The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-10-06
Editorial Letter.

~ N0S>~~S~ 49,
county, thirty-seven miles west of Wi
mona, on the line of the Winona and St.
Peter railroad. It is in the middle of
a handsome and fertile prairie, and the
site is just sufficiently rolling to give it
good drainage and make it attractive.
1t was laid out in 1864 by Mr.. S. E.
Everett, and when the railroad was be-
ing built in that vicinity, its progress
was so rapid as to alarm the folks Of
Rochester, twelve miles west, and St.
Charles, ten miles east, who feared that
the little prairie town was becoming a
dangerous rival.
It continued to thrive until 1868,
when, having outgrown the wants Of
the tributary country, it seemed to have
arrived at state of completion. Like
all new country villages, it could not
remain in condition of tixity, but de-
~clined perceptibly until 1871, when it
put on an appearance of dilapidation.
Several of it's citizens sold out about
that time and moved away, their places
being supplied by new corners, attracted
by the beauty Of the site and fertility of
the surrounding country.
Another change, also, came over
Eyota about this time. The new COM
ers had the good sense to perceive that
one of the drawbacks to the prosperity
of the village was the unrestrained sale
and use of Intoxicating liquors. The
town had more grog-shops than stores,
and liquor was sold to all who applied,
without regard to age or habits. Of
course drunkenness was common, busi-
ness was injured, and the prosperity of
the inhabitants sadly retarded by this
vice. A temperance reform was soon
effected, the saloons were reduced to
two, and these were greatly restricted
in their business.
In the meantime the surrounding
country had increased in inhabitants
and wealth, the growth of the village
received a new impetus, and from that
time to the present its advancement has
been healthy and steady. It now has
five well stocked stores, two of which do
a large business, and the others have a
profitable trade. There are two wagon
and carriage factories, three general
blacksmith shops, one harness maker,
one furniture store, one shoe-shop, two
milliner establishments, two machine
agencies, and number of other bust
ness establishments.
The elevator at this point is large
one, and besides this there are three
large warehouses required to accommo-
date the grain trade. Two lumber
dealers do a heavy business annually,
and livery stable, with fair supply
Of stock, is not sufficient to fill the de-
mand in this line. Altogether the viii
1age is one Of the most thriving and
prosperous in the State, and, even in
these dull times, property is advancing
in price.
During the past season the improve
ments there have been especially mark
ed. Messrs. Blair Bros. have finished
very handsome blick seore-room, with
large public hall in the second story,
and two fine and expensive brick resi-
dences havejust been completed. About
dozen good-sized frame residences
and as many more small ones have, also,
been built. Old buildings have been
repaired and reprinted; the streets
graded and provided with sidewalks !;
and in short, everything, except "Texas
row." has put on an appearance Of new
and better life.
Concert agents, drummers, and trav-
elling men generally have Eyota marked
down on their rnute-bo books, and it is re-
garded by them as one of their import
ant points. The old hotel, kept by Mr..
Barto, shows evidence Of prosperity in
the new improvements and repairs it
has recently received; and, generally,
the population looks sober, healthy and
happy. H. II. 7.
Voice from Fl gh Forest.