The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-07-15
MONDAY MORNING, JULY 10, 1854.
Benton County.

A correspondent of the Democrat has been
upon the progress-agricultural. manufacturing
and commercal-of Benton County. There is
no doubt that the portion of Minnesota situated
along the Mississippi above the Falls of St.
Anthony. is rapidly developing itself in accor-
dance with the high destiny which was predict
ed for it by its first explorers. The crops in
Benton county. as far north as Fort Ripley
are represented as being as forward at this
time as those of Ramsey or Washington coun-
ties. The amount of land under cultivation in
Benton this season is largely increased over
any former year and if our Benton nei ghbors
had mills to grind their grain, it is not proba-
bic they would during the ensuing year be COM
PEELED to import so much as a barrel of -four.
On the contrary, it is the general opinion they
will have a large surplus of produce. We make
few extracts from the Democrats correspond
ent He is speaking of Sank Rapids:
"Mr Van Nest, a gentleman of energy, CAPT
| tai and business talents, has become Interested
! in property here, and has commenced prepara-
| tions for the erection of public house. saw and
! grist mills and has made contract for digging
! a race for the mills. In q distance Of about 1900
feet. he gets fall of about six feet. and this is
accomplished with very little expense.
The town o: Sank Rapids if this is to be the
name. and they cannot get better, is laid out
directly opposite the Rapids. and about one
mile above navigation. The bluffs here recede
back from the river some distance which leaves
a beautiful piece of ground in front, sloping
gradually to the river.
1T is at this point that Mr.. Lander. in his
very able report upon the most available place
for crossing the Mississippi river with the Pa
! citic Railroad, recommended as by far the best
above st. Paul. One great advantage this
! place has over all Others, is the fine, hard.
granite rock which is found in great abundance.
and what is very singular, at no other place on
! the Mississippi. that 1 am aware of.
| mir. Lander makes the estimated cost Of a
bridge here, at S29.136. and says, summing up
| this matter. it seems evident that the proper
! course Of the survey would he from St. Paul up
the eastern shore Of the Mississippi to Sank
| Rapids thence near the Red River trail towards
the head waters of the Sank. Sufficiently rcll-
able information is afforded to prove to us that
a very excellent route can thus be secured
| Il wish here to say few words of the coun-
try on the west side of the river. although in
another county. (Cass) as the future prosperity
Of Sank Rapids depends upon the country
/ around IL.
Il have visited nearly every portion Of our
Territory, and in no part of ii have yet seen
! mot even Oh the Minnesota.) a country which
is equal in richness, beauty aud fertility. to the
Sank River Valley river which enters into
the Mississippi just above the rapids For six
| ty miles up this river the country is equally
good. with pure water, plenty of timber, and
beautiful lakes.
! "A number of fine farms have been opened
upon Sank river. and below it on the Missssp-
! pi /; the largest of which is owned by S. b. Low
ry; Il leave out his titles from respect TO the
man.) was told that all the land for eight
miles up Sank river on both sides had been
claimed, and that all the land Oh each side of
! the Mississippi river from st. Anthony to Sank
/ pids has also been claimed Or entered.
| 81 should mention here, that there Is one I'M
I provement about being made on the Missssip
pi above the falls. which is very much wanted.
! That is the building of a steamhoat which will
not draw over fifteen inches Of water when
loaded. The stock has all been subscribed. and
il is said the boat will lie built Immediately.
The subscribers are responsible men. and are
/ utlpr,,i .p Interested i'm hayinU fh,, boat n