Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1898-11-17
LETTER FROM A PRESIDING ELL
DER OF THE METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH..
Impressions of the Mighty West.

Impressions of the Mighty West.
Doubt was expressed by some of the
earliest colonial fathers whether this
country would ever be settled west of
what is now a suburb OF Boston
On the Chicago & North Western Rail
way train that bore me to South Dakota
few days ago mother and children
looked eagerly from the car window on
nearing Candy to see il they could dis.
cover the new home the husband and
father hnd selected for them, Two even
ings before, seventy five people got off at
Candy to populate the prairies round
about that one town. The country from
Candy east to Marshall shows a remark
able advance in the few years that L
have known these parts.
A recent Bostonese accession to Gull
tured ST. Paul society asked several il
he had pretty nearly reached the frontier.
Whether this question is a projection of
the forefathers above mentioned or
prompted by st. Paul society, I do not
know, but l am confident the time is not
far distant when there will be no frontier
in the United States.
To an inhabitant of Norway and Ger
many, with a map OF this country before
him, distance of few hundred miles
east or west counts for naught. He sees
none of our imaginary frontiers He
seeks home where land ia cheap and
asserts dominion over the wild region.
In the lifetime of the original settlers
that community is classified with the
established order and the pioneers" are
become 'old settlers" And what about
the land? The pioneer planted his
shanty on the virgin soil and staked out
his "clam." In the process of getting
his living, with small additional money
expenditure to the government, the
claim becomes his farm" As for adj
vance in value, price some Of the farms
in southeastern Minnesota that are still
in possession of the men who first set
tied upon them.
The history Of eastern Minnesota is be-
ing repeated in western Minnesota and
beyond. Candy is almost as far from
Winona as Winona is from Chicago. The
train that put off the mother and child.
rem ut Candy carried me onward for
journey of more than hundred miles
beyond into South Dakota. Along the
journey communities gave evidence OF
thrift and contentment that assure the
future OF this wide region which sur
prises me beyond measure with its al
ready accumulated wealth and the UNI
bounded confidence Of the people.
write this mindful OF the doubtful tales
which others than may have been led
to consider as the only incidents to an
otherwise dreary monotony. What
have just seen makes me convert to
the faith OF the people, who are already
supplanting the pioneer shed and shanty
with substantial barns and comfortable
homes.
DR.. Chauncey Hobart, yet living in
Red Wing, was pastor OF the little frame
Methodist church. located in what is now
the heart OF the great business district
Of Chicago. He was with the pioneers
in southeastern Minnesota. / have been
in Chicago upon the site OF that early
church and felt the throbbings OF life
within that mighty city whose vast piles
that could gracefully wear the age of
centuries were reached within the
mature years of one man. / have
Travelled over Minnesota where that
same man saw civilizations beginning.
Wearied with the march he turns
aside and succeeding generations leave
ancestral homes and push ON to repeat
the history Of what has been. In the
new Methodist church in Condo, costing
81 300 and dedicated with all bills paid,
| was privileged to preach. The people
| met, the prosperity they enjoy, their
intelligence and earnestness make it
plain that this was no longer frontier.
Said Gladstone America is another
name for opportunity In this con-
cur, but realize anew that the door
OF opportunity opens westward.
e. p. ROBERTSON.
| RIJCKI FMS ARNICA SAIVE