Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-07-30
By NATHAN RICHARDSON.

a.
been there so long that the brass about
the hilt was entirely eaten up by verdi
girls, and nothing of account was left of
the handle, but the blade was very we'll
preserved and was made of the best of
steel: Mr.. T. M. Young, of Royalton,
purchased the blade from the finder.
Mr.. Young, being an old soldier, claims
to be we'll informed on matters of that
sort, and says that that style Of sword has
not been in use for about one hundred
years, although it differs but little in
weight, length and style from the
swords used at the present time. As to
how or when that sword came where it
was found is mystery which will like
ly remain unsolved. Mr.. Young speaks
Of finding large sized lead bullet in a
large oak tree in the town of Two Riv-
ers, over which 1875 grains of wood had
formed, which shows that it was shot
into the tree 1875 years ago. Mr.. Young
has very many relics which he brought
from the South, and which he collected
while there in the Union army. They
are too numerous to mention, but it will
pay a person to make him visit in order
to see them.
One year ago last winter small oak
about ten inches in diam eter was cut on
section 33 in the town of Swan River by
tie makers, in which deer's horn was
firmly fastened, the wood having grown
around and entirely enveloped the butt
and heavy part of the horn, and extended
out on the prongs about half their length.
It was up about four feet from the
ground, and was likely hung in crotch
or on limb when the tree was but a
bush, so that the prongs stood out from
the bush. The tree was perfectly sound
and thrifty, and about fifty years old. 1t
was taken to the Minneapolis museum.
This county furnishes unmistakable ev-
idence of having undergone at some
time, and perhaps not far back, very rad
ical changes of surface. Just how great
those changes have been we have as yet
no means of ascertaining to any degree
of certainty; but the finding of pieces Of
wood deeply imbedded in the earth
proves very conclusively that at some
time a change of surface has taken
place. About two years ago Mr.. True
E. Doten, while digging a we'll on his
farm four miles west Of Little Falls,
found imbedded in clay at various points
to the depth of forty feet, pieces of
wood: Those that I saw I judged to be
willow. I learn that Robert Muncy,
while digging a well in the town OF
Bellevue, about two miles east Of the
Mississippi river, found several pieces OF
oak and pine at various depths down as
far as he went, nearly fifty feet. :.-.>
What appears most remarkable is the
great difference IN the soil of the county
some tracts being light and sandy, and
others being very heavy and rich and as
durable as is to be found anywhere. In
some instances complete change of soil
takes place in distance Of three or four
rods, which may continue for few rods
only or for several miles. Not only has
the earth been greatly disturbed in this
country, but the rocks show that their
peaceful slunbers have been broken by
upheavals in the far past.
The Mississippi river at this point
passes over the long belt OF line of rock
that runs from the head of Lake Superior
in a southwesterly direction. 1 have not
been able to ascertain the exact distance
it has been traced, but it is several hun.
dred miles, following direct line, at
some points rising considerably above
the surface, but generally covered up.
At this point, as disclosed by the action
of the water of the river, it is little ov-
er two miles across. This rock in the
main is slate, but of an inferior quality,
which so far as it has been tried cannot
be worked to good advantage. Several
years ago company was formed that
expended large amount of money in
opening quarry near Thompson, at the
junction of the L. s. & NJ. and N. P,
railroads, but failed. Afterwards experts
came and examined the rock at this
place, which they reported as possessing
great advantages over that at Thompson
but no efforts have been made as yet to
open a slate quarry here. In most places
other kinds of rock are extensively
mixed in with the slate, and in, many
places considerableveins of white quartz
are mixed in, from whence likely came
the clippings before mentioned. 1t is
all set up on edge, or partly SO, by vol.
canic action. Besides this belt, com.
posed of slate and other rock, there are
in this vicinity and in several localities
not far from this place, extensive beds OF
granite rock, equal to any in the coun.
try, The nearest of, much extent is
found on the northeast quarter of section
13, township e129, range 80, and is not
over a mile from the village limits Of
Little Falls. Gold and silver have been
found in small quantities in the rocks in
this vicinity, which have been extensive
ly explored with the hope that those pre-
cious metals could be found in paying
quantities.. Among those who have
searched this country over pretty thor
oughly in hope of finding gold and sill
yer in abundance, Fthe most diligent per
son is Major T. NJ. Newson. of st. Paul
He has made this country several visits
within the last ten or twelve years, il
search of gold. The last visit was no,
longer than two weeks ago, when he met
with partial success, which encouraged
him greatly. He will not likely abandon
his search until the rock inevery locali
II about this country is thoroughly test
ed. We wish him abundant success, bu
fear his labor in that direction will gt
unrewarded. Occasionally drift coppe
has been found in this country. Severa
years ago Mr.. T. Elwell, while loading
his dam It Granite City, found severa
pieces in the gravel near the surface
None Of them would weigh overhaul !,
pound. About two years ago VIM. SIoal
found On the Nokasebe waters, near ID