The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-06-13
FROM SENECA.
Hurrah Hurrah !

The heart OF our little city beats quick with
JOY. A smile mantles every face. We are not
selfish in our Joy over having realized our fond
est anticipation, and are willing the same feel
ing shall be shared by all. The special occasion
OF our present happiness is the fact that the con-
struction of the Chicago and Plainfield Railroad
was commenced this morning the contractors
being from New York, They are very respon-
sible-have plenty of capital, energy, sc. As
write there are some peering over my shoulder
-swaying to and fro-all from unbounded ioy,
or something else, perhaps. They say it is neces-
sary to imbibc little of the favorite beverage 70
keep pride down, and the heart from jumping
out OF the mouth. There will be a grand iollif-
cation on Saturday evening, social gathering
! speeches, dc. The formal celebration of the
| commencement Of work on the road will be
opened at o'clock Z. u. on Saturday 18th
when ground will be broken, speeches made &c.
but the big time will Be in the evening.
OTHER cATHorLc CHURCH
| There has been some excitement also az to
where our new Catholic Church shall be located
some contending warmly for one place and 9TH
ers for another place, and up to this writing they
seem as far from decision as ever. Still il will
have to be built somewhere, as the contract has
been let, and work and material expended upon
1t. For all work above the foundation, except
the windows and affairs, the contract was award.
to George Jekyll, OF Ottawa, for the sum of So.
400 There were five bids for the work, ranging
from $4,000 to $4,000. It is estimated the
church, when completed, will cost $40
BASE BALL.
On Tuesday the usual quietude of our place
was interrupted by the arrival of propeller.
name unknown, Whale perhaps coming down
the stream, laden to its fullest extent with
joyous looking crowd OF young people, both
ladies and gentlemen. By enquiry we ascer-
tanned that they were base-ballists from Morris.
and had landed here with the expectation of
meeting the greatest and most successful ballists
of the Northwest, Shabbonas by name, of Otta.
wa. This expectation was realized a. tho ar.
rival of the western train, and the disyorpipg Of
some two or three hundred of its passengers,
likewise consisting of ladies and gentlemen.
equally joyous, and the ladies equally as good
| looking, though not SO numerous as the Morris
delegation Of ladies. The players of this crowd
bore themselves through the principal streets of
the place with much dignity, pride and vainglo-
ry, with pockets extended, in much the appear.
ancs Of hen with too many eggs under her.
evidently enervated b. the powerful name
"shaSbona,' from and BY which they effected
their organization some two years since
Little time was lost in getting to the field of
operations-a field well calculated for "sich
like" being large and commodious, and having
beautiful sod, with row and then geological
specimens OF soft rock, evidently dropped from
| the car of Juggernaut years since while at work
in the Illinois river, which runs "galoriouslv"
but short distance south of this field Ladies,
and all who desired, found no trouble in finding
cool and comfortable seats as much 80 as at any
time during the season. These little wants and
necessities being satisfactory, the Shabbonas and
their followers began to take bets of the beer,
and even show "changer on even numbers. As
the time drew near, Shabbonas grew more liberal
and took some and bluted many on five to one,
until they succeeded in disposing Of an amount
fairly estimated at $l,000-until the call Of
'Shabs' to the bat, which increased the excite.
ment and drove betters to the wall, with the
word "Chain 'em up" This did not last long.
The result Of the game we are reluctant to
announce However, Shabbonas were 25 tall;es
behind and two "whitewashes' Muffin was by
no means an uncommon word to the Shabs
which related probably TO the Muffin Man.
Several fine attempts caught nice fys, the ball
lighting softly in the yet warm tracks of its un.
lucky pursusrs.
Umpire Goodrich, of Chicago proved himself
competent and is admitted by all to have given
entire satisfaction.
We don't say, but others say, that the shabs
in time will play well, good boys, would
make good farm hands, but can't "keep hotel"
But We speak in more kindly terns-"Behind
the cloud the sun is shining stilll' "Where
there is life there is hope" "The tail goes with
the hide" Take courage and come again
"Liou is Mat?"
Morris boys send respects and your cord back
having no further use for it,
The second mines of Seneca send greetings and
will reduce contemplated proposals to writing
shortly
FROM EARr.UTr1r