Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1874-09-10
VOL. 26, NUMBER p.

lett are many tasteful dwellings below is the business
greatest number Of brick few Of stone and as 10 re-
eve the otherwise too sombe aspect there neses here
and there neat white frame Of modest preensons while
protrndng chimneys girt with layers Of SCOT and smoky
stans and taper seeples "heaven direct give sure in
cations that the inhabitants familiar With the clang
ndustrys hammer, well the soothing tones OF sweet
voiced peace.
Farther on, forming imperfect border, since il de-
scribes circuitous course representing the letter 49,
winds the Des Mones river looking like band of silver
now its waters swollen by the rains giving II show
OF self deense for Of late crafty aboers have been
stealing away its rocky bed gathering together the stony
fragments to use them they we'll know how, as safe
foundation for the cosy homes orehanded citizens and thrift
y adesmen are setting upon every available patch Of the
sunny hillside. close scrutiny discovers the narrow
bridge which the iron horse proudly dsdains toshare with
hoe Of slower pace and short distance to the riRh. Of
that is the wagon and foot brdge-evidently little used
these presept days. the dark mass moving slowly along
meath the shadow of its beams, telling plainly enough
how here-as esewhere-the farmers
D0DGlNG THE MIDDLEMAN;
sAer horses into the shallow stream, they
make safe journey through all unmindful Of the
erers outsretched PALM Across and beyond fields
green and golden brown with struggling clumpof shade
from behind whoseeay screen peep forth at intervals tic
white walls of the farmers abode-bare theirbroad acres
TO the gaze until away in the dim distance the plain
rising to meet the lowering sky and the trees lose their
heads, as they are kissed by the coquettingcouds.
Seen from the cars or judged from passing tavel do
not imagine that quite laterng impression OF this
place would be stamped memorys plate and it is not
its romantic features much its facilities for trade
that form the boast of the ambitious residents OF busy O
tumwa.
wAPELLo COUNTY,
Of which this is the capital city, in the second tier of
counties north Of the Missouri boundary and the fourth
ofthe Miss sppi river about miles away. The
county abounds in concretionay limestone from which the
best qualities of quckme is manufactured also re-cay,
susceptible its turn Of being refined for the manufacture
of first class crockey Brck-making material is access
BILE in all quarters aud the agricultural resources though
great equaed by the wealth Of mineral deposit here
OF coal from 21 to feet in thickness underlying
accordng to established facts than half the entire
three quarters Of mile Of the geographical Of this
rich tract
oTTuMwA
is additionally bcst in being at point almost exactly
equal distant from Chicago aud st. Louis These rival
markets in their competing rates. render possible for par
ties to ship reghts from hero at lower prices than
nearer stations separate lines a and merchants
and others receiving goods reap of COURSE like benefits
This constant exchange is carried on by means Of
FOUR IMPORTANT RAILROADS. -
The Burlington and Missouri River road sendDg from
twenty to thirty freight trains besides two regular passenger
trains each way daily; the Des Moines Valley, well and
favorably known the St. Louis Kansas City Northern
railroad of later growth but promising much from its al
ready extensive patronage and the IowaCenra, which
has its actual terminus here although rolls borrowed
rails from Eddyvilc-l6 miles.
The lai1oad buildings shops, &C., form good sized
town Of themselves and steady employment given to
Of labocrs, mechanics and clerks whose
stopping mainly hcrego far to insure easy flow Of
rency, and make the trade in staples firm Rising the
shoulders of reliable retail business them it is not to be
wondered at ii Ottumwa has outstripped all its inland
sisters in the commercial race and has at length arrived at
the glory Of possessing
TWENTY-FIVE LARGE WHOLESALE STORES,
comprising the following variety Drugs the house Of
Taylor Co.. probably without rival in the State fruits
d fSfs6c stores in other places leather 1-Por.
ter Bros Co.. doing business Of 600 yearly cloth
ing l. jewelry j. furniture 1.-THE firm OF Eaton Arthur,
carrying heavy stock; boots and shoes queenswar,2
hardware cigars and tobacco dry goods and groceries
= groceries alone 3he receipts Of July sales at Merrs
having resulted in $3S,00O Il
Under this caption might with propricy, perhaps. be
mentioned several other prosperous enterprises egg
kerr and j. r. Shepherds agricultural depot Another ia
establishment will be added to the list in the shape Of
immense pork house in process Of erection by j. d.
Ladd, which is expected to be completed in season for
the fall trade To sustain the interests Of the above and
the public demands, two banks running
joint capital Of 100000; and do not know that do
better than to notice the three extensive lumber yards in
this connection, nasmuch as they are powerful and inds
pcusabc accessories to improvements in nearly every d
rection.
JOHNSTON RUFFLER WORKS.
Under this name is carried line sof manufacture
embracing stationary and portable engines, gaspc, mill
scaring houscironts etc., the principal business being
the making Of the Johnston rufcr sewing machine at.
tachment whct-as its name imp!ics-was invented by
A. Johnston, and patented in 1870 Thirty different
ng-machnes kept in the main office for that purpose
solely show its adaptation to all the well-known kinds
about 5000 Of the ruiers turned out finished each
month. This company employs s0hauds, 40 being need
cd i'll the rue apartment and of these there 90 young
drawing compensation at 81 day each) the entire
payroll being $4,000 per month.
was much pleased with my visit 10 this factory, and
under obligations Mr. Hackworth for information re-
ceived
Four houses engaged in the manufacture Of wagons
There but plow and machine factory coopera.e
establishment, with planing-mill attached saw MILL
and only grist-.
Passing ON 10 mention of the
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
consider these hardly up to the standard the city
might attain when supported by population of 5000
souls Tho courthouse and Jail any better in ap-
pcaranccthan in ourishng towns; the high
school aud public school buildings Of crcdabe size
the former particularly showing we'll from its beautiful
location. Eleven church societies represented here
Catholic Methodist Congregational Presbyterian Eps-
copa Baptist, Christian German, Lutheran and two be-
longing to the cooTed brethern. may not have given
them in their regular rank, but think have mainly
The Congregational society proposes TO erect house
Of worship soon ON lot farther removed from tho noisy
thoroushiarc than the which the building they
occupy stands. Tho Academy Of the Visitation Catolc)
commodous ediGce four stories high II Of the sis
terhood are engaged therein. The average attendance
during the past school year 90 youBg ladies' bus-
college, socsed scminaric and the same
number of private schools also maintain struggling
stence There is very fair opera-housc here OF hotel
commodations wisely refrain from any alusion.
In newspaper publications the supply seems fully up
TO the wants Of tho people Tho Otam,ca Courier de-
eryely at the 'front.' issucsa daily and weekly edition
the Democrat andsSpit Of Tie Times each weekly
as is also the Ottumca Journal, German newspaper
The Oskaloosa Fair proves to DO afinancial success
The stupid item about Treasury girl wearing
hustle made of railroad bonds has been widely cir
culatcd. Ii the bonds be Union and Pacific their in
PRODUCTION into family cannot be objected to.
-"Who was this man 7" asked Savannah coroner
as he entered q crowd around dead body. .ise
nnEcd IN brass hand renliet hoy and tina cOrn,1N