Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-05-04
FILLMORE COUNTY.
some oJ the Leading TOscns Of the Lar0es
County in the State, az Seen By Globe
COrrespondent.


Some Of the leading TOWNS Of the Target
county tn the State, az Seen By I" Globe "
Correspondence
cHATTIE1D.
One of the several Hourishing towns of FIJI
more county, Chatfeld, at present occupies .
rather isolated position, being about eopi-
distant from the s. NJ. railroad on the south
and the W. d St. Peter railroad on the north.
The north fork of Root river, upon which this
town is built, furnishes power for number of
mills which at present are running thirteen
run of burrs, all told, and ship their -four by
wagons to Dover, 10. miles, or to Fountain,
about the same. wooden mill also at this
town forms an interesting feature in the manu-
featuring interests of this region, its fabrics
being Of superior quality and commanding
good prices. There is no wheat market other
than that afforded by the mills, but notwith-
standing trade seems to be very fair. Chat
field is well built, has wide streets and fair
public buildings. very fine grade of brick
Is made here, and is being generally used for
business buildings. The Chatfeld Democrat,
a live: spicy local paper, has achieved quite a
reputation through this entire region, and quite
Justly entities the citizens tea feeling of pride
thereat. A strong effort for communication
with the outside by rail will be made, and we
believe successfully, this season, when this
town will rank where it ought, as one of the
best In the county. Its population is about
1,60O, and its growth is constant and healthy
n LAsEsBoRo.
This is the most picturesque village in the
valley, and presents pretty view when seen
from the high ground adjacent. The business
portion environed by towering hills which al
most entirely hem it in, is compact and SUBJ
stancial, while its large Touring mills give it
at once an air of thrift and enterprise. The
water power here afforded by the ever faithful
Root river, is the finest on the whole line, from
25 to 80 feet head being made without the least
trouble. The large stone and brick mill of
James Thompson Co., of 8 run, and stor-
age capacity of $4,000 bushels, is the most
prominent feature to which the mills of White
Bryner and White & Nash, of and run
respectively, added, give daily capacity of
class. and turn out superior grade of -four,
which IS shipped direct to Eastern and foreign
markets. There is also at this point large
machine shop and foundry, the property of
Demery Co., with fine power and complete
machinery. AT Lanesboro one does not have
to traverse bowling wilderness or wade through
sea of mud ID the inclement season to reach
the town from the depot, but is set down
in its very center by the road which
forces its way through the narrow opening cut
by nature for her water course. and which
leaves by a very fine iron bridge at the western
end of the business part of town. The resi-
dence portion is located higher up the stream
where the valley expands again and on the
summit of the rather abrupt elevation which
80 nearly divides the town the fine churches
and elegant school building occupy a most
conspicuous place, and command fine view of
the town. railroad and river. The abundance
of fine building material close at hand, and
the permanent solid business guaranteed by
her manufactures bespeak sure and healthy
growth for this rock walled village.
PRESTON.
Situated at the geographical center of one of
the richest of counties, Preston only lacks rail-
road communication to become one of the most
important cities of southern Minnesota 1t
had an existance prior to railroad times. but
by that peculiar fatality which sometimes
attaches to the most thriving western towns,
has been left "out in the cold" by the only
line of railroad which exists in these parts.
Her central position. however, and her natural
advantages, and county seat interests have kent
up steady and healthy growth, and has
through the enterprise of her public spirited
business men and capitalists made Preston
place OF much Importance. Alphabetically her
surroundings are good. Some of the finest
farms and best stock herds of the State are to
be found IN that vicinity. At the Preston
Driving Park upon pleasant afternoon may
be seen dozen or more of fine roadsters, some
of whom show rich blood, and bid fair to win
no mean laurels on the turf
The manufacturing interests of Preston, like
most OF the important towns of this root
river) valley, give the key to her success and
prosperity as a town. At this village proper is
located q fine stone mill containing six run of
burrs, which are kept constantly at work. One
mile above on the same stream (south branch
OF Root river) fine new mill with eight run is
nearly completed, while some three miles be-
low on the Southern Minnesota railroad are the
Clear Grit mills containing twelve run, all OF
the mills possessing all the modern improve
ments and turning out superior quality Of
flour. The Preston wooden mills, C. A. Wheeler.
proprietor, were established in 1861 and form
an interesting branch of industry. Interesting
because in this climate wooden fabrics are quite
desirable as an article IF wear during the Years
that we have a winter season. This factory
turns out some 20 600 yards of cloths annually.
and until the past season when an experiment
was made with Colorado leeces, the raw ma
terial has oil been purchased in the
vicinity of the mill, thus tending
to stimulate 3 diversified industry among the
farmers. run of feed burrs has lately been
put IN by the owner. OF public buildings
Preston has four fine churches, Masonic tenn
pie, court house, and fine jail building and
last, but not least, splendid school house.
capable of accommodating some $50 pupils.
The situation of the village is charming-the
residence portion shows some very fine dwell
-lings: Its present population is about 200,
and business is in lively state. Isenours,
two and half miles distant, in a northerlv
direction, is the point of dcbarktion from the
s. NJ. r. r., close connections being made with
all trains by means of the Preston hack, It
may not be unimportant here to mention that
the Preston Schools as well as the entire system
OF Fillmore county, are ola superior order, and
he rift inf 80
are raising their standard toward more per
feet excellence. Preston people still cling to
the idea of a railroad, and we hope one dav to
see their wishes in this respect realized.
SPRING VALLEY.
Fillmore Co., remarkable for it's fine towns
has outdone herself in this gem of city. It is
the first prairie town on this line of road (goino
west) and one can feast their eyes on as fine
landscape as can be found anywhere The sur
face of the country is just undulating enough
to insure perfect drainage without being rough
and the fertile soil is under the highest state of
cultivation. Spring Valley has no water power
or heavy milling interest, but nevertheless q
brisk growing city of some 1000 inhabitan Is
has sprung up and large and active business
is carried on. It's growth is steady, active and
permanent and Its surroundings guarantee
tuture OF no mean proportions as town. The
wheat business here is very extensive. Six ele-
vators and several fat warehouses are constantly
busy handling the three-quarters of million
bushels of our staple that seek this market,
The manufacturing interests of Spring VALLEY
though not extensive or varied are of great i'm
portance. The manufacturing establishment
OF Whitman Brown is at present heavily en-
gagged IN the manufacture of school furniture,
as well as several classes of agricultural
implements, and are also doing sash, blind
and door and general planning mill business. A
Large and well fitted foundry and machine
shop, turns out large amount of fine work.
Spring Valley is finely located; we'll built, has
good wide streets and sidewalks everywhere.