1848. Samuel Leach, receiver; Charles S. Whiting, register.1849. Moses S. Gibson, receiver; T. D. Catlin, register.1853. Otis Hoyt, receiver; John O. Henning, register.1857. J. D. Reymert, receiver; J.B. Spencer, register:1859. Orpheus Evarts, receiver; J. B. Spencer, register.1861. Benj. W. Reynolds, receiver; Michael Field, register.1864. Hiram Calkins, receiver; Michael Field, register.1869. Fayette Allen, receiver; Michael Field, register.1871. Joel F. Nason, receiver; Michael Field, register.1884. Alvah A. Heald, receiver; Michael Field, register.1887. Alvah H. Heald, receiver; Wm. M. Blanding, register.
1848. Samuel Leach, receiver; Charles S. Whiting, register.1849. Moses S. Gibson, receiver; T. D. Catlin, register.1853. Otis Hoyt, receiver; John O. Henning, register.1857. J. D. Reymert, receiver; J.B. Spencer, register:1859. Orpheus Evarts, receiver; J. B. Spencer, register.1861. Benj. W. Reynolds, receiver; Michael Field, register.1864. Hiram Calkins, receiver; Michael Field, register.1869. Fayette Allen, receiver; Michael Field, register.1871. Joel F. Nason, receiver; Michael Field, register.1884. Alvah A. Heald, receiver; Michael Field, register.1887. Alvah H. Heald, receiver; Wm. M. Blanding, register.
The first entry in the new district, Aug. 17, 1849, was by W. S. Hungerford. Lot 4, Sec. 19, and Lots 1, 2, 3, Sec. 30, T. 34, R. 18, where the village of St. Croix now stands. The second entry was by George Brownell, Lot 3, Sec. 20, T. 24, R. 18. The oldest record to be found in the office is the proving up by James Purinton of his pre-emption, July 24, 1848. The first recorded correspondence is a letter from S. Leach, receiver, to Geo. W. Jones, surveyor general, Dubuque, Iowa. In June, 1863, under the receivership of Mr. Reynolds, the safe in the office was blown open with powder and the contents stolen. Some time afterward, in 1865, fifty land warrants and a bunch of keys from the articlesmissing were thrown in at the office window. They had the appearance of having been buried in the ground.
July 24, 1848. James Purinton, residence, St. Croix Falls. Lot 1, in east fractional part Sec. 23, T. 29 north, R. 20 west, and W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 and S. E. 1/4 of N. W. 1/4, Sec. 24, T. 29, R. 20, 137 70-100 acres; price, $1.25; cost, $172 12-100, silver; pre-emption act, 1841. This pre-emption is where the dam and mills have since been erected at North Hudson.
Aug. 12, 1848. Samuel Burkelo, Orange Walker and Hiram Berkey. Lots 7 and 8, west of river, Sec. 6, T. 31, R. 19, 108 25-100 acres; cost $135 43-100, 1/4 gold; pre-emption act, 1840 (Marine Mills).
Aug. 16, 1848. Richard Freeborn. West 1/2 of N. W. 1/4 and N. E. 1/4 of N. W. 1/4, and Lot 3, Sec. 12, T. 28, R. 23, St. Paul; pre-emption act, 1841.
The first land offered at public auction sale was Aug. 27, 1848.
4. Albert Henry Judd, Orange Walker, Samuel Burkelo, Hiram Berkey, George Baldwin Judd, Asa Parker were the purchasers of Lots 5 and 6, Sec. 7, T. 31, R. 19, west of river; cost, $106 46-100, gold.
5. Martin Mower, David B. Loomis; Lots 7 and 8, Sec. 29, T. 31, R. 19, west of river; cost, $54 81-100, 1/4 gold (now Arcola).
6. John Allen; Lots 4 and 5, Sec. 2, T. 29, R. 20, west of river; gold (Allen's Point, now South Stillwater).
7. Eleazer R. Steves; Lots 1 and 2, Sec. 14, T. 29, R. 20, east of river; gold, $9.66; silver, $54.85; $64 51-100 (now Hudson).
8 and 9. Stephen Harris; N. 1/2 of S. E. 1/4 and E. 1/2 of S. W. 1/4, Sec. 22, T. 29, R. 20.
10. Himan W. Greely; E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4, Sec. 22, T. 29, R. 20, gold.
11 and 12. Albert N. Judd; W. 1/2 of S. E. 1/4 and E. 1/2 of S. W. 1/4, Sec. 22, T. 29, R. 20, gold.
13 and 14. Louis Massey; E. 1/2 of S. W. and Lots 1 and 2, Sec. 24, T. 29, R. 20, silver; east of Lake St. Croix (now Hudson).
