The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-01-05
Special Correspondence of Chicago Democratic Press.
The City Of 81. Paul: "a
AMERICAN House, st. Paul, Nov. 20.

"
of heroes, on whom the eyes of the worl
are cast, and who are determined to shin
on history's page as neither laggards no
towards. They seem to feel that they ar
the nucleus of great city-the founders @
truly magnificent and beautiful country
If ever city had any reason to be calle,
Yonng America +" in it's character, that cit,
is st. Paul. The property holders here ar,
men who possess the elements of go-ahead
ativeness in it's highest FORM Bold, resolut,
and determined, they have set out to make
the city of St. Paul the greatest city in tn,
Northwestern Territory, and there is every
probability that they will be successful.
The city of st. Paul (not 81. PaMs) il
built on series of tables or benches which
run parallel with the river, The one rising
above the other to height of from forty te
sixty feet, and extending probably two miles
along the river, running back about the
same distance. In early times, the place
went under the name Of "Pig's Eye;" but
missionary who came here and built small
church dedicated to St. Paul, and from that
the city has been named. This "church,' a
little log house, is still standing, and was
pointed out to me yesterday by Judge Tul.
lis of this city. There it stands, a rude
rough, log house, where first the red man oi
these regions heard preached the tidings o1
salvation. This is called the -"nucleus'' ot
st. Paul, and I observed that not few
chunks had been. cut out of the logs by relic
hunters who have visited this region.
The town plat of St. Paul was laid out in
1847, up to which time it could only claim
to be wilderness. In 1850 the population
amounted to 1O35, since which time it has
rapidly increase, till now it numbers upwards
of 1000 The business, however, trasacted
at st. Paul, is far greater in proportion than
it's population would justify. Situated as it
at present virtually is, at the head of navi-
cation, st. Paul is not only the Territorial
capitol, but also the commercial centre OF
Minnesota Territory. Everything for the
back or upper country must of necessity
pass through it, and that of itself gives it
an advantage over any other city or town
site in the Territory. True, there may, and
doubtless will be, other large cities in Min
nesota; but St. Paul has the lead at present,
and there is no reason why it should not
keep it.
There are several fair looking buildings in
st. Paul, considering it's age. The Capitol is
an imposing structure built of brick manu-
factured here. There is also q we'll built ho-
tel - the Winslow House which has a
appearance. The majority of
the houses, however, are built of wood.
There are three grist mills in operation,
capable of turning out 800 bushels a day.
There are also six or seven saw mills, all of
which at present are running night and day.
During the past summer, the water was so
low that logs could not get down the river
sufficient to keep the mills going, and many
buildings have been kept back in conse-
quence. There are also here several steam
door and sash factories, shingle factories,
&c., &c. %: 81
The Forwarding and Commission business
is very extensive, and likely to continue in
creasing. AT present there are about doz-
on of houses devoted almost exclusively to
it, who jointly do a yearly business amoun-
ting probably to half a million dollars.
St. Paul has seven churches-First and
second Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal,
Catholic, German Methodist, and Scandina-
vian-all of whom have stated pastors, with
good congregations. The erections are not
by any means extravagant or graceful in
their appearance; but for young city they
are tolerably fair. The Catholics intend to
commence splendid Cathedral next year,
one of their clergymen being now in Eu-
rope collecting money for that purpose.
In educational matters, st. Paul is pretty
fairly advanced. They have charter for a
college, to be called 'sThe University of ST.
Paul." the preparatory department, of which
will commence soon. Besides this, there is
the Baldwin school, founded by gentleman
of that name in Philadelphia. 1t was incor-
porated and commenced operations, early in
June, 1853. The Female Department alone
has about 100 pupils. There are also three
district schools, all of which, l believe are
well patronized. .7
Real estate is not so high proportionately;
as it is farther up the river. Property in
the best business streets may be had at from
800 to $l25 per foot, and good residence
lots may be had from $500 to $1,000, and
before the boundary of the city limits is ap-
preached, they may be got at $3.50 or there
abouts. Within the last month more than
100000 worth of property have changed
hands. There are some nice little bargains
made here occasionally by real estate opera
tors. One l met yesterday-CoL Henry
MKenty, the lion of land jobbers in St
Paul-has just concluded sale of 5000
acres of land in portion of Washington
County, called Cottage Grove, at SIS an acre
to DR.. Phillips, of Pennsylvania, who, with
colony, will occupy it next spring. This
land the Colonel purchased in April last al
ST. ,25 per acre-which leaves him nice lit
tie profit. The DR.. Philips here alluded te
is the same person who was arrested about
a year since while in Switzerland, for Mazzi
nj, the Italian patriot, whom it appeaas he
resembles. This, however, is only one ope
ration out Of hundred such that have beer
related to me. Col. M'Kenty came here :
few years since with but little capital; bu
by little shrewdness and not little cos
mopolitan boldness, he has struck severa
veins of real estate that have been in reality
gold mines to him.
st. Paul as your readers are probably
aware, is virtually at the head of navigation
on the Mississippi. When the river is prop
erly cleared of rocks above ST Paul, vessel
will be able in high water to reach st. An
thony; but at all times navigation will b.
such matter of uncertainty, that the latte
place must, In my oppinion, content itself tt
be the second or third city in the Territory
Whenever railroads get started here, the,
some other place may possibly rise up an,
compete with st. Paul; but even that is no
likely.
Talking of railroads brings me to remarl
that there is very large amount of specula
tion. and conjecture all throughout this terri
tory, as to railroads. Every town believe
| it is going to be the railroad centre-th
Chicago Of the Northwestern Territory.
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