Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-02-06
HOMES I'm WISCONSIN.

or inclination TO answer We insert the
main points of bis letter before proceed
ing TO reply:
"Do you think any of the projected
railroads will pass thr ough or very near
Grant County? To what extent do you
value the Wisconsin river, for boating,
numbering and commercial purposes gem
orally? What of the trade and CONNER
cial influence of the Mississippi? You
say there are no lakes and marshes in
bounds of the Lead region; is the coun-
try elevated, uneven or sloping, that there
are no flats and lakes in it? see from
the map you sent me that innumerable
streams and rivers are represented is
the position of those streams low. and
Go they run slovenly, like those saw
some years ago in Illinois and Indiana ?
Do the waters supplying them seem to
come from standing springs, or are they
supplied from mere surface drainage !?
My latter questions are intended to So
licit from You certain facts in reference to
she adaptedness of the waters for mills,
You ask our mere opinion whether a.
ny of the projected railroads are to pass
through or near Grant County. There
are two railroads chartered and in pro-
gress,-one intended TO terminate on the
Mississippi in the south part of the
County, with branch extending up he
river as far as Potosi; the other is to
pass through the north part of The Coun-
ty, cross the Wisconsin somewhere be-
low Muscoda, and terminate at Prairie
du CHEN. Neither of the routes is ex-
actly established, only as TO the termi-
nus. We do not believe both roads will
be built, but that they will be joined in-
10 one road--and that one be finished at
an early period. Why we think so, will
be made known at future time. We
have no doubt one railroad will pass
through this County to the Mississippi,
for Grant has more freight for transport
tation eastward than all other river coun-
ties in Wisconsin, and besides, is the
natural center for ingathering of travel,
freight and everything else designed for
distribution over the northwest, The
Mineral Point Branch Railroad passes
southwark, some twelve miles east Of
the County line, and will be great help
TO our farming and mining interests "a
long the north and east parts of Grant
County. That road is most all graded
and bridgcd ready for Tie iron.
- The Wisconsin river is a tolerable
boating stream for eight or nine months
in the year. There is plenty of water,
but the sand accumulates in places, OBJ
structing or changing the channels, rem
dering navigation tedious or trouble
some process at low water. The num-
Der of RATS and the quantity Of pina lum-
Der, shingles and timber for various u
SEES Heated down ..,re Wisconsin annual
ly is almost incalculable, and beyond be-
lief, except of those residing on its banks.
We have seen the estimate Of 10000, :
900 feet for sawed lumber alone. 9th
erwiSe, the commerce of that river rca-
ches no great deal at present. There is
only the carrying trade of three or four
steamers required during the season of
navigation. We believe the Wisconsin
river will be Of im~ense service when
the country adjoining it becomes settled
and cultivated.
The commerce, trade aud influence Of
the upper Mississippi is vast indeed
Mr.. JOHN d. HARP of Cassville lately
furnished US an account Of the Steam
boat arrivals at that commercial point
for the year 1858, amounting to 402.-
In 1850 there were 254 arrivals. 1t
must also be remembered that boats are
generally laden to the guards to and from
ports above. We are told the lumber
product of the Mississippi exceeds that
OF the Wisconsin, and that the pine for
ests are not TO be exhausted for ages.
The lands of Grant County are the
most elevated of any in the State south
OF the Wisconsin river, except the Bel
mont and Blue mounds, and are so rep
resented in tho Geological maps appen-
ded to Prof. OwEN's surveys. The
lands bear off from the great divide be-
tween the Mississippi and Wisconsin RI
vers, sloping north and south, and also
towards the small streams, brooks and
dry ravines to be met with everywhere.
The dry rapines are large basins with a
section wanting on side. We have
seen them from one 10 two miles wide,
of easy ascent, but pitching towards a
common center, and drained by mar
row outlet below. They are commonly
barren OF timber, producing heavy flee
oes Of natural grass. Of their beauty,
when under tasteful cultivation, no idea
can be formed except by those who have
seen them.
Mast &c o,,x ,v,,>,S L-anl- -, =, ~ !,