The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-23
INDIANA'S LITTLE LAKES
SUMMER RESORTS WHERE MANY
PEOPLE FIND RECREATION.
Black Bass Numerous and Acres of
Notes from Little Traverse Bay.
Decial to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
LAKE TIPPECANOE. Ind, Aug. H.-
This pretty lake and its chain of sisters-the
Barber lakes-have grown to be favorite re-
sorts for people who like to spend their
summer vacations in quiet places. Wa
wasee, about nine miles northeast of
Little Tippecanoe lake, has its charms
for those who want to be in the
social swim wherever they go;
but TO the weary toiler from the city who
wishes to break the monotony of a year S
grind at desk, counter or bench, and who
cares nothing for the nightly hop at the
hOtel-to him who is trying to get away
from everything that reminds of busy life
there are charms about the lesser lakes of
kosciusko county that the gay and crowded
resorts do not possess. If the cutters in
clination tends to fishing, there are black
bass, yellow-ringed perch, redeyes and
sunfsh waiting to be lured from the clear
waters Ii he be fond of hunting. the
dainty woodcock may be found among the
willows in the semi-marshes but it takes a
quick eye and a snap shot to grass" this
toothsome bird; and there are also plenty
of woodducks in the tall reeds. flags and
grasses that line the channels or rivers be-
tween the lakes. The open season for the
wood. or summer duck as it is frequently
called, does not begin till Sept l, while
Woodcock may be shot after July l.
Fishing and shooting, however, are not the
only means of recreation. There are plenty
OIL opportunities for rowing, canoeing, sail
ing and swimming. and if the outer be of
the gentler sex she can amuse herself III the
vast aquatic flower gardens gathering
water lilies, which grow SO thick in some
places that a boat is moved through them
with dlfnculty. For the boys there is an
added attraction of bullfrog shining" a
pleasant paStime on dark nights when the
mosquitoes are not too numerous. And if
the outer is too tired or lazy 10 indulge in
sport or exercise Of any kind there are
tempting groves on the banks overlooking
the lakes where hammocks can be swung
ana the hours Idled away. Then there are
pretty bits of landscape and scenes about
the lake, camp or farm that may be pic
tGfed by the camera and converted into
lasting souvenirs of the outing The
cycler, too, can find enjoyment with his
Mheel, Tor the roads, as rule, are good.
pan (clay and sand) and gravel. In long
dry spells they become soft and heavy but
there IS usually a good cycle path between
the ditch and the fence. After rain the
roads are smooth and hard, and almost
as good as cinder track for cycling.
the city has no longer u monopoly of the
wheel. A few years ago wheels were a
rarity IN the farming districts. They WERE
ers lived in the towns. Now however
wheels may be found at nearly every farm
house; in fact, the writer recently saw
three stalled in a barn with the family car
riage. And the wheel has its uses in the
country as we'll as in the city. Along about
milking time, in bygone days. Reuben had
10 make d long trip afOot for the COWS
a mile or two sometimes, when Betty
Muley, Sukey and the others were feeding
m IN the Tar pasture Now instead of foot
ing 1t, Reuben jumps on his wheel, speeds
to the pasture through lane and over path,
ROUNDS up Betty and ner companions,
starts them homeward and follows at his
leisure. Then again, if Reuben desires to
visit his sweetheart in the next township
he does not now spend an hour in a forty
wearing out his temper and the animal as
well: He simply mounts his wheel. rides
Piacldly along the highway and arrives at
htched his horse TO the buggy, and with
less worry.
SO, also with Jemima. If the farmers
daughter wishes to make small purchase
IN the village or visit a neighbor, she no
longer depends on the carriage or post
poheS her trip because the horses are in
use on the farm. She takes her wheel and
goes when she pleases. If Uncle Joe's mule,
IN na+s one of; of its fractions moods,
part of a reaping machine and has to be
shot, or if Aunt Susie's baby has the
Whooping cough and Aunt Jemima thinks
the neighbors should know these things
the wheel is brought into use and the news
soon spreads. So the wheel is becoming
part of the social life of the rural commu-
nifty, as it has long ago done in the city
In front of the James place--a farmhouse
on the banks of the Tippecanoe we'll
known to many indianapolis people-there
is road that runs from LeeSburg to VaW-
Yer Park; Years ago the road was named
lovers lane" because it was the favorite
driveway of farm lads and lassies who did
their counting in buggieS. 1t is still called
lovers lane but the Sunday parade of
couples in rigs is giving way to little
parties of youths and maidens awheel.
This merely shows, as stated before that
in the use of the bicycle the country is rap
idly following the example of the city.
Many campers have enjoyed the beauties
of the Tippecanoe and its sister lakes this
season. Thirty or forty people from Indi-
annapolis have spent their vacations in tents
near the shores of the lakes, and many
lent farmhOuseS. Parties from Anderson,
Marion, Gas City and Warsaw have
2 also been here, and md some still
houses grouped midway between two of
the lakes. and indianapolis, Warsaw, Lees
burg and Pierceton people have houses and
log cabins a. accessible points. There are
no hotels al ywhere, and the outer must
either take a. tent with him or arrange
for board and lodging at a farmhouse.
Camping privileges do not cost much, but
boats are scarce, and owners of canoes or
skiTs would do well to bring them along
with their camp outfit. A sailboat is a
source of pleasure, and frequently a con-
Venlence. but, as the wind is often strong
and tricky, especially on Tippecanoe and
Der chain), no tyrO should attempt to handle
one. In the glacial age. when these lakes
were formed some of the grinding masses
of ice evidently tried to reach the other
side of the world by going through it. for
there are holes in the lake estimated at two
hundred to three hundred feet deep. Thus
it will be seen that while there is little dam
ger of a sailbOat scrapinG the paint off its
bottom in some portions of the lakes there
is no possibility of capsiZed people Wading
ashore without the aid of diving bells
July and September are the best months
for Turing black bass. In the former month
this gamey fish is found feeding on the
bars and chasing miEnows or lying in wait
for frogs and insects along the shore They
are then easily taken with the ''bucktaiif'
or small Whirling spoon. Both are cast
the same artificial fly. In September
mnnOWs are the best bait and the deem
water off the bars the most likely place to
find the bass MinnOws are brought here.
when the weather is cool, in small tanks
that will hold three four hundred The
dark club common to Pleasant run, Bear
and Lick creeks, at Ind annapolis. are the
lveliesU and hardest, and can be easily
transported. Formerly it was customary
to aerate the water in a mnnow tank nv
blowing through a small rubber hose. Now
the fisherman merely supplies the baggage
man with bicycle pump, or visits the car
occasionally himself, if permitted and in
few seconds pumps sufficient air in the
water.
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.