A History of Renville County
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Excerpted from:
"HISTORY OF THE MINNESOTA VALLEY,
INCLUDING THE EXPLORERS AND PIONEERS OF MINNESOTA"
BY REV. EDWARD D. NEILL,

-AND —

"HISTORY OF THE SIOUX MASSACRE"
BY CHARLES S. BRYANT.

MINNEAPOLIS: NORTH STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY, 1882.

RENVILLE COUNTY.
CHAPTER LXXXIII.

RENVILLE COUNTY

   An act defining the boundaries for a new county called Renville 
passed the legislature at its session in 1855. The boundaries therein 
defined are very different from the present boundaries of that county. 
Just before the Indian massacre an election was held by the citizens at 
Beaver Falls, which they chose for the county seat, and a full staff of 
officers was elected. No record of the proceedings of these officers 
exists and their names are taken from the recollection of present 
citizens, and errors, if they occur, must be attributed to the 
unsettled state of affairs that soon took place, in which records, if 
they existed must have been lost as was all else in the general 
disaster. The county officers in this de facto government, for such we 
must regard what cannot be proved by records of state legislation or 
private documents, were Stephen R. Henderson, John Meyer and Clemens 
Cardenelle, commissioners; Stephen R. Henderson, register; Andrew 
Hunter, judge of probate; John Hose, clerk of the court; James 
Carrothers, auditor; David Carrothers, sheriff; George Gleason, county 
attorney.

   It appears that the judge of probate went so far as to authorize the 
sale of land by a guardian for his ward; it appears, too, that James 
Carrothers was sent as delegate from this county to the state 
convention at Owatonna. The citizens then living in the county 
doubtless supposed the county legally organized, but lawyers and 
experts declared this opinion erroneous. The chaos that soon ensued 
incident to the outbreak of the Sioux, shrouded in doubt all preceding 
events.

   That portion of the county bordering on the Minnesota river belonged 
to the Indian reservation set off in accordance with the treaty signed 
by the tribe in 1851, and confirmed by the government at Washington in 
1853. The boundaries of this reservation may be briefly given as 
extending from Little Rock river, on the north side of the Minnesota 
river, near Fort Ridgely, ten miles wide each side of the river, to Big 
Stone lake. In 1854 the government built Fort Ridgely in the south-east 
portion of the reservation, in Nicollet county. So long, therefore as 
the reservation continued with its original bounds no settlement proper 
could be made. The presence of any white people within the reserve was 
punishable unless under a direct license from government and with the 
consent of the Indians.

   A few half-breeds, Louis La Croix, Martel, and others were found at 
an early day and have been recorded as settlers by some historians. It 
is said that La Croix built his house on Birch Cooley as early as 1845. 
We shall confine ourselves to such settlers as succeeded the reduction 
of the reservation. We find the ubiquitous Major Joseph R. Brown in 
this region, too. Figuring for a foothold for himself, he secured, or 
was instrumental in securing the treaty of 1858. Soon after the 
reduction of the reservation settlements began to be made all along the 
river. The inducements to settlers were various. To some the fertility 
of the soil was the attraction and they began to open farms; to others 
the neighborhood of the reservation was a reason since it enabled them 
to obtain employment there at the same time that they secured a 
homestead on the open land. Many carpenters and builders who were 
employed by government in the erection of buildings and improvments on 
the reserve took up land across the river.

   Settlements were made at Birch Cooley by many, among whom were 
George Buerry and family, John Kumro, David McConnell, John and Albert 
Dagon, John Vogtman and wife, Louis La Croix with his squaw wife, D. D. 
Frazier and family, Jacob Jacobus and wife, Martel the ferryman and 
others, half breeds, whose names suggest trade or adventure. Quite a 
settlement existed at Beaver Falls, then called Beaver Creek, among 
whom were James and David Carrothers with wives and families, S. B. 
Henderson wife and family, D. Wichmann with wife and large family, 
Frank Schmidt with wife and small family, Henry Ahrens with wife and 
small family; Andrew Hunter had a claim but was frequently absent; on 
his land was located the site for county buildings of the de facto 
county organization. James and David Carrothers had claims adjoining; 
David on the present town site and James adjoining on the south; they 
were employed as carpenters by the government on the reserve. S. E. 
Henderson, joining David Carrothers on the north, farmed his claim; 
Schmidt joined Henderson on the north-east; Wichmann joined Schmidt on 
the north-east; Ahrens was north of Schmidt. A few Germans, whose names 
are unknown to the writer located with their families on the Minnesota 
bottoms. Andrew Hunter’s claim was south of and adjoining James 
Carrothers. Mr. Hunter was a farmer but had been a teacher among the 
Indians; his wife was a daughter of Dr. T. S. Williamson, the famous 
missionary.

   A settlement was also made in what is now the town of Sacred Heart. 
Here Major Joseph E. Brown settled and in 1861 he had a fine stone 
mansion, which he occupied with his wife and family until the outbreak 
of the following year compelled him, although he had a Sioux for a 
wife, to flee the country and abandon his premises. Isolated settlers 
were found all along the river throughout the present limits of 
Renville county. Just across the river were the Indian villages on the 
reservation and the settlers few in number compared with the savages 
fell an easy prey to them when the terrible massacre occurred. The 
Germans seemed especially repulsive to the Indians; they called them 
the "Bad Talkers." As an evidence of their aversion to them it may be 
stated that the blanket Indians called the farmer Indians "Dutchmen," 
in derision of their employment.

