Minnesota weekly times., 1855-05-15
Editorial Correspondence Of the Times.

prognostcate that eight or even five boats would
ply between this city and St. Paul, at the present
time. he would have been considered non cOmpOs
mentis, aye, more than this, he would have been
deemed a fit subject for a Lunatic Asylum. Then
there were but few towns on the Mississippi river
above Galena, and inhabited the country was,
by bands of rowing savaSes, but few entertained
the idea that some forty cities and towns would
arise where all was dark, dreary and uncivilized,
and that instead of RATS and canoes, the Missis-
sippi would be covered with large and cOmmOdi-
ous steamers, freighted with human life. The
change for the past is certainly magical-what
will it be for the future?
The Galena left St. Paul, Tuesday morning at
10 O'Clock, and made the trip to this city in 81
hours, having stopped on the route nearly forty
times. She is commanded by Capt. Bakelv, who
has travelled on the river for many years and is
familiar with the growth and prosperity of nearly
every hamlet and town between Galena and St.
Paul. To speak in praise of this boat would be
q work of supercrogation. Those who have once
travelled with Capt Blakely will bear us out in
the remark, that more faithful or attentive Com
mander, does not live.
The weather was very fine, the scenery on eth
er side of the river beautiful, and with the excep
tlon of ndSposition on the part of your humble
servant, the trip would have been one of the
plcasantest ever made. But few incidents occur
red to give variety to the passage. One or two
are only worth noticing. The boat had stopped
at Prairie du Chen, when one of the deck pas
sengers got off and took stroll up into the town.
He was soon reminded by the whistle that the
boat WAS about to leave, and he came tumbing
down to the Levee, at the rate of 40 miles an
hour the neither part. Of his garments flying in
the wind and his sails all set for the brow of the
steamer. lie reaches the boat just as the plank
is being hauled in jumps, and the next minute
is seen struggling in the waves caused by the
wheels Of the boat, at intervals singing out at the
top of his voice, ''murder, fire." &c, to the no
small amusement of those who witnessed the
scene. Although the water was not two feet
deep, yet the poor fellow was SO frightened that
he could not rise, and | verify believe had not
help been extended to him, he would have met
watcrv grave. y little brandy set him all right
and he laughed as heartily rs the rest
''Do hear the plaintive crying of that child.
Whose is it''' Hour after hour those mournful
tones were heard, until the sympathetic heart of
NOlldu cOuiu lIicili io ioiiSC', "ht lhC
child was searched out, AMI The of its fret
fulncSs made known. 1t seems that poor man,
with his sick wif: AMI child nd taken passage, in
hopes to reach her home, that she mi ght die there.
She became worse, the child was taken sick, and
finally the poor husband, with tears in his eyes.
told the Captain that he had but S2.oO-he wish
cd to 90 further, he could not pay his passage,
and that he fearful his wife would die before
lie would be able to reach the next landing. The
Captain generously and promptly returned him
his passage money-made the fact Of the POOR
mans poverty known to tn, passengers, who
cheerfuliy contributed purse of some $50, and
through the agency of medicine furnished by the
ladies on board, the wife was made more cheer
full the little babe ceased its crying, and the hus
banl wore less anxious colntenance. These
little incidents in life teach how to appreciate
health and wealth, and he who under the circum-
stances above narrated, would refuse to give his
mite to alleviate suffering humanity, does not be-
long to the race Of MANHOOD, we care not how
pretcnious he may be of liberality, or how loudly
he nav talk Of the beauties Of religion.
1t is surprising with what rapidity the towns on
the Mississippi river have crown, since last 1 stw
them. one wear ago. Then there were but one Or
two places that YOU could call towns in reality,
now there fifteen. or twenty which have
grown into respectable degree of dignity
Among these noticed Red Wing, Lansing, Has
tines, Kapcsa. &c, &c. Buildings have been
erected at these places during the winter, and the
foundations for many others now being laid.
All along the river there is marked improve
ment and general activity prevails. Who can
tell what these now scarcely noticed towns and
villages will bc twenty years hence? We dare to
prophecy, that many Of them, in that length Of
time, will contain l5 900 and 10000 inhabitants,
and some more than this number. Don't smile
incredulous!y at this prop!ecy-stranger things
than this have happened. The Mississippi Valley
will yet teen with millions Of human beings, and
some now on the stage of life, may live to see
that day.
At McGrcgor's Landing we were informed that
the day previous TO our arrival a man jumped
overheard and drowned himself. lie had been
sentenced to the Penitentiary life, and his son,
who was with him, to the same place, for seven
years. The old could not endure the
thought of cking out miserable existence in a
loathsome prison, and escaping the vigilance of
his keeper, he very passed into the unknown
future. We did not learn the name of either fa-
ther or son.
We entered Galena or Fevre river about o.
clock, and enjoyed the sail to the city very much.
The river is so narrow that you have 6ne view
of the scenery on both sides Of it, which, at this
season of the year, is quite charming. The foli-
age on the trees, however, is not much in advance
of the foliage in and about st. Paul. The grass
we think is more forward, and at Prare du Chen
we saw LacS in bloom-we have seen none here.
The Lcvce at Galena presents a very CONNER
cial-like appearance, there being no less than
thirteen boats in port, and all sorts of freight
blocking up the main street and rendering it al
most impossible for either vehicles Or pedestrians
to pass. Whoever feels disposed to sneer at Ca
lena, can do SO at their pleasure, but it will not
injure her reputation of being of the smartest
business places on the Mississippi river, having
only two superiors-St. Louis and New Orleans.
The business Of Gaena has certainly greatly in
creased since we were last here. Large and new
stores have been erected-a more dense popula-