Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-10-03

the Mississippi, TO find good and profit |
able market at Dubuque, Burlington
and st, Louis.
Returning down the river over 100
miles by stage to Grand Rapids, l found
there large town, and a bridge over
600 feet long across the Wisconsin.
Thence travelled by stage 45 miles and
reached New Lisbon, pretty town on
the Lacrosse and Milwaukee, R. R., 30
miles from the former place.
On arriving at Lacrosse two elegant
steamers were in readiness to take pas
sengers north to Winoua and st. Pauls,
and by the aid OF large torch light
which reflected upon the passage way to
the boat, soon found my way on board
(for the first time) of a Mississippi
steamer. We soon started on our way,
and arrived at Winona the following
morning, where l found thriving popu.
lation, having the look and style of many
OF our growing eastern cities.
Leaving on the Winona and st. Peters
R. R., for the interior OF Minnesota, and
passing out from the city, winding our
way through mountains on the side OF
the Mississippi quite equal to any scenery
which we meet in passing over our
Green Mountains, some eight or ten
miles from the river we open upon q
delightful farming country OF rolling
prairie. At every depot tSGund large
numbers OF business men returning or
leaving.
Arriving at Owatona, 100 miles west,
we pushed our way to Fairabolt, 10
miles north on the Minnesota Central
Railroad, and short distance from
Minneapolis. Taking a fine pair OF
horses and a carriage with pleasant
associate, we passed out from the city
some six miles, upon q ridge road, which
commanded view Of the country
north, south, east and west. 1t was
rolling prairie, sparsely settled. In every
direction you could see the golden stub
bic, and stacks OF yellow wheat-a vast
productive country, such as | never
looked on before, and serving to con-
| vince the beholder that Minnesota is
the great agricultural State Of our
Union, while her water power cannot be
surpassed. Horace Greeley has well
pronounced the same truth.
Returning to Owatona, where the
Minneapolis and Cedar Valley Railroad
forms junction with the Winona and
ST.. Paul Railroad, and leaving on the
former road, completed as far as Anstin
where the Macgregor and Western Bail.
road will connect when completed,
soon reached Austin, soon after leaving
which place passed out from the State
OF Minnesota and entered the State oi
Iowa. Travelling south, my first stop
ping place was the city OF Mitchell, To-
Gated on Cedar river. | went thence or
the line OF the Minneapolis and Cedar
Valley Railroad short distance tC
Usage, a splendid town, and then dowr
to St. Charles, the county seat Of Floyd
county, where, taking private convey
ance, l went directly west to Masor
City county town OF Cerro Gordo coun
ty, little distant from one Of the mos
beautiful lakes in the State, visited BY
pleasure seekers from Ievery direction
1t is called Clear Lake, from the clear
ness and purity of its water, ant
abounds with great variety OF fine
fish and various kinds of game.
Homeward bound from this point
stopping at short distances on my way
to Dubuque, finding large and flourish
ing cities and villages, impressing me
more and more Of the beauty, rapiC
growth and wealth of Iowa.
My letter should be brought to
close. In closing would say my i'm
pressions are that the northern counties
are quite equal to any part Of the State
for agriculture.
Those who wish to take a pleasant
and delightful journey should go tc
Minneapolis, one of the most beautiful
cities in the Western States, with it
valuable water power. -