   Several German settlements existed, one near Beaver Creek or in the 
eastern part of Flora on the Minnesota bottoms, embracing many 
families.

   The settlers of Renville county had no intimation of hostility or 
even discontent on the part of their savage neighbors, until the 
morning of the fatal day that separated them from each other and their 
homes; when wives were torn away from their husbands; brothers and 
sisters were carried into separate captivity or fell victims to the 
bullets, tomahawks or scalping knives of their inhuman enemies. Some of 
these families never were reunited, and almost none, even if united, 
but mourned the loss of some loved member. This county was thus swept 
of white settlers in one day and the settlement received a damper from 
which it did not soon recover. Some of those thus summarily ejected 
from their homes returned two or three years after which the county 
once more had peace, and received from the government some slight 
equivalent for their property destroyed. It is reported that some 
received more than an equivalent in dollars and cents for their losses. 
This was, however, quite unusual. It is, however, reported that Joseph 
R. Brown, whose family escaped with no personal damage other than the 
inconvenience of a hasty exit, recovered from the government damages 
largely in excess of the loss probably sustained. It is true, 
nevertheless, that the blackened walls of his large stone house still 
exist on the farm taken as a claim in 1866 by G. P. Greene.

   From those who returned, heartrending stories are told with tearful 
eyes, wherein are recounted the terrible things they saw, heard or 
experienced. Mothers tell of noble and beautiful sons and daughters, as 
well as stalwart husbands sacrificed by the bloodthirsty villains who 
had been the constant recipients of kindness and charity up to the very 
day of their outrages. Taking advantage of their former friendship the 
deceitful savages found it easy by professions of good intentions to 
deceive their victims until they were wholly unguarded when the 
cowardly wretches, casting off their disguise, exhibited their brutal 
natures. On the morning of August 18, 1862, D. Wichmann came from down 
the river, hurrying along and calling out to the settlers at Beaver 
creek that the Indians had risen over on the reservation and were 
killing the whites and burning houses.

   In the confusion it is difficult to learn exactly how Wichmann came 
by his information, whether from seeing the fires at the agency or from 
meeting some refugee. It is probable that he both heard from refugees 
and saw the fires to comfirm the report, because he was on his way to 
the agency, and turned back so hastily and excitedly, that we can not 
doubt that he had strong proof of the authenticity of the report. It is 
certain that the settlers were living in entire unconcern. In view of 
the facts, the indifference of the settlers to their own safety when in 
the midst of a savage people who outnumbered them one hundred to one, 
is a matter of wonder to us, but it is true that it was difficult to 
make some believe in the reality of the disturbance until their own 
scalps were about to be taken.

   It is not the purpose of this county history to attempt an account 
of the massacre, reference for which is made to other parts of the 
work. Soon after Wichmann's alarm had been given the Indians who had 
completed their work of destruction at the agency came across the river 
in considerable numbers, though in straggling parties, and began a raid 
on the horses belonging to the settlers. They alleged, in excuse for 
their lawlessness, that the Chippewas were come and they must have all 
the horses to repel their attack, whether the settlers were willing or 
not. In the meantime those who had got the news were making all haste 
to get away. Mr. Wichmann, by losing no time, got off with an ox team, 
accompanied by Henry Ahrens. The former had a large family and the 
latter a small one.

   While the Indians were looking for horses, it was easy for this 
party with teams of oxen to escape with their families and such things 
as could be hastily gathered. The distance to Henderson, the point 
determined on as a place of safety, was about sixty miles, and thither 
they fled, reaching it in safety. Others fled to Fort Ridgely. The 
trials of those who reached the fort were not over, however, since 
there they suffered the terrors of a siege with famine and death 
staring them in the face; for the particulars of this siege we refer to 
other chapters.

   Another large party, consisting of twenty, men, women and children, 
who started an hour or two later, presents more sad incidents than any 
other, an account of which is given on page 200.

   The German, settlement mentioned suffered terribly, as may be seen 
by reference to page 201. Stories of barbarities inflicted might be 
multiplied but as the history of the Sioux massacre is fully treated in 
chapters thirty to forty-four, of this volume, we refer the reader to 
those chapters.

   The massacre over, a few of the miscreants hung and the authority of 
the government re-instated, quiet once more prevailed, and a deathly 
quiet it was for the county. White men and their improvements had gone 
in the general destruction; the bullet and torch had done their work. 
This deathly quiet prevailed for a few years and the fertile soil, 
roaring water-fall and other sources of wealth, all remained 
undeveloped.

