The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-08
Editorial Correspondence.
wADAsnAw. MiSyEsorA,}
Monday, May Il, $50. )

passengers, BY the train from Milwaukee. At
10 r. VI. the train arrived. and in few mo-
ments the passengers were on board and our
boat, mail one. but Of the first class, was
underway stcaming up the river. Fatigued
with travelling, we soon sought our berth and
were soon beyond the power ofseeing the sights
ON our way. had the darkness OF the night not
obstruetei the view. Proposing to make our
first landing NJ this place, where we expected to
meet an old friend, and former resident of Sa-
CO, Maine, Jarvis Williams Esq, who several
years ago left our place to make him home in
the West, and whose residence is now here. we
were up with the day ready to step from the
boat, ON its arrival We found on enquiring,
that we were some thirty or forty miles from
our destination, and as our boat sped along we
busted ourselves in viewing the scenery. Its
features are similar to those we have described.
The bluffs are almost continuous, at about an
average height Of $50 feet above the level Of the
river, with here and there cooley rs they are
called. These coolies are generally depressions
of land or yallies, through which the plain
country beyond the river can be reached,
though frequently the surmountipg OF the bluffs
Is not an easy matter. Wabashaw is situated
at the foot of Lake Pepin, about n hundred
miles from st. Paul which is on the river above,
and about 200 miles from Prairie du cheu where
we took the boat. There are several places OF
considerable note on the way up, but as we
passed them in the night any description We
might attempt Of them would be from hearsay.
We arrived at wabashaw about S A. NJ, and
were most cordially received by Mr.. Williams
and his excellent lady, both ofwhom during our
stay of two days did all within their power to
promote our comfort and to make our visit
delightful one.
Opposite wabashaw, or rather about two
miles above on the Wisconsin side, the Chippe-
wa River empties its waters into the broad Mis-
sissippi. The Chippewa region is celebrated
numbering one. and a place where many of our
Maine lumbermen have exhausted both capital
and enterprise in numbering operations. The
river drains very considerable portion OF Wis
consin. The pine lumber on it, and its tribu-
llElCs u ,tll w W uhAhLihNs eAN
titles Of manufactured lumber are sent to st.
Louis, and the markets below, from the mills
located on its water falls. Huge RATS of lum-
Der are made up at wabashaw, which come
from the Chippewa in Cribs" These RATS
are frequently so large that 20 men or more
are required to navigate them in safety to the
markets below. When the numbering business
Is brisk large number Of them may be seen
every day by passengers on board the boats,
as they pass, or meet them on the river. AT
present the lumber business Is very much de-
pressed. and comparatively buta few OF these
enormous RATS are TO be seen. Several years
ago, when the monsoon Of a speculation more
pernicious to this section than was the land
fever to Maine in 1896 and 1887, there was a
most enormous amount oflumber carried down
the Mississippi to market, where prices we're
high and the profits almost fabulous. Town
sites were selected. great number Of Steam
mills were built. aud the mania for timber lots,
town sites, and mills for the manufacture Of
lumber, was almost past belief
The bubble burst in 1887. exploding with ii
many well matured town PROJECT, and carry
ing down great many enterpriIins aud hon.
orable men, whose business sagacity was sadly
at fault, and whose enterprise had only suiilc-
ed to AXE away from them the hard earnings
Of years.
wabashaw has most beautiful location, Is
well situated for business, but the terrible ef-
fects Of the specializing fever to which allusion
has been made. are to be seen In unoccupied
warehouses, steam mills lying up, hotels open,
but guests missing, and general depression
of business. II Is situated ON the left bank Of
the river on rich prairie, which is from two to
four miles in width. some ten or twelve miles
In length, and sufficiently elevated above the
river to be safe from the effects of the deyasta-
ting freshets which sometimes occur on the Mis-
sissippi. 1t was once fvorite home ofthe
red man, the Sioux, and Mt the present
time the larger part of its population are half
breeds. We will not however waste time with
minute description Of wabashaw and its in.
habitants. In the height Of speculation CON-
pany was formed which had the town lotted,
and made most magnificent preparations TO
found city which should rival, il not surpass.
any OF the cities above Dubuque. A splendid
hotel building Twas commenced, and corner
lots were in great demand. An unoccuped
warehouse Of mammoth proportions, and the
unfinished cellar of the magnificent hotel. are
dumb but striking proofs Of the failure Of the
scheme ut least for the present Hereafter n