M9 3 / ' """^ "^&V#^ single copleB, 10 cetttH. '^ X^^^^iSS?) TJx €k Three '« ^ »5 «' J^ TU^rP^ p 5^0^^ fJiL*^^ Ik^O;.^^ .^y^>COt^S^! DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF TIIK OF PEORIA { t ( I COMBINING A SKETCH OF ITS EA15LY HISTORY, ''^ TOGKTUKU WITH A VIEW OF ITS PRESENT BUSINESS, MANUFACTORIES, Sec, SCO., &.r. COMPILED PROM THE PE015IA TRANSCRIPT. PEORIA, ILL.: Tll.\NS("R!I'T STi:;\M PllINTINO ESTABLTSHMRNT 18.50. .>^- c5. my Rnnk ^^^H? 3 DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF TlIK CITY OF PEORIA, COMBIXINa A SKETCH OF ITS EARLY HISTOllY, TOGETHER M'lTII A VIEW OF ITS PRESENT BUSINESS, MANUFACTORIES, ^co*, les, and extend.s back, up a gentle slope, for nearly a mile, at which distance rises one of thte most beauti- ful bluffs in the country. This bluff is cohered for the most part with magnificent and thrifty young timber, and lined with luxuriant verdure, and has been selected by many of the wealthy citizens of Peoria as the sites of elegant and costly residences. The streets of Peoria havo been laid out with great care. They are wide and regular, for the most part crossing each other at right angles. They are lined with ample side- ifalks — mostly brick ; and many of them shaded by trees which are being extended from year to year. The town is one of the healthiest in the west. I* is not subject to epidemics, ami the fever and ague, which prevents many eastern people from emigrating to a new country, is scarcely known here, except in name. The country on the opposite side of Peoria from the river, for several miles back, con- sist of a delightful grove, underlaid with immense mines of coal. On the city aids, the country extending back from the bluff, is a rich, old-sevtled and highly-cultivated prairie. It can be asserted without exaggeration, no city in Illinois or the entire west, can pre- sent greater attraction in the way of nature scenery, than Peoria- Her river, her lake, her bluff and groves, form a combination of beawties not to be excelled. This is admitted on all handf, by strangers visiting Peoria, and by the inhabitants of rival cities, who ad- mit no more than they are actually forced to do. Its advantages as a place of business and honac, may be gleaned from the following pages. .T«I P E O E 1 A AS IT \A/AS S^ AS T IS, EARLY DISCOA ERIE8. tween Canada and the Gulf of Mexico, till a nearer and easier passage was dis- covered by the Ouabache (Wabash) and Probably the first white men who vis- ited this vicinity were P. Marquette, a French Jesuit, and M. Joliet, a Cana- dian fur trader, M'ho started from Que-j Ohio. The location of ^ Fort Oreve- bec in the spring of 1673, passedjcceure was for a long time unknown, through the great lakes to Green Bay,jbut the late S. D. W. Drown of this and thence by Fox and Wisconsin Riv-icity, furnishes pretty good evidence in ers to the Mississippi. They followed |his Ptecord for IS51, that it stood about down the Mississippi to Memphis, where 'two or three miles East of Peoria. In they arrived in July. Apprehending|l847, Mr. Drown visited and surveyed danger from the Spaniards should they 'the ruins of the fort, in company with descend further, they started on their a I\tr Wren, on whose land they were return. They re-ascended the Missis-jdiscovered. sippi ^to the Illinois, up which theyj In 1698, the country was visited passed to the Lakes The next adventurer was M. Robert Cavalier de La Salle, a native of Rouen, Normandy. His expedition was prompt- ed by a desire for wealth or fame, or by Dr. Daniel Coxe, an Englishman, Physician of Charles II and Queen Anne. The result of his expedition was afterwards published by his son under the title of " A Description of the En- both. Aided by the countenance of the'glish Province of Carolina." Both he King of France, he proceeded up thejand Father Hennepin gave rudely ex- lA-o^ ^'"^*^^ Canada in the spring of ecuted maps of the country, remarkable 1679. He was accompanied by M. for nothing but their inaccuracy and the ronti,^the historian of the expedition, authography of the names of various and Father Hennepin, a Jesuit Mis-j rivers, lakes, &c. Coxe puts down the sionary. La Salic represents the coun- " Father of Waters," as the iVeschacebe, try between Lake IMichigan and Illinois'so called by Indians from mcsrha, great, River as ''nothing but a morass," Iceie, river. The French, he says, called through which it would be impossibleiit corruptly the '' Mississippi." Fath- to cut a canal. Coal is mentioned as'er Hennepin puts it down, however, aa existing on the Hlinois. La Salle erect- the " 3Ie.schasipi." The Illinois river ed a fort on the Illinois, to which he gave'is put down by Coxe as the " River Che- the name of Creve-cmire, or " Broken cagou or the river of the Illinoueoks," Heart," owing to despondency occasion ed by the loss of the vessel in which he had crossed the Lakes on his return homeward, richly laden, and the muti- nous conduct of a part of the expedi- tion. This fort wa.s the halting place of the French in their expeditions bo- which the French, he also says, corrupt- ed into Illinois. Peoria Lake, which seems to have been according to the same author, " mightly extolled" for its fish, he gives aii '' Lake Pinkatovi." The cajly orthography of Peoria is given in various waVs It is paid to signify " a place where there is abund-Ithey obtained their name from t-lie ance of fat beasts." One of seven tribes'country, or the country Irom them is a of Indians who occupied the vicinity,imatter of conjecture, bore the name of Peoria.s, but whetheri T\ 3 A J.^ .;^A\A/ THE FRENCH SETTLEMENT. Nothing further of local interest oc- cures until 1779, when M. Hypolite Mail- leit moved with a small colony to the vicinity and commenced the settlement of La Ville de Mailleit. This was the foundation of the famous " French claims" controversy. The original French settlen.ent was about a mile north of the town, but owing to the un- healthfulness of that locality it was grad- ually deserted for a settlement below Liberty street. In 1781, or about that time, the inhabitants of the settlement became alarmed and abandoned it. At the end of some two years, however, tion with the Missouri regiment under General Howard who assumed the com- mand. In addition to these forces, Captain Craig was dispatched with a fleet of ten or twelve barges and one hundred filty men up the Illinois with provisions and tools for the erectic n of a fort at Peoria. Unfortunately for the object of the expedition, Captain Craig, arrived at Peoria on the twentieth of August, three days in advance of the mounted men. On the arrival of Craig he was attacked by a body of some two hund- red Indians, which he defeated after a sharp engagement. The French village they returned and resided peacefully j was destroyed. Craig accused the until the commencement of the war be- French of complicity with the Indians, tween this country and Great Britain in 1812. Ninion Edwards was then Gover- nor of the Territory of Illinois. In the fall of 1813, an expedition was planned against the Indians of the ter- ritory who were giving unmistakable signs of hostilities. It was to consist of three detachments. One of 4000 mount- ed riflemen under Gen. Hopkins, was to move up the Wabash to Ft. Harri- son, and thence to cross the prairies to the head waters of the Sangamon and Vermillion and there form a junction and charges that he was fired upon from the town whilelayingatanchor in the riv- er. This the latter denied, and in their petition to Congress for redress they say that they had been previously rubbed by the Indians, aud had fled from them, and while absent Captain Craig arrived and the cngagcmcntwas fought. When they returned they found he had emp- tied their houses of all that was portable, and on demanding their property, they were, to the number of forty-two, men, women aud children, taken prisoners with the .second detachment, to consist and carried to Savage's Ferry, opposite of the Illinois Hangers under Gov. Ed-jthe mouth of the ^Missouri, where they wards and Col. lliKssell, and the third|were liberated by order of Governor Ed- detachment, a regiment of Missouri Hi-, wards. This was the last of the French flemen under Gen. Howard, and thencelsettlemeut at Peoria, as they never rt- to sweep the Indian villages along the; turned. banks of the Illinois. St. Louis was' From Peoria, the force under Gene- then a French village with but two brick ral Howard ascended to the head of Pe- oria Lake, there burning an Indian vil- lage, at Snachewine, and two others, all an)ounting to3ome400 men, started frommf which had been previously deserted Edwardsville about the first of August, by the savages. Finding no Indiivns Some Bev^nt.y-frre m\\es above tho juno-;thov returned to Pooria.wher© Fort Clark houses. The detachment under Gover- nor Edwards and Colonel Russell, was erected at the junction of what it is] Nicholas of the U. S. Army. Tho de^ now Liberty and Water streets. There tachnieut under Gen. Ilupkin.s, failed had previously been a small stockade to join the others through disaffection fort here under the command of Capt.jof the latter's troops. PRESENT SETTLEMENT OF PEORIA. The present settlement of Peoria wasi The first county election was held commenced by seven settlers from Shoal March 25th, 1825. The whole number Creek, about forty miles east of Saintiof votes cast was 6G. Nathan Dillon, Louis. The name of the party were'joseph Smith and Wm. Holland were Abner Eads, Seth and Josiah Fulton,! chosen county commissioners ; Norman Virginians ; S. Dougherty, J. Davis and T. Russell, Kentuckians ; and J. Hei-sey, a New Yorker. They arrived in Peoria on the 19th of April 1819, andicourt-house and clerk's office be built. — pitched their tent by the pickets of Ft. JThey were to have "good puncheon Clark till they could cover and fit up fioors" and were to be built "of good materials, and in a workmanlike man- Hyde, clerk of do. ; Samuel Fulton, sheriff; and Aaron Hawley, treasurer. At this meeting it was ordered that a two old log huts that were stilU remain ing. One of these huts stood on the present site of the Dlinois Brewery on Bridge street. Seth Fulton is now re- siding at Galva, in Henry county, and Josiah Fulton is living at Rich- woods about two or three miles from the city. In June, this company was reinforced by a small party from Saint Louis, who came to the Lake for the purpose of fishing. The following win- j ing accommodation at the solitary hotel ter two additional families came in — onejof the town. This court-house stood from Ohio and another from New York, till 1843, when it was pulled down to In 1821, our present well known fellow- citizen, John ETamlin, Esq., joined the settlement, coming from Mas.sachusetts. ner." The jobs were let out to the low- est bidder. The court-house was built of hewn logs, 14 by 16 feet, with a cel- lar beneath, which was used sometimes as a jail and sometimes as a stable. The court-room was occupied as a place of worship on Sundays, and during the sessions of court at night as a lodging room for those attending, there not be- Peoria county was organized in 1825 The territory embraced in its limits comprises between 80 and 40 of the present counties of the state. It ex- give place to Orin Hamlin's steam flour- ing mill, now better known as the '• Old Red Mill." The clerk's office and dwelling house was built on the ground now occupied by Tobey & Anderson's plow factory. The clerk was in the hab- it of carrying the seal of the court in tended to the Mississippi on the west, his pocket, and one time through mis- Indiana on the east, and Wisconsin onitake offered it in payment for postage the north, taking in Galena, Chicago at the post-office, which was kept in a and other places unborn. Chicago then 'log-cabin near Truesdale's Planing Mill. contained only a fort and agency house of the American Fur Company. So scarce were inhabitants and magistrates there, that the occupant of the agency house, having by fortunate chance light- ed on the fair daughter of an immigrant availed himself of a visit to that place by John Hamlin of this city, who was then a justice in Fulton county, to unite the twain in the bonds of matriraoiy. The grand jury sometimes used a cabin for their deliberations, in which John L. Bogardus, who was the only inn- keeper in town, kept his saddles, har- ness and otlier "trajis." Mr. John Hamlin relates, that in 1820 there were not enough adults in what is now Peo- ria county to form the grand and petit juries, and others were summoned from the ea^ pidp. Thwe par- ties took their provisions and bedding,! Hotel ," a small, two-stury frame build- (a blanket for each) along with them, ing on the corner of Main and Washin<^- and lodged at night on the floor of the'ton streets. Lots on ^Vashin<'ton street court-house. Ai this time, Nomaque, [sold for forty dollars. The court was a fiimous Indian, who had been once held in the old log-house, before men- convicted of murder, but had obtaineditioned; the grand jury deliberated in another chance for his life, was indict-jthe pleasant shade of a locust tree now ed. Nomaque was tried in a log-cabin standing on Liberty street; and the' petit that IS now used as a blacksmith shopljury retired to a partially-filled cellar of on Fulton, near Washington street. Itjthe old French settlers, or a potato- was then located elsewhere. hole.?, to make up their verdicts. Such In 1832 a great, panic was created|was Peoria only twenty-six years ago among the surrounding settlers by the| The first census of Peoria county was ravages of Black Hawk in Northern II- 'taken by John L. Bo^ardus in 18-^5 linois. The settlers between the Hock The population amount'edin all to V^SQ and Ilhnois rivers fled in dismay. Pe-!of which Gil were males and O'^s" fe- oria then contained some fifteen or twen-;males. It is a curious circumstance ty hamlets, with only two frame houses. 