Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-10-21

RAPIDS. IN a portion of its Immediate
environment, is unfortunate in that
there is presented to the stranger on
his incoming journey thousands of
acres OF stump lands as yet unculti-
waited or untitled by the farmer. This
is condition that applies, however,
TO only portion of the immediate
country tributary to Grand Rapids
and its activities. 1t is condition,
too, that will not long endure. Back
of the pine stump lands, not seen from
the railway trains, are thousands Of
farms aad farmers, prosperous and
progressive for Central Wisconsin
lands are appealing more and more to
the young farmers in other sections OF
the country. 1t may be that
railway journey into Grand Rapids is
more or less disappointing in its
persistent presentation of stumpS and
stump lands, and, possibly, because
OF these things there seems to be the
suggestion prevalent in sections
where there is no personal knowledge
OF the city, its surroundings, its
environment, its past, it's present and
its possibilities and probabilities for
the future, that the municipal fOunda-
tiOns are not substantial, that it is
pine numbering solely upon which the
city and its supporting country are
dependent. Much has been written
and said of Grand Rapids but the
memory of the pine days is most
potent and the recollection OF the
sawmill or the years gone by seems to
linger longest. Whatever of DEEPEN
dence may have been placed upon the
pine in the early days Of Grand
Rapids, and the city that followed
has long since been succeeded by q
dependence upon industries more
varied in their scope, that scan look
upon the last of the trees without q
fear as to it's effect upon their acJivi-
ties and that means that. Grand
Rapids is TO continue in advancement
and in a growth that is not to be
re tarded or numbered or in any way
Influenced by the fluctuations, in the
lumber markets OF the world. This
does not mean that Grand Rapids
business men are unmindful of the
Importance of the timbering and
numbering of the years past, and the
value of the hardwood operations now
existent, but it does mean that
Grand Rapids business men are
loath to look forward to a decline 10
municipal growth that has marked
the rise and fall of other numbering
communities, and in the time of sowing
the seed, when all things are favoring
are supplying the industrial sinews
that shall furnish and strengthen
Tor the Grand Rapids that now is and
is to be, even in the present genera
ton. Paved streets, stone and brick
business and public buildings, indus
trial plants the products of which
reach every important market in the
world, handsome homes, five large
and commodious school buildings, a
complete sewerage system, electric,
and water plants. A glimpse of the
Wisconsin river where there Is to be a
resorting place that will become the
summer home of thousands from the
central and southern states-these
are the evidences Of the Grand Rapids
that is and promise of the still
greater Grand Rapids that is to be.
With a population exceeding six
thousand, with four trunk railway
lines, with a location climatic, COM
mercial, that is not excelled anywhere
| in the state, with modern buildings,
with industrial plants furnishing
profitable employment for willing
laborers, and last, but not least, a
| loyal, enthusiastic, aggressive and
united citizenship, ready to foster
and further any movement that may
be of value to the city and it's
| Inhabitants. Grand Rapids has
entered upon a period of prosperity
that is not to end until man shall
| become powerleSs for effort,