Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1872-03-28
Austin, By u Milwaukee Man.

The following description Of Austin,
written by Russ" travelling cores
pondcnt Of the Milwaukee Sentinel, is
worthy the perueal Of all who wish to
learn whether it has made any progress
within the last four or five years:
AUSTIN, Mimi, March Is.
Spread out a map before you, and
see the admirable advantages for COM
munication with ull points Of the cou'-
pass which Austin possesses, and you
will be surprised, as 1 am, to find that
the agricultural aud commercial advan-
taces Of this region have heretofore
been SO poorly understood and arpre-
ciated. Here is rich fertile county
in the sout| ern tier Of Minnesota, no
acre Of which is more than ten miles
distant from railroad station, every
acre capable Of a high state Of cultiva-
ton and an unlimited production Of all
the staple growths Of the fruitful
Northwest; here is a direct outlet
to the south, southeast and south
west, by means Of the Milwaukee
T. St. Paul, the Illinois Central,
the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and
MINES ia, and the Central Rail-
road Of lowr, TO the east and west by
mcaus Of the Southern Minnesota, and
to the mort by the Milwaukee 4 St.
Paul; and here is a citizenship, tried
in the grind and grit If earlier and
harder times, with large industry, per-
sever'ng energy, taste and intelligence,
30 that the emigrant, while enjoying
the advantage Of new lands for pur
chase and cultivation, can also settle
down at once among the growers and
lovers Of a refined socicty-convcnien
ces which happily arc growing in est.
mated value among our people. Tho
climate Of this region needs no eulogy
from ME. 1t is pro: erb that Mime
sofa air is tonic and mvigorator Of
Natures own making, more magical
than enchantment, nlore delightful
and cheap than the nostrums OF the
shops. The effect Of it is seen in the
firm, elastic step Of the people, and
heard in the quick, prompt tone Of
voice which bespeaks decision of char.
acter and warrants execution of pur.
pose.
X X X +
Austin, the county scat Of Mower
county, has about $500 inhabitants,
and is built in substantial manncr.-
Thrift and taste are shown upon it,
dwellings and business houses, and
what is particularly favorable to pur-
chasers, the trade is largely confined to
exclusive stocks.
The town has seven religious organ
nations with good plac Of worship ;
the Congreggati"nalists, Presbyteria"s,
Baptists, Mcthodists, Episcopalians.
Norwegian Lutherans and koman CATH
olics, while the Uniycrsalists have an
organization without house. 1t has
not fallen in my way to see SO fine a
school building as chat Of Austin for
many months-a beautiful brick st-uc-
ture, three stories high, with six apart
ments and seven teachers 1t is light
ed, heated and ventilated on the most
approved mcthud, and has complete
grade with u high school course. The
secret Societies Of the place are the
Masons, the Odd Fellows and Grand
Army Of the Republic.
| cannot better give an idea Of what
it will Gust to make home in Austin
than us follows: Business lots are
quoted at $500 to $1,000; residence
iots ut 500 to $500. The best Of
hard wood for fuel sells at from 81 60
IS per cord, and coal from Sc to 81 so
per ton, according to quality. Good
water is reached ut II feet to Is feet
bel'w the surface ; clay; making hard,
red brick, is found just in the edge of
town, and good building stone is deliv.
cred on the ground at not more than
sSa cord. Common lumber may be
quoted at $2l fencing, $22 flooring,
s35; siding, $50; finishing $50 to
,55; shingles, So to $3.50; and lath
IS tn s.