The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-03-25

seirch and difficulty, We finally srrived opposit
The Fort at p. M. heartily fatiyued and glad /
rest at the house Of VI. Narcisse Marion, Frenc
Canadian, and the Father -in-law Of N. w Kilt
son, Esq. We found him very kind. hospitabi
and communicative, and anxious to hear th
news from above;i. e. from Pcmbina, ST. Paul
and elsewhere. In an hour our boat arrived, an,
we then proceeded on down to the residence O
Dir. Alexander Ross, on the west side of Re,
River, and about mile below. The old gentle
man met US on the bank, welcomed US 10 SeIkirl
and escorted US up TO his house: a white, roug!
cast, two story stone, which stands upon Il larg,
bend of the river. and commands view bot1
ways; and That view Is certainly the finest hav,
seen for long, long time.
FIRST GLANCE AT SELKIRK SETTLE
MENr.-A village Of farm houses, with barns
stables, hay. wheat aud barley stacks will
small cultivated fields or lots, well fenced, IN.
stretched along the meandering river; while tn.
prairles far of to the horizon are covered owe
with herds Of cattle, horses etc; the fields fllet
with busy ihrong Of whites, half-breeds, ant
Indians; men, squaws and children; all reaping
binding. and stacking the golden grain; whil'
hundreds Of carts, with single horse, or OK
harnessed in their shafts, are bsought in requi>i
tion, to carry it to the well-stored barn and are
seen moving, with their immense loads rolling
TO this the numerous wind mills, some in motion
whlriins around their giant arms; while others
molIonesS, are waiting for "a grs,.' jus,
above Fort Garry. sits ia the angle at the iunc-
llon of the Asslnihoin and Red River, with Il
blood red flag inscribed with the letters III Co,
floating gai!y IN the breeze. Opposite Is the
Catholic Cathedral, built of stone in 1922, and
sui unfinished. The bare, rough upholstered
wall, IN front is cracked and shattered, and is
surmonnted by two steeples; one finished, and
containing chime Of bells: the blre timbers Of
the other tower aloit, dark with age, and naked
ness. visited the interior this afternoon and
found very spacious nave, which was being re-
nodded, as also the galleries, and men were at
work ON scatiolding: painting the arched ceiling
OF deep mazarenc blue, and ornameniins it with
wreaihs and estoons Of flowers ;.he work so far as
completed, is done in very ariist-Iike manner
A number OF priests reside upon the spot; :; large
frame convent painted red adoins it on the south
and The congregation is composed principally of
from up Red River. Fer two miles
np the Assiniboln, 10 The west, are seen the
farms and dwellings of the pensioners; The form
er well fenced and cultivated; the latter Of frame
and logs, one story high. mostly rough cast, or
"hitewashed over, with gardens, etc, attached
and comfort and plenty attending and smiling
around them. Many other objects Of interest
worthy of notice, strike the eve, but the pbc, e
sufces for a first glance al Seikirk The scene
that has met my eyes this afternoon, has become
upon my optics, never 10 be cfia-
ced As l raw thee, to-day, Seikirk, so shall |
always see thee; and TO The latest hour of my ex-
iStence, thy beauties as family portrayed above,
VIII to my mlnd's eye at least, remain indeIi-
bly, portrayed. We spent the night with Mr
Ross and family, and found him to be a very IN
formation as regards this North-Wcs, region -
and Of Sekirk Colony in particular lie has
published book descriptive Of the country ives,
Of the Rocky mountains; Vancouver's and The
Pacilc coast; where he spent some l5 years Of
his life, prior TO 1925; since when he has been
residing in this Colony, and has been for a long
time one Of its leading citizens.
SATURDAY, 20th.-Cloudy, raw and cold,
most of the day; very unpleasant out OF doors !;
but as my time here is precious. paid no atten-
ton to it, what is wind or weather 10 u man Who
never expects I, get to Selkirk in his life again.
and has but three short days 10 stay, now that he
IS here and that, too in The very centre Of the
Continent; and u whole months march Of 90
miles per dav, to the west Of sun down? Spent
he day in visiting around the settlement, called
At Fl. Garry and made the acquaintance Of Maj
Caldwell, Highland Scotchn,an the Governor
RS sent ou, by The British Government. Also
INC, Mr. John Black. very polished gentleman,
who has charge Of the Bay Co = post here ul the
fort; DIR. Cowan, and Messrs. Peey, Lane and
Logan. Jr Close by the Fort is the fine large
house Of Mr. McDermolt, IA very wealthy
IRISH gentleman. who came out TO the Colony in
1912. As ne is one of the pioneers, free good,
hearty. soc'able gentleman. an every mars man,
" no has an open house for friend or stranger, ]
paid my compliments to hins, and 10 his son-in-
law, Mr.. Baintine, very polite and friendly
parsonage, rs are all met. Here met num-
Der of the fair ladies OF the settlement; ladies Of
much beauty, educated and accomplished, and Of
some fortune, ! am told. Wine was passed
around and much pleasant conversation induiged
in; md |. q stranger, found myself almost a!
home. Who could leave such company: | could
1oi and The consequence Of it was that ] found
myself up and IN very lively mood, TIL after
he witching time Of night, in close coniab With
the old gentleman, all about the colony, in which
We discussed its affairs. past, present and pros
pective, at great length. Mr.. McD. can talk
more and faster than any half-a-dozen men ever
mel before, and would have regaed me Till the
early dawn tomorrow, without iiring. had
,lso the honor to meet and make the acquaint-
ance Of Recorder J horn, formerly the Editor Ct
the Montreal Herald; the most ultra, radical
sheet in Canada. Mr.. Thorn is leading man
here, and is very active, energetic, and possessed
Of considerable talent. He IS at presen; the
Clerk of the Cour, at salary Of 3150 per an
nun; though he is no. allowed TO act as such, or
10 enter Court, SO Objectionable Is lie to the half
breed population; and an editorial published in
the Herald, daring the Cunad IN troubles in 1897,
il seems has arrayed the French Canadians, TOO,
in deadly hostility asains. his person. Numerous
threats have been made against him; and his life
heretofore, at times, has not been safe. Away
with politics, however, did not intend TO touch
on this, aDd 80. kird reader, good night to you,
''The IRON tongue Of midnight has told twelve"
and / II sec Selkirk shoveled off down Red River
a nd an island made Of it in the very centre Of
Like Winnepeg. before l will write another
word tonight.
SUNDAY, 2Is,. Weather this a. m. is cloudy
with a Scotch MIST al times; p. n. warm, clear
a nd pleasant I started this morning on horse
back, in company with MIR. BaHin,ine, to see a
portion Of the lower settlement, down Red River.
We rode over good road, about 100 yards in
" 18th, which extends TO the rear Of the line Of
houses; row Of five acre fields lying in between;
while on the river bank, in front, there rs nothing
bu, foot path. The English and Scotch portions
Of The settlements, extends in continuous village
along both banks, following all the turns Of the
crooked river, from the upper to the lower Fort