Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-09-11

In the Tribune appears an excel
lent article "about booms," portion of
which we publish. The Point and Wau
sau papers have been enthusiastic over
their artificial constructions, and have
given to the public wood-cut illustra-
tons of their boomage advantages
which is perfectly proper, but that
Grand Rapids can show a grander ar
rangement for the accommodation of
lumbering interests, not artificial, but
wholly natural, is fact conceded by
all who are cognizant of our advanta-
ges, and this fact is most clearly shown
in the article we clip from the columns
of our contemporary.
Our booms, for the most part, are
constructed by the Great Architect
of the Universe, which precludes the
possibility of giving way, and thereby
loosing the logs, or Of logs crowding
under and thus escaping. Besides sew
eral smaller booms, we have two in the
town Of Centralia, to which we desire
to call especial attention.
Messrs. O. Garrison &. Co. have a
natural boom t,oo miles and hall long
the estimated capacity of which is sev-
enty-1tre million feet Of logs! From
this boom it is simply impossible for a
single log to escape. The boom at Ste
vens Point, it is claimed, will hold
about thirty.fre million feet or less
than one half Of the capacity of Garri-
sons: Logs will continually { or at least
occasionally escape by crowding under,
which cannot obtain in natural boom.
An ice gorge or flaw in chain might
destroy their boom while no such ca
tastrophe can befall ours.
Upon the banks of this great natural
boom, can be placed mills and factories
every few rods. The proprietors have
just completed a survey of it, and COM
puted the amount of water-power.
They are thus enabled to tell just where
they can spare water-power and the
We understand that being
thus enlightened, they are ready to sell
sites to capitalists who will utilize them,
at moderate figures. This is probably
the rarest chance for manufacturers
that can be found in the Northwest.
By the way, we think it would be
a good investment for the county to OBJ
tain the services of first class engineer
and ascertain and publish worldwide
the amount of water-power in this coun-
ty. We believe it would be a paying
Capitalists must have re-
liable figures before they will risk their
money. Our water-power is immense
the largest in the North
west bvt capital must be assured of
it by publication from competent en-
gineers. Then there will investigate,
and investiy cation will be followed by
But, for miles down the river, at the
hamlet of Port Edwards, is a natural
boom that can ''discount" anything of
the kind yet alluded to. 1t is uniu-
proved, and situated just below the
mill of j. Edwards & Co., and extends
to the mouth of Moccasin Creek. 1t
is estimated that it will hold at least
tmo hundred million feet Of logs! or
about six times as large as the Stevens
Point boom! This enormous boom is
not improved Git can be at compare
lively slight expense) for the reason
that the proprietors have good one
Just above their mill, which will hold
from ten to twelve million feet of logs
ample for one mill. The day is not
far distant, however, when it will be
utilized, and from it's banks will be
heard the constant hum Of machinery.
In fact, we predict that for a distance
of five miles each way from Grand Rap
ids. will be one continuous city-Where
nearly every variety of manufacturing
will be in progress,-and this ere many
decades shall have passed away
Whenever occasion offer, we will re-
er to this subject again.