The Grange advance., 1873-12-10

large wheels is twenty feet but it is not
found sufficient for the work they have to
do, and they have ordered another, with
wheels thirty feet in diameter, and Of thirty
horse power. Mr.. Meloy informs us that
these mills are, in almost every respect,
better for this purpose than steam engines,
provided the warehouse has sufficient base,
or pit room, TO store the grain when there
is not enough wind to run the mill 1t
saves them from 5000 to $500 per annum
ON insurance, and with an engine it. would
be necessary to keep fire over night in
the winrer time to keep the pipes heated
They employ two conveyors on the screw
the elevator.
vERM1LlON FALL.
The first settler at Vermilion Falls was
Mr.. Thomas Howes, but Abe Truax pre-
empted the falls. He. however, was after
wards induced, by some sort Of chican-
cry, it is said, to relinquish his claim to
one Graham, and he then settled upon a
claim on the farther side Of the Vermilion
river, for which he has since been offered
some $50, 200, which he refused and after
wards lost it upon mortgage. How many
men in this state could aptly define the
word mortgage by the word RUIN! Graham
sold the falls to LeDuc, he to the Harrison
Bros, and they to
STEPHEN GARDNER,
the great and well known miller of the
State, for the snug little sum Of $28,OOO
He has given the Vermilion Mills almost
world wide reputation. His brand is an
absolute guaranty Of the quality of the flour
The capacity Of the mill is from POO to 225
barrels per day. At present. they are only
making one hundred barrels. He also runs
Il feed mill of two run Of stones.
GARDNER 4 CALDWELL,
arc the proprietors Of another Touring mill
on the Vermilion, short distance below
the falls, which has a capacity of 125 bar
rels per day. There is yet sufficient unutil-
lied power between these mills for one or
two more mills or manufacturing establish
ments. A little above the falls is the Gus
tom mill Of Ennis Bros, with three run of
stone. 1t would be interesting to know how
much is annually saved to the State by
manufacturing our wheat into -four. and
how much more we might save by grinding
all the wheat raised in the state.
QUlLL1AM & HoDGsoS,
run a general assortment store at the falls,
and claim that on account Of cheap rents,
small expenses, close buying and fair deal
ing they are able to put goods at the very
lowest figures. MIR. John Batemen does a
large business in the manufacture of plows
We would like to give an account of some
of the old settlers of Dakota County in q
future number and have gathered some
facts with that view. Won't our friends
please furnish us with interesting items
connected with the early settlements of thai
county.
THE LUMBER TRADE
Of. Hastings is simply immense. During
the past year it has amounted to 1000, ,OO(
feet, and we are informed by the bes
lumbermen in the town that they coult
have sold 100000 if they had had tn,
lumber. John Dudley alone has sold 3,
| 500, 900 feet since the first of January last
and 100000 shingles, being abou
100000 of lumber above his forme,
| sales. Mr.. Dudley's mills are at Poin
| Douglas and Prescott. The mills of Her
| sey. Bean & Brown, are at Saltwater.
| r. c. LIBBEY
is the only one Of the Hastings lumbe
dealers who manufactures his lumber a
home, and he is the principal shipper. H
closed his mill for the winter about tn
18th of October. He gets his logs princi
pally from the St. Croix, but has purchase,
a few at Minneapolis. The St. Croix logs
however. are much cheaper, and this ena
bles him to put his lumber below Minneap
oils prices. The average number Of mel
employed by him is IA. He also employ
six horses. This is a matter of importanc
to the town. They should manufacture
more Of their lumber at home
| THE GILLET SHINGLES,
manufactured by Capt. VIM. Gillett, ar
| considered the best in the State. He mad
5000, 900 this last year. He employs abou
y men.
THE MERCHANTS
are doing very fair business, and CLAIM
! to be working ON the closest nnssihle mar