Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-08-10

CuOSeu ny Iu0 COIllIulSSlOuClo 90 'iAS
county seat, the name was changed to
Louisville, but the title was soon dis
carded and the original name, Ottum-
wa, was resumed.
On the 18th of August, 1874, the
first grant was made for a dam, flour
ing mill and saw mill. The first house
was erected May 10, 1843. Seth Rich
ards built the first store building in
1914 and Heman P. Graves had a
stock of goods there. The first hotel
was the Ottumwa House and David
Hall was the pioneer landlord. l am
sure it would be of interest to the
Juniors to know who preached the
first sermon in the county. 7. M.
Kirkpatrick of the NJ. E. church is
to be the one. He is said to have
preached on the Keokuk prairie on the
south side of the river, in an Indian
wigwam made of bark, early in 1843.
Elder Jameson, pioneer methodist
preacher, preached the first sermon In
the city. I'm going to give the Jun
Tors some more First happenings"
The first Fourth of July was cele.
brated in 1874 George May read the
declaration of independence, Judge.
Hendershott and Charles Overman de-
livering orations.
The first building used by the COM
missioners' court was a log cabin
somewhere near the site Of the pres
ent postoffice. The first brick build
ing was one story residence built by
Dow Davis on Main street in 1874.
The first ferry was run by ]. P. Eddy
in 1874. The first jail was built in
1845. The first white woman was
Samantha Shaffer The first court
house was built in 1846 on the corner
of Market and Third streets. The
first postoffice was established in 1843
and the first postmaster was Paul G.
Jeffries. I'll not name any more
"firsts'' for l see I'm firing you Jun
iors already.
The church and school house fol-
lowed in quick succession. In 1850
and 1851, two frame school houses had
been built for the youths of the rap
idly growing city. In 1853 the first
decade had passed into history and
Ottumwa was thriving village with
busy streets and an active wide-awake
people.
It was while the third period of the
city began In 1860 that the call from
the great president came. The wavel
of patriotism which arose swept over
Ottumwa. Such men as Major Mahon,
Major Hamilton, General Hedrick and
many others responded to the call. In
the year 1866 the citizens gave the re-
turning soldiers memorable well
come. Since then Ottumwa Of today
"The Lowell of the West is the city
of destiny in splendid Iowa.
You know, Juniors, that long before
the Market street bridge was built,
people had to go from Old P1ckwick to
Port Richmond or from one side of the
river to the other in ferry boats In
the winter when the river was filled
with ice, it was dangerous. Only about
six men could be roWed across at once.
And the fare was about quarter.
Then came the toll bridge. Sometimes
people had tickets Qike our street car
tickets now and when they wished to
cross over the river they took out
ticket. Afterwards came the free
bridge How glad the people were
to cross over, for money wasn't al
ways to be had when needed in those
days One lady told me that in the
early days of South Ottumwa there
was but one big white house and 1t
was away out. 1t must have been
lonesome for the people. suspect it
seemed like living on farm though.
A lady told me that when coming into
Ottumwa once on train, she stood
on the platform near where the fire
man shovels the coal. l asked her If
it was fun but she replied, Fun? l.
guess not! 1t was dreadfully hot"
There weren't any cars attached to
the train. l am greatly interested
right now in early Ottumwa but II
write any more about it this
time.
Vida Wahle, age IA,
91S E. Williams ST., South Ottumwa.