St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-05-22
Growth and Great Prosperity Of Mankato,
the Metropolis Of the Minnesota
Valley.
The Pluck and Enterprise Of Those Who
Have Made it as Solid as Granite
Lodges.
A Days Ramble in the Beautiful City
observations on the Important
Industries.
Educational and Other Instttutions.-
Mayor Carney,s Administration
and City improvements.
A Glance at rIankato.


Minnesota river is an Eden Of fertility, and
as | stood to-day on the hilltop overlooking
the beautiful city of Mankato, which nestles
i'll its quiet loyliness in the very heart of
this earthly paradise, and gazed upon the
landscape as it stretched up and down the
river in the dim blue distance, alternating
plain and hill, green pastures and still
greener clusters of woodland, at each glance
some new beauty of scenery unfolding itself
to the view. wondered to myself whether
there could be anything more beautiful on
the eternal verdure clad plains of that land
which is fairer than day, of which we sing
so much. l am satisfied there is nothing
this side of the boundary lines of the spirit
world more enchanting in its beauty than
the Minnesota valley at this season of the
year. Mankato, the capital city of Blue
Earth county and the
METROPOLIS OF THE MINNESOTA VALLEY
is the fifth city in the state as regards pop
ulation. 1t is one of the old towns of Min
nesota, dating its birth back to 1852. When
Mankato was laid out as town it was on
the frontier, and was exposed to the vicissi-
tudessof all frontier towns. Together with
keeping the wolf of starvation from his
cabin door and the Indians knife from his
scalp, the early settler had an experience of
hardship Of which we little conceive. And
the pioneer town had about the same ex-
periences. 1t was a struggle from the
word go, and the town which survived the
drawbacks of those days and continued to
grow without ever taking a step backward
possessed the
PLUCK AND ENTERPRISE
which makes great cities after awhile. Such
town has Mankato been. Although es-
tablished in 1852 the town did not make
much Roadway until about 1860, when it
got to its feet and began to push ahead with
marvellous rapidity. Then came the In
dian invasion and masSacres of 1Se1-62,
which gave it a set back. Scarcely had it
recovered from the effects of the Indian
troubles when the grasshopper plague fell
upon Southern Minnesota. Situated as it
is in the heart of one of the most
PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURAL SECTIONS
of the state. Mankato again experienced
adversely. But since the disappearance of
the grasshoppers there has been no check to
the citys progress, and to-day it stands
bearing all the evidences of stable pros-
perity. Mankato has never been doomed,
but its growth has been of that steady, con-
sentative character which bear with it the
elements of perpetuity. The foundations
of its prosperity are as solid as the granite
lodges which fill the hills that environ the
city. The substantial buildings of brick
and stone which line the principal business
streets and the evidences of busy industry
to be seen in every quarter all bespeak con-
ditlon OF permanent progress and the,
proper
SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE.
During days ranble through the city I
was struck with two remarkable facts--l
did not see singleshouse with the familiar
legend tackled to the door lintels ''for rent''
or 'sfor sale" And have it upon good ari-
thority that there is not a dwelling
house in the city for rent nor is there a
property owner offering his home fer sale.
If as much can be said of another city of
10, 900 population in the United States
have never visited that city. 1t shows
satisfied condition of the residents, and is
an expression of their faith in the future of
their city which speaks volumes i'm its
praise, and is tbousandfold better adyer-
tlsement than paper, books or padded CEN
sus returns. Another thing that has inn
pressed me favorably here is the way in
which the farmers come to town. They,
come in
GOOD WAGONS
and with fat teams well harnessed. When
ever | strike town where the farmers
bring their produce in screechy old wagons,
drawn by poor, jaded out horses hitched to
the wagon with rope harness, set it down
that there is mighty poor agricultural
section back of the town. But, judging
from the sleek, fat horses have seen on
the streets to-day. there is good farming
territory surrounding Mankato, and if the
healthy looks of the farmers and the rosy
hued faces of their buxum wives and
daughters are true indications there is
mighty good living on the farms.
MANKATo's INDUSTRIES.
Mankato's natural resources are a solid
basis OH which to build an emporium of
wealth. The rocky Lodges which lie hidden
in the beautiful hills that surround the city
are of greater and more lasting value than
gold mines or veins of silver. The Mankato
quarries yield stone that is unsurpassed
for building and ornamental purposes.
Last year over 1000 carloads of this stone
was quarried and shipped. This year the
probabilities are that not less than IL, 900
carloads will be shipped. It is being
hauled to st. Paul, Minneapolis, Omaha
and ST. Louis. AS it becomes better known
each year the demand for it will be in
creased. The principal stone quarries are
the Empire ledge, owned by W. r. Craig
d Co., who made fine'eXhibit Of the Man
kato stone at New Orleans, and the Beatty
quarry, owned by j. r. Beatty. In con-
nection with his quarry Mr.. Beatty also has
a lime kiln with capacity of $50 barrels
Of lime day. The piers Of the Union
Pacific bridge across the Missouri river at
Omaha are being built of Mankato stone.
Among the more recently established in
dustries Of Importance at this place are the
cement works, the tile manufactory, the
Standard fibre works and the large Touring
mill.
THE CEMENT WORKS.
The Mankato cement mill was established
about two years ago and has plant cost
ing $50, 900. The company is now build |
ing a large warehouse 130x250 feet, de-
signed to hold $4,000 barrels. The works
are the largest in the United States, and
the Mankato cement now has reputation
unsurpassed by any in the world. All
briquette of this cement twenty-four hours
old stands test of = 145 pounds to the |
square inch, and block six weeks old, |
experimental with in New York the other
day. stood the test of $50 pounds. The |
rock from which the cement is made is |
eleven feet in thickness and the ledge is an |
one. The capacity of the mill is |
now 1.700 barrels per day. employing from |
seventy-five to 100 hands, and Mr.. Frank |
Merrill, the manager, informs me that the
demand is so great that by another year the |!
will have to double the capacity |
Of the mill.
THE TILE MANDATORY,
under the management of Mr.. Alberger,
formerly of Buffalo, N. Y, has commenced |
operations within the last sew weeks. Tile |
and pottery of every description are manu-
and fine brick of most excellent |
quality. A queensware equal to the best |
English stoneware is also being mannfac-
tured. There is an inexhaustibIe supply of |
the clay from which these wares are being |
made. The Standard Fibreware company
will commence operations in few weeks. |
The buildings are all completed at cost of |
$50, 900 and the machinery is being placed |
in ready for work. The buildings are of
brick and stone and made fireproof, aud |
The machinery all new and of the most i'm
proved character. The intention is to,
all sorts of wares, from a