Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-08-08
A Trip to the Falls.
TO the Editor Of the PhGnin:
DuRuouE. June d. 1915


DEAR SIR :-Agreeably to your request,
herewith give you some hasty notes of a
recent visit to st. Peters and the Falls of ST.
Anthony. / embarked at this place on
Thursday the 10Th inst, in the steamer St.
Croix, at one o'clock p NJ, and found on
board party of gentlemen and ladies' from
different States, including several acquaint-
ances from Galena. At daylight next morn
ing we were awakened by the ringing Of the
bell on our arrival at the village of Cassvlle,
w. L. The site of this town is very fine
and it was once expected to be place of
considerable Importance. Under this inn
preston, and during the time of the great
land and town lot speculations, very large
brick hotel was projected here in true city
style, la Astor House 1t was never how
ever fully completed, but stands very prom
inent object, opposite the landing, unoccu-
pied, a monument of the wild mania of the
day What pity that Galena does not pos
sess it, You might exchange all your no.
tells and taverns for it, and be gamers there
BY. The town is not increasing.
The next point that attracted our attention
was Prairie la Porte, on the opposite side Of
the river, and some miles above once the
seat of Justice of Clayton County, Iowa.
The town site has been purchased during the
past year, by German colony from Ohio
and Pennsylvania, and is by them called
Guttemburgh. 1t is pleasantly situated, and
may become place of some little impor-
lance The country around it, watered by
the Turkey river, is very fine for agrcultu-
raj purposes, and is beginning to be. consid-
erably settled
About noon we reached the beautiful town
ofPrarie du Chen, the comfy seat of Craw-
ford County, w. T., situated on an extern
sive prairie, and surrounded by the most de-
lightful scenery. 1t is divided into three
villages, called the upper and lower, and
old French towns. The latter contains n
large warehouse belonging to the American
Fur Company, but the upper town is the
principal seat of business. Here is very
large Roman Catholic Church, built Of stone
but unfinished. Between the upper and
lower town stands Fort Crawford, garrisoned
BY company ofU S. soldiers, delightfully."-
situated, and commanding an extensive view
of the river. The boat remained here long
enough for us to visit the fort, aud admire
the surrounding scenery.
Above this place the scenery becomes
even more picturesque and beautiful than
before. High irregular bluffs hem in the
mighty river, against whose powerful cur
rent the majestic steamboat urges its way,
while here and there rugged and towering
rocks are seen projecting themselves from
the midst of luxuriant growth OF vegeta-
ton, and which the imagination easily con-
verts into the ruins of ancient castles.
Our next landing place was Prairie lie
Croix or the Wisconsin side, where are a
few houses, situated on the edge Of beauti-
ful prairie, as the name indicates, and which
is destined at some future day TO be the site
of an important town. Few situations can
be found more eligible or pleasant and by
some Of our fellow passengers it was selected
as the best location for town on our whole
route. Here we frs! saw Indians, in their
native dress, and they of course attracted no
little attention. No sooner had the boat
touched the landing, than all the passengers
eagerly rushed ashore to gain nearer view
of the strangers One, was standing ''soli-
tary and alone," leaning upon post OF the
fence. neatly dressed in Indian costume,
moccasins, and red leggins with tasteful
bead garters, blanket, &C., and apparently
musing upon the scene, although manifest
ing not the least emotion, but maintaining
the imperturable gravity which characterises
his race, on almost all occasions. He
speedily shfunk away from the curious gaze
of the ''pale faces" who crowded towards
him. He was evidently one of the better
class of natives, not yet entirely ruined by
contact with the whites. Soon, however
another, and far different specimen of abo
riginal humanity made its appearance. On
him, evidently the cursed "6re water" hac
done its work. He had a stupid look, was
sovenly in his dress. and cared for nothing
but to procure whiskey from the boat. i
was melancholy to find that all he had learn
ed of the English language, was just enough
to express his burning thirst for the bane o
his race. "Whiskey hungry" was all hi
could say, and these words he continued t(
repeat as the boat pushed of, until his voice
was lost in the distance,
Soon after leaving the shore, discovered
that the first named Indian was on board
having taken passage for his own village
which was some distance further up a
Aailed myself of the opportunity to learn
from him something more of Indian charac
ter and manners. He seemed to be intell
gent, although we could only communicate
with each other by signs. MANY articles Of