davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31
China's New Emperor.

Pekin, Jan 25 An imperial edict
announces that Pu Chun, IA years
old, son of Prince Tuan, is appointed
heir to the present emperor Kwang,
VINO announces iii health makes his
abdication necessary The new
emperor, it is said. will ascend the
throne Jan 81 The dowager will
continue her strong power and no
change in Chinese policy is in view.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31
BOERs LOSS HEAVILY SUNDAY

London. Jan 2e Special dispatch
es from Durham say the Boer losses
on the Upper Tugela during the
fighting on Sunday iast were very
great Gen Warren's men captured
160 prisoners and 130 Beers were
found dead in one trench
Gen Butler reports that the British
casualties Jan % were: Killed,
officers six non commissioned off,
GERS and men 18; wounded officers
l2: non commissioned officers and
men 142 missing 81 men.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31
REPORTED SUICIDE OF FMPER.
OR WANG SU.

London. Jan 2s According to
special dispatch from Shanghai, it is
reported that emperor Kwang su has
committed suicide
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31
g W New "

with evident loss One Boer was
wounded. A heavy connonade
started this morning aud still con-
tinues.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31

NOT TINE TO "HoLLER."
London, Jan 25-Tbe jubilatiOu
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

has a few thousand acres, as has Mr..
John Parrish of the Grand Rapids Lumber
company.
The Bowling Craze.
In Grand Rapids. bowling alley have be-
come craze during the winter Of 1899
1900. The West Side Fire department
erected a building and put in bowling
alley for the express purpose of furnishing
recreation for the Fire department and the
public. The building was erected next
door to the West Side Fire engine house
and became a popular resort from the start
with the business men and the young men
of athletic inclinations caught the fever
and promoted the enterprise until to-day
bowling is little less than craze in Grand
Rapids. Across the river are two bowling
alleys, the most popular one being that
of Jacob Lutz Jr., and it may also be said
of Mr.. Lutz' place that it is patronized by
the solid men of Grand Rapids. 1t has all
the necessary attachments for recreation
and is a popular resort. The two alleys
being busy from morning till late at night
during the winter season. 1t is also
headquarters for anglers and hunters who
congregate there and tell fish stories and
point out the best trout streams. On the
first page of the Wisconsin valley part OF
The Sentinel, will be found an Illustration
showing one days work OF Stevens point
hunters during the deer season.
The photographs in the Grand RAPIDS
page were taken by Menzal, who ranks as
Grand Rapids leading photographer.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

At South Centralia is the first paper mill
that was erected in the Wisconsin valley,
there stands what is known as the Centralla
Wood Pulp and Paper company, twenty
five ton mill which is utilizing a 2,5OO-
horse power Three miles below is the
Port Edwards Paper company using ABOUT
the 5000 water-power and having an out
nut of about the same tonnage. Eight
miles below is the Nekoosa Paper company
as shown by the illustration on the first
page which has one of the greatest water
powers and prettiest mill sights in the
whole valley.
Its capacity is eighty tons Of paper,
thirty tons of sulphite and fifty tons OF
ground wood pulp. 1t is the biggest mill
in Wisconsin, 1t is thus shown that at
Grand Rapids began the paper industry OF
Wisconsin valley. Nine years ago the Cen
tralia mill started with a capacity Of ten
tons a day, now there are made in the
valley 250 tons of paper day and $50
tons a day in the state of Wisconsin,
where in 1872 the entire output was 5000
pounds a day.
At the Nekoosa mill another machine is
being put in, which will increase the en-
ploying capacity seventy-fve men, max
ing a total of about 400 that this indus
try gives direct employment to the year
around, to say nothing of the extra men
which they employ in the winter season.
Around Nekoosa has grown village OF
$50 population in four years. To the west
about a mile is Woods farm, where $50
more people live, all directly or indirectly
dependent upon the Nekoosa paper mill for
their living This makes the entire pop
ulation that has been attracted to this
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

finer grades OF stove backing are made.
The industry has practically laid dormant,
being developed on a small scale and used
only for mineral paint purposes until 4
very short time since. Il has lately fall
en- into the hands of some of the city's en-
terprising people, and capital is being put
back of it. DR.. Phillips has for years had
great confidence in this industry and its
future, and he is now associated with
such men as DR.. Southwick and Mr. l.. J.
Seger, who are pushing the industry with
a vigor that points to a great future.
There are at least 100 900 tons of graphite
showing percentage of from 40 to "a per
cent pure carbon, in the principal shaft,
which is now being worked. There are
also several other shafts which cannot be
estimated but the supply may be said to
be practically ineXhaustible for several
years to come at least. In connection with
this there are also found in the immedi-
ate vicinity a superior quality of bright
red oxide and dark red oxide. All three
of the minerals are being manufactured by
the Graphite and Mineral Paint company
to considerable extent and the works are
being extended as rapidly as the increased
demand for the product requires. One
strong feature of the graphite mineral
paint is the fact that it is absolutely fire
proof. as has been shown in several in
stances. When the Masonic Temple burn
ed down in Stevens Point, directly in the
rear was the storeroom and a portion Of
the Boston's Department store, which was
underneath the Temple. The storeroom
was painted with graphite paint, and al
| though the fire was one of the hottest in
the history of the city. it never phased,
| and the building was saved.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

