New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-10-09


the State of New York lies a large tract of unn-
habited wilderness country, in which rise the Hud
son. the Black River, and some OF the streams
which flow into the ST. Lawrepce. a particular
and scientific account of this forest region may be
found in Emmons Geological Report TO the Leeis
lature in 1871, published as Assembly Document No
80. Some weeks since party OF seven some OF
US nvalids and all seeking recreation and diversion
started on al excursion into these.wilds Having
previously provided ourselves with tent-equipage
provisions, fishing tackle, guns, &c we made our
entrance into Hamilton county, on the southwestern
border in the town OF MOrehousc, and hailed II as
the Promised Land--a and not flowing with milk
and honey but with mountain streams and silver
lakes.
In the township OF Morehouse are two villages so
called The first we reached, Bethunevie, con
tains some three or four houses including tavern
Two miles farther we came 10 Morehouseyllle
which contains somewhat more houses than the
other-seve all told including the schOolhouse and
two temperance houses We saw here Mr. More
house the founder of the place. very intelligent
gentleman formerly from New York. He has been
here in the woods twelve years By him we were
accompanied to a small concal hill east of the ham
let from which one Of the grandest prospects ever
witnessed presented itself On every side OF Us
were mountains rising in solemn grandeur. while
between and beyond, in beautiful perspective ap.
peared other mountains, far as the eye could
reach. The whole covered with unbroken
forests adding to the scene thousand times the
solemnty and subIimty ii would otherwise have
possessed This splendid view was the promise TO
US Of more than we bad yet anticipated from our
labOrOus excursion. Our spirits rose as our eyes
ran up the mountain tops, aud we felt that whatever
Of toll or privation might be forced TO undergo,
would be amply repaid by such scenes as this.
The same day through nine miles of forest, over
rocks that seemed in some places completely to
cover the ground which led to the remark from one
of our company that Inc never was out OF sight OF
land before we reached Piscco Lake, beautiful
sheet of water, miles in length and from one
TO three in breadth We reached the lake shore
Just at nght-fall hungry and weary. Our tent re-
NAMED unpitched, and we appropriated a deserted
shaniy which we found on the shore, for the night
bright fire soon sent forth its cheerful blaze In
front and our evening meal was disposed of with
hearty relish Soon the influence OF Somnus was
visible with most of the company, some retiring TO
rest in the shanty two others, from lack OF room
inside, the best places having been all monopollzed
by The first and strongest comers went TO roost on
the top and your humble servant hung for awhile
on peg. and then betOok himself with another to
writing a journal We all finally sank away into
such accommodations as we could lind and the tolls
of the day were forgotten in the bamy arms OF
sleep.
The day following, by din, of some two or three
hours labor, VIC succeeded in constructing a raft
of spruce logs pinned together on which we en-
barkcd with our goods, and hosting our tent tor
q sail, put out into the centre of the lake. W It'll
gentle breeze most of the time. we were en-
ablcd TO get along about one mile per hour, which
considering the unwicdy nature Of our craft, was
doing iocarbly well. We here, in the middle of
the lake, had another splendid view OF scenery,
almost fnot quite equal TO that we had seen the day
before from the hilltop The silver surface OF the
lake gave of beauty 10 the scene while around
on almost all sides rose gloomy and lofty noun
tains covered with forests except where the steep
cliffs forbade footing for vegetation. One such
mountain irowned upon US from the north, and lis
bare peak would no doubt furnish splendid view
of the lakes mountains and forests around. Another
appeared far off in distant perspective 10 the north
east, of which We had aierward a nearer view.
The echoing here between the hills was superior to
ANYTHING ever before heard. Long after the firing
OF gun the report was prolonged, passing backward
and forward. Till the sound like the painting breath
died away into silence We sailed on our rude
craft some four miles and landed on the opposite
shore, where we encamped. During the excursion
those of us who were swimmers enjoyed a delicious
bath in the lake. How glorious TO swim where
your movements are unconined by limits around
above or beneath This lake is IN some places
three hundred feet deep. The mountains around
must be nearly thousand feet in hight.
After spending Sabbath at our encampment,
cecded, by way of Oxbow Round and Pleasant lakes,
to Louis Lake in the centre of Hamilton county.
At the village Of Lake Pleasant is the county seat
Here are the courthouse and clerks Office, with
jail In process of construction Beside these, there
are hne hotel, store black smith shop, church
school house and some three or four dwelling
houses These constitute the village.
Proceeding from Lake Pleasant. we struck the
old State Road. which runs northwestery through
the county and follow ed il some three or four miles
when we struck off upon foot path or trail through
the forest. On this we proceeded for nine miles,
hills and brooks, ans logs, and every kind of
obstruction. in tortuous direction, till we reached
Louis Lake faded spiritess and hungry. Oh!
what glorious thing this forest life is TO give an
appetite Go ihither. ye dyspepsia haunted deni-
of the city and cloisters OF learning, and the
word of one who has tried the system for II, you
will return refreshed. invgoraied and strengthened
by It and with an appetite somewhat dangerous to
eatables
On our way 10 Louis Lake through the forest, we
were accompanied by the son Of hunter OF the
border by the nsme of Stursis. This boy, some ten
wears of age, amused Us on the way by recounting
10 the exploits of his two older brothers, who
were already out TO the lake, and by pointing out
where deer had been shot moose chased, bears
trapped, panihers killed and wolves caught He
also. by way OF encouragement occasionally assured
that the worst part OF the way was yet 10 come,
and when we were resting a, point four miles
distant from Louis Lake, having already come seven
from the border and become pretty much dsln-
clined any long journeys with our knapsacks and
guns he gave il as his opinion that we were only
halfway 10 the lake.
At Louis Lake siaid some two or three days,
nshing and enjoying the scenery OF It's vicinity.
inls small fake is about two miles in length one
mile IN width and seventy feet deep. Ii abounds
IN uoa' and is most delightful resort for those who
would seek health or relaxation from business in the
contemplation OF Na,nres scenety. The outlet Of
the lake nov" into Jessups River thence into Indian
Lake, and thence into the Hudson. For a short
distance below the lake the stream is rapid but
thereafter it is boatsbe. Indian Lake is distant ten
miles where resides an Indian of the ST Joseph's
tribe in Canada This is the same man who con
Quoted Professor Emmons and bis associates for
more than hundred miles through the wilder
ness, mostly in a birch canoe. detailed &C
count of their nip will be found in the Re
port above referred 10. This Indian to the
place OF our encampment on the day of our depar
turc. We here had an opportunity OF beholding
for the frs, time. birch bark canoe. 1t is most
ingenious and admirable piece OF workmanship. Ii
is propelled swiftly and with great ease through the
water, and when necessary is easily transported over
land
Louis Lake. like Piseco is almos, surrounded by
Mountains which CANA do.yn nearly tho wafer