The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-11-05

Correspondence Of the New York Evangelist.
Sr. ANTHONY. Aug. p. 1853.

Correspondence Of the New York Evangelist.
ST. ANTHONY. Aug 22. 1853.
Majestic cataracts. beautiful cascades econo-
mical waterfalls, unmeasured natural prairie
gardens, varegated with untold blossoms, and
heids of inexhaustible fertility, picturesque
lakes and natural caves of great interest at
first absorb the attention OF the tourist in Min
nesOta.
A pleasant ride of ten miles west of St. An
thony, brings one to Lake Minnetonka extend.
ing 40 miles in length, with ndented shores.
measuring some 200 miles or more, affording
sites for Ia :ure villages, to be joined by steam,
boats on the lake.
About five miles from the Falls are Lakes
Harriet and Calhoun, the latter of which re-
minds me of Lake ROnkonkoma. on Long Island,
the favorite resort of New Workers. During
the short period of our plying the canoe on
Lake Calhoun, we were very successful in fish
ing. Candor, however requires the confession,
that angling and cunning Though theoretical
~ very charming) never practically create re-
al interest and pleasure in my experience.
The outlet of Lakes Harriet and Calhoun is
Cascade Creek, so named from its waterfall,
seen in passing from Lake Calhoun to Fort
Smelling. In Harper's New Monthly Magazine
for July, 1858, are sketches on the Upper Mis-
sissippi, representing the Minnehaha Falls on
Cascade Creek, the Fountain Cave, Fort Smell
ling. st. Paul and the Falls of St. Anthony
Those contemplating visit will do we'll to pro-
cure copy. and those who are denied the priv
ilege of this visit, may form quite clear views
from these pictorial illustrations and descrip-
tiOns.
In our return route to ST. Paul, we saw ma
ny farms staked out in the vast praires. and
the rich soil, for the first time turned by the
No oil Ic Of
oats and corn. of twenty or thirty acres, afford
ing ample proof of the fertility of land which.
from time immenorial, have remained uncult-
waited.
by law OF Congress, any citizen can stake
ont any 40, SO, Or l60 acres not previously
claimed. and commence cultivation, assured
that If he continues to occupy until government
shall make survey and offer the same in mar
ket, he will then have the legal right to secure
full title at Sl.25 per acre. including all his inn
provements. This pre-empton claim requires
the observance of simple, equitable and estab-
lished forms, in order to be secure
The non-observance of these forms frequent
ly furnishes ground for contention between two
or more rival claimants, when. by removing a
few mllesln in any direction, they might find lands
quite as valuable. Yet as at the Jenny Lind
concerts, the first choice of seats was highly
priced, while hundreds of others were equally
good so the Minnesotian branch of Adams
family strive for their choice of location, and
not able to settle the question by competition
premium, as our brother Genin did, they fire.
quently decide by other forces.
Ye homeless and landless, come to the prai-
ries of the West. Here is room enough yet
leo OF the cities. struggling with high rents
and tyrannical fashion. come and he industri-
GUS and independent in the West Here slave
ry will forever be unknown. and consequently
labor is and will be honorable. Bring with you
strict principles of temperance and other vir-
tues, and make this region as celebrated for her
hunaanities as for natural grandeur and magnif-
icence.
1t is hoped many teachers at the East. whose
labors are urgently needed in the new points in
the West. will initiate the example of Miss Har-
riet E. Bishop. whose efficient teachings in Es-
sex county, New York, during the writer's su-
perintendency of common schools. were there
highly appreciated, as they since have been by
the citizens of Minnesota.
With view to encourage others. will en-
deavor to give her narrative. to the best of my
recollection, in her own words:
1.-The question. why / came to st. Paul? has
been so often asked and SO often answered, it
seems that repetition of my motives will ap-
pear egotistical. Again am l desired to give a
statement of facts connected with my early eff
forts here which do with no ordinary pleas
ure. for they are demanded by one whose face
was familiar ere l left the pleasant scenes of
early days, and whose teachings there have been
OF value to me since have been dweller in
fewery-valed Minnesota
In the spring of lS47, l joined the "First
Glass of Teachers" sent West by the Board
of National Popular Education" While at AL
bany. New York. where we received instructions
relative to our future untried duties. letter
was put into my hands from Rev. DR.. William
son, of the Sioux Mission, asking teacher in
behalf of the obscure tradng-pOst. which has
since expanded into the hourishing capital of
this most beautiful Territory. This was the first
had ever heard of st. Paul, or even Minneso-
ia. The impression was at once riveted upon
the mind that must go. And after two weeks
prayerful deliberation, said '' l will go:' But.
as if to test the strength of my resolution. came
the interrOgatOries. have you weighed we'll the
matter! Do You know it is a remote point -
That you must forego the refinements and COM
forts even of an Eastern home? Do you know
that you may find no congeniai society and
that when you arrive, you may not even be re-
ceived by the people? My decision had been
made. had no wish to change, and with cheer
full hope, yet with fear and trembling, embar-
hel in the great enterprise. came, because
was needed more here than at any other spot
on earth, and because was the only one who
felt duty to come.
landed July 10th, 1s47. at Little Crow vii
lage, (Sioux,) four miles below st. Paul, and
was conducted to the house of the missionary,
whose name appears above, followed by the
whole band of Indians, men, women and child
rem, to whom was an object of curiosity, and
who had many questions to ask concerning me.
In due time my baggage, with myself and pro-
per escort. embarked in a canoe for the point of
tnal destination, {steamboats we're less frequent
then than now.) Natures stiffness reigned pro-
found, save the splash of the paddle, and the
musical concert of blood thirsty musquitoes.-
Sea-sickness soon proffered its attentions. and
strove to render itself so agreeable that l soon
resigned myself entirely to its influence. And
when they pointed to a few log buildings on
commanding bluff and said :" That is st. Paul."
could merely open my eyes aud say, Il am
glad we are there" Our canoe was moored
an Indian blanket was placed on the ground,
aud was placed on it. While one attendant
shielded me with an umbrella and fought mus
quitoes, another brought from a cold spring wa
ter-reviving, strength giving water.
III