Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-02-28

ifbound up. 60 out between the island.
and main shore, to the north. There
are twenty-five Of these islands in the
group called the Twelve Apostles
They are all covered with dense for
ests of timber, and show strong indi.
cations of copper mineral, and afford
shelter for the storm driven vessels
going either up or down, or across the
lake. They equal for this The famous
Put in Bay Islands OF Lake Erie,
while the hay south Of them. at and
south of La Pointe, far exceeds San
dusky Bay for facilities Of entering
and departing, lin one way and out the
other) and for safety when in there.
The village of La Pointe has grown
out of the fur trade. The good natur-
al harbor induced the Chippewas,
when they first crossed the lake at this
point, about one hundred and fifty
years ago, to fix upon its shores for the
site Of their village. The traders who
first established themselves at this
point, about one hundred and twenty
years ago, being no less sagacious in
selecting a safe harbor for the frail
bark canoes and batteaux with which
they navigated this island sea, than the
Indians, selected this point for their
principal depot, as well on this account
as because this was the principal viii
lage Of the Indians, and "5eing the
first great fire from which all the other
Chippewa bands south and west of the
lake, branched OUT it was also the
natural resort for all national councils.
AT that time the Sioux claimed the
main land, and fought many hard
battle in sight of where La Pointe now
stands, to retain their country.
But the site for commercial city, If
ever one is built up at this point, is on
the main land, opposite the present
village. A stream of sufficient size to
be made good harbor, and which
also affords abundant mill power short
distance up it, enters the bay at this
point. The stream, / should think, is
as large as the Chicago, and has marsh
within the sand bar at its mouth, about
equal to that at Milwaukee; but the site
has this advantage over either or both
those places; the bay itself is perfectly
safe as that Of New York. The river
would be needed only for small craft,
or to lay up vessels in the winter.
The mouth Of Ball River, fifteen
miles east of La Pointe, is about one
hundred yards wide within the bar,
and extends five miles up of slackwa-
ter, and Of sufficient depth for any YES
sells which will ever sail the lake.
But its banks being an impcnctrable
marsh, it will not probably ever be
improved TO any great extent. The
river itself affords great water power
from slackwatcr TO its head, and its
banks are covered with excellent tim
Der, and good soil.
In going from La Point, several rlv-
ers Of sufficient size for mill power and
harbors, empty into the bake before
you are clear Of the islands; but after
leaving the islands, and about thirty
miles from La Pointe, Bark Day
opens o mouth TO the lake Of two miles
in width and about six miles deep, re-
ceiying also several mill streams. -
About forty miles west Of this, after
passing two or three small rivers Inch
afford harbors for the batteaux, you
come to the famous Broule or Brunt
Road river which heads within one
half mile Of the st. Croix, and which
forms the great canoe rout from the
lake to the Mississippi.
The Broulc is about TIVE nty miles
cast of Fond du Lac. II is about
fifty yards wide within the bar. and by
the use Of piers can be made a good
harbor. The marshes at its mouth arc
not large. The land soon rises about
fifty feet to bench and then gradually
rises TO the dividing ridge between the
Lake and the Mississippi, which IS 8
or 400 feet above them both; both
being about on the. same level above
the sea. The river, Of course falls to
the same amount in about fifty miles
BY its course which affords a corre.-
bonding amountof water power; while
the land through which it runs abound'
in good timber and an excellent soil
some Of which is said to be Prairie
and Oak Openings. Add all these &c
what before said about Fond du Lac
and you have an idea of the harbors Oh
the south side Of Lake Superior, with
10 this Territory.
But to return south, and in the vi