St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-01-24
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SAINT CLOUD,

~-~ ~ - .
St. Cloud is the point at which the Red Riv-
or trains cross the Mississippi on their way to
St. Paul, which proves it to be- the natural
junction 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 ana early
Summer months, from St. Anthony TO- this
place.. -, q. ...... ,!..q.
The nap gives its position correctly with
reference to all the most important points. in
location, and fertility of the surrounding coun-
2ry can not DO transcribed. Within fifteen
milo of St. Cloud, on opposite sides of thu
river, and at different points of the compass
are eight lakes varying in size from mile to
miles in circumference, all, save one, beau
tiff, exceedingly, three OF them at least, deep
enough to float q man-of-war. Wooded banks,
clean pebbly shores plentifully mixed with
cornelian; and waters abundantly supplied
Y it'll fish.
When Gov. Stevens made his survey Of
northern railroad route to the Pacific in '53,
he oamped con the western side Of the Mis-
siysippi below Sank Rapids" The place was
nameiess-the present site of St. Cloud; but it
is here his route leaves the river. In the sum-
mer of IS claim cabin was built on the spot
where We now write, good saw mill, the
frame of q large Hotel and eight other dwell
inps 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-
ans or Half Breeds, for there ore none here
A majority Of the inhabitants Of tho country
are hardy Germans, with sturdy wives aud
children oultivating the soil and working at
mechanical employments.
The subsoil is sandy and although the soil is
70 Hoov a rich black 10arn
supporting rank vegetation, the drainage is
80 perfect and the air so pure that breathing
is o perpetual pleasure. AS yet, our Physi-
clans have discovered no diseases peculiar to
the climate, no indeg ,nious complaint except
the ssAlinnesota Appetite which requires one
fourth more treatment than q 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
by which the land was acquiredfrom the Sioux
forbids its introduction; and the Legislature
has passed law enforcing that provision; but
people Of moderate means andindustrious 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 Cu0 HILLS AL OL. Jul, OC. AuLuOuys
and the Minnesota Valley are supplied. These
employ large and ever-increasing force of
men, horses snd oxen, who are to be supplied
with provisions, clothing and feed. Thesoil is
waiting for on opportunity to produce unlirni-
ted quantities of food, without troubling the
farmer crushing clods; while the Mississippi
rom St.. Paul to Little Falls can afford to turn
mill at almost any point and has water pow
or enough to do the manufacturing for Con-
inent
Our natural meadows produce grass from
four to six feet high, and the besfkilled off 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, cartridges,
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 of the ground; and there is no likelihood
of the supply running out soon as the "Big
Woods extend from this place some twenty
miles ST more, down this side ofthe river and
from eight to twelve miles back. Our prairics
are all dotted with strips Of wood land, "Oak
Openings which just look like old orchards,
dense Tickets 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
1red acres are in the cranberry trade and turn |
+
Donnot be excelled. The blackberries red rasp- |
berries and hops tack up their shingles in the
woods; and seldom dissappoint the most san
Zuinc expectations Of their customers There !,
IS still land ten or fifteen miles back which set
,lers can get, at govcrnm ent price, by building
cabin and living on it until it comes into
market. Actual settlers can buy lots here at
rom one to five hundred dollars, and specula-
ors can have the same lots at from five to ff-
cen hundred
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 house can be built for
fifty dollars, that would be palace compared
20 the dens rented in large cities for and
dollars per month, while the lot, with only the
lid of a grubbing hoe and few days labor,
would bring vegetables to feed family, and
every township has 600 acres appropriated to
he support Of schools.
Seventy thousand acres are appropriated to
\ State University. A fine building has already
oeen erected for the use Of that institution. 1t
s situated St.. Anthony, built of stone on an
,minence commanding view of the falls, and
10 State in the Union has better foundation |
or good system Of popular education. No
,ther prairie State is so well timbered as Min
lesota and no State more abundantly supplied |
With clear water. In the country surrounding
It, Cloud and as far North and West as we have !
my reliable account, settlers find no dif6cults
n locating land on q running stream or trany-
aren't lake with plenty of timber at hand for
building, fencing and fuel, and as the land on
he West side Of the Upper Mississippi is only
,Den tn nre-emntion there is little opportunity