The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-08-24

and Mr.. Benjamin 1add, Of N. Y,
had such d glorious good time there,
enjoyed themselves so well, that il
was voted unanimously that it was
due to that portion Of the State that
our people should know that we have
the basis for splendid watering
place in our own State, and that
Saratoga and Long Branch may be
set at defiance by all who prefer real
solid, beneficial enjoyment to putting
on style, and indulging 10 costly dis
sipation.
The lake is in Cerro Gordo county,
on the great water shed between the
Iowa and Cedar Rivers. 1t seems
to occupy a depression in the surface
of the vast prairics that touch its
skirt of timber on every side. It is
about five miles in length and three
in width, and has maximum depth
of about Is feet. Its waters are at
most seasons of the year remarkably
clear; it's banks hard, gravelly and
clean not q speck of mud on the
whole ten miles of shore.
The margin of the lake is skirted
with a fine belt of timber interpreted
with occasional openings through
which the green sward of the prairie
extends itself down TO the gravelly
beach OF the lake, thus making q
margin really beautiful, and present.
ing through these chinks or openings
a pleasing landscape over the undu-
latory country beyond.
But the greatest attraction, the
chiefest beauty, the most unique and
charming feature and without which
this lake could perhaps claim no gu
periority over the two or three other
lakes in northern Iowa, yet remains
to be spoken of. 1t is the Island in
the lake, which, promontory-like,
rises with strange grandeur out of
the CLASSY surface, to hold as it were
perpetual sentinel over the scene
that so beautifully spreads itself on
every hand. 1t is slightly pyramid
ical in the manner Of its rise but
somewhat oblong in shape, with a
greater width at one end than ut the
other. The surface or top Of the
island at tho widest end rises some
Is feet above the level of the lake,
with rather, but not abruptly, steep
rocky banks. From this point to
the narrow end of the island there is
q gradual descent in the surface
The area of the island is only about
q acres. Upon its highest point and
looking eastward over three miles of
as beautiful o sheet of water as the
eye generally falls upon, there is
reared, not "a paace decorated with
every establishment of fancy but q
good substantial hotel containing "a
rooms, . fine Office, portico, dancing
hall, &C., erected by those enterpri-
sing and courteous gentlemen the
Messrs. Emmersons Of Dubuque, who
do all In their power to administer to
the comfort Of their guests. and rem.
der their stay agreeable.
Nor is there here, as Mr.. Writ de-
scribed Blenerhassets island "a shrub
berry which Shenstone might have
envied," nor emusic which might
have charmed Calypso and her
nymphs," but a fine growth of tall and
thrifty oaks and elders that cast their
cooling shadows over the whole 49,
land, thus with the perpetual breezes
that fan it from the watery bosom OF
the lake, render Dg 1t one Of the most
beautiful and sequestered spots we
have ever seen. And as for music,
though it might not have charmed
Calypso or her nymphs, we were not
without an excellent quality from the
gentiemanly clerk Mr.. Kelly and his
lady. And as to dancing, the light
fantastic toes Of Cttumwa people
might have been seen tripping every
night under the inspiration of Mr.
Kelly's horn, accompanied BY bis
lady on the melodeon. The bathing
is excellent and, we may say, that
by tho ladies and gentlemen going in
together with bathing dresses, and
joining hands, accidents will be pre-.
vented and a good deal of tun Sc
cured. Tho fishing is good. Spiend
id fish, bass and pike, are daily takcr
out with lines and served upon thu
table aud there were az good fish il
this lake as ever were caught out o.
it before, until Moss, Fellows, ant
Stiles, got up at o'clock in the NOR
ming and threw themselves upon il
for the purpose of "hooking" some 0
| it's old Inhabitants. As for hunting
suffice it 10 say say that the write
or this commpnivution and one ofth,
! Mr.. Emmerson's shot and brought il
some thirty prairie chickens in abou
two hours of hunting.
1 must not forget to mention tina
. on the island there is bowling al
ley, billiard room, shooting gallery
and croquet grounds. Respectin
these amuscments, We will say tina
, whatever opinion the gentlemen {
our party may have entertained n
, specling the abilities Of women, a
were satisfied that with equal oppo
: tunities and experience the ladis
). would leave us far behind in ten pin
q billiards and croquet. The prcvai
. ing beverage on the island is lax
water cooled by its own crystal ic
Whether anything stronger could |
E obts,ned ION CALI the writer is n,
sufficiently advised to state. II
!. ride up there occupies some t,
2 hours, the distance some 220 mile
. tho fare on the island 81 per day.
/ steamboat belonging to the Emms
3, sons runs between the island and Il
IS shore at the town Of Clear LAX
o, conveying guests across, and also !
and down tho lake on excursions
i. pleasure.
r We hope, hereafter, TO see maj
ip companies go annually from he
O. there, to spend a week of pleasu
O and prolific SEQ this grand Sta
no Of ours and receive such imrressio
v. of it's natural greatness as this Il
I'd cannot tail to give. Hilarity a
l., enjoyment ruled our entire trip, a
ad | if any wcro inclined to become I
ID. hilarious or convivial, a glance
lis tho faces aud an appreciation OF
nd dignifed department. Of those ST
at aud Presby terrain gentleman, II
4 ~ u "a NJ p,npav wns