The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1900-07-27
FRIDAY, JULY 81, 1900.
in THE WISCONSIN, VALLEY.
Some Things the Editors Saw and Hear
of General Interest.


When Mr.. Lester A. Rose closed a con-
tract with Advancement Association to
properly advertise the industries and
advantages of the Wisconsin Valley 1t
occurred to him that good way to put
the people of the state in possession of
the facts was to invite the Wisconsin
Press Association to make trip up the
valley, test the hospitality of the people
and what they would say of the trip
would nicely disseminate this informa-
ton That is why the association was
urged to make the excursion that began
at Kilbourne on Saturday, July Ia, and
ends with the breaking up of camp at
Plum Lake today. The people of the
valley towns made Mr.. Roses promise
good to Loyalty entertain the visiting ed
itors who in most places were taken to
their home and made to feel welcome.
The guests were shown over the towns,
banqueted and feted and filled full Of
statistics and possibilities that indus
trial development can make them.
The rendezvous was at Kilbourn on
Saturday and Sunday and the steamers
were kept busy taking the party up
through the picturesque dells of the
Wisconsin river, which most of our read
ers we hope, have visited and enjoyed
1t is surely one of the most interesting
bits of scenic beauty we have in the state
and will always remain so. Early Mon
daV morning a special train conveying
about $50 of the editorial party began
it's journey up the promised Wisconsin
valley in driZzling rain storm. The
first stop was made at NekOosa, where
one of the largest paper mills manu-
featuring print paper, was visited A
tremendous water power, having over a
twenty foot head, had been secured at
this point. Both processes of reducing
wood pulp, by grinding and acid or sui
phite process, are employed. Four OF
the largest machines turn out in the
neighborhood of forty tons of paper per
day. Six miles further up the river we
come to Grand Rapids where the bal
ance of the day and evening was passed.
By vote taken last spring the towns on
each side of the riyer-Centralia and
Grand Rapids were united under one
name and city government. The com
bined population reaches above 5000 and
the city seems entering upon new era
of prosperity The rapids furnish an
opportunity for two or three water pow
ers that have not as yet been utilized
that will eventually furnish motive
power for manufacturing industries.
The river has volume enough to develop
many thousands of horse power that will
1,,1c
number of successful manufacturing
establishments, mainly in the line of
hard wood factories, one of them being
hub and spoke factory that is putting
on the market patent hub that is
meeting with very large sale. One of
the unique things of the town is CO.
operative lighting plant, where every
consumer of electric lights can become a
stakeholder and share in the profits.
Dividends are declared monthly and de-
Quoted from the lighting bills. 1t is said
to be the only plant established on these
lines in the country. The writer was
entertained at the home of Dr. Albert
Crawford, an old time Albion student,
who is we'll remembered by many of our
readers. For about 20 years he has
practiced dentistry in this city.
to junction City and transferred to the
Wisconsin Central line for a so mile run
to Waupaca and the party transferred
by the electric line to the Chain of
Lakes to visit the Veteran Soldiers
Home located on a commanding site on
the banks of one of the prettiest of the
chain. The state has bountifully pro-
vided for the INDECENT old veterans and
their wives. The buildings are comoC-
ious, many OF them modern and afford
not only the comforts but many of the
luxuries of life. The visitors were in
vited to partake of dinner comprised of
the same food served the inmates as
their daily fare. The menu was plain
but we'll cooked and varied enough each
day to make it palitable. The institu-
ton now has something over 300 inmates
but applications are coming very fast
now as the veterans are reaching an age
when many of them are unable to longer
care for themselves. The state now
pays stated sum per week for mainte
nance of each inmate of the home, who
are also allowed to retain their pension
money unless it exceeds s. for a single
or Sl2 per month for married soldier.
Any surplus is devoted to supplying
amusement features for the inmates.
The declining years of the veterans are
thus made as free from care and as full
of pleasure as it is possible for an intelli-
gent board of managers, selected by the
G.. A. r., to devise.
Towards evening the train was again
taken for a run to Stevens Point, where
the guests were met at the depot and
given a ride about the city. Later a
banquet was given at the Normal School
followed by toasts and closing with a
dance. One of the late Normal schools
was located here after spirited contest
few years ago and the Normal has
proven great help to the city in many
ways. The institution besides being a
financial help to the city. gives literary
and elevating cast to society. The school
buildings are among the handsomest in
the state and the school has prospered
from the start. The attendance has
been so large as to require an addition
that is now being constructed, to be in
readiness by the opening of the school
year. While the Point is one of the
older towns in the valley, it has enjoyed
a steady growth and enjoys prosperous
L. Il L