The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-27

From Our Special Correspondents.


VERx1Iox LAKE GOLD MINES, I
81. Louis Co., MIMI, October, 1865
To the Editor of tie Pioneer:
In our last letter, we endeavored 70 convey
some ideas as to the shape and other peculiari-
ties of Lake Vermilioa. Its exact location Is
difficult to decide upon; but we are confident
that it rests from ten to fifteen miles farther
east than located on any map ever Published.
Such is also the opinion of all the Indians with
whom we have converted on the subject
and they claim that q direct south trail from
Vermilion Falls will strike Lake Superior
within two or three miles of Du Luth.
The wild beauty of the scenery in this vicin-
ity is beyond the power of language to de-
scribe; while the peculiar sensations of the
beholder are probably something akin to those
of the wonderful Geni described in illustrated
story books near half century ago. The eye
takes in a score or more graceful promontories
espes and penineulas, running their moss and
pine covered points down into the Lake, as if
to cool their metallic palates already burning
to be unbosomed by the restless hands
of enterprising miners. Ahghting on one
point,-from our graceful bark ca
noe,-we find oursef walking over
an immense bed of iron ore that for qaossty will
lose no credit by comparison with that of
Swedish renown while for quansity. there is
enough to supply for hundred years all of
the furnaces of the entire world.
Passing from this poiat to another, equally
as rounded and graceful on its surface, lit leads
US to variety of gold mines of from three
inches to ten feet in width, extending miles in
length, and comparing in quality to the best
now mined in Idaho and California.
The iron is in immense beds, hundreds of
feet in height while the gold is found in quartz
veins running through talcose slate of supe-
rior grit and beauty; which for fine whet-
sones and homes, is fully equal to any thing
we have ever examined.
In order that the public may more gener-
ally understand the geographical character of
this new Eldorado,-it will be necessary to
entirely ignore all published maps in regard
to rivers, ridges, mountains and lakes; and
bear in mind the three following facts:
Frt-Lake Vermilion stands from ten to
fifteen miles farther east, and probably few
miles farther. south than located on the maps.
Secon9-The Dividing Ridge and the Mas
Saba Washoe extend side and side from the
northeast to the southwest; separated for
many miles by the Upper Embarras River
which passes through an opening IN the latter,
and empties into the st. Louis which drains
its southeastern slope.
7h;rd-While the sMassahba Washoe (the
giant mountain) is nearly 400 feet in height,
the Dividing Ridge rises to bat about hall
these figures, and Is drained On it, northwest
ern slope by the South Vermilion River, which
empties into the south end or Fret arm of Yer
million Lake about three quarters Of Q milo be-
low the sixteen feet falls!
The fish OF Vermilion Lake are Of the finest
favor that we have ever tasted; and they seem
to abound in immeose quantities. The variety
Is principally pike, pickerel. bass, trout and
whitefsh.
The vermilion band of Chippewas in this VI
cinity, are less accustomed to civilization than
any we have ever before encountered: bat
they appear very friendly, and anxious to re-
tain tho good opinion Of the white men. Nice
fresh nsh are every morning brought to our
camp by the orders of the Big Chief E-as-ojid,
who refuses al remuneration, and declares
that If an Indian takes pay for hospitality no
kawiu anne.wic nish-e-shin, (bad Indian.) One
Of our party, BY the way. has fallen In love
with beautiful Indian maiden Of sweet six
teen, named Kitte.sax-kooatx, Voung Fawn)
who warmly reeiprocases tho fond attachment
and expresses with her large lustrous orba,
emotions of passionate devotion which
her Indian tongue fails her il express
ing in words. Presents Of bead
bags, knives, ribbons, jewelry, fancy pipes,
and lovers kisses, pass to and fro Is
freely IS Jersey champaign at q Washington
dinner: and the young pale face declares tina,
,Du Luth may cut forty roads to Vermilion
Lake, before he will ever leave it without his
innocent and beautiful Kite sau-koontz.
The Indians have tradition that the Ruling
Spirit of Vermilion Lake is perpetuated from
aS0 w o5Os sAiVoSSA VIC oOul VI U CCI tolu k1uQ
Of fowl designated an.ne-mik-keag pena-sha,
(the Thunder Bird). If this bird becomes
offended it brings down upon the Lake such
violent tempestuous storms of rain, thunder
and lightning, as to be truly fearful to behold.
Flash upon flash of the vivid lightning comes
crashing in amid the numerous ridges of ex-
posed iron, finging hither and yond large
blocks of the heavy metal, and scattering the
riven pieces like so many shot from musket's
mouth.
To conciliate the spirit of an ne-mik-keaq.
pesasha, the Indians deem it necessary when
crossing the Lake during calm, to. paddle
with the hghtest possible noise and ripple.
Thus, through superstitious awe and skiliful
experience, they are enabled to move with al
most the grace and noiseless speed of the duck.
We have never been able to find an Indian
who has yet seen one of the thunder birds but
plenty of them have relatives who are ac-
quainted with skillful marksmen residing in
some other part of the country who have not on
" seen them but in some instances have come
very near shooting them. Unfortunately, how.