The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-04-03
From Munster.

MUNSTER, March 29.-It has been some
time since your semi.annual from this burg
has stopped to chronicle the many events
or interest transpiring in this suburb of the
Panhandle of La Sale county. Situated,
as We are here, on as rich plateau Of prai-
RE land as can be found anywhere, with
all the necessary facilities supplied US by
railroad for transportation and travel, while
only three miles east of US lays Streator,
within plain view, with her innumerable
number Of massive brick blocks and bust.
ness houses that cannot be eXcelled any
where for push, energy and business tact
her countless number Of Caurch spires
pointing heayenwsrdS, reminding man of
his mortality and cautioning him to pre-
pare for the great hereafter her number
less institutions of learning, foremost
among which is the Convent of the Sisters
of Mercy, and the $4,000 High School
building, which is equal TO any in the STATE
under its present management; with its
network of railroads diverging in all direc-
tons, which give employment to a large
number of skilled mechanics and labOring
men; besides her many manufacturing in
dustries, her paper mills, bottle and win
dow glass works, land the to be erected
during the coming summer furnaces for
manufacturing. cathedral glass y and last,
but not least, the many hundred who are
empl yed in her extensive mines, which
makes Streator altogether one OF the very
best market towns In Illinois
Now, Mr.. Editor, you will no doubt ask
why this depression? Just for the purpose
of showing you the many natural and &C
CURED advantages this community has over
less favored portions of our bOundless
county. There, sir is where you can pur
chase as good soft Goal as there is In Hi
nois for 81 per ton. No wonder our friend
Eades' coal bills don't loom up like simi-
lar ones given by our mutual friend from
La Sale, Mr.. McLauChlan, where the poor
widow had to give out Of her scanty means
81 and 81 80 per ton for coal during this
long and severe winter In endeavorng 10
keep body and soul together, while our
macnanimous board of supervisors placed
C, flee, sugar and tea among tie luxuries
that were not TO be looked for by the aged
and INDECENT OF this wealthy county.
Shame upon you, for thus discriminating
AS against the unfortunate and needy
whom God has placed In our midst.
Again | beg pardon for wandering thus
far from our own hailiwic. Last Thursday
being the feast of the Annuuciation-a
great feast day In the Catholic church, 1t
wac very appropriately observed AZ St.
Mary's church, situated two miles north
west from mere, Rev. NJ. }. Eagan, pastor.
At ten o'clock high mass was celebrated
by the Rev. Father Zumbuhl, pastor OF the
German Catholic church of Rchland tp.
The Rev. 8. b. Hodges, Of Dwight,
preached very able and argumentative
sermon, as Is usual with him, he being one
of the most eloquent pulpit orators in this
diocese. The congregation were greatly
edited and felt profoundly grateful TO their
kind and energetic pastor for having pre-
pared such rich and entertaining feast
for them, and while speaking on this sub.
iect I would desire to say that during the
hrief time Father Eagan has been amongst
us he has accomplished great deal. The
beautiful brick Gothic structure, OF which
he is the worthy pastor is entirely the Gre
alton of his unaided labors and energy, re-
cejyipg no outside aid whstever, his own
congre CATION responding 10 every call made
upon them by their worthy pastor, until
everything pertaining to the material, It's
erection, furnishing and painting was COM
olete. together with the fine parochial res
,dence attached OF close by, costing In II
the sum of $l3 900, exclusively of hne
pipe organ over which Miss Agnes Mohan
nresides as organist, assisted In the choir
by her sister, Miss Sadie Mohan, who Is
ncssessed of fine soprano voice OF eN-
ouisite sweetness and great possioiiities'
these two young ladies are assisted oy
other ladies Of the congregation who aiso
render their respective parts with credit TO
themselves and entire satisfaction OF their
pastor who has been unceasing In his Ell
forts 20 forward the interest OF his congre,,
cation In all that pertains to their spiritual
welfare. He has lately added fine library
of miscel;sneous works Of science, fiction
biography and travel, which Is open u