River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-04-07
Our Representative
The North wisconsin
The Air Line
Will they accept
the grant and
build the
Road?

before his nomination, tnab ne WOulu DC
found blowing with the wrong heifer
before tho close of the session of the
Legislature; but it was universally con-
coded that it would be well to express
no fears, and give him the unanimous
support of the county.
Soon after Judge Barron's nomina-
ton, his intimate relations with the more
immediate friends Of the West Wiscon-
sin, aroused some suspicion, and this
suspicion finally ripened into slight op-
position.
We are inclined to the opinion that
subsequent events verified the predic-
tions in relation to Mr.. Persons, and
justified the suspicious concerning the
real position Of Mr.. Barron.
Mr.. Clapp fulfilled his mission to the
letter. He was elected as the reprC-oa-
tative of the West Wisconsin interests,
and we believe he served them faithful.
ly. His great mistake was in attempt
ing to tickle Pierce county with seven
year-old-straw from a knot-hole in
George Martins barn, in doing which
he gained the contempt of our citizens
where he might otherwise have gained
their respect.
Mr.. Fifield had nothing to do in ma
nipulating affairs In this immediate To-
cality; he voted for the railroad bill as
he found it, and attended faithfully to
the interests of his own district, so far
as we know. And that was all right in
Mr.. Fifeld.
The North Wisconsin won the land
grant, or might have won it. without
formidable opposition. Not single
voice was raised against it from this To-
cality. They invited the association of
the Air Line. which may, or may not
prove valuable auxiliary. We are iu-
clined to think the Company would
have been better off without it, but be.
lieve this part Of the state, anu especial
Iy this county, will be benefited by a
coalition which must eventually result
in competition.
We do not believe the North Wis
cousin will build a road into Pierce
county in seven, nor in seventy years,
unless forced to by external circumstan
ces. We are glad that they have OBJ
tanned the grant, and hope they will
build the road to Bayfield,. They won
the grant fairly, and now we hope they
will make the most oft. When bat
tie is ended it is our custom to lay down
our arms.
Yes, we want them to build the road.
This will change the current of events,
the current OF trade-the current of
business-the current of shipping.
Then, instead OF shipping eastward over
the Chicago & Northwestern, nearly
every thing this side of Elroy will 60
to Bayfield,. The West Wisconsin and
North Wisconsin being, to all intents
and purposes, one and the same, it
seems to us that this result is newt
able.
Then, too, we certainly hope the Air
Line will build to Superior, since it
will increase orr chances of getting con-
nection with the Lake Superior & Mis-
sissippi road at Saltwater. That road
must then have feeders, aud a branch in
to the st. Croix valley will be valu.
able auxiliary.
And this is the only possible, contiu-
gency that we can imagine, that will
ever give US a railroad. With the
North Wisconsin extended to Bayfield,,
that company can nevor afford to let the
L. S. & NJ. Railway tap the St. Croix
Valley by extending its line from
Saltwater via River Falls to Prescott.
We are not, however, cherishing
very fond hopes from any source, but
We believe, that multiplicity of rail-
roads north Of us, will have a strong
tendency TO invite some company 10 ex-
tend line through Pierce county.
We are prospering finely without a rail
road, and our people are comparatively
indifferent about one, and not much, If
any, money could be raised to secure
one.
We regret that the bill contained any