The Ottawa free trader., 1882-01-07
OTTAWA IN 1881.
Invested in Public Buildings, $sl,075. In New
Private Buildings, $lO59O0. In Manu-.
factures $l32 600.

rrlVAte DuilulhSs' oiVo'Voo' Al HAnnu'
factures, $l320e0.
Ottawa took decided step in advance dur
ing 1851. True, 1t was not long one, compared
with what might have BEEN" but was very long
compared with her pace in the past. But Otta'
wa is beginning to grow again. new class OF
men has been coming to the front in Ottawa
men who are determined the town shall be more
in the future than IL has been in the past The
results of the work OF these new men ls every
where seen through the city. New houses are
going up; new faces are seen on the streets
new shops are building; new improvements are
being made; new life is seen in all branches OF
business.
The changes in business houses were not so
numerous as during past seasons. In 1881 o.
tawa business houses were so well fitted up that
no special work was called for during the year.
Still the old wooden row on La Sale street, long
an eye-sore on so fine a street, has been removed,
and one of the finest store rooms in the city has
taken its place. MIR. Gedney also has spent 3d..
200 or 81 400 making basement room in his
building.
The matter of light was reconsdered, and the
electric light introduced into several Of our bust.
Hess houses. 1t was an experiment; it was sue
cessful; and it is now but question OF time un-
oil all the business houses OF the city will
have the light. Ottawa is at present the only
city in northern Illinois, excepting Chicago, US
ing the light in business houses.
During the year also radical reform has been
secured in the matter of train accommodations
on the Rock Island road. There is still room for
improvement in this respect, but these accom-
modstions are now so markedly superior to those
of year ago that there is reason for congratula-
ton at the changes made.
These are chiefly points that strengthen Otta-
was position as the trading centre Of the county,
place she is we'll entitled to by the rule of "the
survival of the tttest."
IMPROVEMENTS.
Internal improvements were more numerous
than they had been for many years. There has
been a strong revival Of confidence In manufactur
ing in Ottawa. The days following the flush days
of the war were unimproved, and manufacture
ing remained at a stand-stIll until the organiza
tion of the Bottle Company. The fact that that
company was successful increased confidence.
But most 0. all the increase of skilled aborers
spending money freely told with business men
who had goods to sell; for probably most Of the
stockholders of that company made greater divi
dends out of goods sold their workmen than ou
Of their stock, though the profits of their invest
ment was satisfactory. That factory built two
others, and added $4,000 month to the y-roll.
of the town. 1t started the ball; and there il
promise of more to come.
The low rate of interest in Ottawa and tn,
| growing wealth of farmers who are now becom
ing lenders instead Of borrowers has also been il
Ottawa's favor, and sent into manufacture
money that could not be otherwise used. Nor
| of this too, will be seen in the future. So ther
was more life in Ottawa III 1881 than for years
Trade was better, and profits better generally.
We have attempted slight review Of what ha
been done during the year in the matter Of i'm
provements. 1t Is very imperfect for variou
causes, but will give some idea Of what has beel
going on.
| THE c. b. Il q. ROAD.
The business Of the railroads idicates somewha
the increase of business in bulk OF the city. Mr.
Marvin, of the c., B. @. reports the following
Cash receipts. .......................S SOOO
| Increase over 1850. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 2j,U
| Total business, about. Observation-Disclosures. 5000
Car loads received Observation-Disclosures. 4,42
Car loads forwarded. Observation-Disclosures. LIS
increase of cars handled over 1880. .... lei
The Company have put in Improvements here
q new switch along the canal to the new mill
with spurs to Gas Works, Tile Works, Starc
Works; new switches to Ottawa Glass Co.'s Bo,
tie House; and a switch 10 the Flint House,
which work has cost in round numbers $40 0OC
The Company has been constantly growing Il
popularity in Ottawa, and is a most accommo
dating and valuable road, and one al all time
alive to Ottawa's interests.
! REAL ESTATE.
The transactions in real estate in the city wer
unqucstonaby more numerous than for man
years before, though we have not made a com
parison OF the record. The record shows tina
during the year l9i transfers were made by va
rious kinds of deeds. We find the grand tota
| to be:
Sales, lV Observation-Disclosures. '.... Sl1o,oJi
| Loans, 70. Observation-Disclosures. 81, 100
This includes only property lying within tb
city limits. In addition to these should be sdde,
the sales Of property outside, though much O
the land is farm property. In the congrcssona
township we find the amounts as follows:
Sales, 20. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. .$44, 400 .
Loans, Observation-Disclosures. lS. 10, go O
| Making grand total OF transactions in tn
congressional township:
Sale1, 2SS 2SS.................... SlS2, 433 i
| Loans, lis. l3....................... 1l,2O5
OF city real estate few of the sales have beef
for large amounts They were chiefly houses o
lots for building purposes or for investments b.
thrifty working men. The sales indicated
healthy activity and lsgltimste demand 70
property at reasonable figures; and in very fev
cases have the prices paid been eItravagant
BUILDING.
! Building in the city was much more activ
than it had been for many years. Indeed, th
builder, who for ten years previous depended oi
q living from Ottawa work alone, got very poo