Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-08-14
JOURNAL
0fa Surrey in the Northern part Of
Wisconsin,
BY A. A. PARKER, ESQ.

half miles has been across high SAN
dy plain. but little vegetation. with
here and there hickey pine from two
to four inches in diameter.
Nov. IL. Still encamped in the old
encamptment Of last night. Passed a
comic mound seventy feet high, and
six chains in diameter. In passing,
the magnetic variation of the needle
towards the mound was 800. On exam
lining il, it was found TO contain a
mass of curious rock, resembling
Stag heap, undoubtedly thrown up by
an eruption of the earth, and every
appearance of being melied by volca-
mic fire. We passed another yester-
day, of the same description; since
that the variation has been so great we
were obliged, the sun being obscurcd
by clouds, to survey with range poles,
independent OF the needle.
Nov. Is. We still ran with range
poles, local attraction being so great
and no sunshne-we make poor pro-
gress. In western wilderness, pork,
camp-bread and soup, is relished equal
to any eastern luxury; but after a long
succession of such fare, almost any
thing viii suit the appetite as we'll
The morning of the 10th lean lank
figure was seen leaning on his gun. on
the bank of Black River, and on near
ing him we found him to be an old
hunter, originally from Vermont, but
more recently from Iowa, who either
in pursuit of the painting deer, the
lofty elk vr growing bear, had wan
dered alone into this western wilder
ness, with no companion but his old
and faithful dog and his gun. His
home was the wilderness and these
are his companions. He gladly con-
scented to join our little party, to
guide the camp-mcn through the
woods when necessary, and more par
ticularly 10 furnish US with game. He
acts The part of Joshua and is to lead
us out of the wilderness.
Nov. 81. We are now in the west
part OF the district, thirty Ave miles
from the meridian, but here, the land
is not fit for cultivation. The whole
country is as uneaven as the ocean in
gale-destitute of timber, and almost
destitute of water. Here on the west
side of some Of the bluffs, are a few
pines which seem to be climbing to
the top like huge giants. To the
north is low, winding valley, whose
serpentine shape indicates the bed of
some large stream coursing its way to
mingle its waters with those of the
Trampaleau. To the south is seen
those lofty bluffs rolling one upon an
other, as far as the eye can reach, which
lays barren waste. The west and east
present equally as broken appearance,
save the pine region which is spread
out one vast plain Of evergreen tim
Der, far to the east. From the top of
some Of the hills the country is laid o.
pen TO the view from fifteen to twenty
five miles, presenting an appearance
grand but desoate, and the visual line
is encircled with a blue and broken
edge.
Nov 22 We have passed over high
hills similar TO those Of yesterday;
then on to low valley stretching out
to the north, until it is lost among the
bluffs. To the south is another valley
or basin, lying in circular form, ex-
tending from four to eight miles, a
handsome plain. In the middle a
comic mound lifts its head like the
dome of the capitol, some three hun
bred feet in height. We assembled it
at sunset, and the last lingering rays
o. the sun upon The valley, and the
golden pcncillings uponsthe adjoining
hills rendered the scenery most beau
tiful. There were a few trees in the
valley and their long dark shadows ex-
tended from one side Of the arc to the
other. The bluffs which surround
the valley, are smooth, Of conic
shape, with the tall grass waving upon
their very peaks; but not solitary
tree liftsits top upon their brows.
Nov. 81. The route since the 22d,
has been similar 10 that already de-
scribed. At 4 O'Clock this afternoon
our progress was stopped by the
Trampsleau, a clear bot rapid stream,
three rods wide, and from three to six
feet deep. We encamped upon the
bank; at night the packman came in