Minnesota; Its Character and Climate Likewise Sketches of Other Resorts Favorable to Invalids; Together With Copious Notes on Health; Also Hints to Tourists and Emigrants.   By: Ledyard Bill

MINNESOTA;

ITS CHARACTER AND CLIMATE.

LIKEWISE

SKETCHES OF OTHER RESORTS FAVORABLE TO INVALIDS; TOGETHER WITH COPIOUS NOTES ON HEALTH;

ALSO

HINTS TO TOURISTS AND EMIGRANTS.

BY LEDYARD BILL,

Author of "A Winter in Florida" etc., etc.

1871.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,

BY LEDYARD BILL,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

TO

MY NIECES

THIS VOLUME OF SKETCHES

IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

BY THE AUTHOR

PREFACE.

By general consent Minnesota has enjoyed a superior reputation for climate, soil, and scenery beyond that of any other State in the Union, with, perhaps, a single exception.

The real ground of this pre eminence, especially in climate, has not been well understood, owing, probably, in part, to the slight acquaintance with the general features and characteristics of the State itself, and, in part, to that want of attention which the subject of climatology and its effects on the health of mankind has deserved.

Lying to the north of the heretofore customary lines of travel, the State has been visited by few comparatively, except those whose immediate interests necessitated it, and even they have gleaned but an imperfect knowledge of either the climate or of the unusual beauty and interest which so distinguish Minnesota from all other Western States.

Instead of the low, level, treeless plain usually associated with one's ideas of the West, there is the high, rolling country, extending many miles back from the eastern frontier, while the general elevation of the State is upward of one thousand feet above the sea abounding in pleasant and fertile valleys, large and valuable forests, together with many beautiful lakes, nearly all of which are filled with the purest of water and with great numbers of the finest fish.

While the attractions of Minnesota for the tourist and emigrant have been duly considered in these pages, those of the climate for the invalid have received especial consideration, and we have added such hints and suggestions as circumstances seemed to demand; together with observations on other localities and climates favorable to pulmonic complaints.

BROOKLYN, N.Y., 1871.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

LEADING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STATE.

The water system of the State. Its pure atmosphere. Violations of hygienic laws. A mixed population. General features of the country. Intelligence of the population. The bountiful harvests. Geographical advantages.

CHAPTER II.

THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.

The source of the river. The importance of rivers to governments as well as commerce. Their binding force among peoples. The rapids at Keokuk. Railroad and steamboat travelling contrasted. Points at which travellers may take steamers. Characteristics of Western steamboats. Pleasuring on the Upper Mississippi. The scenery and its attractions.

CHAPTER III.

RIVER TOWNS.

Brownsville, the first town. The city of La Crosse. Victoria and Albert Bluffs. Trempeleau and Mountain Island. The city of Winona. Its name and origin. The Winona and St. Peters Railroad The Air Line Railroad. Her educational interests. Advancement of the West. The towns of Wabasha and Reed's Landing. Lake Pepin and Maiden's Rock. Romantic story. An old fort. Lake City and Frontenac. Red Wing and Hastings. Red Rock.

CHAPTER IV.

ST. PAUL.

As seen from the deck of the steamer. The pleasant surprise it gives the visitor. Impressions regarding new places. The beauties of the city. The limestone caves. Père Louis Hennepin. The population of St. Paul. Its public buildings and works. A park wanted. The geological structure of the country. St. Paul, the Capital city. Its railroad connections. The head of navigation. Impressions.

CHAPTER V.

CLIMATE.