the Hutchinson and Litchfield road, about thirteen miles distant from Hutchinson and nine miles from Litchfield for the purpose of constructing a log house to be occupied as a temporary country hotel or stopping place for new comers, and also for the accommo- dation of others who might conclude to settle or engage in business at the new townsite which had already been, or which was about to be laid out at that point. The snow was rapidly disappearing at the time of starting, the weather was comparatively mild and the indications were that spring was near at hand. In view of the mild weather, moccasins which had been worn during the winter, were exchanged for boots, and the two men left Glencoe with supplies of food sufficient to last but ten days, at the end of which time their employers promised to send or come with additional supplies. Upon their arrival at the new townsite. they threw together a few logs for a shelter in which to live while engaged in the construction of the main or hotel building, supplying a cover for that portion of the shanty only, under which stood their improvised bed. After their ar- rival and within a few days a fierce snow storm prevailed and the weather changed to bitter cold. They remained fifteen days and until all their food except about a pound of dried apples and a cpiart of rice was exhausted and no one appeared with additional supplies. At the expiration of that time they started for Forest City. The snow was deep and drifted and their progress slow. They had matches with them and when night came they took shelter in a grove and started a fire. 464 A Pioneer History of Becker County. The next day they traveled until nearly noon, when they discovered tliat they were lost, and their matches having become damp in the mean- time they would not burn. They undertook to return to the shanty which they had left and to retrace their footsteps to the place they stopped the first night in the hope that the fire of the previous night had not died out, but in this they were disappointed, the fire was dead and they spent the second night tramping in and about the ashes in order to keep from freezing. When morning came they resumed their tramp and wdien within about seven miles of the shanty the doctor laid down exhausted from exposure, cold and hunger and said he could go no farther. He was urged and encouraged to make another eflfort, but finally gave up entirely, and as Mr. McClelland left him the doctor re- quested that in case the latter reached the shanty and was able to re- turn, that he do so. and bring back some matches. Shortly after the sep- aration Mr. McClelland fell through an air-hole while crossing the north fork of Crow River, got his feet wet, and they immediately swelled so that he had to cut ofif his boots, and the remainder of the way he walked in his stockings. Upon reaching the shanty an efifort was made to pro- cure water, from a nearby lake in which to bathe his feet to withdraw the frost, btit the lake was frozen to the bottom and no water could be procured. He then built a fire and as soon as his feet were placed near the fire he became wholly unable to walk. During the following eighteen days, and until relief came, he started a fire four times, only. His en- tire food supply during those 18 days, after three days on the road with- out a morsel of any kind of food, consisted of the remnants of dried apples and rice before referred to. John McClelland was brought to Glencoe and from thence taken to Shakopee, where both of his legs were amputated, one four and the other eight inches below the knee. Dr. Ripley's remains were found two months after the last separa- tion from my brother, about half a mile from the place where he was last seen alive, his hat hanging on a bush near by and a bottle partly filled with chloroform by his side. Lake Ripley, located near Litchfield gets its name from the circumstances narrated above, as well as the hotel in Litchfield by the same name. My brother's misfortune was the oc- casion of my father's removal from Indiana to McLeod county which occurred shortly thereafter, after a stay en route of about six weeks in Shakopee, where the family was detained in caring for brother John while recovering from his injuries, Glencoe was reached on the nth day of June, 1856. At the solicitation and with the assistance of friends my brother, shortly after the occurrences narrated pul^lished a small book or pamphlet entitled "Sketches of Minnesota," in which was in- corporated the story of his own and the doctor's suffering and the circumstances surrounding the latter's death. Miss Katie Gibson who has before been referred to as the first teacher in the log schoolhouse was understood to have been the doctor's afTianced at. the time of his death, and she visited my brother after we had removed to the farm to make inquiry as to whether the doctor had spoken of her before his and the doctor's last parting. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 465 Loss of life or limb by freezing was not an unusual occurrence dur- ing those early Minnesota winters, due to the severit)' of the climate. Snow fell to the depth of from two to three feet and the thermometer registered from 30 to 40 below for weeks at a time, and owing to the dry, steady, cold atmosphere and the entire absence of any thawing, the great snow storms which prevailed, drifted into heaps, rendering travel with teams on the prairie, sometimes impossible, and at all times at- tended with danger. But notwithstanding the risks and dangers to which the early set- tlers were exposed life among them was not wholly monotonous, nor devoid of interest. They hoped for better things and enjoyed the an- ticipation. Hospitality and generosity one with another were among their commendable virtues. There were no church bickerings, nor so- ciety factions among them. They all joined together in whatever of pleasure or amusement the times ard circumstances afforded. GEO. W. BRITT. Geo. W. Britt was born January 8th. 1811, at Litchfield. Elaine: came to Lake Eunice in 1870. Uncle Britt, as he was always called by his friends, was one of the first settlers in the town of Lake Eunice, and without doubt the first corn-husking bee in Becker County was held at his house. The writer was there and never will forget the hearty welcome he received and the splen- did New England supper that was spread for the hearty settlers. It was a supper never to be forgotten; no lack of food at that table. Uncle Britt was raised in the forests of Maine. When a young man he was a lumberman, a sailor and cruiser to locate pine lands in }ilaine and Canada. It was his boast that he had driven the rivers of Maine and Canada for 27 springs, and his accounts of some of those drives and varied experiences in the forests of Maine and Canada were very inter- esting. He was a very kind hearted man; no one needing food or shelter was ever turned from his door. He died at Lake Eunice .April 4th, 1893, from the effects of la grippe and old age. To Mrs. Jessie West, Detroit. Minn., Dear ;Mad.\.m: .At your request I give you these fevv- items of the early history of Becker County. I left Boston, Mass., on the 9th day of May, 1871, going by the cars to Newport, then by boat to New York, then via the Erie Railroad to Buffalo, where we took the boat J. R. Coburn for Duluth. We were in the first boat that left for Duluth that spring and were nine days in the passage, carrying a large amount of freight as well as passengers. It was a very pleasant trip. We stopped in all of the principal ports, and at last reached Duluth, where we found a new town. The principal street ran north and south, the build- ings were all one style facing the street with square fronts. There 466 A Pioneer History of Becker Couxtv. were two elevators and tlie railroad station was one mile from the lake. There were no regnlar trains, the railroad being in the hands of the construction company. We remained at Duluth one week. Here we made the accjuaintance of the Rev. ^Ir. Gilfillan, who was a resident minister. We found the railroad in a bad condition. There were numer- ous trestle works which were dangerous. They did not dare to trust the engines over some of them, and so the cars were detached from the engines and pushed across the trestle and another engine took them on the other side. We reached Thompson the first day and had to remain there over night. Here my connection with the Grand Army of the Repub- lic was of benefit to us, for I found some comrades among the railroad THOS. |. MARTIN .\.\D CHII.DRKX. men, and they gave us material aid. Thompson was a hard place; be- ing the beginning of the Northern Pacific Railroad, it was filled with railroad employes and that class of people that follow a railway crew Nearly every other building was a saloon or dance hall. Gambling was openly carried on, and the town could boast of its houses of prostitu- tion. In the evening, one would think bedlam was let loose. With profanity, screaming, ribald songs, and shooting, we passed a sleepless night. The next day, Sunday, we loaded our goods on a Hat- car and started for Brainerd. The day was warm and the sun was hot. The engine burnt wood, the sparks came and fell on us in showers, sometimes setting our clothing on fire. At last we reached a place A PioxEKK History of Becker County. 467 called Aitkin. Here we had to leave the train and all o\ our heavy goods, for there was a sink-hole in the traek. and the train could not cross it. so we got our trunks on a handcar, and women and children, and in addition to our company, we were met here by Superintendent Hohart and some other officials of the company. We pumped that hand- car for about eight miles over a road bed that resembled a snake both in its wanderings up and down pitchings as well as its curvings. At last we reached the sink. Here the earth had entirely disappeared, the track held together, and we had a suspension bridge about half of a mile in length. I should think it was about ten feet to the water, and the rails hung down to within a foot of the w^ater at the center. When we got there we walked around, and they let the car go. It was carried by its own momentum down the incline and half way up the other side, where it was seized by men stationed there and pushed up the remainder of the way. Here we for the first time in our lives saw mosquitoes. I had previously met a few, but without any exception there were more to the square inch going round that sink-hole than I ever saw before, and this was our experience to be followed up by day and night, till cold weather put an end to them. After getting around the sink we entered a passenger train and in about one hour reached Brainercl. Brainerd was headquarters for the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the description of Thompson answers for Brainerd. Mr. Hobart directed us to go to the Pine Restaurant, and we found a most ex- cellent family, but there were no beds and we had to lay on the floor; of course, the mosquitoes and the eye watering smudge were there. Three days in Brainerd. and then wc took a train to Crow Wing River, that being as far as the iron rails were laid. We stopped two days with James Campbell, now a resident of Richw^ood, who kept a tent hotel at this place. Here we hired teams, and after three days of travel we reached Detroit Lake, camping where the small stream empties into the lake near the club house. The next morning we drove into Tyler- ville. We remained here a few days, and June 15th, I selected my present homestead. It hardly seems necessary to mention the struggles and hardships, loss of crops by hail and grasshoppers, as well as the make- shifts to get along. These experiences are common to all new com- munities, yet we experience pleasure in speaking of them. SUNDAY-SCHOOL. July Qth, 1871. — The following named persons met in the grove, where the Maple Grove schoolhouse now stands. Mr. and Mrs. David Mix, Annis Mix, Charles Mix, Capitola Mix, Frank Mix, Lillie Mix, Louise Mix, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Averill, Mr. and Mrs. S. Woodwortn, Mrs. Sylvester Moore, Flora Moore, Henry Moore, Lecela Moore, Will- iam McD9nough, Edward McDonough, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Martin, Pen- nell Martin and Charles W. Martin for the purpose of organizing a Sun- day-school. David ^lix was chosen superintendent, T. J. Martin as- sistant. Teachers, bible class, T. J. Martin; young ladies, Mrs. Moore; young men, S. Woodworth; infant class, Mrs. Mix. Sunday, July 23rd, we received a visit from Mr. Mason, Sunday-school missionary. He 468 A Pioneer History of Becker County. said this was the first organized school he had found in the county and gave us five dollars towards a library. Whether Mr. Mason organized any other school earlier than this date. I do not know, but think we can take the credit of being the first. The name was the Maple Grove Sunday-school RELIGIOUS SERVICES. Religious services were held at dii^erent places in the county by the Rev. "'Father" Gurley. I think at that time he was a Methodist, but he became later on connected with the Episcopalians. The first religious service held in Maple Grove was in the fall by the Rev. Mr. Wood, of De- troit, who reorganized the Sunday-school on that day, and also united James Hanson and Annis Mix in marriage. November 8th, winter set in, the snow never disappearing entirely till May 3rd, 1872. On April 9th we gathered maple sap and made maple syrup, the first run of the season. On April 13th, 1872, Marion Martin was born. THE BECKER COUNTY VETERAN ASSOCIATION. — THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. Through some neglect on the part of the department officers, the Grand Army of the Republic lost its position in the National Encamp- ment and all G. A. R. work was at an end, as there was no department we could not work. So the members of the G. A. R., and old soldiers formed themselves into the Becker County Veteran's Association. BRICKMAKING. In May, 1872, Mr. Norcross, uncle of William A. Norcross, of De- troit, started a brick-yard near where the Detroit House stands. Those pond holes near there are where he dug his clay. He made good brick earlier in the same season near Mud Lake, where another yard was started, Giles Peak furnishing the supplies for carrying on the work. In 1873 W. Norcross burned a kiln in the yard. His uncle started and also made brick east of the Pelican River on the Rand place. In 1875. a yard was started by Shaw and Kindred. In July of that year Kindred sold out to T. J. Martin. The first attempts were failures, but later they succeeded in making good brick. In 1880 Martin sold his interest to Shaw, who carried it on for two years more and then burned out. Thomas J. M.\rtin. Sylvester Moore. Sylvester ]\roore was born at Trunil)ull, Ashtabula County, Ohio, on the 31st day of December, 1820. In the year 1852 he was married to Miss INIary Jane Teachout at Darien, Walworth County, \\'isconsin. Mr. Moore came with his family to Becker County on the 14th of June. 1871. He took a homestead on Section 12, in Lake Eunice, where he lived the remainder of his days. In the early A Pioneer History of Becker County. 469 days of this county he took an active part in the affairs of his town and county, and in tliis connection he earned and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all. Sylvester jMoore was a man of unimpeachable character, honest in word and deed, well in- formed and a man whom it was a pleasure to meet and an honor to call a friend. Sylvester ^loore died on the 2nd of November, 1899. Mrs. ]\Ioore and four children survive him. They were Mrs. S. B. Curtis, Airs. O. V. Alix, Henry Moore of Shell Prairie, and Leslie G. Aloore, of Lake Eunice. — Detroit Record. Mrs. West. Chapter XXVI. HISTORY OF LAKE VIEW TOWNSHIP. This township was organized in March. 1872, and the first township election was held on the 12th day of that month at the log cabin of A. B. Simmons on Section 10 of that township. The first set of township ofificers were: Chairman of board of supervisors, J. W. Brown ; supervisors, W. J. Martin, Eugene Holyoke ; township clerk, Stephen Wood- worth ; treasurer, Joseph H. Abbey; assessor; C. H. Sturtevant ; The first settlers were : Edward McDonough, on southwest quarter Section 18, in June 1st, 1870; William McDonough, on northwest quarter Sec- tion 18, in Sept. 5th, 1870; Lars Eckland, on nortliwest quarter Section 30, in Sept.. 1870; David Mix, on southwest quarter Sec- tion (), in October 1870. O. V. Mix, on Section 6. in Oct., 1870; S. B. Dexter, on north- west cjuarter Section 6. in May 30th, 1871 ; Sylvester Moore, on Section 6, in June 14th, 1871 ; Steven Woodworth. on northwest quarter Section 18, in June 14th, 1871 ; Joseph Abbey, on south- west quarter Section 14, in July ist. 1871 ; Charles H. Sturtevant, on southwest quarter Section 4, in August 5th, 1871 ; Marshall J. Lewis, on southeast quarter Section 10, in August 29th, 1871 ; J. B. Simmons, on northeast quarter. Section 10. in September loth, 1871 ; James W. Brown, on northeast quarter. Section 4, in 1871 ; John Rutterman, on northeast quarter, Section 14, in 1871 ; George Martin, in 1871 ; John Whalen, on Section 14, in 1871 : 470 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Anthony Miller, on southeast quarter, Section 12, in 1871 ; ■Martin H. Gerry, on northwest quarter. Section 4, in 1871 ; John McGil- very, on Section 22, in 1871 ; Harvey Judd, on northeast quarter, Section 8, in 1871 ; Charles Harvey, in 1871 ; Thomas Corbett. on northeast quarter, Section 20, in September, 1871 ; Eugene Hol- yoke, in 1871 ; Daniel Webster, on northeast quarter, Section 12, in 1871 ; James Dupue, Section 22, in 1871 ; Nels Munson, on southeast quarter. Section 6. in 1871 ; Thomas Glenn, on Section 22, in 1871 ; W. H. Martin, on Section 22. in 1871. MRS. DA\ID MIX. The township was first name(l Lakeville at the suggestion of Mrs. C. H. Sturtevant. l)ut there l)eing" another township by that name in the state, Mrs. Sturtevant suggested Lakeview and that name was chosen, as there were so many lakes in the township and so many pretty views from them. The first white woman to settle in Lakeview Township was Mrs. David Mix, who came into the township the 15th of May, 1871. The first white child born in Lakeview Township was Nellie Mix, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Mix, who was born on the 24th day of August, 1871. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 471 The first Lakeview people to get married were James Han- son and Miss Annis Mix, who were married by the Rev. J. E. Wood on the 22d of October, 1871. This was also the first mar- riage of white people in Becker County. The first people who died in the township were Mr. and Mrs. John Rutterman, an account of which is here given in an extract from the Detroit Record of June 29th, 1872: Mr. and Mrs. Rutterman, who lived alone on the south side of De- troit Lake came to Detroit in a "dugout" canoe on the 25th and left Archie McArthur's on tht-ir return Thursday evening at 7 o'clock the distance home being about three miles. ^Ir. McArthur's family saw the boat well on the way across the lake, then saw some indications of a storm and the wind blew so hard that they closed their door. They were seen still later by a .family at the engineer's headquarters on the lake shore. When the storm became severe, they closed their door and they saw the frail boat nearly across the lake by the south shore and in line from that point with Mr. .[Miller's house. Mr. and ]\Irs. Rutteman were accompanied by a small dog. and later in the evening some of the r^Iiller family saw the dog pass on its way home. The storm causing this accident, hung in the north and the northwest for some time, and then suddenly approached with a strong wind and grew dark. It is believed the Ruttermans had almost reached the shore by Miller's house when their frail boat capsized, and both were drown- ed, the dog alone reaching the shore. Next morning Mr. Miller found the canoe upset and Mrs. Rutterman's hat and basket on the shore near his house. This was the first suspicion of the fatal occurrence. ^Ir. Miller came directly to Detroit and a posse was organized to search for the missing. The lake was dragged with hooks on Wednesday and Thurs- day night aided by torches, but to no avail. Some parts of the lake were over eighty feet deep. Mr. Rutterman has resided here for about one year, and his wife since last November, and both were highly esteemed. Mr. Rutterman was about 42 and his wife 32. Both were born in Germany, coming to this state from Missouri. Mrs. Rutterman's body was found the first day of July and on the 9th, INIessrs. Noble Sanders and another gentleman of Detroit found the body of John Rutterman floating in the lake not far from where Mrs. Rutterman's body was found. Coroner Brown assisted by Charles Doell took the bodies in charge and gave them burial on the eastern shore of the lake. Captain Doell's efforts and sympathy for the orphan children will not soon be forgotten by citizens and friends of the deceased. Mrs. West. 4/2 A Pioneer History of Becker County. EARLY SETTLEMENT OF LAKEVIEW. By Capt. Joseph Ai-.bky. I came to Becker County July ist, 1871, and took a pre-emp- tion on the southwest quarter of Section 14, of Lakeview Town- ship. Iniilt a good log house and cleared about twenty acres, the land being mostly covered with oak timber. In March, 1872, I went back to Michigan and got married, and brought my wife home to Becker County. We arrived in Detroit on the nth CAPT. JOSEPH H. ABBEY. of April, a town then mostly of tents. When we got off the cars they were in a snow cut from eight to ten feet high on either side, with side cuts to get through into the city. My wife gave a sigh and asked if we had not about come to the jumping off place. W^e went straight home to Lakeview\ where we resided until November. 1873. being one of the pioneer families. W^e had pleasant times, being surrounded soon afterwards by other families, among which were those of Eugene Holyoke, M. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 473 J. Lewis, J. B. Simmons and Thomas Glenn, the steam shovel man, also a man by the name of George Martin and another by the name of James Depue on the northwest qnarter of Section 15. The woods abounded with deer and other game such as bear, lynx, a few elk, and wolves were very numerous. I have seen dozens of them in packs on Detroit Lake, when I have been crossing on the ice to Detroit village. Prairie chickens, part- ridges and grouse were plentiful, and wild ducks too numerous to mention. I have seen them by the thousand on the lake called by my name, adjoining my old place, and when they would rise to fly they would make a noise like a train of cars. I sold my place to a man by the name of Dor, and he soon afterwards sold it to Arthur Beach. I was out of the state until the fall of 1882 when I came back to Becker County. Captain Abbey was a member of the 4th Michigan Cavalry, commanded by Col. Pritchard, the regiment that captured Jefif. Davis. The First School. The first school in Lakeview Township, was taught by Miss Nellie Childs of Detroit. She says: I taught the first school in Lakeview, and it was my first term as well. I began June ist, 1874. The school was held in a log building that Mr. David Mix had put up for a granary, but afterwards used for a dwelling. It stood in Maple Grove, near Mr. O. V. Mix's present home. When I reached the place on Monday morning the building was there, but not a single article of furniture. Mr. Martin and Mr. Mix were mak- ing benches. I brought my own chair from home, and a little home-made pine table was brought from Mr. Mix's. The benches were finished so we had a short forenoon session. We had neither maps, blackboard nor globe during the term. There were sixteen pupils, and I think there were never sixteen more obedient, studious, respectful children gathered under one roof. I do not think a single new book was bought. Each brought such school books as there were in their various h.ouies; books that had been used by elder brothers and sisters or fathers and mothers; some were from Nova Scotia, some from Rhode Island, some from Massachusetts and some from Wisconsin and Minnesota. 474 A Pioneer History of Becker County. With but one exception these sixteen are all still alive, although well scattered from Minnesota to the Pacific coast. Within the last three years a daughter of one of them has been one of my pupils. To me this is a very interesting subject, and once fairly started. I find it hard to stop. July 6th, 1906. Nellie Childs. Thomas Corbett. I Tlionias Corbett was born in Nova Scotia, September 22nd. 1821. His parents were George and Susan Corbett. He was 1 married in Milford, Mass., December 25tb, 1850, by the Rev. ]\Ir. Pond, pastor of the Congregational church, to Afiss Rachael Fisher, who was born at Emsdale, Nova Scotia, February 18th, 1 83 1. Mr. Corbett came to Becker County in September, 1871, and located in Lakeview the same year in the fall. The following- July his family came and they commenced to clear up the farm on the banks of Lake Melissa. Corbett and the boys cut out the first road down through Lakeview, from the bridge crossing of the Pelican River to near Buck's mill. By hard work he managed with strict economy to live through the first ten years of hard times and grasshoppers. In 1881, the county began to be settled up and the general business of the county picked up, but the first ten years will always be remem- bered by old settlers as the hardest of their experience in the county. Mr. Corbett died April 17th, 1888. FAMILY RECORD. Thomas L. Corbett was born July 22nd, 1855; Mary J. Corbett was born May 3rd, 1857; Lizzie Corbett was born Jan. 13th, 1859; George A. Corbett was born Nov. i8th, i860; William L. Corbett was born Septem- ber 13th, 1863; John F. Corbett was born June 2nd, 1865; Robert V. Cor- bett was born July loth. 1867. Mrs. West. David Mix. David Mix was born in the state of New York on the 28th of October, 1828. Pie afterwards went to Laporte County, In- diana, where he resided for many years. He and Mrs. Mix were married in Laporte County on the 27th day of February, 1850, and made their home in Lakeview, Becker County, in the spring of 1871. Eleven children were born to them and grew to maturity. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 475 They were Aiinis, Orison, Charles, Frank, Capitoha, Lily. Louisa. Josephine, Frederick, Nellie and Grace. Mr. Mix spent the last few years of his life in the village of Detroit where he died on the i6th of June, 1893. John B. Simmons. John B. Simmons was born in Foster, Rhode Island, June 26th, 1820. He was married to Miss Amy Young, January 6th, 1842. They were the parents of five children, one of which after- wards became ]Mrs. Marshall J. Lewis, who came to Lakeview with her parents in September, 1871. Mr. Simmons died in Massachusetts in January, 1907, aged 87 years. Silas S. Joy. S. S. Joy was born January nth, 1823, at Thompson, Connecticut. When the war broke out he was among the first to rally to the support of the nation, and served with credit through the war. He enlisted in Company G, 51st Massachusetts volunteers, as first lieutenant and was promoted to the rank of captain, serving until July 27th, 1863, when his term expired. He again enlisted as sergeant of Company I, 14th Regiment, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and served till the end of the war. He came to Becker County in July, 1872, and first located on Section 5 in Lakeview Township. He afterwards moved to Section 2- i" Detroit Township, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He died on the 6th day of June, 1894. — Detroit Record. PELICAN VALLEY NAVIGATION CO. In all the w^orld there cannot be found a more beautiful chain of lakes than that of which Detroit Lake is the northern link and which stretches away southwest to Pelican Rapids in Otter Tail County, a distance of nearly forty miles. The lakes in the chain differ widely in size and form. All have beautifully tim- bered shores, fine sandy beaches and are liberally bestrewn with beauty spots — ideal places for summer homes. The journey through them is one of constant variety and never ending inter- est ; streches of lake, all too short to admit of monotony, alternate with little stretches of river winding through the timbered hills, meadows and fields of the beautiful Pelican valley. It is no wonder that in the very earliest days of pioneerdom there were 476 A Pioneer History of Becker County. schemes for opening these lakes to navigation by putting- in locks and enlarging the channels connecting them so that boats might pass from lake to lake. A company was organized in 1876, at Detroit, with John A. Bowman, president ; F. W. Dunton, of New York, vice president ; C. P. Wilcox, secretary ; and A. H. Wilcox, treasurer and chief engineer, but nothing seems to have ever been done by this com- I)any. Articles of incorporation of the "Detroit Lake and Pelican River Slack Water Navigation Company" were published in the Detroit Record during the summer of 1882. L'nder these articles it was proposed to construct and operate a water route with all necessary appurtenances from some point on Detroit Lake in the County of Becker to Breckenridge in the County of AA'ilkin, via the Pelican and Otter Tail rivers. Lake Lida was also included in the scheme. Detroit was named as the principal place for the transaction of business. The capital stock was placed at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the list of incorporators were as follows: John A. Bowman, Detroit, Minn.; Homer E. Sargent and Nathan Corwith, Chicago, 111. ; Randolph L. Frazee, Frazee, Minn.: William A. Kindred. Fargo, D '^1'. ; E. G. Holmes and A. H. Wilcox. Detroit, Minnesota. Noth- ing was done by this cori)oration in the way of improving the channels connecting the chain of lakes in (|uestion, nor were any further steps taken to construct such water-way for a number of years. During the summer of 1888 a new corporation was organ- ized with George D. Hamilton. Jeff. H. Irish, and John K. West as incorporators. The work of building the water-way com- menced under this company on the ist day of Sept., 1888. with Thomas Richmond as foreman. A small dam was built at the outlet of Detroit Lake, which stopi)e(l the How of the stream and permitted the lowering of the chaimel tti Aluskrat Lake. At this time there was a dift'erence in le\'el of four feet, ele\-en inches between Muskrat and Detroit Lakes and of twelve inches be- tween Muskrat and Lake Sallie, making the total fall from De- troit Lake to Lake Sallie, five feet eleven inches. The Pelican River was a shallow\ crooked, brook-like stream through which it was very difficult to move a small row boat. A dam was placed across this stream below the outlet of Muskrat Lake and a cut made through the bank into Lake Sallie in which a lock A Pioneer History of Becker County. 477 was l)uilt. A\ ork was continued until stopped Ijy cold weather. In the following spring the dam at outlet of Detroit Lake was removed and a channel dredged out into the Jake, the chan- nel between Lakes Sallie and Melissa deepened and made navi- gable. This was accomplished by means of temporary dams which held the water in the lakes and permitted the pumping out of the channels so that the dredging could be done with scrapers, shovel and wheelbarrows. Permission was obtained from the town of Lakeview to raise the bridges so as to permit the pass- ing of boats and the channel was continued to Buck's dam. south of Lake Melissa. Late in the summer of 1889 the twin screw steamer, "Lady of the Lakes." was put in service and towed a quantity of wood from the banks of Muskrat Lake to the railroad siding on the shore of Detroit Lake two miles east of Detroit, and now known as the "Ice Track." This wood was loaded on scows and the steamer used as a tug boat. During the following summer the steamer "Lady of the Lakes" made regular daily trips from Detroit to Lake Melissa, and the cottage settlement in the vicinity received a considerable start. After the cottage season was over the steamer was used to tow cordwood from Buck's dam to the railroad until winter stopped the work. For a number of years this same thing continued. Each season the towing of wood and logs was carried on until the price of timber at Buck's dam be- came so high as to leave no profit in the undertaking. No towing has been done since 1899, but the boats have run regularly throughout the summer season carrying passengers to and from the cottage settlements on the lower lakes, making three trips daily and carrying a large number of passengers. It has been and is now the intention of the Navigation Company to extend the improvements of the channels connecting the other lakes in the chain until all are made navigable. This will be done as fast as business will warrant. • V 31 *-^ V HAXS HANSON. MRS. HANS HANSON. W. W. MCLEOD. OLE E. QUALEY. A Pione;er History of Becker County. 479 Chapter XXVII. HISTORY OF RICHWOOD TOWNSHIP. By Hans Hanson. On the 27th of May, 1870, Hans Hanson and Tver Christenson and families left the town of Spring Grove, Houston County, Minnesota, with the intention of going northwest where they could take up land under the homestead laws. Not knowing where to go they determined to continue their journey until they found land that suited them. On July ist they crossed the boundary line between Otter Tail County and Becker County, and camped at night upon a high elevation of land near the west shore of Otter Tail River, where the thrifty town of Frazee was afterwards lo- cated. There were no buildings in sight, and the whole place looked like a wilderness. On the 2nd of July, about 8 130 a. m. we broke camp and started on, as we had been told that the land around Oak Lake was very rich and well adapted for farm- ing. This was on the old Red River trail, and we were striving to reach that place, which we thought would be the termination of our journey. After we had traveled until about one o'clock we reached the east shore of Detroit Lake, which is about seven miles from where we started in the morning. On account of very poor roads our oxen were pretty tired when we came to the lake. We unyoked our oxen to give them a little rest while we ate dinner. At 2 130 p. m. we hitched up and were going on farther, but there was no road. The only chance to get on farther was to go right into the lake. We had to follow around the lake shore, but always came out in the water. In the evening about five o'clock, we came to dry land again on the northerly side of the lake, about twenty rods west of where the Pelican River enters Detroit Lake. Here we had to rest the oxen again as they were tired with driving through the lake as the bottom was principally sand. We then got on to the Red River trail, and that evening went across the prairie to where the village of Detroit was afterwards located. On this prairie there was not a single shanty nor a human being to be seen. That night we camped about two and a half miles northwest of where Detroit is now located. In the morning of July 3rd, we started out again 480 A I'loxiJUR History of Becker County. and went as far as Floyd Lake, \vherc we found Samuel J. Fox. He was a blacksmith by trade, and had a small blacksmith shop near his birch bark tepee. Mr. Fox was a white man, a native of Scotland, but his wife was a Chippewa woman. This was the first white settler we found in Becker County. He was a nice gentle- man and gave us quite a few hints in regard to the surrounding country. About noon, we reached the much-talked-of Oak Lake. At this place we found a family by the name of Sperry who had been there for two years. They were nice people, too, and told us all about the country. They said that the soil was fertile, and that nearly everything would grow abundantly. After eating our dinner we started out to pick out our claims, leaving our families in the covered wagon which we had occupied for nearly a month. After getting west for about five miles we found a man by the name of Tver T. Knudson, a Norwegian, who had moved from Houston County, Minnesota, and had settled on a claim on the south side of the lake where the village of Audubon is now located. This man told us that it was useless to look for claims any farther west as the land hunters were already quarreling among themselves over their claims. We then walked back to where we had left our families, and made up our minds to go back to Detroit Lake and pick our claims on that prairie. We went back over the same road by which we came and reached Detroit Lake about eleven o'clock, July ^rd. We unyoked our oxen so as to give them a chance to free themselves from the mosquitoes, which were plentiful. The next thing on the program was to light a smudge to drive away the mosquitoes, but as soon as we lit the match and tried to start a fire those native inhabitants put out our fire three times before we could get it fairlv started. The next morning, which was the Fourth of julw we made up our minds not to work on the national holida\-. There was no brass band and not even a white person or a shanty to l)e seen an\\vhere, but we were happy anyway as we liked the place and had decided to settle there. On July 5th, we commenced to break along the foot of the hill afterwards called Fox's Hill, which is just back of where Flotel Minnesota now stands. After making a few rounds we came to places where the ground was rather sandy. Mr. Christen- son said the ground was not good for much. I agreed with him. but said that if ever the railroad should come throuQ:h there we A PioxEKR History of Becker County. 481 would be almost sure to get a small town on that prairie. To my remark Mr. Christenson said that he was not looking for a townsite but for land that would make a good farm. We then drove our oxen with the breaking plough back to the wagons where our families were and told our wives that we had to pick up our things again and leave. This, of course, did not suit the women, as they thought they had been camping long enough, but this ended our settlement at Detroit Lake. On the 6th day of July we started out again and went west as far as Oak Lake, where we left our families. We then went north on the White Earth trail. Another man by the name of Iver Everson had then joined us. When we went north about five miles from Oak Lake we found some nice oak groves and good prairie land right up to the timber and this suited us. The land was so rich that the grass reached nearly up to our arms on the highest parts on the prairie. We all picked out adjoining claims that day. The country was not surveyed at that time, so that we did not know what town, range or section our claims w'ere in. Anyway we located our claims and came back to our families and wagons that same dav, and were glad that we had found land that suited us. On Julv /th we started out again with our outfits and came to our claims about noon. We made settlements on our claims that day, and were the first settlers in the whole township which was afterwards named Richwood. Mr. Christenson and 1 concluded to live together for a time in the same house, as we had only one stove for the two families. I went over to my claim the same day that we came out and commenced to break so as to show that the land had been taken. Then we peeled some birch bark and made a shanty. This served as kitchen and dining room. We used the wagons for bedrooms. Everything went on nicel}- until we had lived this way more than one week, when one evening we were visited by two men, who said they Vv'ere from White Earth. One of them looked like a white man, and the other like an Indian or half-breed. They informed us that all the land alongside the timber had already been claimed by people from White Earth, and about seventy of them had organized into a combination to drive away any person or persons that should try to take their claims, and that they were coming down to drive us away. I at first thought it might be so, as at the place where Mr. Christenson picked his claim IVER CHRISTENSON AND FAMILY. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 483 there were a few furrows broken and a sign tacked to a tree. But this sign showed that there had been no one there to make any improvements for more than one year, so they had no more right to the land than we had. After the two men had been talking with us for a long time, telling us what the consequences would be if these White Earth people should have to drive us oflf, I finally told them that we had come there to stay and make a home, and if they thought fit to kill us they certainly had a chance to do so. We were not going to leave until we had to, and that our lives were no dearer than theirs. After this con- versation the two men departed. I then loaded all our things into the wagon, hitched up the oxen, and myself, wife and child went over to protect our home, as we expected this crowd from White Earth would call that night. After getting over to the place where we had intended to build our house we unyoked our oxen, but they bellowed and ran back to Mr. Christenson's place on account of the mosquitoes, where we had kept a smudge every night. I managed to start a fire, then I cut some green grass and laid it on top of the fire so as to get a good smudge to protect us from the mosquitoes. That was one of the worst nights I have ever gone through. I and my wife and child were alone, and I was laboring under the impression that the gang from White Earth was coming to kill us. I had two guns which were care- fully loaded that night, and were kept under the mattress in the wagon where I was supposed to sleep. No one, however, came near us that night, which was very fortunate, as their lives would have been in danger. The next morning we left our wagon and goods and all went back to Mr. Christenson's. We had talked the matter over as to what we had better do whether to leave and go somewhere else or to try and stay where we were. Our stock had gone over towards the White Earth reservation and we had to go after them and get them back. Coming over into the White Earth road a man came along on horseback, and when he saw that we were white people, he commenced to talk and seemed to be a gentleman in all respects. His name was Dr. Pyle, and he was hired by the government as a doctor for the Indians on the White Earth reservation. We told him that we had settled there a few days ago, but had been warned to leave our claims and were told that there were a lot of men from the reservation 484 A Pioneer History of Becker County. who were coming to drive us away. He told us to stick to our claims, and not to be afraid, that he was going to White Earth and tell those people that there were some settlers who had taken claims along the groves and that they had better keep away and not bother them. This gave us encouragement and we made up our minds to stay, and as we did not hear any more from those parties, this scare was soon over. After we had been on our claims about two w'eeks, a man by the name of Gabriel Halverson, a Norwegian from Freeborn County, Minnesota, settled a little to the north of us so that his claim and mine joined. About the first improvement we had to make was to do a little breaking to get a little to live on the next fall. We broke about two and a half acres on each place, that is on mine, Iver Christenson's and Iver Evenson's. Then we had to cut hay for our stock for the coming winter. We found plenty of grass, but it was very hard to stay out and cut it for the mosquitoes were so bad that we had to keep our jackets on even in the middle of the hottest days. After we had cut and stacked our hay, we commenced to cut house logs for our shanties. The size of our buildings were to be thirteen by fifteen feet, and about seven feet high. It was now about the 20th of August, and we had some bad weather which lasted one week. It was so cold that we had to wear overcoats to keep ourselves warm even if we were in the tim- ber cutting house logs. After this cold spell was over, we had just as nice weather as any one could wish for. About the last day of August, a swarm of grasshoppers came. They were very thick, so that they covered the ground in many places and es- pecially on our new breaking, but as we had had no experience with these insects, we never thought of the consequences and the trouble which they afterwards caused us. Sometiiue in the middle of August a party of surveyors surveyed the town and range lines, and when those lines were run we found out that our claims were in Town 140 North. Range 41 West, but we could not tell what sections we were on. It was not until the early part of November that Alvin H. Wilcox and his crew of men subdivided the town into sections. In the month of October, ( )le Qualey and Nery Augunson came from Freeborn County and took claims, Qualey on Section 20, and Augunson on Section 8. My claim was on Section 20, Iver Christenson's on Sections 29 and 30, and Iver Evenson's on Sections -^^2 and 29. In November, Andrew Ander- A Pioneer History of Beckkr County. 485 son and John Anderson. l)oth Swedes from Carver County, came and settled, Andrew on the southeast quarter of Section 20 and John on the northwest quarter of Section 8. In July, a man by the name of W. W. Harding settled on the southeast quarter of Section 29. He was a native of New Brunswick. Hugh Camp- bell, a native of Canada, settled on Section 28. They had both been employes on the government reservation at Leech Lake, Harding- as a farmer and Campbell as a blacksmith ; both were un- married as far as we could find out from them. In the same vear came Daniel Swanson, wdio settled on Section 18, and John Rydeen, who also took his claim on Section 18. They were both Swedes. Lars P. Smith, Immanuel Jongren, John P. Engberg, Olaf Johnson and Andrew Olund settled on Section 12, ex- cept L. P. Smith, who settled on Section 24. That same fall a man b}" the name of Sampson, a Norwegian, settled on Section 4. Henry Johnson, a Dane, on Section 4. August Stallman, a German, on Section 6, Swan Swanson, a Swede, on Section 6. About the same time. Gust. Lunden settled on Section 32. On Section 2, there was a man by the name of A. J. Haney, an American, who had picked a claim and commenced to build a dam across the Bufifalo River, just a little way from where the river empties out of Bufifalo Lake. The dam was completed that fall, and the frame raised for a sawmill which commenced operations. I must say that these few persons that had settled in the town were all nice people, and every one of us respected each other as near relatives and we got along well together. Provisions were remark- ably high that fall and winter of 1870 and 1871. A barrel of flour cost $12, pork twenty-five cents a pound, 5 pounds of brown sugar for $1, butter thirty-five cents a pound, and it had about as man}' colors as the rainbow, and yet I cannot remember that I heard a single person who complained or sufifered for want of food. In the month of April, 187 1, came Colbjorn and Engebret Void, Norwegians ; thev came from Stearns County and settled, Colbjorn on Section 10, Engebret on Section 4. Iver Larson, a Norwegian, came from Houston County, Minnesota, in April, and settled on Sec- tion 30. N. G. Roen and his brother Knut, also came from Houston County and settled on Section 30 ; that same spring Bent Johnson came from Carver County and settled on Section 30. I must here relate a trip we made down south to Otter Tail County. Iver Chris- 486 A Pioneer History of Becker County. tenson, Iver Evenson and Gabriel Halverson and I started on the 9th day of Jan., 1871, to go to St. Olaf in Otter Tail County to buy wheat and have it ground into flour at Balmoral Mill, as we could get a little more for our money that way than when we bought the flour from dealers. The first day we got as far as Detroit Lake. Here we made a good fire and camped out all night, as there were no settlers. The weather was rather cold and about six inches of snow on the ground. We had loaded hay on our sleds before we left home so as to have hay for our oxen both coming and going. The oxen, of course, were eat- ing from the hay load whenever we stopped to give them a rest. The next day we got as far as what we called the second crossing of the Otter Tail River, about four miles south of where Frazee is now. Here we found a man who told us that a team of horses had broken into the river that forenoon, so the ice was not safe for our oxen to cross. We then came to the conclusion to unyoke the oxen and lead one across at a time, and then pulled the sleds across by hand. Before we commenced this task we found out where the ice was the strongest ; with a stick in one hand I went on the ice, but before I had gone very far I broke through and went into the water up to my arms. It was a pretty cold bath. The sun was just going down, it was cold weather, and there was no settler for about five miles ahead. This was a German family that had settled on the prairie in 1870. My clothes were frozen stifif to my body and were almost like birch bark, and they would have stood alone if I had crawled out of them. We got to the place where the Germans lived, sometime in the night, tied our oxen to the hay loads and went in to get thawed out. We went inside and warmed up some, and then went out again, but did not reach Balmoral Mill until the next evening. It was rather a small mill, run by water power, and located near Otter Tail Lake about five miles south of Otter Tail City, on a small stream of water which empties into the lake. This was the only grist-mill for a long distance in any direction, so that there were generally a lot of people waiting until their turn to have their grist ground. This was the case at this time, and we soon learned that nearly all of them were short of hay for their oxen. We made up our minds to stay out and watch our hay all night, and dug ourselves into the hay as well as we could, for it was rather too cold to stay out. All went along nicely until towards morning, when it commenced to snow, and the wind began to blow so hard that we A PioNKER History of Becker County. 487 had to leave our hay loads. We then went a little way from our loads and built a fire. Here we lay down, warmed ourselves on one side and froze on the other until daylight, when we started again on our journey. After we had gone a little way I found that the bottom of my moccasin was gone, so that I was walking on the snow in my stocking feet. I finally got hold of a piece of rope, with which I tied by moccasins, so as to keep them on my feet. The reason why they came off was because I had been too close to the fire trying to keep my feet warm. There were no stores on the way. so that I could not buy a new pair, and I had to use my old moccasins the best way I could for the next few days until I reached Otter Tail City on my way home. That same morning after we had camped about our hay loads at Balmoral Mills, we asked the proprietor of the mill, whose name was Crai- gie. if we could leave some of our hay wdth him so as to have hay there when we came back again to get our grist ground. He said we could leave it in his care until we came back ; we then started off south to buy wheat, leaving most of our hay at the mill. After we had left, some of those men who were out of hay went to Mr. Craigie and told him we had stolen some of their bow pins out of the ox bows, and in place of them claimed our hay, which they appropriated to their own use, so that we had not a spear left. We of course had not stolen or even seen their bow pins, but lost our hay just the same, so that we had very little reward for camping out in the snow-storm at Balmoral Mills. Some time in the latter part of April, 1871, we sowed our patches of breaking into wheat, and had the satisfaction of seeing it come up and it looked very fine. To our surprise it never got any farther. In examining into these matters we found that there were millions of young grasshoppers destroying it as fast as it grew up. The swarm of grasshoppers that had visited us in 1870 had deposited their eggs in the ground, and were being hatched out by the sun in the spring. These young grasshoppers were so thick that they entirely covered the ground, and especially on our breaking where we had done a little planting. They destroyed nearly everything that came before them, even our clothes, if they could get at them. They stayed with us for about seven years, and destroyed almost everything that we planted every year. Potatoes and vegetables were nearly all destroyed. It looked rather blue those years. On account of their depredations, not many people came into our town to take claims during those 488 A Pioneer History of Becker County. years, and some got discouraged and left. In regard to the In- ^ dians which were around us, they seemed to be very friendly, and we were seldom bothered by them. I will, however, give an ac- count of a little controversy that I had with some of them. This was in June, 1871. I started to go down to the railroad camp, ' near Uak Lake Cut one morning to the stores, and my wife de- cided to go also, as there was not a white person to be seen very often. We started out with our oxen, and coming down past Mr. 1 Christenson's, Mrs. Christenson decided that she wanted to go, too. She had a baby with her, and so had my wife. Those two women of ours went out for a pleasure trip, but it ended in the opposite direction. Everything went well until we were on our way back, about a mile or so from our homes, when we had to pass some Indians wdio were near the road, and some of them were drunk. There were two Indians and tw'o s(|uaw^s, and one of the squaws was so intoxicated that she could not stand up. One of the Indians and one of the scjuaws came up to our wagon, and asked us for "Scuttawabo," wdiich meant whisky. We did not have any, and tried to make her understand that we had none. The Indians began to search all over our wagon, and in among our packages, and after they had satisfied themselves that there was no whisky there, they began ransacking every pocket on my clothes, and not finding what they were after, gave up the search. I started up the oxen with the thought that the scare was all over. When the wagon started to move, the squaw took hold of the wagon wheel and tried to hold us, but her hand slipped from one spoke to another and finally she dr.jpped down at the side of the wagon and we went on. After we had gone about ten rods, one of the Indians came running after us. I \vas then walking ahead in the road driving the oxen, and when this Indian was about a rod back of the wagon my wife called to me, saying that there was no hope any longer as she heard him cock his gun. I then stopped the oxen, and when I looked back this Indian was again searching among our things in our wagon, and he held his right finger on the trigger of his gun. The first thing I did was to grab hold of the gun, and to turn the muzzle away from the wagon. After this we had a squabble over the gun. and in an in- stant I had the gun in my possession. Then the Indian thought that I was going to shoot him, and made motions that I should fire the gun into the air and there we stood. He was looking at A Pioneer History of Becker County 489 me and I was looking at him; I then fired the gun, as the only thing I had to do was to pull the trigger, and off it went. It was then getting dusk and it gave a nice light for an instant. It was an old flint-lock gun and heavily loaded, so that the report was something like that from a small cannon. After I had fired the gun it struck me that I had better smash it over the wagon wheel, but having heard that the Indians were very revengeful, I gave up this idea and handed him the gun back again. He then com- menced to shake his powder horn and was going to reload. I stood right by him and prevented him from doing so, and when he found that he could not reload, he ran back as fast as he could towards his companions. I then picked up my little stick which I drove my oxen with, and we went on and did not see any more of them that night. It was very lucky, as the women were al- most scared out of their senses. RICHWOOD TOWNSHIP ORGANIZED. On June 23rd, 1871. the town of Richwood was organized, and the first town meeting was held in Haney's sawmill, on the 29th of September, 1871. The first town clerk elected was Hans Hanson, but as the records have been destroyed I cannot remember who the rest of the town officers were. School districts number 4 and 7 were organized August 9th, 1872. These were the first school districts in the town. Ole Oualey says the first set of town officers of Richwood was as follows : Chairman of board of supervisors, W. W. ^IcLeod; supervisors, Ole Qualey and Sivert Sampson; township clerk, Hans Hanson; treasurer, Gabriel Halverson; justices of the peace, Tver Christenson, John Anderson. Peter Iverson and Hans Dierhoe. both Danes, came in May, 1871. and settled on Section 6. Mr. Ezra Rumery settled on the northeast charter of Section 34 in the spring of 1872. Mr. Rumery was one of the jurors in the trial of Bobolink for the Cook family murder. He was town clerk of Richwood for many years. A little later in the same spring Luke Collins and Sidney Brigham. both Americans from the state of Massachusetts, settled on the west half of Section 34. Our first school was taught by Miss Hattie Brigham, in the fore part of the summer 1873. We had no schoolhouse, but hired the 490 A PioxEUR History of Becker County. shanty wliich Iver Larson had erected on his claim on Section 30 for that pnrpose. In winding" up this little history of the early set- tlement of the town of Richwood, I will have to mention another trip that we made in September, 1871. The weather was nice, and Iver Christenson and I with our families started for Detroit Lake. We camped on the shore of the lake, where we had camped on the 2nd of July the year before when we were moving into the country. We went along the lake shore when Mr. Christenson noticed a piece of colored paper floating on the water close to the land. We then picked it up, and after examining it came to the conclusion that it was a part of a ten dollar greenback. After looking for some more, we found several other pieces which belonged to the same bill. These pieces were carefully preserved and sent to the bank in St. Paul, which sent us by return $9.80, so this pleasure trip turned out better than the one to Oak Lake when the Indians tackled us. The first birth in the township of Richwood was that of Tolof Christenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Iver Christenson, who was born on the 19th of November, 1870. This same little boy died on the 8th of October, 1871, and his death was the first to occur in the township. The first people to get married in the township were Swan Lundin and Emma Johnson, who were married on the 27th of April, 1872, by L. G. Stevenson, justice of the peace. Hans Hanson. W. G. Hazelton and William Long settled near Richwood Vil- lage in the spring of 1872. Mr. Hazelton has resided there ever since, and has been the leading spirit and the principal standby in that part of the township for many years. Ole Qualey is the only one of the settlers who came in 1870 who is now living in Richwood. HISTORY OF RICHWOOD VILLAGE. In the fall of 1870 I sold my homestead in West Union, Todd County, Minn., and fixed up a good covered wagon and with a span of stout mules, took my neighbor E. E. Abbott and started for the Northern Pacific Railroad. We camped for dinner at Old Oak Lake, and while I was after a pail of water, a man by the name of Andrew J. Haney came along and was talking very earnestly with Mr. Abbott when I came back. He finally persuaded us A Pioneer History of Becker County. 491 to go home with him instead of going to where Lake Park is now as we had intended. Haney wanted to sell us a share in his saw- mill, and after buying a lot of eatables at Sterling's store, at Oak Lake we started north and after traveling about ten miles came to his mill dam where the village of Richwood now stands. We looked over his property, which looked quite favorable, and finally made a bargain for a third interest, although it was all on govern- ment land. I was the only one who had any ready money, as Abbott depended on Alexander Moore of Sauk Centre to give him a lift, which he did the next spring. The next spring we shipped a new sawmill to Benson, which was then the terminus of the nearest railroad and hauled it by team from there to the present village of Richwood, a distance of 160 miles. In the month of May, 1871, I moved my family to the new mill and about the 20th of June the sawing commenced, with a low head of water, as it was a very dry summer and the streams were low. Our sawing proceeded slowly in consequence, but we secured a good price for all the lumber we sawed. That summer J. E. Van Gorden came to our place from Oak Lake Cut, where he had been clerking, and did a few jobs of car- penter work, and during his stay he traded his farm to Haney for his interest in his claim, mill and saw logs. Soon after that time I bought Abbott's interest, and then took one-third of Van Gor- den's interest, which made us equal owners. The next spring we received $1,000 in advance on lumber, but it went, and in the spring of 1874 the dam went out and I went out afterwards, and Knowles and A. S. Blowers went in and put a flour mill in opera- tion which was sold and resold until it was lastly bought by the present owner, Henry Reinhardt, who is a credit to all concerned. The first store was brought from Fergus Falls by two brothers by the name of Miles. They put a part of their goods in a large tent and a part of them in my house, and there they remained all summer, but were taken away in the fall 1871. The parties lived in Wisconsin. Richwood was so named from Richwood, Ontario, Canada, my native town. W. W. McLeod. 492 A Pioneer History uf Becker County, First School in Richwood. The first school teacher in Richwood Township was Hattie Brigham, since Mrs. W. A. Norcross. In a letter to Mr. W. W. McLeod, slie says : You are correct in thinking that I taught the first school in Rich- wood. You will probably recollect that when you came after me, you were obliged to cut a road through the woods for the passage of the team. Finding that you would not get through in time, you left the oxen some- where in the vicinity of Campbell's Lake, and I came on foot. I was obliged to walk some distance, while you and another man carried my trunk. I first taught in the village of Richwood, the school beginning on the 22d of September, 1872. This was the first school ever taught in that village. The district was composed of three families, that of W. W. McLeod, J. E. Van Gorden and E. E. Abbott, and the pupils were eleven in number. For the first two weeks the school was held in Mr. Win Gorden's house, and for the remainder of the term in a log house with a board addition. It was during my first week that the great snow-storm of September 25th oc- curred. The next spring I taught on the Richwood Prairie, in the Hans Han- son district, which was the first school taught there. Hugh Campbell. Hugh Campbell froze to death on the 20th of February, 1875. He lies buried in the same grave with William W. Harding in the Detroit cemetery, about midway in the front tier of lots. There is a little marble slab at the head of Harding's grave. When the cemetery was resurveyed in 1883. Campbell's grave was found to be in the street, so I had him taken up and placed beside his old neighbor. Biographical Sketch of Sidney Brigham. Sidney Brigham was born at Marlborough, Mass., August 4th, 181 7. He was the son of Phineas Brigham, a soldier of the War of 1812, and of Lydia Wilkins Brigham, whose father was a Revo- lutionary soldier. He was a descendent in the seventh generation of the Puritan Thomas Brigham, who left England, April 8th, 1653, and settled in Massachusetts. When he was five years old his father died, after an illness of seven years, of consumption, leaving Sidney the youngest but one A Pioneer History of Becker Couxty. 493 of eight children, consequently his early educational advantages were limited, but he became a well informed man with more than ordinary acquaintance with the people and events of his own and other countries. On January 8th, 1839, he was married to Fanny N. Hemenway, a native of Farmingham, Mass., and lived happily with her for more than thirty-nine years. Nine children were born to them, four of whom died in early childhood, the remain- ing five daughters growing to womanhood. Those who died were two boys and two girls. On the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the 13th Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, but he was unable to pass the necessary medical examination, and was obliged to return home. Though he was prevented from serving his country in the field, his patriotism was unbounded, and by word and vote he sustained the government and its defenders, and his hand and purse were ever ready at their call. On account of ill health of himself and other members of his family he decided to settle in Minnesota, and leaving Massachusetts, on the 22nd day of July, 1872, with his wife and five daughters, he reached Detroit in Becker County, August 2nd, and on the 4th of the same month, his fifty-fifth birthday, took up his residence on a timber claim in the town of Richwood. There 1)eing' no road to his claim, he was obliged to follow the Indian trail to Floyd Lake, skirt the shore of that body of water for a certain distance, cross through the timber to the Pelican River, where it enters Little Floyd Lake and fording that stream, strike out a road for himself by following a footpath to his claim. A tamarack swamp blocked the way. Having taken his oxen through the swamp, he dared not undertake the crossing, but hired teams to take the lumber for his house, boxes of goods, etc., as far as the swamp, where they were unloaded, unpacked, carried or backed through the swamp to where his own team was in waiting, reloaded and taken to his home. Fortunately the road through the timber to White Earth was soon opened, the corduroys laid through the swamps and before winter set in, while the corduroys were still guiltless of earth, he had the privilege and the honor of being the first man to drive a team over the new road to Detroit. Notwithstanding his age and ill health, his industry and energy were unfailing, and he went to work with a will to make a home in the wilderness. He built a log house and spent his days in clearing his land and 494 A Pioneer History of Becker County. in the labors of seed time and harvest. Twice the grasshoppers descended on his fields and destroyed the fruits of his labors, but still he was ready to try again with faith in ultimate prosperity. In the spring of 1877 his health began to fail rapidly and he gradually relinquished his most arduous labors. As winter ap- proached and he was unable to swing an ax, a long handle was attached to a hatchet and with it he continued to clear the brush from the land, and piling it about trees, previously killed, or in which he had bored holes with an auger to give a better hold to the flames, he burned all together making ready for breaking the soil. But at last this was relinquished, and after a few more weeks of great suffering borne with remarkable patience and for- titude, on the 30th day of April, 1878, he laid down life's bur- dens and rested from his labors. Below are the children of Sidney and Fanny N. Brigham who settled with them in Becker County : Clara J. was born in Stow, Mass., March 19th, 1844, ai'^d moved to Spokane, Washington, May ist, 1884. Amelia R. was born in Stow, Mass., Jan. loth, 1846; was a teacher in Becker County, and she married J. H. Sutherland of Detroit, Jan. ist, 1875. Hattie M. was born in Hudson, Mass., Dec. 19th, 1853 ; she was a teacher in Becker County and married W. A. Norcross of Detroit, Dec. 19th, 1875. Nellie F. was born in Marlborough, Mass., Nov. 27th, 1855 ; she was a teacher in Becker County and married C. H. Potter of Detroit, April 5th, 1876, and moved to Spokane, Washington, May 1st, 1884. Angie S. was born in Marlborough, Mass., Nov. nth, 1859; she taught in Becker County and moved to Spokane, Washington, May ist, 1884, and married C. H. Dart of Spokane, June ist, 1887. Mrs. West. Mrs. J. H. Sutherland. Luke Collins. Luke Collins was born at Southboro, Mass., August 3rd, 1816. He learned the trade of boot and shoe making, and became a superior workman, holding places of responsibility when in the employ of others, and also engaging in the business as a manu- facturer. About 1845, he was married to Sophia H. Heminway A ProNEER History of Becker County. 495 of Marlborough, Mass. Three sons were born to them, one of whom came with hun to Minnesota. The others, twins, dying in infancy. His wife survived them only a few weeks ; .she died in February, 1857. He never remarried. Though nearly forty-five years of age he was one of the first to answer Lincoln's call for "three year men" in 1861, enlisting in Company "F," Thirteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers, leaving for Washington in July. He was detailed as driver of medical stores and later as ambulance driver; in the latter capacity during and after the battle of Antie- tam, September 17th, 1862, he labored in carrying away and caring for the wounded three days and nights without rest thereby con- tracting the disease which necessitated his discharge from the service in Jan., 1863, and which finally resulted in his death. He was popular with his comrades being known as Uncle and Daddy Luke. After his discharge from the army he returned to Massa- chusetts and pursued his ordinary avocation until June, 1872, when he with his son removed to Minnesota, taking up a claim in Richwood, Becker County. On the 30th of May, 1888, he insisted on marching with his comrades to the cemetery to place his tribute of respect and loving remembrance upon the graves of those who had fallen from the ranks. His sight was so nearly gone that he found it difficult to keep in line and once he wandered from the ranks. Afterwards he marched with his hand on the comrade preceding him and in that way was able to keep his place. The hard march was too much for him with his failing strength, and the next day a violent attack of neuralgia of the heart developed which resulted fatally in the early morning of the ist of June. His funeral was conducted by F. C. Choate Post, Number 67 of the Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was a member. To the music of the fife and drum his comrades escorted his remains to the cemetery and with a volley of musketry left him at rest in a soldier's grave. Mrs. West. Mrs. J. H. Suthereand. 496 A PioxEKR History of Becker Ccjuxty, Chapter XXVIII. HAMDEN TOWNSHIP. Lars (3esox Ramstad. Lars Olson Rainstad was born in Toten, Norway. Aug'ust. 13th. 1849, ^"<^ ^^"^^ educated in the public school from the age of six to ten, then in a ])ri\'ate school until he was fourteen, when he was confirmed in the Lutheran church. He worked on the home farm for two rears, and then went into a country store as clerk LARS O. RAMSTAD. 01. 10 A. BOE. for three years. He emigrated to the United States in 1869 and landed in Quebec, May 17th. He came directly to Lanesboro, Fill- more Count}-, -Minnesota, where an uncle Haagan Anderson was living ten miles south of Lanesboro. He remained there one year. In the latter part of May. 1870, he started with another uncle, Ole Peterson and family, and Jens Sukkestad (a cousin), Ole J. Xet- tum and Iver Knudson being also in the company. They had two covered wagons and tw'O double ox teams. Ramstad at this time only owned a cow ; among them all the}- had about 23 head of A Pioneer History of Becker County. 