Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-02-03

1cct. we cnp the IolIoNlnS from
said report:
"Of the appropriation of $4,000
made by the Legislature, to meet the
expenditures of the Board for the
year 1880, there has been expended,
up to December 31st, 50, 584-54.'
During the year, 38,83 immi-
grants arrived in this city. Of this
number, Is, 6S1 made Wisconsin their
future home, and 1858 went to
Minnesota, while the year Immediately
preceding, out of 1882. 4,781 re-
manned in this State, and 6,985 went
to Minnesota "
The total number of foreign imml-
grants who arrived during the past
year in this State was So, 83S. The
number of those remaining in Wis
consin was is, 6S1 the balance going
into Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa and
Dakota.
| The number who were booked at
Chicago for Wisconsin was 1928,
making total for the year of q, 209.
The greater part Of the immigrants
were people Of means and belonged to
the better class of society in their
native country. The average amount
of cash brought by each immigrant is
estimated from reliable sources at from
sixty to seventy dollars. Taking the
| lowest estimate as basis, we find
that not less than $1,272, $40 were
brought into Wisconsin by the q, 209
persons, who will make this state their
! future home. If to this be added
their ability to work, their skill, energy
and enterprise, it must be plain that
the benefit to be derived from this
great influx of people is Of very great
moment to the growth and prosperity
of the state
"While the efforts of this Board
have been chiefly directed to making
known the resources and advantages
Of Wisconsin to residents of Eastern
States, and Of Europe, there is no
doubt that by the publication and
distribution of these pamphlets within
the State, a great deal has been done
to enlighten our own citizens, many Of
whom were not aware that large
| portion of the central and no rthern
part of Wisconsin contains excellent
farming land. thereby, to certain ex-
tent, stemming the tide Of emigration
from this State into more western
territory, which at one time had as
sumed considerable proportions
The results achieved by this Board
since its existence are much more ia
yorable than could have been anticipa-
ted. In estimating the work perform
ed by the Board, 1t must be borne in
mind that other states, and several
great railway companies interested in
lands of other states have for years
past advertised extensively, and en-
ployed agents at home and in Europe,
! while Wisconsin has remained indiffer-
ent to the vast current OF immigration
which has been flowing into the United
States, and done nothing to direct a
fair proportion of it within her own
berders''
eve have yet millions of acres of
fertile lands Our railroads are every
year opening up new portions of our
State heretofore inaccessible for settle
ments, where thousands of immigrants
may find comfortable homes. The
wild land all along the lines Of these
railroads can be converted into fruitful
fields. thereby adding to the wealth
and power of the State, if we can
but get strong and thrifty popula-
ton to occupy them.
But we cannot secure settlers for
the unimproved territory without a
strong effort. There is great competi-
ton among the Western States in this
respect. In order to obtain results of
still more satisfactory character. the
Board feels that its facilities must be
enlarged. y
There is no use in dragging yourself
| to death. and buyine all the vile medi