Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-02

That Duluth is destined to become
an important city in the not distant
future, is beyond peraGventure
Like many of its western sister cities
its growth and development thus
far has been principally dependent
on lumber. aud that commodity has
been mainly instrumental in its pros
perity thus far. But the future of
Duluth is not dependent on lumber
production alone. As a great com
mercial center it is undoubtedly DIES
tined to become one of the most i'm
portant cities in the Northwest. of
which it is the great door, with the
kew in the hands of its citizens. The
wheat shipments from Duluth last
year amounted to over three million
bushels, and the Times of that city
says that they will be more than dou-
bic in 1888. Its harbor is the resort of
the largest and finest craft that float
on the great chain Of lakes Its ele.
vators are the largest and finest in
the West, and are to be materially in
creased at once. The great lines of
railroads, and those of lesser import
ance, are heading thither; it will soon
become the great railroad center, or
terminus rather, of the Northwest.
Its position as the base for one OF the
grca; cities of the Northwest is i'm
pregnable, and the claims of other
points in that direction to that hon
orable distinction bea- no compari
son with the zenith city. During the
month of October it forwarded 81, S23
tons of freight, and during the same
month its receipts were 80, I3i tons,
The receipts o. wheat during last
month were 1920 cars containing ~
-, 260 pounds, or 1,2l2,9j4 bushels.
These figures alone arc sufficient 10
demonstrate the important CONNER.
cial relations of Duluth with the ou.-
side world But it is not dependent
on these relations alone for its growth,
which in the past has been almost
phenomenal. Its lumber Interests
are enormously great at present,
in view of the length of time
during which they have been under
development, and the amount OF
pine timber still tributary to the
mills of that city is of no mean pro
portions. and until eXhaustionihec city
will retain one OF the most impor-
tant levers for the upbuilding which
has yet been discovered, and which
alone and unaided has laid the foun.
daiions for some OF the most enter.
prising cities on the continent. At
present the lumber interests Of Du.
luth employ more men and furnish
more substantial basis for business
than any other line of industry. The
timber can protitably be brought to
Duluth for manufacture is variously
estimated. says the Times, at from
5000. 900, 900 TO 10000, 900, 900 feet.
Within radius of four miles Of the
center Of Duluth there are thirteen
saw mills. many OF them of large Ca
pacity.. and capable Of saving 49,
900, 600 feet during the summer sea-
son. Ia addition there are eight 9TH
er mills within % miles, with saw
ing capacity per season OF at least
81, N0. 600 feet. The amount Of logs
got out last winter was about 900
OO0. 600 feet, all of which, except
those hung up by low water. will be
cut in the season nov about 10 close.
II is estimated that there were in the
woods last winter about 300 men en-
gagged in getting out logs, ties and
other timber. With such an industry
as basis for the present activity.
and being the door through which
the main traffic Of: the great North
west must eventually pass, who can
doubt the great future before the ap
propriately named Zenith city. Min
neapolis must now look 10 its laurels.
and indeed Chicago has great reason
Tor anxiety because of the diversion
OF It's great commercial interests, and
the enormous traffic which must in
evi,ably. instead of passing through |
the straits, with its backward run the |
entire length OF Lake Michigan take |
the direct route through the Detour
passage and Saulte 81. Marie aud
straight through the entire length of |
Lake Superior TO Duluth and thence
on 30 lis destination.
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