Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-06-08
AN lmPORrANT PROJECT.


Although the navigation route
through Mullett, Burt and Crooked Lakes
is not yet completed, SO that its full
benefits can be seen or estimated, the
business, that even under very unfavora-
bic circumstances, is being done over it,
and the business that it is bringing daily
to Cheboygan has shown that as soon
as entirely completed, the benefits that
Cheboygan and indeed the whole county
will derive from ii, is beyond esti-
mate. 1t will eventually bring the
main trade of the southern and
southwestern portion of the county
to this place TO the mutual benefit of
both. There is, however, another por-
ton of this county and an adjoining
county that this does not reach and which
is now inaccessible from this or any OH
er direction. We refer to the country
surrounding Black lake Black river and
lake would be navigable for the same
class of boats that navigate the other
lakes were it not for the rapids in Black
river. There is no section of the country
in Northern Michigan which is superior
for agricultural purposes to this
land. The only reason that it has
not been settled upon and i'm
proved. has been its in:c feasibility.
There was no way to get the products of
the land to market were they grown.
The importance of securing this rich sec
ton of country tribu airy to Cheboygan,
has often been considered by the writer
aud he firmly believed that a project was
practicable TO secure navigation into
Black lake and thus secure TO Cheboy-
gan tue benefits. TO the demonstration
Of this theory. much attention has been
given. Preliminary surveys have been
made. and We are most glad to announce
that the scheme is entirely practicable.
Navigation can be secured into
Black luke az cost not to exceed
twenty five or thirty thousand dollars.
This information we have gained
without calling attention to what
was being done in the TRIBUNE
for fear that the investigation
would prove that the theory was imprac-
ticable. The cost of the work would be
nothing in comparison to the benefit
which Chcboygan would reap from the
construction OF canal and locks around
the rapids in Black river. The impOr-
lance of this project should at once COM
mand the attention OF every resident
of our village who has an in
terest i'm its future, OR who has
property i'm the county. Its
importance will not be second to the
opening of navigation in the other
lakes. The question is, have our citi-
zeus public spirit enough TO take hold of
the enterprise and complete it? The
state has given us about $4,000 in
swamp lands to improve the navigation
of the other system of rivers. That has
been expended i'm such manner as TO
nearly Or quite equal the same amount
in money. 1t is not likely that the state
authorities would now take hold of the
project. They consider that they have
been, and it is true, quite liberal with
us. If this is done, our citizens must
take hold of the matter. Nor one or
txx-.N Int If I,n,~. oh
provcments have been pushed through
with he assistance of but few of those
who are receiving the benefits. If This
is done, all must take hold and pull to-
gether. Is not the project worth the CT
fort? Let any of our readers take a
| map and 81 what an immense territory
this would bring tributary to ChebOygan
- territory that is composed ofthe choicest
lands, territory which. cannot be drawn
away from us in any other direction.
and see if it is not a most important
project for Cheboygan. We have but
| little fear that our statement that the
project is a feasible one, and its cost not
excessive, will gain the project firm
friend from every reader. 1t may
he that if Cheboygan would raise large
portion of the amount the state might
contribute something. but be that as it
may let Our citizens look the matter over
and resolve that Chcboygan's greatest
oppo ri unity shall not pass unimproved.
We would suggest that 3 company be
| Immediately organized for the purpose
of constructing and maintaining this i'm.
of this matter with the earnes;ness that
its importance demands, the work can
soon be commenced and the cost 10 each
| Individual will be very small.