cent. larger force than ever before, there
are no idle men in the city, no empty
houses, new houses are going up and
business blocks are contemplated or are
being erected on both sides of the river,
in short Greater Grand Rapids is healthy,
prosperous and progressive city.
Built over a Spring.
The business portion of the west side
is built along the valley of the Wisconsin
with sloping hills on the eastward until
bluff is reached For more than mile
this bluff has been tapped by the resi-
dents and flowing springs Of water found
You can't sink a pipe but a few feet any
where, but you will strike a flowing well
of pure water, filtered by a natural gravel
bed. In many instances fountains have
been erected and lawn sprinklers run by
the natural pressure can be seen. Down
in the valley several business houses,
among which is the Witter hotel has piped
the water and obtained a supply of pure
water as shown by the analysis. This is
not the only point with which Grand
Rapids is blessed by nature. In the bust
ness heart of the city from many mercan-
tile houses and more especially the hotel
Witter, one can sit on the back porch and
fish, not only fish but catch fish. Many
a fine specimen has been landed from the
porch back of the Witter, in fact it has
become quite a pastime for the travelling
men, when they get through work to HE
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

concerns in the Wisconsin Valley, an in
stitution that has built boilers and mills
for the lumbermen along the Wisconsin
river for upwards of thirty-five years It's
proprietor is still actively engaged in the
business and any time during rush he
may be found experimenting the works
or running lathe if necessary. He gives
employment to a great many people and
his institution regarded as one Of the
cornerstones in the industrial world in
Stevens Point.
To the stranger looking for information
or a forecast of any given business ven
ture, it is but necessary for him to meet
in conference such men as G. e. McDill,
cashier Of the Citizens National bank;
Andrew Week, president Of the First Ma
tional bank; D. E. Frost, secretary Of the
Business Mems association; H. and ]. d.
Curran of the Curran house; Mr.. Congdon
Of the H. D. McCulloch company; J. l..
Barker, assistant postmaster; William
Whiting, the paper mill man; Alex
Krembs and brother; DR.. Horace e. Hor
ton of the Textile Starch company; Cros-
by H. Grant (42D, furniture dealer, fu2
neral director and the owner Of a $4,000
dog; w. H. Coye Of the Coye Furniture
company, and Cate, Lamoreuax, Park &
Carpenter, the lawyers, the Week brothers
and Roderick Mckenzie, superintendent
of the gas works, with the venerable and
esteemed DR.. Phillips as a referee, anu
the ground is covered. whenever these
men in convention make a mistake IN
business proposition, there are other than
natural causes cause the mistake. All
of them are business successes, and every
one of them is interested in Stevens
Points future and will give audience and
time to the stranger and loan capital to-
the promotion Of any venture that Will
add to Stevens Points prosperity.
Stevens Point is noted all over the Wis
consin valley and state as the one city
that has taken interest and expended large
amounts in the building of good roads and
good streets. AS an example Of what THIS
has done for the community, the city sup
ports the biggest and handsomest bicycle
store in the state, Milwaukee not exclud-
ed. The Hoeffler Manufacturing company
has sold this season as high at thirty-slx
bicycles in one day, but the trade IS con-
tinuous and a larger number OF bicycles
are used in Portage county than in any
other provincial city in the state, accord
ing to population. Mr.. Hoeff1er is also
patentee and manufacturer OF potato
planter, an illustration Of which Is here
with given. This is a great labor saver TO
the farmer and has large sale wherever
the potato industry is carried on to any
extent.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

