The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-06-18
Our City and County.


Our City and County.
Enquiries about ottuinwa and Wapello conn
ty are becoming so frequent as to lead to the
conclusion that the fame of our beautiful home
has gone out through the length and breadth of
the land, as indeed 1t ought to. We are re-
viewing letters desiring information from all
points Of the compass, all Of which we should
be glad to answer severally, il II were possible
We cannot however, do 1t. We tan only re.
ply generally through the paper, hoping that
this may prove satisfactory to all interested.
The last letter on our file, received yester
day, is from gentleman residing at Great
Falls N. H. He saws in substance, that he
has formed purpose to move into the South
Eastern part Of Iowa. But that lie has been
unable to post himself up in relation to the
country, from the fact that most Of the emf
grafton from his part Of the east to Iowa, have
located In and about Des Moines city. He
says that he has been studying the maps Of the
State, and has come to the conclusion that
Wapello county enjoys superior advantages of
location &c. To satisfy himself whether this
conclusion is correct or not, he addresses to US
certain interrogatories. to which we take pleas
IRE in returning the best reply our time and
command Of Information enables us to.
Wapello county, Iowa, will tistif.- any opin-
ion which may be formed Of it from q study Of
the map. II is situated in the heart of the
Des Moines valley, region Of fabulous rich
ness Of soil, and everywhere Astounding in
water power, stone, stone coal, excellent tim.
Der, and rejoicing in fine, healthy climate;
besides, the Des Moines River, which is navi-
gable portion Of the year, ard is being i'm
proved Tor Slack-water navigation by the d.
N r. Co., Wapello county 10 one OF princi-
pal Railroad centres in the State, having the
B. M. r. or the Pacific, passing East end
West, the x. & Fl. Des MONIES passing N.
w. & s. E., and the North Missouri passing
North and South, aud all intersecsing at the
centre Of the county, and the two former now
completed within 40 miles Of Ottumwa.
Wapello county now ranks among the LIST
In the state Of Iowa, in point Of population,
productiveness ard wealth. The present pop
utstion is little short of $1,000 1t produces a
heavy surplus Of grain, cattle, and hogs, es-
pecially the latter, for expectation. and the
valuation Of real and personal property the
past year was over 81, 5O000O. There is now
no land or none to speak of to be had at gov
eminent price. but it can be bought second
handed for from $500 to $1,000, and improved
farms from $1,000 to $500.
Now in relation to Ottumwa, il win be only
necessary to say to enquiring friends, that i. is
the County Seat Of Wapello county, situated
very near the centre of the county, on the Des
Moines river at the head of the rapids, a. the
point where three Railroads interseCt, and on
the great Mail and Stage Route from Burling-
ton and Keokuk to Des Moines and Council
Bluffs. tits an incorporated city, has pres
ent estimated population Of 800, and is IN
creasing rapidly. The site is beautiful one,
the business portion being level ground, sur
rounded by beautiful bluffs, admirably adapted
for residences. II Is distant Is miles from
both Burlington & Keokuk, and only trife
farther from Muscatine, Iowa City, and Des
Moines the capitol Of the state. 1t is upiyer-
sally regarded az one Of the most important
railroad centres IN the state. II occupies also
q favorable position on the lire Of the De
moline Improvement, and will derive impor-
tant advantages from the navigation and hy-
draulc power, created by that Improvement
The Burlington Road is completed to with
in Az miles, and the Keokuk TO within 90 miles
Of the place, and both are making strenuous
sxeHions to further diminish the distance re-
manning between US.
ottumwa 10 growing rapidly. Some 200
buildings will be put up this season. We
have II Dry Goods Stores; 3 Drug do; 2 Stove,
Tin &C.; 2 Clothing; Hard Ware; 1 Agri-
cultural Implements, and Seed; Leather,
Boot and Shoe; 2 Whselwright Shops; 6 Gro
csries; Bakery and Confeciioners; 2 Cabi.
net Shops; 3 Blacksmith Shops; 3 Tailor's
Shops; ? Merchant do; 4 Millinels;2 Barber's
shops; Jeweler Shop; Gansmith; Banker;
Printing Office; Painters; 3 Hotels; 2 Live.
~ Stables; 10 Lawyers; 10 Physicians; 9
Churches;3 Steam Mills; Mason, Odd Fellows,
Good Templars, Temple of Honor Societies;
acours House and Jail, (building,) costing
epch, near $4,000
Now IL the time 10 invest la Ottumwa.-
Property Il lower than in any othern Town
ia the State, having EQUAL pretensions.
Lots for residences can be bought for an
average price Of some $500. and business Lots
in proportion. Out lots Of 81 to 5 acres, are
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