Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-02-20
A PROGRESSIVE OLD CITY.
Mineral Point to Become 4 Commercial
and Manufacturing Center.
Work, Confidence and Hope the
Watehword of the People.
The Establishment of Wood Pulp and
Paper Mills the next Advance
to be Made.
BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR 1891.


1t is refreshing to resident of Min
eral Point to contrast the condition
and standing of the city to-day with
that of seven or eight years ago.
Then, grave fears were entertained by
many for the future. 1t is needless
to reiterate here the causes of the
alarm. 1t is sufficient to refer to the
fact that there was a great lack of con-
fidence in the future prosperity of
Mineral Point. Some of our citizens
sought more inviting fields for bust
ness; while others who were almost
persuaded to follow them, remained
and found that they had acted wisely
in so doing.
The establishment of the zinc works
was the turning point; since which
time confidence in the city's growth
has slowly but surely increased. 1t
proved not Only a boom for Mineral
L SAIib bNlG 4oI lllC W lSCOuSIIl ulilllllN
region as well. The increased and in
creasing shipments of ore to these
works warrant this assertion. The
enterprise has proved successful be-
yond the expectations of the most
hopeful of its originators. If few
years ago any one had predicted that
before 1891 weekly shipments of rich
dry-bone would be made from the hills
of New Mexico to Mineral Point, he
would have been laughed at for his
supposed fooli shness. But such ship
ments are now made to our zinc works
which furnishes market for, and re-
duces to oxide the highest as well as
the lowest grades of ore.
And now comes the Mineral Point
Wooden Mills, which will be in success
full operation within two or three
weeks and give employment to a good
ly number of hands. The success of
the enterprise is already assured; and
its capital stock of $4,000, who re-
grets, or will regret, the part he took
in starting it.
Wood pulp and paper mills are not
yet established here; but it is almost
certain that before the close of 1891
pulp and paper making will be added
to our Industries. The fact that capt
talists of Mineral Point and elsewhere
stand ready with sum approaching
100000 which they are willing to in
vest in pulp and paper mills is truly
encouraging; and if our hopes in re
gard to these enterprises should be re-
allied Mineral Point would surely
enter upon an era of great prosperity.
Property, which during the past year
has advanced from 10 to Is per cent.
would the next year advance more
than % per cent.
The time and the conditions for
growth, in the directions indicated are
favorable. Iowa county has paid off
the last dollar of its railroad bonds,
and our city is almost out of debt-a
situation favorable for establishing
manufacturing enterprises.
Let the hands of those who are
for the welfare of the city be
strengthened by every possible means.
The success of past efforts ought to be
sufficient encouragement for renewed
efforts in the future. Mineral Point
has already won for herself the name
of progressive old city, and if the
people unite and work as they should,
they can make more than good their
claim to the title.