Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-08-11

menslons, weight and beauty OF st.
Louis on the riverfront; butthe Inner
beauties--those things best calculated
to delight the eyes Of most persons
remained to be seen. At 2 r. NJ. q
procession of about 70 carriages, bear
ing the Iowans and a nunberof State
and City officialsand citizens, formed
on fifth Street, and drove about two
miles to Lafayette Park. Riding
through miles Of deviousroute among
heevergreen trees, the bowers, lakes,
fountains, statuary, rustic bridges,
shrubs and flowers, while "musfc's
sweetest numbers" filed the air, we
almost thought ourselves in fairy
land.
or Tower Grove, or Shaw's Garden,
we shall not attempt description.
We know not whether to our own
verdancy or the verdancy Of the Gar
den should be ascribed the thoughts
of Eden that came upon us as we
entered the gate. Here were broad
acres, private property Of Mr.. Shaw,
upon which he has spent life and
millions Of money, and upon which
he annually expcnds $50, 900 In culti-
walton and improvement. He has
near 10000 varieties OF trees, shrubs,
plants and flowers. After partaking
of the Inequalities Of the proprietor,
very gracefully rendered, we regis
tered our names, as he requests Of all
his visitors, and reluctantly took our
leave.
At the Fair Grounds, occupying
the old site of Benton Barracks, a
feast was spread--such feast! This
was followed by number Of speech
e., and a Ball. The grounds and build
ings are perhaps the most extensive
in the country, and the Fairs there
held are unsurpassed by any In the
Union.
Friday morning n train was pro-
vided to convey the party to Pilot
Knob; but nearly all declined to go.
Many visited the Mercantile and
Public School Libraries, Merchants
Exchange, art galleries, type foun-
dry, ETC., and at 81 p. NJ. all took the
'busses for the Depot. An hour later
the city was behind us.
One Of the st. Louis papers next
morning stated that the train Of Pull
man Palace cars which carried US to
the Missouri river was the finest train
that ever left st. Louis. supper was
taken at Montgomery, and rooms for
the night OH the train. About sun
rise Saturday morning, walked up
entering long tunnel undera prom
ontory which juts out into the Mis-
souri, river, and soon after crossed the
"Big Muddy" OH an iron bridge at
Kansas City, where we breakfasted.
From here we ran up to Leaven-
worth, rs miles, where carriages were
in waiting to convey the weary ex-
cursionists to places OF entertainment
rs guests Of the City. In the after
noon carriages were again free to MI
who wished to see the city and the
Fort. Leavenworth has p0pula-
ton Of about 10000, accumulated in
fifteen years. It's five daily papers,
its numerous Churches, Academies,
fine residences and business houses,
would be source Of pride to any city
In the Union. A Masonic Temple
and a Cathedral are being erected,
both Of brick, with marble mount
:ngs. The former will be 70 by 1875
feet on the ground, and Ave stories
high; cost $500, 900. The Cathedral Of
the immaculate Conception Is to be
10 by 26O feet OH the ground, and cost
$3.50, 900. A railroad bridge Is now
being built across the Missouri OPP
posite the Fort two miles above the
city. Until recently their coal came
from Lexington, Mo-. and cost 40 cts.
1t Is now taken out at home, from a
three-feet vein, through a perpendic-
ular shaft 700 feet deep, which cost
$9O,000 This coal Is worth 2lcts. per
bushel. Wood IL worth 90 to %; has
sold at SIS per cord. The city is light
ed with gas. The Fort, two miles
north, from which the city took its
name, Is now commanded by Gen.
Sturges, and is garrisoned by a COM
pany ofthe 18th Infantry. Gen. Pope,
In command OF the Department, was
there during our stay. Government
owns 1000 acres, on both sides Of the
river. There are no defences Of Inn
portance, hut a number of large and
substantial buildings, used Us arsenal,
hospitals, storehouses, officers resi-