Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1852-08-26
From the Chicago Daily tribune
Mineral Point Branch Bail Road.

This is the name of Railroad proposed to be
built between Mineral Point, IN Iowa county Wis
consln TO point on the Galena Branch of the III
inois Central Railroad. west of Freeport The
charter under which this Road IS to be built is one
extremely liberal the distance is between twenty
SIX and thirty two miles, and the grades thought
TO be easy, by those who have made ar eXamIna-
ton.
Messrs. CYEUs WooBuAN and JoHN BHACKEN.
of Mineral Point, Commissioners OF the Mineral
Point Road, were in City on Wednesday. to
consult with gentlemen connected with the Illinois
Central and Chicago and Galena Roads, in refer
ence 10 their Branch The estimated expense Is
about 100000, of which 100000 has been sub
scrlbed by the citizens of Icwa county. and they
seek assistance IN this City, to which the new werk
will contribute an immense trade
Mineral Point is the centre of the Mineral Re
glon OF Wisconsin; region probably richer in
lead and copper together than any other part Of
the world, but also one of the most beautiful ag-
rlcultural districts in the Western States
The amonnt OF lead mineral raised in the two
counties of Iowa and Lafayette, last year. was
about 100000 pigs aud with the stimulous that
/ a railroad would give TO the business of mining,
1t would soon increase to.twice that amount 1t
may safely be calculated that IN the first season
the two counties would send of, by Railroad 4OO.-
600 pigs or 1890 tons of Lead. Besides Lead,
there are millions of tons of Zinc lying upon and
near the surface which useless, for the
the want of fuel TO smell it. As soon as the pro
posed Railroad is opened and the Coal fields of
Illinois reached, there will be demand for from
five TO ten thousand tons of Coal, for smelling pur
poses, which Twill give very large business to the
Railroads in return freight.
As an agricultural district, the mineral region
is said to be unsurpassed. 1t is rolling country
with springs scattered all over il. Corn has new
er been known 10 fail, producing crops Of an av-
erage Of sixty bushels per acre, and Oats and
Wheat also grow well as in the Rock River
country. Corn is now worth, 1t that point TWEEN
ty-hye cents per busbel, and Oats fifteen
The proposed Road will have no competitor
and must become very profitable as an investment
for capital. The traffic of the mineral country Is
greater than that of one of agricultural man
uacturing character. It's exports are heavy sta
pies and all is exported that is produced. 1t also
depends entirely upon other markets for its sup
plies OF clothing. and every species Of mechanical
implement or product of Notwithstanding
10 an immense exchange of products
10 our merchants we need say but little in ref
erencc to the importance of securing the trade of
the lead region to this city. 1t has contributed
millions of dollars to ST Louis, during the last -
years and is esteemed second to none other enjoy
ed by that city. 1t Is an immense trade to the
northern merchants, mechanics, mach inists, and
every description of productive labor, and is sus-
ceptble of increase almost without limit All
that trade is within the reach OF, and may be en-
loyed by our city, if our capitalists and business
men Will contribute with any degree Of liberality
to the construction of the channel which viii cause
II to flow in upon US.