The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-12-18
WAS A LIFE OF ACTIVITY.
Luther Barrett, Who Was Once
Resident of MankatO.
| From Fridays Daily

From Fridays Daily.
Luther Barrett, at one time resident
of Mankato, and who died Oct. %, at
Horizon, Wis, was something of a
character. He was actively identified
with Mankato in the early days and was
the proprietor of the Minneopa house.
The Horizon Reporter in late issue
refers to Mr.. Barrett as follows:
''In lS4S when twenty-three years OF
age, Mr.. Barrett came to the Great West
and settled in the territory of Wisconsin
locating at Oconomowoc. The next year
he moved to Horizon and started a coop
erage business in the old building on
Lake street which has since been ex-
tensivelv remodeled and which at pres
ent is the property of Ludwig Luebke.
His residence was built on the opposite
side of the street near what is now the
store of g. A. Hoepner. He is said to
have built the second frame house In
Horizon. He built large and success
full cooperage business remaining here
until 1854, when he sold his property,
Transforming it into $1,000 in gold, Ia
large snum in those days. with which
he moved to Minnesota. He settled in
Blue Earth county, near the southern
border of the state, which was then II
reality 'howling wilderness"
After engaging in farming here fol
several years with success, he moved tc
Mankato, where he entered into the no
tel and butcher business, securing the
/ government contract for furnishing
meat to the Sioux Indians. He made fire
quent trips to Iowa, buying hogs anc
cattle and driving them back to Mankato
where they were butchered and the meat
i furnished to the Indians.
/ On the outbreak of the Civil War he
enlisted with ninety-nine others of his
neiohborhood who did not 90 south but
remained at Mankato, taking part in the
memorable Sioux outbreak of 1862. He
became scout under General Sibley, serv
ing in that capacity four years, during
which time he had the distinction OF
capturing Little Grow, the famous
troublesome chief of the Sioux. MIR
Barrot became famous as sharp shoot
er and took hand in many IndiaI
fights The Indians hated him especially
because he rode in saddle which NJ
mad captured from one of their mum
Der. They sent him word that they
would have his scalp and had he beer
captured he would not only have suffer
ed death, but also unspeakable tortures
! which the Red Men infict on their vic
times.
! In April, 1868, at Mankato, Genera
Sibley ordered thirty-eight Indian pris
Qners to be hung and the subject of this
sketch had charge of ten of them, adj
iusting the moose about their necks, wher
before crowd ef several thousand peo
pie and grand military display, the
thirty eight red demons died as one
man.
After the war was over Mr.. Barrot
deserted Minnesota, and went further
west to Colorado, where he met will
an adventure which entailed untold mis-
cries upon all the rest of his life ant
probably fastened his death by man.
yeas.
In 1875, with two friends he started OF
a big hunt from Denver, going west owe
big range of the Rockies. One day h
left camp for days hunt, and Will
way up in the mountains, became snoy
blind and lost his bearings entirely. Fo
five DAYS he wandered about the noun
tains, suffering intensely from the col
and having both feet frozen, nearly dyin
with exposure. On the fifth day he man
aged to crawl to- the top of hill an
firing his rifle several times, finally sue
ceeded in attracting the attention of an
, other hunter who came to the rescu
and took him to his cabin more dea
than alive.
, In this condition he was hauled on
: hand sled for 100 miles to Georgetown
the nearest settlement, where he frs
. received medical treatment. This terri
BILE experience left it's traces upon him tn
, remainder of his life, for failing to re
ceive proper care his feet became criT
pied from being frozen, and it was neces
sary for him to use crutches. He cor
tinued actively interested in mimi
/ while in Colorado and was one of thos
! who started canvas settlement whic
later grew into the city of Leadville.
In 1888 he moved to Montana wher
he purchased ranch and began th