A brief history of Peoria - University Library

40 PEORIA
the East were looked to for all broken records and all cj'cliag surprises.
On the Peoria Club's track Zimmerman first defeated
Windle, then "King of the Path," and here the Englishman Laurie
tirst showed the great west what a pneumatic tire could do. After
resting on its laurels for a few years the Peoria Bicycle Club this
year proposes to resume its proud position among the great race
meet promoters, and on June 25. 26 and 27 (convention week) will
give a series of bicycle races that will eclipse an5'thing ever seen
in the West.
DISTILLING INDUSTRY
BY E. S. E ASTON.
The manufacturing of distilled spirits is an industry that has
reached its highest developement in Peoria, in several particulars.
We name them in order as follows: Mechanical skill; scientific knowledge
and application; investment of capital; capacity of production.
For many years it has been in advance of all other cities in this
country, if not in the world, in the quantity of spirits manufactured.
It is a natural question: Why is this possible in Peoria? We mention
some reasons as follows: Abundance of "raw material"; Peoria
being- a large brewing market, enables the distillers to obtain a
steady and uniform supply of such grains as are necessary, at as
low an average of cost, as any grain center in the West.
The water supply of just the right quality is found in inexhaust-
ible quantities by mean.« of wells at a depth of 30 to 35 feet, the
water being exceptionally pure and of most satisfactory temperature.
Pureness and temperature of the water being a most important
factor.
Peoria being the center of one of the most productive coal fields
in the country, the manufacturer is enabled to obtain fuel at less average
cost than at any other point at all suitable in other requisites.
The unusual good railway facilities of Peoria are a great advan-
tage; securing the shipment and distribution of the product in all
directions with promptness, and at lowest competitive rates of
freight.
These foundation reasons are due to Peoria's geopraphical location
and are a combination of advantages that challenge com-
parison.
There are reasons, also, that are a sequence of the foregoing.
The demands of a large manufacturing center in any branch of industry,
will bring all the auxiliary necessities—whatever is needed
of mechanical skill is fully supplied in time. Skilled labor rallies to
where the need exists or developes quickly with enlarged demand
and opportunity. The concentration of so much distilling capacity
here, has caused a complete developement of machine shops and
foundries, with special adaptions; millrights and workers in metals,*
of special skill; supply-warehouses, answering to all wants on shortest
notice and most reasonable terms.
Centralization in any interest, is a means of education and developement
in that particular line, and in this instance has Resulted
in great perfection of manufacture.