15 and 16. Peter F. Bouchea, Lot 1, east of river, Sec. 25, T. 29, R. 20 and Lot 2, Sec. 25, T. 29, R. 20; gold, $63 22-100; silver, $10—$73 22-100.
17 and 18. John O'Brien; Lot 3, Sec. 26, T. 29, R. 20 and W. 1/2 of S. W. 1/4, Sec. 26, T. 29, R. 20, silver and gold (now Lakeland).
19 and 20. Albert H. Judd; E. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4, and W. 1/2 of N. W. 1/4, Sec. 22, T. 29, R. 20, gold.
21. Himan W. Greely; W. 1/2 of N. E. 1/4, Sec. 22, T. 29, R. 20, gold.
The above are all the purchasers at the first sale of land in the valley at St. Croix Falls. Sale was continued from day to day until townships 25 to 31 of ranges 19 and 20 were offered, covering the settlement of St. Anthony Falls, St. Paul, Cottage Grove, and Point Douglas.
The United States land office was moved from St. Croix Falls to Stillwater in September, 1849. The first public sale of lands at Stillwater was Oct. 9, 1849. The office was held in Stillwater nine years. In October, 1858, it was moved to Cambridge, Isanti county; November 3d the first sale of lands was held at Cambridge. April 7, 1860, the office was burned, many valuable papers were destroyed, and many records were replaced from the archives at Washington. July 5, 1860, the office was moved to Sunrise, and Oct. 8, 1868, it was moved to Taylor's Falls, where it is at the present time (1888).
RECEIVERS.APPOINTED.Samuel Leech1848N. Green Wilcox1849Jonathan E. McKusick1852William Holcomb1853Milton H. Abbott1857William H. Mower1860Lucas K. Stannard1861Oscar Roos1871George B. Folsom1875Peter H. Stolberg1884E. A. Umland1887REGISTERS.APPOINTED.Charles S. Whitney1848Abraham Van Voorhes1849A. Pierce1852Thomas E. Fullerton1853Charles G. Wagner1857Henry N. Setzer1860Granville M. Stickney 1861Charles B. Whiting1864William Comer1666John P. Owens1869Lucas K. Stannard1884
The records do not show the date of commission of any officer; we gather the dates as near as possible from recorded correspondence.
Governors: Henry Dodge, 1836-41; James Duane Doty, 1841-44; N. P. Talmadge, 1844-45; Henry Dodge, 1845-48.
Delegates to Congress: George W. Jones, 1836-37; James D. Doty, 1837-41; Henry Dodge, 1841-45; Morgan L. Martin, 1845-47; John H. Tweedy, 1847-48.
Chief Justice: Charles Dunn, 1836-48.
First Session, 1836—Council: Thomas P. Burnett.[G](Rejected by a ruling of Gov. Dodge, and district left without representation.) House: James H. Lockwood, James B. Dallam.
Second Session, 1837—House: Ira B. Brunson, Jean Brunet.[H]
Third Session, 1838—House: Ira B. Brunson, Jean Brunet.
First Session, 1838—Council: George Wilson. House: Alex. McGregor.[I]
Second Session, 1839—Council: George Wilson. House: Alex. McGregor, Ira B. Brunson.
Third Session, 1839-40—Council: Joseph Brisbois. House: Alex. McGregor, Ira B. Brunson.
Fourth Session, 1840—Council: Charles J. Learned. House: Alex. McGregor, Ira B. Brunson.
First Session, 1840-41—Council: Charles J. Learned. House: Alfred Brunsou, Joseph R. Brown.
Second Session, 1841-42—Council: Charles J. Learned. House: Joseph R. Brown, Theophilus J. LaChapelle.
First Session, 1842-43—Council: Theophilus La Chapelle. House: John H. Manahan.
Second Session, 1843-44—Council: Theophilus La Chapelle. House: John H. Manahan.
Third Session, 1845—Council: Wiram Knowlton. House: James Fisher.
Fourth Session, 1846—Council: Wiram Knowlton. House: James Fisher.
First Session, 1847—Council: Benj. F. Manahan. House: Joseph W. Furber.
Special Session, 1847—Council: Benj. F. Manahan. House: Henry Jackson.
Second Session, 1848—Council: Benj. F. Manahan. House: Henry Jackson.
First Constitutional Convention, Oct. 5, 1846—Delegate from St. Croix county, Wm. Holcombe.
Second Constitutional Convention, Dec. 15, 1847—Delegate from St. Croix county, George W. Brownell.
Governors: Nelson Dewey, 1848-52; L. J. Farwell, 1852-54; W. A. Barstow, 1854-56; Coles Bashford, 1856-58; Alex. W. Randall, 1858-62; Louis P. Harvey, 1862; Edward Salomen, 1862-64; James Q. Lewis, 1864-66; Lucius Fairchild, 1866-72; C. C. Washburn, 1872-74; Wm. R. Taylor, 1874-76; Harrison Luddington, 1876-78; Wm. E. Smith, 1878-82; Jeremiah Rusk, 1882-58.
