davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
Prof. Cunning.

The lecture Of Prot. Cunning at the Court
House last Friday night was pretty well attend
ed though not by any means as well as the NH
and the lecture deserved. As scientific let-
turer, Prof Cunning far surpasSes any one VINO
ever visited US Not the fa!ntest conception Of
his talk. however, can be given by even the best
abstract. Ordinarily man, not scientist, sNs
down to read or hear scientific lecture, feeling
as much as If 1t were a rather irksome duty anu
accordingly make hard work Of II; yet we ven
ture to say no one in his audience felt that 20
hear Professor u. talk was anything but ple'F-
ure. His theme was the Earth before Man
which was made especially interesting he
talks pleasantly, in i manner that every man pi
common sense can understand. lie is also IN
object teacher making free use OF the blac>-
board, upon which he draws with Woheeriii
skill, He illustrated the development OF I've "
drawings; explained the methods OF scienI'ss
in reproducing an extinct animal or bra, etr
from 4 single bone, and gave drawings OF ue
earlier forms Of life, without which the mere e.
scriptons by word Of mouth would have OIL
family impressed the average audience. N
truth we never heard more interesting scIei-
tlfc lecture, and never, we believe, has the SUB
ject lie lectured upon been presented in c!earr
or more interesting manner. We do not belize
it possible for person to listen to him and p'
inhale valuable and interesting information.
The next lecture OF the course will be given
at the Court House on Thursday evening, Marh
I'd, not on Friday, rs we were informed last We'h'
We assure our friends that they Will find II NEST
interesting, and urge them to hear him. ll&-
ets can be had az the book stores.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
BLA1NE,s CURRENCY SPEECH,

The Rockford JoufHoI makes the follow
lng sensible and iudlcious remarks IN regard
10 Bla,ne's recent splunge on the currency
question;
Mr.. blaine did not rise to the dignity Of
the statesman. Instead OF attempting TO point
ant the road which leads out of the financial
.lOughs and quagmires in which the business
interests of the country Is now lloundering,
he contented himself with arraigning the
Democratic party for It's course on finances,
for the changing Of some of its leaders from
hard money men to paper money men. In
this Mr.. Blaine was at fault, for it Is only a
little over a year since, by the sheer force of
numbers the Republicans carried through as
d party measure a bill which looked TO the
widest paper money expansion. This bill
was advocated and pressed by Kelly, Morton
Oglesby, Logan, and other leaders Of the par
~ as a party measure, and was only beaten
by the presidents veto. This bill was openly
advocated by Morton, Logan, Ben Butler, and
other leading Republicans as an initiation
measure, which the country demanded, and
needed. Such being the case it is not states
manlike in Mr.. Blaine to arraign the Demo
cratic party for financial jugglery when the
Republican party has such Il mixed record.
The country does not care one cent what the
individual notions are Of this democrat or
that republican, but what it demands Is that
Congress shall devise some fixed policy IN
reference to the finances and cease us ever
lasting tinkering with this great interest. A
fixed and liberal policy TO be laid down 10
which the business interests OIL the country
may adjust themselves, is what Is needed, and
the country demands this at the hands OF MIR.
Blame, instead of his arraigning some other
party for its failure to lead the commercial
interests on to good solid ground The Re-
publican party is to blame for its failures
during all the years of its power, to devise
some sound financial basis on which the in
teres.s of the country might rest. The pub.
lie cares little for dodging speeches, but 1t
does demand of Congress solution of the
financial question. 1t is tired OF having this
question used as subject on which polite
ians may build demagogucing speeches.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
HOME MATTERS.
city Election.


Our city election takes place on the third Mon
day in March, which will be the 10th Of next
month. The only officers 20 elect are mayor,
one alderman for each ward and one schoo! di-
rector
Mr.. Lynch having acceded to the invitation
Of leadin" ci,A-l, and business men and con-
scented 70 become a candidate for mayor, VIC re-
gard that matter as settled, that he will be elect
ed withou; opposition, and that there need be
no further worry about who is to be our next
mayor.
The careful mana cement Of our finances dur
ing the past two years by Mayor Swift has plac-
ed them in such condition that Two years more
of like careful management will place our city
out Of debt and render practicable very mate
rial reduction Of local taxation. To such poll-
cy, of course Mr. Lynch, as the new mayor, will
stand pledged, and the only caution now nee
essary TO be given 10 the voters is, that some
care shall I've exercised, in elcctlng the new al
dermen, in selecting such men Us will back up
the mayor in this eminently wise policy. We
want sensible business men and men whom tax
alton would squeeze, as guarantee against
their support Of visionary projects or cxtrava-
gance Of any sort. Ottawa has been crippled in
prosperity by the notion abroad that she is
heavily in debt and that her people are
burdened by heavy taxation. Nothing will re-
viye our citys prosperity more surely than TO be
able 10 proclaim that We are out Of debt and
pay less taxes than any other city of the same
size in the state. Sucf ahGppy condition is now
within our easy reach, and let W. be united to
achieve lis full attainment.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

