Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-08

= Dear Sir:-Mr. Carnegie has in
structed his cashier, r. A. Franks,
Carnegie building, Pittsburg, to =
: honor the drafts of the proper au- y
thorites of your city, for sums as
needed from time to time to pay for 3
the building, to the extent of $780,
600. have to send you Mr.. Car
negie's congratulations on your =
success, and best wishes for the Ii s.
brary. Very respectfully yours
James Bertram, y
Private Secretary. 3
p. ST. have asked several archi. =
= tects to send you their cards. -
y s. /. = u /. = g
The foregoing copy of letter re-
ceived yesterday by President J. T.
Hackworth of the library association,
tells a story that is pleasing to the
residents of Ottumwa. 1t means that
those who have been working so hard
for many months to secure hand
some library for the city of Ottumwa,
have met with success. 1t means that
further doubt and worry is unneces-
sary, for within year Ottumwa will
certainly have one of the finest and
best library buildings in the west.
President Hackworth today called
meeting of the library board for tomor-
row night. 1t will be held in the city
hall at 1880 o'clock. At this time the
letter will be formally read and acted
upon, and the president and secretary
will be authorized to advertise for
plans and specifications, and to pro-
coed with whatever other details may
be necessary.
The central idea is to get everything
in shape for proceeding with the work
of erecting the building as early as
possible next spring. Architects will
be invited to submit plans and speci-
ications for the consideration of the
board, and upon the adoption Of those
which prove the most suitable to a
majority of the board, bids will be adj
vertised for. Following out the usual
plan in such cases, the most accepta-
bic bid will be selected, and the con-
tract awarded. Then work on the
foundations, ETC., will be commenced.
Every step will be watched with inter-
est, because there is not person in
Ottumwa, it is ventured. who is not
anxious to see the building completed.
Some Library History.
hC otOIy VI CAO. llDTdIY
matter to date is as follows:
Christmas day, 1S99--R. III. Moore
wrote Andrew Carnegie asking that he
include Ottumwa in the list of cities
to which money would be given, under
condition, for library purposes.
January 6, 1900-R. II. Moore re-
ceived a letter from Mr.. Carnegie say
ing he had so many applications where
cities We're willing to give $4,000 per
year for the support of a library, that
his hands were full; yet he would be
interested in knowing is Ottumwa were
also willing to comply with the condi-
lions. Mr.. Moore answered immedi-
ately, expressing Ottumwa's? willing
ness.
January 13-Mr. Carnegie answered.
saying he would give the amount
$4,000.
May 16, 19O0-Public meeting OF
citizens at which time request for spe.
cial election was formulated and sent
to the council
May 21-Resolution calling for a
special election referred to the coun,
Gil as a committee of the whole.
June 4-Council adopted resolution
| calling special election.
June 19-Election held.
! June 25-List of proposed trustees
not confirmed.
July 2-Report of election showing
proposition to have carried by a ma
| jority $40 votes.
July Proposed ordinance pro
viding for the establishment and
maintenance of a free public library
read the first time and laid over.
| August petition signed by citi
zens asking council to call specia
election. Referred to the council as {
committee Of the whole.
August 20-The city solicitor in
structed to take the library case in
to the supreme court, to ascertain
whether or not women have The
right to vote.
September 3-Report of council com
mittee of the whole, recommending
that another election be held, con
Cured in.
September Council adopts reso
luton calling special election fo
| September "a.
September 24-Election held.
October Council voted to concu
in the appointment of Messrs G. NJ
Myers, |. |. Smith, D. e. Chisman
Frank Simmons, w. A. McIntire
George Withall, J. T. Hackworth, G
p. Brown and s. P. Hartman as
board Of library trustees.
| October Official election return
canvassed by the council; found tina
the library proposition was carrie,
by majority of 534.
1 October 15-Proposition For Il
brary site submitted to council as fo
lows: Kreckle property, $1,000; Dl
d. G. Brockman property, $1,000
VIM. Daggett lots $3.50; Wapell
Club site, $4,000; Fields lots, corne
Third and Washington streets, $4,000
Gillispie property, corner of Secon
and Green streets, $4,000; (part q
same, $4,000; lot at northwest col
ner of Marion and Second streets
$4,000 All referred to the council a
committee of the whole.
October 15-Ordinance adopted b
council making tax levy for TIL
purchase of ground for library site
October 15-Council as a commit
tee of the whole, authorized to pul
i, obaea q sita and tn nladpa tho 1ihra n