Sauk Rapids frontierman. [volume] (Sauk Rapids, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1860, 1857-04-02
up COUNTRY. TRIP.

i I 81
UP COUNTRY TRIP.
We returned At two o'clock yesterday
morning from an Up Country trip. The
travelling probably has never been worse
in Minnesota, than at the present time
In the most exposed locationsthe ground
in some places was bare, but on the
prairie and III the timber, the snow had
settled from depth ofabout three feet tc
one third that depth, where there had
been no drifts, leaving the roads, which
by constant travel had become like i
mass Of ice, high above the level on Ell
Their side. In this state Of the roads
how the loaded teams can get along we
cannot see, but they do travel and much
to our annoyance, for they 50 cut up the
roads that it was almost impossible for
teams which were not loaded to travel
We found the nights the best time to
travel. "A slight freezing would SO hard
en- the road as to enable sleigh to slip
along well until nine OF. ten O'Clock in
the morning. This was the case, until
the last night out, when instead Of freez-
ing as usual, there was a slight mist
nearly all night. In crossing the prai-
RE between Platte and Little rock rivers,
the horses plunged and foundcred con-
tinually and often fell down. We were
obliged about the middle of the night to
take the harness off one of the horses
before he could rise. The strength Of
the noble animals finally brought us safe
ly through, not however without tax
upon our health, for we arrived quite
indisposed from which we have not yet
recovered. On our way up, we met
many teams coming from the pineries,
the lumbermen full Of glee at theidea of
being released from their long confine-
ment and the prospectlof again meeting
their friends in more civilized parts Of the
country, not that the business itself has
not its attractions, for we scarcely ever
found man who had 1abored one winter
in the pineries but he was anxious tore
turn to it again. The main attraction
may be, however, in the high price paid
for labor. These luEbermen equipped
for their business present rather rough
exterior, but many Of them are found to
be, and amongst the hired men as well
as the proprietors, respectable and in
telligent gentlemen
On our way up, after hard drive of
thirty miles from Sank Rapids, we ar
rived at Little Falls and put up for the
forepart Of the night at our friend Ault's,
Of the Northern Hotel. AS soon as we
stopped at the door Of the Hotel, we
heard music and dancing. On inquiring
into the matter, we learned that Mr.. Ault
was about retiring from that establish
ment and was giving party on the oc-
casion. After we had provided for our
horses and partaken Of a good supper,
a friend accompanying us expressed a
desire to take peep into The dancing
hall. After looking on awhile greater
desire seized him 70 participate in the
dance. We were willing to indulge his
fancy in this, and waited until supper
was over before we ordered our horses
for start on our way. The party was
z respectable one, everything seemed to
be conducted with the utmost decorum.
Not one participant seemed 10 be ia the
least degree under the influence of ar
dent spirits. and this is saying much for
q frontier town. s ass 81, s54 Il y
y. It had been near two years since we
visited this country before and the change
was great. Improvements were visible
ON every hand lin country AZ well as
town. AT Swan River, q new Saw Mill
had been erected, the Hotel kept by Mr..
-. /. r
Northrup had beed enlarged and much
improved every way, making II ono Of
the best.if nottbe psry 6ssi. above ST.
Anthony, and several other buildings
completed or in progress Of completion.
Swan River Is yet to be a place. But
Of oil the places above this, in improve
ments, Little Falls, takes the balm. ~
Having had the advantage Of Saw Mill
there for several years, She has had plefn-.
" VI lumber with which 10 mako inn
provements, and thei' inhabitants have
awaited themselyes Of this advantage.
The place really has the appearance DC
. fine town The Northern Hotel, owned
BY Mr.. Ault, u i first class building for
q anew town, and with the addition,being
rncdn ~ II Mill mt h~, Z - - al