Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-01-29
AS SEEN BY AN OUTSIDER.
Editor coon'S Review Of His Trip Here and Descrp
tion Of Sparta's Biz Tobacco Warehouse.
IF. W, Coon in Edgeron Tobacco Reporter

If W. Coon in Edgerton Tobacco Reporter.l J
The new warehouse is the most exten-
sive and up,to-date establishment for
the packing of tobacco yet constructed
III the west and when in full operation
will furnish employment TO 400 hands
| and is expected TO handle in the neigh
/ borhood of 10, 000 being the capacity of
/ It's storehouse The new plant Is located
| at the junction of the Milwaukee and
! Northwestern tracks and near the depot
of the latter road. Sparta is the termi
| nus of the branch road that runs down
| into Vernon county where the greater
/ Dart of the tobacco is grown that will
| he handled through this warehouse.
The main building designed for receiv-
ing aud sorting tob e constructed in
the shape of the let, the points of
which are each 350x t, 1Sfoot posts.
The front is 170 feet sngth. After
providin, for ample : rooms there
ia clear space of nes 0feet of sort
ing rooms, each &C e nodating $50
hands, the front be reserved for
packing Pesween th s wings is sit
mated the boiler roor separate
building A 100 "a. P connected
with either low press ur high pres
sure system provides ste ,eat for the
p ant. A storage buildi : entirely
separate structure, ia lt = | just ad-
joining on the north, 6SxofO feet, This
building is divided into six fire proof
compartments, each having capacity
OF 1000 cases when filled A platform
runs along the sides bearing steel track
with turntables so that case started
from the packing room may be run into
anv compartment of the storage desired,
Railroad tracks run along each side
of the storage and the receiving rooms
owned Jointly by both roads, giving
splendid facilities for shipping In the
rear os main building is located the case
house, S0xS0 feet, fitted with complete
saving machinery operated by an cleo
trio motor, for making the cases used
by this company. Besides being heated
by steam. the entire plant is lighted by
electricity enabling the force to work
the entire time limit. The buildings
are solid brick one story in height only
but cover nearly two acres of ground
A handsome Office is located in the
north corner Of the main building aud
ample cloak and toiled rooms are provid-
ed The plant is complete one for to-
bacco handling and up to date in all
appointments.
A trip over the branch to Westby and
Viroqua gave us an opportunity to visit
the tobacco warehouses at these pack
ing points all of whicn we found busy
handling the new crop. We were shown
some very E1e samy les of valley crops
| grown in that locality that were fully
equal in quality to that of other years.
Both these towns were fiourishing under
the movement of the tobacco crop.
Higher prices than ever before had been
paid the growers who are now receiving
big returns for their tobacco A very
| large increase in acreage in that section
! is predicted for the coming season. We
| were told that less than Is per cent. of
the crop is yet unsold in that district
The American Cigar Company is esti-
mated to have bought two thirds Of the
Vernon county crop and the balance is
divided mainly between the local pack
els at Westby and Viroqua.
At Madison. last Saturday. mass
meeting of Wisconsin Tobacco dealers
and growers was held to protest against
any reduction of tariff duties upon to
bacco or manufactured cigars imported
from Cuba. Strong resolutions were
adopted and wired to the Wisconsin
delegation in congress The gathering
also perfected an organiz ltion to be
known as the Tobacco Growers and
Dealers Association of Wisconsin" and
| affica~c warn aIecfnd