Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-06-06

we nave Just retuTneu from heOkuk,
where we met many friends and where
we were treated with great kindness and
hospitality. We had not seen the place
for IL or ID years, and could only iden-
tify it BY a ecolIec.ioi of the place
where once stood the famous "rat row."
The place has improved beyond all our
calculations, and a pleasant stroll through
the city convinced us that large amount
of business was being transacted. A.
mong its greatest advantages, is a regular
line of first class steamers, that ply dali
ly Sundays excepted) between that
place and st. Louis. This affords the
people of the interior a sure and expedi-
tious conveyance TO the East or South,
on which they may always depend.
We noticed quite large number of
hands at work upon the Plank Road lead
ing up this way. The work so far is
of the mos. substantial character. We
were informed that there had been two
offers made by capitalists to take the
!, stock and build the road Immediately;
and we trust that the stockholders may
be able to make an advantageous ar
rangement with some capitalist to COM
plete the road Immediately. The road
will be as good, If not the very best
stock in the State, and hence the sooner
it is built the better for the stockholders
and for the public.
We have said ard still say, and say it
TOO with a full knowledge of what we
are saying, that tine point on the Missis-
sippi that makes good and substantial
roads to the heart of this great Valley
will most assuredly reap a rich harvest
and place itself in the vantage ground of
all rivals. Our remarks, we are happy
to see, in relation to the supinencss and
inactivity Of keokuk, has had a tenden-
cy TO arouse her to action. And now.
60 where you will in that city, in the
stores, in shops or hotels and all is ac-
livity-all talk about works OF improve
ment, and they stop no. at talk but are al
so ACTING.
1t was remarked TO us by gentle
man that "You people of Wapello and
THE counties South and West OF the
Des Moincs River occupy an enviable
position. You have determined to make
plank road TO Libcrtyville and there
stand with outstretched hands, inviting
those who will, to make road from the
mississippi to you"
Yes, this is our position, and the Keo-
kuK people seem to be determined to be
the first TO take us by the hand, as the
other points are all for Fairfield and Os-
kaloosa. Turning our attention then,
to those who seem willing and determin-
ed to meet us. we say go on gentlemen as
you have begun, and when you have
made the road to Libertyville, you can
afford TO lend US helping hand to make
the road TO Abba and Centerville, and
you will thus secure the produce and
trade Of one of the richest sections oil
country in the fertile State OF Iowa.
We cannot conclude this article with
out returning our thanks to Messrs.
Howell, Of the Valley Wing, and Cum
ing and Doyle, of the Dispatch, for the
courtesy and kindness they showed us
while sojourner in their city. And in
this connexion we return thanks TO the
gentlemaLly proprietors Of the LAcLEDE
HOUSE, for the very handsome manner
in which they treated US while at their
excellent Hotel.
II The Courier of last week in COM
menting upon an ticle.copied into our
paper from the Fort Madison States