The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-07-30
Correspondence.

correspondence.
ST. PAUL, July Il, 1862.
DEAR TIMEs-When l left the Pocket
City partly promised you that would
take notes by the way side, but Capt. Hura
with his splendid steamer Itasca, came
| through on such railroad time that but
little opportunity vas afforded for way side
sketches. Sufficient to say, the scenery on
the Mississippi from McGregor to St.Paul is
wild, romantic and beautiful-dotted here
and there with little towns and cities, none
of which surpasses our own little burg
When left home provided myself with
clothes suitable to wear during January
thaw in McGrcgor, supposing that when
approached within 500 miles of the nortl,
pole, or rather 800 miles north of McGreg:
or, | should need them but, Oh shades
Of Lebanon, how have longed for thee
For the last three days Old Sol has meted
out his wrath at the rate Of 1875 Cor lessJ
in the shade. On Saturday it was so warm
that one man said, that he actually roasted
minutes, and I think he did, for claret
punches, sherry cob.ers, and other fxings
of this kind were in good demand at the
Merchants Hotel de vile, on third street.
This hotel, (although it is what our Lords
Durham and Hardin" would call I'd rate,(
is centrally located, overlooking the levee
landing, river and seminary beyond, and is
what | call a capital place to feed.
St. Paul is scattered city Of some 12,-
900 inhabitants. | am told that in 1867
it contained about $4,000, but like many of
our western cities of rapid growth, it has
felt keenly the sting of extravaganza, for
here and there and quite frequent, may be
seen foundations designed for magnificent
buildings that have long since been aban-
doned and crumblins to decay. But Saint
Paul being at the head of navigation and
the capital of Minnesota, must ever make
it city Of some Importance.
The cars on the St. Paul & St. Peters
r. r. are now running out about ten
miles, to St. Anthony. This too. am told,
is city Of about 5000, and, like St Paul,
has many fine buildings, among which are
the State University and Winslow House.
The latter in dimensions is quite equal to
the SHERMAN" or ''St. Nicholas" but now
stands isolated and alone--a work of past
folly. was told by man who lives near
it, that it was all right; j: was eastern
capital salted." The falls at st. Anthony
are what we would call down east, a great
big Mill dam, or grand good water power.
St. Anthony must eventually become a
power cannot be surpassed. 'Tis here
where much Of the lumber we see passing
McGregor almost daily is sawed out and
RATED. Here we can cross the Mississippi
on suspension bridge similar in its con-
struction to that across Niagara. Imme.
diately across tn: bridge is the city of Min
ST. Anthony \ little above these two
cities is the famous Henepin Island, where
the "Sons Of Malta held their grand en-.
campmcnt some years ago. ...-
About four miles below Minneapolis
little way from the road side can be heard
and seen those Laughing Waters," called
"Minnehaha." have looked upon Tren-
ton, Gennessce and Niagara with wonder
and surprise, but never was | 50 enchanted
as by this little cascade-a freak of nature
unadorned by man secluded and laughing
to herself -
But must bid adieu to Minnehaha and
pass on a few miles to Fort Smelling, which
stands upon high bluff at the junction Of
the Minnesota and Mississippi. This, like
Fort Crawford, looks best at a distance,
although it is now occupied by a few sol.
diers. Outside this Fort has been erected
spacious building to accommodate one
thousand or more rebel prisoners this sum-
mer, what didn't come" But business
calls, and DRY UP.