Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-06-22
The Ridgeway Picnic.

The annual hlQgeWay picnic
which has, the past few years, been
looked to with anticipations of much
pleasure by SO many, has come and
gone. While it was not, perhaps,
characteristic of that livliness which
has marked those of former years,
last Tuesdays picnic was rather an
enjoyable affair. The weather was
| most propitious; no finer day could
have been wished for. The attend
ance, though not quite reaching in
numbers that of former occasions,
was respectfully large. Dodgeyille,
Barneveld, Blue Mounds and other
surrounding towns were well repre-
sented. 1t is estimated that up
wards of two hundred from Dodge
vile were present. About 800 is a
fair estimate of all present. The
principal amusement of the day was
dancing, which was participated in
throughout. Refreshments in pro-
fusion was at hand and sumptuous
dinner served, which spoke well for
the Ridgeway ladies who prepared
the same.
A foot race for purse Of $40, be-
I tween Mike O'Hare and Dan Curtin,
both Ridgeway boys, created consid-
cradle stir among the sports. Curtin
came out winner. An endeavor to
,, get up a match between other local
runners was made, but the project
failed. No other particular excite
ment occurred.
The day on the whole was quietly
and very pleasantly passed. Much
credit is due the Rev. Luby, mana
ger, and the committee for their eff
forts to make the affair what it was,
an enjoyable success.
A Canning Factory.
1t will be remembered that The
Democrat some ti;me ago suggested
to the citizens Of Mineral Point, that
it would be a good idea to talk up
the question of establishing a can
ing factory here, and set forth some
of the advantages that would be
gained thereby. The people of
Galena are now considering the
matter of establishing a canning
factory in that city, and a citizen
writes as follows to the Galena Ga
zette of last week: "Let us examine
the matter a little and see. Our
grocers sell canned cherries, straw
berries, plums, tomatoes, corn;
asparagus, string beans, peas, APP
pies, pumpkins, gooseberries and
grapes. All of the above are raised
in and near Galena and can be
grown in vast quantities; but Others
come here and sell them to us at a
profit. Suppose such factory is
started and managed as it can and
should be; some of the results aris-
ing therefrom would be; the pop
ulation of tbs city will be increased,
the mandatory of cans and boxes
to ship them in will follow the cul-
tivation of the articles above
named would be stimulated, lands
in the immediate vicinity of the
city would be enhanced in value
and trade would be drawn directly to
the city, as the farmer and gardener
would have market here at all sea-
sons of the year for the products of
his farm or garden. AS | have init
mated above, these are but few of
the results that would follow the
tablishment of such factory.
Many others readily suggest them
selves.
| am fully Of the opinion that if
our monied men, or even men with
limited means, will take the trouble
to look into matters carefully, we
shall have a canning factory here
at no distant day.
| trust Mr.. B. will not let the
matter rest, but will give US his
views more in detail. Of one thing
Mr.. B. can be assured, that he can
have all the assistance the under
signed can render,
= | understand that the committee
having in charge the gathering of
information as to the cost of start
ing \boot and shoe factory, are
hard at work, and already machin-
list from East has been here looking
over the fieldA If we will all lend
a helping hand, we shall soon be
"out of the woods" and none of us
will desire to ego west"