Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-08-23
LETTER FROM NORTHLAND.
North Land, in st. Mary's River,

NOTtn lLdIlu, III 81. MaTN > hlNcT,
August 81, 1899.
DEAR Mr.. SCHwEYER:-We intend
ed to write letter to you upon arriving
I, AT Sault St. Marie, but SO many things
occupied our time and attention that
we did not do it.
Our previous letters gave account of
our journey as far as Mackinac Island.
Leaving that beautiful and historical
spot replete in tragic events, we steam
ed up the beautiful Saint Mary's River.
We had an eight hour run on this river.
In this stream are over 5000 islands of
various sizes and forms. AT the head of
the river is located the thrifty city of
Sault st. Marie, commonly called the
800" Here are what we boast Of as
the ''largest canal locks in The wOrld.n
But this is not true. Our largest war
vessels can go through the Suez Canal,
but could not get through these locks
Still these locks are wonderful. There
Is 80 per cent more tonnage passing
through this canal than through any
other in the world, by actual figures.
We made the acquaintance Of the sup
erintendent of the locks, genial fellow,
who gave us much information. Just
try to grasp this: s:-On Saturday afternoon
there were four lake steamers in the
lock at one time. They were bringing
iron ore east. Their combined cargOes
made q ,S32 tons. Now ten tons make
carload, hence there were i'm this one
lock at one time 2, ,1S3 carloads of iron
ore. Last year 9 900 vessel loads of ore
passed through this canal. The vessels
are monsters, some of them reaching a
length of 476 feet, and they are now
building some over 500 feet long These
locks are open eight months of each
year, and day and night, rain or shine,
there is the one constant stream of
traffic. The government support this
canal, no tonnage Is charged, piece Of
class legislation to help the Carnegie's
and Rockofelers.
Not far to the right of the canal are
the $500" rapids. At any hour of the
day one may see parties shooting" the
rapids in canoes manned by Indian
half-breeds. AS we have family de-
pending upon us, we did not attempt
the shooting"
A wonderful industry is under pro-
gress at the $500" There is being cor
structed around the city a waterway of
vast dimensions, which will furnish a
waterpower Of great value, somewhat
like that at Niagara Falls. The enter
prise is costing 81 ,OOO, 600.
OO.
town of 5000. Here is large pulp
mill employing 800 men We were ali
through this, and saw the process Of
making pulp from beginning to end.
We spent a day and night in this town.
The Canadians are slow.
We jOurneyed from 500 st. Marie to
Bay Mills to visit friends. Here we had
fine time resting, rowing and fishing.
In a small yacht we sailed some 25
miles up Lake Superior into White Fish
Bay. 1t was dark when we reached
the point of destination. We had to
walk about two miles to find the mouth
of the creek in which we intended to
fish. 1t was ten o'clock at night when
we pitched our tent and lay down upon
the naked earth to sleep. "BOb" Lev
er, young man, the owner of our sail
ing craft, took the lantern and started
for the creek to get some drinking wat
er. He hard not gone far before he yell
ed Raven! bring the gun quickv'
was in my stockings, but was soon by
his side to see a black bear in the shadow.
Our shot was too small for bruin and he
made his escape
At the following morning we were
ready for a short time at fishing. At 6
a. m. we sat down to breakfast and had
seventeen fine trout. All! but they
were good. We fished until Saturday
p. NJ, and after eating all the trout we
wanted took $50 home with us. We
started home across the bay in mod
crate breeze, but soon a terrific gale WAS
blowing, our boat began to fill with
water and we were compelled to make
for shore, set up our tent and remain
until the following morning at 4 O'Clock,
when we set out for home, reaching
there in time for morning church. 1t
was "a most enjoyable trip
Lake Superior is the largest body of
fresh water on the earth, its water is
clear, cold and pure. We hope some
day to travese it.
Bay Mills is situated on Waiaska
Bay. A few miles from it is an Indian
settlement where is a government In
dian school. The Indians are Chippe-
was The old chief is called "Bill
Whiskey." l suppose this is u corrup-!!
ton of Waiaska. have fine Lake
Superior agate which l got from his
granddaughter.
We are now rapidly steamiDg home
ward, but as we have some stops to
make yet, We are not sure of the time of
our arrival. Al
We hope to find the people all we}l
and happy.