Wright County War
“Frontier Justice” wasn’t always limited to cowboy towns as seen in many old movies – it happened right here in Wright County.
Henry Wallace settled near Rockford in the spring of 1858. He cleared land to farm and built a log home. He was educated and reputed wealthy.
Oscar Jackson settled 2 miles from Mr. Wallace also clearing land and building a small home.
The two sometimes worked together during the summer haying season.
Early September a rumor spread that Wallace was missing and an ensuing search party found his remains in a clump of willow.
Suspicion was on Mr. Jackson and based on some evidence he was arrested and indicted at the next district court which was held in Monticello in March, 1859. The case went trial and in April 1859 Mr. Jackson, to the surprise of all, was found “Not Guilty”.
After leaving for a month, Jackson returned to Wright County and was arrested on a charge of larceny. While in custody (Monticello) an armed body of enraged citizens stormed the jail, took Jackson to Rockford, where he was hung at the Wallace farm.
News of Jackson’s death spread and other residents of the area clamored for the arrest and punishment of the “lynchers” or “mob”. One of the “lynchers” was arrested and jailed in Monticello only to be set free by the rest of the “mob” for fear of being turned in.
All of this forced Henry Sibley, Governor of Minnesota, to issue a proclamation “….in view of the fact that the civil officers of Wright County are perfectly powerless to enforce and execute the laws, I do hereby declare the said County of Wright in a state of insurrection…..”
Three separate groups of police or “Guards”, each numbering around 40, for a total of 120, were sent to Wright County, along with military wagons of arms and pr
ovisions to keep the peace and prevent riot and rebellion. This incident was known as the Wright County War.
As a result “peace” was restored and the laws upheld.
Why do I write about this?
Because, the Sheriff during all of this was our own George Bertram.
Sheriff George Bertram
Elected and assumed office Jan 1, 1856
Served for Four Years
