Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-03
oTTuMWA,s NEW PARK.

The press of the state is comment
ing freely on Mr.. Leighton's donation
of land to the city for park purposes
The Burlington Hawk-Eye believes
that park is the most substantial and
enduring monument a citizen may
leave to posterity The Waterloo Re
porter holds up Mr. Leightons gener
GUS gift as an example to the wealthy
citizens of Waterloo.
The Hawk-Eye in an editorial in It's
Sunday morning issue under the cap
ton can Enduring Monument, mas
this to say of Mr.. Leighton's gift:
A. C. Leighton, prominent resident
of Ottunwa has given that city fifty
acres of fine land near the city, to be
converted into q public park where the
people of the town may enjoy the flow
ers and the sunshine and the tempting
shade. There is man who builded
we'll. There are those who erect for
themselves towering monuments OF
marble and granite. And such monu
ments are found everywhere, and
here are few to inquire who was ne
that slumbers beneath that vast pile
of rock. And il some time has elapsed
since the tenant has moved into his
tomb, in all likelihood, there will be
none to recall who he was or why
here was so much ado over his pooT
dust.
And here and there one finds bet
Ter way to rear unto himself monu-
ment that will not be destroyed by the
elements and that will not fail in its
purpose. No doubt. in after years
here will be thousands upon thousands
who will find peace and pleasure and
happiness in that park and who will
surn with grateful thoughts to the man
who had the forethought and the gen
crosby to provide this handsome gift
for his city. No doubt the town has
done well by Mr. Leighton and his gift
shows that he appreciates the fact and
is truly thankful For the man who
has, should express his gratitude in
something more substantial than
smoothly flowing phrases. And as our
people become more and more an OUT
of-doors race, there will be ever larger
numbers who will in the years to come
think with kindliest feelings of this
cheerful giver.
The reference to the Ottur,v-i park
l,y the Waterloo Reporter, WI eli was
also made in the editorial. column, fol
.nws:
A resident of Ottumwa has given a
fifty-fve acre tract of land. Il roadway
eighty seAt wide and q quarte.' CT Il
mile long leading to it to the public
FL PARK purposes. The tracI is said
to be admirably adapted for park pur
poses and that it possesses rare natur-
III beauty. Ottumwa can count herself
fortunate in having citizen of such
generous impulse. # envy were a.
lowable, Waterloo would be one of the
municipalities that would wish to fare
rs well as Ottumwa has at the hands
Of an esteemed citizen. If there is a
wealthy resident of Waterloo who
wants to emulate the worthy example
Of the Ottumwa citizen and desires to
follow in footsteps that will insure the
most respectable perpetuation of his
name 10 posterity the Reporter can
place him in communication with the
park commissioners OF this city with
out delay.
Ottumwa fully realizes its good for.
tune in being made the recipient IF
such a gift and the citizens may be
relied upon to do their part in making
the most of the gift by establishing
an ideal park on the land made avail
able, by Mr. Leighton