The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-04-03
from the X. K. Journal. !
E no. INDIANA.

From the X. 4. Journal
--.rtT 90 INDIANA.
Truly the State Of Indiana is getting on
rapidly. Her present prosperity is whole
some one, and do not fear repetition of
the financial disasters that some few years
since overlook her. The enormous amount
of railways at present in course Of cOnstruc-
ton and ompleted-comprising an extent
of over 1900 iniIes-Inay well astonish n
person not familiar with the resources of
the State. M s..t ..r
But when we consider that Indiana was
admitted into the Union as late as 1916, and
that she now contains a population Of one
million, we may cease to wonder.
Her immense coal and iron deposits are
also just coming into notice. anti are rapid
ly building up a trade, which will in short
time rival that of almost any other State.
Cotton manufactures are also springing
up in various quarters, upon a large scale
-caused by the chea2ness and abundance
of fuel, and the proximity of this fuel to the
cotton plantations Of the south. The peo-
pie of the west and sourh-pianters, capital
lists and consumers-bave nj length discov-
cred that II is cheaper TO carry the Cotton to
the coal and provisions, where they are in
such close proximity, and with cheap and
ready means of communication, than it is
to carry both cotton and provisions to an
eastern water power, or an English coal
field, and then to bring it back again, as
manufactured articles, to he sold on the very
ground upon which it was raised.
The capital of Indiana, now Il fiOurishing
city Of some 5000 inhabitants, and increas-
ing % per cent. per annum, in 1921 was a
wilderness. This might also he said Of the
whole State. The forests are disappearing
rapidly before the axe of the eastern emf
grant; and in their places spring up, as if by
magic, fields Of grain, that need but be seen
to convince the most skepticai that the soil
of Indiana is one Of the best for agricultural
purposes that we have in the Union.
The hardy and energetic population of
this State have in them that indoinitable per-
severance aud enterprise Of down-east
Yankee that overcomes all obstacles; and
the next thing with them, after the timber is
cut from the ground, is railroad TO carry
the production of this ground to market,
for they appear to be fully impressed with
the idea that a market will not come to
them. t..t ... .
One great secret Of the construction Of so
large an amount of railway in new State is
the cheapness With which they can be built.
| have been surprised to learn the light cost
of roads in this State, and l think may
with safety state that all the new roads now
being constructed win not cost on the ave-
rage So, 600 per mile TO grade and bridge
them. Some Of them cost as low as 81 800
per mile, for their entire length.
The nature of the country, also, is such,
with its long and gentle unduating swells,
that easy grades and curvatures can he
adopted, and they can consequently he
! worked very cheaply. The great abundance
and cheapness Of timbex for The superstruc-
ture and repairs Of the track, and of fuel
for the engines is also Of great assistance to-
wards the cheap working Of the roads.
The grading of the roads is. much Of it,
done by the people, through whose land it
runs, and pay taken in stock. The timber
is furnished by the farmers along the line,
and pay taken in stock, in fact everything,
except the machinery and iron, is made or
done in the State; and we may ere long ex-
pect to see even the machinery and iron
manufactured by her own citizens and in
their own State. ut .r..
Is not Indiana a splendid specimen Of the
| enterprise of the American people! In
| 1920 wilderness! In 1850 with ,OO0, ,OOO
inhabitants, 1900 miles of railway and 500
miles of canals. v"
! Thirty years only TO accomplish all this
What may we not expect of her in the next
thirty years! -rs r. a. .... i.
Ere three years have passed away, Indi.
ana will make herself known tO the world
if by no other means, by the whistle Of hel
locomotives. X.