Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-17
JOURNAL
ora Surrey in the Northern part q
Wisconsin,
BY A. A. PARKER, Esq.

Der. l6. In the morning we crossed
a fine rolling prairie, rugged bluffs on
each side: at the foot of the bluff, out
bursts fine stream large enough 10
propel machinery. took ride a.
cross the prairie with six horsemen
from Prairie du Chen, who came to
hunt, and who lodged with US last
night. Another party Of surveyors
overlook US, and heightened out our
caravan to 100 rods. We were a
picturesque group, men, horses, wag.
ons, dogs and all. The companies
were obliged to part at the upper end
of this prairie and by the compass
took their several routes. PASSING
down a serpentine ravine, we atlength
reached the waters of the river Bad
Axe--a stream made classic in the an.
nails of Wisconsin by deeds of heroic
valor. Two of us rode down the riv-
or under the beetlng cliffs in search OF
a'divide' or ridge extending from the
west bank up the Mississippi. We
fonnd no divide; but the widest re-
gion in the world-well suited to be,
as it was, one Of the favorite hsunts OF
Black-Hswk. We sought the divide
further north-oveitookM Mr.. Browns
party of surveyors-csme to hickory
grove on smooth ridge. where we
encamped--distant from our morning
encampment six miles.
Der. II. Started at sunrise on d.
viding ridge between Coon river and
Hickory--a whig and a democratic
stream, and like fence politicians soon
got lost--got six miles out of our
course-re returned and at last got onto
the old blazed route from Prairie La
Cross-tolowed it twelve or fourteen
miles and got lost again--only two
trees being blazed. Encamped. part
of Browns company being with us
going to La Cross for provisions. Cold
night. Men all hungry. Our diet
consists Of bean soup, coffee, pork and
fiamdoIions (camp bread) word not
found in the earlier editions of Web
ster's Dictionary. Our route to-day
has been over high rolling land, cover
ed with thick oak brush-soil sandy
execrable.
Der. Is. Lost in a prairie ;from thence
passed through dense forest, opening
into a smooth ravine down which we
travelled ten or fifteen miles; at A o.
clock reached stream, bridged it and
crossed onto magnificent prairie. 1t
is the home of the Indian in its native
wildness. Deep narrow trails cross
il in various directions. Around US
are seen the rude huts of the savage.
The bluffs Of La Cross tower on one
side and the conical peaks OF a noun
tain range, wall in another side and
before US, are the bluffs of the Missis-
sippi South of US, far as the eye can
reach extends the smooth prairie, still
decked in autumnal flowers.
OcT. 19. At 4 o'clock A. NJ, it
rained. Freeman started in search of
pass west through the mountains, and
to find fording across the creek west
OF us. Found no fording so we
made bridge Of water three
and a halt feet deep. Passed our
baggage overlook the horses through
dragged out the wagon. with ropes
and in an hour were slowly moving on
&C crossed many deep ravines and
creeks. Made FIVE or six miles. En-
camped at clear swift stream, but do
not know the name, not knowing our
latitude. Half mile before we en-
camped, we saw an Indian village on
our right-went there to find the d.
rection to La Cross; Higgins, Foster
and 1, went, were padded over the
river in canoe by the daughter of
the chief of the village. The Indians
could not or would not tell US and we
returned TO camp-but little food left
US and no forage. These Winneba-
goes appeared to be very degraded
Their heads are shaved, save in
three small places where the hair is
braided and lies in greasy strings over
their shoulders. They wear no cover
Tor the head, and their body is only
covered with girdle, a skirt and
oiankei-feet encssed in moccasins
with long deer skin .eggins, which
are suspended by straps that are fss-
'ened to their girdles. Their wig
vans betOken any thing but industry,
ana everything around them indicates
al indOlent race.