, 1859-02-26


CUATNup Minnesota Feb. =. 1s6a,
In my progreas northwes. my route lay
through this little town, md struck By its Gin
gular situation and rapid growth, was induced
to remain day or two. and am we'll satisfied
at having done 30. as have acquired much val
liable information relative 10 the lands ret sub.
ject to entry in this State.
In the spring Of 1856 the United States Land
Office ct Brownsville, Houston County, in this
State, was moved from that point to this, at
which time no sign Of village existed here !:
the only edidces in the vicinity being two or
three presumption houses, and all your readers
familiar with the manner Of complying with the
law in this particular will smile to see them dig
nided By that appellation. How different are
all things nowi The earth has scarce made
three circuits of the sun. and behold what
wonder has come upon the little valley. The
restless tide Of emigration has drifted acrose
this quiet spot, and cpurches, academies stores.
banks, law Offices and handsome dwellings haye
sprung up as if by tbs magic Of an Alsddin's
Lamp. 1u the centre Of Root River Valley this
charming little town il located; it contains at
present population Of some !, 200 sonls, aud is
rapidly increasing. 1t is situated on the north.
eactern bank Of Root River, at the mouth Of
Chstteld Creek The site IL broad and hand
some pidseau, elevated from thirty TO fifty :eet
above the water in the river, towards which it
has gentle inclination 1t u dry and airy end
commands fne and extensive prospect in ere.
~ direction excepting on the northwest, where
the view IS abruptly terminated By the bold hill
sides which bound the valley on this aide. The
Root River Valley Railroad, coB in process Of
construction, MI! pass from La Crescent, town
Of r4usn promise on the Mississippi, to this
point. furnishing natural market for the pro-
dnce OF Houston, Fillmore, Mower, Olmsted.
Dodge md Freeborn Counues, now populonx
with sturdy fsrmsrs. aud extensively diversified
with cultivated fields.
The Land o1iee for the Root River or Browns.
Fille District, comprises that portion Of Mime
stts which lies between the 1owa State Line and
the South line OF town LOG north, being = tract
Of thirty miles in width, and extending from the
mississippi westward entirely across the State, .
distance Of about go milea OF the lands vet
tuhjeett entry IN this district shere remain more
Of beautiful lakes, clenr streams and patchea Of
tne timber lsy uncultiEated within tie area Of
this vG2t untouched domain, aud should Grows
Homestead Bill bscome q law, how many buu-
dfeds Of happy homes Laa7 soon be made among
these delightful locations. Hard labor, coarse
food snd rnde shelter are the inevitable condi-
tioro pt the first Jear's settlement But ~ year
follows yesr tha house grows larger, tho barn
more commodioua, tAo Fhits deecea Of The ahsep
and the red costs Of the cltsie dot the surround
ing pastures p7oclsimlpg the we'll stocked thrift.
ty farm, and Suggesting the happiness of CON.
tortable atiauenca entirely unknown to mora
than TWO thirds Of the population Of our large
cities. It is that patient 4uiss spirit Of content,
that rises superior TO all things; that g1lds tho
tndest furniture with more than mahogany ve-
oeering. covers tbs rougheat door With softer
Than tapestry earpstinR and converts the hard. ]
est bed to couch Of more than dowpy ease-
OXIDE