The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-04-07

Oar attention has lately been called TO the import
ance Of road from point opposite this village IN
Iowa, up feiiow river, by Bunker Hill and Dakor
all, TO Traverse DIES Sioux, the ST. Peters river
Minnesota. Tho distance would probably be ahout
rs miles and the road would follow ridge almost
the whole way. The country throus which II would
pass is undoubtedly the best part OF Iowa. now rapid
|, settling, and would be the most direct outlet from
,hc iac valley Of the Minnesota. 1t is nearly
straight line, and road could be made at ritiiog
expense, there is bot few small streams TO bridge
and "A t,Ie timber to down. 1t will be remem
bered that railroad will long follow this very
route; bot N the mean time give us Il good wagon
road Cawi o,d County Courier.
Softly, fiiend liutchinson,- you desire to have
road LON your place TO the ValIey Of the Minncso
ta. We will join with you, but would respectful
y suggest that Traverse dcs Sioux is the oval
ley ct the Minnesota" nor in point Of accessibility
a second rate location on the Minnesota river.
A road from Prairie du Chen, Dubuque, or from
Lake repin mast pass Old Village Lake, on the
Cannon River. That is "a fixed fact, us the many
and extensive swaTrs south of that lake preclude,
the probability OF locating a road south. From Old
Village Lake then. the most eligible and accessible
route will obtain the t,avcl, and that will certainly
not lead the Traverse.
abou, Thu five miles by the most favorable route,
and that viii pass within five miles Of lie Sucur,
which is twelve miles below the Traverse That is
by way oil Dry Lake and the dividing ridge between
klyue creek and the stream below lie Sueur. Ii on
the other hand, the prairie is adopted, the dis
lance is about forty five miles. and the Traverse dcs
Sioux viii be reached by the way Of Babceck's Mills
IL
his weary limbs at L. Sueur, or Babcock's Mills, as
he may travel the upper or the lower road.
Traverse des Sioux located by Mr.. Prescott
in 1928, and the location made entirely with ref
ercce 10 its being point here the Minnesota could
be reached with carts from the west eth7td cutting
rcd toa Previous 10 the DAYS Of the Co.
innbia Fur Conn any, carts were unknown on the ST.
Peters and either bark canoes or Macknay boats
were used for taking Supplies TO Little Rock, Lac
lni Pa'e, &C., and tho trading rost> were generally
al White Rock. L Sueur, HENDERSON, Sc, I'll u the
Traverse, and the Intercourse of The Indians of Lac
whirh is yet frequently travelled, between Rush.
ard High Island tivers. The Introduction Of carts
into the Indian trade shortened water communication
and very materially diminished The crgth OF time
necessary for the trip to the upper country. The
Traverse became the derot FOR the UPPER trade, and
was the first summer trading post above the mouth
OF the Minnesota Indians locatcd in the vicinity of
the traders, and in lS9 or 1910 the American Board
established Mission ut that point; and from tho
fact that was the store house Of he upper St Pc
'e'S' ii obtained name which It's geographical posi-
ton cannot maintain. The Traverse can no lon,cr
be the point iom which supplies viii be hauled west,
neither will 1t be the crossing Of road from east to
"es'. The distance from Old Village Lake to Lac
ui Pale is thirty miles shorter by way Of Hender-
son than by Traverse DIES Sioux, and The road can be
constructed at much less expense and be infinitely
better when completed.