The Newtown bee., 1890-10-31
NEwTowN, OCTOBER sl, 1890.
St Peter, Minnesota.

This Is town of 1000 inhabitants, l3s miles west of winona and "A miles southwest of St Paul on the Chicago and North Western and Chicagol St Paul and Omaha railroads and Minnesota river, which was formerly nayi- gable to this place and furnished the only outlet prior to the building of the railroad This is the county seat of Nicolet county, which is one of the finest farming counties in the State, the town Is in q valley, sur. rounded by bluffs on the east and west, back of which are broad acres of wheat and corn on as fertile soil any in the land. have conversed with farmers here who have come rom many States, who think this the best of all for farming purposes. The lay of the land Is pleasing to the eye, much oft being roll Ing. and in some places quite hilly but, as rule, not stony, although there are stones In places, Lake Emily, beautiful sheet of water two miles east of here, is pleasant re- sort for town people in Summer. It Is reach cd by n winding, hilly and stony road lined by timber on either side, which makes m eastern man teel at home. By the way, this Is timber country, wood being worth $2 cord delivered The hospital for the insane is located here; there are ot present about 1000 inmates, There on 5000 acres of land con nected with it, S30 of which Is under the blow, la0 In meadow. They raise their own bread stufrs and vegetables and require 1000 barrels of four 5000 bushels Of potatoes, 5000 tons coal, 5000 cords of wood yearly. Much of the work is done by the inmates.
 This town has fine public buildings tor one of it's size Eleven churches; swedish college, with about 200 students; two graded schools, which would be considered fine, in an eastern town of 10000 inhabitants; fine new court house and jail an efficient system of water works, with five miles ot mains, which cost some $4O, 900; roller flour mills capacity about goo barrels per day; foundry; woolen mill; several furniture factories; two flour fishing banks. It is the boast of the town that 1t has furnished to the State more public men than any other of It's size Two governors, Ames and McGill, and many Union officers. Hon MT owens, the Alliance candidate for governor and Hon Mir Wilson, Democratic candidate, spoke on hops tnT he canGidste Gov Merriam, is to speak, next week. The Am ance party is causing quite boom DO in piin politics Wheat l5 bushels per acre; corn, not yet har' vested, but said to be about as good as last year. Although this has not been considered n corn county, never saw sounder corn than the crop here, this year, and 1t is now dry enough to grind. It Is being extensively rais- ed and farmers who pursue Q diversified sys tom are prospering. This soil produces fine quality of potatoes, but the crop Is light, this Su Ses not been utilized, but win be soon and binding twine will be proc uced at home. Corn E wTseh o ve SSe XSasS seDy ey S Is grown In Minnesota, nice apples retail here for $l DOT bushel: All kinds % of irnits are a on steam threshcr and straw carrier costs about s2OO0; prices for threshing are Pc for wheat itnd 9c for oats. The latter Is a poor crop here; worth 35c One machine will thresh from 1000 to 1900 bushels per day. One party here has some l2 threshfng machines, which go about the country. The threshing season is nearly over It makes busy scene, the farmers bringing in their produce tor shipment, which makes the merchants smile. That reminds me that there are large and line business blocks and first class dealers in every line of goods. In many instances, prices are lower than ut the East. Two miles south are very extensive stone quarries. The stone are saw cd into desired shape, and shipped in all di- rections, which gives employment to many inches of snow 100 miles north of us, the weather here Is delightful. I expect to visit the Dalxotas. win then write you farther.- iJames O. Johnson. St. Peter, Minn.. October 17, 1890.