The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-10-23

Saunders and James Woodwork, both Of
whom years after were drowned by being
upset in a boat in Lake Michigan, while
fishing. "Loosh" remembers the former as
a good 10Y for catching black bass in the
river here.
A school Mrs. Delano remembers in Otta-
wa was in the west end of the second court
house, down stairs, and kept by Mrs.
Stowell. Here James pelano and his cousin
Lucien went to school. Downey Buchanan
had tailor shop up stairs, and below was
the Jail. Loosh, as he is Familiarity known,
remembers prisoner who was remarkably
skilled as pencil sketcher and amused the
school children by making their pictures.
| THE FOX RIVER HOUSE.
Among the most famous hostelries in the
entire West in those DAYS was the Fox River
House. II was built about 1887 to 1889, for
Delano s Hayward, by Josiah Pope, and
famous men have eaten at its tables, slept
ia its beds, and danced in its dining room
hall. Martin Van Buren, once visited it,
and all the prominent judges and lawyers OF
those days we're its guests, one time or an
other. Mrs. Delano here bore her son Edward
and lastly her husband, Loren Deano, died
there in 1850. After some years she became
the wife of Orlando Leavens, who lately was
gathered to his fathers on the other side
She remembers the big 4th of July celebra-
tons had here, especially one about the
time when the canal opened, when people
came from far and near to enjoy the occa-
sion. She can't forget that she shelled peas
all day on the Sd for the dinner next day,
and Looshs eye beamed with mirthful recol.
lection of that same 4th, when Shsbbona
danced and Ralph Woodruff followed up be.
hind him, beating Justify on bass drum.
THE FIRST NEWSPAPER.
John V. A. Hoes, Of kinderhook, n. Y,
the nephew of President Van Buren,, came
to Ottawa in about 1885, with printing
press, and Loren Delano and others formed
a company and set it going. Mrs. L. forgets
the name of the paper, bat it was small and
sharp, and kicked up considerable excite
men,, aad, being Democratic and "red hot"
it naturally became the special aversion of
the Wings but for all that it didn't pay,
and Mr.. Delano was obliged to sacrifice
corner let to help it out in snances.
But the history Of the pioneer press of
this city, and some account of the gentlemen
connected Herewith, will be given IN flu
ture number of this paper
GAME "BUsTED."
| Loosh remembers funny inciden. Of
4th Of July celebration which occurred at
the old Mansion House. That building was
the central object Of the town and every
thing around it for many leagues. The small
boy who came to see the Fourth gazed in
awe at every door, as if eagerly expecting
the great day we celebrate to come out,
sort of twin Santa Claus, and do the honors
of the occasion, gotten up to do him credit.
The old hotel had a broad or tloored porch
below and above q narrower one, or "pizar-
~" as the boy called it. The celebration
was at its height and below on the porch
distinguished looking stranger had set a
gaming table, where crowd were betting.
Ralph Woodruff was very large man and
waggish in proportion to his size. Looking
down from the upper porch he saw the table
with its piles of silver its cards, chips and
other phsraphernalia of the game The
thought struck him, as the top Of the table
wasn't more than FIVE feet below him, he
could safely jump upon it. No sooner
thought than done He sprang over the
railing and landed plump upon the midst of
the game, crushing table and all to the floor
and knocking the crowd back all around,
while some ran away thinking Kingdom
Come had come. Slowly gathering himself
up, the joker fercely offered five dollars to
find out who showed him off the porch ~ 1t
is needless to add that this event "busted"
the game. j. G. ARMSTRONG.