Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-04
RIVER FALLS.
Its Advantages, Growth, Interests, sc.

importance rs business place. oltua-
ted in the midst of one Of the finest ag-
ricu!tural regions in the st. Croix Valley,
the country around, by its rapid develop
ment aud increasing wealth, is abundant
ly able to support its present size and
warrant steady, healthful growth in the
future. The falls of the Kinnickinnick
afforl one Of the finest water powers in
the Northwest; the forests, few miles
distant, contribute plentiful supply Of
wood and timber, and the qlarries, al
most within the village limits, furnish an
excellent building material. easily acces-
sible. Thus !. appears Nature has law
ishe'l upon this location many resources
which may be developed by the energy
Of man and the appliances Of art, into
permanent and substantial Improvements.
The people have by no means passed
these advantages idly by. Mills now
skirt the stream on either sde. The busy
hum Of industry and The music of ma
chinery miagle with the roar OF the
tumbling waters. Four Touring mills
and an equal number of saw mills are
now driven by the tirelcss stream, ana
still there is room for others.
More than two years have elapsed
since we have had the pleasure of re-
naming in the village long enough to
note particularly the improvements there
being made. During this interval sever
al mills have been put in operation; ;
stores, dwellings and churches have been
erected.
BARKER & Co. have built fine mill
on the South Fork, capable OF turning
out from 40 to so barrels Of -four daily.
The new mill built by G. B. Cox & Co.,
is the largest at the Falls, having a ca
pscity for making 200 barrels of -four
per day. The Prairie Mills, belonging
to the same firm, will make so barrels
per day. Messrs. Cox & Co. have ship
ped from their mills $4,000 barrels of
flour the past season, and their ship
ments for this year amount, in round
numbers, to $4,000 barrels. Add to
this amount the shipments Of Messrs.
BARKER & Co. and we have total of
10000 barrels produced by these mills
during the year 1865. This is an exhib-
it we are proud to record, giving, as it
does, an idea Of the Importance Of the
manufacturing as well as the agricultural
resources Of Pierce county.
Some Of the merchants have made
good /" investments" and realized "
enough therefrom to indulge in the lux.
ury of corner lots, new stone stores. with
red brick fronts, and other modern fix
lures. w. H. SANDERsoN and BURHYrE
Bros have new stores of this kind.
SANDERsoN's block was constructed
under the direction of Mr.. p. Knowles,
and BURHYTE BRo's was built hy d f..
McGREGoR, Esq. Both blocks are COM
pleted in manner that shows the con,
tractors to be excellent workmen and
well versed in the principles and practice
of operative masonry.
The Methodists have completed their
church and adorned it with a new bell
The Cengregationalists have commo.
dious church in the process of erection,
which they expect to finish next season.
These buildings, together with many
neat and tasty dwellings, have been ad-
ded to the village within year or two,
and if hard times do not press too much,
the coming year will witness a growth
that will compare favorably with the
last. The general appearance Of the
place is one Of thrift and prosperity, and
there seems to be no lack of energy aud
public spirit on the part Of the people to
aid in its advancement.
The "one thing needful' for River
Falls IS railroad. She stands in great
need of an outlet for her flour, grain and
other produce, and an inlet for machinery,
merchandise, &c, without the trouble and
expense of hauling six miles for ship
ment. Her interest in this matter is
identical with that of Prescott, and
through their united efforts much may
be accomplished, but placed in antagon
ism, nothing can be gained and every
thing may be lost. The sooner they
are in perfect harmony the sooner will
,their hope for railroad be realized
Let al, concerned think we'll of this mat
ter, and each use bis influence here il
will be the most available to secure the
desired result.
= We cannot close without a word
about the stage route from Prescott 10
Hudson. 1t is one of considerable i'm.