Nobles County MN Archives History - Books .....Chapter XIII Worthington - 1873-1889 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 14, 2006, 2:26 am

Book Title: An Illustrated History Of Nobles County



CHAPTER XIII.

WORTHINGTON-1873-1889.



  Worthington had come into existence under unique conditions. At the time of

its founding the surrounding country had not been settled, nor was there any

settlement until several months after the village made its appearance. Such

conditions were unusual, even in the early days, when town founding was an art.

Other towns in southwestern Minnesota were built contemporary with the

settlement of the country surrounding > Worthington was builded on the promises

of the National colony. That organization, which played such an important part

in the early history of Nobles county and the town of Worthington, promised to

bring large numbers of ^ immigrants to its recently purchased lands, and the

promises were amply fulfilled. During the year 1872 large numbers of

home-seekers had arrived at Worthington and taken claims in all parts of the

county. There was also a rapid settlement in Rock county and farther out on the

frontier, in the Sioux Falls country. All that country was then tributary to

Worthington. Owing to the favorable location of the village, from a railroad

standpoint, Worthington was the supply point and grain shipping point for a vast

stretch of country.1

  

Being the most convenient shipping point for this big country, Worthington

advanced faster than its neighboring towns and faster than the needs of the

immediate surrounding country demanded. In the summer of 1872, before the grain

began pouring in from the outlaying districts, the advantages of the town, due

to its location, were apparent. A writer in the first issue of the Western

Advance, August 31, 1872, sized up the situation as follows:



  "Several warehouses, we learn, will soon be erected to accommodate the grain

which is seeking this point -for shipment. Worthington is the natural shipping

port, if the term may be used, for Rock county, the Spirit Lake region and a

portion of Jackson county. The Sioux Falls region, also, which now draws lumber

and other supplies from here, should bring its grain here for shipment. By

another year, therefore, we may expect to do a heavy grain business. If the

neighboring town of Windom shipped 20,000 bushels last year, and will ship

75,000 this year, which is the estimate of Windom merchants, we ought to do a

large grain business next year. If the amount for one town reaches nearly

100,000 bushels the first two years, what may we not expect when all these lands

are under cultivation, as they will be in from Ave to ten years! We have the

assurances of good judges of soil that ours is, of all soils, the soil for

wheat. We anticipate, therefore, that in a few years the railroad will scarcely

be able to transport the millions of bushels of grain which must flow into the

warehouses along the line of this road from Sioux City to St. Paul."



  The year 1873 opened auspiciously, and the prospects of the little village by

lake Okabena were bright. The colony company erected the Okabena flouring mill,

at a, cost of over $40,000, which had a capacity of manufacturing over 100

barrels of flour a day. Its construction proved to be one of the most important

events in the history of the town. It was the only flouring mill within a radius

of many miles, and it did an immense business. It brought trade to Worthington

that otherwise would not have come. . From the Spirit Lake country on the south>

from Jackson county on the east, from Murray county on the north, and from Rock

county and the Sioux Falls country on the west, came the golden grain to mill;

[2] returning, the farmers would take with them lumber and supplies to their

homes on the bleak prairies to the west.



  The year 1873 was an important one in the history of Worthington because of

two events that took place. One was the incorporation of the village; the other

the naming of the town as the county seat.



  A charter was granted the village by the legislature, the bill being approved

by the governor March 8. All of sections 23, 24, 25 and 26, of Worthington

township, were included in the limits of the town. It provided for the

government of the city by a president of the council, a recorder (both of whom

should be ex-officio trustees) and three trustees. Other elective officers

provided for were a treasurer, an assessor, a justice of the peace and a

constable. All offices were to be one year terms, except justice of the peace

and marshal, who were to serve two year terms. The charter named the third

Tuesday in March of each year as the date for holding elections. The first

election was to be held at Miller's hall on Tuesday, March 18, 1873, where at

one o'clock the voters present should choose, viva voce, two judges of election

and one clerk, who should conduct the election. Provision was made for voting at

that election on the question of the acceptance or rejection of the charter. It

forbade the granting of license for the sale of intoxicating liquors, [3] and

provided that the act should go into effect immediately upon its adoption by the

voters.



  The first election was held at Miller hall, in accordance with the provisions

of the charter, on March 18, and the charter was adopted by a vote of 14 to 2.

Daniel Shell and S. D. Sprague were chosen to act as judges of the election, and

C. C. Goodnow as clerk. Only sixteen votes were cast, the voters being M. H.

Stevens, K. F. Humiston, S. D. Sprague, C. C. Goodnow, Daniel Shell, M. E.

Distad, S. E. Chandler, C. B. Loveless, L. F. McLaurin, H. Davis, I. N. Sater,

J. A. Town, John Humiston, C. P. Hewitt, J. C. Craft and W. H. Wilmarth.



  There was only one ticket in the field, and only two scattering votes were

cast. Those who were elected and served the city during its first year of

official existence, with the votes cast, are as follows:



  President-I. N. Sater, 13; H. C. Shepard, 1.



