The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-12
DEPREDATIoNs or LuMBERMEN
RUNNING BORDERS OF ITAScA
RESERVATION
sTUMPAGE AND TREE TOPS
ARE LIABLE TO START FIRE
Wooded Land, Which Is Included in
the Original Scope of the Park but
Which Has Not Yet Been Secured, Is
Rapidly Being Denuded of Its Pine
Timber. -

Either because of inactivity on the
part of the officials entrusted with its
care, or inability toaabsorb the remain
ing outside holdings, Itasca state park,
Minnesota's only remaining extensive
reserve of beauties that nature SO
bountifully provided her with, is being
so badly marred by lumbermen, that
the complete destruction of its wooded
beauties is only a question of time.
This does not mean that the deyas-
tating hand of the lJnberman has en-
croached upon the lands already in the
possession of the state. but on those
sections which the commission in
charge has not yet secured and what
is worse, has not taken the trouble to
keep unmoleSted until it can secure
control. Parties lately returned from
the lake report that one entire section
has been denuded of its magnificent
wood covering to the lakes edge and
another section is now in process of
humiliation. From statements made
by some of the owners of the land, ar
rangements have been made by the
parties purchasing the standing timber
to cut it all before the state comes into
possession.
rave Damned the River.
In addition to cutting the timber, the
lumberman have damned the river at
point below the lake in order to IA
clIitate operations. This has raised
the level of the lake fully two feet,
the water encroaching on the tall Nor
way pines that cover the slopes Of the
bank to the extent that their destruc-
ton is only a question of a short time
The wash of the water is fast remov-
ing the foundation of earth which their
roots find refuge in, and is also killing
those which it covers.
The principal danger, however, is
from the stumpage and tree tops
which the lumbermen have left in the
devastation of the sections which they
have secured control. 1t now fairly
filters the ground, and when dry is a
constant menace in the shape of fire
to the remainder of the standing tim
Der within the park area. A spark in
the dry season would ruin the entire
reservation beyond redemption.
Beauty Spots Destroyed.
T. S. Finney, of Park Rapids, a
member Of the commission selected by
Gov. Lind when the park was first pro-
posed to appraise the standing timber
on the land composing the park area,
was in the city yesterday. He says he
visited the park a few days ago, and
was surprised at the changes that have
been made by the malicious AK of the
Woodsmen. The swath cut, Mr.. Finney
says, is acres IN extent and in the pref
test part of the area marked out by
the commission for purchase by the
state. This clearing extends to the
waters edge, taking in some standing
pine that lowered high above the lake
and found root in the banks that IN
many places are twenty-five and thir-
/ 7 he 111o
been entirely cleared, and this winter,
II reports are true, the other sections
which have not yet been purchased by
the state are to be cleared of their
standing pine. This wholesale devasta-
tion Mr.. F'inney thinks, should be
stopped at once, if not by actual pur-
chase, then by some procedure that
will give the state an option. One of
the worst features, he says, is the
Stumpage and tree tops which have
been left to litter the ground. In sum-
mer this becomes as dry as finder, and
is constant menace. to the remainder
of the standing pine. The majority of
the trees taken down measure from
eight inches toaa foot through, and
We're among the beauties of the resort.
After Valuable Pine.
SO far over $4,000 has been invested
in Lake Itasca state park, the ma
jority of it spent during Gov. Linds
term. Of late, however, there has been
considerable inactivity, and this it is
| said is responsible for the encroach-
ment of the lumbermen. With pine
lumber such as this section produces,
now worth from SIS to Sc a thousand
their desire to get hold of it is natural
Sentiment in their case must give way
to dollars, and they are making the
most of it, 1t is not thought, however,
| they have any right to raise the level
| of the lake and endanger the states
holdings, and it is. possible that COM
plant will be lodged in an effort to
| stop it,
/ When the state started to obtain pos
session three years ago, the timber on
the land was worth about 81 a thou
sand, but it has trebled in value since