Isaac P. Walker, June 8, 1848; Henry Dodge, June 8, 1848; Charles Durkee, Feb. 1, 1855; James R. Doolittle, Jan. 23, 1857; Timothy O. Howe, Jan. 23, 1861; Matt H. Carpenter, Jan. 26, 1869; Angus Cameron, Feb. 3, 1875; Philetus Sawyer, Jan. 26, 1881; John C. Spooner, Jan. 26, 1885.
From districts bordering on the St. Croix: Mason C. Darling, 1848-50; Orasmus Cole, 1850-52; Ben. C. Eastman, 1852-56; C. C. Washburn, 1856-62; Luther Hanchett, 1862-63; Walter D. McIndoe, 1863-68; C. C. Washburn, 1868-72; Jeremiah M. Rusk, 1874-78; Hiram L. Humphrey, 1878-84; Wm. T. Price, 1884-88; Nels P. Haugan, 1888.
District judges presiding in territory originally included in St. Croix county:
Wiram Knowlton, of Prairie du Chien, 1848-50; district—Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe counties.
S. S. Fuller, of Hudson, 1850-60; district—Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Douglas, and La Pointe counties.
Henry D. Barron, of North Pepin, 1860-61; district—Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Douglas, Ashland, and Bayfield counties.
L. P. Weatherby, of Hudson, 1861-67; district—Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, and Ashland counties.
Herman L. Humphrey, of Hudson, 1867-77; district—St. Croix, Pierce, Pepin, Dunn, and Barron counties.
Solon S. Clough, of Hudson, 1864-76; district—Polk, Burnett, Douglas, Ashland, and Bayfield counties.
R. P. Bundy, of Menomonie, 1876-85, re-elected until 1891; district—Buffalo, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce; and St. Croix counties.
Henry D. Barron, of St. Croix Falls, 1876-82; district—Chippewa, Barron, Polk, Burnett, Douglas, Ashland, and Bayfield counties.
Solon S. Clough, of Superior, 1882-88; district—Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Polk, and Washburn counties.
R. D. Marshall, of Chippewa Falls, 1888.
Representatives of territory originally included in St. Croix county:
First Session, 1848—Senate: Daniel S. Fenton. Assembly: W. R. Marshall. (Seat successfully contested by Joseph Bowron.)
Second Session, 1849—Senate: James Fisher. Assembly: Joseph Bowron.
Third Session, 1850—Senate: James Fisher. Assembly: John S. Watrous.
Fourth Session, 1851—Senate: Henry A. Wright. Assembly: John O. Henning.
Fifth Session, 1852—Senate: Henry A. Wright. Assembly: Otis Hoyt.
Sixth Session, 1853—Senate: Benj. Allen. Assembly: Orrin T. Maxson.
Seventh Session, 1854—Senate: Benj. Allen. Assembly: Wm. M. Torbert.
Eighth Session, 1855—Senate: Wm. T. Gibson. Assembly: Smith R. Gunn.
Ninth Session, 1856—Senate: Wm. T. Gibson. Assembly: Almon D. Gray.
Tenth Session, 1857—Senate: Wm. Wilson. Assembly: Orin T. Maxson.
Eleventh Session, 1858—Senate: Daniel Mears. House: James B. Gray, Lucius Cannon.
Twelfth Session; 1859—Senate: Daniel Mears. House: Moses S. Gibson. Mr. Gibson's seat successfully contested by M. W. McCracken.
Thirteenth Session, 1860—Senate: Charles B. Cox. House: Asaph Whittlesey.
Fourteenth Session, 1861—Senate: Charles B. Cox. House: John Comstock.
Fifteenth Session, 1862—Senate: H. L. Humphrey. House: George R. Stuntz, James W. Beardsley. Mr. Beardsley was elected speaker of the house.
Sixteenth Session, 1863—Senate: N. L. Humphrey. House: Henry D. Barron, Charles B. Cox.
Seventeenth Session, 1864—Senate: Austin H. Young. House: Henry D. Barron, Joseph S. Elwell.
Eighteenth Session, 1865—Senate: Austin H. Young. House: Amos S. Gray (successfully contested by A. C. Stuntz). House: Marcus A. Fulton.
Nineteenth Session, 1866—Senate: Marcus A. Fulton. House: Henry D. Barron, William J. Copp. Mr. Barron elected speaker of the assembly.
Twentieth Session, 1867—Senate: Marcus A. Fulton. House: Henry D. Barron, John D. Trumbull, H. L. Wadsworth.
