The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-01-13


tractor David Strawn, and Abner Strawn,
bound Tor Goodland, Ind. Capt. billiard, for
Pontiac, and large number of passengers,
were aboard. Running up the Vermillion
river, miles, a pr rtion of the way being
timber, and a goodly part very fine prairie
we reached
1t is station in good farming region. A
very fine grist mill, is the chief business
establishment here OF course there is a
dwelling or so, blacksmith shops, depot,
I cattle-yards, and the other Indispensable of
a young town.
Onward we went at a rapid rate, ana
bought the road was but about six months
old, there was but little jolting or rocking
owing 20 the care with which the ties were put
down. and the aolldity of the road bed,
besides. of course, the superior cars, with the
best of springs below the carriages and the
| softest OF cushions in the seats.
After a brief ride, we heard the whistle for
CORNELL.
This town has sprung up. as il by magic.
in the midst of what was not long ago part
of Grand Prairie In every direction ~ far
as the eye can reach all about it, there ap-
pears to be a limitless corn field, dotted here
and there with farmhouses, baras and
orchards The town seems very favorably
located as to surroundings; wood and water
convenient on every side. Although this
place is but months old, that being about
the date when it was first surveyed, it shows
at present four dry goods one hardware and
one drug store; 3 blacksmith shops; steam
saw and grist mill, 2 elevators, 2 hotels, .
post Office with daily mail and the total
number of houses in this little giant city,
all built within six months, number ffty:four!
During the last month, $4,000 bushels Of corn
ana 5 sar loads of stock were shipped from
this young Hercules of a city. Willard
Blake, the principal proprietor, is determined
to have the town continue to grow, and to
that end gives lots away to those who become
actual settlers. The town is about II miles
from Streator and 10 from Pontiac. Farther
on, through the same region Of beautiful
prairie farms, we reached Rowe, q mere sto.
ton with depot, s miles southeast, and 5
miles and a little over brought us to
PONTIAC.
This is the comfy seat of Livinston coun.
ty, and contains many elegant and beautiful
public buildings, including the famous State
Reform School building. The city contains
probably 5000 people. Here the Chicago
& ST. Louis railroad passes on its direct line
between the cities named The Strawn road
I'VE use the term bcca use it is short) passes to
the east of Pontiac.
\ short run brings US to Mcdonald, way
station. anG run OF a few minutes over an
elevated ridge, from whence we look out over
farms for ten or twelve miles, North, South
and Vest splendid sight as we saw it sit
ting with Engineer Black or the engine
and We are at the beautiful town of
FAIRBURY.
This is lively town containing popuIs.
lation of 1000 1t Is situated on the eastern
ridge of the great prairie section Of the state
and near it is body Of timber on a fork Of
the Nermillion river. Here good water ans,
plenty Of coal abound on all sTles, and
around tie place in all directions II magnif.
icent country under high state ofcultivation.
Coal is found at the east end OF the town at
the depth of l65 f. IN Amsbury & Jones' shaft.
The vein is 4 feet in thickness, and the coal Of
good quality. The proprietors constantly
employ from As to so hands, and sell coal tn
the railroads and farmers, heiatter being large
consumers, coming from even as far as thirty
miles from the south and west for their tlet
At the west end is another shaft owned by
Mr.. Marsh This one is 2l5 feet deep, has
feet vein but an inferior quality of coal, it 10
said.
Farbury was laid ont in 1857, and is the
crossing of the r., p. s. W. and the Fairbury,
Pontiac IL NV. roads, and the present tc--
minus Of The latter. where has lately been
erected an engine house and turn table. It
has hotels, churches, grain elevators, one
of unusual size and convenience, Amsberry s
Jones the proprietors. 1t mas capacity of
10000 bushels, wooden mill running almost
exclusively on yarn for farmers. It has 2 sets
of machinery, 2spinniny jacks and 10 looms.
The city has 2 fine public school buildings,
and an immense public hall Of brick, 3 stones
high and b0xlOe feet, with very large gal
lery ON the sides and end opposite the stage.