Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-02-07
Soldiers, Colonies.


Colonel George II. Johnston Of Boston, Presi-
dent Of the New England Military and Naval
Bureau Of Migration, was in Montpelier last week
on business connected with the organizing OF
Soldiers Colonies to settle on the lands contig-
uous to western railroad lands, appropriated by
the Government for soldiers homestead. The
organization Of which Colonel Johnston is Prcsi-
dent, embraces oil the New England States, with
a Vice President or agent in each State Through
this organization lands are located for ex-soldiers
at very little expense, and greatly reduced rates
Of fare and transportation for goods secured over
the various railroads Furnishing colony has
already been established on Detroit Lake, Becker
County, Minnesota some forty or fifty families
having located there last fall. This locality is on
the line Of the Northern Pacific Railroad, about
forty miles east Of the Red River.
We bayo the best authority for pronouncing
this one Of the most delightful regions Of the
Northwest thus Car opened to settlement Ex.
Gov. Brlss Of Illinois, a worldwide traveller, in
writing to the Chicago Tribune, says " It any
moro inviting region can be found, we never have
bad the good fortune to sec it," A gentleman
who accompanied party Of excursionists over
that portion Of the route last summer writes a.
follows
" No description we can give will do justice
10, or convey any adequate idea Of, the beauty
the purk-like l0yelincss Of the scenery between
Buffalo River and Pelican lake-not that these
points indicate any other limits than those Of our
journey. On the contrary, we are told the same
character pertains 70 the whole central section Of
Northwestern Minnesota, from the Mississippi
River % the lake Of the Woods, From the high
est elevation in the spur Of Leaf Mountains which
we crossed the view ext nds perhaps thirty miles
10 every direction. We stopped here half an
hour to enjoy the scene \ thousand hills gen
tly sl0ping % valleys smooth and fair as an Eng
lish lawn OF To clear, calm lakes, blue az the sky
above wide range. Of woodland, solid masses vi
green in the distance, bneaking nearly into
groves and groups of trees, srlcbdid single oaks
and Gins standing cut as sontineLs in advance o.
the host rich, yerdant yestare. deeper ar =
brighter IN color than our highest eastern @ ~
turc can produce, covering every opening wa
ter everywhere, stretching away like placid
river for miles and miles, or interrupted by pro-
jcctng hcadlands and clusters Of islets wood
ed from shore TO crest and over all the inf
mite arch Of celestial azure, Of whose pure SPLEEN
dor the heart Of man cannot elsewhere conceive.
These be some hints Of the elements that com
pose these loyeliest Of landscapes-not grand nor
romantic, but Of that satisfying, peaceful beauty
wherewth the best Of our race delight to sur
/ iVuhN t"'i h'luta. IL WIS au1-c5teu ~ aoHe ~
our thoughtful seniors that before this favored
land should all be covered by claims, a. it soon
must be, at least ten miles square ought TO be set
aside as a national park
The Detroit Lake Colony will receive large nc.
QUESTIONS the coming spring, and as it is intended
70 build up a manufacturing town, liberal induce
mcnts are offered to mechanics to start manulac-
lures on the cooperative plan
1 Col. f. NJ Brown, Of Montpelier is the Vice
President Of the organization for Vermont, who
Will give all necessary information as to detaili
and receive the names Of those who desire to be
come members Of a soldiers colony