Flour barrel. Minneapolis Maid Flour, Minneapolis, Minnesota, circa 1930.

Dear Wifey;  I send you a newspaper today — war news still startling — all Philad in ferment — ladies wearing rosettes of red, white and blue. The Journal of Commerce Office N.Y. compelled by mob to hoist the stars and stripes.

Letter from Ignatius Donnelly to Mrs. Kate Donnelly on his proclamation.

“The President made a requisition upon the Gov of the State for 1 regiment of 780 men.  It was my duty to issue a Proclamation calling for volunteers. Gov. Ramsey then in Washington, totally ignored my existence here, sent two telegraphic dispatches, the first to Jennison his secretary, and the last to Adj. Genl Acker instructing him to issue a Proclamation in his, Ramsey’s, name.  I informed [?] Jennison that I held my office by as good a title as Gov. Ramsey–that I was acting Governor, and that if Mr Ramsey thought he could ignore my existence and ride over me rough-shod he had mistaken his man.  I consequently issued the Proclamation and enclose you a copy.  I also send you some papers.

Ramsey may explain his conduct, but to me it looks very much like a hoggish [?] that I might gain a little bit of credit.  Genl Acker very promptly said that it was all [?] R. and that he would not act under the dispatch.  I should not wonder if Jennison was at the bottom of it.

In the same dispatch, dated the 15th, Ramsey said he would start the next day, the 16th, for homw.  He will consequently be home on Saturday or Sunday. I must try to make some permanent arrangement with the Press Co. to remain during Marshall and Wheelock’s absence to conduct the paper. You will recognise my hand in the Press I send you.  I f I fail to make and arrangz.  that will pay for my board I will return for good–if otherwise I will come back here after a short visit home.

Is not the news startling? We are going to have a great fight for the possession of Washington City – and I should not wonder if the South would gain it, – they will probably move with great rapidity and our people are all at loose ends and unprepared. But when the North once becomes thoroughly aroused she will annihilate her enemies.  All parties here are becoming of the same mind–all one for the govt.”

See the whole letter: 1861-04-17

Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers, April – May 1861. Ignatius Donnelly and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

Draft of Donnelly’s Proclamation Calling for Troops.

“Whereas the government of the United States, in the due enforcement of the laws, has, for several months past, been resisted by an armed organization of rebels in several of the southern states, who, precipitating the country into revolution, have seized upon and confiscated the property of the nation to the amount of many millions of dollars, have taken possession of its forts and arsenals, fired upon its flag and at last consummating their treason, have assaulting and capturing a Federal fort occupied by Federal troops, under circumstances of peculiar indignity and humiliation to the nation. And whereas, it is evident that these outrages are to be speedily followed by an attempt to capture the national Capital and seize upon the [?] and property of the government and whereas the President of the United States, occurring in this extremity to the only resource left him, the patriotism of a people, who through three great wars and amid all the changes of eighty five years have ever proved try to the cause of law order and free institutions, has been compelled to call upon the several states for troops to support the government.      Now therefore I, Ignatius Donnelly, Governor ad interim of the State of Minnesota, in accordance with requisition [?] President of the United States, do hereby proclaim that volunteers will be forthwith received at the City of St. Paul, for one Regiment of Infantry composed of Ten Companies, each of sixty four privated, one captain, two Lieutenents, four Sergeants,  four corporals, and one bugler, to report themselves to Adj. Genl. Acker.”

Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers, April – May 1861. Ignatius Donnelly and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society

The MHS is pleased to announce the acquisition of a collection of papers and memorabilia of Charles W. “Speed” Holman, famed aviator, first chief pilot of Northwest Airlines, and namesake of St. Paul’s downtown airport. Highlights of the collection include three licenses (1927-1928) signed by Orville Wright, a 1926 license to carry air mail for the United States Post Office, and Holman’s personal flight logbook covering his flights from December 5, 1929, to May 17, 1931. On that date Holman flew to Omaha, Nebraska, where he died in a horrific crash while performing at an air show before 20,000 spectators. Dozens of letters and telegrams document Holman’s international flights, the New York to Spokane air race that ensured his place in aviation history, and expressions of sympathy to his widow and Northwest Airways after his death. Famed World War I flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker telegraphed “We grieve with you and Charles family in this hour of loss.” Other “personal” items document the purchase and sale of his Minneapolis home and include a life insurance policy, his 1927 income tax return, and his Northwest Airways business card.

The collection also includes artifacts from Holman’s life – a leather box for important documents inscribed with his name, his baby rattle and leather baby shoe spats, a leather wallet, license holders, and empty shell casings from the salute at his funeral, one of the largest held in St. Paul to that time.

The Society was able to acquire this collection with monies from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The collection will be available for research and viewing after it has been arranged and cataloged. Some of the documents will be digitized and available through the Society’s website.

On April 15^th in 1944 and with major help from Hubert H. Humphrey, the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Farmer-Labor Party merged into the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party known as the DFL. This Walter Mondale campaign button commemorates the 40^th anniversary of this event in 1984.

Table of quotas from the secretary of war showing Minnesota’s needed regiment contribution.

Governor Ramsey Records, Minnesota Historical Society, State Archives.

“Kiwi” fiber necklace with flame worked beads by Bernadette Mahfood, Winona, Minnesota. Circa 2008.

A letter sent from Lieutenant Governor Donnelly to Mrs. Kate Donnelly discussing the call for troops.

From page 2:  “It is apprehended that we have a message from the President calling on Minnesota for her quota of troops.  In that case I will have to issue a Proclamation and [?] myself.”

See the whole letter: 1861-04-14

Citation: Letter from Ignatius Donnelly to Mrs. Donnelly,  Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers, April – May 1861. Ignatius Donnelly and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society