The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-07-02
For the Pioneer,
NO. 5.
Notes of Travel along the Minnesota
Valley Continued.

does all he can to accommodate his customers.
Gave US, this morning, very good breakfast.
Says he has not got his house yet in the trim he
wishes to have it. Learning that Henderson,
the town of Councillor Joseph r. Brown, was
but few miles below LIE Sueur, and being
very anxious to corroborate for ourselves its
advanced condition, we left LIE Sueur for it,
Immediately after breakfast. Took the road
to the ferry, one and half miles below the
town. This road runs all the way through
thick woods, along the river bottom. The
stumps i'll the road too high-asa consequence
our carriage was brought up all standing by
collision with one; the damage being broken
trace bar, and few moments delay. could
not help seeing the old thing sticking out,
when Parker brought out his bundle of straps
He is not the man to be fonnd mapping for
want of provident appliances, and the ready
way in which he repaired damages, showed
| that this was not the first break down he had
met with. At the ferry we were fortunate
enough to find boat on our side ferried our
selves over in the absence of ferryman; good
turn also for the gentleman with buggy, on
north bank, who was thus enabled also to ferry
himself across. Land along the road, north
side of river (Mnnesota) first rate, though
broken splendid stock farms all along the
road best meadows | have seen.
First psrson we saw at Henderson was the
Councillor himself; could not help thinking
that the man who could get up town as
Henderson now shows itself, must be one of no
mean energy. The town has sprung up phoenix
like right in the thickest of timber. 1t has
about thirty dwelling houses, the most of them
of log character, but soon the two steam saw
mills which are in the place. one now in opera
ton and the other to be shortly, will cause
these to be lost in the frame buildings which
will spring up. The mill now in operation
belongs to Mr.. Katie. That in process of
completion has been sold by Mr.. Brown to the
Henderson Association Company. The advan
tages of this town are its proximity to Fort
Ridgely and the upper Minnesota generally,
by virtue of the bend of the river, by which it
is said to be as near that region as some of the
towns higher up. The country back is also
represented as very fne-for five miles timber,
beyond, prairie The greatest objection to the
town is its being on SO low level of the river
bank. But Mr.. Brown informs me that only
in 80, 81 and 80 was there partial overflow
of the town site, and that the portion adjoin-
ing the river. At Henderson we again crossed
by ferry to south bank Of the Minnesota. I'm
fortunately took the left hand newly cut road,
leading along the river bottom; should have
taken the old road, which turns short to the
right after leaving boat. We went about four
miles on new road, when behold it had not
been cut entirely through to the old road, and
We had to back entirely out This not so bad,
but the worst of it was that Mr.. Clark and
myself got completely soaked by tramping in
the wet grass, in our attempts to find way
out to the old road in direct line; and we had
to sit about three hours in thoroughly wet
boots and stockings. Doubt whether the new
cut road will supercedc the old one {; it runs
ally be heavy road. 1t is true that about
IL miles from ferry on the old road, you ascend
hill sleeper than any ever before expert
enced in highway travelling; but this grade is
entirely unnecessary, and could be easily avoid
cd by locating the road along the side hill. In
other respects this road runs on better ground
than either the newly cut road, OR that leading
to lie Sueur on the south side of the river
Ten miles from Henderson, on the western
edge of Belle PLANE, came to Finch's, a stop
ping place, where made myself comfortable
by change of apparel. Mr.. Finch has a
large family Of grown up children, boys and
girls. Does not yet like Minnesota as well as
Wisconsin, where he lived last. Doubt how
ever, if the choice was given him to be trans
ferred to his old home, or stay where he is, il
he would choose the latter Mrs. Finch tired
Of moving about the country as much as they
had done she was too old for such changes
it might do very well for younger people. The
vicissitudes OF her life, however, had not soured
her temper she seemed cheerful and resigned
and while working hard fer her family, did Sc
without complaining, and with spirit Of
meekness and good will which her countenance
did not fail to betray One of her sons, almost
blind, since they came to the Territory, with
sore eyes. Recommended so strongly Bonds
Eye Salve that she requested NE to despatch
her box by mail. En- PEASANT this Eye
Salve of Bonds conceive to be the best ex
tant, and l mention it for the benefit of the
many persons in the Territory who are afflicted
with this uncomfortable maledy. speak or
this point from an experience, which l think