New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-26
SUMNER RAMBLES.
Valley of the st. Croix.
Correspondence of The n. Y. Tribune.


FALLS OF ST. CRoIx, Thursday, Aug 5. 1857
That portion of Minnesota Territory
which lies along the banks of the st. Croix River,
though one of the earliest explored, and the best
for farming purposes, has not become we'll known
The regions directly adjacent to heAlssssipp'
have naturally received more attention, while the
course of travel and emigration has been chiefly
up the Valkysof.the Mississippi and Minnesota
rivers TIE various local publication, TOO. have
set forth the advantages OF these, while the east
ern branches have been comparatively neglected
or /, to the slower diffusion of knowledge gained
by actual settlers. Yet there is no section pre-
sentng more attractions to both the farmer and
the merchant than the Valley Of the st. CroX
The soil is fertile, the face of the country isearied
and the woodland has a larger growth OF hard
timber than above, besides great extent OF pine
lard, now considerably worked. The river is nayi-
gable for steamboats,, when the channel is cleared,
to the Falls of st. Croix-thrty miles above Still
water, and sixty from the mouth of the Lake,
the furthest north of any navigable point from the
Mississippi. Numerous tributary streams DIS
charge themselves into it from the bluffs on either
side, aiIording at many points fine water power,
and from the creeks above the falls large numbers
OF logs are foated down; an immense quantity OF
lumber being sawed on this river at the present
season. A market is thus furnished for the asri
cultural interest as favorable as anywhere in the
North West; and q large amount OF lumber u
every season sent TO st. Louis. The ready sale
for this offers additional advantages to the settler
Several views have been taken OF the scenery on
this river. and Lewis had panorama of it but
al. ,nsfn has r.
tempted. Perhaps the reader will like to fol-
low our course a little; it will be less tedl'
Gus than was ours, for he will not have
the sandbars to trouble him. The " Black
Hawk" on her return from Traverse des Sioux,
was chartered to take some freight up the ST.
Croix, which had not been nayigsted IN many
weeks by any large boat, in consequence OF the
lowness of the water. Leaving st. Paul in the
afternoon of Monday she came down the Asss.
sppi to Point Douglas, and mile below entered
Lake st. Croix. The difference between the
surface of the river vexed with currents, and the
clear, smooth waters of the lake, is instantly per-
ceptble. The scenery is Of the same character
with that Of Lake Pepn, though the blurs are not
near so high or savage. They line the shore on
the left hand on the other is low wall OF rocks,
gradually rising and receding little as you adj
vance, till they, too, become towering nights
The graceful curve of the line Of shore, the alter
nate swelling and sinking Of the wooded hills the
deep ravines occasionally opening between them
the dark shadows thrown by the nights on the
water with the narrow line Of light near the shore
marking the departure of the sum- and now and
then projecting headland further out, dark and
shaggy mass-were so beautiful that one could
not regret the scenery of the Mississippi. The
lake varies from half mile to three miles more
in width.
Willow River, small settlement within six
miles of the head of the lake, was passed. and the
boat stopped to lay by for the night at Saltwater.
This village settled some eight years, stands at
the head Of the lake, and is the great mart for um
Der Of the st. CroiX, commanding an extensive
and rich farming country. 1t is picturesque.y
situated at the foot Of circular range of hills
the lower end OF which the nights become pre-
cipitous, and are capped with turret like masses
OF rock fifteen or twenty feet in depth, extending
around the whole summit OF the bluff, and preseHt
ing the appearance of architectural ruins. The
dwelling houses are spInkled along the sides of
the decliyity well on the plain and some
built on very elevated ground. The Courthouse
stands on the brow Of the hill. A fine spring,
on the hill side, fenced with a high stone wall, is
said to give water to large part Of the town.
The business should be brisk. If one is TO Judge
from the number of public houses. counted three
from one point OF view the Saltwater House, the
Minnesota House, and the Lake House. which
stands close To the water. There were also sew
eTal houses with the label "boardng." A very
neat church is seen from the lake. and there are
others. new PenitentIary is building, which
makes some stir among labOring men, and brings
money into the place. 1t stands in fine situation
on the river, halt a mile above the town, in what
is cslled Battle Hollow" battle having been
fought there ten years since between the
SIOUX and Chippewas.
There are two mills OF two saws each, one
driven by steam end one by water power one
was nearly buried by the sand washed from ths
bluff but will soon be again III operation. The
prospects OF the town are lourishng, and its ad-
yaBtases Of location aud the natural resources Of
the country must soon make lc place OF import
anCe and wealth.
The river above saltwater loss between high
bluffs, with occasionally opening. by winch easy
access i had TO the iuten0r Inc WOODS are
Ln.L i.nnsisfIng oil nnk. Ash.