The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-17
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS.

fNHE CITY OF PEkIN hereby invites pro
1 po.als until AUGUST THIRTEENTH,lS 1866,
tor the builo ing of a Dirt Road, Embankment or
Causeway across the Illinois river bottom, opP6-
site said city, about and three-quarte rs miles
in length not less than twelv feet in height, on
average to be wide enough on top for easy pas
sage of teams, and in event less than eighteen
feet The embankment TO slope to base wide
enough to insure stability of work. The maieri-
ais for this work are on the spot.
In connection with and part of the above
proposals are also asked for the grading OF com
man road sxty-six feet wide across a I'd beyond
the bluff west of said bottom, about i've and one
fourth miles In length.
The city OF Pekin owns the Terry franchise al
this point, with boats and tackle also lands OPP
posite ferry, and right of way across said bottom
to bluff. and q pile and plank bridge built across
said bottom, Said city now proposes TO give the
materials in said bridge, and lease OF said Terry
franchise and appurtenances, for a term OF years
not exceeding fifty, to parties VINO Will construct
.ueh causeway and road, keep the same always In
good repair, and maintain such ferry boat or
boats at such ferry as the public demand may re
qutrs, during the continuance OF such lease, the
city reserving only an equal control with such
lessee and contractor in the management OF said
road and ferry. the letting to be made TO the
party who will contract to com lets said work in
the shortest period of time, and for the smallest
term of years leased.
The city reserves the right TO reject any and all
proposals.
sealed envelopes, Endorsed, ssProposals for build
ing roads and Tossing ferry,'' and must be accom-
panied by names Of two responsible parties who
will become security for the performance OF the
work in the time proposed by the bidder.
Parties are invited to examine the work with a
view to bidding.
The city of Pskin is situated the east bank
of the Illinois river, on the Peoria, Pekln &Jack-
sonville r. R., about 40 miles fiom Chicago by
rail, and about 225 miles from st. Louis by river !;
has now a population of about 8, 900 inha bitants
and more OF the substantial elements OF prospect
~ necessary to build up fine fourishlng CITY
than any point between Chicago and st. Louis
The bluffs at the end of the caussway or embank-
ment proposed, are full of coal equal in quality
to any in the state, and for which, with hrewood
and hard timber in close proximity, there is . q
ever increasing demand. The country to be
reached by said road, well settled by enterpris-
ing farmers, whose natural mark ct IL at Pekin.
As a grain market, Pekin ranks as good a. the
best, if not the best, and ships more gram than
any other point on the river, besides consuming q
large amount at her distilieries.
The city has a fourshing and constantly in
ereasng trade, and lies the direct route of en-
igraton fro the east to the Mississippi and west
ward. t..4 l.
The Terry in its present situation, il in the
hands Of individual enterprise, would yield a
hand some return upon the cost to the city. The
city tor prudential reasons will not sell the ferry
but preferr to give to enterprising men who wal
invest some capital In building the embankment
| and road an opportunity to realize handsome, Il
not immense profits upon their outlay, by iucreas
| ing the advantages of the Jerry, being content
| with the general benefit that may accrue to the
public by the proper and energetic management
| of her interest in the franchise:
A personal examination 10 solicited by the CITY
| authorities, who viii be pleassd to show to per
sons who contenpl.t. bidding the sits Of the pre-
posed work WIN. n. OLMsTED,
iune26dtd. City Clerk, Pskin, Ill.