The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-04-03

and the buffalo and elk roamed over
the vast prairies Of this most attrac-
tive land a few trappers, only, repre-
sented the white mans power. The
natural beauty and rich soil offered
inducements which were found ire
sistable, hence in the fall of 1864
Col. Sam. McPhail an enterprising
Kentuckian, chose one of the most
and grand sites in the
west which is now the thriving and
future great town of Redwood Falls.
The artist eye glistens and the
heart expands when the impressive
natural beauties Of Redwood are
to the view. Surrounded
by vast prairies the monotony of
which is broken, by hilly slopes cap
ped with the red cedars, and deep
wales through which stream of
liquid purity flows on to give with
rapid dash the FALLS so beautiful
and famed. The grand scenes have
been portrayed by artistic skill and
are worthy of poesy and song.
The pioneers of Redwood were
men of sturdy perseverance and I'M
like many of the founders of the
west were educated and polished
men. The names of McPhail, Eos
gate, Flynn, Martin, Watson, Homer
and Caster have gone down to histo-
ry as the layers of the corner stone
Of future greatness. In 1864 the
signs of a settlement became appar-
ent by stockade or wall of earth
which with a surrounding ditch gave
admirable protection to the settlers
who were the proud owners of three
log and two frame houses. The set
Element grew apace and the necessi-
ties and few luxuries of life were
by the establishment of a
we'll stocked store by Henry Behnke
& Bro, but previously a stock of
goods had been disposed of by Louis
Roberts who brought by wagon from
St. Paul the frugal wants of the
pioneers. The nearest white friends
at this time were at the agencies 8
and 20 miles distant. A govern
meut saw mill however was in oper-
alton on the present town site and
remains in part as a venerable land
mark. To Edward Fosgate is due
the honor of having erected the first
frame house outside of the stockade.
went on rapidly. A
school was instituted and the young
IDEAS began to shoot rapidly under
the careful tuition of Miss Jn!ia
of LeSeuer. The first
born caused red letter day in the
hearts of Redwood matronhood.
The excitement was great and the
10y was great. The young wayfarer
entered this vale of Joy and sadness
n February 1865 and was named
Harry Thompson. When Harry
vas still being cooed over by every
me, a gloom became cast over the
settlement by the death Of Willie
donnor on the 18th, Of April. The
egal services of Col. McPhail, who
vas an attorney, were not called into
until July 1865 when he
United VIM. Morrill, and Eta Tip
,ery in marriage and the sunshine !
# Joy again pervaded the embryo
Village.
The pioneers were healthy and ro-
,ust and good nature and friendly
ceiling kept their organizations in a
Healthy tone, but any ailment or in
eresting conditions of affairs receiv-
ID the attention of an able physician
n the person of DR.. Hitchcock. i
Those were days when men felt
ike brothers toward each other as
Tod created them. No petty jeal-
'usies existed. No recrimination
anne from the forked tongue of
lander. But the Joy Of one was the
badness Of the other and sadness l.
II bereavement became general
,rief. AS hand clasped hand hearts
,eat in unison. Truly "a fellow
ceiling makes us wondrous kind"
Following the "Star OF Empire"
anne location hunters, buffalo hunt
ers and the indispensable surveyor
bowed civilization was making on
yard progress. The weary and
ometimes laden traveller always
leard the hearty "Howdy! walk in
md make yourself at Home" AS
he arrivals increased the families
we're at times considerably inconveni
need which was obviated however by
mr. enterprising citizen James Nc
Milan who in 1865 erected the first
lotel presently known as the Ex-
,hange. In the same year fine
Jaw mill was erected and progress
began to buzz. In 1865 the increase
# population caused a log school
house to be built which rested on
he edge of the timber near where
Mr.. Bushnell's residence is. In the
following year the first Touring mill
,-as erected by Worden & Ruter
L ~As11