St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-09-13

- i ~ w IN D. .-s.,
5AINT,CLoU =.
st.. Cloud Is tho point at which the Req Riv-
or trains cross the Mississippi on their way to
St. Paul, which proves it to, be the natural
;unction Of land travel between these two great
arteries Of trade, 1t is at the present head of
steam navigation on the Mississippi. Boats
run regularly. during the Spring and early
Summer months, from St Anthony to this
place.
The map gives its position correctly with
reference to all the most important points in
the Territory, but the peculiar beauty Of its
location, and fertility Of the surrounding coun-
try can not be transcribed. Within fifteen
mile of St. Cloud, on opposite sides of the
river, and at different points OF the compass
arc eight lakes varying i'll size from mile to
. miles in circumference, MI, save one, beau
it'll, exceedingly, three OF them 1T least, deep
enough to float u man-of-war. Wooded banks,
clean pebbly shores plentifully mixed with
coraeli;sn and waters abundan fly supplied
With fish
When Gav. Stevens made his survey OF
northern railroad route to the Pacific in SO,
be camped son the western side Of the Mis-
sissippi below Sank Rapids" The place was
uameless-the present site Of St. Cloud; but it
is here his route leaves the river. In the sum-
mer Of IS a claim cabin was built ON the spot
where we now write, a good saw mill, the
frame of 4 large Hotel and eight other dwell
ings were put up that summer. This last fall
there we're three hundred and thirty-twD votes
pulled iu the precinct. Not the votes Of Indi-
ans, or Half Breeds, for there are none here
a majority of the inhabitants of the country
are hardy Germans, with sturdy wives aud
.ehiltlren cultiva.ing the soil and working at
mechanical employments.
Yhe subsoil is sandy and although, the soil is
from one to three feet deep, Il rich black loan
supporting rank vegetation, the drainage is
50 perfect and the air 50 pure that breathing
is a perpetual pleasure. AS yet, our physi-
clans have discovered no diseases peculiar to
the climate, no indeg :nious complaint except
the MINNESOTA Appetite" which requires one
fourth. more treatme ut than a modest Pennsyl-
vania or Ohio attack Of . corresponding dis
ease.
ANY body who wants to drink whiskey in
peace had better not come here, for the treaty
BY which the land was acquiredfrom the Sioux
forbids its introduction; and the Legislature
has passed u law enforcing that 'provision; but
people of moderate means and Industrious hab-
= who have children to educate, will find few
places where the opportunity for correct moral
training, healthy Development Of muscle, and
the means Of pecuniary independence are bet
Ter combined
There areimmense tracts Of pine lying above,
from which the mills at St. Paul, st. Anthony,
and the Minnesota Valley are supplied. These
employ large and ever-incrcasing force Of
men, horses snd oxen, who are to be supplied
with provisions, clothing and feed. The soil is
whiting for an opportunity to produce unlimi-
ted quantities of food, without troubling the
farmer crushing clods; while the Mississippi
from St. Paul to Little Falls can afford to turn
mill at almost any point and has water pow
or enough to do the manufacturing tor Con-
tinent $50 go -
Our natural meadows produce q grass from
four to six feet high, and the beefkilied OFT our
prairies is quite equal to any stall fed we ave
ever eaten Our venison is fine at ten cents
per pound, rabbits, prairie hens, partridges,
ducks, &c., plenty. Thousands Of bushels of
aeorns for the hogs that are not here to eat
them. Fuel for the labor Of cutting and haul
ING off tho ground; and there is no likelihood
of the supply running out soon as the "Big
Woods" extend from this place some twenty
miles or more, down this side the river and
from eight to twelve miles back Our pralrics
are A. ! dotted with strips of wood land, coax
Openings which just look like old orchards,
dense thickets of plum trees bearing delicious
fruit, grape vines, doing likewise, thousands Of
acres Of hazel bushes and strawberry vines, en-
gagged in the same business; while some hun
dreu acres are in the cranberry trade and turn
out an ar! Isle, which for quantity and quality
connot be excelled. The blackberries red rasp-
berries and hops tack up their shingles in the
woods; and seldom dissappoint the most san
Ruine expectations of their customers. There
IL still land ten or fifteen miles back which set
tiers can get, at government price, ny building
cabin and living on it until it comes into
market Actual settlers can buy lots here al
from one to five hundred dollars, and specula
tors can have the same lots at from five to if
cen hundred
In some Of the river towns back, places tina
will be pleasant villages, lots can be had gratis
by those who will build and live on them
This in places where house can be built 70,
fifty dollars, that would be palace compared
to the dens rented in large cities for and
aid of grub5ing hoe and a few days labor
would bring vegetables to feed q family, AM
every township has 600 acres appropriated t.
the support Of schools.
Seventy thousand acres are appropriated t.
State University. A fna building has alread
been erected for the use of that institution. I
situated a ST. Anthony, built Of stone on Al
eminencs commanding . view Of the falls, an
no State in the Union hasa better foundation
other prairie. State is 50 we'll timbered as Min
nesota and no State more abundantly supple
with clear water. In the country surroundin
st. Cloud and as far North and West as we hav
,iny reliable account, settlers find no difficult
in locating land on q running stream or trany
Isront lake with plenty Of timber ct hand fo
building, fencing and fuel, ana as The land 0
the West side Of The, Upper Mississippi is onl
open 70 pre-emption, there IS little opportunit
for Spectators, and settlers have assurance
nsighbors and that rapid increase il the valu
Of their lands and in social advantages whic
arise from the system Of land in limited qua1
titles to actual settlers. .,....
The country around 81. Cloud, west of til
Mississippi was purchased of the Indians in