Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-07-03
Editorial Excursion to Ashland.

ISOLATION was held at Madison on Monday
and Tuesday, June Oath and 25th. Monday
evening and Tuesday morning were devoted
to business. In the afternoon, Tuesday; the
editors, with their ladies', through the cour-
tesy of the Madison Yacht Club and Capt.
Freeman, proprietor Of the beautiful steam
yacht Neadota, enjoyed most delightful
trip around Lake Mendoza, making a run
of about % miles. In the evening the an
nual address was delivered by Il. A. Chit
tenden, of the Milwaukee News, and obitu-
airy notices were read in tribute to the
memory of five members of the profession,
who have died since the last annual meeting.
After the literary exercises of Tuesday
evening the editors and ladies, together
with few prominent citizens of the State
who accompanied the party at the special
request of the fraternity, repaired TO the
depot, where, lay special train of Pullman
Palace cars which was to convey the party
over the Wisconsin Central Railway to
ASH and and the shores of Lake Superior.
The Association by resolution invited the
State officers to JOIN the editors on the trip,
but only the Governor and State Treasurer
avaled themselves of the invitation. Mid
night found nearly every excursionist en-
sconsed in his berth, fondly dreaming of
the wild and uuinhabitable country through
which he would pass on the following day.
At three 0 clock Wednesday morning the
train, with its load of unconscious editors
moved out Of The M tdison depot, and nearly
one hundred miles of the journey had been
made before we were aroused from our
slumbers. AT Stevens Point the party
break tasted at eight o'clock. Here we
crossed the Wisconsin River and plunged
into the almost unbroken forest, OCCASION
ally passing settlement or the cabin of a
hardy and venturesOme fIontiersman. The
towns or settlements along the line OF the
Wisconsin Central above Stevens Point are
only OF few years growth, and have
decidedly primitive appearance, but look
thrifty and attractive. Business houses
setting among stumpS, with woods within
few feet Of the back door, present novel
sight to man who has grown up in South
ern Wi :consin. Pioneer life has its attrac-
tions, however, and the people along our
route seemed well pleased with their sur
roundings.
The Central Road between Stevens Point
and Ashland, with the exception of now
and then small settlement, runs through
timber. Along The line of road there ap.
pears TO be considerable more pine than
other timber, but We were told that there IS
much more hard wood timber along the
route than appears TO one from the car
windows. The railroad track follows the
lowest ground, and OF coarse the best part
of the country is not seen by the traveller
AS we ride through this wilderness, the
thought occurs TO one that the projectors
and builders of this road must have been men
oflndomtabIe will and perseverance. They
have opened up and rendered accessible to
the settler a large portion of Wisconsin
which has hitherto been scarcely explored,
except by the Indian, and are certainly de-
serving Of the thanks and consideration of
the people of the state at large
AT hali-past six IN the evening the ex-
curslonistS arrived at Ashland and were
warmly welcomed at the depot by speech
from the mayor, which was responded TO
by Gen. Atw God, of the State JOuraat. The
entire party was accommodated with edibes
at the Ghequamegon Hotel, but large
share OF the gentlemen occupied their ber,hs
on the sleeping cars: This hotel is new
one, and is hrst-class in all apartments. 1t
fronts the Chequanegon Bay, from which
1t derives its name, and the scenery from its
verandaS is delightful to look upon Points
on the main land and some OF the Apostle
Islands, IL or Is miles distant, can be seen
from this hotel
Thursday morning, after a night of re-
ireshlng sleep, the party embarked ON
board the Mdnistee, of Leopold Il Austran's
line OF steamers, which was placed at our
disposal through the kindness Of its PRO.
prletors. The first point of interest visited
was Ia Ponte, the largest Of the Apostle
Islands, twelve miles distant from Ashland.
The village was founded over two hundred
years ago by the Jesuits, and was for many
years the headquarters of the American Fur
Company. 1t is said that the village was at
one time a fiourishing place of 1000 inhab-
itants, out tie entire island does not now
contain more than 700 people, including
Indians. Immense quantities of white fish
are packed and shipped from this point,
giving employment to most of the in
habitants of the island At La Pointe is an
old Catholic Church, built by Bishop Baraga,
which contains many relics and curioslties
among which is an old painting said to
have been brought to La Pointe by Father
Marquette in 1869. There are many old
iuiuo luil VI iuteIcSL, several ancient burial
grounds where sleep the dead of two centu-
ries; the old Protestant Mission House and
Cemetery, and many other interesting and
curious relics of ancient days. all of which |
combined make La Pointe place Of interest
TO the visitor.
After an hour spent among the attractions
of La Pointe, the party re-embarked and |
turned towards Bayfield,, which lies three /
mllss from La Pointe across Bayfield, Har-
Dor. Bayfield, is neat little village of 400 |
inhabitants, and is supplied with water
from spring on the bluffs, brought through |
pipes into the houses. A large fountain in |
the village is also supplied from the same |
source. The Inhabitants of Bayfield, are |
chiefly engaged in manufacturing lumber
and fishing. Thousands of barrels of white
fish and trout are shipped from this point to
eastern markets annually. Here also is To-
Gated the agency of the Chippewa Indians,
who have reservations in this vicinity
About forty minutes were allowed the
excursionsts to stroll around Bayfield, and
visit the various Indian camps in the vicin.
ity when the whistle sounded and all were