The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-06-29
Co, respondence OF. the Ohio Star


Minnesota Letters, No. I.
Minnesota Farming journey to St. Paul-Un-
Gle Tom in a Stare Staie--S. Pnul-St. An
thong Fails--Chance for Emigrants-Rarenna
Boys-Spccuiations-. nghdis.
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, June 13, 1858.
FRIEND HALL have kept you waiting long
for my promised letter about the promised land,
but you will readily pardon me when tell you
that have been busy in clearing piece of ground
upon which to raise crop of provisions for the
coming winter. Of eousse did not raise my axe
against such forest of tall and heavy timber as
the pioneers of the township of Freedom had to
encounter. Like the rest of my generation, am
one step too far off from the hardy pilgrims who
planted popuoHs States on the rugged hills of New
England, to undertake such labor. Ohio was
made for their children and our fathers, but the
land for US is another stride towards shutdown,
where one half OF the soil lies ready for the plow
without stroke OF preparatory labor, and another
portion was easily cleared that even was not
frightened at the prospect. IF all the wide terrific
ry OF Minnesota were as thickly timbered as was
the territory Of Ohio little mere than half GEN.
tury ago, where is the race of native American
young men that would enter upon the vast soli-
tude and make it the beautiful garden that Ohio is
now! But luckily there is nothing in the aspect
of the country here, terrifying to any who is
not constitutionay opposed to the least amount of
labor. and am confident that there is no soil in the
world that will more richly repay its cultivation
For the next ten years, at least, every variety of
farm produce will bear high price. and have a
ready market at the door of the farmer here.
For some reason deep interest is awakened
| in regard to this Minnesota country, through all
the Northern States, an interest hey ond any that
/ ever manifested for any Other new terrific
ry. remember the Michigan, illinois, Iowa and
Wisconsin fsvers but do not think either of them
struck in so deeply the excitement which is
drawing emigrants in colonies this healthier eli
| mate. and as fertile soil. | never knew that the
people of the States demanded book TO give them
Information about any o'her territory Than this
and of this, one has already been published which
is now behind the times, and another is in pres:
and will be shortly issued. When left Raven.
an promised large number of friends that
would write to them, after getting here and re
ceivipg my impressions of The country, and give
such information as thought would be interesting
find it impossible to fulfil one half of these prom
ises. and hope all who are neglected will reat
such letters as send to you, and save me the Ia
bor of writing the same thing again and again.
OF our journey l will only speak generally, bu
will write all such particulars as may be usefu
to those who wish 10 follow US, at the request O
any one.
We came by the way of the rivers taking tb
G. & P Railroad at Ravenna for Wellsville.-
There we waited for the steamer Cincinnati upo,
which our passage had been engaged for St. Lou
is. at Pittsburgh. | would ndvise all who com
by the rivers TO go to Pittsburgh and engage thei
passage, or have it done there for them. We pai
E So 90 fare and 90 cents per cwt, from WelIsvill
to ST. Louis, while others. who had made no bar
gain at Pittsburgh, paid S12. 90 fare, and so cent
per cwt. for freight. Way passengers can tnk
no advantage of compefition between boats. Tb
Cincinnati is a fine boar. and its officers cover
more quietly ard pleasantly than any others eve
travelled with. We were six days from Wellsvill
70 ST. Lons,. two of which were spent at Cincin
matt and nearly one at Louisville was surpris
ed to find the latter place SO much improved sine
my visit h 1ea3. Il is a beautiful city ,and throw
v Cleveland into tho shade ID the taste and sPIen
dor of its private residences. Indeed it is mat
ter of remark how much the river towns surpas
i the lake towns generally, in size and wealth. Jul
thiuk that two cities on the Ohio River hnvs 4 ai