Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-10-04


States, and particularly in the west
ern states, letters have recently been
sent to business men in the large cit
les and in the country towns in those
sections. The inquiries related to
the bank deposits, and what better
ment If any was noticeable among
the borrowing classes. Some of the
strongest replies that have been re-
ceiyed come from Nebraska, Mr.. Bry-
ans own state. 1t is to be noted
that the only discordant note came
from Deadwood, S. d. The complaint
there was that gold is worth no more
than it was four years ago, while 9TH
er commodities have increased.
Some of the replies, in brief are
summarized:
Colorado.-Brown & Nourse, attor-
neys for the First National bank:
"The business of this part of the
country has vastly improved under
the republican administration. Cat
tie are worth twice as much as they
were four years ago, sheep two or
three times as much. Many of the
farmers Cor ranchmen) have paid up
mortgages existing years ago. Col
lections are much easier to make and
merchants have little trouble in col
lecting. We can safely say there is
not laboring man in the state of
Colorado (who desires labor) who is
out of work to-day"
Tllinois.-J. r. Walsh Ia democrat)
H,racSlnnf Chiror 1op
never knew time when commercial
paper was paid up more promptly
than to-day; our notary complains
that he has no protesting to do. The
rate of interest is now very low. This
is no doubt due to the additional cur
rency issued under the new law, the
enormous production of gold in this
country, and more prosperous times
generally"
A. G. Becker, dealer in cattle pa
per, Chicago: about $4O,0oo,0oO or
$50,0O0,OO0 annually are now loaned
by eastern banks on cattle, where for
merly this paper was never looked
upon with favor. This, of course, has
madeit very much easier for the farm
erto obtain his money, thereby buying
more cattle, and instead of selling his
corn he kept this for feed, and
for raising hogs. Altogether it
has been quite a revolution for the
farmer all through the west, and we
are very sure it has come to stay,
of course on condition that we retain
sound money and republican admin
istration.'
Indiana.-C. T. Lindsey, Cashier of
the Citizens national bank, South
Bend, Ind, says: Savings and COM
mercial accounts in South Bend have
increased over four years ago IS per
cent, and $50 per cent. each. In gen
eral our farmers are well to do, man
ufacturers are employing world of
men, running full time, and in some
instances over time"
The Second national bank, Rich
mond, Ind: 'Bank deposits in our
community have more than doubled
in the past four years. AT least 25
per cent. of the mortgages on farms
in this locality have been paid. The
merchants are> experiencing a won
0Cllul improvement III dQC.
Indiana national bank, Indianapo-
lis, Ind: "Since 1896 bank deposits
in this community have almost doub-
| led. Interest rates on municipal
bonds have greatly declined. There
is considerably more money being
loaned on mortgages by small invest
ors"
Kansas.-Ira P. Nye, cashier ma
tional bank, Eureka, Kan: "Depos-
| its have increased about 25 per cent.
| since 1896. There has been an i'm
\ provement in our local credits of
from 20 to 25 per cent. Farm mort
| cages have decreased nearly one-half
| since 1896. The principal reason there
! for is the universal prosperity
brought on by wise and judicious
administration"
Kentucky. c. Murray, president
the American national bank, Louis
vile, KY: "All bank deposits in this
community have about doubled since
1896. The agricultural interests in
this whole community have improved
to such an extent as is really remark
| "a Die, anu COHleuIHeuU ana plenty are
| shown on all hands, and only polit.
! ical disturbances occur. We only
hope that four years more of such
prosperity can be attained, for this
community has never before been il
| such prosperous condition.
/ Michigan.-M. L. Williams, vice
president, the Commercial nationa
| bank, Detroit, Mich: Both savings
and commercial deposits have in
creased with us about so per cent
respectively, during the last fou,
! years; while credits of this district
/ have increased about IS per cent. The
! improvement in the condition of the
debtor class has been material
Minnesota. Fl. Digit, cashier
First national bank. Duluth: "a mum.
Der of our people in mercantile pur.
suits who had borrowed money and
were unable to pay four years age
have largely reduced or wiped out
their debts. Some who were IN good
4 financial condition have become very