very pleasant reception was given on last
Thursday evening by Mr. ard Mrs D. Hapeman
at their home on the east side. The company
was composed Of" Old folks" SO called, there be-
ing but half dozen unmarried people in
the assembly. But we have seen many" young
peoples parties that were not nearly SO enjoy
able. The house wac well filled, and if the guests
did not enjoy Themselves their looks were Ger.
talnly great fbbers.' The evening was spent
in dancing, card p!syigg, etc, and rich supper
served Though not Intended to be a dress par
ty many very beautiful dresses adorned the Ia.
dies. Among those present were Hon. W. Bush
nell and wife, Judge Elderdsc and wife, Judge
Gilman, Mr. John Nash and wife, s. +. King and
wife, Vim. Hull anil wife, II, c. Nash and wife,
T.. &. Allen and wife, D. p Jones and wifi, DR..
Dyer and wife, Mrs. Hugh Hamilton, Mr.. Moses
Osman, Miss KJInys, Miss Dclezenc, Mrs. AT.
man and many others.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

\ NEW Ana new method Of ornatncntnG
has recently been introduced to the public call.
cd "DeCalcOmanic,n or Transfer pictures. IL con
sists Of instantly transferring pictures when
have been printed on paper in colors, TO any ar
ticle one may wish to ornament. a large Class
vi the designs, such as flower and fruit pieces,
autumn leaves, moss c-huds ferns, vines, an
tIque heads, cupds, emblcms, Mcdallons, land
scapcs, animal scenes, &c, are particularly
sought after by ladies' for ornamcnting furniture,
work.boycs, vases, lamp shades, flower pots, and
articles Of china glass wood, silk, ivory, marble
plated ware, tinware, leather, &c.
These pictures are designed by the most Skill
ful European artists and are printed On prepar'
ed paper in many colors and various designs
they may he instantly transferred 10 any article,
SO as to initiate the most beautiful painting.
The directions for transferring ar" very plain,
and the art j. easily acquired, 20 that one may
become al expert, even after It few hours prac-
tiCc.
By this process the Cheapest articles are ire
quenNy OrHamcntcd with bits Of landscapes or
floral decoration that could not De- painted by
hand without increasing the value Of the article
The manufacturers Of these pictures, Mcssrs. j
J.. Pattcn & Co, 1872 william street, Ne" YORK
will send, postpaid, book Of - pages, giving
fun instruction, in this delightful art, complete
catalogue, and ten specimen pictures, Oh rc'elp'
OF ten cents
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
tNSOU NCENiENT>.

,egHuiy present myself before Tie 'EA' 'o'''s 0. Ih'
town 81 OTTAWA, candidate tor lie once Oh lorn 20"
Ie,tpr ~ he spring election. l;DEkhl l. N'iFhl.
- he regucs; OF ny friends and n"ghb''' without
gard 20 party OF nationality myself As cand
date r thc Office OF Collector y le Town Of O''aSs Al
TIE ensuing election. " MAIZE
respectfully MAKE Auovn 70 u' legal No'rs o 't' Town
OF OTTAWA TIA: will le cand.ta'e lo- 'a' Office o. Town
Collector a. the sprng election.
Respectfully. "'hN ! LII n
We s,s Authorized 20 announce joins T. BURKE can
dda'r iJr ofr ri TJvE Collector .. DE ensulH town
election.
We aunoulr. TEANK 60. kiND Sc candidate Tor l'
ocs OF Town Collector ol TIE tozu %, ot'a~a a. ,Ee eli
SUM election.
We are authorize! 90 announce ~. JOHN HOBAS As a
c.nqiaate for tie Office OF I1sl collector A. ne 'a.an-
town election.
JAMES LAFFEEIY would respectfully inform ne 70
4 OTTAWA that be candidate i'r TIE Once OF IoHH
collector ard sol.c's ;her s-drases tlr The zane
wears9upr- AETHUR LOCKWOOD e. a clsi.is'e for
IOWA A--.sz0T-
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

