East Saginaw courier., 1865-08-30

]
rior railways, and sometimes by ma
terial changes in the channel of the
river; another reason is that under the
excitement of speculation they were
rushed forward at far more rapid
rate than the requirements Of the ru-
raj sections demanded, and the spirit
of rivalry blinded the eyes of their
projectors to the true situation and
capabilities of the farming regions
The agricultural interest in all that
region is now making sure and
steady progress, but the completion of
at least those railways in progress is
required to settle the status of many
of the once ambitious aspirants fer
city honors. Navigation on that por-
ton of the river included ip our route
usually opens wild in March, and clo-
sos in December, tho regular mail
packets comriencing their season the
10th OF Aprii, and closing the 18th of
No7emher During the winter season
''4g man IIUnruos along inc river are
very poor, st. Paul is reached by a
country from La Crosse, but the river
daily stage line, of so miles, across tho
towns, particularly the smaller ones,
have not tho benefit of such an ar
rangement, and are at times under q
complete embargo for weeks at q
stretch.
Tho recent Indian troubles have
had the effect to materially retard the
growth and development Of large
portion Of Minnesota, though the
claims for damages have proved
prime source Of profit for spectators
and sharpers, and the Indian war, as
at present carried on, is feathering the
nests of many who are in the charmed
circle Of government favoritism. A
force Of five hundred cavalry are
stationed at Fort Smelling, which, by
the way, is situated on high, white,
sand rock bluff, at tho confluence Of
the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers,
commanding a view of the adjacent
country for miles in every direction,
forming of itself from its peculiar his
tory, situation and surroundings, one
Of the chief objects Of interest in the
North West. Two of tho Indian
chiefs engaged in the late massacre,
and who count their victims, mostly
women and children, by the dozen,
Little Six aud "Medicine Bottle"
broad, athletic, crafty looking devils,
are still confined at the fort, where
they are forced to undergo the humil-
iating exercise of saving wood, to
to keep their carcasses in healthy lit
for the halter.
OF river towns not before men
toned, Lansing, 40 miles above Prai-
rie du Chen, is point Of considera-
bic Importance, having a fine situation,
and aproductivo surrounding country.
McGregor, also, two miles below Prai-
RE du Chen, and on the Iowa side Of
the river, is a point Of rare activity,
bears the hardest name, and has the
hardest situation, being circga..:: ..::cc..5hed
within q narrow, rocky ravine, but it
seems to be one of the peculiaritios of
business to develop the most unprom-
ising situations, and forco the incoh-
gruities Of nature into whatever shape
her wants demand.
In all the cities and villages on our
route, there was not one, great or
small, that in growth, activity or bus.
mess prospects could compare with
East Saginaw, nor locality that ex-
hibitod even respectable fraction of
the prolific resources. of Saginaw Val
ley Time will develop immense ag-
rioultural wealth in all that country,
but manufactures, so much needed to
build up cities and villages, must nee
ossarily be of slow growth. Alto
gether the trip to st Paul is one of
the finest in all the range of oxcur-
sion routes in America, and has many
advantages in regard to safety and
comfort, as well as interest and pleas
ure, which viii always recommend it
to tho favor Of an intelligent public.
G.. +. l..
FIremen's Tournament.
The Fnemen's Tournament noticed
by US few weeks since, to come off at