The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-25
EN- ROUTE FOR LAKE ITASCA.
The Journey Through the Unexplored Wilds Of
Observation-Disclosures Of Indian Massacre
First Launch Of the Dolly varden-Gallant
Behavior of the Little Craft-The As
cent of Wild Rice River on the
Way to Lake Itasca
CANOE DOLLY WARDEN, WILD RICE RIVER, J
Northern Minnesota En- Route for
Lake Ilasca June 3. 1872


The canoe Dolly Warden, after trip OF 2,lOo miles
by rail, reached Oak Lake station, the Northern
Pacific Railroad, and was carefully lifted from the
cars TO be slowed away night In the telegraph
station. This building, with the exception OF q
small log hut called the hotel, and several tents,
was the only habitation within the limits of the
station. This was at once warehouse, freight and
passenger depot and telegraph Office Near this
place the Indians, only short time ago, murdered
family OF settlers the Cooks and the neighborhood
was thoroughly alarmed. The settlers, principally
Norwegians, to the number OF twenty-five families,
together with all their cattle and effects had locked
to the station for safety and were actively engaged
In erecting a stockade below the village, on the
prairie, on the day OF our arrival TLs did not look
encouraging, and several OF the residents advised
the crew OF the Dolly to return at once to ST.
Paul After coming 20 far the crew was not TO be
discouraged. team was procured and the canoe
and crew started
ACROSS TIE PRAIRIE
q distance OF twenty-one miles, to White Earth
trading post IN the southwest portion OF the Chip
pewa Reservation. This place was reached after Il
tiresome though interesting ride There 1t was
found that, ms the trip to Itasca and thence TO
BTainerd would occupy two weeks, and the boat
and crew would traverse country totally uniu-
habited, It would be absolutely necessary to hire a
guide and an Indian to carry the provisions 4
guide was found, who soon secured an Indian; n
birch bark canoe was bought for their use, ana 81
complete OUTFIT OF provisions was purcha3 ed. In
the whole settlement OF perhaps 1--WE hundred In
dams only one could be found who mad ever made
the trip 10 ltasca Lake, and the
REGION WAS PRACTICALLY UNEXPIORFD.
The map for that section OF the country was blank
and afforded not the slightest clue as TO the nature
oil the country, the location or the lakes and
rivers. In three days all arrangements were com
plete, and on Tuesday, June 4, team carrying the
Two canoes, their crews and provisions LETT White
Earth for lake Of that name some seven miles IN
the bush. The road led through forest OF scrubby
pine and was over succession OF hills and hollows
The horses were not suffered to proceed faster than
a walk, and even then as the crew trudged along
behind he felt great anxiety for the Dolly The
team t0ed through morasses, over logs ana among
hrers until about two O'Clock In the afternoon,
when the banks OF the lake were reached. Dinner
over after being carefully lifted out OF the wagon
THE DOLLY WARDEN WAS LAUNCHED
In White Earth Lake. The trip 10 Lake itasca, the
source OF the longest river IN the world, was now
falrly begun. The crew slowed the sails and rig
Ping snugy below, and, In company with the birch
bark, carrying the guides and luggage, the trim lit
Tie craft started toward the northeast The lake IS
not more Than mile long and after crossing II our
route led up the White Earth River for two miles
further, where portage had 10 be made around
fa'l. Thence seven miles further up the stream,
against sluggish current, and through another
small feed-encireled lake. Here a portage OF one
mile was made to the twin Lakes. These are two
sinall bodies " water, not more than mile and
hall ia width, aud are beautifully located among