Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-10-18
CALL
ON CUSTOMERS
The Trade Special Carrying
Boosters Returns From
Successful Trip
MEN URGE LOYALTY ~
TO>HOME MERCHANTS
Hearty Reception at Every
Place Between OttumWa
and Pennington

/
The trade special carrying the mem
! bers of the Retail Merchants associa-
ton and the Fifty-fourth regiment
band returned last evening at 8 o'clock
from Eldon where they concluded the
days program of speeches and con-
certs that they had been giving at
every station to and including Farm
ington. for the boosting. OF Ottumwa
and her products.
The train left the union depot about
1880 yesterday morning with three
cars,-two coaches and baggage car.
The men in the party were representa-
tives Of the best bargain center In the
state and practically each one repre-
sented different branch of the mer-
chandise that is carried here.
The baggage car contained thous-
ands of Ottumwa made cigars and
many flowers and newspapers that
were distributed among the crowds at
stopped. The care of the baggage car
was in charge of Archie Burris. The
preparation Of the entire day S program
was in charge of the secretary of the
association, Robt. j. Shanahan. Agent
]. G. Finesey of the Rock Island per
sonally conducted the party. The
speeches, concerts and line of march
were all arranged in every detail, by
the time that the train arrived at the
station and in this way no time was
lost at any placer Complete organiza-
ton and cooperative work was shown
all through the day.
After five minute stop at the AL
pine mine for the men to look over
the newest coal mine near here the
special proceeded straight through to
Pennington making no stops en- route.
Arrive at Pennington.
- A stop of forty minutes was made
at Pennington. Upon the arrival at
the depot the line Of March was form
ed The band lead by DR.. G. M. Work
and followed by the boosters walking
by twos marched to the main street.
A short band concert was given while
the favors were being distributed. w.
H. Cooper was the first speaker here
and he said, I'VE are here to extend to
all OF you hearty invitation to come
to Ottumwa at any time. We are the
largest city within radius of two
hundred miles, between Burlington
and Omaha and. between st. Louis and
Cedar Rapids. 3 We are glad to meet
you in your home city"
J. B. Sax then gave, short talk
saying. This trip was organized by
the Ottumwa Retail Merchants asso-
citation for the purpose of meeting you
and becoming acquainted with you.
We want to tell the Harrington ner-
chants that we do not come as an In.
vading army. We are only here to get
the local trade that goes away. Our
only purpose is to say that If your
local merchant fail to- supply you
with your wants, then don't send away
for your merchandise but come to Of
tumhwa and buy 1t. We want you to
know that Ottumwa is on the map"
w. A. Work then was introduced
and gave few remarks dwelling on
the same thought that the other speak
ers had given, that the party was only
there to ask for the local trade that
could not be satisfied in the home city.
After another short concert the men
marched back to the depot and
boarded the train for the next station.
Autos at Bonaparte. =
The boosters were met at Bonaparte
by Mayor Percival and the business
men in autos and taken to the city
park where a short concert was held.
A. short Introductory speech was given
by Mr.. Percival after which N. r. Reed
spoke for the boosters being followed
by W. A. Work. The men then
marched back to the depot and short
concert was given by the band. The
musicians scored quite hit with their
song Were from Ottumwa." A stop
Of half an hour was made at Bona
parte. ~
Stop at Bentonsport.
A fifteen minute stop was made at
Bentonsport, the party headed by the
band marching up the main street.
Favors were distributed and short
concert given. The stop was largely
featured by the local Characterization
of the popular and well known Mutt
and Jeff. After another band concert
at the depot and the train left for
Keosauqua. ar.
Dinner at keosauqua.
A two hour stop was made at Keos-
auqua. Mayor C. l. Manning and City
MdTSHdt lHHClS JOAASOA uSSOAAPnLAASN
by delegation of ladies met the party
with autos and preceded by the band
the march was made to the public rest
room. Here a sumptuous dinner was
served by the Ladies Aaid society OF
the First Methodist church. School
was dismissed for the afternoon and a
large crowd was gathered around the
porch of the rest room from where
the talks were given.
A. H. Nelson introduced W. A. Work
an ex-citizen of Keosauoua. Mr.. Work
said. 81 would like to talk first to these
Ottumwa fellows about this town and
what it has done. 1t is one of the old
est towns in Iowa having been settled
believe in 1885. There have come
from this place many prominent men.
These include Mr.. Manning, governor
senator and Judge Wright, Clay Cald-