St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1865-11-16

that in the twenty-five miles travelled thus
far, No have not at any one time been out
Of sight Of water. The government survey
or. the marks Of whose recent operations
We watched and noted with good deal Of
interest 40 the only visible evidences Of civ
ilization met with, very truthfully and
quantity remarked that 'the lakes up in
this region are packed in like eggs" In
many places there is hardly dry sand
enough for a wagon track between the lakes.
The old Mission buildings are still standing
at Gull Lake, but are IN sadly dilapi-
dated condition-not \ light Of glass re-
naming. A few lazy Indians and half
breeds lettering around and making feeble
attempts at raising little corn aud pota-
toes, are all the evidences Of human lite
visible.
10 return. After very comfortable
and refreshing nights sleep, We arose
early and found the winds abated and the
storm hushed, the atmosphere bracing and
celebrating, producing an unusually good
appetite. We dispatched hearty break
fast by moonlight and the campfire, which
latter the timely efforts Of Jack had restored
to its original proportions. Striking our
tents, We were early on our way, camping
at noon to cook and eat dinner. Hating
again about four O'Clock to ''bait" the
horses and take lunch, we arrived at the
old Mission buildings on L:ech Lake at
about seven o'clock on Saturday evening,
November 4th.
The country over which We travelled to.
day is something Of an improvement on
yesterday. We passed through groves of
most beautiful evergreens Of almost every
variety, At one place the road was cut
through forest of young Norway pines
standing very clio e, and averaging from
six to twelve inches in diameter and from
seventy-ive to one hundred feet in l,eighth,
the ground q, clear and free from UNDER
growth as if it had been shaven and swept,
presenting the most attractive appearance
Of the kind that the imagin ton can con-
ccive of. As VIC nearel Leech Lake we
passed through tract Of country ubouud-
ing in hard wood, large proportion be ng
sugar maple. The soil is very rich with
clay subsoil. Also forests of heavy timber,
principally white pine.
On arriving at Leech Lake, We stopped
with Mr.. Whitehead, who has charge end
government of tho saw mill belonging to
the Pillagcr Indians, and also superintends
their farming operatl ms. We found Mr..
Whitehead to be an intelligent and active
business man. Many Of your readers will
no doubt remember the intense solicitude
that was Felt for him and his partners,
Sutherland and Rutherford, the three white
traders at this place at the time of the out
break in 1862. They were then taken
prisoners by the same Pillsger Indians
with when he is now living, and taken to
Lake Wiunepeg, where they. would undonbt-
edls have been bulchered by their savage
aud blood-thirsty captors. had it not have
been for old chief, Big Dog. who is now
dead, and three Or four other faithful
braves who placed themselves between
these prisoners and the murderous crew
who sought to destroy them, so that they
could act injure the prisoners without fist
staying their kiusmen. Thus they con-
Quoted them to place Of safety. The
hs*,se occupied by Mr.. W. is very comfort
able. 1t vas bEilt some years since by
Rev. Mr. Brock, = very worthy and ex ell
lent man, who had established a Mission
school Ger tie ladians. Notwithstanding
he vas saueh respected aud beloved by the
lndiaas Oh account Of his many acts of
kiaduess towards them. and his unceasing
devotion to promote their interests and
happiness, through education and religious
instruction, at the time o. the outbreak
they forced him to leeve, and he has never
since returned. In answer to interogata-
ries from Rev. Knickerbocker the Indians
said they we're sorry for what they had
done and would be 6 I'D to have Mr.. Breck
return to them.
Soon after our arrival We were seated
down to a splendid supper, prepared by
Mr.. Whitehead's sprightly young half-breed
wife, and consisting Of dish of the latest
ducks, nicely cooked, thst1 ever tasted.
These were served with all the necessary
MISUNDERSTANDING, goose-berry
and cranberry sauce. You may be sure We
did ample justice to the hospitality Of our
kind and generous host and hostess, and
felt as ':happy as CLAIMS at high tide.'-
Here again the hand Of Major Clarke was
visible in having everything pre-arranged
for our comfort.
Concluded next weck.)
OFFICIAL RETURNS.
Yesterday afternoon the official returns