Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-23
The Head OF Lake Superior.

ITO the Editor Of the Chicago Tribune.
DULUTH, June, 81 write you this from
one of the most interesting points upon the
continents westernmost terminus of the
Great Lakes, and the starting place of the
Northern Pacific railroad.
From my window as write, look out
upon the placid waters of Lake Superior,
and only wish that the beauty of the scene
could in some degree be impressed upon tho
imagination Of your readers
7 Shall not say much about Duluth. 1t is
q small town of about 5000 inhabitants, and
is beginning to show signs of recovery from
it's long depression. Its population was
once twice as great as at present. SO also
with Superior City, it's former and perhaps
it's future rival, the houses of which, at a
distance of about seven miles, are distinctly
visible across the bay.
These places were called into being by the
wand of speculation, and for time kind
of spurious prosperity dawned upon them.
But, speculation having died out, these
towns collapsed, and at present remind one
of a once portly beer-drinker, who having
for some reason been deprived of his Gus
tomary fluid, has in consequence degener-
ated into mere shadow of his former self.
We care not which of these towns in the
long run 'wins the belt Duluth, having
the railroad. is now ahead, and may continue
to hold the advantage it has gained; but SUI
perior City has the better town site, and IN
! time, for all we know, may have the railroad
too.
One thing is sure, and that is that city
of large proportions and of commanding
importance will in the future hold the keys
of this magnificent position. There is no
finer situation in America, nor one more i'll
timately connected with the development of
the Northwestern Territories and with the
interoceanic relations of the States.
But, important as is this part of the coun-
try and that of the vast region beyond it,
the grossest ignorance prevails in regard to
it. I have met with but few men who could
give me any reliable information concerning
It. I have come out here, therefore, to ''look
at the thing" for myself, and unless my
senses play me sad tricks and deceive me, as
some of the ancient saints are said to have
been deceived, your correspondent will
transmit to you nothing but truthful obser-
vations.
SO far I have been much pleased with
what have seen and heard. New as this
section is, its evolution has already begun
The head of the lake has even now the most
|
of. iron $50 miles in length, it has laid hole
upon the Mississippi at St. Paul; will
another mighty arm nearly 500 miles il
length land which will soon be extended) i
grasps the Missouri at Bismarck, the presen
westerly terminus of the Northern Pacif,
railroad.
Who can measure the consequences O.
these things? It is now clear that this coun
try is but in the infancy of its growth, ant
that the stupendous results which the future
has in store for it no human capacity car
fathom.
But the things which are dim to us will be
clear enough to Our descendants, and tt
them we will generously leave the solution
of the problems which are altogether to-
deep for us.
In passing yesterday over the road from
St. Paul to Duluth, was struck with tn
general wildness of the country, and in part
with it's singular beauty. Nothing could b.
moro utterly unlike to the prairie scenery
met with in southern Minnesota.
The road runs through an almost contin
uous forest, iuterspersed with meadows ant
: openings. and gemmed with lakes AM
streams We must have passed by full.
twenty lakes. and have crossed at least
dozen running brooks.
/ But have no space to enlarge upon thi
: tempting subject, ''although the half is no
yet told.''
Twenty five miles west of Duluth, til
| St. Paul road forms a junction with tn
Northern Pacific, and the two roads use
common track to the lake.
/ The beauty, the grandeur, the romanti
wildness of the scenery lying between tn
, junction and Lake Superior would like t.
i describe to you, but indeed my dull pc
lacks the magic power to give your reader
even the faintest idea of it.
8 In all my travels in Europe and in Amer
ca have never seen anything more remark
: able or unique. It is simply wonderful
t And yet, until day or two ago, had neve
s heard single person call the least attentio
t to it. It is worth journey from Chicago
and, as I heard gentleman here 50.
e "a journey from Europe just to b.
i hold scene SO startling and lovely.
9 From the junction, for ten miles, there
t a descent of about eighty feet to the mile
! and in moving down such grade as that,
' may we'll be imagined, the aid OF steam
I not required. During this mad ride tt
: road crosses four or five trestle bridges ul
: wards of hundred feet in height, the vie