St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-13
BY T. NJ. NEwSoN.

JUsTUs CORNELIUS RAMSEY.

Article XXX.
JUsTUs CORNELIUS RAMSEY.
Mr.. Ramsey, brother of Hon. Alexander
Ramsey, was born i'll Pennsylvania near
Harrisburg, in 1921; was early left an orphan !;
received q common school education learned
the trade of printer; carried the chain in
the survey of the line of the Pennsylvania
railroad through the mountains; came to st.
Paul in 1S49 with about SIS, 900 in cash; was
a member of the legislature in 1S50-3-7; and
for several years was an agent of the govern
ment.
INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE.
Soon after Mr.. Ramsey's arrival in this
city, in connection with his brother he pur-
chased a one-quarter interest in Rice and
Irvine's addition to st. Paul, including one
quarter interest in the old American House,
then partially ompeted, for S2,500-the
property being jointly owned by the two
brothers-now the same property is worth
$500, 900. He also purchased outside real
estate, so that when he died in January,
1881, his estate was valued at $3.50, 900.
FIRST PUBLIC REQUEST.
The will of Mr.. Ramsey bequeathed to
eight nieces and nephews, and to the Catho-
lie and Protestant orphan asylums of St.
Paul, an equal interest in his estate, or
about SIS, 900 apiece, and this is, we believe,
the first public bequest ever given by any
citizen OF st. Paul, although many men have
died here much richer than Mr.. Ramsey
was.
PECULIARITIEs.
In early days Mr.. Ramsey entered largely
into social life, but of late years he became
more sedate and thoughtful. He was, in
some respects, peculiar man. He was OF
good size; bold, frank and devoid Of show
despised cant and hypocrisy; neverwore an
overcoat in the coolest Of weather during his
residence in Minnesota, except once or twice;
was frugal in dress and in every other way
in the expenditure of his money, and yet he
quietly gave considerable to the needy. He
usually walked with his hands in his pocket,
and for twelve years made one room in this
city his home. He was an unmarried man,
and SO far as we can learn, had no entang-
ling matrimonial alliances. He was Mason
and had taken the 32d degree.
HIS DEATH.
For several years Mr.. Ramsey had been
afflicted with dyspepsia, and it had grown
upon him to such an extent that it affected
his mind. Meeting him soon after his
brother was brought out in the newspapers
for senator, he exclaimed ''Why do you do
that why do you do that Aleck is a bank
rupt can't raise $4,000 in the world he
ought to keep out of politics and attend to
his businessl he's a poor man!
poor manr' His indignant look and vehe
ment expression clearly showed that some
thing was wrong. Then again, just before
his death, friend informed him that he had
better 90 to Florida and eat fruit. Cant
do It'll can't do it'' he exclaimed, ''Fm too
poor! Havn't any money can't buy fruitp'
The evening before his death he partook Of
California wine and cake, and it was noticed
that his voice had q sorrowful tone. Then
be was worried over a suit of the government
which had been brought to recover on an
officers bond, and as Mr.. Ramsey was one
OF the bondsmen he was afraid he would be
obliged to pay 500, 900. These things no
doubt had something to do in unsettliug his
mind. He was found dead in
his room, January "a, 1881, and thus
passed into history all that remained of
Justus C. Ramsey, except his noble gift to
the little orphans, and that will ever remain
green and grand in the ever grateful present
and the coming future.
FIRST FIRE IN ST. PAUL.
On the 18th Of May, 1850, Rev. E. D.
Neills chapel on Washington street, took
fire by some shaviugs becoming ignited, ac-
cidentally or otherwise, and was burned to
the ground. This was the first fire which
occurred in St. Paul Where Warmers block
now stands, corner of Third and Wabashaw
streets, was an unfinished warehouse, and
in this Mr.. Neill preached until his new
church was erected.
FIRST CHURCH BELL IN MINNESOTA.
The first Presbyterian church, as en-
bodied in the little chapel burned, rebuilt on
the corner Of Third and st. Peter streets, was
finished in October, 1850, and the first bell
in Minnesota was hung in its belfry, and
was rung the Saturday evening preceding the
Sunday of the first service within its walls
The second bell was in the Market street
church.
FIRST COURT HOUSE.
The first court house was commenced in
November of the year 1850, but was not
completed until the year 1851. 1t stoo
thirty three years and served an admirable
purpose. II was torn down in the early part
of 1884 to make room for a new court house
which viii cost not less than $500, 900. The
old wooden Jail was erected q few months
later in the same year. 1t was demolished
in 1857. II was an insecure and unsafe
place in which to keep prisoners.
FIRST THANKSGIVING.
Gov. Ramsey issued proclamation desig-
mating December %, 1850, as a day OF
thanksgiving aud prayer, the first thanks
giving ever commemorated in Minnesota.
or course turkeys were quite scarce, but
whisky was in abundance, and ''the boys"
whooped it up until very late in the night
They were great deal more thankful for
what they had in those days than we are
now, even II the whisky was adulterated
with str!ehnine and tobacco.
FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
On the 5th Of September, 1850, the corner
stone Of "Christ church. was laid on Cedar
street, and shortly after the building was
erected 1t was little Gothic structure aud
was reached BY two-plank sidewalk from
Third street. Here Revs. Wilkcoxson, and
Beck and Van Ingeu preached, and then the
new church was erected on the corner Of
Fourth aud Exchange, where it now stands.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF CHOLERA.