Nobles County MN Archives History - Books .....Chapter VII Era Of Prosperity - 1880 - 1893 1908 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com October 1, 2006, 8:20 pm Book Title: An Illustrated History Of Nobles County CHAPTER VII. ERA OF PROSPERITY—1880-1893. Henceforth the story of Nobles county is one of advancement. The dark and gloomy days are past. No longer do the grasshoppers threaten the very existence of the settlement; no longer is it found necessary to solicit aid for the relief of the inhabitants. The days of adversity have become a memory. Beginning with the year 1880 came the reconstruction period. People began anew the work of progress that had been interrupted when the first army of grasshoppers came and placed a mortgage on the country in the summer of 1873. In some ways the people were in better condition than they had been before the scourge. Those who had taken government land now had title to their homes—and land began to have a value. Some had escaped with small loss during the three preceding years, and were already in position to begin the forward march. But others found it necessary to free themselves from debt before the effect of the prosperous times became apparent. Of vast importance during these days of reconstruction was the work of the colony under Bishop Ireland. Hundreds of settlers were brought into the county and located upon the lands in the western part, which otherwise might have remained unsettled for several years. In February, 1880, the colony company let the contract to John Timmons, of Adrian, for the erection of 39 houses on the farm lands owned by the company. The cost of the houses was about $200 each. During March and April 50 families arrived from New York and other eastern states and became permanent settlers. The houses constructed were not enough to supply the demand, and several more were put up by the new arrivals. Nobles county harvested a good, though not a large, crop in 1880. Wheat and oats were not an extraordinary crop, but, taking the county as a whole, averaged pretty well. Corn and flax were unusually good. Here and there the crop of some one farmer was a comparative failure, and some who had fair crops were not permitted to enjoy the fruits of their harvest because of the debts contracted during grasshopper days. But in the main crops were good, and the fact that hoppers did not put in an appearance led to a cheerful feeling. The federal census showed a population of 4,435, a gain of 3,700 per cent in ten years.[1] This population was divided among the different precincts as follows: Bigelow 215 Bloom 83 Dewald 210 Elk 176 Graham Lakes 300 Grand Prairie 301 Mersey 199 Indian Lake 200 Lorain 159 Leota 97 Little Rock 320 Olney 284 Ransom 165 Seward 226 Summit Lake 68 Willmont 111 Worthington Township 182 Worthington Village 636 Westside 339 103-42 (Larkin) 45 103-43 (Lismore) 119 Total 4,435 Township 103 of range 43 received a large settlement of Irish Catholics, due to the activities of the Bishop Ireland colony, and the summer of 1880 that township was organized. It was named Lismore, after a village of that name in county Waterford, Ireland, the name being suggested by Father Knauf. The petition for organization was filed July 17, and was signed by Geo. A. Beireis, Gustave Frick, Alex Roach, Conrad Beireis, James Orkney, Charles Lord, M. S. Boyle, R. O'Day, W. J. Heaney, Joseph Haegle,. John Travis, Charles A. Blake, Thomas McLean, Allen Pieason, Austin Nash, William Landes, William H. Welch, John H. Sands, William Welch, A. A. Boyce, S. W. Swanman, Henry Carlson, Albert A. Thompson and Peter Havican. The township was created by the county commissioners July 21, and the first town meeting was held at the house of Moses Hurd on August 9. One of the dates from which time is reckoned in Nobles county is the winter of 1880-81—the time of the long, severe winter. There have been worse storms than any that occurred that winter, but never was there a winter to compare with this one in duration, continued severity, depth of snow and damage to property. From the middle of October till late in April it was winter nearly every minute of the time. Friday, October 15, in the afternoon, a heavy rain set in. The downpour continued until evening, when a strong, chilling wind came down from the north, turning the rain into a fine snow. A severe blizzard now took the place of the rain, and it lasted three days and three nights. It was the first and only blizzard ever experienced in the country in October. The county fair, which was being held at the time, had to be abandoned. The railroads were blockaded, and there were no trains or mail until Tuesday, the 19th. When the storm subsided great drifts of snow filled the roads and other places, which did not disappear until the following May. Following this storm came a few weeks of nice weather. On Friday, November 19, a cold snap set in, the mercury getting down to 19 degrees below zero on the night of the 20th. Another blizzard came up December 3, which blockaded trains from the east until the 5th. Monday, December 27, came a severe cold spell, the thermometer registering 30 degrees below