The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-12-12
rrespondc"cc Of Tie Colcdouien.
RIVER FALLS, Wis, Nov. u.s.

towns growing up along its banks. But whcl
the task is actually attempted it is found tc
be an undertaking of no small magnitude
Contemplate for instance its geographical po
sition, rolling two thousand miles in naviga
bic breadth and depth through the heart of
the hemisphere, and, by its tributaries, open
ing avenues of commerce that reach from the
Alicghanics to the base of the Rocky Noun
talns. One hundred miles of railroad, to be
built by a company of which GEORGE LAW
("I.ivc-Oak GEoEGE') is President, will con
meet Lake Superior with the navigable waters
of the st. Croix River. which unites with the
Mississippi at Prescott. The tributaries of
the upper Mississippi penetrate far into the
pine regions of the North. where civilization
lSjust entering in to possess the land.
These facts, independent of the rhetorical
tourishcs 50 often called forth by the vastncss
and fertility Of the couEtr: through which
flows so magnificent Il river. are sufficient d;.-
Ia upon which to base calculations as to the
future development and Importance of the
Great West.
I PROPOSE however, at this time. to confinc
myself to an account OF what really is mar.
rather than to any spccu!ation> as to what
t2aYbc.
Let L: take passage. therefore. at Dunlcitl
III an up-rivCr steamer. and note the promi-
neat features Of interest as We pass along.
Danit;th itsni. is not much more than a
suburb Of Dubuque. Oh the opposite shore, a
!!ouri>hiMg city of ten or twelve thousand in
htbi,ant>.
Prairie ;lu Chen. the next point of inter
est. IS m!nr.: i've mls> abovr Ii is situated
on an extended prairie lying between tn ry-
CT and the high blut' behind. and but few
m!lt> above the mouth of the Wisconsin r;y-
cr. This is one Of the oldest settlements on
the river. and w. formerly the site Of large
Indian village. Of TIE Fox Tribe. 1t is not
known precisely at wnat t.tuc the French
'0'N ''''' VI '''' i''"''' ""' II Is sup
i'>'' '''''' ''l ''N ''''''''l' 9! france '>'a"-
.l>Ael military post here in the year 10.
''' '''''' ''''E ''''' !'''''''IV> S'''i'"' 'l'Ei
serves III ''-' H''7"'o.'o''' l'UFihS inc last
war wiki ENGLAND. Prairie Gu CHEN was Tie
scene O. " contest '','"r'h 4 small coApa"!
81 -''-'';' u.s. III Possession OF TIE "l! French
F"''"'''' 4 .1!-,' I'Fr' O! British and Indians
"":cA resulted IL lAc abandonment of the
pace u! i..F i'fhrr. after considerable loss.
N'h'''.';'r ""E.ng the black Hawk WI.
Fort 'r""i'r;. Was erected. and a body Of
>.!,-e.> >;,,t.''.t" At Efa.Fic IU ("lrn, under
rv;-.'-&l@ ct Tie then io.o"c. Zachary lay
l'r. Il c'@>"U to bc q military post several
Years "S'. "u' tao Old buildings are in aGooA
state ct lE'~-r';tIoA. lhcH present very
pleasant, ar..ara'cc from The river. as indcc.!
'.o.> TIE N..".' to"A. Tie town has grown
very rapidly >."re the location and compile
ton Of tie Milwaukee and Mississippi Rail
road, and promises to lryrnc a civ of con-
siderable h">in,~~.
rs We rrucccd up the river vpu will per
cc;,r that tie butts that form the shore have
ASSUMED holder and more commanding APP
pcar.rcr. You HOW see no broad alluv;..l
bottoms covered with a magnificent vc-c,a-
;ipn. a"i neither docs the river Nov in o!.y