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1 VOL XXI. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., SATURDAY, SEPT. 18,1886. NO 38 TRIP TO THE NORTHWEST. The Rett River Valley and Its Productions. Ky J. B. C. One gets an indistinct idea at best of a country by reading only. It required to be seen to fully comprehend its extent and possibilities. We had read much of the great wheat producing regions of the north west, and had come to consider it pretty vast. But the delegates to the Farmers' National Congress, held at St. Paul the last days of August, were Invited to see that country on the adjournment of the body, and representatives from 27 States availed themselves of the opportunity. THE TWIN CITIES. Preliminary to mention of the trips and country we traversed, reference is due to the singularly, prosperous and growing twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. They are situated ten miles apart, but it will not be so in ten years more. Tbey compromised on permanently locating the State fair grounds midway between them, which is reached from each by several lines of road: and there, within eight or ten years they will meet, practically become one city, and lay down their generous rivalry to excel in population. They are now marvels of growth and business prosperity. If our trip had been cut short with a visit to tbem alone, we might have concluded that it was a bauble soon to burst; but when we are done, the reader like ourselves, will see differently. Aside from the great, growing and inexhaustible oountry north and west, of which these cities are the base of supply, there is a philosophy which in some measure underline and is the secret of this prosperity. Surround one with ever so much rich resource for wealth aDd prosperity, without impelling motive, and nothing Is utilized. And so it is with communities. But here are two cities within arm's reach of each other, with their great rival railways reaching each, their manufacturing and commercial industries reaching out in all directions. One does not take an important step of advantage that does not at onoe send tingling through the nerves of the other equal or greater conceptions of their possibilities. And so under such conditions of rivalry the very best phases of nmmercial and industrial expansion is seen here. With it all is seen and felt the consciousness of the solid country to the W43st and North, to sustain it, for the people are bright and intelligent as well as plucky. We need not mention the great flour and lumber interests located here, for our readers are advised as to these. We ware told that each ef these cities were increasing in population at the rate of (ten thousand souls annually. Minneapolis builds a great palace hotel at a cost of a million of dollars, and St. Paul follows with a like one. St. Paul gets glory out an Ice palace, and Minneapolis follows with something more substantial, a magnificent exposition building, of masonry, which was open while we were there, replete and full of Interest In all respects. In both cities could we mark the solid business appearances on all hands. But as already stated, we should have followed the predictions of others who have gone no further than these cities, and believed this all abnormal, but the great country around and beyond make It plain that generous rl vary and wonderful growth have very srbstanttal groundwork, and that the two or three hundred thousand population of both are but the prophecy of a great city to be. THE TRIP NORTHWEST. The St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad (mind you, where St. Paul is named In an enterprise, Minneapolis must be also), placed a special, well equipped train at our pleasure for this 750 miles trip by daylight. This branch of the road runs through central and northwestern Minnesota. The first hundred and forty miles Is "the park region" of the State, so named from the scores of beautiful lakes, intermingled with groves and skirts of timber. Many of these lakes have high banks, beautifully wooded, around which are some handsome farm homes, of rich and productive lands. Of oourse on a run by rail we could get but glimpses of the oountry here, but were told that it wj»s a fair sample of all that region of the State. In this part of Minnesota we of oourse saw wheat, but also some very good fields of oorn. Tbenos into the open prairie oountry lay our way for the balance of a rapid day's run. Soon tha Northern Pacific road Is passed at Glynden, and the waters of the tributaries of the Red river all flow to the north. Down the Red river of the north we speed, still in Minnesota, and at nearly dusk reach tbe city of Crookston, a four year's old town of 5,000 inhabitants, with its streets lighted with electricity, with water-works, a telephone system, banks, wholesale and jobbing houses in all lines, together with all the modern phases of our civilization, including the saloons and Norwegians—pardon, "sample rooms" It should be said, for these people are as polite as the older civilizations. Ou this last balf-day's run we had a most delightful diversion, in an hour's stop-off at the 7,000 acres farm of our genial and good friend, Mr. Springer Harbaugh, who