Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-08-07
Northern Sights and Fancies-A st
Paul Letter by q Herald
Office Graduate.


Presuming the readers oi The HER.
AID may take an interest in some OF
the places OF resort and sight.sse-
ing 10 the North west, the following
sketch OF the most noted points ia
written
La travelling one often sees many
little incidents hardly worth men.
tioning, bat nevertheless, at the
time very amusing. Thus. We will
pass over the ordinary items of
trip up the river until re reach
point worthy of note. which is Lake
Pepin. Here Ne have shee. OF
water perhaps 16 miles 10 length
and from 3 TO in breadth. The
sun was just rising as We passed, and
it was very refreshing scene to
the eye, weary of the monotonous
bluffs and rocks which line the
banks of the Mississippi from La
Crosse up. After passing this ex.
panse OF water the river grows rap.
idly smaller uhtil at St. Paul, really
the head OF navigation. though
boats often pass farther north, the
river dwindles down TO a small
stream something like Platte river.
Farther up the river, situated di-
rectly opposite Minneapolis. are the
Falls OF 81. Anthony, u sight well
worth visiting by the young tourist.
and indeed by old ores, as one may
gaze without firing at this great
natural and artificial work. l say
artificial because man has taken
pains TO protect, ornament and take
advantage of this natural water
power. The fall was originally 40
feet, but to prevent the soft sand
stone from wearing away founda-
ton OF solid stone and masonry and
an inclined plane of 60 feet has been
built over which the water rushes
with such force as to cause it to boil
and rise to a height of several feet.
Situated between st. Paul and
Minneapolis and about three miles
from the latter place are the far.
famed and beautiful Falls of Mime.
haha. Having heard much of the
grandeur of this spot and surround
ing scenery we rest lved to stake
'em in" Departing from Mime
apolis we soon arrived at the sta
ton Gearing the name of the Falls,
and after disposiug of all uDneces-
sary baggage we proceeded at once
to view the locality Surrounding
the hotel is very pretty lawn, COW
cred with flowers ana shrubbery
and dotted hero aud there with
tents of picnic and camping. out
parties. Leading from this pleasant
spot is a flight of stairs making a
descent of a hundred feet or more.
Descending these into deep ravine
we turn to the left and behold the
Falls of Minnehaha-a sheet of water
ID feet in width, falling over prec-
ipice at least so feet 10 height.
Much has been done here TO accom-.
modate visitors Walks have been
laid out and an excavation made in
the rock over which the water falls,
80 tina. persons can walk clear
around the head OF the ravine, 60
ing back OF the waterfall, thereby
obtaining a good view of he seem
cry of the valley. From this view
one can see,. at the right time of
day, clear and distinct rainbow.
AT the tails is stationed q photog-
rapher, and if you wish your picture
taken in connection with this ro-
mantle spot you can get it in the
shape of stereoscopic view. The
lover of nature might travel long
time and over much country and
not se "a much as Is To be enjoyed
in visit TO Mnnehaha.
Our next place Of visit was to
Fort Smelling. a point cl ,sely con-
nectsd with the early history Of
Minnesota. HIRE was built the first
fort on the upper Mis-issippi-iong
before ST.. Paul was sattied, and fig,
ures prominently in the early Indian
wars 1t is situated miles west of
ST. Paul, on high bluff, command
ing a view of the whole adjacent
country. There are 100 Govern.
ment soldiers stationed here now
with nothing to do but to "kill
time" and after pay day enjoy the
''rooby-boozs" while their salaries
last.
We expect TO visit many interest
ing points near here and hope to
give the details TO the readers of the
HERALD. H.R.