The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-04-03

severity for his arrogance and egotism.
Topography of the Country between st.
Cloud and the Red River of the North.
To the Editors of the Mnnesotian.
In my former article we left the Red Rv-
er trail at White Bear Lake, and took view
of the country, North and Fast.
The description therein given NAV
he relied on as perfectly correct, as it was de-
rived from my own personal observations,
having resided in that country from the 9th
of My, 1857, until the 10th of January,
1873,
The short DESCRIPTION which | shall give of
the country between this and Breckcariage, |
have obtained from others, and, although |
cannot vouch for the exactness of the state
ments yet | think they will be found cor
rect.
The course from White Bear Lake to
Breckenridge is about W. n. W., and the dis
lance by the trail, about 10 miles. Thirty
miles from White Bear, is Lake Pomdeterre
II is not a large Lake, but il hiss a fine san
dy beach; there is a small stream running
out of it, called pome de terre river-called
by the Sioux, the Tloseaah OF Prairie Potatoe
river.
The Red River Land Company have town
site here called Bellevue there is a house on
1T 40 feet long and 80 feet wide. The prai-
RE between here ard White Bear is general
ly rolling. Ten miles from Lake Pomdetevre,
is another lake about two cales long and one
broad WHICH has srne timber on the North
end, and also abounds in fish, From this
last Lake to Breckenridge the prairie is near
y level and the soil is first rate the only
objection 10 it, is the scarcity Of timber.
BRECKENRIDCE is situated at the junction
of the Sloux-wo,d or BJj8 ds Siopq' ana o.
tertoa Rivers. which together, Iorn the Red
Rirer Of tie .Aor1h. The source of the Bots
&c Sioux river IS lake 4fo erse, but the source
of the Ottertail is the lake of tue same
name.
Breckenridge is the most important point
on Red River being few miles CT tho
head OF navigation, which VIII make it the
natural outlet Of Western Minnesota and of
the .-aatef" part of Da ota. It is also the
present paper terminus of the Minnesota and
fac''n ..allroad
The town sites on Red River from Breck-
enridge down, for a distance of 80 or 100
miles, are very thick; some of them have
shanties upon them. and Others have not
The country bordering along the Red Riveris
very fertile, well timbered and watered, which
makes it good farming county.
About $50 miles below breckenridge, on
the Red River, is PemJina. This is settle
ment Of half breeds. Indian traders. &c. all
OF which are on the West, or Dakota side Of
the river
From Breckenridge, up Otterta river to
the extremity of Ottertai lake. the country
is represented as being we'll tmbered and wa
tered, and having rich soil and good mead.
Ows.
Hall way between Breckenridge and Of
tertall lake is Laphancuie. 1t is owned by
Nlllswankee Company, and is said to be
Very good point,
There are also great number of other
town sites on the Ottertail but do not know
tie names Of them.
OtteTiaa Like IS about 20 miles long and
10 wide. There is good timber on it, con-
sistiug of OAK, maple and Eastwood The
The country around is mixture Of timber
and prairie, and is in general good farming
c)unr ~.
Otte7tad CHy is on the N. E. end Of the
lake it contalEs two or three houses, one of
which is intended to be used for the Land or
flee when opened. There were number Of
rereons up there last summer who made
claims and came down again the TALL.
East Of Ottertail Lake are BaUie Lnke and
Legf Lrke, and number Of Others which
are said to be surrounded with 20 d timber
and prairie.
Beyond Ottertail Lake, the country is but
little known; there is however, sad 30 be
plenty of pine, from which the proprietors
Of Breckenridge expect to ge; their lumber.
The course of O.tertail River from the
Lake is S. W., nearly, to its mouth, when it
turns West, and finally when it io Us the
Bois de Sioux, it runs almost due North and
takes the name of Red River it IS called the
Red River Of the North, to distinguish :.
from the Red River which emptles oto tho
Mississippi in Louisianra,
must correct mis' which m.da in
my iornlSF soH'.""' .,catiOn: Lake Osakis, in
! sle-e W se'" between Ranges "a anu 80. is
pe.wSe' % anil Sc and Sank IRE instead of
o' 10 one with O,aks is nothing but WIDEN
ing of the river, about 20 miles from its
mouth.
Taking this country, as it is, I think it will
compare with any part of Minnesota; and
also think it will very soon be settled up.
Every settler will be .Ninnesotian, whilst at
the same time, he may be Pioaseer md Dem.
ocrat, or an .4dUertiser, and then 1 think trey
will all haze sooi Times.
ours respectfully,
THOS. p. NEWCOMB.
st. Paul, March "a, 1858.