Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-08-03
On the Wing,


and tributaries-its towns and surroundings
Let me now introduce you to the fourishing
young cities of Minneapolis and ST. Anthony
Go with me to the cupola ofthe Winslow House
situated on the east bank OF the Mississippi, and
you will behold sight of beauty and grandeur
that one may not expect to meet with more than
once in life time As the eye extends to the
northward it rests upon the placid waters Of
the Mississippi, far above the fails. Huge bluffs
arise in the distance, and the banks are lined
with beautiful groves, heavily drapcd with
green, and open lands which kiss the waters
edge. Observe the waters as they near us. They
run more swiftly, assuming an angry form,
and now the whole vast flood of the Mis>issip
pi comes rushing, Kissing, boiling and plunging
down the steep descent, over the Falls of St.
Anthony at our feet, with the speed Of the wind
and the irresistible surge of million wild Buff
falos. The beholder while viewing the wild tu-
multi of whirlng waters, cannot fail to expert
ence consciousness of deep sublimity and awe
and the eye witness only can obtain the faintest
conception of the awful power here concentra-
ted. To the westward on the opposite bank,
lies the young and beautiful city of Mdneapo-
lis, the real estate of which in 1854, paid Uncle
Sam revenue of $l4 per acre, and passed
for the first time into private hands Much of
the property at the present time is valued at that
price per square foot But few improvements
were made till 1856 and T. Then the water
power was improved to some extent, but the
hard times of 1868 caused suspension of the
work, and for several years, the town made
slow progress. However, the characteristic en-
ergy and perseverance of those interested, over
came all difficulties, resulting in the manufac-
ture in 1866, both sides the river, of 5000, 900
feet of lumber, So 000 600 of shingles 10 600 900
of lath, and 250, 900 pckets, with an invest
ment of $500, 900 in mills. The numbering in
terests have thirteen miles of solid logs lying in
the river some distance above here none Of
which could be fOated down to the mills dur
ing the past four months on account of tie ex-
cessive high stage OF water, without great dan
ger of losing them over the falls. Consequent
| ly the mills have been idle until within few
days since. The sudden and continued stop
page of this important branch, which alone did
Il businessla last year amounting to nearly 81 OO0,-
| 000 cauf ed natural sringency in the the home
money market This, however, will be but
| temporary. as the extensive machinery is again
| in operation. The tide of currency will soon
| flow into, instead of out of the city.
| The capacity of the Touring mills, when those
now in process of erection are completed will
be three thousand barrels per day, consuming
| fifteen thousand bushels of wheat. 4 single
mill when run to IFS full capacity will require
| $4,000 per day to stock and run it. OF tie
numerous other important manufactures. I have
no time to speak in detail and will only say
that the grand aggregate cash value Of manu-
| factureG goods turned out in 1866. was no less
than 81, 100000. With all these things IN their
infancy, there can be no proper estimate of
what the product will be when this vast water
power is properly developed. Nature evident
ly designed the cities of ST. Anthony and Min
nea polls to be one and the same Their inter
ests are identical, being separated only by the
Mississippi, which is now spanned by two mag
n.ficcnt bridges, and is soon to be by third,
still more closely uniting them, and the day
cannot he far distant when they will be govern
cd by the same municipal authority. During
the year 1866 the growth and development of
the infant city was unprecedented and most
wonderful. Over seven hundred buildings were
erected at AN expense of s., 800 900, and an in
crease in population of $1,000 The present
population of Minneapolis is estimated at 10, 600,
and that of St. Anthony, 1000.
Among the institutions of this city are the
Pence Opera House, Atheneum, Driving Park
the latter having a trotting course as level as a
floor, forty feet wide and a mile in circumfer
ance, and probably the best in the state. The
Nicollet Hotel, is massive five story stone
front structure, and is the pride of Minneapolis.
1t is truly said to be the best hotel in the whole
Northwest, in evidence of which need only to
state that the present proprietors, Messrs ellison
Bros were the former proprictOrs of the Inter
NATIONAL Hotel and Taylor's famous Saloon in
N. Y. city.
Nature has bestowed upon Minneapolis and
surrounding country, many of the choices gems.
Among the many objects Of interest are the
Falls of st. Anthony. Suspension Bridge, Nicol-
let Island, Caves in the Limestone, Chalybeate
Springs, Silver Cascade, Bridal Vail, Fawns
Leap. Fountain Cave, Lakes Calhoun and Har-
rict, Twin Lakes, Minnc-ha La Falls, and Fort
Smelling.
Yesterday was favored with one of the most
charming rides it was ever my good fortune to
enjoy A delightful drive of four miles across
an open prairie, brought us to Lakes Calhoun
and Harriet The prairies are now literally CO.
yered with flowers. endless in variety, unsur-
passed in beauty, filling the air with rich per-
fume, presenting lovely appearance like that
OF vast flower garden. An hour passed away
while we drove leisurely beneath the green
archway of oaks that skirt the margin of these
beautiful lakes, and dreamiy watched the blue
wayelets as they playfuIy coqueted with the
shore. Another similar drive, and We were be-
side the far-famed Falls of Minne-ha-La, or
Laughing Waters"
Here the description of the most gifted word
painter can but family deliniate the charming
: beauty of the scene The waters emanate from
Lake NIinne-ton-ka-are pure and limpid, very
shallow, and glide swiftly over the smooth rock
which lies but just below the surface, suddenly
breaking over the precipice in straight, thin,
unbroken sheet, forty feet wide, leaping play
fully into the valley sixty feet below. While
sitting upon jutting rock, filled with admirl-
ton, my lips involuntarily muttered-
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