Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-03-16
Wisconsin River.

Is SO unjust ana apparently WIlfully
erroneous in its statements concerning
the numbering interests, in our imme-
diate locality, that we cannot forbear
re-publishlng it, and commenting
thereon. The article says:
The river drains a very important
section of the timbered portion of
Wisconsin. 1t is the most crooked
stream in the state, and its general
course, through the pine country, is
south. 1t has large number of trib-
utaries, which reach out into a very
large and finely timtered section of
country, much of which is only inst
being operated in by loggers. 1t has
been estimated, by those interested,
and who should be posted, that fully
10000, 000,0 600 feet Of pine is stand
ing within the territory drained by the
main Wisconsin and its tributaries.
The manufacture of lumber is carried
on chiefly at Stevens Point, and at
points above. The advent Of railroads
in this district, has revolutionised the
lun Der trade, as such an event every
where does. But short time ago, all
the lumber cut within its limits was
RATED out to the Mississippi and sold
at points below as far down as St.
Louis 1t was a tedious and often
dangerous task, occupying long time,
owing to the extreme length, serpen-
tine course, and number of rapids and
falls. There is plenty of water power
all along the river, considerable Of
which is utilized The Wisconsin
Valley railroad affords shipping facili-
ties, to the mills, at Wausau and vi
entity, and the Green Bay & Minneso-
ia, and Wisconsin Central, to those at
Stevens Point. A large amount of
hemlock and hardwood is also to be
found within this district, which, will
in time be utilized. The amount Of
logs being pat into this river and trib-
utares, this winter, is estimated at
131, 075,0 900 f. in detail last week.
1t will be no difficult task for the
careful reader to observe that any men
ton Of Grand Rapids is studiously
avoided in the above, and that Wau-
sau, point fully equal TO any on the
river, In the manufacture of lumber,
is barely mentioned; while Stevens
Point is made to appear in bold relief,
as the one point worthy of mention.
Observe the evident intention to ignore
every other point upon the river other
than Stevens Point, in the following
language 1.-THE manufacture Of luna-
Der is carried on chiefly at Steuens
Point, and at points above"
And again, in speaking of the water
power which the river affords, no men
ton is made of the power afforded by
the "Grand Rapids, and the CLOVER
Rapids" but the writer says :-"There
IS plenty of a0ater poaoer all along the
river considerable Of aohich IS miliz-
ed which is both true and false.
For miles there is not a rifle, and only
at Grand Rapids and at points above
Stevens Point has nature created any
power at all all others are artificial,
and in comparison to the "Grand Rap
ids almost valueless. One more men
ton of avoidance of fact in the article
and will leave it to speak of the lum-
Der interests. The writer says -"The
Wisconsin Valley Rail Road affords
shipping facilities to the malls Of Wau-
sau and vicinity, (Grand Rapids is
left out) and the Green Bay &c Mime
sofa, and Wisconsin Central to those at
SteUens Point. Now, it ought to have
been known to the editor CT the North
aoestern Lum6ernaen that both the w
Y. r. r. and the G.. B. & NJ. r. r.
pass directly through Grand Rapids,
while the G. B. & NJ. road does not
pass within six miles Of Stevens Point
further. that to our mills have been
extended side tracks, fact which is
utterly ignored by the representative
LANDER journal of the Northwest
Now we wish to call the attention Of
the editor of the Northeastern Linn
herman to few facts. In the same
issue Of that journal is contained 6
tabular Comparative" statement o.
lumber anu shingles manufactured
and stock held over on Mlscousir
River and tributaries for 1874 ans
| 1875 which shows six companies a
Stevens Point with an aggregate O
100000 feet of lumber manufac
tured in 1874. while Wausau has only
5000, 900 and Grand Rapids not foot
The showing for 1875 is some better
but far from correct. In 1874 QUE