The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-05-23
[For - easc1syl /

4
Gfor thsAeabcsgl
- Geological nxc0ksrSn.
Itiswsll known to thA64 6AS1Ave psid
any. attention 70 Gsdl1ey, that IT, valley |,
If the Des Moides i fioh IN specimens
and full Of interest to those who have
made. this. department. Of the nstnkal
sciences subject Of investigation and
study.
At the instance Of the Rev. Dr.. GillstE, |
Of this city, Who had previously made ) |
tour Of inspection, an excursion was pro- |
posed and the time appointed. On Tues
day morning ssvsr.l ladies ,adgsntleasaI
left on the Des Moines Valley train and
proceeded to the Alpine GOAL region, .
short distance east Of Ottumwa. i
Every facility was afforded and every
attention paid to the party by the liberal
and sgentlemanIy Superintendent, Mr..
Williams, during the excursion, which
greatly contributed to its enjoyment as
well Ms It's success. r.
s The morning was bright and dear; the
the day, although warm At noon, was
nevertheless favorable to the object.and
enjoyment Of the excursionists. The
cool morning air was most refreshing. and
the rapid whirl of the train along the
margin of the river and around the curves,
opening up new and interesting views Of
bluff and vale, all covered with forest
trees just clothed in their green spring
garb, and in different stages of develop
ment, were circumstances calculated to
awaken inspiration, and produce an ex-
liberation of feeling which all seemed TO
enjoy, and each was grateful to the pro-.
jector of the excursion for its suggestion.
the interest he manifested 10 bringing it
about, as well as the selection of the day.
Having arrived at the point named By
Owen the "Cedar Bluffs" near tos.the
Alpine Coal Mines. The train stopped and
the party retired into deep ravine,
where, upon AN Offset and amid ciump
of trees, the cloth was spread upon the
ground By the ladies', aud charge made
upon the baskets containing the ample
commisssry stores provided by them for
the occasion The reverend head of the
party craved a blessings aud each one,
with an appetite sharpened BY the pure
air and exercise of the morning ride, did
ample justice to the commissary depart
ment. W ss*f aes
The repast finished, and strong guard
detailed to protect the stores, (Quantrei's
name was several times mentioned during
the morning) the major part Of the party
sailed out aDd made raid upon q rocky
spur of the bluff near by and upon the
! side of theyaIrosd trad. g In the attack
ham mers, hatchets, chisels and liliputian
picks were brought into requisition, aud
pounding picking, digging into ard
among the soft rocks, characterized the
onslaught.
Those who had failed to bring some in
tsIaetiate sinplenentsof atmnk, made
mediate use of those always at hand.
s.se Confusion soon became worse con.
founded by the rafting of falling Nrocks,
the pounding and breaking, the vocifer-
beautiful aud interssdag specimen was Va.
: fousd; the triumphant expressions oil
those who had found something more
than any. had yetv7liseeyerad end sas
every one was deivipg ard every one
finding, sowas every one loudly admiring,
chattering and exclaiming, ia all Of which
the ladies took an active part, especially
in the EXPLANATIONS Of delight and salts.
faction IS the faithful photographs Of veg.
etable organisms. living many centuries
since. were discovered.
The specimens found here were the
Lepidoderdron, chiefly Of the Pecopteru.
IA. species undetermined. A number 81
these specimens were hropght home BY
each member Of the party, and are vsrJ
interesting. -
Ailittle further up .na nearer the Al
pine mines, the point Of bluff was Gu,
of N constructing the railroad, leaving 1
x bold rocky face loo feet high. Just Al
the top Of the coal bearing stratum with
in the line between it and the .superim
posed sand rocks, ia fossil tree. the di
xmeter Of which Il over two feet.
A portion was removed In the progress,
of excavation for the coal bed, and wa,
thrown over upon the sfhbankment, wher,
at now Hes. asas ssH .s.sssaassss
Portions were brought By, the party t,
this city There Is large CONSTITUENT O
ironin III composition. .
as .p Ih!s gaIat yss named by Pr, Gillett
Ha,fhg gIstBsrssd together the product,
Of 8 days labor and search. Fe we're il
readiness for the returning ttaiD, vhiel
arrived duly :. : l. Iassa
On ths Wy, the party. o1gapized itsel
BY appointing Dr., Gillett chAiIrnkd and
DIN Gugis Sscrstary;, aftsr which
Surgeon NJ. Il Tas loflo asted The follow!
ang resolution. which WIS rdoptsd y
Resolved That Ne are kigSly erAtiied
and pleased With the sxceIlent condition
OF this road the generous end gentle
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