The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-08-02

MRs. WITTENMYER, THE SOLDIERS FRIEND.
: Mrs. Anna Wittenmyer, the active agent
Of the Soldiers Aid Societies Of this State,
paid US brief visit on Monday and afforded
J number of ladies and gentlemen an oppor-
turity to pay their respects at the Potter
House. Mrs. w. was returning to Keokuk
from Mt. Pleasant. She expects to leave for
Corinth next week, taking with her supplies
for the hospitals, and among the rest num-
Der of mich cows, to meet very pressing
want for milk among the sick in the camps,
Mrs. Wittenmyer very fully communica-
ted to those who called on her the facts bear
ing upon the great and difficult mission in
which she is engaged, from which Il seems
that while she is exposing her health and
life without compensation for the relief Of
the sick and suffering soldier. there is dam
ger Of her efforts being embarrassed by a
want Of information at home in relation to
the character of the work devolving upon
her. Reports are in circulation of the fail
ure Of contributions to reach the parties in
n tended to be benefited, which, if unexplain-
cd, might create distrust in the public mind.
and dry up the channels Of supply. Weare
inclined to think from all we have heard on
the subject, that while it is true that an inn
proper use has been made Of the contrbu.
tons of our benevolent and patriotic ladies
by some unworthy and selfish officers in the
army, that such cases are exceptions to the
general rule and that on the whole vast
amount of good has been accomplished by
our relief societies, and so far from failure
to attain perfect success serving as dis
couragement to further effort, it should nerve
VS. to renewed activity OF Mrs. Witten-
meyer's efficacy and purity Of purpose, no
one entertains shadow of a doubt The
difficulty is not with her but with a defective
system Of army distribution, and the fact
that there are some, we hope not many dis
honest officers in the army, who will feast
on the delicaces intended to refresh and re-
iieve the poor. wounded, sick and suffering
soldiers in the hospitals.
There should be united effort in and out
of the army, to correct the evil and wrong
complained of and in the meantime the
channel of supply for the hospitals should
be kept full and running over, so that If any
portion is lost by the way, it may be made
up from the abundance of our contributions
The public may rely we are sure, upon
the unremitting exertions of Mrs. Witten-
meyer to do the best she can for our Iowa
boys. She will be aided hereafter by an
agent Of the State, Mr.. Clifford, Of Daven-
port, appointed for that special purpose. A
report Of Mrs. Wittenmeyer is shortly to be
issued which will fully inform the public of
the amount and disposition of supplies en-
trusted to her. together with much interest
ing matter bearing on the general subject.
!. KNOCKED ON THE HEAD AND Snor.-Wm.
Madigan, unfortunately for himself, attend
ell the horse-race which came off over the
Ottumwa cou rise, south side. on Saturday of
list week. The race was over, and one Of
the horses, as is usual on such occa sions,
was beat, result which, however indiffer-
ent the rest of mankind may have been
to it, was not consummation devoutly to
he desired by the respectable gentlemen who
bet their money on the losing nag. Of whom
Mr.. Madigan and some Of bis friends must
probably be included. They bet on the
Hunt horse, and Hunts horse did not come
out ahead. At all events Madigan and his
friends essaved bit of discussion of the
subject with sticks, fists or other convenient |
Observation-Disclosures, with the Hunts and their
friends, on the. way to town in the even
ing. The battle, it is said, ragged fiercely with
doubtful result for time, until Tom Hunt, |
with valor and chivalry perfectly irresst-
able, drew his pistol, and with one fell blow |
on the head leveled Madigan even with the
|, ground, and magnanimously following up
this advantage with a few well directed shots
into the defenseless body Of the PROSTATE
and insensble son of Erin, the enemy Wa.
yered and finally fed. The victory was
complete. The argument of powder and
lead was conclusive. Madigan was taken
home insensible, and lay in critical condi-
ton several days, but is now better and will
recover. What became of the hero of the
pistol, we are not advised. Report says that
he skedaddled. We have no account Of his
arrest at this present writing. j. w. Hunt
was arrested, but waving an examination
and giving bond, was released. We are in.
cned to think that our friend Madigan had
better stay away from horse-races in future.
1t was hard case to lose his money, If he
did lose any, and get nearly killed into the
bargain.
8 JOurncymen COOpers Wanted.
Benjamin Ladd &C.,, Packers of this
: City, want 6 Journcymen Coopers, to make
lard tierces, to whom the highest price in
cash will be paid. See their advertisement
elsewhere,