The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-07-01
Lake Minnp.T onk IA.

This newly found out lake % has created mucn
attention recently, particularly ON the part OF the
citizens of Saint Anthony, who, anxious 10 Judge
for themselves the truth Of the report from the pI
oneers (who like modern Christopher Coiumbuscs,
made the disc0veTy,) got up party some three
weeks since 10 visit this wonderful shectot wafer,
and to reveal to the public their researches IN
those premises always allowing the usual discount
for the "tales Of travellers
Accordingly, accompanied BY HIS Exceilercy
Gov Ramsey and Jacob j. Noah, Esq, as rep
resentalives Of Saint Paul, and Messrs. Stevens,
Garnes, Case, Bua,in, Ames Meeker, and others
of SAINT Anthony, armed ard equipped themselves
for the aquatic expedition, aud taking with thenI
! :. boat, together with the usual appurtenances Of
Camping out and ef ctterG>, started from the Falls
N high glee and spirits, for The lake. After ride
of some five slN hours, the CABIN OF MIR. simon
Stevens. (who resides al the foot Of the lake Oh
the outlet of the Lizzie Falls Creol) came view,
and matters being unpacked, the parties were
very hospitality entertained fer he night. The
next morning early, eubarAng IN two boats, the
company proceeded up the outlet 10 the lake,
which is first approached by crossing through two
smaller sheets of water, skIrted by dense and nigh
TIMBER with fire pebbly shores After crossing
these smaller lakes, the large one bursts upon ne
view with q magnitcence unparalelled. 4, l"T
the eve can reach one vast body OF sparkling wat
er iuterspersed with fertile islands surrounded hy
forests OF timber Of immense magniade, and the
shores entirely of gravel, pebbles ard other beach
substances Long narrow peninsulas from eth
er shore stretch out for miles into the bosom ot
The lake and some Of them are 10, more than
iweu,, feet wide, while they project more Ihan
quarter across the lake in some lnstaDc.s-ioTn-
ing a species of bays, where fish were IN such
abundance II became tedious to catch them. Ow-
ing 10 lbe insecurity Of the boats aad the effect oi
the winds upon the lake, which rolls the waves
mountain hi.h, The party did not ascend as far
as they wished bot far enough To Judge the lake
about thiry-five miles long, and averaging from
three 10 eight miles wide, and TO pronounce II the
best fishing ground and the finest sheet of water
in the Territory of Minnesota.
! The lake was named by Gov. Ramsey, MIN
ne-tonka, or big Water" who expressed great
admiration of the beauties Of The country surround
ing. The road to the lake is rather difficult for a
team, hut NAV be approached by horsenen with
out officially. About three uies from The lake,
there large mound or hill, oval III s!I"pe, and
about three hundred feet high, Inch commands
an extensive view of The country fcr miles around
This was ma med ''Noah's Mound,' after one OF
the party; "a large swamp was baptised as "Rhn-
sey and Gaines Slough" because those gentlemen
were unhorsed in the muck, and very preit''y
soaked through with water, and then there was
"Meeker's Run "Ames' Grove" Case S
Prairie.' and so on Gd-fniium. y deer was
speared in the water by one Of the boats cotnPa-
nv II was attempting to cross The iake by swim
ming. but was ht AIDED and destroyed with hsh-
spear Altogether, the trip was instructive anc
plea SAINT. the only drawback beng the saitrness
Of the weather: but as soon proper boat can
be obtained, and placed upon the lake, iurne' re-
searches viii be made and reported forthwith
TIL. lake is sboat fif,ecn mile. from 81 An'heny'