The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-08-29

stores, a saw mill, a grist mill, and quite a
very 6ne Dwelling houses. 1t needs but a 81
Of well directed effort to make it a very impe
if not the most important on the river.
Through the trees to the northwest we {
glimpses of Carver, quite a large and hand
1t is situated further down the river, and on I
side. We regretted that we were not able. |
time, to pay it a visit.
We left Louisville about 10 A. NJ, and p{
one unbroken ride to Belle PLANE where we !
The great newspaper reputation Of this plac1
us high anticipations that were doomed not
lied. The town is quite small. We do
contains altogether two dozen houses. At I
the site is one Of the most beautiful that
ceived.. 1t was properly named belle plaine.
is situated in the midst of woods, is of cons
Of great fertility, and affords to the eye a ch
We must do the town the justice to add II
new, being we believe not more than a yeaH
if all is done for it that has been prom
doubt rise to considerable Importance.
very handsome Hotel being constructed.
dined at was a miserable old barn, and ut
any thing except storing hay in.
The road from Belle PLANE to this pla1
lies through the Big Woods, and is very
a curious feature Of this prairie country
these immense belts of timber land sire
dreds of miles over the Territory, formii
dark forests wherein the deer and other
their own against The advancing curren
for years to come. 1t is strange also to
ings in these woods, with their log he
dotted fields, carrying one back by the
imagination to the forests of Pennsylgai
in such instances what our forefathers
slow march through the wilderness
the wide savannahs Of Illinois. It
hardest hardship: from the rocks of
swamps Of the Miami, it was the san
ton, labor, danger and lily repaid exes
Henderson is poorly situated, in the
Woods aud on a low fat Of land,
at any time to overflow from the Min
consists almost altogether Of one Id
are, we were informed about three hun
town. The location of the United Sd
at this point, and gives vitality to
all the business of the town flows from
Hotel is the : Valley House, a poorl
in one Of whose beds we passed a mo
immersed in filthy feathers, swelter
room, aud bcset by more bed-bugs TIL
in Henderson. Heaven forbid that
another night in that town s6s8
The Land Office is a curious sight. I'M
moderate sized frame building, the sec1Qa 10
bv lawyers, and the first by the United State
| tanned several clerks, with all their pBana
papers around them. Outside of a railing, Z
in these clerks, were a number of pioneers nj
applications for Government land fling GA
tory statements; proving up, or under&o1e
gcatlemanly Receiver, Mr.. e. Graham : Z
into contested titles where claims bad =
ed,' &c. One felt that they were at last a. Y
Of civilizations little further, and ws -
dian country. Here were the settlers q
in rough garb, and with sturdy d~emeaneE9s.
| Government that land WHICH will yet b{44<<Ay
! wealth az the future. Here one could
.ITear the rush Of pioneers,
OF nations yet to be; S1aT4
The first low wash Of waves, VII
Shall roll a human sea. zfs
a little longer and all this will be tra1als1
West. Fifty years from now and how 49,
fogy population this place will then cont!
wild. strange scene that now meets my e.
wilderness IS actually in transition. HI
tie maps Of sections and quarter sections
- - - t8-A.L MHtEl