Connecticut western news., 1877-07-06
InseResting Minnesota Letter from
 fd- Rs B. Mitchell, Esq.
-~aMoRRIs. STEVENS Co.,. Minn.
 May 28. 1877.

Ing eXcurSiOn, It mas OCCurreu CO mo 'Hot perhaps few notes of our journey and a short description of this section of the country from former resident of Salis5u- " might be interesting H a portion of your readers. As,you, MT. Editor, are aware that my residence for few years past has been at Arlington Heights, H., Cwenty miles from Chicago it will be unnecessary for me to explain why our journey commences from there.. will also further say that Mrs. M. has been in declining health for two years past, and hoping that a change of climate might be of benefit to her we decided to visit her sister, Mrs. Rev. J. l.. Fonda, for merly Miss Matte J. Smith, (daughter of the late Alexander Smith of Salisbury,) where Mrs. N. now is, and where she will remain until fall. Previous to our journey Mrs. M had been visiting friends Tn Rock Go. Wisconsin for verdi months.
 left Arlington Heights on Tuesday at 10, P. M., May 22, and arrived at Evans vile Wisconsin, at-3 o'clock next morning; found the best half of us in comfortable health and awaiting our arrival. At P, M. the following day we stepped on board the express train, and soon were whlrling through the country at rapid rate.
 We concluded the condition of Mrs. Ms, health woul not permit her to travel too far the first day 50 we decided to spend the first night at Elroy, which is PIP miles from Chicago, and where we arrived at s o'clock the same evening: but we must not pass over so much fine country without taking some notes as We p0ss along. a
 Ther scenery through Southern Wiscon- sln is delightful the country is somewhat rolling. and abounds with streams which are bordered, more or less with timber of smallish growth, yet in sufficient quantities to make fuel reasonable In price-say about $5 per cord ln the several towns,
 Fhe first point of general interest is Mad lson, the capital of Wisconsin, city of 10000 inhabitants, and l4O mules from Chi cago. It is situated on high point of land one mile wide, between two beautiful lakes, in the centre of broad valley. sur rounded by heights from which it Can be seen for miles.
 Forty miles farther north is what is call ed ''Devil's Lake.p IL is a body of clear water with precipitious mountains on every side, with the exception of where the Chi : cago & Northwestern road enters at the south, and exits at the north of the lake hls;n.
 
 On every side of the lake are immense piles of rocks, varying in size from 50 pounds to 100 tons, piled up in every con ceivable shape and form. Then there are masses and columns of rocks of immense height, while on the.crest of some of the highest lodges may be seen pine trees tow ering tOwaa6s the heavens one hundred feet or more, the roots of which have to span the rock on which the tree stands perhaps 40 feet before they can reach the moist earth where they can gain sustenance for their bright. greeL foliage. The scenery is, very wild and romantic, and no pen can do it justice by trying to describe it; it must be seen to be appreciated. Nestled among the rocks and trees at the base of these lodges is a spacious hotel for the accommo dation of the public. It is fayorite resort, and for many miles aFound the pec pie come for fishing. boating, picnicing. sall- ing, and other sports. If any of our friends should ask us where they could en- joy themselves away from the dusty city of Chicago for few days. we would say go to Devils Lake" .~. .. The country through which we here passed is quite wild and broken, but nothing to attract our attention in particular until we reached the great pine lumber region. Here may be seen thousands of logs float ing upon the rivers, waiting for rise, 80 that they can pass down to'where the mills are located and be cut into timber. ...-
 At4.l0P. M. we arrive at St. Paul. An hour later we take the St. Paul and Pacific railroad and push forward to Minneapolis. city noted for it's extensive water powtl and immense houring misls, and distant from St. Paul II miles. Here we stay over night. had intended n this letter tC have given you description of Minreapo lis-is water-power and i.s Touring mills some of which are the larg st In the world turDiug cut as many as ,OO0 bbls. of houl per day; also ot some other places on ou route, but am afraid this letter will be tot long for your columns. I also intended |, have spoken about the grasshoppers in Min ncsota, of which there are myriads; thei modes of destruction, and the hopes an, prospec's of the farmers; the lakes that ar scattered over thr state, country, climate etc.. but of these may speak in futur letter; also of our journey from Minneapo lis to this place. & few general remark and 1 will close.
 Morris, where we now are, is but 5 miles from the Rad Rver of the Nortl and 600 from Chicago. It is in the cent of extensive pralries and of high altitud The first house was built in 1871, and no she boasts of hundred. It is grown rapidly, and very large business is beir done: Wheat is the principal grain raise but the farmers are fearful that the hoppe will destroy everything. Millions upt millions, from 8 to IA of an inch
 length, are everywhere, and everybody
 buying or constructing ''hopperdozs rs
 and working hard to exterminate the pes
 Itis estimated that from 800 to 10
 bushels of hoppers are caught daily
 Minnesota, which, when full grown, VOL
 make ten times the number of bushe
 The idea of catching hoppers by the bust
 may seem strange to your readers, but it
 literally true, and hundreds of thousan
 of bushels will have to be caught in ord