The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-05
A RARE CITY OF THE PLAIN.
Remarkable Features of Life, Business, So
cial, and Intellectual, in Ottawa, Kan.
Correspondence Of the indianapolis Journal.

Correspondence Of the Indianapolis Journal.
OTTAWA Kan, July This town has abont
1000 population. 1t is situated eighty miles
southwest of Kansas City, in the midst of rich
farming country. Three railroads pass through
It, The citizens have local pride that is truly
commendable, and have adopted measures for
their city's prosperity which deserve the atten-
lion of the outside world.
In the first place, the prohibitory law is strictly
enforced. There is not an open saloon in the
place, and the marshal informed me that liquor
Is not sold clandestinely. AS a result there is
20 rowdyism on the streets. have never be-
fore seen such good order in any community.
Profanity and obscenity have also disappeared,
md the indecent show-bills and pictures posted
In most of our cities are not seen here The po
lice force consists of three one for the day and two
for the night. Arrests for any offense are very
rare The police-station and the jail are empty
most of the time 1t may not be possible to Sc
cure such results IN many townS-lndeed, am
informed by gentlemen from other cities that
the sale of liquo.s continues in many parts of
the State-but Ottawa may be quoted as show
ing what is possible and desirable
The overthrow of the liquor traffic has caused
the baser elements of society to emigrate. and
attracted from The East large numbers of intel
ligent and thrifty people. Hence, the town is
greatly encouraged. I was here about seven
years ago, and the change is very perceptible.
Passing through the various Streets l was
charmed with the appearance of neatness, in
dustry. economy, sobriety and general content.
The city has done another good thing. It has
. beautiful park near tho depot. through which
flows a small stream of water BY vote of
the Council, about $4,000 were expended in
fitting up this park-fencins it, erecting an
auditorium and lecture halls. Then its free use
q christians
established here. some three years ago. Sun
day-school Assembly. And now for ten davs an
excellent programme is presented. Men of
prominence from the East are brought here to
lecture, and the crowds of good people gathered
from all parts of the State make the occasion
Que of rare interest Probably there were ten
thousand people in the park to-day, and had
the pleasure of addressing one of the largest
audiences have seen for years.
And Ottawa appreciates and patronizes this
Assembly. At 730 o'clock in the evening every
store in the town Is closed, and proprietors
and their clerks, with their wives their
sweethearts go TO the Assembly lecture AS /
writes o'clock P. Nit would be impossible to
enter any store in the city, and the streets are
we'll nigh deserted. What beautiful spectacle!
A City Council providing for the instruction of
its people IL mid summer.
Any one may easily predict the future of this
town. With saloons cast out, with lectures
and music brought in lone lecturer came all the
way from Philadelphia, receiving 5000 and ex-
pensesl, there must be built up here a very high
order of society. Wealth, culture, religion.
morals-these will be the rich inheritance of the
children of this town. God grant that they may
be aole to transmit it unimpaired to their chill
dren.
There is another phase of Ottawa life deserv-
ing of mention. These people are hAbitually dis
cussing grea. social problems. In the hotel
have overheard little groups of men con-
versing like philosophers of all those
questions that have agtated the country
advanced show that the speakers are acquainted
with their themes. Indeed, social science is the
pastime of the populace. Any one who has an
idea to advance can secure ready listeners The
intelligent, earnest portion of Eastern society
has moved to these praries, determined to build
a state upon the most approved pattern. And
they are building The world looks on and re-
joices in their success. GILBERT