Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/215

 EISTOKY OF GOODHUE COUNT! 163 this property came into the hands of Henry Thompson, who re- built the main pari of stone and greatly improved it. The Exchange House was built in the fall of 1866 by Peter Gravlin and Christopher Benway. Benway sold his share the following spring to Charles Brown, and the house was run by Gravlin and Brown as the "New England" house. They sold out to John Williams in JS74. and he in turn to Helstrum and Riddell. David Piatt bought it in June L875, and gave it the name of i'latt House. The Cannon Falls "Beacon" is the outgrowth of the Cannon Falls "Gazette." The "Gazette" was started by R. M. Hamline in July, 1856. After fifteen months it was purchased by Mr. Hatch, who after a year sold it to the Hoag Bros. The Hoag Bros, changed the name to Cannon Falls "Bulletin." A year later the paper was removed to Northfield. Cannon Falls was without a paper until June, 1874, when .Ah'. Bromwick started the "Echo." This paper lived a year. August 4, 1876, John A. Leonard started the Cannon Falls "Beacon," and continued it until July 6, 1877, when he sold out to O. T. Jones and C. A. Cook. April 5, 1878. Mr. Jones purchased his partner's inter- ests, and on May 27, 1878, sold a half interest to L. C. McKenney. In May, 1880, S. S. Lewis bought an interest with Jones, Mr. McKenney having retired. Mr. Lewis conducted the "Beacon" till the summer of 1901, when he sold it to Joe Brynildsen, who, in December, 1903, sold it to the present publisher, John C. Apple- gate. The "Beacon" is Republican in politics and occupies a prominent place in the state press. Cannon Falls has probably never been more prosperous than at present. All of its industries are in operation and all labor employed at good wages, and the outlook for its continued pros- perity is most nattering. Notwithstanding the many new houses built in the city of late years, there are no vacant houses, and one of the pressing needs is a number of dwelling houses at mod- erate rental. The city is replacing the old wood and iron bridge across the Big Cannon at Third street with a new steel and con- crete structure at a cost of $10,000. The extension of the water system to residence streets h as- encouraged the home-making spirit, and a general tidying up and beautifying of home places has resulted. The si reels in resident portions have been narrowed and bordered by boulevards and grass plots. There are practically no wooden sidewalks in the city, they having been replaced by modern cement walks, while cement street crossings are replacing the old ilagstone. The principal enterprises of Cannon Falls are as follows: Hardware— H. A. Van Campen is the oldest dealer in implements and vehicles in the city, having been agent for the McCormick