The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-05-08
For the Gate City
Delightful ExcuYslUu,

~ miles from ke0kuk. Ii was an impromptu
affair. The party were gathered up IN the
course OF an hour or two, and conveyed TO
the Company's depot on the bank Of the Mis-
sissippi, in two omnibuses; one of them be-
ing the mammoth four horsepower coaches
belonging to Messrs. Fowzcr i Trimble run
ming without steam first class, comfortable
omnibuses they are, and destined we trust to
be well supported. Certainly they were well
filled on this occasion, with some Of the most
precious freight of the city.
Arrived at the depot, the party found u
splendid new car, fitted up in the very best
style, into whi,h the excursionists immedi-
ately entered. Uniting business with pleas
ure, this elegant passenger car was placed in
the midst Of the regular construction train,
which was about to start on its daily duty.
Cars loaded with iron rails and cross ties in
front, md cars loaded with stone in rear; all
designsdto advance the progress of the track,
which isnow going ahead at the rate of nearly
half mile day.
About 2 P. NJ, within few minutes after
our arrival, the excellent locomotive, s'Des
Moines," gave two whistles, or shrieks, one
for Kansas, and the other for Belfast, and
the train moved OF in grand style. The road
for the FIRST mile, lies along the bottom land
of the Mississippi river, from which we had
fine view Of the Illinois high lands, and Of
the city of WARSAW on the one side, and of
Alexandria on the Missouri side. Here we
were, moving rapidly in the State of Iowa,
and yet within sight, and almost hailing dis
lance Of two other States--lllinois and Mis-
soulk The course of the Mississippi is here
almost due west, 80 that with gentle turn
in the wood, we soon found ourselves pass
ing up the valley Of the beautiful Des Mones
river, in course somewhat north Of west,
which is the general direction Of the rail-
road. AT Buena Vista, about two miles out,
we were close upon graceful curve in the
river; here the railroad passes little into
the interior, to avoid following the windings
OF the stream. At about eight miles out we
passed the Sugar Greek Bridge, and had an
opportunity of viewing the heavy embark
ments In that vicinity and the deep digging
just beyond. AT about nine miles out rush
was made towards the windows to view Mel
rosa new town. The site is indeed beau
tifaa, and the nearly finished station house
OF the Company is but the nucleus of . -four
ishing village, which must soon ndorn the
highly favorable grounds Of this locality
Many witticsms passed touching the future
OF this embryo city, but the train did not
stop long enough to secure a record of them.
About twelve miles out we enjoyed q com
mandng view Of sand prairie, an extensive,
well cultivated area of bottom land, across
which, after gradually descending from the
upland, the railroad runs. We enjoyed fine
prospect, embracing St. Francsville, on the
Missouri side Of the Des Moines river, and
Camargo on the Iowa side, nearly opposite.
This will, unquestionably, be an important
station on the road, rs the KeokukAnd Kan
sas City Railroad will unite with the Valley
road in this notwithstanding through ST.
francisyille, which is already hourishing
and very en,erprising place. AT the Sand
Frame station, our train passed the other
construction train which had met us and
backed down q mile or two. Here were the
two locomotives, "keokuk'' and "F,ort Des
Moines," working together harmoniously in
the same great cause, symboical Of the flu
ture hearty union Of the cities they repre-
sent. Passing swiftly and smoothly across
Sand Prairie, We again approached nearly to
the bank Of the river, and alternately from
river bank to bottom land, with road Of
easy grades and curves, we arrived at Bel
fast, twenty miles out. The track is laid
mile and half beyond, but most of our car
30 being destined for this point, the ladies
aud gentlemen Of the party took advantage
OF the delay, to step out upon the sward,
which although not very green, is just begin
ming to afford nutriment to the suffering eat
tie Of this region. Belfast, is not yet quite
as large as its prototype in the Emerald Isle,
but when the lock and dam in progress at
tubs point, shall be completed, and the great
water power fully employed, there Is no tell
ing how large it may become. At this point,
the branch track from a valuable gray ell bank
three-fourths Of mile distant, enters the
main line, passing BY Brownies fine saw mill
at which there are now strewed about &C. 600
cross-ties, in readiness for the track, which
as being extended towards Bentonsport at the
a nj frg YA txrn Ill
week. The engineer and contractors are
pushing the work with u determination to
open the road to Bentonsport for regular use
early in July. Bentonsport is thirty eight
miles from keokuk. Early in June they ex :
pee. to extend the track to Pennington, IS
miles.
Captain Samuel Black, the energetic con-
tractor on the grading OF this part Of the
road, although entirely taken by surprise,
politely extended the freedom OF the city TO
the excurtionists, and furnished abundance
of that mos, heal,hful beverage which cheers
without intoxicating to forget sundry
refreshing eatables Of which the party par
took. The ladies had pleasant rambe. and
amused themselves by looking at the peculiar
arrangements OF the track laying, moving
| boarding houses-whilst many busy hands
were engaged unloading the cross ties, iron,
spikes, chains, &c.
Among the guests Of this occasion, were
pr boynton, the celebrated geologist and
| lecturer, making his first visit into the int.
rior Of lowa, although he has explored the
Pacific side Of our continent.
MF. Carver Of Kentucky, Mr.. Shaw Of