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THE REPUBLICAN August 14, 1885 WAUPACA What an Eastern Paper says
of our City and its Resources G. C. Atchison traveling
correspondent of the Pittsburgh “American Manufacturer and Iron World” spent a
few days in Waupaca last month, and his observations and opinions as written to
and published in his paper will be worth reproducing in the REPUBLICAN, as it
will give our readers somewhat of an idea “as others see us”. In the main he is correct except the river
on the north side of the city has its source in Portage county, some thirty or
more miles to the northwest. It is the
river on the south, that takes its source from the wonderful chain o’ lakes and
the lakes within the city limits; all acting as immense reservoirs to keep the
stream supplied and steady. Both rivers
unite at the brick yard east of the city limits. We hope the predictions as to the industrial growth, enterprise
and population of Waupaca may prove true, because the REPUBLICAN has been
imbued with a large stock of faith of that kind for some time, and we are glad
to see those sentiments take a tangible form and through the medium of the
Waupaca Business Men’s Association re-echo all over the land. It will bear good
fruit in time and no mistake. ************ American
Manufacturer and Iron World: WAUPACA,
Wis., July 28, 1885. There is yet room in the Northwest
for many thousands of people to engage profitably in the development of its
resources. The capabilities of this
region for supporting a dense population are exceptionally great, and it will
repay any one looking for a new location to spend a few weeks in Waupaca – a
town now having a population of about 2,000, but which might be made the
metropolis of the central part of this great state. The favorable conditions here existing for the successful
prosecution of commercial pursuits will attract a population of marked
proportions when once the world knows more about them. The light of Waupaca and her best interests
has until recently been hid. But now
the more progressive spirits have commenced a judicious advertising of their
advantages in the columns of the press – the local papers doing much to
encourage their efforts. This
section of Waupaca is the chief center, offers a healthful and invigorating
climate, beautiful lakes for suburban retreats and broad acres of famously
productive soil, plenty of cheap fuel, an abundance of excellent pure water,
good and cheap lumber and the large areas of low priced lands, and the
suitability of the soil for profitable diversified farming are just a few of
the arguments in favor of the country.
The farmers hereabouts are in a flourishing condition; the high
mercantile standing of these merchants attests this fact, as so far the town
has had only agriculturalists for backers.
This is sufficient to justify the statement that the town will continue
to grow – it can never recede. While
much valuable land can be obtained cheaply I notice there is a steady, healthy
advance in the development of this section, together with the expansion of diversified
manufacturing interests, must as I said before, attract a large and prosperous
population. I don’t think I stretch the
limits of possibility when I say the population of Waupaca will be 10,000 in
1890 if the present progressive spirit is kept up. There is room for it and as before remarked, this notably healthy
climate, productive soil, well watered surface, forests of pine and hardwood
not far away, and as fine a water power as there is anywhere will bring them to
the extent predicted. The town already
has the requisites for lovely homes and sustenance for double her present
population. There are no idlers
here. Everybody employed and so far as
could be ascertained no one felt a doubt as to the continued prosperity of the
place. Business men pretty generally
expect a good fall trade, and judging from the fine crops seen everywhere they
bode well. Before
I had thought of visiting this town I happened to be part of a crowd in a hotel
in Milwaukee listening to a gentleman dilating upon the beautiful granite they
had discovered in Waupaca. He spoke in
such glowing terms of the beauty and solidity of it that several of us
concluded to see it. Leaving Milwaukee
on one of the handsome trains of the Wisconsin Central Railway Company we ride
for about five hours through the garden of the state and are landed at
Waupaca. The surroundings at once
please the stranger; the beautiful shade trees along the cleanly streets,
lovely groves and clear, rapid running Waupaca river are sights quite
refreshing when the thermometer is up in the nineties. One
does not have to draw on imagination for arguments in favor of the town. Her
undeveloped resources stand out so distinctly that the veriest stupid must see
