Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1877-09-26

come 10 the conclusion tnat III Is
barren wilderness. The coming
years will prove the contrary, and
those burnt wastes will yet be con-
verted into valuable farms. The
soil being light, will, of course, re-
quire cultivation and reasonable
fertilizing, but then it can be work.
ed easily, and it is close to the city,
besides being adjacent to what will
yet be a good graveled main road,
and at no very distant day either.
Good water will be easily procured,
and springs can be seen at various
places on the road. Back from the
road are numerous settlers, and
their branch roads will be noticed,
frequently, joining the main road.
The land on both sides of the road
is owned by parties who appear to
be holding it for speculation.
Trowbridge dam has a desolate
appearance, the mill not having
been used for years. There is con-
siderable clearing about the dam,
but it is not cultivated at present.
Just before you come to the dam,
there is an out-cropping Of rock,
but does not appear to extend very
far.
From Trowbridge dam to the
North Branch bridge is distance
of about four or five miles, and, for
considerable distance of the way,
the road runs through green woods
winding about in very agrea-
BILE manner, and forming pleasant
contrast to the burning inst passed.
The soil is of sandy nature, and
the timber valuable, principally,
for fire wood and fencing. The
road being good, we jaunt along
rapidly, passing deserted clearing
called the goat pasture, and neat
looking school house, which is not
in use at present. A school house
without any scholars, and no set
Element near it, looks like queer
sort of enterprise.
At North Branch is comforta-
BILE looking house, which is known
as Faught's, and, if desired, food
for man and beast can be obtained.
Here WE leave the road to Pres
que Isle, and bid good bye to the
telegraph which has kept us COM
pany from the city. Our route is
to the left, over the North Branch,
which is a small stream with high
banks. at the bridge, and contained
very little water, at the time of
our crossing. The bridge is sub
stantial structure, as far as appear
ances are any guide.
After leaving the bridge, we pass
rapidly on our journey. Soil still
light, but the timber is of a better
quality. That it is good for farm
ing purposes, is clearly demon
strated when we have proceeded a
mile or so from the bridge, for here
we come to the farm of Mr.. Ellis
worth, and little further on we
pass a large clearing of between
fifty and hundred acres, stretching
from the road to the Thunder Bay
river. This clearing belongs to
Fred Gilboe and some other set
tiers whose names we did not learn,
and presents very cheering con-
trast to the wilderness just passed
through. The clearing is dotted
with buildings and stacks, and as
it is lower than the road, we get a
good view of the scene. The ridge
on the right is inclined to be stony,
but is not of great extent. 1t is
covered with fine grove of maple
trees. A little further on is anoth-
ed clearing of considerable extent.
Here is a good square log house, a
log barn, frame school house and
other buildings. A side road at
this place, with fenced clearing
on either side, reminds one of the
cultivated settlements in the coun-
ties below. The side road is lost
to view on the top Of ridge, not
great ways from the main road.
The ridge also binders us from see
ing what improvement has been
made in that direction. In the
stubble field to the right you can
get a few pigeons, provided, of
course, that you have loaded gun,
can shoot good, and the pigeons
will wait to be shot at-three sim
pie considerations.