Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-28

The even sections of this rich and delight
full country were rapidly taken under the
several forms prescribed by the govern
ment and the odd sections-the indemni-
ty lands alluded to-began to be in de-
mand.
| INHABITANTS.
! The class of settlers who came to the
colony under the advice of the bishop were
mainly Catholic families from all over the
country and some thirty (3O) families of
emigrants directly from Conemara, Ire
land. These latter being very poor and
coming in the summer had barely become
located when on the fifteenth of October,
1879, one Of our most rigorous
Minnesota winters burst upon them, which
was unremiting in its violence till the end
of the season. With no crops raised, and
provided with but little means for the pro-
cure.nent OF supplies. much suffering was
Of course the result. The active measures,
however, adopted by Bishop Ireland for
their systematic relief, and the generous
contributions of our free-hearted Min
nesota people, prevented actual distress,
and while number of families were dis
tributed in the spring to other points,
about one-half of them still remain and
are to-day industrious, thrifty, successful
farmers.
The privations of the few families of
this class and the consequent publicity
given them gave the colony the name of
"Conemara," and some people no doubt be-
loved that none but that class were To-
Gated there. However natural the suppo-
sition, it was erroneous, for as I have be-
fore remarked, people came not only from
all over our own state, but from all over
the country to locate here, and at the
present time there are over four hundred
Catholic families located here who are all
happy, successful and prosperous. Nor
are Catholics alone the people who seized
with avidity the prize which was thus Of
fered them. Large numbers of Prote slant
along the line of the road for ten miles
each side.
ST. PAUL COLONY.
About two miles southeast from the vii
lage of Graceville, the st. Paul colony, so
called, composed of English people, is To-
Gated, who are nearly if not all Episco-
palians, and who by the aid of liberal con-
tributions from their Catholic
aeighbors, are about erecting a
neat church at GraceTille village
Only about two-ffths (2-5) of the settlers
here are Irish, the balance being divided
between English, Germans, Scandinavians
and Americans.
Many Of tle colonists. came here from
the cities totally uninformed about agri-
culture, while those who had farmed in
Massachusetts, or Illinois were not posted
as to Minnesota farming. Coming here,
however, to make home for themselves it
is surprising with what a degree of readi-
ness they acquired the science of western
farming, correcting the second year the
mistakes of the first. Nearly all of them
were quite poor and had scarcely nothing
to begin life with in their wild western
homes but a pair of willing hands and
stout hearts. They have carved out their
fortunes and for the comfortable and pros
porous state which to-day finds them en-
joying, deserve the highest commentator
and have we'll earned their reward. Hav-
ing met and conversed with I. number of
them I now submit a brief report of their
achievements, which though not 80 thrill
ing as the accomplishments of soldiers
who have triumphed over human enemy
and s1ult very justly over well won VIC
tory, yet evince spirit of heroism and in
flexible determination to conquer which
shows them to be of the timber heroes are
built of.
Visiting the home of Miles McHugh
on section thirty-fve (35), Graceville
township. found him comfortably located
on beautiful quarter section which in
April next, 1ss3), will be decided to him
by the government, he having complied
with the provisions of the homestead act.
MIR. n HUGH
came from Massachusetts,, and when he
took up his land he had nothing but his
two hands to help himself with. By strict
industry and economy, working on the
rdllIOdu dt Ouc OOAidr dHu quarter %1sSOj
per day some of the time, he kept steadily
on until now he has fifty acres under
cultivation and team, stock and tools nee
essary, "a good farm house and other
buildings and is nearly out of debt.
.-A MICHAEL sM1THwICK r. 3, -trs
came one year ago last spring from Califor
MIA where he formerly resided. He brought
with him little money and determine
ton to locate in good wheat country and
finally chose Graceville. His crop this
year ranges from twenty to twenty five
go to 25) bushels per acre, but the most
wonderful return which he received was
four hundred 600 bushels of potatoes,
the product of eleven and one-half 111s)
bushels of seed. Mr.. S. has fine tree
claim adjoining his homestead and is in
dependent in circumstances. Said he to
me. "This is a better country than I ever
saw and I have seen great many"
E. A. MILLER
came here three years ago
last spring bear handed. The past season
he raised thirty-five (35) acres
of wheat from which he has lust threshed