  Trustees-J. C. Craft, 16; B. S. Langdon, 14; Pegg, 1; M. H. Stevens, 16. 



  Recorder-C. C. Goodnow, 16.



  Treasurer-Peter Thompson, 16.



  Assessor-Daniel Shell, 16.



   Justice-C. B. Loveless. [4]



  Marshal-Daniel Stone, 16. [5]



  Much difficulty was encountered in securing men to serve in the positions of

the two appointive offices-street commissioner and fire warden. A. S. Husselton

was appointed street commissioner May 6; he did not qualify, and on May 13 the

office was declared vacant and L. P. McLaurin appointed. May 20 the appointment

was reconsidered, and W. S. Stockdale was named. He resigned Sept. 2, when C. B.

Langdon received the appointment and served the remainder of the term. Jonathan

Ames was appointed fire warden May 13, but a week later the action of the

council was reconsidered, and A. P. Chamberlain was named. The office was

declared vacant Nov. 24, and C. B. Langdon, who had received the appointment of

street commissioner, was made fire warden, as well.



  The village council met for the first time on April 23, 1873, at the office of

I. N. Sater. The charter was read, and then an adjournment was taken until April

26. There was no quorum at the meeting of April 26, and the next meeting was not

held until Monday, the 28th. The first official act of the council was to pass

an ordinance ordering a sidewalk laid on the east side of Third avenue from

Ninth street to Tenth street. The second ordinance of the village was passed at

the same meeting. It prohibited "the use of firearms within the limits of the

corporation in any manner whatever on Sunday." At a subsequent meeting (May 13)

the ordinance was amended by adding "that the use of firearms upon the town plat

is strictly prohibited." Thus the village of Worthington began its official

existence.



  The county seat of Nobles county was temporarily located at Worthington by an

act which passed the legislature and was approved March 6, 1873, which, provided

for the removal from Graham Lakes township within sixty days. The change was

made in May, and Worthington was made happy over the event. By the action of the

voters at the November election the village was declared the permanent county seat.



  The boom times of the first two years of Worthington's history were not

destined to continue. With the terrible grasshopper scourge, which devastated

the country during the middle seventies, came a period of depression for

Worthington. Business became dull, and the growth of the town was checked.

Several business firms failed, and there was a general feeling of dejection.

However, Worthington suffered less severely than most of its neighbors. Being in

a highly prosperous condition when the grasshoppers swooped down upon the

country, and drawing its trade from a larger area than the other towns of the

vicinity, it withstood the awful calamity better than those less fortunately

situated. For the story of the grasshopper times the reader is referred to

chapters five and six.



  A writer has described the town as it appeared to him in 1874:



  "It contains four hotels, a large public hall building, a large flouring mill,

several grain warehouses, over twenty stores, two church buildings, and a number

of comfortable private dwellings. The principal buildings are the Okabena

flouring mills, the Worthington hotel, Miller hall, the Union Congregational

church, and the Presbyterian church. Some of the lots are neatly fenced, and the

principal streets are lined with young trees. The town has adopted the

independent district plan, and has a good graded school. A seminary of learning,

auxiliary to Hamline university, is located at Worthington, which is now, owing

to the grasshopper visitation, temporarily suspended. The town contains three

church organizations, viz.: Methodist, Presbyterian and Union Congregational; a

Masonic lodge, a post of the Grand Army, a public library, and a good newspaper.

The population of the town is between 600 and 800." [6]



  The year 1874 passed without important events. A new depot was built by the

railroad company in the summer, which was said to have been the finest and

largest on the line between St. Paul and Sioux City. [7] The land office was

moved to Worthington from Jackson in the spring of the year, which event added

somewhat to the importance of the town. [8]



  There was only one contest for village office at the election in the spring of

1874, and the event was a quiet one. Thirty-three votes [9] were cast, with the

following result, scattering votes not being given:



  President-J. C. Craft, 31.



  Trustees-Horace L. Lackor, 33; Otis Bigelow, 33; Jonathan Ames, 29.



  Recorder-Chas. C. Goodnow, 20; Boston N. Carrier, 13.



  Treasurer-Peter Thompson, 32.



  Justice-L. B. Bennett, 33.



  Assessor-Akin Miner, 33.



  Constable-Morgan M. Jenkins, [10] 30. [11]



  Worthington's first census was taken in 1875. The population, according to the

figures of the assessor, was 419. Although then in tlie midst of the grasshopper

scourge and resulting hard times, from a business standpoint the town was fairly

prosperous, due almost entirely to the fact that its trade territory was so

large. Following is the wheat receipts for the year 1875:



Buyer                Before Harvest        After Harvest

Okabena Mills          12,479 bus.          114,000 bus.

