St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-16

"reminiscences journalistic and other
wise by Col. j. Il. stevens, the first white
settler in Minneapolis, read before the Min
nesota State Editorial association at Mime
apolis. Feb. Is, 1894.
In October, 1S4l, l was a resident OF
White Oak Springs, then little mining
town in the extreme southern portion
of Iowa county, Wisconsin territory. AT
that period | was engaged III mining.
Wishing 10 prospect fer stake" be-
fore winter set in, my partner and my
self determined 10 visit the mines iii
the neighborhood of Plattville, IN Grant
county. some twenty miles distant from
our humble cabin. With picks, Shoyels
and spades on our backs, the "mlners
kit we started out bright and
early on a pleasant October
morning for the mines in that
vicinity. Just as the sun was sinking
behind those picturesque mounds near
Platteyille, we reached hotel in the
village known as the Beavins house.
With tired limbs and blistered feet. the
fruits of our long journey over the
prairieS. we determined upon an early
bed, but. returning from the supper
table to the office, we found n large
gathering OF miners excited over the
result OF law suit of little more than
a trivial character which had been de-
cided a few minutes before in Justice
court. As miners we became Interested
in TIE controversy, which baniShed all
our tired condition.
Then and there [ met for the first
time James II. Goodhue. lawyer in
the territory, and one of the attorneys
in the miners suit so recently disposed
of in the court. Then and there, too, |
became friend III ny humble way of
Col. GoUdhue, VINO was destined eight
years subsequently to become the piO-
neer editor of Minnesota. From that
period until his death we were friends.
Col. GoOdhue was known to be as re-
markable for his physical strength as
for the force of his intellect. While at
school no man could, from dead stand.
leap so high over 4 pole as he. He never
was WOrSted i'll an encounter with fists.
One morning while at school, seeing
from his chamber that his roommate on
the street was being worsted in a set-to
with one of his irate countrymen. he
rushed below, and, quick as Thought.
planted in the breast of the country
man both feet and fists, in one point OF
time; left the man upon his back. and,
without word spoken, retired to his
room.
When seine sixteen years of age the
spirit of romance came over James, and,
While IN this mood, he CHANGED upon a
view of a maiden who had budded
forth from childhood while he was away
at school. Her home was up the valley
some two miles. She was of a striking
type OF beauty: symmetrical in form,
with the eyes of a seal. Probably these
eyes had invoiuntariiy given response
TO his gaze, SO that he felt assurance to
mount liorse'frun his fathers stalls,
ride 10 her residence and approach the
presence CT his IDOL. This pleasure lie
achieved several times Meanwhile the
Idol gaZpd and lisped, but from her
throat warbled not word After spv-
eral visits, upon closer proximity of
the lovers, she opened her mouth and
uttered an audible word. AS with those
birds OF the tropics. whose charm is in
their plumage alone, heI voice betrayed
her. He never visited her again. Col.
Goodhue graduated from Amherst col
lege. =
After graduation lie went to Elmira.
n. J.. from which place. the year be-
fore, had arrived his earlier college
mate, who III our day is distinguished
citizen of that place, Judge Tburston.
He wIote back to brother that he
boated down the stream in skiff from
Oiean, and had one cent left in his.
pocket, and SO he was glad to say he
was not without money. At Elmira he
taught the winters school. and at the
same time began the study of law.
Next season he resumed the study
in New York city. where by clerical
work he paid his way, also writing
for the press, some epheIneraI compost
tons. He was admitted TO the bar i'm
New York. Next he passed some three
years in Plaintpld. near Joliet, III.
There, to supply his want of means, lie
cultivated the black soil Agricultural
products were high in those days. He
earned d two-hOrse team with which to
pillow; carried his potatoes one fall to'the
Workmen upon the Illinois canal, and
next he appears in Platteville, Wis.
There he stayed for season, probably
with view 10 the practice Of law. In
that place was young lady from Cen
trail New York, who, in this Wisconsin
town, was experimenting d visit to
relative by teaching the village school
She was Frustrated there by the small
pOX, while suitable attendants stood
alOof, IN fear of taking the disease.
Thereup0n Col. G0odhue. who had prob
ably caught a glimpse of the maiden,
volunteered his services at her bed
side. His prefer was accepted. The
result was marriage. Her name was
Henrietta kneeland No better oppor-
tunlty for tribute to her virtues is Of
fered in this narrative than at this
point. Miss Kneeland was stately in
person, highly intellectual, and DOS
sessed the kindest Of hearts. The twain
settled in Lancaster, which is near the
place of their marriage, where he be.
came attorney. But his literary taste
led him TO the purchase of The Lancaster
Herald. This he conducted in a graphic
manner. surprising to his readers and
aWaking among them all unprecedented
interest Ill newspaper literature.
HIS occupation with the Herald held
him until the opening, by proclamation,
Of Minnesota territory. lie had built
n hitiO.Ic
caster and was living in il, when, with
cut much preliminary, he packed his
press and type, and took with him his
family, and with the wand of a talisman
set up at once the Minnesota Pioneer.
a clerical gentleman visited the Pho
neer about the time of the first issues
and foHnd the editor bareheaded, sitting
npon the floor, and cutting from other
papers clippings, while prairie dog
was seen through the cracks roofing