The New York herald., 1845-07-29
MACKINAc. july %. 1915.

MAcKINAc, July o. 1916.
Vietc of Mockinac- Fashionable Resort-Cmiosities
ofthe Place Trout and White Fisi--The Fmtif-
cationS-iadians, and their DeStiny--More Brass
-Specdations in Copper, &c.
had not dreamed that this rock-bound island of
the " Straits,' on which am to remain willing
prisoner for few days, was already fashionable
watering-place. But / opened my eyes TO this
agreeable fact, being set down here yesterday at
large and commodous hotel, and on finding il
thronged with the votaries of pleasure The swarhy
Southeron, with his gay family and sleek servants,
is already here and here are your New Workers
and Bostonlans, enjoying their sweet oum cum Dig
nitate; and so much delighted with the attractions
OF the place, that verify believe they will hereafter
cut the acquaintance of Saratoga, and its mineral
fountains, as well as It's fountains of pleasure, and
establish new summer quarters on this delightful
" Island OF the Forts"
You would not expect me to speak disparagingly
of the claims OF the great gathering-pace of fashion
and beauty, charming Saratoga, whose health-re-
storing springs have welled up for me the purest
drafts OF pleasure but you would expect me- as
your learned critic would say, to be true nature
But this must not promise 10 be, for ! give only
first Impressions; and give them now for fear that
like one who came to describe the glorious Hud-
son, may be so carried away by the beauties of the
place, that in short time cannot write at all.
place, even before he steps upon the shore--the
steamer swings round nobly t. Of the little piers
rod or two only from the pebbled beach, in water
clear as crvstal--so pure and Transparent that he
stones and sparkling sand are plainly to be seen in
fifteen feet depth OF water and you may see the
very keels OF boats and schooners, seemingly riding
at anchor in the air.
High above your head stands the beautiful Fort.
with It's white walls and stockade work. its neat
houses, and white picket fences: and, above ALL the
ever-gorious stripes and stars, floating proudly
the home oftlic brave" This post NAV well be
called the Gibraltar ofthe Lakes; for with its corn,
manding location in the Straits, il can readily be
made perfectly irnpregnable. II is at present earri-
soned with two companies OF light infantry, and
their officers, under the immediate command of
Captain Scott. The Captain is an enterprising and
efficient officer, and in the few years he has had
command OF this post, he has made wonderful i'm
proyements IN the appearance of the Fort by re-
pairing and building houses, fences, roads and paths
around this Mars hill
From the walls, where are now resting on their
carriages, some enormous peace-makers," YOU
have delightful view-he beautiful little bay, with
In a stones throw, sprinkled over with boats of
every size and description, from the Indians bark
canoe to the majestic steamer-the distant islands
and main land and then, below you, the little vii
lage OF Macklnac, built around the circling shore
the public and the private gardens-atogether for
ming spectacle worth weeks journey to see
Immediately, In the rear of the present forthca-
ton, lie the ruins OF old Fort Holmes, on the yer,
summit of the Island, and over 300 feet above the
took Fort Mackinac at the commencement of the
last war, and thereupon fortified this summit known
as Fort Holmes, which they held till, by the treaty
Of Ghent, It was restored to the United States.
Besides these old Notifications. rich in their histori-
cal associations, this little island made interesting
by large number Of natural curiosities Every VI
sltor must see the "Sugar Loaf Rock" consisting of
pile OF limestone, cone-shaped, rising hundred
fccnt work OF nature "Robinson's Folly" Ske-
Teton Cave" Musical Springs" and divers other
caves and rocks well worth journey across the
lakes to see. And then such beautiful roads wind
ing around the island, through the cool shades OF
maple groves
The magnificent Upper Lake steamers arrive re-
gularly every day from Buffalo and Chicago, and
those who wish to visit the Falls of st. Mary or as
they say here the !" Soo," can have chance by the
fine little steamer Gen Scott, which plies between
these places and Mackinac, thus affordng every ia.
clhty tor taking trip East or West North or
South.
ginabe, here at this old Mission House, which, to-
gether with small church near by, was erected by
the Home Missionary Society several years ago
and which are still owned by them, though the mis-
sion has been removed to the shores OF Lake Supe-
rlor. The house has been thoroughly repsired, and
changed into one OF the most pleasant and commo-
dlous hotels on the Lakes, and its enterprsing and
gentemanly proprietor, Mr.. Hench, well deserves
this passing notice.
The Indians still come into Macknac in consi.
derabe numbers for the purpose of trade and every
day you may their bark tents pitched upon the
beach, their light bottom side up on the shore
and themselves wandering about the village like
pilgrims In a strange land
am informed by DIR. Rice, late Indian Agent
here, that there are 25O0, who come in every Sep.
tember TO receive the small pttance annually paid
them by our government. But they are dwinded
down to miserable remnants of the powerful tribes |
that once inhabited these Shores and they TO
cling to their ancient haunts and homes seemingly |
desirous to leave their bones by the graves of their
fathers. They bring in fish, sugar. furs, and their
own manufactured curiostles, to exchange for store
goods and such things as they need
You can always get here some of the finest white |
fish and Mackinac trout, that ever wagged their |
tails in these waters and where else that know
of, do they serve them up nice and daintily as al
Hench's
The greatest excitement prevails here on the sub
lect of the copper mines, and hundreds pass here
every week on their way TO Lake Superior. You |
hear OF "locations," and "veins," specimens" |
and their "per centages," continually And must
own never saw such rich specimens as have been |
brought down from there this season, and undoubt
edy source of great national as well as individual
wealth has been opened, with the opening of the |
Lake Superior copper mines. "A new mining com
pany has just been formed at this place. called the
" Mackinac and Lake Superior Copper Company" |
and composed OF Western fur traders and some OF |