Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-08-13
"A Trip to DEVILS Lake.

heavy editorials, thrilling locals, &C., the
writer hereof, in company with J.. NJ. Moy-
.er, G. W. Snow and James Hoskins start.
4 ed on Saturday morning last for Devils
Lake, beautiful body of water, situated
about IS miles northeast of this place, and
within three miles of Baraboo. Before
starting, it would not be out of place to
mention that our livery team. engaged four
days before, presented itself one hour
behind time, and with one horse so lame
that he was not fit to drive hundred
yards, and the other,-old Sal-with a
gait worse than pair of bars. After sew
eral frritless attempts, at that late hour
improve our team, we made start. We
got along better than we anticipated, Tor
by IL o'clock, we arrived at the Model
| Mills, where we took our. incoming. There
was much water at this place, so after
dinner we could not resist the temptation
to take swim. This little affair would
have passed without mention here, but
Just as we were we'll in the water, along
/ came a large, strong man, and seeing sew.
eral piles of clothes, gathered them up and
started off with them Not being inclined
| to spare every rag just at that time, we, of
course, gave chase; but we will not go in
to particulars; suffice it to say, we re-
covered our wearing apparel. On starting
again, our horses being refreshed, stepped
along quite lively, and we soon arrived at
the thriving village of Mazo Mamie. Our
time while wading through the sand be-
tween Mazo and Sank, was mostly taken
up with watching the eclipse, which, by
our watches came off according to pro.
gramme. Through the forethought of
friend Meyer, we. were provided with
splendid glass, and infinitely watched the
various stages of the eclipse with enthusi
astic interest. When the sun was Oh
scured the most, we were passing farm
yard, and saw the chickens going to their
roost, and the turkeys climbing trees. On
arriving at Sank, having been warned by
our appetites at dinner, we took the alarm,
and laid in fresh supply of eatables.
Wishing to make the best of our time, we
logged along, arriving at the foot of the
Baraboo Bluffs, just before dusk. We
climbed the FIRST hill,and for the first night
pitched our tent in beautiful grove AZ.
ter supper we rolled ourselves in our robes
and laid down to sweet sleep and pleasant
dreams The next morning we were up
before the sun, and took a six mile ride to
the Lake before breakfast. Our meal, con-
sistlng of wild game, and variety of i'm
ported articles was well relished. After
breakfast we approached the beach to view
the beautiful scenery that we had come so
far to see, and on which we expected to
feast our eyes for several days. Before us
lies most beautiful body of clear, spark
ling water, one mile and three-quar.ers
long, and three-quarters of mile wide.
On the west rocky and almost perpendic-
ular bluff rises Immediately from the wa
ter's edge to the height of $50 feet. 1t is
covered with loose tumbling rock, varying
in size from a bushel basket to the largest
building with not a foot Of earth visible
for hundreds of yards square, and almost
covered with magnificent pine trees On
the east another bluff the full length of the
Lake, and within 80 feet as high as the
west bluff, rises abruptly from the water.
The south side is likewise adorned with
bluff of like dimensions; but instead of
rising Immediately at the waters edge, it
is, towards the southeast corner. set back,
leaving room for a magnificent grove of
oak and elm trees, AID beautiful sandy
beach, the whole forming a most grand and
picturesque sight. 1t having been re-
ported that the Devil had left the bottom
out of his lake, and by others with more
reason, that it was 1000 feet deep, and
again by one conscientious man that the
actual sounding was only 99y feet, we pro-
posed to try for bottom, and so provided
ourselves with some less than a boat load
of chalk-line. Being directed to the deep
place, we rowed out, and commenced paw
ing out line, but were suddenly brought
up in our imaginations by the lead striking
bottom. Suffice it to say, that IN making
the Lake, the bottom was not forgotten,
and after Is soundings, we found the deep.
est place to be go feet; the average was
less than so feet. We climbed the bluffs,
from. the water up the, steepest places to
the highest peaks, visited the :" DEVILS
Door," Old Shady" and all other places
of interest in the neighborhood. There is
an abundance of fish in the Lake, which
contributed materially to the luxuries of
our table. Ts.afv.l
The Miniwakan House, kept by Mr..
Samuel Hartley, is situated on a beautiful
elevation at the north-eas corner of the
Lake, is three story house, with modern
improvements, and is said to be we'll kept;
but as to that we cannot say, for we were
not patronizing hotels on that trip. Mr..
Hartley has just put on very fine little
steamboat, the Capitola, from 4th Lake,
Madison, which makes regular trips around
the Lake every few hours, adding much to
the beauty and interest of the place. The
Lake is well supplied with good row boats.
Mr.. I, D. Purdy, an obliging gentleman
keeps fine lot, of boats, and is now en-
gagged in building small steamboat
On our return we called at Baraboo, and
saw our old friend and fellow -townsman,
j. Ellis Owens, who has well filled book
and music store, and is doing good bust
ness. We just looked in on friend Hill. of
the Republic. He has large office, prints
a good looking paper, and has a large cir
culation rs 900 1aH
Our return trip was made without &C.
currences of special note, camping at the
head of the great Wisconsin marsh, we
H. L