The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-10-20
MUM BER SIX.

MUM BIER SIX.
On TIE Sr. LOUIS, MAR THE MOUTH OF
SWAN RIVER, I'm ROUTE FOR THE ST.
LOUIS COUNTY GOLD MINES.
Minnesota, Oct. 1865.
To tie Editor of the P;osser:
From the point in the st. Louis river six.
teen miles northwest from Fon du Lac where
our last letter was dated, we re. embark from
the sixteen mile portage, aud continue our way
up the river.
distance of about fifteen miles brings US
to the mouth of the Cloquet, o fine, noble river,
about one-third the size of the st. Louis, and
Astounding in fish of fine flavor and great vari.
ETY.. The Cloquet unites with the st. Louis
with all the impetuous passion displayed at
Donnybrook wake. Over the sharp pointed
rocks the water leaps, gurgles. smiles ana
screeches, like the agonized soul of some de-
ed warrior, pleading and fighting for his
rights among the Infatuated spirits of the in
fernal regions.
Two miles above the Cloquet we reach the
m outh of the Esquabauka, beautiful little
river, with low banks, richly studded with
cone shaped frs and soft naples. Nearly op.
posite the Esquabauka there runs into the st.
Louis, another rapid little river, of about fifty
feet in width, which is not down upon the
published maps of the State. The water OF
nearly all of the rivers is dark red, owing to
the immense spruce and cedar swamps in this
section.
Continuing our way up the river, we pass
over innumerable rapids that are especially in
teresting from their wild, picturesque gran
deur, their ripping music and their threaten
ing danger. Unless boats are handled with
great skill, they are sure of being wrecked
while passing over these impetuous rapids.
A large canoe was wrecked here few
weeks ago, the provisions all lost. one child
drowned, and an old squaw obliged to cling
for life to the edges of sharp rock for nearly
five hours before sufficient aid could be secured
to rescue her from her perilous position. 1t is
only by constant, untiring skill that we prevent
the innumerable eddies from whirling and
dashing our frail craft every few moments
against the sharp craggy rocks, and converting
our gay party of gold-seekers into minced doses
of fish bait.
Thirty miles up the st. Louis from the port.
age, we came to East Savannah river, running
in from the west. By going up that stream,
Indians reach the Mississippi, during high
stage of water, by portage of but half mile
between the waters of the East and West Sa.
vannah rivers, the former emptying into the
St. Louis and the latter through Sandy Lake
into the Mississippi. During low stage OF
water the portage at this point is nearly five
miles.
The East Savannah empties into the st. Louis
at the west end of the Reservation of the Fond
du Lac Indians! The old corner post of the
survey is yet standing in the crotch of the two
rivers.
We here met a young Chippewa with his
aged and blind grandmother in small bark
canoe-as frail and almost as light as the shell
of goose egg. With a plug of tobacco we
purchased from the young red-skin five large,
splendid ducks, just shot, and soon after can
vassed their merits over blazing big fire on
the western bank.
The Floodwood empties into the st. Louis
about one mile and half above the mouth of
the East Savannah, and not into the latter, as
on the public maps.
We now begin to realize the truth OF the re.
port regarding the tortuous course of the st.
Louis. 1t runs in all directions; and its many
little islands, bayous and tributaries, would
craze the mind and patience of any one not
thoroughly experienced in river navigation.
Six miles above the mouth of the Flood
wood, we reach the Big White Face-coming
in from the Northwest This is beautiful
river having q number of fine mill privileges
and abundance of white Norway pine. Some
of the trees of the latter class are two and three
feet in diameter and over ninety feet in height
to the first limb. In a good ship-yard they
would be worth over hundred dollars each.
Above this river, the st. Louis is much mar
rover, with higher banks, the water runs with
increased speed, and the channel is as crooked
as the kinks Of nigger's hair at corn dance.
The soil through this section is generally SAN
dv with an occasional patch of dark and very
rich loan.
About twenty miles north and above the
mouth of the Big White Face-(named in
honor of q gigantic white hunter who is said to
have resided here upon its banks about fifty
wears ago, I'VE come to Sand riyer-entering
from the west: and ten miles still higher we