The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-11-18
the Superior Region.
minneapolis Lumberman.l


Within cur memory was a time
when Lake Superior and the region
surrounding it, bore the same relation
to the central western states then that
Hudson Bay does now to the north
western states and was as little under
stood. Col. Nicholet had mapped out
q large part Of it. Owen was invest
ing it, but from all that was known,
the general impression was that it was
an inhospitable desolate region, barely
inhabited by Esquimaus and furred
animals. Ovens report never reached
the masses, and the lamented Hough-
ton with all his knowledge and collec-
tons went down into the lake and
the world lost a chance to learn the
wealth of this great country. It's
wealth Of minerals, vast timber re-
sources, rich soil, splendid fisheries,
invisorating climate and magnificent
scenery remained unknown, until by
sheer force of expansion people were
crowded into this vast terra incognita.
Now the shores of the great inland
sea are dotted with most prosperous
and busy cities and villages, her pro-
ductions of iron, copper and silver
have become a matter of national i'm
portance Her fisheries now yield a
fabulous revenue and their products
reach all the markets Of the country.
Her lumber interests, though in the
infancy of development, have already
reached gigantic proportions. Inves-
LEGATIONS have shown that Lake Supe-
rior lies directly in the path of CONT
mental commerce and the millions of
tons which pass in exchange between
America, Europe and Asia, besides
the traffic between the northern pro-
ducing and consuming sections Of the
country, must all pass across the lake
or around its shores by rail. Some
ten lines Of railroad have been con
structed to its banks and soon 1t will
be entirely encircled by railroads,
both American and Canadians vieing
with each other in trying to reach and
control the prospective commerce of
the region. The North Pacific roads,
though but partly constructed
through an unpeopled country, already
occupy a large feet Of frst-class yes
sells and tax connecting lines with the
products OF their dependent regions.
A regular tidal wave Of emigration Is
now pouring into this new northwest,
and It's immense resources are being
developed with most astonishing rap
idity, but even now no man can tortell
the results Of the next ten years eff
forts 1t is the dawn of an new en-
pire, which, though divided by politi-
cal lines, is bound together by the
ties Of common vicinage. In connec-
ton with this subject we notice the
recent mention of the construction of
a branch line of the Canadian Pacific
to Hudson Bay and thereby saving
many hundred miles by transportation
in reaching Europe, and the reported
discovery Of vast forests of pine ex-
tending from the Spanish river coun-
try on the east to the Winnipeg
waters OH the west in one great semi
circle around Lake Superior.
The development of the mining in
interests of the Thunder Bay and
north shore country is worthy OF spec
ial note as is the rapid peopling up of
the great Raney Lake basin with its
magnificent forests and reported
mineral wealth. The phcnomial
growth of the Red River, Assinabonie
and Saskatchewan valleys on the west
and northwest Of the lake gives prom
Use Of a time in the near future, when
wheat raising will be abandoned in
other parts Of this country and the
great new northwest will be depended
upon to furnish bread for the nation
and for export. All this and much
more points out the Importance Of the
Lake Superior basin and the country
lying behind it.