St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-05-28
Gbt anttllieeutr.
MOUNT HOSKINS,

Mount Hoskins is the name Of
high and commanding Peak, which
rises abruptly to the altitude of four
hundred and twelve feet above the
Valley of the Mississippi, and from its
summit magnificent view can be OBJ
tanned Of the noble Mississippi Valley
as far up as La Crosse, Wisconsin,
forty seven miles: presenting as
brilliant and romantic panorama OF
diversified scenery as can be obtained
on any river in the world. 1t is Just
such scenery as would set poet
crazy. with his eyes fine frenzy roll
ling and before whose grandeur
the classic beauty of the "Castled
Rhine" would appear tame and insig-
niGcant-and to portray it, the pencil
of a Michael Angelo or Raphael would
not more than do it justice. Like all
romantic places, it owes its name to
rather q romantic and pleasing incl
dent which occurred, in which names
famous for beauty and gallantry are
intermingled, that of Miss Hoskins on
the side Of beauty, and Capt Orrin
Smith on that of gallantry.
Some years since, in the early
period of the settlement Of this upper
country, Capt. 0rrin Smith command
cd the steamer Nominee, which in as
cending the river stopped at Lansing
to take Oh wood. A beautiful, spright.
w, and highly educated young lady,
who had become great favorite with
the passengers, and the gallant Cap
tain, and who was complete Worship
per of the beauties of nature came out
on deck, and struck with admiration
at this picturesque. summit, ran up to
Capt Smith, with animation and en-
thusiasm darling from her eyes and
eagerly inquired" Captain Smith,
will you wait for me if | take a run
up that monnt and look at the glorious
scenery" Most certainly, my dear"
was the chivalrous answer, Il could
not refuse You anything, but had you
not better have company ?" "Why
yes" she replied, eff any one wants
to take good mountain race with
me-" The Captain winked slyly at IA
young man who was devotedly struck
with her, and he gallantly offered his
services, which were accepted, and
off they started, watched by the
crowds of passengers who crowded
the decks.
To ascend the hill and get to the
summit is about mile, and steep and
precipitous. Off however they started,
but soon the young gentleman's wind
gave out, but not so with the young
lady who bounded on lightly as a
deer, and greeted with the cheers and
shouts of the excited beholders. Soon
she reached the summit, took in at a
glance the grandeur of the scenery,
pulled out her handkerchief and wav.
ed it in proud triumph and ecstacy be.
fore the passengers. She looked like
an impersonation of inspired beauty
and heroism as she stood erect on the
summit, and cheer after cheer rang
out from the delighted passengers
and officers, among which the stento
rian voice Of Captain Smith sounded
above all others. No beautiful song
stress or artist ever created such er
thusiasm as that young lady did stant
ing like an inspired Pythoness on tina
Mount.
The young gentleman slowly reacl
ed the summit, and gallantly wave
his hat to his feet, in acknowledge
ment of his defeat.
BY unanimous consent, the noun
was called Mount Hoskins, in honor o
the name of the young lady who hac
so feetly and gracefully scaled it
heights, from pure and artless low
for the beauties of nature. H.cK.