Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-06-26

-s-s--.
Lover Grant county.
HAZEL oRErF,yxHrsfpws, sx.rLsER, PA
,ils Rfs.,o ss -.
Having presented last week, a tolera-
|bly extended notice Of these towns, as a
rural district, we propose now to pay
some special regard to them in respect
to mining resources, scenery, local APP
|p nrtenances, BIC.
We set itlown as an infallib lie rule
that the wealth and independe nee of a.
my people aud country, are always in
proportion TO the self-supporting ele-
|ments therein. Take any exclusively
agricultural district, however product
I've the soil and easy Of tillage, and there
seems to be some vast vacuum !, select
any othsf district Of equal agricultural
means, but with the vacuum, of the 9TH
Ter supplied in this, and you will find in
the lattef fuller share Of independence,
wealth and happiness. Now, the dis
Itrict of country we are describing is Ger
tainly not exeelled by any in the west
for farming purposes. Prof. DANIELS,
State Geologist, in his late report upon
the agricultural capacity Of the, lead re-
gicn says
The soil is generally rich, calcare-
ous, and silicious loan, with subssoil
of clay. In the north and east, where
the sandstone comes to the surface,
patches Of sandy soil occur. Its fertili-
ty is attested by the actual results Of
farming whenever attempted testimo-
ny far more tangible and satisfactory
than could be given by any analysis, how-
ever complete.
Again, the traveller who passes over
this region; when the crops are waving
in the luxuriance of summer, and the
orchards bending beneath their frhitage,
will need no aid froth .he geologist and
chemist to convince him that its soil is
of the best quality.
Speaking of the water and timber he
also says
Living water is abundant here
Springs gush ont from every hillside,
and streams flow in every valley, whose
crystal waters are equal to any that the
poets have ever feigned or sung. Thus
water for stock can be easily obtained
a prime consideration in the selection of
a farii. The streams are generally rap
id, and finnish excellent water-powers
for milling and manufacturing.
Timber is also abundant, with the ex-
ception Of few large prairies /; yet even
on these there are no points more than
three Or four miles distant from wood
An interesting and valuable feature may
be mentioned in this connection viz -
The rapid growth of young trees from
the soil of the open prairie, whetsver
the annual fires are shut off.
1t is true; his remarks were intended
for the entire lead region, but their APP
plication might seem to have a special
reference to these towns.
Add to the agricultural capacity Of
this district, the limitless wealth beneath
the soil, the removal of which can be no
material obstruction to the farmer, and
the aggregate of wealth must be double !;
indeed, the mineral already removed has
paid for all the lands in the lead district,
perhaps ten times over, and yet nothing
beyond mere surface scratchwork has
been done towards exhausting the lands
in this respect /; the amount of lead ac-
tually produced only demonstrates that
no futiire can rsveal their barreiinness.
DR.. PERc1vAI, late State Geologist of
Connecticut, supposes the Hazel Green
and Fairplay mines to occupy the CEN
ter of the southern part of the lead re-
gion, being in his estimate, tho richest
Of any others included in the north ives
tern lead district Of Wisconsin, illinois
and Iowa. He says, it appears from re-
liable data, that the lands contiguous to
the village of Hazel Green, have pro-
duced within the nine years past, up-
wards of 5000 900 lbs. Of lead ore a.
bove water, which. at present prices, a.
mount 10 81 100000.
tAMEsrowN.
Fairplay village and mines are in this
town. Like most mining villages, it
sprang into being, as in a moment, upon
a great mineral discovery, causine a
rushing stampede for that quarter, and
corresponding assertions elsewhere.-
We shall republish some time from our
old files, full account Of the discovery
of Fairplay mines to illustrate the early
MANNER of mining and village building !;
it will anuse the new settlers. Well.
in time, new and reported richer Dig
gings were struck up in some other
neighborhood, the Villages was nearly
deserted, paralyzed-remaining in for.
lotn condition for several YEATS, when a