The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1906-06-13
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Excerpts Taken from st. Paul Papers of
Forty Years Ago.


At the old settlers reunion, A. L.
Larpenteur read the following BIZ
ography of William Hartshorn, who
died last year: Mr.. Hartshorn was
born at Delham, Mass, in 1894.
When young man he engaged in
the fur business and became quite
wealthy. At one time he sold to
John Jacob Astor a lot of furs val
ued at 100000. Adversely coming
upon him he decided to come to the
Indian territory. In 1843 he took
passage at St. Louis for Mendoza,
then in Wisconsin territory. In the
trip up he met a gentleman who
introduced himself as Henry Jack
son, who said he lived and had a
small store at place about six miles
below Mendoza, called Pigs Eye,
and that he had lot of furs to sell.
Mr.. Hartshorn concluded to stop
and buy them. The visit resulted
in his forming a partnership with
Mr.. Jackson, and he at once re-
turned to St. Louis and moved his
family to EST. Paul." There were
then only about half dozen white
persons in that hamlet. This CO.
partnership lasted until 1849, when
he withdrew and commenced the
fur business on his own account.
His trade soon extended over the
whole territory. He afterwards sold
out to Freeman & Larpenteur and
removed to Saltwater. He was dis
satisfied there, however, and re-
turned to St. Paul, where he re-
sided up to the time of his death.
st. Paul ladies who wear the
fitting hoops" will be interested in
the view taken of them by one of
the Jesuit fathers of New York city,
who relieved his mind very freely
regarding this latest extreme of
fashionable apparel. He admonished
the female portion of his congrega-
ton that they must give up this
abomination altogether or cease to
receive the sacraments of the church.
Nothing, he declared, half so i'm
modest or immoral had ever been
seen in New York before. He could
not shut his eyes to the nuisance as
it existed in front of Gods holy
altar This clerical blast has created
an immense sensation. A party who
manufactures them, in order to
protect his business, has hired
Protestant preacher to deliver
lecture in favor of it. He proposes
to show that the fitting hoop is con
ducive to health, comfort and clean
illness, and as cleanliness is next to
goodness, he will be prepared to
demonstrate that the allegation of
immortality is all moonshine.
The splendid new steamer City of
St. Paul made it's first appearance
at our levee yesterday. 1t was fit
tingly welcomed with booming of
cannon and an immense crowd Of
citizens. A beautiful stand of colors
was presented. She is Psi feet in
length, 81 feet wide and has a five
foot hold.
The late destruction of the nu-
merous buildings on the south side
of Third street, opposite the Cos
mopolitan hotel, extending eastward
from Franklin street, now affords
an extensive and beautiful prospect
from that crowded thoroughfare.
Many of our public-spirited citizens
are in favor of purchasing the
grounds of the late fire and terrac-
ing them down to the foot of the
hill, and then keep them open for
the benefit of the property on the
opposite side of Third street and
the public generally. 1t will quad
ripple the value of real estate in
that vicinity, and prove an orna-
ment to the city of which every
citizen will be proud.
The Fenians of St. Paul were
greatly excited at the news from
Canada. Many declared they were
ready to go at once, and several
announced their intontiop of MO