zero. The following day it was 34 below, and another blizzard was raging. All trains were stopped until the 30th. Thereafter the winter was an extremely severe one. Blizzard followed blizzard. The railroads were blockaded for weeks at a time. Fuel and food were nearly exhausted. People burned hay and grain, and went without lights. In some places there was suffering from lack of food. Roads remained unbroken all winter, and the farmers obtained their supplies from the villages by means of handsleds. Snow sail boats came into requisition, being employed to bring in supplies and for sport. [2] Following is the story of the winter from Jan. 1, 1881, until the breakup in the spring, given in chronological order: [3] Jan. 4. Rain. Jan. 7. Freight train breaks through Bigelow bridge, ditching cars and killing some cattle. Jan. 21. Snow storm. Road blocked until 23rd. Jan. 26. Blizzard. Trains again stopped. Feb. 1. Railroads again blockaded. Feb. 3. Longest snow storm of the winter sets in from the southeast. Continues four days. Fifteen days' blockade begins. Feb. 11. Another blizzard. Continues two days. Feb. 16. First train from the east for fifteen days arrives at Worthington. Feb. 18. Blizzard. Last eastern train arrives. Feb. 22. Snow storm. March 4. Blizzard all day. Worthington schools close for lack of fuel. March 5. Fair weather begins, lasting five days. Main line road opens except strip between St. James and Windom. March 11. Terrific blizzard, continuing two days. All roads blockaded worse than ever. March 24. Fuel famine at Adrian. People burning screenings, tailings, hay, straw, oats, corn, rags and anything that will burn. March 30. Main line road shoveled out and train arrives from the east— first in nearly six weeks. West end and branch roads still blockaded. [4] April 5. First train arrives from Sioux City. Carries letters dated Feb. 21. Road open three days. [5] April 8. Snowed again. Traffic stopped. Train from St. Paul tied up at Windom. Train from Sioux City gets as far as Sibley. April 11. More snow. April 12. North wind drifts snow, making complete blockade. The blockade has now been in force ten weeks, with only five trains from the east. April 13. Thermometer registers zero. April 16. First train in from the east. April 17. Main line opened. First freight train for 11 weeks reaches Worthington and delivers 50,000 pounds of freight. Several freight trains pass during the day. That night first train to pass over the Sioux Falls branch for nine weeks makes its way from Worthington to Luverne. April 26. Worthington schools reopen. For four days there was fairly regular service on the railroads. Then came the floods, caused by the melting snow, and on April 20 traffic was again suspended. For ten days not a train ran over the line of the Sioux City & St. Paul, and not until May 2 was regular service established. Talk of the construction of another railroad into Nobles county was begun in 1881, and the road was built the next year. In May it was given out that the Burlington system was planning to build a branch line north into Minnesota. The first intimation the people of Nobles county had of this was when a preliminary survey was made to Worthington in May. This was followed in September by the appearance of agents of the road, who submitted a proposition to the residents of eastern Nobles county. They asked that $15,000 and a free right of way be pledged, in which case the road would be built to Worthington during 1882 and the depot located within a half mile of the business center of the village. The proposition was accepted. The amount was pledged, the agreement being signed by nearly all the business and monied men of the county seat town. The railroad officials were not prompt in beginning the work, and there was much speculation as to whether or not the road would be built. In June, 1882, the matter was definitely decided. Burlington officials came to Worthington and submitted a new proposition. They stated that the road would be constructed at once providing the people would vote a bonus of $21,300. Again did the people of eastern Nobles county agree to the terms. The bonus to be voted was divided among the several interested townships as follows: Worthington township, $5,500; Worthington village, $6,300; Indian Lake, $3,000; Bigelow, $2,000; Elk, $2,000; Lorain, $2,500. The elections were held on different days in June, and the bonus was voted. [6] Grading contracts were let for the line north from Spirit Lake in July, and an army of workers was at once put in the field. The road was completed to Worthington October 7, and the driving of the last spike was made a memorable occasion. It was a gala day, and the people were present en masse. The driving of the spike that united the new road with the Omaha was driven with ceremonies by Rev. D. G. Gunn and Mayor C. H. Smith, of Worthington, amid the ringing of all the bells of the village and the firing of cannon and anvils. Regular train service was established October 18. [7] As a result of the building of this road another Nobles county town, Round Lake, came into existence. But the building of the new road was not the only