'that females outnumbered the males The inhabitants, however, to the num-i.'^omething quite unusual in a newly ber of some twenty-five, formed them- settled country; but it is more curious belves into a company, which they called|to note the tact that while of the popu- the Peoria Guards, and resolved to de- lation under twenty-one years of aU fend the place. The old iorte was re-jthe males preponderated Cstanding '^68 to built, and the ferry seized and none of 229,) those over twenty-one were divid- the fugitive whites, save the women and led— males 344, females 396 In 1826 children, were allowed to pass. Quite we find Jol.n Hamlin, Esq., as one of a formidable force was thus collected, 'the county commissioners In 1830 which Black Hawk did not molest.— the county was reduced to its present Many of the fugitives remained and be- limits, and showed a population otlTg*? came citizens of Peoria. The Black In 1822, an Indian agency was estab- Hawk troubles were closed in Septe^nber lished here and Judge Latham was ap- ""^^^^li.^/ \*'"^'7- ,..,.„ ^ ipointed agent. A branch store of the In 18o3, when Isaac Lnderhill, Esq ,: American Fur Company was opened iu came to the eity, the entire town con-lwhich John Hamlin was a clerk. While sisted of se\'en frame houses; the re-, in that capacity he exported the first miainder were log tenements, and few atlproduce from Peoria, consisting of pork that There was but one building (a!beans and other provisions, which were barn) west of Washington street. At taken to Chicago in boat^ for the use of time A.O. Garrett kept the " Peoria 'the Fur Company's agents there PEORIA AS A TOWN. Peoria was laid off as a town and named in 182G, but owing to a difficul- ty about the title, its incorporation was re- tarded for some eight or nine years. — The matter of title was contested for a long while iu the courts. In 1833, the circuit court gave a decision in favor of the county. The contestants (the heirs of Judge Latham) appealed, but short-j ly after, the county commifceioners! bought them off, and thus the diffi- culty was adjusted. On the 18th of July, 1835, the qualified voters met, voted to accept an act of incorporation, and chose Dr. K. House, Chester Ham- lin, K. P. ]}uriingame, Charl. s W. Mc- Clollan, and Cyrus Leland trustees. — The trustees, subsequently elected Dr. Rouse as their president, appointed Cy- rus Lelaud clerk; 11. P. Burlingame troas- L* ] nrer, and Jesse Miles supervisor and collector. In 1887, Hon. G. C. Bestor, our present able State Senator, and A. 0. Garrett, were among the trustee.''. There appears to have been no public schools in the town until aliout the time of its incorporation, nor even a commo- dious place of worship. The first church ria J Rev. Wm. Bacheider from Jack- aouville ; Rev. J. C. Richmond now of Milwaukee, and Judge Worthington from Kushvillc; Rev. Mr. Geer from Galena, and Jamc.i Walker of Chicago. It wfis this convention which invited and elected Right Rev. I 'hi lander Chase, then of Gilead, Michigan, as Bishop of (Methodist) was organized here in 1833,jllliiiois. He vi.«ited this place in May with but seven members. Rev. Joel Ar-|and held the first service at Hunt's Long rington, now living in Iowa, was the! Row, corner of Adams and Fulton sts. first circuit rider ; Porter Knowles the Afterwards he removed with his fami- first class-leader, and our present fellow ly and settled at Robin's Nest and found- citizen, Mark M. Aiken, snperintendentjed Jubilee College, nf the first Sabbath School. The meet- The first I'resbyterian church (Old insrs of this society were held in the old School) was oisranized in December 18- log court-house and private dwellings '38, and a house of worship was erected until 18-10, when a frame building, 28 by 40, was erected on the site of the present church on the corner of Ful- ton and Madison streets, which was a donation from Ashael Hale and Mark M. Aiken. This building remained till the present edifice was completed and dedicated by Bishop Janes, in 1849. the following spring. This church is also extinct. The Main street Presby- terian was also organized in December 1834. They erected an edifice in 18- 36. In 1847 the church was dissolved, and the 3Iain Street Congregational church succeeded it. In 1850, the old edifice was removed to give place to the In 1834, the first newspaper enter- j present. The Baptist church was or- prise was started here, a weekly paperiganized in 183(5 ; its present edifice called The llUnoia Champion , publish ed by Abraham L. Buxton and Henry Wolford. The first number was issued March 19th. 31 r. Buxton had been a partner of the celebrated Prentice of the Louisville Journal, and it is said was a writer of much ability. He, however, shortly became a prey to consumption, and his dust reposes in our City Ceme- try. Mr. Wolford was a practical prin- ter, and after the death of Mr. B. he dis- posed of the paper to iMcssrs. Armstrong and Shcwaltor, and removed toLouisville, was erected in 1846. The first steamboat that arrived at Peoria was the "Liberty," in December, 1820. The second boat was the " Tri- ton" in the spring of 1830, which was chartered by John Hamlin of this city, to take a stock of goods up from St. Louis. In 1833, there were four steamboats plying the river, and in 1834, there were seven. The first boat built in Peoria was completed by Capt. Wm. S. iMoss in 1848. In 1833, a contract was entered into Ky. In 1837, Mr. S. 11. Davis pur-;betwcen the county commissioners and chased The Champion office and mcr- Stephen Stillraan, who by himself, his ged it into The Peoria Regis'er anc?!heirs executors, assigns or associates, Northioestern Gazetteer. A history of I was to have the exclu.sive privilege to the newspaper enterprise of the city brinp; water to the public square. It would form quite a chapter by itself. jwas to be brought in lead, wood or oth- The Champion records in 1834, thecr pipes by the first of June, 1834, formation of St. Judos, (Episcopal) church in October of that year. The church is now extinct. The first primary convention of the Protestant Episcopal church was held at the Hall of the Peoria Hotel in Octo- ber 1835. There were present Rev. Palmer Dyer and R. Rouse from Peo- which was done by the use of bored logs. The water was taken from " Stillman's Spring," on Rose Hill, In 1834, sealed proposals were issued for building the present court-house. — C- W. !McClellan was the contractor for the masonry, and R. Hamlin for the oarp<^nter work. The structure was fin- [^] ished in 1830 at a cost of about S15,000. This court-house has now become, in the opinion of many, inadequate to the wants of the county, and a new and more commodious one has been projected. At the same time (1834) a jail, cost- ing SI, 000, was built of hewn lops, 16 feet square and 14 feet high. The low- er story was used for a cell, and was entered by a trap-door from the second. It was located on the alley between Mon- roe and Perry streets, about half-way between Main and Hamilton streets. — The present jail was erected in 1849 at a cost of §11,000. In 1^40 Mr. A. 0. Garret erected the '' Planter's House" now so widely and favorably known as the Peoria House. PEORIA AS A CITY. Peoria was incorporated as a city in 1844. It then contained, according to a census taken by the late S. W. Drown, a population of 1619, divided accord- ing to ages as follows : — Under ten, 486; between ten and twenty, 319 ; between twenty and fifty, 718 ; over fifty 86. — During that year the increase of popu- lation was 315. The first election under the city charter was held on the 28th of April, 1845. Hon. William Hale was elected Mayor; Peter Sweat, Chester Hamlin, Clark Cleveland, Harvey Light- ner, Jesse L. Knowlton, John Hamlin, Charles Kettelle and Amos P. Bartlett as aldermen. The mayor and al- dermen were qualified and entered on their duties JMay 5th., and chose Jesse L. Knowlton city clerk, Ralph Hamlin, collector and treasurer, Hal- sey 0. i\Ierriman city attorney, and S. Dewitt Drown, marshal, street commis- sioner and surveyor. The second elec- tion wa.s held in November, the regular time for annual election of city officers. In 1844, S. W. D. Drown published the first volume of his Peoria Directory and Historical Record. AVe find in it much historical and traditional matter, but few statistics. It was the first bound book ever published in Peoria. We find by it that A. S. Cole was then erecting a distillery at the foot of Oak street, which is the one now standing between the river and the buildings of the P. & 0. Railroad. Hamlin's steam flouring mill (now known as the Red Mill) was then in process of erection. — There were seventeen regular packets plying on the Illinois river. The first canal boat that visited Pe- oria was the Gen. Shields, which arrived th 24th of May, 1848. She was built in Rochester, New York, and came by the way of Bufialo, Ohio and Erie Ca- nal, and thence by the Ohio, Mississip- pi and Illinois rivers. The owner of the boat brought his family with him to locate on the western prairies. The Michigan and Illinois Canal was opened two days afterwards, and was the cause of great rejoicing in Peoria,. And well it might be. The price of lumber fell one-half. MANUFACTURES— FLOURING MILLS. In 1830, John Hamlin and John Sharp erected the first flouring mill in this section of the state. It was located on the Kickapoo about three miles west of the city. The mill contained two run of stones and manufactured about fifty barrels of flour per day, or twenty four hours. Considerable of this flour was transported by flat boats in 1832-3, to New Orleans, Avhere it brought from 81,37i to Sl,50 per barrel. This was known as the "Aiken Mill," and is not now in existence. In 1838, Judge Hale and J. Easton erected a fine mill about four miles northwest of the city. In '1850 there were four mills within the L'^] city limits, aud the amount of flour ex- ported (saying nothiiii; of the lionie con- sumption) was put (.lown at o;},75o bar- rel, which at 84,50 per barrel, was val- ued at 8ir)l,S77.r)0. In l!S55, the cen- sus value of the flour manutactured here was 8(j50,UOiJ. The Messrs Moore had then just erected and put into operation the milla on Fayette street. There are now six flouring mills in operation here. One of them, the Peo- ria City Flouring Mills, owned by a stock company, was put in operation in November. It has a capacity for mak- ing 250U barrels of flour per week, and has been so erected, that with a very small outlay, its capacity can be doubled. It is equipped with two run of Hand's Patent stwnes, which will grind from fif- ty to sixty bushels of wheat each per hour. Owing to a failure of crops last season this mill has not yet been put in full operation. The Fayette iMills on North Fayette street, are owned by W. Moore, contain three run of stones, land arc capable of manufacturing one hundred lift}' barrels of flour per day. — The Farmer's Mill is situated on Adams street and has about the same capacity. Then there is the old " lied Mill" operated by 3IcClanahan & Co., and the mills of Moss, Bradley «fc Co., and Richard (jregg, running in connec- jtion with their distillery business, at the south part of the city. The wheat crop being cut off last year, the operation of these mills have been greatly curtailed. 1'hc amount of wheat ground last year (independent of the Peoria City Mills, which has been in operation less than six months) we find, by the statement of the proprietors, to have been in round numbers, 4i)0,U00 bushels, which at 5 bushels to the barrel, produced 08,000 barrels of flour. WitH a good crop the present autumn, these figures, swelled by the manufacture of the Peoria City Mills, will be nearly .'doubled for 1859. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. The importance of j'eoria as a place lency of these plows soon gave them a for the manufacture of agricultural im-jreputation, and the proprietors went on plemcuts, cajinot be over-estimated. — annually increasing the capacity of their She has an easy water communication establishment, until they arc able to with St. Louis and Chicago, and the turn out ten thousand plows per year, numerous railroads centering here tap /The establishment furnishes cmploy- thc surrounding country in all direc-lmcnt to fifty men. The plows of Messrs. tions. Then she furnishes all the re-|Tobey & Anderson find a market in all quisite fuel for manufactures (a most our western and south-western states, impT»rtant item elsewhere) in exhausti- California and Oregon. From its log- ble quantities, and at prices almost sig- cabin this factory has extended step by nificant. Already manufactories havcstep, to Washington street, occcupying been established here, and uiorC; with in length three hundred ibrty-two feet, proper encouragement on the part ofThey design to remove their Ibrging of our citizens, are sure to follow. isiiop the present season, and to erect one in its place, of brick, twenty-four Plow M.vkim;. — Prominent among by sixty feet, two stories in height. — these manufactories is the Plow Facto- They will also remove their present ry of Messrs. Tobey & Anderson. This steam engine and substitute a new one, establishment was first commenced by now being made at the establi.xhment the present firm in the spring of 1843, of "William Moore of the City Foundry, in a small hig-cabin on Water street. — jIt is designed to surpass in the perl'cct- At that time butonc forgo was operated, [ion of its fini.sh, and completeness in ev- and le.ss than two hundred plows were ery respect, any that Mr. ^loore has turned out during the year. The excel- heretofore made, ancl will comp;!rc favo- [10] rably with the most improved engine of Mr. Tiucsdale's. It has been in op- in the country. In connection with the cration about one year. In addition to Plow shop, Messrs. Tobey k, Anderson|the planers, Messrs Washburn & Co. haA'-e a store for the sale of iron, occu- have a sidiiif^ saw, capable of turning pying the basement and first story of out twenty thousand lect of siding per their large brick building on Washing-'day, and ripping and scroll saw for va- ton street. rious vrork, earning, with two men to I tend them, from 820 to 25 per day. — Wheat Drills. — Two years ago Messrs. Washburn & Co. also manufac- Jones, S( Lancaster, clby & Co., came here from ture some two hundred boxes per week, •, Ohio, and commenced the a business which is increasing. They manufacture of their well known Wheathavc a turning lathe, likewise, which Drills in Peoria, occupying some large has just been put in operation, shops just below the P. & 0. Railroad buildings. The business is now carried on by Mr. James Selby. Thisestablish- Sash, Doors and Blinds. — There are four establishments for the manu- ment employs in good times fifty to'facture of Sash, Doors, and Blinds — sixty men, and annually manufactures' William Truesdale, at his mills on Wa- ono thousand drills, valued at §80,000. ;ter street. Brooks more stable and profitable. The estab- terial for spokes, hubs and felloes arc lishment first in importance is that of brought from New Jersey, the springs Messrs. Dredge and Lincoln. Mr. and axletrces come from the East, and Dredge was formerly of the firm of the workmen are all Eastern men. We Dredge, Hester k Keys, and Mr. Lin- cannot see, then, why any of our citi- coin of flic firm of Fridley i^ Lincoln. [12] The latter firm commenced business on'It bears an enviable reputation, not only Water street in 1S4S, manufacturing at home but abroad, and is gradually furniture to the value of SloU per|making its way into the sales-rooms of week. On the loth of July, 1850, they the various towns and cities scattered were burned out, losing some $8,00U; throughout the west. AVe invite the or S9,(J0U. The fire was the work oflatteiitiun of dealers abroad to it with an incendiarj-. confidence, expressing the conviction The present manufactory of Dredge that if they wished to find a real arti- & Lincoln is on the bank of the river, acle, they can do no better than to come short distance below the bridges. It isito Peoria. a three story brick building, 120 b}^ 30 j feet. The machinery is driven by a| Brass Foundries. — In addition to steam engineof twenty-five horse 2>ower |the iron foundries, there are two brass They employ at present eighteen menifoundries in the city. The establish- and turn out about $700 worth of fur-!ment of A. P. Augustine is in the niture per week, or S3G,400 per year. ! alley, rear of Parmely's stables. Mr. The ware rooms of Messrs. Dredge & A. has been located here about two Lincoln are in the large brick building years and a half and does every kind on the corner of Fulton and Washing- of brass founding and fitting, and has ton streets, occupying a very large space., an establishment capable of turningout Here every variety and style of furni- 610,000 worth of work per year. The second establishment is that of Jacob Kretz, South Adams street. Mr. Kretz has been in business lor himself about two years, and previously had been engaged for six years at the City Foundry. He has just erected a new shop at his present location, 28 by o3, IV stories high. He gives employment to two men. ture may be found, from the common to the most costly and elegant. Mahogany, rose-wood, black walnut, maple, cherry, and various other woods are used in their establishment. Messrs. Hesler & Tjaden have another large establishment at No. 12 3Iain-st., their manufactory being in the rear. Their machinery is driven by a steam engine of sixteen horse power, and they now give employment to 15 men, and Safes, Bank Vaults, &c. — Adam manufacture furniture to the value of Lucas (formerly Lucas tt Baedcr) has $15,000 ))er year. Like Dredge & Lin-!an establishment for the manufacture of coin, their work embraces every variety iron safes, bank vaults, door-locks, irin- of style and quality — from the common railing, balconies, &c., on Washington to the costly and elegant — mahogany,'street just above Hamilton. Mr. Lucas rose-wood, black-M'alnut, cherry, maple, has been in business in Peoria some two &c., &c. years and gives employment to a half. Mr. L. Holland, succeeds Mr. Frid- dozen men. lie is at present engaged ley, at the ware-rooms on Washington, in putting in the vaults and iron doors between Fulton and Main streets. The of the new building of the Peoria Ma- furniture manufactured at this estab-jrine and Fire In.surance Qo. on ]Main lishnient, last year, amounted to some street, very fine pieces of work. two or three thousand dollars. 31 r. II. has been at this place some 4 months only LiGliTNiNd Hods. — Mr. L. J'atce and is not now engaged in the manu- has a lightning rod manufactory on facture, but purposes rccommencing'South Adams-st., where he used, last shortly. jyear, 100 tons of iron, and two tons of The furniture manufactured in Peoria|copper, making 5000 lightning rods, will rank with any in the country. Itlvalued at S34.000. He gives employ- is well made, of excellent finish, solid'ment to about 20 men. His machinery and durable, and much of it as elegant aa any that can be found in the parlors of the most wealthy and aristocratic. is driven by horse-power. Mr Patee has a similar and larger establishment in St. liOuis. [l:^ Starch 3Ianufactuue. — The Poo-[Mansfield,No. 20 Main street, have been ria ^^tarcli ^lanufacturing Company, was engaged in this business since 1S52. — organized in January-, 1850. llenr}^ Owing to the very small amount of seed Mansfield is President, and \Yashingtonjraiscd last year, but little was done. — Cockle, Secretary. The company carry About GOO bushels of seed were used, on their operations in a large buildingjproducing 1000 gallons of oil. located near the distilleries, in the southi part of the city. The following is ai .statcnient in round numbers of last! year's operations : — Corn use i ■ -.i • i = , T^, \, • ° ^r *^-i^ 1 can be round in any aunsuuth s slion lu erson s Plow Jbactory. iMr. JJunn has ^ it •» i o*. * Tx- ii * , ,.,''. , , ^ the United btates. \\ e are unable to been emr^'gcd in business here about - .i . a d .■< n , = » , p ^ 11 1 • 1 iiyya the exact ngures oi the manuiac- three years, and manufacturers all kinds f i i. -4. * x in „ '^ 1 • 1 / . ..,->• 1 N turcs, but it amuunts to several thou- 01 wood, circular (up to cO inch,) cro.ss- i i n i .,, V -11 r -rw 1 «^iid dollars yearh'. cut, mill web saws, sickles, &c. Deal-; -' ■' ers can obtain saws of Mr. Dunn, of a.^l good a make and finish, as they can find Lime Burmxg. — Vipond & Co., elsewhere, and just as cheap as they Water street, have two kilns, five miles can be imported from the eiist. Mr. from the city, on the Farmington road, Dunn gives employment to five men i capable of turning out three hundred and finds a market for his mannfiicturcs bushels per day. The most of this is in Peoria, St. Louis, and the various sold in town. The limestone used in towns and villages of the surroundingibascment of the new building of the country.' Mr. Dunn's business is yet in Peoria Marine and Fire Insurance Corn- its infancy, people being loath to believe|pany, was taken from their quarry. — that any such wares can be manufactur-: Quite a heavy trade i.s carried on iif cd west of the Allcghanics and thelime in Peoria, but from the number of lakes; butallthc.se doubts vani.sh on dealers, it is impossible to present any acquaintance with facts, and the saW| thing like the true figures. One firm manufacture is destined to be a very alone, (Bushnell k McKinncy,) on important one here yet. j Water street, are selling to the amount . . I of S'TOOO yearly. Refrioerator.s. — The use of ice in families, is c;iinparatively of modern! _, _, „„ ori-in; but at present, few families dc-L SoAP Manufacture.— Iherc arc priVc themselves of this now essential'^^'i'^ establishments for themaiiuJacturc article. All who have ice need to have f ^^'H^ ^'^ the city; the largest being also, a refrigerator. Schooley's Patentl'^iat of Messrs. Dcwcm & I'ord, whose is e.iual to any, if not the best of anv,^^^«° ^^ '^*' ^''•}^ South Adams street, now in use. Messrs. Wood k Pishop,i'^l"^ amount of last year s manufactures Washington street, rear of Parmclcv'si^s returned to us, was o.Olb boxes. stables, arc engaged in their manufac- tui'e, having purchased the right to make them, and just engaged in the business. Thoy give employment to several men. LiNSKKi) Oir,.— Messrs. Tucker k valued at §10. 5r>(). Lard-Oil, Candles, &c. — Messrs. Dewciu & Ford arc also manufacturers of candles and lard and tallow oils. — Their last year's operations foot up as follovs : — [1^] 4 600 boxes Candles, of 44 lbs c.icb, TlX AND SlIEET Iron WORKERS.— S2C.4G0 00 There are a large number of workers of 275 bbls Lard Oil, 40 gals, 9.9J0 00 sheet-iron and tin in Peoria, but most 80 " Tallow Oil, " 2.400 00|of them being also dealers in stoves, I hard ware, etc., it is quite impossible to ^°*^'' 538-'o0 00|ggpj^j.j^j^j ^j^g amount of manufactures Marble "W'orkers. — We have three from the sales. establishments in Peoria for marble Vr'ork such as gravestones, monuments, Saddleries. — There are seven sad- mantels and counter tops, &c. Mr. W. die and harness shops in the city, the B. Grecnman is located at No. 44 Main | aggregate of whose manufactures, last street, and gives employment to eleven year, exceeded $30,000. men. Mr. John Dolan is located at No. 22 Fulton street, and employseightl CooPERS-snoPS. — In giving a state- men; and 3Ir. F. T. Kane has com-'ment of the distilleries we included the menccd the business, the present year operations of the coopers shops connect- on Bridge street, where he, also, gives ed with them. There are eight cooper's employment to several men. The mar ble is obtained from Vermont, and ri vals in quality and beauty the best of imported marble. The Peoria workman- shops in addition to these. The largest of them is the establishment of Wm. Hughes, who employs from thirty to forty men. Mr. Hughes manufactured ship is equal to any in the country, and laet year, 1G,400 whiskey barrels; 5,150 the product of our yards finds a market pork barrels; 1,000 flour bairels; 1,000 throughout the surrounding country, slack tierces and 300 ke city. >Ir. [lo] Kahder is at present cncraged in build- ing the new steam ferry boat that is to ply across the lake at that point. The boat is to be one hundred I'eet in length and forty-two in width over deck, and double hull with eight feet opening in the middle. It will have ample cabin accommodations for passengers, and deck arrangements for the accommoda- tion of fifteen or twenty teams at a crossing. The cost of the boat when finished, exclusive of ensrine, will be between S(),000 and S7.000. The boat will be driven by two engines of about 75 horse power, which will cost when set up, about 68,500. The engines are being built by Wm. Mooreof the City Found- ry. The boat will be finished sometime in July. In addition to this, Mr. Kahder has contracts for building four ice-boata to be used next winter to con- vey ice to St. Louis. The amount of these contracts is 66,000. DISTILLERIES. The distillerirs of Peoria forzn its] heaviest manufacturing interest, about' two thirds of a million of dollars in stock and buildings, being invested in it. There are six in operation at pres- ent, exclusive of the alcohol works, all located on the river bank in the south part of the city. From a detailed state- Whisky Barrels, 15.898 Pork " Alcohol " Flour " Lard Tierces, , Kegs, 2.641 2.461 235 224 'ii Pieces in all, -IIA'JO The statements of the other distiller- ment of the business of Messrs. Moss,|ies are not so full and minute, but from Bradley & Co., who have S144.000 in-|the facts we have gathered, taken per- vested in the manufacture, furnished us sonally at each establishment, we arc en^ by their gentlemanly book-keeper Capt. abled to give the following figures as the Dunne, we are enabled to lay before thejdistilling business (with the exception reader, the following facts relaiive to a mentioned below) of Peoria the past single establishment. The statement is'}'*^^'"- made up for the year ending April 30,iCorn used, .....1.304.482 bushels. 1859. The amount of Corn purchased was, Wheat " Rye Barley " Oats " Barley Malt " Middlings " Coal and Charcoal Ilighwiucs manufactured. Flour '' Hogs purchased and fed, Cattle " " Men employed in distillery, In addition to the Wheat, (mostly made into I flour,) 1&1.724 " Cof't. Other Grains, 12iJ.433 " $117,057 60 Coal used, 754,620 25.987 9Uj^Yhisky &nighwinesmade, 108.368 barrels. 8.217 79 Hogs fatted, 33.436 " Richard Gregg has a cooper's shop connected with his establishment, in 815.984 lbs. 9.787 32iwhich was manufactured, last year, 30.- ^^" '"\. ..7-^-- P^^'OOO whiskey, GOOU flour, and 4000 pork 1(.561 barrels. I •" ^ '■ 2.000 No. Busbcls. 