On one week from Tuesday the regular moDlh-
" meeting OF this association will be held At
their rooms over Griggs' store, on which even
ing the new series Of shares will begin to run.
Quite number Of shares have been subscribed,
and though much has been said and written
about the workings Of the association, there ire
still many who are enquiring about il. The s's-
TEN, IN few words, is this; The Shareholders
Bay each month 80 cents on each share tley
hold, or Sc per annum; this money Is each moth
loaned 10 members-the member bidding ihe
most for TIE money taking the amount bid or
less his premium, having given good security.
Each month be pays his interest on his lean
at 10 per cent. per annum, and his 80 cents
on each share, which money is again loaned.
Il will be seen, by deducting the premium ind
by the monthly payments Of interest, y laSe
amount of fictitious capital 10 created whch
draws interest, and interests are compound
ed on interests I'D tgtnita"e, making the zeal
earnings accumulate very rapidly. Wien
leach share becomes worth 800 d division is
made. Borrowers have their notes cancelled
without paying the principal in money, and non
borrowers receive 500 in cash for each share
they hold Each series is expected to mature
in about years, SO that by paying on each share
S.2 the holder receives 500 or q gain of Us
Should the shareholder become dissatisfied, he
is at liberty al the end @. one year TO withdraw
and receive & per cent Oh his payments. BY taxi
ING number of shares. the profits can be made
very large; and there need be no alarm about
the Associations failng-it caat fail; and il
cant be stolen out, FOR there IS never any money
TO be stolen. There is no safer or better way to
invest small savings than in this association, and
we know of no way TO make them realize
faster ;hanSby putting them here. The books
are With the Secretary, DR.. j. Q. Harris, who
will gIyc further information regarding the sol
ciety, snd take subscriptions Of stock,
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

Except Ben Butler, who voted for Jeti. Da-
Wis Is times ia the Charleston Convention in
1860, Blaine is entitled, Of all northern dough.
faces, to be called tie original jeff Davis man
par trcclleace. As early as 1867, when Thad
Stevens was driving through the house his
brutal reconstruction act, Blaine, then a SIM
pie member. meekly proposed to fish for a
little future popularity in the south by offer
ing ar amendment the object of which was
10 provide for complete eventual amnesty, OF
course including Jeff Davis. The great com
noner" hurled at Blaine just three sentences,
and they gave him such ascarc that he hasn't
gotdone quaklng to this day. THE amendment
of the gentleman from Name" said Stevens,
lets in vast number Of rebels and shutS ont
.0body! All ] ask is that when the House
comes to vote on that amendment, il shall un.
derstand that the adoption of il would be an
entire surrender of these States (the South
into the hands of the rebels II is proposed
step toward universal amnesty and universal
Andy Johnsonism."
Though Blame, on that occasion, voted
side by side with Randall, Of Pa, and Thorn
as, of Md, "ior Andy Johusonism," the crack
Of that whip Of old Thad gave him such a
shock that his nerves havn't been quite light
SINCE then.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
stop Thief!

We have . very promising lawyer in town.
He's smart Hes also poor, but honest as Il
wintery day, as will be seen 10y reading the fol-
lowing facts: Our hero wanted to 90 to inca
90 but he didn't have suitable "togs" he bought.
He therefore called on one Of our fashionable
talors one night and whispered in lis ear the
state OF the case, whereupon Mr.. Tailor loaned
him coat lie missed the train in the mornin.
and while waiting for the $3.50 cars hung the
coat in the closet in his Office. Well, rs 1t hap
pened, negotiation had been entered into for the
sale of the aforesaid coat some days before, ana
on that morning the customer came in after it..
Mr.. Tailor sent up stairs after it, and as Mr.. T.
ailor's friend was absent the boy took the coat
from the peg and sold il. Pretty soon twas train
tire and our hero rushed for his cOat-and to his
horror, for wealth to him isn't like water, found
il gonei HIS examination Of the surroundings
convinced him il was gone. "0b.t, erceSNd eraS't,
er4lpH," vamousit stolen! by Jove," lie cried,
and the boys said stolen by joe However,
the tailor loaned him another, promising to put
the officers 81 work on the case, and he went to
the cars. lie was just comfortably seated be-
hind weed" and the TRADER, when, suffering
wearing that identical coat! "Oh-h, let me at
him. No, III just keep shady and fix him when
we get 10 Chicago. III learn man to run on
in the same train with myself He turned the
thought round and round III his brain as one
turns tempting morsel on his tongue, gloated
over It, ard thought how he would astonsh
Tailor when he told him he'd "cotched" him.
A soon as they reached Chicago he cOllarcd his
victim and called policeman. Then lie tele-
graphed;
"Haye got the man and the coat. Says lis
name is - -, and claims that he bought it
Of you. How is it,"
Then he waited for the result, which came:
ITS all right. Only joke. Let i'm go"
Then he went up to the wall OF the depot and
Jumped his head on the sharp stones for ten or
fifteen minutes and hired some newsboys to
Lick Inn as he went up Clark street, I'LL his
lervcs became settled once more. He'll be
lone soon, a sadder but wiser man.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

