St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-10-04
Brought From Gale

Brought From GaIena,
everybody was a consumer and none
were producers. 1t was usual for new
corners to bring a few weeks supplies
with them. One Old settler, who is still
with us, and resides in Minneapolis,
brought a ham. ten pounds of crackers,
ten pounds of cheese and barrel of
whisky, and regrets to this day that he
expended so much of his money for
ham, crackers and cheese.
Between Oct. 4, 1S49, and Jan. l, 1850.
there was quite an addition to our pop
ulation, but of that population how
few remain. | can count the sur
vivors on my fingers. These were
young, active men Gin the days of
the empire" but now they begin
to show signs of age. Their step is not
so elastic, their form is bent, their hair
is white. The fact is they begin to look
as if they were in training for the dead
march to Oakland or Calvary. A few
years at most our journey will end, and
make room for others, We have had
our time, and good one at that.
In the Early Days
we enjoyed ourselves more than we do
now. Homes were more hoSpItable.
Money was scarce, but our wants were
few. Twelve yards of material would
make a dress for the largest woman.
Railroad bonds soon made their appear
ance and were easily converted into
cash, and when once converted our
financial obligations in regard to them
were at an end. There were rich
men here in those days, but where
are they now? In the language
of the colored preacher, ''they
have gone glimmering through the
glimpse of time" They were over
taken by financial disaster in 1851 and
the sheriff settled up their estates in
1858 and 1859. Later on the railroad
bonds were used as basis of banking,
and the country was Hooded with as
pretty paper money as ever came from
the engraver's hand. This money
passed current with our people, but was
absolutely worthless beyond the confines
of the state. In due time the banking
system was rescued from the hands of
inexperienced men and established
upon true basis, under the control of
Experienced Financiers.
Each succeeding year the business
has increased in every branch of trade
and commerce. Retail and wholesale
houses have kept pace with the wants
tributary to our city. Our population
has increased from 400 to something
over 100000 Our railroad system radi-
ateS like so many iron fingers to grasp
and bring to our StorehOuSes the surplus
of the vast territory to our west. and in
return take the products of our factor
les to the active business men and
successful farmers and miners who in
habit the great Western empire. In 1S49 4
north and south line drawn through
Fort Smelling was practically west of
all the settlements of the country. Since
that time eight or ten new states and
several territories have been organized,
and the last census reveals the astoniSh-
ing fact that there are to-day 10000. 900
of inhabitants west of that line. The
humble home of the Indian has been
torn down, and costly residences and
business blocks occupy the places
where he was wont to engage in his war
dance or feast on
The Delicate Dog.
The tide of emigration will continue
westward until it reaches the blue
waters of the Pacific, when it will recoil
and pass from West to East. Then the
cold, barren hills of New England will
again be peopled by the children of
Western men, whose enterprise and
thrift will be seen and felt by all of us
who are here to feel and see for our
selves. Let me say to the gentlemen in
the real estate business, and who have
done so much to build up st. Paul.
that in 1891 the ''boom towns
will be i'll Maine, New Hamp-