The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-07-10
AsHAAND-..wssCoNsIN CENTRAL

We copy the following interesting de-
scription of Ashland and the Wisconsin
Central Railroad from the report of
the Editorial Excursion in the Appleton
Crescent
Pleased with bayfield,, we capture
some OF its inhabitants and away to Ash
land, landing at the dock of the Wiscon-
sin Central Railway Company. Here a
train of platform cars, decorated with
seats, boughs. &C., invited us, and were
soon speeding our way through wilder
ness OF pine, spruce, birch, &C., to see
the famous Iron Bridge across White
River, a distance of about seven miles.
The blue-winged mosquitoes sat on every
limb, and gracefully arose, and Affection
ately greeted us every revolution of the
car-wReels. He welcomed us merrily,
presented his bill with all the noncha-
lence of on officer of the Manufacturers
Bank. and then went singing away re-
gretfull y-regretting that he hadn't de-
manded greater rate of discount, or
taken the whole pound of flesh.
But here is the Iron Trestle Bridge,
the greatest railway bridge on the CONT
nent. In length, 1906 with span of
125 feet. and a height ranging from 1O2
TO 10 feet.
The iron supports were tested $4,000
pounds pressure to the square inch, and
will hold all that can be put upon it
| The bridge and .trestle was built by the
Rutialo bridge company, at cost of
$500, 900. By the time this appears in
print this bridge Will doubtless be finish
ed. A few miles further on, another iron
bridge Lao feet in length is to be placed
at once, and then, before the close of the
month, the track Will be laid and the road
IN full operation to the famous ''Penoka
Iron Ridge" whose mineral wealth will
at once be poured into Ashland, for man.
llfacture OF shipment.
By winter the gap in the road viii be
lessened to forty or fifty miles, upon
which stages will be placed to convey
| passengers. The -"Wisconsin Central
is ole of the most substantially built
roads IN the whole west, and when the
] connection is made with the North Pa
c1fic at Ashland, as is sure to be the case
by the time the gap is closed, it viii be
nearly as valuable as the Northern or
best half of the Wisconsin Division of
the Chicago & n. W. Railway.
| Our party were under many obliga-
tons to Capt Philips, George Reed, Jr.,
ana other officials of the Company for
|
shown.
Returning, we leave the museuitoe
pr1vateers behind. Upon landing at the
depot we have march of mile or more
to Ashland proper, thriving village of
fulI 500 inhabitants where twenty months
since no mortal voice walked the echos
IN the Wilderness. Well might the can
non boom, the music strike an inspiring
strain, and the pioneer settlers ring out
their cheers. Hoarse as we were from
''dust cold, we had to shout inward con-
gratIllations.
And here in hall, barely enclosed the
mechanics being given holiday to make
room for US, was spread dinner that made
the epe smile and the ripping laugh of
delight dance on the lip of grave and
gay. How and from whence came these
Injuries as well as substantials to this
clearing in the wilderness ?" When we
looked out and saw the miles of streets
opened, lots cleared and sidewalks built,
the multitude of buildings erected or in
process of erection and the business air
to be seen on ever face, we concluded
that nothing was impossible to those men
and women of energy and Uino. Glanc-
| ing around, we saw that modest but per-
| severing Waugh, and the sunny faced
| lady who so proudly shares his labors
/ and success, with the scores of others
OF both sexes who seem as if selected
out to subdue this wilderness and build
a city whose foundations shall be Thrift,
Energy and Morality; and we are no
| longer surprised at each fresh develope-
ment of Ashland's growth that meets us
! during our brief stav
Ample justice was done to the dinner,
| and then speech and sentiment came
| thick and fast. We couldn't do Justice
to the rollicking fun and satire of the
Knott Of Ashland-McElroy, the untam-
ed Irish Pioueer of the Apostle Islands,
but hope an outline at least will be re-
! produced by some knight of the pen.
After visiting the model Office of the
| Ashland Press, so admirably and success
fully conducted by Sam. S. and FL. O.
Filed, not overlooking Mrs. Sam, who
can fill the char eC7ito1ieIe when necessary,
we hurry aboard to escape the coming
storm, and soon bid adieu to Ashland,
and the gallant captain turns his boat for
the grim old Lake whose distant roaring
tells of a wild NORTHEASTERN in prog
ress.
On reaching Bayfield,, the word passed
that we must abandon the idea of breast
ing the storm outside, the steamer is
tied up to the dock, and our tired party
hurry to bed to spend Saturday night in
Bayfield, harbor.
And here we rest our pen for the pres
ent, since somnambulistic correspon-
dence is not our fOJte