Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1917-06-27

to read an extract from the writings OF
Mr.. E. Whitefield, which deals with the
exploration of the very territory which
we can survey from these hills today.
The following is the first part Of his
Fourth Article on "Kandiyohi":
THE START FROM LAKE LILLIAN.
~ The next morning early, we were up
and ready for a fresh start and after
bidding adieu to Lake Lillian where
some of us at least had spent many
pleasant hours. we took up our march
across the prairie in northeasterly di-
rection, and for the first three or four
miles met with no sort of difficulty;~ but
then we came to a low place which
proved to be a bad swamp about a hun
dred yards across with the water about
three feet deep. and the whole over
grown with tall reeds and grass higher
than the head of the tallest man in the
crowd, SO that when. he was in it. MOTH
| ing could be seen of him. Here we con-
cluded to make a grass bridge, and &C
| cordingly all hands set to work carry
| ing grass as fast as it could be moved,
| and in this way the water was sufficient
| ly covered to enable the horses and
wagons to cross without any difficulty.
| The whole occupied us little more
| than an hour.
cater passing the place, the land grad
ually increased in elevation, and about
summit a fine view of the lakes we were
in search of could be obtained. We
| called this Prospect Hill, and it must
be at least $50 feet above the level of
the water. Our boat was launched with
all possible speed, while her crew speed
lily went on board. bending to their oars
with seaman-like regularity, the remain
der of the party went in search of good
! camping ground.
'"The boat party proceeded immediate
| ~ to explore as far as possible during
the remainder of the day. At first, their
| success was very limited as they soon
came to what was evidently the head
| of the lake at least of that arm of it.
and accordingly were compelled to put
| back, and try their luck in an opposite
direction. In this we were successful
for we presently found ourselves in @
much larger body of water, and having
doubled the Cape Of Good Hope, found
lake extending at least three miles in
length, by upwards of a mile in width
| with numerous points and islands, evi.
! IDENTIFY shutting off other and perhaps
more important sheets of water. Hav.
ling spent few minutes taking counsel
what course to pursue, we finally con-
cluded to proceed up the lake we were
| III Lo"dIu "HcIc we presumed our Cctulp-
| ing ground must be.
DISCOVER TWO LAKES.
Approaching what appeared to be the
head of this lake and the termination of
our voyage for the present, we were just
going to land when we saw water thru
the trees, and in a few yards from this
which suddenly opened into another
very beautiful lake. The first channel
thru which we entered was not more
| than forty feet wide, and at least four
feet deep. Here we found several of our
party who had wandered down from the
camp which was located in a beautiful
grove about a mile off by the side of the
| lake into which we now were This lake
| which we shall name, "Minitaga," is
| about two miles in length, by one in
width, and has great variety of shore,
some parts being sandy beach, others
rocky and others again grassy. Fine
groves surround the greater portion of
it and the land rises generally quite
| high, and a1thO there are no islands,
pretty points put out in the upper por-
tiOns.
Having all met in council after sup
| per, notes were compared, reports from
| all exploring parties heard, and it was
finally decided to lay out a town on Lake
Minitaga and the one adjoining it, Lake
KazOta; also to send a land and a water
party the next day down these lakes,
| and if possible make such arrangements
as to keep up a communication between
| them.
FROM KASOTA TO wAGONGA.
''The next morning early six Of us took
the boat and the rest started, some on
! horseback, some on foot. The morning
was charming one, bright, calm and
| just warm enough to be agreeable. In
| fact it seemed day picked out of the
whole year for this special occasion. We
| rowed down Lake Kazota to What we
into another lake. In this, however, we
were disappointed, for we soon found
| the water getting shallower and the
passage narrower, until we came to a
full stop. Here some of our party got
| out. and by various kinds Of manage
ment worked their way thru the tall
reed grass to the shore, and getting in
to tree saw large body Of water
away to our left. Back then we pulled
to Lake Kazota and after passing sew
eral beautiful wooded islands some of
| which were at least mile in length,
came to another full stop. and felt pref
ty confident we had seen the end Of our
voyage. Yet, we were not to be disheart-
ened, determining to try and try again
between two islands and once more VOW
ing we could go no farther, suddenly
found ourselves in a river. Yes, a verit-
able river, and just as suddenly, the
water which had been heretofore slight
ly discolored was now clear as crystal.
Did we not send up cheer after cheer,
as we pulled with stout arms and re-
newed zeal our boat down Kandiyohi
River. On, on, round point after point,
we glided along where never until now
had barque before f1oated. Mile after
mile passed, and still the beautiful river
flowed past prairie on the one side and
thick woods on the other until we came
to two channels, and about half mile
afterwards the one we selected opened
into another lake. Here we landed on
bold shore, and looked around to see
If we could find any trace of the land
party. After crossing a large piece Of
wood, we came to what was evidently an
arm Of the lake, and then thru the
branches of the trees, we saw afar off
the smoke of the burning prairie, and
49,