The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-14
AULD LANG sYNE.

The arrival in. STU Paul during the SURF
mer Of 1851 Of the William Crooks, the first
locomotive run in Minnesota, is wildly
called to mind by Frank Werner. Of 40 Will
kin street, one of the first German: American
citizens in. st. Paul. Mr.. Werner recently
read, in a. paragraph in 'The> Clio 9 about
the engine, which called back a flood Of
reeollections bearing on the initial trip Tx
en- by the historic engine. AS far as known.
Mr. Werner is the only man now living in
st. Paul who assisted in putting the first
engine on the track.
It was just after the opening of the Civil
war. and many of the men in st. Paul were
preparing to 60 South in defense .of the
Union. In those days Lake Como was a
favorite hunting ground for st. Paul peo-
pie, and deer were frequently shot in the,
vicinity. Indians lurked in every hollow,
and, although friendly at the time, later
the tribes around st. Paul Joined their MUIR
defous brethren, who wrought death and de-
struction in the Minnesota valley the next
year.
AS told by Mr.. Werner, 1t was beautiful
Sunday afternoon in July when the VIII an
Crooks arrived in st. Paul. At the request
of Jim Winters, who was superintendent OF
& Pacific railroad, he consented to assist in
the ceremony. On his way down to the
levee where the engine was waiting to be
unloaded Mr.. Werner, at Third and Jack
son streets, met a man who hailed him
from across the street.
Where are you going, Frank?" he called
to Mr.. Werner.
Down to help Jim Winters put that
engine on the track Come along
NO." REPLIED tits too fine a day
THAT man was ]. j. HILL" SAID Mr.. Wer
.ner to G l b reporter yesterday.
How times have changed since then"
went on Mr.. Werner. ''Mr. Hill knew moth
ing about railroads then and neither did l.
Little did think that Mr.. Hill would some
day become president Of one Of the largest
railroad systems in the country.
William Crooks put ON the track,
about where Commercial street is now, by
quite a crew Of men collected from all over
the city. In those days men were not as
easy to get as now, and, for my part, my
services were given that 1 might have a
part in what we thought would be quite
historical occasion some day. After the en-
CINE had been safely placed on the track a
short run made up to 'Rice's.' l do not
recall who occupied the cab of the engine,
but, in addition to the engineer, there were
several interested in the road. 1t was the
initial step in the great railroad building
movement in this state. which has covered the
state with a network Of railways.
''St. Paul had a great future those days.
/ remember one day several of us were
discussing the subject One said it would be-
come great lumber town. Another said we
should do everything to make 1t mercantile
center, and another said 1t would become a
great railroad center If we chose to make
it so. But Alexander Ramsey spoke up and
said:
90 Don't give a small child medicine to
make it grow 1 think the young child st.
Paul was given too much medicine.
1.-The people of st. Paul enjoyed themselves
immensely those days. On one corner of Ex-
change and Wilkin streets there used to be
a hotel, and the masquerades which were
held there will never be forgotten by the
old settlers. l recall one time Mr.. Hill
dressed up as the devil, and he frightened
even the most hardened. His makeup was
simply great. He was always good at such
things when young man. l remember an
other time Mr.. Hill and Sam Regay gave
burlesque imitation of the famous prize fight
between Heenan and Sayres. which took place
in England short time before. Mr.. Hill
was very agile, and he and Regay put up one
OF the best attractions for masquerades
which was ever witnessed here.
MANY of the old settlers still live in this
locality. Right across the street, and Mr..
Werner nodded in the direction from his
home. Frances Folsom. now Mrs. Grover
Cleveland lived with a married sister by
the name Of Huttleson. 1 remember her very
well as a little girl, but she moved away
when quite young, and 1 lost track of her
until she became Mrs. Cleveland.
IN. P. Langford still lives in the old home
on Sherman street. During the early days
he was bank examiner. and he was said
to have Travelled 10000 miles by stage coach.
mir. Banning's family lives a few doors
down the street, and Mr.. Leue's family lives
in the house the right of the old inn ON
the corner of Exchange and Wilkin streets
Henry Horn still lives in Irvine park.
recall he was asked who were the two
most affable in the state, and he replied
John B. Oliver and Jacob Menu. All the old
settlers remember both men for their extreme
ly genial dispositions.
"Lasher's college used to be opposite the
old inn. In its day it was the finest institu-
ton of It's kind in the West.
1.-THE Old Hope Fire company was one of
the enlivening features of the social side of
st. Paul in days gone by. The company
rendered valuable services at all the big fires
and 1t was very popular organization.
81 will never forget Abraham Lincoln's
first campaign when Stephen - Douglass
ran against him. Political meetings were held
in the open air and addresses both sides
would be given in the same evening. l re-
call one night Gen. c. C. Andrews and Stephen
A. Miller who afterwards became governor
were the orators.
Directly after l came to St. Paul, May
8, 1857 1 had a political controversy with
Mayor Kiefer. He was the first man that 1
talked politics with. I speak of these things
for the sake of Aud Lang Syne' of those
things which happened in days long since
gone by