The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-09-16
From the New y ork Tribune.
Minnesota.

From the New y ork Tribune
Minnesota.
ST. PAUL, On. T.) Aug. :, 1852.
Quite the most curious thing we have seen herca-
bouts is Indian relic just brought 10y tourist from
the new Lake about which much talk las been
this summer Lake Mnnctonha, or "The Great
Water Having climbed to the top Of a cliff some
20 fee, high, since named esprit CID" which over
looks its clear waters, he turned TO contemplate the
view; and the thought occurred to him that this
would he spot suitable for the worship OF thc sava-
yes offered Ia the Great spirit IN whom they believe
II a small level space, surrounded b. inequalities
in the ground and in It's center he perceived oval
shaped stone placed uprish, between two sucks. 1t
painted red and covered with small yellow spots
some faded to a brown color. On seeking Informa-
ton fon a Sioux chief respecting this stone, he was
told that il regarded sacred to the Manitou of
scaps, and was visited at intervals By the warriors
their return from battle with the scalp, thev had
secured. These they placed as an offering On the
top of the stone, which was shaped INTO some rude
resemblance a human head, and made the yellow
spots to Indicate the nunbcr of braves who joined in
the ceremony. The scalps were always taken away,
and sometimes offerings Of tobacco were made; the
being freshly painted from time tn tlme II had
been in that same spot doubtless. the Sioux said,
since his people first came TO the country, and had
been visited within year. The sticks supporting it
were also painted.
III the rocks bordering this lake i said,
nv ban-eaeles' nests which NAV b. reacled b. the
hand; little fear of man, yet. have those mon
archs of the air this, their wild and solitary home,
which scarce knows the tread Of the white man. or
the flash of AngO-SaNon paddles. We yesler-
day also eggs of loon, or pelican, wild goose
ami wild duck, brougb from the shores of tins Lake
Ii is variously estimated from p to 40 miles in
length. The distance il Is but Ii miles from SAINT
Authony; vet on account of the want OF a read, il
has been visited but little since its discovery, except
by persons who live in the uciclborhood. The oniv
human habitation IT, stands on the outlet. mlie
or 50 below, small shanty erected by young man
six mouths ago. where he lives, rustic hermit. by
hunting and fishing. He quilted the world not
count OF mis;nthropv, or disappointment in love,
Of my lady readers NAV be APT 10 imagine, but
merely to secure the claim he has set up por
ton of the land. Land-seekers have no hesitation
in setting up these claims, even whore the land
has not been surveyed having no doubt of the final
settlement of the Government with the Indians, III
such way emf grants IN their possessions
The pleasant pares So lately claimed by The Indian
his own--though not Vet open 10 purcha>e-may
be appropriated in this manner. Minnesota calls for
emigrants; and with her fertile, wooded, and water
ed territory, her advantages OF navIgable rivers, her
sweeping prarics, her vast tracts rich III valuable
timber, and her increasing lumber trade--her ex-
ha,stess resources developing year after year-she
will long have to invite; new cO,ncrs viii throuo
to her. With the sure prospect oi growing wealthy
by industry and management, the settler has few
of the pvivations of pioneer to encounter; sup
plies can be had, and a ready market for their pro-
dncc, close a hand.
The Dacotas gave to Carvcr's Cave. in Davton's
Bluff the name Of Wakan Tipi-iIouse Of the Spirit.
II is supposed to be the place " here. century ago,
the chiefs held their councils and bones Of the dead
we've brought from a distance he buried on the
heights above. Carver visited the cave in 1867 with
some chief, of the bands the Minnesota River
oil In
spacious arch within. and lake Of transparent WATER
stone thrown into which produced wonderful
bcration lie also speaks OF ancient hierogh phics
cut rrtey on the walls. Long since, however, all
ths has been changed the roof Of the cave fell in
many years since and the entrance formerly accessi.
bic by A steep passage from the brink of the river,
was closed entirely in 1920. Since then cxca-
vations have been made, and the place looks like
half dug cellar. In pamphlet issued by the VI IN
Historical Society, in 1880, is poem transa-
ted by Sir John Herschcl from the German of Schil-
lcr entitled g Death Song Of Nadowessee Chief"
suggerted by reading funeral address made in this
cave by Dacota chief
The region between ST. Croix River and Milleacs
have been called Goigotha," accortnt Of the
bloody strife between the Dacotas aad OJbwas
Chippcwas. After great battle IN Isi the Indians
of Pokcguma went 70 1--we with their country
Lake superior Lake PokegIma, 4 or $ miles lon5
and 2 wide, is strewn with boulders, and tall hoafy
pines grow to the waters edge. Ii is Snake Riv-
or, 20 miles above the Falls of St. Croix.
As many inuurics have been made about the prac-
tcab, routes from the Upper Mississippi to Lake
SUPERIOR and some erroneous mprt ssionS abroad,
il NAV be well to record the Information ohained at
the Falls oi -. Croi<. The route thence usually
taken by traders half-brccds and ndiv iduls who
tend the Court La Pointe and b, ,he carrier Of the
mail once fortnight, is up the st. CroiN River b,
lark CANOE some eighty miles 80 the ,mlii lake which
firms its h,ad-waters; thence there - portage ui
& or @ miles ~ the Bos Brulce River, which emrfies
into Lake SupeIior 80 miios above La Pointe; this
is descended and The yoyagers coaS tho rest OF the
way I converscd wit. voyagcr by profession
Thomas T. Cheer, who lives AT the Falls Of SAINT
Cro;x. and who offered take party Of four for 5
a day-hr providin. a b,Nt and another boatuan but
not provisions or tents. The "Trip can he made IN six
days under favorable circumstances, but often takes
seven or eight aud tenthe coasting along Lake
Superior being difficult work when it Is rough. The
yoyarms are paid for time going and returning. The
canoes are polled and, the current being strong they
cannot make MORE than % Sd mikes day up stream.
The whole distance is estimated at $50 miles, of
course following the windings of the river. for the
distance in a straight line is much less Any dis
poseH to make the trip could secure efficient boatInen
i,y addressing Mr., Gheeu, (care of W w. {. olson)
Taylor's Faii. Minnesota Territory. BY giving him
notice lone enough before hand, he would would
a marty al LA Pointe whence the crossing would be
easier, as the longer stream would be descended.
Another route sometimes taken is up the St. Croix
to Kettle River one Of its branches, and up that
far as practicable and thence by long portage to
ST. Loui. River and Fond du Lac. But neither OF
these routes afford Sufficient IN the way OF scenery to
ensae for the fat yucs and expense, unless the
mere love of wild adventure be strong enoush To ioIm
an inducement.
There are no settlements on the st. Croix above
the Falls, and human habita'icn; wild re-