The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-11-05
The City of Ottumyya.


The City of Ottumwa.
We have received numerous inquiries
lately about our town, IT'S location, size,
prospects, &c, which we have been unable
to answer for want of time. As sort of
apology, we will jot down few facts in the
Courier, and send copy to such cores
rondents in place of letter.
Ottumwa Is the County Seat of Wapello,
one. .of the second tier Of Counties in Iowa
1t is about one mile south Of the geograph
ical center of the county. north and south,
and about in the center, east and vest. 1t
IS on the north bank Of The Des Moines riy-
or, distant from Burlington rs miles; from
Chicago, 2S5 from Keokuk so: from Des
Mones 90; and from tie Missouri River
200.
Wapello is one of the best among the
counties of Iowa, none of which are poor
1t has about 10000 inhabitants, polling at
the last election for Governor, 2S72 votes
The soil is exceedingly productive, yielding
large crops of wheat, corn. rye, oats, FTpota.
toes, &c, and any quantity of hogs, cattle,
horses, mules, &c. The county is well
watered and has an abundance OF timber Of
the best varieties including Oak, Walnut,
Cottonwood and Maple Quarries Of st ono
suitable for building and lime are numerous
and valuable. The Catholic Cathedral in
.Ottumwa, one Of the largest and costliest in
abe State, and the Methodist Church, are
built Of this material OF coal there is the
greatest abundance. Biologists say that
Warello contains more coal than any other
equal extent of territory on the globe
However this may be, the supply is proha-
bly, incxhaustable. The country has been
settled only about 90 years, and yet it is
dotted oil over with farms in high state
OF cultivation, with good fences, and in nu-
merous instances, elegant and costly residen-
ces. The climate isof course much the
same as is found IN the same latitude -
Take one season with another, it is mild
and pleasant. There is very little snow du-
ring the winter, and it is not unfreauently
the case that the roads are dry and theHat-
mosphere admissive ofout door work far
into January. At this writing, November
3D. it resembles day in earlyJ September
1t is also healthy, we believe as much 50
as any section Of our country,
Ottumwa was settled about simultaneous.
ly with the County, in 1s4S. It now has
some 1000 inhabitants. Geographically. the
situation is commanding 1t is already a
railroad center Of considerable importan, e.
the b. q NJ, and the X. Fl. d. NJ. g. NJ.
koads connecting here. The extension OF
these roads, the former to the mouth of the
Platte, and the latter to Des Mones, the
State Capital, will add greatly to tho bust
ness and Importance of the place. The
burlington road, it is confidently expected
VIII he extended westward very shortly
Besides these roads, ano srer is projected
South, to connect with the North Missouri.
at Macon City. A company has been form.
ed to construct this work, and no doubt i,
will be among the earliest ;enterprises on
gagIng public attention after the settlem,
OF our national difficulties. A road run.
ming north to Cedar Falls is also talked If
and will be built some day.
The growth Of Ot!unwa has been very
rapid the few past years. 1t being the
nearest and most convenient railroad point
'or very large extent oflcountry abound
ing IN every resource, it has become mar.
ket OF no inconsiderab!e Importance. both
i'r the reception and shipment of goods,
STOCK &c, for the sale of goods, and the
manufacture of various articles. Amonc
'he numerous mercantile establishments, al
OF them doing well, are several engaged OK.
ciusiyely in the wholesale trade, and selling
over 100000 worth annually. There are
IN the city, two Newspapers and printing
''iices two first class FIGURING Mills one
very extensive Packing House; four Wagon
'""'oiaStOIicS, one w OOlCT
mandatory; several extensive Cabinet
manufactures; two extensive Rectirvin,
ard Wholesale Liquor establishments, one
OF which manufactures Ale; two National
Banks several Lumber Yards. Bakeries
&c. &c. OF public buildings we have =
worry good Court House; six Church Edit
'ss' Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Presby.
terrain, Christian, Congregational. The
hpscopalians worship in Hall expressly
h''ed up for that purpose. The foun dation
OF large and costly Public School House has
been laid, the building to be completed the
coming season.
10 short we have a good town, with fiat.
ter'ng prospects. We only want men
capital and industry TO make it all we could
desire. Come and see us. Lots are chear
asd investments productive. All classes OF
business men, especially mechanics and
manufacturers, will be welcome.
The persons in Kcokuk county who were