Depredation Claim of Roseanna Webster
Roseanna Webster's depredation claim, 1863. In the weeks before the war, Viranus and Roseanna Webster had been living in their wagon near the Baker home in Acton Township, Meeker County, looking for land to purchase. On August 17th, they were at the Baker residence when four young Dakotas opened fire and killed five settlers, including Roseanna’s husband, Viranus. She fled to St. Paul, but had to leave all her belongings in Acton.
So far as she knows she has no brother or sister living--never having had any children, and is almost alone in the world--that she is the only heir to her husband’s estate.
