Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1920-02-19
PART VII
Parfrey's Glen

Parfrey's Glen is a rugged cash II
the south range OF the Baraboo Bluffs.
This ravine, an interesting objective
for tourists, is about mile down the
slope from WaWanissee Point and
some five or six miles east Of Devils
Lake. 1t derives its name from Robert
Parfrey, an early resident.
The little stream which has cut
this wildly beautiful glen had a ro-
mantle history Of usefulness in early
days. At the present time it is secoE-
dary in interest to the Glen Itself, the
first glimpse of which enthralis the
visitor, urging him TO Journey to the
end
The route from Baraboo to Par,
frey's is along the Merrimack road in
a southeasterly direction. 1t leads
up bluff, then down on the opposite
side, turning to the ieIt and clinging
close to the base Of the elevation for
some two miles, until it turns into the
farmstead Of August Reese, located d
quarter of a mile north Of the main
highway Here the car is abandoned.
To reach the Glen a tramp of half
mile is necessary, along a trail which
leads over glacial boulders, across a
mountain stream, and UP a winding
way to the opening. The view, as ore
progresses, includes a charming ex-
panse of rich countryside,
Widest of Them All
Compared with the other glens of the
region, Parfrey's is by far the wild
est. The south wall OF this ancient
cleft in the bluff is almost perpen-
dicular. Only occasionally does an
overhanging ledge afford footing for
wood creature or habitation for shrub
or fern High above pines, birches,
oaks and other small timber crowd the
brink. The cut shows a mass of sand
stone and quartzite conglomorate
which have been exposed through a
long period of erosion. The north
slope is clothed in green. Rugged
rocks lie along the purling stream, as
If cast there by giant hands to i'm
pede the pathway. Between them
flourish ferns, mosses and an inter
esting number Of native plants Look
ing down from the top of the opening
the water winds in and out among the
moss-clad stones like translucent
ribbon, making soft music whose mel
ody is lost as the stream finds its way
to the grassland. Many birds haunt
the Glen; the indigo bunting, the
oriole. and scarlet tanager with their
brilliant coloring contrast sharply
with the grey of the rocks. The note
of the song sparrow, the trill of the
thrush, and the less marked twitter OF
many other varieties are heard with
delightful frequency.
This cool retreat, SO prodigal in
charm and comparatively easy OF
access, should be more widely known
than it is to visitors to the Barabco
region.
Mill, Memory
In early days the GIen-stream was
harnessed to a sawmill located near
the ravine. Evidences of the ancient,
earthen dam are visible to this day.
In later years a gristmill made use Of
the power, for some time serving the
surrounding community. A story
which illustrates the extent OF these
activities, particularly that of the
gristmill, is often related. 1t seems
that the miller was one day greatly
puzzled at the non-appearance or
flour as his wheels ground round and
round Searching for the cause
it is said he finally came upon al in
truder, no other than small grey
mouse, which was devouring the pro-
duct of his mill as fast as it sifted
through Also it is told that dis
tillery at one time, by the aid OF the
little stream, converted corn from the
neighboring fields into robin hop"
During this interval the Glen seemed
IN grave danger Of becoming q pop
ular resort for all those who suffer
ed with Barleycorn thirst and de-