The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-08-11
For Surveyor,
g. D. HACKWORTH, Center T'p.

TRIP TO OsKALoosA.-We availed ourself
Of the occasion Of the Congressional Conven-
ton at Oskaloosa on Wednesday of last
week, to visit the capital of Proud Mahaska,
being melted thereto by the desire to look
upon the representatives of the Union party
of the 4th District, to transact some little
business at Oskaloosa, but mainly to look at
the new railroad opened by the Valley CON-
pany between Eddyville and Oskaloosa and
determine the comparative expedition nd
comfort of the old method of travel by coach
and this new one by rail. We eft Ottumwa
at IL m, and reached the Oskaloosa junction
at 30 p. m. not fast travelling, but fast
enough considering the ten miles of new
track, not yet as firm as it will be when it
is ballasted and acquires more selidty. The
route of the road is mostly through timber,
along stream bearing the classical name of
Nenishnabottany, which stream it crosses
some dozen or more times in the ten miles.
The scenery is not attractive at present but
may become so when farms are opened, as
they will be ia time; the soil being appa-
rently of the best quality.
The terminus of the road is a. present
about one mile this side of the point where
the Depot is permanently located, and at
least three miles from the Public Square in
Oskaioosa. The Depot viii be about two
miles distant. The land journey was per-
formed in omnibuses and hacks, very COM
fortably and in comparatively good time.
For some time past the citizens of Oska-
loosa have been making exertiens to bring
the railroad through their town, and have
spent to that end in grading and bridging
large sum of money. The arrangement for
some reason not known to us, failed at the
last moment to take effect, and the road will
not 60 nearer to the city than the point above
named. Wegsry much regret this as Os.
kaloosa is fine town, inhabited by a re-
markably intelligent, enterprising and ye.
NAL population, whom it is always pleasure
to visit. To be compelled to journey up and
down the valley of the Des Moines without
even glimpse of Oskaloosa will not be
pleasant. We could hope that an arrange
ment might yet be made to run the cars
there. The main line we suppose is decided
upon, but it is not too late, we were told, to
connect with the main track and get the
company to run train to the town. The |
track is graded and only wants the iron.-l
We hope it will be done.
We reached Oskaloosa too late for the
Conventions. That body met at 10 a. IN. and
having ina remarkably brief aad hsrmoni-
Gus session of two hours nominated Mr.. |
GrinneL for Congress and Colonel Anderson
for Congressional Elector, had adjourned and
were already off for their homes. They
however, did their work so well that no fault
will be found with them for doing it Quickly.
There being no train until the next NOR
ming, we were enabled to spend the night in
oskaloosa, and accordingly took quarters at
the "Renshaw House," quiet well kept
Hotel, which we can conscientiously recon.
mend to travellers visiting Oskaloosa. Wei
called on friend Beardsly at the Post office,
and received from him and his partner, Mr..
Murphy, grateful attentions. The Herald
we were glad to learn is in prosperous con-
dition, Notwithstanding the prevailing high
prices of everything.
Lett Oskaloosa at six in the morning.
Took breakfast at the Hotel Harvey" an
extemporized institution kept in box car,
and standing on the track. Rather rough
Accommodations, but the fare was really good.
well worth half dollar to man W hose ap-
petite had been sharpened by three mile
ride.
One of the great advantages of railroads
is the saving Of time. Here We were 25
miles from home at 80 a. m, and with the
certainty that Conductor Patch and his
good locomotive would take US through by
Schedule time . 10 which be did. As we
came swiftly and smoothly down the roman.