St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-07-18
ALMxANDRIA, July 18th
1sT REGIMENT.

noon from Sank Centre. It was eleven
o'clock when our team arrived at that
place, and I stopped with the express I'M.
Outstanding that Kandotta where We
were to stop for dinner, was not to be
more than two miles distant, otherwise
your readers would have been spared the
infection of the addenda from Sank Cen
ter. But, when after having finished and
mailed at that place, I started on for din
ner, could have declared it fully three
miles. Still, as those who are better &C
quai:sted with the country insist that it i:
but two, 1 must, as junior member of the
firm, yield-yet firmly believing 1.-THE
longest two miles ever traveiccd. l arri
we'd in time to get sound remna2t o.
dinner. While walking to our camping
ground remembered that it was the day
on which the Sabbath School pic nic,was
to come off, and could not help wishing
for the farmers seven-league boots that
I might transfer myself back to St. Cloud
about two o'clock, and, after having assist
ed distributing things, return to our par
ty. AS this could not be I contented N.Y.
self by wishing you pleasant time.
A short distance this side of Kandotta
is small and somewhat peculiar mound,
on the open prairie. It about thirty feet
in height, and from the summit the view
is most glorious. Forward, in the direc-
ton in which we were to proceed, the eye
could reach distance of over five miles,
embracing the prairie dotted with oak and
popple groves, and marked by the serpen-
tine folds of the road VIC were to follow, to
the left and in the distance was heavy tim
Der, to the right lay Fairy and Sank Lakes
and Sank River, and almost at our feet a
small stream called Ashley river moved in
its lazy course. Back, the eye swept in
the town of Sank Center, the neat houses
which skirted the timber, the open undu-
lating prairie, and on, on, until it rested
upon strip of timber fifteen miles distant.
There is nothing grand or sublime in this
district of country, but it is beautiful be-
yond description, and fertile beyond CON-
parison. In several places between Mel
rose and Kandotto saw where bitches had
been dug In the side of hill, and the soil
was over three feet deep. Who can caleu-
late the productiveness of such soil as this?
One feels in walking over the unbroken
prairie, that he is treading on pure gold,
which but awaits the pillow and threshing
machine to be minted. This must before
long be thickly settled and wealthy coun-
try.
We soon crossed Ashley River, which is
small stream hardly deserving the name
of river. 1t is about the size of the old
"Nine Mile Rum" which ran through our
little town and the old farm, and which
you will remember we'll. A little further
on, and our road winds around Fairy Lake,
which is very pretty sheet Of water,
though not very large. 1t is perfectly
outrageous that the road has been tortured
into Its present course. 1t was surveyed
through much better country, and about
six miles shorter. The people are now be-
ginning to demand that this route shall
be opened, and it will doubtless be done
before long.
After passing over some beautiful coun-
try, decked with tiger lilies, sweet will
liams, and various other wild flowers.
We reached Osake's Lake at 8 o'clock.
This is magnificent Lake, about eight
miles long and four wide. Camped here,
and slept gloriously covered with four
blankets. This night was rather cooler
than usual, and wo were free from musqui-
toes. Started next morning at six o'clock
and at nine arrived at the Alexandria
woods. Camped here to grind onr axes,
spades scythes, &c. In half an hour the
Stage came up, bringing Mr. Bradley, one
Of our missing members. He had been
quite sick when. we loft St. Cloud, but is
much better now. In a short time after
our other chairman came up on horseback.
Our party was now complete, and consist
ed Of, Messrs. T. H. Barrett and A. S.
Bradley, Contractors and Surveyors ; Z.
Ridgeley and +. Hart, Mound builders ;
Adam Plain, Cook ; Jim Paige and your
correspondent, chainmen. We took din
ner at this place, an at two o'clock start.
- L.. A.. D..