The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1866-03-03
Water Power at Ottawa!
Proposition to Build two Dams
Finest Water Power i'm the West

For ten or fifteen years past, the people o.
Ottawa flattered themselves they had quite a
respectable water power, supplied by the cana
and the little feeder from Dayton. Three OF
four grist mills, the starch factory, planning
mill or two, & furniture and pillow factory
were found, however to be about all the ma.
chinery this power could be relied upon to
run. So, as other manufacturers began to
look around for power, the question cane up,
has Ottawa any other water power that can
be made available?
Now there is beautiful rapid in the Hi.
nois river but mile above the city; and
another in Fox River, on the eastern border
of the city. The practicability of damming
the rivers above these rapids, and thus Great
ing a water power that should be equal to
any in the West was demonstrated several
years ago by the careful survey of competent
engineers but the belief was, that the ex>
pense would be too heavy TO justify the outlay
f"1 tho amount of power that would probably
be needed for some years. A liberal charter,
however, was procured of the legislature, for
a company, TO undertake the work at such
time as it might be needed.
The time, ii seems. has come. Some wealthy
parties at Chicago, who own an interest in
the Eermilion coal beds, and who have been
looking around for an eligible site for an ex>
ensive rolling mill and other iron works,
have examined the situation at Ottawa, and
ii SUITS them TLey PROPOSE. if the citizens
OF Ottawa will take half the stock, or con-
siderable proportion of it, to subscribe the
balance, and to commence the work at once.
The plan is, to dam the Illinois river lust
above wha: is known as the Brown Ford -:
and the Fox River Immediately below the
aquefHct. Then to construct a canal about
mile IN length from the dam in the Illinois
to the dam in the Fox. thus uniting both
rivers into one grand water power, and pros
= .yiding perfect security against stoppage of
E. machinery and loss of time in case either OF
the dams should By food or other accident be
destroyed. Besides the canal from the Hi
nois to the Fox, another tail race can be bnilt
parallel with the Illinois river, discharg:ng its
water near the mouth of the Fox, and thus
affording room and power for any amount of
machinery that Will be likely to need it for
many years TO come.
The expense of the work is roughly esti-
mated at from 81 900 to SlO0,O 900, but there
will be no want of the means should much
larger sum be needed.
There have been two meetings of the lead
Ing moneyed men of Ottawa on the-.subiect.
and at each there was interest enough mani
tested in the enterprise to show that there
will be no failure for want of means or inter
est here. The first meeting was held on Fri.
day evening, Feb. 3d. at the Office of O.
Leavens, Esq, and was attended BY most of
our men of enterprise and wealth. Various
committees were appointed. and the meeting
adjourned to meet again on Wednesday evc>
ming ofthis week. At the latter meeting which
was still larger and more earnest that the
first, the following preamble and resolutions
were proposed by ]. V. A. HOES, Esq, and
unanimously adopted:
Resolred, That tie facility for the erection.
o. - 'OSt vi one Oh The most yaIu-
able WATER POWERS in the country bv
the damming of the Illinois and Fox river,
In or near this city, and the construction Of
suitable races, is ESTABLISHED BEYOND DOUBT
by repeated surveys by competent engineers.
and that the interests Of both town and conn
try demand THAI Immediate steps be taken 10
that end.
Lesofrcd, That it is the duty of all persons
desirous OF or interested in promoting the
prosperity OF the town and country, cordially
TO cooperate IN such undertaking.
Res0f''ed, That III our Judgment the fore.
gong improvement will he of such magnitude
IN its results, whether we have reference To
the GREAT AMOUNT OF POWER obtaioabIe
the benefits TO result, without doubt. to mar,
ties furnishing the capital to construct the
proposed works. or III its effect upon the
growth and prosperity OF the city and coun>
try, to fully warran: not only our citizens
to aid it with their money, but in enabling
capitalists abroad, having larger sums to
invest, to take hold Of il.
The following resolution proposed by John
f. Nash, Esq. also adopted
That the Operator named in the act of
1871 are requested to publish the n0tice re-
luired in sc. ) of said act, preparatory to
organizing :. company under said act.
Mesirs- i. Lynch, ID. L. Cameron, and
1Nm. Kicking, appointed committee
10 see hos much stock the citizens Of Ottawa
and v,ciaity will take III The proposed inn
pravemeut-.
Messrs. Wilson and Hit wer appointed to
consult with the owners of land in the yicini.