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The journey from
Fort William to Winnipeg is not particularly interesting, except
perhaps to the sportsman and geologist. The country is of a rocky
formation, covered very generally with a growth of small trees, and
there are large areas of marsh and boggy land. Here and there little
clearing may be seen, and occasionally small stretches of land
suitable for cultivation; but from Fort William to Rat Portage—a
distance of nearly 300 miles—there is practically no settlement at
all, and the only people to be seen are those connected with the
railway, occasional trappers and hunters, and a few sportsmen and
Indians. At places the scenery is grand and picturesque, and lakes
and streams abound; but upon the whole the views from the train are
rather depressing than exhilarating, from the fact that most of the
timber near the line has been burnt, and mile after mile of bare
grey poles greet the eye. A little relief is of course found in the
brilliant green of the undergrowth in the early part of the year,
and in the varied colouring of the autumn foliage.
It is a problem,
which only the future can decide, as to the use that is likely to be
made of this part of Canada. There does not seem to be much
probability of its being available for agriculture, although it is
not fair to form any decided opinion from what can be seen near the
line. It is believed, however, that it will be found to be rich in
mineral wealth of various kinds. In the neighbourhood of Fort
William and Port Arthur silver and iron have been found in
considerable quantities, and the impression prevails that other
deposits may be discovered as the country is explored and examined.
It is certain also that gold and silver in paying quantities exist
around the Lake of the Woods, but the neighbourhood is more or less
inaccessible at present, and although some mines are being worked,
the industry cannot be said to have attained extensive dimensions up
to the present.
The district
conterminous to the Lake of the Woods will probably become an
important industrial centre. There is an abundance of water-power
there, and it is largely utilised for the working of tho numerous
sawmills which are in operation. In fact, the timber trade is a very
extensive one, employing largo numbers of hands, and it is not too
much to say that the population of tho district is in the
neighbourhood of D,000. There is also a very large flour mill at
Keowatin, a short distance from Rat Portage, which turns out an
immense number of barrels of flour daily. The Lake of the Woods is a
favourite summer resort for the Winnipeggers, who go there in
hundreds in August and September. The scenery on the lake is varied
and picturesque, and summer cottages can be seen on most of the
islands, while those who do not posse's residences are accustomed to
camp out. The hotel accommodation is not, of course, sufficient to
provide for the large accession of visitors which takes place at the
time mentioned.
A tourist cannot
fail to recall tho difference that exists in the travelling
facilities at the present time compared with those in 1870, when
Colonel Wolseley (as he was then) conducted *he Riel Expedition from
Port Arthur to Winnipeg, the journey occupying three months. Traces
of the expedition can still be seen in the shape of the encampments
and the remains of some of the boats. The district used to be a rich
hunting-ground for the trappers and Indians, wild animals having
formerly been very numerous. The opening up of the country, however,
by the railway, has either driven the animals farther away, or they
have become scarcer as the result of the continual war waged against
them, and it is not so valuable an appanage of the Hudson Bay
Company as it was before being opened up by railway communication.
About 60 or 70
miles from Winnipeg, the forest gradually becomes less dense, and
the prairie, which extends as far as the Rocky Mountains, begins to
show itself. Traces of settlement are also more numerous. The houses
of the settlers may be seen here and there, also hundreds of cattle
grazing on the rich prairie grasses, and other evidences of the
agricultural industry become apparent. As Winnipeg is approached,
settlement becomes thicker than ever, and there is an air of
prosperity about the numerous comfortable houses and well-fenced
holdings. The capital of Manitoba is visible for a considerable
distance, owing to the flatness of the prairie, and the first
glimpses indicate that it is a busy and thriving place. It, however,
deserves a chapter to itself. |
