The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1930-03-12
H. NJ. HITCHCOCK
CONTINUES STORY
ON STATE HISTORY
Former Redwood Falls Man,
Writes History of County and
State for Gazette
INTERESTING INCIDENTS
Story Tells of Earliest Known
Important Events Which Oc-
cured i'm Redwood Valley

Mr. H. NJ. Hitchcock, widely known
historian, reveals many interesting
hitherto, unknown facts regarding
the history of Redwood County and
Minnesota. His continued articles
will appear from time to time in the
st. Anthony Review and The Red
wood Gazette:
Zone of Our First Families
1t is fitting that these brief sketch
es of the Indian period of Minnesota
history are being published at st.
Anthony Falls and Redwood Falls,
for it was at and near these two
points that for centuries were the
favorite gathering places of the ma
tive Minnesotans. These places were
convenient stopping points on the
main travelled routes across the re-
gion, north and south, east and west,
along the two large rivers of the
State.
1t was necessary to halt to carry
canoes and luggage over the Portage
Trail around the big volume cataract
VI lIle AHIilOIy. ANSdl ny VII IilC
smaller stream, the Laughing Wat
ers leaped into the deep Minnehaha
Glen and little farther were joined
by the sky blue waters from the west.
Here Fort Smelling was built where
all tribes occasionally came.
One main tributary of the Mime
sofa River-the Neutrality-suspicious.
slated means-The River by the
Trees Painted Reds still known to
the Redwood County Indians by this
name.
Near where the Redwood River
joins the Minnesota, it plunges over
and between great irregular lodges
of granite and nearby, on smaller
stream is a deep gorge water fall,
similar in size and appearance to
Minnehaha. This was named for
Alexander Ramsey, first Governor OF
Minnesota, who visited the place
while it was still owned by the In
dians.
The earliest known important
events of Minnesota occurred in the
lower Redwood Valley before the be-
ginning of written records. They are
told in traditions, passed down thru
generations of Sioux families and not
vet mentioned in history. The origin
of the Indian name of the River is in
episodes of the conquest and hrst
possession by the Sioux.
In later years the headquarters for
all Sioux Tribes was at the Redwood
Agency in Redwood County, short
distance above the military post of
Fort Ridgely.
Just where a city highway passes
over the Mississippi river bridge INTO
East Minneapolis is small parked
enclosure with a memorial tablet,
which marks the place of the most
important discovery of all the middle
Northwest; a spot now rarely noticed
and unknown to most residents OF
the city and state.
This event at this place was chosen
by DR.. Folwell for the Daughters OF
American ColoniSts as the most I'M
portant episode of MinnesOta's early
history. Under the direction of Mrs.
Jas. T. Morris. the first State Regent
of this Society, this was their hrst
contribution to Minnesota's marked
historic spots.
$50 years ago the first white man
to tread the soil of Minneapolis, saw
the falling waters which make the
greatest water power of the greatest
river of North America.
At that time the allied Dakotah
Tribes were in undisputed possession
of all of Minnesota. when its waters
and woods and prairies supplied to
them an abundance of easy living.
Continued Next Week.