The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-02-11
ALEXANDRIA,.
Rapid Groyvth-Church DIscord-Ite,n.
about Town.
ALEXANDRIA, Feb. 8. 1869.

ALEXANDRIA, Feb. 8, 1869.
EDITOR JouRxA1.-Noticing desire ex-
pressed to hear from all yeur old CORES
pondents, as well as new ores, I jst down
few items fol- your paper, fully believing
that much for our locality can be gained
by keeping it known through THE JouRNi1.
I also promise to be more regular in future.
For only q short time has anything been
known abroad concerning Douglas county.
Four years ago there were living in ma
jority Of the townships in this county but
from three to i've families, while new
with the exception Of two townships Of un-
surveyed land-itis almost all taken up,
and principally by actual settlers, who
have established schools and churches that
would be credit to older portions of the
State. Clalms-to which man has only q
homestead right that he abandons to the
United States, so that another party may
take it under the Homestead Law-from
seven to twelve miles from this place, are
held 1t from $500 to 1000. They are
sold at these figures almost every day by
persons who intend moving further west,
to Otter Tail. Stevens, Grant and Clay
Counties, where they can find vacant lands
for themselves, and friends who IRE coming
in the spring :',.' 49,. ~ - - d.:
Everybody from the country seems to be
in good spirits. Most are hard at work
getting ready for building, fencing or plow-
ing in the spring. There are already some
large farms opened. 1t is not uncommon
to see settler with his entire 100 acres
fenced and under the pillow. ~-
have watched with deep interest the
course taken by several churches in St
Cloud with regard to union prayer meetings
and concerts. I only wish the churches in
this place would take example by them. A
few discordant spirits in each congregation
have kept the whole in constant turmoil
Lately several earnest christians have made
it their duty to call on the disadected and
labor with them; SO that.I hope to be able
In my next to report better state Of affairs
in church matters. !,
We have had several new arrivals dur
ing the week. DR.. Barden, lately of Bos-
ton, and graduate Of Harvard, has pur-
chased lot and commenced the erection
Of IN Office. We have now two doctors,
which fact causes your old: friend, Len.
Sims, J. P, dealer in justice and physic,
tosmile loudly. T.. s. 49, ...t..;... -
Iwould chronicle. the arrival Of James
s. Mitchell, who has had one scream puff
already. Another might make him sick,
as he is here for his health-having no
appetite.
Charles Sims has also come to make this
bis home, and has already made many
friends. :,.e.- 1885,.
A gentleman from Winona is here in
search Of vacant storeroom, but has been
unable to find one in the place. He wish-
es to bring on large stock Of gents fur.
nishing goods, but he will have to follow
every ono else's example and build.
It would be qualification if Lewiston's
friends in st: Cloud could see the awful,
imposing and blood-!hrilling majesty and
unbending dignity with which he admins:
ters the homestead affidavit, not emitting
his fees Of $l46o, which he.repeats as q
part Of the oath and swears them to it as
such.s3: :,@..21u.. y ALEXANDRIN.