Bennett & Stone                              21,000 bus.

Peter Thompson          4,929 bus.           32,215 bus.

Henry Davis             3,200 bus.           15,705 bus.

    Totals             20,608 bus.          182,920 bus.

Grand total, 203,528 bushels.



  The lumber and fuel business was also large. Bennett & Stone received 127 cars

of lumber after opening their yard in August, and I. N. Sater received a

somewhat smaller amount. H. J. Grant shipped in and sold 288 cars of wood, I. N.

Sater about the same amount, and E. S. Mills a small shipment. The two leading

dealers each shipped in about 180 tons of coal.



  There were no contests for any of the village offices in 1875, and only 30

votes were cast. A violent storm raged on election day, which accounted in a

measure for the smallness of the number, it being alleged that there were 100

voters in the village. The result:



  President-Albert C. Robinson, 30.



  Trustees-Isaac N. Sater, 29; Chas. B. Loveless, 28; Daniel Shell, 29.



  Recorder-C. C. Goodnow, 29.



  Treasurer-Henry D. Humiston, 30.



  Assessor-Henry J. Grant, 30.



  Constable-J. C. Goodnow, 29. [12]



  The year 1876 was another quiet one, because of apprehension of another

grasshopper visitation. However, there was some building done in the village,

the principal items being the following:



W. R. Bennett, residence                                   $4,000

H. J. Ludlow, residence                                     2,000

K. R. Miller, residence                                     1,000

H. E. Torrance, store building, two stories, 32x40          1,200

Otis Bigelow, store building, 20x40                         1,000



  The election that year was the most exciting one yet held, and 96 votes were

polled. There was some dissatisfaction with the result of the Peoples' caucus,

and opposition candidates for trustees were placed in nomination by another

caucus. The contest was a spirited one, and was won by the regular Peoples'

ticket. The result:



  President-Peter Thompson, 96.



  Trustees-Elihu Smith, 44;: Daniel Shell, 90; C. Z. Sutton, 53; A. C. Robinson,

22; I. N. Sater, 18; C. B. Loveless, 23; J. Craft, 34.



  Recorder-B. N. Carrier, 96.



  Treasurer-H. D. Humiston, 92.



  Assessor-W. S. Stockdale, 94.



  Justice-L. B. Bennett, 96.



  Constable-J. C. Goodnow, 82; W. M.Carroll, 14. [13]



  Probably every vote in the village was polled on March 20, 1877, when 98 votes

were brought out as a result of a contest between I. N. Sater and W. R. Bennett

for trustee. Mr. Sater was the caucus nominee, and Mr. Bennett, who ran

independent, was elected. For the other offices there were no contests.

Following is the vote of that year:



  President-Peter Thompson, 98.



  Trustees-C. B. Loveless, 94; Daniel Shell, 91; W. R. Bennett, 62; I. N. Sater,
38.



  Recorder-C. C. Lucky, [14] 96.



  Treasurer-H. E. Torrance, 97.



  Assessor-A. C. Robinson, 96.



  Justice-Leroy Cole, [15] 92.



  Constable-Wm. M. Carroll, [16] 96. [17]



  Ultimately, the building of the branch railroad westward from Worthington

resulted in the cutting off of a large territory which had formerly relied upon

Worthington for its market. But at the time it added much to the town's

prosperity. Worthington was the gateway through which all the settlement of the

western country must come, and it was the chief supply, point of the new

settlers. The saving of the crop in 1877 brought large numbers to the country in

1878, and this immigration passing through Worthington made the little town

lively. [18] Considerable building was done during the year, including the first

brick block. This was located at the corner of Tenth street and Second avenue

(now known as Masonic block), and was put up during the summer by Bennett &

Grissell. Times became dull again during the fall because of the failure of

crops from another grasshopper visitation, and there were a number of business

failures during the winter.



  Worthington's first fire came on Tuesday morning, Aug. 6, 1878, when Miller

hall, one of the first buildings erected in Worthington, was burned to the

ground, causing a loss of between $8,000 and $10,000. The fire was undoubtedly

of incendiary origin, but the perpetrators were never discovered. The fire

started at about six o'clock. Not a breath of air was stirring, but neither was

there any fire protection to speak of. Although the whole village turned out and

fought the flames, within three-quarters of an hour after the blaze was

discovered, the hall was a heap of blazing and smoking ruins.



  Owing to the fact there was no wind the flames were confined to the hall, and

nearby buildings were saved. For a time it looked as though the town was doomed,

[19] but when the last wall fell it fell inward, thus assuring the safety of the

town. When the last wall fell the crowd sent up a ringing cheer. The building

was the property of J. T. Hite and John P. Henry at the time of the fire. It had

cost about $7,000, and was covered by only $1,000 insurance. Other losses were

the Worthington Journal plant, $3,000 or $4,000, covered by $2,500 insurance;

and the library of Rev. J. C. Ogle, valued at $800 to $1,000.



