Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 27, 1909, Page 28

BEMIDJI, BELTRAMI COUNTY AND NORTHERN MINNESOTA. ———— e, —e——,—,,e—e_—_——,—e-prnm—m—m— — —— - — moose and deer, which abound in large numbers, and the waters afford the finest fishing to be had in the state, which is a source of livelihood for the Indians. For a distance of over 100 miles north of the lower boundary of the diminished : & | Red Lake Reservation, there is a gran- B deur of scenery that is unequaled any- where; stands of white and Norway pine, that tower above the groves of hardwood and other varieties of timber; streams of crystal-clear water that empty into the big lakes at intervals of but a short dis- tance; and above all a sandy shore line that extends for miles around the entire bank of the two lakes. At a point where is now located the village of Redby, there is marked the site of the old church which was the first worshipping place of the Red Lake In- dians and all their visiting tribesmen who came from the soutn, along the old Leech Lake-Winnipeg trail, and there now stands a church edifice that is still used by the Indians. In the early days, the missionaries held forth at this point, and it was here that the first ideas of the white man’s civilization were taught the aboriginees. This place is still revered by the Red Lakers, who of a Sunday are wont to congregate and listen to the ex- pounding of the gospel, which is woften given in their native Ojibway tongue. Redby stands on the banks of Lower Red Lake, a high point from which the lake is visible as far as to vanish into the horizon to the northward and also to the northwest. The only outlet to this great unde- veloped garden of north-central Minne- sota is through Bemidji via the Minne- apolis, Red Lake & Manitoba railway, which line extends from Redby southward to Bemidji, atfording a means of com- munication between the outside world and the Indians and few settlers in the vicin- ity of the lake; and this village is the only railroad point on either upper or low- er Red Lake. The M. R. L. & M. Railway Company operates, in connection with its railroad, a transportation system on the lakes, which enables settlers, Indians and visitors to visit all points on either lake, and gives the settlements along the lake shore means of transacting business with Red- by, Bemidji and other points. There is a general desire to have a considerable portion of the timber on the reservation sold and logged; and the In- dians have already made many applica- tions for allotments, which have been filed at Washington but not yet allowed. Dur- ing the present winter, there will, for the first time, be logged some five million feet of timber, on the reservation, which means considerable activity for that sec- tion. Redby is the only townsite on the Red Lakes, and is the terminus of the M., R. L. & M. railway. There are three gen- eral store buildings, with two others un- der comstruction, which will be completed before spring. This town is the natural feeding point for the territory south of Red Lake which must soon be opened to entry and settlement, and is destined to become one of the most progressive and prosperous cities north of Bemidji. Puposky is another town on the M., R. L. & M. railway, south from Redby. There are several general stores, which are markets for the produce raised by the farmers of that section. There are two sawmills, and the town is in a prosperous condition. Any one who may be interested in the great Red Lake section, can take the matter up with the Red Lake Townsite & Mercantile Company, Bemidji, Minn, s INDIAN DANCE AT RED LAKE AGENCY. (] B e LS ——— s AV a w—— e PSS - — . - s