The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-06-28


county, like it's nejghboring counties,
is only now emerging from u four years.
devastation of grasslloppers, one is sur
prised to find the business men of it's
county seat so bravely hopeful. Here
[ heard for the first time what heard
repeated so frequently afterward,
1--WE can save our crops from our own
choppers, and are all right if none fly
into us from abroad"
1 found my friend w. r. Bennett in
his new home commanding q fine view
of the picturesque lake which is with
in the town limits. The house is hand
some and admirably constructed, and
to judge from the beautiful conserva-
tory within doors, the grounds around
will soon show a corresponding taste.
Mr.. Bennett has a large lumber yard,
and also deals III machinery, lime, brick
and wheat. lie is becoming each year
more extensive in his different branch
es of business.
The Worthington hotel, built by the
railroad company, is under the man.
agement Of it's present proprietor, Da-
MEL Shell-one of the best hotels in the
State-is one of those good natured,
giant landlords whose very appearance
says to the weary traveller, Take it
cool and make yourself at home" /
found Mr.. Shell busy preparing to set
out for Wisconsin, where nine brother
giants (mine host, who stands six feet
high and weighs over two hundred
pounds, tells me that lie is considered
rather dwartish in his family (between
you and I, l scarcely believe him),
where nine brothers and their wives
and children are about to meet ut q re-
union, when the old homestead shall
shake with their tread and the hearts
of two aged parents laugh with joy in
the presence Of their children and
grandchildren.
have on 4 former occasion spoken
III detail OF Worthington, it's business
and business men, and as there has
been little change within the last year
will proceed to new matter.
The building Of the Worthington &
Sioux Falls branch of the Sioux City Il
st. Paul railroad, now completed to
tuyerne in Rock county, may be COLI
sidered as marking 4 new era in the de-
velopn,ent and prosperity of South
western Minnesota. 1t gives easy ac-
cess to one of the most beautiful and
rich prairie districts ever beheld. I
heard Il good deal of the richness of the
soil of Rock county, and yet, on my
first visit. / feel that the accounts have
scarcely done justice to this most mag
nilicent country.
But before l take up my notes of L,l-
Verne and Rock counties, let me select
from those have taken of the south
western portion of Mobiles county,
through which the new railroad runs.
And here let me say Ill passing, that
in different places along this road, as
far as it is opened at present, the rail-
road company set out this spring tllOus-
ands of healthy young trees, that will
make in q few years handsome groves
to beautify the country the road passes
through, and protect the track from
snowdrifts.
On the Sioux City & St. Paul road
proper, the company set out such groves
four years ago, and they are now be-
coming both useful and ornamental.
Nineteen miles from Worthington,
and in the western part of Mobiles coun-
ty is the railroad station and new town
of Adrian, in the K;.naranZ. valley,
through which the river Of that name
plows.
The opening of the railroad may he
said to haye been the opening OF this,
he most fertile part of Mobiles: county.
The soil and the lay of the land resem-
blcs III a great measure what one finds
III Rock county, which is saying enough
for any locality.
Within few miles of the new vii
lage is the water divide of the south
and west, the rivers flowing north and
south. Hence the lands of this portion
OF Mobiles county have, in their gentle
undulation, Il southern aspect, an adj
vantage for agricultural purposes which
any one can realize who has had any
experience even in Il small garden.
Another feature of the county from
Worthington to Luverne is, that while
there is any amount Of hay, bottom
lands well fed with streams, there is all
absence of muddy marshes and swamps.
The village of Adrian, but i few
months old, has it's stores, hotel built
10y the railroad company, it's park,
mark you tlat) and 4 handsome street,
with young shade trees, set out Oh each
side.
l wisl.to draw the attention of par
ties or companies interested in coloni-
Zation to this new town Of Adrian and
the country around it.
l have been informed that 4 large
quantity OF government land Ill this
part Of the State, taken up on tree
planting claims, has virtually again be-
come open to entry from the nor full
ment of the requirements Of the law
by those making such claims, and who
have abandoned all intention of max
ing improvements. If this is so Il col
ony could, between government lands
and railroad lands, get a tract almost
III one body, or quite near enough for
all purposes.
II my informant IN is correct this can
lie done now, but there is little time fol
delay for it is not probable that one
quarter section Of the tillage portion
OF this splendid soil will be left uncul.
tivated for amy length of time now that
railroad runs through it.