Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-06-19

FROM A PASTORS PEN.
What a Visiting Minister has to
Say About It.
Pittsburgh (Pa.) Presbyterian Banner.
DEVILS LAKE.
The train reached Devils Lake about
3 O'Clock a. NJ, June 2. This lake is by
no means so bad rs the name indicates,
which has evidently been the victim of
erroneous translation. The Indian name
is "Minnewaukan," meaning the
"Strnge Spirit Water Or Mysterious
Waters" and the Chippewa Indians
have many curious legends in relation
to the cause of this name being given
to the lake, which is fifty-fiye miles in
length and fourteen miles in width at
the widest point. The water is salt of
about the same specific gravity as the
ocean, and contains chloride Of sodium,
sulphate and carbonate of soda, COM
bined with lime, magnesium and trace
of iron, with a taste similar to that of sea
water. 1t is claimed that this water has
been wonderfully efficaclous in the cure
of rheumatism, dyspepsia, pulmonary
complaints, skin diseases and nervous
prostration !; while it is insisted that the
agitation of the water by a refreshing
breeze which shifts from quarter to quar-
ter, producing II bright and clear air,
renders fever and ague and all forms of
malarial disease impossible. 1t is also
said that proofs are overwhelming that
this is the only place in the United States
yet discovered where sufferers from hay
fever a certainly obtain relief and
cure. The cause assigned for this is,
that the air is kept ''clean' by the never
fsiling breeze and the rain which come
in sharp and short showers, while fogs
and mists are unknown.
AS has been truly said Of this wonder
full lake, sit is q wilderness of romantic
beauty, and has probably more natural
landscape views Of surprising excellence
than any other body of similar size on
the northwestern continent, and from
any prominent point along its shore
there is presented to the delighted eye
one of the grandest panoramas that ma
ture ever exhibited to her admirers. At
one glance the eye may take i'll far-roll-
ing pralries, towering forests, the blue
waters Of the lake bordered by jutting
promontories and rugged cliffs. Upon
the south shore a be seen the Devils
Heart" a high .pyramid-shaped peak
easily described ut a distance of forty
miles or more. West of it is Fort Tot.
ten, and then for many miles comes a
succession Of white cliffs, smooth, firm
beach and wavy forests"
The lake is rich in fish, but of a single
variety, the pickerel, which Is a savage,
and when grown to full size destroys al
most all other kinds Of fish 1t may ell
counter. The surrounding country has
attractions for the hunter such as can
hardly be found in any other place.
"Every variety Of duck, prairie chicken,
plover, geese, crane, brant and snipe
abounds, while antelope, deer, foxes,
badgers, and beaver are to be found in
the timber lands of the Turtle mountain,
seventy-fve miles northwest, in which
locality the lover of exciting sport will
also find that wolves, bear and elk are
easily started up; in fact it is easier tc
start them than to get them"
1t is only since 1883 that the City Of
Devils Lake, on the north shore, has
sprung up, and TO- hundreds of thou
sands of acres of cultivated land are
tributary to it, while the city itself con.
sists of between 800 and 400 houses
Here our Board of Home Missions has
established a thriving church under the
pastoral charge of Rev. Charles S. Con
verse, q brother of Messrs. Converse, ed
itors and %proprietors of the Christian Oh
server, of the Southern Presbyterian
church, published at Louisville, Ky.
Upon emerging from the sleeping cars
we discovered that MI. Converse and his
people had provided breakfast for the
tourists, and anything in the shape Of q
proposal to pay was politely resented
However, before leaving, a contribution
was made in behalf of the church.
FORT TOTEM.
Crossing the lake on a steamer, For
Totem, directly opposite the city, was
rea he'd. This fort was established il
1867, and has four companies of United
Stat es troops under command of MajoI
BAG on, native of Kentucky, who tough
bra,;ely on the Union side Throughout
the war, was on the staff of Gen. james
S. Jackson, we'll remembered by many
Of Il lie older students of Jefferson college
Pa: and was standing by his side at tn.
bait lie of Perryville. KY, when that Off
Ger, of whom such high hopes were en-
tert lined. was killed. Atthe landing WI
we're met by Major Bacon, the chaplain
the surgeon and other officers, who re
ceiy ed us with the greatest cordially
All the vehicles connected with the for
and the Indian agency and to be foune
in the neighborhood, from the six.mul'
wagon to the light buggy, had been col
lected for u accommodation. w
were rapidly driven to the Indian agency
which is under the control of the Roman
Catholic church, where a kind welcome
was given us by the agent, MI. Cramsie