Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-10-06
ANOTHER DRAINAGE DISTRICT
is OPENED AND WORKED
Work on the Beuna Vista Marsh Was
Begun About q Week Ago, and
is Well Under Way Now

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scoop is similar to those operated by
railroads and called steam shoyels,
and as stated, will scoop up one yard
OF earth each time. The dredge works
right along, through marshy soil and
through the high lands on the "is-
lambs" Nothing stops or materially
delays it. Huge stumps that may be
in the road are scOOped out as ~ ough
they were no more than a stick OF
wood. Indeed on Tuesday. the dredge
was observed to remove black Cak
Jump, solid and not decayed, and re-
move it as easily as though it were but
stick of wood. Small trees that
come in the way are uprooted and
summarily taken from the way by the
powerful engines.
Dredfe Outfit Is Complete
Iogethe- with the dredge is all the
equipment necessary for the men to
live with the machine. The dredge
proper is huge barge. 20 by 60 feet in
size. and entirely enclosed, so that the
men could live therein il necessary to
keep warm. Besides, they can work
the machinery in all kinds of weather,
Indeed, the superintendent is author
ity for the statement that the dredges
will continue working till ice has
formed to the depth of eight or ten
inches. Beside the dredge proper,
there follow in its wake several other
barges, used for variety of purposes.
Two OF them are for coal and are
coupled directly onto the rear of the
dredge, similar to the cars of a railway
train. In the rear of these is another,
used for dining barge for the men.
Here the cook holds forth, and here
all his utensils for the preparation of
| the mems rations are installed in one
part OF the barge, in the other end of
which is the dining hall. Still further
back Ut this barge is another, i'll which
the men sleep. This is their dormi-
tory during the warmer weather, and
when it gets too cold to live comfort
able in here, they will move to the
warm dredge. where fire is kept in
the boilers at all times.
will Make Coed Farm Land.
This comprises the equipment of
the drainage machinery, and it is COM
plete in itself, having a place for the
men to work, eat, sleep, and when
their work is over, where they can
draw their pay. The crew at the
dredges at this time are all young
men, strong, hard workers, and used
to this kind OF toll, and they are
hurrying their way through the marsh
digging bitches that are to drain off
this huge marsh, and turn it into
good lands for tilling, or if not for
that, they will be turned into some of
the best hay and grazing lands In the
| world. A large number of visitors 90
ont to the Beuna Vista marsh, as it is
only about six miles from Grand
Rapids and is easily accessible. They
are always welcomed and shown over
the work, and in every case are as
tonished at the magnitude of the great
ditching operations going on here. It
is we'll worth visit.
District Was Contested at First.
The Beuna Vista district, which
lies ia Portage county between Ban
! croft and this city, is one well known
to the people OF Wood county, as it
has been before the courts here for a
number Of years. 1t was proposed
nearly seven years ago, by farmers and
others owning lands in that section.
Nothing came of their efforts for a
time, further than to have the matter
talked over. Finally it was seen to
have many favorable advantages for
the benefit Of the state and this
ueighbOrhoOd, so that it was proposed,
aud was brought up in the circuit
court. according to the provision Of
the statutes making this necessary
for legality. At this time a number
OF demonstrators, through their at
torneys, made hard fight to have the
district refused, but the arguments in
favor of such district were SO evi.
IDENTIFY overwhelming, that it was at
last made drainage district under
the state laws governing such affairs.
Geei Start Has Been Made.
Commissioners were appointed, and
the work Of getting the district into
the shape wished for, begun. The
contract for the ditching was let, and
now the work has begun. The con-
tractor having the job has three years,
according to the terms of the con-
tract. in which to complete the work
Of completely ditching this vast sec-
tion OF land, and which will require 50
miles OF canals, either main bitches
or class A laterals. The work will be
well under way when this winter
closes up the operations, and when
next spring comes, there will be three