  One hundred one votes were cast at the election in the spring of 1878. There

was no party contest, but several independent candidates appeared in the field.

With the exception of the nominee for constable all the caucus nominees were

elected. The vote:



  President-A. C. Robinson, 50; C. B. Loveless, 44.



  Trustees-M. B. Soule, 80; J. Craft, 94; L. E. Kimball, 82.



  Recorder-Leroy Cole, 53; R. F. Baker, 41.



  Assessor-H. D. Humiston, 96.



  Treasurer-H. E. Torrance, 68; D. S. Law, 33.



  Justice-L. B. Bennett, 64; B. N. Carrier, 34.



  Constable-Chas. Chase, 52; J. A. Town, 48. [20]



  In 1879 there was another increase in the vote polled, the number reaching

128. There was little excitement at the election and no organized opposition to

the caucus nominations. There were fourteen scattering votes cast for the

several offices which do not show on the following table:



  President-Daniel Shell, 124.



  Trustees-M. S. Twitchell, 121; John McMillen, 127; Azom Forbes, 98; Jos. Lowe,
28.



  Recorder-N. A. Barlow, 125. Treasurer-H. E. Torrance, 126.



  Assessor-H. D. Humiston, 123.



  Justice-H. D. Humiston, 103; Wm. Carroll, 21. [21]



  According to the federal census of 1880 the population of Worthington was 636,

a gain of 227 during five years. Although small, it ranked second among the

towns of southwestern Minnesota. [22] The election of that year was not

exciting, and there were no contests. The total vote was 141. The question of

licensing billiard rooms was submitted to the voters, and by a vote of. 51 to 57

it was decided that such license should not be granted. The vote, not including

11 scattering votes:



  President-Daniel Shell, 134.



  Trustees-M. S. Twitchell, 125; J. McMillen, 81; Azom Forbes, 80.



  Recorder-N. A. Barlow, [23] 89.



  Treasurer-H. E. Torrance, 94.



  Assessor-B. W. Lyon, 120.



  Justice-A. C. Robinson, [24] 72.



  Constable-Frank Wells, [25] 75. [26]



  For several years during the late seventies and early eighties Worthington was

.divided into two factions because of the temperance question. There was

continual wrangling. Several arrests were made and prosecutions pushed against

those who sold liquor in the town. Cider was placed under the ban, and there

were several prosecutions for violations of the law forbidding the sale of that

drink. One faction insisted that the other was fanatical in its temperance

beliefs; the temperance people insisted on the enforcement of the law against

all-offenders. Two parties came into existence which fought for the control of

the village government at the polls. Each party put tickets in the field, and

the contest at the 1881 election was very close and exciting. This was the

beginning of the parties, later known as "license" and "against license," which

have contended for supremacy ever since. Those who favored the more liberal

policy were successful at the polls, winning out by a narrow margin. In the

following table of the vote the first named were the nominees of the "liberal"

party; the second those of the temperance party. The total vote was 141:



  President-Daniel. Shell, 78; Peter Thompson, 62.



  Trustees-;M. S. Twitchell, 74; J. McMillen, 74; Azom. Forbes, 75; R. F. Baker,

67; H. B. Wisner, 63; C. B. Loveless, 66.



  Recorder-R. B. Plotts, 76; E. F. Buchan, 64.



  Treasurer-H. E. Torrance, 141.



  Assessor-Aiken Miner, 76; B. W. Lyon, 64.



  Justice [27]-L. B. Bennett, [28] 72; H. D. Humiston, 64; J. A. Town, 64. [29]



  One of the most prosperous years in the history of Worthington was 1882.

Several new business blocks and residences were erected, new business

enterprises were started, and the town enjoyed a small boom. This activity was

due, in part, to the construction of the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Falls & Northwest-

ern railroad into the village from the south, and in part to the prosperous

times in the country at large. At a special election, held June 17, it was

decided, by a vote of 145 to 2, to issue bonds to the amount of $6,300, to aid

in building the road. [30] When trains began running into the town in the fall

there was great rejoicing, and the prediction was freely made that Worthington

was to become a great railroad center. [31]



  Out of a total of 240 registered votes, 189 were cast, the largest in the

town's history up to that time. Although the two parties were again lined, up

for battle, the election was not exceptionally exciting. The vote:



  President-C. H. Smith, 98; C. B. Loveless, 87.



  Trustees-H. E. Torrance, 113; O. G. Grundsten, 108; Emery Clarke, 110; J. H.

Johnson, 72; B. P. Thurber, 77; W. W. Herron, 72.



  Recorder-R. B. Plotts, 113; E. P. Buchan, 74.



  Treasurer-R. F. Baker, 186.



  Assessor-Aiken Miner, 113; H. D. Humiston, 76.



