Edward Phelan
Encyclopedia
Edward Phelan, also Phalen or Felyn, was an early settler of Saint Paul, Minnesota
. Phelan was born in approximately 1811 in Derry
, Ireland
and later became, along with John Hays and William Evans, one of the first settlers of Saint Paul. Phelan was later accused of Hays' murder, the first ever in Saint Paul, but was acquitted. He was indicted for perjury a year later but fled to California before he could be prosecuted. Phelan was killed by his companions in what they describe as self-defense before he could reach California. Many locations in Saint Paul, Minnesota
are named after Phelan as a result of his early land claims. Phelan's name was spelled variously and as a result most locations are named Phalen and not Phelan
, Ireland
. He emigrated to the United States and on June 8, 1835 he enlisted in the U.S. Army in New York City
. Three years later he was discharged by reason of "expiration of service" at Fort Snelling which was, at that time, in Wisconsin Territory
. A military report described him as having, "gray eyes, brown hair, fair complexion and was six feet two and one-half inches high". (1.89 m)
or Pig's Eye, the first person to settle in Saint Paul. Hays was discharged in April 1839 and lived with Phelan in the log cabin until September 1839. The two did not get along very well according to other settlers near them. In September, Hays's body was found murdered in the Mississippi River near Carver's Cave
by a friendly Indian. His body was badly beaten which to his neighbors indicated a "desperate murder"
, issued a warrant and Phelan was held at Fort Snelling under charges of murder in the first degree. On September 29, 1839, Phelan was arrested for the murder.
When the next steam boat arrived, Phelan was sent down to Prairie du Chien
, Wisconsin Territory
which was the county that the crime was committed in. This was shown in the testimony given against him in his trial. One woman testified at his trial and said that when she asked him how he and Hays got along he said "Very badly" but said "I'll soon get rid of him." Another said he found blood on Phelan and bloody clothes in his house. He went on to state that his dog was able to find the route that Phelan had dragged Hays body down to the river.
While Phelan was away in prison in Fort Crawford
, another settler squatted on his claim. In the Spring of 1840 Phelan was tried for Hays murder by a grand jury. Despite two neighbors of Phelan, including his former friend William Evans, the jury was unconvinced of Phelan's guilt and he was let go. It was later found out that a Dakota warrior confessed to killing Hays.
When Phelan returned to Saint Paul he attempted to reclaim his claim by force but was unable to. Phelan subsequently sold his claim for $200 and made a new claim in what is now Swede Hollow
near Hamm's Brewery
. The claim was sold on September 2, 1844 for $70. The land containing "Faylin's Creek and Falls" later contained a saw and gristmill.
. In 1850 Phelan was indicted by the first Grand Jury to ever sit in Ramsey County
on charges of perjury. Before he could be arrested he fled to California. While traveling he was killed by his companions. Due to his behavior, his companions felt compelled to kill him in self-defense. One writer declared, "The murdered Hays was avenged!".
. Phalen Creek travels from Lake Phalen
and drains into the Mississippi River
. Near the turn of the century most of the creek was covered over and routed through sewers. The lake that was drained by the creek became known as Phalen's Lake despite Phelan never living near its shores. The lake is now referred to as Lake Phalen. The Saint Paul Water Company set up a supply plant at Lake Phalen in 1869 and the lake was used as Saint Paul's primary source of water until 1913. The lake is one of the largest in Saint Paul with an area of 196 acre (0.79318456 km²). The area surrounding the lake has been made into a 494 acres (2 km²) park, named after Phelan. John Fletcher Williams, a local historian, wrote in 1876 "It is a disgrace, that the name of this brutal murderer has been affixed to one of our most beautiful lakes - one that supplies our households with water."
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
. Phelan was born in approximately 1811 in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and later became, along with John Hays and William Evans, one of the first settlers of Saint Paul. Phelan was later accused of Hays' murder, the first ever in Saint Paul, but was acquitted. He was indicted for perjury a year later but fled to California before he could be prosecuted. Phelan was killed by his companions in what they describe as self-defense before he could reach California. Many locations in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
are named after Phelan as a result of his early land claims. Phelan's name was spelled variously and as a result most locations are named Phalen and not Phelan
Early life
Phelan was born in approximately 1811 in DerryDerry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. He emigrated to the United States and on June 8, 1835 he enlisted in the U.S. Army in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Three years later he was discharged by reason of "expiration of service" at Fort Snelling which was, at that time, in Wisconsin Territory
Wisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
. A military report described him as having, "gray eyes, brown hair, fair complexion and was six feet two and one-half inches high". (1.89 m)
Land claims
When Phelan and Evans were discharged from Fort Snelling they both decided to make land claims in what is now Saint Paul. Hays, who was expecting to be discharged several months later, made plans with Phelan to make a claim for Hays nearby on the provision that Hays would later reimburse Phelan. Phelan selected a claim in what is now Downtown Saint Paul and built a log house to spend the winter in while he waited for Hays to be discharged. Phelan started a little opposition to Pierre ParrantPierre Parrant
Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant is recognized as being the first person of European descent to live within the borders of what would eventually become the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota...
or Pig's Eye, the first person to settle in Saint Paul. Hays was discharged in April 1839 and lived with Phelan in the log cabin until September 1839. The two did not get along very well according to other settlers near them. In September, Hays's body was found murdered in the Mississippi River near Carver's Cave
Carver's Cave
Within Indian Mounds Park in St. Paul, Minnesota is a plaque memorializing Carver's Cave. The following is the exact text from the plaque:Repeated attempts were made by French and British Explorers to discover a northwest passage...
by a friendly Indian. His body was badly beaten which to his neighbors indicated a "desperate murder"
Trial
Suspicion immediately fell on Phelan. Hays was, unlike Phelan, well liked by local soldiers and neighbors. Most of his neighbors were convinced of his guilt. Justice of the Peace, Henry Hastings SibleyHenry Hastings Sibley
Henry Hastings Sibley was the first Governor of the U.S. state of Minnesota.-Early life and education:...
, issued a warrant and Phelan was held at Fort Snelling under charges of murder in the first degree. On September 29, 1839, Phelan was arrested for the murder.
When the next steam boat arrived, Phelan was sent down to Prairie du Chien
Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
Prairie du Chien is a city in and the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 5,911 at the 2010 census. Its Zip Code is 53821....
, Wisconsin Territory
Wisconsin Territory
The Territory of Wisconsin was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 3, 1836, until May 29, 1848, when an eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Wisconsin...
which was the county that the crime was committed in. This was shown in the testimony given against him in his trial. One woman testified at his trial and said that when she asked him how he and Hays got along he said "Very badly" but said "I'll soon get rid of him." Another said he found blood on Phelan and bloody clothes in his house. He went on to state that his dog was able to find the route that Phelan had dragged Hays body down to the river.
While Phelan was away in prison in Fort Crawford
Fort Crawford
Fort Crawford was an outpost of the United States Army located in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, during the 19th Century. The Second Fort Crawford Military Hospital was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1960....
, another settler squatted on his claim. In the Spring of 1840 Phelan was tried for Hays murder by a grand jury. Despite two neighbors of Phelan, including his former friend William Evans, the jury was unconvinced of Phelan's guilt and he was let go. It was later found out that a Dakota warrior confessed to killing Hays.
When Phelan returned to Saint Paul he attempted to reclaim his claim by force but was unable to. Phelan subsequently sold his claim for $200 and made a new claim in what is now Swede Hollow
Swede Hollow
Swede Hollow was a neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was one of a large group of neighborhoods collectively known as the East Side, lying just to the east of the near-downtown Railroad Island neighborhood, and at the northwestern base of Dayton's Bluff...
near Hamm's Brewery
Hamm's Brewery
Hamm's is the name of a former American brewery in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Hamm's breweries were also found in other cities, such as San Francisco.-History:...
. The claim was sold on September 2, 1844 for $70. The land containing "Faylin's Creek and Falls" later contained a saw and gristmill.
After the trial
Phelan went on to make a total of five various land claims, selling his last one in 1849 to Edmund RiceEdmund Rice
Edmund Rice was an American politician. Rice served in the U.S. Congress in Minnesota's 4th District from March 4, 1887 to March 3, 1889.-Early life:...
. In 1850 Phelan was indicted by the first Grand Jury to ever sit in Ramsey County
Ramsey County, Minnesota
Ramsey County is a county located in the U.S. state of Minnesota, founded in 1849. As of 2010, the population was 508,640. Its county seat is St. Paul, which is also Minnesota's state capital. The county is named for Alexander Ramsey , the first governor of the Minnesota Territory...
on charges of perjury. Before he could be arrested he fled to California. While traveling he was killed by his companions. Due to his behavior, his companions felt compelled to kill him in self-defense. One writer declared, "The murdered Hays was avenged!".
Legacy
Phalen Creek has been named after him as a result of claim near the creek in Swede HollowSwede Hollow
Swede Hollow was a neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was one of a large group of neighborhoods collectively known as the East Side, lying just to the east of the near-downtown Railroad Island neighborhood, and at the northwestern base of Dayton's Bluff...
. Phalen Creek travels from Lake Phalen
Lake Phalen
Lake Phalen is an urban lake located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and in its suburb of Maplewood. It is one of the largest lakes in Saint Paul and is the centerpiece of the Phalen Regional Park System. The lake drains into the Mississippi River after traveling through Phalen Creek...
and drains into the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Near the turn of the century most of the creek was covered over and routed through sewers. The lake that was drained by the creek became known as Phalen's Lake despite Phelan never living near its shores. The lake is now referred to as Lake Phalen. The Saint Paul Water Company set up a supply plant at Lake Phalen in 1869 and the lake was used as Saint Paul's primary source of water until 1913. The lake is one of the largest in Saint Paul with an area of 196 acre (0.79318456 km²). The area surrounding the lake has been made into a 494 acres (2 km²) park, named after Phelan. John Fletcher Williams, a local historian, wrote in 1876 "It is a disgrace, that the name of this brutal murderer has been affixed to one of our most beautiful lakes - one that supplies our households with water."