The Western advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1872-1874, 1874-03-14
GROWTH OF THE NATIONAL
COLONY.

COLONY.
The letters received at the Colony Of
flee indicate that the influx of settlers
will be greater during the present than
the past spring. The panic and the
open and disagreeable winter in the
States south Of us, have turned the at
tention of thousands toward the newer
lands of the great Northwest, and many
are already packing their boxes to start
for the National Colony. A few have
arrived thus early in the spring and are
putting houses upon their lands. At
the beginning of another Colony year,
therefore, it may be interesting to re-
view briefly the growth of the Colony.
The National Colony, as most OF our
readers are aware, began to settle here
in the spring Of 1872, just two years
ago. AT that time there were a few
settlers about Okabena, Graham and
Indian lakes, but those who arrived at
WorthiEgton as early as April looked
in vain over nearly the whole vast prai-
RE for IL single habitation. BY the
first Of June about fifty houses could
be counted in Worthington, and be-
tween 100 and POO on the prairie around
the town. The improvements in the
town the first year cost between $50, 600
and 500, 600. Probably 10000 or $4,000
acres Of land were broken during the
breaking seoson Of that year. During
the spring of 1873, the influx of settlers
was probably not rs great as the first
year, but the town nearly doubled in
substantial improvements during the
past year, the principal buildings erect
ed being the Okabena mills, at cost
of between $35, 900 and sac, 900, and the
Union Church, at a cost of from $500
to $4,000. During the year a public Ii
brary, Seminary of learning, a bank,
and number of new branches Of bust
ness were opened, and the town more
than doubled in business, social, educa-
tional and church interest. Through
out the County the amount of breaking
was increased to about $4,000 to 10000
acres, and the farming population
reached between 1900 and 4.OOO.-
Oranges of the Patrons of Husbandry
and an Agricultural Society, said to be
the largest county society in the State.
were organized. Hundreds of thou
sands of trees were planted, superior
breeds of stock in many instances were
imported, better farm houses were con-
structed, and even before wheat crop
had been raised, our farmers were pull
ing down their barns and building
greater. The most extensive farmer in
our midst is Prof. Humiston, the man.
ager of the Colony. Last spring he OPP
ened three farms, averaging about half
section, each under the immediate
management of a practical farmer.
Early in the spring, Mr.. Jonathan
Ames, of Toledo, took some 1000 acres
OF land with view of ultimate improve
ment. His farming operations last wear
covered between 800 and 400 acres. Mr..
John Alley has taken about section of
land, and is preparing to open dairy
farm. Mr.. I. p. Durfee has opened a
farm of about 400 acres. and is giving
his attention chiefly to grain.
Mr.. Oliver Raitt came here last wear.
from Nc Gregor, Iowa, and opened a
STOCK farm on the East lake. In the
TALL ne was taken with brain disease
and died, thus cutting off the further
prosecution of a farming enterprise
from which much was expected We
mention these because they are the
largest farms opened in this county.
Other farms. ranging from 80 to $50
acres are no less intelligently and ener-
getically conducted, and there are few
farmers here who do not sec the snne.
rior farming possibilities Of this coun-
ty and who do no: believe that this
county will in ten years be one of the
garden spots of the west.
The National Colony, the first year,
was looked upon as an experiment.