The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-10-26

miles of Ottumwa and can be fur
nished to manufactures at very low
rates. We refer the reader to what
is said in another part OF our sketch
regarding the coal interests OF tho
place. In regard to the railroad TO-
cilities of Ottumwa, We may safely
say that they reach every portion q
Iowa, and By good connections, the
whole North West is thrown open TO
q trade which might readily be con.
Quoted here. Of the railroads we
will speak more at length in another
place. No greater country or one
better adapted to agricultural
pursuits, exists than that reached BY
the rsilroads which center here. 1t is
the garden Of our Republic, and the
demand for almost every manufac-
tured article will increase beyond the
facilities at present existing within
the borders Of our State to supply it.
The question here arises, has Ot-
tumwa the men of capital to turn
these other facilities to account.
Here we fear the place is, to some
extent deficient. The town has cap
ital in immense amounts, but 1t is
invested in the great jobbing inter-
ests which have grown up here, con-
however, being invested in
manufactures and in other interests.
As yet, no foreign capital has been
invested here, though many openings
have been presented for lucrative in
veetment. The facilities with which
has 80 munifcently en-.
dowed this city must attract capital,
which, coupled with the increase
which is constantly made here, will,
in the near future, make Of this one
Of the best manufacturing towns in
Iowa. The signs Of the times are
rife with promise for the future Of
our prosperous city in this direction.
In giving the manufacturing re-
Of Ottumwa, we have, so far,
omitted mention of the most i'm
portant item, namely the water
power, afforded by the Des Moines
river at this point, which has 80 far,
received no attention whatever. We
have at great expense, constructed
magnificent bridges to get across
this great natural advantage to the
town, but have not done q stroke
toward turning its waters to use.
Within mile and . half above the
Southeastern city limits there is a
fall in the bed Of the river OF fifteen
feet, causing q swift rapids here at
all seasons of the year. With q
reasonable amount of water passing,
which in medium stage cannot be
less than 81, 900 cubic feot per min
ute, we might safely estimate the
power lying undeveloped At our dior
to be ut the lowest calculation 5000
horse power. This matter deserves
the attention of every capitalist
wishing good Observation-Disclosures
ments which cannot be swept away
in . day by confisgration. The most
careful financiers cannot but acknowl.
edge that Ottumwa to-day, offers
more and better inducements for safe
and profitable investment of capital
than any Bastern city Of the same
size, or eveh many Of our most favor.
ed Western towns. But few towns
even in this great fertile valley oi
the Mississippi can show q grouping
Of 90 many solid attractions as this
city has, and all too, in an accessible
condition.
WHAT KIND OF FACTORIES ARE WANTED.
In studying the wants Of the
place, it's facilities and the demands
Of the territory accessible from thi:
point, we should say q paper mil
would find this desirable location
The facilities Of the place are especi
ally adapted to this branch Of manu-
factures. As we have the best oi
timber at hand, we think the manu-
facture Of wagon wood works, would
be especially successful. The manu-
facture of agricultural implement.
and machinery on q large scale woult
pay well. Indeed any and every
class of the manufacturing branches
would pay, were they conducted
properly. We want establishment,
of different classes 80 that they may
not come in competition to any grea
extent.
THE FACTORIES LOCATED HERE.
Ottumwa now has all the necessa
ry factories of lesser Importance, in
Guiding the manufactur, of boots ant
shoes, harness, cigars, ETC., as we'll q
Touring mills, (three in number } saw
mills, (near by, furniture factories
one of which (Eaton h Arthur's) j
quito extensive, including the dress
ing of lumber, eto. The town ha
an agricultural implement factory
which il doing q large business, III
cluding the manufacture of yer,
popular smut machine. Also on
wooden mill, which does q large bus
iness in all branches in their line
The work of this mill deserves tn
especial attention Of our farmin,
community and those who hav
wool to dispose of or to have 1t man
ufactured.
The principalinterest which has oe
cupied the attention Of our nanufat
turers to a great extent is
THE MANUFACTURE OF WAGONS.
In this particular our city may b
classed among the first Iowa towns
The place has two factories especia
ly. which have become note
throughout Southern Iowa. Tho OF
tablishment of w. G. Grimes no,
employs rs hands, and is turning ou
o large amount of first class worl
The establishments of Messrs. Ku,
sci Il White and Cummings l. Sllsb
are also important.
THE CARRIAGE AND WAGON WORKS
of Messrs. Durfce 4 Pollard. sect
now to be doing the most bushes
| in this department of trade, an
when we consider that these gentl
men commenced their business hel