Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-01-31

person. sometime L may possibly
write it out for the REPORTER.
Since we have been here we have
travelled over much of the city. The
principal streets are paved or being
paved with brick. This is true not
only of the business section, but of the
residence districts. Paving Of some
kind on these streets is very necessary,
because of the light soil, not pure
sand, but sand with a little Joan or
substance mixed in. Some Of the
country roads are paved with rocK, and
make fine driveways. One which we
took few days ago, leading out to
Ballast Point, about seven miles from
here is the border of the Bay, and with
the tropical vegetation and many
beautiful suburban homes on either
side and with the Bay only few rods
away it is certainly beautiful sight.
The business streets here are
thronged most of the time and the
people seem to be on the move and
hustling. There is nothing lazy or
inert about their actions. There is a
close combination of country and city
almost in the heart of the business
district, Indicating rapid growth and
the retreat of the country side. There
are scarcely any vacant houses, and
there are many new and substantial
ones being built. This is also true Uf
the business houses on the principal
street, which is called Franklin Street.
Some of your readers are aware of
the fact that the harbor here is the
finest on the Gulf Coast. Some of
them will remember that it was from
this point that the troops and supplies
were embarked and loaded for Cuba at
the time of the Spanish War. Forty
large transports lined up at one time
along the dock and were all loaded at
once.
The population here has increased
very rapidly since the last census.
In 1900 according to the census,
Tampa had in round numbers about
10000. Today the people are claiming
upwards of 10000 but in order to make
this claim good, they have to take in
two or three of the suburban towns
which are five or six miles from
Tampa proper.
The State Fair was held in this
place, and is reported as having been
great success. Just now the people
are booming an exposition to be held
next January, February an dMarch to
be known as the "ISthmian Canal
Exposition. They expect to be able
to get some aid from the Federal Gov
eminent and the whole state appears
to be enthusiastically supporting the
movement.
There are three daily papers here,
one morning and two evening papers.
They appear tC be ably edited and are
certainly fine opponents Of all things
beneficial to this place and to Florida.
The editorials generally seem to be
well considered and are short and
pointed, and hit the nail on the head
without any circumlocution.
AS an illustration of the amount OF
business done here, may say that
there are five banks. In these do not
include some smaller banks in the
outer parts of the city or in what is
called Ybor City. The bank deposits
last year amounted to upwards OF
6.000,0O0; the total bank clearances
for the year 1906 to over $50, 900.
The annual disbursement to wage
edrners amounted during the past
year to over sl4,OOO,OOO. There are
three systems of railroads here, and
Uncle Sam is spending several humid
red Thousand dollars in the completion
of 90 deep channel to the docks.
The total Federal receipts from this
point during the past year were nearly
So. 900. OF this amount nearly
100000, were the receipts of the Post
Office.
There are more cigars manufactured
here in this city and West Tampa.
which is mile or two beyond the city
limits, than any other city in the
United States. Indeed Tampa pro-
duces more pure Havana cigars than
almost any state in the Union except
Pennsylvania, possibly.
Mr.. Thos. H. Pitts, is here, he was
formerly of Wood County, and ran for
County Treasurer there on the Repub-
lican Ticket in 1882. He is now in the
real estate business. He has been
here for some years, and owns large
tracts Of land just outside of the city
limits. He SeemS to have good pros
poets for realizing heavily out of his
Investments.
l find, almost daily some Wisconsin
people here, some who have been here
several years, and some others who
have been here only short time.
MessrS Syon & Frost and John Brill
of Stevens Point are very largely in
tereSted in constructing an inter.
urban line about six miles in length,
out to a resort place known as Sulpher
Springs. Mr.. Syon stays here most of
the time, and the other people fire.
quently come this way. Mr.. Brill being
here Just at the present time.
My old time fishing friends, Geo.
w. Baker, Will Reeves and D. B.
Philleo will be interested in knowing
that the fishing here and in this VIC
unity is fine, both salt water and fresh
water fish are caught. Duck hunting
also is good and quail, deer and wild
turkey are TO be found not far away.
| have not tried any of the fishing yet,
because have been waiting to gain a
little more strength and brace up so
that l will be able to pull in a five or
six pound Spanish Mackeral when he