Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-03-19

knowledge of the nceties OF tree telling chip at
time, and the serrated steel bands trim the tree
off neatly, close to the ground
When the timber cutting industry was in its
prime in the dense pine forests, little care was
paid to economy in cutting. Often snow drifts
were encountered, ten or more feet in height.
The axmen felled the trees close down to the
snow and after the spring thaws had come and
gone, tall stumps containing in the aggregate
many thousapds of feet of valuable lumber were
uncovered. After the demands of the pine lumber
barons resulted in denuding the vast northern
areas which were the scene of operations for
many years. these lands were sold for the stump
age they represented and crews Of sawyers re-
moved the valuable stumplogs which were trans
ported to the saw mills and box factories as their
size warranted
And the logging camps--no longer are they rep
resented by the temporary structures known as
"wanegans,' built from rough pine boards and de-
void of characterization comforts save as repre-
scented by hunks filed with straw and topped with
blankets beneath which the weary woodsman crept
shortly after consuming his evening meal
It is now the bunk car, if you please-a palace
on wheels compared with the institutions which
they have suppIanted. The interior is well lighted
and ventilated, and double row of bunks-upper
and lower berths-occupy each side The bedding
is substantial, comfortable, clean and neat, and
includes pilIows-reaI ones, too.
Accompanying the bunk cars are kitchen cars,
in place of the old and welIremembered cook
shantes hastily thrown up at the most conve-
nient spot in camp, and the major domo" often
proves to be a woman. In many instances she is
the wife of the cook and officiates as a sort of
assistant
Down one side Of the accompanying dining car
is a roomy serving table, while on the opposite
side of the car is the dining table on each side
of which are seats for the men. Dishes supplant
tin cups and plates, and the well-lghted, roomy
interior is in marked contrast to the former pre-
Of ,troc y-6iP will
forcibIy appeal to those who are acquainted with
the conditions obtaining in the old-time camps.
The arrival of the bunk and kitchen
almost simultaneous with that of the logging rail
way which superseded to a large extent the raft
ing of the logs to the mills The arguments in
favor of the cars against the conditions which
they succeeded are potent as to necessitate lit
tie comment The ease and rapdity with which
the scene of operations can be shifted, almost on
an hours notice, has proven satisfactory reason
for their adoption in the modern logging camp.
But to the old habtues of the logging camp
there is always one feature which possesses an
rresstibility all its own, and that is chuck time
True, the work fatiguing but with an appe-
tite sharpened to the ravenous point by the dry,
sweet air and the odor from the needleladen pine
boughs, the lumberjack ate his fill and waxed fat
and sassy" The frills and fancy dishes of the
city cafe were missing but to the hungry woods
man the proyender set before him outclassed in
enjoyment that with which LuculIus was wont to
entertain LUcullus
Huge dishes of meat, potatoes and other vege-
tables, fanked by good bread and steaming hot
coffee, formed a feast which needed no urging;