Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-08
REMARKABLE LAKES IN DAKOTA.
Stump Lake.
Correspondence of Chicago Inter ocean.l

Correspondence of Chicago Inter Ocean.l
Stump Lake is remarkable bod7 of
water. The average map of Dakota
misrepsents it's size and shape, for il is
not circular pond, but an irregular
and circuitous affair. twisting around
among the low hills Of the rolling pra
RE for about fifteen miles, and bo1u
every point of the compass. It derives.
its name from the presence of innumer-
able large stumps rising above the sur
face OF the water, six or eight feet high,
and indicating that a forest Of green age
once stood where the water lies. The
water is as cold as ice, and impregnated
with salt, being about IS per cent. as
strong as sea water, and carrying almost
the same chemical properties as the
Great Salt Lake Of Mormondom. Il
has neither outlet nor inlet, but is con-
nected with Devils Lake, about twenty
miles to the westward, by salt marsh
similar to those which are found along
the coast of New jersey.
1t was the theory of local scientist
who has visited the spot that Stump
Lake is the result of an overflow from
Devils Lake, and that the action OF the
brine cut tine trees; but this will scarce
~ hold water, and there is room for
very learned and exciting discussion OF
the subject when scientific men are able
to visit the place and investigate its pc
culiarities.
On the south shore the land is quite
broken and abrupt, although a mile
south of the lake it becomes level, and
continues SO until you reach the Chey-
enne River, six miles south, when it be-
comes quite broken again. The north
shore of the lake is level and gently rol-
ling, of very pleasing appearance, and
the same character of land continues for
thirty or forty miles north of the lake.
The soil in this locality is of the very
best; black loan, from two to four feet
in depth and of mari subsoil, clay and
lime mixed. Underlying this in places
is a slate formation Of from so to 800
feet in depth, and in the opinion Of
many there are inexhaustible quantities
Of coal under this slate, as it is OF the
character of that generally found with
coal. All the territory around the lake
is well timbered with choice trees CT
both hard and soft wood, 1900 acres OF
SO in all, and there is plenty of limestone
and the best quality of building sand.
There is already a little steamer on
the lake, to connect with the stage lines
and carry passengers On their westward
way. Before snow flies there will be
excellent hotels both at Wamduska and
Harrisburg, and next season travel will
be immense. In the language of the
advertisements. 'ssettlers must catch on
quick if they want to get nuggets Of this
| paradise"
DEVILS LAKE.
In the character of its water, Devils
Lake is very similar to its smaller and
less important twin, but the name Is a
misnomer. The Indians call it Mime
waken, which means s'haunted water"
and their idea is that it is haunted, not
by the evil one, but by good spirits. 1t
is thirty-six miles long, aud six miles
wide at the broadcast point. It is dotted
with small islands, and the scenery is
surperb. Its shores are lined with large
white rocks, and its banks are covered
with heavy bodies of timber. On the
north shore of the lake it is estimated
that there are about 40, 900 acres of tim.
Der. The south shore like that of Stump
Lake is quite broken, only more so, but
the north shore is of an entirely differ
ent character, and for the first mile or
TWO in the immediate vicinity of the
lake it is not quite level; but as one goes
north from the lake, towards the bound
| ry line, he gets into one of the finest
tracts of land in the United States. It
is one of gentle rolling nature and a
rich black soil.
There is hill toward the north called
''Devil's Heart" affordirg view of the
scenery, which once enjoyed will never
he forgotten. This lake has no counter.
part in the world, and will be popular
resort for tourists and pleasure-hunters
| when the railroad is completed. The
water is not so cold as that of Stump
Lake (Which corroborates the idea that
The latter is fed by cold water springs),
the beach cannot he surpassed anywhere
and the bathing is delightful.
Upon the shores of this singular body
f water, several little towns have sprung
Up within the last few months, one OF
which bears the name of Jerusalem, 40
,hristened by somo impious settler, and
Fwenty miles or so further west is Rock
Island. Both towns have good hotels,
md on the northwestern corner is a set
element known as Zimmerello Point,
where Mr.. Dana, Of Springfield, Ill. :,
holds sway.