243.266 30.724 11.574 3.882 1.437 3.740 2.473 16 622 97 4.321 98 10 3.636 43 38 barrels. Ru.M, Gi\ AND Copper-Distilled Whisky. — In the above statement wo above, Messrs. ihave not included the distillery of Mc- Moss, Bradley & Co., have a cooper|Call & Castle, lor the manufacture of shop connected with their distillery, in 'first qualities of rye, bourbon and malt which they employ oo men, using up whisky, rum, gin, &c. This establish- last year stock (staves, heading- and luent has been in operation only five hoop-poles,) to the amount of 613. .'553- months, and is located just above the 39, and manufacturing the following alcohol works of Wm. Smith & Co., number of barrels : — [office at 3Io?h, Bradley i\: Co's. The [ItJ] following is a statement of its opera- & Co., have a building lOU by "So feet, tiona for the five months it has been in j containing a steam engine of ten horse i power, and capable of using 80 barrels of whiskey per week, which will pro- duce 48 barrels of alcohol. At present they are manufacturing and shii^piug about 150 barrels per week. operation CoKsuincd 118 bbls. Cliinese sugar-cane mo- lases, (soured.) " 200 " llyc llighwines. " 120.) " (.A)vn " " •).- (( M.'ilt " ■J.I) " Alcohol o.^JJo bushels Coal and Charcoal. BuEWERIES.— The a!e and beer man- Manufactured 250 bbls. copper di-stilled Rye ufacture is a very important one in Whisky, at proof. Peoria, and is rapidly increa.>^ing. In 3:30bbls.coppeidistilledbour-] 855^ -recording to the census returns, bou whisky, at proof. ^j^^ ^.^j^^ ^ ^^^ , ^^ ^^ manufac- •' oO bbls. copper tustillcd malt , ^~,ir,r\/\ • • i whisky, at proof. jturcd was q?z4,yOO j it is now upwards .30 bbl.s. copper distilled rum of $81,000. The breweiy of A. M. at proof. Downer, located just below the gas ^ P'Pes copper distilled gin ^voiks presents us with the following ■' P^°*^ ■ statement of its operations for a year ■ ending the first of the present month. Alcohol —There are two alcohol dis- consumed 4,928 bushels Malt, tilleries in the city — that of Wm. Smithi ^i 7,032 lbs. Hops. & Co., located on the bank of the river,' " 4,320 bushels Coal, between the gas-works and Mo.ss, Brad-I Manufactured 1,371 bbls Ale. Icy & Co's, and which has been in Freeman, Green & Co., manufactured operation about 18 months; and that of last year 2300 barrels of ale, and 1000 Brandamour, Higbie & Co., on the rail- bushels of malt. Of lager beer and road a short distance below, which went ale there were manufactured — eitybrew- into operation last March. In addition ery, oOOO barrels, Illinois Brewery to the alcohol, both establi8hmontSi2000 Isarrels; F. Miller 2000 barrels; manufacture pure spirits, cainphcneandjUerman Lutz &, Co., lOOO barrels. To- burning fiuid. The last year's opera-. tal, ale and lager beer manufactured last tions of William Smith it Co., amountodyoar, 11,()71 barrels. "\'alue (at 87 per to 7500 bavrclsof alcohol. ]3randamour barrel) $81,097. BRICK YAKDS. Ml There are at the present time ten individu-jpies aspace of somofivc hundred feet square, jils and firm.-* residing in the cit}', who ureTiie Avorks have been in operation some two cnp;aged ia the manufacture of bricks, but, month5, ;ind the first kiln, of 280,0U0 bricks, ■with one exception, we belicTe all the brick- has just been burned. There are three gangs yards are outside of the city linuts. of men oniployed at the present time, mak- That exception is the yard of Mr. S. Pulsi- ing about 2-JUOO brick per day. The entire fer, of the tinu of Pulsifer .t Co., bankers, force at work in tlie yard consists of thirty and is worthy of special notice. Mr. P. is nien and thirteen hordes, owner of a tract of eighty acres, known as! The yard has been fitted up with a view to " Pulsi fer's addition," the most of it lyingjboth coTivenience, and economy of time. — northeast of Main street, and extending back ^ The kilns extend through tiie entire center up and over the bluff. It is intended by tlielof the yard, and are to be covered witii a owner, before placing this land in the market, moveable roof, that can be rolled from one to dig down the blntf, so as to make an uni- kiln to another, as occasion may require. — forndy sloping grade from Perry street, back On each side of the yard the "gums," or to the further side. mills for grinding the clay, are located, and As the bluff is largely composed of fine close besi.le each is a large cistern of water clay, in furtherance of this object, Mr. Pul.si-! for the moistening of the claj'. There ore fer lias engaged in brick-making. His yardlseven of these gums, and seven cisterns ca- is at the head of Hamilton street, and occu- pable of holding 1800 barrels of water, con- LIT] nected one with another by syphon?, and fed by a. ncver-fniling spring that issues from the bluff close at hand. Mr. Pulsifor intends enlarging his yard to about three times its present size, so thiit he can manufacture ten millions of brick an- ually. He is likewise, about to commencd the manufacture of presset brick. Having the same kind of machine that is used in the inunufacturo of the Springfield prcsscd- brick, he hopes to be able to compete with that city in the quality of his article, and to drive the Springfield brick from our market. Mr. Pulsifcr uses the lower clay of the bank which is some eight feet deep, and mix- ing it with the sand that is found on every hand below the bluffs, produces a superior article of brick. It will be seen by the foregoing sketch that Mr. Pulsifer will accomplish his grading at a reduced expense. At present he is taking out the clny-bank on a line with Hamilton street, so as to extend that street over the bluff. It will be a ^reat improvement, inasmuch as the street will bff reduced so as to rest on the bed of gravel that underlies tlie clay, making a fine and solid road bed the year round, and of such an easy grade that a horse can trot with a carriage up the entire ascent with ease. Af- ter grading the streets, lots will be graded on each side and put in the market. The advantages claimed by Mr. Pulsifer's operation are these: An almost uniform ascent will bo gained from the river to the top of the blufl'; the lots on Mr. Pulsifer's land will be equalized in value, giving every occupant a view of the city below him ; it will add to the regularity and beauty of the city in that .^lee'tion. The following is a statement of the brick manufacture of Pcori.i at the present time, as we have obtained it from those engaged: N'o ofbrcks manu''«clure(?, 11,400,009 i' o. »f h.-.nd fciiip oy*(l, 123 ' alwe of III nu hc > ng $67,0CO Tnev»l.ie of lioie manufactured In 1855, as givea ia ihe (.ensus reiurea. was $20,T50 MANUFACTURE of REGALIA for MASONS, ODD FELLOWS, &c. In 1S-j6, Mr. Charles H. Deane commenced in the rooms now occupied as the editorial sanctum of the Transcript on Fulton street, > the manufacture of Regalias, for Misons, | Odd Fellows and other societies, employing' four h.ands. Mr. Deane had previously been^ engaged in selling for eastern manufactories,; and from his extensive acquaintance his bus- iness rapid!}- extended throughout the entire north-west, Missouri, &c. The manufactory is at present carried on by John A. Bash, at No. 2 House's Block, Main st., who succeeded by Mr. Deane in April last. Mr. Bush employs twelve girls, and two men, and the value of his manufac- tures amounts to $12,000 a year. ARTtSTs Matkbials, Enoratings, &c. — Mr. Busii is also extensively eng.iged in the sale of Artists' materials, engravings, litho- graphs, picture frames, &c.. having the largest assortment in Illinois, outside of Chicago. His sales in this line amounted, last year, to $8000. [ MANTFACirRE OF SoDA AND Ml.VF:n.\L Water. — There are some half dozen Individ-. uals engaged in the manufacture of Soda and Mineral wat'jr in Peoria, supplying not only the city but the adjoining towns and villages. The value of their manufactures we do not learn, but it amonnts to some five to ten thousand dollars yearly, and is on the in- crease. SarsapariI-la Beer. — Mr. W. W. At- wood, at the corner of the Knoxville Road and the Bluff, is engaged in the manufacture of a fine article of Sarsaparilla Beer. The value of his manufacture, last year, amount- ed to S3,000. YiNKOAR. — -There are three or four Vine- gar manufactories in the city, producing a fine article. The value of their mannfac- tures we have not ascertained. Miscellaneous Manufactvres. — In ad- dition to the foregoing there are several otlier manufactures, such as boots and shoes, confectionary, baskets, engraving, files, &c. &c., which we have not gone over. SPRINGDALE CEMETERY. Springdale Cemetery is located about one occupies one hundred and sixty acres of mile from the northern limits of the city, and ground. It is owned by the Springdile Cem- 6 [18] etcry association, which was organized in September 185G. The present officers of the association arc as follows : President.— Vfm. A. Hall. Secretary. — Hervcy Lightner. Treanwer. — Lewis Howell. Superintendent. — John D. Hall. Directors. — Wra. A. Hall, Hervey Lightner, Isaac Underhill, Lewis Howell, Ewd. Hudson. About $20,000 have, thus lar, been ex- pended in the purchase and embellishment of the grounds, aside from quite an amount of individual expenditure by lot-holders. A road, seven miles in length, called the Grand Tour, encircles the entire grounds and pene- trates to nearly every point; a gate-lodge and business office have been erected, a pub- lic vault put in, trees grubbed up and under- brush cleared away, and a variety of other improvements made by the association. In- dividuals who have purchased lots have made many additional improvements in grading, fencing and otherwise beautifying their pur- chases. The natural beauty of these grounds is un- surpassed. The stranger is prepossessed in their favor on entering. Ashe proceeds, par- ticularly if he is a lover of the grand and picturesque in nature, his pleasure increases, and he ends the circuit of the Grand Tour not only delighted, but, wo may almost say, enchanted. Nature never endowed a lovelier spot for consecrated ground. Here is the overarching tree, the open greeu sward, the purling murmuring rivulet, the gentle slope, the winding road ; then the steep acclivity, at the top of which ono peeps out through an opening in the trees, on the one hand, and sees the quiet lake on whose bosom the sunbeams lie sleeping, or gazes down a 'precipitous depth into a wild ravine luxuri- ant with vegetation, where those sunbeam rarely penetrate. Then come the stately monument and : humbler tomb-stone, to mark the quiet rest- ing places of the dead. Few are the touches i)f art to render them more sacredly beauti- ful. A tasty enclosure ; perhaps, a softening jdown in the character of the vegetation; a !few simple, home ti iwers, to contrast with those from nature's hands at every point; and that is all. The landscape gardener has little to do to cultivate these grounds, except to restrain the luxuriance of nature; to cut away per- haps, a tree, here, to let in a little more sun- shine, or there, to give more prominence to the view down that dell, or along the road that leads up yonder ravine. There are many reasons why the citizens of Peoria should cherish this Cemetery. It contains the most beautiful natural scenery of any similar grounds in the United States, and Avill be a marked and attractiva point i'l her future history. Scattered throughout New England, lie bleaching in thesun,church yards of a century and half-century old — without beauty, without order, without arch- itecture, repugnant almost to the sight. Such grave yards add new terrors to death. But a new order of things has of late been insti- tuted. The "cities of the dead" are now rendered pleasant by their majestic beaut}-, and sweet grand repose. The tasteful hands <)i the living testify by their adornments, their love and veneration of the dead, and no longer are burial grounds unsightly and re- pugnant, but ]ileasing and attractive spots, where we love to wander and muse on life, its hopes, its aims and its ends. PEORIA COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS. Of the beauty of these grounds and their general applicability to all the purposes of an extensive agricultural and mechanical exhibition, the citizens ot Peoria county may be justly proud. In these respects they have few equals, and to find their superior we mu.st go beyond the limits of Illinois. The territory, occupied, comprises •22\ acres of land tastefully laid out and conveniently ar- ranged for the accommodation of exhibitors' and spectators. The avenues and path-ways which intersect the grounds are numerous, and are disposed in the best approved style! The buildings ai-e spacious and appropriate, J and adequate to any demand. Of trecsjl there is a great abundance for shade and or-j nament, tho larger number consisting of those indigeneous to the soil, which forma' magniliccnt grove; hut still, notwithstand' ing the liberality of nature, the Association has made extensive yet judicious outlays for rare specimens of trees, wjiich have been nurtured with care and are vigorously thriv- ipg. Tho variety of shrubbery is extensive, and is arranged so as to strike the eye with tho full force of its beauty. Tho grounds are kept in fine order, and at this season of the year, when all nature is rejoicing in the development of beauty,, they have a Para- disaical appearance, which tills thcheirtof the observer with delight. No more titling spot can be found on which to erect slirines to the presiding genius of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. Contiguous to the twenty-two and ono half acres oncl()^ed within the Fair Grounds prop- er, are forty acres of land which can be used for the purposes of a fair, on extraordinary [ly] -occasions. The enclosure of the grounds i consist of a high, close board fence, having a row of stalls extending all around it. These! are capacious and comfortable, affording ev-' cry requisite for the beasts for which they are designed. The number appropriated to cattle and horses is six hundred. Of pens for sheep and swinL> there are two hundred. The hen