The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-05-30
STATE OF SUPERIOR.

ClflitIAllou, Nutic tutfiuDuittttu beiuOui
or never register zero, have little concep-
ton OF that vast area Of hardy popula-
tions which has sprung into an extraor-
binary condition OF prosperity on the
shores OF our northern lakes. A Duluth
or Escanaban thermometer might be
ashamed to rise TO zero in January, but
the inhabitants OF the northern zone
would still view with contempt their far
southern compatriots, revealing in balmy
winds from the gull and breathing odors
OF myraid roses from the gardens.
Around our great northern sea, Lake
Superior, a million people at this
moment would like recognition as a new
state. while with impetuous energy, they
are excavating ten million annual tons
OF iron ore, taking copper nearly mile
below the surface OF the earth, denuding
forests OF a billion feet OF lumber and
timbers, guarding vast areas OF grain to
be harvested next autumn and supply
ing the world with fresh water fishes.
Escanaba lies at the head OF Green
Bay, 32S miles due north OF Chicago.
IL is 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, rivalled only by
Ashland. Here may be seen the whale
backs and the hugest lake liners. The
Northwestern ore docks are colossal
structures, into the pockets Of which are
dropped the ores OF the Menominee range
from the false bottom ore cars, thence
into the holds OF the steamships through
iron cylinders. BY the construction OF
these docks, ore which formerly passed
around Lake Superior through the
straits, is now hauled compare lively
short distance ON cars and loaded on
vessels as described, saving a long water
voyage. To these great docks Escanaba
owes its supremacy as lake port and
it's lame throughout the world.
Some years ago, one man saw the
possibilities OF Escanaba, constructed
railways 10 and from it which IRE now q
part OF the Northwestern syst m, and
conceived its splendid ore docks. This
man was Lieutenant Governor James
III. Macdonald, who came to this coun-
try from Scotland poor lad, and by
building the fortunes OF Escanaba and
its environment, achieved his own
wealth, political power and fame. One
fata day in 1883 he left the senate at
Lansing, where he was presiding, and
with several railway officials, went on n
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 monument,
largely OF bis handiwork. 10 is modern
city, in all respects, repeto with-a troll
ley railway, electric lighting, steam
heating good hotels, Il magnificent har-
Dor of refuge and shipping. easy OF
access TO Chicago and other parts OF
the lake. In the spring the largest ore
vessels early attempt to be first at It's
ore docks.
The Calumet anti iieoia copper fiino IL
now being worked at a depth OF 400
feet. ! was told that the copper in
creases in richness and abundance rs the
SHIFT sinks. | can remember when this
mine was supposed to be worthless. In
despair the directors sought Alexander
Agassiz, the son of the great Louis, and
offered him large slice OF stock II he
would examine the mine and unveil the
truth Agassiz investigated and discov-
cred the vast wealth OF the deposit. As
result, his stock has brought him i'm
mensc dividends, from which he built,
stocked and endowed the big Museum OF
Comparative Zoology annex OF Harvard
College, steamer with which he has
conducted explorations and dredged the
Caribbean sea, Pacific ocean aud tho guilt
stream, securing thousands Of new forms
OF marine animal and plant life.
The big iron ranges around Lake Snpe-
rior produced 100000 tons OF ore
during the past season. They comprise
the Marquette, Gogebic, Menominec, Yer
million and Mesabi ranges. It is this ter
ritory OF iron, copper, lumber and fishing
industries, compromising perhaps
million people, that has for some time
been desiring to become n state. Each
session OF the legislatures OF Minnesota
and Wisconsin IL importuned by the
people Of Duluth and elsewhere to let
them form new state. The northern
peninsula has never been considered ns
properly part OF Michigan. IL clearly
has the right OF secession and OF state.
hood. IL seems absurd, however, for
Wisconsin to surrender a slip Of her ter
ritory bordering Lake Superior, and IL is
doubtful II she will ever consent TO graft
~ the vanity OF Duluth by letting West
Superior join that city. In such mat
ter the big railway systems have little