The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-06-06
mn MINNESOTA IaUaanue.

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Ast. Anthony (M. T.) correspondent Of
the New York Evening Post has some hard
things, in relation 70 that country, now at-
tracing 90 much attention among eastern
people proposing to come West. He says :
l have been 4 aresident Of the territory up-
wards Of seven months, having arrived here
the middle Of September, and by this am
pretty we'll satisfied that there is more hum
bug connected with Minnesota, as regards
the climate soil. &C., than any other State
or territory IN the West. The majority Of
the citizens are class Of speculators who
have come here for the purpose Of making
money, and every means are res0rted to, to
induce persons in the East to come here.--
Books have been published, circulars printed
and sent all over the states, and communica-
tions published in eastern papers from per-
sons here, setting forth the great advantages
to be derived by coming to Minnesota. The
sEmigrants Guide to Minnesota by book
seller and speculator of st. Paul, is fair
specimen Of this kind Of humbuggery.
As there is no doubt many persons now
in the East who have strong thoughts Of
coming to Minnesota, will give few facts
which it would be well for them to consider
thoroughly, before making the move. !
refer more particularly to those persons who
are in only moderate circumstances, and
who have to depend on their daily labor for
support. -
In the first place, owing to the late grant
Of land to the territory by the last session Of
Congress, the Land Offices are all closed,
and the land Withdrawn from market, with
the exception of Il few townships seventy-ive
or eighty miles back from st. Paul, and a
man cannot take claim any nearer, unless
he runs the risk of paying a large price for
his land, should the line of railroad be any
ways near after it is located. At this time,
also, there is but little chance for laboring
man to get work. House rents are high,
and rising this spring. A house Of four
rooms cannot be rented for less than 25 per
month. Lumber sells about as high here as
itdoes 400 miles below, after taking it down
there. The cost of living is also high. Town
crate means. Lots in Minneapolis sell at
from $3.50 to 5000, and poor families have
to 60 to the outskirts of the town to buy;
and, by that means, the town is now extend
ed two and a half miles along the river, with
a apopulation Of about $500. Land too, in
the neighborhood is higher than in the East
near large, towns. just think of land, three
miles from Minneapolis, selling at Sl6O per
acre.
Every one seems to look out for A No. L,
and cares but little for the prosperity of the
new conner, after he has once bought a.town
lot, or piece of land from them. and paid
the cash for it.
The soil is sandy. The best soil is to be
found in the valley of the Minnesota river,
and on the Crow wing river, but it cannot
be compared with Illinois soil. In this
neighborhood it is not of much account, as
it is too sandy for wheat, or other grain
Winter wheat is not profitable crop, as the
high winds blow it out Of the ground or un-
cover it.
If there is any person in the East, at pres
ent, who expects to come to Minnesota to
lire, and enjoy happy lifetime, they will be
sadly mistaken by the time they have lived
here one year. asked gentleman, the
other day, to tell me Of one good quality
connected with the territory, and he replied
that he did not know of any, particularly,
but that he came here to speculate and make
money, and as soon as he accomplished his
purpose he would leave. Men Of capital can
do better here than in almost any new coun-
try, at present, but it will not last long; it
will soon be found out. Nearly every person
who has capital OWNS town site.
Eastern people will find in Wisconsin land
quite as cheap as in Minnesota, soil far
more productive, and a much pleasanter
climate.