Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-10-17
Correspondence of the Times.
DUBUQUE, Iowa, Oct 6, 18,

DUBUQUE, Iowa, Oct6 1854.
Having a few hours leisure before leaving
this place for the East, shall; attempt to fulfill
the promise made, to send you few ssc.ibblings,
'or Notes by the Way In the first place would
say that it is not my design to follow the course
of your travelling correspondence. My scribblings
will be quite common placed from the fact that
shall make q note of common things, though
indeed they may be rather uncommon things for
daily journal. -4a - % 1:1
Wednesday, about noon, our noble Galena left
the st. Paul levee with a hundred passengers or
more, bound for the East and South. Some were
strangers, who had been sojourning a short time
amid the bright scenes of our adopted home, and
others were Minncsotians, who were going below
on business or starting ON a visit to the scenes
and associates of other days. 1t was indeed
gratifying to hear the praises that were bestowed,
by those strangers with whom we convcrsed, upon
Minnesota and her citizens. All acknowledged
that they had not seen more beautiful country,
or gazed upon such glorious scenery as the Upper
Mississippi afforded. A gentleman of central
New York, who was well posted in such matters,
remarked that he had not seen such corn and grain
in any other place, and as far as melons and
vegetables were concerned, ''Minnesota would
beat the world" A few days before leaving Saint
Anthony, he was invited to eat melon that
weighed some 40 pounds, and that he had learned
that still larger had been grown in the Territory.
The fact, too is becoming pretty well known, that
our soil and climate are really capable of pro-
ducing almost everything in abundance that is
grown in the West and East.
Nothing of interest occurred worthy of notice
during the trip down, except now and then short
detention on a sand-bar, which, by the way oc-
casioned no little uneasincss on the part of those
who had great deal to accomplish before the
Ice King should interrupt navigation on these
northern waters. About O'Clock this morning,
we arrived near this place, for it was utterly i'm
possible to reach the landing, from the fact that
the Henrietta had got into the harbor before US.
We were consequently all landed on one of the
Islands that adorn the front of the town, and af-
ter getting trunks, &C., to the next chan
mel as bestwc could, large yawl was kept busily
employed for more than an hour taking the pas
sengers to the main shore. At length the ssRubi-
con was passed. and in safety, when another diff
iculty arose. The hotel keepers do not seem to
trouble themselves much in the night about sen :
ing for any body or their baggage on the arrival
of boat. Those who found their baggage to
consist only of carpet bag or small trunk were
very fortunate at such critical time, and We of
St. Paul naturally s'thanked our stars'' that the
said IIarbor was not located cup our way" and we
were glad, too that our hotel keepers generally
follow another fashion.
This morning l took stroll about town, and
visited the vineyard of Mr.. Fairly, back Of Du-
buque, that affords such fine view from the riv-
er. The vines consist mostly of the Catawba and
Isabella, which have been planted some two or
three years. This season they have produced a
small crop, and next year they expect good yield.
The hill is very steep and rocky, ascending at an
angle of about forty-fve degrees. The ground is
terraced, and the soil is limestone mixed consider
ably with clay. Being warm Eastern exposure
and quite stony it would seem excellent location
for grape culture. The vines are in fourishing
condition, and judging from their present appear
ance will prove quite successful. MIR. F. has also
quite large number of Apple, Peach, Pear,
Cherry, and other trees planted on the Northern
aspect of the same field. All look remarkably
we'll and thrifty even among the stones that would
hardly seem to give room for the roots.
The great number of shade trees that were
planted years ago now give the city beautiful
and healthy appearance. All except the most
business streets are thicky set with trees, and al
most every yard has more or less. The gardens
are generally planted with fruit trees, as they
should be, while those along the streets and about
the yard, form an admirable protection to the more
tender xiv ds of trees and plants. A good many
kids Of shrubs and roses adorn most grounds
however small but flowers seem rather scarce.
1 noticed quite a number of beautiful climbing
Roses, &C., adorn.ng the buildings. Some of the
most costly mansions l met with, presented the
least display in trees and flowers, while small
and unpretcnding cottages seemed almost para
disc of bloom and fragrance. What variety of
tastes! But must close, for find my letter has
already grown to wearisome length.
r t~ More anon, L. NJ. F.