coops and accommodations for fowb are abundant and of the best description. The buildings for the purposes of exhibition are large and well fitted up, being five in number, and each covering a space of forty by one hundred feet. Besides thcoc, there is a business office, structures for the accom- modation of the Press, Tolice and all tho necessaiy out buildings. The arenas for the exhibition of stock aro spacious, having a music stand and a judges stand properly located. The amphitheater will seat 3.U00 persons. The race course has a circuit of a mile. Water is supplied by two wells and a living spring, — is of the best quality, and is suffi- ciently abundant for all emergencies. EDUCATIONAL. The history of the public schools of Peoria iscompiis-erl within the last five years. Pre- vious to that, what public schools she had were a part of the township schools, wretched things and inadequate to the wants even of a commo.i village. There were several private schools, and one or two conducted by joint jstock companies. In 1855, in obedience to the prayer of our citizens, an act was passed by the Legislature, to amend the city chart- er, and establish and regulate a system of public schools in Peoria. Aboard of seven Inspect jrs was created, to which was given full poweis for building housies, employing teachers, establishing and maintaining schools and every thing for their necessary support j and government, save the power of imposing! taxes. They were to recommend whatever tax they saw fit, and the citizens were to vote in public meeting on the question of so raising it. In order that the public might become acquainted with their proceedings, they were requii-ed to make annual reports to the city Couacil. The liist Board of Inspectors w.as elected in April, 1855, and entered upon the duties impoicd with energy and a determination to bring something out of nothing. They had but a small amount of funds to as.sist their first year's operations, being about $28U0, the amount the city was entitled to from the township under the former organization. Their report to the city council at tho close of the year, contains a graphic picture of the Schools at the time they entered \tpon their duties. A stranger, visiting the schools of Peoria, to-day, could be hardly brought to believe so great a change had been wrought in so short a period. There was not a pub- lic school-house in the whole city, commen- surate with the wants of the community. In the first ward there was no house belonging to the district nor the public, nor any suita- ble place for a school. A two story house had been commenced, but work had been afdpped. Tho Bbard had it finisheti tfb as tti accommodate 300 pupils. A second small house had been commenced in the lower part of the ward, but wcrk had been stopped for want of funds. This was finished to accom- modate forty scholars. The second ward had a house, or as the Board termed it, " an enclosure," furnishing poor accommodationa for about 150 pupils. This house was re- paired at considerable expense. Matters were worse in the third ward. The school-house there had been fitted up out of an old found- ry, with seats, but not accommodations, for some 80 or 90 pupils. The fourth ward was provided with a better structure — a one story brick building, with seats for about eighty pupils. It was, however, badly ven- tilated and badly arranged. Tho schools were without .«ystcm, the teachers getting a precarious and uncertain support by fees for tuition, aided somewhat by the distribution of the proceeds of tho school fund. The committee could do but little. Up to October 20, they expended some fifteen hund- red dollars for buildings and repairs. The whole expenditures were !j;l905,2o. A three mill tax was recommended and voted by tho citizens. The report of the Board for the second year shows a ditferent state of affairs. A High school had been established ; and six other schools were maintained. They had elected a Superintendent of schools, to assist them in their labors ; had established regular sal- aries for the teachers; fixed the tuition of pupils at one dollar per quarter fur the lower schools and three dollars for the Iliph school. They had established the gradts of priraaiy and grammar schools ; classified and rend- ered uniform thestudies throughout the city : purchased a school-house, erected for a boys' stock school in the second district, cnpablo of seating 160 scholars, for $8,700, and a female academy house, capable of seating 210 pupils, in the third district for $0,050; and bad built a new house in tho fourth dis- trict cujtablc d" actommmlating 240 pupils. [20] The old school-bouse and lot in tbo first ward mer iudebtedness. The whole number of they sold for $1511. The expenditures of diflcrent pupils in attendance during the year the Board for the year ending July Slst, 'was 15G0. 1856, were $10,803 13. The amount paid iuj In April of the present year, a very im- Balaries to teuche s, was $4,124 2'6. Thciportant blow was struck in favor of the amount received of pupils for tuition was $1, |. schools by the citizens themselves, in sus- G09 yy. The atteaOauce on the schools had'taining at the ballot-box, a direct appeal to risen from oU7 the year previous to an ave-i support them hereafter solely by taxation, rage attendance of 11'2. Another three mill and to make them altogether free. This was tax was recommended and voted. 'a very decided reform, and must have a The following year the grading was further: marked effect, extended to the introduction of intermediate | The state of our schools at the present time schools. A new three-story brick house may be briefly summed up as follows : Five was erected in district No. B, accommodat- school-houses owned by the city, capable of ing three hundred scholars. The number ol si.ating, with the room leased for the sixth Teachers employed were twenty-seven ; the number of different scholars in attendant was 1450. The sum of §300 was paid this year, for the services of a music teacher. - school in the basement of the United Presby- terian Church, 1272 pupils. The houses are all fine structures, well arranged and com- modious, weU lighted and ventilated, and The cxi-cnditures of the year were $38,309- 1 furnished with all the modern improvements 03 — to meet which, besides the ordinary rev- in seats and desks. The schools are divided enue, bonds to the amouut of $13,000 w>:re into three grades and consist of six primary, issued, and a temporary loan of some $350U|tive intermediate, five grammar and one High was maie. The sum of $10,154 40 wasrschool, with one (the fifth district) ungraded, paid in salaries ; $1,118 71 for school furni-| giving employment to five male and twenty- ture, &c. &c. A two mill tax was recommend- three female teachers, or one to about forty ed and voted the next year. j pupils. The tchool-year is divided info four During the next year, (1858,) there wasjterins of ten weeks each, commencing the not so great an improvement made. Thetsecoud Monday of September and ending the Board seemed to hav,5 suffered under embar- first of July, there being two weeks vacation rassuients; among other matters, a deta ca-iduring the school course, tion of $4000 by their collector. During the Thus have we imperfectly sketched the last term of the year, the price of tuition j more prominent points in the history of our was raised, which seriously affected for the, school system, as we have found it developed time being, the prosperity of the schools ]in the various reports of the Board. Tho A change was made in the location of the i change during the last four years has been school in the fifth district. It was moved to, astonishing, but it shows what an energetic a room in the basement of the United Pros- people can do if they set about it. Peoria bytcrian Church, corner of Jefferson and has now a school system that will compare Liberty streets. No expenditures were made fnvorably with any city of her size in the for new buildings. The total amount of ex- 1 United States. penditures was $31,093 74. Of this sum She has, in addition to her public schools, $11,841 23 were paid in salaries to teachersjseveral private schools of a high order, and and officers ; $1,584 54 for furniture. — a building in progress for the establishment Nearly all the remainder went to meet for- of a Presbyterian College. CHURCHES, LIBRARIES, SOCIETIES, &c. Wo think that no city of its size in the west, I we allotted ourselves at the commencement presents greater advantages and attractions j of our sketches is already used up. to the church-goer than Peoria. She has! There are two Library associations in the twenty-three churches, representing twelve city. The Peoria City Library was organized different denominations. These churches, |in January, 1857, and was the consolidation with perhaps one or two exceptions, possess of two former library associations. It num- conimodious and comfortable houses of wor-|bers 350 memliers, and coniains some 3500 ship, many of them fine and costly structuies.'carciully selected volumes, to which additions There arc twenty Sunday schools connected^aro made yearly. The price of membership with them, with libraries containing, a tolal|is one dollar, with an annual fee for the use of 9800 volumes. We have already given! of the library of two dollars. It is open to aome account of tho organization and oarlyjsubscribers each forenoon and evening, history of several of the older churches, and | The German Library Association was or- will let that stifficc, especially as the space ganized in August, 1857, numbers 100 mem- [21] bcrs and contains 500 ▼olumes. The iuiati-l ation feo of members is ouc dollar; with' monthly dues of twcnty-fivo cents. Open to subscribers each Wednesday evening. It numbers among its books eome of the finest in the German language. Veoria is possessed, for a city of her size, | of a very efficient fire department, number-l ing three engines, a hook and ladder appa- ratus, and 141 firemen. It has, in addition to the river from which vo draw its water in! case of fires, five public cisterns, located atj convenient points, and holding 3000 barrels of water. These cisterns are fed by springs from the blufi', and arc always kept full. There is a city ordinance providing that within a certain district, embracing the bus- iness portion of the city, no wooden build- ings shall hereafter be erected ; and this, with other precautions, has rendered Peoria more free from destructive fires than almost any city in the West. The city is possessed of an effective police force, both day and night, and crimes are of rare occurrence. Good care is taken of the sanitary condition of the city. We have a board of health ; and a public hospital, loca- ted on the outskirts, where the best of atten- tion is paid to those who may become its in- mates. There are five military companies in the city, two American, two German, and one Irish, and all in a good state of discipline and a prosperous condition. There are three lodjjes of Masons, one Royal Arch Chapter, and one Comniandery of Knights Templars. There are three lodges of Odd Fellows and one Encampment, and two lodges of Good Templars. There is a Young Men's Christian Associ- ation, which meets weekh', and four benevo- lent associations. There are four daily i)apers published in the city, three English and one German, cm- bracing three dillcrent shades of politics. The Illinois Teacher, a monthly journal, is also published here. We intended to have given a synopsis of and some atatistics in regard to the trade of the city, but have been prevented. Suffice it to say that Peoria is well supplied in every department, and each doing a safe and relia- ble business, even though it is hard times. Our dry goods stores are svipplied with all the latest styles of eastern and foreign mar- kets ; our booksellers and periodical dealers furnish the latest publications ; the stores of our provision dealers are filled with all the delicacies of the market; and we have every- thing to conduce to the comfort and well be- ing of a thriving community. Our hotels arc excellent, our people hospitable, gener- ous and enterprising ; our location healthy, and our scenery such as makes Peoria the handsomest and most attractive city in tho Great West. PEORIA MUSEUM. The "Peoria Museum" was opened inthe'collection of insects, minerals, shells, fossils, building occupied as J. Clegg's clothing &c., with a group of wax figures, forming, store. No. 47 Main street, the present year, : altogether, a very attracivc exhibition. Mr. by J. T. Shoatf. Mr. Shoaff is an engraver 'Shoaff is adding steadily to his collection, of this city, an excellent taxydermist, and land his Museum promises to become a high has been engaged for quite a number of years 'ly valuable one ere many years have passed, in forming a collection of stuifed birds andjlt is opened to visitors each evening, at a animals, mostly peculiar to Illinois and the merely nominal price, west. In addition to these ho has a large | TRADE, COMMERCE AND GROWTH. Independent of her manufacture, Peoria; has a very large trade ingrain, pork, lumber, coal, West India and other goods. We have no means of getting at the annual grain business of past years, but the imports and expor'8 for the years 1850 — 2 — 5 — 0, will givo the reader some idea of its magnitude and groTTth : 1S.W 1S5,T iss."; 1856 Corn, 628,729 l,OtJ!>4,53o .320,19'J Oats, 206,367 2f.l..'i24 olS,l.