The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09

had gone to the Turner'S Hall, where
a grand Fair was in progress. Peter
proceeded to inform us (Carey and
myself that the forty thousand PEG.
pie in attendance at the German Fair
demanded our presence, instanter.-
We demonstrated, but to no purpose,
tor every one who knows the Sena.
tor, is aware Of the fact that he will
not take No for an answer.
So in the twinkling of an eve
Carey and myself were following our
guide, and on our way to the Fair.
Arriving there, we found tho Hall
(Which is a large one) packed to over
flowing.
Let me say here, that the Peoria
City elections takes place today, the
7th inst, and the candidates were all
at the Fair, working for the success
of this or that ticket; and you know
Messrs. Editors, the Senator enjoys
this electioneering business, for hav-
ing but recently passed through the
same ordeal "he knows how 1t is
himself" But have diverged from
the subject, to engage in a little
pleasantly, and must return.
On Friday morning we made the
acquaintance Of Hon. Gardner T.
Barker, Mayor Of the city, whom, as
before stated, we found to be very
agreeable gentleman, and who kindly
invited US into his private Office,
where he gave his much valuable in
formation in regard to the object of
our visit.
After an exceedingly pleasant and
profitable chat with Mayor Barker,
Supt. Matson proposed. to give us q
practical test of the Water Works,
and accordingly ordered out the hose
cart and hose, with sufficient force to
man it; and attaching the hose to q
hydrant on the corner of the public
square, at least two miles from the
Works, began to play, using a two
inch nozzle( which 10 larger than ever
used in case of fire) q stream Of wa
ter was thrown $50 feet high, and,
when turned horizontally, the stream
was thrown ESQ feet. At this trial
only IS lbs Of water pressure was
used.
Let me say that during this exhi-
bition, about five hundred of Peoria's
leading citizens were present, all Of
whom were loud in their praise of
Peoria's system of water works.
After this trial was over, Mr.. Sill
man, the popular Treasurer of the
county, procured fine carriage and
drove through the principal portion
Of the city, pointing out the promi-
nent points Of interest, among which
was the fine grounds and residence
of Moses Pettingill, who is we'll and
favorably known by many of our
citizens. Mr.. Silliman kindly showed
US through the Board OF Trade rooms.
where we made the acquaintance OF
a number of prominent business
| men.
To Mr.. Silliman, as we'll as the
other gentlemen, whose assistance
was so freely given us, we desire to
return thanks, for tie favors shown
After partaking of a very fine
repast at the Peoria House, we start
ed for the depot, and at 2 o'clock p
M, we started tor home highly
pleased with our trip, and feeling un
der many obligations to the people
of Peoria for their many favors and
should opportunity ever offer we
will be glad to reciprocate.
l have already written longer
communication, perhaps, than you
will care to publish, and shall close
by saying, that if our citizens think
that we can, in Justice to ourselves
establish Water Works in our city
it will be one Of the best investments
Ottumwa ever made.
l am satisfied from what investiga
tions have been able to make that
we can put in works here of sufficient
capacity for about seventy Thousand
dollars.
l will only add, that should WI
find Con farther investigstion) tha
the works will cost us more thar
about the amount named, | have M
disposition to press the matter be
yond our ability, even should tn.
proposition nov before the people
be decided IN the affirmative.
4 y