Twenty-first Session, 1868—Senate: Wm. J. Copp. House: Henry D. Barron, Eleazer Holt, Marcus A. Fulton.
Twenty-second Session, 1869—Senate: Wm. J. Copp. House: Henry D. Barron, Edward H. Ives, Charles D. Parker.
Twenty-third Session, 1870—Senate: Edward H. Ives. House: Samuel B. Dressor, Oliver S. Powell, Charles D. Parker.
Twenty-fourth Session, 1871—Senate: Edward H. Ives. House: Samuel S. Vaughn, Oliver S. Powell, Ruel K. Fay.
Twenty-fifth Session, 1872—Senate: Joseph E. Irish. House: Henry D. Barron, Oliver S. Powell, John C. Spooner.
Twenty-sixth Session, 1873—Senate: Joseph E. Irish. House: Henry D. Barron, speaker; James H. Persons, David C. Fulton.
Twenty-seventh Session, 1874—Senate: Henry D. Barron. House: Samuel S. Fifield, James H. Persons, Harvey S. Clapp.
Twenty-eighth Session, 1875—Senate: Henry D. Barron, House: Samuel S. Fifield, Thomas S. Nelson, Philo Q. Boyden.
Twenty-ninth Session, 1876—Senate: Henry D. Barron. House: Samuel S. Fifield, speaker; Christopher L. Taylor, Philo Q. Boyden.
Thirtieth Session, 1877—Senate: Samuel S. Fifield. House: Woodbury S. Grover, Ellsworth Burnett, Guy W. Dailey.
Thirty-first Session, 1878—Senate: Dana R. Bailey. House: Canute Anderson, Charles A. Hawn, James Hill.
Thirty-second Session, 1879—Senate: Dana R. Bailey. House: Wm. J. Vincent, Nils P. Haugen, James Hill.
Thirty-third Session, 1880—Senate: Sam S. Fifield. House: Nils P. Haugen, James Hill, Lars L. Gunderson.
Thirty-fourth Session, 1881—Senate: Sam S. Fifield. Assembly: Geo. D. McDill, Franklin L. Gibson, Merton Herrick.
Thirty-fifth Session, 1882—Senate: James Hill. Assembly: Geo. D. McDill, Franklin L. Gibson, speaker; Olof A. Sangestad.
Thirty-sixth Session, 1883—Senate: James Hill. Assembly: Canute Anderson, John D. Putnam, Geo. D. McDill, James Johnston.
Thirty-seventh Session, 1884—Senate: Joel F. Nason. Assembly: Hans B. Warner, Frank M. Nye, Thomas Porter; Charles S. Taylor, J. B. Thayer.
(For thirty-eighth and thirty-ninth Sessions see Addenda.)
Governors: Alexander Ramsey, from June 1, 1849, to May 15, 1853; Willis A. Gorman, from May 15, 1853, to April 23, 1857; Samuel Medary, from April 23, 1857, to May 24, 1858.
Delegates to Congress: Henry H. Sibley, Jan. 15, 1849, to March 4, 1853; Henry M. Rice, Dec. 5, 1853, to March 4, 1857; W. W. Kingsbury, Dec. 7, 1857, to May 11, 1858.
Chief Justices: Aaron Goodrich, June 1, 1849, to Nov. 13, 1851; Jerome Fuller, Nov. 13, 1851, to Dec. 16, 1852; Henry Z. Hayner, Dec. 16, 1852, to April 7, 1853 (Judge Hayner never presided at a single term and gave but one decision, which was to pronounce the prohibition law unconstitutional); William H. Welch, April 7, 1853, to May 24, 1858.
Associate Justices: David Cooper, June 1, 1849, to April 7, 1853; Bradly B. Meeker, June 1, 1849, to April 7, 1853; Andrew G. Chatfield, April 7, 1853, to April 23, 1857; Moses G. Sherburne, April 7, 1853, to April 13, 1857; R. R. Nelson, April 23, 1857, to May 24, 1858; Charles E. Flandrau, April 23, 1857, to May 24, 1858.
PRECINCTS.MALES.FEMALES.TOTAL.Stillwater455154609Lake St. Croix12932161Marine Mills14231173Falls of St. Croix15116Snake River582482St. Paul540300840Little Canada and St. Anthony Falls352219571Crow Wing and Long Prairie235115350Osakis Rapids9241133——————Total2,0189772,935
Upon the basis of this population the governor established the following legislative districts:
First district: St. Croix precinct, extending on the west side of the St. Croix and Mississippi rivers to the Iowa line; Second district: Stillwater; Third district: St. Paul; Fourth district: Marine Mills and the country north to the British possessions; Fifth district: St. Anthony Falls; Sixth district: The country east of the Mississippi not embraced in the Fourth district, and extending north to the British possessions; Seventh district: All the territory on the west of the Mississippi river not embraced in the sixth and first districts.
