The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-12-27

From the Chicago Democratic Press
anserVEcw with an Old Egunter-..Seyei, /,
Years in the Woods.

From the Chicago Democratic Press
Interview with an Old Eaunter...Seve,
{ Years in the Woods.
We hadIanintcrvew yesterday with Mn
". 81. Adams, who has Tor the last seye,
!etrs oeen engaged i'll hunting and trappin.
IL, southwestern Minnesota Mr.. Adams 4
one OF Company which organized for -tli
purpose IN 1872. 1t consisted orig.naiys;
three members, but has grown gradu
any up 10 the present season, ami now mum
pe's seventy two men capable of performing
active service. The company has its owl
avs when arc enforced through officer,
etected hy the popular voice, and all difiicul
tics aetWeeh members and all violations q
the prescribed rules of the organization. arc
heafi and snmma,ily settled by them. The
company represents almost every nationality
Mr. Adams himself Is native of New
London, Connecticut, but his long residence
IN the wl!ds OF the West and his habits as 4
trapper have nearly ehlteratesl all. traces q,
ianKeedom from his physical ilan. Tn,
natural shrcwedaess and kecnncss are assur-
cdiy there, but these qualities have taken ON
new 1orns OF outward manifestation.
Inc company with which Mr. ADAMS is
connected has its head quarters at Fort
D"dsc Some of them own farms in that
vicinity on which their families reside. and
t,l'her the hunters resort at stated times.
Here, and at some Of the Minnesota settle
mcnts, breadStu.is and other NECESSARY sun
piies arc procured for the hunters WHO are
out on duty. Their furs arc taken To St.
Louis for a market
Inc country o-cr winch the company hu,. t
and trap lies along the Biz Sioux River. and
extending Northwarl and Eastward over a
VIDE ares, Here they take by trap and gnn.
innumoFahies Quantities Of Otter, Beaver,
Muskrat. Mink. Raccoon, Wildcat, Grey
wolf, Elk and Deer Mr.. ADAMS in
. terms us, however. that the approach of set
Elements both in Northwestern Iowa and
Southwestern Minnesota, together with the
operations OF his company, have materially di-
tninshed the amount of game, and next sea-
son they propose seeking new hunting
grounds near the Rocky Mountains.
Mr. Adams represents the most of tk- cs-
tenslve range O! country through which his
hunting mas extended as a very inviting re-
gion. 1t is travcrsed by five rapid streams
"f clear water, flowing over pebble, sand and
rock. Tn some of them fine sites for mills
Occur, and generally their banks are adorned
with vigorous growth of timber. The prai-
re country predomnatcs. The soil is of good
qnailty, and the country n,ither too level
nor too much broken. NEST me ls of m :
casional occurrence, and Mr. Adams informs
| us that he has now and then found coal crop
ping out from the banks of the water courses.
1he winters are pretty cold, the snow
usually lying on the ground from one to three
! feet deep. Nevertlt. less Mr. ADAMS repre-
Sc Is the climate as being delightful. 1t is
m hardship to lie out all night, wrapped i'm a
! single blanket; with the saddle for pillow
alter one gets used to it. Sickness is un-
Known to the members cf the company. 1t
Sometimes happens that man gets lost or is
I killed by the Indians. hut no,ie of them ret
sick. Mr.. Adams is of opinion that within
two or three years settlements will be- push
et out over most of his old hunting grounds:
in anticipation of which he has already takeh
for himself a claim at the junction of two
beautiful streams which form Rock River.
tributary of the Big Sioux. Let no enter
prizing pioneer hereafter disturb the logs
which mark tie spot, or dispute with Mr..
Adams the rights which he has SO hardly
earned.
The attractions OF life in the woods h .vc
I had their effect upon Mr.. Adams. He is not
at home amid the haunts of civilization.
Onr active, bustllag city, with its great stream
1T life flowing ever along its principal tt or
! "ugitares, and with its opulence and luxur,
staring him every where in the face--is dull
and drcary sight to him. Far more desira-
be the free life of the WOO s. the excitemen,
OF the chase, the nnceasing out look for hos
ile lnd'ens: the g;cd cheer and compai ion
! ship OF the camp after the DAYS adventures
are over We questionep him on this head
and found him prepared for us at every point.
10 Cur every contrast between the comforts
OF civilized life and the dangers and priva-
! II ms Of the wilderness, he had some ready
answer to give, which completely sienced
us. We gave up, and concluded to f,llow
closely his parting advice" You take pleas
ure in NAL in srewsI Al ers and in r>aGing them
i in hunting and in conversing wi my
campmatcs about what we have done and
seen. You 60 on making papers will con-
| innc to hunt