Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/323

 HISTORY 01 G00DH1 !•: C01 TY 263 Location, Smith, with his rude- enthusiasm, told them thai he had jusl the spot for, them; that the place where they now were was the promised land. He expatiated upon the fad that the center of the valley was just the place for a town; thai there was an abundance of vacanl land all around; pointed out the further fact that thai particular point was the natural center of travel from St. Paul to Dubuque, Wabasha to Faribault, and Red Wing to Mantorville, and other points to the southwest which made Red Wine- their shipping point. But our travelers were too weary and discouraged to listen to Smith's suggestions and propo- sitions. Samuel Chaffee, one of the three, an elderly man, was not only weary hut sick. It was with difficulty that he could travel at all. lie reached Red Wine the next day and died a few- days after. As the trio ascended the northern slope of the val- ley Mr. Chaffee, in his weak condition, sat down to rest. Turn- ing his eyes toward the river, as the sun was casting its last rays upon the landscape, the view thai met his uaze was one of un- equalled beauty. So impressed was he that he called out to his associates to stop and look at the landscape as he was doing. At firsl they chided him for delaying their progress, but at his solicitation they returned to his side. He exclaimed to them, 'How beautiful' Why is not that the spot we have been looking for?' His companions became interested also. As the shadows of evening began to fall the three men arose with a profound conviction that the beautiful valley before them was their Canaan. It continued to be the theme of their conversation while picking their way along the faint wagon tracks on the prairie, and at their lodging place. During the next day. with more hope than they had felt before, they made their way to Red Wing — Goddard and Bailey w^eak and footsore, Chaffee sick unto death. At Red Wing they found several of their associates awaiting them. They reported what they had found in the val- ley of the Zumbro. It was resolved by all of them that the place should be visited the next day. The other members of the party were Josiah Thompson. T. P. Kellett, Albert Barrett and Dr. Ira Perry. On the following morning, leaving Goddard to take care of his sick companion, Chaffee, the others chartered a conveyance and repaired to the valley of promise. It Avas afternoon when they came in sight of it. The whole party were in ecstasies over the view that met their eyes, and all with one accord exclaimed that it w T as the place for which they had been seeking for so long. "They were soon in conference with Smith and Doty. The 100 acres preempted by Doty was negotiated for at a low price, each retaining an interest with the company, which was denomi-