Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1900-06-21
EDITORIAL EXCURSION
To LAKE OF THE WOODS AND
RAINY LAKE.

" Ah1 "OOOS AMI
RAINY LAKE.
Having long cherished desire to
see the Rainy Lake and Rainy River
country, the SHEAF scribe eagerly en-
braced the opportunity afforded by
the excursion arranged by the North
western Editorial Association to visit
this rather secluded portion of the
American continent. Rendezvousing
at Crookston, the editorial party, about
80 strong, including many editors
wives and other members of their fam
lilies, boarded two elegant coaches
generously placed at their disposal by
the Great Northern Railway Company
on the morning of June 11th, and be-
gan the journey to Winnipeg. We
arrived in this busy and enterprising
city about 2 p. m, and after the wants
Of the inner man had been supplied
at the Leland Hotel, We're given de-
lightful ride in the electric cars
through the principal thoroughfares
and out to Elm Park, an attractive
spot beautifully wooded, and reached
by long pontoon bridge across Red
river. The churches, school houses
and other public buildings are hand
some and substantial structures. a
dainty luncheon was served in club
house at Riverside Park by the city,
and here hearty welcome was ex-
tended to us by Mayor Wilson, gen
tleman whose kindness and courtesy
the editors will long remember.
About II O'Clock in the evening our
coaches were attached to the Canadian
Pacific east bound train and rolled
toward Rat Portage, on the north
shore Of Lake of the Woods, which
city was reached about 4 O'Clock on
Tuesday morning, June IL. 'Immedi-
ately upon our arrival We boarded the
fine steamer Keenora, which makes
regular trips between Rat Portage and
Fort Frances, on Rainy river. Many
members Of our party were tired from
the nights ride, and sought their cab
ins to snatch few hours sleep, but
we and many others remained on deck
to view the grand scenery that was
being unfolded to our wondering eyes
as the boat left the wharf and pushed
its way through the narrow channels
between thousands of green wooded
islands, covered from the waters edge
with a dense growth of pine, spruce
and different kinds Of deciduous trees.
It is estimated that there are no less
than $4,000 islands in Lake of the
Woods, varying in size from a dozen
or more square miles to the timber
crowned islet of an acre or two in area
For natural beauty and picturesque
ness this scenery can not be surpassed
Through this perfect maze OF islands
our stately vessel is piloted by inll-
blooded Indian, whose name is Muka-
potamus, signifying Wind. How it
Is possible to navigate these waters
without getting lost in the numerous
channels between the myriads OF
islands seemed a mystery to Us. Yet
We were told that this and other ex-
perienced pilots on the lake will guide
vessels safely through in the darkest
night and going at full speed. A few
miles out from Rat Portage there is
a narrow passage called DEVILS Gap,
near the entrance to which is huge
rock, resembling a human head,
known as DEVILS Head. Some artist
had been there with red paint and
made the features of his satanic
majesty more prominent.
As our vessel proceeds southwark
the channel widens, the islands ap-
pear to recede and weget into q large
body OF water called the Little Ira
verse. crossing which another group
OF islands is spenetrated before getting
into the Big Traverse broad ex-
panse of thirty miles-land on one
side or the other being at times in
visible. How we land Iubbers did en-
Joy this delightful voyage across
the lake!
We arrived at Le Claire Point at
the mouth of Rainy RIVER, on the
Minnesota side, at about noon. Here
a few minutes stop was made and
many OF the passengers went ashore
to inspect fishery. We we're accost-
ed in familiar tones by a gentleman
whom we found to be no other than
Harry Curry, a former resident of
Marshall county. His wife, former
Miss Webster, halls from town of
Wanger. Mr.. Curry has located a
claim right on the point OF land ex-
tending into the lake, and as it pos
sesses a fine harbor, it is doubtless
valuable. he is the postmaster at
LIE Claire, and was apparently get
ting along well.
At the fishery We saw and tasted
caviare for the first time in our life.
As some of our readers may not know
what that is, we will state that ca
Ware is the eggs or spawn of the stur-
geon, prepared and salted, and is
considered a great delicacy by some
people. One sturgeon will furnish on
the average about Is lbs. of spawn.
The sturgeon fishing on Rainy river
is great industry and is controlled
largely by the Sandusky Fish Co., of
Ohio. We were told that 20, 600 lbs.
of sturgeon were obtained in a single
catch not long ago. The indiscrim-