The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-07-11
From East to We ..
MINNEAPOLIS, June 26, 1883.


Leaving Chicago we point northward to
Nh ilSsv +lee the west shore of Lake Mich
igan. We do not get much of an impression
of the city from the train; but it is thrifty,
growing town, much like all Western cities.
The vast area of country back Of it renders
it impossible that it should be otherwise.
From Milwaukee we go directly to the Mis-
sissippi, over the Chicago, Milwaukee & ST.
Paul railroad, road justly proud of its ele-
CANT and rapid trains. Their locomotives
are all alike, about thirty-ive ton engines
that will haul extraordinarily heavy trains.
gance and comfort with wide roomy seats.
From Milwaukee to the beautiful Wisconsin
River the land is like much of the prairie
lands of the West, gently undulating,
scanned with small creeks and runs, that up
ON ordinary rains overflow their banks and
corn and wheat fields along this part of the
journey do not vary in size much from those
of Maine. We saw number of corn field 5
partly under water. Just out of Portage
City we cross the Wisconsin river, the natu-
raj scenery Of which is very fine
The geologic formation of lime and sand
stone of the surrounding country is such
| that the river has made its bed between
steep, perpendicular cliffs that have been
furrowed and worn by the strong current of
the river into the most curious and pictu-
rescue shapes.
The Dells of the Wisconsin are already
famous. They are unlike anything we have
before seen in character. Lofty, sentinel
like columns of rock rise out of the middle
of the broad stream, whose tops widen out
table-like, where small shrubs and trees
grow luxuriantly; caves and hellows are
worn into the sides of the cliffs pinnacles
and demes have been created by the eddying
waters, and arched waterways are frequent.
From our window the view is fine, and we
follow the river banks for long distance.
We reach La Crosse on the east bank of
the Mississippi at eleven o'clock at night,
and under bright moon we cross the wa
tiers discovered by De Soto in June, 1541,
somewhere in what is now Arkansas. Here
is the Niche Lepe Of the Indians. the ''great
Father of watersn-a river with Is 900 miles
of tributary streams and water communica-
ton.
1t seems as if we should never get across
but once over we take a sharp turn to the
north and follow its banks TO st. Paul. On
the one side is the river, and on the other
are lofty Jagged bluffs that enfold us in
deep, constant shadow; but tired with our
long ride we betake ourselves TO bed, TO
awake the next morning just before arriving
at st. Paul, the capital of Minnesota, city
of Is, 600 inhabitants, and still growing. ST.
Paul is the centre of eleven railroads with
ninety-six daily trains. The steamer trade
is about S15 arrivals annually during nav
igation season of seven and one half months.
The natural scenery Of the city suburbs is
fine 1t rises by three terraces, in all about
ninety feet from the banks of the river, that
| spread out their tops, plateau-lke, with
| foundations of soft limestone. The sewers
are dug through this deposit, many of
| them, and require neither bricks nor stone.
| The river makes an easy bend about the
city, and a few miles up stream loses itself
| In the parks of Minneapolis.
There is much here to remind us Of New
England. 1t is up and down hill, and the
| Yankee element predominates. The richest
men here are from the State of Maine, and
Maine people are well appreciated for their
| good judgment aud shrewdness. They have
| dog here they call brdg. and you have only
| to be here few days to find out that that
New England proclivity has not been left
uncultivated. People here can't help brag-
| ging. 1t is big country in every sense.
| Big farms, big crops and big enterprises, and
| they are beginning to raise big men. They
| don't stretch it much. The general rule is
| twenty five per cent. off for fact.
| But for all the big stories we hear we re-
| alize we are standing only upon the thresh-
old of country yet undeveloped. There is
| abundance of room out here. 1t is noted
| for it's magnificent distances"
jealousy in matters of business seems to
| have no place here. What helps one must
help Others. Everybody strives to make
you welcome, but it is roll up your sleeves
| and pitch in II. M. S.