Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-03-01
Early steamboating on the st.croxi

1t was in April, 1910. thirty-sevsn
years ago, that the old steamer Ten
nessee could bs seen lying at the land
ing at St, Louis, with steam escaping
from her steam pipes, the black smoke
rolling from her chimneys, the crew
being busily engaged in taking on
board large supply of stores, mill ma
chinery and general merchandise.
There were also about 80 passengers,
the boat having been chartered by the
st. Croix Lumber Company for a trip.
70 the Falls oil The ST. Croix, then the
"New Eldorsdo," the pine region of
the Territory of Wisconsin. Every
thing being on board the lines were let
go, the last tap of the bell was given,
and the steamer slowly moved from
her moorings into the stream and was
headed on her course. The city was
soon passed and lost sight OF by the
bends 10 the river. Almost every
nook and corner OF the deck room was
covered with freight. Thecoo were
busy preparing meals for passengers
and crew, while the clerk had regis
tered on his books, the names of VIM
Holcomb, DIR. Fitch. w. s. Hunger
ford, J. L. Taylor, w. S. Libby, J.W.
Furber, Daniel Mclean, and VIM Ma
honey, names that have since become
historical in the st. Croix valley. But
few small towns were seen along the
banks of the Mississippi, and after pas
sing the then little town of Dubuque,
the evidences that they were beyond
the bounds of civilization and near the
haunts of the red man were plainly
visible. Frequently would be met
lot of natives in their birch canoes,
hideous in their war paint, and "a th Q
steamer passed they would make the
woods ring with savage war-whoop.
After a voyage of fourteen days,
the steamer entered lake st. Croix, an
event which pleased all on board, be.
ing glad that the long journey was 80
nearly ended. The steamer glided
swiftly over the smooth surface and
soon reached the head of the lake, at
which place was 9 trading post, kept
by Joe Brown. About twelve miles
up the river, lone cabin could be
seen in the distance. As the steamer
approached the landing, the entirepop-
ulation were on hand to greet tho srri-
val of the boat. Among them were
Orange Walker, Hiram Berkey, Asa
Parker, David Hone, William Dibble.
Sam. Burkelow aud others. Mrs Da.
vid Hone. the only lady in the place,
was standing in the cabin door. These
men were at work getting the frame
ready for the erection of saw mill,
portion of the machinery of which had
arrived. After passing this point,
MARINE Mills not habitation of any
kind was seen along the river. 1t was
evening when the Tennessee entered
the dalles, and her passengers gazed
with wonder upon the high, perpendic-
ular rocks, " hich rose majestically on
either side. As the escape from the
steam pipes could be heard for miles,
the entire population were on hand,
and looked with amazement at the
steamer. 1t was, indeed, a mixed
crowd of whites, halt-breeds. and In.
dams. Soon all hands had climbed
the high cliff, and took the trail that
leads to the village Of st. Croix Falls.
The arrival of the Tennessee, was
the opening up of civilization and the
lumber business on the st. Croix..-v
Jim Mullen in Tie Tdylors Falls
Journal.