Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/622

 540 HISTORY <>F (iOOIUIUE l/OUXTY place and get as much as they wanted. This man soon after closed his business and left the place." The first sale of public lands occurred at the United States land office in Red Wing, beginning August 29, 1855. AY. LeDuc, of Hastings, was the auctioneer. The notice of this sale had been previously given in the newspapers and many strangers were in the village at the appointed time. The settlers had formed a claim association in this immediate vicinity for the purpose of protecting themselves from landsharks and speculators. David Hancock was president; P. Sandford, secretary, and Rezin Spates. assistant secretary of this association. Royal Lovell was ap- pointed to represent the settlers at this sale. He stood close by the auctioneer and bid in all the lands that they respectively had claimed. Mr. Lovell held a description of every claimant's land, ready 1<> bid the moment the numbers were called by the gov- ernment agent. The settlers stood by, ready to back him if the occasion required. Though a large number of speculators were present ready to take advantage of such opportunities as offered for picking choice tracts, they dared not bid against the settlers after being informed of the combination. The first brick yard in the comity was opened for the manu- facture of brick in East Red Wing by George Wilkinson in the summer of 1 S -V.. He had taken the contract for the erection of Ilamline University and came and commenced the manufacture of brick for that structure chiefly, however furnishing material for others also. Besides the university building there were two brick dwellings erected that same year. The university building was completed and dedicated early in January. 1856. The pre- paratory department was immediately opened for students and a college class was soon afterward formed. Before the year closed two teachers, besides Professor Brooks, were added to the faculty. The institution soon obtained a wide reputation and students flocked hither from a distance to enjoy its advantages. The lectures given by the professors from time to time and the debates of the literary societies were often attended by citizens and contributed much to make the new home attractive to all. A large immigration from other states and from Europe came to this place in 1856. Many new enterprises were begun. Mer- chants and mechanics flocked hither and buildings of various size and materials were constructed. The north side of Main street, between Bush and Plum streets, was filled with business blocks, mostly of wood, the south side of the same street having but two or three vacancies. A boarding house was built by Mrs. Huldah Allen, who soon afterward became Mrs. Richard Free- horn. The first machinery for the manufacture of sash and blinds was put in operation this year by Hasler & Todd. They