From the Mauston Star [Mauston, Juneau Co., Wisconsin]
Wednesday June 8, 1859, Page 2
The Village of Orange
The policy of certain speculators who controlled the course and location of the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad, has had the desired effect of bringing into notice and giving a prominence to certain points on the line of that road that is not warranted by the wants of the surrounding country, nor sustained by the inherent advantages of the places themselves. The same policy has kept in the background and retarded the growth of of other points which should, but for this opposition has been especially directed is the village of Orange in this county. We last week made a hasty visit to this village, and knowing some of the difficulties and opposition it had to contend with, we must confess to being surprised at the advances made, and go aheadativeness exhibited by its proprietors.
This village is located on the line of the La Crosse and Milwaukee Railroad, 142 miles from Milwaukee, and 58 miles from La Crosse. The Little Lemonweir River, which runs through the plat, has been improved, furnishing a most splendid water power, on which there is now in operation a good grist mill, the property of Mr. Spence of La Crosse, who we are informed proposes to enlarge its business capabilities during the coming season by putting in another run of stones, and other additions which the rapid settlement of the surrounding country and consequent increase of business imperatively requires. This stream furnishes motive power for a first class rotary saw mill, lath and picket saws, etc., the property of Messrs. Weed & Co. This mill does good business, making first class lumber, which, such is the rapid growth of the country, is all disposed of at the mill, at prices varying from 8 to 12 dollars per M. The water power is capable of still further improvement. A carding machine would pay its proprietor well, so would machinery for making sash and doors.
The main road leading to Chippewa, Eau Claire and Minnesota, runs through the village, bringing a constant stream of emigrants and others bound for the Great West. There is surveyed and will soon be open a road to Neceda [sic], and thus to Grand Rapids and the upper pinery country, which road will bring these places several miles nearer to the Railroad than the road now traveled. The Legislature at its last session granted a charter for a State Road from this village to a town in Monroe County. This will soon be in good order for travel, and give Orange the control of a large trade now diverted to other points further removed.
At the Orange Hotel, kept (and well kept too) by "mine host" Weed, we found a good table, a clean house, and the travelers great desideratum, a good bed. Having enjoyed the hospitalities of friend Weed, we 'speak by the card' when we say that his house would be a credit to places of greater pretentions than the village of Orange. We also made the acquaintance of Mr. A. McKinstry, one of the proprietors of the village plat, and one who gives evidences of a liberality of disposition in his projects for the advantage of the village, that must reap its reward at no distant day. This gentleman is also engeged in the mercantile business, and with his son appears to be kept busy dispensing Dry Goods, Groceries, and all the et cetera of a country store. To Mr. Loomis, the accommodating Station Agent of the Railroad Company, we were placed under obligations for attentions shown and subscribers obtained for our paper, for which, at present we can only return thanks. The rapid improvement of the splendid agricultural country around Orange, its own advantages, such as location, water power, roads, etc., warrant the conclusion that it must at an early day become one of the most fluorishing villages of Juneau County. We feel justified in reccommending it to the capitalist, merchant and mechanic who may be seeking a point where by the judicious outlay of a little time and means they can be certain of realizing a rich reward.