Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-03-06
cSrrespoDasnoe Of the Times.
SRvrf-.~v~ MI "a eoSg


SruivArEa, March Sd, 1855.
FRIEND NswloS,-I Do nero address you from
the Valley Of the St.. Crsix, ~ with far different
feelings than when Iwypte u you from this place
last Fall, for then ny viewSSf what this section
Of our prosperous TERRITORY xould be, at some fu-
ture day, were drawn from what saw and heard,
but now from what see and know.
Then, had faith, but now assurance. STILL
WATER, situated as it Is, at the head of Lake st.
Croix, out Of which you cannot 60 either North,
South or West, without beholding Q prospect such
as has already caused many to exclaim, What
. country what q country for the farmer How
beautifully the land lies! What splendid farms
little time, money and labor can make here =
lumber, must inevitably rise in Importance and
become at no distant day the mart of large and
active trade and city of no small dimensions.
A stranger who, from frst-sight- impressions,
pronounces SALTWATER a Some horse" town, and
laughs at the idea of it's ever being anything
more, can well be excused, for its present appear
ance would certainly justify the remark, but he
who would venture such a remark after be-
coming acquainted with its resources and
its inhabitants, whose principle character
istic is indomitable perseverance and fixed
and continued determination to make the most of
all their advantages, might well be considered
lacking in judgment or strongly biased. The
short time have been here and the necessity of
my speedy departure, will necessarily make this
communication brief, but before close must
give you some idea Of the SECTION of country just
above Saltwater, and add an item or two of in
hot I Lod loc
On the morning of the I'd, with friend and "a
rife, took up my march for Lake Comedian,
which is about FIVE miles above this place. The
morning was cool but pleasant, and Old Sol, who
seldom hides his face for whole day in til,
country, seemed to be doing his utmost to find the
ground, and judging from the impression he made
have no doubt of bis success and of the entire
disappearance of all our snow in few days.
The country above Saltwater is what might be
termed undulating table land. THERE'S, however,
every now and then . large broad fat space be-
tween the undulations that seem to have been de-
signed especially for agricultural purposes, while
ted for pasturage. This is especially SO around
Lake Comedian, where the fat spaces are not so
broad, yet broad enough to make q large field
with ridges or waves of lands encirclng plateaus.
These little plateaus so frequently near and
around the Lake, that its strikes one as singular
and one cannot we'll avoid giving some expression
to his feelings even when alone, on beholding
view SO peculiarly pleasing. We spent the day
wandering over the little hills, and although we
saw plenty Of deer tracks and many fresh ones
too, yet not deer gladdened our sight and
per necessity we returned to diet of "Hog and
Hominy," notwithstanding we had prepared our
nppetites for nice piece of roast venison. After
| supper was fortunate enough to fall in with
Hon. A. Van Vorhies, who, by the by, is quite
genius, and one of natures own mechanics. /
| spent some time with him in his workshop, and
must confess myself highly pleased with the skill
| and inventive genius displayed in his newly in
vented machine for cutting spiral grooves in
| rifles. 1t is now completed and works like
charm. 1t is quite simple in its construction
Any one can work it and yet it is SO constructed
that IL or "a, 10 or 90, or l4grooves can be cut
with the usmost exactness, and in much less time
than by the ordinary method. The old gentleman
also very clearly described design which he has
perfected and upon which he intends to construct
similar machine, with which right hand, left
hand, straight or gain-twist groove can be read
lily cut. The last machine is principally intended
for large manufactures and can be worked by
machinery, while the first would greatly add to
the completeness of every Gunsmth's shop. He
intends securing patents.
| After showing me several curious things,
| the old gentleman secured for me an intro
duction to the younger Mr.. Staples, from whom
learned the following facts: that Messrs. Hersey,
| Staples & Co., are building large Steam Saw
Mill just below the village, it being l48 by 70
feet, and will contain two engines, one of 120
horse power,-and that the engines will be sup
piled with steam from six boilers, each Al feet
long, furnishing power sufficient to drive single
saws and one gang of 30 saws, besides one shin
| gle, one clap-board and one lath machine. They
have already expended $4,000 in the purchase
of pine lands and the construction of the Mill -
and they have in the pineries at the present time,
IA teams, so yoke of oxen, 1877 men, two four
horse teams drawing lumber, 16 two-horse teams
hauling supplies and it is estimated that the num-
Der of logs prepared for the Mill since the close
to the opening of navigation, will make from 16
to II 900 feet of lumber so you see that there
is something doing in this quiet little village
As the time Of my departure draws near, will wind
up by requesting you to remember me as ever,
rs boseo Your Friend, 4 j. NJ. D.
| ca Certainly, and we should be glad of an
| other letter ss of the same SORTED. r
| GT We are informed that the appropriation
of the Common Council of 5000, to aid the Hook
and Ladder Company, is not annually, but mere
| ly for the time being. We are sorry that the ap-
preparation is not as has been stated, that is,
yearly. aob 1ej eaoff
I CO Mechanics of all kinds, with small a
mount of capital, can make as much money here
as in any place in the Territory. Every kind Of
employment is in great demand, commands high
prices, and the cash. Every facility will be afford
ed those who wish to make this their home. Far
mers can also find in this vicinity the best land
for cultivation, a ready market, and sure pay for
their produce.-&. Peters Courier.
CO The st. Peters Courier is informed by
Mr.. Winsow, that the hotel at that place, will be
ready for visitors by the first of July.
iTHR RICURSr SRI wv rvvp uvAvC