Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-04-02
PAPER IN TWO WEEKS.
The Large Plant at Biron will soon
have its Product in the riarket.

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The Grand Rapids Pulp and Paper
Co. have been arSiously waiting this
week for the last car of machinery
which is necessary to complete the
mammoth plant that has been in course
of construction during the past summer
and winter months at BirOn. The car
is expected every day and upon its
arrival the finishing touches will be
applied in double-quick time. In the
course of two weeks, or about April
10Th it is thought everything will be in
readiness to make paper.
The ground wood department has
been running steadily since the four
big New England grinders were started
whirling on Monday Jan. Goth. Two
grinders have been added since then
and something like fifteen to eighteen
tons of fine grade pulp have been
taken off the three wet machines
every day and shipped out to other
dealers.
Paper making on the Wisconsin river
is practically recent venture, but its
growth is rapid and the industry is here
to stay. One after another the old saw
mill and pulp mill sites in our vicinage
are being converted into paper planta-
tions until few specimens of the original
pioneer industry remains. The ak and
the torch have been used unsparingly
and the forest, which has done SO much
to prepare the earth for mans use, has
disappeared with the Indian and the
early settler. Our stock in trade is no
longer the bunch of shingles and RATS
of lumber but rather cars of pulp and
tons of paper. Lumber interests are
on the wane in the Valley; paper
making advances.
As we drove to Biron Monday of this
week and the big substantial brick
structure rose to view at q distance, we
cast an eye for old landmarks. Nothing
tells the story of the early Biron mill or
lumber industry now, save the old white
residence and the weather beaten little
school house with the paint washed off.
These too will no doubt soon lose their
identity in the great transformation
scene, to be replaced by better and
brighter works. Lots have been plated,
new streets made, ten new houses have
been erected in the little town since
work was commenced there; others
will soon spring up. The railroad has
wound its way to the place and nearly
six thousand cords of spruce and poplar
wood (most all spruce) are piled along
the river bank, sooner or later to be
distributed about the country in the
form of paper, bearing the daily
happenings from the metropolitan
press-the most practical educator of
the times.
Periodical visits to the mill of the
Grand Rapids Pulp and Paper Co.
during its formation period have been
most interesting to us, revealing the
great field Of mans usefulness as he
directs the forces Of nature, changes
the position of things and places them
where they will do the greatest work
with least resistance. Here we have
found the Captains of industry, the
common laborers, in fact little econo-
mic business world by its self. A busy
hive in which there were no drones,
where all has been a hum of active
preparation, and where the material
product is near at hand to bring returns
to the keepers for their labors and their
invested capital.
By courtesy of the President and
Manager, Mr.. Nels Johnson, we were
introduced to Mr.. Wesley Guie, who
has accepted the responsible position of
Superintendent of this splendid plant
Mr.. Guie was formerly Superintendent of
The Diamond Paper Co., of Indiana,
has had long experience in paper
making, thoroughly understands every
detail of the process, and is now giving
his personal supervision to the final
and proper selling OF the machinery.
During the five weeks that he has been
on duty he has suggested and made a
number of changes very valuable to the
company and has been great help to
them in starting the work right.
Mr.. Guie kindly showed US about the
mill and seemed to take special pride