The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-10-04
HOMEwARD BOUND.

A new route homeward had been deter
mined upon, by the way of Red Cedar lake,
Hutchinson, Rapid Water and the north
side of Minnetonka lake, upon which we
started the next morning at ten o'clock.
Our direction was southeast, leaving a great
many beautiful lakes and fine groves of tim
Der to the left of us, over the most attrac-
tive prairie country yet seen. This prairie,
though high, dry. and rolling, unlike many
others, is, well watered by small lakes and
running streams; and as far as the eye could
reach, might be observed rich meadows of
the most luxurlant waving grass. Towards
noon our horsrmen who were about two
miles ahead We're observed to be galloping
towards some object in the distance, appar-
emily a black spot or surveyors monument.
Soon however it was found to be moving
thing, for it was running from them at rap
id rate. 1t must be a, bear, Presently it
stopped and turned round, and took care
full survey of the field. The horsemen had
also stopped, apparently afraid to go nearer.
1t was certainly bear, for We could see him
as We imagined standing up on his hind feet,
with his fore paw over his head, looking at
us. We were 6 ting, tremendously excited.
"a bear! a bear % shouted our comman-
der. "Drive on; let's surround him on the
prairie. Load up your guns-don't you see
its bear. Come on, l say--don't waste
your ammunition on ducks and chickens
whenthere's q bear in sight p e Part of the
wagons Lad stopped and the men were out
shooting chickens, not having discovered the
big game ahead. "Drive on, put your teams
on a run we'll surround him % Presently
we We're all in rapid motion, looking more
like a runaway funeral procession than any
thing else we can compare it to. As we ap-
preached the object its proportions began to
increase. 1t, was, not Il bear, its neck was
too long; it must be, what else could it be,
it was-a buffalo More excited than ever
became we of the wagons. We were on a
buffalo chase! How would our friends envy us
when they heard us recount this wonderful
exploit. We would kill him and bring him
home with us to prove that we had been on
the chase. A buitalo-don't you see his
horns as plain as can be. But stop, are they
horns why of course what do you sup
pose buffalo would lave on his head but
horns! But see, they are too straight for
horns; oh horrible, tell it not in Gath, they
are not horns-they are earY!! 1t was even
so, we had chased down mule! The ami
NAL had on a bell on. 1t was secured, and
is now in the possession OF Mr.. John Nc
Iced, of Glencoe.
We passed a great many beautiful lakes
during the day, and arrived at Red Cedar, a
distance of 81 miles, a little after dark. Our
ride had been Of the most exhilrating de-
scription,-thc beautiful and fertile prairie
t c crystal lakes and exciting incidents, made
the party in the most buoyant spirits. A
town is laid out at Red Cedar in which there
IS one house not yet inisie |, designed for a
hotcl, which we occupied during tie night
and at s O'Clock the next morning were at
HUTCHINSON.
THIS t wn, in which the Hutchinson brothers
have a large interest, is beautifully located on
tn sides Of the South, Fork now called
Hassen river. 1t has been laid out but few
months, yet there are a number Of families
residing here, and store, blacksmith shop,
and hotel i'll operation. a steam saw-mil
has just been put up, VIII CHI will be of i'm
nense benefit to the settlers. We here met
with our old friend b. f. Messer, favorably
known to a large portion of our readers.
With his long beard and hair, he would be
readily taken for one of the Hutchinsons.
This place is. situated in the northwest por-
ton of Mcleod county. - 49,. .. 81,
Our company here, Sol arated. The Glen
coe portion going down the south side of the
river, while we wentOn the north. We here
entered the Big Woods, which in the neigh
borhood Of Hutchinson is composed entirely
of small poplars. The new Territorial road
lately laid out from Minneapolis to Hutclin-
son was the route taken. We travelled %
miles during the rest of the day, passing
only one house in the meantime, and built
our camp fire in. the woods, eight miles from
Rapid Water which place we reached the
next morning in time for breakfast. This
flace' is on the South Fork or Uassan river,
in the north part of Carver county. A
steam mill Is in operation. Rapid w alter is
also laid out as town; and is 20 miles from
Wyzata on Lake Minnstonka, and. 30 miles
from Minneapolis. We determined to reach
the latter place that evening. We now came
again into settled region of country, for
more than 20 houses between Rapid Water
and Wyzata were counted, besides many
claim slianties in which no one resided, We
reached Minneapolis at 9 o'clock in the eve
ming. ,s,a,et..-,,,, - 4ec dt..r ..it ,...,..
+ Thus ended our trip--a trip Astounding in
pleasure and fatigue, in excitement and hi
larity. Our party was rather too large to
be pleasantly accommodated in one mess, but
as it was, we thought we had that sgood
time" spoken of in the song. Mr.. White
field took great many sketches, some of
which lie, designs to publish .e.y sr.,,., .,.,-l
LEyEE RIor.-Our city was disgraeed, on
Sunday afternoon, by bloody fight between
some of the officers and n portion of tho