The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-10-16

proved; and Mr.. Y. Paddock, an old
veteran in the wheat trade, is captain of
scoop and tester, dealing satisfactorily
with all who 20 there to dispose of their
cereal. Hilton, of the Hilton House,
runs the only livery stable there, and
has good line of custom. II liz impos-
sible to enumerate all the various es-
Establishments doing business of different
kinds, 40 suffice il to say that everything
likely to be needed in an agricultural
community is there and sold az cheap
az at any point in the state.
Curious TO see, after hearing 40 oft, we
hied ourself away TO the eastern bound
ary.of LeRay Ia edo" the little town Of
smiths Mills. Here were found sever
al stores, hotel, to or three thrifty raw
mills and u number of fine residences.
The station is located on the north shore
of Lake Byron, and has neat little de-
pot. II is point nj which brisk local
trade is carried on. and the lumber and
wood traffic ~ matter Of importance TO
Smiths Mills. The village is located on
| either side OF the county line between
Blue Earth and Waseca. Perry Il
Lane appear 10 have the principal store.
while MIR. Ryan, Esq, has the honor of
holding the postofice ut that point, in
connection with which he runs n gener-
al merchandise store. Our stay at the
Mills was brief but not SO much so that
We could not observe the feeling and
sentiment of the inhabitants. who are
wide-awake and feel the strongest assur-
ance of the future prosperity and stand
ing of their locality. The surrounding
country particularly elected notice. Ii
IL considerably cut up with lakes and
marshes, but the tillable land is invaria-
| ila
The farmers surroundings all Indicate
that the soil has always been true To its
trust and rendered ample compensation
for the labor expended upon il. Smiths
Mills can never be more than local
point, but the surrounding county ere
another score of years roll by Will rank
among the richest in Minnesota.
As n final jaunt in this interesting re-
gion we took drive around fair Lake
Madison, whose placid bosom at this
! season seems to conform 10 the autumn
quiet, and general serenity of the forest.
10 the southeast and east of the lake
one can see more of the original majesty
of the heavy timber, rs il is less general
ly br, ken, not being so fully occupied
az the remainder of the township. Mad.
ison Like lies principally in LeRay
though ~ northern confines extend in
10 JdiiN 'bWIl, anu TIC IluIltltttStcIu On
tremity, Il hich loses its lakeship some
what, by merging into II vast marsh
touches bot. Wasecl and LeSueur coun
ties. On our left wheel" about this in
teresting body of water, We entered the
new village Ola the Cannon Valley road
which is IN it's ,ncipiency, containing bu
few structures. Ii is located abou
eight rods from the north shore of the
lake, and not over half mile from Poin
Pleasant. The village contains restau
rant, managed by A. j. Barber, Esq.
formerly of GAINESVILLE, and his place ha
,, proven u source OF convenience to tour
lists, as he keeps II stock of canned goods
and other things necessary in camp life
; Allyn X Tuller, two bright young mel
, from Eagle Lake, operate ageneral mer
|, chandise store, and if what we saw be
safe criterion, they have won Il goo,
trade already. These gentlemen hav,
just erected II new warehouse, and vii
= engage in the purchase OF wheat an,
; other farm produce. llanchett x Smitl
represent the blacksmith trade and ar
, opening Il good business. Surely tin
, settlers of jamestown and vicinity, VIII
: have heretofore travelled several mile
|, to have their work done, will appreciat
! II shop So near by and patronize il too
y i. Mullen, Esq, well-to-do farme
. near the town, has erected large, hand
some building for hotel purposes, which
we are told, he will occupy at once. Tn
general features of the country adjaccn
, To Lake Madison on the north and Yves
!, are too well known to IL large portion c
: our readers 10 need detailed notice her,
;, 1t is rapidly developing, and If the Can
: non Valley road is ever "let ont of tn
y woods" the village will become a bris
y u business point. As it is they have bu
. one train a week, on Mondays. 4 posi-
= office has been quite recently establishe
: there. with q. W. Allyn, of the firm ,
: : ALVIN Il fuller, as Z. NJ. The prcser
. mail facilities, however, are some wha
!, unsatisfactory, as all mails have Ia reac
. them by the way Of Waterville, froI
!, whence they have a daily mail by cal
rier.
a 1t would bea pleasure 10 write furthe
= about this section, SO replete with bot
. natural and other features, but there
: an end 10 all things earthly, hence tn
:, article must 20 the way OF these an
! cease. The writer was shown all poss
), BILE attention and courtesies whereve
. he called, and we found The FREE Pre-
i in brisk demand. though already largel
, represented. Let us remark, as u closin
: pre,au,ion, that we are not through wit
. our friends in LeRay yet, and will i
among them again, for il is pleasant
visit where intelligence, THRIFT and el
;, terprise predominate.