Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-06-11
PRESCOTT NEEDS.

Prescott needs, especially two things-a
,,-r,. commodious hotel, and asteam ferry be-
tween here and Hastings.
We fsve often spoken of our need of a
II ,.,,s ioel, and shall continue TO allude 10 it
MI. he want is supplied. The fault is not
/, o-r landlords. but in the want of sufi-
r,,.v commodious building. 1t does no
5s-n to aIIude to this matter for the travelling
-,blic already know very well, that Prescott
.snuot afford such accommodations as gentle
nen expect at a place of as much Importance.
Prescott-the Gateway city to the whole
s.. Croix Y slley-the place at which leave, TO
which come, the river passengers for a wide
extent of coul try, touched by every boat that
floats the upper Mississippi, and the terminus
IF daily line Of steamers on the ST. Croix,
positiveIv has far poorer hotel Recommendations
han any other town on the river. Even Tay
'or Falls and Osceola. arc far ahead of us in
this respect Now this fact tells strongly
srai,st us-it has brought odium on this city
made it a by word. and retards its growth
nv rreiud icing people against it. Our bust
nsS, men. who live in their own pleasant
homes. 10 not realize how much the reputa-
Ton Of the city suffers. and how much travel
and er.stnm are driven from us by this want
d good hotel. Many passengers from the
rr7er s. Croix habitually go to ST llwater,
Llsree By stage TO st. Paul, and take down
l5a. in preference TO coming here and waiting
8 for hi same boat while up river passengers
i 90 10 s.. Paul and thence across by land, rath-
e. than stop off here and take ST. Croix boat
in the morning. We Eao'n This to he So. and
the reason given IS the poverty of our hotel
agreements This city was willing to pays
literally to secure the County Seat. but We
believe that good hotel would be of far more
rcal advantage to her.
The second want, steam ferry, may at first
glance seem TO be rather ahead of the times,
t., We think we can show, in few lines, that
s Of hardly less Importance than good
s.ei;
Slorly bat s,rcly the shipping business Of the
s. Croir Valley is slipping array from Pres
'da into the hands Of our nei9hbors at Hastings.
The mail contract for the ST. Croix Valley.
calls for daily mail between Hastings and
Taylor Falls. New mark the consequences;
lie mail being carried by boats. they, the
loats, will lay ever at Hastings for the night
No, only viii they purchase all their stores
aasuPPlies there, thus taking a consideIa-
asUaeunt of trade away from Prescott, but
70 are ne delay of waiting at Prescott to
'ahf q freight TOR up river points, goods for
teS' Croix Valley viii, in process of time,
tec0nsigned to Hastings for reshipment.
furthermore, the experience of the last few
!aars shows conclusively that the increase of
business between the st. Croix river and Has
'ngs viii finally compel the boats to make
he latter place one of the terp,ini of theii
ggie.
4 steam ferry boat, built cheap, and run
''o'omieally, viii stop this leaking out of
'aslness; and though in these hard times the
'e'Urns may pay but small interest on the
'spltd infested, to allow the matter TO remain
q IL is. will be to allow the evil to increase,
'allihe chance of applying remedy is past,
ana the command of the ST. Croix trade for
f'er passed from our hands.
From three to four thousand dollars
YOU'D build and equip boat suitable for the
purpose which might be run at an expense of
rom SIX to seven dollars per diem. To meet
.nese expenses, besides the regular returns
'O'n TYING passengers teams, ETC.. the mail
,'n'ractors would, in all probability, be will
Us 70 ray something to have the mail carried
S''"een the two places, and as four trips a
"a would be sufficient for the present re-
5OHenenes OF the trade, the remaining time
ae boai would be ready and on hand for tow
ing RATS, fiat boats. etc.
We trust that the business men and proper
" holders of this city wiz lool, oftar thoso
matters before it is too late.