Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-11-02
Minnesota Land Sale.

A few weeks ago the President of the
United States caused a proclamation to be
issued for the sale of 4,700,0O0 acres of
public land in Minnesota, the sale to COM
menco at three different points on different
days, ranging from the 22d of October to
the 18th of November. Petitions were
promptly drawn up and unanimously signed
by settlers in Minnesota, setting forth the
facts connected with their present condi-
tion; that the recent depression in real es-
tate and other species of property, the short
crops of last year, and the almost total ces-
sation of immigration had left them in des-
titute circumstances; that they had indeed
been favored this year with a bountiful
harvest, but that long before they could
market their grain, and realize money
therefrom, the time for the land sales
would be passed; and they therefore i'm
plored the President, in view of their
straitened circumstances, to postpone the
sales reasonable time, so that they might
have chance to save their lands and i'm
provements from sacrifice. The leading
citizens and officials of tho State backed up
these memorials by earnest solicitations for
postponement; but it was all of no use
The Presidential Proclamation had been
isssued--the sales must therefore proceed
On the day assigned, (the 18th inst,
the sale commenced at st. Cloud. The
ST. Paul Minnesotian says: "The frs
piece of land offered was started at 81 %
per acre, the minimum price. The people
stood around very cool and calm; and aftel
the land had been duly dwelt upon awhile
five cents more was bid. This five cents
advance being cried a sufficient time, five
cents more were offered. And so on during
the whole day, this piece of land was dwell
upon, gradually rising at the rate of five
cents bid. Near the time for closing the
sale for the day, it had reached tho magnifi
cent proportion Of $l6 per acre, and was
duly knocked down at that sum! But OF
looking around for the bidder he was moi
to be found, and one of the crowd observed
that he had gone homo after his old stock
ing, and the land officers had better wal
until he came back with the gold.' The
land officers respectfully declined waiting
tOuBOI tuhu Luo uOAL uuOTUlDEy At WHICH
time they put up again for sale the same
piece of land; when the five cent bic
competition for it was resumed, and pro
ceeded as on the previous day. From al
of which it is inferred that either the pric,
of real estate in the st. Cloud District il
rising 10 the flush prices of olden times, o
else selling the public lands in that neigh
borhood is likely to be tedious business
At Henderson, on the 10th, the peopl,
gathered into town, formed into procession
and intimated in the most peaceful and po
lite manner possible, that they "wouId Iik
to see any body bidding on the lands."-
The sale was proceeding from day to day
the land officers offering quarter section
after quarter section, but getting "nary
bid"
About million and quarter of acres O
public land are now being put up for sal
in Iowa. Probably the pre-emptors vii
know how to protect themselves from thi
rascslly exercise of official despotism a
well as the Minnesotians.