Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-11-20
The Prospects or Ottumw wa and
the Valley generally.

The Prospects OF Ottum wa and
the Valley generally.
Now that the improvement of the
River is rendered certain, we think tina,
the attention Of emigrants will be drawn
more than ever towards the Des Moines
Valley. And while we acknowledge
the thrift and beauty Of many other
towns in the Valley, still we cannot but
believe that Ouumwa is to be the larpes,
and best town on the River, between the
Forks and the mouth.
The reason for this is obvious. II is
in central situation-being at about an
equal distance from the mouth and the
Forks of the River. The nature Of the
works at this place, will render il the
greatest point on the river for mills and
manufactures, and cannot fail 10 have
an influence upon capitalists who are
seeking locations. TO give our readers
and the public abroad an idea of the
work, we copy the following description
from the Report of survey made by
Col. SAMUEL r. Curtis, the former En-
gineer:
oTTUMwA WORKS.
1.-the dam below Ottumwa (at Sugar
creek) is designed to raise the water o.
yer the rocky bed of the river in front
of this town, as have said in my for
mer report. Here the river makes a
strong curve to the South, SO tina; ca
nal one mile in length, running almost
due West, strikes the river at another an
gle where the stream resumes its gene.
raj direction North West. The water
is TO be turned into this canal by dam
erected on rocky ripple few rods be-
low the upper end of the canal, and OPP
posite large island. Making snffi-
cicnl spill to pass all the wat.r of the
river on the East side of this island,
dixie is then TO be extended from the
West end across the West channel, 10
the bluff; SO that no water shall pass ex-
cept it fall over the dam on the rock
foundation which we find convenient on
the East side. The canal commences
at the upper end. in the edge of the
prairie, where the cutting is ten feet;
and following the declining surface, the
line soon falls into a ravine which we
pursue, so that one embankment, on The
South side Of this ravine. is all that is
required to make the canal. By keeping
ont from the bank, whicll forms the nat
ural North side, we secure near the low
er end commodious basin, which will
accommodate the business of the place;
and connec, with the rock level in front
Of the town, so as TO secure an excellent
location for cur lock, and also furnish a
good foundation for mills which can be
erected below the lock. This lock will
have a lift, according to this arrangement,
of 7 5000 feet; q0ording and ercel-
lent 'oaier power, at point Of much
Importance in this part of the State"
1t will be remembered that Otiumwa
was the only place on the river (excep.
Eft. Des Moines) which was not more or
less injured by The last great rise in the
river. The health Of our place is as
good as that of any other town III the
State, and the site is SECOND 10 none.
1t lies within The reach of our citizens
to secure the trade of large scope of
country North and West, and to make
this the most impor.an. shipping poin;
on the river. Already we can see the
influence the improvement will have up
on our town. Everything bears a live
lier aspect. Improvements are being
contemplated and will be accomplished.
and a new hope has sprung up within
the bosoms Of all. So il is, doubtless,
with the whole Valley, and it needs no
prophetic eye to foresee the greatness
10 which j. shall attain. Emigranls
seeking hou.es will do well to come to
the Des Moines valley, and TO come
soon. for it is destined IL become the
Garden Of the West.
OTTUMwA TANNERy.-We take pleas