The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-06-12
APPRECIATION.

RtfhEClAlAON
II will be remembered, few weeks ago
the dentists of tins state met at Ottawa, TO
consult together for their own good and the
good of their patients, as well AS for social
intercourse and the cultivation of profession
al courtesy aud friendly relations. While
here they were invited by Judge Cation to visit
his park and premises on the north BLUM, an
Invitation they cordially accepted, and they
were received by the Judge with such cour'
tesy as he knows SO well how to extend; for
nothing pleases the Judge more than such a
visit by intelligent and appreciative strangers,
to whom he delights to show his grounds and
communicate Information relating to the
many objects of interest he has gathered
around him.
1t is evident that one of these gentlemen,
from Rockford, appreciated all this to large
extent, as we'll as the location and natural
advantages of Ottawa, as may be inferred
from the suboined communication which ne
wrote to Forest and Stream, well known
New York publication. He mistakes, how
ever, the number of elk and deer IN the
Judges grounds. OF elk there are thirty'iive
and of deer about forty, embracing in all hve
distinct species, all American, except one
species from the island of Ceylon, of which
there are five specimens.
Here is the letter:
ROCKFORD, H., May Goth, 1878.
Editor Forest and Stream -:
While on recent visit to Ottawa, party, OF
which / was fortunately member received
a cordial invitation to visit the well known
parks belonging to Judge Cation. lheard Of
ten of the Judge, he being one of the wealth
lest and most Influential men in the state, but
I did not know until my visit and acquain.
lance how different he was in many respects
from many other wealthy mes.
Judge c. is a noble specimen of pioneer.
He is of unusual size, beng over six feet IN
height, strong chest and limbs, and is, even
in his old age, powerful man. lie has al
ways delighted in field and forest sports. lie
saws "he does u little shooting yet.' He has an
inexhaustible fund of rich experience con
nected with the history of his part OF the
state Judging from the pride he has taken
| in preserving the native forest trees IN his
parks, and the pleasure he takes in showing
! appreciative friends around among them, he
| is in sympathy with Miss Cary's beautiful
/
poem:
"Of all tie beautiful pictures
That hang in memory's hall,
Is one of u Gin old forest
That seemeth best of all"
l could hardly do justice to any descrip-
'tion to Judge Cations home and the parks
without giving bret description of Ottawa
and its beautiful situation. The natural beau
ty of Ottawa's surroundings cannot be sur
passed. 1t is here that Fox River stream
of no inconsderabe importance emptles in
to its more pretentious and better know neigh
bor-Illinois river Both streams are border
ed by high bluffs which have been chosen
as sites for many OF the handsome dwelling
places of the more wealthy citizens Ottawa
is CITY of about 10000 inhabitants, and is
admirably situated for manufacturing pur
poses 1t has lately been attracting consid.
cradle attention as a place ofresort, as springs
have been found there whose waters possess
rare medical virtue. But your readers will
care more to know about Judge Cations deer
parks About mile from the business part
of the city, and upon one OF the most beauu
! full bluffs, commanding fine view of the towr,
the two rivers, and all the surrounding coun
try, is situated Judge Cations splendid resi-
dence, and Just west Of the house is park No
4. AT or near the entrance is a small lake,
the banks of which have been protected with
cobble stones, and there is a little artificial
stone island IN the middle of the lake. Here
can be seen some rare specimens-,)apanese
geese, Chinese geese, domesticated Canada
geese, and mallard and other varieties ofwild
Iducks-and what seemed stranger than all TO
me, pair of sand hill cranes and brant; for
! I had never before seen the latter named fowls
domesticated. There are also IN this park
] large flock of tame) wild turkeys, and twenty
Il IL - ,,n1 tl,a
common Virginia deer. There are two ante
lope and one mule deer; the latter the Judge
values highly, it having been sent to him by
friend from Mexico. After viewing and al
miring the variety of beasts and birds IN park
No. we were conducted TO the elk park
This park is surrounded by very high pick.
ct fence, and people are warned To "stay out'
or to enter at the peril of their lives, as some
of the elk are vicious, particularly one cross
old fellow, who killed his man last winter
This herd OF elk, consisting of about twenty,
| have attracted much attention, it being the
largest herd owned by any private Individual
| in this part of the country. Their owner
takes great pride in his herd, and has made
himself acquainted with the habits and pc
culiarities of this species of deer. We were
highly entertained and instructed by an ac-
count given us by the Judge OF his recent trip
| to Norway, and some observations he had
made regarding the resemblance the reindeer
I OF Norway bears 10 the elk and caribou of
our own country. He has evidently posted
himself thoroughly in these matters We
were taken from the elk park to see the AL
derney and Durham cattle, among which we
saw some fine animals, and thence TO the con.
servatory, where we found, in cheering con.
trast to the bleak appearance of the foliage
outside, lowing to the tardy coming of warm
Al. i
grant flowers. Among other things shown
us was a handsome rose in full bloom, which
the Judge had brought himself from Rome
Also japanese tree with the fruit hanging
almost ripe. After seeing other things of in.
terest we babe our host farewell, receiving a
cordial invitation TO come again, which we
hope to 40 some time. Should you or your