|
April 28
The market was
more quiet last week, owing to the wet weather and bad roads. Prices are
nominally steady, and dry stuff very scarce. There is a scarcity of
shingles everywhere, and prices are bound to go higher, so everybody says.
Mr. Burch returned home yesterday morning from above. He says his
folks have had the best and cleanest drive for ten years, and the same is
true on the Wisconsin and Black generally. On the Chippewa the drive has
hardly commenced yet, owing to the heavy ice on the upper stream.
The rains of last week have affected all the streams, and we are
likely to have another rise before the last one has run out. One thing is
assured, the drive will be the best known for years.
Everywhere the mills are in full blast, some of them running night
and day, and the marketable supply of logs is scarce.
Receipts at this point last week were a fleet of lumber for Stout,
and one of logs for Day.
Shipments last week were 118 cars; receipts, 28 cars; shipments the
week previous 162 cars; same last week last year 123 cars, and in 1878, 97
cars.
June 2
The yard market is
reported quotably steady, with, however, the usual cutting of rates, in
which each dealer is governed by circumstances. Stocks early piled are
now reasonably dry, enough so to answer for most purposes. The mills are
putting in full time, and stocks of sawed stuff are gradually
accumulating.
Logs are plenty, and hold to previous prices.
The Chicago market is reported steady, mainly because manufacturers
are not rushing in their supplies this season, as they usually do. On the
contrary, they are sensibly piling at the mills, where they can wait until
the market suits them. That is the only way the Chicago sharks can be
regulated. |
Shipments last week were 139 cars; same week last year
160 cars, and in 1878, 123 cars. Receipts by rail last week were 16
cars.
June 16
The most important local event of the week in lumber market was a
decline in prices, or rather an agreement to a uniform price list, made by
dealers some days ago. As quotations now stand, they are about $1 lower
on all common stuff, including fencing, boards, grub plan, dimension,
common flooring and siding, and some other grades. Pickets are $1 higher
for flat, and shaded A shingles a trifle lower. Dealers propose to all
stick now by the new list.
Knapp, Stout & Co. received two fleets of lumber, Burch
& Co. received a small fleet and some of the mills got in supplies of
logs.
Heavy rains in the upper country have caused an immense
and sudden rise in all the streams, resulting in great damage to ice men,
mill owners and log men. The latest news from Eau Claire reports that the
great boom above the delles had given way, and fears were entertained that
the dam would follow suit. At least 150,000,000 ft. of logs are let loose
by this break. On the Wisonsin it is reported that the booms at Wassau
and Jenny had given way. Several small booms near or on the main river
were reported broken some days ago, letting out 10,000,000 or 12,000,000
ft. of logs, and numbers of small steamers have gone up river to aid in
catching them, owners offering 20 cents per log for all caught.
The river here is rising rapidly, having gained
fourteen inches in twenty-four hours, and three or four feet more are
looked for.
Shipments last week were 123 cars; same week last year
137 cars, and in 1887, 143 cars. Receipts by rail last week were 17 cars.
|