Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-01-24
The Adirondacks and the Lumbermen.
Democrat and Chronicle

A region sixty miles in length and
forty in breadth, containing over
10000 acres mostly covered with a
dense growth of the finest timber of
different varieties, all of which is alb
solutely needed at the present time to
supply the demands of the market
and furnish labor to the artisan. and
which is now In a matured condition
for utilization IN every form. but
which Will very soon become valueless
by reason of decay unless secured and
saved. The natural scenery in this
vast territory is, indeed very pictur-
esque-even beyond description. Stud
ded with beautiful lakes whose love
illness is unsurpassed, with dashing
and foaming cascades, sparkling rivu-
let's, and mountain streams and peaks
unequalled for beauty and grandeur
east of the Rockies, and Astounding in
game, no wonder it constitutes the
sportsman's paradise. and tempts him
through such journals as the Express,
and under the pretext of subscribing
the Interests of mill owners or preserv-
ing a water supply for commercial
purposes, to badger the press or throt-
tie the Legislature, in the interest real
~ OF perpetuating his means for self.
qualification. The state owns but a
tribe of this region, less than one
third, and private interests are too
vast and valuable for the state to pur-
chase and control 1t would require
many millions of dollars, which she
cannot afford thus to waste. The tim
Der alone on private property within
the Adlrondacks proper is worCh not
less than 100000 to SIS. 900, 900
net, with railroad communication to
it, and $6,000,000 will construct all
contemplated roads. There are also
within the area millions of tons of the
t1nest magnetic iron ores, whose veins
are IN fact of incalculable value, and
of which commodity about 2, 900 tons
are annually imported into this
country from foreign ports to supply
its demands Much of the land. when
cleared, will also be valuable for agri-
cultural purposes. The finest dairy
products of the country are surely de-
rived from the surrounding regions.
st. Lawrence county alone furnishing
about S., 100000 annually, while It
can be established beyond controversy
that the territory would of itself sup
port IN various paying industries that
would arise from opening il up by the
contemplated railroads population of
at least 100000 souls.
1t can be easily demonstrated, and
a mere glance at any true geographic
cal map will show that the water sup
ply OF the Hudson is derived from less
than one-half of this region proper,
and also that the denuding of it's
forests with what would naturally
follow the development of the terri
tory would. in the end, under proper
and suitable legal enactments, result
IN boarding and storing such supply
for commerce. needs instead of other
wise, which facts can oe substantiated
IN subsequent communication, if per-
mltted.
1t is to be hoped that no legislators
or newspapers will lend their influence
to strangle any legitimate enterprises
that will prove a blessing to the state
and country at large without a fair
investigation of this question on all
sides
Yours in the interest OF progress.