Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1903-06-19
DEVILS LAKE.
North Dakota's Great Inland Sea-a Most
Desirable Summer Resort.

Devils Lake, N. D., June s.
Through the courtesy Of Capt. E. E.
Herman, who owns line of excur-
sion steamers on Devils Lake, we
were enabled to enjoy most delight
full voyage last Sunday over North
Dakota's great inland sea. Capt.
Herman was pioneer in this sec
tion and twenty years ago, was
navigator of boats on Devils Lake
He loves the water. like an old SALT
and increasing opulence does not
deter him from taking his usual place
in the pilot house. The captain
AYERS that the shore line of the Lake
is fifty-seven miles in length and
eight to ten miles wide, at it's widest
part, which happens to be from the
Chautauqua grounds to Ft. Totten,
the seat of the celebrated Indian
school. The average depth is twenty
-four feet and when the wind is very
high the waters are quite turbulent,
the crest of the waves mounting
nearly as high as those of Lake
Michigan under like conditions.
The shore line in many places is
thickly wooded, containing thousands
of acres of excellent timber. This is
particularly so, the length of Creels
Bay where the Chautauqua associa-
tioa grounds are located and where
the North Dakota National Guard
has reservation of 1000 acres.
On the bay near Ft Totten on the
south side of the lake, high bluffs
raise their majestic head heavenward,
and as the steamer mounts the waves
in only moderate breeze the view is
really grand and inspiring. Graham
Island, dimly seen in the west, with
the scenic beauty Of the shore line
and bays, the ever changing
panorama as the vessel plows it's way
through the deep, makes one feel that
North Dakota has wealth of natural
scenery that many Of its citizens do
not realize who have not visited
Devils Lake and the Bad Lands.
The waters of the lake have reced-
ed nearly ten feet in twenty years,
but last year rose foot, and while
fish abounded in the olden time, there
are said to be none now, as the waters
are 80 strongly impregnated with
mineral salts, such as carbonate of
soda, potash and magnesium. AS a
consequence, no visitor has seen a sea
serpent disporting in these waters,
not even a mermaid
The Indians have many legends in
relation to the lake, all tending the
same direction-that its presiding
genius is an evil spirit.
The name Minnewaukan and the
English corruption, devil, signify it's
Indian origin. Whether true or not,
it is persistently stated, that the
modern defendants of the poor Indian,
residing on the Ft: Totten reservation
will not venture on the lake.
The eleventh annual assembly of
the North Dakota Chautauqua associ-
alton commences June ~ and closes
July 90 and the program Of music,
lectures and sports presented by
Secretary LaRue is up to- the usual
high standard. The citizens of this
great state who can should take a
month off At this ideal summer resort
and combine rest with instruction
} and entertainment.
i The outrageous groves of elm,
boxelder, ash and other trees, excel
ent driving and boating render it an
ideal summer resort, while the hotel
accommodations are ample for visi-
) tors who haven't the time for an ex-