Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-11-21
TOUR OF THE UPPER LAKES.


We had funny time'-as scotch ac-
qulntance of mine would say-in landing
at Racine. There were three of us: hea-
Wy, dead sea, was running in shore; the H.
nos lay OFT three quarters of a mile, pitching
and rolling. from which we tumbled with our
baggage into small boat manned by four
oarsmen. We were told by our fellow pas
scngers that we would swamp on the way,
but the word, land sounded pleasantly in
our ears, and we wore wiling to run the risk
for the purpose of treading once more On ter
ra flrma. And away we went. now mount
ing on the top of huge swell. and then sim
king down into darkness. Approaching the
shore, we could see the white crested brea-
kers flashing the beach. and making any thino
but grateful music. But into them our fra;l
bark dashed-we chung instinctively to its
sides and held our breath, when a returning
swell lifting US up and holding us for mo-
ment,a backward sea rolled completely over
us, drenching us thoroughly from head to toe.
| never was very fond of cold bath, and
this trem >ndous showering was little TO my
king. However, we re lched tie laadino in
safety, and good warm bed at the Tempe
rance Hotel, soon put every thing 'to rights
was then in Wisconsin; so | cogtatcd
on awaklng the next morning; the 'El Do
RADIO OF so many hopes and wishes, and the
POINT toward which the mighty tide of mmi-
grafton is directed Should find il all nv
fancy had pictured! land flowing with milk
and honey, peopl9d with fair women and
brave menu? will up and out, and see if
the one half that has been told me is true.
So up got, but hardly had finished dres-
sing and performed my ablutions, ere the
breakfast bell rang, and as | was getting a
marvellous appetite, away went to dcspatch
a cup of coffee and warm biscuit, and 9th
er ct ccteras before seeing, for the stomach
is more imperious than the eyes.
Well, on sitting down to the table. saw
opposite me familiar face but could no,
recollect the name of the owner. Sir said
!, we have met before-may inquire your
name? My name is Carpenter MY name
is Barray.' So we shook hands across the
table and entered into conversation. He is
young lawyer who formerly resided in this
State; but visiting that country, fell in love
with it, and located himself in the village O
Racine. So here was one acquaintance ant
friend to start with
Breakfast being over, out we sailed for ;
walk through the town. We first repaired
to the store Of Mr. Ly Brand, formerly o
Philadelphia, gentleman with whom hao
correspondent, and now had business pertai
ming to the denomination of which am
member. BY him | was warmly welcome,
to Wisconsin, and during my whole stay h,
showed me every kindness. And NAV a
well remark here, that the people Throughout
that whole country, sc far as | became &C
quainted, are all very attentive to strangers
and there is continued exertion Oh thei
part, to render his stay pleasant. There i
a warm heartenness and liberalitv, and fam;
liarity about them, that does the soul good
l must now give you the result of my obscr
vatlons during my mornings walk, by way o
description.
Racine, the county scat of Racine, w. Il
is fine, tlourishing village, beautifully 10
Gated on lake Michigan, at the mouth of Roo
river, " miles from Milwaukee, and 65 from
Chicago. Its settlement as | was told wa,
commenced in 1886 or u; and it now con
tains between 1900 and 400 inhabitants
1t has all the requisite county edifices finish
ed in good taste and style; two large and
flourlshlng hotels, besides other public and
boarding establishments; an academy: two
churches; printing office; twenty or more
mercantile shops; and all the various profes
sional offices and mechanic establishments
found in our eastern villages. Its private
dwellings are all of them neat and many O
them elegant. Its streets are regularly lac
out, the principal one of which is lined Oh
each side with beautiful white cottages
stores, shops, and Offices, for nearly mile
in extent. But there is a newness, a prin,
iHceness about the whole place, and about
all the towns III the far West that first strike.
the eye of the visitor from this side of til (
lakes Tall oaks arc left standing here ano
there; stumps yet remain in many places
and you may see pretty residences stretch
ing themselves far away into the forest, and
surrounded with all its unshorn witness ano
beauty.
Racine is busy town-has an industri.
GUS and enterprising population, and is fas
increasing IN size and importance. 1t is per
h ps already the greatest wheat market in tho
territory, and the largest share of her one
million surplus,will probably be shipped from
its warehouses. An excellent harbor is be-
ing built at the mouth of Root river, watch
when finished, will add much 10 the iInpor-
lance of Racine, as also to its growth and
prosperity, making ii second to none ON the
lake.
At one thing was perfectly astonishcd
and that was the number of religious socie-
ties in a village of this sze-of which there
are seren; Universalist, Methodist, Presby-
terian, Episcopalian, Ba, tst, Catholic, and
Wh;tcheldian. Verify, one must be hard to
phase. if he could not suit himself with prea-
ching here.
Tuesday, Aug 92d, set out in com
pany with Mr.. LyBrand for Rochester, on
Fox River, 25 miles west of Racine. Our
way lay across the prairie, the greater part
of The distance. All was new, delightful
and enchanting. White farm houses md
cultivated fields. dotted here and there tic
vast expanse; occasionally large herds oil
cattle were seen cropping the herbagc in
the distance flowers of every hue were
b coming all arounl uT on tie unturned sol