Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-03-07
ScribbIings on the Rail- THE

super IUis - 1'Ohohuc Hidu SOelH
not where he listeth. He is watfetI
here and there by the commandment
of the Law. Consequently We found
ourself on the morning Of Monday,
Feby. 18th on board the Valley train
en- route for Ashland, that locality
wnere snow IS supposed to be special
ty either in January or July. So
much for supposition. Ashland peo-
pie don't know the color of snow. A
fake would be as much curiosity at
Ashland as IN the tropics. Arriving at
Junction City We very gracefully got
out Of Conductor Shute's way and put
oursel at once under the protection of
Conductor Rhodes, d man who was
moulded for a conductor If he had
been put to any other service we be
ieve he would have been i'll at ease
with himself and the world. He is
always courteous and looks ever after
the welfare Of his passengers yet new
er compromising the interests Of his
employers. We felt that had we had
no pass or ticket over this extensive
line of rail communication with the
suburbs of the North Pole, conduct
or Rhodes would have very politely in
Vited US to sit upon stump and
walt for the next train, though we
have been long acquainted. Rhodes
knows his duty and docth it like lit
tie man who weighs about 200 lbs
He is Colossus of Rhodes in that re-
Spect. Nothing of interest transpired
worthy Of mention on the upward trip
unless it were our dinner at George Co
cha's at Colby. How George can get
SO much to eat away from what we
heard man call it-'.God's country"
is mystery, aud all for the half dol
lar Of our daadies He had less for
the coming man after our departure.
The Wisconsin Central is bic
thing an enterprise that staggers the
mind contemplating the enormous
work accomplished in It's construction.
Its length from Stevens Point, where
it may be SAID it first strikes into the
wilderness is 186 miles, reaching Ash
land at the almost extreme western
end of Lake Superior
The great forest was parted asunder
that the iron parallels might connect
the civilization of the boreon region
with the civilization of the tropics. 1t
was a mighty enterprise, but money
and pluck have won, as they ever dc
when not divorced.
The towns that have sprung IN
along the line number at least twenty,
all thriving and promising big things
i'll the future. After leaving Medford
we noticed the passenger travel dimin-
ished very perceptably AS night
drew on, and the lamps were lighted,
We counted two passengers besides
oursell going trough to Ashland-n
an uncommon number in the winter
season when everything is supposed to
be frozen solid In the early summer
months the coaches are crowded with
tourists who find Ashland one of the
most delightful spots for recreation
and absolute rest. in all the west.
A little after the darkness had be-
gan to gather, We passed the celebrated
Penokee Iron Range which promises 9
rich yield Of the ore. 4 shaft is be-
ing sunk which promises to revea
great wealth. In this vicinity We
pass, or rather cross, Bad river, upor
its seventeen bridges. The road curv
es gracefully in and out among the If
on mountains for miles At Silver
Creek We pass little brooklet which
from its lowIy depth as seen from the
lofty height, seems to have been com
pletely demonetized. hardly grain of
the silver water being visible. The
/ bridge spanning the creek Is of iron.
60O leet Ill length and 80 feet from
tron. the silver thread below. Furth-
er on, and only six miles from Ash
land we strike the bridge over White
river. This bridge is also of iron, if
teen hundred feet long, and one hun
dred aRe two feet in height. The riv.
er winds among the scraggy hills like
ribbon Of purist white making one OF
the most beautiful landscape SCENES
we ever looked upon.
We arrived at Ashland at 1915 and
immediately betook ourself to the
"ChequameSon' where We found rest.
Ashland overlooks the bay, and is q
village Of nearly 500 inhabitants We
Judge. 1t is a ''all long and nc
width like the Irishman's blanket.
It has the appearance of thrift, but il
undoubtedly is feeling the hard times