St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1859-03-24
CORRESPONDENCE.
~ For the St. Cloud Democrat
st. Cloud --Her Position and 4
4 i Prospects, !. &

~SOO0~AO
i q = Prospects, !. {
Al citizens of St. Cloud we ought
highly to appreciate the advantages Of our
Geographical position, and not to relax
our exertions to open up new channels Of
trade-to build up large Manufacturing
interest, and to make St. Cloud, CONNER
cially and Politically, the Metropolis of
Northern or Central Minnesota.
Already we have large trade from the
Sank and Red river valleys, and will have
the exclusive trade whenever our Mer-
chants can furnish goods, necessary to
supply the demand from those quar-
tiers, which will annually double for years
to come. Between St. Cloud aud Breck-
inridge on the Rcd river, are the fourishing
towns Or settlements of St. 10. or Clinton,
Cold Spring, Richmond, Melrosc, Sank
Centre, kandota, Alexandria, Evansville,
and Dayton. The Town of Alexandra is
the County seat Of Douglas County-hes
midway between the Mississippi and Red
rivers, and is the principal town on the
route. The trade Of these towns with the
farming country adjoining, and from
Breckinridge to Selkirk Settlement, a dis
lance Of five hundred miles farther, BY
the River, with the numerous settlements
along its banks, all naturally centre at St.
Cloud 1t furnishing the most direct and
feasible route to the Mississippi.
The country along the route above indi-
Gated surpasses, in the beauty of its seem
cry and the richness Of its soil, any part
of the West I have seen. will venture
the assertion that the County Of Douglas
will show, when the surveys are compl,-
ted, to be comprised, one third Of its
surface prairie, one third timber land, and
the remaining third of beautiful lakse-
The prairies have rich black soil, with clay
sub-soil, producing grass sufficient to cut
two or three tons to the acre. The timber
embraces the different varieties of hard
wood, with large share of sugar maple.
The lakes have clear, pebbly shores-are
filed with the best kinds Of ashland in
summer are the resort Of large focks of
duck sand geese. This description will
answer for most Of tho country west of
St. Cloud.
East Of the Mississippi, after few
miles of prairie; we come to heavy timber
of the largest and best varieties of hard
wood. This description Of country extends
about twenty miles East and North East
Of St. Cloud. The soil very rich, and
the surface even, intcrspersed with numer-
Gus streams. After We pass the hard wood
country, We come to mixture of pine and
hard wood. The pine is found in groves,
and comprises about one-third of the tim
Der. This description Of country extends
through to Superior: From East St.
Cloud road has been cut thirty miles
toward Superior; after forty miles more
of the road is cut through, it will then be
completed to Kettle River bridge, where
it intcrsects the Government road, which
is finished to Superior, distance of fifty
miles. 1t therefore requires but forty
miles more Of road to be cut through the
timber to make an air line road to SUPERB
OF, which will soon be needed to furnish
an outlet for our surplus grain.
The grade of the Minnesota and Pacific
Road is nearly completed to East St.
Cloud. A contract has been made with
the r. R. Co. to erect at East St. Cloud
their General Passenger and Freight De-
pots, and to have no other in several miles.
A bridge is soon to be constructed across
tho Mississippi to connect East and West
St. Cloud. The r. Road will doubtless
terminate at East St. Cloud for number
Of years, which necessarily will cause
much building aud trade at that place,
and make it a thriving town. ,o-T:
Any one visiting East St. Cloud should
do themselves the pleasure Of calling on.
Col. Emerson, of the Emerson House,
His genial hospitality and his knowledge
Of the country will make your sojoum
both pleasant and interesting. -. ':. ..
-. -. ~ NAPOLEON.
For the Democrat.
Senator Cameron.