The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-11-15
From the Maysville (Ky.) Eagle.
ABOUT MINNESOTA.
NUMBER 1.
ST. PAUL, Mlnn., Feb. %, 1856.

~ ST.. PAUL, Mlnn., Feb. %, 1856.
AS the emigratipg season draws nigh, and
the war about the black man in Kansas and
the red man IN Oregon and Washington
makes those Territories not very desirable
locations, it may not be unintcresting to
your readers to hear something of our growing
and thriving Minnesota, from one who has
taken nine months view Of the elephant
If you think so, will write one or two
letters for your paper, the object of which
shall be to present facts, and give informa-
ton which will be profitable to the emigrant
and business man, and interesting t. the
general reader
And first, as there is no object upon which
there is more Misrepresentation than the "ter-
rible cold" of Minnesota, allow me to give a
few facts in relation this matter:
Notwithstanding all had heard and read
about the winters being "tolerable, and even
pleasant" s'gayest season." and all this,
confess was unable to understand exactly
how such things could be consistent with such
low range of the mercury; and was expec-
ting cold almost intolerable.
In this, however, have been entirely dis
appointed. The cold is generally SO calm,
dry and invigorating, that prefer it to the
cold of Kentucky and Ohio. Very much of
the winter-even of this winter-is the most
delightful l over experienced; no wind, no
mud, no rain or moisture since November-a
bright July sun almost the whole time-a
pure, bracing, balmy atmosphere; and such
an anomaly as a person shivering or being
chilly hardly ever known. l have estimated
the temperature here in cold weather as %
or 30 degrees milder than the mercury indi-
Gates. The most pleasant weather we have
is when the mercury ranges from 5 or 10 be-
low zero to 20 or 80 degrees above. | would
BE- willing to have it from 5 below zero to 40
degrees above, all the year round. At this
rate the weather is truly delightful here;
while in Kentucky your moisture, wind, sleet
and su lden changes make one shudder to
think of it.
1t is a really remarkable fact, that even
when tie mercury is 40 degrees below zero
here, the body does not suffer from cold. |
mean there is not that general sensation of chill
illness which pervades the entire man in the
moist, windy climate of Kentucky. If the
song of the bird and the cricket were only
added, you might almost fancy that some of
our bright, still days of 40 degrees below ze-
70, We're July days, frozen to death when
in their meridian glory, and still retaining
the smile of life upon their countenance.
From the 23d of December to the 10th OF
January, we had the longest term of the
coolest weather known in Minnesota for 80
years: So say the oldest inhabitants. Du-
ring this period, although the mercury was
only once or twice above Zero and ranged
from zero to 3G degrees below, and by some
thermometers, at an early hour day, 40 de-
grees below, light cloth ovcrcoat, much
lighter than wore in the Middle States, and
without the cloak added, as last winter, kept
me entirely comfortable out of doors; while,
in doors, l never had less trouble in keeping
warm; and was surprised to find that dldn t
have TO turn one way and then the 9th be-
fore the fire, as in Kentucky, when the mer-
cuIy was only 10 degrees above zero.
The only inconvenience | felt during this
extraordinary weather, was biting sensation
about the nose if continued out long; ant!
cold hands and feet, which my Kentucky
costume could not prevent. found peril ct
remedy for these things in Buffalo over
shoes, Otter-skn gloves, and an ordinary
comfort. Dressed iii this way, the very worst
cold OF Minnesota is harmless, and You can
move about in the clear, cold sunshine with
out Inconvenience. Dressed thus, passengers
have been coming through from Dubuque al
winter generally tri-weekly-and | Eav,
yet to lear of a single instance of any one
being frozen, or injured at all, though the
stopping places are ''few and Gar between
and Notwithstanding such instances have beer
frequent in the Middle and Southern States
The ''cold snaps" here, as in Kentucky
generally last only day or so, and do moi
amoant to over about two weeks during the
whole winter, as am credibly informed
The winter, however, hs been an pxtraord
nary one with us as we'll as with you. A
short extract from the official report of Gov
Stevens, of his survey of the Northern Pa
cific Rlilroal, may be of interest in this con-
necton. Speaking of our winters, he says:
"The winters are dry; the weather c!ea
and bracing, with little or no wind The
mercury, although occasionally it falls to :
very low point, is seldom Jeloso zero. The cold
est day of the winter of 1858, Feb. Sth
the mercury fell to 25 degrees below zero
and the winters a'e from to 1-2 months
long. Frosts seldom occur before October
The fall climate is remarkably fine.
''The Hon. Ii. NJ. Rice, Delegate from Min
nesota, has travelled from Grow Wing to tho
waters of Hudson's Bay, on foot, without
snow shoes. Hon. Ii. II. Sibley, also an ex
perienccd voyageuur, states that the snow is
seldom over IA or Is inches deep; and he has
known two or three winters in succession
when there was not snow enough for tolera
lie sleishing. .3.a
"At St. Paul, the coolest days of six win
tiers are as follows:
| 1856 Below zero Is degrees.
| 1867 +" 4" 81 &C. -i
| 1918 1" &c %
1880 g 4" 81
| 1849-5O I" " 81
| 1910 ri l.- &C C ~ 1-C9