Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1910-09-07
CONTINUED from last week.


The advertising folders describe Macki.
| nae Island as an emerald gem in a tur.
quoise setting, which fits it pretty we'll.
i 1t is located in the short. narrow connec-
| ton, joining Lakes Hur on and Michigan.
and is about IL miles in circumference.
Its elevation is perhaps $50 feet above the
lake level and almost all the way around
| the bluffs rise sheer from narrow beach.
The waters of the lakes ages ago covered
the highest point of the island. How do
know ,his9 For the reason that all the
surface of the land is covered with the
same water.worn houlders and pebbles
that one sees on the beach at the present
time. 1t is densely overgrown with ever
green trees. the predominating tree being
the Arbor Vita. species of cypress,
sometimes grown in our own latitude as
an ornamental shrub. There these trees
grow very dense and the air is permeated
with the invigorating balsomic fragrance
it gives of. said to be so good for weak
lungs. There is also sprinkling of spruce
and pine.
On the east side of the island, where
the shore is less abrupt. lies small town
composed of hotels. lodging houses. and
small shops. whose stock of trade is souve-
MRS and picture.postals. There are two
classes of people that make up the popu.
lation of the island. one that tries in few
weeks to spend all it has made during the
rest of the year; the other and minor
class is there to relieve the first of its
money. When both have accomplished
their purpose, at the approach of cold
weather, they leave. Speaking of the ho-
tells. there is the "Grand' and others,
which means if you want to be anybody
while you are there, you must stop at the
Grand" All the hotels are fimsy frame
structures and there is nothing grand
about the best
All along the south and eastern face of
the bluffs as we'll as for a considerable
stretch back of them are the beautiful
summer homes OF people of wealth. Fine
driveways ramify the island in every di.
rection, and there is shore drive around
its entire circumference. What appeared
somewhat strans2 to me, in view of the
fact that so many wealthy people live
there for several months every summer.
was the entire absense of automobiles.
All the pleasure riding is either in horse.
drawn vehicles or on horseback. The
climate is most delightful. and once there
1t becomes easy to understand why people
from our own section of the country are
eager to 60 north to spend the summer. I
was there in mid-July and jest to give
you an example of the climatic conditions
prevailing, found no discomfort in sleep.
ing with the window down and snuggled
under sheet. counterpane and double
blanket; and often regretted that l had
not taken light overcoat with me.
Just under the bluffs back Of the town
there is little public park. where may be
seen heroic statue of Father Marquette,
for it was in this locality that this cele-
brated pioneer missionary did much Of
his work; in fact. his buria place is claim.
ed by Saint Ignace, a town on the main
land west of the island. which by the way,
visited one afternoon while making a
tour around the island by boat. Along
the rim of the bluff overhanging the park
is an old frontier fort, maintained as part
of the park. There. among other struc-
lures built for military purposes are
couple of blockh ouses. with the upper
story overhanging the lower. They are
undoubtedly the first buildings put up
there. Several .antiquated cannon point
their muzzles out toward the passage be.
tween the lakes, which in their way. still
seemed capable of service.
When the treaty of peace was made be-
tween the United States and England at
the close of the war of 1917. it was stipu.
lated that neither nation should maintain
armed vessels upon the Great Lakes. but
it is evident that this clause is now being
winked at, for one of the first things that
attracted my attention in the harbor OF
Mackinac was smart U. S. guuboat. an-
chored there. The iackies had mounted
the yards to watch boat race between
two crews from the ship, and they built a
living pyramid. the apex of which was
formed by sailor standing erect on the
tip of the mast. A rousing cheer was
given the winning crew as it passed the
mark. In the harbor lay also the trim
and beautiful private steam yacht of some
plutocrat.
! left Mackinac after sojourn there of