The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-10-09
DAILY PIONEER.


me; but the narrative of my journeys will be
incomplete, if fail to give you description
of my trip along the Southern shore, and of
the incidents thereto belonging.
Coming from the Presbyterian chapel, at
La Pointe, on Sunday, We heard shout of
Sku-ta-wa-ba-kon!" and looking about, saw
the steamer Sam. Ward coming up the bay.
About midnight, was on board, and soon
comfortably ensconscd in a berth. The next
morning took an early look at the neighbor-
ing shore 1t was much broken, though pre-
scnting beautiful views at every few miles.
The character of continuity, SO observable on
the Minnesota shore, had disappeared. The
high lands seemed each quite independent Of
the other, and reared their giant forms in iso-
lated dignity Along the slope still cleaned
the birch, and the beechen-covered spruce, and
the purple berries of the mountain ash here
and there peeped out from the dark green of
the forest.
We soon reached Ontanagon and after the
deserted appearance Of La Pointe, it was
pleasant to observe the clean new buildings,
and the signs of activity here displayed. Mr..
CARSON, one of the most wealthy men in the
place, has constructed, at great expense, fine
pier, which would be credit to many an old
or and richer town.
After touching at Eagle River and Eagle
Harbor, we put into Agate Harbor, and
passed the night by the wharf. These harbors
are all formed by low reef running parallel
to the outline Of the coast, through which u
passage has been broken sufficiently wide and
deep for the largest boats to enter. The en-
trance to some of them is somewhat difficult
in stormy weather; but altogether, this lake is
far better supplied with natural harbors than
any of the lower ones.
We touched at Copper Harbor, and after
heavy gale and sea off Kewaunan Bay, we
reached Marquette, where we were compelled
to pass the night. This is the most attractive
place l have seen OH Lake Superior, as far as
the soil is concerned, it being light sand,
and having an appearance Of warmth, which
is, at this season of the Superior year, quite
agreeable A railroad is in process OF build
ing to the iron mines, in rear OF the town, and
the grade is already nearly completed. A
milestone mandatory is the only object Of
interest since the smelling works have been
burnt down. The iron ore is now shipped to
Cleveland, its purity making it less expensive
to transport to the neighborhood of Goals, than
to bring the fuel here.
From Marquette, we gazcd on the sandstone
shore all the way to the Sault, and were much
amused by the variegated appearance of the
pictured rocks, and shifting beds of sand. At
the Sault we waited day for the downward
boat, during which we took occasion to walk
over the line of the canal, admired the locks
built Of Ohio freestOne, and almost completed.
saw the half-breeds casting hand-nets for trout
in the rapids, and walked through the Fort.
The misfortune of the steamer illinois, which
had run on rock in coming up, was the gen.
eral theme of discourse. She was freighted
with provision stores for several towns on
Lake Superior, and castings for the canal
works. The latter loss will perhaps delay the
works which they have hoped 70 complete by
the first day of July next, to more distant
date, as it is said the patterns have been bro
ken. The forward state of the works, howev-
er, will enable them, l think, without trouble,
to have the canal opened by the time above
named. This place, like La Pointe, shows
the thriftless and stand-still nature of the
early settler but will soon rid itself of the
retarding element.
The discovery Of native copper, on the Cam
ada shore, forms an exciting subject Of talk.
l had the pleasure Of meeting Mr.. Mcdowell,
of the Bruce mines, who confirmed the current
reports. He is himself one of the fortunate
explorers, and looks forward to rich return
next year.
The trip from the Sault, hither, gave me an
opportunity of seeing the sand shoals of Lake
George; and you must allow me to run coun-
ter to the opinions of many excellent Demo
Gratis, and share in the general indign alton
which is felt throughout the West, at the veto
Of the River and Harbor bill 1t will be use
less to make fine canal, if the access to it is
left in such a deplorable condition. But for
got that have nothing to do with politics,
and hasten to close my already diffase letter.
l had hoped to give you some account of the
working of the copper Mines but had not time
to visit them. So here, in the last of the
French villages shall see, 1 take my leave of
You, and will only, in pleasant "reminiscences of
an agreeable summer excursion, sometimes
deem myself again s.-
VoYAGEUR.