"Which is the best way to go?"
You will find either of the great trunk railroads leading westward comfortable routes, and their rates of fare do not greatly vary.
"Do you think that the State will have a rapid development?"
If the past is any criterion for the future, its growth will be unparalleled. Twenty years only have passed since it was organized as a Territory. The population in 1850 was 5,330; in 1860 it was 172,022; in 1865, by the State census, 250,099. The census of 1870 will give more than half a million. The tide of emigration is stronger at the present time than it ever has been before, and the construction of the various railroads, the liberal policy of the State, its munificent school-fund, the richness of the lands, the abundance of pure, fresh water, the delightful climate, the situation of the State in connection with the transcontinental line of railway, altogether will give Minnesota rapid advancement. Of the Northwest as of a pumpkin-vine during the hot days and warm nights of midsummer, we may say that we can almost see it grow! Look at the increase of wealth as represented by real and personal estates:—
| 1850 | $806,437 |
| 1855 | 10,424,157 |
| 1860 | 36,753,408 |
| 1865 | 45,127,318 |
| 1868 | 75,795,366 |
From the report of the Assistant Secretary of State made to the Legislature in January, 1870, we have the following facts:—
| Total tilled acres, | 1,690,000 |
| Value of real estate, | $ 120,000,000 |
| " " personal property, | 65,000,000 |
| " " live stock, | 15,561,887 |
| " " agricultural productions, | 25,000,000 |
| " " annual manufactures, | 11,000,000 |
| Amount of school-fund, | 2,371,199 |
Not only is Minnesota to have a rapid development, but Dakota as well. Civilization is advancing up the Missouri. Emigrants are moving on through Yankton and taking possession of the rich lands of that section, and the present year will see the more northern tide pouring into the Red River Valley, which Professor Hind called the Paradise of the Northwest.