The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-07-22
A wheeling Boy ON lhe Lakes.

Correspondence Of the intslllEsnesr.
July 18th, 1873.
Here ] am in the region Of the great
lakes, and thinking your readers might
take interest in reading something from
the cool North West will try to note
down some Of the principal points Of in.
terest.
On leaving Saul Ste. Marie bound
for the Island OF Mscinsc, you pass some
OF the most interesting river and lake
scenery on the continent. Starting from
the mouth Of the ship canal, grand view
OF the rapids and adjacent Islands are
obtained from the deck Of the steamer,
also fine view on both shores Of the 81.
Marys river, and old Fort Brady, floating
the stars and stripes Of the Union.
Garden river settlement Is an Indian
village situated at the mouth OF q good
trout stream, also here ia large lumber.
ing establishment CD the Canada side.
Lake George, an expansion Of the
river is next entered, being some eight
or ten miles in length, then comes the
Nebish Rapids where Is the most danger
Gus navigation on the stream flowing
into Lake Huron come thirty miles be-
low. Sugar Island on the American side
Of the boundary line, and St. Josephs on
the Canada side being the two most i'm.
portant Islands in the river, are passed,
with smaller islands, forming one con.
timed panorama for distance Of 90
miles. On arriving at Point de Four,
where il, a small settlement and Lighthouse
in the vicinity, you Immediately enter
the broad waters OF Lake Huron, being
usually during the summer months un.
ruilled by the winds, but during the
spring and autumn months subject TO
fierce gales Of wind, often causing disas-
tiers and shipwreck. The sail from the
mouth OF the 81. Marys river to the Mac.
mac, q distance OF % miles, is usually
OF the most delightful character.
ALpEsA,
Alpena county, Michigan, is flourishiBg
city situated on the shore Of Thunder
Bay, Lake Huron, at the mouth OF Thun-
der Ray river, $50 miles above Detroit,
and 10 miles from the Island OF Macinac
by steamer route. It's inhabitants number
about 5000. II is easily reached during
the season Of navigation by lines OF
steamers running from Detroit and Bay
City, Michigan. Alpena was Incorporated
as a city in 1871. A mineral spring ia
here located, possessing valuable medical
properties, and Is much frequented by
invalids and pleasure seekers. A COM
modious hotel has lately been erected, the
Fletcher House, adjoining the spring, and
bath houses for the accommodation OF
visitors during the summer.
Alpena Magnetic and Sulphur Springs
were discovered in 1869 by an attempt TO
bore for common salt, TO a depth OF 800
feet below the surface, when an immense
volumn OF water commenced to flow out
Of the rock, clear and sparkling and hay-
ing such peculiar properties az to cause
u suspension Of work. The odor and
taste OF sulphur, in the form Of sui.
phuretted hydrogen gas, with evidence OF
other mineral constituents, was soon ap.
parant, and their wonderful magnetic
properties well defined.
Thunder Bay river drains large ex-
tent Of country covered with heavy
growth Of pine. beech, maple, and other
forest trees. Numerous small lakes are
located near the head streams, afiording
fine hunting and fishing. We also visited
Long Lake, six miles from Alpena, which
is beautiful body OF water, twelve miles
long and one mile wide, being full OF
black bass, pickerel, &c. The roads lead
ing to Long Lake are the finest we have
ever seen.
MAc1sAc.
We may now proceed to visit the va.
rious places OF interest. Starting from
Fort Macinac, we followed the foot path
along the brow Of the bluff overlooking
the eastern part OF the town. Here we
saw the grandest scenery on our trav-
els. Half or three fourths. OF mile
from the fort, at the south eastern angle
Of the island, Is the overhanging cliff Of
RoBINsoNs FOLLY,
rising 1913 feet perpendicular above the
water. The following is an interesting
history Of this point: After the removal
Of this fort 10 the island in 1878, Capt. |
Robinson, who then commanded the post,
had a summer house built upon the cliff.
This soon became place Of frequent
resort for himself and brother officers.
Pipes, cigars and wines were called into
for at the time no hospitality
or entertainment was complete without
them. A little TO the north Of Robin.
sons Folly is seen an immense rock
out boldly from the mountains
side, near the base Of which ia u very
beautiful little arch, called "Arch Of the
Giants stairway" This arch is we'll
worth the trouble Of visit.
Hoping that you will excuse me for
taking up 40 much Of your valuable space
I remain yours respectfully,
..r X.