thing that brought gladness to the hearts of the people of Nobles county in 1882. The farmers gathered the largest and best crop ever before seen in the county, and as good as was ever grown anywhere. Said the Advance on August 31: "To sum up: We have a big crop in the stack and a prospect of the best, briskest and livliest times we have ever seen in this county. We are sure of a lively fall and winter trade, and farmers, merchants, laborers, everybody, will feel like 'human bein's' " An event of not great importance in itself, but which resulted in quite an issue, was the park vacation matter, which troubled the people of Nobles county early in 1883. The prevailing good times had brought activity in business and improvements. All the towns in the county felt the effect of prosperity, and out of the good times grew the strife over the "park proposition." Messrs. Miller & Thompson, of Rock Rapids, wanted to engage in business in Worthington and were prepared to erect a handsome business block there. They could find no site suitable, and coveted the court house square. They submitted a proposition, agreeing to erect a brick block, 50x100 feet, with a public hall in the second story, providing the east corner of the public park (the property of the county) could be secured as a site. On December 29, 1882, a petition was circulated among the business men of Worthington, the prayer of which was that the county commissioners should lay off into lots 125 feet of the public square, facing Tenth street, and sell the same. They were asked to take this action only on consideration that the Sioux City & St. Paul Railroad company, which had conditionally donated the block to the county, would relinquish its rights for a small consideration, and that the building as outlined above should be erected during the year 1883. The petition was signed by most of the leading business men of Worthington. [8] The commissioners considered the petition Jan. 2, 1883. The motion prevailed that the request of the petitioners be complied with, Commissioners Daniel Shell, Maurice O'Hearn and P. Blaine voting in the affirmative and T. L. Taylor and James Cowin opposing. Mr. Shell was directed to confer with the railroad officials to obtain their assent to the sale. The latter offered no serious objection. Many of the residents of the county did, however, and the matter became a much mooted question. Those favoring the plan argued that the county would realize several thousand dollars from the sale of the lots and that Worthington would secure several hundred thousand dollars worth of improvements in a short time. Those opposed protested from a sentimental viewpoint; they desired not the abridgment of the beautiful public park. Strong opposition developed, especially in the west end, and the park was kept intact. This was not the only question that troubled the people of the county in the early days of 1883. During the time the park vacation argument was at its height, there came the agitation for the removal of the county seat to. Adrian. The west end had been making vast strides during the few years preceding, and Adrian had become .a town of considerable importance. When the people of the west end metropolis decided to have a try at the county seat they went at it in earnest. No satisfactory county seat removal law graced the Minnesota statute books, and the residents of western Nobles county set to work to secure the passage of a special law allowing the people to vote on the question of removal to Adrian. Excitement was at fever heat in the west end. Men with teams scoured the western and central portions of the county securing signatures to a petition to be presented to the legislature, asking for the passage of such an act. Something less than 600 signatures of voters were obtained. The plan for a special law, such as Adrian first proposed to advocate, was abandoned. But through the efforts of Nobles county people a general county seat removal law was introduced and passed the senate. It failed to pass the house, and the legislature adjourned without complying with the request of the citizens of western Nobles county. The question was definitely settled for two years at least. Nobles county's last township was organized in 1883. The following settlers of township 103-42 asked for its organization: Andrew Thompson, John J. Thompson, Geo. TJmbaugh, Abraham Abrahamson, Gunder Hansen, M. S. Conley, Geo. Budge, Henry Slater, Anton Titenberg, Eranz Kurchel, H. D. Hosmer, John W. Johnson, Peter Wiese, Samuel J. Hamilton, Sam Nelson, J. P. Hosmer, Timothy Conley, James Cowin, Thos. Barnett, Ed. Cooper, Jos. Cowin, C. J. Swanson, Alphonse Spitz, Joseph O'Grady, John J. McCormack. The board granted the petition March 6, and on March 27 the first town meeting was held at the residence of Andrew Thompson on section 32. The new township was named Larkin, in honor of John Larkin, of New York city, one of the prominent workers in the Catholic Colonization association, and a brother of Mrs. Maurice O'Hearn, who recently died at her home in Grand Prairie township. Mr. O'Hearn was county commissioner at the time the township was formed. As