Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-07-09
Correspondence of the Reporter.
DETROIT, Mich, June 9th, "A


iewelry of wave our northern nation
wears, not one is more beautiful than
Detroit, the Queen City of the Lakes. :
Nature seems to have prepared her
ready for the hand of man to garnish
Unlike the rough, yet purified gold
flesh from the crucible where fire ha:
consumed and Invested of all dross,
yet not ready to be moulded by the
cunning hand Of the artifcer into
beautiful devices, the beautiful Queen
of the Lakes,-the sweetest gem that
sparkles resplendent in the ieweled
chain seems to have been half finished
BY the great Designer. and man has
taken the gift and FURNISHED and gar
nished it, seemingly not content with
an ever present beauty, fpr he is adorn-
ing to-day, and will be tomorrow, and
in the years to come, as though the
jewel were susceptible Gas it seemingly
ir) of an ever increasing beauty.
Detroit is model city. Her sis
ter cities may surpass her in many re-
spects, but she will ever remain Queen
over all. Chicago is grander, wearing
her great business coat and bustlin,s
commercial activity, worshiping the
Almighty Dollar first, and God after
wards if good bargain isn't pressing !;
Milwaukee, like an unassuming Miss
in her teens, romping aud coquetting
with fashion and wealth, and wonder
ing when she will become the rightfal
mistress of her dover, is more volatile
and angelic in her creamy vesture !;
Cleveland, reposing SO dreamily be
meath the le*fy arches Of her forest
giants, aud lawns her beauty in the
waters Of Erie, wondering if she could
be more happy were she more busy, is
more enhancing. Buffalo, ike stall
wart sentinel guarding the eastern
gateway oe the lakes, and reckoning
the white-winged messengers of com
merce, while she points with begrime |
finger the way toward the sea-board,
scovling AID suilen like her huge 2ni-
NAL namesake Of the western plains, is
more noisy, and withal austere, con-
ceited in her wealth Of busy life. But
Detroit, like a staid matron, benign,
rich with thousand gifts, always
young, yet nearing coronal of years.
busy, vet ever restful sell, assured,
vt never audacious hoping in the
future, as she rests secure liz the glory
Of her past; leading witch 4 careful
hand the commerce Of the West across
the ribbon of green waters to send its
greeting towards the East or guiding
q thousand sail from Huron adown the
waters Of her stately river, and wishing
them a God speed as they sweep out
upon the waves OF Erie is Queen over
ALL with thousand virtues, with
scarcely one defect.
Detroit, situate upon the western
bank Of the charming Detroit river,
with Windsor, an old Canadian town
directly opposite, is some Is miles from
Lake Erie and some 50 miles from
Lake Huron, Lake St. Clair interyen
ing, ! miles up the river. Her pres
ent population is about 10, 1000. The
river here Ia s. of a nile wide and Is
one Of the most beautiful rivers IN the
world. Detroit is an old city the
first settlement having been made il
1901 1t fell into the hands Of tie
British in 1850 aud was coded with tbs
country 10 the United States by the
treaty of peace in 1853. In loOo i
was almost totally consumed, after
which it was more regularly laid out,
the streets running parallel with the
river, and crossing each other at rlgh'
angles thereto. Still there are many
irregularities. Her people have shown
great wisdom in giving ample room to-
streets, many being 2UO feet IL width
others 120 and 100 feet, and only !
few 60 and sc feet wide. The city
abounds in beautiful avenues winch
have become charming drives. Jeifer
son Avenue is 200 feet wide bordercs
on either side for distance OF nearly
four miles with charming grass platts
wherein are stately elmS ana oaks
forming Ieafy arch the whole distance.
Palatial residences on either hand
make this one Of the most imposing
drives in the city. Fort St. Henry St,
Lafayette Avenue and many others are
equall5 beautiful. Woodward Avenue
stretches away to the north distance
of five miles, a grand and imposing
drive, adorned with some of the fnest