The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-16

Of land almost in the heart or the county.
During last March delegation Of chiefs,
with their agent, visited Washington City
for the purpose Of treating for the whole or
part OF their reservation and it is stated
that they made arrangements to dispose Of
four townships and IN odd tier Of sections,
twelve in number, lying directly south Of
Mankato, and including the country water.
I'd by the Blue Earth. Maple, and Big and
Little Cob rivers. In this portion Of the
reservation there are no better farming lands
in America and il also includes the much
priced mill privilege on the Blue Earth,
called "the Rapids" which will readily
bring twenty thousand dollars. If put up
for sale, know parties that will give that
sum for it. As to the manner by which
this reservation is to be disposed Of, (pro-
vided the treaty shall be ratified) is mat
ter of doubt some say by sealed bids, 9TH
ers at public auction.
SOIL Sc.-It is conceded BY every person
that Blue Eearth county is one Of the best,
if mot the best, agricultural county In the
State, with soil unsurpassed and scarcely
one acre Of waste land. The eastern part Of
the county is solid body Of timber, con-
sisting of Burr Maple, Poplar and Black
Walnut This timber country is dotted over
with beautiful lakes. The largest is Madi-
son, about ten miles long and two in width.
The next in size is Eagle Lake, three miles
long aud two in width The balance OF
these lakes are Of smaller size. In the
southern part Of the county there are Lura
and Jackson lakes, both nearly as large as
Madison lake. 10 the western part Of the
county there is chain Of lakes, four 10 mum
Der, extending about eight miles with an
average width of one and one and half
miles. For distance Of nineteen miles, the
Minnesota river constitutes the northern
boundary OF the county, which is heavily
timbere1, bordering on a fine prairie which
is well settled by thrifty farmers. All of
the country OF the Blue Earth, Maple, Wat
tonwan and Cob rivers are heavily timbered
and borders on the finest prairies. Upon
the large prairies, even il away from the
streams, timber 10 groves is found sufficient
for claimants The soil on the praries is
sandy loan, while in the timber it is clay,
both of which are well adapted to the rails
ing Of wheat, oats, corn, rye, potatoes &c
1oarashps.-There are at present four.
teen fall Townships and three fractional
parts of Townships in the county, contain
ing $50 900 acres, three-iourths of which
are PROBABLY preempted by Industrious and
worthy farmers.
1orns.- Mankato is situated on the south
bend of the Minnesota river, and is ninety.
five miles from st. Paul by land and about
one hundred and fifty fmiles by river, and
contains a population of about fifteen hun
dred. In number Of inhabitants. amount OF
trade, and OF commercial importance, it is
conceded by every one to be the largest town
on the Minnesota river, and promises to be
the third in size in tho state. There are
nineteen stores, five hotels, two saw mills
and three religious societies, th, Prcsbyteri-
an, Methodist and Roman Catholic. Man.
kato is the point where oil or near'y all the
goods for the country are landed aud taken
by teams to different parts Of the country.
Her back country is most rich 10 soil and
extends at least eighty miles.
During the year 1858 we had one han.
bred and seventy-nine steamboat arrivals.
For the last three months more good End
substantial buildings have been erected in
this place than during any year previous.
On the north OF Mankato, there is Col. Nc
Kenty's addition, on the northeast Par
sons and Lays additions, on the south Bran.
sons addition and Willard a. Besser's add
ten, aud on the west Cummings addition
West Mankato and fe Hitler make con.
tipuous town from Mankato 10 South Bend
a distance OF three miles.
About four miles from Mankato there is
one of the most attractive falls in the United
States They are called MiDneopia or the
laughing falls. They consist of two falls and
are about twelve yards apart. The smaller
one falls TO the depth Of ten feet, and the
larger from 20 to so feet.
West Mankato and lie HITLER are In o
hourshing condition and contain many well
built houses At the former place there Is
q large hotel kept in fine style.
South Bend, the next town in the County,
il situated On the Minnesota river three miles
south west Of Manka,o, and contains pop
ulation Of about six hundred, and unlike
many Western towns OF magnificent dis
tanccs,' il is compactly built. II contains
arge hotel, number Of stores, offices and
two steam saw mills, and receives good
share Of the steam. boat custom OF the Min
neso,a river. II ia Hourishing place, and
we look forward to the time when South
Bend and Manks,o will be one town.
Judson, situated on the Minnesota river.
was Iald out 10 1856, and contains about
thirty houses aud population OF about two
hundred, and is very tourisbisg town.
Most Of the inhabitants are Welsh, who are
noted for their industry and integrity.
Bqternm Valley, situated on the Mime
sota river, and IKE Judson, contains popu.
lat.0n Of over one hundred, consisting mostly
Of Welsh, and is also in q prosperous COZ
dition.
Garden City, situated on the Watonwan
river in a south westerly direction and twelve
miles from Nanksto, was laid out 10 1856
and contains a population Of between three
and four hundred inhabitants, large botei,
two water mills, one Of which has grist
mill attached, two or three stores, q post