The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-01-28
Over the County by Rail.

Tuesday last found us headed sOuth--our
destination not in the extreme tropical cimes
where soft cool zephyrs laden with the per-
fume Of flowers, together with bright plumed
birds, which tradition tells us is the ideal of
the poets paradise-but only to Streator,
where the" pick" is king, where steam whis
ties rend the atmosphere, locomotives bob
bing in every direction, miners off of duty
walking the streets with their unlighted tin
lamps pcrched upon their dusky caps, the
streets crowded with busy draymen, sleigh
ing parties and the lowering of coal smoke
to test the nostrils of the uninitiated-this is
Streator So great was the anxiety to i'm
prove the opportunities afforded by the snow
that in several instances we saw road carts
with the wheels chained and resting on snow
shoes. 1t seemed to answer every purpose.
Ripley, which is an olf-shoot of Streator,
located about three miles west, is already as
Stunning village airs, aud every day or so some
one Of Streator's minor business men are pull
ling up and driving their stake in the new
town. The supply of coal at this point is
hattering to say the least, and all kinds of
merchan disc is there represented, from tang
le-foot to imported silks, groceries and hard
ware, and the coming spring promises fine
latter,day improved hotel.
Streator's new post office room, in tho Hee-
nan block, is a fine one, and being centrally
located makes it more satisfactory to all.
Oakley Griggs's drug house is like a bee
hive, steady, uniform trade day in and day
out His knowledge of the prescription de-
acknowledgements in the eounty-makes
him favorite with those compelled to resort
to drugs. In addition he manufactures the
celebrated " Sheppard's Horse Collie powder
me of the best known remedies for this at
tact in the world. Farmers should never be
| without it.
NJ. A. Persons, a gentleman who has won
| favor and distinction in his lne-that of pre-
siding over the Novelty Restaurant, No. II,
East Main streets still at the helm, and a
| hungry man once in his meshes is always sure
to return No fancy prices but variety for
| the inner man ordered to suit.
| Wednesday found us again in Seneca, and
as usual we met with success. The grain
business at this point as all know is of no
small dimension and when the weather Is
| fair, the grain merchants are on the jump.
Since January LIST, 'SS, Hogan ~ Nelson
have bought-corn, 1875 bushels; white
oats, 19. O57 bu.; mixed oats, 5,J23-a total of
40 lis bushels of grain for one firm since the
beginning of this month.
Wemet the gentlemanly superintendent of
the Patt Coal company, who has his office in
Rulison's bank bilding-Mr. Il. B. Berryhill
Mr.. B. is sangulue of the pcrmanancy OF their
coal supply, which, with the grain supply
pork and cattle-the two railroads, and the
prospect of further manufacturing the COM
ing season. is the prescription that Seneca
has taken which has thoroughly resurected
her from that lethargy which, several years
ago was gnawing at her vitals, and the bloom
on her rugged countenance to-day, speaks
volumes for the remedy. The agricultural
trade, too, is increasing with each year. Il. A
Gerbert, the hardware man, is doing heavy
business in agricultural implements, and has
made arrangements the coming season to
handle the Champion Light Binder, and the
Champion Light Mower, at prices defying
any competition.
II. Henry's countenance is still visible be-
hind his dry goods counter, where he has
stood for eighteen years.
+. Waterman, proprietor of the National
hotel, was overrun with Chicago drummers
Its sight to see one of these men eat. A
whole chicken is only of monentary existence
before one of them, but as rule, they art
injured to conquer.
The sporting community are enjoying the
fun afforded by Fred Ehrmann's shooting gal
lery. We found 7. Morrissy, the boot oil
shoe man with a new supply OF the genuine
Singer machine, and his prices are low