Trip to the West and Texas: comprising a journey of eight thousand miles, through New-York, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas, in the autumn and winter of 1834-5. — John Shaqi
Trip to the West and Texas: comprising a journey of eight thousand miles, through New-York, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas, in the autumn and winter of 1834-5.Parker, A. A. (Amos Andrew)
History
Trip to the West and Texas: comprising a journey of eight thousand miles, through New-York, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas, in the autumn and winter of 1834-5.
Parker, A. A. (Amos Andrew)
Frontier and pioneer life -- Mississippi River Valley; Frontier and pioneer life -- Texas; Mississippi River Valley -- Description and travel; Texas -- Description and travel; Texas -- History -- Revolution, 1835-1836
Michigan is a level country; there are no mountains in it. It is gently
undulating, for the most part; sometimes, too level and wet. It is
abundantly watered and timbered, and a great deal of excellent timber.
I wish I could say as much of the quality of the water. The rivers,
little lakes, (and there are many of them,) streams, springs, and
wells, contain clear, pellucid, transparent water. It is indeed, too
clear to be agreeable to the eye; but it is all impregnated with lime,
or iron, or copperas, or something disagreeable to the taste; and is
in many places, very unhealthy. I do believe there is not a drop of
pure, soft water, in all Michigan. I saw none and could hear of none;
and I made much inquiry, examined every river, lake, or spring, that I
passed, and the result was, I found no pure water that would wash with
soap, or was pleasant to the palate.
It contains much good land, many pleasant villages, fine situations,
and is settling fast; but I cannot say that it is, generally, healthy.
It is probable, earth does not afford more rich and beautiful prairies
than are found on the route from Monroe to Michigan city. And
there are fine cultivated farms, mills and villages, and scattered
settlements, all along the southern part of the territory. But I did
not find the ruddy face and vigorous step of the East. The meagre and
pale visage, and shaking frame, spoke a language not to be mistaken.
We passed Jackson, the seat of justice for Jackson county, near Grand
river, and Marshall, the seat of justice for Calhoun county, on the
bank of the Kalamazoo river, both flourishing villages. In this section
of the country, mill seats are plenty, and there is an abundant supply
of timber.
At the outlet of Gull lake, I saw a well built mill, on as fine a
privilege as any one could desire. At the lake, there was a dam, which
raised the water four or five feet, and made an abundant supply in the
driest season--and fifty rods below where the mill was erected, there
was a good fall of water.
Soon after leaving this mill, we came to Gull prairie. This was
the first prairie of much extent that I had seen; and its elegant
appearance afforded me not a little pleasure. On this prairie there is
a small village, and a beautiful prospect around it.
The roads had become so bad, that we left the stage coach, after two
day's ride, and took a wagon, without any spring seats; and I found it
so fatiguing to ride, that I often preferred walking. When we arrived
at this little village, it was late in the evening, but we had still
twelve miles to go that night.
It was past midnight when we crossed the Kalamazoo river, at the rope
ferry, and entered the town of Bronson. This is the seat of justice,
or as the term is here, county seat, for Kalamazoo county. The land
office, for the southern part of the territory, is also kept here. We
found a large tavern house and good accommodations, a pleasant village,
and pleasant people.
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