Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-12-12
Burned District Being Rapidly
Rebuilt. - ..
NEW STRUCTURES MADE OF BRICK
Town Also Has a Chemical Fire En-
CINE and a Fire Department and Is
Progressive-Other News in and
Around a Good Town.

The two fires which broke out here
last summer, one precisely three
weeks after the other, and destroying
much property, are still fresh in the
memory of the citizens. These fires
were quite a severe loss to some of the
individuals, and appeared to be quite
set back to this little city at the
time, but they are now proving
blessing in disguise to the town in
general, as most of the business build
ings destroyed were dilapidated frame
buildings, and, in fact, veritable fire.
traps. Only one building was of
brick. These eye-sores are giving
place to modern brick buildings.
1t was one pleasant night last June
that Eddyvile was first aroused from
its slumbers by the thrilling cry of
fire This fire swept one-half block
clean of everything except the new
M. E. parsonage, and it was somewhat
damaged. All of this burned district
except three lots is now practically re-
built, and it is understood that neat
store buildings will be constructed on
the three remaining lots next spring
| Elliott & Son are the last to complete
their store building in the fire-swept
district, having moved from the build
ing owned by Mrs. A. Mayer
The new NJ E. church building,
erected on the site of the one destroy
ed by the first fire, is fast nearing com
pletion, and will be an imposing
structure, but it is reported that the
funds of the church are unfortunately
almost exhausted. The public-spirited
citizens should come forward and lend
their aid to the church.
The lots still remaining vacant in
this first burned district are owned by
B. B. Heki and the Misses Jessie and
Manita Harper, but it is not probable
that they will long remain vacant
when spring opens up. When these
| buildings are constructed Eddyville
can then boast of solid block and a
half of brick buildings on the north
side of Walnut street There yet re-
main several old frame buildings on
the south side of the same street, but
at least two of the smaller of these
will give way to a modern brick build
ing during the coming year, as DR.. F.
e. Vance purposes to construct a fine
brick structure on the late Samuel
Stroud lots which he recently pur-
chased.
The quarter of a block which burn
led off last July, just three weeks to
the hour after the first fire, is not
building up so rapidly, only one build,
ing having thus far been erected
thereon, but the people have the as
4 surance that such new buildings as
spring UP will be first class and much
heater and nicer than the eye-sores
{ which formerly covered these lots, as
the council requires all new buildings
in the business district to be of brick
or metal exterior. The building re
ferred to which has been built on the
second burned district is the one put
. up by A. M. Lafferty for marble
shop, and is veneered with brick
The lower floor of the new state
} bank building across the street from
the nrst burned district, will be ready
for occupancy January 1.
!, Taking it all in all, ten new brick
store rooms and one church have beer
erected here during the year 1901. ant
at least three more store buildings
. will be constructed during 1902.
, But this is not all. AS a result Of
the fires Eddyville now has fine
chemical fire engine and we'll organ
, lied fire company of about twenty-five
ulellDelS 10 DSillS u etlilSu III lilS etl L "
, fighting fire, so the past conflagra
tons, while having their bad side
, We're not entirely devoid of good re
suits. The city council has been peti
toned for fire bell.
Another good thing in store for Ed
dyvile during the coming year is /;
!. system of electric lights, which vii
!, soon be voted upon.
Paul Leeling, prominent farmer
purchased the 100 acre farm of Jas. A
: Gray. on Gray's Creek, Monday, 70
$4,000 Mr.. Leeling will doubles
move on his new farm.
On the next literary program by tn
! high school which takes place Frida
. evening, will be a debate. Resolved
! that the state should furnish tex
books for Tie schools" Miss Pear
Y Johnson, Harry Taylor and Miss Tel
rell are among the debaters. Floy
e Lanning will read paper.
ne Sunday school of the Congress
n tional church is preparing gran
christmas eve program.