Mr.. Wilkinson had q bad scarce last week, aid
came very near losing n considerable pill of
money, He is collccto. OF the town of Alien,
aid as there Is no bank near there 10 enablchim
TO deposit every day he has frequently arge
amounts Of money about him. 4 man mined
Mccoy visited the house one dag and having dis
covered the place Of the money made OF with
nearly 1900. Mrs. W. suspected the thdt, and
on examination found her fears :onfrmes. She
Immediately aroused the uciglborhooi, who
succeeded in capturing the rascal. lie now
spends HE time whiting out nIt-megs and to-
bacco pipes in the county Jail, swaitins further
orders, which will probably be TO aid the state
IN q quiet sort Of way at Jolie. Good bye,
Josie; We won't miss you.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
since then

FREAKS OF THE WEATHEE.-These two
items appear side by side in an exchange
before US:
HORRIBLE DEATH.-On the 18Th Inst VIM.
Anderson, living near Wcnona, IN returning
home from that town in an intoxicated con.
iition late at night lost his way and laying
down by the roadside frozc To death.
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.-On the 18th inst.
he residence of Joseph Juneau, at Bourbon.
nails Grove, was struck by lightning during
thunder storm, the fluid passing down
The chimney and destroying it, as we'll as n
stove into which it descended.
Bourbonnais Grove and Wenona are in the
same parallel Of latitude and not over 50
miles anart
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

The ilremen Of this city have been ornament
ing themselves by purchasing all around new
pin OF German silver. The body is round en-.
closing bronze center on which in raised work
are the hat, speaking trumpet, and other para.
phernalia of the fire department, the whole sur
mounted by the American spread eagle. The
inscription, in black letters, is "Ottawa J. D.
II is on the whole rather pretty pin, but a
little too large 70 our notion. But We are glad
20 zee the boys take SO much interest in the de-
partment 1t auSurs good results when their
services are needed. III this connection tie fol
owing cxstract from the Philadelphia NT,0ry
On IRE departments may not be out OF place:
To-day the fire departments OF the United
states lar surpass any Others in the world both
as 10 inc knowledge and activity Of the men and
spIcnulu machinery IN use. This assertion may
appear WlLu, Out IL is nevertheless true. Il may
require some explanations therefore, We would
simply refer to the progress that has been made
n this country in fire matters in the first place
his country in its infancy imported hand en-.
zines from Europe, but the enterprisin.- shirt
;hat existed and the ingenuity of our mechanics
were not long in producing their superior. The
various cities backed this up BY introduction of
water works, and this brought forth leather riy
ted hose. These Improvements were tho stem.
ping stone 10 the wonderful fire machines now
n service. EncOuTd2 cmeut should be given p
Efficient departments, and See that they gre
equipped TO meet every emergency. They ere
nreated for the protection Of life and property
There is not department Of any city's govern.
nent that requires more attention than that Of a
FIRE department IL is true thai il IS N cXpen.
siye institution, and 70 the public'S eve seems an
die one, on account Of the few and iar between
Tres that occur during some years. Bat this D
no consideration when We reflect over the per.
lis that a fireman encounters, and the duties
that he is called upon 10 perform, when the cold
winters blasts j. 10 its height, tie signal Is
sounded, be It siorilinE or clear, b respond.
willingly 10 the summons. We have on The fire
ground Of q cold January night, seen the ere
men in 4 state 81 stupOr from the severe wealth
y, while their clothes were stiff with ige. The
apparatus are worthy Of consideration, md on
the occasions Of public exhibitions full scope
should be given TO all inventions.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

1t simply resolved in favor of withdrawal o!
The national bank currency and the issue, IN
lieu Of it, OF greenbacks as our only paper
currency, said grcenbacks 70 be redeemaole
in gold and silver, or lnterconvertiblc Win
government bond bearing rot over AZ nor
less than $50 per cent, interest principal and
interest of said bonds TO he payable III golo'
There are few hard money democrats III INC
west that would object to such platform
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
Firpman's Ball at StreatOr.

