Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-12-31
Ten Years, Prorrass

The changes which have taken
place IN the village Of Lancaster dnr.
ing the last deca de are so marked and
OF such an improving character that
" would not be considered boasting to
recount them in full, but want of
space and time forbids. A hasty
count OF the principal improvements
made, however; shows that over
seVenty-fve new homes have been
erected, where ten years ago there
we're none, besides some twenty five
houses rebuilt. A large amount of
money has been expended also in
building six stores, numerous shops,
bank. a. church, a WOODEN factory.
court house. Jail, schoo-ho use, SOL
dlers monument, etc. The growth
OF the place has been steady aud sub
stantial though not very rapid.
There has never been time IN these
ten years past when houses were to
be hired by tenants / cheap rates,
or when the demand for them de-
eased 80 as TO leave any of them
long vacant. la looking over the
great improvement everywhere WISH
BILE, the new suburbs of fine new
dwellings, the substantial brick
blocks, elegant homes, beautiful
lawns, shady streets, evergreen trees,
costly public buildings, aud well kept
homes. we cannot help feeling glad
that our lines have been castin pleas
ant places, and that our village is ev
er aiming at progress toward that
which Is useful, beautiful and lasting.
And while the outer and more ma.
terial signs have been so cheering, let
us look into the vital and in erestiug
facts of our real life. What improve
ments and what losses We have
seen houses torn down and new ones
built 5ut what is that to the passing
away of old citizens, and the rearing
of new family groups? We have
seen men come here to engage in
business, but how unimportant is
that compared to those partnerships
for life that have taken place in the
last ten years,-thn very basis and
foundation of coming success, pros
perity and well beiugl Peorle may
compile estimates OF the value OF
the agricultural products sent off ia
that time but we will think OF the
brave young lives that have gone out
from our town, to fill other homes, 70
seek better fortunes, TO people the
great Wesl,to uphold peace and good
will among men, TO carry education
and religion TO those who need them,
or to carry the Union Flag to every
nook and corner Of benighted and
rebellious South. Others may thiOk
with pride on the greater elegance
and luxury of their homes, and the
rich furniture, musical instruments,
carriages, etc, that ten years have
brought into our midst but we will
congratulate each other upon .hc
hearts CT gold that hsv from time TO
time been led to settle in Lancaster
homes, the new family affairs erected,
the great numbers Of little singing
birds that have here found voice,
and the baby carriages that line our
sidewalks on sunny days.
And while we know that the earth
will still bring forth her increase, 50
that none shall need TO want for food
or raiment, we also rejoice that am
| pie provision is being made for the
spiritual and intellectual life that all
who seek knowledge may fad it.
Church and Sabbath school priv
ilegee are abundant, and in excess of
the present needs, jndgiug by vacant
sea the Graded School affords am
pie room for all who come, and Will
lead them as far as they care TO go;
the public press sends its daily or
weekly budget of news to nearly ev-
cry house and the best, latest and
most standard works are being plac-
cd 10 the Lancaster Library, where
all may use them at a very slight ex
penfe.
Some changes of a less cheering
character are among our ten years
fruits While two new churches
have risen into active organization,
another has declined to a state of in
ction by the removal Of many mem
bers the Lancaster Institute outliv-
cd the necessity that called 1T into be-
ing, and became extinct, being re-
placed by an ample public school;
and temperance organization has
risen TO prominence and speedily
passed away
In ten years there have been only
six fires a grist-mill, large carpen-
ter shop, q small shop, small barn,
and two cheap dwellings; the value
OF the latter five perhaps $500.
Would that the fires of passion and
of strong drink had caused no great
er havoc than this, ameng those ho-
lier dwellings, the human forms
wherein reside immortal souls.
Times revolving wheel has
brought US many changes; and we
hope that we are still on the eve of
great improvements In the near fu-
ture of Lancaster, there is nothing
seen that can give dependency or
lead one to THU k that our town is to
take a single retrograde step. We
look to the young for our brightest
hopes, and we do not look in vain.