The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-12-30

the senator.
When we turn to look more closely at
home to see what has been done In this year
we again find that the war has made the
strongest mark of all. The year 1898 VIII
be known In Owosso as long as there are
any left who have spent this momentous
year In this city, as the year In which hei
sons went to fight for the Independence OF
struggling peOple--the year when Com
pany went to Cuba. Its the event which
will give a name to the year and make IL
one to be remembered longer than any other
now within the memory of the younger gen.
CREATIONS and from the time when the COM
pany was ordered to the cold April camp at
Island Lake until last week when the last
forms were gone through with In mastering
the company out of the United States SER
vice, nothing else has so occupied the
thoughts OF the people. The history OF the
company is known to all.
During the year OwossO has suffered from
two disastrous fires and has seen one large
factory building which burned but a short
time before the beginning OF the present
wear again rebuilt On the night of April
10. the entire plant of the Estey Carriage
Company burned to the ground with loss
of some $40. 900. The loss to the city at
large was heavy and as the city has offered
no bonus to assist in rebuilding, this plant
appears to be lost forever TO Owosso.
Scarcely had the large building of the
Owosso Casket Works been completed thus
partially making good the loss accustomed oy
the fire which destroyed the other building
belonging to the same firm, when the most
disastrous fire which ever visited OwossO
broke out In the evening of September j
the evening before Company g returned
home. This fire entailed loss OF $l7o'ooo
and the larger part of it remains as yet I'M
built However the old wooden brewery
buildings have been succeeded by hne Drick
structures and the big implement house OF
Grove & Payne has been rebuilt, this tune
of brick and with large covenient base
mept. As far as the rebuilding of the
Woodland furniture factory is concerned, al
though work has not yet been begun on It's
reconstruction, 1t is only matter of time.
The people at the last election expressed
themselves in no mistakable erms as to
their belief In the necessity Of saving the
business for the city and 1t may be set down
that the factory will be rebuilt In better
shape than before, thus practically making
good the great loss already sustained.
In the matter of public improvements the
city has taken long stride forward. The
sewer system has been extended and the
area now provided with the possibility of
sewer connections increased by about one
half. A fine new girder bridge Is now In
process of construction over the river on
Main street and start has been made In
paving by putting down nine blocks of fine
Trinidad asphalt pavement. more of which
will doubtless follow during the coming
year.
Among other events and acquisitions OF
the year are, an OwOssO telephone compa-
ny, the plant of which was built entirely by
Owosso capital, and cost we'll up in the
thousands of dollars and is already splen-
did success;then there is the adoption OF the
free text book system in the city schools;
the successful outcome o. the first free street
fair; and the securing of an additional mail
carrier for the city, and rural mail carrier
for part of the outlying territory.
Among the societies entertained her edur'
ing the year have been,in February the
Farmers Institute, in August the Adventist
state camp, In September the Genesee asso-
citation of Congregational churches, in Octo-
Der the 18th Michigan Cavalry, the 9Th Mich
igan Cavalry, and the Baptist State Conven-
tioa. In every case the visitors went away
we'll pleased with Owosso hospitality.
The city has made distinct progress in
spite of losses and has shown that progress
is still to be her watchword. The outlook
for 1899 is the brightest seen for years.
The TIMES wishes every one of its many
readers both in Owosso and outside of the
city year of prosperity and happiness dur
ing 1899 which will excel any year they
have as yet seen.