Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-09-16

reluctance / consented to write up
my trip for the paper, for | am 40
writer; but when looked over my list
of correspondents and found it SO
amazingly large all wanting to know
about the sights | saw and expert
ences Il met with, l concluded this
woul7 be an eycellent way of reaching
most of you. Tor it would be lmpoS-
sible to write personally to all and
tell you anything Of the trip, you will
pardon me for taking this means | anu
sure.
St. Paul
| am going to begin with st. Paul
although most Of you perhaps know
more about it than | do / visited
the spot where Longfellow was sup
posed to get his inspiration for Hia-
watha. / was very much impressed
with the beauty of the place although
the falls were not as great as earlier in
the season, one would never tire of
watching them. The animals in the
park were also an attractive feature
of the place. Some Of them were the
elk, moose, deer, antelope, monkey,
ape, guinea pig, wolf, bear. sea lion,
parrot, beaver, badger and Others.
1t was amusing to watch the sea
lion. He was evidently expecting the
keeper to feed him, and would dive
down the length Of bis great trough
and when coming up always look in
the direction in which the keeper
usually came, and occasionally send
forth one Of his awful roars.
Fort Smelling.
From Minnehaha Falls, we took the
bus to Fort Smelling and drove all
through the grounds. We did not
see the troops on dress parade but
were fortunate enough to see the
cavalry marching to the barns to feed
The horses it was pretty sight The
guide told us that upon request the
troops would be called out for dress
parade but as our time was limited
we did not make the request.
The houses and grounds are well
kept and the old fort still stands, but
was crunbling away so fast that it
was deemed eXpedient to cement it all
over. The outline is the same but the
newness sort spoils the historical
effect. Several of the soldiers were
being marched off to prison by a guard
for some offense, we did not learn what
The guide informed us that some had
been imprisoned there for as long as
three years, probably for desertion.
We took the Fort Smelling car back
on the st. Paul side from which could
be seen Summit Avenue, with it's
grand residences and many picturesque
scenes.
1t was my pleasure to hear Chauncy
Olcott in the evening. He played "a
Romance of Athelone" to a large
and very appreciative audience. The
scene was laid in Ireland, the scenery
very fine, particularly the autumn
scene, and the play very pretty one
Chauncy Olcott has a charming
personality, is thoroughly at home on
the stage and the poSsessor of sweet
rich voice with a bigh range. He
can reach the highest notes with
perfect ease.
1t rained both days | was in the
city and that together with the
debris from the cyclone which was
strewn about made it appear some
what more gloomy than usual. The
conditions were very crowded on
account of the state fair which was
held there. 1t was impossible to
secure accommodation at a hotel
The day arrived there it was said
that they formed in line in the m orn-
ing in front Of the Golden Rule.
before that store was open, in order
to be the first to take advantage %
the bargains for the day, and that all
forenoon the store was SO crowded it
was impossible to gain entrance. l
carried away several neat bargains
myself as / was told it would be
prudent to lay in good supply before
going out west as prices were much
higher there. l wanted to visit the
Indian Mounds and State Fish
Hatchery but time would not permit
Will make an effort Ito do SO on my
return trip.
My Trip to the wild and Woody" West.
| boarded the sleeping car of the
Northern Pacific at 1915 Wednesday
evening. l had intended going over
the Great Northern but found upon
reaching st. Paul that the accom-.
modations were better over the
Northern Pacific ana also the views
from the train more picturesque.
The herths were already made uI
SO there was nothing to do but retire
l did not however without first having
a slight difference with the porter
about going feet foremost. 1t was
his desire to send me head first and
/ objected. The quarrel did not set
very hard however for later on some.
how / seemed to be a favorite with
him and my slightest wish was
gratifed. 1t is quite necessary when
travelling in this style to be on the
good side Of the porter, he can tel