  Justice-J. S. McManus, 115.



  Constable-Josiah T. Lyons, 111; Prank Wells, 74. [32]



  The prosperous times, which had begun in 1882, continued during 1883. On April

25 a board of trade was organized, which was quite active in advertising the

town and in bringing new business enterprises to the village. The officers of

the board were: President, Geo. D. Dayton; vice president, J. S. McManus;

secretary, W. A. Peterson; treasurer, Geo. J. Day.33 The building operations for

the year amounted to about $40,000. Included in this were three brick business

blocks-the Masonic building, the Henry Davis store building, and the Singer block.



  Those favoring the licensing of saloons in Worthington were able to bring

about an amendment to the charter in 1883 which put the village under local

option. A bill was introduced in the legislature early in the session by Senator

Crosby. It provided for the repeal of the temperance clause in the charter and

placed the control of the sale of intoxicating liquors with the village council.

Later the bill was amended and was made to provide that the matter of license or

no license should be decided by the voters at the annual elections. The

temperance people at once circulated and presented a petition to the

legislature, asking that the charter be left as it was. Friends of the repeal of

the temperance clause also presented a petition, asking that the hill be passed.

The bill passed and became a law Feb. 26 upon receiving the signature of the

governor. Worthington was placed under local option law, and each year since

that date the question of license or no license has been fought out at the polls.



  Naturally the first election under the new law created considerable interest.

The two parties went to work with a will-one party to continue the town under

the prohibition feature and the other to bring about the licensing of saloons.

By the decisive vote of 114 to 62 the people decided to license saloons in the

village for the ensuing year. There were only two contests for village offices,

the two factions devoting their energies to the license question and not to the

election of candidates. The total vote cast was 180. Following is the result, a

few scattering votes for various candidates not being given:



  For license, 114; against license, 62.



  President-C. H. Smith, 120; T. H. Parsons, 60.



  Trustees-H. B. Torrance, 171; Otis Bigelow, 176; O. G. Grundsten, 168.



  Recorder-R. B. Plotts, 170.



  Treasurer-R. F. Baker, 179.



  Assessor-Aiken Miner, 177.



  Justice-Fred Bloom, [34] 93; C. B. Langdon, 82. [35]



  The year 1884 was another prosperous one in Worthington, although very little

building was done. The issue between the license and against license forces was

sharply defined in- the campaign of that year. Both parties had tickets in the

field, and considerable campaigning was done before the election. Two hundred

nineteen votes were cast, by far the largest in the town's history. The license

party elected every member of its ticket. The result:



  For license, 119; against license, 98.



  President-Geo. W. Wilson (for [36]), 121; C. B. Loveless (ag), 97.



  Trustees-H. E. Torrance (for), 123; H. C. Shepard (for), 128; Burr W. Lyon

(for), 119; A. S. Mitchell (ag), 96; A. O. Lofstedt (ag), 93; Geo. O. Moore

(ag), 95.



  Recorder-R. B. Plotts (for), 123; Geo. M. Plumb (ag), 93.



  Treasurer-R. F. Baker, 219.



  Assessor-O. G. Grundsten (for), 123; W. W. Herron (ag), 95.



  Justice-Jonathan Gordon (for), 121; C. B. Langdon (ag), 98.



  Constable-R. E. Covey (for), 121; A. S. Husselton (ag), 97. [37]



  The census of 1885 gave Worthington a population, of 997, a gain of 361 during

the preceding five years, and of 588 in ten years.



  There was a slight falling off in the vote of that year, only 201 ballots

being cast. The two parties again lined up for the fray, and again was the

license party successful, carrying the mooted license question by a majority of

40 and electing all its nominees by slightly larger majorities. The vote:



  For license, 119; against license, 79.



  President-Daniel Shell (for), 127; C. B. Loveless (ag), 66.



  Trustees-H. C. Shepard (for), 124; Azom Forbes (for), 128; S. S. Hewitt (for),

127; H. H. Anderson (ag), 71; S. Kindlund (ag), 68; J. F. Humiston (ag), 74.



  Recorder-R. B. Plotts (for), 120; E. F. Buchan (ag), 79.



  Treasurer-R. F. Baker, 201.



  Assessor-O. G. Grundsten (for), 119; C. W. Hildreth (ag), 79.



  Justice-I. P. Durfee (for), 120; T. L. Taylor (ag), 79. [38]



  Worthington was very prosperous in 1886. The building improvements for the

year amounted to about $40,000, included in the list being the Bank of

Worthington building, erected at a cost of $15,000 to $20,000; the Catholic

church, depot, and many residences. Over 600 cars of freight were received and

between 500 and 600 were shipped. Of these about 400 cars were of hay, 82 flax

and 40 livestock.



  The annual village election disclosed the fact that the temperance people had

made gains. License was voted by only 12 majority, and the majorities of the

license nominees were cut down to an average of 27. Two hundred eleven votes

were cast. The result:



  For license, 107; against license, 95.



