Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-05
RlV Err CONVENTION
Meeting on July %, 1852, to Re.
move Des Moines River Dams.
HELD Al OTTUMWA COURT HOUSE
Discussion on Question of distractions
in River Has Been of Long Standing
Dams Impede Navigaton-An In
teresting Meeting.


Dams Impede Navigation-An In
teresting Meeting.
The discussion relative to the re-
moyal of dams on the Des Moines riv-
er, it seems has long been agitating
the public mind. On July 90, 1852, a
convention was called to meet in OF
tumwa for the purpose of perfecting
plans to remove the old dams from
the river They wished the river
clear at that time that navigation be
not retarded. The discussion still
goes merrily on though now it is the
retardment of the fishes and not the
steam boats that causes the discus
sion In the Courier Of July % in that
year meeting was announced of all
citizens interested in the movement.
The following notice was printed:
River Convention.
"At meeting of the friends of the
Des Moines river improvement, com
posed of citizens of Van Buren,, Davis
and Wapello counties, held in the
court house in Ottumwa on July 8, it
was resovled to hold a river conven-
ton at Ottumwa on July 49, for the
purpose of furthering the interest of
Bald improvement and devising means
to clear the river of the old dams.
The citizens of each township in the
respective counties interested in the
improvement are respectfully request
ed and urged to send three delegates
to said convention.
ct is recommended that township
meetings to appoint delegates
be held on Saturday, July II, at 3
o'clock in the afternoon. Let every
friends of the improvement be active.
Let every township be fully represent
ed, and come together and make a
demonstration that will tell.
The Convention.
On the following day the conven-
ton was held as scheduled and the fol-
lowing resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
whereas, The immediate naviga-
ton of the Des Moines river is of vi
tai Importance to the interests of the
people of the Des Moines valley,
therefore be it
''Resolved, That the interests of
the growing population of the Des
Moines valley demands prompt and
speedy opening of the Des Moines
river, and that therefore the people in
the valley cordially unite for the pur-
pose of effecting the removal of every
obstruction, be it artificial or natural.
Resolved, That the river commits
sioner be and he is hereby requested
to have said distractions removed by
the First day of October, next, and
that in future in constructing dams
the locks for the same be first put in
So as to not obstruct navigation.
'.Resolved, That should said OBJ
structions not be removed as request
ed, by the first day of October, we be.
lieye it to be the duty of the people to
take the matter into their own hands
and effect the same, and we hereby
pledge ourselves without distinction
of party, to cooperate in effecting this
desirable object.
'Resolved, That there be commit
tie of vigilence appointed, consisting of
three persons in each county, by this
convention, whose duty it will be to
watch the progress of the improve.
ment on the ryer, and the removal of
the old dams, and to report every i'm.
portant fact through the newspapers
in the valley, to call conventions OF
meetings in every county interested in
the Improvement, when they may think
the interests of the same require it.
"Resolved, That we pledge our
selves not to rest until we can have
e free navigation of the river fol
cam and fiat boats, in an ordinary
cage of water
Resolved, That this convention ap
point committee of five persons tt
wait upon the improvement board, ant
request the board to communicate tt
said committee what contracts ar
now in force as to said improvements
what amount of money has been ex
pended, how much money the treasur
er now has unappropriated, and hoN
much land of the grant remains IN
sold.
"Resolved, That said committee b
required to report to an adjourne
meeting of this convention at lowe
Vile, on the first day of September
next.
Whereupon the following name
gentlemen were appointed to fill tn
blank in the resolution, of the con
mittee to call for information from tn
Improvement board: E. A. Dudok Bos
uuet, A. d. Wood, J. D. Baker, T
Washburn, General e. A. M. Swaze.