The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-08-15

When we wrote our last letter we
were located at Mackinac, and we
could have willingly remained much
longer amid the mythical scenes Of that
beautiful island.
We took the steamer, City of Charlie
voix, for the port of the same name,
and FASTENED westward through the
straitsA Leaving or approaching the
island one is more than ever charmed
with its beauty. AS seen from the
water, it is simply gem, as fine pic
ture for the pencil of the artist as can
be found The boldness of its rock
bound shores, the beauty of its ever
green's, the old town nestled close
about the harbor under the cliff, with
the white walls of the fort on the bluff,
high above, all blend to make picture
of rare beauty and interest.
From the steamers upper deck,
where we took our position-Mrs. M.
was clear atop of the pilot house |;
nothing too high for her to climb-we
took survey of our surroundings. To
our right was bay, around which was
clustered st. Ignace to the south east,
the south channel, between Bots Blanc
out into Lake Huron as far as the eye
into Lake Michigan, and on either
hand the two Michigan peninsulas,
connected by ferry and separated by
strait. viii it ever be bridged Will
it ever be tunneled?
We touched at the Island of st. Hell
ena thirteen miles west where there is
a good harbor aid light house to pro-
tect and guide through the straits.
Our next stop was at st James, har-
Dor of refuge at the Beaver Islands.
Here was pointed out to us the temple
where the Mormons formerly held their
service for the making of proselytes to
their faith. From St. James we steam
ed straight away for Petoskey, touch
ing at Harbor Springs and, after TWEEN
ty hours from Mackinac, were made
fast in Round Lake at Charlevoix
The whole northern portion of this
peninsula has become so familiar that
il seems needless 10 mention il, but we
must say word about Charlevoix; it
strikes us so delightfully."- The entrance
from Lake Michigan into Round Lake
is through an artificial channel some
forty rods in length. This lake covers
about twenty-five acres, and is shaped
as its name implies. The village is
located around its shore and on the
high bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan.
Leading out of Round Lake, to the
south, is Pine River, connecting with
Pine Lake, the stream being less than
half mile long. This latter lake is
beautiful sheet of water, stretching
away to the east and south for dis
lance of twenty miles. About five
miles out it divides, the south arm ex-
tending southerly distance of sixteen
miles, ending at East Jordan, the en-
trance of the Jordan River, one of the
finest trout streams in the world. At
this place we found DIR. Bennett enjoy
ing all the medical practice he can
attend to. The scenery about these
lakes is simply magnificent. Between
Round and Pine lakes is the Kalamazoo
resort, situated on three natural ter
races, about which are many pictur-
esque cottages.
Over near Boyne City, ten miles from
the Jordan, we found Ash. Herron
bare-footed, with his sleeves rolled up,
looking as natural as he did twenty five
years ago when we marched side by
side i'm Dixie. He has fine farm, and
is good, prosperous farmer. At
Boyne Falls we met Frank Myers,
whose corporosity was of such dimen-
sions when in Paw Paw last fall as to
attract crowd of small boys as would
the sight of an elephant. He has re-
duced his weight from 331 pounds to
PAP, and is continuing its reduction at the
rate of seventeen pounds per month
He, too, marched by our side when he
weighed but 145 pounds.
On the first day of August we again
embarked on board the steamer and
were conveyed back to Mackinac and
Detour, where we intercepted our line
of boats and continued our tour. On
the I'd inst. we entered the Detour pas
sage, or the mouth of st. Mary's River,
connecting lakes Superior and Huron
and forming the boundary between
Michigan and Canada. 1t is sixty-two
miles to the $780," about mile wide,
and 100 feet in depth. Islands almost
innumerable, and of every form and
shape, are in view. Pipe Island is four
miles from the mouth; Lime Island
ten miles. Eight miles up is St. Joseph
Island, with an old fort; sixteen miles
up is Mud Lake, four miles across.
The channel has been made, and is
marked by Stakes and buoys. Sugar
Island is twenty-six miles from Detour (;
here DIVORCES the north channel into
Georgian Bay; this is the Canadian
passage. Just beyond this point are
the rapids, where the channel has been
blasted through the rock, the water be-
ing but few inches deep, with solid
rock below and on either side. Thirty
miles up is Lake George, which, like
Mud Lake, is an expansion of the river,
and is four miles wide and nine miles
long. Here, again, the channel is
crooked and narrow and marked by
stakes and buoys, and many vessels get
stuck Last week Canadian passen-
ger boat got fast and remained for
three days before she succeeded in
getting off. 1t is needless to say that
no vessels pass up or down this passage
except in daylight. At six O'Clock we
sighted the rapids of ST. Mary's River,
| fifteen miles below the foot of Lake