The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-12-24

We are indebted TO Lutte WILCOX, city editor,
Tor late copy OF the Las Vegas Daay Optic The
optic has Just been enlarged to about half the
size Of The Chicago Tim,s. 1t is handsomely
printed, full OF news, well edited, and altogether
one Of the handsomest and best western papers
ever laid on our table, Lute's columns are spe-
clally attractive,
The Somonauk RepeMl prints the following, on
what authority we know not
There seems TO be some doubt about the new
railroad from Sheridan to Paw Paw, being built,
at least that portion OF 1t between the former
place and Earlville. II reports be true the Com
pany contemplates abandoning the portion Of
the route referred TO and extending the line from
Earlville TO Ottawa The distance is but little
more and the advantages are claimed to be much
greater.
The Inter OCEAN says that Hon. P c. Hayes
wants 10 be Judge of the court Of claims, having
concluded he didn't care about being minister.
His partner Fletcher also wanted the Morris =.
o. but didn't get there. What's come over the
HerdHf
A few weeks ago a committee Of the city coun-
ell OF Fond du Lac Wis, went to Aurora to see
the electric light as system for lighting that
cIty's streets. They spent several days in Auro.
"a, and on their return, as We learn from the Bea.
con, made report, the conclusions in which are
stated as follows:
That electric light is a success
That city cannot be satisfactorily lighted
from a single tower.
That TO obtain the best results towers should
be SO distributed as to counterfeit each others
shadows as far as possible.
That Il is expedient and economical for the
city OF Fond du Lac TO use the electric light pro.
vided the city buys its plant outright.
That the city should erect iron towers as pre-
fersble to wood in durability, expense and beauty
They also state that they spent an evening in
walking atout the streets, trying TO find in the
remote suburbs place where the light did not
east shadow Such a place was no, found
The city was traversed IN various directions,
and the light was found to be sufficient every
where TO be substantial aid TO the pedestrian
The light within the immediate vicinity of a
tower-say within block in any direction, is
extremely brilliant; and one recedes from the
tower the intensity OF the light decreases In di.
rect ratio 10 the square Of the distance At A
distance OF half mile from a two-light tower IL
l. still sufficient TO see time upon the fac: of an
ordinary watch. II casts distinct shadow at
that distance, and so modifes the darkness as to
make travelling practicable and safe. II was oh.
served that an obstruction TO the direct rays.
from building, or tree or any intervening sub.
stance, caused what appeared to he black
shadow; and yet when the dark spot was pene-
trated, 1t seemed to be not that shadow but the
next one that was black. Always adark shadow
ahead, but II could never be reached. Many an
alley and by place was approached where dark
ness seemed TO reign supreme, but upon travers.
ing the place the gloom would disappear and
light, though modified. perhaps, by surrounding
distractions. would be sufficient to answer every
purpose. The shadows were more distinct and
well defined where light only came from q
single tower. Counterscting rays from some