The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-01-27
A Day in st. Paul.

A ride in a clear, frosty morning in January, in Min
nesota, is one Of more pleasure than can possibly be
by those who do not understand our climate.
With our ordinary winter clothing, in an open sleigh
we started one morning lately, to visit the metropolis OF
our State. The keen air as we crossed the prairies was
soon tempered as the sun arose in strength, and its ef-
fects produced were exhiliarating to our system and
made us enjoy the wintry scenery with great pleas
ure. The slightest twig Of the distant tree, or the out
lines Of remote bluffs, we're made to appear incredibly
distinct in the clcarness Of the atmosphere, and we could
scarce believe tina: any element i~nterposed to our view
as We ranged our eye along the horizon.
The route between Nininger and St. Paul is thickly
settled on either Of the two roads that diverge as we
near Pine Bend the farms are we'll cultivated, and the
settlers arc thrifty. Signs of plenty and contentment
are unmistakable the whole distance: with the markets in
the smart growing towns on the river, and st. Paul to
regulate the prices, the future wealth they are to attain
is not to be limited. Almost every person We saw was
usefully employed some going to or coming from mar
ket, some %chopping and hauling wood, and others pre-
pairing grain for market. The names Of some of the
settlements on the route tell of the Celtic population
congregated in them. At Inver Grove, on a conspicuous
mound, a huge cross towers, proclaiming the pride they
take Ia the laltu VI l1tuCto. Ink CuoAoS"O INV
ability Of many Of these sons Of Erin have placed them
in positions of honor and profit, in the councils Of their
own County, and the Legislative Halls of the State.
Along the river route, from Pine Bend, through Mer-
rimack, the settlers are mainly from the Eastern States,
and the character and habits of their Yankee education
is exhibited in the many tasty and comfortable dwell
lings under the bluff running along the river to the city
Long before St. Paul is seen, the increasing travel
back and forth tells Of the important mart we arc near
ing loads of wheat and -four, stacks of hay, and cords
of wood are met by the returning teams supplied with
the barter from the city. But even without these Ger
tain indications, the converging of the two great valleys
of the State, and the natural position for a city atthls
point, would make US iook for what so pleasantly bursts
upon w as We reach the eminence overlooking the river
and town opposite.
The scene would make a beautiful picture but tht
description of northern views are not uncommon, and
St. Paul itself has been often submitted to the Inner
skill, and needs not to be outwardly described by us
Among the thousand columns of w~reathiog smoke, tina
seemed more than ordinarily tangible in the keen cole
air, the setting sun rays glistened on the cupola Of tn
capitol. We descended the bluff at a swift pace, ant
with the concourse that were rushing along VI entere;
the Chicago Of the North West.
At present there is little about St. Paul to show it
relative Importance to the State: business is at a dead
lock for want of a currency the buyer cannot meet tn
seller. But the satisfied air Of %contentmcnt is promi
nent among all classes they know when the fnancia
improvement comes they will be the first to recover
the know also that it must soon take place: in thi
faith they patiently wait.
The deep excavations, high e~mbankments, and es
,, tsnsiye street grading, all over the city, tell Of the en-
terprising character of its citizens. The public work
D interrupted by the closing in Of winter, aret to be resume
: early in the spring. The people are alive to the nece'
I sity Of these undertakings, and the proper authority ha
b been sought and obtained to zaise means to have thel
sqwnlsssd.