  President-Daniel Shell (for), 121; Azom Forbes (ag), 89.



  Trustees-H. C. Shepard (for), 119; S. S. Hewitt (for), 122; Frank Glasgow

(for), 121; J. W. Lewis (ag), 93; J, E. Hammerberg (ag), 91; T. L. Taylor (ag), 89.



  Recorder-R. B. Plotts (for), 119; E. F. Buchan (ag), 92.



  Treasurer-R. F. Baker (for), 120; Geo. O. Moore (ag), 91.



  Assessor-O. G. Grundsten (for), 121; Frank Lewis (ag), 88.



  Justice-Jonathan Gordon (for), 118; C. T. Pope (ag), 92.



  Constable-J. E. Wells (for), 120; A. S. Husselton (ag), 91. [39]



  The building improvements during 1887 were not very extensive. Quite a number

of dwelling houses were erected, but the business part of town evidenced little

improvement. Times were fairly prosperous, however.



  There was a slight change in village politics in 1887. There were two tickets

in the field, one put in nomination by the license party, the other nominated at

a general caucus, participated in largely by the anti-license element. Two

hundred forty-five votes were cast. License was carried by 61 majority, and the

license ticket was elected. The vote:



  For license, 151; against license, 90.



  President-H. C. Shepard (for), 147; Peter Thompson (gen [40]), 96.



  Trustees-Frank Glasgow, 243; Chas. L. Peterson; 241; S. McLean (for), 154; S.

V. Wyckoff (gen), 93.



  Recorder-Frank Lewis, 241.



  Treasurer-C. W. Smith (for), 146; R. F. Baker (gen), 100.



  Assessor-O. G. Grundsten (for), 146; S. Kindlund (gen), 102.



  Justice-E. B. Hall, 244.



  Constable-W. I. Humiston (for), 142; A. S. Husselton (gen), 102. [41]



  In 1888, for the first time since. local option went into effect, the

anti-license party was successful, defeating license by 12 majority. The result

came as a surprise to many people, as license had carried the year before by 61.

The vote for village officers was close, the license party capturing the

majority of the offices. Two hundred fifty-two votes were cast. The result in

detail:



  For license, 112; against license, 124.



  President-C. H. Smith (for), 126; J. W. Crigler (ag), 122.



  Trustees-E. R. Humiston, 233; Frank Glasgow (for), 127; S. McLean (for), 117;

S. Kindlund (ag), 124; E. S. Mills (ag), 122; C. L. Peterson, [42] 20.



  Recorder-Frank Lewis, 231.



  Treasurer-C. W. Smith (for), 127; John Humiston (ag), 125.



  Assessor-O. G. Grundsten (for), 142; J. W. Lewis (ag), 107.



  Justice [43]-Jonathan Gordon (for), 126; C. T. Shattuc (ag), 126. [44]



  Again was the license question decided in the negative in 1889, this time by a

reduced majority of 6. While the tickets in the field were the usual license and

against license, they were labeled respectively citizens and independent. The

former elected all officers except the nominee for treasurer. Two hundred

eighty-six votes were cast. The vote:



  For license, 138; against license, 144.



  President-Daniel Shell (for), 155; C. P. Shepard (ag), 129.



  Trustees-Frank Glasgow (for), 160; Chas. W. Smith (for), 157; C. J. Samuelson

(for), 154; E. S. Mills, (ag), 124; W. H. Gilbert (ag), 130; August Falk (ag), 129.



  Recorder-Frank Lewis (for), 152; M. P. Mann (ag), 132.



Treasurer-F. L. Humiston (for), 139; A. L. Johnson (ag), 147.



  Assessor-C. W. Hildreth, 253.



  Justice [45]-Wm. M. Bear, 255.



  Constable-W. I. Humiston. [46]



ENDNOTES



   [1] Worthington is the center of a large trade, and is destined to become a

place of considerable importance as an interior trading point. Trade is now

drawn from nine or ten of the surrounding counties, and settlers come a distance

of seventy or eighty miles from the west to market their grain, and to obtain

lumber and other supplies, Worthington being their most convenient railroad

point."- Minnesota Historical Atlas, 1874.



   [2] Pioneer settlers of Worthington tell me they have seen the roads to the

west lined for miles with teams hauling grain to this market.



   [3] "No license for the sale of any wine, beer, or cider, or spiritous,

intoxicating, alcoholic, vinous, fermented, malt or mixed intoxicating liquors,

liquids or drinks as a beverage shall be granted to any person within the

corporate limits of said village."



   [4] The office of justice was declared vacant Aug. 15, and B. N. Carrier was

appointed to the office. He resigned Jan. 6, 1874, and L. B. Bennett received

the appointment.



   [5] The office of marshal was declared vacant Aug. 15, to which Julius C.

