to New York; manufactures to Boston; iron to Pittsburgh; cotton and sugar to New Orleans; whisky to Louisville and Cincinnati; agriculture and railroads to Chicago and beer to Milwaukee. The motives actuating us to define this industry are three-fold; first, because it is by all means the largest and most important industry in this section of the country; second, to show to the people of La Crosse the magnitude and importance to which these industries have grown; third, to let the world abroad know how important is the city of La Crosse in a manufacturing point of view; the great vitality it possesses, and the bright future its manifold advantages bespeak for it. We thus aim to give confidence to those who have such interests here; pleasure to such as were here of old, and remember the men and things of the past, and a spirit of inquiry, with a disposition to settle here to those who contemplate removal from elsewhere, whether to engage in manufacturing, commercial, professional or any other business.

As the center and pivot of the extensive timber and lumber operations, that transform trees into buildings and fences, La Crosse uses, manufactures, distributes and exports over two hundred and fifty million feet of pine annually; for it must be remembered that besides the timber from the Black River and its tributaries, as well as that from the Chippewa and its tributaries, are received and shipped considerable quantities of lumber from the pine districts east of the Black and Chippewa Valleys, which reaches La Crosse for distribution as the most convenient distributing point on the Mississippi River. With two exceptions, more lumber is manufactured at La Crosse than at any other point on the Mississippi River and its tributaries; and, in computing the value of this industry, account must be taken of several firms having headquarters here, but owning mills elsewhere; of loggers, who do not manufacture; of the firms engaged in rafting and towing, and of the remunerative employment furnished to a large number of men in booming, driving and various other ways.

To show to the outside world the importance of La Crosse as a lumbering center, we will give some interesting facts relative to this industry and the noted saw-mills of the vicinity, dealing with them in strict impartiality.

The first lumbermen in this vicinity were the Mormons, who cut logs for their dwellings, etc., at Nauvoo, and persons from different localities, mostly Illinois, who were engaged in this industry here for a short time. In the summer of 1852, George Farnam established a lumberyard in La Crosse, obtaining most of his stock from the Chippewa River. His first raft, containing about 200,000 feet, he purchased from one Gilbert, and was rafted down to La Crosse by a half-breed Indian. In the following winter, Mr. Farnam and Samuel Weston engaged in logging on the Black River. The 3,000,000 feet of logs cut by Mr. Weston were rafted to down-river points, while part of the 2,000,000 feet cut by Mr. Farnam supplied the saw-mill of Nichols & Tompkins, at Onalaska, which had that winter been erected, the remainder being also rafted to down-river points. Among the other early lumbermen may be mentioned Timothy Burns, F. M. Rublee, S. T. Smith, John S. Simonton, W. W. Crosby and Messrs. Gregory & Dyer. In 1853 or 1854, the Black River Booming & Log-Driving Company was organized, and the first boom built on Black River in La Crosse County, at Onalaska, was by W. W. Crosby in

1855.

This booming and log-driving company finally, in 1864, were incorporated as the Black River Improvement Company, with a capital stock of $50,000. They now have improvements extending fifty miles up the Black River. The shipments from the Black River each year since 1867, in feet, are as follows: 1867, 88,632,300 feet; 1868, 57,376,360 feet; 1869, 160,573,890 feet; 1870, 170,920,870 feet; 1871, 127,055,590 feet; 1872, 125,766,190 feet; 1873, 195,378,830 feet; 1874, 188,907,320 feet; 1875, 188,344,640 feet; 1876, 197,103,820 feet; 1877, 86,434,260 feet; 1878, 112,232,880 feet; 1879, 151,848,290 feet; 1880, 210,902,500 feet. For the decade including 1880, the total shipment foots up 1,583,974,420 feet.

In this connection, it may not be inappropriate to give a short historical sketch of the struggles, reverses and successes of those who first engaged in the lumber business in La Crosse, before entering upon a description of the present vast lumbering establishments. The first saw-mill erected in La Crosse was called the La Crosse Lumber Company's Mill, and was

built by Timothy Burns, F. M. Rublee, John S. Simonton and S. T. Smith, in 1852. It was located where the lofty brick chimney stood as a landmark for so many years, and which was torn down, a few years ago, to give place to the tannery of Davis, Medary & Platz. The mill was started late in the fall of 1852, and ran only a short time, when the river closed. In 1853, the mill did a thriving business, cutting about 30,000 feet per day. With the exception of 100,000 feet, all the lumber cut this season was readily sold in La Crosse.

In October, 1853, the firm lost one of its members by the death of Mr. Burns, and about the latter part of November of the same year Messrs. Simonton and Smith sold their interests to Messrs. Gregory and Dyer. The mill was enlarged by these gentlemen by the addition of machinery by which they manufactured bran, flour, corn-meal, etc. The number of employes was about thirty, and the average wages paid about $1 per day. From 1853, the mill continued to run without any noticeable change until 1856 or 1857, when it burned down and was not rebuilt.

The second saw-mill established in the city was erected in 1856 by Sherman & Griswold, and was located on the flat below the city, a little west of where the Northwestern & Green Bay Railroad depot now stands. The mill had a cutting capacity of from 20,000 to 25,000 feet per day. Shortly after the mill began operations, a Mr. Steele, of Waukegan, Ill., was taken in as a partner in the business, and in 1857, a Mr. Marsh joined the firm. In the fall of 1857, partnership was dissolved, and the business discontinued.

Another mill was erected by Messrs. Denton & Hurd in 1856, and began operations in the spring of 1857. It had a capacity of from 20,000 to 25,000 feet per day. During the season of 1857, Jacob Spaulding secured an interest in the mill. It was not until 1858 when business was discontinued, C. L. Colman purchasing the machinery.

