, 1873-02-07
The Menononee Region Of
~~.~ Wisconsin.
A Splendid Field for Enterprise and
Capital.
It's Mineral Wca1tIl--Its Future for
Chicago.
How Chicago May Become One Of the
Great Iron Marts Of the World.
SIXTH ARTICLE.

SIXTH ARTICLE.
nha Menomouee River empties into Lake
Michigan at the village Of the game name. The
town is this most southern in tho peninsular por-
t;on Of Michigan. On the opposite side Of the
river is
MAa1SErTE,
new Wisconsin village, 1or several months The
northern terminus Of the Lake Superior Division
Of the Chicago l. Northwestern Railroad. The
nTer has lis origin in Lake Michiganami, twenty
E7e miles from the head Of keoweeuaw Bay. Ita
general course is southeastetly- For consider
able portion of its length, it ID the boundary bo-
tween Wisconsin and Michigan. The stream Is
Of some eize, but is swift. and often interrupted
ly rapids and FALLS which render it entirely use-
less for the purposes Of steanl-naEiga:ion. The
region through which it flows is
An USR1oEES WILDERNESS
abounding in pine forests, which are being rap
idly annihi}ated, and in hills and mountains rich
III minerals. There is not q single village, and
scarcely permanent habitaticn, from it's sonrce
to its mouth
The presence of iron ore in large quantities
along its banks is 3 matter Of great interest to
Chicago, rendered especially so by the completion
Ct the Chicago l. Northwestern Railroad to u
point q few rnilea fro1n its prospective mines.
The natural outlet for the riches Of the region is
prub4bly Escanaba, which has facilities for the
extensive shipment Of ores, this season to be
largely increased. The railroad from Marinette
runs northeast on section-line to point ncnrly.
due west Of Escannba, then turns abruptly east
ward toward that village.
Tue Iron REGION,
n
from this: elbow" or abrupt turn Of the rail-
road, which point is about 20 miles from
Escannba. Escanaba is not to exceed 40 miles
from the nearest point in tho iron region, which
is nttle to the south OF west OF it, commencing
in the range Of townships next south. 1t las,
therefore, c!ory advantage IN competing for the
buz;ness of transportation. The nearest point
to the mining lands, on the lake. is Deer Greek,
28 miles distant, whore l=rbor can be easily
made, and to which railroad eau be completed
at little expense, if such an enterprise should be
deemed necessary. Monomonee can hardly bo
taken into consideration rs point Of shipment
rs tha ore would hare to be transported go OF, 80
miles to reach this Fort. Forty miles Of new
railroad would be all that would be
optne to rs'ea even any mne N n4' sst %6s
remote part q the A1eno1nonce iron region. The
tract OF country which contains the ores ia said
to be about 20 miles in width by 80 in length.
But little can be do:.e il developing the region
its
1SC4LCULAILE WEALTH
in the richest Of iron ores there can be but
Ittls doubt It has been explored by many Of
the most reputable gcologists in the country,
and examined By shrewd manufacturers aud
capitalists. who have invested largely in TIE
lands. Nothing Ia wanted but a-railroad to briug
capital and labor to the place. We're every part
Of the region mnde accessible By rail, twenty
minca would be put in operation within n year,
aud so much capital is waiting investment in SO
profitable branch OF business aa iron mining
and manufacture. The Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad. having almost tapped the mining lands,
probably not in vain. Should this great organ
ization fail to fulfil public expectations in this
respect, . road will probably 10 built to the
nearest point on Lake Michigan by capital
II z:s sa directly noi nterestsd s4;9 in % the opening
railroad venture is the extending Of the Slilwau-
kee l. Northern Railroad to Lake Michigammi;
which would pass through the heart of the |
MenomoEee iron district. 1t ia understood that |
for the funds necessary to the
building Of it are making with English capital-
lists. Such road would be of immediate adran- |
tsge to Milwaukee, but quite as strongly
beneficial to Chicago.
THE EcDUcEsfESrs
~ AAt AOaA W zap Lilo 4E5lUA EI6 great, tho
business done by tho road from Marquette to
.he iron mines Of the Peninsula, and the profits
.ct have accrued thereto, can be taken as u
,rlterion. The stock OF few railroads in the
,oun5ry have paid better than that OF The Mar-
.uette, Houghton Il Ontonogan Railroad, whose
whole business has been the transportation >of
res from the various mines Of the region 10
Marquette. It WAS built aud entirely owned by
PERSONS in the mining interest, but recently,
With ats hundred miles Of uain and lateral traek,
eTests, and is rapidly Escomingza a separate
organization, occupied merely with matters Of
If tho Chicago 4 Northwestern |
omplote the road into tha Menomouca region |
urseys, it will never have reason 10 repent Of
u enterprise honorable to itself, aud highly
enafcln to tho general public.
FACTS FOB CHICAGO.
II has been for some time settled principle
nat Lake Michigan and the product Of its shores
elong to Chicago. It is not merely that his
ty 1s part Of the great Northwest as yet but
lightly developed, but it has peculiar advantages
u commanding the trade Of the region, and Tor
le reshipmens OF the raw and manufactured
I tho trade in iron orc and iron f'blooms,' or
:H-lron, could never be so complete and abso- ]
lte as ia its trade in lumber; bnt, year by wear.
should absorb more and more OF this branch |
commerce, until its prosperity in this direc-
on should put it beyond tic reach of competi-
on. For several years past iron ora could be !! :
lr!ied from any part Of tho Peninsula to Chi ! /
go for q dollar or two less per ton than to any
'rt On the other hikes. Detroit excepted, and /
70 advantage oyer Detroit has always beon de- {
st season S2.50 the gross ton aud from Esca- j
.oa to Chicago 1.25 the gross ton. From the
ines to Escanaba, the freight has been s1.75 3
' e gross ton, making the freight from t
present nsi to .Sa SGe'sf e 81 9ses The
Ill be elsewhere given, showing the annerior | 4