Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-07-14
A GREAT BLOW OUT IN MICHIGAN.
BY JOHN BROWN

hHohS tIe uIoii S'OIE-leIleFS VINO QSeu 10
amuse me in The Indian country was one
Samuel Higgins-or Sam II ggins, as we
called hIm-who, in yarioas capacities, had
long been leading a kind ofitinerant life in
| the near and far west. Fot many years he
had been in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.
and afterwards passed over the Iowa Terri
tory to the Missouri country. At the time
knew bin he held small appointment I'M
der the department. iE a branch Of the
'Cieitieation Of Indians service, and was
stationed on the Missouri rive. no. lhous
and miles from fort Leavenworth. His pay
was moderate, but it gave him comforta-
bic substance, and the Philosophers stone
| OF the wildeness-cOnientm
can turn every thing to gold.
Often have | sat by the hour listening to
Sans tales away off there among The red
skins. They were all kinds from grave 10
| gay, from lively TO severe vet always good
al the time, though like the tnts Of fjl-
ding sunset, ain afraid they cannot we'll be
| transferred TO canvass.
Sometimes. however, | would be tempted
to question any probability Of some nara
lions, that looked very much like things o.
verdone, and would gently hint my doubts;
but Sam was never tnkcn aback. He
would proceed to explain and establish SO
satisfactorily that doubt only proved to be
hafblnger fconyiction, sent 10 clear the
way aud make it more entire mo, in
deed, Colonei;' he would say, The was very
peculiar about my title; sensible man,
Sam was, mo indeed, never go beyond
the tfuth;' and the tougher the story, the
more earnestly would be insist that it was
all 'rue gospel
1t happened one day that the wind was
blowing stiff gale on the river, which we
could see al a distance flom the spot where
we then were; and the water being low, the
loose sand was blown up from the bars, and
was blown up like dense fog along the
course ofthe stream for several miles. 49,
We had been looking al it from the door of
my cabin, and, as we resumed our seats and
pipes at the fire, remarked that | .woula
} moi Ike 10 be on the river at such time
i. why So inquired Sam.
why don't YOU sec the sand? Who
could I've in that sand?'
.fes,' said he. relghting his pipe, Il see
it, Aud after giving puff or two, 'bu
I've seen worse than hit; Colonel, in py
me- he added gravely.
'WhereP
In tho lake country; on lake Michigan
You ought to see The sand on the beacE
} there. LIS the greatest place for sand
eper saw
Il suppose it IS blown considerably a
times. Ileioined 'but the Missouri sand il
bad enough for me-
well sr.' said he, on lake Michigan thc
' sand is clear. pure sand, not dry mud like
this, you can'l see ten feet from YOU
You don't say!'
.Xes, and I've seen il blow into people:
: houses along the lake, after the women haC
set the table for dinner, 50 that we had 10
dump il out of,he plates before eating
Sam sal that approaches the wonder
full
lbs true, though, Colonel; and l've seer
it drili around tall pine trees along the
shore uf the lake, Ike snow, till ii WouLo
corer them up clear 10 the toph
Sam! Sam! by thunder that's too tough
Cant go it,
Upon my word, Colonel. it's as true as
: you're there, and I'm here
/ Well, but Sam. said |. show does il
happen no one never heard otthese buried
forests? | have heard Of the d1aoas rs thew
are called on the coasts of England and
France formed 10y the accumulation of sand
) blown up from the beach, but never heard
OF hose buried trees in Michigan. before
why you see,' said he, the tOiad chan
ges likely as not the merit day aud bl9ws he
; sand all array again.
: | expressed mysel: satisfied at this soiu-
ton Of the mystery, and we smoked some
minutes IN silence, when Sam continued.
Il would hardly have believed such d sto-
Inv myself Colonel said he, If hadn't
: seen il with my own eyes; and come very
nesr getting INTO an ugly scrape there
; once | was ont hunting, and went TO sleep
in The evening on sand bank, among what
supposed to be some pine shrubs. bal
which were really he branches of the bur
led trees. slept very soundly. During
lhe nigh; The wind rose, and blew the sand
all away. so that | awoke in the morning IN
The top of tall pine ueep
!, ,lVeIl, Sam. admitting for the sake oi
llLs story, that this IS all true, what was your
frs, thought, when yop gTokef'