Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-10-07

AUSTIN, MOWER (
steep ascent, and found myself sud-
denly ushcred into a flourishing little
village, compactly built: upon lovely
plateau" Need any one be told that
this was Albert lea? No one, at
least, who has been so Fortunate as to
once look upon its picturesque beauty
Driving to the hotel, and resting only
for dinner, I sailed out for walk
around its pretty streets, and by the
shores Of its silvery lakes. Imust con-
fess that I was charmed with the spot,
and the short hours Of that spring af.
ternoon were long enough for me to de.
eide that I would look no further for
an abiding place, but that here would
I ''pitch my tent" v..
I was struck, as are most strangers,
with the oddity of the name-Albert
Lea-and, as l could discover no citize,,
that bore it, I concluded that some
rough pioneer, gifted with more than
ordinary taste, had built his cabin here
aud given his name to the settlement
that gathered around him; but who
had either journeyed yet further toward
the secting sun, or else had been long
since gathered to his fathers" Twas
mistaken, however, for I have since
learned that the town derives its name
from tho larger lake, which was chris
tened after highly accomplished Of
6cer, Lieut.. Albert NJ. Lea, U. S. En-
gineers, who surveyed this section as
early as 1884.
The village itself contains only few
hundred inhabitants, but with market
for grain, increased facilities for the
importation of building material, and
the general advantages which fellow a
railroad, the population will double and
treble in a short time after the whistle
of the Southern Minnesota Railroad
shall be heard in our midst.
None of the citizens, however, seem
to indulge any hopes of outstripping all
competitors in Southern Minnesota, or
Of drawing to the town many lines Of
railway by the irresistible magnetism Of
geographical position. On the con.
trary, they appear to be satisfied with
the prospect Of a moderate and healthy
growth as the county seat and the cen.
tre Of a rich farming country.
No business is over done here, and
all laudable interests are steadily i'm.
proving their condition. A fine brick
Bank is being built by Major Hall, the
progressive genius Of the place, and
Col. Eaton, the accommodating Post
master, is manufacturing some "con
crete" brick for large store and pub
lie h'll. A fine new structure vii
soon take the place of the old schoo
house, where for so long the cause o
education has been ably maintained by
Mr.. Thurston, whose merits have re
ceiycd fitting recognition in his ap
rointment as County Superintendent o
Schools.
A staunch Republican paper is pub
lished here, under the editorship Of D
G. Parker, Esq, which is credit t.
the county as we'll as to himself: TIL
religious privileges, however; are some
what limited, and, although the hp
lists and others hold stated meetings
a person who wishes to worship in
duly constituted sanctuary must tax
Hopkins CHOICE" and attend til
Presbyterian, where he will hear
logical exposition of that ancient fait
by the popular pastor, MIR. Abbott.
The only great need here is ne,
and suitable hotel, and should som
man of ability and experience, like Nj
Mathes, Of your city for instance, en-
bark in the enterprise, he would b
we'll rewarded.
i In conclusion, ht me say that N
"lines have fallen in pleasant places
and that am we'll contented in tn
, viNogc on a hill, where all my old Au
tin friends will be sure Of a hearty VIC
Ecomc from OLYMpCs.
q