The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1915-06-03

hold claims for parties not interested
. in the progress of the town.
***
A postoffice was established in
I aux Centre in 1858 through the eff
orts of S. M. Bruce, w. Adley being
4 ppointed postmaster. The first store
, as opened by Pendergast and Fish
the spring of 1861. This was To-
Ited in what is known as James
edition" to Sank Centre, which was
len about 40 fods beyond the town
site line. The first store within the
village limits was established by JOS
eph Capser in 1854.
In 1861 H. A. Boobar built dwell
ling house and moved into it with his
family. The first hotel, known as the
Sank Centre House, was built in 1863,
by W. Adley. In the same year Alex
ander Moore built upon and occupied
as family residence what is now the
southeast corner of Main and Third
streets.
- The Indian outbreak in 1862 caused
"a scurrying of the few settlers in the
vicinity of Sank Centre, where a
stockade was built about the store be-
longing to Pendergast and Fish. Sew
seral houses were built within the en-
closure and a military post was es-
tablished here.
The original townsite was laid out
and plated by Rachel Moore in 1868,
and Alexander Moore, as her agent,
built that year small grist mill con-
tanning two sets of burrs.
The first German settler in Sank
Centre was Anthony Miller who came
in 1868. There came also in the two
following years Joseph Capser, Fred
Borgmann, Joseph Ebensteiner, Hen
ny Kalkman and George Gruber. That
there was good physical stock in these
early Germans is demonstrated by the
fact that of that number there is still
living Joseph Capser at the age of
80, Anthony Miller, aged 70, and Fred
Bergman, aged 80 years. These men
are all in full possession of their fac
ulties and present vigorous protest
to the years which have passed over
their heads. In 1864 Mark Bedell
opened blacksmith shop.
This sums up the only improve
ments worthy of note until 1866.
The immigration to the frontier had
been very small since 1861, owing to
the Civil and Indian wars during this
:, period.
In the old stockade, December, IA,
1861, there was born unto Mr.. and
Mrs. Solomon Pendergast girl baby,
who was named Nellie. This was the
first white child born in the settle
J ment. The first male child was Hen
ry Capser, son Of Mr.. and Mrs. JOS
! eph Capser.
The real growth of the town may
be dated from 1865. Settlers of diff
ferent nationalities now rapidly locat-
ed UPON the vacant lands in the neigh
bofhood, and the little village, by the
erection OF shops and stores, began to
expand. In July, 1867, however, its
second catastrophe occurred, in which
the dam and mills were swept away
and entirely Destroyed by big fresh
! ct. But nothing could subdue the I'M
conquerable spirit of these men. A
, new dam was constructed, which has
remained through all the years since,
and new Touring mill was erected.
In March, 1870, disaster again visited
the village by fire but, by the energy
of leading citizens the buildings de-
stroyed were speedily replaced by
others more valuable and substantial.
+ 4
AS in all other American commun-
tiles, the cause of education was
strictly in the minds of the people in
the settlement. The first school meet
ing was held on April %, 1861. s..
Ramsdell was moderator and S. M.
Bruce was chosen clerk. The whole
of the present township of Sank Cen
tire was embraced in the district. The
! first teacher was Nellie Harmon, a
member of the Harmon family, which
was among the earliest families in the
City of Minneapolis. The high cost OF
question with these first settlers OF
Sank Centre, since it is noted that
Miss Harmon was boarded by the low
est bidder at 80 cents per week. How
ever, it was not until 1869 that the
independent school district was or
gained, embracing the territory con-
tanning the village, and charter
granted by the Legislature was ap-
proved in March of that year. The
first election of officers was held
March 81, at which six directors were
chosen. The first school building under
the new charter waserected in 1870.
Amelia Wright was the first principal
and S. ]. Robbins was teacher in the
intermediate department. This is the
humble beginning of an institution
which has since developed to be one
of the best of its kind in the State OF
Minnesota. AS relic of the old days,
the first school building is still in ex-
:.+<,a<s l., 4ha ooYoauounitV. where 1T