Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-05-29
TO REBUILD THE DAM.
MONEY BEING RAISED TO COMPLETE
GREAT PROJECT.
Nessrs. Burtis and Howard Succeed in
Getting $4,000 in Chicago. and will
Ask DEBORAH to Raise $4,000
and Waukon $4,000.

and Waukon $4,000.
Ever since the destruction of the
big power dam of the Upper Iowa
Power Co. seven miles down the river
several weeks ago, there has been
much speculation as to whether or not
it would be rebuilt. Practically
everyone in this part of the state has
expressed the hope that some plan
might be developed that would result
in it's reconstruction, for everyone
realized the great advantage of having
it rebuilt and in operation. The next
day after the dam went out Mr.. r.
NJ. Burtis OF Oshkosh, Wis, brother
of W. H. Burtis, arrived in Decorah,
and Immediately set to work to see if
he could not assist his brother in re-
covering the great loss that had come
to this part of the state and those
who were financially interested in
the proposition He is connected
with men whose business it is to
finance similar propositions, and it
was not long before he was On the
track of means for this one. Several
propositions have been considered,
and the one offered is believed TO be
the best for all concerned.
\ firm in Chicago offers to put
$50, 600 into the project, if after a
thorough investigation as to the loca-
ton, cost, amount of business and
future prospects, and all other things
that any bonding house would inves-
tigate. they find it feasible one.
They also expect $25, 900 TO be invested
in the enterprise by people in this
vicinity. This concern is amply able
TO finance the proposition without
assistance, hut their purpose in ask
ing this amount from the people here
is so that they will be financially
interested in it, and thus make it
better for those who carry the largest
amount of the stock. The local COM
pany Will ask Decorah TO raise Sl5, 600
and Waukon SO, coo of this amount,
and it is believed that this request
will be readily complied with. At a
special meeting of the Commercial
Club held on Friday afternoon Mr..
Burtis and his brother explained his
tn hn hre ,,,1
it was given very favorable copsidera-
tiOn. There is little doubt that the
amount asked of Decorah can be
raised, all of which is 20 be invested
in the form of first mortgage bonds.
Local parties can be perfectly safe in
investing, for it is certain that this
Chicago concern will not invest $50, 600
in project that il does not investi-
gate until it is absolutely assured of
its success from every standpoint. and
when this is done, our people ought
not TO be backward about investing a
small amount at least. Several of the
business men at the meeting agreed TO
take stock in amounts ranging from
81 600 each down. aud it is thought
that there will be no difficulty in
raising the sum asked here. The
same is said to be true at Waukon.
The proposition now made is to
bnild the dam at point near the
piers, two and one half miles below
the present sight. near Drew's. where
a solid rock foundation can be had,
in the river bed and on both sides
1t is thought that it can be completed
so as TO have the plant running by
Jan. /, 1908, and the matter of fur
nishing light and power to Ossian and
Calmar, besides Waukon and Decorah,
will be considered.
The new location, while little
farther from Decorah, will make a
much larger and more beautiful lake,
which as summer resort, will not be
equalled for beauty of surroundings in
Iowa.
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