The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-04-26

sufficient force to throw water over any
building in the city.
Since the year 1869 the city has en-
joyed the great adjunct of civilization
gas. The quality Of this commodity
equals the best furnished any commune
ty in the State, while its cost is moder.
ate.
The fire department of the city has
been unusually efficient in the discharge
of its duties, and is entitled to the thanks
of the citizens for its promptness. 1t is
paid department, having one chief, two
captains and about twenty members.
Decatur is emphatically a city of
schools, and it stands to-day the peer of
any city in the country in respect to
school buildings and general facilities.
On percentage of population It is not
excelled by any city in the number of
youth availing themselves Of its public
schools, nor are the courses of instruct
ion better arranged anywhere.
The churches of Decatur are nearly
all substantial, well-appearing structures,
many being large and handsome. Almost
every denomination is represented and
the membership is large in every con-
gregation. 1t Justly lays claims to being
city of good morals and is a commune
ty of church-goers. The following Is a
list of her churches: Two Baptist, two
Catholic, two Christian, one Church of
God, two Episcopal, two Lutheran, six
Methodist Episcopal. two Presbyterian,
one United Brethren, one Universalist
and the Y. M. @. A. rooms.
Few cities of the size Of Decatur have
so many social and benevolent societies.
Here they permeate all ranks of society
and those for beneficial purposes are
particularly strong. The Odd Fellows
and Masonic Associations, Knights Of
Pythias, Catholic Benevolent Associa-
tions, Hebrew Societies, Building and
Loan Associations, etc., Aaye strong
organizations and in the operations Of
their sepsrate orders have done much
good.
The Public Library was opened Sep
tember 1st, 1875, with 1850 books, which
were donated to the city by the Ladies'
Library Association, which had been in
existence about eight years. The library
has accomplished great deal of good,
and is one of the features of Decatur, OF
which the citizens may be justly proud.
At present the number OF books is over
5000, besides many papers and period.
icals in the nicely furnished reading
room.
Asa city grows parks of comparatively
small size are provided for in the denser
portions, while more extensive ones are
established in the rural outskirts. OF
the former places Of ornament and re-
creation Decatur has one known as the
City Park. It is planted with trees,
traversed with walks and contains a
central pagoda for the use of musicians
and speakers when open-air public meet
ings and concerts are held. Although
small the park is highly beautiful and is
a favorite resort for all classes.
The banks and bankers of this city are
generally liberal in their accommodations
and have aided the different industries
of the city in no small degree. They are
as follows: Decatur National Bank,
Gorin, Dawson Il Co., ]. Millikin & Co.,
and Peddecord, Burrows 4 90.
The street railway was chartered in
1869. 1t has, since coming into its pres
ent management. been extended to
various points of the city.
The interest tAat assumes to be "the
art preservation ofall arts" and processes
to teach moral virtues and duties, re-
ligion, political economy, patriotism and
the principles and requirements that
underlie every walk and avocation in
life, has ten representatives in this city,
as follows: Labor bulletin, daily and
weekly; Decatur Herald, daily and
weekly Decatur Republican, daily and
weekly; Decatur Reriew, daily and
weekly Railroad Reporter, monthly /;
Our Country and Village Schools, monthly; (;
Macon County School Journal. monthly {;
The Scrap Book, semi.monthly; The State
Sentinel, weekly; Western Breeders Ga
zette, monthly; The Catholic Eye, weekly.
The Decatur post.office has the free
delivery system, five carriers being en-
ployed. The Office is more than self
sustaining, paying good revenue to the
government every year.
In my next will say still more con-
corning this delightful little city.
lam yours, J.W. CUMMINGS.