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

then partially completed, 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
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 a 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 So, 600 in the world he
ought to keep out of politics and attend to
his business he's a poor man!
poor mann' His indignant look and vehe-
meut 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, can't do ft!'' ne exclaimed, ''m too
poor! Havn't any money can't buy fruitr'
The evening before his death he partook Of
California wine and cake, and it was noticed
that his voice had a sorrowful tone. Then
he was worried over q 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 $50, 900. These things no
doubt had something to do in unsettling his
mind He was found dead in
his room, January 24 1881, and thus
passed into history all that remained of
y riff 70
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 10Th of MAY, 1850, Rev. Z. D.
Neilrs chapel on Washington street, took
fire by some shavings becoming ignited, ac-
cdentally 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 aud St Peter streets, was
finished in October 1850, and the first bell
in Minnesota was hung in its belfry, and
was ruug 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 stool
thirty three years and served an admirable
purpose II was torn down in the early part
of 1884 to make room for new court house
which will cost not less than $400, 900. The
old wooden Jail was erected few months
later in the same year. 1t was demolished
in 1851. Il was an insecure and unsafe
place in which to keep prisoners.
FIRST THANKSGIVING.
Gov. Ramsey issued proclamation desig-
mating December %, 1850, rs day OF
thanksgiving and 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
vhas they had in those days than We are
now, even II the whisky was adulterated
with strichuine and tobacco.
FIRST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
On the 9Th Of September, 1850, the corner
stone Of ''Christ church" was laid on Cedar
street, and shortly after the building was
erected. 1t was n little Gothic structure and
was reached by a two-plank sidewalk from
Third street. Here Revs. Wilkcoxson, and
Beck and Van Ingen preached, aud then the
new church was erected on the corner of
Fourth aud Exchange, where it now stands.
FIRST APPEARANCE or CHOLERA.
A case of cholera occurred in this city, for
the first time. this year, and man by the
name Of Lumley died with it. It again made
its appearance, we think, in 1854. and sew
eral died, mostly bootmen.
FIRST DREcroRY-FIRsT BRICK STORE
This year witnessed the perfection
OF both these enterprises, the first
by the Pioneer office. with the follow
ing details: Five clergymeu, IA lawyers,
. land agents, doctors. 16 mercantile firms,
1 shoemaker, hotels, painters, black
smiths. plasterers, mssons, Is carpeu-
tiers. Isiiversmith. gunsm.th. bakers. 8
wheel-wrights. harness make, timer, ,
newspapers. The first brick store was built
by John Harrington, corner Of Third and Ex-
change streets.
Joseph A wBEELoCK.
Nj. wheslock was born in Nova Scotia in
1881: was educated at an academy in New
Brunswick. came to s.. Paul in 1850; was in
the suffers sto-e at Fort Smelling for about