Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/618

 536 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY had a log house somewhat further back. Mr. Chilson, who after- ward built the Chilsou House, was here. Jim McGuires moved into the school house and lived in it that winter. The family of Rezin Spates lived out on Spring creek. The house stood where the poor farm now is. These are all the married families I can recollect, but there were several bachelors' establishments in and around Red Wing at that time." Some farming was done this year. Wheat, oats, corn, pota- toes and rutabagas were grown within the limits of the present city. Probably the first wheat raised in Minnesota south of the Minnesota river was raised here at that time. A notable event was the first Christmas dinner (1853), when the town proprietor, William Freeborn, invited the entire population to a Christmas dinner at his home. With one or two exceptions, all accepted, making an event at Which practically the entire population of Red Wing was present. An incident of this year is related as follows : A number of Indian families were encamped in the vicinity of Red Wing, a few miles up the river, on the Minnesota side. A man named Hawley had a shanty on the Wisconsin side, just above the site of the present village of Trenton. Some trouble occurred be- tween Hawley and Ta-sha-ta (Deer Hoof), in which the Indian received a fatal stab with a knife. Word was brought to the few settlers at Red Wing that Hawley had killed an Indian and the settlers were seriously alarmed, for it had been the boast of Red Wing's people that none of that hand had ever killed a white man. and il was naturally expected that they might now seek retaliation in vengeance on the whites. Some of the settlers went up to the Indian encampment and assured the Indians that Hawley should be punished as he deserved, and they were satis- fied, manifesting no desire to wreak vengeance on the innocent settlers. Hawley fled from his shanty and was never afterwards seen in the country. A report subsequently came back that he had been shot and killed by an Iowa sheriff. The little community at Red Wing spent the winter of 1853 in peace and safety. Religious services were held each after- noon Sabbath in the school room of the old Mission house. Hiram Middaugh was leader of the choir and also teacher of singing. Debates and social parties were held occasionally. As soon as the ice on the river became strong enough to bear up teams, travelers began to pass up and dowm the river, frequently tarry- ing for the night in this little village. In the fall of this year, Dr. W. W. Swen ey was appointed postmaster. The spring of 3854 opened early. That year the steamer D. Hillman passed through the lake, April 5, 1854, on its way to St. Paul. Early this spring came a number of new settlers.