The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-04-22
1t is SO,

|
ticle from the Daily Ha,pk-E Eye of the 21st.
1t exhibits an intimate acquaintance with the
Des Moines Valley and the numerous advan-
| tages and resources of our City Of Ottumwa.
When the map of Iowa is examined and the
| fact considered that the valley of the Des
Moines is the garden of the State, the richest
| and most luxuriant part of Stale every where
admired for the depth and fertility of its soil
when it is also considered that the Des
Moines affords water power to an immense
amount-that coal of good quality is abundant
! that superior limestone and very fair marble
| is found in abundance along the vailey-it
may be to many matter Of surprise that no
! larger towns have yet been built But should
we take time to consider the fact that our State
| is only few years old and that five sixths Of
the population of the State is yet on this side
of that river we shall at once see why no large
towns have yet been built in the valley.
The river itself can hardly be called navsa-
| bic at all. 1t is a rapid stream, with great
deal of rock bottom, and only navigable when
at food tide. IT has been two years at 7 time
without affording Sufficient water for single
boat to ascend, although there is generally a
short period of navigation in the early sprirg.
| Was it like the Illinois. sluggish stream.
with narrow channel it would afford like if a
steady and abundant supply of water. which
would render it navigable for most of the sea.
son. And had such been the case, we should
now have seen the valley of that river contain
ing as dense population as that of the Mis-
sissippi on this side, and rival manufacturing
and commercial towns planted along its banks
| Soon, however, art will supply what nature
has denied. Several Railroads are now in the
course of construction designated 10 penetrate
the valley and afford highway for the trans-
portation Of the grain, live stock and provis-
ions of this fertile region. The Dubuque and
Sioux City Railroad will strike this valley at
Fl Dodge. This part Of the valley is sparse
| ~ settled and little known. The Davenport
Road will cross it at the Capitol, Dcs Mones
| City. Here the valley is also thiriy settled.
and although having the advantage of the Cap
itol. the town is not destined to arapid growth,
because it must wait for the country. Our
own Road crosses at Ottumwa, the largest
| town upon the river and having the advantage
of good location, with the country surround
ing it pretty well filled up by an intelligent
farming population. Our Road is going right
through and will be the first to reach the Des
Moines, for the reason that it ha. the shortest
distance to go, and the Company have already
most of the iron and the means to put il through
Reaching the valley, as we undoubtedly shall,
year or more ahead of any other Road, Of
tumwa will not only be enabled to preserve
her relative position but to outrun all compe-
tition. If possessed of the necessary enter
prise, she may become the great inland depot
of the valley and bnld up town which shall
rival some on this side.
Besides these, Road is already in progress
from Keokuk which has been built as far as
Bentonsport. Should it 60 on, it will afford
Southern outlet to this valley, and should it
ever go above Ottumwa, become feeder of
the Burlington Road and give US access to that
extent to the country above.
The extreme Northern Road through Fort
Dodge, as well as the Central Road through
the Capitol can only be expected 10 do the
local business of the country through which
they pass, and afford access to Northern Ne.
braska. But the Burlington Road, with the
advantage of the short Eastern connection
which she viii have through Peoria. Logans-
port and Fort Wayne, will be upon the great
Pacific route, affording the shortest cut to the
Missouri river, Kansas, Nebraska, etc. 1t will
be the shortest road that crosses the State by
nearly hundred miles. If large town is
not built at the junction Of the Burlington and
Missouri River Railroad with the Des Moines,
it will not be for lack Of natural and artificial
advantages.