The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-16
MANKATo HISTORY.
(continued.)


and the people were fleeing to place of
refuge. Some were over taken by the
pursuing savages and suffered violent
death, few were taken captives. The
news soon reached Fort Ridgley, and a
small body of troops under Capt. Marsh
started for the Lower Agency, but they
never reached it. An ambush ended
the lives of all but ten, who reached the
Fort after a hot pursuit. Fort Ridgley
now became the asylum for the fugitives
but it was in very precarious condi-
ton. The stock of provisions and the
amount Of ammunition was the same
After Capt. Marsh's loss, the number of
soldiers at the Foit numbered al, with
Il 20 pound and six pound howitzer.
The number of tugitives at the Fort was
about 800 without arms or provisions.
1t was soon known that an attack would
be made on the Fort and everybody was
prepared, when with charge, Little
Crow and his band surrounded them.
Five days were they beseiged, and then
the Indians despairing of success with.
drew and began an attack upon New
Ulm. Buildings were set on fire and
everything would have been destroyed
if it had not been for the timely arrival
Of Judge Flandrau from st. Peter with
reinforcements. His command routed
the savages and saved the few people
that remained. While all this was go
ing on other bands of savages were raid
ing through the Minnesota Valley.
The whole country around Fort Ridg-
ley, New Ulm, Mankato and St. Peter
was deserted. Most of the people fled
to st. Paul. The fields were left stand
ing with their abundant yield, to the
rage and destructiveness of the Indians.
Property in Mankato went down with u
bound. A lot on Fourth street that is
worth $4,000 to-day was then offered for
sale at 800. Forts, constructed of logs
were put upon what are now our princi-
pal street corners. Those who remained
here were constantly on the watch and
many were the panics they were thrown
into 10y false alarm. But luckily for
our future, the Indians did not attack
Mankato. They received Il check he
fore they had time to turn their lustful
eyes on this city. BY the prompt action
Of our then Governor Ramsey, in send
ing troops to the rescue, does this part OF
the Minnesota Valley owe Its escape
from the horrors of the Massacre.
Troops under Sibley, Crook, Mashall
and Others us brave, came up and it was
soon shown that the Indian had fought
his last battle in Minnesota. Who has
not heard of Birch Cooley, with its night
attack; of Wood Lake with its decisive
Victory; of Little Crows capture at Wild
Goose Nest Lakef All these were the
beginning of the retribution which has
overtaken the red man, Part of the
prisoners were sent to Fort Smelling, the
rest, 400 in all were brought here
While on their way here the wagons in
which the prisoners were, were frequent
| ly attacked by returned settlers who
had lost friends. At last they arrived
ut camp Lincoln which was situated
where the Blue Earth empties into the
Minnesota about mile and halt from
this city. Here the Indians were con.
fined and condemned and 303 sentenced
to die, and ls to be imprisoned for life
The decisions were sent to Washington
to be ratified 10y the President. He de-
cided on the execution of SO and pre-
parations were Immediately begun fol-
their punishment. Near where
Shaubut's block is now, long, low
building put up and 80 confined there
On the levee just in front of it,a scaffolo
was erected and there Dec. 20, 1862
nearly IL years ago, those 3S human
, tiends hung. Their bodies were buried
in the sand bar along the river, but they
did not remain there long. They were
dug up by curiosity seekers, medica
students and others. The remaining
prisoners were imprisoned for awhile ant
then sent on Reservation. Thus ended
a Massacre which set back Minnesota.
progress for decade. Nearly
thousand men woman and children wer,
taken capitives or suffered q horribl,
death. A frontier of over 500 miles
extending from Fort Abercrombic OF
the Red River to this city on the Mime
sofa was rendered desolate. AS soon q
the trouble was over, those who had fed
returned. Other people from the East
/ ern cities poured in and soon where moth
ing but ruins had stood new build
ings sprung up and new towns started
In 1867 Mankato was Incorporated as
city and her prospects began to brighten
In 1859 our first railroad struck us. U,
to that time most of the shipping anc
travelling to st. Paul was done b,
steamboat. Up to 1870 two or tire,
steamboats, day, stopped at our levees
! Large warehouses were put up boil
here and at South Bend. Where oul
City Hall now stands, once doomed up
: warehoure, its ruins can still be seen
But the railroad and the increasing diff
Guilty of navigation ruined the steam
boat traffic. The stage line, too, di.ap
, pearcd and the iron horse remained
= master. Where the Minnesota one,
rolled there is now being laid a track o
steel rails. The first railroad was tn,
st. Paul & Sioux City, and quickly fol
lowing it came the Winona & st. Pctel
but unfortunately instead Of making
st. Peter branch station it inflicted u.
with that burden much to its own loss
Another railroad was constructed from
Wells here. At Wells it connects with
the Southern Minnesota.