Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - X. The Importance of the Scandinavian Element—A Swede Elected Secretary of State in Minnesota—False Rumors of Indian Depredations—The Northern Pacific Railroad is Built—Trip to Philadelphia—The National Convention at Indianapolis—Delegation to Washington—A Swedish Colony in Mississippi Moved to Minnesota—The Second Voyage to Europe
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IS 120.2
Story of an Emigrant.
nient by the company as local land agent at Rush City, in
which position he remained many years. He is now
president of the bank at that place, being married as before
stated, to my niece, the little Zelma, whom the Indian
squaws were so fond of playing with in the old log cabin.
The little colony from Mississippi hascertainly demonstrated
that the northern climate is bv far the best for the northern
people. They had left Sweden strong, robust and hopeful
men and women ; after having stayed one year in the South
they arrived in Minnesota pale, poor and broken down,
lacking strength and energy, and almost without hope.
The railroad company acted most generously towards
them. It built them comfortable houses, furnished an
abundance of provisions, cooking utensils and other
necessaries; they gave the men employment at liberal wages as
soon as they were able to work, and yet many of those very
people growled and complained because we did not do more
for them. I remember distinctly how one of the women,
when her share of groceries and provisions arrived, was
perfectly indignant because there was only granulated sugar,
and she had always been "used to drink coffee with lump
sugar in Sweden." This bad trait among newly arrived
emigrants from any country is very common, gratitude and
contentment being exceptional the first year or two, as all
will testify who have had anything to do with them. It
really seems that the more that is done for them the less
satisfied they are. I am glad to say, however, that after a few
years they get over this bad fault, and so did the little party
from Mississippi, most of whom have all of late years
re-pentcd and even apologized for their former folly and
ingratitude. They formed the nucleus of the large Swedish
settlement west of Rush City, now one of the most prosperous in
the state.
After the close of the legislature in the spring of 1871
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