davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06
Fort Smelling Holds Unique
Place In States History

September % he met a party of Sioux
warrior chiefs, and as a result of the
council he obtained a grant of land
embracing 100000 acres, the value of
which was placed at 100000. 1t was
stipulated that this land was to be
used for military purposes, but the In
dams knew not that they were selling
their birthright. -
The diplomatic display of large
quantity of gaudy gifts and the intima-
ton that if terms were agreed upon
those were to be distributed, had an
undoubted effect in producing an &C
quiescent spirit among the chiefs. A
few treats from large barrel of whis-
ky likewise had influence.
The actual price paid by Lieut.. Pike
for the large area in this grant was
5000 worth of presents and sixty gall
Ions of whisky.
Pixies military eye Immediately dis
cerned the excellent site for the future
fort, and in his report to the govern
ment pointed out the advantages of
the position.
For many reasons no steps were
taken for the establishment of a post
for many years. The war of 1872,
which taxed the government to it's
utmost, required every available man,
and for years after the conflict no men
or money could be spared to establish
the frontier post In 1919 the project
again came before the war department
and the commanding general of the
army issued orders for the concentFa-
ton of the Fifth infantry, at Detroit
and Col. Henry Leavenworth was or
dered to lead the regiment to the con-
fluence of the Mississippi and the Min
nesota rivers.
The Building of the Fort.
The expedition, after a tedious and
toilsome journey, arrived at st. Peter
in September, 1919. Col. LeaVenWorth
debarked on the St, Peter side of the
river and established cantonments
ly his object to erect the permanent
fort on that side, but his mind was
changed in the spring when the water
in the river rose so high that the camp
was flooded. He then secured all the
boats available and crossed the Min
nesota river. Construction of a fort
on the crest of the bluff was then
commenced.
The labor Ofthe. men was great and
they suffered severely from exposure
and lack of proper food. So intense
were their priVations that scurvy broke
out among the men and many died from
its ravages.
Col Leavenworth named the post
Fort Anthony. Much of the material
used in the construction of the build
ings was obtained near the falls of
st. Anthony, and sawmill was erect
ed there for cutting the timber
Col. LeaVenWorth was transferred to
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

1880, and the headquarters were es-
tapilsheo there and have since re-
NAMED at the same place.
In 1851 line of buildings was erected
at Fort Smelling for the accommodate
tlon OF the enlisted men, and when
eoLhpleteu the garrison abandoned the
Old post. The old building remained
vacant from that time till last fan
W WI the Tenth field artillery arrived.
Inc art1llerymen are now tempora riIv
CHARTERED in the old post.
from 1928 to 1881 the post was I'M
DER command of Zachary Taylor. then
lieutenant colonel, who afterward won
IeiioWm IN Mexico as 'old rough and
ready, and who finally was president
OF the United States. MANY of the
ahle-pellum commanders won distinc-
tlon Tor heroism in the Civil war. The
IoiloWlng list of officers who have com.
manded the post has been taken from
lne records in the adjutant generals
Office: =
1919 to 1853.
=, Lieut.; Col. Henry Leavenworth. from
Sept. 1919, to June, 1921.
Juno mel i Josiah Smelling Fifth infantry
capt. Thomas Hamilton, Fifth infantry
to June, 1926.
Lieut.. Col. Willoughby Morgan, Fifth
infantry, to Dec, 1926
1927. III i'ii"ii'rS' 10 Nov
., Maj j. H. Vose Fifth infantry, to May
Lieut. Col. Zachary Taylor, First in
fantry, to July II, 1929.
90 Capt 6t, J. H. Gale. First infantry to May
Gap Capt W. R. JOuett, First infantry, to
,, Lieut.. Jefferson Vail, First infantry, to
. Maj; John Bliss. First infantry, to May
Lieut.. Col William Davenport, First
infantry. TO July Is. 1887.
Capt; t. Martin Scott, Fifth infantry, 70
Capt John Plympton, Fifth infantry.
se Capt il G s. sibley. Fifth infantry, to
N Capt Seth Eastman. First infantry, to
Maj. Greenleaf Dearborn. First infantry,
to June s. 1S43.
Capt. Electus Backus First infantry to
Oct. "a. 1S43.
Liuet Col. Henry Wilson. First infan-
try. to May Z, 1914.
Capt. E. BaclIus, First infantry, to Aug.
q. 1874.
~. Lieut.. Col Henry Wilson, First infan-
G Gar Capt p -Backus, First infantry. to
Maj. G. Dearborn. First infantry. to
Capt; s; Eastman. First infantry to
Maj. J. B. Clark. First infantry, to
March 81. 1847.
Ca Capt 5o S. Eastman, First infantry to
Capt. ]. B. S. Todd, Sixth infantry to
Nov. IL, 1S4S.
Capt. Samuel Woods. Sixth infantry,
to June y. 1849
Lieut.. Col. Gustavus Loomis, Sixth in.
fantry. to Feb % 1850
Capt. Samuel Woods. Sixth infantry,
to May 20. 1850
Capt. James Monroe, Sixth infantry to
June 20, 1850.
: Lieut.. R. w. Kirkham, Sixth infantry,
to Sept %, 1850.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

