The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-18
Our wiseons,n CORRESPONDENCE.
GREEN Bar (Wis.), March Is, 1850.

OrRkkN DAT wv ISL, h1arch 20, loOU
The Extreme Wssf-The State of Wiseons'~-
7ose~ of Green Bay-7h< Country around.
AS the American people seem to possess an in
stinctive desire to acquire information respecting
our universal nation" and of every place in
particular''-while the attention of adventures is
so much directed to the extreme West (for it must
be admitted that the West is now found), with the
prospect of scraping together mass OF shining
gold, in less time than it would take to tell the
sum in coined dollars-I have concluded to drop
you oting or two respecting that portion OF coun-
try where am now sojourning.
In speaking of the West, remember when the
old Empire State embraced the point which filled
the anxious vision, and was looked upon the
resting place of the aspirations of reasonable men
but, when the adventurer arrived, he could look a
little farther, and Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan,
Iowa and Wisconsin became the western region of
the emgrant until a series OF States became organ
lied, and took their respective positions in our con-
federated Union
During the past few years, Wisconsin has come
in for her share Of the attention OF the emigrant in
his joumeyings westward, and well does her posi-
ton and advantages entitle her to all she has re-
ceved, il would be difficult to find more beauties
and sources of substantial wealth, than is here
combined. With genial cline, and fertile soil,
abundance of water power scattered the State,
and inexhausble mines of lead, iron and copper lay
buried beneath the surface.
Since the organization of the State government,
a tract of land, which had been appropriated by the
general government for the improvement of the
vigation of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, has been
brought into MARKET and the proceeds of the sales
thereof are now being expended, in opening chan
mel for steamboat navigation from Green Bay, on
Lake Michigan, to the Mississippi river; and as
Green Bay is now the most eligible point for the
new western States. propose to give you birds
eye view Of this Improvement and the country from
the mouth of the Fox river to the Mississippi.
| l could give statistics and facts sufficient for
several communications, but as / must now con-
fine myself to this one, will merely speak of the
| Improvement of the Fox river, its character and
progress, and the facilities it offers the emgrant
for transporting his family and effects, and leave
further description of the country and more ex-
tended notice particular places, TO future leisure
moment.
The town of Green Bay is situated upon the
southeast bank OF Fox river at the head of the bay
| of that name, and contains about two thousand
inhabitants nearly half of whom have been added
| to the population during the past year. The river
here is eighty rods wide, and from twenty to forty
feet deep in the channel and is subject to irregular
tides, of from two to three feet, corresponding with
| the ebbng and flowing of the water in the bay,
occasoned by the wind blowing up or down the
lake. The town is situated upon an extended plain,
little elevated above the river, and, to look upon
| the whole scenery, it seems as if nature had
| destined the location for magnificent work.
| Five miles up the river, in s. w. direction, is
the town of Depere, thriving village and the first
| water power upon the river. Here a good sub
stantal dam is already constructed, connected with
the State improvement; and a lock, with lift of
improvement are large and spacious, and.ofthe same
| size, being one hundred and forty feet between
gates, and thirtyve feet wide, and will pass boats
| drawing four feet water. Here three saw
mills and one Touring mill, and bridge is to be
built across the river this summer, Immediately
| below the DAM
Twelve miles above Depere is Rapid Croche,
| where a dam was built last summer, and a lock of
six feet lift is far completed, that it is expected to
| be ready for summer business. bridge is also to
be erected across the river at this place, the present
season.
Five miles above Rapid Croche is the foot of
| the rapid of Grand kaukauna, which presents
fall of fifty feet in distance of one and threequar
tiers miles. The facilities for transportation from
| the mouth of the river TO Grand kaukauna are
| abundant. A sufficient number of barges are al
ready built for Transporting merchandise and goods,
| and steamboat will be here from the lower lakes,
TO run upon the river, at the opening of navigation.
Another steamboat is also upon the stocks at this
! place (Green Bay), which will be completed this
i summer and run in the river trade. From the foot
OF Grand kakaunau, as you ascend the river, good
road is opened on the right bank, and measures are
| in progress for planking il the coming summer
This road will cross the river at Grand Chute, ten
miles above, and extend TO Menasha, three and a
| half miles, at the outlet Of Lake Winnebago. An
othes road is opened directly to Menasha, eleven
| miles across the country, from the foot OF Grand
kaukauna. This road is also TO be panked imme-
| diately.
Two and half miles above Grand Kaukanna
is Little Chute, where there is fall OF 30 feet in
the distance Of one and a half miles. Al these two
|
time for letting the contracts for the improvement,
but the contracts will be let some time during the
| summer.
One and half miles above Little Chute is Cedar
Rapids, at which place is to be dam, and lock
of ten feet lift. The contract for this work is to be
let on the 18th of May next.
Three miles above Cedar Rapids is Grand
Chute Here is fall of 80 feet in a distance of one
and half miles, The improvement at this place
will consist of two dams and four locks which are
TO be put under contract on the 18th OF May next.
~, I'll
and cannot supply the demand for lumber for home
consumption. The Lawrence Institute is located
| here, which is under the management Of the Me-
| thodist denomination Of Christians, and was orga-
nzed, and is endowed, chiefly through the muniii-
cence Of the Hon. Amos Lawrence, OF Boston,
| Massachusetts,
From Grand Chute to Menasha pia the river, is
six miles, or three and a half by the road across
the bend. Menasha is situated at the outlet Of
Lake Winebago, on the left hand channel as you
ascend, or az the river here runs, the north
channel As Fox river leaves Lake Winnebago,
it divides into two channels, and unites again
| about two miles below, forming Doys Island, a
beautiful tract Of land containing about nine hun
dred acres, and is the family residence Of the Hon.
| j. ID. Doty, the Representative in Congress from
this district The improvements at this place con-
sist in DAM canal Of three-quarters OF mile in
length, and lock OF nine feet lift. The contract
for constructing this Improvement was let last fall,
and the work is rapidly progress sing. Al this lace
| there are two saw mills, one iouring mill, one
foundry, a sash and blind factory, and planning
machine. On the south channel Is the village Of
| Neensh, with good water power, now propellng
one mill, and one Touring mill Bridges
TO be erected across the two channels, the present
| summer, connecting the two towns Of Menasha
| and Neenah.
From Lake Winnebago TO Depere, distance Of
30 miles, by the river, we have fall Of water APP
pcable 10 the propelling Of machinery Of l55 feet
| with an amount Of water entirely nexhaustible
I The river in its whole course, runs over contnu-
Gus limestone rock, and from the small lakes that
| are situated above, which serve reservoirs, Is
| never subject 20 overlooking or low water, the en-
| IRENE points between high and low water, below
| Lake Winnebago, not exceeding ten inches.
From Rapid Croche to the head Of Grand Chute,
a distance OF about IL miles, by the river there is
fall of I39 feet applicable to hydraulic purposes
with dams soon to be erected by the State, upon a
foundation that is immovable. The river banks
high, and the lands, either SIDE are elevated
and rolling, and at present this IL the only proJec
tive steamboat route connecting the lakes with
the Mississippi. In my next ] shall try TO travel
from Lake Winnebago 20 the Mississippi river.