The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-12-11

had most telling eject oH tuc prosperity
of Coal Valley. The lack of transportation
had been the great drawback. This being |
furnished, new mines we're opened, old ones
were worked with renewed vigor, and where
a dozen hands had been previously employed
one hundred were now required.
In the same year, NJ. 8. Herrick, Of Rock
Island, erected building for the purpose,
now occupied by Robert Lees store, and
opened a stock of goods. Also L. S. Evans
built the Coal Valley House, a substantial
two story frame, now kept in good style by
R. H. Trevor; Smith, Mead & Marsh, OF
Rock island, opened Tuner yard, now car
ried on by Weyerhauser ; Denkman. Inc
Coal Valley Brewer was built, the same
wear. by Manser q Seville, but was no soon.
er comple.sd than it was destroyed by fire.
7, wa. Immediately rebuilt, however, and is
-ow doing Aourishing business. On the
following year, the post Office was establish.
ed there, Mr.. George Washburn being the
FIRST incumbent. The town was also laid of,
business increased and thrived, laborers and
mechanics rushed in, stores were opened,
and Coal Valley took a long and rapid stride
ahead. In 1859, an important wagon road
was laid off connecting with Rock Island,
which proved an invaluable auxiliary to the
business of the place. That year the first
church was erected by the methodist demon
nation, a neat and substantial frame, "a by
SO feet in size. This organization now
numbers about twenty active members, Rev.
e. M. Morey presiding. In the following
year the congregational church was erected,
q frame rs by 40 feet, and Ia feet high.
Rev. Owen Owens now presides, with a
charge OF forty members. The baptist
church was built last year, and is frame
20 by 26 feet in size, Rev. Thomas ]. Math
ews now presides. An organization of old
school presbyterians, of which DR.. Martin is
| q member, completed an elegant little edi-
fee last Friday, 80 by 4s feet in size, with
a vestibule and gallery. 1t is eharmingly
| located southern slope on the north
side of town, on plat of ground two hun
dred feet square, presented by Cable l. Co.
Its unequalled location, and neat and SIM
| pie finish, have fine effect. On Sunday
last, its dedication services took place, S. T.
| Wilson, d. d. of Rock Island, being pres
| ent to conduct them. The church is at pres
without pastor. The building was COM
menced last September, and has cost 90, 500.
The episcopal organization has no church,
and is without regular services but is occa
sionslly supplied from Presumption. The
Calvinistic methodists are similarly situated,
and the Lutherans also. The catholics have
a Aourishing mission church and Sunday
school, under the care of Rev. Father Nc
Elherne, of Rock Island. They intend to
| build next season. Connected with the
churches of the other denominations, are
also well conducted and thriving Sunday
schools, the whole numbering about two
hundred and fifty scholars.
| Last year the Masons and Odd Fellows
| united in the erection of hall for the hold
ing of their meetings, which is an honor to
their public spirit and liberality. The build
ing, two story frame, % by 60 feet, is To-
Gated on the west side town. The Masons
number twenty members in their organiza
ton, and the Odd Fellows sixty members
In 1868, P. L. Cable, Esq, purchased the
railroad and mines, and has been conduct
ing operations with considerable success
ever since, owning about /, 900 acres of land
adjoining the town. The Banner Coal Com
pany, organized in 1865, own ZOO acres o.
l lnln ~,
bank. and owns ten acres of coal land. he
has, for sometime past, been supplying the
Rock Island gas works with coal, by teams
Various other small banks are being operat
ed, exclusively for country trade. A great
many of the inhabitants dig what coal they
require for home consumption, from thei,
cellars. DIR. Martin, our informant, was late
ly interrupted in digging cistern, by com
ing in contact with small vein of coal.
Coal Valley has two commodious schoo
houses, one 30 feet by 81, and the other q
by 80. There are three schools. M.LPink
ley is principal, and is assisted by W. A
Kramer and Annie P. Griffiths The larges
one was built about three years ago, at &
cost of nearly $4,000. The number of schol
ars in the district is 7l6-the regular attend
ance is 800.
. Coal Valley. for town of fifteen hundred
inhabitants, is quite an important business
point. In addition to its inexhaustible Goa
mines, it is surrounded by a rich agrieultur
: al region. The following are the names 0
the various business houses
Dry Goods--Cable & Co., r. Lee, J. F
Austin, DR.. Thomas Martin (also drugs,
John McEwen.
Groceries-Wm. Morgan, VIM. J. Ransol
& Co., Corns d Pace.
Hotels-Coal Valley House, r. Fl. Trevor
boarding house, George Cardall.
; Liquors-John B. Clark, Joseph Buckley
DR.. Vonach, George Goettel.
Livery Stable-South & Van Meter.
Millinery and Fancy Store-Mrs. NJ. L
< Pinkley.
t Neutrality-suspicious. & Denkman.
:. Brick Mdker-John Haas.
BreUers-Seville & Battersby.
e Store and Tin Stores-Peter Mulvany
re Fster J. Bratt.
y "agonnaker Charles Huber.
IN Btdttsmih-Chris Grim.
hO1Hn