The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-02-13
DAKOTA
Mend IA, Feb. s, 1850.

whites lich is not the case.
DAKOTA.
Mend IA, Feb. s, 1850.
rC,- The following interesting and reiia-
Sie statements were written by one of our
friends who has just returned from the re-
gions here described
The saint Croix and the Pimeries.
The distance from Saltwater 10 the Falls
OF 81. Croix, is 50 measured miles. The
only visible habitatons to be seen as you
Journey on the ice, are the Arcola, the Ma
rine, and The Osceola mills.
Arcola mas a good water power; but juds-
ing ffom appearances, the owners do NOT
make good use of it, though probably when
they complete the mill, the property will he
valuable. Eight hundred theusaod feet of
lumber, was sawed at this place during the
last year.
-Four miles above Arcola, are the Marine
mills, beautiful location, surrounded by
fine houses, with good farming land conven-
ient TO the town. The hustle and activity
displayed here, warrant the conclusion that
tue prorrietors are doing "a jam up busi-
ness" Over two million feet Of logs were
manufactured into boards in lS49 at the Ma
rine. Nature has bestowed the foundation
for town, an advantage which the proprl-
e;ors seem to be aware Of; and they are I'M
proving The village with gradual but sure
rapidly; Ga goodtext for ST. Paul, not found
in either of the epislles.)
Osceola Mills, are situated on the Wis
cn,,si,, side, twelve miles above the Marine
and nine below the Falls of ST. Croix. One
million and half of lumber was nade a
ut this place last season. The owners o
the mill should repair the race, SO that they
could saw ir the winter.
As the traveller approaches The 'narrows,'
two miles below the Falls, the bluffs become
more prominent, with huge piles of rocE
towering up towards The heavens, aimos
banishn, daylight from the deep chasn
through which the river swiftly glides. pre-
sentng one Of the mos, romantic view.
America can produce.
81. Croix contains population of fou
hundrci; but it contains houses enough tol
four hundred more, which bad smokeles
chimneys. This is source of regret; bu
people coming into new country, can't al
WAYS biz upon the right spot 10 settle. The
streets are regularly laid out, the building
arc neat and handsomely painted, the citi
gems are frank and hospitable, but the LAM
is rocky and mountainous, the soil sterile
ali having Yankee appearance. a'mos
fancied that was back again in the land o
snv birth, in some quiet little hamlet on tn
ton Of the Green Mountains. The grea
mil lies still under an injunction Hercule
in Notwithstanding succumhed to law
which will in all probability bold sway Owe
the place for years to come. There is
fall of sixteen feet of water. bu; owing 1
ihe pscnliar bend in the river above tn
fails, great difficulty is experienced in ina
king a permanent, dam AMI bnom. IL is t
be feared that the full force of he water pow
er can never be controlled so AS to use il 70
manufacturing purposes. 1t cannot, for on
moment, he compared with ST. Anthony
Besides the excellent natural water powe
Of st. Anthony. it has a good agriculture
district Not 81 with ST. Croix. Ii ma
excel other towns in the neighborhood, sa
the Osceo,a and the Marine Mills, as man
Uiaciaring place; but that is all the glory
can boast Of. arm thinking ii has seen it
l,est days. The ctizens are all anxious {
be annexed to Minnesota. 1t properly be
zsongs 10 Minnesota; and why it was not in
Guided in this territory, is a mystery to ih
weli-wlshers Of he great west. Some on
must have shu fed double part in tn
transaction; bot gold will buy most Of GU
public men Of the present age. So we ma
not be surprised if we find some men u
here il the northwest, negotiable. Human
i5csng- are prone to selfshness.
Tn space Of country betwixt St. Croiy