Fort Smelling occupies a unique
place in the history of Minnesota and
the Northwest. Beneath it's walls in
the early days the first settlement
clustered and from it radiated the
tide of immigration that has populated
the state and all the region to the
westward. The objective point of the
early pioneers was Fort Smelling and
Mendoza, and later st. Paul and st.
Anthony. From the fort they spread
out and covered the entire territory
with settlements and hamletS which are
now assuming the dignity of towns
and cities.
During the period between the years
of 1919 and 1850 Fort Smelling was
the most important point in the North
west, and the settlers looked to it not
only for protection, but as landmark
in the wilderness from which they
could guide their migrations through
the forests and across the prairieS.
The small military establishment, con-
SiSting of but a few attachments of
soldiers, had a powerful moral inf1u-
ence upon the Indians, and did much
to impress them with the resolute spir-
it of the white invaders.
Though it no longer holds such po-
sition, still as a military post at the
present time it is one of the most i'm
portant in the country 1t is the key
of the Northwest and It's strategic i'm
portance is well recognized in military
circles. With the uneXcelled railroad
facilities of the Twin Cities it would
be the natural point for mobilization
and distribution of troops through the
West in case difficulties should arise.
Occupying a point in the center of the
continent, it is safe to say that it will
play more conspicuous part in the
history of the future than it has in the
history of the past.
Importance is Recognized.
The war department recognizes the
Importance of the old fortress, and it
is supposed that the recent allowance
for an extension of the reservation is
but the commencement of a movement
which will put the fort in the front
rank of American military posts. AL
ready the war department has COM
menced to improve the post The re-
modelling of the barracks now in pro-
cess and a large amount of work will
be done at the post this year. The
present buildings are to be furnished
with modern equipment and many new
buildings are to be added to accommo-
date the troops now occupying cramp-
ed and incommodiouS quarters.
1t is understood that the war de-
partment is contemplating a substan-
tial increase in the garrison by the
addition of several detachments of
cavalry. The garrison now includes
infantry and artillery, and cavalry, it
is understood, is to be added as soon
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

He says:
when the lands on the east side OF
the Mississippi river, opposite the Fans
of st. Anthony, were thrown open TO
settlement, Capt. Joseph Plympton was
in command at Fort Smelling. The in
formation reached him in an official
letter received by mail late one even
ing in the winter. He sent for Capt.
Martin Scott, to whom he impaired the
secret which he thought known only
to himself, and proposed that they
should go early on the following morn
ing and make pre-emptlon claims IN
that vicinity.
Franklin Steele, who lived near the
Fort, received the information by the
same mail, although he, too, supposed
no one but himself had heard the news,
he prudently made. up his mind not to
wait till morning, but to go at once.
Getting wagon, he loaded 1t with
boards, straw. nails, potatoes and other
edibles, and taking Norman w. Kilt
son with him, he headed for the falls,
crossing the river on the ice at the
point near where the suspension bridge
was afterward built. Arriving on the
ground about midnight, they hurrledly
unloaded the wagon and proceeded to
place the boards in such a position as
to protect themselves from the intense
cold and also to resemble as far as
possible a shanty or shack. The straw
was placed for bedding, and holes were
made in the snow, and in them the
potatoes were planted. Then, nesting
in the straw and covering themselves
with buffalo robes, conscious of then
high standing as horny handed sons of
toll and genuine tillers of the soil, they
slept sweetly and soundly.
A Stolen March.
Early on the following morning
proved to have been created by Plym-
ton and Scott. They were invited in
and asked to partake of refreshments
While kittSon was preparing the
breakfast, Steel showed his guests his
field planted with potatoes. Break
fast was soon ready, and was partaken
of by four men, two of whom were
were chagrined because of their fail
ure to start the night before. Steele
proved up his claim, and thus 1t was
that the title to the valuable water
power passed from the government into
his possession
Probably but few knew that for
many years Smelling was abandoned
by the government, and was used by
a private person for sheep ranch, and
that the fort and the barracks were
used for sheep pens.
In 1858 the government reliQuiShed
possession of the post and reservation
to Thomas Steele, as the result of
deal whereby the government was to
receive from him and others 100000
cash and certain additional payments.
The way this came about is well re-
lated by the late Gen. Richard w. John.
son. He says:
Becomes Sheep Pen.
Prior to June, 1857, the Fort Smelling
reservation had bepn reduped in area
to between 1000 and 5000 acres. Frank
lin Steele June 6 1S57 nffarad q
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

