The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1858-03-03
WHOLE NO. 73.
ALBERT LEA.

gives US many interesting facts In reia'
ton to the unparalleled advancement of
the country, the rapid growth of its
villages and the substantial character of
its improvements.
Among other places of which he
speaks is the new town of ALBERT LEA,
the County Seat of Freeboru County,
Minnesota. 1t was laid out and record
ed in the Fall of 1856. by Geo. 8. Ruble
Esq, formerly of GAINESVILLE. Wis.,
Building commenced in the Spring of
1857. 1t has had rival interests to COM
bat. but by the superiority of its loca-
ton as business centre and the energy
Of its Proprietor and citizens. it has
reached point in Importance that can
not be successfully attacked. Its site
on the beautiful sheet of water whence
it derives it's name. Lake Albert Lea, is
said to be as lovely as any of the lake
cities and towns of the State Of New
York, while the country that surrounds
it is far more productive and more in.
trinsca1ly valuable. We have never
seen this pretty town, but from desclip-
tions of it's location and surroundings,
we invariably compare it favorably with
Geneva, N. York.
Albert Lea already contains nearly
800 inhabitants. Its buildings are gen
orally good. many Of them being hand
some brick edifces that would do cred
it to places claiming much higher
position among western towns. Lum-
Der is abundant and cheap and hence the
framed houses are of better quality as
to size and finish than an eastern traveller
would be likely to expect. There is a
fine water-power in the village furnish
ing an abundant supply for the busy
wheels of First class Grist Mill and a
Saw Mill. The town is located only one
mile from the centre Of the county and
it is therefore likely to remain the per
manent County Seat. A recent vote
upon the subject of change in this
respect, exhibited an overwhelming
popular voice IN favor of the present
location for the transaction Of public
business.
The Southern Minnesota Star spir-
tied and handsomely printed newspaper,
is published at this place by SwlNEFoRD
& GRAY. The Star is well-edited-
by this we do not mean that it abounds
in profound disquisitions relative to the
influence of the moon on the tides Of
Nova Scotia, or the effects of sectional
uuarrels on the heathens Of Timbuctoo,
but that it contains matter essentially
important to those who are in search of
western homes, and hence advantageous
to the pioneer settler who is investing
his money and his labor in building up
a new community in the Wilderness
In word the Star is filed with local in
cidents and home suggestions, and il
cannot be said that the tenor of its
articles would suit "any other point as
we'll as they would Albert Lea"-a charge
by way, that could be successfully
maintained against a large portion of the
eastern press.
The County Of Freeborn has advanc
, ed in population at rate which mus
/ appear fabulous to the musty minds o
, fogyism. In the autumn of 1856 thu
: number of votes pelled in the count!
} was represented by the figures 44-il
the fall of 1857, the poll books showed
, return of seven hundred! A county
i that can lead off in that style on twelve
; months race, must possess very grea
, natural advantages. 1t is reported t.
be abundantly supplied with Timbe
r and rich prairie land. and that water
. privileges having their sources il
) springs that never fail, meet the travel
! er at every. turn. With these element
r of wealth as basis it cannot but invit
g capital and energy-its splendid lake
: filed with fish and dotted with Geese
; Ducks, Brant and Swans. it's sprin
a brooks .abounding in speckled trout, wi
}. always render the country attractive t
: those whose leisure hours are devote
9 to the spo, ts of "the field and the food.
:, Say what we may Of this last attraction
j j, has charms so winning that but fe'
Q care to resist their influence, and whel
o they may be found alongside of heal h
y locations and in the midst of protitab
agricultural and mechanical pursui
J. they compose in a great measure th'
.. sunshine of the heart which We are q
n desirous to have reflected.
- - But this article is growing upon u
It We confess to feeling nearly allied
!, rapture when we look over that love
y portion of the Northwest called low
d and Minnesota. Nature has been wol
~ " derfully liberal in her bestowals to
N There is Timber enough for generation
N unoorn. prairie farms only waiting f
l the plow. lakes as beautiful as that
or Como" rivers of the clearest waite
-. ~ springs of ice-like GOODNESS and scenel
g., x,,o osn,c to ,,c fhsp ara NJ