The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-05-24
rived at the stockade and reported
that their captives had escaped. When

rived at the stockade and reported
that their captives had escaped. When
reprimanded for carelessness, one of
the Indians took the writer aside and
said that they forgot their seal lps-at
the same time pulling his blanket op-
on and exhibiting evidence that he
was telling the truth. Upon this show
ing it was considered unnecessary to
pursue them further.
On July 28th, as soon as the guns
arrived, they we're Immediately dis
tributed among the settlers, and in a
great measure did much towards sub
DUNG the uneasy feeling which per-
vaded the colonists. An occasional
Indian, or a small band of the dusky
fellows, we're frequently seen, but
they seemed to have been aware of
the addition to our war department,
and did not molest us. From July II
up to the time the guns and ammuni-
tions we're received was truly the try
ing time of our colony. Every bush
at dusk became an Indian. Every boot
of the howl was an Indian call. The
prairie dog, the coyote, the believing
buffalo, made the night hideous, and
morning welcome relief. We were
twenty miles from any settlement-no
mail, no news from the civilized world.
On August 9Th our colony was in
creased by the arrival of Jacob Tip
pen and George Spangler, and a few
days later by David Watson. About
this time camp of scouts was estab-
lished at Camp Pope. This camp re-
stored confidence, and all hands COM
menced haying and preparing for
winter. It was located just northeast
of the village, and is now in the city
limits.
In September, 1864, the colonists
becoming ambitious, and desiring to
throw off as much of their nomadic
life as possible, drafted the following
petition for the formation of a new
county and presented the same to
Coy. Miller:
Redwood Falls, Mimi, Sept 16, 1864
To His Excellency, Stephen Miller,
Governor of Mipnesota-We, your Pc
titioners, citizens and voters of the
county of Redwood, and State of Min
nesota, respectfully represent that said
county is not divided into towns, and
that we do not reside within ten miles
of any established place of voting in
any election district.
Wherefore, your petitioners pray
that all such part of said county as
lays north of township ITO, and west
of the east line of range number "a,
be established and erected into an
election district, and that the same be
known as the district of Redwood
Falls; that the polls be held at the
house of John S. G.. Homer; that Or.
ange G. Martin, John S. G.. Homer
and Edmund Fosgate be appointed
judges of election and T. w. Caster
and John w. Dunlap be appointed
clerks thereof and your petitioners
will ever pray. Signed
Sam MCPHA1L, ANON A. WEBSTER,
j. S. G.. HOMER, AARON DoTY,
o. G. MARTIN, JOHN G1LDEA,
GILES F1RMAN, PRENT1ss JONES,
j. w. HARNESS., JOHN w. DTNLAP,
EDMUND FosGArE, DAVID WAKEFIELD.
The petition, as prayed for, was
shortly afterward granted by Gov.
Miller, and voting precinct was es-
tablished later in the fall. The pre-
cinct comprised all that part of the
State of Minnesota, west of range 81,
and south of the Minnesota river,
which now includes the counties of
Lyon, Lincoln, Yellow Medi-
cine and Lac qui Parle. The place of
holding the election was Redwood
Falls, and o. G. Martin, T. w. Caster
and Ed Mccormick comprised the
election board, Mccormick succeed
ing Homer. At the presidential cleo
tion we cast IS votes, all straight Re-
publican-no intimidation, no bull-i
doing.
During all this time of doubt and
unrest our colony had been consider