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MAfXIXAC.Tlt«* mi llu(-kii)ult;- tnlnnd-A^•w IIoil*I to Ik Built rho ntlmr-IIiiih nr tl«*» HUud.ConniNRulint of ilitt Foul and Tribune.Mackinac. August 2tt.—A party-of capitalist* have been here examining the merits ot Mackinac us a popular summer resort, It is reported on the best authority that they have just decided to huitd u hotel to lie ready next season, it will tie fitted up with every modern improvement and capsule ol accommodating WW to U*K* guests. These gentlemen are said to be interested In the Pennsylvania Central and the lirnnd Rapids and Indiana railroads. The latter line was completed to Old Mackinac this summer and now runs through trains iti close connection with New York, Philadelphia and Chicago. It is understood that t hey have offered to purchase the old Mission house. This, of all Use hotels on the island, has the largest grounds, consisting of several acres extending to the take with a fine slope and exquisite view.But the proprietor, Mrs, K. A. Pranks, finds her hotel, antique as ft is, so popular and profitable, that she declines to sell. 1 He mission buildings have o peculiar Interest to many visitors because Iheywere originally built by tho American board of commissioners for foreign missions (headquarters ai Boston) for a mission to the Indians of tho northwest in I Hilt. The Rov. IV. M. Perry and wife were the first missionaries of the Society in the place, and here Senator T. IV. Kerry, won born in 1N27, Among some of the prominent persons who have registered at the Mission this summer, are Gov. Jerome, Gen. Alger and family, M. 8. Smith, Mrs. L. Carter, D. Whitney, Jr., Geo. Avery. David Preston. Mrs. M. C. Tilton.Among those from other cities are Col. Wilkinson of Buffalo, Gen. t’isik of Chicago, Jurtgo Gilbrace of Brie, Pa., mid the IIiiinfitoiiH of Port Wayne,jtnd. Simie of those have been so much pleased with the island that they have applied to the department of war sit Washington for the lease of auBldent land on the bluff near the fort upon which to build handsome cottages.Col. G. 8, Hubbard of Chicago has ko acres farther back toward I he center of tiie island, near the romantic headland called Lover's Leap. These smooth acres, now often used os a picnic ground, have just been surveyed anew and arranged for cottage lols, with the streets of a prospective “Martha’s Vineyaid.The design Is to establish a permanent summer resort here, similar to that of Long Branch. The grounds are laid Into building lots, with broad avenues running to the beach and other points of interest. Several beautiful parks are reserved at such (win Is us will add to the attractions of the place, which will be supplied with fountains, arbors, and snch other attractions as csti be made by the landscape gardener by trimming up the forest, The success of the enterprise isassured, csnegotiations have burn completed with several parties that propose to erect cottages costing from $ IJSdO toKOOO. Of those that have already secured lots I note the of names P, I). Btockbridge, 11, G. Mills, K.CIark and W. H. McCourtle of Kalamazoo among the list. Like the old Astor book on exhibition at the Astor house, Mr, Hubbard seems lobe mixed up with the history of the,island. When a mere lad he was bound as an apprentice to the Mackinac fur company. When Michigan was a howling wilderness, yielding large revenues to the trapper who braved the perils and hardships of his profession to contribute to the comfort of our ancestors in providing the material necessary to make the huge lap robes, muffs and serpentine boas used by our grandmothers as a part of Dame Fash-bin’e paraphernalia for a wlnter’n sleigh ride. Mr. Hubbard was there. Passing over a period of fib years, we find the tan a living cyclopedia In matters that pertain to the Island, and a controlling spirit in the work of transforming nature's paradise of 1817 into a fashionable pleasure resort In 1882,Of the it,2il acres in tho island, 1,014 belong to the United Blntes. In 187K congress passed an act by which fill acres of this property belonging to the government were set apart as a national park. The drives In the park are already very beautiful. They are shaded by deuse woods ami lead to the natural bridge, “Arch Rock.” which Is within « few feet of the road, Prom its calcareous crest one looks down into I-akv Huron, up feet below.Further on is the remarkable boulder, “Sugar