The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1926-03-04


point for defense against The Indians.
In the year of 1864 they we're sent
back to Headquarters at Minneapolis.
At the time of the evacuation there
were two bodies of troops stationed
here; one, a body of infantry; the
other company of cavalry.
At this time a body of German
people, some of whom came here in
the immigration which started from
Europe at this time, settled here in
the valley. The chief among those
were Antony Miller, Joseph Capsar,
who was mentioned before, and Ferd
Bergman, and few others who
came later.
The first baby born in the village
was Nellie Pendergast, in December
IA, 1861. She was the daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Solomon Pendergast.
The first baby boy born inside the
Stockade was Joseph Capser's son
Henry.
There were no improvements of
note until 1865, because the Civil
War was in progress: Sank Centre
and Minnesota sent quota who dis
tinguished themselves. The growth
of the village really began in 1865.
Settlers came in rapidly and took up
all the vacant lands in the neighbour
hood. In July, 1867 catastrophe
occurred. The dam and the mills
were lost through spring freshet.
However, a new dam was built, and
new mills constructed. seemed
that nothing could conquer these men.
In 1870 disaster again visited the
vii five nd
many of the buildings were Destroy
ed; but these were rebuilt as soon as
possible.
Education was not sighted in the
community, for in the first school
meeting which was held in this town
in 1861 a district was decided upon
which embraced all of the entire
township of Sank Centre. The first
teacher was Miss Nellie Harmon,
member of one of the first families
of Minneapolis. She received the
munifcant sum of three dollars a
month for her labor. She was board
ed by the lowest bidder for the sum
of ninety cents week. No high cost
of living in those days. In 1868,
however, the first Independent school
was organized, embracing the terri
tory in the village and receiving a
charter from the state legislature.
The first election of officers was held
in March and six directors were elect
ed. Miss Amelia Wright was the
first principal; S. j. Robbins was
teacher in the intermediate depart
ment. These early days found sever
al large business concerns founded,
but they were of no consequence I'M
til the tanning mills of the Kellers
were established in the town.
Religious organizations soon found
their way to this community. In
fact, the valley was settled because
young priest who lived in Iowa
told his parishiners about the fertile
valley up north. The first to send
anybody here, however, was the Con-
gregational church who sent Rev.
C. S. Harrison. He remained here
two years. The real credit for per-
manent organization must be given to
the Methodist denomination. This
was effected in November, 1865. The,
first permanent Congregational
church was organized in 1867. At
ter them came many people of other
denominations; Presbyterians, Episco-
pal, Baptists, and Lutherans. The
largest church, however, was and is,
that of the German Catholics. Their
first church was built in 1871. The
land Of this site was donated by
number of the prominent pioneers of
the town.
In 1872 the first bank was estab-
lished by Andrew Smith. This was
known as the Citizens Bank, and
went out of existence in 1896. In
the year 1880 the bank of Sank Gen.
Solomon Pendergast.
In the year 1876, February IL, the
village of Sank Centre was incorp-
Grated by an act of the state legisla-
ture. The result of the election was
as follows: President, E. P. Barnum;
Trustees-L. E. Coe, T. Fladeland,
and Samuel Beidleman; Recorder
E. P. Barnum; Treasurer-E. Oak
ford; Justices of the Peace. D.
Carr, and L.. L. West; Constables-
H. A. Boobar and John Dennis. The
village organization was kept until
1889, when Sank Centre assumed the
city form of government. The first
mayor elected was w. S. Dean. The
first treasurer chosen was l.. Kells.
Sank Centre was without railroad
extensions until August 1878. In
that month an extension of the st.
p, Mimi, & Man. Railroad passed
through Sank Centre. This event
changed the life of the pioneers who
had built up Sank Centre. Before
this they had only the facilities Of
the stages for travel. In 1882 a
branch Of the L.. F. & Oak. passed
through Sank Centre. So in a COM
paratively short time Sank Centre
grew, is still growing, and will con-
tinue to grow. 1t is on a national
railroad and on national highway.
Thus Sank Centre got its start.
From these sturdy pioneers we have
acquired the sterling qualities for,
which they were noted, and for which
we should have the greatest venera-
ton. May these pioneers always be-
remembered and their names held in
violate for ever in the annals of the
City of Sank Centre, and in the an
mails of the State of Minnesota.
This is brief history of Sank
Centre. 1t is not complete as it is
but the story of the beginning of