Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-09
MAY GET WESLEYAN
Ottumwa Spoken of as New Loca-
ton for Methodist School.
FAVORED BY MEMBERS OF BOARD
Prospect Is That SUCH Move Will Be
Considered Should Parsons College
Decide to Accept Offer of Mt. Pleas
ant Presbyterians.

ant Presbyterians.
Ottumwa may have an opportunity
to secure the Iowa Wesleyan Univer-
sity for this city if the intimation re-
ceived from a prominent member Of
the board of trustees of that institu--
tion is carried into effect by that body.
This sudden change in the matter of
bringing a college to this
city results from the offer
of 100000 that has been made to
Parsons college by the Presbyterians
of Mt. Pleasant, and it is stated that
in case that institution accepts the
offer and moves to the capital of Hen
ry county, there will possibly be a
move made by the friends and sup
porters of Wesleyan in Ottumwa., to
bring that institution to this city So
far as is known this matter has yet re-
ceived no official recognition from the
authorities of the school, but it is
known that this proposition is favored
by some of its staunchest friends.
Looked Upon With Favor.
1t is known that a number of friends
of Wesleyan in this conference have
& for some time looked with favor upon
the proposition to move that school
from Mt. Pleasant. They look upon OF
tumwa as an excellent location for
such an institution for many reasons
and believe that the school would gain
in ways almost innumerable if the
transfer were made.
A Methodist Center.
One of the reasons why Ottumwa is
considered with such favor as loca--
ton for Wesleyan is the fact that Of
tumwa is the very center of Methodism
in the Iowa conference. With three
thriving Methodist churches in this
city there is not city within the
bounds of the Iowa conference that
can come up to the standard of PROS
perity that has been attained by the
followers of Wesley in the Wapello
county capital Even Burlington,
which it is stated holds second place as
Methodist city in this conference, is
considerably behind Ottumwa, and it
is felt by those who are interested in
the welfare of the school that there
is no place where it would receive the
same loyal and continued support as
in Ottumwa.
Has Not Been Supported.
1t is claimed by those who are ia
miliar with the conditions that sur
round the university. in Mt. Pleasant,
that it has. never received the support
that it,,should have from the citizens
of that town. 1t is admitted by many
that the people of that place have been
content to receive all the benefits that
oh tn, fi,a !, Il,
increased advantages that always go
with an educational institution and
with the increased expenditure Of
money that is brought in by the stu
dents and put into business circulation
during the school year. In return for
these and many other advantages it
is felt by many that the citizens of Mt.
Pleasant have never contributed for
the promotion of the interests of the
school in proportion to the benefits
they have received.
Ottumwa as Location.
As claimed by those who are inter-
ested in the betterment Of the condi--
tions of the school, Ottumwa is the
natural place for the location of that
institution. Ottumwa is the hotbed of
Methodism in the Iowa conference and
as a central point in that territory is
better located than Mt. Pleasant
Again, Ottumwa can be more easily
reached from all parts of the confer
ence than nearly any other city. With
its four railroads diyerging in all di-
rections through the north. south, east
and west it would naturally be well
prepared to draw patronage from all
the country about this city, while now
practically the only means of COM
munication and transportation OF
which the school has advantage is that
of the Burlington railroad running east
4 and west.
A Public Enterprise.
Although there has as yet been nc
steps taken by those interested in the
matter, yet it is confidently expected
that the people of Ottumwa and espe
cially the members of the Methodist
churches in the city would give theil
most hearty support to the project OF
bringing this educational institution
to this city. 1t is felt that the spirit
OF enterprise and push that has plac