Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-09-04
Editorial Correspondence.

us CONSTITUENTS
Editorial Correspondence.
WINONA, Aug. 90, 1855.
WINoNA is the Indian name for the first born
child, if daughter. Chaska is the Indian name
for the 6rst born, if boy. Doubtless this beau
tiful plain, which is nine miles long and two wide
takes its name from the above circumstance, and
as beauty generally prcdominates in favor of the
gentle sex, We think Winona is we'll named
About three years ago, at the suggestion of Capt.
Orrin Smith, (well known to most of our citizens,
man by the name of JOHNSON landed here from
the old Nominee and made his claim, rather
made claim for himself and the Captain, and
settled down with the firm conviction that some
thing would turn up in the course of few years,
to better his condition. At first his shanty stood
solitary and alone, but few daring to locate ON
the plain, believing that it would overflow
The illusion, however, began gradually to be dis
PEELED, anu soon after Rev. MIR. Hamilton and
Others msrated hither, and the vast tract that
had hitherto lain desOate, began to wear the ap-
pearance of life and animation. Dwellings and
stores went up if by magic, and from that
time forward it has bycn steadily growing. Last
year land Office established, and ncwspa-
mcnts in the hands of government officials,
who use their n.uence (what littl. they possess
to crrry out their political predictions, still
they have aided somewhat in the growth of the
place. The principal drawback has been the
difficulty in procuring the title to the town site,
rs strangers are somewhat ch.ry in purchasing
property which is in dispute. IL is alleged that
johnson desires to claim more land than belong,
to him Capt. Smith contests the matter and
hence the litigation. was informed yesterday
that the case had been amicioly scttle1, but b.
fore night new kink in the law set the parte,
ut logserhead1, AN furnished additional labor
for lawyers, who by scarce in this
region. The town is shut in by broken bluffs
which add very much 10 the be tuty of the place,
aad relieve the ony which would otherwise
appear. just back of the town, there is Il hiy
pyrimidica pont called s.Thc S.,str Loaf GA
either side of this bluff coolies come down to
the edge of the plain, ana give the ''.Sugar Loaf
the appearance of stupendous pul pit. Stretching
along at the left, the bluff becomes again brok N
and for miles beautiful valley, dotted with
Farm houses, meets the eye. Passing up the val
ley, you come to a magnificent farming country
by no means thnly settled, and then stretching
onward, about as far as one would desire to 20,
the same richness Of soil and beauty of scenery
greet the vision. Winona, thus having a fine
agricultural country back and around it, must
continue to grow, and must eventually take rank
among the most prosperous towns on the Missis-
sippi. There here however, as in almost eve
ry other place, rival interests. The claim which
fell to Captain Smith has luckily been the most
built upon, and consequently the most valuable.
Lots in this division arc held as high $500 and
$1,000, which, 10 my opinion, is much in advance
OF their real value. Lots in tho upper part Of the
town, mostly owned by Messrs. Huff, Olmsted
(the candidate for Delegate) and Foster, COM
mand from one to two hundred dollars. Very de-
cided and important improvements going on
In this neighbOrhoOd. A fine hotel is soon to be
erected here (Which the place stands greatly in
need off, number of large stores and dwellings
are in course of erection, the Anti-Ncbraska
newspaper Office is here and several good Repub-
licans reside in the immediate vicinity. In low
or town $50 called) there are but three or four
buildings, one occupied by Mr.. johnson, the
original claimant, and another occupied by Par
son Hamilton, whose residence is situated about
40 feet above the river and short distance
from it. AS yet but little improvement has been
male in this section, the propretors wisely
awaiting autil they could get good title to
their land before Oferin, it for sale. As sooa
as this is accomplished, they intend to give
away lots to who ever will build upon thenl,
and in this manner they will very soon outstrip
other parts Of the town, and render what Ian /
they may reserve, very valuable. The great diff
fcuity with men is, they too eager to make
money they lose sight of the fact, that By tx
hibiting spirit Of lioerali,y, they invar,bly en-
nance their own interests. Whoever lays GU,
town site, should give away AT least one thru
of it, aud my word for it, he will be u richer
man much quicker, than he VINO holds on in
hopes of realizing exorbitant profits. AS the
lower part of the town is mucl aigacr than
the upper, and has also an excellent Levee,
there good for the belief that lots there
will, in IA short time, be the most vau,ble.
In the course of my perigrinatons, v,sitci the
garden OF MIR. Foster, in upper town, (who, by
the way is a back bone Retublican,) and was de-
lighted with the large number of young fruit
trees which he has growing therein. 1t is his in
tention to start a nursery soon, and Judging from
the manner in which he has already commenced
he cannot fail of success. Waternelous. As large
and fine favored rs we have ever seen or eat
en- anywhere, have been raised in his garden, and
raiser of corn, potatoes, and other vegetables,
he stands among the FIRST.
"But what of the Republican movement go
surmise you are asking. Everything good. Not.
withstanding the efforts of the Land Office Oligar.
chy to brow-beat honest and Industrious men in.
to their measures, still the cause is gaining ground
in Winona Co., and strong men entering the
field. 1t is well known that this il the home of
Hon. DAVID OLxsrED, and that gentleman and
his friends, are doing all they can to secure hi.
election. He and they are of the opinion, thai
his chance is the best Of the three candidates, snG
are somewhat surprised to learn thas hs il mol