Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-11-10
business man understands There are

business man understands. There are
nor more empty business houses here
than in other towns that went dry
last spring, in towns where Mr.. Sun.
day was not. He speaks of many emp.
ty residences. and states that there
are "at least four hundred empty resi-
dences.' challenge the statement and
say 1t is false have been over the
town much since my arrival in my
pastoral work and have found an ex-
ceedingly few empty desirable resi-
dences. Some of the undesirable
homes have been vacated since the
closing of the saloons and these who
mad spent their money over saloon
pars nave been able to move into bet
ter homes for their Families. | tray
ersed two of the principal streets
this afternoon and found very few
houses with For Rent signs up. Not
more, dare say, than you will find in
ottumwa tonight A friend of nine
said to me few days ago that he
could not bring his family here for a
While for Il cannot find suitable
home for them"
AS to the Great Western race meet
that has been here for. wears II was
pulled OFF this year. true. But il is
commonly stated that it is done to
punish the people for closing the sa-
looms. The man at the head OF it is
reputed 10 be a saloon sympathizer,
ana does this to punish the people.
Last Sunday, Oct 25th. there
We're 10 DRINKS arrested In Decatur"
ihat' Is what we read In our dailies
and assume that it is true. But in the
paragraph Mr. Hill forgot to state that
since the saloons closed last Nav. the
Tth, there have been less than 100 ar.
rests IN the city, and that for the cor
responding time in 1907 there were
over $50. Why Won't he he honestp
Why won't he give all the factso WHY
VIII he assume to be an enlighterer TO
the citizens of Ottumwa and keen bacl,
part OF the facts-facts, too, that arc
published IN each issue of the Deca.
tur Herald. and he can have for the
reading.
The diamond gag" is a simple and
beautiful story. Mrs. Sunday had oivan
to Mr. Sunday diamond ring The
iime arrived when Mr.. Sunday felt
that he ought not longer to wear the
same. So last spring when the Y. w.
=. A. were irving to raise fund with
which to build a new Y. W. C, A
Mr. Sunday was here and
gave them his ring II was immed;ate.
~ sold for $500 Just last wee,, Inc
purchaser OF the ring put it upon sale
stating that "all that The ring wouId
bring above $500 should go to the Y,
W g. A. That is all that there Is to
that lie.
But | have written too long already.
Don't fear what this saloon bucnn
says. They will lie and browbsat aid
scandalize. but you will find Mr.. Sun
day and his workers genuine helpers
TO Ottumwa and expect to hear
great things being accomplished for
The redemption of those whom thjs
damnable institution of the saloon
has been cursing for generations. Give
hin chance and under God he will
do the rest.
shall hand your communication TO
some OF our business men tomorrow.
am with earnest prayers for your
success, Very truly yours.
John G. Willis.
p. s. The compiler of the new did
rectory told me last week that the
new directory would contain $4,000
names. He further said II have seen
practically all the business nor OF
the city. and with the exception of but
II or 10 all rejoice that the saloons
are closed