Iowa Old Press
Ottumwa Democrat
May 15, 1873
ELDON.
A Lively Western Town and Its Inhabitants.
The editor deemed it a duty he owed not only to himself and patrons, but to the people of Eldon, to pay that thriving little town a visit. Eldon is situated at the crossing of the D. V. R. R. and Chicago and Southwestern railroad, is thirteen miles from Ottumwa, and in Washington township. It began its life in earnest when the Chicago and Southwestern railroad was completed to that point, and from that time until now it has progressed and prospered wonderfully. It is one of the Divisions of the Southwestern railroad, contains about 800 inhabitats, has a dozen or so stores, hotels, a public hall, a round house almost as large as the one in this city, and a large number of stirring energetic business men, who all seem to be making money. Among the citizens whom it was our pleasure to meet, we note the following:
About the first man we met was our old friend, Dr. Brownfield, one of the best men in the world, a good physician, and highly respected by his neighbors.
Then there was our other friend, Peter Mulvaney, the live, energetic Mulvaney, who has built up for himself by hard labor and attention to business, the foundation for a fortune. He runs two excellent stores here, one in Belknap, and is largely interested in town property.
Among others whom we met, patrons of THE DEMOCRAT, we mention Thos. Cowley, Morris Dizetell, James Bradley, who won THE DEMOCRAT premium offered to subscribers, F. X. Kaffer, formerly of this city, but now dealer in harness and saddles in Eldon. Andrew Walter & Co., who furnish the people with excellent fresh meat; Mr. W. Brindley, proprietor of a No. 1 boarding house and hotel; J. H. Trader, Esq. who attends to the legal business, and is said to be a good lawyer; Mr. Mosely, the proprietor of the Ashland House, which is equal to any other establishment of the kind in this part of the State; Taylor & Schenck, dealers in dry goods, groceries, and everything else in a variety store; F. M. Jay, who furnishes two splendid billiard tables for the amusement of his many patrons; Dornsief & Green, who manufacture about as fine wagons and buggies as we have seen in Iowa; Dr. J. E. Alverson, who has a neat and well selected stock of drugs; Joel Vest, one of Eldon’s largest men; Mr. J. C. Nelson, railroader; Hardin, Myers & Co., who keep a general stock of dry goods, groceries and notions; Curtis Alderson, on Main street, proprietor of the Farmers store; John Donahue, railroader and a good one at that, like Nelson and Dr. R. W. Huston, a young but it is said a very skillful physician.
Last, but not least, is our friend Cross, of the Eldon House, who is one of the irrepressibles. He had the kindness to hitch up a splendid team and drove us through the town into the suburbs, and out to his coal mine, where he has struck a six-foot vein close to the railroad. He has undoubtedly struck a good thing, and if he will only hold on to it he has got a fortune.
Neither should Mr. E. Cummins be forgotten, a chip off the old block, an honest, straight forward citizen.
Where all were so kind to us it is scarcely fair to particularize, but those we have mentioned are warm friends to THE DEMOCRAT, and assisted us in raising a large club for the best paper in Iowa. (This should be spoken softly, as we are modest and unassuming.)
On the whole, we are well pleased with Eldon, and agreeably surprised to see its growth and business. It will be our task hereafter to watch carefully its progress and report from time to time such matters from there as will develop its resources, and assist it to prosperity. Other towns in the country will be visited in season, and their merits fully spread before the readers of THE DEMOCRAT.
[transcribed by L.Z. Nov 2019]