The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-06-26
SELECTED FOR TuE ARBHvILLE BANNER.
WESTERN PROGRESS.

.ur. Editor The following extract from
the Htpudticon, (La Crosse, Wisconsin, will
bo read by most of your readers for the
sake of its illustration of the extraordinary
progress OF the great Northwest, and by
Il small circle Of them with additional in
tcrcst from regard to its author, the Rev.
Benz. w. REYNOLDS, who removed from
the vicinity OF Greenwood TO that region
OF country many years ago, while yet
young man. l..
Let me give you some facts in regard
to the increase of population in La Crosse.
| came here little over four wears since {;
we hal then less than II buildings and
population almost nothing. The first year
We grew up to 300; 2l to GOO; 81 to
700, and lth, (prcscnU to $500. and, 1
sec no reason To prevent II similar increase
iur years to comic. 1t would he moderate
to estimate the population of this place at
10000 five years from the present time.
Business has steadily kept pace with
the Increase of population. Three years
ago the arrival Of a Steam Boat was an
era in our history, but this period soon
passed away, SO much 80, that the past
season it required over go boats to do the
business OF this place and this portion of
the country. The past year over 200
buildings have been erected, and vet not
an empty one is to he found. All are full,
SOME tcnements containing 2, 3, and 4
families, and still the cry is for more. For
the last three years real estate has advan-
ced steadily 100 per cent. per annun,, AMI
the sales have not been fictitious and specu-
lative, but actual and real, and for cash
down.
Now the question is, whether we can
sustain this Or Il similar advance. OF this
you shall be the Judge. You are advised
of the rate OF our advancement in this our
infancy. We are not yet, but are to Jc-
Here, there has been no accidental or ficti.
tous advance-no pulling-no effort to
push this place into notice. Thousands,
both west and east have never so much as
heard Of it. 1t has come up alone, us it
were, unaiIed. II has risen up in its own
strength and stretched forth its limbs to
slew its power; We have within ourselves
The elements of greatness. The God Of
nature designed this place to he the home
OF large community, and he has provided
the means necessary TO cause this to come
to pass. Our site is unsurpassed for salu-
hrity Of climate, heauty OF scenery, and for
convenience in the transaction Of business.
The town is situated on IN elevated, drv,
sandy loan prairie, skir,eI by al irregular
outline Of picturesque Bluffs rising from 4
10 GOO feet above the plain below and con-
tanning an abundance Of durable building
material. Our prairie is l-2 miles wide
by miles long. We have room to build
and no mud, and hot too much sand, with
soil peculiarly adapted to gardening pur-
poses.
We are midway between Gaena on
the one hand and st. Paul on the olher,
with IA distance l'y The river Of 1870 miles
each way, and no Intermediate place TO
came III serious competition with us, and
besides. this is natural crossing place for
great thorouy ltre from east 10 west.-
We have coming down from the cast an
extensive river, (lle LII Crossc( presenting
all along I'LL easy grade throughout its en-
tire length, as has been established by the
survey by the engineers Of the Milwaukee
and La Crosse K. X. company, aud on the
west, a corresponding river, (the Hokah)
stretching away to the vicinity Of the South
Bend Of the St. Peters or Minnesota river.
So obvious are the advantages Of this place
as n crossing, that Gov. German of Mime
sofa, i'll his late message to the Legislature
OF that Territory, has recommended that
they abandon their contemplated Railroad
route from st Paul to Chicago running
midway between the River and Lake
Michigan, and run from poiut opposite
ST. Paul down on the west side Of the river
to point opposite this place and then
cross over and seek Railroad connection
with Chicago and the East.
" Admirable us this place is us crossing,
it is equally the natural center of !; region
of country round about on both sides Of
the river. Within given circle the whole
country makes III this way. For coiisid-
cradle distance to the north and south, as
well rs from the east and west, the Indian
trials all look down upon and center on this
prairie.
So manifest are the advantages of this
place AS regards position. that already eight
Railroads are projected to Lit Crosse, some
ing built, and all come in due time, for all
of them being surveyed, and others are be-
will be needed.
But our site and position, though
unexceplionaI, is not our chief rcco,n,nen-
dation. We have the resources to back IN
that position. Rolling down at our feet
and stretching away to the north and east
tor over hundred miles in straight line,
IL the Black River aud its multitude of
attiuents, a'l intimately. connected by
business relations, and from natural posi-
ton tributary 10 this place. The Black
river and its dependencies is An empire
within itself, and large one according to
the model OF ancient Grecian Republics. -
This valley is extensive not only from north
TO south, but also from east to west It is
highly priced abroad for its abundance of
excellent pine. It's store of pine is almost
inexhaussible. But it will prove itself in
the end TO be far more valuable as an agri.
cultural district than As a lunhervard