The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-11-21
|L'ANSE VS.. ONTONACON
Navigator" Nails a Lie to the
Mast Head.
Roast of the Herald's Editor and
OntOnagOn's HarbOr.
Resources Of Tannery Timber
Available to L'Anse.
Land-LOcked Sites Oh Ke-
weenaw Bay.
Tannery Men Now In This
NeighbOrhOOd.
Tannery Men Now In This
NeighbOrhOOd.
To THE EDITOR:

TO THE EDITOR:
When sarcastic notes. such as ap-
peared in the columns of the Onton-
agon Herald few weeks back rela
tive to tannery site, remain un-
answered, it appears to the writer
that your exchange observer needs
| jacking up.
When the editor of the Ontonagon
paper or any other paper attempts
to compare Ontonagon harbor with
the harbor at this point, they mere
ly make themselves, in the eyes of
Lake Superior men and others
familiar with both points, appear
ridiculous. 1t certainly is an in
opportune moment, while the
Herald s town lay paralyzed under
the weight of $4,000 bonded in
debtedness, at a time when she
should be seeking the simple, sooth-
ing words of cheer from neighbor-
ing villages, for her editor to cast
reflections on rival, striving to
secure an industry.
The actions of the Herald s editor
in the minds of unprejudiced men on
the tannery question is inexcusable
We're he desirouS of obtaining facts
of the matter in consideration il
was only necessary for him to
consult the worthy seamen who in
habit that village Poor, antique
Ontonagon! Her historic connec-
tions and early traditions naturally
create warmth and sympathy.
It would be cruel at this time,
knowing her past history-when
the rich ranges poured forth their
valuable treasures, causing com
mercial activity and general pros
perity-to criticize or comment on
her unfavorablc locality while she
lay pinioned and prostrate in de-
plorablc and helpless state. With
due respect for old age and pro-
found sympathy for the sufferers
sheltered by the sand Notifications
of bleak beach, still we would feel
dcrelict in the performance of a duty
were we to sit idly by while any
competitor attempts to exact one
iota of truth concerning nature 5 re-
fuge harbor of Old Superior.
The disturbance of our fisheries
and fur interests by the encroach-
ment on our boundaries by
foreigners may justly subject to
ccnsure the United States govern
ment. It's praise cannot be too
loudly sounded in the protection af-
forded Ontonagon. If similar sus-
tenance is received at other To-
cahties by constant appropriation,
the fact escapes the at
tention of the writer. Nursed
and nourished by the com
bned states of the Union for half
century, it now seeks assistance
from our state Legislature to lift the
load caused by the late calamity
The tottcring gray-haired Chippewa
chieftain that once gamboled in the
rude hammock suspended from the
brow of the brave squaw woman,
has long since gone to his happy
hunting grounds. Countries have
been conquered, pensioners have
passed away, but the undertow of
the Ontonagon will tug on forever.
If we would place reliance in
history, forests of fir trees fathom
ed the depths by private subscrip-
tion in the fifties, averaging an an
nual expenditure of Sl5, ,0O0 and the
enormous sum of $500, 900 would
scarcely count the congressional APP
preparations of the past forty years.
And what does this vast outlay
represent? What have they to ex-
hibit today? A prominent pier
promenade A lovers retreat!
We witness the same dangerous
and dreaded coast, where Paul and
other prospectors pranced in the
early days. When the furious gales
caused the bravest seaman to quail
and his staunch ship to turn tail
in the perilous and venturesome
task to effect landing Did
fortune favor Ontonagon with a
fractional portion of our land locked
harbor, fewer of the brave
mariners would be shrouded in the
water-logged hulks of the costly
carriers.
We are not desirous of making a
lengthier portrayal of the subject.
To the disinterested sailor, familiar
with the exposed coast stretching
from the locks to Lapointe, place
before you the mariners map Of the
largest body of fresh water on
earth, picture the frail bark,