Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-06-05

| America, as it is now the center geo.
graphical. Some idea Of tho growth Of
the business of this benighted ariic !
region in the last ten years may be found
from the following facts Ten years
ago the combined tonnage of the boats
necessary TO do the business between Du
Buque and st. Paul. was little less
than twelve hundred tons; the tonnage
of the boats necessary to do the busi-
ness of the same region to-day, is twenty
thousand ,ons.
Among the enterprises Of this region,
none promises more than the "St. Croix
Valley Church, School and Emigration
Asse CATION" recently organized ut this
place for the purpose of aiding in the es-
adjustment of religion, education and
kindred interests, and furnishing reliable
information to tn, Sc DESTROYS to settle IN
the West; the principal medium of
spreading that information is through cor
respondcnce in answer to letters Of ir-
quiry addressed to the Secretary of tho
Association at this place.
II need be, think the ST. Croix VAL
lev will furnish her share OF men fer our
country's need, not of course, in such
numbers as more densciy settled regions
can, but they will be good stuff, those
who on game and land hunting cxcur-
! sons, have become used to sleeping on
the ground wrapped in blanket with
nothing but the forest boushs md the
blue sky overhead, living on coarse fare,
making long marches, and lodging bal
let about where they chose.
Flom the St. Croix Valley.
After pleasant trip from La Crosse
to Prescott. We took the Allen, u littla
steamer that plies between that place
and the Fall of the t. Croix. The ST.
Croix Lake upon which we now are is
| beautiful sheet Of water. In this region
we have lost the abrupt and towering
bluffs that are soon on the Mississippi,
between La Crosse and Prescott, but thu
hills on either side Of the St. Croix (riv-
er and Lake ineIudedD are quite respects
bic. The scenery of the RIVER is interest
ing and, in many respects, resembles that
of Hudson river. The country on either
side is picturesque, has many attractions
and is reported fertile, particularly in
that section back of the city Of Hudson.
AT this place we were compelled to lie
bv for six hours, on account strong
head wind, that proved too strong foe
our little boat, anl felt thankful that thu
people of Hudson had built q pier out
into tho Lake, and whicl we found very
convenient shelter for our craft,
This is quite an interesting business
place. The public buildings and part Gu.
arly the Court House is credit to its
citizens. We spent some little timo
ashore here and met several old esteemed
friends.
The next place was Saltwater. wo
arrived here after shutdown and cnull
not have much n view, but we saw
enough to show that there was wealth
and enterprise in it.
This place | should Judge TO DO abont
tho size of Hulson-populatien from
1000 to $500. The principal business
hers is numbering. Some vely h avv
firms arc established here The country
back is said not to be so good for farm
ing rs that near Hudson. 1t is seven rr
eight miles above the latter place on tho
Minnesota side. Hero is the head of TIL,
Lake, and from here all is River. and
generally about the width of Black River,
opposite the pot at La Crosse and prct.
ty deep.
We arrived at the Falls of ST. Croix.
sometime in the night. The river was
so high and the logs running 90 fast anil
thick that the Captain did not think it
czpedient to attempt 10 run thu ough what
they call the Dells This is ledge of
Trap rock, though which the river forces
itself. The river in passing through
there is contrac'cl to half ita or,linar v
SIZE. and tho banks are abrupt and Jagged,
and looked savage. The whole scenery
here is tie romantic. The untrv
is more IS it wa when it eamc fresh
{. ON the hands Of lis Creator, than tho
country below. There is some of tho
primitive formation. Bn there is but n
hands breadth Of it-so to speak-a
strip some one half or one mile wide, but
extending on in northeast direction,
clear to the shore Of Lake Superior. The
population of this place is from three to
four bundled, Taylor's Falls. right oppn-
site, from five to six hundred. There i.
good bridge across the river. Country
back good, but mostly openings. Not
much improved, being mostly in the
hands of spectators, who gre SICK ofpny
ing taxes and will sell cheap for cash. or
on time, or any way. This is splcn-
did region for wheat Cool country for
men of industrious habits, and much to
be done. Some rather distinguished men
-Hungerford, the great antagonist Of
Caleb Cushing, Murphy, formerly con-
nected with the China mission, and J.
D. Reymert.
The ST Croix and tributaries is said to
abound in pine. 1t is splendid stream
to log on. They get down nearly oil
their logs tho first season. There wsa
one drive running by when arrived and
the man told me out of 6666 logs they
got all down bat go. and they left them
where they can be got next year,
Tia 6ttla eto.r,,, Co1J.s,