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there. When lunch time came, we spread our ample meal upon an immense boulder in the river at the foot of the falls. The lunch finished we tossed this and that remnant of it into the swirling eddied of the stream partly in sport and partly to note the various currents. Setting out for home, our log cabin at the Breen Mine, we followed as we supposed the road from the log rill way to which many roads converged. Finding our error after a journey of 3/4 of a mile, we concluded to take a compass course through the forest to our camp, not anticipating difficulty in doing this.
Ignorant of any variations of the magnetic needle in the vicinity and finding our guide like ourselves ignorant of woodcraft, we trudged many miles only to find that we were lost. We were hopelessly lost for that day as twilight and night was hastened by a shower which lengthened to an all night rain. We had matches for a fire, but the wood was all too wet to kindle. Without shelter from the pitiless rain, and tormented by swarms of gnats, black flies and musquitoes, there was neither rest nor sleep for us. Our sympathy all went for your father who bore the hardships without a murmur of complaint. The morning found us in sorry plight without food since noon of the previous day. We were ravenously hungry and weak also from lack of rest.
Wintergreen berries we occasionally found but they seemed only to emphasize our hunger. Without the sun to guide us, we wandered aimlessly until reaching a lake, which by good accident our guide thought he recognized. He followed up his investigations and finding a well known trail he brought us back to camp late that afternoon.
Resting a few days at the camp, we were joined by our packer and guide, who had been absent for a week on a trip to the
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Bad Water Indians some 30 to 35 miles distant in order to secure a birch bark canoe. Before taking our canoe we visited several* places on the iron range inspecting it at points where are now located the mining towns of Vulcan and Iron Mountain and elsewhere.
Starting from near Iron Mountain we made a canoe trip up the Pine river. Finishing this we began the descent of the [main] river, continuing down to Menominee Mich. I shall always look back to this trip with your father, except for its hardships to him, with intense pleasure. Companionship with him was an inspiration as well as instruction. His enthusiasm over finding this or that rock exposure or float mineral arouses ones ambition. No wild flower in his path missed his gaze. He was always cheerful, even when there was occasion for despondency, and his gentle lovable manner drew us all to him.
Very truly yours,
Nelson P. Hulst.
Miss Mary J. Lapham. Oconomowoc, Wis.
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July 4. Made further examination of Breen Mine.
July 5. The lower Magnesian limestone is not found in place here, there is an abundance of it in the drift soil, one of the causes of the rich arboreal growth.
July 6. Thomas Breen and others arrived in camp at night. Beaver found here within 5 or 6 years--the dam cut down in 1868. Got samples of their work cutting trees at this dam.
At Breen Mine still!
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At Breen's Mine still: July 6, 1872.
My dear Daughter--
We have now finished all the work we have to do here, [out] but have to wait the arrival of our guide who was to have been here from Menomonee before this time. We have found by experience the necessity of such an addition to our party; for in attempting to make the camp from Little Sturgeon Falls we missed the way and were compelled to spend the night under a log in the rain. For further particulars of this ever-to-be-remembered event, please ask Mrs. Dana and Mrs. Van Dyke to show their letters from here, especially Will's Map which he sent to his mother.
The unusually long tramp has given me some soreness of feet which will soon be over with. Except the night under the log and the sore feet all is well with us and we are having a pleasant time. We have fresh fish, corned beef (here called "red horse") with pork, bread, ginger bread, and other good things [&c.] to eat; good comfortable bunks to sleep in; plenty of fresh air to breathe; and the finest fresh cold spring water (temp 43 degrees) to drink.
The dense forests afford ample grounds for the botanist; the strange beasts and birds for the hunter; and the rocks and stones for the geologist [&c. &c.] So we find plenty to do and are enjoying ourselves very well. Soon we shall move up the Menomonee and Pine Rivers, finish our explorations and return home. Probably I shall have to purchase a bark canoe and may bring it home with me. It may take us two weeks to do all this.
When the guide comes I expect to get letters from you and hope they will show that all is going on right at home.
Yours very truly,
I.A. Lapham.
Mary J. Lapham.
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July 7. P.S. Our guides arrived last night and tomorrow we go to Sturgeon Falls and thence to other mines. They brought me no letter from home, so I suppose all is well with you and with mother.
Yours,
I.A.L.
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July 8. Rode eleven miles from Breen's Mine to New York farm (Thos. Rice, Supt.,) at mouth of Sturgeon River, crossed in a bark canoe. Saw Hornblendii rock, on sec. 35-39-29--high bluff.***
Walked to east end of Lake Merriam and pitched our tent near that of 3 men who were making explorations for iron. Provided myself with moccasins purchased at an Indian camp, also a bark canoe.***
July 9. A thunder storm and rain prevented our movement in the afternoon, so we remained in camp on Merriman's Lake.***
July 11.***Went west through woods (much of it [new] burned) to the Menomonee at mouth of outlet of Lac Funee Frac. Sec. 10 T. 39 R.30.
Mr. Breen and Mr. Vell went back to mouth of Sturgeon for canoe and supplies.
Saw several red squirrels swim from Wisconsin to Mich. side.
Along the large body of drift extending to the iron range. Sandy, poor soil.
July 12. Remained in camp. Boat arrived 6 P.M. Saw angular blocks looking very much like marble, but they were quartzite/[have]
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seen with no real marble yet, even among the boulders. Gathered shells (Physas) in the river, upon stones, &c.
Cold water from brook runs separate from the warmer river water.
July 13. Left our camp at 8 A.M. First ride in birch bark canoe. At 9 reached Big Quinnesec Falls (so called because they are longer, not higher, than the Little Quinnesec Falls) on Sec. 5 R.6 T.7. Portage on N/side in one long trail or three shorter ones.*** Went north on the range line between R. 39 and 30, to N. line of 31. Soon after reaching the S.W. corner of 31 [a] the compass began to vary about 20" to the east towards the Iron mountain of Foster and Whitney.
July 14. Walked to Lac Antoine north side; found no indications of iron; timber all young, not more than 6 in. in diameter.
Red oak, maple, birch, ironwood and poplar. Lac Antoine was once several feet higher as indicated by 2d ridge of boulders.*** Saw decaying pollen of the pine in large quantity in the lake.
Boulders of granite of the largest kind found on the slope of the hills. Found well characterized Scolithus linearis in the Potsdam sandstone on the ridge north of Lac Antoine, thus showing the age of the rock:
A family of weasels seen this morning. Iron heretofore found north of Lacs Antoine and Fumes seems to be the only drift blocks, [&c.]
July 15. Examined Iron ledge on N.E. of N.W. of Sec. 31
