EXPLORING WISCONSIN'S WATERWAYS: BRULE  ST. CROIX- MISSISSIPPI  167

Flambeau, near present-day Superior, at Lac Court Oreilles, and on Made-
line Island.
  The XY Company site is especially interesting because of its close proxim-
ity to the North West stockade. The XY Company was a rival firm made up
of former North West Company trading partners who had fallen out with the
majority and had established what they called the New North West Com-
pany in 1797. Because they marked their fur bundles and packs of trade
goods "XY", they became popularly known as the XY Company. They
fol-
lowed the tactic of setting up posts close to those of the North West Com-
pany and competing vigorously in trade with the Indians for furs. At times
the competition ran to theft of furs and trade goods or to physically roughing
up rivals or, less seriously, to practical jokes like stuffing shut a cabin
chimney
to "smoke out" the opposition. In the case of the 2 Yellow River
posts,
proximity probably related to protection. At the North West Company's
Pine City site, the XY post was 15 miles away on the Kettle River. The
schism ended in 1804 when the XY traders went back into the North West
Company.
  The Yellow River site, still in the process of being developed, gives an
inter-
esting insight into the hard work and painstaking care which good recon-
structions entail.
9. Governor Knowles State Forest; Crex Meadows and Fish Lake State Wild-
life Areas (Wis.), Hwys. Wis. 77, 70, and 87, and County Forest Hwy. F
   Governor Knowles State Forest, established in 1970 as St. Croix State
For-
est, is designed as an additional protective zone for the St. Croix National
Scenic Riverway. It varies in width from one to 1.5 miles beginning at High-
way 77 near Danbury on the north and running south to within 10 miles of
St. Croix Falls, 55 miles in length. The forest will ultimately contain much
of
the private land now within its boundaries, which is currently about one-half
of the designated area. Northern States Power gave 4,000 acres to the forest.
Portions are reserved as wild areas, wilderness areas, scientific areas,
historic
sites (see item 8 above), rare and endangered species zones, and recreational
sites. Visitors may hike either of 2 22-mile trails. Snowmobilers and horse-
back riders will also find trails developed for their enjoyment. Canoeing
on
the St. Croix River is popular. Primitive campsites are located on islands
and
on the shoreline, although firewood and water are limited. The state forest
has a campground for organized groups, available by reservation only. Na-
ture lovers and photographers will find the natural landscape and the wildlife
very rewarding. Here, among many other species, are white-tailed deer, ea-
gles, ruffed grouse, and occasional black bears.
   Adjacent to the forest is the Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area. In 1945
the Wisconsin Conservation Department began working with Crex Meadows
in an attempt to restore its original character. The Chippewa used it as
a
source of cranberries and blueberries and for hunting. At the end of the
19th
century the wetlands were drained for farming and later a manufacturer cut
the prairie grasses to make rugs. Restoration work, relying largely on fire
and
dikes to make the area once again attractive to migrating waterfowl and fur-
bearing animals, brought results. Visitors now find an abundance and wide