The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-12-31

OTruNwA, JANUARY 1s5s.-During the past year our
City has made perceptabe progress notwithstanding
the times. The population has steadily increased ard
new branches OF business have been opened
lures have gone up in different parts of the City for
business and mechanical purposes and for residences
The amount Of Improvement has not been as great as
was expected owing to the hard times but has BEEN
sure proportion to other towns in the Interior
OF the State.
This Is properly speaking our first municipal year
the organization under the Charter dating the last
Spring. The City officers for the year are ID r.
Gaylord, Mayor; James H. Devin, Recorder; 4. Wash
burn, Treasurer; and s. W. Summers Attorney; Alder
men, 1st Ward, p. W. Hawiey, D.. b. Abrahams, and
Thomas Brigham; I'd Ward, J. A. Milgan, II. p Graves
and A. Hawkins; Bird Ward, W. L. Orr, G., Lawrence,
and J. A. Hammond. Thomas J. Holmes Postmaster.
We enumerate at this time Dry Goods Stores, 6
Grocery do, Drug do, Hardware do, Agrcultur
alWarehouss; Q Bakers 4 Confectouers; Livery Sta
bies; Steam Mills; o BARRIERS; Q Hotels; 1 Clothing
Store, Stove Tin do. Printing 0ices srArEsMRx
and CouaIrR; Book Store; Carriage & Wagon Fac.
tories Cabinet Warehouses; Blacksmith Shops; I
Leather Store; jewelers. watchmakers; 8 Tailor
Shops; 2Baukers; Marble Factory; 3 Shoe Shops 2
Saloons, and numerous other branches Of business
Professions are resident Ciergymen 10 Lawyers and
12Physicians.
The religious organizations are Methodist Episcopal
Rev. A. Robinson, Pastor; Congregational, Rev y.
A. Spaulding, Pastor; Presbyterian, Rev j. McEroy.
Pastor; Baptist, Rev. j. r. Robert Pastor; Episcopal
Christian; Cumberland Presbyterian; Uniyersaiist
and Catholic. The Methodists, lists
Presbyterians, Christians and Catholics have houses
Of worship.
The County Oncers this year are j. H. Flint, County
Judge; J. N. Campbell Clerk; ". }. Ross. Recorder a
Treasurer; VIM. Lewis, Sheriff, and A. W. CASTOR,
Prosscating Attorney. Our Court House and Jail
erected the past year at each Of about $4,000
are substantial structures that win compare ayoraby
with any In the State
OF Railroads. Ottumws expects the Burlington and
Missouri River, the Keokuk IT. Des Moines, the
North Missouri, and connection with .he Muscastne
and 0skaloosa The Burlington and Keokuk roads are
both completed TO within 40 miles fu and the former
b nnder contract and . good deal Of the grading
bridging &C., has been done along the whole line
Another year We confidently expect its completion,
and We have reason to hope that the terminus of the
Keokuk road will also be removed much nearer to M
within that period
Our present means Of communication With the rest Of
the world ere ample Coaches arrive daily from Bur.
ngon and Keokuk, and leave daily for Missouri Riy.
e. via Blskesbursh, Abba Charlton &C., and for pes
Moines via Eddyvine and Oskaloosa. There are mail
routss north TO Dahionega, south to bloomfield and
wsst TO Chillicoths. a. 4s4sa
With hydraulic power for manufacturing purposes
wsshall be abundantly supplied, when the Demoine
Navigation and Railroad Company complete the two
dana now under Contract A company was Organised
the past year to construct bridge acroas the Des
Aoinss at this place. These Improvements are much
needed and i TO be hoped that they will be made Al
no distant day. so
TAspressntb being our 6rst municipal year, not much
hes BEEN effected In the way OF Street improvements,
although something has been done. grade has been
established, and contract to curb and grade por-
s'sn OF Fscntstreet was entered Into but late In
the season to affect anything.
We should mention 10 this connection, our Schools,
and Literary and Benevolent InstitutionA We have .
Public School under the charge OF B. D. Bosorth Prin-
epal, Mis- Clark and Mis- Pollard, assistants Also,
q Academy under the charge Of N A. Robb Principal
Literary Association meets weekly for lectures and
There are also. hers nourishing societies Of
Aasons, and Odd Fellows