was the case with several of the last townships organized, a name was not selected without contention. Soon after the name was designated by the commissioners, a resident of the new town wrote: "Now it is certain that a gross fraud has been committed in this case, as the petitioners requested it should be named Grove, and it was so stated in the petition when signed by them, the name being changed on the face of the petition by a certain party who has no authority to do so, and who makes his home and carries on his business in the village of Adrian. The petition has been tampered with, and criminal proceedings will be taken against the man for so doing. The only connection he holds with the town is by holding a quarter section by suffrance. As to John Larkin, he may be a very good and charitable man, but a large majority know nothing of him, never having heard his name before." A tornado visited the northwestern part of the county on Monday, July 21, 1884, and did considerable damage. Miss Cora Graf, daughter of County Commissioner Emil Graf, of Willmont, was killed, and D. F. Ufford, of Larkin, was seriously injured. The storm was most severe in Larkin and Lismore townships. Many buildings were destroyed, stock was lost and killed, and crops were ruined. The school house in district 43, containing teacher and students, was carried several feet by the force of the wind, hut fortunately no one was hurt. Of the results of the storm the Adrian Guardian said: Cora Graf, daughter of Emil Graf, county commissioner of Willmont, was killed by being struck on the head by a piece of heavy timber. She was at the barn and started to go to the house when the storm struck the large barn, 40x54, blowing off the roof and scattering the heavy timbers, one of which struck her, with the result recorded above. She was thirteen years of age. . . . Another sad accident occurred at Jas. Barry's in Larkin township. The new house which they recently moved into was completely torn to pieces, and D. F. Ufford, Mrs. Barry's father, was carried a considerable distance, and when found was unable to speak. Dr. Sullivan was immediately sent for, and upon his arrival found him in a critical condition— several ribs broken, shoulder dislocated, and shoulder blades shattered; there was also severe bruises about his head, and at first it was thought that his injuries would prove fatal, but the doctor now has hopes of his recovery. Another railroad was built through a portion of the county in September, 1884. The Burlington constructed a line northwest from Lake Park, which passed through the southwest corner of Grand Prairie* township. The village of Ellsworth was founded that fall, and soon took its place as one of the best towns in the county. The year 1884 was one of the most prosperous in the county's history, and was a year of jubilee. Exclusive wheat farming had been found unprofitable, and only a limited acreage was sown. Instead of raising only wheat, farmers raised flax and hay, and turned their attention to stock raising and dairying more than formerly. Flax growing became one of the big industries. There was an immense crop in this year of jubilee, and it commanded a big price. Hay was also a big price, and an unusual quantity was put up, pressed and shipped. Flax, hay, butter and cattle were the principal exports; other products shipped out of the county were wheat, oats, barley, wool, hides, eggs, potatoes and timothy. The following table shows the shipments (car loads) of principal exports during the year from the various railroad stations: STATION Flax Live Stock Hay Worthington 85 48 115 Bigelow 40 4 Hersey 13 21 Kinbrae 17 36 Adrian. 182 21 Rushmore 35 16 Ellsworth 101 3 Totals 472 92 172 The excellent crops had a good effect on the real estate market, which was more active than it had been at any time previous, with the possible exception of 1872. The value of lands sold during the year was $549,639. The results of prosperous times were seen in building improvements in all parts, of the county and in the prompt payment of debts. The farmers were at last firmly on their feet, and the high road to wealth was henceforth open. The recovery from the grasshopper scourge was almost complete. The census of 1885 gave the county a population of 5,642, a gain of 1,207, or about 25 per cent, in five years. The population was divided by precincts as follows: Adrian Village 533 Bisrelow 252 Bloom 115 Dewald 181 Elk 98 Graham Lakes 262 Grand Prairie 580 Hersey 196 Indian Lake 234 Larkin 84 Leota 174 Lismore 182 Little Rock 382 Lorain 106 Olney 204 Ransom 208 Seward 150 Summit Lake 89 Westside 228 Willmont 205 Worthington Township 182 Worthington Village 997 Total [9] 5,642 The legislature of 1885 passed a county seat removal bill, providing for the submission of the question of removal to the voters in any county in the state after certain formalities had been complied with. The act provided for the removal if the town seeking the honor should receive 55 per cent of the vote. There was some talk of the west end metropolis entering the race, but no formal action was taken. The rapid advancement of the west side during the early