accompanied the party on the whole trip. We had as well stop right here long enough to say that Mr. Hirbaugh, and Mr. J. A. Book waiter, two of Minnesota's best farm - ere, had arranged the trips for the party, and were from beginning to end, the two genial souls around whom all else on the excursion centered, as will be seen further on. Carriages and wagons were provided to carry the party out to the farm houses here, and a generous lunch was served at the dairy. The strong flow of an artesian well here, sending water all over the farm is sure prophecy of plenty of the very best water In that creat valley. The farm Is a handsome and productive one. All were served with samples of the superb hard spring wheat that had grown 20 bushels per acre; and here not a hundred miles from the Manatoba line, we noted a field of oorn right well eared, and vegetables equal to any to be seen elsewhere. Potatoes and other tuber and root crops seem to grow to perfection. We also noted some excellent oats fields, which would make 30 bushels or more per acre. We should have stated that the Crookston authorities very generously met tbe party with bands and carriages, to show their town and surroundings, and provided a good supper for all at their own expense, for nobody would take pay for anything. Twenty miles more and we reached the city of Grand Forks, in Dakota, so named from the confluence of Red Lake river with Red river. This Is a city of about five years, and six thousand inhabitants, situated on the left bank of Red river, which is navigable the year round here. The road crosses the river on a very fine and substantial Iron bridge. If the people of Minnesota had shown us most generous hospitality, it was plain that they had no monopoly of it, for we were again met here with bands of music.and carriages, and driven through streets lighted with electricity, and to good hotels for the night. Bright and early In the morning carriages were In readiness to show us the new ag ricultural fair grounds just completing for northern Dakota, the handsome Territorial University, and other public places and buildings. Just at the edge of the city, and in a beautiful grove on the banks of Red river, we saw the fine herds of Aberdeen Angus, and Hereford cattle belonging to Dr. C. J. Alio way. The Dr. has here built handsome barns, and will an- doubtly make a great success in stock- growing. In every way he is finely located. Before leaving this handsome and enterprising city of the north, It was plain that the party had been captured by Its hospitable people, and in the speeches and responses just before leaving, constituents of more than one recreant Congressman who voted against the admission of Dako ta as a State, denounoed his representative for unfatthtulneas ln this regard. And so In the bright sunshine of a northern Dakota morning, we start on THE TRIP^SODTH. On this day we were promised big wheat fields. The road runs up the Red river, not Immediately along it, but in the valley, which Is 200 miles long by I.jO miles wide. The soil Is anywhere from 20 to 100 feet ln depth. The land Is level or gently undulating over the whole valley, with mostly a black soil. We soon found wheat fields and wheat fields! The grain was in the shock, or being threshed therefrom. On either side of the road, much farther than the eye could reach were shocks of wheat. Fields are now estimated to make 14 bushels per acre, and now 18, and now 20, according as the shocks were thick on the ground. Now we run through a field of ten thousand acres of wheat, now one of twenty thousand, and thirty-five thousand. We accepted it all by faith, for It oould not all be seen; and before the day ended would have accepted anything to be rid of the wheat monotany, for one's eyes wearies In trying to take In thesituation, and from sheer exhaustion glad of the power to close them and shut out of view even Dakota wheat fields—the best wheat and fields in the world,—for the grain all grades No. 1 hard. We came up South (that sounds paradoxical but it is true) to Fargo and Moorehead, dining at the latter city, situ ated on Red river at the head of navigation. Here our train switched to the Northern Pacific tracks and we crossed the great valley to Casselton, where the Dsvlls Lsake branch of the Manatoba road Is Intersected. And so our run had been down toward the north on the Minnesota side of the great valley, up toward the South on the Dakota side, and across to tbe West. The reader can easily see that we had a food view of this country, and of its possi- ilitles. It Is new, and little attempt has been made to grow more than wheat, oats and vegetables. We saw some flourishing red clover, and believe that with small and early maturing oorn 20 bushels may be grown per acre. Timothy grass makes excellent pasture and hay, though It does not grow so tall as here. Of oourse If clover does well they can n o texhaustthesoil growing wheat, for the clover plant Is the great recuperator. In the run down to St. Paul from Casselton Is wheat, and wheat. By the middle of the afternoon we again find numerous lakes and groves and handsome, but smaller farms. And so passed our two days' trip by Bpecial train In the Red river