The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-03-14
FROM TONGA.
Plourins MiIl-Woolen Pactory-Church
hell, &c.

FIGURING MiIl-WOolen Factory-Church
bell, dc.
ToRica is once more in conyalescent state of
health, and It's hoped the medical faculty who
have charge Of the will prove master of the
situation. In the early days of this town, it
was looked upon as healthy, promising youth,
the future was full Of aattering prospects, there
were strong hopes entertained that it would ere
long prove of service to the country and an or.
nament to the profession but in those prosper
Gus days it inherited disease that baffiedth
skill OF all our local physicians, and in spite of
all efforts made to check it, il grew to an alarm.
ing extent till it became of the acknoyl.
edged ruling elements Of the town To explain
people who were made wealthy by the location
Of the railroad and town in this neighborhood.
BY permitting them to realize for their lands
that cost them but from $l25 to s. per acre, a.
many hundred dollars, could never see ANYTHING
in Tonica in which to invest their stamps, unless
it has been within the last year. About year ago
our go ahead" citizen, W. J. Wilson, conceived
tho idea Of building Grist Mill by obtaining
loan from the citizens in and around the town;
no promising topay in hvo years, with per cent.
interest annually. He succeeded so well with his
undertaking that, by . few of the more enter
prising taking liberal view Of matters. Mr..
Wilson had the proud satisfaction in very few
months of seeing his efforts crowned with sue
cess, the mill in running order, and the iudg.
ment rendered on the quality of the -four he dis
tributed to the natives anything but dis.
couraging. About the time the Grist Mill was
decided upon some other people got Wool on the
brain, and an effort was made 10 start Wooden
Factory also. A great many talked and propos-
ed, but when il came 10 action and stamps i.
was reduced TO three or four individuals who
would take hold in earnest They went ahead,
put up their building, furnished Il with the best
of machinery, and run for short time when
:hey discovered that 10 run the factory and make
it a paying institution, they required more ma
chinery, consequently, more capital and they
not having the required amount that they could
command Immediately, an effort was made TO
loan it here in the neighborhood; but no person
being found who would loan them the money or
take stock in the concern, they closed business
indefinitely, and looked for other diggings-
They soon found an enterprising little town on
the r. l. railroad, that proposed to do the agree
able if they would bring their factory there.
They at once decided to do SO and about this
time somebody ventured the remark, that it did
not look well to allow this thing to be taken
from here. Some slsnderous individual might
remark that there was not enough enterprise in
Tonica TO support it. This would never do A
al su<a .t.l
called, and It was then and there resolved that
the factory remain. A stock company was or.
Ganized, and the stock oil subscribed. At later
meeting Of the stockholders, the Directors were
chosen, and With working cash capital of slG,.
600, it is safe to pronounce this sncs more per-
maHent institution, and even more, the prospects
for Tonica are extensively Aattering, and should
there be no serious relapse, Tonica will doubtless
be assignedits active duty during the coming
season.
The trains o. the Csntspl Road continue to
run ON tho same time - Previous to the Congrs-
gationalists getting their church bell in line.
Some say it 10 nothing but pot-metal, others that
it is cast ireA: but not deciding at all on its ma
tsrial, we will just remark that it is Bell, and
rings we'll with Noah at the helm, and great
credit is dxe the lady through whose instrument
Atty the bell was purchased.
The Baptists have succeeded at last in secur-
ing the services of a dispenser Of the Gospel
for the ensuing year. 1t was thought for long
time that they would have to do their own
preaching, as no ono was found to take the posi-
ton. The difficulty las reported outside) was
said to be in the amount Of salary proposed.
But by raising the amount from $500 to $1,000,
they have succeeded in securing man who bids
fair to give satisfaction But this has nothing to
do with the School House just being completed
at a cost Of $1,000, 'or words to that effect" to
be paid for by people who have property, to be
used by people who have chi'dren. Now, Mr..
Man says, this is perfect extortion--the idea Of
his paying taxes to build school house to edu-
cate other folks children. He should impeach
somebody. tell you, Mr. Editor, what think
would prove an effectua cure for that individual:
place him ut tho head Of family Of dozen