Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-19
Merchants and the
LAUNDERING Trade.


wholesale houses of Milwaukee that
deal extensively with lpmbermen-iust
as we go to press-assures US of a gen
orally stroDge1tone in all the northwest
ern pineries and the expectation of a
prosperous summer for this trade. after
the winter Of its discomfort
Mr.. Allen johnson, member of the
long-established grocery house of Good
nch' Terry & Co., has during the past
month mon. visited the principal pineries of
wisconsin and Michigan. He esti-
mates that not over a quarter to a third
OF the usual crop Of logs will be put
H. and considers this a hopeful omen
Tor the trade The want Of money is
more severely felt in the Michigan
IMAM IN the Wisconsin pineries, for the
reason that Michigan lumbermen are
largely confined to the market of Chi
caSo and have had to sell at regular
loss, while Wisconsin lumbermen take
advantage Of the whole Mississippi val
ley and have usually realized more
than cost on what they have sold.
Messrs. Mann, Beals & Co., the en-
terprlsing boot and shoe house, were
found in cheerful frame of mind, and
expressed the disappointment they had
telt in lately receiving large remittances
OF cash from lumbermen whom they
had hardly expected to pay before
next summer.
Mr.. II. c. S5ayner, of T. ". Amb-
Ter Il Co., the widely-known hat and
cap Jobbers, visits the various pineries
OF Wisconsin frequently, and reports
the prospect of a sound, moderate
healthy business among lumbermen the
coming season." He believes that the.
predictions Of the Wtisconsj3o Lumber
man are about to be realized, and that
the seasons supply Of timber is to be
SO much less than the consumption as
to bring fair prices and brisk market
TOR the whole stock on hand. 1t is the
opinion so Mr.. Stayner that the larger
manufacturers find themselves so much
extended that they do not feel like
paying out a dollar where they can
help it, while those who have done
smaller and closer business are rapidly
getting into better shape and are pay
their debts in advance Of the expecta-
lions entertained by their creditors,
earlier in the winter,
Messrs. H. Bosworh's & Sons old
drug house, reports greatly improved
tone among lumbermen, and the settle
ment OF good many accounts, especi-
ally in Wisconsin.
Messrs. Kicker, Crombie & Co., quo
ted letter from NIr. D. j. Spaulding.
the large lumberman of Black River.
Falls, predicting easy times and Il sound
trade within short period. Mr..
Charles Goss, representative of this
house who travels exclusively in the
valley of the Wisconsin river, is the
most emphatic of all whom we have
consulted in predicting plenty of mon
ey and good prices for their product
among lumbermen the> coming season.
tie argues that those merchants who
have carried sbls class Of trade through
all its reverses and are now getting DIS
couraged and proposing to neglect it,
will presently discover their mistake.
MIR. A. P. Redfeld, of the shelf
hardware house Of K & \. G. Sexton,
reports an already increased demand
for nails by reason Of the unprecedent-
ed purchases Of lumber the past winter
by farmers in all parts Of the country,
Dealers who have been accustomed to
take 30 keg lots are calling for 300
kegs. He is advised that stocks in the
hands Of lumber dealers have been re-
duced at an enormous rate.
G. Shepard & Co., Wholesale hard
ware merchants, who have sold the
numbering trade very largely, both in
Michigan and Northern Wisconsin, for
number Of years, they are much bet
ter satisfied with the prospects Of their
trade in lumber districts, than they
have been at any time during the past
year. Accounts are in much better
shape than last winter. Dealers are
getting in better condition to meet
their obligations. Nearly all Of their
customers have written expressing their
confidence in their ability to square up
early next spring. The hard times
that lumbermen have had for the past
few years has cautioned them to do
business more prudently and the lesson
is one that will exert a most beneficial
influence on this trade generally.
We present these reports just as we
have received them. We find only one
tenor to them all That is certainly
very encouraging. While it shows
that the merchants of Milwaukee have
increased confidence in the class of
trade. which they have handsomely
supported through unprecedented trials,
it is trustworthy omen of the APP
proach Of brighter epoch, when the
obligations will be on the other side
and the patronage of lumbermen will
be sought by merchants as the most de-
sirable of any in the northwest : Wis.
Lum6eynaan.
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