The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-12-11
Life In the Wisconsin Lumber Re.
giOns.

WISCONSIN is one of the heaviest
numbering States in the country, and
her lumber is shipped in large quantities
to Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota
and other Western and Southern States.
Last winter was not successful one for
lumbermen, and many of them lost
money on their contracts. The Times
correspondent has been making inquiries
and finds that all the heavy lumbermen
are anticipating splendid winter for
business. The weather has already be-
come quite cold and every thing is freez-
ing up. On the line of the Wisconsin
Central Railroad, from Stevens's Point
north to Ashland, on Lake Superior, lies
some of the finest pine in the State.
The railroad company owns several
thousand valuable forties that have mil
lions and millions of the best kind of
pine waiting TO be cut. At many of the
new towns that have sprung up here in
the forest are saw-mills, Single mills,
lath-mills and the like, that would be a
credit to cities containing thousands of
inhabitants. These mills are built near
to the railroad and have side-tracks run
ming to each. In the various branches
of one mill are employed all the way
from thirty to one hundred hands, while
as many more are hard at work clos
by, telling the large pines, and with the
dozens of horses and oxen hauling them
to the mill. A visit to numbering
camp would be great treat to one I'M
used to them. In the fall, before snow
flies, the "advanced crew." consisting
of few men and team or two, start
for the pinery where they intend to lum-
Der. The first thing to dois to locate the
camp in as convenient a place as posi-
BILE. The site having been arranged,
then commences the erection of the
"shanty." This is building made
from rough boards, and in which the
hardy lumbermen eat, drink and sleep.
Near this are the stables where the
horses, oxen, hay and grain are kept.
Every thing in readiness, a snow storm
is anxiously awaited. Men and teams
are ready to start from the cities, villages
and farms upon an hours notice, and
the camp, which was ordinarily quiet
yesterday, is full of hum and activity to-
day. The bills of fare for breakfast,
dinner and supper will hardly bear COM
parison with a city hotel, but, neverthe-
less, the food is healthy and substantial
Plenty of pork, beef, potatoes, beans and
bread tickle the palate of the Wisconsin
lumberman. He eats good deal,
dresses warmly and works hard. If in
cutting down tree the ak chances, and
sinks deep into his foot, he curses
his luck and hobbies into camp, and
there awaits his recovery. At night the
screw" come filing into camp with their
axes and saws, and after a vigorous
wash sit down to supper. Right here
let me say that the ordinary way of
washing is to take piece of soap and
step out into the snow; no wash-dish, mo
water, no well, yes, there is one towel.
After supper the pipes are lighted, and
while some lounge around and smoke,
the others draw up to table and enjoy
social game of penny poker. The
game is limited generally, and no one
wins and loses very much in the end.
At daylight every one is astir, and the
days work progresses as did the one be.
fore it. When there is good winter
for numbering everybody is in good
spirits and money is plenty. Hence it is
lpmbermen and others are prophesyine
three months of sleighing in northern
Wisconsin and thousands of others echo,
81 hope so."-Cor. Chicago Times.