Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-04-04

" a"oul haii us oIlSl1ai guam
tity: yet, the width Of the river con-
tinues about the same, which accounts
for the distractions by sand-bars and
islands. But by combining the waters
within the bed of the main channel,
which may be done for 4 or $4,000.
the river would admit of the passage
of boats as high up as the falls, at most
seasons when not obstructed by ice
The channel is reported by those who
have RATED on it, to carry two feet
water, upon an average, except near
the mouth, in its lowest stages. And
the water being confined within banks
averaging about $50 yards apart, with
but few islands above mentioned, the
navigation is not difficult.
The amount of lumber, including
timber, now sent out Of this river an
nually,is estimated at not less than fire
millions of feet, besides single. Ex-
tensive beds of iron ore, with hattering
specimens of copper, have been dis
covered near its banks, and within so
miles of the falls large body Of a
species Of red marble, such as the In
dams use for their pipes, is also known
to exist, which is deemed of great value
for ornamental work: while the forests
of pine upon the heads of the river
and its branches appear to be mex
haustible.
Most of the provisions. all the goods,
tools, &C., used by the lumbermen are
conveyed up the stream in boats, or by
land carriage, SO that small steamboat
would find considerable business, even
now, which will increase with the
further settlement and improvement of
the country. And | am informed that
a captain has agreed to run his boat to
the falls this season, taking good stage
of water, for the ascension.
The st. Croix river is the next and
last to be noticed of this class of rivers
But as it has frequently been navigated
by steamboats, to the falls, some 50 or
60 miles from its junction with the
Mississippi, no doubts exist with any
as to its navigability. The first %
miles from its mouth is beautiful
Lake, bordering upon which, each side,
are some of the most beautiful and fer
tile lands, to be found in the Vest
At the head of the Lake several islands
divide the channel of the river, but
whether they cause any distractions to
the navigation, or not, | am not APP
prised but should suppose, from the
nature Of the case that some improve
ments, such as would confne the water
to one channel would be of great use. /
have already stated, in former COM
munication, that the falls Of this river,
are less than 100 miles from Fond du
Lac on Lake Superior. Some writer
in the Argus states that it is but eighty,
in direct line SO that it must be less
than 100 by good road.
Upon the waters of these three riv-
ers, Black River, Chippewa and the
st. Croix-tbe last of which yields, as
estimated, at least six millions of lum-
Der annually-extensive and fertile
tracts Of farming land can be found,
and hundreds Of farmers could find a
market with the lumbermen for their
surplus produce, and at price as much
higher than in the country below, as
the cost of transportation. st. Croix
county is supposed to contain at least
1000 souls, a good portion of whom
are cultivating the soil and find a mar
ket with the lumbermen for all they
have TO spare. Chippewa county is
supposed to contain about 400, and
Black River some 300, the most of
whom are engaged in numbering.
Black river affords immense bodies
Of iron ore, and st. Croix bids fair TO
become a great Copper as well as Iron
region, in addition to their great forests
of pine.
/ The settlements upon all these rivers
are in advance of Uncle Sam in the
survey Of the country, and probably
some of the settlers will find their mills
or other improvements on the School
section indeed, the survey into town.
ships on part Of Black river, is said TO
show one man that his mill is part. If
not in whole, upon that section. To
avoid this. and TO guard the settlers
against such an accident and conse-
quent loss it is greatly to be desired
that the whole country, even to the
Lake. should be surveyed, at least, into
Townships.
A. BRUNSON. |
! March 81, 1916.
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