The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-07-25
Excursion of the Steamboat Anthony
Wayne up the St. Peter.

On Thursday evening, the 18th INST,
a large party of gentlemen and ladies
left St. Paul on a trip of pleasure ands
exploration, on board the Anthony
Wayne, up the St. Peter river.
After leaving ST. Paul number of
passengers were taken on hoard at Men
dota, and at Travers Dis Sioux, the mis-
sionaries and their families joined in the
expedition. The u. S. Band of Fort
Smelling was on board, and by their en-
livening airs, walked the solitude which
has hitherto dwelt along the valley of
the st Peter.
About O'Clock, with The firing of
rockets, the boat left St. Paul and pro-
ceeded up the river, now swollen to an
unusual height. A short time brought
us to the beautiful village OF Mendoza,
opposite Fort Smelling, at the junction
of the Mississippi and St. Peter. During
all day Friday the river was tracked
through its tortuous and meandering
course. The banks of the river are
low, with vegetation extending down to
the waters edge; though in some places
there are eminences, in no instance.
however, very lofty. Onc Of the most
remarkable features of the river, after
that of its numerous curves, is the ap-
parent uniformity of IFS width and also
of its general depth, which was scarcely
ever less than S or IL feet. The cur
rent is not very strong, and with small
boat, the navigation of the St. Peter
will prove both easy and safe.
Our attention was much occupied with
the evidences Of present or former hab-
itations either by the Indians or whites,
or how far these lands might be turned
to good account by the settlers. The
prairies, the rich bottoms with luXuriant
growth Of shrub and tree: and the
verdant hills, were all pointed to as
they came into view, as likely at some
day not distant, to be marked with dwell
lings amidst gardens, fields, and mead
ows. Especially, did the luxuriant
growth of timber give evidence of u
strong soil, and elicit the admiration of
the company.
Pursuing the route the Indian villages;
the Rapids, the highest point attained by
the Nominee; marked by its sign;) and
the remarkable features Of the country,
elected observation.
Friday night we arrived at Travers dis
Sioux the missionary station of the A
merican Board We were Hospitality
received by the Rev. Mcssrs. Hopkins
and Higgins, and their intere sting fam
lilies, to whom resolutions of thanks
were voted Here, also, was miser-
able Indian village of Sioux, where they
were performing some superstitious rites
and incantations over the sick or the
dead
The company visited the neat and
enclosed tombstone of Mr.. Long, who
was drowned in lS43.
At this place is most beautiful stretch
of fertile and prettily located prairie, rich
and inviting, of which the fields of the
missionaries give the best account As
the beams of the most gorgeous setting
sun that we ever beheld, fell askance
the wide plains, inviting the settler to
their tillage, there was one general
burst Of satisfaction and admiration clio
tied from the company.
Never before had such company
wandered over these fair fields, or the
woods been made to reverberate to the
deafening sound Of steam pipe.
On Saturday morning the boat still
pursued its course upward, until about
midday, when on coming 10 sandy
beach, the company all landed and a
unused themselves for some time, hunt
ing among the vast collection of corne-
lians and pebbles for curiosities to suit
their various tastes.
Having progressed as high up as to
within a half hours ride across the coun-
try to the mouth of the Blue Earth riv-
er, Cor to within ten or twelve miles of
it by water, it was determined to return
and leave the further exploration of the
Saint Peter to future pioneers. The
boat had assembled some 100 miles: sign
boards were planted. showing the height
to which the boat had assembled. 81
On Sunday afternoon, the anxiety OF
the friends of those on board of the
Wayne were relieved by its arrival at
Saint Paul, (after delay ofsome hours
at Mendota.)
/ We should not omit to mention that
the hours on the boat were pleasantly
diversified with the charms of social in
tercourse, of music from the band, the
guitar, and the voice; with dancing
promenading, and with other enjoy
mentS.
THE MEETING.
On Saturday evening meeting of the
passengers on board the boat, was call
ed for the purpose ofexpressing the sem
timcnts of the company in reference to
the trip, and of giving expression to
their feelings in reference thereto.
Col. Todd was called to the chair.
and Mr.. White appointed Secretary
/ and a sufficient number of Vice Prcsi-
dents, etc., were chosen. 80
Resolutions were then first proposed
the substance Of which were to send an.
propriatc presents to the Indians, at the
Travers dis Sioux; and thanking the