The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-01-28

SIDE or blue SILK, DOrdorod With bullion fringe. In
the center is the state seal wreathed with white
moccasin flowers on blue ground. The red rib
bon of the seal, bearing the motto, is continued
through the wreath, entwining the blossoms and
floating careessly the lower portion of the
flag It BEARS in gold, the date 1919, the time of
settlement of Minnesota, and 1898; above, also in
gold it the date 1858, the time of the admission of
Minnesota to the Union. Below the design, in
gold letters, is wrought, Minnesota. Grouped
around the seal, are 10 stars in the design
of star points, with the North star, significant
of the North Star State in group of three at the
top.
The flag is fitting emblem for the sons who
have ever been loyal and faithful to the state. At
a small park at the intersection of Summit and
Dayton avenues, St. Paul, may be seen fine mon
ument with life-sze figure in bronze of the son
who the first volunteer at the call of President
Lincoln for troops in 1861. Again, her sens re-
sponded first to the call of President Mckinley for
volunteers at the beginning of war with Spain, in
April 1898. During this war, the state furnished
three regiments the 18th, 18th and 18th. The
famous 18th rendered great service IN the Philip
pine islands. History records no Drawer or more
glorious deed than that executed by the famous
Minnesota 1st at the great battle of Gettysburg.
In the annals of history recorded many other
notable events of bravery and great service rem
dered by Minnesota troops The state furnished
over 22, 900 troops during the civil war-almost
one-tenth of the population at that time.
RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT
The soil oyer much of Minnesota is remarkably
rich and productive. In conjuncure with plenty Of
moisture, sunshine and vigorous growing season. has
given the state over twenty varieties of hard and
soft woods; record breaking crops of every variety
and over 800 varieties and species of lowered
plants Out of this large number, the cypripedium
or moccasin flower, chosen the state flower
The word, cyp- ped um, is of Greek origin, and
means, The shoe of Venus
The farmers of this state enjoy from two to two
and a-half hours daylight during the growing
season than the farmers of southern Ohio Indiana
or Illinois
The rapid commercial development of the state
was caused principally by the great expansion of
the several railway systems. These railroads radi-
ate IN all directions, like the spokes of a wheel
from the Twin Cities one of which is the capital
and the other the commercial center of the state
Between these tities in 1862 was built the first
railroad in the state In point of railway mileage
the state ranks eighth, with over 5000 miles
Their total operating income derived from with
in the state from freight and passenger receipts and
all other of income for the last railway fiscal
year amounts $1O6, 800 4lS15; total operating ex-
penses, SOL 1851 ,l56.25; leaving a revenue of
A SOB, 261 80. Out of this amount, the railroads
paid IS 1913 097 81 the taxes on about an
average of 81 per cent their gross earnings.
With the exception of properties that pay a gross
earnings tax all other property i'll the is val
ued five and quarter billions of dollars for
taxable purposes:
SCHOOLS HIGHWAYS
The state is making strides for the betterment
and up building OF its school system and highways
During the year 1914 over 400 new school buildings
have been erected, more than 800 of which were in
the country districts. The first schools mentioned
in the history Of the state mission school con.
Quoted near Lake Pokegama, Pine county, in 1882
and three private schools conducted at St. Anthony
St. Paul and Saltwater In 1849. At present there
than 5000 school districts in the state
The first normal school established at Winona
in 1860. Under conditions existing, the state
permanent school fund will eventually contain 200
to $50 millions of dollars; at present it is over p
and half millions of dollars-by far the largest
permanent school fund of any state
The 800 newspapers published in the state are
great help educators and distributors of knowl-
edge, information and opportunities. The first
printing press in the one used about 1889
at the Lake Pokegama Mission school mentioned
above and used to print religious Instructions
etc.
In the largest county of the state the cost of con-
J,,ot; no ,