The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-08-21
OF the Free Trader.
SAuLr M sr. MARrr, August 81, lSi6

SAuLr NJ Sr. MARIF, August 81, 1916.
NJ. Editor :-On the passage from the lower
Lakes TO lake Superior, the traveller is no, struck
with any remarkable feature in the formation OF
the country. The only popularity worthy OF
note after leaving lake Huron, l. the innumera-
BILE Islands which skirt the passage On either
side, giving to the country the appearance Of
having once been in a state Of revolt when the
shores separated from the main land, divided into
island-, and became independent These islands
arc generally but little elevated above the water,
ard are usually covered with a thick grow III OF
hut sufficiently rich for the growth Of good grass,
oats rye. potatoes, and corn. Soon after leaving
lake Hur,n, the traveller passes the limestone
ginn, aud finds the route destitute Of stone, ap.
parenlly until he approaches the SAUL De -.
Nuric's Fails; when he observes the commence
mcnt of the sandstone formation. On approach
ing the ~. Narie''. the country begins To assume
more inviting aspect, and at the Fails has
beautiful appearance. On either side Of the Falls
is beautiful pirce of llhc.land, stretching back
for nearly mile, when, gradually rising, It be-
romcs blended with a range Of hills running par
illc with the river, and which maintains uni
form height Of about 900 feet At the foot of the
rapids the river is abou, one mile wide. The
rapids are about three-iuurIhs OF mile in length,
AMI descend in this distance, Is feet. On the
American side are the little house bearing the
name Of the Falls, the garrison, AMI the scattered
lodges OF the Indians AMI rich hamcts of the hal
breeds. The Intercourse between them and the
whites appears Ia be entirely upon democratic
rIoting, One man i considered just good as
another and sometimes liae better. The Ind
ans here act upon the same principle of the daT
Aee, who, when invited to drink With gentle
man, consented, because he said nc considered
white mar jus, a. good asa Niger, spccul-
Iy If he niger was dry The Indian. here have
M scrGpes ahlu, drinking With white men, and
hey are always dry.
The town ms about three an..ci "aaIfi-
iujS, without the g1rr'san. .. H......, .,,
such a. one would cNp.c, '. n.. .... Be-. boo.
learned iat character NJ ,le .r. .'...... ...
scnd house may be seen. 10 ......s ...
i some ,rdiy trader r.-....
house f uucer'.ia sppe.rnrr. ... Ills -'
bark, it. sld.s It logs, IT.. fan. san... .a. ..
red door, may be scru, mlle.O.- ... boom. oI
the haij civilized, half savage. a,.i umAe. bt.l
man halrjunkCu, half breed Bey md Un.
ITS dark roof aud sides ami h.aas,, du1r, o.
the miserable lodge OF the poor Indian.
There is no obstruction to the construction Of
a CanaI of any dimension around the Falls Of the
SAUL de 81 Marie a, moderate cost. Three
hundred thousand dollars would probably be am
pie for the largest class Of steamboats,. The cut
ting would average about Is feet. 9 feet Of which
would be rock. fla canal three.furrh of mile
in length, and 100 feet in width, with two hil /
locks of feet lift, 900 feet in length and 80 fee,
in width, should be built, the cost would be abou,
as follows =
} So 40 yds Of earth exc. at 2jc. pr I'd $4,000
l5S.i00 rock at 81 los 400 /
Two Locks Of 800 coo each 100 600