The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-03-31
LakevlIle and its Enylrons.

The town OF Lakeville is situated in sections 10 and
~ in township ia south Of range 20 west. On the
north and east is a beautiful sheet of water, from which
the place is named it supplies the various kinds of fish
for which Minnesota is so Justly renowned. Along its
margin are some beautiful groves of timber, including
an abundance Of those delicious plums that are found
go common all over the State there are two kinds, the
yellow being much the largest aud best, and are . source
Of profit to the farmer two little girls gathered and
sold sixty dollars worth in St. Paul last season, and
double that amount the year before. Besides these q
supply Of excellent grapes and cranberries may be had
to any extent for the gathering, and nothing from the
East can surpass these fruits for preserves. Here we
haye fine cool water teoming with fish, plenty of wood
excellent fruits, and . pure and invigorating atmos.
phere that seems in its clearness to multiply the mum.
Der and size Of the stars at night, and its lightness to
make one feel as though it were easy and pleasant to
soar aloft. These are nature provisions; but they are
pot all. Stretching away to the rising sun lies the val.
ley Of the Vermillion rich in the choices land of the
country, and the wide prairie ranges thence beyond the
line OF vision, and our town is at the head Of this.
From the soil We draw its riches in lavish abundance,
and we might revel in milk and honey literally if we
put forth our hands to iii. Cattle in unlimited num.
Der might be pastused on these rich plains for naught
in summer, and In winter by the mere expense Of hous-
ing the rich and abundant fields ofigrass.
Along the line of the valley to Nininger, some 20
miles, an intelligent and thrifty population are already
turning the richness of the country to good account,
and will reap a rich reward before they are tao old to
enjoy it . few years more will surround u With every
want foF moral, social and intellectual beiags, while the
physical comforts will be still further ihcreased. Al
this season the traveller will zee farmers ~plowihq, sowing
and planting, and some gathering in the corn ofthe last
years crop, which was too great for the laborer6to &C.
cure in time. "A
have thus presented the picture, and althosnkh
family drawn, the imagination must ell it out in rs
%grandness and beauty for no pen can, and I shall mot
essay.
As an interior town, we are centrally placed stages
pass through here between Faribault and St. Paul, and
the road to ~Shakopee, on the Minnesota river is but "A
miles, and the same distance to Mortified on the Cannon
river. 4 petition has be- circulated lately to have a
post route established from here to your town as the
nearest nd most convenient spot to the Mississippi, and
whence we may best enjoy its trade.
It is but two years since this town was laid out, yet
under many adverse circumstances it has grown to be a
lace of considerable import nce-aul It's destined to
participate largely ip ~wtatcFcr property befalls the
State. Already, besides the many dwellings,, have We
stores, public houses, aud various mechanical callings.
Churches are Dot numerous yet, and we do not hear the
bells ring often, but they are seldom required to toll
tor the dead. Mills are needed, and onr past disap-
pointments are shortly to end, and We shall be able