An Excursion on the Snake

From the Kanabec County Times, August 31, 1885: 

The following is a letter from a lady friend of the Times descriptive of a pleasant trip she enjoyed on a steamboat on the waters of the Snake River. 

The steamer “Kate R.” Capt. Seavey commanding steamed out of Pine City, on Friday August 21st, with about seventy-five merry excursionists on board to enjoy a glide on the winding waters of the Snake. As we passed along the Captain gave a brief description of the numerous islands, points, and farms which dotted our course, and which was duly appreciated by his hearers. 

Having sailed up the river about seven miles we landed at Greely Farm and after a few minutes walk we came to a beautiful grove where we partook of a picnic dinner. After eating, we listened to a few remarks by R.C. Gray. He related some very interesting incidents which happened twenty years ago, on or about the spot where he stood and his heart went back to the day he sailed down the Snake in his little birch canoe and encountered 

“Two blushing maidens, 
On an island in the river, 
And the lovely laughing water 
Seemed more lovely as they stood there; 
Then all at once they started, 
And in a moment darted 
For the boat out in the river. 
But alas! The 'higher water' 
Was too much for 'Mocomoqua.' 
But up rose the blushing maiden 
Wiped the tear drop from her eye lid; 
But not once her lips she opened, 
Not a single word she uttered, 
While the 'Royal of the Royalists' 
Called to her from down the river, 
'Fare thee well, O Mocomoqua.'” 

Having regaled ourselves amid these histories' shades for a while we were called on board by the thrilling “toot of the Kate R.” 

The Captain headed her toward Pine City and after sailing down the river five miles laughing, singing and watching ducks, we enjoyed a ride around Lake Pokagama. Thus the merry excursionists went homeward, borne by the “Red, White and Blue.” 

The Kate R. with an excursion party