Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-26
Ottumwans Favor Plan Broached
by Courier Yesterday.
WHAT PROMINENT CITIZENS SAY
Interviews Bring Out Expressions of
Sentiment Heartily in Favor of Max.
ing an Effort to Secure Removal of
Parsons College to ottumwa.
[From Fridays Dally.I

ttrom Fridays Daily.J
Public spirited men of Ottumwa,
men of brains and money, are heartily
IN favor OF doing everything possible
to secure the removal of Parsons col
lege from Fairfield to Ottumwa. The
article which appeared in the Courier
last evening struck a responsive cord
in the city, and the result may be the
ultimate establishment of Parsons col
lege here by the board of trustees.
The old idea that manufacturing
city is bad place for college has
been dying away during the past few
years, just as has the idea that a col
lege is better in a small place than in
large one. Both are out of date and
have been disproved so many times
that to advocate them would be folly.
This is the opinion of several Ottum-
vans of influence and experience, who
were interviewed today by represent
alive OF the Courier The general idea
OF all who were approached seems to
be that Ottumwa and Parsons college
would both be benefited if the educa-
tional institution We're to be removed
to this city.
Mayor T. n. PickIer.
Mayor Thomas H. Picker is decid-
eddy in favor of doing everything with
in the range of possibility to secure
, the institution. He said, Parsons col
lege is the very thing Ottumwa needs.
This city is admirably located for just
such an institution. 1t has excellent
railroad facilities several good loca-
lions which would be excellent for col
lege sites, and has no educational in
stitution to rival Parsons If it were es-
tabllshed here. | think that anyone
who looks at the matter seriously will
see readily many reasons why the col
lege and the city would be benefited.
Inc influence upon the town caused
by the educational advantages of the
school the benefits to be derived from
the money which would be brought to
The city by students from outside
cities and towns, the increase in the
value OF the real estate in the vicinity
OF the college site, and the advantages
IN the way OF increased attendance,
both OF local and outside students. ac-
cruing to the college through its loca-
tlon IN larger place than Fairfield,
are all arguments why this city should
obtain it. Now is the time for Ottum-
wa to act, and l am heartily in favor
OF doing everything possible toward Sc
curing the institution. l will do all in
my power to attain that end
Hon. S. H. Harper.
Y Senator S. III. Harper, who is AFT
present president of the Ottumwa
Commercial Exchange, is also decided
~ in favor of the plan. He expressed
himself; 1T is undoubtedly a SPLEEN
lid opportunity for Ottumwa to i'm
prove and at the same time to do good
for the college. l have not looked in
TO the matter, but if there is nothing
IN the shape of endowment or obliga-
lions to hold the institution in Fair.
( field | believe this city might secure
1t If the proper steps are taken. The
college would benefit Ottumwa and
would in turn be benefited by its re.
moval. The idea is a splendid one
and | will be glad if it is carried out
successfully"
Hon. A. w. Buchanan.
There is no question but that OF.
tumwa should, if possible, secure Par
sons college. 1t is the best step that
this city could take. The good in
tiuences the institution would exert
would in way counterfeit the evil
ones with which the city is credited
now. The financial side of the mat
ter is also good one, and to my mind
Ottumwa's best interests, as well as
those of the college, will be subserved
il the institution is removed from
Fairfield to Ottumwa."
Frank w. Simmons.
believe that the establishment