Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-09-11

and recreation and hitherto there has
been no park to provide it. No place
Where the man, his wife and his fam
lily could go for a days outing. HUI
mainly is gregarious. To herd to-
gether is a part of our social system.
Means Much to City.
1t means much to this enterprising
city that it has provided recreation as
well as labor for its citizens. We
have in Ottumwa all the utilities
which go to make up modern city,
rapid transit as described. SO beauti-
fully in Blackhawk's vision, an electric
lighting plant, steam heat conveyed to
our homes, gas for lighting and cult
nary purposes, waterworks giving us
water at our homes and replacing the
old well curb and rope and bucket.
Then there is our system of education
so wide and extensive, broadening the
minds of our children, our young men
and young women.
Behind Sister Towns.
THE community is pledged to high
err aims with the establishment of pub
lie parks. Places of comfort Places
where man, woman and family can
enjoy days outing Our sister towns
are far ahead OF us in this respect.
Any community ambitious to rise will
find its progress retarded If it neg
lects to provide the means for the
pleasure and recreation OF its people.
[ hail this day as the beginning of a
better era for our city but we must
have more parks than this one. Cald-
well park is beautiful place and no
more fitting site could have been
found It's natural beauty is enhanced
by the scenic views OF the surrounding
landscape which rivals some of the
famous views of the old world.
Enjoy Beauties of Nature.
Some men have said when approach
ed on the question of public park
that what we need is the smoke of fac
tories That is all right, industries
bring growth and afford a means for
the advancement of the community.
We do not expect to let down in our
efforts to build up the commercial vel
fare of the city, and we will continue
to grow as we have in the past. but
now We are up to another proposition.
1t is our duty to see that the people
enjoy the best ideals, that they have
something else to think about besides
the ceaseless grind of labors, that they
have a place where after the days Ia
Dor they can spend few hours enjoy
ing the beauties of nature.
An Important Epoch.
q hope that today will mark an I'M,
portant epoch in the history of the
city and trust that no voice will be
raised in objection or depreciation
when the city is again offered for the
taking, a spot of ground to be used in
identifying the city and providing a
place of recreation for its residents.
Praise for Promoters.
Before | stop l want to say few
words of praise for Paris Caldwell, the
man who drove the first stakes on this
ground and whose wish it was that il;
might some day be used as public
park, to which purpose it
has been dedicated today.
And to his son, Joseph Cald--
well, Of ST. Louis, who has carried out
the wishes of his father and placed the
land at the disposal of the city of OF
tumwa. | want to thank Mayor Pick
Ter for the enterprise and perseverance
he has displayed in securing the
grounds and in the improvements
which have been made. l want to ex-
tend thanks to the rest of the city
council and officers for the part they
have taken in the work that has been
done. 1t is now our duty to see that
the park is made a place of comfort
and of beauty. We must ask the OF
tumwa Women's clubs to assist in
the work of adjoining and beautifying
the park and making it a thing of
beauty as we'll as comfort and rest.
Let Good Work Co On.
All persons should see that this en-
terprise that is now up to the city
shall not fail and go down. Let the
good work go on. | want to see a park
in the East End. park in the North
End and park on the South Side.
This is my doctrine and sentiment and
every effort on my part will be to aid
the city officials in this enterprise.
which is for the good of the town and
the community. 1t is now up to the
citizens of Ottumwa to see that this
enterprise, which has had such an aus
picious opening shall not fall
Mr.. Brewster's Address.
Mayor Picker then introduced S. A.
Brewster who spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
men: ! don't know just exactly why
Mayor Picker asked me to assist in
this dedication as there are many older
residents of the city among YOU unless
it is that he would like to hear the
views of a newcomer regarding the
park question. | am comparatively
new in this city. Not we'll known toi
many of you, but ever since came tot
the city, it has been a wonder to me-
how the town has grown up to its 4
present size disresarding the needs of
a public park. In the remarks of Ma
jor Mahon, touching on the work that
has been done for the commercial and
industrial enterprises, | find a partial
exclamation Why orr civ is sO Far. no