The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-08-12

learning OF the distresses Of the colonists,
sailed for America. He arrived at New
York 10 the fall Of 1915, where rumors Of
their detection reached him, and in the FOL-
lowing spring he set out for the colony with
military escort, which be had organized
from some disbanded military companies.
At Sault st. Marie. tidings Of new disast-
ers reached him. SAMPLE, the Governor OF
the territory Of the Hudson Bay Company,
who had but Just taken possession Of his
new quarters On Red River, was attacked
by party Of the employees Of the North
western Company, and killed with num-
Der Of his men, in the ARRAY. The settlers
were again expelled from their homes by
the victorious marauders, and were already
on their way to the sea coast, when they
were recalled by the welcome news Of SCI
naK's approach. A reinforcement Of emi.
grants sent to the colony under bis drec-
ton, had preceded him. Inccnsed at the
atrocities which had been perpetrated by
the agents Of the Northwestern Company,
be had proceeded with his force to the head
quarters Of that Company, at Fort William,
on Lake Superior, and having apprehended
the principal parties, sent them to Montreal
for trial.
His arrival at Red River soon retrieved
the affairs Of the colony, and he left it the
following year in a furnishing condition.
Owing, however, to the scarcity of seed,
which was the natural consequence Of the
difficulties already stated, the harvest Of
1877, though the yield was prolific, was in
sufficient to supply the wants Of the increas.
ing population and hunting was again re-
sorted TO for subsistence. They set out
10 December across the plains to join "A dis
tant camp Of Pembina halfbreed hunters
and Indians. They reached il after jour
ney Of terrible suffering, to find the Buffalo
scarce and the camp subsisting upon scan.
ty fair. Spring renewed their hopes. The
summer was propitious. The harvest
was already ripe for the sickle. when new
and terrible calamity befel them
1t was at this epoch, in the summer of
1918, that the grasshoppers, which for the
past and present years have again devas-
tated those settlements and extended their
dcpredations over considerable part Of
Minnesota, made their first recorded appear
ance in that region. The vast armies Of
these insects darkened the air, and passed
over the land like u consuming fire, licking
up every green thing. The next year,
Qsl9,J the havoc was even worse,
They were produced" says Ross, in
masses two, three or four inches in depth.
The water was infected with them. Along
; the river they were TO be found in heaps
like scawcod and might be shovelled with a
spade. Every vegetable substance WAS
either eaten up or stripped to the bare
stalk The bark Of trees shared the same
late. Even fires, if kindled out of doors
were Immediately extingushcd by them"
The hunters lie alone seemed left to the
despairpg colonists, but one more effort was
made to retrieve their condition. During
the winter Of 1919 20, u depu,ation of set
tiers travelled IA thousand miles on show
shoes across Minnesota to Prairie du Chen
for seed The details OF the return trip in
the Spring Of 1920, are highly interesting
Three Mackinac boats laden with wheat
oats and peas started on the 18th Of April
from Prai rte du Chen for the Selkirk set.
Elements on Red River "On the third
day of May. the boats passed through Lake
Pepin. The voyage was continued up the
Minnesota River to Big Stone Lake, from
which portage was made into Lac Ira.
verse, a mile and half distant, the boats
being moved across on rollers" On the 81
day OF June the party arrived at Pembina,
where on opposite sides OF the stream of
of that name. the IludSon's Bay and
North West Companies had rival ira,
ding posts. which still exist. This event.
ful voyage is ouc OF the mos: striking in
cidents in the chronicles of the settlement,
and as remarked by the learned historian
OF our State, III worthy OF note. as it is
the only instance Of heavy articles being
transported the entire distance from Prairie
du Chen to the Red River by water. with
the exception ofthc narrow portage between
Big Stone Lake and Lake Traverse"
The next two years OF continued prosper
ity repaired the disasters which had hereto
fore assailei the colony. In l,2l, the two
great rival Trading COMPANIES. tired of