country of Minnesota and Dakota. It Is a country that can bread the world when all under cultivation, if the mercury does get down to 50 degrees below zero, and hang at 40 during a good part of the winter. The people have Indomitable pluck, and who wouldn't have with such an Inducement. Such afflictions seem not joyous, but grievious, but they work the peaceable fruits of Industry, unto those who are exercised by them, and 40degrees requires exercise, and so here we see a happy, Industrious and prosperous people, where aches, rheumatism and like complaints are not known, for if It Is cold in winter, the atmosphere Is dry and pleasant. Here and there we saw cattle, but herds were not large nor numerous. Great Is northwestern Minnesota and Dakota, and Wheat Is their prophet. We oould write columns more but must desist. UP TO DULTJTH. Back again to St. Paul, and at the million dollars Hotel Ryan, with the brain dazed at what had been seen, and full of mental Indigestion, the trip is already planned for Duluth on Lake Superior, on another line of railway, 155 miles distant. The trip is made in daylight up, and back at night. The oountry has many lakes for the first hour or two; and then succeeds pine barrens, rocks and hills. The noted point on the trip up is the rapids of the St. Louis river, which puts into Lake Superior at Duluth. Out a few miles from the latter city Is a wonderful water power. We were told that a wealthy syndicate had bought all the lands touching the rapids, and would soon erect great mills and factories there. Duluth has evidences of thrift I had not expected to see. The mouth of the St. Louis river has been dredged till it affords a splendid harbor for large steamers, and here are eight very large grain elevators completed and completing. The city Itself Is on the. side of a hill over-looking the lake. The ground is not worse—indeed not so bad for building a city—as that on which Kansas City is built. We might have sneered at its pretensions bad we visited it before we did the teeming grain fields to the west which we have described, and through the heart of which runs the Northern Paeific road and terminates here. With what we have seen west of here, it is no great stretch to Bay Duluth must become a city of no mean trade and proportions. It won't be 20 years hence either. Indeed it is on the threshold of a boom, the like of which no city in the northwest bas seen. Proctor Knott's caricature is to be outdone ln the reality. There stands Duluth, at the head of Lake Superior. Look at It. Consider it as on the direct water line of the great grain fields of the world, more than three hundred miles by water nearer the seaboard than Chicago or any of her great grain rivals, so far as these fields are concerned. See her harbor filling rapidly with grain elevators and shipping. Suppose the hills are there. If they were ten times greater Duluth would grow, and must grow to a great city. The party was treated handsomely here by the Cham- bar of Commerce, the trip ending with a view by carriages, and a lake excursion. We have already mentioned the two genial gentlemen who planned both of these trips. There is here at Duluth a denouement before we return south. At St. Paul had been procured two handsome gold-headed canes, by the party, and in the hotel parlors, was the ceremony of presentation, which was a fit termination of the trips so well planned and executed by Mr. Harbaugh and Mr. Book waiter for the representatives of 27 States. GENERAL NOTES. Grain elevators are numerous on the railways in all that country. The average rainfall of Minnesota and Dakota is about 22 inches annually. Grand Forks and Crookston people boast that they are north of the cyclone belt. At Grand Forks, Dakota, we were told that wheat was selling at 65 cents per bushel. Wood was selling at two to three dollars per cord In Northern Minnesota and Dakota, in the Red River Valley. The year was a very dry one for the Northwest, but there were plenty of wheat fields which averaged 18 to 20 bushels per acre. The ladles of the party were from ten States, and notwithstanding the long and weary journey, were genial and bright to the last. The Minnesota State fair grounds contain over 100 acres of land, and the buildings and improvements are of the most substantial character. A people possessing such Intelligence, energy and enterprise as those of Dakota, deserve to be admitted into the Union of States without quibble or question. Minneapolis is the prettiest city In the Northwest, and its enterprise is unbounded. Why not, when ten thousand souls are added to the population each year. The Red river ice and snows at its source and in its tributaries melt and overflow its banks before the mouth of it at the north is thawed out. The fact is, the river flows up north. Coal has been found in this northwestern country, but the mines are not yet developed, and anthracite coal by way of Lake Superior and rail costs about what It does In Indianapolis. A delegate from Texas, (Mr. R. J. Sledge), with the party, after he had seen the West and Northwest, said that he would not have spent four years of his life In the rebel armies, If he had known the resources and energies of this country.
