The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-10-02
Notes of Minnesota.

Mr.. Patterson, the editor of that very
excellent journal, the Oquawka Spectator,
has visited our Territory and taken notes
of things, Of which we publish the follow
ing extract:
"After leaving Dubuque, the bluffs on
both sides OF the river, gradually rise high
er and higher, until we reach Lake Pepln
Capt. Harris having promised to return
most of the way 10y daylight, we concluded
to defer taking notes until our return trip;
and shall commence at the junction of the
Mississippi and St. Peters rivers.
Fort Smelling is situated on a high bank
and has commanding view Of both rivers.
1t presents the most beautiful site for large
city that can be found on the Mississippi
river. The Fort is still garrisoned, and
will probably be retained for many years.
We went, in company with a large party of
ladies and gentlemen, TO ste the Fort, and
were permitted for an hour to stroll through
Its rainparts, and view everything worthy of
observations; the mouth Of the ST. Peters,
the village of Mendoza, aud the narrow bed
OF the Mississippi are in full view, and
form delightful picture. We next passed
over TO the old trading village of St. Pc
, ters.
MENDoTA.--It is inhabited, principally,
by half-breeds of all ages--from grey hairs
down to infancy.
ST.. Paul, the Capital of Minnesota Ter
ritory, is about five miles below The junction
Of the Mississippi aud St. Peters rivers, and
stands upon a beautifully elevated spot ri
sing from the banks of the river ranging
| from 90 to 100 feet in height. The build
! Ings are all new, and many of them very
superior. Already there have been erected
several large churches, neatly finished, with
their spires pointing heavenwards. The
! population Of The city is said to be about
1900.
St. Anthony is eight miles above St. Paul.
he town Is situated Immediately at the
Falls, beautifully located, and is improving
rapidly. The natural advantages of this
place, taking into account its immense IS u
ter-power, are very great. The country
between St. Paul and ST.. Anthony, though
somewhat broken, presents to the view a
number of large and beautiful farms, in a
high ste te of cultivation.
All the good land near ST. Anthony and
St Paul has been entered, and is now held
by spectators at enormous prices. A piece
of land was pointed out, about miles from
| ST. Paul, which bad sold for SO per acre
culIariy adapted 10 potatoes and oats, of
which large crops have been raised this
season. We noticed one field of oats just
harvested, Of 100 acres, belonging to Gov.
Ramsey, which, from the close proximity
Of the shocks must have yielded largely
and another 40 acres, in potatoes, the pro-
prietor of which calculated on raising, at a
| low estimate, $50 bushels to the acre.
| Spring wheat is said to have done remark
ably well this season, whilst winter wheat,
so far as the experiment has been made,
has turned out fair crop. The season is
too short for corn. except that of the small
kind known as "squaw corn.'' The towns
are evidently far in advance Of the country,
and must remain so until spectators are
disposed to sell their lands at fair prices.
Leaving st. Paul, descending the Missis-
sippi. the first place of note is
Little Crow Village, miles below. I'm
mediately back Of the town are two high
bluffs, or the top Of which are numerous
scaftolds used by the Sioux as resting places
for their dead. The corpses are permitted
to remain in this position sometimes for
months, before being buried in the earth.
Saltwater, large and fourishing town
behind which stands a high bluff, and on its
top large spring from which sufficient
water Ii brought the distance of a mile, in
a plank trunk, TO run 4 saws, Summer and
winter. Midway between Saltwater and
the foot of the Lake, is situated the town
4 of Wilowriver, at the mouth of n stream
bearing that name. This is new town,
but is building up rapidly. We had the
pleasure of meeting Mr.. Sexton, editor OF
the St. CrOix Enquirer, from whom we
had glowing description Of the country
:, Red Wing, Sioux village, is the mex
place Of importance. 1t is situated on the
half-breed reservation, which fronts the
river for 50 miles"