The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-18
Real Estate
\ Ancient transfers.

To the average person an abstract OF
title of real estate seems the dullest OF
documents. But Minneapolis is old enough
now to offer to the deliver IN abstract lore
something approaching ancient history
Recently Howard S. Abbott, master in
chancery, purchased lot on the East
Side. Upon examination Of the abstract
he found much Of interest appertaining to
the description of the property from the
first squatter in 1886, before Pierre Bot
tineau's time, to late day, when the
names of old settlers in st. Anthony still
living are mentioned.
Lot 7, block 6, Mill company's addition
is the present legal description. It's
known history dates back to March a.
1S49, when the United States government
issued patent to Henry H. Sibley. Here
Is much luster to begin with.
Mr.. Stbley came to Mendoza Nov. Z,
1884. He was then, of course, "a resident OF
the territory of Wisconsin, and until its
admission to the union. In 1S48 he was
elected to congress and secured the or
ganization of the territory of Minnesota.
He was also member of the first board OF
regents of the university and served forty
years. In 1857 he was the first governor.
During the trouble with the Minnesota
savages he captured the thirty eight In
dians who We're hanged at Mankato.
General Sibley evidently did not at the
time see in the far future state univer-
sity and the fine residences and mercantile
buildings which now dot this land: At any
rate, whatever he thought, he sold the
land to franklin Steele for $685. The
present description of the property, a
portion of which is now Mr.. Abbott's lot,
is easily comprehended. In those days it
read thus-Greek to all save surveyor:
Commencing at a point on the west line of
section A-29-24, Is chains and SO links south
from the north line of said section: thence
running south IS degrees 40 minutes, east 4S
chains, through the northwest quarter of said
section to the southeast corner Of said quarter
section; thence west along the quarter section
to the west line of said section; thence north
along said west line to the place of beginning.
The next record is the sale by Pierre
Bottineau Of some land to Franklin
Steele and Roswell P. Russell for $439.50.
1t is thus described: 49,.
Commencing at a cedar stake on the left
bank of the Mississippi river in lot q, section
23-29-4, then northeast along the line of land
owned by Franklin Steele. Taylor and God
frey, etc.. containing 33 10 acres.
Imagine cedar stake for ''tie'' in
Minneapolis to-day and the title to $500
worth of property Ringing on miserable
cedar stake. -- = s..
The names of Franklin Steele and Ros-
we'll Flower are we'll known with the
younger generation. Franklin Steele
square, the Steele block and the family
of the name still resident Identifies the
latter name. Mr.. Steele died many years
ago. Mr.. Russell came to Fort
Smelling in 1889. His death at the old
homestead on Hennepins avenue, which
until very recent years was away out, y
is fresh in memory. Mr.. Bottineau still
lives. In the days of early St. Anthony
he had been guide as far west as the
Rockies His farm, as plated, forms one
of the first additions to the city.
The abstract next reveals the fact that
Minneapolis was once in St. Croix
county. This is shown in the transfer,
March 81, 1s49, from Franklin Steele to
Arnold w. Taylor, for $4,000, of the un-
divided half of the mills and mill prop
erty at the falls of St. Anthony in the
county of St. Croix, Mimi, bounded on
the south by land of Calvin futile; on the
east by land of Stephen Angel and Others;
on the north by land of R. P. Russell, and
on the west, by the Mississippi river.
One-twentieth was sold by Mr.. Steele