Ashley C. Riggs kept a ledger book journal from 1852-1873. The earliest entries are from Cold Spring (Stearns County), Minnesota and Watab (Benton County), Minnesota. The ledger's earliest entries record his activiites as an Indian Agent for the Winnnebago Indians for the years 1852-1853. The second portion of the ledger is Riggs' diary which documents his activities in and around Monticello, Minnesota for the years 1864-1873. Riggs was a key figure in the development of the Minnesota Territory and early Monticello, Minnesota community when he laid claim in 1854 to a piece of land on the Mississippi River. He built othe first ferry to shuttle people across the River. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Ellen Clark writes from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency to husband, Edwin Clark of J.B. Bassett visiting with Mr. Rice. Bassett closed the blacksmith shop at the Agency.
Ellen Clark writes a letter from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency to husband, Edwin Clark of the uncertainty of the Agent and of starving and unpaid Indians.
Ellen Clark writes from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency to husband, Edwin Clark of James Bean opening Edwin's mail concerning his firing as Indian Agent.
Ellen Clark writes from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency to husband Edwin Clark telling of J.B. Bassett and James Bean planning to take some Indians to Washington City along with Ojibwe Chief Hole in the Day (Kwi-wi-sens) and Truman.
Ellen Clark writes a letter from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency to husband, Edwin Clark telling of Joel Bassett's stoppage of pay to those working at the Leech Lake Agency. Bill Hare ran a liquor business formerly.
Ellen Clark writes a letter from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency to husband, Edwin Clark about J.B. Bassett taking over the Leech Lake Indian Agency. Indians from the area are travelling to Minneapolis.
Ellen Clark writes a letter from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency to husband, Edwin Clark of J.B. Bassett wanting to take over as Indian Agent. Joel Bassett is gathering nine Indians from area tribes to travel to Washington, D.C. to have them relocated.
Ellen Clark writes from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency, to husband Edwin Clark of James Bean and Joel Bassett waiting for Indians from Sandy Lake and Leech Lake to meet with Ojibwe Chief Hole-in-The Day, then go to Washington, D.C.
Ellen Clark writes from Crow Wing (Chippewa) Indian Agency, to her husband, Edwin Clark about J.B. Bassett possibly displacing them at Chippewa and preparations for that.
R.B. McLean came to Superior, Wisconsin, in June of 1854 on the schooner "Algonquin." McLean recollects several trips along Lake Superior's North Shore, both before and after the 1854 Treaty of LaPointe, searching for veins of copper. He discusses early settlers on the North Shore, the first election in St. Louis County in 1855, the first mail route from Superior to Grand Portage (which McLean delivered), and the first cabins built in Duluth in the winter of 1854-55.