Loaf. which rises abruptly from the plateau and lias large cavities in the side as if It had been nibbled by gigantic mice. It Is 2H4 feet above the lake.But it would take a pamphlet to tell in detail what one may sea in a drive or a walk In tills newest of national parks. Two such pamphlets have been prepared and make interesting reading. ,1. A. Van Fleet, M. A. of Detroit, is the author of one, and Lieut. D, H. Kiluiu, now at the fort at Mackluae. is the writer of the other. The latter is especially Interesting in its Indian legends and military reminiscences. The description ot the island fn Constance Fen! mo re Woolson's novel Anne.' comprise some of the best parts of that very successful work. This was the home of the heroine. Here Miss Woolson lived several summers staving with her father who was ro invalid, at the old agency. They Imnled with the Hnrlbuts who rented the place. It is thought by those who know that “Anne was Miss llurlbut. Sh* is now married and lives in Philadelphia. Some believe the the book would have been more Interesting than it is, if it had been more realistic, so far as llie heroine is concerned. Here is a bit of Miss Woolson’a word paintiug:“The little fort was perched on the brow of the cliff, overlooking the village ami liarbor; the windows of the stone cottages which formed the officers' quarters commanded an uninterrupted view or blue water In summer and while lee fields In winter as tar as the eye cmild reach. It could hardly have withstood a bombardment. Its walls and block houses, erected as a defense against the Indian*, required constant propping and new foundation work to keep them within the requirements of safety, not tn speak of military dignity. But the soldiers had nothing else to do and. on the whole, the fort looked well, especially from the water, crowning the green height with buttressed majesty. * *Slimmer visitors came and the United States uniform tnok its conquering place, as usual, among the dancers, at the picnics, and on the fust sailing fishing boats which did duty ns yachts, skimming over the clear water in whose depths (DU could be seen swimming '11) feet beiow.”And this is in no respect mi esaggera-tiou. Mackinac is tho loveliest spot for a summer residence, or brief respite from labor, in all west. It U Coney island without its crowds and Its beer, and with scenery surpassing that at Newport or Nit market.The Cairo Citizen suys that at tho Tuscola pioneer meeting at Vassar last week Frederick VVlrtx, of Denmark, exildtisl a steel trap which he set in tho woods in Tuscola township forty years ago this fall mid which mysteriously disappeared soon after. The trap was found In a beech tree in the township of Vienna, Genesee County about four years ago and Ims been fully Identified by Mr 'Vim, T he trap was 37 feet from the ground when found and the chain runs through the body of the tree in three different directions, a section of the wood being sawed off to show the situation of tits chain. It is supposed that some animal got caught In the trap ami subsequently drugged it to the place where it was found, eventually winding the clmiu around the young sapling Which ims since become n tree. The animal doubtless died from starvation, and the trap and chain has been growing up with the tree for nearly TO years.0ROWKSIRONBinesBltovmrs DION BITTERS are ■ certain cure fbr all diseases requiring a complete ton to; wpe-daily Indigestion. Dyspepsia, Intermittent Fever*, Want of Appetite, IjOM of Strength. lutek of Energy, Mo. Enriches the blood, strengthen* the muscle*, and gives now llfte to tho nerves. Acts like a charm on the digestive organs, removing all dyspeptic symptoms, each m tasting the food. Belching, Heat In the Siam itch, Heart barn, etc. The only Iron Preparation that will not blacken ihe iceth or give headache. Sold by all Drug* gists at $1.00 a bottle.BROWN CHEMICAL CO.Ball I more. Md.MWAM or IMITSTIOWS.SAMMONS’Livery, Sale Feed StableHacks, Carriages, Express A. Truck Waqons.PsnMmtrcr* transferred to any part of I he onunly si M peels! rates, to he mails at the stable, rear of Pioneer him«e, Ad street. Particular mtontlnn paid to flshlmr parties wishing team*. P. M. HAM Ml INS Agent,•u**' b Cheboygan, Welt.
Newspaper Details
The Northern Tribune
Cheboygan, Michigan, US
Sat, Sep 09, 1882
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Ruth D.
NA, NA 11 Aug 2024
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