Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-09-01
ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD LANDs


ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD LANDs.
The magnificent land grant by the General
Government, in 1850, to the Illinois Central
Railroad COmpany-extending fifteen miles
each side OF the tFack-unlike many simi-
lar grants-has proved q blessing to all
parties. 1t enabled the company, at an early
day, to build 7057 73 miles of railroad through
the very heart of the state-the main line
from Dunleith to Cairo, 1851 miles, and the
branch from Chicago to the junction, near
Centralia, $50. % miles-thercby promoting
the early settlement of the state, giving
homes to tens of thousands of families on
easy terms, opening up market for the pro-
ducts of their labor, and adding, at least, a
third to the population and wealth of Illinois.
The population in 40 counties on the line of
this road increased from 1850 to 1865, from
351 887 to 1 ,127 0S7. One million eight hun
dred thousand acres of these railroad lands
have be en- sold to actual settlers, and 800, 900
acres OF the best quahty-remain unsold
and open to purchasers, at prices ranging
from ST to S12 per acre. One popularity Of
these lands, which gives them great value, Is
the large amount of nitrogen in the soil-es
pecially on the praries-suficient for hum
dred crops of wheat. The prairie extends to
Du Quoin, 288 miles south of Chicago. Thence
it is mostly timber to Cairo, n miles The
Agricultural College, endowed by the gene
raj government, Is on the line OF this road,
at Champaign, 1913 miles south of Chicago.
road, and can be bought in tracts of 10 or so
acres, or more, according to the wants or
means OF purchasers, for one-fOurth cash
down and the balance in one, two and three
years, at Blk per cent. interest, if desired
And the Company never distrrbs purchaser
who does his best to fulfil his contracts. 1t
is an excellent opportunity for those wishing
pleasant, healthy homes, near to markets
and to the center Of civilization.
BUSINESS
is beginning to revive slowly, money has
commenced flowing here from the East,
grain receipts are large and command good
prices, the progress of the harvest assures US
bountiful crops, and confidence in the future
is increasing. Our leading houses here are
making full preparations for large fall trade,
and already the sidewalks are beginning to
be encountered with boxes, bales and casks
for the supply Of the great Northwest
Among the wholesale houses here that have
made the largest preparations for an in
creased trade, is the firm Of
D. B. FISK & CO.,
importers of and Wholesale dealers in silks,
ribbons, straw goods and millinery articles
white goods, hosiery, gloves and fancy goods
at 50 & SIS Lake street.-the oldest wholesale
millinery house in Chicago, having been es
tablished here sixteen years. They have just
enlarged their establishment to accommodate
| their Increasing business, by taking the whole
store, from top to bottom-including five
stories and basement-ffty feet wide by
one hundred and sixty-five feet deep; have
fitted it up at a cost of $40, 600, and are now
prepared to show the largest and best Sc
! fected stock Of millinery goods to be found
under one roof in this country, or the world
| The basement contains fuel, heating ap.
paratus. sc. The first floor, silks, ribbons
| French flowers, feathers. The second hats
! bonnets, straw goods, fancy goods, ladies
furnishing hosiery, gloves, white goods, dress
and cloak trimmings. The third floor is tht
pattern bonnet department, where large
number of skillful women are employed il
manufacturing pattern bonnets from import
| ed patterns. In the rear is the receiving room
where all goods are received and examined
! before being put on sale. In the fourth sto1,