St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1866-01-04

wisconsin; from the mississippi almost At
its head waters to the Minnesota; to Lake
Superior 60 through the northern, the
central or southern part of the State, to al
most any of.its towns or uttermost frontier
hamlets, and you will see coach, sleigh,
an express wagon, or some kind Of vehicle
bearing the name of this great pioneer COM
pany that has done so much to develop the
State But to get back into our sleigh.
If the reader should ask US concerning the
character Of the country along the route,
we could give bat little satisfaction, as the
covers Of the sleigh we're tightly buttoned
down; and besides, winter is poor time
for obtaining any very correct ideas with
regard to tho topography Of country
About dark we passed Wasioja, a little town
built close by a branch Of the Zumbro riv-
er. At about half past six, the sleighs
stopped ut
KAssoN,
the western terminus of the Winona and St.
Peter Railroad. BY schedule time, the
train was to leave ut seven o'clock, but it
seems that having become frightened at
the rising Of the wind, it had started of
screeching about four, lest it should be
drifted in by the way. Thus passengers
were left on Saturday evening, to get along
as best they might where there were no ac-
commodations whatever. We cannot but
think that this was a culpable disregard of
. he interests and rights Of travellers by the
managers o. the road. There IS an eating
house at the depot, and we inquired Of the
proprietor if We could stop there until
morning, NO." was tho reply. Could
We get to Mantorville? Qho nearest town.
t'No." Here were TWO horns Of the dilem-
ma, equally difficult to perch upon,
and the prospect was good for sleeping on
the railroad track, when We CHANGED to find
a man living near by who could furnish
us lodgings. Eagerly availing ourselves Of
the opportunity, we started for the new
quarters, where the host took US up into the
attic--all the spare room he had, and it
was filed with beds. Pointing to one with
The head stuck under the uncovered straft-
ers,' as for our occupancy, he put us to
bed with story Of his brother who once
upon time, sleeping in just such place,
dreamed he was driving oxen, aud sprang
up to ind his head peeliug the mfters and
u!ce rersa. As our experience in ox-driv-
ing dated, back TO- six years ago on Red
River, this little, storJ from real life did
not seriously disturb our nerves, and We
went quietly to sleep, after murmuring a
short prayer for the future happiness Of the
railroad company. - I
Aweke in the morning to find the rafters
uninjured, and starting for the railroad
track, strained our eyes to catch sight Of an
approac ching train, but, alas none was to
be seeu. So, after breakfast, We had album
dant time to stroll through the streets of
and view the embryo city Of Kassen. It is
of recent growth, the first house having
been commenced on the third day Of Octo-
Der last, and now it contains some two dog
en- OF m,re buildings, including couple of
stores, lager beer saloon (of course,) aud
grain elevator in process of erection. The
town is on the farm of Mr. Kasson, from
whom it derives its name. The project
arose from that point being the present ter
minus of2the railroad and Kasson is ex-
pected to s,kilr' Mantorville, the county
seat, lying TWO niles and half to the east.
This may be the result, but we do not SO
anticipate; as Mantorville has good wa
ter power, and is already quite town.
Kasson is on the open prairie, without even
a twig to break the sweeping winds of win
ter, or shade the young town from the heat
of summers sun. ~ S...E s g
:. We :put i'm the day cheerfully, as might
be imagined, until one O'Clock, when q
train arrived, on which we departed at half
past three for Rochester, bidding atlieu to
Kasson and our host. For the latter, al
though We do not know his name, We shall
hold kindly feelings, as he gave us the best
he had. { ~ 4 tEf1
Il SO we leave Kasson and this sketch at the
same time, with the intention of confusing
the latter next week. - - .:sss st !, ~ 9,s@.