The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-03
Interesting description 1T Travelling al
the Upper Psniasuts.

Ono portion Of the United States and
Canada, lying in, and north Of Michigan,
called the Upper Peninsula" is entirely
shut or from the rest Of the world during
the winter months. The Detroit Adue,tisr
gives an interesting description Of tho mode
OF travelling during that period
The mails are carried by Indians and bali
breeds, when the travelling Is good 90 their
backs, aud when II is bad, by dog trains.
The snow falls TO depth Of from two to
five or six feet. The snow-shoes used by the
men are about eight or ten inches in width,
and from two and bali 10 four aud half
ieet IN length. They are Hat, and are made
Of bow Of maple wood, round III the too
and coming ~ point at the heel, where the
ends aro fastened by thongs Of deer skin.
The space IA Oiled by a lace work Of raw
deer or moose skin strings, with the exsep.
ton Of small space Immediately in front Of
croSa piece OF wood, upon which the ball
OF the foot rcsis The shoca used by women
arc smaller than .hose u,ed by the men. and
OF different shape The fcol Of the person
using the Shoes arc inossed in moccasins ot
buoksin. sufficiently large 10 admit throe or
four thichnesses Of blanket. The blanket is
used not Gully 10 keep the teot warm, but also
10 prevent the toes from being chafed by the
strings Of bucksin which AFRO passed over
them, and by which the shoes arc fastened
b. the feet
The dog trains used are made Of . fiat
-. h..IF t..at "a, tt,.Ln.as
inches in width, and from six 10 Yen and
twelve feet ia length AMI arc turncd up IN
front At each side Of the train u rope Is
fastened. running the whole length Of il
and train cloth vi canvas IN used, con.
silerahly larger than the uaIu. The ar.I-
clcs to TIC carried ale placed gu the cloth,
from one eud oi the train g. the other, The
cloth Is then wrapped over them aud laced
up by means Of u string passing under the
ropes al the side.
For tramp the edhlcp carried are, uli-
aly-s some nolr, pilot brcSd, salt pork
tea and sugar, ana cooking utensils a Tin
kettle and frying pan, The food tor the
dogs IA generally tgllow and corn meal
The bci elothcJ are a single blanket 10 each
man. Indians or tal breeds are employr!
a. guides AMI ASisiants during n tramp.
Imagine white man and an Indian
about starting op tramp 81 three or four
hundred miles, through forest un'requont.
cd by all living beng Except wild bird.
and animals Tho provisions are packed
upon the train, tho dags are haFn@std To Il
one ahead OF the other. TO the number 81
four or I've The lriAn take the lead
with his snow shoes. tto dogs hollow with
the tram, and the "pa'e taes brings up
their rear. with yclls to thSiogs IN 'ronI N
him, Tramp, tramp, tramp. until noon
when halt Is made thc train u uupsekcd
the kettle. tea AMI sugar Is produced in
lgh,Nl, aua after taking cup Of tea, 'h'
word IA given AMI again the tramp com
neucs. The party makes another halt 1t
,lme to PnParc the camping ground before
the nigh, seS ia. The dogs are lett stand
ing Ia their harrcs, the inliaa takes tht
axe aud cuts enough fuel 10 last until morn
ing, the white man uses sHlw shoe tur d
shovel aud clears away the snow until ID,
ground ia reached 4 shelter Is then built
over the eloarel space. Of polts covered with
eyergrvcn bougls The frost OK the wig
wan il lett opea. aud the ground covered
with hemlock bogghs. Immediately opro-
site the front rou''ug log fire. Is hulIt, the
dogs embarrassed, aud tie snppcr prcp.nd
The supper ia composed Of cup Of tea
some pork cooked in the iryin; pan, and
some hour cooked in the IA, cit irom the
pork. AMER supper The pipes and 70 accs
are produced, and the white man smokes il
the front IT the fire, while the Indian e'ok'
the supper OF corn and talsw Tor the dogs
in the same kettle in which the Tea aal
been made but a low minutes bSiors
After being satadcd with ais "smoks,
the pale face AMI Indian wrap their blank
cts around them. ard .ay down side By sd
ON the Aemioek boughs. with Their fctt L
the ire. and sleep a. sScesiy aud A. sound a.
"ser dad king upon the riches; dam-sk
In the morning, before day tie lsilan pre-
pares the breakfast. wh,ea IS eaten anu ID,
travellers again move on. The dogs are e.
but once u day, aud the rrason is, they ,rayc