The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-02-04

/ = "But 90 not OeueVe thAt any part OF
this rapidly growing State Of Minnesota, OF
any portion Of the United States, has in
creased more rapidly in population and
wealth, since the year 1860, than stearns
county aud the counties northwesterly
from here, Notwithstanding this enormous
civil war and Indian distur Dances, as I
will show by official figures. >>s
''In 1860 tho whole vote of the State
Of Minnesota was s4,7s7, and of stsarns
county ess; and last year there we're polled
in the State Of Minnesota 81, 44S votes, or
an increase of about los per cent. in eight
years. and Stearns county polled 1858
votes or an increase in the ga nc time of al
most It's per cent. ,.
I'm wealth the increase has been even
more extra ordinary in proportion. By the
State Auditors report it will be seen that
the valuation Of all taxable property in the
State Of Minnesota, in 1860. was $780,
1853, 40s, and in 1867, $65, 140,2 4s, or IN
increase in seven years Of almost so per
cent. when at the same time the taxable
property in Stearns county increased from
$42O,95s 10 $1,9l5, 1856, or an increase Of
$50 per cent.
" 'ln Europe this increase in wealth may
seem strange, but not 50 here. In 1860
many Of our: German farmers owned per-
haps two oxen, ole or two cows and few
hogs, and log house hardly fit to live in,
and they had to borrow money at helvy
interest to pay for their lands, their whole
property being worth from three 10 1--WE
handred dollars. Now: these same men
own horses, cattle and sheep, besides reap
sers and other improved farming imple-
sments, some even threshing machines, live
in comfortable frame houses, and their
property would sell for from two to ten
thousand dollars. ........
= .'The counties northwesterly from here,
Monongalia, Pope, Douglas, Otter Tail
and Todd, were in 1860 almost q wilderness,
polling only 70 votes, and now they poll
l $40 votes and return over one million
dollars taxable property
=, The foregoing items will prove of intsr.
eft both at home and abroad, and serve to
show: that steerns county has been making
greater progress in wealth and population
than many would suppose. In reality, it
is one ofthe best agricultural counties in
the State, being suited equally we'll for
grain growing or stock raising. There is
but little waste land in it. The soil is
rich; meadows are abundant; timber is |
plenty; lakes, river and creeks diversity
the surface and supply almost every quar-
ter section with that indispensable-pu1e
water. The growth Of the past eight years
is by no means beyond The proportion Of |
what may be expected for the future
With the development Of eur railroad sys-
tenn, advantages Of markets will be Sc.
cured such as are now alone needed to
make our success all that could be desired.
Stearns county needs, must: have and scill
haze an outlet to Lake Superior, and her |
own natural resources will then be sufi- |
Gent to place her in the front rank Of
,ouAties as regards both wealth and popu-
alton. Let our people all work together,
then, to secure this connection.
Mr.. Zapp has given much attention to
the Preparation Of statistics and gathering
eftscts concerning the growth and advan-
tages Of Stearns and the adjoining counties,
andthas done good service in drawing
immigrants from the old country to this.
He expects large addition to our popula-
ton, from Germany, during the coming
season.