Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-04
PRICES JUMP WHEN
FARMERSLEARNU.S.
WANTS THEIR LANDS
CANTONMENT MEETING WITH
OWNERS OF PROPERTY RE.
VEAlS NEW HIGH WATER
MARK FOR IA SALE COUNTY
RENTALS.

Farm land which would be included
in the proposed government canton
ment site, west of Covel creek has
rapidly appreciated in value since ru-
mors of the chances for Ottawas Sc
curing the cantonment camp become
prevalent.
Following the visit of the full army
committee here on Saturday meet
ing of all the property holders togeth
er with the Chamber of Commerce
committee met in the Clifton parlors
to formulate proposition which had
to be submitted to the Cantonment
War Committee Saturday evening.
AL. Richards was chosen chairman
of the meeting and w. F. Carr as
secretary. The object of the meeting
was fully stated by the chairman and
J. j. Dougherty, vice-president Of the
Chamber of Commerce A map of the
proposed cantonment was exhibited by
w. +. Carr which showed about 5000
acres of land, comprising the entire
track within the fork of the Deer Park
road beginning at Covel creek, and the
Dimmick hill road leading to the
state park. The entire track of land
from Covel creek to the salt we'll is
included.
The land owners and tenants were
| Informed that 1t would be necessary
to move all fences and some growinl
| crops would be destroyed. Trenches
would be- dug in the land and grave
spread over some portion of it, Ell
failing some damage, that the govern
ment would fix by arbitration at th'
close of the cantonment campin,
period.
The committee from the Chamber
of Commerce withdrew and allowed
the land owners and tenants to tall
the matter over among themselves
and after discussion of half an houl
announces that they thought abou
s75 an acre per year would be abou
the right rent to charge the govern
ment.
The absurdity of such charge was
commented upon and the owners were
&C yised that If the government saw
fit to select the site they would fil
their own price for rent in event thu
owners would not see fit to be reason
able in the amount of compensation
they were to receive.
Robert Heft and Ban. j Fishburl
stated that they supposed that the
were asked to fix the price whic
would include the damage TO the lane
When told that they were not to d
so it was suggested that roll b
called and each farmer place rent5
value upon his property The in
, proved land under crop ran from 81
to S35 an acre and unimproved lane
, pasture and timber land, ran all tn
way from S. to 500 per acre
All the property holders were will
ing to turn their property over fo
the government site. The matter {
compensation. it was thought, woul
be amicably adjusted should the sit
be chosen. The committee prepare
draft of the proposition, shown
: property available and railway faci
S tiles, water, lighting and everythin
[ | necessary for military camp. Price
: on lumber, electric lighting and watt
v supply was included in the prospe
!. tive. Burlington Railroad Otiicia
telegraphed ,ate in the day that the
n would extent their south side sidir
d, two and one-half miles or as Tar {
: the government required and the wol
would be done within a couple
!, weeks after the final order was give
Three sites seem to be the ones re
. commended to the war departmer
These are located In Cairo, Ottav
c and Rockford Action in the matt
II Is expected within few days.