Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-08-29
NOTES CHANGE
SINCE LEAVING
w. n. CALDWELL FINDS OTTUM-
WAS PROGRESS A REVEAL
TIoN AFTER ABSENCE.
DRIVES ABOUT CITY
Sees Familiar Scenes and Faces But
a Preponderence Of Strangers In
Old Home Left In the
Village Days.

Like visit with the characters and
in the places made famous by Wash
ington Irving, several hours of yester-
day were spent by former acquaint-
ances and boyhood friends of William
HI. Caldwell.
AS the former Ottumwan was being
taken about the city in autos and car
riages to review the old scenes and
witness the changes in the old village
of Ottumwa since Its days OF swad-
ding clothes until today in It's pride
it rests majestically upon the hills and
levels along the Des Moines. That the
trip about the city Of his boyhood was
enjoyed was more apparent than
words can tell, and his joyful express
sion as he saw again some old
familiar place that held sufficient OF
the olden times about 1t to recall its
appearance of thirty-three years ago,
was enough without words to show
that he was living again the old days.
Nor was he alone, for those
with him who as boys Joined
in the same pranks, went to
the same school, fought the
same battles and perhaps courted the
same girls; they too lived over the
days that have been put away IN
memory's recesses to await the com
ing of Billy Caldwell or some other
old timer whose visit would revive
the scenes thought dead through be-
ing forced aside by the cares Of bust
ness. Old places called to the minds
of one or another of the party some
prank, incident or saddening occasion
In the days even preceding the war
Sadness was put aside and no place
was permitted it's contemplation, for
the occasion was to be one of enjoy
ment, and smiles chased away I'M
pleasant recollections as they appeared
and mirth was general throughout the
trip. Beyond the expression, you
cannot imagine what this means to
me-" little else could the well known
and honored visitor say to express his
Joy at the sight of SO much that he
supposed was gone forever from his
life. 1rving's Rip Van Wrinkle saw no
more changes or enjoyed the return
to the old town more than did this
former Ottumwan who for the past
thirty-three years has been citizen
of Kansas, but always loyal son OF
Wapello county and mindful OF the
old town of Ottumwa.
Stories were told and the sight of
some familiar place which perhaps In
his day bore some name now forgot
ten except by the older pioneers, was
made the occasion of reviewing an In
cident that was town talk at that time
and perhaps the joke of the village,
Families long since passed away from
Ottumwa either to the great beyond
or to other states were brought to
mind with the sight of some old home.
A visit through old Joppa or passing
the half-mile house, chasing up the
creek that long since gave way to the
Blake's branch sewer, the recalling
of the proclamation that was posted
on the top of Joppa's hill, these and
countless other places and things
made up much of the talk that the
pioneers INDUCED in along the trip.
Trip In an Auto.
The morning was made the occasion
of an auto trip for the honored guest
when Mayor s. H. Harper, an old
crory of Mr.. Caldwell's, and B. J.
Boulton, another old friend Of the re-
turned Ottumwan called for Mr.. Cald-
we'll and a trip over Ottumwa was
begun.
The trip taken was first out to the
old Second street home of Mr. Cald-
we'll and on west to the park that
bears the name of Caldwell and as
far west as Fairview or old Graves
town Returning to the business Sec
toion of the city the party started
south across Market street bridge and
out to old Richmond and as far as
Blake park and Wildwood country
side. Familiar places not recognized
by the present generation such as
Jones farm, Finley's farm and num-
erous other spots that today would
not be known by the titles they were
given in the days of Billy Caldwell
were visited.
The party went along by the Dain