The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-07-08
near as we could judge, lis miles, making 260
miles from Dubuque to st. Paul.

near as we could judge, lis miles, making 26'
miles from Dubuque to st. Paul.
Emigrants reaching the terminus Of our road
should enquire for Austin or Leverich's Mill
las it has been called.y The road is on thu
west side of the Cedar, and crosses some small
creeks, II miles to Austin. At Austin, Mr.
Nichols will put you on the right trail, which
leads IL miles up the Cedar, to Cold Spring
Camp. You are now "a miles north of the lows
line, in the S. E. corner of Sec 80. town. los
range Is. The course from Cold Spring is nortl
rs degrees west, the scattering oak trees plain
then towards large mound in the prairie, the
trail goes little to the left of the mound, to-
wards a prominent clump of dead poplars across
the prairie. As you approach the timber the
oaks are again plainly blazed, and directions
written on several of them. Follow the blazed
line of trees to narrow strip of prairie, which
you cross going due north to quarter post, O
few rods in the timber. You are now in Sec l.
town. los, range l9. The course for miles
ahead is northwest, most of the way level
oak grove.
A few rods to the left you can see thrCug Oh
the oaks lake; a fine place for camping.
There are several cross trails of Indians and
others you will be careful to follow the newest
blazed TRAIL recollecting the course, north west.
lou have now six miles of oak timber, plainly
marked. then one of small shrubs and tbickets
OF poplar, then two miles of prairie with long
poles driven to mark the trail, which is still
northwest. towards dark green point of oaks.
One-fourth of a mile before reaching the oaks.
you will see fine creek at your left, and the
corner post of towns. LOG and 10Y, ranges 10
and 20 at your right. From this point you will
steer north halfa mile into the edge of the oaks.
when the poles of fifteen or twenty Indian te-
PEGS are in sight, and from these you have a
plain Indian trail bearing little west of north
to Straight river settlement ten miles. From
this point to the upper crossing of the Cannon
ON the old road to St. Paul there are some 40
or so houses erected. or in process of erection.
and information can be obtained of Mr.. San
born, Mr.. Faribault, and others, which will di-
rect you to St. Paul, Shakopec, Mankato. or
any points on the Minnesota and Mississippi ri
vers. As have before stated the distance
from the last house on the Cedar to the first
house on Straight river, is but forty miles. Our
wagon was heavy and made plain trail, which
can be easily followed but have been particu.
lar in describing the landmarks that there
might be no possibility of mistake The only
real difficulties on the whole route are at the
crossings of the Cannon and little creek one
mile this side. These are on the old road to
Mr. Faribaults, and are crossed by loaded
teams daily but really the streams need bridr
ing by somebody at once.
From Austin to the crossing Of Straight RI
yer, distance of thirty five miles, there is not
stream but what man might step across.
and nothing that teamster would call hill
On our return We counted thirty emigrant war
ons in travelling ten miles south of the Cannon.
with men, women and children. COWS. sheen and
oxen too numerous to count
WM. ". FINCH.
Clerk of Commissioners.