The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1866-01-18
The st. L. & c. R. R.---lts Importance
a. to Ottumwa-.It Must be Built.


We desire again to call the attention of
all interested in this locality, to the import
ance of securing beyond the possibility of
doubt, the sertan and early completion of
the 81. Louis and Cedar Rapids Railroad.
at least the portion of that road between
the State Line and this city. Sincerely
believing that upon this question depends
in great degree, the future growth and
Importance of Ottumwa rs IA commercial
center in this part of the State, we feel that
we shall be wanting in our duty as an adj
vocate of local interests, if we fail TO urge
upon the attenti sS,a Of ALI our citizens the
eyceedi ~ importance of this enterprise
not only to our city, but TO the whole re-
gion through which it will pass coinpris-
ing the central portion of the county north
and south.
Wenow appeal more particularly to the
citizens of Ottumwa, to every man inter-
ested in Real Estate, or in the business of
the city. The generalimportance Of Rail-
roads, and the beneficial influence they
exert upon the regions through which they
are extended; the importance of opening
up 'u[hern market, and creating there
by healthy competition for our p,Del,ic-
tons; il is not secesSRry to discuss here.
They are we'll understood by all. We
shall contine what VEL have to saw mt this
time tn our fellow citizens of Ottumwa.
This question we honestly believe is one
ofthoSe questions upon which depends the
destiny of our city-the question whether
we are to become i'm a few years, a city OF
5000 inhabitants, the center of trade OF
this region, full of manufactures of all
kinds, and prosperous and wealthy to our
hsarts content or whether the advantage
present rapid growth be interrupted, and
our business leave for other wiser and
more enterprising towns east or west ofus.
No one can, it seems to us, for moment
doubt but that the point where the st Lou
is Road strikes the Des.Nloines and con-
meets with the roads now in operation and
completes with them for the trade of South
ern Iowa, will be the great commercial
center of the s,wer Des. Moines Valley. II
there are any who doubt this, argument
would probably be thrown away upon
them.
The advantages of this road being con-
coded, il brhooves us to look at this sub
ject in practical way and in the light OF
Of facts and our own interests.
The North Missouri, it il now certain
will be completed to the State Line ut an
early day, probably the coming season,
1t is Il well established fact that the COM
pietion of this road to the Iowa line, is all
the North Missouri Company can hope TO
Go. No aid for the Iowa extension can be
expected from them: Besides this, it is
very certain that but one road will be built
at present. What road shall that be?-
There are at present three rival organiza-
tons. One some 25 miles west of us, an
other about the same distance east. and
our own project, the ST. l.. & c. r. r.
The question is which of these roads shall
be built? Who shall win the rich prize :?
That question is now pending before this
people. The route is ascertained by the re-
cent survey t. he favorable. 1t is simply
aquestion ofpublic spirit, enterprise and
Hberality Ofthe business men and capitalist
of Ottumwa. AS local question.
1t is of absorbing interest. We have con-
siderably the shortest and the best route:
we have the Vantage ofthe intersection of
graphical position of this place and it's re-
lation to other leading commercial points
cannot he beat; we have already built up
large trade in merchandise, and the pro-
ductions of the country; we have numer-
Gus mills and MANUFACTURERS, doing -four
fishing business. and we have good d al
OF real capital. In short we have "A deep
st Ike in the town, either to be increased
or greatly impaired by the success or the
failure of this railroad enterprise,
III the road is built, arc have got to do it,
Nobody will do il for us. We must raise
in the city enough togade and tie the road
to Bloomfield. 100000 is the estimated
amount; of this sum, $65,OOO is subscribed,
$4,000 more is wanted, add it must be had.
Ten per cent of the assessed value of orr
property VIII suffice. So come right along
and subscribe 10 per cent of your assess
ment. Don't wait FIR your neigh
bors. Don't say that somebody will build
the road anyhow if you don't subscribe
anything. Don't hang back waiting
for yor more liberal neighbor to subscribe
his share and yours too. Every citizens
will derive an equal benefit if the road is
built, and every citizen .hould do his
share. ~ ..,... , ...
Now is a peculiarly favorable time for
pnblic as well AZ privote improvements.
Money is plenty. $sOO,OOO,OOO of paper
money is in circulation, of which we have
our share. The publicinstincts are stimula-
ting to safe investments. No better invest
ment can be found than the st. l.. sc. r,
X. X. Before the crash, which MANY an
prehend, comes, invest yoursurplus green
backs in something really valuable-that
will pay dividends. .....' j.
B. You are property holders, you own brick
blocks or at any rate, lots. Your blocks
now pay large interest on the cost: your
lots are valuable. Would you keep those
blocks and lots at their present value p
would you increase that value ?-Tben
subscribe to the stock of this Railroad.-
The bare certainty that this road is to come
TO ottumwa. will enhance all the property
In this city - per cent-its completion will
do bic its value. ""' Gu... ."'t ..a
We want Il bridge over the river. IL can
be built In connection with this railroad
cheaper than in any other way. To-day
200 customers are standing on the bank Of
the river anxiously imploring to be rowed
over the flood; but Capt. Davis looks at
the rushing tide and the ice i'm the channel
and shakes his head and cannot 20 over.
30 that mails, customers andan must wait
or seek some other point for trade where
there is enterprise enough to build a
bridge, and our merchants, manutactur-
ers and mechanics have a holiday. or sew
eral of them. We loose enough every wear
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