History

On Wenesday August 22, 1900 an old settlers meeting was held in Ottumwa and Major A. H. Hamilton was one of the speakers.

Major A. H. Hamilton, of Ottumwa, said that he came to Iowa forty-six years ago, and that when he stopped to reflect over the time that has intervened he saw a most wonderful change.  One hundred years ago his father left the old Massachusetts home and emigrated on horseback with his father to Cleveland, Ohio, a journey of 1,000 miles, and now it is possible to almost cross the continent in one-tenth the time that that Journey occupied.  Major Hamilton said that when he came to Iowa. Agency was competing with Ottumwa as the principal city in the county, and he was told to stop at the former as it was bound to be the metropolis, and that he would die if he ventured into the swamps of the latter.  "Ottumwa was then about the dirtiest hole I ever got into," continued the major, "and it remained so for several years after I located here. I was raised on Lake Erie, where malaria is never known, but when I came to Ottumwa I became a victim of the disease and for three consecutive years shook with it."

The Major also related an amusing Incident in connection with his wedding trip which was made through a portion of Iowa via stage. "Those were grand times after all." continued the major. "We were all one common people then, and were not classed in society as is the custom of today." He also related some of the hardships which the pioneers wore compelled to undergo, and cited as one instance an experience of his own when he was practicing law. He said he had gone out to Competine to try a case, and was compelled to remain overnight.  It was Saturday, and the next morning he intended to return home. He slept on the floor that night, (an accommodation a lawyer of today would scorn) and when he awakened, Sunday morning, found the ground covered with a foot of snow. He was unable to drive home and so urgent was it that he get back to Ottumwa that he walked the sixteen miles through that snow.  The major concluded his interesting reminiscences by referring to the rapid decline of the few pioneers who are left. He said: "There are few who have not passed their threescore years and ten and many have reached four score. The joys and things of this world are but toys in the hands of children, after all we will soon tire of them but our souls are mortal and will never die." Ottumwa Courier Thursday August 23, 1900

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