The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-08-03
ottawa township High School.


Editors Free Trader--Allow me space in your
valued paper TO review the acts and the reasons
for such acts Of the trustees to the present time,
and why they again desire the people to direct
them. First, all of the trustees were agreed that
we should use the strictest economy in setting
ahoat our High School, with an eye all the time
to efficiency, that is to say, we should procure
good corps OF able teachers, those who had large
experience and known ability. In this they feel
they have been eminently successful, thus far the
board have been a unit. The second question
for the board to settle was where could they find
Il suitable building, in which to conduct the
school. Mr.. James II. Pickens, chairman OF the
committee on buildings inspected each and all
the places offered, and after full examination,
found there was not such a building that could
be procured in our city. After mature delibera-
ton the trustees ordered an election, which was
held on the 10Th day Of last July. At that cleo
| ton three propositions were submitted; one be-
| ing shall said trustees be authorized to borrow
Sc 900 on the credit OF said township, for the pur
pose of purchasing site and building for said
High School. When this question was submitted
the trustees thought Il building with four rooms
would be sufficient to accommodate the scholars,
and could be built for about three thousand dol
lars but upon consultation with Prof. Boltwood,
We found we should need more room; and should
the school attract foreign scholars, we should
need at least five rooms The trustees thercupon
concluded it was advisable to build house with
six rooms rs the cost would be but little more
than building with five rooms After getting
up their plans and specifications, which have
been submitted to builders, and their bids are
now ready to he delivered to the trustees The
building will cost about $500. The out houses
and coal houses, side walks and fences are not
included in contract for building, which will cost
$500 more In addition we must furnish build
ing, with pupils seats and desks, also teachers
desks the cost of which will be, say one thous-
and dollars
Now if we aid to the cost Of building ($l5OO)
out buildings $500, furniture $1,000, it will bc
readily seen that we have used up our $4,000 yot-
cd and have nothing left with which to purchase
a lot or lots for the building They therefore
again return to the original source of power ana
ask the people to provide them with the means
to purchase II site. The third proposition was,
''wberc shall said school be located" The pub.
lie are well aware that by n large majority the
people voted to locate said school house on Shah
bona Square; they are also well advised that the
trustees were not able to procure from the city
their privileges III sad square. Had they pro-
cured said privileges they could have erected
their building in said square and had ample
money ~ complete and equip their building. \
part of the trustees believe that the people
should say where they desire this building Iocat-
cd, and this is one reason for again submitting
this third proposition. There are large mum
Der of places offered for sale, on which we could
build the house, or change the structures now ON
them for school purposes. First property con.
sisting of four acres on the bluff southwest OF
the Illinois bridge located in South Ottawa, be.
longing to John V. A. Hoes, price $500. On
the west side B. +. Phelps property east OF j. r
Nash's a large lot running to the river; price
about $500 Land on Madison street west OF the
residence of Mr.. Cummings Formerly the resi-
dence of Mr.. King Beatty can be had at 500 per
acre Mr.. Lewis Lews's property consisting OF
ho,is. and six lots southwest of Shabbona Square
price $500 Three lots with house, one block
west of S. w. Chccver's belonging to Mrs. Mont.
pomery with large number of forest trees which
have required from fifteen to twenty years to grow
them to their present size, can be bought for
$1,000 or less Lots 4 and in block 81, States
addition to Ottawa Told as-property); price
$4,000 with two brick buildings on them. In
North Ottawa, King property on the ridge price
about $4,000. understand there is other proper.
ty in that section that can be bought at reasona-
bic prices. Lot s, block l3, original town of OF
tawa Calvin LOTS, price $1,000. Lots and ;,
block 81, States addition to Ottawa on Colum-
bus street Iceland property, price $4,000. The
house and lot known as the james Colwell pro-
perty on Columbus street is offered at reduced
prices, $500 one half 1t cost M J. O. Glover
TO build the house. East Of Fox river Mr.. John
CSlwen offers his residence property for $500.
Tie east half of Green's Block containing six
lots with streets on three sides, can be purchased
for $500. There are other sites, but there the
trustees have visited and learned the prices One
word more and will bring this lengthy commu-
nication to Il close. If it is desired that We shall
purchase either of these sites or some other that
the people may by their votes indicate, it will be
all important they should vote Us the additional
$1,000 asked for, with which to pay for said site.
IN have shown that when we shall have com
pleted the building and furnished the same, we
have used up our SIX thousand uollafs anu HlNc
nothing with which we can purchase the site I'M
less they authorize us to issue the whole or Il
part Of said four thousand dollars as may be
InceGed. d. L. uATHE"M.
The risitor from Lake Superior referred to in
last Wednesday evenings Times, was not trans
ported by me, but was brought from the Lake
Superior region by an iceberg during the glacial
or ice period many years ago and buried under
the 80 called glacial drift reposcd and there for
many more ages. In the scooping out of our H.
illinois Valley it wac discovered, and has lain for
many ages more exposed TO the curious gaze of
man Geology and mineroogy recognize in it
valuable and correct history Of changes in the
earth's crust. The boulder is composed Of The