Catalog
Ramsey County History – Fall 1995: “Banking on Minnesota’s Unfettered Frontier—When Barter was the Name of the Only Game in Town”
James B. BellBanking on Minnesota’s Unfettered Frontier—When Barter was the Name of the Only Game in Town Author: James B. Bell The early years of trade in St. Paul were marked by shortage of cash, phony bank notes, bank failures, nonexistent regulation, and frequent confusion. This article tells the story of the…
Ramsey County History – Winter 1995:
Ronald M. HubbsMoney—And How They Fared When There Wasn’t Any Out on Minnesota’s Frontier Author: Ronald M. Hubbs In Minnesota from the middle to the end of the nineteenth century hard currency was usually scare and often it had depreciated in value, especially during the several financial panics the nation experienced. The…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1992: “Whistles, Crowds and Free Silver: St. Paul’s Noisy Election Night in 1896”
Thomas C. BuckleyWhistles, Crowds and Free Silver: St. Paul’s Noisy Election Night in 1896 Author: Thomas C. Buckley Though William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan were the principal candidates in the 1896 presidential election, the central figure in this article is James J. Hill. Hill provided the giant steam whistles used to…
Ramsey County History – Summer 1991: “Walter Sanborn and the Eighth Circuit Court”
Thomas BoydWalter Sanborn and the Eighth Circuit Court Author: Thomas Boyd A biographical profile of one of Minnesota’s most distinguished lawyers. He came to St. Paul in 1870 to join his uncle’s law practice. Sanborn succeeded in private practice, served on the City Council, and was appointed to the Eighth Circuit…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1991: “A Period Of National Tragedy—The Homeless and the Jobless in the 1930s”
Virginia Brainard KunzA Period Of National Tragedy—The Homeless and the Jobless in the 1930s Author: Virginia Brainard Kunz The Great Depression in Ramsey County, seen in part through the experiences and words of A. E. Heckman. Heckman came to St. Paul in 1931 to lead the United Charities. In 1932, when the…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1990: “No Cash, No Credit, No Jobs—St. Paul and the Panic of 1857”
Ronald M. HubbsNo Cash, No Credit, No Jobs—St. Paul and the Panic of 1857 Author: Ronald M. Hubbs The nationwide Panic of 1857 shattered the booming – and enthusiastically speculating – St. Paul. This piece follows the crisis mostly through the pens of newspapermen, chiefly those of the Daily Minnesotian and St.
Ramsey County History – Fall 1989: “A Pioneer Writes Home: Alexander Wilkin and 1850s St. Paul”
Ronald M. HubbsA Pioneer Writes Home: Alexander Wilkin and 1850s St. Paul Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Alexander Wilkin was an important early resident of St. Paul. Lawyer, speculator, politician, adventurer, he sought fortune and glory on the frontier. He got both, plus an early death in battle. Letters he wrote to…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1989: “Boom, Boom, Bust! The ’29 Crash”
Woodrow KeljikBoom, Boom, Bust! The ’29 Crash Author: Woodrow Keljik “Were the 1920s really prosperous?” Woodrow Keljik asks. In retrospect, signs of problems abounded, such as trouble on the farm, the situation in Europe, and reckless speculation. Words of caution were ignored. Another Republican victory in the 1928 elections encouraged…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1988: “The Fire and Marine: Facts, Fancies, Legends—The First 100 Years of Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation”
Ronald M. HubbsThe Fire and Marine: Facts, Fancies, Legends—The First 100 Years of Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Businessmen generally prefer stability, but frontier towns are often shaky. The St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, born in 1853, helped create local stability. Its organizers were some of…