Goodnow was then appointed.



   [6] An overestimate.



   [7] This building is now used as the freight depot.



   [8] This office had been opened at Brownsville, on the Mississippi river, in

1854, with Messrs. McKinna and Welsh in charge. In 1856 it was moved to

Chatfield, and in 1861 to Winnebago City. When the last named change was made

Mr. Holley was receiver and Mr. Bullis register. In 1869 the office was moved to

Jackson, and E. P. Freeman went in as register, and J. B. Wakefield as receiver.

After the colony immigrants began to arrive, the bulk of the business was in the

west end of the district and Nobles county settlers experienced much

inconvenience in making their trips overland to transact their business before

the land office. It was not until the spring of 1874, however, that the

government took action to have the office moved to Worthington.



  Soon after the removal Mr. Freeman retired as register. He was succeeded by

Dr. Leonard, of the Rochester Post, who took the office and filled it for a

time. The latter's appointment was not confirmed, and Captain Mons Grinager

became register in August, 1874. He resigned June 1, 1886, having held the

office nearly twelve years. In January, 1875, J. P. Moulton took the place of

Mr. Wakefield as receiver, and held it until June, 1881. C. H. Smith was the

next receiver, occupying the office until Sept. 1, 1885, when August Peterson,

of Albert Lea, took the office. He held it until after the removal from

Worthington. C. P. Shepard succeeded Captain Grinager as register in June, 1886,

and held the position while the office was located in Worthington.



  The land office at Worthington was closed Feb. 28, 1889, there having been a

consolidation among the offices in Minnesota. Those at Benson, Worthington and

Redwood Falls were discontinued and the papers turned over to the office at

Tracy. The Tracy office was then moved to Marshall. The land office was under

democratic management from 1854 to 1861; the republicans were in charge from

1861 to 1885. Then each party had one official in the office until 1886, when

Mr. Shepard took office; thereafter it was democratic.



   [9] The voters were L. F. McLaurin, William H. Wilmarth, Peter Thompson,

Henry Davis, J. D. Tarbut, C. B. Langdon, H. J. Grant, Morgan M. Jenkins, David

Bennett, Julius C. Goodnow, Otis Bigelow, Julius A. Town, Akin Miner, S. D.

Sprague, J. C. Craft, B. H. Bennett, Jonathan Ames, Datus Stevens, J. Londy,

Chas. C. Goodnow, L. B. Bennett, J. Moll, Liberty Bowen, Thos. Crever, W. R.

Bennett, Peter Walpole, Horace L. Lackor, Wm. Carroll, Boston N. Carrier, R.

Anderson, D. E. Williams, P. Quinlin and John H. Johnson.



   [10] The office was declared vacant Oct. 27, 1874, and J. C. Goodnow was

appointed to complete the term.



   [11] Appointive officers under this administration were Akin Miner, street

commissioner, and C. B. Langdon, fire warden, who were appointed April 9, 1874.





   [12] Appointive officers who served during the term, and dates of

appointments: March 31,1875, S. E. Chandler, street commissioner and fire

warden; Oct. 8, 1875, A. Miner, assistant street commissioner; Oct. 8, 1875,

Frank H. Wells, city marshal.



   [13] Appointive officers: April 6, C. B. Langdon, street commissioner and

fire warden; July 6, H. McMillen, night policeman.



   [14] Resigned April 28, 1877. Geo. J. Day appointed May 4, 1877.



   [15] Resigned March 18, 1878, when he became a candidate for the office of

recorder. Justices of the peace were elected for two years. B. N. Carrier was

appointed Nov. 1, 1878, to complete the term.



   [16] Resigned Aug. 24, 1877. Chas. Chase was then appointed.



   [17] Appointive officers: March 28, 1877, A. Miner, street commissioner and

fire warden; July 2, 1877, H. McMillan, night policeman.



   [18] "The rush for "the soil of the river bottoms" continues. The trains are

loaded every night, and our hotels are unable to furnish accommodations for the

people. The hotel offices and parlors are called into service, and the depot

affords shelter to numbers nearly every night. Send them along. All the region

to the west of us lies out of doors, and Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all

a home."- Worthington Advance, March 7, 1878.



   [19] "Had there been anything like a stiff prairie, breeze blowing, no human

effort could have prevented Worthington from being laid in ashes."-Worthington

Advance, Aug. 8, 1878.



   [20] Appointive officers: H. D. Humiston, street commissioner and fire

warden, appointed March 25. 1878; H. McMillan, night policeman, appointed June

14, 1878.



   [21] Constable had been made two year term office. Appointive officers: March

29, E. C. Pannell, street commissioner and fire warden.



   [22] The populations of other towns in the vicinity were as follows: Windom,

443; Fairmont, 541; Pipestone, 222; St. James, 434; Jackson, 501; Luverne, 697;

Madelia, 489; Heron Lake, 226.



