The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-11-19
v,..rED BY A GOVT ENGINEER

On Tuesday of this week, our city was
visited by f. 7. Hampton, Esq, a gov.
eminent engineer, whose home is at
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Mr.. Hampton was the superintend-
ent of the improvements which were
made by the government Il few years
since, on the Tennessee river. He is
now the assistant of Major Allan, U. S.
A., who has charge of the government
improvements in this State. He was
sent here for the purpose of making a
preliminary examination in the matter
of the proposed improvements to the
Minnesota river.
His report to the government will en-
body the prospective development of
the Minnesota valley and the country
which is considered tributary to the
same. This will include, of course, the
commercial and manufacturing, as well
rs the agricultural developments, of
this fast growing and greatly favored
portion of the State.
Coming here an entire stranger to the
natural resources of the valley, and thus
being free from all prejudices, we feel
certain that the report which he will
make to the government will fairly set
forth our future prospects.
He plainly showed to those with
whom he conversed, that his attention
had never been called to the rapid de-
velopment of the country taking place
on every side of us, nor to the wonder
ful stone and clay deposits which nature
placed ut our very door.
When told of the rapid increase OF set
Element all along the line, he expressed
great surprise. The business Interests
as shown in the establishment of large
jobbing concerns at this city, also pre-
scented to his attention as one of the
most prominent reasons why the trans
portation of freight should be provided
for by the Improvement OF the river.
The most marked surprise was shown,
when it was made clear to him that III
our bluffs and hillsides, nature had de-
posted rocks and clays and sands which
would, when quarried and moulded and
manufactured, because of their superior
quality, attract the attention of vas
section of the country, and in the neal
future cause an unlimited demand fol
the supply of these products.
The future alone would make clear
the extent of the carrying capacities o
railroads and river, which would be
necessary, to transport to the outer
world the stone, cement, tile, fire
brick, lime, etc, which would be pro
duced in this great valley.
Through the kindness of Mr.. Albergel
of the Drain Tile works, he was shown
the Cement works, which he spoke o
as the largest in the country, the Tile
works, quarries and lime kilns,-stone
cement, lime and clay, were all ex
amined by him, the results of such ex
animation filling him with surprise ant
leading him to exclaim upon his return
that he had never dreamed of the ex
istence of such things in the Northwest
and to say that it seemed to him tina
nothing could prevent this point becom
ing famous.
When we consider that in the maxim,
of the government improvements, it j
necessary for him to have an intimate
knowledge with all these products. es
peclally the quality thereof, we canno
but feel that this strongly expressed
opinion as to our future outlook shoul'
stimulate us to greater efforts to call tin
attention of the world to this favore'
point.
Mr.. Hampton was interviewed b.
many of our prominent citizens, an
was furnished by them with letters I
business men at various points along tin
valley as far as Big Stone Lake.
Upon his return ii is expected that Ia
will stop here again, for further infol
nation as to the stone, clays and cemen
here marketed; and to examine our hi
Flour Mill, the Linseed Oil Mill and tn
Fibre Works.