Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1880-01-17

EO he Ok NOT TO BE.
The question as to whether Black
River shall be so improved as to make it
navigable stream is now entirely in
the hands of the citizens of ChebOygan,
As indicated in our little reference to
the matter last week, the Board of Con-
troll at its meeting on the 9th, inst. took
favorable action, although guarded by
some conditions, but no more perhaps
than the interest of the state demanded.
The Board voted to give 1850 acres of
land TO any company organized under
the laws of the State for the improvement
of Black River. The company to have
not less than $4,000 subscribed stock of
which % per cent. should be paid in
The offer to remain open ninety days.
1t would seen almost unnecessary at
this time to say anything to the citizens
of Cheboygan in regard to the impor-
lance of securing the completion of this
enterprise. The benefits would seem to
besoplain that they should be self evident
to every one who would give it moments
thought. Besides they have been fire.
quently presented in these columns.
What the improvement of the rivers and
lakes toward PetOskey has proved itself
to be, will be duplicated in the Black
River enterprise. And there is not a
merchant in the village. but who has
during the past year experienced the
benefits arising from that in the way of
increased trade and prosperity When
the first mentioned scheme was first ad-
vocated by the TRIBUNE we were not
surprised that many thought that it was
visionary and impossible, and therefore
showed a very luke-warm feeling toward
it. But its completion has more than
fulfilled every prophecy made regarding
1T. With the success of that in view we
cannot conceive how it Will be possible
or Cheboygan to let pass the opportunity
of securing the completion of this enter
prise, and thereby bring tributary to it
the large fertile territory adjacent to
Black Lake. Not only for the present
but for all time.
Three years ago in what is now the
fOurishing township of Tuscarora there
was hardly an inhabitant, and certainly
not one one who had been there more
than couple of months. Last spring
at the time the Supervisor made his
enumeration there were 40 inhabitants
and recent arrivals of settlers now make
the number exceeding 500 One of
the school districts has 81 children of
school age. The cause of this extraordi-
nary development is nothing more or
less than the opening of navigation into
Burt Lake. That whole section is tribu-
tary to ChebOygan and will always re-
main so.
What is true of this will also be true
of the region surrounding Black Lake.
Where year ago only two or three farm
ers were settled, if this improvement is
assured there will be hundreds i'm few
years. In fact since publicity was given
to it by the passage of the enabling
act" by the last Legislature, a number
of persons have purchased land there
with the intention of improving it, as
soon as navigation is secured. The in
ference is obvious.
With this enterprise secured the flu
ture of ChebOygan is assured. There
would be no town within our knowledge
in the state which would have the pros
pective resources of Cheboygan. From
twelve to fifteen hundred square miles
of territory would be brought tributary to
it, with all its future Development and
wealth. Now is the time to take advan-
tage of opportunities which will not
come again. Next year will not do.
Cheboygan must come to the front at
once.
The donation from the state, if proper
ly handled, will pay nearly if not quite
one-half of the expense of the work
This is as liberal as could reasonably be
expected. ChebOygan and those inter-
ested in the country should certainly see
to it that the proposition Of the state is
accepted.
A company consisting of some of our
citizens filed articles of incorporation
under the laws of the state with the Sec
rotary of State some time since, and are
now prepared to at once complete their
organization. Books for subscriptions
to the capital stock of the organization
will be opened next Monday at the bank
ing house of ROllo s. Hitchcock, as per
an advertisement in another column. As
soon as the requisite amount Of stock is
subscribed the stockholders will assume
charge of the affairs of the company by
the election of directors, and the state
will allow the reservation of the lands
promised.
We trust that the publication of these
particulars will be all that will be re-
quired to secure the amount of stock re-
quired.
There is not merchant or property
holder in the village but who should
take stock in the enterprise. 1t is not a
donation that is asked. The stock will
probably pay fair interest as soon as
the country developes little more,
while the incidental benefits which all
will receive from the increased trade
and prosperity will more than pay the
interest every wear.