The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-09-17

During an absence OF several days past from
home, partly for relaxation and partly on bus.
mess, we have encountered good many OBJ
jects of interest which demand brief notice
at our hands, and which for economy's sake,
we will dispose of in a sort of running com
mentary upoa our trip.
GETTING TO THE RAILROAD.
Our first object was 10 reach Bentonsport
the present terminus of the Keokuk Railroad
for which purpose we took private convey
ance, and route new to US, along the river
through Iowaville and Keosauqua, fording the
Des Moines three times and ferrying il once.
We were pleased both with the conveyance
and the route. The latter is shorter and over
better road than the Stage or any other will,
which we are acquainted.
THE X. TT. d. & NJ. r n.
The Keokuk, Fl. Des Mones, g. Minnesota
Railroad over which we now had the pleasure
OF riding for the first time, is completed to
Bentonsport, Van Buren, County, 40 miles in
to the Valley Of the Des Moines, and is in
every respect good road, the bed solid, cars
charge, courteous and accommodating. This
Road which has been quietly pushed forward
to its present termination, with out public pat
ronage Of any kind, is a splendid monument
10 the indomitable enterprise and perseverance
of the citizens of Keokuk and the region thro'
which it passes. 1t has been paid for as it
progressed from the resources aud credit of
the community interested in it, and we learned,
is now free from DEBT, a splendid capital and
foundation for its further extension. II is al.
ready doing, we were gratifed to learn. a
heavy passenger and freighting business, the
daily receipts amounting to some $500. A
good commencement in the coal business has
been made, coal cars being taken down to
Keokuk by almost every train. We noticed
several side tracks leading TO mines short
distance from the Railroad. The Road passe.
through scenery interesting and diversified
without precedent, consisting Of charming
views of the Des Moines at many points, and
the groves, the rich and highly cultivated
farms, and the thrivging to xns of Van yuren
and Lee Counties. At Keokuk, unfortunate
ly, the connection of this Road with the pack.
cts and The other road are not perfect and mass.
engers are detained; but this will doubtless
soon be remedied. We are pleased docidedlv
with the K. Fl. d. 4 M. Railroad. and more
than ever interested in its prosner,iv and e,r,v
extension to the city Of Ottumwa.
THE CRY or xroxux
II we were interested in lie Ra;,,o, w.
were moi the less so with the citv from ,vh;.r,
il is named, and into which i. il DESIGNED 70
pour the wealth of the Valley tb,o,oh ,.h;.h
il will run. Ten wears have nasse,, a,y,v since
we saw it, or rather the spot on which h j.
now built, for there was nothing hui h,.h.,
there then. and we must conre.. :. ,vo $3.50
along the extended vista. 81 H. ,,r.at. - e..
which maintains have ham a,u ,hro.~,, 49,.
valleys filed mn. as we surveve1 tha n,a.,e
cent blocks which have besn hill, ,,onr d..
sides. and The rich mercb,od;se . "a f.h.;.a !.
every kind with which thew .ro en-
found that the half had NOT hs., ,o,a - -.
the wonderful growth and nro.ress o. ~.