The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-04-28
Fasibaull County.


Faribauls County.
BLUE y xru CirY, March u, 1859.
Editors Of Pioneer Democrat
GRNrLKnEN-YOur letter OF the 10th
inst, addressed to me a. Register OF Deeds
Of Faribault county, in which you make
several inquiries in reference TO the settle
ment, organization, soil, population, produc
tions and progress Of the county, has been
duly received. l shall reply as briefly as
may be consistent with . sufficient state
ment Of the facts, relating to these several
points Of inquiry.
The first settlement Of this county was
made in the month OF May, A. d. 1855. by
Moses SAILOR, hardy Western pioneer,
who made his claim and built his cabin
on the banks Of the Blue Earth River,
about one and half miles south Of what
is now the site Of Blue Earth City. This
" the nucleus Of what has since become u
large settlement Of thrifty farmers.
The honor Of being the first settler OF the
county is claimed, however, by another
pioneer, who, probably, took his claim and
set his stakes very nearly tho same time
with Mr.. SAILOR
During the year 1855, the influx Of EN-.
igration was small, the character Of the
country being almost wholly unknown.
Among those. however, who made their
settlement this year, We can number some
OF our most substantial citizens.
The following year. 1856 added quite
q number OF permanent settlers to the pop.
ulation. During this year. also, the town
Of Blue Earth City was laid out, and q
number OF substantial buildings erected
Among these, that erected by Henry F.
CoNsrANs. in August Of this year, on the
town plat, was the first 10 the county which
could claim the dignity Of that name, above
the pretentions OF 10y cabin. II il large
and commodious block house, serving 10
times OF Indian troubles a. formidable
fort, and now, in times Of peace, as a com
Portable place Of " entertainment for man
and beast
BY act OF the Territorial Legislature OF
February 23d, Of this year, the county was
organized, the county seat temporarily 10.
Gated at Blue Earth City, the county at
tsched to Blue Earth county for judicial
purposes, and the necessary county officers
appointed by the Governor.
| On the second Tuesday Of October follow.
ing the first election was held, al which
time full board Of county officers ,were
chosen, member OF the Territorial Legis-
la,ure voted for. and, by on almost unani.
nous vote Of the electors, the county seat
was permanently located at Blue Earth
City, where il yet remains, and probably
will for years TO come.
The beginning OF the year 1857 WAS sig
nalized In the laying out Of another new
town, 10 the month Of January, which was
| located in the northwestern part oil the
county. and named Winnebago City. Dur.
ing this year the population Of the county
was more than quadrupled, and the build
ing and other improvements were permanent
and extensive. Yet, like many other por.
tions OF the State, our county lost much in
consequence Of the Indian excitement, -
caused by the turbulent and threatening
! disposition Of the Sioux Indians at the time
! and the fearful massacre at Spirit Lake by
( Ink pa du tab and his band, early 10 the
spring Of that year. Being on the extreme
southwestern frontier Of the State, and
within sixty miles Of the scene Of the mas
sacre, much danger was apprebeDded and
insecurity felt, not only by the settlers them
selves. bat by others at distance. who de-
signed settling in the county
! Many Of the latter, who were already on
their way. becoming spprehensive, dispersed
themselves through the more eastern portions
/ Of the State.
| Nothing now is to be- feared from Indian
depredatous their day is past and We can
slmos, say with the pet
"Oftbeir mortal veal or wo,
No trace IL left TO day,
For Like the foam upon the wave,
( They all have pas, away
Away away to the lands Of the setting
500, and may God pc.d, a. well ~ protect
( their steps.
Late 10 the summer Of 1857, two large
steam saw N Ils were put 10 operation at
important points 10 the County, and gave a
great impetus 10 building and all other kinds
| Of Improvement. The frat and only censI.
Of the County, was taken early 10 the lall
! Of this year, and shows population oil be
tween SIX and seven hubdreI. which number
up 10 this time, judging from the vote poil.d
al the las, general election aud other facts,
has been lucreased u atoat twelve or igar-
teen hundred.
At The extra ssslon Of the Legislature.
beId 10 April Of tbs this year, the Co0oly
"a. detached from Blue Earth County
The year l5j7, Notwithstanding The 10
dian troubles. Wa the Dns, profitable u the
psrmaneot interests Of the County. u ATTY
yet 10 ia brief history.
TIE year 1855 ~. as Inauspie.oas ior
lhs CCaniy a. any other portion o. the
sesiern cO1Giry, 0Slog, principally, b the
se,bes OF tbs .ontS,r s'sson. By Ill On tue
crops gre much injured, and tbs gfeA. Gun
$500. rg.uI.ht.n a. LIZ aft H. - a.