Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-08-13

every field may have its watering place.
The Homestead Bill will probably be
suitably appreciated in this county.
Leaving Osceola, the river crooks and
turns into almost every conceivable shape.
and sustaus its reputation as a log way
by the numerous piers and booms inter
spersed here and there. It affords an
excellent field for an artist, fresh land
scape being attainable at each boats
length. But now we approach the most
romantic and beautiful portion of the
river, the Dells. 1t is very narrow, and
we glide between two jutting walls of
stone, some IS feet in height, standing
like giants as if to oppose our passage.
The Devils Chimney is detached por-
ton of rock on the right bank, 20 feet
from the surface of the water, having the
appearance of being built up by some
capricious genius. From below, it has
the form of steps; but from above, it re-
sembles pillar or smoke stack, and fan
cy could send the curling blue volumes
from its summit. A little farther, and
we have apparently come to the end. A
huge rock is directly in front, seemingly
giving US the choice of running up over
it, or through the warehouse at the St.
Croix landing. We look at the pilot, and
the merry twinkle in his eye shows that
he enjoys our dilemma. But no sign of
Stacking is made, and we keep Oh, dis
covering the abrupt bend of the chanue.
to the left. We turn, and Taylor Falls,
the white toll-bridge, and the rapids,
break upon our view, like the changing
of the kaleidoscope. The wharf is
reached, the bow touching the large
rock, the cable thrown over the iron
hook securely imbedded in its base, and
we have reached our journeys end.
Taylor Falls contains about 400 in
habitants, and is one of the prettiest lit
tie villages in the West. 1t has one
newspaper, the Reporter, sidewalks over
the whole town, and some very nea. and
tasty residences and grounds. There are
plenty of trout streams within n few
hours drive, and we know of no better
place to agreeably spend few days.
As we were taking our customary
morning stroll along the bank OF the riv
er, we met a half-breed, his eyes glsten-
ing with delight, and his face presenting
that appearance which is attainable only
by the Aborigines. Grinning still more
as he came up, he exclaimed: Alb !!
You lose de five cent dat timer On ar
irving Mt the bridge, we found out what
he meant The man was absent, and
the gate locked; but he had managed to
climb around the outside, thus avoiding
the customary transfer of small change
necessary before person is allowed to
pass through.
To the tourist, the st. Croix River
presents attractions equal, if not superior,
to anything in the North West, either for
variety of scenery, facility of reaching it,
or good accommodations. Two smart
boats, the Allen and Enterprise, manned
by gentlemanly and obliging officers,
form daily line from Prescott to Tay
lor Falls, and the Chisago House, at tho
latter place, would not disgrace city of
ten times the population. Good oppor-
tunities for hunting, fishing, or driving
may be found at each town, and every
pains will be taken to make his stay
pleasant and agreeable. Numbers have
already found their way up here, and it
is to he hoped that those who make the
hackneyed pilgrimage to st. Paul and
Minnehaha will not pass by without TAX
ing n peep at this gem of the West.