Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-05-11
THE cry OF WATERFOWL.


The following truthful and favorable no.
tice of our city we find in late number OF
the Madison Journal, from a correspondent
to that paper, signing himself "Traveler."
Among the many fattering sketches Wa
tertown has received none does us greater
justice than this one
EDIreR JOURNAL: Having spent some
time IN looking about the city of WATERFOWL,
with view to permanent location in
business, | would like to avail myself of
your excellent journal to give your readers
my impression of the place.
A traveller passing by the city on any of
the railroads, that cross each other at this
important Junction, can form but very
imperfect idea Of the location, advan tages,
business and prospects of the place. The
Rock River, bending gracefully through the
city, n form OF the letter IS, with
natural fall of twenty-six feet, is made
available for hydraulic purposes by three
mill-dams within the city limits, upon which
large amount and great variety Of manu-
facturIng Is done IN grain, iron, wood and
WOOL. The advantages of such a water
power so convenient and aFaiable, cannot
be oVer-estimated.
Along these graceful curves of the river
and on both sides, upon high and somewhat
rolling grounds affordng fine views and
commanding sites for residence, with excel
lent surface, as we'll as SUBJ soil drainage,
laid out with wide and long streets at right
angles, th e city is built, in style OF archi-
lecture, and with class of buildings, most
ly OF that famous cream colored brick, that
would do honor to any city in the West.
Besides the exhaustless beds of clay, tree
from mineral impurities, out of which this
brick is made, lying all along the river at
this point, there are large quarries of even
~ stratlhed lime stone, easily worked and
yielding al excellent building material as
well as good article oflime, near the city
in any direction. By excavating wells to
depth of from twenty to thirty feet, the
purest of water is found in abundance, but
that which adds greatly to the health
beauty ana facilities of the place, are those
mysterious fountains of pure soft water,
that gush up and flow off in large and con-
slant streams, to a considerable height above
the Surface, by boring to depth of 80 to
100 feet, anywhere about the city. There
are many of these Flowing wells used for
| street and household purposes, one of which
is near the bridge of the river on Main
street, flowing constantly, winter and sum-
mer, into large tank, health-g;ying
luxury to the thirsty man AMI beast and an
ornament tv the city.
This place is the most convenient center
OF trade and travel west of the lake. Five
railroads radiate in all directions from this
point reaching Milwaukee, Chicago, Green
Bay La Crosse, and Prairie du CHEN and
| intermediate points, and all of them main
lines Of road. The tonnage by rail to and
from this point is considerably greater than
from and to any other points on the North
western railroad north of Chicago, and
| nearly all the taaevl through the State must
necessarily pass through this place. 1t is
also the center of the largest local trade
Situated within both the counties of Jeffer-
son and Dodge two of the oldest, richest
and most populous counties in the State, a
population of nearly fifty thousand are trib-
utary to it as q market and place of ship
ment.
With all these advantages, as place of
business one cannot help but notice that
this city has never been cursed by specula-
| ton or over-growth. Itseems to have grown
steadily, safely and surely, without making
| much noise in the world or seeking to at
tract attention from abroad, and its present
prosperity and future growth are well secur-
ed, in the fact that it is yet b.hind. rather
than in advance, of the rich and well. devel-
oped region surrounding it, and tributary
to it. Considering its facilities and advan-
tages, the price of real pi operty, vacant or
improved, and rents is CORRESPONDENCE
much lower than any other place in the
State, even with the municipal debt (now
in hopeful presses of settlement and liouf-
dation) added 10 it. Considered as a place
of residence, it has many attractions 1t
has well-suppie1 market and the cost
of living is low 1t is surrounded by i'm
proved and well-cuItivated farms and
gardens. The streets and private grounds
within the city, are embellished with
trees, shrubbery and flowers, giving evil
dence of the taste and refinement of her
citizens, and their public spirit is manifest
in their well-kept streets and walks, and
the good roads and pleasant drives into the
country.
IN heaithfulness and beauty of locat ion;
cheapness of fuel, good markets, facilities
OF travel, pure water and good society,
Watertown is unrivaled.
It is literally q city of churches and
schools Besides its perfect and we'll man
aged system of city and graded schools,
and Of those private and parochial, the
Northwestern Universit5 is established here.
with very able faculty. and noted for the
thoroug hneSs and excellence of its course
of instruction. The buildings are situated
on commanding eminence that overooks
the city and a splendid panorama of country
and river scenery.
With population of mixed nationality,
it is in all essential respects the most united
and homogeneous city in the State. In in
telligence, good morals, public spirit, tenn
perance, business industry and economy,
peace, qnietness and good order, it is es.
pecially noted. This is an imperfect bnt
truthful sketch of Watertown, as seen by a
DISTINGUISHED TRAVELLER.