Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-04-05
Cor 60 ~.
GJ N wobp, Henn}pin Co., !
in, NH 80, 1855.

in, HlIPh ~, 1900.
II. Ex>spa-Tlesvi pirit of emigration
NOD 10 out I'D ) and purits has no. al
been queicbed y the sloddA h." 50 l find
my,sN in lke ~ Of the Woods or as it
is marked Mouf maps ssCoteau de grand Bois."
Greenwood isl located at the forks of Grow
River in sections 80 and 81, in Township ll9
north, and Range "a west, being Gym n,ilesa
north and thirty.two miles west of ST. Paul.
The nortk branch d the fiver comes in lrbm
the west and is about one hundred and twenty
feet wide and four feet deep. The south,
branch comes infrom the eoutb, and Is alotk
ninety feet vide and Two feet deep. The aih
river is about two hundred and fifty feet wide
and four feet deep. The water is clear and
rather softer than ahe water OF Minnesota riv.
ers, generally. The current is tolerably
strong and steady. About two miles above on
the north branch is rapid, which will give
sufficient power to turn grist and saw mill;
about q, mile up the, south branch is another
sufficient for a good saw mill and about .
mile below the town on the main stream is an
other which will give power enough to run
several mills. This is owned by Messrs.
George g. Co., lately from Boston. They are
making active preparations to improve it. They
will probably erect first rate saw mill during
the summer. A steam saw mill owned by the
Messrs. Perkins is in operation on Indepen-
dence AXE, about seven miles from here.
One year ago. Mrssrs. Allen, Holmes, Bart
and Laisey selected this place is a town site.
Mr.. Holmes had previously visited il while
trading with the Indians. Z oss
The town is laid out with good wide streets,
crossing each other at right angles 1t is about
forty rods below 'the Forks" on both sides of
the river. The ground rises gradually from
the river, thus securing good drainage and
beautiful streets. The river curves gracefully
between nice grassy banks about six feet above
high water mark. Every part of the plot has
been covered by heavy timber until recently,
the work Of clearing the streets begun-we
can now see daylight. Il = 'i'll -
A year ago, Mr.. Allen came through from
Lake Mnnetonka, and blazed his way with
butcher knife. On this trail there is now a
Territorial road, and every claim on it is taken,
. on almost every one is a comfortable log cabin,
and on some Of them neat looking framed
houses are being built Then there was no
road coming here. Now Territorial roads are
located from Shakopee and Minneapolis. and
others are legalizcd from Monticello, Anoka
. and Forest City.
Then one hastily built cabin was all that
there was Of this now fourishing village We
have now among US six carpenters, black
smith, several laborers. good hotel, the
Beaver House kept by Albert H. Laisey, and
store kept by Mr.. John NJ. Burt.
The Rev. Mr.. Camp, (Me,hodist Episco-
pal) breaches here once in two weeks. This
is all the preaching we have at present, but
hope that the clergy of other denominations
will favor US with call occasionally.
The Legislature at its late session passed an
act Incorporating this place city!! In accor-
dance with its provisions an election was held
on the 18th inst, Matthew Laisey was elected
President, John NJ. Burt Recorder, and Sam.
uel Allen. Robert Gusin. and John F. Powers,
Trustees.
We are visited almost daily by adven:urers,
bound westward, in search Of town sites.
A site has been chosen at Buffalo Lake, nine
miles north west of here; one on the south
branch Of Crow River, twelve miles south west
Of here; one on the north bran n, forty miles
west, and one on the Grand prairie twenty miles
west. Settlers are coming in every day, the
cold winds Of the prairie causing them to seek
the kindly shelter Of the forest. l, seems to
US tina, the Big Woods must ultimately be the
most valuable part Of the Territory. The
''great moral agent" the saw mill can do Won
ders here.
Send emgrants up this way, lands are plen.
~ and good timber. Yours.
t,,, 81 .. ,-. MORE ANON.
.B@ In reply to our correspondents inter-
| Al