The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-08-25
NO. X1X.
HASTINGS, MINNESOTA TERRrropY.
August 9th, 1853

Mr. EDIroR:Since the valley of the Minne-
sofa has become a sealed book, in consequence
of the low state of the river, "aiIow me 10 cali
your attention" to larger rolame, not of letters
but wafer, viz: The Father Of Waters" and
one of the infant recipients Of his paerna cares
es, by name Hastings, peaceful quiet child. by
no means emuOas Of the fame of It's namesake Of
warlike memory.
Hastings, situated on the west side Of The
Mississippi twenty-five miles below 81. Paal. by
the Course of the river, and seventeen hy land.
occupies Of the most elisi5le town stes in
Minnesota Territory. 1t possesses one mile of
uninterrupted landing, lying above high water
mark and always accessible for steamers Of the
largest class at any stage Of the water the cham
nei running for the whole length Of the town
within few rods of the shore
The town plot embraces two hundred and forty
acres extending back from the river ior the dis
laHce OF half a mile ty an easy stone covered
with The most magnificent forest trees. and bor-
dered on either side by lakes Isabel and Rebecca
winch for their romantic scenery and the alum
dance of every description Of water fowl and
fish found IN them are unsurpassed The prai4
ries IN this vicinity are alive wuh grouse and the
timber tiled with deer. A f. orite amusement
OF The inhabhants Of The neg ghborhood is spea ring
the fish in these lakes by torch ight, where man
can take q burteI full il d few hours
The country IN tie vicinity Of Hastings and for
miles around s beautiful beyond description. rich
IN The unexampIed fertility Of IL soil and ia gen.
ny undulatlng praires, shickly inieyspersed with
"oak openings" and wa,ered bs never falling
streams. The borders Of the Mississippi are COW
cred with the finest quality Of tnber for building
and fen cing purposes. There i an island twenty
miles in lengh just below the town heavily wooded
where any quantity Of rails ant! cord " ood can
be bad for the cutting.
Bnt the great feature Of Hastings is yei 10 be-
mcnIioned, is immense water power, the celc-
biated " Falls Of the Vernilhon'' on The }ermii-
ion river. These fails between fifty and sixty
feet II height have volume Of water passing ever
them, sufficient in the drye,t seasons. to run an
ucalcuab'e amoun; ofmachinery. " III the great
acllir'es afforded by this country for wool cIow-
ing, the Ncrmlllion, with is hard bottom. swift
stream and free wafer, being admirably ADAPTED
for watering the sheep and wishing the fleece.
there must veay soon be large wooden factories
erected on this stream. Every possible advan-
'age j. here possessed the Falls being bat mile
from Hastings, onerci the best landings thus Civ
Eg an easy access to the cities on the Mississippi
situated on the great L. :. road from Mendoza
10 the Nabasha, connecting thus With the Mime
sofa valley; yIns directly opposite of Lake st.
Crom, free communication Is offered with the
railroad now In progress to Prescott and to the
sroa; luntsring region in the vicinity Of Sillwa-
ter, thus atiording facilities for manufacturing net
perhaps 10 he found III an, other portion Of ,hs
north vest.
Hastings beng about tie same distance from
the 1t. Peters IT Paul, i, mus, become 4 depot
fer freight intended for that country, during the
low water ia The Aluresot.. river, rs it will save
the steamboat, ;rauspo5tation for twenty-five miles
besides the ferftge There will soon te fms
road from this place to 81, Paul, CARRYING ftelgh:
from The boats uaahe 10 pass the 3" bar, - in low
water, yu>t above Hastings, viii be tasncss Of
some Importance. here l. uoW a large three
story watehvus, N the town, where the hishes.
prices are paid for produce. thUs aiiording the
tanners IN The ne'shtoafhool an opportunity of
disposing of their grhn al their own door Be-
SIDES alch We have store, biac hsIni;h shop and
board yard, where lumber can be procured cheap,
er tAan ii can be brought from 81 PasI
We viii have Post Office in a few days: po-
po'ns are now beng sent in for ibe erection Of n
arge hotel which Is 70 he bu.it Immediately. A
block has been given fer the site Of chui ch
which Is nov about TO be commenced Il erist
mil VII be pu up AZ the talis Of the Nermiillon,
cnIy in lie spiIug. 4 saw mill ]. spoken Of on the
Mississippi .vhere eddy forms = very fine stua-
ion, number Of houses are now beng built ia
the town AMI vicinity
There were by the assessors last list eighty
three persons The neighborrhcod, most Of Them
from the Ea-lc. They are an industrious moral
community, consisting principally Of intelligent
farmers whose nNurant crops and thriving stock
sufficient evidences of their own skill and the
fertility Of the soil There are some six or eight
carpenters and other mechanics in the place who
are kept il constant employment.
On the Veru i!on river are mile. Of natural
meadows where hundreds of tons of hay are
made annually, thus aaording the farmers a ready
means of winiering Their stock.
in deed, know Of now place where the far
mer, obtain tnore fertile soil, better timber
and pasiurage or purer water, the lover of the
mantle more grand and picturesque scenery, ,hs
manufacturer finer water power and better means
Of transportation, or where the followers Of Ninl-
rod tie disciples of Izaak Wason can have a
better opportunity Of indulging in their favorl,e
pursuits. A.