The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-07-19
a Tnp to the Rainy Lake.

A Tnp to the Rainy Lake.
It was our pleasure, a couple Of
weeks ago, to visit the region of
Northern Minnesota and PORTIONS of
Ontario, Canada, bordering OH the
RAINY Lake. that have gained such
prominence the last year. through It's
mineral resources While we have
frequently given extracts from other
papers and. Intervene with parties
that have msde overland trips In the
winter, about this country, We think
that description from q representa-.
tive OF the PIONEER ExPREss, VIII the
lake route; one of the most pleasant
two weeks outing for any party that
IL fond Of romantic scenery and ma.
ture In Its primitive state, could take.
may lie of interest to tho average
reader.
The solo source Of communication
with the outside world of this section
of country. Is by navigation, either
Through from Duluth, via Tower, or
Winnipeg and Rat Portage; all freight
and the bulk of the mails are carried
the latter route In the summer sea.
son, distance of one hundred aud
sixty miles by water. There are four
boats making Two trips q week be-
tween Rat Portage and Fort Francis
and Koocbichins;all equipped for pas
senger service as well 40 freight; the
Edna Bridges, Swallow, Shamrock
and MOnarch;the latter the most ole.
gantly equipped OF the quartcttc, was
hanging on the rocks In the Sioux
rapids forty miles up the river, when
We passed, where she had been for
two weeks, and was liable t. STAY
for some time, as u rock bad stove a
big hole In the side and she was sunk
between two big rocks.
We left Rat Portage eight O'Clock in
the evening, on Edna Brydges, in COM
mand Of the captain whose surname
she bears. The course through the
lake was one continuous winding be.
tween Islands, for distance Of sixty
miles, occasionally passing fisheries,
30 numerous In these waters. Nearly
all the larger islands have names, and
some Of them traditional histories,
either from Indians, or experiences Of
early white explorers. One In parti.
cular, the Massacre Island. is pointed
out to the passengers. History has IT.
that nearly hundred years ago seven
missionary priests Of the Catholic
church took refuge from pursuing
Indians on this Island and they were
followed up and msssacred. To
their memory is erected q large cross.
Half-past three in the morning We
entered the Big Traverse, the largest
body Of water In the lake, being TWEEN.
BY miles north aud south and sixty
east and west. The wind was blow.
Ing strong from the east. which made
the boat rock In good shape, and IT was
not long before nearly all on board
were on deck. At five o'clock the boat
landed at the mouth of the Rainy
river. what is called the Fishery.
Here is large fish-house Owned by
an American company, a U. S. Gus
toms house In charge of Mr.. Highland /
and general store owned BY 4 broth.
er OF the government Official. This
"ctty" is located on a peninsula FIVE
miles from the mainland, with bay
on one side and the lake on the other. |
All boats coming and going have to
stop at this place to get their pass.
port; up the river q mile and,a half Is |
the lighthouse, In plain view Of the
lake. This rather crude structure Is |
placed on prominent point overlook
ing the mouth Of the river, aud is 10 |
charge Of ''Old Michel" an old half
breed we'll known around PembIna.
From the mouth Of the river up, |
every few miles are wedding stations, |
where boats are supplied with cord
wood; tamarac ut el.25 and poplar and
other soft wood at $l.W per cord. |
The land along the Canadian side is |
all taken up. some Of the settlers have
been there twelve years, all cultivate
ing small patches Of grain and veget-
ables. The American side Of the
river, for sixty miles Is taken up with
the Rcd Luke Indian Reservation.
There are three rapids In the
Rainy Lake River which cause lots
of trouble aud delay to navigation;
two Of which the boats have to be as.
sisted BY capstan tGiclImb, all In about
. mile distance. A quarter Of q mile
from the falls the boat whistles and
. dozen or more Indians ut once pile
Into thelr canoes aud stand ready to|
recsive the headline to carry 1t up|
stream to fssten 1t to y support 10