Council: David Olmsted, president; district No. 1, James S. Norris; No. 2, Samuel Burkelo; No. 3, William H. Forbes, James McC. Boal; No. 4, David B. Loomis; No. 5, John Rollins; No. 6, David Olmsted, William Sturgis; No. 7, Martin McLeod.
House: Joseph W. Furber, of Cottage Grove, speaker; district No. 1, Joseph W. Furber, James Wells; No. 2, M. S. Wilkinson, Sylvanus Trask, Mahlon Black; No. 3, Benj. W. Brunson, Henry Jackson, John J. Dewey, Parsons K. Johnson; No. 4, Henry N. Setzer; No. 5, William R. Marshall, William Dugas; No. 6, Jeremiah Russell, Allan Morrison, Lorenzo A. Babcock, Thomas A. Holmes; No. 7, Alexis Bailly, Gideon H. Pond.
The limits of this work preclude the insertion of a complete list of the entire State, and we give, therefore, the representation of the St. Croix valley.
Council: James Norris, Samuel Burkelo, D. B. Loomis, president. House: John A. Ford, Michael E. Ames, speaker; Jesse Taylor, John D. Ludden.
Council: Elam Greely, David B. Loomis. House: Jesse Taylor, Mahlon Black, Martin Leavitt, John D. Ludden.
Council: Elam Greely, David B. Loomis. House: N. Green Wilcox, Albert Stimson, Caleb Truax, John D. Ludden.
Council: Albert Stimson, John E. Mower. House: John Fisher, Wm. McKusick, Robert Watson, N. C. D. Taylor, speaker.
Council: Albert Stimson, John E. Mower. House: James B. Dixon, William Willim, James Norris, Samuel Register.
Council: John D. Ludden, Henry N. Setzer. House: James S. Norris, Abraham Van Voorhes, N. C. Taylor, Henry A. Jackman.
Council: John D. Ludden, Henry N. Setzer. House: Elam Greely, Mahlon Black, Joseph W. Furber, speaker; L. K. Stannard.
The legislature of 1852 passed a prohibition law and submitted it to the people of the Territory, who adopted it by a vote of 853 for to 622 against. This law was declared unconstitutional by Judge Hayner on the ground that it was unconstitutional to submit a law to the vote of the people. After rendering this decision he resigned his office.
At a second appointment in 1855 the counties of Washington, Chisago, Superior, Itasca, and Doty were included in the St. Croix district. A special session was held in May, 1857, to accept and make provision to use the magnificent railway land grant donated by Congress.
In accordance with the enabling act of Congress, passed March 3, 1857, delegates were elected and met in convention at the capital on the second Monday of July, 1857.
Washington county: Wm. Holcombe, James S. Norris, Henry N. Setzer, Gould T. Curtis, Charles E. Leonard, Charles J. Butler, Newinton Gilbert, R. H. Sanderson.
Chisago county: P. A. Cedarstam, Charles F. Lowe, Lucas K. Stannard, W. H. C. Folsom.
The convention continued in session from July 13 to Aug. 29, 1857, and although divided into two wings, accomplished considerable work, such as preparing duplicate state constitutions and redistricting the State. The St. Croix valley was redistricted as follows:
First district, Washington county: Twenty-fifth district, Chisago, Pine and Isanti counties.
Henry H. Sibley, May 24, 1858, to Jan. 2, 1860; Alexander Ramsey, Jan. 2, 1860, to July 10, 1863; Henry A. Swift, July 10, 1863, to Jan. 11, 1864; Stephen Miller, Jan. 11, 1864, to Jan.8, 1866; William R. Marshall, Jan. 8, 1866, to Jan. 9, 1870; Horace Austin, Jan. 9, 1870, to Jan. 7, 1874; Cushman K. Davis, Jan. 7, 1874, to Jan. 7, 1876; John S. Pillsbury, Jan. 7, 1876, to Jan. 10, 1882; Lucius F. Hubbard, Jan 10, 1882, to Jan. —, 1886; A. R. McGill, Jan. —, 1887, to ——.
Lafayette Emmett, May 24, 1858, to Jan. 10, 1865; Thomas Wilson, Jan. 10, 1865, to July 14, 1869; James Gilfillan, July 14, 1869, to Jan. 7, 1870; Christopher G. Ripley, Jan. 7, 1870, to April 7, 1874; S. J. R. McMillan, April 7, 1874, to March 10, 1875; James Gilfillan, March, 10, 1875, to ——.
