The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-07-29
Edi,eri.l Correspondence.


about to start in continuation OF our journey.
We drove some five miles further, part of the
way up the main stream, and thence by south
west course across the prairie. The land i'm
proves in quality and favorable position as you
advance in this direction, and timber and wa
ter become still more plentiful. We relieved
our temporary wants at spring about mile
above the falls branch which. gushes from
gentle slope some thirty feet above the rivers
edge, in a volume that would drive small
saw>mill. Save the large spring near Shake
pee and the head of the branch which runs
through st. Paul, near the Winslow House, we
have never seen anything of the kind, in any
country, equal to this refreshing fountain on
the banks Of the Cannon. With the aid of
ram, it would elevate water upon tract of
country back Of it sufficient to supply thou
sand inhabitants.
We next passed through beautiful grove Of
sugar-maple, white walnut, Eastwood, oak and
elm, shooting forth from quality of soil that
would excite the envy of farmer from the
most favored sections of Ohio or Indiana. Here
that sure indicator Of fertile earth, the sumac,
grows to the height of fifteen and twenty feet.
Any one experienced in judging of Western
soils, knows what lies around the roots of this
shrub. Further on, we came to another large
spring boiling from beneath a ledge of lime
stone. Half mile brought us to the elevation
of the highest lands in this region. The point
was upon the divide" between the falls branch
and the next branch of the Cannon above it,
called Prairie Creek. The view from this
point is one of the most grand and imposing we
have ever beheld. The day being clear, the
view over the broad plains north and south was
bounded only by the horizon, while to the east
was the well-timbered valley of the falls branch,
and to the west the bold outlines of the "Big
Woods" which comes down from the Minncso-
ia river and cuts the prairie in almost a
straight line some eight or ten miles beyond
where we stood. The view north extended to
the small groves which skirt the Nermillion,
while to the south the breaks of the Zumbro
valley were indstinctly visible Although we
were upon one of the highest elevations of the
country, the approach to it was so gradual that
It was scarcely perceptible. You can look
down to where the Cannon, n mile distant
winds itself between perpendicular, rocky
bluffs, some thirty feet high, and scarcely be-
lieve you have been at all ascending to reach
the point where you stand.
The soil on these highest elevations is two
Or three feet in depth, very dark, and sending
forth vegetation of the most luxuriant char
acter. One standing here cannot fail to look
forward, with certainty, to the end of the few
short years when these broad acres will be
waving with golden grain the neat and taste
full farmhouse peering forth from the borders of
the groves, and the iron horse, with blacken ed
breath and lungs offire, coursing his way nc
cross the plains, bearing to the commercial
marts Of the East and South the rich products
of this garden land But this, it appears, is
forbidden ground !; and we must break the rev.
erie, fearing that we may tread upon the slow
moving toes of our anti-railroad neighbors OF
the Times and Democrat.
We drove down to the banks of Prairie creek,
which is the last southern branch of the Can
non as you ascend the stream, save Straight
river, some miles above. This branch is near
ly as large as the falls branch-is a rapid and
deep brook, and farther up is said to be perfect
~ alive with trout. We regretted that we had
not time to continue our journey south to the
Zumbro, where there has been quite settle
ment made this year, and where it is said by
reliable persons, the country for agricultural
advantages of soil, timber and water is much
better than the valley of the Cannon. We can
scarcely imagine, however, how such result
could have been brought about by the hand of
nature. The Zumbro settlement is twenty-six
miles from Red Wing and sixty from Winona.
The Red Wingers will next week turn out en-
mdsse and help the settlers cut and make pas
sable straight road from the village to the |
settlement, which will shorten the distance
somewhat, and render the passage of loaded
teams easy and practicable. Here is an exam
pie of enterprise by these villagers worthy the
Imitation of st. Paul herself Why can't she
do the same for the much needed road out to
Taylor's Falls!
The second guide meridian" of the survey
OF lands in Minnesota west of the Mississippi,
crosses the Cannon half mile above the mouth |
Of the falls branch. This meridian leaves the
Iowa line at the point which is the western
limit allowed by the recent act of Congress for
the commencing point of the railroad, and run
ming north strikes the Mississippi few miles
above Hastings, about eight miles to the east
ward st. Paul. The falls ofthe Cannon are
four townships and one-sixth south of ST. Paul
ny the surveys, consequently their exact dis
lance and direction from our city is eight and
half miles east and twenty-five miles south
A good road, rail or any other kind, can I'M
doubleday be practically located between the
two points within the distance of thirty miles.
The falls are twenty miles from Red Wing.
ihere is not more than three or four sections
OF land yet claimed in all the broad space we
nave travelled over and attempted to describe.
All the remainder is left open to settlement
standing forth in the rich beauties of prime