The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1906-08-15
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Excerpts Taken from St. Paul Papers Of
Forty Years Ago.

list who fell in love with our city
and it's surroundings gives the fol-
lowing description of it in a leading
New York paper: Since our advent
into the city Of the North we have
seen much to please the fancy and
to charm the eye. The most elabor-
ate and finely written descriptions
of this charming city come much
below the reality. In walking or
driving about thru the principal
streets, which are 100 feet above
the river, or on the summit Of the
range Of hills entirely surrounding
the city, 100 feet above the business
blocks and residences, we find every
thing in perfect order, and cannot
see how any different arrangement
can be had to complete a perfect
panorama.
From the summit you see beneath
you at a glance the entire city prop
err, with the rushing waters Of the
Mississippi coursing in a semi-circle
at it's base, and miles up the stream,
where the sparkling waters of the
Minnesota form their Junction with
it, and between the two the frown-
ing wall of Fort Smelling. Then
across the river, as far as the eye
can reach, and then away off on the
prairie in the background, such a
variety of scenery is presented to
your view that you wonder how so
much of loneliness and beauty could
be crowded in so small space.
Far down the Father of Waters,
where it curves to the right in a
majestic bend, you see the famous
Carver's cave, which was occupied
by Capt. Carver as dwelling place
for part of the winter over 100 years
ago. Above this about 100 feet are
the Indian mounds. Here the In
dians of this region for generations
carried their dead from the upper
reaches of the Mississippi and the
Minnesota rivers in the fall of each
year. Placing their deceased tribes
men upon the ground the soil was
heaped up around them until the
mounds of earth assumed their pres
ent height. With them was also
buried their most treasured posses
sions, such as tomahawk, pipe, ar
rows, etc., for use in the happy
hunting ground. Some of those
mounds were opened this summer
and a number of relics taken from
them. That the red man has an eye
for the beautiful in landscapes is
proven by their long annual jour
neys to this favored spot, which is
one of natures magnificent theat-
ers, where man may gaze upon her
beautiful works.
The streets are very fine from the
fact that it is only necessary to re-
move few inches Of soil from the
rock, and the streets, as if by magic,
are paved. Third street, the prin-
cjpal business thoroughfare, is not
surpassed by the best laid Nicholson
pavement, and in a score of years
will require no repairs. The bust
ness houses on this street are nearly
all built of the gray limestone taken
from the cellars, with polished
blocks and columns of the same for
the front, equaling in appearance
and durability the best granite.
There are only a few brick blocks,
and wooden structure is an ex-
ception, and these are being removed
and built with stone.
In conclusion, it would seem that
nature has been profuse in lavishing
upon this section of our country
everything needful to supply the
wants of man. With an elevation
of many thousands of feet above the
oceans, the air is light and pure,
and you inhale it with as much ease
and with the same qualification as
the lover of the juice of his vineyards
imbibes the contents of his wellfilled
glasses. The climate is very heal
thy, and the inhabitants possess
vigorous constitutions, enabling
them to easily withstand the severe
cold of winter.
80
The roustabouts on Commodore
Davidson's steamers went on strike
about two weeks ago, thereby tying
L