Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-07-07
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE FOX
AND WISCONSIN RIVERS.

s'N~e9 e''
preparation of IS O00.0O0 for the i'm
proyemeut of the Fox aud Wisconsin
Rivers.
For real, practical worth, we consider
it one Of the most important measures
that has received congressional sanction
during tho present session; and the ap-
preparation viii, if properly applied.
prove of greater national benefit than
any other like amount Congress has ap-
propriated for the purposes of public I'M
provement, these mary years.
In 1867, Gen. G. X. Warren, of the
u. S. E., was commissioned to make q
survey of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers,
and estimate the cost Of their improve
ment sufficient TO secure safe and ielia
bIe water communication between the
great Lakes aud the Mississippi. The
result of this survey proved in the high
est degree satisfactory. The estimated
cost to ensure low water depth of three
feet is s427,74927; of four feet, 49,,
zoe, 100 .95; of FIVE feet "a, 164, pro
The last estimate is pronounced sufficient
to make canal the whole distance, 27S
miles, fourteen feet wider than the great
Erie Canal.
The completion of this important work
will greatly lessen the cost of trans
portation of the grain crops Of the up
per Mississippi valley, and, of course,
raise the home price in due proportion.
From carefully prepared estimates we
find that the quantity Of grain which
will naturally find its way TO market by
this route, amounts to loo, 1000 900 bush
els; or, in weight, 2,50O,OOO tons. The
average cos! of shipment by rail and lake
from the Mississippi to point on Lake
Michigan, opposite Green Bay, (adding
cost of transhipment at the river is &c.
81 per ton; while the charges by this
water route, if It were now completed,
need be but sl.95 per ton, thereby eff
fecting a saving Of 1926 upon every ton
of grain shipped by this route. AT this
rate the sum of slO,65O,OOO-more
than twice the estimated cost of the pro-
posed wordsworth be saved in moving
. single grain crop. The heavier freighls
will also flow westward through this chan
mel, at rates enough lower to cause
very material reduction in the prices of
eastern goods to the western farmer.
The government takes the enterprise
in its own hands, purchasing the fran
chises of the company now controlling
the improvement, so that tue completion
Of the work is only question Of time.
When the route is once established as a
means of transportation, and the produce
of Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and the
states yet unborn. shall find its way TO
eastern markets through this channel.
The farmer, receiving its benefits, may
reckon len cents per bushel advance up
on bis wheat as one Of the results Of
this improvement. On this basis, and
careful estimates have proved it to be a
correct one. every farmer in the North
west can, with a moments thought, cal
cuIate its worth to himself individually
Every effort that is made to cheaper
freights will necessarily receive the cor
dial approval of the productive classes;
and appropriations made by Congress
to this end, more rapidly developing cur
country and increasing the property Of
the people in n greater degree, than any
other will receive their cordial ard I'M
qualified endorsement.