to May l. 1870. .- -
Col. William Fletcher. Twentieth in
fantry, to June $3.50.
Col, Col. G. Sykes. Twentieth infantry. to
Capt. H. e. Thomas. Twentieth infan-
try Col to G. aug g1k ts 1$r2 3entstn infantry 70
Capt. H. e. Thomas, Twentieth infan-
try; to Sept. 10. 1873.
&C Capt. H: G; Thomas. Twentieth infan-
Col. G.. Sykes, Twentieth infantry, to
Capt, ]; n Coe. Twentieth infantry, to
= Col. G. Sykes, Twentieth infantry. to
Capt. c. El Bennett Seventeenth in
fanTtry, try. to Pee; g, 1877,
Capt. G. E; Bennett, Seventeenth infan-
try to Oct. 10, 1878.
Lieut.. Col. C. c. Gilbert. Seventh infan-
try to May 26 1879.
Capt. e; G. Rawn, Seventh infantry. to
Lieut.. Col c. c. Gilbert. Seventh in
fantry, to Oct. /, 1879.
M Maj GU SId Iges. Seventh infantry, to
Capt. John Gibbon. Seventh infantry,
TO Sept. II. 1880.
Capt. D. w. Benham. Seventh infantry,
July 6, 1881 > -
Capt. D. W, Benham, Seventh infantry,
to Aug 20 1881.
Capt; H. B. freeman, Seventh infantry
to Sept Il. 1881
Col; John Gibbon. Seventh infantry, to
Capt, 2: W Benham, Seventh infantry,
Col. John Gibbon, Seventh infantry,
Mai D. H, Brotherton. Seventh in
fantry. Sept 4. 1882.
Col John Gibbon, Seventh infantry, to
Sept. e. 1882
Maj. D. II. Brotherton Seventh infan-
try, to Oct. 20 1882.
Col. Jonn Gibbon, Seventh infantry, to
Nov. 81, 1882.
infantry, to Dec. IA. 1882.
Capt. Gaines Lawson, Twenty-ffth in
fantry. to Jan. IA. 1888.
Lieut.. Col. NJ M. Blunt. Twenty-fifth
infantry. to Sept 10, 1883.
Col G. L. Andrews, Twenty fifth infan-
try, to Aug. q. 1884.
Lieut. Col r w. Gentry. Twenty-fifth
infantry, to Sept. TO- 1854.
try. to Sept. 26, 1884.
Lieut. Col r W. Gentry, Twenty-fifth
infantry. to June IS, 1885.
Capt Charles Bentzoni, Twenty fifth
infantry, to July o. 1885.
Lieut. Col. j. ]. Van Horn, Twenty
fifth infantry, to Nov. l, 1885.
Capt. Charles Bentzoni, Twenty fifth
infantry, to Jan. q. 1886.
Lieut.. Col. j. j. Van Horn, Twenty fifth
infantry. to Oct. IA, 1886.
Col. G. l.. Andrews Twenty fifth in
fantry to Dec. 15 1887.
Lieut.. Col. Van Horn, Twenty fifth in
fantry, to Oct IA, 1886
Capt Charles Be4 lG1, Twenty--ffth in
Lieut.: Col ]. ]. Van Horn, Twenty
fifth infantry, to April IA. 1888.
Col. G. l.. Andrews. Twenty fifth an
niversay, to May %. 1883.
Col E. G. Mason Third infantry, to
May 81, 1895.
Col. John q. Page Third infantry, to
April IS, 1898, when the Third infantry
left for Mobile to participate in the CON
f1ict with Spain. Capt. William Gerlach
was left at Fort Smelling during the war
with a small detachment. Lieut.. Col.
Abram A. Harbach took command Sept.
Is. 1898. and remained till Jan. 80, 1899.
Capt. Gerlach then resumed command
and kept it till relieved by the arrival
of Lieut.. Col. Philip II. Ellis of the
Eighth infantry with four companies;
subsequently the other companies of the
Eighth were stationed at the fort. That
regiment was then transferred and the
Fourteenth took its place Col. Stephen
P. Jocelyn and Lieut.. Col, William Quin-
ton were then in command till June %
of last year, when Col. Jacob Kline, the
present commander arrived.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

