The Northern Pacific farmer., 1880-03-11
WADE.N:A COUNTY,:
AREA OF WADENA COUNTY.

west, containing 10 townships, OF ali area Ol
-}45 900 acres, composed Of prairies and
groyesyof timber, the prairies being rich al
luvial soil scapable of raising as good wheat
Or other cereal crops as any land in the Uni
ted States or Territories.
"a TIMBER AND WATER.
The amount of timber land in the county
Is estimated at l00, 900 acres consisting of oak
elm, maple and ta,narack in the southern
portion and pine in the northern portions.
The Crow Wing, Shell, Leaf, Wing, Red Eye
Partridge and Cat rivers, and Union Creek
aud several other small streams afford all
abundant supply ofpure water. Wells can
he made at u depth OF from u to Is feet
LANDS.
in the county subject to rre-empton Or
railroad company has 80, GOO acres for sale
s: Al. average price of $3.50 per acre and
spev:lators hold about 80, 900 acres which is
for sale at an average price OF $3.50 per acre.
Farms from either of these sources are in
reach of any VIII, wish to purchase as they
can have plenty of time to pay for them out
ot the recei pts of their crops
POPULATION.
The population of the connty.i is 2,1O0 com
posed principally Of Americans with a few
Intelligent English, Scotch, German and
Norweyians. These figures, however, will
be too small by half by the time another
crop is harvested.
CLIMATE.
The climate Of Northern Minnesota ia ex-
ceed;ngly healthy, being dry, pure and
steady. The summers are simply delightful
with long twiiights and cool evenings. The
winters are about the same length as in
northern New York with the advantage Of
leing more steady. The mercury runs per-
llaps little lower, but the cold is not as dis
agreeable Or penetrating.
ORGANIZATION AND GROWTH.
The county was organized by an act of the
legislature appsoved Feb 21st, 1873, and in
1874 the population was about 800. III 1878
4 600 acres were under cultivation and in
1879 (iast year) II 1875 were under the plow
or an increase of 8,4G5 acres. Tie average
yield OF wheat is from II to 20 bushels to
the acre, although Our good farmers find no
difficulty ir producing from % to 81 bush-
els per acre. Rye natures in 80 days and
yields, largely. Corn is successfully raised
and ~ kinds of vegetables do excellent. In
1877 Wadena county carried off five prelni-
Inns including the sweepstakes at the Min-
neapolis Fair There are three towns in the
county along the railroad all OF which
are doing Il good business and destined to he
live-go-ahesl towns. The county seat and
largest towa il tie county is
EADENA
which was created the comfy seat b; an act
OF the legislature approved Feb. 2lst, 1873,
and a building ior the county officers has
been erected here. The chances for-re,uoval
of the county seat are only about two in a
Thousand and exist; only in the fertile imag-
inatioL OF her enemies. 1he growth OF Wa
'te1.a has been indeed rapid: In the year OF
1879 ne;ry $50 900 Were expended in
buildings which was mor4 than double her
total valuation previous to that time. Out
"i Iii 900 bushels Of wleit shipped from the
county ill 1879 WadenA shipped 115,o0o
bushels and owing TO tie scarcity Of elevator
room i'll Duluth and the consequent inability
o! the railroad company to move the wheat.
Wheat which, naturally seeks this town un-
t!er 1av yrnbie circumstances was driven away
from her last I>sil. The alnonnt which was
thus lost to her last season is estimated at
200, 600 bushels. These un(ayo:able circrm
stances are. however, being removed this
year by The erection OF large elevators in
Duluth which is an almost certain Indication
that this town will regain this great trade,
1t lays entirely in the hands of he Northern
Pacific managers to drive it away or to re-
gain 1t and their policy assures us that they
will adopt steps to realize the benefits of the
latter condition. The regaining OF this trade
and the increased acreage in the 10 town.
ships in Wadena and the northern portions
OF Todd and Otter Tail counties will give to
this town for the fall Of 1850 the trade of at
least 400, ,CU0 bushels ofglain. Besides this
large amount of trade the development ot
Mlnnesota's richest portion, the Shell River
prai-ics, will ~be another source OF trade for
Natleha AID the Importance Of that country
Mag be guessed at when it is known that
1oOclain!s are taken there and the best lands
yet to be bought OF the r. +. company. The
business men ct W,deEa have during the
past winter opened u road to this country
which travels the best portion of the county
and many settlers have already taken claims
On the road. Wadena possesses three re.
l!gions societies, Methodist, Episcopal and
Congregational, and Il fine large sclloo; house
presided over by accomplished teachers.
The principal, Prof. George A. Whitney, is
also County Superintendent and is q man
deeply Interested in the cause of education,
and is doing much to elevate our school
system.
The population of the village is so rapidly
increasing that figures given to-day wonld
he much too small in few months hence.
AZ al index to the business Of this town we
refer the intelligent reader to our adycrtis-
ing coiuMns,s - !
VERNDALA
j.: the next town in size to Wadena and is
pleasantly located. 1t pussesses good
school house and tirst-class tAaciers Verl,-
''.tle is enjoying fair growth and bids fair
+" le quite vii!agc. She now has three