Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-19
Opens Permanent Memorial
to Man Well Known for
His Craftsmanship
NEW GROUNDS ARE
OLD FAMILY HOME
Dwelling Made Over Int.
Community House for
Chautauqua's Use

day Bloomfield and her citizens ar,
entertaining William Jennings Bryan
who comes here to dedicate the new
Weaver park, which has recently beer
acquired by the city for both lasting
memorial to General Weaver and
permanent place In which to hold the
sessions OF the Davis county chautau.
qua.
For several weeks preparations have
been In the making by committees
made UP of local men to insure the
success OF today's affair. The park
In the north part of the city and has
beautiful landscape perspective. The
entrance to the grounds Is from one
corner from which the walks and
drives wind through immense elms
and oaks to the brick home. In which
for many years the Weavers lived.
This house Is to be made over into
community center house to be used In
connection with the park The rustic
bridges over the little stream which
meanders through the yard will be
used and several improvements about
the place are being considered.
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryan arrived at Bel
knap at a. M, coming from Prince
ton, Mo-, and were met there by Henry
Taylor who accompanied them to
Bloomfield where they are guests at
the Taylor home for the day.
The rain that fell during the night
continued until o'clock this morning
and for time 1t was thought neces.
sary to have the program in the opera
house. Later it was decided to use the
Weaver home as originally planned.
Among the visitors here for the day
are former Congressman SAINT Kirkpat-
rick of Ottumwa, D. w. Hamilton OF
Sigourney, and Senator L. l.. Wilson Of
Centerville.
Crowds began arriving on the early
morning trains over the Wabash from
the north and south and from the east
al noon over the Burlington. Many
homes have guests and the hotels are
well filed with out Of town people.
The exercises at the park began at 1:3O
and the place was packed by the time
that Mr.. Bryan began his address. He
touched upon the occasion for which
he was the city's guest and lauded tie
memory of General Weaver, who for
80 many years gave the best OF his
life and efforts to Iowa and Davis coun-
ty people. The first regular session OF
the chautauqua will be held in the new
park next week opening on Monday,
August 23.
General James Baird Weaver, for
whom this park is named, was recog-
nized by historians and writer's as
foremost American political leader. He
was born in Dayton, Ohio, June H.
1888. He was graduated from the law
school of Ohio University in 1854 and
began the. practice Of law in Iowa. In
1861 he entered the union army, was
promoted colonel in 1862 and was bre-
vetted brigadier-general in 1865. In
1866-7O he was the district attorney for
the second judicial district in Iowa and
from 1867 to 1873 assessor Of internal
revenue for the first Iowa district. For
some time he was editor Of the Iowa
Tribune published at Des Moines. He
took an active part In the organization
Of the Greenback party, and was elect
ed to congress on It's ticket In 1879
serving one term In 1880 he was the
Greenback candidate for president. re-
ceiving over 100000 popular votes.
Later he was affiliated with the
Peoples Party, was a delegate to the
national convention in 1892, and was
again nominated for the presidency, re.
ceiving over 100000 popular votes.
He lived in Colfax for time and was
mayor Of that city once.