! Idi.orS Free Tradcr-True to your notice in last
weeks issue, the members OF the Ottawa Fire
Department in full uniform, "a rusty old jacket
and belt,O embarked on Tuesday last, on the
O'Clock freight for Streator, to take part in the
caye;ics of a hreman's ball. or course we ex-
pected TO have good time, and, as will shortly
be seen, were not disappointed; the event prov
led to excel our anticipatons We reached our
destination at about o'clock u. NJ and were Ia
ken from the depot under escort OF the Streator
Fire Department (the two Companies, Hope and
Rescue1 20 the Streator House, where sumpt'
nous supper awaited U.S. and OF which under
the smiling countenancc Of landlord and waiter
girls. we partook quite freely. At half past
eight the tap Of the fire bell reminded us 10 raj
", and accordingly we marched in body to the
engine house, where we were again met by the
home companies, and headed by brass band,
taken from thence to the handsomely decorated
ball room; an inscription, "Welcomc to our
Guests" took our eye, and was hailed with the
proper courtesy; and the motto I'VE Hope to
Rescue" received all our attention Great taste
was displayed in the decoration of the hall, in
harmony with Wills's Band which begun TO play
the Grand march, into which we mingled with
,more pride than We dared confess 20 possess
but on looking about and seeing the home com.
'panlcs dressed in their fine and gorgeous unI'
forms, marching in trent and behind US, we be
ran 10 fec, like the poor bcggar III an arlstocrat-
ic church. However, We were soon made TO feel
a. ease by the smiling and obliging countenances
Of their officers and members, prominent
amongst whom We noticed Mr. John l,omasney;
but we must refrain from mentioning names; it
would require too much space to give due cred
it to all. The floor managers tried to Guido one
another, and as for the ladies' they can not be
cxcelcd in taste, beauty and courtesy. At mid
night we were again escorted to a sumptuous
supper at . near restaurant, to which We did
ample Justice; from thence We returned 10 the
hall and again mingled and pertook OF the gage
ties into the "wec spa' hours" whence we took
heels for The depot. May the StreatOr Fire De
partRent live long and prosper. We are thus
placed under obligation to the Strcator T. d., and
IL not distant date, with the kindly aid OF our cit
liens, mean TO redeem and Justify the Ottawa
Department in the esteem ii now bears.
" I.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26
Bible Society.

The SD anniversary OF the La sale County
Bible Society was held at the Presbyterian
church in this city last Sunday evening. The
Congregational and Methodist clIrch,s were
closed in the evening 10 allow Their people 10
attend. After appropriate religious exercises
were over, the Trcasurcrs report was read by
Geo. " Cash, also the report Of County Agent
{. Foster.
President, Rev. +. BascOm, Ottawa.
Vice Presidents, Reys. J. I. Yates, Ottawa, >
II. Weller, Mendoza, G.. ;. Basccm, Peru, &. VI
Young, S;reator, H. W. Ableson Norway, CAas
Duulay Wal:ham.
Secretary, Vim. Cullen, Ott4w.
Treasurer, Geo. y. Cash, OTTAWA.
Executive Committee, Rev. q II. Force aud X
o. Black, Ottawa, Samuel PLUMP StreatOr, A. N
Ebcr-yl, Fall River, Robert Lu,as, Freedom.
Good spring wheat Rour, $50 per hundred
pounds, a. Wood. Eagle Nills.
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

shall send my tenth regular excursion 10
Southwestern Kansas on Tuesday, March eth,
1876. This Is the. lat Combination Excursion
tins season, and have made arrangements to
give another handsome reduction ON passenger
and frciSh, cars - ,Loso who 20 at this time.
Addrcs, az CALI ~ p. 81 once, II YOU wish 70 20.
,IoHN ". CHHD-,
D.u Land and Emi-raul
Agent. Joliet. m
The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-02-26

Tie milk man had - runaway uu Thursday
morning and The mix market bounced up and
down at - fearful rate. i; WIS pulled aud
"Jyarei" in way tina, made spectators hair
erect to perpendicular in hor.hcd aIaazcment.
II WAS ,hort--a runaway, iik, fight, doesn't
generally last more than two mrutc,-bu' pi,hy,
like The last words pf dead beat poli'i ians.
When Il WAS over IN" concern yas landed in the
ditch opposite Rial Strickland, residence minus
tongue, QUO wheel d!spda,ed immensely, and
driver dls.u,trd. Al swcarin- ~ the ladies a
his uon-arriy.I j.. therefore, en-, 90 order. md
viii be- raped down.