Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-06-05

Is commemOrated by hag-stah one hui
bred feet in height, which was erected o
the high bluff behind the town in 1876.
The bluffs in large part are Of limestor
formation, and are well wooded on thei
river side, though often very precipitou'
Down their steep sides we frequently sc
! trail that looks like the track OF land
slide or of a detached boulder which ha
swept everything before it; but we 500
learn that the wood which Is cut near tn
summit is slid down the face Of the blu
to the waters edge for shipping. In SOM
places the rock far up the sides is being
quarried for Government use; on one o
the Wisconsin bluffs a railroad Is bull
from the quarry to the shore, and so steel
is its descent that 1t seems impossible To-
loaded car ever to reach the foot in safe
ty. The loaded car going down draws the
empty one back each time. An Iowa bluff
has peculiar sand, hard and white, which
is shipped to the Rock Island Glass Works
being conveyed down the slope in a long
wooden trough.
On some of the bluffs the rocks are col
umnar or castellated, and such, with their
clinging verdure of trees and shrubs, have
quite the appearance Of ruined and ivy
mantled castles on inaccessible heights.
Chimney Rock on the Minnesota shore Is
specially beautiful in that way. Queens
Bluff in the same State Is the highest on
the river, rising seven hundred and twen-
ty-1ve feet; the last hundred feet or more
n perpendicular wall of rock surmounted
by trees which at so great a height look
like mere shrubs. One high bluff bore on
its level top line of large detached rocks
stretching inland, which so much resem-
bled small houses, that only by. the aid Of
glass could we distinguish the differ
ence.
Many little log cabins lie along the
shore, wherever there Is room for the
clearing OF farm between the hillside and
the river; and one day we pass an Indian
In a canoe. The farmers along the river
ply brisk trade with passing steamers;
bringing out in skifs, provisions Of I'll
sorts for sale.
We pass islands that are acres In extent,
and as beautiful as any private park, with
their untrodden grass, and great variety OF
trees, many of which being oyergrown
with wild grape vines are OF as compact
and perfect form as though pruned by
the hand of careful gardener. These
islands are uninhabitable, since they are
submerged during high water; but in sum-
mer they are largely used for paSturage.
We remember, one night just at sunset, TO
have seen a herd Of cows swimming home
from one OF them.
On pleasant afternoon, as we pass near
the shore, our attention Is called 70 a hap
py company of mud-turtles, twelve of them,
large and small, that are serenely summing
themselves on log that lies partly in the
water. Although we pass so near that
the great waves from our wheel lash their
log, and our noise must seem TO them ter
rifle, yet only two jump into the water
with undigniled haste: the remaining ten
wink and blink as composedly as though
a steamboat were but brother turtle pad
ding by.
The crookedness of the channel is partly
outlined at night by lights set on promi-
uent points of the shore, or on islands;
these lights are erected and maintained by
the L. S. Government. The little lamp
posts soon become familiar sight, and
we see the lamp-llghter as he rows his
skiff up and down the river, night and
TO care for them: one man has
the charge of several, which are scattered
for four miles or more along shore.
Below Prairie Du Chen, our friend the
pilot points out to US in the distance, and
but Just discernible through the trees, the
fort from which JEFF. Davis, then a young
staff officer, eloped with the daughter Of
Gen. Taylor the commandant. Stopping
for a few moments at La Crosse, the same
friend tells us of this, the former home OF
the notorious 'lBrick' Pomeroy, andIhis
Lacrosse Democrat. The elegant Pomeroy
Opera House still perpetuate his name and
fame, while y. himself Is in the far West,
and his divorced wife is happily married
to a noted Iowa photographer. Lacrosse
is an enterprising city Of twelve or fifteen
thousand inhabitants, and boasts electric
lights in its principal streets.
Calling at Winona for coal, we have
time for half hours stroll about the city,
which stands on level ground, inclosed by
high bluffs. The streets are wide and reg
ular, the shade trees handsome, and many
of the buildings fine; notably those of the
High School and State Normal School.
The shipments of grain from Winona are
second only to those of Chicago and Mil
waukee: the shipments of wheat averag-
ing 5000, 900 bushels yearly.
There are large flour mills here, aud on
our way down the river we stop near that
of the W mona Mill Co., and although it is
evening, decide to see for ourselves the
inside of great Western -four mill. The
building is eight stories in height, and is
lighted by electricity. Entering the engine
horso xybara t,yo immense COrliss engines
furnish power, we watch with fear and
the swift precision of the won.
derful machinery, which seems almost
alive as its mighty throbs sound in our
ears, and the breath of the great fly-wheels
fans our faces. Contemplating the terrible
possibilities of these monster engines, and
wondering if we shall ever get out alive,
suddenly the blackness Of darkness sur