Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-01-15
junction City.
Where 1t Is. What It Is, and What
Vas Done There.

The track layers on the Wisconsin
Valley railroad formed a junction with
the Wisconsin Central on Thursday of
last week. This was the consummation
ofan undertaking that had been anxious
ly looked for by the people of Wausau
and Grand Rapids, and Of course it
had to be celebrated with an excursion.
Last Monday was fixed upon as the day
on which the representatives Of our SIS
ter cities-our right and left bowers,
as it were should meet and exchange
salutations at the junction, and from
which point the Wausaus were to pro-
ceed to Grand Rapids on the first pas
senger train that passed over that por-
tion of the Valley road extending from
Centralia, or Grand Rapids, to June
ton City. Happening into the Curran
House Monday morning, we met one
of Uncle Sam most efficient officers,
Mr.. W. Richardson. of Chippewa Falls.
He and friend were going to run up
to the Junction, for the purpose OF
taking the excursion train, and let ii
here be recorded that Mr.. r. and his
friend were the first regular passengers
that ever passed over that portion of
the Valley road between the Junction
and Grand Rapids. Richardson said
that Bob johnson, Jack Brundage and
Philleo would be there, and that unless
we were on the ground also, we would
not be able to correct any erroneous
impression that they might get of the
affair. Erroneous impressions, es-
pecially when used in this connection,
was good, very decidedly mild way of
putting it. and we resolved that at least
one honest representative of the press
should be on the ground and tell a
plain, unyarnished tale of what he saw
there. We went. Jumping aboard
the II. 15 train, ride OF a few minu-
tes brought US to Junction City, whicl
is situated eleven miles northwest
Of this city, fourteen miles fom
Grand Rapids, nine miles from
Knoslton, twenty miles from Wausau
and in the midst of what was until
few months ago an unbroken forest
The buildings at the junction on last
Monday consisted Of the store and
Office Of Mr.. Fitzgerald, the contract
or, boarding house and saloon, and a
barn in which are kept the contractors
teams. The balloon frame Of the Val
ley depot was being put up when we
were there, and by the time this reach
es the reader it will probably be com
pleted. These are all situated on the
north side of the Central track. Ex
cavations have been made on the south
side of the Central and east side Of
the Valley tracks for turn table, and
temporary engine house will be put
up near this. A telegraph wire runs
up to the contractors Office but the in
struments had not yet been put in. A
Y permits of the transfer of cars from
the Central to the Valley track, and
Utce versa. At the present time June
tion City consists of the above men
toned buildings and an acre or two of
partially cleared land Mr.. Fitzgerald
has the contract for clearing and grad
ing the road between the Junction and
hnowlton. The track has been clear
ed through to the river. A small force
IS at work north of the Junction,
where hard rock cut has been struck.
The men are now blasting through
this, though from what we could learn
1t IS very probable that work viii be
suspended, for short time at least, in
a few days. They hope to have the
grading completed to knowlton before
the ground thaws out in the spring.
90 much for Junction City, and the
road bed. At about half past two
Q clock the delegation from Wausau
hove In sight. It consisted OF about
thirty or forty citizens, including a few
ladies. OF course they came down IN
slelghs and cutters, coming down from
knowlton on the line of the track
which is to be, and over which regu-
lar line Of stages is to run hencefor-
ward, The Wausaus seemed to ne IN
6ne spirits, and evidently felt that 1t
| was 'sgood to be there. At about