The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1883-03-30
Word was received in this city yes

terday that Plumcr Pitcher had been
appointed inspector of oils at this place.
Two or three weeks since we mentioned
: in these columns that DIR. Wickersham
would be retained, supposing that the
information was reliable, but it seems
. to have been a little premature. Plu'
mcr is very agreeable young man,
competent and obliging wiihaI, and his
appointment will he heartily received
by the people generally Of Mankato.
- At the prize roller skating IN City
Hall last evening, Miss Nellie Robin
son was awarded the gold badge for, in
the opinion of the judges, being the
best lady skater, and Robbie Rose for
being the best gentleman skater. The
Judges were \. Y. BOyn of Minneapo-
lis, A. Henro'ine Of Chicago, and ThOs.
Neal of Detroit, Michigan. A gOOdly
number of ladies and gentlemen con.
tested, and fair audience was present
to witness the exhibition. The second
prize skating will take place some eve
ning next week.
Rose a. Noe sold to Chas. Forster,
On Tuesday, the house and lot on corner
of Broad and Main streets, belonging to
Mr.. Wolfram. We believe that in Mr..
Forster, Mankato has secured to her bus
mess circle gentleman who viii prove
one of our most cnterprising and public
spirited citizens; Il gentleman who will
do ms utmost to enhance the interests
of the city, and to build up al enter
prise here that shall add greatly to our
material prosperity.
The great influx of people into
Central Dakota is unprecedented in the
history or that of any other section Of
the Northwest. From seventy-tive to
one hundred loads of emigrants and
their effects pass daily over the North.
western, and notwithstanding the fact
that the railroad company is taxing its
resources to the extreme limit, the sup
ply of cars and locomotives is entirely
inadequate to meet the requirements.
1t was reported to us last week that
seventeen hundred carloads Of home
seekers were en- route to this land of
milk and honey" between Chicago
and Pierre, and yet the season has not
fairly opened. What the state OF af-
fairs will be when the spring campaign
opens can he imagined. Already, it is
next to an impossibility to obtain hotel
accommodations, at either Huron or
Pierre, and one is forced to accept any
thing that may be offered. II proper
efforts were put forth it does seem as
though reasonable per cent of this
tide of intlowing population might he
induced to settle in Southwestern Min.
nesota where so many superior advant-
ages are offered for building homes and
accommodating competency. Last year
our people sent thousands of circulars
into the Northern Pacific country, and
besides paying for these, sent Il man up
there to distribute them. Now that the
tide has changed, and the current of
immigration is forced to pass by our
very doors, the opportunities for reach
ing the ears of these westward bound
people is most opportune and should DO
improved. Let them know that we
have school houses, churches, bridges,
good highways, railroad facilities OF the
best, unexcelled markets, and such mat
tiers Of importance, all of which have
been built without their aid, the adj
vantagcs OF which they may enjoy with
out money and without price, and for
which they will he taxed in new To-
cality. Give them to understand, also,
that we have one of the most healthiul
climates the sun ever shOne upon, and
rs pure waters as ever flowed from the
bowels OF the earth. These and kindred
facts ought to be placed before the
travelling pnblic. and with the intelli-
gent portion, the argument will have its
influence, and Southwestern Minnesota
may reap harvest. On the Blue Earth
branch there are from three to seven
extra train loads Of emigrants passing
through this city daily, and they are
gliding over the most desirable lands
ever titled by man, and for what? Sim
ply to follow the popular current, and
with little knowledge, or seeming care
, of where they are to land or what is &c
. be their future. This is matter that
the Board of Trade might with profit
e take up. If there are funds on hand, 6
: few dollars could not be expended more
judiciOusly or 20 betteer advantage
, than to distribute among those seeking
+ homes, a circular briefly rejecting thu
). natural advantages offered here for set
: tiers.