Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-09-01
LOOKS LIKE
WESTERN BOOM
Says A. Decker in Speaking Of
The Present Outlook in
Grand Rapids.
KENTUCKIAN AND REAL
ESTATE AGENT ALIKE
For Both Use Lead To Garry
Their P0int-=Other Interest,"
ing Comments.

This is distinctly the growing time
of Grand Rapids. The old citizens
who have witnessed the long delay
and regarded it as the last chance
proposition can scarcely realize that
the turn in the tide is upon us, and
that the present great human move
ment in our direction is bona fide and
not an artificial development induced
by successful advertising.
Problems to Be Solved
At present, however, many problems
await solution and some pressing ne
cessities clog our industrial advance
ment. A very popular fallacy seems
to be prevalent to the effect that the
present price and demand for building
lots, like the Wisconsin river, has
come to stay. Doubtless time will
ultimately mend matters, but the
natural process of learning by expert
ence, practised by our forefathers, is
too slow for modern conditions and
too costly. The land agent and the
promoter, those hopeful enthusiastic
creatures, who thrive SO well on new
soil, are here with their fluent pro-
phecy Of the glory of coming days and
the few town lots to offer at a bargain.
Kentuckian and Real Estate Agent.
There is not SO much difference be-
tween Kentuckian and real estate
agent; they both use lead to carrv
their point in an argument, but one
uses it in a pistol and the other in a
pencil, and if the real estate man gets
a chance to make few figures and
talk little before the Kentuckian
draws his gun, the latter is a goner.
Speculation is retarding the growth
Of Grand Rapids, at time when de-
lay is dangerous. There may be
serious reaction; homes that were
purchased ten years ago for eight
hundred dollars readily bring twenty
four hundred. Building lots are
held at price that almost prohibit
UllC pOOplO IlOlh
homes. Three different manufacture
ing companies have been here in the
past month to secure location, but
were unsuccessful, as the land desir-
ed was beyond their reach. Many
barns have been converted into dwell
ings. and four families in one house
iC not o1fnrnthnr
A Regular Western Boom Town.
Yes, Grand Rapids is a regular
western boom town, and the fact
cannot be disguised. The brick store
buildings present very metropolitan
air, but their next door neighbor may
be Windmill or blacksmith shop.
Politics is not alone in making strange
bed fellows. A boom will do it every
time. The dressmaker shop may adj
join the feed store and there is no
way of preventing the peanut stand
from lining up on each side of the
bank in the principal block.
Many Nationalities Here.
Many nationalities are representa- d
here, but various as is these people,
all seem to be intensely busy. That
social creation, known as the Ameri-
can tramp, is practically unknown
here, and how could he exist where
upon the slightest pretext the ayeng-
ing citizen can turn upon him, point
the while to the ever present bulletin
board where he needs must read,
'men wanted. The click of the
hammer, the buzz Of machinery and
the hustle of commerce are the death
knell of Incidence, and he who would
live must toll mentally or physically.
Cranberry Marshes.
The largest Cranberry marshes in
the state are located close to Grand
Rapids, and much care and skill are
required in their management. The
estimated crops of this season are
one million, two hundred thou
sand bushels, produced by Mass
achusetts, New Jersey and Wisconsin.
The state cranberry experimental
station is located here, where nearly
one hundred varieties are reported.
A good acre of marsh we'll cultivated,