The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-08-16
THE PIONEER.
MONDAY. AUGUST 10, ls4



want Of full and definite information about
it. is the only reason we have not yet at
tempted to describe the Falls and to set forth
the unrivalled advantages Of that locality
for business. Here II is, that after pro-
gress of four hundred miles from above,
through channel ia which no Instructions
occur to steamboat navigation worth men,
tioning, that the whole volume of the Mis-
sissippi pours down in a PERCEPTIONS sheet
from bench of limestone rock, to the depth
of eighteen or twenty feet. Of the sublim-
ity of the Falls we will not now speak; al
though in this respect the cataract Of St.
Anthony is but little less wonderful than
that of Niagara. The roar of this immense
volume of falling water is often distinctly
audible at St. Paul, a distance of eight miles,
and probably at Il much greater distance.
Some one said that men could make towns,
but it took God to make the Falls. At any
rate it is an admirable piece Of workman
ship. The shores along the Falls present
the same beautiful appearance Of benches,
table lands, and swelling hills, interspersed
with groves, that characterize the features
OF the land along the river for some distance
above and below the Falls.
THE WATER POWER.
At distance of more than half mile
above the Falls, the stream becomes very
rapid, and is divided by an island planted
upon base of rock and crowned with trees
This island runs parallel TO the east shore
at distance from that shore of about fif-
teen rods, and extends below the Fails. 1t
is by extending a strong dam, fastened into
the ledge ut the bottom with immense iron
bolts. from the foot of this island to the east
shore, that the hydraulic power of the river
N hlfh has
that an engineer would ever have occasion
to compute, and which may still he doubled
by constructing another slight dam few
rods below the upper dam, across the brow
Of another bench of rocks, over which the
water, after being once used, falls tn the
perpendicular depth of about twelve or fiji
teen fee,. From the upper end Of the island
a boom is constructed to near the opposite
shore, SO as 10 turn the mill logs when driv-
en-, into the mill pond, on the east side of
the island. Near the head of this island,
will he the landing tor steamboats, in the
trade above the Falls, and of course. the
point for terminating railroad to connect
with the navigable waters of the river he
low. very large saw mill is erected, ca
pab!e of making two millions of lumber per
annum; and another mill of the mos. sub
stantial and thorough description, is in The
process Of erection. Ii is the plan of the
proprietors to erect mills enough to employ
eighteen or twenty saws. beside using all
the water that may be wanted for other ma
chinery. Lumber, for the present, will be
the leading interest. The saws went into
operation last autumn, and have had no rest
since, night or day, except Sundays, and the
demand for lumber at the Falls and at St.
Paul, has not nearly been supplied. There
will not be supply for years, however
many mills may be built, to keep pace with
the growth of Minnesota, and our wants for
building and fencing materials.
THE PINERY.
Nor is there any ground to apprehend a
want Of mill logs; for between the Falls of
St. Anthony and the Pokagomon Fa!is-an-
other St. Anthony. 400 miles north-is a
vast body Of pine timber, perhaps the most
extensive liz the world, into which the axe
has vet made no inroads. This region of
pines is watered ly the Crow Wing river,
The Rabbit, The Pine Leech Lake, and
many other streams, and embosoms in its
sombre shades of evergreen trees, Wmni-
pic Lake, Cass Lake. Leech Lake, Polka
gomon Lake, and many other fine sheets of
water; and is intersper>ed with many tracts
of fine rich lands which are destined to be
cultivated aud inhabited by our countrymen.
NAVIGATION ABOVE THE FALLS
. From the Falls of St. Anthony to Sank
Rapids, the Fur Company have already
opened navigation. Boats have been con-
siructed this season, under the direction of
Mr. Rice, for towing. A tow path has
been prepared. and a boat towed by two
horses, has made several trips, loaded each
fis,se with 100 barrels of flour. Mr.. Rice
rfhinks the steamboat Senator could run the
same trip. and could run even as far as Po-
kagomon Falls. At any rate, the only OBJ
structiou is a few houlders at Sank Rapids,
which could easily he removed in low
water. II. the experiment which is about
TO be made of running boats above the St.
Peters 10 the foot of the Falls should sue
.eeed, there will I've only an interruption Of a
mile or two then, to Pokagomon Falls. 3
- scEEERY, &C.
The beauty of scenery at St. Anthony