The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-04-30
Irish Settlements in illinois.
WIN :, opansp, In Catholic World for Nay

! (Wni. j. Onahnp, IN Catholic World for Aay.)
The line of the Illinois and Michigan canal
extending from Chicago to La Salle--a dis
lance of one hundred miles-is marked by
farms and settlements which show the mos
unmis,akable signs of thrift and pi Osperity.
The land is in high state Of cultivation
the abundance and variety of the stock IN
sight, the ample barns and bursting corn-cr!bs
land conspicuously the comfortable and often
elegant farm houses within the range of coun
try bordering this once important internal
channel, serve to show that the farmers thro
tins region are in the enjoyment OF notable
measure Of plenty, prosperity and comfort
Two railroads, the Chicago, Rock Island and
Pacific, and the Chicago, Alton and ST. Louis
run parallel with the canal, the former the
entire length, the latter only part OF the dis
lance.
The predomhance of tie Irish element IN
the populations of the towns and settlements
along the line of these railways, and in the
farming communities in the near vicinity OF
the canal cannot escape notice even by the
passing traveller A casual inquiry will
bring out the curious fact that this part of the
state was largely settled by the Irish laborrs
and contractors who IN the early days haG
found employment on the works of the Hi
nois and Michigan canal, IN the period from
1880 to 1850.
| The circumstances which led to the trans.
formation OF the canal hborer INTO the pioneer
farmer VIII form an Instructive chapter in the
history oil lrlsh coIoniHatlon IN the Vest
Inc chanEe came from the necessities OF the
situation, ana was largely involuntary, as VIII
appear 10 inc course Oh ms sKetch. a refer
ence TO the history OF the construction OF the
Illinois canal is indispensable IN order 10
make clear the causes which led to this exam
pie.ol irish coiohiza'ioh IN Illinois
Early In me present century the attention Oh
me na'iohai government ana the efforts OF the
eifi'oriai' anu ia'er OF lhe s'"'e au'h4ities OF
limos were dlrec'eu 10 the importance OF
opening canai communication between Lake
M'ch'sah anu thc iii,nois river i. "as re
gardeu rs ihaispehsaoie Ior oolh military anu
Gomnlerciai purposes, IN 1917 congress au'
thor'heu Tue o'ate oi I'iiho's 10 construct inc
cahal through Tue puo'ic lahus ia tha' STATE
granting ioi tic PURPOSE d s'rip Vi iahu ninety
lec' III wiu.h vi NO sues vi l., anu resersing
me lahus through "ilcii IL hiSht pass from
SAFE until iur'her uifectioh'
Inc cahai was 10 NC couhfHehceo within
lhree, ana completed "ithln Twelve years Inc
ihitiatory steps were 'akeh ny me STATE the
route surveyed ana estimates OF cost maze
Out when all these necessary prelin inaries
iau been gone through obstacles ana dlihcui'
Ties OF nnahc.al ana poilllcal nature super
vened, SD that scarcely any progress was In
TACT maze; nor was inc CONSTRUCTION Oh theI
cahai actuaiiy begun tlll inc year 1000.
In The meantime congress had passed varl-
Gus supplementary acts relating to the con.
struction OF the canal, by which the State OF
ILLINOIS acquired me pnoIIc lands contiguous
70 the proposed Inc, including the greater
part OIL the present site OF Chicago, AS re-
source to ensure The speedy completion OF the
The first ground was broken for the canal at
Chicago, July 4, 1886, and it is an interesting
Renaissance to recall that, at the public cele-
hration which marked the event, DIR. William
h. Egan, a young freshman who had already
achieved leading position In Illinois, was the
orator of the occasion.
Dr. Egan became daring the next decade
one of the celebrities of Chicago, and was ia
nous alike for his eloqueHce and rund of wit
lie had been one of the pioneers of the Lake
City, and possessed that variety and versatility
of parts which often characterizes those of
his race who adventure into new country
He was physician, lawyer real estate operator
and politician. He was the life and light of
cornwall party, and the GROWING glory of
public" dinner DR.. Egan was often declar-
ed to have been born to preside at banquet"
He had manit. for real estate operations No
Chicago enthusiast could compare with him
in the buoyant estimate 6e held and constantly
put forth respecting tao future greatness and
grandeur OF the embryonic city; no one could
picture IN more glowing coloIs the wonderful
destiny in store for it. The proverbs and
stories of Dr. Egan would furnish matter Tor
an entertaining volume; but his predictions
as to the ultimate growth of Chicago, though
at the time, are an evidence of the
penetration and keen sagacty OF the man.
As illustrative OF his twin devotion to -Escu.
lapIus and corner,lOtS, |. is told of the doctor
that once, when asked by n lady patient for
whom lie had just prescribed potion: "How
shall take this, doctor he abscntly replied,
Take quarter down, the balance canal time,
one, two and three years!'-thls beng the
popular term ana parance for payments on