Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-09-07
LAKE SUPERIOR CORRESPONDENCE.
Ou,oaagoa-The NstS STATE HoIr the PROJECT
Takes-The Weather-1Rs Steamer Iron
Cffy-Fra-er Rirer-HoU MineT Did u.
ONroSAsox, Mich, Aug. 80, 1858.

ONroSAsoN, Mich, Aug. 80, 1888.
Dg.R LEADER We arrived at this "City OF
Sand at about eight o'clock this morning and
l have spent the day in seeing its sights On
tonaeon is a town of from two thousand to
three thousand inhabitants, very pleasantly To-
Gated at the mouth of the 0ntonagon riveT,
(which finds an outlet in Lake SuPerior,) and
within about twelve miles of some oi the
richest copper mines in this region Ihe build
inqs here are all Of wood, with the exception
believe, of a powder magazine, which Is built
of brick. Two fine piers are now IN course oil
construction both of which will extend nearly
a mile into the Lake, and when completed VIII
afford fine facilities for loading and unloading
vessels. The OntonagOn river Is not navlga-
bic to vessels of any size save that a ltAe
steamer about the size of the tug Peter Smith,
called the Miaer, plies its waters between this
place and the Mines.
The soil in this vicinity, as indeed IN nearly
all the Lake Superior county, is remarkably san
dy, anu in passing through the streets at some
points YOU will sink ankle deep. With every
blast Of wind It whirls about in considerable
quantities, and almost blinds the unfortunate
pedestrian who is unlucky enough to encounter
It The town, however, assumes to the digni-
ty and importance of a city, and those of its IN
habitants who are anxious for the erection OF
the new State of Ontonagon or Superior out OF
portions of Michigan, Wisconsin and Mlnneso-
Il, look confidently forward to the time when
it shall be the wealthy and prosperous capital
of the new commonwealth 1t embraces
large area Of territory for its population, and Is
laid off exceedingly irregular. None of the
streets are paved but rejoice in plank side walks
varying in width from foot and half to two
feet. They are rather unpleasant to navigate
There are two printing offices here, (of course
1 have visited them bOth) one the Lake SE-
DeTiOr Miner, and the other the Upper PENN
| sula Adpocaie They are ereditable sheets and
betrsy considerable enterprise.
As the result of lengthy conversation with
two or three intelligent gentlemen here, l am
convinced that the erection Of the proposed new
State would not al this time meet a very vigoT-
Gus endorsement from the people. 1t is the
| sc heme, most probably, Of a lot OF sPeculsting
and ambitious politicians, TO whose mental VS.
| ion wealth and political preferment IN the
shape of U. 5 Senatorships, State offices, &c,
loom deli ghtfully up in the golden future. As
the fatlaS and mothers Of the movement, they
/ feel that'Se lOaves and fishes would be, OF at
east should be, divided almost exclusively
among them. This was prominently fOreshadOw-
ed. l am told at the Convention, held here
on Thursday last, with reference to the new
State. 1t was not very largely attended-its
members comprised large proportion of spec
ulatOrs-and some of the gentlemen named in
| the proceedings as It's officers were not present
in its deliberations, and are not kR0lcR to be IA
vorsble TO the enterprise. / am further inform
ed that the people in many of the interior coun-
ties are avowedy and bitterly anlagOnistic to
the erection of the new State al this time
They argue, and doubtless very justly, that the
country proposed to be embraced within its
limits, is too sParsely populated to make the
speculation profitable; that 1t would be burden
some to the people in largely increased taxa
ton for State buildings, &c, and in the pay
ment Of other enlarged taxes which are incl
dental to States. Then some Of the other
lake towns doubtless feel a slight senti-
meni Of jealousy at the prospect of OntOnagon
becoming the Capital and thus overshadowing
them, and for this reason oppose it. / am not
prepared TO say, however, that there Is not
large number of people in favor of i" Ontona-
gon +" in the future, when all surrounding cir
sumstances are favorable, and when the neces-
sites of the country will warrant it. That time
Is anticipated, ta State - farm
ed, it may be depended upon as an important
| and commanding member of the cOnfederacy.
We have had delightful trip from Cleveland
to this place (saving severe sea-siekness on Lake
Hurong the weather is very pleasant, and the
atmosphere bracing and invigoratIng. The days
are quite warm, the thermometer ranging from
S01 to $50 and at night quite cool, falling to
about 25o We have experienced considerable
rough weather, and have been compelled to lay
up nearly every night since leaving Cleveland.
| find that the Iron City is favorite boat up
/ in this country, and l am sure she is deservedly
so. Her officers are all perfect gentlemen, at
tentive, obliging and courteous Capt TUEsEE
/ Is a thorough and skillful navigator, and wins
not only the respect but the affections Of his
passenrers. Long may the Iron CITY wave
| l find that there has been considerable excite
ment among the miners about Frazer River
LARGE numbers Of them have left for the "gold
digrinrs" But sober second thought seems
to prevail now, and some who thought of "clear-
/ ing have concluded to remain here where
gains are slow but sure
/ Speaking of miners reminds me OF circum-
stance told me by gentleman connected with
one of the mines on our upward passage SH-
! rsr is sometimes found in considerable quanti-
ties by the miners, and is very frequently ap-
propriated to their own private use. Itis valued
more particularly as specimens of the richness
Of the mines. One Of the miners recently con-
eluded he had made money enough, settled up
with his employer, got his cash and lett. 1t
was afterwards found that he had went directly
TO Buffalo, and there sold over sixteen hundred
dollars worth Of these silver specimens That
fellow was up to snuff.
Yours, 5.