Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1855-08-21
Correspondence OF the Times.
The Late Rains-River Risine-The CroPs-improve-
nenss-Clufum Fixhs-salc Of the Public Lands, &c.

Correspondence Of the Times
The Late Rains-River Risine-The Creps-Improve
rnenss-Claim Fishs-saie Of the Public Lands &c
SuAKopEE, August ID, 1855.
Ep1ron OF TIMEs,-The late rains have
raised the Minnesota, so that now navigation
is quite brisk. The Montello arrived from
above last evening. The captain reports TWEEN
weight inches of water on the Rapids, so thai
for short time perhaps the "head OF naviga'
ton" will be lifted up; for the most OF the sea-
son the old fellow has hung his venerable capu
SO that VIC have almost thought it would be
permanent fixture at our place.
The farmers bring favorable reports Of theil
irons Corn looks well but the backbirds art
making sad havoc with it. Potatoes are very
forward; green corn, cucumbers, Sc, are plcn
ty, and have been for two weeks. The wheat
crop is not good, on account of the drouth III
the early part of the season. the rain IN harvest
and the ravagcs of the backbirds.
Messrs Pitts & Reynolds have started theil
lumber yard They bring lumber from Still
water, in consequence of which buildings are
"going up" in all parts of the town. MIR. D.
l.. Fuller is building brick store 25 feet by
60. four stories high; T. A. Holmes another
% by 60, three stories high. Mcssrs. Peck
ham & Clark have brick storc-housc nearly
up, and dwellings in various parts ofthe village
are in various stages Of completion.
Messrs. Colyer & Brother, a German firm
from St. Louis, have just receiveda large stock
of Groceries. They will doubtless find large
trade among their own countrymen here, anu
also from our native-born residents.
A claim fight occurred to-day near the vii.
lage. One Of the parties was badly wounded
The victor was brought before Justice Green.
leaf this afternoon for examination, but we have
not heard the result.
The Presidents Proclamation for the sale Of
the lands in this vicinity, causes good deal OF
feeling among the settlers. TMe lands are
sold at The time appointed, not one fourth Of the
settlers wW be ready The day fixed is so ear
ly, that the crops cannot be harvested and sold
in time, and they could be, the forced sale of
so much produce would necessarily make the
price low, so that it must be sold at sacrifice.
Many persons will be compelled to sell their
farming utensils, cattle, household furniture,
and every thing indeed, that a cent can be OBJ
tanned for, i'm order to save the money they
have invested in their claims. They will thus
be reduced to state of dcsttution during the
coming winter. BY a glance over the Procla-
nation, we see that 23l townships, or S3l6
square miles, are offered for sale. This, at
$500 per section, amounts TO sc, 652, $780,
What district of country in the United States,
can raise this amount of money, among the
farming population in gold, in ninety dayss
Petitions are in circulation praying for the
postponemcnt Of the sale. We hope every set
tier will sign one. 1t may do no good, but can
do no HARM If the lands are offered, the Set
tiers cannot buy, and as soon as the sale is
over, the large number Of land warrants that
have been issued will be Immediately put in
circulation, and instead OF the settlers having
the lands, large portion will go to non-resi-
DENTS and the progress of the Territory will be
greatly retarded. A postponement of not more
than three months, would be Of great advan-
tage to the settlers. Some, to be sure, would
,,erer be ready for the sale, but majority
could make some arrangements for themselves.
We hope every patriotic citizen will sign the
petitions for postponement.
Yours Respectfully,
CLEANER.
BE- We trust our friends in Shakopee will
call public meeting Of the citizens at once,
and express their sentiments concerning the
notice of the sale Of the Public Lands. 1t is
matter Of great importance, not only to the ac-
tual settler, but to the prosperity Of the Terri
tory at large. Something more than mere Pc
titions are necessary. The "powers that be"
at Washington, should be made aware of the
true feeling existing on the subject among the
People