The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-09-08
Editorial Correspondence Of the milwaukee
Sentinel.
81 PaaG-&. A'satony- Climate and Soil Of
MINNESOTA. Is
Manson Aup. 18th. 1855.

AsAgteseCcOveVe i
MADIsoN, Aug. 10th, 1855.
Arriving late at night at St: Paul and having
but one day to give to that city and its vicin-
-ity, we made an early start on the morning
of the 10th instant, for st. Anthony's Falls.
They are distant about nine miles from st.
Pau, the road connecting them afiording a
fine drive, and traversing a handsome and
fertile region of country. A keen north
wester gave a frosty touch to heearly morn
ing air, and by the time We reached the St.
Charles House," at ST. Anthony, we were
chilled through, and in great need of warm
fire and good breakfast. But we found
neither at est. Charles" the churlish land
lord declining to "fire up'' for our benefit,
and the breakfast Offering nothing that could
tempt the palate of even starving travellers.
We hurried away from this inhospitable
house, as soon as possible, and in the bright
sunshine, fresh breeze and attractive land
scape, speedily found amends fer the def
ciencies of the st. Charles.
st. Anthony is an exceedingly pretty town;
lying well up on high, rolling land, and pos
sessing, in the magnificent water power at
the falls, an inexhaustiblc source of wealth.
The falls themselves have no striking charm,
save that with which large body of swiftly
flowing water is always invested; bnt to the
eye of the practical ti,an, who secs in this
power the means and elements Of manufac
turing enterprise and Industrial prosperity,
they are teeming with beauty. 1t needs but
the magic wand of Capital to turn this power
to good accottnt and make st. Anthony the
Lowell of the Northwest. Opposite St.
Anthony and connected with it by means of
neat Wire Suspension Bridge is Minneapo-
lis, an ambitious young rival, OCCUPYING a
charming site and surrounded by lovely
country. From this point to Fort Smelling,
three or four miles distant, the road passes
overa beautiful, undulating prairie, So far ell
evated above the surrounding region that at
almost every point of the drive, the landscape
spreads out on either hand, far and wide and
radiant with promise. Fort Smelling crowns
frowning and rocky promontory, at the
junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota ri
vers its stout stone walls being built flush
with the precipice, any crenellated for mus
kerry. 1t is very commanding point and
impregnable against all ordinary assaults.
Two or three companies of U. S. Troops are
now in garrison there. Between Minneapo-
lis and the Fort we paused a few moments at
the Falls of the Miaae-ha-ha, the famous
Laughng Weters of the Indians; a perfect
gem of a Cascade, and worthy of its poetic
aame; and on our way back to st. Paul, we
Explored the dark recesses of the Spring Cave
end quaffed the icy waters which sparkle
along it's sandy floor. We reached the Win
slow House i'll ample season and with sharp
appetite for dinner and this time, at least,
were not disappointed; the table like the
other appointments of the Hotel being eX-
cellent.
We made the most of the afternoon to look
round ST. PAUL. 1t is, decidedly, a hand
some, smart-looking progressive" town
built upon series of terraces, which rise, as
they recede from the river, till they reach
the level of some two or three hundred feet
above the Mississippi. The business portion
Of the town occupies the lower levels along
the river front, while the dwelling houses,
the churches and other public buildings are
scattered over the higher ground. The streets
seem narrow for new town, and some of
them are inconveniently steep. The general
style of the buildings is good the stores dis
play large and attractive.stocks, and the show
of business was fair for the season. Still St.
Paul wore TO me The air of a town which has
grown too fast for the region round about it,
and is now standing still, waiting for the
country to "catch up" No doubt, however,
in another year or two, it will resume its on
ward and prosperous march and speedily be-
come large and wealthy city. We heard
wonders told of the soil of Minnesota, and
listened to the tale with, credulous ears. The
country is very beautiful the climate health
ful and invigoratins the soil quick and pro-
ductive; the rivers TEEN with fish. and the
forests and prairies with game; the popula-
ton, though variously compounded, is of the
best class, and as they muster now fifty thou
sand strong, we shall no doubt have Mime
sofa claiming rank and position as Sove-
reign State, within the next year. Hail and
Welcome TO our fair young sister!