Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-11-28
TOUR OF THE UPPER LALES.
No. 3.

No. 5.
Mr.. EDITon: In my last took rather
short leave Of Wisconsin, and find that |
overlooked many particulars which mgm
he considered important. You viii there
fore allow me TO go back for space, aud
bring to the notices OF your readers some
items of historical information relative 10
the 'North-Western Territory.
This section Ct country, lying and being
west of tho great Lakes, was discovered
and explored by some French Missionaries
from Canada. between the years 1860 and
1880. In 1872, Two of their number SET
out to carry the cross and establish posts
throughout the whole length Of this vast
territory, inhabited only by savages, and
undisturbed as yet by the sounds Of ap-
preaching civilization. Upon the Mlwau-
kee they found the Kickapoos, and farther
down on Lake Michigan, the Miamis, and
west. across broad iof prairie, and on
the Fox river, the Foxes Deriving a. Sis
lance from these tribes, and being Joined
by others from Canada Of their own coun
trymen, they continued their tour of ex-
ploralion 10 the Mississippi, or Great River,
passing downthe Wisconsin, broad stream
with green islands, and skirtcd by the most
beautiful scenery. Reaching the Mississip-
pi the 17lh Of June, I773, they passed
on to the mouth Of The Missouri, and Their
TO the mouth Of the Ohio, and from thence
into the country south, making the ac-
qualniance OF many tribes, TO whom pale
Face was before unknown, and leaving
with them some knowledge Of the Gospel,
which Is retained by their descendants even
10 this day.
BY the assistance Of the French Govern
ment, Missionary stations and Forts were
erected IN various parts Of what is now
known as Wisconsin AMI Illinois; and every
possible pains taken, by few devoted men,
TO christianize. and cnIighien the rude and
untutorcd sons Of the forest But to them
and with them this vast country seems to
have been left; and the wars. which were
OF such long continuance, Withdrew atten-
ton from it.; and long interval elapsed
ere the steps of the white man were attract
cd ihithcrward; save 10 barter with the
Indian. 1t was not until within q few
years past that It's excellence and resources
became known, and that il settlement was
attempted. Now, however, it is rapidly
filling up, by hardy, Industrious, enle.-
prising, and INTEL gent population; the light
oil civilization has boken in upon the un-
irodden wilderness. and where once the
Red Man dwelt and the wild beast prowled,
goes up the busy hum OF industry, and the
sweet, solemn hymn Of the Sabbath wor.
shipper Villages have sprung up in the
very depths of the forest, partaking OF all
the refncments and ell gancies Of our
Eastern towns; and uTon those vast inland
seas which from the eastern b)undary of
this beautiful country, commerce unfurls
heI sails, to bear 10 foreign markets the
fruits Of lis rich and productive sod.
e. recur again to Southport, Of which
mention is made in my last article, for the
purpose of supplying a7'cw particulars
which were unintenrionally omitted. |
said, nd,said truly, that il was an attractive
town. 1t is situated much a Ike Racine,
only on lower ground and has all the fresh
ness and primitircncss Of the latter. The
buildings on its main stree; are close and
compact, and wilhal neat; while charming
residences are found here and there, sur
OF the forest. Two very pretty churches
are already completed, pleasantly located
upon grounds donated by Esq. Kimbal,
To whose libera!ity and public spirit much
praise lis due. There are in Southport two
printing establishments, nearly thirty mer-
camille shops, two fourishing hotels, an u
cadcmy, some twelve or more law offices,
aud various manufactures. The country
back Of it is rich and productive and its
size and Importance must rapidly increase.
You may suppose me now, if you please
at o'clock, Tuesday morning, Sept. II.
on board the steam packe, Madison, bound
for Buffalo. The wind at this time was
blowing fresh from the northeast, against
which and heavy sea, we were obliged TO
make our way Our progress was there
fore necessarily slow say from four to
five miles an hour. On Thursday night,
the wind increased to a perfect gale, al
tended by rain and hail. We were now
on Lake Huron. A, times the waters
seemed heaved up, as'if by some mighty
hand, from their very found lions, lifting
us up hundred feet, and then plunging
down into the depths below. There was
something grand and awful in the scene
The waves were running this while as
high rs the whcclhouse, and Grshing every
few minutes over the hurricane d ok. But
on our noble vessel went, battling its way
through the storm, and cleavng for itself
n path through the opposing SC rs.
There were not more than one hundred
passengers, and the most OF these were
sick in their rooms. We could count, for
three DAYS, no more than twenty AT the ia
bic, either morning, noon, or night. And
those twenty made sad work at eating
they split their coffee in their attempts 10
TO drink it--(whot had not been spilled by
the walters on rtheir heads they thrust
forks into their faces, and fastened upon
their fingers, while the bread they contai-
ned stuck fast in the rsroat. oh it was
n sorry piece Of husinessi And then to get
10 and from the tablc--that was Sorricr
still Such pitching and staggering, such
tumbling and bracing, such .iosting and
knocking of heads, was altogether laugha-