Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-02-08


ic shops--containing twelve hundred indus
trious and entcrprising inhabitants--and
that daily mail would be transmitted from
Detroit three hundred miles into the interi-
or to Chicago, place then known only as
a military post. But in the year 1894. af-
ter the difficulties with the Indians had been
adjusted, and the country became d little
moro settled, the village plat was laid out,
and some improvements were niade---a
store or two, public house, and few
dwellings were erected, and the name OF
the village changed to Niles. From that
time the village has continued 10 increase
in wealth and population faster, we venture
20 say than any other place in the State.
There are already ten Dry Goods stores,
six Grocery and Provision stores, two Drug
stores, one Book store, one Printing Office,
one Hardware store, two Saddle and Har-
ness manufactures, two Chair manu!acto-
rics, three Cabinet warehouses, Two House
and Sign painting establishments, three
Boot and Shoe shops, two Blacksmith shops,
ono Wagon and Sleigh mandatory, one
extensive Iron Foundry, two Tanneres,
one Watch Repairer, two large Warehous-
es, two Bakeries, and two Livery Stables.
There are two Academies in this village
oae male and ono female, both well con-
Quoted and in fourishing condition one
common school, three organized religious
acknowledgements, Episcopal, and
Methodist. The Episcopal society during
the last fall erected n large and commodi-
Gus house, which will be completed in the
ensuing spring: The Methodist society
have lately raised the frame ola new house
which is also to be finished the coming sea-
son, and we understand that the Presbyte-
rian society have lately purchased lot
on which they intend building a new
church--the house they now occupy being
too small 10 accommodate the congrega-
ton.
The erection and endowment of Col
lego in this town on most liberal scale, is
in contemplation by our citizens, and SO
far as fixing upon site and purchasing the
necessary grounds may be taken as an
earnest Of their intentions, the speedy ac-
compishment of the project may be conf
IDENTIFY anticipated.
We are told by men competent to make
the estimate, that nearly two hundred build.
ings will be erected in this village next sum-
mer, for the completion of most of which
contracts have already been made, and that
many Of them are to be sores and dwell.
ings of the first magnitude.
The necessity OF keeping up ferry a.
cross the river, having been superseded by
a bridge, constructed during the present
winter, our corporrton will be at liberty
and we understand it is their intention to
employ all the means at their disposal in de-
fraying the expense of grading and impro-
wing the streets. Should the ordinary as
sessments upon the inhabitants prove mad
equate to the exigencies of the case. it is
proposed to effect loan, on the credit OF
the Corporation, in order 10 enable them 10
carry out their plans to their greatest ex-
tent.
The Dowagiac River large and rapid
stream which rises in the southern part o.
Van Buren, county, empties into the st.
Joseph about half mile north of the viii
lage. By excavating canal or race, a.
bout ono mile in length, the whole of its
waters, if necessary, can be brought into
the very heart Of the town, with fall Of
at least fifteen feet. This immense body
of water with such fall, will produce an
available wa;er-power, almost equal TO thai
of Rochester or LockPort. A joint stock
company has already been formed in the
village, and application made to the present
Legislature for corporate privileges, whose
object is TO carry into effect this grand pro-
ject as soon as possible. Proposals have
already been received we understand, for
excavating the canal, which will probably
be completed ia al next spring and active
preparations are making for the immediate
erection of extensive mills and manufacto.
ries thereon.
With the advantages Of beautiful, ro-
mantle and healthy ocaton--inestimabl
hydraulic priveliges--a mine of riches in
the soil of the surrounding country-steam
navigation to our wharves-stage arrivals
from the east and west four times liz the
summer-an enterprising population-.good
schools--prosperous churches--unity Of
purpose in her citizens on matters concern
ing their general welfare, &C., nothing can
prevent Niles from attaining that i'm
portancc among the embryo cites Of the
west, to which nature has So eminently en-.
titled her.
n.EC IT,