Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-09-11
From Minnesota.
AUSTIN, August 3Ist, /

Austin, August 3lst, 1867.
EDITORS REPUBLICAN,: You will pardon me
if, from the altitude of Minnesota, the clear
ness of the air, &C., I dc not see things as with
Badgers eye.
I am satisfied that most Of the Water town
folks would not exchange their habitatons on
the banks of the placid Rock for the rich val
ley of the Cedar, but I have, and think too, for
the better, and as long as Minnesota continues,
to thrive and grow fat with wealth and we'll
doing, will never desert her. / have tried
long and hard to make living at my bust ness
+ in Waterfowl, but have failed. The reason is
well known. There never has been poorer
supported lot of journals in any town of its
size in Wisconsin than in Watertown.
hihnesota is indeed great agricultural
State and is just beginning to be developed,
and soon will her broad prairies be converted
into FARMS and comfortable homes spring up on
every side. For how many long centuries this
land has bloomed and blossomed with wild
flowers before the foot of man first pressed her
virgin soil will not attempt to say, but it was
nearly 200 years ago Father Hennepin with
tireless oar worked his way up the Mississippi,
through the wonderful beauty of the sparkling
river, the thick strewn isles, and the bold cliffs
and bluffs, to the site of the now city of St.
Paul and the falls above. The banks now
filed with Christian homes, then sly armed with
saYages. What could have irnpelled this wa n
derer from his native land thus earnestly to
struggle against all diff culties? What heroic
resolve so filed his mind that toll and Weari-
ness were scorned alike? Worn out, at last
he reached the falls, named them ST. Anthony
for lis patron saint and turning his back, fol-
lowed the current to the sea.
Minnesota is Dacotah word, sign flying
amuddy water" The name was given to the
Minnesota river, whose waters rival the Mis-
souri, in their turbid appearance. The river
forms junction with the Mississippi at Fort
Smelling, and is naygable for steamb oats most
of the year.
From this old fortressw went the first regiment
whose deeds of glory are the just pride of the
State
1OuIlSTo III IiisG Iue SuLilutIS vi
Minnesota are like those of France. Though
lying far from the sea, and having clear at
mosphere there is no lack of rain in the grow
ing season. The summers are remarkable for
the soft southern winds. There seems to be a
powerful atmospheric current from the Gulf, the
moisture with which this is laden is precipita-
ted, apparently, by contact with cool currents
from sa4e north. All vegetation has dark
green color and thrifty appearance. AS
now ON extended tour of observation in
Minnesota: ffhe color of vegetation is more
like the East Indies than in any other place
have witnessed"
I have never before seen as beautiful skies as
those of Minnesota. Through the long July and
August days the white feecy clouds float in the
soft clear azure, slowly changing their exqui-
site shape for others more enhancing, till at
eventide the sky itself seems filled with gors
geous gold and crimson forms, melting from
one shade to another till tie eye almost aches
with beholdifiE.
Here, also, we have the most brilliant dis
play of Northern lights in sdnhnien seen only
in this latitude IN July and August. They are
indeed most wonderful spectacle. Who can
give us "light' on their orr gin or design?
More again, in time,
CLAN"