Telegram-herald., 1890-11-07

"s- v-S&s14~ &G1 FfS1S &C
snor 70 Ne stEanger ozT s~satlfoi
Ae0ss. Washer q bs those tk2x crown
tas 10 gnts that i0ek On ne valley belo~
or tns others neskiing "A the beautiful
valley iLs~lf. Aud not zlcns those OF
pk-tenti0us quality. but ths thousands
o. eozf snd stsT2cslys cottages. Sita
tasiE i8vitlns iSsas s1d sezt n 0t
sn.as, o~aed nlsiniy by the occupants.
N0r 40 se s11er ~ p4ss unno.lced eur
s-Ale4y city hal nuy character Led by
cue of nny eaaln7nt predecessors IA Of
Zee, as a xrand monument 70 the
generous suterprise or oar cltzeas, 70
ne ssste, the sblhty sad the integrity
OF ne board that eulis, the srchiEect
who planned, and the contractor ana
superiaLsadsnt charged vita - cree
hon. Grscegul IA design, solid IA con-
stFuctson. ample IN accommodation, Is
stands source OF pride ~ every one
OF our 100 inhabitants
We never fail - speak OF our COM
modlous and convenient school build
inss, " our splendid equipment Tor
ths education OF eur youth, and or
our beautiful churches, whose spires,
pointing hexysaSard, suggest higher
and better hfe beyond. But when the
subject Of our streets is mentioned We
az once remember that silence Is gold
en- In that one particular, at least,
the city hss long been the subject OF a
iust criticism. A city that gives atten-
ton % the condition of rs streets and
highways, and not only those within its
municipal lines. but also those that
lead from It's center 10 distant parts OF
the country tributary thereto, exhibits
the part or wisdom. IL was said Of
the eternal city that "sll roads lead TO
Rome" Applus Claudius the Censor,
after Csmpania had been conquered,
projected a thoroughfare from Rome
10 Capua. THIS became sfterwsrd the
great "Appian Way" extending to
Brundusium. Ii was paved with stone
and built with such skill as 10 merit
universal praise and united the whole
of southern Italy with the capital of
the republic. The Flsminean way, the
Armillan way and others followed. Ii
has teen written that over these broad
and stone-psved highways the thunder
ing legIOns OF Rome went forth 10 Dat-
tie and returned IN triumph, laden
with the spoils of nations.
''Csnal-st., now SO improved and
beautified, has always been one of the
important thoroughfares of this city.
IL IS said to have been laid out as a
street by Louis Campau IN 1882 or 1888,
who procured survey to be made, to-
gether with 4 plat, which wss recorded
IN the year 1885. So far as know, only
two men are now here who came in the
year 1885, the venerable Judge Morri-
son, now quietly passing the evening of
ms days, Withdrawn from the activities
OF business, the other, our highly es-
teemed and much beloved DR.. Chas.
Shepard, still IN the harness and active
IS youth, 4 leader IN hIs profession as
we'll rs a man or. Affairs. The street was
originally but q quagmire through
tamarack swamp, and when 1t was first
graded MI of from twelve to fifteen
feet was required near where Sweets
Hotel now stands.
sin lS47 an attempt was made TO i'm
prove the street by the use of stone. 1t
did not prove success, however, and
in lS49 the grade WAS raised TO hIgner
level and the street paved with coDble
stones as far north as Hastlngs-st.
ain 1875 the first cedar block pave
ment was laid IN the street, which was
renewed from time to time, and there
remained until replaced by the asphalt
pavement, the completion Of which We
celebrate this night.
''The first street railway laid in the
street was IN 1864, under a charter
granted 10 John w. Pierce William
Withey, Henry Grinnell and others.
ain 1869 George ). Frost obtained a
controlling interest, aud Hon. George
W. Ihayer succeeded to the manage
nent.
"In 1885 all the lines were consoli-
dated under the name OF the Street
Railway Company of Grand Rapids.
The cable cars first began running in
the street IN 1889.
"The first frame structure on the
street was as early as 1885, and the first
fOur-story brick block erected in the
city was on this street, at the corner of
Ere.
''In 1886 two-story building was
constructed where now stands the
block OF Mr.. Henry Grinnell. Early in
the 40's the name of John w. Pierce
became identified with the business and
property or tins street.
"Ihe old Indian trading post con-
Quoted by Mr.. Campau was located
near where Butterworth q loves snop
now stands.
AT an early day the late James Y.
Nelson built one-stOry frame building
on the east side of the street near where
the McReynolds block nov is, and
there the pOstOffice was located in 1871.
Among the early pioneers VINO we're
identified With the business and pro-
perty OF this street, some OF whom have
passed away, while II few remain. may
mention the names Of Pierce, Nelson,
Clancy, Squisr, Ball. Carey, Taylor,
Barnes, Lyon, Dlkeman father and
SON, Mills, Cole, Lovett, Sweet. Barr.
Haldsns, Eaton, the Fullers. Stewart,
Baxter, Adams, Jones, Rose, COyell,
Cady, Noble, Bridge, Turner, Nc
Reynolds, the Pullmsns, GTinnell,
Comstock & Thsyer and Briggs.
II feel that I do not transgress the
propueties Of this occasion IN mention
ing the name Of one man, out OF the
many who have done much IN pushing
forward this enterprise as the one %
whom q Is pre-emInently due that this
street thus presents itself tonight to
your eyes ss a thing Of beauty which ls
JOY forever I refer to Edward
o. Donnell, alderman of the Fourth
ward.
'Io him the owners Of the property
on the street. the citizens OF his ward
And the people Of the city owe adebt OF
gratitude Tor as vlgiiant, unseifsh snd
unlrlng Efforts, which vii lsst as long
"a the pavemeut itself shall endure.
Looking 70 this Improvement aud
real Erur that Il rorrt4 not ha arnnrr-
pbshed until the unsghtly obstruCtious
in the street we're removed. the SIDE
walks narrowed and the areas rebuilt.