The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1905-09-29
Detroit, Michigan.

Inc morning was beautiful and a
clear sky promised fair day. The
steamer was crowded by an eager,
anxious but Jolly company and soon
we were on our way heading for De-
trOit. Catawba Island, Bass and
kelley's Island, as well as Putin BAY
were passed; all of these places are
world renowned for their peach orch
ards and VINEYARDS which supply the
markets with luscious fruits.
Gradually we left the islands behind
and found ourselves upon the bosom
of the mighty lake. Several large
freighters were passed and at II o.
clock we sighted Boise Blank Point,
in Michigan: a beautiful summer re-
sort. Our steamer exchanged signals
and we proceeded to Hammersburg, in
Canada, large manufacturing city,
about sixteen miles from Detroit. 1t
is here we enter the Detroit river: once
so famous, during the war of the Rev.
olutiop, and it is here that several
warShlpS repOSe on the treacherOus
sandy bottom of the river, endanger-
ing navigation. Efforts are now be-
ing made to raise the bulls.
All along the Canadian side of the
river are fishing villages, builded by
the simple folk in the river la Ven.
ice. We passed several fishing fleets;
some flying the Union Jack at the
masthead, while others displayed the
Stars and Stripes.
Detroit was finally reached and we
visited this famous old city, origin
ally founded by the French in 1910.
1t was transferred to the British in
l76S, who lost it through the fortunes
of war until it became U. S. property
in 1896. In 1872 it was again surren-
dered to the English, only to be retak-
eu Ill lOlo ny out ttOOpS.
Among the many fine public build
ings, mention must be made of the city
hall, which is considered the finest in
the west. The sailors and soldiers
monument is a beautiful work of art
and large business blocks adorn the
streets, which are broad and we'll kept.
Detroit is a clean and healthy city,
bisected by numerous electric railways,
but the most remarkable feature is
her fine parks, the peer of which is
beautiful BELL Isle," consisting of
100 acres and connected with the main
land by ferry boat and long bridge.
This park must be seen to be appre-
ciated. Hotels in abundance, while
vehicles of all descriptions carry the
visitor to sylvan retreats of this gi-
gantic garden of Michigan.
Numerous fountains and artesian
wells invite the thirsty wanderer to
their cooling and refreshing waters.
In the park is we'll kept ZOO, which
rivals Central Park, N. Y. Among
the curious things of the island is
log from the forests of Washington,
and which we had seen before this at
St. Louis, during the fair. This log
is about 30 feet long and 10 feet in d.
ameter; followed out by the ingenuity
of man, it serves for a sitting room
and library, while the end is parti-
toned off and inhabited by mountain
lions.
To the right of this peculiar build
ing and upon a grassy knoll is large
Spanish, brass cannon, relic from
the war with Spain. We translated
the following inscriptions: Cast at
Seville. kingdom of Spain, on the 10Th
of May. 1779. Weight, 1000 pounds. "
A large sign displayed, revealed to
US the fact that this Spanish visitor,
had been captured by our boys at
Santiago, on the 18th of july 1888
At the pavilljbns, visiting bands
dispensed sweet strains of music,
which grew fainter and fainter as we
returned to our 5 eamer, satisfied with