The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-04-11
BUILDING SEASON.

The regular building season having set in,
much activity prevails throughout our city.
Men and materials are in good demand
With the exception of . few we have noticed,
however, no very expensive buildings are
being erected. The store-rooms along I'LL
nois street. where susceptible of improve
ment, have been very generally enlarged,
AID otherwise fitted up to afford greater &C
commodations for an increasing business
This has, in a measure, answered the re-
quirements of the mercantile public, for the
present, although the multiplication of firms,
gives evidence that this state of affairs will
| not last long. As we have already noticed
| Mr.. Peter Fries intends shortly to build three
stores on Illinois street near jefferson Mr..
David Lingle is erecting one for his own use
near court Square, and the removal of Phil.
Helms saloon to the Young America,gave a
| fifth, which is already occupied. A few
costly residences are now under process OF
erection. The balance are very useful and
desirable houses for our mechanics and L.
UohCiS. LIS AoksCA 10 NCA) 1ihS AoSt
| and speaks we'll for the good sense and in
dustrious habits of this essen tial class. As
long as a laboring man is compelled to bleed
his pocket monthly, to secure roof above
his head and family, just so long will he
| find himself in straitened and dependent
| circumstances. A period of sickness, or a
suspension of labor, will at once reduce him
to distress and privation. With snug little
home OF his own, however so humble, he is
enabled to weather through any ordinary
storm or affection with comparative ease
The necessity of obtaining this means of in
dependence must be patent to every mar
who depends upon his daily toll for support
The very exigencies of business life compe
men to hardness of heart, and it not unfre
quently happens that the faithful workman
who has conscientiously served his employ
er for a lifetime, is left, in his old age, with
out roof to shelter him from the storms
His family is forced to divide, his household
gods are scattered, and the poor house at
fords him niggard shelter in his declining
days. We do not say that this is always tn,
case, but it happens sufficiently often tt
furnish wholesome moral to those not bless
ed with an overplus of this worlds goods
At the rate many Of our citizens are nov
paying for rented houses, plain. comforta
BILE dwelling will soon pay for itself, to sa..
nothing of that feeling OF security and indie
pendence, which is luxurious staple wei
worth purchasing. We took drive through
town yesterday afternoon, and were quit
surprised at the number of these dwelling
being built on every hand The sound o
the hammer resounded IN every direction
building piled along the road side, or in tn
streets. Our mechanics, who are not al
ready so fortunate, are on the move 70
homes. This is healthy Indication for GU
body-municipal Itspeaks of large incress
of population, and of spirit of thrift AM
industry highly suggestive of the future. T
give detailed account or list of these i'm
provements, would be not only unproftabl
to the reader, but embarrassing. When tn
building season has terminated, we wi
compile the figures, and give the round az
gregate. At present it is enough to kno,
that Rock Island is moving in the right d
rection, with brick, lumber, and labor at
premium, which means present and futur
| nrosroritv