The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-26
For the Pioneer.
NO. 1.

Notes of Travel from st. Paul to .he Blue
Earth River. by the Way OF the VAL
ley Of the Minnesota.
JUNE Goth. Left st. Paul at 10, A. NJ
Mr.. Clarke, late an engineer on the Illinois
Central, and now on tour of observation in
the Territory, and Mr.. Rodney Parker, of this
city, In company. The air buoyant and re-
freshing. Delightful ride over the prairie to
Gibsons, II miles from Smelling, II from St.
Paul. Find Gibson getting along thriftily
has enlarged his house, and is now having it
plastered, and will soon be enabled to accom-
cate his many customers with good rooms and
everything else to match. Reached Shakopee
at half past three. Find it a smart, thriving,
go-ahead town. Many fine frame buildings
visible, and two or three brick ones. Popula
ton said to be about 700, and yet the village
but two years old! Country between Fort
Smelling and Shakopee, distance of 10 miles,
prairie, with one narrow belt of timber OPEN
ings, across the road at Gibson's, blooming
tony and a little sprinkling of timber at the
ferry 3 miles beyond. Soil good claims, near
ly all improved, numerous along the road
Country back of Shakopee said to be still rich
er. This town must continue to 60 ahead
Always accessible by water the country back
of it good; it being on the great highway Of
travel up the river; it being the county seat,
it must 60 forward. Its site is superb. At
about 6 miles from Shakopee, Leave prairie and
get into thick woods. At this point, saw the
tree which had been marked to signalize the
spot where an inoffensive white woman was
shot dead by the Indian who was hung last
winter for the act A most righteous penalty
and righteous because deserved, and enjoined
both by human and divine law 1t is true the
concomitants were not such as they ought
to have been. But this no more initiates
against the justice of this penalty, than it does
of any other, badly executed.
Two miles farther in the woods, reach At
woods, q stopping place. The old gentleman
away, getting provisions at st. Paul. Found
the old lady complaining as well as che
might be-still would do what she could. Got
up supper in short order. Said she was de-
lighted with the country; preferred it much
to Ohio she did not like the reddish yellow
clay soil of that region. The soil where she
now was, was much easier managed, and more
productive. (Par parenthese-the old gentle
man at home on our return, June %. Per.
fectly enthusiastic about the country. Had
lived in New Hampshire, Vermont, New York
State and on the Ohio Reserve, but had never
seen any soil or climate to be compared with
Minnesota. With pipe in mouth, he looked
the Very picture of contentment when dis
coursing on this topic. But we were in q
hurry, and he had not an opportunity to tell
US all his experience, which regretted, as 1
love to hear men who have lived in many 9th
er places, and whose age entities them to re-
spect, descant on such subjects.) Found man
by the name of Palmer, bravely at work get
ting up a house for himself in the quarter
section joining Atwood's. Had lived in CAL
ifornia. Was delighted with his location.
Spoke enthusiastically of the Big Woods back.
| Says he has been back miles, and found
claims every where-scarcely quarter section
left unclaimed. Mrs. Atwood says her hus-
band has been offered 81 900 for his claim.
Judge Duly, who lives about two miles from
Atwood, and has seventy acres broker, has been
offered $4,000 for his Atwood has house
separate from his own domicile, where he
slows travellers, all in one room. Here we
were slowed for the night JHs