River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-06-25
The ExCursiOn-NO. ?.


Having but half written up our former
trip, we embraced the opportunity of
joining the second par ty to give US a
timely chance to complete it.
AS we leave Glenment the object of
interest is the sweet, cozy little village Of
ALTON,
snugly ensconced beneath the mounds
that here grace the Minnesota shore OF
the Lake. This is a secure retreat the
very name of which would inspire one
with poetic thought, notwithstanding
the fact that it is not the esweet Alton"
described by fair Scotia's sweetest sing
err when he lavishei his smoothest
strains upon the flowing river Of that
name-a name which we never hear
spoken without recalling that beautiful
stanza,-
"FlOw gently sweet Alton beside the green
braes,
Flow gently watt thee song to thy praise,
My Annie g asleep by thy murmuring
stream,
Flow gently sweet river disturb not her
dream"
And here to our surprise and delight,
we found party of nearly thirty ladies
and gentlemen under the leadership of
Prof. Paine, among whom were Mrs.
Patterson and Mrs. Clymer, and s. d.
Clymer, Esq, with the members of the
Literary Society Of that place, all ready
to embark on the same boat, seeking the
same objects of interest.
But we leave Alton, once famous
for saw-mills, but now for being the
residence of lumbermen retired or &C.
tive, aud the site of Seminary the
fame of which is wide in the education
al aud literary world, and watch for
the smiling village of
LAKELAND,
which was once a rival of its Wisconsin
neighbor on the opposite shore of the
Lake, but now rather in its decline, if
not 10 its dotage. [The plain unvar-
nished truth is, Lakeland is too near
St. Paul, aud Hudson is too near River
Falls, to allow either place to enjoy
much prosperity. Hence We may as
we'll omit extended notices of these
places, and proceed at once with sub
jects of more Importance.
Approaching Saltwater the entire
party join in expressing desire to WIS.,
it the
STATE PRISON.
Hence upon landing at this place we
made lively turn towards that institu-
ton, where we were kindly met BY the
Warden, who, upon being informed OF
our desire, Immediately put us in charge
of Mr.. Wilson, who led us through all
the principal departments thereof, and
showed all the principal objects of in
terest therein. 1t has about one hun
dred and fifty inmates, only one OF
which is female. This speaks well
for the women of Minnesota. at least.
The prison was neat and cleanly; its
cells were we'll furnished, as we'll as Sc
cure; it has library of
FIVE HUNDRED VOLUMES,
an extensive Laboratory, a convenient
Hospital. and iue Chapel. The labor
of the prisoners is confined mainly TO
the manufacture of wooden ware, doors,
sash, blinds, etc. Its officers are gen
tlemanly in their department. dignified
and affable, aud we doubt whether there
is a better ordered institution of the
kind in this country. But what seems
little remarkable is the int diligence
that beams from those faces, aud the
skill they exhibit 10 the arts they are
there pursuing. But we will not at
tempt to moralize, aud, returning the
thanks Of the entire party to the officers
Of the prison for their
COURTESY AND KINDNESS,
we proceed with the events Of our ex.
cursion.
BY the way, the great institution Of
this lake and river is the
ST. cRoIx BOOM COMPANY,
which employs nearly three hun.
bred men in gathering in" the logs
which are driven out Of the different
streams on either side which discharge
their waters herein. These men fnd
active employment from the time the
.s.aa.... - AZ Al.