The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-04-22
MORRISON COUNTY.

MORRISON COUNTY. >. ~.
1ntsrestiag Ialornation-CAaraet Of
the Ceun'ry-soil, Timber, Settle
nents-Chanoes for Aomesteads-
Railroads and Marksts-WaEes and
Prices.
LITTLE FALLS, MIMI, April l6, 1858.
EDITOR JoURNAI.-In accordance with
the request Of correspondent, I will try
to give you some information about this
section Of country generally, but moro par
tic.larly Of this (Aiorrison) county. 1t is
located on both sides Of tho Mississippi
rivor, and is bounded ON the south by
Stearns and Benton counties; on the east
by Mile Lac; on tho north by Grow Wing
and Csss. and on the west by Todd county.
Tho portion lying on the east sido Of tho
Mississippi il about tweuty-four miles
square; that on the west about thirty -four
miles north and south on the river, and is
about fourteen miles wide-whioh altogeth-
Or makes quite an extensive county.
The country adjoining the Mississippi on
tho east side is generally prairie, for dis
tan"e Of ten or fifteen miles, some portions
being very good, while others are Of little
account. As you continue 70 90 east, tim
ber becomes more plenty. It is mostly Of
small growth, poplar and oak, for four or i've
miles, when tho pine commences, which is
generally good, and mixed with hard wood.
There is considerable maple in some places,
and good sugar bushes could be found
The pine section will average one-third
tamarack swamps. This pine region ex-
tends for long distance east, across the
balance Of this county and across Mile
Lac county, and do not know exactly how
much further.
On the west side Of the Mississippi river
prairie land is quite scarce, and what there
is is nearly al occupied by settlers. Some
very beautiful tracts Of timber land are
to DO found at different points; the most
extensive are on the head waters Of the
Two Rivers, in the southwest portion Of
tho county. The timber is to considers
bio extent maple. This portion is being
settled quite fast by Germans. Yankees and
Swedss. From these settlements, in going
north, you pass through about five miles Of
unsettled country, then you will strike tho
Swan River, which empties into tho Mis-
sissippi about three miles south of this
place. A good road passes up this river
which leads to Long Prairie, the county
seat Of Todd county, distance Of twenty
eight miles west Of tho Mississippi. Set
tiers have gone in on this road the whole
Of the distance to Long Prairie, but as yet
tho settlement is very strictly confined to
tho river road. Large numbers Of good
claims can be had BY going little of the
road, and some very good ones yet remain
untaken on the road. From this river
road north, except on tho Mississippi, no
settlers have gone in, although some very
choice tracts Of timber land can be found
n VARIOUS parts.
Some five or six townships Of pine lie in
the northwest portion Of the county, on
the head waters Of Little Elk River, which !
empties into the Mississippi river, two and
. half miles north of this point. At the
mouth of this river, N. p Clark has good !
saw and grist mill in operation, where a |
considerable supply Of lumber always is to
be found, and grinding is done to order.
You wish to know more particularly about
the southeast part Of this county. The
corner township is pine land and unit for
settlement. But the next two townships
to the west contain, according to reliable
evidence, large amount Of rich prairie
land, besides plenty Of timber, and is as
yet entirely unocoupied. 1t is we'll water
cd, and have no doubt but that it is m
inviting point at which to make q settle
ment. In the next tier oftownships north,
. German settlement has been started,
which is about two years old and has thir-
" votes. At tho present time very choice
lands are still unoccupied and can be taken
under tho Homestead Law.
All who are wanting free homo in this
sectioi of the State, would advise to make
haste, ~ from oil quarters the tidings are
that, I've are coming early in the spring,
with the whole family, and shall appropri-
ate quarter section Of your lands to our
especial use and benefit"
You inquire about stone. The article Is
rather too plenty in some localities, in
others . little scarce. have, however,
heard no complaint in either direction, but
have noticed in travels over the country
that there was no scarcity Of 1t.
The country is generally vol watered by |
numerous small streams and lakes.
Az to railroads. Tho Branch Line Of |
the st. Paul & Pacific is located through
the county, following the Mississippi on
tho east side to Crow Wing, twenty-five
miles north Of this place. and il now COM
pleted to sauk Rapids, thirty miles south
Of this point. We have good reason to DO.
lieve that it will DO completed As far ~
Little Falls within two years, and within
one year in case the North Pacific Road is
commenced and put through without delay
on the northern line of their survey, which
il very probable supposition if any conf
dencs can DO placed in Washington re-
ports.
As to advantages which farmers have in
this section Of tho State. It lies adjacent
to the pineries OF the State, which will for
years to come consume al that is raised
in this county. For several years the farm
or here has received ten cents moro per
bushel for his oats, and twenty cents more
for his corn and wheat, than was paid in
the St. Cloud market, and other things are
in tho same proportion, aud if W should
ever glut the pinsry market, We are still
nearer the head Of Lake Superior, the fa-
ture Chicago Of tho Northwest, than is
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