Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 January 1890 — AN OPEN WINTER. [ARTICLE]

AN OPEN WINTER.

A Bangor, Me., special of the 3d. says: To-day there is not an ice producing river in the state which is not as open and free us in summer, and this condition of affairs is causing much uneasiness, not only among operators here, but among large consumers abroad, who look to Maine for their ice. Ou the Penobscott they cut annually about 260,000 tons, and at this time were the river in its usual condition, there would be a “freeze in” of one foot or more and operations would begin in a week or ten days. A Cheboygan, Mich., dispatch of the same date says: This is probably the most open winter ever known here. There is no snow, the lake is entirely free from ice and the trees show signs of budding. Had not the light houses been closed, boats could have plied through the straits as in mid-summer. The Osceola, which is due through the straits at any time, will meet with no difficulty in reaehingber destination. Small vessels are still freighting lumber between Dunean City and points above.