over two hundred thousand feet of valuable black walnut lumber, was destroyed by fire. This was but partially insured, and the loss which to the Walker Brothers was most crushing, was felt throughout the community; but appalling as it was, they were equal to the emergency, and on the 29th day of December, 1869, just two months after the fire, a fine substantial brick building, 40 by 80 feet, three stories high, with separate brick engine house, 30 by 40 feet, and a steam dry house, 24 by 30 feet, two stories high, was standing upon the site of the one destroyed, fully completed, and prepared for the machinery which was immediately placed therein, and the yard again stocked with over 125,000 feet of ash and walnut lumber. The mill was set to running January 20, 1870, giving employment to over thirty men, among whom are distributed over $25,000 annually. Persons who have not visited this establishment should not fail to do so, for while its completeness is a marvel, the beauty of the work turned off there is a greater one. The first lumber-yard in the city was established by J. B. Gouch and C. F. Columbia, in 1855, and is believed to have been the only one in the county at that time. Their sales amounted to about 225,000 feet per year.

CHURCHES.

One William Blanchard, a Congregational minister, preached the first sermon in Champaign City, and established the first church-the Congregational Church of this city, and the first house of worship was erected by that church in 1855, at a cost of about $1,000. It is known as the Goose-pond Church, as it stood near a pond of water frequented by those bipeds. The old building still stands there, but no pond, that having given place to rows of business houses. It is now occupied by the German Catholic congregation. The next church erected was in 1856, by the Presbyterians, the same being now used as a school building by the Young Ladies Seminary Association of this city. The building cost $2,000.

Soaps and Brushes.

The Lutheran Church was erected the next, on Columbia street, in 1858, at a cost of about $700, and it is still occupied by that organization. The Catholic Church, on the east side of the track, was built about the same time, costing about $700. This has since been enlarged and improved, at a cost of nearly $10,000. The Methodist Church, at corner of Church and State streets, was built in 1861, costing about $4,000, and about $1,000 in buildings have been added to it since that time. It is a commodious building, yet far too small for the numbers that worship within its walls. The new Congregational Church was the next. It was built in 1862, on Park street, and cost about $13,000; is a neat, substantial building.

The next in order was the Dutch Reformed Church, erected in 1863, on east side of track, at a cost of $2,000. The Colored Methodist Church, in 1864, was next; it cost $600, and is also located on the east side.

streets.

The Baptist Church was the next built, at the corner of State and Park streets, in 1865, at a cost of about $1,500. This building was used for school purposes, as well as church, and has since been changed to a residence. The Christian Church was built about the same time, on University avenue, costing about $500. It has since been sold, and remodeled for a residence. The new Presbyterian Church, a fine brick, 105 feet by 60 feet, was next erected, and occupied in 1869, the entire cost being about $40,000, and stands at the corner of State and Hill The same year was built the new Baptist Church, at corner of Randolph street and University avenue, costing about $14,000. It is a very neat, substantial frame building. Also, in that year, which does not appear to have been a very good year for churches, the Second Methodist Church was built, near the State University, costing about $3,000. The Colored Baptists built their church in 1870, the same costing about $700. Thus it will be seen that fourteen churches have been erected in the city, eleven of which are still being used for church purposes. Others will soon be erected by the Episcopal and other denominations, now worshiping in the public Halls of the city.

SCHOOLS.

The first school taught in the city was in 1854, by one Dr. Shoemaker, in a small frame building on the east side of the track. The first school house erected was the old brick, in District No. 1, on Randolph street, between Church and Hill, in 1855, and at first cost $4,000; since then, frame additions have been made from time to time, adding $2,000 more to its cost.

School District No. 2, on east side of track, built their house in 1860-a frame building, costing about $1,200. In 1869 extensive additions were made to the old building, which was remodeled; the whole, with furniture, costing about $15,000. This was destroyed by fire in 1870.

To supply the increased and rapidly increasing demand for more school room in District No 1, a new school building was erected-commenced in 1868, and occupied in 1870. This building cost about $80,000, and one more complete in all its appointments, in rooms, finish and furniture, cannot be found in the West. (See the cut of this building, and diagram of the school.) We wish we were able to give a full description of this edifice, with the mode of conducting the school therein; but to do so would occupy too much of our space, and a partial account would not answer the purpose. This much we do say, that the school building and the school, are each models. Great praise is due L. W. Walker for the former, and to J. C. Oliver, the Principal, for the latter.

The Young Ladies' Seminary of Champaign, Ill., organized under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church of this city, commenced its first term Sept. 6th, 1869, and has now been in operation a little more than one year, with flattering prospects of success. The society was organized under the general incorporation law of the State, in July, 1870, with the following officers: President-Rev. R. H. Lilly; Vice President―J. R. Scott; Secretary-J. B. McKinley; Treasurer--E. Miller; Trustees-J. R. Scott, J. S. Oliver, J. B. McKinley, R. B. Condit, and W. J. Ermentrout. An efficient corps of teachers

All kinds of Toys.

MILLER & TOLL,

Wholesale and Retail Dealers in

DRY GOODS,

CARPETS, OIL CLOTHS, &c., &c.

The Oldest House in Champaign.

We always keep first class goods. We make a specialty of

CARPETS,

Having a Room fitted expressly for it, and keep the Largest Stock of

Body, Brussels, Tapestry-Brussels, 3-Ply and 2-Ply Carpets in

the County.

We have a first class

Tailoring Department, Dress Making and Cloak Room.

MILLER & TOLL,

38 Main St., Champaign, Ill.