Lieut. Thomas Hendrickson, Sixth in
fantry, to May 81, 1851
Lieut.. Col. Francis Lee. Sixth infantry,
to May 4, 1853.
Lieut.. w. T. Magruder, First dragons.
to June 81. 1853
Lieut. Col Francis Lee. Sixth infantry.
to July 4. 1853
Capt T. w. Sherman, Third artillery,
to Oct. 10. 1853.
Lieut.. Col. Francis Lee, Sixth infantry,
; TO June %, 1854.
Capt T. w. Sherman, Third artillery
to Nov. l, 1854
Lieut.. Joseph Stewart, Third artillery
to April 80. 1855.
Capt. T. w. Sherman, Third artillery
Col T. b. Alexander, Third infantry
to June "a, 1856.
Lieut.. Col. C. F. Smith, Tenth infantry,
to July Is, 1886.
Capt T. w. Sherman. Third artillery
to July 81, 1856.
Maj E. r. S. Candy, Tenth infantry
to Sept 10, 1856.
Capt. r. W. Sherman, Third artillery,
Maj. e r. S. Candy, Tenth infantry,
to Nov. IS 1856.
Lieut.. Col. c. F. Smith, Tenth infantry,
to June II, 1857.
Capt. r W. Sherman, Third artillery,
to June 30. 1851
Capt. J. G. Martin, A. Q. NJ, to July
81, 1857.
Capt Martin Burke, Second artillery.
Capt. Fl. c. Pratt. Second artillery. to
May ~, 1858, when the troops We're with
1865 to Present Time.
Capt R. H Hail. Tenth infantry, to
Col. E. B. Alexander, Tenth infantry.
to April 81. 1869.
Col. George Skies. Twentieth infantry.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

State Of Minnesota
Department of Insurance.
Whereas, the Modern Woodmen of
America, a corporation organized under
the laws of Illinois, has fully complied
State relating to Cooperative or AS
Sessment Insurance.
Now, Therefore, l. the undersigned In
surance Commissioner. do hereby empow-
er and authorize the above named So
ciety to transact its appropriate business
of Cooperative or Assessment Fraternal
insurance in the State of Minnesota, ac-
cording to the laws thereof, until the
thirtyfirst day of January. A. d. 1904,
unless said authority be revoked or other
wise legally terminated prior thereto
In testimony whereof 1 have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal of office
at St. Paul, this 31st day of January, A
D. 1903.
ELMER Fl. DEARTH,
Insurance Commissioner,
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06
State OF Minnesota


Department of Insurance
Whereas, the Independent Scandinavian
Workingman's Association. a corporation
organized under the laws of Wisconsin,
has fully complied with the requirements
of the. laws of this State. relating to co..
operative or assessment insurance
Now, therefore, l. the undersigned In
surance Commissioner do hereby emnow-
er and authorize the above named
Society to transact its appropriate bust
ness of Cooperative or Assess
ment Fraternal insurance in the
State of Minnesota, according to the
laws thereof, until the thirty-first dav OF
January: a. d. 1904. unless said authority
be revoked or otherwise legally ternir.E:
ated prior thereto
In testimony whereof. I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal of Office at
ST. Paul, this 31st day of January A u
49O3. ELMER II. DEARTH
Insurance Commissioners
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06
State of Minnesota

d,
Department of Insurance
Whereas, the North Star Benefit Assoc
citation. a corporation organized under the
the requirements of the laws of this state
relating to cooperative or assessment in
Surance.
Now, Therefore, I, the undersigned. In
surance Commissioner, do hereby EN-
power and authorize the above named
society to transact it's appropriate BUSH
ness OF cooperative or assessment Fra
ternal insurance in the State of Mime
sofa according to the laws thereof until
the thirty-frst day of January, A D..
otherwise legally terminated prior thereto
In testimony whereof l have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal of office
at st. Paul. this 31st day of January, A.
D., 1903.
ELMER H DEARTH.
Insurance Comm Missioner.
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06