The locality that is sought by capital
lists to invest their money must possess
attractions and resources that point to
future of prosperity, else they are passed
up. The willingness of local capital to
invest in proposed industry is a clinCh-
ing argument. Another is it's commercial
standing and natural opportunities. Ste
vens Point has all of these, the new fur
niture factories ciinches the local invest
ment feature, its unused water-powers,
its graphite mines and splendid farming
country cover the others and as an ar
gumeut in favor of the city's growth it
is but necessary to refer to the Stevens
Point Gas Light & Electric company, in
which $12S,000 have been expended in
putting uD perfect electric and gas light
ing plant. The gentlemen at the head of
this enterprise are Mr.. William Mainland
of Oshkosh and Mr.. w. A. Furlong of Mil
waukee. The sum above stated has &C
tually been expended in the past year in
1.-THE laying of gas mains and putting in
of electric light wires and now Stevens
Point is one of the best lighted cities in
the state. The price of gas for heat
and cooking being only $1.25 per thou
sand feet. These gentlemen are further
promoting a power system for the opera
ton of manufactures and an electric rail-
way system for the city, the power for
which shall be furnished from the unused
waterpoWers of which there are plenty
and to spare. They will take stock in
such venture or will lend any induce
ments to capital that will put such a
venture on it's feet in the oldest city in
the Wisconsin Valley. The electric rail-
way system is one offering great induce
ments and Stevens Point has the oppor-
tunity for one of the prettiest natural
parks in the whole state, a park that can
be developed by the use of few thou
sand dollars into a veritable labarynth
with plenty Of room for artificial lake and
lagoon attachments.
When anything is to be done for the
city the business men get together, con-
slider the proposition and if it promises
fruit it is Immediately foated A couple
Of years ago DR.. Horton came to the city
quietly and started a starch factory. He
was given all assistance by local capital
and a market for 300 900 bushels of po-
tatoes a year There is a proposition on
foot now to double the capacity of this
factory.
The Coye Furniture Factory.
The Coye furniture factory, which is
shown elsewhere by illustration, is now
employing more than 100 hands. Local
capital promoted and is operating it.
The illustration shows one of the oldest
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

y PLIT in halves as clean as a knife
- would sever an apple, lies the pretty
city of Great Grand Rapids in Wood
county 1t is the gateway to the Wiscon-
sin valley and has been known for the past
quarter century as the twin cities OF Grand
Rapids and Centralia. More than twenty
iive years ago there began a pretty strife
as has ever been enacted by these two ri
val municipalities on the Wisconsin river
where they are now congregated under one
municipal government more than 5000
people. For years each of them claimed
population greater than that of the other
and between the times that the census
was taken each gloried in the fact that 1t
was bigger than the other. In 1890 1t was
told Of these two municipalities that the
Centralia census taker absolutely waited
four or five weeks for several coming
events that had cast their shadows before,
before making his returns to the Census
bureau. When one of the events culmi
mated in the birth of twins there was re-
joicing on the west side of the river. Sew
eral other events came in due time and
when the official reports were made out, it
was almost a tie between the two cities.
The strife has engendered a great battle
of public spirit, on both sides of the river
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

dull, sickening thud, it almost cast a
pail over the city and the calamity howl
ers, ever present in every community, mad
feast for a few days or even weeks
While the loss of these shops meant the
removal of a hundred families from Ste
vens Point, the pessimists mangnifed the
proposition until it grew to proportions
indicating that the city was to be depopu-
lated.
1t was in this dire strait that Stevens
Point began to pull herself together so to
speak. D. E. Frost, DR.. Southwick. F. A.
Engberry Boston and the Parks, McDills
and Weeks, representative men of the CITY,
discovered that action must be taken
Then the citizens got together and the rep
resentative men decided that a furniture
factory would be a good thing to replace
the loss occasioned by the removal of the
Wisconsin Central shops. 1t did not take
them long to do it, the thought was
parent of realization. A big furniture
factory was erected and has begun OPP
erations Now you may go to the city and
ask any Stevens Pointer what railroads
the city has and he will call your atten-
ton to the Great Trunk line running from
Winona Mimi, and Port Edwards and
Grand Rapids, through to the seaboard at
Green Bay, and add, THE Wisconsin Cen
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

may be said of the whole Wisconsin valley
and it is true that the gateway is not
lacking in enterprise in large chunks.
Financial Conditions.
The financial condition Of Grand Rap
ids is shown to be eminently superior to
many municipalities of it's size. There are
three banks in the city employing a capital
of more than $1000,000 and having ready
money in excess of a half million to
loan. In fact, the conditions are such that
money does not enter into the question at
Grand Rapids. When an investment is
sought the Wood County National bank,
of which Mr.. Frank E. Wood is cashier,
is shown by illustration on another page.
Mr. Wood is also one of the few men in
Grand Rapids that still has a liberal guam
tity of farming lands for sale. H. A. Samp-
son of the firm of Daily & Sampson also
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

