The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-16
LETTER FROM ILLINOIS.
Correspondence of the Democratic Advocate.

STREAToR, LA SALE Co., July 2, 1881.
MesSrs. Editors II am a native of your
county, but for nine years have been a resi-,
dent of Illinois. Not month has passed
since May, 1872, but what thought of send
ing for your paper, and regretfully neglected
it to this date. Enclosed please find draft,
81, payment of same for one year. Not long
since L was in DR.. Harry Morrison's drug
store, in Kansas City, and was agreeably sur
prised when he told me that the ADVOCATE
had arrived that morning. l read it with un-
usual pleasure Many names were familiar,
and it brought up pleasant memories of old
Maryland.
| received a respectable raising between
the hills two miles east of Taneytown, and
graduated at Prof. Mckinney's Institute.
By the way, Prof Andrew is one of the best
men ever knew. Many of his students are
scattered through the West, and, so far as l
have observed, they are all successful business
men without an exception.
word or so of political character. L am
full-fedged Garfield boy, but dislike Grant
and his grasping inclination. L regret that
Arthur is Vice President, and oppose the &C
tons of the "baby- boy from Utica and his
clique with strongest terms OF condemnation
A few weeks ago | saw hog on exhibition
in Western Iowa that weighed 1882 pounds,
but the third term Elk. outwelghs him. Do
you understand? Enclosed find further evil
dence as to the weight of the Berkshire
Many of my Eastern friends are Democrats,
and | presume that accounts for my attach
ment to your paper l have received copy
quite frequently since in Illinois.
Allow me few lines with regard to our
city-Streater is on the Vermillon river and
is about thirteen years old. We have nice
park, 5000 inhabitants, four railroads, two
weekly newspapers and one daily. We are
one hundred miles southwest of Chicago and
our railroad facilities afford US as good a
market as there is in the State there are ten
churches, two banks and an inexhaustible bed
of gas coal, with an average vein of 81 feet.
1t is struck at depth of 100 feet. Last win
ter our various companies, of which the Chi
Will & Yer. Coal Company is the largest, en-
ployed $500 miners. Next fall no less than
5000 will be needed to supply demands.
Within the last year the following has been
accomplished Seven brick blocks were
erected at an average cost of Sc, 900 each, and
four more are now in process OF constructions;
glass factory, with paid up capital OF $780,
600, has been running IN full blast all summer;
two bottle companies have been Incorporated
and one of them has Just completed its or
ganization with a paid-up capital of $40, 600;
pillow company and tile mandatory with a
paid-up capital of SIC, 900 each, are both run
ming with orders ahead high school, to
cost S25, 900, is being built-this is donation
by Col. r. Plumb, who has done much for
Streator, (the City in the Woods; the Strea-
tor Hotel Company was Incorporated about
two months ago with capital of S23,OoO-
we have Just completed subscriptio for this
and will organize on the 18th inst. -Four new
coal shafts were sunk in the spring at a total
cost of$105, 200. About two hundred private
residences and an opera house are now under
construction. Our county recorder reports
about 936 real estate transfers during the last
six months from companies and spectators
toindividuals. The artesian we'll force struck
water last Tuesday at depth of 2,2S5 feet,
and are still drilling away for stronger flow.
The well is a success and we rejoice with one
accord. The telephone was introduced re-
Gently and connects all parts of our city with
| Ottawa A new court house is being built
at Ottawa, cur county seat, and Is to cost
| S15O,000 And so goes our showing for the
past year.
While off for a recreation trip in June, |
! called on some Of the Carroll county boys
and am pleased to tell you and their friends
they are doing well. | happened into Coun,
Gil Bluffs during the annual Iowa State Tour
nament of fremen, and found Will Erb very
! busy looking after the interests OF his whole
sale and retail fruit, confectionery and tobac-
co stores. Our genial friend, Jim Burlington,
has charge of Erb & Dugnette's books, and
is admired by all, especially the ladies'. G.
H. Fickinger handles the yard stick in DR..
Campbelrs store, at Shelby, Ia, with credit
to himself and employer. Gettier Bros. own
the cred Front" meat market, in Lincoln,
Neb., and command a large portion of the
best trade in that handsome city. Charlie
Stonesifer is there also, and can be found in
the employ Of flour company, attending
strictly to business. If some of the young
men of Carroll county who sit around from
morning till night whiting storeboxes, talk.
ing politics, &c, will come out here and
throw off the robe of pride we shall have no
trouble in finding them an honorable job.
Excuse this protracted letter, waste basket
it unless you have plenty Of space. With re-
CARDS to all, respectfully, j. L. X.