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

but we are enabled to-day 10 lay before our
readers some interesting extracts from the
report Of Mr.. SKINNER 10 the Governor.
The party left ST. Paul on the 9th Of
September, aud proceeded to Forest City,
Mseker county. We quote from the re-
port:
THE LAND FOR CAPITAL PUnPOsEs.
1--WE left Forrest City on the morning Of
the lAth Of September, travelling in south
westerly direction towards the kaDdiyohi
Lakes, distant about twenty-five miles,
Being anxious 10 save time, went Tor
ward to the Kandyohi Lakes, in company
with Mr. A. q. Smith, Register Of the Land
Office, thus saving delay, which would have
been unavoidable had been Obliged 10 trans
port the whole party hitber.
THE country from Forest City to Ran.
diyohi il fine and fertile rolling prairie, in
terspersed with frequent lakes and groves Of
timber, and already thickly settled. This
prairie extends from the southwest bank Of
the Grow River at Forest City, indefinitely
westward, preserving the same main char
acteristics.
The tract Of country around the Kand
yobi Lakes, il one Of exceeding beauty and
fertility, and ia now rapidly being taken up
by settlers. The prairie soil ia rich black
loan Of great depth. aud there is suiiici-
ency Of timber Of good quality, around the
lakes
ain this district selected the ten sections
Of land, granted the State for the purpose
Of completing the public buildings or for the
erection Of Others ut the seat Of government.
In each instance examining the section taken
with care.
These lands are partly prairie, and part
ly timbered, lying within the railroad limits.
and are such as will make valuable farms "
From Forest City, the party proceeded
to Breckenridge, passing through Irving,
Payn@ville and Twin Lakes. The latter
being the last settlement between Forest
City and Rcd River.
FROM TWIN LAREs TO RID RIVER.
Twin Lakes Is the last settlement until
we reached the Red River, the country
around is good though timber is scarce
Leaving Grove Lakes We Travelled four
miles To the Chippewa River, which is
small stream running over q gravelly and
rocky bed, and il easily crossed. On the
western side Of the river the country rises
aud becomes more broken and billy, while
the soil Is interior in richness, being coarse
gravel. Frequent limestone and granite
bouldcrs Of all sizcs are found on the tops
and sides Of the bluffs and tho whole tract
is lees inviting than most Of the prairie land
We traversed until We reached White Bear
Lake
White bear Lake is large and most
beautiful sheet OF water, six miles west Of
Chippewa River Its shores are high aud
bold, rising in places to height Of two
hundred feet. They are also finely wooded
and present Succession OF views, which for
romantic beauty. can hardly bo cxcelled ia
Minnesota.
Leaving White Bear Lake, after travelling
eight miles we crossed fork OF the Chip
pcwa River, here u mere rivulet from this
stream the prairie becomes more rolling, un.
I'll we reached Pike Lake, six miles from
the fork This ia u small sheet Of water,
hluiAfAitli It's NHpftr. HttlIN
oar road lay SIX miles over very hlly and
stony prairie, when It assembled high
ridge, which again descended withs uniform
slopo to the rommo dc 'rcrrc River, "a dis
tancc oI one aud II half miles. From the
summit, Of this descending plateau To the
fommc dc lortp, the land ia rich and lies
finely Crossing the first l'ommo DC Turrc.
uo slight undertaking, zone bank being very
PERCEPTIONS the Other muddy, and the river
decpl wc traytrscd most inviting tract
Of country.
This trad lies ttwtcn the two pomm0
do Frrrc rivers Is about ten mike IN length.
and indefinitely wide. Il is certain. that
for width ol Sax Btics. Tho land IL slmra
bly, adapted to farming purposes. Thi' is
~ much a. could be dctcrminod without ,h.
vtrgiGg too Gar from our route. Tho thu
her Is abundant and ol good quality the
soil rich aud dgtp. and the whole il well Wa
tired with running streams and beautiful
hkcs. | feel, therefore, confident Of commit.
ting M error. ~ accommodating the location
IA tins district. OF tn amount ct the Un,-
Etrslly Lands a. set unsolicited. being Tally
2 rsusdcd that the State eau fud no uth,r
possessing greater il equal advantages
LEAVING the SECOND Pomme de 1crrt
River. our next hating place VAS elbow
Lake. $50 called from les peculiar ,halol
and distant nine miles
The country was still rich aud pleasing
pn'rIc. hat not 50 well tImbcrcda "a that last
mcut oued The lake itself is = pretty sheet
81 water, and not without good timber on
IT,, banks.
From Elbow Lake TO Lightning Lake is
six miles at this last lake 1t was necessary
TO carry iucl for the rect OF the Journey to
the Red River, or to Breckenridge, thirty
five mics distant We now PROCEEDED 10
the FIRST crossing Of the Rod or Otter Tall
River. distant, twelve miles from Lightning
Lake.
Tho country from Elbow Lake to within
four miles Of the crossing is OF the same
general character, being rolling prairie. with
numerous ponds, but no timber. After
lcavin, Elbow Lake the timber TO thu
north entirely disappears, and before reach.
lpsr Ia 81 ta.ag -. -, L..