The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-03-13
uncultivated some 10000, 600

land uncnltivated some 10000, 00(
acres.
Now the fact is that out of nearly
DC, 900 600 acres of tillable lands less
than ZOO, 600 were under cultivation
in 1896, and only 10000, 900 divided in
TO farms. 1t will be seen that over
one-half of the tiIlable soil of the
state still remains foreign TO civiliZa-
ton, SO to speak, and over 40, 000, 600
unacquainted with the pillow.
But this is not all: we have Of pine
lands, valuable for timber, 5000, 00C
acres, bearing timber amounting TO, in
feet, at least 5000, 600, 900, worth on
the stump in dollars go, 600, 900. Then
we have in mixed wood timber lands
covering about 1000, 600 acres valued AT
not less than the pine, which would
amount in dollars to another &C, 000.-
600
In mineral resources our state bids
fair 10 surprise the world. In iron
our wealth rivals, if indeed it does not
exceed, that of Pennsylvania. Ship
men1s last year amounted 10 SAC, 600
tons. and this is but the beginning of
what is destined TO be mighty in
dustry that Will give employment TO
thousands of wOrkmen and millions of
capital. And yet this fact is known
TO but a comparatively few people.
And then look OF our great stone
Industries. We have some as fine
building stone as were ever quarried
and in ineXhaustible quantities.
Thousands Of acres of undeveloped
quarries are lying dormant awaiting
the advent of capital Cement rock
abOundS in limitleSS Quantities. and
yet We have but one cement works in
the state; but let it be known
that that one is great credit to US
and It's products are equal if not su-
per1Or TO anything in this country.
We have acres of sand suitable for
glass and vet no such industry is found
on our soil. One might GO on enum-
Grating Indefinitely but these are Suf-
hclent to remind US that Minnesota
is provided with riches Of all kinds
and only needs the civiliZing hand of
man TO lay hold of her dormant and
undeYelOped resources to prove her
worth.
The finest farming and grazing
lands under the canopy Of heaven are
here TO be found. No land was ever
YOuchsafed TO man more adaptable to
the raising Of stock. No state in the
Northwest cluster is better adapted
to sheep husbandry than is Minneso-
Id for the clear, cold. dry atmosphere
affords the amplest development and
health to flock and fleece.
With all these advantages lying
open for the capitalist and homeseek-
er, with splendid churches, improved
hi ial 11y.i6 nd oil
that 60 TO make the pathway Of life
easy for the new conner TO travel, de-
void Of the hardShips. high taxes and
deSolatiOn of new and unsettled re-
gion, does it not behoove us TO do
something which shall let our light
shine forth that the glories of our
state may become known TO all men
The approaching Worlds Fair will
be the greatest educational event in
the annals Of this or any other cOun-
try. The land where freedoms ban
aer floats. where necessity wrought
courage and courage has developed
and fOstered industry and wealth is
truly most fitting place for such an
eyentfGl gathering. Among the
the Youngest of the civilized nations
Of the earth, we are to-day the strong
est and greatest. We have extended
to the nations Of the Old World an in
vi1atiOn to join with Us in celebrating
the four hundredth anniversary of the
discovery of America. an event which
should i'll every loyal heart with
pride and determination. Asa state,
Minnesota has an important mission
10 fill. Not only should great eXhi-
bitiOn Of products of the soil, factory,
mines, etc, be assured, but a building
should be provided as well. Every ar
ticle necessary TO structure which
would prove advantageous to all and
Indispensable to the proper care and
preservation of our exhibit is produc-
ed here and would, if put UP artistic
ally, prove the most attractive Of any
thing which could be devised. Head
quarters could then be provided for
the thousands of Minnesota visitors
and in other ways be made TO more
than compensate fOriits cost. Lying as
we do at the very gateway Of Chicago,
there is no reason nor tangible excuse
for neglecting TO place Minnesota at
the very front of all the states which
viii come into friendly competition at
the fair. If the present legislature
will appropriate 100000 and levy a
special assessment of one-tenth of one
mill. to be known as Worlds Fair
Fund" ample money can be secured.
This slight tax would raise S120, 600 in
the two years. and the cost TO the in
diyidual would be too insignificant
TO speak Of A man who pays 500 in
taxes would contribute , cents toward
such fund. A man who pays ten
dollars would contribute one mill. A
state which has an assessed valuation
Of $500. 000. 900 ought not TO fail for
want of few dollars in making a
proud showing at the Worlds Fair.
To the minds of those who have given
the matter serious consideration the
Importance Of a Minnesota building
is paramount TO any other feature of
the exhibit.
The legislature should carefully
consider this particular item
Persons advanced in years feel younger and
stronger, as well as freer from the infrm1rles
OF age, bs taking DR.. j. B. MeLean.s Sarsapa-