The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-09

ew town mas railroad facilities winch
J advantageous.
AMBOY.
This village presents all the life, en-
rgy and activity that any new railroad
own possesses. There il something fro sh
nd interesting in its newness. situa-
ed upon the broad prairie amid the
Oldest settled portion of the county, 1t
stands on its own dignity, awaiting for
he future to cast its progressive arms
about it. The town was laid out in |
October 1879, by the Sioux City rail
road company. 1t occupies portion
Of the farms of Stephen Brush and Geo.
Quiggle. 1t is Il strong competitor OF
Winnebago City, on the Southern Mimi
csota road, in the wheat business, being
only eight miles from the later place.
All its business houses IRE built
upon either side Of single street
running East and West, and stand close
together. instead of being scattered over
a large territory similar to many new
places. 1t would surprise u stranger to
note the large number of teams that
daily throng this new metropolis bring
ing in wheat and other produce. The
first building was erected by Robert
Richardson, who now occupies it with Il
stock of dry goods, groceries, crockery,
boots and shoes, which is 2Sx30, with
a wing Of l2x2O. Mr. Richardson also
enjoys the position of p. N. Mr.. J. NJ.
More Is the heaviest dealer, and carries
Il stock that would surprise many an
older town. lie occupies his own build
ing 30x44, and in which is everything
that a farming community can desire.
His goods are all fresh new and attrac.
tive, and purchasers from large terri
tory find this the place to trade. Thos.
Randall, also occupies the position of Il
dealer in general merchandise, and owns
his own building which is 30xS2, two
stories. He buys his own wheat and
controls his own warehouse. lie has
the confidence of the entire farming
community and consequently does a
good trade. Lathrop & Conrad enjoy
the exclusive sway IN the hardware bust
ness. They are well located, carry a
good stock and have splendid trade
In connection with their usual line,
they handle all kinds of farm mschin-
cry, including the famous Mccormick
j. II. Tyler is the dispenser of all the
remedies the flesh is heir to, namely
drugs, medicines, schoolbooks, cigars
and all kinds Of painting material
Fred Atfolter, has wagon carriage and
repair shop, whose machinery is run
by windmill Of his own manufacture.
IL. Z. Young has wagon, blacksmith
and repair shop. Amos Fisk is contrac,
tor and builder. Jno. Noble handle.
lumber. w. Christie is insurance
agent and notary. The only livery is
run and owned by A, j. Davis, who ex'
poets to add more horses and buggie,
us fast as the trade demands it. There
ar" two hotels in the place, the princi
pal one, the West House" is owned
and conducted by John West, hos,
within himself. He keeps good beds, and
good victuals, two essentials that 60 4,
great way toward making u travelling
man happy. A. J. Davis, is proprietor
oftbc Davis house. lie originally bull
the house tor merchantile purposes bu
thinking that hotel would pay better
changed his plans, and sees now wher,
ne missed il.
+. Cole, keepsa harness shop, and doel
all kind Of repairing. The village thu,
early has provided for the spiritual wei
fare OF its citizens by erecting two prett!
and roomy church buildings, one for TIT
Methodist and the other for the Prcsby
terrain denominations. Both building
have stecples, both are paid for an,
( there is sufficient money on hand I,
finish them of in the spring. Severa
private residences have been put up an,
several others will he erected anothe
season. Two warehouses, capable O
holding six thousand bushels OF whea
each, adorn the railroad track, with J
NJ. More and Randall g. Samson a
buyers. The railroad company have
neat and tasty depot, presided over b.
b. G. Turner, who makes an affable ant
accommodating agent. The town i
only one mile from timber on the Blu
Earth river, and the citizens are talkin,
Of getting the place incorporated so a
to form an independent school district.
STERLING.
Is only township of as fine farmin!
: land as lies in this or any other State
but there is in the midst of il stor
containing good stock Of general mer
chandise, superintended by VIM. Ellis
who is also postmaster and town clerk
Passing some eight miles further on, W
: come to the most enterprising and rap
idly growing town in Blue Earth county
except Mankato, and that is
MAPLEToS.
Viewed from the prairie, it looks lik
the "City of Magnificent distances,
and its projectors contemplate at som
future time to cover :he entire groun'
that they had in contemplation whel
they first plated it. 1t is truly ives
tern town, where everything and every
body is in a perpetual state of activity
fearful that some other place may b.
chance excel it. The town was laid on
the same year that the Central railroad
was graded, viz: in 1870, and Clark W
Thompson, J. A. Willard, J. B
Hubbell and David Smith, wer,
its projectors, the latter owning tn,
. land upon which the TOWN stands