Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1899-06-21

conceived the idea Of a townsite, and
came to Eagle Lake in June, q few
days after Stewart and Foot. On the
18th of June he laid out townsite on
the northwest shore Of Eagle Lake.
Mr.. Job Burdick did the surveying by
the aid of small compass, Stewart
and Foot were the chainmen, and Full
les staked the corners of the blocks in
the future city o: Fullervile.
A few days afterwards Fuller re-
turned to Eagle Lake and stayed over
night with Stewart and Foot, who were
camping the formers claim, in little
tent. In the evening they practised
shooting at mark. Fuller had a
revolver and two large Mexican pis-
tolls.
During the evening Fuller related
his adventures while crossing the
plains and mountains to California.
After retiring they heard what Fuller
averred to be the playing of an Indian
fife and drum. His revolver was emp
tied and he started to reload it, but
was SO excited that be could not do it.
Foot also became scared when he saw
the man who had made the trip to CAL
| ifornia so frightened. Fuller insisted
on leaving the tent and going into
hiding in the tall grass. Foot could
feel Stewart shaking with laughter
and concluded there was no danger, so
they lay down to rest. The noise they
had heard was made by wild swans on
the lake.
| The following year Mr.. Swanson
and his brother-in-law, Andrew Mel
son, settled east of Willmar. In 1857
and 1858 settlers located north of Eagle
lake and in the vicinity of Norway
lake.
Kandiyohi county was organized in
1859 or 1860. There were two election
precincts-one at Kandiyohi in Mr..
Piper's house and one at Foot's.
In the fall of 1859 Fuller and Ridell
moved a sawmill and engine to Eagle
Lake township, which was hailed with
delight.
In Monongalia county the three
Wheeler brothers, the three Taits, the
Sperrys, John Masters and Gates had
located prior to the settlement at
Green lake. A company had laid out
a townsite at Green lake called Colum-
bia. Old Joe Brown, noted "squaw
man," was one of the proprietors.
Jerry Ayers was the local agent. The
city of Columbia was composed of
three houses-Elijah Woodcock's, the
company's building occupied by
Ayers), and one occupied by Jeptha
Adams. Great were the anticipations
of the future magniticence of Columbia
the county seat, and in the not far
distant future the capital of Minne-
sofa.
Samuel Holds and William Couts
arrived late in 1856 and put up small
buildings at the east end of Green
lake. Holds returned to Indiana, COM
ing back the following spring with his
family, and also accompanied by
Francis Arnold and Oliver Taylor,
with their families. They remained
there until just before the outbreak.
when they removed to Sank Sapids.
Mr.. Arnold was of great use to the
settlers, as he kept team to ship in
provisions, which he sold at reason
able price. He also had small hand
mill for grinding corn. His neighbors
for miles around could often be seen
during the winter travelling on snow
shoes and carrying half bushel OF
corn, vending their way to Arnold 8
coffee mill to grind corn for bread,
free of toll. Many of the settlers re-
} GREETED to see the genial little Dutch
man leave.
Across the lake from Columbia was
Irving. The Parsons were the first
, settlers there. On the Crow river side
of Green lake Mr.. Stoner erected a
sawmill. This was the beginning oil
, New London. The Larsons were
among the first settlers around Nest
, lake.
, The first birth in Monongahela
: county was a daughter born to Mrs
Elijah Woodcock.
Silas Foot, brother of S. r. Foot,
came in 1859. Job Burdick located a
, claim in 1857 where Green Lake mill
now stands.
At the time of the outbreak the set.
tiers around Green lake assembled a,
the house of Mr.. Thomas, and the
next day they started for Forest City.
} 1t was near Diamond lake they were
attacked.
There are many incidents from those
early years that might be interesting.
[ will relate one or two.
At the "Door", the open prairie
land between Green Lake and Diamond
Lake Mr.. Delaney with his wife had
built neat cabin, where m any a belat-
ed traveller had been received with
genuine Irish hospitality. One day
when Mr.. Delaney was absent couple
of stalwart bucks stalked in and de-
manded bread and flour. She gave
them some bread, but told them she
had no -four to give away. Upon this