Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-12-08
BY LAND AND WATER.
A Study Of the Industrial Conditions Of
the Central West.


mage.
Especial correspondence Of The Phpnxl
Sault Ste Marie now abbreviated to "the
Soo, J." is the French for Falls of st. Mary,
which means the rapids in the st. Mary's
river at the outlet of Lake Superior, and
the name of the town opposite the rapids,
on either side. TIE distance from Macki-
nae island to the 500, by water, is a short
100 miles. The route skirts the southern
shore of the upper peninsula to the post of
Detour, (the turn "a miles from the island
above mentioned. From Detour, which is
the eastern extremity of the state Of Michi-
gan, the course lies directly northwest to
Lake Superior.
Authorities say that there are more than
5000 islands scattered along this river,
which is more than so miles from shore to
shore, in one place, at least. This island
census is not fish story, although the fish
are the more numerous inhabitants of the
locality and that may account for high scale
ing of the 0s in the enumeration. When the
wind and weather permit your correspond
ent to locate on the quarterback of one of
the spacious steamers Of the Anchor line
while threading its way beside, between or
beyond any of these aforesaid 5000, he
should report the general ensemble to be
one of the most picturesque bits of land and
water scenery imaginable; but if the wind
comes bowling along directly opposite to
the course he is sailing at a gait of AZ
miles per hour, while the vessel is striving
to make 10 miles in the same time, the two
forces would cause so great an impact that
he could probably be found within the in
nermost recesses of the after cabin, hug
ging a sofa with both arms, in a As degree
inclination, oblivious to the beauty of the
scenery outside. The navigation of St.
Mary's river is difficult, hazardous and dan
gerous. If the river were subject to the
changes incidental to all others except the
lake system, navigation would be impossi-
bic. With the present conditions it re-
quires the training and experience of an
expert to safely pilot a Bessemer liner, $50
feet in length, carrying 1000 tons of freight
through the tortuous channels of these wa
ters called a river, but in reality very
broad strait, from 20 to 80 miles in width,
surrounding islands larger than the con-
ventional townships.
The islands are susceptible of cultiva-
ton and could be made profitable as
ranches for cattle or sheep raising, as the
soil is strong and nutritious grasses grow
luxuriantly. There are only few small
settlements on those belonging to the Unit
ed States, and most of the men l met are
employed by our government, either in
blasting and removing rock from the river
channel, or are attached to the staff of the
lighthouse board. AS l approached the
rapids the sound of the great mass of wa
ter rushing swiftly over the huge boulders
from Lake Superior to the quiet river be-
low could be heard distinctly, and the i'm
posing stone buildings of the customs and
engineers department were seen above the
locks, on level with the canals beyond.
The vessels of the passenger service, from
points on Huron and further south, land
the people below the falls, although the
city is situated on the upper level, and the
walk from the hotels across the plaza.
which belongs to the government, affords
one a splendid view of lake, canals, yes
sells, rapids, locks and river.
The 500, being the location where the
government meter records the commerce
of ports on Lake Superior with the lake
system further SOUTH has become interest
ino in tie
the country, and, also, by its antece-
dents in history.
Five years before Elliott had preached to
the Indians within six miles of Boston. the
Jesuit Fathers had toiled through the will
derness from Quebec TO these shores, and
had erected their affairs and preached to
the 1000 savages dwelling near the falls of
St. Mary; 22S years ago, st. Lusson, a dis
tinguished gentleman, was delegated by
Louis XIV. of France to represent the
crown in New France and came here with
a great retinue of brilliantly attired attend
ants. The Jesuits, with all the Indians
they could muster within 1000 miles, were
congregated to see the tinselled French del
egation and witness the ceremonies of rails
ing two cedar columns, which were to rep
resent the sovereignty of the French mon
arch. On one was fastened the shield of
France, on the other a huge cross and
blessed with all the ceremonies of the
church. st. Lusson and Father Allonez
made the dedicatory speeches which
clinched the title of the most Christian
King of France to nearly all Of North Amer
lea. This spectacle occurred on a small
knoll about midway between the lake and
falls, short distance from the river ON the
American side.
One hundred and eighty-one years later |
than the event just mentioned, company
of contractors and engineers from New
England came here to construct the great |
ship canal around st. Mary's falls, and they |
found in their line of proposed operations a |
sandy knoll and over il were scattered In
dian graves, and ON it stood leaning, a
large cedar cross, moss grown and crumb-
ling to decay. The contractors made short |
work of this tumulus, the knoll being carried
off and dumped into the swift running
river. Now the great steel liners, drawing
II feet of water, sail triumphantly through
the canals, 90 feet in depth, where stood
the Jesuits' cross and the lilies of the most
Christian King of France. Thus ended the
epoch of the bombastic claims of France to
The shores of "Gitche Gumeen IN the