Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1875-07-07
OUR rRIP.

/ OUH TBIP.
OTTuEwA, IA, July 2, 70.
EDS. CouRIER:--Thinking that II
might be Of interest to many readers
of the COURIER, l will give an outline
of the excursion of DR.. Paul Caster
and family, Thomas Caster and family
consisting Of eleven in number.
We left this place, on Monday last
for Kcokuk, and arrived there in the
evening and took our quarters at the
"Harden House, wi ich is noted as one
of tho finest hotels in tho city. We
took a stroll over the city in tho even
ing and was highly pleased with the
general appearance OF the city.
On Tuesday morning we were soon
on board the "Harry Johnson" bound
for st. Louie. The Grst object Of i'm
portance, was we'll spread table,
yielding all the luxuries of the season,
where We soon gained refreshnent,
then wo took stroll over our boat
and found 1t equipped in tho most ele-
giant style of modern improvement
We soon made the the acquaint-
ance Of the captain, j. N. Hamilton,
who was very social and polite gen.
tlement, and entertained as with the
best Of courtesy. The pilot, steward
and clerks were kind and obliging,
and soon gained the confidence of the
passengers. Music was furnished dur
ing the days OF which had tenden-
cy to make us feel perfectly at home.
Nothing Of Importance, except the
scenery along the banks Of the Missis-
sippi, attracted our attention, until the
following morning wednesday, when
we arrived at st. Louis.
After taking refreshments we left
the boat to take view of the city. The
doctor secured two fine carriages and
prepared for general ride over the
city. The frat place Of importance
was tho water works, which supplies
the city with abundance OF water
Thence we went to the Lafayette
Park, which presented q very beauti-
ful appearance and was most magnif-
icently adorned with flowers, trees,
and everything which would have .
tendency to interest man. Thence We
went to Shaw's Garden, here the doc
tor was struck with awe, % he is .
man who loves nature, he was almost
At . loss to give vent to his ideas, con-
corning this scenery, 40 it was almost
unsurpassable for beauty and grandeur.
BY this time the Caster Excursion
found It necessary to take refresh
ments, and then We went to one of the
finest hotels (Laclede) Of the city, and
Is It was necessary to read . small
piece of paper to get our hash, and also
% the doctor could not read his paper,
it was thought best to tell the waiter
"bring on what you have"
After finishing . number one meal,
we were soon in our carriages to con.
tinue our view of the city. Space will
not admit OF "a detailed account Of our
trip that afternoon.
In the evening we went on board
our steamer for home. We were just
IS highly entertained on board the
boat - when going down.
We arrived ct keokuk ON Thursday
evening and remained ON the boat over
night. During the night there was .
very severe storm arose which threat
ened danger and the captain got up
steam In case the boat should lose an
Choir. This morning we took the train
for Ottumws, where we arrived all
safe.
Allow me to say that the entire trip
was satisfactory to oil concerned, and
more especially TO the doctor, who, af-
ter doing hard months work, could
enjoy himself very pleasantly.
The doctor speaks very highly of
his trip and would advise all who wish
to visit st. Louis, to take the same
route.
During the doctors absence the
Caster House was left in charge of w.
FL. Custer, Assistant Superintea-
dent ONE OF EN-.