The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-03-04

the waters having risen to the height Of 81 and 80
feet above low water mark---fooding all the
country, and iaundating the houses AT this place
to the depth Of 2 and 3 feet. Mr.. khtson was
obliged TO leave the post at this place last sprn,
and take up his residence for a month, upon
the surrounding highlands. These floods, should
they continue, will prove a serious drawback to
the settlement Of this valley. The half-breeds
being 10th 10 put in crops, when they are liable TO
be swept off annually.
Mr.. X. had some 5000 rails SWEET off from his
place last year. To otsiate this officially, new
town and an agricultural settlement has been laid
out by Mr.. ki,tson, and the Rev. MIR. Belcourt,
(the Catholic priest stationed at this place) on
what is called the Pembina Nit, 80 miles TO the
west of this place, and bordering on the river
Pembna. The situation is very eligible one,
in fine farming region; the land IS excellent and
the timber abundant. The town Is called Saint
Josephs and is situated upon the eastern slope Of
the longitudinal ridge of land, called Mt. Penn
bina, which is in places heavily wooded, and
presents an Aleghanian appearance as ii Is ap-
preached, or skirted along towards the east.
Since our arrival, the name Of Wau ohc o
ma, the Chippewa terra, for Mt. has been selected
by DIR. Foster, and adopted by Mr.. Kittson the
name Of the embryo town, he being opposed to
exha usting the whole calender OF Saints and max
ing every one Of them stand as Godfather to a
town, a lake, u mountain or stream, within the
Territory.
In consequence of there being no farming oper-
ations carried on here now, we fou d no grain on
hand 10 feed horses, excepting barley, and
that is brought up from the Selkirk Settlements,
100 miles down Red river. Barley is said TO be
stronger feed than oats, yet not so good as corn
1t produces more than oats, say about 40 bushels
to the acre; and the price below ranges from so
Holi huSl, kpt tl,p
standard price, when no extra demand takes
place.
This afternoon, took a walk ACROSS the line,
two miles below; in company with the Rev.
Messrs. Black and Tanner; the latter Il half
breed Chippewa About half way down, we
passed The residence Of the Rev. M. Belcourt; a
large frame two story house, situated alongside Of
rude log church, surmounted by wooden cross.
The site is very pleasant and commanding
one, upon the high ground about half mile back
from the river, aud safe from floods. Gardens,
out houses, and vehicles, were scattered around
and an air Of comfort and the rude enjoyments,
of far off home, were visible am told that all
the half-breeds here are Catholics. with perhaps
few exceptions, and that Mr.. Becourt has resi-
ded among them, at the Settlements below, and
here, the long term Of 2S years and upwards.
He is a, present at the Alt, at the line (49 deg
we found an elm post, which was planted in the
ground, upon the river bank, by MAJOR Woods
and Capt. Pope, and bearing date, August 14th
ls49. Jnsl beyond is the first trading post and
buildings of the Hudson's Bay Company, in this
direction. a rival post of kittson's The build
ings are built of logs and mud one story high, and
matched with straw, are very warm and COM
forlabie, and bull. around an open square. Here
we found an old Scotch gentleman, named Sit
tare, an employee of the Bay Company, and who
has charge of this place. He is native of the
Orkney Isles, and has resided in British America
the still longer term Of 48 years. A life time
spent amid such selitudes is enough to make a
man msanthrope, and no one need wonder at it
if l were to say that the old gentleman was not
the most agreeable parsonage that have met in
this direction.
His only companions were a few half-breeds I;
the trading House was closed, no trade, or busi-
ness Of any kind on hand, and the whole place
was dull and desolate. Slept in our tent to mig
as of old is pitched in the yard, in front
Of the main buildings, with large fires burning
around, and at each, Is assembled motley group
of Whites, Half-breeds and Indians while in the
distance. the dogs are howlmg, the braves and
younger squaws are dancing promiscuousy around
their lodges; singing and beating drums for their
amusement, and perhaps lullaby to us. They
succeed most admirably, in making the black
night as hideous as possible. Our escort Of dra-
goons, are encamped about one fourth of a mile
back upon the prairie, and their camp OF snow
white tents, with the American flag flying gaily
in the breeze, presented quite pretty appear
ance, in contrast with the Half-breed and Indian
lodges, which are dotted here and there, separate
Iy, and in little hameis of dozen, all around as
far as the eye can reach.
SATURDAY, SEPT. l3ih.-Cloudy, cold, raw
and windy most Of the day. The wind is keen
from the N. f.. and feels like that of a winter
day in milder latitudes. The mercury was dowr
to so deg at sunrise, and only rose to 65 deg
Early this morning, large Macinaw boat started
for the settlements below, in quest Of barley
ourselves and escort requiring three hundred
bushels. The boat was manned by eight halt:
breeds, six Of whom were Oarsmen. They
will occupy two days in going down; two more
in collecting the barley, and getting it threshed
as it now stands cut in the fields 10 Shocks day.
to ascend the crooked. sluggish stream, and will
bring about 100 bushels; after which they will
return for anoiher load, and Immediately on thei
second arrival, say about the 1st Of October, WI
will start homewards. To-day the Half-Breed
and Indians were served out raiions; the India NJ
received fiour and pemmican for three days sub
sistence; and the Half-Breeds the same; with al
additional allowance to each family of 4 lbs su
gar and h. tea; they all being great lovers o
that beverage. This occupied all the morning
The Indians number some 500, and the Half
Breeds, who drew rations, about so families. Th
latter are living here during their attendance OF
the Treaty, in skin lodges; though am told the,
have comfortable log houses, when settled per
manentiy at home; and when not out on thei
sem-annual hunt. have observed a number o
their houses along the banks Of Pembina and Re,
Rivers, and understand the rest to be at the Mt
end away out at Devils Lake, about 100 miles 4
the s. w. Their occupation at present is exclu
sively that of hunters; and their life is naturall
a free and easy, and careless one; hunting buf
falo and making pemmican and OK carts, occu
pies all their time. These carts are made entire
iy Of wood, not even an iron nail is used, wood
en- pins, and thongs and bands Of hide being sub
stituted. The only tools used are axe, hans
saw, three quarter and an inch auger. will
chises Of the same size. The carts are sold 70
80 shiilings; which is the average price, excep
! in the hunting seasons, when in demand, the,
sell as high as $40. A pair Of wheels alone
are then worth SIS. They are very strong, an,
will carry twelve hundred pounds Of buffalo ant
pemmican. The fall hunt comes off soon afte
the conclusion Of the treaty.. The usual time 70
starting upon the summer and fall hunts, is tn
/ 10th Of June and September. Nothing but penn
/ roscao ond dried meat - cacuved an ,hesa f,x,