Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-14
DEVILS LAKE.

A Visit to the Popular COuntry-What is
Found at Minnewaukan-Legend of the
Narrows-The Settlers Already There and
More to Come.
.. MIR. johnson, commissioner of emigra-
ton for the Manitoba road, has Just re-
turned from an extended trip to the Devils
Lake q brings the latest lnformati III al 4
advices from that section. He says there
is continuous settlement from Larim ore
to the lake along the grade. which is now
within twelve miles from the '.Narrows,''
and the country along the wagon road be-
tween Larimore and the lake has been
largely occupied this season, and the claim
shanties and houses can be counted by the
dozens in everydirection. The settlements
around Stump lake and from
these toward DEVILS lake
are assuming wide range, and in fact con-
tinues to and meets the settlements from
the east end of the lake. Between Je-
rusalem, and the Narrows, the claim shan
ties and sod houses become more numer-
GUS, and at the Narrows, and immediate
vicinnity, there are more Substantial i'm
Improvements. Mr.. j. M. Waldron. has a
large and comfortable hotel building. with
stables to accommodate sixty horses, and
upwards of 2O0tons of hay, stacked
on the edge of the timber, and everything IN
snug trim for the winter. Continuing
northwest from the Narrows, toward Min
newaukon, the lands in the immediate vi
cinity of the lake are we'll covered by
shanties, sod houses, log cabins, and now
and then frame building. In this dis
trict are many Scandin avians and Ger
mans located. At Minnewaukon we find
Mr.Dana of Illinois, with his four sons and
quite settlement of people from Spring
field. Illinois, all comfortably situated close
to the timber belt on the other shore.
Two miles beyond we come
to Mr.. Zimmerelrs place. Mr.. 2. may be
said to have the most substantial log house
on the north side of the lake. Close by is
Devils Lake city, where there is a hotel.
store, hardware store and saloon. This is the
present terminus of the daily line stage
service from Larimore. Two miles beyond
is Creelsburg, where the lieutenant is
erecting mammoth log houses for winter
quarters, and where stranger or friend
sure to have a friendly reception. Further
on towards Six-mile bay is large
English and Scotch settlement, and
towards Sweet-water lake, directly to
the north, are found settlers all along,
and beyond the lake on the trail to the
Turtle mountain
Since the opening of the country many
exploring parties have started
for the mountains, one par
ty from Meeker county, Minnesota,
with drove of 200 head of cattle, which
he proposes to winter in the mountains,
having previously made preparations.
Last June when Mr.. johnson visited this
section there were but few settlers in the
district on the north shore, but since that
time there has been steady stream of
land hunters, who have eagerly taken
these choice, rich, free lands. All are sat
isfied and happy, and not a dissatisfied set
tier was met anywhere. OF course
secretary's order declaring the
lands open to settle ment
was enthusiastically received and will re-
suit in thousands preparing to 60 out to
the lake early next season, and Mr.. John
son predicts the next season will witness
the greatest emigration to Devils lake and
Turtle mountain ever known in the new
northwest. Being asked how the DEVILS
lake district compared with the Red river
valley, Mr.. johnson said there is only one
Red river valley, and in his opinion it had
no equal, but the DEVILS lake district will
come in good second.
Speaking of abe Indian name of the
'sNarrows," Mr.. j. says that from the Chief
Iron Heart he learned through an inter-
prefer that the name of the sNarrows'' was
Buffalo Swim, from the fact that years ago
the buffalos crossed the lake at this point,
where it is only few hundred feet wide.
In crossing hundreds were drowned be-
cause the banks at some places were so
steep that the buffalos could not gain foot
hold in landing on opposite bank.
The Indians attributed the cause of so
large number of buffalos drawing at the
Narrows to the Evil Spirit, and from that
time no Indian has been known to cross
the water at the Narrows. The Indian.
name is Pta-O-Waupeta- pronounced
Nee-ow-aupee) meaning Buffalo-Swim--and
now known as the Narrows or DEVILS lake
In answer to the reporters inquiry as to
present and future transportation
facilities for the expected unprece dented
influx to DEVILS lake, Nh. johnson re-
piled that at present there is a daily line of
stages from Larimore via the Narrows, and
reliable parties had informed him there
would be another daily line from Hope
This latter line is expected to be in opera
ton by the 10th of the present month. AS to
the future he could only say that the end
Of the grade on the line from Larimore to
the DEVILS lake, was at point twelve
miles from the Narrows and bridging and
track laying was progressing finely.
As to the probable number of settlers who
might reasonably be expected to emigrate
to and settle in the Devils Lake district
next season he says that will depend some
what on the progress of the survey of the
lands, as many of the very best class of
people are reluctant to locate as squatters.
Still the tide has surely set in for the