Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-19
Lake Superior.

made of the mineral wealth Of Lake
Superior, have excited not only thu
interested attention Of the Spectator
but the thoughtful consideration of the
man Of Science. The famous native
Copper Rock of Onfonagon River,
was for long time the admiration Of
travellers. 1t seems as if nature in
tended it as sign of invitation for the
discovery of its abundant metallic
stores in that country, almost unknown
up to the period of its removal. To
Mr. Julius EIdred Of Detroit, belongs
the praise Of tho translation Of that i'm
mense block weighing some five
thousand pounds-from its native bed
10 the Capital Of the Union; TINS bring
ing it to the knowledge Of scien-
tiic men, and enriching the National
Musucm with one Of the greatest trea-
sures. The news of its transportation
was speedily followed by a mania for
Copper Spcculations. The War De-
partment at Washington was overrun
with APPLICATIONS for Permits to locate
the Mineral lands and the incredible
number Of seven hundred were soon
granted to almost rs many applicants.
No country offers such abundant
mines as the Lake Superior. We are
told that the proprietors Of the Pitts
burgh and Boston Mining Co. at Cop
per Harbor and Eagle River, who
have been largely engaged in the bust
ness of mningnt those places, are well
satisfied with the result OF their enter
prise. Black Oxid from their location
has been sent to all parts Of Europe
Five hundred specimens were forwar-
ded by ourself. BY the settlement of
the country new vigor has been impair
ted to commerce, navigation has in
creased the number Of its vessels, and
the city Of Detroit has become the
port OF Lake Superior. Comparative
ly'unknown to the world until within
the last Ten years, its picturesque see
merry is now attracting the tourist TO
more delightful excursions. The en-
trance TO Lake Huron, the view Of
Mackinaw, the Saut dc Ste Marie, the
Pictured Rocks, the Cascade La Por-
tailc, the Doric Rock, and the impo-
sing falls oil ST. Louis that worthy
rival Of Niagara-are cherished SOU
yenirs Of the traveller.
More than six thousand men are en-
gagged in exploring the region. Tav-
ems well bestowed have taken the
place Of the wigwam, the press sends
forth its living history of events trans
pirng on those shores, and well in
structed guides stand ready to conduct
you to the charming scenes and won
dors Of capricious nature, where ones
admiration will be blended with
thoughts OF the lamented lIoughton
who first opened lis beauties to our
gaze. If Robert dc la Sale has the
glory of opening the navigation of the
lakes of the Algonquins and iamillar
zing us with the Mississippi, 10 llough-
ton il was reversed TO explore and
bring TO light the hidden places Of this
new and interesting region. Destiny
intended him an eternal monument but
his friends preferred for bis ashes the
rcposc of Cemetery made with
hands 20 the Volcanic Pyramids Of the
lake.
No other country affords such facil-
lilies for the collection of minerals as
the Cooper Regions" Through the
kindness and assistance Of friends we
have added to our Cabinet some three
hundred species from that vicinity
1t is principally to Capt. Ruggles u.
s. A. that we are indebted for fac
series OF Black Oxide Of Copper and
several formations of Trap. Alder
man o. NJ Hyde has furnished us
some native Copper and Gray Sulphu
ret from his location in the Porcupne
Mountains near Iron River The
mine of the Porcupinc Mountain Co,
MS we are informed, have yielded some
very rich land valuable Copper ore mix
ed with sdunr
We are also informed that Mr..
Hyde intends to establish early next
spring q smelling furnace at the mouth
OF the Iron River. Those interested
in the development of the mining
country will derive great advantage
from such an establishment. At pre-
sent the ore has to be sent to Boston
for smelling at great expense for pack
ing and transportation.
As soon as the first furnace shall com.
mcnce its operations, the mineral re-
gion will cease to be tributary TO the