497 slock. They camped the first night between Preston and Chat- fiehl, grass furnishing food for the stock. They had four teams of working oxen, and it sometimes took the cond)ined teams to pull a single wagon out of the mud encountered on the way. They came through Rochester, Zumbrota, Cannon Falls, St. Paul, St. Anthony, Elk River, and St. Cloud, where the railroad stopped then, and followed a trail to Cold Spring ^Nlill and then on to Sauk Centre, Osakis and Alexandria. They stopped a day there and bought provisions. They then resumed their travels to Chippewa and Clitheral. They found log houses and Indians camping there, and remained for some days looking over the coimtry. Iver Knudson and Jens Sukkestad went ahead on foot to John Heav- er's house, west of Audubon wdiich is still standing ( 1894), and came back with so goodly a report of the countrx' that they had seen that the rest of the party went on to the same point. John r)eaver was one of the first l)oard of county commission- ers. His land was on Section 8, Audubon. Dr. Pyle's home is still standing southwest of I'eaver's on the hill south of the road going to Beaver's. All thought they had never seen a finer prospect. The grass in some jdaces was two and a half feet high, the ToJlihg prairie was dotted with lakes and groves here and there ; so liei-e they tarried. From Clitheral to Otter Tail City they were obliged to ford the streams and cross the sloughs. They cut pine boughs and placed them in the swamjjs; when they reached the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, where Frazee now stands, the men waded in the stream to their armpits, the women climbing onto the highest boxes in the wagons, and the young stock swam across. At Oak Lake two trails could be seen, one leading to White Earth, the other west, used by the Indians. Peterson and Sukkestad took land adjoining in Audubon, Section 4. Ramstad took some land in Section 32, in Hamden, and two lots in Section 33. He selected the same on July 1st, 1870, and got his papers in 1872. Xettum took land in Section 2,- in Hamden. He and Ramstad were the first settlers in that townshi]). Hans Ebeltoft located in June, 1870, and settled there in 1871. Tom Reese, brother-in-law of Isaac Jenkins, took land late in the fall of 1870, on Section 12, and Belmont Clark in the same year, on the same section. On November 4th, the town was named for him. John Bill came next. ^^^ A. ^^'ilkins came in 1871 and bought Belmont Clark's claim. Xels Ander- son, an earlv settler came then. Ramstad was married Feb- 498 A Pioneer History op Becker County. ruary nth, 1875, to Annie L. Johnson, sister of Ole Johnson. The ceremony was performed l)y Rev. Tharaldson in the Congrega- tional Church. The first Norwegian Lutheran meeting was held in John Beaver's house in the fall of 1870. Rev. Watleson hold- ing service. Here the synod church was formed. The preacher came there twice yearly from Otter Tail County. They decided to become a conference church the next year, 1871. A great prairie fire raged in the fall of 1870, starting at Bufifalo River ; it swept over Richwood, then down across the prairie and only stopped in the Oak Lake woods. Ramstad then saw A. H. Wilcox for the first time. He was surveying for the government and had to start a back-fire to protect himself. Henry Way speaks of the same fire. He and C. A. Sherman had to run for their lives and just escaped. A rain-storm put it out finally. Lars O. Ramstad was supervisor and assessor in 1872-73-82. Mrs. West. HAMDEN TOWNSHIP. By L. O. R.\mstad. L. O. Ramstad, March 12th, 1894, said : "During the fall of 1870, a large party of forty or fifty carriages camped on Section 5 of Audubon. They kept up firing all night, which startled the settlers as they did not see them come in and did not know what to make of it. They proved to be a party of railroad people who had come from Red River. They had not seen them go out. Late the same fall, 1870, on Section 6, in Audubon, Gunder Carlson was shot by Indians, he being upon his claim with a son nine or ten years old. They had gone to bed when Mr. Carlson, noticing a bright light, stepped to the door and out into the yard, when he saw it was from his haystacks. The Indian, who had come for plunder, had set the stacks on fire, and standing behind Carlson and the haystacks fired. Carlson called to his boy who came to him when he was shot, and they went around to the stable to turn out the stock. Carlson and the boy went that night to Christ. Anderson's. Next morning the neighbors heard of it and those who cared and could be mustered went to the relief. Ramstad, Gregory, Henry Way and Doctor Pyle were there. Carlson lived several years after this but finally died of the wounds. The first graveyard in Audubon was on Way's farm, and Gunder Carlson was buried there. Carlson's son in 1894 was living on Ole Boe's place in Section 29, Hamden Township. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 499 One hundred and seven signed a petition to Governor Austin begging- protection from the Indians, the result being that after this and the Cook murder the Indians had to have a pass when they were off the reservation, which they would hold up above their heads whenever they came within range of a settler. Indians would lie about and watch Ramstad at work, but he would pay no attention to them. In the winter of 1870-71, Ramstad Sukkestad and three others lived together for protection. They killed a steer and had game in abundance. Ramstad was cook and would put the pot on with water heating, and go out with his gun and get prairie chickens for breakfast without trouble. He went to Alexandria in the fall of 1870. It took him thirteen days to make the trip with an ox team. He got flour, $1 worth of sugar and coffee. Sukkestad went to Otter Tail City in the winter for flour. They gathered from their hay some kind of grass from which they made the tea they drank that winter, and thus the five men spent the winter. In 1870 kerosene oil was 80 cents a gallon at B. B. Anderson's store, grain sacks 50 cents each, calico 18 cents a yard, matches 40 cents a box with about 500 in a box, unbleached sheeting 19 cents a yard, potatoes 80 cents a bushel, one quarter pound of common tea was fifty cents, box of pills 75 cents, one half gallon of molasses 80 cents, scythe $2.00, snath $1.50, whetstone 40 cents, stove pipe 40 cents a length. Hay sold for ten dollars a ton in the spring of 1871. In 1870 lard oil for greasing boots was 45 cents a quart, one half barrel of salt was $3.25, and in September linseed oil was 25 cents a pint. In the summer of 1870 the mosquitoes were very bad; one of the men would sit up all night to keep a smudge. They brought dogs with them to help protect themselves and the stock, taking turns to do this. All slept in their wagons from June until October, 1870, and found the mosquitoes very annoying. In the winter of 1871 flour was $5.00 a sack, beans 7 cents a pound, pork, only a shilling; brown sugar, 15 cents; axes, $1.75; wooden pail, 40 cents ; smoking tobacco, 25 cents a quarter pound ; breaking land was $5.00 per acre. In 1872, yellow sugar was 17 cents a pound. In the winter of 1871-72, they were paid $1 a cord for chopping wood, and wagon grease was 25 cents a box. Ham- den was at first called Belmont. Another town in Minnesota had the same name and it was changed. Settlers had to pay a carrier who went from Oak Lake to Otter Tail City live cents for a letter besides the postage. In the fall of 1872 was the first reaping 500 A PioNEKR History of Beckkr County. that Ramstad knew of, B. B. Hemstock "cut grain with a reaper, and Thomas Pierce raked after him with a hand rake. Ramstad worked on the railroad in the fall of 1871, and on the gravel train in 1872. There were no buildings but tents in Fargo; the Headquarter's Hotel was building then. He bought pine lumber at Richwood of McLeod in 1872, before Frazee had started. He sa}s that grasshoppers appeared in the summer of 187 1 in June, and in 1872. In 1873 it was a wet season and they did not bother much, but were back in 1874 and hatched out in 1875, and they came back in 1876, but left for good in 1877. It seemed as if they were swept off. In 1877 they seemed to destroy the whole plant of wheat, eating head straw and all. Governor Pillsbury appointed a day of prayer for the abolition of this scourge and the people well attended the church services. The first mowing with machine brought $5.00 per day and $3. 00 for machine raking. I saw Mr. L. S. Cravath early in the spring of 1871, before the snow went off. He and two other men had been over to Section 34, where he had taken a claim the fall before. He and his family were then stopping at Dr. Pyle's house, about four miles southwest from his claim. He moved onto his claim soon afterwards and if Mrs. Cravath went with him she was the first white woman in the town- ship. Hans Ebeltoft's family did not come until May or June. W. A. Wilkins told me the name of the township had been changed from Belmont to Hamden because there was another Bel- mont in the state, but he could not tell why it was called Hamden, and I never knew. Late in the fall of 1871 several of us were working on the rail- road grade, hauling dirt with our oxen from a cut to a dump a little west of Mu.skoda in Clay County. In our party were Andrew Jenson. Simon Jenson, J. O. Sukkestad, Chris Olson, now a Lake Park banker, Thorville Hanson, Ammund Borstad, P. A. O. Peter- son and Chris E. Bjorge, another banker. Chris Olson's oxen ran home one night, but Olson was on hand with the oxen the next monfing all the same after a chase of nearly thirty nfiles. One time I went home after a load of supplies for the camp. I started from home at four in the morning and all went well until I came near to where Winnipeg Junction is now when I saw smoke coming up from the southwest with a strong wind. I kept on the bluffs along the border of the valley, but in a short time I found that the situation was a grave one, and my only hope was to get across to A Pioneer History of Becker County. 501 the north side of the railroad grade at the Buffalo River crossing-. I drove on and urged the oxen faster and faster with the fire close behind, and with our oxen nearly exhausted we crossed the grade with the fire close to our heels, but we were where we were safe and gave the oxen a much needed rest. I arrived at the camp nearly midnight. Game was very plentiful. I once shot two sand-hill cranes at one shot, and wild geese were nesting in the small lakes nearly all summer. I would here like to mention one useful person : Mrs Hannah Ebeltoft, mother of Hans and Peter Ebeltoft. She was born in Sweden and married to Peter Ebeltoft, Sr., who died in Freeborn County before the Ebeltofts came to Becker County. She was the mother of twelve children and adopted three more who lived with her until maturity. She followed the calling of midwife until the time of her death, when she was over ninety years old, and the number of her patients ran into the thousands. She was a blessing to the people of this county during its early settlement when we had no doctors, going wherever called, whether in Becker, ( )tter Tail, Clay, or Xorman counties, in heavy snow- storms, dark, rainy nights, in some cases being ferried across rivers in wagon boxes too deep to be crossed with a team, and in many instances she was the saver of lives after they had been gi\en up by skillful physicians. Early Reminiscences of Hamden, By AIrs. L. S. Cravatii. In the latter part of October, 1870, my husband, Mr. L. S. Cra- vath left Saratoga, Minnesota, in company with Ward Bill for the Northern Pacific country, wdiere he intended to file on govern- ment land, and return to Saratoga to spend the six months, before it was necessary to take his family onto the claim. They found so much excitement over claims that he decided to remain and send for his family to join him. Accordingly he accepted a posi- tion in T. M. Ault's railroad store. The latter part of December of the same year, I started with my three little boys and maid ; we were nearly frightened to death by the solicitude of friends, who prophesied, either freezing to death in a blizzard, or starving for lack of food, or being killed by Indians ; still the prospect of 502 A Pioneer History of Becker County. a united family gave me courage to go. The journey from Sauk Centre to Otter Tail City was made by stage. That town and its hotel were the newest of the new, and barren of all comforts. My husband did not reach there until morning and then we made the journey to the railroad camp, which was between what is MKS. I,. S. CR.WATH ANH 1 1.\ L'l ; H 1 K K now Frazee and Detroit Lake, in a lumber wagon. I had never seen a railroad camp before and the long, low, log buildings covered with dirt, and filled with rough, unshaven men, were far from attractive. The next night after reaching the camp, it being Christmas eve, the contractor furnished the men whisky, and such a carousal as they had, forty or fift}' men in one room and nearly all howling drunk. The men's quarters were on one side A l^ioNEER History of Becker County. 503 of the kitchen and eating room and the store on the other. Our family arose and dressed and went into the store to sit the night out. I asked the contractor if the men Avere killing each other. "Oh no," he said, "I guess you are not used to Christmas carols, Mrs. Cravath." We stayed at the camp only about six weeks, and then went to Dr. Pyle's, where we lived until we moved onto our claim the first part of April. Dr. Pyle, whose large frame indicated his big, generous heart, made every one welcome, and divided room with each newcomer, as long as another bed could be crowded onto the floor. He made the first Fourth of July ora- tion delivered in Becker County, and it was a good one. Near the close he praised the country, the men, and the women, and mov- ing his hand in a circle to include the young mothers that held their babies, said, and the babies, the plentiest, the prettiest in the world, God bless them," and sat down amid roars of applause. To the credit of the Audubon people, be it said, that four years later, when the doctor was about to move to Monticello, Minne- sota, they made a banquet for him and presented to him a gold- headed cane on which was engraved a chronicle of his helpfulness to the early settlers; and we were told that the cane proved an open sesame to a good practice there. My husband found it a long way to go five miles every day to work on the buildings on our claim, so as soon as the stable of unhewed logs was completed we moved into it. There was not a house nor claim shanty in sight, yet we were never homesick nor discouraged, but full of hope for the future. In 1871 my husband was elected to the legislature, and in 1872 appointed local land agent and townsite agent for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. In the months of May and June, 1871, the settlers commenced coming, and many shanties were built on claims, and the tent town of Oak Lake having arisen in all its glory, visitors of note commenced to come. We met there Hon. William Windom ; Hon. Schuyler Colfax; C. C. Coffin, the author; Rev. E. P. Smith, the first Congregational Indian agent, at White Earth ; the bogus Lord Gordon (that cut so wide a swath) and his company. Bayard Taylor, the traveler, remarked as he drove over Oak Lake hill, "That he had seen no finer natural scenery, not even in Switzerland." Our family owned our homestead for thirty-six years, and lived on it all of the time, excepting the five years we lived in St. Charles for the 504 A PioNKER History of Beckf.r County. ])urpose of cdncatini;- our children. \\e bout^jht land adjoinini^ our homestead, until the farm numbered four hundred and fifteen acres. Every tree and shrub we set out and with infinite pleasure, watched them grow, to their present beauty. They can be seen for miles around and certainly add a charm to the landscape. It was a sorrow to leave them and again take up pioneer life in North Dakota. Four of the children were born there and two married in the old home; one under one of the trees in front of the house. The development of Becker County has been wonderful. Not even during the grasshopper scourge did the settlers accept aid, but bravely struggled on to earn a living. School houses and churches, are as numerous as in places that have been settled a hundred years, and scores of people have attained wealth here. Supplementary History of Hamden. By Walter W. Wilkins. As L. O. Ramstad and Mrs. West have made a good begin- ning of the history of Hamden, and brought it up to the close of the year 1870, I will begin where they left ofT. In November, 1870, Thomas Reese and Ole J. Weston took claims on Section 12, John Bill took a claim on Section 28, and Belmont Clark and L. S. Cravath took claims on Section 34, also Ward Bill. In the spring of 1871 there was quite an influx of emigration, and nearly all the government land was taken up during the year. C. A. Arvidson, Daniel Amos, and Nels Nelson settled on Section 2 that spring. Ellef N. Jellum and Anders Nelson took claims on the east half of Section 4, and Erick Overgaard on Section 6. Christian Larson located on the southwest quarter of Section 8. He was the father of Sivert Larson and Ole C. Larson, the present sheriff, neither of these boys being old enough- to hold a homestead at that time. The remainder of Section 8 was taken about the same time by Nels Olson, Nicoli Overgaard, and a man by the name of Ingebretson. Nels Anderson took a homestead on Section 12. Samuel H. Dahlen settled on Section 14, as did also Louis Peterson and Carl I'lyberg. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 505 John O. Herfindal. John Johnson and Peter Wilson settled on Section 18, Rolf Aniundson, Tosten Olson, Sylfest Branser, Peter Ellingson and L. L. Ramstad all located on Section 20. John S. Davis, Dan Lodin and Gutorm Garness settled on Section 24. On Section 26, Thomas Pierce and Ole K. Black. JUDGE W. W. WILKINS. John F. Crowl and Joseph McKnight settled on Section 28; Stengrem N. Jellum, C. \\'. Mickelson. Lars A. Larson and John A. Herfindal located on Section 30. W. A. Wilkins and Ole Davis settled on Section 32. and Aaron Cravath and Benjamin Hemstock located on Section 34. Li 1872 W. W. A^'ilkins settled on Section 12, northeast qnarter, and W. S. Mois on Section 26, and A. K. Murray bought the John Bill place on Section 28. Township Organization. The town was organized in September, 1871, and the first town election w^as held at the house of John Bill on Section 28, the 19th day of September, 1871, and the following officers were 5o6 A Pioneer History of Becker County. elected: W. A. A\'ilkins, chairman; Lars O. Ramstad and Isaac Farmer, supervisors; L. S. Cravath, town clerk; Benjamin Hem- stock, treasurer; Lars Larson, justice of peace and Ole Davis, constable. The first white child born in Hamden township was Ingebor Dahlen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Dahlen, who was born on the tenth of November, 1871. She is now the wife of Edward Mobraaten, and they live in Wendall, Minn. The first recorded birth of a boy in the township is that of Ingebret Olson, born December 14th, 1872. He was the son of Tosten and Anna Olson, and is now dead. First death recorded,. Gunil Herfindal, died Alarch iSth, 1873. The town was first named Belmont, but later changed to Ham- den. The first marriage was Ole A. Boe to Julia Ebeltoft, Dec. 8th, 1872, ceremony performed by Rev. Hagebo, Lutheran minis- ter. The old soldiers were W. A. Wilkins, L. A. Larson, E. N. Jellum, O. A. Boe, Nels Anderson, C. W. Seebold and W. W. Wilkins. Lucretia Parsons was the first school teacher in the township. In the fall of 1871 I was living with my brother on Section 32 in the town of Hamden. Game was very plentiful, especially ducks, geese and prairie chickens. It was no trouble to keep our families in meat, as all we had to do was to look out on the lake in the morning and see where the ducks were, which would be located according to the wind, and with a double-barreled shot gun we could usually kill enough to last the whole day. We had a small boat in the lake that was just large enough to carry one man, which we used in our hunting excursions. It was a small affair and at first we had to be very careful. After a while we got used to it and could shoot from the boat without any fear of upsetting. One day, however, I was out chasing a wounded duck without success, and I finally concluded I would go down to the other end of the lake and let her die, and pick her up when I came back, but I had hardly turned around when my boat swamped and the first thing I knew, I was out in the lake. I caught my gun with one hand and the edge of the boat with the other, so I had something to hang onto, but I was in a bad fix,, eighty rods from shore and unable to swim a stroke. The bottom of the lake was so soft that I could not stand, the boat was full of A Pioneer History of Becker County. 507 water and I could get no foothold to empty it and there was not another boat anywhere in the vicinity. After being in the lake for more than two hours the boat drifted ashore on the side of the lake opposite to my home and I had lost all confidence in myself, as a sailor, but rather than walk for miles around the lake, I finally decided to take my chances in the boat, which took me back across the lake in safety. Soon after the Cook family murder all our neighbors, except one family, gathered together in the stockade at Lake Park. This one family was that of Ole Davis, and together with my brother William's family and my own decided to stay together in my brother's house, as we were well armed and had a good dog that would not let any one come near without making a great fuss, so we all slept soundly every night until the scare was over. In July, 1871, the grasshoppers came down in multitudes, but we had nothing for them to eat that year, but they laid immense quantities of eggs which hatched out in the spring of 1872, and ate up everything that we had sown, and had it not been that muskrats were plentiful, and brought a high price, many of the settlers would have suffered for the necessaries of life. W. W. WiEKINS. Artesian Wells. Hamden Township is famous for its artesian wells, and some of the finest springs in Becker County are to be found on the line between Sections 35 and 36. There is also a spring of strong, pure, sulphur water near the quarter section corner between Sections 25 and 36. This spring is supposed to possess superior medicinal properties when drank fresh from the spring, but the water loses its mineral properties after standing for a few hours even when corked up tight in an earthen jug. Hans Ebeltoft. Hans Ebeltoft was born in Tromso, Norway, January 15th, 1836, and came to America in 1862, enlisted in the United States army in 1864 and remained with it until the close of the war. He was married to Gunhild Michelson on June 9th, 1867, and came to Becker County, June 5th, 1870, where he took a claim on Section 31 in the town of Hamden. His family came the year afterwards from Freeborn County, Minn. 5o8 A Pioneer History uf Becker County, MR. AND -MRS. HANS EBELTOFT. In 1887 he mo\'e(l to tlie village of Lake Park, where he resided until his death, Aug. loth, 1903, leaving his wife and ten living children. He served two terms as county commissionerrjand several terms as a memher of the village council of Lake Park. Severt Ebeltoft. MARTIN OLSON. MRS. M.ARTIN OLSON. B. O. BERGERSON. MRS. B. O. BERGERSON. 510 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Chapter XXIX. HISTORY OF CUBA TOWNSHIP. By B. O. Bergerson- The town of Cuba was mostly settled during" the years of 1871 and 1872. A few came in 1870, but they were only three or four. Their names were Martin Olsen, B. O. Bergerson, Halvor M. Beaver and Ole Kittelson. Nearly every government quarter section was settled on during the years 1871 and 1872. Martin Olson was the first to arrive in the township, although the land was not surveyed at that time, so that this locality did not possess a name. Next after him came the writer. Bernt O. Bergerson. I was born in Norway, July 23, 1847, ^^^ ^i^^ "^y parents came to America in the year 1852, and settled in Winni- shiek County, Iowa, in the village of Decorah, where my father worked for a man named Painter, who was building a canal and mill, which was the first mill in that county. In the year 1863, we moved to the town of Bancroft, Freeborn County, Minnesota, where my father opened up a new farm, and after working on that farm until the year 1870, I started west to find a farm for myself. After traveling with an ox team for twenty-one days, I finally arrived at my present homestead, the southwest quarter of Section 36. The land was not surveyed yet. If it had been, I could not have taken it as a homestead, for it would have become school land when surveyed, it being on Section 36. I was not married then, so I had to "bach" it that summer; but late in the fall of that year I hitched my oxen to the wagon and turned their heads towards Albert Lea and went over the road once more that year. I slept out of doors every night and late in the fall the ground was frozen hard nearly every night. I arrived safe at my father's farm in Freeborn County, none the worse for the trip both ways with a pair of oxen, which is not the fastest way to get over the country roads. That winter I visited with my folks till in the early spring when I got married to Ingeborg Grasdalen, a daughter of a neighbor of my parents. Immediate- ly after we were married we started for Becker County in company with several others who wanted to go and get land for themselves. The parties who came with me that spring" were my brother-in- LARS P. LAITE. MKS. LAKS P. LAITE. OLE KITTELSON. CAROLINE LAITE. First white girl born in Cuba. 512 A PioNKER History oi' Bkckrr County. law, Lars P. Laite and Erick Quam. They are still living in the county. On arriving at my claim that spring, I found everything as I had left it. The previous summer I had built a house which came handy now when I brought my wife home with me. We lived through that summer mostly on what we had brought with us. Then in the winter, I had to go to work in the woods hauling ties and cutting cord-wood for the railway company in order to get flour and pork ; besides, we had three cows which were a great help to us. In 1871, the year the railroad was built through here, we sold milk and butter in the railroad camps near our home for a good price. They mostly paid us in groceries, but they paid us well, I thought. The first years we tried to farm, we did not have any success, the grasshoppers and blackbirds got in their work so that we were left without anything, not even seed. I had to buy seed wheat three times. The first I bought cost $1.90 a bushel, the second lot cost $1.50, and the third lot cost $1.25. In order to get that last seed I had to sell a cow, which was a great loss, because the cows were our main support then as now. I stay by the cows yet, and this is thirty-five years after, and I will always stay by them as long as I stay on the farm. A good many of the settlers went to Dakota to do breaking, and also some of them did breaking for a Mr. Paul Van Vlissingen, who opened a farm near where Hitterdal now is, in Clay County; and in 1872 a man by the name of M. E. d'Engelbroner, opened a large farm in the western part of Cuba. This township was organized in the winter of 1871-72. We held our first election at the claim shack of Halvor Beaver. There were quite a few of the early settlers present at that election ; so far as I can remember the following settlers were there : Charles W. Smith, Alonzo F. Chase, Thomas Torgerson, H. M. Beaver, Thorville Hanson, Amund Baarstad, H. Salveson, Lars P. Laite, Ole Kittelson, Barney Qlson, Torger Matson, Ole Asleson, Andrew Pederson and B. O. Bergerson. At that meeting it was decided to name the town AlcPherson, after a famous general in the civil war, but it was discovered that we could not get that name, as there was another town by that name in the state. At a later meeting it was finally named Cuba by Charles W. Smith, in honor of the village of Cuba, Allegany County, New York, the native place of Mr. Smith. Smith was appointed town clerk to act until we held a regular town election. At the regular town elec- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 513 tion Theodore Holton was elected town clerk, he being the first town clerk elected in the town of Cuba. As there is no record of the first town meeting I am unable to say positively who were the first board of supervisors, but I do remember that two of them were Ole Kittelson and Thomas Torgerson, the last being chairman. Charles W. Smith was the first assessor, and B. O. Bergerson was first justice of the peace. Theodore Holton was town clerk for three years ; after him was Thomas Torgerson, who held the office for four years ; then after him, B. O. Bergerson was elected and he has held the office ever since. This town was settled principally by Norwegians and Swedes, about all of them coming in the years 1870-71-72. Being near the railroad, even numbered sections were opened for homestead entry. If every section could have been settled, all the land would have been taken those three years. Besides the Norwegians and Swedes there were a few Irish settlers in town those early days, but some are dead and some have gone away. There is only one family now, Hugh Sullivan's, who reside on Section 30. Be- sides the Irish we had some American families, but those of the early settlers have gone away. We have some that came later. In the winter of 1872-73, we had to look to something else be- sides our crops for a living, as they gave us nothing for the winter except a few potatoes, so some of us went cutting cordwood and others went hauling ties to the railroad. I hauled ties which was both trying on man and oxen. The snow was deep and the cold was intense. We got $2.00 a day for man and team, and we had to make two trips each day with from 22 to 24 ties each load. In order to do that we had to be out in the woods before daylight, and never got back to camp until after dark. We who hauled by the day had to load our own loads which was very hard work when we had to work in snow from two to three feet deep in the woods. When loading we got wet from snow, and when we got out of the woods on the prairies where the wind blew hard with the mercury at forty below zero, and the roads drifted full of snow, we would chill to the bones, but we did not mind it much, for when we got back to the camp in the evening and got our oxen stabled and our supper over we had forgotten all our hardships suffered during the day. The next winter I was cutting cordwood. We got eighty cents per cord, and we had' to pay fifteen cents a pound for salt 514 A P'loxEKR History of Becker County. pork and $8.00 per barrel for flour. Money we hardly ever saw. What paid best was trapping. Fur was high those days and this helped us quite a bit. I can remember that I got as high as thirty cents for muskrats. One Christmas eve in 1873, we had nothing for Christmas, and no money to get anything with, but having a few muskrat pelts I went to Lake Park and traded them for groceries. 1 was allowed twenty-eight cents for the rats so we had a merry Christmas after all. In July, 1871, a swarm of grasshoppers settled over this country, and as there were but few grain fields they did not do much damage that }'ear, but most of the new^ settlers had broken a few acres of new land, and while the grasshoppers stayed there they put in their time laying eggs in the new breaking, and all the bare spots they could find. After they had finished laying, they arose one windy day and left us for that year. The next year, 1872, the eggs hatched out in the early summer, and the grasshoppers began their work of destruction. That year they ate everything that was sowed or planted, so that there was nothing left for us to harvest. I remember that the piece of land that I had sowed that spring was eaten close down to the earth, so that I could not have believed there had been any wheat there, if I had not sown it myself, and had seen the grain coming up in the spring. They stayed here that summer until they were full grown, then they took to their wings and left us for where I do not know. Miss Lottie Rossman, of Detroit, taught the first school in Cuba Township, beginning in 1877 and completing her second term in the summer of 1878. Martin Olson. Martin Olson was born near Trondhjem, Norway, in October, 1839. After he had grown to manhood he followed the occupa- tion of sailor until the year 1866, when he came to America. He first settled in Alamakee County, Iowa, where he remained four years. In 1869 he was married to Christine Osberg. In the spring of 1870 they started for Becker County, with an ox team and on the nth day of June located on what is now the southeast quarter of Section 35 in the town of Cuba. The land was not surveyed at that time, so he could not know what land he was on until the next October. A PioNEiiR History of Becker County. 515 On the /th day of May, 1871, a baby boy was born to them, and he was the first white boy born in the township. Mr. Olson remained on his farm, where he had erected good substantial buildings, until his health failed, when he sold his farm for a good price and moYcd to the village of Lake Park, which adjoins his farm. He still has two other farms which are rented out. Halvor M. Beaver. Halvor M. Beaver was born at Kongsberg, Norway, in June, 1842. In 1865 he came to America, locating in Dodge County, Minnesota, where he remained for about five years. He came to Becker County on the nth of November, 1870, and took a home- stead on Section 34 in Cuba Township, and in the spring of 1871 built a house on his place, and has resided there ever since. Mr. Beaver was married to Betsey E. Aaberg on the 21st of August, 1875. Mrs. Beaver was a native of Urdal, Norway. His first crop of wheat was sown in 1872, and what promised to be a good crop at first was nearly all destroyed by blackbirds. In 1875 he planted his first trees, and has planted some around his house every year since, so that now he has a large grove around his buildings. Mr. Beaver's farm is provided with commodious build- ings, and he conducts his farm on the diversified plan. He keeps a large number of cows and other stock, and does not depend on raising grain altogether. In the early part of January, 1873, we had the worst blizzard in the history of the country, wdiich lasted for forty-eight hours. Stables were covered with snow in some places so that cattle could not be taken out or in, and had to be fed by cutting a hole through the roof. Water they did not get for three days. On the 9th of July, 1876, a swarm of grasshoppers came down by the million, and laid their eggs in immense numbers, which hatched out the next year and threatened to devour every- thing in the country. That year the hopper dozers were invented and came into use. They were long, scraper-like things, that were besmeared with coal tar on the inside. Beaver and his wife would pull this machine back and forth across the fields while the baby slept in the cradle near by. y, a. o S W J2 A Pioneer History of Becker County. 517 Lars P. Laite. Lars P. Laite was born in Hafslo, Norway, August 2nd, 1874. When nine years of age he came to America with his mother, who was a widow at the time. After Hving at Stoughton, Wisconsin, for three years they moved to Freeborn County, Minnesota, where they Hved in the town of Bath until 1871. On the 27th of October, 1870, he was married to Sophia Bergerson and in the spring of 1 871 they came to Becker County, arriving in the town of Cuba on the 1 2th day of June. They came with oxen and a prairie schooner, and were three weeks on the road. The first white girl born in Cuba was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Laite. This little girl was born on the 24th day of August, 1871, and her name is Caroline. She is now Mrs. Edward Jordahl, of the village of Lake Park. John Olson. John Olson came to Cuba Township in 1871, and took a home- stead on Section 12, and in 1875 began the erection of a grist- mill but for lack of capital it went slow. Finally after a few years his mill was so far advanced that he was able to make a little flour, which he continued to do for several years, but owing to frequent trouble with his dam and lack of capital he finally became discouraged, and in the year 1885 it broke up altogether. Mr. Olson has since moved out of the county. Thorville Hanson. Thorville Hanson was born in Hakkedalen, Norway, on the 4th day of August, 1847. He lived at home until he had grown to manhood when he left his native land for America, arriving in Houston County, Minnesota, on the 26th of May, 1867 On the nth day of May. 1871. he came to the township of Cuba, in Becker County and located on the same quarter section where he now resides. He was not married at that time, but on the 28th day of June, 1872, he was married to Christine Halverson. She came to Cuba on the same date and took a pre-emption on Section 26, adjoining Hanson's, and as soon as the government plat A. BAARSTAD. MRS. A. BAARSTAD. LARS LAR.SON. MRS. LARS LARSON. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 519 of the township was received at the land office she proved up on her claim which gave them a fine farm of 320 acres including the whole of the south half of Section 26. I well remember the wedding day, as it was the first wedding in the township of Cuba. They were married by a traveling minister by the name of Manuel Hagebo. I think he was the first Scandinavian minister in this part of the country. The wedding was held in Mrs. Hanson's own cabin which was about ten by twelve feet. Right in the midst of the ceremony a great shower of rain came down. The roof of the house was made with a few rails for rafters, and these were covered with hay and sods of earth, and when the rain began to pour down it came through the roof and brought a large quantity of black soil with it, covering the table and also the groom and bride. They, however, got married in good shape and have stayed married ever since. They have since taken on more Cuba soil, and are now the largest land owners in the township. Lars Larson. Lars Larson was born in Sweden in the year 1850, and came to the United States in 1869. He lived two years in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and in 1870 came to Clitheral, in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and in March, 1871, came to Becker County and took a claim on Section 18, in Lake Park Township, where he lived for four years. Since that time he has lived on Section 29 in the township of Cuba. On the 22nd of December, 1875, Mr. Larson was married to Gertrude Pearson, who was born in Sweden and came to America about the same time as Mr. Larson. Ole Christenson. Ole Christenson was born in Norway on the 6th day of January, 1850, and came to the United States in 1867. locating at La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he lived until May, 1871, when he started with an ox team for Becker County, Minnesota, and his mother who came with him took a homestead. Ole was not then old enough to hold a homestead himself, but his mother died a few years afterwards and he filed a homestead on the place himself, where he still resides in good circumstances. 520 A PioNKKR History, of Becker County. have since raised a family of three girls a^? a ' ; ^Tl^l tZ have a fine farm in a high state of ct.ltivation. "^ Erick Anderson. isJ^f T'^"T T ^""^ '" Vermland, Sweden, Febr„ar>- 6th .845. In Jt,„e 1869, he left Christiana on a saih„ecker County. We were soon inside dry clothes, none the worse for our bath. That night and the next morning, the 21st, it snowed hard, the snow remaining on the ground all day. The second evening after dark we noticed a big fire to the south of our camp about four miles away and we were at a loss to know what it meant as it was too wet for the prairie grass to burn, but we found out in a day or two that it was Gunder Carlson's haystacks burning just over the line on Section 6, in what is now Audubon Township. They were set on fire bv an Indian by the name of Bachinana just after dark, and as Carlson went out of his house to ascertain the cause of the fire, the Indian arose from behind the woodpile and fired at him with a charge of buckshot, giving him what proved to be a mortal wound. Hamden was worse than Cuba for sloughs and ponds ; they were all alive with ducks and geese, and sand-hill cranes were seen stalking about over the prairies or flying over head every day. and the sharp-tailed grouse or native prairie hens were abundant, es- pecially in the vicinity of the few small groves and patches of hazel- brush. There was not a settler then living within the limits of the present town of Hamden, although there were three small pieces of breaking, one on Section 31, belonging to Hans Ebeltoft, and another on Section 33, just west of the lake belonging to Lars O. Ramstad. Ramstad had a few haystacks and he was fighting a prairie fire that was raging when I ran the line between Sections 32 and 33. With the e.xception of these improvements there was no sign or trace of civilization in the township, except the track of a wagon that had been driven around the north end of the lake on Section 26. After camping in the grove on Section 17 for about a week, we moved to a small grove between the two lakes on Section 34 and after remaining there for a day or two, we moved into Richwood early in November and camped in a small grove of timber by a large pond on Section 19, a short distance west of the old Red River road. This road was the main road to the White Earth Agency and the only road except the Leech Lake road. There were eight men living within the limits of the present town of Richwood at the time, four of whom had families. Hans Hanson was living with his wife and one child in a log house on Section 20. Iver Christenson was living with his family on Sec- tion 29. A PioxEKR History of Becker County. 535 Iver Evenson with his family were on the southeast quarter of Section 29, and Gabriel Halverson and family were on Section 21. Hugh Campbell was living on Section 28 on the place since occupied by Hans Sail, and William Harding lived on Section 29 on the west side of the lake near the quarter section corner be- tween Sections 29 and 32. There was a house on Section 33 built by a man named George Van \'alkenburg on the west side of the creek about a quarter of a mile south of the section line, but there was no one living there at the time. He came on the next spring with his family, a squaw and several half-breed children. The place was since owned and occupied by Mickel Mickelson. Ole Qualey was living somewhere in the town, as I saw him that fall twice, but he was not yet of age and could not take a homestead. A man by the name of A. J. Haney was building a mill- dam where the Richwood mill is now. Gus. Lundine had his name written on the section stake on the town line at the southwest corner of Section 32, but I saw nothing of him or any of his im- provements that fall. There was any amount of water in Richwood then and ice began to form in the sloughs and ponds before we had finished the survey of the towship. It was bad enough to wade in cold water at any time, but when the ice was just strong enough to break and let you through at every step it was tough enough. When the survey of the township was made, the west end of Buffalo Lake was about half a mile east of where Richwood Mills now stand and quite a little distance east of the line between Sections i and 2. Where the west end of Buffalo Lake is now there was a fine dry meadow with the Buffalo River, a fine clear stream of water, running through the middle. Haney was there at work on the mill-dam and he was some- what uneasy lest he should have trouble on his hands at some future time as the result of overflowing so much land and he wanted to know if there was not some way in which I could help him. So when I came to meander the lake, I ran the meander lines well up on the face of the low bluff's or hills bordering on the meadow and away around down by his mill-pond, and made the meander lines fit the future outline of the lake so com- pletely that when the water was raised by the dam no one would ever have known but that the lake had always been up to its present level. 536 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Deer were very plentiful in the timbered portions of Rich- wood when winter set in, but they soon afterwards left for the pine forests farther east, and we did not see a deer, and but very few of their tracks after leaving that township. In the middle of Richwood the timbered forests began and it was nearly a month before the marshes were frozen sufficiently hard to bear a team ; so we were obliged to cut miles of road. This was done by Chris Bjorge, afterwards the Lake Park banker. We started in from the prairie at Gabriel Halverson's house on Section 21, and cut around the north side of the lake on Section 22, then built a bridge across the inlet to that lake near the line between Sections 22 and 23 at the only place where the marsh along the creek was narrow enough to build a bridge. This bridge was built at the same place where the little bridge now stands on the road from Detroit to Richwood village. The road ran from there east to the southwest corner of Rock Lake in Section 29, where we made our next camp. After remaining here for a few days we moved around to the north side of the lake on Section 27, as near the center of the town as we could get. When we moved into this township, which is now Holmesville, winter had set in earnestly, but was not severe until Christmas. We were living in a tent doing our cooking and warm- ing ourselves by a fire outside until about the middle of December. We had heard before that there was a store near Oak Lake, so we sent our team there for some supplies and among other things it brought a little sheet iron heating stove which added very much to our comfort the remainder of the winter. This store, the first opened in Becker County, was owned by a man named Sterling and was located on Section 7 in the town of Detroit on the west shore of the lake. The building was owned by L. D. Sperry, who afterwards sold the land on which it stood to Byron Wheeler who lived there several years. The advance of winter brought with it many new and interesting features. Every morning for a couple of weeks the roaring of the ice as it was forming on the lakes in the vicinity was novel and strange, not one of us having ever heard anything of the kind before. It did not take long for the ice to get strong enough for us to walk upon it, which was a great convenience in running lines through a country so thickly dotted with lakes and ponds. The ice on Rock Lake, at first thin and elastic, was very transparent and in places multitudes of fish could be seen through the ice and frequently where the water was A Pione;e;r History of Becke;r County. 537 shallow the men would strike the ice with an ax or hatchet over some big wall-eyed pike or perch which stunned the fish so that they would turn belly up and be easily taken through a hole cut in the ice. One evening as we returned to camp from Tamarack Lake and while traveling on the frozen surface of the Buffalo River, one of my men, Daniels by name, fell through the ice up to his armpits. We soon fished him out and as he began to take off his wet clothes in the tent a short time afterwards he felt something squirm in his pants' pocket, upon which he jerked out a live perch seven or eight inches long, which had taken refuge there when he went through the ice. There was a flock of about one hundred grouse or native prairie hens around the borders of the lake on Section 27, where we camped, that had gathered in from the prairies at the beginning of winter. They were very tame, as we had no firearms, and did not molest them and the longer we remained the tamer they grew. Before winter set in we expected to have trouble in obtaining food for our oxen as there was no hay in the vicinity, but the borders of nearly all the lakes in the woods were lined with ever- green or scouring rushes, and we soon found that our cattle could live on them and keep in as good order as if they had hay. They have been nearly exterminated since. I did not run many of the section lines in the town of Holmes- ville as I went down to Sherman's at Oak Lake about the loth of December and was there a week or two writing up field notes, and Albert Daniels ran the compass during my absence. While I was at Sherman's, S. B. Pinney rented a log building of Sherman in which to store some goods and groceries. He had a contract for getting out the ties for the Northern Pacific road in Becker County. He brought with him a sleek looking young man by the name of Ole A. Boe to take charge of the supplies. It was not many days before the store house opened out as a full-fledged store. There was no one living within the limits of the present town of Holmesville at that time, but early in the spring of 1871, Swan Olund located on the southwest quarter of Section 6, and is clearly the first settler in the township. 538 A Pioneer History oe Becker County. Chris Bjorge had cut a road around by the north shore of Cotton Lake and the south shore of Tamarack Lake. The swamps were not yet frozen hard enough to bear up a team and we could go no farther north without crossing a swamp, so all of Grand Park was surveyed from our camp on the east shore of Pine Lake. We began work in the southeast corner of the township where the surveys of all the townships are supposed to commence, and as our camp was within a mile and a half of the west boundary it took nearly half of our time to go to and from our work. We generally ran lines all day long and as late in the evening as we could see to read the figures on the compass, usually getting farther away from camp all the time, and when it was too dark to survey any more we would start for camp, frequently having to travel four or five miles in the dark taking a good many chances of missing our way and all sleeping out in the woods or breaking into some treacherous spring hole, or walking into some air-hole in the ice, but we always found our way to the camp without serious accident. On the day after Christmas the weather turned intensely cold and remained so for ten days. The mercury must have been 30° to 45° below zero every day during that time. I ran the meander lines around Height of Land Lake during that spell of cold weather and one of my men froze his feet so badly that he had to stay in camp for a whole week. Every day some of us would freeze our faces and the nights were too cold for us to sleep comfortably in a tent. Frequently in the night someone would get up and build a fire and warm up a little, but I always got up and ate a lot of pork and beans when I was cold and went back to bed and let the fire go, finding that would warm me up better and more permanently than to sit around a fire on an empty stomach. A day or two before New Year's Day, I came near losing a man by the name of Shira. I had been running lines in the northwest part of the township and at dark came to Tamarack Lake on Section 18 a little south of where the Dahl family has. since lived for several years. We here struck across Tamarack Lake and traveled southwest across the bay on the ice around the point of land that projects out into the lake at the corner of Sections 13, 24, 18 and 19 and then followed the east shore to where the line between Sections 19 and 30 intersect the lake. Here we were about to leave the lake and follow the section line east through the woods to camp, when we discovered that Shira was A Pioneer History of Becker County. 539 missing. He was subject to epilepsy and as it was 40° below zero and a blizzard raging I became alarmed for his safety. I sent the other men on to the camp and went back to look for him. In doing so I was obliged to face a gale from the northwest and it was not long before my cheeks were frozen so hard that I could not shut my eyes. This was not the first time in my life, however, that this had happened, so I was not alarmed, but kept on around the point and back to where we left Shira, a distance of at least two and a half miles. I there found by his tracks that he had started through the woods in the direction of the camp preferring to tear through the brush and timber and take his chances on getting lost, than to face the storm on the lake. I did not attempt to follow him, but went back by the way of the lake. When I reached the camp, Shira was there, but he had run a narrow risk of freezing to death as he had broken through into some springs and got wet and also got lost afterwards, but as good luck favored' him, he ran across two of my other men who had been out cor- recting lines, and they brought him into camp badly frozen. That winter there was a large flock of grouse around the west shore of Height of Land Lake. They were seen feeding generally on the buds of the white birch. Partridges were also quite plentiful. There were a number of ravens about Height of Land Lake and I think there has been a few there ever since. There were not as many wild animals in the woods as there has been since. There were a few rabbits, and foxes were abundant ; in fact far more numerous than now. They were nearly all poisoned off years ago, while wolves are much more plentiful now than they were then. The Otter Tail River, which flows through this township and particularly both where it enters and where it leaves Height of Land Lake, was then a favorite resort of the Indians. There was a large cornfield near the inlet on the east side of the river and several graves on the brow of the hill fronting the river opposite where Charles Mitchell now lives. There was a camp of Indians half a mile below the outlet where they had a fish trap across the river and they were catching more fish than they could use. There was also a large burying ground, a little east of the outlet on the little prairie by the lake near the Indian mounds. A day or two after New Year's we moved south into Township 139, Range 40, or what is now the town of Erie. From near the south end of Tamarack Lake, we cut a road southwesterly 540 A Pioneer History of Becker County. across Section 31 of Grand Park, Sections i, 2, 13, 14 and 23 of Erie crossing the Otter Tail at the present crossing at the foot of the rapids below the Hubbell dam thence along down east of the river until we intersected the ravine that extends down to the river where the county bridge now stands. We turned away down this ravine and camped in the thicket of fir balsams where the east end of the county bridge is now. The next day we com- menced the survey of the town of Erie. The second day I started to run the line between Sections 12 and 13 from west to east. At about fifteen chains we intersected the Otter Tail River at about the middle of the rapids, below where the Hubbell dam is now. Usually about the first thing our cook would do after setting up in a new camp was to dig a bean hole ; as we had no cook stove we baked our bread before an open fire in a tin reflector and baked our beans in a hole dug in the ground. A fire was built in the hole something after the plan of heating an old fashioned brick oven. After the ground was made good and hot, the bean kettle was lowered into the hole and the hole covered over tight and the beans left in to bake. At this camp our cook who was a little Englishman named Wignel Gott from Elizabeth- town in Otter Tail County, had dug his customary bean hole and baked an oversupply on the first day, and before we could eat them all up, a quantity of them soured on his hands. Sour beans are bad enough in warm weather, but with the thermometer at 30 below. One dose was enough, so the whole camp struck on eating them. The next day several Indians came down from the fish trap with fish to sell and the cook was not long in striking up a trade, exchanging a part of his baked beans for fish. He was very much elated at what he considered his shrewd bargain, but the next day the Indians came back with blood in their eyes. The cook who was entirely alone on both occasions was accused by the Indians of trying to poison them and they demanded in- demnity for being driven out into the snow during the small hours of the night. Any one who has ever eaten sour beans can appreciate the situation. The Indians then commenced a sort of war dance around the Englishman, which was accompanied with a flourish of knives and guns around his head and an occasional war-whoop, during which time the poor fellow was frightened nearly to death. After an hour or so, they began to calm down and the cook began to recover his senses and the matter was A Pioneer History of Becker County. 541 finally compromised by giving the Indians the balance of sour beans. I started across on the ice with the head chainman at my heels and when about half way over, the ice gave way and we both went into the water to our waists. We were not long, how- ever, in crawling out. The day was extremely cold, 30 below zero, at least, so that put an end to running lines that day. We all struck ofif down the river on the ice and were not long in mak- ing the two miles to the camp. The morning after our misfortune in crossing the rapids, we went back and continued our line across the river without further accident. We had now been running lines for four months and a half, and during all the time we had been looking out for the Northern Pacific Railroad as we knew it was to be located some- where in this part of the county ; and immediately after crossing the river we were delighted to find one of their surveyed lines. Several of my men were for taking homesteads right there and then. They considered themselves the most fortunate beings that had ever been born. Here was the railroad, and here was a magnificent water-power. There would certainly be a station here, around which a city would grow up right in the center of Becker County and it would assuredly become the county seat. After looking around a little longer they came to a tree with the bark hewed off on one side on which was written, "taken with Sioux half-breed Script," and signed George B. Wright. Thus the fond hopes of the boys and their visions of wealth came to naught. The railroad was not built there and the finest water power in Northwestern Minnesota, except perhaps Fergus Falls, is still idle. This was the first place where we had seen any sign of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The large island in Cotton Lake was at that time one of the most beautiful and attractive natural parks in Becker County. It was alive with partridges. In the top of an old oak tree there was the nest of an eagle, and that nest was since occupied each season by what is supposed to be the same pair of eagles, for more than thirty years ; the tree was blown down in 1901. About the 9th of January, I ran the line between Sections 31 and 32 in Erie Township which took me over the summit of Detroit Mountain. From the top of it I ob- tained my first view of the Detroit prairie and Detroit Lake. I 542 A Pioneer Historv of Becker County. had a telescope on my surveying instrument, so I spent several minutes in looking in that direction. I could see the Tyler House, the Fox house on the hill and another log house a little farther to the right, which I suppose was where Judge Rossman then held forth. These were all the signs of civilization to be seen where the city now stands. A\'e were undoubtedly the first white men to ascend Detroit ^^lountain. By the loth of January, my road engineer had completed a road from where we were camped on the Otter Tail River to the center of the Township 139, Range 39, or what is now Height of Land Township, and we moved our camp to a small pond on the land since owned by Louis Golke. This road was cut out very near where the Detroit and Shell prairie county road runs at present. In fact all my survey roads were the only roads used by the early settlers of those timbered towns for many years, and many of them are used today right where I cut them out thirt}'- six years ago. We surveyed the whole township from this camp, and as the days were very short, we utilized about all the hours of daylight in running lines and traveled to and froiu our work in the dark, generally making a bee line for the camp as soon as daylight was gone. So accustomed was I to the woods that I could al- ways make my way to almost any point in whatever direction it might be by night or by day without using the compass or hav- ing the sun or stars for a guide. I have been in the woods more or less ever since I was ten years old, and never was lost for a minute, and it always seems strange to hear anyone talk about getting lost in the woods or on the prairie. Nothing of particular interest occurred while surveying this town, except an occasional visit from some of our red brethren. One evening when we were all in our tent, an Indian came who could talk fairly good English and announced himself as a good Indian. He said there were thirty of them at the fish-trap and they were going to have a dance the next night, but that they had nothing but water to drink, and he was afraid things would go rather slow ; so he came to see if I would sell him a pound of coffee, adding that he had no money, but he knew where there was a mink which he was going to kill in a day or two, and then he would pay. I accordingly let him have the coffee. He said that he had had no supper, so we fed him and he went to bed. A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 543 He ate breakfast next morning, and left. The second day after- wards, he came back with a mink just killed. He skinned the mink, stayed all night again, had supper and breakfast and then proposed to pay for his coffee with the mink skin. I supposed he intended to give me the skin and was a little surprised when he wanted $4 in cash for the difference. He went away, but came back after awhile with another mink, stayed all night and had supper and breakfast again and when he came to leave, he an- nounced that the dance at the fish-trap had not come off yet and he would like to buy another pound of coffee, "If I was not objections." This time I was objections. There was not a single settler in Height of Land, Erie, Grand Park or Holmesville at this time. AVe finished our survey on the 19th of January, 1871. In Nov., 1870, I had selected the northwest quarter of Section 6, in what is now the town of Detroit for a homestead, so I took my team, wagon and camp outfit over there, and set up my tent and built a log house before I went below. I also discharged my men at this place, three of them going to St. Paul, and three to Elizabethtown in Otter Tail County. Erick Anderson and his father Andrew X'elson stayed and helped me to build my house. Erick afterwards settled on Section 32, in the town of Cuba and has lived there ever since. He was elected judge of probate in 1874, and held the otBce four years. His father settled in the town of Eglon, Clay County. Chris E. Bjorge went back to the west part of the county, and as he was not old enough to take a homestead bought some railroad land. He had not been in the country long, but had acquired a fair command of the English language. He had had an adventure with a sand-hill crane and the other men were never tired of hearing him relate the story. He had winged the l)ird with a shot from an old musket and w'ent to pick him up, when the crane showed fight, rushing at Chris with spread wings and open mouth. He had no time to reload, so he concluded to retreat to some safe place where he could reload and then open the fight again. The crane followed him, keeping close to his heels, and every time Chris looked over his shoulders the crane was right there taking "awful steps." Final- ly he concluded that it was too cowardly to run from a bird, so he stopped and "struck the crane right in the face," with the gun, which finished the fight. A. H. WILCOX. I.F.STKR C. MCKINSTRY. MRS. A. H. WILCOX. MRS. C. P. WII.COX. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 545 After coming out of the woods, it did not take us long- to find the Northern Pacific Railroad. There were about forty men at work at the Oak Lake cut, Imt it was not located beyond there until the next summer. \\y the loth of February, I had my house finished all but the roof and then started for St. Paul, not having slept in a house for more than six months. There was a team going to St. Cloud, which at that time was the near- est point on the railroad, so I rode all the way in an open sleigh and a long cold ride it was. This team belonged to W. W. AIcLeod. There were lively times in the Detroit woods that winter, clearing right of way, grading in the deep cuts and making ties in the woods for the Northern Pacific Railroad. I came back to Becker County in April and brought Mrs. Wil- cox with me. My brother, C. P. Wilcox and his wife came that same season. This time we came by way of Benson which was the end of the main line of the Great Northern Railway. From there we came by stage to Otter Tail City. With us in the stage were two men who were going to northwestern Minnesota, but had no particular place in view, and we pursuaded them to go to Becker County with us. Their names were Alonzo Fogg and John Dis- pennett and they both settled in the town of Lake Eunice. Otter Tail City was then a thriving village. Old Donald Mc- Donald a relic of the Hudson Bay Company was there, still buying furs of the Indians. He was a grotesque looking figure, then nearly eighty years of age, and dressed in a costume half nabob and half Indian, with a high fur hat, military coat, leggings and moccasins ; he was suggestive of Washington Irving's high military officer at the top, and ragged Indian at the bottom. After visiting a store or two 1 went into one which was run by a pleasant, good looking young fellow with a very winning way by the name of E. G. Holmes. Of him I bought a window, a cooking stove, a wash tub, and a lot more goods, enough in all to make a wagon load to take home with us. As a proof of the fact that any and every one who ever deals with Holmes gets the worth of their money, I will state that that cook stove lasted thirteen years and the wash tub twenty-five years. On the i6th, we proceeded to the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, near where Frazee is now, where we stayed all night at the \\' eymouth Hotel, which stood on the hill on the south side of the river not far from where the late Mr. Martin resided. This 546 A Pioneer History of Becker County. house had been opened up since I went below in February and was doing a rushing business. This was Mrs. Wilcox's first night in Becker County. The house was filled with railroad men and homeseekers and the beds were all full. At first it looked as though we would both have to stand up in a corner all night, but finally Mrs. Weymouth, true to that generous good nature of hers, came to our relief and gave us her bed. The next day we drove up through the Detroit woods along the old Red River road, and where the club house is now, there had never been any road cut out, so we were obliged to drive along the gravel shore of Detroit Lake for about half a mile. Farther on the Indians were making maple sugar, and had hundreds of trees tapped. There was a large camp near the road where they were boiling sap. We stopped at the Tyler Hotel for dinner and here for the first time 1 met J. O. Crummet and Swan Olund. We reached our homestead on the i8th of April. There were several inches of snow on the ground at that time. As our house was not finished, we lived in our tent for a month. About the 25th of April, L. C. McKinstry arrived and stayed with us for a while. M. H. Davis, Mrs. Wilcox's nephew had arrived a short time before. One evening about the last of the month, two young Swedes asked to be kept all night and the next day they both took home- steads next to mine. One of them was Frank A. Johnson, who has for many years been section foreman for the Northern Pacific Railroad at Frazee. The native prairie hen or sharp-tailed grouse was very plenti- ful around our house that spring. The regular prairie chicken or pinnated grouse with the yellow legs was not known in the county then, but began to arrive a few at a time three or four years later. Wild pigeons were quite plentiful ; I shot three one morning before breakfast as they were flying over our house. As there were no settlers with families in the vicinity, I ex- changed my homestead for the southeast cjuarter of Section 8, and built a new house near the north end of Oak Lake. Nels Lofstrom has for many years lived on the place where I first settled. Our neighbors at Oak Lake were L. D. Sperry and the Sherman family. We were unable to procure any lumber that summer at any price, so we were obliged to live on the bare ground floor with a cross cut saw and a blanket for a door until the A Pioneer History ok Becker County. 547 next October, About the 25th of May, I made a trip to Section two of Lake Park and made a survey of the south half of that section for OHver Taylor and John Johnson. This was my first job of private surveying in Becker County. I made the trip on foot and on my way home I overtook Erick P. Skaiem loaded down with about twenty big suckers. He was barefoot and armed with a big fish-spear and appeared to be very enthusiastic over his and the future prospects of the country in general. He had just become of age and was unmarried. On the last day of ]\Iay I started with an ox team for Morris, in Stevens County to begin the survey of a state road running from that place to the White Earth Agency, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles. On my way down I met George Jepson and two others going to Detroit for the first time. Nothing of particular interest occurred during the progress of this survey. We reached Fergus Falls, with our survey about the 12th of June, a place of forty houses. On reaching Elizabethtown I made a stop of two or three days and surveyed out the townsite of that village, eighty acres in extent. When we reached Pelican Rapids there were only three or four houses there and no townsite had been laid out. After finishing the state road, I rode a mule all the way back to Pelican Rapids, carrying my compass and chain on the saddle to survey out the town, but when I arrived there I found the proprietor, a man by the name of Tuttle, was in St. Paul in jail for selling whisky to the Indians. So I had my trip for nothing. This same Tuttle is said to be the inventor of the lightning drag tooth cross-cut saw. Our road was surveyed around the west end of Pelican Lake to Peabody's old place in Otter Tail County, where we stopped for a day or two to explore the country in the south part of Lake Eunice as it w'as a difficult territory to locate a road through on account of the numerous lakes. While thus employed I took a stroll over into Section 35 in what is now Cormorant Township. Here I found a man l)y the name of Cornish, building a mill-dam across Spring Creek, a small stream five or six feet wide near the county line. He said he was going to build a sawmill and a grist- mill. I thought at first he was joking and laughed at the idea of building mills on a little brook like that. I asked him where he was going to get water enough to run mills like them, as there was not then water enoueh in the creek to run one mill two 548 A Pioneer History of Becker County, months in the year. He replied that he was going to tap Lake Ida and had already started a ditch for that purpose. He took me up to see his ditch and while looking at that beautiful lake, he called my attention to the amount of water it would supply. I asked him what he would do when Lake Ida was run down so low that it would not yield a sufficient supply. He said it would not run down, but if it did there were seven feet of water in Big Cormorant Lake that would last forever as it was fed by springs that would never fail. I told him that in a few years he would run both lakes down and they would never fill again and that would be the end of his water-power. He built his dam and the mills were built. The water in the lakes were run down, and everybody in the southwestern part of Becker County knows the result. In the fall of 1875 there was a thriving little village at Spring Creek. There was a sawmill, a grist-mill and a store or two, but where are they now and where is the water-power? Here for the first time I met L. G. Stevenson and the IMcDonalds. Stevenson was having trouble with the IMcDonalds about land. We ran the road around the east side of Lake Eunice where for the first time I met John McClelland walking on his wooden feet, and Warren Horton. We ran on and crossed over into Lake View where we ran the road along the west shore of Lake Sally. Here we found the two McDonoughs, William and Edward and succeeded in locating the road to their satisfaction. On the west shore of the next lake on Section 7 we found a camp con- sisting of several families of settlers who had taken land in the vicinity, but did not have their houses completed. David Mix with a numerous family was occupying one tent. Sylvester Moore and family were living in another, and a man by the name of Stephen Woodworth was living with his wife in another. I had known Woodworth in New York where we were boys together. The next morning T. J. Martin appeared upon the scene, which was the first time I had ever seen him. We could not locate the road to suit them all, so we ran it up straight through the middle of Section 6, and then bore oft' westerly crossing the Northern Pacific Railroad a little west of the Oak Lake cut. Here was a village of about four hundred people, mostly living in cloth houses although there were several good log buildings. They were very enthusiastic about the future A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 549 of their town. About the loth of July I saw the beginning of what for the next seven years proved to be the scourge of Becker County, large numbers of the army grasshoppers. Our road was located through Richwood very near where the prairie road from Detroit to White Earth runs now. The only Becker Coun- ty man who helped me to survey this road was Robert Fair- banks of White Earth, who was one of the commissioners ap- pointed to locate the road by the governor of the state. At White Earth I found my brother, C. P. Wilcox building a school- house. On the 2nd day of August, Oak Lake and the vicinity were visited by a violent tornado. Just before dark an Indian by the name of John Sloan asked permission to stay at our house over night as he said there was a bad storm coming and he did not feel safe to sleep out in the woods. About ten o'clock it began to rain and blow from the west. It was the hardest storm while it lasted I have ever experienced. It soon became almost as light as day from the continuous and intermingling flashes of lightning. Although my house was standing in a thick grove of oak timber not a tree could be seen standing anywhere in the vicinity. They were all either broken off or bent nearly to the ground. I supposed at the time that every tree was destroyed. The storm lasted for half an hour and after it abated I was happi- ly surprised to find that about two-thirds of my trees had sur- vived and straightened up ; the other one-third had been broken off. The water was blown out of Oak Lake and high up onto the east shore. I had two haystacks standing several feet higher than the lake, and they were soaked from the ground up as high as my head, while above that the hay was dry. The storm, however, was quite local in its character as it did not even blow hard at Detroit. My youngest brother, H. H. Wilcox had arrived from the state of New York just before the storm. The 20th of August, I was appointed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company as one of its land appraisers. As every old settler knows the Northern Pacific Railroad Company obtained an immense gift of land from the United States government, amounting in Minnesota to every alternate section of land for a width of twenty miles on each side of the railroad track and forty miles in width on each side in the territories. They had that summer commenced the examination and appraisement of DO^ A Pioneer History of Becker County. their lands in IMinnesota. None but competent surveyors were employed and their duties were to examine each section by it- self running- the lines around and looking" over each forty-acre tract and making a diagram of the whole showing the lakes ponds, marshes, swamps, meadows, groves of timber, prairies and so forth, and then placing on each forty acres a number repre- senting its relative value, numbers i, 2, 3, 4, 5. Number i of course being the best, and number 5 nearly worthless. We always went singly and alone, running our lines with a small compass placed on a Jacob's-staff and counting out footsteps by way of measure- ment. After a little practice we were able to get this stepping business down to a fine art, seldom varying more than a rod in a distance of a mile, and even in the thickest woods and brush over logs and up and down steep hills by making a little allow- ance, we were able to come out at the established corners with a surprising degree of accuracy. My first work was in what is now the town of Cuba right where I commenced surveying for the government in Becker County the year before. A wonderful change had come over the town in that space of time. In place of only three settlers nearly every quarter section of government land was taken up. Among other settlers John Sullivan and his son-in-law, whose name was also John Sullivan, lived on Section 20, and Hugh Sullivan lived on Section 30, three natives of Old Ireland. Ole Kittelson was once asked if there were any Americans at all in Cuba and he replied, "That there were only three and they were all Irish." I had only one associate in this work and that was William W. Howard who the year before had run the town lines in the western half of Becker County and subdivided Lake Park, Audubon, Lakeview, and Burlington. We finished our work in Cuba early in September and began in Lake Park. The first Section I examined was Section 3 where Lake Park now stands. There was not a house on the whole sec- tion, although Jonas Erickson had pre-empted the northeast cor- ner fraction. The railroad had been staked out and some men were setting up tents getting ready to commence grading. The contractor who did the grading where the village now stands was an old Scotchman by the name of James McCoy an old acquaint- ance of mine. We had railroaded together in Pennsylvania in A Pioneer History of Becker County. 