Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-04-27

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growth and development of this
county. We hear much of the in.
fiuence Of the press and that influence
is acknowledged in manifold ways in
every community. The journalist that
makes no enemies can have no true
friends, or great power and influence
in the community where published.
A weak, yacillating and negative
character attracts neither friend nOI
foe. You can not serve two masters.
nor carry water upon two shoulders.
You must declare yourself on all
leading and public questions to have
| influence and power. A bold advocacy
of question will draw about you an
army Of friends, while your enemies
cannot help but admire your bold,
Openhanded and oppressive policy.
The press has enabled public opinion
to become force in society and
politics. Its power is not necessarily
measured by it's circulation, but by it's
character, while it's possibilities is
largely increased by large circulation.
Many newspapers are prosperous and
financially strong, yet they are not
conspicuous in influence and power.
They lack character, and newspaper
without character, is like an individ-
ual without it-Of very little influence
The weekly newspaper usually re
fleets the power and possibilities of
it's editor. If he be a man of character
and standing with influence and power
in the county in which he resides, his
newspaper will be reflection of those
attributes.
| believe in the power and the in
fiuence of well edited, conscientious,
answering country newspaper and
firmly believe that it has a noble
mission in the avenues of public life.
Like an individual, it's power and
possibilities depend upon it's actual
worth and character.
''The Future Prospects and Growth
Of Wood County," was verbally re-
sponded to by S. N. Whittlesey.
LETTERS FROM OLD SETTLERS.
From DR.. p. Stebbings.
Bradley, Ill. Feb. 5, 1S99 My Dear
Mrs. Canning, Secy., and Members of
Old Settlers Reunion, Wood County:
Yours of late date, extending compli-
mentS of the Old Settlers club, was
duly received, for which l thank you.
| am compelled to offer regrets and
fOregO the pleasures of a visit to Cen
tralia this winter, owing to physical
disability. Mrs. StebbingS says, it's
Ia grippe, pure and simple: / call it
complex abomination. The Omni-
present microbe is getting in it's work
in rage from Maine to Madagascar,
even the doctors are not immune from
its attacks. With all these infirma-
ties, the mind quickly reverts back to
time and place of quarter OF a CEN
tury ago in Wood county, 'Tis no
myth or dream, but reality. There,
where twin cities stand in grandeur,
the eye involuntarily follows the once
winding forest paths in most perpleX-
ing confusion with the present rustic
terraces, arbOrS. groves and gardens,
across the country to DeXterville,
WauSau, Stevens Point and others
hn Urnot ho 1otio1I
Forty years ago men were rushing
back and forth in nervous agitated
state, with business interests in every
movement of their body and written
upon every expression of their count
enance. Those mighty spirits chafed
within a circumscribed sphere of
action, until, breaking the barriers,
they marched on in pace with tide of
events. There was a peculiar charm
in the situation. 1t seemed that some
spirit from the unseen world had
stolen unobserved upon the see ne and
converted the entire forest into mov-
ing animate life.
Many of those distinguished veterans
of the lumber regions are sleeping but
it requires no eulogy upon these men.
History has already made them living
objects to exist in future annals of
Wisconsin Valley.
While we gaze down the pathway of
their career, we feel the silence that
broods over the atmosphere and the
blossom of human glory fades away
and is lost with the plucking.
There are many old foresters and
their families yet living whom l re-
member we'll and | trust will join
hands tonight april III in the Dixon
House parlors for social reunion. Let
me stand with you and give you all
fraternal greeting. Here is Judge
Webb, Lemley, Witter, Worthington,
Brown, and families and score of
Others of whom l could relate many
pleasurable incidents.
This elegant hotel, Dixon, stands
upon almost sacred ground. On this
spot, Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Lemley
lived, who first entertained the writer
just thirty-twO years ago (his advent
into Centralial. Charlie, you see nv
memory is good! l could say much
about those pioneer sociables and the
'.Prince of Hosts" but will spare YOU
the further exposure: Darling, Brun-
dage, Jackson. Worthington, and
others were there and could testify in