The first number of Goodhue's paper, the St. Paul Pioneer, bearing date of April 28, 1849, contains what we may designate as the earliest news. We cull a few items that maybe of interest to antiquarians:
It announces Congressman Sibley's return from Washington, Rev. E. D. Neill's removal to St. Paul, and that the latter would preach the following Sabbath at the school house.
An editorial paragraph calls attention to the fact that the Pioneer is printed in a building situated on Third street near Robert, and that the building has five hundred apertures through which the daylight is streaming.
The arrival of steamer Franklin, No. 2, bringing the tidings of the passage of the bill organizing Minnesota Territory, is announced. The steamer was greeted by a large crowd of eager and excited citizens, whose shouts re-echoed amongst the adjacent hills.
Arrival of steamers Cora and Dr. Franklin, No. 1, is announced.
The following advertisements will show who were the most enterprising of the early settlers:
H. Jackson, postmaster; D. Lambert, real estate dealer; W. H. Nobles, wagonmaker; J. J. Dewey, M.D.; W. D. Phillips, lawyer; J. Monteur, D. C. Taylor, blacksmiths; J. R. Irvine, plasterer; B. L. Sellers, stonemason; Lot Moffett, Anson Northrup, hotel keepers; James Pomeroy, Francis McCoy, house builders; McBoal & Gilbert, stock dealers; Henry Jackson, W. H. Forbes, Daniel Hopkins, Freeman, Larpenteur & Co., J. W. Simpson, Olmsted & Rhodes, Fuller & Brothers, R. P. Russell, merchants.
A road notice completes the list.
Among the prominent citizens who arrived in 1849, David Day became the first register of deeds in Ramsey county. He served in the territorial house in 1852 and 1853, and was speaker during the last session. He served as postmaster from 1874 to 1887. D. F. Brawley established the first brickyard in the Territory, and made the brick for the first brick building north of Prairie du Chien, which was built by Rev. E. D. Neill. Willoughby & Powers introduced the first stage coaches, and established the first livery stable. Nathaniel McLean came as a Sioux Indian Agent and served four years. He died in 1871, aged eighty-four years. Henry F. Masterman, a prominent lawyer, died in 1883. J. D. Crittenden, who served in the late war and rose to the position of colonel. Orlando Simmons, a useful citizen and sound jurist, still lives in St. Paul. Wm. Hollinshead, a brother-in-law of Edmund and H. M. Rice, died some time in the '50s. J. W. Bond was the author of the first history of Minnesota. Chauncey Hobart was chaplain of the first legislature. John B. Spencer, carpenter and contractor, built the first breakwater and dock at Duluth.
Thomas Foster became editor of the Minnesotian, and subsequently issued a paper at Duluth. He gave the name of "The Zenith City of the Unsalted Sea" to Duluth. He was too much of a critic to be popular. He died near Washington, District of Columbia, in 1884. The first Masonic, Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance lodges were organized this year. The Bank of St. Croix, with headquarters at St. Paul, was established this year. Its paper was the first issued in the form of bank notes in the city and Territory. Nevertheless it was a fraud. Its paper was quoted in New York at one per cent. The proprietors were Young & Sawyer.