eighties caused Adrian to be hopeful of some day securing the honor. The vigorous growth is shown by the census figures. In 1880 the eight western townships had a population of only 1616, to 2,193 to the eastern eight, while there were 526 in the middle tier. In 1885 the west end had distanced the east end. Then there were 2,572 in the west, to 2,477 in the east, with 593 in the middle tier. Another excellent crop was harvested in 1885, and everybody made money. As a result there was a big immigration in the fall. New settlers poured into the county, and the real estate transfers were numerous. The next year was also a prosperous one, the real estate transfers amounting to $565,799. The Burlington road that year built a branch line from Ellsworth to Rock Rapids, thus adding another railroad to the county, although only a short distance of the road was in Nobles county. A strange contrast were these days of the eighties with those of the decade before. Compare this item from the Worthington Globe at the close of the year 1887 with some of ten years earlier: "In our own immediate vicinity all branches of industry have been unusually prosperous. Mechanics have generally been busy, labor has been in demand, and the weather has been favorable for all kinds of business, and the country is very rapidly recovering from the grasshopper scourge, which impoverished so many people a few years ago." During the history of the Northwest there have been a few winter storms of such unnatural severity that they stand out as events of historical importance. The most severe of these awful, storms was the blizzard of January 7, 8 and 9, 1873, an account of which has been given. Ranking second was the terrible blizzard of January 12, 1888, when scores of people perished in the country. In Nobles county three lives were sacrificed and many people became lost in the storm and were badly frozen. Two Hollanders, Jacob DeVries and Douwe Postma, were caught in the storm and froze to death, one in Bloom township, the other in Summit Lake. The third death was that of Seselia Knutson, wife of Knut Knutson. She perished in the country near Rushmore. People caught in the storm in different part of the country wandered for miles over the prairies, not knowing where they were. Several were so badly frozen that it was necessary to amputate hands, feet or limbs. Even people in the villages were, in some instances, unable to reach home and took refuge in the nearest houses. Much stock was lost. In August, 1888, came one of the most severe hail storms ever witnessed in the county, causing much damage to crops ^ in the southwestern portion of the county. In places the fall of hail was remarkable. [10] During the late eighties the people were blessed with good crops and prosperous times. The result was a big increase in population. In 1890 the federal census disclosed the fact that there were 7,958 people residing in the county. This was a gain of 3,523 in ten years and 2,316 in five years. The population by precincts was as follows: Adrian Village 671 Bigelow 408 Bloom 175 Dewald 320 Elk 248 Ellsworth Village 258 Graham Lakes 561 Hersey 282 Indian Lake 320 Larkin 185 Leota 185 Lismore 328 Little Rock 438 Lorain 234 Olney 257 Ransom 249 Seward 324 Summit Lake 148 Westside 310 Willmont 329 Wbrthington Township 289 Worthington Village 1,164 Total 7,958 The citizens of the west end of the county adopted new tactics concerning the county seat question early in 1893. Instead of agitating the removal of the seat of government to Adrian, a plan of dividing the county and forming a new one, with Adrian as the county seat, was conceived. Hardly had the legislature convened that year when a number of the representative citizens of Adrian requested a conference with a like number of the prominent citizens of Worthington for the purpose of talking over certain matters, about which their interests and views were supposed to differ—notably the matter of the removal of the county seat. It was made known that it was the desire of the west end people to arrive at an amiable settlement of the controversy. The Worthington people accepted the invitation, and a conference was held Saturday, January 14. The subject of the division of the county was brought up and discussed. In a neighborly way the feasibility of dividing Nobles county and creating another one was debated. There was no inclination to take hasty action in the matter. The proposition was a new one, and it was deemed best to take more time for consideration. The subject matter was left in the hands of a committee for further investigation, and arrangements were made for future conference. [11] Hardly had the conference adjourned before the people of the central part of the county were up in arms against the movement. They saw what they believed to be a conspiracy. Here were the erstwhile rivals, Worthington and Adrian, in earnest and friendly consultation, secretely planning to divide the county without consulting the wishes of the people through whose country the boundary line must run. [12] They arose in their might and denounced the proposed dismemberment, calling a mass meeting to be held