Object Description
Title | Indiana farmer, 1886, v. 21, no. 38 (Sept. 18) |
Purdue Identification Number | INFA2138 |
Date of Original | 1886 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | United States - Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or not-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Date Digitized | 2011-03-21 |
Digitization Information | Original scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or non-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Digitization Information | Orignal scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Transcript | 1 VOL XXI. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., SATURDAY, SEPT. 18,1886. NO 38 TRIP TO THE NORTHWEST. The Rett River Valley and Its Productions. Ky J. B. C. One gets an indistinct idea at best of a country by reading only. It required to be seen to fully comprehend its extent and possibilities. We had read much of the great wheat producing regions of the north west, and had come to consider it pretty vast. But the delegates to the Farmers' National Congress, held at St. Paul the last days of August, were Invited to see that country on the adjournment of the body, and representatives from 27 States availed themselves of the opportunity. THE TWIN CITIES. Preliminary to mention of the trips and country we traversed, reference is due to the singularly, prosperous and growing twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. They are situated ten miles apart, but it will not be so in ten years more. Tbey compromised on permanently locating the State fair grounds midway between them, which is reached from each by several lines of road: and there, within eight or ten years they will meet, practically become one city, and lay down their generous rivalry to excel in population. They are now marvels of growth and business prosperity. If our trip had been cut short with a visit to tbem alone, we might have concluded that it was a bauble soon to burst; but when we are done, the reader like ourselves, will see differently. Aside from the great, growing and inexhaustible oountry north and west, of which these cities are the base of supply, there is a philosophy which in some measure underline and is the secret of this prosperity. Surround one with ever so much rich resource for wealth aDd prosperity, without impelling motive, and nothing Is utilized. And so it is with communities. But here are two cities within arm's reach of each other, with their great rival railways reaching each, their manufacturing and commercial industries reaching out in all directions. One does not take an important step of advantage that does not at onoe send tingling through the nerves of the other equal or greater conceptions of their possibilities. And so under such conditions of rivalry the very best phases of nmmercial and industrial expansion is seen here. With it all is seen and felt the consciousness of the solid country to the W43st and North, to sustain it, for the people are bright and intelligent as well as plucky. We need not mention the great flour and lumber interests located here, for our readers are advised as to these. We ware told that each ef these cities were increasing in population at the rate of (ten thousand souls annually. Minneapolis builds a great palace hotel at a cost of a million of dollars, and St. Paul follows with a like one. St. Paul gets glory out an Ice palace, and Minneapolis follows with something more substantial, a magnificent exposition building, of masonry, which was open while we were there, replete and full of Interest In all respects. In both cities could we mark the solid business appearances on all hands. But as already stated, we should have followed the predictions of others who have gone no further than these cities, and believed this all abnormal, but the great country around and beyond make It plain that generous rl vary and wonderful growth have very srbstanttal groundwork, and that the two or three hundred thousand population of both are but the prophecy of a great city to be. THE TRIP NORTHWEST. The St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad (mind you, where St. Paul is named In an enterprise, Minneapolis must be also), placed a special, well equipped train at our pleasure for this 750 miles trip by daylight. This branch of the road runs through central and northwestern Minnesota. The first hundred and forty miles Is "the park region" of the State, so named from the scores of beautiful lakes, intermingled with groves and skirts of timber. Many of these lakes have high banks, beautifully wooded, around which are some handsome farm homes, of rich and productive lands. Of oourse on a run by rail we could get but glimpses of the oountry here, but were told that it wj»s a fair sample of all that region of the State. In this part of Minnesota we of oourse saw wheat, but also some very good fields of oorn. Tbenos into the open prairie oountry lay our way for the balance of a rapid day's run. Soon tha Northern Pacific road Is passed at Glynden, and the waters of the tributaries of the Red river all flow to the north. Down the Red river of the north we speed, still in Minnesota, and at nearly dusk reach tbe city of Crookston, a four year's old town of 5,000 inhabitants, with its streets lighted with electricity, with water-works, a telephone system, banks, wholesale and jobbing houses in all lines, together