^l 3S5,.W5 Uiirloy, 6,331 18,790 20,587 60,602 It must bo recollected that those were years of abundant crops, while the past two have been years of scarcity. Little or no grain camo into market last year, save of last year's [22] growth ; and ouv returns give the amount ofi Nearlj- nil the lumber is sohl at retail, but corn exported at 710,890 bushels; used in the several of our yards are prepared to ■whole- distilleries 1,304,482 bushels ; starch factory sale to dealers in adjoining towns— on the 40,000 bushels. This does not include the'railroads, leading, east and west, and on the amount ground into meal and feed at our sev-jriver below, and elsewhere — on terms as ad- eral feed-mills, or otherwise consumed in vantageous (freight considered) as can be the city, which will bwell the amount to alhad in Chicago. The trade for the present million and n, quarter of bushels, or very year has, thus far. largely increased over nearly the figures of 1856. ithe last, and with a good crop the coming The amount of wheat exported, last year,: fall, dealers will close the year Avith a busi- was 127,023 bushels; manufactured into 'ness unexampled in the history of our citA' flour, &c., 554,724 bushels; total 082,3471 . bushels. I The book of the census taker and the as- The oat crop last year was almo!«t entirely jsessor are the best criterions by which to cutoff. The amount exported, saying noth- judge of the progress of a city. The asses- ing of the home consumption, was 10,244 sor. however, seldom comes up to the real bushels. ! valuation. People in giving in an ac- Thcre was no barley or rye exported ofcount of their property, preparatory to be- any consequence, it being used in our various'ing taxed, somehow are very modest in their distilleries and breweries. 1 figures. They are extremely willing to be thought quite poor just then. The differ- PoRK. — The pork-packing business is very ence, then, between the assessors returns important, and has been pretty steadily on jand the actual valuation, is very large. Our the increase. We give the number of hogsineighboring city of Quincy, for instance, we see, adds an estimated value of over one-half to the valuations of the assessor. Below, wo give a table of the population and valuation of Peoria for each year bincc 1844: 1844 1845 1S46 1847 1848 packed here for the following j-ears. ' 1850 28,796 1893 23 725 1850 44,7i.9 1H57 J5,;.22 The number of hogs packed, last year, was 53,550, or 18,245 more than the previous year. The following is a statement of the differ- ent houses engaged in packing, and the num- ber packed by each : — Tyng & BMtherson, 21,000 ; 1840 Beynodd * Co, 17,150 |iS50 Grier * McCiure, S,200 i 1861 <^- Trant, 2,230,1852 Kelicgg & Nowlacd. (for Adams & Co. St. Louis ) 6 000 is.03 Total, es/eoi^^^'* Most of the slaughtering was done by Rey-'^*^^ nolds & Co., who killed 28,512 hogs, and Kellogg & Nowland, who killed some over 10,000. Their slaughter-houses are located on the river bank, in the neighborhood of the distilleries. The .above statement does not include the retail butchering business of the city. Population 1619 1934 2392 C014 4079 4C01 E800 6202 7316 82S5 10,16 5 11,923 1866 es'd'd 14,50U 1857 17,4S2 1858 21,103 Some three years ago, \'ahia(ioii. Ileal Zstate $3} 9,752 " " 323 022 Ef M and Personal 655 711 " " 719,'37 " " 854,536 " " 1,154,029 •• " 1640,231 " " 1,751,662 " " 1.7fi7,930 ■" '• 2,315 66 » " '' 2,2:2 252 " " 2 857.980 4,468,580 4.718,965 4,736,910 writer in Hunt's Merchant's Magazine, in an article on the growth of the West, thus incidentally speaks of this city: — "Peoria in 1844 contained 1G19 people ; The Lumhkr Trade.— There are at pres- in 1847, 3014, which was more than double ent sixteen individuals and firms in the lum- in three years. In 1851, four years, it was ber trade. Several new ones have entered duplicated with interest. In 'l 850 it Avas the business the past year. Although the again duplicated, in five years. And from trade was greatly curtailed by the absence present prospects it will again duplicate by country demand, we find the sales to have 1801, or in 5 years. J5y the same ratio of cal- been larger than any previously reported year. Tlie following is a stitem'enfc'^of the sales in 1850, '55, '66 and '58 Lunibfr. 1863 , 6.266 6^3 fvot 1865, 9 715,2U " lh5", I3UC0, 40 " l85«,l4-TC8,t00 " ■^hlnglee, 3,61)2.000 piece* 6,815,600 " lath. 1,107,6 p\ec9f 3,102,800 '• 9,23 ',330 " LofC. ;,41 1,203 culating, as above,Peoria will commence 1900 with a population of over one million two hundred thousand, as follows: — if in 1801 she Avill have 25,904 (which no doubt, she will.) in 1808 it would bo 61,808— in 1875. KKi.OlG— in 1882, 207,323— in 1889, 414.464— in 1890, 828,928— and in 19U3, 1,007,^513." [-8 J NEW BUILDINGS. It cannot be denied that the late financial re- Central Bank and offices ; work has progress- vulsion of our country, and the short crops ed as above. of this section for two years past, have had 3. City Hall, Fulton street, near its iuter- their effect upon the business interests of Pco- section with Madison street. This structure ria ; but, we can say with truth, that she: will be in the Italian style, pressed brick, fif- has suffered as little as any place of her size ty-two feet front and sixty deep, two storica in the Union, if not less. There is no placejhigh, witli bell-towtr. The first story is to where less property- is owned by foreign cap- be used for the police, and for t-ngine rooms. italists ; and no place where the local pro- perty-holders are so free from embarra-snient from foreign creditors. During the whole of the hard times, not a half dozen failures oc- curred among us, small and great. The op- erations of trade and manufactures suffered The second story will be occupied by the city council room, clerk's, collector's and chief en- gineer's rooms, firemen's hall &c. The clerk's office will be furnished with fire-proof vault for the preservation of the city records, and all the rooms will be fitted up according to curtailment; but it was only a temporary! the latest modern improvements. The bell- infliction. Already with true elastic force, 1 tower will be si.\ty feet high, and fm-nished both trade and manufactures are springing! with a bell to be used for fire alarms. The back to their former prosperous condition, jestimated cost of the building is $8,000, not v.hile all the signs of the times indicate that including furniture. Architect, Valentine a greater impetus will be given to the pro-[Jobst; Smith & Murden, masons; Joseph gress of our city than ever before. I Miller carpenter. As one of these signs, we refer to the num-' ^- * 5 Two stores on South Adams street, ber of new buildings in process of erection^^^'^'^'-'" Fulton and Main, by A\m. Reynolds, i u Peoria— a greater number than ever known ^liese stores will be forty-seven feet front and at one time bufore. And they are not in.ig- 2,'J* li"ndrcd feet deep, three stories high, nificant buildings ; but substantial and costly ^^''^ ^"'^ *° ^«, of brick, with iron front for structures. We append s sketch of the va-iS^'.^* ^^.^^T, and pressed Ijrick front with iron rious buildings now going up, remarking, trimmings above. To be heated by furnace, that the list will probably be doubled by thei^- L. Ulricson architect; Peter Ward, ma- time the year is out. son; Wm. Reddick, carpenter. Cost, $11,- 1. Peoria Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Largei^*^*^- I^asement and first story nearly up. iron-front structure on Main street, between' 6, Store on North Adams street, be- AVashington and Adams street. Tliis build-'tween Main and Hamilton, by P. C. Merwin ; iug will be twenty feet front by seventy-two seventeen feet front, eighty-five deep,— three feet deep, three stories high, and basement, i stories high and basement. Built of brick. It will be of brick, with a highly decorated iWm. Thompson, mason, Joseph Tyrrell, car- Corintiiian iron front the entire height. — 'peuter. Brick Avork nearly done. Cost, not The first story will be 15 ft. high in iJic clear, given. andfurnishedwithaspaciousironvanltforthe, "• Store on Main street, betwecp Water safe keeping of papers, together with iron and Washington, by C. W. McClelland, twen- doors and shutters. The second story will ty feet front, sovenly deep, — three stories be fourteen feet in the clear, and will be fuiu-. and cellar. Pressed brick front with ished with similar vault, doors ami shutters, stone trimmings. Ulricson, architect; Pierco The third story will be twelve feet in the clear, I'S* Smith, masons; (i. L. Kyors, carpenter, doors and shutters of iron. Each story will Cost 4,u00. Brick work nearly or quite fin- be furnished with water closets and appara-jished. tus for heating witii steam. The plans were; 8 Store on Main st., adjoining the above,by drawn and the building is being erected under W'cston & Garrett, to be used for their crock- the superintendence of Mr. Ulricson, archi-|cry business. The building will bo 21 tact. Messrs. Smith and Murden are theifeet front and sovcnty-two feet deep; throe contractors for the mason work; A. J. jstorcs andcoller. Pressed brick front, with Hedges is the carpenter; Isaac Bushell, stone trimmings. Ulricson, arcliilect ; llaz- painter. Tiio iron front is made in New York; jard & Card, misons ; Stonier & Feather- tho iron vaults, doors and shutters by Adam ibridgc carpcutors; Cost $4,500; brick Lucas of this city. Cost of the building, j work nearly done. S10,500. Basement and first story nearly 0. Urecian Villa, corner of Sixth, and State up. ' jstrectfs, Dr. M. V. Alien. The main building 2. Building on Main street, adjoining tliei will be two stories in height, with one story above, by Hon. K. N. Powell. Tliis building wings. Width of front, fortj-two feet; will be of" similar size and iron front us the depth, thirty-two feet with a rear building above— each story to be heated by t\irnace.ltwcnty-eight fi'et deep. The first floor will Same architect, mason and painter; G. L. jconUin two largo pnrlprs, hall, library, dia- P.yors, cai-pcntcr; cost, .'?0,500; intended forj'.ng-room, two bci rooms, kitchen, pautry. [24 J &c. The second story Trill be devoted tol front of pressed brick tvitli iron and t^tonc chambers and bath room. Valentine Job?t,| trimmings ; cost about $10,000. Smith * architect; John Buel contractor. Cost. $3,-|Murden contractors. Brickwork complet- 000; cellar and foundation-work in; well ad-led. vanced. I 24. & 25. Two stores on the corner of 10. Dwelhnghouseofwood.on Sixth street, I Fulton and Adams street, by John Warner; between State and Fisher, by James Ford to be 54 feet front on Adams and ninety feet (firm of Dewcin & Ford). Thirty-one by deep on Fulton. They will be of Lrick, two fifty feet; two stories with cellar; Matthcwistories on Adams street, with a basement Harrington, contractor. Cost .S;^,jOO. Build- ■ store underneath on Fulton street. Excavation ing up, and workmen finishing inside. [made, orick on the ground. Not yet con- 11. Dwelling House of wood on Sixth tracted for. TlZ\f^rw'\lt7f'^^]^- 7- ^tT 20. Dwelling on Walnut, betweeen Wash- (flrm of II. W. Adams & co., hardware deal- ton and Adams streets, by Michael Pfiefer ; ers). rho main bmlding wdl be two 3to-: twenty-eight by thirty-t^o, rics high, thirty feet by twenty-four. A. S.jheight First «torv brick Soramers, carpenter. Cost, $2,000. Build-leosfilOOO ing up. and workmen finishing inside. I __ _^ ' . 12. Dwelling house on the bluff for R.^/l; Dwelling on South Adams streeet, by two stories in story brick, second wood ; Hamlin : two stories and cellar. Ulricson, W. H. Gilbert, lumber dealer. Main build- architect C. n. McKiuzie, carpenter. $2,000. 13. Store on the corner of Main and Adams streets, by Dr. K. Rouse. Twenty two feet front on Main ; seventy-two on Adams ; three ."stories, with a basement ope- ning on Adams street, to be fitted up for a saloon or restaurant. James Leeds, n*a- son ; Wm. Leeds, carpenter. Cost, not giv- en. Brick work nearly finished. 14. & 15. Two stores (brick) on Washing- ton between Bridge and Walnut street?, by N. Bergen; thirty-eight feet front and .sixty feet deep ; three stories, including base- ment. Ulricson, architect : Haznrd cS: Card, nia<«ons; J. Waugh, carpenter. Cost $5000 ; brick work nearly up. 10. A 17. Two stories (Mck) on Wash- ington street, between Fulton and Liberty, by Davis & Smith. They are to be eighteen feet front each, and one hundred feet deep; three stories high, with basement. Hazard Cost''"^' t''^^"ty-four by thirty, two stories high ; length twenty-four by twenty-five ft., 1^ sto- ries high. Cost $2500. 28. Building on Fulton street, addition to C. Fisher ft Co's. drug store, of brick, 41 ft. on Fulton street, twenty-four feet deep, making the whole store eighty feet on Fulton street. Two stories high with cellar. J. Miller con- tractor ; building up, finishing inside. Cost not given. 29. Brick building on Fulton street, ad- ioining that of Fisher * Co., by Henry BuflFe. This is eighteen feet front by twenty-four feet deep, two stories high, with cellar. J. Miller contractor ; cost, $1500. Finishing inside. 30. Building on the railroad, near the dis- tilleries, by Wm. Hughes, for a coopers shop — one hundred .and twenty by twenty-two feet. Cost not given. 31. Two story wooden dwelling house, on South Adams st, by Mr. B. Laughlin, Sa- fe Card, masons; Thomas Merrill, carpen-jperintendent of G.as Works. Front on South ter. Cost 7,000; brick work nearly or quite Adams street, twenty feet ; forty feet deep, completed. H. ^IcKlnzie builder. Painting and finish- 18 ft 1'.). Two stores on the comer of ing up. Washington and Hamilton street by J. K. 32. Brass Foundry on SoTith Adams street, Cooper, and J. E. McClure of the firm of by J. Krotz ; twenty eight by thirty-two juBt Gricr & McClure. They will be seventy-two [finished. feet front each, and sixty-five feet deep; three 33. Brick store. No. 138 South Adams stories and cellar. Pressed brick front with I street, by Henry Lammers, grocer ana pro- iron trimmings. The stores will cost between vision dealer. To be twenty-eight feet front, $8000 and $9000. Ulricson; architect; Pierce and Smith, masons ; Wm. Comcgys, carpenter. l?rick work going up. 20. ft. 21. Two stores on Bridge street. between Washington and Adams by J. T. Jjindscy. These stores will be of brick, forty feet front and sixty deep, two stories in height and cellar. Hazard ft Card, masons; John E. i'rycr, carpenter. They will cost about $5000. Brick wjrk commenced. 