From Dayton

Dayton, Ill., July 7, 1886. – Our village with the rest of this section of county, we suppose, is sweltering at present in the heat of the nineties, and our people are vainly sighing for a cool Manitoba wave. A fine breeze however is blowing today and we hope the “hot” spell is over for the present.

Most of our citizens spent the glorious Fourth (or 5^th) in Ottawa and “took in” all the sports and fireworks.

There is a slight difference of opinion as to the success of the celebration, but nearly every one thinks it might be improved upon in a great many particulars.

Messrs. Burt W. Stadden, P. W. Lilly, and William Pettis, of Chicago, came down Sunday evening and spent Sunday among friends and acquaintances in Dayton, and “took in” the celebration at Ottawa on Monday.

Misses Cora and Winnie Childs of Morris, spent last Sunday in Dayton.

Mr. Charles Park of Shabbona, Ill., is visiting at Mr. Charles Green’s.

Mrs. Wm. McMullen of Clinton, Iowa, is spending the summer at her mother’s Mrs. David Green.

Mr. Jessie Makinson celebrated with his best girl in Indiana, on the 4^th and 5^th.

Mr. James Ryan ate his Fourth of July spring chicken in Chicago.

A few of our citizens held a pleasant picnic near Barnes’ fish pond last Sunday.

Our public schools closed last Friday, and the teachers, Messrs. [sic] Crane and Miller, are spending their vacations at their homes in Ottawa.

Miss Jennie Dunavan left town on the 7:40 train Friday morning for a brief visit among relations in Michigan. During her absence, her position as organist in the S. S. will be taken by Miss Cora Moore.

The Brick Co. are loading a boat with brick for King & Hamilton of Ottawa; we understand they have bought 150,000 brick. The Brick Co. has just put in a Penfield Brick and Tile machine, and will make fire brick, sidewalk brick, &c.

The Paper Co. are turning out about six tons of straw wrapping paper per 24 hours.

Prof. Jenkins of Mendota tried his luck at fishing here, a few days last week.

There are few camping and fishing parties along the river here at present.

H. B. Williams, Esq. has been painting and repairing his tenant houses in Dayton this spring, and greatly improved their appearances. The paper mill also received a coat of paint which makes it look quite respectable.

Mr. Henry Hewit who was called to his home in Wisconsin by telegraph, a short time ago stating that his mother was quite ill, has not returned yet.

Occasional¹

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1. The Ottawa Free Trader, July 10, 1886, p. 8, col. 4