St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-13
MINNESOTA.
CrOOkstOn.

Correspondence of the Globe.
CRoOKsTON, June 10.-Finding myself
in Crookston, and finding nothing better to
do this evening, l will give the readers of
the GLOBE the result of my observations
and differences. [ do this the more will
ingly as Crookston is very beautiful city,
delightfully."- situated in the center of a
county as large as the state of Vermont
Tributary to the town is country well
adapted to grazing and agricultural pur-
poses, and with such basis, together with
commercial, mechanical and manufacturing
facilities it is no wonder that CroOkSton in
an existence Of only eight years has grown
to its present splendid proportions. Ali
classes of business are well represented
here, and while we can only speak in gen
eral terms of the mercantile and profess
sionaI interests, we wish to mention more
particularly some features that are especi-
ally noteworthy. And first, the location of
the town on Red Lake river, in the midst
of natural timber, gives it the appearance
of forest city. The ground is sufficiently
undulating to secure good drainage, and the
residence portion of the city, so truly indi-
cative of the character OF a people, displays
taste and culture to an eminent degree. A
large and beautiful school building with
thirteen teachers. including the principal,
also one large ward school, fully answers
any questions as to the educational facili-
ties of the place. A magnificent court
house of splendid architectural design and
finish; eight churches, representing all de-
nominations, and neat opera house make
up the sum of the public buildings. But
while much more might be said of the city
in general / wish to speak briefly
of its manufacturing interests. These COM
prise two Touring mills of large capacity,
which are constructed with ali the modern
appliances of milling, and constitute an i'm
portant factor in the business interests of
the place. The -four made here is shipped
largely to New York city as well as to other
portions of the country, and such is the de-
mand that it sells in market for so cents per
barrel more than Pilsbury's best. but the de-
mand is largely in excess of the supply,
Another very important manufacturing in
terest is that of r. B. Walker, formerly of
Minneapolis, who is engaged in the lumber
business. Mr.. Walker came here in 1888
and began building his mill in September of
that year, completing it in time for the bus
iness Of 1884. They saw an average of
100000 feet per day. or 20, 600, 600 feet dur
ing the saving season, and employ about
the mill and yards $50 men. Last wear he
added a planning mill to the establishment
and has now in contemplation the erection
of sash, door and blind factory. 1t is not
the design Of this letter to advertise any
mans business, nor to draw unnecessary
comparisons between business men. but to
note, for the benefit of other towns and
other men, the results of business enter
prise. One result of this saw mill in
Crookston has been to reduce the price of
lumber in this place So to Sill per
NJ, and wood that before its advent sold
from Sc to So per cord can now. solely on
account of the mill, be bought at So to SIS.
All this great reduction is due to the fact
that lumber and fuel have been brought to
their doors and made plenty and cheap,
and if it is true that she who makes two
blades of grass grow where but one grew
before is public benefactor," it is no less
true that the man who by his
business enterprise, money and skill
makes saving in expense to the farmers
and business men around him, who furn-
ishes work for those out of employment
and thus adds to the material well-being
and growth of community is equally de-