public lands by the government in California and elsewhere in the Union, where from that time this plan has been followed in the survey of all public lands held by the government.

Perhaps it would not be out of place, in closing this paper, to make some reference to a few incidents of more or less historic interest which I met with at the time of making these early government surveys, and to refer to my acquaintance at that time with some of the earliest pioneers of Minnesota.

CASTLE ROCK AND THE ZUMBRO RIVER.

In running a line some distance southwest of Hastings one very bright summer day, we came upon a white sandstone pillar on the smooth open prairie. It was quite high and impressed us as peculiar, being in that locality without any other similar formation near it, glistening in the bright sunlight. Some of my company clambered up this natural obelisk far enough to find cut in the sandstone the name of Nicollet and the date 1837. The government had furnished me with copies of Nicollet's maps of the survey he had made in this country, and we examined them and found this pillar of white sandstone indicated thereon. That Nicollet had carved his name there in 1837, I have for good reasons doubted; but that he visited and took note of what is now known as Castle Rock, there cannot be a shadow of a doubt.

I want to bear testimony to the wonderful fidelity and accuracy of this savant and explorer in marking the topography of this section of the country as shown in his maps. The main streams and water courses of southern Minnesota were most accurately indicated by him on his topographical maps, copies of which I had.

A somewhat curious and interesting etymological result grew out of the name given by the early French voyageurs, and thence by Nicollet, to the water courses, streams, and river, which drain the counties of Dodge, Olmsted, and Wabasha, now known as Zumbro river. The French name was Rivière aux (or des) Embarras, referring to the difficulties (embarassments) of navigating it with canoes. This river, which flows east through Wabasha county was named "Des Embarras river" by Nicollet, and this was followed by me in the report of the survey of guide meridians and standard parallels which crossed this river and its tributaries.

Hence Des Embarras was the name given to this river upon all the early maps of Minnesota. Its Sioux name was Wazi-oju, meaning "the pine place," for the white pine trees which occur sparingly on its bluffs. When English-speaking people settled the lands bordering on this stream, they adopted the French name, but found it difficult to give the French pronunciation. After many unsuccessful efforts, it finally resulted in the name Zumbro for this stream and its tributaries.

THE WINNEBAGO INDIANS.

Before starting out to run the third guide meridian, I was advised that if the line passed through or near the place where the Winnebago Indians were located, I and my men might have trouble, as these Indians were greatly dissatisfied about something; and I was assured by the Department that a messenger should be sent from Fort Snelling to apprise me of the exact state of affairs with the Winnebago Indians, and if there was danger I should abandon the line. No messenger ever came, or, if he did come, he failed to find me; so the alarm and fear of my men and myself, eighteen in all, can readily be imagined, when we reached a place on the line where the snow was all tramped down, unmistakable evidence of human beings in the vicinity. It was late in the afternoon and in a dense forest, and, if my recollection is right, it was on the Crow river. I set my compass, and my men came up and we stood for a few minutes in consultation, when out from behind a tree near us, came an Indian, gun in hand, white blanket on, and otherwise comfortably well dressed. He spoke to ús, saying, "How do you do?" Soon other Indians came out from behind the trees, and then others, in such numbers that we were ready to believe, literally, that "the woods were full of them." They were wonderfully interested in my compass and surveying outfit, the chain, the tally pins, etc. They told us, as best they could, that, hearing the noise we made coming up through the woods, they took us for an attacking party of Indians, but they were glad to know we were white men.

I asked who they were, and they said, "Winnebagoes," and that Winneshiek, their chief, was farther down. We camped, and, taking one of my men with me and after passing through a most awful cordon of yelping dogs, I called on Winneshiek that

evening. Whether this was a title or a name I knew not, but he received us kindly, speaking in fair English. He complained bitterly of his treatment by the Indian commissioners and other government officials, who, he said, had either deposed or wanted to depose him, and to get another chief to give away his lands. I assured him that I had nothing to do with such matters, and joined him heartily in his righteous indignation at the manner he was being outraged. He not only made us no trouble, but next morning, when we passed through on the line, three rods west of his tepee, he gave us a large quantity of fine venison for a reasonable compensation. I was led to believe that this was a large band of Winnebagoes hunting off their reservation.

PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.

In the autumn of 1854, I met at Mendota Captain Tilton and Major Reno, who had just completed the survey of a military road from Sioux City to Fort Snelling. Major Reno was greatly interested in my solar compass, and asked me if he could bring around the next day, to see this instrument, Capt. George B. McClellan, who had just come from the west to consult Gov. Isaac I. Stevens in regard to the Northern Pacific Railroad surveys. They came the following day, and, of course, I "spread myself" in explaining the use and merits of the solar compass to these distinguished West Pointers. I recall that Reno said it was a shame. that this instrument had not been introduced for use in the army engineering, and the only reason he could give was, that it had not been invented by an army officer.

While making these surveys, I met a few of the early pioneers, notably General Sibley, who laid me under great obligations for much kindness and consideration, and Joseph R. Brown, at whose hospitable home, at Henderson, I was entertained four weeks while waiting for instructions. I was greatly impressed with Joseph R. Brown in many ways. I recall now quite vividly the impression I had then, that he was the smartest man I had

ever met.

I also made the acquaintance of Henry M. Rice, Alexander Faribault, and Alexis Bailly. I think I met Martin McLeod. I met Governor Gorman and many others, all of whom I remember most kindly. They all did what they could for me. For some

reason unknown, I had not the good fortune during this time to meet the most illustrious of all these, Governor Ramsey. Minnesota was and is greatly indebted to its earliest pioneers. Many of them were men of culture and refinement, all of them strong men, brave, hospitable, courteous, and kind. What a welcome they gave all those who came to make a home in this beautiful land and glorious commonwealth!