Daily globe., 1881-11-17
FRONTIER GROWTH. NO. 2.
Notes Of a Trip to Some Of the Prominent
To,rns In iiosath,cestern Miunes0t0


nesota river, the overflow is perceptible.
Thousands of tons of hay submerged,
fields under water, pumpkins floating
here and everywhere. suggest heavy losses
to the hard working sons of toll. We.
stopped at
LIE sUEUR,
and proceeded to interview our friend
Green, of the Sentinel, whom we found up
to his eyes in pile Of exchanges, with
scissors in one hand and paste-pot in the
other, gathering the very cream of
newspaper literature to lay before his in
telligent readers.
The Sentinel is q staunch Democratic
paper, ably edited, and receives, as it
deserves, the patronage and support Of
the people of LIE Sueur county.
In company with some friends we
looked over the town and made many
pleasant acquaintances. This place has
a fine farming country back of it, and
the retail trade is unusually large. 1t is
this trade that is building up the town,
and making it one of the most promising
points on the railroad.
We took the freight train for
SAINT PETER,
and arrived at the Nicollet house in time
for late dinner. After refreshing our
selves we sauntered out to renew old ac-
uuaintances and to form new ones. Here
we met our old-time friend, Col. B. 81.
Ran1all, who is one OF the foremost bus
mess men in the place. 1t was pleas
ant experience to get out of the muddy
thoroughfares of st. Paul, and to find
ourselves in ST. Peter, with dry streets
and clean sidewalks. The site upon
which this city is built is very beauti-
full one, and the improvements Of late
years have been substantial and of the
highest architectural order. We were
shown through the new and hand
some court house, a building which
for convenience and general ap
pearance would be credit to any city in
the state. We blushed at the remem-
brance of our own public buildings,
which are disgraceful to our city:
Few cities in this state of the same
size can boast of more refinement and
wealth than st. Peter. We remained all
night, and on the following morning re-
luctantly bid adieu to friends, and pushed
onward to
MANKATO.
Here we met Mr.. j. G. Wise, editor of
the Reoiew, who politely showed us
through the city. We made many new
acquaintances and met some old friends,
who formerly resided in this city, P. K.
johnson of territorial days being one of
the number.
Mankato is place of considerable i'm
portance, and is fast putting on metro
politan airs. Handsome business houses
and splendid residences show the f1nan-
cial condition and taste of her citizens.
Here, too, is one of the State Normal
schools, which are doing so much for the
education of the rising generation.
These schools should receive the liberal
Support of our state government, as
through them the cause of education is
or eatly advanced within our borders,
and with the advance Of education our
people become more contented, happy
and prosperous.
Bidding adieu to friends we took the
train for
SAINT JAMES,
where we arrived about midnight, and
found good and comfortable quarters un-
der the hospitable roof of Mr.. W. W.
Gibbs, proprietor of the st. James hotel
On the following morning we were called
upon by Mr.. j. j. Thornton, who kindly
offered to show us the sights in that
beautiful village.
The people are well supplied with all
the creature comforts, and will not suffer
even should the railroad be blockaded
for months during the coming winter,
and this causes everyone to wear the
smile of happiness and contentment.
Saint James is handsomely laid out and
surrounded by fine country for stock
raising, which in time must become the
prevailing industry of Watowan county,
and will doubtless prove as profitable
there as elsewhere. From this point MIR.
J. J. Thornton became our "compagnon
de voyage'' and we found him very
pleasant and agreeable addition to our
personal staff. By the noon train we were
off for
WINDOW.
This place we found much improved
since our last visit which was away back
in grasshopper days. Capt. Gilleland,
one of the leading business men of the
place received and showed us many cour-
tesles. We found the people polite and
courteous, with one exception, that OF a
dry goods merchant, who was so lrnmers-
ed in business that he could not find the
time to ask us to be seated or to cease for
a moment the everhauling of his cash
book to extend the courtesies usual among
gentlemen.
We left Window regretting that we
could not prolong our stay, and now we
were off for
WORTHINGTON,
which we found had also improved very
much since the grasshopper scourge, and
on the occasion of our visit presented
quite busy appearance. Active, enter
prising busin ess men control the destin-
les of that place, which, if we are not
greatly mistaken will, in time, become
one Of the principal towns IN Southwest
ern Minnesota. Here we met friend Mil
ler, OF the Ad9anee, who, in addition to
being a poet, is jovial, clever fellow,
and knows how to get up spicy, newsy
paper.
LU VERNE
is a new but prosperous town, in the cen
ter of fine wheat growing region. The
merchants are doing fine business and
the new buildings in process of erection,
nrove that the peOple have confidence IN