The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-07-11
the evening, silence again reigned, and thus


the evening, silence again reigned, and thus
ENDED THE FOURTH
In st. Paul, to the satisfaction of every one
who had enjoyed themselves, and there were
none who did not When the next ami.
versary of this day is celebrated,
"May we be there to see."
9a Belle Plain.
Preparations had been made for an extern
sive celebration at this place. 1t was sup
posed that the new Hotel would be. COM
pleted so as to be formally opened on the
Fourth. The Hotel, however was not COM
pleted, but the public spirited inhabitants of
that young city were not to be deprived Of
their celebration. The Frank Steel was
chartered by them to convey up large num-
Der of invited guests from St. Paul and Sha-
kopee. aeB Maid "a vf.g I'D $40
At seven O'Clock on the evening of TIE Sd,
in company with large number Of the citi.
zens of St. Paul, we went aboard of that
beautiful steamer, which was soon on her
way up the river. As we left the Upper
Levee small balloon was sent up, which
made most magnificent ascension, and
moved with the current of air towards the
southwest, and descended in the neighbor-
hood of Red Rock.
We arrived at Shakopee about midnight
and found the town all life and hustle. Can
onading, illumination, music, and shouting
seemed to be the order of the day, or rather
night, we should say. We were here Joined
by large delegation of Shakopee's princi-
pal citizens with their wives and daughters.
Owing to fog our steamer lay by for few
hours, but at o'clock A. NJ, We were at the
landing in front of Belle Plain. A procession
was formed (ladies in carriages) and marched
up from the landing to the new Hotel in
process of completion, about half mile.
Arrived at the point of destination our
party had ample time to look about and note
the beauty of the spot which nature and
Judge Chatfield had selected as the site of
the city of Belle Plain. Z large fertile prai-
RE of about six or eight miles in length and
two in width, bounded on the south by the
Big Woods, and on the north by the Mime
sofa, above which it is elevated some 60 or
80 feet, forms what is appropriately named
the Belle Plain. All along the southern side
OF it are to be seen farm houses, ETC., erec-
ted on those recently taken claims which
skirts the belt of timber, and the substap-
tial fences, waving cereals and thrifty escu-
Tents, show the productiveness of the soil
and the industry of the inhabitants.
The Belle Plain company have in process
of completion magnificent three story no.
tel, which will be opened in few weeks at
cost of $4,000. A large steam saw mill
is already in operation at the Lower Land
Ing
A large number of the Inhabitants of the
town and country were already collected
at the Hotel building to welcome the invited
guests from the neighboring towns.
At twelve o'clock the whole company were
assembled under the spacious roof of the
what's to be the name of the House p
where well.written and happy grafton was
delivered by our fellow townsman, D. G.
Cooley, Esq, and the Declaration of indie
dence read by F. J. Whitlock, ESQ.,, of Belle
Plain. After these exercises had been con.
cuded the assemblage repaired to the dining
hall where most elegant and substantial
repast was partaken Of, got up under the aus
pieces Of Fred. Forester, of the Apollo Sa.
loon in St. Paul, to which ample justice was
speedily administered. Then followed the
reading Of the toasts and the responses,
which were spirited, patriotic, and as much
to the point as any Fourth of July dinner
speeches we ever listened to. The response
Of friend Wheelock, to "The Press,' was
especially well timed beautiful and truthful.
Shakopee and Belle Plain especially felt
well. They forgot all their local disagree
ments in the flow of soul and champagne
Jefferson county was not mentioned and
Judge Chatfield was toasted to which he re-
piled by happy speech.
In the evening they had little dance and
Fred. Forester got up another repast. A
large balloon was sent up which made most
beautiful ascension.
Atnidnight all were again on the Frank.
Steel, homcward bound, but the fog proven
ted our starting before daylight. Everybody
on board were so much pleased with the days
enjoyment and with the Belle Plain COM
pany and the Frank Steel and Fred. Foers-
ester, that at meeting of passengers their
feelings found vent in the passage of the fol.
lowing resolutions:
R,solued That we the invited guests Of the
Belle Plain company from st. Paul and
Shakopee hereby express our earnest appre
citation Of the efforts of the members Of. the
company and of the citizens of Belle Plaine,
to render our briefexperience in their .thri-
wing town as pleasant as it was beneficial, in
convincing us Of the growth and prospects Of
the Minnesota Valley
Resolred, That our thanks are also due to
Capt. Davidson, of the Frank Steel and his
gentlemanly associates, for their indefatigable
efforts to render our excursion real source
of enjoyment and pleasure.
Resolred, That the thanks of this meeting
are also due to Mr.. Frederick Forester, for the
good dinner, good wine, good supper and
good time he has afforded us.
Carver.
There was . celebration at this town, which
wound up with dance. We could not
learn who the orator Of the day was. The
ball was attended by upwards Of 300 of the
citizens Of Carver and Carver county.
Nfninger.
The celebration at this town was we'll at
tended. A large excursion party was made
up at st. Anthony and Minneapolis for the
steamer w. s. Nelson, which left the latter
place about o'clock in the morning, and
touched atsSt Paul on the way to Nininger.
The grafton was delivered by Ignatius
Donelly, Esq, and the Declaration of indie
pendence read by Geo. 81. Burns, Esq. A
bountiful dinner was partaken Of, and wine,
wit and sentiment followed A splendid dis
play of fireworks closed the days perfor-
nance in . true Fourth Of July style.