" . . . Lutton's train tracks ran along the Yaokon River _ a small dirty black river _
that had carried for years the filthy pollution of seven deadly leather tanning mills.
Most mills were built upstream from Lutton and at times so close to each other ,
they seemed to touch. You couldn't tell one mill from another _ they all reeked the
same _ of cowhides , left in heaps in all kind of weather , in the mills' courtyards _
'til tears came to your eyes . Sometimes, a heavy snowfall blanketed the mills' roofs ,
all white. That's when Pastor Schwanks told us that there is life _ somewhere
in the Northern Lakes region or further up , nearby Chicago , IL ; or even a greater
distance than Grand Rapids , MI . He promised us days without dyes _
and no stinking Spring nights with no flower smells.
Pastor Schwanks always told the truth. We believed in him more than we did Jesus. "
_words by (c) 2010 blt.
The Belles of Lutton* / part 1 of 2
_ note: arguably true or not _ the Belles of
Lutton are seven mills _ named mostly for their
amazing architectural design : all seven made of sturdy
square brick buildings , with dainty lace- like details _
that adorned the upper part of the arch-entrances
of each mills.
- Illinois Archives Special Collection / Mills . ( circa 1840 )
_ Painting by Rothko: (c) Untitled. 1964
