The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-02-12
For the Minnesotian.


Mr.. EDITOR With a hurried pen, will at
tempt short description of the country over
which have jOurneycd, for the especial benefit
of my eastern friends-thOse who intend to en-
igrate the coming spring to the Valley of the
Minnesota. The writer arrived in the Territory
last fall and can in truth say that he has spent
the most agreeable winter he ever Witnessed
lie came prepared to take ':items,'' and has ia
ken few, which may not come amiss to the
reader. AS regards the st. Peters or Minneso.
ia Valley, it is doubtful whether the hand OF
Nature has in any part of the world spread be-
fore man country more beautiful. Although
some small portion varies in point of soil. the
main part is not surpassed for beauty. quality
or quantity in this Union. AS an agricultural
country, it is a matter of doubt whether on,
could be found in point of natural convenien
ces that would compare with this Valley.
think am perfectly sane when | assert, thai
the pralrles are Of the best quality--small-
surrounded by excellent timber springs. &c.
Now to my trip. Having given brief state
mcnt of this Valley as regards soil, &C., l will
now give hasty sketch of my views respect
ing the various points or towns on the Mime
sofa river. left st. Paul, Jan. goth, proceed,
ing slowly to Mendoza. place of some note
Hard by stands Fort Smelling. This location
attracts much attention. After leaving Men
dOta you perceive much to attract-hurrvino
along some thirty miles until you come to the
vicinity of Holmes Landing; and it is here
that the beauties of Nature commence to devcl-
ope themselves. shall do this town the Jus.
tice to say, that it is a promising point. but
with a scarcity of timber in its immediate vicin-
ity. But l must leave friend Holmes. Passing
over praries of better quality, and some good
timber, l entered the Big Woods" This
woods is some fifteen miles wide and about
eighty long, composed of the best of timber
soil, and generally even surface. Those who
like timbcrcd farms, can here find them. To
witness the sugar naples from two to three thou
sand in grove, is enough to make mans
head ache to grasp the pile but as I am dis
posed to be liberal, will let in some few thou
sands of my eastern friends. on condition that
they come along soon. After travelling some
half day in these woods, l stepped out into Lee
Sucur. Here l must pause to say this is one OF
the most beautiful sites in the world for a large
commercial town. l shall assign various reas-
ons for my opinion. LIST. There will never be
any restitution of timber or fuel to back up the
place. I'd. Its extended landing. Sd. 1t lies
entirely above high water mark, being on a
gradual slope from the Rivers edge back for
perhaps half mile. This point is situated at
the head of the Big Woods, on the neck of a
beautiful prairie of excellent soil--the prairie
varying from two to three miles wide and some
nine in length To see the stacks and piles of
square timber in the woods, and delivered on
the ground, for the erection of beautiful cot
tages the coming spring, leads me to think that
LeSucur is bound to go ahead. and will be able
at all times to compete with its neghbors.
understand from the proprietors, that they in
tend to give lots to such as are ready to build
respectable buildings this season. If so. give
them call and say you will not be ashamed
of your choice. l shall send for nv family and
go to LcSueur.
Traverse des Sioux is the first point above
twenty miles by water. Here found Mai. NJ
Lean contributing to the Natives This point
is bound to 60 ahead, and will eventually be-
come town of much trade. have now given
the end of my trip; and most cordially invite
all my eastern friends to the Valley of the Min
nesota, and even with me to LeSueur.
A STRANGER.