551 1865. On the 27th of July, 1872, when running into Detroit with a crew of men on a hand car he was run over by a train up in the Tamarack swamp, half a mile east of Detroit. The hand car was knocked off the track and McCoy was crippled for life. The railroad company afterwards built him a little house at the east end of the railroad bridge on the banks of the Crow Wing River near Alotley, and kept him watching the bridges for several years. Sometime about 1877 he was found lying on the ground dead near his house. ()ne Saturday afternoon, which was the 9th day of Septem- ber, 1871. I happened to be home at Oak Lake. About three o'clock, I noticed quite a gathering of men across the lake at the residence of C. A. Sherman. Upon going round there I found myself at a county Republican convention. In those days elec- tions were held every year, and the odd numbered years were the most important, as all the state officers were elected in odd numbered years. The place of holding the convention was in a grove of oak trees a little southeast of Sherman's house. This was the first convention for nominating county officers ever held in the county. The convention was organized when I arrived. L. S. Cravath was chairman and Archie iMcArthur was secretary. I cannot recall quite all the names of delegates present, but the following list is nearly correct: Rich wood: A. J. Haney, E. E. Abbott. W. W. McLeod, Hans Hanson, Iver Christenson ; Ham- den, L. S. Cravath, Ward Bill, W^ A. Wilkins ; Lake Park, John Cromb, Oliver Taylor, M. L. Devereaux ; Audubon, John Beaver, James G. McGrew, David Pyle, F. K. Small; Detroit, L AL Thomas, J. O. Crummett. Josiah Delemeter, Archie ]\IcArthur ; Burlington, Charles Churchill ; Lake Eunice. John ^McClelland and L. G. Stevenson. Some of the county offices had been filled by appointment dur- ing the first half of the year to serve until their successors were elected and qualified, and they were all I think candidates for re-election to their own or some other office. L. G. Stevenson w^anted to go to the legislature or at least to go as a delegate to the senatorial convention ; Becker County being entitled to one delegate. John McClelland was a candidate for register of. deeds, and Archie McAirthur, the present incumbent was a candidate also. Ole A. Boe was a candidate for re-election to the offtce of county treasurer, and John Cromb was a candidate for the 552 A Pioneer History of Becker County. same office. Charles E. Churchill wanted to be sheriff again and F. K. Small was also a candidate. Dr. Pyle insisted on hold- ing" on to the office of county auditor, and Oliver Taylor was likewise a candidate. Balloting resulted in the nomination of the following candidates : Oliver Taylor, auditor ; Ole A. Boe, treas- urer; Archie AIcArthur, register of deeds; F. K. Small, sheriff'; John Beaver, clerk of court ; Josiah Delemeter, county attorney ; J. O. Crummett, judge of probate; A. H. Wilcox, county survey- or, and for delegate to the senatorial convention, L. S. Cravath, who was there nominated for representative to the legislature. County commissioners, first district, L. JNI. Devereaux of Lake Park; second district, AA'. \\ . H. Howe; Detroit, third district, A. J. Haney, of Richwood. There was much dissatisfaction over the result of this convention and another was held, or at least that was the report, but when and where I never knew, at any rate a new ticket was put in the field. It retained a few of the names on the other ticket, but was mostly made up of new candidates. The new ticket swept the county. L. S. Cravath went to the legislature, and the following county of- ficers were elected : Auditor, John Cromb ; treasurer, Ole A. Boe; sheriff', Peter Ebeltoft; register of deeds, John jNIcClelland ; clerk of court, John F. Beaver; judge of probate, E. E. Abbott; county attorney, Josiah Delemeter; county surveyor, A. H. Wil- cox ; coroner, David Pyle ; county commissioner, first district, L. G. Stevenson; second district. A\\ W. H. Howe; third district, A. J. Haney. F. K. Small had withdrawn and Peter Ebeltoft was elected sheriff in his place, but as he had never declared his inten- tions to become a citizen he could not ciualify and Charles E. Churchill held over another year. E. E. Abbott did not serve as judge of probate and Isaiah Delemeter was appointed. A. J. Haney did not qualify as county commissioner as he left the county about that time, and J. E. Van Gorden was appointed in his place the next ]\Iarch. About the 12th of September, we were sent from Lake Park to examine the railroad company's land in Detroit Township which was just being surveyed by the govern- ment. W. W. AA'hitley of Brainerd was the government survey- or doing the work. We camped at my place at Oak Lake. About the same time we were notified that Colonel Loomis, the land commissioner of the Northern Pacific, accompanied by George B. A\' right, the general land agent, was on his way to Detroit. A PioNKER History of Be;cke;r County. 553 AA'itli them was Lord Gordon, said to be a Scotch nobleman of high birth and immense wealth. They were attended by a large train of attendants and were moving by easy stages so it was several days before they reached Detroit. They did not stay there long, but moved on up to Oak Lake and pitched their camp in the grove near my house and remained there a week or two. Colonel Loomis had served as colonel in the Union army during the War of the Rebellion, and came out of the army with a fine military record, and was appointed to his present position un- doubtedly more on the strength of that record than for an\' spe- cial executive ability, such as the head of the Xorthern Pacific land department should possess, and he had now fallen in with a boon companion, and Lord Gordon was making the most of his opportunity. In addition to Loomis, Wright and Gordon, there was James B. Power, afterwards general land agent, a man by the name of Swenson, a prospective heavy land purchaser and land colonizer, a cook imported from Boston, with three or four assistants, a man in charge of the commissary department, three or four lady friends of the Lord Gordon's ; and high land commissioner, who had left their husbands at home, several team- sters and a man or two to look after the tents and baggage, twen- ty-one persons in all. Thev were eating imported canned fruit and had their bread baked in Chicago and brought every day by express and team, and they were also drinking the choicest of imported wines and brandies. On one occasion Colonel Loomis and his lordship called at my house. They tried to be agreeable but were both considerably under the influence of liquor and did not appear to be at ease and did not stay long. Gordon was wanting to buy 30,000 acres of land and was going to bring a colony of 300 Scotch farmers to occupy the land which was a tempting proposition to the land commissioner. Finally the party after visiting several places farther west drifted ofl:' to Pelican Rapids where Gordon decided to locate, and as a con- sequence the little town took a boom, and prices of all kinds of property went soaring out of sight. In the meantime the direct- ors of the Northern Pacific heard what was going on and called a halt, and the Lord Gordon carnival was brought to a close. He was found to be an imposter and a swindler. The land de- partment was $30,000 out of pocket and the high land commis- sioner was dischareed from office. Gordon afterwards drifted 554 -^ PioNEKR History of BivCker County. back East, beat Jay Gould out of $200,000 United States bonds and then went to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he afterwards com- mitted suicide as he was about to be arrested for crimes committed in Scotland previous to coming to America. The [Minneapolis Journal of Oct. ist. 1905, published two years after the above was written, in a full page article, pictures Lord Gordon as "The man who tricked Jay Gould in the zenith of his financial career and who caused the relations between the gov- ernments of the two great English speaking races to become strained. "There are few of the younger generation who ever heard of the Right Honorable Lord Gordon, yet the man who wrongfully made use of that title was, for cool, unadulterated nerve and cun- ning, and unparalleled affrontery, the most remarkable swindler the world has ever seen — the very king of confidence men." From Oak Lake. Howard and I moved to Section 26 and pitched tents on the banks of the Pelican River, a little distance north of the present bridge on the Erie road. Captain C. K. Day and his family were living then in a snug log house a short distance from our camp having settled there early in the season. The family consisted of the captain, Mrs. Day and a little girl three or four years old by the name of Delia. She was not long in making the acciuaintance of our cook, a good natured Hollander by the name of Bemer, who used to load her up with sugar and canned fruit and other delicacies. Although the township of Detroit had only just been surveyed all the government sections except Sec- tions 2, 4 and 12 had been taken up by actual settlers. It came to my lot to make a plat of Section 27, where the depot now stands and there was not a house on the section. What little village there was then was all down in Tyler Town on Section 34 near the Pelican River. The sale of the odd numbered sections in Detroit Township had been made previous to this time to a Boston com- pany, of which company George H. Johnston was the head. Captain W^ C. Roberts, the advance agent, arrived about this time followed by Colonel Johnston, himself, a little later on. About the 5th of October we completed the examination of the Detroit lands and moved our camp to Section 20, in what is now Audubon Township near the residence of Henry Way. On election day, I rode to Detroit on my little black pony to vote ; this was the first election ever held in Becker County. The judges were Alillard Howe, Frank Barnes and Josiah Delemeter. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 555 Among the sections I examined were 10 and 15 where the village of Audubon now stands. There was was but one house there, the Henry J. Larson log house, where he had settled the year before. There was now a large force of men working on the railroad in this town and it was nearly completed, being finished early in Xovember. Audubon Township was now pretty well settled up as far as government land was concerned. Near where we were camped was living a man by the name of Walter R. Gregory, a brother to J. J. H. Gregory, the famous garden seed man of Marblehead, JNIassachusetts. He was a single man of eccentric nature, but withal a man of more than ordinary general intelligence. Among other things he told us was that when a boy he and his brother took great interest in gardening and how they even then interest- ed themselves in gathering and cultivating the seeds of choice vegetables, and how an old woman, a neighbor by the name of Hubbard had been raising some very extra fine squashes. They procured some of her squash seeds, and from those seeds origi- nated the famous Hubbard squash. In a few years they were sending the seeds all over the United States. In both Detroit and Audubon Townships we were recpiired to examine and plat both odd and even numbered sections and also interview all the settlers with reference to the date of their settlement and amount of land under cultivation, all of which with their building we were to map down on our diagrams. On Section 22 which I examined was living a man by the name of John Cook with his wife and three children. Cook was a native of New Hampshire, six feet tall and well proportioned and about forty years old I should judge. His wife was several years younger, of medium height, rather stout and fleshy and a decidedly handsome woman. She was a native of Maine, and her maiden name was Washburn. The three children, a boy and a girl and a baby were very bright and pretty children and altogether they were an interesting family. Cook was then building a new house a short distance north of his old one on a handsome rise of ground, and here we leave him for the present. On Section 18 I came across the residence of Father James Gurley, the pioneer preacher of Becker County, then about seven- ty years of age, but full of energy and ambition. I had heard him preach several times during the past summer at Oak Lake City. I 556 A Pioneer History of BucfvEu County. first saw him at Newark. Ohio, in September, 1856. He had lived and preached in that vicinity for many years. We moved into Lake Park Township just after the election in November. The winter was then setting- in and it was rather cold sleeping and cooking and eating in a tent. So we were glad to accept an invitation to move into John Cromb's house and live as a part of the family, or rather that he and his wife should live as a part of our family. They had no children at that time and they were both quite young. We had lots of provisions and a good cook, so we furnished all the eatables and the Cromb family furnished house room, fuel and the cook stove. About this time ni}' nephew Melville Davis joined the party as land examiner, and S. S. Stebbins who was one of a party that was examining the railroad land in Cormorant boarded a few days with us, as his party had disbanded for a short tinte. It is unnecessary to say that we had a good time for the next week. It is true we occasionally broke through the ice that was just forming on the lakes, but we had a comfortable jilace to stay at night and good lively surround- ings, so what of it. After three or four days Stebbins received word that his party had returned and were going to operate in the town of Lake Eunice. So the next morning he left for Section 10 in that township. Pie went east around the north shore of Big Cormorant Lake to Section t,2 of Audubon, and down along the long peninsula that extends into Little Cormorant Lake, until he came to the end of the point ; then he undertook to cross over on the ice to what he supposed was the mainland on the other side of the lake. When about half way over, he broke through and went in nearly to his arms. He found he could easily break the ice ahead of him, and the water being only waist deep and being already half way across he decided to go ahead and after breaking ice for thirty or forty rods, reached the land nearly chilled to death. He always carried a fire-proof match-box. and soon built a fire and warmed up a little and then proceeded on his journey. After traveling through the woods for a quarter of a mile or so. he discovered that he was on an island since called Hunt's Island, and that it was at least eighty rods across to the main- land. The ice would not hold him up and he was at a loss to know what to do. It was growing colder very fast so he built another fire and sat down awaitins: for the ice to strengthen. A PioNiiiiK History of Becker County. 557 He waited until nearly night and as he had had nothing to eat since morning he began to get hungry, and just before night- fall he again ventured upon the ice. It would not yet hold his weight while standing or walking, so he lay flat down on his appetite and crawled and wiggled along like a crippled lizard, the ice bending and cracking every foot of the way. He could see that the water was very deep. It was dark when he reached the shore, and after tearing through the brush and timber for nearly a mile he came to a new cabin with the roof on, door and window holes cut but no doors or windows, no flooring nor furniture nor anything else but a twelve inch plank. He was still wet and the night was bitterly cold, so he made a fire on the ground floor and leaned the plank against the wall, and over the fire and then stretched himself out on the plank to dry and smoke. This house was built by Joseph Shabeneau, and was the house he lived in for several years on Section 8, Lake Eunice. The next morning he made his way through the woods to Section 10, where a family by the name of Horton was living, where he found the rest of the party. Our next move was up to Section 20, Lake Park, where we lived in a house with Gilbert Sorren- son for a while and from there up to Oliver Taylor's place on Section 2. While camped here I examined Sections 5 and 6 in Audubon, and went in to see Gunder Carlson who had been shot by an Indian the year before. His brother Elling Carlson, who was also then living on Section 6, was there at the time. The old man was still suffering from the eft'ects of his wound. His elbow was shattered and he had constant pains in his side and back from buckshot that had never been extracted. He did not live very long afterwards. We wound up our work in these towns on the 5th day of December, 1871, and disbanded for the season. I was retained by the railroad company as timber agent, to keep an eye on their timber land, all the way from Red River to Detroit for twenty miles each side of the railroad, with a kind or roving commission to go where I thought proper, and look after trespass and see that no timber was stolen and to report all persons found cutting on railroad land. It was not very agreeable business, particularly among my neighbors and friends, but they let the timber alone remarkably well, and although I cruised the country thoroughly, I found but few cases of trespass after they found tliat I was watching. To help out 558 A Pioneer History of Becker County. the prairie fellows for firewood, I used to sell them dead and down timber, of which there was plent}' in the groves, and always sold it on time and very cheap and never asked for any pay after- wards ; and never received any, so matters went along quite smooth. The few that I did report were never molested after- wards. So while some of them were quite angry and others bad- ly frightened at the time, the winter passed away without any very disagreeable incidents. The most of the settlers in my terri- tory were Norwegians, and it was amusing to see how complete- ly as a general thing they would lose all knowledge of the English language when I found them in the railroad timber. They would even forget their own names and where they lived. It will not do to mention any names, but there are several old settlers still living who yet smile out of the corner of their eye as they relate to me the tricks they used to play on me ; and how they would become frightened in turn at things that occurred that winter. The win- ter was a long, hard one, and I went on snowshoes most of the time. I had a pass on the railroad, but did not get a chance to use it all the winter as the cars only made two trips to Red River, and I walked the entire distance to Moorhead and back several times. There was not a house at Lake Park or Audubon, but a man by the name of Jerome Daniels kept a hotel and saloon in a tent about two miles west of where Lake Park is now, and it made a very comfortable place to stay. I remember one evening in Febru- ary, I was staying there all night, when about lo o'clock a sleigh load of men drove up and came in to warm. They were Nels Nelson, O. B. Anderson, Ingel Ukestad and Lawrence Pederson. They had been to x^lexandria to prove up on their land. I don't remember whether they had driven all the way or whether the} had only driven from Detroit, but the night was very cold and the}' were cold themselves, so they proceeded to warm up outside and inside. They were in high glee at their success at the land office, be- cause they had only been askd to pay $1.25 an acre, whereas they had expected to pay the double minimum price of $2.50. I think they were the first settlers to prove up in Becker County. During the winter I made a trip to Spring Creek and Cormor- ant Lake. Cornish had his sawmill in operation, and quite a (pian- tity of logs were being hauled from Cormorant Lake, mostly bass- w^ood and oak, and I had a hint that some parties at the northwest end of the lake were cutting: more than their share of logs, and A Pione;e;r History of Bccker County. 559 were getting them on Section 5 which belonged to the railway company. I accordingly started for Section 5, and at dark put up at a house on Section 20, where a Norwegian by the name of Borie Tollickson or Willaim Thompson resided. He was an old bachelor, and an unmarried sister kept house for him. I stayed with them all night, but Bill said as we retired for the night, that he was obliged to go to Norwegian Grove the next day to buy some seed wheat, and as the snow was deep and the traveling was bad, he would be obliged to get an early start. So in the morning he got his own breakfast and went away, long before daylight. The next day I proceeded to Section 5 and found a good man}' fresh stumps and tree tops and new roads where logs had been hauled away to the sawmill, but not a single man was to be found. Although it was about the middle of the week, a Sabbath day silence pervaded the vicinity. I waited around a good part of the day and no one appeared. I found out several years after- wards that Thompson had been up in the neighborhood before daylight, instead of going to Norwegian Grove and informed them all of my presence in the vicinity. On another occasion a little farther west, I found a couple of young Norwegians making rails on a section of railroad land near the west line of the section. They claimed they were at work on their own land, upon which I told them to go with me and I would show them the section line. They mounted their Norwegian snowshoes or skees, while I was mounted on a pair of Indian snowshoes. We found the line and were tracing it through the brush and timber up towards where they had been at work, myself in the lead and they following on behind. After a Avhile, I stopped to set up my compass to take a new sight. I had observed that my friends had been very quiet for several minutes, when I looked round and saw them about a quarter of a mile away mounted on their skees and fast flying over the top of the hill with the speed of the wind, their coat tails protruding behind at an angle of 90 degrees. At another time while looking over Section 19 in Audubon, I found where some timber had been cut and trailed away to a house on Section 18 where Chris Olson was living. I found Chris at work at his wood-pile cutting up some of this same timber. I had know Chris before and took quite a liking to him and felt bad at the thought of catching him 560 A Pione;er History of Becker County. stealing timber. I told him I guessed I had caught him in a bad scrape, but as it was noon I would like to get some dinner, and we would talk it over. All right he said, "Come in." Chris was pleasant and sociable. We had a good dinner for which he would not take a cent, and as I was about to leave, he said he had something to show me and brought out a deed from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company which he had just received for the land where he had been cutting the timber. I was now county surveyor and had an arrangement with the railroad company to take time to do such work as the settlers might require, and accordingly, on February 9th, 1872, 1 began the survey of the townsite of Detroit. Captain AA'. C. Roberts was the man who employed me to do the work, and he and Charles W. Rand who lived on Section 24 were my assistants. Roberts had a plat of the townsite already drawn up and sent on from Boston. On the original plat, all the blocks were three hundred feet square. The original townsite included all of the south half of Section 27, and the only building on the townsite at that time was the New England House or AA^aldorf, as it is now called, which belonged to Roberts himself and that was about half com- pleted. We began at the southeast corner of Section 27 and laid out block after block until we came to the new building, and we found it now standing exactly in the middle of the street. We decided that the frame of the building could be easily moved, and that would be the easiest way out of the difficulty, and Rob- erts decided to solve the difficulty that way until he happened to think of the "blasted cellar," and as we could not contrive any way to move the cellar we concluded to let the building stand and move the townsite. We accordingly narrowed up the south tier of blocks by taking off 84 feet, and leaving a sixteen foot alley to run east and west through the middle of that line of blocks. When we came to stake out the blocks along the railroad right of way another question was finally settled by leaving a thirty foot strip on each side for a public "passageway" as we called it at that time, on each side of the 400 feet of right of way. The first day while we were wallowing through the snow, we saw a man coming in our direction from Tylertown, all the village there was then, who proved to be the Rev. H. N. Gates, the new Congregational minister, who had just made his first A Pioneer History of Becker County. 561 advent into Detroit. He was hunting for Captain Roberts the same as everybody else did who came to Detroit for accommoda- tions and information. I surveyed only about one quarter of the township that winter, and as we could not drive stakes into the frozen ground they fell down and many of them became misplaced and were driven into the ground in the spring several feet from where they belonged, which was the cause of considerable trouble afterwards. The winter of 1871-72 was a long, cold and stormy one. There was a large tie camp on Section 13, town of Height of Land, that winter. Several thousand pine ties were made and floated down Toad River to Perham in the spring. A dam was built across the outlet of Little Toad Lake for that purpose. This was the first attempt to drive on Toad River in Becker County. On the nth of April I was again at the residence of the John Cook family in the town of Audubon. They had just moved into their new house, that was built on a low hill where their cemetery now stands. Mrs. Cook appeared to be delighted with her new home. On the i6th of April I started with a party of nine land exam- iners to examine the railroad land in the Wild Rice country. We left my house at Oak Lake in the morning and drove to the south part of what is now the town of Atlanta, crossing the Buffalo River on Section 16 in Cuba with difficulty. There were three settlers in Atlanta at that time. Nub Nelson Viger on Section 31, where we camped over night and another mian in the grove by the lake on Section 19, whose name I have forgotten and an- other single man between the two. Nelson was then an old man and had settled there the year before. I was particularly im- pressed with the beauty and fertility of the land along the south branch of the Wild Rice. We worked west from Atlanta taking a tier of townships in width for 18 miles, and then worked north and took a tier of townships back east to the reservation line. We then worked north and then west to Red River. There was not a single settler at that time in the township of Walworth. A man by the name of Ulen and a son of Nub Nelson were breaking land where the present village of Ulen is now lo- cated, and they were living in a tent. There were seven families on the Wild Rice River, a few miles w^est of the reservation. Two families, Austinson and Peterson, were living a few miles 562 A Pioneer History of Becker Couxty. west of Atlanta and a family by the name of Tatley lived several miles farther west and they were all the people we found living west of the reservation until we came to the Red River. I examined the section on which the village of Ada stands, and there was no living soul within ten miles of there at that time. On my return home on the 20th of May, I first heard of the murder of the Cook family. A short time afterwards I made a trip to the south branch of the Wild Rice with M. E. d'Engelbroner and Van Vlissingen as related in the history of Cuba Township, returning about the 25th of May, 1872, to where Lake Park village is now. A station had just been established and a building or two were just being started. There was, however, a large crowd of refugee settlers who had left their homes and gathered together from fear of the Indians. They had built a large stockade of railroad ties about 50 by 100 feet in extent and were now camping inside. Some of them thought we were foolhardy in running around the country and risking our scalps. A prominent man, who was at that time a member of the board of county commissioners and a veteran of the civil war, asked me if I was not afraid to run around over the country the way I had done. Another similar stockade was built about four miles south of Lake Park by the settlers in that vicinity. The whole country about Audubon and Lake Park was panic stricken, and woe be to the Indian who would have dared to venture into that neighborhood. The Indians were as badly scared as the whites. The next day after my return home, I went over to Section 4 in Detroit Township and while riding my pony along the shore of Floyd Lake I ran across three or four Indians in the woods, and as soon as they saw me coming they made a break for their canoe and paddled out into deep water as fast as they could go, calling out, "Bozhoo nitchee, bozhoo nit- chee," until they were out of hearing. Aljout the 26th, I was sent to Glyndon to examine the railroad land in that township. The Great Northern Railway line had just been located, crossing the Northern Pacific at that place, and a townsite had recently been laid out. There for the first time I met John A. Teague. .He had just arrived from Massachusetts and had taken a homestead a mile or two south of Hawley. Early in June with two other men, I began what was to me an exceedingly interesting season's work. I had orders from the A PioMEi;K History of Becker County. 563 Northern Pacific Railway land agent to examine the odd num- bered sections in what are now the towns of Hamden, Richwood, Holmesville, Erie, Height of Land, Burlington and Lake View in Becker County, and then take three townships in width. Ranges 40, 41, and 42 in Otter Tail County, and work south through the belt of timber then known as the "Otter Tail Woods," almost down to Fergus Falls. I\'Iy outfit was an ox team and wagon with two tents, a cook and two assistant surveyors, Chester Coburn and my nephew, Melville Davis. The dry seasons of 1871 had reduced the cjuantity of sur- face water in Hamden and Richwood materially. It was particu- larly noticeable in the north part of Hamden in the big marsh on Sections 2, 3, 4, 10 and 11. In the fall of 1870, it was impossi- ble to run lines through this marsh on account of high water. It was now so dry I could walk over it. In 1870 when surveying Hamden I thought I had found a mistake of about 80 rods on the south boundary of the reservation where it crossed this big marsh. This line had been run about ten years before, and is wdiat is called a standard parellel or correction line. We did not connect our lines with the corners in that line as you will observe on the government maps but established new corners for both township and section lines wherever we intersected the old line, and measured the distance to the nearest old corners. I was now able to verify my suspicions and found the south line of Section 34 on the reservation to be about a mile and a quarter long. AA'hen the surveyor, who subdivided this part of the reservation in 1871, came to find out this error, he corrected this line to an even mile in length, and tlirew the error into the west tier of sections in that township, where it shows to-day. By looking at the county map you will see that Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, 30 and 31, Township 141, Range 42, are a mile and a quarter wide east and west, and have a double tier of lots on the western border. An interesting feature of Hamden at that time was the multi- tude of wild ducks and geese nesting around the lakes an^ ponds. While examining Section 9, I counted four separate broods of goslings floating on the surface of the little creek and duck nests were plentiful everyway. On the shore of one of the lakes an old mallard duck flew up leaving a brood of young ducks liter- ally stacked up on the beach. I ran up and gathered up both not knowing what to do with them let them go and counted thir- 564 A i'luxEER History of Becker County. teen altogether in the brood. Hamden was now fairly well settled, all the even numbered sections being taken but 2 and 4 ; however, as we were now looking over the odd numbered sections only I did not come in contact with many of the settlers. They had all now recovered from the Indian scare, but the young grasshoppers were hatching out by the million and were already destroying the young vv'heat both here and at Richwood. In Richwood the government prairie land was about all taken, but there were scarcely any settlers in the timber. The Richwood mill property had changed hands. Haney had sold out to W. W. McLeod and E. E. Abbott of Sauk Centre who had taken posses- sion the fall before, and they were doing quite a business sawing pine lumber. Haney had cut quite an amount of logs in the win- ter of 1 870-1, and this new firm had cut still more the winter just past and floated them down the Buffalo River to their mill. Here for the first time I saw William Long and W. D. Hazelton, both of whom were youthful in appearance although I think they were both married. The mill-pond at Richwood was now full of water and the new proprietors manifested considerable anxiety as to what I would have to say, and what kind of report I would make with reference to their overflowing so much land, but I found that the meander lines as I had run them when I surveyed the country for the government fitted the present conditions of the lakes so completely that there was scarcely any difference between the government plats and the new diagrams that I made at this time. Richwood was now a lively little place. The Richwood sawmill was the first sawmill built in Becker County outside the White Earth reservation. On the 1 8th day of June, the United States land office at Oak Lake was opened up and then a general rush of settlers from all over the county came to file on their land. W. H. Newton was the register and Reuben Reynolds was receiver, and John Comb, chief clerk. I went home and filed on my claim the day the land ofiice opened and met a bear on my way on Section 17 in Rich- wood. There were no settlers in the timber and no roads except my old survey road of 1870. So we drove our team into the present town of Holmesville and camped on Section 27 on the Buffalo River. Nothing of interest was found except that Swan Olund A Pione;e;r History of Beckkr County. 565 was the only settler in the township. I was here joined by M. H. Severance, an assistant land examiner. We next moved into the present town of Height of Land as far east as the corner of Sections 14, 15, 22 and 23. There were no settlers in the town and no roads except the road I had cut a year before. A terrible fire had swept over the whole township and destroyed large quantities of timber, particularly aspen or poplar as it was commonly called. The southwest part of the township was nearly bare of timber and we could take sights with our compass for nearly a quarter of a mile at a time. The fire swept the whole of Erie Township east of the Otter Tail River, and nearly all the poplar there and in the west part of Height of Land has grown up since the spring of 1872. We completed the examination of Township 139, Range 39, and moved out to Otter Tail River and spent our Fourth of July near where the Shoenberger sawmill was afterwards built. There were no settlers in that part of the town then nor for nine years afterward. At this time the little prairies and openings along the Otter Tail were red with strawberries. I have never seen anything like it before or since. The day after the Fourth we moved down into the town of Burlington and some of the wa)- our wagon wheels actually left two red trails behind them. In Burlington we camped on Section 14 on the edge of the big tamarack swamp on James Winram's claim. The up river road at that time ran along the west edge of the tamarack swamp opposite Tim Chilton's present residence. Winram was still very lame from the efifects of the gun-shot wound received the year before from Bachinana the In- dian outlaw. Charles Scott, a government surveyor, who had been appointed to survey the town of Silver Leaf was just coming out of the woods having completed the survey of that township. Among the sections that I examined was Section 35 where the village of Frazee now stands. There was not a house on the present townsite, although there were two houses on the section. Patrick Ouinlan was living in a log house on the southwest quarter, of the southeast quarter of Section 35 on the south side of the river. He had a log house and stable and a small piece of land broken. Ouinlan was the first white settler in Becker County. This place is on the land now owned by Edward Briggs. There was another man living on the west side of the river by the name 566 A Pioneer History of Becker County. of Charles E. Churchill. His house stood on the side hill on the land now owned by William Schabbehar. Churchill was the second settler in the town of Burlington and was the first sheriff of Becker County. At this time, July 8th. Carl Campbell and his father were building a sawmill and dam where the Commonwealth sawmill is now. Some of the Chiltons were part owners of the mill. The dam was nearly finished and the frame work of the sawmill was about ready for the machinery. There was then a fine grove of pine timber standing across the river from the sawmill, on Sections 26 and 35, probably 300,000 feet within half a mile of the mill. Wil- liam Chilton was living in a log cabin on the west bank of the Otter Tail about 100 rods above the sawmill. He was not married at that time. Our next camping place was on the east shore of Detroit Lake on Section 12 in the town of Lake View at the mouth of Sucker Brook. There was a Swiss Dutchman living there by the name of Anthony Miller with an Irish wife and a large family of children. On the 35th of June a man by the name of John Rutterman and his wife had been drowned nearly opposite where we camped. His body had been recovered only a day or two before our arrival, and that of his wife having been found a short time before. They had taken a place on Section 14 afterward home- steaded by George Martin and which still later came into the possession of Horneck and Bowman. Our next move was to the outlet of Detroit Lake in the town of Lake View. I was surprised to see the improvements that had been made in Detroit since the last winter. E. G. Holmes and R. L. Frazee had formed a partnership and had purchased of S. J. Fox the forty acres of land in Section 34, since known as the Frazee and Holmes Addition. They tried to get me to stop and survey it out but I could not leave my other work ; yet I took time to survey out a square block which is now block No. 7, where Frazee had commenced to build a house. Frazee sold the house to John A. Bowman, and it is the place where G. E. Holmes has resided for the last twenty years. While here I attended church for the first time. Bishop Whipple preached in the Northern Pacific freight house, which had just been completed. The passenger depot was not yet finished. Frank A. Johnson was holding forth in a small portable building that had been brought in on the A Pioneer Historv oe Becker County. 567 cars. ]\[ell. Davis and Coburn left at this place and went to Dakota to run lines for the government. JNI. H. Severance was with me, as was Sam A\'ales, the cook and teamster. I was here joined by Charles J. Wright at that time about nineteen years of age, and now the wealthiest man with perhaps one exception in C)tter Tail County. The C. H. Sturtevant family was then living on their homestead on Section 4, and Dock Brown had a house farther up the lake in the same section near the town line. While passing his house one day, the Thomas Corbett family was unload- ing from a wagon and taking possession of Brown's house, having rented it for a short time. They had just arrived from the East, although Corbett himself was here the year before. The Corbett boys were small then, but there was family enough to fill the wagon box. There were a few settlers in the north part of Lake View, par- ticularly on the prairie in the northwest corner, but there were few in the south part, except at Buck's mill, where William and Simeon Buck were then building their mill dam and sawmill on the Pelican River. The water had been recently shut off and the pond was now full which made it difficult to survey out Section 31. Near the center of the township there stood a large oak tree with the nest of a bald eagle in the top. An eagle with a white head was soaring around over the tree, while perched on the edge of the nest were two eagles apparently as large as the parent bird, but entirely black. Severance brought down one of them with his revolver. It is a fact not known to everybody that young bald eagles are always black, and do not develop the bald head until they are about two years old. Our next move was down to a little creek near the corner of Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, which was as far as any road had been cut out. We built a bridge across this creek where the bridge now stands on the Candor road, and then cut a road down to the lake on Sections 9 and 16 in the town of Candor. There were but two or three settlers in the south part of Lake View at that time east of the Pelican River. There was only one settler in the town of Candor in Otter Tail County. He was an Englishman with a family of twelve children. He had built a large log house of a very queer style of architecture on Section 6. Sauer had his place afterwards. My next move was to the prairie south of Frazee, in what is now Hobart Township, Otter Tail County, pitching our camp at the 568 A PioxEER History of Beckur County. second crossing of the Otter Tail River, where Nicholas Hendry had opened a store two years before. L. D. Hendry, the present Mayor of Frazee was living on a homestead on Section 13. He was a big, husky, good natured looking youth, twenty-three years of age, and was running around barefooted over the prairies at the time. From now until the 20th of November, I was at work in Otter Tail County, when I resumed my work of the previous winter as timber agent of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, my terri- tory extending from the Red River to New York Mills, and twen- ty miles each side of the railroad. The settlers made me but little trouble, but there was some lumbering going on in the eastern part of my territory that needed some looking after. A sawmill company was organized at Detroit and a sawmill put in operation in the western part of the village, on block 19. NOTICE OF CO-PARTNERSJilP. On October 15th, 1872, the Detroit Lumber and Wood Com- pany was formed consisting of the following persons. L. D. Phillips, x*\lbert L. Smart, Kimball Hayden, Charles Rand, C. E. Brown, George W. Rand and W. F. Waterman. Phillips had taken a homestead on Section 14 in Erie with the expectation of supplying the mill with pine logs. A road was swamped out and a few loads hauled to Detroit, but it was soon found to be a losing enterprise as far as pine logs were concerned, so the logging business after that was con- fined to Oak and Basswood. Colonel Johnston cut and hauled a hundred thousand feet or so from Section 13 in Detroit, and that was about the extent of the winter's business. R. L. Frazee cut about one million feet on Sections 14 and 23 in Erie that winter and floated them down to his Frazee mill in the spring. The Buck brothers at Buck Mills cut and sawed up some fine oak tim- ber that winter which they shipped to Moorhead. W. W. McLeod, Abbott and Van Gorden cut several hundred thousand feet of pine on Sections 10, 13 and 16 in Holmesville, which they floated down to the sawmill at Richwood. This was the third winter that lumbering had been carried on in that vicinity. Times were also lively at Spring Creek. Cornish's sawmill was not exactly in Becker County, but he had no conscientious scruples about saw- ing logs that were stolen over the county line. This completes A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 569 the list of sawmills in operation at that time in Becker County, except the mill at White Earth. The winter of 1872-3 was the stormiest winter since the first set- tlement of Becker County. There was hardly a week during the whole winter without a blizzard. While Detroit was the recog- nized county seat, Oak Lake City was still a place of considerable importance. The United States land office was still there, and S. B. Pinney had moYed his store from C. A. Sherman's on the shore of Oak Lake two miles away. There were two other stores, two hotels, two or three saloons and nearly everything else that goes to make up a village was still there. As the laws of the state of Minnesota did not require county officers to hold their offices at the county seat for three years after the organization of their coun- ty, the Becker County officials were at this time scattered through- out the county. John Cromb, the county auditor was chief clerk in the United States land office, and Ole A. Boe, the county treas- urer was clerking in the store of S. B. Pinney, and consequently they kept their officers at their respective places of business. The 20th day of December, 1872, was cold and stormy, too much so in fact for a man to be wandering around in the woods, so I put in the day at Oak Lake and having a little spare money concluded to go and pay my taxes. The treasurer had not yet received the tax books for the current year, so we went to the auditor's office to ascertain the amount of my tax. It was $3.79 and as the treasurer handed me the receipt he remarked that it was the first tax that had been paid, and as that year, 1872, was the first year any taxes had been levied, I found I had paid the first tax ever paid in Becker Count}'. I have the receipt yet, a facsimile of which appears on the following page. With the advent of spring my labors and troubles as timber agent came to a close. I had expected in the beginning to make enemies of the whole country, but I had treated the settlers squarely, and they in turn had refrained from appropriating railroad tim- ber far better than could have been expected. I had sold them all the dead and down that they wanted for fuel at a very low- figure, on time and never received a cent and never expected to receive a cent of pay for it, and they and the railroad company and myself were all well satisfied. When it was all over with, they concluded that it was better to have me watch them and the tim- ber than some stranger. On the 13th day of April, 1873. I was looking up some trespass on lands in the vicinity of New York Mills, 570 A Pioneer History of Becker County. when I received a telegram from the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany stating that a company of one hundred and fifty emigrants from England were coming on the afternoon train destined for Hawley, and I was directed to take the train and go with them and show them land in that vicinity until further orders. I took the train at the appointed time and proceeded to Hawley. I sat down in a seat that was occupied by a man by the name of Samuel Pearce, who had a boy with him by the name of Thomas at that time about thirteen years of age. It was a raw, disagreeal^le day in April, following a long cold winter, with some ice in the lakes 0^ ' o \i 1^^ ' y ■ (TvciUiuitrji #lfkf. 'Bu\\tx a'ii^uvty. ft, v.r ill jdll /III- Tti.vi's (lii li.is pcrsniKii iinijU'rlij Jnr I hi' tjnar IS'tj) ^, .^ .:.. / liiiArr and ponds and a few snow drifts still lingering around their bor- ders. The emigrants were well pleased with the country through Becker County, with its lakes and groves, but a look of disap- pointment came over their faces as they looked out over the cheer- less prairies in the vicinity of their destination. They had ex- pected to find a fairly well cultivated country and a flourishing village at Hawley, instead of which there was nothing there but two tents and a freight depot. When the train stopped my friend Pearce looked out and enquired if this was the "rising town of Hawley," that they had heard so much about. He finally declared his belief that the whole thing was a "bloody sell." The party took possession of the freight depot and cooked and ate and slept there for some time. The next morning after our arrival I saw Mr. Pearce and Tom making a bee-line up along the railroad track in the direction of Becker Countv, and I never saw him A Pioneer History of Becker County. 571 again for a year and a half, when I found him at Frazee's lumber camp up on the Otter Tail River. He had taken a homestead on Section two (2) in Burlington Township and his whole family was living on the homestead. James Littlemore and Fred A. Southern of Detroit were offshoots from that same colonv. Chapter XXXI. MOSQUITOES, PRAIRIE FIRES AND GRASSHOPPERS. The old settlers doubtless all remember the mosquitoes of the early seventies. They have been getting gradually and beauti- fully less year by year, especially in the older towns, and a genera- tion or two hence it will be difficult for people to comprehend what the first settlers were obliged to endure from these bloodthirsty little villains. There are thousands of them to be found in the country now, but thirty-five years ago we had them by the mil- lion. The diflierence in these figures will fairly represent the ratio of difiference, between the mosquitoes in 1870 and in 1905, especially in the villages and some of the older townships. A great many of the early settlers came from countries where there were but few if any of these insects, and were totally un- prepared for their onslaughts, and as most of them were obliged to sleep in their wagons, or in the open air for several weeks, with now and then a tent, their sufferings were intense. Some of them were wise and fortunate enough to bring mosquito netting, and were thus enabled to escape to a large extent, especially at night. But many came without any, and the only way in which they could escape their endless persecutions at night w-as to build a smudge and sleep in the smoke all night, w^hich was almost as bad as to be tormented by the mosquitoes. My surveying party in 1870 sufifered intensely. We had only one tent and that was used for a kitchen, dining room, storehouse and sleeping room. There was no way in wdiich we could close it up, and as we had no mosquito netting we were reduced to the expedient of sleeping all night long, night after night, in a cloud of smoke, and as the warm weather continued through the month of September, our sufferings were long drawn out. My experience in the early part of 1871 was the same, but later in the season we hit upon a scheme that worked to a charm, and since that time I 572 A Pioneer History of Becker Col'xtv. have never been annoyed by mosquitoes at night when sleeping in a tent. We banked up our sleeping tent by shoveling sods and soil around the bottom of the tent, so that none could get in un- derneath, and after entering the tent, we would sew the front flaps together with a darning needle and coarse twine by taking a few long stitches and then placing a sod at the bottom to hold the front down. We now had our tent in shape so that no mosquitoes could enter. There would of course be a lot of them left inside, and to dispose of them we would light a candle and kill every last one of them in a few minutes. They would invariably alight on the walls of the tents, and by holding the candle under them one at a time, w-e soon cleared the tent ; zip, zip, they would fall dead to the ground. It was pretty tough on the little rascals, but they were trying their best to torture us to death, and most anything was honorable in that kind of warfare. They were as bad on the prairie as they were in the timber, but were generally the worst in the brush or where the timber and prairie came together. They were worse in a wet than in a dry season, and were w^orse in a warm season than in a cold one, and when it was both wet and hot life was a weary burden. On the prairie and in the openings they were worse in the evening and early part of the night than at any other period of time, but in the heavy timber they were not as bad at night as in the day time. They were just as bad on the dry breezy prairies of Dakota as they w^ere in Minnesota, but the worst places of all on this earth, I think, were in the Red River and Missouri River bottoms the next summer after a spring overflow. I have worked all day long when I would be covered with them so thick that I could not tell the color of my clothes, and in the summer of 1878 the plastered walls in some of the hotels in Bismarck would be black with them for days and nights together. The farther north you go, the worse the mosquitoes, and if you wish to see them in all their glory at the present time, take a trip up to the Lake of the Woods in the summer. The deer and moose and some of the domestic animals are obliged to spend a good part of the time in the lakes and rivers in the summer to save themselves from mosquitoes and flies. R. M. Probsfield says: People these days have no idea what a plague mosquitoes were then. In 1868 the Red river overflowed, and the trail to Pembina was lined with A Pione;e;r History of Becker County. 573 the skeletons of horses and oxen, which had succumbed to tlie loss of blood and the torture from their constant bites. One day that summer Billy Piper came down and stayed with me over night and next morning he found his horse dead from exhaustion and loss of blood from mosquito bites, and I had to lend him another to go on with. But civilization, assisted by the cattle and horses, has worked won- ders in ridding our county of these pests. The big" horse-flies that formerly made animal life a burden, have also nearly disappeared from a large portion of Becker County. Prairie Fires. Many years ago, before the prairies in the northwestern town- ships of Becker County were plowed up, they were occasionally visited by widespread and destructive prairie fires. This was especially the case with Walworth, Atlanta and Cuba, and the two townships east of Walworth and Atlanta on the White Earth Indian Reservation. The prairie towns lying farther east and south, were partially protected by the numerous lakes and ponds wdthin their borders ; but notwithstanding this partial pro- tection they were soinetimes overrun by fierce prairie fires that were driven in by the northwesterly winds from the Red River valley. Such a fire swept down through Hamden and the western part of Richwood about the 25th day of October, 1870, when I was there surveying, and we only saved ourselves from a severe scorching by back-firing, which was done by setting the grass on fire where we stood and rushing in onto the burnt ground behind the fire. In October, 1871, we had our entire camp outfit burned up in Audubon Township by one of these fires. That was a remarkably dry season, and the fire obtained a foothold in some of the dried out marshes, particularly on Sections 10 and 11 of Audubon, and it smoked and steamed up through the show in man\' places until after New Years, wdien it was a foot and a half deep. Many an old settler of Becker County could relate to you sor- rowing tales of loss and sufi^ering occasioned by these fires. It was only by eternal vigilance in back-firing and plowing around their homes and stacks of hay and grain, that anything \vas saved as a general rule. I have encountered numerous prairie fires in my lifetime, but as a general thing paid but little attention to them. When there 574 -^ Pioneer History of Becker County. was but little wind and the grass not very heavy nor very dry, a prairie tire was a tame afifair. We usually walked through them and stood around such fires with but little thought ; but when the grass is heavy and thoroughly dry and the wind blowing a gale, a prairie fire is one of the most terrible demons of destruction that can be pictured by the most vivid imagination. To give you an adequate conception from my own experience, of what a red hot, rampant prairie fire will do when at its worst, I will be obliged to go outside of Becker County for fitting illustra- tions. On the loth day of October, 1878, I was engaged in surveying and platting railroad lands in Dakota Territory west of the Shey- enne River, and a few miles south from where the village of Coop- erstown now stands. On that day a fierce, raging prairie fire swept over the country where we were operating; jumped across the Sheyenne River, a stream nearly as large as the Otter Tail and was never checked in its career of destruction until it reached the Red River. The two men in our camp were more or less scorched, one of them quite severely. Our camp was pitched on the leeward side of a large pond and that was all that saved it from total destruction. I was at the time about three miles from camp and alone. I had burned the grass off a narrow strip of ground as a place to retreat to in case of necessity, being of the opinion from the smoke that the prairie was on fire. The wind was blowing at the rate of more than thirty miles an hour at the time. I then started out on my work, facing the wind. I had gone two hundred rods, when as if by magic the fiery demon came bounding over the crest of a hill scarce half a mile away. The flames were leaping high in the air, and extended to the right and to the left in one solid wall of fire as far as the eye could reach. I tried to back-fire, but the wind was blowing so hard I could not light the grass. Then com- menced a race for dear life. I ran like a deer with the wind at my back helping me along, but the fire was gaining at every sec- ond. When about half way to my burnt patch, I was nearly ex- hausted, but one glance over my shoulder at the raging flames was sufficient and on I went. The fire was at my heels when I en- tered my burnt strip. It was not more than a rod wide, but it broke the force of the flames and saved me from serious and prob- ably from fatal injury, but my coat and hat and boots, the legs of A Pioneer History of Becker County. 575 which were outside the legs of my pants, were nearly ruined. Some idea of the speed of this fire can be had from the fact that from the front to the rear of the fire was fifteen rods. The flames were forty or fifty feet in length from the ground upward, and every few seconds they would assume a position al- most perpendicular, then the force of the wind would shoot them ahead and with a single leap, and in an instant of time, the crest of these waves of fire would strike the ground several rods in advance. There was little or no smoke, only a seething, roaring, plunging sea of fire. After the fire had passed, a jack-rabbit was hobbling around at random over the prairie, having been caught and badly burned and blinded by the fire. The next year while I was running the township lines in La- moure County, a similar fire passed through the country at night, but we saved our camp and ourselves by spading around our camp. A day or two afterwards we ran down and caught several ante- lope that had been caught in the fire and so badly crippled that they were easily overtaken b}- us. Alexander Henry in his journal referring to a disastrous fire in the Red River valley sa}s : November 24th, 1804: The prairies are on fire in every direction. November 25th, 1804: The plains are all burned over and blind buffalo are seen wandering in ever}^ direction. The poor beasts have all the hair singed off; even the skin in many places is shriveled up and ter- ribly burned and their eyes swollen and closed fast. It is really pitiful to see them staggering about, sometimes running afoul of a large stone, at other times tumbling down hill and falling into the creeks not yet frozen over. In one spot we found a whole herd lying dead. The fire having passed only yesterday they are still fresh and some of them exceedingly fat. At sunset we arrived at the Indian camp, having seen an incredible number of dead and dying, blind, lame, singed and roasted buffalo. Grasshoppers. Soon after the Fourth of July, 1871, grasshoppers in large numbers began to appear in the western part of Becker County. This was the first year that any crops had been sown of any ini- portance, but the season was very dry, consequently the small acre- age of crops was light and the grasshoppers destroyed a large percentage of the grain that escaped the drought. The grasshop- pers that year w^ere confined to the towns of Richwood, Audubon, 576 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Lake Park, Cormorant, and the western part of Detroit. Thev did not stay long-, but deposited a good many eggs. In the spring of 1872, they hatched out in large numbers, wherever an}- plowing had been done, more particularly on new breaking and along the sides of the roads. The damage to grain that year was more than one half, but was confined to the prairie region west of the belt of timber extending down through Richwood, Detroit and Lake Eunice. This belt of timber served as a wall of defense, over and beyond which they evidently did not care to go. The larger prairies, east of this belt of timber, such as the De- troit prairie and the Frazee prairie had escaped and the small clearings suffered but little damage, but the losses in Richwood, Hamden, Cuba, Audubon, Lake Park and Cormorant were sorely felt. The damage that year was caused mostly by the young hoppers, as I believe they nearly all left as soon as they were able to fly. In 1873, the acreage of land sown to grain was con- siderably increased. Swarms of hoppers came in from the west in June and July. They did considerable damage and deposited eggs in large quantities in the western part of the county, but the small prairies and clearings in the timbered region of the county escaped. The year 1874 was among the worst of the seven years of plague. Nearly everything in the shape of grain and vegetables along the western border of the timber belt was destroyed. Out on the prairies in Richwood, Hamden, Cuba, Lake Park, Audubon and Cormorant the damage amounted to two-thirds of the entire crop. On the small prairies and clearings in Lake Eunice, Detroit, Lake View and Burlington the damage amounted to 25 per cent. The small grain was cut oft' as if mowed down with a scythe. The silk on the ears of the corn was gnawed to the cob, so the corn could not mature. The "hoppers"" chewed away at growing tobacco until they became dizzy from the eft'ects of the narcotic, and would lay in small heaps around the roots of the growing plants in a state of stupefaction, ^'hey would eat oft' the tops of onions and with tears in their eyes devour the very onions themselves. About the only plant they shunned was the tomato, but they did not hesi- tate to attack the ripe fruit. The damage to crops now began to be severely felt by the settlers, particularly in the western part of the county. In the western towns there was not grain enough raised for home consumption. A part of the potato crop escaped and most of the settlers owned small herds of cattle and the hav A Pioneer History of Becker County. 577 crop as a general thing was not badly damaged. In the winter of 1874-5, many families lived largely on potatoes and milk. The ponds and marshes throughout the county were at that time abun- danth' stocked with muskrats, and they proved the salvation of the w^estern towns. Rat skins that winter brought better prices than they ever have before or since, and a large part of the population of Richwood, Hamden. Cuba, Lake Park, Audubon, Lake Eunice and Cormorant turned trappers. As high as thirty cents a skin was paid that winter. It was estimated that $11,000 was paid out for rat skins at Detroit, Lake Park and Audubon during that win- ter and spring. I knew Norwegians who earned between $200 and $300 a piece during the season. The market price for rat skins was quoted in the county papers weekly, the same as the price of wheat. Large quantities of grasshoppers' eggs were deposited in the fields and along the highways wherever the ground was bare. Everybody was apprehensive of a more extensive visitation of the pests the coming year than ever before. Public meetings were held to devise measures of safety, and an agreement was entered into by the people in the western towns that all prairie fires should be strictly prohibited until some day to be agreed upon later on, which I think was on the 5th of June, and then the whole prairie should be fired simultaneously. The whole population was to turn out to assist in spreading the fire and protecting their houses and stock from the flames. It was thought by that date the young ''hoppers" would be well distributed about among the old grass, and it was believed that they would be almost absolutely destroyed. The program was carried out, but the spring of 1875 '^^'ss cold and backward, and the day set for the burning was rather unfavorable, but a great many hoppers were destroyed. The season too was not very favorable for hoppers, who delight in dry, hot weather, and large numbers of them died or flew awa}', so that a fair pro- portion of the crop was saved that year in this section of country, but in some of the states farther south the losses were tremendous. At the suggestion of Governor Pillsbury, a conference of gov- ernors of six or seven different states was called to meet at Omaha, Nebraska, on the 25th of October of that year, to devise measures by which their numbers might be diminished. In 1876 they were numerous, in spots. We had a long, dry spell of hot weather in July, with a southwest wind, which brought clouds of them in as it was supposed from Kansas and Texas, but 578 A Pioneer History of Becker County. they visited the county more in streaks than was usual. Some fields of grain were totally destroyed. The d'Engelbroner farm in Cuba was particularly unfortunate. That company had wheat sown that year on Sections 5 and 19 in Cuba, 33 in Atlanta, and 13 and 23 just over the line in Clay County. The grasshoppers were their final undoing. They had suffered severe losses during the three previous years, and this year the loss was complete. On the 5th day of July, 1876, I was camped with a surveying party near the Northern Pacific Railroad, between Buft'alo and Tower City in Dakota Territory. We set up our tent just before noon and spread our blankets out on the grass to air, and were eating our dinner in the tent, when one of the men remarked that it was snowing. We all rushed outside and there the hoppers were coming down in millions. They had nearly ruined our blankets and it began to grow dark, the sun being completely hid. At this time we heard a train of cars coming from the west. They were coming up a heavy grade and their speed began to grow less and less, until they reached a point opposite our camp when they came to a dead stop. They had been stalled by the grasshoppers. Pas- sengers on the train told us of the Custer massacre, which was news to us. The people throughout the countr}- had become alarmed and discouraged. Many of them kept a close watch of the winds and the sky, the same as they have done in later years during a season of protracted drought. A practiced eye could tell when hoppers were flying high, by looking directly at the sun or close to it. Every- body was suspicious of a westerly wind, as it was liable to bring fresh hordes of the pests. An easterly wind was always hailed with delight. Their movements were always from the west to the east and they never came back. This species of grasshopper had three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. Being double winged they were able to ascend to a very high altitude, and remain in the air for a long period at a time. They, however, generally depended on the wind to propel them along. Aside from the havoc they created with growing crops, they were exceedingly destructive to farming implements and clotliing. They would in a few short hours badly damage the handles of scythes and hand rakes and pitchforks. A coat or vest left on the fence in the morning would be ruined before noon. In traveling over the prairies or along the highways facing the wind, vou were in constant danger of being: hit In the face and A Pioneer History of Becker County. 