Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-10-02
Correspondence of the Journal.
A visit TO Minnesota.

Ol JdiiSS anu SSutISiilCli, WIZ NloitCt NJ.
Paul, St. Anthony, Minneapolis and the
Falls of Minnehaha. These cities and
surrounding country with its beautiful
scenery have often been described by the
tourist aud gentlemen of leisure, who
have Travelled for pleasure and health III
this delightful country on the upper banks
of the father of waters.
As one visits ST. Paul and Minneapo-
lis he is wildly reminded of the term
that g God made the country and man
the town." where but two or three years
ago life and activity pervaded every
branch OF business, and the man who
possessed n few corner lots was a Creosus
of himself. Here he supported heavy
gold watch, with chain to correspond;
fast horse, with equipage 10 mstch.-
He clothed himself in purple and fine
linen, and Jared sunptuously every day,
while be Rugged tie fattering junction. to
his soul, that during his future life peace
and plenty would ever smile upon him,
and TRANQUILITY through life would he
proceed in the even tenor of his way
But alas, ga change came DER the spir-
it OF his dream" Town lots fell, and so
did he. He has changed bis former av
ocation, and inspired with true patriot
ism, has closed his real estate office, and
is now coasting in Old Virginia, OF the
banks of the Potomac. as a high pri
vate, with his knapsack for his pillow and
q minnie rifle for his armor Such is
life. But | commenced writing des-
cription of the scenery in Mitoesota.-
Here, Almost beside the red mans cabin
do we see the telegraph and railroad
the twin sisters of civilization.
"Behind the squaws brch-bark canoe,
The steamer smokes and raves,
And city lots are staked for sale
Above old Indian graves.
A RAILROAD IN MINNESOTA. How the
news will spread over the land, that in
far off Minnesota railroad has been
built and the locomotive is in operation.
Although civil war with its fearful conse-
quences is upon the country, We find the
enterprsing spirit of the West marching
forward and building these great high
wavs-these links of steel which bind
one loyal State to another. When this
road is completed which will be in the
course of two months-ts effect cannot
be otherwise than establishing healthy
business intercourse between the three
cities that has not heretofore existed.
This is the second deviation, and now
hope to speak of the scenery.
St. Anthony and Minneapolis are two
handsome cities, surrounded rs they are
by p fine urdulating country, pctur;ng
to the eve rare and beautiful scenery. =
The Falls of ST. Anthony to the artist in
search Of the picturesque. the grand ard
beautiful, can find no pace that will af
ford him more materif l. As our party
viewed the Fails by moonlight, they
were wildly impressed with their beauty
and grandeur. AS you gaze upon these
far famed waterfalls as they pour their
impetuous torrents over stern rocky oor-
ges, over the debris Of centuries, leaping
from cliff to cliff, and plunging down
ward in succession of the most bril-
liant cascades; there is nothing but what
is seen, that could be desired, to compl, tie
panorama to the lover Of the wild and
beautiful. But not only by him who
in the love of nature holds communion
with her visible forms" are these Falls
looked upon with interest. The u'iita-
rian spirit of the age must appropriate
the waterfalls to more paying use than
Il studies Of the artist or the admira-
ton of the lover Of nature, and the riv-
er possessing such magnificent water
power must be made to feel the bonds of
man and civilization.
As you leave the Falls of St. Antho-
ny you drive over n beautiful country
for five miles to the Falls of Minnchaha;
and as you approach this romantic, le-
gendary water fall there is q pleasant
feeling or thought that comes to your
mind which saws, that these Falls were
made expressly to look upon" A tru,
adlnirer of nature will almost lose his
present consciousness, cnraptured with
the beauty and grandeur of these laugh
ing waters. might give catalogue of
rocks, precipices, torrents, lodges, over
arching trees, and all the elements that
make one feel sthe sublimity of stern
Solitude" but it is no easy task to convey
by words the exact expressions of such
lovely, romantic scene; nor do | fully
belive what is called q "realizing sense
in the descriptions of others. Like all
beautiful scenery, the only true way to
fully appreciate its sublime beauty is for
one to visit the Falls of Minnehaha-
The following Indian anecdote is said to
have occurred near these Falls many
years ago, which is worry of note
A young Indian failed in his attention
to a young squaw.. She made COM
plant to the old chief. who appointed q
hea ing or trial. The lady laid the case
before the Judge, and explained the ma
ture of the promise made to her. 1t
consisted of sundry visits to the wig
wan, "many undefnabe attentions
and presents, bunch of feathers, and
several yards of red flannel. This was
the charge. The faithless swain denied
the undefinable attentions" an toto
He had visited her fathers wigwam for