Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-09-25
THE CITY OF BosOOBEL.
Bu.Ines. Note. and Improvement,


Special Correspondence Of the HERALD
The city OF Boscobel vindicates its
claim TO the title so euphonious to
rustic ears, by the possession OF u
population of about 1900, city char
ter and full corps of city officials,
bonded debt of $4,000; q railroad
to use and abuse, and an extensive
business in manufactures and trade,
concerning all which it is the design
of this letter TO give some of the
facts which have attracted the atten.
ton of the observer.
CITY CHARTER-BRIDGE.
1t was not for idle display, nor to
crafty a vanity so common to !
small western towns, that Boscobel,
last winter, made application to the
Legislature for q city charter. A
work of great public utili y, and one
vitality important TO the business in
terests of the place demanded an inn
mediate attention. Beyond that per-
verse and hayward offspring of the
Father of Waters, the politician
vexing Wisconsin, for the distance
of 40 miles and upwards, to the
north, extends rich agricultural
section, whose productions are chief
ly marketed in Boscobel. To this
trade, for ten months in year, the
Wisconsin interposes q vexatious
barrier, which is but partly over
come by the means of an expensive
and inefficient ferry. In the busy
days of autumn, it has been common
to see 80, 40 aud even so teams
awaiting transportation, and many
were obliged to remain until late
hour in the night before a crossing
could be affected. Bat the town
was without the funds required t.
build such bridge as was needed
The money must be secured by q
loan. To effect this loan on terms
most advantageous to the town, to
avoid the necessity of descent into
the arena of Wall street, it was de.
cided to secure city charter, and
place the bonds at home, thereby in
suring 10 the place the complete con-
troll of its own Indebtedness. Ae-
cordingly, Application was MAD and
the act of Incorporation was pass' d
by the Legislature March 18th, 1873
Under this act, the first charte'
election was held, March 31st.
Bridge Commissioners were elected
April IL h. and INN diai rIy entered
upon the duties of their office Bonds
to the amount of s25 900, bearing ten
per cent. interest, were Issued, and
were promptly taken at home.
The sale of the bonds realized S22,-
500. This amount being deemed il
sufficient, a supplementary issue OF
50, 900 in bonds was agreed upon,
and the success of the enterprise il
CO nsidered as thereby assured. Plan
and specifications have been drawn
up, and proposals invited from con-
tractors. The Bridge is to be $50
feet in length, supported by 6 piers
of which will be of $50 feet span,
the rest shorter; will be elevat, d
from ten TO fifteen feet above high
water, and include draw of $50
feet span over the main channel, $50
feet from the north shore. 1t will
! be of wood, constructed upon the
Howe Truss principle, and OF a most
solid and substantial character
Work is to be commenced at as early
a day as practicable, and it is expect
ed that the structure will be CON-
pleted by next spring, At first, low
rates of toll will be established, the
funds derived from which are to be
applied, after the necessary repairs
are provided for, to the pay ment OF
the interest on the bonds; any sur
plus remaining il to be used for the
redemption of the bonds. When
these objects are effected the bridge
will! be free.
NEW ELEVATOR.