The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1858-02-17

We have more than once referred, TO- the evidences
which still exist Of the fact that the present is not
tho FIRST in which the great West has been the centre of
dense and more less advanced population. Not long
since published remarks Of gentleman Of this
town specimen Of antique Indian pottery; since
then the same gentleman has received among other
relics Of the past finely formed stone hatchet he.d
dating back doubt to period long anterior to Indian
intercourse with the whites In connection with the
same subject append the following curious statement
Of correspondent Of the Cincinnati Gozee of walled
lakesin Wright county, Iowa -. s.a. q .saa..s4
ITO me it was one of the greatest seuriosities had
ever seen-enveloped as its history is with mantle
that will probably never be withdrawn. This lake lies
in tie midst Of vast plain rich gently undulat-
ing prairie extending for many miles in every direction
Thesak covers an area of about 900 acres. The
water ia clear and cold, with hard sandy bottom from
twoso twenty-five feet deep There is strip Of timber
about half way round it, probably rods wde being
the only timber in many miles. There Is a .coN Of
hea9y stone all round It, i'a =
II Is no accidental matter. 1t has been built with
hagap bands. some places the land is higher than
s s s ai; ~. believe s,ss j t;as. sass
q : I.;i sxsss I ~ = v
nltia eas pksa isstsn feet h ). Is ia est
wide at the base, sloping up both % 1ys feet vide
on the top The wall is built entirely Of beulden,
from three tuns in size down to ty pounds. They are
all what called lost rock. am no geologist and
consequently give learned description Of them.
They are not, however, natires t.to the born"
Nor has the wall been made by the washing away of the
earth and leaving the rocks There is no native rock
in this region Besidcs this is continuous WALL two
miles Of which, at least is higher than the land The
top Of the wall is level while the land is unduating
80 the wall is in some places two feet, aud in others
ten feet high. These rocks many of them at least,
must have been brought long probably five
ten miles. In Wright county the best rocks are sca
tered pretty freely, but as you approach this lake they
disappear, showing that they have been gathered by
some agency-when or by whom history will never un
fold Some Of the largest oaks in the grove grow
ing up through the WALL pushing the rocks in, in some
cases. outside in others, accommodating their shape to
the rocks The lake abounds with excellent fish. The
land in that township yet belongs to the Government
When was there ii the spring Of 1855, the wind
had blown large piece Of ice against the southwest
part of the WALL and lad knocked it down. so that the
water running out aud Zoo ling the farms of some
Of the settlers and they about to repair the wall
protect their crops. 1t is beautiful farm land nearly
all around this lovely lake.
The readers Of the Gazette should not imagine that
the wall around this lake as regular and as nice as the
wall around the fountain In front of the City Hall in
New York nor need any entertain the theory that it
natural wall but it has been built hundreds, and
late by whom this mighty, we'll as ornamental work
was done, but it will only be speculation a1 g5ai %
Notwithstanding the water in the lake is pure and
coe there s no yable feeder or outlet This lake is
about twelve miles north Of the located line of the Du
buque and Pacific Railroad and about one hundred and
fifty miles west Of the former place. The time is com.
ing when the lake will be place Of public resort