Historic Diaries: James Doty, 1820
July 12, 1820: Approaching Sandy Lake
Editor's Note:
Schoolcraft recorded their elation at finally finding their way again: "The dampness of the ground upon which we lay, and the torment of the musquitoes, gave us little rest. We commenced our march at five o'clock, and after travelling twelve hours passed out of the great swamp, and encamped upon the banks of a small stream called Buffaloe creek, which is tributary to Sandy Lake. Here our guides came to a country which they recognised, and by their reiterated shouts convinced us that they were no less overjoyed than ourselves upon this discovery. In a short time they pointed out to us hacked trees and bushes where they had formerly passed, which entirely restored our lost confidence, and before night we fell into an Indian trail which they followed with as much apparent facility and confidence as an American traveller would a turnpike road, although we could seldom distinguish the marks and signs by which they were guided. We compute this day's journey at 20 miles."
Location: uncertain, though their route presumably passed north of modern Tamarack, Minn.; this map shows the region
View Doty's handwritten manuscript of this page
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View this page in Schoolcraft's 1821 Narrative
In our journey to day we had not all the difficulties to encounter we had yesterday — still they were not relaxed in any very sensible degree. We were animated during the day with the hopes of arriving at this place, so that we walked more rapid than any day, making in the whole distance 26 m. Our courses were N. W. 3 miles, N. 70 W. 3 miles to a small and beautiful lake. Then W. 10 miles to a branch of Kettle river about 1 rod over, which empties into the Mississippi. It ran nearly south. Then S. W. 4 miles W. 3 miles, and S. W. 3 miles.
In the afternoon there were frequent showers, and between them the sun was intensely hot. About 4 P. M. we came upon an old Indian trail, which one of the guides recognized, having been on it the last season. It was a source of great rejoicing with us, because it ensured good walking for the residue of the distance. We soon came to an Indian encampment by the side of a stream where we thought of encamping, but the guides stating we should pass four more only before we would reach the lake, and that the next was in a short distance we proceeded on, and arrived at it, at dusk.
It is on the same stream above mentioned which at this place is considerably enlarged. This river rises in wild rice lake and empties into Sandy Lake. Here we found a spring of better water than I have tasted since leaving Detroit.
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