Albuquerque morning journal., 1907-08-25
'IERDF MENDRR[
FOR INTREPID
EXPLORER
CANADIANS PROPOSE
TO HONOR CHAMPLAIN
Three Hundredth Anniversary
Of ViSitof Pathfinder to Con-
tinent Suggests Saving His
Name From Oblivion

Toronto, Ontario, Aug. 24.-on
the eve of the three hundredth ami
versary of the discovery of the otta-
wa river and northern Ontario by
Samuel de Champlain, efforts are be-
ing made here to secure tardy recog-
milton for that intrepid explorer,
whose exploits have so long been
overshadowed by those of his more
famous fellow countrymen, Marquette
and LaSalle. Champlan did not
reach the Mississippi, but he won a
new realm for France and blaZed a
trail that served to guide ali his sue
cessors, and without which they could
not have accomplished what they did.
on this account, and because the
memory of his romantic career is still
dear to many Canadian hearts, the
people of this city are considering
some appropriate action. that will
save his name from oblivion.
The suggestion that Lake Tema-
gami the wonderful deep lake" of
the Indians and the Mecca of Cana
dian and American sportsman since 1t
was included in the governments vast
forest and game preserve in northern
Ontario, be renamed Lake Champlain,
is thought fitting, for 1t was discov-
cred by Champlain, who was guided
to 1t by a party of friendly Algon-
quins. But there is already a Lake
Champlain in the United states, so
the explorers name may be given to
the reservation, instead Of to the Gu
rious body of water that lies within
its borders.
The lake is curious for several
httt In ofp al
though covering only hundred
square miles of territory it has a
shore line of 5000 miles of twice that
of Lake Michigan. This is because of
the thousand winding bays and inlets
into which its shores are broken. An
other one of its claims to attention is
the curious fish stories that are told
of It, for 1t has been noted for the
size and flavor of its fish ever since
the days of the Indians, one tribe Of
which made it their headquarters In
spite of this it has been little known,
outside Ontario, until q few years ago,
when the government established the
Temagami forest reserve.
It was during The trip on which he
discovered Lake Huron that Cham
plain first passed through this cOun-
try. In charge Of de Monts' eXpedi-
tiOn a few years previously he had
sailed from his native town in Brun-
age, France, and after Il long and
thrilling voyage across the Atlantic
he had entered the mouth Of the st.
Lawrence and sailed up that beauti-
full river past shores that he has des-
tined to Know so well on later Voy-
ages. on one of these voyages. in
1908. he founded the city of Quebec,
which became such a center of brave
romance and stirring deeds. Turning
10 the south, he Joined a party OF
Ojbway Indians that was making a
quick raid on the Iroquois. The route
of the expedition lay south across the
lake that forms the boundary between
New York state and Vermont to
which his name is now given. His ac-
count of this trip in his voyages Is
one of the most interesting that has
ever been penned.
Champlaln was the first white man
to penetrate the Temagami country
and his narrative speaks the delight
he felt at the beautiful land of woods
and lakes and streams which, thanks
10 the care of the government, are to-
day almost as wild and unpeopled as
when they first echoed to the hallOes
of the explorer and his faithful Chip
peway guides. In fact this region Is
one of the few haunts of big game
that are now left on the continent
and the fact that 1t was made acces-
sible is largely due to an accident.
When the Cobalt country was open
ed up the government ran up little
eBur railroad from North Bay to tht
,.amp and for the first time made II
nossible to reach the reservation by
rail The opening up of the Tema-
gami country is thus in way a by
oroduet Of the mines at Cobalt. Be
fore the Cobalt rash the reservation
was an inaccessible wilderness. 1t Is
stilI A wilderness, but 1t is 10 Longer
inaccessible.
which many think rightfully should
pear Champlain's name, picture tl
vourself a tract Of virgin forest twice
ss large as the state OF Rhode Island
wing i'm the heart of the wilderness
between Toronto and Hudson's Bay
stocked with deer and wild foW' as
t.snIt of government protection, anu
accidentally brought within days
ride of Chicago and New YORK, re
canse at the farther end OF 1t som'
one found silver and some one eisC
built a railroad to reach the ore
Through the heart Of this virgin for
.st now run the rails OF the Ieinls
kaming add Northern Ortari0 railway
but they barely skirt one edge OF M
reservation and pass TO the east OF th'
true game country SO large ls ih'
mark that the entire Cobalt re6lol
Itself is lost I'm one corner OF II anC
the daily trains that now puft anl
rattle on their lonely way from TO
ropto to LatchfOrd and Haileyburl
send no echoes across the Wooue'
slopes TO the west that are sun th'
hadnt of moose and caribou An'
always shall be" adds the govern
Tbe reserve Is lust 800 miles nortl
~ Toronto. II is sixty miles wide enc
flftv miles long, and has an area o
nearly a million and half acres. -
wild IL the country that in this en0r
NOUS expanse there Is exactly on
farm. There will probably never Dc
another. Hunters may come an,
mighty men with the rod; settlers WI
eventually be drawn here, hunting lol
The mineral deposits and the rlch tlm
berland, but no farmers will be there
10 dispute possession with them Il
plpw thcir ciCims or drive theii gai1'
away
THERE'S singular appropriateness
in the reservation Of this land az
memorial, for the Temagami counlr
Is the Oldest in the world. THIS j
speaking literally and In geological
sense. The granite ard The lime
stone OF Its southern lakes were gra!
with age millions OF years before IN
tableland Of Colorado and Wyomlnl
Z heaved itself up into the Rocky noun
tains OF the little ISLAND, that toda
is Cincinnati, lifted its head above N