The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1855-05-23

tWO dAcLucu, INO Cuolu-AucII, OIlc COOk, anu Two
teams, with provisions and camp equippage,
making in all force OF ten men, set out en-
route for Kettle River. 1t was agreed upon
by the Commissioners, that to be sure of
securing the best possible route, it would be
better to explore on their way out, and after
settling on good point to intersect the Point
Douglass and st. Louis River Road, to COM
nlence taking the proper and accurate courses
and claiming the distance from that point, and
work towards st. Paul, which course was
the wisest and best for on several occasions
going up the party had to back out, or cut
their way through underbrush and timber
which skirted immense marshes, whose length
and breadth appear ed endless. On one occa-
sion they had to detach the horses and draw
the wagons over by hand but even for those
difficulties they were rewarded by discovering
as fine county, and as good route as it is pos
sible to conceive. On the way out, the party
constructed rude but substantial bridge
across the Rice Lakes, which was great de-
sideratum, as the want Of bridge in that
locality had long been felt, and was one of
the most serious drawbacks to the develop
ment OF the country north of the Rice Lakes.
The bridge was completed, as also two other
smaller ones, on the 2lst of April, and they
then proceeded on their journey. After leav-
ing the Rice Lakes, they entered upon a beau
tifnl level prairie like country, with groves of
oak and tamarac, exceeding the average size :;
good meadows here and there distributed, and
water was obtained on the edge of the tama-
rae two feet from the surface. The soil is a
sandy loan on the ridges, and the fats are
somewhat richer, being from two to three
inches Of splendid black SOIL About six
miles from Mr.. Travers they reached the large
log house OF Mr. Starkey, scarcely yet COM
pleted but now in the possession Of some of
the genter sex, belonging to the large colony
from Philadelphia, who are settling rapidly on
Sunrise River and its branches, concerning
which more anon. Half mile farther on.
they came to the residence of Mr. Davis, who
is in company with Mr. Stokes. In lieu of
" Turning" which they lately followed in st.
Paul, they have turned Farmers, and the esti-
mablc wife of Mr.. Davis has, on several occa-
sions, which she is ever ready to do, done good
turns to the weary traveller when seeking a
home, or travelling through on the new route;
and she certainly can claim the honor of en-
Pertaining the first travellers by this route to
Lake Superior, as Doctor Mayo and his party
can testify, they having selected this road on
their trip up this month, (Slay.) Proceeding
farther on, about two miles, at the northwest
corner of Three Pine Lake, they arrived at the
house Of C. r. Conway, delightfully."- situated,
where, also, such accommodation can be had as
the nature of the country afford. Immediately
adjoining is the residence Of a whole souled
German, whom the writer knows by no other
name than Dutch Johu," and who is pretty
we'll posted up about the country; and those Of
our good German adopted citizens, wanting
good homes, would do well to give John cali.
Language, nationality and sympathy will all
be in their favor. There are many other set
tiers in the vicinity, but as their houses are not
Immediately on the road, it would require too
much space 10 name them all, and invidious to
name some and not all. 1t is sufficient to say
that since the building Of the bridge, from
seventy to one hundred locations have been
taken by actual settlers. After leaving Dutch
Johns, the route lays through beautiful Sec
tion of country with scarcely hill anywhere,
and crosses the different branches of the Sun
rise three times.
And here word to the farmer and grazier
The bottoms on the Sunrise and its branches
arc covered with rich, beautiful grass, from
six to seven feet high, of most luxurant
growth. The horses left the oats, corn and
hay and eat the grass, which was standing,
with perfect fury. Here is the place for stock
raising; and all the land, and moderate
quantity of timber, can be had adjoining. All
il requires is immediate looking up by some
one acquainted with the country. Those de-
sirous to locate should not procrastinate. The
writer Of this has, within few days, located
twelve actual settlers. and there is yet room
for more.
After crossing the branch of Sunrise, called
by some Cedar Greek, they passed through .
splendid level country, mostly burr oak open
ings, for some miles, with beautiful lakes and
clear shores, until Goose Creek was reached,
in the neighborhood of which is meadow and
hard wood in abundance--good water and rich
SOIL Passing over this lpart of the route the
party soon came in sight of Goose Creek
Prairie, the rendezvous of the workmcn of J.
D. Laden, the Contractor for that part Of the
Military Road, now being constructed. 1t is
deviation from the original route as laid
out by Capt. Simpson, and is nearly direct
north course to Kettle River. The party then
proceeded across the Prairie, and arrived at
the Contractors Camp on the evening of Fri
day, April 9th; and from information OBJ
tanned there, they found that by making the
intersection at point somewhere near there,
would answer all ends, as the very route now
taken by the U. S., was the same as that in
tended to be taken by the Commissioners Of
this expedition. Accordingly, having en-
camped there that night, they, on the morning
of Saturday, 18th April, proceeded about one
mile On the Military Road, and at point
40 chains and 45-l00 above the 80th mile
post on said Military Road, they made the
intersecting point, and few notes taken on
the spot will probably give the reader an in
sight into the face of the country.
Conclusion Tomorrow.
u. s. District Court, second District,
Way Term.