THE REPUBLICAN

August 18, 1899

 

SOME GOLDEN IMPRESSIONS.

As Seen by an Old Pioneer … “They Builded Better Than They Knew.”

 

TO THE WAUPACA REPUBLICAN:

            Mr. Editor: - Having recently passed through the northern and central portions of your state lying north of Waupaca, I have concluded to give you a brief summary of some of the impressions made.  Knowing historically as well as by personal observation and experience long years ago, that this portion of the state was a heavily timbered country interspersed more or less with the pines one would naturally conclude that its agricultural advancement would be slow especially as the soil of pine lands is generally considered to be poor and almost unproductive – and this is what surprised me – for wherever there was an opening made, and they were frequent and oftimes of large extent, the eye was greeted with heavy laden and luxurious fields of grain, and other products, fully testifying to the capabilities of the soil, clearly demonstrating the fact, that when Wisconsin has exhausted her valuable timber in the lumber and manufacturing  business which at this time is very great, she will not be depopulated, having a treasure in her productiveness sufficient for all time. Another thing that caused surprise was the frequency of thriving towns and villages, with one or more manufacturing establishments – always one or more saw mills, and not infrequently one or more where the varied articles that meet the needs of the home and the farm are manufactured, and sent broadcast, to find a market, through the aid of the many lines of railroads, that have become a very prominent factor in the development and upbuilding of this portion of the state.  Everywhere was also found the school house the hope of our country, for in the enlightenment of our people rests the perpetuity of our institutions.  Another thing that arrested attention was that in every village however small, there were spires pointing upward, thereby silently saying, “look upward” – thus testifying by their very presence, to the faith, and hope of their founders.  It is hard to conceive how so much has been accomplished in so short a time.  In very many fields, and some of large extent, every trace of the forest has been obliterated, the stumps having been uprooted, and in some instances built into a formidable fence.  Everywhere and in everything the appearance goes to show thrift, and prosperity, and a _oaheaditiveness that insures success.

            And Waupaca has not lagged in the good work of development, for within her borders are spread out one of the most delightful, picturesque and rural cities of which any man can boast – fully justifying the prediction of the writer hereof made on the very day that the first blow was struck, to-wit; the blazing of trees, and writing thereon a declaration of intention of settlement, on the ninth day of June, 1849: “That whoever lived to see fifty years hence, would behold a beautiful in_ and city of no mean pretensions.”  The prediction was received by a shrug of the shoulder, as much as to say in slang phrase “You are talking through your hat.”  Those persons have passed to the silent majority, but could they now behold the business streets, with their multiplied brick blocks, of magnificent size and graceful architectural proportions, filled to repletion with all kinds of merchandise, sufficient to meet the wants and desires of the most fastidious or exacting – and view the many, shady lined streets, and the almost numberless pretentious residences, encircled by spacious and luxuriant lawns, and the specially picturesque spots, where are almost hidden by a wealth of trees or other foliage, a stately mansion, of which any one might well feel proud, together with the many public edifices, as court house, churches, schools, etc., to which might be added the various manufacturing interests, and the rattling of the rolling car as it carries the commerce of the world – and not the least of the many comforts and attractions that go to round out to completion the living picture of a live city, is the electric car line, that has but recently been instituted.  Could they now but behold these great transformations methinks they would exclaim with emphasis, that the prediction has been more than verified.

            And it does not seem unnatural that he who personally struck the FIRST BLOWS, and with others bore the brunt incident to the opening up of all new countries, should feel an exultant pride, that he bore some humble part in the early beginning and for ten years thereafter, aided by all the means in his power to further on these activities that have produced such great results, and now after forty years of active participation, returns seeing what has been accomplished, an involuntary exultation arises, bidding::  Go on! And make your presence felt far and wide, in the marts of the world.

            As he recalls the names of those that migrated hither in the very earliest days, co-laborers in development, the Hebards, Vaughns, Chandlers, Dow, Thomas, Paine, Scott, Gard, Dewey, Cooper, Ware, Millers and Hicks, whose voices are now silenced in death, and burdens laid aside he feels like some lone sentinel that is soon to be relieved.  Nor should all the glory of these achievements be monopolized by the sterner sex, for trials and deprivations were borne with equal grace and fortitude by the early women pioneers with a degree of hopefulness that buoyed up the heart and hands of those to whom they had given their confidence and trust – and they too, with few exceptions have laid aside life’s burden and entered upon their reward.

 

                                                                                                E. C. SESSIONS