Howard Lake in Wright County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Wright County Centennial Elm Tree
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2022
1. Wright County Centennial Elm Tree Marker
was dedicated Aug. 12, 1949
during the Wright County
Centennial celebration
to the pioneers of Wright
County, and especially the
Dustin Family
massacred by the Indians
near this tree June 29, 1863
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 29, 1863.
Location. 45° 3.918′ N, 94° 4.72′ W. Marker is in Howard Lake, Minnesota, in Wright County. Marker is at the intersection of 1st Street and 13th Avenue, on the right when traveling west on 1st Street. Marker is located near the southwest corner of the Wright County Fairgrounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5912 County Road 6 Southwest, Howard Lake MN 55349, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Howard Lake City Hall (approx. half a mile away); The Dustin Massacre (approx. 1.2 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Hubert H. Humphrey Memorial (approx. 5.3 miles away); Waverly Village Hall (approx. 5.4 miles away); Silver Lake Auditorium
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . .
1. Dustin family murdered on way to new home.
When the family was near the east side of Smith Lake, about two-and-one-half miles west of Howard Lake, it was besieged by a group of Dakota. By all accounts, three members of the Dustin family – Amos, Robert, and Jeanette – were brutally murdered by the Dakota. Kate was shot through with an arrow and badly beaten, and Alma and Albert were left unharmed. It is thought the Dakota did not see Alma, who hid beneath the wagon seat where her father and brother were sitting.(Submitted on January 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)During the attack, the oxen had broken loose from the wagon and ran back to A.E. Cochran’s home. When nobody claimed the missing oxen by the next morning, Cochran became worried and informed Kingsley and Henry Lammers of the incident. The three men went out in search of the Dustins, and discovered Kate and her children in a meadow about a mile west of Howard
Lake. Kate was near death’s door, without the strength to move, and could only mutter, “They are all killed in the wagon by the Indians.”Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 20222. Wright County Centennial Elm Tree Marker(looking north from 1st Street • Wright County Fairgrounds in background)
2. Dustin Massacre witness speaks.
(This is an article from an early 1900s issue of the Howard Lake Herald. By Fred Ceser.)(Submitted on January 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The only remaining witness of the many events of the tragedy (Dustin Massacre) tells the story. I will now try to give you a correct history of the killing of the Dustin family...
Credits. This page was last revised on January 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 7, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
