New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-09-05

Baraboo. As we proceeded the air seemed
cooled, and after travelling. say three miles,
upon emerging from dense forest there
burst upon upon us a sheet of blue water
extendil about three miles before US and
about mile in width imprisoned within
walls of solid rock, rising precipitately on
either side 500 feet. To the eve the lake
presented q complete cul de- sac. with NO
approach except that by which we had
reached it. Though we found later, upon
embarking on the lake. that there was yet
another approach through mountain
gorge. with precipitous rocks on either side,
extending Tor some two or three miles. OF
equal height with those which shut in the
lake. The first effect produced upon ap.
preaching this shet of water was not sooth-
ing: on the contrary, this curious, nay
sublime lake picture conveyed at tnce 20
the mind the idea OF a great convulslun of
sture and the rending aaunder OF rocks by
volt aaic action. This water scene was
startling in the extreme, and we were rot
surprised in the Hame appropriated to il :
Devils Lake" The waters are unusually
Geld, aud their deutl in some places at
least 100 feet.
There is at the shore We first reached
small house for the accommodation OF Wis
itors, and there We tarrisd two nights.
After supper on the evening OF our arrival
we got a rowbcat and took the girls out
upon the lake. 1t was splendid moonlight
night, and the scene presented to us Was
very grand, though it was difficult 10 divest
the mind OF q gloomy feeling, in keeping
with the solemn stiffness, Returning to The
house We were greeted with music on the
organ, accompanied by tho vG:ces OF the
two aUghters OF our host, who sang most
beautifully. Strange that in a solitude Ike
this We should find singers with voices I'M
surpassed for melody and expres sionl These
Girls IiPttln . nd SnGia "a II fpy n
tie scene We had been passing through tr
the lake, and civllZa what We had found go
savage N nature.
Ellen and Carrie climbed with me the
81 is the next morning, and enjoyed the mag
nitceat prospect. Carrie gathered some
heather bells on the summit of the rocks.
and will bring them home as meDentOes OF
the excursion. Wright John and myself
w-nJ out upon The lake, fishing, but were
! unsuccessful. On the morning before leav-
! ing this wild scene we al rowed out upon
the lake. and landed at the foot OF the
| gorge in the mountains to which ! before
referred. Upon landing we found our
selves entering upon one of the finest
farms in all this section, and here d Mr.. n.
Z. Kirk eutivates apples and grapes to a
perfection shat | have not seen equaled
anywhere else 4 this region. The site, over
locking the lake, not wild as elsewhere, is
! very beautiful. and here he has his wine ctl.
lars, where he stores immense quantities OF
currant wine and his house is built ON one
side Of an Indian mound, very peculiar in
its FORM being evidently designed TO repre-
sent the human body, lying at length. TIE
proportions are Of course gigantic. His
dwelling house rests upon the right hand of
this immense figure, Mr.. Kirk tjld us that
he had excavated that portion of the mound
representing the head, and had found a
human skeletG Il, which, upon being exposed
TO the air, immediately crum bled into dust.
AL he was enabled TO preserve, he assured
W., was a single tooth. His vineyard is
very fine, and one is surprised I see such
vines and such gTa)es in such a latitude.
Bear in mind that this farm lies immediately
in the gorge Of the mountains. hedged in on
either side by precipitous cliffs 800 feet in
height running back about two miles and
fronting, say half mile, upon this lake OF
pure spring water, and YOU can picture TO
yourself the beauty of position of Mr.
Kinks farm. l believe | can say with truth
that il is the only spot of my neighbours
that ever coveted, and yet it is the most
complete solitude. But l fear l weary you
with ny description. and will bring this let
ter TO a close.
Your afrction6t3 husband
}. $. WHITAKER.