The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-21
The Logs Coming Down--The o.
+ OroaX Gofge6.

The Log C0ua1o8 OOW0ses10e d
Ofoax GofGed.
We learn that the prospect of getting
the logs out Of the tributaries of the Upper
Mississippi IL quite encouraging. The late
heavy rains have started them along rap
idly. If the rains continue, or II the
streams keep at their present fnllness, hum
dreds of millions of feet will be in the Mis-
sissippi in few weeks. About five hum
dred men are new engaged on the drive,
and they will continue their labors until
all the logs are out. The lumbermen feel
so confident of gathering the fruits of
their labor and outlay for two or three
years past, that contracts have been made
to deliver logs and lumber at very low
rates.
The tributaries of the St. Croix are also
reported in good driving stage, and hun
dreds Of men are engaged in pushing the
logs down. The last number of the St.
Oroix Monitor, published at Taylors
Falls, gives the following account of the
gorge of logs at that point:
The log excitement has prevailed to its full.
est extent this week. Last Monday night, the
Rapids above this place being clear of ice, the
logs commenced running to such an extent as
to form q jam underneath the bridge, which
continued to augment until noon of the next
day, when the rear reached the ruins of the st.
Croix Grist Mill. The hope that as the River
rose the logs would 60 out themselves, being
harbored by many, no attempt to clear pas
sage for them was made until Wednesday
morning, when matters appeared to be grow
ing worse, the rise in the water only tending
to pack the logs closer together small force
of men and teams were engaged to open the
channel. In the afternoon large crowd of
men, women and children began to gather till
the bridge and the banks of the River were
lined with dense human mass, all eager to see
the liam break" '.~
They were soon gratifed, as after few
hours labor the logs started, and went rushing
and crashing through the narrow gorge at the
head of the dalles, shouts rent the air, and
everybody's countenance wore a pleased look.
But their joy was of short duration, for in less
than fifteen minutes from the ime the jam
started, the river was blocked up below, and
not one half of the logs had run through. The
crowd soon dispersed and night approaching
nothing more could be done until the next day.
Thursday arrived and with it snow, rain and
wind, so that work was delayed. In the mean
time logs continued to run on to the rear jam
and at the time of writing it had reached the
only had the jam heightened, but the still ris.
ing river has piled the logs up at the gorge un-
der the bridge, until they have reached the
abutments of this structure, and fears are en-
tertained lest it should be swept away.
The danger is so apparent that Mr.. Town
the toll keeper, Immediately vacated the toll
house, and sought more secure place. The
pressure of the logs against the piers, built by
MIR. Billiard above the bridge was so great that
the piers were crowded on shore. The frame
work Of his grist mill is also threatened.
Men and teams are now at work on the head
of the JAM but make very slow progress at
the present rate it will take weeks TO reach
the bridge. ..
The spectacle now presented is grand 1t is
estimated that there are from fifteen to twenty
million feet of lumber, piled in every imagin-
able way, in some places towering up twenty
and thirty feet, and reaching to the bottom Of
the river. ,..... ...,... II ....
There never has been time when the
home demand for lumber was greater than
now. Our mills have been idle for two
years past, and the old stock has been all
worked up, while hundreds who are de-
siroUs of building, have been compelled to
wait "until the logs come down." A full
lumber market win create such q demand
for carpenters in all our large towns as
never has been experienced since their
early settlement. In St. Paul, building
has never kept pace with the increase of
population, and to-day there is scarcely a
store or dwelling house that is not occu-
pied. The city is literally full of people,
not the area, but the buildings, Sand
all that is now wanted to enhance greatly
its visible growth, is a plentiful supply Of
building material. 49,. ...h -