Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-06
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 10000
8 NEIGHBORHoOD NEWS 8
Observation-Disclosures
Batavia. "a

III. 4, Batavia.
Batavia. Jan. 5.-A former resident
of this place, who now lives in Ottum-
wa, visited with Batavia friends re-
Gently. His views will be read with
interest, as indicated in the following
letter written for the Courier
have been passing few days at
and near Batavia, the interesting lit
tie town thirteen miles east of Ottum-
wa | first became acquainted with
the good people of the then small vii
lage in 1865. The village at that time
was located quarter of mile north
of the present business center, but
think it was in 81 that the houses
We're moved down nearer the B. M.
r. R. and the old town and the new
are now united and form an interest
ing and busting little city. | took
pleasure in reviewing the scenes OF
"auld lang syne," but it was mixed
with an element of sadness for the
lost faces passed to the land O. the
leal" | found their names recorded,
however, on the monuments in the
neat little cemetery.
A few of the old faces, however, are
yet In evidence, notably Casper Durr,
the kind hearted old German merchant,
who has been in business all these
years until recently. He has been
prosperous and has retired. He and his
good wife are enjoying the rest from
busy and strenuous lives. M. D. Bald
ridge, the old, jolly Batavia physician,
| is yet young in heart and will die IN
the harness. There are but few If any
famines in the township that have not
had his professional services. think
he has saved many lives Dy making the
patients laugh.
M. B. Sparks is and has been the
city lawyer for perhaps thirty years
He talks frequently of the land be
yond the river"
Walter Lewis is successful and is
4 winning golden opinions from the citi
zens. Fred Taylor, the Naseby of the
community, is popular and an efficient
official. The school building has beer
enlarged and presents quite an impos
4 ing appearance. Four teachers are
4 employed. There is no saloon in Ba
tavia and has not been for severa
years. The sentiment is not favorable
a to saloons / think the citizens are
not fanatical, but prudent, and do no
think the saloon could add anything tt
the prosperity or morality Of their lit
tie city.
(. The city is well represented in DIR.
goods and grocery stores, also hard
ware and good lumber yard. There
are two good drug stores. These al
have a satisfactory trade. The tow
site is underlaid with sheet of pure
cool water at an average depth of six
teen feet. Batavia's being situated
midway between Ottumwa and Fail
field is unfortunate for the town, a
those towns draw much of the trad
that would otherwise go to Batavia
On New Years day Iattended the sew
enty-second birthday anniversary o
David R. Henderson who is a Courie
reader Of over thirty years. Forty-fiv
of his old neighbors and friends wer
J present. A fine rocking chair was pre-
sented to him, and Mrs. Henderson
was presented silver knives and forks
The writer had the pleasure of maxim
! the presentation speech. Then cam
dinner. l will not attempt to@describ
!: lit. 1t was Just a bountiful countr
, dinner, complete in every detail
My letter is too long.
Respectfully, l. n. r.