The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-08-07
he Minneapolis s. St. Louis.

the Minneapolis s. St. Louis. VII
lagos are scattered at convenient
distances throughout the county, and
the competition in buying, sharpened
by an active demand, makes the pri-
ces for farm produce excellent. Wheat
is today quoted at 80 cents and fax
SO, while oats and corn are much high
er in proportion. Hogs are $3.50, live
weight. During the past year wheat
has been above the dollar mark, and
flax has averaged S1.15.
WATER.
The county contains 30 lakes of
pure, clear, cool water, Astounding in
black bass, pike, pickerel, perch. crop
pies and other fish. Some of the fin
est fishing in the state is found in
these lakes. Numerous rivers run
through the county into the Mime
sofa river, which bounds the county
on the north. Water can be obtained
at almost any depth, from 20 to 12O
feet. There are several large flowing
artesian wells at a depth of 800 feet.
FORESTS.
A portion of the county is covered
with dense forests Of hardwood, such
as maple, oak, ash and elm, butter
nut and black walnut, hickory and
ironwood. When cleared, this land
makes splendid farms. The remain
der of the county is slightly rolling
prairie.
MANUFACTURER.
The rivers have a considerable fall,
and afford abundance of water power
to run the largest factories. This
power is being utilized for running
flour, grist and fax mills. A number
of factories run by steam power have
been erected in MankatO, and are in
operation. The location
and shipping facilities are of incalcul-
able aid to these institutions. and
will always render them profitable.
STONE, ETC.
Some of the finest building stone in
the Northwest is taken from the quar-
ries in and about Mankato, and is
into half dozen neighboring
states. There is a wide field for de-
velopment in this line. Cement that
excels any other brand, lime and
brick are largely manufactured. There
is an abundance of clay deposits in
the county, and tile works is doing
a good business.
HEALTH.
Blue Earth county has one of the
best health records to be found any
where The climate is especially
beneficial to all persons suffering from
lung or malarial diseases. There is
no malaria here. The winters are
not very severe, owing to the exceed
ing dryness of the air, while the sum-
mers are cool and pleasant.
SUMNER RESORTS.
Large numbers of people from Oma-
ha, Council Bluffs, St. Louis and New
Orleans annually seek the cool, pleas
ant retreats at our lakes. There are
hotels at several of them, with fleets
of boats, and there whole months are
spent in fishing and hunting.
MANkATo
is the county seat of Blue Earth coun-
ty, and is situated on the south bend
of the Minnesota river. 1t has a pop
ulation of 10000, good schools and
splendid artesian water sys-
TEN, sewerage, electric lights, street
cars, fine public buildings, including
a hospital, and four railroads. The
and jobbing interests
are large and increasing.
Lake Crystal, Mapleton, Good
Thunder, Eagle Lake, Amboy, Madi-
son Lake, Vernon Center. St. Clair
Garden City and South Bend are
fourishing villages, located in the
center Of rich agricultural commu-
mites.
Good farm land can be had for $40
per acre, at present, but the prices
are rapidly going up, and as high as
$50 has been paid for improved farms.
Now is the time to buy. The crops
of one or two years will pay for the
land and often mich moro SnaciaI
lists will make money rapidly Rasp-
berry growers make as high as $500 an
acre, and other specialists in proper
ton.
Further information concerning the
county, can be had by applying to the
railroad agents. city officers, Board of
Trade, or newspapers.