Old Rail Fence Corners: The A. B. C's. of Minnesota History

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22179

Title

Old Rail Fence Corners: The A. B. C's. of Minnesota History

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Authentic incidents gleaned from Minnesota's old settlers, this 1914 collection preserves the voices of pioneers who witnessed the state's earliest days. Featuring vivid recollections of Fort Snelling, the 1862 Indian outbreaks, and life on the frontier, the book offers a poignant, historically rich glimpse into a vanishing era of Minnesota history.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1914, this volume collects personal narratives from pioneers who settled Minnesota in the mid-19th century. The text opens with a detailed account of the lost "Old Trails and Roads," reconstructed from fragmentary maps and pioneer memory, highlighting the three great routes used by Red River carts to reach St. Paul. The narrative shifts to personal memoirs. Mr. Eli Pettijohn recounts his 1841 arrival at Fort Snelling, describing the stone fort, the presence of Sioux and Chippewa villages, and the dramatic skirmish between tribes across the Mississippi. He details life at the St. Louis House, where he tasted "boss" (buffalo hump) and dried beaver's tail, and observes the natural beauty of Brown's Falls before they were renamed Minnehaha. Mrs. Margaret Rathbun Funk describes her 1853 arrival in Mankato, living in a log shack near Indian tepees. She recalls the harsh winters, the unique schoolhouse where children sat facing the walls, and the fear surrounding the Indian uprisings. A particularly tragic story involves her father, the first mail carrier, who froze to death on a delivery run to Sioux City in 1856 due to neglected government shelters and extreme cold. Mrs. Mary Pitcher provides a harrowing account of the 1853 steamer journey to St. Paul, where the vessel was delayed by the sight of a weeping, painted village of Sioux following a recent fight with Chippewas. Upon landing, she witnesses the aftermath of a battle in the hotel's backyard, where Chippewas and Sioux engaged in a deadly feud over scalps and territory. Mrs. J. R. Beatty shares humorous and practical anecdotes of early settlement, including a rebellious cow that jumped off a boat and the severe scarcity of salt, which made game and fish inedible. She notes the high cost of flour and the isolation of the settlement. In Duluth, Mrs. Nettleton describes the naming of the city, the primitive living conditions with no mirrors or carpets, and the unique culture of dog teams and Indian visitors who entered homes without knocking. Finally, Mrs. Martin Jay Clum narrates her terrifying experience at Fort Ridgely in 1862, where she fanned her infant daughter all night while fearing an Indian raid from a large camp on the opposite river bank. August Larpenteur concludes with memories of early St. Paul life, including New Year's calls and the taste of pemmican. Together, these stories form a priceless lace fabric of Minnesota history, preserving the memories of those who built the state before they disappeared.

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Categories

• Biography
• History