Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-04-29
FROM THE "NORTH STATE.

CAMPBELL MINI, April 21, 1885.
To the Repubtican:-The thought of
giving to the many readers OF the RE
PUBLICAN of Watertown and vicinity
and the many acquaintaDces for which [
cherish fond recollectious q description
of this famous, though not widely known
| locality such as my limited experience
scarcely fits me to perform, has long
agitateG my mind and inclination. Our
geographical position is 46 Q north lati-
tude and 960 west longitude, thus plac-
ing us on the summit of the great water
shed of the continent. The waters on
! the south flow south and on the north
! they flow north-the Mississippi and the
| Minnesota on the south and the Bois De
sioux and the Red on the north. Among
favorite localities though deprived in
measure of many of the luxuries of life
we claim precedence. Our precedence
rests not alone on the buoyancy of
delightful and exhili.ating atmosphere or
| the solubriOusness of climate but on the
richness of the soil where its dark frown-
ing features smile with the conscious
possession of uneXhaustible richness. It
needs but to be tickled with utensils of
agriculture to laugh with abundance
The place from which | write is Camp
bell, young but thriving town situated
at the head of the famous Red River
Valley. 1t is here where the traveller is
first brought to recognize the truth OF the
unchailenged statement that it is "Ihe
Great Wheat Garden of the World" and
it is here that he first learns that it is no
unjust and undeserVing title. Brecken-
ridge, thriving city fifteen miles north,
which received its name from the great
and famous Senator from Kentucky, John
G. Breckenridge, is the metropolis and
county seat of this county now Wilkin,
but previously Andy johnson. 1t is 10
Gated at the junction of the Bois de Sioux
and Ottertail, where they unite and form
the Red which traces in its transcendent
depths the boundary line north of Min
nesota and Dakota throughout the Red
River Valley. Campbell and Breck
enrdge are the principal towns in this
comfy which are glowing ornaments to
its present grandeur. 1t is here that the
sturdy pioneer grasps in his horny palm
| the hermitage OF destiny and awaits with
complaceny the harvest OF wealth which
| he is to reap from the seeds OF labor. 1t
is here that the benighted from the east
find shelter from the piercing blasts of
poverty and where honest toll is cOmpen-
stated with honest coin. Labor il unre :
slricted-so Is wealth. As man sows so
be reaps Your ear is not charmed with
the musical platitudes such al" s"what will
the harvest be," for the harvest Is dead
certainty and the failure of crop is
numbered with the things unheard Of.
No scorching sun to blight or blast the
the growing grain. No insects to rob
with avoracious greed the musical sickle
of its abundant crop. No all-consumlng
monopolies or licensed robbers to deprive
you of your honest gain No railroads
that place at their own discrepancy the
rates OF transportation. You might
think me vain indeed, or otherwise a
poor student in human nature if l were
not to substitute by facts what plain
words plainly pritten fail to express.
am not writing euIogy on this county
for that would be unnecessary. Neither
am | adding my feeling OF praise to the
enthusiasm for the zealots to applaud.
This country is but in its infancy
and its youthful form is still clothed
with the "checkered apron o prejudice
and fear. But in its infancy 1t has
given abundant proof Of its superior
worth and confirmed the belief that
it is not of common clay. Its birth dares
back to the spring OF '79 when the first
permanent settlement was made. The
first settlers came from Watertown ano
vicinity, embracing Lowell and Clyman
Among them appear the names OF VIM
and George Sproesser, 4. w. Voedish, [
w. Meicbeler, Robert Glover, john Scha
ler, Albert Weber and many others, al
f of whom still remain with the one ex
ceptinn of the Sproesser brothers, who
still own valuable tracts of lands here
1t is curious although not surprising
TACT TO witness the reluctancy with which
people consent to part with their lands
and frequently sum much above Its
real market value is obtained. Campbell
though but six years old, possesses many
, advantages that much Older towns might
we'll be proud Of It contains ample
business houses such as grocery and dry
goods stores which are blessed with 4
thriving trade and warehouse and eleva-
J tor capacity of 100000 bushels and
! many other business houses that are
necessary ad juncts to q thriving town
Our educational facilities surpass any
thing in this locality. We have scaoo
house that cost $4,000, with two Aoors
capable of accommodating 100 scholars,
and the best educational ability is in
varlably obtained to instruct them. We
have from eight to nine months school
during the year. Two lodges are now in
process of organizations, the Free Masons
and Good Templars. We have d circu
ating library of about one hundred vol
umes and is constantly making valuable
!, additions of standard. scientific and
literary works We have a literary and
debating society of about 100 members,
where the varied gifts and talents are
brought forth in the most eloquent and
charming light. We haye but one law
yer and one physician, both of whom are
to reap laurels in their respective profess
sions. There is no timber here as you
are perhaps all aware. Our fuel is prin-
cipally coal, although wood is used by a
great many who came here with wood
stoves from the east. Coal as does wood