Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1874-04-15

commercial houses, mills and othe
business institutions are brighten
ing up outwardly and inwardly
and ere 80 days have passed ava,
this beautiful and enterprising cit,
will be launched once more upol
the broad highway of what prom
ises to be a busy and prosperou
season.
1t may prebaps, be superfluou
to state that the principal produc
tons Of this section are lumber
and fish /; but, as the different
varieties of timber to be found in
this section may not be generally
known, nor the amount cut in the
various mills, it will bear publica-
ton. The fisheries in this region
are also extensive, and are worthy
of notice.
The variety of timber to be
found in the township of Alpena
are Norway pine, beach, maple,
hemlock and various other kinds OF
hardwood timber. 1t is claimed
that in 1912, one hundred and
thirty million feet of logs were cut
and put into Thunder Bay river.
1t is also estimated that not far
from three hundred thousand cedar
posts and telegraph poles are cut
and shipped annually from this
place.
The gill net fisheries of this
section are situated at Sugar Island
and North Point twelve miles dis
lance from Alpena. Forty boats
are generally brought in use dur
ing the fishing season in the above
class of fisheries, four men to a
boat, and the kind of fish caught
are white fish and trout. 1t is
estimated that not far from four
thousand barrels of fish are caught
each season.
The trap net fisheries are located
in Thunder Bay. Twelve nets are
generally used, and not less than
three thousand barrels of white
fish are caught out of Thunder
Bay each season. 1t would be safe
to estimate that not far from twen-
ty thousand dollars worth of white
fish and trout per season, are
caught out of the waters in and
around the Thunder Bay Islands.
Indeed Alpena is located in the
very center of the great fisheries
of Lake Huron.
The salt interest in this region
has not as yet been developed to
that extent that the prospects
would warrant. During the fall of
1873, salt block was commenced
to be put down by a joint stock
company. 1t is at the present date
to the debth of 11S0 feet. Brine
was struck at the debth of 112O
feet, and it is considered that the
prospects of success are fair. The
company are now waiting for the
arrival of apump from East Sagi-
nav, and which will decide when
put into use, whether the enterprise
is practicable or not.
The lumber manufactures in
Alpena are the leading interests of
the city. The firm of Bewick,
Comstock & Co., possess a mill in
which are cut eight million feet of
lumber per year, and in which are
thirty-five hands. The
above firm during the past winter
erected single mill with cutting
of sixteen million of shin
giles per year. This firm have in
their possession 20,000,0O0 feet of
pine at the present date of writing.
The mill of Richardson, Avery
& Co., turns out 100000 feet of |
lumber per year, and there are
about forty men in their employ.
The door, sash, and blind factory
of Gebhardt q Co., is one of the
institutions of the place. This is a
new firm, having started last May,
and they are already doing a good |
business, with improved prospects
for the future.
A. Fletcher & Co., are proprie-
tors of an extensive lumber and
single mill. The lumber mill has
a capacity for cutting 100000
feet of lumber per year, and the
single mill Is, 100000 of shingles. |
The above firm have recently put |
into their mill one of Munn's gang
saws which gives good satisfaction. |
Fletcher & Co., employ about 40
men. They have a full supply of
logs on hand, and have 800, 900
feet of cut lumber in their posses
sion.
Eals g. Gillett's single mill is
doing a good business. 1t has
cutting capacity Of about 10000
600 of shingles per year. They
employ upwards of 25 men.
The mill of John S. Minor is q
timber mill. Its proprietor is do
ing good business in the way Of
cutting car stills, joists, etc. The
capacity Of Mr.. Minors mill is
from 100000 to 100000 feet of
lumber per year. About 10000
lath per day are also cut.
Campbell, Potter & Co. manufac-
ture 1000, 900 feet of lumber per
year, and employ 40 men. They
are about to enlarge their chimney.
They have full stock Of logs on
hand.