Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-01-08
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8, 1876.
The Camp Ground.

The following letter was written by
Rev. j. Fl. McCarty, one of the camp
meeting locating committee who visited
this place few weeks since. 1t was first
published i'm the Michigan Christian Ad-
uocate, and intended to give the Metho-
dists of the state some idea of their visit
to the northern country:
"The subcommittee appointed to make
the final inspection and report to the
Joint committee of the two conferences,
on location of the State Camp Meeting
Ground, met Petoskey on ! II Jay eve
ming, December Nth, for the purpose of
examining the country lyingbetween
Petoskey and Cheboygan, especially the
the land between Burt and Mullett Lakes.
The party consisted of Samuel o.
Knapp, Esq, of Jackson, and David Pres
ton, Esq, of Detroit, Revs. ID. B, Tracy,
Robert Bird and the writer. w. III.
Brockway was not with us on account of
other engagements, very much to our re-
gret.
At Petoskey we We're met by John Nc
Kay, ESQ.,, one of the State Swamp Land
Commissioners. who had perfected ali the
arrangements necessary to our accommo-
dation and comfort during the entire trip.
The objective point on Wednesday was
ChebOygan, passing on our way through
the lake region, where a tract of land has
been offered the association for the loca-
ton of its grounds. na
The day was pleasant wintry one,
with snow, say one and half feet deep,
with brisk wind from the north. But
we were in good hands. Mr. Mckay, our
chief escort and purscr, stood ready to
meet every emergency. VIM. Chandler,
Esq, OH behalf of the ''Cheboygan I'm
prOvment Association" and citizens, had
by letter extended their generous hospi-
talities. Our driver was very Jehu of
the best possible sort-a young man
whose good nature, perseverance and apt
ness may mike president of him. So
away we went on our tour of inspection.
Our own party, whose names we have
already given, soon fell into natural
sort of organization. As no such commit
tee could go upon, its mission without
song, David Preston at once became chor-
ister, and right well did he sing. David
B: Tracy, ''well and widely known as
one who has ..traveled.' became by COM
mon consent 'smaster of ceremonies =
Samuel. o. Knapp. clean shaven and well
dressed, and venerable withal, became
the presiding elder. ca young man was
heard to say, IL would like to hear the
elder preach I'll bet he can do it.'') Rob-
ert Bird was our cnicf, fisher, very liking
fisher, in his make up, most destructive
enemy of the fHny tribe (at the table. J
The writer was appointed historian of the
trip, and was quiet and dignified all the
way through.[eED.l
Our route lay through as fine colin-
try as ever We saw. Now we were i'm the
midst of deep forests of pine and hem
lock, then in the midst of hard wood.
lands covered with beech, maple, differ
ent varieties of elms, ash, etc. We passed
under the shadows of lofty mounds,
which, though left from the glacial peri
cd, have all the symmetry Of those made
by the mound builders. This lake region
begins with Round Lake, three miles
from Petoskey. Then comes Crooked
Lake, Burt Lake and Mullett Lake. The
two last mentioned are from twelve to
miles long and six or seven wide.
we saw them-rode eight miles over
them on the ice-under unfavOrable cir
cumstances, being winter time. In the
summer time they must be simply grand.
and yet lying there buried in the deep
primeval forest, the world knows nothing
of them. They are not only picturesque.
but they are full or choice fish and deep
enough for steamboat navigation.
A plan is now being developed for the
establishment of line of inland naviga.
ton through these beautiful lakes from
Petoskey to Cheboygan. When complet-
ed it will make one of the very finest
trips in the country. Its very pictur-
esqueness will invite travel from all sec
tions of the continent. Such an opening
is most desirable.
AT Cheboyganw we were most admirably
entertained at the Spencer House. There
we met large number of gentlemen of
wealth and culture, who made us gen
erous. proposition, which will appear in
our final report.
Rev. w. III. Ware is the pastor of the
NJ. E. Church at Cheboygan. He has
won the hearts of all and will do a good
work, Cheboygan has just the location
necessary to become the largest place
north of Bay City in time. 1t now claims
about three thousand inhabitants. and is
growing rapidly. We inquired and were
informed that there are no ''old fogies" in
the place; then it will grow as matter
of course.
On Thursday our party returned to Pc
toskey. remained over night at the Cush-
man House, took the early train home
ward, where doubtless all arrived safely.
The historian of the party can testify that
eighty-fye miles of sleigh ride in a Mack
inaw winter is means of health as well
as grace. 1870 j. II. McC.'