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1,000 acres, all improved, and supplied with commodious and substantial buildings. His farming, heretofore, has been of the mixed class, but he has now turned his attention to the culture of broom corn.

We would continue this, would space permit, for there are many who are bringing or have brought their farms to a high standard, and for their energetic endeavors are deserving of special mention. Among them are: J. T. Everett, 400 acres; John S. Beasley, 860 acres; E. O. Chester, 200 acres; J. A. Shaffer, 1,280 acres; John Rising, 1,000 acres; M. Reed, 320 acres; E. E. Chester, 320 acres; S. Houston, 640 acres; J. A. Hossack, 260 acres; B. Kelley, 640 acres; and many others.

CHAMPAIGN CITY.

We confess to a feeling of deep regret, as we commence this task; first, that space will not admit of the work that in justice should be done here, and second, our inability to successfully perform the little that may be. Its rapid growth, and unparalleled prosperity, is a subject of wonder and admiration among its friends, and of chagrin and disappointment among those who desire its hurt; and to place upon the pages of history a statement in full of all that is deserving a place, would require more space than we have to devote to it, and the public must be content with but a brief sketch.

The first residence erected within the limits of the city, was by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, near where McFadden's Block now stands, and was occupied by L. W. Walker, the first settler in Champaign City, who has since figured so largely in its history. The next was by one Murphy, (father of our Larry Murphy), in 1853, upon the east side of the Illinois Central Railroad track. The third was

Pocket Knives.

built by Mr. J.

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Shannon's Old Stand, on Walnut Street, Half Block South of Main,

CHAMPAIGN, ILL.

A FULL STABLE OF FINE

HORSES & CARRIAGES, SINGLE OR DOUBLE,

AT REASONABLE RATES.

Boarding for Horses by the Day or Month.

Experienced Hostlers in constant attendance, to attend upon the wants of customers.

B. White, upon the spot now occupied by the comfortable, homelike residence of Mr. H. Jefferson, at corner of Neil street and Springfield avenue, in 1854. The next was by Mark Carley, who came to the town in May, 1854, and erected his residence near where the Presbyterian Church now stands.

At this time, the land now occupied by the business centre of the city, was an interminable slough; from Larned's Block, east and south-east, the land was low, wet, marshy and unpromising; especially as a site for a city. The place where Barrett's Block now stands, was a bog, and all the way down Main street, the liquid mud, in uncomfortable quantities, stood or moved sluggishly along toward boneyard branch. But a few years before this, the ground was made to supply grass, which grew rank and thick here, wherewith to thatch the stable roofs of the citizens of Urbana. The buildings of which we have spoken, were plain, unpretending cottages; comfortable, it is true, but holding no rank among those that may be seen upon every hand to-day.

The city was first organized under the general incorporation law of the State, in 1855. At this time the Legislature of the State was in session, and an attempt was being made by the flourishing and ambitious city of Urbana, to extend, by legislative enactment, the boundaries of that city, to include within them the embryo village but just sprouting upon the prairies, two miles to the west. The citizens of the new settlement, having an eye to future glory, office and emoluments, put in a demurrer, which was sustained by the law makers of the State. When Mr. Pierce, who was the solitary lobbyist upon this occasion, in the interest of Champaign, returned, a meeting was called, and steps were immediately taken for incorporation of the town under the general law. The first election for town officers was held in 1855, at the house where J. Dickerson now resides. In 1861, the present charter was obtained from the State Legislature, and the same yearwas elected Mayor of the new city. In this charter the boundaries of the city were fixed, and the duties and powers of the officers in

Razors and Strops.

[blocks in formation]

the various branches of the city government, described and defined.

The first hotel was erected by J. Campbell, in 1854, upon the east side of the Illinois Central Railroad track, and was called the "National House." It is still standing, in good repair. When first opened, it was kept by Mr. Campbell, but was soon sold to one Burlingame, since which it has changed hands and name frequently.

In 1856 was built the "Neil House," at corner of Neil and Washington streets, and the same year the "Doane House " was completed and occupied by J. Campbell, the original proprietor of the "National." The "Neil House" was kept by Samuel Dean, well known in the history of the city.

The "Doane House" was built and owned by the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and is located close by the track of the same, upon the east side, and used for the purpose of a passenger depot and hotel; and here we find it necessary to go back in the history of our city, to its more early days.

The purpose of the Company building the Illinois Central Railroad was to run the line through, or near, the city of Urbana, but owing to some difficulty in procuring the right of way, and lands deemed necessary for the use of the Company, that route was abandoned, and one determined upon two miles to the west of that city. At the point but little north of west of Urbana, a depot was established. Here the Company built the Doane House, as before stated. Here the Company, of its own land, laid off the first addition of the city, now known as Railroad Addition. Here, too, the Company erected a Round House and extensive repair and manufacturing shops, filling them with skilled mechanics, to hammer life and enduring vitality into the infant city. And thus began Champaign, which, but for the unfortunate disagreement between the Railroad Company and the citizens of Urbana, would never have been known.

BUSINESS HOUSES.

The first dry goods house in the city was on the east side of

Scissors, all kinds.

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