The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-05-23
A Fine View.

Mr.. Bross one Of the Editors Of the Chi
cage Democratic Press stopped on his way up
at the foot of Lake Pepin. Of the view
from the bluff at Reeds Landing and the
noble manner in which the City Belle con-
quercd the icy barrier of the lake he writes
home as follows:
Soon after one o'clock on Friday afternoon
we arri-:d at Reeds Landing, at the foot of
Lake p, in. More than dozen boats were
tied up at the shore, and the unbroken sheet
of dark bic ice stretching far away on the
bosom of the lake, filled all minds with omin-
Gus forebodngs as to our further progress.
Capt. Lodwicl promised US an hour upon the
shore while he ascertained the true state of
the frozen barrier before US. A party was
at once made up to scale the betting cliff
immediately north Of the little village. II
is some five hundred feet high and resembles
a cone bl>ccted from top to bottom. connec-
ted at one edge with the high land. in the
rear with the perpendicular wall 81 sand
stone facing the Mississippi. The view from
! the top is sublime and exciting. On the west.
| beyond the few scattered trees that crown
| the summit. are the broad. rich. rolling prai-
ries of Southern Minnesota; to the south,
stretching far away is the valley of the Miss
issippi, through which tie "Father of Wa.
tiers" is silently rolling onward his mighty
floods to the ocean, to the east, far awav
towards the heart of Wisconsin, lies the val
ley of the Chippewa. skirted on either side
by bold, beetllng cliffs, and beaut fully roun
ded cone-like hills, while winding from side
to side in graceful folds, glides the graceful
river, glistening in the sunbeams like broad
leaf of soll'! silver. Here and there appears
a dark spot on its surface which a practiced
eye at once defines to be a raft floating down
from the tall pine groves of Wisconsin, while
to the north is the broad bosom Of Lake Pc
pin. clad iii q mantle OF deep blue ice-cold
cheerless and fcrbidding. Bat look! Skirt
ing the eastern shore Is slistening belt OF
"open water" which to us, as often to the
companions OF the lamented DR.. Kane. in
spires hope of further progress. Ave, and
there. under the dark shadows of Maiden
Rock" is seen gallant steamer boldly press
ing onward! Farther south, near the quiet
little village Ct North Pepin. are two more
and surely, if the eye can make headwav
thus far, VIC will return and report to orr
excellent friend Capt. Lodwic!l that there is
hope for us. But he needs none of our knowl-
, edge, for as the long line of delighted pass
I necers wind down the hillside, the ringing
of the bell tells us that we are wanted on
hoar,l. Allis hustle and confusion, and in
few minutes away we go, leaving some fifteen
n steamers or more tied to the levee. Till we
: get to North Pepin no obstruction meets us.
:, but the "open water' is narrow, and we are
obliged to follow the windings of the shore.
r Soon after passing the town we overtake and
i pass three steamers; and now the battle
/. with the ice fairly begins. Though other
stermers have proceeded us, no trace of their
track remains, for the winds have blown
e "the foe" (if we may use the language Of
e Arctic seas here on the first eff Mayo on the
J. shore, and our gallant steamer is obliged to
y force possage for herself through the solid
ice. Though trembling in every timber
= from keel to flagstaff, she bears herself right
,r calamity onward, and just as the shades O
is evening are closing down upon us we reach
- the clear open sea at the north end of the
- lake. All unite in hearty congratulations t.
, our excellent captain, and onward speed;
e our noble vessel towards "the desired
], haven"