Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-10-21
CORREsPoNDENCE-

vi
WISoxA, Oct p, 1855.
FnrroR OF LEADER:-In the belief that few
words from the newly admitted and ''North Star
State. within whose pleasant borders have per-
manently anchored my bark, may not be lnaceept-
able 10 YOUR numerous readers. essay the pleas
ant task of giving you short description of my
Minnesota home and its delightful surrounding
The beautiful city of Winona is about midway
between Dubuque and St. Paul Here the hither-
to unbroken line Of barrier bluffs reeedes, leaving
between them and the glorious Mississippi,
smooth and beautiful prairie seven miles in length
BY two in breadth, so perfectly level that no
grading is necessary the spot as if formed by
Nature in her most prOdigal mood, for the site OF
a large and thriving emporium Five beautiful
valleys converge upon this plain, through several
of which the brightest and most pellueid streams
delightfully."- meander t. their confluence with the
Father of Rivers These streams, besides aaOrding
ample power fof mill l-priyileges, contain source
Of the highest qualification TO the disciples OF lack
Walton. in their aboundng stores ofspeckled trout,
and many Of your Cleveland citizens, who have Wis
tied Us, have borne away mostjoyous "reminiscences
of the lovely streams of RollingstOle and White
water
The rearward country IS Of the most fertile char
acter, and constant accession is being made to its
numerous population. The salubrity Of our climate
and the fertility of our soil inducements which
few sections ofour great country possess in so high
a degree.
Added to all these natural advantages We have
now the certainty of a Railroad, tapping the vast
aud fertile fields which spread out in beauty to-
wards the setting sun Two years since 4 charter
was obtained by Henry D. HUFF, one of our earliest
pioneers, and some Others for Transit Railroad
from this point TO the Missouri river, AMI subse-
auentlv grant Of lands was obtained, to aid in the
construction of the road to the Big Sioux river,
distance Of 800 miles. on an air line Westward.
In addition to this liberal appropriation, the peo'
| ple voted this summer. a State Loan Of one and
quarter millions ofDOllars and the Bonds are now
being paid to the Directors. The contracts for
building this road were let on the eth day OF last
June. 10 tie celebrated Contractor, Col. A. De
Graf, Of Ohio.
-Four months have scarcely elapsed and we have
twenty miles of the road. beautifully graded and
bridged and the Road " i'll be completed ready for
the iron. twenty miles west of Rochester, lovely
inland town. fifty miles west Of WinOLa, before the
winter setsin. The WirOna County Bank viii be
| opened here in Nov, by II. D. HUFF, Of WinOna,
| and j F. Barnard Of Chicago. with bona hde
capital of $4,000 The Banking laws of Mime
sofa lately passed. such as meet the hearty ap-
| proval Of all fnanciers who have tad them. and
thev must commend themselves to the confidence
Of all.
With all these advantages, friend Leader, we
think we have a claim upon the attention OF our
Eastern and Southern friends.
| have lust returned from a trip TO the thriving
| towns OF St Anthony and Minneapolis, and am
more than convinced that not only as an agri-
cultural country does Minnesota possess incalcuabe
advantages but that she viii stand among the fore
most States in the Union as q manufacturing EN-
poriun. You cannot conceive the besuty of the
country between ST. Paul and st. Anthony unless
you have enjoyed the ride as / did. on baimy IN
dian Summer afternoon The forest trees had dOnn-
Ell their rich autumnal robes, and there pervaded
that sleepy haze peculiar TO the season, as dash
ed gaily Onward towards the Falls, my eyes de-
lighted, taking in vast prospective ot surprising
scenery.
Arriving at the Falls drove to the palatial Win
slO = House, whose magnificent architecture. and
exquisite endoWments, merit more euloglstie pen
than mine
This suacious House was built this season by
| Mr. Winslow q most enterprising gentleman, long
i a resident and benefactOr Of St Paul. IL has re-
Gently however passed from his hands into the pos
session Of a wealthy Boston merchant who has fin
ish d it in a style OF Oriental magnifoence- The
| KfuslOw House contains two hundred rooms, all
| well lighted ventilated and most luxuriOusly fur
nished besides the largest and most pleasant din
/ ing lall tult can De louuN htct VI NGM AoAh- n
steam engine of Is horse power is attached to the
| basement, which heats the whole house, does all
the cooking washing and drying, and sends water
| probably over the entire house
The furniture, carpeiing aud tapestry Of this
/ magnificent hotel are without exception the most
gorgeous as well as tasteful that have ever seen.
The building is l57 feet front, with two wings
90 feet each and it stands an eminence in most
| centre part ofthe town, adjacent the Suspension
/ Bridge From its observatory panorama oi 50
miles each way, spreads out in exoeedlng lowell
ness to the beholders eye The delightful ialls OF
Ginnaharla, and the charming Lakes Calhoun and
| Harriet are miles distant, and pleasant ride OF
six miles takes one to the feudal looking ramparts
/ Of Fort Smelling The WinslOw House Is admira-
bly, engineered By that Prince Of landlords, J.
/ Darrow TO whose good taste and eNeelliug judge
ment the citizens Of St. Anthony are indebted for
a Hotel which, believe, has few equals and no su
perior in the world
This is high praise, but il you make the trip, and
after placing yourself in the hands Of Mr.. Darrow
and tasting the provand, selected by A-A- Clement
] the Steward of the house, yOu think it should be
| qualified, you're not the man took you for
/ that's all. w IL