579 eyes. They appeared to have a pecuHar knack of landing" on your naked eye with their six sharp, rough feet, all in a hunch, and giv- ing you a stinging blow that would shock your whole system. ]\Iany and many a time when running lines over the prairies against a strong wind with my eyes fixed on some small distant object, and hardly daring to wink for fear of losing sight of it, some big hop- per would come sailing through the air with the combined speed of the wind and two pairs of wings and hit me in the naked eye with a degree of accuracy and force that was both stunning and exasperating. They generally deposited their eggs in bare spots of ground or in plowed fields, but more especially in new breaking and on the borders of the highways, always preferring a hard sur- face. The eggs were deposited about an inch in depth and I have found more than a dozen nests in a foot square of ground with from 30 to 40 eggs in a nest. Plowing the ground after thev were deposited usually destroyed the eggs. In the meantime the scourge had spread over nearly the whole breadth of the land, reaching from Lake Winnipeg on the north to the Gulf of Mexico on the south, including Manitoba, Dakota, Nebraska, Texas and the western half of Alinnesota, Iowa. i\Iis- souri and Arkansas. Immense quantities of eggs were deposited during the summer of 1876 throughout this entire territory. The spring of 1877 opened with many gloomy forebodings. The hop- pers were hatching in swarms along the whole line. The grass- hopper scourge had given Becker County, as well as the entire frontier, a backset and caused great suffering among the settlers. The pests had destroyed a large share of their crops from 187 1 up to 1877. The pioneers had fought against them by means of traps of every conceivable pattern, but all in vain. The state had furnished tar and sheet iron for catching grasshoppers, and these were dealt out by the county commissioners in lil)eral (piantities and charged to the several towns. The state also loaned money to the settlers with which to buy seed grain. In many places this year they destroyed the young grass as fast as it grew. In July. I found farmers who lived in Stearns County cutting hay in the old cut-over pineries away east of the Mississippi River in ?\Iorrison County, all the grass in their meadows at home having been de- stroyed. Young wheat and oats and corn was destroyed as fast as it grew. Some localities in Becker County escaped with slight damage. The loss in some of the states farther south was enor- mous. Whole communities were almost panic stricken. Prayers 580 A Pioneer History of Beckkr County. for deliverance from the scourge were offered on every Sabbath day in the churches. Days of fasting- and prayer were appointed by the governors of some of the states. Our own Governor Pillsbury appointed one early in July, which was very generally observed by the religiously inclined people throughout the grasshopper stricken portion of the state. Before the middle of the month the pests were more numerous and were spread over a greater extent of country than ever before. For a day or two the}- appeared to come in clouds from the sky. They came pouring in from the direction of the great plains and the Rocky ^Mountain regions. They had never been seen in such mul- titudes, but there was a certain peculiarit\- about their motions that was new and strange. Their actions were similar to those of a famil\- of tame bees when beginning to swarm. There was a hur- ried movement to the east of almost endless numbers. As a general thing they would alight on the prairies and fields at night, and in the morning they would be on wing, much earlier than was their usual custom, doing but little damage. The movement was ob- served and reported all along the frontier. Finally on one of the last days of July, 1877, just before the beginning of harvest, the rear of this vast army of winged destroy- ers passed to the east, and disappeared from view, and as far as Becker County and that generation was concerned, never to re- turn. From that day there have been no grasshoppers of that dis- tinctive species to be found in the county worth mentioning. Peo- ple could hardly believe their senses. They had disappeared from the whole breadth of the land in a single day. Where they went to no one could tell. Soon after that time a shower of them came down in Lake Champlain and the northern part of Vermont. A part of the coast of North Carolina was said to have been strewn with dead grasshoppers several feet in thickness for miles and miles. Aside from these two instances nothing was ever heard from them as far as I was able to ascertain. With the exception of a few local instances, like that at Per- ham, in 1886, there have been no grasshoppers of any importance in the C(^untry since their departure in 1877. C. p. WILCOX. HOSMER H. WILCOX. WILLIAM P. MCKINSTRV. BREDE ANDERSON. Members of the first Becker County Jury. ^82 A Pioneer History of Bf.cki;r County. I Chapter XXXII. The First Lawsuit in Becker County. When I was in St. Paul in the spring of 1871, there was quite a breeze raised by the people of both St. Paul and Minneapolis over the report that a woman was going about exhibiting as a show, her own daughter who was only eleven years old and was herself the mother of a child. The authorities soon put a stop to this show business, but I noticed the family on the streets several times afterwards. The name of the woman was AA'ilkins and her daughter's name was Panola. I returned to Becker County soon afterwards and thought no more about them until the next fall, wdien to my surprise I found the whole family living in a comfortable log house on Section 34 in Lake Park Township. Harvey Jones, one of the first settlers in P)ecker CountA' had married the mother of the young mother, and they were now all snugly housed in his new log cabin. Matters did not, however, run smoothly in the Jones" household for a very long period of time. Jones was a bachelor up to the time of his recent marriage, nearly fifty years old and was not accustomed to having his authority in domestic alTairs called in question. He complained that Panola and her mother were wasteful and extravagant and that their extravagance was backed up with an aggravating kind of impudence and abuse, and that his wife was not faithful and true. I^ater on, quarrels became frequent in this interesting family and the trouble finally culminated in Jones being arrested for administering family discipline to Mrs. Jones with an iron-wood sapling. A complaint was made out and a warrant issued by justice James G. McGrew of Audubon Town- ship, which was placed in the hands of Captain F. K. Small, constable, and Jones was arrested about the last of October, 1871. Excitement ran high in the neighborhood. Some of the settlers took sides with Jones, but more of them were on the side of Mrs. Jones and Panola. I was camped in the vicinity at the time, and heard all sides of the case and my sympathies were with Jones. A PioxEKR History of Becker County. 583 Jones was tried before Squire McGrew and a jury of twelve men, and this was the first jury before which a case either civil or criminal was ever tried in Becker County. Here is a list of the jurymen : L. D. Sperry, Patrick Ouigley, Moody Cook, Charles P. Wiicox, Hosmer H. Wilcox, William P. McKinstry. T. R. Anderson. John Lewison, David Pyle, A. J. Haney. A. B. Freeman and Brede Anderson. Not a single person connected with this trial is now living" in Becker County. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty and Jones was sentenced to thirty days in the Otter Tail City jail. Captain F. K. Small was furnished with the commitment papers and he and the prisoner started for Otter Tail Cit}- on foot, a distance of forty-five miles. On the road through Detroit Township they passed the residence of John O. French, who was one of thee constables of that town- shi]) and Small made an arrangement with French to take Jones off his hands and deliver him to the jailer at Otter Tail City. When they reached Detroit village, Jones decided that he wanted to consult a lawyer and persuaded French to stop with him for a few minutes at the office of W. W. Rossman, who had just opened up a law office. After entering Rossman's office French concluded it would be a good time to get a drink of water while his prisoner was consulting with his attorney, so he stepped out for a few minutes, leaving his overcoat and the prisoner in Rossman's care. The commitment papers were in the overcoat pocket. When French returned Jones stated that he had had all the legal advice he wanted for the present, and they again started on the road to Otter Tail City. They went on for two or three miles down through the Detroit woods until they came to about where the clubhouse is now, when Jones complained of feeling tired and sat down by a log to rest. French soon became impatient and tried to get Jones up and off again, but Jones finally told him he had gone far enough and was going back home. French told him he would see whether he went back home or not and took him by the collar and tried to pull him along, but Jones would not budge an inch. Finally Jones told him that he wanted to see what authority he had for taking him to jail anyway. "Fll show you," French said as he reached for the pockets of his overcoat to produce the commitment papers. but the papers were not to be found in the overcoat pockets or in any other pocket. 584 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Not having any commitment papers French conckicled he would have a hard time getting the prisoner off his hands at Otter Tail City, so they both started back home and that was the end of the first legal case in Becker County. After that Jones always held a high opinion of Squire Rossman as an attornev. Chapter XXXIII. COUNTY SEAT CONTROVERSY. At a meeting of the board of county commissioners on the loth of September, 1872. they passed a resolution to build a jail at Detroit not to exceed a cost of $2,000. \\\ H. H. Howe and J. E. A"an Gorden voted for it and L. G. Stevenson against it. At that time the board consisted of only three commissioners. On the 6th day of December, 1872, another meeting was held and W. H. H. Howe, chairman of the board and W. F. Ball, county attorney, were appointed a building committee to select a site and secure the early erection of a county jail. At the same meeting a contract was made and approved by the board by which Colonel George H. Johnston was to build a jail for $1,300, to be completed by July i, 1873 on lots 13 and 14, of block 92, Detroit Townsite. ( )n the 17th day of January. 1873. the board again met at Detroit, but a majority of the board were new meml)ers, AW A. A\'ilkins having succeeded J. E. \'an Gorden and W. S. Dixon taking the place of L. G. Stevenson. At this meeting a resolution was adopted instructing the county auditor to notify the parties building the jail to suspend operations. First, for the reason that it was doubtful if a good title could be given to the ground where it was to be built. Second, that the liabilities to be created were greater than the law authorized the commis- sioners to create in one year. Third, that tlie townsite of Detroit as platted where the jail was to be built in the township of Detroit is not identical with the townsite of Detroit at which the county seat is located by statute. The building committee was discharged and the chairman ordered to hand over to the county auditor all plans and specifications in his possession. About this time some one who was unfriendly to Detroit had made the discovery that the townsite of Detroit that was surveyed A Pioneer History of Becker County. 585 and platted eleven years before there was a settler in Becker Count)', was located at the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, on what is now called Town Lake, and included a large part of the present village of Frazee, instead of at Detroit Lake in Detroit Township. Dixon and W'ilkins the two new county commissioners both lived in the west end of the county, the former in Lake Park Town- ship and the latter in Hamden, and were both in favor of Audubon for the county seat and were not slow in taking advantage of the newlv made discovery in relation to the two Detroit townsites. It was found that a townsite had been surveyed out at the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, and the plat recorded at St. Cloud, ]\rinn., on the 12th day of June, 1857. On August 30th, 1873, Colonel Johnston commenced suit against Becker County on jail contract. On September 3rd, 1873, the the board met at Detroit and commissioner A\\ S. Dixon was ap- ]iointed by the board to employ counsel to defend the suit. ( )n September i6th, commissioner Howe informed the board that he had in his possession a deed for lots 13 and 14, block 92 of Detroit Townsite for a jail. On January 6, 1874. the board met at Detroit. C. P. Wilcox of Detroit took the place of W. H. H. Howe of Detroit. The deed for lots 13 and 14, block 92, tendered b}- George H. Johnston was refused and returned to the maker, and the bill of $1300 for building jail was rejected. The jail had been built since the time when he was ordered by the board to suspend operations. By this time the discovery of the plat of the Detroit Townsite that was recorded in the office of the reg- ister of deeds for Stearns County at St. Cloud and unmistakably hxing its location at the third crossing of the Otter Tail River, had unsettled the county seat business to such an extent that people generally believed that there was no legal county scat. It certainly was not at Detroit although it might be at Frazee City which was doubtful. At least that was the view taken of it by the majority of the board of county commissioners and a majority of the county officers. Nearly all' of them lived west from Detroit and with the exce])tion of the register of deeds they all took their books, papers and office equipment to their homes, and their offices were scat- tered far and wide. The county treasurer left a deputy at Detroit, and the coroner, being a resident of Detroit, could generally be found there. The county auditor was interested in a store at Lake Park and there he opened up his office. 586 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Accordingly on the 4th of June, 1874, the county commis- sioners met at the auditor's office at Lake Park. On the 23rd of June they met there again. Judge Reynolds, secretary of the Tyler Townsite and Land Compan}-, otlered the use of the huihl- ing known as the old printing" office at Detroit free of rent for one year for the use of the county officers. R. L. Frazee, proprietor of the old townsite of Detroit, at third crossing of the Otter Tail River, made an offer to the board to erect a building at that point suitable for the county officers and give it free of rent for one year. Both propositions were laid on the table. On the 5th of January, 1875, the county board met at Lake Park. The commissioners were W. S. Dixon, of Lake Park, C. P. AA'ilcox of Detroit and Thomas Torgerson of Cuba. They met again at Lake Park on the 27th of July, 1875. In the mean- time Commissioner Dixon had experienced a decided change of mind with reference to county seat matters. A motion was made and seconded that Frazee be recognized as the county seat of Becker County, but it received only one vote. The board met again on the 24th day of August, 1875, when the following resolu- tions were adopted : First, Resolved that the board of county commissioners of Becker Count}' proceed to provide offices for the use of county officers of said county, at Detroit, in Township 139, Range 41. Second, Resolved that the board accept the oiTer of R. Rey- nolds, secretary of T^der Townsite and Land Com])any of the building formerly occupied b}' ^Montgomery, West and Smith for the use of the county officers, and that they are hereby re- quired to move there as early as the 5th of September, 1875. This is the building used as a section house by the X'orthern Pacific Railroad for many years past and stands on the north side of the railroad on the east border of the village. Commissioners Dixon and Wilcox voted for the above resolu- tions and Torgerson voted against them. The board met in this building on November ist, 1875, for the first time. The county officers were mostly back with their books and papers at the appointed time, although they did not all stay there themselves with any degree of regularity. It was customary in those days for one county officer to do the work of others. The county auditor was deputy clerk of court, and also did the work of the judge of probate. John Mc- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 587 Clelland. the register of deeds, had erected the building since owned and occupied by M. \\ V>. Davis as a boot and shoe store, and occupied it as his office (hiring' nearly all of his tliree terms of office. Excitement ran high all over the county for several years over county seat matters. Petitions had been sent to the legislature at nearly every session asking authority to vote on the question of removing the county seat to Audubon. One petition read like this: "Audubon, January 31, 1874. We, the undersigned legal voters of Becker County, ^^linncsota, respectfully represent that the east- ern half of said county will never be settled: that the town of Audubon is nearer the geographical center of the portion of said county which is now settled or will hereafter be settled than Detroit is: that it is the actual desire of the majority of the legal voters of said county that an act of the legislature be passed providing for a vote to l)e taken upon the removal of the county seat of said county from Detroit to Audubon, and we further represent that the Pugct Sound Land Company has never in any way or manner used any influence whatever to control any election in this county." As there were no settlers in Becker County east of the Otter Tail River in those days, it was for the interests of Detroit to post- pone the final settlement of this question by a vote of the people as long as possible. They accordingly fought off all these petitions until the winter of 1877, wdien believing themselves strong enough to outvote Audubon they submitted to the passage of a bill author- izing a vote on the question. When the county commissioners re-established the county seat at Detroit on the 24th of August, 1875, the excitement quieted down all over the county and there was not much heard about county seat matters until a few months before the election in 1877. In the meantime the lawsuit brought by Colonel Johnston to recover pay for building the jail, was decided in favor of Becker County on the ground that the county commissioners had exceed- ed their authority. They had appropriated more money for one item of expense than the whole legal tax levy for county revenue for the current year. The jail building stood for several years in the edge of the oak grove on block 92, in the north part of the village. Later on it was rented to the village of Detroit for a "lock up." It was 588 A PioxEKR History of Beckisr County. built of two by six scantling, laid flat down, one scantling on the top of another, the ends crossing at the corners of the buildmg like the logs in a cabin. The spaces between the scantling were filled with other scantling of the same width and thickness, making a solid wall six inches thick from the foundation to the roof, and all spiked good and tight with forty-penny spikes driven in six inches apart, 'i'he following from the Detroit Record of Septem- ber 28, 1882, tells what finally became of the old jail: The village jail at Detroit was destroyed by fire on Monday night and Christ. Davis, confined for beating his wife, perished in the flames. The fire occurred at about 11 P. M. and when discovered it was too late to save the confined man. Davis was a hard character and had been recently released from the Clay County jail, having served a term for beating his wife some time ago. It is believed the man fired the building himself, either purposely or accidently. Nothing was left of the man's body excepting a small piece of the back-bone and head, one lung and part of the heart. The legislature of 1877 had authorized a vote to be taken on the question of the removal of the county seat to Audubon at the annual election to be held in November of that year, and as the time drew near excitement began to run high. To illustrate the state of the feeling between the people of Atttltibon and Detroit at the time, I will insert a part of a column from the last publica- tion of the Detroit Record before the election, November 3, 1S77, then run by Colonel Johnston : FRAUD! EXTORTION!! BANKRUPTCY!!! Voters of Becker County! Are you willing to be sold like cattle in the shambles? Read the following intercepted letter, written by one of the Audubon ring and then show by your vote you are freemen and not slaves. Audubon, Oct. 15th. 1S77. Dear : Your letter of the loth inst. is at hand. You asked me what will probably be the result of the vote on the county seat. I can tell you that we at Audubon have a sure thing. We have got all the leading Scandinavians on our side, and we have fooled some of the Burlington people to vote for us. We have the matter all fixed with the county commissioners so that after the election we will proceed at once to erect county buildings at Audubon, at an expense of $3,000, as this will not re- quire a vote of the people. Of course after we get the county buildings erected, then we are sure of keeping the county seat. We fear Lake Park as much as Detroit, for it is more than probable that if we do not succeed in carrying the election this year it may go to A Pioneer History of Becker County. 589 Lake Park the next time. But as I have said, we have the thing all fixed and we are sure to carry the day. Yours truly, Citizens of Becker County: This letter shows for itself, and explains the reason why the Audubon ring would not consent to have a provision in the bill passed by the legislature, that no buildings should be erected for five years. Oh, no! they propose to saddle the county with three thousand dollars of debt, by erecting county buildings at Audubon at once. Remember that the Audubon ring boasts that they will carry the day if they are obliged to vote every Indian on the Chippewa reserve. Farmers and Grangers: — Remember that Audubon is owned by a grasping corporation and Detroit by the people. Read the intercepted letter in another column and see what the modus operandi of the Audubon ring is. Remember that every vote for the removal of the county seat to Audubon is a vote for thousands of dollars of increased ta.xes to Becker County for the erection of expensive county buildings. Remember that the Audubon ring takes thousands of dollars out of the county treasury every year and don't pay twenty-five cents of taxes. The Audubon people were suspicious that Detroit would resort to fraud in carrying the election. They had accused them of gross irregularities at former elections when county seat matters were at stake, notably at the election of 1874 when R. L. Frazee was elected to the legislature. They tried to get some one living at Detroit to watch the polls in their interest. They did not succeed in this, but were assured that if they wished to send some one down from Audubon they should have fair play, if they behaved themselves properly. The evening before election, the town clerk at Detroit discovered that some one had torn down and carried off his poll list. This was laid to the Audubon gang as a matter of course, and they were undoubtedly correct. A prominent citizen of Detroit was at Lake Park on the dav of election working: in the interest of Detroit. Two citizens of Audubon, Charles Emu- leth and McCormick came down to Detroit to watch the polls. Emuleth took up a position in the voting room and proceeded to write down the names of an occasional voter that might or might not, for all he knew, be an illegal voter while McCormick did con- siderable superfluous talking outside. Along in the afternoon a man who owned a farm out in the country, but who was not a voter in Detroit began to persuade some of the Detroiters that it was a matter ill becoming to the dignity of their town to allow 590 A Pioneer History of Becker County. men from Audubon or anywhere else to come in and run their election. The result of his arguments was that three or four of the men addressed appointed themselves a committee to rid the town of those two undesirable persons. McCormick had been a little boisterous and aggressive, but Emuleth had not opened his mouth so far (luring the day as anyone knew, but the list of the names he was taking down had the etfect of a red rag at a bull fight. So the self-appointed committee without any ceremony ordered him to leave town inside of five minutes. They were somewhat sur- prised, however, when a couple of Detroit men began to take his part, and after their attention was called to the fact that a Detroit man had been at Lake Park all day working for Detroit they gave up their task and Emuleth was allowed to remain. Soon after- wards Emuleth 's papers were snatched from his hands and in an instant the man who did the snatching was laid flat on his back on the floor. Someone else, however, took the papers, and ran oft' with them but the judges of the election allowed him to copy such names as he wished from their poll list afterwards. For two or three weeks previous to the election a gravel train with its accompanying boarding cars and crew of men had been stationed at Detroit. The Northern Pacific Railroad Company's officials were supposed to favor Audubon in preference to Detroit as they were indirectly the owners of Audubon Townsite, either in whole or in part at that time. So they induced the railroad company to take the boarding cars away the day before the elec- tion. The cars were removed, but nearly all the men remained. The people of Detroit had arranged to board them while the cars were gone. Many of these men were citizens of Detroit and none of them lost their vote. The result of the election was a victory for Detroit by about ninety majority, and the county seat contest was undoubtedly settled forever. c.^ MK. AND MRS. XUB. NELSON, SR. MR. .A.ND MRS. NUB. NELSON, JR. MR. .\ND MRS. O. J. T.A.HR. MISS M.ARY A. H.\NSON. 592 A PioxEER History of Becker County. Chapter XXXIV. HISTORY OF ATLANTA TOWNSHIP. By ^Ii?.s Mary A. Haxsox. The town of Atlanta, situated in the northwestern part of Becker County was first settled June i6, 1871, by N. N. \'iger and family, who drove from Fillmore County with an ox team and prairie schooner and settled on Section 32 of said township. Martin Hanson, a single man, settled on the same section the same year and resided there until his death in 1905. The next settler was O. J. Jahr and family who settled on Section 30 in 1872. For several years these three homes were the only ones in the township, but in 1876 several new families arrived from Wisconsin and Iowa, among which were O. ( ). Xoben, L. H. Hauge, H. J. Larson and others. Gradually the level prairies were broken up and converted into fertile fields, and groves and houses dotted the lonesome plains. January 25, 1879. the township was organized as the town of Martin, but the name was changed to Atlanta at the following meeting, March 18, 1879. The first town of^cers were: vSupcrvisors, O. O. N^ol)en, M. J. Brekke and C. G. Engebregtson ; clerk, H. J. Larson, which posi- tion he held for fourteen consecutive years ; treasurer, C. G. Enge- bregtson ; justices of the peace, J. A. Bemis, M. J. Brekke ; consta- bles, L. G. Engebregtson, H. A. Furuset ; poundmaster, M. \\'ahl. The first birth recorded in the town is that of the eldest daughter of John and Ellen Gunderson. The first school district, No. 29, was organized in the spring of 1880, and the first term of school was held in the home of John Larson and taught by Miss Carrie Larson, with an enrolInK'nt of twenty pu])ils. Since that time three more school districts have been organ- ized, viz. : Xos. 7,7,, 43. and 68. The growth of the population has been slow but steady, till at the present time most of the land has been taken up or bought by actual settlers. But one tragedy has occurred in Atlanta in the twenty-five years of its existence, viz. : that of the murder of Timan Ristvedt, A Pioneer History of Becker County. 593 a middle aged, single man who resided on his farm on Section 10. On the evening of Xovember 8, 1897, he was found lying dead near the barn which had been set afire by the murderer. This was perhaps the most sensational murder case ever tried in Becker County. After a long trial the suspected murderer was acquitted for want of evidence and the case remains a mystery to this day. On June 9, 1903, a cyclone passed over the central part of the town destroying nearly a dozen homes and the large Norwegian church which had just been completed. One person, Mrs. O. Berg, an old lady lost her life in the storm. The earlier settlers of Atlanta were Scandinavians with the exception of two or three families, and during the first twenty years or more there were few changes excepting as new settlers were added from time to time, but toward the close of the nineties a number of transfers of real estate brought a considerable German element into the township. On the wdiole the history of the township while uneventful has been a prosperous one. The bleak prairies of twenty-five years ago now are fertile fields, and the sod shanty is replaced by the commodious farm buildings. Atlanta was so named from the resemblance its undulating surface bears to the Atlantic Ocean. AIary a. H.^nson. OLE O. NOBEN. Ole O. Noben was born in Slidre, Valders, Norway, Aug. 14, 1835. He came to America in 1851 and settled in Dane County, Wis., afterwards removing to Decorah, Iowa, in 1854, where on Sept. 16, 1859, he married Christina Lien. Coming to- Becker County in the early days lie took a homestead in Atlanta, where he has ever since made his home. A man of education, and of energetic, progressive disposition, he did much in the development of the northwestern part of the county. His homestead of virgin prairie has been converted into one of the best farms in Becker County, with a fine grove, substantial buildings and productive fields, and in every way betokening the energy and thoughtfulness of its owner. He was always an advocate of good roads, and he was ever at the front in every movement for public improvement and good schools in his home town. In politics he was a lifelong Republican, and ever since coming to the county he has taken part in the councils of his party. In the fall of '96 he was elected to the ofSce of register of deeds, and served with ability until last January, having been re-nominated, but defeated by a verv few votes at the last election. Mr. Noben had been a resident of 594 -^ Pioneer History oe Becker County. this county about twenty years, and has figured prominently in the affairs of his own town, and of the county. He died of heart disease, on the i8th day of June, iSgg, at his home in Atlanta. — Detroit Record. Mrs. West. Chapter XXXV. HISTORY OF WALWORTH TOWNSHIP. By Aep.ert E. IIigdie. Being one of the first settlers in the town of Walworth, I will relate some of my early day and pioneer experiences. In the fall of 1878, I, with my wife and one son six months old, left the home of my childhood in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, and started west in search of homestead land. W'e landed in Audubon and during- the winter of 1878-79 kept the Audubon Hotel, and in March, 1879, filed on the northeast quarter of Section 22, Town- ship 142, Range 43 and on the first of June we moved on for actual settlement. The nearest neighbor was eight miles away. O. O. Noben in Atlanta. At that time Walworth and Atlanta were organized into one township and called Atlanta. In the fall and winter of 1879, three families consisting of my two brothers and myself built a shanty on the south branch of the Wild Rice River and spent our first winter of pioneering. That winter was very cold and the snow deep. We hauled our wood from the Wild Rice River, a distance of fifteen miles and without any such roads as we have now. There was only a stage road going from the Wild Rice River to Lake Park. In the spring several settlers moved on claims they had taken. Among the first was Anthony Johnson on Section 8, and the Morks. There were several of the Mork brothers and sisters, and their families still reside on Section 34. Their father died in an early day, and their mother died in 1904. having lived a very useful and helpful life, always ready to lend a helping hand to the sick, which was very needful in an early day for many times a doctor could not be had within twenty-five miles. All the old settlers called for Grandma IMork in tiiue of sickness. Our town meetings were at first held jointly with Atlanta, and the first one we attended was at O. O. Noben's house a distance of ei^ht miles. The heavv Sfrowth of grass afforded a good ALBERT E. HIGBIE. MRS. A. E. HIGBIE. CLAUD E. HIGBIE. FRANK E. HIGBIE. 596 A Pioneer History oe Becker County. hiding place for the mosquitoes which made travel nearly im- possible without a smudge. In the year 1882, it became necessary to divide the two town- ships, and the petition being completed it was handed to me to be sent in. I suggested if no objection were raised that it be named Walworth, after a beautiful prairie county in Wisconsin. In an early day every little slough was filled with water and wild ducks and geese were numerous. The sand-hill crane was a com- mon bird, and occasionally a deer or moose would be seen grazing with the stock on the open prairie. Our town being new, it was noted for its hunting grounds, and hunters came from many different states, and put up with what poor accommodations could be had for the sake of the hunt- ing. I remember well a large white crane that was shot by W. E. Reid, of Detroit. The bird was mounted and is now on exhil)ition in a hotel office at Wadena. One morning as I went to my sod barn, directly back of it sat a flock of about seventy-five geese in the tall grass. The only gun I owned was an old army muzzle loading musket. I loaded that to the brim, and let drive at them and the result was that five large geese fell but I was the loser of one front tooth as it was nearly as dangerous to be behind it as in front, for it would kick like a mule. We encountered many hardships and numerous persons became discouraged and left, but what still remain are well-to-do farmers. The prairie lands of Walworth as they appeared twenty-seven years ago seemed little fit for habitation, but their present thriv- ing condition has been accomplished by hard work and good judg- ment. The settlers that have lived through it are now happy and that much wiser for the experience they have had. In the year 1882, a log schoolhouse was built on Section 21. This answered the purpose for school, town hall and church. Miss Christina Johnson was the first teacher to wield the rod. Miss Lizzie Hunt the second, and Fred L. Day of Audubon succeeded her. The attendance was very small on account of the distance to walk and poor roads, and many days there was not a scholar in attendance. On such an occasion Mr. Day would frequently go to his board- ing house and play checkers. On one of those occasions, Mr. Chapin, county superintendent, happened to visit the school, but all old timers know that checkers was Mr. Chapin's favorite game, and he soon took a hand in with him. In those days we only had A Pioneer History of Becker County. 597 four or five months school in tlie year, only just what the law required to get state aid, but now we have four good school build- ings in the township, each of which has school from eight to ten months in the year. After a heavy growth of grass in the summer months, the fol- lowing fall the prairie fires would sweep along at the rate of forty miles an hour and with only now and then a little patch of break- ing to check its speed. For many years the nearest post-office and market was Lake Park, a distance of fifteen miles, but now we are blessed with a railroad station, rural free delivery and a nearby market. All the old settlers came with very little money, but lots of courage and energy for which they have reaped the benefit, for now it has the name of being one of the finest towns in the county. A fine prairie country covered with beautiful groves planted twenty-five years ago with our own hands and land valued at $30 per acre, and fine buildings and windmills and everything that helps to make farm life a pleasure. We think all have been amply repaid and have no complaints to ofifer. FATAL AND DESTRUCTIVE WIND STORM JUNE qth. Strikes Eastern Clay and Western Becker Counties. — Five Killed and $20,000 Worth of Property Destroyed. For the first time, people of this locality beheld the destructive efifects of cyclonic winds. The storm originated north of Ulen Monday evening at 5:30 p. m. and passed in a southeasterly direction through the southwest corner of the town of Walworth and the northern part of Atlanta carrying death and destruction throughout its ten mile course. In the town of Ulen and three miles north of the village of Ulen four children of the family of Mr. Hoiuni were killed and six dwellings destroyed. — June II, igo2. Albert E. Higbie. He was one of the old settlers of Walworth Township, and was born in Rome, Wisconsin, June 26th, 1851, and was the son of William and Emma Higbie. He was married in 1874 to Dora Tallmadge. Mrs. Higbie was born in Amsterdam, New York, May I2th, 1858, and was the daughter of Henry and Jane Tall- madge. Two children have been born. Claude E. was born in Wisconsin, in 1878, and came with his parents to Walworth when 598 A Pioneer History of Becker County. six months old. Frank E., was born in Walworth, July 25th, 1881, and was the first cliild born in the township. I Anthony Johnson. Anthony Johnson settled on Section 8 in the township of Walworth in the spring of 1880, and has resided there continuously ever since. He now owns a fine farm, and has filled many township offices with honor to himself and advantage to the township. N. P. Johnson. Among the old settlers I will mention N. P. Johnson who settled on Section 8, in an early day, and has held several town- ship offices, and P. P. Berg who came from Audubon in the year 1882, located on Section 28, and has taken an important part in township and school matters. He now has a fine farm on which are fine buildings surrounded by a grove of evergreen and fruit trees. John Anderson. John Anderson came in the early eighties but sold his farm three years ago, and went back to Denmark to stay, but after a year came back here and said Walworth was sfood enougrh for him. The first town meeting held in Walworth after being set ofif from the town of Atlanta was at the school house on Section 21. on the third day of April, 1883. Anthony Johnson was elected town clerk ; Simon Jenson. A. E. Higbie and L. Johnson, super- visors ; N. A. Narum, justice of the peace and O. Benson, constable. The town was bonded for $150 to improve the highways. The first death in the town was Frederick Alork, infant son of Anna and Frederick ATork. Albert E. Higbie. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 599 Chapter XXXVI. HISTORY OF ERIE TOWNSHIP. The township of Erie was named by settlers from Buffalo Erie County, New York, in honor of that same county of Erie. Erie is, or rather was, a heavily timbered township. In the east half there was considerable pine, some of it the best I ever saw. The other part was timbered with hard and soft wood. Talk AI.rRED MEILIE. about pine! A little west of where the Otter Tail River bridge is at present, a person could not see the sun in the daytime, the trees were so large and tall. Some of the remaining" stumps can give you an idea of what the trees were. Erie corners on the southwest near the Northern Pacific Rail- road, on the northeast not far from the beautiful Height of Land Lake, is joined on the north by Holmesville and two miles from !Rock Lake, and on the south by Burlington ; the Otter Tail River leaving the town in Section 36. 6oo A Pioneer History of Becker County. 1871 to 1877. The first squatter was evidently a trapper by the name of McKenzie, on Section 20. The first actual settler, or at least the first one to build a house, was INIiles Hanna who settled on the southwest quarter of Section 30 in the summer of 1872. In May, 1873, ^^ ^'"id his son worked on the Clearwater drive where he was accidently poisoned by eating the root of the wild parsnip or poison hemlock. He was a soldier of the civil war, and one of the jurymen who tried Bobolink for the murder of the Cook family. That same fall C. E. Brown built a small log house on the southwest quarter of Section 18. The next year 1873, the follow- ing settlers took claims in Erie and built houses on them : James T. Bestick on the northwest quarter of Section 30, Richard Huck on the northeast quarter of Section 30, Kimball Hayden on the northwest quarter of Section 18, A. J. Farnsworth on Section 20 where James Norris afterwards lived and George Neuner took the southwest (|uarter of Section 30 formerly occupied by Miles Hanna. These were about all the settlers in Erie until 1876 or '/"/ when the Buflr'alo people came in and took up all of the western part of the township. After the Centennial Exposition, in 1876, there were hard times in the East. Common laborors' wages were only seventy-five cents a day, and only three-quarter time at that ; also a great scarcity of employment. A man by the name of Whitson C. Darling, (by the way the biggest rascal unhung) a Canadian, who had been to Detroit, Minnesota, came to ButTalo, and hired a German saloon-keeper, Fred Disse. Darling made speeches in English and Disse in the German language. He told us there were car shops at De- troit, four or five big hotels, and lots of work at two dollars a day, also nice farms for sale very cheap. This last was true enough. In some of his lectures he said that the snow fall in Becker Coun- ty was not more than six inches, and that stock grazed in the open fields until away along in January or February. Well, he caught a good many suckers ; he would take their property in Buffalo in exchange for improved farms. Then he was careful to get the Buffalo property safely deeded over but some of the parties are waiting for their farms yet. A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 6oi We left Buft'alo, about twenty-two families, on the 5th of May, 1877, by steamboat, for Duluth. We were laid up a week in Cleveland on account of the ice. At last we struck Duluth on the 22nd of May, a forsaken and deserted looking place. A few thousand dollars at that time would have bought a good slice of Duluth. We arrived at Frazee on the 25th of May, 1877. R. L. Frazee was all kindness to us. He gave us the use of a stove and a laree frame buildmo- for shelter. The next day the most of our LIZZIE SCHULTZ. MR. A^D MRS. GEORGE NUENER men went a-fishing by the sawmill. Well, it was a wonder the fish they all brought in. I am certain that two or three frying- pans were kept constantly in action. On the 26th I walked to Detroit to see the great city. Well, I found on the north side of the railroad track a little town, one saloon and two small ho- tels, and on the south side eight or nine houses, a little bank and a store, also a drug and whisky store combined, also the North- ern Pacific Hotel, where I found some beds made on the floor with 6o2 A PioNEKR History of Becker County. straw, and two men from Buffalo that came on a boat that left ten days after we did. I returned to Frazee that evening and reported. The next day a lot of us left for Detroit. Some of them got into the empty hotel and other empty houses. I rented the Archie McArthur place near Col. Johnston's flour mill at the mouth of the Pelican River. I then looked around for some land and finally got stranded on the northwest quarter of Section 6 in the town of Erie. 1 will tell of my farming some other time. The grasshoppers had been in the country in 1876, and ever}'thing' was scarce. Many of the old settlers wanted to sell out. but the most of the newcomers had none or but little monc}' to buy with. Flour was five dollars a barrel, potatoes 50 to 90 cents a bushel and hard to get at that. The actual settlers then living in the town of Erie were Kim- ball Hayden on Section 18. Eli Hodder on Section 30. John Ber- tram on vSection 30. Mike Soldner on Section 30, Jerome Farr and O. Sims on Section 34. Ten or twelve families got disgusted; the women and children were sent back on the Northern Pacific Railroad, the men started on foot for Duluth. and I don't know what ever became of them. In ( )ctober, 1877, the following newcomers were settled in Erie: Mrs. Schraska and four children; Mr. A. Stackelhouse, wife and children ; A. Schnitzer. wife and three children ; A. INFatz- dorf. wife and eight children. In the spring of 1878 there came the following: Jacob Krick. wife and daughter Barbar}' ; Fred Disse, wife and two children ; Bartholomew Tveithiser. wife and two children ; Baptiste Graff and wife ; Julien Zeck. wife and two children ; James Xorris. wife and three children ; John A\'inkler. wife and three children ; John Eides ; Peter Fisher, wife and six children ; M. Smith, wife and fixe children ; John liehuke. wife and one child, and B. Fisher. These were about all the settlers in the town, before it was organized. As I mentioned before, I located on the northwest quarter of Section 6. A. ]\Iatzdorf and myself went out into the town east of Detroit, now Erie, where we found Mr. Kimball Hayden living on Section 18, and he went with us, a mile and a half north to Section 6. where I took my land, and Matzdorf also took the southwest cpiarter of Section 6. In a few days Alatzdorf moved into the "Betty Brown" house on Section 18 until he could build a house of his own. I hired Jake Schafer to help me and built A Pioneer History of Becker County. 603 myself a log house. Just before that I cut out a road from the southwest corner of Section 6 to my place. Erie was first organized into one school district which took in the entire township. The first officers of the district were : Bartholomew Leithiscr, director; James Norris, clerk; and Al- fred ]\leili, treasurer, and he has held the office of treasurer ever since. ]\Iiss May Chapin. now Mrs. John Whittemore, taught the first school in the schoolhouse on Section 29, and Miss Cad Dix, now Mrs. Arthur Blanding. taught the first school in the schoolhouse on Section 18. Accidents in the town of Erie have been few. Once in a while a settler would fall out of his wagon going home from De- troit, which I suppose was owing to the bad condition of the roads. The first man hurt otherwise was M. Higgins who broke his leg by the fall of a tree while working for Eli Hodder. The first death was that of Miles Hanna but he died away from home. The first person to die within the limits of the township was George Neuner who died at his home on Section 30 on the 9th day of January, 1875. He was the father of John and Firank Neuner. The Xeuner family came to Becker County on the 29th day of March, 1873, with ]\Irs. Trimlet and her son William, and they were the first installment of the Buft'alo colony. The first woman that died was Mrs. Louisa Stackelhouse, on the 19th of May, 1878. In 1880' Louisa Furcht was married to William Fischer. They have today a married daughter and two grandchildren. The first white girl born in Erie was Lizzie Schultz, now Mrs. AA'illiam Lindner. The first white boy born was William Bertram. A. H. AMlcox built the first bridge across the Otter Tail River in 1873, oi^it of ^ state appropriation of about $800, the bridge it- self costing $340. Game was plentiful in those days ; bears, deer and wild cats. Grouse were as plentiful then as common chickens are now. A person could hear them drumming around every day. Deer I was certain to meet in the fall of the year whenever I went to get my cattle home, and I could see them most any day around my fifteen acre lake. Here is a bear story and a true one. In the spring of 1884 a big bear went into my pig pen to get some pork. I had two 6o4 A Pioneer History of Becker County. hog's of about two hundred pounds weight apiece. ^ly wife with the lantern and myself with a Remington rifle chased Mr. I'ear ofif but he had one hog killed or so badly hurt that it was dead when we went to take a look in the morning. The bear also made his appearance in the yard. I was going to help Charles Schnitzer break some land, so I put the pig under cover until night. To- ward evening Schnitzer and I took the pig and fastened it with a heavy log chain to a small tree, across the road west of the house. We then went in the house to get our shooting sticks, and when we came out Mr. Bear was in full view and by good luck we shot him dead on the spot. He measured about six feet in length, but, holy Ceasar ! his meat was just like mush: hardly tit to eat. He was old and had probably just come out of his winter's sleep. I sold the hide to W. Hayden for sixteen dollars, but never got but tw^o dollars. There have been no great crimes committed in Erie so far as I know. Chris Weiks while out hunting about eight vears ago, found the well kept skeleton of a man. near the southwest corner of Section 19, about twenty-five rods east of the Erie road. There was never any identification, or any case made out of it. but it is my opinion that as the place was a general camping ground for people going to and from Dakota that the man may have licen killed in a quarrel, or for his money. I will tell a little story that happened in 1886. showing the way we used to vote. The Australian system was not then in use. On the morning of the second Tuesday in November, Mr. Jerome Farr came early to vote. He had three sons who were voters and a hired man. These four men had to go away on some urgent cam- paign business, so Farr took the four tickets, all of the same kind and put them in an envelope, sealed it in the presence of the judges and put it into the ballot box. In the evening these ballots were counted the same as the others. The township of Erie was organized on the 18th day of August, 1878, and the first town election w^as held on that date at the house of Fred. Disse. The first township officers were : Chairman of board of supervisors, Alfred Meile ; supervisors, Fred. Disse, and James Norris ; clerk, Kimball Hayden. About eight years ago Julius W'eirach was accidentally drowned in Long Lake. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 605 The lo5:ii^ino- dam on the southwest quarter of Section 12 known as the Hubbell dam was l)uilt by R. L. Frazee, early in the summer of 1876. He cut several hundred thousand feet of pine logs on Section 5 and 6. in the town of Height of Land, and floated them down the river that same summer. The expenses of the town of Erie for one year, 1880 and 1881 were $74.88. In another year, 1903 and 1904 they were $650.34. Alfred Meiije. John Frederick Disse. Mr. Disse was born in Germany on the first day of November, 1819. He immigrated to America in 1847, settling in the then small city of Buffalo, New York, and resided there twenty-seven years, when with a colony of his countrymen, and fellow towns- men he came west a few years after the completion of the North- ern Pacific Railroad and settled in Detroit. After living in De- troit for a year or two he removed to his homestead in the town of Erie, where he lived on the farm, and has made his home ever since. Mr. Disse was a man of energy and a man of influence, respected in the tow'n in which he lesided, and wherever he was known. Mr. Disse died on the 15th day of September, 1899. — Detroit Record. Mrs,. \\'est. 6o6 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Chapter XXXVII. HISTORY OF HOLMESVILLE TOWNSHIP. The first settler in what is now the township of Hohnesville was Swan Olund who settled on the southwest quarter of Section 6 on the 9th day of January, 1871, and is still living" on the same land. I do not think any one settled in Holmesville after him until in the fall of 1873. when J. R. Philips settled on the northwest quarter of Section 32, William Pollard settled on the northwest quarter of Section 30, H. A. Poor on the northwest quarter of Section 30, and a man by the name of Heath on the southeast quar- ter of Section 30. Early in the spring of 1874, C. H. Whipple located on the southwest cpiarter of Section 30, Lewis Benson on southwest quarter of Section 18. and A. H. Wentworth on the southwest quarter of Section 18. Wentworth died in July, 1874. and George Yourex took his land the same fall, and in the spring of 1875 sold it to Robert Miller, and Miller sold it to Henry Owen after he had made final proof. Owen came in June 1875. George Dorman settled on the southeast quarter of Section 28, in 1875, 'i^'^l Jo- JMachner on the northeast quarter of Section 32, in 1882, and E. E. Johnson settled on the northwest quarter of Section 34, in August of the same year, and W. J. Clyde about 1878 settled on Section 20. The remainder of the township has since been settled up, principally with Swedes and Norwegians and Germans, among whom are Charles E. Maguey, Sivert John- son, E. A. Wagner. Swan Olund, the first settler, and Louis Benson are the only ones who came into the township in the seventies who still re- main so far as T know, and C. H. Whipple and Mrs. Angeline Miller, formerly Mrs. Henry Owen, both now living in Detroit, are the only others of the old settlers now remaining in the country. On the 19th day of March, 1889, the township of East Rich- wood was organized, but the name was soon afterwards changed to Holmesville in honor of Hon. E. G. Holmes. A PioNEiiR History of Beckkr CoUxMTy. 607 The first township election was held at the house of George Dorman on the southeast quarter of Section 28, on the date above mentioned. The following set of township officers were elected at that time : Chairman of board of supervisors, C. L. Bostwick ; supervisors, George Dorman, Anuind A. Momb ; township clerk, Barney Meischner ; treasurer, Ernest Wag'ner ; assessor, A\'illiam Pollard, justices of the peace, John P. Momb, Elizer Schisco, John Nelson ; constable, William Hilbrand. AVilliam Pollard left the country before the time for making the assessment arrived and Ernest Wagner was appointed asses- sor in his place. The first people to get married in Holmesville were Swan Olund and Emma Anderson, who were married on the loth of May, 1878, by the Rev. John P. Nelson. The first child born in the township was William Pollard, son of William and Sarah Pollard, who was born on the i6th day of January, 1874. The first death in the township was that of A. H. Wentworth, who located on Section 28, southwest quarter, in March, 1874, and died on the 24th of July, 1874. Thirty-six years ago the Buffalo River and its connecting lakes through the township of Holmesville was a picturesque stretch of water. Before the Richwood dam was built there was at least seven feet fall between Buff'alo Lake and Tamarack Lake, where it is now nearly all dead water. At that time Buffalo Lake was half a mile shorter, twenty rods narrower and seven feet shallower than at the present time. Between Buff'alo Lake and the lake on Sections 8 and 17 there was a fine stream of water 40 rods long, 30 feet wide, and two feet deep, with stony bed and beautiful banks timbered with oak, rock elm, maple and basswood. There was a good fording place then where the long high bridge now stands over eight or ten feet of water. The outlet to Rock Lake was not more than four rods long and two rods wide and three feet deep, with low, well wooded banks, and was one of the loveliest spots in all this region of country. Rock Lake was smaller by at least a hundred acres than at the present time. 6o8 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Notwithstaiuling' the large amount of water held back by the Richwood dam, and the large amount of land overflowed, it is doubtful if the back water ever reached Tamarack Lake, for that lake is a foot lower than it was thirty-six years ago. At that there was no outlet of open water to the lake, as a floating bog lOO rods wide, and covering an area of more than lOO acres, obstructed the outlet. In walking over this bog at that time you would sink in the water and bog above your ankles at every step. Xow it is good hard n;?ado\v land. A ditch was cut through this bog by James Campbell of the Richwood sa^vmill for the i)urpose of floating out saw logs in 1882. Thomas Jones wdio had charge of this work says: We began work on the Tamarack Lake ditch about the loth of May, 1882. We began at the commencement of the open water in the Buffalo River a little south of the corner to Sections 23, 24, 25 and 26 and cut across the bog to the open water in Tamarack Lake a distance of more than a quarter of a mile. There were seven of us, and we cut the ditch ten feet wide and four feet deep, which was the deptli of the bog. It only lowered the water two or tlirco indies at the time. The w'ater, however, continued slowly and steadily to fall for a long time, but never ([uite getting down the level of the Rich- wood mill-dam. I am indebted to Mr. E. Rumery, formerly of Richwood, but now of Detroit, for much of the information in this article with reference to the earlv settlers. fs ^ ; J. F. SIEGFORD. MAJOR S. S. MCKINLEY. MR. AND MRS. A. \V . SANDERSON. 6io A Pione;e;r History of Beckkr County. Chapter XXXVIII. HISTORY OF OSAGE TOWNSHIP. By J. F. SiEGFORD. Just as Moses of old led the Israelites toward the promised land, just so did J. F. Siegford lead an exodus from Xorthern Iowa and Southern Minnesota toward the Third Prairie. But he did better than Moses, for he not only entered the promised land, but made proof and has continued to reside on said land ever since. On the tenth day of June, 1879, with my son G. F. Siegford, George M. Carson, C. E. Bullock and A. W. Sanderson, with Joe Sombs as cruiser, I started northward from Verndale, headed for the Shell Prairies. The advance guard on the line of civilization at that time was one Alex. Cook, whose home was only ten miles north of Verndale. After leaving his place, we proceeded north- ward sixty miles through an unbroken forest, and across the first and second Shell Prairies, and so well pleased were we with the beautiful surroundings and the fertility of the soil of the Third Prairie that we at once decided that here was our Eldorado, and here we would make our homes and await the coming of civilization, which we felt sure would not be far in the future, when the richness and the beauty of this region became known. Carson, G. F. Siegford and myself, took homesteads on Section 18, Sanderson on section 20, while Bullock located in the town west. Our next move was to come to Detroit to make our fil- ings, and in order to reach the land office we tramped over an Indian road through the forest to White Earth Agency, thence south twenty-two miles to Detroit. Returning to our claims later in the summer, we erected the regulation "claim shanties" and made such preparations as we could for the arrival of our families in the spring, and in Mrv of the following year we were all back in Verndale, Geo. M. Carson, wife and three children, my son Geo. F. Siegford, wife and three children, and myself and wife. I had purchased a mule team, paying $415 for the same, and as we started upon our journey, one wagon loaded with provisions, such furniture as we had, clothing, etc.. etc., to say nothing of the six children, three women and three men, the appearance of our outfit :an be better imagined, perhaps than described. We were obliged to cut a road through the woods from Cook's, and were five days A Pioneer History of Becker County. ' 6ii in reaching the prairie. A\'e went to work at once, my son using the mules in breaking" and in hauling" the necessary material from X'erndale, making fourteen trips during the summer. I returned to A erndale, where I worked at my trade, carpentering as a means of support to our families, who were, of course, unable to derive a dollar in revenue from the farms. ]^Ir. Carson ren"iained upon the prairie during the summer, and in the fall devoted his attention to locating other settlers who had now begun to come in consider- able numbers; The first and second prairies also settled up rapid- Iv. and during the next w"inter, that of 1880-81, there were about eighty families there. Immigration was stopped early in the fall, lioweA^er, by the memorable snow-storm of October i6th, when there was a snowfall of fully two feet on the level in the timber, aiid this was followed only two weeks later by another storm of equal severity. Right here began the real hardship of those who had cast their lot upon the Shell Prairies; supplies of provisions were very limited, and with the great depth of snow^ it was next to impossible to replenish them, and when on January 27th another great snowfall occurred, this little band was practically shut out from the rest of the world. ^ly son and myself were in Verndale when this January snow-ston"i"i came, and were detained there two weeks before we dared venture to return to our families, who, though well supplied with provisions, were feared to be suffering for want of fuel. After two weeks of anxious waiting", however, Frank ventured to make the trip, making it on snowshoes. When within a half mile of home, so nearly exhausted had he become that he was unable to proceed farther and was obliged to spend the night there ; iinally reaching home in safety, he found that two friendly Indians had come along on snowshoes and had kindly re- plenished the supply of fuel. In reaching home he had traveled twenty miles on a logging" road, then for lift}' miles he was obliged to force his way through an unbroken blanket of snow four feet in depth. Until this time our wives had been in mortal fear of the red men, but in that time of anxiety and dire necessity they had no thought of fear of their visitors, who were supplied with food and in return supplied an abundance of fuel and attended to the out-of-door work. There was much actual suft'ering upon the prairies during that long, cold winter; provisions were short, and the mystery has always been how some of the settlers managed to live. A number owe their lives to the fact that Frank Horr, 6i2 A Pioneer History of Becker County. who had come upon the prairies in the fall, had brought a load of ordinary and rather a poor grade of wheat bran ; when the snow became so deep that an attempt to obtain supplies at Verndale, the nearest railroad station, was not to be thought of, the bran was used by the settlers, who converted it into bread, gruel, cakes, etc., and were thereby enabled to sustain life. Since that time there have been years of hardship, but there has been no such genuine suffering. The first white man who saw this country was the early trapper. Every creek gives evidence of the industrious beaver, that raised the water level and made nearly all the meadow lands here. I)Ut these aml)itious little meadow^ makers are all extinct, like the men who caused their destruction. The township of ( )sage is slightly rolling. Three-fourths of is does not vary twenty feet in altitude. It verges into hills on the northeast, and the Straight and Shell Rivers in the south and .southwest. Before the removal of the pine. Straight Lake, the head of Straight River was very beautiful. It was noted for its beautiful fringe of pine, spruce, balsam and birch. It is a body of water about three miles long, and one hundred and twenty rods wide. During the spring of i88i a dam was put across the river about a mile below the outlet, which raised the lake twelve feet, thereby killing all the standing pine near the water and so its beauty was lost. The water in this lake is pure and deep. Pike, bass, crappies, pickerel, channel cat and sunfish are always to be found. The outlet of this once lovelv lake runs nearly due east, hence its name. Straight River, and it is remarkable for its swiftness ; during the winter its course can be noted by the steam rising from the running water which changes the temperature several degrees. vSprings also break out all along its course. Nearly all of these carry iron in solution, which forms iron- oxide when it comes in contact with the air. The water level varies with the lake. All ponds, bogs and wells in the vicinity maintain the same level, and the quality of pure, clear, cool water with just a trace of iron and lime is not surpassed in the United States. The timber of Osage Township upon the hilly land was mostly Norway and white pine, but the level portion, except the prairie, A Pioneer History oi- Bkcker County. 613 was covered with jack pine, which was thought in an early day to be worthless, but now ranks first in lath and shingles, and nearly all kinds of lumber is made from it. The price of jack pine logs is low, but when one buys lumber, he buys a mixture of it and other timber. These woods in an early time were filled with game. Moose and deer were plentiful, and venison formed the menu of the early settler's bill of fare. As late as 1895 Mr. G. K. Siegford killed a bull moose in his barn-yard. The whole township is overrun with the white rabbit or northern hare, which forms the diet of both timber wolves and coyotes. Bear were found in the hilly land, as they seek the hardwood timber of the clay land, while the raccoon also shared their company. The bobcat or wildcat still inhabit these woods. Mink, otter, weasel and muskrat finish the list of fur bearers, and the striped and gray gopher, together with the chipmunk, make things lively for the farmer in early spring. In the priority of settlement there was none, as J. F. Siegford, G. F. Siegford, G. M. Carson and A. W. Sanderson fixed their loca- tion in June, 1879, and as soon as they found the proper officers, filed homestead entries or declaratory statements. The settlement was nearly likewise. The two Messrs. Sieg- fords and Carson moved upon their land the same day, April 9th, 1880. The following is the list of those who settled during the sunmier of 1880 and 1 881 : In 1880— April 9th, J. F. Siegford, G. F. Siegford, G. M. Car- son; June loth, A. W. Sanderson; later, Nat Lechman, John Hauser, Edelbert S. Frazier, Peter Sartin, Christ Minke, August Retzloff, Wm. Grant, Frank George, Frank Tooley, Wm. Bate- man and ]\Iat Gerry. In 1881— Edward Peets, Mrs. P. B. Sackett, Mr. Minert, John Gillian, S. S. McKinley, Warner McKinley, J. D. Pratt, Ambrose Mann, Ambrose Mann, Jr.. J. W. Hawkins and Peter ^Mclntyre. During the fall of 1880 Edward Evans squatted upon the southwest quarter of Section 19. Here upon the banks of Shell River the first white child was born, a girl, Lulu Evans, who now resides in the state of Washington. 6i4 A Pione;er History of Becker County. When A. W. Sanderson moved upon his homestead June, i! he was a single man, but had chosen his fiancee, Miss Mary A. Bul- lock, before his removal here. Early in December they planned a wedding-, but the location of an authorized person to tie the knot was hard to settle. Decem- ber 1 2th they made an unsuccessful trip to Shell City, but failed to find any one, though a friend promised to furnish one the fol- lowing Sabbath, so they returned with the knot untied. One week later, December 19th, 1880, Miss Mary A. Bullock became Mrs. A. W. Sanderson, at Shell City ; they returned to Osage the same evening. The oldest child Edas was born August 29th, 1881. He there- fore is the first male child born in Osage. The first white woman in the township was Mrs. George M. Carson. During the summer of 1880 Mr. E. S. Frazier had located upon the south-east quarter of Section 22. He was an old soldier and could not stand the hardships of pioneer life. Early in October, 188 1, he passed away and was buried on his homestead. For over one year the people lived without any form of government. August 15th, 1881, the citizens of the two unorganized towns, Township 140, Ranges 36 and 37, met at the residence of G. M. Carson and proceeded to organize a township government. The following were elected: Town board, Dewit Clason, chairman; J. M. Hawkins and A\'. B. Bateman, supervisors; treasurer, E. J. Moore; clerk, C. E. Bullock; justices of the peace, G. M. Carson and H. F. A\'itter. For a term of ten years the two townships were together. Owing to some dissatisfaction. May 4th, 1891, the eastern town- ship pulled out of the organization and elected as follows: Town board, Luther Phelps, chairman ; John Schuman and Andrew Allen, trustees; clerk, F. E. Moss; treasurer, Steener Pederson ; justices of the peace, G. M. Carson, A. J. AVoodin ; con- stables, G. L. Bullock and T. W. Sartin. A Pione;e;r History of Becker County. 615 OSAGE. Osag-e, the name chosen, was taken from Osage, Iowa, which was conjured from O. Sage, a wealthy New Yorker, who after- wards gave his namesake a vaUiable library, and we are sorry that he did not serve us likewise. Its Development. During the spring of 1881 S. S. McKinley began the con- struction of a dam across Straight River on the southeast quarter of Section 20. He finished it during the summer and built the first sawmill. He also platted a portion of this quarter section west of the river, and secured the Carsonville post-ofhce, carrying the mail from Detroit with Carson Brothers as carriers, three trips per week. It was on the loth of October, 1881, that the legal voters gath- ered at the residence of G. ]\I. Carson and organized school dis- trict No. 31, and ordered a schoolhouse built "within forty rods of the dam." Six weeks later, H. F. Witter, a second grade teacher, began the first school in a private house owned by K. C. Allen, March 1st. His term closed and he received an order for $66, with which he laid the foundation of his present fortune. The following summer a schoolhouse was built near the present site. Osage had quite a boom in 1881-2 but it practically stood still for ten years. Then prospects of a railroad appeared upon the horizon only to vanish in the early nineties. Then it began to retrograde for another decade, but in 1901 McKinley's store was consumed by fire, together with nearly all the buildings on the north side of the street. Osage had to rebuild and since that time has had a steady growth. In 1904 Henry AA'ay built a fine resi- dence and ]\Ir. Burlingame also completed another modern build- ing. ''Necessity is the mother of invention," but Osage dates its stable growth from the year 1901. It was in the month of May that T. M. Sharp moved to Osage. He had previously leased the milling site for a term of years. He and Henry \\'ay straightway began the improvement of the saw- mill, and commenced getting out the lumber for a grist-mill. The 6i6 A Pioneer History of Becker County. mill was 1)eg"un in the summer of 1902 and finished the next season. Now Osage can boast of having- one of the best equipped seventy-five barrel mills this side of Minneapolis. A set of five double rollers, together with ])atent cockle extractor and smiitter, and the improved machinery in line of bolters. Three grades of flour are made, first patent, Straight (meaning the lake of course) and export. It is not uncommon to see men who live twenty-five miles away come here with a grist. Under the same roof is a feed mill, which is at work nearly all the time making chop-feed for the farmers at the low price of five cents a sack. The Roads. When Osage Township was first settled there was a road running north by west through the tract. It was an old government trail between Leech Lake and A\'hite Earth. This road crossed the J^traight at the outlet. Now we have at least fifty miles of road in pretty good repair, generally on section lines. The judicial road crosses the township from north to south, two miles from the west line. The second bridge is now being constructed across the Shell River, and five bridges cross the Straight. During the winter of 1903,- while the Legislature was in session, E. D. Sylvester requested Senator Peterson for an appropriation of $600 for a bridge at Osage. Senator Peterson and repre- sentative Hawley took the matter in hand ; l)ut when the Legis- lature cut the appropriation bill in two, the allo\\ance became $300. Now we have a substantial bridge of stone abutments. The Hunt. In the fall of 1889, J- F- ancl G. F. Siegford, Ed. Haight, G. M. Carson, Emmett Kelly and Frank Horr went on a hunting trip, as was their custom many seasons before and since, about the first of November. After picking out their ground and making the necessary hunter's shack, they began to study the surrounding country. The ground was bare for several days, but one morning they awoke and found about four inches of snow had fallen. All were ready A Pione;er History of Becker County. 