Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-07-30
WESTERN CORRESPONDENCE.
FOX RIvER-APPLEToN.

-" DoohS' ~ you buppOoo yOuT TeuueTb
would like to hear from Wisconsin of her pro-
gress. her peculiarities aud characteristics II
so, perchance we may be successful in communi-
eating something of interest relative to our Badger
State now and then. We will liDger in and about
the northeastern counties, wandering down the
Fox River, pay a short visit to Appleton, peep in
upon Neemab, the Island City," not emitting to
call al Fond Du Lac, our CRY of the Vest, and bid
you a transient adisu at Milwaukee.
Fox River as it foams and dasbes in its wild
beauty toward Green Bay, first claims our atten-
ton. Itis a large, rapid flowing stream, connect
ing the waters of the Winnebago with those of
Green Bay. This mighty stream has been open
to navigation only three years. only here and there
where it reposed in calmness, would a bark venture
upon it's bosom. By means of canals and locks
steamers pass daily upon this neo and highly ben
e6cial route, making immediate connection with
Michigan boats and railroads, at Oshkosh and
Fond du Lac in return. As the Fox leaves the
northern head Of Winnebago, it commences, first
placid, smooth, almost without a ruf1e, but wind
ing silently along a distance of s miles, it leaps
with q laundering roar over a ledge of rocks, falls
80 feet and rushes along in f~rigbtful vehemence,
over jutting rocks, alternately broken into falls
and cascades, till it's waters mingle with those Of
Green Bay, From Neemah, which stands at the
Northern head of Lake Winnebago, the river is
p~avigablo to Appleton, AS before mentioned, where
the waters begin the descend the gradual fall is
varying, from 30 to As feet fromAppleton to Green
Bay a distance of 80 miles. This portion of the
Fox is navigabie only by locks and canals, number
ing Is locks from Neemah to Green Bay. There
is no spot in all The wide west. that presents to the
eye SO much of beauty, of wild, romantic scenery,
as shat. Along the Fox its banks rise in abrupt
bluffs many feet. resembling very much the
grounds around St: Anthony. At Appleton the
bluffs range from 60 to 10 feet along the river. and
are covered with forest trees, in all their stately
glory. Ten years ago. not a tree had been felled
to earth where now stands Appleton. the fairest if
not the largest city in Wisconsin. Now the din OF
machinery mingles with the wild roar of the tum-
bling Fox spires and domes glitter in the silver
sheen Of sunlight, and cast their long shadows on
the multiplied roofs below.
Lawrence University received its charter in ls47,
the preparatory department. was opened in 1870
The college structure, n noble building, was finish
ed in 1855. 1t is l20 by 60 feet, and GO feet high;
from the basemen: to the observatory In tho dome
it is 100 feet, built of limestone and finished in
beautiful style. It stands in a square of II acres,
beautifully ornamen,ed. and shaded with the orig
inal trees that mingled thoir shades with the
great forest that once occupied the ground. This
college has graduated three classes, one in '57, SO
and 80. Ladies are admitted to the regular
courses of Collegiate study, receive diplomas, with
the gentlemen. May we never see this done aw ay
with.
This institution Of learning is one of the best in
the United States, and an honor to Wisconsin,
The library is the largest and richest in the State,
and is constantly receiving additions. One source
of increase is the continual interest on $4,000 do
mated by Samuel Appleton, for whom this town
was named. The first donation to the college was
$40, 900 by Amos A.. Lawrence, Of Boston he has
since increased it to $4,000. The Cabinet is rich
ly stored with a little Of everything-nothing
seems wanting, save in animal and Aoral sreci-
mems. Additions are being made continually.
Appleton is beautifully laid out. Tho streets
are all plsnked and ornamented with shade trees
Of elm, locust and maple. Contains four churches
one Congregational, two Methodist, one Baptis.
and three hotels inferior to none in the State
There are seven deep ravines running through the
city, safely bridged, where q street crosses. Two
papers arc issued here, one Of the Democratic and
one of the Republican order. The Badger State
Monthly, the only literary periodical Of Wisconsin
is edited here, but published at Milwaukee.
This far are you acquainted with Appleton. the
lovsliest spot in all the West, once the most moral
yes, the most moral-for there was a time when
not q saloon could be found where beer, ale, wine,
brandy or wbiskey could be bought. and when
gambling was not known to exist among its inhab.
%itants. But now as in every other spot. the Demon
has stepped upon the soil, planted bis ella WI deep
down, and spread his broad black wings across its
once unpolluted streets. Slavery. in one form. ex-
ist in Appleton. Yes, Slavery ; such bondage as
closes its shackles round our own proud American
people who ignobly how their honor, their reputa-
ton, their ALL to a%.level Of common degradation,
and throw of their ~patural nobility, bury in the
sickening liquids of intoxication their ambition.
their talents, and become, as it we're, a moth to
society.
Adieu, friend Bugle, for the present. In q few
days we will wander around Fond du Lac, and
view whatever of interest may be found, and
much there is, l assure you.
Respectfully yours.
SOPHIA E. WALKER.
APPLETON. Wisconsin. July l6, 1859.