The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-01-28


ing in the state; they have or own about 100000
acres of land, an area nearly as large as Rhode
Island In 1905 the United States government
obtained from the Sioux Indians grant of land
nine miles square at the confluence of the Missis-
sippi and ST. Peter (now Minnesota) rivers
military post was established here in 1919, and a
fort built in 1922 and named Fort Smelling, after
the commanding general at that time 1t is here
that the famous round tower stands relic of
this old enterprise. In 1923 the first steamboat
assembled the Mississippi river as far as this fort
As far as is known the first white men in Min
neSta, were two FrenchmaH, Grazeilliers and
Radisson, who, in 1855, lived on what is now
known as Prairie island below Hastings
The first actual settlement was not made until
1887 and occurred near Fort Smelling. Mime
apolis and St. Paul were settled in 1888; Stillwa-
ter, 1843. The first residence to be constructed
out of sawed lumber in Minneapolis and Saltwater
may still be seem the Stevens house rests on
plat of ground in Minnehaha park, Minneapolis,
the other in Slab alley, Saltwater.
In 1916 postoffice was established at St. Paul4
and in 1847 steamboats, began to make regular
trips on the Mississippi river with down river
points; in 1843 postofice was opened in Mime
apolis the first years receipts amounting to $42.
In 1882 the source of the Mississippi river was es-
tablished in Lake Itasca over 1855 miles from
the rivers mouth.
From 1900 to 1S47 various portions of the ter
ritory now embraced within the present boundries
were under the control or jurisdiction of the fol-
lowing states: Indiana, 1900; Louisiana, 1905;
Illinois. 1909; Missouri, 1912; Michigan, 1919;
Wisconsin, 1886, and Iowa, 1888. At the time,
Minnesota was organized as territory in 1847,
the boundries embraced more than half the terri
tory of what is now North and South Dakota, and
there we're less than 1000 white persons residing
therein. In 1858, when admitted as a state, the
boundries made they now, and the
population had increased to more than 100000.
STATES NAME
Minnesota acquired its name after the river
called Min-is-ota; pronounced by the Dakotas,
Min-nee-sotah. Mini. means water; sotah, sky
colored. When the question of territorial organi-
zaton was under consideration at the Saltwater
convention in 1913. the delegates were instructed
to see that the name should be written, Minnesota
in order to secure the correct pronunciation in
English letters.
JOG IN NORTHERN FOUNDRY.
You probably have all noticed the northward
jog in the northern boundry at Lake of the Woods
This jog gives Minnesota the distinction of having
land the farthest north of any state by %
miles. The explanation for this jog is found in
the seventh article of the treaty of Ghent Article
2 of Section 10 of the Convention of 1918, reads
as follows:
1T is agreed that a line drawn from the most
northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods
along the 10th parallel of north latitude Or if the
said point shall not be on the 10th parallel of
north latitude, then, that line drawn from the
said point due north SOUTH the may be,
until the said line shall intersect the said parallel
of north latitude; and from the point of such in
tersecton due west, along and with the said parallel
shall be the line of demarkation between the terri
tory of the United States and his Britannia
majesty
This boundry was re-established and deter
mined by commission of the United States gov
eminent and survey in 1877
THE SEAL
The history of the Great Seal of Minnesota
shows that in spite of past efforts made to change
it. that is practically the same as at the begin
ning and shows but little change The territorial
seal of 1S49 shows in the left foreground farmer
blowing eastward but facing to the west. His
rifle, powder horn, etc., are leaning stump
near him. The falls of St. Anthony are in the
background at the left SIDE An Indian on horse
back is riding rapidly eastward. The motto was
'Quo sursum velo videre." The third word is
misprint for volo. The whole meaning: Il wish
to see what lies beyond" This seal received more
or less rdicule at that time by critics who said it
represented a man plowlng one way and looking
another" or an astonished Indian and scared