National Republican., 1878-08-09
A TOURIST IN ILLINOIS.

To ne Editor OF ne National Republican:
In the northwestern section Of Illinois the
cxcursionist finds Rock River, or, as the In.
disns called 1t, sinnisippi This stream, which
Is Justly considered the finest Of our Western
rivers, cuts of aud isolatcs a large portion Of
the State from the main body thereof
Rock River flows from Wisconsin through
200 miles Of "Suckerdom." and its contents arc
discharged into the Father Of Waters Much
Of this course Is through high prairies aud
rocky bluffs, thereby afordings variety OF nat
ural charms to the eye Of the tourist.
The current Is strong aud rapid, yet so clear
are tho waters, owing to sandstone bottom,
that the shapes, colors, and qualities OF the
various pebbles are defnable. The river Is
bordered by the finest scenic attractions In this
part Of the country. 1t may lack the charm
Of an Alpine torrent. or the sluggish attract
iveness Of 1taly's streams; yet Rock River
may truly boast Of many grand efforts OF
Dame Nature"
Tho late poet, William Cullen Bryant, who
visited this particular valley in 1913, thought
1t worthy of description. He accordingly
contributed n series Of letters TO tho New York
press. In his correspondence he said ats
shores unite the beauties Of tho Hudson Gnd
Of the Connecticut"
The banks are generally high aud bold
sometimes perpendicular bluffs" come to tho
very waters edge. Majestic trees cover and
render the "hills" still more beautiful by add
ing rich green foliage to contrast with the
white rocks. Here and there natural park,
q miniature Yellowstone, Is noticeable, with
its ice.cold spring bubbling away so meirly
or ''lcaping and dancing o'cr tho pebbles on
Its way to the river.
As q general thing the stream Is full and
wide but frequently its breadth is compressed
where 1t passes through tho ranges" Here
the tourist may safely look for an infantile
Niagara.
Tho valley Of Rock River was the scene of
the latest romance Of Indian warfare In the
old Nor'wcs Territory. Here it was that Black
Hawk returned to spend his declining years
amid the quiet aud ovortrOdden graves Of his
ancestry. His incursion was deemed by the
whites hostile one, but fairness and candor
compel us to admit that the chief committed
no breach of the peace. In fact he appeared
desirous Of preserving tho treaty of lS30-'3l,
except that part prohibiting his return to the
virgin soil" Of Illinois. Instead Of being the
assailant, he was the object Of attack. This
may sound queer" but let person visit the
batte-grounds, take the testimony Of wit.
nesscs-Mrs. jerks barred-look at the case rs
presented, and dare say that he or she will
agree with myself in defending somewhat the
line of conduct pursued by the ladian chief.
tain.
The first blood WAS shed a few miles north
of the present writing, and, as u matter of
truth, it was that of an Indian. Learning Of
Black Hawks invasion, the settlers hastily
formed themselves into military companies,
under such captains rs Honest Abe Lincoln
and others.
One of these volunteer bodies pursued the
Slcs until II caIuc upon the latter, cncnmped
on the margin Of small creek. Black Hawk,
learning OF the proximity OF M armed white
force, sent forward peace party, bearing a
flag of truce. An armiSiico was asked, but
WAS II granted? They asked bread and were
given a stone, or, in other words, this civilian
army, actuated by the most damning Of mo.
tiyes Tor impulse which p deliberately frcd on
| the advancing party who bore tho white hng.
This, too, without any provocation for 80 do.
| lug, must necessarily stamp this soldicry as
murderous, several OF tho Indians being placed
hOrs de combat.
The trcachcrous whites realizing that soon
| terrible blood tribute would be cxacted, quickly
mounted. There was hurrying of horse
and foot" as they made ready to place n safe
| distance between themselves and foes. In
truth they nc'cr drew rein until the fortifca.
| tions at Dixon screened tho volunteers from
the Slr's bullet. More than thirty miles were
| passed over ere a long breath was drawn by
| these heroes Of this sanguinary conflict.
| The stream rendered so historic ~ the thea.
| tire of this battle has bcen named 'Stllman's S
| Run" In honor of tho valiant commander OF
| the still more valiant hosts" But enough Of
these gloomy relniniscenccs Perhaps havo
said too much, but how aptly can | uso those
lines of byron:
| own my natural weakness; | have not
| Yet learned to think OF indlscrlminate murder
| Without some sense Of shudderng; and tho sight
OF blood which spouts through hoary scalps is not
| To mo q thing OF triumph, nor the death
or men surpris u glory.
Some miles to the south Of the Stilman
battle field we notice large tower.like bluff,
yariously called BLACK Hawks Pulpit "
Castle Rock" and, lastly, "rho Table" The
first name was given to 1t In accordance with
a tradition which states that In the "palmy
days of yore" the chieftain wRs wont to ad
dress his assembled tribe from Its peak. II
some visitor would only substitute "monu.
ment" instead of pulpit" think that he
would bo doing worthy service, and would
give the rock far more fitting name.
The top of this mass of rocks has fanciful
resemblance to the ordinary round-table. The
| tourist secs u smooth, nearly round, rock ele-
vatcd nearly three feet from the floor, while In
the near vicinity he notices tior or carpinq
of rock, suitable for seating conveniences
Picnic parties utilize this work of nature by
max ing their spreads" thereon.
Margaret Fuller visited this locality In az
early day aud was well pleased with its beauty
While seated upon tho brow of a neighborin;
|
tfnl little poem, "Ganymcde to his Eagle" Ii
another sho refers to and calls this valley
that OF Rock Rivera Western Eden" | sub
join the first verse, In order t.Iat your readei'
may SEQ how the poetess speaks OF that whicl
| have so vHinly cndcayored to describe:
Familiar 10 tho childish mind were tales
OfrOck.gir isles amid q desert sea-
| Where unexpected stretch the tlOwfy wales.
To sOOth the slipwreckcd sailors misery.
| Painting he lay upon sandy shore,
But let him patient climb the frownng wall
Within, the orange gluws beneath tho palm tre
, tall.
|, And all that Eden boosted awaits his call"
The writer continues In this strain unit
the poem Is finished. Wold that had spac
l to reproduce it in its entirety, but this frae
, ment must suffice.
Lying in plain Wow the visitor secs variOu
other works of Dame Nature equally worth,
' of a distinction. IIo behOlds the rough, jagge
mas called ;tho Devils Back-B Bone" th
!, rounding beauty of the Deer Run" or lib
| erty Hill, as well ~ Others Very near h
notices tho small elevations supposed to be tn
:, work Of prior race, the mound builders, an
! again tho outcroppng of the Peters sand
. stone, which contains many fossils and potre
' factions These may, perhaps, afford me a
apology for second contribution.
, FRANC.
Family Under Bonds.
| Tho casna of Edward Hannah asaanlt n