five miles into the country and several
others from one to three miles. So great
has the stimulation in that direction be-
come that Stevens Point now proposes to
the farmers that it will crush all the stone
that they will bring in free of charge, and
the proposition is meeting with great ia
vor, farmers bringing in a load of niger
heads or chunks of granite and taking
home with them a load of crushed stone
and distributing it along the line of some
thoroughfare, so that Stevens Points
roads are growing into macadamized
thorOughfares very rapidly.
Landmark of Early Days.
The Curran home still one of Stevens
Point frst-class hotels is part of the his
tory of the town. 1t has been the scene
of many notable events and men who have
long since departed have been numbered
among it's guests. Steven A. Douglas and
Matt Carpenter partook of it's hospitality
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

junction with the paper mills, to put in an
electric light plant. The village has four
hotels, several general stores, three
churches, high schools and public school,
and have begun the work of permanent
street improvements.
Wood County GOOD Roads.
Nature has done much for Wood county
in the way of furnishing foundation for
good roads at a small expense, and the
citizens have not been slow to accept the
situation. Many thousands of dollars have
been expended by the townships and the
county legislature in improving the thor
oughfares leading to the capital and prin-
cipal municipality, Grand Rapids. Many
delightful drives through a picturesque
country of from ten to fifteen miles can
be covered without finding a bad stretch
of roads in the whole distance. Conse-
quently the city of Grand Rapids enjoys a
large trade from the farmers adjacent,
which is constantly increasing.
Tricky Populated.
Of the counties in the Wisconsin valley
Wood and Portage are the most thickly
populated and best settled up and devel-
oped by farmers. 1t is expected the popula-
tion of Wood county will exceed $4,000
WhCn the coming census returns are made,
consequently there is not a great deal of
farm lands for sale in the immediate vi
cinity of Grand Rapids. Mr.. F. E. Wood
of the First National bank has about 5000
acres of desirable farm lands and a few
others in the city have small patches, but
the land seekers in big chunks neeu not
expect to find it around Grand Rapids I'M
less he buys from several different par
ties. One of the important industries
which is sister to agricultural pursuits,
is the cranberry marsh. 1t is more pro-
life in Wood county than anywhere else
in the Badger state These marshes yearly
furnish large revenues and give employ
ment during the season to quite an army
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16
GREATER GRAND RAPIDS.

Continued from Column Three.
ing a pottery if it is found to be in paying
quantities and sufficient fineness.
The local Advancement association OF
Grand Rapids is awake and holds meetings
monthly. They have had under considera-
ton lately the proposition of establishing
a big shoe factory in the city which will be
principally stocked by local capital should
it materialize. The proposition is big
one and if favorably considered although
nothing definite has yet been arrived at
it will add hundred men to the working
population. So strong is the fever of
progress and advancement that whenever
any proposition is shown by investigation
to be a money maker it will not go begging
for capital in Grand Rapids. The same
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

trail is doing a bigger business at this
point than ever before in its history
1t Was Bracer.
1t took just such a gentle reminder to
awaken local pride in Stevens Point 1t
acted as a bracer. For years it had been
one of the prominent provincial cities of
the state and its citizens had naturally
fallen into a rut, they did not care a con-
tinental whether school kept or not, they
had wealth, but the idea of using it to
build up the city had never suggested it
self to them. But now all that is changed.
the city of Stevens Point is taking on
business revival. No sooner does Wis
consin Central man move out than
mechanic moves in. There is not an
empty house in the city at this writing
So great has been the stimulation of local
pride that without any outside aid at all,
or the bringing in of outside capital to
inaugurate industries, Stevens Point will
keep pace with the most prosperous OF
Wisconsins cities in the next five years to
come.
A Good Roads County.
For years Portage county has been in
the lead on good roads, 1t has been
hobby of Stevens Point and Portage coun
ty people, to have good highways leading
to the municipality. The hobby has re-
suited in realization of their erstwhile
dream. Portage county has the best roads
of any county in the Wisconsin valley,
miles upon miles of hard roads lead to
the capital, consequently there has pros
porous farming community grown up,
which alone, is the support of one of the
prettiest cities in Wisconsin, The city
practically has nearly eight miles of paved
and macadamized streets, two of the main
thoroughfares being macadamized or
paved from limit to limit Aside from this.
there is one macadamized road extending
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

a torrent from which
the city derives its
name and known for
half a century as
Grand Rapids. In less
than a mile there is
thirty-nine feet fall
from which could be
h u S b a n d e d a 1000
horse water-power by
simply building a dam.
A short distance above
the city another one
of about 5000 horse
power which is being
used by the Grand
Rapids paper company.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-16

going to waste in the very heart OF the
city.
The great Jackson Milling company, one
of the biggest in the Wisconsin valley, uses
a few hundred horse power, and is capable
of turning out 500 barrels per day, yet 1t
hardly makes an impression on the great
water power The business Of the Jackson
Milling company is not confined alone to
Stevens Point, as it has branch mills at
Grand Rapids and Amherst wnlcn are oper-
ated nv water powers which the COM