The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1856-04-17

the District, uamense p,oerses, commencing
at the mouth Of Grow Wing river, and eztead-
ing Tor more than nfsy mikes northwsrd. along
the bank OF the Mississippi, and many miles
back. Besides this vas. pinery, much vAlaar
bic pine land h found on Rum, Platte, and
Long Prairie rivers. Eight saw mills are in
operation within the District.
Root Rrpu Land D,ar,a This district
comprises iavorite portion Of Minnesota, and
ooe which Is the tabular statements exhibit, has
more rapidly increased in population during
1888, than any other portion or the Territory.
In the Root river district, there are at present,
subject TO presumption. lands in the counties OF
Fillmore, Mower, Freeboru, Farribault, and
in the southern tier Of townships in Olmstead,
Dodge. Steele. and Blue Earth counties For
fertility, these lands are not exceeded by any
on the continent.
NJ. M'KEssY estimates that the rate Of in
crease in population, in the Brownsville district
during 1855. has been flee hundred per ee'a
and. judging from personal observation, and
conversations with gentlemen who have had
every opportunity Of acquiring truthful infor-
nation, We think this estimate q small one,
rather than extravagant.
The populstian Of the Brownsville district,
consists principally Of emigrants from the fol-
lowing States New York, Massachusetts,,
Connecticut, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and
Iowa. There are several ext snsive settlements
Of Norwegians in this District. Us well as Ger
man, Irish, Scotch, Swedes and Canadians.--
As to the character of these settlers they are
an intelligent and industrious people
Htnnsapois Land Diarid. THE settlements
in the Minneapolis district have advanced far
beyond the surveys, and the land officers esti
innate the increase Of population at four hun
dyed per oent.
The settlers in this District are farmers; in.
dustrious, thrifty, moral and intelligent, about
twothirds Of them are Americans by birth, aud
the rest are Irish, Germans and Canadian
French, in about equal proportions.
The country, between the MINNESOTA and
Mississippi, situated in this district, is very fer
tile. and in its wild state, presents q beautiful
appearance. Rolling prairies, dotted with
small lakes Of clear water, and orchard like
groves Of trees, are the principal characters
tics Of the scenery. Many thriving inland VII
lagos are springing up; while the farming pop
ulation is increasingat rapid rate.
Wmona Land Dar,et.-There are in this
district nearly 100000 Of acres subject to
presumption, including as choice agricultural
lands as the most theoretical or practical farm
er could desire. 1t is mostly prairie, inter
spcrsed W ith groves Of timber, watered by nu-
merous springs, rivulets and rivers. which
abound in speckled trout and Others Of the finny
trib,s. .Qisten, yc disciples Of the good
IzAAK WALrosD and afiording in their course
10 the Father Of Waters, numerous water pow
crs capable of easy improvement
In speaking ofthe population OF this district,
Mr. L, u. SMITH, the Receiver at the Land Of
flee at Winona, says, that in point Of inteli-
gencc, perseverance, and every qualification go
ing TO make up an enlightened aud prosperous
community. they will compare avorably with
any other class Of persons that he has ever
seen.
The great majority Of the settlers are from
the States--New York having contributed
much the largcs, number. There are two or
three settlements Of Norwegians in this dis
,rict, and Scotland has its representatives in a
few localities, while from different parts of the
district, the sweet German accent and the
rich Irish brogue" are frequently heard
The increase Of population in the District
for the year 1855, has been at least Eve hun-
dred per cent, which, to some. may appear in
credible, bu; vet Mr.. SMITH is satisfied that
the facts will fully sustain the assertion To
show the rapid increase in that portion Of Min
ncsota, be Instances the county Of Olmsted---
III what is now Olnsted county years since
the white man had no, disturbed the peaceful,
denizen of the forest, but within that period
civilization has taken possession, and the bean
titul prairics have been converted into broad
fields, yielding beautifully. thus enricbing the
farmer, and converting wide solitude into a
settled district, numbering nearly or quite 81
00o inhabitants. The same is true not only of
other localities in this district but Of the entire
southern portion Of the Territory.
Quite number Of mills are already in op-
pcration in different parts of the district. and
many more are in process OF construction ;
many thriving towns are springing up in the
interior and along the Minnesota Valley, among
which arc Stockton. ST. Charles. Rochester,
Man,orville, Farribault, Orinoco, Ashland
ST. Peter, Traverse des Sioux, &c, &c Schools
aud churches are last furnishing the means Of
mental and moral culture, A charter for a
Railroad has been obtained and accepted, to
connect the Mississippi at Winona with the
waters Of the Minnesota river, and when this
shall be completed the distric, will have auri-
vailed facilities Of INSTRUMENTATION.
Red Hmg Land Drsrid-Messrs. PHELPS
GRAHAM in their communication TO US. esti-
mate that the population Of the district has
more than quadrupled during the past year.
1855. From the dcciaratory statements filed
in that Office, it would seem that settlement
h.s roa,L.J Ca b,cl into ,La ;nt.r,o- o,J j.,