The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-09-15
From the Cincinnati Commercial
First Sights and Impressions Of the Up=
per Mississippi.

St Paul, capital Of Minnesota, stands on the east
bank OF the A'>sis pp, and usually considered the
head Of uav CATION although beats sometimes ascend
to st. Anthon, ta.ls, eighteen miles above Ii stands
upon high blui which spreads out into finely un-
dulating plain, skired by hills Of moderate elevation.
The site is well chosen and there is ample scope for
very large city. A number OF living springs in the
highlands adjacent give rise 10 several beautiful
brooks, which flow through The streets and pour their
crystal streams the high ledges the Missis-
sirp l Indian belle dressing her hair by
one OF these, as by mirror. With little expense
these streams could be carried into every house in the
city. The part Of the city the landing IS ccul-
pactly built. with many good houses; the remainder
is scattered over large surface, many of the resi-
dences displaying elegance, and most Of them ap-
peasance OF and comfort.
On entering the city, Of the FIRST objects that
arrests the attention OF stranger is ancient log
building, o! one story, with surmouniing it
THIS, learned, st. Pars church, (Ca'hohc)
the first house the place, and after which the city
named. -Four years since, this, with d trading
house, was the only building in ST. Paul. The resi-
dent popu'ation at present, is about four thouand,
Everybody here says that it Is destined 10 be a great
city Real estate il and about the city, | should
think, is unrcasonabiy high. St. Anthony Falls and
city are ten miles above ST. Paul, by land, and are
connected with II by two lines oi stages, each making
several trips daily. embraced an early opportunity
to visit there. The country intervening is generality
prairie, with timber, but not rena, kahe for its
scenery. As We approach ST. Anthony, the view OF
/ the river and fails is picturesque. The many bab-
bling, pebby, crystal brooks crossing road aD
interesting feature 10 On nearer view, the
Falls lose somewhat Of then beauty by the mills and
! the immense quantities OF lumber with which the
uuitaran Yankees have covered them, What care
sy Tor the sightseeing public, that they get
good '.mill seat!" The man ~ho, when hearing his
minister speak OF the River OF Life" auxio,sly in
ori;eG if it was good mill stream, was a rcprese en-
tatIye OF this class.
However, despite Of saw.milis and lumber, ST
Anthony Falls are s, worthy of the Indian name,
Mime -haha Caushing water). The whole length OF
the fall is perhaps nall a mile in this distance there
are two principal fails, which tlied to work up into
a Niagara descended to the edge Of the cataract
where could almost reach out INTO the leaping
ters, and mag gned myself standing uEon Tahle-rock,
and repeated that apostrophe to Niagara the great:
! "Tremenduous torrent! for o omeDt hush
The terrors Of Thy voice, and cast aside
/ Thcse wide-n diving shdao"s
| That my eyes may
The fearful beauties OF thy face"
but it didn't exactly fit; for, though there was a
voice. il not thunderous, like Joves :, ami as
for the "wlde-invoIviDg Shadows" they were not
there. Yet the falls worth visl, on thcir own
account, and for the pleasant scenery around them.
The town of st. Anthony extends along the river
and falls for neaIly a mile, and Is very pleasant
place. 1t has quiet aspect AS there Is yet o"t tl'e
trade but the noble country around, when 1t become
! improved, must make it place oi importance. The
wa,er-powcr Of the falls viii also add greatly to It's
prosperity. The great want here, understand, Is
capital, to deveope the resources oi the couutr! -
Money he loaned the best security, NJ iso.n .
to per cent. per month.
An adyentu er fom some part OF Yankeedom, has
Just put in ope alton bank (Merchan, and Faine :
J lank Of MInueso,a,) which, l am assured by the
mos, reliable authority, is perfectly Irresponsible
sans a chai acter-sans oapiI--sans public conh-
dence. Gilbert, OF the St. Charles Hotel, is the
President, and hereby hangs tale" WHICH, PARDON
NE, do not mean to ted, except to cay that have
one dollar Of Minnesota currency which VIII sell at
90 per cent. discount.
Indians are SO common in St. Paul that they soon
cease to be objects Of curiosity, even TO stranger.
Ferocious IN appearance, and savage IN their oiesS
and manners, yet even women aud children regard
them without fear. Little ch lideG run among them
as they pass through the streets-they lounge about
the stores and hotelS-the squaws come IN with
strawberries and other wild fIuits for sa!ethe chiefs
and "baves," and dandies, parade IN the streets 10
all their fantastic uapplngs, and even young squa~s
NAV be displaying themselves, evidently vain ol
their beauty and inery hey all have passion ioT
eaudy ornaments; red blanket, ornamented mecca
sins and leggings, many coored beads, ribbon. a
feather stuck The hair, or the tai and wings o
bird dang ling about their shoulders are sought
for as the cl,uiaX oi adornment. he women orna
uent less than the men. A dozen or two suinss I"
beads on the neck, and many rings from each ear
with occasional bracelets The arms, are the chle
female ornaments. The little children are literally
loaded with beads and ear hxings.
During nv stay in ST. Paul, the new Governor
(Mr Gorman, } held talk with the chiefs OF Sioux
trihe in reference their removal up the Minnesota
/ River, which, the Governor Informed them, would
| take mace 10 "half a moon." The principal chic
Little Crow) shrugged his shoulders. the old mel
and Young braves multered "eogh and locked
grave. The assurance, however, OF a supply Of pro-
Visions having already been sent forward io 'hs Place
fssfv
! CoVarnor dismissed them with an order to the baker
for loaf to each individual, and cordial shake o
tho hand. The Governor seems to be an approacha'
bic, communicative man, ready TO enter ialo convef'
sa,,oa on subjects se.a..ag 70 is Tesflsory plain
democratic too.