617 at six o'clock for the chase. J. F. Siegford, who had been cook for a few days, had noticed two deer near the camp, and when they started they ahvays ran in the same direction. The plan was to start a drive from camp. Mr. Siegford made a detour of half a mile and located on the runway where it crossed the brow of a hill. He gave the signal and the boys started on a drive of about eighty rods. Soon Mr, Siegford saw the deer coming. Just as they were passing he dropped the one in the lead by a neck shot. The doe turned and ran the back track. Ere long she met Ed. Haight face to face. Ed., forgetting his double-barreled buck- shot loaded gun. threw his "ready cap in the air'' and stood admir- ing the symmetry and agility of the doe carrying the white flag. She stopped still, forcil)ly threw out her breath, and trotted slowly back down the runway. J. F. noticed her coming, took good aim and soon she lay within a rod of the buck. When they asked Ed. why he didn't shoot he said, "Isn't it against the rules of war to fire on a flag of truce?" The finish of the first drive was near the west bank of the lake, which was two miles long. Just above the first ledge on a rise of the ground was a second runway. Frank Siegford and George Carson were left to watch this runway, while J. F. Siegford re- mained where he was. The rest of the company went up the lake on the ice to make a drive. The men on the runway waited patiently for half an hour. Xot seeing any deer or hearing any of the boys, they met and made a fire. Presently they heard a shot. Soon Frank and Ed. came down the lake on their back track whistling. They said "Awful big woods up there." "But where is Emmett?" they were asked. Neither had seen him for an hour and a half. All started to find the lost boy. Just as they arrived at the north end of the lake, Emmett came in sight. When asked why he did not make the drive he said, "Why, you see after I had been in the woods a long time I came to a man's track and concluded to follow it. I traveled half an hour and came to a place where another man had taken the same track. I determined to catch him and hurried as fast as I could. I was about out of breath when I saw a porcupine on a tree just ahead and I shot him. Again I started after the man, sometimes nearly on a run. What do you think? What do you think? Why, soon I ran right into that porcupine. I took my back track and came to the lake." 6i8 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Here on the bank they ate hmch and held councih It was agreed to send Kelly down the west bank of the lake to watch a run- way at the outlet of the lake. This creek had high banks and was about forty rods long, running into a second lake. The rest were to drive the eastern shore of the lake. Giving Kelly twenty minutes the start, they all lined up in the woods on the east bank with an interval of twenty rods between each. Hardly had their systematic drive began till they heard shots down near the outlet. Bang, bang, bang, went the Winchester. The drivers kept making plenty of noise. About a hundred shots had been fired when they reached the outlet. They looked for Kell}' and the venison. Only one small fawn was in sight. "How many were there?" they asked. "Over twenty, but I was too far ofif," said Kelly. Mr. Horr went to the runway and paced to- ward Kelly. At twenty-five paces he began to pick up shells, and ere he had reached thirty near the foot of a balsam tree, he had picked up twenty-five empties. "Well," said Mr. Horr, "Kelly's got the ague; let's take the fawn and go to camp." It so happened that both hind legs and one front leg of the fawn were broken. Kelly declared that it was done at one shot. But all days were not like this one, for when they started home twenty-seven saddles were strung up near their camp. Still this was a poor year for hunting. Squire S. McKinley. Squire S. McKinley was born at Geneva, Kane County, Illinois, February 9th, 1840. His school days were nearly all passed there, but in 1854 his parents removed to Newberry, Mitchell County, Iowa, and later to St. Ansgar. Later he took a course at the Academy and finally studied law under Daniel W. Lawrence. Squire had just reached his majority before President Lin- coln was inaugurated and on the 5th of March, 1861, he ofifered his services to his country. A company was organized and drilled under John P. Knight as captain. In June, 1861, Squire, with twenty-nine others, were mustered into the service of the United States at Keokuk, Iowa. His regiment, the Third Iowa Regiment of Volunteers, lost nearly half its number in the first battle. It fol- lowed Grant to Fort Henry, Fort Donaldson, Shiloh and Memphis. It was under General Halleck at the second battle of Cornith, and A Pioneer History oF Becker County. 619 later took part in the battle of Coldwater and Greenville, where Mosby entertained them royally to the extent of half of their depleted ranks. At the battle of Haines' BluiT, General E. O. C. Ord commanded, but May 9th they met General Grant and took part in the great siege of Vicksburg. Squire was with Sherman at the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, where the division had one of its hardest encounters during the war. His regiment was ordered to charge some cannon on a slope ; when they were within a few steps ]\rr. IMcKinley was facing one of them. A discharge fol- lowed and the first thing he remembered afterward was that a comrade was washing his face at a little creek. He immediately took his place in the ranks. Next the regiment was with Sherman in a marauding expedition in Alabama. Later, what was left of the boys took part in the ill-fated Red River expedition, and were forty-seven days under fire. The regiment having fought itself out of existence, was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, in July, 1864. There were fifteen men in line of Squire's company. Dur- ing this exciting term of service Squire never lost but one battle, and that was caused by a case of measles which held him bedfast. He never entered the hospital, and the only harm done to him was done by the concussion of the cannon. He then returned home and later raised a company and was commissioned captain, but this organization was never mustered in. During the fall of 1865, Squire was elected sheriiT of Mitchell County and was the first officer to land a bank robber in Fort Madison. In the spring of 1880, he, in company with a Mr. Britz, filed on the Rice water-power of Park Rapids and the following spring sold it to the present owner. June, 1881, found him building a dam across Straight River at Osage, which furnished power for his sawmill. Squire ]*kIcKinley was strictly temperate, clear-headed, and an orator of no mean ability. His loyalty was unquestioned. He voted for every Republican President — Lincoln to Roosevelt. Lying on his death bed, he closed the interview with the words, "The Shell Prairies are an ideal place for any man to live. The most beautiful country I ever saw." He died February 19th, 1905. 620 A Pioneer History of Becker County. J. F. Siegford. The subject of our sketch was born on Chestnut Street in the city of "Brotherly Love" on August 14th, 1824. His father's birth was under the same roof, and this house is still in possession of the family wdiose ownership will soon reach the second century mile- stone. ]\Ir. Siegford is the second of a family of five, two brothers and two sisters besides himself; both of the brothers are living. When J. F. Siegford was seven years old his father moved to Rochester, N. Y., where he went to school in a log school house for six months in a year, each pupil paying tuition. He carried Cobb's Dictionary and v'^peller and Daboll's arithmetic. A piece of slate rock served as a slate, being ground smooth, and a soft rock pencil served for computations and writing. Rochester was then a small town, there being only one house west of the river, in the midst of a black ash swamp, now the heart of the city. At fifteen years of age he was apprenticed to his uncle for four years as a wheelwright, who was then working in Lowell, Massa- chusetts. His trade being learned, four years later he became master mechanic and later superintendent of a paper mill. He followed this new trade at Wheeling, W. Ya., Lowell, Mass.. Gibsonville, Pike and Rochester, X. Y. While working at Gibsonville. he met and married Aliss Elmira Davis, of Danesville, who has shared the trials of her husband for the last fifty-seven years. During the war ^Ir. Siegford worked for the government, and assisted in throwing the ]iontoon l-)ridges across the Tennessee River at Chattanooga. In 1865, he was in Wisconsin, a farmer, working a part of the time as a carpenter. Three years later he sought another climate, moving to New Hampton, Iowa, where he worked as a contractor. Ten years later he again moved, but this time to Minnesota, and settled where he now resides. He is an Abraham Lincoln Republican, and has always tried to make the "North Star State" shine as bright as any of her sisters. His activity of early life has remained with him in his later years ; although over eighty years old he moves as supple as one of forty. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 621 His active days of labor are over, l^ut he takes pleasure in looking backward over an active career with the consolation of a life well spent. G. F. Siegford. G. F. Siegford, son of J. F. Siegford and Elmira Siegford, first saw the light of day January 29th, 1849, ^^ Danesville, N. Y. His early education was obtained from the village schools of Danesville, East Pike and Mt. Morris. When sixteen he removed with his father to Columbus, Wisconsin, where he attended school in the winter and farmed in summer. Three years later he engaged as a carpenter and joiner, working with his father at New Hampton, Iowa. For a period of eleven years he was associated with the company, Siegford & Son, and many buildings from \Yaterloo to Osage, Iowa, stand as monuments of their handicraft. During the winter of 1875 ^^^ took a brief respite from labor and visited the scenes of his bovhood. Here he met and married Aliss Sib}'l Haight and the following spring they returned to Iowa. In the fall of 1878 the family removed to A'erndale and remained there for the winter. The following spring he moved to the farm where he now resides. For the next four years he followed the carpenter's trade at Pine Point and Rice River Mission and one season at Fargo. Since that time he has been engaged in farming. He now commands 575 acres of land, 370 of which are improved. His wife, Sibyl Haight, was born May 31st, 1844, at Oakport. N. Y. She attended a district school, and began teaching at the early age of fifteen, beginning at $2.25 per week or $9.00 per month of twenty-two days. Mrs. Siegford taught the greater part of the time for seventeen years, and towards the last commanded $35.00 per month which was counted big wages in those days. They have raised four children to manhood and womanhood, Roy E., Renie, Maurice and E. L. ^^Ir. Siegford is the largest individual land owner in Osage Township, and a few }'ears more will find him farming one of the best farms in Becker County. He has filled nearly every posi- tion of trust in the tow'nship afi'airs and has always been equal to the emergencv. 622 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Mr. and Mrs. John Gillian. John Gillian was born at Lowell, Mass., July 21st, 1843. His wife is his junior by one year, having 1844 as the date of her birth, and Prince Edward Island as the location. In 1863 she took up her residence in Lowell, Mass., and six years later she married John. The chances in the East are limited, and ten years later they moved West, and in the spring- of 1881 moved to A'erndale.and a few months later upon the northwest quarter of Section 20. Not long after they came to Osage, Mr. Peter McSuteer, who had subsequently located upon the northwest quarter of Section 32, passed away, and Mrs. Gillian fell heir to 160 acres in Shell Prairie. They now have 220 acres under the plow and several acres more ready for the breaker. They are contented and have retired from active life, and hope to spend their latter days under Christian influence. W. P. Holliday. As a further evidence that Osage is a good place to live, we give an account of W. P. Holliday. A Canadian by birth, born August 23rd, 1849, i" Ontario, he emigrated to ?^Ieeker County, Minnesota, in 1878, and two years later he was in Cormorant Township, Becker County. Five years later he took up a home- stead in Osage Township. Here he lived seven years, and again moved to Cormorant Township. He had the misfortune of losing his first wife during this move, and had equally good luck two years later in finding another. Again he moved to Osage, 1901, and has since remained upon his homestead. He says that he has lived in a good many places, l)ut Osage suits him best of all, and that if anyone can make an honest living he can do it in Osage Township. Luther Phelps. Luther Phelps was born on a farm in Warren Countv, N. Y., March 8th, 1832. At the early age of eleven he went before the mast, and sailed the seas until he gained his majority. He was a soldier in the civil war. W^ien he was twenty-two years of age he married Miss Mary E. Horning, who was also a resident of the same county and state. Nine children were born to them, five boys and four girls. All the boys have farms near their father's, while their older daughter, Mrs. Smith, resides on a farm just across the road. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 623 While the family was living near Albert Lea, Minnesota, they heard of the free land on Shell Prairies, and in the fall of 1880 Mr. Phelps and family removed to Osage and settled npon the northeast quarter of Section 14, where he lives to-day. When he came to Becker County he possessed four horses, harness and wagon, together with a little money. He now has two horses, eleven head of cattle, some other stock and machinery enough to run the seventy-five acres he has under the plow. He has made an honest living, increased his stock, which is enough. Few men can boast of more. Chapter XXXIX. HISTORY OF CARSONVILLE TOWNSHIP. By Mrs. Mary E. Dezell. A quarter of a century ago the tide of emigration reached a part of Minnesota which the pioneers had named Shell Prairie. The territory so named stretches from the junction of the Shell River with the Crow Wing, in a northwesterly direction, to Shell Lake, the source of the Shell River. There were three divisions of territory. The one reaching from the mouth of Shell River to Mantor, now Plubbard, was called First Prairie, being the first reached by the settlers coming from the South. From Mantor to Osage was called Second Prairie. From Osage to Shell Lake was Third Prairie. Third Prairie also took in the southeast cor- ner of the Indian reservation. These names are seldom used now, save when speaking of pioneer days. The writer of this brief history had long contemplated writing an account of the early settlement of Third Prairie, and now at the beginning realizes her inability to do justice to the subject ; for surely this beautiful land is worthy of the finest of pen pictures ; and what a glorious subject for the painter's brush is presented by the dark green forest which skirts the prairies and crowns the hills that encircle them ! Here the poet may find many a theme for soul-inspiring verse, the writer of romance hear stories of love and friendship, joy and mirth, pain and sorrow, and hope and patient waiting — sometimes for things that never came. What abundant material for the "pen of a ready writer," to compile a book of pleasant stories. The pioneer spirit which impels people, especially 624 A Pioneer History of Becker Couxtv. of the West, to ever seek new countries and fortunes pervaded our community, and the members of our httle band of '80-2 are scat- tered, some in California and AFontana, others in Colorado, and a few in Alberta. Canada. MR. AND MRS. JAMES DEZELL. The "Reaper whose name is Death,"' has also gathered many sheaves from among us, and although the vacant places have been filled, and many new settlers have come for whom we have kind regard and high respect, yet we still miss the neighbors of "Auld Lang Svne." Natural Resources. To the eye of the first settler, the natural resources of the country were all that could be desired. Building material was abundant. There was no lack of w^ood for fuel. Cold, sparkling water was to be had twenty or thirty feet from the surface, which depth was not difficult to reach, and the soil was fertile and well adapted to diversified farming. In the forest roamed innumerable wild beasts, manv of which were valuable for food, namely, moose, deer, caribou and others. The fox, mink, lynx, wolf, muskrat and black bear were valuable for their fur. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 625 There were many birds with flesh dehcions enoug-h to tempt the palate of an epicure, the numerous lakes teemed with "finny trilies," berries grew in abundance, the most j)rolific of which was the blueberry. There were hundreds and hundreds of acres of this delicious berry ; the sale of them brought manv dollars to the settlers. They are still an article of commerce, though they do not grow as abundantly as they did twenty years ago. Cranberries grow in the marshes and a considerable quantity is shipped south nearl}' every year. W'intergreen berries are also found here but not in sufificient quantities to make them an article of consequence. Another source of revenue to the settler was the sale of Seneca snakeroot. In the earl}' daxs this article commanded a high price ; sixty to seventy cents per pound. The roots were much larger than now. They have deteriorated on account of constant digging, l)ut the Indians still dig and sell a considerable (|uantity. The bounteous hand of the Creator had also decorated the land with the most beautiful flowers ; every glade and every glen were resplendent with native flowers which, grew in the wildest and richest profusion. Tn the spring came the crocus and buttercup, then the sweet-william and the violets, followed bv the fragrant wild rose, vying with the prairie lily in grace and beaut}', the yellow lady's-slipper and dainty bluebells, and others too numer- ous to mention but just as lovel}'. In later summer and during the autumn months came the larkspur, the goldenrod. ])ur]ile asters, and latest of all the beautiful blue-fringed gentian of which many poets have sung. In the deep shade of the forest were found plants and flowers more lovely still, if possible, among which were the evergreen mosses and vines, stately ferns and the magnificent pink lady slipi')er (moccasin flower), emblem of our state. Wild flowers still grow here, but not in such jjrofusion as in days of yore. The hand of man has marred the beaut}' of the natural scenerv. Organization. Carsonville Township, including Town 140, Ranges 36 and ^^y, was organized September 20th, 1881. The first town election was held at Osage. The first officers were: C. E. Bullock, town clerk; supervisors, Dewitt Clason (chairman), J. 3.1. Hawkins and \\'\\\- 626 A Pfonekr History of Becker County. iam Bateman ; assessor, Henry F. Witter ; treasurer, E. J. Moore ; justices, S. S. ]\IcKinley and George M. Carson. Naming of the Town. G. M. Carson took the petition asking for the organization of the town to Detroit and presented it to the county auditor, Mr. Cronil), who looked it over and remarked that there was no name for the new township. ]\Ir. A. H. ^^'ilcox, couiUv treasurer, who was present, suggested that Mr. Carson put in his own name, which he did. The name was rejected by the secretary of state as there was already a town in the state by that name. Mr. Wilcox then suggested that the town be named " Carson ville," which name was accepted. In the year of 1891, the towns were separated, the west half retaining the name Carsonville. The other town was called Osage. At the annual town meeting, March loth, 1891, officers were elected, some of whom resided in the eastern half of the town, which became Osage after the separation, so Carsonville's list of officers was incomplete. A special town meeting was held May i6th to elect new officers. They were : Henry F. Witter, chairman, who had been elected at the annual meeting ; supervisors, Jerome G. Farr, Zach. T. Lemon ; clerk, J. A. Barnard ; treasurer, J. G. Moore ; assessor, D. E. IMoore ; justices, Alex. Cook and C. Greenlaw; constables, James Lemon and John Kells. The first school district was organized November 28th, 1883. The meeting was held at the residence of Benj. F. Horr. The officers elected were: H. F. Witter, clerk; E. J. Moore, treasurer; Jas. Dezell, director. A log schoolhouse was commenced that winter and was com- pleted the next summer. In 1888, two new schoolhouses were built, and in 1898, a third one was added. We have advanced from a log schoolhouse, built by donated work, to three good frame buildings well furnished with books and necessary apparatus. The districts are also sup- plied with libraries. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 627 A Chapter of Fatal Accidents. There is a reaper, whose name is Death, And, with his sickle keen; He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, And the flowers that grow between. — LongfcUozv. A remarkable number of accidental deaths have occurred in the town. August nth, I890, C. E. Bullock, town clerk, was stacking hay on his premises, using a spirited team, which became frightened and ran away. Mr. Bullock was thrown violently to the ground and death was instantaneous. Consulting the record of deaths kept by the town clerk, we see that the next death was of Jerome G. Farr, chairman of the board of supervisors. He was riding on the running gears of a wagon with two or three other men. The wagon had on a large quantity of groceries. As they were goiug down a steep hill the wagon- reach broke, and Mr. Farr fell in such a way that the whole weight of the load was thrown upon him, causing injuries from which he died the following day, June 3rd, 1892. ( )n the farm of Mr. Siegford, just across the town line, occur- red one of the most shocking and heart-rending accidents that people are called upon to witness. On Saturday afternoon, Aug- ust 27th, 1898, A. A. Farr, familiarly known as "Al Farr" of this town, was assisting Mr. C. Greenlaw in running the threshing" ma- chine. Something went wrong with the separator. With his usual quickness of action, "Al" sprang upon the separator and in some strange manner tripped and fell, his head going into the cylinder. Death was instantaneous, his head being crushed to a shapeless mass. On the afternoon of August 29th, 1902, the grim reaper without warning entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Stephens, and took therefrom their little son, James William, aged three years. A gun was accidentally discharged, inflicting a wound from which he died a few hours later. Horr— Kelly. Early in the spring of 1880, B. F. Horr and Emmett Kelly left Verndale bound for Shell Prairies in Becker County. They brought two wagons, one loaded with household furniture, the other loaded with horse-feed, pork, flour and groceries. 628 A Pioneer History of Becker County. There were no settlers on Third Prairie at that time, except the Indians ; the}' were cjuite nmiierous. but they had their homes on White Earth Reservation which lay in the immediate vicinity. Before Mr. Horr left \ erndale. Mr. Georg'e Carson, who had been up to Third Prairie the previous summer, selected land and built a log- cabin thereon, kindly gave him permission to store his goods in the cabin. After selecting land, Mr. Horr taking the MRS. B. F. HORR. southeast quarter Section ii, township 140, Range 37, Mr. Kelly taking the southwest quarter of Section 11, this being railroad land, they erected the body of a log house, 12x14 feet. They then returned to Verndale to get Mrs. Horr and her daughter Mamie, a child of eight years. Arriving at that place, they loaded the remainder of their household goods and all started on their journey to the new home in the wilderness, happy with the thought that they would be prosperous in the goodly land where they had chosen their future home. Tidings of the beautiful Shell Prairies had been borne to southern ^Minnesota, and northern Iowa, and many families were preparing to move to that favored A Pioneer History of Becker County. 629 spot. So it was evident that they would not be long without neighbors. After traveling three days through marshes, snow and cold weather, they arrived at the end of their journey on the 23rd day of April, 1880, about 5 o'clock p. m. During" the day they had met a man at Alantor, an Indian trad- ing post, kept by Jarvis Howard, wdiich place is now Hubbard, Hubbard Count}', who had told them that the goods that they had stored in Mr. Carson's house had accidentally caught fire and burned. This was sad news indeed. Nevertheless, they kept bravely on determined to make the best of the situation. Such pluck and perseverance as was displayed by this family was characteristic of the early settlers of Carsonville. Many were the hardships and deprivations they endured during the first few years of their residence here. As all their provisions had been destroyed by fire, it was necessary to go to Verndale to obtain another suppl}'. The house they had built had no cover, so to provide a shelter for Mrs. Horr and Mamie the sideboards of the wagon box were propped against the inside wall in such a way as to form a cover- ing. Three or four inches of snow fell, but she managed to live through the trying ordeal and in due time relief came. They lived for a few days without a cover to the house, but finally a roof of "shakes" was put on. They lived all summer without a floor. The bedsteads were poles fastened in the walls. Mrs. Horr was the first white woman in Carsonville. Mr. and Mrs. Horr conclude the narrative of their pioneer days with these words : "We improved our home and made fast friends during our stay in that vicinity, and enjoyed many good dinners and social gatherings in that log house, as much as in any place we have ever been." In 1888, Mr. Horr obtained a position as railway mail clerk. The family moved to Minneapolis. A few yt ars later they removed to Pembina, N. D., where they still reside. Mr. Horr being still in the service of Uncle Sam as railway mail clerk. Mr. Kelly lives in Minneapolis, having embarked on the sea of matrimony at that place. 630 A PioNEEK History of Becker County. J. G. Lewis. J. G. Lewis, of Plymouth, Iowa, came to Third Prairie on a home-seeking expedition in May, 1880, and was the second actual settler. He took as a homestead the southwest quarter. Section 10. Owing to the delicate health of his wife, they were unable to reside on their claim. Her death occurred at Shell City, Wadena County, in August, 1883. Mr. Lewis now lives in Montana. D. E. Aloore, who arrived from Flora, Carroll County, Indiana, ■November, 1882, made homestead entry on the place in the summer of 1883. Mr. Moore still lives on the same place, and is post' master of Linnell postoffice, which is located in his house. I C. E. Bullock. About the first of June, 1879, C. E. Bullock and Arthur M. San- derson started from Oakland, Freeborn County, Minnesota, on a home-seeking tour. On the nth of June they arrived at Third Prairie. After "viewing the landscape o'er," Mr. Sanderson se- lected as homestead the south ^vest cjuarter of Section 20, now in Osage. He still resides there. Mr. Bullock decided to homestead the northeast quarter Section 24, Township 140, Range 37. Exactly a year after their first arrival the^- again appeared on Third Prairie. Mr. Bullock bringing his family \-\ 'th him, a member of which w'as the future Mrs. Arthur Sanderson. Mr. Bullock was a prominent p-tblic man in the town, being town clerk from the date of organization until his death, a period of nearly ten years. Moore and Overholser. Early in the summer of the year 1880, Evan J. Moore and his brother-in-law, Levi Overholser arrived and selected land. They were both from Green, Butler County, Iowa. Mr. Moore purchased railroad land, southwest quarter Section 13. Mr. Overholser made homestead entry on northeast quarter Section 14. After clearing and plowing a few acres they returned to Iowa. Mr. Overholser moved his family to his claim in October, 1880. He soon made a comfortable home, where he still resides. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 631 J. A. Barnard, Mr. Overholser's soii-iii -law, cijiitributes an interest- ing article, which tells their experience during the first winter among the pines. Mr. Moore came with his family in June, 1881, improved his land and made a comfortable home, where he resided until his death which occurred September 20th, 1899. Mr. Moore was a prominent public man, a good neighbor, wise counselor and high- ly respected by the community. October 14th, 1880, three men with their families arrived on Third Prairie from near Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa, a little band of homeseekers. They were John Snyder, Z. T. Lemon and Martin E. Stephens. Two men who accompanied them, A. Goodrich and George Dibbs, slept in their blankets under the wagon. When they awoke in the morning they were literally "snowed under." During the night snow to the depth of sixteen inches had fallen. This w^as the remarkable storm of October 15th, 1880. How their hearts must have sunk at the dreary outlook. They went to Mr. Bullock's hospitable house, where they had breakfast, and where the women and children stayed until the men looked around for a place of shelter for a few days, or until they could build houses for winter. They found a log cabin near Straight Lake, in Osage Town- ship, which had been built some time previous by John Gillian, a pioneer of Osage Township, but which was now vacant. The families were moved in, and the men went further west in search of land. They came to the beautiful Section 4, one quarter of which Mrs. Linnell had taken a few months before. There were three-quarters left, just enough to go around. Mr. Stephens took the northeast quarter, J\Ir. Lemon the northwest quarter and Mr. Snyder the southwest quarter. Thev at once set to work and built houses into which they moved before winter set in in earnest. For the first winter's experiences of these pioneers, read "Reminiscences" on another page. ]vlessrs. Stephens and Lemon still live on their homesteads. Mr. Snvder sold his place, and now lives in Hubbard County. Mr. Snvder was a soldier in the civil war, serving in an Iowa regiment. 632 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Linnell. Some time duriiii;' the summer of 1880, Mrs. A. AL J^innell, widow, of West L'nion, Iowa, came to Third Prairie to estabhsh a home. She selected the southeast quarter. Section 4, and returned to [owa for the winter. The following spring she returned to her claim, accompanied l)v her sons, Charles and Earl ; Frank came a few months later. Charles homesteaded the southeast cjuarter. Section 10. Mrs. Linnell, with tlie aid of her sons, made a valuable farm and com- fortable home. They kept a store for a number of years. The first post-office in Carsonville was estal)lished there in September. 1883. Mrs. Linnell was commissioned postmistress, hence the name, "Ivinnell Post Office." About ten years later the T^innell family sold their farms and moved to California. Purdy and Cole. During the sunmier of I880, Daniel Purdy and Noble Cole came to find homes ; Mrs. Cole was Mrs. Purdy 's neice. Mr. Purdy came from Mower County, Minnesota, Mr. Cole from Illinois. The former took as a homestead the southwest quarter, Section 12, the latter the southeast quarter of same sec- tion. They moved their families to their claims early in the fol- lowing spring. Mr. Purdy lived on his claim, which, with the aid of his sons, he converted into a valuable farm, for a number of years, then went to St. John's, X. D., to reside with his daugther, Airs. Frank Ordway, where he died in the year 1897, ^^ the advanced age of eighty-two years. Mr. Cole also impro\-ed his place and li\ed on it until his death, which occurred May 19th. 1895. Mrs. Cole having pre- ceded him to the grave but two weeks before. Mr. Cole was a soldier in the ci\il war, serving in an Illinois rcGfiment. A PioNEiiR History of BE;cKii;R County. 633 De Witt Clason. In the spring of i88r, De Witt Clason of Osage. Iowa, moved his family to the claim that he had selected, the northeast quarter Section 12. He lived on the place, improving and cultivating it until he made final proof, after which he removed to Osage, kept a hotel there for some time, and removed to Park Rapids, where he lived until his death, which occurred in February, iy02. During his residence in Park Rapids, and for some time previous, he was employed by the Pine Tree Lumber Company to take care of their standing pine. He was a soldier in the civil war. Taylor, Evans and Lehman. In 1881, John Taylor of Aleeker County, Minn., took the north- west quarter, Section 12 made final proof on same and sold it to Jerome G. Farr in 1887 and immigrated to Washington. Edward Evans settled on Section 2, southeast quarter, in 1881. He lived there about ten years, when he removed to Montana, where he died the following summer. Mr. Evans was soldier during the civil war, serving in a Min- nesota regiment. He was engaged in ([uelling the Indian trou- bles in Minnesota. Frank Lehmann from Xorth AA'ashington, Chickasaw County, Iowa, settled on the northwest quarter. Section 2. in 1882. lived there until the spring of 1896, when he sold the place to I. vS. McKinlev and moved to Iowa, where he died a few vears later. Witter Brothers. In the spring of 1880, D. M. A\'itter purchased the northwest (juarter. Section 13, railway land. His brother, A. L. Witter, pur- 'I'ased the northeast quarter, Section 13. D. M. Witter at once built on his land, and, in the spring of 1881, moved his familv upon it. Still he lives there, and has made it a valuable farm. Henry F. Witter had taken a homestead on Section 10, but after he had made final proof moved to Park Rapids and engaged in business at that place. 634 A Pioneer History of Becker County. A. J. Jones. In 1881, A. J. Jones, of Greene, Butler County, Iowa, purchased the northeast quarter Section 13, railroad land. He improved it and lived upon it for nine years, then removed to near Bemidji, where he took a homestead and lived until his death, which oc- curred in 1896. Mr. Jones was in the confederate ser\ice in the civil war. He met with a painful accident in September, 1882. When out hunting one afternoon, he was passing through a fence on the premises of his son-in-law, D. M. Witter, when his gun was accidentally discharged, the contents shattering his foot and ankle. The accident nearly proved fatal, and he was critically ill all winter. The limb was amputated and blood poison caused the other limb to be worse than useless. He finally recovered his health, but was badly crippled. Gilbert. William Gilbert and family came to Carsonville from Charles City, Iowa, in the summer of i88t. They settled on the northeast (piartcr. Section 2. George I. Pratt, Mrs. Gilbert's son, taking the place as a homestead. Mr. Gilbert took the northeast quarter Section 6 in the year 1884 and proved up in 1889. He then went to Michigan, and died the following August, at the advanced age of eighty years. Mrs. Gilbert still lives at Carsonville. John G. Moore. In 1881, J. G. Moore, of Greene, Butler County, Iowa, pur- chased the northeast quarter of Section 11. He soon put a large portion of it under cultivation. In the spring of 1886 he moved his family to it and commenced to build. He continued to improve his farm, making it one of the most productive in the town. ^Ir. Moore lived in the place until last July, when he was stricken with apoplexy, July 5th, 1905, and died three days later. He was a soldier in the civil war, and served in an Indiana regimem A Pione;e;r History of Be;ck]Jr County. 63; James Dezell. James Dezell selected the southwest quarter of Section 2 for his future home, in the month of May, 1881. During- the spring of 1 89 1 he erected the first frame house built on Third Prairie and still resides on the place. ]\Ir. Dezell was postmaster at Linnell from June, 1888, until October, 1898. He has held the office of town clerk since March, 1893, until the present time, November, 1905. Pioneer Experience of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Barnard. I was married in 1880, and moved with my father-in-law, Levi Overholser, to Minnesota, leaving Iowa by wagon, September 7, 1880. arriving upon Third Prairie, October 4th. We went direct to INTr. Overholser's claim, which was the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 14, Township 140, Range 37 and commenced building a log house. We used the wagon beds with the moving covers on for our sleeping apartments. For cooking we put the cooking stove upon the ground, and with poles and boughs constructed a bowery which served us very well until the night of October 14. On the morning of the 15th, when we awoke the ground was covered with snow to the depth of fifteen inches and it was still snowing and continued all of the 15th. Our house was incomplete; we had the body built, which was of logs, but no roof, chinking or daubing, so we began to look elsewhere for shelter. At that time there were but few shanties upon the prairie. A few were built in the summer of 1880, with the expectation of moving into them the following spring, and one of these houses belonging to D. M. Witter was unoccupied at that time. We moved into it on the 15th while the storm was still raging. After getting more comfortably settled we continued the work begun upon our own house. Snow covered the ground everywhere. To continue building necessitated a trip by wagon of twenty-five miles to procure lumber for roofing and doors. The trip was made and in due time the lumber was upon the ground and work was recommenced. A few more days of wading through the snow, roofing, daubing up the cracks between the logs, and we were ready to move in, which we did feeling 636 A PioxEKR History uF Becker County. thankful we were to occupy our own house, made l)y our own hands. The hands played an ini])ortant ])art in the construction of our house. The ground was frozen so we dug up clinkers of frozen earth, put them in a kettle of hot water to thaw and mix. and with the hands threw the mud into the cracks between the logs. During the fall several families moved upon the i)rairie, so we were not alone that first winter, long to be remembered. The following families were our neighbors; M. E. Stevens. Z. T. Lemon, John Snyder, C. E. Ikdlock and AFr. Ilorr, who went South for the winter. The first winter was very trying. We had niauA- hardshi])S and inconveniences to contend with. ( )ur nearest post-ofiice was twenty-five miles away, and it was months sometimes, during the long snow bound winter that we never heard from the outside world. The first snow came October 15th and partially melted away, but by Xovember ist it began to snow, and it snt^wed off and on the entire winter, l)ccoming, before spring, upon an a\'er- age between three and four feet in depth. ( )ur closest railroad point was Wadena, about fifty miles away. In the forepart of win- ter w^e laid in a supply of provisions, what we thought necessarv to carry us through the winter. In Februar\- it became necessary to lay in a new supply of certain articles. I was compelled to take pack sacks and snowshoes and go to ]\Ianter, twenty-five miles. I started early in the mtTrning. and by eleven o'clock I was at my destination. After making a purchase of sugar and coffee, and a few other things, I started back thinking I could make home by night very easily. lUit by the time I had gone fi\e or six miles I began to get very leg-weary from the shoving of the wooden snowshoes. not being used to it, so I changed my course and head- ed for straight River, a few miles distant, where a friend by the name of Frank Ordvvay li\ed. .Vfter staying all night under his hospitable roof I resumed m\ iourne\- reaching home that eve- ning. The first winter was s])ent niostl_\- indoors, getting around being almost impossible during the later ])art of the winter. We went hunting for deer in the fall, and bagged some good ones, as they w'ere plentiful almost e\-er}vvhere. There were some moose. but they were more plentifid farther north. Foxes, l}-nx and rabbits were numerous. Game birds, such as ruffed grouse, pinnated grouse, were abundant, also some Cana- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 637 dian grouse or fool-hens, woodcock and plover. Ducks came into the rivers and lakes in countless numbers. Mallards were the most plentiful with a good supply of blue and green winged teal, bald pate, 1)utlle head, wood duck and other varieties. In the spring- other families came to make new homes and a more sociable lot of pioneers never went west. In the spring, 1881, I and my wife moved upon a claim, northwest quarter Section 4, Township 140, Range 37, at present owned by Robert Lemon. In April, with H. F. Witter I started for Detroit City to file upon our land, Mr. Witter having taken land also. There was no wagon road running to Detroit at that time. All we knew was that Detroit laid to the southwest. We did not even know the distance, which is nearly forty miles. It was timbered all the way. We started in the morning, crossing Shell River one mile below Shell Lake, and keeping to the south of Shell Lake. We took enough provisions along to last during the day, thinking we would reach Detroit bv night, but we were doomed to disappointment. The first dav we made our way as best we could over a new country without roads, trails or even anything to guide us. The country was rolling, the hills were covered with pine, the low lands were co\'ered with brush, interspersed with lakes and rivers, swamps and tamarack marshes, which made progress very slow. The first da}' we got w^ithin about one mile of the ( )tter Tail River. A\'e went into camp ])y an old log, after throwing some pine boughs up against the log for a protection. We sat our hats upon the ground and emptied the contents of our pockets into them including pocket-books, knives, ammunition and matches. After all was made ready we crawled into bed. Along about midnight it began to rain and we awoke wet and cold. The fire had been put out by the rain, and our matches were all wet. The night was pitch dark, and it con- tinued to rain. There was a spruce tree near so we stood one on either side of the trunk until daylight. We started in a south- westerly direction, about one mile, and came to the Otter Tail River, which was very high at that time. We could only cross it by wading, which we did. The water was extremely cold and reached to the top of our shoulders. We were almost frozen when we reached the other shore. Hastily adjusting our clothing we set out again reaching Detroit that evening. Not caring to return the same route we came home by Wliite Earth Agency, sore and tired, but in the happy possession of papers entitling us to homes. During the summer there was much improvement done on the 638 A Pioneer History of Becker County. prairie, building houses, clearing and breaking up the land which was to go into crops the next year. During the summer more families came upon the prairie. Our first Fourth of July celebration was held upon the claim of Mr. Siegford. It was attended by all the settlers and a good time resulted. On August 4th, 188I, our first child was born, Leroy Dennis Barnard, he being the first child born upon the Third Prairie, in what is now known as Carsonville Township. Two other children were born to us, Maggie M. Barnard, in 1883, and Maud ^r. Barnard, 1886. A\'e lived upon our claim until De- cember, 1894, when we moved to Flora. Indiana, our present home. Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Barnard. Crimes. The great King of Kings Hath in the table of his law commanded, That thou shalt do no murder. Take heed, for he holds vengeance in his hands. To hurl upon their heads that break his law. — Shakespeare. Jacob Bakki was cruelly murdered in a lonely spot near the southwest corner of the township. On Tuesday morning, Nov. 18, 1898, he went to the woods for the purpose of gathering pine knots, from which by burning, to obtain tar. He carried an axe and gun. He was never again seen alive, except by the assassin who shot him. After killing him. the murderer made an inefifectual effort to conceal the body by dragging it a short distance and throwing a few branches over it. His belt, with cartridges, was found a few rods from the body. The gun was never found, and the posses- sion of the gun was perhaps the motive for killing the poor man. The body was not found until the following Sunday, the 6th, when it was discovered b}' his two brothers and a neighbor. An inquest was held and the verdict rendered was, briefly, murder. A large reward was offered for the apprehension of the murder- er, and efforts were made to ferret out the guilty man, but with- out success. A Pioneer History oe Becker CoUxXTv. 639 The First Death in Carsonville. The first death in the township was that of old Mr. Burnham who was at the time hving in what is now Green Vahey. He went hunting on Friday, Feb. 3, 1881, lost his way and when found on Sunday afternoon, both feet were badly frozen. He died a few days later at the house of Mr. Bullock, to which he had been taken to be cared for. He was eighty years old and was buried on Mr. Bullock's land, but few know the last resting- place of him who was the first to die on the Third Prairie. LEROY D. BARNARD. MRS. WESLEY LOWLESS, nee Frances witter. There he lies in an tmmarked grave, but his rest is as complete as if his grave was marked by the most costly granite monument. The first child born in Carsonville was a boy, son of Mrs. and Mr. J. A. Barnard, born on the 4th of August, 1881. The first girl born was Frances J. Witter, daughter of Daniel W. Witter and wife, born September 2, 1881. 640 A Pioneer History of Becker County. The first Carsonville people to get married were Mr. James Dezell and Miss Mary Esther Lewis who were married on the 17th of May, 1882. THE FIRST SCHOOL. The first summer we were here, and before the school district was organized, I held school in my own house. The parents of the children paid a tuition fee of one dollar a month. There were ten pupils and I had quite a nice little school. Mrs. Mary E. Dezei.l. Chapter XL. HISTORY OF SHELL LAKE TOWNSHIP. The first white man to set foot on the soil of Shell Lake Town- ship so far as we know was William Morrison. Among several letters written by Mr. Morrison on this subject, is one given in full, and just as written and signed by himself, and addressed to his brother, Allan Morrison. Following are extracts from this letter : Bcrtliier. Canada, Jan. 16, 1856. My Dear Brother: Your letter of the 26th ultimo is at hand. I note what you say about the source of the Mississippi River. You wish to know who was the first person that went to its source. For the information of the Historical Society, I will state to you all about what came to my knowledge. I left Grand Portage, on the north shore of Lake Superior, now the boundary line between the United States and the British possessions in July, 1802, and arrived at Leech Lake in September the same year. In October I went and wintered on the headwaters of one of the branches of the Crow Wing River (Shell Lake). Our Indians were Pillagers. In the winter of of 1803 and 1804, I went and wintered at Wild Rice Lake. I passed by Red Cedar Lake (Lake Bemidii) now called Cass Lake, followed up the Mississippi to Cross Lake, and then up the Mississippi again to Elk Lake, now called Itasca Lake, the source of the great Mississippi River. A short distance this side I made a portage to get to Rice River. I dis- covered no trace of any white man before me when I visited Lake Itasca in 1804. No white man can claim ihe discovery of the source of the Mississippi river before me, for I was the first that saw and examined its shores. William Morrison. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 641 From Brewer's History of Itasca State. Park: Shell Lake was an ideal place for a trading post, there being a beautiful location on Section 11, which was undoubtedly the place where JNIorison's trading post was located, in October, 1862. See biography of Wm. Morrison, by Geo. A. Morison. The first settlers in the town of Shell Lake in recent years were the families of Tyree Doran and Henry Smith, who came into the township on the 12th of May, 1881. Doran took a home- stead and built a house on the southeast quarter of Section 2, and Smith located on the southwest quarter of the same section. A young woman whose name was Angeline Kinney, settled on the northeast quarter of Section 2 a few months afterwards, but after her marriage to Joseph Brewer in 1872, she went to live with her husband in Green Valley Township. This place was then taken by Frank Wilson who came into the township in the fall of 1881. These were all the people living in Shell Lake for three years. Their nearest neighbors were living on Section 4, in Carson- ville, four miles to the east, while to the north, the west and the south, there were no white people living within fifteen miles. At that time the Indians claimed all the land in that vicinity as far south as Shell Lake, and looked upon the Doran and Smith families as trespassers, and made several demands for their re- moval. IDuring their first summer there were about thirty lodges camped on Section 11, by Shell Lake, only about half a mile from where they were living and some of the young braves threatened to kill both families if they did not move away. When the Dorans were building their log house a crowd of Indians gathered around and threw knives at the men and made several other threatening demonstrations. In the process of building they rolled u]) some of the upper house logs with a horse and a long rope, and whenever the log would get nearly up to the top of the struc- ture some Indian would call out, "whoa ;" when of course the horse would stop and the log probably roll back to its starting place. This interference finally led to a quarrel with the Indians which came near proving serious, and was the cause of much bad 642 A PioxKER History of Heckkr County. blood for several years afterwards. After awhile, however, they became reconciled and these same Indians became their best friends. The next settlers who came into the township were Thomas Richmond. Robert Richmond, John Abeline and Andrew Abeline who located on Section 3 in May, 1884, and John Conklin settled on Section 11 some time afterwards. Ole Eckman cam'e into the township in the spring of 1894. Leonard Hambly took a homestead on the southwest quarter of Section 30 in the spring of 1886 and resided there for several years. There were no other settlers east or south of Shell Lake for seven or eight years, but during the last twelve years nearly all the government land has been taken up, principally by Swedes. George Brager now owns a store and runs a post-office on the southeast quarter of Section 20. The first people to get married in Shell Lake Township were Frank Wilson and Mattie Doran who were united on the first day of January, 1885. The first boy born in the township was Fred Smith, son of Air. and Mrs. Henry Smith, who was born in 1882. The first girl born in the township was Mary Richmond, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Richmond, who was born on the 10th of January, 1886. The first death was that of Mary Jefi^rey who died May 27th, 1887; aged about two years. The first school teacher in vShell Lake Township was Jennie Smith who began her school in April, 1890. She taught in an old farmhouse. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 2 in 1891. Organization of Shell Lake Township. The first election, at which Shell Lake Township was organ- ized, was held on the 7th day of December, 1897, at the school- house in district No. 45. The first annual township election was held on the 8th day of March, 1898, and the following ofificers were elected: Chairman of the board of supervisors, Clarence Kimball ; supervisors, George Davis and John M. Olson ; clerk, Ole N. Eckman ; treasurer, John Westerlund. A PioNKEK History of Be;cke;r County. 643 Alexander Ahern was elected assessor but declined to serve and Frank Wilson was appointed in his place. The first justice of the peace was John N. Ellis, and John M. Olson was first constable. Tyree Doran. Tyree Doran was a Virginian, born among the Blue Ridge Mountains on the 23d day of December, 18 15, and was married to Miss Sarah E. Sims on the 23d of February, 1850. They lived for several years in Iowa and came to Becker County in May, 1881. Mr. Doran was a typical Virginian, about six feet four in height, of gigantic frame and symmetrical proportions. He died at Grand Forks, N. D., in the year 1895. Mrs. Doran is still living. Their children were : John, Joseph, Charles, Frank, Cruessa, Henrietta, Mattie, Leonard and Judson. Chapter XLL HISTORY OF GRAND PARK TOWNSHIP. By Edward Evans. T came to Detroit from the Black Hills, S. D., June 22, 1882, and came to this town from Frazee, the only way at that time, for the Shell Prairie road was only opened as far as Erie Town where the town hall now stands. We came from Frazee with about the only white inhabitant on the east side of the Otter Tail River at that time, a man by the name of Molen. He lived in Erie on Section 14. From his house John H. Jones and I came up here on a trail, for that was all the "go" this way then. We found here a very nice country, only wild, as were the inhabitants, for the Indians were the only inhabitants when we first came. There were over a hundred Indians around Height of Land Lake. I be- came acquainted with most of them and found them peaceable and straight to trade with. After we were here a few days and had seen the country and got lost a number of times (I was lost on my own place twice) we went to find the best way to cut a road to get in and out. After working for three weeks, we came out with our road in Erie at Cotton Lake, and I well remember 644 A PioNEEii History oi" Bixki-.r Coi.'nt^' EDWARD EVANS. FRED. EVANS. how tj;'ia(l we were. too. The road, such as it was, finished, we be- gan to look for places to build, and after iinding them to suit, we commenced to cut the big trees and make them into house logs. Jones left me about this time here all alone. I was then about six miles from Alolen. the nearest white settler. 1 went on with the house logs until I had enough, which took me about six weeks, during which time I did not see a white man, except A. H. \\'il- cox, who was W'ell known out here then among the aborigines, as the man that kept a "post-ofifice." He used to pay them bounty as county auditor for wolf skins. "A. II." used to stop at my abode, which was only a small tent but it served for the time, and many a pleasant story I heard from the old pioneer. At the same time we could hear four or five Indian pow-wows around the lake. These Indian dances used to go on for three or four years afterwards, until the white men took their dancing grounds and this lake front, and "Poor Lo" left us and now it is hard to find his trails. In the fall, a party of whites, about seventeen in number came in, most of them by the name of Soper. At this time 1 was ready to build and they turned to and helped me. and in less than a month A Pioneer History of Becker County. 645 I had my house so that 1 could go into it. The Sopers went at it and put u]) four or five houses, such as they were. These were made entirely by hand with what they call skoot roofs. Lots of work, l)ut there were lots of them, and time was more plenty then than money. That winter was very cold with deep snow. Some of the settlers were very poor, as in any new country, but they all ]ndled through with big hopes for the future. About December I had my house pretty well finished. By this time Jack Jones came back and put up a small house and said he would use it for a chicken house after a year or two, but Jones is the only "chicken" that has been in it yet. When he got back I left him in charge of my household, and I went to \\'isconsin to get married, and on the 20th of Januar}', 1883, we were back home with our friends. ]\Irs. West. Edward Evans. Grand Park Township was organized in 1892, the first town election being held at the schoolhouse on Section 27 on the 31st day of July, 1892. The first set of township officers were: Chairman of board of supervisors, Adam Prahler ; supervisors, John Hopsted and Ed- ward Evans ; town clerk, Willard Eastman ; assessor, Charles Mitchell. The next settlers who came after Evans and Jones, were Charles Soper and wife, Marcus Soper and Frank Soper. Mrs. Charles Soper was the first white woman to settle in Grand Park Township. Charles and Marcus Soper both took land on Section 28 and Frank Soper located on the northwest cjuarter of Section 32. There were several others who came with the Soper party, but they settled in the township south. These settlers all came into the township about the loth of August, 1882, coming from Rooks County, Kansas. The next settlers were Thomas Lucas and family, Lowell Smith and Frank Smith, who came a few months later. Edward Evans and Miss Mary Ann Miller are entitled to the honor of being the first couple married. The first white child born in Grand Park Township was Fred. Evans, born April 6th, 1884. The first girl born in the township was Katie Jones, born June 1st, 1884. 646 A I'loxEKR History of Becker Couxiy. The first death was a little daughter of Lowell Smith and granddaughter of ^Iv. and j\Irs. Charles Soper, who died about EMMA RENWAXZ. First School Teacher in Grand Park. KATIE JONES. Christmas, 1885. The funeral sermon was preached by J. H. Abbey. Emma Renwanz taught the first school in the township, com- mencing al)out the first of December, i! A Pione;e;r History of Becker County. 647 Chapter XLII. HISTORY OF HEIGHT OF LAND TOWNSHIP. By Joseph H. Abbey. I came to Height of Land in March, 1883, and took a soldier's homestead on Section 18 in the said township on the south half of the north half of said section. I filed my declaratory statement, built a cabin, cleared several acres that sunmier, and cut about forty tons of hay. In the winter I cut logs and built a house, brought my family here from Frazee the 2d day of April, 1884, and have resided here and on the cpiarter section north of it ever since. Mr. Shink settled on the cjuarter section where I now live with his wife and two children in October, 1883, lived there a year then sold out to D. W. Whaples and moved away. Mr. Whaples lived here about six years and sold out to Mr. Albrick- son of Detroit. I bought the place twelve years ago this spring. When we came here the woods were full of deer, bear and moose, and all kinds of small game. One morning, about 1892, two large moose came within four rods of our door and stood and looked at us and the cattle for several minutes, then turned and ran away. We had a good Winchester rifle, but not a cartridge in the house. A petition to organize the township was granted by the board of county commissioners on the 6th day of January, 1886, and the first township election was ordered to be held at the house of Joseph Abbey in Section 18, on the 26th of January, 1886. I circulated the petition, traveled all over the township, got the proper signers and saw to it that the petition went before the com- missioners. At this election the following township ofificers were elected to serve until the second Tuesday in March following: Chairman of board of supervisors, D. O. Jarvis ; supervisors, Mathias Daubenspeck, Ludwig Bartz ; town clerk, E. E. Lange. All the settlers but two or three in the township were home- steaders. We had no roads and very little money to build roads with. A. H. Wilcox, with other help, had laid out a county road from Detroit to Shell Lake and the county had opened it. It ran from southwest to northeast through the township. This was all the road we had, with the exception of an old lumber trail that 648 A Pioneer History of Becker County. followed lip the river from Frazee to the outlet of lieight of Land Lake. These were all the roads we had, and we had no money to make more, bein,^" unable to lev}- taxes, only on what little improvements we had in the township, and our personal property taxes were small. I was elected clerk of the township in 1887, and every year for seven years afterwards, and justice of peace for ten years. John Guethling was chairman of super- visors in 1888, John Sperling second, and ^^'illiam Rosenow third supervisor, ^^'e worked things as carefully as possible. Every man worked a poll tax of from two to three days, and we opened out some roads to the county road, which gave us an outlet to Detroit and Frazee. After a few years we began to prove up on our homesteads and then began to realize more taxes. Then we began to lay out roads convenient to every settler. We ha^'e now good roads for a timbered township, as good as roads on the prairie. \\'e never issued any bonds and we are out of debt, and have several hundred dollars in the treasury, and are in as good circumstances as any township in this county. This shows wdiat economy with industry will do. A majority of the railroad land has been bought and settled, and we have a township as well off as an}' other township. A\'e have a number of well-to-do farmers, and some are getting wealthy. They are out of debt and they possess everything necessary. Mr. A. H. A\'ilcox was a great benefit to tliis township in its early struggles. In his luni])er busi- ness, it was just like him to employ every man that needed work who had a family, which was a great help to the peo])le. Many of them kindl}- remember it, and often speak of it. Taking every- thing into consideration this is a grand, good township. The soil is mostly a gray loam with clay enough to make it very fer- tile and has a clay subsoil. Nearly all over the townshi]) there has been some heavy grain grown. In 1895, ]\Ir. A\'entz raised forty-seven bushels of wheat to the acre. I raised that same year, on twelve acres, thirty-five bushels per acre, and many more in this township did c(iually as well. \\'e have an abundance of hay land to supply the entire township and some to spare. It is of excellent (piality. I do not know of a more contented people than we have here, and not one has got the Canada fever as they have in other places. I consider that every man who has made money farming in Becker Countv ought to be called a hero. A PioNEii;R History of Be;cker County. 649 The first settler was Robert Soper from Kansas. He settled on the northwest quarter of Section 2, overlooking the shores of Height of Land Lake about the 26th of September, 1882. He afterwards cleared thirty acres, built a house, lived there several years, sold out, moved to AVadena, afterwards went to Dakota anil now resides in Canada. He also raised cattle and made farming a general business. Mrs. Robert Soper was the first white wo- man in the township. The next settler in this township was John Davis from near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He settled on the southwest quarter of Section 6 about the 25th of October, 1882, and made it a con- tinual residence until after he proved up on his claim. He after- wards bought one hundred and fifty acres on Section 5, which Mr. M. E. AA^ilcox from Iowa has since purchased. John Davis cleared about ten acres and built a comfortable house. His in- dustry, while a resident here, was raising sheep and cattle. The same year, 1882, the third settler, D. O. Jarvis settled on the southwest quarter of Section 2, fronting on Height of Land Ivake, about the 5th of October, built a house, cleared about ten acres, made farming and trapping game his business. Rear, deer, and other game were then in abundance. He lived there five years or more and sold out and went to Superior, Wisconsin. Two of his children remained here some years. They after- wards moved to Park Rapids where they now reside. That same fall, two men from Kansas, John Soper and Benjamin Oron took claims on Section 8. Oron afterwards went to Colorado and died there. Al)out this time A. H. A\'ilcox with another man, was cruising up through this country, and when traveling over Section 8 he came across a big black bear just putting his head out of his den. Mr. Wilcox having a small shotgun loaded with fine shot, walked up as close as convenient and put the charge into bruin's head, putting an end to his career. So much for the plucky pioneer. John Soper Ijuilt a house and settled on his claiiu, some of which was brush prairie. He soon broke up about twenty acres. Soper resided here on the northwest cjuarter of Section 8 until about 1898, then sold out and went to Wisconsin. He afterwards moved to Bemidji, where he now resides. While here he made his business farming in summer and lumbering in winter for A. H. Wilcox. He built a good frame house and 650 A Pioneer History of Bi^cker County. outbuildings necessary for the place. 'Mv. Pinney Austin now resides on and owns the place. He keeps a store. There is an Advent church, also a cemetery on the place. In June, 1883, the following" men came, making the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth settlers. Carl Sperling, Sr. ; Carl Sper- ling Jr., and John Sperling, sons of Carl Sperling, Sr. ; also Fred- erick Fechner, son-in-law of Carl Sperling, Sr. ; all four settled on Section 20, each getting one hundred and sixty acres. They ar- rived at the same time. They have made for themselves comfort- able homes. John Sperling has two hundred and forty acres of land, with good improvements, a fine house and barn with out- buildings, a good stock of cattle and horses with all kinds of ma- chinery to work with that is necessary on a farm. Carl Sperling, Jr., owns two hundred and forty acres with a good comfortable house and barn with outlniildings, also a stock of cattle and horses and machinery to carry on a farm. INEr. Carl Sperling, Sr., lives with Carl Sperling, Jr. He is now about sev- enty-seven years of age, having divided his farm between his sons. Mr. Fred Fechner lives on the southeast c[uarter. Section 20, which was his homestead. Has a comfortable house, barn and outbuildings. He has also bought 280 acres of land, and now owns four hundred and forty acres, some of the finest timber in the country, has a large stock of cattle and horses, and all kinds of machinery for a farm. When he came to Height of Land in 1883 he had no team, and a very few dollars in money. Continued industry has made him comfortable. He has also raised a large family of children. We state this to show what economy and industry will do even in a timbered country. Mr. John Fichtner settled on the southeast quarter of Section 30 in the spring of 1884, and has made it his continuous resi- dence. His boys have opened a good farm, built comfortable frame buildings, and are in good condition. Ludwig Ijartz settled on Section 30, southwest ([uarter, in 1885, and has opened a good farm, has comfortable buildings, and has been town clerk, also justice of the peace. August ^lews settled on Section 1,2 about 1S85, on the north- west cpiarter. He owns land on Section 29 and several other places in the county : he is well-to-do, we might say rich for a farmer. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 651 AMlliam Rosenow settled on Section t,2, northeast quarter. He owns land in Section 29, and has opened a good farm, and is in comfortable circumstances. In the year 1884, April nth, John Chapman settled on the north half of Section 18, having been here before and built a house. He lived here continuously until three years ago when his wife died. Since that time his son, Grant Chapman, has made the home his residence. H. G. ]\IcCart, of Detroit in 1883 filed on the south half of Section 18, built a cabin, brought his family there from time to time, in the year 1887 sold out his interests to Charles Sheldon, who has made it his continual residence ever since. He has a well located farm, a good meadow, and other things convenient. In 1885 cjuite a number of settlers came to this township. Mr. John Guethling from Carver County, Minnesota, settled on Sec- tion 21, northeast quarter. He has opened a fine farm, erect- ed good buddings. The soil on his farm is very fertile. Mr. Ludwig- Golke settled on the northwest quarter of Section 22 in 1884, and opened a rich farm which sold last year for about $3,000. He went back to Carver County, Minnesota, in 1905. IMichael Graboritz settled on the northeast ciuarter of Section 22 in 1885. He sold out and moved to Arkansas, afterwards he moved back and is now a resident of this township. A. A\^othe settled and opened up a farm on Section 16, sold out and went to Arkansas, but afterwards returned. August Schafer lives on the southwest quarter Section 32. He settled there about 1887 and has a fine farm. Joseph Frick settled on Section 7,2, southeast quarter in 1887, and died there several years ago. Mr. Ernst married his widow, a daughter of Mr. Triegiafl^ of Burlington Township. W'ilhelm Sunram settled on Section 28 the southwest quarter in 1885, and opened a choice farm. He died there in the spring of 1904 and left a widow in good circumstances with a familv. Gerhard AVettels settled on Section 16 in 1889 and lived there about one year. Afterwards settled on Section 30, north- west cjuarter, and bought eighty acres across the line in the town- ship of Erie, and cleared up a good farm. He has everything to make a farmer comfortable. Mathias Daubenspeck settled on Section 28 in 1885, and has made a respectable home on the southeast quarter, and is comfor- tablv situated. 652 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Jacol) Wefers settled on the northeast quarter of Section 2'8> about 1885. He has a choice farm, and looks as if he had plenty of this world's goods. \\'illiam Daubenspeck settled on Section 28 in 1885, the north- east cpiarter, and has fine buildings and improvements, and every- thing indicates prosperity. August Daubenspeck settled on Section 21 and has made a choice home and surroundings. Mr. Blanert lives on Section 21 and has a splendid farm. He has grubbed the timber all out by the roots, and has a large clear- ing and raises over one thousand bushels of wheat per year, and other grains in equal proportions. August Wentz lives on Section 21, northwest quarter, and has things very comfortable. He came from ■Missouri. Henry Oelfke settled on the southeast quarter of Section 26 in 1886. He was the father of Fred and Carl Oelfke. Air. Oelfke died on the 13th of Nov. 1892. Carl Oelfke came with his father and located with him on the southeast quarter of Section 26 in 1886 and still resides on the same land. He is a hunter and a farmer, and has a farm with some very fine butternut trees at the back of his house. He told me last summer that they were eight- een years old. They were full of nuts and were quite as thrifty as those I have seen in Olmstead County. He is chairman of the supervisors of this township. Mr. Carl Oelfke is a veteran hunter, and has undoubtedly killed more "big game" than any other man in Becker Countv. He says he has killed in the vicinity of his home, in the last twenty years, 247 deer, 52 wolves. 35 lynx, 5 bears besides a great many wildcats, foxes, minks, rabbits and other small game. Fred. Oelfke settled on the northeast (|uarter of Section 34 in 1886 and is now the possessor of 320 acres of fine land and is a well-to-do farmer, with fine buildings and large, well cultivated fields. He has been township clerk for years. Fred has also been something of a hunter himself, having killed about twenty deer and two l:)ears during his residence in the township. Mr. Brinkman is an old settler and lives on Section 34. He is well fixed and has good buildings and large improvements. Edward Lange came to this township in 1885, took his home- stead on Section 14 and has a good farm. He is a prosperous far- mer. A PioNKER History of Becker County. 653 Jacob Lange lives on Section 10. He came in 1885. Joseph S. Milton settled on Section 8 in 1885, coming from Kentucky. He sold out and went to Louisiana. Harris Eastman settled in the southwest quarter of Section 8, proved up and went to live with his son Willard Eastman in township of Grand Park. These and other settlers in the township too numerous to mention are all in fair circumstances. We are all working men in this township. \\'e have no use for any other kind of settlers, and we do not solicit any other kind. William AX'inter located on the north part of Section 26 in August, 1885, and after living there about fifteen years moved to Section 35, Grand Park Township. Julius B. Galbrecht located on the southeast quarter of Section 26 not long afterwards where he opened up a good farm. Carl Winter has a good farm on Section 23. The first school in Height of Land Township was taught by Jessie Herrick (now Mrs. Jessie Greenlaw) who commenced on the nth day of February, 1889, in District No. 49. The district then included all of the east half of Height of Land Township, and the schoolhouse stood on Section 10. The first birth in the township was that of Adelena Graboritz, who was born on the 20th of September, 1885, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Graboritz. The first white boy born in the township was Frederick Her- man Fichner, born December 26th, 1885, son of Frederick and Wil- helmine Fichner. Elizabeth Daubenspeck, four years of age, was the first person to die in the township, her death occurring on the nth of May, 1888. The first people married in the township were Benjamin W. Oren and Maggie A. Wilson, who were married on the 22d of October. 1883, by George W. Taylor, J. P. Joseph H. Abbey. 