Charles E. Flandrau, May, 24, 1858, to July 5, 1864; Isaac Atwater, May 24, 1858, to July 6, 1864; S. J. R. McMillan, July 6, 1864, to April 7, 1874; Thomas Wilson, July 6, 1864, to Jan. 10, 1865; John M. Berry, Jan. 10, 1865, to ——; George B. Young, April 16, 1874, to Jan. 11, 1875; F. R. E. Cornell, Jan 11, 1875, to May 23, 1881; D. A. Dickenson, June 27, 1881, to ——; Greenleaf Clark, March 14, 1881, to Jan. 12, 1882; William Mitchell, March 14, 1881, to ——; C. E. Vanderburgh, Jan. 12, 1882, to ——; L. W. Collins, January, 1888, to ——.
James Shields, May 11, 1858, to March 4, 1860; Henry M. Rice, May 11, 1858, to March 4, 1863; Morton S. Wilkinson, March 4, 1860, to March 4, 1867; Alexander Ramsey, March 4, 1863, to March 4, 1875; Daniel S. Norton, March 4, 1867, died July 14, 1870; O. P. Stearns, January —, 1871, to March 4, 1871; William Windom, March 4, 1871, to March 12, 1881; S. J. R. McMillan, Dec. 6, 1875, to March 4, 1886; A. J. Edgerton, March 12, 1881, to Oct. 26, 1881; William Windom, Oct, 26, 1881, to March 4, 1883; Dwight M. Sabin, March 4, 1883, to March 4, 1889; C. K. Davis, March 4, 1887, to ——.
W. W. Phelps, May 11, 1858, to March 4, 1859; J. M. Cavenaugh, May 11, 1858, to March 4, 1858; William Windom, Dec. 5, 1859, to March 4, 1869; Cyrus Aldrich, Dec. 5, 1859, to March 4,1863; Ignatius Donnelly, Dec. 7, 1863, to March 4, 1869; M. S. Wilkinson, March 4, 1869, to March 4, 1871; E. M. Wilson, March 4, 1869, to March 4, 1871; John T. Averill, March 4, 1871, to March 4, 1875; M. H. Dunnell, March 4, 1871, to March 4, 1883; H. B. Strait, Dec. 1, 1873, to March 4, 1879; William S. King, Dec. 6, 1875, to March 4, 1877; J. H. Stewart, Dec. 3, 1877, to March 4, 1879; Henry Poehler, March 4, 1879, to March 4, 1881; H. B. Strait, March 4, 1881, to March 4, 1885; W. D. Washburn, March 4, 1879, to March 4, 1885; Milo White, March 4, 1883, to March 4, 1887; J. B. Wakefield, March 4, 1883, to March 4, 1887; Knute Nelson, March 4, 1883, to March 4, 1889; J. B. Gilfillan, March 4 1885, to March 4, 1887: Thomas Wilson, March 4, 1887, John Lind, March 4, 1887; John S. McDonald, March 4, 1887; Edmund Rice, March 4, 1887.
Richard G. Murphy, president; William Holcombe, lieutenant governor.
Senate: First District—Joel K. Reiner. Twenty-fifth District—W. H. C. Folsom. House: First District—J. R. M. Gaskill, George W. Campbell, Robert Simpson. Twenty-fifth District—John G. Randall.
Senate: First District—Wm. McKusick, Socrates Nelson. Twenty-fifth District—Lucas K. Stannard. House: First District—E. D. Watson, Abraham Van Voorhes, Orange Walker. Twenty-fifth District—Patrick Fox.
Senate: Second District—Joel K. Reiner. House: Second District—H. L. Thomas, E. D. Whiting, Emil Munch.
Senate: Second District—Joel K. Reiner. House: Second District—Wm. H. Burt, H. L. Thomas, E. D. Whitney.
Senate: Second District—John McKusick. House: Second District—Samuel Furber, J. B. R. Mitchell, Ansel Smith.
Senate: Second District—John McKusick. House: Second District—Jere M. Soule, R. R. Henry, Ansel Smith.
Senate: Second District—John McKusick. House: Second District—L. A. Huntoon, Ansel Smith, Lars J. Stark.
Senate: Second District—John McKusick. House: Second District—J. B. R. Mitchell, Robert Watson, Smith Ellison.
Senate: Second District—W. H. C. Folsom. House: Second District—Henry Jackman, Ebenezer Ayres.
Senate: Second District—W. H. C. Folsom. House: Second District—J. W. Furber, William Lowell.
Senate: Second District—James N. Castle. House: Second District—Joseph Haskell, W. H. C. Folsom.
Senate: Second District—James N. Castle. House: Second District—James S. Norris, William Lowell.
Senate: Second District—Dwight M. Sabin. House: Second District—Joseph Haskell, Lucas K. Stannard.
Senate: Twenty-second District—Dwight M. Sabin. Twenty-eighth District—Jonas Lindall. House: Twenty-second District—Ebenezer Ayers, J. R. M. Gaskill, H. R. Murdock. Twenty-eighth District—Adolph Munch.
