Public-domain ebook
The History of Minnesota and Tales of the Frontier
Language: en1,291 downloads on Project Gutenberg
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Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #25677.
About this book
The work is a dual‑purpose volume that blends a concise, fact‑filled survey of Minnesota’s development with a series of self‑written frontier sketches. Its opening explains that the author, Judge Charles E. Flandrau, originally prepared the history for an expensive “Encyclopedia of Biography of Minnesota” and, after popular demand, reshaped it into a more affordable, library‑size book. To fill the space left by the compact narrative, he added “Frontier Stories” drawn from his long residence in the Northwest, promising to enliven the factual account with personal adventures and amusing incidents. The table of contents maps a sweeping chronology, from legendary aboriginal eras, early French explorations, and territorial politics to civil war battles, industrial growth, and social institutions, followed by a varied collection of tales ranging from wolf hunts to political ruses.
Flandrau writes in a colloquial, almost conversational tone, mixing straightforward historical exposition with occasional jokes and anecdotes. The style reflects a late‑19th‑century perspective, offering a blend of scholarly detail and personal reminiscence that feels both informative and lively. Readers who enjoy a thorough yet readable state history, especially those interested in early Minnesota settlement, frontier life, and the interplay of fact and folklore, will find this combination of narrative history and short stories engaging.
The opening · free to read
Charles E. Flandrau.
AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION.
The original design of this history was, that it should accompany and form part of a book called the "Encyclopedia of Biography of Minnesota." It was so published, and as that work was very large and expensive, it was confined almost exclusively to its subscribers, and did not reach the general public. Many requests were made to the author to present it to the public in a more popular and readable form, and he decided to publish it in a book of the usual library size, and dispose of it at a price which would place it within the reach of everyone desirous of reading it. As the history is written in the most compendious form consistent with a full presentation and discussion of all the facts concerning the creation and growth of the state, it was estimated that it would not occupy sufficient space in print to make a volume of the usual and proper size. The author therefore decided to accompany it with a series of "Frontier Stories," written by himself at different times during his long residence in the Northwest, which embrace historical events, personal adventures, and amusing incidents. He believes these stories will lend interest and pleasure to the volume.
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
HISTORY.
Page.
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