The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-01
Holden Letter.
HOLDEN, Nov. 23d, 1875

Qoloeu 4ettef. ..,
,Ho1nlx, Nov. 23d, 1875. -:
Editor Grange Advance: Il
Having to write to you on business I
I'LL at the same time drop few lines
bout this distant country, its inhabitants
md their doings. l say distant country,
'ot wishing to convey the idea thereby
hat the town Of Holden is out "where
'obody lives It is distant only as re-
ards our county seat in your city; at
east, so it appears to us when we have
business there. Occasionally some Of
ls think that we, or rather the town we
nhabit and several Others, are attached
0 the wrong end Of the world, that is,
0 the wrong county.
Never does this thought strike us so
orcibly as when we pass the elegant
courthouse Of Rice county, in the city
# Faribault, where we frequently go
With our produce, and which is distant
mly few hours time. How conven-
ent it would be for US to drop in at the
county Offices while our teams are rest
ing and feeding, and do what business
must be done at such places. As it is
We must lose at least two days of valua-
3le time, besides mourning other ex-
senses and travel from thirty to thirty
i've miles and over each way, in going
20 and from our county seat. Oh! tell
who and where is the man who can
,ooast of the intelligent brain that laid
out Goodhue county in its present size
ind shape?
The county hereabouts is thickly SET
lied. About every available acre which
IS not timber is put to some use, either
field, meadow or pasture. This part
# Goodhue county is, also, fast improv-
:ng as regards good, substantial build.
sngs, Of which many have been put up
within the last few years, consisting Of
good granaries, capacious barns and
convenient houses, which generally
combine considerable taste with conven-
ence and size.
Red Wing men, when they come out
lere, and travellers generally, are much
pleased with the country, and the air Of
prosperity nearly everywhere visible.
Holden Post Office has become somewhat
conspicuous within the past eighteen
months. Situated on a ridge of consid-
cradle eminence, overlooking the country
FAR and wide in every direction except
ing the east, where the view is partially
limited by belt of timber, it can be
seen for miles.
This is especially the case with the
Norwegian church at that place. The
lot on which it stands was much i'm
proved last spring by planting ever
green's and forest trees thereon. A few
4 years hence and the church with it's sur
Aroundings will present most pleasing
lappearance for quite a distance.
There are also two good country stores
at the same place, where goods can be
bought at as reasonable rates as any
where else. The one in which the post
Office is kept, E. 7. Lajord, proprietor,
is one of the best stocked country stores
that ever saw. OF the other / can
say nothing, only that it is well spoken
ofby those trading there. A new wagon
and blacksmith shop was also put up
there last season. These, with a shoe
shop, and a few dwellings, constitute
what we call Holden Post Office. A
city in embryo. Who knows?
We have good markets at the towns
along the Milwaukee and St. Paul rail-
road and Cannon River. The latter fur
dishes numerous good waterpowers,
which are being rapidly utilized for
Touring mills, of which there are quite
4 number at Faribault and other points,
afording a gooi market for good wheat.
As rule, however, the price Of wheat
is higher at the cities along the Missis-
sippi than here, though not always.
- The summer of 1875 is past and gone.
It will long be remembered for it's vio-
.ent storms, its copious rains and its
5ount,ful harvest. Old fields had the
oest grain hereabouts as to quality. On
comparatively new fields and corn ground
much of the grain lodged early, owing
20 the heavy storms which prevailed