River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-01-09
RETROSPECT AND OUTLOOK.

Inc past year DdS Deen an eNeUJlui
one in the history of River Falls, and
viii mark an epoch in its history.
This year has given us railroad con-
nections. This alone is enough to
make it, for us, remarkable year.
1t is rare that village no larger
than this presents so fiattering pros
poets as to induce capital, proverbial-
ly cautious, to extend so early agreet-
ing as the iron rail. That such is the
fact we now know to be due to a care
full calculation of our resources a
calculation so accurately made as to
find full justification at the outset of
the enterprise. But though ranking
first among the events of the year the
railroad is not alone. The mills have
greatly improved their machinery and
means of manufacture, thus adding
largely to their productive power.
We can now see the Importance of
outstanding every drop of the waters of
the Kinnickinnic, for with the rapid
development of the country every
single horsepower is needed to manu-
facture the raw material.
The great fires that desolated the
village in the spring have, thanks to
the energy and enterprise of the suf-
ferers, left scarcely a trace be-
hind. Where wooden rows disfigured
the street now stand handsome blocks
of fireprOof buildings, and the pros
pect is that the entire blocks will be
soon recovered with buildings, 1t is
true that these fires crippled the viii
lage to some extent. No village, no
business community can suffer such
losses and not feel the shock, and it
may be noted as fortunate in the ex-
IRENE that every loser by the fire is
still in business and prospecting.
A forward step has also been taken
in the Improvement of highways lead
ing into the village. Quite liberal ap-
propiations were made at the annual
Town Meeting for the improvement
of the various roads of the village.
These appropriations have been judi
ciously expended with the result of
great improvement in means of COM
munication with the surrounding
country.
Many good buildings have been
erected during the year, the most
prominent being noted below.
A much needed addition has been
made to our school-houses-a con-
venient and handsome building across
the South Fork having been complet-
ed.
The prospect for the new year is en-
couraging. With the railroad in sue
cessful operation it may be reasonably
expected that new sources of industry
will spring up. Greater attention will
be paid to the development of our wat
er power and the economical use of
that already improved. The Junction
and Greenwood Mills have already led
the way in putting in improved and
costly machinery, and extensive I'M
provements are contemplated at the
Prairie Mills. The panic arising from
the unexpected depreciation in wheat
and its low price is subsiding, the fall
in value of many articles of merchan-
disc and closer economy on the part of
buyers having largely reduced the
danger of increased Indebtedness and
its attendant and dreaded evils. On
the whole, therefore, we may regard
the outlook for the coming year as a
cheering one to large degree and
feel a Just confidence in the future of
River Falls.
The most prominent buildings and
improvements of the past year are:
Gel Davis, brick and stone building, $1,000.
r. w. Fleming, hotel, brick, partly
finished, 5000.
RN Jensen brick and stone building, 5000.
Nelson and Scales, brick and stone
building, $500.
Depot and engine house, $500.
School building. 1000.
N. Wales, dwelling, 100.
Mrs. Scales, dwelling, 800.
c. G. Knowles, dwelling, 1000.
There are several others of less val
ue which we cannot now notice.