The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-07-28

lar visitors. Others have claim to greater
Importance as agricultural centers, and rise to
the magnitude Of villages. Dairyinp is large
ly engaged in by the farmers, The milk is
taken to factories and manufactured into
cheese. This industry has its monument in
front OF every farm house, in the shane of
huge metallic can, in which the milk is trans
ported. One ignorant of their use. might
imagine them immense contribution recepti-
cles, and that he was travelling along the high
way OF charities. In this section, log houses
exist only in memory and history, for these
rude palaces of early days, have been swept
away by fortune. to make room for modern
homes which the fruits of labor have erected.
We approached the Ledges by a descending
road leading along the base of hill, which
rises on the left, while at the right is large
area OF low land, which, in position and ap-
pearanee, indicates that at some time a lake
had rested upon it. A comfortable hotel has
been built here, called the Bancroft House, for
the accommodation of pleasure parties. The
genial and accommodating proprietor, Mr.. H.
L. Bancroft, IS owner of a portion of the Led
ges, and Is always ready to give direction OF
information to visitors Crossing the road
from the hotel we commence at once a gradual
ascent, which continues for few rods, when
we are at once confronted by huge blocks
Of solid rocks, rising in independent forma-
tions, each separated from the other by aper-
tues varying in width from two inches to if
teen feet. Passing into kind of enclosure or
outer room, which would seem to have been
intended in the arrangement for the vestibule
to the interior archways and chambers, we
find these creviced avenues radiating in MANY
directions. To the left Is an avenue, beneath
an archway formed by two gigantic rocks,
meeting overhead at distance of thirty feet.
at the entrance on the other side, and a little
to our left stands the Devils Pulpit, guarding
the entrance like dread sentinel Why this
name was applied we do not know, unless that
in the general breaking up that at some time
must have occurred, his satanic majesty, in
imaginary power, erected this as the throne of
his domain, but there are at present no traces
remaining of the presence of evil spirits. In
front of us, as we stand in the vestibule or
outer court, is wall of rocks, rising perpen-
dicularly to a hight of about fifty feet. Over
this pours the water of stream, which, in its
wanderings above, turned its course toward
this precipice, and in the dusk of the cluster
ing foliage became the victim of Neptune's
vengence in its precipitous rush to the oaverns
below. 1t forms, however, beautiful cascade,
and the subdued sound of the rushing-of waters
which fills the space below, inspires feelings in
perfect harmomony with the spot Specific
descriptions would be teo voluminous, though
every spot is full of interest. Here are caverns
paved with jagged rocks, extending down and
back into darkness and stiffness, only inter-
rupted by the gurgling of tiny stream, which
has strayed from its course above, and comes
tumbling down through solid rocks and earth
to this subdued retreat. Looking up from
these rock walled streets through the opening,
a glimpse of the outer world is obtained. High
overhead the trees shake hands and intertwine
their foliage, forming a canopy of green
through which only an occasional sunshaft
finds its way. Over the whole is a blending
of romance and reality which nature, unaided
by art produces. Not the slightest trace of
art is anywhere seem Where the stream has
cut its path, there it runs over the pebbly bed
which nature has arranged for it. There are
chairs of rock, but the chisel was not used in
their fashioning.
The place perhaps inherits no wealth from
historic associations, but is rich in its posses
sions. Considerable attention was directed
to it, about a year ago, by the announcement
that gold had been discovered in the rock.
Tests were made and some gold was found,
but If probably exists in two limited qualities
to afford profitable working. The prevailing
rock is the conglomerate or puddingstone,
which consists of water worn pebbles cement
ed together, forming compact rock This is |
the most prominent outcropping of the forma-
ton that is found in this country. There is
no acceptable conclusion except that water,
1t some time covered this. section of country,
and its action assisted by the subsequent ac-
lion of heat, produced the formations which
are now found. No attempt has ever been
ndNO W bl4lB liAo pldC6 IlLQ pubic
and 1t is not known except to those living in
that vicinity. Mr.. Bancroft informed us that
be purposed enlarging his hotel, and making
IN effort to extend the reputation Of the re-
sort Few resorts possess the wealth of seem
ery that IS found here, and its wildness and
,usticity can not fail to challenge the admira-
Jon Of every visitor. There is food for study
1t every turn, and cause for wonder in every
object, and we turned our faces homeward
With feelings Of reluctance at parting company
With this world within world
There are many sections of our country
which, doubtless, possess as many forms of
wealth as this portion of the reserve. Every
section has dover from the Creator, in some
orm or other, and they would contribute
more largely to our enjoyment, if we would
irst enjoy what surrounds US instead of cray
ng to cross continents and seas, in quest of
something that might be found in our own
tate.
We returned by different route, and made
short stop at Hiram. This is an unassuming
Tlllage, situated upon high ground, claiming
nothing for itself except being the seat of
Hiram College, and the home of Gen. Gar
ield. This College has attained high rank
Imong our institutions Of learning. Gen.
fairfield was, for number of years, its Presi-
lent, but retired to engage in the more excit-
ng duties Of army and state. Learning that
le was at home we called, and were received
With that cordiality and warmth of manner
which make for him friends of all who know
i'm. We found him enjoying respite from
be duties OF his office, in the quiet of pleas
Mt home. He is known to be a man who
ever deals in idle moments, but is ALWAYS
usy accomplishing something, and at the
me Of our visit we found him in his library
tending to correspondents. Every thing
bout him, is in harmony, with his tastes 8
lain and simple.
CALIFORNIA LETTER.