The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-01-02

Spring, ten miles from St. Jo., soon after 6,
P. NJ. when Of course it was quite dark, or
at least it would have been so, had we not
been favored with the gentle light Of the
moon, now almost full. Here we camped
for the night, pitching our tent under some
tall trees near small stream whence sup
pose this place derives its name: Cold
Spring consists of three or four houses, and
is yet decidedly in the woods, and in rather
swampy and rocky place. In fact just
around here there are more rocks of the real
old granite sort, than l have seen anywhere
else in the Territory and the scenery around
strongly reminds me of Old Connecticut
But must retGrn to our camping arrange
ments, which to two of our party was some
thing quite novel; and, owing to the change
in the weather, rather unpromising still, of
ter we had scared up rousing fire, and par
taken of a hearty supper, all parties seemed
better reconciled to make bed on the fro
zen ground; and, wrapping their blankets as
snugly as possible around them, were soon
performing some extraordinary specimens of
nasal music As for myself, neither the hard
ness of the bed nor the musical exhibitions
of my neighbors could deprive me of a good
sound sleep.
Before daylight we were up, and having
trimmed our fire, soon made a cup of ex-
col <ho hosp hvy
means of this and other good things, abund
antly refreshed we were soon again on our
winding way. From Cold Spring to Rich
mond, about five miles, the road passes
through alternate grove and prairie and the
country is rather uneven, and consequently
more or less picturesque.
At Richmond we crossed the Sank River
on the ice, which was quite thick, and suffi-
GENTLY firm to bear up any load. About half
a mile from the Sauk we entered the Great
Prairie, which extends west as far as Big
Stone Lake. The distance to Lake Henry,
where we meet the first grove, is from II to
ii miles, and the surface of the country very
undulating one constant succession of
rounded hills with usually more or less of
marshy ground between them. This repeti-
ton of course produces the feeling of mo-
notony, ard we were glad when we reached
the lake. AS have in former communi-
cation described Lake Henry, it will not be
necessary here to say more than to observe
that there are three families living on the
outskirts of the timber, and are getting some
good farms under cultivation. We conclud-
ed, although early in the afternoon, to stop
thsre for the night, as we could obtain hay
and stabling for our teams. The weather
had been very fine during the day, and after
sunset the full moon shed her radiance over
the scene and as not breath of air was
to sit by our camp fire, telling stt ries and
cracking jokes until after ten o'clock.
The next morning we were up and had
breakfasted ere the faintest beams of morn
were apparent. Following the Red River
trail for about two miles and a half we then
left it, and proceeded on in northern direc-
ton nearly seven miles across rolling prair-
lie, when the road passes between large groves
with couple of small grass lakes on the
right. Two or three miles more brought us
again into the open prairie, and very soon
after, when crossing small brook, the hoc-
ses of the foremost wagon making
sudden spring, and the consequence was that
the axle, being wooden one, broke short
off, and one of the wheels turned somer-
sault or two and then fell fiat on the ground.
Here was pretty predicament to be in but
as there was no manner of use to fret or
fume about it, and no means of making a
new axle, we at once commenced unloading
our broken down wagon, and piled all we
possibly could upon the other but of course
could not put half the load on, and were
therefore obliged to proceed and leave the
rest behind. We had now about ten miles
further to proceed before we could reach Kan
dotta, the settlement towards which we
were bound the consequence was, that ow-
ing to the delay caused by the accident, and
the extreme slowness at which our only and
now much overloaded vehicle proceeded
night overlook US when about three miles off
We however proceeded on, and at P. NJ.
reached the Ashley River, and then fired off
some salutes to apprise the people at Kan
dotta of our arrival. At the first discharges
lights were seen, and in another minute vol
ley after volley awoke the echoes Of the Big
Woods and the valley of the Ashley River,
and very soon everybody was rushing down
the bank and across the stream to welcome
us to their hearts and homes. In few min
utes more we were safely housed, and after
warming ourselves, sat down to delicious
supper of partridges and prairie chickens
Having discussed these and other good things
we fell into miscelane GUS conversation res
pecting the political and financial affairs of
the United States in general and Minnesota
in particular, not forgetting of course the
prospects and growth of Kandotta. found
that since my last visit, two good substantial
dwelling houses and stable had been erect
ed; considerable quantity of timber cut for
the hotel; a bridge had been built across the
river the country explored in oil directions;
fine grove of sugar-maple trees discovered;
the river traced to its source, and some OK
cellent limestone found also a very singular
mineral spring, whose qualities will shortly
be analysed; while unmistakeable indications
of iron ore abound in the immediate vicinity.
Deer, elk and bears had been seen, but only
enc of the former so far had been killed /;
while few mink and foxes lad been trap