The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-11-20

To the Edstoss Of the Pioneer and Dsmoers';
Ma. EDroK :--As everything that relates to
the increasing population Of Minnesota, and
the building OF her towns h important. and
therefore interesting To you and your reaicfr,
l thought short communication Tor your jour
nal, upon improvements 10 BE- made and now
in progress 10 Steele comfy, at Medford, might
be acceptable.
This place Is situated, as you are aware, on
Straight river, about half way between Farri-
baut and Owatonia, two places already Of
Distinction, and Of pleasing promi'c) being dis
tsnt from each about eight miles.
In site occupies semi-circlc opening to the
south, formed by curve in the river and forest
hIlIs, containing about two hundred acres Of
dry rolling prairie, and holds a picturesque po-
sition in the centre OF that belt Of heavy tim.
Der, about three miles wide. which skirt the
river banks so beautifully, through Steele and
Rice counties. The great centre thoroughiare
lending from st. Panl To Iowa, runs through II,
over which Uso.E Sam is pleased nov TO send
the mail four times week, and doubtless 10
only waiting TO be asked, to give us "a daily
Moreover, II lays In that valley better adapted
than any other, In which 10 locate and build
the contemplated railroad through the interior,
connecting st. Paul with Dubuque.
Being very naturally Influenced by these con-
siierstions,a company from New England have
located here. and commenced operations. They
are erecting raw and grist mills, with shinglc.
lnth and clapboard machines attached Several
stores, dwelling houses and machine shops are
contemplated to he built by the same company,
who have made large purchases Of lands, and
surveyed and plated town. One store, well
furnished, has already been opened; large tav.
err Is also nearly completed, to be frrnisbeti
and kept in good New England style, and will
bc opened Tor the accommodation Of the tray
cling public before the first Of January next;
which, together with smiths shop, dwelling
haiss aud other buildings, either finished or in
the course Of construction, gives the place al.
ready quite townlke appearance.
The effect Of these operations has hail dc
eided influence on thu price Of real estate ia the
vicinity. much Of which has changed hands,
AMI farms that were bought and valued at from
five hundred IN thonsand dollars last year, are
pow9worth and would sell for from fifteen hun
drcd TO five thousand dollars, while large pieces
| Of select lands have been negotiated at from
twenty-five TO fifty dollars per acre, Of both
timber and prairie
The banks Of the river nre high enough to
| Afford sufficient fall for all the purposes of
milling. and the water being compressed into
narrow limits, water power Of great extent is
obtained by comparative small expense Tor
laming. while liz short curves. which are ire.
qaut. make convenient sites 10 erect the mills
upon. This arrangement Of nature, so peculiar
here, will be readily appreciated by milLmen.
which will permit mill TO sit on high aud dry
ground upon one curve and receive through n
flumc Of but few rods in length the water
from u curve above, thereby avoiding many in
convcpienchs, which mill built over river
is subject 10, such Us high frcsbc,s and back.
water, 4 FIRsr SETTLER.
MsproRp, Nov. \, 1856.