Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-05-03
RED WING.


inS Hon. wN. FREEBoRN, the founder of this -four
ishing town. From him we learn that Red Wing
is improving with unparalleled rapidity. Situa-
ted as it is, at the head of Lake Pepin, with a
country back of it excelled by none in the valley
of the Mississippi for the fertility of its soil, and
being the mart at which the trade of the country
for miles around and back of it must concentrate,
we predict for it an increase in wealth and popu-
lation, second to no other town in the Territory.
But three short years ago, Messrs. Freeborn,
Lauver, Beavans, and others, from St. Paul, left
here for the then Indian village of Red Wing.
How great the change! Where stood the tepee
Of the savage, the stately mansion rears its head,
the form of the Indian has faded in the distance,
and instead of few half starved savages, Red
Wing now contains a population OF over one
thousand Industrious and prosperous American
citizens. 1t is the county seat of Goodhue county,
the U. S. Land Office for a large portion of the
most fertile country in Minnesota is located there,
has press established, and another about going
into operation. and last, though not least, it has
among its citizens some of the most cnterprisng
and energetic business men in the country.
We predict for Red Wing, large accession to
her population and business the present season.
Col red Poisonous Confectionaries.
At recent meeting Of the Select Commit
tee Of the British House OF Commons, to in
quire into adulterations Of all articles sold for
food, &C.. DR.. Alfred Taylor, the celebrated
professor Of Chemistry at Guys Hospital, tes-
tilted as follows:
Dr. Taylor stated that his attention had been
directed to adulteratons generally, but more
especially TO mixtures of poisons with articles
of food. The first substance he would men,
,ion was "Scheele's green" which was former
ly very extensively used to color confectionery,
although the use of it had much decreased
since the inquiries Of the committee. Two or
three grains Of the poison would be sufficient
to destroy life, and in 1854 no less than four
teen children had died from the effects of it..
1t was very much used as pigment, and he
had himself discovered it on the bottom crust
of some loaves brought to his table, and upon
inquiry, it was ascertained that the shelves
in the bakers shop had been painted with this
color.
There was 10 difficulty in substituting a
harmless green in its place, but, owing to its
bright color, it was much sought after. In the
blue colors he had not found anything injurious
In the reds, vermillon and red lead were used;
and in the yellow, oxyd Of lead and chromate
of lead, which was very dangerous and Lad
been the cause Of the death OF child in 1853.
With regard to all these colols, others nigh be
substituted, which would be perfectly harmless,
and the difference in cost would Re of no mo-
mcnt. In France several orders bad been is
sued orbidding the use of these substances, as
well as many others. The extract of bitter
which was very much used. was a
most powerful poison. as it contained from six
to twelve per cent. of pruSsic ac.d. Twenty
drops of the oil had kill. d woman 40 years
of age in half an hour. A compound Of it,
called "almond favor" was much used, but was
very dangerous, there was an instance in which
half an ounce had killed a woman aged 80 in
half an hour.
The use of it by confec,ioners should be
strictly forbidden, but at present there was moth
ing of the kind, and any quantity was sold.-
The prussc acid might be separated from the
oil, and it was then free from danger; the fla
vor and odor were chiefly owing to the oil, quite
of the acid, and there was no ex-
cuse for the use Of it. except laziness and igno-
rance.