The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1904-02-17

Tile late william G. Whitney, sports
man. fiulucier and former secretary Of
the navy. was tie owner Of two of the
largest and finest private forest pre-
serves in the United States, says the
New York Tribune One was known
as the Whitney park, in the Adiron-
dacks, mostly in Hamilton county, and
the other was the october Mountain
preserve, near LenoX, Mass. Mr.. Whit
ney's first purchases for his park in the
Adfrondacks were made about eight
years ago, when as a member OF the
Hamilton Park club he went into that
region to hunt and fish.
The park of 10000 acres is now of
great value. Scattered over it are six
ty-four lakes and many beautiful
camps. The largest lake is nearly six
miles long and about two wide, with
an elevation of LIPS feet above tide.
There are several islands scattered
through it, and it has pleasant wind
ing shores we'll forested. In clear
weather the main peaks of the Adiron-
dacks, forty miles away, stand out
clearly defined against the eastern hOrI-
zon. The surrounding forests have not
been injured by fire, and the use of the
AK has been careful. The dark foliage
of the conifers extends in every direc-
ton. and Norway pines are conspicuous
along the lake and in its vicinity.
At Little Upper lake is the lodge OF
the superintendent, Ernest Halsey
Johnson. 1t is a cottage, amply pro-
yided with freplaces, coy sleeping
apartments, spacious parlors, dining
rooms and kitchen and is modern in
all its fittings. Not far from the lodge
and facing the lake is a building which
is interesting because of its historical
associations. 1t is the old hotel once
conducted by Pliny Martin, who was
able in the early days Of the region to
attract sportsmen to make the journey
to Little Upper lake from Plattsburg,
a distance of over sixty miles through
the forest.
There is a remarkable spring near
the falls on the west side Of the lake,
and it remains a favOrite stopping
place for guides and sportsmen. AS
one leaves Big Upper lake on the
Journey toward Little upper the vista
over the falls down the lake is said by
many Adirondack travellers to be with
out equal in the whole region. The
Bog river has its source in the Whit
ney park and forms an interesting
ride Owing TO the discoloratiOn of its
water the most remarkable reflections
may be seen on it's dark mirrOrlike
surface. Every leaf and to- tint and
color, mound and rock along it's shores
is reflected on it's surface with surpris-
ing accuracy.
Leaving the Bog river at the junction
of the two branches of the stream, the
boats ascend the left hand stream on
their way to Little Upper lake. After
a short distance there is a carry to
Round pond, in the Whitney preserve,
a body of water two miles long. whose
outline approaches a circle more closely
than any other of the many ponds and
lakes known by this name. From
Round pond Little Upper lake is
reached by ascending a narrow, crook
ed inlet called THE Slang" a word
taken from the guides vocabulary. 1t
winds through a tamarack swamp for
about a mile, and then the boat passes
under a quaint bridge constructed Of
powders and logs. The inlet and outlet
of Little Upper lake are only a few
hundred feet apart.
While the center of activity is at
the lodge of the superintendent at Lit