Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-18
Scribbiings OH the Rail. The
Wise. Cent. II. Il. Ashland and

W iSSs SsHt' 1t' H. <ioEEdHu anu
Bayfield,. We were not permitted to
accompany our brothers of the press
in their grand excursion to the "New
Wisconsin" owing to official business
which demanded our attention else
where. But the good time they en-
joyed was in a measure vouchsafed
ourself last week. Official business
called US a week too late in the direct
ion we would have gone with the gen
ial 'hewers Of wood which interpreted,
signifies lead pencil sharpeners, and we
consequently had to go thither alone.
Taking the Valley road IN the morning
of the 6th, Conductor Shute deposited
US safely at Junction City with its
boundIes parks, and stately architec-
tu1c, in season to be transferred to the
Central's capacious coaches, where
placing ourself under the fatherly care
Of that most genial gentleman, Con-
ductor Rhodes, we were soon en- route
for the capital Of the New Wisconsin.
We passed the thriving new born vii
lagos which have sprung up as by mag
ic along this great thoroughfare,
reaching Spencer on time. Here we
took in, fgurotiUely, a brewery. and in
the evening shipped via freight for
Colby. At Colby we found that prince
of good fellows, and hospitable host,
George Ghoca who babe US ''turn in"
We turne d of course, for it is always
a luxury to rest on one of Ghoca' s
beds, as It is luxury to eat at his
table. The up passenger train dimes
at the Colby House, and the number
that daily partake of Ghoca's board
attests the excellence of his provender
We recommend the Colby House TO
the poor wayfaring man of grief as
we'll as the rich wayfaring "bloated
bond holder" In the morning we
boarded the down passenger train for
Unity whittier we went on business,
taking the up train at noon for Ash
land. Passed a score of growing
towns, among which were Medford,
Westboro, Philips and Fifeld. Phil
lips promises to become resort for
the tourist. Its beautiful lake, its
sloping banks which its citizens ought
to terrace the first hard work they do,
its excellent hotel kept by Mr.. Rozier,
and the enterprising people, first
among whom is Mr. Fewd who has
erected lovely gothic house for the
accommodation of guests, all tell US the
time is not far in the future when the
tourist making Ashland his objective
point will not be content to pass Phil
lips without remaining at least little
time to take in its beauty and fishing
which the boys say is Immense" in
the lake. We pulled Bro. Sackett's
latch string, and when the boy put
forth his right hand, and we saw fun
sparkling beneath a hairless cupalo
surrounding his blushing tabernacle
we felt good all over. 1t does one
good to ''shake" with Sackett. He's
all soul with thin shell Of body to
hold it in. He'll make a bully angel.
but we hope he'll have to wait here
below good many years yet. Passed
Butternut which is becoming famous
as fishing resort, and soon struck
the great Penoka range, and were
trailing with tightening speed along
the famous Bad river. Here nature
reveals herself her majestic wildness.
Nothing is tame. The very hills,
which ought to be called mountains,
speak of the majesty and power Of
their Creator. Bad River pours in
laundering torrents over the rocks
that would stay its course, so NAM
moth that they seem cousins to the
mighty hills. The stream is dashed
into madness, now coursing through
narrow gorges which one can span
with Il jump, now rcposing in
miniature lakes, as though resting be-
fore again venturing to storm the citi-
dels of rock which seem to challenge
the right to mingle its waters with the
great Superior. In distance of ele-
ven miles the railroad crosses Bad
river over seventeen stately bridges.
1t is all its name implies, a Bad, a
wicked river. Passing on we soon
reach White river six miles from Ash
land, Here we cross one of the
grandest triumphs of bridge architect
ure in the world. The bridge span
ming White river, a beautiful stream
meandering through the mighty forest
below, is 100 feet in length, and 106
feet in height. 1t is constructed of
iron and is as beautiful as strong. In
its construction one of the workmen