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

Our improvements. ~Tt
Our absence from the city has prevented Us from
keeping an accurate account of the various improvements
that have been commenced since the issue of our last
number. On eur return we strolled out to look around
us, confident that however restricted our walk might be,
we would meet some additional evidences Of the rapid
growth of the town.
The first novelty that met us was a frame work near
the Handyside House. On inquiry We learned that this
was a stable belonging to Mr.. Hillhouse.
Between the trees We liseeried u large framework
looming IN on the brow of the bluff in block q. This
we ascertained was the residence of Nr. Henry Caleff.
The house will be a large and handsome one,-perhaps
one of the finest that Nininger can boast of.
We walked out towards it, when down on block Al we
perceived the framework, just up, of Mr.. Frear's house.
This is equal to aud looks Ike two houses it is forty
feet front and Of considerable depth. 1t will form, when
completed, avery fine building. +.
Near this we met some parties negotiating to erect
stores. Close in front the necessary preparations were
being made to raise our own house and printing Office.
\ few steps further, at the S. f. corner OF Clarke
avenue and second street, on the levec, a most impor-
tant Improvement for the town has been commenced,
namely. a large sized steam grist mill, to cost between
fifteen and twenty thousand ushlafS. liz DiIiuci IL n.
: $. Eaton. formerly of st. Autlnny,.-a gentleman of
wealth, u m~ilwright by profession, and one who has
built more good mills in this Territory than any other
man in it.. The Importance of this Improvement cannot
he too highly rated. It will put fifty per cent. advance
on all the property in town. AS the only steam gust
mill within many miles of this section OF country it will
,iraw to Nininger the farmers from all the adjacent
counties. The water mills back Of Hastings ant along
the cannon River, are frozen up in winter ana run dry
: during the summer. 1t is only during a small portion
of the year that they are of any use. During the long
winter months, when all the streams and lakes are one
mass of ice, Mr.. Eaton'S grist mill will be steaming and
rmfino along; hosts Of farmers from the back coun-
try and from Washington County will be bringing
in their grain or carving away their -four, making The
streets of our town common thoroughfares of trade and
travel
Mr.. Eaton has gone about his work in the proper
Spirit. Twenty-four hours after completing his arrange
ments he had men at work excavating for his foanda-
ton. He goes East at once for his machinery, and he
promises rs that we shall be treated with a Christmas
cake of -four ground in his mill. This is an expedition
worthy Of his position as 4 millwright, and of his char
acter as a gosahead Minnesotian.
The mill is to be complete and perfect in all its parts,
TO contain tLree-run of stone, and will no doubt turn
out -four Of a very superior character. We would urge
upon the attention of the farming community around us
the fact that they will be able to find at all times after
next December the very best accommodations IN the
CITY Of Nininger, the best of hotels, excellent stores,
lumber mills, a sash factory, a grist mill, and a popula-
ton ready TO welcome and treat them kindly.
Another very superior building will also be raised in
about one week, to which we have not heretofore advert
ed in our list of improvements, although it Is already
,hout one half finished. We refer to the handsome
uo,;lonoa of Mr. Donnellv on block rs. W. have OBJ
tanned from Mr.. D. the following statement of its di-
mcnsions: ii is to be two stories high, the main build
ings will be 343 feet front by 80 feet deep the back
building Is feet wide by 424 feet deep-the whole
building thus possessing a depth OF o. ieet. Inc man
building will be surrounded by a wide piazza and will
be divided bya hall about six feet wide running through
its whole length on one side will be a parlor 39xl4-
on the other an Office and library with communicating
doors. The second story of the main building will con-
tain five large bed rooms, three on one side and two on
the other. The roof will rise to an apex, on which will
be placed an observatory. The back building will con-
tain on the first floor a dining room and kitchen, on the
second floor a sitting room. The building, when I'M
ished and surrounded by its ~tastefully arranged gardens,
the block being large enough, 3OOx2i6 feet, to admit OF
such. and having also its necessary stabling, lce-house,
summer kitchen, &c, will form one of the handsomest
establishments in Minnesota. The superintendent of
the building is in the hands Of W. 4 l.. W. Govett, and
the whole workmanship will be of a very superior char.
acter. Their expectation Is that IN one week they Will
have the framework raised. The whole cost OF the mousse
will not fall short Of $4,000.
Besides these large and expensive improvements, we
were told of one or two smaller buildings.
In block lO4, Mr.. Samuel Hensell is engaged erect
inc himself handsome cottage residence. Mr.. Hensell
came to our town last fall from Philadelphia a poor
mechanic. He soon after sent for his wife, since then
he has been struggling along, and we are now pleased to
see that he has bought himself a lot and IS building
himself a home. May he live long and happily in it
is our wish for hin and for every poor and worthy man
whom we see striving to advance himself
In block &C, Mr.. Callahan is likewise erecting himself
quite a neat two story residence. 1t is in a good loca-
ton. Z
There are no doubt many other buildings that we
have not referred to, as our walk was through but a llm-
tied part Of the town, and our time between our return
and going to press, was too short to enable us to make
many inquiries. We would state in this connection that
we would be pleased if those who are commencing i'm
provements would call at our office and give us the par
ticulars. We are DESTROYS of chronicling every distinct
step in the very rapid advance of the town.
We have, as we state in another column, just returned
from a trip along the Vermillion and Cannon Valleys,
and Mr.. Donnelly has come back from a visit up the
Minnesota River, as far as Henderson. In comforting
together we perfectly agree that there is no town in any
Of hose localities which is growing at anything like the
rate of Nininger, and yet all show a vigorous prosperity.
Its advance is truly wonderful. We are on the high
road to the most absolute success. One year more OF
such advancement and Nininger aud Progress will be.
come Synonymous terms in Minnesota.