New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-05-01
What Hon. John E. Warren. Travel.
ing Correspondent Ofthe Chicago
Times, thinks of New UIm.
Letter from New U1m to Chicago Times.

New Ulmis little Minnesota ei-
ty Of some 8, 900 inhabitants, situat-
ed on the line Of the Northwestern
railroad, about forty miles beyond
Mankato, and nearly 500 miles from
Chicago. It is in many respects a
unique town but of all queer places
that | have ever been in, it is certain.
ly the queerest. And yetit is apleas-
amt place, and a very comfortable
one too. And it is a place where one
may learn much. Il is for this rea-
son that | have remained here much
longer than | had intended.
Here is a little city, complete in it.
self, and with all the appointments
of a large town, which is virtually
free from debt. =,
The public debt is only $1,000,
and the bonds are worth premium.
There are not, it is said, over a
dozen houses in the place under mort
gage, and those but to small a.
mount.
Not a single commercial failure
has occurred in three years; and there
not one pauper, or aeabond, or
''dead beat'' in the town.
Where is there large city in the
East or in the West that can make
such a showing like this!
Now, when you consider that for
three seasons this district was sore
ly afflicted with grasshoppers, and
the crops in great measure destroy
ed, the picture | have drawn is truly
a wonderful one, but it is true one.
This result has been brought out
by strict economy on the part Of the
people, and by methodical practice
IF turning everything to account,
and by not hiring others to do what
they just as well can do themselves.
Great Chicago cannot afford to
turn up its nose at little New Ulm,
but may with much profit take some
of its valuable lessons to heart,
hree-fourths Of citizen Of New
Dlm are Germans. It is, in fact, a
bit Of Germany set down upon Ameri.
can soil, and iimbued and enlightened
with American ideas.
[ thought I would like to see how
Sunday is passed in town where a
large majority Of the inhabitants are
admirers Of Ingersoll and Tom Paine.
There is no place in the land where
such an odd combination of piety and
business may be seen. It is a most
curious spectacle. The town is literal
ly crowded with teams from the coun-
try, the farmers coming in from a
distance Of fifteen or twenty miles
for the purpose Of attending church.
They are principally Catholics and
good Catholics at that!
The Catholic church which I at
tended this morning was 50 full that
there was not even STANDING oom un-
appropriated, and these people seemed
to be very devout.
But in the midst of all their piety,
these simple hearted people do not
altogether loose sight Of the things
Of the world. They not only bring
with them an ample load of butter
and cheese and other products Of the
soil, but they carry back with them
an almost equally ample load Of ar
cles, which they have awaited them
selves Of the opportunity to buy.
Most thoughtful Christians truly!
Consequently, Sunday is here the
busiest day of the week, and the
stores which are generally open, do
a more fourishing business than on
ny other day. And this extra bust
ness comes from Christians and not
from the heretics, which seemed to
me rather queer state of affairs, but
it seems to work well.
The government land office at this
point has been crowded with appli-
cants Of late, and the public lands
are being disposed of at a rate which
contrast strongly with the apathy of
zeal estate in Chicago.
It will not be long at the present
rate Of demand, before both the gov
eminent and the railroads will have
sold out all their best and most avail
able lands. The rush for them is
simply astonishing, and would be
even greater were there facts in re-
gard to Minnesota S climate and soil
as universally known as they ought
to be. .isf5
Beyond the shadow Of doubt this
State has a magnificent destiny.
Yours,