Ottumwa

Ottumwa, capital of Wapello county, Iowa, on both sides of the Des Moines River, 75 miles by rail W. by N. of Burlington, in the heart of the state's bituminous coalfields. The residence portion extends along the high bluffs. A number of railways meet here; the general passenger depôt cost $125,000. Extensive dams concentrate the river's water-power; and the numerous industrial works include planing, flour, starch, and linsced-oil mills, foundries, plough, cutlery, and screen factories, bridge-works, cooperages, manufactories of furniture, boilers, &c., and a large pork-packing establishment. There is a normal school here. Pop. (1885) 10,506; (1890) 14,001.