The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-01-27

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We had the pleasure Of participating with
quite number Of our brethren Of the press
In the celebration Of Franklin's birthday, at
Fairfield on the l7th and we can truly say
that it was most interesting meeting. 1t
is to be regretted that from some cause so
few Of the members Of our ancient and hon.
orablc profession, were present; but this was
no fault Of the printers of Fairfield, who ex-
tended an invitation far and near, and made
preparations to entertain very large num-
Der. The scarcely Of numbers from abroad,
however, was amply made up by general
and generous attendance Of the citizens Of
Fairfield, ladies and gentlemen, who in very
considerable numbers favored the printers
with their presence, and entered with great
apparent interest into the festivities of the
occasion. The ladies, especially, of that
refined and cultivated city, made the Festi-
val by their presence an occasion, which will
not soon be forgotten, especially by the
younger and more susceptible members of
the fraternity. The proceeding of the Festi-
val will be found elsewhere, copied from the
Jefsrsonian.
Arriving at Fairfield about noon Monday
we had half day to look around the city
Of which we gladly availed ourself, calling
first of course, upon our friends of the Ledg-
er and Jetersonian offices, both Of which es-
Establishments are in able and skillful hands,
and issue papers creditable to the profession
and to the State. With W. ". Junkin Esq,
the former, we have been acquainted many
years, but we had the pleasure Of meeting
now for the first time, Messrs Jacobs &
Moore Of the latter Office. From all these
gentlemen, and from all connected with their
establishments, we received the most CRATE
full and courteous attentions. Wealso spent
short time very proftably at the Office of
DR.. j. NJ. Shaffer, the late indefatisable Sec
rotary Of the State Agricultural Society,
where we had the pleasure oflooking through
the jefferson County Library, collection Of
some 600 volumes of standard works, which
does our neighboring county great credit
DR.. Shafer also laid us under obligations for
. copy Of his Meteorological Table" awork
Of great value in this region, and which we
should be glad to publish five had space.
We found the citizens of Fairfield enjoy
ing good degree of prosperity, the Mer-
chants, Mechanics, Hotels and others doing
. fair business. The Branch of the State
University there, we learn, is now in success
full operation, some 12O pupils, if our memo
~ serves us, being in attendance
Inclination leads us to dwell at greater
length upon the many noticeable things
which fell under our observation at Fairfield,
and the many agreeable acquaintances we
formed there, if we had the time and space.
We like Fairfield. It is one Of the most sub
stantial Of our cities, with as intelligent a
population as can anywhere be found. Per-
haps they are not quite so exciteable as some,
but they present very satisfactory evidence
Of that kind Of enterprise which, without un-
dertaking impossibilities, completes as far as
It goes, and pays for what it undertakes.
In going to Fairfield, the Western Stage
Co., and the B. & NJ. R. R. furnished such
excellent facilities for travelling speedily,
Safely and caeaply, that we cannot refrain
from making in this connection, public &C
Acknowledgement of our obligations. The gen.
tiemen connected with these companies will
nlaaee accent orr thanks for favorS on This
and other occasions