The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-03-07

phrey, Thompson and Wales, to come for.
ward and vote down the refractory measures
Of Balcombe. who at best is mere tail-piece
to the St. Peter Company a slave under
the lash of the Democratic" Governor of
Minnesota and the Democratic" editor OF
the Winona Argus, both of whom expect to
use him in this Capital moving, and in for
warding the ends of the Transit Railroad
Company. Let the men of the Council be
men, and disregard the lead of one who de-
means himself so far as to be the tool of
others.
Capital Building at St. Peter-.-The wa y
the ''COmpany" gets the Land that
gees the Votes.
The following statement of facts, made by
we'll known citizen of the Territory, speaks
for itself. 1t needs no comment from u.s.
All we ask is, that the simple and concise
statement OF Mr.. Wright may be read.
To the Editors Of the Mfunssotian.
On or about the 18th day Of Feb last, I
built a house and moved my family on to a
tract of land IN the bacS part of the city of
st. Peter, Minnesota Territory, intending to
make for myself and family home. This
tract of land had been pre-empted by man
by the name Of Gibson S. Patch, and l
think have evidence sufficient to prove, in
an unlawful manner. am satisfied that
am the first and only person that ever built
and settled on said land. learned that the
said Patch had sold to the St. Peter Compa-
ny large portion of said land, and my set
Element enraged some Of the members Of
s,id Company, although they encouraged a
man to jump claim adjoining the one which
was at the same time living on. One of
the Company told me that any man who
would jump said claim could have $500 to
carry on the suit with. One of the Compa-
ny told friend of mine that jumping these
two claims was not parallel case, as he was
interested in the one was living on. sent
my declaratory statement to the Land Office,
believing that l should be allowed to live
peacably at least until it should be decided
that said Patch, or the Company had bet
ter right to the same than myself But
much to my Disappointment, after getting
comfortably settled, 1 was informed that
Thomas Cowan, Reg ster of Deeds at Tray
erse DIES Sioux, had been trying to hold two
claims; although he had not lived on either
for more than year A man finding these
claims had never been file on, made his
necessary improvements and commenced liv-
ing on one of them soon after commenced
to live upon mine. Mr.. Cowan and Mr..
Patch called meeting of what they termed
the citizens of Traverse DIES Sioux and ST.
Peter, which consisted of the most desperate
characters of the two places. Through the
eloquent speeches made by Mr.. Flandrau
and Cowan, they resolved to visit the occu-
pants of the claims and demolsh their build
ings and make them sign REIMBURSEMENT !;
or, unless they did, to tar and feather them
and ride them on a rail out of the county,
and hang them if they made resistance or
entered the county again.
On the 24th of February, party consist
ing of some sixty drunken ruffians came
and ordered me to leave my claim. told
them that claim was my home, and unless it
should be decided that it was illegal for me
to remain, should not move one nch; where
Upon Judge Hemingway, Cowan and Brown
yelled out all at one breath: "We recoqaize
no lap!' Whereupon the ruffians with the
assistance of one John Donley, James Nut
ter, Stephen Green and two men by the
name of McIntire, and Mr.. Teed and others.
commenced to carry my furniture out of the
house. After getting it out they proceeded
to destroy my h. use, which they did by
tearing it to the ground. And then myself
aud wife were compelled to wade through
the snow to my store. They followed the
with rail, and trying to tear my child frou'
my arms for the purpose they said of riding
me on the rail. They forcibly entered my
store, and asked me to relinquish nv right
to my claim. refused. They then told
me if did not sign within three days OF
leave the county forever, should suffer the
consequences. The next day received
word from Cowan, stating that if did no,
obey their orders they would hang me and
he would be the hangman.
The morning of the third day arrived, and
1received more threats. My family 1T this
gme became alarmed for my safety, and In
treated me to leave, for the time being, the
place. then left St. Peter in company
with my farther-in-law, Dr. Hunter ane
Mr.. Masters, for St. Paul. Arriving at Ira,
verse des Sioux, we saw the mob some ter
rods from the road we passed by them un
noticed. After riding some three miles, W.
discovered the mob in pursuit, armed will
guns, clubs, &c. Hurrying up, we soon go
out of sight. Mr.. Masters and myself go
out Of the sleigh; the Doctor drove o,
ahead to LIE Sueur. The mob came up t,
him at that place, and searched the premise