The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-09-10

IlSOO and settled IN Grundy county In May 1888
He built the first house on the present site o.
Morris, near the spot now occupied by A. L.
Jordan's residence; he afterwards took farm
He was one Of the first county commissioners o.
Grundy county ard was assessor and treasurer
With one exception he was at the time Of his
death the oldest settler in that county.
Streator Free Press: "Mr Ammon Moon gives
MS some OF the Information asked for last week,
relative to the names of the creeks In this vicini
ty. Eagle Creek takes It's name from the fact
that when this region was first settled, away
back along about 1858, pair OF eagles had their
nest In big tree out at the extreme point OF the
timber. They were there for number OF years,
aud the early settlers got to calling the creek
Eagle Creek, because Of the royal birds that
made their home up at the timber head Of it,"
The Peru Ne,cs says OF the small pox cases -four
miles west Of that city: "At the time OF the
death of the child from Chicago, at the residence
OF Samuel Wilson, several persons were exposed
to contagion-s among Others, Geo. Weisenberger,
who, having had the disease himself, felt no
fear The result has shown that though he was
safe himself, he carried the seeds OF the disease
In his clothing TO his home, and his daughter
aged fourteen Is now very sick with 1t. Two
other cases are In the house Of Mr. Wilson,
where the first case occurred. There is no ground
for apprehension Of the disease spreading II prop
or measures are taken Immediately to quarantine
the two dwellings where the disease Is devel-
oped. There Is not q single case within four
miles Of either city"
Republican: "On Wednesday an Astonishing ex.
ploson OF well occurred on the old Mulligan
farm, near Grand Ridge. The we'll had been
sunk to depth Of about 35 feet, when Kissing
sound was beard rushing into the air. lighted
lantern was lowered when a tremendous explo.
sion followed, succeeden by rapid flow OF Wa
ter into the we'll Three young lads, sons OF
Messrs. Woodward, stason and Fogle, were
standing on the brink looking down when the
explosion came, and 1t Is said oil were hurt by
being burned and one or two OF them severely.
The we'll rapidly filled with water and no traces
are left OF this affair, save the Injuries to the
boys. Young Stason had just come up out OF
the well, and had he remained, boy like, to see
the light lowCrered his fate would have been
terrible.
Tonlca Mems: THE centennial picnic In honor
OF the Tooth anniversary Of Grandmother Graves,
was held in Horace Graves orchard. Nearly 500
people were In attendance, including lO7 child
rem, grand children and great grand children Of
the sgcd mother. Some Of these came from Kan
sas and other distant points. Only two OF her
Horace and Harvey, live in the lmme-
date vicinity. Rev. Moses W. Gum, OF La Sale,
delivered the address. He was listened to with
great interest by the old settlers In particular,
40 he related the pioneer experiences OF his faith
er and Mr.. Graves, who camped together on these
prairies la the early Indian wars. The birthday
VI Grandmother Graves occurred on Thursday,
The celebration was held on Saturday to com.
memorate the Goth anniversary OF Horace
Graves birthday, bringing the two events togeth
or In the minds OF the participants. Grandmoth.
or Graves is hale and hearty for one Of her ad-
'anced age, being able to be around the house
Ind do numerous little chores"
On Monday afternoon last locomotive spark
set fire to meadow OF John Barnhart, about a
nile and q half north OF Streator The grass
was soon ablaze and advancing toward his barn
md residence at a fearful rate OF speed. The
school house was soon surrounded and II required
The combined efforts Of the teacher and pupils to
Keep 1t from burning the building. Mr.. Barn |
lart as quickly as possible ran a furrow between |
lis buildings and the flames, hut they ovcrlcaped |
I aud were but slightly checked. Several other
arrows were run IN rapid succession, and Mr.. |
3arnharts dau- liter, who had gone for help, |
brought several men, aud with their assistance
he fire was checked just before it had reached
he orchard, stacks aud buildings, which could
lot pos ,by have been saved had the fire reached
hem. The team attached to the pillow was left
or an instant at one time, at what was thought
o be safe distance from the fire, while the
lrver stopped TO take u drink. Before he could
wallow II cup of water and return to his team
Ire was burning the lines thrown down beside
hem, and they ran away doing no particular
iamage. Mr.. Barnhart's forty acre meadow is
low as barren rs a floor. About 40 rods OF rail |