Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-09-28
JOLIET SIGNAL.
JOLIET, LII.
.KANKAKER AND IROQUOIS IMPROVEMENT.''

..KANKAKEE AND IROQUOIS IMPROVEMENT"
The Board of Directors OF this compa<
ny held meeting at Wilmington, on the
25th. for the purpose of letting the con
tract for Lock No. l, situated below the
mouth of Prairie Creek. There had been
hat few days notice given previous to the
letting, yet there were thrown in propo-
sails from several responsible bidders
Col. Peter Stewart, being the lowest bid
der, received the contract. and will pro-
coed at once TO the work. We under.
stand that he has taken the job TO COM
plete the lock entire, gates and all for
trifle less than $4,000.
Thus has this magnificent undertaking
commenced in good earnest. Col. Stew
art has had much experience in pub
lie works--he is sound practical busi-
ness man, and his well known energy of
character is sufficient guaranty that this
job will be well done, aud completed as
early as possible. We are told that it is
the intention of the Company to let con
tract for some work at Wilmington and
above PolIy's Ripple yet this fall, that
materials may be gathered during the
winter. But it is their settled determine
ton, as we are creditably informed. to let
work no faster than their means will
clearly warrant. In this way the credit
of the company will be established and
preserved and the gradual progress of the
work ensured.
At the meeting above alluded to, Mr.
Benjamin,a very competent engineer, was
employed to make a survey ofthe Kanka-
kee as far as the Upper Rapids, and of the
lroquois as far as Middleport, The
stock of the Company is constantly in.
creasing- responsible and deserving men
are taking hold of the enterprise feeling
satisfied that it is work which will pay
well and that its progress is certain.
And how can it be possible that the
work will not pay well! Saying nothing
about the immense amount of agricultural
produce, and of lumber, merchandise,
coal, stone &C., which will be transported
on these streams, and which will add
greatly to the revenues of the Canal, the
waterpower alone to be created by the
improvement, will nearly or quite justify
the outlay. No stream in the State will
afford equal advantages for manufacturing
purposes. No point Of the state snrpasses
in richness of soil and beauty of scenery
the country bordering on these Rivers.
To no place in this part of Illinois, will
there be opened such boundless forest
as will be accessible to the valley of the
Kankakee. And the times will soon come
when the superior advantages Afforded by
this valley will be appreciated. The
gross misrepresentation which have
gone abroad respecting this region, are
fast being corrected. No place in the
West is more healthy as every one wh'
has had opportunity to observe must bt
convinced. Then let those in particula
who own property in the vicinity of these
streams, take hold and forward the worl
for they cannot tail to meet an ample re
turn. This niggardIy policy of wishing
to derive incalculable benefit from worl
to be prosecuted by individual enterpris,
without lifting finger to aid it isa polio.
unworthy highminded man. And nov
is the very time 10 take hold. The worl
will undoubtedly progress, but the assis
lance of all persons interested is neede'
to hasten its completion. The conse
quent usefulness and rapid sale of proper
tx will doubly compensate its owners 70
what they may do in aid of the work.