Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/122

 88 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY that after the signing of the treaty ceding this and other counties to the whites the Indians moved to the designated reservation. After the Indian outbreak of 1862 they were removed to the Santee reservation in Nebraska. For several years after the out- break an Indian's life was not safe in this county, among the indignant whites. The intense feeling after a time died away, and a few Indians wandered back. Their hearts longed for the scenes of their youth, and one by one they located on Prairie Island. Finally several families relinquished their rights in the Santee country, and in return the government built them houses and made them as comfortable as possible at Prairie Island. The annuities have now expired, and these descendants of the original owners earn their living on their little farms and do various work for the farmers of the county. Their children attend the public schools, and the families evidently live in con- tentment and happiness, although in their hearts they still long for the old days of hunting and fishing and the free, wild out- door life, when the country was all theirs and the demands of conventionality unknown. Hon. William C. Williston, now deceased, was one of the most eminent of Minnesota jurists, occupying the bench of the First Judicial distrid from 1891 until the time of his death, June 22, 1909. He was bora at Cheraw, Chesterfield county, South Caro- lina, June 22. 1830, son of William K. and Annis (Chapman) Williston, the former of whom was a native of Simsbury, Conn., and the latter of South Hampton. Mass. The parents went to South Carolina in the late twenties, and Ihere the father engaged in the mercantile business. In 1834 the family removed to Char- don. Geauga county. Ohio. There the mother died in 1863, and the father came to Red YVing, where he ended his days. During his boyhood, William was an ap1 pupil in the schools of his neigh- borhood, and early entertained the idea of studying for the legal profession. Such an opportunity later presented itself, and after several years of training in the office of Riddle & Thrasher, of Chardon. Ohio, he was admitted to the bar in 1854. His first practice was as a junior partner in the office of his preceptors, the firm name being Riddle, Thrasher & Williston. Two years later Mr. Williston left Chardon and came to Red W^ing, becom- ing a partner in the firm of Wilder & Williston in 1859. In 1862 the Civil W T ar had broken out, and repeated calls for volunteers were being sent to the northern states. Desiring to be of service to his country, Mr. AVilliston raised a company of volunteers, of which he was elected captain. This company was organized in August, 1862. with the expectation of doing service in the South, but the outbreaking of the Indian outrages caused a demand for fighting nearer home. Going into service as Company G, Seventh