The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-08-16
THE MINNESOTA PIONEER
St. paul, Alinnesota,
The River st. Croix and its Towns.

The River st. Croix and its Towns.
This stream, celebrated for the manufac-
ture of pine lumber, forms the boundary line
on the East side of the Mississippi river,
between Wisconsin and Minnesota. The
sources Of the St. Croix and of its tributa-
ries, penetrate the wide expanse of swamps
and plains covered with pine forests, ex-
tending from the western shore Of lake SUE
perior to the ridge Of highlands dividing its
waters from the tributaries of the Mississi p
pi on the West. These vast solitudes, arc
yet mostly in the undisturbed possession of
the savages; but have been impeifectly ex-
plored by hunters and voyageurs. We shall
now describe more particularly than we yet
have described, the lower St. Croix. On
the morning of the 10th Of August, the
steamboat Highland Mary No. 2, John
Atchison, master, entered the mouth of the
St. Croix, with, probably, one hundred pas
sengers on board, nearly all OF whom were
making the excursion, for the sake of seeing
the wonders ofthe St. Croix river. Amongst
the passengers, were Mr. Hertzeil, Of Point
Douglass, Judge Meeker, of our second ju-
dical District, Judge Cooper, of the third
judicial District, Judge Jackson, of Wis
consin, MIR. Nelson, Of Saltwater, MIR.
Moss, U. S. Attorney, MIR. Burkleo and MIR.
LOOMS, of the Council, Capt. Garrison,
Capt. Chrysup, Maj. Stuart, U. S. A., and
many other gentlemen of distinction, whose
names do not at this moment occur to U.S.
Passing rapidly through the lake, thirty
miles, we reached Saltwater, near the head
of the lake. The country is surprisingly
beautiful OH both sides, being prairie along
the shores, while at a greater distance, the
land rises in gradual slopes and is covered
with q scattering growth of oaks. Here
and there farm is seen; but the most of
the lands are not yet even claimed.
On the Wisconsin shore, a few miles be-
low Saltwater, is Willow River, the county
seat Of st. Croix county, " isconsin. 1t is
charming spot for town, upon Il beauti-
full slOping bench, overlooking the lake.
The lands in the rear of the village for an
extent of forty miles and for many miles up
and down the St. Croix, are equal 10 the
choicest lands in Wisconsin or Illinois, aud
are nearly all subject to entry. No spot offers
greater inducements for the immigration OF
farmers. Or where can more productive
lands be found than the whole of that rich
peninsula between the St. CroiX and the
Mississippi river? Here is this very High
land Mary with 1900 bushels of Indian corn
Oh board from below to supply lumbermen
on the St. Croix at, say 80 cents per bushel,
when corn can be raised at least as cheap,
along the shores of this river, as any where
else in the worId-yes, cheaper; for those
who raise corn here, have no sickness to
combat aud no doctors bills to pay. Here
is Saltwater, as fresh as a 70 sc in flower
pot. Here is the salient point OF numbering
operations on the st. Croix, and the county
seat of St. Croix county, in Minnesota
Here are McCusick's mills, propelled by al
overshot wheel, thirty feet in diameter, 10y q
small stream from the bluff. From here to
St. Paul OH the Mississippi river, by land, il
is eighteen mies-by the rivers, sixty miles
Our boat is off again from Saltwater. Pass
mile and we are at the head Of the lake.
Here enters the st. Croix river, by several
mouths; through one of these, i'll narrow
channel we pass up. Steamboats, seldom
try navigation here. The river is every
where divided by islands into number oil
streams. Now we pass batteaux, navi-
gated by lumberman bound up stream
In the night,w pass the Arcola mills, owned
by Moore aud brother. Four miles higher
up, we come to the Marine mills, under the
direction Of MIR. Orange Walker, one Of
the prOprietors. These mills and the houses
and property thereunto appurtenant, wert
built by five enterprising men, with no CAPT.
tai but their own untiring industry. The
property is considered to be worth $50 600
The mills are propelled by small stream
falling upon ii large oyershet wheei.~The
buildings here, include several good houses
extending up the ravine made by the mil
stream; and begin to look like quite smart
village. Having discharged few hundr ed
bushels of corn, we left again, for the fall:
of st. CrOix; but soon found the Highland
Mary struggling upon "A sand bar; which she
crossed over after many struggles. Here
the shores are abrupt and are covered witt
forest trees-on we go-creation here con
siderably tumbled up-quits primitive
looking country. Another sand bar. The
Highland Mary has danced upon it now
until she is tired. Several hundred bags Of
cOr0, destined for the falls, are landed upon
the shore, piled up and covered with barge
hIanRofs IN tha.