The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-05-05
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
Traverse des Sioux, and vicinity-Trip
up the Minnesota River-LOw Wa.
observation-disclosures for Roads, &c.

Traverse des Sioux, April 9th, 1854
When left St. Paul, promised to give you some
items in regard this section Of Territory, but
part of the time since my arrival have been very
busy, and part of the time have been very lazy
You may ther fore attribute my not writing earlier
to either cause.
The low water in the Minnesota kept us in the
shade for long time since spring, and we began to
fear that we would be isolated during the summer,
but the recent rise, and the arrival Of the
steamer Hunbolt with heavy load Of freight and
passengers, has dispcled our lonliness, and are
now fourishing like green bay tree. Men women
and children, horses, oxen, and mules, all busiy
engaged in tearing up beautiful praires, for the
cultivation Of the various grains and roots necessary
for the next winters supply Even the Indians few
Of whom are still about us, are overcoming their
reckessness as regards providing for future want,
and are at work, hoe in hand, to prepare garden
spot.
These poor fellows feel a strange reluctance to
leave their old hans, to locate their reservation,
and if possible they will plant at their old villages
the present season.
Whether it is natural with them, or they believe
that their good conduct depends their chances for
remaining on the lands they formerly occupied, will
not pretend to say, but their intercourse with the
VIII trs has been uniformly creditabe as far as my
observation has extended. In fact it is my belief
trbued to the Indians, the result of Of gross
injustice committed against them by some of those
bpeds who locate in the vicinity Of the Indians, and
call themselves civilized.
Improvement in this region is now rapidly pro.
crossing. New farms are being opened and old ones
enlarged. We are in expectation of large increase
:" r-r'-.:, -l :3 '..'.~. .>...si uUra,neo,
great many buildings would be put up immediately
1t is very much to he regretted that we are unable 10
obtain the lumber necessary for building. That il
the only drawback this place, and it will hone
soon be remedied. All the other requisites Tor
prosperous agricultural and commercial point we
have. The land is Of the 6rst quality. Timber and
water abundant, and our location is such az to
make this an important point on the river.
There is a matter that Our people feel very deem
solictude about, and that is whether Congress will
DO any thing for Us in the way of roads. 1t is well
known fact that many persons DESTROYS of reach.
ing the Minneso,a valley with their teams. d;rec,
from Iowa. This is difficult at present, owing to the
want Of direct roads through to the common river
We are as yet too feeble in population to make roads
without the assistance of Congress, and one sporo
praton for that purpose would be repaid by the sale
IF the land that would be opened to settlement in
consequence. Congress certainly should contribute
literally to open roads through the tmbered portions
If the late Sioux purchase. Nothing would tend
more to the settlement Of the upper valley Of the
u Minnesota.
Through the enterprise Of our citizens, good road
las been constructed from this place to Fort Ripley
he location Is through rich agricultural country we'll
vatered, and we'll timbered, ard many settlement,
ave been made At different points between this and
he fork. Yours, T..