The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-08-05
LAND OF LAKES.
And Bubbltng Spring. THE Devils Lake
0 snnrta and La Cross, Wisconsin.

the
DEVILS LAKE
II is about a mile and half lonp by "
mile wide, encircled by romantic hills ana
waving forests that line its sides and SUBMITS
II reposes like a dew drop in Its mighty cask'
et and from Its profound depths and tEanslu-
cent clearness reflects the dark shadows OF all
its Surroundings. If that charming body OF
water with all that environs il, together with
other points named after much dreaded IN
div,dual, belongs to his "broiled Satanic ma
iesty," must confess that he has very gooo
taste. as a more delightful bath for a gentleman
whose private residence is SAID to be unduly
heated by an edict from on high, could not
we'll be devised. The water.level is about 2Oo
feet above the Wisconsin river and apparently
bottomless, with no outlet, IN which, according
20 orthodox teaching it resembles hell, out OF
which we are told "there Is no redemption!
The lake is one of wonder and romance, ana
few places surpass Its bold, rugged ana striH'
ing scenery The supposltion is that ages ag"
some internal CONFUSION rent the earths sur
face and piled various strata OF rock OF I'M
mense size from 300 to 600 feet high, and dis
posed of 1t in almost every conceivable IAN
tastic form. Within the basin thus made, lies
nestled this beautiful lake OF clear, pure water
which reflects on its surface the rugged ana
aweInspirlng objects along its shores On
every side you see rock piled on rock IN every
conceivable form and in immense columns,
pillars, piles and masses of great magnitude,
From Devils Lake we retraced our steps to
Kllburn City, and strike out for the MlssIs
slppl through the land of lakes, via
NhUsTAN.
The scenery ia this region is charming, but
the popularity of its beauty Is found in the
number of bluffs, single and IN groups, that
dot the face Of the country. These vary IN
height from 100 to 300 feet, and are moulded
in myrads of grotesque forms, the most noted
of which is Black Hawks Council Bluff,
where, 1t IS said, the last council of this noted
chiettan was held a short time before his
CAPTURE at the Dells. Castle Rock, Twin Blatf
and the Devils Chimney, are the natural
curiosltes upon which the inhabitants pride
themselves.
And now we 90 bounding on again for
forty miles or more and stop at the beautiful
village Of
SPARTA,
with Its babbllng brooks and bubbling springs
where the sick may quatf the wonderful
waters and get we'll and the well may enjoy
the springs, the drives and the scenery. The
site of this town is one of exceeding
beauty The springs are celebrated for their
medicinal properties, ana the scenery pertains
10 grandeur.
Five miles distant bold promontory called
CASTLE ROCK
towers 200 feet above the level Of the river,
displaying its grand proportions to the eye as
il lifts It's head Tar above the numberless large
bluffs that encompass the valley. The hills
Of Minnesota, far away 10 the west, along the
Mississippi, are plainly visible, and IN every
direction vista of surprising loneliness
opens to the spectator; hills and valleys COW
cred with verdure and intersectcd by running
streams and brooklets, with the snowy tents
of campers dotting their banks. 1t was Sun
day that we passed through this town, the air
was cool and sweet, and as the tram stopped
at the depot, naught was heard save the deep
toned bells ringing out their solemn sound,
calling the religiously inclined to worship
within the portals OF the many pretty churches,
and along the streets many were passing to
obey their call most of whom no doubt were
healthseekers who had come for the benefit
of the waters, which are free to everybody and
are conveniently located near one Of the prin.
clpal hotels. AS our train rolled away from
the station | could not help medtating on the
sanitarian and fashionable resort of Sparta
and contrasting it with our own delightful
city in theValley Of the Illinois, and the advant
ages which Ottawa posses over the great ma
iority Of summer resorts and watering places
| thought of our mineral spring just beyond
the bridge, with It's healing properties ant
medicinal worth, going to waste for want o
attention and proper advertising; the location
of the city, beauty OF the surroundings, ant
the attractions OF the Valley OF the Illinois
with its beautiful scenery, wonderful canyons
and historic associations all of which, will
exceptions of little local fame remain to TIT
world unknown and unsung, and all for tn
lack OF enterprise and the expanding Of few
dollars in making 1t known. | also though
OF the Journals decline Of the City of Otta
wa" and the FREE TRADERS comments OF
"Dead Mems Shoes" and thought to mysel
how much more truth than poetry there wa
in those few paIagraphs-lllustrating that
"lIeaycn bestows
At home all riches that wise nature needs,
And blinaly we pass by the richest treasures
But the trouble Is that al! these attractions ar
too near home and 1t costs little or nothing t
see them. If they were in Europe, somewhel
along the Atlantic, or even in Colorado, or tn
Sierras our rich and fashionable folks woul
nS NJ,in,,p la,