The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1874-06-04

Of our pilgrimage to Mlanessta, in the year
1850. l described our journey from Buf-
falo to Galsns. At that date Galena was
the most important town west OF northwest
Of Chicago. Tho lead mines were in tho
height Of their development, and 9aleus
Was the depot for supplies for all the up
per country, aud for the products ,of the
mines also the foot. Of navigation for the
upper Mississippi, which together, gave
what few streets were accessible to man or
beast . very lively appearance. Nearly
all the old settlers Of Minnesota who car.
-sied rail on their shoulder to "pry" tho
stage coach out Of the mud as they oros-
sed the prairies coming from Chicago,
know the sensation experienced when the
driver would crack his whip and blow his
horn as the loaded coach went rafting into
town. It would appear IS though tho
whole town had turned out to celebrate its
arrival. I remember that q stage driver
in those days was regarded with quite as
importance as is now given to q Member Of
Congress. We had one day in which to
satisfy our curiosity about the Load City,
which, unlike Chicago, with her fiat sur
face, We found to be city of more hills
than ever adorned the external City," and
consequently was most easily and thorough
ly drained. II Was not difficult feat, in
passing along ono street, to peep down the
chimney Of . house on the street below
and see what tho folks were cooking for
dinner.
In III" aftarnoon Of the second day after
our arrival at Galens, We were on our way
down Fever river, Is deck passengers on
the stern-wheel steamer Yankee. Our Lit.
tie craft had full complement Of passen-
gers, most Of whom, like ourselves,
were deck passengers. think the fare for
Jack and myself was Eve dollars, including
baggage and tool chest. We had fully
learned tho Importance Of being on friend
~ relations with the steward, which, in this
case especially, served us q good purpose,
as he took care to see that We had place
to sleep and enough to eat. I can call to
mind only one person Of all the passengers
afterwards had occasion to know and re-
member. He was one of the prominent
lawyers at that time in Minnesota, and has
since been honored with seat in the Leg
islature and both Houses Of Congress. I
will do him tho justice to state that he con-
formed to the custom of the times and
practicsd diligently at the bar Of the
Yankee during our passage up the river
l allude to the Hon. Morton s. Wilkinson.
My whole being seemed to be pregnant
with "Great Expectations" which were full
~ realized whom as the sun was t.deolining
behind tho western hills" the Father of
Waters or Mother Of Rivers burst upon my
view. The scene as We debouched into the
Mississippi to mo WAS new and grand BE-
yond oil l had ever fanoied, and the effect
was not diminished in the slightest during
tho five days We were steaming up tho riv-
or. Tho same river still rolls at ysar feet,
and the banks on either side present the
same appearance Of castles and for tiaoa-
tions in ruins. Lake Pepin with it, vari-
agstsd shores and its Maiden Rock, and
further on Carvsr's Cave, are Oh still there,
but in tho language Of Webster, "All else,
how chsaged!" We passed Fort Crawford
at Prairie du Chen in tho day time. It
was tho only place above Galsna till We
reached st. Paul that had any pretensions
to being the homo Of civilization. Ire
member the prairie whore now Is the popu-
lsus town Of Winens, then portable town,
occupied by Sioux Indians. Also, the one
At Lacrosse, with the addition Of . trading
house. At Bed Wing was aourishing
Sioux village. My attention was attracted
to q number Of soatfolds, each elevated on
four poles, having the appearance Of some
thing placed on them to dry. Many of
your readers have been familiar with these
sights aud will recognize in the description
IN Indian burial ground. The MISSISSIPPI.
pi, the scenery ali combined, greatly OK.
oeeded in beauty the panorama 1 before re-
ferred to. think it was in the morning
Of the fifth day, that some ons cried out,
''st. Paul, st. Paul ~ when first behold
the ''city on hill," whose patron saint
would blush with shame and be exalted
with pride for his nanesake when he re-
fiected that it has been the fastest, most
proaigate and at the Same time tho most
public spirited and the best town Of its age
over which floats the flag Of our country.
My next will begin with our landing and
reception ct St. Paul. G.F.B.
FoR sA1s.-Six good new team wagons,
which will b sold lower than they can be
bought any where else. Inquire Of c
Bridgmsn. II