The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-26

From the Mnnesotian Of June Y.
Western Farm and Village AssOciati not ssbro-
ken up The Location and People Character
of the COuntry-Future prOspects--W abasha
Prairie.

ken up The Location and People character
Of the Country--Future prospects--W Wabasha
Prairie.
The first of last week, we paid visit
to the settlement of the Western Farm
and Village Association at Rolling Stone,
one hundred and thirty-five miles below
St. Paul. The cause of our omission to
allude to this matter in our last issue, is
well known to our acquaintances here in
St. Paul. We arrived home from our
visit very i'll, and were unable to write a
single line for last weeks paper.
It having been published to the world
by the Galena Jeffersonian, and copied
into the Pioneer and Democrat of St.
Paul, that this colony had ''broken up.''
we, having great doubts as to the truth OF
the statement, concluded we would test
the matter personally. Leaving here on
the Excelsior, in due time we were put
ashore at Holmes Landing. Wisconsin,
which is nearly opposite the new settle
ment, although three miles distant, across
sloughs, islands and tow-heads. This is
good place 10 stop at over night. The
Germans, at The loarer landing, are kind
accommodating people, and will give you
good comfortable bed. In the morning
the rrow will have a nice cup Of coffee,
and some ham and fresh country eggs all
ready for you
The next thing was to get over to the
settlement. The Teutonic Charon which
we had employed, said we would be there
'ver queek : and so we were. We
glided across the low islands among the
forest trees and shrubbery, frightening
the ducks and pigeons from their social
morning chats, and were at Rolling Stone
before the sun was high above the majes-
tic cliffs that tower away in the east
Instead of finding the settlement "broken
up" we saw on stepping upon the ground
groups of rugged men and women.-
firm, resolute looking people, busy at all
kinds of work one might expect colonists
to be engaged in. Some thirty or more
comfortable cabins are already erected,
and others building. The number Of
families on the ground at the time was
perhaps forty-not less. They were
resolule, conlented and determined to stay.
Most Of them are in good circumstances.
They were planting gardens, and prepar-
ing for cultivating the soil on more ex-
tensive scale. Further additions to the
colony were expected from New York.
One family that had just arrived, were so
unfortunate as to lose most of their house.
hold goods by the upset,ing of boat in
the slough. The lady remarked to us,
with an air of contentment and rcsigna-
ton, that it was heavy loss. but people
who removed to new country must ex-
pect to submit to some hardships. We
she would get through.
An impression has prevailed among
many OF our citizens, that these colonsts
were community of socialists, who hold
every thing in common, after the fashion
OF the Shakers and other similar societies.
Such is not the fact. There is no COM
munity of lands, or houses, or property
OF any kind, real or personal. Neither is
there Of labor. Each man has his own
house and grounds, and his own goods,
teams and farming utensils; pays for all
he gets, and receives wages when work.
ing for others, Just the same in every res
pect as in ordinary communities. They
are an association only for the purposes
of settlement, and holding claims. Among
them are men of almost every sect and
party, religious and political, that we
find anywhere.
The location of this colony is one of
the most beautiful spots in Minnesota
Objection has been made to it because it
is cup slough six miles," where
steamboats, can never run. This matter
about boats not going there, at least in
high water, is all stuff. We will guaran-
tee they will find their way up whenever
there is a load Of produce to bring out -
The water had fallen considerably when
we were there still there was eight feet
in the slough. The village is located
upon a high and beautiful oak opening,
covered with fine growth of timber
The soil is good, with clay sub-soil.-
Back is valley, extending for fifteen or
twenty, composed of as rich and well
disposed farming land as we ever saw
The grass in this valley at the time we
were there was knee hi Oh. Through the
valley runs Rolling Stone creek, noun
tain spring branch, leaping in beautiful
cascades, and settling again in limpid
crystal pools, alive with that regal delica-
cy of the tinny tribe, the speckled trout.
Good limestone and brick-clay have been
found here.
We came to the conclusion, that if the
people OF Rolling Stone did not succeed
in building up prosperous and inde-
pendent agricultural community in
few years, and making themselves and
their families more happy and comfortable
than they were in the crowded cities of
the East, it would not be the fault of the
country. The location has also the ad-
vantage of being healthy. 1t cannot be
otherwise. Some sickness had taken
place, but it resulted from exposure, and
inattention to the first symptoms Of diar-
rhea. The deaths had been three adults