The first mill erected in the Fifth Ward (formerly North La Crosse) was built by R. E. Gillett in the spring of 1856. It had a cutting capacity of about 10,000 feet per day, and was operated about four years, but Mr. Gillett was not very fond of competition, and having decided hopes that the railroad would make Tomah a place of considerable importance, and that neighboring towns springing up would afford him a greater market for his lumber, he moved there, taking his mill with him.

The second mill was built by Crosby, Hanscome & Co., in which was also erected in the spring of 1856, and its capacity was 12,000 feet per day. It employed from fifteen to twenty hands, and all the lumber cut was rafted to down-river points. It ran with reasonable regularity until September, 1863, when it accidentally took fire and was burned to the ground.

Shepherd & Valentine built the third mill, in the spring of 1856 also. This mill had a capacity of 15,000 feet per day, and employed about twenty men, to whom the average wages paid were $1.25 per day.

The fourth mill was erected by Sill, Loomis & Root, in the same stirring, enterprising period referred to in the preceding instances, the spring of 1856. It was started up in April, and ran seven months. Its capacity was 15,000 feet per day, and eighteen or twenty men were employed, receiving as wages an average of $1.50 per day. The lumber was all rafted down the Mississippi to Sabula.

Buttrick Brothers built the fifth mill in 1857, near where the Washburn Mill now stands. It had a capacity from 12,000 to 15,000 feet per day. It ran until the fall of 1858, when it burned down.

With this short notice of the mills erected here in the early days of La Crosse, we will endeavor to give an idea of the vastness and importance of the great mills now in operation which for size, capacity and general excellence can hardly be excelled.

SAW-MILLS.

C. L. Colman's Mill.-Peter Cameron erected a saw-mill where Mr. Colman's now stands, in 1854, but did not fit it up with machinery. In the spring following, the mill was purchased by Messrs. Goldthwait & Brown, who put in machinery and commenced operations with a ca

pacity of 5,000 to 7,000 feet of lumber per day, which was then retailed at $27 per thousand.

The mill was run by these gentlemen only a few years, when they discontinued business. Mr. Colman erected a shingle-mill, in 1854, about forty rods south of the present location of his saw-mill.

For two years a horse furnished the motive power, and the capacity was from 12,000 to 14,000 shingles per day. In 1856, an engine was added to the mill, and its capacity increased to 60,000 shingles per day, the price of which was then $5 per thousand.

In 1862, Mr. Colman bought the machinery of the Denton & Hurd mill, which increased the capacity to 350,000 shingles per day. The milf ran from that time until 1868, when it burned down, and was never rebuilt. In 1866, he purchased his present site, together with the old Goldthwait & Brown mill, refitting this so that it had a cutting capacity of 30,000 feet per day. The lumber then sold for $23 per thousand. In 1869, the boilers of his old shingle-mill were added, increasing the capacity of the saw-mill to 50,000 feet per day. The number of hands employed at this time was about seventy, at an average daily compensation of $1.75. This mill burned down in August, 1875, but with characteristic energy and determination, Mr. Colman at once began the erection of his present colossal structure, in October, which was completed and put into operation in the following spring, and has run until the present time without any mishap worthy of notice. The capacity of the mill is 25,000,000 feet per year. Everything in and about it is arranged in the most complete and convenient manner. main building is 60x227, two stories high; the shingle-mill addition, 36x36 feet, also two stories high; engine and boiler house, 44x80 feet. The machinery is driven by one 500-horse power engine, steam being furnished by six boilers twenty-four feet long. The machinery consists of two double rotaries, with Prescott's steam feed; two gauges, one of fifty-four-inch, and the other thirty-six-inch gate; three gang edgers; three trimmers and a twelve-block shingle machine. The planing-mill is 53x110 feet, two-stories high, with a brick and iron engine and boiler house, 24x70 feet. The machinery in this building is driven by one forty-horse power engine, and consists of a surfacer, matcher, molding machine, re-sawing machine, table-saw, jig-saw, etc. The saw-mill was built at an original cost of $79,000, and the planing-mill at a cost of $16,000, regardless, in each instance, of the lots.

The

The buildings and lots occupy now an area of thirty-one lots. In and about the mills are employed about 180 men, including a number of boys and girls, who are employed in packing shingles. Tho stock which supplies the mill comes from both the Black and Chippewa Rivers. and the average amount of lumber on hand amounts to 10,000,000 feet.

The genial and enterprising proprietor of this mill, C. L. Colman, has been prominently identified with the business interests of La Crosse since 1854, during which time he has done as much toward advancing its prosperity, as any other person in the city. He is assisted by his son, Luchus, in conducting his immense business, whose efficient services and good judgment have contributed greatly to the welfare of the establishment.

W. F. & P. S. Davidson's Boat- Yard and Lumber Mills.-The combined interests carried on by the Davidson Brothers, the largest individual interests in this portion of the State, if not in the Northwest, is the result of small beginnings, which, under careful management and by strict attention to business, have grown to almost unlimited demensions. The successful industries carried on by these gentlemen have redounded to their several and collective credits; have contributed to enlarge the markets and increase the sale of commodities; to inspire citizens as also those contemplating citizenship with confidence in the location of La Crosse and its importance as a trade center, and to attract capital hither for investment in the manufacturing, commercial and speculative undertakings accessible to all.

The first organization of the present boat-yard and lumber mills was made about the year 1860. At that time the business was limited to the building and repairing of river craft, and carried on under the name of the "Western Union Packet Company's Yards." In those days, notwithstanding the fact that marine interests were of a more extended and remunerative char