Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-09-25

A. McGrew, Col. Bannister, J. G.
Hutchinson, I. II. Eaton, j. a. Taylor,
Calvin Manning, G.. f., Bbude, S. II
Harper, S. B. Evans. and VIM. McNett.
Colonel Ballingall served as director
for period of over nineteen years
from the organization in 1872, continu-
ously down to his death in March, 1891,
but w. R. Daum has the honor OF the
longest record of service He was
elected in March, 1874, and has served
contlnuouly to the preent time, peri
cd Of over twenty-eight years.
Has Had Six Homes.
First and last the library has had
six different homes in the city, until it
found its final resting place in its pre-
sent beautiful quarters. Since the Or
ganization Of the society it acquired
from thirty-f1ve hundred to four thou
sand books, of which 1,431 volumes
were procured the first year of its eX-
istence. II added $50 volumes in
1915 and in March. 1876, had about
1850 volumes. The accessions for the
next few years We're very small, but
in the year ending March. 1881, there
were added about $50 volumes. From
this on to 1887 few books appear to
have been added. In 1915 200 vol
umes; in 1883. 100 volumes, and in
1889, $50 volumes were procured.
P. G. BalIingall's Gift.
Since 1891 it has received under
the will of Colonel Ballingall the sum
of 5000 year, which has been devoted
in part to the purchase Of new books,
and partly for current and eXtraordi-
nary expenses, including those con-
nected with the movement to estab-
lish the public library. About 5000
volumes We're turned into the new
building, consisting of about thirtv-fve
volumes on philosophy, ITO on religion,
! fifty-four sociology; ten phiology; sew
enty-fve natural science; fourteen Use
full arts; forty fine arts; 27S general
/ literature; 1S9 travels; $50 biography:
1926 history; about 1000 fiction; 200
! childrens books: about 500 govern
ment reports; eighty bound volumes
! of magazines, and about fifty volumes
! of reference books.
$4,000 in Books.
"As near as | can ascertain from
the records, there has been invested in
/ books, between $4,000 and $4,000.
Although one of the objects of the
society was promoting the diffusion
/ of useful knowledge by means of lee
lures OR otherwise it was never very
active or successful along these lines.
Among the pleasant memories
which our people entertain of it's efforts
in this direction, may be mentioned a
lecture by Bayard Taylor in February,
1875, and one by Senator Wilson in
November, 1881. both of which were
profitable and highly instructive and
| entertaining.
"In 1873 it gave an entertainment
under the auspices of local talent in a
play called Union Spy which was al
so successful.
Major Mahon Lectured.
"In 1876 Major Mahon delivered an
entertaining and instructive lecture of
1 "reminiscences of the Late War for
the benefit of the treasury.
4 Its pathway was often beset with
4 thorns, and many an anxious discus.
1 sion in the meetings of the board was
held to devise ways and means to keep
d it going
4 Nearly Collapsed.
I'm 1877 it had reached a state Dor
] dering on collapse, and it's devoted
secretary, j. w. Edgerly, solennly re
4 cords the fact of a bankrupt treas
i ury,' and then adds: We have only
II about fifty subscribers. 1t would seem
that in town of this size, and intelli
i gence, there would be two or three
!, hundred persons who would avail
i themselves of library a sentiment
which think you will all heartily en-
Edorse.
i Situation Critical.
Gin 1878 the situation had become
so critical, that a motion was carried
ry to the city. provided the city would
but nothing ever came of this move
ment.
Get Gifts.
But in these supreme moments O
encouragement, some good Samaritan
generally came forward with liberia
donations and so tided over the crisis
SIN 1883 the Ottumwa Water Work
and T. j. Potter each gave S100. ant
Colonel Ballingall and Mr.. Foster So
each.
IN 1886 Mr.. Potter and Colonel Bal
lingall gave $500 each, and thereafte
! the latter gave $780, at holiday tim
each year, down to his death, and s.
.. is entitled to the honor and credit o
having been the nest liberal patro,
: of the society.
| More BalinaaI Money.
: "Col. Ballingalls devotion tosthe as
! sociation was not allowed to end witt
!. his death, and when his will was open
! ed it was found that he had mad
! generous provisions in it's behalf.
! have already mentioned the annuity o
! $500 year. He also made provision
y for the ultimate accumulation of
4 fund Of $4,000 to be turned over to tn
association, and when this is accom-
plished, the annuity of 5000 is t
y cease. AS other demands upon his es
t tate had first to be met, and anothe
f and prior fund accumulated, som
|, years must elapse before the librar
|. fund can be accumulated. but | am O
d the opinion, from my knowledge O
l. his estate, that this can be accom-
e published within. say, the next tie
t years.
o He also willed to the association
e for library building two lots in hi