   The blighting influence of Indian barbarity at last began to be 
forgotten or at least tempered by the softening hand of time. Efficient 
measures of protection were established by the military department and 
soon the old settlers began to venture back, though well armed and 
prepared for emergencies, and new comers soon followed. Mr. Wichmann 
and Mr. Ahrens returned to Beaver Creek in the spring of 1865: James 
and David Carrothers came in 1865 and '66. N. D. White and family 
returned in October, 1865. Those here before the outbreak for the most 
part took up their old claims. The new comers in 1865 were: Henry and 
Judson Seeley, who settled two miles north of Beaver Falls; M. S. 
Spicer one and a half miles noitheast; Carl Holtz, three miles 
northwest; Francis Shoamaker, who settled at Vicksburg; E. E. Corey, 
with a large family of boys, two and a half miles northwest of Beaver; 
Mr. Churchill, wife and daughters, two and a half miles west.

   A detachment of soldiers was located at Camp Pope in Redwood county, 
under Colonel Pfaender, and a patrol was extended from beyond Bird 
Island, in this county, to Fort Dodge. This camp was soon broken up as 
confidence was restored. Besides, camps of government scouts were 
established and various measures taken to give confidence to the 
settlers and encourage the development of this and adjoining counties.

   Many came back to Birch Cooley who were there before the outbreak, 
the Buerrys, Dagons, Vogtmanns, etc., etc. The Riekes came back to the 
neighborhood of Mud lake. Without attempting to give other names of 
those who returned of the original settlers in the different parts of 
the county, it will suffice to say that they came back in considerable 
numbers and received such additions to their ranks by the arrival of 
new families that in the fall of 1866, an election was held to prepare 
for organization. The settlement at Birch Cooley was so important at 
this time as to compete with Beaver Creek settlement for the county 
seat. The election held at Beaver was, however, confirmed by the 
legislature, and Beaver Falls became the county seat.

   First officers: N. D. White, chairman, George McCulloch and Francis 
Shoemaker, county commissioners: C. E. Eldridge, auditor; Robert W. 
Davis, register of deeds; Henry Ahrens, treasurer: E. J. Tillotson, 
clerk of the court; George Bowers, judge of probate; James Carrothers, 
sheriff, appointed by the board in place of James W. Graves, who did 
not qualify; (the appointment of Carrothers was revoked, and Graves 
qualified;) December 30, 1867, Henry J. Witcher appointed sheriff, vice 
Graves, resigned; Marlow S. Spicer, superintendent of schools; James 
Butler, coroner vice elected officer not qualifying.

   The first meeting of the commissioners was held April 2, 1867, and 
the county was organized and the following towns set off: Mud Lake, 
including what is now Cairo, and all the towns in range 82 within the 
county: Camp, including the towns now directly north; Birch Cooley, 
including the four towns now in range 34; Beaver, including what is now 
Beaver Falls and all towns now in range 35; Flora, including what is 
now Flora and Emmett; Hawk Creek, including what is Sacred Heart, 
Erickson, Hawk Creek and Wang.

   Various changes have taken place in the boundaries of the county of 
Renville, since they were first defined by act of legislature. At the 
date of organization the four townships in the north-eastern part of 
the county were not included. At the time of the de facto organization 
previously referred to the boundaries were very different both from the 
present boundaries and from those existing at the date of organization.

   Another act at the first meeting of the commissioners, was to 
provide for the lack of necessities among the settlers. Want amounting 
in some localities to destitution prevailed throughout the belt of 
country devastated by grasshoppers. Bed-wood and Renville being 
frontier counties, felt the scarcity and consequent high prices more 
than the older counties. Successive failures had, moreover, nearly 
discouraged the farmers. In the emergency the aid of the state was 
offered to the sufferers through Governor Marshall. Redwood and 
Renville counties took advantage of the proffered aid and received from 
Fort Ridgely, in the form of provisions, hard tack, beans, hominy and 
pork, besides seed grain with which to take a new start. On motion of 
N. D. White the county board passed the following resolution: 
"Resolved, that the destitution among our settlers is such that in 
order to remain upon their homesteads and procure seed they need prompt 
and official aid, and it is hereby ordered that the county accept the 
proffered aid of his excellency, Wm. R. Marshall, governor of the State 
of Minnesota, and the credit and good faith of the county is hereby 
pledged for the payment of any debt that shall be thereby incurred, and 
the authorities of the several towns in the county are hereby directed 
to apply to Samuel McPhaill, the agent for the district, for supplies 
of seed and rations, and to make return to the county commissioners, 
accounting for the amounts received, and the distribution thereof in 
each town, and it is further directed that each town shall be 
responsible for the transportation of its own share of such supplies 
from Fort Ridgely to the place of distribution." A similar resolution 
was adopted by the board of Redwood county.

   The court house and jail are in one small stone building erected in 
1872 at a cost of $2,000, and in accordance with an act of legislature 
the bonds of the county were issued; they were of four classes, first 
class, payable in four years: second in five, third in six years.

   The financial condition of the county became so embarrassed that 
according to a vote of the people and an act of legislature approved 
February 28, 1879 bonds of the county to the amount of $15.000 were 
issued to run ten years at seven per cent, to take up the floating debt 
of the county. This debt alone is outstanding against the wealthy 
county. The bonds sold at a premium of $135. The offices of the county 
were kept at private houses previous to 1871, when a building on lot 5, 
block 15 was leased for the purpose.