The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-08-15
THE EMIGRANT AID JOURNAL.


seem bent on better pursuits than striving to speculate
a town into existence. Mr.. Q. P. Clark's oat field near BY
was a marvel of production, and his hay crop at which
we found him busy, promised well to give us a good
supply of butter aud cheese, and probably aid the beet
market. We had many interesting incidents along the
road we met young man sitting by his twelve feet
cabin smoking away, around hin the evidence of his
industry on his well cultivated farm he told us he was
young and poor, but thanked God that he had his farm
clear Of every encumbrance as though a man could be
poor and own a farm in this lovely vale. A group in
another field tried to confound us by all calling them
selves Isaacs-they were all frank open countenanced
young fellows, and were energetcally employed in Sc.
curing an immense field of grain, which no doubt will
feed others of the patronymic. Mr.. Samuel Dunn,
whom next We met, stated that only three years ago he
had this Whole region to pick his farm from, and his lot
is an enviable one certainly. Some regret was expressed
that government had so early brought this land into
market; it would all have been taken up and occupied
by settlers long ago but q great part was bought by
spectators with avidity, as soon as offered, so that fam
iliss are too remote to maintain schools as they are anx-
ious to do. It would be an object, we think, for eastern
tmigrants to purchase. from the spectators at their own
prices, and yet be gainers-not only because of the
richness and beauty of the country, but also because of
the class whose society they will here enjoy-they are
noble hearted, intelligent, and activ in forwarding every
good work. 1t would be safer than going into the wilds
and running the risk Of chance society.
Lakeville will always maintain a celebrity from the
macnifcencc of the sheet of water that gives the place
its name it would no doubt compare favorably with
the much auded lakes Of Switzerland. The town is
on the edge of the prairie, and through it runs an i'm
,,4,, sod rouoh tr,vo1a1. lint notu1tLc4ond;or ;o
advantages, it has but sorry accommodations for the
weary traveller. Wood claims are here held very high.
Mr.. F. 7. Anderson, the owner of one, said he rated his
at thirty dollars an acre-quite a nice return on a short
Investment of some two hundred dollars on 100 acres.
Land appears but ordinary from this point until nearing
Union lake, where it is very fertile, but it is a different
matter to cultivate such timber land from the prairie
over which we had Just passed. Here we had an excel
lent entertainment at Mr.. S. A. Henderson's whose gar
den was a rare treat to behold green corn, turnips,
potatoes, in rich profusion and tomatoes which will
ripen in a few warm days. His corn must have be-
come ripe enough to eat in about two months from the
planting. Near by, we found a town just laid out on an
excellent spot, where those who desire to reap the first
advantages will find extra opportunities in the induce
ments here offered. 1t has a saw mill, store, blacksmith
shop, and hotel it is named Millersburgh, after the
proprietor, G.. W. Miller, Esq, a fine specimen of the
western pioneer. 1t must grow rapidly, we think.
We now passed on to Faribault through a wooded
district, occasionally passing some excellent farms. Mr..
Allison Houck's hay meadow is as rich as one can hope
to see. He has tried farming in various parts of the
West, in this country only has he found immunity from
the plague of western life,-billious fevers. He and
his family know how to appreciate the excellence of our
climate. His interesting history we learned while
waiting a passing shower to blow over. After emerging
from, the wood we came upon the farm of G.. c.. Dutton,
which consists of 800 acres, on one field of grain ten
persons with three harvesting machines were employed
four days in securing it. altogether it must take the
n--f-- - H. L.. -~-l .~~.--1 H. X
joying the excellent hospitality of the Faribault House,
kept by Mr.. Z. Nutting, assisted by his gentlemanly
assistant, Mr.. Humphreys.
Almost the same rich sights of bounteous harvests
greeted us on our hasty return home. We expected to
have learned Of some depredations Of the grasshopper, as
which we passed but all we learned was that it had
INDEFINITE v s1|a Il s atS1@fss sni ss9s distance s... south, ees g
and it would have rctreatcd as we advanced.
We passed through the beautiful and clean locking
town Of Mortified, after leaving Cannon City, crossing
the Cannon river there, on our road to Waterford and
| Lewiston, all ofwhich places have good prospects of grow
ing up every where up this valley we beheld the busy
activity among the teeming fields that we had heretofore
met but somewhat oftener.
At Hampton we saw the first field of Timothy grass
in our trip, on the farm of J. NJ. Bell he was cult
waiting it more from convenience than from any superb
GRITTY over the prairie grass ; the latter grows too light
except on bottom lands. On this farm we also noticed
a superior barley field. The soil improves apparently af-
ter leaving the river.
On returning home we received from Henry Caleff a
few heads of wheat taken from his farm by the side
of ordinary heads it stands full double in size, and as
a sample, shows that he understands how to develope
the richness of his farm to the best advantage. We
should not fear any trouble about enjoying some of the
excellent things that it will be made into the coming
autumn.
Taken altogether the indications are, that not only
is there is a rich yield of all the necessaries Of life in
this region but that it reaches to an indefinite extent
beyond. In a few years all the farmers will attain to
wealth and influential position, but they will look back
with satisfaction on the Harvest Home of 1857.
Pre-empsfng Lands i'm Minnesota.
There seems to be some doubt in regard to the work.
ing of the law relative to the Railroad Grants. When
first received it seemed clear and explicit that the actual
settler poor or rich, would be entitled to take up any
unoccupied government land, until such time as the
railroad companies should have located their lands. As
understood it was undoubtedly just and beneficial to the
Territory and settler also, as no one would be deferred