The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-03
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS.

tIIIE CITY OF PEKIN hereby invites pro
l. posals until AUGUST THlRTEENTH, 1866,
for the building of a Dirt Road mbank ment or
Csusewsy across the Illinois r,ver bottom, oppo-
site said city, about and three-quarters miles
in length not less than twelve feet height, on
average TO be wide enough on top for easy pas
sage Of teams, and in event less than eIghIee n
feet. The embankment to slope to base wide
enough 10 insure stability of work. The materi-
ais tor this work GA the spot
In connection with aud as part of the above
proposals are also asked for the grading OF a COM
mon road sixty-srx feet wide across aid beyond
the bluff west OF said bottom, about FIVE and one
fourth miles in length.
The city oil pekn owns the ferry franchise at
this point, with boats and tackle also lands OPP
posite ferry, and right of way across said bottom
To bluff, and a pale and plank bridge built across
I'D bottom, Said city now proposes TO give the
materials IN said bridge, and lease OF said ferry
franchise and apPurtenances, for a term OF years
not exceeding fifty, TO parties who will construct
zach cause~ay and road, keep the same alwaysIn
good repair, and maintain such ferry boat o.
boats az such terry as the public demand may re-
qurs, during the continuance OF such lease, the
city reservlng only equal control with such
lessee aud contractor IN the Management of said
road and ferry. The letting be made to the
party who vlll contract to complete 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.
Proposals to be addressed to the unde rsia ned in
sealed envelopes, Endorsed, Proposals for build
ing roads and leasing 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 on the east bank
OF the Illinois river, on the Peoria, Pekin Jack
sonrIiie r. r., about 40 miles from Chicago by
ran, ahd about 10 miles from ST. Louis by river
has now population OF about s 600 inha bitaBts
ana more OF the substantial elements of prospect
ty necessary to build ups line fourishing civ
than any point between Chicago and st. Louis
The bluffs AT the end of the causeway or embank-
ment proposed, are full of coal equal in quality
TO any IN the state, and for which with irewood
and hard timber IN close proximity there is
ever increasing demand. The country to be
reached by said road, well settled by enterprs-
ng farmers, whose natural market Is at Pekin.
As grain market, Pekin ranks as good the
best, II not the best, and ships more grain than
any other point on the river, besides consuming a
large amount at her distilleries
The city has Hourishing and constantly in
creasing trade, and lies on the drectroute OF en-
igratlon from the east TO the Mississippi and west
ward.
The Terry in its present situation, it in the
hands OF individual enterprise, would yield
handsome return upon the cost to the city. The
cItyor prudential reasons, will not sell the ferry,
but preters to give to enterprisng who will
Invest some capital IN building the embankment
and road an opportunity to realize handsome, If
not immense profits upon their outlay, by inereas-
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.
personal examination Is solicited by the CITY
authorities, who will be pleased to show to per
sons who contemplate bidding the site OF the pre-
posed work. WIN. NJ. OLMSTED,
june26dtd. City Clerk, Pekn, Ill.