Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-10-20

A TRIP TO FOND DU LAc.-One day
| week before last-we had not room last
week for our story-we took the nine
o'clock accommodation train for Fond d.
Lac. In this fast and uneasy age people
are inclined to sniff at the idea of taking
passage on freight train (; but as for our
selves we have too vivid recollection of the
louncings and joltings we have endured in
stages, lumber wagons and other of the
earlier methods of conveyance over the
very routes indicated by the various rail-
loads which radiate from Watertown, to
have any words of scorn for SO comfortable
and expeditions means Transportation as
tie caboose of freight train with its ten
miles an hour affords.
Arriving at Fond du Lac at two o'clock
We found that we had seven hours in which
TO do the city, and we proceeded to the
undertaking with the purpose of obtaining
the greatest possible amount of satisfaction
to ourself regardless of all other parties
interested The Commonwealth Office was
our first objective point and there we found
7. b. Reid one of the new proprietors, with
his coat off and driving business with
characteristic energy. While talking with
Reid in came Watrous-the interchangeable,
genial and ever popular Jack Watrous OF
the Black River Falls Banner, now senior
editor of the Commonwealth. We have heard
it said that any man ought to be able to do
two days work in one, if occasion required,
but unless we are very much deceived, Wat
rous has the ability TO do it all the time.
Any enc who has seen the Commonwealth
since the new proprietors took possession
knows that an immense amount of work. has
been done upon it, and gooi share OF the
time Watrous has done it alone. NoE that
Reid has returned the two will doubtless
make tie Commonwealth q model of news
papers,, We were glad to find that the
Fond du Lac people feel proud OF this excel
lent paper and gre attesting their satisfac-
ton with encouragement both abundant aud
substantial
The County Convention being in session
we went with Watrous to the Hall and
found there an intelligent, animated yet
harmonious assemblage of which any
county might be proud. Staying long
enough TO see an officer Of our old Regiment,
Major Il. R. Town, prince OF good fellows
and second to none' as citizen or soldier,
nominated to the office of State Senator, we
left the hall to look after oth.r matters. VI
acquaintance, we found many-someo OF them
old army comrades; several Watertown
faces appeared to us in our rambles and
right glad we were to see them Jonas
Stshl was il thestreet with one of ManviileS
wagons and Louis Stallman looked out OF
Pettibones Store, where he is now employed.
We only had time to shake hands with
Beeson, editor of the Reporter, one the
liveliest, spicest and most nterprising local
papers in the State--we shall call on him
again hen we can stay longer.
Fond du Lac every where gives evidence
of having grown up With remarkable rapid
ity. Like all towns it was built of the ma
terial which happened to be the cheapest
in this case it vas pine lumber. AS con
sequence the city does not present SIS i'm
others in the State, but already it has started
on its ".econd growth and on every hand,
handsome aud substantial buildings are
our those of more temporary
character. "Men constitute the State,
they say, and if they also constitute the city
then Fond du Lac is already one which need
fear no comparison with any other and the
day is not far distant when in appearances
also it can enter into competition with
Fond du Lac sis not more than holding lis |
own this year" bot people are mistaken |
entertain this idea aad we are inclined |
to think that its growth and business haF
been affected by the close times as little as
any in the State. We saw no stores to rent
seve al fine brick blocks have been put up thi.
year; a number of elegant residences are
being built; their long Main Street showed
well with teams, and trade seemed lively
sit was good enough for us We came
away fully convinced that if Fond du Lac
is not the second city in tie State it certain
" is one OF them.
While there we were indebted to seyerai
for courtesies which we shall long re
member and be glad of an opportunity to
reciproca.e.