The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-05-19

-" i nave the opportunity 10 report 10
you from this place the progress made by
our party, the distances and some notes Of
the country by the line Of the Hudson Bay
Company's Posts.
left Pembina, Septr. l4th, 1858, after
q detention Of four weeks and reached Fort
Garry on the 10th, passing Fort Pembina,
ESQ miles from Pembina, the Riyiere al
Marias (l240. Scrathan River (2s75),
Sinking River (6l.0S),- and Assiniboin
| T023. The Assiniboin and Scrathan
rivers are crossed by ferries, the Others by
bridges The country passed over cannot
BE- excelled in the Northwest, and this may
be said Of the whole Red River Valley.
Fort Garry is 1861 miles distant from
st. Paul. II is located on the North bank
of the Assiniboin, near its junction with the
Red River. 1t is fine structure, and built
for defense ~ well us trade At this fort
there is one company Of troops, and the only
troops east Of the mountains
On the east side OF Red River, opposite
the fort, is located the Catholic cathedral IA
fine stone buildiDg,) nursery and schools.
The principal Red River settlement is
near the junction Of the Assinboin. II ex-
tends from 20 miles above the tort TO Lake
Winnipeg, or distance of so miles, and 60
miles up the Assiniboin. There are several
Episcopal and Presbyterian churches, one
steam Touring and saw mill, and many wind
mills.
The colonists only produce enough grain
for home supply, but they raise large guam
titles Of stock. Some have as many as 300
horses, which Craze the whole year.
The population of the settlement must ex.
csed 10000.
We left Fort Garry September 10, in
company with halfbreed trader bound for
Fort Ellce. append the points on this
stage Of the route, with distances from Fort
Garry.
Sturgeon Creek--6.S4 miles On this
stream there is Touring aud saw mill We
crossed on the dam which forms bridge,
Whhe Horse Plains 23l9 miles. Here
WAS our FIRST camp.
At distance Of 1925 miles from Fort
Garry, the Assniboin settlement ends TO
this point was open prairie, then followed
small timber and underbrush.
Small Creek 1917 miles. course north.
The road now leaves the low busby country
and ascends to gently rolling prairie, inter.
spersed with groves Of timber and thousands
OF lakes, which, at this season. are covered
with an immense number Of water fowl OF
all descriptions. The same character of
country extends to Fort Ellice.
RAPID Rur 1869 miles from Fort
Garry. This is 6ne stream forty Get
wide
Eagle R'vu--30 feet wide, 22I 20 miles
The streams above named are tributaries
OF the Assiniboin, which we crossed by
ferry, arriving at For, Ellice, which is stu-
a,ed on the table land, overlooking the val
ley of the ASsiniboiu, and is 23l % miles
from Fort Garry.
CapeH Rivy--40 feet wide, bluir. pre-.
cipi,ous. From Fort Ellicc to this place.
We passed over dry plain 70 miles wide.
On the 18th Of October. We came in sigh,
OF the Touchwood Hills, which have the
appearance Of range Of mountains. The
range is rolling prairie with coni:al mounds
The lakes, which have been level with the
surrounding country are considerably below
il.
Al distance Of i00.16 miles We reached
the summit OF Touchwood Hills and the
Hudson Bay Company's Fort. The coun>
try between CapelI river aud Touchwood.
distance Of $50 miles, is gently rolling
prairie, dotted with numerous lakes ard
small groves Of timber. Good camping
places can always be found
On 10th OF October, at camp No, "a, on
Small Creek, We were delayed by snow
storm. Here it is necessary 10 take wood
Tor two days,
Long Crcel, 522.s0 mihs. This is the
win,eripg place OF mos, OF the Red River
Fur Traders. There were with the traders
at this point party Of twelve IRON the
States who will join US in the spring.
Crossing Of Snuih Branoh Of tAs SiS&.,ieh-
esN'H-a3o milcs from Garry The river
here Is 200 yar,is wide, current s,roOg The
BANKS wer .krted with timber We made
the crossing 10 skin boat.
IL -