the rapid growth of the Territory and the liberal support given to newspapers seemed to warrant it when first proposed.

On December 10, appeared the first number of the Minnesota Democrat, established by Col. D. A. ROBERTSON.*

About the same date, the Chronicle and Register, the union of the two journals of that name, after several real or ostensible changes in ownership and editorial management, passed into the editorial control of CHARLES J. HENNISS, a young man of talent, but dissipated and unscrupulous. He was a native of Ireland, but had latterly lived in Philadelphia. He died in 1856.

*Col. DANIEL A. ROBERTSON was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1813. He was descended from Highland Scotch ancestry. At the age of 18, he went to New York, where he studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1839. In the meantime he removed to Ohio, where he engaged in journalism, being editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Mount Vernon Banner, &c. In 1844, he was appointed United States Mar. shal for the State of Ohio, which office he held four years. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Ohio from Lancaster county, and resigned, after holding the office three months, to come to Minnesota, which he did in the fall of 1850. He soon after established the Minnesota Democrat, which became one of the leading journals of the Territory, and was subsequently merged in the Pioneer. Col. ROBERTSON at one time owned a large amount of real estate, but after the panic of 1857, its value was seriously reduced. During the period of "good times," Col. R. used his means in accumulating one of the finest private libraries ever brought into Minnesota, consisting of several thousand volumes in different languages, which he afterwards sold to the State University. He also visited Europe in 1856-7, and devoted his leisure in studying various scientific and historical subjects in which he is interested. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1859-60, Mayor of Saint Paul in 1860, and Sheriff in 1863, serving in this office two terms. He was also a member of the Board of Education several years, and performed much valuable labor for our public schools. The Historical Society and Academy of Natural Sciences are also largely indebted to him for their success. He also organized the first Grange of Patrons of Husbandry in the United States, presenting to it a valuable library of books. Col. ROBERTSON has always been a close student of history, political and social science, and other subjects, on some of which he has lectured with much success.

CHAPTER XX.

EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1851.

THE GOODHUE-COOPER RENCONTRE-Struggle OVER THE LOCATION OF THE CAPITAL-SAINT PAUL WINS-A CASE OF INDIAN JUSTICE-LOCATING THE CAPITOL BUILDING VIEW IN SAINT PAUL IN 1851-THE RED RIVER CARAVANS-THE FUR TRADE, &C.-THE EARLY STAGE, MAIL AND EXPRESS BUSINESS, &C., &C.

THE

HE second Territorial Legislature met on January 2, in the three-story brick building, just completed, of RICE & BANFIL, which stood where the Third street entrance of the Metropolitan Hotel now is, and was burned down in the winter of 1856-7. Saint Paul was represented this year by WM. H. FORBES and J. MCC. BOAL, in the Council, and JUSTUS C. Ramsey, Ben. W. BRUNSON, H. L. TILDEN, and EDMUND RICE in the House-a gallant delegation it was, too, and a brave fight they made to keep the Philistines from moving the Capital from Saint Paul.

SCRAPS.

"There was a warm election last Monday, for Justice of the Peace, n Saint Paul. JOHN F. TEHAN had 119 votes, and BUSHROD W. Lott had 182 votes, and is elected."-[Pioneer, January 2.]

“Our exchange papers perversely spell Saint Paul, Saint Pauls, and Minnesota, Minesota. Half the paragraphists in the United States have scarcely sense and intelligence enough to pick up chips in the door-yard!"-[Ib.]

HOLE-IN-THE-DAY, the Chippewa chief, addressed the Legislature and citizens, on January 10, at the First Presbyterian church. His object was to represent the starving condition of his tribe, and solicit relief for them. His speech is described

as eloquent and pathetic. A committee was appointed to secure the aid desired, and some donations were obtained. There is no doubt but that the Chippewas were suffering from starvation, that winter. Many died, and cases of cannibalism were reported by the papers.

on

THE GOODHUE-COOPER RENCONTRE.

On January 16, GOODHUE printed a savage and bitter article "Absentee Office Holders," in which he inveighed, with all the ferocity of his pen, against Col. MITCHELL and Judge COOPER, for absenteeism, &c. On the latter, he was particularly severe, using such terms as, "a sot," a brute," an a "profligate vagabond." &c. The article closed as

ass, follows:

66

66

66

Feeling some resentment for the wrongs our Territory has so long suffered by these men, pressing upon us like a dispensation of wrath— a judgment—a curse-a plague-unequalled since the hour when Egypt went lousy, we sat down to write this article with some bitterness, but our very gall is honey to what they deserve."

