Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-09-28

lolty HIS III TIC Itur lOrDluulng any extent
of size, except along the river. The min
eral in its yininity must give impulse to its
prosperity.
About eight miles further, on the west
side, beautiful bank of prairie stretches a
long, four miles in extent, about twenty
feet in height, and nearly perpendicular; af-
fording deep navigation to town lately
laid out here called "Prairie la Porte."-
The situation commands many advantages.
Turkey river forms part of its southern
boundary, and at IFS northern extremity,
spring flows out with sufficient force to form
mill stream. A sloping eminence rises
back, surmounted by range of lofty trees.
The country extending west is said to be
fertile and pleasing in its aspect. An is
land in the current of the stream, contri-
butes to the beauty Of the view. A spot
embracing all the desirable appendages, to-
gether with salubrious mountain airs,
cannot full to attract the attention, equally
of the speculator and the advntuerous en-
igrant.
Prairie du Chen, about 80 miles above,
is situated on a green, level surface: its
banks are of gradual descent, and sandy at
the edge of the water. 1t derives much of its
importance from events associated with it.
Fort Crawford is built of stone, of yell
lowish hue, and has, at present, five COM
panies of about so men each. The hospi-
tai is pleasantly situated near it, as is also
the building appropriated to the residence
of officers and their families. The village,
little further on, consists of few indif-
ferent houses and aplace of depot for goods
landed there from steamboats,. Near this
were assembled number Of vagrant VIM
nebago Indians, in all the wretchedness
that attends them, when hanging on the
skirts of civilization. Wrecks of that ma.
tive grandeur which characterized them be-
fore an intercourse with the white man
made them feel wants without the means
of gratifying them. Saw them, in ex-
change for venison, place bottles of whis-
key in their canoes, and paddle them away
to their wigwams, to enjoy artificial happi-
ness in the oblivious draught. The bold
undulations in the rear of this place, are
green, without shade, and SO peculiarly
thrown together, as to have very i'm.
posing effect. An active imagination
might trace in their outline, a resemblance
to spacious tents; and rising gradually
in height, they suggest the idea of grand
military encampment. This, in the vi
cinity of the Fort, affords pleasing coin.
cidence.
After leaving Prairie du Chen, new in.
terest is lent to the traveller when he reflects
that he is beyond the confines of civiliza
ton and that the wilderness through which
he is passing, is only inhabited by the
wild natives, and still wilder deer, panther
and buffalo.
have never contemplated nature, witt
features so bold and majestic, sofcnet
down with expressions of such enchanting
sweetness. Lofty hills on either side O
the river, some conical some less pointed
others beautifully rounded, seem like noun
Itain waves, or swells which heave the DO
som of the ocean after storm, becomin,
suddenly fixed and motionless. On thu
Summit of some of these, immense rock
are imbedded, of various forms; presenting
the appearance Of forts, castles, towers
broken columns, with every thing that fan
) CIV can conceive of ruins in lonely gran
deur; with vines gaddng over them, an,
: sometimes so sheltering them, as almos
to conceal them from our view. At
distance, beneath some of the projecting
cliffs, are seen, what might seem to be re
mains of ancient walls, lying along, almos
uninterrupted, for miles. Sometimes, on
sees only verdant undulations, without tire
or shrub, succeeded by others, covere
!. with the most luxuriant foliage; and occa
sionally light opening peculiarly restora
e tive TO the eye.
J.. About 40 miles above Prairie du CHER
!. went on shore to view the ground where tn
e battle of "Bad Axe" was fought in 1885,
s decisive of the war with the Sacs and Foxes
n The grave which encoses the bodies {
# five soldiers that fell there was pointed OF
e by an officer who distinguished himself j
the engagement. Left an offering of flow
ers. Poor fellows! No stone marks the spc
e where we repose; and soon no vestige wi
t appear to claim the sigh of the passing tray
eller.
r A singular feature in the country is, thu
!. on the summit of the mountains, prairie
e commence, of descent so gradual, as
G be imperceptible, but sufficien: to bea
off the water courses in either direc
i ton. They are said to possess all tn
characteristics of these level wastes d
b versified with woodland, impid lakes, an
d covered with an endless variety of the flow
s cry creation.
r Lake Pepin, about 100 miles below S
!. Peters, is sudden expansion of the rive
% miles in length and from 2 to A in widtl
/. The high projecting bluffs derive increase
d beauty from the broad bosom of water the
s enclose; and the numerous bays and cape
h stretching along in verdant luxuriance, tin
r, ed with the beams of setting sun, with
Is breeze just sufficient to ruille the waves, a
,t together, contributed TO create pleasin
ir excitcment in passing it. There are man
a looacds connerfed with these wild plen