The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1876-01-20
w A !!
In Time of Peace Prepare
for War
Fe, Fl, Fo, Fun, We Smell the Blood
of a Duluthi-un.


/ great deal of curiosity has existed amoug our
citizens during the past few days to the meaning
| of tho unusual activity which has been going on
| about The Steamer Stillman Witt, during the past
week, men having been work there both night and
| day. With the ,promptness usual to frSt-class
paper in the obtanance of news, in the early part of
| the week TIMES reporter was dispatched to III"
of action to interview the owner of the boat
Capt James Edwards, and also others, to obtain if
possible, Information regarding the Significance Of
these movements but owing to the secrecy presers ed
the reporter unable To obtain any inform 'tion,
other than the genera, rumors which afloat
the streets
Among these is one to the effect that the boat
being in lAaly condition. it has taken in consi d.
cradle water lately, which has become Frozen and
object of Capt. Edwards il to get her
keel again.
Another 10, tat I'll. DU'U is 10 pe hauled out
of the water and thoroughly repaired and remodeled
and fitted up in elegant STYLE it being reported that
her guards and side wheels to be cut off and a
double back-action stem winding, stern wheel craft
made out of her. that she easily pass through
the Erie canal the object of this being it stated to
which has been made him by the Chairman of the
Town Board, Col. James 5. Richie, to transport
himself the Town Board and other products of this
locality Philadelphia for exhibition at the Centen~
NAL the course of the vessel around by the Lakes
to Buffalo from thence through the Erie Canal and
down the Hudson River to New York, and from
thence down the Atlantic Ocean to Cape May (where
the Town Board will take clean BATH and then up
the Delaware River Philadelphia, Capt Edwards
agreeing take his pay for the trip in Town orders
at the rate of 50 cts the dollar-ffteen cents
than they selling at.
Some persons claim, however, that the above
rumors are circulated merely a blind, and tina:
the REAL INTENTION is to fit the boat up vessel OF
war that the actions of our mortal enemy, Duluth,
have of late been very suspicious and warke; that
through the immense influence of Jay Cooke she has
had her Congressman, the Hon. VIM s. King, apN
pointed on the Committee Militia and has also OBJ
tanned the appointment of her State Senator Col.
H. Graves on the Committee on Military Affairs, and
that these movements indicate that she is seeking
obtain control of the national army and the Minnesota
| State Militia with a view,in the U. s. Supreme
Court next fall decides to close up the canal it is
very probable it wito resist the order to the bitter
end; and that taking these things into consideration
it has been decided by several of our wealthy and
prominent citizens to fit out the Stman Witt as an
iron>clsd in order to be ready for any emergency
it being their intention to purchase the Blast Furnace
| on Rics's Point, open Up iron mine which has
recently been discovered out back of Superior and
thus supply the needed material. In the way of
armament the boat is to be mounted with the brass
cannon which is now sto1 ed in the residence of Mrs
|
Capt Edwards several years ago In of any sign
of open hostties the part of Duluth, the vessel
will be anchored in the bay between the dyke and
floating islands, and at the first sign of resistance
Immediately commence bombardment of the doomed
city, the principal target to be the Office Of The
Duluth Tribune, which, being red-hot Institution,
will readily ignite and thereby conagrate the entire
| city.
The contemplation OF is always terrible, and
already we shudder at the horrors liable to
witness Already in imagination the fine
business blocks and beautiful residences of
neghboring city being devourvd by the angry flames,
its streets running with gore and the blue of
the lake at its foot tinged with human blood
| But, in the language of honored relative,
Stephen A, in his memorable speech Chicago in
| May, 1860: "If War must come; If the
bayonet must be used to maintain the
ton" and enforce the decision of the Supreme
Court ordering the Duluth canal to be closed "We
can say, before God, conscience is clear. We
have struggled long for peaceful solution of this
difficulty have not only rendered to" that city
what hers of right, but have gone to the very
extreme of magnanmity. The return is war - armies
of lobbyists marched upon She capital Of country
to tamper with Congressman letters of influence to
admitting and soliciting their aid and assists
ance in iivesting Of our rights and concerted
blot out from the face of the earth the
future metropolis of Northern Wisconsin, BE we
men, and suffer such dishonor7 MEN, and wash not
away the stafn n blood Nor mvsH, Mary Ann,