Senate: Twenty-second District—Dwight M. Sabin. Twenty-eighth District—Jonas Lindall. House: Twenty-second District—E. W. Durant, J. R. M. Gaskill, James Huganin. Twenty-eighth District—Joel G. Ryder.
Senate: Twenty-second District—Wm. McKusick. Twenty-eighth District—L. K. Burrows. House: Twenty-second District—D. B. Loomis, Chas. Eckdahl, J. A. McCloskey. Twenty-eighth District—Frank H. Pratt.
Senate: Twenty-second District—Wm. McKusick. Twenty-eighth district—W. H. C. Folsom. House: Twenty-second district—J. W. Furber, E. W. Durant, J. E. Mower. Twenty-eighth district—Lars J. Stark.
Senate: Twenty-second District—Ed. S. Brown. Twenty-eighth District—W. H. C. Folsom. House: Twenty-second District—A. Fredericks, J. S. Middleton, O. W. Erickson. Twenty-eighth District—W. A. Brawley.
Senate: Twenty-second District—Ed. S. Brown. Twenty-eighth District—W. H. C. Folsom. House: Twenty-second District—A. Fredericks, A. Huntoon, O. W. Erickson.
Senate: Twenty-second District—Roscoe F. Hersey. Twenty-eighth District—John Shaleen. House: Twenty-second District—Dwight M. Sabin, Wm. Fowler, Charles Peterson. Twenty-eighth District—F. S. Christensen.
Senate: Twenty-second District—James N. Castle. Twenty-eighth District—John Shaleen. House: Twenty-second District—A. M. Dodd, Chas. Peterson, Andrew Peterson. Twenty-eighth District—John Dean.
Senate: Twenty-second District—J. N. Castle. Twenty-eighth District—John Shaleen. House: Twenty-second District—Dwight M. Sabin, Andrew Peterson, Wm. Schmidt. Twenty-eighth District—John Dean.
Senate: Twenty-fourth District—J. N. Castle. Thirty-eighth District—John Shaleen. House: Twenty-fourth District—Dwight M. Sabin, C. P. Gregory, A. Stegman. Thirty-eighth District—Levi H. McKusick.
Senate: Twenty-fourth District—J. N. Castle. Thirty-eighth District—John Shaleen. House: Twenty-fourth District—E. W. Durant, W. H. Pratt, Arthur Stephen. Thirty-eighth District—Levi H. McKusick.
Senate: Twenty-fourth District—E. W. Durant. Thirty-eighth District—Otto Wallmark. House: Twenty-fourth District—F. Dornfield, R. M. Anderson, C. P. Gregory. Thirty-eighth District—Henry Smith.
The first legislature continued in session one hundred and forty-eight days. Its most important measure was the passage of the $5,000,000 loan bill. At the twentieth session a law was passed changing the sessions of the legislature from annual to biennial.
As a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1857, and a member of what was styled the Republican wing, the writer considers it not amiss to insert a chapter concerning that somewhat famous and farcical affair.
The Congress of 1856-57 passed an enabling act for the formation of a state government in Minnesota, providing that a constitutional convention of delegates, chosen by the people, should assemble at midday, July 13, 1857, at the hall of the house of representatives at the state capitol, and adopt a constitution, subject to the ratification of the people.
The territorial governor, Samuel Medary, ordered an election to be held on the first Monday in June, 1857, for delegates, the number to consist of one hundred and eight. The State was nearly equally divided between the Republicans and Democrats; still the question of politics did not enter largely into the contest, except as a question of party supremacy. The people were a unit on the question of organizing a state government under the enabling act, and in many cases there was but a single ticket in the field. It was a matter, therefore, of some surprise that there should be a separation among the delegates into opposing factions, resulting practically in the formation of two conventions, each claiming to represent the people, and each proposing a constitution. The delegates, although but 108 were called, were numbered on the rolls of the two wings as 59 Republican and 53 Democratic, a discrepancy arising from some irregularity of enrollment, by which certain memberships were counted twice. The Republican members, claiming a bare majority, took possession of the hall of the house at midnight, twelve hours before the legal time for opening the convention, the object being to obtain control of the offices and committees of the convention, a manifest advantage in the matter of deciding upon contested seats.
In obedience to the call of the leaders of the party, issued the day before, the writer with other Republicans repaired to the house at the appointed hour, produced his credentials as a delegate, and was conducted into the illuminated hall by Hon. John W. North. The delegates were dispersed variously about the hall, some chatting together, others reading newspapers, smoking, or snoring, as here and there one had fallen asleep in his seat. Occasionally a delegate nervously examined his revolver as if he anticipated some necessity for its use.
