Sauk Rapids frontierman., 1855-06-07
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nENToN COUNT Y--ITs PRINCIPAL.
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BENTON COUNT Yrs PRINCIPAL |
OW N 81
PLATTE RIVER.
II Is 10 miles from Watab 70 Platte
River. The country lying between the
two places is very pretty, composed Of
prairie and woodland---the former pre-
dominates. Along Little Rock, and on
the banks Of the Mississippi, especially
from the mouth Of the former TO what IS
known as the Tammerack Swamp, the
land is Of superior quality, and IS well
wooded and watered. The town Of
Langola is situated just above the mouth
of Platte River, which is a stream of1
considerable Importance. both on ac-S
count Of the extensive pineries on its ups
per banks, and the fertility and loveli-s
ness of the country through which IS
meanders after leaving those pineries.;
The town has but just started. It,has
however, an auspicious beginning. Al
good grist mill is in successful opera
ton, at which, az good -four Is being
manufactured as can be made al any
mill in Minnesota Arrangements are
being made by the proprietors Of the
town for the erection of substantial
saw mill, which, we are authorised to
say, will be ready for work duriug the
present season. Several new dwelling
houses have recently been built, one Of
which is now occupied as boarding
house and hotel. The place is surround
ed BY rich farming country is eligi-
bly, situated possesses a valuable wa
ter power and we see no reason, why,
with the energy they have thus far ex-
hibited, the proprietors of Angola. may
not concentrate there considerable BUSH
ness and capital, and thus add one more
to the long list Of thriving towns in our
county.
SWAN RIVER.
This has been a somewhat noted
place for long time. The original
proprietor was the late William A. Ait
kin, Of Scotch descent---a man Of ine
education, strong will and large busi-
ness experience. He was for many
years fur trader among the Ojibway
Indians, and settled at Swan River in
ls48. There was probably more husi-
ness done at that place during his life
time than at any other point in the
county, and more than has ever been
done there since. To a certain extent,
it was a rendezvous of all the principal
Indian traders among the Chippewas
and Winnebagos, of whom, up to the
period Of his death, Mr.. Aitkin was an
active and leading spirit. The estab-
lishment at Long Prairie Of the Winnie
bago Agency, did much, for time, to-
ward making Swan River a place Of
trade by making it depot for Indian
goods. The place at that time was al
ways filled with strangers. All was life
and animation The Hotel was well
kept and always crowded Money was
plenty, and SO were good liquors. -
There was music, and dancing, and
frolicking, and rollicking. such as were
never seen there before, or since. The
oldest inhabitant mentions those days
with tear in his eye, at the
(" Good time, not coming, but past"
We have listened to his story many
time. 1t seems that all sorts Of spirits
congregated there-some for fun-some
for money---and all-for something
Elements the most incompatible sudden-
y coalesced. Strangers at night, inva-
riably became friends closely compact,
before morning. It was like great
house, at the four corners where men
coming from different points ofthe com
pass. met, had good time, and accor-
ding to our oldest inhabitant, alwaye
left feeling better and richer than when
they came.
This was in an early day, whom men
and times were better than they are
now. The old settlers counted then
money not BY dimes but BY dollars, and
they scattered with = liberal hand.
Pinchinr times commenceT when The