The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-12-04

For the Gate City.
The Des m oines vafley HsiIroad.
Nh. EDiros: On Saturday last, in oompA-
nv with several other gentlemen, had tho
pleasure Of riding the whole length Of this
road as far as completed. The day was ex-
ceedingly propitious, and the opportunity
good one to see what has been accomplished
by the energy OF Of t H gentlemen whe are en-
gagged In this great work. We have now
over rs miles OF rond running up the rich
valley OF the Des Moines. This road, for
about one ball, tho distance, has been con-
structed within the past year, which proves
not only that energy and enterprise in this
community are not entirely dead, but that 10
the gentlemen who have undertaken, and 80
far accomplished this work, they have rep.
resentatives rarely equaled, and perhaps
never exeeelled-
portion or the road between Bentons-
port and point called the Summit shows
great deal Of heavy work; here are vast
chssms spanned by trestle work OF very
great height, from hich you look down upon
the tops Of the trees growing beneath you.
With the exception OF this part OF the road
is has been Of comparatively easy construc-
ton, otherwise the work accomplished could
not nave been performed.
AT about 2 O'Clock wo reached Ottumwa,
apparently a thriving town, (perhaps
IL 80
fgurstively but literally, . very cynical re.
ception, for crowd Of ferocious dogs were
assau,,ing what seemed to be : stranger Of
their own species, with the resolute purpose
OF expelling him from the town. We, how
ever, were favored With more cordial re-
ception, for . gentleman,-not citizen Of
Ottumws, received rs with smiling coun-
tenanee oDd open hands, and welcomed our
arrival. Once safely landed, NO rambled
about the place for the purpose of sight See
ing, and We did see one sight which was new
to most Of US. Whilst seated at the stove in
the little establishment to which we repaired
for an extemporaneous dinner, We saw several
young men, or rather boys, who approached
the bar and called for brandy, Of which each
a pint, to the brim, and deliberately swal-
! lowed it. should like to take this oppor-
tupity Of whispering into their ears a word
OF advise, AID that il, IS Prentice would say,
not to put their noses into measures which
will certainly damage, and, it persisted in,
will destroy tho constitution. And perhaps
this Same advice, in more senses than one
might just at this tine be given to more dis
tinguished gentlemen in another city than
Ottumwa. We made, however, whilst OF
| Ottumws, ono grave mistake. Ia our haste
/ to procure our own dinner, We missed 6ne
repast Of game which, had been prepared for
US. We nevertheless thank equally those who
intended TO have beer onr generous hosts,
and will promise them that next time we
will be more careful; next time We will
practice lt.le nnre .mastcrly inactivity
and our motto then shall be "festina lente.'
At4 o'clock we started to retracs OUT
journey, and under tho light Of a beautiful
moon We renamed heokuk AZ ABOUT lus
O'Clock, having bad = pleasant excursion Of
more than one hundred and fifty miles. Or
our return eur company Was largely in
creased blythe addition of some six hun
drcd t%rseling companions Of the swinist
races and as presums not one Of them il
i left TO tell the tale Of their pleasant rid.
from Otsumwa to Keoknk on the EVENINGS
the let, have seen lit to do it FOR them
CiyfS;