The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-07-28
A Mankatoite at Minnetonka.


Having determined upon respite
from toll and care, and trip for the
recuperation of worn out energies, we
left Mankato month ago to visit this
beautiful, bustling city, together with
its summer resorts. The season SO far
at the Lakes, has been the most unpro-
pitious for years. The continued cool
weather east and south has made the
invalid and the pleasure seeker feel that
there was more comforts in the retire
ment of home than would likely lie
found on the breezy shores of Mime
tonka. Great preparations have been
made in anticipation of an unprecedent
ed rush this season. New hotels and
boarding houses have been erected
some of them at great expense-for the
accommodation of the thousands that
were expected, but have thus far failed
to put in an appearance. The Hotel
St. Louis is reported to be losing two
hundred dollars day, and Hotel La
Fayette is doing but little better. The
two great palace steamers City of ST..
Louis and Belle of Minnetonka can af.
ford to make but one trip daily and
that is said to be at loss. The only
hope is in a hot August and September
east and south, with pleasant weather
and clear skies in Minnesota; this alone
can help them out of their dilemma
And while we sympathize with them in
their losses, We rejoice to see the farm
ers face brighten in anticipation Of 9
bountiful harvest. Finer prospects have
not gladdened the hearts of agricultur
lists in Minnesota for many years. May
their most sanguine hopes be fully
realized. But started not to write o
sum mer resorts or of crop prospects
but to speak a word of encouragement
to you in your laudable efforts to stir NJ
the good people of Mankato to all ap
; probation of the possibilities within
their reach. have spent some time il
looking over this city and seeking tn
causes of its great success and rapi'
growth. Outside its wonderful waite
power it has no natural advantages su
perior to MankatO. We have far bette
agricultural country to sustain our com
mercial interests than they have here
we have better facilities for many kind
of manufacturing, such as paper mills
wooden mills, bag factories, car shops
glass works, harvester works, suga
refineries. &c, &c. with land for tn
erection of such buildings at nOmins
price compared with prices here, AM
rents and fuel ut one half their cost
Why then shall we not have them
There is one thing we lack, and that
more railroads. We have enough to NEE
the requirements of our present de
!, mands, and if our city is content t
stand still, we want no more, but if WI
. would grow to double or treble on
present population we must have shiI
ping facilities; this with liberal cours
towards capitalists will plant manufa'
turtles, stimulate trade, increase popul,
: ton and give impetus and growth
y the city not known for years; you woul
Y hear no more of Mankato being a dea
c town, but every artery, mechanic, trad
i and commerce would throb anew wit
t, the fresh infusion of new blood, an
e her reputation abroad would be that
IS a live town. Here, every man feels an
Is acts like one whose interests were a
# here. He knows no place but Minneal
IS oils; he comprehends no advantage
IT that are not here to be found. Real esta
n dealers by the hundred continually pu
It their boom to the world and the poop
Ie shout amen, until prices have becon
n almost fabulous, and the end is not ye
Will Mankato heed the lesson2 G..