The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-30
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMORCAT

/ The land Is thus cut up into long strips
/ OF prairie, bordercd on either hand by rivers,
the banks Of which are heavily timbered,
thus afiording unusual advantages to ee,tI.rs
The soil Is OF the richest character, and very
deep. There are no signs OF humiliation here
indeed the whole formation would preclude
the idea. The prairie is high above the level
! Of the streams, and beyond the reach Of any
stage Of water. | have no hesitation ia pro.
/ nounciGg this the finest district seen on this
expedition.
| From the last named point, the Comms-
sioners proceeded to the locality known as
( Leaf Mountain, where there are numerous
Salt Springs. The springs are very abun-
! in this neghborhood
! SALT AND OTHER SPRING.
| The next day we discovered the springs
! referred to, and found them to be more
/ abundant than VIC had supposed We
/ found here five distinct springs OF highly
saline character and were able very advan-
tageously to locate the lands to which the
State is entitled. These springs lie in
| level prairie and are surrounded by salt
marshes. Ia every instance the springs liz
considerably above level OF the adjoining soil.
/ A saline depOsite is found on their margin and
also on the surface OF the ground adjacent.
Besides the salt there are also other mineral
/ springs containing sulphur, magnesia aud
| iron. One OF these is so remarkable US to
merit particular mention. At the locality
Of this spring. which is also contiguous to
large cluster Of salt springs, detached bluff
rises like an island from the level prairie
around 10 the height OF from forty TO fifty
feet, the ascent on all sides being extremely
! gradual, 30 much so that the base Of the
rise is fully half a mile in diameter. Upon
! the summit Of the bluff il q hillock whose
superties like that Of the whole bluff is OF
bard bog iron ore, such az offers the same
resistance to the foot as would stratum OF
shell congomerate. Specimens OF this ore
are submitted herewith. This seems to ex-
tend TO an indefinite depth, the ore becom.
ing softer and the water more abundant as
/ you recede from the surface. The peroeut-
age OF iron is, however. stronger as you de-
| sceGd
| Upon the summit Of the hillock before
mentioned, Is spring. Its diameter is some
ten feet, its shape circular, and its depth
some twenty or thirty feet. The water is a
strong chaly beate, apparently free from
other admixtnres, although it ia in close
proximity to the salt springs. 1t is crater-to
like IN its formation, its walls expanding
downwards and consisting Of similar bog
| ore.
Leaving this locality we returned to our
camp on the ridge, near which We discover
I cd another salt spring.
! The land around this conssts Of fine rol.
ling prairie and possesses the advantage Of
/ being well timbered in part
/ This was surveyed and we proceeded on
/ our way, having thus far found nine springs
with the land attached.
/ Starting from this point on the morning
/ OF the LIST Of November, We left the ridge
aud following the Red River Road which
! runs at its foot. We crossed the Leaf Noun.
tains, properly SO called. Here the blatts
rise very high, some being over three han
dred feet above the general level. Passing
beyond these we Travelled over rolling
country well interpreted with lakes and
timber, in which We discovered the tenth
SAT- spliisb "ulCh was u tCthSF ~ al al
joining salt lake.
The selections here were very desirable,
being a rich prairie with a suiiicency OF
good timber. The survey made, proceed
cd with as great Dispatch al the latene,9 Of
the season aud the eufceb.ld condition of
our animals. loving 10 the utter absence II
proper food would allow, to the large alt
lakr described 10 us by the chippewa In
diam. This lies about eight miIcs easH oi
The crossing OF the 81. Cloud trail at tua
town site Of Dayton and Is one OF i1ag
series q LAKES. GA cur way th.'Acr we
fortunately fll in with an Indian VINO had
been one OF party engaged the previous
winter n toe manufacture oil salt al tbs
lake. Under bis guidance we reached she
lake aai al once made the necessary oX
am,natious and survey The waters Of
this lake, (which WIS Of irregular shape
and some two miles in extcnt) were strong.
~ impngnated with salt, indeed more
strongly than any | bal yet taSlul. The
lake IS icd by springs ltse removed from
AMI connected with it by narrow channel
We hire secured two sprngs thus ccmplet-
ing the numbe, granted by aci OF t5ugr -,
aud mih.iug al the obj~ct OF ,Lt ,Np,iI
ton.
The duties OF tue Commission rs have
been discharged to the satisfaction OF the
Governor, and with view 10 tie best ir-
tcnst ct the State Minnesota receives 10
ad in The construction OF future capital
buildings, 6tO0 acres OF land. and b. the
grant 81 twelve salt springs. i60s0 acres,
making u tota! Of - $50 acres. The energy
which has characterized Gov. SlRLyy's pol.
icy 10 this matter. merits the commeDdaiion
OF the people Of the State
tiautiug with trtiiis y.
iRNRr HIAE Nnut OIL Ir.s-nflY. "a -fl