The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-04-10
A Trip To EacoISusx.

We awaited ourself one day last week, OF
one of those little bits Of pasteboard, which
editors find both ornamental and useful
to ride over the road as far as Kenkuk,
our first visit to that place for some two
years. We left home at o'clock reached
keokuk on time at IL ; left at 2, and should
have reached home at g if the train had not
been delayed ut Ballast some two hours, by
a freight car running off the track. As it
was, we reached home in good time the same
night.
! We found the new portion Of the road in
better condition than we expected. Consider
ing the fact of its hasty and recent construc-
ton, it is in good order. A large force at
work, and the approaching dry weather, will
make it all right. Until the recent rains
which did some damage, trains have made
regular time, making the distance, rs miles,
in about four hours
The gentlemen who have this road in
charge, have displayed remarkable enter
! prise and great financial skill, in pushing
the work forward in times like these, and
we arc gratifiedsto learn that the increase OF
business is such as 20 furnish to them
reasonable prospect Of remuneration. The
weekly receipts have reached, if we reeollect
Alright, about $4,000. The energy and skill
fui management of the Superintendent, Geo.
Williams, Esq, is spoken of in terms of
commentator, both by the company and
the public. ..r.
Business, we were told, has revived in
Keokuk, very considerably, since the extern
sion of the road just and merited reward
to all concernedin opening up this thorough
fare.
We availcd ourself of the opportunity to
renew our acquaintance with "mine host of
the Deming," and as the result of a brief
enjoyment gifts accommodations and hospi-
talitics, can conscientiously say to all who
have occasion to visit Keokuk, that they had
better 90 and do as we did, stop at the Dem
ing. There is no better kept Hotel in. the
West
We paid our respects as in duty bound,
to Col. Curtis, who has returned from Wash.
ington, and is reposing from the cares of
State, in the bosom of bis family We found
the Col. at work among the shubbery of his
garden, an employment which seems quite
congenial to his taste. He has a beautiful
place, in a high state Of cultivation. The
Col looks sad and troubled, in view of the
difficulties of the country but he may enjoy
the consolation ofknowing That it is no fault
ofhis. Whatever may be the final result,
impartial history will acquit him ofany want
of fidelity to the honor and integrity of his
country ....
Since the above was written, we have re-
cieved a letter from Col. Curtis, which,
! though not so designed we venture to pub
lish. 1t will be found elsewhere
We also called at the, sanctum of the cute
City, but friend Howell was out We left
our card. In common with all the friends
of Mr.. Howell, we have been gratified by his
appointment to a desirable position under
this Administration, and we wished to con-
graduate him. Howell has labored long and
has exerted, by his finished, timely and
instructive editorials, an influence second to
no other one, upon the politics of this State
And what we say of Mr.. Howell, we might
say of numerous others Of our brethren Of
the press, whose labors through yearsof OBJ
loquy, vindctive opposition and financial OBJ
stacles, to educate the public mind in great
and living truths, have been appreciated and
rewarded by this Administration.