Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1858-03-03
Editorial Correspondence.
Madison, Wis, Feb. "a, 1868.

hs dlVeHtIoH has JUST Deen called 10
an article in the Wisconsin Mirror of
yesterday, published at Kilhourn City,
which reflects somewhat on your Mad
ison correspondent, or, in other words,
upon myself. 1 do not notice it for the
purpose of entering into any personal
controversy with the editor of that pa
per, for circumstances do not demand
it, neither would my disposition favor
it: but if have been mistaken in any
point, or committed any act of injus-
tice towards any one, / desire to make
ample amends, and therefore notice the
article in question at this time for the
purpose Of endeavoring to do complete
Justice to all concerned.
/ merely stated that it was u7a0er-
stood that Kilbourn City was part and
parcel of the Lacrosse Railroad, and
that if it desired to flourish it must re-
move itself from the influence of the
managers of that road. Therefore, the
first point to be decided is, whether
said Kilbourn City is understood to be
a part and parcel of the Lacrosse Rail
road. In the first place, it takes the
name of the great father Of this road,
and was once principally owned by
persons largely interested in the road.
In fact, it is the general opinion that
Kilbourn City would not have been
brought into existence, had the proper
ty holders Of Newport surrendered
what little they possessed to the La
Crosse road, or its principal stockhold
ers. Newport refused to give down,
which started the project Of new
town, by taking the line of the road
farther to the north. Now, from all
outward appearances, there must have
been q time when the La Crosse railroad
company, or it's principal managers, had
a large interest in Kllbourn City; and
if they do not possess it now, they have
sold out lately, which is all T have to
say about that.
The next charge is, that l have surg
gested that if Kilbourn City desires to
flourish, it must remove itself from the
influence of the managers of the La
Crosse road. This, Of course, is all
gratuitous on my part. If the sugges-
ton is not favorabIy considered, I have
only to say that it was offered in spir-
it of friendship and not Of malice, as
the editor of the Mirror would seem
to charge; but if it is true that Kill
bourn City has any connection with the
Lacrosse railroad company, or its man.
ayers, and shall continue that connec-
ton long, it's situation cannot he other
wise than perilols. That road has
lately shown a state of things, by Its
own report, that must determine LIS
fate, and all its dependencies must feel
the shock which this road has by its
imprudence brought upon itself
AS to whether l am a boy, or have
prematurely undertaken to cultivate a
moustache, is immaterial for the pur-
poses of a proper understanding be-
tween the editor of the Mirror and my
self. The question under consideration
is whether it is true that it is understood
that Kilbourn City is a part and parcel
of the Lacrosse railroad, or whether it
has any connection with said company
or the managers of the road; and if
so, whether the present reputation Of
the road or company is such as to en-
danger the interests of that city. This
is the point raised and to be determined,
and l cheerfully leave it to my friend
of the Mirror to decide in the premi-
ses. I am confident that I have said
nothing to the injury of that beautiful
city, neither am I disposed to from any
motives whatever, and I cannot but
look upon the special pleading Of the
Mirror as entirely uncalled for. Ihave
not the pleasure Of an acquaintance
with the editor of that paper, it is true,
but from what long since learned Of
the principal editor of the Reporter in
his favor, I should highly esteem his
personal acquaintance; and I verify
believe that if Kilbourn City is saved,
that the editor of the Mirror will be
the righteous man on whose account it
will be spared.
But that editor has gone still further,
and questioned my opinion as to what
is required by the lumber interests. To
this I only answer that have yet to
learn that an obstruction across the
Wisconsin River at Kiibourn City will
benefit the lumber interests. The i'm
mense amount of lumber manufactured
above is required to be foated down