The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-06-30
What Strangers sny Of st. Paul.


and correspondent of that popular journal, who
has won widespread reputation as a racy and
graphic writer. under the nome de plume of
Invisible Green 1t appears of late, be has
dispensed with the "Green," and is now simply
'Invisible'
We copy below the greater portion of one of
his letters from st. Paul, in order to show his
impressions of our young city and its peoples
St. Paul-Hs appearances Society," Midnight
Scene-BaH on a BOaf--Land Specnlations
-Schoois-Drire bach Of the City, &c.
ST. PAUL, NJ. T., June I'd. 1855.
DEAR TIMEs:-When last wrote you had
passed the boundary of ithe "States," and
penetrating country which is still an infant
in Uncle Sans arms | arrived at the head
of navigation" and stopped at
ST. PAUL.
The town lies upon the east side of the Mis-
sissippi. or rather north side, as the river d.
rectly in # ont of it runs from sundOwn to sun
rise. 1t is situated upon level plain some
seventy or eighty feet above the river, but
which gradually descends at both ends of the
town. making access to the river quite easy;
bnt Immediately in front of the city the river
bank is steep, rocky bluff, some seventy feet
town. the streets and buildings extend quite
down to the river. but the town proper lies
upon the elevation. This level extends back
from the river q distance of about half mile
where it is bounded by semi-circular rahge
of hills elevated about forty fevt with
gentle slope towards the town. Thus, the town
standing high above the river and commanding
view Of the stream and of the country for
miles in front. is overlooked by these hills. the
xrbo farm fff fbn ga
for city have ever met with. Though the
river makes short turn just below ST. Paul.
the town can be seen great distance below.
over the intervening county and tall forest
trees and when first seen. elicits the admira-
tion of the bcholder. crowning, as it does, the
high bluff so prettily.
St. Paul was laid OF In the year 1S47 1t was
then occupied only by few trading cabins,
and was known by the not very classical name
of "Pig' Eye" 1t took the name of ST. Paul
from rude, log Catholic mission church erect
ed on the spot. and honored with the name of
the Apostle to the GcEtiles. In the winter cf
'4S-9. Minnesota Territory was organized and
st. Paul was made its capital. 1t then became
not only the 'head of navigation" but the
centre of trade in merchandise and politics, of
the new Territory, and more than ordinarily
attractive. rc
Its success since that time has exceeded all
anticipations. 1t now has population of sew
eral thousands and is rapidly Increasing and
being handsomely improved. Several additions
have been made to the original town plat, and
the limits of the town extended SO as to make
sure of room for the next half century. Though
irregularly laid out, and having been built up
in a day, as it were st. Paul with its many
public and private handsome buildings, is al
ready pretty place. 1t contains number OF
extensive stores and warehouses, several large
and pretty churches. number of hotels, two
of which, the American and Winslow, would
be crcditable to much older and larger place,
and many fine stately dwellings.
must confess. that was taken quite aback
at the size and appearance of : t. Paul. After
travelling long distance up the river, without
seeing any improved country, and passing
towns which were hardly worthy of the name,
did not expect to find a city, with its steeples
and domes rising high in the air, its streets en-
livened by the hum of business. its hotels pre-
senting an attractive air to the traveller, and
it's residences surrounded with lovely gardens,
in this far off country. l was most agreeably
disappointed. as every stranger will be, who
visits this region.
Still ST. Paul is frontier city Everything
which meets the eye indicates that it is in new
country. On tie business street nearly every
other house appears to be occupied by land
agent who, as ther signs tell you, stand ready
to adjust claims. enter land, or give valuable
information relative to the "nterior," on rea-
motley crowd-land spectators and ehqui-
rers after ''good entres.' forming no small part.
And the Indian, wrapped in his blanket, with
his tomahawk in his belt and his gun upon his
shoulder is met with too. The first group of
persons saw in st. Paul, after de- arking from
the boat early in the morning, was some half
dozen Indians, and two squaws, one of the lat
ter carrying papoose in her blanket. l eyed
them with no small interest but their visits to
St. Paul are so frequent that they now hardly
attract any attention from the Inhabitants
Only last week large number of Braves" at
tached to tribe now being removed, by Gov
ernment. farther West, AMI who were encamp-
ed near Fort Smelling, came to ST. Paul, and
favored the inhabitants with number of their
wild dances on the green in front of the Capi
tol. The display attracted q large audience OF
both ladies and gentlemen, and is said to have
been quite interesting. -,-.f
Good luck favored me with choice oppor-
tunity to ct an insight into the society of st.
Paul. of which l gladly availed myself. Ow-
ing to new arrangement in the line. the "City
Belle" on which l came up from Galena, was
compelled to lay over a day behind her usual
time On learning this fact some of the citi
zens suggested that a ball in her cabin would
be agreeable to the numerous friends of the
boat. The gallant officers of the Belle, needed
only hint to that effect, and invitations were
instantly despatched. and the boat made ready
for the dance. To Mr.. Harton, the first clerk.
| was indebted for an invitation. Thursday
evening was clear and cool. and the full moon
tinted the earth with its silvery rays.
As walked down to the boad, / was COM
PEELED to stop and admire st. Paul and the ad
jacent scenery by moonlight. In the rear, the
white houses of the town almost sparkled in
the brigth light, while in 'front.' far down below
the rocky blun on which l stood, the Missis-
sippi, now small stream, glided slowly on,
rejecting on its bosom the resplendent beams
of the silver orb. The town, so busy in the
day, was quiet, and the only sound which
reached my ears was an occasional boisterous
laugh from saloon, or the quadrille music
from the "bonny boat" or the tillsweeter mu-
sic of the waters, where they swiftly swept past
some obstacle in the current. 1t was charm
ing scene-one of those sights which touch the
inner feelings of the soul. -
When 1 reached the boat. the company had
assembled and were gaily tripping through the
dance. Through the attention of my friend
Harton. soon forgot that l was stranger,
amongst strangers. The company was large
and gay, polite but social 1t was indeed q
pleasure party, where eaity and joy reigned SUI
preme. Among The ladies were many beauties.
and among the. gentlemen many distinguished
nersopages. among whom must mention Gen.
Shields ale Senator from Illinois, and Ex-
Gov Ramsey, the first and only good Governor
Minnesota, ever had.s About midnight the
comnany partook of the hospitilities of The
,ee q INC hnat in fhe shane of IN alar,rt