St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1859-08-11
BRECKINRIDGE.

AuAS tOWO ~ SlLUaLeu Oh tLc C1OuX W OOu T1VET,
and 10 the Western termination of the Minneso-
Capt Pope on his map as the head Of steam
navigation OH the Red river; the valley Of the
Red river is about twenty miles wide on either
side of the stream, aud about five hundred miles
long; the surface is level and drained by numer
Gus streams which are skirted with elm, ash,
bass wood, white wood anil pine of the largest
growth, the remainder Of the valley is prairie,
| composed of rich, black loan free from sand,
barrens or swamps. Red river is deep, slow
stream, has no islands, eand bars or snsgs to
obstruct navigation; the banks are about 25
feet high, and not subject to overflow; many
of the tributaries of the Red river are strongly
impregnated with salt, and indications of
iron and coal are numerous in the vicinity.
The farmers Of the valley of the Red river
gave to Majer Wood as the average of their
10 e.: and nototc.s z1v to 800 bushels to the
4. rembina, GOO miles north of Breck-
inridg ex-Gov. Ramsey says, con the I'd
October, 1851, water melons and cantelopes
were served to US for dessert, and the first frost
that occurred was on the night of that day."
(sce address before the Minnesota Agricultural
Society, Oct. 10th, 1860 Two large set
Pembina and Selkirk, both of which yearly
raise large surplus of the products of the
farm the whole valley of the Red river is
rapidly filling up with an energetic and intel
liz ce"t population; the country being exceed
ingly healthy, ard should the indications Of
iron and coal lead to the discovery of those
minerals as large as is anticipated, this valley
will soon be swarming with population en-
gagged in agriculture, mining and manufactur
ing, supplying eastern Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Iowa and Missouri with the products Of their
labor and skill the Minnesota and Pacific
railroad will be placed Immediately under
contract asfby terms of its charter it must
be finished from Saltwater to St. Anthony with
in NO years, and completed to Breckenridge
within ten years from the Sd Of March, 1857,
or forfeit its franchise as well as the lands
donated to it. - - 4,: .-
Breckenridge is also at the point where Gov
Stevens survey Of a route for the Pacific rail
road crosses the Sioux Wood river, an exami
nation Of the Western States, and reference
to the writings of Gov. Stevens, ex-Gov. RAM
say or the Congressional documents containing
the reports of Maj Long and Capt. Pope, can
not fail to convince that such is the gcograph
ical position Of Breckinridge; that all that
portion Of the Territory of the United States
which lays west of the Mississippi and north
of the head waters of the Minnesota rivers
must forever be tributary to that city, and
thar Breckenridge IS to be not only the com
nercial centre for the northwest, but will
forever be the gate city on thegreat northwest
highway Of nations.
Breckinridge is now being improved by the
Proprictors, who arc erecting dwellings,. for
a hotel, grist mill, saw mill,
shingle and lath machine, &c. \;
For further particulars enquire Of
HENRY T. WELLS, Minneapolis,
II CHUTE, st. Anthony
CHAS. N. MKUBB1N, St. Paul,
H., Executive Committee
Or, to GEO F: BROTT,s Breckinridge.
May 10th, 1858 If