The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-07-29

After spending four days in the place, passing over
their grounds, examining their plans and visiting from
can be found, where nature has drawn holder and
more beautiful outlines for the location Of large town,
and where the settlers have more exactly followed
out natures draft, than in this place.
A few words will give the reader an idea 81 the
entire town plot which upon three tables of land
beautifully rising one above another. The first is
about 80 feet above hig water mark OF the Mlssls-
sippi river. The second is some - feet above the
FIRST and the third table is 30 feet above the second
These extend up and down the river about three miles,
and back to the bluffs from half mile to mile and
a half; and here it shoui I've noted that the Rolling
Stone creek plays singular freak, which adds great
beauty and value to the town. This is rapid and
beautifully flowing stream large enough to carry any
| sawmil with ease. This arises at the northwest
corner Of the town in two branches, where they are
united in one which then steals along III the most
serpentne course between these table lands, and the
bluffs, closely huggmg the latter. which lie back OF
town. while II constantly runs south and parallel with
the river. In this way it hurries on for about one
mile and half and then short at right angles,
and runs directly east towards the river for half a
mile; then making another right angle, it strikes oil
for the north, and up the Mississippi for hall
or three quarters of a mile when it wheels again o
the cast, and is lost IN the bosom of the father OF
waters. The town then is in reality, located IN part
upon peninsula formed BY the Mississippi river and
the Rolling Stone creek.
None but actual settlers have any part in this enter
prize. To each of these is given four in the
town plot that each may have equal share In spec
ulating in town tots, and l60 in the county,
They have public square of acres, two parks of 8
acres each, cemetery of 80 acres upon delightful
table exactly of that size, and 800 for public Sem
mary All is upon magnificent scale in outline, and
if we mistake not, that outline will be filled up.
Their public hall is commenced, the bell for which
is on the way from New York. steam eng Inc is
soon expected there for sawmill. Two hundred aad
hal, N
be the road and it is believed that 500 will be
there by the closing in of winter with 100 oxen and
50 cows. Some have even now pushed out ID miles
upon the prairies. They have preaching every Sab
bath by the Baptists, Presbyterians Methodists
and sometimes by all, under the shade of the tai
oaks for yet they have other place for public
worship. The Sabbath we spent there the llth INST
we had the happiness Of seeing Baptist church OF
IL members constituted; and the Sabbath previous,
Sabbath school of 81 scholars organized. This
it we mistake not, is the first Prots church ana
Sabbath school planted in territory west Of th6
Mississippi river. With the congregation upon the
Sabbath, we were much delighted. 1t was large re-
spectiui and attentive and our eye wandered over
it, we could not but remark, that there Of
the elite of New England, New York, Ohio, lnd
ana, Illinois and Wisconsin, in the crowd. And We
could but reflect how different the condition Of thesc
individuals, seated upon these rough plank under tht
shade of the oaks in the broad bosom of the wild
forest, compared with what il when they wor
shipped the Most High in sealed houses upon dtnasl
cushions in the East, But all seemed contcntcd an,
happy, and the first instance Of inconsistencies die
we hear of in the whole place.
One fact must not omit TO mention it has bee,
affirmed and widely circulated, that there GOOD
steamboat landing at this place. While there
this was demonstrated to be false. A large part,
with boats, leads and lines, went and mad, en-
tensive surveys, and what by had been suppose,
to DC a mere slough, found BE- of the prin
cipal channels of the river, perfectly m,vigable fo
o,,r boats three miles nearer than the upon th
lsconsin side traversed, and furnishing favor
able landing for Minnesota City,
. But must take hasty leave of this lovely spot
On Tuesday at one, p. NJ, ave were on board thu
" est Merton, and the way she swept the waters
was caution She fairly danced with like
= Nyinph upon the waves; everything about the boa
in general, and the table in particular, in perfec
, "dlgae-pe oTdo.' When called the Clerk
office to pay our fare on learning profession h
very gentlemanly remarked, 8" Nothing to pay SIR
to which, of course, did object but for thu
favor were truly tiuakfu. May other clergymen ID
equally favored +. X. c.