The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-11-14
Of the Minnesotidn:
A Trip TO the Sauk valley.

Vows long sealed in heaven above.
Corrsspoadence cf the Minnesotidn:
A Trip TO the Sauk Valley.
St Cloud-Brsntford or East St. Cloud-Humboldt-
Orono-Anoka-Manomn Anthony-St Paul =.
SEPTEMBER, 1857.
MEssRs. EDIroRs The situation Of st.
Cloud is very fine one, occupying an eleva-
ted plateau on the west side of the Misss-
sippi River. The banks here are quite high,
and composed of very fine sand, while their
being covered with a luxuriant growth Of
forest trees allows very little of the town to
be seen from the opposite side. The Sauk
River connects with the Mississippi about
two miles north of St. Cloud, and here occur
the rapids which give the name to the town
on the east side, called Sank Rapids, afford
ing good water power at present unimproved,
and effectually preventing steamboats, from
ascending any higher up. But st. Cloud and
its surroundings, prospects, &C., have been so
often described that it were occupying useless
space to enlarge upon the subject. shall
therefore content myself with renarking that
like the situation, and think it we'll select
cd spot for a considerable town, which will
doubtless in time grow up here. There is
one thing however connected with this place
of which must say few words. l allude
to the Lower Ferry the accommodations OF
which are very poor; it is badly attended,
and the charges are eXorbitant, and as l af-
terwards learned unlawful At all events |
advise every one to go to the Mddl> Ferry,
where l understand the people are much
more accommodating, and moderate in their
charges.
We may then be considered as having
crossed the Mississippi, and ascending the
bluff on the eastern side where is at present
one house, kept as a hotel, and very well
kept house it is; the table is plentifully pro-
vided with excellent food, we'll cooked, and of
the best quality, while the charges are quite
moderate. In short if every one is served as
well as we were, there will be anything but
grumbliDg.
The road now was excellent, and we ratified
away through oak groves for several miles
and not a house to be seen, until we came to
snail lake 9 miles from ST. Cloud, and
mile beyond was a tavern. Our road now
ran through prairie with scarcely tree to
be seen except at great distance. Still no
houses; and on enquiry 1 found out the
cause for this non-Settement of the country,
namely, the land is almost entirely in the
hands of SPECTATORS who will neither i'm
prove it themselves nor allow others to do
so. The soil to be sure is very sandy and un-
desirable in many respects; still there are
many portions which would pay well to be
cultivated.
The road passes alternately through grove
and prairie, and the character of the country
remains pretty much the same in every res
pect until we come to Humboldt, the coun-
ty seat Of Sherburne County. 1 was inform
ed it is at least two years since this was Sc
lected for the county seat Of Sherburne
County, and of course it will be naturally
supposed that there are county buildings,
such as Court House, Jail, &C., &C., especial
ly as this place has long been marked on Min
nesota maps in large Roman characters de.
noting place of Importance. Judge then,
dear reader, of my surprise when / could dis
cover only one building, and that ofno very pre-
tentious character. OF the man who lives in
it our driver brought back rather unfavora-
BILE, caused doubtless by his charging him
two dollars Il bustel for oats, when they can
be bought in St. Paul for GO cents. Wheth.
er this be the case or not, our opinion of
Humboldt and its inhabitants is not of a very
exalted character, and l am very sure that
the illustrious man after whom it is named,
will not feel very proud of the honor at
tempted to be conferred upon him.
1t is horribly sandy about here and we
were consequently slow in our progress, and
did not reach Elk River until nearly sunset.
Here is a village called Orono quite q smart
little place, and more deserving of notice
than twenty Humboldts, yet its name does
not appear at all on the maps. Elk River is
quite large stream, and affords good wa
ter power.
The next day we started pretty carly, and
found the road pretty good until we reached
the neighborhood of Anoka when we found
the sand very heavy. Anoka is situated on
Rum River, near its junction with the Miss
issipp, and is quite large thriving place,
with number of mills, manufactures, &C.
1t is very pleasantly located, and no doubt
in time will be o large town. At present
business is rather dull.
After leaving Anoka, the road becomes
more and more sandy, especially for seven
miles north of Rice Creek. The whole
country around is very sandy, and very thin
ly settled.
Rice Greek, seven miles from st. Antho-
ny, is very nice stream, and here is quite a
largo hctei, mill and few houses. The
place is called Manomin, which is, I believe
the Indian name for Rice Creek. The inter.
vening distance between Rice Creek and St
Anthony was soon passed oyer, and as. of
course, everybody knows all about the Falls,
st. Anthony, Minneapolis, &C., nothing more
need be sid except that We arrived safely!!at
ST. Panl early in the afternoon, and we all
passed a resolve that the worst nine miles of
our whole journey, WAS that part Of it which
lies between the cities of St. Anthony and
st. Paul.