22. ft 23. Two stores on Water street, be- tween Fulton and Main street, by Saml. Vo- ris. These stores will be forty-two feet front and sixty-five deep, three stories with cellar; and forty feet deep, three stories high. Nich- ol.as Held, contractor. Cost $4000 34. Cottage House on South Adams street, just above the lRstnamed,by Henry Lammer's. House being finished off. Large and respect- able, no particulars gained. 35. One-story dwelling and store on South Adams street, next below Voorhecs, sash and blind factory, by Henry Buers. No particulars gained. 30. Cottage house on Plank Road, by IT. PotthofT. 37. Cottage House on Linden .street by John Inglos. [25] 38. Two story dwelling Louse on Smithlthe wing 24 by 18, with nn addition to the street, just finished by James Murphy. rear of 25 feet square. The plans were 40 — 83. Fort3'-three Cottages and other drawn and the Avork is superintended by dwelling houses in the South part of the city jT. S. Whitby, architect. Cost, $4000. These are all respectable residences, ranging! 94. Large brick building on Washington in cost froin»SGOO to SloOO. One of them is street, between Main and Hamilton by Field a large two-story brick dwelling, costing at a Shaw, of the Farmers Mills. Size. 05 by least $2-500. Not being able to gather full 30 feet, two stories and cellar. Cost $5,000. particulars of ."ize, cost, location and own- 1 Work commenced. ership we have lumped them together. Ofj 95. Cottage House on Fayette street by J. these forty-three dwellings, seven aro onR. Ziegler; fourteen by twenty-eight feet, streets leading from South Adams, and not Cost from §800 to $1000. Uuilds it himself; further back than Jeffer.sou ; eleven aro on finishing inside. and near the Plank Road ; seven are on and! 96. Cottage House, 18 by 2G, on the corner near Johnson street; five on and near Hurl-Iof First and Merriman strects,by 15. Kilcy. burt street and seventeen between Fulton ;Finished off, cost about $1000. street and the bluff. j 97. Residence on the corner «f Monroe and 84 — 88. Four brick stores qn North Adams I Hancock streets, by J. Y. Bergen. I^lain street, between Main and Hamilton streets ;!building, 20 by 30 ; rear, 18 by 20; 2 stories. 62 by 72 feet, three stories high, by E. Smith, ' Cost, $3000. Whitby, architect. jr.' Cost $15,000. Finishing the upper! 98. Doublebrickdwelling house on Seventh part. ! street by F. Davis & Lewis Roberts, masons 89. Italian Villa on the bluff by J. L. Gris- land builders. Just finished, two stories ■wold; three stories and basement; cost high. Cost from $2000 to $3000. $18,000. Built under the superintendence 99 — 118. Nineteen Cottages and other res- of C. Ulricson, architect. Ryors, carpenter, idences in the upper part of the city, in va- 90. Tuscan Villa, of brick and stone, on rious stages of progress, similar to those the bluff, by J. Y. Bergen. Main building spoken of in the South p.irt. These cottages 42 by 38 feet; rear 24 by 10 feet ; two sto- will vary in cost from $500 to 1500. ries high, cost $8000. Built under the su-i 119. Brick building corner of Main and perintendenceof Thomas S. Whitby, architect. Perry streets, by Dr. Fryc ; twenty-four 91 & 92.4TWO brick dwelling houses on feet fronton Main and forty feet deep on the corner of Munroe and Fayutte streets, Perry street ; two stories high with cellar, by John Hamlin, two stories and basement, Cost $1500. To be used as a grocery. Foun- costing $2500 each. Ulricson, architect ; dation in. Ryors, contractor. | 120. Dwelling house on Jlonroe street, 93. Ornate Gothic Cottage on the bluff, by between Main and Jefferson, two stories, E. G. Johnson. This cottage will be in the 'by A. J. Hodges, carpenter and builder. form of an L; the front 32 by 18 feet and'Cost, $3000. Finishing off. THE RIVER TRADE. The Illinois River was formerly the great channel of communication between Peoria and other places. All our imports and ex- ports found by it their inlet and outlet. Ev- Since the opening of the various railroads leading out of the city, the importance of the Illinois River as a channel of communication has somewhat diminished. Still the river i business is verv heavv. A dailv line of steam- erything, even to lumber, was shipped to Peo- packets ply between Peoria, St. Louis and ria from St. Louis, and Pittsburg, and other points on the great rivers. The first exports from Peoria, we have al- ready stated, were by John Hamlin, Esq , in 1826. The first steamboat arrived in La Salle ; and the trim steamer Delta makes two trips a day between this city and Pckin, ten miles below. We have besides these seve- ral boats running between here and Pittsburg and other cities, and scarcely a day goes by Peoria in December 1829. Ten years after- without the arrival and departure of some ■wards 44 different boats arrived here. In 1848 laboring steamer ifith a fleet of canal boats the Illinois and Michigan canal, connecting in tow. the Illinois River with Lake Michigan, was opened, and had the effect to reduce the price The amount of Peoria freight received and forwarded by the River last year by steamers. cf lumber in Peoria one-half. The price of 'as we learn it from the oflice Updike, King other commodities were affected, but not to|& Co., was 60,000 tons. This was exclusive such a degree. In 1850, fifty-nine different of the merchandise shipped by canal boats, boats visited Peoria, making 1286 arrivals, of which we can gather no reliable statistics. Six of these were regular packet boats, ply- although it was heavy. The distance by ing between St. Louis and La Salle. Twenty- [river between Peoria and St. Louis is two seren were tow-boats. hundred and forty miles. 4 ' [2G] KAiLROADS. There arc, at present, tlii-cc Uailroads lead-; PEORIA &. OgL'AWKA (East. Ex.) R. R. itig from the city, -with two additional roads 1 President. — Chas. A. Secor, New York, in process of construction. I Svperintendcnt. — \V. H. Cruger, Peoria. m Ti „ „ T. •, ,' Resident Enr/ineer.— O. Chaw-aiQ, Peoria. Tiir. Pkoria axd Buheau Aa lley Railroad| G,,,,,^^ jr,,ij,t „„^ y^,-,;,.,, j^,„i._charles runs irom Pcona to Bureau Junction, ATherej^ FoPct* Peoria itconuects with the Chicago and Rock Island, 'This^road is now completed to Gilman, on Road. It IS forty-seven miles in length.-|the Chicago Branch of the Illinois Central The company was organized in June, 18-33, Railroad, 8G miles, and i Judd, Chicago, President; W. Cockle, Pe- other routes; also at'Logansport with the oria.Secretai-x; D. S. Xhompson agent at Ciucinn.iti and Chicago Road to Cincinnati, ^ '^'°'''"'- and Central Ohio, &c. ; and at Fort Wayne The distance between Peoria and Chica-|with the Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne Road to go by this and the Rock Ishnd Roads is|Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wash- 1(30 miles; between Peoria and Davenport, ington and New York. A connection will Iowa, 115 miles. Connections are made at La Salle with the also be made at Middleport, Iroquois Co., Illinois, with the Lafayette and Indianapolis trains on the Illinois Central Railroads, north'^'^^'^^ (to be extended from Lafa3'ette to Mid and south; at Joliet with the St. Louis, Al-i^leport) whereby the distance to Indianapo- ton and Chicago Road, and the Joliet cut-^^^' ^-ouisville and Cincinnati will be still off for the oast"^ at Davenport Iowa, (oppo-P'^''ther shortened. .site Rock Island) with the Mississippi and' The "Eastern Extension" has been opened i\lissouri Railroad, which is completed at' '-^.^'^"^'^" ^^o^^*- t^^° years, and has done a present to Iowa city, fifty-fivo' miles ; thence I ^*'^" ^'i^oun^ ^^f business. The amount of re- by stages to Fort Des Moines, Council BIulta,l°®'P*^ ""^ shipments at the Peoria depot for &c., &c. ia year ending March 31st, 18o9# were 25,- The receipts and shipments of freight at^'^^^ *°^'^: ^"^ '"^'^'^ *^^' ^^"^^^ ^^"'^ ^"^^ •^^^^ - . ' . . . ^_ b"" a large increase. At El Paso, thirty-threo miles from Peoria, the road connects with the main line of the Illinois Central Road nortli and south. At Chenoa, 48 miles from Peoria, thfe road con- nects with tho St. Louis, Alton and Chicago Railroad. At Gilman, connection is made the Peoria station of the Bureau Valley road, last year amounted to 2i:,80I tons. PEOraA, OqLAWICA A.\D BURLIXGTOX 11a TL- ROAD. This road extends from Peoria to Burlington, Iowa, a distance of uinety- five miles. The Peoria and Oqu.awka'with the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central Railroad Co., was organized in June 1851, 'to Cliicago, and trains are run in close con- and the road completed in January 1857. nectioii, so that passengers are taken through The officers of the road are Charles A. Se-Yrom Peoria to Chicago in eight horns, the cor of New "iork. President; Henry Nolte, quickest route between the two cities. Peorin, Secretary ; George Williams, jr. Su-| All freight to be forwaiVed between Chi- perintendent and U. II. Kellogg, General cago and stations north of Centralia, on the ticket agent. The road is operated by main line of the Illinois Central Railroad, Moss, Harding & Co., lessees. now passes over 53 miles of the Eastern Ex- AtGalesburg, fifty-three miles from Pco-!tension Railroad from El Paso to Oilman— via, the road connects with the Quincy andiwhicii adds very largely to tho freighting Chicago Railroad ; .and at Burlington, with 'business of the Road. At the prosenrtimt" the Burlington and Missouri River ttoad tho freight so carried, amounts to upwards which is now in operation to <)ttumv,-a, Iowa, [of odO tons daily. ninety-five miles, and is projected to run to' Tho completion of tho Eastern Extension the Missouri River, at the mouth of the Platte, [from Gilman to Logansport, will be acconi- u, distance of 220 miles. The P.O. and B.lplished the present j-W. The funds necessa- road will also e^hortly connect at ft'ates city.iry to the building of the road are all raised; twenty-nine miles, with Liverpool and Galba!tho iron is all purchased and one half is ou by the Jacksonville and Savannah ro.ad. iits way; tho contracts for grading, hridn-ing The amount of freight received and .ship-land track-lnying are inado, and work \as ped at the Peoria station of this road, last been commenced. In addition to this, the year, was 28,000 tone — which fiom present 'company has just opened a new gravel pit indications, will be ^doubled the present i beyond Eureka, and a largo force is being y^^^- put on tin' ro,ad between this place and Gil- L^' J man to ballast up what is already built, so as} BURLTXCITON TO 1'IIILADELPIIIa NKW uoutk. to have tlio entire lino in the best possible ??iirli;iKtou to Peoria 95 mile running ovtlcr. The importance to Peoria and this section, of the completion of the "Eastern Extension" is rq^ilizcd by very few of our people. It ■will place Peoria on the grand thoroughfare of travel from the East to Central Iowa and Kansas, and I'coria t<> Philadolpliia (seo above) Total. ni5 1010 Illinois River II.vilroad. — This road, which is in process of con.^truetion, is to ex- tend from Peoria to Jacksonville, 80 miles, place our own city scveralj where it will connect with the Jacksonville, Al- hours nearer Cincinnati, Pittsburg and the|ton andSt. LouisUnilroad, thus forming, witli great conuncrcial points of the Atlantic. — ; the Bureau Valley and the Chicago nndKock The following tables of distances by the, Inland ro.ads, another continuous lino from present routes, and the one to be opened byX'liicago to St. Louis. The officers of tho Logansport, will show something of tho ad- 'road arc as folloAVS : — vantage to bo gained. , President. -r-U. S TRESKXT ROUTE TO CIXCIXN'ATI— Xo. 1. I Cass Co. r. i 0. (Eastern Extention) R- R. ti> El I'lujo 32 miles. | Vice President. — B. S. Prettyman, Pekin, Illinois Central K. R. to Pana 91 '• Tayewell Cn Tcrrellaute, Alton & St. Louis R.R. to T.H. 95 " j -^"^^ ' ^" '^w- Terre Haute &Kichmun.iR.U. to ln,rs V:J " J'-casMm-.—irancis Low, Havana, Marion Indiaiiaoplis & Ciucinmiti R. K. to Cin. 116 '■ I Co. Secretary. — M. II. L'. Schoolcy, Virginia, Cass Co. Chief Engineer. — J. B. Cummings Thomas, of Virginia, Total, 410 milc3. PRESEXT ROUTE TO CINCLXXATI— Xp. 2. Pooria to Chicago, IflO milea. Michigan Central R. R. to Michigan city 67 " New Albany anl Salem R. R. to Lalayetto 01 '• Lafayette .t rmliaiiapolis K. R. to Imlianap's M " Imlianai)oli:< and Cincinnati (as above) 110 " Total, XEW ROUTE TO CIXCIXXATT. P. i 0. R. R. to ailm.an do do from Oilman to Logansport Cincinnati and Chicago Road to Richmond 10:? •' Cincinnati, Eaton and Richmond R. to Cin. 70 •• Total by new route 350 miles. PRESEXT ROUTE TO PHILADEL'A, VIA CHICAGO Peoria to Chicago 100 miles.jmiigg ^f ^\^q j-oad will bo in a straight liner Chicago to Phil, via Fort ^^ ayne and Pitsbg 818 ".,,.,• /. ^i 1, , ° J t, ^Yll the iron necessary for the road has been TaUI, 978 mileslpurchascd, and an arrangement entered into PRESENT ROUTE TO PlflLADELPIITA VIA IN- with the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad DIANAPOLlS AND PITTSBUIW Company, by which that company is to fur- Peoria to Indianapoli.s (see above) _ 294 miles, ^isli the rolling stock and run'the road. Ac- cording to this arrangement the lino is to bo Pekin, Taxcwell Co. From Peoria to Pekin, ton miles, the road will follow tho west side of tho Illinois River. At the latter place it will cross the river on 482 miles.'one of Howe's improved patent truss bridges, •consisting of a drawbridge of 292 feet span. So niilea.jand five spans of ono hundred and fifty foet ■m ^' each, making a total lengtli of bridge of lOTf. 70 •• |feet. It will then follovi' down the east bank of the river to Bath in Mason Co., and thenco by a nearly straight lino to Jacksonvillo 25 miles from tho river. Over sixty-six Bellefountaine R. R. to Crestline, Ohio 200 Pittsburg, Fort NVayne .t Chicago to Pittsb'g 1S7 '• Pittsburg to Philadelphia 353 '• 1040 XEW ROUTE TO PUILADELPUIA. Peoria to Logansport, (see above.) 