The Democratic delegates were elsewhere probably plotting in secret conclave to capture the hall, and perhaps it might be well enough to be prepared for the worst. Thus the remainder of the night passed and the forenoon of July 13th. As soon as the clock struck twelve, the Democratic delegates rushed tumultuously in, as if with the purpose of capturing the speaker's stand. That, however, was already occupied by the Republican delegates, and the storming party was obliged to content itself with the lower steps of the stand. Both parties at the moment the clock ceased striking were yelling "order" vociferously, andnominating their officers,pro tem.Both parties effected a temporary organization, although in the uproar and confusion it was difficult to know what was done.
The Democratic wing adjourned at once to the senate chamber, and there effected a permanent organization. The Republicans being left in the undisturbed possession of the hall, perfected their organization, and the two factions set themselves diligently to work to frame a constitution, each claiming to be the legally constituted convention, and expecting recognition as such by the people of the State and by Congress. The debates in each were acrimonious. A few of the more moderate delegates in each recognized the absurdity and illegality of their position, and questioned the propriety of remaining and participating in proceedings which they could not sanction.
The conventions continued their sessions inharmoniously enough. Each framed a constitution, at the completion of which a joint committee was appointed to revise and harmonize the two constitutions, but the members of the committees were as belligerent as the conventions they represented. Members grew angry, abusing each other with words and even blows, blood being drawn in an argument with bludgeons between Hon. Willis A. Gorman, Democratic, and Hon. Thomas Wilson, Republican. An agreement seemed impossible, when some one whose name has not found its way into history, made the happy suggestion that alternate articles of each constitution be adopted. When this was done, and the joint production of the two conventions was in presentable shape, another and almost fatal difficulty arose, as to which wing should be accorded the honor of signing officially this remarkable document. One body or the other must acknowledge the paternity of the hybrid. Ingenuity amounting to genius (it is a pity that the possessor should be unknown) found a new expedient, namely, to write out two constitutions in full, exact duplicates except as to signatures, the one to be signed by Democratic officers and members, and the other by Republicans These two constitutions were filed in the archives of the State and one of them, which one will probably never be known, was adopted by the people Oct. 13, 1857.
The question arises in the writer's mind as to the legality of the constitution of Minnesota. Have we a constitution? If so, which one? The question of legality, however, has never beenraised before the proper tribunals, and it is perhaps well to leave it thus unquestioned.
Under a provision of the constitution adopted Oct. 13, 1857, the legislature was elected and convened December 2d of that year, although the State had not then been admitted to the Union, and Gen. Sam Medary was still recognized as governor, though not at the time in the Territory, and acting through his private secretary. The whole state, judicial and legislative ticket had been elected in October, but none of the state officers could qualify prior to the formal admission of the State. The legality of their proceedings was called in question. The Republicans entered a protest against legislation until after the admission of the State, but the Democratic party was in the majority, and territorial Democratic officers governed the legislature, and the protest was unheeded. Notwithstanding the doubtful validity of acts passed by this body, some bold and extravagant measures were proposed and passed, among them the famous $5,000,000 loan bill, authorizing the issue of bonds to that amount, ostensibly to aid in the construction of railroads in Minnesota, and to be used as a basis for banking. This bill was passed near the close of the session, which lasted ninety days, and was an amendment to the constitution to be voted on April 15, 1858.[J]The result proved even worse than had been predicted by the most ardent opposers of the bill, and although adopted by an overwhelming majority, speedily fulfilled the predictions of its opponents. The State was flooded with worthless bank issues, based upon these worthless bonds. Financial distress and panic ensued. A reaction followed, and in November, 1860, the amendment to the constitution was expunged. Of these bonds, $2,275,000 had already been issued, when the section granting their issue was repealed. These the State subsequently redeemed.
This bill, though afterward adopted as an amendment to the constitution by an overwhelming majority, was opposed most vigorously in both houses of the legislature, and characterized at the time as mischievous and infamous. Though not presentat the time of its passage, on account of sickness, the author fully committed himself as an opponent of the bill, and placed himself on record in an address to his constituents dated March 19th, at the senate chamber, which address was circulated extensively at the time. The views and predictions therein expressed as to the disastrous character of the bill have been amply justified and verified by subsequent events.
Hon. Chas. F. Lowe, when a member of the Republican wing of the constitutional convention, had designed and prepared a seal to be used by the incoming state government. It was adopted by that wing of the convention, and Mr. Lowe hoped to have it formally adopted by the first state legislature. At the request of Mr. Lowe, it was presented by the writer, then a member of the senate, and was adopted by the senate and house with many encomiums upon its beauty and appropriateness. The design was indeed a beautiful one, and the workmanship of the seal, by Buechner, of St. Paul, was admirable. The design of the seal was as follows: