The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-03-17
From the northwestern Democrat
valedictory of Col. J. HI. stevens;

Two months since. when was called upon to
preside over your Society, little DIG expect
that one of the requirements of my Office would
be valedictory address. When made aware
that such were the usages of societies OF this
nature, could not shrink from the responsible
lty. however much could wish that some more
able person occupied the position In comply
ing with your wishes think it duty to give a
historical account of the rise and progress Of
and the neighboring country, but
in doing so, permit me to say my time has been
much occupied, and the ideas l wish to hold
forth, are incidents of my own observation. In
my own plain way must be allowed to state
them.
In the month of April. 1913, was seated I'M
der a tent at mountain pass, midway between
Vera Cruz and Jalapa, busily engaged in reading
a newspaper that had been forwarded to me, in
that far off region, by friend, the editor of the
Wisconsin Democrat. While gathering the news
saw an article headed, another new Terrific
ry." Wondering in what part of the Union an
enterprise of this nature could be sprung into
existence and prompted by that curiosity which
is so common to the Yankee character. my eyes
for the first time saw the word Minnesota. Hay
ing long been resident Of Wisconsin, was
quite surprised when the article in question sta
ted that the contemplated Territory contained
more than four times the surface of the State Of
Ohio aud that, in its embryo limits, were good
agricultural lands, which, in q few short years,
would be thronged with all industrious and gen
erous American people.
Months passed and | was again following my
legitimate business in the lead mines of Wis
consin and Illinois. The war had been brought
to an end and, in common with many others
that had returned from the fields of Mexico,
my health was, as many supposed, destroyed.
Thinking of emigrating to - southern climate,
i1np foil ho00 tod thnI
John Catlin, who was then acting Governor of
Minnesota, by virtue of his Office being secreta
ry of the Territory of Wisconsin. When that
territory became state he visited this part to
issue proclamation for an election to choose
delegate to Congress. He informed that cases
of that fearful disorder, consumption, which is
so common in Atlantic and other states, were
unknown here, and advised me by all means to
try Minnesota first Adopting this advice,
turned my face hitherwards. The only object
was health, and most of you will bear me wit
ness Of the correctness of the opinion of Secre-
tary Catlin. The territory beyond all doubts
is the most favored part of the United States in
this particular. But am wandering from my
subject.
In the month of April, 1949, colony of some
ten persons might have been seen vending their
way from st. Paul, looking out locations for a
settlements permanent home. That colony
had a doctor just entering manhood who has
since arrived at the highest pinnacle of his pro-
fession, and school master--the rest were far
mers. Your humble speaker was also one of
the company. Leaving St. Paul with no favor
able impression of the territory, we were divi-
ded in opinion which part of the country it
would be best for us to examine. Directing our
attention to Fort Smelling, We for the first time
found that the land on the west side of the Mis-
sissippi was not opened to settlers; hence, we
left the Fort and pursued our way to the Falls
of St. Anthony in order to get back again into
government lands.
AS we journeyed from the Fort the character
of the country was beautiful beyond descrip-
ton. Net solitary house except the old mill
property was to be secn-an unbroken wilder
ness surrounded the site of Minneapolis. We
saw q number of wolves start from their lair
and eagles, even, seemed disposed to dispute
our right to visit the crags below The falls The
smoke from the ch;nneys of only two houses
could be seen from st. Anthony. They stood
solitary and alone. Money could hardly tuy a
meal; pork and beans and coffee was all that
we expected. if indeed we were thus favored
Little did then think that st. Anthony would
in 1855, contain population Of near 3. 600 and
Minneapolis, 1000. At that time there was not
a newspaper in the Territory, although the Pho
neer was brought into life by the late lamented
Goodhue the same month. There was not a
church and the whole Territory contained one
school house. When | speak of ''church'' [
mean protestant church. But am wander
ing again from the subject, or rather, the in
tenton of my lecture; these emarks are nee
essary however; for my intention snot to show
the rapidity of the growth of the Territory but
Minneapolis.
We go back again to the colony l was con-
nected with. 1t might, perhaps. be we'll to say
hot Vohn
apolis, and myself are all of them that remain
in the Territory. There were no sick-the doc
tor left in disgust; we had no chldren-the
schoolmaster went to another part. The farm
ers of the company did not like the east side OF
the Mississippi, and, being Adventures like my
self, they all went to California. Two of us
determined to remain, and pitched my home
on the west side of the Falls of St. Anthony.
there to live, perhaps to die. We struggled
long for permit to occupy The Reserve. and
the object was in time accomplished Ny pres
ent dwelling was erected in the winter of 1919
so, being the first house built in Minneapolis
by private citizen. AS soon as the house was
completed | moved into it, and for the first wear
our only neghbors with the exception of the
family of G. A. futile, Esq, who left his home
on the east side of the river, in few months
after our residence in our present honey were
the Indians. We have often retired at night
and opened Onr eyes in the morning upon the
wigwams of either the Sioux, Chippewa or Win
nebago, which had gone up while we slept.
My oldest little girl is the first white child
born in Minneapolis, and her age is only four
years. i"Little Willie futile, 1.-The only boy of
my ancient neighbors, is the second child born
here. My family and Mr. Tuttle's had remained
alone for some time, when Mr.. Miller was for
tunate enough to get permit. After Mr. Mil
Ter, came DR.. Fletcher, then John Jackins In
the course of time Edward Murphy obtained a
location, then Judge Bassett. Charles Hoao
your vice president followed Mr.. Bassett. then
came Joseph Ii Carney. We now thought our
selves representing quite city. although half
a mile was the nearest distance between our
residences. We had good times-peace and
harmony reigned in our midst. We were all
united, and all looked for each others interest.
Occasionally the Rev. G. III. Pond, who is enc
of the very best men in our Territory. wonld
give us sermon. On such occasions we all
gathered into my house, and listened to his
useful and instructive tcachin@
Thus we remained for some two years. when
others obtained permits and our village started
schools. One of the first objects of the early
settlers were accomplished in securing the ser
vices of the Rev. J. G. Whitney. who was the
first settled pastor in Minneapolis. The Rev
G. G. Ames the worthy and excellent pastor Of
the Free Will Baptist Church, was the second
minister of the gospel that settled with MS
Then followed the Rev. A. A. Russell. of tho
Baptist Home Missionary Society They conld
not have made better selection, for Won will
bear me witness that he is truly .sthe salt Of
the earth Ilearnthat the Methodists have
resident Minister here but personally am not
aware OF the fact. The uniyersalists constitute
D -I0n lion ofO FIJI