The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-06-17

their station, mingling with perfect fseedon,
in the festivities. -
After short time spent in pleasant and
lively conversation, Capt. Philips stepped
forward and made the mesmtasion. The
watch is an elegant one, costing $500. In
presenting it Capt. Phillips made the follow
ing remarks:
Mr.. WHITMAN: In behalf of many of the
employees of the Chicago, Rock Island Il
Pacific Railroad Company, as also of a mum.
Der of your personal friends who are de.
sirous of showing their friendship for Won, I,
present you with small token of their kind
consideration-an and regard.
Considering the pleasant and friendly re-
latiens which have always existed between
us since our first acquaintance -new some
ten or twelve years-it is gratifying to me to
be selected by the numerous employees of
our Road to perform this exceedingly pleas
ant duty, and to bear testimony to the kind
feeling which everywhere exists towards you,
and to the great satisfaction it gives US all
to be connected with this interesting event
Your prompt and decided business habits,
your conSiderate kindness to all persons I'M
der your direction, and your genial social
nature and manners, meet our unanimous
and decided appreciation.
You will, therefore, please receive this
beautiful watch and its appendages, not as
a mere formal ceremony, but as coming
from your friends, IN all the sincerity of their
hearts, and with the decided assurance of
their great anxiety for your future welfare
and success. May it serve, not only to re-
mind you of your friends, and of this pleas
ant social gathering, but also as monitor
of the rapid flight of Time, and of your pro-
gress to that final Station where Chronome-
tiers and Timetables will be needed no
more.
Mr.. Whitman, receiving the casket con-
tanning the watch, in a clear and distinct
voice replied as follows:
CAPT. PHILLIPS: / can truly say to you,
as the chosen organ of my friends here pres
ent, as we'll as of those who are absent that /
know not how to express the gratitude feel
to you all upon being presented with this
muniicent gift. 1t was wholly unlocked
fori wholly unexpected; and, until night
before last, not the slightest intimation was
conveyed to me of your kind Intentions
Your presence, gentlemen, is a surprise-a
very agreeable one, it is true, but finds me
HiCpdiCd W sSHu W Wutt my
would prompt on such an occasion.
sincerely thank all the gentlemen con-
nected with this enterprise for this very valu-
able gift-valuable not only for its intrinsic
worth, but valuable indeed to me as q mark
of the very high regard and esteem in which
l am held by those who have contributed TO-
wards its purchase.
1t is now nearly fifteen years since be,
came connected with the Rock Island road
in an official capacity as Assistant Superin.
tendent. How well have filled the posi-
ton it is for others, not for me, to say.
have always endeavored to make the duties
of those with whom / have been associated
as pleasant as possible, consistent with my
higher duty to the Company. l may have
been severe at times, and at others too len,
lent. / have erred, / know, but that is sup
posed to be common with all men. l know
l have faults, and am sensible of them but
| l feel that have endeavored to do what
| was was right, let the consequences fall
| where they would.
When | first commenced upon the Road
| In my present position, the track was laiC
only from Chicago to Sheffield, and train.
| commenced running regularly to that point
in two or three days thereafter Sheffield
| was not then as large as at present; there
| was not house at Annawan; not house
| at Atkinson; and Geneseo was but small
| village, with the business part of it some
| halt a mile from the station. Rock Island
| was about one-third its present size, and sc
was Moline. There was but one house upon
| the immediate line of the road between Shef
| field and Colona.
1t is seventeen years last March since
| first came to Rock Island. / came through
! from Chicago with party of gentlemen with
| private teams. 1t was cold season of the
year, and good deal of the way was ovsl
bleak prairie, with scarcely fence to be
seen and but very few houses. / recollec
in one place east of Geneseo we rode fifteen
miles VI thout seeing a single house-and {
| lonesome ride it was, as l thought then.
Now, how changed Instead of the bleal
| prairie, the country is nearly all fenced ant
| under cultivation. There are fiourishing vii
| lagos at Annawan and Atkinson; Geneset
has become City, and Rock Island ant
| Moline have advanced with rapid strides tt
| what you now find them.
| The opening of the Road gave new i'm
petus to emigration and farm houses hav.
| sprung up over the whole distance, so that
| trip from Rock Island to Chicago now seem
like riding through a thinly settled villag'
the whole length of the line.
| But what shall say of those who were
with me at the time? How few are left
Here is my intimate friend Capt. Phillips
who Ito use an expression common to stag
proprietors, and / believe the Captain wa
| one of them at one period of his life) is tn
old ''wheel horse" of us all, and long may h
live to enjoy himself with us. There is Reed
Sheppard and the two Wheelers. The res
are gone. Not an engineer, or fireman
conductor, baggageman or breakesmar
station agent or laborer - not even Presiden
or Observation-Disclosures believe, are left
with the exception of those have mention
ed. They are scattered-some to Othe
roads, some to other business, and a goo
many have passed away from Earth, neve
to return. In a few short years we also Wi
be scattered in like manner: but, should
be spared, whenever, in after years, loo
upon this valuable present, it will bring for
chilly to my memory this pleasant occasion
and the many pleasant friends with whom
am surrounded this evening. Gentlemen,
thank you all, and feel far more than l ca
express.
When the formal ceremony was conclude
the party adjourned from the parlors to tn
spacious dining room and partook of a choic
collation., drank several toasts appropriate t
the occasion, and passed an hour or two il
pleasant social enjoyment, when all adjourned
highly pleased with the ceremonies of tn
evening.
The gift was richly deserved by Mr.. Viii
| man who has spent the hest wears of his iii