Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-12

Especial Correspondence of the Globe.
ST. VINCENT, Dec 6.-From St. Paul to
this point, via. the st. Paul & Manitoba
railroad, the distance is estimated at about
4lS miles. The journey from the capital
city was made without special incident.
Shortly after leaving Breckenridge heavy
snow storm set in which induced lower
rate of speed aud made the train some two
hours late in reaching Crookston. At this
point the train was increased by the addi-
ton of a large number of heavily. laden
freight cars, which fact, together with the
prevailing storm, caused still further deten-
ton and delayed our arrival here until the
following noon.
A days travel on the St. Paul & Manitoba
road is calculated to impress the most SUPER
tcial observer with full sense of the i'm
portance it has already assumed. But few
years ago the road was operated at All actual
loss-certalnly at no profit to stakeholder or
bondholder. Now the scene has changed,
and from being one of the least important
and profitable in the system of Minnesota
roads, 1t has risen to giant proportions, and
to-day takes its place among the foremost
corporations in the Northwest, both as to
passengers and traffic.
Almost every train leaving St. Paul on
this road is densely packed with passengers,
and the gain is continued until after Will
mar, Benson and Morris are passed. Beyond
these points travel is, of course, somewhat
Stacker, though with the through traffic the
equipoise is still maintained and the de-
crease is scarcely preceptible. All along the
line up to Crookston and even to the termi-
nus at this point, there are abundant evil
dences of prosperity, both of road and of
settlers-all going to show that times are
good and business booming. A change, in
decd, has come since the grasshopper days
when dizziness and dependency ruled and
hardy settlers, panic-stricken and utterly de-
Inoralized, had no other thoughts than how
they could escape the inhospitable region
and flee to other and more propitious local.
ties. From that picture to the one now to
be seen, the transformation is complete and
thorough. The results of pluck, perseverance
and hopefulness are manifest on every hand.
Those who weathered the storm in those
dark days now see the silver lining to the
cloud and have reason to rejoice that stout
hearts ans willing hands were theirs to tide
them over the dark and gloomy past.
EXCELLENT RAILROAD MANAGEMENT.
In this changed condition of affairs the
railroad company seems destined to reap a
rich harvest. Its policy is unquestionably
liberal, and its present management is con-
tessedly in able and enterprising hands.
General Manager Hill is everywhere receiv-
ing tho plaudits of the people, and no doubt
fully deserves their enoomiums. In fact his
liberality and enterprise are already stamp
ed IN indellble tracery upon the manage
ment of the road. They are seen in the in
creased trafic-passerger and freight-now
visible at all points, and in the more thor
ough and complete - and in
creased facilities for the transaction of bust
ness. With the cooperation of his efficient
fellow officials, this happy result has been
reached in comparatively brief period, and
the fact stands out in bold relief that the St.
Paul & Manitoba road has taken foremost
rank among the railways of the State, and
has entered upon highly prosperous
career, which, it is to be hoped, will prove
lasting and permanent.
ST. VINCENT.
st. Vincent is the present terminus of the
road, and is situated upon broad level
plateau overlooking the Red river. The
town site is owned by company who have
already expended considerable means in
clearing out and grading. This work was
done under the superintendence of Col.
James L. Fisk, who took charge of the COM
pany's affairs here last May, and continued
in this capacity until some time in October,
when he was succeeded by Mr.. j. w. Shep-
ard. During the summer, great deal was
done in cutting out and grading streets, and
in draining what is now the main portion of
the town. Pacific street is the principal
thoroughfare, and splendid one it is des-
tined to become. 1t runs parallel to the river
and is almost perfect level for miles. Al
ready a number of houses have been built
along the eastern end, and it Is said that al
most every lot has been Sold. The town has
a population of 300 or more, which is low
estimate, in view of the fact that nearly q
hundred and fifty votes were polled at the
late election.
The railroad company has built in the
heart of the town large and commodious
depot and warehouse-one of the finest
structures of the kind outside of st. Paul
and Minneapolis. This large warehouse is
already inadequate to the requirements of
the immense traffic of Manitoba and the sur
rounding country. The trains of the Can
ada Pacific connect here with the St. Paul
road, over the latter's track of two and q
half or three miles intervening between this
place and the boundary line. Custom Off
GERS are stationed here who perform their
duties at the depot, thus interposing as little
obstruction as possible to business.
The Red Wing Mill company have Just
completed the erection of large elevator
here which has capacity of $4,000 bushels.
The structure stands upon the bank of the
river and is SO arranged as to receive and
deliver wheat to barges and cars alike.
ST. PAuL1TEs.
Your correspondent found several well
known st. Paulites domiciled here, all OF
whom are prospecting. Among them are
Messrs. Flynn q OKeefe, who keep a gen
eral store, and are pioneers in the true sense,
having last spring erected and opened the
first house in any line of business in the
town. Where their storehouse now stands
was covered ss late as the 18th of April last
with hazel brush. They are now doing bust
ness in a substantial building, and are carry
ing stock of $4,000 to $4,000. Both for
merly resided in St. Paul. The junior mem
Der, Mr.. O'Keefe, is nephew of the we'll
known Officer O'Keefe, of the police force,
and has many friends among the younger
citizens of your city. -
Another old st. Paulite here is Johnnie
Provencha, in times past resident of Jack
son near Seventh street. AS in the long ago
in st. Paul, Johnnie Is still recognized BY the
boys as good fellow, and is hourishing as a
green bay tree. Ministering to the wants of
the thirsty ls johns forte, and he makes it
pay, as is evidenced by the fact that he pulls
the ribbons on the finest and fastest trottsr
in town. =. --,r 81. .a.EE
The great need of st. Vincent is good
hotel where the wants of the inner man can
be satisfied at reasonable rates. In this re-
spect, the place is wofully deficient just now,