On this Date in Minnesota History: August 29

August 29, 1857 - A constitutional convention was assembled in the Minnesota territory in July 1857. Divisions between Republicans and Democrats led to the drafting of two separate constitutions. The larger cities of Saint Paul, Saint Anthony, and Stillwater were the domain of the Democrats whereas agrarian southern Minnesota was the domain of the Republicans. A single constitution was finally worked out between the two factions though the more powerful Democrats ultimately prevailed on most issues.

The resentment between the two parties remained so acrimonious that two separate copies of the constitution had to be used so that members of each party did not have to sign a copy signed by members of the other party. The copies were signed on this date and an election was called on October 13, 1857, to approve the document. 30,055 voters approved the constitution, while 571 rejected it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_era_of_Minnesota

http://www.mnhs.org/places/historycenter/exhibits/territory/people/count/