Hand County press. (Miller, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1893, 1885-01-08

st. Lawrence Journal: "Ws zee the
Plzss dossnt speak very natteringly Of
the celebrated TOW mill, nor its celebra-
ted builder. What IL worse than oil else
IL that there seems 10 be no earthly hope
Of its ever starting up. II begins to look
a. though st. Lawrence viii have to take
the subject Of tow mill under advise
ment il Hand county Hax IL utilized, and
if st. Lawrence does take hold OF it, it
viii not only be built but operated
Once more We are placed under obliga-
tions to the all-wise chronicler of eyents
that cast their shadows before. Instead,
however, OF pricking . sensitive nerve,
as he supposed, II furnishes the oppcrtu-
nifty to present q matter the PRESS has
contemplated for quite awhile. The tact
that Miller enterprise has constructed q
muoh desired industry solely for adornmont
is not only generally known but greatly
wondered ct over the county. And while
we do not wish to assume the prerogative
OF dicta.ion as to what our business men
should do, yet we deem II our privilege
and duty, as among those directly inter
ested, to discuss this question from a
stand point which furnishes the only feas
ible beginning to = course that will extri-
cate Us from our present tow mill dilemma.
This mill was built almost il not entire-
" with money subscribed by the citizens
Of Miller, upon ground donated for that
purpose nearly year ago. The necessary
machinery was placed in the building, and
for some cause unknown to anyone, has
remained in as complete inactivity as the
day in was placed there. As stated. why
thisis thus, we are Unable tn say, nor do
we iutend to get cut searck warrant sor
Blakeslsy, its proprietor, to find out. But
this fact we do know, the property is
here, and placed here by the ipenev Of
Miller people, and 1t is one Of the worst
things possible to happen to Miller to al
low it to remain IN its present state Of
inactivity and uselessness. Mr.. Blakesley
may or may not return and proceed with
his evident intentions when the mill was
constructed, II he does, well and good.
But wether he does or not the Press is in
favor of calling meeting Of those who
assisted in its construction, appointing q
committee to take charge Of 1t, and taAe
the necessary steps, wh,tever they be to
start the mill. The general impression is
that the insestmsnt 4 good in itself. be-
sides the incalcuiaDis bensf2t 70 10 do
rived from it bv the town's buainess in
general. 1t would not be diffisult to con-
vince any of o,ir citizens that we need q
good -four mill to compete with other
towns, yet the necessary out lay during
rather close times might occasion objec-
ton. But here is mill already erected
for the purpose Of using protitably the
thousands Of tons Of fax straw now going
to waste all around us, and it is lying idle.
Instead Of requiring hundreds or thou
sands Of dollars to start this enterprise
into successful operation, 1t reqnires
practically nothing. A yeiy small addi-
tional outlay will reset tho machinery and
start it to humming. and the people of
Miller and Hand county will witness the
beginning Of an enterprise that in the
short time OF one more season will assume
such proportions as to become an institu-
ton Of vital importance to every farmer
within radius of 80 miles in every di-
nction. 1t seems to the PREss this ques-
ton rests entirely with our citizens, Shall
We, or shall We not allow this mill to
longer remain an eye-sore to ourselves,
and au object OF ridicule by others? Or,
shall we take hold Of the matter us the
exigency Of the case demands? And
ifnot, why nots