654 A PioNDE^R History of Becker County. Chapter XLIII. SHELL PRAIRIE ROAD. In June, 1880, I was sent in charge of a party of surveyors to examine and appraise several townships of land for the Northern Pacific Railroad Compau}- in the Shell Prairie region. C. G. Sturtevant was with me on that trip, it being his first experience in that line of business. Jake SheiTer, of early date notoriety, went along as cook and teamster. At that time there were only two roads leading to that section of country, one from Wadena and the other from Detroit, north by way of the White Earth .\gency, and the old Leech Lake government road. As it w'as impossible to cross Leaf River north of A\^adena, at that time on account of high w^ater, we were obliged to go by way of White Earth. The roads were muddy and rough, and it took three days of hard travel to make the trip. The first settlers we found there were George M. Carson and family, and J. E. Siegford and Frank Siegford, father and son, who had just taken homesteads o'l Sec- tion 18, town of Osage. The Siegfords still reside on the same land. These men were among the first settlers on the Shell Prai- ries in Becker County. I was authorized to take the census of what few settlers were in that part of the county, and I found just forty-three people, young and old, in what are now Osage and Carsonville Townships, and they were all the white inhabitants there were at that time in the whole east half of Becker County. This, however, has nothing to do with the road. When we returned to Detroit later in the season we went by way of Wadena, which was more than eighty miles by the road from the nearest point on the Shell Prairies, in Becker County. The next winter we were sent back by the railroad company on the same business, and worked in the country in and around the Shell Prairies all winter and were still obliged to go and come by Wadena, two long days' ride with a team from where Osage is now. I saw at a glance that the settlement on these prairies was going to be a very important one, and that connection with Detroit and Frazee was a matter of the utmost importance to all concerned, and that a direct road was a matter of prime neces- sity. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 655 In November, 1881, Dewit Clason brought the election returns of the first election ever held in Carsonville to Detroit, and on his arrival his clothes were wet through and torn where he had waded swamps and gone through the bush on the way over. In the fall of 1881, I was elected county auditor, and at the first meeting of the board of county commissioners, I urged upon them the importance of making an appropriation for a road to Shell Prairie. Three of them, however, lived in the western part of the county, and could not see the propriety of expending money through a country totally uninhabited, and which, as one of them declared, would never be settled, and nothing was done at that time. As soon as the board adjourned, I hired C. G. Sturtevant and C. J. Shaw upon my own responsibility, and paid them out of m}- own pocket to look up a route for a road. I was quite familiar with the country from Detroit, to the east line of Height of Land Township, and knew a good road could be made that far ; so I instructed them to begin at the quarter section corner on the west side of Section 6 in the town of Toad Lake and run an air line through to where the village of Osage now stands, and to ex- amine the country on both sides of their line for a considerable distance. They took their blankets and provisions on their backs, slejit out in the snow at night, running the lines with a small com- pass, and counting their footsteps by way of measurements. They found the country south of Shell Lake too hilly and rough for a good road. It is so hilly and cut up with swamps that nearly all the travel from the Shell Prairies goes around on the north side of Shell Lake to this day, although it is a good many miles further. The present Shell Prairie road follows a natural ridge much of the way. Between Shell Lake and Height of Land Lake it follows along near the natural divide, between the waters of the Mississippi and Red River for a considerable distance. W hen Sturtevant and Shaw came back to Detroit, they brought a small army of eighteen or twenty men with them. They had come by both land and water, or rather by land and by ice. They followed the old Leech Lake road back to the prairie north of Shell Lake, then across the lake to its west end, thence in a south- westerly direction to the southeast corner of Height of Land Lake, taking in as many ponds and marshes as possible, cutting just enough brush and timber to get through from one marsh or pond to another. Thev crossed an arm of Height of Land Lake on the ice, 656 A Pioneer History of Becker County. and then followed Frazee's logging and tote roads to Pat. O'Neil's place in the town of Burlington, then by the present wagon road to Detroit. The merchants and business men of Detroit received this crowd of men with open arms, and were so well pleased to learn that they had cut a road through from Shell Prairie, and were so prepossessed with their good looks and winning ways that they loaded them down with dry goods and groceries and provisions and they all went home rejoicing. As nearly every man in the party had a team with him. the amount of plunder they took home was considerable. The general route selected by Sturtevant and Shaw on this trip was a good one. the best in existence and much of the work done at that time was so exactly in the right place that a consid- erable extent of the road has never been changed, but as soon as the ice melted in the swamps and ponds in the spring, the road was impassable for a considerable distance, and travel to and from v^hell Prairie was impossible, except on foot. At the meeting of the county commissioners, the next July, a m(M"e liberal view of the matter was taken and the sum of $300 was appropriated to be expended under my directions. I started out from Detroit one day late in September to look over the road, straighten it out. and locate it on dry land. — where it crossed the ponds and swamps — and let contracts for improvements as far as the $300 would permit. There was no road east of Detroit at that time, beyond Section 20 in the town of Erie, wdiere James Norris then lived. John Shoenberger and Charles E. -Nlolen were living on the Otter Tail River in the town of Erie, and there were a few settlers, including the Soper family, west of Height of Land Lake, but they had all gone in from the direction of Frazee, fol- lowing my old survey road of 1870 up the Otter Tail River. Rob- ert Soper had, however, taken a homestead on Section 2 in the town of Height of Land east of the lake by that name, but had made no improvements. He had sent me word, a few days before, that on a certain day he was going to move his family across the lake, and I could stay with them when I came over to look out the road. I reached the east side of Height of Land Lake just as it was getting dark, but found no sign of the Soper family. I had traveled fifteen miles that afternoon through the woods and was tired and hungry and wet. I walked north along the shore for a mile or more in the dark lookinu' for the boat that had brought A Pione;e;r History of Becker County. 657 the family over. I then went up the creek that runs into the lake on the township line, traveling through the water and tall grass thinking perhaps they had taken their boat up to their homestead by that route. I then tramped nearly all over Section 2, shouting occasionally until eleven o'clock at night, when I gave up and went to bed without supper, blankets or fire. A couple of hoot owls in trees near by kept me company and a pack of wolves kept up a serenade for several hours, but they kept at a respectable distance. The next morning I was up bright and early ; I was cold and hun- gry and the morning was frosty, and I was obliged to walk five miles to breakfast going around the north end of Height of Land Lake through the brush and tamarack swamps, wading the Otter Tail River, where Charley Mitchell now lives and around to Sec- tion 28 in the present town of Grand Park, where Charles Soper was then living in a tent. After breakfast from there I started back east through the woods following an Indian trail north of Island Lake and reached the residence of Tyree Doran on Section 2, town of Shell Lake at noon. That afternoon and the next day, I marked the road back to Height of Land Lake, and let contracts for the opening of the whole line back to the Otter Tail River. The next winter, 1882 and 1883, I took a few men from Detroit, who had volunteered a day's work each, and cut a road from James Norris' place to the Otter Tail River, and from there on east to the east line of the township. The next day I took a team and cutter and drove over the new road to its intersection with the Frazee road and put up a signboard, which read : "This is the way to Detroit." ]\Irs. \A ilcox went with me on this trip, and she was the first woman who ever went over the Shell Prairie road, beyond the Otter Tail River. We tipped over going home. About the first of February I made a trip over the entire road for the purpose of inspecting the work which had been done, and Mrs. Wilcox went with me on this trip. On our return we stayed over night at Tyree Doran's on the Shell Lake Prairie, and the next morning started on our way home. The morning was bit- terly cold, 30 or 40 below zero, the roads were rough and the snow deep, but not deep enough to keep the sleigh from striking the stumps and rocks that were thick along the road. There had been but few teams over the road, so the traveling was slow and hard. All went well, however, until we had passed Shell Lake, when going down a steep hill on a fast trot, we struck a big rock 658 A PioxivER History oi" Bkckkr County. which upset the sleigh and pitched us both out into the snow. I chmg to the hnes, but the horses began to run and I was dragged some (Ustance, when I was caught in a stump, which broke my hold and the horses ran ofif with the cutter, which was dragging on its side. I made a fire for Mrs. Wilcox as best I could, but there was no dry wood near b\-, and it did not last long. The snow was two feet deep and the cold was intense, but there was no other way to do but to get the team back or else Mrs. Wil- cox would soon freeze to death. There were no settlers in that direction nearer than Otter Tail River, twelve miles distant, but Frazee had a lumber camp about six miles ahead, and I did not ex- pect to find the team until T reached the camp and perhaps not then; but as good luck would have it, the cutter had dragged all the way on its side, so that the horses became tired and in about three miles they had stopped. When I returned, Mrs. Wilcox had frozen her feet, hands and face. We proceeded as far as the long corduroy, a little north of where the schoolhouse now stands on Section 29, when we came to an Indian camp. The In- dians, who built the camp had just abandoned it, and there was a little fire still burning, and a small (|uantity of dry wood, all ready to kindle the fire. We got well warmed up, but sufi:'ered severely befoTe we reached home on account of the intense cold. Mrs. Wilcox's hands and feet never fully recovered from the efifects of that terrible ride. In the fall of 1882, T. K. Torgerson. of the township of Cuba, was elected to the legislature, receiving e^'ery vote in Erie and Carsonville, the only towns then organized on the line of this mad, and he secured an appropriation of $800 for the road from the state of Minnesota. With this money the bridge across the Otter Tail River on Section 23, in Erie, was built, also the bridge across the inlet to Shell Lake and a number of other bridges of smaller size. The county commissioners were also generous, and made liberal apportionments for several years afterwards. Some time during the summer of 1883, the honorable board of county commissioners conceived it to be their duty to make a per- sonal examination of this road, so they appointed themselves a committee of the whole for that purpose, and, being in an econom- ical frame of mind about that time, they decided to go on foot. The board at that time consisted of T. W. Chilton, Hans Ebeltoft, F. B. Chapin, T. \\\ Dunlap and Olaf Bjornstad. The old say- A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 659 ing that "large bodies move slowly" was true in their case, and as some of them were tenderfeet, they only reached the west end of Shell Lake when night set in. It w^as still three miles to the nearest settler, but a member or two of the party were so com- pletely exhausted that they could go no farther, so they camped there for the night without supper, bedding, or any protection from the mosquitoes, of which there were millions in those days. Chapin, however, had his pipe and tobacco with him, so he passed the night quite comfortably. During the years from 1883 to the time the Great Northern Railroad was built to Park Rapids, there was a large amount of travel over the road to Detroit and Frazee, but since that it has fallen off to a sreat extent. Chapter XLIV. HISTORY OF SILVER LEAF TOWNSHIP. The first settler in Silver Leaf Township was Frank Gebo. He built a house on Section 30 about twenty rods east of where the Adam Schueller house now stands late in the fall or early in the winter of 1882 and 1883. He and his son Samuel Gebo claimed a joint ownership in the house and some time in the winter they gave the use of it to a soldier of the civil war, whose name I have forgotten. He moved his w'ife into the house and sometime that winter a child was born there, which was the first white child born in Silver Leaf Township. About the first of February Samuel Gebo went to Detroit and filed a homestead on the land where this house was built, but before the papers w^ere sent to the Crookston Land Ofilice William Redpath took a train and went to Crookston, and filed a homestead on a part of the same land, which took precedence over Gebo's filing. Redpath built a shanty a few rods north of where the Schueller house now stands, and had a large amount of wood cut that w^inter, over which there was no end of trouble. Andy Kenan took this place in 1887, and lived there for several years, and made final proof. In the spring of 1883 Samuel Gebo took another claim on Sec- tion 20, but did not remain there long. 66o A P*ioxEER History of Becker County. In the month of September, 1883, WilHam and Charles Rabanus, both single men, took claims on Section 26 and resided there for several years ; they were the first permanent settlers in the township. Charles Rabanus and Betsy Ebbcrson were married on the 17th of October, 1885, and were the first people married in Silver Leaf Township. George Bucl came to Silver Leaf Township on the 5th of No- vember, 1883, and settled on the east half of the east half of Sec- tion 30, and built a house that same fall. Silver Leaf Township was so named from the silvery appearance of the leaves of the poplar with which this township abounds. Airs. Buel was the first white woman to settle permanently in the township. She came with her husband in November, 1883. In the spring of 1884, Wm. Evans and Ludwig Bunse settled on Section 24 and John Zeler came in the spring of 1885 and settled on the same section. In the spring of 1884, George Schwoboda settled on the east tier of forties on Section 18, and Anthony Schwoboda located on Section 8 not long afterwards. Rudolph Boll says : "I settled on the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 6 in the town of Silver Leaf in the fall of 1885. I l)uilt my house and moved into it on the 27th of October of that }-ear, and E. E. Phelps settled at the same time on the same section." In June, 1885, Harry and Lambert Stokes settled on Section 4, and Adolph Ernst located on the northwest c[uarter of Section 6 in 1887, and after that time settlers came in fast. In 1877 Gerhard Schrammen located on Section 4, and Will- iam Trieglafi^ settled on the northeast cpiarter of Section 8 the next year. The other settlers, who came during the 8o"s, were Wm. Seek, on Section 24, Mike Warter on Section 18, the Illgs on Section 2, George Cork on Section 8, George Manning on Section 20, Charles Lord on Section 30, S. H. Tripp on Section 22, Ernest Schmidt on Section 28, and Louis Koenig on Section 21. Tlie other early settlers were August Trieglafl^ on Section 17, John Schueller on Section 20, Gus. Reibe on Section 24, Herman Galbrecht on Section 21, F. Galbrecht on Section 8, F. Plackner on Section 9, and Dedrick Williamson on Section 2. Silver Leaf Township was organized on the 3rd day of March, 1888, and the first township election was held on that day at the house of Harry Stokes on Section 4. A PioNKER History of Becker County. 66i The first set of township officers were : Chairman of board of supervisors, Charles Lord ; supervisors, S. H. Tripp, Ford Green ; township clerk, George Buel ; assessor, Reuben Prouty ; justices of the peace, John L. Stokes, Louis Koenig ; constables, Charles Rabanus, George Manning; treasurer, Rudolph Boll. Margaret Graham taught the first school in Silver Leaf Town- ship in the spring of 1893. R. L. Frazee had a logging camp on Section 5 in the winter of 1882 and 1883, which was run by Samuel Pearce. There was another small lumber camp on Section 23 that same winter. The first death in the township was that of a small child of W^m. Seck's, who died on Section 24, in the year 1885. Murder and Suicide. The little log house on the Tripp farm, about six miles east of Frazee, in the town of Silver Leaf, this county, the home of L M. Van Sickler and wife, was the scene of one of the most hor- rible tragedies ever enacted in Northern Minnesota, last Saturday night. November 19th, 1892. Van Sickler, a man of about forty years, has lived in and about Frazee for several years, and has al- ways been a peaceable citizen, we understand, and generally con- sidered a good-natured, jovial fellow. During the past harvest season he was at work in Dakota, and only a few weeks ago he returned to this county accompanied b}' his wife, a young w^oman of about twenty-five, and they have since made their home on the Tripp farm. Mrs. A'an Sickler is said to have been a woman of attractive appearance, and somewhat gay in her manner. Ed- ward Buel, a young man about twenty-one, was engaged as a farm hand, and lived with the Van Sicklers. About a month ago Frank C. Brown, of Fargo, in company with two friends, went into camp in the neighborhood for the purpose of hunting deer. This camp was kept up for two weeks or more, when two of the partv returned home, leaving Brown to continue the hunt and he arranged to stay at the home of Van Sickler and wife, with whom he had become acquainted. It is stated that he was cautioned against this, and warned that trouble would come from his intimacy with the woman, but he persisted in his purpose to remain. It was his intention to return to Fargo last Sundav, and Saturdav he (^2 A Pioneer History of Becker County. and Mrs. Van Sickler and Buel went to Frazee, returning to the farm at night. That evening all joined in a carousal which terminated in the murder of Brown and the woman, and the suicide of \'an Sickler. Just what transpired in that log cabin before the perpetration of this horrible crime will probably never be known. It seems that the husband and wife got into a quarrel, and in a drunken frenzy Van Sickler got his revolver and shot his wife through the wrist, shattering it terribly. He then immediately seized Brown's Win- chester, a very heavy one, and in quick succession sent two l)ullets crashing through her body, and she fell dead. He then turned upon Brown, who was not more than ten feet from him. and again tired. The ball took efifect in the hip, and passed nearly through the body, lodging just under the skin on the opposite side. Brown dropped, and the crazed demon then turned the rifle against his own breast, and pulled the trigger the fourth time. He received a terrible wound and fell beside the body of his dead wife, but the shot did not prove fatal. He raised himself up, bemoaned his terrible deed, and begged young Buel, who had stood riveted to the spot with terror, to take the rifle and complete the work of death by putting a second bullet through his brain. He grasped the young man by the hand and implored him to do his bidding, but this caused Buel to realize his own great danger, and he fled to the house of a neighbor, and recounted the terrible scene of which he had been a witness. As he left the house he heard another shot from the rifle, and later it was found that \'an Sickler, to make certain his own destruction, had placed the muzzle of the rifle into his mouth and blew the top of his head oiT. Hopes were at first entertained of Brown's recovery. His father was telegraphed for, and he arrived from Fargo Sunday night. The injury, however, proved fatal, and on Tuesday morning the unfortunate young man died. Frank Brown was a printer by trade, and worked on the Fargo Forum. He formerly lived in Detroit with his parents, and most of our people knew him well, and liked him. Geo. D. FIamii.Tox in Detroit Record. A Pioneer History oF Becker County. 663 Chapter XLV. THE TOWNSHIP OF EVERGREEN. By Chas. S. Palmer. Township 138, Range 38, was heavily timbered with pine, spruce, oak, tamarack, ehn, poplar, white birch and other woods. In 1880 there were about five million feet of standing white pine. Al. Pelton during the year 1882 built a logging camp on Section CHAS. S. PALMER. 36, employing about forty men, and on Section 34 Aaron Scrib- ner located a camp of about twenty men. These camp crews logged on Sections 34, 35 and 36, and during that winter cut and hauled about two million feet, and a similar cjuantity the following winter. These logs were hauled on heavy sleds to Section 19, and there unloaded on the bank of Toad River, being afterward floated down the Toad, Otter Tail and Red Rivers to Winnipeg, the drive requiring about 115 days. Prior to the year 1882 there was heavy logging on Sections 19, 20 and 29 by Clark and McClure of 664 '^ Pioneer History of Becker County. Saint Cloiul, the logs being sawed at their mill one mile east of Perham. Later there were small portable sawmills brought to the township which manufactured a large portion of the remain- ing timber. Twenty-five years ago there was considerable large game con- sisting of bears, big timber wolves and lynx. There were also a few moose, and deer were very plentiful. The first actual settler was Charles Scribner who settled on Section i8 in the year 1882. On Thanksgiving Day, 1884, he was married to Rosy Allen of Corliss Township, Otter Tail County, who died the following autumn. In 1877, Mr. Scribner removed to the ]\Iouse River country in Xorth Dakota, where he now re- sides. Ewald Bohne and his wife, Jennie, came from Hastings, Alin- nesota, in February, 1883, and located a homestead on Section 20. There they lived until the year 1898, when they moved to Section 19, where they now reside. Their son Fred was born in January, 1885, being the second white child born in the township. Frank Omans and his wife arrived from Michigan in October, 1883, and settled on Section 32, where they still live. Their son Earl, born in August, 1884, is the first white child born in the town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Clifford moved from Perham during the winter of 1884-5, ^"^ settled on Section 34. Their daughter Boni- belle Altha, born March 23, 1886, is the first girl born in Ever- green. In 1887 j\Ir. Clifford moved to Spruce Grove where they now live, Airs. Clifford being postmistress of Cliff'ord post-office. During the years 1886 and 1887 about twenty families settled in the township. On Januar}- 4, 1888, the board of county com- missioners organized the township, naming it Evergreen because of the number of evergreen trees in it. The first town meeting was held at the home of Emil Materne on Section 20, March 13, 1888. ^^^ R. Morton was chosen moderator ; Emil ]\Iaterne, clerk ; W. R. Morton, John Pick and Chas. Howard were elected super- visors ; W. A. Kennedy, clerk ; J. W. Southard, assessor ; John Mil- ler, constable; and Sargent Palmer, justice of the peace. Those present and voting at the first annual town meeting, in line as they voted, were : John Rick, W. R. Morton, Nick Leyen- decker, Antony Sagenschneider, Joe Pope, E. Alaterne, C. Pope, C. Limpensel, Ewald Bohne, John Hauser, Hans Hauser. J. \\'. A Pionke;r History of Becker County, 665 Southard, Jr., A. W. Furber, Garry Omans, H. A. Barron, J. W. Southard, Sr., Sargent Pahner, Charles S. Pahiier, Charles Rick, Sam. McKibben, C. H. King, Wm. A. Kennedy, Frank Omans, John Miller, Ed. Southard. C)ne day in the summer of 1888, an ox team which Mrs. Mat- erne was driving along the road became frightened by a bear and ran away, throwing her from the wagon and breaking her leg. The fracture was quickly and properly set by Dr, W, R. Morton. In the fall of 1887 Arnold Kohler and John Adams, settlers living on Section 18, became involved in a quarrel in Mr. Kohler's house. Kohler became enraged and seizing a gun struck at Adams, who dodged behind the stove. The gun struck the stove chimney and was discharged, killing Kohler. Adams was arrest- ed, and taken to the county jail at Detroit, but was later dis- charged from custody afer a trial. In February, 1895, M. Burfield, of Star Lake, Otter Tail Coun- ty, set a portable sawmill on Section 34. While hauling a large load of logs from Section 2 the clevis holding the short tongue of the hind sled became loose, allowing the tongue to drop down and stick in the frozen snow of the road. The team hauled the load over the short tongue and when it reached a vertical position the load tipped over. Mr. Burfield being an old man and heavily wrapped in blankets, could not jump clear of the load, but fell be- side the sled and was instantly crushed to death under the falling logs. In April, 1898, Charles H. Lamphier and L. Jeswin, living on Section 34, became engaged in a quarrel over Mrs. Jeswin crossing a field, which Lamphier was seeding, and the wives of both men took an active part in the scrimmage. Lamphier's boy brought out a gun to his father, Jeswin's son then took a hand in the melee, and things became generally mixed. How it happened will probably never be clearly known, but the gun was discharged, kill- ing Jeswin instantly. Lamphier was arrested, and court being then in session he was sentenced to the state penitentiary for life. Just two weeks from the day of the killing he was on his way to Stillwater to serve his sentence. Through numerous petitions secured by his wife, his sentence was afterwards commuted to six years, and at the end of four years he was released on parole. Having lived out his parole as a good citizen he is now a free man. Jeswin was a good citizen. 666 A PioNEUR HisToKv OF Becker County. Ill 1 901, Woodland post-office was moved from Corliss Town- ship in Otter Tail County to Section 28 in Evergreen, and two years later a German Lutheran church was Iniilt on Section 17. In the township there are now a post-office, a church and four schoolhouses. Hattie Howard was the first school teacher in Evergreen, teaching in a log schoolhouse on Section 14. which was hurned at the time of the big Hinckley fire. During this fire the whole township burned over, clearing whole areas. Settlers took advantage of the easy clearing and moved in freely, and now there are about eighty voters in the township. While much damage re- sulted from the fire in the burning of timber, the benefit in clear- ing the land largely compensated for the loss. May, 1905. Mrs. West. I Chapter XLVL HISTORY OF SPRUCE GROVE TOWNSHIP. By INIrs. Delia A. Clifford. August 4th, 1895. I wish very much to assist you in your work concerning the county, and hope the enclosed will help a little. In 1885, Sylvanus Hall came from Irving, Iowa to Butler, Otter Tail County, Minnesota to visit his son Jonah and family. He in company with his son and neighbors were hunting on December 26, his son being in advance he heard a cry and on looking around saw his father standing on a log who said. "Jonah, I am shot." His son reached him in time to catch him as he fell. He only lived a short time. He was 71 years old. The body was taken to his old home in Irving, Iowa, to be buried. The hunting and accident were in Spruce Grove, Becker County. In 1884, Paul Troppman moved his family from Sanborn, Iowa, ti> Spruce Grove, and put up a sawmill on the Red Eye River. The next summer while running the saw he slipped, his foot striking the saw nearly severing the foot from the leg. The nearest surgeon was at Perham, twenty miles distant, amputation was necessary, which with loss of blood and the shock of the injury proved too much for him. He died about sundown of the same day. He was fifty years of age and was buried at Devil's Lake near Perham, Minn. The following winter the mill passed into the hands of creditors, one of whom sent a family named Tubbs to occupy the house and run the mill. They had in their employ a Mr. Thomas Cassady, a nephew of Mrs. Peter Schram, all of Spruce Grove, he having a homestead in said town an.':! be- ing a young married man of twenty-four years. His bride came from Cana- da to Perham, where they were married in February. He was savirg A Pioneer History of Becker County. 667 shingles, the blocks were icy, one slipped from his hands, struck the saw, flew back striking him squarely in the face, knocking him down; with help he walked to the house a few rods away. A physician was sent for from Perham, who dressed his wounds, and giving directions as to the treatment. He left telling the young wife her husband would surely live. At midnight he insisted on changing his clothes and did so alone. In an hour he was a corpse, and his bride of two weeks a widow. His remains were buried in the cemetery at Perham. From 1884, the year we moved into Becker County, until 1888 there were no mail facilities in this country at all. The nearest post-olSce was MRS. DELIA A. CLIFFORD. Perham or Frazee, each eighteen miles. Our mail was brought by whoever went to Perham, bringing: for everv familv for miles around: therefore it was handled by any number of hands before it reached us in all con- ditions, if at all. Often it was mislaid or lost entirely. On going to town one time, mail was found scattered along the road for a distance of three miles, lost out of a man's overcoat pocket. C. H. Clifford sent a petition to Washington asking for a post-office and mail route. The post-office was granted immediately and named Clififord with C. H. Clififord as postmaster. The mail was carried the first year by his eldest son, Alfred H., without any specified conveyance or salary. He gen- erally went out and back once a week, mostly with an ox team, taking him two days for a trip. Sometimes he would strap the mail on his back and go out and back on foot in one day. At the end of the year he was 668 A Pioneer History of Becker County. appointed mail carrier by the department for two years with a small salary, making two trips a week. At the end of his term, Charles A. Rick was appointed for a term of four years and performed his duties faith- fully, losing but two trips in four years. J. B. Miller succeeded him making three trips a week. March 2nd, 1896, C. H. Clifford resigned, his wife Delia I. Clifford being appointed postmistress in his place. During that time Spruce Grove, where Clifford post-of^ce was located, was organized, also three school districts, schoolhouses built, roads laid out, bridges built, and in the spring of 1896 there were scarcely forty acres either homestead or railroad land to be had in the town. Yours sincerely. To Mrs. West. Mrs. Deli.-\ A. Clifford. This township was org-anized in 1889. The first town election being- held Januaury 19th, 1889, at the home of Alfred Blanchard. The first town board consisted of: Chairman, Henry Shafer ; treasurer, Charles Maehler and clerk, Perry Vincent. As the predominant timber in the town was everg-reens, it was called Spruce Grove. The township was heavily timbered with pine — five million feet. Spruce, balsam, oak, poplar, birch, elm, basswood, ironwood, and tamarack with less quantities of other varieties. It is noted for its wild fruits consisting of plums, cher- ries, currants, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, gooseberries and June-berries. It has lakes and rivers abounding in fish, pike, bass, pickerel, sunfish, red-horse and suckers. Game is plentiful, among which are moose, deer, bear, wolves, lynx, wild cats, skunks, mink, muskrat, etc., partridges, chickens and ducks. There is abundance of wild hay. School District No. 52 was organized September loth, 1887. The school board was: C. H. Clifford, director; treasurer, Charles Maehler; and clerk, Henry Shafer. The first school was held in the fall of 1887 in the private house of Fred Bonan with Aliss Addie Coombs, of Detroit, ]\Iinn., as teacher. The schoolhouse was built in 1888 of logs. The first settlers were Jorgen Dornbush and wife, whose maiden name was Casina Freie ; both were born in Germany, and they were married in Houston County, Minn. They moved from there in January, 1880. Five children were born to them. Mrs. Dorn- bush died in April, 1884, and was buried at Perham. Minn. In August of the same year Mr. Dornbush married Miss Mary Alt- man, of Gormantown ; ten children blessed their union. After a residence of twenty-two years and two months in Spruce Grove they A Pioneer History of Becker County. 669 moved with their children and grandchildren to Alberta, Canada. Settlers following Mr. Dornbnsh the first two years were Fred and Charles ]\Iaehler and families, John Hnsen, Aug. Beckman and wife, Fred Voight, Henry Shafer and family and then several families of Finns. The first conple married was Fred Voight of Spruce Grove and Mrs. Elizabeth Meyers (widow) of Gormantown. The Rev. Krattchmer officiating. The first birth was twins born to Mr. and Mrs. August Beck- man, a boy and a girl. The first death, Turgen Christoft' Dornbusch, father of Jorgen Dornbusch, aged j:^, of old age. He was born., in Germany, and buried in Perham, December, 1881. A young Finn, aged thirteen, whose gun discharged while get- ting through a fence, was killed, the ball lodging in his neck. He lived six days. In the early da}S hunting parties came from Moorhead and Fargo and east from Chicago and other cities, after deer and other game. The Chippewa Indians were allowed to hunt here, securing immense quantities of venison. Edward L. Schram, son of Peter and Jane Schram, early set- tlers, shot and killed the first moose. George Shafer, eldest son of Henry and Sophia Shafer, had a novel experience. He shot a deer as it was lying down, and ran to cut its throat, when it jumped up, and catching its horns in his coat, carried him a long distance, before he was extricated by his coat giving away. Delia A. Clifford. A Youthful Fiend. Perham was terribly agitated last Saturday June 2nd, 1882, by the discover}- that two men, a surveyor named Washington, and a German bov, his assistant, named Fehrembach, had been most foully murdered, about tw^enty miles north of that place, in Red Eye Prairie, near the Becker County line, presumably on the Monday previous. It appears that the two men started out of Perham to survey some pine land, and were afterwards joined by a lad named John Trivett, aged fifteen. On ]\Ionday Trivett borrowed a gun of a farmer, who shortly after heard some shots, but thought nothing of it. Trivett is well known at Perham, and generally considered a worthless vagabond, and seldom had anv monev. He was seen in Perham, however. 670 A Pioneer History of Becker County. on Monday, and exhibited a watch and revolver, and afterwards sold the watch for five dollars. On Friday the dead body of the German boy was discovered b\' a farmer, the head crushed in, several bullet holes in the body and a knife wound in the neck. The body of the surve\or was found Saturday, the back of the head being badly mutilated by a discharge from the shot gun. Trivett bought a new suit of clothes at Perham, and left for the West on Tuesday morning, intending to join the cowboys in Montana, as he has often avowed his intention of doing. He was traced to Bismarck after the discovery of the bodies, by Deputy Sheriff Butler, of Otter Tail County, and arrested and returned to Perham Thursday morning. He is said to have confessed the crime. He was heavily armed when taken, and had assumed the name of the noted Frank Ford. These are all the particulars so far as we have been able to learn, of the nunxler of the men and the capture of the villain, and this morning's train brings the news that Trivett did not wake up at daylight this morning, but those residents of Perham that did. found the dead body of the young fiend suspended by the neck from a telegraph pole. Geo. D. H.\milton. On the evening- of Trivctt's hearing-, ATr. Washington, brotlier of the murdered man, was allowed to interview the murderer, and his confes- sion is as follows: "I'll tell you all about it." He then stated that he came upon the surveyor and Fehrembach; Washington was sitting by a marsh looking at his plat, "and I just thought." said the boy, "of pictures I had seen in novels of men being killed in that i)osition, and I drew my shotgun to my shoulder, just like that," suiting the action to his words, "and shot him through the back of the head. He never got up. Fritz, who was a little way ofif, then came at me with his hatchet, and I saw I had got to kill him or he would me, and I quickly rolled the surveyor over, and pulled out his revolver, and quickly began firing at Fritz, who turned and ran and I after hin-i. When he had run about forty rods Fritz fell and I drew my knife on him, but I couldn't kill him with the knife, which broke in my hand, and I thought it a mercy to finish him cjuick, which I did with the hatchet." "Did Fritz say any- thing?" "Yes," said the boy, "He asked for water, and I went to the creek for water and had nothing but my hat to bring it in. When I got back he was dead. I then rifled Washington's body and started off, threw his revolver into the creek, and dropped the gun in the woods, one barrel of which will be found still loaded, and went to where my father was building a bridge and camped all night with him. He did not know what I had done, and I left him in the morning and went to Perham. You know the rest." A Pioneer History of Becker County. 671 This statement was listened to by the brother of the murdered sur- veyor, and Steve Butler informed us that it corresponds exactly with the first story the boy told him at Bismarck before he was primed by the prisoners in jail at that place and Fargo. — Fergus Falls Journal. June 2d, 1882. De.\r ]Mrs. Clifford: Yes, Trivett murdered the two surveyors on the southwest corner of Section 31 of Spruce Grove Township. The name of the surveyor was Edward Washington, and that of his assistant was Fred. Fehrembach. It was about the last of May. 1882, and the bodies were found three days after the murder. Trivett was caught at Bismarck, N. D.. by Constable Steve Butler, of Perham. He was about fifteen years old at the time. They gave him a hearing, but the third night afterwards a mob lynched him by hanging him to a tele- graph pole in the vilage of Perham. JORGFN DORNBUSH. Mr. Dornl^iish was liYin"" near there at the time of the murder. Chapter XLVIL HISTORY OF RUNEBERG TOWNSHIP. By Eber Hought. Tlie township of Runeberg- received its name in honor of, and in memory of the great Scandinavian author and poet John Runeberg. Runeberg- Township was first settled by white men in the year 1882. A few Finlanders. Norwegians and Swedes, were the first settlers. Jacob Greus. John Maunu, John Johnson, and a few more filed claims in the fall of 1881 and moved onto their land in the spring of 1882. Paul Kuha erected the first house or shanty in Runeberg, on Section 34 in the spring of 1882, and in the spring and summer of that same year Paul Anderson. Siffert Karjala. Wilhelm Grang- ruth, ]\Iichael Marjama, John Lalle, Thomas Johnson, Ole Sal- monson, John Kynsijarvi, Jacob Sarkiaho and a few others settled in the township. The first settlers were obliged to get their groceries and pro- visions from New York Mills, that being the nearest railroad station for several years, but after the Great Northern Railroad was l)uilt and a station established at Menahga, the most of their trading was done at that place. The settlers, however, were in no 6/2 A Pione;er History of Becker County, danger of starving as the woods were full of game, such as deer, partridges, prairie chickens, ra1)l)its and a few bears and moose. There were also lots of wolves and a panther was seen and killed. In the fall of 1882 a panther attacked an Indian, and if he had been a white man death would have been the result, but it seems the panther did not like the smell of the Indian, so he stopped within two feet of him. The Indian drew his rifle on the panther, who seized the barrel in his mouth, and when the Indian had EBER BOUGHT. Historian of Runeberg. forced it into his mouth far enough and turned it in the right direction, he fired, killing the panther on the spot. The dead body was seen by many of the white settlers. John Maunu had settled on Section 22, and on the 20th day of November, 1882, he saw two deer pass by his house, and after getting his gun he started in pursuit of the deer. He followed them straight north, but he got lost in the woods and did not know where he was. He wandered around until eleven o'clock at night, when he came to an Indian tepee, up in what is now the town of Green Valley. As he came to the tepee an Indian came out with his gun in his hands. Mr. Maunu could speak A Pioneer History of Becker County. 673 neither English nor Indian, but laid down his gun and shook himself, signifying that he was cold. The Indian l)eckoned to him to come in. When once inside Mr. Maunu took off his coat and boots and moved up to the fire, as he was cold and wet through. He then motioned to the Indian that he was hungry by putting his fingers in his mouth and chewing on them. The In- dian understood this and spoke to his squaw, who soon brought a piece of venison which she roasted on the fire, and she also pre- pared a cup of tea for him. After Mr. Maunu had satisfied his hun- ger he was surprised to see six or eight Indians come in. They had a conversation with the friendly Indian, and began talking louder and louder, and seemed to be very angry, and crowded up nearer and nearer to Mr. Maunu. It made the hair stand straight up on his head, as he was sure the Indians intended to kill him. At last the friendly Indian rushed up between the Indians and Mr. Maunu and kept the savage fellows back, and in a little while they all departed, but the friendly Indian sat up all night and watched over him with his rifle across his lap. The next morning the Indian beckoned to Mr. Maunu to follow him, and to his delight, about ten o'clock they arrived at John Lalle's shanty on Section 10 in the town of Runeberg. There they rested for a short time and had a little lunch, but the Indian understood it was not the home of Mr. Maunu and would not leave him, but accompanied him to his own home where they were met by Mrs. Maunu and the children and a few of the neighbors, who had been out looking for Mr. Maunu. The Indian was backward about going into the house, but the wife had a feast prepared for her husband and the Indian was beckoned to help himself and partake of everything. All the victuals seemed to taste good to the Indian, as he ate more than Mrs. Maunu and the neighbors had ever seen a man eat before or since at one time, and when through he looked up towards heaven, saying something in a few words not understood by the Finlanders, but who thought he gave thanks to the Great Spirit. He then made a sign that he was satisfied and well paid for all his trouble. Before he started for home Mr. and Mrs. Maunu loaded him down with food to take home with him. If it had not been for this friendly Indian Mr. Maunu would have died, either from cold, hunger or exhaus- tion. After that day the white settlers had no trouble with the Indians. They came frequently to the white men's houses and wr ■J-. m-^ :! s < r P5 J A^imm if- A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 675 visited for hours, luit never begged or disturbed anything". They were quite helpful, and instructed the settlers in many new things. Some of the Indians could speak a little English and so could some of the settlers, and they became quite friendly. The township of Runeberg was organized, and the first town- ship election was held at the house of August Peterson, on Section 28. on the 24th day of May, 1887. The following township officers were elected : Chairman of supervisors, Olof Leamatta ; supervisors, John Lalle and Thomas Ollila ; treasurer, A. J. Sar- kiaho ; clerk, August S. Peterson ; assessor, Michael Marjama ; justices of the peace, Paul Kuha and John M. Olson; constables, Frederick Sarvi and August Errickson ; road overseer, Wilhelm Grangruth. The first white children born in Runeberg were twins: John and August Kuha, children of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kuha, born on the third day of February, 1882. They are now good, strong, health}- boys, and still live in the township with their parents. The first death among the white settlers, so far as known, occurred in 1885, and was that of Johan Peter, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris. Jacobson. The second death was that of Anna Stina, wife of Siffert Karjala on Dec. 21st, 1885. The first marriage occurred in the year 1889, when Wilhelm Grangruth and Annie Kynsijarvi were united. They are still living on Section 24, and are industrious and well-to-do farmers blessed with a large family and have won the respect of their neighbors, and given proof of what industry, economy and good management will do towards becoming independent. On the 20th day of Februar}-, 1898, the post-office in Runeberg was consumed b}- fire. The post-office was located on the north- west corner of Section 26. Olof Kortuna the postmaster, a man fifty-six years old and a native of Finland, was burned to death at the same time, together with his dog. Rumors were afloat that somebody murdered the postmaster and his dog, and then set fire to the building to cover up the crime, but nothing could be proven and the incident is now among the almost forgotten things of the past. The town of Runeberg at the present time, (1906), has a pop- ulation of 410 and casts a popular vote of 100. Has one church, one cemeterv, four school districts and four schoolhouses ; and 6/6 A Pioneer History of Becker County. two sawmills were running" all the past winter. It has four road districts and fifty-five miles of roads more or less graded. The population are of nearly all nationalities, but the majority are Finlanders. The present town officers are as follows : Supervisors, Peter Army, John Kastren and Andrew Karjala ; town clerk, A. P. Dan- ielson ; treasurer, Carl J. Johnson ; assessor, Olof Junes ; con- stables, Gaston Jacob and T. E. Peterson; justices of the peace, A. P. Danielson and Isaac Keksi ; overseer of roads, Aug. Par- viainen, Erick Koivuniemi, T. E. Peterson and Oscar Anderson. The township is out of debt and is improving the roads every year; more land is being brought under cultivation, and every effort is being made to induce new settlers to come in and help improve the country and make Runeberg their home. The soil in Runeberg is deep clay. Wheat, oats, barley, flax, potatoes, clover and timothy are raised to good advantage, con- sequently stock-raising" is a profitable industry. The village of Menahga is only four miles east of Runeberg where there is a good market for all kinds of farm produce, in- cluding cord-wood and ties. A majority of the farmers are now the owners of cream separators, and are either selling their cream in Menahga or shipping it to the larger cities. Land in Runeberg" is now selling" for fron"i eight to thirty dol- lars per acre, according to improvements. Eber Hought, the historian of Runeberg, was born in Norway in the year 1858, came to the United States in 1878, lived in Otter Tail County four years, then removed to Richwood in Becker County where he was married to Caroline Errickson in 1882. In January, 1883, they went to New York Mills to live, and in 1887 moved to Runeberg, where they have resided ever since. Mr. Hought came to Rune1)erg the same year the township was organized and has always taken a helping hand in the aft'airs of the town, both political and religious, has held several offices of trust, and is the present postmaster of Runeberg. Mr. Hought assisted in organizing the first school district in Runeberg, in the year 1889. Andrew White was the first school director, Eber Hought, the first clerk, Paul Kuha, the first treasurer. The first school teacher in Runeberg was Frank Reeves, who taught a term of five months. Eber Hought. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 677 Chapter XLVIIL THE HISTORY OF GREEN VALLEY. By F. M. Shepard. The author of the history of Green Valley reached Detroit one cold day in November, 1883, stayed over night and the next morning, bright and early, in company with Geo. Harrington, started for Osage with a pack sack weighing fifty pounds, a forty- five-ninety Winchester rifle, five hundred cartridges, a compass, a knife and everything that makes a complete hunter's outfit, F. M. SHEPARD. my intention being to kill a car-load of deer, ship them to St. Paul and return to my native home in Michigan. We arrived in Osage about 9:30 p. m., somewhat the worse for wear, as I had sprained my ankle trying to escape some of the many stumps along the crooked trail from Height of Land to Shell Lake. After eating supper I lay down on my weary cot and closed my eyes, only to see deer jumping over and around me, some even had 6/8 A PioxKKR History of PjEckkk County. wini^s and were sailing through the air. .And 1 with m_\' fort}-- five-ninety blazing away until my fiYe hundred cartridges were nearly e.xhausted. At last I awoke. iuni])ing out of bed. only to find I could stand on but one foot, my ankle being swollen so that it was impossible for me to get on my shoe. HoAvever, after eat- ing breakfast I made a trip out into the country by the aid of an ox team, to Fred Harrington's, liaYing met him, together with his brother George, M. S. Leavitt, Hugh Alexander and Jacob Uaum- gardner in the Dakota harYest fields. After a few days of careful nursing and hot applications of wormwood and Yinegar I was able to take my rifle and start out on luy long anticipated hunt. After hunting six daYS and seeing se\eral dozen deer, shooting at them all (and I think until this day I wounded one). While I didn't find an}- blood, it ran like a deer that had been hit somewhere. Meeting with this success as a hunter and not ha\'ing money enough to return liome, I naturally turned my mind in another direction. About this time the first threshing machine was hauled into Osage and I was em- ]doYed as one of the crew. We mo\-ed onto a thirtY acre field of wheat, this being one of the largest fields west of Osage. We threshed from the thirty acres nine hundred bushels of Xo. i wheat. This turned m_\' mind in still another direction and I commenced to iuYCStigate the soil, as before this I had a Yery poor opinion of the country as far as the productiYC ([ualities of the soil was concerned. I dug up some of the soil and thawetl it out, yet I was not satisfied, but thought that there must be something that I could not see in it, as it looked Yery sandy to me. r>ut by this time, being determined to haYc a home and share m}' lot with the rest of the poor yet warm-hearted people whom 1 found here, by the aid of AI. S. LeaYitt, who told me of the northwest (juarter of Section 12, 'I'ownshi]) 139, Range 36 (now in the town of Green A^'alley) being Yacant. I cruised it o\er and being satisfied it was all right I turned my footsteps toward Detroit (the county seat), arri\ing there in time for sup])er, making tlie trip from Osage to Detroit on foot OYer the rough and crooked trail in fourteen hours, and filed on the aboYe named (|uarter. d'his brings me to my settling in Green A'allcy. I found settled there at that time: J. J. Brewer, on northwest quarter of Section 4 ; Chas. Alexander, on northeast quarter of Section 4 ; Hugh Alexander, on southeast quarter of Section 4 ; A Pionee;r History of Becke;r County. 679 Joe Palmer, on southwest quarter of Section 4 ; Lee Cole, on north- west quarter of Section 2 ; Lou Cole, on southwest quarter of Section 2; D. Adams on northeast quarter of Section 2; M. S. Leavitt, on northeast quarter of Section 14; R. A. Hopkins, on southeast quarter of Section 14 ; Sam. Cole, on northeast quarter of Section 10; C. R. Burch, on southeast quarter of Section 10. There were also a few families of Finlanders in the southern part of the town. Air. J. J. Brewer, who was born in Germany in 1849, "^^'^s the first settler in Green Valley, locating- there June 15, 1882. The first Green \''alley people to get married were Joseph J. Brewer and Angeline Kinney, who were married on the 9th of November, 1882, to whom three children were born. A little later Mr. and Mrs. Sam Cole arrived. Miss Blanche Leavitt was the first girl born in Green Valley. She graduated in the class of 1902 from the Park Rapids High School and after- wards graduated from the St. Cloud State Normal. She is now teach- ing her third year in the Park Rapids High School. Edward Cole was the first boy born in the township and he now resides in the state of W^ashington. The first death on record was that of Mary Hellamer, daughter of Henry and Katarena Mattila, who died on the 17th day of September, 1886. Mr. Truman Thompson, father of Mrs. Sam Cole, was the first adult person to die in Green X'alley. He was born in Wisconsin. He was a blacksmith and shoemaker by trade, had homesteaded near Red Wing and when the Indians broke out he and his family returned to Wisconsin. In 1885 he settled in Green Valley and died there ]\Iay 31. 188S, at the age of 61. The first schoolhouse was built of logs, on the southeast cor- ner of Section 3, without any expense to the district, in fact it was built before the district was organized. The material and labor all being donated by the settlers. Miss Flora McKinley of Osage, daughter of S. S. McKinley was the first teacher. She taught two terms in succession. She was followed by Miss Eugenia Price of ( )sage, who also taught two terms. I might say right here, she is still teaching the author of this article and three children, as we were married on the 15th of September, 1897. As I am writing my mind runs back to many very pleasant as well as some unpleasant and peculiar experiences while holding down mv claim. One was shortly after moving into my cabin. 68o A Pioneer History of Becker County. It was on a dark, foggy morning that I took mv gun and started for a lake about three-quarters of a mile distant, thinking I might get a wild goose for dinner, as I had heard some there the day before. After traveling about what I supposed to be the required distance, I saw an opening in the brush which I took to be the lake, but when coming out to the opening I was somewhat surprised to find a clearing of a few acres and a log cabin. Thinking I had found a new settler whom I had not heard of, I walked boldly up to the door, set my gun down and was about to rap, when I spied a familiar looking lock and further observations brought me to my senses, and I found myself standing at my own cabin door. I never started out after that without the sun or a compass to guide me. I might also relate my experience with a lynx. One evening when coming home from Osage with a sack of flour and a week's provisions on my back, when within half a mile of my cabin, I heard an unmerciful yell which made the woods ring. It also made my hat raise so I could scarcely keep it on my head. I quickened my footsteps as much as possible under the circum- stances, which was not very slow, until I reached mv own door, which was never more welcome. I laid down my burden and Mr. Howard, an old gentleman that stayed with mc, asked what was the matter. When I related to him the circumstance, we listened and we both thought we heard something outside the door. By this time my heart had got down out of my throat and had com- menced its normal beating. I took down my Winchester and stepped outside, when not ten feet from me I could see two balls of fire and hear a hissing noise. I drew up my gun and fired. I then went back into the house took a light and went out to find I had made a very lucky shot, as there lay the monster dead. It was one of largest lynx I have ever seen. These animals v/ere very numerous at that time. There were also some wolves, and bear and deer were very plentiful. This township when fully developed will be one of the leading townships of the county, as it is particularly adapted to stock-rais- ing. The firm of Vanderpoel and Shepard have a farm of five hundred and twenty acres on Section ii that they are stocking with cattle and sheep. IMany other fine farms are to be found there. The author of this article was born in Bainbridge, near Benton Harbor, Mich., July i6, i860. He came to Minnesota in 1883, and resided in Green Valley until 1894, when he moved to Park A Pione;er History of Bkcker County. 68i Rapids and went into the real estate, loan and insurance business with F. A. Vanderpoel, under the firm name of Vanderpoel & Shepard. He was elected judge of probate of Hubbard County in 1900, which office he has held ever since and was reelected in November, 1906. The township was organized on the 3rd of May, 1886, at a town- ship election held at the house of Samuel Cole. The name of the town at first was Hope, but afterwards changed to Green Valley. The first set of township officers were : Chairman of board of supervisors, Frank M. Shepard ; supervisors, Henry Mattila, John Johnson ; township clerk, Joseph J. Brewer ; treasurer, C. R. Burch ; assessor, Peter Vosen ; justices of the peace, Joseph J. Brewer and John Mansikka ; constables, Samuel Cole and August Jacobson. When the petition was first filed with the county auditor it in- cluded all of what is now Green Valley and Runeberg townships. Runeberg was then fairly well settled, but there was not an acre of taxable land in the township, while what is now Wolf Lake Township contained several large tracts of taxable land, chiefly pine. Mr. Wilcox, the county auditor, advised them to change what is now Runeberg for what is now Wolf Lake Township, which had many acres of land which could be taxed and did not have a person living within its borders. The petition was taken back and the change made accordingly. The township as first organized included what is now Green Valley and Wolf Lake. Frank M. Siii-.i'A!;!). 3- \mt'\i:i:k IIistorn- op Bkcker County. Chapter L. HISTORY OF GOOD LAKE TOWNSHIP. By William Lass. The first settler in Toad Lake Township was Herman (Trififnow, who first came into the township on the 30th day of October, 1887, and took a homestead on the northwest quarter of Section 28. He l)uilt a house on this land that fall, which was the first built in the township. Five more settlers came into the town- ship that same fall and took homesteads : John Neske on Section 26, Edward Reitz on Section 26, Chris. Reitz on Section 22, An- toine Pretz and William Worst on Section 28. In the sprino- of 1888 John Detrich Glander, Sr., and Detrich dander, Jr., took homesteads on Section 18, and Henry Glander settled on Section 8 and is now^ living on Section 20. About the same time, August Anderson took a homestead on Section 28. Anderson is a son-in-law of J. D. Glander, Sr., and Mrs. Anderson and her mother, Mrs. Glander, were the first two wdiite women in Toad Lake Township. Li the fall of 1888 Wm. Lass took a home- stead on Section 20 and Charles Hartkop took a homestead near by, and Henry Drewes took a homestead on the northeast quarter of Section 32. About all the government land in the township was taken up during the next few years. The early settlers of Toad Lake Township were nearly all foreigners, a few of them being Swedes, Norwegians and Finlanders, but a large major- ity of them were Germans. There have never been many inci- dents of an exciting character, such as murders, desperate en- counters with wild animals or terrible accidents to record, and as the township has only been settled a few years, and the settlers being of a quiet and peaceable disposition, the history of the townshi]! will conseciuently be brief. Jacob Bakki, who was murdered on Section 19 in the township of Carsonville in the fall of 1898, once owned some land on Section 15 of Toad Lake Township, and lived there for awhile. Toad Lake Township takes its name from Toad Lake, a fine body of water in the northwestern part of the township, but how the lake came by the name I am unable to say. Toad Mountain, a magnificent elevation on Section 8 on the west side of Toad Lake, A PioNKiiR History of Rkckur County. 687 is undoubtedly the highest hill in Becker County. There is no other place in the county where so extensive a view of the sur- rounding country can be obtained as from the summit of Toad Mountain. Toad Lake Township was organized in the month of January, 1892. The first special election was held at the house of Fred Alyers on the 5th day of January. 1892. A list of township officers was made out to be voted for at the annual election, March 8th, when the following officers were elected, being the first to hold office in the township : Chairman of board of supervisors, Henry Drewes ; supervisors, Henry Glander and Frank Oldrig ; township clerk, Hiram Harding ; treasurer, Herman Griffnow ; Hi- ram Harding justice of the peace and Detrich Glander constable. The first people married in Toad Lake Township were Wm. Lass and Frida Schroder, wdio were married on the 9th day of December, 1891. The first birth was that of Anna Lass, daughter of Wm. and Frida Lass, born on the 13th day of October, 1892. The first boy born was John Anderson, son of August Anderson. The first death was that of Frank Oldrig. The first school taught in the township was by Millie Sandborn of Detroit. August Czernetski located on the southwest quarter of Section 26 in October, 1894. Among the early settlers were Carl Al- bricht on the northwest quarter of Section 32, Michael Tess- man on the southwest quarter of Section 32 and Ole Salmonson on Section 13. 688 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Chapter LI. HISTORY OF TWO INLETS. By Charles E. Spencer. On Section 26, in this town, is a hill about two hundred and fifty feet high and a man standing thereon can get a good bird's- eye view of the whole township. As I have stood there viewing the panorama spread out before me, my mind has gone back for ages to the first part of the quar- MRS. ELIZABETH C. KXAPP. CHAS. E. SPENCER. ternary period, when nature was busy preparing this world for the dwelling place of man, and I saw where an ice boulder had been detached from that huge floe that swept our continent from north to south and as it was breaking up, formed a great crevasse, beginning up on the reservation and extending in a southeasterly direction from four to six miles in width, which, later on. formed the Shell River valley and prairies of that name. As this detached iceberg resting on our township gradually melted it left the sur- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 689 face of the land on which it rested broken and rolling", a sort of confused mass of stones, clay and sand, of which we have speci- mens of all varieties. Then, slowly, nature began the work of clothing in green, which went on until some of the finest forests of pine in Minnesota stood where desolation reigned supreme. Father Hennepin crossed this township while returning from his exploration of the head waters of the Mississippi ; part of his trail is still in existence and is known as the Itasca Trail. To him belongs the honor of being the first white man to enter our town- ship. On April fifteenth, 1881, Elizabeth C. Knapp, a widow, with a family, decided that this would make a good home for her and her little ones, and she homesteaded the southeast quarter of Section 30. Shortly after making settlement on her claim, Mrs. Knapp had the misfortune to break a leg, which, coupled with pioneer hardships, made her bed not one of roses, but perseverance and grit enabled her to surmount all obstacles, and she is now living in Pa:rk Rapids enjoying life, though not in the best of health. Mrs. Knapp's pioneer life and hardships were greatly mitigat- ed by her son, a lad of thirteen, who had kept the larder well stocked with venison and bear meat, which was found in abun- dance, w^hile ducks and pheasants and rabbits were too numerous to mention, and could be found almost at the door. Pioneer life is always a repetition of itself, joys and hardships S.O mingled as to make life a continuous succession of excitements which dispel the gloom of solitude, and buoy up the mind with an exhilaration known only to those who have lived on the fron- tier and entered into the strenuous struggle for existence there. Widow Knapp, our pioneer settler, drank her cup and mur- mured not, happy now in her old age to think she won the fight, and is honored by all who know her. ]\Irs. Knapp was followed in a few months by John Sheel, Kelly Lewis and Sam Orran. Mr. Lewis is the only one of the pioneers still here. For a number of years the southwest corner of the town was the only part settled. The next settlement formed was in the southeast, headed by M. W. Vanderwater and P. S. Dorsey, both of whom have had much to do with public aft'airs in Becker County. This settlement was later added to by the writer and others, until today there is but little vacant land left in this corner. 690 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Settlement in the north side of the town was headed by the Bitt- man Brotliers, who were soon followed by Max Eischens and others. To-day there is a flourishing' settlement of Germans there, wdio are fast improving the country and building for them- selves good homes. There is still quite a strip of land in the cen- ter of the town unsettled, wdiich is well adapted to diversified farming. There once stood in the township close to fifty million feet of pine which has mostly been cut and driven to the big saw- mills. The soil is good and a settler here to-day can find vacant land containing" natural meadow and timl)er for building purposes, the question of fuel being too remote to consider. There are two mills in active operation here. One owned by Mr. Eischens, in the north side, who cuts lumber, lath and shin- gles, also does a general flouring business, having good water- power. The other is a general sawmill, owned and operated by the writer on the south side of the town. We have several fine lakes. The largest is Two Inlets, from which the town derives its name. One called Hungry Man's Lake in the northeast cor- ner, took its name through the misfortune of an old man, one of the early settlers — a Mr. Christian, who got lost in the woods and wandered for two days and nights and was found by an Indian on its shores. The first white child born was Mary E. Sheel, born Sept. loth, 1882. I do not know where she is now. The first male child born was Thomas Christian, born Dec. 24th, 1894, now living in Canada. Al. Farr and Bell Knapp were the first couple married. Mr. Farr was killed by a threshing machme in 1899. The first schoolhouse was built of logs about 1890, and the first term of school was taught by Sam Dazell. A\'e now have three fully equipped, modern schoolhouses in the town, which are all in one school district. No. 67. Our organization as a township was completed in 1898. The first town ofiicers were : Supervisors : Henry Bittman, chairman ; W. T. Devereaux. IJarney IHttman : and town clerk, A. K. Lewis. Politics at that time were somewhat exciting here ; it was al- most a solid demo-populist town, the writer casting the only re- publican vote in the township for the first five years of his resi- dence therein. A Pioneer History oi" Becker County. 691 A\^e are now al)out ec|ually divided between republicans and democrats with an occasional populist. This township has been the home of three old soldiers : John O'Neil, a member of the present town board ; B. H. Cool, who still lives here, and Louis Fuss, who occupies "a little green tent, whose curtain never outward swings," dying soon after taking his claim — the first death in the town. This ends the story of our existence as a commonwealth. Many circumstances coulcl have been better — more could have been worse, but taking it altogether, I am glad I came here, and there is still roum for man}- more, who will receive a hearty wel- come. 692 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Chapter LII. THE HISTORY OF SAVANNAH. By Penn. ay. Martin. As a political organization, Town 142, Range 36, began to breathe conjointly with Town 141 of the same range, on the 20th day of September, 1898. The whole was called Two Inlets, on account of the fine lake within its boundaries having two inlets. In the spring of 1901, A. T. Brennig, George Schmit, Fred Im- hofif, C. E. Smith, P. W. Martin. Henry Kalthoff, Mike Dirkes, PENN. W. MARTIN. Peter Dirkes, Andrew Gangl. Herman Schubert, Joseph Kruse, George Lang, M. J. Smith, W. F. Kelsey, George Kelsey, A. C. Burlingame, Peter Moos, Frank Pfeifer, Edward Pfetse, August Dickmann, Chas. Bollenbaugh, E. N. Youmans and M. D. Mc- Nulty prepared a petition, which, after some alterations and cor- rections, was presented to the board of county commissioners re- questing that the Siamese arrangement of Towns 141 and 142 be discontinued, and that Town 142, Range 36 be detached and set up in business for itself A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 693 On September 26th, 190 1, the commissioners took final action upon the petition making of the congressional Town 142, Range 36, the organized town of Savannah and ordered notices posted calling for the first election of "said town to be held upon the 12th day of the succeeding October at the residence of Peter Dirkes." The first officers were : Chairman of supervisors, Peter Dir- kes ; supervisors, C. E. Smith and Willard Worden ; clerk, Henry Kalthofif; treasurer, Mike Dirkes; justices of the peace, C. E. Smith and P. W. Alartin ; constables Henry Schubert and Lon. Burlingame. On March 22nd, 1902, School District No. 91 was organized, comprising the whole town, and a few months later school be- gan in a frame schoolhouse with Town Clerk Henry Kalthoff as teacher. Mr. Kalthoff came to this town with the Stearns County contingent. He had taught in that county some time and is now in Canada where he and two sons own land. Two more school- houses have been built and a fourth will be required in a short time. Long before all this, however, residences were established here by John Dines and one Mclntyre. They came from Canada and each located on a fine pine claim, proving up in six months or so and very soon thereafter returning to their native land. At least so tradition runs. Not one of the present settlers ever saw them, and as a settled community they made no impression upon the town. Ten years later came Dickmann, the first bona fide settler in the town. John August Diekmann was born in Aldenburg. Germany, soon after the middle of the 19th century, and has not yet for- gotten the German tongue. He lived for a time in Stearns County, Minnesota, and in the fall of 1895 he came to Park Rapids and from there to Mr. Bittman's in Two Inlets. He took a great fancy to this section of country because of the fine hunting and fishing, and finally concluded to buy some tracts of meadow land and make a home here. During the summer of '96 two families settled in the woods at the south angle of Boot Lake and began the erection of homes. Herman Lashwoski and Louis Strouve worked hard and skillfully, but gave up the struggle and with their families and some chattels moved away in the fall or winter succeeding. Mr. Diekmann bought the improvements of these gentlemen on Section 32, and somewhat later filed on one of the claims and established a very pleasant home there. Bachelor 2 « ) A Pioneer History of Becker County. 