with all the modern phases of our civilization, including the saloons and Norwegians—pardon, "sample rooms" It should be said, for these people are as polite as the older civilizations. Ou this last balf-day's run we had a most delightful diversion, in an hour's stop-off at the 7,000 acres farm of our genial and good friend, Mr. Springer Harbaugh, who accompanied the party on the whole trip. We had as well stop right here long enough to say that Mr. Hirbaugh, and Mr. J. A. Book waiter, two of Minnesota's best farm - ere, had arranged the trips for the party, and were from beginning to end, the two genial souls around whom all else on the excursion centered, as will be seen further on. Carriages and wagons were provided to carry the party out to the farm houses here, and a generous lunch was served at the dairy. The strong flow of an artesian well here, sending water all over the farm is sure prophecy of plenty of the very best water In that creat valley. The farm Is a handsome and productive one. All were served with samples of the superb hard spring wheat that had grown 20 bushels per acre; and here not a hundred miles from the Manatoba line, we noted a field of oorn right well eared, and vegetables equal to any to be seen elsewhere. Potatoes and other tuber and root crops seem to grow to perfection. We also noted some excellent oats fields, which would make 30 bushels or more per acre. We should have stated that the Crookston authorities very generously met tbe party with bands and carriages, to show their town and surroundings, and provided a good supper for all at their own expense, for nobody would take pay for anything. Twenty miles more and we reached the city of Grand Forks, in Dakota, so named from the confluence of Red Lake river with Red river. This Is a city of about five years, and six thousand inhabitants, situated on the left bank of Red river, which is navigable the year round here. The road crosses the river on a very fine and substantial Iron bridge. If the people of Minnesota had shown us most generous hospitality, it was plain that they had no monopoly of it, for we were again met here with bands of music.and carriages, and driven through streets lighted with electricity, and to good hotels for the night. Bright and early In the morning carriages were In readiness to show us the new ag ricultural fair grounds just completing for northern Dakota, the handsome Territorial University, and other public places and buildings. Just at the edge of the city, and in a beautiful grove on the banks of Red river, we saw the fine herds of Aberdeen Angus, and Hereford cattle belonging to Dr. C. J. Alio way. The Dr. has here built handsome barns, and will an- doubtly make a great success in stock- growing. In every way he is finely located. Before leaving this handsome and enterprising city of the north, It was plain that the party had been captured by Its hospitable people, and in the speeches and responses just before leaving, constituents of more than one recreant Congressman who voted against the admission of Dako ta as a State, denounoed his representative for unfatthtulneas ln this regard. And so In the bright sunshine of a northern Dakota morning, we start on THE TRIP^SODTH. On this day we were promised big wheat fields. The road runs up the Red river, not Immediately along it, but in the valley, which Is 200 miles long by I.jO miles wide. The soil Is anywhere from 20 to 100 feet ln depth. The land Is level or gently undulating over the whole valley, with mostly a black soil. We soon found wheat fields and wheat fields! The grain was in the shock, or being threshed therefrom. On either side of the road, much farther than the eye could reach were shocks of wheat. Fields are now estimated to make 14 bushels per acre, and now 18, and now 20, according as the shocks were thick on the ground. Now we run through a field of ten thousand acres of wheat, now one of twenty thousand, and thirty-five thousand. We accepted it all by faith, for It oould not all be seen; and before the day ended would have accepted anything to be rid of the wheat monotany, for one's eyes wearies In trying to take In thesituation, and from sheer exhaustion glad of the power to close them and shut out of view even Dakota wheat fields—the best wheat and fields in the world,—for the grain all grades No. 1 hard. We came up South (that sounds paradoxical but it is true) to Fargo and Moorehead, dining at the latter city, situ ated on Red river at the head of navigation. Here our train switched to the Northern Pacific tracks and we crossed the great valley to Casselton, where the Dsvlls Lsake branch of the Manatoba road Is Intersected. And so our run had been down toward the north on the Minnesota side of the great valley, up toward the South on the Dakota side, and across to tbe West. The reader can easily see that we had a food view of this country, and of its possi- ilitles. It Is new, and little attempt has been made to grow more than wheat, oats and vegetables. We saw some flourishing red clover, and believe that with small and early maturing oorn 20 bushels may be grown per acre. Timothy grass makes excellent pasture and hay, though It does not grow so tall as here. Of oourse If clover does well they can n o texhaustthesoil growing wheat, for the clover plant Is the great recuperator. In the run down to St. Paul from Casselton Is wheat, and wheat. By the middle of the