Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/625

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 543 people with one exception. Since thai time until the present the* Republican party has generally been victorious. In 1857 came a greal impetus to building activity. Previous to this year cut-stone used for door and window sills in brick structures had to be imported from St. Paul, and lime for plas- tering was imported from down the river. Phineas S. Fish made the first experiment of producing lime from the ston$ in Barn bluff this year. The article he produced was considered inferior and he did not continue the work. One of the most important events of the early days of Red Wing was the burning of the Galena, July ::, 1858. Notwith- standing the dull times in reference to business matters through- out the country on account of the money panic, many new build- ings were added to the city this year. The contract for building a court house and jail was let in .lime. The work on the founda- tion was soon after begun and pushed on until winter set in. A goodly number of professional men. mechanics and laborers were added to the permanent population. Immigration from the old country increased. Stages began to run in various directions, roads and bridges were constructed to accommodate travelers and visitors. After harvest, wheat began to pour in for sale, and wheat buyers multiplied. The custom of having free public lec- tures was inaugurated in the fall, and continued throughout the winter from November to April, about two lectures a month being given. These lectures were given for the most part by men w T ho resided here. This custom prevailed up to the beginning of the Civil War and added much to the social and intellectual enjoyment of the people. Occasionally the lecture appointment was filled by some one outside the city. Among the latter were Bayard Taylor, J. G. Holland and Edward Eggleston. June 16, 1859, was made memorable by the first graduating exercises of Hamline University. In connection with these exer- cises it might be mentioned that the first music teacher in Red Wing was Harriet Kellogg, now Mrs. Jesse M. Hodgman. She gave lessons on the piano in 1856 and for several years following was the only teacher in that line. The first teachers in singing were Hiram Middaugh, S. A. Hart, C. L. Davis and J. C. Hawes. A project was set on foot here at an early date to improve the methods of communication with the country further west. navigation of Cannon river. The plan was never consummated, though an act of incorporation was obtained from the legislature. H. B. Wilson, in his recollections, says of the early stores in Red Wing: 'The early stores consisted of various sorts and varieties. Gambia & Smith were among the first. Their store was on the west side of Jordan, near the river, and occupied the