Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-03
w. G. Brown Sees
a City of Promise
Grand Central Station, New York.
To tho, Edifnr.


To the Editor:
Your very kind invitation to wri.a
word for the New Years Day Cour.
Ter" comes to pretty busy man and
at particularly busy time; and tc
an ordinary call from an ordinary
source should have responded with
a negative.
A call from Iowa, however, and
strongly; and, urging lack of time as
I am glad to say word for old and
new Ottumwa.
Thirty-one years ago next June
went to Ottumwa for the first time, as
train dispatcher of the middle divis
sion of the Burlington road. w. A.
Chatterton was train master, and O.
q. Stewart, chief dispatcher. Our Of
fee was in the old, two-story, frame
building in the east end of the town,
just west of the present Burlington
engine house.
Stormy" Jordan occupied the base
ment with saloon, and old settlers
will recall Tie signs which greeted
visitors entering "Stormy's" place
These signs. painted in large letters,
Nose Paint, The Road to He'll" were
located prominently over the door,
Ottumwa at that time was little
more than village, although an ac-
tive, bustling one, and giving prom.
Use of future greatness.
For about twenty-five years / was
connected with the Burlington road;
and in 1889, twelve years later, it was
my pleasure, as superintendent of the
Iowa lines, to strongly urge upon the
management the Importance Of giving
Ottumwa better passenger facilities,
and, notwithstanding the fact that the
company had just emerged from the
tremendously expensive struggle Of
1888 with its engineers and fremen;
was successful in securing the loca-
ton and construction of the handsome
passenger station on Washington
street.
For number Of years saw but
little of Ottumwa; but in November
spent day there, visiting every part
of the city, and was amazed at the
marvellous growth and the character
Of the Improvements which have come
with the passing years.
Great packing houses cover acres Of
ground; solid business blocks stand
where thirty. years ago was vacant
land or stagnant pools; magnificent
residences crown the beautiful hills
and extend back into wnat was farm
land then.
/ know Of no town in Iowa or else
where, that has shown healthier,
more gratifying growth; and know Of
none of greater promise for the future.
I love the state of Iowa her nennle
and her traditions. From her earliest
history she has been leader in every
great reform.
III the great movement for the abol-
ition of slavery; in Ter steadfast ami
fearless opposition to the saloon; IN
her advocacy of the fair and just re-
gulation of railroads; Iowa has always
been found on the firing line
My father, who died in Ottumwa in
1901, in his 89th year, was a citizen
Of the Territory of Iowa before it be-.
came state; his ashes and those of i
sainted mother, rest in the soil of the
state they loved so we'll; and | look
forward to the time when can lay
down the burden, which grows heavier
year by year, and go back to Iowa
to spend the evening of my life among
the old familiar scenes, and again en-
Joy the companionship of such of the
old friends as have not passed from
life's activities to join the great ma
Jority."
With kindest regards for the Cour-
Ter, beg to remain,
Yours very truly
w. G. Brown.