were no sales of real estate and hence
lands Not wishing to-. let them. lie
idle, he purchased q large herd of sheep
and actually estab lfshed a cheep ranch;
and in order to bavs the herd protected
at night, it was ldriEen inside the walls
and permitted to occupy the houses.
RestoredSto Government.
"a member of congress from Alton,
ILL.,, by the name of Robert Smith dis
appointed in not being a party to the
purchase, called for congressional in
Vestigation as to the propriety of the
government disposing of this vast and
valuable tract of land. A committee
was appointed, which visited Fort
smelling, and after a full investigation
OF all the phases of the case reported
tnat 1t was unwise to dispose of the
reservation at that or any other price.
Steele from year to year rendered the
interest and the annual payments,
which were refused; but he was APP
parently master of the situation, as it
Is said that possession is nine points
of the law
Matters in regard to Mr. Steele's
contract remained unsettled for long
time after the war, and to obtain a
decision he employed Gen.. John b.
Sanborn to prosecute his claims. Gen.
Sanborn called to see Secretary of War
Edwin M. Stanton and his~Teply was
as follows: That is one of F'loyd's
fy-bloWn contracts and / will have
nothing to do with it unless 1 am d.
rected to do so by congress- Sanborn
secured the Introduction of a bill into
the lower house, requiring the secre-'
tary OF war to make a satisfactory
adjustment of the matter. The bill
was antagonized by Ignatius Donnelly,
then member of congress, and was
defeated. 1t was renewed in the next
congress, was passed, and commits
sloners We're appointed to arrange the
terms of settlement
1t. was decided to set aside for the
use or the government for military
purposes, 1,531.29 acres including all
the buildings thereon; and that Steele
and those interested with him should
nave all the other lands embraced in
the reservation. The lands decided to
Steele amounted to about $500 acres.
Allowing interest on the first $4,000
payment, which was tied up for twelve
years, 1t would appear that the cost of
the land to Steele and his associates
was about $4,000, or in the neighbor-
mood of SO an acre-a sum far below
its true value. Included in this pur-
chase was the lands on both sides of
M1nnehaha creek, embracing Minneha-
ha falls, whose beauties have been so
well portrayed In Verse by LongfeHow.
1t was Mr.. Steele,s intention, had he
lived to donatestiee falls and the lands
contiguous thefeta to the Twin Cities
for a park"
Used by Civil War Volunteers.
When Fort Smelling was evacuated in
1858 it remained I'm the possession of
steele until 1895. awhen helwas COM
PEELED to surrehder it sto%the govern
ment. 1t was occpptsd. however, dur
ing the Civil War, from time to time,
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06
THE INDEPENDENT SCANDINAVIAN
WoRkINGMAN's ASSOCIATION. =


Home office. Eau Claire Wis. Martin
Bergh, President John Erickson. Score
tary. Organized March 2 1892 Com
menced business March %. 1893 ,Attor-
ney to accept service in Minnesota. IN
Surance Commissioner
Net assets, December 81, pre-
NlouS year OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 80. 7O6 So
Income During 1902.
Dues for expenses ............. s2.s67 90
Mortuary and reserve assess
mentS Observation-Disclosures. % 274 IT
Membership and examiners fees. $57. 90
~ Total paid by members. .s32, 6sS. Al
from all other sources. ......... $50. %
Total income ...............$8 2,97S. 80
Disbursements During 1902
Death eat ia. and permanent disability
- CLAIMS paid ...........,...S o2 1o4 %
COMMISSIONS, salaries and ex-
!henses OF agents and organ
=, Observation-Disclosures. 226 81
Salaries of officers, employees and
examiners fees ...... q44 81
All other disbursements .... 294i 20
Total disbursements ........$27.347.1 10
Excess of income over disburse-
AleHts ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. s., G31 Sc
Assets.
value .t of real estate, bonds and
Cash in Office Esa and in bank 600 90 90
Total admitted assets. ...... $l5I55- 60
Assets not admitted. .............$l82. 48
None
Balance to protect contracts. SIS. 155. GG
E%nibit of Certificates or Policies, BUSH
ness of 1902.
Total Business
In force Dec. 81 (begin IN uiii0ef' amount
ming of Year, .........2.9S6 81 COO 001
written during the year. 6S7 544 500
- Total ..............3-673 s214G5o0
Ceased during the year. 81 $3.50
In force Dec. 81 (end of
year, '...-..............2.9 $50 $25l725O
Claims unpaid Dec. 81 (be-
ginning of Year, ...... 2 60 ak
ClalmS Incurred during the
year Observation-Disclosures. p % 534
Claims settled during the
Business in n Minnesota % 22'9O9
In force Dec 81 Cbegin- @''ii'OiiI'
ning of Year, ........... 4S2 $341 75O
Written during the year. 3IS 95S.509
Total Observation-Disclosures. 500 $685.. $50
Ceased during the year. 49,. 100 161 900
In force Dec. 81 (end of
year, ................... 60 $424 $50
Claims incurred during the
year -......-............ $3.50
Total. ............. So. ESQ
Claims settled during the
year ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. $3.50
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-06
eotham's Population.

NEW YORK, March According
to the report of President Leaderee. of
the heath board, based on figures COM
piled by his inspectors, the population
of NeI. York is 3.732.905.