The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-09
a Tip 10 Long Priarie via ssuk Valley
nee ol the rinneef A democrat

'sfrsE poudHbce al the IionFrt Il memorial
Sr. CIouD, May, 81. 1859.
The following is "a journal (logbook,
was about TO say) Of u recent trip to Long
Prairie, the former home of the Winneba.
goes. had long desired to visit that place
as had heard ii much commended for its
agricultural advantages Last week u friend
who has good horse and light hickory
buggy, consented To make the excursion
with me, by the way Of Sauk Valley, II 1t
should be possible for us 10 get through
We knew the streams would be very high,
bu, il We waited for them TO fall, then there
would be the annoyance OF mosquitoes: which
Of the two to choose We chose the high
water. Our experience, however, showed
that the choice embraced much this greater
obstacles. AGRicoI.A.
TUESDAY, May 2ith.--AtS O'Clock, A.
NJ, We lett ST. Cloud, taking the old Red
River trail as lar IA Richmond, thence con
timing up the valley Of Sank River W. ar
rived at Mr.. Buchanans at 3 +. NJ. DIS
lance, 80 miles. The travelling IN good TO
Richmond above there We passed two bad
siougns, also narrow i0rdlng where the
water came into the buggy. II Is u natural
road and with little labor in n iew spots,
would make OH excellent carriage road the
whole distance. II has bnD improved since
last summer aud the settlers are now doing
more 10 IT, The face Oi the country Is gent
iy rolling, generally smooth aud rkred with
oak or poplar. 10 its natural condition It
WAS beautiful. II has now the additional
charm Of cultivated fields, growing herds
and cheerful homes. It ~ thickly settled
and the farmers are putting in larger crops
than ever before.
About eight miles above Richmond, We
bought u bushel ami u hall VI oats Oi the
Yankee Datchman" (as be IL Called Tor 20
cents. the sack included. he IL an ingen
lous and entrpri.ing German VINO once
lived ia Missouri. An elegant black walnut
wardrobe aud crockery case Vi the same
material, made by himself, are part OF his
kitchen furniture We found hun with his
neighbour, working upon the road.
Mr.. BuchaDaBs family came INTO this
valley early this sping, aud have tidy frame
house which was prepared TO he put togeth
er IN ~. Cloud. Tiny have q kDe farm.
Iher many friends who knew them when
they kept public h0use nj Watab, viii not
pass by them now
WEDNESDAY,, Nay, 25th.- We started
from Mr.. BuchansDs at seven, with clear
weather and cool breeze, but with most
gIoomy spprebea.Ions Vi success 10 crossing
i5aak River.
Tue drive through the Kennebec, OF
" Yankee" settlement was very agreeable.
The evdeDces VI extensive farming were
most ample. Ia tbe course Of the Iofeooyu
we cAins " that memorable stream where
| the Red River excnrsiouistc were ~ thor
Oughly submerged last sumner IL was
swollen ~ much IA ever bat II vas brnIged
Beng ofe o the VICTIMS ia that disaster,
bow stood npDa Lbe bridge and looked down
INTO W dark depb AID upon its rush.
ing current with emotions peculiarly pl "a.
ant. a number VI settlers haj Just arrived
10 lbe vicinity oi the ate of Munich,
wi,rre the state road IRON Ut. C,oad u
. Bfecslbfidge crOs-a the 5auk riyer, and
they repre- at tl.ai otlefs AZ. b0~ oD ibsIi
wsy from WiscDD-,n. they are brginninp
10 put ny lV2 houses and 10 make olhei
improvements.
Al DOon ~ CANE TO the Lrd,ny of III.
!5aak. But tbe pfSPsct VA. extreme
d,seo1ragIng. w hal sons expectation .
6bdlDg a berry. IA, there was n,ne. II
ue.sei J,-rnDs.-, - deep aud saoag Wa IN.
errvbt, W Wy 10 cross. Beng AD.s lo so IA
! hfsi tired hos tIir nOfs- could ford d
a.oy. ! bardy got over ~ith him
a,nsd dfsctly ~ lse track % tbs opp. u
bans asl dss.cnp-i seln-clrcls 10 reach
ng a. Ibe hOre sent under and pi,cio,