Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-05-14
STATE OF SUPERIOR.
FOND DREAM OF THE, PEOPLE
-D's1 OF Irt+s,iRoN BELT.
Michigan, Wisc ohsiu, and Minnesota
Will BE Asked to Consent to Dis
memberment One Million People
Anxious for the Change. - ,..t,,
New Northcrn State.

recent date says:
Those who live in winter in centers OF
civilization, where thermometers seldom
or never register zero, have little concep-
ton OF that vast area of hardy popula-
tions which has sprung into an extraordi-
nary condition Of prosperity on the shores
of our northern lakes. A Duluth or Els
CANADIAN thermometer might be ASHAMED
to rise to zero in January, but the inhab-
itants of the northern zone would still
view with contempt their far southern
cempatriots. reveliug in balmy winds from
the gulf and breathing odors Of myriad
roses from the gardens. Around our great
northern sea, Lake Superior, million
people at this moment would like recogni-
ton as a new State, while with impetuous
energy, they are excayating ten million
annual tons OF iron ore, taking copper
nearly mile below the surface of the
earth, denuding forests of billion feet
Of lumber and timbers, guarding vast
areas Of grain ITO be harvested next au-
tumn and supplying the world with fresh
water fishes.
Escanaba lies at the head of Green Bay,
32S miles due north of Chicago. 1t is a
matter Of a nights journey either way.
In the summer it is an enchanted spot
of Northland. offering cool, dry climate,
the most pleasurable yachting, boating
and fishing. 1t is the great iron port of
the North, ,rivallcd. only by Ashland. Here
may be seen the whalebacks and the
hugest lake. liners. The Northwestern
railway ore docks are colossal structures,
into the pockets of which are dropped the
ores of the Mcnominee range from the
false bottom ore cars, thence into the
holds of steamships through iron cylin-
ders. BY the construction Of these docks,
ore which formerly passed around Lake
Superior through the straits, is now haul
ed comparatively short distance on cars
and loaded on vessels as described, saw
ing long water voyage. To these great
docks Escapahlt owes its supremacy as
II lake port and its fame throughout the
world.
Some years ago, one man saw the pos
sibilitics OF Escanaba, constructed rail-
ways to and from it which are now part
of the Northwestern system, and con-
ceiyed it's splendid ore docks. This man
was Lieutenant Governor James ii. Mac
donald, who came to this country from
Scotland poor had. and by building the
fortunes Of Escanaba and its environ
ment. achieved his own wealth, political
power and fame One fatal day in 1888
he left the Senate at Lansing, where he
was presiding, and with several railway
officials. went on tour of inspection on
the peninsula in his private car. The
train was wrecked. and he and those with
him were killed. Escanaba survives as a
monument, largely of his handiwork. 1t
is Il modern city, in all respects. replete
with trolley railway, electric lighting
steam heating, good hotels, a magnificent
harbor of refuge and shipping. easy of ac-
cess to Chicago and other parts of the
lake In the spring the largest ore vessels
early attempt to be first ut its ore docks
The Calumet and Hecia copper mine
is now being worked at a depth of HOO
feet | was told that the copper increases
in richness and abundance us the shaft
sinks. | can remember when this mine
was supposed to be worthless. In de-
spair the, directors sought Alexander
Agassiz. the son OF the great Louis, and
offered him large slice of stock if he
would examine the mine and unveil the
truth. Agassiz investigated and discover
cd the vast wealth of the deposit. AS a
result, his stock has brought him i'm
mense dividends. from which he built,
stocked and endowed the big Museum of
Comparative Zoology, annex Of Harvard
College, Il steamer with which he has
conducted explorations and dredged the
Caribbean sea, Pacific ocean and the gulf
stream, securing thousands of new forms
of marine animal and plant life. -.'t.
The big iron ranges around Lake Supe-
rior produced 100000 tons Of ore dur
ing the past season. They comprise the
Vcrmillion, near Duluth, the Gogebic and
Mesaba, near Ashland; the Menominee,
near Escanaba. 1t is this territory Of
iron, copper, lumber and fishing indus
tries, comprising perhaps million ,peo-
pie that has for some time been desiring
to become State. Each session of the
Legislatures of Minnesota and Wisconsin
is importuned by the people of Duluth and
elsewhere to let them form a new State.
The Northern peninsula has never been
considered as properly part of Michigan.
1t clearly has the right Of secession and
of statehood. 1t seems absurd, however,
for Wisconsin to surrender a slip of her
territory bordering Lake Superior, and it
rs doubtful If she will ever consent to
crafty the vanity of Duluth by letting
West Superior join that city. In such
matter the big railway systems have lit
tie interest. and will offer no help. AS a
matter of fact such q move is directly
against the interests of the railways,
which would have another State railway
commission to father and new political
conquestslto make in order to control an
other Legislature.
The iron products increase annually by
1000 900 tons. The mines have got down
to business basis, and have ample plants
for enormous productions. Improbable
mines and holes have been weeded out.
In the G6gebic range, for instance, it has
been found that out Of 200 mines there
are about twenty-five good working prop
critics, which consequently have been
amply provided with working capital and
plants. These, mines are now the largest
producers, making the Gogebic the ban
ner range Of the world. The Ishpeming
mines annually exceed former outputs by
300, 900 tons. and the Vermillion mines by
100000 tons,
The Northland scenery in winter is
grand and inspiring. A week Of it will he
found invigorating and healthful and a
good preparation for u season in Florida.
always go North before going South
The change,of 60 degrees Of climate, say
from Escanaba to New Orleans, within
three days, is pleasure worth the expert
ment. But to experiment in the opposite