   [23] Resigned May 28, 1880, and R. B. Plotts appointed May 29.



   [24] Resigned June 19, 1880. J. S. McManus appointed Feb. 5, 1881.



   [25] Resigned Dec. 7, 1880. C. T. Shattuc appointed.



   [26] Appointive officers: April 3, 1880, E. C. Pannell, street commissioner;

Oct. 2, 1880, H. McMillen, night policeman.



   [27] H. D. Humiston was nominated for a two year term and J. A. Town for a

one year term. The canvassing board, after looking up the law, determined that

the law did not provide for the election of a justice of the peace for a one

year term. The board threw out the votes of both Mr. Humiston and Mr. Town,

except three for the latter, which had been voted on a scratched ticket.



   [28] Resigned Jan. 6, 1882. Fred Bloom appointed.



   [29] Appointive officers: April 16, 1881, Aiken Miner, street commissioner;

May 14, 1882, John Dahlstrom, night policeman; Aug. 27, 1882, H. McMillen, night

policeman, John Dahlstrom having resigned.



   [30] Stock in the railroad company was purchased with the money so voted, and

the stock is still held by the village.



   [31] Printed matter on the back of letter heads, endorsed by the Worthington

board of trade, referred to Worthington as "the Elgin of Minnesota," stated that

it now had three railroads and that five more were on the way. I quote from the

advertisement: "The C. St. P. M. & O., the B. C. R. & N. and the W. & S. F.

railroads run daily trains to Worthington. The B. C. R. & N. extension north to

join the Fargo Southwestern is in progress. The Wabash through Worthington to

Bismark is projected. The Spencer branch of the C. M. & St. P. road, now built

to Spirit Lake, is bearing toward Worthington. A branch of the C. & N. W. east

to Elmore is also projected. A branch of the B. C. R. & N. to Deadwood, Dakota,

is in contemplation."



   [32] H. McMillen served as night policeman, receiving the appointment May 18.



   [33] Other members of the organization were T. J. Simpson, Mons Grinager,

Azom Forbes, Frank T. Eastman, H. C. Shepard, H. E. Torrance, C. P. Shepard,

Geo. O, Moore, H. J. Ludlow, Frank Lewis, S. V. Wyckoff, C. H. Smith, Chas.

Chase, Daniel Shell, H. H. Hart, R. R. Miller, A. S. Husselton, L. B. Bennett,

W. F. Thayer, Geo. W. Wilson, J. C. Robinson, E. S. Mills, B. F. Thurber, Geo.

M. Plumb, L. H. Beckley, G. C. Hagman, C. E. Peabody, Fred Bloom, R. J. W.

Bloom, R. B. Plotts, A. P. Miller, J. H. Johnson.



   [34] Resigned Jan. 3, 1884. I. P. Durfee appointed.



   [35] Appointive officers: April 5, B. F. Thurber, street commissioner; April

19, B. F. Thurber, fire warden; May 23, Frank H. Wells, night policeman.



   [36] In giving the result of this, and succeeding elections, I have labeled

the nominees of the license party (for), and the nominees of the against license

party (ag). Those who were on both tickets or had no opposition are not labeled.

Party lines were not always clearly defined, especially for minor offices, and

occasionally names of persons have appeared on the tickets whose beliefs were

not with the party nominating them.



   [37] Appointive officers: R. E. Covey, street commissioner; Frank Wells,

night policeman.



   [38] Appointive officers: S. M. Smith, night policeman; B. F. Thurber, street

commissioner.



   [39] Appointive officers: B. F. Thurber, street commissioner; S. M. Smith,

night policeman, succeeded by B. W. Lyon, who was appointed Feb. 19, 1887.



   [40] Nominated at the general caucus.



   [41] By resolution of March 18, 1887, the office of city attorney was

created, and J. A. Town was appointed to the office April 6. Other appointive

officers; B. W. Lyon, night policeman; B. F. Thurber, street commissioner.



   [42] Mr. Peterson had been nominated by the license caucus, but declined to

make the race. E. R. Humiston, who had been nominated at the against license

caucus, was then placed on the license ticket in his place. Twenty votes were

vast [sic] for Mr. Peterson, despite the fact that he refused to be a candidate.



   [43] C. W. Hildreth was appointed justice on June 6, 1888, for a two year term.



   [44] Appointive officers: J. A. Town, city attorney; B. F. Thurber, street

commissioner; B. W. Lyon, night policeman.



   [45] Jonathan Gordon appointed justice Aug. 9, 1889, to fill an unexpired term.



   [46] Served one year and resigned March 15, 1890. His successor was chosen at

the election of 1890. Appointive officers: J. A. Town, city attorney; B. F.

Thurber, street commissioner; Chas. A. Covey, night policeman; August Strom,

police officer.











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/chapterx19gms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mnfiles/

File size: 40.8 Kb