Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-13
A Project is on Foot in This
City.
TWO SITES UNDER CONSIDERATION
Both Are on the South side-one Is
the Old Mile Track and the Other at
the Foot of Chester Avenue-ottum.
vans Interested.

There are strong indications that
Ottumwa will have a county fair and
races this fall. A number OF this
city's enterprising citizens have got
ten together, and they are nearly
ready to call a public meeting at
which time it is expected that the pre-
liminary plans will be laid, an organ
ization completed and other details ar
ranged which will sur the project.
Those interested in the matter have
gone so far as to get two sites under
contemplation. One OF these is forty
acres of land lying a short distance
south of Richmond road on the South
Side, to which it is understood the
street car company will extend its
tricks, and the other is the old mile
track. 1t is expected to get the Wa
bash company to build a spur to the
grand stand which will be erected on
this ground. The matter is embyro
as yet, but it is thought those inter-
ested in the matter will get so far
along that they will be able to call a
public meeting within a few days.
Heartily in Favor.
All those who have been talked to
in regard to the matter are heartily in
favor of the project. They believe
that the time has come for Ottumwa
to do something to draw some people
to the city. They believe that no bet
ter way could be thought of than to
hold a county fair. Calvin Manning is
one of those heartily in favor of hold
ing a fair. He says he is ready to at
tend a meeting at any time and lend
| oil tho o;l he Ooceih1u pnr IN mako II
a success. A. B.. Williams, Peter
Cheadle, and many others who have
been approached on the matter are of
the belief that there is no question
but that such ar affair would prove a
great success and they are willing to
lend all their efforts in pushing it. e.
Daggett is another who believes 1t is
time for Ottumwa to hold a fair, and
he has a number of horses he woult
be glad to race if such a thing could
be brought about. N. F. Reed, who
recently removed to this city from Ell
don, is another who is enthusiastically
in favor of the project. He is an old
hand at promoting fairs, and it was
largely through his efforts that the
Eldon Big Four fair has come to be
Sucn a great success.
Tive Sites.
The promoters of the affair have two
sites in prospect. One Of these is on
the Leighton property on the South
Side, a short distance south of the old
Richmond road. 1t is on a direct line
with a proposed extension of the street
car line down Chester avenue and the
company is understood to have indi
Gated that it would build to it if this
site is selected. This piece of land
would be large enough for a half mile
track, and excellent buildings could be
provided for.
Old Mile Track.
The other proposed location is the
old mile track. Here one of the best
tracks in the United States is already
completed and all that would be neces
sary would be buildings and a fence
1t is thought that possibly the street
car company would extend it's line ou'
. to this point. If this could not BIZ
done it is believed the Wabash rail
road could be prevailed upon to built
l a switch up to the grand stand from
its South Side main line. The matte
is being pushed and it is believed tina
those who are working the matter VI
will be able to make a definite an
nouncement within a few days.