The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-09


the New York Churehman by Rev. E. G..
GEAR, and publ ished in that journal on the
29th Of September last. Itgiyes glowing
but correct picture of the fine country be-
tween st. Paul and the town of Faribault
and some interesting particulars with re-
gard to the Episcopal Mission at the latter
point, under the charge of Rev. WIN. Buck.
sEABURY UNIVERSITY.
Agreeably to my promise, I take The
earliest moment of leisure afforded me, to
give you some account of my journey and
visit to Faribault, with the hope of interest
ing the friends of religion and learning in
an institution which promises to be great
instrument, by Gods blessing, in promoting
these objects in this infant diocese, and Of
comforting lasting benefits upon this portion
of our common country.
On Monday morning, the 18th ult., &C
cording to appointment, the Rev. Messrs.
Knickerbocker and Odds, of Minneapolis,
made their appearance with comfortable
carriage. stout pair of horses, and good
driver and after having added few things
to our basket of provisions, we crossed the
st. Peter river, and addressed ourselves to
our journey. The distance from this point
to Faribault is more than forty miles,
through section of country very sparsely
settled. From the extreme heat of the day,
it soon became evident that we must travel
very slow, and that it would be impractical
BILE to reach the place Of our destination as
soon as we had hoped. We therefore con-
cluded to make Mortified our stopping
place for the night, fifteen miles this side OF
Faribault, and to proceed leisurely. The
agreeable pleasantness of my companions,
their gayety of conversation, and civility of
manners, as johnson would have expressed
it, were sufficient to counteract the incon-
veniences of travel, in countries less hospita-
bic than we passed.
1t would be difficult to convey to person
who has never visited the West, any ade-
quate conception or definite idea of the pic
turesque beauty and finished scenery of the
tract of country through which we slowly
wcnded our way. Though there is great
similarity in the physiognomy of many dis
tricts of this portion of our country, yet we
have seen nothing more beautiful and en-.
chanting. In some parts, vast prairies
stretch out as far as the eye can reach,
watered by bright and copious streams, and
covered with the richest verdure and flow
ers of every hue. In others, the pleasing
vicissitudes of gently rising hills and wind
ing wales, interspersed with lakes and groves
of timber, offer the most delightful land
scapes to the eye of the traveller, while ever
and anon, bis attention is attracted by the
whirr of the grouse, and the stately form OF
the sandhin crane in the distance. The
alienation of liz ht and shade, and the
moving shadows of the clouds, lend enchant-
ment to the view. 1t is, indeed, ga good
land, land of brooks, of water, of foun.
tains, and depths that spring out of valleys
and hills"
1t is but very few years since the whole
Of this country was in the possession of the
red man and it is now in great measure
a solitude. The enterprising settlers who
have made it their home find themselves
richly rewarded by the fertility of the soil,
and the abundant returns for their labor /;
but they are few and far between. Perhaps
in no part of the United States are crops of
any description so abundant and fine, in
proportion to the quantity of land cultivated
as in Minnesota. The soil seems peculiarly
adapted to the climate, and everything that
is planted comes to perfection. The sea-
sons are more strongly and accurately
marked than in the States farther South
and East, the atmosphere is less humid, and
vegetation is less liable to be injured by late
frosts, or by blight and mldew. Thousands
and tens of thousands may here find happy
homes on the bosom of its prairies, in its
beautiful wales, on the margin of its lakes
and rivers. And here, we trust, the vine
which the Lord hath planted will cover the
bills with its shadow, and fill the world, and
the boughs thereof become like the goodly
cedar trees.
We encountered, at various points on the
route, large numbers of cattle, and we were
surprised at their beauty and size, and good
condition and the day is not far distant
when they will attract attention to the mar
kets of the East !; for Minnesota is destined
to become great agricultural State, and
must help to supply the wants of the man.
ufacturing districts; and in return relieve
her own wants also, by an exchange of her
products.
We passed within very few miles of
very great natural curiosity, which seems, as
yet, to have attracted but little attention.
This is a column OF rock, that arises perpen-
dicularly out of the prairie, to the height of
seventy or eighty feet, solitary and alone.
We heard OF it many years ago, when the
country was only known by Indians, and
few trappers and hunters, under the name of
Lots Wife," but it is now called the
"Steeple Rock" The base, being broader
than the shaft from which it springs, it ap-
pears, in the distance, not unlike an ancient
church or tower. 1t is an object of solemn
grandeur, and well worthy the attention of
the geologist. We regretted that time did
not permit US to visit it, and explore its
properties. This pleasure, however, we
promised ourselves on some future occasion.
Owing to our having to stop, during the
heat Of the day, to rest, and feed our horses,
night overlook US ten miles short of North
field. The road was bad, and difficult to
trace and the prospect of having to encamp
on the prairie, with the mosquitoes for our
friends, was, one time, almost certain but
we plucked up courage, and pursued our
journey. We did not, however, arrive at
Mortified: until deep in the night. When
within TIVE or three miles of the place, we
learned that the bridge across the Canon