The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-07-22
THE DELLS
OF the Wisconsin River, Where the works OF
the ImmOrIals are Carved on the Rocks,
and the Widest Scenery Abounds.
KILBOURN CITY

the Immoruals are Carved on the Rock'
and the Widest Scenery ADounds
KILBoURN CITY
Is the jumping off place where the ,ouri:
leaves the train of the G., NJ. & st. p, to Wis
the Dels of the Wisconsin River, the treasure
house of the most romantic, wild, and rugge
scenery in the Badger" State. We reaches
the town Just as the "haumpwe-da" (Wl.nt
bago for SUM was sinking in the west, leaving
the sky painted in every hue of gold, brown
yellow, and all the other harmonizlng colors
Would that | could WELD pen to paint tn
changing lights and shades that rapidly cam
and went till only faint glimmer OF tina
glorious sunset was left.
"THE DALLEs"
Is the original name given to the wonderful
spot, and is still used by many who object L
mountains, and earnestly contend for lmmuta
bility of language. This name was given t
this place by the French who were the frs
white people TO gaze upon these water Invoked
wonders. II was their bark skilis that rode
through the rushing ravlnes and penetrated
the darkness of the overhangng rocks twas
they who named the Dalles, the word meaning
"1agstOne." They no doubt selected this term
because OF the smoOthness of the bottom and
slablike appearance of the towering walls
How many millions of years it has taken the
rushing waters to fashion the rocks into a
fnyria1 OF gigantic and grotesquc shapes may
never be definitely known; but they are here
to-day, standing like huge sentinels, guarding
the confines Of the river, the wonder and ad
mlraton of all visitors.
A little steamer, moorcd at her landing in a
coy nook, back of which was a rich, dark
background OF moss'covered rocks, capped
with trees whose beautiful foliage lent pecu
liar charm to the surroundings. was the view
that presented itself on the morning after our
arrival at Kilbourn City. The trip through
the Deis is made by steamer, and this staunch
little craft, the ALEX MITCHELL" was the one
In which we were to navigate through this
wondr0us region.
Swinging out into the river and heading up
stream the MITCHELL glides through the
water like thing Of life, while there seemed
to be a strife-!or noise-between the exhaust
pipes and an Italian with q harp accompanied
by three stringed violin, who enlvened the
occasion with strains from "Billee Taylor"
"The Pirates OF Penzance," "Olivet,e," and
other marine operas o.,
On the right and left, as the steamer leaves
the landing the rock towers abruptly from the
waters edge, forming a sort OF miniature pail.
sades, whose summit is covered with living
green of every tint aud shade. These pail.
sades slope gradually to point where sin.
gular formation known as "Pilared Rocks
occurs. Above these natural colonnades, on the
same side, is Swallows Rock" where the
swallows live. These coy little habltatons
are III iull possession of those active little
birds, and their busy flight in and out of their
uny dOmiclles lent to the scene feature of
microscopic life. Passing on we come to what
Is called the Jaws Of the Dells"--a narrow
passage guarded on either side by two large
rocky bluffs, castle like in form, standing like
huge ioriresses, and named respectively High
Rock and Romance Cliff" Romance Cliff
presents rough, forbidding appearance, with
no signs OF vegetation, and High Rock, like
some grand old baronial castle IN the fas,ness
oil Tie Kline. A little further on CHIMNEY
ROCK stands out upon ledge, looking like
the ghost OF some deserted lireside. Passing
on, where a gentle turn brings US to u wider
eApanse OF river, on the left Dell House" or
Aliens, comes into view. 1t is not, as one
expects to see IT. formed by some action of the
waters from the rocks, but was built in the
early days of 1881, and served as resor, for
the Jolly raitsmen" OF that day. Dark stories
hung about this old house, and legends of men
murdered Tor their money and thrown into
the river, are whispered to tins day IN the
cleaning Upon the scenes of those DAYS
Hght has never been thrown. The old man
could tell tales II he would, bu; he seldom
speaks even to his fellow man. unless som,
necessary wait compels him: but lives IN
me OLD deserted tavern, whose windows
Doai1ed up, shut in with all the ghosts an,
phantom cries and blood stains of a time an,
life forgotten by all save this sole surv,vin,
actor chapel Gorge" is the next point, $,
named from its likeness to church arcb,,ec
ture, and is deep vale extending back a con
siderable distance, around whose entrance mr.
profusion of flowers and ferns. And abov
this, the current has chiseled out of tho coli,
rock one of the most striking formations eve
seen,
50 Formed ages since the Dells to puard
And is called by some
The Nsvy-Yard.n
Here are large masses of rock, seem,ny,