Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1868-06-02
plattevilIe and Other Prominent In
stitutions-Normal Schooi-Railroad

I
But the rains came on and we stopt
over at the Tyler House, Platteville,
till Friday--the day after the Fair
when the bad weather and other
strangers took sober turn and all
turned about homeward. The day
or two we stayed at Piatteville of
forded opportunities for opening
new accounts with the several local
institutions, of which there are many
some Of them of great public use>
fulness abroad.
Since our former visits to Platte
vile the business prospects OF that
place have taken q most encouraging
| turn.
Formerly there appeared much
depression, because it appeared visi,
bic that the population and the BUSH
ness were already beyond the neces-
sites of demand. The externa sup
ports were unable for the capital and
business, and it seemed not worth
while to patch and splice to hold
things together. Business was al
ready uneasy and capital stubborn.
Property dull, business closing, opin-
ions of the future divided-a col
lapse was only awaited, against
which every suggested remedy eff,
fected nothing but to speed the
dreaded crisis.
The fortune of securing the State
Normal School at Platteville was a
benefit only in awaking dropping
public spirit. The event hut led the
citizens to inquire whether it would
pay to make further investments for
the encouragement of business, and
for inspiring now hopes and firm
faith in a joint investments of capital
for the enrichment of the masses
Capital needs strong faith TO divert
il in any direction where the people
may share it's profits. Men of prop
erty grudgingly divide it except for
their own interest-tOo often for the
oppression of others. But in this
case it was seen that unless the in
dividual wealth was diverted for the
general gain, such wealth must be
buried beneath local collapse and
benefit no body. 1t was thus rea.
soned that the aggregated wealth of
Platteville must be promptly used in
some way to hold fast to the present
business and population, and to wiz
den the trade supports of that town.
This could only be accomplished by
q railroad connection, work which
was resolved should be done at an
early day. The effects of the mere
prospect of railroad may be sum.
med up as follows:
The rise of village property at
least 25 per cent. This is the selling,
not the holding, increase of the VAL
uation, and the assessors are now
assessing accordingly.
A rise of Is per cent. on farm prop>
ertv.
Local confidence, valued at 100 per
cont. gain in giving stability to trade
and business.
If such be the improv ements based
merely upon the prospect of rail-
road, we may justly inquire-what
is to be the effect of the great work
when completed and when the first
rattle and snort of the iron horse is
heard at the back door! Well may
the capitalists at Platteville set
themselves about solving the social
problems, especially the one which
affirms that wealth and happiness
are assured to those who are public
spirited and embark literally in pub
lie enterprises in which the laboring
masses shall profit as well as them>
selves
Speaking of this railroad matter,
we notice some items of information
not yet public but which are doubt
less correct: A meeting of the lead
ing mon concerned was held at Platt-
vile the first of last week in May, at
which it was agreed to finish and
stock about ten miles of the road,
nearly as far along as Belmont, and
run the cars thus far by the first of
July. The iron was ordered and
Messrs Beecher and Cobb of Mineral
Point and Mr.. Robbins were authors
ised to proceed at once and set things
in motion accordingly. The grading
upon so much of the route is all fin
ished, except about two miles which
may be done in abOnt as many weeks,
and the ties are already on the
ground.
GA. w. BELLS BRICK MACHINE.
Just now the works of the above
caption are attracting much atten~
ton, at Platteville and olher parts,
being Guards Improved Brick Ma
chine, one of which the Bells own,
with the Right to work in the coun>
ty. II it performs we'll they expect
to board AROUND with it, visiting
Lancaster, Boscobel and other towns,
and turning out moulded and pressed
brick at the rate of $4,000 per day
from the labor of four hands and two
horses. Twelve bricks are moulded
at revolutions horizontal wheel,
the upright shaft, feed tub, works
for forcing in the clay and certain
other eccentric parts being the chief
points of interest.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Dnring our stay at Platteville, the
Board of visitors, appointed by the
Board OF Normal School Regents,
consisting of County Superinten-
dents Crandall of Sank and Clinton
of lawford counties, happened to
drop down to the surprise of profess
sors and students, and proceeded at
ouce 10 examine the several classes
as to their progress 10 learning and
to inspect affairs generally about
this great state school for educating
teachers and those to became such.
Professor Allen presides over the
faculty of teachers. The green twigs
are taken when young and bent to
his liking, and when they grow up,