Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-02-19
The Red River Navigation Enterprise.
To the Editors Of the Mnnesotidn: o..

y
of what Arson Northrup has done and is do.
ing to place steamboat on the Red River Of
the North.
Ii Immediately on receiving an assurance,
that the citizens of Saint Paul would contri-
butte $1,000, to secure result of such impor-
lance, Mr.. Northrup proceeded with men and
teams to Gull River, and took the vessel apart,
packed the cabin, and loaded ten sleighs,
which were to start on Monday February 7th.
The machinery was also ready for transporta-
tion-the boiler loaded upon sleigh-when
Mr.. Northrup left for below, to hurry forward
the teams and supplies for which he had pre-
viously made arrangements.
Information has recently been received here
by letter from John R. Irvine and otherwise,
| that the cabin, packed in bundles, and drawn
by eight teams of horses had started from
Gull River. At Otter Tail Lake MI: Irvine
| will meet them, with three sleds loaded with
hay from the Shayenne, and drawn by oxen.
1t is proposed that horses shall be used in
transporting the cabin, machinery and timber
for building the hull from the mouth Of Gull
River (on the Crow Wing River) to Otter Tail
Lake; while, westward to Red River, OK teams
will be used. The first portion Of the route
is over beaten road, while across the prairies
adjacent to Red River oxen will make better
progress than horses.
The boat has been taken apart, and the
cabin, decks and machinery packed, under
the superintendance of Augustus and Jesse
Young. Both are capable engineers. Au-
gustus helped build the boat, and was lately
Captain of z. E. B. Nash's steamer Enterprise.
Jesse Young engineered Northrup's boat last
summer, during the memorable trip $50 miles
north of Crow Wing, to Sandy Lake and Po-
kegena Falls. These gentlemen will accom-
pany the expedition to Red River.
The energy and efficiency of Arson North
rup has been such, as to inspire confidence in
the consummation Of the scheme.
He has obtained all the plank and timber,
needed to build the new hull at Chapmans
saw-mill on Gull River. He has engaged a
Mr.. Morse, practical boat builder from Little
Falls, to superintend the construction of the
hull and put on the cabin.
All the additional teams, necessary to de-
liver the boat by the first of March upon Red
River, will join Mr.. Northrup, on his return.
Baldwin Olmstead has five yoke Of oxen at
Fort Ripley, besides one four horse team and
one single span Of horses. Olmstead has also
hired four yoke of oxen at Sank Rapids to 60
on Immediately. Mr.. Lewis Stone, of Platte
River, started last Thursday for the scene of
operations, with three yoke Of oxen and
sled, to assist in loading the machinery.
Everything is ready for start. Mr.. Nor
thrup expects to be nine days in getting over
to Red River.
He is informed that the snow is about IA
inches deep in the timber, although less on
the prairies west of Otter Tail Lake.
Arrived on the first of March, with cabin,
machinery and lumber for the hull, the
engineers are confident that the boat will b.,
ready to be launched by the first of May.
The public will be satisfied if trips CON-
mence by the first of June.
The whole upper country is interested in
the success Of the project. Mr.. Northru
anticipates contributions of labor and mate
rails from the different towns and settlement s
on the way, but he relies, with confidence,
upon the citizens of ST. Paul, st. Anthony
and Minneapolis, for such contribution Of
many, as will pay expenses on the Road. the )
cost of hauling supplies and the wages Of
men who have been employed at Gull Rive
in saving Norway pine and oak timber for
the hull of the Vessel. He is willing to run
the risk if he can receive only one half Of the
amount in cash which he first estimated to be.
absolutely necessary.
Nothing should now prevent or postpone
the payment of 81 900. Any delay with this
mild weather may result in losing the great
advantage of sleighing.
Mr.. John Williams, recently employed as
Government Surveyor, and vouched for as q
responsible and intelligent man, is employed
as clerk, and will keep and furnish full reports
of receipts and disbursements. Besides Mr..
Northrup, has furnished ample security
for the complete execution of his contract
with the citizens of st. Paul through the
Chamber of Commerce. ...
Mr.. Northrup has been requested to name.
such supplies as might be available to him ,,
and has furnished the following: -four, g
bbls.; pork, bbl; sugar, 200 lbs; coffee, 80
TBS, ground molasses, 10 gals; lard, 40 lbs
butter, firkin nails, / key, tenpenny; white
lead, 8 kegs; salt, 100 lbs; tea, 10 TBS and
limited supply of such dry goods as men
employed on frontier at this season would
be likely to use.
1t WILDE great public misfortune, as we'll
as injurious to an enterprising citizen if mea s.
ures for the navigation of Red River ne 1t
summer be not vigorously prosecuted duril lg
the next thirty days. Nor let any one de-
nounce the enterprise as visionary.
The writer of this communication, has seen
letter from prominent citizen of Minnesota,
now in New York containing information of a
most favorable reception by the English gov
eminent of the Northwest Transportation a, i'd
Railway scheme, as projected by leading Can
adams. =.
Our Minnesota steamer it is highly proba-
bic will be met on the boundary line during
the summer, by the steamers of this company
and if so the interests of st. Paul imperatively
demand that we shall not fail of launching
the first steamboat keel on the Red River of
the North. T.
Tho Pixies Peak Gold Region.