The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-01-14
For the Ottum,rd Courier.
What a stranger thinks Of OF
tnmwa.


tumwa.
MR. EDITOR while travelling through the
various sections of our Great Republic, have
an opportunity of noting the different villages,
towns and cities, their locations, surroundings
and progress; also the inhabitants, their GUS
toms, manners, intelligence and influence
Having had the fortune to be thrown IN your
mids. for the last two weeks, in professional
| capacity, thought, if ii was not intruding too
much upon you and your readers. would give
Won ard them, my ideas of and observations in
Ottumwa.
In nv ramblings &c about towns on Satur-
6av morning last, found myself on the top of
the hill, on the road leading out of town at the
north side. and upon turning round, facing the
south. scene broke upon my vision that call
ed forth, from me, an involuntary exclama-
tion, "Oh how beautifulr' I found myself
chained, as it were. to the spot for the next
ten minutes. while my eyes wandered with de-
light over the broad expanse below. Beyond
the river. extending far to the south. to the
east, and to the west, Law those beautiful mead
ows and fertile fields of the hardy farmer
skirted on either side, in the distance. by ma
:nre's own adornment, the lovely and majestic
''wild wood" presenting its ever varying points
and bends. relieving, in delightful harmony,
the eve at every turn, thus producing affecting
of pleasure that love to experience. Then,
again. the view Of the river, with its waters
moving on in its course towards the great
Gather If Waters,'' freighted at the time
with its floating ice. around that maj este curve,
at the very border Of the city, which presents
itself a. one view. with the surrounding scene
ry. thus forming panoramic scene. that, as
yet. have not seen surpassed in our own Iowa.
The city itself presents evidences of the
energy, enterprise and progress of its inhabi-
tans, in the appearance of the va,ious substan-
tial business houses and the we'll bnilt, and in
many instances, the elegant private residences
that are found over the city in many places,
especially on the bluffs. The county buildings
are certainly a credit to the county and an or
nament to the city, and taking all into consId-
Grafton, it appears to me that Ottumwa must
eventually be an excellent point, when those
Railroads get along with their whistlng, belch-
ing, foaming, and rafting Z" iron-horses.''
There are great opportunities for improve
ments, which will be, no doubt, eventually
made; among which first-class School-house
seems to be desirable, in order to give the pass
er-by the impression that the people think as
much of the intellectual progress, as of their
pecuniary advancement. A high or classic
school is certainly a great adva ntage to any
town or city, as it stamps its impress on, and
really gives superiority 10 the residents in the
locality where such are found.
From all appearances that can see, there
certainly is predominance here of good soci-
ETY., not among the rich merely, but also among
the intellectual classes of your city, and less
rowdyism in proportion to the population, than
in majority Of places of its size, through
which have travelled in the west, although
there are appearances Of some rather fast
folks among you. This might be bettered if
there was greater interest taken in the sup
preston OF the dram-shops, not only by the
legal process now being prosecuted with con-
siderable energy, but by the strong moral pow
er which ire public are capable of exerting,
when turned in that direction, and really re-
greet that there's so little interest manifest on
J the part Of the leading men, in sustaining a
/ temperance organization in their midst, for
where rum is allowed to run riot, ruiz is sure
to follow in its path.
To conclude, then, Mr.. Editor, would say
that have seldom been in places where so
large audiences have attended my lectures,
where there has been less disturbance and
more attention Eaid. And in the intercourse
have had with the people, the reception they
have eiven me, the hospitality with which
have been entertained and the patronage I have
received, in connection with locality of the
city, the scenery surrounding it, and other
matters referred to above, shall not have to
regret having made your city a professional
visit and Icertainly think that your city stands
more than an equal chance of increasing rap
idly, by the settlement of incoming members of
our great country, from tine fact that You have
so many favorable circumstances and natural
advantages surrounding you.
Iremain yours and the public's humble SER
want, BENZ. Drumming,