On The Banks Of The Aux-bes-ceis

Frankfort, Mich., July 23, 1894. After a few days' stay in this pretty village, th,e visitor from Ann Arbor becomes filled with surprise that he does not see more familiar faces. Why are there not more peopie toenjoy the delightful air, water and rest? Frankfort is a town of about 2,500 inhabitants. It consists of three streets, running east from Lake Michigan, which are crosfed by others. Back of the town rise wooded hills. The gathering place for all resorters is the beach of Lake Michigan and the adjoining wooded sand dunes. The beach is a paradise for the children, who play in the pure clean sand and wade in the water. The sand is so delightfully warm and inviting .that even the older people cannot resist the temptation to take off their shoes and stockings and imítate the younger ones. Many walking parties visit Bold Bluff, a point of sand 600 feet above Lake Michigan. From it, Crystal lake, nine miles long, and the rounding country, can beseen. The attnosphere is so clear and pure that the eye can hardly comprehend distances. This spot of sand has a very curious appearance. Imagine a peak of pure white sand elevated above the tree tops. Some venturesome people slide down the six hundred feet to the beach on Lake Michigan. Another point of interest is the life-saving station across the harbor. The station is very complete with apparatus, and has eight men, including the captain. Every Thursday they have regular drill. On other days visitors can see everything excepting this drill. The boats, guns, etc, in fact all things about the station, look as if they were articles in a drawing room and not for the hard usage that they are often put to during heavy storms. The one thing that has given Frankfort a national reputation is the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan car ferry, running daily to Kewaunee, Wis., and Menominee, Mich. The terminas of the road is on the opposite side of the river, called South Frankfort. Here the tiuge ferry boats land to receive and discharge their daily train of 24 ;oaded cars. There are also accommodations for passengers on the Joats, the trip across Michigan bemg very pleasant. These boats run sumraer and winter. The Messrs. Ashley have in connection with this ine of boats done more for Frank:ort than its people will admit. ?ormerly there was a bar at the mouth of the river. The government built piers extending out into the lake and annually appropriated about $s for the purpose of keeping out the sand, blown in by every north-west storm. This year through the influence of Messrs. Ashley and their friends, $50,000 will be appropriated to extend the piers 300 feet, which, it is believed, will give permanent deep water and prevent the washing in of sand. Crystal Lake, nine miles long, lies i4 miles north of Frankfort and is separated from Lake Michigan by half a mile of forest. It is a beautiful lake, the water being as clear as its name and teeming with fish. lts wide beach was caused by a genius-Dy the name of Jones who was interested in a little steamboat. A bank of sand 15 feet wide held the lake back from the Aux-bex-ceis river. Mr. Jones had little respect for practical surveyors and without getting any levéis he attacked the bank with a spade. In a few minutes he had to run for his life to escape the rushing waters. A crevice 200 feet wide was opened. Two men and a team of horses were drowned in it before its dangerous character was tested. Since then a lumber company has partially filled it up and a shoot for logs has been put in, but the water was not raised to its old level. The shores of Crystal lake are wooded, offering lovely sites for campers. One very delightful feature about Frankfort is the absence of flies and mosquitoes. While there is plenty of sand it is clean sand and easily brushed off. The houses, tables, linen, etc., appear always to be clean. The people are very hospitable and glad to see resorters. Prices of board and rooms are very reasonable. Burglars are unknown and few rooms have locks that can be used, they not having seen service in many years. The visitor goes to sleep to the tinkling of numerous cow beils and is awakened in the morning with the same Arcadian sound. ; Among the resorters from Ann Arbor is Walter Seabolt, who is spending a week with his brother, Prof. M. Seabolt, of Manistee. ! Mrs. R. S. Greenwood is a guest at the Park House. Mrs. E. A. Whitney is visiting her old home and is ■ the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hills of Leelanaw ave. Mr. N. Cochrane, manager of the Toledo Bee, and family came up last week. Mr. Cochrane left for home today, : but his family will remain during : the summer. Mrs. Cochrane is expecting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Moore, of Ann A.bor, to rive during the week.