172 " Toledo, Wabasli .t Wodt. R. R. to Ft. Wayne 72 " Pitts. Ft. Wayne k Cliicago R. R. to Pitts. 31S •' Pittsburgh to PhiUadelphia o.V5 " 915 PEORIA TO XEW VORK— PRESEXT ROUTE. Peoria toChicngo ^f■0 miles. Chicago to Tcl'do 21:5 " Toledo to New York 742 '• PEORIA TO NEW YORK- Peoria to Log msport Logansport to Toledo Toledo to New York 1145 -XKW ROUTE. 172 miles. ICti •• 742 " lOSO BURUXQTOX, KJWA, TO PniL.VDELPIIIA Ac- PRESEXT ROUTE. Burlington to Chicago 210 miles. Chicago to Philadelphia (nearest route) 818 " pvil completed by the 1st of January, ISfJO, which, without much doubt, will he accomplisheil, as tho grading is already done to Virginia in Cass county, sixty miles, and the bridges go- ing forward The road runs through some of the finest and oldest-settled counties in the state, which will give it a heavy local trade. In fact, it, is alocal enterpiisc. The subscriptions along the line'havo been sufficient for tlic grading and tying. To purchase tho iron there havo been issued and sold .$1,020,000 of ten per cent bonds, secured by mortgage, with the entire net revenues of tho ro.ad (s.avo a depreciation fund of ten per cent of tho.so rev- enues for rep.iirs) irrevocably pledged as a sinking fund I'or their interest and redemption . It is made compulsory on tho part of tho trustees to cxhau.st the .'^inking fund each year redeeming tho bonds. Aside from these bonds, tho road will bo completed, including fencing .and ballasting, v.ithout a doUD;r of debt. [28] This lino will bo of much importance to our citizens, as it will materially shorten the distance, by railroad, to Springfield, Alton, St Louis, &c. Peoria and Hannibal Railroad. — This road is projected to run from Peoria to Han- nibal, Missouri, one hundred and thirty -nine miles and there connect with the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad and thus form a continuous east and west lino from the seaboard on the Atlantic to Kansas, Nebraska and the still further " Far West." The pres- ent officers of the road are : — Fresident.—E. L. Bryant, of Fulton Co. Vice Presidtnt. — L. D. Irwin, of Schuyler Co. Secretary. — W. Bryant, Fulton Co. Treasurer. — Myron Phelps, Fulton Co. Chief Engineer. — W. H. Graham. The estimated cost of the road is $20,000 per mile. Peoria county has subscribed $75,- 000; Fulton county $200,000; Schuyler $75,- 000. Private subscriptions in Peoria co., Lew- iston, Vermont and Rushville amount to some $200,000 additional. There was a temporary difficulty the pres- ent spring, owing to a fact that a controlling portion of the stockholders, becoming dissat- isfied with the management, threw out a ma- jority of the old officers, thus remodeling the board- Huppily this change of management has given a new impetus to the work. The new board of directors, anxious to meet the expectations of those who elected them, have gone to work with their sleeves rolled up resolving to prosecute the work with all pos- sible vigor, and use all proper means in their power to accomplish the early completion of the road. In regard to the progress of the road, we un- derstand that in Peoria county the most of the grading has been done. In Fulton coun- ty the grading is completed, with the excep- tion of seven miles from Utica to Canton. The entire grading and tying from Peoria to Lcwiston in Fulton county, 45 miles, it is said, can be completed in five months. Be- yond Lewiston, in Schuyler county, consid- erable progress has been made. * Under the new management, each direc- tor will act as immediate superintendent of tlie work in his section, and push it forward with all possible despatch. The completion of this road will add anoth- er item to the importance of Peoria. It will then be on the line of the great thoroughfare of travel to Kansas, Nebra.«ka, and overland to California and Oregon. The following table compiled from Dmsmore'e Railway Guide, will show the comparative distance from Leavenworth, Kansas, to New York. ST. LOUIS ROUTE. Leavenworth to JeiTerson City, Mo., by river 254 miles. Pacilic K. R. to St. Louis 126 " Tcrre Haute, Altou k St. Louis R. R. to T.II. 181 " Terre Haute & Kicbniond to Indianapolis 73 " Hellefountaine R. R. to Crestline, Ohio 200 " I*itt3., Ft. Wayne i Chicago R. R. to Pitta. 187 '• I'eun. Central to Philadelphia S53 " Philadelphia to New Vurk 87 '• Total, CHICAGO ROUTE. 1460 Leavenworth to St. Joseph by River 68 miles Hannibal & St. Louis R. R. to Hannibal 206 '• Mississippi River to Quincy 111. 18 « Quincy, Chicago R. R. to Chicago 268 « Chi. to N. Y., nearest route by Pitts. & Phila. 905 1465 ROUTE BY PEORIA. Leavenworth to St. Joseph (as above) 68 miles. St. Joseph to Hannibal (ii» above) 206 " I'eoria & Hannibal K. K. to Peoria 139 « P. k 0. ( Eastern Extension) to Log., la, 172 " Toledo, Wabash &. M\st R. R. to Ft Wayne 72 « Pitts., Ft. W. k Chicago R. R. to Pittsburg 318 « Penn. Central R. R. to Philadephin 3.^3 « Philadelphia to New York 87 '• Total, 1415 COAL MINES. Peoria is immediately surrounded by im- mense and inexhaustible mines of bitu- minous coal. It crops out of the bluffs on nearly every hand, and is mined and brought to the city and exposed for sale in wagons, the same as wood and hay. An idea of its extreme cheapness may be gained when wc say that the avtirage price of this coal, delivered to people's doors, ia about eight cents per bushel, or $2 per ton.— Let one consider the cost of mining, the ex- pense of a team of two horses and wagon, with man, to bring it into the city taking a half day and sometimes more, before a sale j is effected, and wo think that he will agree with us that there is not a very large margin for profits, and that it cannot well be afforded cheaper. Large consumers, howev- er, such as our distillers and manufacturers, pay seven and one-half cents per bushel, de- livered A heavy business has sprung up within a couple of years, or since the opening of our railroads, east and west, in the way of ex- portation of coal. It is shipped to all points of Central Illinois, and westward toAvard Oalesburg and Burlington. The coal so ex- ported last year, as w© learn from those en- [20] gaged in it, nmounted to 570,000 bushels, breweries, machine shops and manufactories, ■which amount will be largely increased the the returns of the gas-works, and a tJiorough present year, as the demand is increasing, examination of the weigh-masters' reports to The heaviest exporters are Vipond a Co., the city council, last year, wo are enabled to whose mines lie just across the river, and who'give the following figures as the nearest ap- havo a quarter of a mile of branch track lead- proximation to the actual amount, that wo ing from their mine^ to the main line of the can arrive at : " Eastern Extension" of the P. * 0. llailroad, ' and Adam Funk. [ It is an exceedingly difficult task to get at, a correct statement of the coal business ofl Peoria, from the fact that most of the larger' consumers weigh their own coal, while otli-, ers have it weighed by the city. From state-! ments made to us at the various distilleries, \ Consumed in Mannfjctures (not weighed by city.) 1,040,358 basbela Weighed by city, 380,695 " Exported, 670,000 " 1,991.058 '< Value at eight cents per bnshel, $159,284,24. PEORIA BRIDGE ASSOCIATION. This association was organized for the pur- pose of throwing a toll bridge across the Illi- nois River at this point in 1847. The bridge was commenced the year following, and com-] pleted in November, 1849, at a cost of abouti $33,000. The spring before its completion, during the heavipst freshet ever known on the Illinois (the water being up to the side- walk on the corner of Water and Main street) the bridge was damaged to the amount of sev- eral thousand dollars,and the accomplishment of the enterprise was retarded for several months. In 1856 the bridge was repaired at a cost of about $10,000. It is one of Ho we's patent truss bridges with five stone piers, and one abutment, and a swing 292 feet in length for the passage of steamboats. Including the trestle-work over the flat on the Tazewell county side, the bridge is 2, GOO feet in length. The completion of this bridge in 1849 was the occasion of much feeling on the part of those engaged in the river trade, and all sorts of evil prophecies were made — that it Tould sink steamers — be butted down by them — and prove a plague and nuisance gen- erally. A strenuous effort was made to have the legislature interfere; but that body, after a careful consideration, by committee, of the matter, finally dismissed the prayer of tlie petitioners; and thus far, we believe, none of the prophecicd evil has ever come to pass. The officers of the Bridg»» Company at present are: Presidait—Vetcr Sweat; Secre- tary/ — Washington Cockle ; Treasurer — Mat- thew Griswold ; Directors — E. N. Powell, Thomas L. Mayne, J. McKinney, Peter Sweat, Wm. E. Mason. We are unable to give the amount of re- ceipts the past year, but the bridge has been a good investment to the stockholders from the first day of its opening to travel to tho present time. Its tariff rates are moderate, and if we do not give them here, we w»uld say to those, interested just go over the bridge and (to borrow the. pun of another) no doubt you will be tolled. Railroap Bridge. — It may be well in this place to mention the railroad bridge over tho Illinois, built by the Eastern Extension. Tho length, including trestle-woi-k, is nearly fou** thousand feet, as follows : truss bridge, 300 feet; swing, 292 feet; trestle-work, 3,300 feet. Tho cost of the bridge proper and swing was some $00,000. Both bridges are among the mcJSt beautiful works of art of this kind, and add much to the attraction of that portion of the city. PEORIA GAS AND COKE COMPANY. This Company was chartered in January, j5'«jt>«rm^«ncfen^ — M. B. Laughlin. Tho fol- 1863, and went into operation in November, lowing statistics in regard to the opcra- 1866. The capital is $85,000. The officers tions of these works wero kindly furnished of the company are: President— John L.Jus by Mr. Laughlin, the efficient Superin- Gnswold; 5'eore/«fry — Matthew Griswold :'tendent. L ^><^ ] No. bushels coal used in 1858, " " lime " " " feet of gas manufacturetl, " Barrels of tar do, Price of gas per 1000 feet, Length of street mains Added the past year, 2.538 5,780,372 200 ?3,50 3^m. U" Number of street lamp?, Added the present year. Number of private consumers. Value of gas and tar manuft'd, All the coal used in the mined in this county. 140 33 3^5 $20,081 gas works is INSURANCE COMPANIES. r Koui.v Marine and Fiue I.vsuuance Com- ).,vxv. — This company was chartered in 1841. Capital stock is $500,000. The officers are lis follows : President — Isaac Underhill ; Vice J'reiident — Wm. A. Herron; Secreiari/—Chns. Holland. The following is a statement of the operations of this company for the year past : March, 31st., 1S59. Amount of liropertv Insiircil the p:ist ytiu — Marino " S1.5T2.387.59 yi^Z^'Z^^'ZZZ':'.". 0,800,077.00 4. Loans, secured by first niortgnges on rva\ estate, worth double the amount loaned tliereon, drawing twelve per cent 5. Amount due from agents and city cus- tomers 0. All other securities, consisting of dis- counted notes, bills, drafts and accept- ances, maturing daily, liaving from sight to ninety days from date to run, drawing trfelveper cent., amply secur- ed by collateral or approved personal security 113,(>«.71 ...15, I .31.3.04 .574.47 Total 8,378, 464.59 Keceipts- 1-sipnn Marino Premiums n,s-f.j.uu Fire Premiums sy,375.19 Total a-ssets 303,995.93 Liahililies — Bills pay.iblo (not due) 11,510.62 All other debts 2,356.21 Total liabilities 13,866.83 Total Premiums 107,218.19 Balance of Interuat and Exchange account 37,311.06 Total receipts 144,529.25 EXPEXBITURES — Murine los.ses paid 4. I'iru losses paid 40. Total losses paid, 51. Keturned and cancelled premiums 9 Total losses paid 51 Keturned and cancelled premiums, 9; K.xpenses account, including Salaries. ' Agency expenses. Printing, Advertising Stationery, Postage, Express, Taxes, Com- missions, This Company continues to Issue Policies on MARINE, INLAND NAVIGATION, Transportation and Fire Risks^ AT REASONABLE RATES. CAPITAL, ISAAC UNDKRHTLL, C. HOLLAND. TRA 1. FE? » > I SAMUEL HOWE; I I WM. R. PHELPS, I I L. HOLLAND. I I I'HILO HOLLAND, | S. prF,SIFEK. $500,0(10. ALEX. (i. TVNG, H. N. WHEELER, R. GREGG, S1L\S RAMSEY. ISAAC INDERIIILL, Pres'l. o:F':p'ic:E:Etss. A. G. TYNIi, Vice Pies't. STOCKHOLDERS. I'eorlu. I. rNDKlClllLh. .NKV ni.SIKEK, \\M. K. I'lJKM','^. I'. K. K. ItUtVniKKS )N IMIIMt )li)l,l,.\.\I). W M. .\. IlKKKON. CII.\ltl,KS ll(H,I,ANI). AI,KX.(l.TYN(i. II. I,. T. ItOlKh.WD, WIM-IAM .>N. Ohiouso. SAMI Kl, HOWK. OV.O. K.ECKI.KV. \V. li. KOWl.KK. .s. M. I'OMKKOY .V Co .1. N. WILLIAMSON. Pekln. rilOS. N.dlLL. Hon. .1. IIAUinOTT. AV.T. STACK IMlLK. Mfiiiplili>,Ti-nii. [KOItD. liKillKKA Co. I ^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 016 098 732 7 HolUnger Corp. pH 8.5