Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-08-27
Our Dakota Letter.
Washington Hills and surin1

Trip totne w esSingtOn Hills and Springs
in which we continued our inspection of
this country and added to our list of
scenic views in nature in camping with a
party OF ten, consisting of Mr.. and Mrs.
Sommerfeld, from Durand, Wis, Miss
Rosie Mathews, from Minneapolis. Mimi.
Mr.. and Mrs. Kinds and son, Mr.. and
Mrs. Chandler, including Mr.. S. and self
from Woonsocket. Happily Mr., Chand.
Ter formed one of our party, for being
cousin to cole Bulr' Gin music and who
discourses sweet music in such dulces
strains as could charm nightingale or
would soothe all the savage breasts on
the Crow reservation, 70 miles from here.
with his violin with us we are secure
in case of attack or ambuscade by the
red men. The morn being bright and
fair, prophetic of an ENJOYABLE trip. we
are started with merry jest and light
laughter. Our vehicle, light and easy
conveyance, seating six of us, our horses
good travellers that start from the word
go, the rest of the party 10 another car
riage, we bowl along at just the right
speed for observation and ENJOYMENT.
beguiling time and distance too with
some sweet simple lay or pleasant cou-
verse. we listen to the quaint song of
the meadow lark and the whistle of the
plover, enlivened and amused by their
strange and cheerful notes. Our road is
smooth and we'll beaten Our route lies
directly facing the Hills, continuous
ridge as far as the eye can reach either
way. We reach at first a low range of
hills outlying W. about three miles dis
tant. What an extended view is then
before us! A valley is spread at our feet
that might seemingly hold young state.
there is such level stretch of land to
view looking like one vast checker. board.
the squares of light and dark being the
vivid green of the fast maturing corn
fields and the lighter shade of green from
the plains of the much noted blue grass.
diversified with squares of the golden
color OF ripened grain cut and uncut,
the many stacks of grain standing about
unthreshed, and the small houses and
barns in sight being the players, and also
giving the impression OF tiny settlements
wonderful to see in Sc new land: and
80 we move on through the broad valley,
the clustering pink bell and pretty golden
rod blossom by our path, Natures
beauties filling both eye and heart 20
see. To our right and to our left vast
meadows of waving nutritious grasses
and the many acres of growing corn and
fields of already harvested grsin.
indicative of crowded corn cribs
and bountiful harvest, generous gift
from beni6cent Hand to lowing kline
and dependent man. Our party are in
excellent spirits, the day, the view, the
air, the sky, the drive, the companion
ship, all conspire and are all sufficient
70 exhilarate us naturally. We view the
washington Hills before us, which Law
enshroudedEn a beautiful misty lblue.
the sunshine softened BY the haze comes
glimmering down as through a serene,
while over hills and valleys green the
feecy clouds float high in the air, while
over all and everywhere the sweet air
bloweth fresh and fair and all as lovely
as poets dream.
sob! lucent, l1mhent sky,
With snowy C-ouds on high,
DER shining silyery lakes,
Thy vision ever wakes
Keen raptures of the SOUL"
AS we approach the Hills we cross
Fire Steel Valley of about four miles of
lowlands when we reach our destination
Washington Springs, nestled closely to
the Hills, and truly a romantic spot,
giving to our long unaccustomed sight
the welcome view of natural trees. We
also meet here our genial landlord and
lady of our Merchants Hotel, of W.,
who had preceded our party and join us
for the day, after partaking of an excel.
lent dinner al the Springs Hotel, which
was well served and enjoyed by all,
while every attention was paid us by the
pleasant landlord for our rest and enter.
tainment. We all repair to the celebrated
springs to taste sip and wander under
the knolled and spreading branches of
the willow and the oak, eliciting from all
grateful and delighted acknowledge.
ment of their cooling shade. The trees
are necessarily of small and stinted
growth but still they are real trees as one
and all exclaim as they glance upward
with smile and sigh of content and then
sink into the many little rustic seats,
fashioned for the rest and comfort of
visitors, each one acknowledging that if
we DO like prairie we are still fond of
trees. We rest and listen to the music
OF the little noisy brooklet that comes
rushing down from the falls of the springs.
refreshing us with its welcome sound:
we then proceed to view the falls and
sip its waters. It is miniature Mime.
haha in resemblance. The water IF one
OF the springs is strongly impregnated
with sulphur. One and all agree to
Chamber up the hillsjdes and toll to their
tops in search of moss agates and cor.
nelians, all searching diligently, some
claim to be lucky, until the fatigue of a
very reclining position in the SUMS hot
rays when the summit is attained forces
reluctant people to return to the YER
dant shade below for a short rest before
returning to the hotel.
But we pause for hasty survey of the
surroundingscountry while on the summit,
which was grand, delightful and wonder.
fully extended. We could see in the
dim distance Alpena and Woonsocket.
We are again in our carriage on our
homeward way with a resolve to come
again to the attractiye Springs. The
day is waning but still fine. A glance