Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-07-20
WOOD REPORTS ON
VARIOUS ROUTES
INTERuRBAN DIRECTORS MET
SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND
DETERMINED PLAN.

With several routes in view and the
surveying force to begin work this
week, the likelihood Of an Ottumwa
interurban line is no longer matter
of doubt but an assured fact. This
much was determined at the meeting
Of the directors of the Interurban Con-
struction Co., held Saturday afternoon
at $3.50 o'clock in the rooms of the
Ottumwa Commercial association on
East Second street. The report from
Engineer Robert P. Wood of Indian
apolis, who made the investigation Of
number of routes from Ottumwa to
nearby towns was read, which in an
exhaustive manner went into the de-
tails of his tours about the county and
showed the practicability of the vari-
Gus routes.
Four Routes Favored.
While several routes were mention
ed In the report, but four Of them are
likely to receive attention at present,
and these are by far the most prac-
ttcable from every standpoint. These
point west, north and east and touch
such places as Oskaloosa, Eldon, AL
bia, Eddyville, Fremont and Agency.
| The specific routes to be surveyed
first will be Eldon via Agency, Ottum-
wa to Abba, Oskaloosa via Fremont
and Oskaloosa via Eddyville. These
routes met with the greatest favor by
the board of directors and while other
routes were discussed the four men
toned are likely to be the only ones
considered at this time at least
Begin Survey This Week.
The meeting was attended by Presi-
dent T. D. Foster, Secretary w T..
Harper, and Directors Mahon, Neash-
am and Garner 1t was decided to
have Expert Engineer Wood and his
assisting force Of engineers arrive II
the city early during the present
week and begin Immediately on the
survey of the lines determined upon
by the board.
centerviIe Being Talked Of.
The line mentioned via Fremont
meets with much favor by great
many who have studied the interur-
ban proposition out Of Ottumwa and
others talk Of a line to Centerville in
asmuch as no line south has been con-
templated In the report of the engi-
neer. Interurban communication with
Centerville could be made in two
4 routes either of which many think
would be practical and bear good re-
suits to the road. One of these is
suggested as bee line from Ottum-
wa and the other lies along the towns
of Blakesburg, Foster and Moravia to
} Centerville.
Copuroeep,n vJiJro,, ID Nrny;pyor
of Champaign, Ill.,, who is at present
endeavoring to secure certain electric
properties In Des Moines, stated in al
Interview that he has been interested
in Ottumwa investments and is nc
stranger to Iowa. Whether he is be
ing considered in the Ottumwa propo
sition cannot be learned at this time
In the course of the interview Con
gresham Mckinley stated at Des
Moines:
81 am no stranger to Iowa, havins
been interested in investment com
panies in Ottumwa, Jefferson ant
Council Bluffs during the past twenty
five years. / believe that Iowa is the
greatest agricultural state In the unior
with untold chances for developments
:. Dig rutuTe TOT iowa.
"Interurban roads are the sures
: and quickest means of building u,
: any community. We believe tina
Springfield, ILL.,, owes its rapid growtl
4 and commercial prominence to the in
tt terurban roads that have connected i
(, with the outlying communities. TIL
n same rule would hold good here, an
/, it may be that we will engage ii
similar enterprises in Iowa.
Il have already indicated that W
are considering Iowa as field for tn
projection of interurban railroad:
. With its wealth Of agricultural pursui
and the advantageous manner /
which the smaller towns and cities ar
placed believe that roads of thi
# kind will effectually link large con
a munities in close business relation
J. ship. Des Moines is an almost idea
e location as a radiating center for il
r terurban roads.
, Mrs IT. H. Baker S32 North Ma,