avenues broad and numerous open to a successful career. It is only necessary that practical men
should see these chances to take advantage of them. Here your family will be surrounded by fine people, good schools
and churches, and the character of the public buildings and business blocks
indicates solidity. Their $30,000 court
house – built Queen Anne style – is a model of architectural beauty, standing
in a pleasant and spacious park near the center of the city. Every outward appearance shows that the
place has had a steady and healthy growth. There
is one thing sure, the efforts now being put forth by the “Business Men’s
Association” of Waupaca in getting eastern monied men to come here will be
productive of much good. It would seem
that all that is necessary to enlist eastern capital in manufacturing in this
place is to acquaint them with the chances offered. I know that when men – good sound business men of broad gauge
principles – come to know what a valuable site for a factory on a fine water
power will be donated them they will not be slow in taking advantage of and
accepting it. The valuable water-power
is not known as it should be. Those who
do not know anything about it little dream that there is so much of it. At a very low estimate there must be at
least 2,000 horse-power available. The power cannot be estimated as it is
reliable, being fed from a chain of thirteen lakes – a natural reservoir – and
can be used over and over every half mile or mile for some distance up and down
the river. The banks are high in many
places and of solid granite. The
natural sites for manufacturing enterprises along this power are as fine as any
water-power can boast of. There is
money in manufacturing in this town even if steam power is preferable; fuel is
abundant and cheap. Fine
clay in great abundance is found about half a mile from the city, and judging
from actual tests, it is equal to the best fire-clay. At first this clay was not much thought of, as it could be
crumbled between the fingers when first taken out and made into brick. It was ascertained later, however, that
exposure hardened it. I saw a brick
wall – the brick was made out of this clay – where afire within three feet of
it had burned for hours without in the least injuring a single brick. It must have
been a tremendous hot fire as a whole block of business houses were
consumed. The clay has also been used
in cupolas, and foundrymen say they never had any better. For manufacturing pipe and tile here is a
grand opening for a big industry. This
makes Waupaca a splendid field for the investment of money in many enterprises
of that kind, and their being a big local demand for articles of commerce of
that description the advantages must be apparent, as it can be claimed, and
justly, that there is a market at home.
In this connection I wish to say, and without fear of contradiction,
that there is a larger scope of fine farming country locally tributary to
Waupaca than to any other town in the state.
Examine a reliable map and be convinced. Another important item is this town stands on the boundry line
just between the older settled portion of Wisconsin and that new northern half
which is just now being so rapidly settled.
It is obvious from this that Waupaca might become a supply point of
considerable magnitude. The produce,
especially potatoes, raised hereabouts stands at the head of the list, and the
president of the Waupaca Business Men’s Association tells me that more produce
– farmers’ products, including stock – is shipped from this point than from any
other station on the line of the W. C. Ry.
“In fact I know of no town in the state,” said he, “shipping more stock
than we do.” The shipments of potatoes
from this section are enormous. Last
season from October 1st, 1884 to February 1st, 1885,
there was shipped from Waupaca alone over 400,000 bushels. The
central geographical position which this town has, and being contiguous to all
the great lumber and logging camps in the state, suggests the feasibility of
establishing a large factory for the manufacture of lumberman’s supplies in wearing
apparel, such as blankets, jackets, trousers, felt boots, etc. It can hardly e questioned but what this
business in the hands of the right man would pay well. One hundred thousand dollars might be thus
invested. Several
prominent men reminded me of the fact that two more large woolen mills could
enter a profitable field here, as more than enough wool is shipped out every
year to supply two or three large mills.
These people, or nobody else, understands why this wool should be
shipped down east, made up and then five times that much brought back for
consummation. This state of affairs
cannot long exist. Surely here is every
facility for the manufacture of woolens, and a water power site which will be
donated. The cost of manufacturing
woolens here would be reduced to a minimum.
