The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-01-15
CORRESPONDENCE.
our minneapolis Letter.
MINNEAPoLIs, Mimi, Jan. Z, IS9.

Editor Bdnner-DEAR SIR: The view
from the window this morning looks as
though we might have some sleighing at
last, but it seems strange to wait so long
for it in this locality. There was time
for few days that the sleighs were as
common as wagons on the streets, butit.
did not last long; one days thaw drove
the runners out of service. Ny stay
here this winter is longer than it was a
year ago, and haye become better ac-
quainted with the place. The people are
quite enterprising, and devoted to the
development of the resources and posi-
bilities of life in this youthful metropo-
lis, | suppose the Irwin Cities" will
outgrow their spirit of antagonistic rival
nv after awhile and become one in name
as they are fast becoming in reality.
l will copy few notes to show the
rapid development of the place. The
first white child was born here April
Both, 1850, and a month after the first
paper was published. During that year
the first manufacturing establishment
a wagon and sleigh factory-was put in
operation. That first child is now
lady of distinction and is an hOnOred cit
izen of the place.
During the early times the naming of
the city seems to have occaSiOned con-
siderable discussion, if we may judge
by its fluctuating prosperity, for during
the year 1852 the name All Saints was
tried and abandoned in favor of Albion,
but the latter name did not last long, for
before the end of the year the present
name was adopted, and from its beauty
and appropriateness it seems destined to
be permanent.
In 1872 st. Anthony, which had grown
up side by side with Minneapolis, was
absorbed by the latter corporation, and
the name become thing of the past as
applied to the city. 1t would be a rash
prophecy for me to intimate that st.
Paul might lose its identity in a similar
manner at some time in the future, but
such thing is possible.
The street car lines Of both cities are
under the management of single man,
and by a system of transfer tickets given
to all persons who get off any car near
the central stations, any one may enjoy
two long rides for five cents, and for ten
cents you can 90 the whole length of
both cities and the distance between
them, which must be near twenty miles
in all. All the street cars are electric, mo
horses are used. The total mileage of
electric street car lines in the two cities
is nearly equal to that of all other Amer
lean cities combined-there being in
Minneapolis alone III miles of electric
lines. The number of passengers car
ried last year was 26, 800, 900; the mileage
of railroad centering here, 81 ,402 miles;
there are 1917 churches, and 66S fire alarms.
The population claimed is III, 0S3. and
81 ,354 pupils are in the schools. Among
the 10000 lakes of Minnesota quite q
number are convenient of access from
here. Three or four of considerable size
are within the city limits. Lake Mime
tOnka, few miles southwest is the most
noted resort III the State, or in the whole
Northwest. 1t is eighteen miles by one
to five miles wide, the shore being so ir
regular that it extends nearly 300 miles,
Within the city there are 1894 acres of
park, and the whole city outside the
business centre is laid out on liberal
scale, somewhat like Topeka, Kan, and
it might be said to share with that city
and with Washington the title of "Clty
of Magnificent Distances. There is
nothing to stop the growth in any direc-
ton, being on both sides of the Father
of Waters. The assessed valuation of
the city is Sl40,3S2, $40. The post Office
receipts are $406, $40.
The city ranks high as a manufactur-
ing centre, especially for flour and lum-
Der. There are thirty-four flour mills
which produced last year 7, 434, COS Dbls. !
They have united capacity of 10000 |
barrels a day The amount of wheat |
received in 1891 was 57,0O2, 755 bushels,
and the number of barrels of flour ship |
ped was GIL l45.
The fourteen saw mills employ 800 |
men, and cut last year All, lib, 252 feet. |
In this connection | will mention the !
lumber towns in the State: !
Winona sawed 100000, OOOft.; Cloquet, on
the st. Louis river, cut 100000 it,. Du-
luth and other places near cut 100000
900 feet; saltwater, on the st. Croix
river, cut 1OO,OOO,OOO feet; other places,
10000, 600 feet.
In 1891 there were 5000 building per-
mits issued. Many of the buildings are
twelve stories high. There are six
buildings that cost each $1,000, 900 and
upwards. The court house is the most
expensive. 1t occupies whole block,
and will cost s., 100000 when completed.
1t will be 300 feet square, and have
lower 345 feet high, the third highest in
jhe country. West hotel cost 81 GOO, 900.
The Guaranty Loan building cost 81 POO
700, the three lower stories are of green
sh granite from Conway, n. H., and the
upper nine stories are of red sandstone
rom Lake Superior. 1t contains 400
'ooms, which are occupied by law Of
ices, insurance Offices. etc. Senator
residence cost 81 ,OOO, 900
md occupies 10 acres.
In 1890 the city used ia car loads of
bananas and nearly 200 car loads of or
Inges and over 100 of lemons, and 47O,37O
baskets of Concord and Catawba grapes.
The city is of high rank in healthful-
Tess, there being less than IL deaths to
900 population.
| am reminded to speak of the Expo
ition building which cost $3.50, 600 1t
only ninety days in building,
hree or four years ago. The exposition
las been of much interest to those who
lad the pleasure to attend, but / have
lever seen the inside of the building.
The latest hurrah is over the prospect of
he convention next summer, but | am
lot politician enough to speak about
hat. Yours truly,
G. E. BRECKENRIDGE.