Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-13

which we portrayed at some length the
capacities of our water power, and
made some suggestions which we
still think would be not only advanta-
geous, but which are absolutely essen
tial to our future prosperity.
It is fact that is obvious to every
man who has even a modicum OF dis
cernment, that the day has gone by
when either Grand Rapids or Contra
liza. or Wood County can longer be ex-
pected to be as of yore great lumber
manufacturing points. Nature seems
to have carefully provided for our
wants and necessities. Located as we
are upon the threshold of the Pinery
region, it is not strange that we have,
after period Of forty years, beheld
our forests denuded of their best pine.
while the spirit of manufacture has
gone northward to those regions yet
fresh and il their primal wooded
wealth. AS if to make some repara-
ton for such denudation nature has
brought to light and most clearly re-
vealed resources of wealth, of which
few years ago we knew nothing and
further, while we can expect no longer
to make lumber manufacture a special
ity, we have the same magnificent and
inexhaustible water power, which can
not be moved from us, as when we
were giving our attention exclusively
to saw mills never dreaming that in the
future we should be prompted to ask
for and be forced to demand other in
dustries which would give wealth to
ours, as they have to other localities
not remote from us. We think we
can discern in the changes which have
taken place in our county the past
decade, somethi.lg for our benefit, and
nothing to our detriment. With the
construction of two lines of railroad
giving us the means Of importation
and expectation, Of the crude materials
and commodities for our sustenance,
and Of manufactured wares, running
at right angles each with the other,
and pointing to the four points eff the
compass, we discern the means to a
great end. The building of these
roads mean that we must assist our
selves and with their aid build up a
manufacturing city.
The resources, too, which are de-
veloping each year in our county tell
US but too plainly what is our duty,
These are all, hints at least, urging us
on to sterner action. Never was To-
cality so favored as is ours. Our in
exhaustible beds Of kaolin, quarries
Of building stone and choicest granite,
our marshes rich with peat and various
CLAWS, our forests of hardwoods Of ev-
cry description, furnishing just such
material as is required for the artisan
and the builder, our hay and cranberry
marshes, and Wlthal our immense wa
ter power capable oe driving all the
spindles in the New England States,
all tell US that we must no longer re-
main idle, but rather that we must
awaken to the fact that these are at
our disposal if only we have the de-
termination to reach forth and grasp
them. 1t is true that capital is requir-
ed to improve Ill these advantages we
have mentioned, but that Will never
come so long as We remain idle. Cap
ital will come when it sees determin-
ed action on the part of those who, by
virtue of their position and location
ought to be especially interested.
There is m illions of capital awaiting
investment which can be drawn hither
if only it can be shown that we mean
Cuisines. What we suggested a
few weeks ago relative to the incor-
poration of a company who should
buy and control the water power of
Grand Rapids and Centralia, and do
nate it to valid industries, forces itself
upon our conviction as the thing to be
done. and further, we suggest now,
that measures be taken at once to
erect a Cotton factory as has been
done at GAINESVILLE, and let every one
of our citizens, who can, become stock
holders in such enterprise. Once get
the ice broken, and capital will
seek investment with us. Once
let it be known that we are determined
to change the old order Of things, and
inaugurate new, with enterprise as a