Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-08-20


Lancaster, and the building of the East
Shore railroad in q similar light, it is,
we think, capable of easy demonstra-
ton that the first is a cause for
no gloominess and the latter wholly
without influence. II was demonstrated
four years ago, and longer, that the
operation OF wooden mill at this
point was of uncertain success. SO that,
so long as it continued in operation
upon doubtful remuneratiye basis, it
had the effect to discourage investment
in other directions and toinvite distrust
rather than financial courage. There
is no doubt but that. had the machinery
been sold four years ago and removed
from the city, some other industry Of
fully as much Importance to the city,
and OF more successful character, would
now be in operation. The doubtful char
| acter OF this enterprise, in its returns
upon the capital invested, has probably
had tendency to brighten away other
ventures. There are certain Industries
which, owing to their vastness and
staple character. can only be remuner-
alive when established at certain points
in the channel of trade and operated
under certain conditions, and the wooden
trade is enc of these. The wool crop of
the country, by custom and trade laws,
moves in certain grooves toward GER
tain depots or centers where its manu-
facture takes place upon an extensive
scale and under certain governing con-
ditions known only to the great manu-
facturers themselves; and no attempt
on the part of minor concerns to cut
into this industry can be successful ex-
cept under the most favorable condi-
tions. This is true also of the man
ufacture of iron, cotton, sugar and all
the great staples; and any local enter
prise, to be successful. must enjoy the
very minimum of expense and the max
imum of patronage, except it has some
specially peculiarly its own. 1t must
be plain, therefore, that the continuance
of such an industry ia opera
ton was in fact more of an in
cubus and retarding influence to Ian
caster than a benefit Investors and
| capitalists knew its returns were mea-
gle and precarious, and might have
been led to Judge any other enterprise
in the same way, thus causing a super
sensitiveness and timidity most damag-
ing in its effects.
That there are industries, on the other
hand, which are as peculiarly adapted
forsuccess TO the several localities where
the raw material is most abdndantly
produced as are the great staples for
the commercial centers of each, there
can be no question. The very same
business principle which applies TO the
storage of butter, eggs and cheese at
points near their production until prices
advance would seem to apply to pork.
1t is noticeable that during the season
of the greatest productiveness of these
commodities prices are the lowest. SO
that immense fortunes have been made
by the storage of them at the period Of
their unnatural depression each season
until their return to demand. Now, as
one of the chief productions of this To-
cality is hogs, and rs storage room in
the country is always less costly. than
in the city, rs well as the wages of
workmen, it would seem that the estab-
lishment of = packing house at Lancas-
ter was plainly indicated and could not
be otherwise than successful. Every
hog raiser, it would seem, could not be
otherwise than interested in a project
where he might store his product from
the time when slaughtering was neces-
sary and prices lowest until such time
as he would be able to receive the great
est compensation, and in addition be
wholly free from placing himself at the
mercy of city buyers by sending his
stock thither unsold.
! There are other industries which pre-
sent superficial attractions, and would
undoubtedly stand the test of inyesti-
CATION. The abundance of poplar wood
in the surrounding forests, the pleni-
! tude of straw from the vast grain areas,
and the sufficient waterpower, suggests
the feasibility and proitableness Of
paper-making; and fruit-eanning es-
adjustment has long been mooted
question. Certain it is that the large
number of cases Of poisoning occurring
from canned goods is causing Il degree
of caution to be exercised by consum-
ers, and this trade, which has hitherto
been in the hands of large establish
ments, is likely soon to be relegated to
smaller local concerns, where guar
anty can be had of wholesome goods,
sealed with rosin, instead of the doubt
full stuff so often found injurious, and
sealed with poisonous acid which often
finds its way into the contents.
Those who have made close study of
what pays best find that raw material
must be near at hand, and not imp ort-
cd or brought from distance, as the
shipping in and shipping out preclude
any positive profit; but whatever is
indigenous to a locality should never be
allowed to go to market except in that
shape that it has afforded all possible
industry to its producers.
County Census.
The following is an abstract of the
new census returns, completed and filed
this week with County Clerk Hill:
Towns. Population Veterans Militia
Beetown. ....... 1901 53 2ll
Bloomington 1900. $50 IS ZIG
Bloomington village 543 20 g.
Boscobel ........... 156 y
Boscobel city ... 1898 80 225
Cassville ...,..... 5S7 Il
CassviIle village . 712 10 81
Castle Rock ........ 726 3 III
Clifton ........... 1913 20 rs
Ellenboro 49,. 49, sos 81 ~
FeunimOre ...... 1883 Is 2lS