695 that he is, he has no notion of abandoning his "Cottage b}' Boot Lake." Between the advent of "August," as Mr. Diekmann is commonly cahed, and the arrival of Lashwoski, came the writer with a crew of men, and a claim shanty was erected on a homestead adjoining Mr. Diekmann's tracts, which also consisted mostly of meadow land, made in an early day by the backwater from the dams of the beavers. There are still other meadows on Beaver Creek and elsewhere in the town, and it was these beautifully grassy reaches that furnished the suggestion for a name for the town which should have been spelled "Savanna" instead of like the city in Georgia. It must not be inferred from the foregoing that this is a low country, mostly meadow and swamp. There are numerous swamps of spruce and tamarack, Imt there are also some long ridges and high hills and po])lar flats. Almost every species of wood or shrub known to the Minne- sota flora is found here, including the three cranberries, blueberry, trailing myrtle and arbutus, on up through the various deciduous trees to the stately white pine and beautiful yellow Norway. Leaving out of account the millions of "Jack" or black pine there were perhaps originally in the town, five or ten millions of white pine and twenty or thirty millions of Norway pine. Nearly four luillion feet were cut last winter. The timber being a fair indication of the soil, you will see that we have a great variety. The timber attracted some young men to the neighborhood and at irregular intervals during the nineties, claims were located and built upon by John ( )'Neil, Frank Pfeifer, A. T. Brennig, Messrs. Mansfield, Youmans, Lievi, Johnson and others. At the dawn of the twentieth century the town received an infusion of new blood. The Iowa colony in 1894 with C. E. Smith as patriarch, took possession of a large amount of land in the Boot Lake region. The Gaylords settled among them in 1901. The center of the town was settled by a number of German Americans from Stearns County, and the Wisconsin group settled to the east with Mr. Worden from South Dakota. A few parcels of land had been bought outright, but without exception the settlers are living upon government homesteads. Three forces operated to lead trails to this direction at a very early period — the late seventies — the cranberries, the fish and game and the timber. The very earliest paths seemed to have been 696 A Pioneer History of Becker County. located by Indians. During the early eighties hunters from Osage and Linnell, worked roads in here from the south and west. The Moores, Witters and Stevens called it the Boot Lake country. Still others Long Lake. Roads were pushed further in during the early nineties by settlers from the south looking for ha}' privi- leges. It was while cruising for hay with C. W. Martin of Arago, Hubbard County, in 1895, that the writer's present homestead was discovered. Ten years have witnessed a change from a desolate wilderness to a fairly populous township, having two post-offices. Mrs. C. E. Smith was our first postmistress and she opened the Savannah post-office to the public at her home on the west shore of Boot Lake, September, 1902. In 1904 a post-office was estab- lished in the north central part of the town, John Schmit being postmaster. He also has a stock of groceries and settlers' sup- plies. Wild Animals. Stories of adventure do not come readily to my pen. A buffalo head was found in the creek by Mr. Schubert this spring. Some years ago Mr. Deikmann shot a swan. IMoose and the like are not so plentiful now as formerly, but we believe we are the on- ly folk who boast of beaver, and this involves a technicality ; there are some beaver on the Itasca State Park, and four sections of the Park are within the boundaries of our township. We have bears too. One Sunday morning a youth went out into the woods to avoid distraction until he could con his catechism lesson. For comfort he climbed a tree, and sat in the fork thereof. While thus engaged he was startled by a peculiar noise at the foot of the tree. It was nothing but a bear standing on his rear pins trying to make out what the boy was reading. Finally Bruin gave up, but the boy showed fight. At any rate the boy's hair bristled up. A picture is inserted to take the place of our hunting story. Also our best fishing story will have to be told by P. O. Stevens as he got the nets. Topographically we are if anything higher than Height of Land, being a part of the thirteenth or Itasca Moraine, and nearly 1,600 feet above sea level. C. E. Smith was born in Washington County, New York, May 1 8th, 1843. When twelve years of age he with his parents moved < ^ „ ^ 698 A Pioneer History of Bkckkr CorxTv. to Kankakee, 111. On June nth. 1861, he enlisted in the 42nd Illinois Volunteers and served durini;- the war. He was for five months in Andersonville prison where he was eruelh- treated. He came to Savannah in 1889. There is somethin^^" that the word sadness does not express, but that rather borders on the tragic, in settlino- up a new C(juntrv. Come to stern and rock-bound Xew England with our fore- fathers, where at Plymouth, one-half of them were buried the first winter. Come to Ohio and find Ridpath dedicating- his universal history "to my father and mother, who upon the rough borders of civiliza- tion toiled." Come to Savannah with the Stearns County Germans, and weep with them over the remains of their children, wdio w'ere carried ofi: 1j\ diphtheria the first summer. We cannot begin to tell the hardships the people endured. For- tunately we are now too busy to repine over these things, and the prospects before are bright — even cheery. The Lost Children. It was the 4th of June. 1904, in the afternoon, that Annie Haider, nine years old, and her aunt, Lena Haider, aged thirteen, started for the cows. The girls with their folks lived on Section 10 in a very sparsely settled portion of the town. At no great distance on either side are dense swamps of tamarack, balsam and spruce. By the time they found the cows they were turned half way round by the compass. The cows were not turned round, and re- fused to go in the dn-ection the girls were trying to drive them. At last they gave up and set out for home as they thought. At four o'clock Annie's father heard of the errand the girls had gone on and set out at once to find the girls and cows. He found the cows. Becoming alarmed, he and six near neighbors Ijegan a search which they kept up past midnight, when they returned to the home of Andrew Haider, Lena's father. Annie's mother had but a few weeks before been laid in the grave and now she and her aunt were expected to have been de- voured by wolves in the mid-swami). And thus were the relatives tortured till the morrow. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 699 Early next morning' twenty men renewed the search. After beating along up the west side of the park, the teacher, Mr. Gay- lord, went to the West Savannah settlement and recruited ten more volunteers for the hunt; all the men he saw — each man pro- viding himself with a rifle, lantern and lunch. Just as the recruits arrived at the place to begin the search the children had been found. Now to follow the children. Being afraid of Indians and Phil- istines they carefully avoided old shacks and even trails and struck for the deepest part of the forest. Fortunately, they had a hatchet with them and they thoughtfully marked a tree here and there, to be noticed later by the rescuers. They also agreed to answer no calls except their own names. Shoirtly before nightfall a cold rain set in, which did not stop until daybreak. About this time the fugitives selected a large spruce with spreading branches and climbed up several branches and made themselves as comfortable as possible and remained till the Sabbath dawned. Their guardian angel sent two night-birds to the old spruce and their songs somewhat softened the dreariness of those hours. Annie, by putting her head in Aunt Lena's arms, slept a while, but poor Lena kept sleepless vigil till morning. They again began wandering around in quest of home. At noon they were heard by John Gangl, Michael Gartner and Jerry Breitback. They were on the west shore of Lake Itasca, eight miles from home. The children were bewildered and afraid, but when they recognized their neighbors, vou can imagine their relief. And how they made away with that lunch. Then a tramp of six miles to the nearest house. Here a rest and refreshment gave strength to finish the journey, and at four o'clock, tired and wet and almost divested of clothing, they were folded to the hearts of relatives and play- mates who had gathered to receive them. A volley from the rifles brought in the rest of the party, who as they came troop- ing out of the woods, presented the appearance of a small army, and it was an army of friends. Penn. W. Martin. 700 A Pioneer History oe Becker County, Chapter LIII. ORGANIZATION OF WHITE EARTH TOWNSHIP. The first town election in the town of White Earth was held in the village of White Earth, March 30th. 1906, and the following officers elected: Town clerk, R. G. Beanlieu ; treasurer, B. S. Fair- banks ; assessor, R. P. Fairbanks ; supervisors, G. A. Morrison, Tru- man Beaulieu and Frank Warren ; justices, George Fox and John Heisler ; road overseer, Allan J\Iorrison. Yours Truly, R. G. Beaulieu. ORGANIZATION OF CALLAWAY TOWNSHIP. The first township officers of Callaway Township are as follows : Geo. Bellefeuille, John Rodgers, and R. A. Preston, supervisors ; J. P. Ernster, clerk ; John Ernster, treasurer ; X. A. Granquist, justice of the peace ; Donald McDougall and Chas. Uran, constables. The first school board of Callaway school district No. 96: N. A. Granquist, clerk; John Ernster, treasurer; J. T. Porter, director. First postmaster of Callaway, j. T. Porter. First baby born in Callaway, Florence Granquist, January 4th. 1905. First build- ing built by N. A. Granquist for the Bovy-Schute Lumber Co. in July, 1904. The first township election was held in J. Ernster's building in the village of Callaway on the 30th of ^larch, 1906. J. P. Ern?.ter, Clerk. A PioNEElR History of Be;cker County. 701 Chapter LIV. THE MAPLE, THE OAK AND THE PINE. What I am going- to say about some of the different species of timber growing in Becker County will not be new and probably will not be very interesting to people now living, but I am not writing for this generation alone, but for the future as well, and perhaps the history of the maple and the oak and the pine and the many ways in which they were utilized and an account of what has become of them, will be of some interest to people who may read this article fifty or a hundred years hence. Everybody in Becker County knows the sugar-making quali- ties of the maple family. The box-elder is very prolific in the pro- duction of sap. While it is not a maple it belongs to the same natural order or family, and yields large quantities of sugar when of sufficient size. Maple River in North Dakota, is so called not from the maple but from the box-elder that grows in abundance along its banks. Alexander Henry, the fur trader, at his camp on the Red River says in his journal, March nth, 1801: "The bastard maple, or box-elder, is beginning to run. The sap yields a fine white sugar, but it is not so sweet as the real maple sap and it requires more to make the same quantity of sugar.'' The soft maple and the yellow birch are also good sap producers, but they are both too small and too scarce in Becker County to be serviceable. The so called wintergreen essence is made mostly from the twigs of the yellow and black birch. The white birch also produces sap in abundance, suitable for making molasses. When Becker County was first settled there was considerable hard maple distributed throughout the timbered portions of the county. It would not compare favorably with the maple in south- ern Minnesota or in the states farther east, but in Cormorant, Lake Eunice, Lake View, Burlington, Erie, Holmesville, Rich- wood, Detroit, the south part of Audubon and of Lake Park there was considerable maple of a fair quality. It was also quite plentiful on the White Earth Reservation and grew in some of the eastern towns in small amount. The hard maple, however, has been fast disappearing for a long time owing to the high price of that 702 A Pioneer History of Becker County. kind of wood, and from present indications there will be none left to tell the tale in a few more years, except small trees and brush. ^lost people of the present generation know how the maple sugar is made, but the time will come when it will be a matter of history or tradition, and it is as good a time now as ever to get it into history. The white man had two ways of tapping maple trees, one of which was to chop a notch in the tree and drive a circular spout under the notch into a hole made with a circular steel gouge, which carried the sap to a wooden trough or bucket. Another method was to bore two or three holes, and drive in round hollow spouts and hang a bucket or a pail on one of these spouts to catch the sap. The sap was then taken to the boiling camp in two pails, suspended from a neck-yoke carried on a man's shoulders. Then the sap was boiled down in kettles or sheet iron pans to either sugar or molasses, and in this county it was generally made into molasses by the whites. In New York, fifty years ago, the maple trees would average about two pounds of sugar in a season, but in Becker County it is doubtful if ever more than half that amount could be produced, as the sugar season is much shorter and the trees are smaller. It takes about fifteen pails full of sap to make a pound of sugar. After the sap has been boiled to molasses the further process of making it into sugar is simple. All that is necessary is to keep on boiling until the water is all Ijoiled out, when it will begin to grain when allowed to cool. After the water is all evaporated, there is danger of burning the sugar, so it should be taken from the fire at once as it will become very hot, the same as lard. Before finishing the batch it can be cleansed and made whiter by breaking an egg into the syrup, or putting in half a pint of sweet milk. This causes the dirt impurities to rise to the top in a thick scum which can be easily skimmed off. The usual method of ascertaining when the syrup was sufficiently boiled down for molasses was to dip some of the liquid up with a long handled dipper, then pour it back into the kettle and if the last drops would run together and accumulate in a mass, as they dropped from the edge of the dipper instead of falling in separate drops, it was said to be "syruped down," and was then taken out of the kettle, strained and stored away until suf^cient quantity was accumulated from several days' boilings for the final process of sugaring off. It was then thick enough to keep it from souring. When a sufficient quantity had been accumulated to fill the kettle about one-third A Pioneer History of Becker County. 703 full, it was all poured back into the kettle and boiled over a slow fire. In order to ascertain when all the water was boiled out of the sugar, a slender sprout or branch was usually cut from a willow or an elm, an open knot tied in the small end of the sprout making a loop about an inch in diameter. The loop end of the sprout was then dipped into the syrup and when taken out if a film remained, stretched across, filling the loop, like soap suds in an old fashioned clay pipe, when making soap bubbles, the water was all boiled out and the syrup was ready to harden as soon as cooled off. Stirring the syrup with a paddle gives it a finer grain. The In- dians formerly made considerable sugar in this county. They notched the trees the same as the white man, and caught the sap in pans made of birch bark that would hold about a gallon apiece. After gathering the sap from the trees, they stored it away at the boiling camp in a long trough made by cutting the interior out of a large basswood log. The white man always selected the largest and the soundest tree he could find, but a big hollow tree was always selected by the Indian as it took less work to dig it out. The holes at the hollow ends of the trough were plugged up with wooden blocks and pine pitch. Some of these troughs would hold several barrels of sap. The Indians always boil their sap in kettles. In boiling sap it is liable to foam and boil over occasionally in which case the white man was accustomed to throw in a small piece of fat pork. The Indian instead of throwing in pork would generally throw in fish or a skinned muskrat, which answered the double purpose of checking the overflow of the sap and cooking the fish or the rat at the same time. Indian sugar camps were formerly quite numerous in the southern and central sections of the county, but they are now a thing of the past, outside the reservation. The bur oak was originally very abundant in Becker County particularly in the southern and central parts, and nearly all the timber in the prairie groves in the western towns was bur oak. In the belt of timber stretching through Richwood, Detroit. Lake View, Lake Eunice, Cormorant and the south part of Lake Park and Audubon the oak was the principal timber and the most of it was of a very good quality. In passing from the west to the east, the entire breadth of the county, the oak becomes less and less in quantity until reaching the eastern tier of towns where there was but little to be found. 704 A PioxKiiR IIisToRv OF Bkcker County. Tliere was a i^reat demand fur Dak for liiml)cr, tindicr. fencini;', railroad ties and fuel from the time the Xorthern Pacific Rail- road was bnilt until the present time, and there is now l)ut little left. In the neighborhood of a million railroad ties have been made in liecker County and used on the Xorthern Pacific in the last thirty-three years. There was originally about one hundred and twenty-five million feet of oak timber in the county suitable for huuber. This is nearly all gone except what is on the A\diite Earth Reservation amounting to something like tw-enty-five mil- lion feet. In addition to the above ties and lumber about three hundred thousand cords of oak wood have been cut, two-thirds of which was used by the Northen Pacific Company or shipped to the prairie regions of Dakota. The bur oak is a tree peculiar to the Northwest : it being very rare in the eastern and southern states. Of the nineteen different species of oak found in the northern states onlv three are found in Pecker County. The l)ur oak, the red or scarlet oak and the white oak. The latter is very scarce and like the yellow birch and the soft maple and the black cherry is more abuntlant in the southern part of the county than farther north, but all four of them are more plentiful and grow larger as you proceed south from Becker County. In 1870 there were some fine tracts of pine tind^er in the east- ern and central portions of Becker County. Nothing can excel the beauty and grandeur of a pine forest in a state of nature and some of the pine groves of Becker County would compare favor- ably with any in the state. There was a hundred and sixty acre tract in Section 13, Township of Height of Land from which four million eight hundred thousand feet of pine were cut. It was a beautiful sight wdien standing. It was about half white pine and half Norway. The trees were tall, straight and large withcnit any underbrush or fallen timber. The grove of pine west of the Otter Tail River in Erie was a magnificent grove although many of the trees were unsound. There were about six million feet in this grove on about six hundred and forty acres, all white pine. About half of it was cut by George B. Wright in the winter of 1874-5 and floated down the Otter Tail River to Fergus Falls. Wright had taken seven forties of land in this grove with Sioux half-breed script, before it was surveved. AA'right also cut the best of the timber on Sec- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 705 tions 13, 24 and 25 in the town of Height of Land, x^lso the best of the timber on Sections 18 and 19 in Toad Lake and floated it down Toad River and the ( )tter Tail to Fergus Falls in 1875, 1876 and 1877. N. P. Clark of St. Cloud afterwards cut the best of what was left in the vicinity of Toad River and floated the logs down Toad River and the Red River to Winnipeg, Afanitoba. This was about 1 88 1 -2-3. At one time there were thirteen logging dams on Toad River. A. H. Wilcox and R. L. Frazee cut nearly all the pine on the waters of the Otter Tail, south of the reservation that George B. Wright had not cut. The Commonwealth Lum- ber Company cut and hauled to the Otter Tail about thirty million feet of logs from the waters of the Shell River and from the coun- try away east of the Toad River. Some of them were hauled as far as sixteen miles. The pine in Plolmesville nearly all went down the Buffalo River to Richwood and a few hundred thousand feet went there from the western part of Grand Park. The larg- est part of the pine on the waters of the Shell and Straight Rivers was cut by Weyerhauser and others and run down the Crow Wing River to Little Falls and iNIinneapolis, while the pine in Savannah and Two Inlets went down the Fish Hook River to Park Rapids and points lower down. I think that the farthest west that any pine grew- to any size in Becker County and probably in the state of Minnesota was in the township of Detroit. A small clump of five or six white pine trees stood near the center on Section 36, and were cut by Furber and Baldwin along about 1883 or 1884, and sawed up at their portable mill. This little group of pine trees was plainly visible from some parts of the village. One of the trees was three feet in diameter, another about two feet, wdiile the others were smaller. I think there was a big pine tree and a small one on the east shore of Rice Lake on Section 14, of Detroit, in an early day. There were also two large pine trees in the northeast part of the township, on Section 11, and these undoubtedly grew the farthest west of all. I passed close to these two trees in 1871 and they were plainly visible from the west side of Floyd Lake. The following list will give approximate!}' the amount of white and Xorwa}' pine growing in Becker Countv before anv of it was cut. In the eastern tier of townships and in Carsonville it 7o6 A PioNEE^R History op Be;cke;r County, was mostly Norway, but west of these the white pine predomi- nated : Feet. Feet Detroit 5,000 Green Valley 12,000,000 Burlington 3,000,000 Osage 10,000,000 Erie 8,000,000 Two Inlets 45,000,000 Holmesville 5,000,000 Savannah 35.000,000 Grand Park 12,000,000 T. 141. R. 37 15.000000 Height of Land 15,000,000 " " " 38 20,000,000 Silver Leaf 5,000,000 " " " 39 20,000,000 Evergreen 5,000,000 " " " 40 5,000,000 Toad Lake 7,000,000 T. 142. R. 40 20,000,000 Shell Lake 15,000,000 " " " 39 30,000,000 Carsonville 35,000,000 " " " 38 70,000,000 Wolf Lake 25,000,000 " " " 37 80,000,000 Spruce Grove 2,000,000 Runeberg 3,000,000 Total 502,005,000 It took just about one and one-half million trees of average size to make this amount of lumber. One object in writing" this article is to show up Becker County as it was in the beginning; to present it to the present and the coming generations as it appeared in a state of nature. Already several of its former inhabitants, members of the animal kingdom have disappeared forever. Among the winged fraternity we may mention the wild pigeon, and of the quadrupeds, the elk, the ante- lope, the buffalo and the panther. Other species such as the deer, the moose, the bear, and the wolf are following in the same path, to the same destiny ; and with them the white pine and the Norway, the two species that for magnificence, nobility and utility stood at the head of the list of Becker County forest trees, are destined to share the same fate. The county has been settled only thirty-five years and yet you can hardly find a white pine or a Norway of respectable dimen- sions outside of the reservation in the whole county. Even now the young pines are being cut as fast as they are large enough to make lath or shingles and before they are old enough to reproduce their own species. In fifty years a pine stump will be a curiosity as that is about the life time of a white pine stump. With the pine will go the logging industry and all its different belongings, in- cluding the big logging sleds, broad-gauge logging roads, the log drive, the boom, the sawmill and the lumber Jack. In a few A Pioneer History of Becker County. 707 years all these things will belong to the past and it is for future generations that I now write. Before beginning logging operations for the winter, the first thing was to put up hay of which the natural meadows furnish an abundance, and all it cost was the making and the stacking and hauling it to the camp. The next thing was to build a camp ; they were usually built of logs and covered with earth, when used for the men, as no roof will keep a building as warm as a good covering of that material. The stables were usually covered by building haystacks on top of them. There was always a cook- room in the camp, a sleeping room or two. a warehouse and gen- erally a blacksmith shop. A good cellar was always made under the cook-room and generally kept well stored with vegetables. The camp was usually built near a spring, but in the absence of a spring one or more wells was a necessity. There were usually froni twenty-five to one hundred men in one of these camps. The next move was to locate and grade the roads for the winter's work. The main road to the landing where the logs were to be hauled must be located with care. It must not be too crooked or the grades too steep. They never expect to climb a grade steeper than five feet in a hundred if they can avoid it, although they frequently go down hills that are alarmingly steep by putting spruce brush or hay or coarse stable manure in the ruts. I have always looked for some serious accident in going down these steep hills with heavy loads but never knew one to happen. These roads are generally built twenty-five feet wide. The stumps should all be dug out, the sur- face of the ground ploughed down smooth and uniform and ruts made for both runners of an uniform width apart, generally seven or eight feet to correspond with the width of the sleds. These ruts are usually dug six or eight inches deep, the whole length of the logging roads, and are then sprinkled with water at intervals of two or three days. This sprinkling is usually done at night when the roads are not used, by means of a big box tank holding from fifteen to twenty barrels of water mounted on a pair of log- ging sleds and hauled over the road. The water freezes to the ruts of course and in a short time they are built up on each side with ice and soon become hard and glary. A load can be hauled twice as heavy as on an ordinary snow road. Each set of sleds is made with four runners of immense size. The runners are cut 7o8 A Pioneer History of Becker County. out of oak plank eight feet long, fourteen inches wide and four inches thick and are strengthened with iron plates and are held in place by beams or bunks of oak from fourteen to sixteen feet long and never less than a foot square. The ends of these bunks protrude four feet beyond the runners which are usually eight feet apart thus giving the sled a breadth of from fourteen to sixteen feet. The sled runners are of course kept well shod with steel shoes. These main roads have branches running all through the woods where the logs are cut. After the logs are cut they are rolled up onto skidways of from one hundred to three hundred logs in a skidway. These skidways are usual!}- made alongside the road in places where the ground is more or less sloping towards the road, thus giving a downhill roll towards the sled when they are being loaded. They are also made wdiere the road has somewdiat of a downhill grade, so that the load will have a slight downhill start when it is ready to go. These loads are usually hauled with four horses, although sometimes, when there is no uphill grade, only two are used. Now here is where the marvelous in the logging business comes in. It is almost incredible what loads can be hauled on these big sleds over an ice road. The first tier of logs is always rolled onto the sled by hand, but the balance of the load is rolled up with horses, sometimes with one but usually with two. They always pull on the side of the sled opposite the skidway, a long rope called a parbuckle is used, which is thrown back over the load and passed under the log to be rolled up and hooked to some log in the load by means of a swamp hook with a sharp steel point fastened to the end of the parbuckle. The other end of the rope is then hooked to the team and the log rolled up onto the sled. The outside logs in the bottom of the load are chained to the four corners or the ends of the two bunks with great heavy chains and fastened with a key that can be readily knocked out when ready to unload at the river landing. The load is also bound by wrapping chains around the load fore and aft when built up six or seven feet above the sled. Above that the logs are rolled up to a peak as long as there is room for one to stay on the load. The top log is called a white cap. In this way from sixty to one hundred and fifty logs are loaded onto one sled. The logs usually average about one hun- 7IO A PioNKER History of Be;cki<;r County. dred feet to a log, so that a common load contains about eight thousand to twelve thousand feet when sawed into lumber. They look like young mountains moving through the woods. The load in the picture, however, is a scjuare load. When spring comes the logs must be floated to the mill. If they are landed on a river, and there are no lakes to go through, all there is to be done is to keep the channel open so that the logs can pass through with the current of the stream. The logs, how- ever, are bound to gorge and form a jam at narrow and shallow places. Here is where the science and skill of the lumber Jack come in play. It always takes a good man to break a jam and generally it takes three or four, and it is always a dangerous busi- ness. A passage is finally opened up through the jam while other jams form below, which in their turn have a passage opened through them much narrower than the natural breadth of the stream and consequently the depth of the water is corresponding- ly increased. In this way the river is finally winged up with logs for miles at a stretch after which the passage of the logs is but seldom interrupted. The rear of the drive is being continually worked ofif, and the logs sent on ahead through this narrowed up channel. Frequently the logs in these big gorges or jams are piled up many*feet higher than the water, and when the rear of the drive reaches the big jam the science of the lumber Jack is again brought into requisition. These gorges of logs are usually worked off by blocking the channel of the river w^ith logs lower down, and making another jam or dam which soon raises the water sufficient- ly to float off the logs in the old jam at the rear. Perhaps the logs in the new jam will have to be floated off in the same way, and the process may have to be repeated by continually making jams with the logs to float off the old ones until the logs are land- ed in the mill-pond. If the logs are landed in a lake or if they pass through lakes they will have to be boomed. The logs are always unloaded from the sleds onto the ice as compactly as possible. They are then surrounded with boom sticks which are nothing more nor less than whole pine trees fifty or sixty feet in length. The ends are then chained together with short chains the links of which are made of iron five-eighths of an inch in diameter. The chains are inserted through a hole bored through the ends of the boom sticks with a three inch ausfer. There is a "T" at each end of these chains A Pioneer History of Becker County. 711 which are plugged into these holes with wooden plugs, good and tight. Some of the booms of the Nichols Chisolm Lumber Com- pany cover a surface of one hundred and sixty acres in extent. Accompanying each log drive is a wanagan or houseboat thirtv or forty feet long and from six to ten feet wide on which is carried the camp outfit and the provisions. The wanagan is generally kept in the rear of the drive and is used exclusively as a store- house and a kitchen. The men sleep in camps on shore and eat outside, sometimes around a temporary table and sometimes sit- ting around a big fire. The Nichols Chisolm Lumber Company pull their booms across Height of Land Lake with a small steam- boat. I used to pull mine across by means of a windlass stationed on a big raft twenty-five feet in diameter connected with an anchor by a cable one thousand feet long. The anchor with the cable attached was sent on ahead in a boat and at the full length of the cable the anchor was thrown out into the lake, when by means of the windlass, the cable would be wound up and the boom drawn up to the anchor. This was comparatively easy wdien there was no wind, but it only took a slight head-wind to hold back a boom of that dimension, sometimes for several days at a time. AAHien these logs arrive at the sawmill they are sawn up at the rate of two hundred and fifty thousand feet or more in twenty hours. A lumber Jack is a man who works in the lumber woods in the winter, on the log drives in the spring and in the sawmills in the summer and fall. They are a strong, good-natured set of men, generally good workers and a valuable class of men for the lum- bermen. They are generally sent to the lumber camps in October and November and remain all winter and come down with the logs in the spring. Although they are shut off from the outside world, the lumber camp is a little world by itself. While the work is hard and the weather sometimes severe there is an excitement about the work that relieves the severity and the monotony to a great extent, and the days, weeks and months swiftly and pleasantly pass away, and when the spring comes and the winter's work is brought to a close, it brings many a feeling of regret at being obliged to leave their comfortable winter quarters which have been their home for so many months. There is an excitement connected with the felling of the huge pine trees, cutting them into logs and rolling 712 A PioxEKR History of Becke;r County. them high on the skidways, loading them on the monstrous sleds and then watching the little mountains of logs as thev start on their icy road to the river or lake, that is fascinating in the ex- treme and goes a long way towards relieving the monotony of a long, cold winter. A favorite diversion is to play tricks or pranks on one another ; particularly on some tenderfoot who happens to be a little green by nature, or on some unsuspecting redskin. Some- times they will send a newcomer to a neighboring camp to bor- row a bean hole. \Mien once there they will tell him that they have none, but if he will go on to the next camp a few miles far- ther he will be sure to get one, and probably he will be kept going all day from one camp to another before he discovers the joke. Sometimes they send him to borrow a round turn which is the name of a circular road cut out in the thick underljrush or timber where they can turn a pair of big logging sleds around. A bean hole is a hole dug in the ground and used for baking beans. At a lumber camp where I was once staying over Sunday, an Indian came with an ax that he wanted ground. The men told him all right the}' would grind the ax if he would turn the grind- stone. They moved the grind stone up to the stove, built a big fire antl the grinding began about ten o'clock in the morning. They kept the poor Indian turning until two o'clock in the after- noon, during which time six or eight different white men had taken turns grinding the ax. The stove was kept hot, the Indian per- spired until the sweat dropped off the corners of his breech-cloth and the ax was ground away until nearly ruined. The poor fellow never saw through the joke. On the log drive, however, is where the courage, endurance and skill of the lumber Jack is put to the test. I have been around the world considerable and have worked a little at nearly every- thing myself, but I think the severest test of physical endurance and manhood and pluck, war only excepted, is the log drive. Working from daylight to dark, much of the time up to the middle in ice cold water, never stopping for rain or storm, con- tinually breaking log jams or floating stranded logs from the rear, many of which have to be carried or sacked by the main strength of eight or ten men to the deep water and many a time not even having a chance to dry the wet clothes at night ; if all this is not a thorough test of a man's strength, tenacity and endurance, I would like to know where or in what occupation you will find it. When A Pioneb;r History of Beckkr County. 713 the log drive is over and the logs landed safely in the mill pond and the log drivers receive their cash, then trouble and cares are forgotten and many of them begin on what they call a "rattling good time." While some of them are strictly temperate and steady men a majority of them will indulge in a spree when their labors are done and in many instances it is kept up until every cent of their six months pay is gone. After a few days sobering up and resting, they scatter away to the sawmills and harvest fields to take a new start in the world and are sure to be on hand again for the woods for the next winter. A few men, however, wdio formerly followed the river driving, are now prosperous farmers, among wdiom we ma}' mention Wil- liam Pearce of Burlington, and Charles Romberg and John Stearns of Erie. Every lumber camp has its foreman, who is generally a person of considerable importance and authority. He frequently has a room by himself and does not mix up with the other men very much, but this is not always the case. Another important person is the scaler who measures the logs. His visit to the camp is gen- erally periodical, coming every few days or few weeks according to the amount of logs that are being cut. At some very large camps, however, the scaler is kept busy scaling logs at the one landing place all winter. Scaling logs in cold, wintery weather is dis- agreeable work, and it requires considerable skill and experience to become an expert scaler. The scaler is looked up to by the ordinary lumber Jack and his profession is often the height of the ambition of most of the men of the woods. The personage, however, who towers above all other men who work in the pineries, is the cruiser. He is looked up to by the scaler, the foreman and the lumber Jack alike. His visits to the lumber camp are even less frequent than those of the scaler. The best of everything the camp afifords is at his service. In the lumber regions farther east, from Maine to Michigan, he is called an estimator. He is a sort of a compound of surveyor, woodsman, scaler and adventurer. He roams the woods over afoot and alone, looking up, estimating and locating timber lands for the lumberman. He carries his bed and provisions on his back, sleeps under a tree at night, is exposed to all the storms of the season, runs his lines with a small compass, and counts his foot- 714 A Pioneer History of Becker County. steps by way of measurement with a degree of precision and ex- actness which is ahiiost be)ond behef. He usually traces out the hues of each forty-acre tract and estimates the timber growing thereon by itself and it is surprising how near the estimates of some of them will correspond with the amount of timber actually cut and scaled on the same ground afterwards. To facilitate his work and save a large amount of traveling he frequently climbs to the top of one of the tallest trees on the summit of the highest hill in the neighborhood. From there his eye can take in the country for miles around and he determines the location of any pine growing in the vicinity. The work of the cruiser is both fascinating and dangerous. In the fall of 1872, a man by the name of Kelly started out all alone to look for pine in the eastern part of Becker County and a part of Hubbard County, working from Red Eye River northward. As far as I know he never has been heard from to this day and it is supposed he was killed by falling from some tree or was so badly crippled that he was unable to reach civilization. In the course of another generation there will be no big steam sawmill in Becker County and but very few in the state of ]\Iinne- sota, and a description of the mill at Frazee will answer very well for that class of mills in general. In mills of this class steam has superceded the water power altogether as nothing but steam has been found that can create the lightning-like speed required by some of the machinery in a modern sawmill. For instance, the log carriage instead of being propelled back and forth by cog or rope feed as of old, is now run by a device akin to the steam engine itself. A piston rod thirty feet or more in length and four inches in diameter working in a cylinder of about the same length is attached to the end of the carriage, working it to and fro by the stroke of the piston with a speed almost without limit, but is easily regulated by the lever in the hands of the head sawyer. All logs are now sawed with a band saw, which runs on the same principle as any ordinary belt. These saws are thirt}' or forty feet in length and the ends brazen together forming a continuous steel belt or band which is run over two large pulleys one above and one underneath the carriage. The teeth usually occupy only one end of the saw working downward as nearly perpendicular A Pione;e;r History of Becker County, 715 as possible. I have, however, seen mills where there were teeth on both edges of the saw taking ofif a board while the carriage runs backward as well as forward. The logs are brought into the mill on an inclined plane by means of an endless chain. Once inside the mill they are rolled down a sloping skidway nearly to the carriage where they are handled by the "nigger," a large, strong lever which both pushes the log onto the carriage and turns it over and over afterwards. It is astonishing with what ease, precision and rapidity a big log can be knocked and cuffed around and turned over with one of these devices when manipulated by an expert sawyer. The Frazee mill saws not less than 2,400 averaged sized logs in twenty hours, making about two hundred and forty thousand feet of lumber. As there are just twelve hundred minutes in twenty hours, the mill saws an average of two logs every minute during , that period of time. After leaving the band saw, some of the lumber is split with the "re-saw" which is to say, a four inch plank is split into two two-inch planks and some of the tw'O-inch planks are in turn split into inch boards. The boards and plank are all then run through the gang edger where the uneven edges are trimmed off and some of the planks are ripped into joists and scantlings and some of the best boards into flooring. It then passes through the trimmer, where both ends are sawed off making the length of all boards and dimensions of any given length the same. It is then carried by endless chains to the platform where it is sorted and loaded into wagons ready to be hauled to the yard and piled. The Frazee sawmill is two hundred and ten feet long and sixty wude and is run by a three hundred horse power engine. The lumber yard covers fifteen acres of ground and the whole extent is frequently covered thick with lumber piles fifteen feet high. The people of Frazee can thank Ray W. Jones for getting them the mill in the first place. The Commonwealth Lumber Company was organized early in the year 1897 with Thomas Monroe, presi- dent; James Monroe, vice-president; and Ray W, Jones, secretary and treasurer. The company was re-organized in November, 1904, with James Nichols, president; F. H. Rawson, vice-president; and R. G. Chis- olm, secretary and treasurer ; and the people of Frazee can thank Messrs. Chisolm and Nichols for its permanent and successful operation now and in the future. 71 6 A Pioneer History of Becker County. The name of the company now is the Nichols Chisohn Lum- ber Company. Chapter LV. THE NELSON-KINDRED CONVENTION. The followinjT article was copied, with the consent of the author, from IL P. Hall's Observations: The following is the opening paragraph of a telegram I sent my paper, the St. Paul Globe, from Detroit. Minn., on the 12th of July, i88_': "Hell reigneth. The Lord be praised. If tlie religious sentiments of these phrases seem to be mixed I can assure you that it corresponds to the political situation in the Fifth district." That was the famous day when the double-headed convention was held at Detroit and evolved Knute Nelson and C. F. Kindred as Republican candidates for Congress. The Fifth district was a monster territorially and in number of counties, having twenty-eight, as follows: Aitkin, Benton, Becker, Baltrami, Big Stone, Carlton, Cass, Cook, Crow Wing, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Itasca, Kittson, Lake, Marshall, Morrison, Mille Lacs. Otter Tail, Pope, Polk. Stearns, Stevens, St. Louis. Traverse. Todd, Wadena and Wilkin. It was the first election since the Fifth district had been constructed, and the rivalry for the nomination was intense. The leading candidates were Knute Nelson, of Alexandria, and C. F. Kindred, of Brainerd, though C. A. Oilman, of St. Cloud, and C. H. Graves, of Duluth, were in the field as well. Mr. Kindred was wealthy, and he spared no expense in materializ- ing his boom. Kindred clubs were formed, brass bands were hired, printed matter was sent out, and sufificient paraphernalia gathered to run a national campaign. The Kindred forces went into the work with the enthusiasm born of youth and inexperience, while the Nelson forces stolidly relied upon his strength among his countrymen to carry him through. At first the county conventions called to send delegates to the district convention at Detroit were conducted with some degree of fairness, though in every case the contest would be a sharp one. After one or two county conventions had split and sent double delegates, a spirit of recklessness broke out, and wdiichever side rightfully had control of the county con- vention the other proceeded to make an excuse for a split and send a con- testing delegation. There was absolutely no attempt to be fair in this contest for the Con- gressional nomination. This statement applies to both the Nelson and the Kindred forces, but a good deal more to the Kindred than to the Nelson men, because Nelson was really stronger, and had a more substantial back- ing than Kindred. Kindred in reality had but little backing but his money, and it was the deliberate plan whenever Nelson had carried a county for the Kindred men to come in and hold another convention, appointing a A Pione;er History of Backer County. 717 double delegation. Of course this bore the usual fruit of a split in the convention, and if the Scandinavian element had not been so enormously strong in Northern Minnesota it would have resulted in Knute Nelson's defeat, as well as Kindred's. As it was, Nelson proved invincible, and not only won in that campaign, but went on to win in the future, until he had achieved national renown. In some cases an extra county convention was held without any pre- tense of authority, and it was very evident that Nelson and Kindred, or their friends, intended to make a double district convention. The result was that when the district convention was due to meet, there were only 18 out of 28 counties which could lay any claim to being "regular." When the Nelson and Kindred forces separated and held two conventions there were 20 counties represented in the Nelson convention and 23 in the Kindred department. Here was an aggregate of delegates from 43 counties in a district which contained but 28. The contests made the excess. The call for the convention directed it to assemble at Bowman's hall, in Detroit, Minn., at i p. m., on the 12th of July. The interest and excite- ment were immense, and all signs pointed to a bloody riot as the result rath- er than to a harmonious convention. The delegates and the contestants aggregated 125, and it is no exaggeration to say that there were between three and four hundred outsiders present, as friends of the respective can- didates. The little town was fairly wild, and I venture to say the five saloons never did so big business before nor since. As usual the contestants began sparring for "regularity." The first point was to secure the temporary chairman, in order to capture the com- mittee on credentials. It is usual for the chairman of the district committee to call the convention to order. Geo. H. Johnston, of Detroit, was the chair- man, and though he professed friendship for Nelson, he was, in reality, a Kindred man. There were nine members of the committee present, and finding that they could not agree on any plan of organization, the Nelson men on the committee, by a vote of five, removed Johnston as chairman and appointed Lieut.-Gov. Barto, of Stearns, in his place. They considered three plans of organization: Admitting only uncontested delegates, admit- ting all and let them fight it out in convention, admitting those from coun- ties which the chairman of the county committee would certify were "regu- lar." The Nelson men on the committee insisted on absolutely naming the delegates who should be allowed to enter the hall, but this Johnston would not permit, and so it was a fight from the start. Detroit was a red- hot Kindred town, and the sheriff swore in thirty deputies, mostly, perhaps all, favorable to Kindred. The hall would not contain the crowd, and the sherifif and his deputies were on hand to prevent any but delegates entering. The Nelson men had erected a tent near the town, and there they gathered to march to the hall. The Kindred men, to guard against accidents, had smuggled a force into the hall at 11 a. m., and they had lunch sent in and camped there. When the Nelson men marched in a body from the tent to the hall they were astonished to find all the front seats occupied. Tliere was great disturbance at the foot of the stairs. A good many Kindred delegates were still on the outside and all of the Nelson men. A Kindred 7i8 A Pione;e;r History of Bkcke;r County. and a Nelson man stood at the foot of the stairs and identified their respec- tive delegates, and the sheriflfs would only allow those to go up who were vouched for. The early camping in the hall of the Kindred men gave them a good many outsiders who had come to fight, if necessary, and in a square battle, which was expected, the Nelson men would have been thrashed. I think the fact that the Kindred men had by their device, got- ten their forces in the hall in such numbers was a peace measure. There were probably a hundred men present in the hall with pistols in their pock- ets, and it was a wonder some one did not fire the first shot. If any one had, it would have been gory before the last one was fired. Johnston refused to be deposed from the chairmanship because he was appointed by the State Central Committee, and Capt. H. A. Castle, Secre- tary of the State Central Committee, was there to certify to the fact. It was i:iS when Johnston struggled through the crowd to get to the platform, and Barto was close behind. When they reached the platform Johnston an- nounced that they had decided to clear the hall, and then he and Barto would issue tickets. Barto said they would give Nelson and Kindred lOO each and Oilman and Graves 26 each. The Kindred men objected on the ground that Oilman and Craves were really for Nelson, and hence it would give the Nelson men the largest number. The Kindred men were satis- fied as it was. While the controversy was going on, a Kindred man nomi- nated E. G. Holmes, of Detroit, for chairman. Johnston put the motion and declared it carried. Holmes bounded to the platform in a twinkling and started his convention. The Nelson men were a little behind, but not much. Some Nelson man made a motion to elect S. G. Comstock, of Moorhead, temporary chairman, and Barto put the motion so quickly that Comstock leaped to the platform and began the Nelson convention only a few seconds behind the Kindred. Then there was pandemonium let loose. Every one seemed to be yelling at the same time. Holmes and Comstock stood side by side and their respective adherents would rush to the front and make mo- tions which the chairman would declare carried. After about five minutes of this scene, ex-Sherifif Mertz, of Brainerd, a very resolute man and a warm friend of Kindred, jumped on the platform and, grabbing Comstock, tried to pull him off, saying, "You have no business here." It was scarcely a sec- ond before 30 or 40 men were on the stage to aid Comstock and Mertz re- spectively, and they were a good deal hustled about. Comstock stood his ground well and resisted being dragged ofif the platform, but did not strike a blow. The crowd had overturned the reporters' table and we had mount- ed an extemporized table to get a view of the fight. As the excitement was at its highest, crash went our table and we were all tumbled promiscuously to the floor. I believe that little accident was providential. It made a laugh, and laughter and anger are not close friends. It also diverted at- tention for a moment and by the time we had picked ourselves up from the floor, the sheriff, with ten or twelve deputies, was on the platform command- ing the peace and hustling men off the stage. Partial quiet was secured, when Johnston declared that he would recognize but one chairman, and that was Holmes. Barto, in reply, insisted that he (Barto) was chairman of the district committee by a vote of five out of nine. Capt. Castle's statement was then made, as already mentioned, and the Kindred men yelled. A Pione;p:r History op Becker County. 719 Johnston then proceeded to read the call for the convention, a proceed- ing which should have been done before the chairman was selected. He was nearly through when it occurred to Barto to read it also, and he began on the same document. And then a fresh riot sprung up. Not a word of the reading could be heard, and eight or ten were trying to make speeches in the midst of the yells. Johnston finally shouted an order to clear the stage of every one but the committee and the reporters. That would have re- moved both Holmes and Comstock. He said he had hired the hall and would have it cleared. On this announcement a Nelson man shouted: "I move the convention adjourn to the tent on the prairie." Comstock put the motion and declared it carried. Johnston was shouting in the meantime that the "regular" convention would be held in that hall and invited every one to remain. Comstock, notwithstanding he had declared the convention adjourned to the tent, did not want to lose any points on "regularity." He declined to go unless he was put out, so that he would have valid grounds for holding a convention somewhere else. As all the deputy sheriffs were Kindred men, one of them accommodated him by walking with him to the head of the stairs. H. L. Gordon, of ^linneapolis (not a delegate or even a resident of the district) mounted a chair and urged the Nelson, Graves and Gilman men to leave. A deputy sherifif grabbed him and escorted him to the door as a disturber of the peace. The doors had been guarded both from inside and out to keep the crowd from rushing in, and the stairway was so packed the Nelson men had great difficulty in leaving. Finally Mr. Bowman, the owner of the hall, got the doors open and spiked them, so that if there was another row upstairs there would be a chance to run. But the Kindred men remained in the hall, while the Nelson forces met at the tent, and two love feasts were set in motion. Nelson may be said to have entered prominent political life direct from the tented field. The prairie breezes which fanned his brow that sultry July afternoon have been a kind harbinger to him and wafted him onward and upward until he reached the Senate. The only object of holding the convention in the tent must have been to put the crowd in a hot box, for it was literally a case of "standing room only," there being no seats or tables within, and it might as well have been held on the open prairie. But there was harmony, because all of those who were opposed to Nelson were attending the convention at Bowman's hall. S. G. Comstock brought his right to be chairman at the hall to the tent. It was a case where a man took up his rank and walked. He accordingly called the tent convention to order and proceeded at once to prove that that was the "regular" convention and any other would be a fraud. He pre- sented the report of the district committee, which the chairman, Mr. John- ston, of Detroit, would not recognize. That report disclosed that the district committee had acted as a committee of credentials as well, and had named delegates from 20 counties who were entitled to seats, leaving eight counties still to be heard from. This report was promptly adopted, and a few minutes later the platform was reported. It was about the usual style of platforms, except that it was bitter in its denunciation of Kindred and his 720 A Pioneer History of Becker County. followers, accusing them of corruption. Of course, it claimed to be the only original, blown in the bottle, "regular" convention. When it came to nominations, Halvor Steenerson, of Crookston, sent up Nelson's balloon; C. A. Oilman was inflated by Gov. Barto, while Graves was depicted in glowing colors by D. G. Cash, of Duluth. Gilman and Graves had been candidates on the theory that Nelson and Kindred would so divide the delegates as to make a third man a necessity. They had allied themselves to the Nelson wing in the hope that if it proved that Nelson could not obtain it, his strength would go to them. Gilman and Graves had antagonized Kindred as sharply as had Nelson, and when the district convention split their forces had no other recourse save adhering to the Nelson wing. As a consequence, it was nonsense to present their names at the tent convention as that crowd was overwhelmingly for Nelson. But they went through the motions and took an informal ballot, which stood: Nelson, 44; Graves, 7; Gilman, 10. The formal ballot gave it to Nelson by 44 votes to 15 for the other two combined. Nelson responded with an acceptance speech which pledged his loyalty and "regularity" to the party, while insisting that the Kindred crowd represented everything which was bad, corrupt and "irregular." Gilman, Graves, H. L. Gordon, of ]\Iinne- apolis, and Albert SchefTer, of St. Paul, all made ratification meeting speech- es, and the Nelson campaign was launched. While all this was going on in the tent, the Kindred men were working right along with their convention at Bowman's hall. The temporary chair- man, Mr. Holmes, kept shouting while the Nelson men were leaving, that the only "regular" convention would be in that hall, but blood was up and no one halted. When the Nelson supporters had vanished the Kindred convention went ahead more harmoniously, if anything, than the tent afifair because they did not have any other candidate than Kindred, even nominally. Geo. H. Johnston, the chairman of the district committee, was made perma- nent chairman. Johnston's speech on taking the chair was something unique. He declared that he had been a supporter of Nelson and had prepared a speech in his favor. He then proceeded with quite an eulogy of Nelson as a soldier and citizen, but now that Nelson had "bolted," as the speaker claimed, his party loyalty compelled him to stand by Kindred. That was cool, as he had been for Kindred all of the time. He then proceeded to claim that he had prepared to so rule as to admit 36 Kindred delegates and 42 for the field against him, and that Comstock and Barto had origi- nally agreed to this, but had finally attempted to depose him from the chairmanship of the committee, because he would not consent to have the committee pass upon the credentials of the delegates, and actually name those entitled to seats. Of course it took but a few minutes to have the committee on credentials report the Kindred delegates as contestants and all were admitted, and if any delegation was not full a proxy was supplied. The resolutions did not even take the trouble to declare loyalty to the Republican party, as the Nelson platform did. They were entirely devoted to claiming "regularity" and denouncing the other side as "dishonorable, despicable and most in- famous." C. B. Sleeper, of Brainerd, named Kindred in a glowing speech, A Pionkp;r History of Becke;r County. 721 and no other name was presented. The roll call gave him 64 votes — all that were cast. Here were 64 votes in a convention which if full would have had 78. Nelson had 61 in his convention, which gave an aggregate of 125, or a surplus of 47 more than there would have been if only one convention had been held. Kindred was brought in and accepted, deprecating the trouble and the bringing in of the nationality question. The evening in that little town was quite a wild one. Kindred had brought two or three brass bands, and they headed a procession which marched about the streets yelling like madmen. In fact, they were very mad men. In order to turn an honest penny the ladies of Detroit had opened a hall to give re- freshments for the benefit of the village cemetery association. Kindred felt so good that he gave $100 outright to the association, and the boys on his side said that they wanted to finish up the cemetery to have a proper place for Nelson when they got through with him in the fall. As Kindred furnished the political corpse in November, he was wise in dedicating a cemetery at the beginning of the campaign. There were hot discussions between the partisans until the trains left, but no absolute violence, though the air was frequently split with yells and emphatic adjectives. The question of which was the "regular" convention was the great con- troversy throughout the campaign. It was very hard to ascertain the truth, for both Nelson and Kindred men had resorted to all kinds of tricks known to the political trade to capture delegates. I am inclined to think, outside of leaving the hall at Detroit where the convention was called to meet. Nelson had the best of the "regularity," but with that thrown in Kindred's favor, it gave him the "regular" advantage. In 1868 almost the entire excuse for calling Donnelly a bolter was because he was nominated for Congress at a different place from the hall designated in the call. The only way the Nelson men could have been more regular was to have remained and had a fight, but as a stray bullet might have hit a newspaper man I was always willing to waive the irregularity of their departure from the hall. As the Kindred men. by the coup d'etat of getting possession of the hall at an early hour, had two to one on the inside of the building, they could have thrown the Nelson men out bodily, and that would have made it "regular" for them to have gone to another place for their convention, on the ground that they had been physically assaulted. I give this as a legal ruling on political regularity and as an inducement to bring on a fight, if such a con- dition of affairs ever exists again. The Republican state committee sat in judgment on the "regularity" and decided that Nelson was the "regular" nominee. How circumstances alter cases and how worthless such decisions are was illustrated by the decision against Donnelly in 1868 (which I have already noted) for doing exactly what was approved in Nelson's case in 1882. Next to the "regularity" problem, the point to be settled, was what would the Democrats do? The Nelson men did not feel that they had much hope from the Democratic votes, and were anxious to have a Demo- crat nominated. The Kindred men thought they could secure a good many Democrats, and were equally anxious to have no Democratic nominee. It seemed almost certain that without a Democratic nominee, Nelson would y22 A Pione;e;r History of Becker County. be defeated. The Democrats at first seemed inclined to give Kindred the chance, but they finally held a convention, Sept. 7, at Fergus Falls. E. P. Barnum, of Stearns County, Robert Miller, of Otter Tail, and R. C. Moore, of Stearns, were candidates. There was no excitement at the convention, and the attendance was not large. One ballot did the business, standing: Barnum, 49; Miller, 18; Moore, 19; scattering, 10. Strenuous efforts were made by the Kindred people to get Barnum to withdraw. All of these efiforts (and some of them were very liberal) were unavailing, and Barnum remained his party standard bearer, though certain of defeat. The canvass was intensely personal and exciting. Kindred spent money lavishly and the Nelson forces had a good deal. Kindred had workers in every county, doing nothing else from the time he was nominated, in July, until November. In many cases where newspapers were hostile he es- tablished new ones. His army of clerks and his literary bureau were ex- pensive. Brass bands, torchlight processions, special trains, etc., were the common occurrence, and when you come to spread this out over 28 big counties, many of them having to be canvassed by private conveyance to make up the poll of the district, the expense amounted to something enor- mous. Well informed men claimed at the time that Kindred expended $225,- 000. This may be too large, but I think it is extremely conservative to say that he put in $150,000. Minnesota is not likely to see the counterpart of that fight again. Mr. Kindred is now a resident of Philadelphia. I hear he has been lucky in some speculations and has largely, perhaps entirely, recovered his fortune, which was so sadly shattered by that campaign. He was the most liberal and energetic political plunger the state has ever seen. The vote in November, electing Nelson, stood: Nelson, 16,956; Kindred, 12,238; Barnum, 6,248. Two years before, in the presidential campaign, which always brings out the vote, those same counties gave Garfield (Rep.) 15,442. and Hancock (Dem.) 8,405. In 1881, just one year previous, the Republican vote in the district for governor was 13,831 and 6,595 Demo- cratic. This shows that Barnum was strong with the Democrats and held well up to his party vote, but the Republicans exceeded their presidential vote of 1880 by nearly 14,000, and their gubernatorial vote of 1881, the previous year, by nearly 16,000. As Barnum only fell behind Hancock's vote about 2,000, and was only 347 below the Democratic vote of '81, the great influx of voters must have been Republicans. In John Hay's famous poem, "Little Breeches," he tells of a little boy being transported from the embrace of the deadly winter storms to the warm sheep fold, and says: "How did he get thar? Angels." I am inclined to attribute the sudden irruption of Republican voters in that district to the same divine agency and let it stand at that. But no one disputes that Knute Nelson's original election to Congress was a wave from the North sea. We used to sing, "In the North sea lived a whale." Things have changed. He seems to have migrated to Minnesota and brought his whole family. A Pion^e;r History of Becker County. 723 Chapter LVI. BUILDING THE COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL. After the final and permanent location of the county seat at Detroit, as decided at the general election in 1877, the township of Detroit, according to a previous agreement, paid the rent annu- ally for a building for the use of the county officers, which was the structure now owned and occupied by G. C. Nunn, a part of which is now occupied by him as a harness shop and store. There was a strong wish on the part of the people living north, east and south from Detroit, and more particularly on the part of the people living in that village, to clinch the location of the county seat by building a court-house and jail at that place. Accordingly at the session of the legislature of 1883 a bill was worked through that body, and duly signed by the governor, au- thorizing the commissioners of Becker County to issue bonds to build a court-house and jail, subject to a vote of the people at the ensuing annual election. The measure, however, was voted down by a decisive majority, the two western tiers of townships except- ing Lake Eunice voting nearly solid against it. For sometime previous to 1884, three out of five of the county commissioners had been elected from the western townships, and were strongly opposed to expending any money at the county seat under any circumstances. The commissioner districts as then con- structed were : First district, Richwood, Erie, Burlington and all territory lying east of those three townships. Second district was made up of Detroit Township. The third district consisted of Audubon, Lake Eunice and Lake View. Fourth district. Lake Park and Cormorant. Fifth district, Hamden, Cuba, Atlanta and Walworth. In 1883 the board was made up of the following members : First district, T. W. Chilton ; second district, F. B. Chapin ; third district, T. W. Dunlap ; fourth district, Olof Bjornsted ; fifth dis- trict, Hans Ebeltoft. The last three named were unconditionally opposed to county buildinofs at Detroit. 724 A Pione;e;r History of Becker County. At the election in November, 1883, there were two changes in the membership of the board, one of which at least was destined to have an important bearing on the near future history of Becker County in general and of Detroit in particular. In the second district E. G. Holmes was elected to succeed F. B. Chapin who was not a candidate for re-election, l^ut who was as much in favor of county buildings as Holmes himself. In the third district the election was very close, T. W. Dunlap being defeated by S. B. Dexter by the small margin of three votes. Dunlap afterwards claimed that I was the cause of his defeat, and I incurred his everlasting displeasure for the imaginary offense, but while I was innocent of the crime the election of Dexter was a godsend to the village of Detroit, for if he had not been elected it is doubtful if there would have been any county buildings at that place for several years to come. When the new board met in January, 1884, it had a majority that was ready and willing to do anything within the bounds of law and reason to secure the construction of county buildings. The new board was organized by electing E. G. Holmes as chairman, and he became the leading spirit of the board, and to him more than any one else is Becker Coimty indebted for its present county buildings. He was also loyally supported by both Dexter and Chilton. As soon as the new board had settled down to business. Holmes began ransacking the revised statutes of Minnesota for authority to build a court-house and jail, and finally hit upon Section 815, Chapter 8 of the Revised Statutes of 1878, which reads as follows: Each county organized for judicial purposes shall provide at the county seat a suitable court-house, and a suitable and sufficient jail, and fire-proof offices, and other necessary buildings, and keep the same in good repair. On the strength of the authority delegated by this brief para- graph in the laws of Minnesota, the board of county commissioners, at the instigation of Mr. Holmes on the 8th day of April, 1884, passed the following preamble and resolutions : Whereas; the statutes of the state provide that there shall be estab- lished, in every county, by the authority of the board of county commis- sioners and at the expense of the county, a jail for the safe keeping of prisoners, and Whereas; the County of Becker has no such jail building. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 725 or other safe and proper place for the keeping of prisoners, and Whereas; the time has arrived when such place should be provided: Now, therefore be it Resolved; and it is hereby resolved. That we proceed to construct a building in the village of Detroit to be used for the purpose aforesaid; said building to cost a sum not to exceed $6,000, to be erected and placed upon a spot of ground to be designated by the board. And be it further Resolved; That for the purpose of raising the money required for the payment of the cost of said building, there shall be is- sued the bonds of the county, not to exceed the sum of $6,000; that such bonds shall bear interest at the rate of seven per cent per annum, pay- able semi-annually, in the city of New York, until paid." Holmes, Dexter and Chilton voted for the resolution and Ebel- toft and Bjornsted voted against them. The two latter gentlemen, however, were only carrying out the wishes of their constituents, as both the fourth and fifth commissioner districts were solidly opposed to the construction of county buildings. Soon after the passage of the above resolution the $6,000 jail bonds were signed by E. G. Holmes the chairman of the board, and by myself, the then county auditor, the bonds were placed on the market and sold, and the money placed in the county treasury. Before work on the jail was begun, however, the following reso- lution was adopted June 3rd, 1884: Whereas; the statutes of the state provide that each county organized for judicial purposes, shall provide at the county seat, a suitable court- house and: Whereas; the time has now arrived when such court-house should be provided: Now, therefore, be it resolved; that we proceed to construct a building in the village of Detroit, to be used for the pur- pose aforesaid, said building to cost a sum not to exceed $18,000, and if built in connection with the jail, then the combined cost of said court- house and jail shall not exceed the sum of $24,000, said court-house to be erected and placed upon a spot of gound selected for that purpose by the said board. There was not much outspoken opposition to the jail proposi- tion, but when the resolution was passed to build the cotirt-house a storm of protests came from Lake Park, and an injunction suit to enjoin the chairman of the board and the county auditor from signing the $18,000 court-house bonds was commenced at the in- stigation of Knute Stakke and others of Lake Park, while from Audubon, the place that had Ijeen the rival of Detroit for the county seat seven years before, there was but little opposition so far as I ever heard. A hearing in the matter of the injunction 726 A Pioneer History of Becker County. suit was had before Judge Brown at Little Falls, and the injunctittn was set aside, the judge deciding that the count}- commissioners had legal authority under the section and chapter quoted above, to construct county buildings as set forth in the resolutions by the board. The opposition from Lake Park came largely from the circum- stance that there had been an election held the year before, and that a majority of the voters of the county had voted against the proposition to erect county buildings, and they could not believe there was any law whereby the board could take action contrary to the expressed wishes of a majority of the voters of the countv. After the injunction was set aside, and the action of the county commissioners sustained by the courts, all opposition came to an end, and commissioners lijornsted and Ebeltoft worked in har- mony with the other members of the board. The foundation of the court-house and jail was built by T. J. Martin and Marcus Shaw in July, 1884, and the building was con- structed by A. A. Whittemore, the father of Drew and John Whit- temore and Mrs. G. C. Nunn. Owing to delay caused by the injunction suit and other mat- ters the building was not finished that year, but work was resumed early in the spring of 1885 and the building completed in May following and formally dedicated on the 30th day of that month. This was Decoration Da}', and the Detroit Rcco)-(i of June 6, 1885, says: ''But the day is not j-et over. Another event, and perliaps the most important ever known in Becker County is yet to take place — tlie dedica- tion of our new court-house." It is not known in whose fertile brain was first originated the plan tn have the court-house dedicated on Memo- rial Day, but the day was fixed and the following well-known gentlemen were appointed a committee, and the matter placed in their hands: John K. West, Ai Brooks, J. B. Carman, A. E. Bowling, M. V. B. Davis, W. J. Wood and C. W. Dix. The selection of Henry Way to deliver the principal address was especially fitting, he being one of the earliest pioneers of the Northwest, and one of the first white settlers in Becker County, and a continuous resident ever since. Paul Beaulieu of White Earth spoke with pride of the red man's blood that coursed through his veins and gave an early picture of our county, claiming to be the first resident living here as early as 1854. A PioNKKR History of Becker County. 727 The steel cage and cells of the jail were made in Milwaukee and were included in the $24,000, the total cost of the court-house and jail. The furniture, desks, etc., were bought of Luger Brothers, of Fargo, at a cost of $2,600, and in addition to this amount the fur- ther sum of $800 was paid for heating apparatus, making the total cost, including the ground on which it was built, less than $28,000 ; as good a building as there is in the state of ^linnesota for the money it cost. The bonds issued for building the court-house and jail are now all paid off, and everybody, even at Audubon and Lake Park, is not only reconciled but well pleased with the final outcome, and the people generally all over the county are proud of their court- house and jail. Judge L. L. Baxter of Fergus Falls held the first term of court in the new court-house. 728 A Pioneer History of Becker County, Chapter LVIL THE SEASONS. Thirty-five years have wrought many changes in the cHmate of Becker County, especially as it relates to the winter season. During the early seventies, and again during the early eighties a mild winter such as we now usually enjoy, was a rare exception. In the fall of 1870 there was no frost until the 13th of October. The first snow fell on the 20th of October which remained only a day and was followed by an open winter. The summer of 1871 was the dry est in the history of the county, except perhaps that of 1894. The four succeeding winters were long and hard, all of them setting in between the ist and the loth of November, with scarcely a thaw until the 5th of April, and the snow which was frequently between three and four feet in depth lingering until the middle of that month, and the ice holding in the lakes until the ist of May. The Winter of 1872-3. The worst storm of this winter of storms was the memorable /th of January storm, which for length and severity outranks any storm that has ever visited Becker County at any season of the year. It commenced about noon on the 7th of January, 1873, and raged for more than fifty hours, extending all over Minnesota and Dakota. When the storm began I was eating dinner at the house of Ole E. Bjorge, the father of Hon. Henry O. Bjorge, on Section 8, township of Lake Park. The forenoon had been mild and warm, so much so that the snow began to melt, while the wind was blowing gently from the southeast. After dinner I left the house and started for the railroad station at Lake Park. The wind was still from the southeast, but it increased in velocity to a gale, when all at once it whirled around to the northwest and came down over the prairies with the force of a tornado. It was all I could do to keep on my feet, and I was just barely able to get back to the house I had left a few minutes before. It also be- came intensely cold. The house was built in a small grove of oak timber and the roaring: of the wind anions: the trees was so loud A Pioneer History of Becker County. 729 that we could scarcely hear one another talk. Henry O. was) then only two years old and just beginning to talk a little Norsk. I remember that he and I kept pretty close to a little corner be- hind a cook stove during the storm. The next day after -noon, I strapped on my snow shoes and started for Lake Park, but as soon as I got away from the shelter of the grove, I found I could not stand up and I was obliged to go back to the house. I tried it again on the morning of the third day, but with the same result. After dinner the wind began to abate but was still blowing a gale, and I tried it a third time, this time with the wind nearly square in my back and the snow packed good and hard, I managed to reach the station. A passenger train had been detained there during all the storm in charge of George Dow. The first trio of conductors on the Northern Pacific Railroad were Captain Spaulding, George W. Sweetmen, and George Dow. Dow is still running a passenger train on the Winnipeg branch. The snow was now nearly three feet deep, a foot having fallen during the storm, but the extreme force of the wind had packed it down so hard that the next day I walked from Lake Park to Section 30 in the township of Atlanta and back over the prairies without snowshoes, a distance of eighteen miles. There were several other blizzards that winter nearly as severe as this one, but they were of comparatively short duration. There were no lives lost in Becker County although there were sev- eral narrow escapes. Stengrum Nelson and old John Sullivan, of Cuba came near perishing in the storm. Two men lost their lives in Clay County, and more than seventy lives were lost in Minne- sota during the big storm. After these four winters came four winters more of a mild character, especially the winter of 1877 and 1878. The summer of 1877 w^as a very favorable one for crops, the temperature and moisture being all that could be asked for, resulting in a bountiful harvest. A few inches of snow fell early in November, but after a few days disappeared, when an Indian summer set in, which with very slight interruptions lasted all win- ter. Much of the time it scarcely froze at night, and plowing, with a few interruptions was carried on every month during the entire winter. Pansies were in blossom in the gardens and dooryards on Christmas day, and the prairies were bedecked with flowering an- emones on the 24th of March, and they had come to stay. The northwestern skies w^ere illuminated by prairie fires nearly every 730 A Pioneer History of Becker County. night, the grass in Atlanta and Walworth burning nearly the en- tire winter. We now come to a succession of long, hard winters, beginning with that of 1879 and '80, and ending with that of 1883 and "84. The winter of 1880 and '81 was exceptionally long and severe. A snow-storm began on the 15th of October, Avhich lasted for twen- ty-four hours, during which time the snow fell to the depth of fifteen inches. The street in the village of Detroit, on the south side of where Hotel Minnesota now stands was filled its whole SNOWSHOE. w^idth even with the tops of the board fences that stood on each side of the street. The worst of all was. the snow had come to stay, a large part of it remaining until the ver}- last of the ensu- ing April. 1880 was the first year of the settlement of the Shell Prairie country, and many of the new settlers were caught in this October storm with no other shelter than their tents and wagon covers, and much suft'ering followed as a result of the storm. Snow fell later on to the depth of three and a half feet. It thawed a little early in April, then froze up again. I walked from Detroit up to the A PioNEiER History of Be;cker County. 731 north end of Floyd Lake, a distance of five miles, on two feet of hard snow on the 20th day of April. This was the longest win- ter by nearly a month of any on record. During that winter I was engaged in examining the Northern Pacific Railroad land in the timbered country around the southern, eastern, and northern borders of the Shell Prairie country, sleeping in a tent at night, and walking on snowshoes during the day. The October snows had bent the tops of the young jack pines over and fastened them to the ground, in which position they re- mained, like so many arches, until the ensuing spring. Charlie Sturtevant was with me during this terrible winter. The winter of 1887 and 1888 set in on the 17th of November. The snow was deep and the weather cold and stormy. It was during this winter that nearly one hundred people froze to death in Dakota. Then came four very mild and short winters, fol- lowed by cold weather and deep snow in the winter of 1892 and "93. The next four winters were mild and comparatively short. The summers during this long series of years were generally favorable, up to that of 1894. This was the year of the disastrous Hinckley fire, and a year long to be remembered in Becker Coun- ty. Its numerous lakes and ponds, however, saved it from any widespread devastation. The winter of 1896 and '97 was long and cold, and a greater depth of snow fell than during any other winter in the history of the county. On the first of March it lay in the woods four and a half feet deep on the level. It began to thaw on the iSth of March and in ten days it had about all disappeared. This was the spring of high water and disastrous floods on the Red River of the North, and the lower Mississippi. Since that time our winters have been very mild, with about a foot of snow, except in the winter of 1903 and '04, which was pretty cold. The winter of 1906 and '07, however, is liable to break all records. The earliest snowfall on record was that of 1872, when four or more inches of snow fell, beginning on the night of the 24th of September and again on the 27th of September, 1899, there was a light fall of snow. The summers of 1904, 1905 and 1906 were exceedinglv wet. 7Z^ A Pioneer History of Becker County. Chapter LVIIL OLD SOLDIERS. List of soldiers of the Civil War, who are living, or who have lived in Becker County: Names Residence Abbey, Joseph H. .Height of Land Adanis, Isael Aitkin, Rodger White Earth Anderson, Andrew Richwood Anderson, John Hamden Anderson, John Detroit Anderson, Nels Hamden Anderson, Swan Detroit Atchinson, R. R Detroit Augenson, Neri Richwood Averill, L. P Lake Eunice Backman, Charles O Detroit Ball, William F Detroit Baker, Newell Grand Park Ballard, William ..Height of Land Bancroft, M. M Detroit Barnes, Frank Detroit Beaulicu, Charles H.. White Earth Beaulieu, Henry ....White Earth Beaulieu, John White Earth Beaver, John F Audubon Beighley. Leonard R.... Height of Land. Bellamy, A. L Burlington Belland, Edward White Earth Bellcourt, Eustache. . .White Earth Bestick, James T Detroit Blake, William Lake Eunice Blanchard, Alfred. .. .Spruce Grove Blossom, Ferdinand Detroit Blue, Etienne White Earth Boe, Ole A Hamden Bolangier, Charles White Earth Bonnell. J. W Detroit Bonnell, Octavius Detroit Boss, Andrew J Detroit Bottineau, — . — Richwood Bowman, Horace A Detroit Brackett, George L...Lake Eunice Bradley, W. M Osage Brandt, John Cormorant Brigham, Edmund Burlington Brigham, James Burlington Brown, Frank G Detroit Brown, John White Earth Brown, Dr. J. W Lake View Bryngelson, Andrew P... Richwood Bullock, L. E Osage Bullock, C. E Carsonville Burlingame, James Osage Cain, Thos Detroit Carson, Robert Detroit Cassamer, T. F Detroit Chadwick, Joseph Burlington Chapin, Frank B Detroit Charette, Joseph White Earth Charette, Louis White Earth Choate, Francis C Detroit Churchill, Charles E.. .. Burlington Clason, Dewit Osage C'ayton, George W. ...Burlington Clement. Charles A Detroit Clark, Amos Burlington Clifford, C. H Spruce Grove Clyde, W. J Holmesville Cole, Noble Carsonville Collins, Luke Richwood Collins. I. J Burlington Colburn, Andrew S. ...Lake View Comaford, Julius M Richwood Combs, B. B Detroit Converse, M. S Detroit Cook, Charles H Toad Lake Cook, Homer Detroit Cooke, H. E Audubon Cook, John Audubon Cool. B. H Two Inlets Coon, William J Richwood Corris, Thos. L Lake Park Cressey, R. W Detroit A Pioneer History of Becker County. 733 Crowell, H. C Carsonville Crummett, John O Detroit Culp, Cornelius . . . .■ Detroit Curry, Carlton Detroit Curtis, George Spruce Grove Curtis, Henry W Evergreen Daniels, Jerome Cuba Davis, Melville H Detroit Davis, John A Cormorant Day, Calvin K Detroit Densmore, Jacob Detroit Dewitt, Albert Lake View Dexter, Samuel B. ...Lake Eunice Douglas, T. L. Lake View Doell, Charles Detroit Doris, Francis White Earth Drew, Walter Audubon Duford. John B White Earth Dugan, Patrick Lake View Eastley, George W. (Mexican War) Detroit Edwards, Charles S Osage Edwards, George H. ...Lake View Eils, jMandon Erie Eggers, Henry ....Height of Land Emuleth, Charles Lake Eunice Entgelmeier, Chris. Height of Land Erno, John Burlington Evans, Edward Carsonville Fairbanks, Albert ....White Earth Farnsworth, A. J Detroit Farnsworth, George Detroit Fingelson, Fingal Richwood Forbes, Sherman Lake View Foster, Charles White Earth Foster, Henry White Earth Fox, Robert White Earth Frazier, Elijah S Osage French, John O Detroit French, William H Detroit Fryer, Arby Cormorant Gardner, George Pine Point Gaylord, George H Two Inlets Gerry. Martin H Lake View Gillion, John Osage Glaum, Anton Lake Eunice Goodrich, George Lake Park Goodwin, Lucien S Detroit Graham, John Burlington Grant, George W Lake Eunice Grant, Samuel Erie Greenlaw, Charles W. ... Carsonville Griftin, E Detroit Gritt, E Silver Leaf Gruver, Josiah Cormorant Gulbranson, John Audubon Gurley, Benjamin Detroit Gurley, Walter Detroit Halgren, S. A Cormorant Hall, J. Ransom Detroit Hall, Palmer Lake Park Hanks, John White Earth Harding, Hiram Detroit Hannah, Miles Erie Hanson, Hans Lake Park Harpster, Jacob Audubon Haslett, Hiram H Detroit Hauge, L. H Atlanta Hawley, Miles L Audubon Hazleton, William G. ...Richwood Heald, Dewit C Detroit Herbert, Charles E Detroit Herrick, George Erie Herrick, Warren Erie Higbie, Abraham Walworth Higbie, James Walworth Higley, Francis M Lake Park Hillyer, Philetus B Detroit Hildreth, W. H Detroit Hoffman, William Burlington Hogan, John Detroit Holmes, Charles Detroit Holmes. E. G Detroit Holmes, Joseph H Detroit Holyoke, Eugene Lake View Horton, John W Detroit Horton, Warren Lake Eunice Howard, Asa Osage Howard, Charles Detroit Howe, W. H. H Detroit Hoyle, Barlow Lake Eunice Hubbard, Isaac N Detroit Hubbard, N. K .\udubon Huck, Richard Erie Hughes, Michael Cormorant Hunter, John Holmesville 734 A Pioneer History oe Becker County Huntosh, Charles Burlington Huss, Louis Two Inlets Idell, Lewis Lake Park Irish, David L Atlanta Irish, William Audubon Jacobs, Frank Detroit Jarvis, D. O Height of Land Jellum, Ellef N Hamden Jenson, Simon Audubon Jepson, George E Detroit Johnson, Edgar M Detroit Johnson, Festus Detroit Johnson, George White Earth Johnson, John A Cormorant Johnston, George H Detroit Jorden, E. L Detroit Joy, S. S Detroit Justus, Daniel Cormorant Keith, David Lake View Kimpton, Ezekiel Richwood King, I. N Lake Park King, James J\I Burlington Lachapelle, Gabriel ...White Earth Lamb. William Burlington Lambert, Oliver C. .Height of Land Lamphier, Charles H. ..Evergreen Larson, Lars A Hamden Lirson, Ole Detroit Lawrence, George Detroit Legos, Benjamin White Earth Leperd, Jacob Burlington Lewis, Marshall J Lake View Liddy, Patrick E Cormorant Lindo, Charles Burlington Lindo, William Burlington Lovely, Danford White Earth Louden. Alexander Detroit Lucas, Thomas Grand Park Lukenbill. J. C Burlington Malone. James Osage Maltby. Dexter J Detroit Martin, Edward L Burlington Martin, George J Lake View Martin, Peter White Earth Martin, Thomas F Lake Eunice Mason, Charles White Earth Mason, Ira W Toad Lake ]Mason, James Grand Park- Mayer, Clemens Burlington McDonald, John White Earth McDougal, Duncan . .White Earth McDonald, Malcolm ....Audubon jMcDonough, William ..Lake View McDowell, W. P Detroit I\tcDonough, Peter ....Lake View ^IcGrew, James G Audubon McKay, Robert G Detroit McKenzie, James Detroit McKinley, George Osage McKinley, Seymour Osage McKinley, Squire S Osage McLeod, William W. ..Cormorant McVicker, Alexander ..Lake View Miller, Fred Cormorant Miller, Henry Detroit Miller, Robert Holmesville ]\Ioore, John G Carsonville Moore, John Height of Land Morrison, Daniel R Osage Morton, W. R Detroit Nelson, Andrew Cormorant Nelson, Ole E Detroit Newell, Jason L Osage Nichols, M. V Detroit Noble Samuel Audubon Oliver Edward, ISIexican War White Earth Olson, John Detroit Olson, Peter E Cuba O'Neil, John Two Inlets Page, Charles Lake View Parker, George A Detroit Parker, Peter Pine Point Parmenter, O. S Holmesville Pattison, Murdock ....Cormorant Peake, E. S Detroit Peake, George White Earth Peake, Giles Detroit Phelps, Luther Osage Phillips, J. B Holmesville Phillips, L. D Detroit Piatt, Wash Detroit Plummer. Charles B. ...Lake Park Poe, V. D Shell Lake A Pioneer History oe Becker County. 735 Pollard, William Holmesville Pratt, I. C Detroit Pullman, C. G Lake View Quincy, Charles O Detroit Ranck, Louis C Detroit Rand, Charles W Detroit Randall, William Burlington Raymond, J. W Audubon Reese, Edward White Earth Rice, Aaron P Lake View Richardson, Josiah Detroit Robbins, Gideon Cormorant Roberts, George A Burlington Roberts, William C Detroit Rogers. Charles C Detroit Ross, George N Detroit Rossman, William W Detroit Roy, Frank White Earth Rumery, Ezra Detroit Russell, E. M Erie Salg, Nathaniel Grand Park Sanderson, Detroit Sargent, George M Detroit Seaman, George N Detroit Schisco, Elizur Richwood Schooler, Benj. C Holmesville Seebold, C W Hamden Shabeneau, Joseph Lake Eunice Sharp, T. M Osage Sheehan, Timothy ....White Earth Sherman, Carolus B. ..Lake View Shields, Joseph W Simons, Rolland Lake Park Small, Alfred Detroit Smart, Albert I Detroit Smith, C. E Savannah Smith, Charles M Cuba Smith, Walter Lake View Snyder, John Erie Snyder, John Carsonville Snyder, William H Erie Soper, Charles Grand Park Spears, George W. ...Lake Eunice Staigg, Alfred Detroit Stearns, C. W Lake View Stevens, J. B Lake View Stevenson, L. G Lake Eunice Stewart, John P Detroit Stickney, Sylvester G Detroit Still, Daniel Detroit Sturtevant, Charles H. .Lake View Sturtevant, Lemuel. War of 1812. Detroit Swan, Thomas White Earth Swetland, A. G Lake Eunice Teague, Theodore P Detroit Tebeau, Frank White Earth Teezer, (Indian) Pine Point Thayer, Charles P Detroit Thompson, Louis Audubon Tibbils, Edgar Burlington Torgerson, Thomas Cuba Trotochaud, Peter Pine Point Tubbs. S. C Detroit Utley, Stephen Detroit Vanwert, James White Earth Vose, Elisha Detroit Vose, George Detroit Wagner, Ernst Detroit Waite, Simon Grand Park Walker, James A Detroit Wall, P. P Audubon Wall, O. G Audubon Warren, Thomas White Earth Weaver, Anthony Burlington Weaver, Charles ....White Earth Webster, Daniel Lake View Wee, Andrew O Cuba Weller, George Lake View Wells, Soloman Burlington Wentworth, A. H Holmesville Weston, Henry Lake View Whalen, Patrick Detroit Wheaton, S. V Osage White, William White Earth Whipple, Charles H Detroit Whitney, Samuel Detroit Wilkins, William A Hamden Wilkins, Walter W Hamden Wilson, Charles M Atlanta Wilson, George Detroit Wood, Horace Burlington Wood, J. E Detroit Wood, William H Detroit Woods, F. L Lake View Woodworth, R. L Detroit Wright, Edwin L Burlington Zachariason, Ashborn ..Lake Park "JT^G A Pioneer History of Becker County. Army Nurses. The army nurses who have made their homes in Becker County are : Dr. Emma K. Ogden, Detroit ; Mrs. Alexander McVicker, Lake View ; Mrs. E. L. Wright, Burhngton. Miss Ogden appHed to Miss Dorothy Dix for a position as army nurse in 1863 and was directed by her to Dr. James King, the division surgeon of the Pennsylvania troops, then stationed in Vir- ginia, and she served under him as army nurse in a sanitary camp during the remainder of the war. ]\Irs. McVicker died on the 3rd of March, 1893, and Mrs. Wright died previous to that time. Chapter LIX. LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE FROM BECKER COUNTY AND COUNTY OFFICERS. STATE SENATORS. Names. Session. Residence. E. G. Holmes, from the first Monday in January, 1889, to January, 1891 Detroit. J. H. Smith, from the first Monday in January, 1895, to the first Monday in January, 1903 Detroit. REPRESENTATIVES IN THE LEGISLATURE. Names. Session of Residence. L. S. Cravath 1872 Hamden. R. L. Frazee 1875 Burlington. Theodore Holton 1878 Cuba. T. K. Torgerson 1883 Cuba. E. J. Moore 1891 Osage. E. J. Moore 1893 Osage. J. H. Smith 1893 Detroit. A. H. Wilcox 1901 Burlington. T. C. Hawley 1903 Cuba Henry O. Bjorge 1905 Lake Park. Henry O. Bjorge 1907 Lake Park. The following is a list of County Officers from the organization of the County to 1907: COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Names. Years. Residence. John Cromb, March ist, 1871, to January 2nd, 1872... Lake Park. John F. Beaver, ]\Iarch ist, 1871. to January 2nd, 1872. .Audubon. Chris. Gardner, March ist. 1871, died in office Burlington. A Pioneer History of Becker County. ']:i;] Names. Years. Residence. William G. Woodworth, August 15th, 1871, to January 2nd, 1872 Detroit. W. H. H. Howe, Jan. 2nd, 1872, to Jan. 6th. 1874 Detroit. L. G. Stevenson, Jan. 2nd, 1872, to Jan. 7th, 1873 Lake Eunice. A. J. Haney, Elected in 1871, but did not qualify Richwood. J. E. Van Gorden, March 12th, 1872, to Jan. 7th, 1873. .. Richwood. W. A. Wilkins, Jan. 7th, 1873, to Jan. 5th, 1875 Hamden. W. S. Dixon, Jan. 7th, 1873, to Jan. 4th, 1876 Lake Park. C. P. Wilcox, Jan. 6th, 1874, to Jan. 2nd, 1877 Detroit. Thomas Torgerson, Jan. 5th, 1875, to Jan. ist, 1878. .. .Cuba. L. W. Pederson, Jan. 4th, 1876, to Jan. 7th, 1879 Lake Park. J. H. Sutherland, Jan. 2nd, 1877, to Jan. 3rd, 1882 Detroit. A. S. Blowers, Jan. ist, 1878, to Jan. 6th, 1881 Richwood. Jens P. Foss, Jan. 7th, 1879, to Jan. 3rd, 1882 Lake Park. Hans Ebeltoft, Jan. 6th, 1881, to Jan. 6th, 1885 Hamden. T. W. Dunlap, Jan. 3rd, 1882, to Jan. ist, 1884 Audubon. Olavus Bjornsted, Jan. 3rd, 1882, to Jan. 6th, 1885 Lake Park. T. W. Chilton, Jan. 3rd, 1882, to Jan. 4th, 1887 Burlington. F. B. Chapin. Jan. 3rd, 1882, to Jan. ist, 1884 Detroit. E. G. Holmes, Jan. ist, 1884, to Jan. 7th, 1889 Detroit. S. B. Dexter, Jan. ist, 1884, to Jan. 7th, 1889 Lake View. E. N. Jellum, Jan. 6th, 1885, to Jan. 4th, 1887 Lake Park. T. C. Hawley, Jan. 6th, 1885, to Jan. 4th, 1887 Cuba. T. W. Dunlap, Jan. 4th, 1887, to Jan. 6th, 1891 .A.udubon. E. J. Moore, Jan. 4th, 1887, to Jan. 7th, 1889 Carsonville. L. H. Hauge, Jan. ist, 1887, to Jan. 5th, 1897 Atlanta. Henry R. Johnson, Jan. 7th, 1889, to Jan. 5th. 1897.... Lake View. S. S. McKinley, Jan. 7th, 1889. to Jan. 3rd, 1893 Osage. Alfred Meilie, Jan. 7th, 1889, to Jan. 5th, 1907 Erie. O. PL Aas, Jan. 6th, 1891, to Jan. 8th, 1895 Lake Park John Engstrom, Jan. 3rd, 1893, to Jan. 5th, 1897 Richwood. Erick P. Skaeim, Jan. 8th, 1895, to Jan. 3rd, 1899 Audubon. Charles S. Palmer, Jan. 5th, 1897, to Jan. 3rd, 1905 Evergreen. Patrick O'Neil, Jan. 5th, 1897, to Jan. 8th, 1901 Burlington. Sivert Larson, Jan. 5th, 1897, to Jan. 8th, 1901 Hamden. Emanuel Berg, Jan. 3rd, 1899, to Jan. 8th, 1907 Lake Park. L. H. Hauge, Jan. 8th, 1901, to Jan. 3rd, 1905 Atlanta. Thomas J. Martin, Jan. 8th, 1901, to Jan. 3rd, 1905 Lake Eunice. Ralph W. Smith, Jan. 3rd, 1905, still in ofifice Cuba. Edwin Schram, Jan. 3rd, 1905, still in office Burlington. Charles Robinson, Jan. 3rd, 1905, still in office Osage. E. P. Skaeim, Jan. 8th, 1907, still in office Audubon. Everett W. Davis. Jan. 8th, 1907, still in office Detroit. COUNTY AUDITORS. David Pyle, June 27th, 1871, to March ist, 1872 Audubon. John Cromb, March ist, 1872, to Nov. loth, 1881 ■ Lake Park. A. H. Wilcox, Nov. loth, 1881, to Jan. 4th, 1887 Detroit. ^2,^ A Pioneer History oe Becker County. Names. Years. Residence. W. R. Morton, Jan. 3rd, 1899, to Jan. 6th, 1903 Detroit. L. M. Stevens, Jan. 5th, 1897, to Jan. 3rd, 1905 Detroit. Henry S. Dahlen, Jan. 3rd, 1905. still in office Detroit. COUNTY TREASURERS. Ole A. Boe, Sept. 30th, 1871, to the first Monday in March, 1876 Hamden. A. H. Wilcox, ist Monday in March, 1876, to Nov. 10, 1881 Detroit. Melvin E. Dahl, Nov. loth, 1881, to Oct. ist, 1883, died in office. : Lake Park. Ole A. Boe, October 13th, 1883, to Jan. 20th, 1888 Hamden. T. W. Chilton, Jan. 20th, 1888, to Jan. 6th, 1891 Burlington. Michael Blewit, Jan. 6th, 1891, to Jan. 8th, 1895 Audubon. Charles A. Goodrich, Jan. 8th, 1895, to Jan. 5th, 1897. .Detroit. Charles F. Snell, Jan. 6th, 1897, to Jan. 6th, 1903 Detroit. Peter Glaum, Jan. 6th, 1903, still in office Lake Eunice. SHERIFFS. Charles E. Churchill, June 25th, 1871, to Jan. 7th, 1873. . Burlington. Peter Ebeltoft, elected in 1871, but did not qualify Lake Park. Lars A. Larson, Jan. 7th, 1873, to Jan. 6th, 1874 Hamden. Theodore Holton. Jan. 6th, 1874, to Jan. ist, 1878 Cuba. John Anderson, Jan. ist, 1878, to Jan. 6th, 1880 Richwood. J. H. Phinney, Jan. 6th, 1880. to Jan. 4th, 1887 Detroit. W. A. Norcross, Jan. 4th, 1887, to Jan. 7th, 1889 Detroit. J. H. Smith, Jan. 7th, 1889, to Jan. 5th, 1893 Detroit. G. J. Norby. Jan. 5th. 1893, to Jan. 6th, 1903 Lake Park. Ole C. Larson, Jan. 6th, 1903, still in office Hamden. KEC.ISTERS OF DEEDS. Archibald McArthur, June 25th, 1871, to Jan. 2nd, 1872. .Detroit. John McClelland. Jan. 2nd, 1872, to Jan. 6th, 1878 Lake Eunice. Hans Hanson, Jan. 6th, 1878, to Jan. 5th. 1897 Richwood. O. N. Noben, Jan. 5th, 1897, to Jan. 3rd, 1899 Atlanta. Hans Hanson, Jan. 3rd, 1899, to Jan. 6th, 1903 Detroit. Philip S. Converse, Jan. 6th, 1903, still in office Detroit. CLERKS OF THE DISTRICT COURT. John O. Grummet, Aug. loth, 1871, to Jan. 2nd, 1872. . Detroit. John F. Beaver, Jan. 2nd, 1872, died in office .Audubon. Paul C. Sletten, Jan 6th, 1874, to Jan. 4th, 1876 Audubon. E. G. Holmes, Jan. 4th, 1876, to Jan. 6th, 1880 Detroit. W. J. Morrow, Jan. 6th, 1880, to Jan. 4th, 1887 Hamden. L. C. McKinstry, Jan. 4th, 1887, still in office Audubon. COUNTY ATTORNEYS. Josiah Delemeter, Jan. 2nd, 1872, to August 9th, 1872... Detroit. W. F. Ball, August 9th, to Jan. 6th. 1874 Detroit. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 739 Names. Years. Residence. James G. McGrew, Jan. 6th, 1874, to Jan. 6th, 1878. .. .Audubon. O. L. Larson, Jan. ist, 1878, to Jan. 5th, 1882 Audubon. Walter Drew, Jan. 5th, 1882, to September ist, 1883. .Audubon. John T. Brown, October 13th, 1883, to Jan. 8th, 1884. .Detroit. O. L. Larson, Jan. 8th, 1884, to May 6th, 1884 Lake Park. S. J. Offord, May 6th, 1884, to Jan. 5th, 1885 Detroit. J. T. Brown, Jan. 5th, 1885, to Jan. 7th, i88g Detroit. Jeff H. Irish, Jan. 7th, 1889, to Jan. 5th, 1893 Detroit. C. M. Johnston, Jan. 5th, 1893, to Jan. 5th, 1897 Detroit. J. N. True, Jan. 5th, 1897, to Jan. 3rd, 1899 Detroit. C. M. Johnston, Jan. 3rd, 1899, to Jan. 3rd, 1905 Detroit. Peter Schroeder, Jan. 3rd, 1905, still in office Burlington. JUDGES OF PROBATE. E. E. Abbot, elected in 1871, but did not serve Richwood. Josiah Delemeter, appointed in 1871, to Jan. 7th, 1873. .. .Detroit. B. O. Bergerson, Jan. 7th, 1873, to Jan. 5th, 1875 Cuba. Erick Anderson, Jan. 5th, 1875, to Jan. 7th, 1879 Cuba. J. H. Sutherland, Jan. 7th, 1879, to Jan. 5th, 1893 Detroit. James T. Bestick, Jan. 5th, 1893, to Jan. 3rd, 1899 Detroit. W. W. Wilkins, Jan. 3rd, 1899, still in office Hamden. COUNTY SURVEYORS. A. H. Wilcox, Jan. 2nd, 1872, to Jan. 4th, 1876 Detroit. John Hunter, Jan. 4th, 1876, to Jan. 2nd, 1887 Holmesville. John Lee, Jan. 2nd, 1877, to Jan. 4th, 1883 Lake Park. Charles Sturtevant, Jan. 4th, 1883, to Jan. 7th, 1889 Detroit. C. J. Dewey, Jan. 7th, 1889, to Jan. 6th, 1891 Green Valley. Charles Sturtevant, Jan. 6th, 1891, to Jan. 5th, 1893 Detroit. W. R. Morton, Jan. sth, 1893, to Jan. 6th, 1903 Detroit. John Oss, Jan. 6th, 1903, still in office Atlanta. COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS. F. B. Chapin, Feb. 6th, 1872, to Jan. 6th, 1874 Detroit. Walter Drew, Jan. 6th, 1874, to Jan. 6th, 1876 .A.udubon. Mrs. D. J. Maltby, May 5th, 1876, to Jan. ist. 1878 Detroit. Edmund Brigham, Jan. ist. 1878, to March 19th, 1878. . Burlington. G. L. Jones, March 19th, 1878, to Jan. 6th, 1885 Lake Eunice. F. B. Chapin, Jan. 6th, 1885, to Jan. Sth, 1895 Detroit. M. W. Vanderwater, Jan. 8th, 1895, to Jan. 3rd, 1899 Two Inlets. Mary A. Hanson, Jan. 3rd, 1899, to Jan. Sth, 1907 Atlanta. Mrs. Caroline Auxer, Jan. Sth, 1907, still in office Burlington. CORONERS. David Pyle, elected in 1871, but did not qualify Audubon. W. J. Brown, appointed Feb. 6th, 1872, to June 6th, 1874. Lake View. D. J. Maltby, Jan. 6th, 1874, to Jan. 4th, 1876 Detroit. C. A. Lampanius, Jan. 4th, 1876, to Jan. 6th, iSSo Audubon. J. O. Fraushaug, Jan. 6th, 1880. to Jan. 5th, 1882 Lake Park. 740 A Pioneer History of Becker County. Names. Years. Residence. Hans Hanson, Jan. 3rd, 1882, to Jan. 5th, 1897 Richwood. S. S. Jones, Jan. 5th, 1897, to Jan. 3rd, 1899 Burlington. W. R. Morton, Jan. 3rd, 1899, to Jan. 6th, 1903 Detroit. L. C. Weeks, Jan. 8th, 1903, still in office Detroit. COUNTY PHYSICIANS. E. E. Hoit, Jan. 1884 to Jan. 4th, 1887 Detroit. J. B. Carman, Jan. 4th. 1887, to Jan. 7th. 1889 Detroit. E. E. Hoit, Jan. 7th. 1889, to Jan. 7th, 1891 Detroit. J. B. Carman, Jan. 7th, 1891, to Jan. 7th, 1895 Detroit. E. E. Hoit, Jan. 7th, 1895, to Jan. 7th, 1903 Detroit. L. C. Weeks, Jan. 7th, 1903, to Jan. 7th, 1907 Detroit. Geo. W. Frasier, Jan. 8th, 1907; still in office Detroit. COURT COMMISSIONERS. Walter Drew, Jan. 6th, 1874, to Jan. 5th, 1875 .Audubon. A. S. McAllister, Jan. 5th, 1875, to August ist, 1877. .. .Detroit. F. B. Chapin, Jan. ist, 1878, to Jan. sth, 1881 Detroit. C. W. Dix, Jan. 5th, 1881, to July 29th, 1883 Detroit. W. W. Rossman, July 29th, 1883, to Jan. 8th. 1884 Detroit. George W. Taylor, Jan. 8th, 1884, to Nov. 28th. 1884. .Detroit. T. F. Cassimer, Nov. 28th, 1884, to Jan. 6th, 1891 Detroit. C. W. Dix, Nov. 6th, 1891, to Sept. 21st, 1895 Detroit. W. W. Rossman, Oct. 15th, 1896, to Sept. ist, 1904 Detroit. W. B. Carman, Sept. ist, 1904; still in office Detroit. ASSESSORS FOR BELTRAMI COUNTY. A. H. Wilcox, March, 1876, to January, 1882 W. J. Morrow, Jan. 3rd, 1882, to Jan. 4th. 1884 C. G. Sturtevant, Jan. ist, 1884, to Jan. 7th, 1889 L. M. Stevens, Jan. 7th, 1889, to Jan. 1892 Beltrami Cotintv was detaclied from Becker CountY, ATav 28th. 1897. MISCELLANEOUS. M. S. Converse held the ofifice of military storekeeper during both terms of Governor Nelson's administration as governor. Samuel H. Dahlen held the ofifice of committee room doorkeeper in the House of Representatives in the winter of 1894. He was also head doorkeeper of the House of Representatives during the sessions of 1901 and 1902. George Morrow was clerk in the state auditor's ofifice during the years 1905 and 1906. Walter W. Wilkins held the ofifice of doorkeeper in the State Senate during the session of 1895. A Pioneer History of Becker County. 741 J. H. Sutherland held the office of Indian Agent at White Earth during McKinley's first administration. T. K. Torgerson held the position of deputy in the office of the collector of internal revenue for the United States for the State of Minnesota during Cleveland's first administration. C. G. Sturtevant held the position of land examiner for the Northern Pacific Railroad Company during the year 1880, and held the same position for the Canadian Pacific Railroad during the years 1881 and 1882. C. J. Shaw held the same position for the same companies for the same vears. The following Becker County men have held the position of deputy United States marshal: E. L. Warren, Gus. H. Beaulieu, J. B. Hillier, Robert Morrison, Robert G. Beaulieu, M. S. Converse. Special Deputies : George Campbell, White Earth, a mixed-blood ; Charles Moulton, White Earth, a mixed-blood ; E. H. Fook, ^^'hite Earth, a white man. White Earth, Minn., Jan. 2, 1907. Dear Mr. Wilcox: You will please find herewith the names and occupation of a few of the White Earth boys who are now in good standing. I know they will all be very much pleased to have their names appear in your book. As to myself, will say that I was employed as deputy United States mar- shal for sixteen years, and later I held the very responsible position of chief estimator of Chippewa Indian lands in this state during the years 1903 and 1904. I had under my charge during that time twenty-four men. The work assigned me was to estimate all the pine timber, and classify all the agricultural lands embraced within the boundaries of the ceded Chippewa lands in Minnesota; and included in the Leech Lake. Cass Lake, White Oak Point, Winnibigoshish, Bois Fort, Deer Creek, Red Lake, Fond du Lac and Pigeon River Reservations. This piece of work I feel proud of for the reason that other corps of estimators that have from time to time been sent into the field by the government to estimate the Indian timber have been found on investigation to be very much against the best interests of our people. You perhaps know as much about those matters as I do. Henry W. Warren, was born on the White Earth Reservation ; is now employed as superintendent of the Government Indian school at Bena, Minn. ; is a graduate of the Carlisle Institute of Penn., and is also sub-agent of the Bena agency. 742 A Pioneer History of Becker County. John Morrison, was born on the White Earth Reservation; is now employed as superintendent of the Government Indian school at Red Lake, and is also a graduate of the Carlisle Institute. Benjamin CaswEle was also born on the White Earth Reserva- tion, and is now employed as superintendent of the Government school at Cass Lake, and is also a graduate of Carlisle. Eugene J. Warren was also born on the White Earth Reserva- tion, and is now employed as disciplinarian of the Government school at White Earth, and is also a Carlisle graduate. John B. Warren was born on the White Earth Reservation, is a graduate of Carlisle ; was noted as one of the great football players of the University of Minnesota in years 1903 and 1904, and during that time was a university law student. He is also a graduate of the Normal School of Indiana, Pa. Allan L. Morrison is a White Earth boy ; I think that he is a graduate of the Haskell Government school. He is now employed as chief clerk at the White Earth agency, a position of responsi- bility. William F. Campbell is a graduate of the Carlisle Govern- ment school, also a graduate of State University Law School ; is nov/ practicing law at Manohmen, Minn. He is a White Earth boy, and has made his home there for many years. Dan. S. AIorrison is a White Earth boy also. He attended school at Carlisle, and is now employed as assistant clerk at the White Earth agency. Donald McDougall is a White Earth boy ; a graduate of the Haskell Institute of Nebraska, and is also employed as assistant clerk at the White Earth agency. Alex. McDougall is another W^hite Earth boy, a graduate of the Haskell School, and is also employed at the White Earth agency as assistant clerk, having been transferred here from the Leech Lake agency. William R. Spears is a White Earth boy ; is now in the Indian trade in which business he has been engaged for many years. He is a son of Mrs. Julia A. Spears. B. L. Fairbanks is another White Earth boy; is a prosperous Indian trader in which business he has been engaged for many years, both at White Earth and Red Lake Reservations. He sue- A Pioneer History of Becker County. 743 ceeded to the business established by his father, George A. Fair- banks. Edward L. Warren. Besides the different persons whose names are appended to the various articles in this work I am under special obligations to Mr. L. C. McKinstry, of Detroit, for assistance in gathering informa- tion and for other help in the preparation of this work. Adios, A. H. Wilcox. THE END. ILLUSTRATIONS. Anderson, Brede, 582. Anderson, Christen, 372. Abbey, Capt. Joseph H., 473. Baarstad, A., 518. Baarstad, Mrs. A., 518. Badger, 116. Ball, Hon. W. F., 335. Barnard, Leroy D., 639. Beaulieu, Paul, 238, Beaver, 139. Becker, Gen. Geo. L., 14. Berg, O. I., 424. Bergerson, B. O., 508. Bittman, Mr. and Mrs. George, 694. Bjorge, Ole, 413. Boe, Ole A., 496. Bjorge, Christ E., 413. Bjorge, Hon. Henry O., 438. Boanece, 402. Bowker, Arra J., 318. Bowker, Mrs. Nellie, 318. Brown, Julius, 245. Butler, Nathan, 243. Canoe, 215. Caribou, 64. Chapin, F. B., 321. Chilton, Guy, 284. Chilton, James, 284. Chilton, Mrs. James G. 284, Chilton, William G., 281. Christenson, Iver, and family, 482. Churchill, Charles E., 281. Clifford, Mrs. Delia A., 667. Converse, M. S., 366. Cook, John, 386. Cook, Mrs. John, 386. Collins, I. J., 295. Cravath, Mrs. L. S., and daughter, 502. Cromb, John, 413. Crummett, Frank, 321. Cutler, Mrs Lois, 318. Dezell, Mr. and Mrs. James, 624. Dirkes, Rosa, 694. Elk, 60. Erickson, Daniel, 455. Erickson, Erick, 455. Erickson, Nels and family, 448. Erickson, Ole and family, 450. Evans, Edward, 645. Evans, Fred, 644. First Tax Receipt, facsimile, 570. Fox, Black, 92. Fox, Silver Gray, 90. Frazee, Hon. R. L., 306. French, John O., 319. Gould, Mr. and Mrs. Clayton, 316. Grangruth, Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm, 674. Halgren, C. M., 455. Halverson, Ole, 520. Hanson, Hans, 478. Hanson, Mrs. Hans, 478. Hanson, Miss Mary A., 591. Higbie, Albert E., 595. Holmes, Hon. E. G., 335. Holmes, Mrs. E. G., 335. Horr, B. F., 628. Horr, Mrs. B. F., 628. Hole-in-the-day, 238. Hought, Eber, 672. Jahr, Mr. and Mrs. O. J., 591. Jarvimaki, Andrew, 682. Jacobson, Peter, and family, 651. Johnson, Frank 'A., 321. Johnson, Mrs. John, 245. Jones, Katie, 646. Kittelson, Ole, 511. Knapp, Mrs. Elizabeth C, 688. Knutson, Erick, 455. Kuha, Mr. and Mrs. Paul, 674. Laite, Caroline, 511. Laite, Lars P., 511. Laite, Mrs. Lars P., 511. Larson, Lars, 518. Lowles, Mrs. Wesley, nee Frances Witter, 639. Lynx, 77. McClelland, Mr. and Mrs. John, 457. Mckinley, Maj. S. S., 609. McKinstry, William P., 582. McLeod, W. W., 478. Map of Becker County, 11. Matson, Knut, and family, 452. Martin, Penn W., 692. Martin, Thomas J., and family, 466. Meilie, Alfred, 599. Modern Load of Logs, 709. Morrison, Allan, 266. Morrison, Wm., 226. Morrow, W. J., 383. Moose, 57. Nelson, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Nub, 591. Nelson, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Nub, 591. 746 Illustrations. Northup, Anson, 218. Nuener, Mr. and Mrs. George, 601. Old Settlers, group of, 370. Olson, Erick, 455. Olson, Martin, 509. Olson, Mrs. Martin, 509. Olson, Oleson, 516. Oleson, Peter E., 521. Oleson, Mrs. Peter E., 521. Olson, Severt, and family, 448. Otter, 112. Palmer, Chas. S., 663. Panther, 72. Pine Marten, 110. Qualey, Ole E., 478. Ramstad, Lars O, 496. Renwanz, Emma, 6. Rossman, Mr. and Mrs. W. W., 364. Sanderson, Mr. and Mrs. A. W., 609. Schultz, Lizzie, 601. Severtson, Mr. and Mrs. Peter, 446. Sherbrook, Mr. and Mrs. (Isabel), and family, 446. Sherman, Almon W., 316. Sherman, C. A., 316. Sherman, Mrs. Lois H., 318. Shepard, F. M., 677. Siegford, J. F., 608. Small, Capt. F. K., 386. Small, Mrs. F. K., 386. Snowshoe, 730. Spears, Mrs. Julia A., 245. Spencer, Charles E., 689. Taylor, Oliver, 413. Trieglaff, August, and family, Warren, Truman A., 238. Way, Henry, 316. Way, Mrs. Jane, 318. Wellman, Capt. D. L., 314. West, Mrs. Jessie C, 335. Weymouth, Mrs. Luther, 284. White Cloud, 238. Wilcox, Alvin H., frontispiece. Wilcox, A. II., 544. Wilcox, Mrs. A. H., 544. Wilcox, C. P., 580. Wilcox, Mrs. C. P., 544. Wilcox, Hosmer H., 581. Wilkins, Judge W. W., 505. Wolverine, 103. Wood, Rev. John E., 362. 302. V INDEX. Abbey, Joseph H., 647, 653. Abbott, E. E., 490, 491, 492. Abstract of Title, Chapter XII, 200. Adams, John, 665. Adelaide or d'Engelbroner Farm, The, 526. Ah-zhe-day-si-shig, 248. Allen, Maj. R. M., U. S.Indian Agent, 258. Aloysius, Rev. Father, O. S. B., 258. American Fur Company, 45, 253. Anderson, Mrs. Brede, 372. Anderson, Buckley B., 373. Anderson, Christ, 222, 373. Anderson, Christen, 224. Anderson, Erick, 520. Anderson, Frank, 100. Anderson, Jedediah, 319. Anderson, John, 598. Antelope, The, 69. A Pathetic Chapter, by Robert McClelland, 463. Ashley, Jessie, 312. Ashley, Leonard A., 281, 294, 311. Aspinwall, A. P., 277. Aspinwall, William D., 137, 277. Aspinwall, N. P., 277. Armour, Mr. and Mrs., 251. Army Nurses, 736. Artesian Wells, 507. Assessors for Beltrami County, 740. Astor, John Jacob, 229. Atlanta Township, History of. Chapter XXXIV, 592. Audubon (naturalist), 113, 114, 121, 135. Audubon Township, 223, 225. History of. Chapter XXII, 373. How it received its name, 379. Settlers in order of their arrival, 374. Audubon, \'illage of, 378. Journal, 91. "Treasury Depleting Trio," 404. Ault, T. M., 237. Austin, Pinney, 650. Austin, William, 283. Ay-gans, 230. Baarstad, Amund E., 523. Bajhinana, 89, 285, 287. Holds up Paul Sletten, 292. .Shooting of Gunder Carlson by, 384. Shooting of, by Patrick Quinlan, 293. Bachman (naturalist), 121. Badger, The American, 117. Bakken, Hans J., 524;' Bakki, Jacob, 638, 684. Ball, W. F., 88, 334. Bardwell, Mr., appointed Indian Agent, 251. Barnard, Mr. and Mrs. J. A., Pioneer Ex- perience of, 635. Bancroft, American historian, 195. Bardsley, Miss Jane, 454. Bartz, Ludwig, 650. Bardwell, Mr., blacksmith, 251. Bartrum, Jerry, and brother, 242. Bassett, Maj. J. B., 220, 239-43, 24^, 246, 248. Basswood, Old, 104, 107, 110, 212. Bats, 132. in Mammoth Cave, 132. Bates, Gen. John R., 75. Battle between Sioux and Chippewas, 212. Baxter, Judge L. L., 72?. Bean, James, 239. Beardsley, George G., 51. Bear, The Black, 96. Food of, 96. Bear, The Grizzly, 93. Bear Tooth Mountain, 67. Beaulieu, Bazil la., 257, 259, 260. Beaulieu, Clement H., 23, 54, 2o7, 258, 259. Beaulieu Family, 257. Beaulieu, Gus H., 55, 205, 207, 263. Beaulieu, Paul H., 221, 239,240, 241, 246,258. Beaulieu, Theodore H., 260, 261. Beaulieu, Truman, 256. Beaver, a scare, 143. description, 144. the Cub, 140. traits of, 142. Beaver, Halvor M., 510. 515. Beaver, J. F., 222, 225, 276, 373. Becker Co. Agricultural Society, 340. Approximate amount of Norway Pine growing in, 706. Botany of, 23, 26. Census of 1870, 223. County created, Chapter I, 9, 12. The first Lawsuit in, 582. County seat controversy, 584. County seat permanently located at De- troit, 723. First tax receipt, A. H. W'ilcox, 570. Five generations, first white women who settled in, 318. geology of. Chapter III, 17. 748 Indkx. Intercepted letter "Fraud! Extortion! Bankruptcy!", 588. Journal 85, 414. lakes and ponds of, 159. List of first jury in, 583. Map of, 11. ^Members of the first Becker County jury, 581. Members of the legislature from Becker County and County officers, 736. Naming County, incident, 13. Native wild plants, with botanical and common names, 27-30. Organization of, Chapter XIX, 275. Organization of first congregation in, 435. Petition of legal voters, Audubon, Jan. 31, 1874. 587. Representatives in the Legislature, 736. Resolutions County Commissioners, Aug. 24, 1875, regarding building Court-house and Jail, 724. Territory included, 9. veteran association, 468. Wild animals of. Chapter VII, 43. Wild Trees and Plants of 23, Becker, Gen. Geo. L., Chapter II, 15. Appointed to Board Railroad and Ware- house Commissioners, 16. Candidate for Governor, in 1894, 16. Delegate to National Democratic Con- vention, Charleston, 1860, 16. Election to Congress, 6. Letter from, 12. Beltrami County, 740. Bergerson, Sophia, 517. Bergerson, B. O., 510. Bergerson, Mrs. B. O., 509. Bestick, James T., 369. Beveridge, David, 222. Birds of Becker County, Minn., list of. Chapter VIII., 159. Disappearing and Game Birds, by D. W. Meeker, 186, 190. List of, 161-186. total number of species in Becker County, by Thos. S. Roberts, M. D., 160. Bismarck, 52. Bisson, Mrs. Margaret Beaulieu, (Mrs. Martin Bisson), 260. Bjorge, Christen E., 419, 428, 437, 543. Bjorge, Henry O., 423 435. Bjorge, Rev. K., 436. Bjorge, Ole E., 420. Bjornstad, Johannes, 426. Bjornstad, M., 426. Bjornstadt, Olaus, 427. Boanece, 251. and wife, 252. arrest of, 398, 399, 400. Bobolink, 251, 391. dived for his life, 395. the confession, 396. Bodle, Dr., 251. Boe, Ole A., 319. Bohne, Ewald, and wife Jennie, 664. Boll, Rudolph, 297, 660. Bonaparte, Napoleon, 200, 204. Bonga, George, 239. Boston Natural History Proceedings, 120. Bottineau, Peter, 239. Bottineau, Pierre, half breed, 234, 239. Borup, Mrs. Gustave, 260. Boulders, niggerhead and limestone, 18. Bowling, A. E., 327. Bowman, Horace, 327. Brackett, Fred, 237. Brackett, Foster H., 160. Brackett, Geo. A., 234. Brackett, Geo. M. C, 237, 379. Brackett, U. S. Marshal, 391. Breck, Rev. Dr., 261. Brickmaking, 468. Briggs, Edward, 278. Brigham, Miss Nellie F., 285. Brigham, Sidney, 492. Britt, Geo. W., 465. Britt, Harry, 115. Britt, Miss Orlora, 458. Broadhead, W. F., 75, 176. Bross, Ex-Governor of Illinois, 42. Brower's History of Itasca State Park, 641. Brower, Hon. J. V., 21. Brown, Frank C, 661. Brown, Julius (Mamuckkawange), 248. Brownjohn, Rev. Geo. W., 411, 529. Buck, Sidney, 458. Buck, Simeon S., 456. Buel, ueorge, and Mrs., 660. Buffalo, The, 44. killed at White Earth, 54. lUiffalo River, 45. Catching Beaver, 140, 141. Building on Reservation, "265. Bullock, C. E., 224, 614, 627, 630. Bullock, Miss Mary A., 614. Burdick, Jackson, 373. Burfield, M., 665. Burger, L. D., 380, 381, 382, 398, 399. Burlington Township, History of, 222, 277. Butler, Nathan, 243. Cadotte, J. B., 256. Cadotte, Louis, 257. Cadotte, Mary, 253. Cadotte, Michel, Jr., 257. Cadotte, Michel, Sr., 253, 257. Callaway Township, organization of, by J. P. Ernster, 700. Campbell, C. M., 282. Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. C. W., 285. Campbell, Dugald, 447. Index. Campbell, Frank M., 224, 264, 277. Campbell, George M., 264. Campbell, Hugh, 492. Campbell, James, 608. Campbell, William F., 264, 742. Canfield, Thomas H., 434, 435, 442-5. Canoes, Birch Bark, and Canoe Travel, Chapter XIV, 216. How made, 216. Canon River Improvement Association, 209. Caribou, 65. Caribeau, Antoine, 140. Carlson, Filing, 557. Carlson, Gunder, 289, 418, 498, 557. Carson, Geo. M., 224, 610, 611, 613, 615, 617. Carson, Robert, 294. Carsonville Township — A Chapter of fatal accidents, 627. The first death in, Mr. Burnham, 639. History of. Chapter XXXIX, 623. Naming the town, 626. Natural Resources, 624. Organization, 625. Cassady, Thomas, 666. Casey, Mrs. Martin, 98. Caswell, Benjamin, 742. Catlin, George, American artist, 195, 257. Cartwright's, Captain, Journal, 106. Cavanagh, James M., 16. Chabrille, Charlotte Louisa, 267. Chapman, John, 651. Chapin, F. B., 217, 343. Chapin, Miss May (Mrs. John Whitte- more), 603. Childs, Deacon Samuel B., 320. Childs, Miss Nellie, 473. Chilton, Guy, 285. Chilton, James G., 280, 281, 285, 289, 298. Chilton, John, 283. Chilton, John R., 283. Chilton, John, Sr., 285. Chilton, T. W. 280, 281, 285, 289. Chilton, William, 280. Chilton, Wm G., 282, 298. Chilton, Wm. G., by George E. Tindall, 303. Chipmunk, The, 153. Chippewa Indians, The, Chapter XI, 196. Chittenden, Mr., head clerk and overseer, 251. Christenson, Iver, 479-81, 486, 488, 490. Christenson, Ole, 519. Cliristian Soldier, 262. Churchill, Charles E., 280, 298, 566. Clason, De Witt, 633, 655. Clark, Edwin, 240. Clark, N. P., 299. Clerks of the District Court, 738. Clifford, Alfred H., 067. Clifford, C. H., 667. Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. C. H., 664. Clifford, Mrs. Delia A., 666, 668, 669. Clitheral, Maj. J. B., 271. Coburn, Chester, 563. Coffin, Charles Carleton, 41, 235, 317, 320. Cole, Edward, 679. Cole, Noble, 632. Colfax, Hon. Schuyler, 41, 503. Collins, I. J., 211. Collins, Mrs. I. J., 296. Collins, Irving John, 211, 2»3, 294, 298. Collins, Luke, 494. Commonwealth Lumber Co, 278, 307, 715. Common or White-tailed Deer, 65. Comstock, Miss Nancy M., 225. Convay, John, xnurder, 348. Converse, Philip S., 368. Converse, W. F., 369. Converse, Myla Seamans, 365, 740. Cook Family, The, by Albion Barnard, 387. Cook, Miss Hattie, i;o2. Cook, John, 555. Cook, Mrs. John, 250. Cook family murder, A painful scene, 395. Reminiscence of, by F. M. Higley, 438. Cook, Mrs. Minnie., 251. Cook, Prof. W. W.. 160. Corbett, Thomas, 474, 567. Cormorant Township, History of, Chapter XXIV, 447. Cormorant Township, 23, 205. Cormorant Lake, 22. Cornell, F. R. E., 400. Coroners, 739. Coues, Prof. Elliot, 44, 49, 105, 107, 110, 120, 127, 130, 131, 256, 257. Country was first peopled. How, Chapter X, 195. County Attorneys, 738. Auditors, 737. Commissioners, 736. Physicians, 740. Superintendents of Schools, 739. Surveyors, 739. Treasurers, 738. Court Commissioners, 740. Court-house, Dedication of, 726. Court-house and Jail, The Building, Chap- ter LVI, 723. Coyote, peculiar ways and habits, 86. Cravath, L. S., 378, 500, 501. Crimes, 638. Crissy, Arthur, 298, 300. Cromb, John, 275, 555. Crummett, J. O., 340. Cruttenden, Hon, J. D., 12. Cuba Township, History of. Chapter XXIX 510. Curry, Carton, 361. Cutler, Mrs. Lois., 331. Dahlen, Samuel 11., 740. /o =10 Index. Dalton, Michael, 320. Darling, Wliitson S., 600. Daubenspeck, Mathias, 651. Davis, John, 649. Davis, M. V. B., 17, 327. Davis, Melville H., 5, 546, 563. Davis, W. E., 69. Day, Capt. C. D., 554. Day, Fred L., 596. Dead Lake, 213. Detroit, 276. How named, 341. First village election in, 347. First grain warehouse on Northern Pacific built, 344. First memorial service, 346. Record, 59, 68, 360, 361. extracts, 93, 258, 403, 336-40. Catching an opossum, 124. Otter Tail City, extracts from, 334. Savannah, 145. Brutal Murder near McHugh, 305. Burning of Village Jail, 588. Hungry bear scratches at farm-house door, 101. Plat of the old townsite of, 10. Seer of Minnesota's Venerable Pioneers is dead, 269. Roads, 341. School District No. 1, 342. The First Church in, 337. Detroit Township, 222. First general election in, 328. History of, by Mrs. Jessie C. West, 315. Organization of, 328. Pioneer Women, 327. and Village separation, 347. Detroit Lake and Pelican River Slack Wa- ter Navigation Company, 476. Detroit Lumber and Wood Company, Notice of Co-Partnership, 568. Detroit Lake, 23. Devereaux, M. L., 222. Dezell, James, 635, 640. Dezell, Mrs. Mary E., 623, 640. Diekmann, John August, 693. Disse, Fred, 600, 603. Disse, John Frederick, 605. Dix, Miss Cad, (Mrs. Arthur Blanding), 603. Dix, Charles Woodman, 356. Dixon, W. S., 585, 586. Dokken, Ole C, 52o. Donald, George, 253. Doran, Tyree, 643. Dornbush, Jorgen, 669, 671. Dorsey, P. S., 689. Dow, Roscoe, 298. Dow, Wm. L., of Little Falls, 242. Dresser, Lieut., 401. Du Chaillu, Paul, 274. Dudley, Rev. C. H., Hamilton, 349. Early Reminiscences of Hamden, by Mrs. L. S. Cravath, 501. Eastman, Dr., 195. Ebeltoft, Hans, 500, 501, 507. Ebeltoft, Mr. and Mrs. Hans, 508. Ebeltoft, Peter, 501. Ebeltoft, Severt, 508. Educated Indian woman of Creek Nation and Filipinos, 195. Eischens, Max, 690. d'Engelbroner, M. E., 412. Engelstad, Bergitha J., 431. English, John, 255. English, Mrs. Mary, 255. Elk, The, 61. Emuluth, Charles, 589. Erickson, Jonas, 423. Erickson, Nels, 447, 449. Erie Township, History of, Chapter XXW'I, 595. Ermine, The, 128. Evans, Edward, 633, 643, 644. Evergreen, The Township of. Chapter XLV, 663. Farr, A. A., 627. Farr, Jerome G., 602, 604, 627. Fatal and Destructive Wind Storm, June 9th, 597. Fairbanks, Benjamin, 264. Fairbanks, B. L., 742. Fairbanks, Mrs. Catherine Beaulieu, (Mrs. Robert Fairbanks), 260. Fairbanks, George A. Jr., 250, 264. Fairbanks, George Sr., 264. Fairbanks Family, The, 263. Fairbanks, Robert, 24, 250, 264. Fairbanks, R. P. 248. Fairbanks, Wm., 2o3. Fechner, Frederick, 650. Fichtner, John, 650. Fiend, A youthful, 669. Fifth Principal Meridian, 910. First Catholic Priest at White Earth, 263. Congressional Representatiyes, 16. Inhabitants, The, Chapter XIII, 210. Members of Congress, 16. People to winter in Becker County, dur- ing winter 1869 and 1870, 222. Sawmill at White Earth, 242. Settlement by White People, Chapter XVI, 220. State swamp land ever transferred, 209. Fisher, The, 107. Fisherman's dive saves life, 78. Fishes of Becker County, Chapter IX, by D. W. Meeker, 191, 192. Fletcher and Bly, 380. Floyd Lake, 23. Indkx. 751 Fond du Lac, 228, 229. Foster, Mrs. Mary McDougal, 271. Fountain, Mrs., 250. Fox, Black, 93. Cross, 89. Red, The, 87. Silver Grey, The, 91. Fox, Samuel J., 319, 320, 480. France, King of, 201. Frank, Miss Lottie, 225. Frazee, Hon. R. L., 66, 297, 309, 589, GOl. Frazee, The Mill, 715. Our thriving ^'illage, 148, 31, 3. Village of, 305. Incorporation, 308. Frazier, E. S., 614. Fremont, Gen. John C, 310. French, John O, 98, 217, 224, 237, 320, 333, 398, 399, 583. Frick Mrs. Joseph, 303. Furber, Joseph E., 357. Furman, Julia, 447. Gah-wah-bah-bi-gon-i-kah, or White Earth, 248. Gardner, Chris., 275, Zo3. Gates, Rev. H. N., 350, 351, 560. Gebo, Frank, 659. Georgetown, Dak, 50. Gilbert, T. L. 68, 69. Gilbert, William, 634. Gilbertson, Mr. and Mrs. John, 377. Gimilan, Rev. J. A., 252. Gilfillan's, "father," self-sacrificing labors in the North Woods, 271. Gillian, John, 613, 622, 631. Gin-gion-cumig-oke, Death of, 248. Glander, John Detrich, Sr., 686. Golke, Ludwig, 651. Good Lake Township, History of, Chapter L, 686. Goodrich, Guy H., 411. Goodrich, Mrs. Hattie E., 411. Gopher, The Pocket, 154. Record. Detroit, 155. The Gray, 155. The Speckled, 156. Gordon, Lord, 553. Graham, John, 282. Grand Army of the Republic, 468. Grandelmyer, Mrs. Caroline, 267. Grand Forks, 104. Grand Park Township, History of, 643. Town of, 147. Grant, George W., 458. Grasshoppers, 145, 575. Graves and the grizzly bear, 95. Graves, C. H., & Co., 345. Green Valley, History of, 677. Gregory, Walter R., 555. Griffnow, Herman, 686. Grimsgard, Iver, 263. Graboritz, Michael, 651, 653. Guethling, John, 651. Gummer, Mrs. John., 285. Gurley, Father James, 555. Gurley, Walter, 406. Gurley, Rev. James, 405. Gurley, Father, 225, 340. Hagboe, Rev. B., 378. Haider, Annie and Lena, 698. Haight, Ed., 616, 617. Haight, Miss Sybil N., 621. Halgren, C. M., 454. Hall, Sylvanus, 66G. Halverson, Christine, 57. Halverson, Gabriel, 91, 484, 486. Halverson, Ole, 520. Hamden Township, Chapter XXVIII, 496. Township, 498. Township Organization, 505. Supplementary History of, by vv'alter W. Wilkins, 504. Hamilton, Geo. D., 134, 662, 670. Hamilton, Henry, 134. Hamre, Miss Dinah, 419. Haney, A. J., 276. Hanna, Miles, 600, 603. Hanson, Hans, 479. Hanson, I. J., 224. Hansor James, 471. Hanson, Thorville, 517. Hare, the Great, or Jack Rabbit, 133. Harrington, Geo., 677. "Hautuers," 21. Haven, J. E., carpenter, 251. Hawk's Nest, 51. Hawley, Rev. Fletcher J., D. D., 528. Hayden, Kimball, 400, 602. Hay den, W., 604. Hays, James P., Indian Agent, 254. Hazelton, W. D.. 5G4. Height of Land Lake, 23, 145, 211. Height of Land Township, History of. Chapter XLII, 647. Hemenway, Fanny N., 493. Heminway, Sophia, 494. Hendrickson, Matt, 683, 685. Hendy, L. D., 309, 568. Hennepin, Father, 689. Henning, Mr. and Mrs. Henry, 684. Henry, Alexander, 44, 47, 49, 61, 93, 101, 124, 253, 256, 257, 261, 575, 701. Henshall, Dr., A recognized authority on fish, 192. Hernando De Soto Lake, 21, 22. Herrick, George, 113. Herrick, Miss Jessie, 653. Higbie, Albert E., 187, 597. Higbie, Mrs. A. E., 5%. Higbie. Claud E., 595. Higbie, Frank E., 695. 752 Indkx. Higley, F. M., 442. Higley, Mrs. F. M., 412, 414. Hoffman, William, 283. Hole-in-th-Day, £0«, 2.30, 139, 246, 254, 2li2. HoUiday, W. P., 622. Holmes, E. G., Hon., 209, .326, 334, 340, 545, 606, 724, 725. Holmesville Township, History of. Chapter XX.W'II, 606. Homestead Law, 208. Horneck, Samuel N., 357. Horr, Frank, 616, 618. Horr-Kelly, 627. Hought, Eber, 671, 676. Houglum, Andrew A., 428. Hoveland, Jonas, 449. Hoveland, Ole, 449. Howard, William B., 285, 286. Howard, William W., 221, 289. Howe, Millard E., 45, 329. Howe, W. H. H., 276. Hoyle & Nunn, 68, 69. Huotari, Charles, 305. Indian Mounds, 211. Irving, Washington, 70, 201. Isaacson, J., 317. Isola, Wm., 685. Itasca State Park, 21. Lake, 21, 22. Jacobson, Gustav, 423, 424. Jacobson, Peter R., 523. Jahr, O. J., 592. James River, Dakota, 51. Jamestown, Dakota, 52, 53. Jarvimaki, Andrew, 683, 685. Jarvis, D. O., 78. Jones, A. J., 634. Jones, Harvey, 582. Jones, John H., 643. Jones, Thomas, 608. Jones, Roy W., 715. Johnson, Anthony, 598. Johnson, Frank A., 353. Johnson, Fred, 222, 373. Johnson, Gudm F., 425. Johnson, Rev. John, (Enmcgahhowh), 225, 245, 261, 262. Johnson, N. P., 598. Johnson, Ole, 525. Johnston, James, 384. Johnston, Col. George Henry, 321, 326, 354, 584, 585, 587. Death of, 355. Journal Audubon, 378. Extracts from, 403. Boston, 320. On Park Region, 234, 235. Indianapolis, 151. Minneapolis, 272. Joy, Silas S., 475. Judges of Probate, 739. Kab-a-ma-be, 400. Ka-ba-mah-bie, 212. Ka-ka-ba-she, Capture of, 394, Kalthoff, Henry, 693. Kelly, Emmet, 627. Kelly, Hamilton, 406. Keyes, Thomas, 241. Keys, Thomas, 280. Kinunen, Abel, 683. Kittelson, Ole, 510, 513, 532, 533. Kittson, Miss Elizabeth Ann, 231. Knapp, Mrs. Elizabeth C, 689. Knudson, Iver T., 480. Kohler, Arnold, death of, 665. Komansparger, Anthony, 283. Kuha, Mr. and lilrs. Paul, 675. LaChance, Mr., 249. Laite, Lars P., 517. Lake Eunice, The first settlement of. Chap- ter XXV, 456. Township, 115, 457. Lakes and Rivers, Chapter IV, 21. Lake Park Township, Chapter XXIII, 412. Township, 115, 205. History of, 414. Times Salutatory, 441. Township, organization, 433. Orphans' Home, 432. Village, History of, 440. Lake View Township, History of. Chapter XXVI, 469. Township, 148. Early settlement, 472. First school in, 473. Lamb, Billy, 385. Lambert, Mrs. Mary, 255. Lamphier, Charles H., and shooting of L. J. Jeswin, 665. Larson, Henry J., 397, 555. Larson, Henry J., 397. Larson, Mr. and Mrs. Henry J., 377. Larson, Lars A., 400, 519. Lass, William, 686. Learman, George, 100. Ledeboer, Arnold A., 270. Ledeboer, Mrs. A. A., 256. Ledeboer, Mrs. Jennie, 258. Lee, Samuel, 243, 247. Road, the. 219. Leech Lake, 227. Lehman, Frank, 633. Lemon, Z. T. , 631. Leupp, Indian Commissioner, 198. Lewis, J. G., 630. Linnel, Mrs. A. M., 632. Lisk, John, 293. Local, Lake Park; Killing a bear, 100. Lofstrum, Nels, 117. Long, Maj., 45. Index. 753 Long, William, 564. Loomis, Col., Land Commissioner of the Northern Pacific, 552. Lord, Rev. Dr., 225, 235, 23G, 317. Louisiana Purchase, 200. Lowell, E B., 241. Lynde, John, 394. Lynx, the, 78. McArthur, Archibald, 275, 320. McArthur, Wm. \V., 250, 270. McCabe, — . — ., of Minneapolis, 242. McCart, Bill, 58. McCart, H. G., 651. McCarthy, Clarence, 320. McClellan, General, and relative, 237. McClelland, John, 458, 460, 463. McClelland, Mrs. John, 459. M'Cleod, \V. W., 100. McCoy, James, 237, 550. McDonald, Billy; A stabbing affray, 301. McDonald, Donald, 220, 271, 277. McDonell, Archibald B., 461. McDonell, John A. B., 286. McDonell's, John, Journal, 49. McDonell, William, 286. McDougal, Mrs. Duncan, 271. McDougall, George, 277. M'cDougall, Alex., 742. McDougall, Donald, 742. McFee, Robert, 289. McGrew, Hon. James G., 410, 582. Mcintosh, Mrs. A. J., 258. McKay, Daniel, 412. McKinley, Miss Flora, 679. McKinley, S. S., 613, 615, 618. McKinstry, Lester C, 85, 326, 411, 544, 546, 743. McKinstry, William P., 326. McLeod, W. W., 244, 453, 454, 491, 494, 564. McMartin, Wm., 531. McPhee, Robert, and family, 283. Macgillivray, Wm., 130. Mackenzie Alexander, 210. Mackenzie River, 210. Ma-king, 213. Mackintosh, Elizabeth, 256. Maltby, Dr. Dexter J., 352. Maple, the Oak and the Pine, The, Cha;)ter LIV, 701. Making maple sugar, 702. Martin, C. W., 696. Martin, Penn W., 692, G99. Martin, Thomas J., 320, 468, 548, 726. Matson, Knut, 447, 449. ]Mattson, Celum, 69. Maunu, John, 672, 673. Maxwell, James, 283, 298. Mee, Mrs. Alice J., 255. Meeker, D. W., 186. Meilie, Alfred, 329, 605. Methodist Church, 225. Mews, August, 650. Mills, T., 271. Minnesota country west of ^Mississippi River claimed by France, 201. Minnesota Natural History Survey, 160. Mink, the American, 126. Miscellaneous, 740. Mix, Annis, 224, 471. Mix, David, 474. Mix, Mrs. David, 470. Molen, Charles E., 136, 656. Moore and Overholser, 630. Moore, Evan J., 630, 631. Moore, Miss Flora, 440. Moore, John G., 634. Moore, Sylvester, 468. Moore, Tim, 250. Moore, Willie, 58. Moores, True, 241. Moose, the, 57. Morgan, John B., 407. Morison, Allan F., 270. Morison, George A., 93, 232, 266, 268. Morrison, Allan, Jr., 270. Morrison, Allan l.., 230, 271, 640, 742. Morrison, Allan, Sr., 266. Morrison, Dan. S., 742. Morrison, George Donald, 231. Morrison, John, 742. Morrison, John George, 267. Morrison, Mr. and Mrs. John George, 268. Morrison (Aygans), Joseph, 230, 231. Morrison, Miss Rachel, 267. Morrison (Dekaince), Richard, 231. Morrison, William, 220, 271, 640. Discoverer of sovirce of Mississijipi River, 227. Visits Lake Itasca, 227. Morrow, George, 384, 740. Mosquitoes, Prairie Fires and Grasshoppers, Chapter XXXI, 571. Mouchamp, Mr., 249. Moulthrope, Mrs. Ellen, 303. Mouse, the field, 156. the wood or deer, loG. the house, 157. the jumping, 157. Mun-ne-do-wab, 247. Murray, A. K., engineer, 251. Murray, Charles, 69. Muskrat, 145. My first three years in Becker County. By A. H. Wilcox, Chapter XXX, 53. Nay-bon-ash-kung, 247. Neil, Rev. E. D., in History of Minnesota, 22, 204, 216. Nelson, Even, 425. 754 Index. Nelson-Kindred Convention, The; from "H. P. Hall's Observations," Chapter L\', 716. Nelson, Hon. Knute, 225, 274. Nelson, Mats, 447, 449. Nelson, Nels, 429. Netland, A. O., 293. Neuner, George, 601, 603. Neuner, George, and wife, 329. Neuner, Frank, 603. Neuner, John, 603. New England Colony, History of, 321. Nichols-Chisolm Lumber Company, the, 711. 711. Nichols, John, 51. Nichols, M. v., farmer, 251. Noben, Ole O., 593. Noble, Rev. Dr., 12. Norby, John G., 430. Northern Pacific Railroad Company, 17, 19. Northern Pacific Railroad Exploring Expe- dition, 41. Explorations, Chapter XVII., 234. Railroad Grant, 207. North Star steamboat, 218. Northup, Anson , expedition, 218. Northwest Fur Co., 43, 44, 220, 227, 228, 229, 271. Official report, 1789, 43. Nunn, James, 115, 144. North-Wind, Old, 65, 93, 94, 104. 1871 to 1877, 600. Oak Grove Cemetery, 345. Oakes, Mrs. Julia Beaulieu, 2(50. Oak Lake, 23, 67, 146, 153, 221. V'illage, 379. O'Neil, Patrick, 282, 2o5. Oelfke, Carl, 78, 052. Oelfke, Charles, 101. ^ Oelfke, Fred, 652. Oelfke, Henry, 652. Old Fort William Henry, 229. Old Red River Road, the. Chapter XV, 217. Old Soldiers, Chapter LVIII, 733. Olsen, Martin, 510. Olson, Barney, 522. Olson, Chris, 559. Olson, John, 517. Olson, Martin, 414. Olson, Ole E., and family, 453. Olson, Peter E., 520. Olson, Sandore, 447. Olson, Severt, 449. Olund, Swan, 606, 607. Omans, Frank, and wife, G64. Opossum, the, 124. Osage Township, History of. Chapter XXXVIII, 610. Osage; Its development, 615. The Roads, 616. Osborne, George, 412. Otter Tail River, 19, 21, 66, 113, 129, 140, 210. Otter, the, 113. Outposts at White Earth, 261. Overholser, Levi, 630, 631. Owen, Prof. Dale, 19. Paakhonen, Jacob, 305. Paris, treaty of, 22nd February, 1819, 204. Parker, Jane, 248. Parker, Peter, and Buddise, 137. Parker, Peter (Bahbewob), 61, 93, 248, 263. Panther, the, 73. Papineau, D. B., 269. Park Region, first newspaper in Frazee, 312. Park Region of Minnesota, 41. Peabody, P. S., 461, 462. Peake, Charley, 242. Peake, Fred, 220, 242. Peake, Rev. Mr., 261. Pearce, Samuel, 66, 304. Pearce, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel, 295. Pearce, Samuel, and son Thomas, 570. Pederson, L. W., 431. Peel's River, 106. Pelican Valley Navigation Company, 475. Peterson, John, 104. Peterson, Ole, 225, 3i2. Perrot, Nicholas, 200. Phelps, Luther. 622. Phelps, William W., 16. Phinney, John Harding, 353. Pike, Lieut. Z. M., 45, 62. Pine Marten, the, 110. Pinney, S. B., 275, 319, 380, 384, 537, 569. Plants; new species have followed civiliza- tion, 36-40. Poe, Adam, slayer of Big Foot, 197. Ponsford, 144. Pope Alexander \\., bull of, 203. Porcupine, the, 146. Porter, Aliss Abbie C, 310. Potter, Mrs. C. H., 285. Power, James B., 553. Prairie fires, 573. Prairies and Natural Parks, Chapter ^'^. 41. Preface, 3. Probsfield, Hon. R. M., 49, 51, 61, 62, 70, 218, 219, 572. Progress, The, first newspaper printed on White Earth Reservation, 272-275. Purdy, Daniel, 632. Pyle, Dr. David, 222, 275, 407, 483, 507. Certificate of appointment as notary puD- lic, 10. Oualey, Ole, 489. ! Quam, Erick S., 432. Quarterly Journal, Boston Zoological So- ciety, \'ol. IT, 1SS3, 100. Quinlan, Patrick, 221, 2^^, 278, 282, 298. Index. 755 Rabanus, William and Charles, 660. Rabbit, the Cottontail, 137. The Northern, or hare, 135. Raccoon, the, 123. Rand, Charles W., 560. Ramstad, L. O., 498. Rat, the common barn or gray, 148. Redpath, William, 280, 282, 285, 289, 659. Red River, 47, 49, 50. Reep, Olaus, 224. Reep, Sevald, Mr. and Mrs, 224. Registers of Deeds, 738. Renwanz, Emma, 646. Reynolds, Reuben, 351. Richardson, Sir John, 121. Richwood Township, History of. Chapter XXVII, 479. Organized, 489. Village, History of, 490. Rider, Amelia, 285. Ripley, Dr., 463. Ristvedt, Michael, 525. Roberts, Capt. William C, 359, 554, 560. Roberts, Thos. S., M. D., 159. Rock, John, a Pine Point Indian, 211, 271. Kogan, Bill, 293, 294. Ronssain, Miss, 231. Rosenow, William, 651. Ross, Capt. J. C, 107. Rosser, General, 237. Rossman, William W., 320, 363, ..6. 583. Rossman, Miss Lottie, 514. Roy, Frank, 250. Rumery, E., 608. Runeberg Township, History of. Chapter XLVII, 671. Rutledge, Miss Katherine, 303. Rutterman, John, 566. Rutterman, Mr. and Mrs. John, 471. St. Ildefonso, treaty of, 204. St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, 15. Sanders, Noble, 471. Sanderson, A. W., 610, 614. Sandsness, Miss Mary H., 420. Sandy Lake, 228. Savannah Township, 121. Savannah, The History of, Chapter LIT, 692. The Lost Children, 698. Trading Post at Stony Ridge, 697. 697. Wild Animals, 696. Sawyer, William, 271. Schnitzer, Charles, 604. Scctt, Charles, 565. Scott, James, 285. Scribner, Charles, 664. Senacle, George, 58. Severance, M. H., 567. Severtson, Peter A., 449. Shaw, Marcus, 655, 726, 741. Sheehan, Capt. Timothy, 410. Shell Prairie, 66. Shell Road, Chapter XLIII, 654. Shell Lake, 23, 144. Shell Prairie Road, Chapter XLIiI, 654. Shell Prairies, 42. Shepard, F. M., 677, 681. Spencer, Charles E., 688. Sheriffs, 738. Sherman, A. W., 221, 224, 280, 315, 317, 331. Sherman, C. A., or Alma, 319. Sherman, Mrs. Lois, 333. Sheyenne River, North ijakota, 118. Shoenberger, John, 656. Shoff, D., 277. Shooting of Harry Byron, 347. Siegford, Frank, 224. Siegford, G. F., 610, 613, 616. Siegford, J. F., 224, 610, 616, G17, 620. Siegford and Son, 621. Silver Leaf Township, History of. Chapter XLIV, 659. Murder ana suicide, 661. Simmons, John B., 475. Sivertson, S. F., 115, 128. Skaiem, Erick, 546. Skunk, the, 120. Anatomy and physiology of anal glands, 120. Rabies mephitica, Hovey, 122. Sletten, Paul C, 372, 409. Sloan, Mrs. Mary A., 267. Small, Capt. Freeman K., 387, 407, 582, 583. Small, Mrs. F. K., 408. Smith, C. E., 696. Smith, E. P., new Indian agent, 251. 393. Smith, Rev. Fred, 246. Smith, Gregory J., Governor of X'ermont, 234. Smith, J. A. B., 296. Snyder, John, 631. Soper, Robert, 656. Soper, Robert, and wife, 649. Soronen, Jeremias, 684, Special Deputy U. S. Marshals, 741. Spears, Mrs. Julia A., 225, 255, 256, 259, 264, 269. Spears, William R., 255, 742. Sperling, Carl, Sr., 650. Sperry, L. D., 221, 315, 317, 546. Spruce Grove Township, History of. Chapter XL VI, 666. .Squirrel, the black and gray, 150. The flying, 153. Red, 152. State Senators, 736. Stearns, John, 79. Stebbins, S. S., 556. Steele, Kidder Co., N. D., 119. Stephens, Mr. and Mrs. M. E., 627. 756 Index. Stevenson, L. G., 276, 547. Stokes, Harry and Lambert, 660. Sturtevant, C. H., 567, 655, 741. Sullivan, Hugh, 524. Sunram, Wilhelm, 651. Sutherland, J. H., 344, 741. Sutherland, Mrs. J. IT., 494, 495. Taylor, Bayard, 41, 50.3. Taylor, George W., 360. Taylor, John, 633. Taylor, Oliver, 423. Taylor, Oscar, 271. Teague, John A., 327, 562. Tecumseh's brother, "The Prophet," 22S. The Seasons, Chapter L\ ll, 728. The Winter of 1872-3, 728. Thomas, Capt. Isaac M., 356. Thompkins, S. M., 307. Thompson, Wm., 220, 241, 280. Ihompson, Louis, 399. Thompson & Peake, 242. Tribune, Chicago, 42. Minneapolis, account of Cook murder, 394. Trieglaff, Albert, 303. Trieglaff, August, 283, 660. Trieglaff, August, Sr., 301, 303, Trieglaff, Carl, 303. Trieglaff, Robert, 303. Trieglaff, William, 303. Treaties with Mississippi, Pillager and Lake Winnebegoshish Indians, 205, 206. Treed by a bear, 698. Trivett, John, 669. Troppman, Paul, 666. Toad Lake, 115. Tomahaivh. White Earth, 198. Tomazine, Father, 249, 263. Torgerson, T. K., 658, 741. Two Inlets, Township of, Chajiter LI, 688. Tyer, Melvin M., 320. Ukkestad, Ingel, 431. Uran, Mrs. George, 250. Uran, Wm., 93. Van \'alkenberg, George, 240, 247, 263. Vanderwarter, M. W^, 689. Van Gorden, J. E., 276, 491, 492. \'an Norse, Mr. 242. Vannose, Leon, 320. Vannose, Max, 320. Van Sickler, L M., and wife, 661. N'iger, Nub Nelson, 561, 592. Wah-bon-ah-quod, 247. Waite, Simon, 145. Wakefield, Joseph, 220, 239, 240, 241, 248. Walworth 'I'ownsliip, History of. Chapter XX X\', 594. First town meeting, 598. Warr, Miss Elizabeth, 304. Warren, .Alfred, 250. Warren, Edward L., 743, 745, 746. Warren, Eugene J., 742. Warren, Henry W., 256, 741. Warren, James, 240, .-i7, 249, 255. Warren, John B., 742. Warren, Lyman M., 253. Warren, Madeline, 250. Warren, Mark, 222, 232. Warren, Mrs. Sophia, 265. Warren, Truman A., 221, 239, 246, 247, 255. Warren, Tyler, 69, 250. Warren, William Whipple, 197, 212, 256. Warter, Mrs. Joseph, 303. Washburn, Miss Jeanette, 408. Watleson, Rev. T., 225, o.ei, 435. Way, Clara D., 224. Way, Henry, 214, 220, 244, 280, 315, 317, 330, 401, 615. Way, Henry, Mr. and Mrs., 224. Way, Henry, Sherman, Sperry and Stillman families, 236. Way, Mrs. Jane A., 333. Weasel, the, 130. Wee, Andrew O., 520, 523. West, Mrs. Jessie C, 4, 328, 358. West, John K., 358. Wellman, Capt. D. L., 294, 314. Western Land Improvement Association, stock certificate, 321. New York, squirrels in, 151. Weymouth, Luther, 283, 297, 307, 310. Weymouth, Mrs. Luther, 292. Whaples, D. W., 647. Whipple, Bishop, 197, 262, 265. Whipple, C. H., 241, 606. White Cloud, 247, 274. White Earth, 104. History of, 246. Reservation, 42. Reservation, History, of the. Chapter XVIII, 239. Township, Organization of, by R. G. Beaulieu, Chapter LIII, 700. Whitehead, James, 251, 394, 401. Whittemore, A. A., 726. Wilcox, A. H., 187, 209, 307, 313, 470, 484, 498, 603, 626, 644, 647, 649, 743. Wilcox, Mrs. A. H., 67, 117, 126, 136, 153, 398, 545, 546, 656, GST. Wilcox, C. P., 150, 265, 476, 545, 548. Wilcox, Hosmer H., 326, 548. Wilcox, Warlo, 98. Wild Cat, the, 79. Wilkins, W. W., 507, 740. Wilson, Eugene M., 234. Wilson, Johnson, 283. Wilson, George, 355. Windom, Hon. Wm., 234, 503. Winram, James, 280, 281, 282, 289, 301. shot by an Indian, 289. Winters, Mrs. Delia, 250. Index. 757 Wirkkanen, John, 6S3. Wirkkanncn, Mr. and Mrs. John, 682. Wiseman, Merritt, 51. Witter, A. L., 633. Witter, D. M., 633. Witter, Henry F., 633. Wright, Charles J., 567. Wright, E. L., 283, 298. Wright, George B., 285, 286. Wright, George P>., general land agent Northern Pacific, 552. Wolf, experiences with, 82, 83, 84. The gray or timber, 80. The prairie or coyote, 85. W^olf Lake Township, History of, Chapter XLIX, 683. Wolverine, the, 104. Woodchuck, the, 148. Wood, Rev. John E., 224, 285, 361. Woodworth, William G., 275. ?y* p \%% X "oo^ -^Jn^-^ S- v^' ,0 0, :,0- '^ \ A. <^ i' ^\..,^ ". <=; .if'MA , , . , ^^/- * .0 r. ^ \\^ , , '^. * 8 1 ,00^ ' -o- 'A- ) N ^s'^- .^••v '^?^ ■^-^ ,^^ * ^ s^ '■^ ^-^ ^. aV- '00^ '>- v*-^ ■ 0> CO .•V.'?-' o 0' '/- * a N ■ \\- '^ - » , % * s o ' ^^^ o 0' .-^ .N'' O 0' 'A V ""00^ -^' .^^ '^ D."?-' ■^. ,^^ ^'■ •^. .S--' ' tsT'"^'^ '00^ .^^/^, ^'^^- ,^^''' ,-o- >0 o. : .x^^ .'^^ . .0- ^^ O^' .^--«r^^- '''