Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-09-13
STATE TO OWN THE
BEAUTIFUL OELLS
ROMANTIC SPOTS AT kiL5ouRN
MAY BE PURCHASED.
PARK BOARD TO MEET SOON
r. A. Hutchins Discusses Views and
Plans Which May be Followed in
New Movement Which Was the
Subject of Recent Legislature En-
actment.

The plan Of the state in relation 10
an ultimate ownership of certain OF its
romantic spots of natural beauty viii
shortly take definite form, under the
so-called state park law
Under that act a commission of three
capable citizens is provided who will
carefully inspect places known IN early
history as the Dalles. The notably
weird dells of the Wisconsin, touch
of true nature for which writer's have
claimed a place along with the mighty
and roaring Niagara and the silent sub
Unity OF the Garden of the Gods in
Colorado-quite naturally are TO come
IN first OH the list fol official inspection
by the states commission.
For a week one of the men who wilt
undoubtedly form the commission
which still lacks one member and also
complete organization--has been in
KiLbourn. This member is f. A. Hut
chins OF Madison, formerly secretary
of the Wisconsin free library commits
sion, and for years engaged in literary
ami historic work for the state at Mad
ison.
Il am not here Officially. by any
means, and do not wish it stated that
/ have come in the capacity of a mem
her of The state parks commission, de-
clared Mr.. Hntchins at Kilboum. las
matter of face, the commission expects
to officially visit this piece of scenic
grandeur within two or three weeks.
Being asked, as man of travel. lit
erary attainments, and one long and
deeply interested IN historic matters
pertaining to the state, what he thought
Of the move recently made by the
state, Mr.. Hutchius replied.
ny all means such scenery as this
Ought to be preserved for all time,
either by tho state or nation; and /
think that this can best be done along
the lines now proposed by purchase
and control by the state A state
like Wisconsin with two million peo-
pie and wonderfUi resources, certain
Ely can afford to take over those places
within our boundaries that are not
suitable for agricultural or other pro
ductive purposes, and yet beautiful
and attractive, such as we see here
for miles along this remarkable river.
1T should be remembered by all that
the investigation soon to be made by
the new commission will in no way he
final. AS l understand the bill passed
by the Legislature, this commission IS
simply charged with the duty of lcok
ing into the question of the desirable
ity of securing certain spots OF historic
interest, or remarkable scenery, for
state parks
No "Fancy" Prices viii Go.
While the citizens of kilburn are
deeply interested in this matter, and
they seem to favor the suggested plan
of state control, it should be under
stood at the outset that the prelimni-
airy inspection does not mean future
purchase: and Mr.. Hutchins feels very
confident that nothing like fancy
prices for these sites viii ever be paid
by the state.
MIR. Hutchins added that Devils
lake, seventeen rifles from Kilbourn,
which is another remarkable piece of
patures strange handiwork, ousht TO
be considered along with the dells in
the state park movement.
: Within a short time the famous
Cliff house, at Devils lake, has been
RACED and the chief hotel accommoda-
tions thereby removed at the lake-the
first probable step toward abandonment
Of that spot as a summer resort
II is believed by those who seem to
be in a position to know that the Mil
waukee and the Northwestern roads
would look with favor upon change Of
thess twin pieces Of rugged scenery
into state managed parks, and the two
roads would, it is said, assist in con-
DUNG their popularity.
In the past few years, intelligent rep
resentatiyes Of almost every nation on
earth nave come TO the Wisconsin
Dells, and have gone away declaring
themselves fully repaid for the detour
from their regular routes or for the
Journey of many hundreds of miles, in
THAT which they beneld in the strange
formations worked here by the rushing
waters for thousands OF years.