Of course, such an article as this could not fail to produce a personal collision between GOODHUE and the friends of COOPER, (he himself was absent,) and scarcely had the paper been distributed through the town, ere it bore its natural fruits in a rencontre on the street. Eye-witnesses give a minute account of it, in affidavits afterwards published, but it can only be briefly recited here. GOODHUE had been in the Legislature, and started down street, in company with a friend. After leaving the building a few steps, they met JOSEPH COOPER, a brother of Judge C., who at once advanced and struck at Goodhue. Both then drew pistols, Col. GoodHUE (one account says) having a single-barrel pistol, and COOPER a revolver." Some parleying ensued, when Mr. COOPER declared. "I'll blow your G-d d- brains out." Sheriff LULL here ran up, and, commanding the peace, disarmed the parties, but it seems COOPER still retained a knife, and GOODHUE another pistol, with which they renewed hostilities. Some one endeavored to hold GOODHUE, which gave COOPER an opportunity to stab him in the abdomen slightly. GOODHUE then broke away, and shot COOPER, inflicting quite a serious wound on him. COOPER again rushed on GOODhue, and stabbed him in the back, on the left side. Both parties were then led away, and their wounds dressed, neither being fatally injured. Col. GOODHUE seems to have acted on the defensive during the whole rencontre. In subsequent issues of

his journal, he charges that it was a "conspiracy on the part of his enemies to murder him for political revenge, and that COOPER was a mere tool, spurred on by others," &c..

The affair produced great excitement throughout the city. and was angrily discussed, pro and con, by the friends of each. A public meeting was held and resolutions passed, a plan that always acts as a sedative on excited communities, and peace once more. reigned.

The Legislative session of 1851 was a stormy one, and several exciting questions tended to divide the members. One of these was

THE LOCATION OF THE CAPITOL,

and other public buildings. Twenty thousand dollars had been appropriated by Congress the summer previous for a Territorial prison, and, by the same act, authority was given the Governor and Legislature to expend the appropriation of $20,000 provided for in the Organic Act, for Capitol buildings. The vexed question was, where should the Capitol be built? Several places competed for it, and the struggle was close and hard contested. Finally, by the vigorous efforts of some of our leading men, a compromise was effected. The Capitol was to be erected at a central point in the town of Saint Paul, the penitentiary at Stillwater, and the University, (incorporated that session,) at Saint Anthony Falls. Thus each were satisfied for the present, and all went merry as a marriage bell for six years, when a rival Saint got jealous of our city, and aspired to Capitolean honors. Gov. MARSHALL, in his address before quoted, says Saint Anthony got the best of this tripartite agreement.

Another question that stirred up strife was the apportionment, and several members bolted their seats, barely leaving a quorum for the rest of the session.

Another subject of controversy was the election of State printer. J. M. GOODHUE, of the Pioneer, was the regular Democratic candidate, but Col. ROBERTSON, of the Democrat. and HENNISS & VINCENT, of the Chronicle and Register, expected to gain votes enough between them to secure the

printing. When the ballot was taken, however, Mr. GOODHUE's side proved the strongest. This proved a death-blow to the moribund Chronicle and Register. It soon gave up the ghost, and a new Whig organ was projected, a sort of joint stock journal, which, however, was not finally got into operation until September following.

The session seemed to have been a turbulent one throughout. Col. JNo. P. OWENS afterwards wrote of it:

"The session finally closed on the night of March 31, which was a day and night of excitement, such as we have never seen since in Saint Paul, and never desire to. Hundreds of citizens were about the streets and public places, armed to the teeth, and ready, upon the slightest provocation, to shoot down their fellow-citizens, who opposed them. Feelings of enmity, bitterness and hatred were engendered between citizens during that session of the Legislature, and particularly during its last days, which extended even into family relations, and were not eradicated for months, and even years subsequent."

LEGISLATION AFFECTING SAINT PAUL.

Excepting the location of the Capital at Saint Paul, there was not much legislation this session, affecting the town. Its corporate limits were extended, however, so as to "include the additions" recently filed by BAZILLE & GUerin, Robert & RANDALL, HOYT, and WHITNEY & SMITH. "Saint Paul Lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F.,” was incorporated, and “Saint Paul Division, No. 1, Sons of Temperance." This was to enable these societies to purchase property, which they soon after did.

The act providing for the erection of the Capitol in Saint Paul, enacted that the work should be done under the supervision of a board of three commissioners, who should receive $3 per day, etc. The election for these officers took place on April 17, resulting in the choice of D. F. BRAWLEY and LOUIS ROBERT, of Ramsey county; E. A. C. HATCH, of Benton county; and J. McKUSICK, of Washington county. The Governor was ex-officio a member and chairman of the board. The board organized on May 19. CHARLES F. TRACY was elected clerk.