The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-03-11
The .Anti-Monop01ists

111S -A11 Ol-Mo
tween these two lakes, but there are no high
elevations on the entire route. There is no
blasting through basaltic rocks, but is route,
in my opinion, easily to be overcome. The
entire distance from st. Croix Fallsto Ashland
would be about $40 miles. Ashland harbor
| is one of the best on the lake. It is 81 Miles
east and six miles south Of Duluth. The sum-
nit level is not over ten feet in passing over
| the divide.
The Penaka Iron range lies few miles east
of the Nimekogin lake, and spurs from this
! iron range extend to this ideal canal route.
quality OF iron ore. Already large shipments
have been made this year to Pittsburgh for
smelling and manufacture.
These iron, copper and silver ores, with
which much Of this country abounds, would
ultimately build up an extensive trade on
this route, and bring these articles to our wa.
| tiers tor manufacture. It is an established fact
that from the outlet, of Nimekogin lake to the
city of Saltwater, the largest class OF pine logs
drawing three feet of water, do float without
| hindrance.
We will diverge to another routh-from the
mouth of the Namekogin, up the St. Croix
river. there are no distractions of a serious
character to overcome, either in the wavv OF
rapids or rocks, until you reach the great dam
erected by the lumbermen, in town Al, range
II, making another immense reser-
vior, which could, with slight alteration and
Improvement, make the river navigahle into
Lake St. Croix, "a large and beautiful sheet of
water,) distance of about 20 miles.
The conformation here is of such character
that an inexhaustible supply of water can be
held more than three times as much as is
used, or held, in the celebrated Summit Lake
in Ohio, which feeds the canal connecting the
waters of Lake Erie with the waters of the
Ohio.
From the North end of St. Croix lake, in
wet seasons, canoes can be readily run into the
Bots Brule, through a series Of flats, and the
waters, in wet seasons, now and always did,
flow both ways out of that lake. The distance
from the lake to the proper head OF the river
/ is less than one mile--air line. But, from the
best information can gather, the Bots Brule
, is a rapid and rocky stream, with such an
| amount of tall as to render its improvement
as canal, expensive and difficult, while
its , outlet IS at an t lnhosp table
, of Lake Superior, where no harbor or anchor
t age of any kind can ever be secured for vessels
= of any size.
=. This, to my mind, is an objection to this
i brule route, which can hardly be overcome. |
give this suggestion because have no DISPOSE
ton to under-rate the difficulties to be over
come. am under obligations to Hon. H. M.
Rice 70, large map showing all of Northwest
ern Wisconsin, fully perfected, with lakes.
rivers, harbors, swamps, &C., from which
gathered much valuable information. Also to
the Honorable gentlman for description of a
route from St. Croix lake to the bay of Snpe-
Is rior, which is we'll supplied with reservoirs Of
v water, and no unsurmountabie hills to over.
t. come, distance of about 80 miles. This route
ot should engineering prove it available, would
be the most direct route that could be found
and should he examined.
Mr. Rice, at an early day, was one o
the Government commissioners to survey
the st. Maries' canal. and possesses much IN
formation in regard to all this region o
country, and expresses himself thus: This il
the most feasible and direct route fOr our con
templated canal.
am not so definitely informed a
to the feasibility of opening a rout'
from the ST. Croix into the Nemadj or st
Louis rivers as to express an opinion, but tina
can be ascertained at slight exrense to tn
State and if investigation shows that portion
OF our natural outlet lays in Wisconsin, dut,
lies plain before us-in rising above Stat
pride, and relieving the necessities OF on
people-thouoh part of the benefit shoul'
inure TO our sister State. In this connection
/. desire to call the attention of the Senate t
the able address OF Senator DOnnelly, recent
delivered before the Chamber of Commerc
of this city, and commend to your considera
/. ton its suggestions as to the matters nov
. under consideration.
have, however, gathered some materis
facts from surveys, maps. and other rellabl
authorities, which appear to me very encoul
aging.
! This route is the one tor which we more PAL
. ticuiarly ask the appropriation for prellm
!. nary survey. Leaving the st. Croix river
; the junction Of the Kettle with the st. Croix
!, town SO, range 10, in ascending the Kett
}. river, it passes obliquely through towns a
). range 10 and town 40, range 20. Throug
towns Al and 40, range 30, it flows directl
,oa south At or near the south side Of town 4
w :. range 20, we arrive at the head of the rapid
IN = J1A,
mir continuous rapids and rocks and would #
~, quire locks no survey having been made--v
=: have no data to compute the fall.
From this point up Kettle river and Moo
anS IS 4anss 90 '' ,ne course sn
me and is easily improved ntown IS, R. IS Al
~ 10 there is many lakes and extensive swamp
~. embracing an area OF wat
'nS equal to about twelve sections OF Ian
lu -, which would hold water sufficient to feed
-. ~ canal to connect either with the Nemad1
az the St Louis rivers. On following up Moo
ses river, which flows from the northeast.
passes through a swampy country until it i
., terlocks with Otter creek, small stream whi
AZ; unites with the st. Louis river in towship 1
va an acceptable route-which l trust will be n
,, nc nutely examined-another great object wou
az. Re accomplished; that Is, the same lmprov
'i is ments that would be required 10 overcome
~ falls and rapids on the St. Louis river from t
and Lloo.n VI o.'I 49, sH ~ la - !
.ne union of the canal which mi
avg ultimately be built, connecting I
IT, Upper Mississippi with Lake Superior II
grand scheme, if feasible, will not attempt
' portray, let the future reveal it. Sofhce to $
e. let us 10 our duty, and do it manfully-and
gu it correctly-should the Nemadji and Mot
'ie ri .ers prove the more feasible of the two. 7
's. '. country around the head waters Of the Mot
.a is of such conformation as to unite the Sal
Sc Upper Mississippi canal Herewith.
is '..e r;IIIa S.a..r"h.a, w,.er.
w Duluth the seaport OF Minnesota
:, | also present for your consideration this
81. BE. showing elevations on the Lake Super