Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-08-14
CORRESPONDENTS.
FROM MINNESOTA.

II. CLOUD, Mimi, July D lSGS.
DEAR - In order to give you some
idea Of what we see in this country, refer to
an article in Harper, published last winter,
on the Minnesota Pineries. As soon as the
ice went out Of the river when We came
here it was 40 inches thick, the water be-
gan to be dotted with logs. Later. the dots
became jans-every projecting rock or suag
was loaded with logs. Insome places 1t was
easy to cross the river, on jam Then
came the drives, Lumbermen are appa-
rently amphibious. They are at home in
the water, and run risks that seem to us
horrible More logs more jams, and more
drives, kept the river lively for SIX weeks.
The logs are all 1oated to St. Anthony Falls.
Minneapolis, where the Falls furnish power
for saw-nills
Now refer to Harper again Au article
was published some time ago, on the Red
River Of the North-illustrated with views
Of half-breeds, carts, &c. These carts make
one trip IN the spring and one in the fan to
st Cloud. bringing Buffalo robes, deer skins
and fine flus, and taking back all kinds Of
merchandise and provisions The amount
Of goods taken to that country is enormous.
The Hudson Bay Company took up over
800 tons of merchandise Of al descriptions.
and Is now sending up 1000 bbls Pork.
Private merchants have taken up as much
more; some men having stocks Of goods
that cost over $4,000 The supplies of
goods almost all come from England and
Canada The carts are all driven by half
breeds, many Of whom bring their squaws
along, camping out on the entire trip. and
all enjoying themselves hugely. Each camp
has fiddler Some Of these halfbreeds
are very fine looking. All wear moccasins,
and bright colored sashes instead Of suspen-
ders; very few wear hats or caps. They are
an honest, innocent race A photographer
here, has just been taking some views of
carts and camps, a set of which | win send
you as soon as printed. | have some moe
casins, etc, which | intend to send as soon
as | get the assortment complete. We can
buy first class buffalo robes here for 50 each.
They sell for $50 in New York.
We frequently see Indians in the streets.
dressed much in the style we see in illustra-
tons blanket, leggins, &c. There is no
settlement Of them nearer than 30 miles. at
Grow Wing The emigration to this region
is fast driving them farther west.
One Of the great comforts of this climate
is that no matter how hot the days are, the
nightssare always cool We had some warm
days during the last three weeks, but not
night in which there was not pleasant
breeze, rendering little covering necessary.
This makes the country pleasant for inyalids,
as compared with those climates where the
nights are as sultry as the days
The most enjoyable part Of the day is the
twilight, which lasts until about 10 o'clock.
Just as pleasant and light as it isat s O'Clock.
Then. very frequently, as the darkness
comes on, the Aurora lights up and gives us
a display which keeps up the twilight bright
ness until midnight. To balance these beau
ties, we have severe thunder storms harder
than ever saw elsewhere.
The comedians which the Major took to
Bedford, are plenty here along the river,
and on the banks Of the lakes with which
the country is studded They are found by
the children every day.
People here talk, as at home, of going
West, Emigrants daily pass through here
who are going to Dakotah, and to the West
ern part Of this State The OK teams conc