Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-08-24
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SATURDAY. .....AUGUST 90, 1886,
IT, See 4tli page.

ATURDAY.......AUGUST go, 1886.
u See 4th page.
FOR THE VISITOR.
TRIP TO PRAIRIE DIT CHEN: -.
CONTINUED.
y CAssvILLE. e reached Gassviile, So miles
distant, about noon. This town has beauti-
full and romantic site. It is situated on level
prairie, far above inundation, about third of
a mile in width, aud one Of two miles long.
The bluffs behind the town are very high, and
present peculiarly picturesque and novel APP
pearance. They are broken by deep ravines,
which throw the points out in bold relief, in
various directions---some of them rocky and
|clify, and some Of them sloping back covered
with green and fresh verdure--all, however,
too steep for easy ascent. With considerable
difficulty, the ladies and gentlemen Of the par
ty climbed one Of the highest, and stood at its
brow, upon Almost beautiful ssloyer's leap" of
about 300 feet perpendicular. A scene of sur
passing magnifcence here met the raptured
vision. The broad stream Of the Mississippi,
here entirely unobstructed, rolling in its silent
grandeur before US, presented smooth and
CLASSY surface for miles either way. Beneath
us and on our left was the long, smooth, level
prairie Of Cassville, with the little village up
on the bank, its citizens gathered in groups up
on the wharf, and the beautiful steamer which
we had justleft, thronged with people, serving
to give life and animation to thcsscene Up
on the opposite side; were the bluffs, with
their rocks and trees and grass. A mile or SO
below, one or two green little islands, in the
middle of the river helped out the variety and
beauty ofthe view. But this pen is not ade-
|quatc to the description Of the sublime specta-
Gle, nor indeed Of any Of the glorious scenery
upon the Upper Mississippi. give it up.
The enterprising proprietors Of Cassville,
are now erecting large and beautiful hotel.
should think, from the plan which was shown
me, that its appearance when finished, would
be equal to that Of any in the west. The town
is handsomely laid out, and several new bull
dings are erecting. ] am told that considcra-
blequantities Of lead ore are found in the neigh
borhood; and that few miles back is a fine
agricultural country. The citizens talk strong
ly Off rail road between them and Milwaukee.
As had no means Of ascertaining the width
and length ofthe prairie on which the town is
laid out, but the eye, may be mistaken in
both. But, at all events, there is roon,,- and
beautiful location, for great city, and the Inc
habitants are sanguine in its prospects for be-
coming one.
PRAIRIE LA PORTE is the euphonious cogno-
men Of very extensive and beautiful prairie
on the west side Of the Father Of Rivers, about
eight miles above Cassyile. The boat toucl,-
ed there only minute or two, but we had time
to observe, when we reached the top Of the
bank, that the site was one Of the handsomest
we had ever seen. The prairie is some thirty
feet above high water, and TO appearance as
level as floorover asurface Of several thous-
and acres. It must be from amile totwo miles
wide, and three or four miles long. At the
time we saw it, the whole Of the extensive
plain was covered with luxurien. growth Of
grass; and have never looked upon any thing
that presented more exquisitely pleasing ape
pearance. It's the intention Of the proprie-
tors Of this spacious ground, understand, TO
lay off a town plat upon it. The beauty Of the
location, the known agricultural, and suppos-
ed mineral wealth Of the neighboring country,
the facility for good roads to the interior, and
other advantages, must, think, make ita place
Of considerable importance. There arc sever
al buildings now erecting, and other Improve
ments making, on the prairie.
PaAIRr Du CHEN. We reached the place
q. our destination, just at nightfall, and were
deprived ofa good portion ofthe pleasure which
wehad anticipated in looking attic natural and
artificial scenes 81 this point. Prairie du Chi
en- i one Of the Oldest trading places on the
Upper Mississippi. Itis the largest prairie
which I have ever sesn--though not near 50
extensive a. many in the interior both Of Wis
consin and Illinois. Most Of the company adj
mircd il. To me it looked desola.e- SSmuch
Of II was without building Or the least sign Of
animation Or cultivation. The United States'
garrison he, is something Of curiosity. We
visited il, bsf had not time to go to the village
half milo dlstant. The garrison is quad
rangular building Of stone, surrounding proba-
bly, two acres, leaving large area in the mid
die. Around this area and through rs centre,
are paved walks, affording ! fnc promenade.
We saw many Of the soldiers, in their blue
jackets and black caps, standing about; and an