Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-14
OUR MINNESOTA LETTER.
Fox Do Lac. Mimi June "a l6

Der, established trading post nj THIS
very point, and from that time to the
present the fur trade has been about all
the business of any kind that the place
has commanded. But, TO day. tho
"whisky trade" puts the fur trade and
every other trade, not only to blush, bu.
to shame. There are ouly thirteen houses
or tenements in which human beings res
ide-some of them boarding houses
aud in five out of the thirteen there are
kept an open bar. There are two stores
two blacksmith shops. and-I suppose,
though | cannot find ia sclroolhouse.
No church, and none seems TO be needed.
since God can scarcely fipd worshipper
here. But this state of things cannot
last long, since the place will either sink
or the population will soon scatter to 9TH
or places, points or chimes. The iron
horse runs by here now, but the passen-
ger train will connect with this place by
stages ut The Dalles after Monday next,
until the :" rock cut" ut that point is ex-
cayated. The distance is only nine miles,
but the roads are horrid beyond descrip
ton. When once the light shines through
the . cut" and the iron horse goes snort
ing through, good bye to Fon du Lac.
No fragrance Of flower, no dewy herb,
NO garden vegetable, and not even
single honey bee, with tiny wing, will
weep the departure, for there are none
here. A small sandy point constitutes
the village site, in one corner of which is
the Indian burying ground, and even
that is invaded BY .he railroad. As
heretofore. it will cont nue. to be the home
of few hunters and crafimen, raftsmen
and Indians. Yet Fon du Lac has a
name in geography. and place in histo.
ny. And here is an old frame house,
now used for stable, which shows the
handiwork Of eighty years agone. And
this is tue first trading post in this part
of our country. Eighty yearsl just
think of it. and see to what our country
has grown within that time. Then we
were q feeble nation. Then, and for
moro than twenty years afterwards did
naughty England send her ships and
messengers over the water TO menace us
and threaten our humiliation, while to
day she sends hen messages under the
water aud invites US 10 shake hands over
peaceful relations, But / am DEPRESSING
and will return to items.
This place has fnture-a small one,
at least, for, By both railroad and tele-
graph, 1t is now next door neighbor TO
the whole world. Besides, this little bed
of sand, by the aid of new light and
hot beds, by the friction of iron wheels
and iron rails, may receive heat and life
enough to grow garden sauce and small
vegetables. And then, too, | have Just
learned that there is one family here
from Vermont. May God help Yer
mont. for what burden rests upon her
shoulders. There must be Ieaven in the
lump. But only think of little Vermont.
tho star that never SETS The nursery of
religion and education. and the cradle of
liberty. Upon her shoulders rests the
responsibility of saving the Union from
destruction, and the human family from
endless perdi,ion! Again l say God
help Vermont! She has her represen.
tatives al! over this world, and trust, in
the Kingdom of Heaven.
And just now my attention is attrac
ed to long. light, boat like sled. OF
sledgr, and | have given it the second
scrutinizng look before | can compre.
bend IFS use. 1t is a dog s.ed. and it
has uaversed these woods for hun iIeds
of miles. Six dogs, or upwards, are al
lowed, says friend. '.to carry their
MISTER, bis provision and their own for
twenty days. and one hundred pounds
burden each, travelling at the rate of
twenty miles per day" Very well, but
4 don't care to be " their master" and
take my chances by night or day over
hills mountains, values and streams,
through this bowling wilderness. But,
rs your schools will soon close in Pierce
county, end "exam.inatron day is neal,
by. to che tyros in numbers L will pro
pose a mathematical question, namely:
"Ef twenty dogs for thirty greats
Go fourteen weeks 10 grass.
How many hounds for nineteen crowns
Can winter ia this place"
l am sitting astride bench in a bar
room, and near me has been hanging
over n chair for half hour past. drum
ken mana man of fine form, well
dressed. and would have " heaven
erected brow" could he erect il all. As
be TeviTes he salutes me-"Ha! (hic)
writing the old woman expect. (hic.l
Take drink, wouldn't yea" He arose,
staggered to the bar. aud upon my re-
fusal to partake with him, that brow
which the smiles of heaven ought to
adOIn, wore frown which his satanic
majesty might well envy. To my utter
sstonisEment, however. two well TODD.
looking men. at bis request, walked up
to bis right and left. and said they could
"stand glass" at his expense. and there
between them a swinging tumbler full of
the fiery fismes of hell flow. cracking
between his almost putrid lips and down
his throa:! But what can say of his
right and left hand supporters? Oh.
shame where is t'y blush! In moro
ways than one doth
'Man's inhumanity TO man