afternoon we again find numerous lakes and groves and handsome, but smaller farms. And so passed our two days' trip by Bpecial train In the Red river country of Minnesota and Dakota. It Is a country that can bread the world when all under cultivation, if the mercury does get down to 50 degrees below zero, and hang at 40 during a good part of the winter. The people have Indomitable pluck, and who wouldn't have with such an Inducement. Such afflictions seem not joyous, but grievious, but they work the peaceable fruits of Industry, unto those who are exercised by them, and 40degrees requires exercise, and so here we see a happy, Industrious and prosperous people, where aches, rheumatism and like complaints are not known, for if It Is cold in winter, the atmosphere Is dry and pleasant. Here and there we saw cattle, but herds were not large nor numerous. Great Is northwestern Minnesota and Dakota, and Wheat Is their prophet. We oould write columns more but must desist. UP TO DULTJTH. Back again to St. Paul, and at the million dollars Hotel Ryan, with the brain dazed at what had been seen, and full of mental Indigestion, the trip is already planned for Duluth on Lake Superior, on another line of railway, 155 miles distant. The trip is made in daylight up, and back at night. The oountry has many lakes for the first hour or two; and then succeeds pine barrens, rocks and hills. The noted point on the trip up is the rapids of the St. Louis river, which puts into Lake Superior at Duluth. Out a few miles from the latter city Is a wonderful water power. We were told that a wealthy syndicate had bought all the lands touching the rapids, and would soon erect great mills and factories there. Duluth has evidences of thrift I had not expected to see. The mouth of the St. Louis river has been dredged till it affords a splendid harbor for large steamers, and here are eight very large grain elevators completed and completing. The city Itself Is on the. side of a hill over-looking the lake. The ground is not worse—indeed not so bad for building a city—as that on which Kansas City is built. We might have sneered at its pretensions bad we visited it before we did the teeming grain fields to the west which we have described, and through the heart of which runs the Northern Paeific road and terminates here. With what we have seen west of here, it is no great stretch to Bay Duluth must become a city of no mean trade and proportions. It won't be 20 years hence either. Indeed it is on the threshold of a boom, the like of which no city in the northwest bas seen. Proctor Knott's caricature is to be outdone ln the reality. There stands Duluth, at the head of Lake Superior. Look at It. Consider it as on the direct water line of the great grain fields of the world, more than three hundred miles by water nearer the seaboard than Chicago or any of her great grain rivals, so far as these fields are concerned. See her harbor filling rapidly with grain elevators and shipping. Suppose the hills are there. If they were ten times greater Duluth would grow, and must grow to a great city. The party was treated handsomely here by the Cham- bar of Commerce, the trip ending with a view by carriages, and a lake excursion. We have already mentioned the two genial gentlemen who planned both of these trips. There is here at Duluth a denouement before we return south. At St. Paul had been procured two handsome gold-headed canes, by the party, and in the hotel parlors, was the ceremony of presentation, which was a fit termination of the trips so well planned and executed by Mr. Harbaugh and Mr. Book waiter for the representatives of 27 States. GENERAL NOTES. Grain elevators are numerous on the railways in all that country. The average rainfall of Minnesota and Dakota is about 22 inches annually. Grand Forks and Crookston people boast that they are north of the cyclone belt. At Grand Forks, Dakota, we were told that wheat was selling at 65 cents per bushel. Wood was selling at two to three dollars per cord In Northern Minnesota and Dakota, in the Red River Valley. The year was a very dry one for the Northwest, but there were plenty of wheat fields which averaged 18 to 20 bushels per acre. The ladles of the party were from ten States, and notwithstanding the long and weary journey, were genial and bright to the last. The Minnesota State fair grounds contain over 100 acres of land, and the buildings and improvements are of the most substantial character. A people possessing such Intelligence, energy and enterprise as those of Dakota, deserve to be admitted into the Union of States without quibble or question. Minneapolis is the prettiest city In the Northwest, and its enterprise is unbounded. Why not, when ten thousand souls are added to the population each year. The Red river ice and snows at its source and in its tributaries melt and overflow its banks before the mouth of it at the north is thawed out. The fact is, the river flows up north. Coal has been found in this northwestern country, but the mines are not yet developed, and anthracite coal by way of Lake Superior and rail costs about what It does In Indianapolis. A delegate from Texas, (Mr. R. J. Sledge), with the party, after he had seen the West and Northwest, said that he would not have spent four years of his life In the rebel armies, If he had known the resources and energies of this country. |
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