at Rushmore January 28. [13] The plan resulted only in "talk," and no such measure as proposed was presented to the legislature. ENDNOTES [1] Population of adjacent counties according to the 1880 census: Cottonwood, 5,554; Jackson, 4,795; Murray, 3,609; Pipestone, 2,093; Rock, 3,669. [2] "Hiram Allen arrived on Tuesday from Fulda, having made the trip in about an hour and a half on a snow boat. The structure is a simple one, having merely a pair of snow shoes for runners, with crosspieces, a board to sit on and. a light mast to support the sail. Mr. A. tells us that he has made a half dozen trips, one of eighteen miles to Luverne in an hour and a half. Also that a few days ago a party of six left Fulda for Fairmont on one of these snow sail boats. They left Fulda about five o'clock in the evening and reached Fairmont at nine the next morning, a distance of seventy miles. "Messrs. Loveless and Day are now having one made of considerable size, and if the snow lasts a few weeks longer, men will be sailing over the prairies at the rate of seven knots an hour as easily as they can sail on our lakes."—Worthington Advance, March 24, 1881. [3] Compiled largely from newspaper accounts. [4] "The east end of the main line was cleared on Tuesday [March 29], and yesterday [March 30] a train left here for St. Paul. A train also left St. Paul and reached here last evening. Yesterday the road was clear on the west end from Bigelow west, and. the forces doubled on the big cut this side, and today a train is expected from Sioux City. The branch is opening up rapidly and will probably be open to Luverne today or tomorrow and to Sioux Falls by Saturday. The long blockade is over . . It lacked just two days of being six weeks since we had a train from the east."—Worthington Advance, March 31, 1881. [5] "Our old friend Boreas sticks closer than a brother. We did hope that the Advance would miss it in predicting that we would not have regular trains before the middle of April, but it looks as though we could extend the time somewhat and still be correct."—Worthington Advance, April 7, 1S81. [6] In Worthington village the vote was 145 to 2; in Worthington township 21 votes were cast, all in favor of the bonus; Lorain township was solid for the bonus; and in Bigelow it had two majority. [7] The road is now a branch of the Rock Island system. [8] The signers were C. P. Hewitt, W. G. Martine, Otis Bigelow, Geo. M. Plumb, Henry Davis, C. H. Smith, Mons Grinager, J. A. Town, H. H. Anderson, H. E. Torrance, Azom Forbes, C. W. Smith, S. S. Hewitt, M. S. Twitchell, W. F. Thayer, W. A. Peterson, H. C. Shepard, R. D. Barber, A. S. Husselton, A; P. Miller, E. S. Mills, F. H. Wells, Thos. H. Parsons, L. B. Bennett, B. F. Johnson and S. McLean. [9] Populations of other nrarby counties: Rock, 5,243; Murray, 4,216; Pipestone, 3,897. [10] An Ellsworth citizen tells me that in that village he saw hail stones piled up to the depth of about four feet where they had fallen between two buildings. [11] Changes were spoken of which may, if they are carried, add another county to the state of Minnesota. The matter will doubtless be discussed for a considerable time before any measure will be matured to ask the concurrence of the people interested. We shall give further details when we are in possession of further light. The committee to whom the matter is referred must consult before any further movement is made."—Worthington Advance, Jan. 19, 1893. [12] The fact that such a meeting was held was known, but the deliberations were not made public. The Worthington Advance resented the statement that it was a secret meeting and said: "There was no secret for anybody to keep. The Advance stated the substance of the talk in its next issue, nor was there any suggestion made from any quarter that we should not make the matter public. There was no conspiracy thought of against any portion of our county, and the interests of the people of all parts of the county were kindly and thoughtfully spoken of. In fact, nothing was said that anybody would be ashamed of." [13] "Whereas it has been announced that the citizens of Adrian and Worthington are holding a series of secret meetings for the purpose of dissecting Nobles county for their own selfish ends, be it therefore "Resolved, that we, the citizens of the center tier of townships, in council assembled, denounce such action as a conspiracy against the best interests of the county at large, and call upon all honest men to oppose the scheme, and be it further "Resolved, that all citizens of said county who are interested in their own welfare be, and they are hereby, requested to attend a mass meeting to be held in the Rushmore school house on Saturday, Jan. 28, 1893, at two p. m. "A. SCHAEFFER, "W. DOUD, "A. W. FERRIN, "Committee." Additional Comments: Additional Comments: Extracted from: AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY MINNESOTA BY ARTHUR P. ROSE NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA PUBLISHERS 1908 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mn/nobles/history/1908/anillust/chapterv12gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/ File size: 32.8 Kb