The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1859-02-03
Our Own Interests First.


We are at some loss to determine tho mo
tive ehsinauenced the Statesman to copy
week before last an article from the Council
Bluffs Busie, ana endorse it ctlitorially, THE
object Of said article being to divert the i'm
mense emigration of-ti.is spring by way of
Iowa City and the Bluffs, to the manifest
disparagement and injury of the, route in
which we are all deeply interested, by Bur
hngton, ottumwa and the South Side of the
Platte. Doubtless our neighbor has reasons
satisfactory to himself and perhaps to every
body else if known: but it seems to us that
inasmuch As great and manifest advantages
are expected to result from this emigration
to the route which is fortunate enough to Sc
e cure it, that it would be wise in us to advo-
= cate our own interests and leave others adj
vcrsely interested to do their own putting.
2 We cannot claim any very accurate knowl-
edge touching the various routes acrost our
State, at least from personal observation; but
we have made it an object to obtain all the
reliable information to be had, and the result
: is firm belief that the route by way Of the
c. q. & B., and the b. & NJ. r. Railroads to
Agency City to which point, within miles
by the travelled road from the Des Moines
River, and thence through this tier of Coun-
ties to the mouth of Platte, and up the south
side Of that stream, possesses more advanta-
ges than any other, by good deal Among
these advantages and inducements we will
mention such as as suggest themselves at
the moment.
The Railroads by Burlington are not only
among the best managed in the country, but
they can deliver emigrants at least 40 miles
farther into Iowa, and more than that dis
lance nearer the Missouri River, than any
other road. .-. d. -''' ''' ....
1t quite likely that many emigrants will
desire to come as far as they can by rail, and
at that point procure their outfits and pros
ecute the rest of the journey by stage or
private conveyance; There is daily line Of
Post Coaches now running from the end of
the railroad to Portsmouth most admirably
managed, and making the trip, only 200
miles, in As hours til in contemplation to
extend the line up the Platte in time for the
spring travel. The distance from Platts-
mouth to the mines is only 495 mills, 10
less than from the Bluffs.
SO far as supplies are concerned we doubt
not the Statesman will agree with us that
Wapello County, containing 10000 inhab-
g tants, some dozen populous towns, a thrifty
! set of Farmers, heavy Mercantile establish.
ments and all kinds of Mechanics including
Wagon Makers, is as good point to start
from as could be desired, ifnot decidedly the
best. AT Ottumwa there are two Chain
Ferries over the Des Moines, and at Eddy
rille in this County, is fine Bridge. the only
one on the River below Des Moines, and
there only one branch, we believe, is bridged,
Besides all this, the Counties west of us in
this tier, are abundantly supplied with corn
o. ana other feed, to be had at low prices, corn
Q st % cents. a.ojFrd .s.. ,s ....a...G .,,..
." Piattsmouth, and Pacific City at or near
the point of departure from the Missouri
are represented by those in whom we have
confidence, to be large towns abuudantlv
supplied with goods and stores of all kinds
They are just as good markets, we doubt not.
as either the Bluffs or Omaha. And the
route up the South side of the Platte ;s
represented by those who are familiar with
NIL routes from the. Missouri to be in many
- important particulars the best. There are
no large streams to erosion the south side,
while on the north there is Loup Fork a large
ana dangerous stream, and the Platte itself.
Mr.. Smith, a gentleman who spent two years
at Fixes Peak and vicinity, and who is ia
miliar with all the routes, assures us, that
there is not finer natural road in the coun-
try than the South Platte road, and that the
distance is less than by either of the other
roads. -.. ..-.' ..'a .''1 3.
From. the above considerations, We are
2 constrained to advise emigrants to come by
q way Of the c. @. & B. and the B. & NJ r. X
For the end of those roads to the Eldorado it
is straight shoot, a good road, abundent
supplies, good coaches, careful drivers, and
less travel than by any other route that can
be found. At least this is our honest opin-