The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-06-10
THE GREAT EXCURSION.


st. Paul yesterday morning. As the boat
neared the landing at that village, all previou
conceptions of the splendor and magnitude O
the Je!e which Messrs. SHEFFIELD & FARNHA,
had promised the citizens of the Upper Missis
sippi Valley, were so far overreached by tn
reality, that We at once concluded to abandon
all idea Of endeavoring to attempt newspaper
description, in detail. Five superb steamers
equal in accommodation and management to an,
vessels of their size that float the water
Of the continent freighted to their utmost ca
pacity with the elite of the American Republic
in regard to talent, wealth, beauty and worth
majestically blowing the waters of our noble
finland sea, within mailing distance of each
other, and under the complete control of one
general head, is not sight that we may rca
sonably expect to witness more than once in 4;
lifetime.
According to the programme, about t,relvt
hundred invited guests of the Chicago and
Rock Island Railroad Company assembled al
Chicago, on Saturday evening last, to join in
the excursion celebratOry of the union of the
Mississippi with the Atlantic This immense
cOncourse was passed over tie Road on Monday,
with degree of order and regularity that all
speak Of in the highest degree of commenda-
tion. Arriving at Rock Island. the following
steamers were in waiting to receive the guests
oALESA AND T. LOUIS PACKETS.
Golden Era, Capt. Hiram Bersie;
G. W. Sparhawk, Capt Montreville Green
Lady Franklin, Capt. Lcgrand Morehouse.
oALENA AND MINNESOTA PAcKE1s.
War Eagle, Capt d. S. Harris;
Galena, Capt. b. b. Morchouse
On these magnificent packets embarked a
bout one thousand of the company; and at
given signal, bells were rung and whistles
sounded, and then the curling waters of the
Great River opened to receive the keels of YES
sells freighted with hundreds of the most distin-
guishcd men and women Of the nation, who
had never before set eye upon the rich beauties
which nature has distributed so profusly over
our mighty valley. The list of names which
we annex shows that the character of the par
~ is such as was never before assembled in one
company in these United States. Eminent
and celebrated in science and divinity the
famous in art and letters, and the leading men
at the helm editorial are mingled in social in
tercourse upon this grand occasion
1t was an unfortunate event that the weather
proved somewhat unfavorable when the party
was landed at Galena on Tuesday morning
Notwithstanding this drawback, the Galcnians
were on hand to receive the guests in a manner
becoming the well-earned reputation of that
enterprising city. An excursion was had to
the mines, and at the boats addresses were made
and happy responses received from Hon. Ed
ward Bates, of ST. Louis Ex-Prcsident Fill
more and Others. AT Dubuque, the same in
tcresting ceremonies took place.
At La Crosse. the boats landed in a driving
rain storm from the north, which prevented the
citizens from making such demonstration as they
otherwise would have wished. Still, large
crowd was at the landing, and when the familiar
visage of WILLARD FILLMORE appeared upon the
deck Of the Golden Era, there were universal
and prolonged cheers from the assembled null
titude on shore. But a brief stop was made
here; and this was the last general call made
at any point until the party arrived at ST. Paul
yesterday morning.
The boats reached our landing about eight
O'Clock in the morning. The display of the
fleet in our river upon rounding the point be-
low the city, is represented by those who wit
messed it from the shore. as being grand
beyond precedent. The five boats were
SO arranged that they approached in Or
der as regular as though they were ain armed
squadron taking their position in line of bat
tie. Two full bands of music were on board,
both of which struck up lively airs as the boats
neared the landing. This, with the rays of the
bright June sun which broke forth in all his
glory after three days storm the animation of
the company on board the boats and the enthu-
siasm of the assembled hundreds on shore and
On the decks of the Admiral, then lying at the
landing, produced scene of excitement which
st. Paul has never before witnessed, and per-
haps will not again for many years.
Unfortunately, the fast railroad time of Shelf
field & Farnham on this. as on the occasion
of all enterprises in which they engage, was
somewhat ahead of their neighbors and contcm-
pecting the grand arrival until twenty four
hours later. Consequently, no such arrange
ments were consummated to receive their
guests as had been planned and were in process
of execution. But nevertheless, they did the
best they could under the circumstances and
We hope the degree of attention so promptly
displayed upon the spur of the moment has
been satisfactory to the distinguished company
Many of the party-a large majority, we be-
ferc,-visitcd the Falls of st. Anthony and
Fort Smelling. and returned highly delighted
with the excursion. Throughout, the excursion
has been one scene of uninterrupted pleasure
and delight to all who have participated in it.
To the personal attentions of Mr.. Farnham and
his amiable lady, and to those Of Col. Mix, and
the officers of the several steamers. we feel au-
thoriZed to say all are ready to bear or,,oy,l