Where else is there such a grand opportunity? In fact a successful career awaits any who will launch out in any
manufacturing enterprise in this town, so what is the use of enumerating
them. Vegetables grow here in profusion,
and it goes without saying that a canning factory would pay. Great quantities of flax are raised, and by
people who know how to handle it if the machinery was only in operation which
would fashion it ready for use. There
is not a first-class carriage or wagon works in this immediate vicinity. {Although there are several doing a moderate
business here on a small scale.} Such a
factory having a capacity of say 2000 wagons and about 3000 carriages and light
wagons per annum could not fail to pay. It is but a step from the starting
point in this project to permanent success and a solid basis of prosperity. As
everybody knows, presumably, this is a great cranberry producing country, and
is fast becoming greater. One
gentleman, having only 14 acres, tells me that if he can get pickers enough to
get his berries out before jack frost takes a nip at them he will market from
3000 to 4000 bushels. This is a growing industry and there is yet room for more
to get rich out of cultivating cranberries.
The only trouble so far encountered is in getting help at the proper
time. Above
I referred to a fine granite quarry recently discovered. Well, I have seen it and must say that for
fine work such as monuments, pillars, house trimming and general ornamental
work it is pre-eminently ahead of anything yet discovered in this country. It is composed of white quartz, hornblend
and felspar. There is a notable absence
of mica and any other substance which would tend to decomposition. It is crystallized, and that will wear for
ages is evidenced from the fact that the outcropping or surface indicates that
glaciers for thousands of years no doubt grated over it, and the only sign of
wear is where the edges are leveled.
There is no doubt of its solidity, as the ledge can be traced back for a
mile in width. It stands up
perpendicular, from 75 to 150 feet above the level of where a side track will
run. Standing as it does regular
courses from 10 to 14 feet thick are seen.
These layers commend it as also does its being so easy to access, as no
expensive machinery will ever be acquired in opening it up. As to the supply I do not believe 1000 men
could exhaust it in 500 years. There is
also right at the base of this quarry a magnificent water power which can be
utilized in driving any machinery required.
It is about three miles out from Waupaca, and only about (?) on a
railway. The W. C. Ry. Will build a
side-track as soon as sufficient capital is raised to thoroughly develop
it. It is safe to say the other road,
the G. B. & W., will also run a side-track in. Here is a grand chance for a company with about $50,000 to step
into a good thing and something there is and will be a demand for, for all time
to come. I
had not the chance to see the beautiful lakes near the town until one pleasant
afternoon. Prof. E. Osthouse with his
class of five young lady students drove up in front of the hotel where I was
domiciled and kindly asked me to join the party in a drive out to the chain o’
lakes, about three miles distant, known as “Greenwood Park.” It was a rare
treat in more ways than one. Upon
arriving at our destination I saw one of the most beautiful spots in this
country. The lakes – thirteen in number – are not very large, being each about
one mile in length by about three-quarters of a mile wide, but they are
indescribably lovely. The party of
artists were enthusiastic. We were
received – as one lady who owns a cottage on one of the numerous islands said
she would receive us – with open arm hospitality. It was hard to determine when the lakes look the most beautiful,
but as usual on such occasions, at the sunset hour the changing panorama was
the grandest. Leaden-colored clouds
were rolling by occasionally, allowing the sun’s rays to penetrate, when
reddening blushes would flit hither and thither, disappearing at last behind
the overhanging vines and ferns. My
artist friends went into ecstasies over the varying scenes and harmonious
blending of colors. Their inability to
do it justice with the paint brush was freely acknowledged. Silently we sat and viewed the scene, and
one of our fair friends was inspired with some beautiful sentiments as she
beheld the grandeur of our surroundings.
Would time and space permit I would produce them. Grand high banks, thickly studded with
luxuriant shade trees, surround the lakes and the islands – stuck here and
there like emerald settings on the lakes’ – silvered bosom –rise abruptly out
of the water. These islands are much
sought after by men who build cottages, club and boat houses. Several are now
in course of construction, and next season it is believed many will be
erected. On the west or north bank of
one of these lakes is a large fine mineral spring. A bottling factory is in operation and thousands of bottles are
being shipped out this season. A good
hotel, {the Greenwood Park Hotel) for the accommodation of guests, is located
near enough to the lake to afford a commanding view of the surroundings. G. C. A. |