Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-05-30
Correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune.
MINNESOTA.
The we..ern Farm and WILING A..eeIn,lon.
MINNESOTA Cry, Saturday, May14 1883.

MINNESOTA CRY, Saturday, May14, 1853.
Any one who has examined the geography of
Minnesota, cannot fail to have noticed what is
termed the Great Bend of the Minnesota River
Minnesota City is located about 100 miles east OF
the Great Bend, at the confluence of the Rolling
Stone with the Mississippi, 100 miles below St.
Paul. These three points form very nearly an
equilateral triangle, the base of which may be
considered an east and west line extending from
this place to the Great Bend, with its apex at St.
Paul. Each of these places is destined to be the
important point in the Territory. st. Paul, stu
ated at the head of steam navigation on the Miss
isspp; the Great Bend the centre of the fertile
valley of the Minnesota River; and Minnesota City
as the natural outlet to this extensive and fertile
region, ust of necessity all become cities in more
than name.
1t wasmy good fortune to be one of an exploring
party appointed for the purpose OF ascertalning the
character of the country and the feasibility of the
route for railroad already in contemplation be-
tween here and the Great Bend. We found the
country oil a most picturesque and beautiful char
acter, exceeding in fertility of soil, fine groves OF
timber and abundance of water ana water power,
all that the most Sauguine had imagined. No
finer country can be found for the purposes Of
agriculture than that which lies between Minnesota
City and the Great Bend A mail route has been
established from this place TO Traverse des Sioux,
and an appropriation made for the location of a
road to be surveyed Immediately.
Minnesota City is regularly laid out in blocks of
four acres, upon rather an extensive scale, being
three miles up and down the river and extending
one and half back. 1t is separated from the
Mississippi by bottom half mile wide, which is
subject to overflow and which renders a landing ut
present lmpracticable, until the bottom shall be
brdged or channel dredged out This last can
be accomplished by cutting channel for the Roll
ing Stone from the table land taken i'll connection
with the improvement of a water power already
contemplated.
The Rolling Stone is a most beautiful stream,
fed entirely by springs. 1t averages four feet deep
and eight or ten yards wide. During the long
continued dry weather of last season for the period
of four months, it did not vary more than four
inches from uniform hight. 1t is safe to say that
this stream meanders not less than eight miles up
on our town plot, furnishing great amount OF
water-power, which from its permanence of VOL
une is extremely valuable. II is already in con-
temptation to create q large reservoir near the
centre OF the town, which will at small expense
secure all the fall, in distance of four or five
miles, some twenty feet. The Company is organ
lied, and the work TO be completed this season.
1t is conceded by all who have ever been on the
ground that q more beautiful site for town can
not be found, consisting it does of three tables,
one rising above the other. TIE town plot is in
the hands of some sixty individuals, that it is
not likely to become monopoly.
This, as is generally known, is the location OF
the "Western Farm and Village Association.''-
II has select population, having twice been sft-
ed in the first place none but reputable persons
being admitted; and none but The persepering ones
staying, although our population, atits lowest ebb,
has always exceeded one hundred, and is now fast
increasing. Most of those who left were mechan-
les and artisans, principally from New York City,
who knew nothing about farming, or the wants oil
new settlement. Those who remain could hardly
be induced from any consideration to leave. Oul
one years experience of the climate and crops,
throug not decisive, is highly satisfactory. 1t
natural that those who lett us, feeling keenly theil
own dlsappointments, should have puta worse face
on the matter than truth would warrant. | opine
how
disappoints still more keeniy when they ascertain
the value Of the prize they threw away. should
not so particularly have alluded to Minnesota City,
but for the erroneous impressions abroad respect
US. might add that, although we have had 6
magistrate, constable, and lawyer for nearly the
year we have been here, we have had no Li,o suit
thanks to our Association-while at Winonia
six mile below, with less than half the population
they have had not less than dozen, as our people
can feelingly affirm, having been dragged of re.
peatedely to serve as Jurors. Who says better &C
isolated and alone TO make new home than joir
an Association? " G. WELDON.