The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-02-23
Correspondence Of the Minnesotian.
Letter from Steele County.

" city on the 9th inst, after pleasant walk
of sixteen miles, put up for the night near
the edge of beautiful prairie, over which
the wind whistled bleak and cold. Had ex-
cellent accommodations, and pleasant chat
with the hostess widow lady, lately from
Chatauque county, New York. She appear
ed well pleased with the country, though
she confessed she was lonely at times-her
companion having died ere reaching Mime
sofa.
Started early-hoping to reach Farribault
at night. As walking was hard, hired pair
of mules to speed us along. Went well till
nearly noon, when our team began to get
tired out, as / supposed. Our driver piled
the whip with an unsparing hand, declaring
they were only little lazy. oh, Temporal!
oh, mores! What a time we had pitied
the beasts, but more than all, the driver
Verify he worked his passage. Found a
stopping place for the night at the junction
of the Farribault with the Dodd road-a
good house kept by James Fitzsimmons from
Pennsylvania. Efforts are being made to
start a Post Office at this point, and they
need one, truly; the nearest office being
Farribault, ten miles south, and Lakeville,
sixteen miles north. All the country passed
to-day, i. rapidly settling; some points are
decidedly beautiful, and as timber is plerty,
it will eventually be thickly settled coun-
try. As am told, the land is of first
rate character-snow covering it at least a
foot in depth, could not tell by personal in-
spection.
FRIDAY MoRNING.-Sun rose clear, but
the air is cold-mercury q below zero; "look
out, Noser' was the cry for at least two
hours; still, each one of the party had the
handle of their countenances touched by
King Frost. About 10 o'clock, A. NJ, land
ed at Farribault, a town progressing with
unexampled rapidity. Houses spring up as
if by magic, and no one can view the spot
without an exclamation Of wonder. No one
can behold Farribault, but the sight will call
to mind the indornitable industry of the
American race. After short stay, we start
for Owatonia, up straight River distance of
about ID miles. The Valley Of Straight Riv-
err is very thickly settled-fences extending
along either side of the road for the distance
of several miles; and improvement otherwise
is advancing rapidly. On beautiful plain
about half way, is the steam saw-mill of
Walcott & Co. A town is also there laid off
bearing the name of "Walcott," and with
fair prospects ahead. Medford is situated
two miles above, and is a pretty locality.
Here the river is bridged and Post Office
is established-an out-and-out Nebraska man
for Postmaster, though the precinct is deci-
dedly Republican. Steele county so far, pre-
sents more than common inducements to any
person seeking home in Southern Mime
sofa.
Owatonia, the county seat, is situated on
both banks of Straight River, and is truly a
beautiful site for town. The proprietors
are sparing no pains, but are active and en-
ergetic in pushing forward improvement
Already the hum of business pervades her
streets; her stores, of which there are but
two, are selling an immense amount of goods
and at fair profits; the crack of the team,
ster's whip, and the song of the axeman
greets the ear at early morn-even before
the peep of day-showing an Industrious pop
ulation.
The people are nearly all of Eastern ORR
gin and remarkably intelligent. Rev. Mr..
Chaplin dispenses the Gospel regularly half
the time, and Rev. Mr.. Town the balance
both occupying the School House for the pur-
pose; the first is Presbyterian, the latter
a Baptist; both have good congregations.
The School is under the charge of Mr..
Charles Ellison, ayoung man having expert
ence as teacher.
An immense amount of travel passes
through Owatonia to Mankato, St. Peter,
Farribault and other interior points, a bridge
having been early erected-tending to make
it common centre. Saw and grist' mills
are in progress, of water and steam, and
from the character of the proprietors, will
be finished as early as possible in the Spring.
Direct communication is had with Du-
buque by stage, weekly. Mails are earlier
received here than in your city since the mail
line was established. The country in the
immediate vicinity is extensively Gained,
and by actual settlers.
SATURDAY-in company with several 9th
ers, four teams in all, started for Wilton, on
the LeSeuer River, new town laid off in
November last, by company organized for
that purpose. This is beautiful spot, on
the direct route to Mankato, distant about
20 miles from Owatonia. The company are
now engaged in building store, mill, and a
bridge across the river A gentleman from
Milwaukee bought an interest in the town,
intending to locate large settlement from
that place in the vicinity of Wilton, in the
ensuing Spring.
There is less settlement on the LeSeuer
River, than at any other place have seen
on my trip.
Wilton is the projected county seat of the
new county of Orleans; bill of which is be
fore the Legislature at the present time.
The Winnebago Indians are located imme-
diately in the vicinity west Of the projected
new county. Doubtless their location has
prevented the settlement of the country in
this vicin ty in a certain degree.
Swanesey is located north of Wilton, and