Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-02-16


A STRANGERS VIEWS.
Extracts from Letters written by s,
G. Davis after his first Visit to
Chs50ygan.
1t will be remembered by our readers
that the TRIBUNE noticed a few weeks
since the visit of s. G. Davis, Esq, of Me-
dina, N. Y, to this place. So well was he
pleased with the outl Dok for Cheboygan
that after he lett here, in his correspond
encc with his home paper, the Medina
Tribune, he speaks of Cheboygan and
surrounding country as follows;
"From this point (Grand Rapids) we
went nearly north course 100 miles to
Petoskey, the terminus OF the Grand Rap
ids q Indiana railroad. Petoskey is
pleasantly located on Little Traverse bay.
which reaches inland from Lake Michi-
gan, so as to almost connect with chain
of little lakes which reach across the
state, and have their outlet through Che
bOygan river into Lake Huron, ut the
port and city of Cheboygan. Steamboat
navigation already reaches up through
this chain of lakes nearly to Petoskey,
and furnishes the bestfaciliies getting
out the valuable timber aud lumber that
is so abundant on lands adjacent, and
the rivers that are tributary to them.
might add here that in the last 100 miles
Travelled before reaching Petoskey. we
passed through the 'pine belt'' OF Michi-
gan which reaches across the state. AT
Petoskey and beyond we find hard tim
ber lands which reach nearly across the
state TO ChebOygan, and large quantities
of which is destined TO become very val
liable farming land, at 40 distant day.
The timber is largely beach, maple, elm,
ash and Eastwood. The city of Cheboy-
gan has population of 2.500, mostly
made up of New York and New England
people, with several churches, good
schools, and several saw mills capable of
cutting 100000 feet of lumber each per
day. With this system of lakes, with a
fertile soil especially adapted to the
growing ut wheat. barley, oats, potatoes
and grass, with ii fine harbOr and cheap
water communication with the east. this
country must deyeiOpe early and devel-
Ope we'll
A few days later. in another letter
written to the same paper, from Chicago,
Mr.. Davis says:
II see so much in the future for the
city OF CbebOygan and vicinity, and
Northern Michigan, which is to grow
out OF its lumber, commercial and land
that | venture this note of lacts
to it.
The lumber trade is already extensive,
the lake and river system reaching west
almost across to Lake bIichigan. and so
or 20 miles south OF ChebOygan-their
branches extending to within easy reach
OF most OF the timber, atlOrding the be [
facilities for getting the same to market.
The quality OF pine compares favorably
with Saginaw pine. which ranks fast in
the state. Lit is sold ut the present time,
in large lots, at 81 TO SIS per thousand
which includes medium and 'uppers,' no
culls. The birdseye maple. which is
abundant in this region, is also proving
valuable for veneering. and finds u
ready market in the Old World. Yes els
have already been loaded with this lum-
ber in this harbOr, direct for Liverpool.
Commercially. Cheboygan is the natural
entrepot for al the products of the fore i
OF this region, as also the products OF
the soil. which are destined TO develop
rapidly.
In the way of railroads. the Grand
Rapids 81 Indiana railroad has been push
ed from Grand Rapids north 100 miles
to PetOskey, with ChebOygan as its only
prospective terminus, 2S miles distant
Also road running north from Saginaw
City to ChebOygan, which is completed
excepting about 60 miles. 1t is also
thought that this is a point on the greaI
water highway, from the iron region O
the Northern peninsula 10 the East
where charcoal and iron ore can b,
brought together most economically, fol
the manufacture of charcoal iron, which
is already being so successfully done neal
the head of Traverse bay, which is of
the direct route east.
The fact that such man as VIM. III
Pells, (Our former tOwnsman) has pur
chased large tract, we'll located on one
of these lakes, is good proof that money
expended in land in this section OF the
country, means everything else bu
money badly invested.
a few words relating to summer camp.
ing grounds of the Methodist and Pres
byterian societies, located in this section
of the state OF Michigan. The Metho
dist society purchased, two years ago 40l
acres of railroad lands, at The head anC
overlooking the most beautiful waters o
Little Traverse bay, for nominal sum
agreeing 10 Gevelope it by eXpending $40,
GOO in laying out and Identifying thu
grounds, erecting the necessary build
ings. etc. They also agree to hold meet
ings Oh these grounds for fifteen sue
cessive years. Life members OF this as.
sociation are allowed TO build cottages
and it is fast becoming a place of sum
mer resort for members OF this society
The Presbyterian society have recentl,
purchased a tract OF land short distanc
from the grounds mentioned; located Ol
the same bay, and propose to develope
in the same manner. These facts 90 t.
prove that this is delightful and health.
climate and will have an influence in ii
rapid development.
With these advantages-inland water
communication, fine harbOr, located Ol
the great water highway from Dulutl
and Chicago to the east, with prOspec
OF early railroad facilities to the south
and with soil so much OF which
adapted to the successful growing Of al
agricultural products grown in Wester
New York, excepting perhaps, corn. Th
| fact that the country Is filling up wit
homesteaders and actual settlers, who al
all energetic in cutting the timber an
working the soil, promises an early an
rapid development of this section of th
state."
The Dorcas society is prepared to d
all kinds OF sewing. embroidery, Ell
| CHILDREN and ladies' fancy work IN ord,