The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-06-30
ALONG THE LINE.
A Look at the Electric Car Line
Route.
Prosperous Villages and Rich Farming
Country Will be Reached by
the New Road.

: People who have not been out over
the route of the electric line proposed
to be followed by the Mankato Electric
, Street Railway, Lighting and Power
, Co. have an inadequate conception of
the rich and prosperous section of
country which it traverses, its scenic
beauties, and it's possibility of future
development Sunday, two re-
porters accepted an invitation from
two prime movers of the railway pro
ject to accompany them to Alma City,
following as nearly as practicable the
route decided upon in case the extern
sion should be made. The electric
gentlemen were Messrs. S. Wilhartz
and A. E. Clark, whose hospitality
and geniality cannot be excelled
Leaving the City Hotel at 7:30 o'clock
in the morning behind a team of
PAGERS, the party took the Guenther
hill road over the bluff and struck out
on the straight road to Eagle Lake.
This was done to save time, as the car
line will take the easy grade up Glen,
God avenue past the cemetery At
the head of the rayine it will turn and
come back a short distance on the
Agency hill road and then follow Long
street to the Eagle Lake road A
track will be laid up Guenther hill,
but the cars will only go down, not
up that hill, as the power required to
send cars up that steep grade would be
too great.
The road to Eagle Lake is familiar to
most residents of Mankato The coun-
try was originally densely wooded, but
has been cleared off and now comprises
fertile farms. The electric road will
not cross the Chicago & Northwestern
track in Eagle Lake but will parallel
it for short distance, from the road
from Mankato to the road leading di-
rectly south from the village. This
will accommodate the people of Eagle
Lake fully as well, will save little
distance, and will save two dangerous
railroad crossings. The line will no
cross railroad track anywhere along
the proposed route.
Eagle Lake is a pleasantly located
village and enjoys good trade from
the surrounding country. 1t shows
signs of prosperity with it's electric
lights, beautiful residences, etc.
Going south, the electric line passes
through some very pretty country,
working off gradually to the east. One
Or two high hills that the wagon road
trayerses will be passed by going
around them through the fields. There
is variety of scenery through this Sec
tion, as it is cut up by ravines leading
to the LIE Sueur river, and alternates
with woodland and fields of waving
grain The famous Mankato mineral
springs are passed on this road.
After going nine miles from Eagle
Lake, one comes almost unexpectedly
into ST. Clair, which lies just across
the LIE Sueur river. The village has
grown wonderfully during the last few
; years and is a thriving town with
stores, churches, fine school house,
town hall, pleasant residences, etc.
That it has done SO we'll without rail-
road is remarkable.
Leaving the village, the road to the
south was followed for four and half
miles, and then an abrupt turn to the
east was made and another four and a
! half miles gone over, bringing up at
Alma City, in Waseca county. Shortly
after leaving ST. Clair, the old Indian
agency building is passed on the left.
This is historic spot, as the big brick
building was the headquarters of the
officers stationed at the agency. 1t is
now used as residence by one of the
IN any prosperous families who are
t hickly sprinkled over that section
| The country is level prairie after
leaving st Clair and is one of the rich
est sections in the county, Astounding
with fine farm houses with nicely kept
lawns, big red barns over stone base
ments, fields of waving grain, herds
of cattle and all the other signs of pros
perity. In tapping this country, the
electric railway company has been
wise, for it is bound to secure a good
patronage.
Alma City is a prosperous village on
the prairie, with stores, grist mill.
creamery, etc. Dinner was had at the
Ru nnells House, and it was a meal SUR
passed by but few hotels outside of the
cities. The 'people of Alma City as
we'll as those of st. Clair are very
anxious to secure the electric road, and
liberal bonuses will be given by
tn csc villages as well as by the farmers
residing along the right of way.
At st. Clair, we noticed big posters
announcing the Fourth of July celebra-
ton to be held there. with Judge S. B.
Wilson, of this city, as the orator of
the day. At Alma City, equally large
posters announced the celebration at