The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-07-23
For the Minnesotian.
The Mime sofa Valley.


The MINES sofa Valley.
MEssRs. EDITORs A trip up the Minnesota
river has become rather a hackneyed theme
So many have awaited themselves of the facli-
ties which are now so frequent, for becoming
acquainted with its beautiful valley, that ]
scarcely hope to succeed in giving to it any in
creased interest in the minds of your readers.
Novelty is what the world calls for and nov
city the world must have, though in catering
to its caprice many brain with less enthusi-
assn than that of your humble scribe has tilted
at wind-mills and cut more capers than sober
second thought would justify or even excuse.
Many q mere molehiIl has been magnifcd into
ParnasslIs and the most impOtent metaphor
stecd on which to attempt its ascent, and all in
obedience to the worlds cry for novelty. This
bv the way hOwcver-the Minnesota valley is
the subject on hand.
As our steamboat entered the mouth of the
river, and the country (Which has now become
the cynOsure of hope to so many opened upon
us and before us, a feeling Of eXhiiration and
of almost prophetic pleasure took possession of
the soul, and gave to it a glowing confidence
in the destiny which awaits those hills and val
lcys clothed with the gorgeous beauty, and
teeming with the yet unrcvealed wealth receiv
ed from nature.
As we assembled the river and as every new
vista opened before us, and revealed its alter
nations of prairie and woodland, (and where
on the face of the earth are hills and valleys
whose verdure can rival ours: or glow with the
rich green which charactcriZes our scenery
aloncD felt that this is the future home for
millions, where health, comfort and happiness
shall bless free and happy people.
At Shakopce, or Holmes landing, we found
considerably more of town than we had ex-
pccted. Quite a number of good buildings are
up and occupied or in process of erection. The
town site is not equal to most of those laid out
above, but those living there and others spe-
cially interested, anticipate from its position
this side of the rapids, peculiar advantages at
times of low water.
Chasca, on the west side of the river few
miles above ShakOrcc. is settlement of one
or two of the Massachusetts, colony. One
house only is erected: the town site. small and
beautiful prairie, backed with timber. is now at
least handsome looking site, but was inform
ed that In high water large portion Of it is
subject to overflow. From thence back to lake
Minnctonka, some three miles, q considerable
number of the colony have located, and I'M
derstand are well pleased with their prospects,
Onward we went through the big woods =
(and when we hear people talk of the scarcity
of timber in our Territory. | think such people
would tell different tale if they were only
lost for few days in that same big woods
looming up for miles and miles, dense with Il
growth OF buttcrnut, ash, sugar tree, and in
deed almost every other kind that can contrib
ute to comfort and utility; stopping here and
there at various landings. and constantly greet
ed with manifestations ofpioneering and delight
ed with the march of Improvement. Many are
the farms which are opening on the river bank
and with an honest pride these hardy settlers
listen to our admiration of their fine growing
crops, raising from the sod and promising a
rich reward IA the first fruits of their labors-
| could not help being struck. in most instan-
ccs with the fncness and forwadness of the crops
we saw. In one instance on the top of hill.
we saw corn eight feet high and that in an in
stance where the cultivation had been some
what hastily and partially carried on. and the
planting late. 1--WE can't raise corn" What a
mean. senscless, dwelling, selfstultifyinc Ii
bel! Why, a man has only to look on the virgin
soil. and measure with his eye the rank luyuri-
ance which springs from its bosom. and at once
he has proof of what nature has done for the
| soil of this beautiful valley. Here. too. nature
gives a man double measure of physical en-
crgy to do the work where she has already done
half the work herself
We came toa landing on the west side on
our second days Journey. where we stopped to
wood, decidedly the most dcsolatc looking
place we had seen. There were several cabins
in state of partial dilapidation. The ground
was yet rocking with the results of an overflow.
and the decomposition of vegetable matter
Though now high above the water the under
brush was slirunk and decaying and premature
old age seemed written on cverything-and
this was Henderson. "Shrine of the mighty =
what a place. l thought at once of Martin
Chuzzlcwit in Eden. This was in fact Eden in
tcnsilied and here Mark Tapley might find in
Unite credit in being jolly. Wcwcnt back some
half a mile to see il fine mill stream We saw
the channel, but it would have puzzled Il diyi-
ming rod to have found the water
Farther on we came to lie Sueur The lower
| landing seems to be the one at which a town will
be most likely to arise. Already there is con-
siderable sign of progress and enterprise Sew
cral buildings have been erected and others are
III progress: and the town site is good one, cl-
eyatcd above all fear of high water. and with
excellent springs of water. The prairie, which
from thence stretches many miles away and
across the inner bends of the twisting stream
almost to Traverse DIES SiOuN--is truly bcauti-
full intcrspcrscd at intervals with luXuriant
groves or solitary trees, il awakened sense of
the beautiful which wanted leisure to indulge
and s. the boundess. vast illimitablc." had
almost become Il reality before me, At the
summons Of the boat bell | had to come back
to the practical
Upper lie Sucur has not so good a landing.
but Il fine farming district George Rhicsdorf
who Is living there, took several of us to see
10 acres which he has in crop. and a handsomer
crop Is rarely to be met with he had several
acres in corn which though not a month plant
cd III the sod will evidently yield abundantly
The balance was planted in potatoes beans. GU
cumbcrs. water melons and pumpkins. all look
ing we'll and promising and doing much credit
to the man and to the soil. wish every farm
er who Is trying to scratch a living from some
OF the Old worn out soils of the east had been
there-mcn digging and blowing amidst bould-
erS, asking for bread and getting a stone. sure
am if they could see such soil and such crops
the like of which they might have for the set
llins upon, they would come with their strong
arms, and awakened hopes, and strengthened
energies and create for themselves and their
children an independence which they do not
now enjoy.
must however draw this to close. as it is !
already at Il length quite sufficient for yourself
or your readers. In nv next will finish what
may have to say. will only say further at
this time, that however much was delighted