The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-04-14
LIFE IN MINNESOTA.
People who Haven't Time 90 Read Bosh-The
Grssshoppers-A Danserou. Custom.


On THE PLAINS OF MINNESOTA, March 27.-
How welcome II is to meet an old friend when
hundreds OF miles from homel
As we seldom find the New York papers out
in these little Western towns. you. who read
them every morning. cannot imagine my de-
light in CHANGING to find. a few days since a file
OF THE SUM- The gentleman who possessed
tho treasure told mo that nearly all the farmers
In that region OF Minnesota took The WEEKLY
Sun. In years gone by. they subscribed for the
Tribune. bu' since Jay Gould got hold Of tho
Tribune they lake THE SUM- why" said this
gentleman. L believe there are ahundrcd SUNS
taken to ten 7fibunes in this vicinity" The uni
vcrsa verdict is that THE SUN is tho best New
York papcr-the articles are so short. strong
tinued my friend. haven't time TO read bosh y;
now in THE Sun we get the ncws In n nut she'll
In fact. to sum 1t all up. We swear by The
You have doubtless heard Of tho grasshop-
per region OF Minnesota. II lies In the extreme
southwestern part of the State. and for tho last
five years i has been completely DEVASTATED by
those troublesome insects. Gov. Pillsbury ap-
pointed a day OF prayer throughout the state
last year. imploring God to send them to some
other State accordingly. like the Indians. they
were driven to new reservation, and last sen
son this region Of the country produced tho
largest crops ever known.
Owing TO the departure Of these crooked
legged dcstroycrs. tho immigration hithcr is
with "a unwashed multitude rs | eyer beheld.
| can speak from sad oNtsricncc. However, as
these are the people that fell our forests, build
our railroads. and make these vast prairies
blossom Ike the rose. ono must pardon u lack
among them Of neat toilets and aesthetic cul-
ture.
II is a shame that tho railroad companies do
not give these poor pioneers better accommO-
dations. Many OF them are Obliged To stand up
during almost the entire journey, and some OF
tho unfortunates are women with children in
their arms.
In the southern and western parts OF this
State there Is neither timber nor coal. and those
prairie grass for fuel. 1t makes very good
fire. and gives out great deal of heat.
The grass measures about n foot and half
when cut; II Is taken in punches double the size
OF mans arm, John Morrssey's for example,
and put in a machine that first presses 1t to-
gether and then twists II.
Spring is nearly six weeks earlier than usual
this year; consequently the manufacturers Of
farmers implements are all benndhand with
ufacturing establishments tell mo that they are
keeping their hands ut work far into the night,
in order to meet the demi nd. In many parts OF
this reseIn the Grass is very grcSn and the
all the trees have buddcd. and in isoup. ern Iowa
the apple and peach trees are in full bloom.
Taking the state OF Minnesota as n whole. II
Il very poorly wooded. In view of this fact, the
which gives every man forty acres OF good land
who Will plant ten acres OF trees and cultivate
them for five years.
The people out here have n most dangerous
WAY Of lighting their fires. | live in daily fear
ofbeing blown up. They put the kindling and
few large sticks into the stove. then pour
kerosene oil over IT, and this pile they touch OIL
with lighted match. wonder II tho insurance
insured, ! generally leave the room till the
DANGER PASSED. Nj, l.. =.