St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1860-08-23
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S SAINT GLoU D:
St. Cloud is the point at which the Red Riv- I
er trains cross the Mississippi on their way to
St. Paul, which, proves it to be the natural
tunction of land travel between these two great
arteries of trade, It 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. ... 49,.
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 tho
river, and at different points Of the compass
are eight lakes varying in size from l mile to
s miles in circumference, all, save one, beau
it'll, exceedingly, three OF them at least, deep
enough to float man -of-war. Wooded banks,
clean pebbly shores plentifully, mixed with
oorRelian and waters abundantly supplied
with fish. ! 49,. .,
When Gov. Stevens made his survey Of q
northern railroad route to the Pacific in 90,
be camped con the western side of the Mis-"
sissippi below Sank Rapids" The place was
nameless-the present site Of St. Cloud; but 1t
Ia here his route leaves the river. In the sum-
1ner of IS claim cabin was built on the spot
where We now write, good saw mill, the
frame of large Hotel and eight other dwell
ings were put up that summer. This last fall
there were three hundred and thirty-two votes
polled in the precinct. Not the votes OF 1ndi-
aus or Half Breeds, for there are none here
A majority Of the inhabitants Of the country
are hardy Germans, with sturdy wives aud
children cultivating the soil and working at
mechanical employments. 49,
The subsoil is sandy and although the soil is
from one to three feet deep, q rich black loan
supporting q rank vegetation, the drainage is
20 perfect and the air so pure that breathing
is perpetual pleasure. As yet, our physi-
clans have discovered no diseases peculiar to
the climate, no indeg .nious complaint except
the ssNIinnesota Appetite which requires one
fourth more treatment than modest Pennsyl-
vania or Ohio attack Of q corresponding dis
ease.
Any body who wants to drink whiskey in
peace had better not come here, for the treaty
bv which the land was acquired from the Sioux
forbids its introduction; and the Legislature
has passed 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. 80:
There areimmense tracts Of pine lying above,
from which tho mills at St. Paul, St. Anthony,
and the Minnesota Valley are supplied. These
employ large and ever-increasing force OF
men, horses snd oxen, who arc to be supplied
with provisions, clothing and feed. The soil is
waiting for an opportunity to produce unlinli-
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 enoughto do the manufacturing for Con-
tinent
Our natural meadows produce grass from
four to sixfeet high, and the beefkilled off our
ever eaten Our venison is fine at ten cents
per pound, rabbits, prairie hens, cartridges,
ducks, &c., plenty Thousands of bushels of
ssorns 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 ofthe river and
from eight to twelve miles back Our prairics
are all dotted with strips of wood land, Coax
Openings which just look like old orchards,
~SAASA~Ao
fruit, grape vines, doing likewise, thousands of
acres of hazel bushes and strawberry vines, en-
gagged in the same business; while some hun
dred acres are in the cranberry trade and turn
out On article, which for quantity and quality
eonnot be excelled: The blackberries red rasp-
berries and hops tack up their shingles in the
woods; and seldom diasappoint the most SAN
xuine expectations Of their customers. There
IL still land ten or fifteen miles back which set
-. nn& h1h ,,sNls
cabin and living on it until it comes into
market. Actual settlers can buy lots here at
from one to FIVE hundred dollars, and specula
tor. can have the same lots at from five to if
cen hundred ~"Y2 49,.
In some Of the river towns back, places that
will be pleasant villages, lots can be had gratis
by those who will build and live on them
This, in places where a house can be built for
fifty dollars, that would be q palace compared
TO the dens rented in large, cities for and S
dollars per month, while the lot, with only the
aid Of grnbbing hoe and few days labor,
would bring vegetables to feed q family, and
every township has 600 acres appropriated to
the support Of schools.
Seventy thousand acres are appropriated to
State University. A fine building has already
been erected for the use of that institution. It
situated 81. Antheny, built Of stone on an
emine se conan udinga view Of The falls, and
no STD ii. the ! nioa has g. better foundation
for gfeds emfo Pop plar education. No
other paifie go .i%1sEsd 8 Min n
with eleSH Wster.- In the Fysurrounding
st. Qlnad midas far North md West eswe have
any rS68t. secount, settleirsa. Ind no dficults
in loeaAtg land 81 8 running stream 81 trany-
HArSQel6k4 with plenty offt timber thand for
buildinS;1SnG hk and fuel and Id Che land on
the Westsfdesofth s Upper Mssissippi is only