The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-10-26
Established in 1040.

ESCaDl1S00Q IN k040s
At present, but one building is1 oc
cupied, but another is in course Of
erection. Tho main school building
of the town is large three-story
brick, large enough to comfortably
accommodate 900 pupils. It has
eleven school rooms J; gives employ
iment to thirteen teachcrs, and cost
about 5000. The building in course
of erection, is of brick, and will
about $1,000. 1t will accommodate
about 240 pupils.
The schools have q perfect or
zatioD, and may be classed among
the best in the State of Iowa. The
highest educators in the State have
testified to their efficiency, and few
have better ability or genuine ap-
probation of his duties, than Mr..
Hastings, the Superintendent. All
the teachers employed are Of high
order OF intellect and culture. Their
salaries range from $4bO to $1,000,
per annum.
Besides these, the District carries
on o colored school, in . separate
lb~;sdrug, giving to the pupils every
| facility for acquiring an education
equal to that of their white neigh
bors.
The next department of our edu-
cational facilities, which should be
mentioned, is the Commercial School
or
BUSINESS COLLEGE,
The proposition of the ottumwa
Business College is to give thor
ough course in single and double en-
try book k-koeping, as applied to whole
sale and retail business, commission,
banking, manufacturing. steamboat
ing, railroading, individual partner
ship, and compound company bus.
mess also in business and practical
arithmetic, business penmanship,
grammar, reading, and everything
else necessary 10 give person all
qualifications for business. All these
branches are put into practical use.
Every day a person acquires . knowl-
edge in actual life which never can
be attained by theorizing.
The writer has had D long acquAint-
auce with Mr.. J. w. Oldham and his
attainments as teacher in most of
the branches mentioned, and can say
with truth that he is master of his
profession. He is, gentleman Of
fine personal address and social hab-
its and is deserving Of the confidence
of all. In the other departments the
school is carried on in the most effec-
tive manner, each teacher dong his
duty by every student. The school
| is in a flourishing condition and we
give it God speed"
GERMAN SCHOOL.
This school is carried on by the
German School Association, affording
pupils an opportunity 70 learn Eng
iish and German. Especial attention
| is given to tesching English pupils
German. Music, both vocal and in.
strumental, is taught. Prof John
ROhrback, . graduate of one of the
best German Universities, conducts
the school. His efficiency is un-
doubted.
Besides those mentioned, Ottumwa
has one Of tho best Catholic institu-
lions in IowA. For boys q general
school is open, admitting those of any
age or religious belief. This school
has done an immense amount of
good, inasmnch as it has attracted
| a class Of children whose parents are
not particularly enterprising in such
matters, but would patronize an in
stitution which would teach their
own religious belief 1t is called
Saint Joseph School.
Besides this school Ottumwa has
the Sisters of Visitation Convent,
which only admits young ladies, Civ
ing to each thorough education in
the languages, as well as to fit each
for the higher aims of life. The
Catholic faith is strictly observed.
A fine brick convent building has
been erected here, costing about
S35, 900, through donations from our
citizens of all religious beliefs.
| Now, having shown the advanta.
yes possessed by Uttumwa in church
es, schools, etc., let ne look into the
state OF
SOCIETY.
| Few men or families of wealth have
emigrated to Ottumwa, though We
have many of considerable wealth
all OF them having accumulated thit
means through their own efforts
: since settling here. This being thu
case, that great drag to civilization
caste, has not found q lodgmen
, here. The true aristocracy we have
That aristocracy which recognizes
i worth, without regard to birth o.
wealth, is here, and any person may
enter society, who conforms to it,
rules, and asplres to noble purposes.
: As to tho moral state Of the gen
eral masses, we think there are bu
few towns west where SO little drunk
. enness is known, yet Dealing in liq
uors is licensed.
Having overstcppcd the bounds in
, tended for this portion of our sketch
let us turn our attention to the busl
moss interest of our city, commoncin!
with
THE MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
!, Of the town. Six distinct things ar
i necessary TO make any town . ger
J, eral manufacturing point, and the.
' must embrace the facilities of ever.
:. town which expects TO build up II
) mo nuiacturing interests. If natur
/ has net supplied them, they must b
r supplied through artificial mean'
II Some may be supplied that way, ott
>. ers cannot be. They are 1st, timbe
q I'd, water; Sd, coal; 4th, railroad
Q 9th, a country to supply; 9Th, me
q with capital.
,fl Now has Ottumwa these facilities
70 Let lis see.
% The town ia located on the ID