The Pony Express 310 Kissing Day 316 A Political Ruse 320 The Hardships of Early Law Practice 324 Temperance at Traverse 329 Win-ne-muc-ca's Gold Mine 333 A Unique Political Career 340 La Crosse 345 Making a Post Office 350 The Courage of Conviction 354 How the Capital was Saved 358 An Editor Incog 365 The Ink-pa-du-ta War 370 Muscular Legislation 378 The Virgin Feast 383 The Aboriginal War Correspondent 387 Bred in the Bone 391 An Accomplished Rascal 396 An Advocate's Opinion of His Own Eloquence is Not Always Reliable 400 A Momentous Meeting 402 Primitive Justice 406 HISTORY OF MINNESOTA. BY JUDGE CHARLES E. FLANDRAU. It has been a little over fifty years since the organization of the Territory of Minnesota, which at its birth was a very small and unimportant creation, but which in its half century of growth has expanded into one of the most brilliant and promising stars upon the union of our flag; so that its history must cover every subject, moral, physical and social, that enters into the composition of a first-class progressive Western state, which presents a pretty extensive field; but there is also to be considered a period anterior to civilization, which may be called the aboriginal and legendary era, which abounds with interesting matter, and to the general reader is much more attractive than the prosy subjects of agriculture, finance and commerce. Having lived in the state through nearly the whole period of Minnesota's political existence, and having taken part in most of the leading events in her history, both savage and civilized, I propose to treat the various subjects that compose her history in a narrative and colloquial manner that may not rise to the dignity of history, but which, I think, while giving facts, will not detract from the interest or pleasure of the reader. If I should in the course of my narrative so far forget myself as to indulge in a joke, or relate an illustrative anecdote, the reader must put up with it.